LION Issue #2

In memoriam: Jack Kunkle, 1996-2014

by Gillian Dunlop @gilliandunlop15

Jack Kunkle ‘14 lost his second battle with brain cancer on Sept. 18, having first been diagnosed with the disease as a sixth grader in 2008. As a student, Jack was known for his humor, kindness and above all else, being crowned as the first ever Mr. LT. “To me Jack wasn’t someone many people knew, but the fact that not someone as well known won [Mr. LT] speaks to how great a community LT is,” sister Leigh Kunkle ‘10 said.

Last February, Jack competed alongside fellow students in a series of challenges in which boys showed off their strength and agility. Jack, a relatively small, skinny kid, stood up onstage with nothing in his hand except a blue Cubs hat and a microphone. “[Jack taught us] that anyone can be funny, and that underdog stories are true,” Joe Dillon ‘15, founder of Mr. LT, said Although the Mr. LT pageant marked the first time Jack gained school-wide recognition for his talents, it was hardly his only impact on the student body. Jack had been humoring people on and offstage since his freshman year, influencing the school as a whole, particularly in the theatre department.

“He was a perfect example of a small person being big,” Theatre Board advisor Mike Kuehl said. “He had complete control of the stage when he wanted it, but he didn’t always take it. Jack had as big of an impact as one person can have on an entity like Theatre Board; anything that he was a part of never had a down day.”

This positivity and optimistic attitude is what carried Jack through his life, and what will carry his family through their lives without him.

Jack Kunkle ‘14 holds Scoopie plush toy, bought with Scoopie tokens he saved. (Ellen Kunkle) “Humor of everything is what made our journey with him possible and what will make our journey without him possible. I feel his presence with every joke,” sister Emily Kunkle ‘13 said.

Jack made light of situations no matter how difficult or easy they were, Leigh said.

Jack’s passing had a tumultuous effect on many, and the support and outreach of the community proves how impactful his short life was.

So many positives came from Jack being sick, and if he was not who he was, then those would not have happened, Leigh said.

“Jack not only meant a lot to us, but to the larger

community as well,” father John Kunkle said. “Back in 2008, the community just rallied around us and around him, and I just got the sense that the community is as close as it was [then] and has not lost that bond around him. He had a way of touching people very deeply.”

Members of Grace Lutheran Church, neighbors and classmates made dinners and blankets for Jack, sending messages of encouragement to keep the family’s spirits up.

“We are lucky to live in a place where people jump to action, and used whatever they had to help us,” mother Ellen Kunkle, a 1978 graduate of LT, said.

To some people, Jack was simply another kid in the halls, but to others, he was a Kairos leader, an improv sensation and a friend.

“He was the kind of friend that put everyone else first,” Kelly Carney ‘14 said. “Even when he was going through the worst he would always make sure everyone else was happy.”

This type of comment is not atypical coming from people who knew Jack very well or merely spoke to him in a passing conversation. An immense outpour of Facebook posts, Tweets and Instagram photos depicts the admiration much of the student body and community had for Jack.

“He was a quiet, unassuming guy until he had an audience,” Ellen said.

To see Jack’s Mr. LT interview, go to lionnewspaper.com for full video coverage.

“

“People tend to dote on all the bad things in life, when we should really be celebrating the positive aspects.

Enjoy the things you have because others don’t have those things.”

-Jack Kunkle ‘14 Letter to the Editor (See page 7 for full letter).

“

Community remembers student’s life, legacy brings students together

Construction progresses

Wilson sentenced

by Joe Okkema @joe_okkema

by Brittany Grosser-Basile @BrittanyGrosser

Despite mishaps, construction predicted to proceed as scheduled LT students and staff were confronted with an unexpected development in the NC courtyard the week of Oct. 1, as the four recently erected wall columns of the cafeteria were partially demolished by construction crews.

“As far as we’ve been told, these developments will not delay further construction,” Associate Principal Kevin Brown said.

The columns, completed the week of Sept. 22, had to be partially reconstructed after contractors discovered that a mistake had been made in the masonry regarding the position of a light fixture.

The general contracting company, Henry Brothers Construction Incorporated, ordered the repairs to the columns, and as such, no additional cost will be incurred by the school.

“From what we’re being told, someone simply made a mistake,” Brown said. “Obviously, that mistake has been quickly corrected.”

As masons repaired the columns, construction underneath the south wing of the building continued unhindered, with steel being brought in to begin the construction of the frame of the cafeteria, Brown said.

Similar unforeseen incidents regarding construction have had to be resolved throughout the past few weeks.

Construction fumes

Two NC second floor science classrooms were unavailable for use after it was discovered that fumes from construction equipment were leak-

Man guilty of murder of Kelli O’Laughlin given 160-year maximum sentence

ing into the rooms through the ventilation system.

The fumes entered the classrooms through several air ducts in the basement that were exposed when the old cafeteria was removed.

The classes that used these rooms were temporarily relocated, and the ducts were promptly sealed with concrete, Superintendent Dr. Timothy Kilrea said.

After testing was done to ensure that no fumes remained, the classrooms were reopened and are currently in use.

“From the beginning of the project, we have expected some minor problems, but we’ve sought to minimize these as best as possible,” Kilrea said.

The administration has also enountered other difficulties regarding the location of several counseling offices. The offices, located in the south wing of the building, were moved after it was discovered that excavation underneath them had compromised the stability of the floor.

“While it is unfortunate, our students and staff have been very understanding,” Kilrea said. “We have been able to relocate instructional spaces and offices and work around disruptions to the best of our abilities.”

What has been most impressive throughout the year has been the student body’s ability to adapt to the changes construction has brought about, Brown said.

“Obviously the situation is not ideal, but I think that students have made the most out of it and not let it get to them,” Brown said.

Cafeteria construction is set to be completed sometime in March.

“It’s encouraging to see tangible results of the project every day in the courtyard,” Kilrea said. “The new facilities will be excellent additional resources for our students, staff and communities.”

John Wilson Jr., the man convicted of Kelli O’Laughlin’s murder, armed robbery and home invasion that occurred on Oct. 27, 2011, received a 160year sentence at Bridgeview Courthouse on Oct. 10.

“Mr. O’Laughlin and I are so happy that this is over,” mother Brenda O’Laughlin said in an exclusive interview with LION. “We would never want another family to go through what we are going through. Justice will never be served as Kelli will never be coming home, but at least this evil is off the streets and the community is safer.”

The trial for Wilson began on Sept. 2 and lasted nine days, with around 50 people testifying for the state. DNA evidence proved that the hat used to break into the house carried Wilson’s DNA. Cell phone records tracking Wilson’s and Kelli’s phones were also used as evidence, in addition to autopsy photos showing Kelli’s eight stab wounds.

Wilson was found guilty on Sept. 15, after the jury deliberated for about two hours.

At the sentencing, Brenda spoke, and was taunted by Wilson.

“We was in a relationship, Bren. What happened? Are you serious?”

Wilson said, according to Chicago Tribune.

Wilson chose not to make a statement at the sentencing, though he did respond when Judge John Hynes asked him a question.

“Sir, I do not know who you are,” Wilson said, according to Chicago Tribune. “I do not know why I am here and the voices told me not to talk to you.”

Now that the trial has ended, the O’Laughlins can focus all of their energy on the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation to give opportunities to young adults, Brenda said.

“No matter how many years he got, it will never bring Kelli back and that’s the most frustrating part for her friends and family,” Annie LeFevour ‘15 said. “I’m happy, though, that her family can now focus on the foundation and Kelli’s legacy and not the trial.”

Run for Kelli, a three-mile run and one-mile walk, will be held on Nov. 16 at SC, benefiting the foundation.

​

Hinsdale teacher strike

Is Jack Kunkle LT’s best?

Athlete of the Month

A Haunting at... LT?!

Hinsdale teachers and board reach tentative agreement regarding contracts.

Turn to page 4 to read more.

Will Most remembers the life of a not only a friend, but a great man, and makes his case for why Jack Kunkle is the greatest man to walk LT’s halls.

Go to page 12 for coverage of boys soccer, and read about Athlete of the Month Harry Hilling ‘15.

Planning on trickor-treating? Look for our staff’s best tips, tricks and Halloween alternatives!

North Campus

NEWS, 4

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OPINIONS, 8

100 S. Brainard Ave. LaGrange, Ill. 60525 South Campus

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SPORTS, 12

PULSE, 14

4900 Willow Springs Rd. Western Springs, Ill. 60558

Early involvement Illinois advocates for grades six, seven and eight to participate in mock voting at schools.

Club pulls plane Aviation club participates in plane pull, raises money for Special Olympics Illinois

by Drew Cushing @drcushing32

Teams of 20 people participated in the Plane Pull at O’Hare International airport on Sept. 27. The teams raised money for Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) by pulling an Airbus A300 UPS jet along the runway.

LT’s Aviation Club team placed third in the open event, raising more than $3,000 by pulling the 198,000 pound jet.

“I’m not going to lie, [pulling the plane] made me sore,” Aviation Club member Billy Kreikmeier ‘16 said after he participated in this strenuous event.

In total, the 84 teams that participated in the 2014 plane pull were able to raise nearly $150,000 for SOILL. “[The plane pull] puts them in the fundraising and helping mentality,” Aviation Club faculty advisor David Root said. “I can tell they enjoyed helping out and contributing.”

This was the Aviation Club’s first time taking part in the Plane Pull, but Root hopes to continue doing the fundraiser along with the Polar Plunge that occurs in February. Root is informed about fundraisers, such as the Plane Pull and the Polar Plunge, through emails the organization sends him that notify him about ways he and the Aviation club can contribute.

The Aviation Club has been doing the Polar Plunge for the past two years, and Root said they were able to get into it because Jaclyn Gay, Special Education Department and Best Buddy sponsor, asked him if he and the Club would like to contribute.

Aviation club, which meets every Thursday at NC in room 320, also offers students the chance to use flight simulators, remote control aircraft, build models, tour control towers and fly Cessna 172 planes out of Dupage Airport.

The club hopes to expand and place even more teams into the fundraiser next year and continue to raise money for SOILL. “It was awesome donating for a good cause and supporting something good,” Kreikmeier said.

NEWS

Award winners

Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 2

WLTL has accumulated more than 100 individual first place awards at competitions.

Drive registers voters Newly eligible LT students sign up to vote

by Gaby Sabatino @gabysab8

The demographic of young adults from ages 18 to 29 is the smallest group of citizens who register and participate in voting, however, the recent National Voter’s Registration Day has promoted the involvement and attendance of the student body here at LT. With the help of The League of Women Voters, several LT students have had the chance to partake in this event in which they have never been able to do before and now, are eligible to vote on Nov. 4.

On Sept. 23, the annual voting drive was held at Stone Avenue Station and registered students who would be eligible to vote by Nov. 4. Thousands of citizens across the nation were encouraged to participate and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. The registration forms were distributed either by mail-in registration, online registration or paper registration on site. Dani Gresge ‘15 was one of the first LT seniors to take advantage of this opportunity.

“I think it’s important that I can start now,” Gresge said. “The earlier I get involved the more prepared I’ll be for the future.”

Gresge first heard about the voting drive in her AP Government class when her teacher, David Kruiswyk announced it, she said.

“We were learning about primary elections and I think that at this point I have formed enough of a political base that I have my own opinion and I thought it would be cool if I could be part of the process,” Gresge said.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan group that encourages participation in the political process. LT was one of the main targets the League of Women Voters focused on, going into the voting drive. They partnered up with Global Studies Division Chair Paul Houston to get the word out about how the students could get involved.

“I think if you have a democracy it relies on the involvement of our youth,” Houston said. “Our society is better off more balanced, more complete if more students are participating.”

Lucas O’Bryan ‘15 signs up to vote (Amy Lacny/LION).

All social studies teachers at North Campus were asked to publicize the registration opportunity and other forms of communication were used to spread information regarding the importance of student participation. About 50 students were registered in total and 19 had completed paper registrations on site, according to Stephanie Nelson, a founding partner of this annual event and an active member of this voter registration organization.

“We are proud of ourselves for getting organized and staffing the LT event, proud of our partnership with LT staff and Mr. Houston, but we are most proud of the student involvement at the high school,” Nelson said.

The organization focused on many different aspects of how to get the word out about the voting drive.

Strategies included: finding student liaisons, involving the National Honor Society, creating directional posters and increasing volunteers in the area. For the future, the organization hopes to hold another training event right after the school year begins. People can contact NHS in advance of the training event to recruit more student registrators and increase the number of volunteers after school.

“High school voters have the opportunity to have an impact on the decisions that affect them most,” Nelson said. “You should cherish your right to have a voice in how your world is shaped.”

Students and teachers pull an airplane at O’Hare Airport (Aviation Club).

WLTL releases app

Want one of your tweets featured in the next issue? Follow us on twitter @LTLionNewspaper. To be eligible to have your tweets in our paper you have to follow us. So if you think you are funny, clever or witty enough to have your tweets in here, follow us and keep the tweets coming!

Radio station increases listeners with app

@claire_sully3: Me: I just got an email to audition for the army... @adianvannest: what do you have to prepare? A monologue and a song?

-Claire Sullivan ‘15

by Grace Gumbiner @grace_gumby

WLTL, which has been acclaimed by the John Drury Awards as the best radio station in the nation five times since 2002, released an app last July that allows anyone to stream WLTL, regardless of location.

The app has already been accessed by people in states as far as Virginia, Texas and Arkansas.

Even people in countries such as the Czech Republic, Japan, Austria, Mexico and the Dominican Republic have connected.

WLTL is known as a small community radio, but this has widened its scope and enabled alumni and many others to access the station.

“The app has allowed us to encompass other media to get a bigger range and see the bigger picture,” Chris Thomas, 10-year advisor of WLTL, said. “We’re not just a tiny [radio] station anymore.”

WLTL talked about releasing the app a few years ago, and a company was hired to make it; however, WLTL would have had to maintain it, which would have been a costly and time consuming process, Thomas said.

Smart phones were also less prevalent then, compared to the

vast majority of students and adults who own them now.

The app is streamed through Nobex radio, a company that takes care of the costs and maintenance, allowing WLTL to be more accessible on the app store without adding an extra work load to the station.

Nobex uses advertisements to fund the app, which makes it free on the app store.

The WLTL staff can also track the amount of listeners on the app and online. The number of listeners increases especially during sporting events, and since location is not a factor, the numbers are continuing to grow because how easily accessable the station is.

“The app makes WLTL faster and easier for relatives to listen in,” Jenny Goyer ‘15, WLTL music director said. “It is allowing more people to understand what WLTL is doing.”

The station has a strong community presence in LaGrange and the app will help connect to listeners at an earlier age. It is especially convenient for those who cannot make distant sporting events.

For example, the Warren football game had a large spike in listeners, Connor Hankins a playby-play sports announcer said.

“The students want to make this place the best that they can,” Thomas said. “They carry it with a responsibility to keep it as good as it has been.”

