Bear Facts Student Media May 2015 by Lake Zurich Bear Facts

doors to dimensions

How the past shapes the future bear facts student media lake zurich high school 2015 @LZBearFacts | may may 2015

bear facts

letter from the editor Dear Readers,

print editor-in-chief:

With the school year rapidly coming to a close and seniors headed into their new futures, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s given us inspiration to look at how the past influences the future. Often

lexi fye

print managing editors: genna danial meagan bens

times, our world moves too fast that we forget to take a moment for a breath and reflect on how different the present is to the past. It is even more rare to take the time to truly imagine what the future can hold. It is a good idea to look back and see the past in order to be able to conquer the future, and Bear Facts hopes you use this magazine as a springboard to look at your past and future as we look into various stories. On the cover, Pat Witt, main office secretary, looks back as she closes the door on a two decade career at the high school. In the middle, junior Mikayla Patsias, sophomore Kyle Fitzgerald, and freshman Javier Long stand in the present, waiting for another bell to ring and signal the end of this school year. At right is Brandon Serna who opens the door to his future as he focuses on leaving high school and entering college within the next few months. Inside this issue we explore how the past affects our present and shapes our futures, from individuals who have overcome their troubled pasts to others who are planning future careers. Looking from the past and into the future is valuable to life, and Bear Factss is ooffering you that chance to reflect on the past so you can take the time to take the reigns of your future.

web editor-in-chief: lexi miranda

web managing editor: emmy schwerdt

staff writers: hannah bostrom michael gallagher madison hart julia ketcham jemma kim stephanie pavin brianne saab jenny steinberg katie szarkowicz danna tabachnik natalie ullman

adviser:

Sincerely,

carolyn wagner Bear Facts Student Media Lake Zurich High School 300 Church Street Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Lexi Fye L Editor-in-Chief

TopWeb Printing 5450 N Northwest Highway Chicago, IL 60630 cover art by lauren shon

About Us All decisions are made by the Bear Facts staff. The advisor is responsible for making recommendations based on school rules, applicable laws, ethical journalism, and other concerns. However, final authority rests with the staff. Bear Facts staff and writers strive to inform, entertain, and showcase high quality work to our readers on a monthly basis. We always seek to uphold standards of journalistic integrity, acceptable ethics, and truth.

Website Bear Facts is also published online at http:// www.LZBearFacts.com. Online materials report daily news occasionally related to our print publication. Advertising To advertise in Bear Facts, please contact our editorial board at bear_facts@lz95.org. Prices vary on size and placement of the advertisement.

Letters to the Editor Students are invited to submit articles or letters to the editor. Students submitting can contact any Bear Facts staff member at bear_facts@lz95.org. Staff reserves the right to edit any material submitted while retaining intent. Special thanks to our sponsor: Offbeat Music Store

For a complete editorial policy, please see our website.

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

What’s inside? 5 To bæ or not to bæ Read about how slang has changed through generations.

second story

The timeless fight for equal rights

Find out why feminism is still as relevent today as it used to be.

Beauty is for everyone

Learn about the argument that explains how body positivity has changed through the years.

Technology takes ctrl

Read about how school technology is constantly evolving.

We’re the Millers

Find out about the three Millers and how their high school experiences differ.

12 The Common People Learn about high schoolers who are taking their ideals to make a stand against bullying.

14 Conquering cancer Read about senior Megan Theis and her past with fighting cancer.

16 Bigger & better Find out from student athletes how their sports have grown through their high school carrer.

photo used with permission of marty matney

Following father’s footsteps in towing industry “I’ve been riding in tow trucks with my dad as long as I can remember,” Marty Matney, junior, said. “The first two weeks after I was born I was in a tow truck.” Matney’s father has worked for the past 20 years at Alpine Towing and Recovery, a towing company based in Lake Zurich. Matney plans to follow in his father’s footsteps after high school and become a tow-truck driver at the same company. “It’s always been the one thing I’ve seen [my dad] doing and enjoying. Just the look of everyone who has been [helped] by my dad – the look of happiness – it’s worth seeing,” Matney said. “You’re actually helping people. Not in the sense like police officers and fire fighters protecting people’s lives, but my dad has helped people stranded on the side of roads and people stuck in trees and cars. It’s something I’ve always wanted to help my dad with.” The company assists with towing, car repairs, and repossessions. Matney has made plans for how and when he plans to start, even though he is not done with high school. He already has plans to receive a General Education Development, or GED, in order to start training as soon as possible. “I picked [this job] because I know I can start right [away],” Matney said. “As soon as I get my license, I’m hopping right into training. I’ll get to spend a lot more time with my dad, which I barely get to do, because he’s always working, but now I’ll be able to share at least one more thing with him.” Although Matney looks forward to working with family, he knows the job is not for everyone. If he has kids, Matney said he will give them the same opportunity his father has given him: a choice. Forcing them to follow in his footsteps is out of the question. “I’ll leave it up to them. The whole idea of a family business is you choose to work with them. My little brother will probably want to do football in college and all that, and maybe that will go somewhere for him,” Matney said. “Personally, this feels like something that is right to do. If I have kids, I won’t try to force them to do it. That wouldn’t be right. That’s how family businesses crash. If it stops after me, then so be it.” bf by genna danial

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

“I would go to the 1970’s because I love peace signs, tie dye, and wearing hippie clothes.” - Kalynn Rhew, soph.

