Jan 29. Issue 4

by Sydney Hansen @_sydneyhansen

Despite long term use of the ACT to test high school students’ preparedness for college, the state of Illinois has voiced incentive to switch to the recently redesigned SAT. Although the switch is not official, the lower cost and alignment to the Common Core curriculum are positive aspects that are likely to contribute to the transition.

Even though the testing situation in Illinois remains unconfirmed, LT has decided to provide an in-school ACT to juniors on April 19, despite having to fund the cost of administering the test, Coordinator of Assessment and Research Katie Smith said.

“We have a one-year [contract],” Smith said. “We’ll have to make decisions [about testing] based on what the state decides or what the state can pay for moving forward.”

For nearly 15 years, the ACT has reigned supreme in Illinois as a mandatory test for high school graduation. As a result, the amount of SAT test-takers has declined 46 percent over the past seven years in Illinois, according to the Washington Post.

“[The ACT] format is formulaic enough to really study for PSAT during eighth through 10th grades would exist, efficiently,” Cristian Gonzalez ’16 said. “The SAT, in my thereby allowing students to predict their SAT score prior opinion, is very difficult. Many of the questions were written to their junior year,” Smith said. complexly and, especially in regards to the English section, Alike to the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT administered in used a ton of jargon.” the fall of 2015 reflected changes that coincided with those According to the College Board, the organization that made to the SAT, according to the test prep company Ivy administers the SAT, and The WashGlobal. This specific test is given the ington Post, the newly reformatted NMSQT acronym to delineate its usage I think if Illinois SAT will return to a 1600-point scale as the National Merit Scholarship Qualswitched to the SAT, that was previously employed up unifying Test, which gives students the til 2005, when the exam switched to opportunity to qualify as National Merit [it] would pose some a 2400-point scale. The new SAT will Scholars and earn scholarship awards. issues.

A lot of students exclude the infamous, obscure vocab“I took a PSAT prep class during the have committed to pre- summer so I figured I should probably ulary that had been a component of the test; instead, it will test words fretake the test,” Lucy Meehan ’17 said. “It paring for and taking quently used in real life and will no was not the [testing] format I was used the ACT.” longer include a 1/4-point guessing to since I spent a good chunk of time in penalty. the summer preparing for the ACT.” -Lucy Meehan ‘17 “I like that the SAT has taken these Since the redesigned SAT will not be steps to make the test a tad more fair,” Gonzalez said. “Hope- administered until March 2016, the LT community is less fully in the long run this’ll prove to help the students do bet- experienced with the formatting of that specific standardter.” ized test when compared to the ACT. Fewer than 80 LT Although questions remain over what will ultimate- students took the SAT during the 2014-2015 school year, ly happen with standardized testing in Illinois, the College according to Smith.

Board offers a PSAT in eighth through 11th grades, as well as “I think if Illinois switched to the SAT [it] would pose the SAT, Smith said. some considerable issues,” Meehan said. “A lot of students “If the state did switch, the possibility to administer a have committed to preparing for and taking the ACT.”

“

“

Budget issues, contract halts final decision on SAT test

LION staff would like to empower a greater number of students. Starting next issue, LION will incorporate a new section called “The LION’s Ears.” The idea behind the section is to gather information on what the student body believes needs to change at LT to make our school a better and more productive place for all. Submissions will be taken through LION’s Twitter page and webpage.

The concerns submitted can range from smaller issues, such as a problem with cafeteria food, to large issues such as timeliness of grading assignments. All students with any school related issues are welcome to submit their concern with an explanation and a possible solution, if they have one.

Each month, the staff will choose the three most significant issues to print in the paper accompanied with background information and possible solutions for each issue. Once the staff has investigated an issue, a short summary will be published explaining the outcome.

At times, it seems as though there is a lack of communication between students and faculty regarding what students would like to experience. “The LION’s Ears” will serve as a way to capture and quantify what the student body is thinking. After all, the LION Newspaper has been “the voice of Lyons Township students for more than 100 years.”

Physics I introduces new policy No harm finals become possibility for future math, science courses

by Garrett Ariana @garrettariana3

In past years, AP Physics I courses have normally had around 30 to 40 percent of its students exempt the final exam. For the first semester of the 2015-2016 school year, not a single student exempted.

For the first time ever, these students were offered a chance to take the final with no harm to their grade if they completed a review packet with AP-level content to the point of mastery: a 70 percent.

“The Physics AP and Physics prep teachers all said the same thing: students really paid attention going into the final,” the Math and Science Division Chair Ismael Zamora said. “They paid attention in class, they were really engaged and involved and they had really great questions.”

This new concept was designed for students who would have exempted the first semester physics final and then been caught off guard by the AP test in May as they had no clue what the exam would be like, AP Physics I teacher Jim Mshar said.

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“[This policy] is intended to prepare [students] for getting ready for final exams, to understand the process of studying and to master a concept,” Zamora said.

Despite it being a no-harm final, only about less than 10 people actually had their grade benefit with it being bumped up a letter grade, AP Physics I and Astronomy teacher Kevin Murphy said.

As far as first semester goes, teachers were incredibly pleased with the results and the data that backs it up, yet changes will most likely be made to yield a better reflection of students’ understanding of the material, Zamora said.

“My colleagues and I felt that the review this year didn’t necessarily hold individual students as accountable as we hoped.” Murphy said.

What will most likely be done second semester, according to Murphy, is that a review guide will be given out to students with suggested material to look at and helpful problems to know; however, that packet itself will not be looked at or graded by teachers whatsoever. Then, in the week preceding finals, five daily quizzes will be given where students will be required to get an aggregate number of points

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NEWS

Twitter takeover China is the country with the most Twitter users. There are over 35 million active users.

Friday, January 29, 2016



Page 2

Midnight MUN MUN conferences include midnight crises where delegates are awoken at 12 a.m. to participate in an emergency special session.

PARCC scores released MUN places first at CIMUN Scores cause confusion, dissapointment

by Thomas Atseff @thomas_atseff

The underwhelming scores of the perplexing and misunderstood PARCC test (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) mostly administered to freshmen in April 2015 were finally released in December, causing even more confusion among LT staff and administrators.

“There’s no comparison for the scores, because no one has ever taken the test before and no one knows exactly what they mean,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Scott Eggerding said.

The scores are represented by a performance level, numbered one through five. A one or a two is under the standard, a three is approaching the standard, a four is meeting and a five is exceeding the standard. LT had almost 60 percent of students score a four or five, which is nearly double the state average.

“We got the results in December after testing in April, so we can’t really do anything with the scores,” Eggerding said. “We still don’t even know what questions students missed, so we don’t know what to work on.”

The average scores for the state were very unimpressive, and, according to Tommy Pigatto ‘18 who took

the test last year, one possible reason for the low scores was a lack of incentive to even achieve high scores.

“The test had no incentive at all,” Pigatto said. “Many kids either didn’t take it or didn’t try to do well.”

According to Eggerding, PARCC claims that the scores will be able to be sent to colleges, like ACT or SAT scores.

“Since we’re testing freshmen, it isn’t very realistic for them to send in their scores,” Eggerding said.

Another likely reason is the apparent difficulty of the test. However, this will be remedied for future PARCC tests. This year’s PARCC will be one test, as opposed to two different tests last year, LT Coordinator of Assessment and Research Katherine Smith said. The test will once again be distributed to freshmen.

“This combined test will actually have fewer questions, and will be in an edited format,” Smith said.

The scores that LT acquires this year will be unable to logically compare to last year’s, Eggerding said.

“There will be attempts to compare them, but the comparison will be largely invalid,” he said.

The future of the PARCC at LT is unknown, and it will probably cause more confusion for the school down the road.

“Ultimatelty, it is a very low-stakes test with very little incentive and reason to take it seriously,” Eggerding said.

LT delegation prepares for LYMUN conference

by Sheridan Spiess @sheridanspiess

As Cristian Gonzalez ‘16 sat amongst hundreds of other Model United Nation [MUN] members, silence quickly broke out into prideful cheering when he heard his respective country, Greece, receive the award of best delegate.

“This conference is the biggest we go to, [winning] was ridiculous,” Gonzalez said.

Chicago MUN conference [CIMUN], which took place Dec. 10-13, is MUN’s most competitive conference of the year. During the four-day international conference, students present their research to panels in six different committees.

Using their research, students create policies for their respective countries. Students’ individual as well as team scores go towards their overall score. The students representing Greece placed high individually which allowed them to have a higher overall score and receive first place at the conference.

“We won [this conference] my freshman year,” Danny Benson ‘16 said. “The past two years we have been struggling to win again, so winning was the coolest thing that could have happened.”

Students communicate with each other over the four days to present a consistent and accurate policy for their country.

“It takes a lot of coordination, work and individual dedication,” MUN advisor John Cronfel said.

After their win at the Chicago conference, the MUN students are focusing on preparing for the

Performance on PARCC Algebra Test Performance Level # of Participants

LT %

State %

1

68

10.53%

22%

2

113

17.49%

37%

3

204

31.58%

24%

4

255

39.47%

17%

5

6

0.93%

0%

Total

646

100%

100%

Lyons Township MUN conference [LYMUN] on Feb. 27.

“The logistics behind the conference are my main concern,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez is one of few students in charge of preparation for LYMUN. Teachers, administration and about 50 students involved in MUN have prepared for LYMUN with 32 schools schedules to attend and about 700 delegates and 18 committees.

Students not only have to prepare their materials for committees, but also help plan for the conference.

“The details that go into it are tremendous,” Cronfel said.

In addition to preparation from students, LTTV is working with MUN to present opening and closing ceremonies, in addition to video presentations.

Students involved in MUN learn to research, organize, write, speak, present and negotiate behind the scenes.

“If you have been in MUN for four years you start to develop each one of those skills at a very mature level that you will never lose,” Cronfel said. “I think, essentially, the goal of education is to make independent thinkers and this is one of those activities that does that incredibly well.”

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!

PARCC Performance These charts depict the scores LT students received on the PARCC test compared to the average PARCC state scores. Scores of one or two are under the standard, three is approaching the standard, four is meeting and five is exceeding.

Winning delegates at CIMUN conference (John Cronfel).

Meghan Bulger ‘17 @meghan_bulger

since there are no commercials on Netflix I find myself being impatient with theme songs.

Nick Economou ‘16 @economou_nick You had one job #eurythmics

Blaine Teppema ‘17 @blainetepps

3rd time this semester i’ve called an uber to school and i live 5 blocks away

Hugh O’Donnell ‘18 @Hughod15

Donald trump’s hair is comparable to 1 ply toilet paper.

Performance on PARCC English Test Performance Level # of Participants

LT %

State %

1

51

5.45%

20%

2

108

11.54%

23%

3

215

22.97%

26%

4

442

47.22%

26%

5

120

12.82%

5%

Total

936

100%

100% Source: Director of Curriculum and Instruction Scott Eggerding

Frank Cannistra ‘17 @FRANKstradamus

I’m just saying if it says “$1 menu” and the price is $1.09 you can see why I’m a little frustrated

Stefana Vasic ‘16 @stef_uhh_nuh

Glad they made an emoji for my reaction to everything

Maggie Nutter ‘17 @MaggieNutter

Note to self: do not bow after a good joke

50% off Studio Time for LT Students Thomas Stenner ‘16 @thomasstenner

The official cereal of Hinsdale Central #LTisthebest

Maddy Cohen ‘18 @maddyc700 Snapchat filters are finally useful

Aquatic animals The Shedd Aquarium has 32,000 animals representing 1,500 species which is one of the largest collection of aquatic animals.

NEWS

Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 3

Tactical testing Standardized exams were uniform practice in the U.S. during World War I to assign jobs to servicemen.

L.A. policies Students work at Shedd Aquarium Students study, experience revised marine biology Deadlines created to eliminate procrastination, parameters set around late work, revisions

by Céilí Doyle @cadoyle_18

On Jan. 5, 2015, all 43 faculty members of LT’s Language Arts department met on Institute Day to discuss feedback received regarding the newly minted revision and late work policies geared towards summative assessments that was enacted in the fall of 2015.

The faculty members looked over 2,100 English student responses from of a survey taken and distributed throughout both campuses. The department ultimately found a middle ground in determining a modified policy for second semester.

“The compromise is based off what we had first semester and now going into second semester is that we’ve placed a two week parameter on the [summative assessment] revisions,” English teacher Tom Stukel said.

Last semester’s policy, which allowed students to turn in essays until the week before finals, was a wildly debated issue during the Institute Day meeting. Currently, the policy states there will no longer be any more open-ended deadlines, but students still will be allowed to revise assessments at their teacher’s discretion.

Students who want to turn in any work late are highly encouraged to e-mail their teacher and copy their parents on any initial propoal ahead of the original due date. They will be required to meet with their English teacher to discuss the proposal and set a new deadline within two weeks of the meeting, said Language Arts division chair Karen Raino.

Teachers may also refer students to a support room if needed, for additional help on his or her assignment.

However, there will be grading penalities if any student does not have complete his or her assignment within the allotted two week time period. Should any student not turn in their summative assessment after setting a new deadline up to 10 percent of their grade can be marked off.

“I think for students who are motivated by grades, a 10 percent penalty will hurt,” Raino said. “On a big summative paper, project or speech it will be worth a lot of points and not earning an ‘A’ automatically or a ‘B’ or any grade one grade lower than what could have been earned is enough of a motivator for students.”

The impetus for enacting this proposal is based on an educational theory proposed by experts, such as Richard Wormley. Wormely specializes in disassociating a student’s behavior with the grade he or she earns in a class.

According to Raino, a student’s ability to demonstrate their skills and knowledge shouldn’t be diminished because they turned in a paper late.

“You want grades to be a reflection of ability and not necessarily a behavior,” Raino said. “A 10 percent penalty doesn’t distort the grade for the behavior of turning in an assignment late.”

Some students are confused by this policy and the potential lack of accountability it could generate.

“In college if you don’t turn in your assignments on the day it’s due there’s going to be a significant grade reduction in your final grade,” Trace Mortimer ‘16 said. “Kids are not going to be ready for that [in college] if they can turn their assignments, even two weeks, late in high school.”

Teachers have also raised concerns regarding the capacity of the Language Arts department to normalize this policy throughout all four of the grade levels and each individual classroom. The success of standardizing English classes in LT still remains to be seen.

