What I've Learned

What I’ve Learned Inspired by magazine Created by Maine South Journalism students

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Julissa Galvez

Alfred Galvez

Cook County Sheriff, 44, Park Ridge

I grew up with four younger brothers and one younger sister. It was always chaotic in the house but I enjoyed having five other siblings because there was never a dull moment. My brothers and I would always get into trouble. The living room in the house was basically considered our wrestling room. All we did was play fight.

Because there were five boys in the house we always caused mischief. Out of all the bad things we have done, believe me there is a lot, the worst one was when one time my father had dropped my two younger siblings and me at the beach. He told us when it got late we had to walk back home and on the way home there was a metal factory. My brothers and I found little metal triangle pieces on the floor and immediately thought of them as ninja stars so we started to hit each other with them. One of my brothers was bending down to pick up a piece so I thought that was a great opportunity to get him. I threw the metal piece and it got stuck on his rear end. My parents were so upset because he had to be taken to the ER to get it stitched up.

Playing football has always been my favorite memory of high school. It felt great being part of a team. My favorite position was defensive back because once the ball goes into play, your adrenaline kicks in. If I had the opportunity to do it all over again I would.

I was an average student in high school, always attended class and did my homework. I played football, joined wrestling and even tried Martial Arts one year. I attended Gordon Tech for two years and joined Spanish Club.

My Junior and Senior year I transferred over to Schurz because my parents were no longer able to pay for the tuition.

Working at the Cook County Jail has not always been my dream job. My dream job was to join the Marines but my father had gotten me a full time job at a fish warehouse instead. I decided to apply to Cook County because my best friend Dave wanted to apply there so I thought “Why not?”. I was only 22 when I applied and have been working there for 21 years now as a Cook County Sheriff.

I have had my rotator cuffs on both shoulders torn and two broken fingers from the job. The first rotator cuff broke because an inmate wasn’t cooperating and he fell on top of me. The second injury occurred because again an inmate decided to get out of hand and he tore my other rotator cuff and broke two of my fingers.

My favorite part of the job is driving in the streets and picking up the bad guys. Knowing that I am able to help keep the streets clean especially for my daughters and step daughters makes the job feel well worth it.

I worked security for a few concerts and the best one I have ever worked for was a Beyonce concert. I was able to meet Beyonce, her mother and her sister. Beyonce and her mother were very friendly people, her sister on the other hand was very arrogant. I was asked if I wanted a picture with her and I jumped at the opportunity; you must be insane to miss out on a great chance like that.

I have known my best friends for over 29 years. We all met in kindergarten and ever since then we have been like the three musketeers. They have always been like brothers to me and being able to watch our kids grow up together, too, was great.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Jack McMillan

Antonio Duca Crooner, 16, Glenview

Music, above all else, is one thing I could never live without. Music has guided me through several tough times in my life.

It’s been important to me since I would say, the age of six or seven.

My top three inspirations would have to be, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and an Italian singer named Domenico Modugno. To me, Darin is a master performer and honed the most talent, Sinatra is Sinatra, and Modugno is one of Italy’s most beloved singers/actors.

As a young kid, I moved around a lot with my mother. She was single when we were living in an apartment in Old Irving Park, Chicago. During that period of my life I didn’t really have a lot of social opportunities given the fact I went to school in Park Ridge, since my father had residency there. I lived primarily with my mother half and hour away near the city. So luckily when I discovered music, I got into several instruments, singing, all of these were presented to me by my grandfather who was also a musician.

My grandfather was a very interesting man, he was born in Mexico in the town of San Luis Potosi. He spent his teenage years caught up in a revolutionary time when pop music and rock-and-roll swarmed all over the world. In his life he was in several bands in late 60s he was the youngest member of an 11 man university orchestra. He left Mexico to pursue something better. To make a heck of a story short, he formed a latin jazz band which became well known over the Chicago area through the 70’s and 80’s. He then became owner of his own nightclub right next to the Aragon theater. I was fascinated hearing these stories as a child. It wasn’t until I was 6 years old when I happened to come across the one Frank Sinatra CD he owned and I fell in love. By age 7, I found myself singing in a local restaurant in Harwood heights. Man, was I bad BUT a crooning 7 year old isn’t something you see all the time, so naturally people enjoyed this.