“I’d go back to the 1990’s so I could see the Bulls win six rings.” - Nate Malewicki, fr.

time

if you could go back in

where would you go?

“I’d go back to the 90’s because it would be nice growing up without technology and have things more about human connection instead.” - Amy Holtschult, sr.

“I would bring a microwave back to ancient Egypt and everyone would think I was a god.” -Jesse Dever, jr. photos by madison hart and jenny steinberg

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

To bæ or not S alt L O to bæ y L YO

H B T

SMH

by courtney veitch

The spoken word’s slow slide to slang Nobody “Hello’s” anymore. “Wassup” or “Yo” are the kewl greetings now, right? TBH, if older people think these words are immature or inappropriate, let them, SMH. (At least some of the time.) “Every generation has its own set of words. I think language in general has become more informal, and my goal is to teach my classes the difference [between slang and formal language] by using the analogy of what you wear around your friends is different than what you would wear in a job interview,” Megan Bajor, English teacher, said. The trick, according to Bajor, is to know when to use slang. Alexis Orr, junior, is not confident that today’s generation can tell the difference between the formal and casual phrases. “I think today’s slang words are similar to past slang words, but are more vulgar now because no one cares about their reputation. [They don’t care] about what they say anymore,” Orr said. “I try not to use slang, unless I’m making fun of [the words].” While today’s teens may laught at other generation’s slang, some words like salty, bounce, and trippin’ are still in use. Text lingo is a new form of slang that

has become popular among the current adolescent generation. “I use slang on a regular basis because sometimes it’s easier to get [information] across, and everyone subconsciously does it, TBH,” Angela Seok, sophomore, said. Bajor suggests one reason text lingo has become more pronounced is because of how technology has affected people’s writing and typing skills. “The one problem with texting is that it corrects your writing [for you]. It doesn’t make us think of it and do it. So it does kind of encourages incorrect typing,” Bajor said. “I’ve caught myself writing an email trying to write ‘you’ with the letter ‘u’ because that’s how I would write it in texting.” Appropriate writing is required in school and papers, however it can cause problems for those who choose to use slang instead, Bajor says. “Some [slang words] I don’t mind at all if it is not inappropriate. I always tell [students] that language is to communicate. If you and your friends are talking and you have your own phrases that’s fine, but when you get in another environment you have to be able to

change your language,” Bajor said. “You wouldn’t talk to [a teacher] the same way you would talk to a friend. If it is slang in conversation and it’s not inappropriate. In writing it’s not okay because you have to refine your thinking.” Altering speech for different audiences is a lesson Kevin Steibel, sophomore, learned the hard way. “I said ‘S’up guys’ to members [of the Golf Club] once. My boss wasn’t happy that I said that to customers,” Steibel, who is employed at Wynstone Golf Club, said. “We had a chat about how to behave in the workplace, and that I needed to use proper language.” With text such as OMG and TTYL, is all formal language doomed 2 fail? “We cannot allow informal language to creep into formal speak,” Bajor said. “It’s been going on from the beginning of time, but we have to know the difference and know when to change it.” bf

Find out more! Read about students who struggle with reading the old English text in class.

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

the timeless fight for equal rights

by tess melvin

‘Feminism’ conjures ideas of suffragettes hefting signs and picketing. These days, feminism has the same goal of gender equality, but since women already have the vote, many people misunderstand what feminists want. “Feminism is believing that women deserve the same rights as men,” Libby Reimann, AP European History teacher, said. “Everyone deserves the same rights, everyone deserves to be respected, everyone deserves the chance to rise to their potential. Equality of opportunity.” Whatever its aims, feminism cannot gain momentum when so many people have incorrect ideas of the concept. “I think the word feminism has gotten a dirty name among a lot of young females, and that astounds me,” Reimann said. “How can you be against a movement working to make sure you’re treated equally?” Reimann first realized the impor-

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

tance of feminism during her year abroad in college. “I spent my last year of college studying in Britain, and I noticed the sexism there much more,” she said. “Women were the ‘girls’ in the office; there just wasn’t as much respect. That [was] my awakening that people were not treated equally, especially in the workplace.” This lack of respect translates into very real consequences when women take home significantly less payment for the same jobs. “Women on average make 70 cents for every man’s dollar,” Reimann said. “Is it because of sexism? There’s probably a little bit of everything [involved], but I would say that sexism is the largest part of that.” Darby Millan, junior, understands the hatred and conflict embedded in the feminist movement itself, especially when people do not understand its aims. “Every movement has its ex-

Feminist Populace Out of 100 random students: ... but only 48% of students surveyed call themselves “feminists”

tremes,” Millan said. “There are feminists who hate men; but [there are] also men who hate women. My biggest goal right now is to try to live down the negative stereotype.” People like Reimann and Millan share the resolve to spread the true definition of feminism and empower young people to fight against gender inequality. “People need to understand [that] I’m a feminist everywhere,” she said. “[I work] with other feminists across the country towards helping [everyone’s situation]. We’re all fighting for a common good, us feminists.” By spreading the word, the movement can improve the world. “I see us helping people who don’t have any help for themselves,” Millan said. “[Countries] will have a little more freedom. [We will have] equal pay and disregard gender in the workplace. [In an ideal future,] there’s no need for feminism, but realistically there’s always a need.”

