high school
perspective Friday, June 19, 2015
A publication of the Eastern Illinois University/Illinois Press Foundation Summer Journalism Workshop
IPF camp participants reflect on workshop experience
PHOTO BY JEFF EGBERT
Students in the Eastern Illinois University/IIllinois Press Foundation Summer Journalism Camp gathered for a portrait Thursday. In the front row from left, Valeria Martinez, Ivy Truong, Isaiah Hall, Elizabeth McCammon. Row 2: Gabrielle Lenger, Hannah Rosemurgy, Lisa Liu, Ayana Evans. Row 3: Natalie Vaughan, Kately Eddington, Francesca Spizzo, Siobhan Regan, Anne Marie Yurik. Row 4: Javier Corrubias, Ryan Davis, John Jarosic, Andrew Rosenthal.
By Anne Marie Yurik Glenview, Ill. Seventeen students were chosen. Thirteen days were allotted for the camp. Two counselors stayed with the kids. One director put it all on. The Illinois Press Foundation’s journalism camp took place from June 7 until June 19 this year. The students who were chosen were able to participate in various activities. These included a trip to Shelbyville, a three-day internship at local newspapers, a visit to the The Little Theater on the Square to see Mary Poppins, and much more work with media and journalism. Senior John Jarosik applied to the camp after he received glowing recommendations from other students at his school. They urged him to do it, so he thought he would give it a shot. For high school graduate Katelyn Eddington, after she was accepted, she was able to experience a lot during her time at camp. Her favorite activity of the camp was seeing Mary Poppins and being able to write a review on the show because of her love and passion for theater. Continued on Page 2
Newsgathering drones nearly ready for prime time By Javier Covarrubias Midlothian, Ill. Drones are revolutionizing the world of journalism and mass media, but not without controversy. The News Gazette of Champaign is one of the first news outlets in Illinois to use drones for the purpose of distributing information. Gazette Photo Editor John Dixon has used a “quadcopter,” a four-bladed drone, to record aerial tours of Allerton Park and Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois’ UrbanaChampaign campus. “We can show our readers a perspective they can’t really see otherwise,” Dixon said. The Gazette’s $900 quadcopter, with batteries that are $100 a piece, has a GPS for determining exact location, and a tool to attach its $300 GoPro camera to. It has been added a $400 dollar video system that allows the pilot to view what is being recorded from the GoPro live. The drone can reach out to about 1000 feet from the pilot, both vertically and horizontally. “That’s way too far,” Dixon assured. “I can’t see a 1,000 feet. I’d never use it that far.”
PHOTO BY LISA ZIU
John Dixon, photo editor at the ChampaignUrbana News-Gazette, readies the company’s drone for a test flight.
Drones hold the potential to go where no journalist has gone before. It can allow the audience to see stories unfold from a whole new angle. This new power, however, comes with legal restrictions. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, drones must weigh less than 55 pounds, not exceed 500 feet in the air and 100 mph, and fly only during the day.
Operators must be over 17 and pass a test, and may not drop items or fly over the heads of people. “We have tried to be flexible in writing these rules,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We want to maintain today’s outstanding level of aviation safety without placing an undue regulatory burden on an emerging industry.” With continued development and growing number of drones for the public, restrictions are not expected to be finalized for another two years. “It’s kind of the wild west right now,” Dixon said. The ability to fly a camera over a scene without putting a human life is innovative in mass media. It can provide eyes to areas otherwise not possible to see for the common citizen. Law enforcement and privacy, however, cannot be pushed aside to be able to get these visuals. “We would still respect a police line,” Dixon said. “If I can’t walk past it, I can’t fly past it.” Drones, despite it’s wide potential, are primarily used for feature stories, such as aerial
Bob Fallstrom, an 88-year-old
Students nationwide gather to
journalist, tells his story. PAGE 5
learn how to fly. PAGE 11
tours of locations. According to Dixon, getting the drone going can be time consuming and counterproductive, especially in the case of spot news. It can take up to 10 or 15 minutes to set up the camera on the drone and connect it to satellites. “You’ve got to have an event that is ongoing,” he said. “Unless you have a second photographer coming with a drone, you wouldn’t have time to get still-photos at the event and then try to get the drone going.” They are the new gadgets on the market for both journalists and hobbyists to use. They can take video, pictures, and just be used as something to mess around with in your backyard. However, to Dixon, these unmanned aviation devices are no toys. “Everybody thinks this is a lot of fun,” he laughed. “It’s not necessarily a lot of fun. It’s something you need to do semi-regularly [for practice].” The machine may still be being improved and developed, but their potential impact in the field is being widely recognized by droneoperators.
Student talks of miraculous childhood surgery. PAGE 11
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
Junior produces her dreams for the future By Siobhan Regan Washington, Ill. When Ayana Evans was 12, all she wanted to do was run away. She did not like how her mom told her what to do constantly and believed her family favored her little brother. To deal with her attitude, her mother sent her to a police station. A cop spoke with Evans and tried to scare her straight. She told him she was from Butterfield, a nicer neighborhood in Chicago. The officer responded by berating her. “He made me cry and feel spoiled,” she said. Through this talk she realized she had a good life and had things not everyone had, such as: clothes, everyday food, and a close-knit family. She then apologized to her mom for her actions. This could have caused them to break apart, but it strengthened their bond. Now 16, Ayana Evans is very close with her mother, Cathena Evans. “A lot of people don’t have close relationships with their mothers. It’s really important because she helps guide you and is the foundation of the home. Who else will you look up to?” Ayana Evans said Evans believes her mother is very strong and independent. Although her mother has been through breast cancer and thyroid surgery, she has not changed.
IPF camp Continued from front page At her internship in Shelbyville’s local newspaper, Eddington wrote a story about the woman who created the dishwasher a s Shelbyville was the place where the dishwasher was created. Eddington said, not only did she create many stories and learn more about journalism throughout the course of the 13 days at camp, she was able to create bonds with fellow campers, especially when they surprised her with cake and a door decoration signed by them all on her 18th birthday. “[They] are the sweetest people, and I love them dearly,” Eddington said. “And thank you for making my 18th birthday the first monday the best I could ever ask for.” As for incoming senior Ryan Davis, his favorite experience was his three day internship at Daily News in Robinson. “I had a lot of fun,” Davis said. “I had friends there, and we got to do a whole lot of like just cool stuff.” One of the fascinating things Davis said he did was visit the Heath museum in Robinson.
“She doesn’t want anybody to treat her differently. She is my role model,” Ayana Evans said. Her mother has been able to get her into cheerleading. Ayana now participates in competitive cheerleading. She also cheers during basketball and football games at her school. “My mom is one of my best friends and I always go to her for advice,” Ayana said. This advice includes helping Ayana on what she wants to do as a career. Her mother is a TV producer and Ayana, after visiting her mother’s workplace, decided she wants to follow in her footsteps. Though, she wants to take a step farther than her mother and also be a TV reporter. “I like being in the front of the camera rather than in the back,” Evans said. Evans plans to have a TV show in about 11 years that she will produce and report for. She wants the show to feature entertainment, general gossip, and celebrities. She also wants to interview guests on her show, who can give cooking tips. “I want it to be something that you watch everyday, that you can relate to, and that will make you happy,” Evans said. Recently, her mother got her into a journalism workshop that can help her learn for her future career. “I learned that reporters actually have to get the story,” Evans said.
He attributes his interest with the museum to his sweet tooth and the people he was able to meet in the museum. Some of the people included a shop worker named Pam, Norma who was a resident who drove a golf cart on public roads, which was beneficial because that was the story Davis worked on for his internship, and a little girl who was the daughter of one of the Daily News employees. Davis said the he was able to benefit from the workshop in different areas of journalism other than just writing. “Basically I have learned a whole lot more about media like I can edit and create a video more easily,” Davis said. “I’ve also been able to interview better so I don’t, you know, stumble a little bit and everything.” Jarosik said that he too had trouble intervt viewing students because of his shyness. He usually resorted to interviews over text and email; however, the camp helped him get out of his shell Jarosik said. “I think with like the help at Shelbyville and the internships and going and asking complete strangers questions and getting responses had been pretty cool,” Jarosik said. Similarly to Davis and Jarosik, incoming junior Natalie Vaughan, learned a lot about journalistic writing during her 13 days at camp. “I didn’t have any experience writing in that
high school
perspective Friday, June 19, 2014
A publication of the Eastern Illinois University/Illinois Press Foundation summer journalism workshop
Workshop Director – Joe Gisondi, Eastern Illinois University Associate Director – Lisa Green, Journal Gazette (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) Assistant Director – Beth Kastl, Eastern Illinois University Workshop counselors – Kevin Hall, Kalyn Hayslett Many thanks to our visiting journalism faculty who volunteered their time and experience. Greg Bilbrey, (Robinson) Daily News Amanda Bright, Mattoon HS Adriana Colindres, Knox College Dave Dawson, Decatur Herald & Review Jeff Egbert, Pinckneyville Press Dan Hagen, Eastern Illinois University Beth Heldebrandt, Booth Library Evan Hill, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Graham Milldrum, (Robinson) Daily News
PHOTO BY SIOBHAN REGAN
Eleven years from now, Ayana Evans plans to accomplish her goal to have her own talk show.
kind of format, so everything that I’ve been like writing is all new to me, so I’ve learned a lot of formatting,” Vaughan said. “That’s probably the biggest one.” With all of his newfound information, Jarosik plans on bringing what he has learned back to his school to help with the newspaper. “[I would like to] change the face of our newspaper a little bit like maybe just kind of shake things up because we were like crowded,” Jarosik said. “Maybe like space things out a little bit more maybe get another page or two if it comes down to that. Probably like just different ways to ask questions and get interviews.” Vaughan said that she too will take the things she has learned with her, because her desired major in Media Cultural Communications [MCC] requires a lot of journalism experience, so coming to the camp due to her school’s lack of journalism was a necessity. Even though her experience was highly concentrated in education, Vaughan said that some of her best memories came from meeting new people, going to Starbucks as well as Walmart and hanging out with the campers before bed. Similarly, Davis said that his favorite memory from the camp was when he was playing hide and seek with other campers,
because he had the chance to simply mess around for a day. The social aspects, like hide and seek as well as other games, made it difficult, Vaughan said, to manage her time and pull herself away from the group. She wanted to stay and chat, but she knew that there was an article to write or something else that needed to get done. One of the hardest things Jarosik said he had to do while at the journalism camp was get over his shyness. He described how he values his pride and does not always like asking other questions for the fear of annoying them. Jarosik pinpointed his ability to get over his shyness to just needing to be social in order to prosper as a journalist in the camp ad in the real-world. “I had to do it or I wouldn’t have gotten anything from this and it would have been a bust,” Jarosik said. “And I honestly didn’t want to let Joe down or any of the teachers down or group members down, so it was time to kinda grow up in a sense.” As time winds down, Vaughan will remember the workshop, and she will encourage others to take part in the experience. “I’m gonna go home, and I’m gonna tell them all to come, especially the people who I know like really enjoy writing,” Vaughan said. “It’s definitely an experience I will never forget.”
