The Spectator - September 2018

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S P E C TAT O R

VOLUME 97 NUMBER 1

Game On! 1500 WEST KENNEDY ROAD, LAKE FOREST, IL 60045

Featured Stories NEWS

Aretha Franklin & John McCain’s passing

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SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018

No More Cancellations

page 2 OP-ED

Activities bringing community closer together page 4 SPORTS

New horizons for LFA sports programs

page 6 & 7 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Music Reviews on new 2018 summer albums page 9 FEATURES

Students’ opinions on the new Nike campaign

page 10 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

LFA students take on Chicago violence

page 12

Photo courtesy of lfasmugmug Members involved in the planning and volunteering for the Gala, and funding of the turf fields, cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the new playing fields.

By Sydney Olinger Editor-in-Chief

on the drawing board for some time, raising the money for the expensive addition was thought to be a huge challenge. The dream of the turf fields’ construction came to fruition when it was decided that the Gala’s impact was to raise money for the development of the fields.

“I think what a lot of people don’t realize is that 90 percent of the effort leads up to the 10 percent execution at the [Gala] evening,” said Dr. Rob Buckla, Vice President of Advancement.

With the large task of planning and executing the Gala, Dena Perry and Beth Olinger, both parents of LFA students, “exceeded the expectations of the evening” to raise the money for the turf fields, as Dr. Buckla proudly stated. The total amount of money raised from the Gala combined with the money left in David Mackenzie’s

As of August 24th, 2018, the Mackenzie turf fields are open and ready for sports action. Without the many hours of work put in by and support from Dr. Strudwick, the Trustee Board, the Parent’s Association, the Advancement Team, the Mackenzie family, Mr. Darrin Madeley, and all the facilities, the turf fields would never have been possible.

“When I took over as Athletic Director 7 years ago, my number one goal was to improve the female sports here,” explained Mr. Darrin Madeley.

Madeley has been advocating for the turf fields to be constructed for as long as he has been Athletic Director, but other projects such as the Cressey lighting and sound system as well as the Student Union, took priority. Once the weather began to have an extreme influence on the quality of sports games and teams to the point that Madeley was forced to cancel 87 games in one season, the turf fields became a major priority. Although the fields have been on The full view of the brand new turf fields.

will was exactly $1,419,049, which covered practically the entire cost of the new fields.

“If you had to ask me how much I thought we would’ve raised that night I’m not sure I would’ve been on record to say we would’ve raised nearly $700,000,” said Buckla.

Throughout the process Madeley was happy to be able to have even one field, but Dr. Strudwick wanted to go all in for the fields now that we had the opportunity, leading to the construction of two full turf fields which will now allow multiple teams to practice and compete on the turf at the same time. A few minor setbacks in terms of weather over the summer were not a huge concern for Madeley, as they were only 5 days off from the scheduled opening date.

“At the end of the day, I just kept telling [the turf field crew] that I don’t care when it’s done, as long as it’s done right,” Madeley explained.

Photo courtesy of lfasmugmug

THE SPECTATOR 2

News

SEPTEMBER 28,2018

The Passing of a Legend

By Jasmine Filawo Managing Photo Editor for Digital People who go through the timeline of music over the years, will come across an overwhelming array of talented singers.

An unforgettable musician who contributed heavily to the music industry was the late Aretha Franklin who recently passed away at the age of 76 on August 16. Over the course of her successful career, she won eighteen Grammy’s, rightfully earning her the title, Queen of Soul. Although Franklin’s death has left so many people heartbroken, the songs she left behind will keep her in the hearts and minds of many.

“She transformed herself so many times.

No matter what the costume or where she Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942 to Barbara Siggers, a piano player and vocalist, and Clarence LaVaughn “C.L.” Franklin, a Baptist minister and famous gospel singer.

Growing up in the church gave her the opportunity to sing solos and learn how to play the piano. By the time she was 12 years old, her father started managing her and took her to multiple churches to sing. Two years later, her father sent her two-song demo to Columbia Records, which got her signed to the label in 1960.

She switched to Atlantic Records in 1966. Under Atlantic Records, she released her hit songs “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” “Natural Woman,” “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “Baby I Love You,” and “Think.

Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that,” expressed Franklin .

As she grew more popular, she used her platform to get involved in the Civil Rights Movement by becoming an activist and a strong symbol for women, during the feminist movement. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

After tragically dying from advancedpancreatic cancer in her hometown, Detroit, Michigan, friends and family came to celebrate her legacy. Celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, former President Bill Clinton, and Chaka Khan attended Franklin’s funeral service on August 31, and Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, and Ariana Grande performed.

Members of the Lake Forest Academy community were are also affected by her death. Director of Music, Timothy Plambeck, adored her powerful voice and how close she stayed to her roots in Detroit.

He even recalls watching her sing Natural Woman on VH1 Divas Live performance. Senior, Layne Eklund, expressed how her jazzy songs contained meaningful lyrics. The Associate Dean of Admission, Kassandra Hayes, and her mother always listened to her music growing up, especially their favorites “I Say a Little Prayer”, “Pink Cadillac”, and “Respect”.

“What made her so magical was that she put a real face on what African Americans can do,” expressed Hayes.

Even though her sudden detha was shock to the world her funeral was a celebratory moment of her legacy and as of today she will be having a memorial dedicated to her in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Long live the”Queen of Soul!”

Hayes in her office listenting to Franklin’s “I Say a Little Prayer.”

Photo Coutersy of Angelina Chan

Remembering John McCain

By Parker Amoroso Managing Editor of Features When Americans think of Congress, few names stand out ahead of that of John McCain’s. A two-time presidential candidate, a Vietnam War veteran, and a five term U.S. Senator, one would be hard-pressed to find someone who dedicated more of their life to public service. As a result, McCain’s passing on August 29th came as a huge hit to Americans.

Throughout his time in Congress, McCain was known for continually challenging the status quo and his belief in the importance in bipartisanship. Examples include McCain’s work with Democrat Russ Feingold on comprehensive campaign finance reform, along with effort to improve immigration with Democrat Edward Kennedy. In recent years, he was more passionate than ever about the need for bipartisan efforts, criticizing both Republicans and Democrats for their lack of effort.

“Our shared values define us more than our differences. And acknowledging those shared values can see us through our challenges today if we have the wisdom to trust in them again,” McCain wrote in The Washington Post.

With this in mind, for many, McCain’s death is about more than his passing. For many, it looks to be the last straw for bipartisan initiatives.

