September 2016 Spectator

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S P E C TAT O R

VOLUME 95 NUMBER 1

1500 WEST KENNEDY ROAD, LAKE FOREST, IL 60045

Featured Stories NEWS

Amazon TV show The Patriot filmed on campus

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

LFA plays this year chosen to coincide with Head of School Symposium on the Caribbean

page 3 NEWS

LFA implements new transgender bathrooms page 2 FEATURES

Dudes and Dives takes new turn from Date Night page 10 OP-ED

Caxy Rant: Changes need to be made to the Student Union

page 5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Check out Caxy Corner

page 11

SPORTS

Varsity Soccer Team kicked the year off with trip to Jamaica

page 16

Photo by Bill Murphy

(Left to right) sophomore Lilah Roth, junior Jamie Reid-Anderson, and senior Gabi Osher rehearse their lines for the fall play Sonia Flew in the Cressey auditorium.

Head of School Symposium extends its reach into LFA theater productions

By Shreya Singhvi Features Editor This year’s Head of School Symposium at LFA is “The Caribbean: Climate, Commerce, and Culture.” Every year, teachers try to incorporate aspects from the symposium topic into their curriculum, attempting to give students a broader understanding and connection to the topic. Dr. Monica Palmer of the Fine and Performing Arts Department recently announced that has started a new initiative of choosing theater productions that encapsulate the symposium topic in hopes of making it come to life on stage.

Palmer felt that this was an easy decision to make because she thought students would really benefit from the merging of these two aspects of Academy life. To prepare for the productions this year, she read through numerous plays until she finally found Sonia Flew by Melinda Lopez, and Once on this Island, by Lynn Ahrens. She felt both of these works perfectly connected to the HOS Symposium, because they dealt with real issues happening in the world and stated that “that’s what theater is- it’s about what’s going on around us”.

She was pleased that both shows complemented the ideals of the symposium and what Dr. John Strudwick had in mind when

he chose the Caribbean as the HOS topic.

“It’s a good idea because it’s a visual way to make the symposium to come to life, and a way for us to actually see a story we can relate to,” said sophomore Antonio Murrita, an actor in the fall play, when asked about the new change.

Sonia Flew is about a woman who flees Cuba in hopes of escaping the Communist Revolution and ends up in the United States. After her son decides to enlist in the army during the time of 9/11, she is reminded of her difficult past where she dealt with strife and danger and is forced to come to terms with the traumatic events she once experienced. The musical Once on this Island is about a peasant girl and a city boy who eventually spark up a romance. It takes place on the Antilles in the Caribbean and is an adaption of the Little Mermaid, where the story of

Ti Moune is recounted to a little girl living in a village. Ti Moune saves Daniel, a wealthy man passing through her town, in exchange for her soul. Since she cheated the Demon of Death, Ti Moune is cursed, and can only be saved by killing Daniel.

Students and parents have thus far reacted well to this addition to the arts curriculum. According to Palmer, parents of the cast raved about the storyline of Sonia Flew, and she expects the rest of the student body to enjoy it as well when it premieres on October 13.

Palmer also said that Once on this Island had previously been done by Lake Forest Academy thirteen years ago, when long-time director Mr. Mark Dryfoos was teaching at LFA. She stated that she “wanted to do something that linked Mark’s legacy” for this year’s production.

WHAT’S WITH THIS YEAR’S ENGLISH CURRICULUM? See page 8

THE SPECTATOR

News

2

World News Roundup

Compiled by Austin Clamage Editor-in-Chief

LFA becomes more aware of transgender community

Willing to create unisex bathrooms and more accomodations

The Spectator compiles a monthly summary of world news events. Below are the most prominent issues that have occurred in the previous months.

By Lucas Jacob Senior Sports Editor

Impeachment of Brazilian President Former Brazilian Presiden Dilma Rousseff was impeached on August 31 on the grounds of breaking budgetary laws. She has been known for manipulating government accounts by moving funds between different government accounts, which is a serious offense in Brazilian law. Opposers of Rousseff believed she did this to boost her chances of being re-elected in 2014.

Rousseff believes that her actions were just, and the impeachment against her was a type of coup orchestrated by the former Speaker of the House, Eduardo Cunha. However, Cunha’s prosperous future ended in July when he had to resign over corruption allegations.

From 2013-2016, Brazilian people have been less accepting of Rousseff.

Her approval rating dropped from 79% to 10% in the span of the three years.

Rousseff’s Vice-President Michel Temer is now the current President of Brazil.

He will remain President until the end of the term and the next elections in 2019.

tity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender, according to Dictionary.com.

North Korea successfully tests nuclear warhead near Pyongyang North Korea had a successful test of its fifth nuclear warhead on September 10, 2016. The nuclear warheads were estimated to be 10 kilotons, the largest nuclear test in North Korean history. The goal of North Korea is to be able to attach its nuclear weapons onto ballistic rockets. This would create an eminent threat to its boarding country of South Korea and its other enemy, the United States.

In response to the nuclear testing, the U.S. and South Korea announced that they will impose more sanctions toward North Korea. However, sanctions have been put on North Korea before and they have been disregarding them. In addition, the U.S. announced plans to build a missile defense system in South Korea to combat potential threats from North Korea.

This successful testing and previous ones

by North Korea this year shows that the country is ahead of its projected schedule of being able to arm a nuclear missile, according to South Korean officials.

Sources: BBC, CNN, Google Images

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

After the legalization of gay marriage and the influence of major celebrities, more and more people are opening up and expressing their true identities. One of these uncommon identities is being transgender: a person whose self-iden-

Although being yourself and expressing your own identity may seem like it should not be a big deal, the transgender topic has been a controversial topic in 2016.

In fact, the transgender topic is so highly debated it’s becoming a heated discussion in the upcoming election. Transgender people all over the world are being harassed and neglected, forbidden to use the bathrooms they identify with; therefore, they are not able to express themselves.

While this is an emerging issue in high

Photo coutesy of Google Images

The middle figure is the new universal photo to reprsent transgenders. It is a combination of a female and male figure.

Study Honors:

By Ananta Srivastava News Editor This year’s opening of the new Student Union has brought forth a new dilemma on how to allow students to utilize the space during the 8:00-10:00 pm slot normally set aside for study hours.

For boarders in the past years, those who have had at least a 3.75 GPA (Head of School List) were able to sleep and keep their doors closed during study hours.

Now with the opening of the Student Union, the administration has developed the Honors Study Hours program which allows both day and boarding students on the Head of School List to use the new building during the study hours of 8:00-10:00 pm without having to mandatorily work on school assignments.

“The Student Union is a great building and it is a lot of fun,” said Director of Residential Life Jonathan Freeman. “The challenge that came with it is that if we opened the Student Union to the full campus, we would basically be removing any expectation that students are spend-

schools all around the nation, LFA plans to be as accommodating and flexible as possible.

“The Academy prides itself on being a school that will always be accepting, safe, and inclusive for all students,” said Dean of Students Chris Tennyson. “If this situation presents itself, I think that one of the key things, from a community perspective, is that transgender students have a right to use the bathroom that they identify with. And within that we’d have a support system here to help them feel comfortable and safe.”

Although LFA has yet to add any major accommodations to any potential transgender students, they are more than prepared to do so. In fact, the school has already formed some possible plans for any students that may need accommodations.

“We do have some bathrooms downstairs that are unisex that we can provide to students or adults if needed. Also all students have the right to use the locker room or rest room that they identify with,” said Tennyson.

Tennyson hoped that the on-going national discussion of accommodating transgender people fairly would not faze LFA in any negative way. He said the school is prepared to help the issue.

“We haven’t necessarily created a new policy. We’ve been planning how we would support transgender students the same way we would support a student from halfway across the world, down the street, from x religon or from x race,” Tennyson concluded.

New regulations put in place for Student Union use during nightly study hours

ing study hours productively engaged.”

According to Freeman, the Residential Counsel, which is comprised dorm heads, the faculty supervisor of the Writing Center and structured study hall, and Freeman himself, believed that the Head of School List students should have an additional privilege of not having to work during study hours.

Honors Study Hours were created so that students could go to the Union to enjoy what the building has to offer.

Supporting Freeman’s position, McIntosh Dorm Head Erica Wood mentioned that the Residential Counsel believed that students

ter, but now the whole Union building is available to those who have shown that they can get their work done,” Wood remarked, the only difference between going to the Student Center and Student Union during Honors Study Hours was that the Student Center required a 3.67 versus the Student Union, which required a 3.75 GPA. To facilitate the program, Wood explained that students who have Honor Study Hours can be identified by a sticker on their ID from the Dean of Students office. Freeman also added that the supervisors that oversee study hours would have a master list of their iPads to confirm the list.

with a GPA of 3.75 or higher were focused and proven their own organizational skills to finish their homework on time.

