23 minute read
mark sobolewski loves being committed
FEATURE
ACADEMICS A well-rounded academic weapon
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Mark Sobolewski’s dedication to his education brings him to participate in multiple extracurricular activities By Daniel Przybylko
Coming home after an exhausting day at school, senior Mark Sobolewski looks at his planner to see what is on his long list of priorities. Whether it’s the homework from his difficult classload or something for the many organizations he is a part of, he always has something on his to-do list. Sobolewski is part of Recognizing American Diversity Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Link Crew, Tennis, piano lessons and HOSA Club.
This stressful lifestyle has followed him through most of his years of school, but he has managed to continue succeeding. While the work requires a ton of effort, his dream of becoming an anaesthesiologist keeps him motivated and he is well on his way to achieving that dream.
Going into high school, Sobolewski realized how important working towards a career is. An interest in medicine from earlier years and those around him sparked a passion for studies in the medical field. Being a part of HOSA has provided him with the opportunity to pursue his dreams, but also taught him about responsibility and leadership.
“It taught me to be more useful in our school,” Sobolewski said.
Not only did he grow as a person, but he also got introduced to many new events and people. He was hesitant at first, however he has been able to become far more open in the school and use whatever resources the organization has offered him.
“It’s been kind of nice to see him break out of his shell a little bit. He’s definitely more talkative,” HOSA advisor Coline Wise said.
Looking up to his older friends for inspiration, Sobolewski had a strong example of the things he wanted to do in highschool. As he got used to the high school environment, he began to express himself more towards friends and peers. During his junior year, Sobolewski decided to join Link Crew to be a mentor to the freshman.
“The Link Crew kids love him, I feel from the first day they met him,” said Link Crew partner Lyndsey Bajgrowicz.
As Link Crew leader, Sobolewski completely embodies the role of a mentor.
Sparking conversation and friendliness amongst his underclassmen makes him a strong role model for the freshman to look up to and follow as they grow as students.
He enjoys being able to pass down the information he has learned in his four years at the high school to the freshman.
“He’s a great example for younger students,” senior Kara Zimolzak said.
However, even with all of the extracurricular activities that he is a part of, Sobolewski still prioritizes his education. Even with all of his difficult honors and AP classes, he still manages to get his work done and thrive in class. However, Sobolewski is the perfect example of balancing school work with fun.
“[Being in] the super difficult classes that we’ve had to take gives him this sense of maturity,” Zimolzak said. “But he’s really chill and he’s able to not only get his work done, [but he’s] a fun person to be around.”
In all aspects, Sobolewski represents an amazing student. He pursues his goals, remains a good and funny friend, and serves as a mentor to the freshman. While many may not have the same aspirations of being an doctor, the determination and kindness Sobolewski displays are part of what makes Huntley High School a fantastic school. He continues to push himself and works hard to achieve his dream.
“The biggest mistake people make is [giving] up,” Sobolewski said.
Sobolewski’s involvement in Medical Academy and HOSA helps set up his future.
A “Clue” about his passion
By Kate Pozniak ArmstrongMari se publis videatiam. Also another sentence would improve the horizontalK. Walsh Selimi on stage performing as Colonel Mustard. ness of it all.
FEATURE Sam Selimi surprises the audience with a twist
By Natalie Vongchanh
Bang” by AJR plays in the background while Colonel Mustard is the first to enter the stage. He is then followed by Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet; all characters from the game “Clue.” The music is on beat with the actors as they walk across the stage and get into position. The stage lights are dark and red. All of the actors stand on pedestals, just like in the board game.
Let the game begin.
Junior Sam Selimi plays Colonel Mustard in the play “Clue,” found his calling through acting in theater. From playing a chef in “The Little Mermaid” to directing a One Acts play, he is steps closer to pursuing his goal of filmmaking.
Selimi got his first role in sixth grade with the “The Little Mermaid.” His sister, Miriam Selimi, encouraged him to audition. Since then, his love for theater has grown. He has acted in shows such as “Shrek the Musical,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “High Fidelity,” and a few improvisational sh ows.
Being involved in theater has helped Selimi grow out of his shell and become a better actor. Selimi recommends new actors face the audience and give their characters a personality.
