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EXAMINING REFLECTIONS

Looking at the intricacies and impact of reflections in our daily lives

Reflections exist everywhere, from echoes of the past to mirrors in front of us. By examining the nature of these reflections, we can understand how we view ourselves, others and humanity. Reflections, though, always have two sides. By exploring the intricacies of different perspectives, we can recognize the subtle differences between our perceptions and reality. Reflection is a powerful tool to learn more about ourselves and guide us as we move forward, but we must be cognizant of distortions that alter the images we see.

DISTRICT 302 REFERENDUM PASSES

BY NATE SAND Co-Sports & Activities Executive

On April 1, 2025, 55.58% of Kaneland District 302 voters voted to pass a referendum including $140.3 million in bonds, according to the Kane County election results website, with that money being put towards addressing needs of the district that will impact all six schools.

According to an informational slideshow on the Kaneland website about the potential bonds, bonds are like a loan that governments take out to pay for big projects. The school district borrows money and pays it back over time using funds from property taxes.

The referendum will utilize these bonds for many projects. Kaneland High School is the subject of several, including addressing organizational problems with the school’s outdoor athletic facilities. The referendum information section of the Kaneland website shows a concept diagram of the campus improvements found in the construction plans. This diagram includes changes to the Peterson Field stadium, including the installation of a synthetic turf field and reconstruction and expansion of the stadium bleachers, concessions, press box, restrooms, team rooms, storage and ticket booth. The plan also includes removing the mound of dirt and debris located south of the soccer fields and replacing it

with a parking area for approximately 100 vehicles. The location of the tennis courts will change with the construction of 12 new courts to meet the demands of the tennis program. The concept also includes improvements for drainage issues pertaining to baseball and practice fields.

Arguably the most ambitious part of the referendum is the addition of a fieldhouse to the high school to meet athletic and community needs. The plans for the fieldhouse include a 6-lane track, locker rooms, a fitness room, a weight room, a training room, a classroom and storage space. The visitor parking lot is expected to be modified to accommodate the fieldhouse, as the plan is for the fieldhouse to be constructed adjacent to the current East Gym.

“The intention is to build a place that the community has access to and can utilize beyond just the high school staff and students,” Director of Buildings and Grounds Mark Payton said.

Inside the high school, a focus of the referendum is to improve various classrooms and learning spaces. Improvements will be made to outdated science labs and classrooms, along with restrooms and locker rooms. The current West Gym will be modified in

2,410 (44.42%) of voters voted

KanelandDistrict

referendumresult

an effort to relocate production labs and to develop spaces for Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. The main entrance of the high school is also expected to be expanded to enhance safety and security.

While the high school is the main focus of the referendum, other buildings in the district will be improved as well. Each of the elementary schools will receive replacements of their HVAC systems or the addition of air-conditioning in the gymnasiums. Playground updates are expected as well. Transportation services and the bus lot, which are currently located at the high school, will be moved to Harter Middle School.

While carrying out the plans detailed in the referendum, the district wants to make sure the community is able to have a voice. They are working on different ways to reach out to members of the community. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kurt Rohlwing said that finding ways to get feedback from the community is one of their first steps.

“This isn’t me and just a couple of other people in the room just coming up with plans, so over the next month or so we’re going to come up with kind of an outreach plan,” Rohlwing said. Updates on the referendum will continue to be provided at future board meetings.

Photo by Sarah Slattery

A patch of grass and multiple picnic tables currently sit in between the East Gym and the cafeteria. This area will be replaced by the addition of a fieldhouse after the April 1, 2025, election resulted in the passing of the proposed referendum.

KIPLA TRANSITIONS TO KSS AND KHMS

BY CARLI FILEK Social Media Executive

The Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA) will relocate to Kaneland John Shields Elementary School (KSS) and Kaneland Harter Middle School (KHMS) next school year to help address the district’s projected $4.2 million budget shortfall.

This move is expected to save the district approximately half a million dollars in heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements needed at the Kaneland Meredith Academic Building (KMAC), where KIPLA is currently located. It will also eliminate the need for additional support staff, such as the school nurse and principal.

Despite the change in location, students will continue learning at their own pace using the same personalized learning structure.

“While the space itself will be different, students will continue to learn along continuums at their own level in multi-age environments,” Personalized Learning Coordinator Laura Garland said.

KSS was chosen for grades third through fifth due to its central location and adequate space for the program. However, some parents are concerned because they live outside the elementary school’s boundaries.

“For students who live outside of the Shields boundaries, we’ve already started to work on designated [bus] routes that would run all the way out to Virgil,” Superintendent Dr. Kurt Rohlwing said. “There will be a couple different routes that will go to the different boundaries and will pick them up and drop them off.”

KHMS Principal Brian Faulkner and KSS Principal Kara Salto have designated several classrooms in each building for the program. At the middle school, the second floor’s purple wing will accommodate the approximately 80 sixth through eighth graders enrolled in KIPLA. These students will have two dedicated blocks of instructional time at the start and end of the day, while joining KHMS students for physical education and one exploratory class.

Third through fifth graders enrolled in KIPLA will continue their current personalized learning style with the addition of recess time, which was unavailable at KMAC due to the lack of a playground.

KIPLA parent Lara Ekstrom expressed concern about losing the sense of community that’s been established at KIPLA but is optimistic about the new opportunities.

“Having a certified art and music teacher is something that we’ve missed a bit in the last two years,” Ekstrom said. “My kids are excited to have access to a playground at recess again.”

The administration is currently preparing KIPLA families and staff for the change by distributing surveys, holding meetings with parents and students, and organizing school visits.

“KIPLA families have had the opportunity to tour their new locations and meet with the principals of each building,” Garland said. “The students will visit the buildings again in late April.”

KANEVILLE FIRE REFERENDUM FAILS

BY AUDREY WALKER Editor-in-Chief of Print and Ads & Business Executive

Areferendum that would have increased funding for the Kaneville Fire Protection District failed after more than 60% of voters voted against it during the April 1 consolidated election. If it passed, the referendum would have increased taxes $0.29 per one hundred dollars with the goal being to increase staffing to provide quicker medical responses to the district.

According to a fact sheet about the referendum distributed by the fire protection district, it would have provided “funding for operational needs, necessary equipment and a move to regular staffing, drastically improving response times and level of care to those served by the District.”

The 36-square mile protection district includes Kaneland High School, Kaneland Meredith Academic Center

and nine miles of the I-88 tollway. Deputy Chief Brittiany Chase explained why faster response times are important to residents.

