Suspensions due to alcohol rise Paperighlights
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Look here for some quick reads on this issue’s features. Page 2: Find out how the EpiPen crisis affects LT. Page 3: Get the scoop on SC’s lockdown on Oct. 15. Page 4: Kairos? Snowball? PF? Read the secrets of all of the different retreats. Page 5: Snackers, a Western Springs favorite restaurant, has officially closed its doors, and will be replaced by Salted Fig. Page 6: Odd News and the Twitter Box make their anticipated return. Page 8: What’s the deal with safe spaces? Two LION staffers face off over the controversial topic. Student section at the pink-out football game versus Hinsdale Central. (Katie Palermo/LION)
Repercussions of alcohol use at football games include stricter security policies, increased attention
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alking into Bennett Field Friday Oct. 7, students may have noticed some changes upon arrival. Due to recent alcohol abuse at school events, security at football games has increased. While it is not a new policy that students cannot bring in unsealed drinks, the emphasis on enforcing this rule has increased through the checking of bags, and throwing away any open drinks. “We started enforcing the policy of not allowing kids to bring in outside beverages. It’s always been the policy, but we were too lax in enforcing it,” Assistant Principal Kris Costopoulos said. “We had some issues at the first game that made us concerned for our students’ welfare. We decided to get back to enforcing the policy to help keep all of our students safe.” The number of students suspended due to alcohol use in the first quarter of the 2016-17 school year has almost reached the total amount of alcohol-related suspensions of the 2015-16 school year, according to the AP office. Last year, 14 students were suspended, while in the first quarter of this year there have already been 12—two freshman, three sophomores, and seven seniors. “If there is even one person using alcohol, then I say it’s an issue,” Assistant Principal Adam Davis said. “That’s why we take it so seriously.
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“If there is even one person using alcohol, then I say it’s a problem.” -Assistant Principal Adam Davis
We try to make sure we are present and available so kids see us as a deterrent to not make poor choices prior to coming to a game.” LT administration has taken notice of this increase. In order to combat the issue of alcohol use, the administration brought attention to the suspensions in the first game. This resulted in the tightening of the rules and keeping policies and practices the same, Davis said. “Our goal at football games and other special events is that kids have a great time and stay safe,” Principal Brain Waterman said. “That has always been our goal and will remain our goal.” Students who are under the influence face an automatic 10-day suspension. While there are alternate suspension programs, such as attending a drug and alcohol program, the suspension is still recorded on a student’s internal LT record. While the infraction does not go on a student’s permanent record, high school records can affect their careers.
Athlete and activist Q&A by Charlie Stelnicki @c_stelnicki
It has been nearly two months since the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a silent protest about discrimination and racial violence. It has connected professional and high school athletic fields to the streets of our nation.
North Campus
Recently, players from Glenbard West have taken a knee in solidarity with Kaepernick. Although no LTHS athletes have participated in similar protests during the National Anthem, the issue has proliferated our national dialogue. Here are some thoughts from our student body.
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by Lea Voytovich @_leaaa21
“We want students to know that making smart decisions is important,” Davis said. “High school students may not realize that their records stay with them. While it doesn’t necessarily follow them to college, it can impact them later on if a recruiter comes and asks for their high school record.” Jobs that require checking of high school records include any kind of military position, law enforcement, government positions, such as the FBI, and legal professions. “I’ve been an assistant principal for 10 years, and I have had potential employers come to check on an LT graduate’s high school record,” Davis said. “This probably happens at least five to seven times a year.” Underage drinking is not a new problem, but different classes have their own personalities, so the attitudes and decisions of students on alcohol varies, Costopoulos said. “Anyone under the influence makes bad choices, especially kids because they don’t realize how al-
cohol will affect them,” Costopoulos said. “Students might think they are fine, but they’re not. Alcohol can make an already tense situation (like the Hinsdale game) potentially dangerous, and we’re just trying to protect our students.” Any time LT staff notices that a student is under the influence, the police and the assistant principal investigate it first from the perspective of the student’s safety, then supporting the student and then the consequence, Waterman said. “I think the most effective way to combat alcohol use is continual conversation and little events throughout the year that reinforce the dangers,” Waterman said. “It’s that cumulative effect of all the things that happen during a school year and the dialogue students and their parents are having at home that teach the lesson.” There are many activities and opportunities for students to participate in at LT, which can help minimize the use of alcohol. Events like Operation Snowball, town hall meetings, Red Ribbon Week and community service events, along with sophomore health units educate students and influence their behavior, Waterman said. “Snowball definitely helps students learn about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and provides
Page 10: Read an opinion piece on the recent increasing trends of drinking-related suspensions at home football games. Page 11: Varsity football’s season continues as they begin playoffs this year. See their plans for moving forward in confrence. Page 12: Flip to read the sports profiles on some of LT’s most interesting and best athletes. Page 14: The Quesarito, Jamba’s strangest flavors and a unique McDonald’s burger get their own page, covering fast food secret menu hacks. Page 16-17: Global warming is a political and social topic that’s gaining traction. Read our in-depth coverage on it. Page 20: LION’s jumble word puzzle, Caroline’s Chaos, breaks back into the paper. Page 21: The election special section starts with a look into Illinois’s competitive Senate race between Mark Kirk and Tammy Duckworth. Page 22-23: Here’s the big one: Donald Trump against Hillary Clinton, in this year’s circus of an election. Check out the candidates’ views, their VP picks and our take on the crazy election.
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Question: What are your thoughts on the silent protest during the National Anthem started by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to raise awareness about racism in the U.S.? “I feel that what he’s doing isn’t good or bad. What Kaepernick feels is that our nation still treats people of color in a very disturbing way. Being a person of color himself, he feels the need to not stand.” -Hasahn Austin ‘17, varsity wide receiver
“In my honest opinion I think what they’re doing is very stupid. I do admit that there is racism in our country, but that doesn’t mean that not standing for the National Anthem will do anything. Men and women are fighting for our freedom every day. It is really sad Kaepernick can’t at least stand for that.” -Ben Bryant ‘18, varsity starting quarterback
100 S. Brainard Ave. LaGrange, Ill. 60525 South Campus
“I think he is perfectly justified. Colin chose a very bold way to protest. A lot of people that aren’t black can’t fully comprehend what it’s like to live in America as a black person. Colin is a trailblazer. Without him, who would inspire more people our age to stand (or sit down) for what is right?” -Josh Leak ‘17, student activist
4900 Willow Springs Rd. Western Springs, Ill. 60558
Pricy pens EpiPen prices have increased five times since 2009. The creator has not directly justified the increase in price.
Alcohol use at LT Continued from page 1 students with information about how substances can affect their bodies rather than just telling them not to partake,” Student Co-Director of Operation Snowball Katie DeVries ‘17 said. “I think learning about what certain substances can do to students gives them a much different perspective about the stigmas surrounding usage of drugs and alcohol. Students can then apply this beneficial knowledge to their own lives.” While ultimately only students can make their own decision regarding drug and alcohol use, school functions and education can help inform them of the consequences that may follow. “We’re very fortunate that our behavioral data here is outstanding—we have great kids; our students don’t make a lot of mistakes.” Waterman said. “Every now and then, a student will make a mistake and we will certainty address it, but we’re fortunate to be in a position and in an environment where students make good choices almost 100 percent of the time.”
Red Ribbon Week Drug Facts You Should Know: by Grant Campbell @grantc_3100
Red Ribbon week occurred from Oct. 24-27. Wearing red during this week is a pledge for a drug-free life. 90-percent of Americans with substance abuse problems started using drugs before age 18. 60-percent of seniors don’t see regular marijuana use as harmful, but THC (the active ingredient in the drug that causes addiction) is nearly five times stronger than it was 20 years ago. Teens who consistently learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t. Approximately 5,000 youths die each year in alcohol-related accidents. By the eighth grade, 28-percent of adolescents have consumed alcohol, 15-percent have smoked cigarettes and 16.5-percent have used marijuana. 90-percent of Americans with substance abuse problems started smoking, drinking or using other drugs before age 18. More than 100,000 babies are born addicted to cocaine each year in the U.S., due to their mother’s use of the drug during pregnancy. You are more likely to die as a drug dealer in Chicago than as a death row inmate in Texas. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death worldwide. Sources: dosomething.org, factslides.com, Schooltoday, Coalition for a Drug-free Lyons Township and Above the Influence
NEWS
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Maniacal mosquitoes It would take 1,200,000 mosquitoes, each sucking once, to completely drain the average human of blood.
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Allergies attack
EpiPen provider works with LT to prevent tragedies by Danny Kilrea @dannykilrea
When Hunter Pendleton ‘17 attended a bake sale a few years ago, he made sure he was careful in choosing the food he would buy due to his peanut allergy. He chose a chocolate chip cookie after double checking that there were no nuts in it. Immediately after eating the cookie, his mouth and throat started to swell up. Knowing he was having a reaction, he spit out the cookie and took Benadryl. Pendleton felt a stabbing pain in his stomach and the reaction did not calm down for a few hours. He soon figured out that the chocolate chip cookie had been on a plate with peanut butter cookies. Pendleton wished he had used the Epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) during the reaction. EpiPens are devices administered to people in anaphylactic shock which is a life threatening allergic reaction. “EpiPens are marketed as a lifesaving drug,” Pendleton said. “I didn’t think at that time I was at that point. Looking back on it, I definitely should have used it.” Most years pass without allergy
attacks severe enough to require the administration of the EpiPen at LT. The most recent attack was this year when Olivia Thiakos ‘17, a student with a peanut and seafood allergy, accidentally switched lunches with her brother and ingested peanut butter. An EpiPen was administered to her and following procedure, she was taken to the hospital. Mylan, a pharmaceutical company that distributes the devices, also provides LT with two free EpiPens, one per campus, that can be used in case an LT student or faculty member were to have an anaphylactic reaction who was not previously diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy. Students may have allergy action plans due to potential anaphylactic reactions to foods such as tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, milk, certain fruits and also bee stings. “We continue to encourage students to advocate for themselves and decline any food if they are unsure of ingredients,” NC nurse Debbie Clay said. “[The health office] is trying to prepare kids for life outside of LT.” Allergic reactions can be mild to severe, ranging from a skin reaction, like hives, to a more major reaction such as swelling in the mouth, tongue or respiratory distress, Clay said. It
Olivia Thiakos ‘17 holds an EpiPen like the one she used to combat her allegic reaction. (Danny Kilrea/LION)
can be difficult for individuals with allergies to understand that any subsequent exposure to the allergen may not exhibit the same reaction as before. Anyone can also develop allergies at any age. On the other hand, a person with a known allergy may also grow out of them. Most individuals with lifethreatening allergies typically carry an EpiPen on them, and have the option to have backup medication in the Health Office, she said. Individuals with allergies have been educated by their health care provider on how to properly use of an EpiPen when nec-
LT hosts blood drive
essary. LT nurses are also educated and experienced with the administration of this medication and continue to provide education to students and staff. Teachers who have a student with a known allergy are alerted through Infinite Campus regarding the allergy and are informed to download the allergy action plan in case of an emergency. “EpiPens are not covered by insurance, and it is a tremendous out of pocket cost,” Thiakos said. “Everyone who needs an EpiPen should have access, even if they can’t afford it.”
Prior to donating:
Student council continues to allow students to donate during school, hosting drive open to community in March
by Brandt Siegfried @brandto13 LT will host the first of three annual blood drives on Nov. 9. Sign-ups will begin Oct. 24 during all lunch periods and continue until the drive. The drive will take place at NC in the Vaughan Gym during a pre-assigned period. “It’s easy to do it here at NC because we have a pool of potentially 2,000 students to draw from,” Student Activities Director Peter Geddeis said. “We know from experience we’ll get somewhere between 120 and 150 students sign up.” The blood drive is a free event for LT to host, Geddeis said. However, LT must provide volunteers to facilitate sign-ups; Heartland Blood Centers will provide staff, resources, and materials. “We consistently give hundreds of donations to Heartland Blood Centers, and we are able to save lives,” Student Council President Haley Gorman ‘17 said. “Donating comes at no cost and changes countless lives. It should be a nobrainer.” Students must be at least 16 to donate blood, Geddeis said. Students age 16 must have parent permission, but students 17 and older may donate on their own behalf. Regardless of age, parents will be sent notifications if their child will be donating blood as a courtesy. Potentially all students at NC are eligible to donate; they may be turned away for a variety of reasons that
disqualify a donor. The most common reason is drinking coffee, an energy drink or a caffeinated beverage beforehand, which temporarily increases blood pressure. A weight under 110 pounds also defers a donation. Students are signed up by class period, allowing them to proceed directly to the Vaughan Gym at their appointed time. “We do it because there is a great need for blood donations in our area, and LT offers a fantastic resource,” Gorman said. “I believe we have a responsibility to do anything and everything we can to help out.” Eventually, Student Council hopes to expand the blood drive to SC in March. Sixteen-year-old sophomores are legally able to donate, but they are currently unable to as the blood drive is based solely at NC. “When NHS has their day of service, Student Council is going to partner with them,” Geddies said. “Rather than have a third blood drive here at North during the school day which historically has been a smaller blood drive, we’re going to host a blood drive at the SC Corral.” Students, staff and community members will be able to participate at the upcoming March drive, Geddeis said. It will be held on a Saturday to allow for the most participation possible. Sign-ups will be facilitated through Heartland’s website, allowing anyone in the area to donate.
Best Buddies pool party by Greta Markey @gretamarkey
Girls Swim and Dive hosted its second annual pool party with the Best Buddies Club on Oct. 4. Swim Coach Kurt Johns was instrumental in forming the event to help swimmers and divers create valuable relationships, which helps place daily challenges in perspective to remember how fortunate everyone truly is, Johns said.
Drink plenty afore, during, and after
Avoid exercise and physical activity afterwards
Eat a large breakfast and eat before
Do not drink coffee, energy drinks, or caffeinated beverages
Iron deficiency may disqualify you
Rest if you feel dizzy or lightheaded after donating
Source: American Red Cross
AP Bio draws interest At the blood drive, AP Biology students will be able to obtain extra credit points for donating. Students in Ms. Promisel’s AP Biology class will receive 10 points of extra credit upon showing a sticker from the drive, proving they donated. Despite her disaffection with the process, Maria Serembytska ‘18 will attempt to donate on Nov. 9. She dislikes blood and needles, but is willing to donate and help save lives with the extra credit incentive. While it may be controversial, extra credit for donations is encouraging students who otherwise would not have donated their time and blood. “I hate blood so much,” prospective donor Serembytska said. “I need these extra credit points.”
Scarce scholars 3-percent of juniors ends up being a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship, thats 50,000 kids in the U.S.
Finalists will compete for scholarships, honors nationwide after qualifying, applying by Greta Markey @gretamarkey
Last year, Avery Denning ‘17 sat in the testing room as a junior taking the PSAT for the first time. After only taking one practice test in preparation, she didn’t know what to expect. “I only decided to take [the PSAT] because my mom told me I should take it,” Denning said. “I was really excited to get my score because I wasn’t expecting it.” National Merit Scholar Semifinalists are students who place in the top onehalf percentile in the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (NMSQT) in the fall of their junior year, according to nationalmerit.org. Out of 1.6 million students tested across the United States who take the test, about 50,000 place in the top 4 percent as commended scholars and about 16,000 of those students earn the rank of semifinalist. Last year, 35 students at LT earned the commended ranking out of the 210 students who took PSAT last year and 13 became semifinalists, Katherine Smith, the Coordinator of Assessment and Research at LT, said. “Typically, LT students take a preparation course which consists of approximately 10 sessions over four weeks. Students usually take one pre-test and one post-test,” Smith said. It is not uncommon, however, to see students who earn the rank of semifinalist without taking one of these classes. “I only took one practice test online,” Denning said. “Testing is just one of my strong suits. I really get in the zone when I take standardized tests, and I can focus in specifically on the test. I usually come out feeling pretty confident and relaxed. But this time, I was pretty nervous to see how my scores turned out.” In order to become a National Merit Scholar finalist, semifinalists have to maintain an outstanding grade point average, receive a letter of recommendation from their principal, earn an equally impressive score on their SAT and complete an application, according to the LT website. Once a finalist, scholars have the opportunity to earn one of 7,400 scholarships available to them. “It’s a huge deal, especially in the respect of merit-based aid,” Denning said. “I now have the opportunity to go to my dream college.” The 2017 National Merit Scholar Semifinalist list includes Denning, Merrell Brzeczek, Anna Geraghty, Haley Gorman, Charlotte Hoigard, Marc Johnson, Benjamin Johnston, Colin Kubacki, Ethan Mangerson, Timothy Mikulski, Tegan Murrell, Leonard Prystalski and Daniel Wennerstrum, all seniors.
Homecoming conquers debt by Christina Rossetti @c_rossetti6
Homecoming: a day when everyone has the opportunity to feel like royalty. On Oct. 1, LT celebrated Homecoming with many new additions as well as a surprise. “The most obvious change was adding a Homecoming king,” Student Activities Director Peter Geddeis said. “That was something that we know that a lot of people noticed. It was talked about and was highlighted in the newspapers.” Ticket sales were lower than last year’s, just shy of 2,500 tickets in the preliminary
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 3
The first Lamborghinis were called Lamborghini Trattoris, which were tractors. They range in price from $30,000 to $300,000.
Lockdown shuts down SC Reported gun threat shuts down sporting events, causes four hour shutdown, schoolwide police search by Phil Smith @phil_ip_smith
South Campus received an all-clear at around 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 after undergoing a lockdown and an extensive room-by-room police search. The lockdown, which started just after 12:30 p.m., was called after LT security guards received a report from an individual of a suspicious man with a bulge in his pants—assumed to be a weapon— walking around the outside of the building. “Our personnel went inside to try to get the individual,” Superintendent Dr. Timothy Kilrea said. “They turned around to see the person who [reported the incident] had already evacuated. He left. So literally there was nothing seen and the individual reporting was not there.” Local police were quickly called and arrived at the scene. First responders recommended an evacuation, which was quickly carried out, according to Kilrea. LT had been hosting several different popular sporting events at this time, including the boys and girls cross country conference meet, a volleyball tournament and a club water polo tournament for middle school players. Robert Payne, a referee at the water polo tournament, was about to start the second half of his first game when police came into the pool area and told everyone to evacuate. “We cleared out,” Payne said. “They didn’t say what was going on, but there were police in the hallways with assault rifles, kind of spread out.” The alarm, however, turned out to be false. Police went through every room of SC, searching for any clues or signs of an active shoot-
Police leave the building after complete search period. (Photo taken by Phil Smith/LION on his phone during the lock down)
er, but found nothing. Even so, Kilrea said LT is taking no chances with security. “We still will have local law enforcement patrol the areas, but I think the good news here is that they found exactly what we were hoping to find, which is nothing,” Kilrea said. Kilrea also dismissed the idea that the reporting individual could have been pulling a prank. “There’s a chance of anything,” Kilrea said. “But you don’t take a chance when it’s about safety, about students, about visitors, about our facility, so that’s why we called the Western Springs Police.”
