October 2013 Spectator

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S P E C TAT O R

VOLUME 92 NUMBER 2

1500 WEST KENNEDY ROAD, LAKE FOREST, IL 60045

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OCTOBER 31, 2013

Project Pumpkin returns for another chillingly fun experience Photo courtesy of Tribune Media Services

Jack-O-Lanterns are one of the many fun decorations around the LFA campus during Project Pumpkin. Other decorations include anything from spiders to ghosts.

By Michael Phillips and Mary Kate Patton Staff Writers For the past four years, LFA has teamed up annually with A.J. Katzenmaier Elementary School of North Chicago to provide an opportunity for both schools’ students to participate in a unique Halloween celebration. Yesterday, LFA and AJK continued this tradition when students of AJK

were welcomed to campus to participate in a coordinated holiday party, known as Project Pumpkin, conducted by Literacy Corps in conjunction with LFA student leaders.

“We have offered kids who go to the afterschool program at AJK an opportunity to come here to celebrate Halloween and to go trick-or-treating around our campus,” said Associate Dean of Students Mrs. Kate Jones. “It fos-

This month...

ters the partnership with AJK and brings them to our campus when we often go to theirs.”

Every year there are activities like face painting, “Hutch Punch”, and different themed rooms that create a fun and entertaining environment for the AJK students.

The AJK students have also been served a meal by Sodexo, LFA’s food provider, which provides dinner for the students. Jones explained that while the candy and costumes of Halloween are certainly fun, Project Pumpkin is more than trick-or-treating.

‘It’s the community connection of welcoming them here as much

as they welcome us when we do Enrichment Day. By going to both schools, there’s the mutuality. We get as much from the relationship as they do.” said Jones.

Seniors Cody Van Lierop and Austin Hingtgen recall Project Pumpkin as being a fun time where being able to interact with AJK students was an enriching experience. Students have the option of decorating or entertaining in a room that has a fun theme.

The three student leaders this year are seniors Madeline Pattis, Tyler Madeley, and Mary Kate Patton. These three students will be organizing and planning the

activities for the evening along with Literacy Corps, led by senior Catherine Hanlon. Literacy Corps is a group of students who visit with AJK students after school to help them learn to read.

“The other cool part is that Lit Corps builds a relationship with these exact students that go to this afterschool program. Those are the ones who are coming here, so they already know some of our students, so it’s not just the oneand-done service,” said Jones, “It’s just a really cool sustained connection…it’s actually a continual relationship.”

NEWS Apple TV creates another bump in the road for LFA technology

page 2 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT First two girls to ever be in Electronic Music page 8 FEATURES Safe Haven program helps LFA students

page 15 SPORTS Sophmore Alex DeBrincat brings new talent to LFA Prep Hockey team

page 20 ENTROPICA Jeep Wrangler dealership mistaken for LFA parking lot page 13

Photo courtesy of Kathy Morrison

Senior Claudia Jones helps an AJK student make a trick-or-treating bag during a past Project Pumpkin.

THE SPECTATOR

News

2

World News Roundup

Compiled by Amy Krivoshik

High radiation found in creek

Scientists detected levels of radiation 200 times higher than normal at Blacklick Creek in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, Ecowatch.com confirms. Wastewater from natural gas hydraulic fracturing operations contaminated the surrounding watershed, downstream from the Josephine Brine Treatment Facility. In a recently published study conducted

by Duke University, researchers described high levels of bromide in addition to radioactive radium. When exposed to commonly used watertreatment chemicals, bromide can create cancer-causing compounds, Cleantechnica.com confirms.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

Scientists believe hydraulic fracturing contributed to increased levels of radiation.

Salvaging The Costa Concordia

On Friday the 13th, January, 2012, Italian cruise ship, The Costa Concordia, twice the size of the Titanic at 950 feet long and 114,000 tons, and harboring more than 2,000 passengers, sunk. Captain Francesco Schettino steered too close to Giglio island on Italy’s west coast and smashed into the Giglio mountainside.

A hectic evacuation involving helicopters ensued. 30 people died.

Two people were missing. BBC News reports that Schettino and some of his crew members were put on trial for manslaughter. All the while, for 612 days, the ship remained partially submerged in 50 ft. of water. Then on September 16th, 2013, Titan Salvage began an $800 million salvage, CNN confirms. According to The Guardian, they used a process called parbuckling, which had never before been successfully used to right a ship of Concordia’s size. The process of removing the ship from the water should be completed in Spring 2014.

OCTOBER 31, 2013

LFA faces problems with Apple TV

By Romaer Chopra News Editor Almost every LFA student or teacher has experienced the struggle of Apple TV technical problems in the classrooms this fall. LFA, as one of the first total iPad schools, is still learning how to connect the classroom in the most interactive way possible. The addition of Apple TV was a crucial step in this process.

However, the use of Apple TV in class has seen its fair share of issues, most of which have been related to the speed or reliability of the connection to Apple TV. LFA first sampled the Apple TV system by simply installing a few units in limited areas such as the Cressey Theater. And while it worked very well in limited numbers, as more and more units were installed, users began to experience the reported technical issues.

According to Mr. Dave Aykroid, director of Information Technology, the school’s 58 Apple TV units began to have problems after the 50th unit was installed. Many of the problems occurred because LFA’s usage was exceeding what Apple TV was engineered to handle.

According to Aykroid, the IT Department has addressed this issue by utilizing a program known as ClearPass. This program helps teachers make successful connections to a network that only lists the nearby units of Apple TV on one’s iPad. This makes it less confusing to connect and also offers a faster, more reliable connection.

Despite the difficulties encountered, Aykroid chose to see the overall benefits offered by the use of Apple TV. “I truly believe that the benefits have

strongly outweighed the few problems that have come with the system,” said Aykroid.

Aykroid believes that Apple TV has been able to digitally connect a classroom in a way that has never been done before. Part of the goal of adding Apple TV was to create classrooms where the focus shifts away from the teacher and more towards the work of the students that can now easily be projected.

Bringing in Apple TV has been part of a much larger effort at LFA to create a more interactive and technology-based educational experience for LFA students. Mr.

Grier Carson, one of the founders of the iPad program at LFA, acknowledged some of the problems with Apple TV but sees them as just another step to be overcome.

“We are at the forefront of integrated technology in education, and we are also at the forefront of using Apple TV in schools. Whenever you’re out there on the cutting edge of doing things, there aren’t a lot of examples to look at. There are bound to be problems and that is something we will solve on the way to our end goal which is integration,” said Carson.

Photo by Allison Hechtman

Teachers such as Mrs. Suzy Vaughn, shown above, have encountered a variety of issues with the Apple TV program.

LFA ISACS helps to plan for next year

By Mary Kate Patton Editor-in-chief

The Independent Schools Association of the Central States, or ISACS, is a non-profit membership organization that seeks to promote the development of strong learning communities for more than 230 independent schools. Every 7-10 years, an ISACS committee reassesses Lake Forest Academy’s accreditation through a rigorous process in order to ensure that it continues to provide a positive learning environment for its students. It is sort of like renewing your driver’s license and LFA is undergoing that process right now.

“ISACS is an organization that reaccredits schools in the central states. So independent schools, like LFA, need to be told they do what they say they do and are approved to continue teaching every seven years,” said Mr. Chris Dozois, Head of LFA’s ISACS committee.

There are more than 30 groups on campus that are writing partial reports that will reflect upon LFA’s mission statement. The final compiled report will be almost 100 pages and will break down the goals, strengths, and weaknesses that exist within each sub-group. These

“LFA is in a great shape and position, this report just forces us to look at ourselves.”

--Chris Dozois groups focus on anything and everything from athletics, to school morale, to budgeting. There are approximately five people, including Dozois, who organize the entire ISACS process and work on addressing LFA’s overarching goals.

“When ISACS comes in a year from now, about next October/November (a group of teachers and administrators from all over the Midwest) their committee will

walk into our classes and meet with all of the teachers and administrators and they will also read our report,” said Dozois.

“The committees write down strengths, weakness, and future goals, so they will come and look at all of those and then they will give us school-wide evaluations about what the school is doing great and then recommendations for the school.”

The committee of evaluators will pick overriding school-wide recommendations that they believe will help continue to accentuate LFA’s goal of educating students.

“LFA is in a great shape and position; this report just forces us to look at ourselves,” said Dozois. “Otherwise, like anything, you could be rolling around placidly, but this report forces us to take a look at everything and it ties in well with a strategic plan that LFA is doing in the next year. We are looking at the whole school from an LFA perspective.”

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

News

LFA recovers 1920s scrapbook

By Amy Krivoshik News Editor

Librarian and co-advisor of the LFA Archives Club Rita MacAyeal recently received a memorable telephone call from a distant relative of an LFA alumnus. The caller had found a 1920s scrapbook full of black and white photos of LFA students, in particular the football team, and wanted to donate it to the school.

“They were debating whether they should throw it out or contact our school, and fortunately they contacted us,” MacAyeal said. “It’s a wonderful artifact.”

There were dozens of student signatures in the front pages. Beside their names, signers listed their life’s ambitions. While many wrote that they wanted to get married and become rich, several others commented that their life’s ambition was to sleep.

“Those are the kind of details that show you what it was like to be a student here in the 1920s,” said MacAyeal.

She pointed out that the LFA archives have received several other recent donations.

Richard Jaros ’70 donated 1960s LFA hats and his football letters, which spelled out “undefeated 1966”. She also said that another woman donated pictures of Ferry Hall that she found in the attic of a new home she was moving into. MacAyeal added that alumni often donate artifacts during reunions.

“People just find things that come from our history,” she said.

On October 17th the Archives club, overseen by co-advisors MacAyeal and fellow Librarian Ashley Kolovitz, set up a display in Corbin near the Dean of Students Office.

It happens every school year.

The hard work that Academic Office Manager Helen Delaney puts in to scheduling classes for all 435 LFA students, as well as 69 teachers, was blown away within the first month of school. As lines to meet with her extended beyond the doors of her office this year, Delaney worked fervently to accommodate every student and faculty member with scheduling problems while trying to balance class sizes and work loads.

“When school opens, I have had the summer to work on [scheduling classes], and that is what I do all summer long,” said Delaney. “Usually the day before school opens, everything looks pretty good. But then the first day of school happens, and it all gets blown apart.”

The hardest thing about rescheduling classes for students, according to Delaney,

Campus News In this space, The Spectator provides further details on ongoing and upcoming events at Lake Forest Academy Compiled by Amy Krivoshik

Heated Sidewalks

Photo by Amy Krivoshik

Archives Club members Ella Ekstrom and Madeline Widjaja helped put the 1920s scrapbook and other artifacts on display in Corbin.

“It’s really cute,” said sophomore Madeline Widjaja, a member of the archives club who helped with the display.

“The color photos in the display go really well with the black and white photos.”

The scrapbook was not the only artifact that the Archives club put on display.

An old blazer and historical photos of LFA students and the campus were also exhibited.

“I like comparing all the students throughout the years and the different outfits and customs,” remarked sophomore Ella Ekstrom, a member of the Archives

club who also helped put up the display.