Reimann hopes for a future where everyone realizes the necessity of the movement. “I hope that [feminists] will get the support of a vast majority of men and women together,” she said. “I don’t see what benefit in the longterm men get from keeping half of the human race from reaching their potential. It drags us all down.” Supporting all genders and walks of life can be difficult, and this work is far from over. Feminists young and old participate advancing the movement, as they always have. “If past tactics haven’t gotten us to the point where we can say it’s over,” Reimann said, “we’ve got to keep moving forward.” bf

photo illustration by brianne saab

99% of students surveyed believe in equal gender rights...

Find out more! Feminism is like an ocean: it has waves. Learn about the feminist movements over time.

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

Beauty is for everyone VIEWPOINT by rachel brauer “Everyone is beautiful. Beauty is not defined by one, cookie cutting mold. There [are] all kinds; there is different types of beauty,” Danielle Fewkes, sophomore, said. “Any girl that you see in the hallway of this school is going to be beautiful no matter what.” Models embody the goal that no woman can reach after various Photoshop experts work to make them look “more beautiful” than a normal human can be. Everyone has his or her own idea of beauty, but society also impresses certain beauty standards on people, according to Social Issues Research Centre. “I think styles represent the person wearing it,” Connor Newman, senior, said. “You can tell who that person is by I wish I was the clothes they wear. What you wear less curvy...

Wear this. Look like that. Be pretty. People are expected to look the way society deems acceptable. However, being who you really are should be accepted, not the way people want you to be. People should not change who they are or strive to be “perfect” just because others want them to. There is an expectation that everyone has to be society’s definition of beauty, even if it means defying scientific possibilities in order to succeed. One in five girls consider plastic surgery, according to Medical Daily. Women especially face great pressure to look flawless all the time, but that is simply impossible, and women should not be expected to do so. I wish I had bigger curves...

I wish I was thinner...

tells something about you. So the more original you [dress], the more original you are as a person.” Everyone has to be one body shape now or else they will not be able to fit or look good in trending clothing, and people who are slightly overweight or have a different body shape feel insecure because they are not society’s idea of perfect. Only 11% of girls around the world can easily say they are beautiful, according to Dove’s The Real Truth About Beauty campaign. “I feel like designers often feel like their clothes look better on hangers than on actual people,” Fewkes said. “So by making their mannequins less of a human shape and more of a slightly filled out hanger, it makes the clothes look better.” Men and women should wear what they want, when they want, and be able to be considered beautiful. People should be judged by their inner beauty and not if they are up to date with the latest trends. Big or small, thin or curvy, everyone is unique and perfect in their own special way. “I think [people] should stop listening to what other people tell them to do,” Newman said. “Focus on what they think is beautiful to themselves.” bf

Find out more! The idea of what is beautiful has changed dramatically since the Reaissance.

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

Technology takes ctrl it’s an ongoing learning process.” Knuth pointed out that, teachers have to learn how to operate the devices before they can teach with them. Coklan explained that even though the technology is always changing, it is worth learning. “Being able to access the Web with any device allows teachers to structure lessons that require more critical thinking,” Alice Schmitz, instructional technologist, said. The future of technology in our building has yet to be decided. The only goal thus far is to finish the distribution of iPads. “[In the 1990’s] the up-and -coming thing was computers,” Knuth said. “Now when I think of the next thing in technology, I think of virtual classrooms and everything done in the cloud.” Although there has been no additional talk about these virtual classrooms, the idea may be possible in the future. “Technology is a two-edged sword,” Knuth said. “On one hand it’s like, ‘This is great! Think of how cool this is!’ But on the other hand, we have to learn how to use [and control] it.”

har t and lexi photo illustration by madsion

From chalkboards and overhead projectors, to iPads and Apple TV, technology in the school is constantly evolving. “When I first got [to the high school], we had overhead projectors, one Xerox machine, and no computers or cellphones,” said Bob Knuth, history teacher who has been teaching here since 1986. “We didn’t even have a phone in every room. By around 1990 there was a computer in every classroom. From 2001 to about 2004 the district made a big program to start increasing technology.” New technology helps students by allowing them to learn in many different ways according to research. As a result, the school has been trying to keep up with advancements in technology provide more outlets for learning. “We went from overhead projectors to document cameras to owning a smart board and iPads, our definitive goal is to have iPads for all students and teachers grades six through twelve,” Emily Coklan, instructional technologist, said. “Technology is worth learning even though it’s always changing,

fye

by dominique gertie and jim weimer

Find out more! Read about the decision to let students keep their iPads over summer break.

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

ER T A HE

I L O AH

RK O W

Although they eyy are are en nio iors not related, seniors Jasson Sarah Miller, Jason herrine Miller, and Catherine Miller have more oree in n jjust ust common than hey their last name;; th they hem he mhave all found themselves through th their heir i gh own, personal hig high encess. school experiences.

WE’RE THE MILLERS

by kianna novak

Sarah Miller Past: “Freshman year I was so said. Her work ethic and leadereager to participate in every activity and was involved in numerous clubs. It wasn’t till the end of freshman year/beginning of sophomore year when I really focused in on things I had a passion for, like yearbook and volunteering at Ela Area Public Library,” Sarah said.

ship skills have allowed Sarah to various opportunities during high school that she could not of had otherwise. She is editor-in-chief of the yearbook, a P.E. leader, a member of the orchestra program, had three jobs at one point, and somehow finds time to see friends.

