February Issue by Kaneland Krier

the student newspaper of Kaneland High School

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[the krier

FEBRUARY 23, 2012

When pharm parties become the new fad... teens become the naive followers

VOLUME 38

ISSUE 6

FEBRUARY

LITTLE BITES WITH BIG CALORIES p. 8

LATE HOURS FOR TEEN EMPLOYEES p.9

HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATES, w 17

COFFEEHOUSE REVIEWS p. 18

NEWS

Budget to be cut an extra million BY JACOB RAZO AND SHANE FERGUS, Editors Starting next year, the Kaneland district will have a budget deficit of approximately $930,000 due to an unexpected state budget cut that gives schools less money. Because of the Illinois budget cuts, Kaneland is forced to also cut from its budget. During the meeting on Jan. 9, Superintendent Jeff Schuler recommended making $900,000 in cuts, however the board voted 7-0 that the district needs to cut $1.1 million, which is 20 percent more than the $930,000 necessary. This is to make sure there is room for error in case any mistakes are made in the budget-cutting process. “Right now, we are going through the process of what we are going to cut from the three main categories, starting with operational services and then possibly cutting, if necessary, staff workload. Lastly, if it comes down to it, we might have to cut into student programs,” Dr. Julie-Ann Fuchs, Assistant Superintendent for Business, said. In order to spread budget cuts equally throughout the district, administrators are using a cost center approach that divides the cuts into four groups: elementary, middle school, high school and district levels. Each cost center will be cut by the same

The board meeting on Jan. 9 of the new year met to discuss next year’s budget and decided to cut an extra million dollars.

Photo by Shane Fergus

percentage so that the cuts are spread equally throughout the district. However, because district and administrative services make up 56 percent of the district’s overall budget and include transportation, operations and maintenance, technology, and special education, that area will have the most cuts. “The district’s overall spending reduction process will be similar to the way the district handled the budget cuts in the past. The main goal will be to reduce spending overall in the district while hopefully not impact the students,”

Fuchs said. So far, district officials have not yet decided where the cuts will be made. The goal was to have a list of potential cuts for the $1.1 million by the February board meeting. Either way, new cuts will have to be made because of a decrease in money the district is receiving from the state of Illinois. “I think it’ll limit the activities taken pursuit at Kaneland, and I think it’ll decrease a lot of opportunities for kids,” said freshman Kristin Staub.

itself. Actually seeing the places that you’ve read about and studied in history makes them come to life. Going to other countries and learning about them is an essential part of being a global citizen,” Cheryl Borrowdale, field trip coordinator, said. Students will be visiting multiple famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Globe Theater, Oxford University, Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, the BBC studios, the Anne Frank House, the Dutch royal palace and many other historic sites. “I feel like it’s a chance that you shouldn’t pass up,” junior Graham Jefferson said. “If you

have the opportunity, do it ‘cause you never know when it will come again.” Many students are excited for the trip because of the culture and adventures a new country will bring. “I’m actually really excited to go to Amsterdam,” freshman Paulina Yep said. Anyone that’s not a current senior has the opportunity to go on the trip because it won’t be taking place until next spring. “We custom designed this trip to be a literature, media and theater-based trip,” Borrowdale said. “It’s more meaningful and exciting and fun exploring these places in person.”

English sponsors a trip to London BY EMILY GULANCZYK, Editor When studying Shakespeare’s plays and learning about Anne Frank, the majority of Kaneland students don’t have the firsthand experience of seeing where Shakespeare’s works were originally performed or walking into the actual house Anne Frank hid in for survival for two years. However, next spring the English department will be sponsoring a 10-day trip to visit London and Amsterdam, not to be confused with this year’s Spanish trip to Europe. “I think going abroad is an education all in

Visit the Krier web site @ kaneland.org/krier

News / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Cast selected for Les Misérables musical BY LIZ SUCH AND NICK BOOSE, Reporters Les Misérables, the spring musical, will be preformed on March 16-17 at 7 p.m. and on March 18 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. The musical, which is based on the events of the French Revolution, is one of the most famous and popular musicals of all time. Senior Brian Edwards will be playing Thénardier, the main villain, in the musical. Some of the other characters in the play include a variety of students within the play. The main characters include, Jean Valjean, Javert, Bishop of Digne, Fantine, Madame Thenardier, Thenardier, Eponine, Enjolras, Marius, Cosette, Little Cosette, and Gavroche. “Most of the songs I’m singing are silly, because my character is the comedic relief,” Edwards said “[Others] are really nasty songs.” Instead of the typical backdrops, the scenery will be unique. English teacher Christina Montalto is in charge of set design for Les Misérables. “[There are] a lot of set pieces. There will also be a non-full back drop that will be ripped in half. [We’re] going for a pessimistic, gloomy feeling,” Montalto said. The set will also include a barricade, which Montalto said is going to be the most difficult set piece to build and will consist of three platforms filled with chairs, wood and broken windows. The most difficult part was that the

Juniors Stephanie Maras, Caroline Eicelberger and Senior Eric Eicelberger all stay after school to practice singing for the spring muscial. Photo by Kaprice Sanchez

performers will have to be able to jump on and off the barricade during the show, Montalto said. Even though the musical is nearly a month away, Montalto and the cast are working tirelessly to complete the set in time for the show. “[The cast members] are required to have ten hours, which can be difficult to meet,” Montalto said.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children; a family pack is also offered. Advanced tickets are currently being sold at a discount; any tickets bought before Feb. 29 are 20 percent off and will receive the best seats in the auditorium. KHS teachers and students are free. Contributions by Kaprice Sanchez

News / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

SOPA shelved; ACTA introduced

bility to follow the laws. The government doesn’t have the right to The Stop Online Piracy Act was shut [sites that can link to illegal cancelled last month after a large downloads] down,” Lynn McHenry, social sciences teacher, said. amount of controversy. The Senate version of SOPA, The bill, introduced on Oct. 26, would have given the government the Protect IP Act, was supposed greater authority to discipline sites to be voted on by the Senate on that were distributing illegal con- Jan. 24 but was cancelled due to the controversy. tent. Opponents of the bill believe Several web sites like Wikipedia temporarily censored their content it would have harmed web sites like Facebook and Tumblr to raise awareness against even for innocent users, the bill. On Jan. 18, nusince it would be site-wide. merous web sites, includ“It infringes upon your ing Reddit, Flickr, Vimeo free speech rights and and others participated in therefore it opens the a strike protesting SOPA. door to mass censorship,” Google covered their main sophomore Daniel Berndt logo with a black box, which, if clicked on, took -Lynn McHenry, Social said. Sciences teacher A worldwide agreethe user to a page explaining SOPA and asking people to op- ment known as the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is being pose it. Lamar S. Smith (R-TX) and a debated by a number of politicians bipartisan group of twelve spon- and has already been signed by sors introduced the bill. It would Poland, Ireland and the European give the government greater abil- Union. ACTA would have a similar ity to discipline sites accused of effect on the internet. The effect copyright violation, like cutting off in the United States is somewhat their advertising or taking over the unclear due to the international nasite. It would also prevent search ture of the agreement. Proponents of SOPA in the meengines like Google from providing dia industry are expected to push links to accused web sites. “The consumer has a responsi- forward another version of the bill.

