Huntley High School's Voice Student Newsmagazine: Oct. 9, 2020

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 138 ALGONQUIN, IL

VOICE

THE

Your guide to e-learning Changes in remote learning since spring Maddie Marino dances through life on JV team

October 9 2020, Volume 24, Issue 1

CONTENTS NEWS 08 OPINION 12 A&E 18 HUMANS OF HUNTLEY 23 FEATURES 34 SPORTS 42 EDITORIAL 43

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huntleyvoice.com

How local businesses make a comeback from these troubling times

With this day and age teens are more involved with politics than ever

What’s Cooking with Kaitlyn Kaitlyn Ziebell

“The Devil All the Time” proves to be a dark yet entertaining watch

Todd Lendvay stresses the importance of a strong family life to have a successful career Many underestimate the power that suicide awareness has on the public

Tik Tok: The Heart of a Generation Kate Alvarado

Swimmer faces challenges when readjusting to her swim season

Teachers and students alike must learn to deal with this challenging software

Parent Rally Photographs Sydney Laput

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Amelia Pozniak

Managing Editor Nikki Darnall

Section Editors

Ally Berens, Alyssa Borring, Ruhi Gulati, Grace Helzer, and Ally Jorgenson

Photo Editor Sydney Laput

Marketing Editor Brooke Hamann

EDITORIAL POLICY

Social Media Manager

Molly Baker and Maggie Kirwin

Staff

Staff Writers

Parker Amato, Trevor Book, Brenden Boyle, Delaney Cairns, Sophia Coronado, Emmy Cohen, Riley Friberg, Jonathan Hani, Brooke Helle, Arianna Joob, Sarah Reilly, Lauren Schmit, Brandon Smalley, Jacey Sola, Gretchen Sweeney, Gabby Terez, and Holly Urbanzyk

Photographer Amanda Hoglind

Adviser

Dennis Brown

THE VOICE is an official student-produced medium of news and information published and produced every three weeks starting in October by Huntley High School News Media Production students (ADDRESS: 13719 Harmony Rd. Huntley, IL 60142). The Voice has been established as a designated public forum for student writers and editors to inform and educate their readers and to discuss issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of The Voice 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 staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.

news online learning

Changes in remote learning Last spring required some improvements

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By Arianna Joob

eep. Beep. Beep. Alarms go off in the morning before school starts. Students jump out of bed and get ready for the school day. However, it is not a typical day because they start on Zoom.

People across the nation hop onto their computers, log in, and begin their school work. Even though everyone knows, school did not always start this way.

A normal day last spring would include zero Zoom calls, no actual grading, and minimal work. Students would create their schedules and do work in the order they best saw fit. When the pandemic came to America, it caught everyone off guard. The school administrators had to consider the different situations people were in when evaluating the grading system. They did their best under the circumstances, but in the end, they concluded that changes needed to be made.

Therefore, Huntley High School was introduced to a block schedule. This included four classes every Tuesday through Friday with each class being held for 90 minutes. The school had a reason for these changes. They thought about student access, engagement, and prioritization.

“It’s a little bit better to be in the block schedule where you can focus on four classes for longer periods of time, as opposed to eight class every day,” Principal Marcus Belin said. “You get into a class and you get settled and by the time you do that, it’s time to go.”

They took the idea of a block schedule and ran with it.

Friday, Aug. 21 was the first day everyone tried the “new” remote learning and went a full day on Zoom. Like all things in life, being on Zoom comes with its advantages and disadvantages.

Zoom allows for more structure be-

S. Laput Fixes in remote learning were necessary. cause teachers take attendance and it is mandatory. It makes it easier to explain things, interact with classmates, give feedback, and get actual grades.

Furthermore, teachers are now more available online and the social aspect is more prominent.

“What I like about remote [learning] is that in some ways I have been able to connect with some of the families more than I had in the past. It’s easier to talk as a family to support a student,” said Patty Zacharias, a counselor at the high school.

again, but everyone at school is a firstyear teacher,” math teacher James Allen said.

Other disadvantages include trying to get to know people in the school, as students are not able to see each other like they used to daily. School is not only about learning, it is about social interaction as well.

“It’s not just about working on math, it’s about getting to know them. In my experience as a student, I always learned more from teachers who actually took an interest in me...I would look forward to talking in that class,” Allen said.

Remote learning has highlighted the “It’s like being a first-year fact that social interaction is a huge teacher again, but everyone factor in the school experience.

Overall, the block schedule has at school is a first-year changed learning immensely and teacher.” allowed for more improvements since James Allen last spring. The pros and cons of remote learning will always be there, but it is still The high school is working towards a step forward this Fall. making Social and Emotional Learning The structured Zoom classes and block more important by allowing the counsel- schedule ha brought more organization ors to be readily available and have the and clarity to the school experience. tools to help the students.

The future is uncertain and remote On the other hand, being on the learning in a few months could look computer constantly leads to inevitable drastically different. Future plans are technology problems, distractions at undetermined and all families can do is home, and continual changes are diffiwait and see what is next for the district. cult to handle.

“It’s like being a first-year teacher huntleyvoice.com • 3

news zoom

The damage of Zoom calls The effects of Zoom are detrimental on students

low activity mark.

Aimee Ryan, a junior this year, who plays softball and basketball, finds herself struggling with her physical health as compared to before. Without the constant moving passing periods

By Alyssa Borring and physical education five days out of he repeated noise of an the week, the junior finds herself less alarm clock gradually starts physically active. to flood the brain of a now ¨I have noticed when I go to my awake student. The stupractices, I am much more sore and dent wakes up, rubbing their groggy I get tired more easily than I used to eyes, and slowly moves to one side of when school was in secession. I wake the bed to grab their Chromebook. up tired and sit on Zoom calls all day, They open the blinding bright and then go to practice even more screen, three minutes before class tired and stiff from my lack of movestarts, to find the Zoom link and start ment,¨ Aimee said. their first period class with eyes as Another person who is feeling similar heavy as sandbags.

This is the daily life of a student during remote learning. It is not easy "It is not good for the body to wake up with a school mindset and actually get out of bed, especially physically to not move for when the bed is the school desk. that long. It slows the body The first task of the morning is to down, and it works hand make sure you get onto that Zoom call in hand with the right on time with no issues or you may be punished with a tardy. metabolism.”

Most students are not getting ready Gavin Fahey and are not getting mentally prepared for the day.

These Zoom calls are the main comfeelings is Gavin Fahey. Fahey is a team ponent for remote learning at Huntley sports and health teacher at HHS. High School, which happens to be According to Mr. Fahey, he even one of the biggest tolls on mental and finds himself struggling with staying physical health. active during the school day; however, Students sit in a room for 90 minutes he goes on walks with his wife when straight without much time to move, the school day is over to get those since they are listening in class and steps the fitbit begs to get. He is contaking whatever notes are asked from cerned with students’ lack of movethem. ment right now.

Only time these students really move “We are supposed to be walking and is when grabbing a snack or running moving around to burn calories. It is to the bathroom in between class not good for the body physically to not periods. move for that long.

That is not enough. 5,000 steps is It slows the body down, and it works considered low activity, but the goal hand in hand with the metabolism,” amount for each day is 10,000 steps.

Fahey said.

Most students are barely reaching that

T

4 • the voice october 9 2020

When physical health is being affected, it reflects onto the students’ mental health as well.

Students are deprived of a social life which also decreases their social emotional health.

When we stay in the same room all day with large stacks of homework piling up, the work tends to overflow into our brain.

As all the homework and the Zoom calls fly by, students start to find themselves feeling mentally exhausted and drained.

Patricia Zacharias and Julie Athcley are both counselors for the H-O pod and have been meeting with many students struggling with this exhaustion.

One big factor is not having the proper social interaction.

“Device interactions will never replace interactions in person,” Athcley said.

These social skills improve a students health because it gives them a more positive attitude and reduces negative behavior.

Without these true interactions, the social life of an average student plummets. Instead, students are staring at a Zoom screen without relieving their brain every few minutes.

The less amount of brain breaks we receive by social interactions or change of settings can result in Zoom fatigue.

Zoom fatigue is the strenuous activity Zoom calls weigh on a students mentality, leaving them feeling drained and exhausted by the end of the day, When staring at the screen for more than seven hours, students try their best to focus on staring at all the peoples faces.

But with barely any movement or nonverbal communication, it causes that focus to decline.

In a school setting, our brains get

news zoom

S. Laput A tired student stares blankly at her chromebook screen. snippets of breaks as we take in all of the things around us and our classmates gestures. However, we do not have this advantage on a Zoom call.

As a student in the school building, we relied on eye-gazing, but we did not consciously know that. This tactic that our brain naturally did, it helped us take in outside stimuli, keeping us more focused and energized throughout the day. ¨When you are in person, you are eye gazing with the humans around us and giving unconscious information that comes to our consciousness that we do not really realize, but when we are on Zoom, we completely miss the whole eye gaze unconscious communication, which is contributed to Zoom

fatigue and exhaustion,¨ Zacharias said.

If you are experiencing Zoom fatigue please reach out to your counselors, so they can find ways to help you relieve this exhaustion. Reach out to

“Device interactions will never replace interactions in person.”

Julie Athcley

a trusted adult, teacher, or counselor as they can help you find ways to dig yourself out of these fatigues. If you find yourself struggling with the

physical health aspect, reach out to your physical education teacher. These adults are all here to help us as we learn with them.

With negatives, we can find positives, so find ways to kill this Zoom fatigue and find ways to stay active. Zoom calls are more draining than most people can see.

They continue to take a toll on many aspects of our lives, making it hard to find that motivation to ensure we are staying healthy.

With the lack of that motive and the lengthy Zoom calls, students find themselves struggling with their health every day.

huntleyvoice.com • 5

news SAT

Seniors go back to school for SAT Seniors have a unique SAT experiance during global pandemic

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By Delaney Cairns

s Annie Mitchell rolled into the Huntley High School parking lot in her blue minivan on the chilly Wednesday morning, she was anxious.

She immediately saw cars lined up in rows, students waiting to be let out row by row to go into the high school.

She pulled into her parking spot at 7 a.m. and knew this was not like anything any other Huntley graduate had been through before. She was not sure what to expect from the testing day ahead.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, the entire Class of 2021 took the SAT inside of the high school. This test is usually given to students in April, and not during a pandemic, so it was very different from the SATs taken in past years.

“We found out [about the SAT testing date] very last minute,” Mitchell said, “[When we heard about the SAT coming up in three weeks] I was like how am I going to study, what am I going to learn in three weeks that I don’t already know?”

Seniors found out about the SAT test date on Sept. 2 and many students did not feel prepared for the test date coming up so soon.

“I don’t know when I was expecting [the SAT] to happen, I knew that we were going to have to take it, I just didn’t know when,” Mitchell said.

“The State of Illinois released the updated testing date in August. Once we had that information, the information was shared with families,” Shelly Kish said.

The administration did not have 6 • the voice october 9 2020

S. S. Laput Staff scanning student IDs. much control over when they could let the students know about the upcoming test date, but the students still believe more notice could have been very helpful.

“They sent out an email that said that breakfast was being served between 6:50 and 7:15 and we have to be in the parking lot in our cars by 7:30. It said we would be released by car row, then we would walk in the school and we would go to your testing rooms. That’s not how it went,” Mitchell said.

“I don’t blame the administration, I just think it was just not as good as it could have been.”

Annie Mitchell

Mitchell got to the high school at about 7 a.m. and did not get to start testing until about 8:40 a.m. She waited in her car for at least 40 minutes before being able to enter the school.

The testing rooms all seemed to start at different times as well. Mitchell believes this may have been the effect of students showing up late.

“I don’t blame the administration, I just think it was just not as good as it could have been… it could have been the students coming in late that was the problem,” Mitchell said.

“Students who ride the bus or are dropped off by parents will be directed to certain areas of the building to wait at tables and maintain social distancing. Students driving will wait in their cars and be dismissed by row to enter the building at staggered times,” Kish said.

When Mitchell described this process it was unorganized and a little chaotic, but when the students settled into their testing rooms everything seemed to start to run a lot more smoothly.

“When I went into the testing room, there were about 6 people already in there and we were all at tables instead of desks. There were about 10 tables in the room, and each of them had a Post-it with our names on it and we sat down. The tables were very well

socially distanced. We waited there for about 10-15 minutes waiting for everyone to come in. The teacher was very nice, he was trying to get us going and get us started because he knew the sooner we started the sooner we could leave. So, he was very efficient in going through the instructions and he helped if anyone had questions, so overall really good,” Mitchell said.

