Huntley High School Voice Oct 2018

OCT OBER2018|VOLUME22|I SSUE1

Thene wf a c eo f Hunt l e yHi g hS c ho o l

Contents 03 09 10 18 21 26 35

NEWS

Congressional candidates tour Huntley High School and answer questions from student panel

Editorial Board Emma Kubelka Editor-in-Chief

huntleyvoice.com// @huntleyvoice

Madison Barr Opinion Editor

The impact of vaping on teens; the health risks and cultural unraveling of today’s youth

Skylar Sharkey Features Editor Riley Murphy Arts & Entertainment S. Laput

A look into the life of Marcus Belin, the new face of Huntley High School

Arianna Sanchez Photo Editor

S. Laput

A&E

“Marvel’s Spider-man” by Insomniac Games comes out swinging

AT A GLANCE

J. Grist

Ashley Reilly Social Media Manager Austin Stadie Business Manager Staff Writers Kyle Abruzzo, Mady Borst, Riley Flickinger, Jordyn Grist,Garrett Heinke, Jarrod Khoo, Jenna Stadie, Krista Stadie, Mark Vandy, Sara Vanegas, Riy Walker, Trevor Wolinsky Photographers Zach Isenegger, Elizabeth Kim, Sydney Laput

3 years in the making- Huntley welcomes its new orchestra

Dennis Brown Adviser

SPORTS

Sophomore Olivia Maliszewski finds passion in coaching during year-long recovery

Danielle Rhody Sports Editor Olivia Mack Double-Truck Editor

HUMANS OF HUNTLEY Senior Hayley Robbins shares the ways in which theatre has shaped her

Braden Turk Online Editor Ayman Mirkan News Editor

OPINION

FEATURES

Faith Losbanes Print Editor

Editorial Policy Z. Isenegger

A. Sanchez

HHS Media are the official student-produced media of news and ingormation published/ produced by HHS Media students. HHS Media have been established as designated public forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be viewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisers may - and should - coach and discuss content during the writing process. Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of HHS media is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself; its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete and financial liability for the content of the publication.

News Academies “I believe so strongly that our nation is best when we are discovering, when we are innovating, and pushing ourselves,” Hultgren said. “There is an important role for government to place in research and discovery.”

Because HHS is an Illinois Democracy School, it made the fact that a U.S. Representative was touring the halls all the more special. Seeing Hultgren encourage civic engagement among students and inspire them to get to the polls on election day gave them the drive they need to make their voices heard.

“It was interesting to see his different viewpoint because it is important to get the whole picture,” said participant junior Z. Isenegger Annie Mitchell said.

A. Sanchez “The students are now more aware of the issues that are surrounding the next midterm election,” Fowler said. “They are aware of the process of getting to know Representative, especially during this time their elected officials, asking them quesBy Emma Kubelka tions, being involved (civically engaged), of political strife.

Throughout the hallways of Huntley “This idea is being tested right now. The and being excited about the next election so they realize they do have a voice and High School on Friday Sept. 21, various idea of, ‘can we have different opinions they can make a difference.”

AP Government students along with Prin- and yet still respect each other enough to However, Hultgren’s visit is only the cipal Marcus Belin and Superintendent be able to talk through it and learn?,” Hultbeginning.

On Oct. 11, Hultgren’s congresScott Rowe, were seen in matching navy gren said. “[The idea] to not feel threatsional opponent, Lauren Underwood, will blazers guiding Congressman Randy Hult- ened because someone thinks differently also visit the school for the same expegren on a tour of the building. Hultgren than you.” rience. Underwood will offer insight on was visiting HHS for the second time and Social studies teacher and organizer what it is like to run for political office for is the first political figure to make a visit of Hultgren’s visit, Renee Fowler, felt it the first time with the goal of not only edthis year. was important that students engage with ucating students, but inspiring them that Hultgren, who has served on the U.S. Hultgren, especially they can do the same.

Congress for over seven years, represents seeing as they are his “When I get back According to Undernorthern counties including DeKalb, DuP- youngest constituents wood’s website, she is age, Kane, Lake, and McHenry. Seeing [from D.C.], my as they will have the running for Congress as HHS is an Illinois Democracy School, opportunity to voice focus is on the peo- because she believes Hultgren came to admire the civic engage- their opinions and this moment in history ment represented by the coming-of-age ple.” cast their ballots come requires courageous student body. election day. people to stand up and With over 750,000 constituents in his After the tour, HultRANDY HULTGREN fight to restore our district, Hultgren attempts to ensure his gren gave insight during voice in Washington. constituents know who he is. He serves a student-lead panel “For the same reason that Congressman on the Financial Services Committee in about what it means to be a congressman Hultgren came, Underwood is coming Washington D.C. three times a month, and how he felt about certain politically to help us understand that there is an usually for four days at a time. relevant topics. Students had the opportu“When I get back [from D.C.], my focus nity to ask him questions about issues that opposition; that there is a process to being elected, and to understand where she sides is on the people,” Hultgren said. “Getting concerned them. The discussion ranged on the issues before you make an educated out, learning, meeting people, and finding from his viewpoints on foreign refugees decision on who you vote for,” Fowler said. out what I can do to help.” and abortion to students involved in The intent of his visit was to inform the STEM programs. students about what it means to be a U.S.

Congress Comes to Huntley Candidates give insight to HHS

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News Academies so he can build upon it and keep moving forward with it.

The Student Advisory was not created to make decisions, it was created to influence them. It is here to receive feedback from students, as well as their perspective on certain issues.

Rowe’s plan is to meet with existing student leadership organizations, such as Student Council, as to gain important perspectives into student life in District 158.

“This is going to be an existing board, and if we go with Student Council, that group has been elected by their classmates or they’re heavily involved and the idea is that they talk to different friend groups that connect all corners of the building,” Rowe A. Sanchez said.

Rowe plans to touch all corners of the building in terms of the different student groups so that they can be represented and have their voices heard when making decisions for the district. right direction.

By Krista Stadie When it comes to these decisions, Rowe A child’s high school experience is refuses to handpick students for commuSeven hours a day, five days a week, and important, so when decisions that affect nication, he prefers to have an open line of nine months a year for four years is spent in them are made without their opinion or communication with all types of student so the same place. Huntley High School is like knowledge, their perspective of school can he can hear all feedback. a second home for most students, considchange. Rowe hopes to have communi“If the students feel that they have a ering how much time they spend here. So, cation with the students, as well as to see voice directly to the superintendent and the decisions that are made for the school their perspective about the issues, that are that their voice is hard, then it’s successful,” should be decided by, or at least have the bothering them so he can make HHS a Rowe said. opinions of the individuals being affected comfortable and pleasant place.

The Student Advisory was created to hear by these decisions, the students.

Adults trust that children will tell them feedback from students about what they are District 158 has several district boards how they feel and give their opinions about experiencing in school. such as, the Superintendent Parent Adviso- issues that are affecting them. Rowe also Rowe realizes that students are here every ry and the Superintendent Staff Advisory. hopes to keep an open line of communica- day and what they experience matters the However, District 158 is bringing in a new tion with the student body. most, so it is a way to ensure that we can advisory: the Student Advisory.

“When you get into a leadership position, improve our communications about issues Superintendent Scott Rowe created the you find yourself talking to people that that matter in the district.

Student Advisory as a way to stay connect- sometimes will tell you what you want to “[The Student Advisory] is a way to keep ed with students, their experiences, and hear,” Rowe said. “[Students] have never relationships and stay connected to our perspectives about the school and district lied to me and I value that.” students, but the last thing I want to do is over all. He also hopes to have commuRowe understands that what he may push policies or set major decisions that nications with the students as well as see think is going really well may be someimpact all of our schools, without hearing their perspective on issues in the school, thing the students think is going terrible what the students have to think about it. At so he knows what can be done to help the and he is willing to go back and check his least, considering their perspective before district. sources of information to fix the issue. He moving forward,” Rowe said. “ It is going to “I really strongly believe that, especially also believes that if parents have this strong be sounding board for ideas for me, as well in high school, students have ownership of passion about a program or their experias to stay connected to students experience their school and have a voice in as much ences in the district, he can then obtain and our schools. I’m trying to be sensitive as they can about what is going on,” Rowe another honest and unfiltered perspective and reactive to what [students] are going said. on a particular quality of the district. through.”

Rowe hopes that if he presents similar Not only does Rowe want to know about topics to all three advisory groups (parent, the issues in the district, he finds it necstaff, and student), he will gain the feedback essary to communicate what is going well needed to see if the district is going the

New Student Advisory Board in the making.

More voices being heard in District 158

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HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 5

Opinion Academics hour to socialize, get food, sleep in, etc.

Is that really a bad thing though?

Teachers may dread the idea of their blended class time being used as a run to Panda Express instead of working on their blended assignment, but it may work as a boost to student morale.

There are few things that incite joy like the prospect of a blended class period. This may encourage them to work harder during the days they are in class so they can keep their grades up and maintain their blended privileges.

This is also the first time students get a taste of responsibility and independence. Up until high school, they sat in a classroom all day, aside from lunch, with no schedule flexibility. These blended classes allow them to learn how to manage their time and communicate with their teachers.

Regrettably, valuable student-teacher interaction time is being missed out on during blended days. Students may not be as motivated to learn if they dislike their teacher or just do not have any sort of acquaintanceship with them at all.

