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4000 w. lake ave, glenview, il 60026 volume liv, issue 2, nov. 6, 2015 theoracle.glenbrook225.org CONTEMPLATING THE CONFLICT: Despite liv-

ing miles away from the heart of the Syrian conflict, GBS custodians Sahar Barkho and her husband Stewart Adam are affected just the same by the issue through familial connection in the country.

The Assyrian population (symbol below) represents the minority of Christians in northern Syria, Iraq, Turkey and western Iran.

Photo by Dani Tuchman

Syria faces uncertain future GBS Assyrians contemplate ongoing conflict in region, urge renewed outlook on controversy tent communication with their relatives in Syria. According to Nwia, there have been many times when her family has been unable to speak with their relatives for long periods of time.

ALEX SHARP “My dad will try to call his family, but sometimes we won’t be able to reach co-features editor them due to communication being down due to something [...] getting bombed,” Nwia said. “Or [...] [once my cousin] was trying to leave [...] to visit his family Refugee camps, forced migrations and displaced persons have transformed [...] in Detroit [...] but rebels had taken over a road to the airport so he couldn’t the international conversation, creating a heated discussion on the next step toleave for a couple of months. So the communication between him and his family wards ending the Syrian refugee crisis. According to the United Nations (UN), a kind of got interrupted as well as communication with my father and his family.” refugee, asylum seeker, (economic) migrant or internationally displaced person In addition to Nwia’s personal connection to the Syrian refugee crisis, GBS is a citizen who is trapped within their own country due to internal conflict. Alcustodian Sahar Barkho is a Syrian native and currently has family living in the though this conflict rages on the other side of the world, the ocean is no barrier country. According to Barkho, she and her husband, Stewart Adam, have for students and staff at GBS who have been affected by the internaadopted financial responsibility to help their family with inflation tional emergency. and unemployment.

According to syrianrefugees.eu, the Syrian refugee cri“I have a family that [...] went as refugees [into] Lebasis, beginning in March 2011 due to the nation’s civil war, non,” Barkho said. “They couldn’t afford living in Lebresulted in an estimated nine million refugees fleeing anon. [...] The government cannot support them as a Syria and seeking asylum in neighboring nations. The refugee [to] give them food or pay them [...] monthly immediacy of the crisis has been highlighted by its for the rent [...]. They have to [pay for those things] expansive nature: the Syrian government, members themselves or we have to help them. But [even of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Middle though] [my husband and I] work [...] we couldn’t Eastern and European nations impacted by the insupport [all of our] family in Syria and in Lebanon, flux of refugees through their borders. According so [the refugees in Lebanon] have to go back again to STAND adviser Matthew Whipple, the complexto Syria.” ity of this situation has worsened.

Besides communication and financial difficul“Even if the conflict were to end tomorrow, the ties, Nwia’s family has been impacted by war casualSyrian civil society has collapsed, and these people ties. According to Nwia, her cousin was one of ISIS’s that are in Europe and in Lebanon and Turkey and all victims after being targeted for being a Christian. of these places where Syrians have found themselves, are Photo courtesy of “A couple weeks ago actually [...] my dad’s third cousnot just going to get up the next morning and go home,” Creative Commons in [...] was kidnapped and executed by [ISIS],” Nwia said.

Whipple said. “These people are going to need help, need as“My family found out from a video that ISIS posted of his exsistance and support, for some time.” ecution. That’s how his family found out that he died, and [...] that With members of ISIS targeting Assyrian Christians, refugees like sophoreally hit me [...] because we aren’t involved in it, but we are suffering the conmore Rachel Nwia’s family are attempting to escape the perilous environment. sequences of other people’s actions.” “[My family is leaving Syria] mostly because they don’t feel safe there,” Nwia Barkho’s life has also been tinged with grief after losing numerous family said. “They don’t want to lose their lives due to something that they don’t want members and friends to the violence. Her 19-year-old nephew, George Adam, to get involved in, but they’re being forced to get involved in. [For example], my was killed by a Kurdish sniper while serving in the Syrian army—not by an ISIS dad’s old village, Aleppo, [...] [has] been bombed several [...] times, and [the vilweapon. According to Barkho, she will never forget the moment when, at her lagers are] not fighting. They aren’t taking sides or anything. They’re just tryhome, she got the call that her nephew had passed. ing to live their lives, but due to [...] their lives being at stake, they had to leave their towns.”

Due to the war’s destruction, Nwia and her family struggle to ensure consisJOHN SCHURER co-news editor

See SYRIA page 2

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Common Core poses opportunity for math curriculum refinement SASHA VASSILYEVA asst. news editor

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outh’s Math Department is looking to make curricular changes following the shift to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) program, according to math teacher Elizabeth Bushek.

Illinois accepted CCSS in 2010, meaning that all public schools in the state have to meet certain standards required by this program. These changes were implemented statewide during the 2013-2014 school year. According to Bushek, this shift has caused everything in the curriculum to change.

“What [current high school students] were taught in second grade is completely different than what [students] are learning now,” Bushek said. “I think the goal of Common Core is to make [you] think in different ways [...] that will help you become a better problem solver as you continue to grow.”

According to Beth Tsoumas, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction for District 34, upon entering sixth grade, students are offered three paths for math: grade level (Common Core), single accelerated and double accelerated. By the end of eighth grade, students following the grade level curriculum will complete sixth, seventh and eighth grade CCSS. Students enrolled in the single accelerated program will complete CCSS 6-8 along with high school Algebra 1 and students enrolled in the double accelerated program will complete all that as well as high school Geometry.

“Our curriculum, assessments and instructional practices are fully aligned with the CCSS for each grade level in English Language Arts (ELA) and math,” Tsoumas said.

“District 34 staff worked collaboratively to create these new curriculum maps. The new standards not only support students’ readiness for high school but put them on a trajectory to be college and career ready.”

According to Bushek, now each course will not only include what was taught in the past, but will also include new information and push students toward new ways of thinking. For example, the eighth grade CCSS curriculum will include aspects of Algebra 1, Geometry will include elements of Algebra 2, and Algebra 2 will go into concepts taught in Precalculus.

“It’s not the same course,” Bushek said. “It’s not like ‘Oh, now you can’t get as far.’ The courses [themselves] are changing.”

According to Tsoumas, the transition to CCSS will allow students to share a common set of standards which she thinks will serve to help them.

“True implementation of CCSS, done with fidelity, will benefit all students,” Tsoumas said. “When implemented as intended, with aligned mathematical practices and instructional shifts, students will achieve a much deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and will be able to apply knowledge and skills at much higher level.”

According to Philip Gartner, instructional supervisor of the Math Department, a change that was already made to the Math Department was the elimination of

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Nov. 6, 2015

TRAGEDY STRIKES: Mourning the loss of Milad Adam (right), family members sob in rememberance of his life. Adam was killed in Feb. 2015 at 18 years old when a Kurdish sniper shot him in the head. He is one of the casualties of the long-standing conflict in Syria, which has touched several members of the South community, including his aunt and uncle, custodians Sahar Barkho and Stewart Adam. Photos courtesy of Sahar Barkho ing to Nwia, she specifically witnessed the danger occurring in her family’s homeland when watching the news one night with her dad, where the violence became “We [got] a phone call from Lebanon more personal. [where] they told me [that my husband] “[The news was] talking about the bomblost his first nephew—that he got killed ing of Aleppo, and my dad lived there,” in the war,” Barkho said. “When they told Nwia said. “He grew up there [...], and I reme, [...] I couldn’t breathe. I had like [a] member sitting there next to my dad; […] panic attack, and I [started] screaming. he was just speechless, because this entire I was like, ‘No way, no way this has haptown was rubble, and I just started bawlpened.’ [...] My kids, they were sleeping ing. I couldn’t stop crying, and my dad was when I screamed. They came to me, and like, ‘It’s going to be okay.’” they [hugged] me. ‘Mom, what happened?

According to Barkho, she would rather What happened, please?’ And they were be killed in Syria than attempt escape, decrying. [...] I fell down on the floor, and I spite all the violence and fear associated am crying with my loud voice, [wonder- with the Syrian refugee crisis. She would ing] why this had happened, why this is prefer to sacrifice her life rather than sacgoing on. And no one can hear us; no one rifice her values. can feel us.”

“Even if I was [in Syria] today with what’s Recognizing the danger of traveling in going on with [...] ISIS, I would never deny Syria, Nwia knows she will never be able my religion or [that] I am Christian,” Barkto visit the land of her ancestors. Accord- ho said. “I would rather die, and I would rather be beheaded or killed [than] deny my religion. I would die with [the] proud Jesus [and] with [the] proud cross, [...] because I would never give up. [...] As a human, they can kill my body, but they can not kill my soul.”

Understanding the sacrifices made daily by Syrian refugees, Nwia sides with peace and stability in Syria. In order to achieve this security, Nwia believes education on the topic is the first step towards progress in aiding the refugees. According to Nwia, action can RELIGIOUS RUINS: An important place of worship for many Assyri- only be taken once an families, St. George’s Church in Syria was destroyed by ISIS and the everyone, including Kurdish army. Photo courtesy of Sahar Barkho all GBS students,

Syria, continued from front

Taking a closer look at events that shaped the world.

THE CONFEDERATE FLAG DANI TUCHMAN co-editor-in-chief

If you were alive 155 years ago today, you would have witnessed headlines that read, “Abraham Lincoln elected 16th president of The United States.”

Not only was he the first Republican candidate elected to office, but he received 40 percent of the popular vote when he defeated his running-mates, one of whom was Illinois senator Stephen A. Douglas.

For a historical refresher, Lincoln ran against Douglas for the Illinois senate seat in 1858 and their campaigns became the stage for the famous “Lincoln Douglas Debates.”

After losing the election, Lincoln ran for the presidency two years later and was chosen as arguably one of the best commanders-in-chief in our nation’s history.

Lincoln’s controversial victory instigated the secession of seven Southern states, which threatened secession if the Republicans gained the White House. Lincoln’s inauguration was paired with the establishment of the Confederate States of America, and one month later, the brutality of the

understands what the crisis is and why the violence is so detrimental to Syrian citizens and their families.

“I think [GBS students] need to learn about what’s happening because a lot of people [...] talk about it, but they’re not really educated about the situation that’s happening right now,” Nwia said. “So, if I [ask] [them for] anything, it’s just to learn more about what’s happening because I think that could do so much [...] [on] how we talk about it, and maybe even bring us to find more solutions.”

In agreement with Nwia, Whipple also believes that education is necessary to generate change. With this in mind, STAND for Peace (STAND) held a “STAND for Syria” week-long campaign and fundraiser last year for the UN High Commission on Refugees, raising a total of $1,500.

For the coming year, STAND hopes to continue their awareness and fundraising efforts in order to further aid the growing number of Syrian refugees.

“We don’t want these people starving to death, losing their lives trying to find a safer place; that’s not who we are [and] that’s not what we want in the world,” Whipple said.

Similar to Whipple, Barkho said one of the most effective ways to aid Syrian refugees is to rethink the crisis from a new perspective. According to Barkho, she wants all GBS students to remember to be thankful for the freedoms and safety the United States promises. Barkho specifically sees the value of her current situation in the way that she goes to bed at night and feels safe, which is extremely different than what her family and friends are facing in Syria. “[I don’t want] people here in the United States [...] to take this country for granted,” Barkho said. “It’s the best country. [...]

American people are with the best kinds of hearts. [...] I am very happy that I am living here. I love [the] United States [because of] freedom of religion [and] freedom of how you want to live. [Freedom] is the best thing. It makes me live peacefully [and happily]. [...] And I hope one day, the war will stop in my country.”

Civil War ensued.

Two years later, as the Union states noticeably started to defeat the Confederacy, Lincoln emancipated the Southern slaves. In 1864, Honest Abe won a seat for his second term. Five days after the Confederate states surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse, Lincoln was assassinated and unable to witness the official Union victory and the post-war Reconstruction period.

Even today, many Southerners want to display the Confederate flag as what they say is a proud symbol of their heritage. The continual flying of the Confederate flag in certain states is a testament to their view of the flag as a positive symbol. However, on July 10, South Carolina’s capitol building was ordered to remove the Confederate flag, an evident symbol of slavery, that ebbed and waved on the front lawn for 54 years.

South Carolina governor Nikki Haley declared on NBC’s “Today Show” that the “Flag needs to be in a museum, where we will continue to make

ALUM PUBLISHES BIOGRAPHY

SOUTH HOSTS ILMEA FESTIVAL

Michael Witwer, a 2001 graduate of GBS, published a biography about Gary Gygax, the co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, documenting his life as he experienced both success and failure in pioneering the role-playing game. The biography has been reviewed positively by Publishers Weekly and NPR. Witwer held a book signing and discussion at the Book Market in the Glen on Thursday Oct. 8.

South’s music department will host the District 7 Senior ILMEA Music Festival on Saturday Nov. 7. The festival will consist of rehearsals and clinics throughout the day for orchestra, band and vocal ensembles and a performance starting at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for senior citizens and children under 12.

BILL AIDS GLENBROOKS A new extension of the federal Impact Aid bill grants eligibility for Glenbrook students who come from military families or government employees to apply for additional federal funding.

DEBATE EARNS HIGH RANKING The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) named Glenbrook South Debate the 15th highest ranking program in the nation for the 2014-2015 school year. The NSDA includes more than 3,200 schools in its ranking based on number of points and degrees earned for competitive and service activities.

PSAT SEMIFINALISTS Seniors Michael Aki, Michael Callahan, Dean Gladish, Kevin Gordon, William Huie, Samantha Levi and Douglas Stryker were selected as National Merit Semifinalists for the 2016 program. These students took the PSAT exam in their junior year and were selected for the program based on having a high scoring performance.