The Archives club was planning to set up the display to celebrate National Archives Month. The addition of the scrapbook just in time for this was, in their opinion, a lucky coincidence.

“Recieving something is like looking through a storefront window,” commented senior Sean Clavey, another Archives Club member. “We get to see into these people’s lives, see how they interacted, where they hung out, what they did for fun.”

is the understandable unwillingness of the students to make major changes to their previously set schedules.

“They get very attached to their schedules within the first 30 seconds they have them in their hands. They do not even have to know the teacher and they get connected to that schedule, and so they do not want to make other changes,” said Delaney.

This year, in particular, posed an unusual challenge to scheduling classes. As a result of a large amount of students dropping the Algebra/Precalculus Advanced (APA) class and replacing it with Algebra II, Delaney had to create a whole new Algebra II class. However, it was not as simple as adding a new class. Many students who did not have a problem with their classes had to involuntarily change their schedules in order to accommodate those who dropped APA. “When I first saw the change, I got very irritated since there was no warning and we did not get a say in the matter,” said soph-

omore Caroline Miller, an Algebra II student who had to have her entire schedule redone. “Now I am fine with the change, but I wish we would have at least gotten an e-mail explaining why we were switched.”

Junior Brett Hanebrink was happy with his former schedule, which included a couple of free first and eighth periods, but understands that this scheduling change was in the students’ best interests.

“Sometimes you have to make do with what comes your way. Things changed and I am just trying to work in a positive direction,” said Hanebrink.

Overall, Delaney says that this year was no more difficult than the previous 24 years she had served at the Academy.

“We had a year where a couple of weeks before school opened, we lost all of our data and we had to go back and reenter everything into the system,” said Delaney with a smile on her face. “That was a little nerve-racking.”

New school year poses challenges for Delaney

By Michael Phillips News Editor

3

LFA installed now-functioning heated sidewalks at the new entrance to Corbin to lesson the icy burden of this upcoming winter.

“We were afraid of people falling,” said Chief Financial Officer Andrew Kerr. “This is really the only relatively angled, steep sidewalk…We clear the snow and ice promptly, making it a safer, drier space for everyone to walk.”

Heated sidewalks have been gaining popularity word-wide, especially in New York, Norway, and Sweden, The Gazette confirmed.

“The ultimate Chicago luxury these days is the January sidewalk that behaves as if it’s in the Bahamas,” the Chicago Tribune reported.

Specifically, LFA installed a twenty-four hour censor detecting moisture on the heated sidewalks.

After it senses temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or the presence of rain it will heat up the concrete and melt any ice that’s on it in approximately 15 minutes.

“It’s the same concept as a toaster,” said Kerr. “If you look at the big toaster down [in Hutch], those are coils of wire that are heated high enough that they glow. These are much thicker wires so they don’t glow but they get warm and then that warmth dissipates into the concrete. ”

Crane used to transport robotics equiptment

Photo by Ned Kennedy

A crane was used to move a piece of robotics equipment reportedly weighing more than a ton.

THE SPECTATOR 4

News

Clubs offer opportunities for LFA students to explore individual interests

By Kristen VanTine News Editor

LFA is being introduced to a wide variety of new clubs this year. Returning students, transfer students, and freshmen have all contributed new club ideas, providing LFA students with exposure to unique experiences, resources to learn more material about subject matter, and service work opportunities.

There are now more than 60 clubs at LFA. Nineteen of those clubs are new this year. From Open Mic Club to Science Olympiad, there are more clubs that come from a more diverse set of interests.

“Students feel empowered to start something that they feel passionate about and find others who are also passionate about it,” said Assistant Dean of Students Kate Jones, “and we hope students aren’t just doing clubs for their college resumes.

Hopefully the clubs have meaning to students and are about something that they strive to bring to the community.”

Jones oversees the creation of LFA clubs.

She also organizes events for clubs such as Club Fair at the beginning of the year.

Some clubs have more difficulty in getting started than others. According to Jones, prefects will monitor clubs this year.

In other words, prefects are trying to make sure clubs get help getting off the ground and feel supported establishing themselves in the community. The prefects will be problem-solvers for clubs that run into start-up issues.

Additionally, there will be another Club Fair in January to give the clubs that have not become active the opportunity to become active, as well as an opportunity for students to get involved in more clubs.

There has been a significant increase in service clubs and clubs aimed toward raising awareness for others with mental and physical disabilities this year. Some of these clubs include Erika’s Lighthouse, GLASA, and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Change of Mind is among the new service-oriented clubs with a purpose of raising awareness about mental disabilities that is being started this year. Sophomores Samantha Longley and Tori Koontz will act as co-presidents of the club.

“We bring awareness to people with mental disabilities,” Koontz explained, “and we fundraise for organizations that assist those who are disabled.”

Koontz decided to start the club because she has an interest in helping people with mental disabilities. Her inspiration to help the mentally challenged stemmed from growing up with her autistic brother.

Incoming freshman Sandra Shaw expressed an interest in many of the new clubs.

“As a freshman, I was very excited to enter a school with such a wide range of clubs. It’s so nice to be at a school that has such a large number of ways to get involved and passionate about subject matter,” said Shaw who joined one of the new clubs, Erika’s Lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of Cathy Morrison

Senior Emily Shanley Roberts shows off her booth for Sailing Club at last year’s Club Fair.

OCTOBER 31, 2013

Photo courtesy of Dr. Stephen Johnson

Dr. Stephen Johnson plans to lead a Spring Break trip to Spain where Spanish architecture and history will be important themes throughout their travels.

Spring Break trips announced

By Kristen VanTine News Editor LFA’s Spring Break trips this year will take students to London, Switzerland, China, Spain, and Holland, among other places. The sheer variety of trips offered to students reflects the varying interests of the LFA student body as Spring Break this year will run from March 8 to March 23. Different trips will occur at different days throughout the break.

Trips that have been approved include a Spanish immersion and culture trip, a French culture trip, the Head of School Symposium trip, a China and Taiwan trip, and a United Kingdom trip. Some of these trips are only available to students who are enrolled in particular classes.

There are academically-oriented trips, and others that are more recreational with a focus about learning about a different culture and way of life. The non-class based trips involve service, sightseeing, history, and other components. On some trips, students have the opportunity to visit another country’s high school.

“We’re trying to make sure the trip offerings are reasonable--financially and logistically,” Tennyson said.

Even though a number of trips will be made available to students, trips will only happen if enough students demonstrate interest.

“That’s the beauty of LFA; we have the liberty to introduce many ideas and see if there is any interest those new ideas.”

The trip to Spain is open to all LFA students.

It’s an educational and recreational trip.

Most of the trip will be spent in the city Malaga. Students will spend time at the Malaca Instituto in which they will take immersion Spanish classes in the mornings.

The group will get to go on excursions to other cities and experience the Spanish culture and sight-see in the afternoons.

“We will observe the high-bred nature

of Spanish architecture that contains layers of Spanish history,” said Spanish teacher Dr. Stephen Johnson. “Throughout the trip we will be observing Christian, Jewish, and Islamic architecture, and the Islamic influence on Spanish culture.”

The China and Taiwan trip will be taken

by Chinese teacher Ms. Yuan Jiang. The trip is open to Chinese students as well as students who have an interest in learning more about China. The trip will explore historical sites as well as modern locations.

A French culture trip will visit Morocco and France. The academic trip is only open to the Francophone World class, a Post-AP French class. The trip fits into the course’s curriculum of cultural identity and duality.

Assistant Dean of Curriculum Kristine Von Ogden is the teacher of the class and organizer of the trip. The students will stay with host families in Morocco and France.

Additionally, they will visit neighborhoods with large numbers of immigrants.

The Head of School Symposium will be having a trip connected to this year’s topic of technology. The trip will include Amsterdam, Switzerland, and France. In Amsterdam, students will have the opportunity to observe a Steve Jobs school for students K-8 that uses iPads in classes. The teaching style is unique as it uses technology as a primary resource for learning.

In Switzerland, students will be able to view CERN, an international physics lab in Geneva. In France, the group will visit one of the best science museums in the world and learn about the engineering behind the Eiffel Tower.

“This is a trip of a lifetime,” Science Teacher Dr. Kerry Cedegren said, “it will be nice to relax and learn about something in a special way outside of the classroom.”

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

Arts and Entertainment

Dinner and a Movie

5

Union Pizzeria is quite urban

By Justin Nakasu and Michelle Whitehead Staff Writers

Since Union Pizzeria is located a bit far away, in the heart of Evanston, we decided to bypass the wait for the pizza and order carryout like true lazy seniors. Union Pizzeria is not, however, your ordinary carry-out pizza place. We learned that the hard way when we called from the senior square to order the pizza and they said it would be ready in 15 minutes. The chaos ensued as soon as Justin hung up the phone; we ran to the car and hoped that the 33-minute drive would turn into 13. While that was not the case, the moment we walked into

the restaurant, the hostess was warm and friendly. We explained that we had gotten a bit lost on the way over (not a lie, we are both a bit directionally challenged) and she gave us our food which had been patiently waiting on the bookshelf-like structure behind the hostess stand.

For the few minutes we waited inside, the lighting and the atmosphere was very fresh and uplifting. The whole place gave off a very urban and cosmopolitan vibe with its glass panel wall and modern furniture.

There were even couches for customers like us who were too impatient to sit down but too hungry to not go.

We got in the car to head back to school and ate while driving. We shared a pepperoni and sausage pizza, which was the perfect size for two people. According

to Michelle, the sausage was perfectly made and tasted like it had been shaped by hand. It fell apart with each bite and blended marvelously with the mozzarella cheese. The oregano on top complemented the spice of the pepperoni, which sat below the cheese. The thin crust was flaky but substantial and the sauce was sweet but not overpowering. Justin personally thought it was decent; however, it was a little too dry, but the toppings made up for it. The sausage on the pizza was great, but the pepperoni made what would have a great pizza into a decent pizza. We ordered corn chowder, but between Justin’s driving skills and Michelle’s “less than average” carrying skills, it was ruined.

VERDICT: The pizza was enjoyable and the restaurant is trendy and comfortable.

“Enough” is enough, just make it stop

By Amanda Bozorgi Photo Editor Director Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said is boring.

Picture a typical romantic comedy laced with a realistic story of divorced parents trying to navigate the awkwardness of middle-aged dating. The lack of novel plot twists that make movies interesting made this movie almost unbearable.

Despite the rare moments of dry sarcasm that elicited chuckles from fellow viewers, this movie was a flop. It was an unsurprising film about a second go at love. That was it.

The plot was predictable and winding. The middle of the film struggled to progress

towards any type of conflict resolution, and the ending was obvious after the first 20 minutes of the movie. In fact, I debated leaving the movie at least 20-30 minutes before the predicted ending which, in fact, I was right about.

However, the characters in this movie were likable and relatable, although lacking much depth. James Gandolfini as the endearing Albert opposite Julia Louis Dreyfus provides a friendly personality that was easy to like in a condescending sort of way. He was like a chubby puppy you couldn’t help but feel bad for, which made the snail-like pace of the plot at least bearable at times.