“I think there needs to be set black and white parameters, and right now there aren’t,” Stukel said. “The goal is to standardize this policy, but there are certain people in the department who think that there should be no parameters when it comes to turning [assessments] in late or revision work and I think that’s outrageous.”

The 43 English faculty members will continue to discuss the policy going forward throughout this semester and going into the 2016-2017 school year with the hopes of solidifying its guidelines further.

Maggie Bruck ‘16, (left) Sarah Klusendorf ‘17 (middle) and Lindsey Volz ‘16 (right) pose in front of the John G. Shedd Aquarium during work.

(Bruck)

by Heidi Hauch @HeidiHauch11

Three upperclassmen have decided to explore the field of marine biology by participating in a teen work-study program at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Most weekends, Maggie Bruck ‘16, Lindsey Volz ‘16 and Sarah Klusendorf ‘17 commute to the Shedd Aquarium to work with the guests and animals at the world-renowned facility.

“I wanted to do something in my own backyard during the school year,” Bruck said. “The Shedd is an amazing aquarium and I think its really going to help me in the future going into marine biology.”

Two categories of work are available to student workers, the Young Naturalist position and the Shedd Ambassador position. Volz and Bruck are both Shedd Ambassadors. Their duties include welcoming guests and providing assistance in any number of things from building navigation to animal touch experiences, Lee Peters, Shedd Engagement Specialist, said.

Klusendorf is a Young Naturalist. She works in interpretation, so she spends most of her day on the floor in exhibits.

She makes personal connections with the guests and helps them to develop an understanding about individual animals, how animals and their ecosystems are connected and how the guests’ actions can impact these animals, Peters said.

“I connect the guests to the animals and give them the facts that they want

to know,” Klusendorf said. “These [facts] make the people feel not as different from [the animals].”

The teen work-study program is a selective program; only about 15 percent of applicants are offered the opportunity after an application and interview process.

“Part of our staffing process for this program is being thoughtful about providing space for those who will bring great strengths to the program as well as those who may benefit in many ways,” Peters said. “The end result is that we end up with a fairly mature teen staff that are a balance of experienced teens who are already impacting their communities... and students who are very eager to learn and grow.”

While it is a time consuming job, between the commute to Chicago and the long hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Bruck, Volz and Klusendorf all agreed

that the job is well worth the effort as they reach their final years of high school.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Bruck said.

“There’s so many people there that are supporting you to pursue marine biology, which is nice because in the Midwest many people are just surprised to hear it’s an actual career. Just having that opportunity to be myself and gain experience in marine biology before college is great.”

The teen program not only helps teenagers like Volz, Bruck and Klusendorf form their interest in marine biology, but also the teenagers’ combined work ethics have a positive impact on the Shedd and it’s efforts, Peters said.

“This group of teens is one of the most dedicated, prepared and passionate I have worked with,” Peters said. “The positive impact they have with our guests only benefits the aquarium and the animals we care for.”

Menagerie takes first place in competition LT literary magazine achieves national success The 2014-2015 issue of Menagerie won first place with special merit from the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) for the seventh time in the last 10 years. It was one of five literary magazines nationwide to receive such a high honor, selected from a pool of around 300 applicants in December 2015.

In addition, Jack Kunkle’s ‘14 “The Comic Man”, which was featured in Menagerie, won “Outstanding Story” from ASPA, the only national story to do so.

“Because Menagerie has such an amazing track record, there’s definitely a lot of pressure to continue that tradition of greatness,” last year’s editor-in-chief Anika Ranginani ‘15 said. “It was great feeling to know that all that hard work paid off.”

Menagerie also won a gold medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), and the highest award from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Both awards received were based on layout, design, content and the overall flow of the magazine.

background in art, hopes to continue the theme of allowing each designer’s individual self shine through on each page, while still focusing the overall magazine on the individual pieces of art and written work.

will be “multiplicity”. Editor-in-Chief Natalie Krause ‘16, having an extensive “We are pretty ahead of the game this year,” Krause said. “We’ve even had some mock-ups for page designs finished since November, which doesn’t usually happen until much later in the production cycle around March. We’re in a really good spot for this year.”

Menagerie’s editors meet after school during second semester Monday through Thursday. Despite this large time commitment and the extensive work put in by the staff, both Krause and Ranginani emphasize the immense success Menagerie has experienced in the past decade would not have been possible without the help of the LT community.

“I think the core of what makes Menagerie great is the fact that we have so many talented writers and artists at LT,” Anika Ranginani said. “It takes dedication from the staff to get that to come across the page, but we’re starting off with some really special pieces of art and writing and that helps give us an edge over other magazines. Without the LT community, supporting us all of this wouldn’t be possible.”

This year’s issue will be ready for distribution to every student in late May.

Continued from page 1 in order to be eligible for the no-harm final.

The content of these quizzes will be based on the review guide, but this system will be more likely to curb any type of cheating or copying that may have occurred first semester with the new policy.

“I copied the review guide, and it wasn’t very beneficial for me to see the exam,” an anonymous AP Physics I student said. “I’d say it was about half and half with people who actually did it and people who copied it.”

All around, students were in agreement that they liked the policy and it made their finals week less demanding. The teachers, who graded about 100 more tests than usual, were also content.

“The students did better on this exam compared to their tests this year as opposed to years past,” Murphy said. “[The teachers] think that’s a win.”

With the relative success and satisfaction that student and staff members found as a collective whole in this experimental policy, the next logical question for the LT community is, where do they go from here?

“Ideally, it would be nice to have [all math and science classes] at the point where they can see the benefit of [this policy],” Zamora said. “We still have a lot to do as far as defining ‘What is learning? How do we measure learning?

What can we do with the measurements that we have to improve learning?’

And I really don’t see [the policy] going 100-percent one way or another.”

In the future teachers will most likely be able to gauge students’ abilities earlier by implementing this policy in AP classes.

Having the capacity for a student to see what the exam in May will be like, at a

much much earlier date in December, is what will be come advantageous to students. This benefit will guide them forward in the comin years in terms of aquiring college credit in high school.

“If you’re a student and you’ve been in a class for 18 weeks, why shouldn’t you be able to be successful at an exam at the end of a semester?” Mathematics teacher Tom Sloan said. “If you’re exposed to all this material over the course of a semester, is it okay if you can’t retain it? Is it okay if you do well at one point during the semester, but then it gets flushed out of your mind?”

As far as expanding it goes, things will take time. Nothing will be added into any courses this upcoming semester, but more no-harm finals will be on LT’s horizon.

“We’re not trying to fix a system that is broken,” Zamora said. “We’re trying to find a way to improve it.”

by Bailey Blum @ultimatebailey

“The thing that specifically set last year apart was a real focus on using the magazine to showcase the art and writing of our students,” Menagerie co-advisor Joseph Maffey said. “It’s very easy to over-design a page. The goal is to make sure people stop and look at each individual piece of work.”

This year, the theme for the magazine

Front cover of Menagerie. (Doyle/LION)

Sensationalized sales

After singer Justin Bieber was seen on a hoverboard, it was reported that sales went up by nearly 43 percent.

NEWS

Hoverboard hiatus Player use of hoverboards was banned inside Bank of America Stadium in by the Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera.

Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 4

Hoverboards rise in popularity Speech hosts tourney Toy becomes widely used following the holiday season Long gone are the days of scootering and biking; now, it is the era of the hoverboard, a small, two-wheeled, self-balancing scooter that allows its riders to hop on and ride anywhere with virtually no effort.

Although some boards cost upwards of $1,500, the toys have quickly become a hot commodity, with kids in elementary school to elderly grandparents riding them around the house and on the streets.

“A lot of people have gotten [hoverboards], like friends or famous people,” Elly Cooper ‘17 said.

“Other [people] are probably influenced by that and want to get them.”

Despite its increasing popularity, the toy has become highly controversial.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety

the safety issues associated with them, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) banned hoverboards in university housing. According to the Chicago Tribune and UIUC campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler, the university may eventually prohibit them all over campus. Despite the ruling at the university, the state of Illinois has no current laws regarding the toys.

“I understand why people may want to make hoverboard laws, because they can be dangerous and people are almost using them as a form of transportation, but a hoverboard is really just a toy,” Olivia Berley ‘18 said. “I don’t feel like, at this point, hoverboard laws are necessary.”

Popularized by social media, the boards have quickly inspired trends like “#hoverboardfail,” a hashtag that most commonly displays various people falling off of the devices. Likewise, hoverboards have made appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Good Morning America,” contributing to t h e i r increasing influence on American daily life.

Commission has recorded at least 17 hoverboard fires so far and at least 70 hoverboard-related emergency room visits. Even though there are videos of people hitting their head on falls, as well as recordings of the electronic scooters spontaneously combusting, hoverboards continue to grow in popularity. “[At LT] it’s not a concern [that] we’ve discussed,” principal Dr. Brian Waterman said. “If all of the sudden something became a distraction to the learning environment, you’d have to take a look at it, but I don’t anticipate having any issues with [hoverboards].”

As a result of the rising usage of hoverboards and

“I think they have become popular because they are a cheaper mode of modern transportation, unlike regular Segways which can cost a couple thousand dollars,” Mason Greving ‘17 said. “They are just fun to ride around.”

Following the huge upsurge in hoverboard usage as a result of the holiday season, questions remain whether the boards will continue to rise in popularity.

“Every year, there’s an item that’s on basically every 10- to 16-year-old’s Christmas list,” Berley said. “It seemed like hoverboards were the next new thing this year, but soon they will pass and kids will just move on to the next new thing.”

by Sydney Hansen @_sydneyhansen

Speech Team claims win in first home invitational

by Thomas Atseff @thomas_atseff

The LT Speech team hosted its first ever invitational tournament on Jan 9, in coordination with Argo High School. Last year, the same meet was hosted at Argo, but LT was up to the task to host this year.

“We wanted to have it on our own at LT last year, but we couldn’t due to the construction in the cafeteria and the Reber,” Speech Team coach Kirsten Manthei said. “We decided to join forces with Argo since we know the coaches there.”

Twenty-seven teams competed in the tournament, and LT managed to defeat all of them and win first place.

“We did not expect to do as well as we did, because 27 schools is considered a pretty huge tournament,” Manthei said.

The team won 34 different individual awards, the most they have won at a single meet this year.

“The whole team did an incredible job, and we are very proud of how we performed and the success of our first tournament,” Emily Bielski ‘16 said.

Bielski, who has been on the team for two years and was made a captain this year, said that the tournament ran very smoothly for LT’s first time hosting.

“The most rewarding part was interacting with all the other schools and seeing how they enjoyed their experience at our tournament,” Bielski said. “We got many compliments on how clean and well-run the tournament was.”

Bielski and Manthei both hope that an LT invitational meet will become a yearly tradition for speech team.

“We hope next year is as great as an experience as this year, and that many schools continue to enjoy the experience,” Bielski said.

Here are the categories and some of the events that speech team competes in.

Interpretation includes subcategories such as orginal comedy, prose and poetry.

Public address events include oratorical declamation and public address.

Source: speechjudging.weebly.com complied by Sydney Hansen

Some limited preparation events are impromptu and radio.

IMPACT

Frantic firearms In America, there are about 270 million firearms possessed by civilians and only 879,000 carried by police.

Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 5

Public places Since 1950, every public mass shooting, except for one, has occured in a place where civilians are banned from carrying firearms.

Gun safety precautions in place at LT Gun-related events at suburb schools cues safety discussion

by MelRose Buckler @amrbucks608 During the middle of Advanced Algebra during her sophomore year, Cora Hulten ‘16, remembers taking notes when an alarm signaled that it was time to go into a lockdown drill. The teacher locked the door, turned off the lights and put down a small paper shade over the door. As Hulten glanced around the classroom, she noticed the lack of silence and seriousness that her fellow classmates displayed during the safety drill.

“I think the students and faculty should take lockdown drills more seriously,” Hulten said. “Especially since there have been multiple gun related problems in schools recently, because you never know what could

Umpqua Community College Roseburg, Ore. Oct. 1, 2015 killed/ wounded

10

9

Columbine High School Littleton, Colo.

April, 20, 1999 killed/ wounded

15

21

Oikos Univeristy Oakland, Calif.

April 2, 2012 killed/ wounded

7

7

13

and they would go through the protocols that they have in place to ensure that the buildings and occupants stay as safe as possible, Kilrea said.

During the most recent gun-related events in suburban high schools, all the problems were brought to the attention of the administration because of student, staff or community observations, Kilrea said.

That is why student relationships with adults in the buildings are one of the most important defenses that LT has against an intruder or weapon, principal Dr. Brian Waterman said.

“If we know our students and they feel comfortable coming to us with a problem, then we can better ensure safety,” Waterman said.

LT is required by state law to have safety drills once a year. These drills are put in place to ensure that if a situation did ever occur in which a lockdown would be required

0 6 0 0

4 1 32 5

7 4

0

Source: westword.com compiled by MelRose Buckler

2

0

0

3 7 0 4 2 0 3

13

3 4

13

11

9

12

2 8 15

Northern Illinois University DeKalb, Ill. Feb. 14, 2008 killed/ wounded

5

guns with fear violence is a threat at LT

4 12

5 80 5 3

16 8 22

1 2 4

West Nickel Mines School Nickel Mines, Pa. Oct. 2, 2016 killed/ wounded

15

21

Sandy Hook Elementary School Newtown, Conn.

Dec. 14, 2015 killed/ wounded

28

2

Lake Senior High School Blacksburg,VA. April 16, 2007 killed/ wounded

11

7

35% associate LION polled 274 students for their opinions on school saftey and gun-violence at LT.

93% of

students feel 65% said that safe at LT their families do not own guns

4 30

16

39% associate

7% think gun

that the students and staff are safe. While some may take these drills lightly, Kilrea warns against this. “[Lockdown] drills are done for a reason,” Kilrea said. “We hope that we never need to implement such a situation, but if we need to, knowing that our students and staff are prepared is imperative. These drills are not something to take lightly.”

LT has a full-time Student Resource officer at SC from the Western Springs Police Department and a part-time Student Resource officer at NC from the La Grange Police Department. LT is looking to add a full-time Student Resource officer at NC to have consistency between the campuses, but Kilrea doesn’t believe that this will guarantee anything, he said.

“It is the people in the building that will make it safer and we all play a part in that,” Kilrea said. “Our buildings are very safe and it’s up to all of us to keep [LT] safe.”

In the map below, each number represents a school shooting in each state since April,10, 1999, which is when the Columbine High School massacre occurred. The highlighted shootings are some of the most significant and bloodiest school shootings that have 0 occurred (as of 1 Oct. 6, 2015).