This is something that is much harder to build when students are out of the classroom two or three times a week.

“This is my first year having all blended, and I really miss getting to know the kids, which you don’t really get as much with blended classes,” English teacher Tara Wills said. “In a blended class, students tend to miss out on the discussions a lot, and they don’t realize that.”

It is unfortunate that the classes students seem to take blended the most, like English, are those that benefit from being traditional. In-class discussions strengthen student understanding of what is happening in a novel, while also building friendships and forming new ideas.

Blended AP classes are an interesting point of debate as well. Many teachers point out that scores among blended AP students tend to be lower than those who take the same class traditional.

By Austin “Generally, traditional students are better prepared for the AP test Stadie and get better test scores in AP U.S. History, it may be different for “Are we blended today?” is a phrase that has become a common fixother classes though,” history teacher Todd Swartzloff said. ture among students at Huntley High School. It feels as if the question Some students may be willing to take that hit for increased free time, is asked as a way to start conversation with no real concern for whether but those who are very serious about their AP scores may want to conor not they are in fact blended that day. sider taking their AP classes traditional.

Over the last several years the blended program has dramatically Aside from AP, when asking students which classes they would never changed the way students approach and feel about school. Through take blended, the most common answer was math classes. blended classes, students are given an opportunity to act independently “I can’t do math blended, I need that environment with a teacher and responsibility, while also acquiring skills to for math, once I see them do it, I’m all good,” manage their time more effectively. junior Marlon Spain said.

“Honestly, if I didn’t have blended classes I This is likely due to the fact that math classes wouldn’t have good time management skills,” junior are far more skill based than content driven Liyah Montoya said. “Being able to do my work English or history classes. Understanding the ahead of time gives me more free time to volunteer content of a book is almost always easier than after school or prioritize studying for other classes.” learning a new concept in math.

Every student at HHS has had a day in class It may also have a lot to do with learning where it feels like the teacher is grasping for ways style. Some students are perfectly capable of to get through 47 minutes when there really is not learning on their own through videos, but othmuch to teach that day. This time could be better ers absolutely need to be able to ask questions used studying for upcoming tests, getting ahead on and see it in person to understand it.

TARA WILLS homework, or just getting some time to recollect Many kids are not capable of managing their during a stressful school day. time or creating a dialogue with the teacher Those class periods would be far better suited for a quick online when they are struggling or behind. assignment that teaches students the same thing in half the time. HowThat is why it is important to point out that blended is not for everyever, this assumes that all students are responsible with their time, or one. Students should never be forced to use their blended hour in Raideven do their blended work to begin with. er Aid or in the Hub and it is important that teachers understand that.

Many times, maybe more often than not, students use their blended Time used to relax during the school day is not always time wasted.

Blended: for better or worse Are blended classes a valuable source of free time?

A

6 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

“This is my first year having all blended, and I really miss getting to know the kids.”

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Opinion Technology developing the ability to make decisions,’” said social studies teacher Shandon Nixon.

If you have a parent who creates an overwhelming presence while you are driving and monitoring your every move, then what is the point of even getting your license? Parents need to be able to put distance between them and their child, otherwise they are enabling an environment of codependency.

“I do want [my daughter] to feel empowered and I don’t want to undermine that,” Nixon said. “When you’re driving, you need to be concentrated on the road and not what your dad is going to say if you screw up.”

An application like Life360 is basically encouraging helicopter parenting in the 21st century. If a parent keeps asking their child ‘Where are you? Why aren’t you home?’ every time they leave the house, how are things going to be when that child moves out for college?

If a parent trusts their teen to not only notify them when they have reached their destination, but also to be where they are supposed to be, then it raises the question as to why we even need an application like Life360.

However, the foundation of trust between a parent and their teenager is hard to build and often times it gets broken. Under a circumstance where their child has been put in danger by someBy Riley one else, or by themselves, then one could understand as to why Murphy they felt the need to use an application similar to Life360.

“I would want her to understand, and I would almost want From the new iPhone to virtual reality applications and her to understand to the point where she agrees,” Nixon said. programs, technology has not ceased to amaze us with its “That that little bit of oversight is going to help her and keep her never-ending developments. More often than not, these adhonest and that maybe it’s not a bad thing.” vancements have been positive by providing us another source When it comes to driving, a cell phone is the most dangerous of endless entertainment or breaking barriers in science and thing a teen can have in their car and the age old saying still engineering. applies: “with great power comes great responsibility.”

But has technology crossed a line when giving parents the One look at a cell phone could wind up becoming an accident ability to track a teen’s every move? And what exactly does this with dire consequences which is where Life 360 might come in mean for future generations? handy.

If a teen driver were to get in a severe accident, one could Life 360 is an application that parents can install on their understand how and why the location feature of the application phone and use to not only track where their teen driver is going, is useful. but how fast, when they have sped, when they have excessively I, myself as a teen driver would find it comforting to know braked, and when they have touched their phone while drivthat there is an application sending an alert to both my parents ing. While there are different plans you can purchase, the main alerting them that I have been in an accident and help is on the capability that parents use is the place alert and accident alert way.

Especially if it was a severe enough accident, where due feature. to the crash, I could either physically not be able to reach my When you first download the app and purchase the plan you phone or be too hurt to try. believe is best suited for you, the app will walk you through So what does this mean for future drivers not only at Huntley, setting up your “family circle.” This links data between others but in other areas as well?

Would they take it as a sense of disin the family circle and gives anyone within the family circle to trust and possibly an invasion of privacy or would they undertrack where you are and vice versa. stand their parents’ motives?

While the accident alert aspect of the app is useful not only “I think it’s a good parenting tool to know where your chilto parents, but also to teens, every other capability is excessive. dren are and know that they’re being safe, but also at times it’s Parents should have a foundation of trust with their teen as they annoying - but I understand it,” sophomore Elizabeth Troy said. are given this new responsibility.

As with any improvements and expansions in technology, “There is something about getting older, turning 16, turning change will follow. However, will Life360 be a short parent craze 17, getting that driver’s license that it’s like that step to autonoor an uncomfortable digital leash? my. That step to ‘I’m becoming responsible for myself and I’m

Helicopter parenting in the 21st century Are we better without Life360?

F

8 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

Opinion Lifestyle generation as they know the lack of maturity and common sense most teengagers have.

In spite of this, we still need to acknowledge this as a problem.

Students walk down the hallways with these toxic devices in their pockets and/or backpacks and it seems that no one really cares. Everyone has just accepted vaping as a quality of Huntley High School and has lost any sense of motivation in taking down this epidemic.

This similar trend is seen amongst almost all high schools and no one has been able to find a successful way to get rid of this problem.

With this issue being a three-year fiasco, questions start to arise within the administration of what they’re doing to stop this.

“Our strongest tool we try to use is just the education piece.” Dean Tom Kempf said. “Outside of that is utilizing supervision and we know that they’re using [vapes] in bathrooms and monitor the students’ movement through the building.”

The school is trying new ways to combat this problem and the craze over vapes has decreased slightly from last year, but these efforts are simply not enough.

The only reason for the decline in people talking about vapes is because everybody has them and fewer kids are being punished due to the discreteness the new technology has created.

What must be changed in the this situation is the punishment of being caught with a vape as they are just too soft on reprimandments.

“The issue is that the punishment, or the consequence for vaping, is pretty standard,” Kempf said. “Possession gets you one day of in-school intervention where usage gets you two days. That can become progressive depending on the number of times you are caught,”

By Ayman Only two days of in-school intervention is barely a slap on the wrist and just allows culprits to find new ways in doing these kinds of things Mirkhan without being caught. This article now might sound a little over-the-top JUULs. E-cigs. Vapes. It might go by a variety of different names, but over about an issue that may seem old to the public, but this type of in no longer than three years have e-cigarettes completely claimed the stuff really does matter. “tobacco” industry.

The health of multiple teenagers is on the line and their ignorance to Tobacco companies have been manipulating our generation as their the results being found in vapes lets them feel they are doing something target market, making over 7,000 different vape flavors for naive teenof no harm to themselves. agers who are trying to act cool.

However, in order to truly stop this issue altogether, the effort has to This ridiculous fad started out like all trends and attracted the start with us. attention of teenagers who seek popularity and confirmation from their Now, no one is asking any one to be a “snitch,” but at the same time, peers; the only difference is that this trend will not go away so easily. this school needs students to not just let this stuff go and try to do According to the National Cancer Institute, an e-cigarette is a cigasomething about situation. And if that means talking to a higher up in rette-shaped device containing a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized the school, or even just talking to the person one-on-one and telling and inhaled, used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco. them to do it on their own time and not in school.

So, if something does not have tobacco in it, it must be okay, right?

It is not going to be an easy feat to accomplish as the transition of The answer is no. making this accepted trend into an acknowledged problem will defiThough they may not have tobacco, e-cigarettes have a multitude of nitely be long. Not to mention that vape companies are not helping. different toxins that can cause just as much damage to the body.

“They know that they’re against the law, they know they’re dangerE-cigarettes usually contain propylene glycol and glycerin which ous, and they know they’re addictive; but they also know at $25 to $80 a can degrade into formaldehyde overtime. In normal people terms, the “pop” they can make a lot of money and don’t care about what happens actual ingredients used for vape flavorings are substances that stay in a to our youth,” supervisor Joel Bosman said. “All they care about is person’s body once used and can possibly turn into carcinogens, resultmaking the dollar.” ing in potential bladder and/or lung cancer.