All rooms were very thoroughly cleaned prior to the arrival of the students. In every room there was a hand sanitizer, and social distancing and mask wearing were enforced throughout the entire day.

The food provided during and before the test made Mitchell concerned for what the school provides for students who rely on that food everyday.

“The breakfast wasn’t really a breakfast, it was a very small juice box, a Trix cereal bar that was as hard as a rock, and whole grain goldfish… The food they provided for us opened my eyes to the food that they provide to kids that need it everyday… I wonder what the students are getting, if that is what they are getting everyday that is concerning in my opinion,” Mitchell said.

It is recommended on testing days students eat foods with a lot of protein and to avoid sugar. The students were provided with a Trix cereal bar and a juice in the morning, and further into the test a cookie and a juice. This is a lot of sugar for testers to be consuming before and during a very important test. Most kids ate at home before the test but for some, who may rely on this provided food, this raises concern.

This year, the SAT continues to be a graduation requirement at Huntley High School, but many students applying to college have noticed most colleges are adopting test-optional policies in their admission processes.

“The SAT scores are used for many college admittance procedures as well as for scholarships. However, with all that has happened in 2020, many colleges are dropping the SAT/ACT

requirement for entry,” Kish said.

This testing date was also the first and last testing date for many seniors due to the new test-optional policies and difficulty to find testing opportunities elsewhere.

“My score is my score, we’re already too late in the year to do anything about it,” Mitchell said.

“Overall, we were very happy with the testing protocol put in place. Students did a great job and we were so happy to see so many of our seniors!”

Shelly Kish

The preparation for the SAT this year for most students in their classes was also lacking. Over the long summer most seniors did not study very much for the SAT. At the end of the year last year, many classes had not yet started preparation for the SAT due to when

news SAT

school went online. This year, teachers were not focusing on SAT for the seniors either, leaving a lot of students on their own for preparation.

“I was a little upset because none of my teachers went over SAT preparation this year. Not in english nor math class.

We didn’t review anything, the math SAT I probably haven’t seen in at least 2 years. I took precalc last year and not a lot of that was on the test… I was pretty discouraged by the fact that we didn’t go over any SAT stuff in class,” Mitchell said.

This long break from studies may have affected a lot of the SAT scores from the seniors this year. Overall, the students and administration did the best they could given the circumstances right now and have already begun planning for the PSAT for juniors coming up in October.

“Overall, we were very happy with the testing protocol put in place. Students did a great job and we were so happy to see so many of our seniors,” Kish said.

Students waiting to get into the school.

S. Laput Laput S. huntleyvoice.com • 7

news businesses

Small businesses struggle COVID’s harsh effects on businesses

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By Gretchen Sweeney he smell of melted cheese and freshly baked pizza surrounds the air around you. You’re sitting at lunch with your family, at Sal’s Pizza Place, eating a scrumptious pizza that you all have been craving. Suddenly, a furious customer stomps into the kitchen yelling at the manager. Why? Simply because the manager is not wearing a mask. This was the case the manager of Sal’s Pizza Place in Huntley, Don, had to experience first hand.

With financial, media, political, and weather struggles brought on by the global pandemic, small businesses in Huntley are having a very difficult time running properly. COVID-19 has turned out to be political and media biased, hurting small businesses immensely. The media has had a large impact on how people are handling the pandemic.

“Back in the day if you walked into a restaurant and didn’t like what was happening, you left. You didn’t engage people,” Don said, who had a man walk into his kitchen due to anger.

Don chooses not to wear a mask in his kitchen, this is because you cannot catch COVID from eating food, even if it is contaminated.

He wishes more people knew that, thinking it would bring peace of mind to angry customers. However, customers today are more vocal and aggressive when it comes to their complaints.

Businesses feel stuck when it comes to regulating their finances. Loans given to businesses have been unavailable to small businesses as large corporations have a hold of them. On top of that, Illinois recently released new regulations for small businesses.

“Businesses have to get and pay for all these permits and applications with 8 • the voice october 9 2020

S. Baczewski Requirments posted for guests at local resturants. money they don’t already have because business has been slower,” Don said.

Most business owners are afraid of going out of business due to the high taxing and their low revenue caused by the virus surely is not helping.

“There’s no profit for small businesses anymore, you’re out of pocket. Basically, the whole family is working for free. I’m here for free. I don’t know when I’ll see my next paycheck,” Steve, manager of the Village Inn said.

With fears of going out of business, small businesses are trying their best to operate.

With flu season on its way, it has raised eyebrows as to how the small businesses are going to dine-in. Most people will not want to dine outside in 10 degree weather, but are afraid to go into restaurants.

“So places that don’t have an established delivery and breakfast joints, they’re not going to make it,” Don said.

Fears of public opinion have also brought tension and stress into small businesses, especially restaurants. The argument of wearing masks has been very controversial and caused problems.

Although the government has mandated masks, people still do not wear them.

“People will come in without masks and you [have to] tell them to put it on, and they get upset. Then people come in with masks, and someone else isn’t wearing a mask, well why aren’t they wearing a mask,” Steve said.

One of two managers of Papa G’s, Tsakalios has been putting in many efforts to follow the government protocol.

They have set up disinfecting stations with hands sanitizer and give out free masks if needed.

“The thing that is being missed is that it’s not the business that came up with the idea to wear a mask, it’s the science that’s stating to wear a mask for safety,” said Tsakalios, reminding the public that a lot of the regulations that businesses put out were mandated by the government, not small businesses.

Over the last 50 years, small businesses have been the heart and soul of McHenry County, bringing a homey sensation to the small towns.“We’ve been here 30 years and have watched the city grow.

We have people that come in everyday that we would consider extended family.

We would call in and check on each other, whether it’s customers or coworkers,” said Tsakalios. see BUSINESSES page 16

Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team

Girls high school swimmers: Looking for a post-season program?

Flexible seasons • Monthly payment plans in case disaster strikes Email Coach Sharon Lesniak: wdstheadcoach1@woodstockdolphins.com www.WoodstockDolphins.com huntleyvoice.com • 9

news pet shelter

A high rise in pet adoptions Families are adopting to fill homes

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By Nikki Darnall

alking through the shelter doors, you can hear the ring echo throughout the silent building. Immediately the dogs in the back start barking as a response, and you are bombarded with the noise. It sounds like an orchestra, full of varieties of barks creating a natural background melody. The shiny floors, fun music, and welcoming people at the front desk give the impression that this is a shelter like no other. Behind the front desk there is a wall of gigantic windows that peers into the adult cat’s living area. Stacked shelves, sleeping areas, and catwalks are scattered everywhere in this fun-filled jungle gym. Some cats look at you with their inquisitive yellow eyes, while others curl up on a blanket for an afternoon nap. Whether it is the smiles of the helpful workers, the overjoyed barks, or the innocent sleeping cats you know this is the right place for the newest edition in your household.

With people in quarantine due to this ongoing pandemic many find their house feeling empty. This explains as to why the Animal House Shelter’s adoption rates have skyrocketed. They have not only seen a steady increase in their amount of dogs adopted, but also cats.

“I definitely think that more people are adopting right now because they are home. It is a good time to acclimate in a pet, they have more time, and they can get everybody trained easier,” Adoption Manager Tabitha Browy said.

Unfortunately with these high adoption rates some are brought back after a short period of time. When people go back to work they underestimate the amount of time and love it takes to raise these pets and simply can not take care of them anymore.

10 • the voice october 9 2020

“It’s great because the animal got to get out of the shelter and have a little bit of a home experience even if it didn’t last. This can definitely help us better find them a forever home because now we can tell people exactly how this pet may act for example in a living room,” Kennel Hand Cassidy Sciaraffa said.

When pets come back from their failed adoption one of the first things that happens is their profile on the website is changed. The employees stay on top of keeping the website up to date with all the current information. A lot of that includes how the pet may act around other pets, or what their general tendencies are. Besides their personalities, the breed is one of the best ways to differentiate between pets.

The shelter has a range of breeds in both dog and cats, but their most popular breed of a dog is a pitbull or pitbull mix. That is also common across the borders of all shelter’s especially with the stigma they have. Although without a doubt they would consider most all of their animals highly adoptable.

“Typically your more popular breeds are anything that you would consider hypoallergenic. So we would be looking at Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Labradoodles.

Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are also very popular. Anything that is kind of that ‘family dog’ people will seek out,” Browy said.

When it comes to cats, the kittens are definitely adopted the quickest. Siamese lookalikes tend to be extremely popular, as well as Russian Blue mixes.

The Animal House Shelter gets their animals from primarily high-kill facilities.

They rescue from all over the United States, but one big transport they work with is Southern Illinois, which comes in on Tuesdays.

“We do also have some shelters down in Texas that we work with, also Kentucky, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Not recently, but we have also had flights in from the Virgin Islands. Pretty much anybody who

N.Darnall A dog waits for a walk with a volunteer. is having overcapacity and potentially has to euthanize, we try to pull as many as we can [from them],” Browy said.

According to Kennel Manager Brooke Corrievau, at least 30 dogs are being adopted a week. As far as cats, it just depends on how many kittens they have at the time. So during their kitten season they have a lot more cats adopted rather than dogs.

When the Coronavirus outbreak started, all of their veterinarians that do their typical spay/neuter surgeries shut down completely for three months.

Anything that was considered a ‘you choose’ surgery, which is not a necessity or an emergency, they stopped doing.

Anyone that came into the shelter not already altered, could not get altered.

Because of this they have a huge backup list of pets that need to get general and immediate surgeries done.

They have been sending out a lot of those animals as fosters with the intention of adopting, so when they open back up for those procedures they can get them finalized. A lot of animals have been leaving the building with the intention of adopting, but because of this they do not necessarily complete the process.

In addition to the foster pets that still need their surgeries, that are simply not as adoptable. Their Jack Russell Terrier,

see ADOPTIONS page 25

opinion breakout rooms

Adapting to breakout rooms Students find breakout rooms to be uncomfortable.

N. Darnall

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By Ally Berens

itting at home, a student slowly opens their computer to a gleaming screen. They find the way to their first period class and click on the irritating zoom link. Now, hearing the faint static in the teacher’s voice, a breakout room window pops up. Dreading this, each student hesitantly accepts and gets sent off into a room to work in a small group.

Zoom was introduced to Huntley High School last year, while breakout rooms, a sub-feature on this platform, was only introduced this year. Almost all students run into breakout rooms at least once a week, so it can be hard to tell if they are effective.

“They’re very awkward and none of us really work together even though that’s the purpose of them,” freshman Sarah Morrison said. “If they gave you more opportunities to be with your friends, then maybe it would be less uncomfortable.”

Making sure students are comfortable should be the first step to productivity.

In small groups it can become awkward and constrained, discouraging students from engaging in the work or even turning on their microphones. Having friends in a group or even keeping the same groupings can be extremely helpful to this issue.

“I think [they intended] well, but they need to take into account that a lot of us still don’t know each other and going into a breakout room is just an awkward experience,” junior Clark Companik said.

This awkwardness is so intense, it can be felt through the screen. The feeling of the uncomfortable silence is often despised by many, causing a lack of communication and work done in those

engage with me or engage with their partner,” Hacker said.

Being careful with who you place in each breakout room can also help.

Every class has the social butterflies, the average talker, and the shy ones; getting a variety of students in a breakout room can help balance the amount of productivity the group achieves. “[When] there is a smaller setting, people are more willing to speak if you have the right groups. A lot of work can get done and it can be very effective,” history teacher Amanda Easley said.

“They’re very awkward and “Within the group there needs to be none of us really work to- some sort of leader who’s willing to take gether even though that’s the on a leading role, who’s willing to speak and then you start to see [the rest] purpose of them.” follow.”

Sarah Morrsion Regarding breakout rooms, there can obviously be room for improvements, but starting off small can cause just as much of an impact on students. truly connect or make friendships with Start by creating an environment someone over Zoom makes it even more important to help the students be more students can learn in. This will be the best option there is until school starts involved and learn better. up again.

Someone who has seen this sucAdjusting to the situation at hand, cesswould be spanish teacher Valerie troubleshooting different options, and Hacker. thinking outside the box can be the “I think it’s working, I have seen it working [as] there is a bit of accountabil- boost students need to participate and ity because when they come back from feel more at ease. the breakout rooms they have to either rooms.