DISTRICT HOLDS FOCUS GROUPS In early October, District 225 sent surveys to parents, students and staff in an attempt to identify important topics related to curriculum and wellness for action and discussion over the next three years. 1,500 community members provided input electronically. On Nov. 18, the district will host its second session where attendees will discuss these topics and learn about plans the district has to address them. The meetings are open to the public.

ALUMNUS WRITES MEMOIR In 1965—just three years after South opened its doors to students—freshman Glenn “Bob” Davis was adjusting to a high school environment. Outside of South, Davis served as the bat-boy for the Chicago White Sox. In his recently published memoir, When the Grain Ran True: Memoirs of a Major League Bat Boy, Davis highlights the life lessons he learned from the experience. Copies of his memoir are available in the GBS library.

KEY CLUB HELPS REFUGEES Key Club participated in an event on Oct. 31 in which they accompanied children from the Refugee One resettlement agency as they trick-or-treated.

sure people will honor it appropriateCarolina’s lauded precedent. ly.” He later added, “The Statehouse Nonetheless, Lincoln’s lasting legacy [is] an area that belongs to everyone. continues to influence the actions of And no one should drive by the stateAmerican citizens and law-makers house and feel pain. No one should alike and indirectly facilitates the nadrive by the statehouse and feel like tion’s gravitation towards a truly unithey don’t belong.” fied state.

A similar situation unfurled on Oct. 26 when The University of Mississippi lowered their flag that contained the Confederacy’s crossed red and white stripes. The action came days after student and faculty-led groups on-campus SOUTHERN STARS: Flycalled for removal ing high, the confederate of the banner. Howflag is displayed outside ever, it was surprisof the South Carolina ing to many that it capitol building. The flag took an institution was removed on July 10, of higher educa2015. Photo credit: flickr tion another three months until they followed after South

news

Nov. 6, 2015

implemented in the 2017-2018 school year.

“In the past, we’ve really valued our two-year sequence and thought that it the Algebra 3 course in the ‘studies’ sewas good for students, prepared them quence. This was a direct result of the well and integrated a lot of statistics switch to Common Core. into the program,” Gartner said. “But, “Because of changes with Common with Common Core, a lot of statistics is Core pushing more and more material being integrated into the middle school earlier and making courses more and [curriculum] and Algebra 1 and Algebra more rigorous, our Algebra 2 Studies 2. While statistics remains very imporhas really become a more complete [...] tant, we don’t think it needs as much experience for our students,” Gartner emphasis in that Precalculus course as said. “[So] the Algebra 3 Studies [course] it once did.” is now no longer needed.”

Although this change has not yet With this change, students that combeen approved, Gartner acknowledges plete Algebra 2 Studies will now be able that this change could be beneficial for to take a Precalstudents by allowculus class, which “We want to make ing them to adGartner believes further in sure that we’re not vance will benefit them in math and be better the future. just teaching content, prepared for col“There may be a but students are learn- lege.“Moving to a night that they’re working on their one-year Precalcuing and engaged.” homework durlus, I think, [would] - Phillip Gartner, ing their senior open doors for year where they’re Math Department in- some [students] feeling like, ‘Oh, really would structional supervisor who I wish this class like to have that sewere easier’,” Gartnior year option of ner said. “But, they might appreciate taking an AP Statistics or an AP Calculus it the next year when they don’t have [course],” Gartner said. to take a math class for no credit, beAccording to Gartner, these changes cause they placed into a higher math will not only affect students, but teachcourse or they’re able to place out of ers as well. Along with figuring out how math completely [...] because they were to approach the change in content reso well-prepared from that Precalculus quired by Common Core, teachers may [course].” also need to take into consideration the According to Gartner, another pacing of the class and their instructionchange that is being discussed is the al practices. possible merge of the Precalculus with “We want to make sure that we’re not Statistics and Precalculus Discrete classjust teaching content, but students are es into a one-year Precalculus course, learning and engaged, and they’re havwhich, if ing opportunities to problem-solve and approved, discuss and collaborate [with each othwill likeer],” Gartner said. ly be According to Gartner, some of these changes might make the curriculum more challenging for students.

However, he believes that they will be able to work through it and that it will be an appropriate challenge which will help to prepare them for college and their future.

“For some students, it can mean a little bit more [of a] challenge and needing to work hard and get help from their teachers, [...] and we know that our students can do that,” Illustration by Jini John Gartner said.

Math Curriculum, continued from front

ROBOTIC ROUTES: Adjusting the settlings on his robot, sophomore Colb Uhleman (front) attempts to perfect its programming. Uhleman acts as a mentor to freshman Aidan Sochowski (not pictured) as a part of the STEM Learning Community buddy program. Photo by Sophie Mason

STEM pilots new buddy program hopes for each freshman to have a soph- freshman year, STEM or making friends,” omore classmate they feel comfortable Roberts said. “I introduced her to people reaching out to for in my grade [and] “Whenever I have a ques- gave her tips.”

The Science, Technology, Engineering assistance. and Mathematics (STEM) Learning Com“All the sophoFreshman tion [...] [my buddy] can munity, South’s new science and applied mores took physMatt Moran’s help me out because he technology educational track, has devel- ics last year, and all mentor, sophoped a buddy program that pairs a freshthe freshman are Jimwent through it already.” omore man with a sophomore mentor. currently in physmy Palmer has - freshman Matt Moran STEM teacher Michael Sinde explained ics, so if they have helped him simithat because the program was implementa question about larly. Moran ed last year, the sophomores this year are physics they can talk to their STEM buddy says he meets with his buddy once or the only ones able to share their experi- or big brother/sister and get help with it,” twice each week, typically for a few ences and provide help if the freshmen Sinde said. minutes during lunch to discuss have questions outside of class. Sinde According to Sinde, STEM teachers sent what Moran is working on. out a mass email to the “Whenever I have a question on freshman and sopho- something we’re working on or on mores at the start of the the course, he can help me out beyear, briefly describing cause he went through it already,” Mothe program and telling ran said. each student the name Sophomore Abby Grant also quickly of their mentor or men- contacted her mentee. She helped by givtee. Ideally, after receiving tips and pointers on how to study, exing their buddies, one plaining the tendencies and expectations student would contact of certain teachers, and advising on ways the other—like sopho- to get involved with the school. Grant took more Katie Roberts did the mentorship as more than just a rewith her buddy, fresh- sponsibility to help her buddy with STEM man Shannon Schmidt. concepts.

“When we found out “If I were a freshman, I’d love to have a who our mentees were, I sophomore telling me how to get through emailed [Shannon], and high school,” Grant said. “I think that’s the we started texting, and idea behind [the buddy program], to kind PLAYFUL PROJECT: Taking pride in her work, sophomore KathI just asked her if she of act like big sisters and big brothers to ryn Park puts together a robot she will later program. Park is in needed any help with these students.” the sophomore level STEM class. Photo by Sophie Mason LAUREN BENSON staff reporter

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Freshmen compete in coding competition, create original website ANUSHKA KALRA staff reporter

A team of four GBS freshmen, Nicholas Ermolov, Ahmed Malik, Jesus Crespo and Matt Moran, took first place at the first Northern Illinois University Huskie Hack, a coding competition that was held in September.

According to the competition’s website, the event ran from noon on Sept. 25 until noon the next day. The challenge was to quickly create a website that would easily display census data in a visually appealing manner.

“This event was a new experience for all of us,” Malik said. “We all have coded before, but it was new [because] we had to undertake a task that [required] us to use all of our different skills.”

According to Malik, The group did not know anything about the challenge until it was given to them at noon.

“The challenge [didn’t] give many specifics on what to do, which was good, because that opened up a lot of possibilities,” Malik said. “But, it also made it hard to understand what we needed to do. We didn’t realize until two to three hours into the competition that we had to use Illinois census data, not nation-wide data.”

Experts in computer fields offered advice to group during the competition. According to Malik, a difficult part of the challenge was being unable to ask the spon-

sors for help after the first half of the competition.

“They left after a while, which was stressful,” Malik said. “But it gave us a real-life experience, and [we were able to experience] how it would [feel] in a company environment [with no help].”

Moran adds that once the group got into the swing of things, it was easy to adjust to the challenge.

“Once I have my mind set on something, I can work on that forever,” Moran said.

PLTW teacher Michael Sinde, commented that not everyone can adapt to such a challenge as this group did.

“These kids have incredible work ethic,” Sinde said.

“I think that [is] owed to their success.”

The end-product of the challenge was a website called Cimple Census, which was effective at compiling census data. While some members worked on the actual website, others focused on the background coding and algorithms.

“We had a very diverse group,” Moran said. “Nicholas Ermolov has a lot of experience working on web development, so he worked on the ‘back-end,’ or the mathematics, of the app. I worked on the front-end.”

Moran went on to say that, through the different talents of each group member, they were able to accomplish this task. Crespo adds that some were fluent in different languages, so they ended up splitting into teams of two. In the future, the team hopes to work together in other competitions.

BRO CODE: Collaborating in website creation, freshmen Nicholas Ermolov, Ahmed Malik, Jesus Crespo and Matt Moran (seated) receive instruction from a coding expert. The boys coded for a full 24 hours and learned valuable skills along the way. Photo courtesy of Mike Sinde

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Nov. 6, 2015

District 225 plans to upgrade technology GRACE SHIN asst. news editor

The Northfield Township Technology Consortium (NTTC) will be implementing a technological upgrade to GBS and other schools in December 2015 or March 2016.

According to the official website of the NTTC, the organization was created to share Internet and other technological resources across school districts, municipalities and others. R.J. Gravel, director of technology services for District 225, detailled the reason behind the upgrade at GBS. “What we’ve done is come together and say, ‘Why do we have a connection to Comcast, a connection to Hurricane Electric (which gives us internet), [or] a connection to AT&T?’” Gravel explained. “‘Let’s all come together and get a really big connection, share it, and then decrease our costs.’”

Gravel says the different buildings and a few elementary schools that share the bandwidth connections with South use a layer-three and layer-two networking environment.

“We take all of these separate locations, bring them together through fiber wires running between our buildings and our neighboring school districts and enable them to all connect to the same Internet connection,” Gravel said.

He also states that each building used to have two physical pieces of equipment that allowed for the network to connect between buildings, and the upgrade was made to reduce it to one piece of equipment.

“Instead of looking at it all separately,

we’re [going to] run one network,” Gravel said. “We’re going to have this multi-lane highway, and we are going to translate how we route things to the Internet or to each other in terms of the computer a little differently, and that’s what this new hardware will allow us to do.”

According to Gravel, the decision for the upgrade was made prior to his employment by Ryan Bretag, former director of educational technology and interim director of technology services, and Marcus Thimm, former technical services director. “[Bretag and Thimm] put together a plan, presented it to the Board of Education; the Board approved the amount of money to be spent [and] approved the scope of the project,” Gravel said. “Upon my arrival in July, the equipment had already been purchased, and now it was [to] plan and [scope] it out.”

The upgrade was supposed to be implemented on Oct. 9, but because of minor issues, the process was delayed until Sunday, Oct. 11. Gravel says the department then decided to revert back to the old system until the upgrade can be made securely.

“We had everyone talking and working with each other, but one of the difficult things you run into when you’re working with an upgrade is [that] you need to do a substantial amount of testing,” Gravel said. “So, you [have to] change how the buildings communicate with each other, [and how] they get to the Internet. You want to make sure you go into [any] classroom and [see everything] wirelessly con-

“Even now, with the wired [computers] we’re still connected to a file server, and many times that slows down to a crawl.”

- David Rogers, Computer Science teacher

nected to our hardware network. We want to make sure things are working.”

According to Gravel, the upgrade was chosen, not because there were faults with the network designed, but to make the network better in terms of stream-lining, troubleshooting and pieces of equipment that can fail or break.

“When a classroom reports that there is an issue, [that] not all the students can get to Google Drive [or that] not everyone can do x, y and z, [the update will] let us decrease some of the points that we have to look at, so we [can] respond to those issues quicker and more efficiently,” Gravel said.

Sophomore Hao Chen says there have been multiple instances when the school network was not working well. “[The Internet] takes forever to load, and it usually encounters a problem, so you have to restart the computer,” Chen said.

David Rogers, Computer Science teacher, reveals that there were several times during class when the server was not working, preventing students from doing what they were supposed to.

“We’re limited in what we can do,” Rogers said. “It’s possible that students don’t have to use the network for what they’re doing, but if they’ve started a file, and it lives on the network, then they can’t get to it. So they [will] have to start something totally new.”

Rogers said that if the Computer Science classes switch to laptops and begin to run wirelessly, the upgrade will be beneficial.

“Even now, with the wired [computers], we’re still connected to a file server, and many times that slows down to a crawl,” Rogers said. “So it’s still up and available, but it’s so slow that it can’t operate, because it just takes too long. So things that would take less than one second now take several minutes.”

Rogers said that he is open to the technology upgrade if they fix the problems that the Computer Science classes are cur-

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rently facing.

“I look forward to [the upgrade], because there have been several times that, all of a sudden, everybody’s machines slows down to a point that it’s almost unusable,” Rogers said. “That can be really frustrating.

But, if it’s part of the upgrade, I welcome that.”

According to Gravel, the issue the Computer Science classes are experiencing is called a wireless Internet connectivity issue. Although this issue will not be the fo-

cus of the upcoming upgrade, Gravel says that there are other plans for similar problems that are happening at GBS. “While this network enhancement will help provide a more stable network infrastructure across buildings and our elementary feeder districts, this particular enhancement is not targeted at improving these types of issues,” Gravel said. “We do have other initiatives that we are working on to provider greater stability in our wireless network and increased coverage.”

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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.

Nov. 6, 2015

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Efforts to alleviate student stress require unified action It is commonly believed that many students associate a negative mindset with school. While school remains our primary source of knowledge and benefits us in the long run, it has come to the attention of the Oracle Editorial Board that students often feel overwhelmed by the amount of school work and exams they are receiving.