Bryan Murley, EIU multimedia journalism professor David Porter, Lebanon Advertiser Amir Prellberg, freelance photographer Kayleigh Rahm, Tuscola Journal Esther Seitz, Craven Law Offices Emily Steele, Decatur Herald & Review Liz Viall, Eastern Illinois University Students also spent three days as interns at the following newspapers, whose staffs guided them into hands-on reporting and deadline writing. (Champaign-Urbana) News-Gazette (Decatur) Herald & Review (Robinson) Daily News Shelbyville Union Times-Courier & Journal-Gazette (Charleston/Mattoon) Effingham Daily News
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
Storytime Safari Camp gets kids out in nature By Isaiah Hall Bolingbrook, Ill. The forest smells of recently fallen rain as children of the Storytime Safari Camp stomp through the muddy trails of the Douglas-Hart Nature Center on Wednesday. For ages between 5 and 7, the Storytime Safari Camp chooses a different story to be the theme of the day, according to Jennifer Tariq, education director at the DouglasHart Nature Center. This year, a total of 13 campers spent the day participating in various activities like creating arts and crafts, exploring the nature center, and reading. “If I start them on the right foot with exploring and inquiry, then it sets them on the right foot for the future,” Tariq said. As Tariq takes them toward a pond off the Woodland Loop, numerous campers come up to her and ask questions about fossils and composite rocks. One even asks if he can feed incoming geese, to which Tariq says to wait for the geese to reach the shore. “For the most part (the children) do really well. It is just minor things, and we would like to keep it that way,” Tariq said. Sometimes, the children can be feisty, according to Addy Diener, a second-year volunteer at the nature center. “Yesterday we were playing a game and a girl just started yelling,” Diener recalled. When a camper is disruptive, they are usually taken aside in or-
PHOTO BY IVY TRUONG
Campers look for seashells and fossils on Wednesday at the Douglas-Hart Nature Center in Mattoon.
der to make sure whether there is a cause for their actions, according to Diener. For Diener, there are rewards that make the job worthwhile. “I like it when the kids come and hug me because it makes me feel loved,” Diener said. After the campers finish feeding the geese, they run off toward a floating pond dock where they can see turtles of different sizes in the water. A few ask if they can see a particular snapping turtle named Fluffy, who was nicknamed four or five
years ago by campers because of the moss growing on his shell, Tariq recalled. “He’s our unofficial mascot, but he should be our official mascot,” Tariq said. The campers point and shout at the smaller snapping turtles, but Fluffy does not make an appearance today. Usually the campers do not leave until after they have read a story, but Tariq wanted to avoid the rain. Planning activities for the campers can be incredibly difficult, according to lead program educator
Charlie Jaques. “When you are planning for a camp, you have to plan for four hours. Kids run around and can be difficult to work with.” Jaques said planning for the camp is a lot like creating a lesson plan for his science class at Charleston High School. While it keeps him busy, the job can be very gratifying. “Making sure the campers have a good time is really rewarding. Also, the camp is a really good resource for families and educators,” Jaques said.
Striking a balance between activities, academics By Francesca Spizzo Belleville, Ill. He is 17, and well accomplished. He is in four clubs, tech crew, and a part of the Muslim Student Association; He has even been awarded a blue ribbon from the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association. Add to that a pretty decent social life, along with some dreams of travel, and he is pretty well rounded. “I’m a really outgoing person,” says Isaiah Hall, whose life was just described. A soon-tobe senior at Plainfield High School, Hall is on the path of academic excellence. Being a part of the science, poetry, guitar, and journalism club, his life is anything but static. Tech crew (which, in a nutshell, refers to the people who work the backstage ropes, lights, etc. in plays), only adds to the accomplished list of extracurriculars. The Muslim Student Association, or MSA for short, serves to support “networking, educating, and empowering” students. On top of that, Hall even received a blue ribbon at the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association for his work in journalism. Clearly an adept learner, one of Hall’s favorite quotes showcases his mentality towards learning, “Question everything, learn something, answer nothing” - Euripides. Besides putting everything into his scholarly activities, Hall also volunteers with the “Score Kids” association. This association, which allows volunteers to work with and help special needs kids, awards him with great feelings of fulfillment. With all of these clubs and activities, it would be hard to even imagine a social life; however, Hall has managed to accomplish that task.
PHOTO BY FR ANCESC A SPIZZO
Isaiah Hall practices highly emotional poetry at Eastern Illinois University’s 7th Street Underground on stage .
Somehow, despite all of the deadlines, activities and homework, Hall has made time for a social life. With many different friend groups, some even in college, Hall has many roles to play. Depending on the friend group, Hall would have to describe himself as either “the chill person, or the outgoing person”. Outside of school and friends, Hall also has dreams of travel. While any place would be welcome, Hall has one place in particular he would like to visit. Iceland is on the mind of this ad-
venturous teen, with its fjords, forests, and rolling valleys. Hall finds it, “exciting to talk to new people and learn”, so he would enjoy learning about the country’s customs and popular tourist sites. Hall especially “loves the music that comes from there”. All in all, Hall strives for academic excellence balanced with a social life, and a healthy dash of exploratory nature. Through his many academic achievements and personal hopes, these goals are met.
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
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Bathtub, meds key in murder trial By Ayana Evans Matteson, Ill. Testimony began today in the murder trial of Chad Cutler. Cutler is accused of murdering his wife Lisa, by drowning her three years ago in their Mt. Zion home. Cutler testified that Lisa got home at 3:15pm on the day of her death and they talked about their day. After that, they read books to their kids before they slept. Lisa was complaining of an aching back, so she went to take a bath. Cutler then testified that he was reading a book in bed around 1:00 a.m. when he went to use the restroom and found Lisa Cutler dead in the bathtub with a bible floating in the water. He says he tried CPR for about 3 minutes, then called the ambulance telling them “ My wife is dying,” The paramedics describe Cutler’s voice as calm. A 911 call was played in court, where Cutler asked the ambulance to come quietly because he had two children and didn’t want them to see their mother dead. The paramedics noticed his clothes were not wet and his bed was perfectly made and didn’t show signs of being used recently. “There is no book on how to react when your wife is dead in the bathtub,” Cutler says. A funeral home employee later testified that Cutler came to arrange for his wife’s funeral, and brought her unwashed clothes, which she found very inappropriate. As he left the funeral home the employee locked the door behind her due to her odd feeling. Minutes after that, she gets a call from Cutler telling her she’s she is beautiful and her husband is very lucky. Investigators at the scene say they found three fingernail scratches on Cutler’s back and then found DNA of Cutler’s cheek swatch in Lisa’s fingernails. A Walmart employees testified Cutler came to Wal-Mart on April 23, 2012, and told an employee she wanted a track phone that couldn’t be tracked. Two hours before her death she had her Tracfone, now it is no longer can be found. Investigators testified that Cutler told another woman to leave her husband and be with him. They also say he told the woman they can live off Lisa’s life insurance which when questioned by the police, Cutler did not know about. Cutler allegedly created a Yahoo account in Lisa’s name contacting insurance companies without Lisa’s knowledge. Lisa and Cutler both had $500,00 accidental death insurance but Lisa had a $200,000 Omaha policy of accidental death. Cutler obtained a total of $700,000 of life insurance after 5five days of Lisa’s death. After one week of Lisa’s death Cutler had $1,550,000. On the other hand, Defendant Chad Cutler states he told the paramedics “‘My wife is having a near death experience,’ not ‘My wife is dying.’” Cutler also claims that when questioned by the police he does state that she has life insurance. Cutler defends Lisa had suicidal thoughts and tendencies. “She always felt doom and gloom as if there was doom coming,” Cutler says. Cutler told the court that the medication Lisa was on for her anxiety and depression ( that can cause seizures is you overdose) caused her to have a seizure and this is how he believes she died. In fact, their doctor, Posley said one of the medications she was on called Klonopin (Which is used to treat seizure disorders or panic disorders.) may have caused the seizure. But homicidal drowning investigator, Andrea Zaferes says the evi dence is not consistent with someone having a seizure or a fall in the bathtub. “In certain accident or seizure cases in a bathtub, there is usually a bruise in one place, it is unusual to see an abrasion in bathtub faults. In all 50 cases of pulling people out of bathtubs I have ever had an abrasion until now,””, Zaferes says. Cutler has been held in the Macon County Jail on $5 million dollar bond since his arrest on Aug. 8, 2013. He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face up to 60 years in prison.
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
High school graduate Katie Eddington looks straight for her future in college at WKCTC, career in broadcast journalism and life in general.
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
PHOTO BY JAVIER COVARRUBIAS
Small-town girl shoots for big dreams By Javier Covarrubias Midlothian, Ill. Katie’s life is a small-town girl with a bigdream story. Katelyn Eddington is one of 17 carefully selected high school students from across the state attending the Illinois Press Foundation Journalism Workshop at Eastern Illinois University. Eddington, 18, is from Golconda. She attended a high school of 200 students and graduated with a class of 45 students. Her backyard is the Ohio River, and the “boy next door” lives about a state away…literally. “Golconda is, like, at the very tip of Illinois, and it’s small,” Eddington said. “If I look out my
backdoor, I can see Kentucky right across the Ohio River. Everything is only between an hour and two hours away.” Due to living in such a small town, Eddington says she and her friends travel sometimes when looking for something to do, even if that does include going to a different state. “[Kentucky] is where everything is at.” she confessed. “It is. Especially in Paducah. It’s beautiful there. It’s kind of like the city of art.” The journalist-hopeful said that she spends a lot of her time in the city of Paducah. She attends acting classes there, where she spends time with her friends and practices her passion as a theatre actress. However, she quickly reassured
her love for the town. “Sure, I may be a bit desperate to get out,” she said. “But I know I’ll be back eventually. Living in a small town has its perks, but also has its downside. Everybody knows everything. I can’t walk out the front door without someone seeing me and telling my parents.” Even at five years old, this small-town girl knew she was destined to be on the screen. However, not as a Paducah-developed theatre actress. “I would watch shows like Good Morning America and 20/20 with my grandparents, and I loved it,” she told me. “I would pretend to be a news anchor just like them.”
Convinced her future lies in the media world, Eddington believes pursuing the career of broadcast journalism is her key out of Golconda. Eddington plans on pursuing her dreams at West Kentucky Community & Technical College before transferring to Marshall University in West Virginia. She also is expected to return to her former high school as an assistant director in the drama department during her first two years at West Kentucky. “I may be small town, but I have dreams,” she said. “I want to travel the world. This job can allow me to do that without taking out from my own pocket.”