However, when students are forced to speak up or perhaps have a friend with them, it makes the process less dreadful. ”Just being in them more and getting to know the people who were gonna be in your breakout room [made it more comfortable],” junior Amelia Toporek said.

Having some sort of consistency in this unpredictable time can make students feel less stressed. Not being able to

huntleyvoice.com • 11

opinion voting

Young people and politics Students should use their vote

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By Ally Jorgensen

n the last decade, young people have had the lowest voter turnout and have been the least involved in local and federal politics. This has ultimately created a stigma that young people do not care about politics or do not know what they are talking about.

This is evident with the response that some young people receive when they try to participate in politics and create change on the local and national level.

It is difficult to be taken seriously or respected at all by the older generations. This very well might have been a result of the previous generations like Generation X and Millennials not being as active in politics.

It has been drilled into our heads as teenagers that we do not get to have real opinions about things going on in our country, and we should not be interfering with adults.

Some teenagers agree and think that they should not have to worry about politics, but others are very passionate about making change.

While some adults and teenagers agree with this, others believe that young people have every right to voice their opinions and get involved.

Leslie Melendy, previous Chief of Staff for Illinois State Senators Karen McConnaughay and Donald DeWitte, and active Huntley High School Board member, believes that young people should be valued in politics.

“I think adults underestimate our

N. Darnall

“Young people are going to come out of the education system with newer ideas, different histories, and technologies.

They have skin in the game. They are the carriers of the torch. We are not asking the young people to save us, but they need to start voting.”

Melendy, Arvanites, and many others encourage young people to vote and get their ideas out into the world.

“It is your civic duty to register to vote as soon as you are able to because the changes that are being made by our elected officials will be affecting you,” Melendy said.

Young people may not think that it will affect them because they do not own homes and do not pay property taxes, but things like social issues will affect them whether they like it or not.

“If you don’t register and if you don’t vote, that’s as if saying you don’t really have a vested interest in what happens in your future,” Melendy said.

On the other hand, many teenagers and young adults want to be involved, but it can be very overwhelming in the environment that social media and the internet have created.

“So much of the media is biased, or just super vague. They try to fit everything into a one minute video and I end up not getting anything at all,” Courtney Ally Jorgensen is a floating editor on the Voice and it said. is her second year on staff. Ally plays the trombone in “At this point, the number of opwind ensemble and also runs cross country and track.

In her free time, Ally likes to hang out with friends and tions and how much they’re all trying try new things. see VOTING page 16

12 • the voice october 9 2020

youth and I think that’s going to be a downfall,” Melendy said.

Many teenagers also believe that older generations do not know how to interact and exchange ideas with younger generations.

“It’s pretty clear to me that most modern politicians and people older than us don’t really meet our mindsets.

I mean, look at how they’re handling the [Black Lives Matter] movement and environmental issues. By that I mean they aren’t handling it at all. It’s getting clear to me that if teens don’t get involved, actions that need to happen likely won’t happen,” junior Lauren Courtney said.

Even though young people are passionate about politics, they still do not turn out to polls as much as the older generations. This is unfortunate because young people could change the outcome of many of the races.

Lisa Arvanites, elected Precinct Committeeperson for the Democratic Party of McHenry County in Illinois and LGBTQ+ Committee Chair for the McHenry County Chapter of the National Organization for Women, also agreed.

“It’s important for young people to vote and run for office,” Arvanites said.

opinion SEL

Social emotional learning What is SEL and does it help?

C

By Sarah Reilly

ovid-19 has forced us all into our homes changing the entire world, including how we learn. Since we are now online, new Social Emotional Learning lessons have been added to our gym classes. These lessons are not exactly what students may think. These lessons may not do what our teachers think they do either.

Many students are struggling because of quarantine. Sitting behind a screen for hours a day in multiple zoom classes does not help this, either. Students are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety. Part of our SEL lessons is to write our top three good and bad experiences from the week.

“My mom yelled at me this weekend.

[Teachers] are gonna be like, ‘okay that’s parenting’ but if you say my mom beat me, they might talk to the counselor,” junior Ian Calato said.

Many students share the same idea as Calato; if you say you had a bad week teachers won’t check in on you unless they have to.

Teachers do, in fact, look at the assignments. Students can’t always tell if they only look at it for a grade or if they actually read what the students wrote down.

“I mean they probably look at it to grade it,” Calato said.

Students do not always feel like they can talk to their teachers about everything going on. They question if SEL even works, but SEL is not what it seems.

According to Kathryn Romero, a Director of Curriculum and SEL, SEL is “basically how we learn the process and manage emotions, as well as how we develop our social skills toolkit.” SEL is

N. Darnall not our mental state or how we cope throughout the week. Yes, part of SEL does connect to our mental state but that is not the main point.

These lessons do help teachers check up on their students but it also helps students learn how to engage with their peers.

“So it’s really a skill set but oftentimes it is viewed as this completely separate entity… when in reality it’s integrated in our daily lives,” Romero said.

Oftentimes this is not realized.

During our middle school advisory classes we learned about SEL, except it wasn’t called SEL. We just referred to it as advisory lessons. In elementary school we learned about SEL while our teachers taught out how to go through arguments in the classroom. If you have a job you practice those skills every day.

Even if SEL is a skill set for our everyday lives, students still feel like they are not getting the help they should. Some classes will go asynchronous while others will not. Some students are going out on walks and wearing masks while others are stuck inside because they are at risk. This can come out in our responses to the lessons.

“Make sure they are doing okay,”

Calato said.

If a student mentions having a bad day sometimes what they need is for someone to ask about it. It can be hard for students to reach out to teachers and say this.

Checking up on students does not have to be asking about that exact moment either. It could be a simple email just asking how their week was. These SEL assignments may seem like nothing to students, but others do not feel comfortable putting their answers down truthfully. They do not want to tell a teacher they do not have a connection with about how during the past week they were broken up with or fell behind in work.

SEL lessons are very important for students. They need these skills so that they can get through life easier. These lessons can be hard to take seriously if they are not connected to the teachers.

They can not see why they are doing it or why they should be honest about it. What could happen to help this could be teachers reaching out to students more, getting to know them, and students making that step to let teachers know that they want to be known.

Sarah Reilly is a second year staff writer. She wants to travel the country in a van when she is older. In her free time she likes to draw, act, and write music.

huntleyvoice.com • 13

opinion clubs

Guidelines create frustration

Sports are granted access to the building, so why aren’t clubs?

ly,” yearbook advisor Lauren Teeter said. “Without having an organization like IHSA providing guidelines and regulations, it’s hard to follow what the state suggests.”

The inconsistency of guidelines currently taking place in the school has raised questions among clubs, programs, and other afterschool activities: Why do sports get to participate normally after school, but clubs cannot?

Why are some activities receiving access, but others are not? Why can’t afterschool programs access a single classroom after school if they are following the same social distancing guidelines as sports?

Junior Claire Kubelka, an editor for the Harmony Yearbook, also finds the inconsistency frustrating. Classes and activities similar to yearbook don’t have set guidelines to follow. She feels that they have not been given the same opportunity to prove that they can operate as safely as sports have.

She also feels that sports have not been strictly following the guidelines that have been given to them, potentially ruining the chances for other extracurriculars.

“I get it, you want to play your sport.

But in order for me to go and do yearbook, I’ve been having to follow all of these strict rules, and for [sports] to almost take advantage of the opportunities that they’re getting when I don’t even get the opportunity to sit in a classroom [after school] is very frustrating,” Kubelka said.

As the operation of sports has only

claimed to be unorganized by students who witness Snapchat videos and small glimpses of teams after school, junior Thomas Rodriguez claims that boys track is functioning safely.

“I thought we’d be allowed to take [our masks off] during practice, but

By Amelia Pozniak they told me to put it back on. You keep it on basically until practice is s Luke Bucaro drives over,” Rodriguez said. down Harmony road on According to Barry Wells, the girls his way home from work, and boys tennis coach, his athletes he passes by the high must also wear masks, but only when school daily. Because him and the mathey are not able to maintain a 6-feet jority of students are currently denied distance from one another. access from the building due to safety “Tennis is a sport that lends itself guidelines, the parking lot constantly well to social distancing because you full of student athletes still surprises are on opposite sides of the court,” him.

Wells said.

When he arrives home and sits down Despite frustration from students at his desk, he opens his laptop. The who participate in other after school familiar welcome screen of Zoom illuactivities, associate principal for minates his face. As one of the leaders operations Tom Kempf reassures our of the Thespian Honors Society, he logs teachers and student body that the on to his meeting and is greeted by administration simply wants to keep each member. Although the club can everyone safe. somewhat manage remotely, rehearsal “I don’t think [clubs returning to clearly is not the same. the building] is a question of fairness.

The Thespian Honors Society is not It was a decision made to mitigate the only activity currently frustrated risk. We are going to make whatever with having to operate remotely. Yeardecisions are necessary to protect book has also dealt with frustration students,” Kempf said. “I think because regarding necessary access to equipthose IHSA groups already have that ment since accessing software on their plan that was approved by the public Chromebooks can be difficult from health department, they’re the first home. ones who get to go [back into the “It is difficult for a Chromebook to building.]” run both InDesign and Zoom at the However, what does not make sense same time, so it’s been hard to ask is how sports could possibly be safer questions while working since they than any limited-moving, non-sweaty, have to do the practice asynchronousand non-heavy breathing club. Even if a sport like track is following all of the Amelia Pozniak is the co-Editor In Chief of the necessary rules to keep their athletes Voice! It is her second year on staff. She loves safe, wouldn’t a socially-distanced, to go out and spend time with her friends and masked group of yearbook editors still family. Amelia likes to play the ukulele, watch be at the same, or maybe even less, risk of infection?

Tik Toks, and drink coffee.

Kempf claims that the risk for each

A

14 • the voice october 9 2020

club varies the same way sports do.

“It’s a club-by-club specific issue.

Do I think art club, socially distanced, working on a project and collaborating is a low risk environment? Absolutely.

Do I think ultimate frisbee [club] is just as dangerous and have as many safety concerns as the football team? Yes,” Kempf said.

A health form can be requested through Kempf, essentially asking for a date and time for a number of students to occupy a classroom after school. However, the event must be approved through the district. According to Bucaro, receiving approval was initially difficult.

The Thespian Honors Society had a plan to safely put on a show in the blackbox theatre this November. They planned to wear masks, social distance, have only 25 cast members participate,

and have no live spectators. The event was denied by administration due to safety concerns. Fortunately, after a recent discussion with the board, a revised plan was constructed, but any in-person rehearsals were prohibited.

“Having zero rehearsals for a show is going to be an obstacle, but we will try our best to put on a good show,” Bucaro said.

It is understandable as to why the IHSA sports are approved because they have guidelines that provide athletes and their families with an understanding of what takes place during practice.

Students believe that, Illinois mandated or not, clubs and after-school activities should also recieve a set of guidelines along with an easier, more organized access to the school.

“I think my biggest concern is the confusion that has come with the

opinion clubs

constant changes. I know that our admin team doesn’t have complete control over all of that, so they can’t be completely at fault; however, teachers are trying to do their best to support students and have not always felt the same support in return,” Teeter said.

Functioning remotely is unfortunate for everyone. Whether you are an athlete, club member, student, teacher, or administrator, we are all dealing with similar hardships; however, there has to be a plan that can allow clubs to safely and consistently function in-person the same way sports do.

So as Luke Bucaro continues to envy the athletes who get to socialize and occupy the fields and gymnasiums, he can only hope that a fair compromise will be made between administration and after-school activities.

S. Reilly

Nikki took a great staff photo last year.

huntleyvoice.com • 15

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from VOTING page 12 to shout at me with ads and pop ups gets overwhelming and makes me less interested,” Courtney said.

Melendy suggests that young people who are interested in getting involved at the local level should contact their local legislators.

16 • the voice october 9 2020

“Your legislators are very accessible and they love to talk to students who are engaged and who want to learn more and make a difference,” Melendy said.

“Don’t be afraid to contact their offices and ask them questions if there’s something you don’t understand.”

from BUSINESSES page 8 Businesses have a special, more personal place in the community’s heart.

These businesses are afraid of shut down, as a lot of people rely on them.

“I don’t think the government is truly aware of how this is affecting small businesses. It doesn’t matter what political party you’re a part of, they’re missing the point,” Tsakalios said.

Hoping to persevere through the struggles of corona, small businesses hope to see the end of it and keep close to their communities.

Although the harsh effects on small businesses have kept them struggling, they are hoping to stay strong and pull through these unfortunate events.