@MyNameIsNotRon: I’m 4% dirty laundry -Veronica Sotos ‘16 @ClaireAfication: Idk how people can run a marathon because I can barely make it to my fridge -Claire Suknovich ‘15 @aidanvannest: “Am I the Kim Kardashian to your Kris Jenner?” “I don’t know what that means”-Mom -Aidan Van Nest ‘15 @omallz45: But like when your parents took your teeth as a kid for the tooth fairy, what did they do with them? Throw them out? Start a collection?

-Ryan O’Malley ‘17 @KDiddy47: I think of my money in buritto bowls. for example: $200? 28 burrito bowls.

-Katie Kober ‘15 @shannononeill96: Told 3 people today that I was sick, all 3 of them asked me if I had Ebola, inclduing my mom #ya -Shannon O’Neill ‘15 @ClaireAfication: “Are you going to do your homework?”

-Claire Suknovich ‘15

@GodBessTheUSA: trying to find hinsdale’s student section like -Bess Connelly ‘15

@LiamPurecell1: What more could you want?

-Liam Purcell ‘15

Fictitious figure The official animal of Scotland has been the unicorn since the early 12th century when King William I used it on his coat of arms.

NEWS

Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 3

Printing prosthetics Researchers in the Netherlands and Belgium replaced the jaw of an 83-year-old woman with a 3D printed mandible.

Alum recounts bid for independence

Former student gives unique account of failed Scottish freedom referendum

by Ceili Doyle @ca_doyle18

The atmosphere throughout the grounds of Scotland’s University of St. Andrews was laced with anticipation of change that would surely result from a win for either side of the vote for Scottish independence. On Sept. 18, Scottish citizens 18 and older took to the polls in a landmark vote to determine Scottish independence. On the following day, 55 percent to 45 percent of voters chose to remain a part of the United Kingdom.

According to LT alumnus and student at St. Andrews Katie Norton-Williams ‘13, there were high levels of stress surrounding the campus environment on voting day.

“I had to walk past the building where everyone voted in St. Andrew’s to get to classes and the atmosphere outside was more tense because you had people [with] Vote Yes and the Vote No signs, but I think a lot of Scottish people were just really nervous about what the outcome would be,” Norton-Williams said.

After tallying all the votes in every district, the BBC declared that the “Yes Vote” would fail at 5 a.m. on Sept. 19. An hour later it was official: the nationalists’ fight to split with the UK was over for now. For the majority of UK citizens the “No Votes” win was a relief.

“I think it’s probably a huge relief for most people involved. This would’ve been a massive change that would’ve had major political and economical implications,” AP comparative government teacher David Kruiswyk said. “I think the fact that it did not pass has allowed a lot of people to sleep easier, particularly in the UK’s Parliament.”

Similarly, Norton-Williams expressed the relief felt throughout campus after the vote.

“I know a lot of people that were relieved, especially international students; you don’t want your life uprooted. I think the English are relieved, and economic uncertainty was the main concern, I believe the plan was for Scotland to use the pound in a similar way that Panama uses the U.S. dollar, and there was definitely concern over that.”

In terms of consequences to the U.S., a “Vote Yes” win would have created economic instability in American trade with the UK. Namely there was a lot of concern reagarding the implementation of a new Scottish currency and how that would impact the rest of the U.K., Europe, and all of its allies.

“There were a lot of unanswered questions that would have to have been resolved.

What currency would Scotland use? Would they be able to join the European Union?

And how would all of that affect the U.S. trade relationship with both Scotland and the United Kingdom?” Kruiswyk said.

However, economics is only one factor of the multi-faceted movement.

“Of course there are also strategic implications. The U.K. is a top ally of the United

Citizens enter a building to vote on the independence referendum on Sept. 18. (Tribune News Service)

States and while I don’t think that would have changed to any degree, it certainly would have added a new dimension to international relations,” Kruiswyk said.

In addition there was an added concern on how Scottish independence would potentially affect national identity.

“A lot of the significance behind the vote also has to do with being a Scottish nationalist and wanting to have your heritage represented as a singular country, versus taking pride in being British,” Norton-Williams said. “I know a lot of Scottish people were concerned, because as well as being proud of their Scottish identity, they were also proud of being British. There definitely was a lot of emphasis on being passionate about heritage and identifying with a particular group.”

Ultimately, the Scottish nationalists will have to be content with upcoming legislature to grant the Scottish Parliament with “extensive new powers”, announced by Prime Minister David Cameron early Sept. 19. Cameron promised specific details to be worked out in November and the start of draft laws to come in early January 2015.

Librarian plans innovative makerspace compiled by Joe Okkema

The 3D printing industry continues to expand at an explosive rate, predicted to nearly double by 2015 according to Forbes Magazine. As reserachers continue to develop this technology, various applications have presented themselves. Here are just a few of the ways 3D printing changes the way we live:

Organ transplants: Researchers at Wake Forest University have used 3D printers to construct artificial scaffolds on which living cells are grown to create organs and body parts for transplants.

Prototyping in manufacturing: 3D printing capabilities allow companies to create prototypes almost instantaneously without outsourcing the project, cutting both production time and costs. Both General Motors and Ford Motor have adopted the use of 3D printing for prototyping car parts.

Prosthetic limbs: With the capabilities of a 3D printer, customized prosthetics can be produced for individuals, eliminating the prolonged process of ordering a more expensive, specifically-sized limb.

Sources: forbes.com, usnews.com

Representative gives demonstration, exposes students to new technology

by Anika Ranginani @a_rangs

Students in the lower level of the NC library on Sept. 16 crowded around a 3D printer that was slowly sculpting a miniature “tardis,” which is a time machine in the popular television show “Doctor Who.” While they watched, they asked a representative from the Brookfield Public Library questions about 3D printing.

Brookfield Public Library representative Kat Baydon gave a demonstration on 3D printing and how the machine operates. Three-dimensional printing is the process of creating a 3D object from an electronic model. For many students, it was the first time they had seen a 3D printer.

“Before [the library] was having an exhibit about this, I didn’t even know you could print in three dimensions,” David Bobinsky ‘16 said.

The 3D printer demonstration is the first step in NC Librarian Cheri Gogo’s plan to modernize the resources LTs’ library offer students.

“I know we have [3D printers] in some of our CAD classes,

but only a small portion of our students take those classes, so I wanted to expose more kids to it, and have a broader audience.”

Instead of the shelves that now take up the northern side of the lower library, Gogo envisions a “makerspace.” A popular trend among libraries, a makerspace provides technology like 3D printers so that people can invent and create, Gogo said.

“Kids can start to come in when they have free time before or after school, or during study hall to invent things and have some free time to explore, tinker around with some of the new things that are out there, a form of inquiry learning,” Gogo said.

Gogo has formulated the idea for the makerspace, but there are no definite plans in terms of funding the space or gaining approval. According to Gogo, there are many grants available to make the makerspace a reality.

In the meantime, the Brookfield Public Library offers a program for teens and adults where people learn to create objects using the 3D printer, as well as how to fix the machine in case it breaks, Baydon said.

“Libraries were one of the first places to get internet and computers and now its moving up to bigger and cooler things,” Baydon said.

Budget approved, reveals no significant changes

Despite construction costs, budget remains relatively static

by Clare Mikulski @ClareMikulski

Despite the massive ongoing construction projects at both campuses, the 2014-15 annual budget does not reveal any significant changes in expenditures or revenues.

“There’s nothing in particular here that’s dramatically different from the prior year,” District 204 Business Director Brian Stachacz said. “There is, this year, in the operations and maintenance fund, $2.5 million in capital expenditures. That money is going towards the construction, the new cafeteria and the renovation of the Reber center, as well as the usual repairs on the school. Apart from the numbers being a little bit larger, everything in there is the same.”

The budget for the 2014-15 operating fund is projected to be $71.6 million, which is a 1.45% increase from the 2013-14 budget of $70.6 million.

“I wouldn’t call it a change [in the budget],” Superintendent Dr. Timothy Kilrea said. “It’s a budget that we adjust every year based upon revenues. When you’re talking about a

$70 million budget, and believe me [$1.7 million] is a significant amount of money, but that usually is tied to what our CPI [Consumer Price Index] increase is.”

The budget does not account for the building projects at both campuses. District 204 held a bond sale last year to cover construction costs, Stachacz said.

The budget accounts for a variety of school expenditures, in all categories.

“The school district looks at salaries, benefits, purchased services, supplies, capital outlay, and then any other objects that would fall under tuition for outside of district students,” Stachacz said. “So really it’s all of those things combined.”

While the amount of money District 204 plans on spending is not drastically larger than previous years, the release of the budget provides an opportunity to highlight LT’s bond rating.

“Obviously we never want to spend more than we have coming in, so we take a look at what we’ve got, and we adjust our expenditures accordingly,” Kilrea said.

The ability of District 204 to avoid deficit spending has left LT with a triple-A bond rating.

“It’s a good budget,” Kilrea said. “Our board does not deficit spend, we try to avoid that at all costs, and in eight years I haven’t seen it happen.”

Budget Breakdown The annual operating fund is divided into individual funds, which include the Education fund, Operations and Maintenance fund, the Transportation fund and the IMRF/SS fund (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund/Social Security).

Compiled by Clare Mikulski

Capital Outlay 4.87%

Other Objects 4.85%

Supplies 5.13% Purchased Services 10.6%

Benefits 11.33%

Salaries 63.16%

Original strike Craftsmen in Poland organized the first recorded strike in history during the 17th century.

NEWS

Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 4

Raising wages 76% of Americans support raising the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 per hour.

Hinsdale teachers threaten strike Negotiations underway between board, teachers for new contracts

by Brittany Grosser-Basile @BrittanyGrosser

After over a year of negotiations, the Hinsdale High School Teachers’ Association (HHSTA) and the Board of Education of Hinsdale Township came to a tentative agreement regarding teachers’ contracts, which was voted on at the board meeting on Oct. 20, after LION’s deadline. HHSTA had issued a 10-day notice of intent to strike, which allowed them to begin striking on Oct. 14, after Hinsdale’s homecoming.

“The new Board of Education’s unfair proposal would diminish the district’s competitive edge—a competitive edge that has been the district’s foundation of excellence,” HHSTA Spokesperson Michael Palmquist said. “For the first time ever, it will create an incentive for teachers to leave the district after District 86 trains them, mentors them and gives them teaching experience in some of the best classrooms in the state.”

Around 1,500 teachers, students and community members attended the District 86 Board of Education meeting on Oct. 6, which spanned six hours, lasting until 1 a.m., according to Chicago Tribune. At this meeting, the board voted for Board President Dr. Richard Skoda and Vice President Ed Corcoran to step down as chief negotiators and be replaced

by Kay Gallo and Victor Casini. Many community members spoke, urging the teachers not to strike and for the board and HHSTA to come to an agreement for the next teaching contract.

The difference in the proposals from Sept. 16 is $6,374,134, with the HHSTA having the higher cost contract. Among the differences in proposals are the salary schedules, Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases, coaching and summer school teaching.

HHSTA proposed to continue having a 19-step salary raise plan, whereas the Board proposed a 35-step plan. Each step represents one year, so the first year the teachers would make the base salary, then every subsequent year, or step, the salary would increase until the last step of the schedule is reached.

With the plan the teachers proposed, it would take 19 years to reach the top step with the highest pay, and with the

Students hold signs supporting Hindsale’s teachers at the crowded board meeting on Oct. 6 (Ashley Yong). each side, thanking supporters and encouraging people to board’s it would take 35 years, but only if the teacher receives attend board meetings. a good performance rating. The board does not want teachers Additional items being negotiated include: the board to move up a step if their ratings for the year are less than wanting teachers to dress in business casual attire, with the proficient, which differs from the teachers who want to move teachers wanting no dress code, and the board also wants PE up a step every year regardless of rating. teachers to receive one prep period instead of the two that all “It comes down to what is really fair,” Skoda said. other teachers receive.

An argument the teachers have focused on is that, with “If they’re striking, who are they striking against, the the board’s proposal, Hinsdale teachers will be making less school board or the kids?” Skoda said. “It’s kind of like war; than LT teachers, therefore causing highly qualified teachers it’s best to avoid. Even if you think you won, you didn’t.” to apply to LT rather than to Hinsdale South or Hinsdale CenWith the tentative agreement, Hinsdale teachers still tral. could strike.

HHSTA posted a graphic stating, “D86 has always offered This spring, LT teachers’ contracts will be up for renewal, competitive contracts to attract and retain the best and but negotiations are expected to happen smoothly. brightest teachers. Until now. Skoda and Corcoran’s salary “I think we have a solid relationship with both the school schedule is so below average that a D86 teacher will earn board and the administration, so I don’t see the same connearly $400,000 less over the course of his/her career than a tention happening here in the negotiation cycle,” LT Faculty teacher at Lyons Township and other top schools.”

Association President Dave Stormont said.

They have been actively posting on their Facebook page For the most updated information, visit our website. for months about the continuous negotiations and offers of

IMPACT

Above average Illinois’ average composite ACT test score in 2013 was a 20.6, versus the highest-ranked state of Connecticut with a 24.

Scholarship savings The department of education issues $46 billion dollars in free scholarship money each year.

Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 5

LT test scores rising Student Loans Q & A Two LT students receive perfect ACT scores, overall scores improve

College and Career Center advisor Lianne Musser provides her input on college student loans

by Mary Hadley @maryhadley22

Compiled by MelRose Buckler

In the past few years, LT’s test scores— Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) and ACT—have consistently risen. Since 2007, LTs average ACT score has been around a 24, which is three points higher than the state’s and the national average.

In addition to the rising scores, LT had two perfect ACT scores of 36, obtained by Madeline Bernstein ‘15 and Stephanie Lin ‘15.

“Overall, I think what we have been doing for the past five years through professional learning communities has been to determine what the essentials are of each course and make sure that those get taught as best as possible,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Scott Eggerding said. “We align those essentials to the Common Core and some of the standardized tests like the ACT reading and math sections, so what we have been doing in the classes themselves is that we have gotten more focused.”

Prior to 2002, only students planning on going to college took the ACT. After that, everyone was obligated to take the test to demonstrate college readiness and reflect the school’s ability to prepare students for college. Then in 2010, there was a dip in the ACT average because students with special testing circumstances were added to the average, Eggerding said.

“I think LT test scores are on the rise, because college applications have gotten more competitive,” Bernstein said. “Maybe this competitive atmosphere has resulted in more students taking advantage of the test prep resources LT provides, or maybe more students simply take the standardized tests more seriously. Either way, I believe that college entrance test scores reflect the attitude of the students, which is something that is hard for the school itself to control.”

Although LT’s average is about a 24, each year there are at least one or two perfect scores, Eggerding said. This year there were two. The most LT has ever received in a single year has been five.

“I feel that LT does a good job preparing most students for the ACT by the content review incorporated into English, math and science classes the weeks leading to the test,” Bernstein said. “I think the amount of prep done in classes is effective.”