“Before, students used the Student Cen-

There have been no difficulties so far, according to Freeman, with enforcing the new policy around the use of the Student Union during study hours.

“Before, all students used the Student Center, but now the whole Union building is available to those who have shown that they can get their work done.”

-Ms. Erica Wood

THE SPECTATOR 3

News

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Amazon films The Patriot at LFA

By Obaid Ansari Managing Editor

Reid Hall was used for more than just weddings over the summer. Amazon Prime’s television series “The Patriot” has been filming scenes in the Admissions Office and Garden Room in Reid. People may not know but Reid has been used as a home for movies before; however, this time it was being used as a European police station.

A location scout for the show named Amanda Nye contacted Mr. Dean Dutko, general manager of the Armour House (Reid Hall). Nye came to LFA and took some more pictures to show to the producers and they ended up liking the setting. Another reason LFA was chosen was because one of the key writers for the series is Bruce Terris, an LFA alumnus who graduated in ’85. He thought Reid Hall would be perfect for some of the scenes he envisioned.

“I was excited because it is different compared to what we usually see with school and external events like weddings.

It was unique and I got to see a whole different use of the mansion,” said Dutko.

There were three parties that needed to approve the filming on campus: Carolyn

Gorowski, the Dean of Admissions, because they would be using her office a lot; the Deans’ Council; and finally, the Head of School himself, Dr. John Strudwick.

Even though “The Patriot” got approval, it wasn’t easy for them to schedule times to come in and film. They were not allowed to disrupt the school day, so they waited until the summer to begin their project.

“They filmed during the third week of June, followed by the third week of July, and most recently Sunday, August 28th,” Dutko said.

The last film day was the most hectic due to the fact that they only had one day to film a two-day shoot. Junior Tori Gloss was given the opportunity to observe the filming.

“They were really busy because I know that the shoot was supposed to be a two-day shoot, but they had to pack it in to one day,” said Gloss.

Gloss was intrigued by the fact that the preparation for a scene would take a lot longer than it would to actually record the scene. Gloss also noted that the actors were so extremely professional that they often only needed one take to complete a scene. She really enjoyed the experience as she hopes to be a director one day.

“I will definitely be watching the series just so I can see how Reid is portrayed,” said Dutko.

Photo courtesy of phrelin.com

A poster for the opening season of The Patriot, a new show produced by Amazon.

Pointing out dress code

By Sandra Shaw Editor-in-Chief The faculty at LFA now have a new added responsibility as the advisors of students to take more initiatives to enforce the dress code. This change came about due to inequity of its enforcement; however, the dress code itself has not changed.

Because faculty are also advisors to about eight students, this “homeroom” would streamline the process of checking if students are in dress code rather than having the student’s particular academic classroom teachers be the deciding factor for whether or not he or she is called out for being out of dress code. Students see their advisors at least four times a week by 9:40

every morning in either an advisory classroom setting or in morning meeting.

“I think [this new point system] would be effective, because I’m pretty close to my

sponsibility to make sure our kids are in dress code,” said advisor and Director of Music Timothy Plambeck.

Furthermore, the framework of how stu-

advisees. They call me their second mom.

If [what they are wearing is] not appropriate, I would tell them,” said advisor and Spanish Instructor Noëlle Balson.

According to Dean of Students Chris Tennyson, this new change came about in order to address the complaints of the inequity of getting points due to different levels of enforcement from teachers. It was not because of individuals, faculty, or families believing that the students were not following the dress code.

“It’s kind of a reminder that we’re supposed to be doing that and that it’s our re-

dents are reported for being out of dress code and the dress code itself has not changed.

If a teacher called a student out for dress code, they would email the Dean of Students Office Manager Teresa Zaiff, and enough accumulated violations would result in a Saturday night detention–that much has remained the same.

“I think we do a very good job following the dress code,” said Tennyson. “What we decided was it shouldn’t fall to certain teachers to be the enforcers and other teachers to not do it.”

According to previous surveys administered by LFA, many students, faculties, and parents mostly agree that our dress code fits relatively well with our students.

“I do agree that sometimes the dress code is necessary just because as a school that pride itself on the prestige and the community, if everyone follows the same rules and dresses nicely I guess it’s a sign of respect for each other,” said senior Bella Shin. “But at the same time I don’t think it should be any indication of whether you’re a good or bad student.”

As the LFA Student Handbook says, the dress code reflects the belief that how students present themselves influences the Academy’s social standards.

Photo by Allison Torres

Advisor Kimberly Grahm points out that senior Angela Kwon’s shoes are not in dress code.

Campus News Roundup

Compiled by Austin Clamage Editor-in-Chief

Campus News Roundup highlights important events occurring in the upcoming month.

Freshmen field trip replaced There will be a special day on Wednesday, October 19 with unique projects for each grade level at LFA. The freshmen will have a day planned out by GYLI Executive Director Matt Nink and Dean of Students Chris Tennyson. The sophomores and juniors will be taking the PSAT exam. The seniors will be focused on their college applications.

Unlike the past years, the freshmen class will not be going on a field trip. Instead, they will have a special day guided by Nink and Tennyson. The agenda for that day is yet to be announced. Nink works as the Executive Director of the Stuart Center for Global Leadership at LFA and his office is in the lower level of the Student Union.

Nink also directs GYLI, the Global Youth Leader Institute, which works with high school students to make them have a multicultural understanding of the people around them. GYLI is now based out of the Student Union.

The sophomores and juniors will have the opportunity of taking the PSAT. Taking the test will give students a chance to simulate real testing conditions, and it will allow them to find out what their strengths and weaknesses are going to be for the SAT. In addition, if a student has an exemplary performance on the PSAT, it is possible for them to receive National Merit Scholarship that can result into monetary rewards and additional scholarships.

The seniors will get the day to work on their college applications, such as their Common Application and supplemental essays. Also, seniors will have a chance to meet with their college advisors to discuss the upcoming deadlines. This day is especially important to those seniors who are applying Early Decision or Early Action due to the first deadline being on November 1st.

Other Events -October 8-10: Fall Weekend and Columbus Day occurs this weekend giving LFA no school on Monday, which makes it a three-day weekend.

-October 13-14: The fall play, Sonia Flew, is being performed on these days with the first performance beginning at seven each night.

-October 14-15: Parents Weekend will be taking place on these days.

-October 21: Interim grades come out for all students. Students can access these grades on MyBackpack.

THE SPECTATOR 4

Opinion and Editorial

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Students assess the new changes to the Senior English curriculum The Pro’s and Con’s of the revamped Senior English choices Pro

By Andrew Hechtman Managing Editor Winston Churchill once said “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” The English Department has taken this to heart by completely revamping the Senior English Electives. The change is meant in part to shift the focus to teaching skills to students, not curriculum content. In changing the senior electives and allowing seniors to take either AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition, the English Department has drastically improved its offerings.

While some may say that the old electives were superior and offered more choices, it is appar-

Photo courtesy of Mr. William Murphy

Seniors with Ms. Natalie Schawel who teaches Senior Composition.

ent that the new electives offer more valuable skills than their predecessors. Highly specific electives such as Graphic Novels and Shakespeare have been replaced with classes such as Multiliteracies and Literary Analysis, Gothic Literature, and Moral Courage. The new English class-

es do a great job of teaching skills that will apply after the year is over. Classes like Senior Composition and the Writer’s Workshop and Multiliteracies leave students with skills in writing and interpreting different types of literature. The new specialization will allow students to take a class that

teaches life skills. The new classes specialize in writing, reading, speaking, listening, and doing.

The new focus will do nothing but benefit students, and the skills they learn will help in college and beyond.

Another positive that comes with the new era of English classes is the variation in different classes allows for students to specialize in one relevant area of English instead of studying the very narrow curriculum that went with the old English classes.

In addition to new classes with new focuses, the new curriculum also allows greater flexibility

for the senior class. The two AP English courses have both become open to seniors, whereas in past years only AP Literature and Composition was available.

Many have benefitted from this change by electing to take AP Language and Composition this year, normally a junior class. The new flexibility is great as it allows students another choice. As two courses with very different focuses, it allows students to take a challenging course in what they are truly interested in.

The new Senior Electives and the AP flexibility are great changes to the Senior English choices.

Con

By Will Everett Managing Editor It’s certainly true that people sometimes put off replacing or fixing things due to our own complacency, being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” was a term coined by Bert Lance who served as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Jimmy Carter.

Lance’s point was that Americans could save billions of dollars by not fixing things that weren’t broken.

