Kaneland Krier Volume 47 Issue 3 by Kaneland Krier

KANELAND

KR ER

Volume 47 • Issue 3 • Kaneland High School • March 11, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

16 Photos

9 Investigative Centerspread

12 Opinion Letter from the Execs

Due to the switch to fully remote learning in late November, we had to forgo our January issue. We’ve devoted our March issue to looking at the past, present and future of our lives and our world. Because there has been so much uncertainty surrounding each day, we saw it fit to try to create a stable narrative to encapsulate the world as we perceive it.

March 11, 2021 Lifestyle

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY: AMAZON GADGETS BY SOPHIA DRANCIK AND CASEY WALTERS Editor

APEXEL PHOTOGRAPHY KIT

Photo by Casey Walters

The Apexel Phone Photography Kit is an easy way to elevate the photographs you take on your phone, and it is also universally compatible.

THE ROCKETBOOK

Photo by Sophia Drancik

The Rocketbook uses synthetic pages to create a smooth, waterproof surface. The ink on the pages is easily erased with water.

VAEQOZVA BLENDER

Photo by Sophia Drancik

The Vaeqozva Portable Blender is small and compact, which makes it easy to enjoy when traveling. It comes in six different colors on Amazon.

Page design by Sophia Drancik

f you want to add some special effects to your photos on your phone, the Apexel Phone Photography Kit has a variety of lenses to let you do so. It comes with a fisheye, wide, macro and telephoto lens. It also includes caps for each, a compact carrying case and a cloth to clean them. This gadget is currently sold on Amazon for $21.95. It comes with in-depth instructions on how to use it and includes a clip to attach the lenses to your phone. The fisheye creates a stretched effect. Lately on social media platforms like TikTok, the fisheye lens has been making a comeback since its original popularity in the 1960s, according to openculture.com. The rounded shape of the lens creates a warped effect that can add dimension to your photos. Having a wide lens on a camera has

many benefits. It allows you to expand the width in your photos and shoot a larger range of scenery. While this lens is mainly used for landscape photography, the image distortion can be used on personal photos to alter your appearance and accentuate features. The macro lens is able to take closeup, highly detailed images. When applied to a piece of cloth, each fiber of the shirt is visible. This lens is useful when taking up-close pictures of nature and of miniscule objects. The telephoto lens is marketed to increase the quality of long-distance photos. However, when tested, the image quality was no better than that of the original phone camera. Although the image was zoomed in, the quality was still grainy and unclear.

he Rocketbook is advertised as “built for the digital age.” The eco-friendly notebook is targeted to anyone with the desire to stay organized conveniently, while decreasing their environmental footprint. Rocketbook is a 36-page reusable journal that sorts all of your notes through an app. This app uses the camera of your phone to scan the text of a page and transcribe it into a digital format. From there, the digital form of the page is immediately sent to the user’s preferred destination. This varies from Google Drive, to Dropbox, or even iCloud. Once the page is scanned and recorded in a digital form, the information written on the hard copy pages can be easily rinsed off using water, leaving a fresh page that looks completely unused.

The Rocketbook pages are sorted into their destination by the use of symbols and a QR code on the bottom of each page. Each symbol represents a different subject or category. The user can even customize the destination of the file to a specific folder in their Google Drive. They can then keep track of their notes and information, thus making everything accessible and easy to find for optimal organization. The Rocketbook is currently sold on Amazon for $24.98 with over 43,000 reviews. On Amazon, you can purchase different colors and sizes of the Rocketbook for a few dollars more. This product is often sold out on their official website, so Amazon is an accessible place to get your hands on one of these notebooks.

he only downside to making a smoothie is the inconvenience of the blender itself. Making a smoothie is by no means a quick or clean process. Large blenders take up space and are hard to clean and use. That was until the invention of portable blenders. While many portable blenders can be purchased off of Amazon, Vaeqozva is a very affordable option, retailing at only $29.98 with 1,222 reviews on Amazon. It has three stainless steel blades, and it is small, easy to rinse, USB rechargeable and extremely effective. The battery life is three-five hours, and it can blend up to 380ml of ingredients consisting of frozen fruit, liquids and more. The rotation of the blades gets to 22,000 rpm, making this blender small but powerful.

The blender also has a sipper top, making it convenient in situations involving travel. The Vaeqozva brand markets their product’s size as comparable to the size of a water bottle, making it perfect for the gym, office, outdoors, camping or fishing. The blender also comes with many safety features to prevent various dangers. The blender won’t run if it’s not assembled correctly, and there’s protection to prevent the batteries from overheating. Vaeqozva says this is to “fully guarantee safety for all users.” The typical blender ranges from $60$200, making this product affordable. While it holds less product, it also saves money and is still high quality for less. The company also offers a one-year warranty to prove the product’s reliability.

Lifestyle

Voices March 11, 2021

“I much prefer hybrid. I feel like it is more manageable to be able to do stuff on my own time and be able to work at my own pace. I feel like remote learning was going seven to eight hours and not being able to take a break on my own time when I need-

ed a break. I think staring at the screen for that amount of time really is just really difficult.”

Senior Ryan Duffy

DO YOU PREFER ZOOM OR HYBRID LEARNING?

Junior Sedona Turk

Mute Voices

Start Video

“It is kind of a hard choice because with having all remote, you are able to be in school every day. Because I feel like with hybrid learning, a lot of people are just ignoring their days off, and you’re only in school two days a week. There are pros and cons to both, but I really do like actually being in school.”

Participants

Chats

Page design by Mia Bergman

March 11, 2021

Voices

“I like what we are doing with Wednesdays, but I would rather do either full remote or fully in school because it is just easier to get homework done. “

Freshman Brandon Parrilli

“I prefer hybrid because I learn best faceto-face with a teacher. It gives me a chance to be in person with them, and then we get time to go over the stuff on our own. I find that it is easier for me to do both.”

Senior Addison Adams

“I like the hybrid with some Zoom. With only Zoom, I couldn’t really pay attention, and I had a hard time learning that way.”

