KRIER The student newspaper of Kaneland High School
Volume 41
Chiraq:
How Chicago became the murder capital of the U.S
Issue 1 September 25, 2014
Homecoming’s new twist Page 3.
How you can help out in the community Page 10.
Where’s the money going? Page 12.
NEWS
The latest about Kaneland, the community and the world
Meet some of the staff this year Check out the Krier Online or the new Krier app for more information about all the new staff members at KHS History Teacher
Background: Graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is about to graduate from Northern Illinois University. Hobbies: Spending time with his family, reading and exercising.
Photo by Joshua Justus
Wes Osmon
Photo by Samantha Nuno
Zack Fitzenreider
RTI Coordinator Sell Your Cool Stuff Today!
“I really like it here so far. I’m looking forward to getting to know students and staff,” Fitzenreider said.
Background: Spent two years as assistant principal for John Shields Elementary School. Hobbies: Playing guitar, bowling and spending time with his family.
We buy gently used brand name clothing & accessories Auchstetter andadults many others. Licari is for teens and young a Spanish teacher.
Sidebar compiled by Taylor Heiser and Patrick Turyna
KHS welcomes 2014-15 staff members By GABBY CANO
Special Project Editor
With a new year in session, Kaneland welcomes back their 2014-2015 student body. Along with the students, KHS also embraced 20 new staff members. According to Principal Jill Maras, the hiring process includes verbal screenings and the task of developing a unit plan. “Once we’re aware of a position opening, we let the internal staff members know. This will last ten days, then we release the news externally,” Maras said. For history teacher Steve Auchstetter, working at KHS this year isn’t unfamiliar. Aushstetter worked at the school for nine years until 2002. “I decided to come back to Kaneland
Abercrombie & Fitch Aeropostale American Eagle Arden B Baby Phat Bebe Charlotte Russe Diesel DKNY Ecko Express Forever 21 Illustration by Julia Janis Gap because I enjoy the environment and Guess staff members,” Auchstetter said. Also, Faye Licari Hollister is one of the new teachers at Kaneland addition to J. in Crew
Couture “TheJuicy staff has been great, their doors are always Limited open to me and the other new teachers,” said. LuckyLicari Brand The district staff gathered at the high Old Navy school on August 12 to welcome every Pink of District 302, elnew staff member ementary throughSecret high school. The folVictoria lowing day, the staff Roxy new to KHS had a building orientation. 7 For All Another way KHS embraced the reMankind cently-employed staff was to put on Silver comedic skits. These skits occurred on AugustSteve 18 around noon. Madden “The skits were hilarious and everyWet Seal one had a really good time participating andMaras many more! in them,” said. With her second year as principal unLike us on derway, Maras looks forward to getting to know Facebook! the new staff members.
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School News/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
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Goff brings a unified logo By KATRINA PAULICK
Executive Editor
As Kaneland High School begins another school year, a new trademark for the school is coming into effect. Athletic Director Peter Goff, is working to give the Kaneland Knights one unified logo throughout the entire district. “When you think of the green G you think of the Green Bay Packers, when you see the blue and orange C the Chicago Bears are what come to mind, I want that same association with the Knights logo,” Goff said. Goff has created a way for the whole community to participate in the new choosing of the logo. Anyone who is interested in creating a drawing of a new logo must submit their piece to Goff by September
26, 2014. Entries can be dropped off or mailed to the high school’s Athletic Office. After receiving each design from the participants, the top four designs will be chosen by a logo committee. Goff hopes to have everyone in the community along with the Kaneland staff, students and board members vote on the final four contestant pieces during Homecoming week. Pending the vote, the final decision of Kaneland’s logo will be decided. “I believe settling on one logo design will give the Knights the association of one undivided school district and community,” Goff said. While the old logo’s will be retired, the new universal logo will bring unity to all of the Kaneland schools.
Homecoming’s new
By MADDY MCDERMOT
Executive Editor Dancing, DJ’s and dresses are the elements of Homecoming that the Kaneland student body is familiar with, but Homecoming will take a new twist this year. On October 11, the Kaneland High School student body will be gathering in the cafeteria for the Homecoming dance. The night will begin at 7 p.m. and will go until 11 p.m. The theme for the 2014 Homecoming dance will be “No place like Homecoming” which plays off of the “Wizard of Oz.” A B96 DJ will make this years dance something special for everyone. Playing new music and making the cafeteria a “club atmosphere.” Spirit week will be proceeding Homecoming weekend as well as the powderpuff game. This year at halftime of the powderpuff game, a men’s poms team will perform.