5

3

UC Santa Barbara Isla Vista, Calif.

May 23, 2014 killed/ wounded

happen. [Lockdowns] are only in place to keep us safe.”

A lockdown drill is all too familiar for many students and staff at both NC and SC, and with recent gun-related problems in surrounding high schools, such as Stevenson High School, Lincoln-Way East High School and Barrington High School, gun-safety at school has continued to become an important topic at LT, as well as nationally.

“I don’t want to think that dangerous situations [gun-problems] could happen at LT, but I know that in our society there is no guarantee against anything,” superintendent Dr. Tim Kilrea said. “That is why we want our students and staff to be prepared.”

While every potential dangerous situation is different, if an intruder or weapon did ever enter at either NC or SC, the school would most likely go into a lockdown. Then the local law enforcement would be called

17% associate guns with freedom

guns with protection

9% associate guns with safety

27% said that their families do own guns

NEWS

Random Chatter

“After my mom threw plant juice at my face she started scratching my head.”

-Catherine Lannan ‘16

Random Chatter

“Somehow I am in the Wiz Khalifa email fan club. I don’t know how to unsubscribe.”

- Cora Hulten ‘16

Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 6

Ranging from heartbreaking stories to strange wordly events, The Breakdown brings you the latest information you don’t want to miss. compiled by Mary Sullivan

Dec. 7, 2015- A father and son duo were arrested for having stolen $41,000 worth of chicken wings from Twin Trees Too, the restaurant they were employed at in Syracuse, N.Y. Unsurprisingly, the stolen chicken was never recovered.

Jan. 11, 2016- The United States broke a global lottery record with the largest jackpot to date: $1.68 billion.

Three people won and split the prize. Each of them received $533 million dollars before taxes. Cha-ching.

Dec. 31, 2015- Dubai luxury hotel went up in flames. While the hotel burned, the firework show at the adjacent building, Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world, proceeded amidst the smoke from the hotel. As always, the show must go on.

Jan. 8, 2016- Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman was arrested after breaking out of prison for the second time. If extradited, El Chapo will most likely have his trial in Chicago.

Better hope there are no hidden tunnels in any federal prisons in the United States.

Dec. 8, 2015- Douglas Tompkins, co-founder of North Face, died of hypothermia in Patagonia, Argentina, after high winds flipped his kayak.

Oh, the irony.

Source: CNN

Live from LION Archives

We took a step back this issue to review old LION news articles. These snippets range all the way from 1946 to 2001. We hope you take the time to catch up on LT throughout the decades and enjoy these blasts from the past as much as we did.

compiled by Adam Janicki

2001

1994

1946

NC math teachers and custodians teamed up to battle the hundreds of mice that covered the floor in filth and distracted students.

The mice soon learned that they were no match for LT’s staff, who excelled in problem solving.

Perhaps the movie “Ferris Bueler’s Day Off’” was based on the NC students ditching their classes and calling in sick. The absent checkmarks piled up until the school tracked them down.

LT students walked out of school with the smell of egg in their hair after an LT teacher was found dropping eggs out of the third floor window as a science experiment. While the teacher found it amusing, the students certainly did not.

1989 Life-like Chucky dolls and dangerous toys plagued the Chicagoland area.

Many of the toys received often ended up in local schools and were taken away because they were “violent,” “scary” and “dangerous.”

2000

LION staff recommended places where students could safely exhibit their “Fast and Furious” skills by car drifting in local empty paved lots. These locations were dispersed throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

OPINIONS

Random Chatter “There’s a difference between paper and legs.”

-Andrea Simms ‘16

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.

Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 7

PagePageSevenSevenGridGrid

Welcome back to the Page Seven Grid with a little bit of twi(n)st! Take a look at LT’s comical duos debate the fate of Elvis and discover some new things about twin telepathy... Let’s get going!

Which twins are you most like?

What’s the deal with this twin telepathy?

What really happened to Elvis Presly?

Slinging dope ryhmes, may be a fire hazard.

Zack and Cody.

We react to Obama’s SOTU with the same Reagan quotes.

He changed his name to Tom Freyer and moved to Hawaii.

Magic: blow everyone’s minds by telling them we are related.

Alex and Camryn aka the twitches because we’re twin witches.

It’s a twin witch thing.

Anyone else who says they have it is lying.

Wait, didn’t he die on the toilet?

We are going to act out “The Parent Trap” as a musical.

The Shining Twins.

Come play with us.

Hold on, I’m asking Julia right now.

JFK shot him.

We will be performing a reenactment of “Breaking Free” from HSM.

Zack and Cody Martin. Life’s pretty suite.

We knew it was legit when we got the same score on our Algebra final.

He was reincarnated as Sydney Kaehler ‘18.

One-on-one basketball. R.I.P. Georgia’s ankles.

Phil and Lil from Rugrats.

Well, it helps during tests.

He’s still alive and well. Definitely chilling with Tupac somewhere.

What will the two of you do at the All-School?

Nicholas J. & Melissa Fuentes ‘16

Katherine & Jennifer Grissim ‘16

Julia & Dana Dean ‘17

Elizabeth & Charlie Hall ‘18

Nick & Georgia Panos ‘19

compiled by Philip Smith

LettersToEditor

School dreams deferred?

Don’t despair This letter to the editor was submitted by Diana Kafkes ‘16. It is concerning the c0llege application process, especially when students are deferred from their school of choice.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore-- And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

- Langston Hughes In the middle of December many of the seniors who applied early action or early decision (I among them) waited all day, fidgety in school, for 3:04 to come: the time when we would rush home, hurriedly drop our backpacks, hurl off our coats, and open up our laptop, computer, or smartphone to receive our fate from our first choice school in the comfort of our homes.

After repeatedly checking our email accounts at decreasing intervals, prompting our parents or siblings to remark how, just as the first semester of senior year is finally

coming to a close, we have finally and truly lost it, we received the email, exhaled, and were redirected to the portal which we had hoped for months would enable us to glean some insight into the next four years and maybe even the rest of our lives: accepted or denied from our dream school. A decision, good or bad, that would give us at least some direction into our future.

But for many of us it meant deferral and additional uncertainty. Our status was pending and would continue to pend for the next four months. For almost the entirety of our senior year we would be in a waiting room. Dante’s Purgatory. The news of which would prompt us to become somewhat discouraged, wondering why we were not good enough, what we could have done better, what opportunity we failed to capitalize on, where we screwed up in the midst of all the late nights and defeats, the hard work and the victories.

Hughes brings up a good point and it’s not just about college or my (and plenty of others) contrived notion of attending what we deem to be a “good” school “worth” all the effort we have put into these past four years. His poem invites us to ask the questions we will all face at some point in our lives when failure seems imminent and success seems far away. The poem is about what happens when you are at the critical point, where your dream becomes “a heavy load”, a burden you have to carry instead of a buoyancy within. This is where you find who you really are. Do you give up hope or look within yourself to find the strength

and willpower to stick through adversary with dogged determination?

But our dreams need not “dry up / like a raisin in a sun”, because there is a difference between being deferred and being deterred from our final goal. Our college dreams do not have to dead end when they are not achieved, putting us at the critical point described by Langston Hughes. Our dreams are constantly evolving, and they will continue to evolve. We will not be prevented from ending up at the place we belong by a rejection or deferral. Just ask any of the past graduates of LT who ended up happy, maybe not at the place they thought they initially belonged, but, in the end, right where they needed to be. And that’s as much as we can hope for, because it’s all we will need.

To my deferred friends and all seniors awaiting Regular Decision, it’s important to remember that being deferred or denied from one school that you may not have been happy at is not something you should take to heart. It does not devalue any of your past accomplishments or say anything about the you behind all those test scores and essays and interviews. In short, it is not a resounding condemnation your ability to succeed in the future.

As we all move forward these next couple of months, sitting in the waiting room together, I hope we can leave behind all the anxiety and stress that has been the hell of college applications and find within us the only feeling we should have right now: excitement for the things to come.

GuestColumn Distressing damage

The brain is the most valued organ; it controls your thoughts, feelings, actions, words and more. What might the consequences be if you damaged your godly orb? Answer: Anything is up for grabs.

The brain is very sensitive. If the brain were a Hallie Coleman human, it would be that annoying kid in elementary school who would cry and tell the teacher if you poked him. In a perfect world we would all wear helmets to avoid injuring our brains. Unfortunately, hats are not permitted in school so that trend died before it was even born. The fact is we cannot prevent ourselves from getting hurt as much as we would like to. Reality is a big fat downer.

My reality is that I got a concussion. Most concussions last up to five weeks. My concussion is coming up on one year.

It all began when I was at volleyball tournament in Wisconsin last year on Feb. 28. My team was playing a team of 12 Paul Bunyan-looking teenage girls. I honestly had no clue how there could be that many giant 16 year olds living in one state. The moment we realized that the tallest person on our team was the same height as the shortest person on theirs was when we became a little weak in the knees. Nevertheless we went out on the court.

The first point the team scored was hit by one of the Pauls and it was one of those hits that, afterwards, you make eye contact with your teammates and mouth the words “Oh crap”. The adrenaline got higher and we would not let a single ball touch the floor. We were playing the tiebreaker when the ball was hit at one of my teammates. She managed to pass the ball-- diagonally.

Immediately I ran full speed after the ball. While I was watching the ball there was the metal stand the referee stands on right where the ball was about to land. I dove right into a metal pole. When I hit it I got a rush of excruciating pain to my head. In my memory it seemed slow motion in the moment, but I got right back up and started playing again. The game never stopped.

After the tournament was over everything plummeted. My brain was not the same, making me a different person. I felt my old outgoing self slip away. I no longer enjoyed commenting in my classes or going out with my friends. I missed almost two months of school. I had a very hard time absorbing information and carrying conversations. I was diagnosed with PCS (post-concussion syndrome) which is a minor traumatic brain injury that can lead to migraines, tension headaches and psychological problems post concussion.

The excessive amount of doctors appointments and the constant questions from my classmates didn’t make it any easier. The idea of coming to school psychologically destroyed me.

I thought people would pester me and I would have to relive the painful process. I didn’t want anyone to know I was struggling. When I did go to school I joked around a lot to cover up my anxiety and depression-FYI I lied when I said I took a semester off to study in Australia. I still struggle periodically with severe headaches and blurry vision. No one will ever realize how impactful one event can be unless you go through a year of what I went through. Although the recovery time is not ideal I feel as if I am nearly complete. Life lesson to everyone: take care of your brain, because you only have one.

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

OPINIONS

Random Chatter “I literally just ripped the front door off my car.”

-Chloe Smeltzer ‘16

Random Chatter “Well, it just might be Santa’s airplane flying.”

-Timothy Rediehs ‘17

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 8

Does the U.S. need to pass more gun control?

LION polled 319 students about their opinions on federal or state governments adding more gun control.

PawsUp n to flannel pajama pants- letting me express exactly how I am feeling about winter. n to Hunter boots- yes, those “rainboots” are actually keeping my feet nice and warm, thank you. n to teachers that allow students to swear in class- I freaking love swearing. [ed note: LION does not condone swearing] n to the Eurythmics weblink- a truly unforgettable show. n to guacamole- salsa’s superior cousin. n to hoverboards- I’ve always dreamt of my skateboard lighting on fire. n to Paris Men’s Fashion Week- demonstrating that a male’s closet should consist of more than just khakis and Sperry’s. n to senor discountswait, that doesn’t apply to seniors in high school? n to Donald Trumpmaking even MY grandpa look sane. n to icy sidewalks- a dose of daily comedy and the reason behind all my cute new bruises.

PawsDown

n to El Chapo’s extradition-Chicago would be SO honored to accept your dangerous, billion dollar drug lord. Good luck digging out. n to DiNico’s pizza- let it be known that there will be a full-scale revolt if the price of a pizza slice goes up anymore. n to Fetty Wap- why did you have to schedule your Chicago tour date on a Wednesday?! n to seeing snow in the forecast- a friendly reminder that winter is actually happening. n to spring break- no matter what, it’s still seems nine years away. n to writing “2015” on all of your papers, until about November. n to people who tag themselves in their own photos- because we had no idea who that person was. n to Chipotle- if I wanted to become violently sick, I could just eat at the Country Cup. n to winter sports seasons ending- do I really have to leave Athletic Study Hall? Please let me stay? Please? n to the temperature changes in the L.T. building- I feel like a middle-aged woman approaching menopause.

I don’t know 5%

Do you think there should be stricter regulations on gun control?

No 36%

There are better actions to take 17%

If you answered “no” to question one, why do you think there should not be stricter regulations?

State government through policy 28%

I don’t know 15% State voters through referendums 13% Yes 59%

I don’t know 8%

Federal government through Congress 44%

If you answered “yes” to quesion 1, who should be able to create the restrictions?

Citizens should not give up their rights to the government 21% No 36% Yes 64%

It will not stop gun violence 54%

Would you personally feel safer with stricter gun laws?

Point

Freedom from fear Columbine. Newtown. Aurora. San Bernardino. Colorado Springs. Charleston. The list goes on.

I can continue to ramble off the names of various schools, houses of worship, communities and public places Gaby Sabatino where dozens of American lives have fallen victim to tragic events involving mass shootings. From just the six instances I have mentioned above, 78 innocent children, teachers, friends and family members have been gruesomely killed for simply living their everyday life—something that no person should ever have to worry about.

Unfortunately, the problem, and the numbers attributed to this problem, are much more serious and much more concerning as we head into a pivotal nationwide gun control movement and the push for tighter, more regulated gun policies.

Just within the past month, President Barack Obama has put the issue of gun control at the forefront of his agenda as one of the many changes that need to be implemented on a national level. His new plans for more gun control is a rational reaction following the horrific events that occurred in San Bernardino on Dec. 2. Some policies include the improvement of enforced background checks on firearm sales and building a more efficient online background checking system that constantly monitors online gun purchases. Furthermore, Obama has proposed investments of around $500 million to increase access to mental health care.

With this in mind, it is necessary to understand that United States gun control is not an issue stemming from a single source or cause, but rather a problem that is multifaceted and complex. With access to the vast and seemingly endless world of the internet it is undeniably necessary that the government has the right to take initiative in order to secure the protection American citizens deserve and supply the people with the fundamental security that we simply cannot provide for ourselves.

Therefore, Obama and his administration are justified in their initiatives in enforcing much needed revolutionary ways of controlling the gun sales in this country.