BY MATT WAHLGREN, Editor

Photo by Matt Wahlgren

Official statements from supporters “There is a vast virtual market online run by criminals who steal products and profits that rightly belong to American innovators. These foreign rogue web sites not only steal movies and music, they offer counterfeit medicine, automobile parts and even baby food, which harm American industries and put American lives at risk.” -Chairman Lamar Smith, Texas “Today’s markup is a victory for American artists and jobs. Online property crime robs American artists and harms American consumers, and the Stop Online Piracy Act provides important tools to safeguard our jobs and property.” -Rep. John Conyers, Michigan “What we are doing here is applying the same legislative policy that we do to the importation of pirated goods, which is set forth in the Lanham Act. The goal of this bill is to stop the theft of intellectual property just like we work to prevent the importation of knock-off goods into the United States.” -Rep. Bill Owens, New York

Source: House of Representatives website

Real World / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Tell us your thoughts!

Compiled by Morgan Buerke

KRIER

“The consumer has a responsibility to follow the laws.”

Congress shelved illegal-download-targeting legislation last month after strong opposition.

OURVIEW

KRIER

Kaneland’s Student Newsmagazine

Kaneland High School 47W326 Keslinger Rd. Maple Park, IL 60151 (630) 365-5100 ext. 236 www.kaneland.org/krier/ Member ISHSPA, Quill & Scroll, NSPA, NISPA NSPA First Place 2010 Quill and Scroll First Place 2010 NISPA Golden Eagle 2011 Subscription rates: Nine monthly issues, two supplements School-delivered, $15; Home-delivered, $28 EXECUTIVE STAFF Kylie Siebert Editor-in-Chief Circulation Back Page Opinion Rachael Clinton Digital Production Cover Design

Diana Nuno Print Production Visual and Design Editorial Julia Angelotti Advertising & Business Head Copyeditor

PRINT EDITORIAL STAFF

Art by Austin Paulson

It’s our freedom of speech

Throughout our high school careers at Kaneland, tial laws matter. we are required to take classes that inform us how the But we have to remember that the Internet is somegovernment is run, and ultimately, we are successful as a thing that our generation relies on, and our dependency country. In each history class, we go over governmental on it should be the reason we are curious about the bill systems that are adapted to other societies. Let’s take or why we oppose it. They could censor our internet uscommunism, for instance. The idea was developed by age, something that our generation shouldn’t stand for. Karl Marx, and boy, did it sound good on paper. The idea These bills are unrealistic for several reasons. The pushed equality and spread out wealth instead of enbills encourage user-generated web sites to police every couraging social classes. The theory didn’t work out too piece of content posted and delete them if they violate well, as we can tell from countries that adopted the syscopyright laws. While a small company has the ability to tem. Sometimes, ideas just aren’t as good as they sound. read every comment and efficiently obey the law, popuOn Jan. 18, several web sites “blacked out” because lar sites such as YouTube could never monitor every of two controversial acts. They are the infamous Stop comment or video upload. Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act. According to YouTube, 48 hours worth of video are While the bills are good in uploaded every minute. Another theory, they’re starting to sound a EDITORIAL BOARD VOTE site that has high volumes of traffic lot like communism, at least in the is Facebook. sense that they are repressive and AGREE DISAGREE But let’s go back to the 12-yearmay not work as well as Congress old girl with Bieber fever. Let’s say would hope. While SOPA has been she posts a link to his latest video dropped, it’s being modified and on her grandma’s Facebook wall; may be reintroduced. PIPA is still it seems like an innocent action. being debated. Little does she know, the video vioU.S. Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced lates copyright infringement because whoever posted it the bills to protect the intellectual property of people isn’t Justin Bieber or his record company. artists in the music industry, filmmakers and television. If the law passes, Facebook would shut down beWhile we don’t want to pay, we have to understand cause users are violating copyright laws. No company where they’re coming from. can afford an entire department devoted to monitorIt’s unlikely that the FBI is going to roll into Elburn ing comments and user-uploaded content. A bill that is in Humvee’s and military tanks to arrest a 12-year-old more realistic is one that outlines what each web site girl downloading Justin Bieber’s new single, we can’t should have, in order to prevent users from abusing blame legislators for the suggestion. other’s intellectual property. We can enforce a law that From the government’s standpoint, it makes sense requires flagging buttons, which YouTube has. to try to “buckle down” when it comes to people illeClearly, these bills aren’t meant for the fast-paced gally downloading movies and music, especially when Internet-based society we live in, and frankly, the govthe people illegally downloading the items can make a ernment should be concerned about more than just profit off of it. what we’re looking at and linking to our friends. Hey A lot of us aren’t aware of what could happen. We Congress, how’s the economy? More information about this topic on page 4 aren’t sure of how we’ll be affected, or why these poten-

News Morgan Buerke Kaprice Sanchez

Real World Matt Wahlgren

Opinion Courtney Reiss Kylie Siebert

Features Lexi Roach Delaney Stryczek

Lifestyle & How-To McKinzie Mangers

Sports Feature Brandon Bishop

Centerspread Emily Gulanczyk Alex Vickery Pulse Ryan Noel Kaleb Schuppner

Depth Lanie Callaghan Casey Jacobson Sports Photography Shane Fergus Heather Shelton Jacob Razo

Asst. Copyeditor & Flex Page Brianne Strobel

DIGITAL EDITORIAL STAFF News Sara Laurie

Features Gina Jarvis

Photography Tyler Keenum

Sports Nick Philips

Krier Assistant Ashlyn Slamans

GENERAL STAFF

Nick Albano, Matt Alfrey, Nina Burns, Jaemee Cordero, Murphy Garcia, George Graefen, McKayla Helm, Kati Hill, Maria Lassandro, Tatiana Lee, Kaley Martens, Amelia Likeum, Rachel Mathys, Michelle McCracken, Evan Ortiz, Samantha Payton, Courtney Reiss, Eddie Rodriguez, Sabrina Sivert, Taylor Spooner, Kristin Staub, Bryanna Stoiber, Ellie Strang, Claudia Tovar, Lourinda Triplett, Hannah Wallace, Richard Williams

ADVISERS Cheryl Borrowdale Krier adviser

Nicole Larsen Graphics adviser

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board and are not necessarily the opinion of Kaneland administration, staff, students or parents. The Krier Editorial Board consists of designated Advanced Journalism students: Julia Angelotti, Rachael Clinton, Diana Nuno, Kylie Siebert, Brandon Bishop, Courtney Reiss, Morgan Buerke, Lanie Callaghan, Shane Fergus, Emily Gulanczyk, Gina Jarvis, Casey Jacobson, Tyler Keenum, Sara Laurie, Ryan Noel, Nick Phillips, Jake Razo, Lexi Roach, Kaprice Sanchez, Kaleb Schuppner, Heather Shelton, Brianne Strobel, Delaney Stryczek, Alex Vickery, and Matt Wahlgren. Students make all publication decisions. Letters can be sent to the address above or e-mailed to krier@kaneland.org. Letters must be signed (names may be withheld under extraordinary circumstances as deemed by the editorial staff), and must be under 300 words. The editorial board has the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Any material that is potentially libelous, obscene or disruptive will not be published, at the discretion of the editorial board. The Krier has been an open forum since 1974. As an open forum, we restrict editing to staff members only; prior review and editing are prohibited by people outside the staff.