According to an unscientific Oracle-conducted survey of 304 students, 92 percent of students said that they sometimes to always feel stressed or overwhelmed because of school. Therefore, the Oracle Editorial Board has decided to address three different approaches to how school can be made a composed learning environment, rather than a cycle of hassle and anxiety.

TEACHERS Teachers are entitled to teach by their own methods, but the Oracle Editorial Board suggests that teachers keep in mind that students have a life outside of academics, whether it be involvement in clubs, a job or participation in a sport. With that in mind, the Editorial Board recommends that departments communicate with one another during students’ most sressful times of the school year.

According to social worker David Hartman, these times include the ends of each quarter, before finals and before school breaks. To alleviate stress at these points of the year, the Oracle Editorial Board suggests the Dean’s Office publishes a schedule that teachers must abide by during high pressure times of the school year. The schedule would contain days that each department are allowed to schedule exams.

Also, as prefaced in the Health Department, the Oracle Editorial Board encourages teachers to hand out “Give me a break passes.” The Health Department uses these to give students extensions on homework assignments or free time in the hallway for half the block to catch up on work. The purpose of these passes is to help students “buy their sanity.” According to Health teacher Laura Duffy, the passes are meant to give students the option to prioritize their work or their time as they see fit.

“We have all been in a situation where we just can’t imagine how we are going to get it all done,” Duffy said. “That’s a very defeating feeling. I think the pass gives students choices, and everyone feels less stressed when they have choices. For example: ‘Do it now and get no sleep’, or ‘Use a pass and get it done during SRT tomorrow.’ It allows students to learn to prioritize and use the helpful tools that are made

available to them.”

Teachers can become more involved and aware of the other workloads of their students, thus being conscientious of the students’ overall performance and the overall understanding of the subject at hand, if the student is not burdened with studying for other exams or completing other assignments.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS It is conventional for some guardians to check their student’s’ grades online regularly. Though it is healthy to be involved with your student’s academic life, constantly checking PowerSchool may add unnecessary pressure on them.

The Oracle Editorial Board would like to stress the importance of establishing an understanding relationship between guardian and student. In the case of some parents, if the high demand of good academic standing is not met, it increases chances of failure and punishment for the student. It is necessary to explain poor academic performance, but simply reprimanding the student will not lead to an immediate increase in GPA. Students are compelled to perform well because of the pressure placed upon them by those who expect highly of them: guardians.

For senior Colton Davis*, who is taking all AP and honors courses, he feels his parents play a significant role in motivating him to perform well academically.

“I very much feel the need to succeed in school as it’s been instilled in me that truly there is no other option,” Davis said. “I, like many from this area, come from a family who has ‘succeeded’ in their lives and has this ideal path to success in their mind. Therefore, it is only natural that I also believe education and future security are synonymous.”

According to Davis, there were times that his parents resorted to unreasonable punishment and questioned his capability. Though he now holds a seemingly strict frame of mind concerning his academic performance because of his parents, Davis does think that it had a positive outcome to help him in the future.

“In the long run, I suppose [my parents’ pressure to do well] was positive,” Davis said. “I’m applying to top schools, and I’ve performed very highly in all things academic beyond this point.”

While it is important to see to it that your child succeeds academically and socially, it is equally as important to allow your child to succeed at their own rate. Though some guardians believe that support and stress upon good grades will lead to greater ac-

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

complishments, the best that you can do for them to achieve success is to define it, not by the amounts of A’s in their transcript, but rather the lucrative take away that he or she has and how it benefits their overall comprehension.

STUDENTS All in all, students, it is placed upon you to seek your own threshold. Some are more inclined to challenge themselves, while others prefer to stay within their comfort zone and take classes up to their academic caliber. In either approach, the Oracle Editorial Board advocates that students seek their own academic rigor and learn for themselves. This applies to extracurricular activities as well. Though we are expected to be well-rounded students both academically and outside of school, certain sacrifices must be made to make sure that no one individual is spread too thin.

“Students need to recognize that they need to balance things,” Hartman said.

“They don’t have to do everything. They don’t have to be in AP classes all the time. They don’t have to do all these things all the time, and it’s okay, sometimes, to do less.”

However, if it comes to a point that a student is unable to reevaluate and reassess their plan of action, there are plenty of informed adults around the school to help you out. According to senior Bridget Fogarty, co-president of Buoy club, which focuses on destressing students, student stress is commonly ignored in our community. She believes that, in order to improve the situation, one must seek out help.

“We, as a school, do such

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 Sotirichos

a great job of raising awareness for so many different things, but I think that one thing that everybody ignores is the fact that they need to destress [after] all the activities or sports or school classes they are taking,” Fogarty said. “I would definitely recommend talking to somebody that you are close with, whether it is a friend or teacher that you trust or a parent or sibling, and let them know that you are stressed. I feel like the worst thing you could do is lie to yourself and say that you’re fine and that you can handle everything [even though you can’t].” *Names have been changed

Graphic by Jacqueline DeWitt

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

@GBSOracle @gbsoracle

6

opinions

Nov. 6. 2015

Pursuing dreams allows for realistic career path

‘Free the Nipple’ sparks debate, abolishes prejudice

ELAINE SINE co-opinions editor

JONATHAN LEE asst. opinions editor

At a young age, I wanted to be many things. I had career dreams ranging from a professional soccer player to an ice-cream truck driver. As I’ve grown older, those ideas now are merely dreams. Although we may have had so many dreams in the past, we shouldn’t forget them, but rather work to fulfill those dreams, even if it seems impossible.

As high schoolers, those dreams we had are now forgotten or thought of only once in a while. For seniors especially, it’s the year when you guys choose your future and your career. Many of you seniors can confidently say that you’ve had a career in mind at a very young age and have continued with that goal.

But for others, it’s the complete opposite. Because society makes it seem that our dreams are simply “dreams”, you have chosen to take the career path that fits the requirements of reality, or having a job that is actually achievable.

A wise man by the name of Tupac once said, “Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.” We all live off of our dreams, and if we didn’t have dreams, we would be living for nothing. Live for dreams, not for others.

Obviously, I can just ramble on and on about this idea, and you might not take anything away from this. To be honest, if I were to be reading this I would be thinking, “This Asian kid sounds like my mom.”

But the truth is, dreams are so important in life, and at times we forget how much they impact us. We think of dreams as simply “dreams”. When we think of dreams we don’t think of them with any value. When we make goals, many times we don’t succeed. We’ll try to succeed for a little bit, but sooner or later we think of it as impossible, and we settle for something easier.

Clearly, this is our problem. When we think of role models like Michael Jordan or Ellen Degeneres, we think to ourselves, “I wish I could be like them.” Then that’s that, and we continue on with our life. We think that they had a lucky break, and they were born with their talent.

However, they earned their position.

They were just like us and had a dream at a young age. Then, unlike us, they worked to reach their dream, and through determination and confidence, they fulfilled it.

Sure, I’m just an average kid that likes his bread without the crust, so I might not have the credentials to tell you what to do.

But as the infamous Shia LaBeouf once said, “DON’T LET YOUR DREAMS BE DREAMS...

MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. JUST DO IT!” So, why are we not doing this? And who knows: maybe I’ll become a professional soccer player, and I can just become an icecream truck driver on the weekends.

Nothing is impossible.

The less clothing I wear, the more comfortable I am. In fact, when I was a toddler, every time my family wrestled me into sweaters and jeans during the winter, I squirmed out of them in exchange for a tiny t-shirt and shorts, thinking only of my comfort and not if it was enough to brace the cold.

Therefore, while scrolling through my Facebook one evening and landing on a video titled, “These women are going topless, but it’s for a very good reason!”, I watched as the Free the Nipple campaign merged into my knowledge, thus unabashedly becoming a supporter of the movement.

Free The Nipple is a national and worldwide equality movement meant to defy the stigma against the female body, according to freethenipple.com. Women walk around topless to protest the censorship of their nipples and general repression of their decisions regarding their bodies. Even in states where being topless is legal, such as New York, women still get arrested.

However, although my protest against clothing wasn’t problematic for me as a child, it became more so as I grew older.

It actually became very “slutty”, as noted by many adults and former friends.

Moreover, after voicing my support for Free the Nipple, I began receiving lewd and sexually-suggestive support or undisguised confusion for my opinion.

For those of you who disagree or sexualize women’s rights to be topless, let me ask this: why are nipples sexual?

Scratch that. Why are women’s nipples sexual, since it’s perfectly fine for men to walk around without a shirt?

In a YouTube video created by Mic, these were what some men felt about the idea of women walking around topless: “I would be like, ‘I can’t take my eyes off them.’”

“I think it would cause a lot of attention, probably distractions.”

“Women are more sexual than men.”

Excuse me? Is it sexual or distracting when men walk around with their nipples fully bare to the world when they go to the beach or run around the block? Or has that become a norm you’ve grown accustomed to?

Until 1936, it wasn’t legal for men to be half-naked, according to freethenipple.com. So 75 years ago, it actually

women’s nipples. Free the Nipple, a movie directed by Lina Esco, examines this movement in detail. Photo credit to IFC Films

wasn’t normal for men to be without a column), but because of the clothes I’ve shirt, either. It’s only because men had worn in the past. Whether my shirts too fought for this right that males today sleeveless, my shorts too short, or my have the blessed freedom to walk around clothes just labeled to be overall “revealwithout caging themselves in a shameing,” I was plainly ridiculed because of ful stigma. layers of clothes I didn’t wear.

Plus, breasts are not fundamentally One of the first times I wore a minisexual in other cultures, not for men nor skirt in middle school, a girl friend of women. In her book, Breasts: The Women’s mine couldn’t see past the largeness of Perspective on an American Obsession, Caromy thighs and teased me relentlessly lyn Latteier cites about them. If Women’s bodies have an interview she I ever showed had with an an“too much cleavbecome pornographic, thropologist in age”, older lashameful and mannerless dies remarked, Mali, an African country where in the eyes of people today. “What kind of women walk girl do you want But what good does that around without boys to think you having to cover are?” do for anyone? their breasts.

I want boys “[The women in Mali are] always to know I’m a grown woman who has a feeding their babies,” Latteier wrote. body she’s not ashamed to show, and I “When she told them that in our cul- want everyone else to understand there ture men are fascinated with breasts, is something wrong in attempting to there was an instant of shock. The wom- humiliate ladies because of whatever en burst out laughing. They laughed so shame they stigmatize with a woman’s hard, they fell on the floor. They said, body.

‘You mean, men act like babies?’”

People tell me to respect myself beOverall, I’m not just blaming the atticause they don’t want people to think tudes of men who oversexualize my and I’m “sending the wrong message” or bemany other women’s choices regarding cause I was “doing it for attention.” I rethe amount of skin we show. Women spect my body, and I’m doing it for my also like attacking other women based own comfort. Why can’t my decisions for on their clothing or lack thereof. my own body be considered respectful?

I’ve been called a slut or slutty on Honestly, it’s not the issue of the law multiple occasions, almost exclusively anymore, because there is an extent of by girls and women. Not on the basis of “topless freedom” for women in Illinois, any sexual promiscuity (which is also according to TIME. The unfortunate reperfectly fine, but that’s a whole other ality we’re now faced to realize is that

it’s the social stigma for this sexist measure and how every one of us will judge another person’s decision regarding their own body.

Am I happy that I could go around the city of Chicago topless whenever I want?

Heck yes. But will I actually be brave enough to do it? Not in the near future, because of all fat-shaming, slut-shaming and the other degradations I’ve endured.

Women’s bodies have become pornographic, shameful and mannerless in the eyes of people today. But what good does that do for anyone? It holds the image that men are uncontrollable fiends who can’t handle the image of a woman’s body in everyday life. It demonstrates a disconnect between women who will attack each other without realizing this will benefit everyone of our gender and elevate confidence among all females in the fight for equality.

Do we want to prove these degrading presumptions of humanity to be true?

It feels like people are giving up at this point and saying, “Haven’t we given women enough?”

People, there’s still so much work to be done in the fight for equality. Freeing the woman’s nipple is only a first step.

Assumption of failure proves unjust in decision to drop classes

DANA SIM columnist

Photo by Sophie Mason

A NOD TO NIPPLES: Marching down the street, women parade around New York City without shirts in protest of the laws that censor

There is a girl who takes six AP classes, leads three clubs, participates in two sports and works from 6 to 9 every night.

She comes home, skips dinner and does homework for the next five hours. Then she goes to school and repeats the cycle.

There is no sleep, time to spend with friends or family, period of calm or relaxation. Instead, all this person can fret about is the next AP Bio exam or paper due for AP English.

This is not healthy.

At South, there are plenty of students who suffer from taking on too big of a workload. From enrolling in too many honors courses to participating

in too many clubs, students can find writing to tell you it’s not, because if you themselves overburdened with school get back two extra hours of sleep from work. dropping AP Psychology, then you have The most sensible thing to do is to a higher chance of winning that soccer drop some of these classes, side activities tournament. You lose some, but you will or extracurriculars, but sometimes that almost always gain as well. option is not viable.

There will always be another class, Parents oftentimes will push their another activity or another opportunity. child to do more, believing the workload At the present, the current choice might just needs getting used to. Other times, not fit, and that’s okay. But there is it is a matter of wanting to look good also another side to this coin: sticking for future colleges through it. and scholarships.

During the first But if the student is week of my AP getting four hours European History of sleep a night and class, I seriously drinking six cups of thought I was coffee a day, I advise going to die. I was they reconsider barely sleeping and their decisions. doing anything but Drop the class or studying day in, day the activity that is out. I was ready to taking up all your drop it. However, I time. To some, it’s knew that if I were super obvious, but to drop it, I would be to others, it’s the plagued with regret. worse decision What if I actually Photo by Sophie Mason of their lives. I’m could have managed

through this class? What if I actually might have liked the class?

Of course, dropping classes may not be the best decision for everyone.