Many Americans who do not favor the increased gun control often resort to the idea that they are suspending their rights to the government and paralyzing the freedom they are entitled to by allowing the federal government to regulate firearm sales. However, government involvement does not require citizens to surrender their freedom and rights as Americans. The federal government is only seeking out policies and plans to improve the current and apparent problems that this country is facing in the light of recent, deadly events.

Furthermore, in a CNN poll recently published on Jan. 8, 67-percent of Americans are in favor of Obama’s gun control initiatives and support these actions.

The fact of the matter is that the American people need the assistance of the federal government to efficiently and productively make drastic changes in order to strive for the development of a more humane and more peaceful society.

CounterPoint

From my dead fingers There are 270-310 million guns for 320 million people in the U.S. We have one of the highest amounts of guns per capita in the world, which is exactly why gun control won’t work. Not only will the policies enacted not prevent Abby King killers, but it will also impede on one basic liberty—the right to bear arms.

So many of the policies the government has enacted today repair problems at the surface, merely putting a metaphorical Band-Aid on it to cover up the problem temporarily. While I understand that it is unrealistic to expect politicians to dive deeper into the core of every problem they face, we need to start looking at long term solutions to gun control rather than creating a larger gap between the rights we currently have and the rights we ought to have. Providing excess gun regulations will do exactly that—make it look like the problem of gun violence is being solved, when it’s not.

Take Chicago, for example. This city has some of the strictest gun laws nationwide, yet it is deemed “Chiraq.” While the amount of people who die from gun violence is decreasing, the number of gun shot victims is increasing, according to 2015 FBI reports. More inexperienced people are getting guns and using them, so although the murder rate is dropping, which is most likely due to concealed gun carry’s approval, shots are still ringing throughout the Chicagoland area. Shootings increased 12-percent, to 327 people in 2014.

What an over exuberant amount of gun laws do is force gun holders to become more creative, and create a false sense of security from the civilians, resulting in further tragedies. Gun violence is not going to stop anytime soon, with or without gun control laws. An easy answer to the problem is to slap harsh penalties to those who break these laws, but former Chicago Police Supt.

Garry McCarthy contends that gang members face worse repercussions from their gangs for losing a gun than they do by the courts for illegally possessing one, according to DNAinfo.

What we need to work towards improving is the police system itself. And let me be clear: I know the police force is doing everything they can to stop this, and they aren’t the ones to blame for these killings, the killers are. We need to start restructuring our methods.

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, there have been 2,477 people arrested on gun charges, Anthony Guglielmi, the police spokesman said. Of those, more than 600 had previous weapons arrests, according to DNAinfo.

Giving up our rights over something that may not even fix the problem is a huge mistake that may prove detrimental. We must start holding these perpetrators responsible before we create laws that may hurt the average citizen. An overwhelming amount of hysteria in times like these is common. Because of the fear of the unknown and of possible threats to one’s livelihood, however, we must keep a cool, level head. Passing law after law will not stop the problem, it will exacerbate it.

Philosophy Representing all of us?

I love letters to the editor. It shows that people around us care about what we are writing.

They read Lion, consider what we Philip Smith say and either agree or disagree enough for them to take the time to write to us. It shows that we are important to them; they are also important to us.

We appreciate every letter.

Recently, we received a very insightful letter to the editor. The writer, who confessed that he or she was an avid fan of the Lion, wanted to voice some concerns about our publication. They said that Lion was mainly white, wrote stories chiefly concerning to white students and mostly interviewed the same group of friends when we needed a valuable student voice in a news story. True.

You will notice, however, that the letter is not in our pages. It’s not because we disagree with it. The letter I’m talking about was not signed.

If you want your letter to be published, please sign it. It is unethical to publish anonymous letters. If the author wishes to resubmit it with a signature, we would be more than happy to publish it online. But, even if we can’t publish the letter, let’s address some of its concerns.

One issue the author saw in our paper was the lack of diversity on our staff. They suggested that we try to make sure that more different voices make it on staff. I do disagree with the main point of this idea. Diversity is most definitely a laudable goal, but Lion can’t easily recruit. All Lion staffers have taken the South Campus Journalistic Writing course, and have applied in the spring of their sophomore or junior year. It is not easy to recruit more diverse voices from the pool of applicants, but we should still encourage and hope for a more diverse staff by getting more people to take Journalistic Writing.

Another issue brought up is story content. We do try our hardest to publish stories that interest the entire LT student body, but too often we end up writing about things that interest us. People write about what they know, plain and simple. It’s especially easy when we already have a contact through staff, such as a person already on cheerleading. But we need to expand our horizons. Thank you for helping us look beyond the basics and see all the parts of LT. A third issue is the people we interview. When writing a news story, if there is not a student explicitly included, we usually ask a student for his or her opinions on the topic. This is done to make sure that everyone can see what the average student thinks about news stories around school and the surrounding community. There is one big problem here. Many times, we end up interviewing someone from our own group of friends—sometimes the same person for different stories in different issues. We should make an effort to put diversity ahead of convenience.

I don’t agree, however, with the author’s plans. There is no feasible way to regulate each student individually, as was proposed in the unsigned letter. It’s just not practical to keep track of every single time we ask people for comment. Some people will be repeated, and for good reason. The Student Council President would have more to say than others, for example.

The solution to this problem is mainly to keep in mind when writing that we are trying to represent the diversity of LT in the pages of the Lion.

We try to turn out a quality paper and website for LT, and I think we do.

If you have a problem or issue with it, please write us.

But also, please sign it.

OPINIONS

Random Chatter “Today at lunch, I have a reverse appetite.”

-Luke Nelson ‘16

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 9

‘Sixteen shots’

On the night of Oct. 20, 2014, 17-yearold, Laquan McDonald—who was armed with a knife—was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Department [CPD] officer Jason Van Dyke from approximately 10 feet away. The shooting was captured by a police cruiser’s dashboard camera; however, the video of the shooting was not released until 13 months after the incident had occurred.

McDonald was walking away from the police after having been caught breaking into vehicles in a trucking yard. McDonald was a student at Sullivan House High School and did not hold an adult criminal record with the state, but he was arrested multiple times as a juvenile.

The McDonald family was paid $5 million dollars on April 15, 2015, in a settlement reached by the Chicago City Council before the family had even filed for a wrongful death lawsuit.

After the video was released on Nov. 24, 2015 through a Freedom of Information Act request, Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder. He was released from custody after posting bail on Nov. 30. Prior to the video’s release the most that Van Dyke had been reprimanded for his actions was when he was stripped of his “police powers” by former police superintendent Garry McCarthy.

On Dec. 16, Van Dyke was indicted by a grand jury on six counts of first-degree murder and one count of official misconduct and on Dec. 29 he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

But he did not deserve the fate he met, and it is up to us as the future of this city and this country to change this corrupt system.

To serve and protect?

The number one question raised following the video release of the McDonald shooting was: did the CPD attempt to cover up Van Dyke’s first-degree murder of a teenage boy?

Van Dyke had a history of using excessive force and had received more than 20 separate citizen complaints. Despite this, Van Dyke was never received as much as a slap on the wrist in terms of any disciplinary action from his superiors in the CPD with regards to these prior grievances. This inaction is ridiculous and highly suspect of the police department.

The lack of oversight in VanDyke’s ill-famed record as a police officer speaks to a larger problem within the department.

The dash-cam video that captured the homicide does not contain any audio despite the requirement from the CPD that all videos must record audio. There are five known videos of the shooting, however only one video has been made public.

In addition to the “mysterious” technical audio failure, 86 minutes of footage from a nearby Burger King were reported missing after the manager informed the Independent Policy Review Authority [IPRA] agents that five police officers had come into the restaurant chain the evening of Oct. 24. to review the tapes.

The primary reason that both the dashcam videos and Burger King footage went however, is because all recordings To protest or not to protest “missing,” of the shooting completely contrast the CPD’s Following the video release of McDoninitial police report from Oct. 24. ald’s slaying, protestors took to the streets The original police report claimed that of Chicago to express their outrage over the McDonald “lunged” at Van Dyke and that delay of the video’s release, the alleged police Van Dyke feared for his cover-up and the lack of Our position: Laquan McDon- life—triggering his explosive accountability taken by ald’s tragic death is a weight response. On top of that, the city of Chicago’s top that should rest on all Chithe first report neglected to officials in handling the cagoans’ shoulders. It is our mention how many times tragedy. responsibility as citizens, McDonald was shot and We believe that propolice officers and elected offi- maintained that McDonald tests that took place in actively moved to harm Van November and December cials to collaborate with one another to quell protests, bru- Dyke, which is utterly false were warranted given tality and corruption. upon reviewing the shocking nature of the video.

McDonald’s death. However, we also underThe cover-up extended far beyond wiping stand that the protests caused an inconvesurveillance videos and falsifying police nience for Black Friday shoppers on Nov. reports; the CPD also took to interrogating 27 as proponents of the Black Lives Matter witnesses at the scene. movement caused several stores on Michigan According to the attorneys of McDonald’s Avenue to close their doors. estate, there were three witnesses to the The fact of the matter is that there simply shooting who were interviewed by police is no other way in which to garner the officers for six hours and intimidated/coerced attention of public on national or even cityinto matching their accounts with the official wide level without bringing the issues of Chicago police version of the night’s events. racism and police to the forefront of people’s These allegations were made following the minds—even if that means disrupting the release of over 3,000 documents related to flow of Black Friday shopping. the case.

It’s sad that has taken protestors’ chants The question still remains—did the CPD of “16 shots” echoing throughout the city for cover-up McDonald’s death as a “justifiable people to begin discussing racism and the role homicide” in order to protect Van Dyke and it plays in police brutality. And the truth is the police department’s image? we need the protestors as much as they need We believe that there are larger forces at our attention. play in the McDonald case. While the CPD as It is easy to hear about the death of a whole does the best it can to serve and proMichael Brown and the Ferguson protests tect Chicagoans throughout the city, but this or Freddie Gray’s death and the subsequent unwarranted and totally avoidable murder riots in Baltimore, but this time tragedy has scourges the city and CPD’s reputation. struck our hometown.

We may never know the true story behind The onus is on us to change the converwho ordered which police report to be issued sation and stop this heinous, murderous act or who allowed Van Dyke to go unpunished from ever occurring again. We need to listen for so long, but we do know that this tragedy to what the protestors are saying, acknowlis not limited to the CPD or the city of Chiedge that there is an inherent flaw in our cago. police system and then take action. We urge However, we also recognize that this type everyone who is 18 and older to vote for of behavior is not typical nor condoned by Cook County officials who will commit to the majority, if not almost all, of precincts ending police brutality. within the city. This problem is not relegated This is not an issue of white privilege vs. to the CPD or any one entity. It is up to all impoverished minorities. This is an issue of us: citizens, police officers and political of injustice that demands to be noticed, figures to call out one another to prevent this addressed and rectified. The process of healmonstrous injustice from ever taking place in ing and positive step forward begins with us. the future.

We need take to the streets of Chicago and support our fellow citizens.

McDonald was certainly no saint, nor was he abiding by the law on Oct. 24. while brandishing a knife with PCP in his system.

Rahm’s responsibility

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s response to the tragedy of McDonald’s death has come too little too late. No amount of op-eds in the

Staff Vote: 20-6 C ontact

“You might have a dying patient who the only way to save is by knowing Hamlet trivia.”

-Michael Salina ‘16

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Chicago Tribune or creation of an independent task force to review the CPD can change the fact that the shooting took place four months prior to Emanuel’s mayoral reelection race in February of 2015.

Emanuel did not even win the majority of the vote in February, regardless of the public’s knowledge of the shooting.

After he was forced into a run-off election against Jesús “Chuy” Garcia he still barely won by four per cent. If Emanuel had released the video at that time of the shooting, it most certainly could have factored into an unfavorable outcome for his campaign.

The mayor claims he never saw the video, and if that is the case, then what kind of naïve and detached leader are we allowing to run the show? No, Emanuel’s denial is a cop-out and a lame one at

that—the mayor most likely knew the contents of that video and that’s why the city of Chicago fought so hard to keep it from going public. The city went so far as to reject 15 requests for its release, according to a CNN article.

As Emanuel claimed in his Chicago Tribune op-ed, “At the end of the day, I am the mayor and I own it. I take responsibility for what happened and I will fix it.” Unfortunately for the mayor, words, no matter how cleverly crafted, are just that. It will take actions to make a real difference.

On Dec. 9, State Representative De Shawn Ford (D-8) filed House Bill 4356 in Springfield which would allow Congress to recall the Mayor of Chicago.

Hopefully Emanuel’s words will still ring in the ears of legislators as the bill enters the floor.

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Subaquatic sloths Sloths native to the Amazon Rainforest can swim three times faster than they can crawl and can hold their breaths for 40 minutes.

SPORTS

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 10

Swimming pushes postseason After failed expectations last season, team looks to rebound, break records

by Adam Janicki @Ad_man34

As sectionals and state meets approach, the varsity boys swimmers are quick to remind themselves of how much time and effort has gone into their preparation. Last season, the team was predicted to win the state meet by 40 points, but failed to meet those expectations. However, it helped build chemistry, confidence and motivation. This year’s team aspires to bring home a trophy.

“Last year we went into state seeded first and didn’t perform as we hoped,” varsity swimmer Matt Linden ‘17 said. “As one of the top teams, it was the first time people started to hear our name and fear it. Sectionals and state were a great learning experience, which will be very helpful going back this year.”

Practicing 10 times a week, before and after school, and exercising in and out of the pool has given this team a great foun-

dation, allowing teammates to compete and push one another.

“This year’s team was more prepared coming into the season than last year’s team,” varsity boys swim Coach Scott Walker said. “They also have a better vision of what they are capable of, along with more experience.”

The last time LT had a solid state swim team was in 2009, varsity swimmer Chris Phillips ‘16 said. Over the last couple years LT swim started to step it up, which caught the attention of other schools.

“Our team has enough sprinters to fill two relays that could be top 10 in the state, unfortunately, you can only take one,” Phillips said. “Having the depth that we have gives us an edge other programs lack.”

While most teams go all out in training just before the sectional and state meets, LT swimmers rest, giving them more energy and time to recover, Linden said.

Varsity swimmers including Spencer Walker ‘18 dive into the 500 freestyle race at Downers Grove North on Jan. 15. (Phil Smith/LION)

“Before state we try not to over think it,” Linden said. “We know that we train harder than any other team in the state, and when the time comes, we know that we are going to swim faster and better than any of the other teams there.”