So why does that relate to the changes this year in senior English electives? Bert Lance’s quote was the first thought that came into my head when I was informed about the revamping of the senior English electives. I didn’t perceive that the English curriculum was broken. In fact, I was angry about the changes because there were classes, such as Graphic Novels, Gothic Literature, The Harlem Renaissance, and Shakespeare, that I would’ve wanted to take simply for my interest in discovering deeper aspects of English literature. All were taken away and replaced with classes such as Coming of

Photo courtesy of Mr. William Murphy

Seniors in the new Multiliteracies course discuss summer reading.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

A comic about making things unnescesarily complicated.

age Literature, Senior Composition and the Writers Workshop, and Multi-literacies. Being a senior, I can confirm that there has been some protest amongst the student body regarding these changes.

Many seniors had the same thought process as I did. They wanted to take an English class that sounded interesting. This mind-set is one of the reasons why there was a ripple of panic amongst the senior class. The class of 2017 saw the class of 2014, 2015 and 2016 enjoy these creative electives and felt left out when they couldn’t participate in them.

I can’t speak for the general student body’s interest in the new electives simply because I am enrolled in AP Literature and

Composition with Dr. Patrick Finnessy. It is demanding and intellectually challenging, but enjoyable, interactive and never dull. I know that it will prepare me for college-level rigor and work loads.

But isn’t it necessary for all senior students to become exposed to college level workload? Wasn’t that what our former senior electives did?

Simply put, the new senior English electives are not popular among my acquaintances, and I personally fail to see why they needed to be changed.

I respect the intentions of trying to improve the English curriculum, but I empathize with my senior friends who are feeling like they were cheated out of taking a class for the joy of learning.

“Shift the focus to teaching skills to students, not curriculum content.”

Pro vs.

Con “Graphic Novels, Gothic Literature, The Harlem Rennasaince, and Shakespeare... All taken away and replaced.”

THE SPECTATOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Opinion and Editorial

Editorial

T h e L a k e A c a d e m y

New Student Union building improves campus life

5 F o r e s t

S P E C TAT O R

STAFF LIST Editors-in-Chief

Austin Clamage Sandra Shaw Hunter Wolff

Managing Editor of Production

Andrew Hechtman

Managing Editor of News

Peter Corsiglia

Managing Editor of Features

Andrew Ryder

Managing Editor of A&E

Hong Joo Kwon

Managing Editor of Op-Ed

Will Everett

Managing Editor of Sports

Obaid Ansari

Photography Editor

Allison Torres

News Editor

Ananta Srivastava Dieter Villegas

Features Editors

Shreya Singhvi Ayaan Ahmed

Op-Ed Editor

Daniel Chia

A&E Editors

Elizabeth Christoph Katy Morrison

Senior Sports Editors

Jacob Chagoya Lucas Jacob Nithin Reddy

Sports Editors

Jaleel Gray Max Hayes Jack Mahon

Staff Writer

Kyle O’Shaugnessy

Things need to change in the Union

Faculty Adviser

William Murphy

Online Faculty Adviser

Jeremy Sands

By Daniel Chia Op-Ed Editor

PUBLICATION

The start of the new school year brought with it the opening of highly anticipated Student Union building, a building that had been continually hyped to students during the last two school years. After more than a year of construction, all of Lake Forest Academy is finally able to use the building. The Student Union has replaced the Student Center and Hutchinson Commons, replacing the campus’ old hangout and dining area. But is the Student Union truly better than the areas it replaced, or is it much ado about nothing?

In the Student Union there are two floors, with the upper floor containing the dining hall and couches to relax, and the downstairs containing the student store, mailboxes, and a recreational area. Last year, Hutch was the lower level, and the Student Center was located above. So, there

isn’t much difference in terms of commuting from one area to another.

However, the Student Union’s downstairs recreational area undoubtedly contains more opportunities for student enjoyment than the Student Center had. There are two ping pong tables, two pool tables, and two TVs. There are also areas to sit on couches, as well as many tables to sit and do homework. In comparison, the Student Center had no ping pong tables, and one pool table that was not usable. While the Student Center did have tables, couches, and computers, that was the end of the recreational area. Meanwhile, the dining area in the Student Union has improved its food and drink variety. Now there are more options for drinks, as there is a Vitamin Water machine, as well as a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine that contains different combina-

tions of drinks and different flavors. In terms of food, the menu has changed and the Sodexo staff is now serving new meals. Also, there is now someone making sandwiches at all times, as opposed to last year where students had to make their own sandwich.

The Spectator staff agrees that, with all of the new additions made, the Student Union is a major improvement over the Student Center and Hutch. There are more options to help everyone relax, and the dining is relatively superior. Dean of Students Chris Tennyson has even added an additional van to take students to the train station later in an effort to let day students use the Student Union longer and enjoy the opportunities the building has.

While there are some aspects that can be improved, the Student Union is a positive addition that has added life to the campus.

Caxy Rant

While there are a number of accolades being handed out to our new Student Union building, the newest, shiniest, and most touted addition to campus, it is important to note that the building still has a variety of areas which could be improved. Out of 22 students I surveyed, all of them thought that there were areas to improve: from water fountains, napkin dispensers, and serving lines, to the actual students in the Union.

One of the largest areas of complaint is the new cafeteria, with over 50% of students surveyed citing issues within it. First are the lines. The entrance to Hutch is directly in front of the main stairs into the Student Union. This often results in lines blocking off or even stretching down the stairs into the Union. The solution to this, as most have already figured out, is to direct students to walk the additional 10 feet so the line stretches out along the wall.

Another common problem mentioned with the Union was the

The Spectator is published eight times per year by the students of Lake Forest Academy and is a forum for student expression. The views and reporting herein are the sole product of The Spectator’s student reporters and in no way reflect the official views of Lake Forest Academy faculty, staff, administration or Board of Trustees.

EDITORIALS Photo courtesy of Sandra Shaw

Students block off entrances to the Student Union while standing in line.

lack of dedicated water fountains like there used to be in Hutch. If one wants to get water, they must wait in the already backed up line of the Coke machine, backing it up even further.

Students have also mentioned the new Coke machines as a source of problems during the busiest times.

“This new machine only allows one user at a time and creates longer lines for students.”, said junior David Krivoshik.

Another large complaint is the napkin dispensers, few and far in between. This strikes many people as a poorly considered attempt at saving money. The answer to this problem is to either place more dispensers on more tables,

or at least put the two main dispensers in a more central location which allows easier access.

The most common complaint isn’t about the building itself though, nor the things within it.

The most common problem people have with the Union are the students that use it. People haven’t been taking care of it. People have been losing and abusing ping pong balls and paddles, as well as leaving trash at the dining tables and scattered around the seating areas in what has, depressingly, become typical behavior.

And what is the answer to this?

“The students have to clean up after themselves, demonstrating what LFA looks for in students”, said junior Dominic Scheerer.

Opinions of the staff are presented in the form of unsigned editorials. Personal views are bylined or presented as formal dissents.

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.

AWARDS The Spectator has been awarded several prestigious journalism awards in recent years. It has consistently taken first place in competitions against schools of similar size held by the American Scholastic Press Association and the Kettle Moraine Press Association.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

-Evelyn Beatrice Hall

THE SPECTATOR 6

Features

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

New Student Union open and running for 2016-2017 academic school year

By Andrew Ryder Managing Editor

By far the biggest change to the student experience at Lake Forest Academy for the 2016-2017 school year is the addition of the new Student Union. After construction started in the spring of 2015, the new Student Union was officially completed in early August in 2016, just in time for the opening of school.

The most significant differences now that the new building is in use is the new dining hall, student center, school store, Sonia’s snack bar, and the mailroom. Most notably, the dining hall, which has much more seating than the old Hutchinson Commons and a much more spacious serving area.

“It’s just so beautiful [the new Student Union]. It’s air conditioned, which is lovely because it was so hot in the old kitchen,” said General Manager of Student Dining Services Debbie Lindstrom. “All the new equipment also makes our lives so much easier.”

Along with the new equipment in the kitchen, the serving area of the dining hall has really improved compared to Hutchinson Commons. Apart from being extremely spacious, the serving area will also be implementing some new technology very shortly. The TVs located throughout the serving area will soon display the menu for the day. Additionally, smaller tablets will be placed throughout the serving area that will also show the menu. Students and staff can also see the nutritional information of the food served through the Bite Applica-

tion by Sodexo. Available in the App Store, this application lets students and staff see the menu for the week as well as all the nutritional value of each dish.

Another notable addition to the dining hall that has already been implemented is a refrigerator in the serving area for students that need bag lunches or bag breakfasts.

In previous years, students have had to go into the kitchen to get their meals.

“They don’t have to come into the kitchen or ask the employees now,” said Lindstrom. “It will be easier for everyone.”

In the Deli area, changes have also been made. Along with new choices of bread, sandwiches will have the option to be toasted like at sandwich restaurants with a new turbo chef oven. Apart from this, a freezer will be put in and soft serve ice cream will be available once again.