I would say by the age of 14, I had gotten out of the restaurant scene and people started talking about me. People were telling owners of restaurants about me. By this point in time, I have sung at 10 local venues with several bands. This business is not an easy one. There was a point in time when I was singing at a place for an extended period of time and one of the lead singers got jealous and switched the mic settings in the middle of my song and the feedback from the speaker was so bad I dropped the mic in front of the audience. Every time I would sing he’d be talking loudly, or he’d take the mic from me after I’d do one song etc. But after that night I left and I said, never again. And that’s when you learn about the (CENSORED) that you encounter in life, the competition. I don’t think it was until last month when I landed a small singing part on a Fox TV series which episode airs in October, that I finally thought that things might be going my way... That I had a chance.

I’ve actually written a few songs. The thing is, I’ve been stuck with this whole crooner act for so long that sudden change in genre would be very tough. In my spare time I sing folk songs, some country songs, I sing in Italian, French, Spanish, old rock... And that’s who I am as a character. I’m a man of many different colors. Commitment to a single style has always been a no for me. If ever the day comes when I get the artistic freedom to do other things, well, let’s just say there will be a ton. My grandfather tells me, do what’s going to sell first, and if you make it, then do whatever the hell you want.

Currently I run solo, but I think joining a group would be amazing. Though the obstacle would be finding kids my age with love for this kind of music. Wesley Diedzik, who is an outstanding pianist, has joined me on occasions. We have a had great success in shows.

Well I don’t think I’m dying anytime soon, but I think I would like to be remembered as guy who was misunderstood at times, someone who loved people, one who had definitely made many mistakes, one who was surrounded by a very good crowd of people, was fortunate to be lead by people of great wisdom. And someone who has been living, and plans to live, a very unforgettable life.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Marissa Scavelli

Brian Pavlis

Football player, 18, Park Ridge

I started playing football in 7th grade because my mom didn’t want me to play contact sports as a child. When I was younger I had the disorder ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) and with that the doctors said I shouldn’t play contact sports because of excessive bruising and bleeding which leads to low blood platelet levels. So basically my blood wouldn’t clot like a normal persons. But by 7th grade they said I shouldn’t play but I could try if I wanted to. Statistics showed that people with my disorder don’t do well in contact sports and usually end up quitting or getting injured. I think I made the right decision. I beat the statistics.

I play outside linebacker. I used to play fullback and corner back but this year I’m playing outside linebacker because I’ve gotten bigger, more aggressive and personally I think I have more knowledge for the game. I’m best at tackling people though, I’d say that’s my specialty.

I took junior year off of football to focus on my grades. They were really suffering and I just wasn’t doing well in school. If I kept up the rate I was going I would have been suspended from games anyways, so I made the decision to just focus on school and I’m doing so much better now.

Taking a year off of football has made me have more motivation overall to strive to do my best because it’s my senior year so I know after these last games I’ll never be on a high school team again. I also appreciate the game more. Watching from the sidelines sucked so I try to do my best all the time. I don’t skip practice, I’m the first one on the field and last one to leave. I want it more than the next guy. I’m hoping to get a scholarship and win the state championship.

My comeback this year has been going very well for me. At first it was hard getting back into working out consistently but now my body is physically used to it.

It really means a lot to me to play for such a successful program like Maine South Football. I am blessed to be part of such a great program. I feel like I need to be successful in the sense that players have before me, they set the tone of what it means to wear that Hawks jersey so it would be an insult to not play and train as hard as I physically can.

I want to win the state championship this year. That’s my main goal. It would make my last high school game meaningful.

I want to end my career on a positive note. I want to cry tears of joy, not sorrow. I want all the work I put in to be worth it.

And of course I want that 2015 IHSA ring.

I practice 5 days a week for usually 3 hours a day so that averages out to about 15 hours a week. We practiced way more in the summer though.

Football has taught me a lot of self discipline and that life is a team game, and in order to have success you must learn to work with the “team you are given”.

I love the game because it forms a brotherhood and bond that no one can take from you. I chose it because I’m an angry person and it helps me take out my anger that I keep bottled up inside.