Having seen many swimmers of different skill levels throughout his career, Walker said he believes this is possibly the most talented and humble group of guys he has coached.

“I always remind them of the importance of being a team, that every single person regardless

of their ability has an impact on the team,” Walker said.

Hinsdale Central and Naperville Central are the most anticipated matches this year. Additionally, there are new rivalries such as Peoria Notre Dame, Walker said.

“This might be the first year where I will rest a group of guys for the state meet,” Walker said.

“We have several kids who can go a state cut in practice, which is almost unheard of, and these guys will be well rested heading into sectionals and or state so we will be ready to pop.”

Junior brings flare to dancefloor

ditioning. Despite this exhausting schedule, she is constantly showing leadership and discipline as a dancer, Bannon said. Daily, she focuses on building up strength Maisy Dunne ‘17 takes the stage at the West Coast and stamina, as well as drilling each routine.

Dance Explosion Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada. The “My teachers are strict,” Dunne said. “If they weren’t murmur of the crowd transcends into silence as lights illulike that I probably wouldn’t be good.” minate the stage. Dunne is about to perform a contempoOn top of weekly practices, Dunne also attends open rary dance called “Rabid”. She eventually placed third as classes at studios such as the Millennium Dance Coma soloist and ninth overall. plex of Chicago and Edge Performing Arts Center in “[Dunne] has the right appearance, the right work Los Angeles in order to get her name out there, dancer ethic, the drive and a great support system at home,” Lauren Mochizuki ‘17 said. dance instructor and choreographer Kylie Bannon “The classes were such an amazing learning experisaid. “I can tell she’ll have a long career.” ence,” Dunne said. “Being with so many different people Dunne discovered her passion for dance while in and practicing at different levels taught me a lot.” gymnastics. Her fear of flipping led her to focus more on Dunne’s plan for the future is to take a gap year after floor routines and eventually quit gymnastics for dance graduating to focus on taking classes and making conentirely, Dunne said. This is only her third year dancing, nections. From there, she hopes to attend college but she has already decided that she would like to pursue with a dance major, and ultimately become a wellit as a career. known choreographer.

“Her greatest strength is definitely her style,” Bannon The pair traveled to Nebraska, Indiana and said. “That’s what everyone notices right away and it several local teams in Chicago to choreograph works really well for her. She is extremely artistic and and teach master classes for all different genres. thought-out, and this is expressed through interpre“[Dunne] knows how to stand out, and I am Dunne performs ‘Rabid’ tive, stylized and energetic dances.” constantly amazed by her endless positivity,” in Las Vegas. (WCDE) Dunne spends 13 hours a week dancing and conBannon said.

by Lucy Schaefer @lucy_schaefer3

Girls gymnastics diversifies varsity roster

Alana Prinz ‘19 performs a leap on the balance beam against Hinsdale Central on Jan. 20. (Caroline Konstant/LION)

New team, chemistry, skill level, primarily underclassmen team on road to state

by Abby King @abigailann_01

One word that perfectly sums up the LT girls gymnastics team is progress. After coming from a state championship last year the team lost many of its key athletes to college, leaving a team that is predominantly underclassmen. However, varsity Head Coach Kari Karubas said that this is anything but a building year.

“It’s just such a different group of kids, and they all come from different backgrounds,” Karubas said. “They don’t have the his-

Dangerous dancing

Breakdancing has its roots in The Bronx when rivaling gangs sought out less lethal forms of fighting in the 1970s.

tory that the other pervious teams have had, and one would consider that to be a bit of an obstacle yet it has not been.”

With a new team that has fewer girls doing club and regular season gymnastics, it has taken longer for the girls to get into the swing of things and refocus on the gymnastics mentality.

“It just took a lot more work to get to where we were last year,” Sarah Halm ‘18 said. “But we’re going to get there. We just need to keep working.”

Michelle Flaws ‘16 has had her own difficult journey with a back injury, causing her to take a year off from gymnastics, but she is back and ready to compete.

“I love everything gymnastics teaches you, from how to deal with failure and frustration to how to accept success for your hard work,” Flaws said. “I love the adrenaline rush I get when competing. Gymnastics is more mentally tough than physically tough, so learning how to push through not only physical obstacles but mental ones is something I love about the sport.”

Karubas’s coaching policy is centered around the “now.” She focuses on small goals that she wants her team to accomplish from day to day, instead of solely looking at the bigger picture.

“I never focus on one end product,” Karubas said. “I focus on where we started and where we could end. Everything changes day to day. I always focus on the little things and I know with giving it the due respect it will take us to a good spot in the end.”

The team’s goal for this season is to qualify for state. Their score has improved in each meet they have competed in, and their collective goal is to get a team score in the 140 point range.

“So far this season they have done everything that a coach could ask for,” Karubas said. “Our scores have increased, which is a factor, but for the most part being a very young team and having a new dynamic with every new season that’s been the most enjoyable part of this group of kids.”

Regionals begin on Feb. 4, and with it the road to state.

FantasyFlop A few years ago, fantasy sports leagues were the kind of thing that friend groups, frat bros and office workers would all chip in $20 or so and battle the season out against their friends’ carefully chosen Charlie Stelnicki player combinations. Starting in 2014, these leagues underwent drastic fundamental changes in the way they were played. We’ve all seen the ads that plague football Sundays and block out basketball games like an eclipse—daily fantasy leagues have been on the come up.

The private corporations Fanduel and Draft Kings have very quickly become the ringleaders of America’s newest billion-dollar industry.

Back when fantasy sports were a season-long commitment, skill was involved.

Drafts were held, trades were made and lineups had to be changed regularly for injuries, matchups, and other reasons. These factors made winning a league championship and taking home the cash a respectable feat.

With these new ways of playing, particularly the daily leagues, the only restriction is a salary cap when choosing players. This is the point where I believe it becomes more of a game of chance than a game of skill, when that one night’s game is what either leaves you rich or empty handed, most often the latter.

By no means am I saying that season long leagues are non-existent or less legit just because weekly and daily leagues have risen in popularity. What I am saying is that there is something deeply concerning about monolithic private corporations that advertise themselves in the same way as lotteries, with the mindset that anyone can be a winner, when the odds are stacked against them and online gambling in the broadest sense of the word is illegal under federal law.

From here on out I’ll refer to these games as acts of gambling instead of the skill based leagues they feverously claim to be.

Under the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), all online gambling was banned, but an exception was made for fantasy sports. This is because at the time, the only form that existed was the season long format, which was deemed to be more of a skill game than a game of chance.

The main rebuttal that these billion-dollar companies use when they come under legal scrutiny, particularly in early November 2015 when New York state attempted to ban daily/ weekly leagues, is that they are protected under the UIGEA, which is a huge stretch of the imagination. The act itself does not differentiate between season long and daily simply because daily was not even a fleeting thought at the time the law was passed.

It just doesn’t sit well with me that these two gigantic companies have such extensive influence. The MLB has an equity stake in Draft Kings. The NBA has one in Fanduel.

Nearly every NFL team has advertising deals with one or the other, sometimes both. Even our beloved, hardworking, unsuccessful hometown Bears have made the leap, all in the spirit of profits.

Federal law gives all states rights over their gambling regulations. Nevada, for example, despite being famous for gambling with the metropolis of Las Vegas, banned both Draft Kings and Fanduel on Oct. 15, 2015. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has spoken out against both companies, and the gears of our judicial system are starting to turn, but I think we need to speed up this process and follow Nevada’s footsteps. Even better, we could invoke our congressmen to pass an amendment on the federal level to improve and modernize the UIGEA. These companies masquerade as fair and square entertainment services as they turn people’s pockets inside out on a daily basis.

Neither company has ever formally released definite percentages or ratios of winners to losers, but my generous estimate would be that 80-percent of customers have never won a cent back.

For fantasy sports to survive, I believe they have to take a good while to reflect on where they’ve been and maybe take some more steps to interject skill back into the game. If Fanduel and Draft Kings have the brass to say that clicking a few buttons on a screen for the chance to win money isn’t gambling, then I guess pulling slot levers isn’t, either.

Bowling babble In bowling, a “hambone” refers to rolling four strikes in a row. A “six-pack”, not coincidentally, refers to six.

SPORTS

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 11

Fluctuating footwear

For most track events, racers or flats are worn, but shoes differ in shape at times depending on distance or event type.

Track warms up for spring Boys look to carry over talent and success from cross country season

Girls hope to use enthusiasm, winter practices to flourish

by Tim Mikulski @t_mikulski

by Sheridan Spiess @sheridanspiess

Hannah Dutler ‘16 prepares for her races by visualizing them After a fantastic cross country season culminating in a ninthand spending time with her team. After a one-hour warm-up she sits place finish at Nike Cross Nationals, LT’s boys distance runners with her team members, listens to “Pirates of the Caribbean” music have taken little time to celebrate. The athletes have worked hard and ties her lucky ribbon into her hair hoping to win her race. throughout the winter to keep up their condition from the fall The girls track season has their first meet season to start the first track meets on the on Feb. 11. After doing well in girls cross right foot. country, the girls track team considers new “I think we will carry our success from goals for its upcoming season. nationals into track season,” varsity runner “Hopefully they will bring enthusiasm Vincent Zona ‘17 said. “We have a very and strength from their training [in the cross deep team with runners that can compete country season] and the belief of how good in every event.” they are,” girls cross country coach Greg Most cross country races are three miles Frandsen said. or five kilometers (3.2 miles), but during This enthusiasm will help them as they track the longest race is the 3200 meters. train throughout the season, Frandsen said.

Other distance events include the 1600 “We definitely need to work on our speed meters (one mile), 800 meters, and 4x800 a little bit,” Dutler said. “Track races are a lot meter relay. Some distance squad athletes Above: Sprinter Tyler Delitko ‘16 practices on shorter than cross country so we don’t gave as also run in the 4x400 meter relay. good of an agility base.”

“The most important part is staying hurdles at practice. (Tim Mikulski/LION) Although distance runners have the same patient, building a mileage base and waiting Below: Girls track takes its final turn during 300training as cross country, sprinters who ran to do speed work,” Madell said. “It’s tough meter repeats. (Abby King/LION) cross country have to make the transition having to lose good conditioning taking into doing more speed based activities. time off to avoid injury.”

“You also want to get faster,” Frandsen Joining the distance runners will be the said. “I think their endurance is good and sprinters and throwers, who have also been every race is a chance to compete and to training through winter. While the shot put challenge yourself or to know how to race and discus athletes train separately from the a little better.” runners, all three of the groups affect each Although not required, most members other and interact beyond scoring in meets. of the cross country and track teams partic“Even though the sprint and distance ipate in winter running club to build a base teams have different workouts and don’t for track season. As the runners begin their really stay together in practice, we’re still track season they will not only focus on their all great friends,” sprinter Tyler Delitko ‘16 running individually, but also as a group. said. “We know we can’t accomplish what “I think we built a bond as a team during the cross country we want as a team without one another, so it’s really encouraging to season,” Dutler said. “[Teamwork is] going to be really important have teammates with the same aspirations.” during track especially with relays and team events.”

Some sprinters, such as Jack Luxem ‘16, joined cross country to The girls cross country team placed seventh during their season condition for track. The sprinters did separate workouts on some and hopes to continue placing, which could only be achieved through days during cross country to keep them in top condition. the training they go through.

The track team has already begun practicing. Their first meet is “I’m very happy with the way the season went and the way all of at the Proviso West Valentine Relays, on Feb. 13. Other key comour training paid off in the end,” Sarah Barcelona ‘19 said. petitors this year for LT include distance runner Danny Kilrea ‘18 Even with Illinois being one of the top states in track and and sprinters Reggie Terrell ‘17 and Austin Itturalde ‘17, hurdler cross-country, Frandsen is looking optimistic.

Jakob Mogorovic ‘16 and thrower Chris Wojciak ‘17.

“I’m looking forward to a good season,” Frandsen said. “We have “The most important part of this season will be remembering a lot of very good returning athletes coming back and a lot of state what made cross country successful,” Madell said. “Not taking any qualifiers so we’re hoping they can keep everything rolling for us.” days easy.”

by Izy Scott @3izy3

ball. He developed a knowledge by studying the game to figure The first LT student to ever bowl a perfect game in LT hisout where to improve. That’s not common in our program.” tory has his name mounted high on the wall at Rolling Lanes Not only has Morrill seen McGuinn's advancements over Bowling Alley in Countryside: “Jack McGuinn 300.” On Nov. 24, the years, but Colin Temple '16 has shared a lane with him varsity bowling co-captain Jack McGuinn '16 bowled a perfect for the season, and shared history as the second LT bowler to game against Hinsdale Central. ever roll a perfect 300 at sectionals on Jan. 23.

“I was basically just numb throwing the ball,” McGuinn said.

“Jack is more of a quiet leader,” Temple said. “He has a high “I couldn’t feel or think anything, and they just all fell.” demand of what he wants from his teammates, and leads by Breaking records was not always the norm when McGuinn setting a good example for the team. He sets the standard.” began his LT bowling career, however. McGuinn tried out for LT Although serious and focused before matches, McGuinn bowling his freshman year after occasionally bowling in middle said jokes are often passed amongst the guys between throws. school with his parents who bowled for a “I try to be calm when I bowl but I’ve found that I bowl a local league. lot better when I’m full of energy," “I thought it would be something fun McGuinn said. "My teamto do in high school," McGuinn said. “I was mates definitely bring very bad my freshman year.” the energy.”

What started off as a fun activity soon Joking aside, LT turned into a challenge, when McGuinn was took first at regionals told by doctors that he should stop bowling due Jan. 16 with a 6277 (an averto an elbow injury his freshman year. The injury age individual score of 209 a was caused by overuse from bowling and playing game) and third at sectionals baseball. After surgery and hearing medical warnings, with a 6128 (an average indiMcGuinn found a solution that spared his bowling career. vidual score of 204 a game).

“I had surgery and was told not to bowl anymore,” McGuinn said.

McGuinn averaged 231.83, “I wanted to, though, so I started using two hands which didn’t hurt and placed fourth individually, propelling the my arm at all.” boys to state on Jan. 29 in O’Fallon, Ill. Three years later, still bowling with two hands on the ball and “Jack is like another coach on the team,” Mora 300 in his pocket, McGuinn continues to perform as he has often rill said. “[Scoring 300] has made him more deterscored in the 270s since the historical November match. mined, and when you hit some kind of a milestone “Jack developed a knowledge for the game,” varsity Head for a sport, its all about what’s next."