For many, it looks to be the last straw for bipartisan initiatives.

The following day, a procession took McCain’s casket to the Vietnam Memorial and then to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. At the service, former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama memorialized the senator in front of the many friends, family, and past and present politicians who gathered to remember McCain.

“He was courageous – with a courage that frightened his captors and inspired his countrymen. He was honest, no matter whom it offended…He was honorable – always recognizing that his opponents were still patriots and human beings.

He loved freedom, with the passion of a man who knew its absence,” stated Bush during CNN’s coverage of the funeral.

Yet, in all the sorrow, there was one bittersweet moment. The day after the services in the U.S. Capitol, McCain was buried next to his longtime friend, classmate, and fellow Vietnam prisoner-of-war, Admiral Chuck Larson, making good on a 20-year promise.

The late admiral’s wife, Sarah Larson, remarked to CNN’s John Berman in a fitting testament to the friendship of the two men and the conclusion of a live well-lived, “Chuck has his wingman back now.”

Portrait of U.S. Senator John McCain

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons

THE SPECTATOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

News

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Freshman Retreat:

Building friendships to last through LFA and beyond

By Audrey McGrail News Editor With the first week of preseason under their belt, most Lake Forest Academy students spend the following weekend relaxing, finishing summer reading, and getting ready for school to start on Monday. Freshman begin their high school careers just the same way but with one difference; they head to Woodstock, Illinois to take part in a retreat at the Loyola Retreat Center with 101 of their fellow classmates and 13 or so LFA faculty and staff.

For a typical freshman, learning that they must participate in this retreat in an unfamiliar environment, with a group of kids they don’t know may seem daunting. But that’s the point.

“Let’s be vulnerable,” Mr. Matt Nink remarked, “Let’s open up.”

Nink, the organizer of this retreat and the Executive Director for both the Stuart Center for Global Leadership and the Global Youth Leadership Institute, believes that openness is a the key to forming a true community. It’s at this retreat where students can do just that.

“The retreat was filled with new expereinces and I met freinds that will stay with me throughout high school.” remarked freshman, Adriana Bahena.

Students go device-free (yes, no phones) for two and a half days and participate in group challenges like lifting each other up through a human-sized spider web and

challenging themselves in a ropes course.

Activities like this introduce what the LFA community is all about: bringing students together and conveying what good leadership and problem solving looks like.

If students are able to open up in this setting and learn to solve problems, then they gain skills that allow them to be more equipped to engage in the community. Whether that is in Spanish class or on the soccer field, students will know how to problem-solve and think rationally as a group, with all types of different people. And they will have the retreat as one thing to thank for that.

“When you go you maybe know one or two kids, but by the time you get back, you know 30 or 40,” Nink said, “It’s important that everyone partakes in this retreat. It’s boarders, day students, and ESL learners. There’s no division, it puts everyone in one place.”

But this isn’t just an observation on what the benefits of having a community are; this is true science.

“All the research on learning outcomes all say that you are a better learner when you know the people you’re learning with,” Nink stated.

Imagine that. If our communites at LFA, at home, or wherever we may find ourselves, took the effort to get to know each other, even just a little bit, we’d be that much more connected, and that much more successful in dealing with the problems we face. Students here value this, and that speaks highly of the community of LFA and what we strive for.

Photo Courtesy of Stuart Center Team

A group of freshmen lifting up a classmate through a human spider web. Activities like these are not only fun, but also help new students interact and bond with one another.

Catholic Church amidst new allegations

By Lilly Drury News Editor

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

The Catholic Church is battling new sex abuse charges across the country.

New sexual abuse cases have arisen against the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania from over a thousand children according to an investigative report issued by a grand jury. This report shows that leaders of the Church knew about the abuse and consistently covered it up.

Ever since the groundbreaking allegations from Boston in 2002, sexual abuse in the church as been a prevelant issue.

The report goes into detail of the thousand cases that did come out, which do not account for the full number, as some victims may be too scared or emotionally scarred to come forward. This new round of allegations adds to the multiple accounts of abuse that have stained the reputation of the church in the past 20 years, and affected all of its members. While talking to the Church of St. Mary’s in Lake Forest, I was able to get a glance of the communities response to the recent news.

Deacon Bob Thomas reported that there has not been a drop of attendance during the breaking of the new abuse cases.

“This is a positive sign and shows the power and strength we can all receive

from the Eucharist and being unified with our Lord,” wrote Deacon Thomas.

When asked how he and the community of St. Mary’s has been affected by the recent allegations in Pennsylvania, Thomas wrote that he was personally affected more during these recent allegations than the past ones in 2002 due to him not being a deacon at the time of The Boston Globe report.

“I am filled with prayerful reflection and prayers for those who are abused, as their pain is so deep. I pray to our Lord for healing and to the Holy Spirit to help guide us as we help those abused and promote healing throughout the world…. These are very difficult times for our world and our Church. We all want answers and to help those suffering from abuse. There seems to be no quick solution,” the Deacon wrote.

St. Mary’s has given their community many forms of dialogue to discuss these issues and have taken actions to handle this in the best way. They have been praying for the victims at mass, and have taken to posting letters from the cardinal on their bulletin board.

St. Mary’s has planned a prayer event and shared a prayer with all of their parishioners. By addressing the issue head on, the parish hopes to diminish any questions or fears their community may have.

THE SPECTATOR

Opinion and Editorial

4

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

A unified community: All School Handshake and Freshman Retreat brings students together

By Adriana Rivera Op-Ed Managing Editor

One of the most special elements of Lake Forest Academy is the small-knit community everyone shares. The community, made up of about 450 students and many faculty members, is truly a small one: and with that size factor comes a sizeable benefit that not many schools can relate to. People at LFA know one another, students are not strangers passing through the hallway.

The faculty’s days do not end at three o’clock like most teachers’ do. Teachers and students watch soccer games together and talk about their favorite movies. LFA is more than just a school, it’s a community; and part of what makes LFA so special are its events, such as the All School Handshake and freshman retreat where individuals become familiar with one another and are able to build new relationships.

The All School Handshake takes place on the first day of school every year. All 400+

members of the community go into the formal gardens and line up, each person hoping they’d chosen the side of the line that will finish the quickest. After Dr. Strudwick tosses a coin in the air to determine which side first, the line begins to snake around the formal gardens. As people are shaking hands with one another: old students seeing old friends, new students meeting new people, and new teachers getting to know the community; smiles, laughs and brief statements of “good luck in the new year” are shared.