Most of the community has put in efforts to support these small businesses, but who knows if it will be enough to make it through the winter.

“The people need to remember small businesses,” Tsakalios said, urging the citizens of McHenry County to help keep his business, his passion, alive.

a&e video games

Half Life: a timeless classic A baseline for modern video games

W

By Brandon Smalley hen thinking about a legendary first person video game with compelling narratives, there are particular games that might come to mind. Some think of Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare series with its thrilling narrative to defend the US as the USMC and find the Russian Ultranationalist Makarov as the legendary Task Force 141 .

Perhaps others think of the underwater dystopia of Rapture and unfurling the secrets of the underwater city.

Halo: Combat Evolved is also a good choice, fighting against The Flood and Covenant and discovering the mysteries of the halo where the game takes place.

These are very good choices and should be played if one has the means to do so, but there is a first person video game that laid the groundwork for many modern first person experiences.

Despite the game being 22 years old, it can still be enjoyed along with its many, many mods and spin-offs.

Half Life, released on Nov. 19, 1998 by the Valve Corporation, was a revolutionary title that has become synonymous with pushing the limits of modern storytelling, physics, and gameplay. But what exactly made this game so influential? What made it such a staple in first person video games?

Half Life is a game where the player becomes Dr. Gordon Freeman, a MIT graduate who works for the fictional scientific research facilities Black Mesa. On his first day to work, Gordon Freeman is sent to the anomalous materials lab to research new possible portal technologies black mesa has been working on. During these first 5

(CC BY-ND 2.0) to 10 minutes of starting the game, the player is treated to a delightful tram ride deeper into Black Mesa’s research complex.

Unlike many games during this crucial time for first person games, Half Life subverts the expectations of the player by starting off normally. Unlike Duke Nukem, Wolfenstein, or DOOM, Half Life starts off with a rising action, not

Following this initial subversion of expectations, the player finds themselves being the one who has to physically conduct the portal experiment, where everything goes wrong and portals to alien dimensions open up all across the complex. It is then the player’s job to navigate the research complex, avoiding aliens, military, and other monsters and get a message to the outside world that there are still survivors.

This game series would evolve into “Whether looking for a the famous Half Life 2 Trilogy, which cheap, fun blast to the past, a offered even more refined physics, new experience, or just want gunplay, movement, story telling, and plot. Not to mention the countless to reflect on how far first per- mods spurred by this game series such son games have come...” as Counter Strike, Team Fortress, and Day of Defeat.

Brandon Smalley All of these mods would be bought and expanded upon by Valve into just throwing the player into the conthe legendary Counter Strike: Global flict with no rhyme or reason.

Offensive, Team Fortress 2, and Day of These older games would soon adopt Infamy. these practices with new releases such Whether looking for a fun blast to the as DOOM 2016, or Wolfenstein 2: The past, a new experience, or just want to New Colossus. Additionally, Half Life reflect on how far first person games would break the status quo by using 3D have come since its humble beginnings, polygon models instead of 2D sprites Half Life is an amazing first person that the first person shooter genre has shooter game that will give hours of grown accustomed to. enjoyment. Truly a timeless classic. huntleyvoice.com • 17

a&e netflix film

The Devil All The Time This Netflix thriller cannot be forgotten

main example of this, as they use their authorial positions in law and religion respectively to get what they want.

One thing this movie does

By Gabrielle Terez well is keeping the audience’s fter almost 4 years since attention. Whether it’s through the 2016 biography the development of the con“Christine”, Antonio nected stories or the dialogue of Campos is back to, once the characters, there was always again, take the directing wheel. Replac- something to be intrigued with. ing “Christine” in the passenger’s seat This also goes for directing as Campos’ latest directed film is the style and plot elements. Campos Netflix-released movie “The Devil All The filmed scenes in different angles Time”, a psychological thriller based on and gave the audience varying the book of the same name by Donald ways to interpret a scene visually, Ray Pollock. sometimes making them feel as The film follows the intertwined stoif they were actually in the scene ries of multiple characters after the end they were watching. of World War II all the way into the early Meanwhile, with plot elements, ‘60s. It mainly centers around a boy Campos incorporated narration named Arvin, played by Tom Holland, as a way to help the audience and his journey of witnessing the sins understand the story better. of others throughout his childhood and What’s interesting about this is adolescent years. that Pollock is the one that takes Other actors who take on lead roles in on this role. With this being the Courtesy The Devil All the Time Official Website this movie include: Bill Skarsgård, who case, there is reassurance to people who as his story progresses. Skarsgård also plays World War II veteran and Arvin’s have read the book that the movie stays executes the downward spiral Willard father Willard; Robert Pattinson, who at least somewhat true to the actual experiences towards the end of his story plays the newly-hired preacher, Presplot. as a clear and gradual effect, showing it ton Teagardin; Riley Keough and Jason The performances from the actors are in a way that the audience can underClarke, who play the serial-killer couple also worth mentioning when it comes to stand.

Sandy and Karl; and Sebastian Stan, who this movie.

Lastly, Robert Pattinson builds his plays the shady sheriff Lee Bodecker.

First, Tom Holland implements the character’s personality in the movie The movie deals with some heavy traits Willard passed onto Arvin well, admirably, especially when it comes themes such as war trauma, murder, showing exactly what kind of impact the to transforming into an untrustworthy and suicide, using them as reasons father had on his son and how it affected figure in power. either to explain why people sin or what Arvin as a teenager.

Pattison makes sure to act with a specan happen in result of doing sinful acts.

Also, by pulling off a lead role in a cific style and accent for his character, It also takes on a big theme regarding much darker and mature movie, Holland making the audience feel a certain way religion, particularly the strong beliefs proves that his acting goes beyond the whenever he comes onto the screen. characters Willard and Roy, played by bright, family-friendly roles everyone If you are not a fan of watching graphic Harry Melling, commit to until the end knows him for, such as Spiderman from acts of crime or dealing with heavier of their lives. the Marvel Franchise and Ian Lightfoot themes, this movie may not be for you.

“The Devil All The Time” also touches from “Onward”.

However, if you’re looking for someon the effects the past can have on a Secondly, despite only being featured thing that will be stuck in your head for person and who they become, as well in the first half, Bill Skarsgård does a days or a thriller that will keep your eyes as how people in an authority position, good job portraying his role of Willard hooked to your TV screen, “The Devil All particularly men, can take advantage of especially in terms of showing how The Time” is the way to go. their power and abuse it. much his war trauma he experiences Stan and Pattinson’s characters are the

A

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a&e Black Panther

Iconic hero passes away

Chadwick Boseman passes away at 43

C

By Jacey Sola

hadwick Boseman, known for his roles as King T’challa in “Black Panther,” Jackie Robinson in “42,” and Marshall in “Da 5 Bloods,” passed away on Aug. 28 at the age of 43. Boseman has been battling colon cancer since 2016.

He died in his home in Los Angeles with his wife and family by his side.

Boseman was born in South Carolina and graduated from Howard University.

He had many small roles in television before his breakout role as Jackie Robinson in the movie “42.” He became a global icon and an inspiring symbol of black power in Marvel’s movie, “Black Panther.” Boseman passed away on the same day that the life of Jackie Robinson, who was Boseman’s first big role, is honored and remembered in Major League Baseball.

Fellow celebrities took to Twitter expressing their despair and shock.

According to BBC News, Former President Barack Obama described Boseman as being “blessed” and also said, “to be young, gifted and black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain-

(CC BY-SA 2.0)

Boseman at the 2017 Comic-Con

were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning.

Lord love ya. Rest in power, King.”

Boseman’s family also took to social media expressing their sorrows saying, “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much.”

A stunning mural of Boseman doing the famous “Wakanda Forever” sign alongside a St. Judes children’s cancer “The struggles along the way patient was painted in the Downtown are only meant to shape you Disneyland district to pay tribute to the selfless person Boseman was. In addifor your purpose.” tion, fans held a candlelight vigil in Los -Chadwick Boseman Angeles on Aug. 29. Many fans held up pictures and signs of Chadwick as Black Panther. A memorial also stands with what [honorable] use of his years.”

Fellow Marvel star Mark Ruffulo also flowers, candles, and photos of Boseman at Howard University, where he took to Twitter saying, “What a man, and what immense talent. Brother, you had attended as a student. Fans from

all over the world have expressed their condolences and honor Boseman’s life and career.

In Boseman’s 2019 Screen Actors Guild Award speech he said, “We know what it’s like to be told there isn’t a screen for you to be featured on, a stage for you to be featured on. We know what [it’s] like to be beneath and not above. And that is what we went to work with every day. We knew that we could create a world that exemplified a world we wanted to see. We knew that we had something to give.”

Through thwe role of Black Panther, Boseman inspired many kids and fans from all over the world to step up and to be heroes in their everyday lives.

Chadwick Boseman will always be remembered as the Black Panther, a global icon who strived to spread global positivity. huntleyvoice.com • 21

humans of

Rashawn Walker • government worker “I would just like to change how divisive the world is. I chose this job because I like working with people of all different socioeconomic backgrounds, and I believe in giving people another chance.”

interviewed by Jonny Hani | photographed by Sydney Laput 22 • the voice october 9 2020

HUNTLEY “I believe as a psychologist, you need to have a strong family and a good, strong base at home so you can bring your full attention to work.”

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courtesy of Todd Lendvay | interviewed by Jonny Hani huntleyvoice.com • 23

a&e romance

Best movies for a hopeless romantic Films guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat

M

By Molly Baker

ovies have the power to unlock many different emotions. I refuse to watch a movie that causes me to leave the theater in horror. I choose to watch movies that follow the lives of individuals who are madly in love with each other.

For people like myself I believe this has led us to mimic the lives of these individuals. Romance movies allow us to see “true love” and makes us envious of it. Because of this I have definitely turned into a hopeless romantic.

I want the true love that movies talk about, but for now I will have to stick to watching it through the screen.

If you too are a hopeless romantic, you probably have your go to a list of romance movies. Here are a few of my favorites.

In “Pride and Prejudice,” adapted from Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, we follow the life of Elizabeth Bennet, and her love story that comes with it.

Elizabeth is the oldest in her family, and refuses to marry the men her mother attempts to set her up with.

That changes when she meets Mr. Darcy.

Throughout the movie we follow their on again, off again romance, ultimately leading them to end up together. This movie evokes so much emotion from the viewer. As you watch, Mr. Darcy chase after Elizabeth for years, all you want is for them to get together. When it finally happens it makes the story so much more.

The final scene will forever go down as one the most romantic scenes for romance movies.

Elizabeth states, “you may only call me Mrs. Darcy… when you are com24 • the voice october 9 2020

(CC BY 2.0)

pletely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy.”

To where Mr. Darcy repetes, “Mrs. Darcy… Mrs. Darcy.. Mrs Darcy.”

The love between the two characters is something to be envious of. We all want to have the feeling of true love forever, and you will get that in this movie.

“Call Me by Your Name” is by far one of the best movies to date. Adapted from André Aciman’s novel, it tells the story of 17-year-old Elio Perlman, and his love romance with college student Oliver. The movie shows their interactions with each other throughout the summer, and how they came to love each other.

The movie is art within itself. It showcases many beautiful scenes of Northern Italy, but also the beauty of the characters. Oliver comes across as a cocky college student, but when he is with Elio, the best part of himself comes out. The same can be said for Elio. When both of them are together you can feel the love they have for each other.

Although this is a great movie for a

(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

hopeless romantic, it will break your heart. The final scene is by far the most heartbreaking scene of the whole movie.

It shows how Elio is doing the winter after Oliver left, to go back to college.

Elio hears devastating news from Oliver, and the scene ends with Elio in tears sitting by the fireplace. As the tears stream down his face you will start to tear up as well. With the featured song “Visions of Gideon” playing in the movie you will never forget this scene.

By far this is one of the best movies of all time, but for a hopeless romantic it will leave you questioning the characters, and wanting to watch the movie again.

If you are a hopeless romantic, you must check out these two movies.

They will break your heart, but also show you what true love is. From Elio and Olivers heart breakin romance, to Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s happily ever after; when you are done watching both you will for sure be planning your own fairytale ending.

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For that reason she has not really warmed up to anyone and as a result has been at the shelter for about 15 years.

“My favorite thing about working with dogs and cats is how rewarding the work is,” Corrievau said.