Coach Gary Morrill said. “It’s not just about throwing a

Next-LevelNBA Last June, the Golden State Warriors did something no team in league history has ever done before. On the world’s biggest stage, down two games to one in the NBA Finals, they Bailey Blum switched to what is known as a “small-ball” lineup, with no player taller than 6-foot 7-inches taking the floor to start the game. This was an extremely risky move, going up against Cleveland’s staggering two massive big men in Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov. This move, however, sent Golden State soaring to an easy threegame win streak and an NBA Championship. So just how did they do it?

Simply put: speed. Versatility. Ball movement. The ability for each and every one of the starting players on the floor for Golden State to stretch to the perimeter and knock down threes. Draymond Green, who played center for Golden State during the small-ball era of the Finals, is shooting over 50 percent from three point range over his last five games. The starters are quick, deadly accurate from the floor and can swing the ball almost effortlessly. This sort of “no position” system, where each and every player can hurt you from any spot on the floor was, in a sense, revolutionary. And it’s taking hold.

The Chicago Bulls appear to be trying to use this method this year, but with mixed results. The Bulls have been beyond streaky. They won six in a row and averaged nearly 106 points per game in early January, but followed that up by losing four of their next five. The reason for this, I believe, is centered around a search for team identity. They’re going from one of the best defensive coaches of all time to a guy who loves offense and has never coached a professional game before: Fred Hoiberg.

Although Tom Thibodeau’s defense-oriented system was groundbreaking for the Bulls and got them back on the big stage for the first time since the Jordan Era, it just wasn’t going to get them a championship. In today’s game, you need offense. And that’s exactly what the Bulls got in Hoiberg. Hoiberg is an offensive expert and led his Iowa State team to multiple exceptional NCAA tournament appearances. Unfortunately for the Bulls, they just don’t quite have the personnel to work within this system.

The Bulls have never been known as a scoring team. Besides Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol, they just don’t have any guys who specialize in scoring.

As sad as it may sound, it’s time for a rebuilding process for the hometown squad. They aren’t going to win a championship with the team they have now, and Gasol has already voiced desires to exercise his player-option in his contract and look elsewhere for next season. The Bulls should trade him before the deadline on Feb. 18, and start to build a new team, a team that Butler would be more than capable of leading. If the Bulls start to redefine themselves using this smallball style and emphasis on three-point shooting, great success should be in the future for them.

The three-point shot has become increasingly more valuable in the recent years of the league, with Golden State being the prime example. It’s as if a team has finally realized that you actually score more points if you shoot from beyond the arc, and spent years developing a team that was near perfect at doing just that.

And it’s led them to a 41-4 record as of Jan. 26.

The league is changing. Small-ball is beginning to take over teams. You can’t win with massive 7-foot, 280-pound paint roamers anymore; you need the guy who can spread the floor by moving well, hitting shots and passing the rock around.

The MVP of the league is no longer the big man, but the little point guard who shoots better than anyone in history: Stephen Curry.

Helpful hands The practice of Self Activation Techniques has proven to help reduce fractures and surguries following sports related injuries by 73-percent in the last five years.

Muscular madness

SPORTS SPORTS Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 12

Scores 

There are over 600 muscles in the human body. If all of them pulled in one direction, a single person could lift up to 25 tons, the equivalent of 10 full sized automobiles.

Highlights  Profiles

New method of activating muscle groups revolutionizes nazareth football program, causes injury rates to plummet

by Philip Smith @phil_ip_smith

A

N

elson, who had s a South African physical therabeen the team pist came to the front of the class in 2012, Dr. Thomas Nelson doctor for the Nazareth had no idea his life was about to be changed football team, immeforever. He watched the head physical ther- diately took the idea to apist, Douglas Heel, take the stage, but Head Coach Tim Racki.

Trying to explain activaNelson was immediately disinterested.

“I want you to imagine that about tion to Racki and the other 90-percent of what you know is not accu- coaches, it was met with uncerrate,” Heel told his class of doctors and cer- tainty at first, and then wonder.

“I was going to let [Nelson] do his tified physical therapists at Nelson’s Westthing,” Racki said. “When we incorporated chester clinic.

“And I looked at him and thought ‘Who breathing, I thought we were on to somethe hell is this guy?’” Nelson said. “’I’m a thing. I’m talking significant differences.”

And the first person activated was Julian frickin’ doctor, who’s he to be saying I don’t know what I’m doing?’ I thought he was a Love, then an incoming freshman, now a Notre Dame bound football commit. wackjob.” “[Love] developed a severe cramp in Yet Heel’s apparent arrogance was well founded. He was pioneering a new form of his right quad during the summer of his physical therapy called Be Activated, which freshman year,” Nelson said. “Having just involves putting large amounts of pressure completed the course, I activated the quad on nerves and other body areas in order to muscle by pushing on his side. The cramp make the body’s muscles fire in the correct went away in seconds and he literally got back up and went back to practice right systematic manner. away.”

“As [Heel] activated Love credits actidifferent areas of peo“And I looked at him vation, from this early ple’s bodies, there was to the team’s two immediate and draand thought ‘Who the stage state titles, for major matic relief in muscle along the way. tension,” Nelson said. hell is this guy?’ I’m a help“It’s huge,” Love “The first ‘Be Activated’ frickin’ doctor, who’s said. “The name of the course just blew my game nowadays is to mind.” he to be saying I don’t avoid injury, and it’s a Heel, who travels the in injury prevenworld educating doctors know what I’m doing? step tion.” and physical therapists Injuries for Nazaon how to activate their I thought he was a reth have been drasmany patients, develtically reduced since oped the technique over wackjob.” activation has been a decade ago. According -Dr. Thomas Nelson progressively inteto Nelson and his assograted. In the first year ciate, Dr. Eric Janota, the body will prioritize two things above alone, injuries were reduced 28-percent, all else: Movement and breathing. Move- according to Nelson. This past season, Nazment is initiated from the hips, specifically areth had a 52-percent reduction in total from a muscle called psoas, and breathing injuries over last past four years compared is initiated from the diaphragm. These are to pre-activation data from 2008-2011.

“We had only six varsity injuries this last required for survival. Nelson said. At least, that is how it should be. But, when these 14 game championship season,” Nelson said.

Despite these amazing statistics, it has priorities are not being met, our bodys will look for ways to compensate or cheat. not been an easy or simple ride for the team.

“The main setback has been the skeptiUnfortunately, these compensations cause pain and injuries, but activation can reduce cism,” Racki said. “You’re always going to get people looking at you out of the corner them, the doctors said.

Before leaving town, the South African of their eye.”

Some of the skeptics were the assistant challenged his students to use these skills in coaches and the players themselves, before their respective medical practices. “[Heel] said, ‘Don’t put this in the drawer they saw the results.

“It’s certainly a little bizarre at first when and leave it alone. You just have to practice it.’” Nelson said. “And that’s how we get to people see these painful pressure points,” Athletic Trainer Andrew Wyman said. the story of Julian Love ‘16.”

“

“

Self-Activation Impact

“But I think it’s one of those things that once someone has done it to you, you feel the difference of it. That’s kind of what makes people feel less weird.”

Nelson credits one of these

moments as pivotal for the Nazareth program.

“If Racki didn’t get activated himself in 2014, we wouldn’t have the program we have,” Nelson said. “He laid down on a table two days before our first football game that season, and when he got off the table he said he felt like Spiderman.” ctivation can also be used to bring the team together on a level beyond athletics. The activation and breathing technique stimulates the parasympathic nervous system allowing the players to relax, connecting their mind and bodies, and allowing them to perform at their highest ability, according to Nelson. “There is nothing that makes us more present in a moment than breathing,” Janota said.

At every halftime, instead of talking about playing points, such as blocking or finishing tackles, the first thing that Racki does is lead the team in 20 belly breaths.

These breaths, originating from the diaphragm and the psoas instead of the chest and shoulders, helps the players relax and focus their energy.

“As we incorporate it more and more, you can see the players are more relaxed and confident,” Racki said.

Breathing is also an integral part of the pregame warmup. Almost half of the time is devoted to either belly breaths or activating with an activation stick, a bent piece of plastic that Nelson developed to help players activate themselves.

“The kids feel safe. The technique gives a feeling of bonding,” Janota said. “To see them able to relax and refocus is amazing.”

This parasympathetic state helps the players’ entire bodies by relaxing them and allowing them to perform at their highest possible ability, according to Nelson. These warmups and halftime points help players perform and develop a strong mentality as a team.

“No one is treated differently. The star of the football team is the same as the newest player,” Janota said. “Everybody’s an equal.”

Data based on Nazareth football team

2012 Performed by Dr. Tom Nelson

2015 Performed by athletes

28% decrease in injuries from 2008-2011 average

56% decrease in season-ending injuries

52% decrease in injuries from 2008-2011 average

73% decrease in season-ending injuries

30% decrease in concussions Source: www.activateanddominate.com

A

F

our years and two state championships after activation was first implemented in Nazareth football, it has begun to spread far and wide.

“We introduced it in girls volleyball this year, the cheerleaders have been doing it for two years, the girls and boys basketball teams are doing it now and the baseball team is starting as well. So the other sports within the school are really catching on,” Nelson said.

Even the

marching band is considering implementing in the coming years.

“Nazareth is kind of our petri dish to see how we can implement it on a larger scale,” Janota said. “At this point in time, our goal is to get the Nazareth program as strong as it can be.”

Other institutions are starting to look into the program as well, such as Brother Rice, Riverside Brookfield, St. Lawrence, a high school in California, and even a NFL team, according to Nelson.

There is also another tool for spreading the activation wave across the country: Graduating seniors.

Love, who described himself as a product of activation, sees it as the future for sports far and wide.

“It’s definitely a thing that’s going to sweep the country pretty soon,” Love said.

The current senior players have seen how activation has progressed and helped their team reach huge success, and plan to continue the trend.

“I will definitely carry the stick around with me, maybe in Notre Dame colors, but I can definitely see myself activating throughout my career,” Love said. “Even after that, when I stop playing football, I will keep activating.”

Varsity swimmer David Rak ‘17 joined LION staff to experience muscle activation before a meet, and reported feeling lighter and more flexible.

(Phil Smith/LION) Visit lionnewspaper.com to view an expanded gallery of Rak’s muscle activation trial.

Gallery

P

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1

2

4

5

5

6

Jacqueline Estey ‘17 drives a 2010 Nissan Murano with 78,000 miles on it. The car is named Mi Rancho for an experience with Stephanie Quirk ‘17. Estey and Quirk had picked up tacos in the car one day.

“She dropped her tacos all over my car and the first thing I said was ‘Mi Rancho’,” Estey said. “After that, the name kind of stuck.”

Estey has been driving Mi Rancho ever since she got her license. Her favorite memory with it was hurrying home alongside Annie Rius ’17 after gymnastics practice one evening. Mi Rancho won by a landslide, Estey said.

“Her minivan was no match for my Nissan,” Estey said.

6

Emma Bastyr ‘17 drives a gold 2003 Honda Pilot named Amie with 133,567 miles. Amie got her name when Bastyr and a friend were driving and the Pure Prairie song “Amie” came on the radio.

“I’m not really sure how the song relates to my car, but either way she’s such an Amie,” Bastyr said. “She embodies a strong, independent woman who has gone through many experiences.”

Surviving the past 13 years, Amie has had her fair share of minor accidents, including one in which Bastyr’s mother backed out of the garage hitting Amie in the front bumper.

“Amie took the hit like a champ,” Bastyr said. “I think the huge dent adds a little toughness and character to her.”

cars

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 14

3

photos and profiles compiled by Kristen Roemer, Mary Sullivan and Juliana Halpin

by Katie Palermo @thekatester223 The LT Car Care (LTCC) Auto Club is the community’s go-to place for inexpensive car service. From simple oil changes to brake jobs, LTCC has it covered. Club sponsor Jordan Engelhardt is the individual to contact for more information on services.

The club meets every Wednesday after school in room 176 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The 41 members of Auto Club can finish projects that were started in one of their automotive classes with the help of other members. Instead of having a single period to learn and work on automobiles, the club has two more hours to work.

“Auto Club has helped me greatly in expanding my knowledge [of cars],” club president Alex Gonzalez ‘16 said. “Every week there is a new lesson being taught.”

Experience is not necessary to be a part of Auto Club, because “everyone needs to start from somewhere,” Engelhardt said. Working on cars is not the only thing that auto club does. They also compete in various competitions, go on field trips and race their drag car.

Auto Club has helped students spark an interest in careers dealing with automobiles.

“LTCC has improved my knowledge and led me to the career path [at McPherson College] I am currently following,” club vice president Chase Mulvenna ‘16 said.

Auto Club participation usually leads to students deciding to follow a career in the automotive industry. Automotive technicians and engineers are the most popular paths.

“There’s something about being surrounded by fellow [auto club] classmates that all share a similar passion that motivates one to become interested in a career in automotive technology,” Engelhardt said.

LT mechanics learn to maintain vehicles

Students work on cars

4 The sleek, silver 2004 Infiniti G35x that is often parked near the Citgo meters on school days has a name. That name is Ilsa.

“I wanted the car to start with an I,” Joe Mancuso ‘16 said. “Because of the make of the car, it was the first name I thought of.”

Between school, work, the mall, Six Flags and more, Ilsa has been Mancuso’s main cruise for the past eight months.

“I bought it myself,” Mancuso said. “I had money from the previous car I owned and then worked almost everyday for about five months to buy this one” Ilsa has suffered one minor accident, but she has since recovered and is currently in good condition.

Mercedes mercy

1

Zack Hughes ‘16 drives a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS that is one of 30 in the United States. The car is named Jackie, after the character on “That ‘70’s Show.” Hughes thinks his car is similar to Jackie’s behavior on the show.

“Jackie is a witch on the show and my car is a witch to drive,” Hughes said.

Hughes has made many memories with Jackie. Among his favorite recollections with the car are late night cruises on Lake Shore Drive. Every once in a while, he will drive down this street at 4 a.m. with a bunch of his friends following behind in their cars.

3

Jack Bernstein ‘17 drives a silver 2002 Sedan Infiniti named Dale with 162,458 miles. Dale is named after the NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., after Bernstein and his older sister Madeline Bernstein ‘15 received numerous speeding tickets.