We lost our first game last Friday to Montini. It was a really close game, but I can’t say that I’m pleased with it. The score was 20-17 and we lost by a field goal. That game left a horrible taste in my mouth and I can honestly say I hate losing more than I love the joy of winning.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Danielle Brunner

Cassidy Schmidt Best Friend, 17, arlington Heights

My dad is really hardworking and puts effort into everything he does. He always gets things done on time with care. At work, he does everything to full extent and never half-asses anything. When he does a job for someone he makes sure it’s done the right way. Laziness is not a word that would ever describe him.

People will be jerks a lot of the time. I mostly just ignore it even though it bugs me. I know they will be a jerk no matter what so why should I let it bother me.? It won’t matter in the long run they aren’t gonna be in your life forever.

People I can talk to that aren’t family are real friends. They give different points of view without a bias. I tell them things I don’t want to be judged on. Things that my parents would be pissed off about I can my closest friends too and just receive a comforting gesture.

When a teacher helps me exceed and won’t just do it for money, I know I have a good one. I can trust them and tell them anything without judging me and they actually want me to succeed.

I care a lot less of what others think of me. I’m a lot more outgoing. I stopped caring in high school because people stopped caring too and went their separate ways.

The Kardashians don’t do anything at all! They literally have no talent. They are famous because they are famous. Period. I still watch them once in awhile though. It’s addictive.

I listen to certain songs but I don’t like every pop song that comes out now. I used to like them but now they don’t appeal to me because everyone knows they and they are on the radio all the time.

People need to learn their history and stop overreacting. That kid that shot up all those people in Missouri; yeah, that was bad, but I think people are acting too crazy. They only listening to the part they want to hear. It’s sort of a racial problem but mostly just people being stupid.

Make parking passes way cheaper! They are like 200 dollars. Oh, and I wouldn’t use iPads so much. Technology is a pain in the ass when doing labs. I like taking notes on them but I find it more difficult in science class. It’s good for the environment but just stressful for me!

I want to be an editor or somebody that works with sound. I don’t get bored doing it and I want to learn how to do. I’ve never wanted to learn so much about a program and more than I do with that. It scares me a little because there are not many jobs out there incorporated withsound and it would be better to have a stable job. Still, I want to have a job I’m happy with. Not one that I hate.

Pressure comes from grades. However, some cheat because they are lazy and they don’t want to study They don’t care. They get mad if they don’t have the answers right away. Kids rely on the internet to give them all the answers.

Everyone says they are depressed nowadays. i know it sounds bad, but it’s my opinion. I feel cynical for sure, but everyone is over the top cynical. Every. Little. Thing. It’s blown out of proportion. I’m gonna sound like a jerk for saying this, but it almost seems like it’s glorified rather than it being something bad. People need to be educated on it rather than it being glorified in movies.

What I’ve Learned

Danielle Brun ner Park Ridge Student, 17,

My Aunt Crystal taught me one of the most important things in life: be thankful for what you have and hopeful for what you lack. It was funny because I actually just met my Aunt Crystal for the first time this summer since I was less than a year old.

Yet, I felt like I had known her my whole life. When I talked to her about my bad relationship with my dad, she told me to try to make things better. Even though fights about stupid things were common with my dad and I, she convinced me to try again, because I only get one dad and I have to cherish him like he is the only one in the world.

It’s not fair that whenever I tried out for anything, whether it be the school musical, student of the month for school, or any kind of team, I was never picked. I just stopped caring. I figured that it wasn’t worth it because nobody really wanted to give me a chance.

I have been best friends with my friend Cassidy for over 12 years. Even though I do have good friends at school, she has never failed to be by my side. She treats me more like a sibling. She fights with me and teases me. However, she is always there to support me. She makes me laugh every time I see her, and we always end up laughing about our childhood memories. That’s someone who you want in your life. Someone you can look back on your childhood with and have a good laugh.

Seriously, people need to stop freaking out over “Frozen”. I’m not going to say I disliked the movie, but I can’t stand how every little girl during Halloween last year dressed up like Elsa.

I know plenty of people with bodies that I could see myself happy with, but they complain that they are fat, ugly, and not good enough. It’s because of all these unrealistic looking barbie-ish models that have their bodies photo-shopped on magazines. They give these unrealistic expectations and it makes me sick that people are trying to achieve something impossible.

It’s like dangling a treat in front of a dog’s nose and then taking it away. I’ve known people who starve themselves to look skinny, and it’s just horrible. I would rather have pizza once in a while and enjoy myself than skip a meal and be miserable.

