Winter Issue Volume 51 by Kaneland Krier

Hoping

Slattery

STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT TOYS FOR TOTS

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

The Kane County division of Toys for Tots, a Marine Corps Reserve foundation, continued to see Kaneland students volunteer throughout the season, specifically those from the National Honor Society (NHS). Former Kaneland High School social studies teacher Javier Martinez is also wrapping up his second season as the coordinator of Kane County Toys for Tots, which ends Dec. 19.

Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys for economically disadvantaged children ages 14 and under to be delivered before Christmas. The Kane County group distributes the toys to nonprofit organizations within the county to give to children in need. According to their website, kanecounty-il.toysfortots.org, they distributed 21,955 toys and supported 8,741 children last year. This year, Martinez anticipates helping a similar amount of kids.

of the kids who is registered.”

Last year, 30 Kaneland NHS members recorded a total of 65.5 volunteer hours at Toys for Tots. NHS adviser Jennifer Sayasane understands why high schoolers like volunteering there.

“I think high school students, in particular, like the idea of helping kids,” Sayasane said. “They know that these gifts stay in their communities, and they’re going to kids, so they are all for supporting that.”

Sayasane also likes that it’s a former Kaneland teacher running it.

“I like that personal connection, knowing that this is somebody that I respect and somebody that I can trust having our kids doing meaningful things,” Sayasane said.

separated by destination. Senior Stacy Layton, who has volunteered for Toys for Tots the past two years, appreciates the mission of the foundation.

“Organizing things like that is fun, and it’s also nice because you’re doing it to help other people,” Layton said. “I think it’s really cool that they will put in all of the effort that it takes to provide for people so that they can have a good holiday season.”

“My goal is to give each child two toys this year, plus a stock ing stuffer,” Martinez said.

“The minimum is one, [but] I hope to be able to give two - a big toy and a small toy - plus a stocking stuffer to every one

Martinez said that he will email the Kaneland High School Director of Athletics and Activities each year to contact the school’s coaches and club sponsors and encourage them to have their students participate. The Kaneland boys track and field team is one that has volunteered in the past.

BY SOPHIE THILL Editor-in-Chief of Web

This year, the warehouse is located in the Geneva Commons, where the old Forever 21 store used to be. Here, toys are sorted by age groups and

CANDY CANE COCOA CRINKLE COOKIES

1 cup of all-purpose flour

1 cup of granulated sugar

½ cup of cocoa powder

1 teaspoon of baking powder

½ teaspoon of salt

2 large eggs

Instructions

1) Preheat oven to 400℉.

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Mini chocolate chips

Powdered sugar

Marshmallows

Hot fudge

Crushed candy canes

2) In a large bowl, mix together flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.

3) In a separate bowl, mix eggs, softened butter and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients, and add chocolate chips if you choose.

4) Chill dough for 10 minutes or until firm.

5) Grease or line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.

6) In a small bowl, add 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar (you can add more later if needed). Take a marshmallow and roll it into the center of a dough ball (no larger than a gumball). Roll the dough ball in powdered sugar and place on the cookie sheet. Repeat (leave 2 inches between each cookie).

7) Bake for 8-10 minutes.

8) While baking, crush up candy canes to the size of jimmy sprinkles.

9) Remove cookies and let them cool, then drizzle hot fudge on top of the cookies, and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

Photo by Sophie Thill

Graphics by Teaghan Hardy

Photo by Olivia Cotter

Senior Stacy Layton and junior Isabel Aguilera sort Toys for Tots donations into categories including games, toys, stuffed animals and more. The NHS volunteers then sorted the toys by age group and gender.

Graphics by Zoe Gannon

VARIATIONS IN THE TALE OF SANTA

BY PRESLEE SUTHERLAND Web Assistant

When Americans think about Santa Claus, they picture a jolly, old, white man in a thick red suit. They imagine the man sneaking down their chimney in the middle of the night and leaving presents under the Christmas tree. While this is the way Santa is depicted on cards, cookie jars and so much more in our country, the American Santa isn’t the only version who delivers presents to the world’s children during the holiday season.

The Santa that is well known in North America today comes from the legend Sinterklaas. His origins come from stories of a man named St. Nicholas who was a 4th century Greek bishop.

English Heritage writer Tom Moriarty reports, “Over time, tales of his gold-giving exploits gave rise to a tradition of leaving gifts for children on the night before 6 December - which was St. Nicholas’s Day.”

The Netherlands celebrated this day by having people dress up in red bishop costumes as St. Nicholas or Sinterklass.

“Tradition had it that, in his quest to deliver presents, St. Nicholas would enter houses by passing through locked doors or descending chimneys to leave gifts in shoes and stockings,” Moriarty wrote.