Editorial / February 16, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

MYVIEW

Society needs to stop blaming music for violence

COURTNEY REISS COURTNEY REISSEditor Editor Senior Bradley Filerman is one of the many teenagers today that gets judged, labeled and targeted for being “violent” because of the type of music that he listens to. “I listen to everything, classic rock, alternative metal and death metal. I get judged for it all the time,” Filerman said. “At my old school, people thought I would kill anybody because of the music I listen to, when I’m really not a mean person. Just because I listen to metal and stuff that is heavy doesn’t make me ‘evil’ - it’s just music,” he said. In all reality, he is not a violent person, and lyrics are most definitely not causing him to be a violent person. He listens to that type of music because “it has a good beat” and he “can connect to it.” Ever since the dawn of rap music and “dark” lyrics, crazed parents and even lawyers have used it as an excuse for outrageous behavior in today’s youth. It seems like the media is the immediate answer to almost every act of violence committed by teens. In 1994, two teenagers, Curtis Lee Walker and Denziss Jackson, shot and killed a Milwaukee police officer for “the fun of it.” In court, they claimed to be influenced by the lyrics of Tupac’s song “2 Pacalypse Now,” in which he embraces the killing of a policeman. In 1999, the infamous shooting occurred at Columbine High School, in which two seniors, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, killed 12 students and one teacher, then continued to commit suicide. The blame of the shooting was directed towards Marilyn Manson for his dark lyrics. What the media seemed to leave out, for the most part, was that Walker had a six-year history of drug, burglary and weapons offenses. According to USA Today, Harris and Klebold had “serious psychological problems,” and psychologists say that Harris was a “cold-blooded, predatory psychopath.” “I don’t believe music causes violence. Music is a good outlet for feelings. When you’re depressed, you listen to sad songs; when you’re angry, you listen to violent songs. The violence is already there; the music isn’t causing it,” School Resource Officer Keith Gardner said. People need to take a step back, stop putting the blame on the lyrics their children are listening to, and start realizing that there is a much more serious problem at hand. As a society, we need to wake up and look for the real cause of teen violence instead of finding the easiest thing to blame it on. What needs to be looked at for the blame is mental status, criminal history and

Opinion / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Art by Austin Paulson

family life. These are the factors that would cause someone to commit murder – not music. “People that use music as an excuse for violence already have a mental illness that causes it. I listen to Tupac and I don’t want to go shoot a cop,” Gardner said. To those who believe that it is music causing violence in teens, ask yourselves this – does reading a suspense novel cause the reader to go out and commit murder? Does watching the news cause the viewer to go out and commit that same crime? No. And this is just as ridiculous, and almost laughable, as the concept of lyrics leading to violence. A teen who grows up in a healthy environment with a supporting and loving family doesn’t just wake up one day and say “Hey, murdering someone for fun sounds like a good idea because this song mentions it.” It’s a question of whether it’s violent music that causes such people to behave aggressively, or is it just the mere fact that aggressive people simply prefer more violent music. The latter, to me, seems like a much more reasonable statement. The connection between the two does not mean one causes the other. Senior Steven Krafft does not think music has any connection to violence. “I listen to all types of music like hip-hop and jazz, and none of it makes me violent. If you’re going to be violent, it’s on your own, not from music,” Krafft said. It is this mentality that leads to accusations and even false convictions of teenagers based off the simple fact that they listen to music our society considers “different.” Case in point: the West Memphis Three. Three teenage boys, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, were convicted of the murder of three eightyear-old boys, who were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Ark. Law enforcement officials and the media claimed that these boys were killed in an act

of a Satanic cult ritual. Shortly after they were found, the newspapers stated that the murderers had been caught, and the police, so confident in their arrest, assured the community that the three teenage boys in custody were the ones definitely responsible for the heinous crime. Evidence? The question I’m sure most are wondering at this point. Well, the answer - none. There was absolutely no physical evidence, motive, murder weapon, or connection to the victims found. So how did these boys get blamed for this crime in the first place? Black hair and clothing, music taste in heavy metal and Stephen King novels. This was the proof that the prosecution pitifully presented to prove that these boys committed a “Satanic murder.” Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were all wrongfully convicted of murder, a crime they did not commit, based largely on their clothing style and the music that they listened to. Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole and Misskelley got life plus 40. They fought for their freedom for 18 years, and for all that time these innocent men were imprisoned, all because of a rush to judgment. On Aug. 19, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley proclaimed their innocence and were set free. Despite their innocence and newfound freedom, prosecutors are threatening a second trial in 2012. So what everyone needs to realize is that it is not music that causes violence in today’s youth, there is a much deeper meaning. Society needs to stop making assumptions and judging teenagers based off of black clothing and their taste in music. Music is an escape from real life and a way for teens to express how they feel. It’s something that can always be relied on and way to cope with feelings – not something that causes murder. If media does cause violence, the toxic reality-based TV shows today are more likely to be the cause than Marilyn Manson.

MYVIEW

Everyone deserves to be treated equally

CASEY JACOBSON Editor The best part about the ad was what it didn’t say. It didn’t say, “Look! Here is a mentally disabled child that we put in our magazine!” It didn’t say, “Our magazine is making a difference by including down syndrome children to model for us!” And the ad especially didn’t say, “Our company is better than yours because we feature children with disabilities.” The ad was just like any other ad you would see for a department store. What it didn’t say said the most. In this particular ad for Target, the headline reads “Tees, pants and jeggings on sale!” where children are displayed for each of these clothing styles. Of course five little beauty-gifted boys and girls modeling their perfectly matching outfits are seen. The first of these five children happened to be a precious blond haired, blue eyed boy modeling a bright orange shirt with a bicycle on it. That little boy has Down syndrome, and his smile was full of life. Nowhere on the page was it mentioned that this little boy had disabilities or special needs. His shirt didn’t read, “I’m proud to be who I am.” The cover of the magazine didn’t read “We are happy to be featuring a mentally disabled child in this issue!” His name wasn’t included, and he was just showing off his adorable smile with the little girl next to him. He was treated like any other child model in the issue. The six year old’s name is Ryan Langston, and he is a pro is the modeling world. He has not only he modeled for Target, but also for some of Nordstrom’s ads. “He’s so proud of himself, and it is a huge confidence booster,” said Ryan’s parents on the website Disability Scoop. According to the National Association for Down Syndrome, the

most important fact about people with Down syndrome is that they are more alike others than different. Down syndrome is a condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. People who have Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46. In a blog called “Noah’s Dad,” the father of a child with Down syndrome blogs about his son and the special needs community. For privacy reasons, the father identifies himself as Rick, and he applauded Target for their inclusive stance for children with special needs. He said that people born with Down syndrome deserve to be treated the same as every other person on this planet. Along with Rick, Target said it’s important for the world to see people born with disabilities with a fresh set of eyes and it’s time for us to lay down all the inaccurate stereotypes from the past. “It is important for special needs students to be treated like everyone else so that they can live a normal life and learn to do things on their own” Kenzie Powell, member of P.E. Leadership, said. Not only do these stereotypes fall onto Down syndrome patients, but any other mentally disabled patient such as a child diagnosed with autism. “When most people first come across someone with a disability, they automatically think ‘Oh, I need to treat this person differently,’ when in reality they [the special needs community] have thoughts and feelings just like anyone else,” Tom Fox member of PE Leadership said. Down syndrome children or any other mentally disabled child wants to be treated just like any other. They want to be able to have fun and socialize just like their peers, and Target silently showed how that is possible. “It is very essential for the [special needs community] to be treated like everybody else because they are building skills like anyone else, and the more they are treated like their peers, the more they can develop and grow,” Theresa Biddle,

Artwork by Heather Shelton

special education teacher, said. Being able to interact and grow with their peers is something special that Kaneland High School is able to offer through the P.E. Leadership program. “[Interacting and being treated like their peers] gives them more of the sense of belonging and also shows them that they have real friends,” Brian Willis ,P.E. Leadership teacher, said. Companies do not have to dramatically draw the attention that they are featuring children with disabilities to show the support they have for them. In fact, by directly pointing out these children, that is doing the absolute opposite of trying to make them feel like everybody else. By acting like it’s really not a big deal to have special needs children modeling in their ad, it’s making it a really big deal for these children trying to get equal treatment.