Present: “Looking back on my Future: “When looking towards time in high school I definitely changed a lot, multiple times; however throughout all four years I’ve always had this drive to succeed. That I take from the community around me, including Mrs. Boyas and Mrs. Stanton, my yearbook advisors, all my teachers and peers, my friends, coworkers, and especially my parents, who I do not give enough credit to,” Sarah

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

the future, I honestly have no clue what it will entail for me,” Sarah said. “I know I plan to take classes at College of Lake County next year, but that’s about as far as I’ve planned ahead. Honestly, whether I end up in L.A., New York, or right back here in Lake Zurich,” Sarah said, “what truly matters is the memories you make and taking each day one step at a time.”

photo illustration by bear facts staff

D R E N

Jason Miller Past: “A “As a freshman I was super energetic; I did choir, drama club, energeti tech, art club, interact, habitat for humanity, and S.N.A.P. hu I was always busy and kind of overextend mysself, but I loved getting involved and meeting new people,” Jason said. sai “Towards sophomore junior year I gravitated more and junio choir and theatre,” Jason toward ch said. “It was w somewhere where I express myself and through could exp the shows that I did made friends that I still have now.”

Present: I’m still involved in choir, drama dram club, tech, and Interact. But, But I definitely gravitated more towa towards the arts, which is interesting because until this year I planned to go to DePaul for musical theatre,” theatre Jason said.

“But when I was filling out college applications, I realized my heart was no longer in theatre. I had a much stronger inclination towards science, so I completely changed paths and I found filling out those applications was a much faster process,” Jason said.

Future: Jason plans to attend the University of Illinois next year and will be studying molecular and cellular biology. “Science has always interested me, I just never thought that I go into college for it, but I can’t wait to jump into biology next fall. The way I see it is if you love something, you should fully submerge yourself in it, so you can do it effectively,” Jason said. “That is why I’ve decided not to even do shows on the side during college.”

Catherine Miller Past: ast: “As a freshman I was defitely that awkward k nitely freshman and I had my own friend groups, but I didn’t branch out from that one specific group too often. Then I began to see high school as a place that was full of possibilities, so I joined cheer and lacrosse, along with some other clubs,” Catherine said. Transitioning into sophomore year she continued cheerleading and lacrosse. She also joined student council, French club, environmental club still, and became more active in her church.

Present: “Senior year has been really fun and busy for me. I continued my involvement in school both academically and extracurricular wise, however, I didn’t do lacrosse to accommodate the stresses of senior year,” Catherine said. “I also

became more social not only with my peers but with my teachers as well and that has benefited me immensely this year.”

Future: “I’ve worked very hard in high school and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me. I’ll be going to Auburn University with a double major in international business and French. I will really be challenging myself next year with classes at the honors college, I’m planning to rush, and am going to continue being social,” Catherine said. She will be attending Auburn next fall with the credits of a sophomore, due to the AP classes that she took during high school. “It felt so rewarding to see that all the hard work I put in during high school was really going to benefit me in college,” Catherine said. bf

Find out more! Read about Ruthie Rosenkranz’s journey from freshman to varsity on track and cross country

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

Student business promotes bullying prevention, individuality, and adventure by jenny steinberg

It started merely as an idea. Five years and two hundred designs later, senior Brandon Serna and Conner Gardiner, Fox Lake eighteen-yearold, are developing their own business: The Common People, a t-shirt company aspiring to stop bullying. “Our mission is to make sure we’re always helping the people we’re selling for. We’re not in it for the money, but we are in it to help these kids out who are dealing with bullying,” Serna said. “At the same time though, our designs and our inspirations for what we do are solely to also bring out the adventure in our customers. When you’re growing up and you’re a young teenager, that identity is what your biggest problem is. If we could have a company that’s like, ‘We’re all the same. We’re all in it together’, that’s something we can really do to help kids and even adults.” As part of their campaign against bullying, Gardiner and Serna are in

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

the process of setting up a nonprofit extension organization of The Common People called ChiKids. When customers buy ChiKids shirts, an amount of the funds will go towards an author of a book about bullying who is actively involved in helping Chicago kids. Gardiner and Serna plan to open this aspect of the company in the fall but for now are currently focusing on having five or six shirts on the website, including the ChiKids designs. The company’s t-shirt designs are all original work done by Gardiner. The inspirations for his designs come from Washington, where he used to live. Gardiner said he chose the compass for the company’s logo due to the diversity of the symbol. “Everything I’ve chosen [for the company]—the name, ChiKids, and the logo—involves everyone. That’s the main thing about the company. [I believe the company] is targeted to every group,” Gardiner said.