Speaking loud and clear is crucial for performing in front of an audience.
One of Selimi’s most significant role models is his partner, Mackenzie Blake.
Selimi can mimic different accents and tones on the spot by ear. He pays attention to intricate details and can pull off a Scottish and British accent perfectly. His talent for acting is beyond average.
No role is too big or too small for Selimi. Different behaviors and tones of the voice change the actor’s presence and make them memorable.
His most recent role is Colonel Mustard in the play, “Clue,” which is a mysterious, yet comedic show where a man is blackmailing six people. There are several murders throughout the show, but the cast has a humorous take on it. The audience was entertained and laughed loudly at all the jokes and stunts the actors made.
Playing the role of Colonel Mustard, Selimi wore a light tan colored suit paired with a thick mustache to fit the board game character. The accent he makes throughout the show goes well with the 1950s theme, giving an animated feel to the show. As a result, the audience can feel more relaxed and free to laugh through his subtle jokes throughout the play.
Not only did they successfully keep the audience entertained, but their skillful improvisation showed on the first night.
During opening night, Wadsworth, played by Zach Barnavos, attempted to open a door, but it immediately fell off its hinges.
“Oh dear!” said Zach Ulmer in response, who acted as Mr. Green.
“It is an old house,” Barnvos said.
Barnvos tried his best not to let go of the door and placed it gently to the side. The actors were stunned, but they gracefully continued the show. 13
“You know, I would have thought better of Mr. Boddy,” Selimi said.
Viewers on social media loved their unexpected mishap. The scene was posted on TikTok and received almost 200,000 likes and 1 million views in under 24 hours.
Even though there were a few minor bumps, the actors handled the situations professionally, making sure to act smoothly through improvisation.
“The actors were drilling [the play] for so long that we knew our stuff,” Selimi said.
Every part stood out, and each character was portrayed uniquely. The cast performed phenomenally and did not disappoint.
“The [performance] in Clue is his best yet,” director Christine DeFrancesco said. “[Sam] is always ready to joke and make people laugh. But [when] we just have to work, it’s time to work, and he gets his stuff done.
After the play, Sam came out of the Performing Arts Center to greet his family. His parents were proud and happy for him as they hugged him, celebrating his accomplishments and performance of the night.
Selimi’s dedication to theater is something to cherish, and he is undoubtedly successful through motivation. In addition, he has a bright, delightful personality that leaves an impression on the people he meets.
Selimi prepares for his role as Colonel Mustard in “Clue”.
K. Walsh
feature on web huntleyvoice.com
Our staff works together to create an engaging and informational website for and about our community. The website includes daily uploads of galleries, videos, articles, and more. Staffers write articles about current events in Huntley. In addition, each staffer is given the opportunity to express themsleves through a fun, personal assignment. We hope to keep growing our community engagement. Be sure to check out huntleyvoice.com for a sneak peek of our content featured below.
Feature Article
article written by A. Panier
During the last cycle, Abby Panier wrote a feature article on Billy Pahl, a Huntley High School junior who is jumpstarting his future by graduating a year early. The article provides a great insight on Pahl’s school life and what he plans to do post-high school. See more feature articles like this and many more on the website.
Personality Article
video created by E. McCoy
On the website and the Huntley Voice YouTube channel, Emma McCoy shows her audience what a day is like as a cheerleader. During this video, she interviews other cheerleaders and walks the viewers through her practice. See more videos and columns like this one on the Huntley Voice YouTube channel and the website’s multimedia page.
Photo Gallery
photos shot by K. Nash
Photographer Kathleen Nash photographed the girls basketball team’s home game against Boylan Catholic. Her photos showcase the skills and hustle that the team brought in what ended up being a win. See more photo galleries on the website.
Making history one class at a time
By Kate Pozniak ArmstrongMari se publis videatiam. Also another sentence would improve the horizontalA. Cobb Lee working hard to create a positive environment ness of it all.for his students.
FEATURE Xavier Lee’s journey of making history memorable
By Sharon Omoniyi
Most students long for a teacher who creates a loving, fun environment. A space that has the power to reform and influence a student’s thinking in a positive light. An environment that inspires and motivates.