St. Nicholas transformed into the Santa that is more known in America today through a Dutch colony in present day New York. Due to violent mobs in the streets around Dec. 25, it’s speculated that the New Yorkers were attempting to create a more family-centered Christmas tradition.

Moriarty wrote, “In 1821, an anonymous illustrated poem called Old Santeclaus with Much Delight introduced Santa’s red coat, reindeer and sleigh and put his arrival on Christmas Eve rather than St. Nicholas’s Day.”

Moriarty explained that it was just two years later that a Hebrew professor named Clement Clark Moore took the legend to a new level. “St. Nick” got his bushy beard. The magical flying reindeer came into play. The old, traditional Dutch bishop look disappeared, and instead he was illustrated as a “right jolly old elf” with “clothes all tarnished with ashes and soot” and a

beard “as white as snow.”

Back across the sea in Europe, Père Noël, the Santa of France, shares many similar features to the American Santa. He is still in a thick red suit with a long white beard, however his style is different.

According to the French cultural site My French Life, instead of being seen in a traditional red Christmas hat with a white pom-pom on the top, he’s pictured wearing a red hood that’s trimmed with white fur.

Père Noël traditionally drinks wine and Calvados, a French brandy, instead of the American tradition of milk and cookies, because French adults find it laughable that a grown man would drink a glass of milk. But those aren’t the only differences.

“[He] doesn’t leave coal for naughty children,” according to My French Life. “Le Père Fouettard (the name coming from ‘Fouetter,’ which means to whip or lash) follows the Père Noël whipping and beating badly behaved children.”

In German tradition, St. Nikolas brings gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day.

According to Hamburg.com, a website guide to navigating the German city, “Throughout Germany, children leave their shoes near the fireplace or front door on the night of 5 December. The next morning, they find that their footwear has been filled overnight with small presents and treats by Nikolas.”

St. Nikolas, like Père Noël, has a devilish companion to discipline misbehaving children. Krampus is a central European legend of a half-goat, half-demon creature who punishes children during the holiday season. His name came from the German word “krampen,” which translates to “claw.” The legend describes Krampus as the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld, and he is believed to have been a part of pagan rituals for the winter solstice.

According to Britannica, “With the spread of Christianity, Krampus

became associated with Christmas… [St. Nikolas and Krampus] are said to arrive on the evening of Dec. 5 (Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night). While St. Nikolas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell.”

The Slavic version of Santa Claus goes by Ded Moroz, which means Father Frost. This gift-giver is mostly celebrated in eastern Slavic countries such as Russia and Belarus.

In most legends, Santa’s female sidekick is his wife, Mrs. Claus. The Slavic version is the only one in which his companion is his granddaughter.

According to Russiapedia, an informational website, “[Ded Moroz] is usually accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka riding with an evergreen tree in a traditional Russian troika, a sleigh drawn by three horses abreast.”

While Americans throughout the country leave out a glass of milk and warm cookies and wait for Santa Claus to arrive on the night of Dec. 24, other people around the world are celebrating their own traditions. Santa is a man who has been adapted to fit customs and religions around the world and to help bring all children a sprinkle of holiday magic.

GraphicbyPresleeSutherland

Opinion | December 17, 2024

UNWRAPPING BLUE CHRISTMAS

BY CARLI FILEK Social Media Executive

As a new fan of country music star Megan Moroney, I eagerly

the universal longing for a holiday romance - a must-listen for country fans or those looking for a cheerful holiday tune.

Christmas Morning, the EP’s second track, shifts from the upbeat, playful tone of the opening song. This ballad opens with heart-wrenching lyrics, exploring the pain of losing trust in a relationship. In the chorus, she repeatedly asks, “When did our love stop feeling like Christmas morning?”

The track’s slow beat and Moroney’s signature soulful vocals invite listeners to fully absorb the lyrics and reflect on the loss of Christmas magic and faded love. Lines like, “It’s colder in this bed than it is outside,” resonate with anyone yearning for the comfort of cherished Christmas memories. The song offers a profound reflection on life’s changes, adding emotional

The final track, Blue Christmas, is a -

heartfelt story telling wrapped in a blend of cheer, heartbreak and personality, all while embracing the holiday spirit. Her two original songs highlight her songwriting talent and individuality, while her take on a holiday classic shows her unique style and ability to make a wellknown track her own. Her powerful and intimate vocal performance resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression on me and countless listeners.

WHAT IS CHRISTMASFAVORITEYOUR SONG?