Senior Erik Teran

Breakout Rooms

Page design by Mia Bergman

Voices

Advice

March 11, 2021

KEEPING CALM WHEN CATCHING COVID-19 BY MORGAN PHILLIPP

N Editor

ow that, according to NPR.org, more than 500,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States, it is not a surprise that people find themselves worried about what would happen if they are infected with the virus. While the severity of the symptoms vary from one person to the next, here are some helpful tips to make your expereince more manageable should your conditions allow. Here is some advice from Kaneland students who have experienced the virus themselves.

QUESTION: I tested positive for COVID-19. So what should I do now?

fter receiving a positive test, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend isolating yourself from others for 10 days once symptoms first appear. Every person will deal with different symptoms, and it is important to make sure you are taking care of yourself. I recommend drinking a lot of water and Gatorade to stay hydrated. During your quarantine, keep in touch with friends and family to help time pass. “To deal with having COVID, I would get on FaceTime calls with my friends because it was hard not seeing them every day,” senior Mia Catanzaro said. It may be upsetting to test positive for COVID-19, but this can be an opportunity to binge watch your favorite or some new movies and shows. Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime offer plenty of options to keep you entertained and occupied. “I spent a lot of time watching movies and enjoying time away from everything,” junior Breck Kirkwood said. Feeling alone and isolated in your room can be difficult, but keeping busy and remaining positive will help you get through it. “My advice to people would be to remain positive and get a lot of rest,” Catanzaro said. If you are asymptomatic, you could develop a new skill or hobby from your bedroom. It may be hard to believe, but there are plenty of things you can do to occupy your time, like painting, reading, drawing and writing. Taking the time for things you never had time for before is a silver lining. “I passed time by taking the time for self-care and trying new things like crafting or painting. I also got a lot done with college applications and scholarships,” senior Sabrina Moses said. “Another thing I did was reorganize my room because I was stuck in there anyways.“

Photo by Sabrina Moses

Senior Sabrina Moses spent a lot of time painting when she was in quarantine. Moses has been painting music album covers on records.

QUESTION: I have recovered from COVID-19. What should I expect?

fter your quarantine is up, it may feel weird to set foot in public again after dealing with COVID-19. However, things will go back to normal once you start to adjust to your everyday routine. “As much as I enjoyed spending time in my room, it felt good to go out in public and see friends again. It took a little time to adjust back into my normal routine, but I was glad that it was back to normal,” senior Delaney Lancaster said. After experiencing COVID-19, it is still important to wear a mask and follow guidelines to protect the health of others. Those who lost their sense of taste and smell should remain optimistic that those senses will eventually come back. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, “Nearly a quarter of the 2,581 COVID-19 patients studied didn’t regain smell and taste within 60 days of infection.” If you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Scientific American, it is highly recommended you do so. Having had the virus, I know firsthand how beneficial a vaccine could be. The aftermath of the virus will be different for everyone, so staying in contact with your primary health care provider is obviously a good idea as well.

Photo by Jenna Lin

The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to those in groups 1A and 1B, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Advice

Page design by Morgan Phillipp

Editorial

March 11, 2021

Kaneland High School 47W326 Keslinger Rd. Maple Park, IL 60151 (630) 365-5100 www.kanelandkrier.com

Cartoon by Riley Lindsey

This cafe, prepared for opening, depicts how life goes on even during something like a pandemic. Although at times it may seem like there is no hope for the future, people find a way.

A FUTURE BEYOND COVID-19

ne year ago, it would be almost impossible to guess what today would look like. So much has changed since then, down to the very basics of how society functions. As we’ve learned, there is no certainty in our lives. We can have ideas about the goals we have for the future, but there is no way to definitively say where our lives are going to go. On March 13, 2020, students were buzzing with anticipation. It was just announced that the building would be closed, and students would receive what seemed like an extended Spring Break. It was easy to make light of COVID-19 at that point. Many of us joked about contracting the virus, even going as far as saying we hoped we would get it. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that over 27 million Americans have had COVID-19. According to the New York Times, over 500,000 have died from it. Every single one of us has had our life altered by the constantly changing restrictions and ongoing fear of infection. Few of us could have expected the situation would get so dire. A year from now seems like a long way away. Though it’s unfortunate, life as we knew it has changed because of COVID-19. Our social lives have been impacted drastically, and many will find it difficult to return to a pre-social-distancing lifestyle. Nevertheless, we should try to see some of the positive outcomes that we must trust will appear in our future. The possibility of life going back to normal seems more promising than it was in the recent past. Kaneland teachers were offered the option of a vaccination back in February, with round two happening this

Page design by Delaney Douglas

week. With vaccines going out to people in our community, there’s more hope than ever that society will be opening up again. According to U.S. Surgeon General nominee Dr. Vivek Murthy, by summer or fall of 2021, depending on how smoothly the rollout goes, the majority of our population will be vaccinated. There are some positives to life with COVID-19 that we may integrate into our society’s norms and values. The food industry could be changed forever with masks and gloves as a part of their preparation procedures. We may also integrate common sense social distancing into our everyday routines. Some people have found that working from home has an equal level of productivity when compared with going to an office. Along with the work environment, life in the classroom could be changed as we know it. Through a hybrid schedule, students have learned how to manage their time and adapt their education to fit their needs. A year from now, students will have a better understanding of how to get the most out of their academic experience. There is always a possibility that school does not return to the normal bell schedule because of the obvious advantages that hybrid learning offers. A year from now will be a challenge in itself, however it is important to stay optimistic. We have been through one of the toughest years of our lives, and we should take our lessons learned from living through a pandemic and apply them to new hardships we will undoubtedly face. There is no certainty as to what the world will look like in a year, but there can always be hope that it continues to improve as we rebuild from our past.