“The All School Handshake is a great time to see your old friends but also to meet new people. It’s also a really good time to engage with the community, and without the All School Handshake LFA just wouldn’t be the same,” said Senior Nathaniel Barnes, who transferred to LFA as a junior.

Although Nathaniel has only gone through two All School Handshakes, he’s been able to recognize and cherish the impor-

tance this tradition upholds in the community. It truly is a moment every year many students look forward to as it sets a positive and welcoming foundation for each upcoming school year.

Another tradition that is newer at LFA is the freshman retreat.

For the past two years the entire freshman class has taken a retreat during the end of preseason. This retreat, lasting three days, brings together the new members of the freshman class for the first time, as many of them don’t know one another going into it. While on the retreat, the freshmen participate in team building activities such as a trust fall. “[The freshman retreat] was a great way to meet new people!” stated Rosie (Add last name), a freshman at LFA. Similar to the All School Handshake, the freshman retreat encourages the building of new relationships and allows students to become more familiar with one another. Such activities have impacted LFA in a positive way and will continue to do so.

How will the new late-start schedule changes benefit you?

By Mia Walvoord News Editor

students’ ability to learn, so the addition of another late start is meant to help keep students Between tests, quizzes, and pa- healthy and minimize stress. pers, the recent schedule changes Who can fully function on a at the Academy have unfortufew hours of sleep a night? It’s nately gone almost entirely unno-impossible. By staying up later, ticed, despite the fact that they students are only doing themwill significantly enrich the lives selves a disservice because they of all students. The addition of will be severely affected the next an extra late start on G-Day and day - essentially negating all a new All School Meeting time the hard work they did the night on F-Day were very intentionally before. planned in order to maximize Previously, LFA’s schedule student benefit. These schedwas limited in its ability to offer ule adjustments, though small, students the chance to catch up deserve much more recognition (on sleep or on homework) in because they are certain to boost the mornings. Now students can students’ potential and allow reconcile going to sleep earlier, them more free time after school. knowing that they will have a Mr. Chris Tennyson, Dean of late start and a lighter class load Students, had actually been con- the next day. This will improve sidering the addition of another both student productivity and imlate start day for some time. He prove attitudes towards school, and the rest of the LFA faculty making for a better learning recognize how difficult it is for environment. Since G-Day ends adolescents to give equal time at 1:30, after school practices and attention to their rigorous times could remain unaffected. school work and extra circulars. Students will be able to come to In their efforts to remain on top school more rested and ready to of their workload, they often learn, without experiencing any overlook their own personal inconveniences later in the day. needs.

In the case of All School “...Something in our students’ Meeting, it was discovered that lives has to give, and oftentimes if it was switched to F-Day, we their choice is to have it be would be able to hold three to sleep,” recognized Tennyson. four more of them throughout Forgoing sleep greatly affects the year. There is so much to

be learned through the study of this year’s Head of School Symposium topic, that these extra meeting times will allow all members of the community more opportunity to evolve their global mindset, which is so highly valued at LFA. Mr. Tom Johnson, who worked with Tennyson to present these changes to the faculty, predicts that eventually, more cycle days will include late starts in order to maximize students’ performance during the academic day. He also mentioned that All School Meeting’s place in the schedule could also be subject to change in the future in order to fit as many meetings into the year as possible.

Additional all school meetings will provide students with more opportunities for enrichment, while the secondary late start will allow them to be less stressed and work more effectively. Hopefully in the future, with the addition of more late start days, there will be an even more noticeable effect on student effort and overall happiness.

Photo courtesy of Smugmug.com Seniors Henry Seebeck and Sergio Estrelles share a hug, reuniting for a new school year.

Art Credit? English Credit? No Credit?

By Angelina Chan News Editor The Journalism courses at LFA underwent a major change this school year, and not necessarily for the better: the removal of its half fine arts credit.

Originally, Journalism was offered as an English elective and a partial arts credit so students with full schedules wouldn’t have to take an extra class to fulfill graduation requirements.

This is no longer the case.

“We [wanted] to make sure that the work being done… satisfies the expectations of the department,” explained Mr. Chris Tennyson, the Dean of Students and Academic Affairs, on why Journalism was moved to only an English elective.

But doesn’t the program already involve the arts?

“A fundamental part of Journalism is the integration of photography and design into layout on a monthly basis,” described Ms. Amanda Byron, the Journalism teacher.

Journalism, through the monthly publication of the Spectator, includes an abundance of art-related components throughout the production process. Classes like 2D Design and Photography incorporate these elements, as did Yearbook, which did have an art credit. But Yearbook is no longer a class, because of lack of student interest and teacher availability, according to Mr. Adam Schlipmann, the Department Head for Fine and Performing Arts.

These factors shouldn’t relate to Journalism’s credit, and Yearbook’s cut doesn’t change the creativity and extensive art elements that go into the the Spectator. Even while considering the article-writing part, it is unreasonable to disregard the design and photography features that are fundamental to the production and creation of our newspaper.

Journalism students’ capabilities also show the disadvantages of the cut.

“It’s kind of unfair because I won’t have enough time,” expressed Journalism I student Rachel Johns. “Taking away the art credit from Journalism… means I have to take an art junior or senior year, when I’ll be even busier.”

Especially when popular arts classes like Orchestra and Choir coincide with Journalism, and the heavy AP load of the high-achieving student, there often isn’t enough additional time to spend on an elective.

Conversely, if the credit is kept, there will be a wider range of students that can participate in the program.

The role of news today is as crucial as it has ever been, and offering Journalism to a wider range of students might just be a step in the right direction. By expanding the number of people who can take the class, we are expanding students’ horizons, and hopefully their abilities can better our world in the future.

THE SPECTATOR SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018

Opinion and Editorial

5

Editorial: A derogatory language clause? S P E C T A T O R T h e L a k e A c a d e m y

By Tyler Medvec Editor-in-Chief Attempting to address the difficult and highly controversial subject of what defines offensive language on campus, the “offensive and derogatory language” clause has been added to the LFA handbook in recent years. Although this seems like an obvious and important aspect of LFA’s policies and rules, there are issues within this clause that need to be addressed and understood by the student body. As students at LFA, we pride ourselves on the diversity and multiculturalism that characterizes our school. We recognize the importance of respecting different ideas and cultures as this ideology is what makes LFA what it is: a hub of pluralism. In no way, shape, or form do we disagree with the idea that students must respect each other, especially in such a diverse community.