If you find yourself plagued by these “what ifs”, then dropping might not be in your best interest. Regret is never a good feeling to have. And I can say from experience that AP Euro only got easier.

Over time, I learned how to manage harder classes and work on tighter time schedules. Struggling is only part of the learning process.

If you do drop a class, be confident in your decision. When you look back at your high school career, will you approve of that decision? Or will you live with regret?

opinions

Nov. 6, 2015

7

Graphic by Ashley Clark

High school relationships build positive experiences

LILLY LUDWIG asst. opinions editor

I’ve been dating my boyfriend, Alex, for almost three years. There’s no getting around it; that’s a pretty long time to do anything. However, we’ve managed to grow up together while maintaining a real friendship, so what started as some pretty awkward, freshman year dates has turned into a deep and genuine interest for the well-being of one another.

Despite our years of commitment, I still find that most people in my life tend to take our relationship as more of a pastime than a fundamental part of our lives. People generally assume that because we are young, the feelings must not be genuine. While high school relationships aren’t for everyone, they are for some, and they should be respected like any other relationship.

Young relationships have a reputation for inevitable failure, but I think this is only true because most high schoolers are still trying to figure out who they are and how to be okay with who they are. It can be emotionally taxing to face all the stress of high school while also committing to another person. Alex and I were able to navigate through high school while using each other as support and growing together, but

most of my peers have found that it’s easier to do high school while single.

And that’s okay. High school is a great time to learn about other people, and for some, that can be done by “playing the field”.

That doesn’t mean, though, that those who choose to be in a committed relationship are missing out either. Long-term relationships can be extremely valuable learning experiences.

Being committed to someone teaches you what’s okay to do in a relationship and what’s not, and how to treat people that you care about. It teaches you to be selfless. It teaches you patience, forgiveness and the meaning of honesty. It teaches you what vulnerability feels like and the value of someone else’s trust.

These are all things I would have struggled to learn had I decided that being in a relationship wasn’t for me. They are values I have spent the last three years of high school learning, and I am better because of that.

But I already have school and extracurriculars and a future to worry about! A boyfriend isn’t necessary when I already have so much on my plate! Right?

Not so much. The reality is that we can’t choose to fall in and out of love with people the way we choose which classes to take and which clubs to join. Caring about someone isn’t a choice. It just happens.

And, honestly, what’s so bad about nurturing feelings for someone else if you’re in a place where you’re emotionally ready to do so? The purpose of life is not

to get the most A’s or join the most clubs. What will ultimately fulfill our lives is the love we have given and received because loving someone is a source of joy.

Alex has been there for almost all of my happy memories of high school. He’s been my best friend for three years. I still get butterflies in my tummy, and that’s something that’s made me happy.

I think the biggest reason people discourage the “long term relationship” is the fear that we romantics are losing our identities in another person. But this concept disregards the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship, and a sense of identity and independence is necessary for any healthy relationship.

The other fear, of course, is that heartbreak is almost guaranteed. In all relationships, someone is bound to mess up or say something they’ll regret. If they don’t, then someone else is going to go to college out of state, or have different ideas about the future.

Heartbreak is scary, but with it brings lessons we will all need to learn eventually. Heartbreak teaches you how to forgive, how to bounce back, how to compromise, how to solve problems with someone that you care about and also how to let go.

People tend to judge high school relationships as if there’s some rule that says all people must be a certain age before they are emotionally mature enough to handle a relationship, but there isn’t, nor should there be.

All people mature and grow at different rates. All

The reality is that we can’t choose to fall in and out of love with people the way we choose which classes to take and which clubs to join.

people desire different types of relationships. Even young people.

The most hurtful part of high school relationships, however, is that ultimately we are still in high school.

So people do things like start rumors, make assumptions and ask personal questions. People gossip.

There have been days where I’ve shown up to school and heard things about my relationship that just aren’t true, and I know that other couples go through this horror too.

I think sometimes students forget that relationships are extremely personal, regardless of age. As much as you like to think you know about your peers, relationships are complex, and there is always much more beneath the surface than what you see in the hallways.

I know that for me, my relationship has been an incredibly positive aspect of my high school career. It has been a source of constant support and unlimited acceptance. So to all my romantics out there, don’t let anyone discourage you from listening to your heart.

Relationships can be scary, but I can tell you from a lot of experience, they are definitely worth it.

Vulnerability leads to increased trust, stronger friendships lives, depression.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, an estimated 16 million Americans — nearly 7 percent of the population — had a least one depressive episode last year. Though I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced a “depressive episode”, I can recall a time where I similarly struggled with vulnerability in both seeking and requesting help when problems have risen in my life. It didn’t quite come to me at first, but as a result of this experience, I’ve slowly started to accept the notion that I can’t keep fighting my battles alone.

CHARLIE YOU columnist To practice the concept of vulnerability and accountability, my pastors at church asRegardless of the topic, my closest friends know signed each of our youth group leaders a Frithat I have a natural tendency to passionately and day night where they would share their perblatantly speak of all the things that displease me. For sonal testimonies. One night in particular, example, I hate when I get kicked out of the library the speaker had relinquished some of her when all I’m doing is eatdeepest and darkest ing my lunch and hudThough I Being vulnerable can be struggles. dling around a crowdsat there in awe of ed table. But above all, dangerous and risky...but her courage, I questhere’s nothing more tioned her openness it’s not nearly as danger- of being able to talk devastating than walking into the cafeteria afous as giving up on love about such painful ter a long morning only experiences. and belonging. to find that the torta staOnce the speaker tion is closed. finished, my pastor It’s safe to say that a lot of my personal resentopened up a time to practice our vulnerability ments are indeed superficial “first world problems”. by talking with someone we trusted. Knowing There are millions of individuals around the world where this was headed, I tried sneaking out to who deal with much more pressing issues such as povthe bathroom until service had ended, but my erty, illness and arguably the most prevalent in our friend stopped me before I could leave. Thus,

we headed over to a quiet corner of the room.

Quite to my surprise, however, I began talking about my family. Without even realizing, I had broken out in tears, and all my friend could do was hold and cry along with me. Knowing my friend possessed such intense pieces of information about me made me uncomfortable, but after reflecting on the support and comfort he had given me, I did feel a lot better.

I wish I could say that since that Friday night, I have made tremendous strides in becoming a more trustworthy and open person, but I can’t. Change requires a long period of time, and for me, I’m still struggling with mustering the courage to ask for help when I need it. The leap of faith that I took by opening myself up to my friend broke down the layers of superficiality that our friendship entailed. This deeper connection allows us to look towards one another for encouragement in our darkest moments.

I think that’s the ultimate message that I’ve learned

about vulnerability. The difficulties that arise as a result of not wanting to share our burdens is an inevitable aspect that we will all eventually have to overcome. I thought that by numbing my sadness and insecurities, I could rid myself of any past painful memories, as well as prevent any undesirable events in the future. Simultaneously, however, I was disallowing myself the ability to feel joy and companionship.

Becoming vulnerable can be dangerous and risky because we’re unsure of what consequences may emerge from placing such a high level of trust in somebody else, but it’s not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging. In order to feel more connected, loved, wholehearted and most importantly, worthy, I’ve realized that accepting my vulnerability is a risk worth taking. For those stubborn people who believe that they can handle their emotional burdens all by themselves, they’ll be quick to realize the impossibility of the task at hand. If they truly want it, help is only a phone call away: they just have to be brave enough to ask for it.

8

features

Nov. 6, 2015

Illustration by Jini John

Extra credit policies vary across school LEAH DUNNE asst. features editor

Extra credit, whether it is used as a tool to further knowledge of course curriculum or just as a little boost, can determine the difference between an A or a B. Extra credit is an aspect of course policy, which can in turn affect students in the classroom.

Extra credit policies vary, because they lie within the discretion of the teacher in both the content of the extra credit offered and in what form. English teacher Annie Chiado explained how although she believes that extra credit work, from her perspective, is not as valuable as work implemented within the class, she offers a policy to her students where they can come to her at any time seeking to complete an extra credit assignment.

“I believe in the word extra, when you’re talking about extra credit,” Chiado said. “If I am going to give an extra credit opportunity, I want to see that the learning opportunities that I’ve created thus far have been taken advantage of... [Extra credit] opportunities aren’t as valuable to me as a teacher, as a learner, as a grader, as [the assignments] that I have built into the course for [all students].”

In comparison to Chiado’s beliefs on the value of built in course assignments, sophomore Arij Virani believes that extra credit is unfair because it is an addition to completing the required homework. Virani explained that for her, extra credit just builds more stress and brings unnecessary pressure.

“I just disagree with extra credit in general,” Virani said. “[Extra credit] is similar to doing that extra homework, on top of the homework that you already have to do. Plus you have so many other classes...I think the pressure [of completing extra credit] is also another big thing. If I don’t complete it and everyone else does, then I’ll be the one that is missing out, but if I do complete it then I might not be able to finish something that’s actually due.”

Junior Dhanya Thomas explained that for her, she favors extra credit, specifically extra projects or out of class assignments. However, Thomas said she views extra credit test questions offered as a nega-

tive. Thomas noted those questions force her to view at a level above them, so hopefully it’s a real learning the test she is taking differently, focusing on the exexperience.” tra credit questions instead of the content on the test.

Additionally, Carsello explained how she, as well “I prefer actually doing [an extra credit assignas all ASL teachers, offer a required assignment for ment] outside [of class time] versus doing extra credit students to attend an event in the deaf community. on paper, mainly because if I find extra credit on a According to Carsello, ASL 163 and 263 students are test I’m just so prone to think mostly about the extra required to attend one event a semester, and ASL 363 credit, trying to get that right instead of actually worand 463 students are required to attend two events, rying about the test itself,” Thomas said. but students who attend more than what is required Junior Danielle Callas explained that for her, comwill receive extra credit. Carsello explained her reapleting assignments that require out of class attensoning behind offering this assignment, and how she dance is not always possible feels it benefits students. due to after school activities. “I think it’s better that “As far as going to a comCallas explained how in her munity event I have never [teachers] offer any chance US History 163 class, an asgot a negative response back signment was offered to at- for each person to have an [from a student]... so going tend a movie pertaining to in[community events] have extra credit opportunity, be- to class curriculum. For students been very positive, and enunable to attend, an alternate cause then it allows every- couraging [for students],” reading assignment was ofsaid. “If [students] one to participate [in receiv- Carsello fered, allowing others to have go to events outside of school, the opportunity to do extra ing extra credit].” it’s an experience they would credit. never be able to have in the junior Danielle Callas “I think that it’s better that classroom, because I can only [teachers] offer any chance try to recreate a deaf environfor each person to have an extra credit opportunity, ment in the classroom.” because then it allows everyone to participate [in reIn addition to extra credit test questions and projceiving extra credit],” Callas said. ect opportunities, sophomore Tess Flores explained According to Rosemarie Carsello, American Sign how she has been offered non-academic extra credit Language (ASL) and Spanish world language teacher, assignments, such as bringing in Post-It notes or tisoffering extra credit opportunities to her students sue boxes to her English class. According to Flores, prior to oral presentations or assessments is a good the extra credit opportunities that have been offered idea. Carsello explained how she will offer extra credthis year have not been academically related to the it to students that go to the TLC to practice their preclass curriculum. sentation, in hopes that this will overall benefit the “Most of the extra credit assignments I’ve gotten student in their speaking skills. haven’t been related to the curriculum, or to any“[The purpose of going] wouldn’t necessarily be thing we have been learning [in class],” Flores said. for a presentation, but it may be in preparation for “[The assignments] would just make you go out and some kind of assessment, like additional practice spend a couple bucks for a better grade...I think that for an assignment that is coming up,” Carsello said. if there are going to be extra credit opportunities of“[Students] can use this opportunity in context [to fered they should be related to what we are learning the class]...I would hope that [students] find the exabout in that class.” periences of being able to go to the TLC beneficial beKatie Hoover, sophomore English teacher, excause they’re probably learning from someone who is pressed her views on the aforementioned extra credit

assignment, and explained that although the tissue boxes and Post-It notes were not directly academically related, as the year progresses, the supplies will benefit the entire class. Additionally, Hoover noted that the opportunity of bringing in supplies did not have a significant point value that impacted the overall class grade.

“The extra credit that was given for bringing in a box of tissues or the post it notes was very minimal, it [was worth] two points,” Hoover said. “The post it notes are something that we use for academic purpose. We make comments on them, we demonstrate our learning, and respond to other students’ comments, so it is benefitting the students who are bringing [supplies] in their academic life.”

In comparison to how Flores feels about the importance of connecting extra credit opportunities to curriculum, Michael Sinde, “Project Lead The Way” (PLTW) engineering teacher, implements a policy that does just that. Sinde explained that the extra credit policy that he offers is unified throughout all levels, and the courses that he teaches, all being a stand alone opportunity for students to complete a “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math” (STEM) related project outside of class, spanning throughout the entire year.

“Extra credit for me has to be done outside of the traditional class,” Sinde said. “It may not be something that is specifically tied to exactly what we are doing in the class, but something in addition to it…

[The extra credit] either has to be to science, math, technology or engineering related...For example, last year a student coded a game. It’s not something we taught in the class he had, but it was definitely above and beyond the regular curriculum, so I gave him extra credit for that.”

Chiado additionally explained that contrary to how students feel about completing extra credit work, teachers primarily look for the work assigned in class.

“I know there’s something glamorous about extra credit; it feels like you’re doing extra work, but it’s not the extra work the teachers are necessarily looking for, it’s the assigned work,” Chiado said.

Fall Edition: festive local activities

Walk through Chicago Botanic Garden

This month, the Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting a free photo walk on the first Saturday of every month from 9-10 a.m., beginning on Nov. 7.

Along the way, learn expert photo tips and tour the gardens while taking creative photos of the landscape. The photo walk also offers photography contests where participants can submit their photos to win publication of their work.