Member of IJEA, Quill & Scroll, NSPA, NISPA IHSA State Finalists 2013-2019 IWPA Silver Pen 2017 NISPA Golden Eagle 2017 IJEA First Place for Krier Online 2020 IJEA Second Place for Best Hybrid Publication 2020 IJEA Second Place for Best Overall Publication 2020 Subscription rates: Five issues, three supplements School-delivered, $15; Home-delivered, $25

EXECUTIVE STAFF Ayshe Ali Sasha Clinnin Co-Editor-in-Chief of Visual Manager & Web & Ad/Business Sports/Activities Manager Manager Emma Schaefer Sophia Mullins Design Manager & Co-Editor-in-Chief of Production Manager Web & Copy Editor

Jenna Lin Editor-in-Chief of Print

EDITORIAL STAFF Lifestyle Sophia Drancik

Voices Mia Bergman

Advice Morgan Phillipp

Editorial Delaney Douglas

Opinion 1 Patrick Gampfer

Opinion 2 Gabrielle Parker

News Karmyn Hookham

Investigative Casey Walters

Centerspread Anna Olp

Feature 1 Madeleine Little

Feature 2 Sophia Opp

Photos Jenna Lin

Sports Nicholas Mitchinson

Activities Sarah Janito Advertisements Ayshe Ali

STAFF

Braden Babka, Louis Blickem, Jake Brost, Sydney Clinnin, Caitlin Cohoon, Samantha Dunne, Samuel Gagne, Adam Gerlach, Travis Johnson, Madison Kleivo, Aiden Krump, Lukas Molitor, Sarah Molitor, Kyra Motyka, Casey O’Brien, Zoey Pozen, Finley Romano, Jazper Rovinsky, Jack Scholtes, Kevin Sigrist, Audrey Smith, Elizabeth Somerlot, Mallori Stiles, Alan Tapia, Anthony Urban, Ashley Vanderhoff, Grace Volkmar, Benjamin Warford, Paige Whiteside, Tecori Willson

Print Production Nathan Anderson Teia Brandl

Markus Suggs Ryan Nudo

ADVISORS Dominic Bruno Krier advisor

Nicole Larsen Print advisor

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: Ayshe Ali, Mia Bergman, Sasha Clinnin, Delaney Douglas, Sophia Drancik, Patrick Gampfer, Cody Ganzon, Karmyn Hookham, Sarah Janito, Jenna Lin, Madeleine Little, Brianna Michi, Nicholas Mitchinson, Sophia Mullins, Anna Olp, Sophia Opp, Gabrielle Parker, Morgan Phillipp, Emma Schaefer and Casey Walters. 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 work with writers to edit for clarity and length. Any material that is potentially libelous, obscene or disruptive will not be published, at the discretion of the Editorial Board. All decisions to publish or not publish letters are made by executive editors. 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

News

March 11, 2021

UNDERSTANDING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BY TRAVIS JOHNSON

Reporter

ight now, we are reflecting on that fateful day one year ago when it was announced that all schools in Illinois must immediately close to stop the spread of COVID-19. As we approach the one-year mark since Friday, March 13, 2020, the day Governor J.B. Pritzker made that consequential announcement, we reflect on the year that wasn’t what anyone imagined it would be. A year full of chaos, confusion, fear and stress. When the federal government hesitated to initiate a sweeping response, state governments were left on their own to enact COVID-19 mitigation measures at their own discretions. Illinois, following the lead of states such as New York, California, Connecticut and Massachusetts, initiated a stay-at-home order, which shut down all in-person activity in schools, restaurants, stores, bars, places of worship, gyms and other public areas. Only those deemed “essential workers” were permitted to continue working their jobs in person. Those who were non-essential, or those who could do their work remotely, were asked to stay home. A few weeks later, after it was apparent that this virus was going to be around for much longer than we had hoped or expected, Pritzker announced a phased reopening plan that divided the state into different regions. Originally, the reopening plan consisted of five phases, and the regions sometimes ran through county lines. However, after a few months of the pandemic, a new plan was put into place that still consisted of the final two phases but replaced the original three phases

Photo by Travis Johnson

Walgreens pharmacies, like this location in Sugar Grove, are currently offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments to the state’s 1B priority group.

News

with resurgence tiers. If new levels of cases or hospitalizations were observed, the resurgence tiers would take effect, with Tier 1 being the most lenient and Tier 3 being the most stringent. According to NBC 5 Chicago, “Phases 4 and 5 are part of the original Restore Illinois plan that Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled last year at the outset of the pandemic. Tiers 1, 2 and 3 are ‘resurgence mitigations’ that were implemented as the state’s cases and deaths spiked amid a second wave of the coronavirus in the fall.” These new regions were organized by county and by population, with the exception of the city of Chicago, which constituted the final region. Kane County, along with DuPage County, was organized into Region 8. As a part of Region 8, Kaneland-area businesses and public areas have been kept busy transitioning between what they are and aren’t permitted to do. At the time of publication, Region 8, along with the rest of the state, is in Phase 4, which

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While the specific phase the state is in may not have as big of an impact on Kaneland’s daily operations when compared to its athletics, the guidelines the state has in place have direct implications on how the school operates.

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is the least restrictive of all the phases or tiers, aside from the full reopening of the economy. Within Phase 4, restaurants, bars, retailers, personal care facilities, indoor/outdoor recreation, museums and social gatherings are all permitted to operate under limited capacity. “The state of Illinois has made great progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19, largely because of the measures our administration enacted to protect residents and communities during this public health crisis,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, according to the Illinois State Government website. But the local economy isn’t the only aspect of the area to benefit from the loosening of these restrictions. When the state moved to Phase 4, many more sports were allowed to start. Although some sports will be less affected than others, based on how much of a COVID-19 infection risk is

Photo by Travis Johnson

The Sugar Grove Public Library has been open periodically throughout the past several months, depending on which COVID-19 reopening phase has been determined by the IDPH for the region.

involved, most sports are allowed to continue in some way or another within the limitations of Phase 4. This means basketball teams are concluding their modified seasons this week and football and soccer players have started practices, in accordance with IHSA guidelines. “I hope that we will all use the experience that we have garnered as we go forward, so that we don’t...see another surge and go back into higher levels of mitigation that would suspend these levels of play,” Ezike said. While the specific phase the state is in may not have as big of an impact on Kaneland’s daily operations when compared to its athletics, the guidelines the state has in place have direct implications on how the school operates. From how many students are allowed in the cafeteria to how desks should be arranged in the classroom, the recommendations the state puts in place play a role in how students learn and how teachers teach during a school year unlike any other. “For us, [as an administrative team] the biggest challenge was figuring out how we were going to [provide our students with] the best education we could while still making sure that there was social distancing,” Kaneland High School assistant principal Carri Oslager said. “We really ran two different schools. We ran the school of kids that showed up every other day, and then we had to run that school of kids that were totally remote. So it has been very challenging.”