“It gives me a sense of purpose in life, so getting to work with the dogs every day, and getting to see my favorites go home to their new families is really what I live for.” huntleyvoice.com • 25

a&e netflix series

The Karate Kid legacy overview Cobra Kai Netflix series explained

F

By Brenden Boyle ollowing the victory of Daniel Larusso v. Johnny Lawrence in the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, Lawrence threw his life away. The season starts off with him lying in his one story apartment, face down with a beer can in his hand.

It is clear his living situation is not the best. On the other hand, Daniel Larusso owns the biggest car dealership in town, and is doing very well. He also has two kids and a wife, while Lawrence is alone.

Miguel Diaz, a new kid in town, moves next door to Lawrence. Diaz is a very shy boy, and does not have many friends.

One day, while Lawrence is eating dinner at the gas station, he sees Diaz being beaten up by a bunch of teenage bullies.

The bullies then threaten Lawrence, and

he beats up all three of them. Diaz was very thankful for what he did, and wants to learn karate.

Lawrence decides to open up Cobra Kai again, an old dojo that was known for their violent tactics and harsh learning styles.

Their well known motto is “Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.” Meanwhile, Larusso sees the dojo, and he starts to form another dojo, called Miyagi-Do, known for their calming and peaceful tactics and only using karate for self defense.

The two continue to recruit more students. A key student to Miyagi-Do is Robby Keene, Lawrence’s son, who does not live with him anymore. Larusso does not know that Robby is related to Johnny; until, one day, he finds out and completely blocks Robby out of his life.

However, Robby and Cobra Kai fight in the All-Valley tournament once again.

Cobra Kai fights dirty, while Robby fights with basic karate techniques. It all comes

down to the final, Miguel Diaz vs. Robby.

In the final moments of the season, while Miguel and Sensei Lawrence are celebrating their victory at the Dojo, John Kreese walks in the door, who was Johnny Lawrence’s old Sensei. John Kreese used to abuse Johnny for losing the tournament and tore him apart as a person. The season ends right as John Kreese walks in, which is a big deal leading to the next season.

Personally, I would rate Season 1 as a 9/10. I love how they continued the legacy of Karate Kid, while at the same time making it very different and unique.

IMDb has rated it an 8.7/10, while Rotten Tomatoes has rated it 94%, making it a very high rated TV show.

Cobra Kai is out now on Netflix and YouTube Red, the two seasons consist of 10 episodes each. I highly recommend this TV show to anyone who has watched the original Karate Kid, or if you are just looking for a TV show with lots of action and drama.

Courtesy of nbcnews media Characters Lawrence and Larusso engage in a staredown.

26 • the voice october 9 2020

feature Link Crew

Leading through change Riley Flickinger takes charge in Link Crew program

A

By Maggie Kirwin s the clock ticks closer to 7:30 a.m., tired faces fill senior Riley Flickinger’s screen. Music plays faintly in the background, but all Flickinger can focus on is saying the right thing so that the underclassmen like her. The bell rings and the last few groggy teens come into the Zoom meeting. It is her first day of Link Crew of the new school year, and she is ready to start this unpredictable year right.

Riley Flickinger is a commissioner and leader in Huntley High School’s Link Crew. After her freshman year, she knew that she wanted to take part in the organization.

“I really wanted to be a Link Crew Leader because I wanted to help the freshmen. I didn’t really [have a good experience] with my leaders, and I feel like that made my freshmen year a bit odd,” Flickinger said.

Flickinger was determined to grow connections with her students. Her biggest challenge was finding a happy medium between being there for them, but still having some authority.

According to Flickinger, the freshmen are not going to want to listen to another teacher; she had to find ways to focus on relating to the underclassmen, but still make sure she goes over the lessons.

One of Flickinger’s favorite things about Link Crew is the connections she gets to make with her freshmen class Right before Spring Break last year, Flickinger was able to see what connections she made, and how much she meant to her class.

“At the end of the year party that we

threw for the freshmen, they all seemed genuinely upset that Link Crew was ending, and that touched my heart. We had a really good relationship with our group last year, so I was really touched when they actually were upset that we weren’t going to be coming in anymore,” Flickinger said.

However, this year, things have changed. With school fully online, Link Crew also had to make some adjustments including getting rid of lessons that only worked in person, and adding new ones about Zoom etiquette. Flickinger’s Link Crew Advisor, Angela Zaleski, said that each year has its difficulties and that this year has been the same,

“I think part of what makes her a good leader is that she’s good at taking advice on how to be a leader.”

Angela Zaleski

just a little different.

For Flickinger, she was concerned about the freshmen not wanting to participate. Being online makes it harder for the leaders to communicate with the freshmen in a group setting because they are usually on mute. Since her favorite thing about Link Crew was building relationships, Flickinger has tried to find a better way to connect with her group.

“I was feeling worried about it because with Link Crew, it’s not necessarily a class, so I was feeling that people were going to be unmotivated. I was a little on edge when I first started, but as we keep going I’m feeling a little better with it. I feel like very slowly they’re opening up just a little bit,” Flickinger said.

Besides breakout rooms, Flickinger has also been running the official Link Crew

A. Hoglind Flickinger hard at work with her Link Crew kids.

Instagram to connect with the underclassmen. Flickinger volunteered to put up themed posts such as Teacher Tuesday, Link Crew Leader Wednesday, and Freshmen Friday Feature on Instagram.

By stepping up to do this as a commissioner, Flickinger was able to showcase her ability to take charge.

“I think part of what makes her a good leader is that she’s good at taking advice on how to be a leader. When we are in our training sessions, I think she perseveres because it’s not always easy to motivate other people no matter what you do,” Zaleski said.

Flickinger has been able to impact new Link Crew leaders as well. One of her fellow leaders, Mia Simons, has really looked up to Flickinger this year.

“She has been a role model because she really cares about what she is doing and always wants it to be the best that it can be. She also always goes above and beyond with Link Crew,” Simons said.

If being a Link Crew leader has taught Flickinger anything, it’s that she truly cares about helping people out.

“It makes me feel like a mentor, [and] I’m there for advice or just for other people in general,” Flickinger said. huntleyvoice.com • 27

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feature music class

Music department on mute Making the most out of music class Zoom

students to get to know their teachers while also accomplishing what needs to be done in class.

There are 39 students in treble choir;

By Lauren Schmidt however, the majority of those students are freshmen. Bieber feels like it is hard etting up her laptop at her to get to know the freshmen over zoom, desk, she plugs in the power, audio, and keyboard. Then, she although in Bel-Canto, an auditioned chorus, there are only 13 students. This sits down in her chair on the other side of the desk. She turns on her gives her more opportunites to get to know them. The Bel-Canto students are microphone and piano. Her phone is doing an arrangement of a modern song sitting next to her in case she gets any and are going to perform virtually. emails about students experiencing “Because expectations were taken network issues with Zoom. Lastly, she away we were able to explore what we opens up Zoom to start a day of choir wanted to do,” Bieber said. class, online. Alexandria Bieber, the There is going to be leniency when choir director at Huntley High School, as well as other teachers involved in the they are going to have virtual concerts, which makes it helpful for students music department go through these to practice enough before they persteps daily. form. Bieber’s goal for the class during “The entire world has changed, so e-learning is “to create independent muI am trying to keep as many things sicians” and during this time she wants within my classroom the same,” Bieber students to appreciate and create music said. on their own time.

She has many activities throughA junior choir student, Marissa Mikuout the week that keep her students tis, has been having an interesting expeengaged such as #MindfulMonday. She rience when adjusting to the change. gives students different opportunities “We are all in this together, but in a such as mediations and coloring books way it’s kinda scary,” she said. because she understands that e-learning Students have never experienced and school can have a negative impact anything like this, so students and many on a person’s mentality. Some of these others are trying their best to make activities are ways that she can commuzoom their new normal. nicate with the students and see if they “Everyone is in the same boat,” she need help. said by explaining that no one is necesEveryone in the class is working on sarily struggling with this change, but their choir music and solos. The solos are adjusting. are a way to show the students’ singular Bieber has made sure her class has voice, because during class they have to the same energy as previous years. stay on mute when singing.

“She still makes it feel like it’s going to “I am struggling because I am not getbe okay...we are always sharing stories ting the positives..you don’t get all the and catching up on everyone,” Mikutis fun things,” Bieber said. said.

Student’s are struggling with organiza“It is a change for them and they are tion, according to Bieber. having a hard time getting used to the “Students have to be self-advocates, change,” Kevin Krivosik said, a band so if something is going wrong and you teacher at the school. don’t tell me I will never know,” Bieber In the classroom he wants to create a said. safe haven and make sure students are There is a lot of accountability on

S

S. Bazewski Krivosik plays the French horn on Zoom. comfortable when creating music. He has spent time organizing how they are going to be operating this year, and sacrifices they have to make. Just like all the other music classes, they are on mute when playing their instruments.

According to Krivosik, all concerts have also been postponed, but it is important to showcase all students’ work and their slight improvements. He wants to do everything he can to make sure that students are engaged.

“At the end of the day I just want them to advocate for music and to show others how important it is,” he said.

A junior band student at Huntley High School, Eli Gallaugher is adjusting to these new changes as well. ”You really can’t hold anyone accountable, and if they don’t want to play, they have the option not to.. but Krivosik has given us Smart Music assignments and it grades you on the notes and the rhythms which is good because it shows that people are actually doing a good job,” he said.

Many students miss coming together to make music.

“The playing is such a big component for me and I miss it a lot,” Gallaugher said.

Even with the covid-19 outbreak the music department is still managing to find ways for students to stay engaged.

Music classes are supposed to feel like

see MUSIC page 35

huntleyvoice.com • 29

feature police

Police officers speak up Local police officers speak on controversial topics

The sergeant believes that the media gives a poor perspective on both ends.

“Whether you’re pro police, whether you’re anti police, whether you’re a Democrat, whether you’re a RepubliBy Parker Amato can, you have to do your own research ver the past few months before you have formulated an eduthere has been a lot of cated opinion,” Burzynski said. controversy in regard to “We just need to learn how to talk law enforcement. Police to each other again. When I was growbrutality has been a huge issue and ing up, I could have a differing opinion people have made it clear that enough than you do, but that doesn’t mean is enough.

I hate you and somewhere down the You have most likely heard the term line we lost that. Now people are like ‘ACAB’ which is a derogatory acronym if that person doesn’t think the same that stands for, “all cops are bad.” Are way I do I can’t be friends with them all cops really bad, though? Officers and I have to hate them,” Burzynski are being torn apart across the nation said. and local officers have a lot to say about this substantial issue.

“They hate the uniform more than “I think society has lost the the person behind it, because they don’t know the person behind it,” said morals of the way people should act towards each Sargent Jason Burzynski, a 20-year first responder of the Algonquin Police other...”

Department.

Jason Lira Burzynski has a serious passion for what he does and all he asks is that people see both sides.

He also believes that the media and “I just wish... that people would stop news portray stories that are purposetreating all police officers the same. ly against the police.

To be honest I would say it hurts to a “If we had a better portrayal in the point because I know so many police media and more positive stories I officers who don’t live up to that saythink people would have a more posiing. I’ve seen the best in people and tive outlook on police,” Burzynski said. the officers I work with. I’m not going However, when it comes to the to lie, there are bad officers out there, more gruesome cases, such as the just like there are bad people in any George Floyd case, he was absolutely particular profession,” Burzynski said. shocked.

He is open to having a nationwide “Based on just the video, it was hard conversation in order to help stop to watch. I don’t think there are many police brutality. police officers who saw that video and “I would wear a body cam any day of thought it was right,” Burzynski said. the week because I don’t do anything “Personally I would never kneel on wrong. I wouldn’t be afraid of being someone’s neck like that there are captured on camera doing anything,” many other ways of controlling someBurzynski said. one especially if you have more than

O

30 • the voice october 9 2020

one person,” said Burzysnki.

Six year Huntley Police Officer, Brock Larkin, has a lot to say on this subject.

“For me personally, I could care less what race you are. I base it off of actual criminal behavior; if you did something wrong then this is what the consequence is,” Larkin said.

“I don’t feel anything from the term ‘ACAB,’ I could care less about people’s opinions who feel that way. If that’s their opinion, that’s their opinion.

That’s fine; it doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t change how I feel or the way I do my job,” Larkin said.

He believes that we can prevent police brutality if officers are better trained.

“I think more frequent and better training is the key in order to get better cops on the street,” Larkin said.

“More training creates more confidence in dealing with certain things too,” Larkin said.

He thinks that mutual respect and time are ways to stop the issue at hand.