TW IS T
Before Homecoming, there will be an activities fair/tailgate on Friday, October 10 from 3:30 p.m. until the halftime of the sophomore game. Tickets will be sold for $0.25 each with all proceeds going to Kaneland Cares fund. There will also be concessions and prizes. “We’re excited to find ways to get everybody working together as a team and bring exciting things to get the entire community involved,” Student Council Co-Sponsor Sally Wilson said. The homecoming game begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 10 and is played against the Morris Redskins. During halftime, the Homecoming court will walk, be announced and the firework show will take place. This year’s Homecoming week will see a lot of new changes. Don't miss out on all the opportunities to get involved.
Check out Krier’s new app By ASHLEY DORSEY
Editor
The Krier App is the easiest way to stay current with everything relevant to Kaneland students and community members. Stories are posted in realtime so there’s a constant stream of new material. Alongside news content, the Krier app includes posts from various social media sites like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The App also provides information on how to contact the Krier staff. Designed by senior Courtney Diddell through a website called Conduit. mobile, the website took her step by step through the design process. “There wasn’t really any problems during the actual making, there were some issues with blanks, but it was really getting it into the store that was the hard part,” Diddell said. She also had help from the Director of Technology, Tim Wolf to get the app onto Apple and Google Play app stores. “I hope the app gets more people to look at the web, because that was the Krier’s goal last year,” Diddell said. Wolf played a part with development of the Kaneland Konnect app, as well as getting both of them onto the Google Play and iTunes store. “Google Play was extremely easy to post with no issues. With Apple's iTunes I had a more difficult time posting,” Wolf said. The App was rejected three times before Apple accepted it, due to minor problems with the featuring images. Once the problems were fixed, Apple accepted it. The Krier app is now available as a free download for iOS and Android.
Community News/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
3
Get involved at KHS By SAM WOLF
Special Project Editor
Clubs and Extra-Curriculars 1 Choir
Adviser: Bryan Kunstman
2 Fall Play/Spring Musical Adviser: Christina Staker
3 Color Guard
Adviser: Amanda Dekker
4 Pennon (Yearbook)
Adviser: Emily Fuchs
14 Spanish Club
Advisers: Heather Spaetzel Faye Licari
15 Art Club
9 10 11 12
13 Ski/Snowboard Club
29 Chess Team
Adviser: Ken Dentino
30 Scholastic Bowl
Adviser: Ken Dentino
Fall Sports
2 Girls Cross Country
19 Fashion Club
8
Adviser: Jessica Cielak
17 Book Club
6 This Is No Act
Adviser: Kristen Johnson WYSE Adviser: Patrick Carter Prevention of Dangerous Acts Adviser: Anna Lamica Kolla Voce Adviser: Brian Kunstman Madrigals Adviser: Brian Kunstman Pep Band Adviser: Aaron Puckett
28 National Honor Society
1 Boys Cross Country
Adviser: Kim Reese 18 DECA Adviser: Ryan Hallada
7 Writer’s Block
Adviser: Travis Berth
Adviser: Emily VanDelinder 16 Band Adviser: Aaron Puckett
5 Sci-fi Club Adviser: John Markovich Adviser: Emily Fuchs
27 Mathletes
Adviser: Emily Van Delinder
20 Science Club
Adviser: Joanna Edlean
21 Future Farmers of America Adviser: Laura Widhalm 22 French Club Adviser: Andre Carriere
23 Future Educators of America Adviser: Patrick Ryan
24 Global Cultures Club
Adviser: Anna Lamica
25 Gay Straight Alliance
Adviser: Kristen Dombek
Advisers: Michelle Jurcenko 26 Model United Nations Adviser: Lynn McHenry Parick Carter
A great old-fashioned meat market We have 12 varieties of snack stix and jerky! Home of Randy Ream’s National Grand Champion Fresh Bratwurst!
630-365-6461 128 N. Main Street Elburn, IL
4 Activities / September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
STORE HOURS:
Monday to Friday, 9 to 6 Saturdays, 9 to 4 Sundays 11 to 4
Head Coach: Chad Cleary Head Coach: Doug Ecker
3 Soccer
Head Coach: Scott Parillo
4 Volleyball
Head Coach: Cyndi Violett
5 Tennis
Head Coach: Tim Larsen
6 Golf
Head Coach: Mark Meyer
7 Football
Head Coach: Tom Fedderly
8 Pom Poms
Head Coach: Chris Carter 9 Cheerleading Head Coach: Jennifer French Check out KanelandKrier.com for more information about these clubs and sports
EDITORIAL
An open forum for columns, letters and opinions KRIER Kaneland High School 47W326 Keslinger Rd. Maple Park, IL 60151 (630) 365-5100 ext. 236 www.kanelandkrier.com Member ISHSPA, Quill & Scroll, NSPA, NISPA NSPA First Place 2010 Quill and Scroll First Place 2010 NISPA Golden Eagle 2012 NISPA Silver Certificate 2013 IHSA State Finalists 2014 Subscription rates: Nine monthly issues, two supplements School-delivered, $15; Home-delivered, $32 EXECUTIVE STAFF Maddy McDermot Production Manager
Jack Coyle Editor-in-Chief Katrina Paulick Design/Content Manager
Jarod Erlandson Business Manger
EDITORIAL STAFF
The 2014-2015 Krier staff.