“There are a lot of people that are in and out of this district all the time, whether it be during the day with the school, [or] the tollway which a lot of people are driving through,” Chase said. “It is of utmost importance to make sure we are getting a faster response to our people. We do well now, but we can definitely do better.”

The district currently pays $100,000 a year to the Big Rock Fire Protection District to provide ambulance services to most of the district, with Maple Park and Elburn also covering small portions. The average response time of an ambulance from Big Rock averages about 10 to 12 minutes, according to Kaneville Fire Protection District trustee Paul Ross.

Ross explained that the referen -

dum would have allowed the fully-volunteer district to hire EMTs to cover a daytime shift.

“We have wanted to start our own ambulance service for about six months,” Ross said.

With a 42.1% turnout, 222 voters rejected the proposition and 132 voters accepted it, according to the Kane County election results website. Chase acknowledged one reason why voters may have voted “no.”

“Nobody right now wants to increase their taxes,” Chase said. “I get that.”

Although the recent attempt failed, the district is not giving up their hope of passing a referendum.

“At the end of the day, we’re just going to continue to work harder to provide better education for the community to help pass this referendum, whether it be now or in the future,” Chase said.

Page design by Sarah Slattery

ESTABLISHMENT OF DOGE INTO THE USDS

DOGE begins with confusion and federal cuts

BY JASPER PAULSON

Ads & Business Design Executive, Broadcast Executive and Copy Editor

The United States Digital Service (USDS) was reorganized and renamed to the United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service (USDS), according to Executive Order 14158 of Jan. 20, 2025, signed by President Donald Trump.

“This executive order establishes DOGE to implement the president’s DOGE Agenda by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,” according to section one of Executive Order 14158.

In order to implement the change to the USDS with the addition of DOGE, the executive order explains Trump’s 18-month DOGE agenda currently taking place. They will go through the process of establishing a temporary organization. Former American health technology executive Amy Gleason holds the newly created position of USDS Administrator. Gleason’s job is to head the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization until its termination on July 4, 2026. Gleason’s job has not been defined by the White House, but it has been confirmed that she works closely with the DOGE leaders and Senior Advisor to the President of the U.S. Elon Musk. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that Musk is overseeing DOGE.

“The president tasked Musk to oversee the DOGE effort,” Leavitt said at the Feb. 25 White House Press Briefing. “There are career officials, and there are political appointees who are helping run DOGE on a day-to-day basis.”

Musk, as a special government employee, is not supposed to exceed 130 days working in any

full year he is employed. That would mean Musk’s time frame with DOGE would conclude at the end of May. However, whether or not he will be involved further has not been confirmed, and until then, Musk plans on doing whatever he can to cut spending and maximize efficiency.

On DOGE.gov, the official DOGE website, they include a list of their most recent works. These are X posts containing their numbers of contracts terminated, dollars saved and records updated. DOGE has also cut jobs in order to reduce what they view as unnecessary government spending. In the month of March, there were 275,240 job cuts, according to CBS News, with more being planned. The current spendings, payments, savings and the amount of people in agencies are all recorded and updated on DOGE’s website.

“[DOGE is] the most transparent organization in government ever,” Musk claimed in an interview with Fox News.

DOGE is also facing 11 lawsuits, according to NBC News, due to the fact that people believe their personal information is being illegally accessed by the organization. All lawsuits are under the claim that DOGE violated the Privacy Act of 1974, which protects certain information from federal agencies. However, as of April 8, 2025, none of these lawsuits have caused DOGE’s work to stop.

DOGE continues to work towards what the organization believes is a more efficient government. They plan on more federal job cuts and reduced spending to reach the goal of saving the amount of the federal budget deficit, which is $2 trillion, according to Musk.

Cartoon by Zoe Gannon

SPRING MUSICAL “SOMETHING ROTTEN” TO DEBUT TONIGHT

BY OLIVIA COTTER AND SOPHIA SCHROLL Editors, Columnist and Social Media Manager

April 17, 2025, is the opening night of the KHS theater department’s spring musical, “Something Rotten.”

“Something Rotten” is a comedic love letter to musical theater. The plot follows Nick and Nigel Bottom during their quest to become famous while being overshadowed by “The Bard” (William Shakespeare). The musical showcases elaborate costumes and entertaining dance numbers.

This year’s musical is in stark contrast to previous years, with a lot more humor and lightheartedness than death and seriousness.

“[The cast has] done a lot of classical Golden Age musicals, so I wanted to do something that was more modern and that would push them,” Director Rachel Giles-Bachman said.

The tone is not the only thing different in this year’s musical. “Something Rotten” requires new skills and techniques from the performers.

“[We are] doing something that is still a large-scale production, but bringing different characters, different styles of dance and singing that we haven’t done in a while,” Giles-Bachman said.

Not only does Giles-Bachman feel that the musical will be more lighthearted this year, but the cast and students who have participated in past musicals feel that the audience will enjoy it more.

“Compared to last year, it’s way more funny this year, and I cannot wait to see the audience’s reactions to all the fun,” senior and male lead Keiton Westfall said.

“Something Rotten” is classified as smart humor, and it includes several witty one-liners and puns. There are nods to many of Shakespeare’s plays, including “Romeo and Juliet.” Many performers are looking forward to having the audience laugh at their jokes and scenes.

“When the audience is laughing or cheering, that’s your sign that you are doing something right,” freshman Jack Bicker said. “You made them feel something, which is ultimately what this is about.”

Landing their jokes is not the only thing cast members must worry about. Reciting lines, blocking, singing and performing choreography adds up, and putting it all together at once can be challenging for even the best performers.

In preparation for the auditions, students worked hard to learn choreography and practice their songs. For many in this year’s musical, auditions were familiar but more challenging.

“This year I had to learn how to tap dance, and I’ve never tap danced before. It was entirely new,” Westfall said.

While learning this challenging choreography, cast members bonded regardless of age.

Bicker was the only underclassman on stage during the fall play, “Radium Girls,” but he shared that the upperclassmen are extremely kind and welcoming of him and his talent.

“They were all so sweet and caring,” Bicker said. “I really created a bond with them that will last so long.”

One of the largest numbers in the show is “A Musical.” During this song, Nostradamus explains what a musical is to someone from Shakespearean times. Nostradamus and the rest of the cast make references to iconic musicals while performing an over-the-top tap dance break.

“It’s completely crazy, and I love it,” Bicker, who plays Nostradamus, said.