With the change from the PSAE to PARCC, LT will still provide a free ACT in March, paid for by the state, so LT will continue to prepare students the same way as in years past to be ready for the exam, Eggerding said.

“It is still very important that students take the ACT and the new PARCC test seriously,” Eggerding said. “My biggest worry by moving to a different test is that students may not take it as seriously.”

ACT average scores In 2002, the ACT became mandatory for every student to take. Prior to this, only students planning on going to college took the test. Since then, test scores have consistently risen.

In 2010, the scores with additional time were also added to the overall scores, creating a small dip in the graph. The average ACT score LT students earn is around a 24.

Q: How do student loans work?

A: Six months after graduating or after leaving school, the average student pays 6.5 percent interest on loans.

Q: What type of student loans are there?

A: The first type are subsidized loans, in which the student qualifies based on financial need to have the government pay interest while the student is at college. The second type is unsubsidized loans, in which the student pays the interest. The student is able to borrow a certain amount of money each year while in college, ranging between $3,500-$7,500.

Q: Why are student loans becoming such an increasing problem?

A: The job market is not in a place where every graduate is getting a job immediately or six months out of college and many times, college graduates do not make enough money right out of college to pay their students loans and other living expenses.

Q: What can students do to avoid having an excess of student loans?

A: Students can look to attend community colleges and in-state schools, attend schools that give them a lot of money and go to a school that offers in-state tuition once residency is claimed after a year living in the state.

Q: What is the biggest misconception about student loans?

A: Students do not realize how much debt they will assume, and they do not understand how much it will cost them each month to pay them back.

Q: What is your opinion on student loans?

A: I think small student loans are good because they help students to understand that they are contributing to their own education, but the loans can get out of hand and become very expensive.

Student Loan Facts 40+ million

More than 40 million Americans have student debt loans. That is more people than the entire populations of Canada or Australia.

of $1.2 trillion student loan debt for $1.2 trillion Athetotal United States.

Average student loan debt

ACT scores

The average student loan debt for the nation is $29,400 as of 2012.

Delware has the highest average, $33,649, while New Mexico has the lowest at $17,994. Illinois is below the national level at $28,028.

71% of students graduating from a four-year college have student loan debt

Graduating class

Compiled by MelRose Buckler

Sources: money.cnn.com, projectstudentdept.org, huffingtonpost.com

College and Career Center advisor Lianne Musser provides advice for preparing for a future at college. This checklist gives the information to prepare for college throughout all four years while at LTHS.

Random Chatter

NEWS

Random Chatter “The only good cat’s a dead cat.”

-Aidan Hunt ‘16

“Is Ebola a country?”

-Aidan VanNest ‘15

Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 6

LT’s Jazz Ensemble kicked off its year with an Oct. 10 concert in the PAC. Concert style ranged from smallgroup combos to a big band finish under Director Mark Dahl. Pieces included a mix of modern and classic jazz.

In order to join the group junior and senior musicians at LT undergo a competitive audition process.

(Amy Lacny/LION)

Fall is the season of change. Between losing leaves and colder days, the world outside of LT is constantly shifting, and without further ado welcome back to The Breakdown. compiled by Ceili Doyle Oct. 6-Christopher Dayell Bittner made his first appearence in court after being arrested in Billings, Montana. Bittner was discovered mid-burgalry and upon being caught offered heroin and his sincerest apologies to the homeowner.

It looks like sharing truly is caring, even for felons.

Sept. 29-Charles Agosto, 35, initially escaped from the Lebanon Police in Oregon, but was eventually caught because officers were able to smell the strong scent of his cologne underneath the foliage he was hiding in. Pro tip to middle school criminals: ditch the Axe!

Oct. 8-Chris Larger, head chef of Honky Tonk in London joined forces with Groupon to create the $1,768 Glamburger, with ingredients including: lobster, caviar, venison, a duck egg and an edible gold leaf...Because nothing says British influence on American cuisine quite like gourmet obesity!

Oct. 7-An 8-year-old Hawaiian boy survived a six-story fall down a garbage chute in his condo building. A successful dumpster dive complete!

Oct. 8-Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S., died. He had been in critical condition at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas since mid-September after his arrival from Liberia.

Sources: Tribune News Service, Bloomberg

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Write us a letter!

Letters to the Editor give you an opportunity to participate in LION. Write us a comment, compliment or complaint today.

OPINIONS Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 7

Want your opinion heard?

Get it published in the paper! Submit any opinionated piece as a freelancer and you may see your work in our next issue.

PageSevenGrid

GuestColumn

Ladies and Gents, mark today in your calendars and put it in AP Grid history study guides. Teachers are in the Grid. This is a big day for teachers! HC teachers are striking due to their lack of Grid participation!

You’re making a new cereal: What’s the recipe and what’s its name?

“Puppy Chow (with milk)”- made with puppy chow and milk.

You accidently murdered someone, where in LT do you hide the body?

The Corral, no one would find the body.

Madeline Bernstein ‘15

What will your memoir be titled? And what’s on the inside cover?

“I do it all for Karen.” [Ed. note: Look closely at the picture, this is Karen:

“How I killed the game,” and the inside cover is a picture of me riding on a decked out pterodactyl.

LT absolutely needs ________ as an elective.

Electrodynamic properties of the quantum system [Ed. note: I’m surprised you haven’t already taken that over the summer #1]

Underwater basket-weaving

“Cap’n Munch”- made out of the box

The Bell Tower

“So you think you’re hardcore”- just a bowl of nails.

Dr. Waterman’s desk chair in his office. It would be a pleasant surprise.

“CheeriUs”- and the ingredients are the same as Cherrios but shaped as U’s.

Under the bulkhead.”[Ed. note:This is a brilliant hiding space because I have no idea where this is.]

“Trials and Tribulations of a TV enthusiast,” and the inside of the book would be an ad for my twitter.

Exorcism training

A biology textbook who reads those anyways?

It’d be called “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and there would be a picture of me laying on the couch on the inside cover.

A napping elective. I could use one of those.

Matt Hennessy ‘15

“She did okay,” a memoir written only in emojis.

And this would be the inside cover:

Candle making

Sarah Brunet ‘16

Thomas Atseff ‘17

Claire Gertsmeier ‘18

Angela Patel

“Leftover PizzaO’s”because admit it we’ve all had that for breakfast before.

“Fun-free cereal,” no dairy, no gluten, no sugar, no fun ;..( [Ed. note: Can this even be considered a cereal?]

I would hide the body “Behind the flames: My AP Ventriloquism in the cadaver in room days eating candles!” The [Ed. note: Your answers are 228 because most people inside cover would be soooo funny. Can you give forget that we have one and dedicated to children who me extra points on the Bio would never think to look light up my day. mid-term now?] in such an obvious place. compiled by Will Most

LetterstoEditor This letter to the editor was first published on April 11, 2014. It has been republished due to Jack Kunkle’s ‘14 passing.

Dated: April 4 2014 Dear LION Reader: If one can learn anything from the ABC Family TV edit of “Forrest Gump” (and I believe one can learn a lot) it is that sometimes “It happens.” (that’s not a typo, or Lion edit, that’s ABC Family.) Life is a crazy thing and, as far as I am concerned, if you are reading this now you are experiencing life. You have experienced, are experiencing and/or will experience happiness, sadness, pain, loss, grief and Jack Kunkle a bounty of other things, because these are all integral parts of the human experience. Sometimes, “it” happens, and it sucks, but it happens to everyone, and everyone has to deal with their own “it.” Sometimes, you need to deal with “it” and just “deal with it.” I know that you have lived differently than I: I have experienced things you haven’t, and vice versa. That being said, I have different viewpoints than you, and I don’t believe that those make me any better or worse than you; in my opinion people are innately equal, and you may or may not agree with me. But, I’d like to try to provide some insight for you as to why I felt the urge to write (oh, yes, there may be a point to all this). As a short background, my name is Jack Kunkle and I am a senior at LT. You may know me as “Kunkle,” or even as “Mr. LT.” When I was 11-yearsold, I had a tumor removed from my brain and I underwent over a year of chemo and radiation therapy cancer treatments. After that time, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and, in my life, I have seen many strong people fight the horrible disease we all know.

Recently, my worst fear was realized when I went in to a check-up MRI and a new tumor was found in my brain. I underwent my third ever brain surgery, and currently, I am in a state where I am building up my strength before going back in to chemo treatments (after being nearly 5 years out). My life is at a stand-still and most aspects of my future are a mystery to me. Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds (Vampire Weekend told me that nobody does), and I think that has given me some perspective. Here’s some advice you may want to read and pay attention to. You may not get my jokes or references, but that’s okay.

1. Respect- Yes, go ahead and pull out your LTHS First Class principles, and learn one of the greatest lessons you will ever learn. You

make a difference in the lives of the people around you every day.

That’s pretty cool. So, be a decent person, at least. Everyone has their own life to live and you should respect them all. You have the choice to respect me and my opinion by reading this and respecting my decision to write (whoa). You don’t have to listen to me, but by considering what I say, you are being respectful. Anyway, the one thing that you can do is be respectful to others. Respect yourself, though, first. How can you expect others to respect you if you can’t first respect yourself? I hope that isn’t too cliché for you. Well, It’s true. Take a lesson from Bill and Ted and “be excellent to each other.”

2. Enjoy your life- what a gift. You have a life and you should enjoy it. Dead people (even un-dead people) don’t have what you have. Have fun, but be smart. YOLO is dumb. Don’t use life as an excuse to do stupid things. Live life to the fullest, and do it in a moral and RESPECTABLE way (aaaah, back to 1.) Some people think that they need illegal substances to have a good time. Everything on the menu at “Culver’s” and “Portillo’s” is 100% legal to consume and that is why you don’t need illegal things to enjoy yourself. If you are lactose-intolerant, you can figure it out (all sorts of food taste good). If you are a vegan, good luck. Being vegan is probably a really smart choice. (Food is also not the only way to happiness). Side note: People tend to dote on all the bad things in life, when we should really be celebrating the positives. Enjoy the things you have because others don’t have those things.

3. Always end your lists with three things- I’m going to respect the LION and not take too long. Have fun in the great community you live and always remember that “it could be worse. It could be raining.”(no original thoughts here). If it’s raining, deal with it (is that too harsh?). Someone is having a worse day than you are, so cut everyone some slack. Do some good in the community and the world. There are some many things you can do in this community and life. (And this is where I plug Relay For Life, which is a great organization for the American Cancer Society). LT is great and you are unique. Be Yourself. Hopefully, I got some point across, or at least entertained you for a minute.

Stay Golden, Jack Kunkle ‘14

Fast-forward 50 years. Taking a glimpse back at your high school days, what runs through your head? That one time you studied so hard for your calc test? When you made those 50 flashcards and got an 88 on that vocab Garrett Ariana quiz? No, of course not. You’ll remember prom, Friday night football games and the weekend you spent downtown with your best friends.

We all have the pressure on us to be academic wizards and we all feel like a failure when we get less than a B on a test. The issue of grade inflation was mentioned in our last guest column, and how it’s both beneficial and detrimental to our school. On one hand, it’s great because more kids are getting the grades they want; however, it has destroyed the age-old belief that C is average, now putting more pressure on kids to excel. Tons of students go through this educational predicament, but there has to be a point when you ask yourself: Is it worth it?

I know my parents have told me several times and it’s been drilled into my mind: “Enjoy high school and college. They’re the best years of your life.” These eight years, on average, will be only about 10 percent of your long life. But, the enjoyment of these years gets harder and harder because it seems everyone is becoming more aware that their performance in school decides a large portion of their life.

While this is true, it’s an overemphasized fact and there’s not enough kids appreciating their “glory years.”

You can’t just go out on and tailgate for your high school’s football team every week when you’re 35. You won’t be able to go out and get Portillos at midnight with your best friends at the age when you’ll need help to even get up. Some of these things are simply meant for your younger years.

A statement I hear several times a week from all types of people, year-round: “It looks good on college applications.” This statement is absurd, even laughable. The idea of participating in clubs, groups and teams for the sole reason of getting into college is shameful. I constantly see students joining academic clubs, sports teams, religious groups, performance groups all willy nilly just so they can put them on their college applications, and that “colleges like that kind of stuff”.

I’m not trying to discourage extracurricular participation. We need students to be in the amazing clubs and groups available at LT, but when students join the wrong activities just because they want to seem intelligent or follow trends it is harmful for the school and the students.

What makes LT the amazing school we all know and love is its wide variety of opportunities to be involved in the community and be able to do what you love.

However, this privilege is being abused. I don’t feel like we truly have hundreds of kids that are really fascinated by the activities and classes they’re involved in, but rather they’re just there for the academic benefit.

People who lack passion often contribute little, and can even be destructive.

If you join groups you truly have an interest in, rather than ones that are popular and smart, you won’t even think of it as a way to get accepted by colleges. It becomes a hobby, not a burden.

Kids need to become less obsessed with being the well-rounded, renaissance student that they think they absolutely have to be. Go to a Cubs game downtown or have a bonfire at your friend’s house. It doesn’t matter what it is, just make it something that is worthwhile.

Write in and make your voice heard.  100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange, Ill. 60525  LION reserves the right to edit all letters.

Random Chatter “Sure I killed the bug in my car, but I also almost killed a family at the same time.”

- Bess Connelly ‘15

OPINIONS Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 8

Random Chatter “I’m going to peak when I’m 50.”

-Kelsey Sheehan ‘16

Is stopping ISIS America’s problem?

LION polled 283 students about their opinions regarding American involvment in Iraq and Syria in hopes of defeating the terror group ISIS.

PawsUp n to HC kids cleaning upwhat mature, responsible young men and women.

n to unbuttoned overalls-evidently making a big comeback in the fashion world.

n to Columbus day- the fact that he gives us a day off is truly Christopher’s greatest achievement. n to Blackhawks hypeS’GO HAWKS. n to anonymous computer surveyspretty much asking for completely fabricated answers. n to circles- they’re what makes the world go round. n to Derrick Rose’s #thereturn pt.III - the rerereturn. n to James K. Polk- a seriously underrated president. n to Nutella- the glue that holds girls’ lives together. nto the Peters Map- literally turning my whole world upside-down.

nto Streetchat’s deathwe were worried we were going to have to do another spread about it.

PawsDown n to not liking pawsthese are not sub-paw, they are hilarious. n to miniature cupcakes- why do you need a miniature of something that’s already miniature?

n to a boring English book- just as effective as sleeping pills. n to your lost hopes of getting a Hogwarts acceptance letter-do you think you missed the application deadline? n to OCD- it really stintks when something is jus out of line and you can’t fix it. n to school photos- just tilt your head slightly to a 90 degree angle and smile softly. n to the gubernatorial race- I understand the importance of being politically active and all, but can I not vote for either of these guys? n to imaginary num-

bers- if they don’t really exist, why are we even learning about them?

n to seventh grade Facebook posts- reminding you that you were once very, very annoying.

Don’t know/ Don’t care 14%

Will’sWord Remembering Jack Kunkle, friend, comedian and hero

Early in the morning, On Sept. 18 Lyons Township High School lost the greatest man Yes to ever walk its halls.

