Volume 1 Issue 1 - The Comeback Issue
The Makeover We Have Been Waiting For How can updating locker rooms improve your grades?
Movies and TV
NEWS
Within this section you’ll find the latest movies and TV articles.
Math Intervention @GCHS_Newspaper
Learn about a new program that helps students in a oneon-one manner.
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Future Medical Professionals gchs_newspaper
Here, you can find information on the Future Medical Professionals club here at Grant.
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KEEP IT RED Red Read Learn about the Be On Time challenge in Grant High School.
SPORTS
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Turning It Around Within this section there are some of Grant’s best comebacks.
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Music, Blogs, and Books In this section you can find the trendiest books, music, and blogs!
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Artist Spotlight Artist of the Month Megan Pahlow is featured within this article.
FEATURES I See You Bulldog
Artist Comeback
Get on board with our positivity challenge to spread awareness!
Within this article is a personally driven art comeback.
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On this page, you will learn about some of Grant’s best athletes.
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The Bounce Back Here, you can read about the Grant Varsity football team, and their plans to comeback this season!
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You’ve Only Got One Body - Treat It Right! Learn all about the health of your body, and how to make yourself the healthiest you can be!
ARTS
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Athletes to Watch
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The Comeback Issue
F
ar too often we don’t notice what is around us. We miss the forest and the trees because we are so focused on the path in front of us. Our goal, as writers at The Bark and students at Grant Community High School, is to try and change that, increasing our awareness beyond ourselves. We want to produce journalism that students can identify with and learn from. Student life is integral to our community. The Bark hopes to preserve and promote a relevant reflection of student life here at GCHS. No club, team, or course can exist without the students that inhabit it and promote it, continuing its legacy and helping it grow. However, student life extends beyond clubs, teams, and courses. How many students can not join clubs because of their lives outside of school? Their experiences are just as crucial to our school, and identity. In a large sense we are all just numbers on a spreadsheet, but not to each other. Our identities are not just our grades, or our extracurricular activities. We are all many things with complex identities, affected by each other. The basic principle of forensic science dictates that every contact leaves a trace. It is crucial that The Bark represents these identities in their many forms, making every student feel recognized with their integrity and dignity intact.
Editors Kaitlyn Krueger Kristina Maestranzi
News Mariah Ona
Features Elizabeth Newcomb Andrea Lowry
Our staff recognizes that as a society we project standards for each other and we’re expected to follow all these standards without a thought. Peer acceptance is now in a higher demand than it has ever been. With that in mind, we are starting a social media initiative on Instagram called #iseeyoubulldog with the intention to spread positivity, kindness, and awareness. If you’re looking for a way to do something for your friends, for your classmates, or for the strangers in the hall - this is the perfect opportunity. I hope that we can accomplish all that and more in The Bark this issue, and every issue from now on. Let it be noted that this is the first issue of remarkably unfamiliar territory for our staff of writers. We can only improve from here. We’re excited to embark on this journey with you, and grow together - not only as a newspaper, but as a community.
Let The Bark Bark for You! The purpose of The Bark is to be a voice to all members of Grant Community High School. If you would like your club, sport, event, writing, art, to have a chance to be published this is your place! This is meant to be a place where all groups are represented! Contact all inquires or interests to: Kaitlyn Krueger 24861@stu.grantbulldogs.org or Kristina Maestranzi kmaestranzi@grantbulldogs.org
Sports Bryce Mandala Kaitlyn Krueger
Cover Art Madison Wagaman
Back Cover Erin Vance
We would like to thank all staff members for helping us practice our skills during this process! We greatly appreciate your patience and support for helping us build The Bark! A special thank you to Jeff Austin, Chris Carlson, and Penny Zegler in collaborating with us on design and photography for our first issue. All of your guidance and generosity made our vision possible!
NEWS
October 3, 2018
The Bark
COMMUNITY NEWS
NEWS BRIEFS Math Intervention
The Volo Bog has been a well known place for a very long time. For the 33rd year Volo Bog will be hosting the annual “Ghost Stories”.
When and Where? The 33rd Annual Ghost Stories takes place on October 13th from 5pm6pm at the Volo Bog.
How much? Adults- $6 Kids Over 5- $4 Kids under 5 prohibited
Head of the Math Intervention Program, Becky Doud. Photo Credit: Mariah Ona.
What can you do? At the 33rd annual Volo Bog Ghost Stories, you can admire the creative characters that will give you a scare through the haunted woods and take one of the bog tours with your friends and family.
Halloween Decor.
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This year at GCHS a new program for math has been introduced, called “Math Intervention”. According to Becky Doud, math teachers determine who needs it based on skills. It takes place during TEAM and study hall. Students receive the class printed on their schedule they must go to. It brings in students that are struggling right away to immediately fix the problem instead of it coming up again later. It is a “more one on one type of environment” says Becky Doud, GCHS staff member of sixteen years. It is a more individualized approach to suit that student’s needs. The program is a huge success and will continue to help students grow academically.