Auto Club builds model car of metal by Spencer Levinson @spencerlevinson
LT Auto Club is working on a metal, eight-foot-long Lamborghini that will be constructed out of steel pieces fabricated from a computer-aided design (CAD) file. G.E. Mathis, a precision metal fabrication company, donated “It’s going to be over $4,000 worth of labor and material to assist the club in the construction of the model car. When finished, the like a bulletproof club hopes to outfit the go-cart with a 35-horsepower, turbo-charged engine. tank Lamborghini “It’s going to be like a bulletproof tank Lamborghini gogo-cart.” cart,” auto club advisor Jordan Engelhardt said. Made from 20-gauge steel, the body alone will weigh -Jordan Engelhardt, auto about 220 pounds. club advisor The club was only about two weeks into the construction of the vehicle in early October but is making good progress. They hope to finish the project by the end of the Daniel Bear ‘17 works on the front end of the school year. go-cart. (Spencer Levinson/LION) “What interests me is taking a model of a car and making it into a smaller scale, and especially getting the time and hands-on experience to do it,” Daniel Bear ‘17 said. “Later in life, if I’m going to work on an actual body of a car, this is good practice.” Bear is an active participant of the model Lamborghini project and a former student of multiple auto motive-geared courses at LT. On top of that, Bear also contributed to the inspiration for the project. The idea came from a mask that he made out of paper, which he later converted to metal. “I thought (the mask) was really cool, so I looked up cars,” Engelhardt said. Engelhardt found that the same process can be completed in building a model car, in which a paper model can be re-created on a larger scale using metal panels. Auto Club hopes to debut the car at Chicago’s “World of Wheels” in March. Club members will display their progress, even if it is not yet in its finished state. When finished, the car will act as an advertisement piece, Engelhardt said. They plan to drive it in the homecoming parade and solicit the help of local businesses when the time comes to paint the car. The steel front end of the model car next to the paper model. (Levinson/LION)
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National merit semifinalists announced
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Lawn-mowing lambo
reports, Geddeis said. This year, LT Student Council reports that the debt from last year has been paid. “They were very focused on two things: retiring the debt they started the year out with and rebuilding their reputation to put on good events,” Geddeis said. Student Council had many hopes this Homecoming, Geddeis said. “It exceeded my expectations,” Student Council President Haley Gorman ‘17 said. “We’re actually out of debt, which is more than I could have hoped for. I was incredibly happy with the way Student Council came together and worked this whole month; it’s been beyond what we could have expected from last year.” This year, Student Council spent about $15,000 less than last year Gorman said. “We wanted a cleaner, more streamlined production, so we took out the inflatables
and did not include certain music we know people didn’t like, which was definitely a benefit,” Gorman said. “We took what we did well and made it better.” This year’s walk up ticket sales were the largest one they have had in seven years. Student Council sold over 300 tickets at the door, Geddeis said. “We set it up differently,” Geddeis said. “We had a completely new approach to what was happening on stage and in the crowd. We wanted to show that the focus wasn’t on the artist on stage, it was about the students.” With the addition of the new production company, Monster Entertainment, this year’s Homecoming was more centered around the kids, Geddeis said. “DJ Big Daddy came back after six years,” Geddeis said. “He knows our students and knows what we want, so it was a big change
to have him back. He was eager to be back and was motivated to put on a good show.” The use of student bands, including the band Moonrays, in gyms one and two was another great attribute to this year’s Homecoming, Geddeis said. “I have never seen students sitting and waiting for a student band before,” Geddeis said. “The response to the Moonrays was incredible. There were at least 100 students sitting in front of the stage waiting for them to play.” With Homecoming behind LT, there are already some plans for next year. “I hope to see a bump in attendance, and I think we’ll be able to bring back a little of our budget from years past,” Gorman said. “But also leaving it in the hands of the students. It’s the seniors’ responsibility to allow the freshmen, sophomores and juniors to plan their own dance.”
Presidential pep Several U.S. presidents were cheerleaders, including Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and George W. Bush.
NEWS
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 4
Students take time to reflect
The opportunity to take a weekend off during the peak of school stress has come. Students can take action and attend a retreat to take a break from school work. On the first weekend of November, three fall retreats (hosted by different organizations) will all take place. by Caroline Konstant @carolinekon
Spring 2016 Snowball leaders. (Charlie Stelnicki/LION) Operation Snowball is a school-sponsored club that offers fall and spring retreats. The fall retreat is held at Camp McClean in Burlington, Wisc., from Nov. 4-6. Fall retreats are only open to new participants, creating a strong bond between all those who attend because no one has any previous experience. Operation Snowball prides itself on promoting a healthy lifestyle by bringing in multiple speakers throughout the weekend who can testify to the rocky road drugs can lead to. Additionally, the retreat includes speakers about everyday high school conflicts like relationships, diversity and being yourself. “Camp McClean is a place that allows you to leave all the stress of school and daily life behind and just feel like you belong somewhere,” Staff Director Julia Andreoni ‘17 said.
Summer Kairos 24 members pose. (Caroline Konstant/LION) Kairos is a religious retreat sponsored by Saint Francis, Saint Cletus and Saint John of the Cross that is offered three times a year: summer, fall and spring. K24, representing the 24th Kairos sponsored by these parishes, will be held at the Dominican Retreat Center in Justice, Ill on Nov. 3-6. Kairos is a retreat focused on allowing students to grow in their spiritual relationships, learn more about and accept themselves and strengthen bonds with their peers. “Going on Kairos as a retreatant changed my life in so many ways, and I didn’t even originally want to attend it,” K23 leader Katie Andreoni ’17 said. “As soon as I got there, I felt a sense of community, love and acceptance. I learned that every single person you meet has a story and that no matter what your story is, people will still love you.” Most of the retreat is kept secret because of the “gifts of Kairos” that are given throughout the weekend. Participants are strongly encouraged to leave all distractions, especially phones and watches, behind in order to get the most out of the weekend and focus on bettering themselves.
PFers on Canoe Trip. (Sydney Kaehler/LION) Plymouth Fellowship is a youth group open to all high school students through the First Congregational Church of Western Springs. There is no requirement to belong to the church or be religious— anyone can join. The central themes of PF are focusing on service and aspects of faith, as well as how service can affect faith. The youth group which is typically called “PF” offers a fall retreat Nov. 4-6 at Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, Mich. The retreat consists of ice breakers, games and minimal sleep. It finishes with an afternoon at the Indiana State Park Dunes, even though it is in November. “The fall retreat is a great way to kick off the year and get to know everyone in the group,” PF President Meghan Bulger ‘17 said.
Popular pastimes
Close to 700 LT students go on Snowball, Kairos or PF each year; which is almost a quarter of the student body.
Competition awaits cheer Competitive cheer team offers opportunity to all LT students
to seniors, Pulliam said. Girls trying out are expected to have experience with competitive cheerleading, such as: stunting, by Maddy Cohen tumbling, and jumping abili@maddyc700 ty. IHSA requires the team to parAs tryouts for winter sports ticipate in six competitions a are approaching, another ac- year as well as cheer for six LT tivity will be offered to all stu- games. The coaches also are trydents: competitive cheerleading. ing to get the cheerleaders an After many years of consider- athletic study hall, but it is still ation, cheer coaches Bobette unknown if it will be approved. Pulliam, Jennifer Bigenwald, “It’s great that girls who want Jessica Drogos, and Brid- to cheer competitively now have get Martino, with the help of the opportunity to,” Pulliam said. many students, took the steps to Students also played a huge make this new program possible. role in developing the new “I think it’s very important team. Sarah Better ‘18 and Jane to offer as many opportuni- Freeman ‘18 were both very ties for students as we possibly proactive in the creation of the can,” Pulliam said. “If enough team, Better said. The two apstudents are interested in com- proached Principal Brian Waterpeting, then it’s important.” man about the subject as well as Although a competitive cheer created a petition that got over team has been brought up to Pul- 750 signatures. liam many times, the main rea“Dr. Waterman really cared son the team was created was to and was very supportive,” Better ensure that the competitive team said. “Coming from a school that could exist with the already-ex- already had a competitive cheer isting program, Pulliam said. team, he was really surprised that With three out of the four coach- LT didn’t have one.” es retiring at the end of 2018, the While the competitive cheer restoration of the current pro- team was created this year, the gram is important. winter squad that has cheered in “We were afraid someone the past will still cheer. The bigwould dissolve the whole pro- gest difference between the two gram and make it entirely com- squads is the commitment and petitive, which would really ex- intensity, Pulliam said. Though clude a lot of kids,” Pulliam said. different, both squads will cheer Tryouts for the team are on for the boys varsity basketball Oct. 29 at 8 A.M. and it will con- team and will try to be as unified sist of 20-24 girls from freshmen as possible.
50% off Studio Time for LT Students
Big businesses Celebrities Sandra Bullock, Steve Carrell and Pharrell Williams all own small businesses, from restaurants to record labels.
IMPACT Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 5
Idiosyncratic industry Urban Chicken Rentals in Wauconda, Ill. allows customers to rent chickens for just $110 per month.
Compiled by Lea Voytovich, Sydney Hansen, Spiro Kass and Tim Mikulski
Approximately 543,000 new businesses are started each month—yet, in 2009, one small business filed for bankruptcy every eight minutes. Small businesses often struggle with financing and competition with larger companies, despite offering the potential to build a relationship with the community. With the closing of several well-established small businesses in the area, it is important to remember to support the local establishments that contribute to the community. Go out and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26: your neighborhood will thank you for it.
Check out page 20 for an indepth review on Fourteensixteen.
Address: 14 W. Calendar Ave., La Grange Type: New American, upscale and urban feel Price Range: $11-30 Popular: Roof-top seating area Description: Fourteensixteen opened in downtown La Grange on Sept. 6. “We wanted to bring the city feel out to the suburbs with the chic rustic interior and special features such as the gargae door windows and roof-top seating,” manager Sara Lindsay said. The idea behind the restuarant was to incorporate local foods and resources into a modern local restaurant. Additionally, most of the constructing of the interior was done by other businesses within 300 miles of La Grange, Lindsay said.
Address: 909 Burlington Ave., Western Springs Type: Casual American, family oriented Price Range: $7-10 Popular: Turkey Club Sandwich, Curly Fries Description: Snackers closed Aug. 20 after being in business for over 20 years. The cafe was the only restaurant located downtown Western Springs at the time of its opening and served as a community meeting spot for decades, according to the Chicago Tribune. While Western Springs said goodbye to the local cafe, the Salty Fig will be taking over the location, according to the founder Suzanne Florek. Check back after Jan. 1, 2017 for further coverage of the future business.
Address: 821 Burlington Ave., Western Springs Type: Upscale pizzeria and bar Price Range: $8-25 Popular: Speciality Pizza Description: Salerno’s, located in Hodgkins, is opening an annexed version of the pizzeria downtown Western Springs in place of Mécénat. The new restaurant is scheduled to open around Jan. 1, 2017. “I own Evviva [an annex of Salerno’s] in downtown Lisle and I see the Western Springs location to be very similiar,” owner Robert Salerno said. “Both are located across from the railroad tracks in underdeveloped downtowns, so we are looking to continue the success and support the community as well.”
Address: 806 Arlington Ave., La Grange Type: Grocery store Price Range: $5-20 Popular: Deli Sandwiches Description: After 42 years, DeVries Grocery and Market closed on Oct. 8. “We’ve had a lot of fun, but we had to know when to close,” owner Wayne DeVries said. “It’s been a lot of love, a lot of sweat and it’s just another part of our life we’re going to move on from.” The business has been much more than a grocery store to the community. It was engulfed in the satisfaction and happiness the customers and employees shared. All the food that was not sold at the closing was donated to food pantries. No tenants have bought the location yet.
Random Chatter
“I got food poisoning from eating M&M’s and making meatballs at the same time.” -Grace Knowski ‘18
Random Chatter
NEWS
“What am I going to do with a music degree? Be homeless?” -Michael McInerney ‘17
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 6
Back by popular demand is Odd News, the tabulation of fantastic fables and terrifying tales around the nation. Read here about Pumpkin Spice French Fries, an animal hunting people, the ultimate tiger mom and more.
Presidential Poof
In another strange election story, scientists have found a species of poisonous caterpillars that look exactly like Donald Trump’s hair. Officially known as the megalopygidae but called the “Trumpapillar” on the internet, its long hairs can break off and lodge in the skin, causing irritation, inflammation, anger and other symptoms sometimes seen at Trump rallies. Let’s hope it becomes a yuuuuge butterfly.
Gas Gimmick
Worried about gas prices reaching their previous astronomical levels? For this Florida couple, they already have. One trip to a Fort Myers gas station ended up charging the couple almost $10,000 for around $20 worth of gas, freezing their credit cards and sending them into a struggle with the gas company for two weeks. Eventually, the charge for 2,700 gallons of gas was reversed.
Copious Cocaine
A Seattle man walked into a police station after a Seahawks game, asking if anyone had turned in a briefcase full of “important business documents.” After identifying his leather case, he was immediately arrested—the case had 31 bags of cocaine and 50 assorted other illegal pills in it, along with the man’s phone and ID. Why he admitted—to a cop—to owning a briefcase filled with illegal drugs and why he left his ID in the case will never
be known. However, he has earned the mantle of Stupidest Criminal Ever.
Whole Lot of Bucks
Hitting a deer is never good, but it is even worse when the deer hits back. After running into a buck with her car, Ellen Sager of New Jersey found herself locked inside her car under siege from the angry animal. The deer managed to pry the door open just as police arrived, and the driver had to kick the wounded animal out of the car to avoid injury. The deer later died from its injuries from the crash, but its heroic fighting spirit lives on.
Pumpkin Panorama
The pumpkin trend has officially gone too far. While you may have to travel to Japan to taste McDonald’s new chocolate-pumpkin drizzled french fries, the reviews have surprisingly been positive. “The flavors of pumpkin and chocolate went unexpectedly well and it was quite tasty,” Ayano Ishikama, 22, said. While it would be shocking if these artificially-orange snacks survived the year, they remain one of the scariest features of this October. Besides stalker murderous clowns, of course.
Repulsive Repellant
Tired of disgusting public transportation? Philadelphia is too. The city of brotherly love is beginning to test urine-repelling paint in subway stations, public elevators and other areas. Public urination is already illegal and carries a $300 fine, but the paint will add insult to injury by making any liquid that it comes in contact with
spray back on the offender. San Francisco has already tried the paint with some success, but no one knows if it can cure the underbelly of Philly.
Savage Mom
Does your mom makes empty threats? After her daughter was caught bullying a bald cancer patient at school, a mother sat her daughter down in the bathtub, held her still and shaved her head while her daughter screamed, and then posted the video of the entire event online. It has gathered some backlash, with some simply saying “too far,” but the daughter most definitely learned a lesson: Don’t mess with mom. Compiled by Phil Smith Illustrations by Sydney Kaehler Sources: Yahoo.com, upi.com, huffingtonpost.com
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Kenna Hansen ‘17 @keenton 2 104 Underclassmen: if you’re going through any hardships right now, don’t worry, they’ll make great college essays
Mikaela Kohut ‘17 @mikaelakohut 2
11
Lilly Hahn ‘17 @hillylawn 58 0 everyone is stressing about apps but I’m over here stressing about the house down the streets that put their Christmas lights up 2 weeks ago
Annie Rius ‘17 @annierius1
Feels
190
51
This clown problem has got to stop!!!
Alli Leach ‘16 @letsgo2theLEACH 92 4 You know you’ve hit a low point when you walk into the wrong class and fall asleep and then wake up and realize it’s the wrong class 2 Mattigan Kelly ‘18 @MattiganKelly 9 PSAT keeps autocorrecting on my phone to pasta and I feel like that’s a fairly accurate representation of my life
The LION’s Ears
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Random Chatter “I’ve got the internal body temperature of a dead person, so I’m actually quite comfortable.” -Abby Ahrens ‘18
OPINIONS Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 7
Want your opinion heard? Get it published in the paper! Submit any opinionated piece as a freelancer and you may see your work in our next issue.
PageSevenGrid
GuestColumn
Welcome to the Page Seven Grid, what many of you know as the only page in the LION. Watch your classmates (and staff members) respond to a series of questions and (try to) be as funny as they can! What class at LT would Kanye be best at teaching?
What would you give Donald Trump if he trick-or-treated at your house?
Name an iconic duo. I’ll wait.
You’re walking up to the plate at Wrigley Field. What song is playing?
AP Government #kanye2020
Twitter advice
Me and failure
“The Hustle” (look it up millennials)
IPC, but Kanye would be the only one giving speeches
He would have to get past the wall I built around my house
Junior year and coffee
“Conga” by Gloria Estefan
Contemporary Issues
A trick, no treat
Bert and Ernie
“Jump Around” by House of Pain
IPC, but he would interrupt every speech
Barack Obama’s birth certificate
Ms. Pogge and Coach Taylor
“All I Do Is Win”
Science
I’d give Trump every piece of candy I have
Maren and Megan Johnson ‘18
“I’m Sexy and I Know It”
Fashion and Interior Design, so he could design the security guards and I some new uniforms with a pair of Yeezy’s!!!
A Kit-Kat
Lebron James and Co.
Nelly & The St. Lunatics- “Batter Up”
Camille Branch ‘17
Lauren Mochizuki ‘17
Tim Curley ‘18
Emmy Rokicki ‘19
Trent Johnson ‘20
Darvis, Security Guard
LettersToEditor This letter was submitted by Josh Leak ‘17, an African-American singer/songwriter and community activist. Growing up, I had some of the best examples of Black Men to look up to: My Uncle Garry, the educated, smart, caring pastor who instilled in me the importance of sacrifice. He taught me how a Black Man should stand tall and walk. His son, Scottie, the brave, smart, talented teacher who taught me that love is unconditional. He also encouraged me to be myself and be the Black Man I was born to be. My Grandpa Jim, the man we call Superman. The socalled "old man" who served his country, serves the Lord, saved people from a fire and still has time to come home to his wife. He taught me how to treat a woman and how a Black Man should act. Finally My Papa, may he rest in peace. The Rev. Emmanuel Conway Leak who reminded me every time we talked how much he loved me and how God is watching over me. He instilled faith in me. He was one of my biggest fans. I grew up without a father. I needed those examples to help lead me in the correct direction. They knew their influence would be key in my life. There are thousands, millions even, of little Black Boys growing up around the world. Many are growing up without a father or a good example of what the Black Male should be like. They have the media to look to for answers to their questions. The Stereotypical Black Male: ghetto, uneducated, illiterate, saggy pants, dirty and most likely to fail. The media then goes further and uses Drake and other African American Male Artists as our "Role Models." Now, don't get it twisted: I love listening to "One Dance," "Cut It" and "Chill Bill" every now and then. Let me ask this question though, can you tell me one good thing those songs promote about Black Men? What do they portray us as? Do we want to be portrayed as pigs who go shooting each other up? This brings me to my statement. Black Men all over the world hear me now. When did we become so distasteful? I look around every day and see what some of you are doing. I notice things around the community and around the world. When did it become okay to dismiss our rich culture and heritage? When did it become okay to put each other down? We used to be so united, we used to be Kings and now we've disbanded. We're more separated than ever. Bloodshed has torn our kingdom apart. We are shot on the daily.
compiled by Thomas Atseff and Sydney Kaehler
One by one we die, going on to the kingdom of Heaven, leaving behind disarray. I pondered and thought for a long time what I was going to say in this letter. I could have gone the easy route and stated simply what it's like to be a Black Male in America. I could have simply said, "It's hard and racism exists.” Instead I want to take this time to be honest, to be direct and to educate. I wish we were more united. I wish we could be brothers again. I wish more and more of us recognized what is happening to us. My Black Brothers at LT, I wish you all would stand with me when I protest Hands Up Don't Shoot or Black Lives Matter. There are days when it is just difficult. I see you all encouraging the word "nigga" when we all know what It really means. The word that should have been put out of our vernacular centuries ago. I see that Black Men around the community are not close with one another. The passion for our rich culture is gone. Culture is passed down. The media has taken our culture and mixed it with all the bad in the world which brings me to this question I have for anyone who isn't Black: What do you think when you see us? Be honest with yourself. What is your first impression of a Black Male? Do you expect them to "talk Black"? Do you expect them to know a lot about basketball? When I was a student at The Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, I was often told by people that they were surprised. They didn't expect me to be so literate, so polite, so styled and so mature. They didn’t expect me to know my Classical Music because they probably thought I was too busy listening to Hip Hop Music. People of the world, your stereotypes and opinions hurt us. We may not show it but deep down we aren't amused. I don't like when people ask to touch my hair or tell me my lips are big. I know who I am, and I've embraced my negro nose and hair. So Black Men of LT, LaGrange, local communities and the world, I challenge you. Embrace your culture. How so? 1. Be real. Jesse Williams, actor and activist, stated at the BET Awards, "Just because we're magic doesn't mean we aren't real.” Beat the stereotypes and stop encouraging folks to follow the culture promoted by the media. 2. Respect the Black Female. The Black Female is a queen. She is a Goddess. Before you look in the other direction, remember that a king needs a queen to be great. Finally 3. Love yourself. We are Black Men. We aren't dirty, we aren't trash, we aren't ratchet. We are strong, we are confident, we are brave. We were born to be kings. Don't let the white man bring you down. Thank you.