Society has been more and more inclusive of the special needs community in modeling, television shows or movies. Down syndrome actors can be seen on commercials or TV shows such as Fox’s Glee, which includes a Down syndrome teen, Becky, who is the assistant cheerleading coach. The head cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, also has an older sister who has Down syndrome. Although the media is making more and more appearances of the special needs actors and actresses, such a nonchalant representation of them is still hard to find. Target is leading the way by giving the special needs community the treatment they deserve. Society needs to rid the past stereotypes of “specializing” or “separating” this community and start embracing the bright future these children have.

Opinion / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

FEATURES FEATURES

+ + Little + calories + ++THAT+ADD UP A new law will soon require chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to print calorie information directly on menus and order boards. Though its unclear when the law will take effect, as lawyers and lobbyists haggle over the details, it’s similar to a New York state law that went into effect in 2008. “By requiring fast food chains to post the amount of calories in food items, we’ve made it easier for New Yorkers to make more informed choices about the food they eat,” Thomas Farley, New York City health commissioner, said. This law, which is a part of the Affordable Care Act, works to give consumers nutrition information. Information besides calories will be available upon request at the restaurant such as total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, and sugars. “As calorie labeling spreads nationwide and internationally, more consumers will be able to easily access calorie information at restaurant chains, which gave a greater incentive to reformulate their products and offer healthier options,” Lynn Silver, director of the federal health Division of Health Promotion and Disease, said. A similar law for vending machines will come along as well, requiring owners of 20 or more machines to show the calories, only if the nutritional information is not visible inside the machine. How effective the new calorie labeling laws will be at reducing the

obesity epidemic is unknown. Obesity rates are still rising from year to year. According to a study done by the Centers for Disease Control, 28.2 percent of Illinois adults are obese. Twelve out of the 50 states have more than a 30 percent obesity rate, with numbers increasing year after year. In another study done by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, two-thirds of consumers could not correctly calculate nutritional information on a 20-ounce bottle of soda, which was labeled as 2.5 servings. In a poll done by the Krier, only 18 percent of Kaneland students notice the calories in their food, while just 29 percent of the students polled said they paid attention to serving sizes, which studies show are often confusing to customers. In New York, 69 percent of consumers finish their entire meal in a restaurant most of the time. Every piece of food eaten has an effect, even snacks that seem harmless. A king size Snickers bar, for example, has 170 calories, and 18 grams of sugar. “I usually have bigger meals and avoid snacks,” senior Samantha Williams said. At Ruby Tuesday’s, a single order of the Chicken Quesadilla contains roughly 35 calories per quesadilla. If your calorie intake is much higher, Pizza Hut’s P’Zone contains 630 calories at two servings per order. Of those people who visited restaurants with posted nutritional information, 82 percent said that the information made an impact on

8 Feature / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Photo by Amelia Likeum

Freshman Amy Burgholzer snacks on McDonald’s french fries, which contain 500 calories.

How much do you know about fast food? 1

Which item[s] available at McDonald’s contains the highest number of calories?

A. B. C. D.

Two Big Macs Two Sausage McGriddles One Large Chocolate Shake One Angus Deluxe

Which items[s] available at Applebee’s contains the highest number of calories?

A. B. C.

Cheeseburger Sliders Crunchy Onion Rings Provolone-Stuffed Meatballs with Fettuccine Queso Blanco with Chili

B. C. D.

Which Item[s] available at Dairy Queen contains the highest number of calories? Large Chocolate Cookie Dough Blizzard Large Chocolate Malt Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece) Flame Thrower Grill Burger

Which Item[s] available at Arby’s contains the highest number of calories?

Two Junior Roast Beef Sandwiches B. Two Arby’s Melt with Cheddar Sandwiches C. Meatball Toasted Sub D. Chicken Finger Meal

(Answers: 1. C with 1,160 calories, 2. C with 1,520 calories, 3. A with 1,320 calories, 4. C with 1,000 calories)

BY MCKAYLA HELM AND AMELIA LIKEUM, Reporters

their decisions of what to order. The changes made to improve our nation’s health are slowly assisting in the fight against obesity, but it

will take more than nutrition facts to lower the rate of 33.8 percent obese adults and 17 percent of obese children ages two to nineteen.

Late nights, long hours Bosses often expect teens to work late, but where should the line be drawn? BY MICHELLE MCCRACKEN, Reporter Garrett Jennings, 17, is taking orders at three a.m. The Kaneland junior works four to 11 hours a week at McDonald’s in Sugar Grove, where he has been an employee since last summer. His job consists of taking orders, packing the order and then presenting it to the customer. Jennings said he enjoys his job. “[The atmosphere is] fast-paced and upbeat.” Jennings said. “Our employee morale is pretty high.” Though Jennings works overnight sometimes, he says that the late work doesn’t affect him. Many students, like Jennings, enjoy their jobs but end up having to work long hours that may interfere with their social life and school life. “I’m generally fine and alert [at school],” Jennings said. “There is just a little less time to hang out with people on the weekends, but it’s not a huge impact.” The exact amount of hours a teen can work varies depending on age. Anyone over 16 does not have hour restrictions. Those under 16, however, can only work 3 hours a day and up to 24 hours a week. The combined hours of school and work cannot exceed eight hours a day, according to Illinois laws. For a Kaneland student, this means they could work up to a hour after school, which is why many employers will not hire students under 16. Long hours may be a challenge, but paychecks are one of the perks of having a job. The Fair Labor Standards Act says that minimum wage for anyone under 20 is $4.25 per hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. Once an employee turns 20 or has been an employee for 90 days, employers are required to pay the full minimum wage, which is $8.25 per hour in Illinois. “I know with limited job offers, many employers are only hiring kids willing to work long hours,

Courtesy Photo

Junior Kate Dray works at the drive-thru at McDonald’s in Sugar Grove.

week nights and weekends,” Mark Meyer, social science teacher, said. The chance of getting a job has always depended on the availability of the person applying, but some worry that employers may take advantage of the situation. Few teenagers know what their rights as employees are and what they’re entitled to. Others just want a job, whether it follows the laws or not. “I really wish I had [a job], no matter what laws it followed,” sophomore Mara Hernandez said. Junior Abigail Dodis currently works at Old Navy, where she is busy folding clothes, putting away clothes and checking people out at the register. Dodis doesn’t mind her job. “Everyone I work with, I’m friends with,” Dodis said. She frequently works late, often until 10 or 11:30 p.m. She said. But she said the craziest shift she ever worked was Black Friday. “I worked midnight until eight in the morning,” Dodis said. Even with her late-night shifts, she has a positive viewpoint on her job. “It helps to manage my time better,” Dodis said.

The

lowdown

laws

on the

If you are under 16:

You must have a work permit from school to be hired. You cannot work more than 24 hours when school is in session or 48 hours when it is not. You cannot work overnights, for example, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. A 30- minute lunch period must be provided by the fifth hour of work for that shift.

If you are 16 or older: There are no hour restrictions. A 30-minute lunch period must be provided by the fifth hour of work for that shift.