Future Medical Professionals Future Medical Professionals is a club which students who take particular interest in the medical field can explore what they want to go into. They go into their field of choice and expand their knowledge to know if this is what they want to do in the future. The club’s faculty advisor of Future Medical Professionals, Meghann Mckinney, thinks the biggest impact is students getting to “know more about their interests in the medical field”. They learn about the details it entails by hearing from actual professionals who come in and cover their occupations occasionally. Students also get advice on what field they are interested in. This amazing idea was brought up by student, Kate Miles to science teacher, Meghan Mckinney. Miles thought GCHS needed a club for students who
Creator of club Kate Miles and Faculty Avisor Meghann Mckinney. Photo taken by Mariah Ona.
are interested in the medical field and Mckinney agreed. The club turned out as a success and as no suprise. It is such a needed club at Grant, and is so successful, the club has roughly forty-five members. It is almost unbelievable for the club starting out. The club will although continue to grow in members and in field covered.
NEWS
October 3 , 2018
The Bark
Club Spotlight Showcasing Talent A GCHS student Jakob Mcnulty performs “Star Spangled Banner” at the homecoming assembly as Guitar Club’s surprise to students. Photo taken by VIP.
When and Where? “Once
a member always a member.” - Jon Swearengen For more information you can email: Mr. Swearengen the director of Guitar Club at jswearengen@ grantbulldogs.org
Guitar Club takes place in Mr. Swearengen’s room 252, after school on Thursdays.
What are we about? This club focuses on skill no matter what level you’re at. You go to extend your knowledge on guitar whether you’re really good or have never touched a guitar.
What do you need to know? Anyone can join. The director of the club is always open to new members during any point of the year no matter how good you are. “Once a member always a member.”
Events Coming Up! september 28 Fox Lake Library Friday Flicks at 6:00pm Avengers Infinity War popcorn and soda provided!
September 29 Studio 25 Family Workshop 6:30 Families create their own fence piece to decorate as their own spooky characters!
October 10/1, 8, 15,22, and 29 at 6:30pm Yoga at Lakefront Park Building 1
October 6 Fox Lake Library: 11:00 AM DIY Spa Saturday, Sugar Scrubs all materials provided!
October 7
October 13 Fox Lake Pumpkin Jubilee 3:00 -7:00. Various artisan food vendors, craft vendors, and pumpkin carving. Place your pumpkin on the pumpkin wall - free admission
October 17
Dance team is hosting a clinic 10am - 12pm. Open to prek-k-8th graders contact vshifley@grantbulldogs. org for more info.
Parent University Screening 6:30pm Most Likely to Succeed - Revealing shortcomings of conventional educational methods in today’s innovative world.
October 11
October 20
Fall Choir Concert at 7:00pm. Come out and support your fellow Bulldogs!
Festival of Stars - 7:00pm GCHS Auditorim - Harmony Chorus Groups will be performing 5 barbershop music
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NEWS
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Sweating it Out A change in the Changing Rooms By: Mariah Ona
Recently Grant Community High
School has updated the locker rooms. The
GCHS Locker Room during remodeling. Photo taken by Becky Doud.
change was a clearly needed one. They installed air conditioning, repainted the
female rooms, and installed new lockers
affecting student focus. After working out a lot, on
in the male room. Previously, students
fitness days especially, students will feel extreme levels
described the locker room as cramped, hot,
of fatigue. That can seriously impact students’ focus,
and in some ways damaged. While this may
which decreases productivity in the class following PE.
seem like just a more enjoyable time in the
And not having enough space can result negatively.
locker rooms for the five minutes we have, it
Being cramped and surrounded by body heat will do the
is really so much more.
same.
Hot locker rooms without air conditioning are
In high school, image is a major focus for many
students. Students worry whether their hair looks good after running, whether curls have fallen out, or whether their previously straightened hair has been ruined by rain or sweat. Beyond that, the fear of the smell of body odor can be enough to affect someone’s confidence in the classroom, ultimately affecting their productivity in the classroom.
After sweating and not having air conditioning,
thin clothes can show sweat marks. Going back to how you present yourself no one wants to be seen as a sweaty, smelly, hot, mess. This is a fear that can be avoided. School work and extra curriculars are enough to handle not including self representation.
In addition to that, how does the other side feel
about it? Instead of only taking a look at the students who return to class with post workout sweat, how do GCHS Male Locker Room after remodeling. Photo taken by GCHS Male Locker Room after remodling Bryce Mandala.
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students that sit next to these students feel? No one wants to be rude, but doing group work with someone who is drenched in sweat is not exactly the the most
NEWS
October 3 , 2018
The Bark
comfortable experience. Most people will have to deal with the smell and the warm breath of the panting exhausted students against your own face as unsettling. It’s bad on any side you look at; air conditioning was a necessity. Thankfully we realized how needed this was, students’ voices were heard, and Grant Community High School delivered.
The Stats
1-3% Percentage of Productivity is lost when overheated
18 degrees GCHS Female Locker Room after remodling. Photo Taken by Mariah Ona
Is all it takes to decrease student productivity.
The actual locker
update was needed as well. Students may have increased levels of anxiety by little things, such as scratches on lockers, locker doors getting
70 degrees Is where students start to learn less and will be less productive.