To succeed in those extravagant numbers during the show, not only is there work put in by those in the main roles, but there is constant effort and collaboration behind the scenes.

“Stage crew and our technical team deserve a lot of credit,” Giles-Bachman said. “I have two student directors who do a lot of the work, like gathering props and creating the aesthetic of the show.”

Many members of the cast feel that this addition to the theater department is an ode to their personalities and a play on their childhood.

“[Playing the character] Portia is like channeling my inner child,” junior and female lead Kailey Kunstman said. “It is a very funny show in general.”

LACROSSE TEAM STARTS SEASON OPTIMISTIC

BY EVAN WHILDIN Editor and Broadcaster

With spring sports in full swing, one program that tends to be overlooked is the KHS boys lacrosse team. This season, though, they are looking to turn that around as they are now a school-funded sport. With many successful returning players, combined with several promising newcomers, the lacrosse team has plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

One returning player is senior Garrett Wills, who is committed to Illinois Wesleyan University to play lacrosse. Last season, Wills was an All-Sectional honorable mention selection, and he aims to build upon that accomplishment this season.

“Our team goal is to get 10 wins,” Wills said. “We had nine wins last year, a program record, so this year our goal is to top it by one. Personally, I want to be able to get All-Sectional, and if I have a good enough season, my goal is to be All-State.”

Social studies teacher Daniel Ferrel, the second-year assistant coach, looks to continue to build momentum from the team’s growth last season.

“I hope with the school now funding us we will take a more central role in spring sports,” Ferrel said. “I feel as though lacrosse always had a somewhat low reputation in previous years, so I would like to see that turned around. We have shown that we can be successful. More than anything, we just need more players and more support from administration. If we get those extra pieces, I think we can maintain a winning program for a long time.”

One of the team’s new players this season is freshman Caden Kaiser. Kaiser has plenty of experience through a club lacrosse team and looks to bring that into the school season.

“I’m looking forward to gaining bigger relationships with my teammates and also trying to win a lot of games,” Kaiser said. “I want this season to be able to set our team up for next year.”

With the continued growth of the program, there are many reasons to be excited for the future of lacrosse.

SPORTS INJURIES BRING MENTAL HURDLES

In addition to physical injuries, athletes face mental challenges

BY BOBBY LEAVEY Editor and Broadcaster

April 28, 2012, is a day that Chicago Bulls fans remember with sadness as it changed the trajectory of a young superstar’s career.

“I get out of the machine, and they tell me it’s torn. I break down crying. My mom was there, and she’s trying to help me. After that, I got back to the crib, and for like a year, or two years, it was just hard.” This was Derrick Rose, a Bulls legend, talking about his season-ending and career altering torn ACL that he suffered during game one of the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs.

Rose recounted the ligament tear that changed his career path on the Out The Mud Podcast, hosted by former NBA players Zach Randolph and Tony Allen. In professional sports, major injuries happen all the time. Those athletes are paid millions of dollars to compete professionally, so the reward outweighs the risk. However, big league teams spend a lot of time and attention making sure they have a variety of professionals to help athletes deal with their injuries in as many ways as possible, both physically and mentally.

The same can’t be said in high school sports. Although athletes have access to athletic trainers to help them recover physically, there is still the mental toll of injuries that can have a lasting impact.

“As a player, you always try very hard not to think about [an injury] while you’re playing,” said junior Evan Frieders, a three-year varsity basketball player. “You don’t want to change the way you play because you’re worried about your injury or hurting it worse.”

ders said. “Sometimes if there’s a loose ball on the floor, you think twice about diving for it, just in case you don’t want to reinjure your shoulder.”

It is hard for athletes to not think about an injury and how their playing career could have gone differently, especially when an injury occurs so early in their career.

“I think about it 24/7,” senior Nate Campbell said. “And there are still

ed up tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus, in addition to breaking his femur. Campbell was a two-sport athlete at the time, and his injuries kept him sidelined for a year and a half. You see injuries like this in professional sports, but for this to happen to a teenager is not a common occurrence. It is very hard for a high school athlete to hear they aren’t going to be able to do what they love, and that takes a toll on them.

Frieders partially tore his labrum in a December 2024 game against Morris Community High School. He has played through the physical pain since, opting to delay surgery. But the mental effects an injury has can never be put off.

“It does affect me mentally,” Frie -

times to this day where nearly every morning I’ll wake up and I have to do special stretches. Even when I’m just walking, I’ll get sudden chills just thinking about it.”

During a football practice in his freshman year, when Campbell was called up to varsity for the playoffs, he took a helmet to the knee and end -

“My freshman year I was an outgoing kid, very talkative, social,” Campbell said. “Then once [the injury] happened and the realization of all my injuries and how long I would be out of sports [sunk in], I became a lot more quiet, kind of upset, of course. [I was] kind of thinking throughout my day, ‘How am I going to not think about this? This is ruining my freshman year. It’s going to ruin my sophomore year or whatever.’ In my mind, my life was over at that moment.”

In times like this, many athletes give up on themselves and their careers. It’s important to find a reason and will to keep going because you never know where your career will take you. Campbell is now a catcher for the varsity baseball team, and he earned a scholarship to play baseball at the next level for Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. This is something most athletes don’t get a chance to do after they have three ligament tears and a broken bone. Frieders, meanwhile, ranked third on the basketball team this past season in playing time, averaging 22 minutes per game while being one of the team’s best defenders. Injuries impact all athletes in different ways, but when a player is strong mentally and has a purpose to keep going, physical pain becomes secondary.

“Maybe God sent me on this path for a reason,” Campbell said. “If God didn’t want me to go down this path and have the future I am going to have now, he would never have let this happen to me.”

Photo by Sarah Slattery

Junior Evan Frieders plays in a varsity basketball game against Sycamore High School. Frieders played with a partially torn labrum throughout the season in order to delay surgery.

NUTRITION CAN IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH

BY ZOE GANNON AND CHARLIZE LANDA Co-Sports & Activities Executive and Cartoon Manager and Editor

Monitoring what you eat can be difficult. Oftentimes, we are met with two choices: to eat an appetizing but unhealthy meal or eat a healthy but not as appealing meal. Although we are taught to eat nutritious foods from a young age, sometimes a deep-fried Oreo calls our name. Indulging in unwholesome treats occasionally is fine, but finding the perfect balance between the two is ideal for our mental health and well-being.

It is important to prioritize a healthy diet to ensure that you receive necessary nutrients. Nourishing our body with nutritional food positively

“Many mental health experts see nutrition as an integral part of preventing the onset and worsening of mental health conditions.”

on brain function.

“Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression,” wrote Selhub.

Many do not look at sugar levels or other harmful ingredients before consuming a meal. We are so accustomed to eating unhealthy foods that we may not notice the consequences.

The amount of food we eat also affects our mental functions and perception of our bodies. Mental health conditions that affect eating behavior

teenagers don’t eat a lot throughout the day because they are focused on other priorities, but then they find themselves eating an unhealthy amount at night.

“My biggest problem is that I binge eat a lot,” sophomore Charlie Placzek said. “I’ll go pretty much all day without eating, and then I eat way too much all at one time. It’s gotten better, but it’s definitely not healthy.”

Poor eating habits can create low self-esteem, cause fatigue and damage mental health. It can be hard to break out of the cycle once your body gets adjusted to your average food

“When a person eats tasty food (including junk food) the reward circuit in the brain is switched on. This releases a brain chemical called dopamine.”

- Healthdirect - McLean Psychiatric Hospital

impacts our mood and energy levels.

When making the change to a healthy diet, there are noticeable benefits. Junior Josh Karther has focused on maintaining a healthy diet for more than a year and has seen positive results in his mental health and accomplishments in the gym.

“When I ate fast food, I felt a mental fog and felt grouchy,” Karther said. “Eating healthier and taking supplements has helped my mental function, and I have seen a massive increase in my weightlifting maxes.”

are characterized as eating disorders.

Many people depend on processed foods because of the fastpaced American lifestyle. The affordability and accessibility of these foods are tempting, but this can be dangerous because of the threat they pose to our mental well-being.

In a Harvard Health blog, Eva Selhub, an expert in mind-body medicine who is Board Certified in internal medicine, explained the effects sugar has

When someone is in a negative head space or looking down on themself, it can be hard to find the motivation and even the desire to eat. This can be especially true when it comes to consuming a healthy amount of proper nutrients.

There are also disordered eating habits like binge eating, eating unhealthy foods or eating in an irregular pattern. These habits can lead to weight gain, bad cholesterol and other health issues. There can be times when

intake.

The best strategy for maintaining healthy eating habits is to balance your diet between the five food groups: dairy, fruits, grains, protein and vegetables, throughout the day. Even if all you can manage to eat is a small portion, balancing your diet and eating three meals a day will begin the transition into healthy eating patterns.

The Emily Program, which specializes in helping people recover from eating disorders, examined studies on eating disorders’ effects on the neurobiology of the brain.

The program concluded that eating disorders disrupt neurotransmitters, which are the body’s chemical messengers that have an effect on behavior and emotions. They found that eating disorders reduce heart rate and deprive the brain of oxygen, in addition to having the potential to cause seizures, numbness, odd nerve sensations and more.

It is important to balance nutrients and your food intake for optimal mental and physical well-being.

design by Anna Gatz

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Photo and graphic by Anna Gatz

CURATED PERFECTION & SOCIAL MEDIA

BY OLIVIA KRASUSKI Editor and Columnist

What if social media isn’t just making teens insecure, but profiting from that insecurity? From beauty filters that subtly slim faces to influencers promoting unattainable body standards, platforms are shaping how young people see themselves - often for the worse. Teens being constantly exposed to edited images and beauty trends can fuel feelings of body dysmorphia, a mental disorder where one becomes fixated on the perceived flaws in their appearance.

Social media platforms have been known for promoting highly curated, idealized versions of life and beauty. This presented content, paired with the widespread use of filters and editing apps, creates a cycle where users are constantly comparing their unedited selves to polished and often unrealistic images. Instagram, with its focus on visuals, has become a prime example of how platforms create impossible beauty standards. These platforms are designed to highlight certain aesthetics, which can lead users to feeling like their natural appearance is not good enough.

Constant exposure to idealized images on social media doesn’t just promote unrealistic beauty standards; it also alters how teens view themselves.

How social media leads to body image insecurities

“Social media has definitely impacted how I see myself,” junior Madelyn Cook explained. “If I see companies or influencers promoting unhealthy or unrealistic body standards, I worry that others [will] see how I look and think I look wrong.”

When people spend more time comparing themselves to the “perfect” versions of peers they see online, they become more likely to develop negative self-perceptions. Over time, this leads to body dissatisfaction, where teens fixate on their flaws and feel trapped in a cycle of self-criticism. For many, the constant search for validation through likes, comments and followers only deepens their sense of insecurity, creating a dangerous feedback loop.

Teens with poor body image or low self-esteem are often more vulnerable to the distorted beauty standards perpetuated on social media. When individuals don’t feel confident in their appearance, they’re more likely to compare themselves to others and internalize feelings of inadequacy.

“The more grounded we are in our identity, the more we are able to resist influence from outside sources,” guidance counselor Colleen Russell said. “This, however, is a really hard skill to develop, and no one should feel ashamed for struggling with comparison or feelings of inadequacy. We are all subject to it, even adults. Being grounded in our own identity is an ongoing effort.”

Although social media plays a significant role in shaping self-perception, the way individuals engage with it can determine the extent of its impact. Algorithms are designed to keep users engaged by feeding them content that reinforces insecurities, which is often in the form of “health” or “self-improvement” videos. This is particularly evident in how platforms promote certain body types and dieting trends.

“A 2022 study on TikTok and diet culture found that TikTok content often promotes disordered eating habits to viewers, presenting thinner body types

as more ideal and preying on the viewers’ insecurities around their bodies,” freelance health writer Sian Ferguson wrote for Healthline.

This pattern highlights how social media doesn’t just reflect beauty standards - it actively shapes them. The curated narratives that are popularized by social media make it difficult for users to separate reality from manipulated content. The endless exposure to posts promoting unrealistic body goals can push vulnerable individuals toward unhealthy behaviors, further deepening the cycle of dissatisfaction. While social media can fuel body dysmorphia and self-doubt, it can also be reshaped into a more positive and affirming space. To do this is more simple than you might realize: Take control of what appears on your feed. Algorithms respond to the content you interact with, which influences what platforms show you. By making intentional changes, it’s possible to shift away from harmful beauty standards and toward content that promotes self-acceptance.

“Unfollow influencers who are increasing your sense of doubt and shame,” Russell advised. “Put away your phone and engage in an activity [that you enjoy] so you are focusing on yourself and activities that make you feel whole. Seek help and support when needed.”

Unfollowing harmful accounts can help reduce negative self-comparisons, while following creators who promote body positivity and diverse beauty standards can help reframe beauty perceptions.