27% Should the How wellThis man entertained U.S. get informed more than David Hasinvolved are you of selhoff, showed more Will Most in another current U.S. physical toughness Heard of it No Middle Eastinvolvement than Jeff Hornacek and always ended 65% 59% ern conflict? with ISIS? his lists with three things. His name was Jack Kunkle ‘14, and I am honored that he touched my life, and that I could consider him a good friend.

To understand what made Jack Kunkle LT’s greatest man, you must understand the circumstances in which Don’t he grew up. In sixth grade, Jack was diagnosed with brain cancer. And after a know/ strenuous bout with the horrible disease, Don’t care Jack beat it. However, near the end of 10% Yes Jack’s treatment and check-ups, he disNo Should the 19% covered that his mother had been diag23% U.S. use nosed with colon cancer. Mrs. Kunkle, Yes Should jourfunds to just like Jack, got the better of the hor37% nalists be arm Syrian rible disease and is in remission. Then, allowed to go and Iraqi nearly five years into his remission, Jack No Yes, but with to ISIS occurebel ground found out that he once again had brain 53% resrictions pied zones to cancer. forces to 58% Jack Kunkle didn’t have to be as awereport? fight ISIS? some as he was. In fact, he had every excuse to be a bitter person, constantly dwelling in the sadness of his life. The fact that he was the exact opposite is what made him so extraordinary.

I was friends with Jack Kunkle. He was a very important person in my life.

He helped me find my faith again. He was my hero. I will not elaborate on specific details our relationship, because For the last few months, the gruesome nature what it is right. It would be easy to let the Middle it was by no means unique. Jack touched of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has East and the rest of the world deal with this problem nearly everyone he met. Many people been depicted on the 24-hour news cycle all over on their own, but it is right to take military action found their faith in him. His mental the world. Graphic videos display journalists being against it, in the hope of saving those who are in need toughness, kindness and laughter in the beheaded, merciless killings of assistance. face of death led many to aspire to be and other acts of terror that The counterargument, of course, would be anxlike him. iety over more federal spending, getting involved firm believers in democracy and It is a common trend among the in another Middle Eastern conflict we might not be humanity look at in disgust. The media to romanticize a person after their able to get out of and the potential loss of American question that many Americans are death. We hear how great Phillip Seylives. While these concerns are all valid, they are not posing today is: should the U.S. mour Hoffman was, how compassionate enough to justify not doing anything to help these get involved? Should we risk our Joan Rivers was. Such is not the case helpless people. The U.S. has the strongest influence Gillian Dunlop resources to help those who are with Jack Kunkle. Do not think of these on world politics. We have the ability to extend our thousands of miles away? Should tales of greatness, these chronicles of a hand to those in need; if we do not help, who will? we risk another war to fight somekind, passionate, loving person as romanthing that hasn’t directly affected us yet? The answer President Barack Obama has already ordered air ticized. They are not. Jack Kunkle is is yes. strikes against ISIS, but it might not be enough. ISIS every bit of man he is made out to be.

As a country, we do not condone terrorism, and to is not only a threat to Syrian people; they are also a Jack could walk into a dull conversit back and become uninvolved in the blatant terror threat to the democratic principles we built our own sation and have everyone laughing in a that ISIS is causing could mean the deaths of millions country’s foundation on, as well as U.S. soil. By taking matter of seconds. Jack could hug you, of innocent people. It is our job to help those in need. military action against ISIS we are not only preventand any pain and sadness would vanish. ing millions of innocent lives from being taken away, It may not be ideal, but there comes a point where Jack would always take time out of his but also protecting the right to democracy. one has to choose between doing what is easy and day to greet you in the hallways, and while his interactions were not exclusive, they always made you feel special.

Just seeing Jack, donning his blue cap and zip-up hoodie, put everything in perspective and made you smile.

This brings me back to the point I Although Obama specified that the U.S. would be From 1979 through 1989, Soviets occupied made when this column began: Jack is contributing solely through airstrikes, how long will Afghanistan. The U.S. government in response the greatest man to ever walk LT’s halls. that last? Obama impulsively appealed to Congress employed the policy of containWe can focus on previous graduates’ ment under the Reagan adminto pass legislature that would arm the rebels fighting accolades, accomplishments and fame; istration, providing assistance to ISIS with American weapons. Have we not learned but then we are completely misevaluating what makes a great man. A great rebels to fight against the U.S.S.R. anything from history? Our government needs to man constantly shows love, is always Funding rebel troops resulted in an pause, assess the situation and come to a consensus kind and makes those around him more unforeseen catastrophe: the expanwith our allies. Once we have a clear agenda and the sion of an extremist organization to support of other countries, we can make an informed joyful. A great man cares about others’ gain a foothold in the Middle East, issues, inspires those around him and decision to fight ISIS. The past several years we have Ceili Doyle and later maximize on resources– strives to improve not just your day, but spent billions fighting in the Middle East, and have derived from U.S. aid–to launch an your life. No person fits this description wasted billions. It is now time to take responsibility attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. better than Jack. in order to fight radical Islam more effectively.

Unbeknownst to the Reagan Administration, their It is also important to remember that Despite our noblest intentions, our “American desire to enforce the policy of containment by “any as great as Jack was, as much of a superduty” to conquer every evil in the world makes us hero he sometimes appeared to be, he means possible” led to Al-Qaeda killing thousands of vulnerable to mistakes. was above all else, human. He had hands innocent U.S. citizens. This tactic of accomplishing The rebels that Congress has decided to arm earthat felt like he stored them in a fridge goals by “any means possible” has come back to haunt lier this September are not bound to America. Who is to say that they or some faction of these rebels, all the time. He constantly corrected the U.S. potentially commanded by a novice Iraqi governgrammar. He had the sleeping habits of Once again, the U.S. government faces a crisis. ment, won’t turn against us? Obama should pause, an 80-year-old man.

This time; a war against the terrorist organization approach this situation cautiously, garner the support I don’t think I will ever be the same known as the Islamist State, ISIL or ISIS. Following of others and then propose a multinational solution now that Jack is gone. But, to be fair, my the beheadings of two American journalists, Steven to the United Nations. We cannot risk another attack life was never the same after I met him.

Sotloff and David Foley (captives held by ISIS), President Barack Obama addressed the nation Sept. 10, against the U.S. due to our negligence. ISIS poses a And in the end, having just known him, declaring that the U.S. would do all in its power to major threat that needs to be addressed, but it needs I’d consider my life happier, kinder, and “degrade, and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comto be tackled with extreme care and a step-by-step funnier. I’m sure many people at LT feel prehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy.” plan of action. the exact same way.

None/ Very Very well little informed 12% 23%

Point

Always lend a helping hand

CounterPoint Go, there will be trouble; stay, there will be double

OPINIONS

Random Chatter “Concussions are a myth.”

- Charlie Herbert ‘15

Random Chatter “I would totally hook up with Abraham Lincoln.”

- Liv Zawojski ‘16

Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 9

StaffEditorials

AnotherView

Teaching democracy

It doesn’t take a political science major has given LT students the opportunity to to realize that the contemporary form involve themselves in politics. It is clear of democracy in the United States hasn’t then, that if a student wishes to learn about exactly maintained the grandeur it began politics and exercise that knowledge here at with. It’s hard to miss the obvious signs of LT, they are afforded that opportunity. stagnation within our government: almost However, if today’s declining voter turnout rates and the lack of appreciation people daily updates on the trials of fraudulent hold for their constitutional right to elect officials, the painful lack of bipartisanship within Congress and, of course, the rampant their representatives have proven anything, it’s that the present system isn’t working. indifference and scorn most American In an age when political commentary is youth direct towards our government. available with the click of a button, young It is rare that one finds an adult, let people should be making informed decialone a teenager, who is entirely on top of sions with their votes, rather contemporary American politics and that needs to Our Position:To combat re- than relying on emotion, cent prevalence of political or simply not voting at all. change.

So why discuss nation- ignorance and indifference While the remedy to this al politics in a high school in today’s youth, LT should problem is readily available, include a mandatory politi- the simple fact is that young newspaper whose audical education class to create people don’t care enough ence, for the large part, doesn’t really care? How an educated voter base. to seek it out. Thus, if we can a high school change wish to improve the quality the political future of its student body? Rest of democracy and government operation assured, it is not that daunting of a task. domestically and nationally, a political The most basic improvement that can education class must be made mandatory in be made to modern American democracy high schools throughout the country. is the development of an educated voting While all LT students are required to population. In a time when, according to pass an American history class and a constitution test in order to graduate, these classes historian Rick Shenkman, only two out of provide relatively static and unchanging five American voters can name the three information in an ever-changing world. branches of the federal government, it Knowledge of the socioeconomic status of is hard to disprove our national political each of the original 13 colonies won’t help ignorance. an 18-year-old make an informed decision Luckily, for most students at LT and in a state senatorial election. That informaother high schools across the nation, tion can come from education only when knowledge of basic government policy a class with a curriculum based on the should be somewhat elementary. The contemporary changing political situation is global studies department offers multiple mandatory. classes across all academic levels that teach In a time when the United States faces students about contemporary, foreign and the potential national and international domestic government policies. This makes threats, the integrity of our democracy is it difficult, but not impossible, for a student more important than ever. And without a to pass through LT with no familiarity with knowledgeable population, our government politics. At the same time, the drive to becomes nothing but a facade. register young voters in the past two years

Vote: 21-5

Breaking rank

Recently, LT published its testing results LT and many other public schools can’t even for assessments such as the ACT, SAT and begin to think about attempting such a curriculum. This could cause problems for even AP tests; and by all standards, LT was above the brightest of students. average. ACT scores were higher than ever, These previous paragraphs seemed to sugand the amount of students taking and gest that LT is on a much lower level than succeeding on AP tests is also rising, much these top schools, which is true, but this is to the joy of LT administrative staff. At not LT’s fault. The high schools LT is being about the same time, however, Newsweek compared to have college-level curriculum released its annual rankings of the Top 500 and selective enrollment, taking only the high schools in America, where LT, despite best students from the area. By that descripcurrent success, was not ranked. tion, these high schools sound less and less With a cursory glance, it isn’t very difficult to find out why. Top schools have 90like high schools and more like colleges. To plus percent of their students attending colcompare such schools to LT is ridiculous, lege, and all of them leave high school very and you may as well compare LT to actual well-prepared. However, there is something colleges. that stands out as one looks further into the The fact that these schools are included in rankings. The highest caliber of schools have the rankings proves how little thought really selective enrollment. goes into the ranking system. The analysis Take Thomas Jefferson High School in is based exclusively on numbers, and that is Virginia, for example: Our Position: High school rankings where the problem lies. it’s considered the are a pointless exercise, as it is im- High school isn’t about number one school in possible to evaluate a high school numbers or test scores; the nation due to its purely on test scores and other sta- it’s about growth and rigorous academics experience. High school tistics. The perfect high school eduand outstanding test should prepare you for scores. In 2014, 129 of cation is subject to change depend- life, not just college. The Thomas Jefferson’s 480 ing on what is needed for growth. best high school for you students were National Merit Semifinalists, a staggering number which represents 27 percent of the student body. Comparatively, Lyons Township had 15 accomplished National Merit Semifinalists. Although this is by no means a small number, these students only make up one percentage of our class.

Sure, there is a shocking difference between LT and TJHS, but how does LT stack up against, say, the best high school in Illinois? Not very well. The best school in Illinois is considered to be Northside College Prep, which is also the third best school in the nation. At Northside Prep, along with many other high-ranking schools, the curriculum from freshman year to senior year offered is nearly exclusively AP or Honors.

changes depending on what you need to prepare for a future career.

Thomas Jefferson or Northside Prep may not, and probably will not, provide the best high school for many different fields.

It is impossible to rank high schools accurately, because there are a multitude of factors and tons of different variables to consider. Perhaps the biggest variable of all is who attends the high school and what they need for growth. Even then, there are thousands of schools that could be a nice match for them, and it would be near impossible to figure out which is truly the best for them.

It’s a complex problem, one possibly without a solution. For many, LT might be the perfect school, but that statement is impossible to prove.

Vote: 21-5 C ontact

Staff vote:

via :708-579-6403

25-1

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Illustration by Bryce Hughes

LION The Voice of Lyons Township Students Since 1910

O ctober 23, 2014 n Volume 105, I ssue 2

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Moon masters Golf is one of two sports to be played on the moon. On Feb. 6, 1967, Alan Sheppard Jr. sent a golf flying into orbit.

SPORTS

Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 10

Wicked water Swimming is the fourth most popular sport in the united states, however 65 percent of Americans don’t know how to swim.

B-ballBuildup The shared season of the boys and girls cross country teams has caused the teams to have a seemingly more separate relationship when compared to the unified boys and girls swimming teams. The relationship among the boys and girls teams in these two sports is explored. off-seasons together, we tend to know each others’ times so when we go to meets, we can really see if they are improving or not. This helps when we cheer on each other because we know their goals, and we As high school athletic seasons enter full swing, the year begins can help motivate them to achieve their goals.” with a variety of sports, usually comprised of only one gender. This, This sense of support is pivotal to the relationship between the however, is not the case for boys and girls cross country as both teams swim teams. Athletes are always encouraged to support the other team. compete during the same season. This could perhaps have an effect on “We try to support each other through our meets,” girls swimming the relationship between the two teams as it differs widely from that of Head Coach Kurt Johns said. “We always need meet workers. Coach girls swimming, currently in season, and its male counterpart, which [Scott] Walker and I try to encourage the girls to come to the boys’ competes in the winter. meets, and vice versa. So I think that helps with the two teams inter“Each sport has such a different relationship because of the setting acting. When the girls go back and swim club, they’ll swim with guys, of competition and training,” swimmer Lucas O’Bryan ‘15 said. “The and that helps with interaction between the two.” pool is a very intimate setting with everyone bunched together. That This tight bond between the teams may do more than just bring definitely facilitates a closer environment between the guys and girls the teams together at meets. The relationship may contribute to an teams. The fact that no more than 10 people compete at a time really individual’s performance, or a team’s performance. means that everyone gets some moment of individual attention, versus “A lot of times in swimming, you ask yourself ‘Why am I doing cross country where dozens can be racing at a time.” this?’” boys swimming Head Coach Walker said. “The vast majority of The close-knit relationship among the swim team members may be the time, the things that get you to practice, is because of your relarooted in outside factors as well. Even though the boys and the girls tionship with the guys and the girls. And it gets you there, and once compete during different seasons, the relationship between the two you’re there, everything’s fine. Swimming is grueling, it’s monototeams tends to be stronger and more familial. nous, it’s repetitive. There are so many times that you could quit, and I “It helps that swimming, outside of the swim seasons for LT, is think there’s an internal feeling that you helped me get through tough coed,” swimmer Julia Cohen ‘15 said. “This allows us to become better times when the other person doesn’t even know it. And the majority friends with the opposite gender, and because boys and girls swim of the time, it’s another person of the opposite sex.”

by Joe Rossetti @joe_rossetti

by Joe Rossetti @joe_rossetti

Although the boys and girls cross country teams share a common season, the relationship between the two is very different from that of swimming. Perhaps the large size of each team, 130 boys and over 200 girls, makes it difficult to develop a bond.