Photo by Kimberly Reese
What the Krier does for you
The student magazine of Kaneland High School, the Kaneland Krier, has been playing a role in the Kaneland community since 1974 and operating as an independent, student-run publication. The online website has been maintained since 2002 with many changes for the better since then, including a brand new Kaneland sports section. It serves over 1,400 students, staff and community members throughout District 302 and afar. The Krier is meant to inform the students, staff and community about what is happening in the Land of Kane. To keep them “in the know” is what we do best. Our goal is to always accomplish that and provide every reader with a polished product with little to no errors. The First Amendment and Tinker Rights have a lasting impact on student newspapers around the United States. The First Amendment, protects our rights of free speech and the freedom of press, but the Tinker Rights are the lesser-known part of a school publication
that allow a newspaper to function properly. To make a long story short, John and Mary Beth Tinker were suspended for protesting the Vietnam War by wearing black armbands. Justice Fortas wrote regarding the case that, “it can hardly be argued that either students
Editorial Board Vote Agree
Disagree
14 0
or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The Tinker case allows the Krier to run independently from the school and operate without prior administrative review. It is a completely student written and designed publication. Rarely is there a day off in the Krier office and classroom. Whether we are brainstorming for future issues, writing the stories or going on interviews, we are always striving for perfection. Days of our summer are spent
selling advertisements to local businesses to be able to fund the entire publication throughout the year. Not only is the voice of the staff important, the student voice may be the most important aspect that is not taken advantage of. The students are able to have a huge impact and influence on what goes in the Krier. Constructive criticism will only make us work harder and produce a stronger publication. All members of the student body can voice their opinion through stories, opinions, letters to the editor and cartoons. The Krier represents KHS as whole, and its goal is to incorporate everything and everyone that has a tie back to the community. Students, please stop by room B109 to talk to the Krier adviser Kimberly Reese: drop off your comments, letters, suggestions and cartoons. NISPA Golden Eagles and other journalistic awards are an added bonus, but there is nothing better than hearing feedback from readers who enjoyed our finished product.
Centerspread Shannon Gilkey Lifestyle Taylor Eaves Activity/Sports Sam Wolf Assistant to Adviser Amelia Likeum
Opinion Ashley Dorsey
Pulse Dean Divizio Digital Media Emma Wallace
Investigative Madeline Mohatt Copy Editor/ Editorial Austin Kintz
Assistant to Adviser Michelle McCracken
Webmaster Gabby Cano Assistant to Adviser Sam Schrepferman
Assistant to Adviser Nick Boose
STAFF
Amanda Bade, Kaitln Becker, Kristen Becker, Jessica Bowgren, Devon Buri, Lesley Chavez, Claire Chevalier, Grace Dodis, Jason Edwards, Autumn Georgi, Rebecca Geringer, Jenna Lancaster, Lauren Lindow, Anthony Messina, Dylan Mondi, Hannah Nauert, Emily Nolte, Kyle Osborne, Sabeen Rahman, Caitlyn Rawers, Cody Schrepferman, Megan Wolski, Katherine Albano, Mckenna Flint, Cassidy Garland, Alexa Goodwin, Zoe Haenisch, Taylor Heiser, Joshua Justus, Eric Layne, James Leach, Erika Leeper, Aliya Lorenzo-Kuhnlohe, Ava Mandele, Sarabeth McEvoy, Samantha Nuno, Alicia Rocha, Skylar Rolle, Lucas Rotter, Patrick Turyna
GRAPHICS Caitrin Mills, Jeremy Faletto, Omar Aguilera, Sam Ford, Elizabeth Leonhard, Noah Perez, Gracelyn Sizemore
ADVISERS Kimberly Reese Krier adviser
Nicole Larsen Graphics adviser
EDITORIAL POLICY
Editorials represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board and are not necessarily the opinion of Kaneland administration, staff, students or parents. The Krier Editorial Board consists of designated Advanced Journalism students: Gabrielle Cano, Jack Coyle, Jarod Erlandson, Austin Kintz, Madalyn McDermont, Katrina Paulick, Emma Wallace, Samuel Wolf, Dean Divizio, Ashley Dorsey, Taylor Eaves, Shannon Gilkey, Madeline Mohatt. 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/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
5
Is becoming Hollywood a selfless route? By MICHELLE MCCRACKEN
Staff Writer It’s safe to say that the summer of 2014 had its fair share of trends amongst teenagers: the flower crown at every music festival, the ALS ice bucket challenge and an extreme amount of young adult romance novels. But who could forget perhaps one of the biggest fads, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood? This free app offers users the chance to climb the ranks of super stardom with the help of Kardashian herself. Users can with their very own cash to fund their in-app character’s rise to fame. Now one of America’s most famous families has now broken into a new market. According to Forbes’ website, Kim Kardashian may make another $85 million just from the new app. Disregard the game, and you’re left with Kim Kardashian making another $28 million, via Forbes, just for doing who knows what on her family’s reality television show, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” Looking at Kardashian’s charity work, there is undoubtedly a trail of hefty money given. She partners with the Dream Foundation on eBay by auctioning some of her unwanted, designer brand apparel and accessories. The proceeds benefit the Dream Foundation, a foundation that gives terminally-ill patients a chance to have the experience of a lifetime. According to one of Kardashian’s deals to donate to Philippines typhoon victims, Kardashian donated only ten percent of the earnings from this auction, the minimum