Besides the design aspects, other factors such as the support of both of the boys’ families and friends influence how to make the company’s success possible. “[Gardiner] had all the ideas, he had all the support. We need a jump-start to actually turn the key and start [The Common People],” Serna said. “I think [our jump-start] was we gained some popularity with just our friends. I think what started the company was having [previous sales] experience and the initiative to get it going.” Since launching their website earlier this month, the company has received a lot of positive feedback, which Serna says is encouraging. “I got involved [in the company as chief of sales] because I saw potential. I wouldn’t hop onto something that I thought was going to fail. I really believe in this, and that’s a crucial part in sales. You have to believe in your product,” Serna said.

photos by jenny steinberg Connor Gardiner, Fox Lake eighteen-year-old, and Brandon Serna, senior, are finalizing their company’s website, The Common People. The Common People is a t-shirt company dedicated to helping to prevent bullying. The designs for the shirts (bottom right) are original work Gardiner has drawn over the years.

“If you don’t believe in your product, you’re never going to sell anything. I believe The Common People will succeed, and I believe Connor and I are the best people for the company.” In order to promote the company, the two will set off on a week-and-ahalf long road trip in June, ending in Orange County, California. The destinations are still being determined, but the boys plan on interviewing kids at each location about bullying in order to create videos for their website. Along with promoting their company, Gardiner and Serna also hope to gain a larger following. “The Common People can change the world. Now, we’re not going to change a lot of the world. In fact, in reality, we’re not going to change or fix any of the problems people have,” Serna said. “We’re not going to solve greed or debt, but we’ll help people realize they have an individual being, and they are part of something greater than themselves.”

While encouraging people to find their individuality, the two want to stay true to their original designs as much as possible to maintain their individuality with their work, Serna said. On The Common People’s website, both Serna and Gardiner included personal messages that reiterate the company’s mission. “When we love our fellow man, we learn to love ourselves. And in this way, we can love the world and the world we live in,” Serna wrote on The Common People’s website. “We are the people, and as uncommon as each of us are individually, we are all one body and entity.” Serna says the inspiration behind his message on the website refers back to the time when he was not as sociable as he is now. Serna’s mom passed away when he was twelve, which left him closed-off, he says. Overtime, Serna said he was able to gain the confidence and that individuality he was looking for.

“The fact [is] we are all uncommon because what is normal to you is weird to me because I’m not you. That’s why weird is something that really doesn’t have any meaning because everything is from your own [environment and personal experiences]. You’re a product of your environment,” Serna said. “We’re all uncommon, but because of our individuality of being uncommon, we are the common people. And that is kind of the underlying message of our name: we’re the common people, we apply to everyone, but [our company] promotes the uncommon, individual characteristics our customers have.” bf

Find out more! Get connected with The Common People on our website.

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

conquering

CANCER by megan monoson

Megan Theis, senior, could have died 13 years ago. She has battle scars from a war waged over ridding her body of a life-threatening cancer. After over a decade of challenges, Theis remains positive, and discusses her life beyond high school. She endured years of chemotherapy, treatments, various relapses, and continuous recovery.

photo by megan monoson

“I was only five when I was diagnosed, but now I see life as a chance to explore my options and to be able to test the limits on what I can do,” Theis said. “Also being around the ones you love and care about is most important.” The hardships she faced help improve her outlook on life, she said. “Just because things are hard, never give up. Obstacles are there to make us stronger, not push us down,” Theis said. But at five years old she had no idea she was about to learn such an important life lesson. In 2002, the Theis family had recently moved to Lake Zurich. Megan and Abbie Theis were just beginning school at May Whitney Elementary. “It was the summer and Megan just got a brand new pair of flip flops, and she was tripping a lot, so we just kind of blamed the flip flops. Then she started complaining about headaches, but every time she did, she got a little smile on her face because she knew she’d get to take the grape medicine,” Julie Theis, mother and Special Education teacher, said.

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

60% of children who survive cancer suffer late-effects After more encounters with Megan’s headaches and throwing up, Julie realized something was wrong. Doctors performed some hand-eye coordination and balancing tests that helped them discover the mass in Megan’s brain. “They did an emergency MRI and that was when they said, ‘If it looks like a dog, and acts like a dog, and barks like a dog, it’s probably a dog.’ They were giving me this long name of what kind of tumor they thought it was. At that time it just went right over my head. It turned out to be Medulloblastoma,” Julie said. Megan’s diagnosis at a young age led to her missing the majority of her first two years of elementary school. Missing so much school has changed her perspectives on life and how she wants to live it. “In a way it has actually showed and proved to me who my true friends were and who was hanging around and wanted to say they were my friends,” Megan said. “It proved to me who truly was there and wanted to support me.”

Although the entire family was there for Megan, Abbie, her younger sister, couldn’t always be with the family. According to Abbie, her sister’s cancer postponed their potential relationship. “[The separation between us] was kind of forced because we always played together and then all of a sudden she couldn’t be in the room with me because the doctors were in there,” Megan said. “She couldn’t stay in the hospital the whole time, so she was off with our aunts and our cousins, staying at their houses. It’s never been the same, and we’ve taken our own little separate paths, [but] we still talk once in a while.” The two sisters, who used to connect with each other through dance, singing, and playing with Polly Pockets, have found new ways to get along and to spend time together. Both sisters enjoy creating and critiquing each other’s art. “I’ve always loved art. I actually spent most of my time when I was in the hospital in the art room, doing arts and crafts everyday,” Megan said. “Everyday

I’d wake [my mom] up and say ‘Mom is it open yet? Can we go in there?’” Her passion for art has led her to make tough choices for the future. She is planning on moving to a warmer climate, which means she will likely leave Illinois; although, Julie would rather see Megan stay close to home. “What I want to do is open up a little shop and make a lot of pottery or different crafts and try to make my own little business selling and teaching others,” Megan explained. “Looking at [my cancer] now, it makes me think if I’ve survived that, then I can do a lot more in life than getting a mediocre job,” Megan said. “It makes me feel like I can do more, makes me want to do more, and makes me want to achieve more.” bf

Find out more! Read about senior Michaela Cecala’s struggle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Megan Theis learned she had cancer when she was five years old. From nurses who nurtured her in the hospital (left) to recuperating at home with her dad (center), Theis learned to appreciate every small moment, she said. After taking art classes in high school (right), Megan hopes to follow her dream of opening an art shop. Photos used with permission of Megan Theis.