I ask my friends to go out over the weekends all the time. Their excuse? “I can’t, I have homework. I can’t, I have to study.

I can’t I am going to fail my class.” Oh please. Teens are beginning to waste their lives freaking out over their grades. High school is a time to work hard, but to also have a good time being a teenager. Still having fun is important. I do well in all my classes, and I always make sure to set aside some time for myself and some fun.

Every time I get a college acceptance letter in the mail I feel excitement, but I feel the pressure rising too. Both my parents went to community college but never did much with their major. I will be the first to go out of state to college and then attempt graduate school. My whole family keeps praising me and telling me how proud they are of me. But what if I fail?

They are going to be twice as disappointed in me. I better not screw up.

Parents are so much harder on their kids nowadays. Kids want to avoid punishment for bad grades, but if they don’t understand something in school, they panic. They look to other kids who do understand the topic. Kids and teens who really don’t give a crap about school are not the cheaters. It’s the kids who are afraid of failing, and only have the option to copy off of another.

My mom is like a friend to me with maternal qualities. She is open with me, and lets me talk to her about normal teen problems. She never gets angry at me for being honest, and she even tells me about some of her own stories of being a teen.

She always tells me “Parents were teens at one point too, I don’t know why they restrict their children. Kids will be kids, you have to let them grow.” Even though she is like a friend to me, I know she is my mother, and will always be there for me.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Darragh Dolan

Daniel Dolan

Birthday Boy, 11, Park Ridge

My brother Matthew likes being a butt all the time, which is hard to deal with. I don’t usually ignore him, I use violence. Like John Cena All I know about politics is that I think there’s three parties, Whigs, Republicans, and Democrats. Also Capitalism is stupid. Shoot I meant Communism.

I would tear down Lincoln Middle School because I don’t like school because it’s boring. Core class are boring, and I hate math. If I had to pick a different way to improve the school I would make the cookies better, so they can be magic People spend way too much time worrying about tests. You study, you take it, you get it over with, and you get an AOdell Beckham Jr made one good catch and now he’s famous, and I’m pretty sure Alex Rodriguez is on steroids and shouldn’t be making so much money.

Starting school changed my life. Now I have to go to school instead of watching TV and finding fake illuminati videos online.

Teachers always say money doesn’t buy happiness but it does because you can buy stuff. Look at Donald Trump; everyone hates him but he’s running for president.

I really like Social Studies because I like my teacher. He’s okay with me worshipping acorns (We were talking about religious freedom).

I like Chum Lee from Pawn Stars because we share a birthday, we’re both cool, and we both know a lot about history.

Being the middle sibling is the worst because my older sister hurts me and my little brother tells on me. Plus she orders me around and he won’t even bring me water.

I got stitches in my mouth and right when the doctor was going to put the mask for anesthesia on he asked when my birthday was and I started crying and yelling “Heck no I’m not talking to you you creepy old man.”

What I’ve Learned

Darragh Dolan Tired, 17, Park Ridge

When things are unfair, the last thing you should do is just lay down and take it. There’s always going to be something holding you down. I had a teacher that discouraged me and all but told me to my face that I should just give up. As if I’d ever let that guy win.

Each generation thinks there’s something wrong with the next. Everyone always seems to resent that the next generation has it “easier.” They don’t seem to realize that if it’s easier, they’ve done a good job. Unfortunately the job market isn’t easier nowadays.

College is more expensive in the US than anywhere else. You can go to a great college in Germany for less than your state school. Germany cites the reasoning behind the low prices as people shouldn’t be denied higher education because of the amount in their bank account. America has no such sentiment.

When I was two, I got a little chalk easel. There’s a picture somewhere of me standing next to my new chalk easel, my name shakily written with backwards R’s and written on a slant, the same slant I write with now actually. I think there’s a video too, of my mom freaking out because her two year old just semi-legibly wrote her name. My handwriting still sucks though.

My youngest brother is a decade younger than me, and the other is seven years younger than me, so their ages add up to mine this year. The middle brother thinks he’s a lot smarter than he is. He puts on this smug little face like he’s a genius, but every time I ask him a question he gets it wrong.

I got in trouble for biting one of my cousins once. After it was all hashed out, my cousins and I sat down to watch some cartoons in a pillow fort. I was still really mad about whatever she’d done, so I punched the nearest pillow… Turns out her hand was underneath the pillow and I didn’t know, accidentally punching her. I got sent home.