Contributions by Sabrina Sivert, Courtney Reiss and Gina Jarvis

Feature / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

ALE VE A

ALE V

LE VE

ALE V

A DEADLY NEW TREND: PILL ALE V

ALE V

Teens are notorious for underage drinking, but a new trend is pill popping for recreational use. Is the high worth the risks? BY KALEB SCHUPPNER AND BRANDON BISHOP, Editors 256 million. That’s the number of prescriptions that were dispensed in America, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Prescription drugs are medicines prescribed to a patient by a doctor to manage pain, treat or cure a health condition. This includes pain, mental disease, diabetes, cancer or common infections. One in 16. That’s the number of high school seniors who abused cold or cough medicine to get high, according to a 2007 study from the University of Michigan. Over-the-counter drugs are medications that can be purchased at a pharmacy, grocery or convenience store without a prescription to treat the symptoms of common colds or pains, such as a headache. Despite the fact that these are so readily available and cheap, all drugs change the body’s function or chemistry from its natural state. These pills can do much more harm than help if they are not taken correctly. They can be as dangerous as street drugs when abused, like taking them with the sole intention of getting high. Health teacher Cindy Miller believes that

ABUSER? Know someone whose friends have

been letting them down lately? Is there a possibility it could be connected to drugs? Someone might think they’re alone, but many people have to deal with the scary consequences associated with illegal and prescription drugs. Don’t make excuses. Tell them to talk to their friend(s) and get a responsible adult, whether it be a teacher or parent, to help guide them onto the right path. Talk to them before it’s too late. 10

Centerspread / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

curiosity drives students to abuse OTC and prescription drugs. “It’s a cheap and quick high,” Miller said. However, the excitement is often short-lived, when students find out that side effects can make them very sick. “I don’t see the point. I can have just as much fun not being on something,” junior Kami Bauer said. Kaneland school nurses Barb Giese and Jo-an Husk believe that Vicodin and Adderall are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. The effects of Vicodin are decreased breathing, a slower heart rate, lightheadedness and a feeling of sedation. Adderall increases heart rate and breathing, and it can blur vision and cause some loss of appetite. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration found that in 2008, 16 million Americans, age 12 or older, took a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once. “At first, people think they’re using the drugs for recreational purposes, but then they become addicted and deny their addiction. They alter who they are as a person, and just try to escape reality because they don’t want to be here. It

gets out of hand really quickly. Then they can die from an overdose, or they can stop using because they almost overdosed,” junior Nicole Hanlon said. With this common problem of teenagers abusing OTC drugs and prescription drugs, Giese and Husk advise parents to clean out the medicine cabinets and make the drugs less available. They also believe that monitoring teenagers’ behavior, as well as knowing their friends and where they are going, are key. They say –Math teacher Sharon Beck that parents need to educate their children on the negative effects of drug abuse and keep communication open. “If a student feels they’re in a predicament that they don’t want to be in, they can seek out help from parents, teachers, school nurses or another adult in their life. There are other positive choices,” Husk said. So what happens when students start bringing, selling, or abusing OTC or prescription drugs to or at school? Officer Keith Gardner said that in addition to being suspended or expelled, there could also be criminal charges that would be enforced as well. Acquiring prescription drugs without a prescription is illegal and a

“Drugs are scary, especially the effects.”

Gets high on a Regular basis

Plans for drug use in advance

Uses drugs when alone

Starts hanging out with new friends who will do drugs or can score drugs

Shows up at school high or has skipped class to use

Shows little interest in or quits sports or activities they once enjoyed.

Needs drugs to have a good time or cope with life

Pressures others to use drugs

person could be arrested and prosecuted. Gardner said that there has unfortunately been a few instances of students getting in trouble due to OTC or prescription drugs at school, which proves that this is in fact a prevalent problem. Gardner believes that students don’t realize how potentially harmful taking these drugs can be. He said that he is aware of a combination of painkillers and ADD medicine that some students use. “If you need drugs to have fun, you’re lame,” junior Sean Glennon said. Depending on the type of drugs that are combined, users can become very drowsy and even experience memory loss. The drowsiness could become so intense that they could fall asleep in the middle of class, or wherever they are. The only safe way to take OTC drugs is to follow the directions exactly on the bottle and to only use it for the intended purpose. There are also personal appearance effects that can happen to a drug abuser. Almost all drugs can cause the body to loose so much weight that the user might look malnourished and unhealthy. “Parents need to be more aware if their children are on prescription medication, that they are taking the proper dosage. Parents need to keep track of their own prescription drugs and keep them out of reach of children, or get rid of expired medication,” Gardner said. Perhaps the most harmful chemical abused in over-the-counter medication is Dextromethorphan, known as DXM or Reobuitussin, which is found in different types of cough syrup. “Robo-tripping” is when users drink Robuitussin to get high. Above The Influence says it can impair judgement and mental functioning, cause loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. These are just some of the side effects. “Parents need to be knowledgeable on the affects OTC drugs have on a kid. It can cause their child to go in an overdose,” Miller said. Anyone can call the Girls and Boys National Help Hotline at 1-800-448-3000. It’s confidential and open 24/7.

PHARM PARTIES This new trend is just one way that teenagers abuse OTC and prescription drugs. Mixing pills and overdosing are scary realities when having these parties. This isn’t the latest drinking game craze, the latest synthetic drug substance, and it’s definitely not having a party in a barn. Pharm parties, or pharmaceutical parties, are parties where kids raid their, or someone else’s, medicine cabinet for prescription pills, put the pills in a bowl and take their favorite color pill. “I personally think pharm parties are stupid because you’re taking perscriptions that weren’t prescribed to you,” senior Sarah Edwards said. There are a wide variety of pills used at pharm parties, but the most popular kinds are painkillers, stimulants and depressants. These parties pose a huge danger because teenagers may not know the effects of what they are consuming. “A drug is a drug to begin with, but once you take an unknown drug, the effects could be cru-

cial,” senior Kyle Clausen, PODA member, said. Health teacher Cindy Miller says that because painkillers such as Vicodin numb the body, kids do dangerous things after taking them, like touching fire. When students take stimulants, they hallucinate and see things that aren’t there. But these drugs aren’t consumed alone. Alcohol is often what the prescription drugs are taken with. “Kids try to mix as many drugs as they can,” Miller said. The consequences are severe. If overdosed, drugs can cause a person to pass out and vomit in their mouth, start foaming at the mouth, and choke to death because they can’t regurgitate. “Sudden death is very common with pharm parties because you are taking chemicals for someone else’s body weight.” Miller said. -Alex Vickery, Editor

Photo illustration by Alex Vickery

Contributions by Alex Vickery and Emily Gulanczyk

Has broken plans with you, or showed up late, because was getting high Lies about drug use

Has driven a car while high Borrows or steals money to buy drugs Source: Above the Influence

WHAT TO

“I’m worried about you”

“We’re going to be friends no matter what, so don’t worry about that. We’ve had some great adventures together and it’s been fun. I’m getting worried about your drug use. I’ve seen you high a few times now and it’s not healthy - I’m afraid that you are hurting yourself. I’m also afraid that you are going to get into trouble if you keep going the way you’re going. Plus, when you’re using, you can get me in trouble, too. I just really hope we can talk about what’s going on with you. There are also people you can talk to confidentially who can help. It’s not too late for you to change things in your life. “

“You’re using drugs to deal with your other problems” “I’m concerned you are using drugs because you are unhappy or depressed - or maybe some other things are bothering you at home or at school. I know it’s hard, but drugs are not the way to deal with your problems. Actually, you might not know this, but drug use can actually increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing mental health problems like depression and anxiety. I feel like you will be making your problems worse by using drugs.”