Social media’s influence on body image is undeniable, but it doesn’t have to dictate self-worth. By being intentional about how to consume content, young people can reclaim their feeds and create healthier mindsets. Changing the way social media is used can help break the cycle of manufactured insecurity.

“It takes a conscious effort to remember that an image or a couple second reel isn’t the full picture of someone else’s life,” Russell said. “We have to, to the best of our ability, stay focused on our own values and goals.”

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Sarah Slattery

CONFIDENCE AND DEDICATION ON DISPLAY

BY SARAH SLATTERY Design and Photography Executive

To be college, career and community ready doesn’t have to mean getting straight A’s, becoming the president of Student Council or going on to be a Division 1 athlete. It means being a leader, it means being confident, it means being kind and empathetic to all and it means being the best version of yourself. Senior Lindsey Stoddard does all of that.

Stoddard is projected to be at the top of Kaneland’s Class of 2025 in addition to being the National Honor Society (NHS) co-president, senior class officer secretary, fundraising chair for Student Council, a varsity basketball manager, a varsity soccer athlete and one of the most sophisticated and confident students you can find at Kaneland.

“I started as just wanting to get involved,” Stoddard said. “I’m a type-A person. I like to be in control. I like to be a leader.”

Being a leader is not a simple task. You have to put in the time, effort and commitment to achieve excellence. With the work ethic Stoddard has, she is able not only to attain her goals but to thrive in these elected leadership positions.

“For NHS, I have always prioritized my academics,” Stoddard said. “They’ve always been important to me. So being NHS co-president was important. I like to organize things, so being senior class secretary was a way for me to help organize and prepare.”

With all these activities and responsibilities, organization is key.

“She’s extremely organized and efficient,” Student Council co-adviser and assistant girls varsity basketball coach Michael Cimino said. “She has a plan for how to be productive with Student Council meetings and the groups that she leads.”

Stoddard strives to do the best she can with any activity she devotes time to. She wants to provide each group with the best work, ideas and organization that she can bring to the table. Her natural inclination and talent to help lead is also shown through basketball.

“She is the best manager we could have ever asked for,” Cimino said. “She

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does things without us having to ask, and her knowledge of the game made that better. She had such a vision to keep things organized and efficient from the managerial spot.”

Not only does she do this with her activities and sports that she participates in, but she works to be the best academically too.

Stoddard has taken a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) and enhanced courses throughout her time in high school. These courses include: AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Human Geography, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and

lars she is a part of.

“Lindsey is the most encouraging and inclusive person I’ve ever met,” said sophomore Grace Collins, who knows Stoddard from Student Council. “She never fails to welcome anyone who wants to be included. Lindsey is so sweet. She’s bright, and her smile lights up the room. Whether it’s giving advice or just listening to an opinion, I know that I can always count on her to be there.”

Her attitude towards what she does is what makes Stoddard stand out. Whether it’s her personality or warm presence, Stoddard always makes sure to be kind and caring to everyone.

Saros

“It is good to prioritize yourself. You don’t need to be involved in everything.”

- Lindsey Stoddard “ “

Composition, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, Enhanced English and math classes and Enhanced Biology: Anatomy and Physiology, which happens to be her favorite.

These courses take more time and effort than their standard course counterparts. They tend to require more homework, more class work and a more accelerated way of learning. By taking all of these advanced courses, Stoddard has learned a variety of helpful lessons and makes sure to save time for herself.

“It is good to prioritize yourself,” Stoddard said. “You don’t need to be involved in everything.”

Stoddard makes sure she has separation between her academic life and her social life. She is an avid watcher of teen dramas and has seen nearly every teen drama out there. She also enjoys reading, spending time with her family and hanging out with friends. Not only is she social outside of school, but she always makes sure to be inclusive and listen to others within the extracurricu -

“I was a freshman and Lindsey was a junior,” Collins said. “She was one of the only group members to actually acknowledge me and recognize my opinions. From then on, Lindsey has been such a great friend, and I don’t even want to think about what next year will be like without her around.”

Stoddard is compassionate, kind and personable to all she meets. Her confidence in herself pushes her to work harder and to do more, which stands out to peers and teachers alike.

“I think it’s her confidence,” Cimino said. “What’s important about that is that she is never boastful, she’s never arrogant… I think she knows that she has value. I think she knows that she works hard. I think she knows that she will dedicate herself to whatever she’s doing and that she has strengths that she doesn’t want to keep in, that she wants to show the world.”

Lindsey Stoddard is not just the definition of a Kaneland Knight; she exceeds all expectations. Her motivation to strive for more, her compassion that allows for easy connections with others and most importantly her confidence that gives her the ability to do anything she sets her mind to sets her apart. As a student-athlete, club leader, volunteer and top-of-the-class student, Stoddard exemplifies what it means to be college, career and community ready.

“If you could ask for a student-athlete and you could create one, she has all of those qualities,” Cimino said.

UNRAVELING IDENTITY: THE ROLE OF GENES,

Simultaneously, humans are profoundly unique while also being copies of one another. During each interaction we have with others, we continuously adapt and alter ourselves. Knowing yourself and your identity is vital in life, but how are we supposed to learn when we are changing so constantly?

At the most basic level, most people are made up of 23 chromosomes from their mother and 23 from their father. These, of course, dictate the color of our hair, our height, our blood type and infinitely more characteristics. These attributes we receive can greatly affect the course of our lives. Our physical appearance changes how people perceive and treat us, and the mental and physical illnesses that are passed on to us can be debilitating or even life-threatening. The traits from our parents are the solidified parts of our identities, and for the most part, they are unchangeable. While we may not feel that the way we look is a large part of how we identify as people, it is the first thing other people see and thus influences our first impressions.

StorybyEmmaWeintraub

Freshman Caden Rosinski agrees that since physical appearance is the first thing people learn about another person, it will automatically cause us to make snap judgments. Judging a book by its cover is not necessarily wrong; it is actually a psychological response. As reported in Forbes by Dr. Abbie Maroño, this seemingly superficial trait stems from our ancestors needing to assess potential threats. Further, appearance often represented roles within a community, like certain heights and builds being correlated with abilities to protect and provide.

However, freshman Ashlee Davenport points out that physical traits or the way people choose to showcase themselves are not always indicative of their true identity. Davenport additionally brings up the fact that appearance is an outlet to share our identity and can even be a way to meet others with similar interests.