“Cross country is a huge sport within the boys and the girls, so it makes it difficult to get close when we have the rest of our team to worry about,” runner Mayra Baeza ‘15 said. “What I do enjoy about our relationship is that when we are together, either at a meet, practice, or out of practice, we understand each other’s pain when it comes to running, and we are able to relate with each other sometimes, even without voicing it.”

With the size of the two teams, many different programs, motives and ideas can develop, as not everyone will have the same point of view.

“Our programs are different, even though we each compete within the same conference,” runner Zach Szczesniak ‘15 said.

“Although boys and girls both race three miles, our training regimens and philosophies are different, just as boys and girls are physically different. It would be hard to coach all 300 runners as a whole. There are a wide array of personal and team goals.”

Although the teams are separate, there is no rivalry between the two teams. The teams may be isolated, but they do work together in some manners.

“I think there is a camaraderie that people on the outside might not see,” girls

cross country Head Coach Stetson Steele said. “I pick Coach [Mike] Danner’s brain about certain things, he talks to me about things. We love seeing the boys do well. I think they feel the same way. I think there is motivation, ‘Hey they’re top five, we want to be top five, they’re top 10, we want to be top 10’. I don’t know if the girls see that as much as we do as coaches, but I think between coaches there definitely is. It’s a supportive environment.”

While most may see some connection, there is little hope for furthering the relationship. Some wish to keep the two teams separate and keep the current relationship.

This does not mean that the teams don’t get along, but their relationship is distant.

Boys cross country Head Coach Danner declined to comment on this topic.

Golf teams take final stroke Boys golf finishes seventh in state, individual finishes fourth, leads team

Girls season ends early at regionals, four advanced to sectionals; head coach retires

by Drew Cushing @drcushing32

by Bailey Blum @ultimatebailey

After finishing first in the IHSA Regionals and third in Sectionals behind York and Hinsdale Central, the boys varsity golf team finished the season in seventh place at the IHSA State meet on Oct. 17-18. At the meet, the team overall had a score of 623, and Jon Hudson ‘15 was the team’s top individual, placing fourth overall with a score of 148.

“This year has been a rollercoaster,” Head Coach Brian Kopecky said. “We’ve played really well, but haven’t been as consistent as we could be.”

The team did well in the season, placing second at the West Suburban Silver Conference meet and proving that it was in the hunt for state by also placing second or third in most of its tournaments, along with a first place finish at the LT invite at the LaGrange Country Club on Sept. 27.

“We’ve been doing well, but the bear hasn’t caught the buckwheat yet and we have to get it done,” Michael Caplice ‘15 said before State.

Caplice is one of four seniors who played in LT’s top six at conference, along with Hudson, Matt Walsh ‘15 and Bill Spartz ‘15, and the other players in the top six at conference include Jason Miller ‘16 and Patrick Akaniroj ‘18.

“Everyone on the team works hard; they’re focused. They know, and I know, they’re capable of being good and have the capability to get it done,” Kopecky said.

With five returning golfers who played varsity last year, the leaders and seniors of the team helped contribute to team morale and also allow the golfers to have good team chemistry.

“They teach the younger and more inexperienced players different types of shots and how to play the golf course better,” Caplice said. “It all starts with our captain, Jon Hudson, the team feeds off his energy.”

According to Kopecky, Hudson had the lowest stroke average per round on the team and is one of the team’s top two players, along with Walsh.

Hudson finished first at both Regionals and Sectionals and is committed to play golf in college at Iowa State. Hudson’s older brother, Dan Hudson ‘14, plays golf at Kansas University.

“I chose Iowa State because of the coach and facilities they have to practice at,” Hudson said. “They are also ranked inside the Top 25 in the country, and I will get to compete against my brother in the Big 12 championship.”

This season is varsity Head Coach Brad Anderson’s last year with the girls golf team. After 10 years coaching junior varsity and nine for varsity, Anderson is retiring in order to help lead an organization helping disadvantaged people through his church.

“It’s been a wonderful growing experience for me,” Anderson said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to end with. I’m very proud of how they represent LT.” Now, the Athletics Department is looking to fill the head coaching position for next year. Anderson has left the program in much better condition than before, LT Athletics Director John Grundke said.

“He brought stability to the program,” Grundke said. “He created high expectations for the girls, not just for winning and losing but also in their behavior and leadership skills.”

Anderson, an English teacher at LT, is not worried about the future of the program either.

“I don’t think it will have as much of an effect as people think,” Anderson said. “There are seven seniors this year, and a lot of the younger girls don’t know me as well.”

The team’s season came to a close at regionals on Oct. 7 with a fourth place finish; however only the top three teams advance. Macy Tabachka ‘15, Melissa Marston ‘15, Michelle Siamis ‘15 and Grace Baumel ‘15 all qualified as individuals for sectionals, which were held Monday Oct. 13. None of them qualified for state.

“We knew qualifying for state as individuals at sectionals was going to be difficult, but we all played really hard,” Tabachka said. “Even though none of us made it to state, I think we were all proud of the way we played.”

The team went 8-1 in conference play this season, suffering a loss to Hinsdale Central. Tabachka, Marston, Siamis and Claire Frank-Carr ‘16 were all named All-Conference players. After such stellar play, the team was striving for its fifth consecutive year to state, Anderson said.

“Of course I would have liked to qualify for state, but the four girls played some of the best golf at sectionals that I have ever seen them play,” Anderson said. “More importantly, they dealt with adversity and grew stronger because of it.”

Anderson wasn’t disappointed at the end of his last season.

“This team was filled with great golfers and even better people,” Anderson said. “That’s all a coach can ask for.”

It’s a big time for basketball fans in Chicago. Derrick Rose is poised to take the court with the Chicago Bulls for the first time since Nov. 23 of last year.

Although there are Bailey Blum certainly doubts surrounding his durability and his sub-par play in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup, he does appear to be returning to his explosive, athletically dominant self.

This gives Chicagoans plenty to be excited about as he gets healthier and readies himself to lead the Bulls alongside former LA Laker Pau Gasol, who the Bulls acquired this offseason.

Gasol gives the Bulls a much stronger power forward than they’ve had in the past with Carlos Boozer, who was often accused of a lack of effort during games and who’s defense left much to be desired. Gasol was widely recognized just a few short years ago as one of the best power forwards in the league, and should be a strong addition to the team.

Look for rookie Doug McDermott out of Creighton to start at small forward alongside Gasol in the frontcourt, and with the Best Male College Athlete of the Year ESPY Award in his back pocket, the Bulls shouldn’t be afraid to let him carry the heavier offensive load that they so desperately need.

Shooting guard Jimmy Butler has been developing exceptionally and will easily nab a starting role, and all-star center Joakim Noah should continue to dominate the boards and be a leaguewide leader in rebounding once again.

Expect big things from this squad in the coming months.

But it’s not just the Bulls that basketball fans in Chicago have to be excited about. The local WNBA team Chicago Sky just finished off its season as Eastern Conference Champions for the first time in team history, and despite a routing in the Finals against Phoenix the players have plenty of promise with second year star Elena Delle-Donne leading the way for next year.

The next few years should prove to be hugely important for the WNBA as a whole. The league is coming off of a new contract with ESPN that extends until 2022, and includes live broadcasts of up to 30 games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and WatchESPN. The deal also includes a live broadcasting of the WNBA Draft on primetime television, which is huge for attracting viewers that the league most certainly needs.

Lots of criticism definitely surrounds the WNBA as it begins to rise in popularity. A lack of athleticism, inconsistency in shooting and a slower-pace altogether discourage viewers from watching WNBA games in favor of the league’s male counterpart, the NBA. While I don’t think the WNBA will ever be as popular or as high-paying as the NBA, I do think it is showing plenty of promise. The rookie classes are stronger than ever, and as a result the overall level of competition has been increasing.

Just look at Brittney Griner, who in her second year has already become a face for the league and a model of women’s athleticism. She threw down the first dunk in WNBA playoff history last year, and her defensive strength and style of play have even prompted rule changes within the league. On top of the new ESPN contract this boasts an exciting future for Women’s basketball.

However, one key thing to remember is this: the WNBA isn’t trying to be the NBA. It never will be. The WNBA will never have the endorsements, the salaries, or the big names like its male counterpart does. All it can do is create its own niche and establish its own place in sports for itself. Once it does that, then big things will start to happen.

Small superstar At 5’3”, Muggsy Bogues was the shortest player to ever play in the NBA. He was drafted in 1987 and played for 14 years.

Football heads forward Neutral record brings urgency to last games in hopes of post-season

by Izy Scott @3izy3

After defeating York 21-10, LT football’s effort is not yet relieved as they push through conference in hopes of continuing to playoffs.

LT football will face Proviso West Oct. 24, a game that will factor into the boys possible post-season.

With a current 4-4 record including a defeat by rival Hinsdale Central, but a key victory over York, the team will need a win against Proviso if it hopes to continue its road to state.

Mentality being key this late in the season, head coach Kurt Weinberg has been especially impressed with the boys’ mindset so far.

“There’s a lot of leadership spread throughout the team, not just the captains,” Weinberg said. “Everyone takes on leadership roles to encourage each other and lift each other up. They really are invested in what’s best for the team.”

Along with Weinberg, captain Joe Dillon ‘15 has noticed the positive outcomes of team cohesion.

“So far, the team has greatly improved in understanding and executing the defense, which was the main focus of the offseason, so it’s nice to see it all mesh together,” Dillon said. “Offensively, from last year to this year, the line has dominated which has opened up the running attack.”

With few returning defensive players, organizing a completely new defensive strategy has been a process, Weinberg said. Nonetheless, he has seen improvement each game.

“We’re playing some really good defense right now,” Weinberg said. “We keep getting better and keep improving.”

Mentally prepared for loud crowds after four rowdy home games, the team has been prepping for various game situations. This includes practicing with footballs dunked in water to be ready for the unfavorable cold weather, Weinberg said.

“Every year we hope to be playing in the cold because that means success,” Dillon said. “So the cold weather is only encouraging.”

The forecast looking brisk, LTFB will travel to Proviso West tomorrow, and as playoffs inch closer, every yard LT can gain against Proviso will be imperative in order to claim a win and push closer to a post-season.

Madell makes impact Junior becomes top runner on varsity, exceeds expectations

by Abby King @abigailann_01

With the encouragement of his mother, Connor Madell ‘16, began his running career at St. Francis Xavier. Six years later, he is one of the top runners on the LT boys varsity cross-country team. His success has taken time, dedication and persistence along with the continual support of his coaches, teammates and parents to help get him to where he is now.

“When I started out, I went to my parents for support, but now in high school, I heavily rely on my coaches and teammates,” Madell said. “My parents still encourage and help me out with the small things.

But those small things go a long way.”

This is Madell’s first year on varsity, and he continues to improve every race. Recently, he set a personal three-mile record at Peoria with a time of 15:03.

The team lost six of its top seven runners last year due to graduation, but has made sure to make this year count despite the setback.

“Other schools might consider this a building year for us,” Head Coach Michael Danner said. “But not in our minds. We have been doing very well this season, and our goal is to place third in state.”

Madell has also been an essential part for the unity of the team, according to teammate Keefe Mulligan ‘15.

“Connor bonds everyone together,” Mulligan said. “We spend 25-30 hours a week together over the summer, and no one is ever mad at him. He is the best runner on the team, but you wouldn’t know it during practice. He stays humble.”

In regards to college, Danner said Madell has the capability run at the Division 1 level. While he has not started the college search yet, he expects to hear from colleges by the end of the season.

“I don’t think I’d be able to drop it after all these years of running,” Madell said. “I’ve really come to like the sport and what it offers me. I love being able to push myself past what I thought I was capable of doing. To prove myself wrong.”

SPORTS

Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 11

Marathon match The longest volleyball game ever played lasted 85 hours and was achieved by a club in Amsterdam in 2011.

Girls fight for state title Strong season in a competitive conference gives team momentum

by Lauren Hucko @laurenhucko

This year, the varsity girls volleyball team has experienced immense success. Through hard work and a strong team bond, the 2014 varsity squad is expected to achieve great things for themselves and for LT. “I’ve always wanted the most for this team,” Hannah Juley ‘15 said. “[Volleyball season] is my favorite time of the year, and I love representing LT.” Juley returned this year after surgery due to a midfoot injury, which kept her out of volleyball throughout her junior season. According to the team, Juley is a natural leader, and her commitment to the University of Wisconsin Madison’s volleyball team has not changed her performance on the LT court, Jessi Skonning ‘15 said.

Despite their nonconference loss to Providence, the girls have worked tirelessly in order to earn a near-perfect record.

A decisive victory against Hinsdale Central on Oct. 7 made the team 20-1.

“We try to get the most out of the time we have in practice,” Juley said. “We’ve all known each other a long time, so we have a lot of team chemistry.”

The team was tested when it faced its toughest opponent thus far—Lincoln-Way North on Sept. 20. “[They were] really good all around,” Skonning ‘15 said.

“The consistency of our defense helped us beat them.”

LT lost their first game 15-25, but answered back with a 25-22 win in the second game. With a score of 30-28, the girls defeated Lincoln-Way North in their third game, adding another win to their near-perfect record.

“I love working together to win big matches and to overcome challenges,” Cori Hansen ’15 said.

Last year, many members of the team were injured, so the team did not do as well as they are doing this year. Due to many girls’ returns, the team’s expectations for this season are very high, Juley said.

Cori Hansen ‘15 jumps for a spike versus Hinsdale Central on Oct. 7 at Hinsdale. (Lauren Hucko/LION)

“We need to believe in ourselves. This is going to be a big year for us,” Hansen said. “We need to believe that we can do well if we work hard.”

The team plans on advancing far in the playoffs and hopes to make it to the IHSA State Championship game on Nov. 14 in Normal, Ill. “I definitely think we have a chance [to win state],” Skonning said, “But it will take a lot of hard work.”

Their success can also be attributed to varsity head coach Joann Pyritz, who declined to comment.

“Coach P believes in us,” Hansen said. “She isn’t just okay with playing average; she always wants us to play our best.”

Many of the varsity players, in addition to Juley, plan to play volleyball in college. Hansen recently committed to Brown University and teammate Skonning is committed to Manhattan College.

Boys basketball prepares for upcoming season Boys look to returning starters to lead team, bond between Niego family could affect performance, team play

by Dante Stefanini @DanteStefanini

With a record of 17-12 and a short-lived playoff berth after a loss to York in IHSA Regionals last year, the boys varsity basketball team looks to improve its overall performance in the upcoming season.