Shelbyville native invented dishwasher in early 1886 By Katelyn Eddington Golconda, Ill. Norma Hubbartt, a local native in Shelbyville, reenacted Josephine Cochrane on Oct. 23, 2007, for a German television program called “Patents and Talents.” As part of the production, the German Tv crew came to homes of American inventors,including Shelbyville, home of Josephine Cochrane, inventor of the dishwasher. When Josephine was a little girl she had plenty of experience working with motors, her father was an engineer, and her grandfather was the first person to build the steamboat. She moved to Windsor to live with her sister, after her private school burnt down. That’s where she met William Cochrane, a politician. They married when she was just 19. The couple was constantly hosting dinner parties and always used their expensive china set, according to Hubbartt. Josephine got so fed up of the servants constantly breaking pieces while washing the china that she decided it was time to come up with a machine that could safely wash dishes effectively, without breaking them. Josephine then headed out to the woodshed behind her house, in Shelbyville, to start building the first dishwasher. She started by measuring her dishes, then measuring each compartment so each dish could fit. When she succeeded making the machine her friends placed orders for one, and eventually started taking orders from restaurants and hotels. Her friends called it the “Cochrane Dishwasher.” She got it patented in 1886. “She realized that it took six months to get a patent in Europe, and it took twelve months to get one
here,” said Hubbartt. In 1893, she brought the dishwasher up to the Chicago World’s Fair. She only used her initials and because of this she was entered in the male category, yet another first for women. She won best mechanical construction, durability and adaptation to its line of work. After this world fair Chicago decided not to separate the women and men inventors. Josephine did have issues with the dishwasher coming out into average homes. The average housewife was unimpressed with this machine because some houses lacked quantity of scalding water, others didn’t like it because it took too much hot water to run, and the rest of the typical housewifes found doing dishes by hand relaxing. Josephine’s company realized that the dishwasher could run on a hotter water temperature than the hand, because of this they realized that the dishwasher can kill more germs than doing it by hand. The Cochrane’s company eventually merged with an Ohio manufacturer who later came up with the KitchenAide dishwasher. The market for dishwashers became profitable in the 1950s. “She is why I have a KitchenAide in my kitchen,” Hubbartt said. Hubbartt is now planning to retire from running her antique business. Hubbartt would reenact Josephine at the courthouse, or cemetery through town events, and that’s how the German crew contacted her. She was very shy until her husband told her “You’re going to have to speak up or people will think you’re stuck up.” She and her husband will be celebrating their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary on July 2.
PHOTO BY HANNAH ROSEMURGY
A stone marks the house where Josephine Cochrane created the first dishwasher.
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
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Student calls game to prep for ESPN By Ryan Davis St. Louis, Mo. John Jarosik made his decision: instead of wasting his Saturday morning on Spongebob, he would take some time to enjoy a bit of Sportscenter. That decision began his ascension from kid without a care to aspiring ESPN reporter. While that Saturday may have been the deciding factor for the then 8-year-old Jarosik, his entire life experience was pressing him forward to this particular dream. From a very early age, Jarosik liked sports. While he does enjoy other athletics, basketball was his passion. Beginning in third grade, Jarosik played basketball; rather than play for his school’s team, he played for the Park District League. With eight different coaches over eight different years, Jarosik found a game to embrace. Despite his skill at the beloved sport, it didn’t become his sole goal to become a NBA athlete. He began watching Sportscenter on a daily basis, studying the different faces of the program. The debating, yet comedic attitude of Stephen A. Smith along with the popular Mike Breen and Mike Tirico are just a few of his role models. Other influential names include Sam Smith and K.C. Johnson, writers for the Chicago Tribune. Despite the lack of broadcast at his school, Plainfield East, Sportscenter gave Jarosik an idea of what it would be like. Sportscenter became his impersonal influence. Jarosik’s personal influences, however, came from his parents. In terms of relation to parents, he’s a chip off the old block. He holds the outgoing, partier personality of his mom, which he balances out with his father’s understanding, safe attitude. These contrasting characters have led John to be a hard-working, friendly student who can live an exciting life but still manage to keep himself from going overboard. When it comes to life, he says he isn’t extremely laid back but he won’t feel compelled to “be extra.” “I do it, but I don’t overdo it, (except when it comes to Disney World),” he stated. Jarosik’s parents influence isn’t just reserved to his persona; his career choice was also influenced by them. “My dad says I was destined to talk sports,” Jarosik said. His father’s confidence radiates from Jarosik. When talking of the future, he says he is confident that he will make it onto ESPN, either as a
PHOTO BY RYAN DAVIS
Senior John Jarosik helps make the call in the booth at EIU as the game goes on, practicing what he wants to do for his life’s work.
writer or as a broadcaster. “I started off wanting to learn… now I’m confident that I’ve gotten myself prepared. I promised myself I would make myself become the best journalist I could be.”
Despite this aggressive pledge, Jarosik’s view of the art is more serene. “Journalism isn’t a competition, because no one is better than others. I’m calm when it comes to it because I just like to write.”
With several writing awards under his belt, including a 1st place review at Minooka Invitational, as well as already being named sports editor at his newspaper, John’s conviction keeps growing.
88-year-old editor a true living legend
PHOTO BY JOHN JAROSIK
Bob Fallstrom, the Community News Editor for the Herald & Review Newspaper, sits down and talks about his many experiences over a 66-year writing career.
By John Jarosik Bolingbrook, Ill. Bob Fallstrom is not your typical 88-year-old. He is not a man who takes multiple naps a day, goes out to a golf course and plays 18 holes, or finds an old television series to help occupy his time. He is a writer for the Herald & Review in Decatur, Ill. “Newspaper gives me a purpose to get me up every morning,” Fallstrom said. Fallstrom has been working for the paper for 66 years and is the longest tenured worker at the newspaper. In fact, he has been working at the newspaper longer than Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Vin Scully has been calling games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fallstrom has had a very interesting life and has a great life story. It all started when he grew up playing baseball in Dixon, Illinois and found his love for sports. “I loved playing ball, I would have played for free,” Fallstrom said. He started out by working as a clerk for his local movie theater in hopes to get money to go to Northwestern University. Then a sudden decision changed his life. After he graduated from high school in 1944, he was drafted into the Army to help protect his country. Fortunately all he had to do was write reports for the army and give people updates about what was happening at war. “I was lucky, I didn’t have to get shot at,” Fallstrom said. He ended up getting out of the army in 1946
and went home and started working for his local town newspaper called the Dixon Evening Telegraph. “I wanted to be a sports writer,” Fallstrom said. He was able to do that when he came to the Herald & Review on Jan. 3, 1949. “I’ve covered, pro sports, college sports, and high school sports during my time as a sports writer,” Fallstrom said. Fallstrom was a sports writer for 36 years and started to broad his horizons when he decided to cover news, features, and now community news. “I got burned out with it, it was a lot of schools to cover,” Fallstrom said. Since his move from sports writing, his love for writing has never left and as a result is why he still works at the newspaper today. Sixty-six years is a long time and being an 88-year-old in a profession like this is something to be amazed at. “All I’ve ever done is work and do newspapers. They can drag me out but I’m never going to retire from this,” Fallstrom said. His presence in the news room is great and many other writers enjoy having him around. “I used to love working for Bob, he always gave me great stories,” senior writer Theresa Churchill said. Bob Fallstrom is a true pioneer in the art of journalism. He is a great example of a professional journalist and one who deeply loves writing. “I’ve had a great life actually, if I can do it and not get thrown out, why not?” Fallstrom said.
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
PHOTO BY HANNAH ROSEMURGY
Lisa Liu writes in her notebook by EIU’s Booth Library.
Texas to Illinois
Newspaper staffer travels far to attend workshop By Hannah Rosemurgy Grayslake, Ill. Lisa Liu showed up to journalism camp with nothing but her carry on, her luggage stranded somewhere between Houston and Chicago. The extensive 10-hour journey included two connecting flights from Texas to Illinois and two car trips. Despite being nearly 900 miles away from home. Liu embraces the opportunity she has to thrive as a writer during the two-week camp funded by the Illinois Press Foundation at Eastern Illinois University. The workshop is designed to give students an in-depth perspective on journalism and the media around them. “My initial motivation for applying far away was to get far away,” she said.
“I think that there is something very novel about being away from home.” To Liu, home is College Station, Texas, where she is constantly surrounded by the world of English. However, with relatives living in China, she finds it difficult to find a balance between the two cultures, as she has grown up in an English dominated society. “I preferred English as a child and picked the language up very quickly,” she said. “Because of [having an American and Chinese background], I don’t feel like I fit in either place, America or China.” Liu is a senior at College Station High School and has previously served as staff reporter, features editor and managing editor on the Catamount newspaper. Eagerly approaching her
last year of high school, she is ecstatic to begin her role as Editor-in-Chief. During her four years of writing, Liu has learned how to interact with sources beyond the typical journalist. Additionally, she has been awarded numerous awards including placing first in Interscholastic League Press Conference feature writing and fifth in University Interscholastic League headline writing. “I’ve improved a lot [with communication] because I have to put myself out there and not be afraid to ask people questions,” she said. When Liu isn’t writing, she focuses her attention to the clubs at her school and volunteers regularly at her local library. “While volunteering, we mostly help out with youth services,” she said. “It’s fun to see how you make a
Name games: By Lisa Liu College Station, Texas The tentatively named Carle Illinois College of Medicine may be the University of Illinois’ first college to recognize a donor in its title. In a Senate Executive Committee meeting Monday, members voiced their support for keeping the suggested name in a 6-2 vote, with one abstention. Although future donors may cause the name to change, the placeholder, which will have to receive approval from the Carle Health System, was crafted to represent both the university and the contributor. “We’ve been very equal partners in all deliberations, so we wanted our name in parallel with Carle’s name,” Chancellor Phyllis Wise said. Some campus senate members, however, questioned the inclusion of “Carle” in the new college’s title. Given the past controversy involving public concern in 2014 over the legality of Carle Foundation Hospital’s tax exemption, naming the new college after Carle might not be the best move. “Carle has caused a lot of conflict in Urbana,” Library Chair Mary Mallory said. “I’m afraid that it may hurt fundraising to have Carle’s name in it.” Still, Wise pointed out that naming colleges after their donors is a common practice across the nation. Cornell, UCLA, UT Austin, and Western Michigan are examples of universities that have medical schools named for sponsors, she said. And Carle has promised $100 million to the new college, so the committee wants to honor the donation and establish a good example for other potential donors. Associate Chancellor Robin Kaler suggested that if other parties made substantial donations to
difference.” Liu hopes to take the people skills that she has acquired through volunteering to her high school newsroom as she works with the younger staff members this fall. “I want to take the opportunity to help them not feel scared,” she said. From interviewing prom queens to competitive wrestlers, Liu is humbled to have met many students of all different backgrounds. “One of the greatest things about being in newspaper is talking to people who I wouldn’t have ever talked to before, especially those who aren’t in my social circle,” she said. Looking ahead, Liu hopes to continue to reach out across her community, regardless if she is in her hometown or across the United States.