Julia Louis Dreyfus as Eva, the divorced

mother looking for love but then doubting it once found, was honestly a little annoying.

Her level of comfort with and attempts to give half-baked advice to her daughter’s best friend made our skin crawl, while her own daughter stood off to the side feeling neglected. Her anxious nature and selfdoubt were overdone and frustrating, and the main cause of the plot’s inability to move forward.

Despite Gandolfini’s merits, his chemistry with Dreyfus was lackluster at best. At no point in the movie did I feel any sort of true attraction between the two, which made the dates and other romantic events in the film nearing cringe-worthy awkwardness.

Dreyfus and Gandolfini’s acting did little to convince me of the supposed infatuation between the two characters that the movie was centered on. A tangibly warm chemistry could have salvaged the dull but happy ending, but alas, it remained yawninducing.

For anyone that wants to see an interesting and amusing movie with some depth, I do not recommend “Enough Said.” Spend your money on something worthwhile.

VERDICT: Enough Said is very slow in getting to any conflict resolution, and overall not worth seeing.

Theater Review Regal Lincolnshire

- Traffic on Milwaukee Ave. to get there

- Difficult to locate - Comfortable chairs - Only somewhat friendly staff

- Not too crowded

THE SPECTATOR 6

Arts and Entertainment

LFA students star in music video for Tom Fuller Band

By Madison Olivieri A&E Editor

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Seniors Melissa Merritt and Ann Kong, the first girls to enroll in LFA’s Electronic Music course, create their project on an iPad.

Electronic Music’s era of male domination is over

By Miranda Dunne Photography Editor As the electronic music program at LFA gains popularity, there continues to be a shortage of female students enrolling in the class. Seniors Melissa Merritt and Ann Kong are the only two girls currently enrolled in Electronic Music, making the class very male-dominated.

“It’s something that I’ve noticed, and it’s something that I’ve tried to get rid of, and encourage more girls to be involved,” said teacher Adam Schlipmann.

Girls Like Kong and Merritt who are currently invovled in the electronic music program are examples of how Schlipmann wants to end the trend that Electronic Music is only for boys.

“I like electronic music in general, and wanted to learn more about the background of it… I’m not very good at other arts, so I wanted to find a class I didn’t have to be a natural talent at to succeed in,” said Merritt.

Kong said her passion for music drew her towards Electronic Music.

“I am going to major in music in college, so I’m just going to take music-related courses,” she said. “I play piano and guitar, but electronic music is so different from classical music, so I’m still getting used to it.”

The compositions that Electronic Music focuses on creating are not anything sim-

OCTOBER 31, 2013

ilar to what is played on the radio, or seen on the top 10 on iTunes. But a lot of current popular songs incorporate an element of electronic music.

“Electronic music is weird”, said Merritt. “I would never listen to what I’m making right now in class on an average day.”

Merritt says why she thinks the class attracts more boys than girls. ”Girls don’t take this class because the music we make isn’t anything anyone would want to listen to, for the most part.”

Although there is an imbalance at the moment, Schlipmann hopes that more girls will take an interest in electronic music and enroll in the course.

“I would hope that maybe somewhere along the line a group of girls says this is no longer going to be a male-dominated industry,” said Schlipmann. “It would be good to get more girls involved in the technology field.”

As the program moves into the new Media Commons, the new technology gives the students access to sophisticated production software to explore methods used in making electronic music.

“I think it will be typically male-dominated, but more girls will start wanting to take it especially as electronic music gets more popular. If people knew how often electronic music was used in popular songs they would want to take it more,” Merritt said.

When else have you been able to look up from watching a music video, and see the leading roles of the video walking down the hallway at your school? Sophomore Lexi Silver and senior Tyler Madeley recently took part in the Tom Fuller Band’s video for 1 + 1, a song off their soon-to-bereleased album, Don’t Ask. The Tom Fuller Band, with strong influences by Tom Petty, stopped at their home town Chicago in late August for a show. Silver’s brother, Matthew, is a director, and was asked by the band to help direct a video for a song they were to come out with soon. It called for two people to play the starring roles of a teenage couple, which Silver and Madeley were asked to fill and excitedly agreed.

“I love music and art, so that was always kind of something that I wanted to do,” said Madeley. “I never really thought of turning [the opportunity] down, and it was especially cool that I could do it with

people that I know.”.

The video’s release date has not yet been announced, but should be released this coming month. The video was shot in a period of two days, taking place at a beach, park, and tennis court in Lake Bluff. The first day of shooting, Silver and Madeley were accompanied by 15 other actors involved in the video, along with cameramen and a hair and makeup crew.

“When we got there on the first night it was a little intimidating because everybody definitely knew what they were doing, and Tyler and I didn’t… but after we realized that everyone was cool and relaxed, it was a lot of fun,” Silver stated.

Both believed that the video was a great experience, and enjoyed starring and working together in it. There could be more videos coming our way that feature LFA students, as Silver’s brother stated that he’d like Lexi to take part in more of his videos. Madeley loved taking part in the experience, and would also love to be able to partake in a video shooting again.

“When we got there on the first night it was a little intimidating because everybody definitely knew what they were doing, and Tyler and I didn’t…”

-Lexi Silver

Arcade Fire releases new interactive music video

By Madison Olivieri A&E Editor

On September 8th, Arcade Fire released a coming-of-age interactive music video for their single, Reflektor. In the video, the viewer controls the movements and actions of the characters; almost like a musical video game. The viewer has the ability to move the character around and change what they see, without actually altering the outcome of the video.

Although bands such as MGMT, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Cold War Kids -and even Arcade Fire themselves -- have done this before, Reflektor digs deeper than psychedelic images flashing across the screen. The utilization of advanced technology to film the video juxtaposes the Haitian voodoo-inspired content, and branches out further than past interactive videos have.

Arcade Fire spent the last two years traveling, playing shows, and writing. The band’s time spent in Jamaica and Haiti was a life- changing experience, and they

believe the music on their new album will be altered by that experience. The release date for their new album (also named Reflektor) is October 29th, and features James Murphy of LCD Soundsytem and David Bowie.

Mr. Keith Cameron of the LFA IT Department shared that although the technology used to create the video is advanced, a student with computer skills at LFA could create a rough version of a similar video within a few weeks. While LFA is becoming more technologically involved, the music industry is as well.

Cameron offered insight into what this meant.

“Bands are finding that the Internet is a great way to get their name out. It’s a way to utilize viral marketing companies, and it’s a great way to gain publicity. I’d like to see more bands doing this, and it is possible that they will,” he stated.

Since the LFA community’s technological advancements resonate with advancements around them, enhancing simple school projects with technology of a similar but smaller sort could be a possibility.

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

Arts and Entertainment

7

From printer to 3-D

By Rebecca Rhee A&E Editor

Throughout the years, Lake Forest Academy has upgraded its campus into a technological institution of education. Technology has been a vital resource for students to help them carry out their educational journey in a more efficient, easier way. iPads for all students and faculty were introduced into the school three years ago and have become part of everyday life. This year a 3D printer has been added to the LFA technological resources and it is already seeing heavy use.

So what are the benefits of adding a 3D printer to a fast-paced, technologically savvy academy like LFA. “From artificial prosthetics, to human kidneys to edible food, it is clear that 3D printing is

a technology that is rapidly growing--why wouldn’t we invest in something that is not only transforming education, but the world we live in?” stated Media Instructor Ashley Kolovitz.

The 3D printer – also known as the Makerbot Replicator 2X--is a form of technology that lets one take a digital file and turn it into a physical object. The 3D printer uses a type of additive process, where successive layers of ABS filament are layered on top of each other in order to create a shape. T h e Makerbot Replicator 2X is available for class projects, instructional use, and individual student use. Additionally, guidelines were sent out via email to both students and staff on how exactly to print from the 3D printer.

Opinions around the school from students about the printer are predominately positive.

Photo by Rebecca Rhee

Junior Amanda Bozorgi experiments with the 3D printer in the Media Commons.

“There are two truly awe-inspiring things about the 3D printer: very little experience is required to operate it, and the sheer amount of uses,” said Sean Clavey, LFA’s own iPad ambassador.

The amount of use may be because of the printer’s ease of use.

One needs to simply draw

their objects and email their request to print their creation.

It will take between 2-5 days for an object to print, depending on the queue. The 3D printer is open to everyone, but priority will be towards instructional use and school projects.

“The ability of turning your idea turn into a physical object

will help students broaden their imagination, improve their design skills and help prepare them for their future in the various fields of architecture, fashion, engineering, medicine and science,” said Kolovitz.

Youth Shakespeare program works to inspire students throughout Chicago

By Amanda Bozorgi Photo Editor Manon Spadaro, a former drama teacher at several grade schools as well as The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University, recently decided to bring the gift of Shakespeare to a more diverse group of students

throughout the Chicago Area with her new non-profit organization, Chicago Youth Shakespeare (CYS).

The program, recently founded in March, strives to encourage high-school-aged students to not only enjoy Shakespeare, but find self-confidence and develop performance and speaking skills

through the work of the famous playwright.

Stanton Cope, a junior at LFA, acted in Spadaro’s plays in middle school and is a supporter of the program.

“CYS is a fantastic organization that gives kids a way to get involved in the theater,” said Cope.

CYS not only gives students

Photo courtesy of Chicago Youth Shakespeare Sophomore James Roszypal emotes as Caliban in Manon Spadaro’s rendition of The Tempest.

the opportunity to try out for the company and put on performances, but also to advance their acting skills through workshops.

These workshops, beginning this month, are taught by expert clinicians and teachers from throughout the Chicago area. They are open to anyone interested, including teachers and high school students, and focus on honing skills of Shakespeare performance such as stage fighting and text analysis.

The program is working with the gritty and exciting Back Room Shakespeare Project for this fall’s series of workshops.

High schools such as Woodlands, Lake Forest High School, and our own LFA have become involved with CYS. The program’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts are all managed by students such as LFA sophomores India Shelley, Georgia Hale, and Sophia Platcow. Sophomores Grace Hale and James Roszypal head the CYS club at LFA. Hale explains what the club does and where it is heading in the future.

“There’s two parts to the club,

the Battle of the Bard and the actual company, and I think both will expand. The Battle of the Bard is what kids seem to be into and what they want to help with,” said Hale.

The Battle of the Bard is the Shakespeare competition in the Chicago area hosted by CYS where high school teams are judged as they go through five rounds of slam-style competition. Competition includes an insult slam as well as a sonnet slam. High school teams can also choose to raise money for an underfunded school in Chicago.

Hale participates in the program individually by raising awareness and working on publicity. She has posted flyers and posters all over the LFA campus, and works to get more students involved.

“I’ve done a lot with publicity and getting people from Interlochen Arts Camp, people I’ve known there, and seeing what students from this area would like to audition and going around helping putting up signs at places like Starbucks,” said Hale.

THE SPECTATOR 8

Opinion and Editorial

Personal Opinion

OCTOBER 31, 2013

Homecoming goes above and beyond

By Allison Hechtman Op-Ed Editor A tent. Our whole school in one, tiny tent? That can’t end well.