The first time I watched Spiderman I was maybe six, and I refused to kill spiders for years after that. I was worried that any spider might be the one that could make me Spiderman, and if I killed it I would never be Spiderman. I couldn’t take that chance.

My mom says that teenagers are slugs. If you don’t call your friends to hang out, no one’s going to call you. If teenagers are slugs it probably has more to do with not cleaning their rooms rather than not speaking to friends. I think my mom’s forgotten that phones exist.

History teachers with biases are hilarious, but it can be hard to get a well-rounded view on issues. I had a teacher in middle school that could keep pretty unbiased. Now that I’m in high school, I’ve had a super-liberal and a super-conservative teacher.

My dad was deported from Canada, but my mom is a Canadian citizen. A couple summers ago, we went on a cruise from Boston to New Brunswick, and the border officers wouldn’t let him off the boat. That’s why you don’t live in a country illegally.

Sometimes my friends will say things that are rude, or patronizing, or self-righteous, but really, they’re sixteen or seventeen, and you really can’t expect much when people are immature and predisposed to cattiness. I usually just ignore the bad and focus on the reasons I’m friends with them in the first place.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Donald Bucholz

Donald Bucholz Lifeguard, 17, Norridge

I don’t see God as a major character in my life. I have got to the point in my life where I can’t decide if he is real or not. I feel like if he was real then he would stop most of the bad things happening in the world. Then again, I want to believe in him because it makes me feel better knowing I’ll go somewhere good after I die.

I have been on a lot of different sports teams at different times of my life. In grammar school, I played soccer, basketball, volleyball, and men’s softball. In high school I was in track freshman year but out of school, I have also played football, swimming, golf, baseball, tennis, and bowling.

Spiders and fast crawling insects freak me out and make me uncomfortable but I am not afraid of them. I guess the only thing I am really afraid of is looking down off a really tall building. I get light headed and think that I’m going to fall off the building and die.

If I had one million dollars, I would blow through that money like it was nothing. I would put a good portion of it to the side to pay off my college. I would buy a really nice new car like a 2015 Jeep Wrangler or a Tesla. I would fix up my house with some of it and probably give some to my family and close friends but of course I would put some in my bank account for emergencies.

There are many things that I would want to change in this world. The biggest change that comes to mind is to make smoking, producing, and distributing cigarettes illegal. There is absolutely no point for cigarettes in this world. They are not good for you by any means, they pollute our air, and they can cause cancer which can lead to death.

My parents divorce was definitely strange. I never really thought my parents would get divorced but after they did, my life honestly became better. Only living with my mom and sister is fun because I am the man of the house. I get to fix what breaks and I have to solve problems that rise. But I also see my dad every now and then which is always fun because usually do some fun activity. The only downside is that I don’t really have a complete family to be with, there is just a hole that needs to be filled.

Breaking Bad was a fantastic show. It had a great story to follow and always kept you wanting more. Currently, I don’t really watch TV. I can’t even tell you the last time I just sat on my couch to watch a movie or TV show. I usually watch funny you tube videos or play games but I still don’t even do those things often because I have to take care of my dogs and house, do chores, go to work, and do homework.

I’ve never broken a bone, but I hate gotten a serious infection before. When I was in 6th grade, I had strep throat so like any normal person would do, I went to the doctor to get some medication prescribed to me so the infection would go away.

After a while, it did leave my throat but it spread to my leg so whenever I would take a step with my left leg, I would get this horrible striking pain in my leg forcing me to go to the hospital.

I used to play the recorder in like 3rd-5th grade and I was horrible at it. It was the stupidest thing because everyone had one and we all had to learn the same songs and play them one at a time so we can embarrass ourselves in front of the whole class. Recently, I bought myself a guitar that I have been teaching myself to play. I enjoyed it so much that I just bought a ukulele and now I’m teaching myself to play that too.

I don’t think I can live without music. It really speaks to me, I don’t just listen to music because of how it sounds, I pick at the lyrics and see what it is talking about and how it relates to me.

What I’ve Learned

Eamon Hurd Actor, 17, Park Ridge

I want to be an actor when I “grow up”. I know it’s really hard to make a living off of and the chances of me becoming famous are so slim, but I’m really passionate about it and I think it’s worth a try. Who knows if I’ll end up being a famous actor, but I know I’ll end up somewhere safe.