Celebrities raise millions for charity through sponsored events, but who does the money really help? Illustration by Brandon Parks
donation. Yes, ten percent adds up to a large amount when it comes to designer fashions, but with Kardashian’s income, does she really need that extra pocket change? On the other end of the spectrum, there are celebrities like Elton John. John founded the self named Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 to help fund programs for HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as to push for an end to prejudice against HIV/AIDS individuals. At one of his charity events, John was able to donate £800,000, according to The Daily Telegraph. Some celebrities decide to use their powers in different ways when they aren’t quite making the big money that other A-list celebrities do. In recent years, Chicago has become known as “Chiraq” because of the ridiculous amount of gun violence. Chicago based rapper Chance the Rapper, along with his father and several other community organizers helped campaign to “put the guns down” in Chicago neighborhoods.
Chance’s Twitter page also helped encourage to cease the gunfire, with several tweets throughout the week. The result? Forty-two hours over Memorial Day weekend without any reported shootings, a pause that has become extremely rare in Chicago. Now that the facts have been presented, teens should be posed with one question: Why is someone like Kardashian more influential on this generation than those like John or Chance the Rapper? Is it because of a laziness we have towards uncovering the real facts? Or is it because celebrities truly do have more power? Truth be told, teens have far more power nowadays than any single celebrity has. It’s because of adolescents that these normal people have risen to fame. Turn off “E! News,” double check the facts with reliable sources and encourage celebrities as well as each other to be the change in the world that we all want to see. Do not allow yourself to be a pawn of someone’s money making scheme. If it starts with us, it’s time to begin.
seniors should always be leading by example such as being on time to classes and paying attention during them. He remembers them being friendly in the halls. “They welcomed me. It was cool to see them say hi to me in the halls,” Lesak said. Kaneland High School has 38 extracurricular activities available to students in all grade levels. These activities provide upperclassmen more space and time to direct freshman and sophomores according to their activities. Freshman Cole Rutter was inspired
by the cross country teams appearance at the state meet last year. These experiences can direct underclassmen to goals for their own high school career. One of the most important lessons shown is hard work. Lesak said working hard and being the best you can be is possibly the most important lesson he can teach young students. Lesak sees leading Freshmen by example crucial. “They are the future and what they learn when they are young sticks with them their whole lives,” Lesak said. When looking back on his his years as a younger student, he can see the influence of older students in himself.
Class of 2015 influences through school By SAM WOLF
Special Project Editor It is human nature to learn from others more experienced than ourselves. Freshmen come into high school with open eyes and watch upperclassmen in the halls, classes and activities after school. “[A good leader should] tell people what to do in a respective manner,” Sophomore Luke Calabrese said. During school hours seniors can have a big impact on underclassmen. Senior Andrew Lesak explained that
6 Opinion/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
AP
classes and why they are important
By SAM SCHREPFERMAN, JAROD ERLANDSON
Staff Writer, Executive Editor It comes as no surprise to Kaneland students that college’s expectations have been raised throughout the years. But has it come to a point where even good grades in standard, required classes isn’t enough? Several college counselors and professors at the University of Marquette suggests that taking AP classes gives students the necessary tools to be ready for college. “If you score high enough on the AP test in the spring, you will not have to take it in college. It helps transition into college life,” senior Anna Hayman said. Taking an AP class provides students with the dedication to work hard not just in AP classes but in every subject they will come across. “AP courses help students to experience what a college level class would be like in that same subject area. This gives them a taste of what taking that class would be like at the university level. This often times will help the kids decide if this is an area they would like to study further after HS,” AP Spanish teacher Michelle Jurcenko said. AP classes can be hard and only students who prevailed in previous courses should enroll to further challenge themselves. These students will succeed in the AP tests. “[Those who take AP classes are] students who have a passion for that subject area or who just enjoy it. Also students who have outstanding study habits and are mature enough to handle the work-load,” Jurcenko said. Taking the AP test is one of the most important parts.