One of Huntley’s many teachers, Xavier Lee, emphasizing this goal. A new addition to the social studies department, he strives to create a comfortable setting for his students and himself. In a repetitive cycle such as schooling, his unique perspective of learning shines through his students.
Before each period starts, he can be seen in front of his classroom, greeting his students before they walk in. To make daily lessons more engaging and interactive, Lee creates analytic sources with background information so his students can
answer important questions and form their interpretation of the world. His students find this to be more effective than delivering a lecture the entire class period.
“He engages more with the students and walks around the room instead of just standing in the front of the class, just lecturing,” junior Shaun Miller said.
“I’ll ring the cowbell first hour, sometimes other classes,making sure I’m a positive energy in the room, that at least that I’m semi energetic, to say the least, to make sure that kids know that it’s going to be an interesting day regardless,” Xavier Lee said.
His fun and outgoing personality creates a relaxed classroom environment. Describing himself as inquisitive, he is always looking for new ways to support his students in any way he can. He is constantly motivated to include narratives of history that are not frequently highlighted in U.S. History class. As an Asian American, he feels history has not shone a light on the impact Asian Americans have made in the U.S.
“Being a social studies teacher is giving kids that role model,” Lee said. “But also allows me to show people that don’t generally look alike, possibly many people here at the high school, [they] still had a big impact on U.S. History.”
He hopes to develop into a role of slowly representing all of the student population at Huntley. Adjusting to his new life as a teacher, having been a former student, has been interesting for him as he gets an indepth understanding of the roles and responsibilities of being in this career line.
Other staff in the social studies department find him to be a thoughtful educator.
“He seems like somebody who makes it his mission to understand the content, and he has high standards for his students and also deeply wants to connect with them,” said Brian Traux, head of the social studies department. Lee does his best to make sure his students are comprehending the topics they are being taught in its full authenticity. He relies in other mentor teachers to help build him up to becoming a veteran teacher.
“The teacher community here has been really positive,” Lee said. “There’s a lot of supportive teachers here that I can turn to.” Paying attention and utilizing topics being taught in class were Lee’s tendencies. He channeled the knowledge he acquired by using it to help other students in his classroom.
By doing so, he derived a passion for teaching. Recalling his history as a student, U.S. History teacher Todd Swartzloff describes Lee as a hard worker and an intelligent individual.
“You could tell he was thinking about whatever it was that we were covering in class, he would still want to ask questions about it after class, or he’d want to talk to me about something,” Swartzloff said.
Outside of teaching, he is the assistant coach of the chess team and can be seen practicing with the team while preparing to go back to state. He plays with the jazz band at Huntley, having been a part of the band as a student. On certain days after school, he tutors at a local tutoring organization. Having a strong work ethic, he is inspired to do his best in all aspects of his life.
With his experience as a Huntley High School student, he is able to create a greater connection with his students while he relates more to their struggles.
As his journey commences, Lee hopes to be a source of inclusivity and comfort for his students to create a purposeful environment at Huntley.
Lee teaching one of his history classes and keeping students engaged.
A.Cobb
A. Cobb T. Rainey
Is the fizz worth the bizz?
Celsius and BUBBL’R are now sold at Huntley with no regulations on the amount of caffeine in these drinks despite the negative effects they have on students’ health
By Emmy Byers
Walking into the lunch line, you open the refrigerator, reach down, and grab one of the colorful cans of BUBBL’R on the bottom shelf. You check out and head to your lunch table. You crack into the drink and take a few sips before joining in on a conversation with your friends.
One of your friends goes to the cafe to get a coffee. Everyone stands up to head over, continuing the conversation about the class last hour. While in line, one of your other friends grabs a Celsius to have with their lunch.
Many students do not know exactly what they are consuming outside of what these brands want you to know about, which makes it hard to decide. Like all refreshments, these fizzy drinks have their benefits and defects.
Energy drinks do what they are prescribed to: increase the consumers energy. However, just because the drink becomes a trend does not make it completely safe nor healthy.
“They make me feel really hungry all of the time and I feel like I’m [going to] throw up,” sophomore Madelyn Stien said.