Today’s assignment: Kindness Although we LT students are blessed to go to a school with such a variety of opportunities Hallie Coleman and such brilliant students, I believe this is also one of the hardest parts of attending LT. Students are so focused on ACT scores and GPAs that along the way we forget how to be kind to one another. I have deeply struggled to come to terms with this because it kills me to see students turn a blind eye to a peer’s suffering just so that they can finish an assignment. Although I have been guilty of this too, I have also been on the other side. The side where you are overlooked because people are “too busy” with school. There should be no such thing as “too busy” when it comes to helping someone. We should always have time to help one another we just have to make the effort to do so. One of LT’s first-class principles states that we treat each other with dignity and respect, but unfortunately that is often not the case. We cannot claim to treat each other with respect if we don’t actually do so. Everyday, I constantly witness students dismissing their peers who need help because they are too focused on school, and while it is great that students at LT care so deeply about their academics, other people are more important than grades. There have been so many incidents at LT when I have just wanted to tell people that there is more to life than what you achieve in high school because at the end of the day what really matters is that you are a genuine and good human being. There is such a large population of students at LT suffering from mental illnesses and the additional stress that comes with high school and we, as a school, need to step up and do something to help this huge population of hurting people. It is absolutely necessary that we begin to further promote kindness at LT because honestly, there is a serious problem. It is quite ridiculous the number of school assemblies we have had, but we never actually talk about being kind or friendly to one another. We need to be taught that obsessing over grades and ACT scores is important but excessive, and not the end-all and be-all in your life. Being kind to one another could be the difference in someone’s life. Students are not the only guilty ones; I have often found that teachers too get so wrapped up in the academics that they forget to set a good and constant example of kindness. I don’t think people realize what one simple act of kindness can do for a person. If students and staff simply took five minutes out of their day to compliment someone or ask how their day was it could make all the difference. So students, let your teachers know how much you appreciate their hard work and help, and teachers, let your students know how much you appreciate their desire and determination to succeed. You never know what someone is going through, and you can never make assumptions about how people are feeling, but you can make someone’s day a whole lot better just by showing that you care. Kindness goes a long way, and even though we go to such a big school, we can make a big difference just by showing people we care. So please, take your nose out of your book, take a break from studying and show some kindness.
Write in and make your voice heard. 100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange, Ill. 60525 LION reserves the right to edit all letters.
Random Chatter “I’ve just always wanted a visor.” -Ali Hamilton ‘17
OPINIONS Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 8
Should LT support the implementation of safe spaces?
PawsUp n To the Cubs- this is the year! (Don’t quote us on that). n To the PSAT. We might be taking a four hour test, but at least we’re out of gym! n To odd national holidays- everyone be prepared for April 11, Barbershop Quartet Day. nTo World Mental Health day! @NJF nTo having Oct. 28 off- a day filled with sleeping, relaxing, and our parents confronting us about the things they heard at conferences. nTo the election (almost) being over- SNL can finally go back to its own content. nTo Snapchat- thank you for taking away the MyStory playlist! All you have to do now is bring back BFF’s. n To cowbells- thanks for always keeping a steady beat! (The only constant thing in our lives). nTo cats- why is it cute when you’re fat, and why isn’t that the case with us? nac ew won -srorrim oT n .wap siht daer
PawsDown n To flimsy pumpkin carving kits- thanks Jewel Osco, but I’ll do it myself. n To our email addresses from 2007- I see you, dogluvr55@yahoo.com. n To mankind- putting the Great Barrier Reef under a lot of stress isn’t cool! Don’t you know how that feels??? nTo Halloween being on a Monday- forcing us to decide between math problems and cavities. nTo Com Ed construction- LT after school traffic is bad enough already. nTo the election seasonAmerica is already great. nTo cats- why is it cute when you’re fat, and why isn’t that the case with us? nTo the discrimination of seniors trick-or-treatingadulting doesn’t apply here. nTo North Campus color scheme- nothing says school spirit like pukegreen lockers. nTo TVs in the cafeteria- we’ve seen the hype video a million times already. n To the Teva x Ugg collaboration- exactly why summer and winter do not mix.
Random Chatter “Ooo! I can taste the gluten!” -Mariah Robinson ‘17
ForcingFear
If you have ever watched CNN, msNBC, Fox News or any other LION interviewed 412 students about their opinions on safe spaces. mainstream news Undecided media program, you are 9% constantly reminded that at any moment Thomas Atseff you may be killed in a How do you terrorist attack. If you think LT watch or read any of these networks, you Too sensitive Should students may think that ISIS is invading America 28% Yes No public Properly respond to 43% 22% every day, Russia is trying to take over sensitive institutions outside opinthe world and we are in the midst of 53% support safe another Cold War. ions, espeInsensitive I don’t know spaces? cially those If you randomly flip to one of these 19% what safe they disagree channels, there’s a very good chance spaces are with? they are discussing terrorism or all of 26% the constant danger we are in. Never mind that studies show that right now, Enforcing in America, we are statistically safer Students, verbal abuse teachers and than anyone has ever been in the history rules more administration of our planet—the media wants you to strictly 13% think the opposite. 12% According to a conservative statistic from the Insurance Information Institute, you have about a 1 in 9.8 million chance What do you Whose Faculty/ other of dying in a terrorist attack in America. think is the responsistudents Comparatively, the odds that you will most importbility is it available for Greater die in an asteroid strike are about 1 in ant aspect support to keep an sensitivity 250,000 to 1 in 500,000. Obviously, this is in creating a 45% enviorntowards difEveryone highly unlikely, and no one should leave safe space? ment safe? the house being afraid of asteroids, but it ferences 87% 43% is still nearly 50 times more likely than a terrorist attack. Wouldn’t it seem weird if you turned on the TV and CNN was discussing how we’re going to combat asteroids for an hour? Being killed by lighting is a 1 in 174,000 chance, being killed by a dog bite is 1 in 114,000. But one of the absolute biggest threats facing our country—ladders. The odds of dying Whether it is intentional or not, While I strongly believe that everyone is entitled by falling off of a ladder or scaffolding those who argue that safe spaces are to their own opinion and has the right to express is 1 in 9,500. That is one thousand times unnecessary and have no place on how they feel, I do not think that it justifies using more likely than dying in a terrorist school campuses are inadvertently hateful and derogatory language or trying to offend attack, and yet we are constantly led to arguing for students and staff to feel those around you. While many feel that people are believe that at any moment we may be unsafe while on school grounds. often too sensitive and take offense too easily, it Juliana Halpin killed by terrorists. Safe spaces are places where is important to remember that one does not get to So why are we led to believe this? groups of people with common chardecide how their words and actions affect others and Fearmongering in the media has many acteristics can join together and feel secure in the whether or not they are offensive. causes and many very dangerous effects. environment if they feel insecure in the larger genThose who feel that safe spaces are not necessary There is a saying in journalism that says eral community, according to Matthew Michaels of are often people who have just never felt unsafe. “if it bleeds, it leads,” implying that Fordham’s Business School. They are also defined as However, just because you feel your safety is not stories that scare and worry people get areas in which violence, harassment and hate speech compromised, it does not demean the necessity of the most attention and the best ratings. are prohibited, which is very fitting for a school. safe spaces for those who do. Even though LT is a This is a highly unethical and a very As students, we have a million and one different community that has well over 4,000 members, each troublesome approach to journalism. thoughts going through our heads each day. One member is equally as important. For this reason, if thing students should not have to worry about is one person feels that they are unsafe the community Another, much more dangerous reason is whether or not they feel they are in a safe enviis not doing its job to provide students and staff with that many mainstream media outlets have ties to the military industrial complex ronment- one in which they feel comfortable to be a safe and healthy learning environment. and weapons manufacturers; thus, their themselves and express their ideas and beliefs. I do not feel that asking students to refrain from fear and warmongering produce profits In a nation built on diversity, students should not hateful and derogatory language and actions is an for them. feel that what makes them different is wrong and outrageous request, nor one that should be met with This isn’t just some conspiracy justifies language and actions that make them feel dismay and protest. As equal members of the LT theory, it’s true. NBC’s parent company unsafe. In asking students and staff to acknowledge community, everyone should feel that LT is a place and owner General Electric designed, and respect safe spaces, it is not asking them to alter in which they can be themselves and express their manufactured or supplied parts or their thoughts, ideas or beliefs. Instead, it is simply ideas without compromising their safety which is maintenance for nearly every major asking them to respect different people who have why students and staff need to be conscious of how weapon system used by the U.S. during ideas and beliefs different from their own. their words and actions affect those around them. the Gulf War. During just one year, in 1989, General Electric had received close to $2 billion in military contracts related to systems that ended up being utilized for the Gulf War, according to Defense It makes sense that talk of and in some places the institution of safe spaces proDaily International. safe spaces is centered on educavides needed shelter from verbal assault. However, The military and terrorism aren’t tion. High school and college are LT does not have a hate speech problem. Even if we non-issues, but they are covered to a intensely formative times, and did, isolated safe spaces would not be effective in much higher extent than is necessary. students encounter new ideas comthe slightest; for such a huge issue in LT’s own halls, In the vice presidential debate on Oct. pared to the relative isolation that school-wide action would be necessary and urgent. 4, over half of the debate was focused on Tim Mikulski middle schools provide. LT students Creating a safe space is simple once the adminthe vice presidential candidates’ plans are receptive to each others’ ideas; istration agrees. But once the safe space exists, it to defeat ISIS, combat terrorism and one can hear meaningful conversations on real issues sends a message to students that they may not be safe combat Russia. There were no questions in the cafeteria, library, halls or anywhere else. elsewhere. In our school where such strong support on climate change, which endlessly There is no agreed definition on what safe spaces for students exists, the creation of official safe spaces plagues our planet, no questions on are. At their worst, they are insulators that silence would feel like the administration admitting defeat college student loan debt (it would take any and all dissenting opinions. Though they do outside of these spaces, rather than protecting those just 10 percent of the defense budget to serve as a refuge for those intimidated by or upset that use them. send every single American student to with perspectives and ideas different from their own, A natural alternative is declaring the entire school college for free), no questions on other, these students miss out on important development. a safe space. Again, this action would bear no influextremely important issues. Wouldn’t it No one holds the same perspective or values ence on actual LT student life. The 2015 LT Climate seem weird if half of the debate was spent throughout their four years at LT. We learn. We Survey reported that 92-percent of LT students feel discussing the dangers of asteroids, or talk. We are challenged. A student’s perspective is safe on school grounds. This number is significantly ladders? Don’t you think people would dynamic. We synthesize new parts of our own views higher than other schools in the area, and declaring be a little concerned if they learned we with each new bit of information and each new some imaginary safe boundary encompassing all of spent as much money on preventing person’s perspective. Without a constant flow of LT would do nothing but inspire backlash from the asteroids as we do on our military? ($582 information and opinion, we stagnate. Officially desstudents crusading against political correctness. billion this year). ignated safe spaces lead to that stagnation: an echo Our administration provides endless opportunities We should always remain conscious chamber where the growth of minds grinds to a halt. for support and outreach, and the creation of safe and sympathetic to terrorism and Too many arguments against safe spaces are vain spaces would create unnecessary boundaries within violence that can plague other countries, attempts to break down political correctness, and the student body. While a valuable resource at unibut the fear mongering in the media only devolve into hate speech and bigotry. The absence of versities where student relations are tense, at LT leads to more war, hostility, anxiety and, a safe space is no excuse for inflammatory language, they would be a waste of space—safe or otherwise. ironically, terror.
Point
Go safe or go home
CounterPoint
Safe spaces don’t make a safe school
Random Chatter “He swings and misses! Oh, they’re giving him another try!” -Tim Rediehs ‘17
OPINIONS Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 9
Random Chatter “My parents used to make me play Wii Fit.” -Jack Sylvia ‘17
AnotherView
StaffEditorials
Security for students
The common misconception regarding our sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating viotown is that we live in a perfect community. lence, bullying, and how to avoid violence and Tragedy has hit us in the past, and even if unsafe situations. crime hasn’t personally affected you, letting That course is for all genders. For females, your guard down and blowing caution to the there is also a Wellness and Gymnastics course, wind just because we live in a “pleasant suburb” and it briefly covers self defense. is foolish. But most of us do not stay in the If we can’t find a way to fit that into our LaGrange, Western Springs or Brookfield area curriculum, then LT should offer a workshop forever. People graduate and go to college. outside of school. The school could propose a We are a generally safe area but what about free Self-Defense Clinic, organized by physicampus life? cal education teachers or certified self-defense According to RAINN, the Rape Abuse teachers, to prepare all genders for after high and Incest National Network, 23-percent of school by reviewing self-defense skills, assault females and 5-percent of laws, resources, and individOur position: We believe that ual safety tactics in cities and males experience rape or Lyons Township students sexual assault. When this college campuses, and even in should be offered a selfmany university students our community. defense course through the are experiencing rape Even if you believe that school before they graduate or sexual assault through our community is a utopia, physical force, violence, or so that they can be ready for what about when people move campus life. incapacitation, something away? If we teach the skills must be done. at the base, then the students will become the The fact that our town is “nice” means nothteachers. The things you learn in our town, you ing when you get to college. If we act as if nothcan bring to wherever you go. ing bad is going to happen, then we will not be The sad truth is this: to stay safe, you have to ready if it does. We need to be able to protect learn to protect yourself. It would be so great if ourselves once we leave the community. assaulters didn’t assault, and rapists didn’t rape. Knowing self-defense is critical, and everyIf only it was that easy. one should be able to pull off the basic skills, However, we live in a world where malicious which is why Lyons Township High School people walk the streets. Alongside those bad needs to offer a course outside of school or have people, we need to have men and women who a unit in gym specifically for self defense. know how to defend themselves, and will teach Oak Park River Forest High School offers a their children how to do that too. variety of classes that cover self defense; one of The students of Lyons Township should be the classes is the Wellness and Gender Studies taught these skills before they leave so they can course, and it is for one semester. The first part be prepared when they take on the world. Do of this course involves the theory and practice not live in fear, but be cautious, be safe, and if of self-defense. Discussions and guest speakers LT supports the program, you will also be ready address topics such as healthy and unhealthy to defend yourself—whether you end up on a relationships, the influence of media on culture, campus or not.
Staff Vote: 26-2
The divided states of America Our position: America has become increasingly divided and polarized in recent history, creating a negative, hostile environment that we must change. A Gallup Poll found in 2011 that only 44use force to suppress the different protests. percent of Americans believe that the next genOn Dec. 20, 2014, in New York, two police eration will have a better life than their parents. officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were This is the lowest amount of Americans since shot and killed by Ismaaiyl Brinsley. This story the question was first asked in 1983. has spread across the nation. Police simply don’t America’s unity has always been in question, know if a person is armed or unarmed. They dating back to the beginning of the fight for have every right to be concerned with the lives independence. However, a common theme that of not only themselves, but the civilians around has recurred throughout time is the diffusing of them. If this means having to take measures into American unification. their own hands, they should take it; however, Race relations are continuously becoming in a less fatal manner. intensified in America, especially the relaAmerica is also divided politically. This electionship between the police and the African tion has dumbfounded much of America and American community. many people are voting for the lesser of two One of the most highly coveted and continevils. Yes, there are negatives to every candidate, uous battles is whether police should receive but the divide that America has seen because of further training for situathe election is extreme. Complex tions where they are not Life compiled interesting statistics sure if the perpetrator has through a survey: only 9-percent a weapon. Eric Garner, of American’s are satisfied with of Americans Michael Brown, Laquan our nation’s politics. They go on Mcdonald and Alton to explain that great numbers of think the country Sterling are just a few of people disagree with the hostility the many unarmed Afriis greatly divided of the election this year. can Americans who have The hostility between the on the most become victims of police candidates rubs off on the rest of shootings. The killing of Additionally, the poll important issues America. Brown in Ferguson helped found that 18-percent of friendspark the Black Lives ships have been ruined due to Matter campaign. This is a great movement; the election (last election only 7-percent). The however, instead of Americans persecuting abhorrence of the election has divided Amerpolice, police need to be better trained for situaica more than anything else. Factually, people tions in which they don’t know if the perpetraare ending friendships more than ever, and tor has a weapon. anti-Trump rallies have cancelled many of his There are two conventional defenders national trips. to these events: defenders of the police, and The election is ruining our integrity as a defenders of the offenders.The two sides create nation, and based on who wins could further a hostile situation, in which there can be grave isolate us, but this should not be the case. Amerconsequences. Protests often turns to violence. icans, regardless of who is chosen as president, The police often contain the situation, and should be able to find a common ground, and receive a worse reputation because they need to continue to make consistent strides of success.
80%
Divided we stand 68%
86%
47%
of Americans thought race of Americans think of Americans view the opposite party unfavorably. relations were positive in 2008. they are positive now.
Illustration by Sydney Kaehler
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Committed coaches LT Head Volleyball Coach Joann Pyritz won the Girl’s Volleyball Coach of the Year Award after coaching since 1989.
SPORTS
Thursday October 27, 2016 n Page 10
In 1930, a goalie named Abie Goldberry caught fire when a puck hit a pack of matches he was carrying in his pocket.