The locker room update was a change that was
extremely needed to overall help student progress, productivity, reduce stress levels, feeling good physically
stuck, and many little things
and mentally, and many more little things that seem like
that little by little increase
they don’t matter but in the grand scheme do. This little
anxiety. This extremely
change is something that impacts our well being. So thank
necessary change was crucial
you to everyone who made this possible.
for student social-emotional health.
All resources used: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/rise-in-temperatures-decreases-productivity-study-says/article27573438/ http://www.the74million.org/article/exclusive-too-hot-to-learn-records-show-nearly-a-dozen-of-the-biggestschool-districts-lack-air-conditioning/ https://www.bustle.com/articles/173994-7-dangerous-signs-that-your-body-is-overheating http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2018/05/temperature_climbs_test_scores_drop.html
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Keep It Red
September 27, 2018
The Bark
Red Read Be On Time Challenge The Be on Time Challenge is here again! The challenge will kick off on Wednesday, September 26 and end on Friday, October 12. During that time frame, we’ll be keeping track of how many tardies each grade level accumulates. The grade level with the least amount of tardies will win the challenge! The grand prize is an ice cream party during TEAM on October 19 in the fieldhouse. Make sure you’re on time to all your classes and the prize could be yours!
Why be on time? Being on time is important not only in school but in the real world as well. If you’re late to class, you could miss important assignments or announcements. If you build a habit of being late, you could earn yourself a trip to the deans office or detentions. If you’re having a hard time getting to class, talk to your teachers or your counselor for suggestions!
Attendance Challenge Winners Congratulations to the following TEAM rooms, who won our Attendance Week Challenge! TEAM Hutchings, Suehr, Talbot, Joray, VanAlstine, Heasley, Koske, Borrino, Barber, Harker, Calhoun, Wilds, Wintersteen, Duffy and Oeffling. All 15 rooms had perfect attendance! They all won a breakfast party during TEAM, complete with donuts and coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. Stay tuned to see how GCHS did in the Lake County Regional Office of Education’s Attendance Week. Last year we tied for third and we’re hoping we placed higher this year!
Last year the Class of 2021 won the Be on Time Challenge! Their prize was a grill out of hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch, dished up by the deans. There were also yard games!
Freshmen 12
Sophomores 12
Juniors 10
Seniors 14
Bulldog Cup Standings
Photo Credit: Jeff Austin
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#�S��Y��B��ldo� Features
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lanned acts of kindness are sweeping the nation!
In Washington at East Valley High School, Konner Sauve, the valedictorian of class 2018, had a very inspiring message. Throughout the past four years, this exceptionally kind student had been posting encouraging pictures and messages for his classmates anonymously. This movement caused a huge positive reaction from all students involved. The demand for peer acceptance is higher than ever. Society projects a ton of standards that we’re expected to follow, but we have to encourage everyone, not just certain people. Not only is it needed more now, but it is also easier to do now thanks to social media. Sauve’s story has inspired
Written and collected by elizabeth newcomb
Throughout the course of my highschool career, I’ve had the chance to meet Priya. She’s kind, hardworking, dedicated, funny, beyond smart, incredibly motivated, and most importantly, she’s a leader. She always tries her best at everything she does.
I think a fitting first post would be of Sam Winters. Drum major, actor, singer, good-at-math, and a fantastic master of crepes.
October 3, 2018
The Bark
a brand new legacy that we are proud to begin at Grant Community High School! From now on if you post a picture with the hashtag #Iseeyoubulldog your post will be transported onto the Newspaper Instagram page. If you’re looking for a way to encourage positivity or do something kind for your friends, then this is the perfect opportunity. For some students, this could be their only form of recognition. At Grant, as a community we find it crucial to support everyone who goes here as much as we can. As Jennifer Pahlka (founder and executive director of Code For America) once stated, “When one neighbor helps another, we strengthen our communities.” With that being said, since we all love that feeling of being appreciated and noticed, post for someone today!
Can I please tell you about Aurora? She is probably the most outgoing freshmen I know. She tries her best every day to ensure that our team class is a community while balancing checking in to make sure she’s on track with her work. 9
Photo Credits: VIP, Olivia Jansen and Kaitlyn Krueger
Returning to the Film Industry Features
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Actors and Actresses from old TV shows are coming back! Andrea Lowry
As school starts and summer fades, we begin to feel like it’s impossible to find time to sit down and watch a tv show. With all of our homework, sports and clubs, free time just isn’t as accessible as it was during the summer. Even if we did get some free time, what would we watch? That’s what I’m here to answer! Today, we are going to take a trip down memory lane as we recognize the actors and actresses that starred in popular films we all enjoyed as children, and are coming into new films we will enjoy as teenagers. We all remember the movie “BeetleJuice”. Starring in that classic movie was
Stranger Things Stranger Things tells the story of Will’s disappearance, and everyone’s journey to find him.