“Your drug use is giving you a bad reputation” “I’m afraid that people are starting to talk about you and your drug use. It’s not healthy, and I think you need to stop. You’re getting a bad reputation. Sooner or later, other people are going to find out (like school or your parents) and that will cause even more problems for you. I’m also concerned about the messages online you are posting about using drugs. Did you know that the school can suspend you for what you say/do online, and college admissions officers and potential employers check your online profiles when you apply for colleges or jobs? You don’t want to ruin your reputation of future for something stupid like this.”

“I’m here to help” “I don’t like having to talk about this, but I am worried about your drug use. I’m here to help you and so are the rest of your friends. We can do fun things that don’t include drugs. If you think you need to talk with an adult like a counselor, your parents, or a health care professional, I can go with you. I can even start the conversation. Just let me know.”

Source: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Centerspread / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

PUTTING the PIECES TOGETHER BY LEXI ROACH, DELANEY STRYCZEK AND GINA JARVIS, Editors

In Heather Spaetzel’s Spanish class, when a student says the word “retarded,” her reaction is immediate. She makes students aware that what they are saying is false by showing them a video of actress Lauren Potter from Glee, who plays Jane Lynch’s sidekick and assistant coach, Becky, who happens to have Downs Syndrome. It shows students why saying or using the word “retarded” isn’t really appropriate, she said. It’s a personal issue for Spaetzel, whose daughter, freshman Amber Spaetzel, was diagnosed at the age of four with autism. Amber is one of several participants in Kaneland’s Adaptive P.E. class, which works with the P.E. Leadership class.

WHAT IS AUTISM? According to Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network Surveillance, The autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by atypical development in socialization, communication and behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism and other special developmental problems are growing more common in children throughout the years, affecting an estimated 3.4 percent of children between ages three to ten. Symptoms of autism are present before age three, when children begin showing abnormalities in cognitive functioning, learning, attention span and sensory processing, according to DDMNS. Yet people with autism can hear, speak, learn and love just like anybody else. Autism is really a spectrum of disorders with different levels of severity. It’s diagnosed through clinical observation of development in the child, and although development often proceeds at a slower pace, many autistic students are still

able to communicate and be just like anyone else, both inside and outside of school. Senior Richard Williams is one of several Kaneland students diagnosed with Asperger’s, a high functioning from of autism. Williams, an honor student and an Eagle Scout, has dedicated much of his time to helping others understand that students with autism are often highly capable and intelligent. They just express themselves differently. “People with autism are still normal people, they just function differently,” Williams said. “We have different talents and different weaknesses.” The DDMNS says that symptoms of autism peak around age eight. “In high school, [being a student with Asperger’s] hasn’t been much of an obstacle. Kids at Kaneland accept kids with special needs, and I like that,” Williams said. There are many students who don’t know

“It angers me [when people say the word ‘retarded’] because it shows how shallow someone is when they make fun of someone that has no control over how they were born.” –Brian Willis, P.E. Leadership teacher much about the world of autism, he said. “There are not too many misconceptions [about students with autism or Asperger’s] because people don’t really know exactly what autism is, but I do encounter a lot of ignorance,” Williams said. Brian Willis, the teacher of P.E. Leadership and Adaptive P.E., a class that mixes P.E. Leaders and students with disabilities, said that sometimes students can be hurtful because of that ignorance. “It angers me [when people say the word ‘retarded’] because it shows how shallow someone is when they make fun of someone that has no control over how they were born,” Willis said.

AMBER’S CHALLENGES

“We never looked at things as obstacles for Amber, we always look at them as opportunities. When Amber was diagnosed, they said she wasn’t going to have friends, a job, or be able to live on her own. Me being myself, I said ‘no way.’ I took off of work to focus on her, and now she’s happier than she’s ever been through the past 10 Focus / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

years,” Spaetzel said. Amber has overcome many obstacles, including making friends, opening up and trusting others throughout her life, Spaetzel said. Amber is a member of art club, enjoys bowling and loves to dance. The one thing she loves to draw is Lady Gaga, her celeb obsession. “We play a lot of music throughout the house, but it’s just her personality [that likes to dance],” said Spaetzel. Amber was diagnosed at age four with a score of four out of eleven on the Autism Diagnosis Spectrum, a severe level of autism. The Autism Spectrum Scale is a chart that measures different levels of autism. Scores from one to four indicate a severe form called autistic disorder, while scores from five to eleven indicate a milder form called Asperger’s syndrome. Anyone can be first diagnosed with a severe case of autism—there is no known cause—and some

eventually improve and get off the spectrum entirely. Amber is a miracle, Heather Spaetzel said, because she conquered autism when she went off the spectrum. “Amber was diagnosed with autism when she was four and a half, and when she was 11, she was considered off the spectrum, with a 14 out of 11,” she said. Amber was put through the Relationship Developmental Intervention, a program for autistic children that focuses on achieving basic milestones of childhood, but taken in slower paces. Over the years, through therapy and family support, her condition progressed for the better. By the time she was 11 years old, Amber’s improvement was life-changing.

P.E. LEADERSHIP Amber is a student in Adaptive P.E., a class where students with a variety of needs learn, play and socialize. P.E. Leaders assist the Adaptive P.E. students in their activities and help them form new relationships. “We teach everything from cognitive to motor to speech skills. We play Frisbee, hockey, golf, paint, draw, write, run and ride bikes. We do any

Jennifer Howland participating in game day in the P.E. Leadership class.

Nationwide Connection How common are Down Syndrome and Autism? Find out below. As of 2007, there are 4,315,000 births in the USA. Out of that total, 863,000 of those babies are born with autism.

Photo By Alexis Roach and Delaney Stryczek

thing you can think of,” Brian Willis, P.E. Leadership and Adaptive P.E. teacher, said. Willis has been running the program for four years now and said he loves every moment of it. Activities include playing sports, learning school materials, drawing, coloring, reading and more. Each student goes at his or her own pace, but all are able to participate. Students in the class have different and unique needs, but the one-on-one time they receive helps them adapt to their environment and be comfortable around other people. P.E. Leaders not only work with the students to help teach and guide them, but they also play many of the same games, which forms strong bonds between students. The class also plays a big role in improving students social skills, senior Jennifer Howland said. “In regular classes, some of the students with disabilities would sit in the back corner of the room with their head down, talking to no one because of how shy they were. The teachers didn’t know how to deal with them, so they just ignored them. It wasn’t their fault; they just needed extra attention to focus on what they needed most,” Howland said.

According to Suzan Blackney, co-teacher of P.E. Leadership and Adaptive P.E., the class keeps students moving, and every day there is a new activity or project for students to participate in. The class often goes to the auxiliary gym and play a variety of games, including pass the ball and t-ball, that allows students to be active. The class also walks miles outside on the track, goes on community field trips and spends days playing board games, all the while working on social skills and making friends in a welcoming environment. “The bond they have is unbelievable. They truly connect with each other, and it’s not just one way. It’s a true mutual connection,” Willis said. Some days they will spend in a classroom playing xBox games together, the P.E. Leaders doing everyone’s hair, or playing Connect Four and dancing to music. Howland became a P.E. Leader last year and said that connecting with other students at first takes time. “In the beginning, it’s kind of like meeting a new friend. You have to earn their trust,” Howland said.