Head Coach Tom Sloan is returning for his seventh season as the head coach, preparing to manage the team for another season in the West Suburban Silver Conference. The team’s game plan adjusts game-to-game and even quarter-to-quarter, but Sloan has a solid base plan for this year’s squad.

“The style the team plays with can vary year to year,” Sloan said.

Over the years, the defensive scheme depends on the strength, size and athleticism of the team; however, the squad primarily played a man-to-man defense last season.

That is subject to change based on the opponent and their personnel Sloan said. Ultimately, the team likes to play at an up-tempo pace.

“As a coaching staff we need to try to tailor the x’s and o’s to the strengths of our players,” Sloan said.

LT offers players the opportunity to lift in the weight room during the offseason as well as open gyms for practice. Some players participate in more than one sport, such as football or baseball, so the coaches will take that into account when tracking their offseason preparation, Sloan said. Some players take matters into their own hands and sign up for personal training sessions at facilities like Get Fast and Extreme Fitness Training.

“We prefer it if players do as much training at LT as possible,” Sloan said. “But we understand that we have to be flexible with individual choices the players make.”

Although nothing is set in stone until after the upcoming tryouts take place, there are some key players who have demonstrated their prowess and dedication to the team and are likely to be an integral part of its success. Point guard Harrison Niego ‘15 is a three-year starter at the varsity level, averaging 15 points per game. He has offers to play at Dartmouth, Cornell, Yale, NIU and UIC. “We hope to win our conference this year and make a deep run in the playoffs,” Niego said. “Our conference will be very strong this year, but we have a team that can compete to win it.”

Along with Niego, forward Jaquan Phipps ‘15 played a big role towards the second half of the season averaging six

Top: Jaquan Phipps ‘15 works to set up a shot during the 20132014 season. (Riley Carroll/LION) Bottom: Harrison Niego ‘15 prepares to receive a pass from a teammate during the 2013-2014 season. (Lidia Breen/LION)

rebounds per game as well as seven points per game.

With the highly anticipated basketball season comes the equally awaited Weirdos season. Last year the LT Weirdos student section was voted best high school basketball student section in the nation by athletefession.com. The Weirdos provide an atmosphere that the players love and truly appreciate. The team’s first game is at home against Stevenson on November 25.

“There’s nothing better,” Phipps said. “They’re the best thing to happen to our team and our school.”

Cheeky China China once banned a soccer simulation game, because the game considered Tibet as a sovereign nation. Sports Interactive responded by saying a fixed Chinese version would be released.

SPORTS SPORTS Thursday, October 23, 2014  Page 12

Scores 

Highlights  Profiles

Boys soccer preps for post-season up only three goals, over the course of five tournament games on its Following successful season, PepsiCo way to the championship.

Showdown run, team focuses on state Two of those goals came in the final and proved to be costly. After holding a lead for most of the final of the PepsiCo Showdown against

by Lidia Breen an athletic and talented Morton squad, the game was tied at the end @lidia_breen of regulation and one overtime, resulting in a penalty kick loss and a Although this fall is turning out to be a cold one, boys varsity soccer second place finish in the tournament.

“I felt really bad for our guys,” Labbato said. “I think they felt like is staying hot as they approach the post-season, ending the regular season at 21-5, ranked second in the state by the Sun-Times, placing they could win, and to have it snatched away at the end really stinks.”

Morton gained the number one seed in the sectional, and LT second in the PepsiCo Showdown and earning a number three seed in their Sectional. The top two seeds are Morton and Hinsdale Central, will possibly face them in the sectional final—provided they make it that far through respectively—two of their the postseason. rivals and two of their five “We would losses this season. have to get through “We have one of the [Morton] to make a most difficult sections in run at state,” Duncan the state, so every game said. “They have a ton will be a battle,” Capof skill and defensive tain Patrick Duncan ‘15 ability so it would be said. “But I think we have difficult, but I think the ability to make a run we showed in the through the post-season.

Pepsi Showdown If everything works out, final that we are able we would have a chance to compete with to avenge losses to both them.”

Morton and Hinsdale in But, after falling the playoffs, and that is to St. Charles East something the team is (who at the time was hungry for.” ranked No. 1 in the Pre-season predicState) in the final of tions that this year’s team the Naperville Inviwould not be as strong tational, and Morton, overall due to graduation Boys varsity soccer huddles up against Downers Grove North on Oct. 11. (Izy Scott/LION) the day after falling losses, and losses of high school eligible players forward Christian Sanchez ‘16 and goalkeeper to Hinsdale Central in the “Silver Brick” game, the team concedes David Fiflis ‘15 to Chicago Fire Academy, proved to be wrong, as that there are some things to work on in order to be successful in new players were able to step in and find success. Starting goalkeeper the post-season. They need to work on set piece defense and staying Donald Darrus ‘16 has posted 11 shutouts this year and LT boasts focused specifically, Duncan and Labbato said.

“We have shown that we can play with any team in the state,” four top goal scorers, Head Coach Paul Labbato said. The players also Duncan said. “We just have to be able to learn from our losses and be credit their deep bench to much of their success this year.

“We have such a talented bench, and depth in our bench,” Darrus able to adapt in the playoffs when we face adversity and I have a lot of said. “We have been battling many injuries this year, and our bench faith that we will be able to do so.”

LT played Tuesday Oct. 21 against Proviso East, which occured has done a great job in stepping in and getting the job done.”

The depth and overall strength of the team led it through the after LION’s print deadline. If the team won, it will play the winner of renowned PepsiCo Showdown, in which it scored 15 goals and gave Kelly versus Reavis tomorrow, Oct. 24.

by Michael Rasmussen @MikeRas55

From high-scoring forwards to brick-wall goalkeepers, the players who score the goals, as well as the ones who keep them out of the net, seem to achieve the highest levels of media and fan attention. However, without a few well-placed passes, the strikers can’t score; and without tenacious defensive pressure from the entire team, the goalie is bound to let a few goals slip by.

Center-midfielder and co-captain Harry Hilling ‘15 brings both determined defense and team-first offense to the boys soccer team, and with the help of his leadership and work ethic, the team holds a 19-5 record as of Oct. 20.

According to forward and co-captain Patrick Duncan ‘15, Hilling contributes to all aspects of the team’s play.

“He works super hard defensively and makes a lot of passes that other guys can’t make,” Duncan said. “[He also] gets into open space and beats people one-on-one.”

Hilling currently leads the team in assists with 11, and he admits that passing is one of the greatest strengths in his playmaking arsenal.

“I like to pass the ball,” Hilling said. “I like to keep the ball moving and share the wealth.

One of our strengths is to break down teams by passing the ball, so I like to orchestrate the midfield and get the ball to other people without touching the ball itself.”

Hilling’s offensive orchestration isn’t only relegated to passing and setting up his teammates. He also exhibits scoring prowess, as he nearly hit a free kick from 30 yards out against Morton in the PepsiCo Showdown championship game to give the team an early lead (Duncan headed

it in after it hit the post). He later scored on a penalty kick in the final shootout.

“He’s able to just find spaces,” Duncan said. “He’s quick and devastating and also really accurate. He’s got a lot of different angles and ways to attack.”

Although his soccer skills are undeniable, both head coach Paul Labbato and Duncan said that much of his contributions cannot be measured statistically, but rather through his competitive, work-first attitude.

“This year, Harry’s leads with his on-field actions,” Labbato said. “He works hard every second of each practice and every game, which is a certain type of leadership that allows younger players to follow.”

Hilling’s competitive mindset also positively impacts the team’s developing players.

“Harry leads by example,” Duncan said. “He’s never a slacker, and he’s a bit quieter than most. [But], he’s a good role model for younger kids on the team by working hard and doing his best every day.”

After falling to Morton in the PepsiCo Showdown and losing the Silver Brick to Hinsdale Central the day before, Hilling said the team has its work cut out for them.

“Even though it was rough losing the Silver Brick and PepsiCo Showdown, now we have a chip on our shoulder come playoffs,” Hilling said. “We have more to prove.”

Labbato doesn’t doubt that Hilling will play a major role in the team’s playoff success.

“He needs to [be a factor in the playoffs],” Labbato said. “And I would expect someone like Harry who leads by example to give every bit of himself in those knockout games.”

The team played Proviso East Tuesday Oct. 21 which occured after LION’s print deadline. If victorious, the team will play the winner of Reavis and and Kelly tomorrow, Oct. 24.

Weather wipeout A bolt of lightning killed an entire 11-man soccer team from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998. The game was at a draw of 1-1 when it struck.

The opposing team was completely unharmed.

PositivePlaymaking Entering week five of the NFL season, why is it that I haven’t heard anything positive about the NFL? Of course Joe Rossetti there are the highlight reels, the ESPN Sportscenter updates and the articles in the newspaper; but I still haven’t heard anything truly positive or inspiring.

As far as I’m concerned, my knowledge of the NFL this season consists of scandalous, unethical acts committed by the players. Why hasn’t there been any positive images? To start, let’s see what has happened so far this season.

The most prominent example: Ray Rice was arrested on Feb. 15 on simple assault charges. As the original video surfaced of Rice dragging his wife out of an elevator, the Baltimore Ravens’ organization immediately suspended Rice. In the weeks following, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitted that he was incorrect in Rice’s two-game suspension and announced the league’s new domestic violence policy. Since then, Rice has since been suspended from the league indefinitely and the NFL has launched an independent investigation.

Adrian Peterson is accused of disciplining his son with a tree branch.

Peterson was originally going to be allowed to play, but now, facing child abuse charges, he is on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list and unable to play. Peterson’s trial is scheduled for Dec. 1, and he could face two years in prison and a $10,00 fine if convicted.

The Arizona Cardinals’ Jonathon Dwyer has recently been arrested on charges of aggravated assault stemming from two separate instances in his home in late July.

I’ve yet to hear about the players who better society and serve as role models.

The mistakes of the few shouldn’t create a reputation for the roughly 1,600 players in the league.

Don’t get me wrong, players should absolutely be held accountable for their actions, but don’t let the actions of one change your opinion of the NFL. It’s fair to say that players who conduct themselves in a well-mannered fashion deserve recognition too. So let me do that.

In 2014, the NFL Foundation donated $45 million dollars to USA Football to support health and safety efforts through youth and high school football programs and community health initiatives. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers has been visiting nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin, highlighting the ones that deserve greater attention as part of his It’s Aaron campaign. Quarterback Tim Tebow founded the Tim Tebow Foundation, which helped build the Tebow CURE Hospital, serving children in the Philippines who have diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer.

Countless other players work to give back to their communities. Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals has donated to numerous charities, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through his charity, The First Down Fund. Peyton Manning created the Peyback Foundation and donated to the St. Vincent’s Children’s Hospital, where kids can get help from specialists for conditions like diabetes.

And these are just a few athletes.

Actions like these can obviously have a profound impact on society. It’s just a shame that so many people, so many fans are unaware of the actions some players take to better society. Don’t let the negative images taint your view. The NFL is still a positive place, and it’s about time the players working to uphold this reputation receive appropriate coverage.

Turn to page 16-17 for full coverage

Freakish faces

The original Jack O’Lanterns were made out of turnips, rather than the “traditional” pumpkin.

by Michael Grace @_michaelgrace Halloween: the one time of year besides Christmas that is a kid’s dream. Coming home from a long night of trick-or-treating, dumping your candy out and appreciating the hard work you put in going door-todoor, completely blind of what you will receive, is quite the feeling. A gasp of excitement here and there for the ever-so-coveted king sized candy bar with the mouthful of chocolate that usually follows.

After years of putting in fierce work, you become acquainted with who’s “got it” and who doesn’t. A plan is created, and you’re on your way every year, hoping to fill that old pillow case to the brim. Every person has at least one place they must stop at each year; here’s a couple more to add to your list.

St. Cletus Rectory (La Grange): Start your night off with a quick prayer to get as many sweets as you can, and leave with a king size candy bar.

The 1400 block of Stone Avenue in La Grange: With Ring Pops, Airheads, and a variety of king size candy bars, this block is a reliable source for every trick-or-treater The 1100 block of Waiola in La Grange: Not only does this block have unique decorations, but it also has a unique set of treats, from king sized Pixie Sticks to entire Affy Tapples.

The 5000 block of Lawn in Western Springs: Year in and year-out, this block produces king size candy bars. At any rate, that’s good enough for me.

My Grandpa’s Store (La Grange): No I am not talking about my own grandpa and his fictional store; I’m talking about the candy store across the street from St. Francis. For starters, it’s a candy store, and to top it off you can trade one of your pieces of candy for ice cream or hot chocolate. Yeah, I’m serious.

The 500 block of Edgewood in La Grange Park: Without a doubt, this is the granddaddy of them all. Although I cannot give out an exact address, one might have heard rumors that a certain house gives out a non-edible treat for Halloween; yes, it’s true. One of the most popular stops for many trickor-treaters, this house gives out brand new New Era hats every year.

Spooky

Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 14

Giant gourd

The largest pumpkin ever measured in the world was recorded in 1993, and it was an 836-poundpumpkin.

by Claire Quinlan @cquinlan97 Oh the joys of Halloween. Your classic childhood holiday: emptying lonely candy bowls on porches, hauling around ragged pillow sacks and zeroing in on those king-size candy bar houses, dressing up as a garbage man or a bathtub or a cheerleader.

Girls and guys didn’t bare all and strut around like they owned the place. Kairos didn’t happen to coincide with the holiday. It wasn’t a social event, it was just a day that started and ended with sugar, ghosts and witch fingernails.

Ever since freshman year, it has been a source of constant internal distress, as one half of your developing mind wants to hurl some rotten eggs and call it a night, while the other pushes for an all out return to the glory days. And in writing this, I urge you to pay attention to the latter. With my last Halloween as a kid on my horizon, I speak from a real place of spooked spirits and imminent regret. Who wouldn’t want to forget your giant-like height and newly-sprouted facial hair or klutzy-gate and head out on the hunt with the excitable 7-yearolds? If that doesn’t sound like a party, I can do nothing for you.

Being slightly embarrassed throughout the night will pay off, I promise. Here are the top four steps to make sure you squeeze the life out of the holiday while still preserving your perfectly intact cool-kid teenager reputation: 1. Go with that younger bro or sis. Even if they resist. Just do it.

2. Go goth. Ever wanted to cover yourself with black makeup and walk outside despite crazy looks from the neighbors? Don’t miss your chance.

3. Go creepy Barbie. Take all of the dolls your brother broke when you were little, and just scatter them in the yard. Or your exes yard. Far superior to bageling.

4. Go hide. Plan a gigantic game of hide and seek or car tag in the neighborhood. Whoever wins gets to teepee the house of their opponents. With silly string and fake blood of course.

I will leave you, my tortured, egg-throwing, black-hooded teenage comrades, with one last word from my limited wisdom: if it’s your last Halloween at home, or even close to your last, live it up. Be a kid again and enjoy it. It won’t be the same with the craziness of college or when we’re adults and we all have kids of our own. So dress up and trick or treat and eat candy and scare people like you’re supposed to.