Page design by Karmyn Hookham

March 11, 2021

Investigative

CONTRASTS BETWEEN PROTESTS AND RIOTS BY SOPHIA OPP

Editor

rotests and riots have existed throughout history, but recently, these events have become regular occurrences. There was a mass amount of attention brought towards protests and riots after the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. More recently, the riot at the United States Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, grabbed everyone’s attention. The rioters consisted of supporters of former President Donald Trump who were hoping to reverse Trump’s defeat in the election. As there is with any riot or protest, this caused controversy. Because of how prominent they have become, there has been debate over what these terms protest and riot - even mean. Riot and protest have completely different dictionary definitions, but the connotation of each word is more subjective; many are quick to say they mean the same thing. Social studies teacher Steve Auchstetter suggests that there is a fine line between the two. “A riot is a planned event in which people want to go out and cause damage of some kind. Protests are planned events to state a point that something needs to change,” Auchstetter said. He believes that during some protests, participants possess a “mob mentality,” which may cause others to follow, leading to violence. Aside from the textbook definitions, riots and protests have different effects as well. Whether or not you believe these effects are positive or negative often depends on your view of the specific situation. Looking at the Capitol raid, for instance, supporters of different political parties may see the same details as having different effects. Junior Logan Cunz,

Photo by Sophia Opp

In the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests this summer, buildings throughout Aurora were covered with art to help spread the message. The art brought many people together to create and appreciate this form of expression.

Page design by Casey Walters

Photo courtesy of Nancy Eichelberger

Thousands of protesters cover the streets during the 2018 Women’s March in Chicago. The fight for women’s rights has been ongoing for more than 100 years.

a supporter of former President Trump, does not think the riot itself was the bulk of the problem. “The storming of the Capitol was quite insignificant compared to the mass of peaceful protesters outside. The response by the incoming administration is what is most frightening,” Cunz said. Cunz is able to see past the damage done on Jan. 6 and recognize the positive: the peaceful protesters. However, on the opposing side, junior Davina Olson, a critic of the Trump presidency, does not see any positive effects from the riot, and contrasts the event to the uproar after George Floyd’s death. “The Black Lives Matter protests were to call attention to the tragic death of George Floyd and many others like him. The people who stormed the Capitol did it because their candidate lost the election. If random people can break into the walls of our Capitol building, what does that say about our country?” Olson said. Cunz does agree with Olson on one thing, which is the presence of divisiveness. They do not view violence or destruction as unifying actions. “Watching many cities burn and innocent people murdered during the summer only furthered the divide,” Cunz said. Recent riots have highlighted the differences in opinion and, in some cases, caused more controversy than before. If riots are truly planned just to cause destruction, is it really possible they could have positive effects? Working in the social studies department, Auchstetter has extensive knowledge on events similar to these current ones. He brings up the Civil

Rights Movement, during which riots were common. “People were seeing [how Black people were treated] on television for the first time. It made a positive impact because people around the world were saying, ‘Look what’s happening to those people,’ and, ‘Look how unfair that is,’” Auchstetter said. So the effects of riots can vary, but what are the effects of protests? Former Plainfield High School teacher Nancy Eichelberger is an active member in the world of protest. In 2017 and 2018, she participated in the Chicago Women’s Marches with thousands of others. She was determined to stand up for what she believed in. “The marches themselves were important and a way to say to the world, ‘We are here,’” Eichelberger said. She says the real impact hit when more women began running for office, completely changing the political picture in local areas. Ultimately, protests seem to have fewer negative effects, usually leading to a more successful result. Whether riots are planned to be violent or are merely protests gone wrong, the two are very important to the history of our country and even the world. Being aware of the differences is valuable. The protests and riots of the past affect our world today, and the protests and riots of the present will continue to impact our future.

Photo by Sophia Opp

After recent events at the U.S. Capitol, the National Guard was called on for duty. Their job there is to protect the Capitol to ensure its safety and the safety of others.

Investigative

March 11, 2021

A WALK THROUGH HOW SINCE LAST S

BY GABRIELLE PARKER Editor

Centerspread

From Trum of th first to b cord follo cont ly re decl State be t vice

Oct. 1, 2020

May 25, 2020 March 13, 2020

President Donald Trump declared COVID-19 a national emergency. Following this announcement, schools throughout the United States shut down. All sorts of events were canceled, including sports seasons, concerts, proms, graduations, family vacations and almost anything else involving leaving your home. March 13 also was the day that Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in her home by members of the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Kaneland students returned to in-person learning on alternating days. This school year had many new rules in place due to COVID-19. In adherence to Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines, everyone was required to wear masks inside the building, social distancing was enforced and most social events were canceled or postponed. These factors have obviously made the high school experience very different from years before. Aug. 20, 2020

George Floyd had a knee pressed onto the back of his neck for a total of eight minutes and 46 seconds until he was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The incident was filmed and went viral online. According to the Washington Post, the four officers responsible offered different versions of the arrest that acknowledge Floyd should not have died, but also deflected blame onto others. On May 28, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of emergency due to the protests that stemmed from Floyd’s death.

March 11, 2020

According to ESPN.com, the National Basketball Association (NBA) suspended the 2019-20 season because of a positive COVID-19 test for Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert. Following this breaking news, the NCAA announced the cancellation of March Madness. Other professional sports leagues soon followed the NBA’s lead, and the the International Olympic Committee postponed the Toyko 2020 Olympics.

May 29, 2020

Centerspread

Many major media outlets began to report that the infamous murder hornets were in the U.S. Not only do these insects threaten domestic bees, but they also are of great harm to humans. The New York Times reports that a sting from one of these insects feels like hot metal driving into your skin.