Our generation is the generation of change and it is up to us to With the product being so new, it is hard to confirm such research reform the wrongdoings of the past. since new studies are still being conducted to fully prove this fact.

Smoking was a similar issue of the past as people just thought it was Now, this information might be nice and all, but what does that mean cool to do and went along with it, disregarding any harmful effects it for us? It means that the so called “harmless” vapes can actually be very causes to the body. However, we can stop that way of thinking for good hurtful and Huntley High School is infected with them. if we stop being so ignorant about these kinds of issues.

30.2 percent of teenagers regularly vape in their high school with 7 in It is time to be a voice, and not an echo.

10 teenagers being exposed to e-cigarette advertisements. 70 percent.

Make the change today so the future generation does not suffer the There is no question that these companies are targeting the new consequences of our stupidity.

Raider Nation vs. vape nation

Is vape culture destroying school spirit?

J

HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 9

Features Education

Principal Marcus Belin shares background in education

By Faith Losbanes

B

By the time 17-year-old Marcus Belin got home from his after-school activities at St. Rita of Cascia High School, it was nightfall. A dedicated student, Belin did not mess around. He was familiar with the keyboard, a pianist from the age of 6, a passion that later evolved into his love for the trumpet in high school band. By his senior year, he was drum major for his school’s marching band. In the spring, he ran track and field as a long jumper, triple jumper, and sprinter in all classes.

Raised in a one-parent home by a family that highly valued education, a large amount of responsibility was put on him from a young age.

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, he was not allowed to play outside like most other kids. His grandmother made sure he was inside focusing on his studies - away from the neighborhood kids. Chatham, one of the more prominent South Side neighborhoods, was in the midst of change and safety was increasingly becoming more of a concern.

“There were houses on both sides of my grandmother’s house that if you had to walk by, you just kept on moving because typically there was always something going on that shouldn’t have been going on,” Belin said.

Belin is a fifth generation educator and owes much of his drive and ambition to his grandmother.

“She was a tough cookie, very old school, born in the 1920s,” Belin said. “She has seen a lot and has been through a lot so she helped me learn history and understand the struggles that people have gone through.”

According to Belin, she is the one who taught him how to be focused and disciplined.

An educator herself, Belin’s grandmother, Phyllis Armour, raised Belin and his two siblings in Chatham until Belin reached sev-

10 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

enth grade. For over 40 years she taught in the city, influencing children across Chicago Public Schools and private Catholic Schools.

His mother, Regina Armour, has also had a powerful impact on his life. To this day, Belin and his mother are always talking about education and how they can better the experience of students. She currently works as a director for the managing company where Belin first began his teaching career, Quest Charter Academy.

During his time there, he quickly worked his way up the ranks. From painting the walls of the school as a new social studies teacher, he was given the opportunity to take on the role as a dean of students. His passionate ambition and strong connection to the young students put him a leg up on the hundreds of other qualified candidates.

He was two weeks away from starting his third year of teaching when he got the call. Covered in paint from working on the school’s newest building and with lessons already set to start the year, he was called in to talk with the principal. A thick folder filled with ninth grade disciplinary information was laid before him and that is when he was first launched into his administrative duties. Belin became Quest Charter Academy’s dean of students grades seventh through ninth, and while taking on the job as dean of students as such a young teacher was a challenge, it was a challenge he was excited to face.

“I enjoyed every minute of it and I will be forever thankful that he gave me the opportunity to really jump in deep because ever since then I’ve just been so hungry to learn more and do more,” Belin said. “That’s why I’m able to sit in this seat and say that I’ve had these great experiences to be able to craft where I am and craft my journey.”

Belin proved to be a natural leader and was assistant principal at Quest by the time he started his next journey in Dunlap, Illinois.

He spent two years there as assistant principal, continuously learning and experiencing new things.

As a younger black man in education administration, he certainly makes up a minority group in his field of work, at least in suburban Illinois. However, he tries to make the best of his experiences growing up in Chicago and working closely with students from low-income families by acting as a

voice for those under-represented groups.

“When I go to conferences I’m the only black man in a session,” Belin said. “I sit around a room and there’s no one who looks like me and I’m okay with that because I feel like I can provide a different perspective.”

Belin hopes to bring this “different perspective” to Huntley by starting a Principal’s Council where students can voice their concerns, opinions, and feelings in a controlled manner. He wants first-hand accounts and a real understanding of the issues facing students.

“I don’t want any student regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, whatever, to feel discriminated against in our family because we are afraid to have those conversations,” Belin said.

He believes it is important to have those difficult conversations because that is how we learn to understand where others come from and how we learn to understand why people are motivated to do certain things.

While Belin did not have the easiest of upbringings, he never felt justified to accept anyting less than his best.

“I never made excuses and I think that the more excuses you make the further back you set yourself because it’s always a way to get out of something as opposed to just stepping up to the plate taking a swing at it,” Belin said.

Coming to Huntley was one of those swings. He first came across Huntley around two years ago while doing research on blended learning, that is when he first reached out to principal at the time, Scott Rowe, to learn more about the program. When he saw the principal position was open he decided to apply.

Once he entered the school and saw the amount of activity and life going on in every room, he knew this was where he wanted to be.

“Every time I drove away from the different interviews I had I was like ‘I’m ready for this I want to do this,’” Belin said. “And when there’s something that you want to do, when you feel that you know that it’s the right thing to do, it’ll be for you.”

Huntley has its own challenges to overcome and areas to grow in but Belin feels only excitement and optimism looking forward to the next few years.

A. Sanchez A. Sanche HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 11

Features Equality

Lauren Black uses leadership skills in Gay Straight Alliance

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By Skylar Sharkey Students of all grades squeeze around a cramped cafeteria table. Joyful laughter and playful singing can be heard over the background noise of the busy cafeteria. The fluorescent lights highlight the students’ smiles and reflect off of the aluminum of the cherry-red Coca Cola cans they hold.

It is clear to see how easily each person takes comfort in the sense of community around them.

This is Gay Straight Alliance.

GSA is a student-led organization that aims to provide a safe space for LGBT students and straight allies, as well as to promote tolerance for students of all sexualities and identities throughout Huntley High School. It is currently overseen by sponsor Craig Jahnke, a special education teacher and tennis coach here at HHS, and is lead by senior Lauren (Kaz) Black.

Originally GSA started off as a social spot for LGBT students, but this past year Jahnke and Black have attempted to create more organization within the club. This year, members of GSA are planning to participate in events such as National Suicide Prevention Week, as well as Bisexual Awareness Week.

In the past, GSA did not consist of many heterosexual members. However, this year, the club’s goal is to spread awareness through the attendance of straight students.

“We’d like people to come and have an open mind, to listen and to see what 12 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

people are going through,” Black said.

“Everybody’s situation is different.”

Though the orginization cannot guarantee that someone’s sexuality is completely confidential within the club, Black is confident that the members of GSA will respect that person’s wishes to remain closeted.

“We can’t confirm that no one in the club will spread the word but we like to think that the members there understand that process and wouldn’t try to out anybody,” Black said.

Jahnke has a history of creating inclusive environments within schools: at his previous teaching job at Genoa Kingston High School, he established the GSA. GKHS is located in a particularly rural area, and Jahnke felt it needed an organization to support those who were questioning their identities.

“Specifically because of the location, being out in a rural area, it’s something that people don’t think about: that there are students that identify as

LGBT, and it was something that we had a need for,” Jahnke said.

Jahnke believes in the importance of educating others on the ever-evolving world of the LGBT culture, and he is attempting to do so through GSA. “It’s hard to keep up with different sexualities and pronouns and perspectives,” Jahnke said. “Creating that transparency and visibility within the school is the number-one step to creating change. [GSA] is for students who identify as LGBT, but it is also there to help a create a culture that shows that we are here and that we exist.”

Jahnke believes that the high school’s size help create diversity within the student body and faculty.

“We want the community and students not to be uncomfortable with people who come from different walks of life,” Jahnke said. “I think that’s one good thing about Huntley, we have a big school and we have people who are so different.”

sexuality.

Jahnke said.

“I don’t base who I love on their Black’s experience leading the GSA has led her to believe that the treatment body,” she said. “I don’t really care what towards LGBT members at HHS is ac- they look like physically. If they’re funny and have a good personality, I ceptable, but can always be improved. like them.”

Black has only had good experiences Black and Jahnke’s relationship with coming out as bisexual at HHS, has become more like a friendship but she understands that her experithroughout their leading of GSA. ence is not universal.

“He won’t talk down to you, he’ll talk The group has allowed Black to share to you like you’re his friend,” Black her experience with coming out. The said. “He really helps out even when support of those around her in GSA has helped her realize that her situation he’s busy [with tennis].”