Veterans dominate court Girls volleyball putting in hard work at the end of the season, hopes to qualify for state by Greta Markey @gretamarkey
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s girls varsity volleyball nears the end of its season 2010, the team knows that with a lot of preperation, the state with a record of 12-4, Abby Vulich ‘17 and Rhiannon title is within their grasp. Schueunemann ‘17 recognize the hard work and dedi“We’ve certainly won our hand at regional and sectional cation it will take for their team to make it all the way to state championships,” Pyritz said. “It’s just that getting past the next this season. step, and making state is really a tall task that requires lots of hard “Going into regionals and sectionals, one thing we have to work and perseverance.” keep in mind is that since every By overcoming such challengteam is so good, we have to first es as losing much of their starting find their weaknesses and work lineup from last season and failaround that,” Vulich said. ing to effectively communicate on In order for the team to place the court, the team has been able in the state finals, starting Nov. 11, to improve its overall dynamic, they first have to win their regionSchueunemann said. al tournament, starting on Oct. 25, “We’ve been working a lot on along with the sectional compecommunication,” Schueunemann tition, starting on Nov. 1, varsity said. “We learned from last year head coach Joann Pyritz said. that good communication really “We are trying to play as hard helps with how we perform overas we can and win as many games all. We’ve been able to work toas we can between now and when gether, become closer and really that sectional is seeded,” Pyritz improve our communication on said. “We want to achieve a top and off the court.” four seed in the sectionals so that One aspect the team is still imwe have a better chance of adproving on is its consistency in all vancing past regionals.” aspects of the game, especially deThe team has been utilizing fense, Pyritz said. their large team of 15 players “Our height is a big part of what to scrimmage at practice and simuwe’ve been working with this late actual games, Vulich said. This year,” Schueunemann said. “A lot also improves the team’s ability to of our defensive strategy is workcommunicate and work together. ing around our block, and we’ve Basic skill work and defensive The LT girls volleyball team celebrates after winning a had to learn how to play without a tough match. (Todd Guzlas) lineup have also been a big focus lot of height in that block.” this season, Pyritz said. As the team continues to work “Every year brings something different and you have to, as a hard in preparation for the end of the season, they plan on going coach, take a look at your personnel and make adjustments ac- into every game confident, but not cocky, Vulich said. cordingly,” Pyritz said. “You can’t do things the same way every “We don’t think that we are automatically going to win, single year.” because if we do, we will never play to our full ability,” After placing second in state in 2009 and winning state in Schueunemann said.
Hockey club gains attention With several senior skaters returning, hockey is confident heading into new season by Mikaela Larson @mikaela_larson
T
Backhanded blaze
he LT hockey boys knew they were “We are developing and transfering the state and had potential to play at the in for a challenge when it came guys onto the next level, which normally next level,” Nicholson said. “It’ll be tough to playing St. Rita Mustangs on does not happen in high school hockey,” not to have him.” the road Sept. 15. Not only was St. Rita Nicholson said. With Roberts gone, the Amateur a top-10 team for most of the 2015-16 Logan Fennema ’17 played LT club Hockey Association of Illinois, or AHAI, season, but they had also knocked out LT hockey for three years and was their lead- knew they needed goalies, so the organiduring the state championship tourna- ing goal scorer, but has since moved on zation approached the club offering two ment that same year. to play juniors in St. Louis for a team that new goalies, Russell Alger ‘17, a senior at After a competitive, tension-filled Nicholson is a scout for. OPRF, and Aiden Waite ‘20, a freshman at game, LT won 4-3, setting a high bar for With Fennema, gone, getting the puck Oswego High School. the 2016-17 season. in the net has become a worry for this “I played with Russell in middle school “[The St. Rita game] showed that year’s team, Moody said. so it’s cool to be playing with him again,” we’ve grown since they beat us twice last “We lost all of our top goal scorers this Moody said. “We go to different high season,” varsity captain and forward Fred year to college or juniors teams, so we schools so I thought the only time I’d see Moody ‘17 said. “In last year’s games we are definitely going to have to spread the him would be playing against him, not kept them close in the first two periods but wealth, more so than what we are used to,” with him.” could never get it done until now.” Moody said. An advantage LT brings is its strong set The season may have not started as they Goaltending has also become compli- of returning veterans, Conger said. hoped, being 0-6-2 in league play, but the cated with their goalie Brian Roberts ‘17 “We have nine seniors, all of which are team has set goals to be higher than .500, quitting just before the season began. returning varsity players,” Moody said. “I its win percentage last year. The team also “Roberts was one of the best goalies in had to move up to forward [this year], or would like to make a run deep into the else defense would have been all seniors.” statewide playoffs in March, The hockey team may be a club sport, forward Alex Conger but Nicholson hopes it can one day ‘18 said. become just as big as LT’s offi“This year we are cial football or basmuch more invested ketball programs. in the team and “Chicago is everyone is all in,” a huge hockey Conger said. “We city now and we have great chemistry can benefit from too, which can be that,” Nicholson very helpful on said. “We want and off the to do theme ice.” nights and really As expand the prowell as gram to create wanting a JV2 team and his team to succeed, even a girls team.” head coach Sean LT hockey Nicholson ‘02 hopes has its next home to improve his playgame versus ers and give them Naperville Cenopportunities to tral at 9:10 p.m. play in junior or colSat. Oct. 29 at the lege hockey leagues. Darien Sportsplex. The varsity team congregates for Sean Nicholson’s next instuctions. (Mikaela Larson/LION)
GoCubsGo
While the iconic 1989 movie “Back to the Future” failed to predict the Cubs as World Series Champions in 2015, this year may prove otherwise. After almost a century of re-building, Chi-town has united to support Adam Janicki its Cubbies. Forget the White Sox this year, the Cubs are in the limelight now and every Chicago sports fan needs to support their team. Following their 4-2 series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 22, in the the National League Championship Series, the team will be competing for the World Series versus the Cleveland Indians starting on Oct. 25. Prior to their win over the Dodgers, the Cubs beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 in the National Division Championship Series. Wrigleyville fans look towards “Fly[ing]the W” until the trophy is rightfully ours. For those who have been living under a rock, or have no interest in baseball, let’s just say they are really, really good. The team clinched their division with the fifth-best record in franchise history, 103-58-1. As the rest of the league was competing for playoff spots, the Cubs were comfortably steam-rolling over every team, being the first to reach 60 wins and later 90 wins. One of the most obvious strengths that the Cubs have is their depth. Through a wide array of acquisitions, many of which were successful, the Cubs were able to build a contending-team. Players such as Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant were obtained via Amateur draft, while Jake Arrieta, Anthony Rizzo and Aroldis Chapman were acquired by trades. Additionally, key players such as Dexter Fowler and Jorge Soler were key free-agent signees. Within that depth lies an array of many talented and skilled players. The first aspect that stands out is the team’s three reliable catchers, David Ross, Miguel Montero and Willson Contreras. Likewise, their offense consists of a balanced, powerful attack. Third basemen Bryant and first basemen Rizzo have been consistent hitters throughout the regular season, each have an excellent .292 batting average. Additionally, second basemen Baez has shined bright with some crucial hits and spectacular catches in both series; at the rate he is playing now, he deserves the MVP award. Relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr and closer Chapman have been terrific out of the bullpen. The Cubs manager Joe Maddon has re-built the roster since he arrived in 2014. Fans have been awed by his slogans, sayings, unique thinking and wealth of baseball knowledge. Having Maddon on our side of the ball-game is a huge bonus, especially in the World Series. Fans who bleed red and blue have a good reason to brag about their Cubbies. The last time they won the World Series was in 1907 and 1908, winning back-to-back. Similarly to the 1907 and 1908 teams, this year’s squad has little to no weaknesses, which is crucial for contending the World Series. Many organizations have dealt with injuries in the regular season, but as for the Cubs, this post-season they will only have to deal with the loss of left fielder Schwarber due to a fully torn ACL and LCL. When critiquing the Cubs performance versus the Giants and Dodgers, especially after close-knit losses, it is important to note the team’s struggles. Many star players such as Rizzo and shortstop Addison Russell began the series cold, along with pitchers Justin Grimm and John Lackey. As the Cubs advanced, many of their “cold” players have re-gained their bearing, such as Rizzo, while others have stepped-up, including Bryant and Baez. Also, Maddon, on occasion, over-manages the team, leading to poor decisions. Part of this is due to the inability to convert baserunners into runs. As seen against the Dodgers, Maddon has sucessfully controlled his coaching. To live up to expectations, every upcoming game will have to be perfect when facing such a high-caliber team, which all starts with consistency on both offense and defense. Other than being an elite team, the Cubs have some of the most dedicated fans in the world. Despite having horrific “W-droughts” prior to the 2015 season, the Cubbies were constantly working to get better and improve their image in Major League Baseball. According to ESPN. com, on average, a regular season home game was attended by 37,000 fans, the second highest in the MLB. Likewise, they had the highest road game attendance at an average of 35,000 fans per game. Are these not the most dedicated fans in the game? Perhaps this is the year the Cubs are destined to win the World Series. With their elite team and spectacular fan base it is hard not to imagine their success, but even the most perfect teams can lose on any given day.
Avocado affection In the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, 12 million pounds of avocados will be purchased.
SPORTS
Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 11
Football attacks playoffs Varsity football aspires to find success in the post-season after strong start
by Spiro Kass @spiro_kass
After coming out of an intense victory against the The bond that contributed to the team’s success can Downers Grove North Trojans with a final score of be attributed to the strong players that lead the team, 23-6, varsity football captain Howard Willis ‘17 appre- Weinberg said. These leaders consist of all three capciated the incredible success of this year’s team so far. tains, including Willis, Chris Wojcik ‘17 and Reggie “It’s an amazing feeling being 6-0 when you know Terrell ‘17, and the rest of the senior players. you contributed to the success,” Willis said. “It’s some“I like to push our teammates past their limits,” thing we haven’t done in years. There is definitely Willis said. “Whether it is forcing an extra rep in the something special weight room, or keeping high about this team.” intensity during everything For the first half we do on the field, I want our of the season, the LT team to be confident in everyvarsity football team thing they do so I can lead started off strong them to victory every Friday with six straight wins, night.” racking up an overEven though there has been all record of 6-0 and much emphasis on the team’s a conference record undefeated beginning, Weinof 3-0. Currently, berg did not see the record the team carries two itself as something the team additional losses from took pride in. competitive games “We don’t think about the against Hinsdale Cenrecord a heck of a lot to be tral and OPRF and one honest,” Weinberg said. “It’s win from a victorious just about being 1-0 every match against york. week, and moving on to the Although the Hasahn Austin ‘17 lines up with his teammates while antici- next team. There are a still a beginning of this year’s pating the start of a play. (Katie Palermo/LION) lot of things to do, and we still season displayed more have a lot of improvements to success than the last make. We are not really thinkcouple of years, there ing about where we currently were not any new are, but rather we are thinking coaching styles or techabout where we can get.” niques that contributed Although achieving the to this accomplish6-0 record produced a surge ment, varsity Head of confidence, the LT varsity Coach Kurt Weinberg football team lost to its rival said. Hinsdale Central in a fierce “I don’t think there competition on Oct. 7. On is anything really difthe following Friday, team ferent [from last year] experienced another loss to other than gaining the OPRF Huskies with a final experience,” he said. score of 27-3, before defeat“We were young, and Lyons defense coordinates a defensive stop against the Red ing the York Dukes on Oct. a lot of the guys who Devils. (Spiro Kass/LION) 21. Now, the team carries a played last year as sophomores and juniors now have a weakened overall record of 7-2 and a conference record year of experience under their belt.” of 4-2. In addition to the gain of proficience, the team’s Despite the losses, Willis is confident that the team chemistry also played a major role in achieving the will continue the success it had experienced in the undefeated record, Weinberg said. beginning of the season. “It is a very tight-knit group,” he said. “They all care “This year’s team is something amazing, and I think for each other, laugh a lot, and work hard together. I we can most definitely make it really far in the never see any problem areas.” playoffs,” he said.
Relentless runner
At 100 years old, Fauja Singh was the oldest person to ever run a marathon at a time of 8 hours and 11 minutes.
Bail on the Booze LT spirit has been a defining characteristic of our school for decades on. Students have always successfully toed the line between rowdy heckling of the opponent and unwavering support for our own team, and we always leave the stands proud, no matter the outcome. LT student secLucy Schaefer tions have been the backbone to our success—the key motivator for our athletes. We, as a student body, have never failed to support our amazing school. Over the course of the past few years, however, a new trend has arisen as many students develop a different agenda. The presence of alcohol at sporting events has become an increasing issue, and we have most definitely witnessed the effects. Upon entering the gates of Bennett Field, students may find security checks similar to that of an adult concert: bag checks and the disposal of all outside beverages. Security guards now eye down the bleachers for drunken behavior, far more concerned with our actions than the athletes. This trend is upsetting. Why can’t students soberly cheer on and lift up some of the state’s best athletes? Clearly, we are losing sight of what it means to be an LT student section. It’s time for our student body to take a step back and reevaluate our purpose. Student sections exist to encourage great play, and hopefully, in classic LT style, crush the spirits of the opponent. As an underclassmen, I always found it hysterical when leaders of The Hooligans would research the other team’s players and gently haze them for their social media profiles. I remember looking up to the leaders of Lion’s Den, who would continuously develop wild chants to last the entire game. I remember a time when students genuinely enjoyed watching the hard work of our athletes unfold on the field, court, or pool as we fought for victory. Where did this lighthearted spirit go? Now, many students are more preoccupied with themselves and their own experience. The focus has left the athletics and is now shifted on the fans and their social lives. This is not the purpose of a student section. We instead support the team, inspire them to do better and, in LT tradition, belittle the opponent. Most importantly, we do this without the influences of illegal substances. Surely we are mature enough to realize that LT sporting events are neither the time or place for alcohol. It’s not too late to turn this trend around. Of course, our spirit hasn’t disappeared. There still remains a very solid fan base for LT athletics. Many students continue to carry on LT’s student section legacies. I applaud their attendance and efforts, as should everyone. This spirit, however, is hampered by the unnecessary actions of a few. Stumbling students, police surveillance and watchful faculty destroys the spirited atmosphere of our sporting events. Faculty members are just doing their jobs to assure that our students are attending events legally and for the right reasons, and it’s time for us students to do our part. Let us not forget the strong impressions we leave on our successors. We are the role models, the ones that young children can’t wait to become. We are sending the wrong message by bringing alcohol into our stands. By returning to our values of intense spirit, dedication to the school and support for the team, we can piece back together the outstanding reputation our student sections once had. I idolized upperclassmen for their dedication to the school and their unity in the stands, and I can only hope we leave a similar legacy for the classes yet to come.
by Brandt Siegfried @brandto13
Part of running dynasty, Vincent Zona ‘17 is an LT prodigy. An experienced bya----team leader and a quality runner, he prevails as an invaluable member of the team. @-----Zona was crucial to last year’s second place finish at state and ninth place finish at nationals, and in what should be another successful year. “I enjoy the team aspect, working with your teammates to reach a common goal,” Zona said. “The past few years we’ve had a lot of success and we hope this year can be more of the same. We know what it takes to be successful.” A member of the cross country team throughout his four years at LT, Zona is considered one of the best, teammate Graham Kutchek ‘17 said. His teammates, especially underclassmen, look up to him, viewing him as a leader who motivates his team to do better. At meets, Zona physically provides a path for his team to follow, and it has deeply affected them. “He is obviously the fastest runner; a lot of the kids on the team aspire to be him,” longtime teammate Mitch Gardner ‘18 said. “He brings the whole team together.” Zona is extremely dedicated to his sport, spending approximately 25 hours a week running. He trains with the team everyday after school from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The team also practices together on Saturdays if there is not a meet, and Zona practices on his own every other Sunday. His hard work has led him to be chosen as a varsity captain along with teammates Kutchek, Alex Pall ‘17, Tyler Morales ‘17 and Dan Palmer ‘17. Evidently, Zona’s hard work pays off. At the competitive Peoria Invitational on Oct. 1, Zona placed second individually, carrying LT to a first place finish. He ran the three mile race in 14:22 minutes. A runner can be judged by his consistency receiving a time, and Zona repeatedly hits the mark. “At meets it really helps to have someone up at the front,” Kutchek said. “A lot of other teams don’t have someone out at the front and we wouldn’t be nearly as successful as we are [if we did not].”
Both Zona’s father and brother Dominic Zona ‘14 ran cross country in high school and introduced him to the sport. Dominic was a senior when Zona was a freshman and participated in many of the same activities, so joining boys cross country was a natural step. Zona also ran all throughout middle school at McClure Junior High School; however, his running didn’t develop until high school, Zona said. Kutchek, running for rival Park Junior High School, was a chief rival in the cross country community until uniting forces on the same team at LT. “Zona is a leader because he always makes sure to prepare the team at practice and before meets,” teammate Danny Kilrea ‘18 said. “His enthusiastic attitude is contagious.” Kilrea, regarded as one of the best runners in Illinois and a member of the varsity team, has seen Zona run for two years. He has provided leadership that Kilrea wishes to emulate when he leads the team. “I’ve seen the leadership styles between the two teams and a combination of both would be a good recipe,” Kilrea said. Being fully dedicated to running, Zona plans to run in college. He is currently considering the University of Michigan, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, and Princeton University. Cross country’s intense schedule absorbs most of Zona’s time, yet he still manages to host a sports talk show on WLTL Tuesdays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Illinois boys cross country state meet will occur Nov. 5 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. LT is a class 3A school, and will face top competitors Neuqua Valley and Downers Grove North for the trophy, expecting to place near the top. The week following the state meet, LT will participate at a regional national qualifying meet to be held in Terra Haute, Ind. The top two teams from each region will move on to the national meet, where LT hopes to improve upon its ninth place finish last year. “We’ve got a good team,” Zona said. “We’re trying to do some special things this year. Everyone’s willing to work hard.”
Feminist football
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 12
Within the past four years, there has been a 17.5-percent increase in girls playing high school football; it increased from 1,328 girls in 2012 to 1,561 in 2016.
SPORTS SPORTS Scores
Highlights Profiles
Rowdy riot Whenever the Spanish national soccer team wins, the Spanish people run to the streets and celebrate at famous fountains throughout Spain.
This fall, LT athletics has had an array of unique student-athletes who have expanded their future horizons. by Adam Janicki, Lindsey Hauch and Lucy Schaefer @adam_janicki_ @lhauch20 @lucyschaefer3
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FOREIGN FUTBOL
ollowing his arrival to the U.S. in August, Spanish foreign exchange student Guillermo Alonso ‘18 quickly caught the attention of the LT soccer program. With past experience playing on Spanish teams in Madrid, Alonso has incorporated his unique skill set and style of play at the attacking center-midfield position on the junior varsity team. “I have been playing soccer since I was 7 years old,” Alonso said. “I played on many club soccer teams with friends growing up.” Encompassed by soccer while growing up in Madrid, Alonso spent much of his time watching and studying the game. Soccer was not only a way to have fun and socialize for him, but also a challenge and a way to escape problems, Alonso said. “In Spain, the soccer is more than just kicking the ball, it involves knowing all the moves and passes,” Alonso said. “It is very nice to watch the professionals play because you see them doing all the things you train for and also learn things you did not know before.” The LT team has had a triumphant season with 15 wins, two ties, and two losses. Alonso has been a crucial part of the team’s success, JV Head Coach José
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Fregoso said. “Guillermo is one of my most important players on the team,” Fregoso said. “He has great vision, knowledge of the game, and lots of experience from playing on club teams in Madrid.” For many foreign exchange students, playing a sport for a high school team is becoming more common. “Coach Paul Labbato and I have coached a lot of exchange students on the JV and varsity soccer program,” Fregoso said. “Many of the kids that come from European nations end up playing soccer here and it’s a great way to get involved and make new friends.” Despite living over 4,000 miles from home, Alonso instantly made friends. His teammates helped him adjust to school and Fregoso, a Spanish teacher, explains American play to him in Spanish. “He brings a very new perspective to our style of play,” Defender Jeffery Stejskal ‘17 said. “He is very fun to play alongside at practice and in games.” With his first successful American soccer season under his belt, Alonso will be aspiring towards continuing his studies at LT for the year. He will also be playing varsity for the remainder of their season.