Wander through a local farmer’s market

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Enjoy locally grown food and special fall events such as a culinary garage sale or a chef barbecue at a year-round indoor farmer’s market. The Green City Farmer’s Market is a self-sustainable “city farm” that makes available a diverse range of local produce for the greater Chicago community. Located at the Peggy Notebaert Museum, 2430 N. Clark Street, on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Make homemade farm-to-table jams

Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

This delicious treat is simple and easy to make.

Mix crushed strawberries in a saucepan with sugar while stirring pectin into the water. Let it stand for 10 minutes before bringing to a boil for another minute. Then stir the boiling water while adding the crushed strawberries. Let this stand for three minutes before pouring into a mason jar.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

features

Nov. 6, 2015

9

CELEBRATING CONNIE: Smiling at the camera, Connie Hoekstra and Deborah Stein, South’s Cure Club sponsor, participate in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual “Light the Night Walk”. The duo pictured are just two members of the 200plus that marched on with Connie’s team, CONNquer, on Sunday, Oct. 25 in order to raise money and awareness for the cause. Photo courtesy of Deborah Stein

Hoekstra battles cancer, strengthened by supporters GRACIE SANDS asst. features editor

One moment has the power to change an entire lifetime. Connie Hoekstra, who graduated from South in 2015, has experienced this firsthand after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer just a week before she was set to leave for Elon University this past September. After receiving the diagnosis, her mind immediately assumed the worst, because her family has a long history of battling with cancer.

“I didn’t even know what it was at first, I had heard the word, but wasn’t exactly sure,” Hoekstra said. “I was super overwhelmed and started crying. In my family we have had a lot of people that have been affected by cancer. When my cousin Will was diagnosed his was terminal, so cancer is a really negative word in our family. You immediately think of all the horrible things you have to go through.”

Despite the traumatic experiences that her family has gone through prior to discovering her diagnosis, Hoekstra found comfort in knowing the background behind her strain of cancer.

“I was really nervous, so we did more research on lymphoma,” Hoekstra explained. “Mine is very curable and I’m really lucky. It wasn’t as nerve wracking after that, but in the moment I had such a negative view of what the next year would be like.”

The overwhelming amount of support that she received prior to receiving her diagnosis has been her saving grace, according to Hoekstra. She believes that her friends and family have been instrumental in helping her maintain a positive outlook through her battle and hope for the future. In addition, the Glenbrook South community has been a huge support to Hoekstra, even after she graduated, which has meant the world to her.

“It’s really interesting how many people [who] I haven’t seen in forever have reached out to me,” Hoekstra said. “My family was always insanely close, but I’ve gotten a lot closer to my aunts and cousins.

It’s really crazy that even though I’ve graduated a lot

of clubs are doing things for me and different teach- thing. I think all the support she has is uplifting for ers have reached out. I’ve always loved how GBS is a her.” community, and GBS is still here for me even after Senior Bobby Quinn, Hoekstra’s cousin, has been graduated. I don’t really have anything like that in by her side every step of the way, and has had a very my life because I’m not going to difficult time seeing what school, so GBS has been a comshe is going through. Quinn “If someone had told me has always had a very close fort, knowing that people are there supporting me.” this would happen to me relationship with his cousAlong with Glenbrook South, in, but he realizes that she I wouldn’t have believed needs him now more than the community of Glenview as a whole has shown an incredible it, but I’m fighting with ever. When he was first inamount of compassion for Conformed of the diagnosis he this huge support system was stunned, but immedinie, according to her mother Eileen Hoekstra. Demonstrating behind me and I feel like ately showed his support. its support in more ways than “She was feeling reI’m seeing everything in ally sick before, and then one, the community has made Connie’s transition significantly she went to the doctor and the bigger picture.” easier. my mom called me saying -Connie Hoekstra “They’ve been bringing that they said she might meals, they bring her flowers, have cancer,” Quinn said. “I gifts, they showed up for the beautiful Light The couldn’t believe it, but then the next day it was conNight and we had close to 200 people there support- firmed. I was really broken up about it for so long, and ing Connie,” Eileen said. “I have had friends say the when I got over the initial shock I realized that I had rosary for her and they’ve had a mass for her. I have to be there for her.” to say that the biggest thing has been the prayers that Eileen feels that witnessing Connie battle cancer is we get from this community. It’s just fabulous. People one of the most difficult experiences of her life. She just think about her at all times and let them know would rather be ill herself than watch her own daughthey’re thinking of her. The community has been out- ter suffer but is infinitely proud of the strength and standing.” determination that Connie has displayed every step This past weekend The Leukemia and Lymphoma of the way.

Society hosted their annual “Light the Night Walk” “It’s hard to watch your child be sick,” Eileen said. event, where over 200 people attended in support of “You just want the best for your children, and when CONNquer, Connie’s support team that was first start- one is sick it’s hard. My husband and I would both be ed by her cousins and family. Both Connie and Eileen happy if it was one of us instead. We were all prepared were very overwhelmed by the turnout, and could not for her to go to college the next week, and we know have been more appreciative of the love and aid that that’s going to happen now next year and she has such they received. wonderful people who will be her new classmates.

“I think she was overwhelmed, and she couldn’t We’re so proud of her.” believe how many people came out to support her,” Looking to the future, Hoekstra realizes that she Eileen said. “Her friends that are her age are all at has many crucial decisions to make. Due to the fact school, but she still had 200 people there. It was unbe- that Elon University is too far away, she is considering lievable for her, and she was just amazed by the whole attending schools within the state such as Universi-

䌀伀一一焀甀攀爀㨀 䌀愀瀀琀甀爀椀渀最 琀栀攀 䌀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀礀 FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

(From left to right) Hoekstra and cousin Bobby Quinn at homecoming photos; Hoekstra after getting her hair dyed purple in honor of lymphoma before shaving her head; Hoekstra and father Brian, mother Eileen, and brother BJ; Hoekstra and her friends from South’s radio program.

Photos courtesy of Connie Hoekstra

ty of Illinois or Illinois State University. She is hoping to attend college as a freshman next fall, but is concerned about the fact that her friends will be a year ahead of her in school by that time.

“I applied to [University of] Illinois and I’m also really looking at Illinois State,” Hoekstra said. “I have some friends who go there who aren’t my best friends, so I wouldn’t feel weird that they’re technically older than me in school. I’m having a difficult time deciding because five of my best friends go to University of Illinois, so I feel like it would be hard going there as a freshman when all my friends are sophomores. I am in such a different place in my life than all of them, so I’m going to make this decision when I’m healthier and my mind is clear.”

Quinn understands that her cancer will inevitably have an impact on her life, but hopes that it will be for the best rather than for the worst. Quinn unceasingly believes in his cousin, and knows that she refuses to let cancer hold her back from reaching her full potential in life.

“This time next year we hope that it was just a bad memory and it just fades away,” Quinn said. “We hope that it doesn’t make too big of a bad impact on her life and that it’s something that she can just get past, which I know she can.”

Throughout this past year, Hoekstra has noticed a change within herself. This experience has really put things into perspective, and has provided her with knowledge that could only come from facing adversity. Although her battle with cancer has not yet been won, she feels that she already has in so many ways.

“I think I’ve grown up a lot,” Hoekstra said. “After my car accident [senior year] I already just had a new take on life. I think I’ve become a stronger person because a lot of things have been thrown my way this year. If someone had told me this would happen to me I wouldn’t have believed it, but I’m fighting with this huge support system behind me and I feel like I’m seeing everything in the bigger picture. I think I have a lot more knowledge of how life is than most people do at my age.”

12

HALLOWEEN

Nov. 6, 2015

TITAN TERRORS On Oct. 30, the a&e editors hosted the fifth annual Oracle costume contest, where South students expressed their individuality by dressing up in costumes ranging from creative to creepy. The editors would like to recognize the best of them below.

MOLLIE CRAMER & HANNAH RAUH co-a&e editors

NICK MORAN & HWA OH asst. a&e editors

BEST MYSTERY SOLVERS

SCOOBY DOO GANG: ELLY GRACE HENN N JESSE TUTE LLY JOHN HENNE ELLY HOLLY HENN ELLY QUINN HENN

Photos by Jacqueline DeWitt

GREY ANATOM ’S Y DOCTO

HANNAH GEORGIA RAUH AR ALYSSA VANITIS CARASOT TI CASEY C OLETTA

RS:

MOST LIKELY TO SAVE A LIFE

GREY’S TORS: C MY DO TLEY O T A N A HAR

H HANNA SPINGOLA ISABEL O’DEA MARY ARA ALI O’H

BEST WILDERNESS EXPLORERS

CUTEST COUPLE OY SHARK B AND L: LAVA GIR

UN IYA BAK S A T S A AN AVILES ANDREW

CARL A RUSSEL F ND ROM “UP ”: DAVID BE RK RAYMON SON D LARA

BEST TIME TRAVELERS TY MAR : LY MCF

ANE SON K E I R R A H JUSTIC EL ONE

MARVEL SUPERHERO ES: RAZA SIMM ALEX SIRAK IDES ADAM LEY BECKETT C UMM GEORGE TA INGS NTCH STEPHEN S EV HOLTY

BRAVEST SQUAD

features

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Nov 6 ,2015

Dravid pursues taekwondo, music Amil’s high school band career, and looks forward to where he will go. to take a challenge head on, Spencer Peterson, sophomore drum line “At the end [of auditions], we had to pick who is on drum line and member, explained how he sees this same quality in Amil. According to [Amil] was chosen [for that],” Wojick said. “So it’s based on his talent Peterson, he see’s Amil’s drive and determination translate into Amil’s Talented. That is just one of the many words Amita Dravid, mother and ability to audition and play. [Amil] is learning. I hope we’re bringmusical abilities and level, which in turn affects the performance of of freshman Amil Dravid, uses to describe her son. According to Amita, ing something to him.”

South’s drum line as a whole.

Amil is pursuing his interests in music and taekwondo. Amil is curAccording to Amil, he participated in his first Taekwondo compe“As a musician, I think that [Amil] is very advanced for his age,” rently a member of South’s marching band drum line, and participates tition in 2012, and received second place overall. In comparison to Peterson said. “Last year myself as a freshman, I wasn’t at the same in jazz band. According to Amita, music has heavily influenced her Wojcik’s hopes for growth and improvement in drumline, Amil exlevel as [Amil] is as a freshman. He has a certain attitude about him…. son’s life since he was in grade school and has been plained how he applied this same idealogy into his Taekwondo followHe just has a certain drive [in music], he’s so his passion since then. ing his first competition. determined with anything he wants to do... I “[Amil] just loves music, ever since he was in sec- “Whenever he had a prob- wouldn’t be surprised if what he does [after “I remember my first [taekwondo] competition; it was extremely ond grade,” Amita said. “He originally started [play- lem he would fix it. [Amil] school] is he goes home and does homework nerve racking,” Amil said.“I was so scared... I just remember it being ing] piano, then guitar, then bass. He didn’t start my first competition, and I had to try my best, and do well...[Since my and then just drums, forever.” drums until maybe four years ago. [Amil] just loves wants to challenge himself first competition] I’ve also gotten a lot better, and learned a lot from Amil explained how at a young age drums, [playing the drums] is his main passion. and that’s what he did.” watching other people [compete].” he was in need of a way to relieve stress, When he plays his drums, he just forgets everything Amil explained how following his first taekwondo competition, which brought him to his discovery of -Amita Dravid around him.” his subsequent feelings and views regarding the sport have taekwondo in sixth grade. AcAmita also explained how she believes her son’s cording to Amil, the role that taechanged. success in taekwondo and music, relates to kwondo played in his life was initially a stress reliever, and “I don’t know why taekwondo got to me, but I just love all Amil’s ability to take a challenge head on. According to Amnow as an activity he is pursuing. the kicking and focus,” Amil said. “[Taekwondo] is not just ita, when Amil was in middle school he solved his first Ru“I kind of needed a stress relief, because when I was how physically fit you are, there’s also some finesse to it.” bik’s Cube. He moved from the three-by-three cube to the younger I would stress over little things,” Amil said.

As Amil’s views on taekwondo have evolved over the five-by-five cube within a short amount of time. Amita “Then my mom suggested taekwondo. We looked past three years, so have his musical ones. Amil exnoted her son’s ability to take on a challenge, and around and found this great place, AKYI Taekwonplained his spark in music at a young age, and how how he continued to work through the do, and that’s how it all started.” this once simple curiosity has become one of his obstacles he had According to Amil, although he is only in his third passions in life. faced. year into his taekwondo program at AKYI taekwondo, he “My dad would always play these oldies; 60’s, “Whenhas made it to various taekwondo tournaments. Amita ex70’s and 80’s songs,” Amil said. “I found [this muever he had plained that in her eyes one of Amil’s greatest achievements in taesic] really cool to listen to, and my dad taught me a a problem kwondo this year was his qualification, and winning of state, delot [about music] too. he would spite injuries he had prior to the competition.

Amita explained how every summer Amil takes fix it,” Am“[Amil] hurt his leg just before [state], and it was really bad,” Amita his musical aspirations to India to raise money for ita said. said. “... He was advised [by the doctors] against going to state.. an impoverished school. According to Amita, over “[Amil] Then [after] three or four days he was feeling better...and then he Amil’s trip to India last summer he held a rock concert wants to went to [state], and I totally supported him because I knew how imto help raise funds for the school, which contributed to challenge portant [competing] was to him.” student scholarships. himself and According to Amil, he channels his hard work and dedi“He’s so talented, and focused,” Amita said. “[Amil] is that’s what he cation from taekwondo and implements this into his music. Greg always looking for new techniques [he can use in drumdid.”