“One of the greatest things about newspaper is talking to people who I wouldn’t have before.” -Lisa Liu “I’m looking forward to whatever the camp has to bring,” she said. “College is a chance to meet new people and experience life somewhere else.” Liu is determined to take home lessons from the workshop, no matter how many pieces of her luggage may still be lingering in Chicago.
New medical college title may include donor the medical college later on, the name could be amended as “[donor’s name] College of Medicine of Carle Health System at University of Illinois.” The issue with this is that the name may become too long. “At some point, it becomes unwieldy,” said General University Policy Chair Nicholas Burbules. “The more you pack in [names], the more ‘Illinois’ gets pushed down the list.” The placement of “Illinois” in the name has been debated. Material Science and Engineering graduate student Calvin Lear finds it odd for it to be included, since no other college on campus has such a modifier. For example, he said, the College of Engineering is not known as the Illinois College of Engineering. But other campus senate members say that including it is necessary for identifying the university’s relation to the college. One possibility is changing the name to the “Carle College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign” to denote the specific campus, but copyrighting the hyphen would be more expensive. Also, doing so would further lengthen the name and could cause the public to abbreviate it or use acronyms, which Kaler wants to avoid because “nobody knows what they mean.” “We tried to keep it as short as possible, like parents who don’t want their kids nicknamed,” Kaler said. For now, it appears that “Carle Illinois College of Medicine” will be the temporary name. It will have to be further reviewed, though Information Technology Chair John Hart said he thinks that establishing the name early is important. “Being able to put a label on it is very useful. Nobody knows where the Mayo Clinic is, but they know of the Mayo Clinic,” Hart said. “Just having a name gets you over a large hurdle in terms of recognition and branding.”
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Volunteers send soldiers care packages By Valeria Martinez Elmhurst, Ill. On the morning of Wednesday, June 17, a group of 20 volunteers met at the Garver Methodist Church to build and send care packages to the United States Marines and Army. “This marks the day that we have been doing this for 12 years,” leader Nancy Conway said. Conway, the founder of the project, came up with the idea of mailing care packages after hearing about a program her church offered. Later on, Conway went around town collecting shoeboxes, saved some money, and bought supplies. “About 99 percent of the work is done by Nancy herself,” two-year volunteer Barb Lamont said. “It takes her about two months to get everything together.” After people heard about Conway’s service project, people volunteered by donating and helping with the care packages. Jim Heinz, a volunteer of three years, recalled how the program had increased from 10 people to 20 people -- the program’s highest number of volunteers to this day. “We started and just kept on going,” Conway said. This year, Conway and a group of volunteers collected an ample amount of supplies. The sup-
plies consist of basic necessities like socks and hygiene products; nonperishable food items such as candy, ramen soup, and trail mix; and other fun supplies like comics, baseballs, and mini flags. The team had to fit 23 supplies for each large flat rate box until they filled up their goal of 55 boxes. “It will all fit,” Conway said. “I did it myself last night.” Although the experienced Conway made it seem easy to assemble the box, volunteers struggled to make sure that everything would fit. “I’m not sure if this will fit all in,” threeyear volunteer MaryAnn Heinz said. “It’s all such good stuff and you don’t want to leave anything out.” Another problem PHOTO BY VALERIA MARTINEZ Nancy and the volun- New and old volunteers gather at Garver Methodist Church to build care packages for soldiers. teers faced were expenses -- specifically gathering supplies and ship- es in local stores and through word of mouth. about the people who receive it...it feels like ping costs. Volunteers would also gather aluminum cans we’re doing something.” Volunteers find in- and recycle them for funding. Volunteers also like project because it does genious ways to save “We can’t do it every month and we want not take up too much time. Taking only an hour money on supplies by the most of our money, so we make sure all and a half, many of the volunteers can continue using prescription bot- the stuff gets used,” volunteer Cindy Pringle on with their day. tles for cotton balls, Q- said. “[Time] goes pretty fast with a lot of help,” tips, and laundry detergent. They also collect Despite the small problems the volunteers Nelson said the newspaper bags to replace Ziploc bags for have encountered, many have expressed their After this session, Conway plans on doing the candy. Other volunteers would help do- desire to come back and volunteer. Newcomers two more similar sessions; one in August and nate books or gather baseballs. and old timers definitely plan to come back for one in November for Christmas time. Over“It costs about $15 for us to mail each box,” a good cause. all, Conway holds five sessions a year. Conway said Lamont. “We are trying to reach out and not be in our has no intention of retiring anytime soon. In order to solve that problem, the group walls; we can share our time and effort,” Pring“It’s not really a challenge, it’s just a love of would raise money by putting up donation box- le said. “It’s so awesome to have Nancy tell us doing it for the guys,” Conway said.
“It’s not really a challenge; it’s just a love of doing it for the guys.” — Nancy Conway
Valeria relentlessly pursuing her goals By Ivy Truong Belleville, Ill. Senior Valeria Martinez is not afraid of walking into a cafeteria as a new student to a blur of strangers and no place to sit - for she has done it five times. This fear that accompanies her, much like every new student, is conquered by her desire to succeed, whatever the environment. “No matter what, I had this goal of trying to get a good education,” she said. Since kindergarten, her parents have repeatedly transferred Martinez between schools for being too low quality, too secular, and too expensive on this quest for a good education. They found a fit in York Community High School – a stark contrast from her last high school, Proviso West. “In Proviso West, I was able to be more comfortable with my culture,” she explained. “At York, some of the groups are more separated.” Proviso West offered a multicultural environment, with many of its students identifying as minorities. Martinez often spoke Spanish at Proviso with other students, a cultural reminder that added to her educational experience. She even joined a multicultural club. However, York’s demographics were predominantly white, and few shared Martinez’s Hispanic culture. Transferring from these two vastly different settings saw a young Martinez vying to fit in with an ever-changing group of friends. “Before, I wasn’t very fond of leggings, but (at York) I got more into it,” she said. Despite constantly adapting, she found that this transfer may have been for the best. At Proviso, few shared her motherly concern for a visibly pregnant teenager falling on her stomach in a crowded cafeteria. “The thing that astounded me,” she declared, “was that the people there only wanted to get lunch.” Even then, she thought optimistically. “It
PHOTO BY IVY TRUONG
Valeria Martinez shows her scientific side as she observes a preserved snail at Eastern Illinois University’s Biological Sciences building.
(constantly transferring) taught me to adapt and make the best of what you have,” Martinez said. As only a freshman at Proviso, she was the president of both the African-American Multicultural Club and French Club. Now, at York, she is the current editor-in-
chief of the newspaper, despite being on York’s newspaper for little more than a year. With this persistence to succeed throughout all odds, she looks forward to becoming a pediatrician. Although this job offers a steady income, a low unemployment rate, and even more sur-
prising, a constant workplace, Martinez seems reluctant to give up her inconsistent lifestyle. She aims to pursue a major in journalism for this purpose. “I have no desire to settle down anytime soon,” Martinez revealed.
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Effingham recalls its only public hanging 140th anniversary celebrated Thursday By Elizabeth McCammon Altamont, Ill. Thursday marks the 140 year anniversary of Effingham Couty’sonly public hanging. Nathan Burgess, born May 6, 1847, was found guilty of murder and was hanged for the crime on June 18, 1875. Burgess supposedly murdered a watchman by the name of Joseph Robbins on Oct. 29, 1874. Robbins was employed as a watchman on the Vandalia Railroad Bridge. Burgess was indicted in Fayette County, but it was decided that Burgess would have a better chance of a fair trial in Effingham County. In March of 1875, a guilty verdict was decided. The sentence for the crime of murder was public hanging. In today’s world it would take several years for a death sentence to be carried out, but in 1875 it was a different story. Seven months after the crime, Burgess was hanged for the murder. “At sixteen minutes before two o’clock, he swung into eternity,” a local historical description states in a document at the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum. Twenty minutes later Burgess was pronounced dead and placed into his coffin. A picture in the exhibit at the courthouse shows the large crowd that gathered outside the courthouse on the day of the hanging. Some people believe Burgess was guilty, while others believe he was innocent. Later, Burgess’s father confessed to the crime while on his deathbed. “He didn’t think the courts would convict an innocent man,” said LoElla Baker, a volunteer at the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum. “I believe the father said it to clear his son’s name,” President of the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association Delaine Donaldson said. Burgess’s father also said that he believed his son deserved the job as watchman and killed Robbins so his son could have the job. His father said that he wore Burgess’s shoes, stole Robbins’ shotgun, and killed Robbins with the gun.
PHOTO BY GABRIELLE LENGER,
The old Effingham County courthouse and museum, where Nathan Burgess was hanged.
The courtroom at the old courthouse., where Burgess’ trial took place.
According to Donaldson, there was public pressure to stop hangings at the time this hanging took place. “I think the hanging contributed to that public pressure,” Donaldson said. This public hanging helped end people getting sentenced to be hanged in Effingham County. There were other hangings that had been scheduled to take place before in Effingham County, but according to Donaldson, they never took place. These hangings didn’t happen because the people sentenced to die escaped the unsecure jail. The hanging has had a lasting effect on Effingham County and will forever be remembered as the first and only hanging to take place in Effingham County.
PHOTO BY ANDRE W ROSENTHAL
Student overcomes bullying through music and her faith By Natalie Vaughan Rantoul, Ill. Elizabeth McCammon was bullied throughout her middle school career. She felt lost and alone but found herself with the aid of religion and music, leading her to discover her true friends. She lives in the town Altamont that has a population of roughly 2,000. She was born in Effingham but has lived all of her life in Altamont attending elementary school, middle school, and high school there. During her time in middle school, McCammon faced troubles with bullying. “Once, when I still thought they were my friends, I sat down next to them at lunch and they all suddenly got up and moved away,” she said. Many times while in class trying to learn, she could hear them talk about her, claiming she had anorexia, an eating disorder, or spread rumors about her to other students telling them
she has head lice. McCammon attended a small school, with roughly a hundred people in her class, so escaping the bullying was difficult. Often times she found herself questioning her faith in God. The bullying continued but after a traumatic experience, that McCammon is not comfortable sharing, her faith in God and Christianity became certain to her. “Religion keeps me centered, keeps me on the right path on what I should be doing with my life,” said McCammon. Restoring her faith in religion was really a turning point for her and her outlook on life. Entering high school was where McCammon’s love for music truly peaked. Going into high school she already knew how to play the piano, clarinet, trumpet, and tuba but she soon learned to play violin and her favorite instrument of all, the guitar. While in band, McCammon discovered not only the guitar but also her closest friends.