My dad hid the fact that he was an alcoholic from me for years. When he went to AA meetings, he said he was going to “church meetings”. I didn’t think anything about it until one afternoon he took me out to lunch at Gumba Joe’s. He was crying over his meatball sandwhich about how he was an alcoholic and a punk in high school, and how he really didn’t want me to make the same decisions he did. It made me realize how much I didn’t know about my own dad.

I like all different kinds of music. Hip-Hop/Rap is my favorite genre, but I also love Electronic, Pop, Dance, Acoustic, Classic Rock, R&B, and more that I can’t think of. I think it’s a good quality to relate to people with music. As Stevie Wonder would say, “Music is a world within itself, it’s a language we all understand.”

My favorite thing to do is to entertain people and make them laugh. Ever since I was a little kid I’d love putting on little performances for my relatives. I guess I just like when people think I’m funny.

I was a bum my freshman year of high school. I didn’t get involved with anything, hung out with the worst group of kids, and generally felt bad about myself. But I had a revelation over the summer before my sophomore year, and I think I’ve been becoming a better person ever since. I don’t think I was really fully the best version of myself that I am now until the beginning of Junior year.

My cousin Patrick is my closest relative outside of my main family. While I was on spring break in Mexico, every night he would take us to the roof of our vacation home and smoke a cigarette and we would talk. He talked about college and how it’s okay to want to get away from your hometown.

I’d consider myself a very nice guy. I’m really easy to talk to. Unfortunately, sometimes people use me because they know I can’t say no to them. I feel really under appreciated sometimes.

I’m the worst reader in the world. I can’t get into it as easily as a movie or a TV show. The last thing I really read was The Catcher in the Rye, and after reading it I decided it was my favorite book. I don’t like the reputation it has, seeing as how a couple serial killers carried it on their person, but I’m still in love with the book. I relate to Holden a lot.

I have a little sister adopted from China. I was going to have a brother adopted from Kyrgyzstan, but a few weeks before we went to go get him, his mother took him back from the orphanage. I remember the night we found out. My mom got home from work, but didn’t come out of the garage for twenty minutes. My dad went to go check on her, and shortly after brought her in sobbing. It never really hit me that hard, but I guess having a little brother would’ve been cool.

Growing up was a little hard for me given my family’s differences from me. I was always the nerdy kid who liked video games and drawing while my father, uncles, and cousins were all athletes. I couldn’t do sports, I wasn’t built for them. But I was incredibly insecure about how different I was from my cousins for a long time. It took me a while to realise I’m a great, distinct person even though my interests don’t match with my family’s.

What I’ve Learned

Jack McMillan

Film Critic, 16, Park Ridge IL

One thing I couldn’t live without is movies. From new movies to old movies, I’ve seen a variety of different films that span from the 1903 film The Great Train Robbery to the recent box office bomb Fantastic Four. Although I like new movies I appreciate older movies more. Watching them is like looking at a window into the past. It’s fascinating to see how much has changed from ideas to politics. Since we know how major events in history have turned out, it’s hard not to laugh when someone says: “Why are you afraid? We just fought the war to end all wars.” Every time you watch a movie you see a glimpse into what life was like for people of that era. They’re like perfect time capsules of the time.

My dad had a lot of movie memorabilia around the house. From posters to little models, they’re everywhere. A little three year old looking at the colorful movie posters naturally wants to see some of these movies. In my house there was mostly Universal monster memorabilia. In fear I’d be scared by those horror films, my father showed me the classic Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). I’ve been hooked on films ever since.

The Defiant Ones (1958) is undoubtedly my favorite movie of all time. Specifically because it was a significant movie in American history that broke social barriers and challenged people to think. It takes place in the south and is about a white and black man chained together back in the 1950s. The movie shows how people of different races are the same and that they shouldn’t be treated any differently. It teaches that your skin doesn’t define who you are.

I don’t only watch movies. I have an interest in other forms of media. I watch TV shows like The Big Bang Theory and modern family, but I also watch old TV shows like The Twilight Zone and The Odd Couple.

I never was and never will be the best player on Maine Hockey. I do hope to at least contribute to every game I play in.