Wojcik, South’s band director, explained how Amil has become one of ming and taekwondo]...He likes to put his talent to use In comparison to how Amita the few freshman to be on South’s Drumline, in June of 2015. Accordwhich surprises me because he is so young.” feels about her son’s ability of being able ing to Wojcik, he hopes to be able to help Amil not Drumming Dude: While marching in band practice, freshman Amil Dravid only to improve as a drummer, but also to help him KICK TO WIN: Showcasing his kick and black belt, freshman Amil Dravid competes in front of judges at USA’s taekwondo scans ahead towards his fellow drumline mates to stay in formation. grow as a person. Wojcik noted that he is excited for (USAT) national competition in Austin, Texas in July 2015.

COADY RAAB & ELIZA SCHLOSS staff reporters

Photos courtesy of Amil Dravid

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features

Nov. 6, 2015

Photo Illustration

Photo by Sophie Mason

Individuals resist Islamophobic subtleties MADDY RUOS asst. features editor

Ahmed Mohamed- a young Muslim student from Texas who was suspended and arrested recently when his teachers assumed the homemade clock he brought to school was a bomb- is not, as some may suggest, a rare case in which Muslim students experience prejudice against them. These traumatic events for Muslim students pose a serious question to the nation: just how rampant is Islamophobia in today’s school system?

According to a 2013 survey conducted by the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations, about half of all Muslim-American students in California reported experiencing some type of “social bullying” in school. Western religions teacher Terrence Jozwik has made a point of abolishing any sterotypes that students may have prior to taking his class. He has students read “The Domestic Crusaders” as a part of the cirriculum, a play telling the story of a modern Muslim family and the struggles they face after the tragedy of 911. “[The book] dispels a lot of the stereotypes that we [have existed] with since 911 where we tend to see Islam and Muslims as one-dismensional, and they’re not,” Jozwik said. “Just like every other religion, every other faith, and they’re multi-dimensional.”

Freshman Hafsah Shahzad says she has experienced discrimination because of her ethnicity and faith. She feels that most of the stereotyping against Muslims is rooted in ignorance and misunderstanding, which prompts people to say things they may not realize are hurtful.

“When I was in third or fourth grade [...] I was walking to my friend’s house and someone said [to me] ‘Hey you terrorist’,” Shahzad said. “Also, the day Osama bin Laden was taken and killed, this [person] came up to my sister and said, ‘Are you sad that your dad died?’”

Some schools nationwide are attempting to prevent Islamophobia by promoting a safe, respectful environment within the system. Nora Flanagan, an English Teacher at Northside College Prep in Chicago, has been involved in activism and research work specifically against Islamophobia for a number of years. She has taken steps in her own classroom to help influence positive change regarding students’ attitudes towards Muslims.

“One of my projects over the last

five years has been to at least make available, and teach in my own classes, one major work by a Muslim author,” Flanagan said. “That’s the first step I can take [...] to reduce the otherization of that group. It really makes them seem less abnormal if they’re part of our everyday learning structure.”

Flanagan believes that intolerance of Muslims can be tied to decades of hate and insensitivity that has created a deep and institutionalized form of Islamophobia in the United States today.

“Like any kind of discrimination, it can show up in a really broad range of forms,” Flanagan said. “It can show up as microaggression, but if you stand back a bit and look at it as a whole, it’s really the purest form of ignorance. We wouldn’t tolerate treatment like that of any other group in America, [but] we are much more tolerant of it for Muslims.”

Junior Saarah Bhaiji has also experienced Islamophobia, but feels that for the most part South has done an effective job of not tolerating student discrimination toward Muslims.

However, she does express concern that sometimes when learning about events Muslims participated in, the information can be skewed or biased so that it comes across as anti-Islam.

“There have been times where a teacher could be saying things against Islam and I don’t really have the authority to say anything,” Bhaiji said.

“I’ve felt like sometimes we are getting the wrong information about Islam and they never talked with the Muslim Students Association beforehand [about it].”

While Shahzad also agrees that South has a firm policy of prohibiting prejudice against Muslims, she knows that not all school systems have such a progressive atmosphere. Last year at Springman Middle School, Shahzad says she chose not to wear her hijab out of concern that she might get bullied.

“I started thinking about it towards the beginning of May, so I talked to my mom and she told me to not wear [my hijab] at Springman because of incidents in the past with kids yelling out [slurs], but she knew GBS is a bigger and better school,”

“I feel like we’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. Young adults and students [today] have no patience for intolerance, hate and injustice. Which is just beautiful.”

-Nora Flanagan, Northside Prep teacher, activist

Shahzad said. “The environment here is a lot more accepting, so I started wearing [my hijab] just this year and I really didn’t feel like I changed. I’m still the same person.”

Like Shahzad, Senior Sarah Hussain has faced discrimination and recognizes that it has had some obvious detriments, but she still acknowledges that it’s been one of the best lessons she could have ever learned in her youth.

“I try so hard to make sure that I’m never purposefully hurting anyone,” Hussain said. “As a kid I’ve grown up losing respect because of my last name and [my religion] so I always go out of my way to make sure that I start with respect. If I don’t know you at all, I start by respecting you as opposed to not.”

According to Flanagan, the majority of prejudice against Muslims is rooted in ignorance and contempt that clouds the perception people have about Islam. However, she realizes that school systems have an important responsibility to counteract those negative attitudes by creating an environment in which students are more tolerant of differences and change.

“School is the place where students are supposed to get that exposure,” Flanagan said. “It’s not a substitute for the rest of your life, but it’s supposed to normalize different parts of our culture and make less exotic and scary places in world.”

Hussain, like Flanagan, believes Islamophobia is mostly caused by a general misunderstanding and insensitivity about Islam, which is then exacerbated by media slander that taints the attitudes of many unknowing Americans. She hopes that those intolerant of Muslims think first about how their words will impact others.

“They may have been raised to have a certain feeling towards Muslims and that can always be hard to break out of, but I really challenge those people to think about who they’re hurting when they say those things,” Hussain said. “They have to realize at the end of the day that [those people] are all just humans on the same planet they are.”

Bhaiji also agrees that the media plays a large role in influencing the negative stereotypes surrounding Muslim society by portraying Muslims in a negative way. She thinks that if the average person were more educated on what Islam actually looks like, they would be less likely to discriminate and marginalize Muslims in the first place.

“I think if I started talking to someone [about Islam] their entire viewpoint would change because the media portrays [Muslims] so badly,” Bhaiji said.

Flanagan believes that despite the adverse condition for Muslims today, the changing attitudes of young people in the nation provide a sense of hope and reassurance that the issue of Islamophobia is moving in the right direction.

“I feel like we’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go,” Flanagan said. “Young adults and students [today] have no patience for intolerance, hate and injustice. Which is just beautiful.”

Graphic by Jacqueline DeWitt

Source: Counsel of American- Islam Relations Website

15

reviews

Nov. 6, 2015

FEDERALISTS WITH FUNK: Strutting and singing, Alexander Hamilton, played by actor and writer Lin Manuel Miranda, shocks his rival, Aaron Burr. With songs like “Burn” and “The Room Where It Happens,” the Hamilton Soundtrack features 23 different musical numbers from the original production. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

‘Hamilton’ soundtrack serenades with history EVAN SAWIRES co-opinions editor

Rap and musical theatre naturally parallel each other as narratives, but it took until this year’s Hamilton for a rap musical to make a real impact. Written by Lin Manuel Miranda, In the Heights composer/ lyricist/genius, it tells the story of U.S. history class key figure Alexander Hamilton, going from his “young, scrappy and hungry” life in the Caribbean all the way up through his fatal duel with his rival: respectability politician and vice president, Aaron Burr.

I know it sounds cringe-worthy to combine hip-hop, musical theatre and U.S. history, but Miranda’s incredible proficiency in all three genres, as well as his performance as the title character, make this a non-issue. They’re musical theatre songs first and foremost, but songs written to fit

into the language of 90’s hip-hop by someto federalist Hamilton and the democratone who grew up in and around it as the ic-republican Thomas Jefferson rap-batson of Puerto Rican tling their policies immigrants in New “In addition to just being with incredible York City. levels of sass and a really good musical, heavy historical The songs are surprisingly great Hamilton bridges an al- undertones. In revessels for Miranda’s sponse to Jeffermost unbridgeable gap: son’s trash-talking message. One highlight comes in “Satit brings to life long-dead of his plan on how isfied”, featuring the to handle rising characters.” prominent voice of state debt, HamilRenee Elise Goldsberton confronts Jefry as Angelica Schuyler, Hamilton’s future ferson by singing: “Your debts are paid cuz sister-in-law with whom he will develop you don’t pay for labor / ‘We plant seeds in a questionably affectionate penpalship. the South. We create’ / Yeah, keep ranting Her performance is heartbreaking: “I’m a / We know who’s really doing the planting girl in a world in which / my only job is / And another thing, Mr. Age of Enlightto marry rich … And Alexander is pennienment / Don’t lecture me about the war; less / Ha! That doesn’t mean I want him you didn’t fight in it / You think I’m frightany less.” ened of you, man? / We almost died in a Another brilliant group of songs are the trench / While you were off getting high two “Cabinet Battles,” in which we listen with the French.”

However, it’s worth mentioning that there’s a lot going on within the lyrics. Many songs lack context because the show is too complex to follow through the soundtrack alone. The rhythm also occasionally becomes too similar to a poem for my taste.

But, for the most part, Miranda’s creative interpretation of a historic conflict we’ve been told a dozen times makes it genuinely interesting. The men whose faces we’ve seen in textbook after textbook are suddenly real people with real feelings.

In the show, the characters are all portrayed by black or Latino actors (“our cast looks like America now”, according to Miranda), and their lines and lyrics strike a noteworthy balance between modern vernacular and ambitious declarations and the eloquent quotes they’re so famous for.

Most of all, they’re young, excited and rebellious, and these portrayals are probably

closer to the real people than we remember to be.

In addition to just being a really good musical, Hamilton bridges an almost unbridgeable gap: it brings to life long-dead characters. A common refrain throughout the entire soundtrack is “who lives, who dies, who tells your story?”, and the characters have gotten lucky in getting Miranda to tell theirs.

American Horror Story introduces “Hotel”: AHS’s fifth season scares, shocks new audience with underwhelming plot LAUREN FRIAS co-editor-in-chief

HOTEL OF HORRORS: Welcoming new residents, the Countress, played by Lady Gaga, checks new guests into the Hotel Cortez. Hotel is the fifth installment of the series, staring actors such as Cheyenne Jackson, Matt Bomer and Evan Peters. Photo from YouTube

Horror can be defined in a variety of ways. Whether it be detailed by jump scares, psychological immorality or graphic gore, the previous can be found alone or in a wide variety of combinations. However, a rare example of all three could be accurately represented by the popular anthology series of American Horror Story (AHS).

In its most recent season, dubbed American Horror Story: Hotel, the popular FX hit took America by storm, averaging 9.1 million viewers just on the first episode. However, I managed to avoid the rain and thunder, granted I was thoroughly unimpressed with the way the series commenced. Opening with a Swedish pair of sisters checking into Hotel Cortez in California, I anxiously awaited further development of the plot.

However, I became more concerned with the roles of the recurring actors in the season, given that it was evident that I failed to pick up any distinct indication of a plot.

The only consistency that I picked up on was this: people checked in to the hotel, something remotely eerie occurs, then someone drops dead.

From what I gathered, the plot follows Detective John Lowe (Wes Bentley) investigating a series of murders performed by a Bibleobsessed serial killer. Interweaved with the story comes the cursed Hotel Cortez. This hotel is haunted by so-far unexplained entities, such

as the hotel’s founder James Patrick developing the story.

March (Evan Peters), transgender Thematically speaking, this season bartender Liz Taylor (Denis O’Hare) has proven to be darker than all the and resident Hypodermic Sally (Sarah rest, which is a definite plus. The horPaulson). All these tenants are led by ror is introduced within the first few immortal vampire, the Countess (Lady minutes of the introductory episode, Gaga) and her paramour, Donovan with gore being the dominant con(Matt Bomer). tributor to the fear factor. However, as Undeniably, the set up is there: gi- evident in the first few episodes, I can ant hotel, blood-sucking monarch and say that this season is more charactera few disturbingly sinister characters ized by jump scares versus that actual introduced here and there. The ex- gothic horror that all us AHS fans have ecution was lacking, however. Yes, the come to know and love. characters each have their own fright I had high hopes for this season, factor, but the overwhelming number having waited almost a year since the of characters contributing to the plot finale of Season 4, Freak Show. Familiar made it difficult to pick up on any per- with the great work that screenwriters sonality development. Surprisingly Ryan Murphy and Brian Falchuk have enough, all the actors (including Gaga) pulled off for four seasons, I didn’t perform well in their roles, capturing doubt that the dynamic duo would hit the essence of the character they’re another homerun with the commencesupposed to ment of Hotel. Sadly, the portray, but “Horror is introduced ball landed just short of where’s the the outfield. within the first few Keeping up with this value in that if the charseason became more minutes...” acter itself of a chore rather than can’t even be definitively explained? enjoyment. However, that’s not to say Furthermore, Hotel seemed to have that the season doesn’t have room a prevailing concept that, the more for improvement. Four episodes have it was portrayed, the less it played a premiered, but with the rest of the significant role to the plot: blood and episodes still pending, the most I can sex. Owning up to its maturity rating, put my trust in is that the season will it was to be expected that the season prove me wrong and shape up to be would have its share of explicit moeven scarier than the latter. ments. But, the frequent occurrences took away from concentrating on establishing their characters or, more importantly, the plot. Gore can contribute to the series’ fearful aesthetic, but it shouldn’t be the main factor making the plot scary. And let’s just say that the countless provocative scenes were nothing short of trivial to

16

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Larson assumes leadership role in Music Department In addition to being a part of four singing groups at South, Larson is the Girls’ Glee choir assistant to Marty Sirvatka, Music Department director and instructional supervisor.