However, with this diversity of thought and culture comes many different definitions of what is considered offensive; there is no unified understanding among our students of what makes a word or phrase offensive. The “offensive and derogatory language” clause does little to help this issue. The vague wording of the clause gives us a blanket statement instead of a definition, creating confusion and open-

ing the door for misunderstanding and uneven interpretation.

The handbook defines offensive language as, “words that tend or intend to detract, disparage, or belittle” and the clause includes stereotypes and negative uses of ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender, class, religion, or disability. We aren’t disagreeing with the idea of the clause; it’s important to understand what you’re saying and the impact it can have on other people. What we do disagree with is the vagueness of a clause that holds such power over the student body. With such a broad definition of “offensive language” students could use words that they might not even realize are offensive to certain people, and with this new rule in the handbook, those students would be subject to censure, warning, or probation, with multiple offenses resulting in expulsion.

The clause also claims that any language that is, “spoken, written, recited as published material, or shared using social media” is under the scope of a punishable offense. The “published material” aspect of the clause is exemplified in the handbook as song lyrics, which to us, is frankly a little absurd. The idea of immediate term review for reciting song lyrics that we might not even know are offensive is worrisome for us as students, especially giv-

en that our generation that is so constantly surrounded by music.

It’s vital to respect and understand the importance of language and the power of words on others, but to instantly punish is not the answer. While we understand that repeat offenders must be punished, putting students’ careers in jeopardy for a one-time loss of judgement is not only unfair to the student, but it will teach them nothing. Derogatory language is an extremely sensitive subject and must be treated as such. Offenders should be forced to discuss their mistake until they come to the understanding of why it was wrong.

This discussion would be a preferable alternative to term review especially at a school that emphasizes the importance of dialogue in and out of the classroom.

LFA is not only a diverse school in culture, ethnicity, and thought, it is one that prides itself on the interplay between the many groups that make up its student body. This interplay exists, and can only exist, by bringing controversial and uncomfortable subjects to light. Adding this clause without a clear definition of derogatory language, yet outlining such sharp punishments for breaking it seems like an attempt to brush a major issue under the rug rather than deal with the consequences of discussing it.

F o r e s t

STAFF LIST

Editors-in-Chief

Alex Jackson Sydney Olinger Tyler Medvec

Managing Editor of Production

Kiki Hood

Managing Editor of Op-Ed

Adriana Rivera

Managing Editor of Features

Parker Amoroso

Managing Editor of Sports

Jack Selati

Managing Editor of A&E

Mia Walvoord

Managing Editor of G&P

Tiffany Filawo

News Editor

Audrey McGrail Lilly Drury

Features Editor

Lindsey Pearlman Nate Koh

Op-Ed Editor

Angelina Chan

Sports Editor

Ben Sebolt John Kuhns Jared Felitto

Editor-in-Chief of Digital

Charlie Shattock

Photo Editor of Digital

Jasmine Filawo

Faculty Adviser

Amanda Byron

PUBLICATION

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

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 Ms. Byron at abyron@lfanet.org

AWARDS

A screen shot of the 2018 LFA Student Handbook section on Offensive and Derogatory Language

Survey Results: Do you think the derogatory language clause should be more specific?

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

“Every human being, of whatever orgin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.”

--U. Thant

THE SPECTATOR

Centerfold

6

SEMPTEMBER 28, 2018

New horizons for Lake Fo The worth of turf

By Jared Felitto Sports Editor

Throughout the past couple of years, Lake Forest Academy has made it a priority to constantly update and modernize the campus. In the summer of 2018, Lake Forest Academy embarked on a project that would completely shift the dynamic of athletics at LFA: the addition of turf fields. During the long summer months of assembling the new fields, outside contractors worked tirelessly mobilizing construction efforts. From workers excavating the fields to the LFA’s groundskeeping team putting the final touches, the making of the new turf fields was an extremely meticulous project.

New turf fields have been in the works for several years. Having grass fields requires plenty of care and maintenance, creating many inconveniences for LFA. According to Athletic Director Mr. Darrin Madeley, it was time for a change.

“Last spring we had 93 cancellations due to weather. Now we will able to play games that usually would have been cancelled. Not only is it logistically easier, but it gives us flexibility that we’ve never had before” said Madeley.

Primarily, the turf fields will be utilized for lacrosse, softball, and field hockey, but will also be used by soccer if weather becomes an issue. Prior to the addition of the turf fields, cancellations for fall and spring sports were almost a guarantee. Now, the turf can prevent that from happening. Not only will the fields help avoid cancellations, but will enhance the athletic experience at LFA. One of the men behind the scenes, Mr. Pat Dolan played an essential role to the creation of the fields. He was involved in the process every step of the way, from the contractors, to the operators, and finally monitoring the construction. Dolan

was very involved in the daily affairs of the new fields.

“Every day in the summer, the contractors would get here around 6 AM. Operators and construction crews worked nonstop from 7 Am to 3:30 PM. After the outside contractors were finished, that’s when the LFA groundskeeping team put the finishing touches on it.” said Dolan.

Despite the turf fields coming together rather quickly, the project itself faced a variety of challenges. According to Dolan, these challenges contributed to the fields being done a week late.

The biggest setback was the weather. We intended to start a week before graduation, but we had to let it sit for three weeks because the ground was too wet” said Dolan.

Besides starting a week late, the turf fields was a relatively smooth process.

There were two vendors working diligently side by side. The first vendor, specialized in digging up the soil. When the grass was fully excavated, the second vendor, “field turf” stepped in to complete the process. Outside of weather, the two contractors had no hiccups along the way.

However, according to chief financial advisor Mike Reidy, the formation of the fields was a very tedious project.

“There were several steps into making these fields. First, we had to excavate the soil and then place a very compact layer of clay as the base. Secondly, we had to put several drainage pipes above that, and a smooth rock surface above the pipes. After that was complete, we were then able to put down the turf” said Reidy.

Alluded to earlier, field hockey is the first team to fully experience the fields firsthand. According to junior field hockey player, Jade Steger, the turf is a massive upgrade from their old grass field.

“It was really exciting to walk on the turf for the first time. It’s so much easier to play on than the grass fields. We haven’t lost a game yet on the turf, and we plan to keep it that way” said Steger.