But guess what: it worked. Not only did it simply work, that tent worked well. With 299 tickets sold and probably even more students attending, September 28th’s Homecoming Dance was a success. The dance floor, while a little bit too small to hold everyone, was much preferable to the grass I was expecting.

I had low expectations for this year’s Homecoming. The previous two venues, the dance center and Cressey lobby, had been plenty of fun. I was worried that the tent would be too cold, due to Chicago’s weather, or too hot if all the walls on the tent were down. Luckily, the tent provided a perfect mix of enjoying a slight cool breeze while everyone was dancing. Additionally, the

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Lake Forest Academy’s Homecoming Dance was held in a tent between the football field and Warner.

forecast was for rain. I did not want Homecoming to be rained out– would anyone?– and I was concerned that the outdoor venue would be restricted by poor weather. However, as the night went on, the skies remained clear and starry.

The music at Homecoming

Personal Opinion

was phenomenal. I love how LFA uses student DJs rather than hiring crews from outside.

The DJs listen to and respect our requests for certain songs and know what the student body is listening to better than an outside company would.

“I love DJing student dances,”

says junior Grant Ekstrom. “It’s fun for me to practice doing something I love, plus the generally positive feedback from students and faculty is awesome.”

The theme this year, Highlighter, had some great effects. The black lights were incredible. From outside the tent,

the student body glowed white and various other neon colors.

It was fun and easy to dress for.

Decorations at Homecoming are never too elaborate, but the neon candy scattered across the tables did the trick. They were a cute, sweet, and useful adornment throughout the tent.

The seniors’ anti-theme, blackout, stuck out noticeably, as it should. Many senior girls wore hot pink baseball caps with “SENIOR” written on the forehead. Senior boys opted for black masks.

“The theme turned out pretty well. It’s always been a tradition to do anti-theme, and it was simple and fun to plan a blackout,” said senior Carter Snyder.

Despite high doubts and low expectations, LFA’s 2013 Homecoming was a success.

Props to Student Council for doing a great job acting under pressure to produce a fun time.

Keep calm and run on

By Michelle Whitehead Editor-in-chief

When I heard through the grapevine that Indoor Track had been cut from the roster of winter sports, I sprinted to the athletic director ready to yell and scream and whine my head off.

I was convinced that not having Indoor Track would be the worst thing to happen to my senior year; I could practically see my times getting slower before my

eyes. After learning that Indoor Track had been changed – not cut -- and the reasons for the changes, however, I am a bit more behind the new (and improved?) Indoor Track program.

The biggest change coming our way is that athletes will no longer be required to train five days a week. While Coach Joe Ward plans to hold practice four or five days a week, the required practice time will be three days a week, keeping with Lake Forest Academy’s policy about PEs.

Photo courtesy of Vicente Nagel

Junior Vicente Nagel races at Carthage College’s indoor track.

Yes, Indoor Track (or whatever it will now be called) is a PE this year. This means that athletes will have a place to train for Outdoor Track with coaches but no varsity credit will be awarded. Like every other PE offered at LFA, athletes must log 20 sessions in order to receive sports credit.

Keeping with a tradition that Ward began last year, the team will rent out the indoor track at Carthage College one weekend during the season to host an intra-squad meet. As for any other meets Ward decides to register for, the athletes have an option to go, and they would be running as individual runners, not as representatives of LFA. According to Athletic Director Darrin Madeley, there are three main reasons for the changes to Indoor Track this year.

“Number one: the Illinois season starts February 19th , which is when our season ended,” Madeley said. “Number two: We do not have an indoor facility. Running through the halls and up and down Cressey stairs

Photo courtesy of usatf.com

Runners James Paige and Will Stewart prepare to start a race.

was causing too many issues for the athletes physically. We don’t have a safe environment to run an indoor program. Number three: To get a varsity letter you have to be able to go to a varsity meet. At the USA Track and Field meets, we weren’t representing Lake Forest Academy.

They were individual runners.”

While these changes may be difficult to get used to at first,

they will ultimately benefit our runners. The winter season will be dedicated to training for Outdoor, giving the serious runners an opportunity to train without the pressure of a full competitive season. I was a bit skeptical at first but I am now looking forward to spending my winter season with Coach Ward and the team.

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

Opinion and Editorial

Editorial

T h e

number of classrooms linked to Apple TV. Its interface was not designed with a school, and therefore many TVs, in mind. Teachers and students often discuss difficulty connecting to the system or suddenly dropping the feed.

In the classroom, Apple TV is incredibly useful for movies and videos. YouTube clips and other informative shows are projected on the screen at the front of the classroom, and it allows the teacher to easily pause, rewind, or fast forward using iPad controls.

Notes are also easily projected from the iPad to the board, rather than with a computer.

This allows more mobility in the classrooms because teachers and students can move around and easily maintain a connection to the program.

“Apple TV is really useful on group projects,” says junior Carly Thomas. “I can email

presentations off of my iPad to anyone in my group, and when it is time to present, I can easily project slideshows using Apple TV. It saves time because I don’t have to tell teachers when to switch slides; I can do it myself on the iPad.” Apple TV is no doubt a powerful tool in the classroom. Its recent kinks have made it difficult for people to see that, but almost every teacher, from science to history, utilizes the product for many classes. We spend too much time complaining about the kinks to appreciate the benefit of Apple TV. Apple TV is a great tool for learning and for use in homes and classrooms. Once LFA figures out this small bump in the road, hopefully everyone at LFA can learn to embrace Apple TV for the usefulness it truly provides.

Caxy Rant: Atlass bathrooms

By Matt Filip Op-Ed Editor

The Atlass dorm bathrooms are a mess. It’s not unlivable, but it’s a constant annoyance. Several stalls don’t lock, water pressure in the showers is shaky at best, and students take poor care cleaning up after themselves.

In my quad, arguably half of the showers are used regularly, with the others remain last-minute options. Only two of the four bathroom stalls lock.

One of the stall doors doesn’t even close. Hair in the sinks and drain is a common sight on the weekend, as is urine on the seats or toilet paper left down on the seats. It’s just frustrating to wake up in the morning and have to wipe hair away to set your toothbrush down, have to pray someone doesn’t open the stall while you’re in it, and then have to wait five minutes for the good shower to open up. One of the downstairs quads has a periodic flooding problem, and has for quite some time.

F o r e s t

A c a d e m y

S P E C TAT O R

Apple TV is a useful classroom tool More recently, complaints about problems with Apple TV have been circulating around the school. People have wondered why we use it because it seems so unreliable. However, The Spectator believes that Apple TV is incredibly useful– as long as it works. When working properly, Apple TV connects teachers and students wirelessly with other classroom technology and various other Apple products, tying our iPads more closely with the school’s digital curriculum.

In 2011, LFA began its iPad initiative program. iPads were very useful due to their small size and all-purpose apps. The iPad program really began to shine with the introduction of Apple TV because teachers did not have to switch off between computers linked into the projector and iPads. Apple TV helped to modernize LFA. The problem LFA faces is the

L a k e

9

STAFF LIST Editors-in-Chief

Managing Editor Senior News Editor News Editors Senior Features Editors Features Editors

Sports Editors Arts & Entertainment Editors Op-Ed Editors

Humor Editor Photo Editors Faculty Adviser

Margaux Boles Mary Kate Patton Jenna Selati Michelle Whitehead Emily Shanley-Roberts Amy Krivoshik Romaer Chopra Michael Phillips Kristen Van Tine Justin Nakasu James Paige Yakov Shapiro Sophie Hanson Ayo Ifatunji Yousuf Kadir Aban Yaqub Brandon Amoroso Ned Kennedy Jordan Wolff Rebecca Rhee Madison Olivieri Matt Filip Allison Hechtman Andrew Halvorson Amanda Bozorgi Miranda Dunne William Murphy

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Spectator welcomes responses to its articles in the form of Letters to the Editors in addition to letters on subjects of the author’s choosing. Please e-mail Letters to the Editors to Mr. Murphy at wmurphy@lfanet.org.

Letter to the Editor:

Generous Alumnus Gift Spectator Editors,

Photo by Ned Kennedy

Atlass bathroom floors and walls are coated in a thin layer of grime.

Don’t get me wrong, it is by no means horrific; it’s just a consistent nuisance we learn to deal with daily. One just gets tired of having to do so. Some of it is easily fixable. The bathroom stalls, for example, are pretty much replaceable. The water pressure would probably require some serious construction work; I’m not holding out hope for that.

The most easily made change would just be for people to clean

up after themselves, though. Just cleaning up your hair after you cut it, leaving toilet seats clean, and even flushing would make life easier for all of us. The cleaning staff does an excellent job of keeping everything clean, but they don’t work weekends, and we all know how bad it can get. Long weekends can be particularly bad. It’s relatively fixable, everyone knows it’s a problem, and we should change that.

I was very impressed by the September 27, 2013 issue of the Spectator. The articles and opinion pieces were thoughtful, well written, and covered a wide range of recent developments at LFA as well as faculty and student activities. I do, however, want to add one important piece of information related to the article on the new Media Commons. As you reported, the transformation of Lower Corbin was made possible by generous contributions made by trustees, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff at the annual Spring Gala. It should be noted, though, that all Gala contributions were matched by a gift from alumnus and board member Jim Cowart, ’69. Mr. Cowart came to LFA from Texas and went on to attend Pomona College and has enjoyed great success in business. He has supported his high school alma mater not just with financial contributions but also as a thoughtful and committed member of the board of trustees and as a regular visitor to LFA economics classes. He played a key role in making possible the transformation of Lower Corbin.

Thank you for all your work in making the Spectator an outstanding student newspaper.

Bill Dolbee Associate Head of School

THE SPECTATOR

Arts and Entertainment

10

Submission Two

By Perculiar Adimabua Class of 2016 One night, I was very tired and decided to go bed earlier than usual.

I took a shower, put on my pajamas and went straight to bed. Before I sleep, I always imagine myself doing impossibly awesome things like dunking a basketball, riding a unicorn, flying without wings, and being invisible when I want to. Slowly my eyes closed and I fell asleep. All of a sudden, my alarm rang and I realized that it was seven o’clock in the morning on an F day. On F days, I have a lot of free periods, which meant that today I would have time to finish all of my homework before my basketball game at 4 p.m. This made me super excited. After school, I headed back to my dorm to get ready for my game.

When I looked at the clock it was 4 p.m. I realized that my game was going to start very soon. I rushed to locker room to get ready and, out of nowhere, my opponent team singing “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke. I thought it was kind of weird.

I got ready and went to the court to join my team for a warm-up before the game. In the first quarter, we were leading with two points, and in the second quarter the opponent team was leading with one point. The game was getting tougher each quarter, which made us work harder during the third quarter. My team started playing good defense, and this made the opponent team lose the ball, and we scored.

Suddenly, they got the ball. The opponent team had a good player who broke our defense and lead to a fast break that was thrown toward me. I decided to set a charge on her because she was coming straight to me, and I stood there waiting for her to hit me so that a charge will be called. She ran into me with her elbows out and hit me with her elbows on my temple and immediately I fell to the floor. I stood up feeling very dizzy and mad.