Whether it’s caroling in the halls As Sirvatka’s assistant, Larson rearound the holiday season for Chamceives a leadership opportunity and a ber singers, harmonizing with the form of independent study in music other members of Nine or singeducation, according to Sirvatka. ing gibberish instead of words in a “He helps me with auditions, asScat That! persessment and attendance, and he also formance, seserves as someone that the kids can nior Ethan Lartalk to in rehearsal,” Sirvatka said. son is believed “He’s sort of the liaison between me to excel in all and the kids [during Glee choir].” aspects of the Sirvatka explained that the posiMusic Departtion was created originally ment. to make Girls’ Glee more efficient when it took place on the eight period schedule. Now, the position has grown into more. Larson was chosen because of his involvement in the Music Department.

“He, above anybody else in choir, is really involved and probably the most experienced,” Sirvatka said. “He’s in the [Variety] Shows; he’s in the district festivals. He’s pretty much in anything we offer.”

The process by which the assistant SINGING WITH SOUL: is chosen is weightSight-readng his sheet ed by interest shown, music, senior Ethan but can also involve a Larson practices muwaiting list and intersic from one of his view process. Howevmany singing groups. er, Sirvatka said that Larson serenades audiences as a member with Larson, he knew of Nine, Scat That! it was the right choice. and Chamber Singers.

According to Photo by Sean Dolan Larson himself, he achieved the position by expressing interest and inquiring about its availability. He asked Sirvatka in his junior year whether or not MAEVE PLUNKETT & IMRA TAJUDDIN staff reporters

Sirvatka was going to have an assisful in 15 minutes. I was just going to tant the following year; Sirvatka said go and do badly just [to] make [my yes and offered Larson the position. mom] happy . . . [I] left that audition “With Ethan, it seemed like a rereally excited, that was actually what ally good fit, because not only did he made me audition the next week for express interest, but he has been with Chambers, which I went into again me for so many years,” Sirvatka said. with no expectations. But then I got a “I’ve known him since he was a freshphone call from Mr. Sirvatka that said man, [and] it seemed like a really nathe wanted me in the group for next ural fit, and he also knows me pretty year.” well.”

After his name appeared on the list It’s not all work though, according of Chambers members, Larson’s peers to Larson. He gets to have fun with his commended him on his achievement, position through interacting with the and he became excited about the idea students during class. of being involved in the Music DeSirvatka said, “We will sometimes partment. joke around and “All of my friends Ethan will make “He really works were like, ‘That’s awea face behind some’ and ‘Good job,’ very hard in the and I was like ‘Wow, this me. He keeps the spirit in the and cool and peopursuit of a goal isplefun choir from getdon’t mind if I sing,’” ting too serious. and he loves mu- Larson said. “That was Sometimes, we what started me going sic.” just laugh and all into choir.” joke around, Allen said that Lar-MaryJean Allen, and the girls son has opportunivoice teacher know it’s funny ties for a bright future when Ethan is ahead of him because of laughing.” his talent and dedication.

MaryJean Allen, Larson’s voice “It’s just a really, really beautiteacher, noted that his musical talent ful voice,” Allen said. “I feel like if he is natural. wanted to have a solo career, he could “The first time I ever heard him rehave it. But he’s also trying to be realally sing on his own was when he was ly smart, and I think he’s looking into just warming up in voice lessons for the music business.” me,” Allen said. “It was such a beauAccording to Larson, he is aiming tiful sound […] He really works very for a music-based career in his future hard in the pursuit of a goal and he so that he can continue this passion loves music.” in his daily life.

While singing is his passion now, “I want to go into music in some Larson wasn’t always interested in capacity,” Larson said. “Chances are choir. It was actually his mom who I’m going to end up at a desk someencouraged him to try out for a singwhere. If I am going to work a desk in ing group in order to get involved. my life, I want it to be for something “At the end of my freshman year, that I love and enjoy, which is music. my mom made me audition for Nine,” I want to get a music business degree Larson said. “I just whipped up some or music industry degree from a courandom [stuff] that I thought was awple of colleges.”

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THE CRUCIBLE’S CLIMAX: Revealing a shocking secret, John Proctor, played by senior Chuck Quinn IV, sends a tremor through the courtroom in this dramatic scene. The Crucible was the fall play at South this year that told the story of the Salem witch trials. Photo courtesy of Michael Sarov

‘The Crucible’ inspires historic, emotional themes AAKASH BHOJWANI & JOHN PARK staff reporters

Two female characters standing on a bed clasp each other’s hands in panic as they begin to trade off claims that various village people are witches. As the ominous list of accusations grows longer, the light dims and applause comes from the audience, marking the end of the first act of South’s fall play, The Crucible. South’s actors, producers and stage crew worked together to portray the paranoid community of 1692 Salem. The play took place Oct. 23 and 24.

According to Director John Knight, The Crucible was chosen as the fall play to honor the 100th birthday of its writer, Arthur Miller. The play is based on a true story about the Salem witch trials, in which various women were accused of witchcraft and could only be saved from execution by confessing to these false accusations. The accused witches could also protect their lives by implicating others of witchcraft. “[The Crucible] is enjoyable to perform because the actors get to learn about how life was 400 years ago in terms of the costuming, the way people talked [and] the way people moved,” Knight said. “The societal norms were very different, and it has been interesting for the actors to learn about that.”

One of the main characters in the play is John Proctor, who was played by senior Chuck Quinn IV. Proctor is a Puritan farmer and the first man to be accused of witchcraft. According to Quinn, Proctor was

the only character who did not believe that witchcraft was taking place in Salem. “[Proctor] is [...] a pretty difficult character, because he has a lot of intense conflicting emotions a lot of the time, so it’s hard to get that balance right and show that conflict to the audience,” Quinn said.

“On one hand, he is mad at the court and the village of Salem for believing this nonsense and lies; on the other hand, he hates himself because of the affair he had with one of the [...] witches, and he doesn’t see himself as a good man.”

Another lead in the play is Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth Proctor, who is played by senior Rory Penepacker.

She was one of the wrongfully accused victims of the witchcraft. According to Penepacker, Elizabeth is also a character who has two conflicting sides.

“Elizabeth is complex in the way where she is a moral beacon of light in the show and in the town,” Penepacker said. “For John, especially, she is a place of clarity when the town is ascending into madness, but at the same time, she also has her own flaws.”

The actors are not the only people responsible for the success of the play. According to Knight, producing a successful play is a team effort between multi-

ple groups of people with different areas of expertise.

“We have a huge team that works together,” Knight said. “The set designer, the stage crew, the costumers [and] the actors all have to really work with each other, listen to each other and be very open to collaborate.”

The play was performed on a raked stage, which means that the back of the stage is raised to be higher than the front. According to junior Justin Kalish, stage crew member, this posed a challenge for both the stage crew and actors.

“This set is on an 11-degree angle, so everything we did is slanted, which makes it really tough for the actors, and people who are placing props, because [they] need to make sure [props] don’t move when [they] are on this pitch,” Kalish said.

According to Penepacker, the play is enhanced on the day of performance when all the aspects of the show come together. Performance night transforms the actors into the characters.

“When all the costumes, lights and sounds come together, it’s so cool to get into the moment,” Penepacker said. “Of course, your friends are on stage with you, but when they’re in costume and in character, it’s easy to get into the moment, and you can’t

“The audience really adds an energy to the show that really helps you give your all and give an honest emotional performance.”

-senior Chuck Quinn IV

ignore the audience because the audience becomes a part of it. So it’s not like you’re in Salem, but you’re on the stage that is Salem.”

Quinn added that the audience is a large part of a performance, because they contribute to the vibe of the auditorium and have an affect on the performers on stage.

“The audience really adds an energy to the show that really helps you give your all and give an honest emotional performance,” Quinn said.

Quinn said that the Theater Department has been a large part of his high school career, and having a play that he loved for his last fall play at South was very important to him.

“I thought it was a great [play] to go out on because it is such a challenging piece, and the characters are so rich and each scene is filled with so much depth that there are so many places you could take it,” Quinn said. “I was really happy to have this play for my senior year.”

As the performance of this year’s fall play concluded, Quinn and Penepacker wrapped up their four-year run of performing in fall plays. They commented that the tools and friends they’ve taken away from the experiences will be with them forever.

“It is kind of emotional for us because we have been with the same people for so long and we are so deeply connected to this department,” Penepacker said. “We love theatre so much, so it is sad to be saying good-bye.”

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sports

Nov. 6, 2015

18

Opinion

CRAZY CUBS: As the team high-fives on the field, the crowd proudly holds up signs containing the new hashtag #FlytheW (left). As the Pirates take the offense, the Cubs seek to defend their home stadium, Wrigley Field (middle). Cubs players take a selfie in their onesies at Wrigley Field on Oct. 13 (right). Right and Left photos by Chicago Cubs Instagram; Middle photo by Framk Clark

Unreached hype blinds Cubs fans from season’s successes HANNAH MASON co-editor-in-chief

When the famous, time-traveling Marty McFly read a hologram newspaper that the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series in 2015 in the classic movie, Back to the Future: Part Two, I doubt people took the possibility into consideration. It was just a sports joke thrown in to mock the Cubbies’ 107 year drought of not winning a World Series.

When we entered this 2015 season, the Internet and Cubs went viral with the hope that this was the year for Chicago. This fire fueled by Anthony Rizzo, first baseman for the Chicago Cubs, predicted that the Cubs would win the National League championship.

Let’s be real though: Cubs fans have been patient. I mean we’ve been really waiting for this, but after 107 years why should we believe that we’re going to win all of a sudden? Is it because we really are the best fans in baseball? Though true, I think it is fair to say that amid all the hype of 2015 season predictions, it was hard to consider us winning a World Series.

Then, something strange started to happen...the

Cubs started winning. Gasp! They called up players such as Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler and others. We acquire Dexter Fowler, Miguel Montero, and a handful more. All this happening while adjusting to the new manager Joe Maddon.

With a mix of young rookies and new management, I would have thought it would have been another two-to-three years before the Cubs made it to the post season. In case you have been living under a rock, for the first time since 2008, the Cubs did exactly this.

This past playoff season, they’ve overcome obstacles such as beating the Pirates in a Wild Card game on Oct. 7, 4-0. Soon after, they played long-time rivals, the Saint Louis Cardinals, clinching the series 3-2 at Wrigley for the first time in history and advancing to the National League Championship. Unfortunately, we entered reality and the Cubs got swept by the New York Mets with the season ending on Oct. 21.

However, I think it’s fair to say the Cubbies exceeded our expectations.

I know some of you are angry, have lost hope and are

completely over this team, but hear me out. Be patient. I know people have been saying this for years, but the Chicago Cubs organization is on an upward slope. Getting to the postseason this year, we ended the regular season with one of the best records, 97-65 ,that we’ve ever had and that says something.

You may ask, why now? What was different about this season compared to the past 107? Easy answer: Theo Epstein. Epstein, the Cubs President of Baseball Operations, was hired in 2011.

Before coming to Chicago, he became the youngest General Manager (GM) for the Boston Red Sox at age 28 in 2002.

With the Red Sox, Epstein broke the “Curse of the Bambino”, the Red Sox streak of not having won a World Series since 1918 until 2004, this just after two years of being the organization’s GM. If anyone could break this Chicago curse then, I’m putting my money on it being Epstein.

As mentioned before, this was Joe Maddon’s first season as the manager for the Cubs. After jumping between managers for the past few years, the only con-

sistent one being Lou Piniella from 2007-2011, Maddon made a smooth transition into the organization.

In a recent article by MLB.com, pitcher Jason Hammel credits Maddon for being“outside the box” and focusing on creating a culture and fun atmosphere inside the clubhouse.

By the looks of any Cubs players’ Instagram, the fun is only beginning at Wrigley Field. Maddon has done various activities such as bringing zoo animals to the field to having the players wear ‘onesies’ on away game trips. Additionally, hashtags such as #wearegood and #flytheW have trended nation-wide and have united Cubs fans from all over the world.

All in all, the Cubs entered this season with energy, determination and promises. Though they couldn’t keep some of those promises, if they enter the 2016 season the same way they did in 2015, there will be great things to come for this hopeful city.

sports

19

Nov. 6, 2015

GEORGIA ARVANITIS co-sports editor

Finishing his last football season of high school, senior Jack Healy reflects on his time as a South athlete.

LOCKED AND LOADED: Preparing to snap the ball, center Daniel Moses and the rest of the offenseive linemen ready themselves for an offensive play against Niles West. The season finished with a record of 4-5, and the Titans were unable to make it to post-season. Photo by Ashley Clark

Football season ends without post-season SOPHIE HENSLEY asst. sports editor

The men’s football team finished off their season with a record of 4-5, according to head coach Mike Noll.

Noll credits the season through his appreciation for the senior class. “[The seniors] did what we asked them [to], and that’s probably the most important part about all of this,” Noll said. “I think [that] the society keeps tabs on wins or losses, but there are other things that are just as important, and our seniors have been really good at those other things. They’ve been very good at what I call knowledge leaders in terms of teaching kids the right way to do things, so I’m pleased with that.”

Even though the team faced many losses during the season, the men still continued to work hard, especially on their consistency as a team, according to Noll.

“We’ve come up a little short plays when needed, and they did.” with our goals on the field and that Similarly, Ryan Janczak, senior just comes down to consistency,” running back, acknowledges the deNoll said. “Our program is only as feat and how it affected the team. good as our work ethic, so that’s a “It was definitely not the best feelkey component that, quite honestly, ing to come so close and not be able we have to fix.” to finish,” Janczak said. “We knew In regards to their toughest comthat we could compete with [Maine petitors this South] season, Maine “It was definitely not the b e c a u s e South defeat- best feeling to come so close [like my] ed the Titans sophoby three points and not be able to finish.” more year, with a final -Senior Ryan Janczak it came score of 34-31 down to on Oct. 2. Owen Boyle, senior tight the wire.” end, understands why Maine South Their last home game of the seawas victorious. son was against New Trier on home“Maine South has always been coming weekend, Oct. 16. The men the best in our conference, and no- finished the game with a score of 35body has beaten them in over 20 14, according to Noll. years,” Boyle said. “We ended up los“I feel like it’s okay to lose if you ing in overtime. We were so close to play your best, but we did not play beating them, but we just didn’t fin- our best,” Noll said. “We had 10 penish the game. Maine South is just a alties and two turnovers, so it’s hard good football team who can make to win games when you do that.”