The most notable change is to the menu itself. Previously in Hutchinson Commons, the menu was a three week rotation. Now that the new Student Union is open and running, the menu has kept the three week rotation, but only the top five meals from Hutch remain while the rest are all new.

At Sonia’s snack bar, there’s a new vendor that sells 4,500 different snack items so there are several new foods on the menu.

One of these food items is sushi, which will start to be sold very soon.

Downstairs in the new Student Union is the student center, the school store, the mailroom, and the Stuart Center for global leadership. In the student center, there is plenty of seating, new TVS, two ping pong tables, and two pool tables.

Photo courtesy of LFA SmugMug

The serving area in the new Student Union which implements new technology that displays the menu for the day.

The stairs and snack bar at the entrance of the new Student Union.

Photo by Andrew Ryder

Photo courtesy of LFA SmugMug

The dining hall in the new Student Union which offers much more seating than the old Hutchinson Commons.

THE SPECTATOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Features

7

Meet sophomore equestrian Annabella Sanchez

By Katy Morrison A&E Editor Passion can drive people to take unthinkable measures, and in the case of Annabella Sanchez, that meant dedicating her young life to horseback riding.

Sanchez, brought her unique and strong equestrian passion to the Lake Forest Academy community as a transfer sophomore this year. Previously at New Trier, Sanchez began her freshman year with one end in sight: to ride in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Before she left for the most recent Florida competition, Sanchez kept one thought in mind.

“Yes it is nice to win, but at the end of the day, it is how you rode your course,” she said of that thought.

All nerves and excitement aside, Sanchez went to Florida last January, missing nearly one-third of her freshman year, to practice, train and compete for the threemonths duration of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Sanchez began riding at the age of eight.

Her neighbors, also riders, recommended a small barn where Sanchez began her training. Sanchez recalled that her Mom made her stop for a couple weeks during her first year and she persistently begged her Mom to take her back. Eventually, her mom gave in and she’s been riding ever since.

In her seventh and eighth grade years, Sanchez took riding to a whole new level. Her competitive nature drove her into horse showings and competitions. In order to keep up with the new rigor of her training, Sanchez flew out to a barn in Connecticut for several weeks of her school year.

Following her junior high, she switched her trainer to the Kapplers at Always Faithful Stables, just minutes away from LFA. Chris Kappler, one of her coaches, is a well-known Olympic silver medalist in horseback riding.

That is important because Sanchez shares a similar goal.

“Ever since I was a little girl I have always wanted to go to the Olympics,” said Sanchez. “That is definitely my biggest dream. I am just following the path I am on, and I will eventually see where it gets to!”

With accomplishments such as first in the Low Junior Jumper Championship Overall, first in the Medium pony classic at Winter Equestrian Festival, first in Low Junior Jumper Classic at Spring Spectacular, and with prize winnings ranging from $1,000-$7,500, her goal seems even more achievable.

Sanchez always tries to keep her personal motto – “Practice like you’ve never won.

Perform like you’ve never lost.” -- close to her heart during every dedicated practice and competition alike.

Photo courtesy of Annabella Sanchez

Annabella Sanchez’s ‘16 hardwork pays off as she and her horse pose for a celebratory photo.

Multicultural Affairs Committee hits 16th year milestone of hard work and dedication

By Ayaan Ahmed Features Editor

Despite the fact that Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC) has been hard at work at Lake Forest Academy for 16 years, many members of the current school community have never heard about the committee or are not aware of what work the group does. MAC’s overall goal is to make sure that the classrooms and curriculum are as culturally inclusive as possible, a key role at a school dedicated to global diversity.

Currently headed by Ms. Lusanda Mayikana, the dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs at LFA, the committee is composed of Mayikana, Mr. Robin Bowkett, Mrs. Tameka Carter, Ms. Yue Chen, Mr. Brian Sheu, Mr. Gathia Dunn, Mr. Jamal English, Mr. Mathias Kerr, Mrs. Jennifer Madeley, Mrs. Kristine Petroshius, Mr. Sam Wold, Ms. Grace Kim, and Mrs. Kassandra Hayes. The teachers who are part of the Multicultural committee are all volunteers. The committee tries to attract teachers who are not department chairs or members of LFA’s adminis-

tration so that these teachers can have a voice in determining the school’s policy.

“Our main goal is to make sure that our curriculum is culturally inclusive, as well as our pedigree as educators to be as culturally inclusive as we can be with representation from every department,” said Mayikana.

“The classroom needs to be a safe environment for all students to express themselves while learning,” explained Mayikana.

Since LFA attracts students from all over the globe, and it makes our school unique to have each student’s view, or how they have been taught on particular topics, expressed

Photo by Ayaan Ahmed

Members of the Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC) pose for a photo before their meeting.

in class. This can create an enriching experience for the LFA community as a whole.

“This year our biggest project is to follow up on the findings from the AIM study. Another one of our big projects will be a collaboration with the school’s Curriculum Committee on multicultural education to help us live up to our goal of global diversity,” stated Mayikana.

In 2014, the AIM study was a nationally-conducted study by the National Association of Independent Schools in regards to multiculturalism and inclusivity within an independent school’s curriculum and classroom. Hence, the study gave LFA an opportunity to benchmark itself against other independent schools.

The AIM Study was conducted through a survey, which was given to LFA students, alums, trustees, faculty, and staff.

The Multicultural Affairs Committee’s most visible annual project is conducting the Multicultural Day Celebration every year, planning the schedule, deciding on guest speakers, and organizing various activities throughout the day.

THE SPECTATOR

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8

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

LFA revolutionizes curriculum: English, Changes to senior English electives met with mixed reviews; some enjoy new classes, others miss old curriculum

By Peter Corsiglia Managing Editor of News The Senior English electives at LFA have been fundamentally changed this year and are now focused on skills development as well as literary content. The changes were spurred by the new English Department Chair, Dr. Patrick Finnessy, and they have drawn some praise and even more negative commentary from students.

“This year’s classes seem more intense. They take a more broad perspective, which makes the students think more and develops their English skills better,” said senior Jimmy Krzeminski regarding the new English electives.

Krzeminski also commented that he thinks the new classes will help him be more prepared for college than last year’s classes.

In recent years, senior English electives have been semester-long classes open to all seniors and, space permitting, occasionally to juniors. Last year’s Fall semester senior English electives were: Coming of Age Literature, Gothic Literature and Moral Courage, Modernism, Literature of the African Diaspora, and Literature and Philosophy. These electives now have been combined into two seperate courses—Senior Composition and the Writer’s Workshop and Literary Analysis, Gothic Literature and Moral Courage.

Similarly, last Spring’s senior English electives have been replaced by Writ-

ten Expressions and Literary Analysis and Coming of Age Literature.

“We offered a lot of various electives,” said Finnessy. “And so by shortening and combining them, all we are trying to do is take those semester electives and actually make them more broad, as opposed to more narrow.”

Finnessy described that there are many reasons for these changes. The English Department has re-evaluated and revised the structure of the entire English curriculum at LFA. Finnessy also learned from talking with last year’s seniors that the majority of them chose classes based on friends taking the class or the likely teacher. He also took advice from parents, other department heads, and “outside stakeholders.”

Although some students are enjoying their new electives, the changes to the elective system have also drawn criticism from students. Some students dislike the broader nature of the new classes, and think the topics of many classes are unclear.

“I didn’t know what exactly every single course was, and I think the description online is very vague,” described senior Laky Li. Another student described what she disliked about the English changes.

“Having been in a general English class for three years, it would have been nice to have something very specific to what you are interested in,” said senior Marilou Cameron.

“I think there has been some resistance from the seniors for no other reasons than

the change, they are reacting more to the change than the course content,” acknowledged Finnessy.

Other English curriculum changes affecting seniors are the addition of two yearlong senior English electives--Multiliteracies and Language, Culture, and Identity through Dialogue and the Literary Text—and enabling seniors who have departmental approval to select an

AP English class to take either AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition.

Previously, only AP English Literature had been a senior-level class.

“Any changes the English Department makes to its curriculum are always done in an attempt to do something for the betterment of LFA students and with each student’s best interest in mind,” concluded Finnessy.

Photo courtesy of Bill Murphy

Seniors in the Multiliteracies class read “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, one of the many texts the class will read this year.

Inquiring Photographer: “I understand the changes that have been made to the senior English curriculum, but I would have liked to take the Shakespearian elective or some of the other electives.”

-Natalie Nunez ‘17

“I think that the changes have been really productive this year, I really like that the classes are really open ended and really discussion based.”

-Grace Rempala ‘17

What d made t

“Personally I really like the changes that have been made to the senior English curriculum because as a senior I think it the first year we are allowed to take AP Language and Composition.”