Trump and his Melania Trump, for COVID-19. A tional Public R days after testin virus, an unma dressed an audi White House. C the appearance order” rally whe gathered that he

Page design by Anna Olp

March 11, 2021

W LIFE HAS CHANGED SCHOOL YEAR

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Pfizer-BioNTech was granted authorization to release the first COVID-19 vaccine for emergency distribution in the U.S. On Dec. 14, history was made and the first vaccinations were given to front-line healthcare workers and others. This vaccine continues to be given to people based on priority and is working its way through the country.

Page design by Anna Olp

Jan. 20, 2021

Dec. 11, 2020

wife, First Lady , tested positive According to NaRadio, only nine g positive for the sked Trump adience outside the C-SPAN reported e as a “law and ere he told those e “felt great.”

Now that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine, there are currently three available vaccines that have received authorization in the U.S. The NCAA’s annual March Madness tournament begins next week. Award ceremonies, like the recent Golden Globe Awards, are coming back. High school sports have returned in some form, and there is increasing optimism for in-person school to happen this fall. March 11, 2021

As part of the protests that came after the 2020-21 U.S. election, supporters of Donald Trump attacked a joint session of the 117th United States Congress in the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn his defeat. The storming led to many injuries and the death of five individuals. According to npr.org, following Trump’s response to the siege, multiple advisors of his resigned with less than two weeks remaining in their jobs. Jan. 6, 2021

Nov. 3, 2020

m well before Election Day and after, mp continued to question the validity he results, even claiming during the presidential debate, “This is going be a fraud like you’ve never seen,” acding to AP News. The days and weeks owing the election resulted in many tentious moments. Biden ultimateeceived enough electoral votes to be lared the new president of the United es. This meant Kamala Harris would he first woman and woman of color as e president.

Centerspread

The inaugration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States was unique for many reasons. The event had limited in-person attendance, and seats were separated by six feet. And, according to npr.org, for the first time in 150 years, the outgoing president, Donald Trump, said he would not attend Biden’s inauguration.

Centerspread

Opinion

March 11, 2021

BENEFITS OF THE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE PATH BY MIA BERGMAN

A Editor

s seniors approach graduation, they have to begin making choices that greatly impact their futures. It can become challenging for students to determine which type of college is best for them, should they decide to continue with their education. One choice that many students make is to attend a fouryear university instead of a local community college. While community college offers some advantages, nothing can compare to the resources, experiences and diversity at a four-year university. Four-year universities typically offer more degrees and programs than a community college. For example, according to illinois.edu, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers over 150 undergraduate programs and over 100 graduate programs. Waubonsee Community College, meanwhile, offers over 90 AAS degree and certificate options, according to waubonsee.edu. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that associate’s degrees carry a higher unemployment rate of about 3.4%, compared with a bachelor’s degree, which is about 2.5%. Four-year schools also have larger alumni networks, which is a critical part of building a career after college. Aside from the alumni network you gain, leaving home for college is a valuable experience everyone should consider. 2020 Kaneland graduate Sofia Gonzalez Magnabosco decided to pursue an outof-state four-year education at the University of Tampa. “I had an idea of what I wanted to study, so I set out for schools with the best and most accredited business schools, and that just happened to be four-year universities,” Magnabosco said. Magnabosco is currently studying international business and management and next year will be double majoring with music technology. In addition to accredited business schools, a main priority in her search was schools that were not in the midwest. “I wanted a change from Illinois. I was very tired of it and needed a change of pace and scenery. When looking at schools, I did not apply to any in the midwest. Going to school in Florida is like paradise every day. There are palm trees everywhere, and especially during COVID, being able to study outside in nice weather is great,” Magnabosco said. Current senior Brandon Abordo is planning on attending a four-year college next fall, and like Magnabosco he hopes to

Opinion

find one outside of Illinois. “The reason why I want to go to a fouryear college is because of the experience. Not only do I want to step out of my comfort zone and make connections, but I want to live in an atmosphere that’ll allow me to make new memories that I can carry with me in the future,” Abordo said. Leaving your hometown can be a scary and daunting experience, but it is one that is beneficial in preparing you for life after college. When you live on your own, you get to understand what independence from your family is like. High school guidance counselor Erin Shore agrees that a four-year option provides the benefit of discovering one’s independence. “The main benefits I’ve noticed are how much students grow from moving out and learning how to manage their life on their own. In those challenges, we learn the most about ourselves. Another benefit from attending a four-year university is that you are more immersed in the culture and make connections easier than a student who transfers,” Shore said. Four-year schools also offer extensive programs that some community colleges do not, such as studying abroad, internships, research projects and hands-on experience in certain fields. The biggest drawback to a four-year college is certainly the price. Tuition rates have skyrocketed, and the cost can be seemingly prohibitive for many. However, there are ways to finance your education

in a smart way. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a government form that seniors are encouraged to fill out. They award scholarships and grant money to those who file and meet certain financial requirements. According to College Raptor, FAFSA gives over 13 million students nearly 150 billion dollars in aid each year. In addition to FAFSA, there are many local scholarships students can apply for. Bold.org is a free website where you can apply for scholarships with just a few clicks. You can also call or email the office of financial aid of the certain colleges you are interested in, and they will be able to provide information on other scholarships and assisstance. In-state public schools are generally less expensive than out-of-state schools, so it can be a good start to look at schools in Illinois first. Some universities will also accept AP credit, which can help with the cost of tuition as well. While choosing a four-year college can be out of your comfort zone, it provides growth for those who decide to follow that path. “Listen to your gut feeling when choosing a school. You know what feels right to you, and it will make all the difference in your happiness there. Apply for as many scholarships as possible. I know it takes a ton of time, but it is so worth it to not have to pay some of the money that colleges charge,” Magnabosco said.

Cartoon by Jenna Lin

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has approximately 38,000 applicants annually, according to illinois.edu. The Foellinger Auditorium is among the oldest buildings standing on the UIUC campus. Quads are a common feature on the campuses of four-year universities.