LFA Football Schedule 9/1 Lake Forest Acadeny vs Milford/Cissna Park

L 36-60

9/7 Lake Forest Academy vs Christian Life

W 48 -22

9/14 Lake Forest Academy vs Judah Christian

L 48-12

9/29 Lake Forest Academy vs Christian Life

TBD

10/12 Lake Forest Academy vs Aldon- Hebron

TBD

10/19 Lake Forest Academy vs Camden- Frontier

TBD

10/26 Lake Forest Academy vs Milford/Cissna Park

TBD

New season, same goal for caxy football

By Ben Sebolt Senior Sports Editor Change was apparent during the offseason of Caxy Football. Head Coach Blake Annen departed for the Carmel Football program. Luckily LFA had a suitable replacement in Defensive Coordinator, Michael Buchanan. It’s going to be hard to to best the previous season, but the team has only gotten better, so we expect many great achievements from Buchanan.

With a large Senior group of starters, Buchanan does not lack leadership. Not only impressive in leadership, the seniors are very skilled. Nathan Barnes and Payton Gryniewicz anchor the defense, Barnes as a defensive end and Gryniewicz as linebacker. Both Barnes and Gryniewicz received an All Area Football Honorable Mention last year. Another vital senior is Jamari Edwards, a stellar linebacker and running back for the Caxy’s. On offense, John Kuhns plays a vital role in the strength of the offensive -line. A three year starter Kuhns, has valuable experience that will bolster the line. The wide receiving core is led by senior Donte Sible, who was recently sidelined with a concussion. The team is hoping he can return as soon as possible. These seniors make up a talented group who will lead the LFA football team to victory.

Not only seniors play a major role on

the team. Joey Kotlarz, quarterback for the team, has started for two years. As the leader of the offense, the success of the offense stands on his shoulders. Luckily, the coaching change has not affected his style of play.

When asked how the coaching change affected him Kotlarz said “the offensive mindset has not changed that much, but overall their has been a switch to a more defensive standpoint.”

Obviously Buchanan believes that defense wins championships.

The Caxy’s unfortunately lost their first game to Milford-Cissna Park High School 36 - 60. A major issue the team faced was cramping during the game. Many of the key seniors suffered cramping, severely limiting the team’s ability. I am sure that nerves may have played a small role in the loss.

The Caxy’s were back in form in their second game, winning handily against Christian Life High School, 48-22. Hopefully the Caxy’s can continue their success throughout their season As for coaching Buchanan, has the ability to make this team succeed. Recruited

by Illinois university and drafted by the patriots, has left Buchannon with intimate knowledge of the workings of football. He is in the best possible position to develop his players and prepare them for the next level.

THE SPECTATOR SEMPTEMBER 28, 2018

Centerfold

orest Academy athletics

7

Top prospect aces girls tennis

By Jack Selati Managing Sports Editor

photo courtesy of Mike Riedy

An aerial shot of the newly created Turf fields, which flexibilty for the sports program

New Faculty: Coaches

By John Kuhns Sports Editor

wants students to interact with coaches in a way that “their relationship doesn’t last for

Once again, Lake Forest Academy teams take the field as the first round of games and tournaments begin. With the arrival of new faculty comes coaching changes in various sports. Many teams including Cheerleading, Football, Soccer and Field Hockey have new faces in coaching positions for this season. To fill these slots, athletic director Darrin Madeley must begin the process the year prior.

When asked about the early stages of hiring, Madeley said that the “faculty get their coaching positions before their contract”.

Employees of Lake Forest Academy get their athletic positions early so that Madeley can know where there are coaching deficiencies. Since this process occurs between Christmas and the end of school, it allows more time for general faculty hiring. Finding candidates that are willing to coach sports and work on campus is a huge priority for the school. Faculty coaches prevent the need for outside hiring which can be expensive. Filling all athletic positions with Lake Forest Academy employees is a goal for Madeley who stated that he

only two hours after school”.

Recent trends in the fall season have helped the program move towards this goal due to there being five new faculty coaches heading teams for this year. On the varsity level, Ingrid Valdez took the spot of Assistant Coach of Cheerleading and 2017 Defensive Coordinator Michael Buchanan is now serving as Head Coach for Football after prior coach Blake Annen left the team last winter. With nearly all coaches from previous fall seasons returning for varsity teams, the other three new faculty are taking responsibility of the JV field hockey, JV and JV2 soccer teams. Taylor Heist and Arman Banimahd, both new math teachers, are head coaches of JV and JV2 boys soccer respectively. For JV field hockey, Assistant Dean of Admissions Emily Kulis is taking lead of the team. Replacing the three positions with faculty has been a great success for Madeley in his quest for full faculty coaching. The transition has been effective for the sports, and the teams are off to good starts this season. The season has a bright outlook and in the words of Madeley, the early success has allowed him to “breathe again”.

Emily Callahan arrived at Lake Forest Academy in late August of 2018 to get ready for the upcoming fall tennis season. Callahan, a freshman who spent three years in Florida training to become an elite tennis player, returned last year to resume her life back in Lake Forest. Her training in Florida clearly helped her to become an elite player. According to tennisrecruiting. net, Callahan is ranked 27th in the country and 1st in Illinois for her class. She has illustrated her incredible talent against tough competition. Over this past summer, Callahan won the Chicago District Qualifier, the biggest tournament in the Chicago area.

“I’m really proud of myself for winning because in the finals, I threw up on court and was full body cramping,” says Callahan while talking about her tough final in the District Qualifier.

Callahan who clearly has proven herself in individual play wanted to show everyone that she could do this in a team environment. There can be plenty of pressure put on high recruited athletes, but Kimberley Graham, the coach of the girls varsity tennis team, did not see any of that bother-

ing Callahan.

“It doesn’t seem like she has any external pressure, but I know she is very intrinsically motivated,” says Graham. Graham is correct. Callahan is incredibly motivated and has proven herself as one of the best tennis players in the state of Illinois. So far in their first six matches, Callahan has won every single one without dropping a game.

Graham was very impressed with her singles play and expected this kind of dominance, but Graham also wanted to focus on something else.

“I want to expose her a bit to doubles because she is clearly a trained singles player,” comments Graham. Callahan won her debut doubles match against Barrington High School with fellow teammate Chloe Franzia, a senior at LFA. Competing at such a high level can be tough for athletes in a new environment, but Callahan believes that having a team atmosphere around really helps her to relax.

“Tennis can be really tough mentally because you are out on the court battling competitive matches all by yourself, so having a team to support you through all the ups and downs is extremely refreshing,” Callahan explains.