I promise, your reputation will survive.

by Clare Mikulski @ClareMikulski

White house security breach

In the style of Omar Gonazalez, hop the fence and sprint across the White House lawn for reasons unbeknownst to the public. LION does not assume responsibility for any injuries that come as a result of this costume.

Weston Berger

You’ll need headphones, sunglasses that are too big for your face, and a red pinstripe jumpsuit. If you’re pressed for time, just jump inside a Portillo’s cup. But don’t forget to clean up.

Sass Girl Emoji

Get a pink sweater, a brown wig, and keep your hand raised in the epitome of sass at all times (look to Mary Hadley ‘15 for inspiration).

A Pumpkin Spice Latte

Make a big Starbucks cup with holes for your arms, and have five or seven white girls follow you everywhere.

Sporty PersonTM

With your Terrific Team Spirit JerseyTM and Awesomely Aggressive Spirit SignTM, you’ll be ready to support Your Home TeamTM in The Big GameTM!

LION Staffer

You’ll need to double-fist gas station snacks, some dark under-eye circles from staying at a late layout night until 11:30 p.m., and a thousand paper cuts from countless

Rap revolution

Blondie’s “Rapture” was the first number one hit song incorporating rap.

LION Playlist

PROFILES Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 15

Distinguished derby Roller derby is under consideration for the 2020 Olympic games

LT senior discovers roller derby Roller derby relieves stress, boosts confidence

on all the time in roller derby,” Chicago Riots coach Lyn Hooley said. “A well-timed hit is an opportunity that happens in a split-second.”

In effect, it’s a physical game that focuses on teamwork and individual skill. Cheyenne Baker ‘15 is one of two LT students on the team, and credits it as a stress-reliever and source of pride.

“I am able to release frustration and have a great time playing this amazing sport that makes me feel important,” Baker said. “It is something I am good at and I love it. I have found my place.”

Hooley agrees, expressing that she has seen the girls grow considerably in the short time they have been practicing.

“Roller derby is an incredible confidence booster,” Hooley said. “You go from having balance issues to being able to execute a backwards block of the opposing jammer. No one was born with eight wheels attached to their feet, so there is a learning curve. But I coach these awesome ladies

because I wish I had the chance to play such a neat sport when I was their age.”

The team practices on Sunday mornings, and has bouts at varying times with teams from everywhere in the Midwest. In addition to the Chicago Riots girls team, there are also adult co-ed and boys leagues in the area.

“Watching the girls practice can be intense and exciting all at the same time,” Christine Baker, mother of Cheyenne said. “The sport is fast-paced and the girls can get really hurt when they fall.

Like any sport, there is always a chance of injury.”

At the beginning of the season, each girl adopts a nickname, which is announced at the beginning of each bout. Cheyenne’s name is Lilo in Stiches.

“We play under these fun names that make us feel like another person,” Baker said.

“When people watch us play, they do not expect us to be intelligent and kind in real life.”

According to coach Hooley, the girls are a community both on and off the track, and have each other’s backs.

“It’s okay to fall,” Hooley said.

“This is how we learn. It’s getting back up again and coming to practice the next week to try something new that really matters.”

“Hollywood Swinging”-Kool and the Gang “This is pure 1970’s funk, and I’m a big funk fan. I just feel good whenever this song plays.”

By Claire Quinlan @cquinlan97 To walk into Lombard Roller Rink on a Bout day for the Chicago Riots girl’s roller derby team is to slip into an unexposed sect of LT culture. Skates are flying, cheers abound and girls with nicknames like “Sandra Bullet” and “Alpha” scream as they pass and push each other to score for their team.

Roller derby is unlike any other sport out there.

Originating in Chicago, it involves two teams, each with five representatives on the rink at a time. Each team has a jammer, who tries to lap all the members of the opposing team in order to gain points. Each team also has a lead defender, who is in charge of pushing girls of the opposing team out of bounds and hindering the opposing jammer as they circle the track.

“There is so much going

“Shining Star”-Earth Wind & Fire “Another old funk classic by one of my favorite bands with some really complete melodies.”

LT graduate releases rap mixtape

Compiled by Amy Lacny @amylacny

Drum Lieutenant Pat Falvey ‘15 rocks it in wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and on the field for marching band. In preparation for Fall Pops, LT’s Nov. 4 band concert, Falvey gives us a look at some of his feel-good favorites.

“Second Line”-Duke Ellington “The epitome of New Orleans Jazz... it’s really swingin’.”

“Kangaroo Court”-Capital Cities “This is the song that got me hooked on Capital Cities. It has everything from electric to funk to awesomeness.”

“Driftin”-Herbie Hancock “A real bluesy, get-down-to-it tune. Herbie Hancock is the man at the keys.”

“Drive My Car”-The Beatles “No playlist would be complete without the Beatles. I like [this song] because it’s more rock-oriented, heavy without being too heavy.”

“Fortunate son”-Creedence Clearwater Revival “When feeling patriotic, I listen to this song. It captures the emotion of the Vietnam war and the sentiments that helped reunite America.”

“Everyday”-Dave Matthews Band “It puts you in a right state of mind. Anything by Dave is big, rocking and probably the closest I’ll ever get to country.”

“Sweet Emotion”-Aerosmith “This classic rock song gets you pumped up for everything.”

“Felliniesque”-Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps “My list would be incomplete without a drum corps. This 2014 show scored the highest ever score for Drum Corps International, and to experience it live was something else entirely.”

“No Such Thing”-John Mayer “Every time I go on a long drive, I play this album. When ‘No Such Thing’ comes on, I know it’s going to be a good day.”

“Happy ‘Bout That”-Tower of Power “It’s one of [Tower of Power’s] lighter songs, but it gets you happy. With complex drum beats and smooth horn harmonies, it’s a great song.”

By Michael Grace @_michaelgrace

With the recent release of his debut rap mixtape “Mid-Summer Dream,” LT grad Dione Goree ‘14 has stepped out onto the local music scene. The mixtape features five songs which Goree produced over a period of four months, starting at the end of his senior year at Lyons Township.

Goree had released a number of singles prior to his mixtape but felt he needed to create something bigger and something with a new attitude to go along with the summer months.

“I always wanted to come out with a song that I always envisioned for summer time, something free,” Goree said. “It’s almost like a love story in a way that everyone can relate to no matter what type of gender you are or what background you’re coming from.”

Goree started from the bottom, beginning with sound, then creating beats, then recording vocals to achieve the perfect melody he had been searching for.

LT first got a glimpse of Goree’s style when he performed at Brownstock last year. A memorable performance for many, the current DePaul freshman brought life to his set with a barrage of dance moves and an energetic flow of words as he rapped.

“He pushed boundries that someone right out of high school I don’t think usually does,” former classmate and fan of Goree Phil Janowiak ‘15 said. “He really sounds like he’s got his own style.”

Currently Goree is working on a new project called

Aspiring rapper Dione Goree ‘14 hopes to find success while still a student at Depaul University. (Rich February)

“No Kings,” which focuses on the importance of group collaboration rather than the individual in today’s music industry. Like “Mid-Summer Dream” he emphasizes on having the sound match up with the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

“It is a dark, ambient feeling for fall,” Goree said. “We really just try to channel the seasons and [to] incorporate with that” Goree hopes to continue his music career, as well as get into the fashion industry. He hopes to establish his own brand while still at DePaul.

“If he can keep putting out good music like ‘MidSummer Dream’ he could have a very successful career,” Janowiak said.

www.lionnewspaper.com

Don’t forget to visit our website for additional stories

Sexual stats

Pregnancy panic

On average, about 16% of teens have had sex by age 15, 33% have had sex by age 16, and the average age to have sex is 17.

Three in 10 American teenage girls will get pregnant at least once before age 20. That is nearly 750,000 teen pregnancies each year.

Spotlight

Thursday, October 23, 2014  Pages 16 and 17

Dame dropout

Active americans

Parenthood is the leading reason that girls drop out of school. More than 50% of teen mothers never graduate from high school.

By the time teens finish high school, two out of three of them will have become sexually active as they head into college.

Better left in private

Hypersexualization

by Michael Rasmussen I could show you dozens of statistics that prove that kids are becoming more sexually-aware and sexually-active at a younger age, but it’s really not necessary. You could watch “Toddlers in Tiaras” and see preschool-aged girls with spraytans and brattish vanity, or you could listen to the stories told by younger siblings and friends, about middle-schoolers making out and doing things you wouldn’t have even considered at such an age. However, the problem lies not within us or the children (we just exhibit the effects of the problem), but rather, within our media-dominated culture.

When the term “hypersexualization” is brought up, it’s usually directed towards preteen girls, whose role models are often kid’s show icons like Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez. Each of these teen-faced women (they’re far from being adolescents anymore) have run the standard course of starring in a kids’ television show and then becoming a high-profile music artist. They all share a couple other things in common too: they’re undeniably attractive role models to young girls and are blatantly objectified by the entertainment industry. They’re all talented individuals – Grande’s voice is similar to a young Mariah Carey’s and for all the hostility Cyrus attracts, she still has some serious musical gifts. But talent doesn’t make money anymore. Sex does. These women’s natural gifts are overshadowed by pretty faces, skimpy outfits and nude photo scandals. Preteens don’t like these women for what they’ve achieved; kids like how they look, and they see these icons so often on the television screen that they’re impossible to ignore.

The American entertainment industry is certainly more powerful than me and you, and it’s arguably more powerful than the United States government. It may seem like a pessimistic view, but the venomous entertainment beast is enormous, and there’s nothing we can do to tame it. The Hollywood monolith controls much of what we see and hear on the television, and they’ll keep feeding us and our younger siblings these sex-laden portrayals of young men and women as long as the ratings remain high (and they will; we’re wired to love this stuff).

From Elvis to Madonna to Britney Spears to Miley Cyrus, the evolution of sex symbols throughout the years indicates that the trend of media sexualization will continue. Since we cannot directly combat the problem, educating the young is a necessity. Sex education should be absolutely mandatory in all states, and not by simply pushing for abstinence – it needs to be comprehensive, a complete education of contraceptive use and STD prevention. As teenagers and young adults, we need to be aware of the effects that the media had on us as children, and the lasting effects that it has had on us today – from how we dress, to how we act, to how we view sexual activity in general.

Sex in the media Compiled by Gaby Sabatino

Miley Cyrus The once childhood star has made a new name for herself by completely transforming into a sex icon and racy performer.

‘16 & Pregnant’ Using 16-year-old girls’ life challenges as a source of fame alters the perception of pregnancy at a young age.

‘Gossip Girl’

Focusing on the drama of wealthy teenagers living in New York City, this TV show portrays sex as a necessary and meaningless piece of living a luxurious lifestyle.

Macklemore In his upbeat and powerful songs, Macklemore expresses his devoted support for same-sex marriage.

‘Modern Family’ This witty and family-oriented show has an audience of all different ages and sets a positive example of healthy and loving relationships.

LGBT sexual education push

by Amy Lacny

From cringe-worthy pictures to embarrassingly realistic diagrams, sexual education can be an awkward experience for everyone. Yet it serves its purpose of educating the student body on safe relationships and healthy habits—for the majority of students.

The minority, specifically those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), are underrepresented in the curriculum, forcing these students to rely on damaging and inaccurate media portrayals, PRISM sponsor Maria Rohloff said. This prevents LGBT students from learning the information they need to stay healthy and contributes to a climate of exclusion in schools.

Television often portrays LGBT relationships within the isolated genre of comedy, where they are pigeonholed into the brunt of stereotypical jokes and underrepresented in more serious and realistic genres. In the end, LGBT youth are left with few media messages about healthy and responsible sexual relationships, something that Rohloff and others hope to correct.

“For years, I’ve been an advocate of adding sexual orientation and gender identity information to the health curriculum,” Rohloff said. “LGBT people represent 10 percent of the world’s population, and they aren’t even mentioned. Even five minutes [of class time] is better than nothing.”

While LT’s health curriculum does not explicitly cover LGBT issues, the school is state-mandated to provide accurate information through medically qualified individuals. Beth Conlon, director of health curriculum, said the program exceeds standards by using gender neutral terms when discussing relationships. Occasionally topics touch on LGBT risk in non-sexual components of health, and students are encouraged to utilize outside resources such as social workers, counselors and PRISM if they have specific questions.

“We try to embrace and encourage all young people,” Conlan

said. “At the end of the day, this [program] is about quality sexual health for all young kids, regardless of how they identify.”

Despite LT’s efforts, in general LGBT youth remain at greater health risk than their heterosexual peers. They are more likely to be sexually experienced and to have been involved in a pregnancy, due to unsafe heterosexual experimentation. Physical and sexual abuse are more prevalent among LGBT teens, as is tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, according to a publication by the Public Health Agency of Canada. They report higher rates of emotional distress and are up to seven times more likely to commit suicide.

While some of this risk may be unavoidable, student PRISM leader Brianna Wilson ‘15 believes that much can be attributed to lack of availability and access to inclusive education, as some students cannot access additional educational content without fear of outing or harassment.

“While some LGBT-related content is implied [in health class], actual explanation provides validation and affirmation about our identities,” Wilson said. “It’s crucial that these things be mentioned in school.”

Wilson suggests that LT require sex education to include sensitive, respectful discussions of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, among other issues. This would not only help LGBT students, but allow heterosexual peers a broader level of understanding, which could potentially decrease anti-LGBT sentiment seen in schools and portrayed by the media.

“An abstinence-based program is great,” Rohloff said. “But we need a message that applies to all students and how they can stay safe, whatever their decisions may be. For years, I’ve tried to send kids the message that it’s okay to love who you love. It would be great if the school stepped up and did the same.”

by Riley Carroll Sex. If I tried to print this one word a couple of decades ago, people would have viewed it as untasteful and simply unacceptable, but now it’s a word that is constantly sprinkled throughout the media, pulling audiences in, rather than turning them away. This shift in leniency is a shift in the wrong direction.

In an age where teens are constantly bombarded with messages from the media, one important message that should not be pushed on today’s youth is that sex is inconsequential, however TV shows such as “Gossip Girl” and “Jersey Shore” portray it exactly as that.

The media’s attitude toward sex has been growing increasingly more provocative and, frankly, inappropriate. Simply flipping through TV channels, from ABC to HBO, I can stumble upon a variety of shows and movies that feature some sort of sexual content, granting me an all access pass to the unsavory side of television. This allows teens to be susceptible to ridiculous content, whether it be a scene from “Jersey Shore” that blatantly broadcasts its support of random hook ups or a scene glorifying drunken teenage sex in “Gossip Girl.”

Not only does the media applaud sex, but it disregards and often completely ignores the more important consequences at play when it comes to sexual activity as a teen. Media often downplays the role that sex has in a relationship, making it an act of necessity rather than an act of love. Television directed towards teenagers may advertise sex as the next step in a teenage relationship after a certain period of time not even considering the concept of building a stronger relationship before getting physical. The media may not be forcing teenagers to have sex, but it is pressuring them to do so.