After I got up, I noticed that no one was looking at me, they were looking downward. I looked down to see what they were looking at, and it was me lying on the floor. I was surrounded

by people crying, police and teachers.

The gym was filled with students and, at that moment, I realized I had just died. I tried talking to people but no one could see me. Tears were coming out of my eyes when I saw my body on the floor. I started hearing a very loud sound that like a trumpet, which made me open my eyes. It was just my regular 7 a.m. alarm waking me up. At first, I was so confused. It took a few minutes for me to understand that it was just a dream and that I was still alive.

It was F-Day and I had bunch of free periods. I finished my homework before school ended. I was so surprised and glad that I finished all my homework because I had a home game at 4:30 p.m. I went to dorm, got ready and went to the gym. When I got there, I heard my opponent team, the same set of girls, singing the same song they sang in my dream. Immediately I looked at the time and it was 4 p.m.

My brain started flashing back to my dream. I was terrified. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I changed immediately and went to warm up with my team. We started the game.

We won the first quarter by two points, and we lost the second by one point. At the end of the second quarter I was shocked by how things were going and I was so scared. It was time for the third quarter, and at that point I didn’t have a choice but to lie to my coach and say that I wasn’t feeling strong enough to start the game. He persuaded me to start. I could not explain to him why that wasn’t a good idea. Eventually, I decided to go in.

We started off with good defense and scored a basket. Because the game was tough, I had to concentrate, which made me forget about my dream. It was the other team’s ball, and they played a trick which outsmarted our defense. This lead to a fast break which was thrown toward me, and I ran to intercept the ball. Unfortunately, my opponent caught it before me, and at that moment I had a flash back to how I died. I dodged her elbow and heard the sound of a whistle, which was a call from the referee saying it was a charge. I ran to the referee immediately and hugged him.

OCTOBER 31, 2013

SCARY S

The Spectator asked Lake Fores their original horror/ghost sto three stories, as chosen by The S this page along with ghost stori and the Lake

Submission One

By Faiz Aboobacker Class of 2014

We opened the door. The house we were entering certainly deserved to be called haunted. There was only one floor, no basement and no attic.

The house reportedly had only four rooms: the living room, the bedroom, the kitchen, and the study. The house’s paint had long since faded, the windows were shattered, and its entire left side was collapsed where the kitchen used to be. The house in general was unstable and sure to fall under its own weight. It was a 1700s house that had been abandoned long ago because of all the owners that had inexplicably died. Our small town had been visited by detectives extraordinaire, expert forensic scientists and master Ghostbusters alike, but even these “professionals” were at a loss to explain the creepy deaths. They had found no clues, no fingerprints, and no otherworldly presence; the house simply defied explanation, supernatural or scientific.

The day I decided to explore the infamous house with my best friend had a familiar air to it; however, I couldn’t place the feeling. Allan was undoubtedly still wondering how

I had convinced him to come. We entered the house and explored the living room first. It was a homely but chilly place; it was the end of fall after all. The cabinets were empty and so were the drawers. We moved to the bedroom. There was a king sized bed with no mattress and the window shone moonlight into the room, glinting off the cobwebs and various spiders in the room. We quickly moved away and stepped into the study. It was bare; all the shelves were empty and all the furniture torn as if a wild creature had gotten in. The tears looked too large for any worldly animal to inflict. I saw my shadow flicker unnaturally and immediately bent over in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Allan said in alarm. From the deep abyss of my mind, a cold but welcoming and familiar form had enveloped me, and I was left speechless and in turmoil.

Suddenly I stood straight, my mind at peace. I placed the familiar air of the dark to the night my parents had been murdered. The murderer had never been caught.

“What’s wrong?” Allan repeated. I smiled, showing my fangs, giving him one moment to realize, and I pounced.

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

Arts and Entertainment

STORIES

st Academy students to submit ories to a competition. The top Spectator staff, are included on ies from Lake Forest Academy e Forest area.

Submission Three

By Tyler Madeley Class of 2014 She sat in her bed alone. Her husband was away on business and she was lonely. Her little girl lay asleep in the next room. She wished that she could rest her eyes for even a moment, but she just couldn’t. She turned on the TV and flipped to the news. It was the same old thing until they brought up a murder that had just happened. The killer was said to have struck in seven towns that month and his whereabouts were still unknown. The next part was so disturbing to her that she had to turn off the TV. This sick, sadistic man left only the head of the victim and took the body. It turned her blood cold. If only her husband was there to hold her. Just as she shut her eyes to try and sleep again, her daughter started to cry.

She usually cried at night, but she

stopped so quickly this time. Confused as to why her daughter was so quiet now, she went into her room.

She said, “honey, what’s wrong?”

Her daughter replied, “I had a scary dream, but that’s ok, daddy held my hand and sung me a lullaby. Everything’s ok now, mommy.” Just then, the closet door creaked. It’s pretty safe to assume what happened next.

A day or two later, her husband came home. It was late. He walked through the door with a grin and a present. He was happy to be home and went upstairs to find his wife. He saw her lying in bed. She looked asleep and, from under the covers, only her head showed. He didn’t want to wake her, so he fell asleep next to her over the sheets.

Morning came and he gave her a kiss, but she didn’t wake up. After all, it’s hard to wake up without your body.

An LFA Ghost Writer I couldn’t scream,” he said.

To him, it felt as though someone had sat down on the bed, although no one was there. Then, instantaneously, the cross dropped.

“It felt like it lasted for two minutes but it probably lasted twenty seconds,” he said.“I freaked out…It was unsettling. It was not fun. It felt invasive.”

Like many others, Jones believed he encountered a ghost. According to a Columbia Broadcasting System survey, forty eight percent of the American population said they believe in ghosts.

Photo courtesy of Amy Krivoshik

A Lake Forest Academy ghost-in-residence: former professor Peter Ouroussoff

By Amy Krivoshik News Editor History teacher Justin Jones was in bed in his upper Reid apartment

11

in Autumn, 2006 when he felt the cross on the opposite side of his neck tugging. He swatted it.

“I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t talk.

He said he used to hear unexplainable noises in his apartment.

“We would hear footsteps all the time,” he said,“like an older person walking who doesn’t pick up their feet.”

Jones said he suspected that he knew the identity of the ghost he possibly encountered.

“I’m pretty sure it was Peter

Ouroussoff,” he said.

Ouroussoff was an LFA professor who allegedly died in Reid Hall.

He was an author as well, and his memoir Reminiscences of a Vanished Age 1904-1920 is located in the LFA library. According to the biography located in the “About the Author” section of his book, Ouroussoff lectured Russian history and Modern European history.

After his unsettling encounter, Jones told his wife, Kate Jones.

The following day he informed his brother. It took him weeks to tell anyone else.

It is unclear to Jones what significance the cross had.

“It could have been [significant],” said Jones.“I’m not super religious.”

When asked about LFA ghost stories in general, Jones pointed out that some were outlandish rumors.

“I do firmly believe there are spirits or entities on campus,” he added.

THE SPECTATOR

Features

A fresh look at LFA

12

By Ayorinde Ifatunji

HOW TO READ THIS PAGE:

Features Editor

The students were asked a series of questions about their first impressions of LFA. This page features both the questions and responses. The questions as asked are presented in regular typeface while the answers as given during the interview are presented in bold typeface. The students interviewed came from different grades and backgrounds and their experiences were different from interview to interview.

Every year LFA greets a wide array of new students from all different backgrounds, eager to begin their journey on our campus. Every year there are new students in all classes and they each add to the chemistry at LFA. This month, The Spectator interviewed a handful of these new students in hopes of summing up their opinions on their experiences so far at the school.

Will Everett: Freshman Q: What’s your favorite thing about LFA so far?

A: The smaller class sizes are very helpful to my learning style.

A: It’s more focused on you, and you can stand out more.

Q: What was your biggest transition?

A: Being more independent. It’s very similar to a college lifestyle

Q: What was your biggest transition?

A: Probably the workload.

Q: Why did you come to LFA?

Q: Why did you come to LFA?

A: I’d be in a supportive environment with people who have the same goals as myself.

A: Half was for the academics and the other half was for hockey, which is topnotch here.

Charlie Filip: Sophomore

Katie Burpee: Senior

Q: What’s your favorite thing about LFA so far?

Q: What’s your favorite thing about LFA so far?

A: People are very welcoming.

A: Having free periods and the teachers are more lenient.

Q: What’s the biggest change coming from your previous school?

A: It’s much bigger than my old school and a lot more diverse.

A: Getting used to the workload.

There’s a lot more work here.

Q: Why did you come to LFA? A: I thought I would have a lot of opportunities that I wouldn’t have at another school.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about LFA so far?

Q: What’s the biggest change coming from your previous school?

A: I have a lot more friendships here than I would at my previous school and it’s so diverse here.

Q: What was your biggest transition?

Angela Lin: Junior

A: Everyone is very supportive here.

Q: What’s the biggest change coming from your previous school?

Q: What’s the biggest change coming from your previous school?

OCTOBER 31, 2013

Diago Quinn: Junior Q: What’s your favorite thing about LFA so far?

A: Being able to do what I want outside of school.

Q: What’s the biggest change coming from your previous school?

A: The diversity. There was no diversity at my last school.

Eli Kuli: Freshman

Q: What was your biggest transition?

A: Being away from home and having to take care of things myself.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about LFA so far?

Q: Why did you come to LFA?

A: My favorite things are the diversity, being able to board, and the sense of community.

A: After treatment for my eating disorder, it was highly recommended that I change schools for a change of environment.

Q: What’s the biggest change coming from your previous school?

A: The biggest change is the workload.

A: A more rigorous curriculum.

Q: What was your biggest transition?

Q: What was your biggest transition?

A: Living on campus. I really miss home.

A: The communal bathrooms.

Q: Why did you come to LFA? A: For a better education and basketball.

Q: Why did you come to LFA?

Photos by Amanda Bozorgi and Rebecca Rhee

A: Because it seemed like a lot of fun, a great academic experience, and my dad went here so I wanted to continue the tradition.

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

Features

13

Harvard professor to visit LFA

By Aban Yaqub Features Editor Nationally-renowned inorganic chemist Dr. Dan Nocera will be visiting Lake Forest Academy as an upcoming speaker as part of this year’s technology centered Head of School Symposium entitled “Tomorrow’s World: Science and Technology.” After receiving his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (more commonly known as CalTech), Nocera joined the faculty at Michigan State University, where he taught LFA’s very own teacher, Dr. Kerry Cedergren, in Group Theory for Chemistry.

As one of his past students, Cedergren recounts Nocera as a “creative genius” who has “never been intimidated” to see beyond the limits and truly thinks outside the box. According to Cedergren, his true passion for science and his vivid enthusiasm for learning are qualities that radiated from him as a remarkable professor.

During his time working as a chemistry professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Nocera, along with his colleagues, announced in 2007 the development of an artificial leaf, relating to photosynthesis. He developed the potential energy source at Sun Catalytix, the company he founded in 2011.