Winona Ryder, adopting role of Lydia Deetz, the gothic teenage daughter of Delia and Charles Deetz. Today, she plays the role of Joyce Byers in “Stranger Things”. Not too long after “Stranger Things” was introduced, “Riverdale”became a popular title in our lives. Back in the early 2000’s, The “Suite Life of Zack and Cody“ and “The Suite Life on Deck” on Disney Channel became popular household names. Today, the twins are grown up and are off to better things. Dylan Sprouse released the movie “Dismissed” in October 2017. Cole plays the popular role of Jughead Jones in “Riverdale”, coming back
to filming after a several year hiatus, along with his brother. Another TV show we have been watching recently is “This is Us”. Mandy Moore (Rebecca) has a long past of movies and TV shows, including “Grey’s Anatomy”, and much more. Last but not least, we have “The Office”. Ellie Kemper, the actress of Erin Hannon, has come back into filming with her new Netflix show, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”. Next time you have nothing to do, curl up on the couch and watch a TV show!
Riverdale Riverdale tells the story of four friends and determining the murder of Jason Blossom
This is Us This is Us tells the story of four different people, and the emotional stories of their lives
12 Photos from Creative Commons
Cole Sprouse
Photo from Creative Commons
One of the famous Sprouse twins, Dylan Sprouse, returned to film with the movie “Dismissed” after six years of inactivity.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt tells the story of a girl and her crazy foreign life in New York
Features
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Upcoming Movies
Creed II On November 21, 2018, not only is Creed coming back from 2015, but so is Michael B Jordan, the actor of Adonis Johnson in the film. Michael’s last film was Creed I, where he played the main role of Adonis Johnson back in 2015. He is coming back into the film industry with the new movie, Creed II. (Photo from Creative Commons)
Spider Man- Into the Spiderverse On December 14, 2018, “Spiderman- Into the Spiderverse” will introduce itself to theaters all around America. In that film will be Nicholas Cage coming back to our screens to speak as Spiderman. (photo from Creative Commons)
Robinhood
On November 1, 2018, “Robinhood” will make its way into theaters, along with its actor Leonardo DeCaprio. Leonardo’s last film was “Delirium”, in which he was a producer. He has now produced the new move “Robinhood”. (Photo from Creative Commons)
Upcoming Media
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Features
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Turning It Around
Photo Credit: Madison Wagaman and Emily Urbina
Top (Left to Right): Danielle Osmon, Ceci Favela (Bottom Left to Right): Alondra Lopez, and Drue Polka Photo Credit: Madison Wagaman and Emily Urbina
Student Comebacks
Elizabeth Newcomb and Andrea Lowry At Grant we choose to support and encourage each other to help build a better community. By promoting the students who go here, we are developing a better understanding of those around us and showing others that we notice them. Most importantly, we are recognizing that students are humans and go through tough times that can cause setbacks. Sometimes things might get tough, but during these times is when we need the most support. These setbacks do not define us and often cause tremendous growth as seen in the following stories.
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Working at home and school Balancing time management, honors classes, and a job can be very demanding tasks. Alondra Lopez challenges herself everyday by accomplishing all of these. Dedicated, independent, and hardworking are only a few of the many adjectives you could use to describe her. Lopez constantly sets her expectations high. Currently, she works five days a week to pay for her own things and she also is enrolled in three honor’s classes as opposed to the advanced courses she was in last year. Alondra has also made some very big decisions which positively impacted her. She claims that she felt like she was in a “different place” than everyone else. Despite having some
tricky situations at home, she decided to make the best of her situation. When given the choice between making negative decisions or being positive, she chooses to be a role model. Alondra inspires others to work hard for what they want and to never settle for less. Being direct and precise are key to her. She believes it is important to know your values and apply them to your everyday life. Alondra has set out on the right path and it’s clear she will work hard and inspire others in the future.
“She felt like she was in a different place than everyone else”
Features
October 3, 2018
The Bark
waiting to work When trying to stay motivated and achieve a task, procrastination can become an obstacle. Tyler Elfering knows this just like everyone else. Although he claims school hasn’t been super complicated, he thinks that doing homework has been a challenge. Tyler struggled with procrastination but overcame it towards the end of last year. When asked about why staying on task is hard, he says that it is boring and feels unimportant. This began to lead him to a decline with his grades. When Elfering began to start doing his homework more frequently, he noticed a positive reaction. His GPA went up, his grades were higher, and he overall found a better sense of who he is in school and out. Choosing to fight the urge in resisting to do homework has only benefited him.
Tackling the hurdle Of Injury
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f you’re looking for a powerful story about overcoming an injury, then Drue Polka is the perfect example. As a star on the girls track team, Drue has made tremendous progress as an athlete. Working tirelessly to become better at her sport is her main goal. When Polka suffered from several injuries throughout the season of her freshman year, it set her back. She felt defeated when she began to get shin splints because it tackled her emotional health. She claims, “I felt very weak all the time. So I didn’t like that idea. I wanted to feel like a strong person.” When asked about her current progress she says that she is proud of how far she has come. Drue achieved several of her personal goals such as making varsity, going to most meets, and lasting the whole season without outstanding injuries.
trouble turned
Stress on the Track Danielle Osmon is a Junior here at Grant High School, and she has been through alot within the past year. In her freshman year, she was already running as a state qualifier in the 3200 for track. In her sophomore year, she continued to rise up, as she qualified for the state track meet for the 3200 and 1600. Her junior year, however, her femur began to stress, which made it hard for her to progress with track. “It’s caused by when you pound too much on your bones, your bone’s pretty much about to break, due to too much pressure on it,” says Danielle. It is now her senior year, and she is ready to take another step forwards in track. Mr. Wodzien, an ELA teacher here at Grant, tells us about how he is proud of Danielle. “No matter what happens, she’s always given 110%. I don’t think I have ever seen her get down on herself or frustrated with herself through any situation.”