In addition, senior quarterback Daniel Jenkins agrees with Noll concerning New Trier’s overall play on the field that night.

“Our defense started off strong, and we weren’t able to get anything going on the ground or passing,” Jenkins said. “It seemed like when our offense was able to get something going, penalties or turnovers killed our drive.”

According to Jenkins, the team was disappointed with the outcome of their last home game. However, they ended the season on a win against Waukegan with a score of 3821 on Oct. 24.

“Our team came out slow, but [senior wide receiver] Jack Healy’s one handed snag into the end zone really gave our team the burst of energy we needed, and we took care of business from there,” Jenkins said. “[It is] still pretty upsetting that we fell short of the playoffs, but it was a fun year with a lot of great people.”

Schiller commits to Brown University to play soccer BRIGID MURPHY & KATHRYN SULLIVAN

staff reporters

Senior Daniel Schiller will be attending Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island to play for their soccer team.

According to Schiller, going professional has always been his longterm goal. Schiller said he has been playing soccer since the age of four, and plans to continue playing through college and beyond. According to Schiller his commitment to Brown University is a step in the right direction.

“It had everything I wanted academically,” Schiller said. “Soccer -wise, it’s also a really good school.

[It has a] great program and the campus is beautiful.”

Schiller said that as he was visiting colleges on the East Coast this past summer, the offer from Brown finally came in. On the trip, he was invited to the soccer camp at the university.

“This sounds cliché, but I just went to play soccer,” Schiller said.

“I wasn’t expecting anything out of it, I’d already gotten my offers. Then the next week [Brown] gave me a call and said, ‘I want you to be part of the team.’”

During his sophomore year, Schiller suffered from a knee inju-

ry called Osteochondritis Dissecans.

According to Schiller, it is when the cartilage in the knee starts to deteriorate and dry out. Schiller said the injury required arthroscopic surgery. After this setback, he took his junior year to recover and grow stronger.

David Richardson, Schiller’s current club coach, said that his first game back was definitely difficult, but Schiller met the challenge.

“The first game is always the most difficult game, because when he came back from his injury we had to bring him back slowly through training,” Richardson said. “[Then we] put him into some games, [and we knew] he wasn’t going to return back to the highest level of competition [since] he wasn’t prepared to do that [yet].”

According to Schiller, most athletes that go on to play at the collegiate level get their offers in the first two years of high school.

“For me, it was a six-month process, which was fantastic,” Schiller said. “I hadn’t started playing until this winter again, and that’s when I started getting back in the swing of things.”

Schiller said he plays for Sockers FC Chicago on the U18 Developmental Academy team, which is run

by the U.S Soccer Federation. Richardson said Schiller has been playing for this club since he was eight years old. He has never played GBS soccer because his coaches advised him against it.

According to Schiller, for most of his soccer career with Sockers FC Chicago, he has played with Aidan Megally, his friend and teammate.

“I met Danny when I first joined the club when we were around 10-11 years old. We have been playing ever since,” Megally said.

According to Megally, he has always enjoyed playing with Schiller.

“Playing with Danny is fun; we have good chemistry on and off the field which makes playing with him so enjoyable,” Megally said.

Both Richardson and Megally see Schiller as a leader to his team. According to Megally, Schiller leads by example, and his work ethic really rubs off on the entire team. Richardson expressed that Schiller grew the most as a leader and a teammate when he suffered from his injury.

“That time that he didn’t play, he actually developed a new love for the game and an appreciation for the opportunity to play the game

and to not get discouraged, [and to instead] overcome difficult challenges,” Richardson said.

According to Schiller, his soccer schedule is very demanding with practices about three days a week and one-to-two games on weekends.

Over time, he has learned to balance his school and soccer life.

“I like to keep my soccer in its own sector of my life, then once I’m at school, I have to be a student first,” Schiller said.

SOCKER STAR: Running through two defenseman,

senior Daniel Schiller dribbles the ball downfield.

Schiller plays attacking midfielder for the Sockers FC Chicago team. Photo courtesy of Daniel Schiller

Photo by Ashley Clark

What is your favorite part of football?

“Being a part of a family. I love all the guys on the team.”

What advice would you give to other GBS athletes?

“Work hard in the weight room. That was the biggest difference for me.”

What were your goals this season?

“My goals were to make the playoffs and get allconference. We obviously didn’t make the playoffs, and I’m still waiting to see if I made all-conference.”

What was your favorite memory this season?

“The Maine South game. We lost, but we played really well and I was proud of all my teammates.”

What is one thing you can’t live without?

“Music. I love hip-hop music and listen to it 24/7.”

Do you have any pregame rituals?

“Before the game I would just listen to rap music and catch balls with the other receivers like Jake Smiley and Tony Jerfita.”

Who is your favorite NFL player and why?

“Brandon Matshall [of the New York Jets]. Because like me, he is tall and goes up to get the ball over small defenders, which is what I try to do.”

sports

Nov. 6, 2015

20

Nikitas places sixth in State tournament SAMANTHA CASEY co-sports editor

Junior Charlie Nikitas placed sixth individually at the IHSA State golf tournament on Oct. 17, allowing him to become an AllState athlete, according to the Illinois High School Sports Association. Before the tournament, Nikitas’ goal was to be All-State by placing in the top ten.

On the Friday of State, Nikitas shot a 76, and on the Saturday he shot a 77. According to Nikitas, even though his score was higher on Saturday, he felt that he played better the second day.

“I had a rough stretch of holes before [I] made [a] turn[around],” Nikitas said. “[It] could have been a point where I gave up, but I finished with five pars on some of the toughest holes on the course, which was important to stay in the top 10.”

In addition, Nikitas claims he could have been better at putting, but he made the shots he needed to succeed.

“My putting was off both days, but I managed to make the important [shots] coming down the stretch [on] the final day,” Nikitas said.

According to Nikitas, his most memorable moment from State was on Friday, when he made a comeback from four straight bogeys with a birdie on the hardest hole of the course.

“The four straight bogeys on the back nine [was] frustrating after I had been playing so well,” Nikitas said. “[Then on the] 17th hole, [which] is [one of the] hardest holes on the course…[is] all over water and about 200 feet. I hit [the ball] to about four feet [away from the pin]. Then, I made the birdie, which was crucial in keeping the momentum going into Saturday.”

The Titans were also hoping to qualify for State as a team, which they failed to do. Nikitas was the only player from GBS to qualify for State.

“I felt like I could represent the team pretty well, because we have been playing well all season and [placing] top six definitely represents what we have been doing all year,” Nikitas said.

According to Nikitas, the golf team started off their season very strong, and as the season continued, their success faded.

The team won four invitationals and lost one dual match against New Trier.

“We played pretty solid all year,” Nikitas said. “We started off really strong at the beginning of the year, and then we just sort of dwindled towards the end.”

According to Nikitas, some of the team’s key players include senior Grant Reese and junior Kevin Paek.

At conference, the team lost to New Trier, and in regionals they lost to GBN, Loyola and New Trier. According to Paek, the team did not achieve their post-season goals, which were getting out of regionals and qualifying for state as a team.

“It was disappointing,” Paek said. “I feel bad for our seniors, but we are going to try to redeem them for next year by qualifying for state.”

Paek himself had a goal of qualifying for state individually. He missed the State cut by one point. “[Barely missing the cut] is definitely something I will use as motivation for next year,” Paek said.

According to Nikitas, his favorite invite of this season was the Twin Orchid Invite hosted by Deerfield.

“It was the best field of teams we played [against] all year,” Nikitas said. “[Some of the teams included] Loyola, New Trier [and] GBN and we won as a team. I [also] won the individual.”

According to Nikitas, in order for the team to be more successful next year, they need to work on peaking at the right time during the season. However, Nikitas believes that this year was a fairly successful season for the Titans.

MOHAWK MEN: Striding towards the ball, senior captain Javier Ayala (left) looks to make a pass to a teammate down the field. Looking for an open player, senior

captain Iñaki Bascaran winds up for a throw-in (right). The Titans shaved and styled their hair into mohawks in preperation for the playoffs, but eventually lost to GBN in double overtime in a penalty kick shootout. Photos by Jacqueline DeWitt

Men’s soccer loses to GBN in shootout GEORGIA ARVANITIS co-sports editor

Finishing the season with a record of 13-9-2, the men’s soccer team finished the postseason with a loss to Glenbrook North in the Regional Championship Final.

According to senior defenseman Henry Tarbox, the team played exceptionally well in their last postseason game against GBN despite the loss. Tarbox mentioned that after the game the team was drained and stunned by the results. However, he believes they fought hard.

“I don’t even really feel like we lost that game,” Tarbox said. “We didn’t dominate, but we were definitely the better team. I think that was one of our best games of the year [because] we gave it all that we could. We were just exhausted and shocked by the whole situation.”

Head coach Seong Bong Ha

agrees that it was a tough loss. Ha los received a yellow card with a also comments on how the team, minute left in second overtime. The particularly the seniors, felt after team played a total of 80 minutes the game. regulation time with two overtimes “[I] felt devastated for the nine at 10 minutes each. According to seniors,” Ha said. “[I] thought this Adamopoulos, the team played well team could make a very long run and their record doesn’t reflect in the state playoffs and to lose in how good of a team they are. the man“Last ner that year it The [teams’] character, hard we did wasn’t was abwork, and teamwork were about winsoluteas outstanding and for that ning ly gutmuch as it wrench[this] is the hardest reason is this year, ing.

It we’re a to say goodbye to a great more socwas a fantastic cer mindbunch of men.” regional ed group,” -Head coach Seong Bong Ha A d a m o championship poulos final and [I] would not expect anysaid. “We had a lot of injuries this thing different with a GBS vs. GBN year, which is why our record probsoccer match. Overall, these boys ably is [13]-[9]-2. We think [we were very special.” could have] had another two wins.

Senior goalie Perry AdamopouAll of our guys who were injured

came back for playoffs [except for 3].”

According to Ha, the players tied for the third most wins in school history, with 13, and tied for the third least amount of goals given up in a season, with 25 goals in 24 games. Ha believes that the men played incredibly well and thought they could have defeated GBN. “I thought the boys were good enough to win the match,” Ha said.

“Our defense and goalkeeper [were] outstanding, our midfield play steadied our offense and defense, and our forwards attacked with speed creating numerous chances.

I know the boys are sad, not only from the result, but that they were no longer going to be playing together, at least for this season. [...]

Their character, hard work, and teamwork were outstanding and for that [this] is the hardest reason to say goodbye to a great bunch of men.”

Women’s volleyball falls to Loyola in regionals CASSIDY JACKSON asst. sports editor

The women’s volleyball team ended their season on Oct. 29 against Loyola in the regional finals with a score of 16-25 and 16-25. According to senior captain Cory Klapacz, despite the loss, playoffs and conference showed the team’s true potential as they recovered from past obstacles including a losing streak midway through the season.

“This season at first was frustrating because we had the talent but we couldn’t play well together,” Klapacz said. “Last [season] we

went 30-8, so it was rough having that losing streak. We pushed through and by the middle of the season, we were working well together. We [were] just tired of losing, so we picked it up. We took some teams to three sets that previously were hard teams for us [like] New Trier and Stevenson.

Nothing we did was in vain, we have things to be proud of.”

Head coach Katie Hoover pinpoints the team’s true strength, determination, and the fight the team put up against some of the toughest competition.

“Our end of season matches against the best teams in our area demonstrated that we improved,” Hoover said. “We relied on hard work and teamwork to score more points and win individual games against those teams.”

The losing streak ended at the first conference match against Waukegan with a score of 25-14 and 25-13. Yet according to Eenigenburg, the team acknowledges the New Trier match loss on Oct. 13 as the real game changer. The team took a set but couldn’t carry out a full win. With an end score of 25-19, 18-25, and 11-25 .

“It [showed] our skill as a team that we were able to take a game away from [New Trier], while no other school in our conference had been able to do that,” Eenigenburg said.

With the New Trier confidence boost, the girls walked into the regional semifinals against Evanston. GBS had a 3-1 record against them prior to the match. According to Eenigenburg, those wins gave the team more confidence, but they tried to

keep the confidence under wraps.

The girls walked out with the win at a score of 25-17 and 25-20.

“It was such an important game, so it was really encouraging to us to show ourselves and to show the other team that we can beat them [again],” Eenigenburg said. “We did have a lot of confidence but we didn’t want to have too much.

Sometimes when we’re overconfident we don’t play our hardest and make stupid mistakes.”

According to junior Julia Rytel, the team walked into the regional finals knowing Loyola was a challenge. Yet, Rytel stands by the fact that GBS could have gone further in playoffs, but she is still happy with the team’s hard work. “[Loyola is] a well rounded team,” Rytel said. “A majority of their players have been playing with each other since their freshmen year, so they’ve developed a really good connection, [but] I think [we were] capable of going further into the playoffs. [Yet], there comes a point where a competitive matchup will be encountered early in the postseason. We left it all out on the floor.”

SWINGING INTO SIXTH: Finishing through his swing, junior Charlie

Nikitas tees off during practice. Nikitas was the only player from the GBS team to qualify for state, where he placed sixth.

Photo by Jacqueline DeWitt

KLAPACZ KILLS: Jumping in the air, senior captain Cory Klapacz spikes the ball over the net. The Titans beat Evanston with a score of 25-17 and 25-20 on Oct. 27.

GBS played Evanston five times this season, beating them four times and losing once. Photo by Ashley Clark