Beyond physical appearance, the idea of personal identity is incredibly complex. The people we spend the most time around have a great influ ence on how we think and act. Name ly, our parents’ opinions and actions strongly shape our own. In a direct manner, our parents’ ability, or lack thereof, to nurture and provide verbal lessons impacts our moral compass and our level of patience and empa thy when speaking with others. For instance, Pew Research conducted a study in 2022 that found that in both religion and politics, teenagers over whelmingly have the same views as their parents.

Our parents and family members tend to be people we trust deeply, so it makes sense that we hold on so tightly to the life lessons they teach us. Davenport attributes much of her out look on life to her parents and grand mother due to their direct teachings.

“I have learned to treat everyone equally and be open and respectful to everyone,” Davenport said. “You may not have the same opinion as someone, but it is important to respect that.”

Similarly, senior Maddie Hamilton stated that her parents’ understanding attitude and open dialogue has led her to share similar opinions with them on almost everything.

Other than parents, friendships are some of the most influential relationships in terms of shaping our identities. Whether it’s a decision

Design by Sophia Schroll

RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

public because of the chance someone could be filming content. Media virality often happens with expectations and without consent, so people are now being forced to think about the way they act at all times in case they end up online.

More positively, social media may teach us life lessons that can be helpful in our never-ending path towards self-discovery.

“[Social media] has made me more self-aware but has never changed the way I act towards others,” Hamilton said.

Understanding your own constantly changing identity is important to being the best you can be for yourself and those around you. Having self-awareness about your opinions, biases, actions and where these all stem from allows us to become more purposeful in our life and decisions. Without that awareness, it is much harder to make meaningful improvements and develop important relationships.

Hamilton found that through experience, discovering pivotal things about her identity has allowed her to become

more social and outgoing.

Self-help author Meg Selig recommends using VITALS as a way of getting to know your identity. This begins with V for values, which are meant to guide decision-making and finding the right path based on what means the most to you. Next, focusing on your interests leads to better mental health, more potential to meet

people that you could align with and overall increased happiness. Temperament means to know whether you are an extrovert or introvert; knowing so strengthens relationships. The rest of the acronym refers to activities, life’s mission and finally strengths and weaknesses.

Reflecting on these parts of ourselves can lead to more enjoyment in life, along with a sense of purpose and success.

IMPORTANCE OF WEARING SUNSCREEN

BY CLARA SAROS Editor

As summer is approaching, it is time for us to do many activities we could not during the colder months. Shorts, short-sleeved shirts, sundresses and bathing suits are being pulled out from the backs of closets, and all of our warm clothes can now be hidden away. The nice weather pulls us out of our homes to enjoy it, even if it is just to sit outside.

SPF SAVES!

THE REASONS FOR SUN PROTECTION YEAR-ROUND

According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, there are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The first two form on melanocytes. Melanocytes create melanin, which gives pigment to your skin and naturally protects it from the sun’s rays. These are the most severe types, as they can spread to other parts of your body.

While some form of skin cancer is fairly common in adults, not everyone has the same risk level. Some risk factors include having light colored eyes, hair or skin tone; a lot of moles; spending a great deal of time in the sun; tanning; a tendency to sunburn easily; and a family history of either skin cancer or sunburns, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you have any of these factors, it is important for you to wear sun protection, especially in the summer, to protect yourself from skin cancer.

While wearing sunscreen is sometimes thought of as just a summer thing, it is important to wear it throughout the year too. Although the sun is weaker in non-summer months and seasons, it can still damage your skin. A voluntary poll of 159 Kaneland students found that only 16.4% wear sunscreen in any other season than summer, and only 9.4% wear it in the winter. Freshman Kinslee Koster is one of those few.

“I have this kind of skincare [sunscreen] I put on every morning,” Koster said. “And in the summer, I spray sunscreen on [my body] so I don’t get burnt.”

they can harm your skin, while sunblock reflects the rays away from your skin. The application of the products is different as well. Sunscreen needs to be rubbed in and fully absorbed by your skin to function properly. It should be applied a minimum of 20 minutes before you go out into the sun.

You should not do this with sunblock, however. Sunblock leaves a white residue on the skin and should not be rubbed in fully. You do not have to delay before going into the sun after slathering it on because it will be effective right away.

“I prefer ones that don’t leave an oil or white cast on your face because some of them make you look shiny or white,” senior Blythe Niemeyer said. 87.4% of Kaneland students use sunscreen while only 28.3% use sunblock, according to the same voluntary poll. Fashion plays a significant part in what people, especially teens, wear and do. Right now, having tan and youthful skin are important parts of skincare trends. The two things contradict each other, though, as sunscreen is important to prevent skin damage, but it is more difficult to tan while wearing it.

“I think it kind of depends, because if you want to get a tan [you might not wear it],” Niemeyer said. “Obviously people think if you [wear sunscreen you] can’t tan, which is not true by the way. But I think that if you want to get a tan, people probably won’t wear sunscreen. But it obviously depends on the person.”

The sun is no longer feeling warm and pleasant, but increasingly hot and fiery. The sun radiates ultraviolet light. Exposure to this can affect the normal growth of skin cells in the areas revealed to the sun. This can cause damage to your skin and at times lead to skin cancer.

While there are some other methods of skin protection, such as wearing long sleeves or using a variety of salves and oils, the most common is some form of sunscreen or sunblock. Although they are commonly thought of as synonyms, sunscreen and sunblock are actually different products.

An article on Health.com states that they work differently because sunscreen absorbs the UV rays before

In addition to the different types of sun protection that are available, sunscreen also comes in different forms. There is sunscreen lotion, a spray-on kind and a stick that looks a little bit like deodorant. The variety of different options gives people the ability to use a kind that they prefer.

“Sunscreen is really important,” Koster said. “I recommend it. Because as you get older, obviously your skin is aging and I feel like if you are taking more care of your skin, you will not have as many age spots or wrinkles. And it prevents skin cancer, so it is definitely about your health too.”

U.S. POLITICAL POLARIZATION

It’s no secret that the political parties of the U.S. have become more extreme in recent years. Republicans and Democrats have shifted so far from moderate views that our country is beginning to become dysfunctional. If we are not careful, political polarization will be the downfall of the United States.

According to a 2024 Gallup poll about political polarization, Republicans and Democrats are increasingly shifting from a moderate viewpoint and toward conservative or liberal viewpoints.

“Over the past few years, there have been shifts in political ideology within the Republican and Democratic Parties,” Gallup writer Megan Brenan said. “In 2024, the shares of Republicans identifying as conservative and Democrats identifying as liberal both reached record highs.”