Ceci Favela is a Junior here at Grant High School, and she has grown a lot as a person over her years here at Grant. In the beginning, Ceci was struggling with motivation in class, and was distracting her classmates as a result. She and her teacher, Ms. Suehr, began to work together on Ceci’s motivation. By the end of the year, Ceci was a much better student. “At the end of the year, she was actually encouraging others to try and get engaged. She kind of turned from a problem to a leader.” Ms. Suehr, Ceci’s sophomore team teacher Ms. Suehr goes on to say she is proud of Ceci, and the person she has become. “She has overcome her problems, and now she’s doing really well in school
“No matter what happens, she’s always given 110%.”
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n the future at Grant, we hope to achieve more student success. The academic and personal growth of our students is key to building a better community. Supporting and motivating each other will only make us better individuals. By learning to push through challenges and overcoming obstacles, we will continue to produce thoughtful and considerate students. 15
Features
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Entertainment Briefs Life Makeover
The Playlist Indie, pop, and rap musicians have made a comeback with their new albums.
By: Elizabeth Newcomb
Starting from the bottom and making it to the top should be the next big trend. Jeffree Star is a great model of this description. Jeffree Star from Nodaluka.com
Glamorous, successful, and unique are only a few of the words you could use to describe Jeffree Star. Our favorite diva has made a gigantic breakthrough once again. Previously, he started out his career as a singer who used MySpace. Star used to post videos and blogs there but his fame certainly spiked when he got discovered by Sound Music. With Sound Music he put out his first EP ‘Plastic Surgery Slumber Party’. This was a HUGE success and ranked #1 on Itune’s Dance Chart. His motivation to look and sound amazing are constantly shown in all of his unique makeup looks and songs. He even showed an entrepreneur side to him when he started his own makeup line. Providing vibrant shades of lipsticks, highlighters, concealers, blushes, eyeshadows, and other palettes/beauty supplies, Star has been massively successful. Along with the merchandise, he also provides Youtube demonstrations on how to apply and care for the makeup to best suit your skin. Jeffree Star has made a tremendous impact on the makeup industry. He started from the bottom and truly made it to the top.
Books Returning Andrea Lowry
“The Handsmaids Tale” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary” are two books that are ready to come back, and enter current times.
The Handmaids’ TV show title
Death Cab For Comeback Death Cab for Cutie’s ninth studio album, Thank You For Today, is the band’s strongest album of the 2010s. There are a number of shining moments of songwriting, heralding a possible return to form for the band. Listen to “Your Hurricane”, close your eyes, and imagine we are back among the time of Transatlanticism and Plans.
Ariana Grande’s new album cover - Sweetener
Sweet Success Sweetener, the fourth studio album from Ariana Grande, is both the most genuine album from Grande and a stunning example of a pop album done well. It is wrapped in a gossamer covering of low-key joy and new love that album’s title suggests.
Bridget Jones’s Diary Movie poster
The Handmaid’s Tale
bridget Jones’s Diary
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margret Atwood tells the story of of a girl named Offred, and the several other womens scary, horrible lives in the Republic of Gilead.“The Handmaid’s Tale” are coming back in 2018 as a Hulu original, where the words written on the pages will come to life in a TV show series.
“Bridget Jones’s Diary” by Helen Fielding is a story about a girl named Bridget and the life she writes and portrays through her diary. After the book was released in 1996, film writers saw a perfect movie opportunity. Later, in 2001, a movie was released on the book.
Pictures from Creative Commons
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Death Cab for Cutie’s previous albums.
Travis Scott in saturated art
A Trippy Apotheosis Astroworld is a psychedelic album constructed with remarkable production, creativity, and is most certainly Travis Scott’s strongest work. It is one step closer to being the apotheosis of the by-committee creativity hip hop album.
Arts
October 3 , 2018
Artist Spotlight
The Bark
Megan Pahlow Representing Grant within the art community as she creates unique pieces. By: Elizabeth Newcomb
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Have you ever wondered if the next Picasso was sitting right next to you in class? Amazing artists surround us everyday. For example, Grant’s Artist Spotlight Megan Pahlow is being recognized for her outstanding art. Megan placed silver in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. This was an exceptional achievement since this competition recognizes the whole Midwest. As an artist, Megan features different types of pieces with colorful stylized
drawings being her favorite type. Megan is also very gifted with sewing. She has created several pieces within sewing class and at home. Some of her creations are pillows, pants, bean bags, and costumes. These can all be considered products from a very innovative mind. What makes Megan unique is that she likes to use several colors and designs. Her style is completely her own and she takes pride in that. She also has a keen eye
for famous art. She loves to create abstract paintings and trying to understand what the painter is trying to convey. For others wishing to be as innovative as Megan, you should follow her own advice. She states, “If I could give any advice to aspiring artists it would be just to do what you love and don’t let anyone stop you.”