FEMALE TAKES ON FOOTBALL
fter being denied the opportunity to play for Western Springs and LFC football, Corinne Lavaty ‘20 saw her freshman year as a chance to finally play the game she loves. “I’ve been through a lot this year with my family and I feel like I needed to do something to get myself out of that little groove,” Lavaty said. “I thought I’d try out for football and have a second family I could rely on.” Although uncommon, the LTHS football program allows anyone the chance to play and compete, ensuring a spot for Lavaty on the freshman B-team for this fall season. “Throughout my 21 year coaching career, we’ve had a few girls on the freshman level,” freshman B-team Coach Keith Bailey said. “We’re a no-cut sport and embrace all who want to try out. If they have the competitive spirit, they want to work hard, they know the team environment and want to work together, it’s a lot of fun.” The first day of summer camp everyone receives their own shoulder pads and helmet, a scary and eye-opening experience, Lavaty said. “I didn’t know how to work anything, I couldn’t memorize plays, and even though I’ve been watching football for years before this, I was still lost,” she said. “Eventually I realized that I don’t care what people think of me. It’s okay if I mess up.” From that point on, she made it her mission to work harder than ever and prove herself on the field at both the cor-
nerback and receiver position, she said. “At night, I memorize and go over all my plays and I really work hard and train outside of football,” she said. “I knew if I worked harder, I’d get in a few plays. Eventually I did, but I want to get in more. I love playing.” Lavaty acknowledged that sometimes determination is not enough and that people are going to continue to judge her no matter what. “I understand I am the only girl, I understand it’s a man’s sport and I am not trying to offend anybody,” she said. “They can keep hating but it’s as simple as I just don’t have enough time to think about the people who don’t like me. While they’re making fun of me, I’m out there working and practicing hard.” Passion and effort are never understated in football, Bailey said. Lavaty’s ability to come out everyday and focus on improving is a trait the coaches look for, regardless if they are a boy or a girl. “She’s an awesome young lady and very respectful. She does what she’s asked to do as far as coaching and she executes her positions to the best of her ability,” Bailey said. “She has a little bit of a tough character in her.” Regarding whether or not she is planning on trying out for the team next year, Lavaty’s response was short, yet very clear. “Yes, definitely.”
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WORLD CLASS HOCKEY PLAYER
fter lacing up her skates, center forward Emma Jurusik ‘18 steps onto the ice in September 2016. She is about to play the Chinese women’s national U-19 team alongside her teammates on the Chicago Mission, ranked third in the nation this year. After a hard-fought battle, the Mission left the ice victorious, finishing with a score of 4-1. “It was really cool because we know that those girls are going to be on the Olympic team, and they’re so successful,” Jurusik said. “Being able to come together as a team to beat them was really special.” Quickly after learning to skate at age 3, Jurusik began playing hockey at age 5. With the influences of her father, who played hockey at Hamilton College and brother Matt Jurusik who now plays for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the choice seemed inevitable. She is now surrounded by players from one of the most competitive teams in the nation and set on playing for Northeastern University in the near future, after verbally committing her sophomore year.
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Right now, however, the focus is on winning nationals. “We have the team, we have the skills, we have the depth, we definitely should win this year,” Jurusik said. “It’s a culture of winning at [the Chicago Mission].” Playing alongside Jurusik at right wing is Katie Cipra ‘17. Cipra and Jurusik will both continue their hockey careers at Northeastern. Jurusik’s strength is her ability to balance her offensive and defensive presence, both scoring and covering for teammates, Cipra said. “She is very aggressive when she needs to be, but she also stays very composed and knows how to control herself,” Cipra said. The players are aware of their abilities and train five days a week to ensure they remain sharp. Jurusik and Cipra have never won a national title together, however, The Mission has a history of winning, having been to the final Nationals round nine times over the past 10 years, Jurusik said. “We all know how good we are, and we know how good we can be,” Jurusik said. “If we want to be the team that we need to be in April, then we need to work and focus now.”
RUNNER OVERCOMES IMPAIRMENT
avid Kopp ‘20 prepares for his first cross country meet against Proviso West on Aug. 30 just as any other runner would. He warms up with a jog and stretches before getting to the starting line, with nervous butterflies filling his stomach. Just as the shot of the gun sounds and the race begins, Kopp focuses on one other thing that sets him apart from his teammates. “While most people have 20/20 vision, my acuity is 2800, which makes me legally blind,” Kopp said. “I can see a lot of things, just not details further away, such as holes in the ground, flags marking turns and bumps.” Running alongside Kopp is Tim Hogan, a paraeducator who joined the coaching staff this year to assist David. Although it is against IHSA rules to run the entire race with Kopp, Hogan can be seen every practice next to Kopp, verbally directing him around obstacles. “Mr. Hogan pops in and out during races. On the straight parts I run by myself and on curvy parts of the course he runs with me,” Kopp said. “He’s a great man with a great personality and without him I probably wouldn’t be able to run with the team.” David’s work ethic illustrates to his entire team that he is focused on improving, Hogan said. “It’s incredible to see how much he’s grown,” Hogan said. “David is super hard working and
is always willing to go the extra mile. It’s great to have somebody I can run with too and it makes me feel good I am helping him out. I’m glad he has this opportunity.” Kopp, although facing more challenges than others, never lets his disability get in the way, running sub eight-minute miles. He credits perseverance and the support of the team to his success. “It’s been really awesome that my teammates and coaches have all helped me and let me be on the team,” Kopp said. “They’re all kind and it’s fun to be there with all of them.” Kopp’s dedication is evident not only in cross country, but in school as well, Kopp’s teammate Benjamin Mathis ‘20 said. Kopp excels in many Honors classes as well as participating in the American Blind Skiing Association (ABSA), golf and other various sports. “He shows that no matter what happens, you can always get up and do greatness,” Mathis said. “His sense of happiness and adventure is contagious and he never gives up.” The pressing inspiration throughout his whole cross country season is his love of running, Kopp said. Even with the intimidation of a team consisting of 140 runners, nothing could stop him from doing what he loves. “It doesn’t matter if you have a disability, you can still play a sport,” Kopp said. “If you love it, just go for it because it will all turn out alright.” Photos taken by Adam Janicki, Lindsey Hauch and Lucy Schaefer
PULSE Turn to pages 16-17 for full coverage
Food
McDonald’s meal At McDonald’s, order two four-piece nuggets, instead of one six-piece, to get more nuggets for a cheaper price.
Cheap Chipotle Order “half and half” meat at Chipotle for more meat at almost the same price of a normal burrito.
Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 14
Every restaurant seems to have secrets menu items and tips to get more for you money. LION staffers Katie Palermo ‘17, Christina Rossetti ‘18 and Spiro Kass ‘18 compiled the best list of food hacks for the LT area.
McGangBang: McDonald’s
$2.92 After tax
Palermo: This McDonald’s sandwich is composed of what I believe to be the two best items on the menu. The mixture of the ketchup, mustard, pickle and onion from the cheeseburger and the mayonnaise and lettuce of the chicken was a match made in heaven. While the compilation of the two sandwiches made for a tall bite, things got pretty messy and many napkins were needed. Ordering the item using the drive-thru was a breeze; the fact that we had to assemble it was a pain and time consuming. /5 paws (had to assemble it ourselves and that was a big bummer, not very “on-the-go” friendly) Rossetti: The McDouble with a McChicken stuffed inside, truly called the McGangBang, was probably the most outrageous thing to order. The blend of the mayo and ketchup on this sandwich, with the addition of the saltiness of the McChicken and the meaty flavor of the McDouble was a smart combination. However, the additional bun made the sandwich a mouthful. The biggest let down? Rolling up the drive through, asking for one, and McDonalds not being able to make it for you (only available at certain locations). Overall, anyone who loves the cheeseburger or the nugs from McDonalds should order this one, and don’t be afraid to ask for it by its true name. /5 paws Kass: The interesting mix of flavors of the McGangBang was extremely noticeable right from the first bite. A beef patty, on top of chicken, on top of another beef patty, with an array of cheese, ketchup, pickles, and hamburger buns in between, created a taste that I will never forget. The only downside was the assembly of the burger, because the Hinsdale location I went to handed me a separate McChicken and a separate McDouble instead of creating the combination for me; so make sure find a location where they are willing to assemble the creation for you. /5 paws
Quesarito: Chipotle
McDonald’s McGangBang. (Katie Palermo/LION)
$12.91 After tax
Palermo: While almost $13 for a burrito with guacamole is pretty steep, it’s definitely worth it. Every time I visit Chipotle, I face the struggle of choosing between a quesadilla or burrito. After finding the secret menu hack which uses a quesadilla as the burrito wrap, a diner no longer has to endure the painful decision. The masterpiece takes awhile for the Chipotle chefs to prepare; in the end your taste buds and stomach will thank you. /5 paws (docked for price) Rossetti: For a lactose intolerant human, this monster burrito was extra cheesy, but I would highly recommend it. The extra support of the second shell with the binding of the cheese helped the burrito stay together, and the flavor added by the melted cheese helped add to better the taste of this burrito from Chipotle. The warm grilled burrito was enjoyable. It felt like I was eating a quesadilla instead of the double wrapped burrito. Even though this beauty was tasty, it was very expensive, and did not seem to be an order workers liked to make. Overall, the Quesarito was gooey because of the added cheese and flavorful just like regular Chipotle, but the expense was a little bit of a turn-off. /5 paws
Chipotle’s Quesarito. (Katie Palermo/LION)
Kass: Rice. Chicken. Guac. CHEESE. Upon the first bite, Chipotle’s Quesarito instantly proved itself to be an extreme upgrade from the already highly-acclaimed classic burrito. Although there was a slightly longer wait for it to be prepared, the explosive, cheesy taste entirely made up for it. The warm, gooey quesadilla combined with the burrito’s usual ingredients complimented each other in such a way that made my tastebuds go crazy. /5 paws
Pink Star Smoothie Palermo: The first sip tasted like a pink Starburst was for real thrown into a blender (in a good way though.) After awhile, the tangy candy flavor turned into a creamy strawberry ice cream flavor. The smoothie had a light texture and flavor, creating an overall enjoyable experience. /5 paws Rossetti: For me, this Jamba Juice smoothie tasted just like a “Strawberry Starburst”. It had many differing flavors, but the main ones I tasted were strawberry and a hint of raspberry. It was creamier than regular smoothies, almost as smooth as ice cream. I enjoyed the taste of the smoothie, but I’m not a big fan of overly sweet things, and this one was way too sweet for me. Overall, the Pink Star Smoothie was a new taste for me, but I would only recommend it if you really like sweet drinks. /5 paws Kass: I am not much of smoothie drinker, but I was very pleased with my recent visit to Jamba Juice. Little did I know that the smoothie shop secretly offers a smoothie that tastes exactly like a pink Starburst. The smoothie’s taste was creamy and delicious, and there were little bits of strawberry within the drink that added to the effect; however, the taste resembled more of an ice cream rather than a fruit /5 paws smoothie, which was a little disappointing.
Jamba Juice
$5.51 each After tax
Sour Patch Kid Smoothie Palermo: I read on their website that fellow reviewers had found the flavor to be exactly like a red Sour Patch Kid. I disagree, as it was not a distinct single flavor of sour patch, more rather a sour patch mixture. Compared to the pink star, this smoothie was extremely tart and I was not able to take more than three sips. /5 paws Rossetti: By far my favorite thing from these four tastings was the Jamba Juice “Sour Patch Smoothie”. It was a great combination of lime, raspberry, orange, pineapple, blueberries and lemonade. I’m a huge sour candy fan, and Sour Patch Kids are my favorite candy, so when I tasted this, it was just what I hoped for. The combination of all those fruits added the most sour concoction I’ve ever tasted the most surprising part was that the aftertaste was very sweet, just like the candy. Overall, the Sour Patch Smoothie was the perfect blend of sour fruits and a sweet aftertaste for any of you sour lovers out there. /5 paws
Kass: If you are into sour, then this smoothie is for you; however, I was not all that happy with how sour this smoothie was. The barista did an amazing job creating the taste of the smoothie exactly like the taste of sour patch kids, but for me, drinking that taste--instead of chewing on it-- was Jamba Juice’s Pink Star and not very refreshing. The price was reasonable, however, and the smoothie Sour Patch Kid Smoothies. /5 paws had a good texture to it as well, so overall it was not all that bad. (Katie Palermo/LION)
String surplus The Fender Factory makes around 20,000 miles of guitar string per year, which is enough to circle the globe.
PROFILES
Sticky situation
The first modern stickers, known as self-adhesive labels, were made in 1935 by R. Stanton Avery.
Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 15
Student tours, performs with Dalton Rapattoni
Student embarks on national tour to gain experience, enhance love for music by Sheridan Spiess @sheridanspiess After five years of practicing three hours a day, Leah Slivovsky ‘17 auditioned and was chosen to tour with artist Dalton Rapattoni. Having performed at Lollapalooza, Riot Fest and Summerfest, Slivovsky was well-prepared to tour the country, performing for large crowds. Slivovsky started her music career when her mother signed her up for a one-week camp at School of Rock Oak Park. From there, she joined the school where she became an All Star, meaning that she was in the top 0.5-percent of students there. “[Playing electric guitar] really struck a chord with me,” Slivovsky said. “I started playing like crazy, just hours and hours a day until it really just became a part of me.” This past year, Rapattoni went on tour visiting different areas with School of Rock. His last stop was School of Rock in Chicago on Aug. 2. Slivovsky practiced during the day in preparation of Rapattoni’s visit and the opportunity to perform with him that night. Slivovsky found out that Rapattoni was searching for an electric guitarist. Soon after, she was asked to attend an audition in Austin, Texas, for the opening. After two days of auditions, she was informed that she would be touring with Rapattoni. “Making a living as a musician is my ultimate dream,” Slivovsky said. “So the fact that it’s starting so early for me is a dream come true.”
Slivovsky’s parents supported her dream of becoming a musician. They helped pay for lessons and her dad’s music influenced her taste in rock music. They helped Slivosvsky get to where she needed to be so she could work towards her dream. “We’re all surprised that this has happened so soon,” Leah’s mother Katie Slivovsky said. “But we’re not surprised it’s happened because this is what Leah has worked for since she picked the guitar in grade school.” According to Katie, Leah’s parents recognized her hard work from a young age. She would wake up at 5:15 a.m. on school days to practice, followed by practicing again at a minimum of two more hours after school. These practices varied, ranging from her playing independently to practicing at School of Rock Oak Park to eventually teaching other guitarists. “There are three things Leah has,” Katie said. “It’s this determination, ambition and talent.” Leah will perform in her Chicago show on Oct. 27 at the Wire music venue in Berwyn. From there, she will continue her tour. Being on this tour is a good first step into a career as a musician, according to School of Rock Oak Park music director Jennifer Malone. “She really has all the potential in the world to do what she wants as a musician,” Melone said.
Leah Slivovsky rocks out at the 2015 Summerfest music festival in Milwuakee. (School of Rock)
Community raises money for van, awareness Special needs student requires new van for transport to daily events, receives money through Go Fund Me page
Quincy Hoston proudly holds his high school diploma on graduation day. (Diane Logan)
by Sarah Grier @smgrier0 LT student Quincy Hoston ‘16 was the youngest of four children born to a single mother on March 10, 1998. At birth, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, spasticity, quadriplegia and convulsive epilepsy. His doctors estimated he would not make it past his sixth birthday. Defying all odds, Hoston graduated LT in 2016 and is now enrolled in the LT transition program. “Through all of his life, sick or not, he would always keep that big Kool-Aid smile,” Hoston’s mother, Diane Logan, said. “That’s one of the reasons I call Quincy my gift from God.” The family received a lot of much needed financial support from Logan’s sister and Navy veteran, Bernadine Logan. “Anything she thought that we needed, she provided to us,” Diane Logan said. “She was Quincy’s hero.” On Christmas Day 2015, Bernadine Logan lost her battle to cancer. “This was a great loss,” Diane
To donate to Quincy’s van, please visit GoFundMe.com and search “Quincy Hoston.” Logan said. “Quincy was the apple of her eye and vice-versa.” This past year, the gas line on Hoston’s handicap-accessible van broke, resulting in the family not being able to afford to repair or replace it because of the absence of the previous financial support. Hoston could no longer be transported safely to his doctor’s appointments, church and other activities. The family needed to raise at least $10,000 in order to get a cheap, used van, so his mother started a Go Fund Me page in hopes of raising money for his van. “I decided to ask others for help as well as start praying that God make a way for us,” Diane Logan said. After Hoston’s teacher, Jaclyn Boscovitch, learned of the family’s situation during a meeting and gained permission to share the Go Fund Me information through email, the
money began pouring in. One of the most significant contributions recieved on the Go Fund Me page came from the LT Teacher Association in the amount of $2,040. “We sent it out to teachers’ personal emails and said this is another way to help out a student if you could chip in some money,” vice president of the Teacher’s Association Joseph Maffey said. The donation brought tears of joy to Logan as she continued to receive more money for the van. The page is currently at $4,990 and the family is hoping to make its goal soon. “For Quincy, the van will bring him freedom,” Boscovitch said. “He loves being out in the community and hanging out with friends, so if he is stuck at home and can’t do that, it is really sad.”