Jahnke is grateful for Black’s ability can improve. to take charge in GSA and continue “[GSA] helps me share how [my creating a safe and secure place for situation] has gotten better throughthe teenagers of HHS to become more out my coming out process and how comfortable with themselves and their even though [everything] might not identities. be great, I can share my experience “[Black’s leadership] speaks volumes,” with others and know it will get better,” Jahnke said. “To have somebody who Black said. is in high school be that comfortable Black struggles with others’ perand confident and take on that role… ceptions of her. She worries that she When I was in unintentionally makes other “ “How can we not let our high school I girls uncomfortable. frustration negatively imwouldn’t have “I’m afraid of that a lot esE. Kim pecially with lacrosse,” Black pact our social interactions been comfortwith those who may not see able enough to said. “We all change in the The support from the staff of HHS is eye-to-eye with us? How can do that.” changing room and most of vital when it comes to helping create a we use our knowledge to Jahnke bemy team knows that I idenmore inclusive environment towards change the culture of the lieves it is vital tify as LGBT, but whenever LGBT students at the school. for the stuwe are changing I usually try school?”

“I think that sometimes in our high dents of GSA to stay away, looking into my school, or in schools in general, it’s to join togethlocker unless I’m talking to CRAIG JAHNKE really easy to not talk about certain er as allies and my closest friends.” things that make people uncomfortcollaborate on The supportive community able,” Jahnke said. “The one step to within GSA has allowed Black to share issues relating to the LGBT world. have that be a thing of the past is [to “How can we not let our frustration her experience and become more comhave] students feel like they’re supportnegatively impact our social interacfortable with her sexuality as a result. ed by other staff members, and people “[My situation] has definitely gotten tions with those who may not see eyewho they consider a mentor.” better as time has gone on and I’m very to-eye with us?” Jahnke said. “How can Despite his desire to be more inwe use our knowledge to change the happy about that,” Black said. volved in GSA, the beginning of the culture of the school?”

GSA connected Black with others school year is busy for Jahnke because Jahnke believes that GSA enables who had similar coming out experiof the tennis season, and Black has students to take a stand against hate ences. been happy to help lead the organiza“There are so many other gay people and to make their voices heard. tion while Jahnke coaches.

“Really, from my experiences workthat have experienced similar things “Kaz was a really big part in helping to what I have,” Black said. “I feel more ing with these students, they do have a [organize GSA] and I’m so thankful lot to say,” Jahnke said. “I think we have open.” for that because in student-led organia lot to learn from them too.”

Though she has faced homophobia, zations, we need those strong students Black has come to fully accept her who take on those leadership roles,” HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 13

Features Change

Familiar turns to foreign for Huntley High School student

H

By Jordyn Grist

Helsinki, Finland. A chilling landscape located in the far north of Europe. It is cold, like the arctic, but not deserted. There, evergreens grow around the innovative city; to the south, the Gulf of Finland creates an immersive environment. Wind blows down from the north, gliding through the city and above the water.

From January through April, snow never leaves the ground, and the roads are always covered with sheets of thick, stubborn ice. The temperature change programs around the area and never rises above 70 degrees, and the recommended by the counselors were sun never shows. too expensive.”

In January of this year, Henna And because the programs are so exHakala, who was a junior at Huntley pensive, Hakala and her parents took High School, stepped off of a plane the initiative and into what seemed enrolled her abroad “It’s important like a whole new by themselves. They world. What allowed for people to found it was much her to travel here to cheaper to allow be aware of the experience this new her to travel this culture? Not HHS’ world and be able way. foreign exchange Hakala wanted to see other program, but her a taste of a differparents, who enrolled perspectives.” ent culture and her in a school in the experience of Finland.

Henna Hakala studying in a difHakala, now a senior, ferent country; it is drew her inspiration something many people, especially in to travel abroad from Huntley.

Huntley, never have the chance to do.

“I applied to a school in Finland, Hakala expressed that she definitely went there for a semester, and then believes money should not be a barrier came back and reapplied [to HHS],” when it comes to allowing people to Hakala said. “All of the foreign ex14 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

study abroad.

“It’s important for people to be aware of the world and be able to see other perspectives,” Hakala said. “If you stay in one area for your entire life, you just can’t experience everything. You can’t really change and improve yourself if you don’t experience new things.”

The only reason Hakala was able to travel abroad was because she had family to stay with in Finland. The school’s foreign exchange program, which costs thousands of dollars, is a hefty price for most families to pay, especially with many students going off to college soon.

Hakala’s exception of having family in a country she would like to study in allowed her to travel and embrace a new world. When Hakala first arrived, she already felt that the environment there was more diverse and accepting than what she was used to.

A. Sanchez

“The education system is much better because the teachers are paid well and because everyone has free higher education,” Hakala said. “The kids that went to school went there because they wanted to be there.”

The relationships between the teachers and students are very positive because there is a mutual respect between them, and since high school is not required in Finland, all of the students attending school are there because they have a passion to learn.

Adjusting to a new country was not an easy task. Although the environment felt much more comfortable and safer because of the accepting community, Hakala faced a culture shock.

In Finland, it is custom for people to be more shy and introverted; it is rare for a Finn to open up to a foreigner immediately. Hakala says that she did not really make any friends until April,

only two months before she left. Sure, she had a few acquaintances in her classes she would talk to, but never anyone she would talk to outside of school.

Once she was accepted into a group of friends, they stuck with her. Even now that she is back in Huntley, Hakala still keeps in touch with her friends.

Bianca Kreusel, one of Hakala’s best friends when she went off to Finland, explains that it was very difficult for her when her friend went away.

“I was really excited and happy for her since she was able to go and do something I wasn’t able to do. I even planned her going away party. But after the first couple of weeks of her being gone, I did start to become lonely and a bit sad,” Kreusel said. “Junior year was a time I went through a lot of rough things.”

Because of the time difference, it was hard for the two friends to keep in touch. The two were mainly communicating through SnapChat and the occasional texts. Facetime calls were rare, and could not last for more than an hour because of the time zone difference.

Even though there are many hardships that have to be overcame by foreign exchange students (cost, communication, etc.), the struggle is worth the reward.

“Foreign exchange gives [students] an opportunity to become involved and see our culture here from where they come from,” Principal Marcus Belin said. “The same experience happens if a student from America travels somewhere else.”

According to Belin, the foreign exchange program is unique and is a “once in a lifetime, invaluable opportunity.”

Both Hakala and Belin agree that foreign exchange exposes students to new encounters; because of the foreign

environment and the lack of communication with home, students are able to grow.

“It definitely is a higher level of being independent,” Belin said. “You have to learn self discipline and take care of yourself. Even though you’re with the host family and learn their culture you have to be able to make decisions and know how to take care of yourself.”

Similarly, Hakala said, “I learned to be confident in myself and my independence. I had to learn how to navigate an urban area. Also, while I was there I went to Denmark by myself.

That really tested my abilities to the fullest.”

The foreign exchange program is great, we get it. But with so few students able to participate, what is the point?

Belin explains that the district office and counselors are the ones who handle the foreign exchange program, so he is unable to handle the situation directly. However, he believes that there should be an increase in the opportunity and funding.

“It takes a lot to be able to do it and a lot of people shy away because of the cost and being overseas,” Belin said.

“For me, I thought it was for students or people who could afford it.”

So what can we do to help more students experience this? We can make foreign exchange more well-known.

The annual presentation about foreign exchange can be presented to all students instead of explicitly foreign language students.

“The [students] who come here attend all basic classes. They already know English, they aren’t here to learn it; they are just here for a cultural trip and education,” Belin said. “So I don’t think that just focusing on kids who want to learn a foreign language should be the sole reason as to why they do it.”

HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 15

Features Fitness

FITNESS FINDS RACHEL BLASI

S

By Mady Borst She moves with high energy in her dimly lighted basement, determined to push herself to the limit. She fights through the sweat and tears, while gazing at the mirror in front her, eager to see the results of her effort.

Her movements are synchronized with the upbeat music from her dance playlist. Once she finishes her intense workout, she drinks her ice-cold water and tastes the feeling of accomplishment.

She feels happier, stronger, and more powerful than ever before.

She is everything that everyone said she could not be.

She is unstoppable.

Junior Rachel Blasi is the fearless girl she is today because of fitness.

“I am completely in love with working out,” Blasi said.

“It’s mainly what I do when I’m feeling down about myself, and I am trying to gain back my confidence.”

Though she has always been athletic, Blasi did not have a deep passion for working out until this year.

Going into high school, Blasi faced obstacles that damaged her lively spirit.

Blasi started receiving messages through social media, that shamed her for negative occurrences going on around her.

She would walk in the hallways, feeling all eyes on her, and hear the hurtful remarks from those who were unaware of her true character.

All of the happiness Blasi once had was stolen from her.

“It was hard to get out of bed,” Blasi said. “It was hard for me to go to school, but I knew I had to focus on my academics.”

Despite how difficult it would be to gain back her strength, she knew that giving up was not an option.

“When I looked in the mirror I hated what I saw,” Blasi said.

Blasi saw a girl who was unhealthy and unable to show her true self to others.

“I realized that if I wanted to be happy about myself, then I needed to do something about it, so that’s when I went in my basement, I turned on the CrossFit audio, and just started working for it,” Blasi said. “I haven’t 16 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

stopped for over seven months now.”

The majority of Blasi’s workouts are done alone in her basement, and she would not want to have it any other way.

“When you’re alone you’re really focusing on yourself, because I know that being in a room filled with people, you kind of compare yourself to them,” Blasi said. “When you’re alone, you can see only your results and you move at your own pace. No one’s telling you what you can and can’t do.”