Megan’s scratchboard depiction of Jack Torrance, from The Shining.
Megan went through some challenges when people told her that her style was wrong. Being original is what makes Megan great. She is unique with the way she creates and that is what makes her a truly extraordinary artist.
Creating Through Chaos Angelina Mehrings Overcoming personal challenges and school has been a struggle, but using art as an escape saved Angelina. By: Elizabeth Newcomb
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ngelina is a bright art student, yet she is so much more. Dealing with avoidance, procrastination, and heartbreak has molded her into an inspiring artist, but an ever better person too. Her teacher Mr. Carlson claims that she picks up on subjects quickly. This makes her exceptional in the classroom, and she is also great outside of school. Her personal struggles have motivated her to get on the
right track. Whenever something hard happens, she makes the best of it. To be fair it has been a rough road for Angelina for quite some time. Handling the loss of her father has deeply impacted her. In order to cope Pictured above is one of Angelina’s paintings. Photo Credit: Angelina Mehrings with her feelings, she chose to ing and creating art to show positivity can deeply impact pursue art. One of the greatwhat she had to deal with, but someone else’s life. est things about Angelina is also to help better herself. Throughout future years her strive to create meaningful Along with finding it is deeply suggested that drawings. She views art as an motivation from within, she Angelina continue her journey escape from what is going on was gaining support from in art. Her current teacher around her. others. She claims that Mrs. Mr. Carlson claims that she When everything Maestranzi always gave her is a fantastic artist and that around her seemed like it was she picks up new material falling apart, Angelina knew she something to look forward to at school, therefore she wantquickly. Her future is clearly had to do something. Finding ed to keep being engaged and bright and she will accoma way to express what she was learning. This is just another plish many goals in the rest of going through needed to be example of how spreading her time at Grant. 17 done. Angelina started sketch-
Arts
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Something to Declare
To follow along with The Bark’s mission and vision, we would like to give all students at Grant Community High School a chance to shine. Students who have writing they would like to publish please e-mail all submissions to Mrs. Maestranzi (newspaper advisor) kmaestranzi@grantbulldogs.org or to Kaitlyn Krueger (Editor in Chief) at 24861@stu.grantbulldogs.org
“Make Them Cheer” Written by Sara O’Dowd, Sophomore at GCHS
The crowds of people came in droves Came to see the circus In the brightly colored tent To watch us dance Everyone is ready, The music starts Spotlights come to life, blinding us momentarily I leap from the platform Hold on The faces far below me are unseen Their voices joyous As they watch us defy death. I reach the end of the first swing Hold on So many eyes on us Reach the end of the swing, I look up, there is my aerial partner Let go He didn’t catch me I stare up at his empty hands Surprise glances across his face before he puts his grin back on Smile for the crowd Smile for the cameras Hide the pain I looked to the empty trapeze, jumping in the air haphazardly The bar empty The ropes straightening, The safety net caves around me, digging into my skin, saving me I waited for the net to stop quaking before I climb down Shaking slightly I listened for their voices again But I can’t hear a sound I look again for their faces, None to be found I glance to the ringmaster Who holds her colorful top hat
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She looked my way impatiently over her shoulder “Again?” “Go.” She puts her hat back on with a grin,”The show must go on.” I climb up to the platform, Catch the trapeze from the air, Placing my hands wide, I paste a showy grin on my face Make it look like part of the act Make it look like part of the plan Jump Hang on tight This time we do it right The crowd looks confused, I twist through the air, flipping upside down so that I dangled from my feet The ground show starts to set up below me, I twist again, I grasp the bar of my trapeze, Swinging, crossing the gap between the platforms Keep going, make them believe That it is all part of the show. I grin wider, Push harder Costumes glitter under the spotlights People forget They believe, We make them cheer Happy, loud and, clear For all to hear. What a nice memory Held so dear How many times We could make them cheer.
“A Night To Remember”
Arts
September 2018 October 3 27, , 2018
The Bark
Written by Jasmin Paz, Freshmen at GCHS,
The echoes are screaming in my ear Yet despite everyone is full of cheer I hear the pounding on the floor And everyone keeps going for more Flashing lights scatter the sky The smiles fly around just like a fly The clanking of heels of every girl When they back up after the twirl The echoes start to simmer down Everyone starts to leave with a slight frown The sound of a car’s horn begins to hauler The groups of people left kept getting smaller Though the night will forever stay in our mind That’s a night that will always be easy to find You can never compare a moment in life To a moment you’ve never felt so alive
A Collection of Poems Written by Rachel Patel, Senior at GCHS,
A plant does not tell you that watering it vodka harms it. A hungry dog will not tell you that chocolate is harmful. As appreciated as the offers are, they are damaging. What I’m trying to say is I still love you despite it not being good for me.