The company “was founded to discover and develop new earth abundant materials for energy conversion processes.”

The leaf is intended to produce stor-

able hydrogen and oxygen for indirectly-generated energy that can be used at night, unlike solar panels.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Characters Jesse Pinkman and Walter White relax after a hard day of cooking meth

Today’s television programs are bursting with glitz, magic, and the Kardashians screaming for attention. In 2008, the AMC drama Breaking Bad shattered the mold of the typical American TV show. The setting: a barren desert town. The main

relatively inexpensive. Nocera hopes for the leaf to make energy accessible to people all across the globe.

“He’s determined to make it something that’s affordable, for what he calls the legacy world or people that live in third-world countries,” Cedergren explained. “They don’t have access to certain things that we have, but they can still have access to energy by being able to harness the energy from the sun.”

Having published more than 200 papers and serving as the inaugural editor for the one of the most well-known and highly-ranked scientific journals, Inorganic Chemistry Communications, as well as serving as the inaugural chair of the editorial board for journal ChemSusChem, Nocera is one of the most brilliant minds in today’s world of science and innovation.

Following the founding of his laboratory Sun Catalytix, Nocera agreed to take a position at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University.

Nocera’s accomplishments in science and innovation have had him recognized with several awards, including the American Institute of Chemists Award, the MIT School of Science Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and the Inter-American Photochemistry Award in Photochemistry. Nocera is expected to speak about his artificial leaf this November during an allotted all-school meeting.

Dan Nocera, a leader in the field of biochemisty, showcases his work at LFA.

Off the Cuff

By Sophie Hanson Features Editor

While most alternative energy sources require costly manufacturing, Nocera plans for the artificial leaf to be

character: the embodiment of the antihero.

The series ended on September 29th after five successful seasons, but the depressing, gory, and often uncomfortably raw nature of the show begs the question: what drew so many people to Breaking Bad? “It was so realistic,” senior Daniela Hristev said. “The whole show was really serious.”

Breaking Bad focuses not on the lives

Breaking Bad, the show that stole our hearts and our Sunday nights of the wealthy or the happenings of a fantastical world, but on the unfortunate life of fifty-year-old Walter White, an undervalued high school chemistry teacher with the mind of a genius and lungs chock-full of cancer. Strapped for cash, and wife very pregnant, White begins to use his extensive knowledge of chemistry to earn a better income in an unusual way: cooking and selling methamphetamine. In the gritty underbelly of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Walt and his partner Jesse build an empire on their unparalleled, blue-tinted meth.

From there, it’s a string of murders, teethgrinding lies, and broken relationships.

Breaking Bad has been awarded seven Primetime Emmys since it’s inception, three Creative Arts Emmys, and a slough of other prestigious honors. In its final season, 6.4 million viewers sat down each Sunday night to watch Breaking Bad. IMDb ranks it as the number one show available on Netflix. LFA voted the show as the number two most popular show on Netflix in last month’s issue of The Spectator.

“Episode one was boring, but as you keep going it draws you in,” junior Lili Mae Kinney said.

The show drew everyone in,

myself included.

But why subject ourselves to the emotional turmoil? Why do I sit at my desk and gag as Jesse and Walt dissolve a corpse in hydrofluoric acid, then press ‘play next episode’ when the credits roll?

An article published in Scientific American suggests that it is because Breaking Bad and other stressful shows are so gut wrenching that we watch them.

“Media research suggests that we seek out hard-to-watch shows because it makes us feel more competent and in control during emotionally difficult situations.” Elizabeth L. Cohen said (Scientific American, Guest Blog).

Certainly our lives seem easier compared to Walt and Jesse’s struggles.

Or, perhaps we tuned in because it was fun to watch Walt blow stuff up in a pork pie hat.

THE SPECTATOR

Features OCTOBER 31, 2013 Plants indigenous to Illinois placed outside Science Center 14

identified by its lighter green color and its long, narrow leaves that arch outward in

Photo by Amanda Bozorgi

Sydney Doerge, a member of the Enviromental Club, examines the new grass in front of the Science Center

By Andrew Halvorson Humor Editor Indigenous plants have been added outside LFA’s new Science Center in an effort to promote environmentally sustainable practices and they enhance the new Science Center’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED credits can be earned in such categories as water efficiency, energy

efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site credits.

“Everything was locally grown,” said LFA Science Instructor Dr. Kathleen Barton. “Part of the benefit of that is the plants are very drought resistant and they won’t need to be watered after about the first two years once they’re established.”

The indigenous grass outside the building stands in stark contrast to the turf grass

located everywhere else around campus.

Turf grass requires large amounts of water and constant maintenance, while the indigenous plants promote the center’s focus on environmental sustainability by requiring almost no maintenance once established.

The new plants include two types of prairie grass, prairie dropseed and native allium, chokeberry shrubs, and Kentucky coffeetrees. Prairie dropseed can be

round tufts. The other grass, native allium, can be characterized by its darker green color and its shorter, bulkier stature. Both grasses seed in the late summer producing distinct scents. The prairie dropseed smells very similar to cilantro whereas the native allium smells like onion. The chokeberry shrub grows distinctive black berries and features green leaves which turn to a dark red in the fall season. However, it is called chokeberry for a reason. The fruit is astringent, which means it will contract the muscles in your mouth to make you pucker.

The Kentucky coffeetree remains bare for the majority of the year, and so appears to be a dead tree. The distinctive hard-shelled bean can be roasted and substituted for normal coffee but eaten raw they are toxic.

“I think it’s gorgeous. I love the natural plantings. If you look at this and realize that this has no maintenance after the first couple of years you’ll have that forever.

They flower later in the summer because they’re prairie plants so we get to see them when they are seeding. And they look nice all year round,” said Barton.

The project was completed independently of LFA. It was organized between the architect of the science center, Peter Witmer, and local landscaping company Mariani as part of its LEED certification process.

Barton added, “My hope would be that LFA works with Mariani to convert more of the area around the school buildings.”

iOS7 causes unexpected reactions in LFA community

By Yousuf Kadir Features Editor During late September, the Lake Forest Academy community went through a tremendous shift in its technology. LFA updated to Apple’s iOS 7 software. With new color palette and new typography, the new iOS software has created some buzz-both positive and negative--within the LFA community.

“They changed the original Apple design.

The new iOS 7 software looks more like an Android than an iPhone,” said junior John Oh. “It looks and feels different. I hate it.”

While some LFA students may dislike the new software, Media Instructor Ms. Ashley Kolovitz believes the new software creates better organization and functionality for students. She admits that there are a lot of new features and it may feel like getting a new device. However, Kolovitz believes that, like using a new device, it should take about a week to get used to.

“There is an opportunity for better organization with iOS7 as it allows for an infinite number of apps per folder. Before

students were limited to only 16 applications [per folder].” said Kolovitz. “There is a more powerful and effective functionality. You can quit three applications at a time by sliding upward with three fingers.

Overall I like the higher levels of customization and the improved functionality [of the iOS 7 software].”

Some LFA people agree with Kolovitz and believe the new iOS, though different, is much improved. These students believe the overall technology that Apple creates is always an improvement.

“The slide controls are better and multitasking improved” said freshman Tyler Esplin. “I like it.”

“I personally like [the iOS 7] because it is very smooth when using it.” said sophomore Caroline Miller. [However,] I do not like the new look of it.”

Though there seems to be a minor dispute between students about the relatively new software, students agree that Apple has offered more features to the user. The new iOS finally introduces the heavily anticipated iTunes Radio, where Apple product

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Senior Monterey Pepper learns how to use iOS7 on her iPad.

owners can now stream music from their favorite artists and find great new music.

There also is a new Spotlight feature which allows students to search for anything on their iPad by sliding down on their iPad with one finger. Other new features include a new Facetime “audio only” option,

a Safari Twitter feed, a new control center, and a new option to automatically update applications.

“The iOS7 can now allow you to quickly send photos, videos, and contacts using AirDrop.” said Kolovitz. ”Change is good, embrace it.”

THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 31, 2013

Features

Safe Haven program helps LFA students

15

By James Paige and Yakov Shapiro Senior Features Editors It’s a tragedy seen over and over across America. A student, going against school rules and national law, decides to have a drink at a party. That drink turns into two and, with alarming quickness, the situation spirals out of control to the point where medical intervention is required.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for those who witness the tragedy to not seek medical assistance due to fears of the strict disciplinary repercussions for drug and alcohol consumption. As a result, more than 4,700 alcohol poisoning related deaths occur every year, according to the website cdc.gov. Lake Forest Academy recognizes the dangers of such fears, so the school has an official program in place, referred to as “Safe Haven”, to provide an opportunity for students to have access to medical assistance and counseling.

“Lake Forest Academy is a zero tolerance school, meaning if you get caught consuming illegal drugs or alcohol, it’s going to likely lead to your dismissal.

However, and especially for zero tolerance schools, many private schools implement some form of Safe Haven,” said Dean of Students Chris Tennyson. “There are really two ways to enter the program: the first is if the individual identifies that he or she has an issue with substance abuse and the second is if there are enough concerns generated about a person and confirmed by a counselor, that student might be nominated for Safe Haven.”

LFA guarantees Safe Haven to students who have serious drug or alcohol dependency. No disciplinary action will be taken provided that the student abusing substances takes the initiative and seeks help which comes in the form of counseling. Progress is monitored through frequent random drug tests. Additionally, one’s entry into the program is confidential.

“LFA administers urine tests on campus during the students’ free periods and the nurse will take them to Lake Forest Hospital,” said Assistant Dean of Students Kate Jones.

A large number of LFA students, however, are simply unaware of the program and might not realize that seeking help for a fellow student will not get anyone in trouble.

“My biggest wish is just that everybody knows what the rules are,” said Jones. “ I think we, as an administration, go over it briefly with all students but I’m not confident that everybody understands what the option is. In most cases, concerned friends of students reach out to faculty in order to get that student the help he or she needs. But students need to realize that Safe Haven is not a get-out-of-jail free card.”

Misunderstandings of Safe Haven,

Photo By Amanda Bozorgi

Lake Forest Academy Associate Dean of Students Kate Jones explains the Safe Haven process to LFA Senior Miranda Dunne.

according to Jones, initially led to students attempting to abuse the system and enter Safe Haven to avoid getting in trouble, instead of seeking help with substance abuse.

“The current iteration of Safe Haven fits the school culture. Over the years we’ve clarified and modified the program to more effectively hold the line of zero tolerance and offer clinical/medical support. You cannot reactively request Safe Haven if you are caught. If you made a bad decision or recognize you are making a pattern of bad decisions, he or she can reach out to get their friend help without fearing the friend will be expelled,” clarified Jones.

Safe Haven has been set up in such a way that students must report their problem to faculty on their own initiative. If any

faculty catches a student, Safe Haven will not be given. Furthermore, police are seen as faculty as well. Students must request Safe Haven before they’ve been charged with alcohol consumption or drug use by police. LFA also has a reporting agreement with the Lake Forest Police Department, so they are aware of pending charges throughout the year.