“The AP test is a culmination of the work that has been done all the student’s life to give them a perspective for the college level. I suggest that everyone would take it because it can’t hurt you. It is a pure testing situation measuring what you know with no bad consequence,” Ap English teacher Patty Welker said. The AP test isn’t exactly a walk in the park, it is a college level test, different from what most high school students would see. “I do get really nervous when it comes to taking the test because of the difficulty. However, I feel confident that I will learn what I need to know throughout the year to score good on the test,” senior Anna Hayman said. Students who enroll in an AP class should never refuse taking the AP test because of college implications. “Colleges view the AP tests as a sign of stick to it-ness. They have no problem finding students for their freshman year of college because of the number of applicants. What colleges are focused on now is finding students that will stick to it until the end. Studies show that students who take the AP test tend to return to the college they attended the previous year,” Welker said. Auditing an AP class is always a good option. This allows students the reassurance that they can take a class that is difficult without worrying too much. Auditing a class means students either pass or fail - nothing in between. “As long as they audit and still put forth 100% effort I personally don’t see the negatives. I know many students take 3 or more AP classes so that’s a big load to carry. They still are benefiting from learning the material,” Jurcenko said.
Classes that Kaneland offers Honors Accounting AP English:
Lit & Composition Language & Composition
AP Math: Calc 1 & 2 Stats
AP Science: Biology Chemistry Physics 1 &2
AP Social Studies:
European History Government Human Geography US History
AP Language: Spanish French
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Feature/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
7
Chiraq: How Chicago became
By JACK COYLE
The Causes
Executive Editor From January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2012 there have been 2,166 American troops killed in Afghanistan. During the same period of time in Chicago, there have been 4,797 murders. Of the twenty five most dangerous neighborhoods in America, which were ranked by Neighbor Hood Scout using data collected from the FBI and the U.S Justice Department, Chicago took six spots, including the number one ranking. Living on Chicago’s most dangerous street corner (S Indiana Ave & E 60th st) for a year, the chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 13. In a study released by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, 38.3% of veterans attempt suicide, compared to 34.2% of gangsters. So the war in Chicago is far from metaphorical. When reading these statistics, Kaneland students were filled with different emotions. “That’s so depressing,” junior Kayla Poyer said. The rest of Illinois has similar feelings. They’re left wondering how could this happen to Chicago? How did the home of Wrigley Field, The Bean and Michigan Avenue become the most dangerous city in the nation?
1 in 13
people are affected by gang violence
To trace the gang violence in Chicago back to the root, Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit would have to enter the conversation. However, the more recent explanation of the spike in gang violence can be followed back to one individual: Larry Hoover. Hoover was the head of a street gang, called the “supreme gangsters.” Hoover saw that the fighting between street gangs was becoming a big expense. Hoover decided to team up with other gang leaders of his day, creating one big gang, with a similar structure to the American Mafia. They called themselves the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, and Hoover soon became filthy rich. Of course it was a short lived kingship, and Hoover was arrested in 1995 for murder, extortion and racketeering amongst other crimes. Ironically the arrest of one of the biggest kingpins in Chicago was a major factor in the now rampant street wars. With Hoover’s arrest the BGDN soon dissolved and infighting was common. The code of honor Hoover put in place fell apart, and the nation split into smaller fractions of increasingly violent gangsters. These smaller gangs fought over previously shared markets and drug rackets, turning the south side of Chicago into an all out turf war, and the body count soon reflected that. Furthermore, the demolition of 91 of the project buildings in Chicago displaced a population that was under heavy recruitment from the Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords. In fact, former mayor Richard M. Daley estimated that 75% of these buildings were controlled by the two gangs.
25% increase
in Chicago gang activity from 20092012 The average age for gang There are 100,000 gang factions is members vs. 12,000 police 16-19 years officers in Chicago of age 8
Centerspread/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
the murder capital of the U.S The demolition of the project buildings while making the neighborhood safer, made the city more dangerous. Those who lived in the project buildings were displaced throughout the city, sending the population (many of whom are hardcore gangsters) into new neighborhoods, many of which were controlled by other gangs, adding to the turf wars across the city. The police force attempting to stop the gang wars have encountered a huge problem: they don’t have enough help. According to current reports the Chicago Police Department is 1,000 or so officers short of strength, and facing one of the biggest crime surges in the history of the nation. But according to some, even that might not fix the problems in Chicago. “It’s not about recruiting members of the police. Even then who knows if increasing numbers of cops will stop it,” Officer Keith Gardner of KHS said. Even with this already staggering disadvantage, mayor Rahm Emanuel decided to disband the specialized gang violence task force in 2013, creating an even smaller resistance to the wave of gang violence.