Students fuse business with design Senior artist uses his designs to create T-shirts, stickers with other LT students by Maddy Cohen @maddyc700
After many years of receiving rewards and praise for his artwork at different camps and art shows, artist Noah Denten ‘17 decided it was time to turn his artwork into something special. “I’ve known Noah for a really long time, and he is always working on something new,” Kyle Reblin ‘19 said. “I am still blown away by his work today; he is so talented and makes it seem so effortless.” LT students Denten, Reblin, and Jake Hollowed ‘18 have teamed up and started their own business, Illality, selling stickers and T-shirts with Denten’s designs on them. The stickers are being sold at $2 a piece with two designs, and the T-shirts are being sold at $20 a piece with many interchangeable color and design options, Hollowed said. “Once we recognized what everyone had to offer, the ball started rolling,” Hollowed said. “We realized we all had different talents to create something.” Currently, there are two different color options for the short sleeve T-shirts, navy and white, and multiple design options, Reblin said. There are three possible designs that can be placed on the back as well as six designs in place of the left breast pocket. There are a total of eight base colors, but from there any color can be created and pressed onto the shirt. “It was hard combining my art with something that people, specifically high schoolers, would want to wear,” Denten said. Instead of ordering the T-shirts online through a third party, Illality does something very unique; they produce the T-shirts in Denten’s garage, Denten said. Before they could start printing designs with Denten’s T-shirt press, they spent a lot of time over the summer working with LT’s resources. Through a complex and strenuous process, they created screens, similar to a stencil, with Denten’s designs on them. While screens have unlimited uses, it can take
up to a week to perfect one, and if there are any mistakes, Illality must start from scratch. “The second time we tried to print was when I realized it was really happening,” Denten said. “The first time we tried, it did not work at all, and we were all pretty frustrated.” Denten is constantly drawing; his family has had a huge influence on him and his love for art that started at a young age, Hollowed said. The designs on the T-shirts were inspired by video games and comic art, Denten said. The first release of designs consist of a Buddha, a floating juggler and a large illustration of the brand name. “When deciding what designs to choose, I have to think of two things: if I am comfortable wearing it at school and if other people would be comfortable wearing them,” Denten said. While Denten thought of this idea towards the end of the last school year, he has always known that art is something he wants to pursue for his career. Although art teacher Patrick Page has taught Denten for the past two years, he was aware of his special talent before he entered the classroom. “It’s interesting teaching advanced and AP because I hear about students coming up from intermediate who are really, really good,” Page said. “You look out for people like him.” Although the company has just started, they already have plans for the future, Hollowed said. They plan to have long sleeve T-shirts coming out as the colder months come closer and new designs come out every quarter. In the long term, the success of the company is still unknown, but for Denten, this is only a start for his artistic career. “I think this is a great experience and starting point for him.” Page said. “You never know where these companies might end up. He has a lot of skills and is going to go really far.”
Some of Illality’s featured designs (Denten)
Hazardous heat
Heat waves caused by global warming present greater risk of heat-related illness and death.
climate
Massive meltdown
The Arctic ice is melting so rapidly that by 2040, the region is expected to have an ice-free summer.
Alarming Americans
Melting Montana
While Americans make up just 4-percent of the population, we produce 25-percent of the world’s pollution.
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Pages 16 and 17
Montana’s Glacier National Park currently has only 25 glaciers instead of 150 that were there in 1910.
Climate change and its effects by Henry Groya @henrygroya
How to reduce your carbon footprint Compiled by Grace Palmer •
Climate Change Q&A
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LION interviewed the three AP Environmental Science teachers, John McKendrick, Eric Nuss and Michelle Wrona, to get their opinion on climate change.
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1. Why is there disagreement regarding climate change?
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Nuss: People are uneducated and people are misinformed. There is a big miscommunication effort being funded by the fossil fuel industry. The fossil fuel industry has been employing the same PR firms and the same legal teams as the tobacco industry was using in the 90s, so they have been successful in creating this idea that the science is out on it.
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2. If climate change is real, what should we do to combat it? Wrona: We have to address it as a global community and the U.S. needs to be doing their part as a world leader and making those changes. I think there is a place for a carbon tax, and you hear of it being passed in Canada soon and Australia has passed one although there are references to the fact of “why make a change?” What is the point if our planet is already experiences this much warming, and you know the idea of colonizing other planets, it is totally absurd. We need to be more of a world leader on this front. We have so much ingenuity, we have so much potential and we can do great things.
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3. How is climate change visible where we live?
McKendrick: That’s tough because we’re talking the difference between weather and climate, and climate change is a slower impact versus weather, which is day to day. You can see it in more extremes. You’ll have longer drier periods versus more extreme wet periods. With climate change it doesn’t necessarily mean warmer it means changes in what we usually see so you’ll have bigger swings one way or the other. Like you’ll have more intense storms then periods of no storms; you’ll have droughts then not droughts, so you get more extremes than the normal. Wrona: Just the other day I heard September was the hottest September on record. You are seeing this pattern and climate change is difficult to look at a very local scale but there is now concrete evidence of species in other areas being affected. I have no study around here to show any specific organism has gone extinct because of climate change but you will see as shift in our zoning so not just La Grange but the entire area we are apart of will have their agricultural zone begin to shift. You have to look at a much larger span of time but even now, the frequent flooding, the extreme weather patterns are a nod towards climate change.
Change your lightbulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs—an easy fix that can reduce up to 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Unplug your phone charger when it is not being used—it can save up to $100 on your energy bill. Take public transport, carpool, ride your bike, or walk—a car emits its weight in carbon dioxide so taking a car off the road reduces the amount of carbon dioxide going in the air significantly. Choose a laptop over a desktop—a laptop is 80 percent more effective and saves energy.
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Buy local food—the closer it is, the less it has to travel across the country (burning food for travel). Use less paper towels—when folded in half, it can absorb more water. Turn off the lights when you leave the room—it saves money off your energy bill and helps reduce unnecessary energy use. Take the stairs—it’s not only good for your physical heath, but it helps reduce energy used by elevators/escalators. Do as much laundry as possible at one time—you will use less energy than doing laundry whenever you need. Reuse, reduce and recycle.
The last 12 months have consistently been the hottest months in recorded history; this means that this January was the hottest January of all time, and so on. This past July was the hottest of any month ever— that is, until this August broke that record. This planet is getting warmer. No one can deny that. The earth’s temperature has been on an exponential incline for the past 45 years. The planet is at its warmest in 115,000 years thanks to climate change. The last time the planet was this warm, the sea level was 30 feet higher than it is today—by the way, that means no Manhattan, no New Orleans, no Florida. Most of the Earth’s population lives near water; these people are going to have to go somewhere. People say “the Earth’s temperature is always changing!” Yes, but never this rapidly. The last time the planet heated up this quickly was when an asteroid hit the planet and engulfed it in flames. The Earth being this hot increases the chances of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and intensifies natural disasters such as what happened with the recent Hurricane Matthew. Dr. James Hansen, the former director of NASA and one of the country’s top climate scientists, has issued a stern warning for both the United States and the rest of the world: we aren’t doing nearly enough to combat the effects of climate change. The recent international Paris Agreement to curb climate change and carbon dioxide is not enough. It is not nearly enough. “There’s a misconception that we have begun to address the issue of climate change,” he once said. A strong way to confront climate change is decreasing depen-
McKendrick: An international organization takes all of the scientists’ studies and papers on climate and put it together so if someone wants to look at that they can and it would have all of the information they go through every little bit of it. They talk about the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. They’ll talk about trends that go back hundreds of thousands of years in terms of climate and showing the relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature. Nuss: [The evidence is shown with] rising sea levels. There is a country called the Maldives near India where they are trying to reinforce walls to battle the rising sea levels but they are concerned that that whole country is going to go under water. There are other countries in the Pacific that are going under water, and are losing beachfront property. There’s less ice, more and more glaciers are melting, the drought in California.
in the next century. This leads to a damaged food chain, first causing plants to die, then animals and even humans. According to National Geographic, if the Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru continues to melt at the rate at its current rate, it will be gone by 2100. This will leave thousands of people who rely on it for clean drinking water and electricity to suffer drastically. Furthermore, global warming is increasing worldwide acidic rainfall, according to National Geographic. Acid rain causes plants to die at an alarming rate, which goes back to the notion of the negative effects on the food chain. Due to global warming, hurricanes and other stronger-ended storms will only intensify, leading to an increase in global flooding. However, in continents such as Africa, droughts will occur more frequently. National Geographic predicts that Arica’s annual rainfall could decrease by as much as 10-percent in the next century. On top of that, less fresh water will be available in deserts like the Sahara. Global warming in final is a serious issue in the international world and needs to be regarded with great importance. Climate change can alter our environment for the worst and should not be overlooked.
Source: carbonfund. org and ctap.org
by Thomas Atseff @thomas_atseff
4. What evidence is there for climate change?
Since the 1980s, the issue of climate change has been a very prevalent issue. Climate change refers to global warming, which is an increase of Earth’s surface temperature due to human use of fossil fuels, that releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In 1988, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was created as a sect of the United Nations Environmental Program. This was set up under the United Nations to bring the issue of global warming to an international stage. That same year, the World Meteorological Organization was created under the UN to help generate solutions for climate change. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the earth’s surface temperature has increased 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century. This is due to human activities, meaning the way humans utilize non-renewable fuels. Today, humans generate roughly 84-percent of its total energy from fossil fuels, according to NASA. This then causes the phenomenon of global warming. Climate change leads to significant effects on the earth and its environment. Global warming causes glaciers to melt which, in turn causes the sea level to rise. Due to this effect the global sea level is predicted to rise as much as 23 inches
Curbing global warming dence on fossil fuels and increasing renewable energy. Renewable energy is often portrayed as a very different and strange form of energy, while in reality, it is far more sensible than our current system. We have an endless supply of energy floating in the sky and all around us, and instead of using it, we as a species have decided to instead stick giant drills into the ground and extract a poisonous form of energy that is now destroying our planet. The U.S. and other countries’ interest in oil and the fight over it has caused countless wars and deaths in the Middle East and elsewhere, and one way of fixing that is to turn away from the dangerous current methods. Many people claim that changing our energy program and introducing a more renewable energy system is unfeasible. According to the ExxonMobil CEO, it is an “unrealistic dream.” This however, is simply not true. In Costa Rica, the entire country ran off of only renewable energy for 75 days straight. Of course, they don’t compare to the size and energy needs of the U.S. Fortunately, Germany does, and serves as an excellent example; Germany is huge both in land mass and population. They have the fourth largest economy in the world, and are one of the top energy consumers. They are basically the economic engine powering the European Union right now. Germany has introduced a strong renewable energy program, and at one point in March, 87-percent of all of their energy was renewable. This actually led to power prices plummeting so low they dipped into the negatives, and for a few hours, German customers were actually being paid to use electricity, proving that renewable energy
is and can be highly profitable. Germany has thousands of wind energy turbines and over a million solar panels distributed across the country to power all of this. Germany has increased efficiency, while saving energy, all the while importantly cutting harmful CO2 emissions. According to a comprehensive study by the department of energy, with its currently available technology the U.S. could reach a renewable energy goal similar to Germany’s by 2050. Of course, the only thing stopping us, is money. Fossil fuels gained 75 times more subsidies than clean energy did in 2013. The profitability of fossil fuels (and the destruction of the planet) prohibits clean energy from succeeding in an open market. So why doesn’t the government step in and support clean energy? Well, many of them are paid in donations by lobbyists in the fossil fuel and oil industries, who are determined to maintain the status quo of continuing to use these harmful products. Oil and fossil fuel companies continue to privatize the profits, retaining all of the dirty money they make, but they socialize the costs; it is all of us who are going to have to pay for their destruction of our planet. Our generation—and quite possibly our species— cannot survive on this planet as it is being destroyed. Climate change, and those who refuse to combat it, violate all young people’s precious right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The stakes could not be any higher, and no price tag should deter us from changing our destructive ways and saving the planet and ourselves.
Compiled by Mikaela Larson
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Source: NASA
Courageous canines Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic: two Pomeranians and one Pekingese.
Adopt
Seeing spots
Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 18
Dalmatians are pure white when they are born and develop spots as they grow older.
The American Humane Society established Adopt-a-Dog Month in October 1981. During the month of October, people are encouraged to save lives and enhance their own through dog adoption at a shelter or rescue group.
by Caroline Konstant @carolinekon
Man’s best friend is said to be a loyal, furry loving dog and in my experience, I have found that to be true. My family rescued our dog Jeremy 12 years ago from PAWS shelter in Chicago. My older brothers begged my parents, who finally gave in and took us to multiple pet stores to look at the dogs they presented from shelters. We selected Jeremy, a fun-loving mutt who had been abused in his previous homes but still had a bounce in his step and was great with kids. We finally found our match. There are canines waiting to be adopted all around us. According to ASPCA, 2.7 million shelter animals are euthanized each year. Although not all dogs can be saved, the number of animal euthanasians could drop dramatically if the decision to adopt over buy was made. Puppy mills are infamous for churning out dogs in horrid conditions and are typically profit-driven. The Humane Society of the United States, which is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization, runs the Shelter Pet Project. It is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable. Shelters can house the kindest and friendliest dogs in the area. All it takes to find your furry friend is the initiative and commitment
to searching for your next sidekick to accompany you on all your adventures. Dogs bring joy and happiness to the lives of those they touch, but adopting a shelter dog also makes the owner feel proud to help a dog in need. Taking care of your new pet will give you a sense of purpose and a new-found hobby that will keep you on your feet and active. Shelter’s adoption prices range from $25-$140 and can sometimes be free when a promotion is ongoing. Another perk of adopting through a shelter is that most dogs are already neutered, so extra fees will not pile up. While you may not be getting the purebred canine, the benefits of adopting a mutt will shine through as the years you spend with it exceed that of a purebred. Banfield Pet Hospital reports that medium-sized dogs live 11 years on average, while medium-sized purebreds live seven years. As of October, there are 259 dogs who would love to be a part of your family that reside in an ASPCA-sponsored shelter within a 25-mile radius of La Grange. When you adopt a dog, you are saving a life and creating a relationship with an animal that will last. So scurry to the local humane society located in Hinsdale and check out the dogs of the community, but be careful— it will be hard to depart without a furry friend of your own.
Hinsdale Humane Society (22 N. Elm St., Hinsdale) offers adoption for both dogs and cats. Below are examples of dogs who were and may still be up for adoption. These dogs may have been adopted since our print date, but check out their website for more.
Freckles Breed: Pointer/Hound Age: 9 weeks Gender: Female Child Approval: 8 years of age or older Adoption Fee: $150
Fury Breed: Labrador Retriever mix Age: 6 months Gender: Male Child Approval: 13 years of age or older Adoption Fee: $100
Source: Hinsdale Humane Society
Stern’s Pups by Sydney Kaehler @sydneykaehler
Bella relaxes under the beautiful rays of the sun. (Stern)
Dice waits for his owner to toss him the ball. (Stern)
October is the month of pumpkins, haunted houses and our entrance into fall. What’s more important than Autumn propaganda? Dogs. Adopt-A-Dog month is in October! There is no better time to introduce a new member to the family. However, before your family decides to make a lengthy car ride to Missouri to bring back a puppy from a largescale commercial dog-breeding facility, educate yourself on how you could get a puppy AND make a difference. Adopt a dog—don’t buy one. A humane society is a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons. Skip the long car ride and the cost. Head over to the Hinsdale Humane Society or go a little farther to the West Suburban Humane Society. These are only two of the generous amount of shelters in the Chicagoland area. The mission of these private, nonprofit organizations is to
care for animals and find them a compassionate home. They want to end suffering and neglect and be a voice for the animals. Some of these dogs come from as far as Tennessee or are rescued from the Chicagoland area. They come from neglectful homes or are rescued from the road. Humane societies won’t give you a 100-percent Golden Retriever. It will give you a dog like Cooper. Cooper is one of the many dogs that have not yet been adopted. He is a four-and-a-half-year-old German Wirehaired Pointer, and extremely cute. There are many other dogs available, most of them mixed breeds. Adopting a shelter animal can change both your and the dog’s life. Adopting a shelter dog makes a difference in a mistreated mutt’s life. Rachel Stern ‘18 is an avid dog lover and her family owns two shelter dogs, Dice and Bella. Dice was found wandering the streets of Indiana after escaping a fire, and Bella was found in a box on the side of
the road with her brothers and sisters at only a few days old and rescued by a shelter. “I feel like I have made a small difference by helping my dogs, and I definitely will continue to adopt from shelters and encourage others to do the same, because shelter dogs are sometimes put down if they’re not adopted, and less likely to be adopted,” Stern said. Shelter dogs may have experienced horrible things before they were adopted, and many people assume they are not as well-behaved, but ultimately it depends on the new owner and how it is raised. These dogs will have a better life because of the Stern family’s care. When you adopt from a shelter, it helps dogs get a better life. “[The dogs] are so grateful to have a safe home,” Stern said. “They are very loving and very protective. I feel like my family and I have made a huge difference. ”
Radical reds Red and purple leaves are only that color because of the presence of the sugar and sap that are trapped in them.
fALL
Autumn apples
Thursday, October 27, 2016 n Page 19
Bobbing for apples started as a British courting ritual. Every male got an apple and women would bob for the men.
by Maddy Cohen @maddyc700
Whether it’s football, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, or premature Christmas excitement (58 days everyone), there is always something to look forward to at the start of fall. However, it’s not merely a coincidence that autumn draws a special type of excitement into our stomachs when it crosses our minds. Why does the smell of apple pie excite you? Why do we love it when the leaves change colors? All of these questions can be answered through simple psychology. “I love fall,”Maddie Dixon ‘18 said. “The things that are associated with fall make you feel warm inside; it’s a familiar scent.” The color of the leaves during fall is a staple for the season. Everyone loves walking outside to see vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow as opposed to the usual green, lighter green, and darker green that adorns the trees during the other seasons of the year. Our involuntary response to seeing the leaves changing plays a huge role into our emotions. Brains interpret dramatic changes as a type of signal: turning around when we hear a loud noise, shutting our eyes with a flash. The same principles follow with the colors of the leaves. When we see a unique stimulus, we pay attention to it, thus making them more meaningful. According to Psychology Today, “[heavy] visual contrast, saturation, and brightness are perceived as pleasantly exciting; all of those properties characterize fall,” assistant professor of psychology at Biola University in California, Jason Brunt, said. The lively colors of the leaves that we see for a only short period of time encourages
us to pay close attention and enjoy them for as long as possible. There are many scents that we associate with fall as well, the most popular scent being cinnamon. One aspect that affects our response to certain smells is called “fragrance memory,” which means we experience the same emotions as we did when we were first introduced to the smell. Unless you were terrified of apple pie as a child, the smell of cinnamon and apples is a pleasing one. Furthermore, cinnamon itself provides a universal response to everyone, no matter the past implications that follow. The strong smell of cinnamon provides benefits to your cognitive function. A study done by Wheeling Jesuit University found that a whiff of cinnamon improved participants’ visual motor response, attention span and memory. (For those who are solely excited for Christmas, that same study also found that peppermint can improve mental and physical athletic performance, digestive processes and pain tolerance). Cinnamon not only excites us because of happy memories we associate with it, but also because of the effects it has on our brain. While it may seem like your obsession with fall might be borderline crazy, the excitement is normal. The various scents and colors that surround us during this short season have a lasting effect on our mind and body. This impact could revive past memories or simply draw attention to beautiful things we normally don’t notice.
Spice it up
Fall festivities
Compiled by Juliana Halpin
As we dive deeper into fall, more and more pumpkin flavored foods appear on grocery store shelves. Check out LION’s favorite fall foods!
Pump k Spice in Peeps
Extra Pumpkin Spice Gum
Pumpk Spice Lain tte M&M’s
Pu m Sp pki M ic n Wh inie ea ts
Nov. 24 - “Rotary Run 3.12 Pie” LaGrange, Ill., start time 8:30 a.m. Nov. 26 - “Turkey Trot” 5k is a great way to work off your Thanksgiving dinner, 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Grant Park. (Chicago, Ill.) Oct. 1-31- Sonny Acres (29W310 N Ave.), open 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., is the largest pumpkin patch in the Chicagoland area. Oct. 27- Haunted Zoo Lecture: Paranormal investigator and ghostlore expert Ursula Bielski presents ghostly phenomena and paranormal activity found at Lincoln Park Zoo. 7-9 p.m. Sept.23 -Oct.30- Odyssey Fun Farm, open 6-8 p.m. Tinley Park, Ill. Offers and pumpkin patch, corn maze and more! Any day- Nature walk or picnic at Graue Mill (3800 York Rd, Oak Brook, Ill.)