@LZBearFacts | may 2015

& better bigger

by meggie furlong

Student-athletes participate in sports two or more hours a day, six days a week. Sports are a prevalent part of a majority of students lives, according to Rolly Vasquez, athletic director. “I want to say we have over 1,200 kids participating in athletics and other after school activities, which is a majority of our school,” Vasquez said. Certain programs like boys’ volleyball, wrestling, and girls’ golf have developed greatly just in the last few years. Not only have these sports grown in size, but also in competitiveness, according to Vasquez.

photo illustration by meggie furlong

Boys’ Volleyball

Wrestling

Girls’ Golf

In less than a decade the program has added two additional teams, junior varsity and freshmen. There has also been more interest from the middle school teams for future players, according to Lesly Ravenscraft, varsity boys’ volleyball coach. “We’ve had players come and try out this year at all levels. There’s more interest now, and we had a really successful season last year,” Ravenscraft said. Alongside success comes added pressure for student athletes, Ravenscraft said. With parents, coaches, and athletes themselves adding to the pressure of winning. “I put pressure on myself to win,” Brett Rothas, freshman, said.

“When I started here, there were 17 kids on the [wrestling] team. This year it was over 50. It’s getting bigger and getting better,” Dan Strickler, varsity wrestling coach, said. Increased numbers comes with increased pressure and competitiveness, Strickler said. “There’s been a lot of State qualifiers and the team is getting bigger,” Tommy Clancy, senior varsity wrestler, said. Wrestling focuses on individual performance and tends to be more competitive, according to Clancy. “I’m really competitive and losing is the worst feeling,” Clancy said. “There’s no one else to blame but yourself when it comes to wrestling.”

“A lot more girls are joining the team, which is fantastic. When I started, we just had enough [to play] and now we had fourteen this year,” Julie Brynczka, assistant girls’ golf coach, said. While the team may be increasing in numbers, competitiveness, and stress, it is still important to enjoy the game, according to Kaitlin Vages, sophomore varsity golfer. “I just do [golf ] for fun,” Vages said, “to learn how to get better.” bf

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

Find out more! Read about the Houghton sisters, running cross country since 2003.

What is your favorite sports memory?

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freshman

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“The bus ride home (especially after the Barrington meet) singing out lyrics to songs.”

samhita tammana sophomore girls’ track “Winning the Pekin tournament with the basketball team [this year] was amazing.”

nick meyer volleyball

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“Going to State in the 4 by 400 [relay] and shot put in seventh grade was my favorite memory.”

will madsen boys’ track

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Bear_Facts@LZ95.org junior

“Winning against the top two teams (Lake Forest and Stevenson) in our conference.

casey mcginnis lacrosse

senior @LZBearFacts | may 2015

Mike Ewan Kristie Skoby Tim Spears

Amanda Guercio

Austin Keller

Athlete of the Month

Brian Griffith

Kirsten Brown

Katie Fabbrini boy’s volleyball photo by mary keller

Bear Facts asked all varsity coaches of sports in season to nominate an “athlete of the month” for their sport. Their nominees are listed on the next page for sports in season as of press time. 18

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

Boys’ Track Brian Griffith, sophomore “Brian has run State qualifying times in both the 3200 and the 1600. Brian has scored individually 64 points thus far for the team and will score many more in the next run. We hope Brian will advance to the IHSA State finals in late May. Brian is not only a great athlete but a good leader as well.” -Randal Dunbar

Girls’ Track Kristie Skoby, freshman “[Kristie’s] positive energy, contagious smile, and goofy personality is an absolute joy to be around and her teammates appreciate her dedication to our ideals of family, discipline, and community. Additionally, Kristie continues to perform while in her throwing events achieving new PRs in her last two meets in both the discus and shot put.” - David Antczak

Boys’ Lacrosse Tim Spears, junior “Tim Spears is our leading goal scorer and assist man. He is the backbone of our offense and has a big role on defense. Timmy is known throughout the state, and this ensures that he always has the best defender marking him. First to show up, last to leave, involved with multiple summer lacrosse teams, a valued member of the varsity basketball team; all this while coming off of a missed sophomore season due to injury. The future is bright for this young man, and I am glad to be a part of it.” - Jim Vaselopulos

Boys’ Tennis Mike Ewan, senior “[Mike Ewan] has made one of the biggest jumps in the varsity lineup this year going from 4 doubles to 1 doubles and playing some of the best tennis players in the state. He brings intensity every match, stays positive and therefore is a great doubles partner. He is a great leader and has really grown into an outstanding person over the past couple of years.” -Aaron Rogers