“Dale is falling apart,” Jack said. “He is held together by duct tape and doesn’t have many years left.”

Although Dale is past his prime, Jack has made many memories with him. Jack’s favorite memory is a fender bender that took place in a parking lot shortly after getting his license.

“I made everyone in the car get out in the rain because I was under 17 and had too many passengers,” Jack said.

2

Despite the initial protests from his parents, Graham Kutchek ‘17 went ahead and purchased a ‘64 VW microbus when he was in seventh grade. This large, aqua-colored machine turns heads wherever it goes and is the source of many smiles, stares and car-related conversations whenever it is seen chugging through the LaGrange/Western Springs area.

“I’ve gotten pulled over by police officers a few times, and freaked out because I thought I was in trouble,” Kutchek said. “Then it turned out they just want to talk about the van.”

Along with the microbus, Graham is also the owner of a red ‘67 VW convertible bug. His cousin Kenna Hansen ‘17 also owns a VW bug meriting their nickname of the “bug family”.

Adolf Hitler wrote to a Mercedes-Benz dealership begging for a car loan while in jail.

Boasting Bugatti

The most expensive retail car is a 1931 Royale Bugatti Kellner Coupe. It is currently valued at $8.7 million.

Hydro hazard

About 125,000 golf balls a year are hit into the water at the famous 17th hole of the Stadium Course at Sawgrass.

PROFILES

Moon madness

Al Shepard Jr. was the first person to play golf on the moon, performing a onehanded swing with a six iron.

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 15

To qualify, applicants must have:

Since 1930, the Evans Scholarship has been available to help young caddies pay for college. Started by Chick Evans, a famous amateur golfer in the early 1900s, the scholarship has helped over 10,600 caddies since its start.

Financial need Applicants must have a clear financial need for college.

Outstanding character Demonstrated character, leadership, integrity and other standout traits.

95%

The graduation rate of Evans Scholars

3.2

Strong caddie record Completed Two years their junior of caddying year of high before they apply, and school and planning to maintained caddie at their at least a B-average in club the year courses as well they apply as well. as took the ACT.

Excellent academics

24%

Source: www.wgaesf.org

The average GPA of an The percentage of Evans Scholar

by Grace Palmer @gpalmz32

women in the Evans Scholars Program compiled by

During the summer, most teenagers slowly crawl out of bed around lunch time and watch Netflix until Garrett Ariana their eyes hurt, but Danny Benson ‘16 is up before dawn and on the fairways of LaGrange Country Club ready to get out, caddy and make some money.

“Waking up at 5:30 a.m. in the summer is definitely a grind,” Benson said. “But it has taught me a lot of new things.”

Benson’s four years of early mornings has not only paid off with the $2,000-$3,500 he makes every summer, but with the fact that he is one of the two caddies at LGCC to receive the Evans Scholarship.

“It’s awesome that paying for college is one less thing to worry about,” Benson said. “But it is more than that because it puts me on a better path for the future.”

Benson has gotten more out of caddying than just the monetary value, he said. In fact, he has learned things he might not have had he not joined caddying.

“There is a whole social aspect like being able to talk to adults without getting nervous,” Benson said. “[They] give little pointers about applying to colleges and what to go into in the future. [It’s] just some real world advice.”

Along with this advice from the older members, he has gained experience that has helped him discover what he wants to do in life.

“Caddying has helped [Benson] by giving him a chance to experiment and learn more about various successful occupations that the members at LGCC have,” fellow caddy Nick Wojcicki ’17 said. “[This] allowed him to create a specific goal for college, [his] education and his career.”

With these new experiences from various members and people, it has helped showcase his scholarship-winning abilities. “[Danny] works very hard, he is enthusiastic, capable and well-rounded,” Danny’s mother, Sheila Benson, said. “He doesn’t take things on simply to build an impressive resume; he has a wide variety of interests and immerses himself in whatever he does.”

With this scholarship, Danny has committed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and plans to study pre-law, he said. With the money he has saved, he hopes to go to law school for his graduate studies.

“The scholarship is helpful to Danny and our family in so many ways,” Sheila said. “It is a testament that hard work and dedication can pay off, and he will graduate from a respected university free of debt.”

S S C O T T’S R A M B L E

Welcome to Scott’s Scramble, the only place in LION where you can find purposeful typos. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to unscramble these golf-themed words, and then use the highlighted letters to solve the riddle.

Stumped or want to review your answers? Check out lionnewspaper.com online to see this issue’s solution to the scramble.

Puzzle created by Izy Scott

1) OHEL __ __ __ __ 2) CIPH __ __ __ __ 3) TRUPTE

After ditching class to golf, the __ __ __ __ __ __ students could tell by Dr. Waterman’s expression that they were 4)YEGOB

“__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.”

__ __ __ __ __ 5) KENBUR __ __ __ __ __ __ Staged photo with Jason Miller ‘16, Siobhan Callahan ‘17 and Dr. Brian Waterman. (Izy Scott/LION)

by Caroline Konstant @carolinekon

Waking up at 5:30 a.m. and waiting in the brutal heat of a summer day was never listed in the job description of a caddy, but Grant Kedzuch ‘16 has experienced it through his past five years of caddying. This past November, Kedzuch received the honorable Chick Evans Scholarship with a full-ride to Indiana University (IU), his dream school, after coming home to a letter on Thanksgiving break.

“It was nerve wracking to open the letter, but also exciting,” Kedzuch said. “The Evans Scholarship is more likely to send you to an in-state college, so to get into Indiana was truly a dream come true.”

With the scholarship, Kedzuch now does not have to worry about taking out loans to pay for college. However, in order to keep the scholarship, he must maintain a 3.0 GPA while attending IU and participate in numerous Chick Evans chapter activities.

Kedzuch agonized meticulously for over a month and a half to prepare his entire application: writing the essay and finding candidates to write his letters of recommendation.

“The essay took me the longest because it had no strict guidelines,” Kedzuch said. “It was difficult to fit in everything I wanted to say. I revised and edited for days, if not weeks.”

Kedzuch began compiling letters of recommendation from men whom he had met on the course throughout his caddying career. One was Tim McVady, Western Golf Association director and another Evans Scholar.

“I became an advocate for Kedzuch,” McVady said. “He did all the hard work. I simply shared my insights and guided him through the process.”

Kedzuch has caddied at La Grange Country Club for five years and has also worked two other jobs. His mother, Melanie Kedzuch, instilled the ideas of hard work and dedication throughout his time working and has seen him grow as a caddy both on and off the course.

“Caddying taught him patience and that people are different,” Melanie said. “He learned the etiquette and became very observant and patient through his time working.”

As time went on, Kedzuch found that he could learn from the men he caddied for. He started to listen while caddying and sparked conversations. The quality time he spent on the fairways allowed him to converse with the golfers during their stop in play.

“A lot of the good rounds I had on the golf course helped me find the inspiration for my essay,” Kedzuch said. “I learned lessons of patience and time management through my time being a caddy, and it really showed through my essay.”

Not only was the time on the golf course an important asset to Kedzuch’s essay, but it has also given him the opportunity to talk about his future in business with experienced men, Kedzuch said.

Now, the connections he has made caddying and the Chick Evans Scholarship will open doors for college and beyond.

Caffiene carryover

Colossal coffee

Signs of caffeine toxicity might include a racing heart, sweating, seizures, vomiting, muscle tremors and respiratory collapse.

The largest cup of coffee contains 14,228.1 liters and was created by Caffe Bene in Yangju, South Korea, on July 17, 2014.

caffeine

Friday, January 29, 2016  Pages 16 and 17

Hot helping

Tea takeover

Kerri Paul and Nicole Ingalls drank a total of 80-ounces of coffee in 15 minutes while working at their office, creating a world record.

Tea leaves have a higher content of caffeine than coffee beans but, due to the weaker style of brewing, tea is usually less caffeinated.

Think before you brew

Exploring caffeine

A collection of medical advice and a personal story

A tribute to my week-long caffeine purge

by Drew Cushing @drewcushing32

by Lauren Hucko @laurenhucko

M

ore than ever these days it seems that most high school students consume some amount of caffeine in order to stay up late to finish projects or to be alert during the school day. According to the FDA, about 80 percent of the U.S. population take some form of caffeine everyday.

“I love the taste of coffee, so I have to have it in the morning,” English teacher Virginia Condon said. “I take one cup in the morning and one cup in the afternoon, so I don’t take it all day, except I have Diet Coke sometimes too.”

Although caffeine can help in keeping one awake, consuming too much of it can have negative consequences to your health. For example, too much caffeine can cause headaches and, as your body begins to develop a tolerance to caffeine if you continue to drink it, a sudden stop of use can cause nausea and vomiting.

“Caffeine is an effective drug with an unusually safe dose profile,” Dr. Chris Reilly, neuroradiologist at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Minnesota, said. “Like all drugs, its use is influenced by induced tolerance, where people need to take larger doses to obtain the same effect over time. The tolerance curve is less severe than many drugs and withdrawal effects are common but most often limited to headaches and irritability.”

Although Condon believes that coffee is beneficial overall, she does recommend that consumers use it sparingly and said that when she doesn’t have coffee, she gets wicked headaches.

“I started using caffeine regularly the second semester of my freshman year because I had trouble sleeping, so I needed something to keep me awake during the school day,” Audrey O’Donnell ‘16 said. “It got to the point where I would pour a Crystal Light energy drink packet into a Mountain Dew, and then swallow a 200 mg caffeine pill with the entire concoction. I was probably consuming around 950 mg of caffeine on an average day and sleeping three to five hours a night.”

According to Mayo Clinic, it’s safe for most healthy adults to consume 400 mg of caffeine per day, and anything above 600 mg is too much. If a person starts taking caffeine in an amount above 600 mg, they can start to feel changes in mood and also other physical effects.

“My sleep habits became even worse because I had to drink caffeine at night to get my homework done,” O’Donnell said. “It made falling asleep before 2 a.m. nearly impossible. I was jumpy, unfocused, anxious, foggy-brained, dreadfully forgetful and completely unproductive that semester.”

O’Donnell has since reduced her caffeine intake to only coffee, and she doesn’t drink it after 1p.m. during the school week.

These effects can begin to take place because of the tolerance your body develops toward caffeine, and although one may be able to stay awake a little longer, the long term health consequences can be disastrous. Excessive use of caffeine can lead to an irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, osteoporosis, heartburn or dehydration. In extreme cases, an overdose of caffeine can even lead to death.

“The main problem with caffeine is that people fail to treat it like a drug,” Reilly said. “An afternoon cup of coffee is twice the dose of afternoon tea of the same volume and may be a lot more likely to lead to loss of sleep that night. Energy drinks are particularly egregious. One 5-Hour Energy is 200 mg, compared with 29 mg for a can of Coke or 95mg for a cup of coffee.”

So it’s best to weigh your options when deciding whether or not to take some caffeine to help you in your next all-nighter, especially since it’s a substance that actually has no nutritional value.

O

n a typical morning, the halls of LT are abuzz with students and teachers toting mugs filled with caffeinated beverages. Whether their reason be lack of sleep or they just enjoy the extra boost, they still are relying on a caffeinated crutch to get them through their day.

I am no exception. Like many of my peers, my schedule is quite hectic. I have been guilty of using caffeine as tool to enhance my academic performance since the beginning of my junior year. A typical day for me includes attending school, participating in one of many extracurricular activities and going to work before finally returning home to embark on many hours of homework.

There is no proper balance between a full schedule and sufficient sleep; therefore, to supplement the sleep I am trading in for other activities I have deemed more important, I turn to caffeine. Whether it be a cup of coffee at 9 p.m. to augment my mental clarity and eradicate exhaustion or a mug of green tea to allow me to “recover” from a night of little sleep, my dependence on caffeine is a dynamic force in my academic practice.

In order to test my capabilities sans caffeine, I decided to remove all forms of caffeine including coffee, tea, soda and chocolate from my diet for the first week of the new semester. The night before second semester began, I tossed and turned thinking about the academic stress of the semester to come mixed with the anxiety of college acceptances still in question. While it is hard to admit, I actually became quite nervous knowing I would not have the support of caffeine while commencing second semester.

The second my alarm blared on the first day back, I was overwhelmed with a yearning to remain in bed. It was cold, I was tired and I wished I could brew a cup of coffee to boost my morning mood. Instead, I chose decaffeinated tea and made my way to school. To my surprise, by the time first period concluded I had woken up and the thought of caffeine had fled my mind. I felt naturally awake but knew that exhaustion would soon return once homework was assigned and activities resumed.

The week continued to progress in a similar fashion until I was faced with a busy school night. Around 8 p.m., I was struggling to stay awake.

I knew I needed to find another mechanism to allow myself to complete my homework, so I consulted the internet where I learned that exercising amid study time can enhance focus and temporarily eliminate drowsiness. I decided to take a half an hour out of my homework time to work out and the results were exceptional. Upon the conclusion of my workout, I was wide awake and ready to complete the rest of my homework.

As the week concluded, I began to experience side effects beyond drowsiness that I unfortunately could not quell with exercise. I had difficulty focusing on my homework and even experiences minor headaches in the mornings.

While I am not sure that this week long caffeine cleanse will be the end of my caffeine consumption, I do know that I do not need to rely on caffeine to be successful. I have learned that exercise can be as beneficial as caffeine, and it is much healthier.

From this moment forward, I plan to use caffeine sparingly so I do not develop an unbreakable dependence and can live a healthier life.

The images and quotations below refer to members of the LT community who consume caffeine.

Their responses include their caffeinated beverage of choice, how much of it they drink and why they utilize caffeine. compiled by Lea Voytovich

Grace Salvino ‘16 Cherry Coke 5 cans a day “I have always loved a cold, carbonated, dark soda.

Cherry Coke is like a treat throughout the day.”

Shayna Prinz ‘17 Coffee 1-2 cups a day “I drink coffee whenever I feel tired. Plus it tastes good.”

Hunter Pendleton ‘17 Coffee 1-3 cups a day “I drink coffee because I love the taste and because it gives me energy to focus throughout my entire day.”

Danielle Parker (teacher) Coffee/Tea At least 1 cup a day “I drink coffee or tea to stay warm in the cooler months, to wake me up in the morning and because it tastes yummy.”

Matt Danbury ‘16

Black Coffee or Americano 1 cup a day (only week days) “I love the taste of good coffee. When I don’t have it, I feel drained and groggy all morning.”