Photo Courtesy of Ben Sebolt New Assistant Dean of Admissions Emily Kalis is first year coach of Junior Varsity Field Hockey

THE SPECTATOR

Opinion and Editorial

8

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Caxy Rant: School’s collective

punishment doesn’t work

By Alex Jackson and Charlie

to encourage participation in

dress code or failing to clean up,

Shattock

the Spirit Week itself, and better

that student would have no lever-

Editor-in-Chief and Editor-in-

cleanliness throughout the school.

age over the transgressor. We do

Chief of Digital

In the eyes of administrators, this

not give out points, teachers do.

Each year at LFA before Homecoming (or “Fall Weekend” as it

is a sound way to curb poor be-

Instead of punishing the entire

havior related and unrelated to

student body for the infractions of

Spirit Week. We disagree.

a few, teachers should give points

is now called), there is a Spirit

According to Mr. Tennyson, this

to those who are not in dress code

Week in which each day has a

practice is based on the philoso-

during spirit week just as they

theme that students are expected

phy that all students at LFA are

would at any other time. This

to follow, in exchange for exemp-

part of a community and therefore

would allow those who partici-

tion from regular dress code rules.

must hold one another account-

pate in the true spirit of the week

Ideally, school-wide participation

able for their actions. In other

to enjoy themselves while those

in the day-to-day themes would

words, the responsibility of keep-

who are not compliant are pun-

promote a sense of community at

ing the school clean and in dress

ished accordingly.

LFA. However, for most students

code during Spirit Week falls on

This same approach should be

Spirit Week has become more

the students themselves; it is not

applied to the issue of the mess in

of an opportunity to be out of

the responsibility of the teachers.

the Student Union. With almost

dress code than to actually show

But we, the students, believe it

every student passing through the

school spirit. This development,

is the other way around. No stu-

building at some point in their

in combination with the recurring

dent will willingly reprimand his

day, it is hard to tell who is re-

appearance of used plates and lit-

or her peer for failing to comply

sponsible for the dirty dishes and

ter scattered across the Student

with the spirit week dress code

litter that have gotten us in such

Photo courtesy of G.Y.L.I Year One Not just in the cafeteria area, but also in the Lower Student Union, there are messes that the students themselves, but not the student body, should be held accountable for.

Union and other places in the

for two main reasons. Primari-

trouble. Except it’s not. Last year,

sively those who break the law.

school, has led administrators to

ly, our peers are our peers; we

LFA had multiple security cam-

In our opinion, collective pun-

the whole student body account-

decide that the LFA student body

consider ourselves equal to one

eras installed in upper and lower

ishment does not work, and in

able for the mistakes of a few,

must be punished.

another and therefore do not feel

Student Union. The school should

fact, it has the opposite effect of

those who are causing the prob-

As punishment, administrators

compelled to do what we believe

be able to see exactly who is re-

its intention. If I respect the dress

lems get away with the crime, and

have declared that two days of

is the job of faculty and staff. Fur-

sponsible for leaving their dirty

code and clean up after myself,

those who follow the rules will

Spirit Week will be removed and

thermore, even if a student were

dishes. Think of it like a speed

yet I get punished anyway, what’s

feel less compelled to do so.

replaced with normal dress code

to reproach a peer for being out of

camera, which punishes exclu-

the point of following the rules?

This is the current state of many of the tables in the Student Union, but shouldn’t have to affect everyone, especially when not everyone is to blame.

When the administration holds

Photo courtesy of G.Y.L.I. Year One

THE SPECTATOR

Arts and Entertainment Summer music recap Youngblood- 5SOS

9

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

These five albums were selected by Charlie Shattock, John Kuhns, and Lilly Drury as important releases that occured over the summer. They have given a short review as well as a rating out of 5 for each album.

John Kuhns- Astroworld and Scorpion Lilly Drury- Sweetener and Youngblood Charlie Shattock- Swimming

4/5

Astroworld- Travis Scott

4/5 Album cover courtesy of Cactus Jack

Long awaited project Astroworld from Houston rapper Travis Scott is as ambitious as ever with a return to the Kanye-inspired sounds that surrounded Scott’s early work on “Rodeo”. Features from Drake on “Sicko Mode” and Gunna on “Yosemite” highlight a solid collection of songs that range from relaxing melodies to lyrical bangers. The album was worth the wait without a doubt.

Scorpion- Drake

2/5

Album cover courtesy of Capitol Records

5 Seconds of Summer’s third album, Youngblood, shows us a side of pop-rock that we’ve never seen before. They explore the world of synths and vocoders, while adding more production to their heavily punk-influenced sound. Their carefully chosen pop singles “Want You Back”and “Youngblood” show a perfect peek into their album, which has more alternative songs such as “Valentine”. Youngblood shows the band’s growth and maturity as both songwriters and performers.

Swimming- Mac Miller

4/5 Album cover courtesy of REMember Music

Bounds away from the upbeat and boyish work of his early career, Miller pours what was clearly a troubled heart into Swimming. Deeply introspective and filled with beautiful vocals in combination with orchestral rhythms, the Pittsburgh native hits notes that were unseen in previous albums.

“Welcome Back” Wordsearch

Album cover courtesy of Young Money

Drake’s new album Scorpion has some great moments with hit songs “Nonstop” and internet sensation “In My Feelings” but is not short and sweet as it drags on with a whopping 25 songs. Definitely has some good songs but is fairly repetitive and hard to listen too in full. Catchy hooks and great production with little change from previous, what would be expected from a Drake album in whole.

Sweetener- Ariana Grande

3/5 Album cover courtesy of Republic Records

Ariana Grande’s much anticipated album Sweetener proved to be a huge letdown with choppy beats and subpar lyrics with no real meaning behind them. In her song “Breathin”, written about her anxiety, you hear possibly the most dull and unhelpful advice you could get, “Just keep breathin and breathin and breathin”. You may find yourself listening to the album and not realizing the song had ended since they all sound very similar.

WORDS

BEACH FIREWORKS FIRSTDAY LEMONADE POPSICLES READING

SANDCASTLE STUDY SUMMER SUN SUNGLASSES TANNING VACATION

THE SPECTATOR

Features

#10

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Head of School search reaches home-stretch Kiki Hood Managing Editor of Production The last week of September marks the end of a very long process. After ten months, the Head of School search team, comprised of trustees, faculty, and a life trustee, will sit down for their final meeting. In that room they will decide on a candidate or candidates to recommend to the Board of Trustees for the final decision of who LFA’s next Head of School will be.