Girls’ Soccer Katie Fabbrini, senior “I would like to nominate Katie Fabbrini for the girls soccer athlete of the month. Katie is a skilled, hardworking player who has stepped up and played very well for us this season at center mid field.” -Mike Castronova Girls’ Softball Amanda Guercio, sophomore “As a freshman starter on varsity last year, [Amanda Guercio] was getting acquainted with the team and the demands of being on varsity. This year as a sophomore, she has stepped up and became a leader on the team. Her ultimate goal is to play DI softball and she is doing all the correct things in order to reach her goal.” -Amanda Rodriguez

Girls’ Lacrosse Kirsten Brown, senior “Not only is [Kirsten] a starter but she is also a captain, and one of the top players in the state for interceptions on the field. Kirsten is unbelievably smart and a very skilled lacrosse player who deserves all the best in the future. At this time, Kirsten is still undecided about the college she is planning to attend in the fall, but is being scouted by a number of different teams and plans to continue her lacrosse career!” -Megan Pender Boys’ Volleyball Austin Keller, senior “Austin is a senior who has worked extremely hard over the last three years to earn his starting position on the varsity court. His calming demeanor is an asset to our team, especially when we are in a tough match. In addition, Austin is simply a wonderful person who I have been privileged to know for the past four years.” -Lesly Ravenscraft @LZBearFacts | may 2015

sports highlights

The varsity girls’ soccer team has been working on improving their style of play each game, with a record of 142-2 as of press time. “I think after every game we play, we have been working on moving better off the ball,” Carolyn Radecki, senior forward, said. “As the season has progressed, we have learned to communicate more on the field.” Radecki believes the team is succeeding in learning from their past games and experiences playing, but they are also having a hard time struggling with injuries. “A lot of our players have gotten injured this season. One thing we can work on to prevent injuries is focusing more in practice,” Radecki said. “It’s really hard for us to focus in practice on a Friday because everyone is thinking about the weekend.” The team has gotten to know each other better off the field through activities such as pasta parties, team bonding, and switching up partners at practice. Although the age gap ranges from freshmen to seniors, Radecki still believes the team gets along well together. “I think we all get along very well with each other. If there were problems with teammates, I don’t think we would be as successful as we are,” Radecki said. “We’re all great friends with each other, and we all contribute and commit to being a part of this team.” As the team prepares for playoffs, Radecki thinks the team’s biggest accomplishment so far has been beating big rivals, but the team still has many goals it wants to achieve during the playoff series. “Our biggest accomplishment would be that we beat Stevenson and Warren because those were our two toughest games of the season so far. They are both huge rivals of ours, so beating them was definitely a big win for us,” Radecki said. “Going into playoffs I think we need to just realize that it’s the playoffs and play hard and together like we normally can do.”

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

girls’ softball

all photos and articles by bear facts staff

girls’ soccer

The varsity softball team may be wrapping up their season, but they are using last year’s team as motivation to finish strong this spring. “This year I feel like we’re working a lot harder because we are a new team,” Sarah Schnecker, sophomore and first baseman, said. “Last year, we lost eleven seniors who have played together since they were little. We all get along and have fun, but when it’s time for practice or a game, we really have to focus on the task at hand.” The idea of focus is universal in playing the sport of softball. Outside of LZ, the world of softball is also changing, according to Schnecker. “More people are playing softball now and are actually taking interest in the sport today,” Schnecker said. “Softball is known to be mostly a mental game instead of a physical game.” The varsity team has taken that mentality and worked it into their playing. “Our team is coming together, and we’re trying to focus as much as we can both on the field and off the field,” Schnecker said. “Right when the [school] bell rings, we have to be mentally prepared to play a game or go to practice. When we do make mistakes in a game, we shake it off and work on it as much as we can at practice.”

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boys’ volleyball

boys’ tennis The future holds an endless number of opportunities, and the boys’ tennis team is hoping to take advantage of the uncertainty that lies ahead as they take on the season. “The majority of the team is younger, and they are very motivated to make it to state since no one from

The boys’ varsity volleyball team wants to work hard to shake off past negativity to continue for a fantastic season in the eyes of the players. Nic Angelini, senior and outside hitter who has been playing at LZHS for the past four years, is looking to stay positive towards their 7-7 season. “We need to be able to stay tough mentally, no matter how the game is going,” Angelini said. Another struggle for the team this season has been passing, according to Andrew Gilbertson. Through this struggle, the team has become better players. “[We are] figuring out how to work together more effectively [through] more practice and more repetitions,” Gilbertson said. According to Angelini, past seasons have helped him become a better teammate. “I have definitely changed from freshmen year,” Angelini said. “I used to be shy and awkward, but now I’m much more outgoing.” According to Angelini, his skills were developed in club volleyball that takes place in the off season. “Just getting the experience helped me learn the game better,” Angelini said.