Stien has had a few Celsius and BUBBL’Rs, and has had some unpleasant outcomes from the drink. Celsius speeds up the consumer’s metabolism, and without any food to slow it down, the drink causes hunger to settle in. With students not having enough time to have a snack throughout the day, there is no way to end their hunger.
the rules and regulations surrounding their lack of availability. According to Richard Reed, who runs the food and nutrition program for all of the District 158 schools, Huntley High School will sell a drink as long as it does not exceed the 10 calorie limit for a 12 ounce portion.
“We don’t monitor the caffeine amount itself,” Reed said.
Anyone under the age of 18 is recommended to have less than 100 milligrams of caffeine in a day. While a BUBBL’R can stays under the limit with only 69 milligrams of caffeine, Celsius exceeds the recommended amount with about 200 milligrams per can.
There are 200 milligrams in one can of Celsius; however, students that have more than one can a day are putting themselves in danger because of the high levels of caffeine.
Energy drinks are an alternative to keeping a person awake during the day. They give someone energy if they have a sport or extracurricular activity that needs their full attention. If too many drinks are consumed in a day, it can cause an increased or irregular heart beat, insomnia and anxiety.
If a student does not limit themselves, they can become dependent on these drinks to function throughout the day because a teenager’s frontal lobes are not fully developed. The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that handles decision making, emotions, and long term memory. Just like any other legal drug, caffeine is a legal stimulant, which makes it easy to access. With a great intake of caffeine daily, several cognitive functions can be severely reduced.
Since the frontal lobe of the brain is not fully developed, and students experience the atmosphere of peer pressure, they feel obligated to be like everyone else and get their hands on these drinks. This has created a huge profit for the company, along with extra money for the school, so these drinks may be in the halls of Huntley for a long time.
However, the drinks come with more than just negatives; there are many benefits to drinking either BUBBL’R or Celsius.
Just like the labels on the drinks say, they both have a great source of vitamins, including B3 and B5. They are gluten-free, soy-free, have low glycemic levels, and are vegan. Plus, there is the promised bonus of caffeine as well.
B3, also called Niacin, helps improve cholesterol levels and boosts brain functions. Pantothenic Acid, which is B5, plays a critical role in red blood cell creation and maintaining a healthy digestive tract. These are not crucial in an everyday diet, but can help the body maintain a healthy balance.
Celsius is sold at the cafe, and BUBBL’R is sold in both the cafeteria and the vending machines, making the drinks accessible for students. Along with a wide variety of flavors and colors, it is hard to choose which one to pick.
“I like [the drinks] and when I can’t buy coffee, they give me the energy [I need],” sophomore Madison Diaz said.
Celsius and BUBBL’Rs became the most popular drink when they were entered into the school. Students are able to recommend drinks and snacks they want to be sold in the school to the staff members in charge of the food department. As long as they fit the guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture and are not too expensive, they can be sold at Huntley High School.
One of the biggest questions is why other energy drinks are not sold here. Monsters and Redbulls have been seen throughout the halls; however, these are more expensive than Celsius and BUBBL’Rs. With high prices of aluminum, it is more difficult to get bigger canned drinks depending on the company’s prices.
Celsius and BUBBL’R drinks are going to stay in the Huntley High School hallways for months to come, so it will be hard to avoid drinking either. They are both popular, and they are the cheapest options.
Students start to think that they need energy drinks, especially if a quick boost of energy is needed after a long night of studying or before an extracurricular event. However, some of the flaws of these drinks may help you avoid drinking two energy drinks a day; especially, if you are only buying one to join in on the daily cafe runs.
Emmy Byers
One Word to Describe Emmy: Hardworking
Emmy Byers is a writer on The Voice, it is her first year on staff. In her free time, Emmy hangs out with friends, crochets, and listens to music. She likes to learn new things about the human body and learn about different plans that have touched our blue sky.
Check out her vlog “HHS Get to Know You” on huntleyvoice.com!
L. Langkan
Trainers’ room adapts to new school year, changed environment
Student athletes lackthe bond and freedom to socialize.
By Sophie Thompson
The trainers’ office is the place to be for students participating in high school athletics.
According to weinsteininjurylawyer. com, almost 90% of high school athletes, in the United States, reported having sports-related injuries that needed medical or trainer assistance.