PHOTO BY NATALIE VAUGHAN
Elizabeth McCammon plays a song she write on the piano.
“Band provided me with friends I wouldn’t have otherwise. True friends,” she said. After being bullied in middle school, she had learned to mask her true feelings, especially in situations where McCammon felt stressed or uncomfortable. Music and songwriting also allowed McCammon to express herself again. This triggered her passion for wanting to produce music in her future.
McCammon has a lot of decisions she’s going to have to make within the next couple of years. She’s decided to attend a community college then a university but she’s not sure where. And despite wanting to be a producer she’s also considering becoming a dermatologist, geo chemist, or writer. Most importantly in her life though, she strives to be happy despite what she’s doing.
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
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Local doctor helps with preservation By Gabrielle Lenger Moline, Ill. Dr. Ruben Boyajian hopes to begin Thursday putting his skilled hands to work on different kind of delicate operation - sketching the mural he’ll paint on the dome of the former Effingham County Courthouse. “We have our fingers crossed and we are holding our breath,” said LoElla Baker, a board member of the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association, Inc. Boyajian is a known artist in the community of Effingham, famous for his gingerbread sculptures and the flowers on the outside of the Effingham Performance Center. He works full time as surgeon, but he is still taking the time out of his busy schedule to paint the mural. Boyajian is also a member on the board of the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association, Inc. “He just has a big heart and he loves history,” said Baker. Boyajian has a natural interest in history, especially in the community. He believes that small towns, like Effingham, need to preserve their history to maintain their identity. “Put your signature on your town,” said Boyajian. The dome was originally placed for ventilation and quality acoustics. It will soon become a dynamic meeting place. There is no exact time
frame for when the mural will be finished, but if it is done within a year, Boyajian will be “more than happy”. The painting is planned to display the early history of Effingham with prairies, covered wagons, churches, trains, and schools. The plan is not to overload the dome, but to be able to appreciate its details from a distance. “The dome is going to display historical evolution,” said Boyajian. Boyajian hopes that the entire courthouse inspires young to people to continue preserving their community’s history. It is important for everyone to learn to respect their community. He has been inspired by his travels, specifically in Europe. Europe has a different respect for preservation. The association had to fight to prevent the Effington County Courthouse from becoming a parking lot. There have been negative comments made about the expenses of the preservation, but Boyajian says that he welcomes them. “If you didn’t have the night, daylight means nothing,” said Boyajian. The association of the Effingham County Courtroom, started in 2010, is predicted to be finished this fall. The goal of the preservation is to make a repre of how the courtroom looked in 1872, to showcase Effingham’s pride in its history.
“The dome is going to display historical evolution.” — Dr. Ruben Boyajian
PHOTO BY GABRIELLE LENGER
Dr. Ruben Boyajian waits to meet patients in his Effingham office.
The preservation has no pictures of what the original courthouse looked like in 1872. The original spindles and posts are being recreated and the white ceiling has been restored. In order to be as accurate as possible, the museum is contacting former courthouse employees from the 1960s to give descriptions of what the room originally looked like. Modernizing the courthouse while trying to keep the room looking like an exact replica from 1872 has been a challenge. Natural light
pours in from the eight floor to ceiling windows on either side of the room, but new lights are being placed in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the beautiful archway entrances to room had to be removed in order to make room for an elevator. “It will be beautiful when we get it done” said Baker. The completed space will be used for hosting events and have a kitchen in a connecting room for catering. The third floor will not be reconstructed and will be used for storage.
Gabi finds herself through theater, friends By Anne Marie Yurik Glenview, Ill. Gabi Lenger has allowed her passion of theater and love of friends to influence her perspective and confidence throughout her first 17 years of life. “They’ve brought me out of my shell, and we help each other with academics,” Lenger said. Before meeting her group of friends, Lenger said she was not as comfortable in her skin, and was greatly concerned about her peer’s preceptions. “I was more self conscious, you know, [I] cared about what everyone thought of me,” Lenger said. Lenger was comforted by the trust she shared with friends. That bond taught Lenger that her friends do not care about what makes her different but accept her for who she was, which made her more comfortable to share personal stories and quirks like constant singing, bad anxiety, love for superheroes, and constant loudness. “I tell them everything that’s going on in my life,” Lenger said. “I trust them with my happi-
PHOTO BY ANNE MARIE YURIK
Gabrielle Lenger acts out one of her many favorite musical numbers, “Singing in the Rain.”
ness.” Her bond with her friends is not the only thing that has brought happiness, however. Her passion of theater also helped. Lenger discovered theater life and show business when she was in third grade after her father won tickets and a backstage tour to Wizard of Oz. She loved the makeup. She loved the costumes. She loved the glitter. “Since then, I’ve wanted to participate in anything I can get my hands on,” Lenger said.
Her love of theater caused her to change her view on certain situations. Rather than keeping her point of view at heart, Lenger said she was focused on putting herself in other people’s shoes to see the things in a new light in order to get the complete story. “Theater has made me look at real-life situations from a different perspective,” Lenger said. Lenger applies her ability to see both sides of the discussion to arguments with her par-
ents, sister or teachers when they don’t see eyeto-eye. “My parents wouldn’t let me go see fireworks on the fourth of July, because it was set in a bad part of town,” Lenger said. “Altho ugh I thought it was safe, I thought about how worried they would be if I went, so I stayed home.” Going into the future, Lenger is still unsure what career she wants, but she hopes to make a living from acting and writing plays.
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
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Pix on
Bricks PHOTOS BY HANNAH ROSEMURGY
Shelbyville offers expression and personality in the dullest parts of town By: Hannah Rosemurgy Lake Villa It’s not a bird, and it’s not a plane. However, they have a way of casting shadows upon the brick walls and businesses of Shelbyville. They’re vibrantly colored and life size, surprising everyone when they least expect it. Captivating the attention of both tourists and locals, their unique character and expression are uncommon for most street art. Shelbyville has approximately 20 life size aluminum murals spread throughout the town, a series called Painted Figures. The artwork features common life in the town, from a newspaper boy to a mother and her child grocery shopping. “We wanted to show everyday life in a small town,” said artist Carol Kessler. “We wanted to make the town more interesting.” The idea started in 2004 with a local resident, Bonnie Potter, who had traveled to Greenville and witnessed
its murals. Potter described what she saw to Kessler, who joined with artist Dan Modselewski to begin production. “I would go out to different businesses to try and get more people interested in it,” Kessler said. “The more businesses we got, the more people decided they wanted one, too.” The murals are constructed in an uncommon process, as they go from bare sheets of aluminum to lively scenes. This is to preserve the beauty of the paint, making it more resistant from sun exposure, temperature, and rain. “I had to cut out the metal with a jigsaw. I had never painted on a metal surface,” said artist Dan Modzelewski. “It takes the paint in but still makes it look good.” The citizens of Shelbyville had an essential role in the creation of Painted Figures. Many of the murals are inspired by the artists’ photographs, outlining an idea to project to busi-
nesses. For Kessler’s “Curiosity” mural, she captured a moment by two boys that is often hard to come by. “There was a daycare center and they were taking their kids for a walk and there was a trash can at the corner,” Kessler said. “I asked two of the boys ‘why don’t you look what’s in there?’ I then took their photograph.” Characters lurking behind the street corners have a personable background portrayed by unique poses and color. Kessler says one of her treasured pieces is the “Red Hat Damsels,” which used to be located on the side of Craig’s Sporting Goods and was later taken down due to construction. Covered in violet dresses and scarlet hats, the women are a part of the Red Hat Damsels, a group of local women over 50 who engage in various activities with one another. “I was a red hat lady,” Kessler said. “It was a group of ladies who gath-
The Gardener by Dan Modselewski currently sits in Sunken Gardens. The mural was sponsored by the gardening club.
ered together and just wanted to have fun.” To the people of Shelbyville, the murals are reminders of various personalities scattered throughout a community. Although the artists have ceased creating the figures, they hope
that the murals reveal the unique character within the small walls of Shelbyville. “Everyone has such a large amount of dignity in a small town,” Modzelewski said. “They’re just everyday heroes.”
Student reaches to achieve journalistic goals By Lisa Liu College Station, Texas When 17-year-old Hannah Rosemurgy competed in the Illinois High School Association Sectionals in Newspaper Design her sophomore year, she entered with high hopes—only to receive second-to-last place. It was a shock, and a disappointment. But Rosemurgy didn’t dwell on her failure for long. She spent the following summer researching page designs and her junior year designing the front page of her high school’s newspaper, striving to improve her skills. It all paid off. In May, Rosemurgy won third place in the statewide Illinois Journalism Education Association awards for her division in Best Infographic. Now about to begin her se-
nior year at Grayslake North High School, Rosemurgy is more experienced with graphic design than she was two years ago, and still every
bit as interested in it. “I just fell in love with it,” she said. “The design of headlines and pictures can totally change your perspective
on a story.” This year, Rosemurgy will be executive editor at Grayslake North’s school paper, “The Knight Times.” Her Pinterest board is full of page designs to inspire her when she takes on the role of designing centerspread. Not that design is her only passion. Rosemurgy also enjoys feature writing. Her favorite story that she’s written is about a teacher who shaved his head in support of his wife, who had to shave hers for breast cancer treatment. Rosemurgy prefers stories like these because of their often personal nature. “You don’t know how emotional something is until you sit down and talk to someone about it,” she said. Although she specializes in journalism writing now, Rosemurgy first warmed to writing in general because of two influential middle school English teachers. Her introduction to journalism came later,
when she joined her high school’s newspaper staff and had to adjust to that style. “You learn how to write in a totally different way—a more professional, storytelling way,” Rosemurgy said. Rosemurgy actually prefers writing to design, as far as what she does for “The Knight Times.” Even though design is important to her, she wants a career that deals with writing in the future. “They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but personally, I prefer the thousand words,” she said. “You can convey something in writing that images can’t possibly describe.” Rosemurgy is not yet sure of what she wants to do in the future—she’s considering majoring in English or journalism, or teaching English in secondary education. Whatever she chooses, though, one thing is clear: she’ll never stop writing.