boys’ tennis our team has been there yet,” Kevin Kim, senior, said. “So if we practice hard and compete even harder in every match, I think we have a chance to qualify for state [this season].” The team has already overcome some big hurdles this season, such as accomplishing wins over strong

teams, but the competition is only going to become more difficult as the season goes on, according to Kim. To help keep up with the increasing difficulty, Kim and the rest of the team have been sharing past experiences on the court, hoping that information will come in handy. “There are the little things we all help each other with, like technique and strategy, so that we are able to improve our game,” Kim said. “Even though tennis is considered an individual sport, we either win together as a team or lose together as a team.” Kim has learned over his past years on the team that team chemistry is not only important for strategical influences, but it can also boost a player’s mental competitiveness on the court as well. “Having great team chemistry has a definite significant impact on the court,” Kim said. “When I hear the team cheering me on, it makes me want to compete harder.” @LZBearFacts | may 2015

girls’ lacrosse After an 18 game season with a record of 14-4, the girls’ lacrosse team has high hopes for next season based on their improvements this year. At the beginning of the season, the team had many goals, including working better as a team and ranking highly at state, according to Emily Gillespie, junior attacker. However, they had to get into the swing of the team before they could work on their goals, according to Madison Horan, senior attacker. “At the start of the season, we were all trying to get used to playing with each other,” Horan said. “Our goals were to keep every team we played under five goals a game, give 110-percent, beat Barrington and Stevenson, rank at least tenth in state, and become like a family.” By the end of the season, the players had formed strong bonds with each other, according to Horan. Overall, the team was mostly able to achieve their goals. “We are a close group now. We are basically family. We beat Stevenson, but we lost to Barrington,” Horan said. “We have gone beyond our goals in [a lot of ] ways.” Despite being a senior, Horan says the team already has high hopes for what is to come next season and is making goals for next season based on this season. “We want to make it to state, and it’s tough to say how next season will go, but I think they will be good,” Horan said. “I think our team [has] a bright future and we just have to keep up the intensity.”

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com

Ever since the team got a new head coach, girls’ track has been on a road towards success. “Before we had Coach [David] Antczak, girls’ track was not a team. In the past, the old coach focused on individuals and sending the fastest kids to State,” Claire Trumbull, senior captain, hurdler, and sprinter, said. “Now, with Antczak coaching, we meet with the team before we break off into our events and we try to be closer by planning events outside of school. One of Antczak’s lines is ‘the best teammate runs, not the best runner,’ and this sums up the program’s development so far.” Along with the team’s new attitude, girls’ track has begun a new training method, Emily Krause, senior sprinter, said. “The program was different my first and second year. It was more extreme and going all out every practice resulted in a lot of injuries. Now we have a different training program that changes slowly so that everyone peaks at the end of the season. It takes patience, but it has been going better than it has in the past.” With the program changes, Trumbull said she is happy with the direction the team is headed in. “As a senior, it is great to see the younger players have so much potential,” Trumbull said. “At meets I am more relaxed compared to my first year, I know how everything runs, I am reaching my peak in my performance, and I have the chance to help others out. There has already been a lot of improvement, and I am happy for the team.”

girls’ track

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boys’ lacrosse To set a precedent on and off the field, one player hopes to benefit his teammates for future games. Kyle McCurley, sophmore mid-fielder is working with his team to stay positive. According to McCurley, a high moment was when the team won against Stevenson on April 17. Instead of focusing on future events, the boys’ track team is focusing on the present, says Zach Swanson, senior mid-distance runner and jumper. “We focus on getting better and better each and every day at practice,” Swanson said. “Then success in those future events and competitions will follow.” To get there, the boy’s track team is living their motto: “no disTRACKtions.” “[The motto is] to remind us that we should be working to shave seconds and increases distances and heights every day in order to get better as a team,” Swanson said. “This motto is a constant reminder that I should remain focused on the goals I set each week in order to do my part of the betterment of the team.” The team was headed to Conference on May 14, hoping to place in the top five compared to last year when the team placed seventh, said coach Randall Dunbar.

boys’ track

“[Winning] against Stevenson was the most excited I’ve seen our team,” McCurley, said. “We played well.” As a player, McCurley is striving for success within himself and for his teammates. Since joining the LZHS club team freshmen year, McCurley feels his team is able to do great things based off of previous success. “Seeing how successful we’ve been, [we] keep at it because we’re going to get better,” McCurley said. This past experience is seen as fuel to continue pursing more wins for the team. Since starting on the team, McCurley has seen himself grow as an athlete. Due to many new players joining the team, the beginning of the season was hard. “But now that we’ve been playing together for a while so we all have really good chemistry on and off the field,” junior mid-fielder, Evan Petropoulos, said. Continuously striving for positive attitude together and as peers is what the team is trying to do. “Our goals are to trust in each other in what we can do as a team and truly play as a team because we have many good players,” McCurley said.

baseball The boys’ varsity baseball team’s past experiences have led them to present changes and future goals. “What’s changed about this year is the amount of talent we have compared to last year,” Anthony Montalbano, senior second and third baseman, said. “The junior class has a ton of talent and though our record doesn’t show it, I believe we are a better team.” According to Montalbano, the improvement of the players compared to last year is due to harder practices. The boys’ current record is 10-13. According to Montalbano, that is not where he thought the team would be. Despite this, he says he has faith that the more they come together as a team, the more they become a harder team to play against. “At the beginning, this team didn’t have an idea what we would be. The seniors all believed we could be good, but it didn’t seem that the juniors were on the same page as us,” Montalbano said. “But now, I’d say we are coming together and play well. Even though the seniors will be gone next year, I think the team can be even better and take home a conference title.” @LZBearFacts | may 2015

may 2015 | LZBearFacts.com