Page design by Patrick Gampfer

March 11, 2021

Opinion

COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE BY SARAH JANITO

C Editor

ollege can be a scary topic to think about, no matter if a person is a freshman or senior in high school. The decision of committing to one school, four-year or community, can be a lot on someone’s shoulders. Many feel pressured to go straight to a four-year university, whether it be from family, friends, counselors or just about any other influence, while others have made their decision to start at a community college and some skip it altogether for different reasons. However, by going to community college before a four-year, a person can expand their horizons in many ways while also getting an education. One of the many advantages of going to community college before a four-year, and perhaps the most popular reason, is money. Many high school graduates may not have the funds to go straight to a fouryear college, let alone a more expensive one out of state, so they attend one in their community. It may not be ideal in terms of the “college experience,” but one can avoid serious student debt down the road and still live close to or at home. 2020 Kaneland graduate Liliana Rios currently attends Waubonsee Community College and finds it a better overall decision than going straight to a four-year, largely due to financial reasons. “The main reason I came to this decision is so I can figure out what I would like to do in the future without wasting a lot of money. I think it’s a good way to try

different things out and save,” Rios said. Many do not realize that while fouryear colleges do offer financial aid and scholarships to help pay for it, community colleges offer the exact same opportunities for almost half the cost. These identical opportunities at community colleges can pay for a person’s entire associate’s degree before they transfer. Some may not want the hassle of transferring out of community college, but in the end the credits already earned are worth it so students can focus on their major at their four-year university. Or should they choose not to continue with college, their degree is already earned with less money spent on classes, transportation, dorm rooms, extra out-of-state fees and meal plans. It also gives students more time to decide on a major. Some may know exactly what they want to do, but getting a bit of college experience at one close to home that costs less can change a person’s whole career path. Not only does community college offer flexible, cheaper education, it offers more future opportunities. By the time a person has transitioned out of community college, they can decide if they want to further their education or stick with their associate’s degree. 2020 Kaneland graduate Connor Bottorff was planning on going to Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, but he currently attends Elgin Community College instead. While it is not ideal to him, he recommends it to others in the

Cartoon by Emma Schaefer

According to waubonsee.edu, Waubonsee Community College annually offers 405 scholarship awards, totaling over $378,000. Waubonsee is a solid option for students who want to continue their education after high school and are seeking alternative options to the four-year route.

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long run. “It was an easy high school to college transition for me. COVID-19 changed everything, but I do recommend this,” Bottorff said. Because college is difficult enough as it is, opting for community college first helps students learn at their own pace and not be crammed into crowded lecture halls, making college more enjoyable and better preparing students to transfer to a four-year school. Community college is accommodating for everyone, those who have no idea what they want to do or students who have everything planned out. Community college is precisely meant for people to determine their career path while tailoring their schedule to their needs and making it interesting. On top of that, most of the time minimal student loans are needed since those attending community college typically use scholarships, financial aid and/or money from their jobs to finance it. This way, no extra fees apply, and students can - in most cases - keep their jobs while earning their degree. “I applied for FAFSA and scholarships. I’m being paid to go to community college. They paid for my classes and books. With everything left over I received a check to use on anything I wanted. You don’t have to pay any of it back,” Rios said. It seems as though a four-year college may be more desirable to a young student eager to get out and see the world, even if they stay in state, but in the long run saving money to use at their leisure later in life is worth it. A lot of people disregard it as a general education, but it is the same quality education for less money. When a student is ready to transfer out of community college, they do not have to take any general education classes, but instead can focus on their major. Taking out loans may not be a terrible solution, but taking out smaller loans in the future is certainly better than taking out sizeable loans each semester at a four-year university and having to pay them back for many years. While loans may still be needed for community college, it certainly will not be close to the amounts some students end up taking out for four-year options. At community college, a student can save money and earn a degree, all while being at home. Transitioning from high school to college can be stressful no matter what, and staying close to home while turning to the next chapter of your life is an easier and more convenient option.

Opinion

Feature

March 11, 2021

APPRECIATING THE WORK OF OUR JANITORS BY ANNA OLP Editor

very day students and teachers attend Kaneland High School, along with the days they do not, the janitorial team can be counted on to be there too. Unfortunately, whether you are a teacher or a student, it can be easy to overlook the work done by our janitors. Efrain Aguilar has been a custodial worker at Kaneland for only three months but has done custodial work in other districts for 10 years. Due to the pandemic, Aguilar has noticed increased demands on his job and has some advice for students. “Since COVID-19, we have had more cleaning and disinfecting. Always use a mask and keep social distancing,” Aguilar said.

Photo by Anna Olp

50s,” Blanco said of his mother. Janitors do a lot of their work when students aren’t around to see. Sometimes this can lead to an underappreciation for all that they do. It can be really easy for a student to leave a mess and come back

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Despite the time and effort that the janitors at Kaneland put into their work, much that they do still goes unmentioned by many.

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Photo by Jenna Lin

knows how much of an impact the janitorial staff has on the cleanliness of this part of the school. “Because I’m often here late, especially during marching band season, I often see them cleaning,” Puckett said. “I regularly will thank them because the band often leaves the space trashed. I have never heard them complain. They graciously come in and do their job while being very positive about it.” Working late shifts is not uncommon for many members of the janitorial staff. Most of their work is accomplished when students aren’t in school. “When my mom was working as a janitor, I hardly ever got to see her. When I woke

Photo by Anna Olp

Signs are put up after janitors clean the ﬂoor to maintain safety for staff and students. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2019, the median pay for janitors was $13.19 an hour.

The janitors’ office at Kaneland High School is located in room G100. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were over 2,700,000 employed janitors in the U.S.

Janitors can be seen after hours working all over the school to keep it clean. Kaneland’s janitors have had to work harder to incorporate COVID-19 safety protocols into their cleaning routines.