-Joe Alexander ‘17

THE SPECTATOR

Centerfold

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

History classes among many changes

9

Most departments added new classes

to their curriculum, as well, having 10 new class offerings for this year. Some of the new classes were, “Language, Culture, and Identity”, “Multi-literacies”, and “Senior Composition”, Geometry Advance, Algebra II with Statistics, Conceptual Precalculus, Design Thinking in the MakerSpace, and AP U.S.

and

Comparative

Government.

The new government class and Politics having two sections. Co-taught by Dr. John Strudwick and Dr. Julia Sagraves, this class emerged since the history department wanted to give new and more electives for their seniors. The course compares the U.S. government with six different governments across the world including Russia’s, China’s, Mexico’s, Nigeria’s, Iran’s and Britain’s. There’s Dr. John Strudwick and Dr. Julia Sagraves co-teach AP Comparative Government and Politics.

Photo courtesy of Allison Torres

New classes hope to be successful additions

some history about the government’s past due to its importance to understand it, but most of its content its from modern day.

“We want to give a global perspective to our students,” said Sagraves.

According to both, Strudwick and Sa-

to Dr. Patrick Finnessy, chairman of the

Academic Council, Dean Chris Tennyson,

graves, this course is the perfect fit to cre-

English Department, roughly 90% of the

College Counseling, and students to ulti-

ate global citizens because it makes stu-

students either qualified for/or petitioned

mately determine the selection formula.

dents have a global mind and see different

Lake Forest Academy’s Math, History,

to enter the course. As a result, all juniors

“We just want to feel confident and

styles of living throughout the world.

English and Fine Arts departments enact-

have been forced to start the year in En-

comfortable that we aren’t putting stu-

Sagraves takes responsibility of the U.S.

By Dieter Villegas Staff Writer

ed changes to their course offerings and

glish 11, and will be required to show

dents in a position where they were go-

government part while Strudwick teaches

curricula this school year. Some students

they have the necessary skills to gain en-

ing to find it too tough to tread water in a

the Comparative part of it. The course is a

have found the changes confusing but, in

try into AP Language. Students enrolled

year that’s very important to them,” said

combination of two AP courses, AP U.S.

general, these additions were designed

in English 11 will be able to display their

Tennyson. “ If we end up having seven or

government and AP Comparative gov-

to give students more class options.

skills and abilities in the English class-

eight classes of AP Language, so be it.”

ernment. Students taking this course will

Perhaps the most visible changes were

rooms. The process for how students will

According to Finnessy, the scores of the

have to take two AP’s for it in the Spring.

in the English department where major

be chosen for AP Language is in develop-

AP Language exam next spring should

Strudwick thinks the popularity of the

changes happened in English 11 due to

ment, but it has been emphasized that in-

not be affected by this unique enrollment

class was due to being election year but

the fact that an overwhelming number

class writings will come into play when

situation since the skills normally learned

he hopes the course continues throughout

of last year’s sophomores were interest-

making the decision. Finnessy has been

in the first semester of AP Language are

the years.

ed in taking AP Language. According

talking to current English teachers, the

being taught at in English 11 the moment.

do you think about the changes that have been to the senior English curriculum and electives?

“I appreciate the changes that have been made, however, the classes this year are a lot more broad than they’ve been in the past and I think that takes away from the ability for seniors to focus in on one idea that they think suits their future studies the best.”

-Patrick Dwyer ‘17

“When I first saw the curriculum change I was not impressed at all, but since I’ve started my course, Shoutout to Mr. English, he’s made it really enjoyable, and has helped me grow as a writer and interpreter.”

-Kenan Clarke ‘17

“I think that the new senior electives are pretty cool, but I do feel like we are missing out on the things we were offered last year like gothic and Shakespeare.”

-Zoe Lewis ‘17

All photos by Peter Corsiglia

THE SPECTATOR

10

By Andrew Hechtman and Will Everett Managing Editors In the heart of Wilmette there is a treasure located at 1120 Central Ave. It is tucked next to a movie theater and buried under an acting studio. The Chuck Wagon, opened in 1974, has been a local favorite ever since. In particular, it is a favorite of one of the dudes who has been going there for eight years.

“The Wagon” is a classic dive, it does not have tables and customers can chose to sit at one of two counters. The flat top grill is located in plain view, right next to a slow cooker which slowly spins two large pieces of gyros meat next to an open flame. The menu is on the wall, but most of the customers never glance at it. Instead, they watch the small T.V. in the corner, or talk to the owner, Sasha.

At first glance, the menu is not unique.

It holds the usual dive items: hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, and gyros. The restaurant even recently added milkshakes which have been met with great reactions.

However, it is when one takes a closer look that the hidden gems can be found.

The “Niki” and the “Waitress Special” are two of the most ingenious yet simple creations since the spork. The “Niki” is a

Arts and Entertainment

cheeseburger with gyros meat piled on top.

It is the most popular item on the menu and is even advertised outside. The less known “Waitress” is a grilled cheese with the same incredible meat piled between the bread.

The restaurant even has a signature drink. Despite the addition of the milkshakes, the “Suicide” is still a fan favorite. While the name may not be so friendly, the drink is a delicious combination of every drink in the soda fountain.

The two dudes (Andrew and Will) arrived for lunch slightly after noon on a Saturday. Take-out orders are a specialty, and customers clogged the door. We pushed through and took their seats at the front counter. We soon realized that it was extremely difficult to walk side-by-side; the space is literally six feet by ten feet and can seat maybe twelve people. Luckily we grabbed a seat at the counter. As we sat and waited for our orders to be taken, many people flowed through the front door, grabbed bags of food, and left without a trace. This brought Will’s attention to a short, slightly stalky man by the name of Tony. Before the dudes knew it, they both had burgers piled high with gyros meat. It was like nothing they had ever seen! Will ordered a regular hamburger with gyros meat, a fry, and a Oreo® milkshake, while Andrew

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

A hamburger masteriece: Gyros, Siratcha and a perfectly buttered bun!

ordered a cheeseburger with gyros meat, fries, and cup for water. Since it was Will’s first bit of Chuck Wagon magic, this was especially exciting. Sure enough, it did not disappoint. The burger was cooked to perfection, but what was extremely outstanding was the simple, yet crucial combination between the added gyros meat and the hamburger beef. Even the bun was perfect.

Evs Rankings 1. Chuck Wagon 2. TBD 3. TBD 4. TBD 5. TBD 6. TBD 7. TBD

That is how the Chuck Wagon makes its money. It makes its customers happy. Sasha ensures that all his food is tasty, which leads to hungry stomachs filled and smiles rejuvenated. This is one reason why the place has been thriving and diving for over 35 years.

The dudes will for sure return to the Chuck Wagon for another meal whenever Will is in Wilmette.

Hecto Rankings 1. Chuck Wagon 2. TBD 3. TBD 4. TBD 5. TBD 6. TBD 7. TBD

Every month the dudes will rank their favorite restaurants.

All photos courtesy of Will Everett and Andrew Hechtman

Evs clearly enjoying a fry while a chef tends to the grill.

The famous Chuckwagon menu wall surrounded by pictures of famous clients.

THE SPECTATOR

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Arts and Entertainment

Improve your fall with this easy energy bite recipe

By Katy Morrison A&E Editor With the beginning of the school year well under way, many students are feeling the effects of homework, tests, projects, and sports practices, best known as: exhaustion. Often times, students find themselves in need of a quick boost of energy.

Resorting to substances like 5-Hour Energy or a sugary candy, students lack a fulfilling source of energy, which can ultimately lead to unimpressive or inaccurate school work.

Two years ago, when I saw my family exhibiting similar signs of exhaustion or tiredness, I whipped up a quick batch of these easy, no-bake (good for those students in the dorms), versatile, peanut butter energy bites. What I love about this recipe is all you have to do is throw everything together in a bowl, mix, and place in the fridge. Not to mention, the bites have an enormous flexibility for add-ins. While I put in chocolate chips my family’s favorite, the bites can easily include a variety of nuts, candies, or anything else you see fit.

Caxy Corner is a page for up-to date recipes, DIY’s (do-it-yourself), and super useful hacks! Compiled by Shreya, Katy, Elizabeth.

Quick and Easy Energy Bites 2 tbsp. Honey (or binding sweetener of choice, i.e. agave, maple syrup) ⅔ cup Peanut Butter (or nut butter of choice) 1 cup Oats ½ cup add-ins (i.e. chocolate chips, M&Ms, nuts) 1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.