My journal reminds me of a passport Because writing about you always takes me places
The ocean always comes back To kiss the shore No matter how many times It is pushed away And the sun will always Fall for the moon Just as I will repeatedly Fall for you 19
3 Athletes to Watch Sports
October 3, 2018
Football
The Bark
Luke Bedrosian Favorite Team: Chicago Bears
Favorite Player: J.J. Watt
Multi-Sport Athlete
4.9 GPA
Girl’s volleyball
Megan Mitchell Outside hitter 9 service aces 76 kills 61 digs
Boys Soccer
Danny Talavera Favorite Player: Christiano Ronaldo
Favorite Team: Real madrid
375 LB. Max Leg Press
3.7 GPA
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Junior On And Off The Field Luke has played every type of position on defense so far, in the two years he’s been on varsity. He has been a large contributor for the Bulldogs ever since, and will continue to do so in the time coming. Not only does he shine on the field, but off the field as well, as he is a multi-sport athlete and obtains an astounding 4.904 GPA.
Senior
Killing it on the Court Megan has been on the varsity volleyball team for 3 years, and played for 7 years. Her aunt played division 1 volleyball, and Megan fell in love with the sport when she saw how fast paced the game was. “I like that if you make a mistake, it doesn’t matter the next play because you have the opportunity to do something amazing.”
Senior Scoring Machine 4-year varsity starter Danny Talavera hasn’t had trouble scoring goals in his time at Grant. He’s scored 24 in his high school career so far, and has led the team the past two years. Danny plans to continue playing in college, but has yet to make a committment. He’s also a part of the Varsity Boys Volleyball team.
Bryce Mandala and Kaityln Krueger Photo Credit: VIP
Sports
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Girl’s tennis
Boy’s Golf
Girl’s Cross Country
Gianna Vavalle
Sam Acevedo
Alyssa Negovetich
Freshman
Senior
Freshman
6-2 record
Favorite Golfer: Jordan Spieth
Broke state record
2nd singles player
Favorite Golf Brand: Callaway
Fastest mile: 5:02
First place finish at Dundee Crown Quad
4.3 GPA
Fastest 2 mile: 11:05
Played tennis for 10 years
Carolina Panthers Fan
Placed at state 7 times
Serving up Wins
Late Bloomer
Racing to the Top
Gianna has been playing tennis since she was 4 years old, ever since she watched a tennis match on TV. “I really got interested in and then I just started playing. No one in my family has ever played tennis before.” Her secret to playing so long without burning out? Gianna plays other sports besides tennis, such as basketball.
Senior golfer, Sam Acevedo has the lowest average on the Varsity golf team, and has only been playing golf for two years. It’s also just his first year on Varsity as he was apart of the JV squad his Junior year, and his average has dropped nearly 10 strokes since then. Sam’s best round consisted of a 37 at Grant’s home course, Valley Ridge.
Bryce Mandala Kaitlyn Krueger Photo Credit: VIP
Alyssa has been running for roughly 7 years, starting when she would go running with her dad for Oasis for Orphans, a program her church ran. She started competitively running in 7th grade, and plans to keep running through her high school career. Alyssa hopes to grow faster, stronger, and learn who she is as a runner.
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Sports
October 3, 2018
The Bark
The Bulldogs run out onto the field for last year’s Homecoming game against Antioch Photo Credit: VIP
The Bounce Back Comeback Season Bryce Mandala
L
ast year took some L’s, but this year the Varsity football team is ready to bounce back. Last season did not go how they would’ve liked it to, and now a lot of players feel like they have something to prove and is willing to tackle any challenge that’s in front of them.
Up and Coming The excitement level for the players, and Head Coach Chris Robinson is at an all-time high for this season, after the 2017 campaign where the Bulldogs posted a 2-7 record. The
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toward each drill to get better over past two years Grant has had major the summer at camp, months before success at the lower levels, with the their first game, Freshman teams and if they’re not combining for a “If they keep the on the turf, they’re 14-2 record. The focused, it’s hard in the weight room key contributors to say what they getting stronger. to those teams are “I think the one now Sophomores can’t accomplish thing that I’m most and Juniors and are and what their excited about with looked upon this limits are.” -Coach this group is seeing year to step up big Robinson all the hard work on varsity. Seven pay off that they Sophomores in fact, put in over the have started a game. summer. We’ve had a major improveThe Cost of success ment as far as attitude and efforts go throughout the offseason, and if they Not to mention all the hard (the players) keep the focus, it’s hard work every player has been putting to say what they can’t accomplish and in during the preseason. Football what their limits are,” says Robinson. is a physically demanding sport in terms of work in the offseason, every player is out on the turf in full pads giving every little ounce of sweat
Sports
feel the same kind of relationship Staying Focused as that with this year’s team as well. With excitement comes high It’s been a long time comexpectations. Junior Defensive End, ing for the Bulldogs to be projectLuke Bedrosian who was part of the ed for this kind of success. Grant undefeated freshman was considered squad a couple years to be a football ago, believes that the “The goal is “powerhouse” Bulldogs have all the playoffs, state for much of the right pieces to receive a obviously, but 2000’s. Although bid to the playoffs this this year for in recent years, year and even advance things haven’t sure playoffs.” far into them. “This gone exactly how year the goal is playoffs Luke Bedrosian, they wanted to. and I mean state obviJunior Grant made the ously, but this year for playoffs six years sure, playoffs,” quotes ago in the year Bedrosian. It’s always 2012, but have fallen just short good to take things one step at a each year since then. time, focusing more at what’s right in front of you, instead of far into the future.