Peyton Hammon ‘17

Blueberry Tea 1 cup a day “[Tea] helps me wake up to do my homework, but it is not extremely overwhelming like coffee.”

Kaelan Lee ‘18 Coca-Cola Four times a week “I like the taste of it and I like having it frequently.”

PREDICT

Quality quartz

The largest crystal ball, made out of quartz, took 28 people and eight months to create by hand.

Perfect predictions

Elena Sheppard predicted every Golden Globe Award in 2013 with 100% accuracy.

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 18

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compiled by Caroline Konstant

Killer knockout

Kanye West has won 21 Grammys, more than the Beatles, Barbara Streisand and James Taylor combined.

Music Welcome to...

Fresh first

Friday, January 29, 2016 n Page 19

In 1989, the Fresh Prince (Will Smith) and DJ Jazzy Jeff won the first Grammy for a Rap Performance.

With the Grammys approaching on Feb. 15, LION decided to explore its role in today’s society. Check lionnewspaper.com to see Heidi Hauch and Gaby Sabatino’s full predicitions for some of the Record of the Year: Grammy’s most “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd prestigious awards.

Song of the Year:

THE GRAMMYS Gaby Heidi Record of the Year:

“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Album of the Year:

“1989” by Taylor Swift

Song of the Year:

“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

Best New Artist: James Bay

The Grammys’ pop problem

by Bailey Blum @ultimatebailey

Let’s take a moment and imagine if the nominations for “Best Picture” at the Oscars were like the nominations for “Record of the Year” at the Grammys in 2015. That would mean that “Furious 7”, “Mockingjay Part 2”, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Minions” would all receive nominations, based solely on their status as some of the highest grossing films of the year. While all are certainly respectable films in their own right, none exactly jump out to us as films we would consider “movie of the year.”

That’s because the Academy does something very admirable when choosing the nominations for “Best Picture” at the Oscars. They consider artistic value, movies that break away from the norm and present something unique in cinematography. That’s how movies such as “Boyhood” and “Birdman” break the mold and become leading candidates for the award. Because of these nominations, the general public is exposed to movies that the majority of them have probably never heard of, and everyone can appreciate these new artistic values that the movies bring.

The nominations for “Record of the Year” at the Grammys last year were “All About that Bass” by Meghan Trainor, “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift, “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, “Chandelier” by Sia and “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith. All five of these songs appeared in the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100, a list based solely on radio play, streaming frequency and sales. And yet, the Grammy website defines this most prestigious award as one “without regard to album sales or chart position.” Is it just a coincidence that all of the nominations for the supposedly highest possible award in music also happened to be the highest selling songs of the year? You tell me if “Fancy” or “All About that Bass” are worthy of the highest “artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry,” as Grammy puts it.

So the Grammys are a popularity contest. What’s the big deal? The big deal is that the awards are putting already successful and well-known artists such as Nicki Minaj, Kanye West or Imagine Dragons on stage in front of 28 million people and setting them up to have (as statistics indicated last year) an 800-percent increase in sales. People like to see artists they know perform, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.

Why not give an unknown yet talented artist a chance to experience this same rise to glory? The Grammys would be much more effective if they laced together performances from new, lesser known artists between more popular artists, so that there’s at least some new elements to the show instead of the same old artists you hear every day on the radio. For now though, take all of the awards with a grain of salt, and know that it’s not so much a measure of talent as it is a measure of popularity.

“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar

Album of the Year:

“1989” by Taylor Swift

Best new artist: James Bay

Poptimistic about the Grammys

by Tim Mikulski @t_mikulski

With the Grammy nominations announced and the air date (Feb. 15) creeping forward, the annual argument of how relevant the awards really are returns, each year louder than before. While the critics who call for more small acts and independent music in the Grammys have a larger voice each year, the changes that they want would leave the awards show just a shell of its current giant status.

The most important part of the Grammy Awards is that they are a big-name awards show for big-name artists that embody the mass cultural appeal of pop music. They fill the popular niche in our culture that is defined separate from the world of independent music.

The Grammys serve a much different purpose to music than the Academy Awards to film. Unlike the art films promoted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts, a Grammy is a pop culture award at its core, and the criteria by which The Recording Academy define quality and artistic merit is far different from that of its critics. The Grammy Awards are not meant to define the most artistically forward or experimental music of the year, but rather preserve a snapshot of the year in pop culture—which can’t be done without pop music.

The Recording Academy has been accused of nominating “token” indie acts to give an appearance of diversity, and to some extent this is true. Most notable is Beck’s upset of Beyoncé’s landmark self-titled album with his simple but one-note return effort “Morning Phase” last year, but critics who cite the Academy Awards as superior to the Grammys neglect that flukes like Beck’s victory happen just as often through the Academy: “Forrest Gump” over “Pulp Fiction” in 1995, “Crash” over “Brokeback Mountain” in 2006, and even Ben Affleck being panned in 2013 despite his fantastic work as director in “Argo”.

The perceived injustice of the Grammys is ultimately rooted in its critics’ unrealistic expectation for a universal acceptance of independent music. Pop music is defined by its mass appeal, so indpendent acts that are inclined towards a more niche style are by nature going to reach a smaller and more select audience. Awards and means of discovery certainly exist for these growing acts, and if anything it’s easier than ever to search for new music. Between the rise of indie record labels, huge music festival undercards, conventions like South by Southwest and independent music prizes like Mercury, Polaris and Shortlist, the Grammys don’t unfairly cut out independent music.

Instead of risking the alienation of its viewers, the Grammys stay true to mass-market popular culture origins and bring in a list of big names to affirm its status as “music’s biggest night”.

Cupid’s Cabaret

LT Choir presents their musical talent show and bake sale “Cupid’s Cabaret.” The event takes place on Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Corral. Tickets will be sold prior to the show for $5 per person.

Friday, January 29, 2016  Page 20

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Taco Cantina satisfies standards Local taqueria offers inexpensive grub, lacks authentic spice

and required a dose of one of the house sauces brought to the table before it had any flavor.

For the main course, we decided to try the enchiladas en mole

by Lauren Hucko ($8) and the steak burrito ($6). While the enchiladas were served @laurenhucko with a liberal helping of Spanish rice and refried beans, the mole sauce lacked the spice and authentic flavor As I entered Taco Cantina located at I was hoping for. The burrito, on the other 50 S. La Grange Rd., I was impressed by hand, was packed with steak, avocado, the rustic atmosphere. Tasteful lights were beans, cheese, tomato, lettuce and sour strung across the low-beamed ceiling creatcream all neatly wrapped in a flour tortilla. ing a perfect juxtaposition with the ambient Although the lettuce was far from crisp darkness. Additionally, the soft yet audible and the steak was slightly overdone, its Latino music solidified the quaint, casual cohesive flavor was exceptional. feel.

Following our meal, we ordered the Shortly after entering the restaurant, we fried ice cream ($5) which consisted of a were seated at a faux refurbished wood table scoop of vanilla ice cream battered and adorned with a candle and complimentary fried, placed in a cinnamon-coated pastry chips and salsa. However, it took our dish and covered with whipped cream, waitress quite some time to visit our table chocolate sauce and a cherry. This dish was considering we were one of only five groups pure decadence, and it rivaled any tradiseated. After approximately 10 minutes, she tional ice cream sundae. finally inquired regarding our drink and Although we did not try the tacos ($3), appetizer order. they appeared fresh and were presented We commenced our dining experience Taco Cantina’s fried ice cream aesthetically based on what we observed from the by ordering rice water ($2.50) and the taquidessert. (Lauren Hucko/LION) tables around us. to appetizer ($5). The rice water had a smooth Along with serving lunch and dinner, Taco Cantina includes a cinnamon flavor that was peculiar yet appetizing, but the taquitos breakfast menu and a full bar. fell short. The mediocre appitizer consisted of five tacquitos stuffed Bottom line: If you can look past slow wait staff and enjoy mild with chicken and placed on a heapng bed of cabbage and pico de Mexican cuisine, Taco Cantina is the perfect place to meet with gallo. Although they were plated marvelously, their hard shells friends to enjoy an inexpensive meal. made consumption quite difficult. Additionally, the chicken was dry

Jan. 21- Dec. 15- Adler After Dark, Adler Planetarium, South Loop Chicago, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 30- Polar Bear Plunge, Oak Street Beach, Chicago, 12 p.m.

Jan. 31- International Kennel Club Dog Shows, Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake, 12 a.m.

Jan. 31- Third Annual Donut Fest, Chop Shop, Bucktown, 12 a.m.

Feb. 9- “Sing, America” Valentine’s Day sing-along, Harris Theater, Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13- Cupid’s Undie Run, John Barleycorn, Wrigleyville, 12 p.m.

Feb. 13- Feb. 21- Chicago Auto Show, McCormick Place, South Loop Chicago, 9 a.m.

Feb. 13- March 13- Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, 10 a.m.

Feb. 14- Chinese New Year Parade, Chinatown, Chicago, 1 p.m.

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David Bowie

New menu at Starbucks includes late night snacks

on a pristine white plate made the food much easier to handle.

The chicken sausage & mushroom flatbread, ($6.95,

by Abby King 310 cal.) however, yielded very different results. I sug@abigailann_01 gest only venturing to this type of flatbread if you have After a hectic day of school and activities, I made a fierce love for spicy sausage. The ingredients together the 10-minute drive to Burr Ridge to, believe it or not, left a strong, pungent aftertaste and were not as good a Starbucks. The busy, fast-paced and loud environment of a combination compared to the artichoke & goat that you would typically see at this coffee shop during cheese option. the day was transformed into a peaceful, calming setting If you’re looking for something to merely snack at night. on while you do Starbucks Eveyour homework nings is a relatively or catch up with new extension of a friend in this the popular coffee cozy little oasis, I shop we have all strongly recomgrown to rely on mend the artifor our caffeine fix. choke spinach dip The two stores that with pita chips now offer extended ($5.95 460 cal.). hours in our area Although the are the Starbucks in pita chips were Countryside (open slightly stale, the until 10 p.m.) and dip was warm and Burr Ridge (open was presented until 11 p.m.). Not nicely, and more Starbucks’ artichoke and goat cheese flatbread and blueberry muffin. only do they offer small than anything it (Mary Sullivan/LION) plates of hor d’oeuvres smelled absolutely and, for those legally allowed, a wide selection of spardelicious. kling white and red wine as well as craft beer, but they The meatballs with tomato basil sauce ($6.95, 300 also provide a temporary sanctuary from the stress that cal.) were absolutely dreadful. The sour sauce took any day can bring. away from the meatballs, which by themselves tasted I immediately noticed the dimmed lights, contribonly mediocre. And even though they were generous uting to the soothing ambiance that I had never known with the proportions, with five meatballs per oder, it Starbucks was capable of producing. The relatively few definitely not worth the 300 calories. customers in the store were mellow and friendly which Finally, I topped off my food marathon with parmemade me feel very comfortable and at home. It was as san-crusted chicken skewers with honey-dijon sauce if the peaceful background music seemed to slow down ($4.95, 340 cal.). I’m not sure how, but it seems to me everything around me. I then went up to the counter that every time you poke food through a stick it tastes and asked for a menu and was greeted with friendly better. The chicken was somewhat dry but the sauce service from the barista. fixed the problem immediately. I suggest the dab, twist The artichoke & goat cheese flatbread ($6.95, 310 and bite method I used. It proved to be extremely succal.) was impeccable. I was not fooled by the fact that cessful. it had merely been heated up for in the microwave for Bottom line: Starbucks Evenings was a peaceful 30 seconds, but nonetheless it was a perfect mingling of place to do homework and nibble on tasty appetizers, different ingredients encased with warm, crispy flatso if you need a nice quiet place I suggest it in a heartbread. The presentation was clean, and the precut bread beat.

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MLK Celebration

Read the entire extended version of the retrospective on the late great David Bowie.

North Campus

New Starbucks menu delights

Read about the third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration hosted by the Black Culture and Multi-Culture Club on Jan. 15.

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100 S. Brainard Ave. LaGrange, Ill. 60525

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South Campus

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The Revenant

Check out our review of the Academy Award-nominated survival drama “The Revenant” starring Leonardo Dicaprio.

Weekend Weather Friday

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Sunday

Cloudy High: 37 Low: 34

Cloudy High: 46 Low: 34

Showers High: 45 Low: 32

Tribute to Bowie A Retrospective on the Life of David Bowie

by Tim Mikulski @t_mikulski

After David Bowie passed away from liver cancer on Jan. 10, the musical world joined in a chorus Tim Mikulski of tributes, memories and praise of his legacy. Looking back on his discography, you can see the unique cultural movement each album embodied, as well as the inspiration it left behind.

These five memorable albums were just a few highlights from Bowie’s extensive career.

“The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”, 1972: Ziggy Stardust began when Bowie launched an iconic new stage performance around a striking costume, red-dyed hair, and a space-age aesthetic. With the following album, Ziggy Stardust’s place in history was cemented as the poster character of Bowie’s breakout style. Important song: “Starman” “Diamond Dogs”, 1974: This album captured an image of Bowie in a transitional phase between the folky songwriting and spacey performances of the Ziggy Era, the intense and nearly burnt out Thin White Duke era, and the secluded experimentation of the Berlin Trilogy. All of these traits melded together on the timeless “Diamond Dogs”, the first big step away from Bowie as a space hero. Important song: “Rebel Rebel” “Heroes”, 1977: Stemming from the midst of Bowie’s seclusion in Berlin, and the three albums he recorded there with Brian Eno are acclaimed as a perfect mold of his pop origins with Eno’s groudnbreaking production in the midst of his own experimental work. It also symbolized a new phase in Bowie’s career after beating his cocaine addiction and returning to tour.

Important song: “Heroes” “Tonight”, 1984: A return to pop music in the ‘80s saw Bowie embrace dance music more than ever before, with the whole era generating a collection of sugary, danceable hits. The new sound brought Bowie back to mainstream success and capped the most productive years of his career. Important song: “Let’s Dance” “Blackstar”, 2016: David Bowie’s final album is an eerie goodbye delivered from Bowie himself, in a manner as experimental as ever.

Producer Tony Visconti said that Bowie created and timed the album as a parting gift to his fans, and “Blackstar” surely bound to be recognized as one of the most powerful finales of any artist’s career.

Important song: “Lazarus”

Hall of Fame

Find out our opinion on Pete Rose’s elongated ban from Major League Baseball’s illustrious Hall of Fame.

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