The Impact
About an hour and fifteen minute drive from Kaneland High School, the gang violence in the windy city has a little day-to-day effect on students, but there are some obvious signs that the problem is moving to the suburbs. Kaneland students were shocked at the statistics of violence. “It makes me scared to go to Chicago,” senior Tori Guyton said. For example, the Union Pacific metra line was cut early to end at Elburn instead of extending to DeKalb because of the known drug trafficking in the neighborhood. Besides murders in DeKalb and Aurora (towns visited frequently by Kaneland students) within the past 5 years, there have been stabbings at Gately Park Stadium where Kaneland has played in the past two years. Though Kaneland still remains a very safe school, the violence in Chicago shows no sign of slowing down and is hurting the lives of citizens and the reputation of our once great city.
Chicago
4,797
Body Count
Murders in Chicago compared to U.S Troops slain in Afghanistan from January 1, 2003 December 31, 2012
2,166 Afghanistan
Centerspread/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
9
LIFESTYLE
Tips and tricks for living a fuller, healthier life
How you can help out in the community If you chose mostly A’s:
By EMMA WALLACE
Special Project Editor Whether graduation is one or four years away, it is never too soon or too late to start volunteering. Many colleges are looking specifically on applications for a future students volunteer experiences. Volunteering can impress a future college or employer by showing commitment to an activity. Maintaining a job that betters yourself and someone else is an excellent way to stand out among other applicants. When considering where to volunteer, keep these local options in mind.
What place is right for YOU? What would you most like to work with? A. Animals
B. C. D. E.
Random People Community members Peers Friends
What would you most like to do? A. Stay physically active B. Play games
C. D. E.
Be social Help the school Manual Labor
How far are you willing to drive?
A. B. C. D. E.
5 miles 10 miles Less than 5 miles Not willing to drive 15 miles
Horse Power
Where: Maple Park What: Therapeutic horseback riding for the disabled. Volunteers work with students on lessons and participate in different games and activities with them. Who: Julia Lennon “It’s very rewarding and the payoff is awesome being able to see how happy the kids are,” Lennon said. How: Attend an orientation, visit HorsePower.com.
If you chose mostly B’s:
Marklund
Where: Geneva What: Marklund is a nonprofit organization that works with kids and adults with severe disabilities. A volunteer goes on outings such as shopping at Target, playing mini golf with the clients, etc. and just generally having fun with them. Who: Madi Jurcenko “I like volunteering there because you can tell it really makes the clients’ day when they get to go out and do fun activities. I feel like I am making a difference in their lives,” Jurcenko said. How: Set up an orientation at Marklund.org.
If you chose mostly C’s:
Elburn Lions Club
Where: Elburn What: Being a volunteer here means giving a helping hand to community members in need. Part of the job can include running charities such as “Ski for Sight” which is to help the blind and taking care of
the senior citizens. Who: Ally VanBogaert “I like helping others and through this club I have many opportunities to do so,” VanBogaert said. How: Contact VanBogaert and ask for an application form.
If you chose mostly D’s:
Kaneland Arts Initiative
Where: Kaneland High School What: Kaneland Arts Initiative is an organization that encourages youth involvement in artistic activities. Volunteering will provide help for different school productions such as musicals and plays. Who: Nicole McClellan (sp) “It’s good to give back to the school because they do a lot for us,” McClellan said. How: Contact Mrs. McPhee about volunteering opportunities within the school.
If you chose mostly E’s:
Feed My Starving Children
Where: Aurora What: Feed My Starving Children is a nonprofit Christian organization that focuses on feeding malnourished children throughout the world. Volunteers package pre-made food to be sent into nearly 70 countries. Who: Maddy Michels “I enjoyed the experience because I had a good time with my friends and it helped me become more aware of the needs across the world,” Michels said. How: Go to fmsc.org and register to volunteer.
Peterson Pool Service & Supply, Inc. Specializing in above-ground pool installation, sales and service
Phone: (630)774-9320
10 Lifestyle/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
Netflix Binge
Picture goes here
By TAYLOR EAVES
Editor Do you find yourself flipping through channels for what seems like forever, trying to find something decent to watch? Then when something finally catches your eye, there’s only two minutes left. Netflix users don’t have this problem. They can stream any Netflix show or movie they want at any time. English teacher Patty Welker is very fond of Netflix. “The whole streaming thing makes it really easy. Netflix is almost that filler program; there’s no commercials, and you know it’s always there, which makes it awesome,” Welker said. Welker and her husband watch Netflix all the time together after they both finish grading papers. Netflix time is more important to some than others. People like junior Heather Diehl, have it high up on their priority list. “I get really attached to my series. I will fall in love with one series and watch it until I finish it. Then I’ll find a new one,” Diehl said. There are many who find Netflix to be a great convenience, but sometimes binge watching isn’t always the best idea. Senior Kacey Farthing explains why. “Netflix is a good way for me to procrastinate. It sometimes keeps me from doing productive things. It’s probably a bad thing. I feel like I’ve wasted my whole day after binge watching.” Farthing said. Farthing isn’t the only who knows what it’s like to fall under the Netflix binge watching spell. “Netflix is kind of like ice cream bars. When you have a box of ice cream bars in a freezer, you’d like to eat them all in one evening, but that’d be unhealthy,” Welker said.