All of her workouts are at least an hour and a half, and she rarely has off days. She does CrossFit workouts, lifts weights, and runs long distance outside.

“It’s what makes me happy, and I forget about the difficult times I went through,” Blasi said.

Blasi’s closest friend, junior Ari Sofia, told Blasi to discover her passion. She hatewd seeing her friend make others happy, while being put down in return.

“She is beyond caring and she is so supportive, no matter what,” Sofia said. “I told her that she needed to find her light, something that she’s passionate about, something that gets her through her hard times.”

Once Blasi started working out regularly, her parents, Pat and Vicky Blasi immediately saw her increased confidence and determination.

“She always worked out, even with a broken foot,” Pat Blasi said. “It would drive me nuts: She wasn’t supposed to workout but she still worked out.”

She is thankful to have discovered her love for working out, even if it meant having to overcome barriers.

“I feel like without me going through these obstacles, then I would probably be trapped with the negativity from the past,” Blasi said.

Everytime she looked in the mirror, Blasi saw a girl who was afraid. She was afraid of putting in the effort to change her life for the better, knowing she could possibly fail. She was afraid of facing the people and insecurities that dragged her down.

“Now when they look at me, they aren’t going to see that fearful girl, who stood in the corner and just let people walk all over her,” she said. “Now, I face it all.”

R. Blasi HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 17

Humans of Huntley I

n the summer of 2017 I went to Italy.

[My Uncle] drove us to the waterfall, which took about 30-34 minutes because the roads are crazy. The roads are like alleyways in Chicago but cars would come from opposite directions.We drove to the trail then we walked to the back of the trail and the waterfall was there. There were a bunch of rocks you could climb on to get higher and see the waterfall at different points. It was humid but the waterfall made it cooler because the water gives off a breeze.

It was insane being able to see all this stuff because Illinois is so different and all flat ground. It was the experience of a lifetime.

We left the waterfall and went back to the car. We skipped lunch and went to a lake. A small little lake and you had to walk through a rocky trail to get to it because it was in a forest.

For dinner we went back to my uncle’s house. That dinner was with my mom, dad, sister, uncle, and grandmother. I don’t speak Italian like they do, I tried to get my parents to translate, but it was hard multitasking. The house my uncle lives in was small, and from what I could understand he played in a band for years but now he’s retired. He played guitar and sang for the band.

I saw my grandma and uncles house from childhood, they didn’t have much. My grandmother moved from Italy to the United States when she met my grandfather, but would move back for months at a time with my grandpa and dad.”

- Serafina Druetta, freshman

interviewed by ashley reilly // photographed by arianna sánchez

Humans of Huntley was created to exhibit the people of our school, people coming from all different backgrounds. The idea was inspired by Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton. Solely made up of running quotes, this section is dedicated to show the perspective of the students. This month our voices are Hayley Robbins and Serafina Druetta.

S

o in sixth grade, I was so shy. When I was with my close friends, I barely talked. I was in choir, but I sang so quietly, but I loved to dance. So when I heard that the Summer Stock show, “Much Ado About Nothing,”was going to have a big dance chorus, I was like, okay, I’m going to do that. I tried out, made it in, and from there on I kind of became obsessed.

I have struggled a lot with my enunciation. I used to be quiet, and because of that I’ve never learned how to fully enunciate. Over the years I have had to sit there and actually work on being able to pronounce words.

My favorite thing about theater is when I am performing on the stage. It’s so interesting to become someone else, feel the way they would be feeling, talk the way they talk. It’s basically transforming yourself into someone else. When I am on that stage, I am not Hayley. I’m that character.

My favorite [musical] that I have been in is probably the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” I was Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre. That was a great cast, basically a family, and that was my first real lead., it was so much fun. My new favorite is probably going to be Mamma Mia, when it opens, because I love that show so much.

For “Mamma Mia,” I am playing the part of Donna Sheridan, she is Sophie’s mom. Both of them are amazing roles. I’ve been watching the movie version of Mamma Mia since I was 10 years old. I knew I wanted to try out for Mamma Mia. Some of Sophie’s songs are absolutely gorgeous. My favorite is probably “Thank You for the Music,” and “I Have A Dream.” They are both so pretty, and it’s a very dance heavy role too, so that helped.

I just wanted to say that if there is someone else out there, and they are not the best, that [it] is okay, as long as you keep working for it, and you keep trying and pushing yourself.

The important thing is that you try to get involved, and [that] you do everything you can.”

-Hayley Robbins, senior

interviewed by danielle rhody // photographed by arianna sánchez

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A&E Video Games

game.

Insomniac Studios has had an absence in producing top tier games. With their only notable games being Spyro, which came out for the the Playstation back in 1998, and Sunset Overdrive, an Xbox One game that was released in 2014.

Spiderman is already Insomniac Studios biggest hit, and is only growing.

Spider man sold 3.3 million copies in the first three days that it was available, translating roughly to $198 million in revenue.

These sales have made Spiderman the most grossing PS4, passing “Of War.” With those numbers only growing, Insomniac Studios and Sony can only expect to continue to gain revenue.

More content for Spiderman will be available on Oct. 23 2018, for purchase.

Insomniac Games and Sony have not released much on the Downloadable From Spiderman PS4 Official Website content at this point, but fans can expect it to be great, based on what has been Snapshot of Spiderman in action released up to this point. battles some of his toughest enemies. It The full game can be purchased for presents many of the classic villains such $60, and only runs for PS4. With the as Electro, The Rhino, The Scorpion, success of this game, fans can only and many more from the Spiderman expect there to be a second one to come universe. sometime in the near future. The direcThe game also surprises players with tor of the game also hinted at a second villians that have never been touched in game, centered around one of Spiderthe comics. With the same mechanics man’s main villains Venom. as past games, the new Spider Man also When director Brian Intihar Was brings a whole new world with the abil- asked about it, he said “I think it is one ity to freely roam New York city. While

By Mark Vandy of the best stories for spiderman. That adventuring as Spiderman, you can visit story needs to be told in the way that One of the most well-known supericonic places in the Marvel universe Insomniac would tell it.” heroes of all time, re-enters the gaming such as Avengers Tower, or Oscorps lab.

This has led fans to make conspiracy industry. Spiderman for Playstation Along with visiting all of these places, theories on how Venom will be in the Four was launched on Sept. 7. Since you can stop local crime or take out game, and we can only hope to see Venthe release, Spiderman has set all kinds enemy bases. om make an appearance. of record breaking numbers. HowevSpiderman can be played on the PS4 Spiderman does an excellent job of er, Spiderman is not new to gaming pro, offering a breathtaking 4k resolubringing back the old Spiderman feel, industry, he has had multiple games on tion, picking up every little detail of the but also adding more. Bringing gamers multiple systems dating back to “The city. For those without the ability to play back to the nostalgia of playing as their Amazing Spider Man,” released back in on 4K resolution, the game still seems favorite superhero.

1990. Yet no one has seen a game quite to blow people away with the amount of The feeling of fluid movement only like this. detail put in by Insomniac Studios. makes you feel as if you are Spiderman, Spiderman for PS4 offers an emoSpiderman wears many different suits slinging webs up and down the streets of tional, life changing story mode along in the comics, and there are many to New York city. The unbelievable graphwith many side quests throughout the unlock in the game as well.

The different ics and gameplay makes the game truly story. The story mode takes you on an suits offer different abilities, only adding unforgettable. emotional rollercoaster while Spiderman to the diversity of customization in this

New Spiderman game comes to PS4 Better quality, greater game

O

HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 21

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A&E Books

The young adult hit that no one has been reading

the business, the Tahir family expected a higher profit than the one they had gotten.

They were from Pakistan and had moved to the United States for stable financial support.

“I always felt like an outcast because I did not fit in because of the color of my

By Sara Vanegas skin and where my family was from,” said The name Sabaa Tahir brings no outSabaa Tahir, as she refers to her childhood. burst, no frustration, and no rage to the Having no access, few neighbors, and face of any Huntley High School student. a sense of displacement, her younger self Meanwhile, around the world, people are recoiled, testing the hobbies at hand. She being driven mad by the passionate anger developed a love for the music that sung in which she develops in her books to her wandering thoughts, the fantasy books emphasize the inhumane crimes people that brought her dreamy travels, and the are capable of commiting. The students of writing that spoke her clouded voice.

Huntley High School are not aware to the Because she had always felt voiceless magic Tahir has written. as a kid, Tahir gave her characters the “This novel is a harrowing, haunting same characteristic, but allowed them to reminder of what it means to be human have the option to empower their words.

— and how hope might be kindled in the Predictably, Tahir still holds onto all of her midst of oppression and fear,” Washington previous hobbies, which makes her all the Post said. more of an exciting author.