Even before the pandemic began, the work assigned to janitorial staff could keep them laboring long after the school day. This can be physically taxing, especially for those who have been in this career field for a long time. Junior Kirk Blanco’s mother has been working as a janitor at Kaneland for seven years. 2020 was her first year working in a department other than janitorial. “At the time, her hands were hurting a lot and her legs weren’t the best, but she was working eight or nine hour shifts. She still had to clean everything and lift everything by herself, even though she’s in her

the next day to see it cleaned up and taken care of without appreciating who is doing this crucial work. “There are some kids who do things they might not realize are disrespectful. My mom told me it takes her three to four hours to clean the cafeteria, and there are kids who still throw food and don’t care,” Blanco said. In some areas of the school, one or more janitors are assigned to a specific hallway or section. One of these designated areas is the fine arts hallway. Band teacher Aaron Puckett spends a significant amount of time in this hallway and

up for school in the morning she would be asleep, and when I got home from school she would still be working,” Blanco said. Despite the time and effort that the janitors at Kaneland put into their work, much that they do still goes unmentioned by many. While teachers deservingly receive a large amount of praise, there is little acknowledgement of the janitors during our daily life. “I definitely think students may think, ‘Oh, if I drop this piece of paper on the floor, someone will eventually pick it up. It’s like magic; it disappears,’” Puckett said.

Feature

Page design by Madeleine Little

Feature

March 11, 2021

CHOOSING A CAREER DURING A PANDEMIC BY MADELEINE LITTLE

T Editor

hroughout high school, students are encouraged to fill out a fouryear plan sheet to organize the courses they want to take. When a student becomes a junior or senior, there are more course options available to help them prepare for the career they might want to pursue. But not all students know what they want to do after high school. Choosing a career can be difficult, especially at such a young age and during the middle of a pandemic. Junior Taylor Seaton decided to explore the medical field by taking the Fox Valley Career Center’s (FVCC) Exploring Medical Careers (EMC) class. Seaton originally wanted to become a surgeon but decided that with the years of school and downsides to the career like the cost of education, it would be best for her to choose a different path. Throughout the years, Seaton felt that it was difficult to decide which career to pursue because of little exposure to different options. “It is very hard to figure out what to do, especially because most people are only exposed to what their parents do,”

Photo courtesy of Emma Obremski

Junior Emma Obremski teaches a lesson in her Foundations of Education class. In order to prepare for the future, students must run practice lessons in front of each other.

Page design by Sophia Opp

Photo by Jenna Lin

Xello is a convenient website for students to discover potential careers that fit their personalities. Xello can match you to careers and provide details about all facets of the job.

Seaton said. Seaton also took into account that with the pandemic still happening and the uncertainty of how long it will last, it’s a good idea for her to work in another profession that doesn’t require her to risk her health in a hospital. So instead, she is planning to go to college to be a dentist. Like Seaton, many students struggle to pick a career and stick with it, but some others made their choice years ago. Junior Emma Obremski is passionate about becoming a middle school teacher and has wanted to pursue that career ever since she was three years old. Obremski grew up having a fake classroom in her house with imaginary students to whom she would teach her math lessons. As she got older, her love for teaching grew. The current pandemic has not changed her outlook; in fact, it has inspired her more. She is taking a FVCC class called Foundations of Education in order to gain experience in the classroom. “It influences me to incorporate mental health check-ins and one-on-one time with students more often. Teachers have always inspired me to be a safe space for my future students, and I think COVID-19 has motivated me to be that safe space even more,” Obremski said. Many factors go into choosing a career, such as money or time or schooling and so much more. But despite those factors, the best thing to do is to find something you’re passionate about. Kaneland guid-

ance counselor Cynthia Violett suggests that Xello is a great tool to help pick a career. Xello has several surveys for students and will recommend specific careers based on the answers from the surveys. Violett also recommends that if a student has a career they are interested in, they should educate themselves on what type of work is done in that field. “All students have access to Xello that

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All students have access to Xello that offers career interest and skill surveys. Students should start with Xello, then maybe even job shadow a career field that they’re interested in pursuing.

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-guidance counselor Cynthia Violett

offers career interest and skill surveys. Students should start with Xello, then maybe even job shadow a career field that they’re interested in pursuing,” Violett said. Students should keep an open mind when looking at career options. For the next few years, those choosing careers may struggle to discover their interests, but once a true passion is found, the choice becomes clear.

Feature

Photos

March 11, 2021

Finn (Ethan Stoker)

Paisley (Bailey Lomahan)

SNOW

Sadie (Samuel Pryor)

Milly (Sophia Garland) Photos

Jack (Ryan Rinella) Page design by Jenna Lin

March 11, 2021

Bella (Rachel Frank)

Photos

Lola (Anelle Dominguez)

PUPS

Calli (Alexis Maberry)

Daisy (Travis Johnson) Page design by Jenna Lin

Harper (Taylor Carlson)

Photos

Sports

March 11, 2021

STUDENTS WORK TO KEEP UP WITH SPORTS BY NICHOLAS MITCHINSON

M Editor

any high school athletes have had their particular sports season postponed due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. All Kaneland 202021 sports that have been played, that are currently in season or that are yet to be played have had their seasons altered in some way. While waiting for their seasons to begin, some athletes continued to play their sports outside of school through either travel or club teams. Girls volleyball athletes recently began their season on March 8. Many athletes, while waiting for their season to begin, continued to play for their volleyball clubs separate from school. Junior volleyball player Sofia Jurasek plays for Club Fusion Volleyball, located in Batavia. The club season usually begins after high school volleyball has concluded in November, but this year it began in early September. To Jurasek, it felt unusual to have the club volleyball season start before the high school season. Her club also had to travel more to adjust to COVID-19 regulations. “This year we only have one in-state tournament, and the rest are out-of-state, and last year we had probably 15 in-state tournaments and three or four out of state, so all the tournaments are different,” Jurasek said. Volleyball athletes were not the only ones participating in club sports while waiting for their high school season to begin. Baseball players would normally be having their high school season at this time, but instead many are currently play-

Photo courtesy of Sofia Jurasek

Junior Sofia Jurasek serves in the Midwest Power League tournament at UNO Volleyball Club. Jurasek continued playing volleyball in preparation for her high school season.