2. Place rounded balls onto a plate or baking mat.

3. Place energy bites in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!

Organization hacks for the new school year

By Elizabeth Christoph A&E Editor Many students struggle with losing papers and keeping school things in an orderly place. Being on top of your game when school starts can be difficult after a long summer where you weren’t faced with

How to create a DIY sharpie mug This is what the finished product looks like aftter baking and hand-washing.

By Shreya Singhvi Features Editor Looking for a good gift for your friend’s birthday? A sharpie mug is an easy and affordable way to make a personalized gift in under an hour. You only need a few materials for this DIY (do-it-yourself), and

the whole thing can be done for less than $2.00.

You need a mug to draw on, which I got at the dollar store. You also need a permanent marker. The suggested method is to use an oil-based paint pen sharpie, because it stays on longer, but I used a regular one

Photo courtesy of Shreya Singhvi

and it worked out perfectly. Next, you need rubbing alcohol or makeup remover to fix any mistakes you make on your mug. Lastly, you need a working oven.

The first step is to wipe down your mug with rubbing alcohol to ensure all of the fingerprints and other dirt has been got-

11 deadlines. In order to be prepared for your new classes, these organizational tips will help.

Color Coding: By choosing an assortment of colors to represent each subject, you differentiate between subjects to make sure every loose paper goes to the correct colored folder. Once a color is chosen for each subject, write the subject name in that color in your planner to easily tell what your week is going to look like and what homework is due or which tests are scheduled. If you use individual notebooks for each class, make them all in the color of the subject so you can easily grab them out of your backpack at a glance.

It’s really a pain when you spend a lot of time on a worksheet but are unable to turn it in because you can’t find it in your backpack. By using colors to distinguish between subjects you can easily navigate where your assignment is and stay organized.

Binder Use: Although it is easy to stuff loose papers into your backpack or have them all crammed into the designated folder, the reality is that you don’t need certain papers after you’ve moved on to the next unit and they are taking up extra space.

Having a large binder at home with past homework, tests, etc. is useful because instead of getting rid of it completely you are just storing it until you’ll need it for finals. By constantly emptying the folders and filling the binders you are not only have less to sort through, but also keep things safer where it has less of a chance to get lost.

ten rid of. Make sure to take off any price stickers before you start to work, so that they don’t burn in the oven. Next, choose your design and sketch it out on a piece of paper until it looks the way you want.

Then, using the sharpie of your choice, transfer your design onto the mug. I used an “s” letter stencil and taped it to my mug, then drew dots all around it before peeling off the paper.

Put your mug in the oven and let it heat up to 350 degrees. Make sure you place your mug into the oven before it starts heating. Leave it there for thirty minutes, then turn off the oven and leave it open a crack for another twenty minutes to let the mug cool. This will ensure that it doesn’t crack. You can bake it twice if you want it to really set, but I chose to only bake it once.

Sharpie mugs are perfect for gifts especially if you fill them with candy, or to keep for yourself! Make sure to hand wash them to preserve the design and prevent chipping.

Stay tuned for next month’s fun recipe you can make in minutes, using your new DIY creation and a microwave- cake in a mug!

THE SPECTATOR

12

Arts and Entertainment

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

After four years without music Frank Ocean breaks his silence

By Hunter Wolff Editor-in-Chief Frank Ocean released his debut studio album Channel Orange in 2012 with much anticipation after his hugely popular mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. The singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer mesmerized the music world with his dreamy pop songs. But in the four years following the album release, Ocean went off the grid: deleting his social media, abstaining from any media coverage, and his location remained unknown. Rumors flooded the internet about his next album and when it was potentially coming out, but it all turned out false. Fans itched for new music. But now, Ocean has finally released a full body of work including two albums (Endless and Blonde) and a magazine (Boys Don’t Cry).

After spending a few weeks with Ocean’s latest work, I can tell you it was well worth the wait.

If you go into either Endless or Blonde expecting another version of Channel Orange, you will find that is not what you are going to get from Ocean this time around.

After Channel Orange’s uplifting songs with beat switches, glorious choruses, and bridges, Ocean’s new work is mellow and more poetic, however, the topics that he writes about (love, his passion for cars, and simple everyday moments in his life) are similar to those of his debut RIAA Gold Certified Album, Channel Orange.

Beginning with the first of the releases from Ocean, Endless, a visual album that

fulfilled his record deal with Def Jam Recordings, is one of those albums that has an incredible flow and sounds like one continuous song. As a whole, the album primarily focuses on Ocean’s vocals rather than the production and detailed instrumentals in the background that you will hear on Blonde. Some of the highlights from Endless include: “At Your Best,” an introduction to the project that acts as a lullaby to the listener; “Unity,” which features more involved bass and percussion as well as Ocean’s innate ability to intertwine singing and rapping; and finally “Rushes” and “Rushes To,” two beautiful poems that Ocean sings rhythmically back to back.

Overall, Endless is a great album and it sounds beautiful, but the one aspect that it lacks is a coherent theme throughout in comparison to Blonde.

Blonde showcases all of Frank Ocean’s strong suits: upbeat pop songs, mellow love songs, and rap verses that tell narratives from Ocean’s personal life. It is a more personal album for Ocean compared to his previous projects, he writes songs rich in emotion and it gives the listener a chance to pick his brain and find out what’s going on in the mysterious and confusing life of Frank Ocean. He tells stories of his previous relationships and uses metaphors in his lyrics to deliver bigger messages that encompass the album as a whole. Every song on the album has a purpose, whether it’s his pop hit “Ivy” or phone call sound bite “Be Yourself,” each track contributes to the consistent themes of the album. Though

there are minimal features on the album the one that really stands out is Andre 3000’s verse on “Solo (Reprise),” he nails it. The best songs on Blonde are: “Nikes” (minus the weird voice changer that Ocean decided to use), “Ivy,” “Solo,” “Skyline To,” “Nights,” and “White Ferrari.”

Ocean comleted his most recent body of work with a supplementing magazine, Boys Don’t Cry. The magazine has visual aspects as well as literary. Some of the pictures featured include cars from his collection, landscapes, and portraits of him and other fashion models. In addition to the images, Ocean included his own poetry, lyrics, narratives from his past, and a poem written by Kanye West. The magazine was released for free in very limited quantities at pop-up shops in just four cities around the world: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and London. Members of Ocean’s

team transformed normal newstands in each city, removing all of the traditional newspapers and magazines and putting in Ocean’s magazine. Lines stretched blocks as thousands of fans waited to get their copy. Also inside the magazine was a physical CD copy of Blonde, which features two additional songs, “Mitsubishi Sony” and “Easy.” Although many fans weren’t able to get their hands on the magazine, Ocean’s willingness to create a complete project, one that draws at various medias: visual, audio, and textual, makes him stand out as a multi-talented artist in the music industry.

You can feel the four years that went into making Blonde and Endless, both are albums that are thought provoking and totally worth the wait. Take your time with the next one Frank!

Photo courtesy of taddlr.com

Photo courtesy of Hunter Wolff

Caxy Match

Every month, The Spectator chooses one person at LFA who bears a striking resemblance to a celebrity figure. This month, we have paired Mr. Jeremy Sands with actor and comedian Zach Galifinakis, who is famous for his role in the The Hangover series.

THE SPECTATOR

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Arts and Entertainment

13

Fall 2016 Fine Ms. Yue Chen falls in love with Arts Calendar teaching Chinese and ceramics

This month, the Fall 2016 Fine Arts Calendar will feature highlighted shows and events throughout September and October.

By Kyle O’Shaughnessy Staff Writer

Students at Lake Forest Academy know Ms. Yue Chen as one of the school’s Ceramics and Mandarin teachers. However, according to Chen, being a teacher was something she never aspired to be.

In fact, Chen said that for a significant period of time, she didn’t want to teach.

Chen took the time to discuss her personal story with The Spectator this month.

According to Chen, she was raised in the city of Wuhan, in the province of Hubei, in China. She grew up with her parents and her “rival”; her older sister.

“I have an older sister. She came to [the] United States for graduate school in the late nineties. So, I don’t know if you have siblings, I always have this pressure because of her, to do as well, or better than her,” Chen said.

In fact, according to Chen, had this rivalry never existed, she might not have ended up in America. She had studied in China and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in drawing. After several failed attempts at receiving a scholarship for an American university, Chen moved on, and gave up on the idea.

“I’m pretty competitive, so she was able

Photo courtesy of Bill Murphy

Ms. Chen works with clay on a potter’s wheel during her interview.

to come [the the U.S.] with a full scholarship, so I wanted to also,” Chen continued. “So, after college I tried to apply here, in the United States. I was accepted to a couple state universities, but I wasn’t offered any scholarship. After graduate school I already had three job offers, [and decided that it was too late for America].”

“In college I was almost against teaching my parents and my grandma were teachers. So everybody was like ‘Become a teacher, an educator!’ And I said, ‘No, no, no that sounds so boring.’ But [eventually] I would change

my mind in graduate school,” Chen said.