Illegaly downloading music has become a very comon occurance.
Photo by Dean Divizio
Piracy: sharing isn’t caring By AMELIA LIKEUM
Staff Writer
Music has become globally available in recent years due to innovations in technology. Access to the latest songs are at the touch of a button from smart phones, computers, and tablets. It goes without saying, though, that many of the songs on everyone’s gadgets may easily have been downloaded illegally. With websites and apps making it simple to download songs for free instead of actually paying for them, piracy has become a crime that the everyday person commits without blinking an eye. “I just sort of do it and I’m like, ‘Yay! Free music!’” senior Sam Payton said. Along with not thinking downloading the music as illegal, people think even less of the consequences of sharing music. Serving up to five years in jail and/or being charged up to $150,000 per file don’t sound too appealing to many, but they’re the punishments for copyright infringements. But the people behind the screen aren’t the only ones that face the consequences. Artists, composers and producers face a reduction in sales. According to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), sales have reduced 53% from 1999, when file sharing first began. In order to try to balance out funds, many people encourage streaming as opposed to illegal downloading. Streaming enables you to listen to music, but it does not stay on a device and the sites are usually ad-funded or a charge monthly fee. This creates a happy medium for both listeners and creators: the artists get some money while their fans listen for free.
Pulse/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
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INVESTIGATIVE
In-depth information collected by Krier reporters
Knowing where all the money’s going By MADELINE MOHATT
Editor Parents, athletes and club members are required to pay fees every school year and are strongly recommended to take part in various fundraisers, but where is all that money actually going? Each school district in the state is given a strict budget every school year. It is then up to each individual district to decide how that money is distributed. This last school year, Kaneland High School’s budget was drastically increased due to the driven increase of student enrollment. According to Dr. Julie Ann Fuchs, Assistant Superintendent for Business, the district contributes about $900 to $1,000,000 for all high school sports and activities for one school year. Generally, sports and clubs are not allowed to go over budget, but if it is truly necessary the district will then pull money from another club or sport that is not using all of the money that was given to them. According to Principal Jill Maras, the district looks at records of how much the individual sport/club from the previous year spent when deciding what their budget for that year will be. If a particular sport or club were to attend any events such as training camps or buy any extra practice wear, the fundraising comes into play. “This summer we had to sell $25 coupon cards. It’s what raises our money for football,” senior Zach Thielk said. Another student expense that all teen drivers at the school are required to pay for is a yearly parking pass to ensure them a spot for the upcoming
school year. Two years ago the district raised the price of parking passes from $150 to $180 “I don’t have a parking pass because I was told I had to buy one myself, and I don’t have that kind of money,” junior Maggie Bend said. According to Fuchs, the money is generally used to maintain the parking lot. In the winter this means snow removal, and during the sumEveryday many students purchase Kaneland’s lunch. Photo by Shannon Gilkey mer parking lot repaving. The parking pass money also must be following certain guidelines. goes towards the parking lot security, Under these guidelines, all items must which ensures the safety of vehicles. be whole rich grain or have the first This school year the National ingredient a fruit, vegetable, protein or School Lunch Program required that dairy product. Kaneland up their prices on hot lunch “Because of these guideline changby 50 cents. If charged less than $2.65 es many of the foods including chips for a NSLP meal, you have to find nonthat the students purchased last year federal funds to cover the difference. cannot be served this year,” head of The price was raised to cover this the Kaneland Lunch Program, Gigi deficit. Ala carte items are the most Statler said. expensive lunch choice. Buying hot “Why just get a piece of pizza when lunch can save money. you can get the whole meal for just a The Healthy Hungry Act is a legislafew cents more,” Statler said. tive authority that funds various child Over the years as the budget has nutrition programs that was enacted changed for the Kaneland District, it in 2010. is good for students and parents to be This year a new ruling under the aware of where all of the money that HHA regulates that ala carte items they give is going towards.
12 Investigative/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
The Knights football team huddles up before the start of a big game against Chicago Brooks.
September
Teachers of Kaneland High School gather outside to complete the ALS ice bucket challenge.
The Kaneland student body gathers for a memorial service honoring all 9/11 victims and their family and friends. Photo/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
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KHS hosts foreign student By JACK COYLE
Leaving her friends and family behind was another sacrifice Geiger had to make to come to Kaneland. “I left behind my boyfriend, but thats going easier than I thought it would be. I have group messages with all of my friends and family so I get to talk to them almost every day, but I still miss them.” Geiger’s culture shock was not as bad as she thought it would be, and she believes it is because of her host family, the Alcantara’s. “They’re so nice and the food they cook is so good. I was worried at first because when I left, my friends would say ‘oh you’re going to the U.S. You’re going to get so fat,’” Geiger said. Overall, Geiger is enjoying the hospitality at Kaneland and is looking forward to a good year. “The U.S. is really interesting, the people are so open minded,” Geiger said.