Sabaa Tahir’s New York Times bestTahir uploads playlists of songs she selling series, “An Ember in the Ashes,” listens to at different points of the year takes place on a continent layered with while writing, dubbing them “Baa Mixes.” deserts and cornered by the Eastern Sea. Currently, she’s on Baa Mix 93, which was Four empires, with one power-hungry for the list the she listened to while writing dominance, dot conflicting cities among “A Reaper at the Gates:” the third book in the map. The Martial Empire, craving con- the series. Tahir can easily come off as an trol over the rest of its equals, sets off an average person, which gives an eerie senunfortunate series of events, leading into sation seen in how she can write a book unreasonable chaos. with such in-depth detail on the flaws of Laia of Serra, a Scholar citizen, loses her the human being. family to the Martials. She embarks on a “I have come into the office every day dangerous search for her brother, which hoping only one thing: please do not let leads her into becoming a spy for the there be another story about a bloody deadliest woman alive: the Commandant. attack perpetrated by extremist Muslims,” Elias, the best killer in the martial said Sabaa Tahir, referring to the job she academy, BlackCliff, is silently the most had as the Washington Post as an editor. reluctant of all the students. He attempts She received the cruel reality of the to make a run from the academy, but fate world through the many articles she and the wise words of an enemy keep him worked with, aware of what the globally at bay as his future collapses under the hurt people were going through. So, she weight of The Empire. incorporated similar situations to the ones With a knowledge rooted as darkly as her writers had given her to work with.

Sabaa Tahir’s, it comes as no surprise that “Tahir’s book is unlike “The Hunger she had won a variety of awards for her se- Games” because she writes from multiple ries because of the compelling adrenaline points of view, showing empathy even she writes with. with the merciless headmistress of the milTahir’s childhood was set in the Mojave itary school that the main character, Laia, Desert, the driest desert in North Amerhas infiltrated,”’ said Neda Ulaby, NPR ica, in a crammed 18-room motel her film reviewer who has written academic parents owned. When her parents started articles that have been published and

T

“An Ember in the Ashes” book cover

recognized across the United States and internationally.

Arguably, Neda Ulaby is speaking for more than just “The Hunger Games.”

Tahir’s shocking read, “An Ember in the Ashes,” was translated into 35 languages, while “The Hunger Games” has only been translated into 26.

The complex psychology in all dystopian novels is already attractive to young adults, but what causes Tahir’s series to have such a vibrating pull are the haunting similarities between her imaginative world and the pain of today’s cursed society.

“The popularity of an imagined apocalyptic-like state increases directly with the worsening social and political issues,” said Roberto Hernandez, author of “The Psychology of Dystopia: A Theoretical Analysis.”

Hernandez also reveals that dystopian societies give readers an understanding of a twisted future of the current global issues in stretched formatting.

Fueling the alarming fear people attempt to retract, Tahir provides the truth: an open view of the currently flawed world by using real events, rather than a possible future.

HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 23

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A&E Television

1990s cartoon finds a cult audience today

D

By Braden Turk

“Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man” is a 1994 animated television series that follows the eponymous detective duck, voiced by Jason Alexander of “Seinfeld” fame, as he navigates the deranged world known as modern life. Along for the ride are his stoic pig partner Cornfed, sister-in-law Bernice, and three sons: one dimmer than a burntout lightbulb, the others genius siamese twins.

The only problem: Duckman is a crude, self-destructive, and womanizing widower whose detective agency is more of a tax write-off than a legitimate business. Calling him a “womanizer” is a bit of an overstatement, though, since his many attempts to reconnect with society often fall flat.

The very first scene of the show is Duckman having a fever dream in which he is all of the things he is not: successful, charming, smart… pretty much anything that does not start with “vul” and end in “gar.”

He wakes up in a sweat, sticks his hand in a cigarette package, and is greeted by a mousetrap with “You’re quitting, remember?” scribbled in on the back.

The remainder of the first episode alternates between these humorous moments and bitter truths, but only in the final scene does he seriously confront his fears. Speaking sadly and directly, he admits to Cornfed that he feels worthless, like a stranger in his own home.

This brings up one of the more realistic aspects of the show: its examinations of grief, family relationships, and ostracization. For all of the dark humor and general silliness of its premise, “Duckman” spends an equal amount of time offering its unique perspectives on several different issues.

One of the most memorable examples of this happens in “The Once and Future Duck,” an episode where the titular anti-hero spends the night growing increasingly paranoid after a rift in the time-space continuum opens up in his house.

Aside from the numerous Duckman clones springing up every other second,

From Paramount Pictures Duckman in season three, “A Room with a Bellevue”

James Madison makes an appearance to “clear up” a few things about the first two amendments.

“Freedom of speech is absolute and applies to everything and everyone, no exceptions,” Madison proclaims. “And Joe Average does not have a constitutional right to own a gun, for God’s sake.”

At moments like these, the audience has to remember that this was written in 1996: a full 22 years before today’s intensive freedom of speech and gun control debates.

Another shining example takes place in the season one finale, which features one of the several appearances of Duckman’s nemesis, King Chicken, voiced with scenery-chewing villain by Tim Curry. King’s episodes are among the series’ best; some of his best storylines come from “Hamlet 2: This Time It’s Personal” and the shockingly relevant “Forbidden Fruit,” the latter of which deals with false harassment allegations.

The episode starts out with sad-sack comedian Iggy Catalpa trying- and failingto make his politically correct stand-up routine work. After being booed off stage, Iggy is offered a chance to redeem himself by a disguised King Chicken: a formula that increases his likability tenfold. Aside from the purposefully far-fetched plot, this episode is perhaps the one most grounded in reality, especially in today’s political climate:

one where eight-year-old Twitter jokes can leave someone without a job.

At the end, Duckman gives an impassioned speech on his view of offensive humor and why it is necessary for the benefit of society.

“Comedy should always leave you different than when it found you,” Duckman exclaims. “Demand to be challenged, to be offended, to be treated like thinking, reasoning adults!”

This monologue takes on a type of ethereal tone, as if the writers themselves have stepped through the fourth wall and used the character as a catalyst for their own perspective.

Following this episode, “Duckman” continued to air for three more years, eventually ending with several Emmy nominations and a 70-episode runtime under its belt.

The popularity of the show has since diminished, but has retained a dedicated cult following. Writer Michael Markowitz has gone on record stating he left the ending cliffhanger open-ended for future creators; for the day that “Duckman” is “inevitably revived.”

But even if the show never makes its triumphant return, its commentary on social and political issues will always remain relevant: never let anybody- politicians, authority figures, even peers- stop you from laughing at whatever you want.

HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 25

Huntley at a Glance

Orchestra joins the HHS in 2018-19 Every day a group of mostly underclassmen walk into the band room, gather their instruments, make sure they are tuned, warm them up, and wait for calls to get started. This is a normal routine seen in any old band class, but this is different.

This is orchestra. “There is so much diversity here; from the learning style to the different type of instruments,” band teacher Leah Novak said. The actions to start an orchestra program started in 2011, but had only been completed four years later. However, the orchestra still started their first year at the high school strong with their last performance on Oct. 3. “Orchestra just lets me escape from the classes I take.

It’s a good way to relax the brain,” student Caden Rasmussen said.

Photograph

by Arianna Sanchez -Jenna Stadie Photograph by Arianna Sanchez

A&E Video Games

From For Honor Official Website “For Honor: Marching Fire” cover photo

“Marching Fire” brings new characters, developments to “For Honor” franchise

F

By Jarrod Khoo “For Honor” was first released by Ubisoft on Feb. 14, 2017as a third-person, multiplayer fighting game was released. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic, medieval world in which knights, samurai, and vikings exist in a state of perpetual war. The playstyle is unique in that players fight in three dimensions, unlike typical two-dimensional games such as “Mortal Kombat” or “Super Smash Bros.”

According to Ubisoft developer Roman Campos-Oriola, Marching Fire “is the biggest and most ambitious addition so far,” featuring four brand new playable characters instead of two, like past expansion packs. I had the opportunity to play the new characters during the beta test from Sept. 6 to 10, 28 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

and they were all fun and unique.

The four new characters are not part of any of the three existing factions in the game, and instead are on their own side called the Wu Lin which is based on ancient China.

The first character, Tiandi, is a vanguard-class who fights with the dao, the traditional Chinese broadsword. He is also the most competitively viable, using a palm strike or straight kick as a guard break. His dodge attacks are also very fast and nearly uninterruptible.

However, Tiandi introduces no new mechanics and can get somewhat boring to play since he is the most simple.

The hybrid, Shaolin, uses a bo staff and is also really good at high levels of play since he can chain attacks at high speeds with relative ease. If you choose to play Shaolin, be aware that his stance really drains his stamina, and it can sometimes be difficult to dodge from his combat guard.

Unfortunately, the assassin Nuxia is arguably the worst of the new characters. Her attack range is much too short to actually be effective, and her zone attack is utterly useless in any situation.

Her opening stance is also completely incorrect, as she holds her hook swords with a reverse grip, which makes no

sense at all. Nuxia does introduce the trap mechanic, but can only do so reactively, which makes it only useful on the defensive, which you do not want to be as an assassin.

The heavy attacker, Jiang Jun, uses a halberd spear and is amazing in multiplayer. Although his attacks are very slow, he can parry almost anything and can regain stamina quickly which is crucial if you are being double-teamed.

The new game mode, Breach, is designed to recreate the iconic castle siege with one side trying to break in through the gate while the other side defends the walls. The game is played with eight players, four per team.

The objective of the defending team is to destroy the battering ram before it destroys the walls, while the attacking team has to break into the castle. The game is divided into three phases, so expect games to require a good amount of time, teamwork, and communication.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that the AI Foot soldiers actually deal significant damage in this mode, so charging in headfirst is likely to get you killed especially if you are playing as an assassin class character such as Orochi or Peacekeeper.