“It’s building some type of mutual respect over time and interaction, that’s what it takes. You can’t change some peoples’ minds and others you can, it just takes time,” Larkin said.

He believes that if the police are defunded and can no longer afford proper training the quality of the police officers will decline.

“When you take away resources and training, good cops might not want to do their job anymore because they feel like they aren’t properly backed or trained to take care of certain situations,” Larkin said.

He is confident that many people still support and respect police officers.

“We know that a majority of people support police and law enforcement.

If you took law enforcement away

the entire town would turn criminal,” Larkin said.

“It’s another one of those things where you just have to do what you can with time and effort on both ends, and try to come to some type of resolution without all of the criminal behavior,” Larkin said.

He was also horrified by the George Floyd situation.

“I dont think theres anyone who watched the George Floyd video and agreed to the officers' behavior, I don’t think any good hearted police officer can look at that video and say that him kneeling on someone that long was necessary,” Larkin said.

20-year Lake in the Hills Police Officer Jason Lira also voiced his opinion on the controversial topic.

“In my personal and professional life I don’t see people by race, I see you for you and would only see you differently by your actions,” Lira said. “‘ACAB’ honestly doesn’t make me feel anything, I feel that everybody can have an opinion but an opinion is just an opinion, unfortunately. I feel people don’t see us as for who we are as people, just what we are while in uniform.”

He believes that local police departments can do a lot to make the community feel united.

“I feel that community policing is a way to allow people to be included and be a part of local police departments to show that everything that we do isn’t always negative and to be a part of something better,” Lira said.

He also believes that if the departments were more open with the community, the public would have a better relationship with the police.

“I think transparency within the police department to the public can make the citizens feel more comfortable when events occur so they don’t feel like anything is being hidden. This allows the police department to gain the trust of the community,” Lira said.

Lastly, Lira believes that society plays a huge factor in the way people view the police.

“I think as a whole there are a ton of people who still respect the police.

I feel that it’s a disrespect for people in general, not just officers. I think society has lost the morals of the way people should act towards each other and it’s too convenient for people to act negatively towards everyone at times,” Lira said.

He hopes to see change within the community and the police department.

feature police

All of three of the officers from the Algonquin, Huntley, and Lake in the Hills Police Departments believe that there need to be change. They can all agree that better and more frequent training can help get more educated and prepared officers on the street.

The officers also believe that respect is a mutual thing; it needs to come from within the community and the police department in order to resolve the divide.

“Police are willing to do whatever we can to show people that we are here to help,”Burzynski said.

Sargent Burzynski in uniform.

S. Laput

huntleyvoice.com • 31

feature career

Entertainment reporter path Alanna Harbeck on her college career

A

By Sophia Coronado

s she waits in line to report for her next assignment, Elgin resident Alanna Harbeck looks around.

A line of fellow college-level reporters wait behind her in a single file line.

The air is stuffy and hot, not what she’d expect from the setting of a 5-star hotel.

Her eyes rest on the studio worker directing the reporters, a man with a clipboard that calls on each reporter when it is their turn to interview.

In the room where Reese Witherspoon sits, waiting for her next 3-minute interview, two camera crews were set up; one behind the spot where reporters sit, and one behind Reese. Witherspoon had her own assistant, as well as a makeup artist who constantly touched up her makeup.

“It was a little less glamorous than I thought it would be,” Harbeck said.

Throughout high school, Harbeck’s favorite classes were Spanish and Debate but her long term dream was to be an entertainment reporter, similar to Nancy O’Dell on Access Hollywood.

For her freshman year of college, Harbeck attended Northern Arizona University, but because they did not offer journalism as a major, she went broadly for communication.

Following her first year of college, Harbeck decided that she wanted to pursue broadcast journalism, and transferred to Columbia College in Chicago where she finished schooling and earned her degree in broadcast journalism.

Columbia College had a small entertainment news program where all broadcast journalism students got to take turns doing a package, sparking Harbeck’s interest in entertainment reporting.

While still attending, she received an

32 • the voice october 9 2020

internship for a publicity and promotions company in Chicago where she and other reporters would help promote movies for local studios.

One of the studios that her company represented, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, had requested that some college reporters attend one of their press junkets in Los Angeles. Having been invited to attend, Harbeck took the opportunity to experience authentic and action-packed reporting.

“It was exactly what I dreamed of doing,” Harbeck said.

The representative from MGM in Los Angeles liked both Harbeck and another student, resulting in multiple invitations to different press junkets. Harbeck continued to go to the junkets for a year to cover a variety of different actors for different films.

“It was an exact taste of what I thought I wanted to do,” Harbeck said.

“But, I ended up changing my mind after I experienced it all.”

Actors and directors attended from each film being promoted. With everyone set up in a hotel and a camera constantly on the interviewee, the reporters were allowed 3 minutes to interview their person before the next reporter would be up. After the interview, the reporter would be given a tape of their meeting, which they were held responsible for editing into a package for the college news, ultimately promoting the film for the college-student-audience.

The celebrities that Harbeck interviewed include the following: Reese Witherspoon, Julia Stiles, Bob Newhart, Selma Blair, Dakota Fanning, Brittany Murphy, Mandy Moore, Regina King, Matthew Goode, Donald Falson, Jennifer Coolidge, and many more.

One of Harbeck’s proudest moments as an entertainment reporter was her opportunity to interview Reese Witherspoon for “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde” in London. Because Witherspoon was pregnant at the time, she

S. Laput Harbeck ponders her past. was unable to travel to LA and instead, all of the college reporters were sent to London. The Dorchester Hotel served as the setting for the interview, yet despite the famous location, she remembers the set up as being very stressful.

Upon interviewing another actress, Julia Stiles, Harbeck found that not every celebrity was a breeze to interview.

Harbeck referred to the film “A Guy Thing” that she was interviewing Stiles for, as a romantic comedy. She remembers Stiles rudely correcting her. One of her comments went along the lines of “I wouldn’t exactly call it a romantic comedy, it was a slap shot film,” Harbeck said.

“Uncooperative was a nice way of saying it,” Harbeck said.

She found the interview to be very awkward and unpleasant, although she is thankful for Stiles’ willingness to answer questions.

Looking back, one of Harbeck’s only regrets was not asking for as much help.

Despite the fact that she discontinued reporting after college, Harbeck has accomplished lots in her entertainment reporting career.

feature freshmen

Freshmen’s first year of high school goes virtual How the Freshman Class is really doing

A

By Grace Helzer

cool fall breeze sends chills down adoring fans’ backs, leaving them shivering with goosebumps.

The lingering smell of fresh popcorn consumes the air. A relaxed, chilly fall night is quickly transformed into an energetic evening as the crowd roars with excitement as a touchdown is scored for Huntley High School.

Cheerleaders begin shouting celebratory chants as Raider Nation follows instinctively. For freshman Ava Woo, this was supposed to be a typical Friday night. Woo was one of the select few that made varsity cheer her freshman year, but due to COVID-19, this profound achievement has been put on hold.

Woo started her cheerleading career at age 6, “making varsity cheer has been a goal of mine since I started [about eight years ago],” Woo said.

Another one of the few freshmen to make varsity, Sophie Thompson, voiced her opinion on COVID-19’s impact on her cheerleading experience.

“COVID has made it tough to cheer.

It’s really limited what we can and can’t do this season,” Thompson said.

“Making varsity cheer has been a goal of mine for the last few years, I was excited to finally have an opportunity to try out. I just wish COVID wasn’t a thing so me and my other freshman teammates could have the full varsity cheer experience,” Thompson said.

However, making varsity cheer their freshman year was not the only thing Woo and Thompson lost to COVID this year.

Both freshmen, along with their entire class, lost their very first Home-

A. Hoglind Ava Woo practices with the cheerleaders in the field house. coming. “I was really looking forward to Homecoming, going with all my friends,” Woo said.

Sophomore Hannah Hawkins still remembers her first Homecoming.

“I just really liked Homecoming week, everyone dressing up each day, then the game on Friday, and the dance the next day. It was all just so much fun,” Hawkins said.

Freshman Lucas Crosby expressed his displeasement with how things are turning out his freshman year. “I think it’s sort-of unfair because other students got to experience more as a freshman then we got to,” Crosby said.

The first semester of high school is filled with memorable dances, Friday nights spent under stadium lights, and the anticipation of a new school year.

Not only did the freshman class lose a handful of significant memories that upperclassmen still look back on to this day, some students are even struggling with adjusting to the change in learning.

“I’m struggling with getting extra help from teachers,” Crosby said. This

issue is a recurring theme in the new teaching system as other students are having the same problems.

“Because of remote learning, I feel like I just don’t have a connection with my teachers, so it’s hard to feel comfortable to ask for help,” Woo said.

Sophie Thomspson also found it difficult to adjust to remote learning.

“I find it challenging to have a real connection with teachers over zoom,” Thompson said.

Despite all of the things that the freshman class has lost, some still tend to look on the bright side.

“I like being home, but I miss my friends, seeing them everyday. Remote learning is a struggle, but it’s not impossible,” Woo said.

“I’m keeping my grades up well, but I still wish we were in school,” Thompson said.

Granted the Class of 2024 could not enjoy many of the things freshman year entails, some are keeping their heads held high and trying to make the best of a tough situation. huntleyvoice.com • 33

feature mental health

The invisible pandemic The first week of September focuses on a serious issue

T

By Brooke Helle he sprint to find a cure for this deadly disease is ongoing. Around 132 lives are lost every day in the United States alone.

The pandemic that very nearly took 1.4 million lives is not COVID-19. The pandemic threatening millions is suicide.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there have been 1.4 million attempts with 48,344 recorded deaths from 2018, making it the 10th leading cause of death. It could be your brother. It could be your best friend, your neighbor, your grandma. It even could be you.

Sept.6 to Sept. 12 is unknown by so many, but it holds immense importance as it is the week dedicated for suicide prevention. 10th -12th grade school counselor Julie Atchley, tries to spread this week’s importance.

“It really is created to raise awareness and to show our society that this isn’t something to hide or that is wrong. This is a real thing that goes on for individuals of all ages. It’s not something to be ashamed of. Whatever the thoughts may be, it does not make you abnormal,” Athcley said.

Like any physical ailments, mental ailments show symptoms and can be treated. Although they are invisible, suicidal thoughts are as serious as any illness you would go to the doctor for. Another 10th -12th grade counselor, Patricia Zacharias, likens parts of her job to a doctor. She, and all of the counselors, is equipped to look at symptoms and find a way to work out the problem.

Samantha Meinhart, another counselor for 10th -12th grade, advices being honest and talking with the person you 34 • the voice october 9 2020

think may be feeling suicidal. According to Meinhart, you should stay with the person until you know for sure they are safe. Listen to them and be kind. If it comes down to it, call 911.

“Your friend or family member may ask you not to tell anyone, but remember, a mad friend is better than a dead friend.

That sounds so blunt, but it’s true,” she said.

At the end of the day, you are not in the fight alone. Most people struggling are too scared to reach out, and it is our job as a loved one, to push them to that extra step.

“There is a lot of misinformation about what suicidal idealization is about and the best way to prevent it is to understand it..We typically are doing a variety of things throughout the school year to raise awareness and to prevent suicide.

We don’t see it as a September thing but as a twelve month thing because we know a lot of people struggle with this,” Zacharias said.

Both Zacharias and Atchley wanted to get a large point across to every student.

Counselors work in three realms including academic, social and emotion, or even college and career assistance.

According to Atchley, the thing that led her to become a counselor was when she taught music to children, and stayed with that same group of kids for five years. They seemed, at times, to yearn for assistance in life rather than music.

“With the families and the students I noticed they were talking to me about stuff that had nothing to do with band,” she said.

These students sought for advice from people they found comfort from. Zacharias and Atchley both are amazed by their students, since they learn as much as their students do.

“I really respect kids a lot and how resilient kids are. I’ll be talking to a kid and I’m thinking, how do they do this? And I see [their] strength and [their] wisdom,” Zacharias said. “I’m just in awe sometimes of students and I just really enjoy

S. Baczewski A student reflecting on her day. listening to them.”

Similarly, Atchley explained why she enjoys counseling so much. Students have an energizing aura that rubs off on those around them. They are valuable to the school and she works hard to make sure they are seen and heard.

Every counselor and social worker chose to assist kids, they want to help, asking for it does not bother them. They know life is difficult. Whatever to make students comfortable, even bringing friends in to chat, is perfectly fine.