Executive Editor
Through a thick German accent senior Anne Geiger explained the scholarship that allowed her to spend a year in America. “I’m with the American Field Service but I got a scholarship from CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange),” Geiger said. Geiger had to go through a rigorous process to be accepted into the program, including a test about Germany, a quiz on U.S. current events and a meeting with a German congressman to make sure she’s the right student to represent her country. Competition was tight for the scholarship but Geiger’s credentials were more than substantial. Along with her impressive grades she also played saxophone for a nationally recognized big band, and fluently speaks German, English, Spanish and French. Even through her preparation, some things surprised Geiger. Bad Bergzabern, Germany “It’s so weird, you all have lockers. In Population: 7,547 Germany we can bring our backpacks State: Rhineland-Palatinate everywhere because Mayor: Harald Bratz they aren’t so scared of guns,” Geiger Area: 4.14 sqare miles said.
Fast Facts:
Berlin
Bad Bergzabern
Schuler resigns, moving to Wheaton Warrenville district By NICK BOOSE
Staff Writer On Aug. 11 the District 302 Board of Education accepted Dr. Jeff Schuler’s letter of resignation. Schuler resigned because of a job opportunity given to him in the Wheaton Warrenville District 200. “It had nothing to do with anything here. This is a great school district,” Schuler said, “I have an opportunity to impact 14,000 students. It’s on a bigger scale.” Schuler said his main focus in the Kaneland School District was increasing students opportunity to be college and career ready. “To help get students ready, we have focused in on technology. In the district we now have one device for every three students,” Schuler said. Kaneland Educators Association President Laurie Shroka has only words of praise for Schuler. “His resignation is sad for the district because he is good for any district,” Shroka said. Currently, the KEA and the District 302 School Board are in contract negotiations for the teachers. Shroka hopes the resignation of Schuler will not affect the negotiation process in anyway. “[Schuler] is a great communicator and he is very flexible for meetings. His time is our time,” Shroka said.
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14 Voice/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
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BRIEFING
World News explained at a local level for students, by students
What you need to know about Ferguson By JACK COYLE
Executive Editor What happened? On Saturday, August 9, 18 year old Michael Brown who matched the description of a robbery suspect, was gunned down by Missouri police Officer Darren Wilson. The exact nature of the shooting is unknown because of a differing account from the police compared to the narrative of eye witnesses. What we know for sure, is that Michael Brown was unarmed, he was shot multiple times and statements from the coroner suggest Brown was on the ground surrendering at the time of his murder, however police claim Brown attempted to assault Officer Wilson. While what happened to Mike Brown is a truly heartbreaking story, what happened afterwards is what makes the actions in Ferguson an event that will be talked about for generations.
Peaceful protesters marched down to the police station in Ferguson for answers. They were met by police officers in riot gear turning them away. In the following month, riots ensued and many citizens were injured, arrested or forced from their homes.
How does it affect Kaneland? Michael Brown was only 18 years old when he was shot, the same age as many students at KHS. If it can happen in Ferguson, Missouri (only about a four hour drive from KHS) why couldn’t it happen here? Police officers threw tear gas at protesters who - up until the tear gas was thrown - were acting peacefully within their fourth amendment rights. By allowing the police to turn journalists away, and even arrest 11 journalists without consequence, the nation allowed them to impede on their first amendment rights.
It is the responsibility of those who lived during the “Tragedy of Ferguson” as TIME magazine called it, to not forget what happened there. Our generation will be writing the history books, so we must talk about Ferguson, in an effort not to forget it.
Kaneland Responds
Question: What was your first response to what happened in Ferguson? “I think it’s pretty messed up that America can go that low” senior Jeremy Faletto “At first I thought it was illegal to shoot someone just for stealing some cigars, but then I heard he tried to assault the officer, so then he would have been acting within the law” senior Ethan Sommers
Events of Ferguson August 17
August 10
Memorials and vigils held in Brown’s honor
August 9
Michael Brown is killed by officer Darren Wilson
August 16
Protesters defy curfew, police respond with tear gas and rubber bullets
Mo Gov. Jay Nixon issues a state of emergency for Ferguson. Sets curfew for that night
August 25
September 16
Michael Brown is laid to rest
August 19
Forty seven people arrested in connection with protest
Grand Jury deadline is moved to January 7
September 4
U.S Justice Deprtment announces a civil rights investigation on Ferguson P.D
Briefing/ September 25, 2014/ KANELAND KRIER
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