“LFA has a medical responsibility to provide its students with a way to address alcohol or drug issues, but if you’ve been caught, you’ve been caught,” said Head of School Dr. John Strudwick. “Most boarding schools offer programs like Safe Haven. When I was at Andover, we had a program called Sanctuary. I think these aid programs are very important for the school.”

Many students wonder how entering the Safe Haven program would affect their college application process. While having gone through a rehabilitation program for substance abuse is by no means an advantage, it is not necessarily detrimental to a college application.

“A college’s biggest concern is an applicant is at emotionally, mentally, and physically. They want to ensure that a student is not still struggling with drug or alcohol issues and will not be a liability.

Colleges also want to make sure they have the resources available on campus if a student will potentially need extra support,” said Associate Dean of College Counseling Lindsay Buntman.

The Safe Haven journey: a step by step order of events from induction to Lake Forest Academy graduation

-Recognize you or your friend has a drug issue.

-Report the issue to an administrator, a faculty member or law enforcement officer before it comes to their attention and no disciplinary action will be taken.

-If you are caught by an administrator, entry to Safe Haven will be denied and you will most likely be expelled.

-Program entails regular counseling sessions and random drug testing conducted at third party facilities.

-Program completion is necessary for graduation.

-Colleges will be notified of your enrollment. Completion shows rehabilitation and maturity so your admissions decision may not be compromised.

entropica 16

the Seattle issue

In the News...

Original reporting, action news, and hard facts in the form of headlines brought to you by the Entropica team

Academy Woods citizens call cops on rustling leaves for being too loud LFA student government shuts down after debate over Clarkecare

LFA prints world’s first 3D girlfriend using 3D printer, nerdgasms ensue LFA denies claims of recruiting athletes.

Recruits team of lawyers to quelch rumors LFA administration retracts opinion that video games are art after seniors host 8-period long NHL ‘11 session Only 11 student seppuku-deaths following Common Application website crash

LFA student faces challenges after throwing roof party with two other students

LFA finishes Chinese Dictionary project, starts hot chocolate and donut project

By Justin Nakasu Senior Features Editor As times become harder and temperatures cool, LFA is beginning to turn its attention from international needs back to the needs of its own students.

After successfully smuggling Chinese dictionaries through customs in the luggage of LFA’s international students, the Chinese Dictionary Project has decided to refocus its attention.

“We’ve discovered a surprising lack of hot chocolate and donuts ever since we stopped serving hot chocolate and donuts,” said an LFA instructor in charge of the project. “We have decided to attempt to fill this lack and start serving hot chocolate and donuts.”

The profits of the hot chocolate and donuts were phenomenal

Jeep dealership mistaken for LFA parking lot

Photo taken by Amanda Bozorgi

JeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeepJeep

By Yakov Shapiro Senior Features Editor A tragic miscommunication on October 6th resulted in hundreds of LFA students coming late to school. The decision to open up a Jeep dealership on Kennedy Road near LFA resulted in massive amounts of confusion as students pulled into Goldberg’s Jeep

Exchange thinking it was a Lake Forest Academy parking lot.

“It was confusing at first, yeah, but what tipped me off was the dealership’s lack of Jeeps. I knew it couldn’t have been the LFA parking lot,” said an LFA sophomore through the removed door slot of her Jeep Wrangler.

The Goldberg Jeep dealership was opened as a response to huge

OCTOBER 31, 2013

demand for Jeeps from the LFA community. The Wrangler, an especially popular model, has been reported to have been sold out in seconds, with a year long waitlist to purchase the Wrangler.

When asked why she decided to purchase the Wrangler, an LFA sophomore said, “I decided to get them because they’re great off-road cars, so when I spin off the Caxy snake turn I can have a better off-road experience.”

Not everybody has fallen in love with the Wrangler, however. One LFA senior reported that Jeeps are too “common” as “everybody” has one. The interview with the aforementioned senior was cut short as he sped away in his 3-series, setting a drag-race record from Fitzsimmons to the Corbin circle.

Caxy Cartoon: Apple that TV

during the last school year. Data from last year’s sales indicated that the project sold more than 1000 percent of its costs to suspecting students.

“We found out that if we bought hot chocolate and donuts that students could get for a cheap price, and then sold it to the LFA community at ridiculously high prices, then we would turn a major profit,” said a member of the project.

The tradition of hot chocolate and donuts during advisories was one that many found rewarding. Many advisories found that announcements went by a lot quicker when talkative students stuffed their faces full of powdered fried dough instead of talking.

“Mmm, mmph, mmmmm, mmm.” said one such LFA student when asked their opinion on the matter.

This time around, the project’s savings will not go to a good cause such as sending dictionaries to starving children in China.

Instead, it will go towards LFA’s new initiative to put gold plated toilet seats in every bathroom.

“Our toilets right now are not even close to being gold-plated,” said a concerned LFA community member. “How do you expect us to use them if they are not goldplated?”

Students will be happy to know that hot chocolate and donuts will be staying at LFA.

Caxy Match

Photo courtesy of harrypotter.wikia.com

Photo courtesy of Mr. Nathaniel Small

Photo by Emily Shanley-Roberts

The Spectator agreed that sophomore Florian Messemer closely resembles both Mr. Nathaniel Small of the English department and Daniel Radcliffe in his iconic role as Harry Potter. This marks Entropica’s first triple Caxy Match.

THE SPECTATOR 17

Sports

OCTOBER 31, 2013

New runners contribute to success of cross country team

By Margaux Boles Editor-in-chief

The Lake Forest Academy Cross Country Girls’ Team has many new runners this

year. However, for a varsity meet there can only be seven runners and the top four have been the same all season: seniors Hallie Ventling, Vicky Zhang, Michelle White-

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Girls’ Cross Country prepares for a meet.

head, and freshman Katie Dozois.

“We have a lot of new people on the team. I think the team is doing well figuring out what cross-country is all about,” said Coach Chris Dozois. “The other varsity runners are either new to running or new to varsity so that has given us a little transition.”

The experience level for the LFA cross-country team ranges from very experienced runners to some girls who have never been able to run three straight miles.

“Figuring out how the new runners are going to fit in with the returning varsity runners is typical of every season where you have kids come in who have never run before,” said Coach Dozois. “We had a girl just last Saturday who ran her first ever three-mile race. She had never been able to run three miles all the way until last Saturday. She was not last -- she was towards the end of the group -- but got through the race.”

Ventling has been on the cross country team for the past two years and is a captain this season.

“I like being on the team because I get to know a lot of different people and every girl cares about each other,” said Ventling.

“Even though you run as an individual, being on a team with girls that motivate you to do your best is very important.”

Katie Dozois has been running since she was in 5th grade but this is her first year on varsity. Her favorite part about being on the team is that they do fun activities.

“They make you want to run,” said Katie Dozois talking about the fun activities.

Every year the cross country team attends a meet in Michigan, called the Holly Invitational, which is only for varsity runners.

“My favorite meet is the Nike Holly Invitational in Michigan because it is a difficult but rewarding course,” said Ventling.

Coach Dozois’ favorite meet is the Savage Invitational.

“I like going to the Savage invite because the whole team gets to go,” said Coach Dozois. “It’s fun because it’s usually really fast times, the girls run super quick, and it’s not real far away so they have a lot of family that can come watch.”

Thomas Schaffer

dominates on the football field

By Emily Shanley-Roberts Managing Editor “Last year, 2012, in July, I went to the Under-19 World Championship in Texas. I was 15 at the time, and I went with Team Austria. I went and I faced Panama, Team USA, and then Team Japan,” sophomore Thomas Schaffer said, when asked to tell an interesting story from his football career.

“We reached fourth place, and passed the other European teams.”

Schaffer, who has been playing football since 2009, decided to bring his talent and experience to LFA this year because “it was always [his] dream to come to play high school football in America.”

“This school is definitely one of the best in America,” he said, “and I want to face new challenges and to grow and to always improve.”

This is Schaffer’s fifth season playing, but his first at Lake Forest Academy and in the United States. So far, reactions here have been positive.

“Thomas has impacted the team both defensively and offensively,” said football coach Robin Bowkett. “He has been a great presence. You can tell he has been a natural defenseman. He brings a lot of experience.”

Schaffer plays left tackle and defensive

end for the LFA varsity football team. He has also played in Austria for the club team Moedling Rangers for their U14, U16, and adult teams, as well as for Team Austria.

The hardest part of playing left tackle, Schaffer says, is that he has to take on the best person on the other team.

“Usually left tackle is the best offensive lineman, and you normally always get the best defensive lineman,” he said.

Playing defensive end also comes with its own challenges. “I keep the outside contained, if you know what I mean,” he explained. “Playing this position is hard because you have to keep a balance between keeping the outside contained and pushing linemen in.”

By the time this newspaper prints, the team will have finished its season, and fans and players alike are eager to see how it wraps up.

“My dream is to score a touchdown as defense,” Schaffer said when asked what fans should expect by the end of the season.

“I’ve never scored a touchdown.”

As for his other interests and hobbies, Schaffer said, “I like to play other sports, just for fun. I will be trying out basketball and volleyball next season. I like to do math, and solve problems like Sudoku.”

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Sophomore Thomas Schaffer blocks for his teammates in a recent home game.

THE SPECTATOR

Sports

18

OCTOBER 31, 2013

Girls Swimming finishes season undefeated

By Margaux Boles Editor-in-Chief Lake Forest Academy’s varsity swim team is currently enjoying an undefeated and record-breaking season. Several of the 22 girls on the team have even broken school records during practices and at meets. This year the team has three captains: senior Madeleine Sommer and juniors Currie Smith and Ellie Snyder.

Swimmers that stand out for the team this season are juniors Lili Mae Kinney, Smith, and Snyder. Freshman Zeynep Kivanc has also played a key role on the team.

Kivanc is a day student that has just recently moved from Turkey. This season alone she has broken many school records including: 50,100, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 500 breaststroke, and 200 individual medley. Kivanc, Snyder, Kinney, and Smith broke the 200-medley relay and 200 freestyle relay records.

“She motivates a bunch of people to go faster,” said Snyder, talking about the new addition of Kivanc to the swim team.

“She motivates me because she is in the

lane next to me. I look at her stroke and observe her technique. You can learn from just watching.”

Kivanc has been competitively swimming for five years. Her favorite part is being with her friends.

Both Smith and Snyder have been swimming since they were five years old.

“I like the meets,” said Smith. “The meets are the best part because you get to cheer for your teammates and you are not always focusing on yourself. You get to encourage your friends and test yourself on all the things you practice.”

The swim team’s good chemistry was essential to their success this season.

“We all get along,” said Smith. “Everyone is nice to each other and there is no drama.”

However, this season has had a couple of bumps in the road. For Snyder she has struggled with the effects swimming has taken on her body.

“For me my shoulders and my back have been really struggling and are constantly sore,” said Snyder.

The team has struggled with attendance this season. Some girls have not been as

serious about swimming and therefore did not feel the need to attend practices.

The James Garcia Invitational was the swim team’s last meet this year in Milwaukee.