Breach is incredibly fun and unique as it almost perfectly recreates the famous castle siege that has been glorified in so many books and movies. It truly allows the player to live an experience that likely will never occur again in real life. The developers have also made a much greater effort to balance gameplay, so many of the game’s negative aspects such as throwing players off cliffs or towers or double-teaming are almost nonexistent.

If you haven’t already gotten “For Honor,” wait until Oct. 16 when “Marching Fire” releases, so you won’t have to pay a separate fee later. If you already own “For Honor,” I highly recommend “Marching Fire” as it adds a completely new dimension of gameplay that has never been seen before.

G O R A I D E R S HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 29

Sports Hockey

Courtesy ofOFR.R.Bach COURTESY BAC

Veronica Bach scores full scholarship at Quinnipiac University

T

By: Riley Flickinger The rink put a shiver down her spine.

Its cold breeze only excited her more.

This had become her passion, her life.

She and her team played until they won.

She knew there were people up in those stands watching her every move, which only encouraged her to play more. However she gathered her things and began the hour and a half ride home.

Just days after, the phone began to ring.

She looked at her family, and then looked back at the phone. She carefully answered it. It was one of the college scouts at her game, they were offering her her very first scholarship to play hockey at their college. She was overcome with joy, and over time more and more schools offered her scholarships.

If there is anything sophomore Veronica Bach has to say, it is that her hard work and dedication finally paid off.

Bach started playing hockey at the age of six. She has been a part of Leaf ’s Hockey League, and after six more years she found Chicago Mission. This will be her fourth year playing for their team, 30 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

and this year she will be playing on their U16 team.

Bach got her first scholarship within the first week of her freshman year, but wanted to keep her options open, so she waited. She continued communication with multiple schools, and during the week break in February, she continued her search in Boston.

She and her mom bought plane tickets to look at the school in Massachusetts.

Afterwards, she chose to keep her options open.

Bach narrowed her options down to six schools. On that list was Quinnipiac University in New Haven, Connecticut.

Quinnipiac is known for their women’s hockey team; however the school was on the bottom of that six-option list.

Still, she traveled to the different schools, and figured out which one she wanted to go to.

“As soon as I walked into the rink and the locker room, I knew that it was the right school for me and I just got that feeling when you know something is

right,” Bach said.

Throughout Bach’s season, Quinnipiac has been watching her play and followed her to her team’s state championship games.

That Sunday after the state championship games, the university gave her a call offering a full-ride scholarship to play their 2021-22 season.

When Bach got that life changing call, she was ecstatic. Her speechless reaction ensured the Quinnipiac was the school for her. On March 16, she called the head coach and accepted her scholarship to the university.

Throughout this entire journey, Bach learned more and more things about the school, like practice times and games.

Players and coaches reported back to her with this information, and she now has somewhat of an idea of her future.

While visiting the campus, she could tell her life there as not going to be overwhelming with parties and that “standard” college life. She would always be doing something hockey related.

During her off seasons, she would continue to train and gain strength. And though many would see this scheduled as being a lot, Bach could not be more excited about it.

The adrenaline running in Bach’s veins fueled her dedication.

“Some of the things that I feel helped contribute to the offers I received was my work ethic,” Bach said. “Working hard off the ice, trying to get on the ice whenever I could, my family supporting my decisions and driving me to late practice and games, and loving the game and always wanting to work hard and go to practice to get better.”

Bach believes that not only will this work ethic continue to help her at Quinnipiac, but also believes that her family’s support will continue to help her as well.

Bach’s future will be filled with cold breeze and hockey sticks, and she will be able to remember that her devotion to the game has gotten her there.

Sports Football football season. Calderone looked down and saw his ankle totally out of place.

He had gone to the hospital right after all of this had happened. The doctors had taken X-Rays and Calderone was told he had a bimalleolar fracture in his right ankle. This type of fracture is when both sides of your ankle are broke.

The doctors also informed Calderone that he would need to get surgery as soon as possible and he needed to go home, elevate, and ice his ankle to make the swelling go down.

At first, Calderone thought there was no way he would ever come back and that his season was over. ¨I could not even think about what it meant for football or for my life,¨ Calderone said.

Calderone needed a cast on his ankle after surgery for about a month and a half.

Courtesy of B. Calderone ¨Ben was a tremendous asset to our team and he does a lot of great things for us. He mentors the guy that was next in line,¨ varsity football head coach Zimolzak said. ¨He is there every day at practice and is helping out the guy who had followed him.¨ Calderone had been very anxious to get back on the field.

Calderone now up, runs through the drill “I feel good now,” Calderone said. “I am giving it his all, but that is when something itching to get out of my cast.” happened that would change his entire On Thursday, Sept. 27, he got his cast off. football season. ¨The running back got tackled into me,¨ He will need two weeks of physical therapy Calderone said. ¨I fell on my knee and then before he can go back to football.

Hearing he was able to play for part of two more players tripped onto me and fell the season was some of the best news he on my ankle.” had ever received.

Calderone heard something in his body “I am definitely make a popping over the worst of it, noise. At first, he and it feels amazfelt nothing, but a ing,¨ Calderone said. quick second later he Calderone will be started to experience back to play for week excruciating pain nine and if Huntley going on in his right makes it to the playankle. offs, he will be able “At first I did not BEN CALDERONE to play then too. He feel anything, but a is very excited to be second later a shootable to come back. ing pain filled my ankle and I couldn’t do This speedy recovery for Calderone has anything except yell out in pain,¨ Calbeen a tough journey for him, but he has derone said.

He knew that this was going to be some- powered through it and will be on the field very soon. thing very bad for him, his team, and his

Ben Calderone makes triumphant comback from football injury

J

By Kyle Abruzzo Just a normal ordinary day for varsity football fullback Ben Calderone. Everything feels the same, as it is just another day of football practice. Calderone arrived to practice and joined in with the same workouts that the rest of the team was doing.

Since he was six years old, Calderone has been giving it his all at every practice.

11 years of hard work and dedication to the sport of football. Calderone has loved football ever since being a young boy and always knew it was the sport for him.

Monday, August 13th, two days before school starts, practices were getting really tough with the upcoming season about to start. Calderone was participating in a drill what they call Penn State.

According to Calderone, in Penn State there are three offensive linemen and one running back against three defensive linemen and one linebacker. There is a five by five boundary that the offensive line has to attempt to block the defense to let the running back get to the end zone.

31 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

“I could not even think about what it meant for football or for my life.”

Empowering women every class, every day!

It’s your life, learn how to Fight for it physically and emotionally!

(Mention this AD and receive 10% off any of our Fight Like A Girl Classes or events)

Upcoming Sporting Events friday, oct. 12 847-659-1000 12531 Regency Parkway, Huntley

Huntley

Hampshire

Lake in the Hills

Visit www.moffettpt.com for more information

• jv football @ naperville north, 5 p.m.

• v volleyball @ autumnfest, 5 p.m. (10/12-/13 (8 a.m.)

• v soccer, ihsa sectional, s. elgin, 5 p.m.

• V football @ naperville north, 7 p.m.

• v tennis, ihsa sectionals, TBA (10/12-10/13)

saturday, oct. 13 • fb volleyball @ aurora central catholic, 9 a.m.

• fsa football @ naperville north, 9 a.m.

• jv/v girls/boys cc @ hampshire, 10 a.m.

• fsb football @ naperville north, 10:30 a.m.

• swimming @ warren invite, 1 p.m.

32 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

Sports Volleyball

E. Kim

Bump. Set. Success. Julia Johnson to continue volleyball carreer in college

A

By: Olivia Mack

As the volleyball gets served into the air, all name is Omah, approached me at a qualifier noise within the humid gym becomes silent. A and talked to me about West Point, and then I tense and short pause within the crowd lingers went on a visit and liked it a lot and commitfor a few seconds. Julia Johnson, a 17 year old ted.” outside hitter for the Red Raiders varsity team, Johnson is going there on a full ride, and positions herself at the net to hit the ball. She wants to study physical therapy while playing successfully gets the kill, with the opposing for their volleyball team. After completing her team, West Chicago, being unable to hit it four years of college, she will serve our country back. by enlisting in the Army One point for Huntley. for five years.

Johnson is well known Karen Naymola, for being an aggressive the varsity coach for and vigorous player. She’s Huntley, has coached been playing the court Johnson for the four since she was 13, starting years that she has played out with playing for Marfor us.

JULIA JOHNSON lowe Middle School.

“She came in as a Her hours on a day freshman and stood out to day basis spent on the court have paid off. because she was so explosive and could swing Over time, Johnson has gotten stronger not and was aggressive, and then sophomore year only as a player, but as a person. she was one of our go to players. We continued She committed to a division one school to kind of rely on her in the last three years,” for volleyball, West Point, which is a military Naymola said. “Just to watch how smart of a college based in New York. player she’s become, you know she’s the type of As for how the opportunity came about, kid that is going to be successful because of her she explains that everything happened very hard work and just her own self motivation.” quickly.

Johnson is known for her positive outlook “I never really pictured going to a military on playing, and tries to help out her teammates school,” Johnson said. “The head coach, her and offer advice when needed. She is also one 33 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

“Keep your head up, and keep working hard.”

of the top outsides in this current conference for volleyball. When a teammate makes a kill, she will gladly cheer them on, either it being on the sidelines or on the court.

