KANELAND
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Celebrating the most wonderful time of the year together and with purpose
Volume 48 • Winter Supplement • Kaneland High School • December 14, 2021
STAYING BY MADELEINE LITTLE
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Editor-in-Chief of Web
you just have to portion it right. For example, if you’re really hungry, then you’ll need to eat more, but if you are only a little hungry, then you’ll want to eat a smaller portion of food,” Rog-
HEALTHY
he topic of holiday weight gain is brought up every year once the holiday season begins. Eating during this time while also trying to maintain any existing weight loss goals seems complicated, but it is actually simple. Eating a cookie or one piece of cake will not ruin all of the progress that someone has made. The secret? Everything in moderation. Eating in moderation means that you are allowing yourself to eat whatever you desire in an appropriate portion. Junior Amanda Rogers has always been involved in fitness and has been able to learn how to build healthy habits regarding her food choices. Rogers makes sure to prioritize eating enough, especially on her busy days that consist of school, cheer practice and work. Moderation plays a huge role in her diet, where she allows herself to eat the foods she loves but portions them to match her fitness goals. During the holidays, Rogers makes sure to enjoy her favorite foods, but she also listens to her body so she knows how much food she really needs. “Anything you eat can be balanced;
times can turn into eating them regularly, which is something people can struggle with. “If you want to go big for a couple of days, then go big. The problem is that people tend to go big for one or two days, and all of the sudden it turns into 10 to 12 days. What a lot of people don’t realize is that their activity levels go down, so they aren’t as active during that time,” Carpenter said. Many people fear certain foods and try to label them as bad or good, when in reality, there is no need to do so. Talking about food can be an uneasy subject because of all of the negative connotations that surround it. For example, many fitness
WITHOUT ers said. P.E. teacher Jill Carpenter is an active person who has a wealth of knowledge about health and wellness. She spends a lot of time with family over the holidays where they enjoy many delicious foods. Carpenter has no issue eating the tasty desserts but makes sure to maintain her activity level. “I’m never one to say, ‘I can’t have this.’ Find something you want, and know that you aren’t going to eat that every day in huge quantities,” Carpenter said. Though it is important to enjoy your favorite foods during this special time of the year, it is also important to remember moderation and balance. Many people prefer to exercise on days they know they are going to consume more calories, which is an example of balance. Sometimes eating these fun foods a couple of
DIET
TIPS TO REMEMBER - Eating balanced snacks that include carbohydrates, fats and proteins can help you stay full for longer periods of time. - Don’t ignore being hungry, and remember to eat to fuel your body. - Packing a lunch for school is cheaper than buying every day, and it allows you to bring in your favorite healthy foods. It’s smart to pack your lunch the night before school.
Photo courtesy of Marisa Janecek
All meals are equally important, but for most people, dinner provides nutritious opportunities and several benefits. Finishing the day with a balanced meal can improve quality of sleep, mood and energy levels.
- Pick a simple breakfast, and prepare it the night before. - Pack a few healthy snacks for school. - Keep a filled water bottle with you at all times.
Photo by Madeleine Little
Finding healthy meal alternatives has become easier than ever with the help of social media. Many fitness influencers and even students from Kaneland post delicious and macro friendly recipes for people to try.
CULTURE
influencers on social media promote unhealthy and unrealistic eating, which makes teenagers feel they must eat the same way in order to see progress. Certain influencers are known to post content that represents under-eating and restriction. Everybody is unique and has different needs to nourish their body, which is why it is important to prioritize what your body requires over what Instagram models say you should have. Food gives you energy, and it is important to make sure you are eating enough in order to fuel your body. Senior Marisa Janecek has spent the last two years focusing on and prioritizing her health by working out and creating a lifestyle that works for her. Janecek makes sure to include all three macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) in her meals throughout the day. She makes it a priority to listen to what her body needs and understands that it is important to eat when hungry. “A balanced diet is something that keeps you satisfied. You don’t want to make yourself go hungry or restrict yourself from foods if you are craving them because that’ll just make you want them more, and restricting can possibly lead to eating disorders,” Janecek said. So how do these good food habits fit into holiday eating? It may be tempting to restrict yourself from eating during the day in order to indulge in all of the goodies at the holiday events. By fueling your body and eating right as you normally would, you are less likely to eat mindlessly and overindulge in unhealthy foods during an event. The better approach is to eat normally, and then focus on the foods that you really want to enjoy while at the event. You’ll likely find yourself enjoying the holidays a lot more if your mind isn’t overly preoccupied with every single thing you eat.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INDEPENDENT BY NICHOLAS MITCHINSON
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Co-Editor-in-Chief of Print