“The James Garcia Meet is important because we have won for the past two years and would like to defend our title,” said Assistant Coach Jennifer Madeley when talking about her favorite meet.

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Junior Lili Mae Kinney dives into the pool during a race.

Personal opinion

LFA administration in the process of solving the meal money issue

By Jordan Wolff Sports Editor

Meal money for sports teams has recently been a hot topic of discussion among LFA students. Students can be found in Hutch, the library, or even in class debating over

the issue of meal money.

Following an away sports match the team customarily goes out for dinner, usually to a chain restaurant. Each athlete is given $5 to spend on his or her meal and unless they bring extra money, they only have that amount to buy their meal. Some would ar-

Above the is maximum amount of food an athlete can buy at McDonalds.

Photo by Jordan Wolff

gue $5 is a perfectly appropriate amount of money for a teenager to buy dinner, but is it? Can $5 really purchase a decent meal to feed a growing teen?

Whenever I go out to dinner with a sports team, I always find myself spending extra money to purchase my meal. Here’s an example: The team is riding high off a great win and everyone is excited. Not only that but my teammates and I are extremely hungry. We pull into a local hot dog joint and go in to order. Looking at the menu, all I can find for $5 is a hot dog and small soft drink. As my teammates and I scan for the best possible deal, I realize that the hot dog and drink is the best I can do with the money I have. Being extremely hungry, a few of my teammates and I purchase two hot dogs and small fries along with the small soft drink. The total comes to around $9.

Had I not had extra money, I would have eaten an okay meal and not felt satisfied.

Curious about this issue, I decided to interview students and faculty to gain a consensus of where they stand on the issue, how the school arrives at the amount of $5 per student, and what they thought was a fair amount.

“I think the school is trying to conserve money needed for other things more important than food. The main reason is most

likely because day students can go home and get a meal and boarders can get food in the dorm. I believe that the $5 is adequate, but not for a full meal. It will fill you up for a short time, but in the end it’s not enough,” said junior Alec Mesrobian.

“In regards to strictly the kids’ needs for a meal, $10 seems fair to me.”

The LFA Director of Athletics and Hockey, Darrin Madeley, was kind enough to give some insight into how meal money is allocated and how the school is addressing this issue.

“The way it has worked for teams and field trips has been based on what meal you will miss at Hutch. It doesn’t matter the size of the team. It’s based solely on how many players will miss a meal, and each student will receive $5,” said Madeley. “In this last year we’ve been trying to figure out what will work best for both the students and the school budget, and right now we think this is a good solution; however, we are continuing to look into the issue. We want to make sure we find the right give and take situation.”

While students might not agree with receiving only $5 for missed meals, and even if it is the best solution to the problem at hand, one has to applaud the school’s effort and initiative in tackling this problem.

THE SPECTATOR

Sports

OCTOBER 31, 2013

19

Rough start for football team

By Brandon Amoroso Sports Editor

Under the guidance of Coach Robin Bowkett, the Lake Forest Academy football team has some of the best talent it has had in years. Full of experienced upperclassmen that are extremely skilled at their positions, the LFA football team looks to send multiple players to college programs.

Despite this talent, the LFA season has not gone according to plan, starting out the year 0-4.

The Caxys’ season started out rough, taking losses against Highland Park, Bishop McNamara, Leo, and St. Laurence. With a lot of new faces and new recruits composing the team, the two-week preseason was not enough to create chemistry amongst the players. Fortunately, a majority of the team is returning for next year and looks to get off to a better start as they now have a solid base of chemistry to build upon. The Caxys’ four straight losses managed to bring them together and help them turn their season around, winning their last three games easily against Hales Franciscan, Elmwood Park, and St. Joseph’s.

Photo by Miranda Dunne

LFA defense attempts to block a field goal against Hales Franciscan High School.

Junior Christian Tchamitchian, linebacker and fullback for the Caxys’, believes the Caxys’ first four losses helped them come together, will allow them to finish off the season strong, and experience greater success next year.

“I don’t like how we started the season, the chemistry and discipline was off and a lot of unnecessary penalties hampered the way we could’ve played. We now have a newfound chemistry that we didn’t have in the beginning of the season and should be

basketball meet once a week on Sundays to play against other local schools. In a very peculiar twist, though, there is no coach.

The boys coach themselves to get ready for the upcoming season starting in November.

LFA athletes are playing students from schools such as North Chicago, Waukegan, and even Lake Forest High school.

This fall competition gives the LFA team a chance to develop a working team chem-

istry between new scholar athletes, such as junior Diago Quinn and junior Isiah Foust, and returning varsity players like juniors Ryan Clamage and Brandon Amoroso. The team looks forward to the start of the regular season and is happy with the improving chemistry that they see on the court. The Fall league is also getting them in better shape for the season.

“The fall league is helping us because

able to finish the year off strong and have it carry over for future years,” said Tchamitichian.

The Caxys have undergone some changes this year. The team is now in the Red Division of the Catholic Football League.

This has proven to be a good placement for LFA since the team is currently 2-1 against division opponents. The team also has new coaches in Jamon Hill, running back and linebacker coach, and Nate Palmer, wideout and defensive back coach. These coaches look to bring young, fiery energy to the Caxys and help them improve not only individually but as a team.

With a solid base of players returning, Bowkett’s recruiting for next year is already underway. Next year’s team will be chock-full of stellar recruits and a returning senior class that looks to come out stronger than ever. However, Bowkett is focused on this year and finishing off the season strong.

“We’re always recruiting for next year but I’m not worried about it until this season is over. We’re still in this season,” said Bowkett.

Boys’ Basketball forms chemistry in fall league

By Ned Kennedy Sports Editor

There is a new twist to high school basketball as teams participate in “Fall ball” to prepare for the upcoming season – coachless teams. Playing without adult coaches, varsity and junior varsity basketball teams participating in a new edition of fall league

Junior Isiah Foust leads the boys’ team down the court in a fall basketball game.

Photo by Miranda Dunne

we are playing good competition and it is getting us in shape,” said Clamage.

With the upcoming schedule, Clamage believes that LFA will face stronger competition this year and he thinks that these fall games will get them more prepared for the challenge to come. Also Clamage feels fortunate that he is able to play with his new teammates. Foust is also excited about playing with his new teammates.

“It’s good to get to know people on the team. Diago and I played together but I’m trying to build chemistry with other teammates. The first game we had no chemistry but we have been getting better and we are on a three-game winning streak,” said Foust.

Their latest win came against Waukegan high school. As their chemistry has gotten better, they have learned how to win with each other, which will bode well for them when the season starts. Not only is the team improving, but also individual play is dramically increasing.

“I have gotten better because I get to practice moves and things that I have learned recently,” said Quinn.

With the team chemistry building and individual skill sets starting to improve, this could be a big year for the Caxys. A key to the season will be how soon key contributors, who are playing other fall sports, can catch up with the chemistry being created in Fall ball.

Sports Field Hockey finishes season strong 20

By Jordan Wolff Sports Editor

The Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey team has had an amazing season, finishing at an impressive 10-3. Coached by Diane Cooper, the team has had big wins against Oak Park High School (in overtime) and Loyola Academy and is currently fighting for a top-four position in the state. Thanks to incredible play, the Caxys have guaranteed home field advantage for the state playoffs.

“We’re doing very well. This is one of the strongest teams I’ve ever coached. We’re definitely beating teams we didn’t beat last year,” said Cooper, who is very proud of how well her team is playing this year.

Senior captains Mary Kate Patton, Caroline Duckworth, Margaux Boles, and Melissa Merritt lead the team.

“Mary Kate is a very strong player who patrols our midfield extremely well. She made two strokes (very rare penalty shots) in one game, which is pretty unbelievable. She is our biggest offensive threat and is put up when the team falls behind,” said Cooper.

OCTOBER 31, 2013

Boles is a very strong defensive player, but is also an offensive threat at the same time, which she proved by scoring two goals this year. Her coach describes her as a gritty player who is very aggressive on both the defensive and offensive side of the field.

Merritt has battled back from early season illness but has continued to establish herself, along with Duckworth, as an important member of the forward line and corner unit.

“Caroline does a great job controlling the right side of the field and has scored some great goals for us this season,” said Cooper.

One of Cooper’s most memorable moments from the season was winning their pool in The Gateway Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri. The tournament is the largest for girls’ high school field hockey in the country. Another important moment of the season was beating Oak Park in overtime. The Caxys were down headed into the final minutes, when freshman Maggie Stoll tied the game.

The Caxys then went on to win the game in the final minute and half of overtime thanks to a heads up play from Boles to

Photo by Jordan Wolff

Senior Mary Kate Patton hits the ball downfield during a game against Loyola Academy.

tip in Patton’s shot off of a corner set up.

“Winning against Oak Park was a really big deal. They are always one of the top teams in the state and a consistent contender for the state title; they’re a powerhouse,” said Cooper.

The team is graduating seven seniors

after this year, and all of them are highly skilled players. Underclassmen will have a greater responsibility in the coming year, especially because the team is aiming for another top five spot, which would earn them home field advantage in the playoffs once again.

Sophomore Alex DeBrincat

Future USHL player leads the Prep Hockey team

By Brandon Amoroso Sports Editor

Photo by Miranda Dunne

Sophomore Alex DeBrincat prepares for the next play in a recent home hockey game.

Alex DeBrincat, younger brother of former Lake Forest Academy prep hockey star Andrew DeBrincat, came to LFA to follow in the footsteps of his brother and better prepare himself for his future hockey career. Part of that plan is to acquire a strong LFA education. From Farmington Hills, Michigan, DeBrincat has played hockey since he was three years old and has already been chosen in the USHL futures draft, in addition to committing to UMASS-Amherst. Despite this success, the obvious next step in his career was to come to LFA. Athletic Director and Head Hockey Coach Darrin Madeley believes LFA will better prepare DeBrincat for his college career: “It will help him understand what it takes to be a student-athlete and part of a community. This will help him when he enters UMASS-Amherst,” said Madeley.

Drafted by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the second round of the USHL futures draft, Alex will be a player in the USHL in years to come. The USHL futures draft

allows teams to choose players who are traditionally not ready to play in the USHL and still need time to develop in lower level leagues. DeBrincat chose to come to LFA and further develop his game. He has been receiving national praise for his decision from some online recruiting websites such as SB Nation.

“Really tiny, but an effective water bugtype scorer,” stated Chris Dilks of SB Nation College Hockey.

DeBrincat, who is a self-described playmaker, has helped LFA’s hockey team to an 11-2 record, leading the team in scoring with twelve goals and ten assists. Alex is always looking for the extra pass that leads to a goal, but in addition he is a great finisher. At 5’7” in height, he uses his size out on the ice to his advantage and views it as what makes him unique from the rest of the pack.

“He’s the best skater on our team with great vision and knows how to dish the puck and use his smaller stature to his advantage. An NHL player I would most likely compare him to would be Pavel Datsyuk. Alex is a great addition to our team and has contributed mightily to our success,” said Nate Chase, captain of the LFA Prep Hockey Team.