Starting last November with the choice of a search advisor, the search team has solicited the opinions of faculty and students on what qualities the next head of school should have.

“Search advisors joke by saying that every search committee they work with is looking for God on a good day. You want someone who is a visionary, inspirational, who is a natural leader, a consensus builder,” said Mr. Mike Schell, the chairman of the board of trustees and chair of the search team.

“We want an educator, someone who can appreciate the arts, coaching, and can appreciate boarding life,” adds Mr. Chris Dozois.

Dozois along with Dr. Kerry Cedergren are both on the search team to give insight on the day to day activities of the school as faculty members and parents.

The process hasn’t been perfect. In April the search team was about to invite three candidates to campus when they hit a

bump.

“We decided that if we extended the search and hired a new advisor then we would have a better pool of candidates… that was a bit of a bump in the road. We had to restart the process and take a lot more time to finish the process…but I think it will prove worth it,” said Schell.

In an email to the LFA community, the Head of School Search team wrote to address the rescheduling of the finalist visits, “Whether our current pool is augmented by this extension or not, we believe it will further validate the ultimate result. In all events, we assure you we are proceeding with the utmost confidence and enthusiasm for the process and the prospective result.”

The final four have made their visits to L FA, speaking to teachers, parents, and students. Those who had the chance to meet the candidates were given the opportunity to fill out an evaluation. The evaluations were then summarized and reported to the search team.

“We try to make sure that the candidates are seen by a lot of people. That everyone gets a pretty close look at them…hopefully that gives us a pretty good picture of who each candidate is,” said Schell.

As the LFA community eagerly awaits the announcement that will decide the future of LFA, feelings are mixed.

“People are excited and anxious. Dr. Strudwick has been the Head of School for most of the faculty’s careers…Change is exciting and scary,” commented Dozois.

Photo by Angelina Chan Dr. Strudwick explaining the futurue vision for the school that will be passed on to the next head of school.

Inquiring Photographer: How do you feel about Nike using Colin Kaepernick for their new “Just Do It” campaign?

“I don’t really get mad about it. They’re supporting his ideas, but I don’t really know that much about it.”

-Stefan Momcilovic ‘22

“I don’t believe in kneeling at the flag. I’m gonna wear Nike no matter what and that’s their opinion but I don’t think that Nike should have taken one side because it’s such a large corporation.”

-Julia Sinople ‘19

“I feel that Nike is disrespecting America by supporting Colin Kaepernick. By kneeling at the football games, I feel he doesn’t respect the flag of the United States of America.”

-James Christoph ‘22

“I think what Colin Kaepernick was doing is wrong. I don’t think Nike should be supporting him.”

“Personally, what I think he did wasn’t disrespecting the flag. I think [Nike endorsing Kaepernick] is good. Their motto is “Just do it” right? I think it’s motivational.”

“I think it’s great what Nike did. [Kaepernick] is not doing it to be disrespectful, he’s doing it because it’s what he believes in. He wasn’t disrespecting the flag, he was kneeling for what he believes in.”

-Ferdoss Ibrahim ‘22

-Donavon Perry ‘19

-Scott Skinner ‘20

THE SPECTATOR #11

Features

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

LFA welcomes new teachers to the school

By Lindsey Pearlman Editor of Features

At the beginning of the school year, there are many new faces that you’ll see around campus. This year, LFA hired lots of new teachers, including Ms. Denise Foster, Miss. Taylor Haist, and Mr. Tyler Madeley.

These teachers have shared some of their favorite things so that we can get to know them better.

Foster is new to the LFA community, but definitely not new to the classroom. Foster was previously a teacher at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois for 34 years. She is now teaching English 10, AP Language and Composition, and English 12.

Outside of school, Foster finds joy keeping her vocabulary sharp by playing word games such as Words with Friends and Scrabble. Her music taste is eclectic as she enjoys classic rock, classical music, and many other genres.

Foster is most excited about getting to know the students and learning about all the different cultures at LFA. “I feel like I’m in a new country and I’m learning the language and the geography and everything new here and it’s very exciting,” stated Foster.

In the mathematics department, Haist is teaching Geometry and Precalculus.

This is her first teaching job. At Baldwin

College she double majored in Math and Classics and tutored students before getting her job at LFA. Haist enjoys spending time outdoors in her free time. She played soccer in college and still loves playing for fun along with coaching JV Boys Soccer. When she’s not being active, you can find her listening to Walk The Moon, binging Grace and Frankie on Netflix, or watching any one of the Star Wars movies.

“It’s fun trying to get kids to enjoy [math] and help them figure it out so that they can be successful in it” stated Haist when asked what she’s most excited about for the upcoming school year.

Another new addition to the LFA community is Madeley. After studying English and Secondary Education at Lake Forest College he student taught and now is teaching Freshman English and the Senior Speech Elective.

In his down time, Madeley enjoys listening to Brad Paisley and Kid Cudi, or watching his favorite movie, Saving Private Ryan. A fun fact about Madeley is that he won a Ron Weasley lookalike contest as he was the only ginger that entered.

When asked what he’s most excited about Madeley said, “I’m just happy to be in the classroom here, I’m very excited for the school year to set in and for everyone to get over the ‘new school jitters’.”

Photo by Lindsey Pearlman New English teacher, Ms. Denise Foster, representing Lake Forest Academy with an LFA flag.

Photo by Lindsey Pearlman Mr. Tyler Madeley, a new English teacher, holdinh a Lake Forest Academy flag, showing his LFA support.

Sonia’s vs Student Union

By Nate Koh Editor of Arts and Features Sonia’s is a common student destination when the Student Union isn’t serving food at the time or for those in need of a quick snack after school, in between periods, or before a practice. However, many students also feel that Sonia’s is a less priority choice when other alternatives are available or if they want a more substantial meal. Many others think that Sonia’s food is superior to the Student Union food. One thing that cannot be debated is the popularity amongst the student body, with the line for the small shop stretching up to as many as 20 students long in third period.

Sonia’s is almost never open when the Student Union is, which is part of its popularity; it allows students who may not have a lunch or haven’t eaten breakfast to eat before or after the Student Union has closed.

While the Student Union offers bag lunches, the variety is low--it mostly consists of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and students often desire something different.

Sonia’s also enjoys popularity amongst boarding students, who can get food that’s different from the typical Student Union

Photos by Nate Koh Above: The LFA Student Union and main source of food for students and faculty alike. Below: Sonia’s, a favorite place for snacks and quick food for LFA students. Right: An almost empty Student Union, the result of the cafeteria being closed and a main reason why students like Sonia’s.

meals.