Compiled by Katie Palermo and Sarah Grier
S Ch low Pu ur ne Spimpki d n c cre e Ice am
in pke m PuSpicek e t Gr gur o y
Brothers Grimm LT Theatre Board will present “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” a wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun in the South Campus PAC on Nov. 17-19 at 7 p.m. each evening.
Thursday, October 27, 2016 Page 20
GET OUT Weekend Entertainment Events Calendar
Weekend Weather Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Cloudy High: 55 Low: 42
Cloudy High: 64 Low: 54
Cloudy High: 64 Low: 46
Escape room offers thrills, fun for all
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Chicagoland area erupts with interactive entertainment that provides an escape from reality by Phil Smith @phil_ip_smith Our clock ticks down as the eight people locked in a room “Malfunction” (loosely similar to Matt Damon’s “The Martian”) search for clues to help us escape. Muttering riddles under our are less terrifying, but still difficult to complete, making it open to breaths and trying combinations on locks as music swells up in adventurers of all ages. the background, we know we only have an hour to make it out When we had trouble in Lock Chicago, there was a staff member of the treasure room alive. watching us through a security camera. We ‘died,’ missing our He could help us or give us clues either one-hour time limit by by speaking to us or signaling with under a minute. the music volume, but we only had a Although my group limited number of lifelines. These kept did not make it out of the game moving and interesting for Lock Chicago Escape the entire hour. Rooms alive, the experiThe rooms, however, are expensive. ence was still amazing. Lock Chicago costs $29.95 per person While being locked in a for one hour, and other Chicagosmall room with several land games can be even more costly. strangers, black lights, Going with a group of people (most smoke machines and of the sites are recommended for four creepy music, all while to eight people, with some rooms being watched by a small accommodating as many as 12) adds up security camera on the quickly, but it is worth it. ceiling may sound like The experience itself overall at Lazer beams at the escape room. (Phil Smith/LION) someone’s recurring nightLock Chicago was entertaining, even mare, it is standard in all escape rooms. if some of it did seem overtly unrealistic. Some clues were too easy “Sunburn,” the name of the room we tried (and failed) in (a note from a previous ‘explorer’ with a math problem on it), and Lock Chicago, had a relatively simple plot: Steal the ancient others were almost impossible to complete without help (lining up treasure in the middle of the night before the sun made the laser pointers with mirrors to create a complex star design), but this room too hot to survive. Other themes and storylines at other is not to say it was not an entertaining experience. My only real locations can be more complex and scary, like Al Capone’s Saint worry is trying other rooms. I feel like they could get repetitive, Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929 and H. H. Holmes’s World’s with puzzles too similar to previous experiences, but other repeat Fair Hotel—the Chicago home of America’s first psychopathic patrons have yet to run into this problem. serial killer. Bottom line: Looking for a different way to spend a night out? This doesn’t mean that the rooms are not for the faint of Escape rooms, such as Lock Chicago offer a challenging hour’s heart. Other rooms, such as Lock Chicago’s next attraction worth of adrenaline and fun—for a price.
Restaurant opens in LaGrange -Mac & Cheese Fest: Nov. 15, 12 p.m., 725 W Roosevelt Rd -Lincoln Park Christmas Lights: starts Nov. 25, Lincoln Park Zoo, 4:30-9 p.m. -Chicago’s 103rd Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Nov. 18, 6 p.m., Millennium Park -McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Nov. 24, 8-11 a.m. on State Street between Congress and Randolph -Christkindlmarket Naperville: Nov. 25-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Riverwalk park -Chicage book Expo: Nov. 13, 12- 5p.m., Columbia College -Northalsted Halloween parade: Oct. 31, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Halsted and Belmont -Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: Nov. 19, 5:30 p.m., Oak Street and Wacker Drive
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Kratom Decision Learn about the DEA’s decision to delay the move of kratom into the schedule 1 drug category, and its history.
North Campus
Fourteen Sixteen offers variety of lunch and dinner options for all diets by Grace Palmer @gpalmz32
As I walked into the somewhat plain exteriFor the entree, I went with the classic three or of Fourteen Sixteen (14 W. Calendar Ave., La beef burger at $15, which was anything but typical. Grange), I entered a warm, inviting, industrial feel. With bordelaise on a brioche bun and caramelized We did not have to wait for our table, but it was onions, I sunk my teeth in and immediately wantalso a Tuesday night, so I was not surprised. If you ed more. I typically do not like onions, but these are worried about getting a table, you can call for a made the burger even more perfect. By the end, reservation or you can even easily place your reser- there was not a crumb left on my plate. I also tried vation on their website. the zucchini cannelloni at $14 and was somewhat The restaurant features two levels of seating. I disappointed with the portion size. While the looked where I was sitting wood-fired tomato puree and with pipes and lights and crusted zucchini on one wall, and plants on were both very savory, the other, I was ready for a it would have not been great night with great food; enough to fill me up. and by the end of the night, Finally, for the I was not disappointed. dessert, I went with the They have a variety of apple pie for $7. The choices on their menu, presentation on the plate including a fair amount of made it look almost too vegan, vegetarian and glubeautiful for me to eat, ten-free options that can be but I am glad I did. The prepared upon request. flaky and warm crust I began with a somewhat on the outside with the adventurous starter: lamb gooey apples in the mid“nachos” at $12. This rather Fourteen Sixteen’s apple pie. (Grace Palmer/ LION) dle were a match made odd combination was confusin heaven. The caramel ing at first, but as I took my gelato on top added to first bite, I was pleasantly surprised. The pita-like this love affair, and I could not get enough. chips were perfectly warm and soft and mixed Bottom line: Fourteen Sixteen is a great new with feta cheese, onions, and tomatoes. This cheesy restaurant in LaGrange with wonderful food and combination was amazing; however, after a few a welcoming atmosphere. However, some of the bites, I put down the fork because it was very rich. portion sizes were a little too small and the prices The price of this was a little high for an appetizer, a little too high. I would definitely recommend it especially if you plan on eating a three-course meal, for a night on the town or date night, but not for but the taste was worth it. weekly dining.
online
Young Author
Add LION on Snapchat for updates on school and community news. SC: lionnewspaper or scan this icon (left) with your mobile phone.
Read about Grace Dekoker ‘19, who wrote and is in the process of publishing her new dystopian young adult novel.
100 S. Brainard Ave. LaGrange, Ill. 60525
South Campus
Movie Review
Read a review on the recently released movie “The Birth of a Nation,” a movie that addresses the legacy of slavery.
Are you ready to try to tackle the challenging and mainly chaotic word jumble? Well, you have turned to the right page! It will take all your brain power and concentration to take down this puzzle. Use your inteligence to unscramble these Halloween-themed words for the bragging rights that you can earn by cracking this chaos. Find the hidden word by unscrambling the highlighted letters below in the various words. Stumped or want to review your answers? Go check out lionnewspaper.com to see this issue’s scramble’s solution.
Puzzle created by Caroline Konstant
1) FCINOF __ __ __ __ __ __ 2) IAVEPRM __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 3) IWLTGHIT __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 4) LCBKA ATC __ __ __ __ __
__ __ __
5) LWEFEORW __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 6) OLDRCNUA __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ FINAL WORD: Halloween on a Monday made finding time to Trick-or-Treat a __________. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Trump Takeover See our take on the recently-leaked audio recordings of Trumps offensive comments towards women.
4900 Willow Springs Rd. Western Springs, Ill. 60558
ElecTion 2016 Thursday, October 27, 2016
Page 21
Can the Republicans win the White House? Can the Democrats take control of the Senate? Who will represent Illinois for the next six years? Can third party candidates really make a difference? All of these questions and more will be speculated and dissected by LION staff as America prepares to make its....
NOVEMBER 8 DECISION On Thursday Nov. 3 at both North and South Campus, the League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area is partnering with LT and our senior National Honor Society members to conduct a mock election.
“The LWV is overflowing with pride to see the enthusiasm, participation and civic awareness in this student body,” LWV Voters Services Co-chair Melissa Lieb said. Ballots will be available during all lunch
periods, and LION Staff greatly encourages you to exercise your ability to participate. Check out lionnewspaper.com for a deep dive on mock elections as a trend, featuring Government teachers, on Nov. 1.
General Election coverage can be found inside. Although the general election for the President of the United States is worthy of the focus it draws from mass media and the American electorate, there are many down-ballot races that warrant coverage. In some capacities, down-ballot races from the state level to local elections impact citizens more directly.
(D)
Congressman Dan Lipinski
Tammy Duckworth
C
Here, LION dissects the most consequential of these Illinois-specific races. The road to join Dick Durbin (D-IL) in the U.S. Senate as a representative for our state is between incumbent Illinois Senator Mark Kirk (R) and Asian American veteran Tammy Duckworth (D).
by Sheridan Spiess @sheridanspiess
ongresswoman Tammy Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. She has been the Representative of the 8th Congressional District of Illinois since 2013. Before that, she was a director for Illinois Veterans Affairs Department. During her time in the Iraq War she lost both her legs and partial use of her right arm in a helicopter crash. After a year of recovery, she became an advocate for veterans and wounded warriors. In the U.S. House, during 2015 and 2016, she served on the Armed Services Committee, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and was a ranking member of the subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets along with some other subcommittees. In addition to these, she was chosen to work for the Select Committee on Events Surrounding the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi. Duckworth is a Democratic campaigning for U.S. Senate. She wants to put families and communities first. She supports abortion and the Affordable Care Act. She believes it is a woman’s choice whether or not she wishes to receive an abortion.
In regards to immigration, Duckworth supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway for those who enter the U.S. illegally to gain citizenship. She also would like to admit Syrian refugees into the U.S. In order to create a balanced budget, Mrs. Duckworth supports increasing taxes. She believes that this is more fair for working and middle class families, veterans, and low income senior citizens as they have to pay large sums of taxes while large companies avoid federal income taxes. Mrs. Duckworth supported the Iran Nuclear Deal. This would keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, which would protect the U.S. from a nuclear threat. After multiple mass shootings, she supports restriction of the second amendment. She wants to expand background checks and prevent terrorism suspect from buying firearms. Tammy Duckworth believes in supporting families and communities through tax reforms and making abortions available to women, supports immigration reform, and would like expand background checks for gun purchases.
(R)
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are up for relection every two year cycle. Congressman Lipinski currently faces no opposition from the Republican party. He is a member of the Democratic party who has served in Washington for our district, the 3rd Congressional district of Illinois, since 2005. He is also a local resident from Western Springs.
Mark Kirk O
1. Lake County 2. DuPage County 3. Will County
Senate Breakdown
I
n Illinois elections, downstate counties typically support Republicans. Cook County, home to Chicago, always backs Democrats. Naturally, the swing collar counties of Lake, DuPage and Will in between are up for grabs, and in recent statewide elections, these counties have picked the winner. All three backed Republican Bruce Rauner for Governor in 2014 and delivered him victory. In the past two Senate elections, DuPage and Will have backed Republicans. In 2010, Lake backed Kirk but also Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin in 2014, both winners of their respective races. This makes Lake County the most competitive region in the state and will likely determine the outcome of the election. Duckworth also represents portions of DuPage county, and she must bring these areas into play in order to defeat Kirk, likewise Kirk must win downstate, Lake, Du Page and Will counties to win.
Compiled by Brandt Siegfried
by Brandt Siegfried @brandto13
n Nov. 2, 2010, Republican Mark Kirk was declared the winner of President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat. Kirk narrowly defeated Illinois treasurer Alexi Giannoulias 48-percent to 46-percent in a Republican wave year, joining five other freshmen Republicans in the Senate. This November, Kirk faces yet another tight competition against Rep. Tammy Duckworth. Mr. Kirk was born and raised in Illinois, serving in the Navy Reserve from 1989 until his retirement in 2013. In 2000, Kirk was elected to the House of Representatives from Illinois’ swing 10th congressional district. Mr. Kirk took more conservative stances on fiscal issues and national defense and liberal stances on social issues. He was subsequently reelected to five terms in the House until he opted to retire from his seat to run for the open Senate seat vacated by Roland Burris, appointed to replace President Obama. After his narrow win in the competitive toss-up race, Mr. Kirk went to work for Illinois. His moderate positions on many issues have led Mr. Kirk to regularly break with Republican colleagues on key votes. This has earned him
the rank of third most bipartisan senator from the Lugar Center. Recently, Mr. Kirk has sponsored legislation to affirm support for bilateral negotiations between Israel and Palestine, and to ensure timely burial for veterans. Mr. Kirk has initiatives to support U.S. veterans, fight gangs, end child trafficking and increase heroin awareness. Currently, Mr. Kirk serves on the Appropriations, Banking, HELP, and Aging committees. Mr. Kirk has been a positive influence on the Senate, maintaining the candy desk and serving as an independent voice for Illinois. The candy desk is a Senate tradition where one Senator fills a bowl with confections for other Senators. His bipartisanship has also led to great relationships with other Senators and a better chance to pass legislation that would benefit Illinois. Mr. Kirk is predicted by analysists to lose reelection, but polls remain inconclusive. The Real Clear Politics average has Mr. Kirk at 36-percent and Mrs. Duckworth at 43-percent, leaving 21-percent undecided. Nonetheless, Kirk supporters remain optimistic that his moderate stances will appeal to enough Republicans and independents to swing the election.
Election 2016 Thursday, October 27, 2016 Pages 22 and 23
DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
37-percent of the 271 students polled support HRC.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
H
ighly controversial yet politically experienced, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first woman nominated by a major party. As a former NY Senator and U.S. Secretary of State, as well as First Lady to former president Bill Clinton, Mrs. Clinton has spent a large majority of her career in politics. She previously ran for the presidency in 2008 but conceded the nomination when it became clear that then-Illinois senator Barack Obama held the majority of delegates. Economically, Mrs. Clinton plans to make the tax code more progressive by greatly increasing taxes on the wealthy. To do this, she would impose the “Buffett Rule,” which requires those with gross incomes over $1 million to pay 30-percent of their income in taxes. However, the majority of Americans would not see a large difference in their taxes because she does not want to increase the burden on middle-class families. In a world where terrorism has become commonplace, Mrs. Clinton suggests that completely destroying the Islamic State of Iraq and
Hot topic:Immigration the LT student body believes that immigration to the U.S. should 50% ofremain open to innocent working men and women. the LT student body believes that immigration into the U.S. should be 14% ofentirely halted and illegals should be deported. Stats derived from a poll of 271 LT students from all grades levels.
VP NOMINEE
Donald J. Trump
In the news and on the campaign trail... On Oct. 5 and Oct. 9, WikiLeaks posted controversial internal emails between Mrs. Clinton and her campaign chairman John Podesta, as well as transcripts from private paid speeches to Goldman Sachs and other large corporate interests. The Clinton campaign has not commented on the legitimacy of the hacked documents. (The Washington Post) During these past few weeks, the Clinton Foundation has come under great scrutiny. The Clintons were giving special favors to their foundation’s top donors. (PoliticalFact)
On Oct. 1, the New York Times published a portion of Mr. Trump’s 1995 tax returns. The papers show a loss of nearly a billion dollars in one year and could have sheltered Mr. Trump from income tax for 18 years. Mr. Trump has not released any tax returns, an unprecedented move for a nominee in the past 40 years. (New York Times) On Oct. 8, the Washington Post released a 2005 video of Mr. Trump and “Access Hollywood” star Billy Bush discussing committing sexual assault on married women. Mr. Trump has dismissed the clips as “locker room talk.” (The Washington Post)
During Mrs. Clinton’s private email server scandal, her chief of staff Cheryl Mills made a deal with the FBI agreeing that the FBI could see her server, if none of the information was used against her. FBI Director James Comey granted many of these staff members immunity. (The Atlantic)
On Oct. 18, Mr. Trump made an unexpected policy reveal for a major-party candidate. He called for a constitutional ammendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress at a rally in Colorado Springs. (Politico)
For the last week before the election, Mrs. Clinton is scheduled to appear in Flordia, Pennsylvania and Texas. Her last rally before election day will be on Nov. 5 in Tampa with musician Jon Bon Jovi as a guest. (MSNBC)
For the last week before the election, Mr. Trump is currently not scheduled to appear anywhere. His last planned rally will take place in Johnstown, Penn., on Oct. 21, 19 full days before the election. (Trump Campaign)
The grass will be greener... The next president of the United States will undoubtedly have a lot on their plate. Over the past seven years, if nothing else, President Barack Obama has accomplished a scandal-free term in office and has enjoyed relatively high public approval ratings. The two major party candidates, Charlie Stelnicki Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, do not enjoy the same high favorability numbers. Despite this, one of them will certainly be in the Oval Office starting Jan. 20, 2017, and have the daunting task of healing a polarized nation. The winner will have the controversial job of appointing a Supreme Court Justice. They will have to help manage the Syrian crisis and maintain global peace. They will have to take a serious stance on climate change. They will have to set precedents for the degree to which cyber attacks are retaliated. They will take over the post of the leader of the free world and all of the clout and weight that comes with the title.
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he 2016 election may be considered one of the most peculiar elections in American history. It became especially unusual when Donald J. Trump announced his candidacy for President. No one expected a reality TV star and a beauty pageant owner to become Republican party nominee. While Mr. Trump has received tremendous backlash for his rhetoric and behavior, his political inexperience is one reason he could make a great president. The most common saying Mr. Trump is known for is that he will build a wall on the Southern border of the United States. He even says Mexico will pay for the wall. The statement has gained popularity with many Americans, including Latino-Americans. Mr. Trump and these citizens are not anti-immigration but want to know who is entering the country. With recent terror attacks around the world, that is not an unreasonable notion. Documented immigrants agree with Mr. Trump because they want people to enter the country legally, like they did. 42-percent of American-born Hispanics disapprove of President Barack Obama’s actions to stop the deportation of undocumented immigrants, according to the Chicago Tribune. Another stance Mr. Trump has prioritized is defending the Constitution and Second Amendment rights. Mr. Trump wants Americans to exercise their gun rights but obtain the gun legally. He believes that people are entitled to having a firearm as long as they pass a background check in a system where background checks will work as intended. Mr. Trump believes improving the nation’s mental health system will help stop mass shootings. He will expand treatment programs around America because the majority of mass shootings are committed by people with mental health issues and these people need help. Allowing safe Americans to legally obtain guns is the best way to keep our country safe because the police can not be everywhere. A frequent topic of conversation that Mr. Trump references is his refusal to support trade agreements. He smashes former President Bill Clinton for supporting NAFTA and ridicules Hillary Clinton for praising the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal while campaigning for the Democratic primaries. Mr. Trump’s rationale for not supporting any trade deals is to keep American jobs in our own hands. Mr. Trump’s criticism of NAFTA and ideologies against trade deals are why his message has resonated so soundly with those in the Rust Belt. The reason Donald Trump’s campaign has constantly come under fire
The next president of the United States is likely to cially after the midterm wave elections of 2010 and 2014, have a split Congress. They will be the leader of a pubmany executive orders have been issued. Some have been effective, like the push to lower power plant carbon lic that is in desperate need of moderation and healing after a vicious and damaging year of campaigning. emissions by 30-percent by 2030, whereas his efforts on immigration reform and minimum wage increases have It is clear that the next leader of this nation will be pivotal to America’s role in the remainder of this been stalled by a Republican-held Congress. century. As any politician and President Obama “It is clear that the next leader of this their actions inherently are, has taken major steps Obama and the coalition of nation will be pivotal to America’s role liberal Senators and Repto insure healthcare to millions of Americans he supports in the remainder of this century.” resentatives and protect those who are viewed subjectively by many of the people who suffer from pre-existing conditions through the Affordable Care Act. He has make up this nation, but his ratings speak for themselves. The next president, whomever they shall be, they will expanded nature reserves and has become much more vocal about the environment. He oversaw the appointhave the trial-hardened task of improving citizens’ lives ment of two female voices to the Supreme Court and and keeping us safe. Regardless of the mudslinging on both sides of the primaries and the general election, one their momentous decision to legalize gay marriage in June 2015. can only hope that the stature and rich history of the office will be upheld. Since control of Congress has mostly been in Republican hands under the Obama administration, espeThe United States is a beacon of democracy and
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What’s happening to our country?