Together as One Having good team chemistry can take you a long way in sports, it allows you to put more trust in your teammates, As quoted by the Huffington Post, “Building a team that works well together is a lot like starting at puzzle and matching the pieces. It often helps to break down the job and consider the individual components.” Luke also speaks on that. “Our freshman year, we had really good team chemistry, we always stuck together, and I think that’s what carried us to success that year.” Several players
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Did You Know.....
32-6
The score of the Bulldogs Week 3 blowout against the Round Lake Panthers.
2012
The last time the Varsity football team has made the playoffs.
7
The number of Sophomores who have started a game this season for Varsity.
Tunnel Vision Every player, including the entire coaching staff is confident that Grant football is going back to their old ways, winning football games on a consistent basis. The Bulldogs have a current record of 2-2 (at time of print date), winning their last two games against NLCC opponents Round Lake by a score of 32-6, and the Rams of Grayslake Central, 14-3 on Homecoming Week. The future’s looking brighter than ever for the football program and they’re hoping to keep their success rolling for the remainder of the season.
Junior,
Noah Lautner uses a stiff arm to get by the defender against conference rival Antioch, last year Photo Credit: VIP 23
You’ve only got one body - treat it right! Sports
October 3, 2018
The Bark
Alyssa Negovetich hydrating post run.
Dynamic stretching is a must.
Photo Credit: Kristina Maestranzi
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newcomb
Tyler enjoys eating bananas as his source of potassium Photo Credit: Kristina Maestranzi
Training Around the Clock Bryce Mandala
Y
ou just got home after a rigorous workout, your body is sore, and just flat out exhausted, but you knew you gave every little ounce of energy you had toward that workout, and you couldn’t be more satisfied. What most athletes aren’t aware of is that muscle growth occurs after the moment you stop lifting, and in order to maximize each and every workout, the proper recovery protocol should be in order.
A Healthy Diet One of the most important factors is what you eat throughout the day prior to your workout. Side towards lean, organic meats and complex carbohydrates. The proteins and nutritional values that you receive from those foods should still be circulating through your body for at least 3 hours. If
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you workout on a a day-to-day basis, as said by LiveStrong.com, ensure that your diet includes about 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of your body weight, so roughly between 111-159 grams a day.
activity as you may be affected by weakness and fatigue. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting the amount of added sugars you consume to no more than half of your daily discretionary calories.
As some people know, a little sugar before physical activity can be beneficial to the body in terms of Another key aspect of getting getting the blood flowing. the most out of your workout is an One professional athlete is efficient stretching routine. It can be notoriously famous for his love and consumption of Skittles during NFL one of the most important factorsof football games, Oakland Raiders maximizing your workout. It is also Running Back, Marextremely beneficial in shawn Lynch. So preventing any strains much so, that the “Prolonged or injuries to your fruit-flavored candy stretching muscles, and even alcompany released lows you perform more will reduce and gave Lych his reps. cholesterol and very own special A study pubedition Skittles significantly lished in The Journal of pack. reverse Strength and Condition However, hardening of try to avoid coning Research found that suming more than static stretching before the arteries.” 25 grams in the - Barbara hour prior to the
Stretch it out
Bolotte
Sports
October 3, 2018
The Bark
a workout reduced participants’ strength in the squat by 8.36 percent, and reduced lower-body stability by 22.68 percent. Instead, try dynamic stretching, which is stretching involving movement, such as jumping jacks, leg kicks, squats, and lunges. Static stretching can still be beneficial, especially for sports requiring more flexibility. Stretching after your workout doesn’t hurt, as it may relieve muscle tension and reduce the soreness that you may feel later. Barbara Bolotte from the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) quotes “Prolonged stretching with moderate exercise and diet control will reduce cholesterol and significantly reverse hardening of the arteries, more people should be taking stretching more seriously!”
Get Those Z’s I’m sure your parents have told you this enough growing up, but sleep is key. Sleep and exercise hold a mutually beneficial, cyclical relationship. Australian journalist Barbara James studied the values of sleep. “Sleep is not just for relaxing. This is the necessary downtime that your body needs to restore. This is what it’s for,” explains James. You need to give your body some down time to rest and repair itself. In turn, physical activity increases time spent in deep sleep, the most physically restorative sleep phase. According to NINDS, deep sleep helps to boost immune function, support cardiac health, and control stress and anxiety.
Dedicated basketball players putting in work in the weight room. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newcomb
The Stats
3 hours The time that nutritional values from meats and carbs should be circulating through your body.
25 grams The amount of sugar you should avoid an hour prior to your workout.
Wrappin’ it up One last, small recovery tip is to consume some source of potassium following your workout, such as bananas. Potassium is a key mineral that plays a huge role in catabolism, which is the breakdown of the complex molecules in your muscles that allows your body to come back stronger. So before you engage in your next workout or any form of physical activity, keep these regimens in mind to make the most of your athletic ability, and to treat your body right!
111-159 grams The amount of protein you should consume on a day-to-day basis to replenish your muscles
When entering the lunchroom...
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Sports
October 3, 2018
The Bark
The Bulldog Battle
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Sports
October 3, 2018
The Bark
27 Photo Credit for All images: VIP