This separation amongst the parties has only furthered extreme ideology on both sides and has led both conservatives and liberals to more hostility and hatred.

The most extreme political views are often associated with a general disregard for human decency and a tendency towards violence. Believers of political extremes tend to have tunnel vision. They choose not to listen to other opinions, and if another opinion is voiced, there tends to be an argument that follows.

In a 2023 Pew Research poll, 84% of U.S. adults reported political conversations becoming more disrespectful over the past few years, and 65% reported feeling exhausted when it comes to talking about politics. Additionally, when respondents were asked to describe U.S. politics in one word, the most frequent answer was “divisive.”

This data highlights the ever-growing polarization of American politics. Regardless of which party you identify with, there is hatred stemming from one towards the other. It has become increasingly difficult to have civil conversations regarding politics, and in some cases, political ideologies have destroyed relationships.

So how can we avoid the threat of a dysfunctional country? It starts with being civil. The only way to fight extremism is through understanding and empathy. We need to stop thinking that we are always right and open our minds to other perspectives. We don’t necessarily have to agree with other people’s views, but we must listen to them. Who knows? We might learn a thing or two from each other.

Just as Patrick Henry said in 1799, “United we stand, divided we fall.” We must close the divide if we want our country to prosper and continue to offer everyone the chance to live in peace.

News 1 Olivia Krasuski

Sports

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editorial

Aleena Alrifaee, Areli Arredondo, Kayla Baumann, Lori Bowers,

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: Isa Alba, Olivia Cotter, Lucas Fiedler, Carli Filek, Zoe Gannon, Anna Gatz, Teaghan Hardy, Olivia Krasuski, Charlize Landa, Bobby Leavey, Faith Maschman, Jasper Paulson, Nate Sand, Clara Saros, Sophia Schroll, Sarah Slattery, Casper Suehs, Preslee Sutherland, Sophie Thill, Audrey Walker, Emma Weintraub, and Evan Whildin. Students make all publication decisions.

Letters can be sent to the address above or emailed 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.

Grace Brunscheen, Alex Crocker, Ollie Fair, Greta Falk, Kate Homco, Annika Jones, Quintin King, Alondra Mendoza, Audrey Noring, Zavier Nothnagel, Ellie Olp, Morgan Olson, Ally Reilley, Ansley Ruh, Christopher Ruiz, Savana Sanchez, Hannah Secrest, Yasmin Talabani, Gavin Vaughn, Diajah Ward, Prema Weichun, Michael Werth, Rayln Wilcox, Noah Witz, and Jeremy Ziller

Cartoon by Zoe Gannon

Stacy Layton

River Mullins

Jake Chlebek

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA:ARETROSPECTIVE

BY FAITH MASCHMAN Editor

In her 1977 novel, Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson wrote, “It’s like the smarter you are, the more things can scare you.” As graduation creeps into view, many seniors will experience nostalgia and begin to reflect on their childhoods. They may look back on different memories and objects that were once important to them. Bridge to Terabithia, a film adapted from Paterson’s novel, is loved by many, and was released around the time most seniors were born. As we push toward the end of the school year, this film can let us reflect on our childhoods.

Bridge to Terabithia was released in February 2007 and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Summit Entertainment, Icon Productions and Moviemax. The film has been nominated for 11 awards, winning six of those nominations. This film is a very good watch, with only one minor flaw.

Bridge to Terabithia follows a young boy, Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson), who befriends Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), the class outsider, who changes his life significantly. Consumed by the troubles that fill their daily lives, the two create an imaginary world filled with fantasy known as Terabithia, in which they are the king and queen. When a tragedy strikes, one of the friends must rely on their fictional empire to find strength and cope.

This plot is truly one of a kind, visually telling a tale of redemption and growth. The film is an impactful coming of age story, as we watch Jesse (Hutcherson) go through the journey of finding himself and his place in the world. This plot is very moving, and it has all of the qualities to captivate an audience, perfected by its emotional appeal.

Bridge to Terabithia was directed by Gábor Csupó, a Hungarian anima -

tor, film director and producer, who is most commonly known for co-creating the cartoon program, Rugrats, that aired from 1992 to 2003. Csupó brilliantly captured this story, combining emotional elements with childlike imagination. He aimed to make this film as authentic as possible, and he absolutely achieved that goal. This piece evokes raw emotion and wonder, visually embodying the bridge between reality and the imagination of a child. Csupó even incorporates camera work that captures the playful creativity that can only be found within the mind of a child.

The directing of this film is not the only aspect that oozes childlike wonder. Cinematographer Michael Chapman also integrates a creative show of imagination, with editing that perfectly captures the mythical creatures that the two friends construct. Watching it now, from an older perspective, there is a deeper choice made to convey Jesse’s emotion and creativity. When he is in reality or away from Leslie, the coloring is very dull and cool. Once the two create Terabithia, there are explosions of color and the film becomes far more saturated. This suggests that Leslie and Terabithia made Jesse much happier and allowed his imagination to thrive.

The music plays a key role in this story, specifically showing how it impacts young children. In the school scenes, it is clear that all of the students are far more enthusiastic and productive during their music class than any other subject. This demonstrates how creativity is so prominent in early life, but also how many leave those qualities behind as they grow up. The music is essential to the film, and it also allows us to experience an enjoyable, childlike atmosphere as we watch.

The acting is genuinely the only flaw that can be taken from this film, but that does not even apply to ev -

ery actor. Some of the actors that appeared were subpar in this piece, and quite unprofessional. Their portrayals were rather clichéd and banal, making their work generally unimpressive. However, Hutcherson and Robb’s work made the other actors’ subpar performance easy to overlook. Robb perfectly embodies the kind outsider with a heart of gold, and Hutcherson was clearly born a talented actor. His natural portrayal of raw emotion is beyond moving, especially due to his young age.

Bridge to Terabithia is an impactful film that paved the way for many of our childhoods. It has the unique ability to impact us as we move into adulthood. As nostalgia begins to swoop in and our seniors look toward the future, I implore you to take a moment to reflect on fond memories, maybe even by watching a childhood film favorite.

by Isabel Alba and Sarah Slattery

Graphic by Sarah Slattery

Graphic by Teaghan Hardy

REFLECTING ON HISTORY AND THE PRESENT

BY ANNA GATZ Editor

Ionce asked my family, “If you had to get rid of one core subject in school, what would it be?”

“History,” my father answered after approximately 30 minutes of consideration.