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Coles airport renovation planned By Siobhan Regan Washington, Ill. Coles County Memorial Airport is preparing for runway renovation starting July 13. This renovation will take about four months to complete, causing the airport to be shut down for 36 days. The renovation will cost about $5 million dollars, with about 90 percent of the money coming from federal funding, according to Andrew Fearn, airport manager. This funding comes from the taxes from pilots who buy fuel at the airport. Another 5 percent will come from the airport and the final 5 percent will come from Illinois funds. During the shutdown, medical or military helicopters will still be able to land and get fuel. Other types of aircraft will have to go to a different airport to land for the short period. “They will have to go somewhere else,” Fearn said. “That’s a part of it; you have to do maintenance.” The runway hasn’t been renovated for 43 years, he explained. This renovation will be relatively cheap due to the fact that the asphalt will be reused to make new asphalt, he said. If they were to get all new concrete and asphalt, it would cost around $15 million and take around a year and a half to complete the project.
PHOTO BY ISAIAH HALL
The Yellow Bird glider waits to be used by Civil Air Patrol cadets at Coles County Memorial Aprport Tuesday. The airport is scheduled to begin undergoing extensive renovations starting next month.
The renovations will cause the structure to be weaker than before but Fearn said that it was overbuilt for aircraft now anyway. In the 1960s, 747 planes would land at the airport and they usually had a hard landing, causing them to need extra support. “747 are one of the hardest landing aircrafts there is because they only have four wheels,”
Fearn said. “Airplanes have gotten wider, the engines have gotten more efficient; we don’t need the structure we have now.” The airport was originally built in the 1960s. It is a general aviation port, meaning it can provide a place to land any sort of aircraft. It covers about 1,275 acres with 582 farmed acres. There are two main runways, No. 129
and No. 624. The runway consists of 9 inches of asphalt and 14 inches of concrete on top. It can hold 68 base planes, 10 helicopters, and one flying club. There are no fees to land or park, but there are 46 hangars for rent, Fearn said. There are 35,000 yearly operations, with about 95 daily take offs and landings, depending on the day. “The saying we have, ‘a mile of interstate will take you a mile,’” Fearn said. “‘A mile of runway will take you anywhere in the world.’” This airport has won 2004, 2009 and 2011 General Aviation Airport of the Year awards along with several other honors. It is set apart from other airports in the area by having equipment that would allow aircraft to land during a storm, Fearn said. “I don’t know of any business aircraft in the world that couldn’t land on us, safely and easily,” the airport manager said. The airport is used by many different companies to move supplies and materials. Wal-Mart, Sonic, International Paper in Shelbyville, Family Video, Urban Equipment, and some companies in Sullivan all use Coles County Memorial Airport. It also hosts different events. These include motorcycle classes, police dog training, fire truck pump testing, Civil Air Patrol cadet training and an air show every other year.
Davis happy to be alive after childhood trauma
PHOTO BY AYANA E VANS
Siobhan Regan works on writing her novel “Carry Me Home.” Her inspiraton for the novel comes from her little sister who is autistic and has cerebral palsy.
Little sister inspires student to write By Ayana Evans Matteson, Ill. 16-year-old Siobhan Regan’s life was changed at the age of 13 she when she found out her younger sister was diagnosed with Autism (which is a mental condition, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts) and Cerebral Palsy (which is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.) From this eye-opener, reading and writing became two of Regan’s remedies. She went from reading one book a day to starting her own novels, based on her experiences. The first book she almost completed was called “Ghost Town,” which is about two girls who went to their old school that had been bombed and they encountered a group of ghosts. All of the ghosts have great stories about events that happened in their lives. “Ghost Town” was Regan’s first horror story, but it sparked her love for writing and
desire to become a part-time author. To pursue this goal she joined her school’s yearbook and newspaper where she met friends who also loved to read and write. From there they edited each other’s work and became close friends. One of the books Regan is curr ently writing is the romance novel “Carry Me Home,” a story about a college student named Alex who meets a blasphemous guy named Cole who passes judgment against her but as they get to know each other these two characters learn they have similarities. This story reflects on the judgment Regan said her sister experienced before people knew her about her conditions. “She never complains about a thing and never looks at the negative,” she says. Her sister, whom Regan said remains strong and positive everyday, continues to inspire her to write and share the novels. Regan dedicates all the novels she starts to her sister. “Whenever I am insecure about sharing my stories, I think if she can do anything I can do anything too,” Regan said.
By John Jarosik Bolingbrook Ryan Davis, a 17-yearold who has overcome many hurdles and struggles, is a “walking miracle.” When he was 3, Davis’s parents found out he had a tumor in his brain that caused him not to talk, walk normal, go to the bathroom properly or walk up and down the stairs. “I was shocked and stunned really when my parents told me about it,” Davis said. Davis, soon after, got the tumor removed and started living a normal life and was able to do the basic things that all kids could do like play with toys, go to parks, and be involved. Currently, he is about to become a senior in high school and is involved in many school activities, which include writing for his school’s newspaper, performing in school plays, and competing in chess tournaments. “I’ve been in a lot of mid-level roles, but had my first lead role in the play last fall called ‘All PHOTO BY JOHN JAROSIK of The Timing’ where I Ryan Davis, is extremely happy to be upright and walking. played Al,” Davis said. When he was three years old, Davis overcame a brain tumor However, Davis’ true pas- that had made it difficult to walk and talk. sion is writing. “I liked writing before and because of it I got into the newspaper,” Davis said. ment Weekly because it’s the biggest entertainDavis wanted to be a writer ever since he ment company in the world,” Davis said. was 13 and wants to write for the entertainRyan has his mind made up and is hopeful ment industry. that someday his dream will become a reality. “I watch a lot of movies and read reviews Than ks to his father and teachers, he has the and it is something that has always interested confidence to do it. me,” Davis said. “My dad has been the one to always Davis has his mind set on working in en- push me up, and my teachers have always tertainment and being able to sit down and been there and support me,” Davis said. just talk about comedies, action, and drama Davis is about to graduate high school in films. less than a year and will be off to college soon “If I’m lucky, I want to write for Entertain- after.
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
Summer reading program: More than books on tap
By Andrew Rosenthal Round Lake, Ill. We’re often caught up in the same daily routine. That’s why this year’s summer reading program at the Helen Matthes library featured the theme, “Escape the Ordinary.” This week the library held a cheese tasting event. The cheese comes from Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville, Illinois, a family owned artisan and farmstead cheese creamery. The cheese testing is “an opportunity to give our patrons a chance to try something new, and maybe haven’t tried before,” said the library’s marketing director, Catherine Bailey. The library attempts to do a tasting event once every year. On Tuesday, it put out a table with a mixture of ordinary cheese and a couple that officials say visitors might not have tried before. They are the same cheeses used in salads and sandwiches at Joe Sippers Cafe, and can be purchased in Effingham at the Hodgson Mill Visitors Center. There were five cheeses on display, starting with traditional White Cheddar. Others included: Havarti, a “mild, creamy cheese with a delightful buttery taste with a hazelnut finish.” Gouda, a “firm cheese that is mild in flavor with a bit of sweetness and a creamy texture.” Cave Aged Tomme, a “spin on an ancient mountain cheese that makes
quired). Library officials say that all the activities people have during the summer sometimes put reading on the back burner. The program is “aimed at children to avoid ‘summer slide’ during summer vacations,” said Bailey. “Kids forget a lot of things from school, when they go back to school in August, many of them lost a month or more of what their reading skill was at at the end of the year.” Adults can benefit from extra encouragement to keep reading, too. Patrons can register at the library and, depending on their age, are given a reading log. Children up to a certain age are asked to read a certain amount of minutes depending on their age, five days a week. Parents log it and at end of week, and they can collect a reward. Kids aged 10 to 12 are asked to write a little about the book they have PHOTO BY ANDRE W ROSENTHAL been reading. Teenagers and adults earn rewards for various reading activiHelen Matthes Library Marketing Director Catherine Bailey, left, checks out the cheeses at a tasting ties, such as access to the library’s digithis week. It was part of the library’s “Escape the Ordinary” summer reading program. tal library or some of the other services. When readers finish their activities, they are all given weekly prizes and are way for a bright bite. Similar to ched- than 70 events at the Helen Matthes ule events that offer something new entered in a raffle for an iPad mini, dar-parmesan blend, Tomme is a great Library to encourage people to come to try, such as tasting some different and gift cards to local businesses. So far the program has 700 pashredding cheese that has been aged out and enjoy reading. For the young- cheeses. for 18 months.” er children, the events are oriented toFuture events include construct- trons registered that have read for a Finally, Tipsy Cheddar, “White ward superheros. The kids can make ing a “Worm Farm” to help turn fam- total of 22,700 minutes. To join, visCheddar made with Schlafly Brewery superhero characters and masks, and ily waste into useful compost. The it the Helen Matthes Library on 100 Pale Ale Beer.” experiment with robots. event will be run by the U of I Exten- E Market. Participants do not need a It was all part of a series of more For the adults, the idea is to sched- sion Office on July 2 (Registration re- library card.
Athlete, student, everything in between Andrew Rosenthal, 17, does just about all as a high school senior By Katelyn Eddington Golconda, Ill. Senior Andrew Rosenthal, 17, is not just the average high school football player. Known as Rosey, a nickname given from his coach soon caught on with his teammates and it eventually grew on him. He has lived in Round Lake, his whole life, but he did not stay on one side of town. That is how he ended up at Grayslake Central. He’s pretty proud of the school. That’s also where he met one of his role models, coach Shawn Murphy, who he was able to connect to. “He is one of the guys who makes you realize what you want to do,” said Rosenthal. His experience in football all started when he was just an “eighty-five pound nugget” in the sixth grade. Although he did not want to at first, his father talked him into it. Even though he has been told he is one of the hardest workers at practice he does not get to play as much during games. “I have only gotten two minutes and thirty seconds of varsity playing time,” said Rosenthal. “I have never been able to match up to the physicality that others have.” He still plays because that is how he made friends throughout school. “Even though our record is awful, the bonds we make are undefeated,” he says. One of his best friends, on the team, originally from South Korea and him like to go fishing on Lake Michigan. He has said that football made him who he is. “Football is something that is just fun,” he says “even when you’re getting your butt kicked or kicking someone’s butt.” Not only does he play football but he has tried wrestling, bowling, distance track, and lacrosse. He continues to run track, and plays
club lacrosse. and I enjoy it.” in, and doesn’t intend to get caught up in the Since junior high he has had complications Being the person he is, he wants to be in- money. with his knees. He had an extra bone on his volved in the changing media. He is trying to “I’d rather do something I like to do, than do thigh which had bone mass and broke his third go to college at Missouri University and plan- something I hate and make a lot of money,” said year playing. That caused him to have his first ning to major in a field of journalism. He tries Rosenthal. That’s what he keeps in mind as he surgery at the age of fourteen. At first his par- to stay involved in everything he’s interested enters college. ents did not believe he broke something, but eventually they noticed something was wrong. “After the surgery I can run so much better,” he says, “everyone thought I tore my ACL.” The next one was a complication of a muscle tumor that he had during his first two high school years. He could not get it removed in the spring because of lacrosse so he waited until the summer. Along with his busy school and football schedule he works at Six Flags as a flash pass attendant and cashier. “I think i’ve seen it all,” he says.”from lost children, to fights in line, to people trying to PHOTO BY K ATELYN EDDINGTON sneak on the ride... there’s always some- Andrew Rosenthal, 17, plays football, wrestling, lacrosse and runs track. Rosenthal is also an avid photograthing new everyday pher and writer, as he thinks that is what he wants to do when he grows up.