Sports

Photo courtesy of Evan Smith

Senior Evan Smith dribbles in the Grand Park Midwest Showcase in Westfield, IN. Smith has been playing soccer for 14 years and with Strikers Fox Valley Soccer Club for the past five years.

ing for travel teams while they wait for the high school start date of April 5. Junior baseball player Cole Pugh is currently playing for the Kane County Crush while waiting for his high school baseball season to begin. “I would have practice for high school baseball every day of the week, and games would be starting in April. I am practicing twice a week for the Kane County Crush, and we are not playing games at the moment,” Pugh said. Nothing during this time of COVID-19 is guaranteed, so Pugh realizes that wherever he is playing there is a risk it may be halted without any warning. “We just do not know what will happen this year, and we need to make the most out of every opportunity,” Pugh said. Club soccer was another sport outside of school that many Kaneland athletes took advantage of. Senior soccer player Evan Smith plays for Strikers Fox Valley Soccer Club. They were practicing but not playing any games in Illinois, so instead they traveled to Indiana to play in different showcases. Since high school soccer began March 1, they have concluded their club season for now. Smith’s club season started this past summer and continued through the winter; during the winter, they practiced inside, which led to more restrictions than practicing outside. “When we were outside there were very few restrictions. Only social distancing at the beginning of COVID, but we got cleared to have contact drills and scrimmages without masks pretty quickly. When we transitioned inside we had to wear masks during the whole duration of practice, and we stayed in the locker room specifically assigned to our team,”

Smith said. While Smith was playing club soccer in the fall, he was also going to Kaneland’s contact days for soccer that were granted by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The contact days compared to his club soccer practices were completely different. “Our contact days for school versus my outdoor club practices were different. At club we did not have to worry about social distancing and we didn’t have to wear masks, and it was mostly like a regular practice,” Smith said. “For high school contact days, we had to wear masks up until our scrimmage, and social distance as much as possible. However, during both we were able to have contact scrimmages, which was a huge plus for both practices.”

Photo courtesy of Cole Pugh

Junior Cole Pugh steps into the batter’s box for the Kane County Crush. Pugh had an extended travel season because of the delayed start of high school baseball.

Page design by Nicholas Mitchinson

KHS RETURNS TO THE STAGE

March 11, 2021

Activities

BY KARMYN HOOKHAM

W Editor

hile still following COVID-19 safety protocols like they did during the fall and winter plays, the Kaneland High School theater department is trying new techniques to put on the best possible performance this spring. The cast is performing Little Women, and they will be six feet apart and wearing masks designed specifically for singing to have the ability to perform together on stage. There will not be a live audience in the auditorium, but the show will be streamed online for local and long-distance viewers to experience. Although many members of the cast are grateful for the chance to rehearse and perform in person and not virtually on Zoom like the fall and winter plays were conducted, this year’s restrictions have not been easy on them. “This year it’s definitely harder compared to The Hunchback of Notre Dame last year. As far as acting on stage, we have to stay six feet apart, and it’s an added difficulty that we have to think about. I definitely do think [rehearsing in person] has brought back some normalcy for me, though,” sophomore Victoria Romano said. Not only has COVID-19 affected the performers’ preparations, the scenes have changed from theater director Rachel Giles’ perspective as well “It has challenged my assistant director (Danielle Giles) and I to block students six feet apart and still keep the integrity of the scenes. So they’re dancing six feet apart, they’re moving around six feet apart. So it’s been a challenge, but it’s been fun to just be back in the same physical space as each other,” Giles said. Little Women is also expected to be a different type of musical than past years. This year, students are more focused on showing the story’s close relationships and the lessons the characters learn as they grow up. “In my experience, the past couple of

Photos by Rob Luedtke The cast members rehearse their choreography to a song called “Our Finest Dreams.” This year the musical will available to the public from April 23-25.

Page design by Sarah Janito

high school shows have really been more about theatricality and explosive spectacles. This one is a lot more composed, a lot more dramatic. There’s a lot more to do with the dialogue than the dancing,” junior Caleb Hwang said. Even with a lack of large ensembles, an orchestra pit and a live audience, performing in the auditorium still has its perks. “Clue was over Zoom, which was still a blast to perform and rehearse, but I’d say Little Women is so much more exciting because we get to see the entire body of the actor instead of just the chest up. There are a lot more opportunities for the actors to show off their character and their dancing abilities and vocals,” senior Robert Luedtke said. The small cast has allowed for the upperclassmen to strengthen their relationships with one another while making the new additions feel welcome. “We all know each other from past roles. Even the freshmen, like my little sister Aeryn, already partially know us. There are three freshmen in the show right now, and they’re adapting well and really getting to know people,” Hwang said. As one of the groups at Kaneland that has been able to adapt and persevere this year, the members of the theater department are staying grateful throughout the long hours of practicing. “To have my last show at the high school seem so bizarre, I honestly don’t think a lot is different besides the fact that we have masks on and are six feet apart. We’re still dancing and singing and doing all of the things that we love,” Luedtke said. Giles hopes that viewers will get to see the full potential of the show even though it will be performed virtually. That the performance will be streamed makes it more accessible for those who wouldn’t be able to travel regardless of the pandemic, extending the stories of the March sisters to as many as possible.

Photos by Karmyn Hookham The March sisters rehearse in their costumes. The spring musical will be performed on stage and recorded for the audience to watch at home.

Jo March

“This opportunity to work with a small cast to put on an amazing story is nothing less than wonderful. I think the fact that we’re able to do this show is so encouraging. It shows that things are slowly but surely going back to normal.”

- junior Audrey Siblik

Amy March

“For me, doing the show has definitely brought back a sense of normalcy during these crazy times. Our cast and crew have been working so hard to make this an amazing show, and I am so excited for people to see it.”

- sophomore Victoria Romano Meg March

“Practicing during the pandemic, although different, isn’t all that bad. The only major differences are the singing masks we wear, staying six feet apart during blocking and preparing to film the final product instead of performing it for a live audience.”

- junior McKenna Goss Activities

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