By 2019, there will be approximately 240 babies born with autism every day. About 5,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the US every year. The national population of individuals with Down syndrome is estimated to be 25,000.

Men are four times more likely to have some form of Autism. Contributions by Delaney Stryczek and Alexis Roach Focus / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

February Kaneland stays fit with the second annual Health and Wellness fair.

Photo / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Photos by Heather Shelton; Contributions by Morgan Buerke

1 . Dr. Luis Garcia, professor at Northern Illinois University, demonstrates Salsa dancing with senior Carolina Tovar. “The main thing of the dance is the spirit; it makes you happy,” Garcia said. 2. Paul Write, professor of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at NIU, performs Tai Chi with junior Brandon Johnson. “ Tai Chi, it’s usually practiced in slow motion,” Write said. “It’s done for relaxation and balance.” 3. Sophomore Cody Dreftkey spins the wheel for Facebook friendliness. 4. At the Think First program, freshmen Kristin Staub, Anna Wendling and Amy Croft felt how soft the human brain is. “I bring the brain because I want everyone to know how soft your brain is,” Katrina Hubbat, nurse, said. 5. Mariela Tapia, freshman, takes a try at the beanbag toss while wearing the beer goggles. “It was kind of weird, seeing through the goggles. It felt like I was falling,” Tapia said. 6. Freshman Sam Moon plays with the ropes at the Delnor Health and Wellness station. “The ropes work your abs, your back, shoulders and upper body,” Kerin Martini, personal trainer, said. “It’d be great to add into a circuit.”

6 Photo / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

COFFEEHOUSESHOWDOWN

Photo by Kylie Siebert

Graham’s 318’s menu is very diverse, offering many different drink and food combinations.

The chocolate cheesecake with strawberry sauce is not only delicious but visually stunning as well.

Graham’s 318 offers distinctive pastries, cozy atmosphere

Desserts, coffee are highlights at the All Chocolate Kitchen

BY RYAN NOEL, Editor

Looking for the perfect place to study and enjoy a great cup of coffee Locating a good coffee shop can be tough. while doing it? Graham’s is the place. Finding one like the All Chocolate Kitchen is more challenging then The friendly, calm atmosphere is perfect for studying, reading or just get- it seems. It’s owned by Guiness World Record chef Alain Roby, so our exting away. The downstairs area is filled with couches, tables and even a warm pectations were high. and cozy fireplace. Black wooden tables dominate the floor plan, and two TVs hang on If the downstairs is too busy, or diners opposite ends of the restaurant, showcasjust want a change of scenery, the upstairs ing the All Chocolate Kitchen’s achieveseating area holds two small rooms with ments. study tables, ideal for last-second cramInstantly we were greeted by the nice sessions before finals. lady behind the counter, and she didn’t Upon entering, Graham’s was rather rush us one bit. Instead, we took time to busy, but the area was nearly silent. look around, and we were in love. At the front desk, the barista patiently By one of the doors, there is a kitchen waited to take our order, which was some sculpture, something that looks like it feat. The menu is filled with all sorts of may have been made out of papier-mâtreats, ranging from their famous hot chocché. A closer look shows a gold sign that olate, toasty pastries, succulent muffins and says “Made with 100 percent chocolate,” warm coffee. hence the “All Chocolate Kitchen.” After much debate, our orders were So after some debating and a little bit ready to be placed. of drooling, it was time to order. Winner: All Chocolate Kitchen The first drink to come out was the The gelato looked appetizing, with all hot chocolate. Fresh out of the pot, steam sorts of colors and flavor. Key lime pie danced out of the lid, begging me to take a sip. The hot chocolate ($3.75) was and the lemon sorbeto made the final cut and were terrific choices. excellent. Not too chocolatey, not too milky. The key lime pie gelato tasted just like the real deal and even included Right after the hot chocolate, the mochas followed suit: one was pepper- little bits of pie crust, which really sold me. The lemon sorbeto was also mint ($3.49) and the other a white chocolate ($3.49). Both smelled delicious. delicious. The lemon didn’t dominate the flavor but lingered with a lemony However, with every sip, the mocha tasted like straight coffee. aftertaste. To compliment the warm drinks,there’s no better way to end the night If gelato isn’t the most appetizing thing on the menu, for chocolate lovthan with some chocolate gelato and a slice of red velvet cake. ers, there’s the chocolate cheesecake ($6.50). Covered in whipped cream The gelato was delicious, and I had no idea what to expect, since I had and strawberry sauce, it’s a must try. The strawberry sauce tasted like a never even tried, let alone heard of, gelato. Slightly different than ice cream, virgin strawberry daiquiri, but it could be overpowering to some. gelato isn’t churned, giving it a denser texture. The chocolate flavoring was And what is a coffeehouse without the coffee? The cappuccino ($3.19) perfect, pairing well with the strong flavor of coffee. may be one of the best in the area, with its foam forming perfectly with If gelato isn’t the answer, the red velvet cake should suffice. Graham’s the coffee flavoring. The hot chocolate was also good, with the rich, warm spin on the red velvet cake is unique, with cinnamon added to the cream chocolate providing happiness with every sip. cheese frosting to create a distinct and unforgettable flavor. The All Chocolate Kitchen is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m Monday through Monday through Thursday, Graham’s is open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m on Sunday. and Saturday from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Located at 33 S. Third Street in Geneva, the All Chocolate Kitchen Graham’s 318, located at 318 S. Third Street in Geneva, is a nice place to doesn’t disappoint. The chocolates, gelatos, warm drinks and cozy atmohave a study session or to hang with friends, so take time out of a busy day sphere all add up to create a wonderful place to take a date, hangout or just and grab a relaxing cup of coffee. satisfy a chocolate craving.

Scorecard

Atmosphere Taste

Choice

Pulse / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Cost

a a a

Selecting the best

Chocolate

Dark chocolate is the healthiest kind of chocolate because it contains ingredients called flavonoids which fight cancer-causing free radicals and minimize aging effects. According to Mayo Clinic, dark chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers, as well as protect the brain from conditions related to high blood pressure or clots. “Dark chocolate can even help lower your cholesterol,” Barb Giese, school nurse, said. A recent study showed that six grams of dark chocolate a day, which is equivalent to about one square, lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure by two points each.

11 lbs.

Amount of an avera chocolate ge Amer ican eats in a year

Raspberries in Dark Chocolate This chocolate bar has 55 percent cocoa content, which makes it one of the least bitter dark chocolate bars. It’s also one of the least sugarfilled, with only 13 grams of sugar. Included is a love poem inside, which makes it a great Valentine’s gift.

WHAT KIND OF CHOCOLATE IS HEALTHIEST?

Black Salt Caramel Vosges’ artisan chocolate bar has 70 percent cocoa, making it one of the more bitter bars out there, but it still has a rich taste. It contains Hawaiian sea salt and burnt sugar caramel. The rich taste will have chocolate lovers swooning after the first bite.

Mint Dark Chocolate This Mint Dark Chocolate Bar is a must taste for chocolate lovers, with 70 percent cocoa, and a sweet taste. It also contains peppermint oil and crispy mint pieces. It has a wide variety of ingredients, such as Fair Trade certified vanilla and sugar.

WHY IS DARK CHOCOLATE HEALTHIER?

WHAT ARE FLAVONOIDS?