Even though teaching was never the goal, Chen claims she loves where she ended up. She even went as far to say that she felt fortunate to end up at a school as nice as Lake Forest Academy. But she can’t pick a favorite subject to teach.

“Ceramics seems like my thing.” Because I have been doing this for a long time. I don’t feel like I am actually teaching [Ceramics], I feel like I am sharing my experiences. Chinese? I mean I am Chinese, and Chinese is my native language. I feel proud that I am able to share my culture.”

Orchestra’s new practice space moved into old Student Center

By Hong Joo Kwon Managing Editor

According to school sources, with the new Student Union available for use now, the old Student Center will be renovated and be used for a new Lake Forest Academy orchestra space. In the near future, the orchestra will be able to move from the Cressey Center for the Arts lobby to the backside of the old Student Center.

“We looked at that space and we thought that it could be a good space for instru-

mental music because the lobby of Cressey works, but it is not ideal. The new Student Union made the old Student Center possible for orchestra space,” said Mr. William Dolbee, the Associate Head of School.

LFA Chief Financial Officer Michael Reidy agreed that it did not seem optimal having an orchestra in a lobby of a building, especially when there is a better available space.

“The plan is that we will move the orchestra from the lobby over Cressey to the backside of what used to be the Student

Photo courtesy of Hong Joo Kwon

The old Student Center is currently under renovations to get ready for Orchestra’s first concert on October 15th.

Union. What used to be Sonia’s is going to be converted into a storage area where all the instruments will be kept and that whole back half of the old Student Center will be set up as the orchestra space,” stated Reidy.

According to Reidy, although the sound is pretty good in the lobby, some faculty members wanted the orchestra to have its own dedicated space where the members could go and know it’s always there for them to use and they don’t have to tear things down every time they set up.

“The sound in that building should be pretty good, as well, since it used to be a chapel. We’re going do some work on getting the sound better. We’re going to put some sound panels in to make the sound even better,” stated Reidy.

The acoustical design has already begun, and the physical renovations, such as putting doors where walls are and walls where doors are will begin next week. The current plan is that the orchestra should be able to move this October.

“I am happy that we will no longer have to practice in the Cressey lobby where people walk in and out in the middle of the class and where the hallways are pretty loud during the orchestra class,” said Joan Karstrom, a junior violinist in orchestra.

Highlights

•

Student Art Show/ Pop Up ArtOctober 12 (Cressey Gallery & Lobby) throughout the whole day

•

Opening Night of the Fall PlayOctober 13 (Cressey) at 7pm

•

Closing Night of the Fall PlayOctober 14 (Cressey) at 7pm

•

Parents Weekend Concert- October 15 (Cressey) at 7pm

•

Chamber Concert- October 24 (Cressey or Little Theater) at 7pm

•

Winter Musical Auditions- October 25 (Cressey) at 3-6pm

•

24 Hour Play Lockin- October 28 to October 29 (Cressey) at 7pm

Fall Extravaganza for the Arts brings a night of variety

By Hong Joo Kwon Managing Editor Parents Weekend Fall Extravaganza for the Arts, which will take place on October 16th at 7 p.m. at the Cressey Center for Arts, will enable the Lake Forest Academy to highlight students’ artistic abilities.

The Fall Extravaganza will include the Choir, Orchestra, Laptop Orchestra, Coax, and Vox. Mr. Timothy Plambeck and Mr. Adam Schlipmann, both Directors of Music, stated that there will be variety of musical performances offered that day by the school’s multiple ensembles.

“The main points about the Fall Extravaganza are that it’s Parents’ Weekend and all the major groups will be performing, so that it gives everybody a really broad overview of the amazing program that we have in our ensembles,” elaborated Plambeck.

Chamber concert calls for all creative students on campus

By Elizabeth Christoph A&E Editor All members of the LFA community are welcome to witness talented student artists perform at the first Chamber Concert of the year, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24, in Cressey Theater.

Director of Music Tim Plambeck explained that Chamber Concerts, “allow talented LFA students the opportunity to perform solos or small chamber pieces on campus.”

Plambeck emphasized that any student can perform at a concert, even if you are involved in a sport.

“Chamber Concerts are open to whomever wants to perform in one,” Mr. Adam Schlipmann, Director of Instrumental Music stated.

THE SPECTATOR

Sports

14

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Fall sports have an uneven distrubution of numbers

By Jaleel Gray Sports Editor

The 2016 LFA fall sports season has started with an underlying problem: lack of numbers. Several teams, including the highly successful Varsity Field Hockey squad, were dealing with fewer students at pre-season workouts, and Varsity Football and Co-Ed Varsity Golf are still dealing with smaller numbers relative to previous years. According to Golf Coach Jon Freeman, there were no freshmen who tried out this year for golf.

“It is unfortunate but it can be weathered out,” said Freeman.

Freeman is still hopeful and ready for the new season. The contributions of last years’ Junior Varsity members and returning varsity players will benefit the team’s performance.

“I think we’re going to be fine this year because we are bringing back numerous veterans,” explained Freeman.

The low numbers also gave space for players that may not been able to play at the varsity level last year, providing a path to gain beneficial experience for the following seasons. Even with the small numbers, golf started the season strong with a 3-0 record beating the likes of Lake Forest High School.

In addition, football is dealing with a similar issue. LFA’s football program has

always had numbers on the low side and this year is no exception. This year’s program had lower numbers during pre-season but has gained a few more players since then.

“The numbers are not where we want them to be,” said Coach Robin Bowkett.

Bowkett believes that the national uneasiness towards football due to its high level of physicality may have had an influence on the pool of students who could have tried out. Like golf, Bowkett declared that football will also persevere under these circumstances.

On the other hand, soccer at LFA has had a large increase in players in the last two years. Soccer Coach Paul Makovec stated this surplus was caused by implementing a third team.

“People knew we were having a third team so not as many people were getting cut,” said Makovec.

The minimized risk of getting cut motivated students to try out for the team.

“Tryout numbers have been up to seventy as opposed to upper fifties with twenty kids getting cut. This year we did not have to cut,” said Makovec.

The additional team has not affected the playing space of the teams with Makovec strongly affirming that there is plenty of space and that the athletic department sufficiently accommodates sportswear and game materials.

Senior Thomas Pinel joins golf to help with their low numbers.

Photo courtesy of LFA SmugMug

Photo courtesy of LFA SmugMug

Senior Kenan Clarke dances into the endzone for a Caxy touchdown.

Football starts rivalry with John Burroughs

By Nithin Reddy Senior Sports Editor The Lake Forest Academy Caxys football team faced John Burroughs School of St. Louis in what could become the start of a friendly rivalry between the two private schools. LFA and John Burroughs are very comparable in multiple facets. They are both Midwest schools whose academics are very high, whose size of schools is somewhat small, and who share similar philosophies in teaching. The schools were slightly different in the football game, however, as Burroughs won the game 44-14.

Currently LFA plans on playing two games against John Burroughs, but Head Football Coach Robin Bowkett believes this could become the start of an ongoing rivalry.

“It’s a home and home, and it’s exciting! They’re coming here for the next two years,” said Bowkett. “I could see this becoming a little Midwestern independent school rivalry because we are similar in size, demographics, and overall in the type of student we are looking for.”

As for the game, LFA and John Burroughs were close throughout. Burroughs was able to stretch the field through its passing attack, and this created opportunities to run the ball up the middle.

The Caxys were able to stay in the game by forcing turnovers and earning good

field position on several occassions. Senior quarterback Keelan Laidlaw found receiver Keenan Clarke for a 36-yard touchdown pass to take an early lead in the game. Later in the half Laidlaw again found Clarke for another touchdown.

The Caxys stayed close throughout the first half, but after halftime the script was flipped and Burroughs pulled away late.

This was a classic case of the final score not reflecting the trough closeness of the contest.

It seems as though LFA’s introduction to Burroughs through football may lead to other sports competing against each other. Currently, the LFA field hockey team goes down to St. Louis every year to compete in the Gateway Classic, a tournament that Burroughs also competes in.

It may be possible that other teams will go to St. Louis and compete against Burroughs in the future. The two schools are very competitive in athletics and seem as though they’d be a perfect fit as out of state rivals. Burroughs is approximately a five hour drive from LFA, making the two schools easily accessible, and since most of LFA’s sports teams aren’t in a conference, accessibility for games will be easier to find. Overall, this seems like a perfect pairing, and Bowkett agrees.

“If we were based in Chicago I could see [LFA] being the John Burroughs of Chicago, so I hope we continue playing each other in the foreseeable future,” said the coach.