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
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Finding out Francesca
Guiding her decisions by their effect on others By Isaiah Hall Bolingbrook, Ill. Despite the influences a person can encounter from parents and major authority figures while growing up, Francesca Spizzo shapes who she is based on her own moral compass. “I don’t really model my actions off of anyone, I just try to do the right thing,” Spizzo said. For Spizzo, her Italian heritage and Catholicism go hand in hand. She grew up celebrating many festivals for various saints with her Italian-American parents, both because of her heritage and religion. Her religious upbringing plays a role in the person she is now, Spizzo said does not do volunteer work simply because of her tutelage, but for the satisfaction of helping others. “Whenever you are with your [volunteer] work, there is that sense of satisfaction that you did something, and it is great,” Spizzo said. During 2011 Spizzo won a poster contest for the sixth to eighth category for respecting America’s veterans according to the Belleville public school’s archive because she “wanted
to artistically show America’s respect for war veterans,” Spizzo said. “A lot of the things I do, the choices I make, are based on how it affects people,” Spizzo said. Her energetic nature lead to her involvement sophomore year of high school in a Teeter Totter-A-Thon for advancing research towards pediatric brain cancer as one of 60 teams, according to the Belleville News-Democrat. To participate, Spizzo and her team had to raise at least $200, which was donated to Joshua’s Great Things Foundation, the paper said. Following the Belleville High School theme of “Light up” for the event, Spizzo and the other members of the team dressed completely in black, decorated with a rainbow of colors, including lettering and accessories, according to Spizzo. “I thought the experience was really fun,” Spizzo said. Although she donated her own money, some in the group “raised money by selling cookies,” Spizzo said. In no way does Spizzo plan to stop giving back to society. Looking to-
PHOTO BY ISAIAH HALL
Francesca Spizzo, middle, talks to Ivy Truong, left, and Lisa Liu, right, while walking toward Stevenson Hall at EIU.
ward the future, she plans to double major in journalism and either neuroscience or forensic science. Her want to fight crime and help others influences her decisions for the
future, according to Spizzo. She considers going into crisis journalism in order to bring attention to social and economic issues in the world. Spizzo also wants to learn about and report
on conflicts occurring in the Middle East. “I want to know if we are truly affecting [people in the Middle East] on a positive level,” Spizzo said.
Robinson Humane Society still holding on By Francesca Spizzo Belleville, Il. For almost 17 years, director Debbie Dix has been running the Robinson Humane Society; however, this full time shelter takes much more management than people think. On average, Dix’s summer staff (four full time workers and three volunteers) still needs help maintaining the building and its inhabitants. An average day consists of cleaning out bowls, disinfecting surfaces, walking the dogs and feeding the animals, all of this done before one pm. After one, the shelter is open for visitors and hopeful adopters. Most of Dix’s volunteers are hands on learners. They are thrown into the hustle and bustle of care-taking and learn mostly on the job. At the Robinson shelter, there are about 50 to 60 animals being housed. The outdoor cats, however, are in the hundreds. When asked about the number of animals regularly housed indoors, Dix said, “It just comes and goes.” With regular fluctuations in animal drop offs and sporadic adoptions, the numbers vary often. Dix also notes that cats seem to be dropped off in abundance during the spring and summer seasons, whereas dogs are dropped off throughout the year.
Being that there are so many animals to take care of, costs are high. Dix stated that, “It costs thousands to run this place [per month].” With so many animals coming in, and little going out, the costs keep rising steadily. Dix’s shelter relies on gracious donations,such as dog food, in order to keep their organization running. Dix commented, “I’m hoping to find someone who would help us write grants,” when asked about plans for raising funds. Fundraising used to be a common occurrence for the Robinson Humane Society, but the rising costs and lack of attendance has led to the termination of spaghetti dinners and the ‘hairball hoedown’. However, despite the lack of funding Dix is still one of the rare shelter directors that does not put a time limit on her animals’ stay. While not technically classified as a “no kill shelter,” Dix’s shelter is still pretty close. In addition to the hard work of being an animal caretaker, Dix has also had to deal with unkind comments from online spectators. People have rudely commented their opinions, but without knowing how hard it is to maintain the shelter. Despite being put down by others, Dix goes to work everyday knowing that she makes a difference.
PHOTO BY FR ANCESC A SPIZZO
A Robinson Humane Society cat is one of the 3oo felines living inside and outside of the shelter.
PIMP MY GOLF CART Some Robinson residents believe in benefits to golf carts on public roads By Ryan Davis St. Louis, Mo. The golf ball lands inside the hole. You’re excited, proud of yourself for having made a holein-one. To commemorate the moment, you want to take that specific golf ball home. You pack up your golf clubs and place them in the back of your 2012 Chevy Camaro. You hop in and take off going 60 mph down the golf course. That would seem a little strange. Well, something just as strange is going on in Robinson, Illinois: golf carts are being used on public roads. Now why would someone want to drive a golf cart when they have a perfectly good car
that can go faster? According to police chief, Bill Ackman, golf carts are going into style now for multiple reasons. “The biggest reason is the price of gasoline,” says Ackman. “You can utilize a golf cart for three days on a fully charged battery.” Another main reason is that it is a convenient means of transportation for the elderly and for families. Acquiring a cart is not hard or extremely expensive. Norma Lowe, a resident of Robinson, purchased a golf cart two years ago in Salem, Illinois, for only $4,000. However, getting the chance to use it is a bit more difficult. For one, every cart must include the typical features of
a car including head and tailights, turn signals, horn, front glass, mirrors, and four wheels. Every cart also requires a slow-moving vehicle sign on the back as well as a village permit which allows them to operate on the roads. The permit must be registered every year. The driver must also be 21 or older in order to drive the cart. Whenever any of these guidelines are broken, fines of up to $750 could be placed on the owner. Despite their slower speed and tinier frame, golf carts can still be used just as any other car would. “They primarily operate in the same lane of traffic as passenger cars do,” said Chief Ackman.
“You can park it just like you would a car.” And because of its lack of traffic, golf carts have never slowed down the town or its citizens. The carts must also stay within the city limits. Some people, however, wish they could go further. Lowe, who drives her cart three times a week, states, “I’d like to be able to go to Walmart sometimes,” Lowe said. Even with the many rules and strict regulations, golf carts have become a normal sight around Robinson. While not everyone has gotten involved in the new trend, those who have seem to be happy with their new, user-friendly vehicle.
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
Civil Air Patrol flies high
Flying instructor Mark Grant talks to vistors about his own teaching philosophy and past experiences at the Coles County Memorial Airport in Mattoon.
By Ivy Truong Belleville, Ill. The cadets and the instructors at the Johnson Flight Academy find that the experience of flying can compare to nothing else, which is why the recent rain has been so disappointing. “It’s like being on top of the world. Everything is pretty from up here. Green is green. Blue is blue. You can’t see any imperfection,” said Mark Grant, a flying instructor at the academy. The Civil Air Patrol, an official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, sponsors the annual academy at the Coles County Memorial Airport. The program in its 49th year takes teenagers from 14 to 21 years old and conditions them on the mechanics of aviation and flying.
The goal is for each teen, by the end of the two-week program on June 19, to be able to fly solo on either a powered aircraft, glider, or hot air balloon. “It’s really impressive for a 16-year-old to never fly before to fly solo a year later,” said Maj. Robert Bowden, the director of public affairs for the region. The students prepare for the solo experience by attending ground school for half of the day, where they learn about the proper handling techniques, fundamentals, and emergency procedures. The other half is spent on truly handson experience. Grant instructs his own students by gradually reaching the point where he does not talk to them at all while they are flying. He be-
lieves that the students should always treat the flying as if they are on their own. “I won’t utter a word,” said Grant. “I just sit there, clapping.” Recently, the sessions have been cut short. The weather, cloudy and rainy, has provided low visibility and dangerous conditions for the burgeoning pilots. Rather than teaching students how to fly in these different weather scenarios, the instructors find it better -- and safer -- to have the students first feel confident in flying in fair weather. “We want to make sure we do everything safely,” Bowden explained. “This is a huge part of flying, that thought process (of safety). (But) there’s always disappointment when you can’t fly.”
Cadets Nea Shaffer, Bowen Walsh, and Mackenzie Shepherd all agree that the flying is the most rewarding part of the entire camp -and the most difficult. Shepherd, in her first week at the camp this year, learned to land with a powered aircraft. The experience, she thought, was easier said than done. One wrong move could make for a rough landing. “I was about to give it up,” said Shepherd. However, being able to fly solo after wards made the challenge worth it. “You go on the runway, and you think, ‘Hey, I’m doing this on my own,’” she said. For second-year glider veterans Shaffer and Walsh, this was an exhilaration all too common for them. They recently flew as far as two and
PHOTO BY ISAIAH HALL
three hours away, then back again. “When you’re gliding, you’re soaring,” Walsh said. “It’s closer to you actually flying.” For the experience, the students had to compete against some of the most involved and high-ranking cadets of the nation to learn under practiced instructors for a relatively cheap cost. Each instructor has clocked in at least a few hundred of instruction and flying hours. They all aim to build relationships with the campers, hoping to have the cadets return for another year with, perhaps, less rain. Bowden himself is an alumnus who has returned to instruct. “The experience is second to none,” said Bowden. “We’re the model that started it all.”
Different location, same school daze for Truong By Valeria Martinez Elmhurst, Ill. For Belleville native Ivy Truong, working as an English teacher in an urban high school seems like a dream. However, that was not always the ideal dream. Originally, Truong wanted to study science and math. She even joined clubs such as Science Olympiad and Math Team because of how much she liked these subjects. But then Truong experienced a revelation. “I wanted to study math and science because I was good at it,” said Truong. “I figured that if I was good at it, I would be someone; but then I realized that just because I’m good at something it doesn’t mean that I should pursue it.” This revelation came to Truong after she met her English teacher Mrs.