Although many people prefer milk chocolate, which is sweeter than dark chocolate, it is the least healthy because of all the sugar and caffeine it contains. The lower the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the more unhealthy it is, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. While milk chocolate contains up to 50 percent cocoa, dark chocolate is 50 to 85 percent cocoa. That means milk chocolate also contains more milk and sugar than dark, which gives it more calories and fewer flavonoids.

Flavonoids are compounds found in plant-based foods which protect them by shielding them from environmental toxins, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Lifestyle / Feb. 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Chemistry is key to success

SPORTS

Sophomore Briana DiBenedetto and the cheer stunt team perform the routine that took them to state.

Photo credit Courtney Reiss

Cheer experiences first trip to state Team confident with new routine for the state tournament BY HEATHER SHELTON, Editor The varsity cheerleading team will be competing at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association, ICCA, state competition on Feb. 11. “I think it’s a great opportunity for Kaneland cheerleading to show all their hard work for the season,” Coach Sharon Snyder said. This is a major achievement for the cheerleaders because it is a first for the Kaneland cheerleading program to go to a state competition. “Only 25 teams qualify to go, so it’s only the best of the best,” junior Laken Delahanty said. Scores are ranked through a tenpoint scale, ten being a perfect execution of skill and one being the worst. To make it to the ICCA state

competition, the cheerleadering team needs to score in the higher range amongst the other teams. It requires an overall score of 75 percent or higher. They are judged in categories of voice, motions and dance, jumps, tumbling, stunts, transitions, timing, degree of difficulty and overall effectiveness. “It’s a new experience for all of us. It’s very exciting because we’re seeing that when we work as a team, we can do amazing things,” Coach Melissa Maloney said. The cheerleaders practice every day and work hard to prepare for the competitions. “I am very, very excited because the girls have worked very hard, and it’s paying off,” Maloney

said. ICCA is not the only statewide competition the girls competed for. IHSA, Illinois High School Association, is where only the top five at sectionals qualify for state. IHSA is more difficult to be able to compete at. The cheerleaders placed seventh out of 20 at IHSA, a mere .66 points away from qualifying for state. “We worked hard for it,” Delahanty said, “It shows all our hard work and effort we put into it.” The cheerleaders have high hopes to place top ten within the state at ICCA. “I’m incredibly proud of the girls and glad that I can be a part of this experience. The girls are rockstars,” Maloney said.

The Lady Knights have dominated the court, winning four out of the last six games they have played. The team has worked hard to get in second place in conference, just behind DeKalb. Junior Ashley Prost is one of the key players on the team, averaging 11 points and five rebounds per game. Other key players include juniors Emma Bradford, Allyson O’Herron and Alli Liss and senior Kelly Evers. Assistant Coach Tom Dillivan said that the highlight of the season thus far was winning a big game at Yorkville on Jan. 6. The team then tied for second in conference, beating Rochelle at their home gym for the first time in six years on Jan. 10. “We lost three games at the buzzer this season on last shots. We overcome those obstacles during the season by keeping things in perspective and continuing to move forward,” Dilivian said.. Regionals started on Feb. 13 with Yorkville, Sandwich, IMSA and Rosary as competition for Kaneland. The Lady Knights are the number one seed, so the team has a bye for the first game. “We try not to compare past teams with current teams because there are too many variables. But the difference that is noticeable is this year’s group is they’re very close on the court,” Head Coach Ernie Colombe said. “While winning is important to the girls, teamwork is another thing that has gotten them this far into the season.” The Lady Knights have won two straight at home, defeating Yorkville Foxes on Feb. 3 and defeating the Sycamore Spartans 5237 in back-to-back home games. -Kaprice Sanchez, Editor

R I E R 18

Girls Sports / February 23 , 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

Come tell us your thoughts

Knights focused going into playoffs

Photo by Brianne Strobel

Junior Connor Williams tries to take down a teammate during a wrestling practice on Feb. 2.

Wrestling takes third at conference Knights confident heading into post-season BY SHANE FERGUS, Editor The Knights wrestling team recently finished in third place in the Northern Illinois conference championship meet. This was a great finish for the team considering the only has enough wrestlers to fill nine out of the fifteen weight classes due to injuries. Top individual finishers for the Knights included first-place finishers junior Stephen Gust and junior Dan Goress. Second place were junior Esai Ponce and senior Ben Kovalick, while third place wrestlers were juniors Connor Williams and Zach Theis. “Individually the season has gone well, I am currently 35-4 and took second place at conference. I

have also done pretty well at tournaments,” Ponce said. Despite the missing weight classes the team continues to make strides by getting better and better everyday at practice and during meets. “So far this season we have been a good tournament team but some missing weight classes has caused us to struggle in dual meet,” Coach Mike Thorgeson said. Coming up in the next couple weeks, the Knights will be preparing for regionals and potential sectional and state match ups. “Overall my goals are to place at state and, as a team, send as many people down to state as possible,” Kovalick said. The Knights recently competed at regionals and qualified seven wres-

BEING THE UNDERDOG?

tlers to the sectional meet for individual qualifiers which will be held at Sterling high school. Among the seven were, first place finishers, Goress, and Theis, second place was Kovalick, the third place finishers were Ponce, Williams, Gust, and junior Sonny Horn. As a team the Knights finished in third place with 119 points, including three missing weight classes. Finishing in first and second were conference rivals Sycamore and DeKalb. “Our team goals for the rest of the season are to place top three as a team at regionals and hopefully send a couple wrestlers down to state,” Thorgeson said. Contributions by Brandon Bishop

TRADE PLACES WITH SOMEONE?

FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE?

“Yes, because nobody counts on you or believes in you. It’s a good upset.”

“Candace Parker. Her dad was always hard on her and she always proved him wrong.”

“Hoosiers, because it tells a really good story about basketball.”

“The bread because it’s the foundation.”

“Yes because nobody expects that I’m getting better.”

“Jason Statham from ‘transporters’ because he Destroys everyone.”

“Warrior because two brothers are fighting against each other to achieve their goal.”

“Peanut butter and jelly.”

“Yes, it’s cool because you show everyone who’s boss, and you can prove yourself.”

“Hugh Hefner.”

“Coach Carter because he reminds me of running all those big tens.”

“Da meat.”

Kelly Wallner

BEST PART OF A SANDWICH?

With a 12-7 overall record and a 4-3 conference record the Knights will control their own destiny for the rest of the season. Also getting back senior Trever Heinle from injury is huge going forward. “With Trever out, he was a big factor in our offense. I had to step up my game and knock down open shots I got for the team,” senior Tyler Heinle said. With only three conference games left in the season the Knights’ will be at home for two of those. “I think it plays to are advantage we know our hoops well, and it’s hard being a visiting team and having to play in our gym,” Coach Brian Johnson said. The Knights are coming off their biggest win in Rochelle with having sophomore Drew David leading the way for the Knights with 17 points and senior Marcel Neil with 13 and sophomore Thomas Williams with 12. The Knights had a strong performance at the foul line making 14-17 free throws. “We felt really confident going into the game. We had a hard week of practice, and we studied film on Rochelle a lot. Drew played a great game and stepped up big for us,” Neil said. The Knights up coming conference schedule has them playing Yorkville and Rochelle at home and having to play in DeKalb. “We feel confident in the last three conference games we have. We just want to take it one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. We know if we win out, we win conference, and we think we can do that,” Neil said. -Jacob Razo, editor

Sophomore, Basketball

Steven Hlatko

Senior, Wrestling

Clay Denlinger

Junior, Basketball

Contributions by Shane Fergus and Dalton Allen Boys Sports / February 23, 2012 / KANELAND KRIER

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