It made sense to me. English teaches us the universal skill of language and persuasion, math is essential to understanding finances and science creates our understanding of the universe around us. We apply all these skills daily. But what does history do?

As I get older, I have started to realize that many people - including my dad - underestimate the importance of history. History is more than just knowing what happened and when it happened; it is understanding why it happened.

History classes are not just about the repetition of facts, dates and people. It would be absurd to ask that you know everything that has ever happened: great empires have fallen, destructive wars have ended and revolutionary ideas have been created. Instead, history is under -

standing the context of historical issues and applying it to our future.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), World War I, commonly referred to as the “War to End All Wars,” was a conflict so destructive that people believed no future conflict would reach its level of catastrophe. Millions were killed and injured, and destruction spread across Europe. The irony of this catchphrase would soon be realized as just over two decades later the most destructive war in history, World War II, would begin. Destruction following destruction; death following death. As a student reading about this, I wanted to scream. World War I left the world in ruins, and people recognized it. It was supposed to end war. Yet the most cataclysmic event in our history followed shortly thereafter.

To many, history is the tedious lecture of all the horrors our ancestors endured. But its hectic stories seem overwhelmingly remarkable compared to our own remote lives and experiences.

you consult people who have gone through a similar experience to learn how to proceed. The same applies to studying the past. We read about how other people in similar situations succeeded or failed at the task at hand, and then we can learn from it.

Critical thinking is a key to understanding history. It’s why it stands out against other core subjects. You are taught how to analyze situations and understand the politicians and historical figures, which gives us a glimpse into their lives and minds. Almost every side in history believed they were right, that they were the good guys or the victims. History is a story of perspectives, not always of right and wrong. We can begin to appreciate the true complexities of humanity when we look at the past.

History can offer step-by-step instructions on how to enact change, but it can also be our warning label. Being able to interpret historical events can help you initiate the change you want to see, even if that change is gradual.

“History isn’t just all finished once and for all,” British historian Patrick Alitt claimed in his Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) Talk. “It’s continuing up until the present we are a part of.”

History, in many ways, relates to your life in rural Illinois. It is Kaneland High School and the things we will do when we leave. We are all a part of the next generation of history textbooks (whatever those may look like) our children will read. We study history to make sure our chapters are good ones, marked by prosperity and hope.

Social studies teacher James Fuller says he loves history because “it’s the story of people, different cultures and what they’ve done.”

History is a compilation of life lessons. When facing a conflict,

“Change is slow in the grand scheme of things,” Fuller said. “Lessons can be learned over time. It’s just not as immediate as we might think it would be. You do need to [look at] several decades to see a change in society occur.”

History relates to yesterday, today and tomorrow. By learning how to think, interpret and analyze speeches and documents, you learn how to understand what is happening in the world. Watching as a new president steps into office, we make connections to other presidencies. As ceasefires are being negotiated, we turn to the past to determine what makes a ceasefire agreement successful or not.

History is all around us. Every day, a new page is written. We rely on the past to explain our present moment.

As Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once wrote, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

History is not an obsession about what was, but an explanation of what is. It is the context of the world we live in today and the warning about the world we might live in tomorrow.

Page design by Charlize Landa

Photo by Charlize Landa

HOW TO START YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH

BY PRESLEE SUTHERLAND

Web Assistant

High school goes by in the blink of an eye. One second, you’re a little freshman wearing an oversized backpack on the first day of school, and the next, you’re a senior in a black gown ready to walk across the graduation stage. After high school lies the unknown, and every student has their own unique path. For some, it’s a full-time job or the armed forces. For others, it’s college.

As a freshman, you don’t need to have the job or major you want to pursue set in stone. Instead, you should focus on finding out who you are as a person.

“Do some career inventories,” guidance counselor Cynthia Violett recommends. “Figure out what your interests are, what you’re good at and what your passions are.”

Kaneland offers accessible tools for students to help them specify their interests and narrow their college searches. Xello is a helpful website if you don’t know what professional environment is best suited for you.

High school counselors routinely visit different classes to help students get accustomed to Xello. Those students who are interested in learning more about post-secondary options can continue exploring once they learn the basics of the program.

“[Xello] takes what your skills are and combines them into something that [suits] your interests,” Violett said.

Xello includes personality tests that pinpoint your learning style and selects professions and colleges that might be good for you. The personalization of this website helps students narrow their search when it comes to their post-secondary plans.

When I was a freshman, Xello was a great tool for me to read descriptions of jobs and majors so I could start to focus on my interests and learn how they could relate to my life after high school. The website also told me more about my personality and learning styles, which has helped me throughout the

past four years of high school.

High school student-athletes might want to continue playing a sport as part of their post-secondary plans. If you have an inclination to play a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sport in college, it’s a good idea to start thinking about that during your freshman year, too.

“If you’re thinking about playing [any division] in college, get good grades,” Violett said. “To play D2 or D1, you have to meet certain core requirements and a certain grade point average (GPA), so during your freshman and sophomore years, work on your grades and make sure you’re taking the correct core classes.”

Whether your focus is on sports or not, once you know what your likes and dislikes are and start to develop a sense of the best careers for you, the next step is finding schools that fit your

preferences.

Colleges can be drastically different from one other based on factors like size, location, cost and sports divisions. Some people prefer small private schools, while others prefer large, major conference universities. Once you know which you prefer, you can use websites like Niche to locate specific schools that fit your preferences.

According to their website, “Niche is the market leader in connecting colleges and schools with students and families.”

Niche has “over 140 million reviews and ratings” on colleges and contains “powerful search and data tools.” It also contains “in-depth profiles on every school and college in America,” according to their site.

You can use this website to sort colleges based on size, cost, test scores and location. Niche was helpful for me to find schools that were the best for my desired major, so I had good insight on where to apply during my senior year.

The next step in your college search should be planning school tours. By looking at a school in person, you’re able to learn more about the campus than you would from a website, and you’re able to imagine yourself learning at the school.

“I would say by the summer of sophomore year, students should start visiting colleges,” Violett recommended. “Junior year is when you do more exploring. [You can] go on more visits, talk to people and start creating your college list.”

NICHE

If you spend time finding the right college options during your freshman, sophomore and junior years, college applications will be much easier during your senior year.

While high school might feel like a long time, don’t take that time for granted. It can go by fast, and it offers the perfect opportunity to better understand and prepare yourself for the future.

XELLO

Photo and graphics by Teaghan Hardy

Use the clues that relate to stories within the issue to solve this crossword!