McGarrity. “She made English fun,” said Truong.” Her will and her passion made me see something in English that I never would have seen.” After her discovery, Truong decided to focus on her newfound love for English and decided to incorporate it with her other interest: teaching. “I always want to be there for them [my students] and I want to inspire them to do what they want.” Truong combines her passion for English and teaching by volunteering at her local church camp by teaching students who need help in reading. “It has shown me how difficult teaching can be and how I have to adjust to the students needs,” said Truong. Yet Truong still hung on to her
PHOTO BY VALERIA MARTINEZ
Junior Ivy Truong writes on a chalkboard in a classroom at Eastern Illinois University.
dream of becoming an English teacher thanks to her adaptability and flexibility. With this experience, she has been able to gain more
insight of what it takes to become a teacher. “Just because I have a dream, it doesn’t mean it’s not going to take a
lot of work,” said Truong. Although Truong is just a junior at Belleville East High School, she has already made plans of what she wants to study once she arrives at college. “I want to teach secondary education and I plan on attending a school that offers four years of student teaching and in-class training,” said Truong. After college, Ivy plans to teach in urban areas where teachers are in need. “These areas often have poor environments,” said Truong. “I want to teach in these areas because I want to help others overcome their obstacles in life.” In the end, Ivy hopes to achieve her goals and to reach others through teaching.
FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
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Vaughan sets media major goal
PHOTO BY ELIZ ABETH MCC AMMON
Natalie Vaughan reads at Mary Booth Library, choosing to enjoy one of her favorites, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.
By Elizabeth McCammon Altamont, Ill. Living by experience has always been a driving force in Natalie Vaughan’s life, and experience is exactly what the 16-year-old expects to gain from the Illinois Press Foundation (IPF) workshop. “Everything shapes me as a person,” Vaughan said when asked what experiences had an impact on her. According to Vaughan, every moment in her life has helped create the person she has become today. Extracurricular activities help students gain a lot of experience and Vaughan definitely does her share. She is in the Gay Straight Alliance, Interact, Tennis, environment club, and book club. Softball also used to be an activity she was involved in. Reading is a favorite pastime for Vaughan. She likes several different books and could never choose a favorite. “I like books that make me feel something,” Vaughan said. Vaughan loves to gain from her experiences, even if it’s just from reading a book. Vaughan also doesn’t have anyone that she looks up to or aspires to be like. “I do my own thing, I am not shaped after another person,” Vaughan explained. Even though she doesn’t have a role model, several people affect her life in small ways. Even when Vaughan was just a child, her experiences influenced her. According to Vaughan, she developed her strong support for gay rights when she was little. “I grew up in an environment where it’s ok,” Vaughan explained. Two of her uncles are gay and her family accepts her uncles’ choices, according to Vaughan. She believes that people should be able to choose who they love. “My teachers have influenced me a lot in my life,” Vaughan said. Throughout the last few years Vaughan said she has taken notice of how much her teachers help and care for her. Experiencing her teachers’ care and helpful attitude has made Vaughan consider a career in teaching. She wants to attend New York University for a major in either media cultural communications or English literature and a minor in teaching. NYU is Vaughan’s school of choice because she wants to travel and experience new things. “I think it’s cool to compare other cultures to ours and find what works, ” Vaughan said. The IPF workshop appealed to Vaughan because she would gain experience that she couldn’t get anywhere else. She plans on using this experience later in life if she chooses to pursue a career in media cultural communications. She spends several hours during the school year working on homework. Vaughan is a very hardworking person and she’s determined to complete her goal of going to NYU.
Thadison caught shoplifting at Meijer By Natalie Vaughan Rantoul, Ill. Laquesha Thadison, 28, pleaded guilty to a class four felony on June 17, 2015. Thadison, a resident on the 2600 street of Vaulter Drive in Champaign, was charged with retail theft in Champaign County. Prior to her retail theft charge, Thadison had been charged with forgery. On Feb. 15 of this year, Thadison was caught shoplifting at Meijer. Thadison attempted to steal several items but was stopped by an officer on her way out. She returned some items but managed to flee the scene before being taken into custody. Thadison was located and arrested on March 14, 2015. Thadison was sentenced to court on June 18, where she pleaded guilty to the charge of retail theft, a class four felony. Judge Heidi Ladd agreed on a bargain that Thadison will have thirty months of probation, sixty days in a correctional center, pay all due fines, give sample of DNA, and take an online course. On July 14 at 8:30 a.m. Thadison has to turn herself in to serve her 60 days in the correction center.
PHOTO COURTSEY OF THE COURTHOUSE.CO WEBSITE
The Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana was the setting for Laquesha Thadison to enter her guilty plea regarding a charge of theft.
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FRIDAY, June 19, 2015
HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE
Heath Museum serves as place to reminisce about sweets By Anne Marie Yurik Glenview, Ill. Glenda Fulling, board member of the Crawford County Heritage Foundation, waited seven years. The renovation of the Heath Museum took two and a half years to complete and seven years of anticipation in order for sufficient funds to be raised. However, the museum was successfully opened eight years ago, and it continues to be run today. The Heath Museum currently houses antiques, donated or on loan, bundles of candy and a blast from the past so people can see where it all began. An old record player, soda machine and the progression of Heath uniforms throughout the years are only a small amount of insight to the history the Heath museum offers. Despite the hardships of working on the museum, Fulling said that watching the renovation and museum progress was a rewarding experience, especially given her past experience as a campfire girl selling Heath bars. The museum serves as a form of nostalgia for those who have a long history in Robinson, a new form of entertainment and knowledge on the past for the younger individuals and new information so tourists can see the vintage side of a modern candy bar Fulling said. “They love it because they get to come in and look at pictures of their family members who worked there, of their grandparents and
PHOTO BY ANNE MARIE YURIK
Glenda Fulling poses in front of the mural in the Heath museum. She aided in renovation efforts eight years ago, and still continues the mission of the museum to inform individuals of the history of Heath.
their grandparents of parents, and some spend hours here,” Fulling said. “They’ll grab their books come back here and sit down and look through the books, and they’ll see their grand-
pa or their dad or whomever.” Fulling recalls when Heath hosted their 100th year anniversary. She and her daughter were able to see children connect with their family from
different generations, and really learn what was in their past and what their ancestors had done. “We encourage the younger ones to come in,” Fulling said. “Not just
to hang out or whatever but to just see what their ancestors before them what they did for a living and to see what it’s all about. That’s the main thing. We want to keep it alive so that they can share it with their family too.” Although Heath has a regular stream of customers, Fulling said, they do experience a rise in the summer and festival months as well as a fall during the first quarter of the year. “There’s always going to be highs and lows in any business; you just have to muddle through it and know that it will be better soon,” Fulling said. In comparison to the more modernized places around, Fulling recognizes the more retro and classic look of the museum as well as the difference in the items they sell to customers. “I think it’s unique,” Fulling said. “It’s unique in that it’s an actual soda fountain versus, without naming any names, the newer style. It’s vintage. Also it’s hard ice cream versus soft serve, and we actually mix our sodas versus it coming out of a fountain machine.” As for the museum in the future months, Fulling said that she would like to keep it running in order to keep the Heath legacy around. She would also like the museum to keep offering insight on Heath and its Robinson history to generations to come.
POTS Doesn’t Hinder Yurik
Anne Marie Yurik
By Gabrielle Lenger Moline, Ill. Faced with a disease that limits physical activity, Anne Marie Yurik is not letting anything stop her from reaching her goals. “I can’t get my driver’s license, it’s frustrating” said Anne Marie. Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) has been a constant road block in her life since she was diagnosed in eighth grade. POTS is a condition when a patient’s heart rate suddenly increases causing nausea, shortness of breath, throbbing of the head, and occasionally fainting.
Anne Marie has been experiencing episodes twice a week since she was 13. Her first serious episode happened during a family vacation in Paris. “I stood up and I lost my vision for a few seconds. I felt really dizzy for awhile after that” recalled Anne Marie. After the symptoms became serious, she was hospitalized and tested. Her cardiologist came to the conclusion of POTS and immediately gave her a list of physical restrictions she had to follow in order to heal. She is expected to eventually grow out of
POTS, but meanwhile this created a lot of free time for Anne Marie. “I had a lot of time to focus on other things I liked to do, like writing” said Anne Marie. It was her mom who pushed her to join her High School’s newspaper and yearbook. Anne Marie started out as a reporter, but her competitive personality pushed her to move up on the newspaper ranks. She is now a co-editor of the feature section of the newspaper. Anne Marie’s focus also fell on academics. To earn credits, she doubled up on language classes taking both German
and Spanish. She learned that she had a love for languages. She began forming a plan to incorporate both her love for journalism and languages in her future. “I want to learn every language that is out there” said Anne Marie. Her plan is to travel the world as a translator and write a fictional book influenced by the places she travels. Anne Marie’s parents are very supportive of her plan, but they will be sad to see her go. POTS did not set Anne Marie back, but it allowed her to become more independent and make a plan for her future.
Goals Outgrow Suburban Environment
PHOTO BY ANDRE W ROSENTHAL
Senior Javier Covarrubias wants to escape the suburban life when he gets older.
By Andrew Rosenthal Round Lake, Ill. Senior Javier Covarrubias, 16, has grown up in the southern suburbs of Chicago, bound to the city life. While he may not find anything wrong with it, he has always wanted to escape it and try something new. His life growing up and presently residing in the city of Midlothian, IL, has not only shaped who he is today, but has given him a sense of direction on where he wants to go in life. Ever since he was he was 5 years old, Covarrubias was ahead of the pace when it came to school. That’s why when it was time to enter elementary school; his teacher did not see the need for him to go to Kindergarten. “My dad would do math with me at home when I was young, by the time I reached Kindergarten, I already knew everything,” said Covarrubias. “It wasn’t so much my decision to skip a grade, it just happened.” Because of that Covarrubias is the youngest in his class, but is still able to enjoy his experience at Bremen High School just as any other would. At 16, he was able to take drivers education during the school year and still get his license on time. On top of that he stays competitive in varsity athletics as he plays competitive soccer and runs distance track.
“Because I’ve matured with them and grew up playing with kids older than me, It feels like there is not even an age difference,” says Covarrubias. “I try to ignore the age difference because I am equal to them when it comes to sports.” Unfortunately, his work commitment and other things associated with junior year made him decide to take a season off. Now, entering senior his senior year, Covarrubias already has his goals on what how he wants to endure college and take on a career later in life. “Hopefully I can travel the world and be a successful global businessman,” he says. “I plan to have a direction in life.” Living in a single town his whole life has had its downsides, because of the fact that Midlothian borders a major city has led him to never experience the great outdoors before. “I love downtown Chicago, but I hate the cold weather,” said Covarrubias. “I have nothing against it but I have always wanted to try something new.” For now, he works at the Delta Sonic car wash in Crestwood (a neighboring community) with a group of his friends and a sense of comfort. Because of his friends, he enjoys the experience of working there as it helps him gain the money he will need for college.