Tim Kaine Announced as Clinton’s Vice President on July 22 Home state: Minnesota Before political life, he was a lawyer Current U.S. Senator from Virginia, served as Mayor of Richmond (1998-2001) and as Governor of Virginia (2006-2010)
Tim Kaine is a strong supporter of gun control. In 2012, He received an F rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for his voting record on guns. Mr. Kaine, being a gun owner himself, supports the expansion of background checks and banning the sale of weapons to terrorism suspects on the no-fly list. In terms of abortion, Mr. Kaine defends the right of women to make their own health decisions, although he is personally against it as a Catholic. In the past, he has sought to lessen the number of abortions through education programs. Compiled by Luke Lusson
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once observed, “Democracy is the worst form of government—except for all the other ones.” His comment still holds an element of truth when applied to the appalling state of this presidential election and any other alternaPhil Smith tives some might seek. Populist trends in both major parties have led to the nomination of the most flawed candidates ever. One has no political experience. He is a loudmouth, a bigot, a misogynist and just plain obnoxious. The other is untrustworthy and a liar who, in all likelihood, has committed criminal acts. Are these two people really the best candidates America can select? Either way, one of them will win, and we will just have to hold our noses for the next four years. How did we get here? First, let’s start with Donald Trump. The most shocking recent news is that he is—what a surprise—a sexist, misogynistic pig. Beyond that, he seemingly bragged about years of sexual assaulting women,
insulted a judge for his Mexican heritage, questioned money and scandals around every corner. the legitimacy of President Barack Obama’s birth cerThe third-party candidates are no better. In any tificate for years and stirs up feelings of hate and jinother election, I would probably support one of them, goism among his supporters. He claims to be brought hoping that the first person not from a major party forward by a trend of “outsiders” who will tear Washsince George Washington could pull off the impossible ington from the hands of career politicians, but he is and win, but these candidates are almost as bad. really riding a wave of anger and resentment. Libertarian Gary Johnson is clueless. Infamous for In the other corner, we have Hillary Clinton, who asking on TV “What is Aleppo?” (the Syrian city that has a problematic relationBashar al-Assad and Vladship with the truth and imir Putin are reducing to “Either way, one of them will win, believes that rules are for rubble) and unable to name lesser mortals. She is cold, a and we will just have to hold our a single foreign leader he pathological liar, two-faced admired, he could not feanoses for the next four years.” (if the WikiLeaks transibly be the Commander in scripts are to be believed) Chief of the armed forces or and used an illegal homebrew server to keep secrets lead an international power. from the press, her supporters and the nation at large. The other third-party candidate is Dr. Jill Stein, Her alleged use of the Clinton Foundation as a means the nominee of the Green Party, whose highest elected of extracting money from foreign governments is disposition was member of the Lexington Town Meeting. graceful. Hoping to become the first female president, Focusing almost entirely on the environment with few she is the epitome of the politician Mr. Trump attacks detailed plans for the nation, Madame Greenpeace at his rallies—years in power, accusations of dirty could not feasibly lead an entire country.
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SENATOR
by Danny Kilrea @dannykilrea
is solely because many people think he is a racist. However, that is not how the Mr. Trump campaign sees it. He tells the truth and does not worry about being politically correct. He says that he does not have time to be politically correct and that the country does not have time for it either. If people are constantly worried about being politically correct, it makes it very tough to be honest about current issues. A position that rarely comes up in the news is Mr. Trump’s education reform ideas. A Trump presidency would work with Congress to reduce the cost of college by offering federal tax breaks to colleges. His overarching goal would be to help make sure everyone can attend the posthigh school education they desire with ease and not worry about cost. He is the man that the media constantly attacks, the man no one expected to run for president, the man no one expected to win and the man that says issues as they are. Yet, against all odds, he has ended up as the Republican party nominee. A notion that was ridiculous two years ago just could end up becoming true on Nov. 8: Donald J. Trump leading our country in a new, different direction.
Hot topic:Black Lives Matter
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by Sydney Hansen @_sydneyhansen
Syria (ISIS) is the only way to combat terrorist attacks. Her plan to combat the radical group includes working with U.S. allies to dismantle the global terror network by stemming the flow of jihadists from Europe and America to countries like Syria and Iraq, as well as intensifying the coalition air campaign against ISIS fighters. Mrs. Clinton’s plan to demolish terrorism also relates to gun laws in the U.S. She is an advocate for stronger gun control, maintaining that she would expand background checks on gun sales and keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and the severely mentally ill. She also plans on keeping assault weapons out of the hands of suspected terrorists, and believes that people on the no-fly list should not be allowed to buy guns. As a crusader for women, Mrs. Clinton is devoted to maintaining and strengthening the rights of women domestically and internationally. She believes in defending Planned Parenthood and also asserts that she will work to close the pay gap between men and women, especially for women of color, who earn the least in comparison to men. She also plans on confronting the violence against women that is especially prevalent on college campuses. On healthcare, Mrs. Clinton stated in the Oct. 9 presidential debate that she wants to refine the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), a law that requires all Americans to have healthcare, but also makes healthcare coverage more affordable. Obamacare has been challenged numerous times in court, with some politicians asserting that it is too costly for businesses, thereby killing jobs, and that it also intrusive in the affairs of individuals. Despite this, Mrs. Clinton is committed to defending the law and expanding access to affordable healthcare. She also aims to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, defend access to reproductive healthcare (including safe and legal abortion) and expand affordable health care to families even if they are not legal U.S. citizens. Despite Mrs. Clinton’s extensive presence in public service, she has been at the forefront of many polarizing scandals that continue to plague her campaign. One major topic: Benghazi. While Mrs. Clinton was Secretary of State, the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya was attacked on Sept. 11, 2012. Four U.S. citizens were killed in the attack. Many criticized the inadequate security of the compound and the slow response of the military, and shifted the blame to Mrs. Clinton for the lack of security. Arguably the most prominent scandal that has caused voters to distrust Hillary is the email controversy surrounding her personal server. While serving as Secretary of State, she used a personal email instead of the State Department email system. Despite claiming that there were no classified emails on the personal server, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later proved that this was incorrect, citing over 100 emails that were classified. She also deleted 33,000 emails on the personal server, and the FBI later recovered over 17,000 emails that had either been deleted or not turned over to the State Department, many of which were work-related.
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE
27-percent of the 271 students polled support DJT.
clean transition of political power. No matter how impassioned supporters may feel about the direction of the country and about the candidates, America can walk away from 2016 and into a brighter future. In the remainder of this century, our devotion to peace and prosperity will be tested. Our allies must be respected and trusted as valuable sources of information and commerce; all the while we must keep our borders secure. Our environment must be respected and protected; all the while, we must search for ways to keep regulation of it from harming business too much. Modern technology must be seized upon as a way to improve our quality of life; all the while, we must continue to incentivize our best and brightest to innovate and keep jobs here. The 2016 campaign and subsequent election may go down in history as one of the most divisive and bombastic eras of American politics, but it does not necessarily signal the beginning of a new Dark Age. Hold out hope, get out to vote, and never lose sense of our democratic ideals.
LT student body believes that BLM is a civil rights phenomenon 48% ofthatthedeserves national attention. student body believes that BLM is not a justified movement 21% ofandthecanLTlead to violent protests. Stats derived from a poll of 271 LT students from all grade levels.
VP NOMINEE GOVERNOR
What caused us to end up like this? More importantly, what changes can we make so that we will never be in such a sorry position again? One big problem is the primary system. Each party has its own issues. The Democratic Party needs to eliminate its superdelegates. Why should almost 15-percent of the votes at the Democratic National Convention come from party elites, many of whom are unelected? Why do these superdelegates hold more sway than most entire states do? The group simply serves to minimize the will of the people, and they’ve proven very effective in doing so. The Republican Party needs to vet its candidates first, to stop another demagogue from following Trump’s footsteps. They could do this by having a series of debates, and then one nationwide primary voting day. These simple steps could prevent another Trump from hijacking the party of Lincoln again. But these changes are too late for 2016. We are stuck with Mr. Trump, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Stein. 2016 may be remembered as the year politics took a nosedive. Who will pull it back up in 2020?
Mike Pence Announced as Trump’s Vice President on July 15 Home state: Indiana Before political life, he was a TV and radio show host Current Governor of Indiana since 2013, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Mike Pence opposes abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of a mother is in danger. As a devout Christian, he believes that everyone has the inalienable right to life, including the unborn. In 2011, he voted yes to the banning of federal health coverage on abortion. In terms of the environment, Mr. Pence has shown some serious speculation on the validity environmental concerns. He has voted yes on opening up oil drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and has voted against enforcing limits on carbon dioxide emissions. Mr. Pence also has rejected President Obama’s Clean Power Plan in his home state. Compiled by Luke Lusson
ElecTion 2016 Thursday, October 27, 2016
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Dr. Jill Stein
Green Party
4-percent of the 271 LT students polled support Dr. Jill Stein.
by Thomas Atseff @thomas_atseff
he definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. By this definition, the United States political system is insane. The two-party system encourages U.S. citizens to vote for the “lesser of two evils.” But as Jill Stein says, “Forget the lesser evil and vote for the greater good.” Jill Stein is the 2016 presidential candidate for the Green Party, a liberal party largely focusing on the importance of preserving the environment. Aside from the environment, however, Stein’s policies clearly reflect a progressive vision of America’s future, and mirrors many of the policies that Senator Bernie Sanders introduced and campaigned for during the Democratic primaries. Like Sanders, she wants to make public college education free and cancel college student loan debt, putting trillions of dollars in the pockets of all Americans. She would fight to legalize marijuana and end the racist war on drugs, clearing up the vastly overcrowded U.S. prisons. She would reduce unnecessary military spending (the U.S. spends over 50 percent of its budget on the military), and bring troops home from 800 military bases; yes, there are over 800 U.S. military bases in the world. She supports universal health care and a legal pathway to citizenship for immigrants, and wants to close tax loopholes and end corporate welfare. Of course, leading the Green party, one of the central issues on her platform is climate
change and the environment, and she plans to reduce CO2 emissions and shift to more renewable energy as soon as possible. In 2012, Stein won about 0.5 percent of the total popular vote, and in this election, with two highly unfavorable candidates, third parties are a viable option.
ABOVE: Dr. Jill Stein stands with members of the AZ Green Party. (Creative Commons) BELOW: Dr. Jill Stein spray-paints constuction equipment in protest at the Dakota Access Pipeline. (Associated Press)
The dangers of party loyalty I Spencer Levinson
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Minor parties, past and present
hroughout our history, there have been In the United States, limited ballot access, many political parties. There have been limited debate access, little-to-no major meFederalists, Whigs, Progressives, and of dia coverage, trouble with effective camcourse the ones we’ve come to know inti- paign financing, a lack of voter efficacy and mately, the Republicans and the Democrats. the first-past-the-post voting system all limit President George Washington was our the effect of third-party candidates. only leader to never affiliate with a party. There have been two very memorable Since then, our system has long perpetuated instances of third-party effects in recent the establishment of two main parties. American history, and both of them can be Our nation is often characterized as a related to this year’s circus. One of these two-party system, with third-party impacts instances underscores how a minor-party on presidential and congressional elections candidate can be an effective voice for an being few and far between. There is a reason important issue that may not be receiving that minor parties hold few offices that are adequate attention. The other showcases not city council positions. It is not because how our system prioritizes voting for parties Americans do not have an appetite for op- that people “believe can win,” although they posing views, but rather it is that the may not be the best representatives of system we live in is constructed to citizens interests. have them vote for the lesser of two In the 1992 election, Ross Perot, evils. a businessman from Texas, led one The modern Republican and of the most successful runs from an Democratic establishments have independent presidential candidate enjoyed a duopoly in Washington in history. He earned 18.9-percent D.C. for nearly 150 years. All but of the popular vote, but he did not two current members of Conwin any statewide electoral votes. gress, Senator Bernie Sanders Perot overcame some of the (I-VT) and Senator Angus King largest obstacles for third-par(I-ME), align themselves with ty candidates in our country. He one of the two major parties, Ross Perot (Daily News) qualified to be on the ballot in and there are no congressional all 50 states and had an easy candidates running in 2016 who identify time accessing the debate stage to debate with any minor party. with Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Our system starkly contrasts the political Perot had a narrow yet precise message spheres of other nations such as Canada and on the exponentially increasing national the United Kingdom. Both have multiplici- debt. This resonated with a sizeable portion tous strong minor party voices in their par- of the electorate, as nearly one in five Amerliaments, which represent the wide variety icans went to the polls for Perot in 1992. of opinions and issues their electorate holds. In the 2000 election, Democrat Al Gore
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by Charlie Stelnicki @c_stelnicki
If a voter believes that their vote for won the popular vote, but Governor Gary Johnson, Dr. Jill Stein lost the electoral college and or any other minor-party candidate is a subsequently the presidency wasted vote, they are much more likely to Republican George W. to vote for one of the two major-party Bush. In Florida, Bush’s marnominees, despite the two of them gin of victory was only 537 being the most unfavorable nomivotes. The same year, Green nees in American history. Party Presidential Nominee Contrary to that dejected Ralph Nader earned 97,421 state of mind, a protest vote for votes in Florida. any minor-party candidate can This situation, usually acbe a way for disaffected voters credited to the election of Bush for his first term, de- Ralph Nader (Fox News) to send a message to political elites about their dissatisfaction picts the political phenomenon known as the spoiler effect. This occurs with what they view are two deeply corrupt when votes are split between two candidates parties. Perot was fortunate he did not face the with similar ideologies. It can give an advantage to the opposing view even when that same scrutiny that current nominees face view may not be representative of the ma- when it comes to presidential debate access, and look at what Perot accomplished when jority of the electorate. Nader supporters, who were very sym- his message was heard. He made a profound pathetic to environmental concerns, would impact, and his message sent a shockwave have been much more likely to vote for Gore through the major parties with that unprecif Nader had not run, campaigned or made edented 18.9-percent. With an ever-increasing number of the ballot in Florida. Nowadays, just shy of two decades later, some continue to refer to Americans identifying as independents and as ideologically moderate, our current the spoiler effect as the “Nader effect.” This product of our first-past-the-post two-party system is not equipped to keep preferential voting system is often well-pub- up. With limited access to debate stages licized by Republican and Democratic ad- and with difficult and lengthy processes to vertising initiatives because the major par- get candidates on ballots, minor-party canties directly benefit from the reconsidered didates are sufficiently suppressed and face votes of people who fear they may tip the innumerable odds. The voices of third parties are integral, election to someone they oppose. It is especially effective in crucial swing states like important and can certainly create a notable Florida, Ohio and Nevada, where a single effect, even if our system remains and keeps vote could tip the scale, as we witnessed in their chances of winning statewide office an idyllic dream. Florida in 2000.
Gary Johnson Libertarian Party by Henry Groya @henrygroya
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overnor Gary Johnson is the 2016 Presidential Nominee for the Libertarian Party. Mr. Johnson is the former two-term Governor of New Mexico where he served as a Republican from 1995-2003. During his first four years as governor, Mr. Johnson ran on a low-tax and anti-crime platform. However, during his second term, Mr. Johnson pushed toward a more Libertarian approach focusing his platform on decriminalizing marijuana and keeping government as small as possible. Most people are probably unaware of what a Libertarian candidate stands for or what the party runs on considering the party consistently polls less than 10 percent in presidential elections. The Libertarian Party was founded in December 1971 on the premise of promoting personal liberties, non-interventionism, laissez-faire capitalism and the abolition of the welfare state. Essentially, this party is socially liberal and fiscally conservative. In 2012, Johnson ran as a Republican presidential candidate in the primaries, but on a rather Libertarian platform by critiquing the public debt and attempting to balance the budget through laissez-faire capitalism. After he didn’t win the Republican primaries, Johnson chose to run as a Libertarian candidate that same year. While running in 2012 as a Libertarian candidate, he based a majority of his platform on opposing the “war on drugs.” Mr. Johnson won 1.3 million votes or just under 1 percent of the popular vote, which
n the midst of the current election season, one thing is clear: partisan division in our country is as prominent as ever. Most of us, admittedly, are biased toward a particular party, even when it’s easy to forget why we are loyal to that party in the first place. Consider this: why not inspect the policies of a particular candidate as opposed to gravitating toward a specific political party right out of the gate? Granted, parties are generally defined by a base group of policies, but that in itself could be a major contributor for why some candidates’ unique views are overlooked. Donald Trump, for example, does not embrace the traditional Republican view on international trade. He is an isolationist who would prefer to cut the
7-percent of the 271 LT students polled support Gary Johnson.
polled third behind President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Mr. Johnson’s running mate is William Weld, former governor of Massachusetts. In early August, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Weld polled at almost 15-percent, which could have sent Johnson to participate in the national debates against Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. However, Johnson failed to maintain that average and therefore could not participate.
Gov. Gary Johnson makes a genuine plea to potential voters. (Creative Commons)
Mr. Johnson differs from Mr. Trump on most social issues and differs from Mrs. Clinton on most fiscal issues. Mr. Johnson believes that Trump is a racist for his constant prejudicial comments against minority groups. Additionally, Mr. Johnson argues with Mrs. Clinton on fiscal issues such as raising income taxes. As of Oct. 14, according to a poll by RealPolitics.com, Mr. Johnson is polling at 6.6-percent, marginally behind Mrs. Clinton’s 45-percent and Mr. Trump’s 40-percent.
trade deficit. It would be easy to assume that Trump might believe in foreign trade because he is a Republican, but it is important to delve deeper into the beliefs of the candidate and consider those heavily when choosing who you want to give your vote. It is just as important to differentiate between candidates of the same party. It would, for example, be important to note that Senator Bernie Sanders is far more progressive than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This could be significant when voting in a general election in which someone might prefer to vote for a moderate Republican as opposed to a progressive Democrat. Party loyalty gets in the way of that. A decision based on a group of policies is a smart decision, where as voting for a candidate on the basis of allegiance to a party is a stubborn one.