However, the additional cost of Sonia’s can also discourage students from going there. Junior Michael Lentskevich says that he prefers “[the Student Union] to Sonia’s because it’s free,” an opinion echoed by Sophomore Calvin Osborne, who doesn’t go to Sonia’s “because [he doesn’t] think it’s worth the money.”

Another aspect of the Sonia’s vs. Student Union debate is the nutritional value of the food, an important consideration for many students. Sonia’s options tend to be lacking when it comes to health, leading many of Lake Forest Academy’s athletes to prefer the Student Union. Junior Isis Burgos likes the Student Union more than Sonia’s “because they have actual food,” a key factor for sports-playing students who need energy before practices or games.

When put head to head, the Student Union looks to be the winner, at least according to student opinion, but Sonia’s is still important to many students. Yet, at the end of the day, many students do not have a definite opinion on the matter. As sophomore Hannah Liu said, “As long as there’s food, I’m happy.”

12

Global Perspectives

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

LFA connection to increasing fatal violence in Chicago By: Tiffany Filawo Managing Editor of Global Perspectives While Chicago is known for being the third largest city in the United States with great tourist attraction sites, parts of Chicago are also notorious for their fatal violence. This past summer the weekend of Friday, August 3 to Monday, August 6, which was noted by the Chicago Tribune to be “one of the most violent weekends of the year in Chicago”, 74 people were shot in the South and West sides of Chicago and 12 of those shots were fatal.

While this is not new news for Englewood, Chicago native and Lake Forest Academy (LFA) senior, Donte Sibley, he still feels bad for the victims who have died and the lives they could not live.

“That’s been happening since I was like in fifth grade. To me it’s more a sad thing that all these kids don’t have an opportunity to live.”

The CPD said the shootings were due to gangs opening fire on attendees of outdoor gatherings such as block parties and funerals.

LFA’s Fitness Manager, Eric Ball, has been witnessing this type of violence in Chattam, a neighborhood in Chicago’s South side, since he was young and has seen the great number of victims who have died from these acts of violence, and therefore has been normalized to it.

“I saw gang fights in my junior high, and I’ve heard those numbers for so long, so I kind of get numb to it.”

Freshman, Safiya Nicol, who used to live in Pilsen, Chicago but currently resides in

Beverly, Chicago, remembers being used to hearing police car sirens and ambulances at her elementary school in Chattam.

“I didn’t know that it wasn’t normal to hear a ton of sirens. My friends and I would turn it into almost a game, and we would be like, ‘Guess the crime?’”

During his time at LFA, Ball has noticed the differences between what arouses stress among LFA students versus students from Chattam.

“I see kids at LFA complaining about ACT scores in the mid to high twenties while back home, kids are just trying to get a high enough score to get a scholarship.”

Sibley will be turning eighteen this November and is ecstatic to be overcoming a sad statistic of most inhabitants of these neighborhoods not making it to eighteen years old.

“A lot of kids in my generation did not see eighteen. A lot of them passed away when they were fourteen, thirteen, or sixteen years of age. Now that I’m almost turning eighteen, it’s actually crazy because I’m not a statistic, I kind of beat it.”

While violence happens on a daily basis in Englewood, it’s still home for Sibley and has shaped him to be the person he is today.

“The media specifically picks on the Englewood community and tries to make it out as though we’re all gangs, but there are a lot of good things in the community if people just did their research.”

Even though the news covers stories on the violence going on in neighbor-

Photo by Tiffany Filawo Freshman Safiya Nicol is reading the Chicago Tribune article about August 3-August 6 Chicago shooting.

hoods like Englewood or Chattam, they are still filled with resilient people with

amazing stories ready to take on the world with the cards they have been dealt.

Inclusion of Asians in big screen movies

By Tiffany Filawo and Lilly Drury Managing Editor of Global Perspectives and Global Perspective Editor

Lack of representation in Hollywood has been a prevalent issue for decades, but this problem has not been in the public until recent years. As of 2014, roughly three quarters of film actors were caucasian. Movie-goers and even people within the industry grew cognizant of the lack of representation in Hollywood and spoke out against it. Their complaints ignited the rapid shift in the paradigm of Hollywood movies which can be seen in the likings of Coco, Black Panther, and even the #Me Too Movement. This year 2018 is continuing to follow this trend of a new wave of actors and actresses of color springing onto the movie scene with movies like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Crazy Rich Asians. These movies have sparked a new era of Asian leads in movies.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is a novel written by Jenny Han and was adapted for the screen on the movie platform Netflix, which released the movie on August 17, 2018. Han is an Asian-American author who made it very clear during casting that she wanted to keep the lead just as she wrote it: A young Asian-American girl. In her interview with Teen Vogue, Han spoke about how executives attempt-

Graphic Courtesy of PBS Shows disparaging representation of white actors in film versus colored actors in film.

ed to whitewash the role of Laura-Jean Covey, and how she had to drop countless production companies for the exact same reason. The book and the movie work together in such a nice way, and by changing the ethnicity of the lead, a whole layer of what the book truly is would be lost.

Crazy Rich Asians was released on Au-

gust 15 and centered around the romance of a young Chinese couple. This film was based off of Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel.

In this film, the protagonists, Rachel Chu and Nick Young go to Singapore to visits Young’s family. During this trip, Chu encounters her boyfriend’s family for the first time, bringing curiosity to viewers if

Young’s wealthy family will accept this young Chinese-American from New York.

Crazy Rich Asians is the first predominantly Asian-casted movie to premiere in movie theaters. This movie shows Asians in a light different from the stereotypical light of Asians just being nerds. Senior, Layne Eklund who is half Filipino and American sees the attempt Hollywood has made to include Asians.

“Hollywood is making an effort to include more Asians in some of the more popular films.”

Ceramics and Chinese teacher, Yue Chen, was not used to seeing mostly Asians in a big screen movie until Crazy Rich Asians.

“When I was in China watching Hollywood movies I thought movies were supposed to be predominantly casted with White Americans, until I came here and noticed a misrepresentation of certain characters such as black characters or Asian characters.”

This film included an Asian community that came from wealthy backgrounds, with multiple personalities giving viewers of Asian descent a character to relate to. This movie gave Asians a chance to see their lifestyles accurately portrayed on screen especially to viewers who do not understand Asian culture.