More often than not, characters claim that they’re not ready for sex, but give in regardless. What kind of example is this setting for today’s youth? That they should make a major personal decision, just so they can fit in?

Let me tell you, sex is not a necessity; it is a choice, and the media does not advertise it as such. Rather than getting information from fictional sources, many teens should look to more credible models. I grew up learning that I have the ability to make the choice of whether or not I want to open myself up to the consequences that may come from having sex, and it is just that: my choice, not to be influenced by outside sources.

Sex should not be something that is done because it looks like it’s cool on TV or because a movie depicts it as the only way to mend a broken relationship, or to fit in at school. The act of sex is something that must be taken seriously, because this one choice can lead to serious consequences that are not often put on screen.

By avoiding the tough topics, such as STDs and unplanned pregnancy, the media continues to spin a story that hails sex as an essential part of high school, when in reality, very few teenagers would be able to handle such major ramifications as those that sexual activity presents.

It is the nature of teenagers to be curious about sex, but if we are receiving our information from the fictional stories created by the media, we will learn little of substance and truth.

Media’s changing methods of dealing with sex are going down the entirely wrong path. Rather than trying to devalue the seriousness of the act, the media should stop its discussion.

The Numbers

13

Compiled by Clare Mikulski

Number of instances of sexual behavior American teens view per day in the media.

4.4

93

Amount of sex scenes in programs with sexual content, per hour.

Number of sexual situations in American music videos, per hour.

Thursday, October 23, 2014 n Page 18

In 2014, the NFL has suspended more than 20 players so far, with violations ranging from drug abuse to domestic violence.

Silly synonyms

NFL

Flagrant fouls Gridiron is another name for the football field, because the markings on the field resemble a “gridiron” pan.

by Bailey Blum @ultimatebailey

Q&A with Michael Morrison Illegal use of discipline

LION sat down with LT football defensive coordinator and AP Psycholby Izy Scott ogy teacher Michael Morrison to talk about the scandals and abuses going on @3izy3 in the NFL today, as well as how it relates to LT football The following is an edited version of the conversation.

Ray McDonald, arrested for domestic abuse charges, has of domestic abuse—until the video was released. Once the Q: What is your opinion of the problems going on in the NFL today? received no punishment from the NFL; Adrian Peterson, stone-cold evidence was out for us all to view, Rice’s punWhat do you think has caused these issues? charged with child abuse, receives an indefinite suspension ishment suddenly increased from a two-game suspension to A: I believe the root of the problem is that these individuals have lived and Ray Rice, charged with domestic abuse, also receives an an indefinite suspension including a voided contract with the a life of lack of discipline, and have been given breaks and opportunities indefinite suspension. Where is the consistency? Scandals Baltimore Ravens. Interesting how the tables turned once the along the way that have encouraged and taught them that you don’t have like these are beginning to tip the already-flipped ice berg of public, the ones who the NFL depends upon, became fully to follow the rules.

NFL domestic violence policies. However, with consequences informed and opinionated on the matter at hand.

Q: Can you describe some of these breaks? ranging from single-game suspensions to full expulsion from Following this scandal, in August the NFL hastily decided A: For example, in some places if you are a great high school player the league, it’s hard to determine what kind of player the NFL to change their domestic violence policy to a six-game susyou don’t have to even go to class. Then you go to college, and you don’t wants to promote. It is simply not okay for domestic abuse in pension on the first account (which is adjustable based on the have to pick a major, and even if you get suspended, you are only out for the NFL to be dealt with so ambiguously. extent of the abuse) and a second-offense league-banning (in a few games until you are right back in it. It creates a feeling of invinciThere is an argument that because players of the NFL are which players can opt to re-enter the next year). These new bility in these men. I think it’s a system of reward all along the way that considered “celebrities” of sorts, it isn’t fair for their mistakes policies are far from concrete, as players are only temporarcauses them to not respect authority. to be so openly publicized. However, although mistakes are ily punnished. It would be much simpler to enforce just one Q: Are there any specific recent examples? inevitable, players of the NFL cannot expect their personal policy on domestic violence: zero-tolerance.

A: Cam Newton in his one semester at Florida [allegedly] had over a lives to be completely shielded from the public, and being NFL players and staff have to uphold a “lawful, ethical, dozen speeding tickets and was [allegedly] caught stealing laptops. He aware of this, need to reach a higher standard as employees and reasonable conduct,” according to the NFL player code was kicked out of Florida, and eventually transferred to Auburn. And of that are representing a professional organization as well as of conduct, and generally, the players of the NFL do uphold course now he’s in the NFL making millions of dollars. Is it really Newacting as role models for children nation-wide. these values. Yet, when a player is accused of abusing their ton’s fault if he’s been rewarded so many times for not following the Take Ray Rice for example: He was accused of hitting his girlfriend or fiancé like Rice, a negative message is sent to our rules? fiancé, Janay Palmer. To the public eye this was another case country when these players receive just a temporary suspenQ: Adrian Peterson was suspended recently for abusing his child. Why do you think he or other players in similar situations have the potential to act this way?

A: If you look at the personal lives of many of these men, their childhoods are often Football Felonies filled with violence and abuse. compiled by Garrett Ariana When they become adults, NFL player arrests have skyrocketed recently, with over 150 in the the same exact problems are still with them. last three seasons. Below are the most common misdemeanor Q: How do you think these problems relate to football here at LT or at the high school level in general? charges against NFL players since the start of the 2011-2012 A: In high school, the focus needs to be on teaching the individual so they can be successful adults. It’s not season. about the money like in college or the NFL. = 10 Misdemeanors Q: What do you think is the most important thing for coaches at LT or in general to do after the occurrence of events like abuse or drug use?

A: The key is to handle each situation based on its own merits, because if you try to create one rule for DUI-47 everyone, it becomes very difficult for every situation to fall under that umbrella.

Q: How effective are the punishments at LT if an event like these occurs?

Drugs-32 A: I think the punishments at LT are overall very effective. Kids who have been kicked off the team come back the next year and their behavior has improved. But in the NFL or in college football, players Assault/Battery-23 are just suspended for a few games, and then they come back and make more money.

Q: What does LT do to minimize the occurrences of bad personal situations like these?

A: The whole school community is involved in prevention of abuse and drug use. In addition, our Domestic violence-18 football program has days in the summer dedicated to character development. We talk about individual accountability, proper treatment of other people, and making good decisions. With high school boys, you have to repeat lessons like that. Through repetitive lessons and many adult voices, the kids can become good citizens.

Gun related-12

Alcohol related (Not DUI)-10 Disorderly conduct-9

sion from the league.

Now I’m not saying Rice’s case is the singular problem.

Domestic abuse is the problem. Actually, take it even a step further: the NFL allowing domestically abusive players back onto the field is the problem. Right now players have a safety net; the NFL’s glazed-over rules on domestic violence. It is baffling why it’s so hard for the NFL to take a stance that if a player is convicted of a crime as brutal as domestic violence, then they have no place playing for a national league. If players (just like in any other profession) cannot advocate the basic fundamentals of morality, then they don’t deserve the right to play for a league whose overall image is based on the values like teamwork, nobility and respect.

These players are representing more than a number on a jersey and need to understand that domestic violence means more than just a comfy spot on the bench for a few games. The NFL has to send the message to its players that domestic abuse will earn you no more than a one-way flight home and a ban from playing in the NFL. You abuse a loved one, break the law and disregard your player contract, then you have no place in a league that stands for the character of America.

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Antique Taco provides fresh atmosphere Vibrant taste and atmosphere creates great Mexican joint

Nov. 1- U.S. Rugby team plays the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field, 3 p.m.

Nov 6- Smallpools and Magic Man, $50.99 (Stubhub). House of Blues Chicago, 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 16- Run for Kelli Lyons Township three mile run/one mile walk, South Campus Nov. 25- Boys basketball home opener against Stevenson, 7 p.m., NC Fieldhouse.

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Our next dish, the pork carnitas taco, was beautifully presented: adorned with a strip of bacon and stuffed to the brim with mouthwateringly spicy smelling carnitas. The taste was even better than the presentation—spicy at first with a sweet aftertaste, and the bacon on top provides the perfect amount of salt to complete an amazing taco. The chicken taco showcased hints of curry and cinnamon—creating an interesting new twist on a classic taste.

Now, for the bestseller: the crispy fish taco. As someone who vehemently hates fish, I almost refused to order Antique Taco’s so-called “best taco,” but I’m glad I did. The sharp contrast of a bland piece of fried tempura with a sriracha tartar sauce is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before: completely amazing. The sauce was just the right amount of spicy and the smoked cabbage on top provided the perfect amount of crunchy texture. It all combined to create one amazing taco, of which I quickly ate two, and then promptly asked if we could order more.

At this point, I was stuffed to the brim and couldn’t contemplate ordering anything else. But I couldn’t resist the desserts.

We ordered Abuelita’s Pop-Tart, a homemade puff pastry that was filled with rich Mexican chocolate, made thick by a combination with melted marshmallow.

Paired with cinnamon ice cream, the poptart was out of this world compared to its grocery store counterpart.

Everything on the menu was reasonably priced, averaging $7 or $8 an item, and you surely get what you pay for in sheer amount of food, incredible taste and the stellar service provided by the staff.

Bottom Line: For a place whose name may cause you think of stale tacos, that couldn’t be more wrong. Antique Taco’s atmosphere, service and quality of food combine to create one of the best taco places in Chicago.

City ghost tour ghost busted Ghost investigation hardly haunting

by Mike Flaherty @mikeflaherty

For those of you who expect ghost hunting to be all about contacting demonic spirits, getting possessed and telling people that a door slamming is actually a supernatural creature: you would not enjoy the Chicago Ghost Investigations. Located in a shady warehouse near Chinatown, the tour offers an expensive, but unique experience using “real” ghost hunting gear.

Although the dilapidated building is slightly underwhelming, its occupants, whether living or deceased, are anything but ordinary.

The alleged ghostly residents of the building range from 1920s prostitutes killed by the mob to living, aspiring rap artists who reek of what the ghost investigators call “ghost spice”(cannabis) and live next door.

As you approach the entrance to the building at 500 W. Cermak, a very excited ghost investigator ushers you to a studio on the second floor. The studio is much like the company’s website: shady and giving

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Album: ‘Hungry Ghosts’ /out of five Paws

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by Riley Carroll @RileyCarroll

by Lidia Breen @lidia_breen

When first confronted with the idea of an “antique taco,” one’s mind can’t help but wander to images of disgusting, moldy tacos from the mid-1800s.

This could not be further from the truth.

In reality, the Wicker Park taco joint, Antique Taco, 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave, is a colorful atmosphere with even more colorful and flavorful food; and from the first bite on, any fears of disgusting tacos are immediately dispensed.

From the moment you enter, you feel at home. Filled with collected antique wall hangings and soft folk music permeating the air, the friendly staff immediately hands you samples of their delicious fresh squeezed pineapple mint juice, or “agua fresca”—you almost want to sit down and read a book, rather than stuff your face with tacos. But, refrain from that urge and eat. You won’t regret it.

Coming from a self-professed aficionado of Mexican food, I can say that it’s a rare experience to actually taste the freshness of a taco. But at Antique Taco, every ingredient was so fresh and the flavor so rich and intense, that you could figure out every ingredient in the taco after one bite. We started off our lunch with Antique Taco’s famed chips and guacamole—the best guacamole I’ve ever had. It was flavorful with just the right amount of lime, and it was easy to see why people make the trip just to try this guac.

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The warehouse in which the tour takes place. (Mike Flaherty/LION)

you no information about what you are about to do.

At first sight, sound and smell of the studio, one can infer that this is going to be a long night where you are more afraid of encountering the living than the dead.

When at last the tour group shows up, the lead ghost investigator gives you an hour long briefing on the different aspects involved in being a successful investigator. This presentation includes the difference between an orb and an apparition, the equipment used to communicate with the other side, and countless experiences the staff has had with supernatural life.

Once the presentation is complete, the staff leads you down to

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the basement and, locking the door behind you, begins explaining all the best spots to capture communication with the other side. Ominously, all of the best locations were in dark corners of the building, so encountering a ghost may not be the worst thing that can happen to you.

Finally, after over an hour of groping around with electrical equipment and copper rods in the dark, attempting to make contact with the supernatural life that apparently only wants to spend their afterlife in a depressing basement of a warehouse, you are brought back upstairs to tell the other ghost hunters about what ghosts you talked to.

This nearly three and a half hour experience costs each person $55 on a weekend and $45 during the week. The only thing truly “spooky” about this hunt is the liability form that everyone must sign upon entering the building.

Bottom Line: If you want to spend a fair amount of money on an experience based purely on emotion, please spend three hours trapped in a building at Chicago Ghost Investigations.

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With a variety of tracks ranging from over-the-top techno to those that parallel its usual alternative rock style, Chicago band OK Riley Carroll GO’s newest album, “Hungry Ghosts”, has something for everyone, but, taken in its entirety, it is not nearly as appealing.

Throughout the album the band uses a synthesizer excessively, leaving little room for listeners to process meaningful lyrics and admire the pleasing vocals.

“I Won’t Let You Down” is extremely catchy and upbeat, but about halfway through a techno beat is played for about 10 seconds that seems as if it is from an entirely different song. Rather than leaving a perfectly good song alone, the band felt the need to detract from the song’s assets and just about ruin it.

While it seems as if the band does not know how to infuse a synthesizer into its music in most of the songs on the album, there are a few saving graces.

Tracks such as “If I had a Mountain” and “The Writing on the Wall” leave listeners begging for more songs like them.

Both tracks have a techno beat present, but its inclusion is done imperceptibly and if noticed, it feels as if the beat is necessary for the song, which should have been the goal for the entire album.

Bottom Line: OK GO’s “Hungry Ghosts” is just an OK album; its redundant use of a synthesizer is overkill and it features very few notable songs that are well done.

Movie: ‘Fury’

by Garrett Ariana @garrettariana3

/out of five Paws If there is one movie that will make you respect what our men in uniform do, “Fury” is the one: “Fury” depicts the intensity of war in a very Garrett Ariana short period of time.

Although it is a very standard World War II movie, the film redeems itself with its powerful action scenes and well-developed plot.

Set in April 1945 in the heart of Nazi Germany, the film opens with U.S. Soldiers inside of their war-beaten tank.

After defeating smaller groups of Germans and learning lessons about battle and death, the crew finds themselves up against an army of 300.

“Fury” stars Brad Pitt, along with Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal and Michael Peña. One distinct part of the film is how in the span of 24 hours, it tracks the progression of Norman (Lerman) from a terrified boy to a man who decides to stand his ground while the others want to flee in fear.

The movie is extremely similar to the World War II movies that we all know: lots of action, moral questions and a short attempt at a love story. Many of these clichés were transparent and not necessary.

However, the intense action and the sound of booming gunshots keep people like myself, who love these gory, powerful films, riveted the entire time.

Bottom Line: “Fury” works the stereotypical World War II movie into a more intricate film with a great storyline and action, and it’s worth watching.

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