s we are in the midst of the holiday season, as much as we look forward to it, it can become stressful and very busy. The holiday season is filled with gatherings of friends and family, which is typically a good thing, but what can easily be forgotten is the need to take time to be by yourself. Finding time to be alone is just as important as spending time with your friends and family. I recently realized the importance of setting aside time to be by myself, and I have started to purposefully take more time to do that. Sometimes I make time to play basketball late at night when I need a break from homework, and other times I even go out to dinner by myself. While I’m alone, I am able to think more clearly because nothing can distract me. Many students at Kaneland have found activities that they enjoy doing by themselves. Senior Matthew Vogt is a prime example of someone who intentionally takes time to enjoy certain individual activities. “I always take time to do things alone, both because it is my preference, and most of my hobbies are individual activities. I play and study chess mostly online, practice piano and solve Rubik’s Cubes,” Vogt said. While some people do take time for themselves, from my own personal experience, I have realized that other people are nervous or feel awkward doing things independently. For example, when people find out that I occasionally go to dinner by myself, their immediate reaction is, “I could never do that by myself,” or, “I can’t do anything without someone with me.” At first even I was hesitant, but once I started practicing this, I realized that alone time is important, and there are many benefits. One advantage I have seen is when I am trying to make decisions. There are many times where I will go do something where I can think clearly and make the decision by myself. Being alone gives you the benefit of introspection without any distractions. According to an article on
verywellmind.com written by psychosocial rehabilitation specialist Kendra Cherry and medically reviewed by psychiatrist Steven Gans, choosing to be alone can actually be rejuvenating as long as what you are doing is something you choose and something you truly enjoy. “It gives you time to focus on your interests. Being alone is an important part of self-development. It allows you to get to know yourself. When you are surrounded by others, you might set your own ideas and passions aside in order to appease the wants and needs of friends and family,” Cherry said. “Taking time on your own gives you a critical opportunity to make creative choices and focus your attention without worrying about what other people are thinking.” Kaneland science teacher Patrick
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When you remove as many distractions and interruptions as you can from your day, you are better able to concentrate. - Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter
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Carter takes time out of his day for himself because he understands the importance of being on his own. Exercising is one of the ways Carter spends time by himself. When he is exercising, he is able to come up with new and creative ideas, and he is able to reflect on things going on in his life. “I am a firm believer of spending some time by yourself so you can have quiet time to reflect and think about future plans or how things went in the past. It is hard to do that when you are around other people, so you need to spend some time by yourself,” Carter said. Being able to think clearly without distractions can also lead to a person being able to accomplish more in a day, ultimately leading to more productivi-
Do you purposely make time to do How much time do you spend doing things by yourself each day? things by yourself? NO 21.3% YES 78.7%
ty. According to psychologytoday.com author and psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter, time away from distractions helps people get things done faster and more efficiently. “When you remove as many distractions and interruptions as you can from your day, you are better able to concentrate, which will help you get more work done in a shorter amount of time,” she said. Everyone experiences the pressures of needing to get things done for school and work. This is an example of when finding time alone would be beneficial because you need to be productive. Whenever I need to be productive, I usually either go to the library or a place as simple as my room to be by myself. I do this because I know I will be able to think more clearly and get my tasks completed faster. I apply this to almost everything I do because when I am more productive, the better the outcome will likely be, and in some cases the better I get at something. Throughout high school, I have slowly learned that when given the option between working with other people and working by myself, working by myself is usually the better option. When I am writing an essay, I go into another room where I am able to think through the questions, and I get it done a lot faster than when I try to write an essay surrounded by other people. This does not just apply to school or work related things either. I have found that it also helps with sports. For example, throughout my soccer career I would take time to practice alone where I could focus on the things I needed to get better at. The times where I would practice alone is where most of my skill development came from, and if I were not to have taken the time to practice by myself I would have been a worse player. This applies to anything in life. The more time you take to practice by yourself and focus on what you need to do, the more you will improve.
Do you prefer working by yourself or with other people? WITH OTHER PEOPLE 46.6%
3+ HOURS 48.7% 2-3 HOURS 29%
The following polls are based on the voluntary responses of 312 Kaneland High School students.
0-1 HOUR 4.6% 1-2 HOURS 17.7%
BY MYSELF 53.4%
Colorfully decorate this festive version of Kaneland High School illustrated by senior McKenna Goss. Share your creation with us on Twitter @KanelandKrier or on Instagram @Kaneland_ Krier. Our staff will choose the three best submissions, which will lead to prizes for the artists and an announcement on our social media accounts.
Illumination, presented by the Morton Arboretum located in Lisle, is perfect for anyone looking for a unique holiday experience. Unlike most light shows, Illumination features many mediums of light displays including a stretch of path in which visitors can interact with the colors projected onto the trees.
LIGHT SHOWS THE HO BY ANNA OLP
Design Executive and Photog
Festival of Lights, located in Phillips Park in Aurora, checks every box for a cheerful holiday activity, while still being completely free and not time consuming. With a quick drive around Phillips Park, visitors are able to see a festive display of lights from the comfort of their own car.
Naper Lights is a unique display of holiday lights and music located in downtown Naperville that is free to visit. This display offers many shops and dining options to stop in while you walk around, making this is the perfect casual holiday activity for the whole family.