She is a very observant player, and very quickly became better at playing with lots of practice, as she also plays club volleyball.

“You always have to be watching the ball. It’s difficult because you have to make sure you’re trying not to hit where they are. Volleyball has to do with a lot of self awareness,” Johnson said.

Since Johnson plays for not only the high schools team but for club, she plays year round, receiving breaks only between Thanksgiving and Christmas. She plays for Crystal Lake’s Sky High, and loves it there, as her coaches constantly push her to do better and help her develop more as a player.

Johnson definitely is someone that is dedicated to their sport, and will be offering West Point her unique range of skills. Johnson has also caught the attention of the students at Huntley, as she is well recognized for thriving within her sport. As for her team dynamic, she explains that everyone on the volleyball team is like family, versus just being teammates.

Johnson’s current coach also believes that she has great potential with volleyball in the future, and that she will do great at West Point, whether it has to do with her studies or playing her sport.

“I think that West Point is very lucky to have her. She’s a great kid, she works hard in everything she does whether it’s volleyball, school, she’s just a very dedicated kid, and like I said she’s one that’s self motivated,” Naymola said.

“She will push herself to do her best regardless of what it is she is doing. Having someone like that to serve your country is remarkable.”

For a long time Johnson’s idol has been three time gold winning Olympian, Kerri Walsh Jennings.

“I look up to her because she has overcome a lot, and she works so hard at what she does,” Johnson said.

She aspires to be like her one day. Johnson continues to push herself through this sport and thrives, and will persist on devoting herself to be the best player she can be.

One piece of advice she would give to upcoming student athletes?

“Freshman year is hard as it is….being around this different environment is hard. It gets better. You get better. Keep your head up, and keep working hard,” Johnson said.

Sports Poms because I didn’t know how I was going to tell them.”

Even though Maliszewski has had scoliosis since she was little, never did she think it would lead to her not being able to continue dancing. “[The coaches] knew that I was upset and that I wasn’t going to be a part of the team anymore and they said that they would always be my family,” Maliszewski said.

Even while she would be dancing, she did everything she could in order to avoid the reality of the curvature of her spine, pushing through the pain and uncomfort in order to do what she loves.

“She’s always had back problems, but she’s never let that affect her,” Amling said.

It became apparent that Maliszewski E. Kim would not be able to continue dance in the same way she had for six years.

“At every competition and every practice I would think, ‘this is going to be my last year dancing, I need to make it my best,’” Maliszewski said.

By Madison Barr After her surgery, she was offered the Her heart was pounding and her body “I just found out this year that I was one position of managing the JV squad and was fueled by adrenaline as she practiced of the top people [in scores] and I was happily took it up. her routine for her biggest competition so surprised,” Maliszewski said. “It just “After state, we told her she could come yet: Worlds 2016. The lights were so feels so good because I worked so hard all in and be a manager on JV,” Amling said. bright, but all the distractions and nerves those years.”

“She still wanted to try out and do everydidn’t matter. What was important to her It’s hard to imagine a freshman on a thing everyone else is doing. So she tried was making this the best performance she varsity team has many problems, let alone out, made varsity scores, and was actually has ever done. struggles, but top five for varsity scores.”

14-year-old OlMaliszewski had Even though she loves to dance, she ivia Maliszewski always been wor- voluntarily chose to manage JV and she had made it big. ried about one still loves that it gives her the ability to be Now-sophothing: her back. a part of the team. more MaliszeMaliszewski “If Coach Maggiore didn’t come up with wski has been has scoliosis that idea, I wouldn’t be doing anything,” heavily involved ever since she Maliszewski said. in dance ever was little, but it With her surgery now behind her, Malsince she was in only just reiszewski is looking towards her future and the fourth grade; cently got to the is hoping to get back to dancing as soon being a part of point where she as possible.

OLIVIA MALISZEWSKI numerous dance needed to have After her year-long recovery period, she teams and now surgery. plans on taking dance classes to increase Huntley High School’s very own poms “The beginning of freshman year I knew her mobility range again. team. that I was going to have the surgery,” “Once you get on that stage, you forget According to the varsity poms coach, Maliszewski said. “I didn’t think about about everything,” Maliszewski said. “I when she first tried out as a freshman, her it because I knew that I was going to be just dance my heart out.” score placed her in the top ten for tryouts. upset about it. I didn’t tell the coaches

Olivia Maliszewski pursues dance after overcoming health barriers

H

“At every competition and every practice I would think, ‘this is going to be my last year dancing, I need to make it my best.”

34 THE VOICE OCTOBER 2018

Editorial

Dear Mr. Belin,

Brad Aney.

But even though we are connected, like every normal family we have our problems. Because the majority of students are genuine and appreciative, the ones who are not stick out like a sore thumb. They exemplify the fact that there are flaws in our family.

There is exclusion, disrespect towards other students, and indecency. In all this community, there are cliques that break friendships and comments that break confidence. ou have worked here for a couple of months so far “We still have people that think they are better than each and, needless to say, it has been eventful. From threats other, people still look up to other people like how they are to storms, you have survived and we are happy to the “popular people,” that should not be a thing,” senior Tori have you here.

Kaszuba said.

The Voice editorial board wants to welcome you by explainAgain and again our attitudes towards our peers reflect our ing the culture of our school. This is our open letter to you, judgemental tendencies. We need to work on developing a more Principal Marcus Belin. accepting and inviting environment for those who may feel Huntley is a family. Our teachers and faculty are here because isolated. they want to be here. It is rare that a student does not have at At times it may even seem like there is more division than least one staff member they can trust. There are people we can unity. The hierarchy within our high school does not promote go to, and for that we are thankful. inclusion among students. Whether that hierarchy is by grade Being a high school student means that we are busy and or by social status, it is negatively affecting our culture. sometimes we are even too busy to focus on ourselves and However, there have been many improvements and moveour mental health. So it helps to know that we have a teacher ments in our school that have started to help include others and waiting for us at school who we know we can always talk to if build up a stronger sense of community. needed.

Community is what Huntley is built on, not the cliques that “I drive here an hour every day for a reason. I didn’t think I have kept us divided. Students should be reaching out to teachwould have stayed this long, but I can’t see myself leaving. It’s a ers and teachers should be reaching out to students in order to community,” said English and Yearbook teacher Lauren Teeter. form a welcoming presence.

“You talk to teachers who work at Stevenson or Barrington and Every family has their “I drive here an [the culture] is just not the same.” issues and we recognize that hour every day for a But our teachers are underpaid. Some drive hours to HHS, we have improvements to reason. I didn’t think many work multiple jobs, and they bring their work home with make in the future. But that I would have stayed does not mean that we do not them every night. All of these things, yet they keep coming back to Huntley High School. Why? this long, but I can’t acknowledge the especially Again we are a family. Our sports teams are families, our progressive and self-improvsee myself leaving. classes are families, our clubs are families, The Voice is a family. ing attitude that HHS has disIt’s a community” Huntley High School is a family. played towards its students.

Through the ups and downs, family has each others backs.

“We have a faculty that LAUREN TEETER When an athlete is injured you do not just leave them behind, legitimately cares about the we pick them up and support them. We let them be coaches kids,” Aney said. “We have a very supportive administration.” or continue helping from the sidelines. When a student faces a The faculty of HHS has a history of accommodating to their personal struggle, there are teachers and staff members there to students needs, and showing that hate has no place in our pick them up and support them. school.

Within this sense of community, it is hard to not find a place Welcome to HHS, Mr. Belin. We hope that you embrace the where you belong. amazing qualities of HHS, but recognize that we are nowhere “I think the thing that I love most about our student body is near perfect. Our school is not flawless, but we are proud to be the fact that we are a very inclusive group, we have something students of HHS, and we are excited to see where your leaderfor everybody,” said social studies teacher and football coach ship takes our school.

Welcome to Huntley Highschool.

Y

HUNTLEYVOICE.COM 35

onelastvoice Jenna Gaudio

When was the last time you went

SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER, BOYS AND GIRLS SWIM COACH, AND HUNTLEY ALUM

When I was in highschool I went to Europe and we went on a Mediterranean cruise and we were able to see most all of the countries in the Mediterranean. It was cool to see the different cultures. I am excited for this upcoming summer, Ms.Sharkey and I are taking some of the students here at HHS to Eastern Europe, Poland, The Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. On this trip we’ll be doing a global leadership summit and it’s going to give the students to explore different cultures and understand the power of communication because they’ll learn about World War II. Overall, I’m really excited for the experience.

What was the last thing that inspired you?

The last thing that inspired me was the, “Find Your Marigold” article. My third grade teacher was the first person who really showed me what teaching was, ever since then I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. To try to create change and inspire by being this sort of light for others. My former teacher unfortunately passed away when I was in college and I always remember her being this light for students and teachers. She always strived to be a marigold and spread joy and love and that has Do you have any words of encouragement for students at HHS?

I strongly encourage students to break out of their comfort zones, even though it may be uncomfortable, because you can always learn to love something you never thought you could and discover who you really are.

Best memory here at HHS so far?

My favorite memory was my first day of last year. I was extremely excited to come back to the place I went to school and having my former teachers now be my colleagues.

I was able to better myself as a teacher by being able to relate to my student having literally been in their shoes.

Interviewed by Riy Walker