THE SPECTATOR

Sports

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

15

Girls Varsity Field Hockey starts their season facing adversity

By Obaid Ansari

tually wider than the Varsity field which

field hockey is field hockey no matter

the fact that they only have 13 players,

Managing Editor of Sports

doesn’t necessarily play to the team’s

where you are playing.”

enough for only two subs. LFA only has

strength.

As of right now the field is out of com-

400 students, and compared to the big

After losing in the quarter-finals of the

Senior captain Maggie Stoll stated, “I

mission indefinitely and the team has

public schools they play, the team is heav-

state tournament last year, the Varsity

think we’ve adapted pretty easily and

moved on. Although another obstacle is

ily outnumbered. The big schools have

Field Hockey team is looking to bounce

enough bodies for four teams, whereas

back and earn home field advantage this

LFA barely has enough for two.

year. This requires them to be in the top

“We definitely need to use big passes

half of the state after the regular season;

across the field to cover more territory

however, the team has run into some early

with less running instead of always trying

obstacles.

to take it by yourself,” said Stoll.

Perhaps the most unexpected issue was

The team is currently 3-4, and despite

the sprinkler system on their field – and

many hindrances it has a lot of positives

possibly the construction of the Student

and potential. One is the eagerness of Stoll

Union -- causing the field to be wet and

to lead the team and bring them together

unplayable.

to overcome the difficulties they face.

“It’s this perfect storm of the rain from

“Our key players are Maggie Stoll, who

the Student Union running onto the field,

will play in the midfield, Lena Ansari

a huge storm, and something going wrong

(sophomore), who will also play in the

with the sprinkler system. The field was

midfield,” said Cooper. “Izzy Moody (ju-

completely soaked, it was like walking in

nior) will anchor the backfield, and Erin

swamp land,” said Head Coach Dianne

Snoddy (senior) is at right back.”

Cooper.

The team will be anchored on the right

Cooper stresses that no one is to blame

side, which is also where they want to de-

and that getting angry will not help the

velop their offense from.

situation. The girls have quickly adapted

“The past few years we’ve been able to

and are now splitting the JV field during

Photo courtesy of Allison Torres

practice. Interestingly, the JV field is ac-

Girls Varsity Field Hockey practices on the JV field while their field was flooded.

By Max Hayes Sports Editor

hockey schedule won’t allow time.

“I don’t think he cares. I think it would be hard to balance it, and we play games pretty much every weekend. We don’t have too many off weekends when we are in town,” Hamilton explained.

When it comes to his hockey game, Hamilton is just as exceptional. Hamilton plays right wing for LFA. Before beginning his LFA career, he played on a club team called the “Iowa Wild” for two years. He got in touch with Madeley through senior Davis Browning, also one of the LFA prep hockey team players.

Hamilton feels as if the LFA prep hockey team is going to have a great year, and he’s excited for the season. According to Hamilton, the offense is looking stellar this year. Hamilton also noted some differences between his old team, the “Iowa Wild”, and the current LFA prep hockey team.

He believes that the LFA prep hockey team focuses more on individual skills and development during the course of the season, whereas his old team focused more on team drills and team work.

Playing hockey in college is Hamilton’s main goal.

“That is what I have always been working for,” said Hamilton.

overcome obstacles and I bet we will this year as well,” said Stoll.

LFA’s very own Happy Gilmore?

When it comes to sports, most of us think of that one sport right away: the one each of us is best at. For Tyler Hamilton, though, it’s up for debate. Hamilton, a senior at LFA, is on the Prep hockey team, but could’ve easily been one of the best players on Varsity Golf.

Hamilton had to choose between the two sports when coming to LFA. He decided to play hockey, but he easily could have been earning medalist honors for Varsity golf as well.

“Hockey was my for-sure sport; but if I could get some meets in or some practices for golf, that’d be great,” Hamilton stated.

According to Hamilton, he usually shoots anywhere from two-below par to two-above par, which is a 34 to 38 on nine holes. Hamilton said it would be great if he could get some matches in, but the only thing holding him back is the rigorous and time-consuming prep hockey schedule. Hamilton thinks that Coach Darrin Madeley of Prep hockey wouldn’t have a problem with Hamilton playing a couple matches or practices for the golf team. However, he thinks the

Photo courtesy of Tyler Hamilton

In addition to playing hockey, senior Tyler Hamilton enjoys golfing during his free time.

Sports

16

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Boys soccer starts season in Jamaica

By Jacob Chagoya

did not think it would be fair to take them

Senior Sports Editor

without a proper tryout.

Aside from the games, the team also ex-

The LFA Boys Varsity Soccer team

perienced different aspects of Jamaican

recently took a summer trip to Kings-

culture. The team members visited sev-

ton, Jamaica to play a series of friendly

eral cultural sites, the famous Bob Mar-

matches, do some cultural sightseeing

ley Museum, and beaches. The team also

and experience some special team bond-

visited the Maxwell House, an orphanage

ing in advance of this year’s scholastic

that housed children from six-weeks to

sports season. According to coaches and

18 years old. The Caxy players interacted

players, the team made some special

with the orphans by talking and playing

memories that won’t soon be forgotten.

games during their visit.

The team played in four matches while

“Aside from playing against Jamaican

in Jamaica, tying three times and win-

teams and the orphanage, we spent our

ning once. The three tied matches were

last night at a local sports bar in New

against KC Soccer Club (0-0), Dunoon

Kingston to get some dinner and watch

High School (3-3), and Excelsior High

the Olympics. It was a party atmosphere

School (1-1). The Caxys had a 7-4 victo-

to say the least,” said team captain Nat

ry against Calabar High School.

Shattock. “After a Jamaican sprinter won

“They were all very close games. We played very reasonable competition,”

a 100-meter qualifier, the place went nuts.”

said Head Coach Paul Makovec. “There

With the boys all playing, rooming,

are better teams down there and there are

eating, and traveling together, the team

worse teams, but the program director

chemistry improved, said Makovec, and

linked us with programs that were like us

he believes this has translated over to the

after watching some of our games.”

season, ultimately making the team bet-

According to Makovec, those that were invited to the trip were returning Varsity

ter. The extra week of playing together also gave a kick start to the season.

members, as well as some of the top Ju-

“The team bonding was unforgettable. I

nior Varsity players from last year. How-

will always cherish the time I spent with

ever, the coaches did not want to take

my teammates and coaches on this trip,”

students who were new to LFA, as they

said Shattock.

Photo courtesy of LFA Soccer Team

Senior Jaleel Gray juggling a soccer ball in the extreme heat on a Jamaican beach.

Facilities opened to world soccer stars

By Jack Mahon Sports Editor

the most out of all of these places.

The national teams paid LFA a small fee, and took advantage of LFA’s fields, train-

Photo courtesy of Obaid Ansari

Senior captain Andrew Ryder poses with USA player Ali Krieger after a scrimmage against the U.S. Women’s Naional Team.

In an eventful summer of sports at Lake

ing room, and locker rooms. Some Costa

Forest Academy, three Mens’ Nation-

Ricans even used the pool to rehabilitate.

al Soccer Teams, as well as The United

In July, the U.S. Women’s National Team

States Womens’ National Team, used

played a local club soccer team at LFA.

LFA’s soccer fields and facilities in prepa-

Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Co. took on

ration for their respective tournaments.

the Chicago Fire’s under-17 boys’ team

The teams from Costa Rica, Panama and

in two scrimmages on the Varsity soccer

Venezuela all practiced in preparation for

field in preparation for the Rio Olympics.

the Copa America Centenario, which took

The women’s national team was connect-

place last summer. The USA women were

ed to LFA through a representative from

practicing for the Olympics.

the Copa America, and they were allowed

After a long negoatiation that started

to use the facilities for free. The women’s

back in February, LFA won the rights to

team utilized the workout room as well as

have the teams train on its fields. Mr. Dan-

the fields. Senior Nat Shattock was also

ny Volbrecht, groundskeeper at LFA, put

allowed to train with them for a day.

in many tireless hours during the spring

“It was an unbelievable experience to

to make sure the fields would be in top

train with and compete against one of the

condition when the teams arrived.

best teams in the world,” said Shattock

“The best thing [Danny] and I have heard

who is the starting center midfielder for

is when the teams showed up and said

the Caxy’s Varsity Soccer team.

‘Wow, these fields look amazing,’” said

The women’s national team beat the

Mr. Darrin Madeley, Athletic Director at

Chicago Fire Jr’s team 4-1 in the first

LFA.

scrimmage. The second scrimmage was

Lake Forest Academy was chosen to host

less about score, with drills built into the

these national teams along with two other

game itself to help the team prepare for its

places in the Chicago area: University of

Olympic campaign.

Illinois at Chicago and Toyota Park. According to Madeley, the teams liked LFA

“It was a real honor to have them here on campus,” said Madeley.