TO SEE DURING OLIDAYS
graphy Executive
The Mooseheart Holiday Lights display in Batavia is a holiday classic that has been operating for 12 years. As a free event, aside from a suggested donation that goes towards Moose Charities, the Mooseheart Lights are a perfect event for all families to enjoy while supporting a good cause.
UPLIFTING MOVIES TO WATCH DURING BREAK BY SARAH JANITO
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Production Executive
uring winter, sometimes the weather can be lousy, and you just want to stay inside all day. When you’re stuck in the house, however, getting bored may come quicker than you think. Instead of just playing a game on your phone or risking going out and driving in terrible weather, you could snuggle up with your family, pets, a blanket and hot chocolate, and watch a movie or two for the day. Sure, you could go sledding on a hill or build a snowman in your yard but the cold outdoors are not for everyone, and sometimes, the weather feels much colder than it really is. While not all of these picks are holiday movies, they are still great choices to pass the time while seeing a quality film that is worth the watch.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
In 2018, the film industry was rocked by Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti and Rodney Rothman’s new take on Marvel’s beloved superhero: Spider-Man. Spider-Man is often recognized as Peter Parker, but Into the Spider-Verse introduces several alternate characters from other timelines of reality who have the same web-slinging powers, opening up opportunities for new characters we have never seen before. Each version of Spider-Man is special in its own way because even though each character is from an entirely different universe and therefore does not operate as Spider-Man the same way, they all have unique skill sets that help them achieve their hero statuses. While not all of the characters’ powers are of the traditional Peter Parker-esque variety, they are all recognized as Spider-Man in their respective dimensions. Having that title alone allows the dynamic to work between them and helps them get along and push the plot. This is an all around feel-good movie with its unique, complex characters, heartfelt plot centered around family (both the found family trope and dealing with blood-relative related drama) and one-of-a-kind animation style which leaves viewers in awe for days after.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Often listed as one of the greatest films of all time, Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most feel-good movies ever made. The film follows a man, Andy Dufresne, as he is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for murder, though only he knows of his innocence. In prison, Andy befriends a man named Red and learns more than he may have wanted to about friendship, the viciousness of prison and the methods of adaptation and acceptance of his new life (some of which can take an entire lifetime to be learned, if learned at all) all in less than 20 years. This is a beautiful work adapted from Stephen King’s novella with no mistakes, flaws or slow-moving plot points. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman lead Shawshank as Andy and Red and do not fail to turn in marvelous performances, not to mention the supporting characters like Brooks and the Warden who drive the story from start to finish. If a person wants to feel good and warm on the inside, they usually turn to a movie like Shawshank. It can be brutal, violent and hard to watch at times, but it all pays off in the end.
The Mighty Ducks trilogy (1992-1996)
Before Joshua Jackson struck gold with the widely popular 90s coming-of-age series Dawson’s Creek, he was a child actor starring in the sports comedy trilogy The Mighty Ducks as the awkward yet charismatic Charlie Conway alongside Emilio Estevez. In the first installment, the Ducks are a ragtag peewee hockey team with no proper funding, no coach and no faith in themselves whatsoever. Conway leads the team, and they eventually meet Estevez’s character Gordon Bombay, a disgraced hockey player-turned-lawyer whose community service after a DUI charge is to coach the Ducks. Once Bombay gets back into the game and really makes the team see that all they needed was some confidence in themselves and a good coach, they turn out to be the underdog champions on multiple occasions. Somehow, after three movies, the Ducks keep finding people they need to prove themselves and their worth as a team to, but they never fall short. This trilogy is endearing and has characters that appeal to just about everyone. Some of the relationships between the characters, like Bombay and Conway or the Bash Brothers (Dean Portman and Fulton Reed), are truly heartwarming to see. Feeling good is what this trilogy is all about, as the Ducks will always have each other. There is a bittersweet conclusion to the trilogy, but is not meant to be sad, just to leave their legacy on the film industry and the real world as they wrap up their journey. Anaheim’s NHL team was named after this trilogy, after all.
White Christmas (1954)
A lot of younger people are not huge fans of truly classic movies, or movies from the 1940s and 50s, that is. Most prefer the 1980s and 90s classics like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Titanic as opposed to Gone With the Wind and Rebel Without a Cause. Michael Curtiz’s White Christmas, though released in 1954, remains a classic due to its cast, singing, dancing and fashion statements. Musicals are not for everybody, but this is not the type of musical where people are bursting into song when something dramatic happens. Here, two male singers join a sister act to perform a fundraiser in Vermont to prevent the singers’ friend’s small hotel from closing due to financial difficulties. Not only are the musical numbers extraordinary, they pave the way for future musicals with extravagant elements like Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge! This, again, is not quite a typical musical; it’s a musical that makes viewers reach inside themselves and really think about what they would do for those they love. It not only makes you want to learn how to dance like Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney, but it helps you learn new ways to be passionate and wear your heart on your sleeve when it comes to friends and family. It remains a classic mostly for its fashion and songs, yes, but it stays timeless for its tender and warm themes circling throughout its runtime.