As for the symptoms of suicidal thoughts, it is a buildup of emotions from a prolonged period of time. Even if it is just nerves for a class presentation, it can slowly progress into a more serious problem.

“It starts out in low levels of distress and builds upon itself. Symptoms of depression may be difficulties sleeping, with appetite, with concentrating, and if people don’t get relief quickly… you feel worse and worse,” Zacharias said.

All of the counselors and social workers are still there for students remotely and with a quick email, anyone can schedule

see SUICIDE page 35

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from MUSIC page 29

home by fulfilling students’ passions in music, but elearning has created a wall between students and teachers.

The department is very understanding with the difficult process of adapting to the new environment. The wonderful teachers are doing what they can during this grim time.

from SUICIDE page 34

a meeting. They know times are more hard than ever. A Google search for the HHS Counseling Department Haiku page provides multiple direct links to hotlines, information, and more.

1.4 million “It is a very big problem for young people. In my experience it seems to be getting more intense as the years have gone on. With students struggling with these levels of disparity and hopelessness, it kind of seems deeper to me than what I was seeing 20 years ago,” Atchley said.

1.4 million. huntleyvoice.com • 35

sports dance team

Dancing with all of her heart Junior Maddie Marino clinches her spot on the JV dance team

T

By Brooke Hamann

he newbie, the rookie, the underdog. Her middle-parted ponytail tied back in an effort to clear her face. The straggling baby hairs, peeking their way through the hair tie. Curtain-cut bangs, falling left and right with every movement, cutting through her line of focus.

Condensed beads of sweat begin to take shape below her hairline, from the lack of AC circulation.

A faint red seal upon the nose and two thin indentations across her cheekbones emerge as she readjusts her Raiders Dance surgical mask from its long-lasting rest over her face. Her brown eyes sparkle, catching every light in the room. After each move, the squints of her eyes, a ray of sunshine, replacing the smile that can’t be seen.

Her steps, ever so delicate, whereas to show her determination to move with purpose and grace.

After hours of gruesome conditioning and intense perfection of the new hip-hop routine, she grabbed her sling bag, snuck-in a quick water break, and quickly adjusted her mask. She exited through the athletic doors, out into the crisp autumn night, intentionally maintaining a safe distance away from her teammates.

Junior Maddie Marino is a new inductee to the Raider Dance Team here at Huntley this year. From the moment she was introduced to dance, she knew she was in for the long run. Although, it wasn’t dance that had initially sparked Marino’s interest.

“I actually used to do cheer. I start36 • the voice october 2020

ed [cheer] when I was 4 so I’ve been doing it for a really long time. This year though, I actually decided to quit,” Marino said.

“I started dancing two years ago. I was doing cheer at my gym one day and a dance coach came in. I would watch these girls dance when I would cheer and I was like, ‘oh my god, I’m gonna do that!”

Dance provided Marino an outlet as she noticed a struggle of her own to find the perfect extracurricular to express herself with.

“Because I’m a very loud, outgoing person, I feel like I’m really good at expressing and showing how I feel through dance. I feel like finally I have my own art form that I’m good at, that I can do, and that people will understand. I love using dance to talk to other girls that don’t feel as confident,”

“I have seen a lot of growth in Maddie’s dancing. With each new skill she learns, her confidence soars. It’s amazing to see how far she’s come.”

Arin Marino

Marino said.

Although nerverwacking, Marino tried out for the team and clinched a spot on JV for hip-hop choreography. Unlike her teammates, she started dancing just two years ago. For this reason, she was scared to think her skill would be no match for those of the other girls, who have been able to develop the tricks and technique over years and years of practice.

“Anything contemporary based, I have not done, except over quarantine. So, everyone is so far ahead of me because they’ve started since they were like 4.

It’s definitely a struggle because I get paired with the freshman a lot which is not a bad thing. But, it’s hard when you’re an upperclassmen and you’re supposed to be older and these younger girls have way more skills than you do,” Marino said.

Despite being a little behind her peers, Marino continues to see growth in her skill and as an individual each and every practice. “[Dance] has made me more of a leader. When I was in cheer, I was scared to speak up and now I feel like I’m more confident. I love teaching people! I love when people have the courage to be like, ‘I don’t know. Can you please show me?’,” Marino said.

With any sport, this year in particular caused many to question whether or not athletics would be allowed to practice due to covid. Luckily, IHSA announced the guidelines that teams would have to follow if they wanted to compete and practice.

“One thing that I would have to say is that we’re super cautious. Coach is so on top of it. We wear masks all the time, no touching whatsoever, our bags, that we keep our stuff in, even have to be separated and six feet apart,” Marino said.

“We keep yoga mats too and our yoga mat, that’s our spot, that’s where we stay. When we do warm-ups and stuff, we’re distanced and even when we walk outside, we have to walk single file, in a line, like you can’t touch.

Honestly though, we’re all lowkey kinda hopeful, you could say, like we’re actually having fun.”

In quarantine, the dance team started practices and was forced to have them over zoom, making it very difficult for newbies like Maddie to learn the technique and adjust.

“We learned everything over zoom, which was so hard learning choreography because it’s like, ‘ok, which way am

I going, which way am I facing?’, and then the music would cut out sometimes. They were super understanding about it and we would go over it so many times,” Marino said.

With practices three days a week and a varying schedule, Maddie is constantly trying to find the perfect balance between school and dance.

“It’s kind of a struggle but it’s literally time management. And you gotta put so much effort into it and it’s hard,” Marino said.

When it comes to conditioning for any sport, it’s quite difficult to keep up and stay in shape for games or competitions.

For Marino, it’s twice as hard. And, with a fast-pace sport like dance, it adds an extra weight onto her shoulders.

“I have a heart condition called Pots.

Pretty much, blood doesn’t circulate fast enough to the other parts of my body because my blood vessels are constricted so when I run, I lose feeling. Sometimes I black out, my heart pounds super fast. I had to quit cheering because of it. With lifting people, it was getting so bad, I would literally pass out after every performance.”

“I’ve had to tell Coach because a couple of times we’ve been dancing and I can’t feel my legs so I stumble and have to apologize because I can’t keep up.

They reassure me, ‘you don’t even have to tell us, just walk away, you’re good.’

They’ve actually been one of the most understanding coaches I’ve ever had,” Marino said.

Despite it all, Marino continues to give 110% each practice and her persistence is unlike any other.

“I feel like the only thing that’s put doubt in me is myself. Everyone for dance has been so supportive of me, like my coaches, my mom. Literally, my mom loves watching me dance! The biggest doubt is myself, I feel like I’m my worst enemy. I look at so many things to critique and change just to be better.”

Maddie looks past all of the negativ-

sports dance team

Photo creds S. Laput Maddie Marino practices in the field house. ity that goes along with the sport and acknowledges all of her supporters. She is more than thankful to have one in particular who rises above the rest.

“To an extent of unhealthiness is my mom. She is so into my dance business.

I will literally do anything and she will be like, ‘oh my gosh Maddie!’ She cries sometimes when I dance. Like, this woman literally cries. She’s my number one supporter,” Marino said.

Maddie’s determination correlates to family influence, specifically her mom who’s been by her side and her own cheerleader on the sidelines through the nerve wracking journey.

“I have seen a lot of growth in Maddie’s dancing. With each new skill she learns, her confidence soars. It’s amazing to see how far she’s come,” Arin Marino, Maddie’s mom said.

Along with her family supporters, Marino looks to her teammates for support and guidance as she is welcomed onto the team as a rookie.

“They’re honestly so nice. And they don’t judge. They’re hardcore definitely and they wanna push you. But I know it’s because they want this team to be as good as it can be. It definitely is a family and we definitely have a lot of fun,” Marino said.

Her teammates have also acknowledged Maddie as a team player when it comes to her dedication to the sport and her ability to always keep trying.

“No matter what, Maddie always is smiling! She is so kind hearted and always puts others first. I have seen Maddie grow as a person, as a dancer, and as a teammate. She has definitely shown her ability to try new things, and if it doesn’t work the first time she is trying it again,” teammate junior Cara Haugh said.

Her dedication, her positive attitude, and willingness to help others is what makes Maddie a prime example of a leader and an amazing new addition to the dance team. huntleyvoice.com • 37

sports tennis

Swinging her way to success

The classic tale of the underdog

T

By Ruhi Gulati

he scolding, bright sun beats down on her back.

Scattered cheers echo through the tense air, but for her, the entire court is silent. Her ears and eyes are trained on the tennis ball and the tennis ball only.

She and her partner are up 6-5 in the second set, with only one more game left to go. The score is 30-30.

Her pounding heart beats so fast that it could explode out of her chest.

Adrenaline races through her veins and energy spreads like a wildfire throughout her body as she slams into the ball, winning the point.

40-30. Match point.

Her body is so tense now and everyone surrounding her freezes, as if her shuffling feet are the only movement in the entire world. With each shot, her chest tightens.

But in just one single moment, her whole world changes. The second her opponent whacks the ball into the net, time resumes immediately and the crowd erupts in cheers. All of the air leaves her body, and relief starts flooding in.

The set is over. Huntley High School’s 1 Doubles defeats Jacobs, the best team in the Fox Valley Conference.

It’s a classic story about the underdog reaching the impossible. Except in this case, the underdog’s unique story allows her to make her goals possible.

Michelle Barnvos’s journey began during her freshman year of high school, in which she played 3 Singles on varsity. Although she had been participating in group tennis lessons for only a year, she deserved that spot on the varsity team. She fought tooth and

38 • the voice october 9 2020

S. Laput Senior Michelle Barnvos concentrates during a match. nail, defeating her older sister, Gabbi, in an intense challenge match.

Even though the Barnvos sisters were in an extreme sibling rivalry, they were also best friends off the court. In fact, Gabbi was her only friend on the team and the shy, younger Barnvos sister would often cling to her during practice. Without her sister, Barnvos felt isolated from the team.

In a field of indigenious daisies, she was the scrubby, little shrub, growing all alone in a tiny patch in the corner.

Once, on the way to a tournament, Barnvos sat all alone in the back of the bus, while her teammates sat in the front laughing and conversing with each other for the whole hour-long ride.

This was a common scene for Barnvos. Always too afraid to approach her teammates, Barnvos felt she couldn’t play at their level.

“I didn’t really hit as hard as them or move across the court as well as they did,” Barnvos said.

Barnvos’s technique was not the best, but her shots always went in. Her

consistency and strategy to hit the ball back one more time took her far in the season, and she ended up placing second in the Fox Valley Conference tournament for 3 Singles.

“I was really proud of myself. I ended up getting blown out of the water for the third set but that didn’t deter me from coming back. It made me more hungry to come back the next year and play better and get a better position on the team.”

Barnvos used the off season to take more lessons and practice more with her family. Even during her track season, she still focused on improving her game.

“She can be at the gym three times a day; she can play with three different people if you let her, and then go to a cardio class. She won’t stop. She saw that if she worked hard toward something, she improved. She saw results from her efforts, so that just made her work harder. She just wanted to be the best that she can be,” Barnvos’s mom said.

After all of the hard work she put in

over the off season, she earned the 1 Doubles spot and was easily one of the best players on the team. Although she was nervous about playing in a high position for the first time in her life, Barnvos’s partner, senior Riley Conradt, helped her through her fears. Conradt held the key to Barnvos’s confidence and unlocked the gate to her inner beast.

By the end of the season, she was a monster on the court. Finally, Barnvos discovered her potential and left her old, timid self behind.

“My doubles partner sophomore year broke me out of my shell. The intensity that I keep carrying on now is because of her.” Barnvos said.

When Conradt graduated, along with several other varsity players, Barnvos was left with an entirely new team in desperate need of a leader. The young, freshman Barnvos that sat at the back of the bus would never have been able to rise to the role of a leader, but junior Barnvos was different.

By connecting with her teammates and her new doubles partner, Kylie Phommasack, she provided her team with a role model to look up to and a friend to count on.

“I really love her. She’s such a great partner. We’ve really bonded well together,” Phommasack said.

However, their journey was not always smooth sailing and hit several bumps along the way. In the beginning, no rope connected the two girls together and they moved as two separate units, instead of one.

Confidence was the key to their success. In the summer between Barnvos’s junior and senior year, their confidence as a team skyrocketed as they began to practice every single morning together with Phomosack’s dad.

Now, after defeating Jacobs, Barnvos and Phommasack are the best doubles team in the conference and have a remarkably high chance of qualifying for state.

sports tennis

S. Laput Overhead hit made by Barnvos at the Huntley invite.

Unfortunately for Barnvos, the IHSA state tournament is cancelled, destroying her ability to reach her ultimate goal. However, high school tennis was never about qualifying for a tournament.