In previous years, athletes would spend time laughing and socializing while getting taped, iced, or stretching. It was a great opportunity for athletes of all different sports to come together and have fun before their stressful practices began.
Recently, students noticed there are fewer athletes in the room.
Although this may be a more orga-
Sophie Thompson
One Word to Describe Sophie: social
Sophie Thompson is a social media editor and a first year staff writer for the Voice. Sophie is a captain of Huntley’s varsity cheerleading program and is in the National Honors Society. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and family.
Check out her vlog “Creek or Crack” on huntleyvoice.com! nized system, personable with extra one-on-one time, and efficient in helping athletes, was the easy-going nature and strong connections lost as a result?
I am a three year varsity cheerleader, and I have been getting taped by the trainers since my freshman year. Being an athlete, I have seen the atmosphere of the trainers’ office change, as I had a strong connection with the previous athletic trainers.
Huntley’s new athletic trainers, Nick Medina and Sarah Jakubek, started athletic training and sports physical therapy for Huntley over the summer. Medina had previous experience at Harvard High School and has been an athletic trainer for 20 years. Jakubek is new to athletic training.
“It was weird [at first] in the summertime,” Medina said. “Kelsey was still working here, and she was
showing me how she did [athletic training].”
Since then, the trainers’ room and environment quickly changed; athletes are required to sign in via Google form every time they come in. They are only allowed to be in the trainers’ office if they require help. Having to sign in to be in the room has been a significant takeaway from the athletes, as it limits their access.
“I was a lot more comfortable with the old trainers; they were just more laid back. I rely on the trainers [frequently] and I’ve had injuries that have needed assistance in order to practice,” varsity dancer Avery Peters said.
Many athletes have agreed with Peters. They miss being able to be in the office with their friends whenever they please, even if they do not need assistance from the trainers themselves.
With this revoked, many athletes have been unable to step foot within the office. Water and ice buckets have been moved outside the room, restricting athletes from entering if they just need a refill.
Due to these limitations, athletes desire the connections they once had. With time, these bonds will form and become stronger.
“We tend to be strict,” Medina said. “It’s not because we don’t care, but it’s because we have to hold a strong line with teenagers.”
The new system is run more precisely with less chaos. The trainers themselves give athletes that have an injury more time and attention. This may lead to better health results, quicker injury recovery, and a way for the new trainers to connect quickly with the athletes. The Google form sign-in process has also been an effective way to learn names quicker to form stronger connections.
“The athletes and I have a pretty strong relationship,” Jakubek said. “They respect me, and I respect them. It’s nice to see athletes consistently to form a bond and be able to speak about things related to school or everyday life outside of sports.”
Student trainers have also connected with the trainers and gained a strong understanding of how to tape and help out when needed. They can shadow when accidents happen and gain interest if they want to do this profession.
“We are the eyes and ears when the trainers are not around,” student athletic trainer Meghan Ryan said. “We have walkie-talkies [like the trainers] and we know how to perform first aid.”
Students have been given this opportunity alongside the previous and current trainers. Student trainers report that all the trainers have been amazing, and it has been very informative to see the different styles and ways of treatment.
“I love [student athletic training]. It is super interesting to volunteer and get real-life experience, especially if you do not know what you want to do for a career,” student athletic trainer Katie Mitchell said.
The training and injury assistance has been solid and consistent throughout the years by all trainers Huntley has had. No matter how the office is run or what trainers are in it, students still leave happily with the confidence that their bodies will be able to support them throughout their practices.
“One commonality between our predecessors and Sarah and Nick is that they are very dedicated to kids and making sure they return [to sports] in a healthy and safe way,” athletic director Glen Wilson said.
It can be difficult to accommodate a large school with huge shoes to fill. It’s hard to have to make various connections with athletes of all different seasons of sports so quickly.
However, having a comfortable place for athletes to come to is vital for the growth of the solidarity between the trainers and the athletes, along with an athlete’s physical well-being.
Change may be challenging, but it is essential for the growth of Huntley and the athletic program. We thank all the trainers that have put dedication and worked hard into helping our athletes. With the trainers being so new, it is an excellent opportunity for student athletes to bond with them and get helpful experience.
L. Langkan