Page design by Zoe Gannon

Cartoons by Zoe Gannon BY SARAH SLATTERY

“Ariana Grande’s cover of Last Christmas because it’s festive.” - freshman Delaney Raftery

“Christmas Morning by Megan Moroney. Megan Moroney is my favorite artist, and I think her lyrics really hit home.” - junior Maddie Zehelein

“Christmas Tree Farm by Taylor Swift. It just gets me in the Christmas spirit.” - sophomore Cooper Marler

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch because it’s a childhood favorite of mine.” - junior Jake Buckley

PLAYING IN THE SNOW HAS NO AGE LIMIT

BY JASPER PAULSON

Ads & Business Design Executive, Broadcast Executive and Copy Editor

The joy of being a kid and finding out there’s fresh snow on the ground is unmatched. Racing to get my snow pants on, I would spend hours upon hours making snow people and animals. I would even dig myself burrows in the mounds my father would make on the side of my driveway from shoveling. Playing in the snow feels like a rite of passage for children, and I’m sorry for those who live in places that don’t get to experience it. But, as I’ve grown older, playing in the snow has become more of an activity of judgment and less of a bright, new canvas for my imagination.

Part of that I can attribute to the fact that when people my age say they’re going to play in the snow, they’re met with weird looks. I, however, don’t believe that anybody is too old to play in

the snow.

Snow actually has many mental health benefits. It can create a calming environment because snow dampens noise. Cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, is also affected by being in the snow.

“The tranquil and serene environment created by snow can help lower cortisol levels, further promoting relaxation and reducing stress,” according to Psychreg.org.

Playing in the snow can also physically benefit you. Moving through the snow is harder than simply walking on pavement. That added challenge and the many associated activities, such as sledding, skiing, snowboarding and even building snowmen, can be good ways to get exercise in the snow.

“Being outside during the winter months is critical for physical and mental health,” P.E. teacher Jill Carpenter said. “You have a better chance of

getting sick [when you stay] indoors with the germs than going outside and playing in the cold.”

If playing in the snow benefits us mentally and physically, then why is there such a growing judgment around playing in the snow as teenagers? If anything, we should be encouraging people to go out in the snow more as they age because of the benefits it can offer. Getting up early to help your neighbor get out of the driveway by shoveling snow, albeit tiring, can still be fun.

I’ll never forget the memories I made in the snow. It was a source of bonding with my family and an escape from harsh realities. After all of those memories, how could I say that anyone is too old to play in the snow? Don’t let anybody use your age as a reason why you shouldn’t don some boots, a coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf and jump in the white landscape for an hour or two.

DIE HARD: A CHRISTMAS MOVIE CLASSIC

BY NATE SAND

Co-Sports & Activities Executive

Few movies spark as much controversy among festive movie fans each holiday season as Die Hard. Since its release in 1988, the question of whether the film is a Christmas movie has been debated. While the film undoubtedly deserves to be labeled as an action movie, Die Hard should also be classified in the Christmas category.

To start, the film takes place on Christmas Eve. This evidence alone can explain why it should be considered a holiday movie. The plot follows John McClane, a New York City police officer who has traveled to Los Angeles to visit his estranged wife for Christmas. While visiting her at her work Christmas party, German terrorists take over the building and take all the party-goers as hostages. John realizes he is the only one capable of saving the hostages and the building and does everything he can to do so.

If this isn’t a Christmas movie, why is it taking place during Christmastime? Surely, this is not the only time an office can come together or John can see his wife.

Along with the film taking place on

Christmas Eve, there is a collection of Christmas songs in this movie. According to a YouTube video published by Fandom Entertainment, a TV and film channel with over 1.5 million subscribers, there are 12 instances in the film when a Christmas song is being played or a character is singing or humming a tune. Some of these songs include popular classics such as Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Winter Wonderland and Ode to Joy. If Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, why did the director need to add Christmas music throughout the film?

Christmas is also mentioned abundantly throughout the entire movie. According to FresYes.com, a lifestyle blog, “Christmas” is said 18 times. In fact, towards the end of the film, when one of the terrorists is successful in their mission, he finishes by saying, “Merry Christmas.” Other than saying the word “Christmas,” there are other references to the holidays, such as sayings like “ho-ho-ho” and allusions to Santa and Christmas presents. If all of these references to Christmas are not enough for you to be convinced, there is even more evidence to prove my point. There are plenty of

Christmas trees, lights and decorations throughout the entire film that keep this movie feeling festive, just like every other holiday classic.

Also, the plot perfectly shows the holiday spirit and demonstrates what Christmas is about. Think of another holiday classic, Home Alone. Most people would agree the plot of this film is very festive and shows what the holidays mean for families. It takes place around Christmas time, and Kevin McCallister gets separated from his family, does everything he can to ensure his house stays safe from criminals and tries to reunite with his loved ones. Both of these films share the qualities of a story about the holiday season while also including plenty of action and criminal activity. So why is one considered a Christmas classic and the other is not?

While Die Hard may not be the most traditional Christmas film, there is too much evidence that it is in fact a Christmas movie that cannot be disregarded as a regular action film. Because of its festive soundtrack, characters, setting and plot, Die Hard should be considered a holiday classic for years to come.