Tennis was about breaking down Barnvos’s dam of insecurities and allowing waves of confidence to rush

through. Tennis allowed Barnvos to finally own her past insecurities, like her height, and use them to her advantage.

“Freshman year, I had no confidence.

If someone was more confident than me, I would crumble under the pressure. But now, when someone is better than me, I step up and play just as they do,” Barnvos said. huntleyvoice.com • 39

sports golf

The Locascio brothers What is it really like to be on the same JV golf team as your brother?

G

By Trevor Book

olf is a game of misses; you will not always be perfect. If you do not believe me, just watch the pros on TV. They make mistakes too, but they get paid thousands upon thousands of dollars, so they can afford to make a mistake, even an embarrassing one.

As a golfer, you have to shoot low scores to do well.

To shoot low scores, you have to make birdies and pars, a birdie gets you one under and a par is even.

There are other terms such as “eagle” which is two under, a “bogey” which is one over, and a “double” which is two over.

At times, golf can be a team sport and it is a player’s job to help their teammates by doing their absolute best. At Huntley High School, there are two brothers on the JV team, Sam and Jackson Locascio.

I wondered what it was like to play on the same team as your brother, so I discovered how they like golf.

“I started playing golf when I was 5 years old [but] I really got into playing golf when I was 12 years old,” Jackson said.

“I lived in Florida for four years and I would just play [golf] with my dad [who got me into the game] for fun. We moved back here, I got into football, so I played football from when I moved here to when I was a freshman, but a few years before I stopped playing, I started to get into golf thinking it’s what I wanted to do

40 • the voice october 9 2020

laput S.s.Laput Jackson Locascio looks into sun, following the ball. in high school.”

I wanted to know what his go to club was and he said, “[it’s] usually the 7-Iron. That being said, if you are in the trees, I am punching out with a 7-Iron. I am getting them through the trees onto the green hopefully. In the fairway, 165,170 [yards out], I am pull-

“Tiger Woods definitely taught me a lot about golf, just by watching him. Rory McIlroy taught me the same thing, about watching him and just learning a lot about his swing.”

Sam Locascio

ing out a 7-Iron, sometimes I will pull it out on a par 3 if I don’t feel confident with my driver or my woods.”

I learned a lot of things from Jackson that I never knew, so after speak-

S. Laput

ing with Jackson, I could not wait to hear Sam’s thoughts. I later spoke with Sam, talked about the same things.

“I was like 3 or 4 years old {when I started playing golf],” Sam said. “My dad and my brother [got me into the game].”

I wanted to know if Sam had any favorite golfers, “Probably Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy [because] Tiger Woods, definitely taught me a lot about golf, just by watching him, then Rory, [he taught me the] same thing, about watching him and just learning a lot about his swing. [What} I learned a couple weeks ago from Tiger, about his wedges, [is] just slow your hands down through the ball from like 40 yards out and then Rory, it’s really just about the swing and hips.”

After hearing some great things about them separately, I decided to speak with both of them, get some friendly competition between both of them and learn things that might inspire any person in a sport. I want-

sports golf

it is pretty cool to have your brother on the same team as you,” Jackson said.

“Yeah, it is definitely convenient having him [Jackson] on the team and definitely for our parents because they would only have to drop us off once and pick us up once and it is really fun having him on the team because I’ll know he’ll help me whenever I need it,” Sam said.

“If we are playing together, we’ll help each other out all the time, but when the opportunity is given, then we definitely try to help each other out,” Jackson said.

I wanted to know, when they played with each other, whether they had fun.

“Sometimes, well, if one of us is playing good and the other is playing bad, no,” Sam said “No, it’s not fun, but if we are both playing good, it is a fun time to see each other do well,” Jackson said.

The last thing I wanted to ask them was whether they wanted to strive and be better for future varsity stars.

“I fluctuated on varsity twice this year and so hopefully next year, with all the seniors S. Laput gone, I’m trying to make my way into the top five, top four, with the amount of work Sam Locascio swings with near perfect form. that I am going to put in this ed to know what they both thought he [Sam] has ever beat me.” winter and next spring and of golf and if they competed against Now, what I really wanted to find summer. I am going to do everything each other. out was how they liked being part of I can to compete at the top level of “Yeah, sometimes, I guess [we the same team and I was surprised.

Huntley golf,” Jackson said. compete against each other] a lot,” “It is convenient, but I don’t really “Yeah, well especially starting from Jackson said. notice it because we both have our being a freshman, now, I am hoping to “We just play against each other, separate friends on the teams and make varsity by my junior year, senior we’ll play 9 or 18 holes and see you we will split up into groups and stuff year. The journey starts sophomore finish before each other, I don’t think and sometimes I won’t notice it, but year, definitely,” Sam said. huntleyvoice.com • 41

sports swimming

Overcoming orthopedic obstacles Swimmer bounces back after surgery

F

By Holly Urbanczyk

eeling terrified standing behind the blocks at a swim club state meet, Ashley Garrard tried to listen to One Direction, her go to pre-meet music, to calm her anxiety.

Worried her ankle would act up or she would perform poorly in her race at Lake Central High School in Saint John, Indiana, her stomach was a butterfly garden.

However, she knew this pool. It was a fast pool. A pool that made her feel as though she were gliding, which would have eased her worries if she had been able to swim for more than a quarter of that summer.

No matter what happened, her teammates, coach, and family would be there to cheer her on. That is why when she heard the deafening cheering come to a halt as she was about to jump in the pool, she knew she would do her best, and that would be enough. “My main goal is to be able to swim faster,” girls varsity swimmer Garrard said.

A combination of the ankle-induced pain and her reduced excitement for practice made her uncertain if she truly believed swimming was her sport.

Her mind was a mess of confusion as to whether or not she would continue swimming.

As the swim club season began, Garrard’s club did a kick set. This is a set of workouts to increase the power and speed of their kicks, to help prepare their teams for the long course pools instead of the short course pools they had become accustomed to.

During this time, her pain escalated.

She later figured out, after a lengthy process, that she had an extra bone in her foot. This extra bone was by her heel and achilles tendon, and it was fractured which increased the tension and pain.

On June 12, 2019, she had surgery to

42 • the voice october 9 2020

Courtesy of J. Gaudio Garrard swimming at a meet. remove the extra bone. Had she done any other sport besides swimming or dancing, this bone may not have been an issue, but Garrard found her sport, and it was swimming.

Before the surgery, she was unable to kick while swimming, so she focused on pulling. This meant she used a pull buoy between her legs so that they did not move as she focused on her arms.

Garrard was out of swimming for one month completely. “The first week off was nice, but after that I started to miss swim and realized how big of a part it was in my life,” Garrard said.

She missed everything about swimming, including her friends, her work ethic, and even the adrenaline rush she got as she raced to improve her time.

After her surgery, Garrard was on crutches for two and a half weeks. She was then put in a boot with her crutches. Finally, she eased into nothing at all.

However, the agony and discomfort did not stop her. She went to physical therapy two times a week for one and a half months. Finally, after five months, she was able to walk on her foot.

“I’m always just super excited to work hard to get better,” Garrard said.

Whether in swimming or physical therapy, she always puts her best foot forward and keeps a positive, calm mindset.

“It honestly is one of the best feelings

that I have,” Garrard said, “because I’ve made so many friends there, and I love getting in the water to swim.”

Her first meet back after being out for a month helped her remember why she loved swimming. She felt the overwhelming sensation of joy and knew that not even an extra bone could hold her back.

The first day back after her injury was the YMCA Illinois State Championship with her club. She jumped into the icy, light blue water at Lake Central on July 19, 2019, with very little preparation.

In her club, swimmers are put in different groups called heats, according to their times. Before her realization and increased pain due to her extra bone, Garrard was in a higher level heat filled with fast, prestigious swimmers like herself.

She feared people would judge her for swimming slowly because it was her first swim after coming back. With the fear of swimming four seconds slower than usual, Garrard pushed through and did much better than she expected at her 100 free.

Garrard’s overcoming this obstacle is one of the reasons Huntley High School’s girls varsity swimming is undefeated this season. Before having surgery, Garrard was in one of her fastest seasons. After surgery, she hopped back in the water like nothing ever happened.

Your guide to e-learning

editorial

How students and teachers can improve on technical issues, interactions, and overall learning experiences

with daily links, notes, and assignments offers a one-stopshop for students to fall back on. Spanish teacher Katharine Goss provides the presentation link in the chat every day, so students have an organized class schedule.

“For the most part, there are one or two classes of mine that the teacher has things everywhere, and it’s so confusing,” sophomore Olivia Schramm said. “A lot of my teachers [use] the same format [and have] the same place for you s the district continues with remote to turn things in. It says everything you’re doing for the learning after two months, we at The whole week and when things are due, so if you want to work Voice have compiled a guide for ahead, you can. I really appreciate that.” students and faculty alike to provide Most teachers have done an outstanding job communicatadvice for using Zoom more effectively. ing and translating in-person work to online. Math teacher For students, connection and microphone issues and freAnne Price projects her screen onto paper when working quent distractions can make learning through Zoom difficult. out problems, which shows her steps in a clear and legible Logging into the Zoom app before clicking the class link manner. This and the use of tablets or drawing tools on automatically allows them access to the district link, byassignments especially helps in classes that use mathematics passing the security measures. If their audio is breaking up, and require showing work. Writing on white boards is often turning off their camera can improve the quality. While most difficult to follow and copy at home. teachers have been lenient about showing an entire face, When confusion does occur, ending the class with time for they appreciate being able to recognize students and receive one-on-one questions or offering optional meeting times is feedback through facial expressions. Putting their Chromebeneficial to students who do not want to interrupt during book in a stable position could encourage better posture and class or unmute. Individual break out rooms can serve the help them stay focused on the call. same purpose and allow teachers to make more connections Being at home creates distractions for students, caused with students. by working parents, siblings, pets, food, technology. Stu“I care about my students and the job of teaching and the dents highly appreciate when teachers are lenient regarding goals students have, so I have forced myself to push forward past the difficulties I’ve had,” English teacher Melinda Chamberlain said.

“I care about my students and the job of breakout rooms are most successful when a teacher teaching and the goals students have, so I is Group present. Social studies teacher Dennis Brown staggers have forced myself to push forward past the meeting times so he can meet with smaller groups of studifficulties I’ve had.” dents for more personal lessons. Unless there is a defined purpose, all-student breakout rooms are most successful Melinda Chamberlain when there is an assignment to collaborate on; however, breakout room discussions without guidance result in awkleaving the screen for a couple of minutes. Teachers can also ward conversation, if any. reduce the number of tardies and requests to leave by offerClasses like AP Environmental Science and Basic Wooding a break halfway through 90 minute periods. Even 5-10 working Technology have dropped off materials for labs and minutes can give those who have commitments at home an projects to continue to make the courses interactive. These outlet and every else a relief from staring at their Chromeprovide an exciting change of pace for students. book screen.

As always, it is important to have patience and understandHaiku pages should be reorganized. While the universal ing during these times. Both teachers and students can make Weekly Agenda page is extremely helpful, there is a lack of efforts to improve their day-to-day teaching and learning consistency with its presentation. Attaching the Zoom link to experiences. any Welcome page and the Weekly Agenda makes it easier “I try to remember we’re in a pandemic, and I don’t expect for students to find and access. During lessons, students ofthings to be perfect especially for teachers but even for myten get kicked out or have connection or audio issues when self,” Principal Marcus Belin said. teachers share their screens. While screen sharing allows students to follow along with lessons, creating a Powerpoint

A

huntleyvoice.com • 43

one last

VOICE Alexander Hernandez Physics and Chemistry teacher Funny Energetic Charismatic

Did you always want to be a teacher? What led you to this decision?

I thought [teaching] was really gratifying and I liked that the kids could respond well to me.

I had so many impactful adults on me when I was going through school.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

It has to be teleportation.

Nobody likes sitting in traffic. It would be very nice to snap your fingers or tap your heels three times and just end up wherever you want to go.

If it were your last day on Earth, what would you want your last meal to be?

It has to be Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza. With pepperoni, and you can [even] add some spinach onto it, but I have to go deep dish.

What is a motto that you live by?

One that I live by would probably be “every day, be better than you were before,” because if you have that mentality, you don’t end up becoming complacent.

Interviewed by Kate Alvarado Photographed by Sydney Laput