Whether it’s stop a goal or assist a goal, I hope to be viewed as a player who can be depended on when asked to get the job done. I’ve always been credited as being one of the fastest players on the ice and have garnered the nickname Lightning Legs by my peers. 8th grade year I played on a team and was one of the best players and scored 41 goals. If I had scored one more goal, I would have broken the state record for my age group and division.

Hockey has been the only sport I considered playing. I disliked football, basketball, and baseball, but my parents wanted me to be active and play something. So when hockey clicked they were happy.

It’s a shame I don’t ski more often because I really do love it and I think I could be really good. I started skiing at age three when my uncle bought a private ski house up in Utah and started having the entire family there every year. It’s a fun activity for all of us to do as a family and every year it gets better.

My cousin Jenny and I always compete to see who’s faster. In years past, I always won. One day she was picking up more speed than me and was going to beat me. That was until she lost control and flew right into a tree and almost died. She broke her collarbone, two ribs, and pelvis. Split her liver in half, popped one of her lungs, and damaged her spleen beyond repair. It was a scary experience. She got back on skis the following year and won’t admit it, but we all think she has a fear of going fast down the slopes now. I don’t blame her, because I do, too.

Lately, hockey has been becoming more frequent in the week. I usually have it at least five times a week, because of this, I am limited in what I can accomplish in one day. I’ve had to sacrifice other activities like hanging out with friends and even not being able to go skiing this past year. It’s become more of a constraint because of how time consuming and physically demanding it is. I’ve made a decision to not try to play in college. That way I can focus more on my studies.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Riley Eckhart

Jake Eckhart Brother, 8, Park Ridge

I like having four brothers and sisters. It is a lot of fun and nice. The take me to a lot of places and do things with me. They take me to Six Flags, Dairy Queen, and take me to the show.

Being the youngest is fun mostly because you get most of the stuff you want. I get to play with my older brothers and sisters. It is also fun to tell my friends about my brothers and sisters.

All of them. I do not have a favorite sibling, they are all super nice. We come from a nice family.

Yes. everybody is really nice. If I was an only child I would be sad. I would have no one to play with.

I could not live without Pepper (stuffed animal). I had him since I was a baby. He helps me get to sleep, and get through the day. He always rips and it is sad. He always rips because I always play with him. Also, Mom but you only said one thing.

She does everything for me Roller coaster designer. I want to test roller coasters, but I do not want to be the first to test them. That is what the test dummies are for. I do not want to travel the world. I only want to build them for the US. because it is scary traveling the world. I do not want to be away from home for more than a year. That’s why I’m scared for college.

Rollercoasters are cool and really intense. you do not know what’s coming next. It freaks a lot of people out. It is fun to watch people get freaked out.

Cedar Point is the thrill capital of the world. It is also has the second most roller coasters after Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Disney seems like it would be fun because of the rides. Plus, it is the happiest place on earth.

Third grade is hard because there is a lot more work. it is also really fun because when you learn it is in a fun way, but if it is not then it is boring.

Read minds, so I could know what people are thinking. Seems cool to see what someone is thinking. Right now I knew you were going to say “why would you want to know what someone is thinking?”

No. I like being a kid. It is fun when you are a kid. I get to play with toys, have stuffed animals, friends, not as much homework, and no college.

Swimming and baseball are my favorite sports. They are very fun. The thing I do not like is that they tire you out and make you sore but I do like how they make you strong and healthy.

I like to draw. Anything that comes to my mind is what I draw. It is fun that way. If you only want to draw one thing then you would not have time to draw something else. I know what I want to draw next because I have a couple things in my mind.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Stevan Barjaktarevic

Jovan Barjaktarevic Student, 15, Park Ridge

You inspire me. You would encourage me when I need it. Like during my wrestling matches you would always be cheering me on and giving me pointers during the match.

Yeah I agree with the perception of today’s teens. They can do what ever the hell they want. They have freedom and I admire this.

No, I don’t pay attention to politics. I do not really care about politics and it has never really affected me. Politicans are scum.

I could not live without a car. I wouldnt have places to go and I like cars. My obsession of cars started when I was really young and has carried on throughout the years. I am a car fanatic.

The way I act around others changed. I used to be somewhat of an introvert, now I am out of my shell so to speak.

Do I know what I want to be. No. Am I scared? No. I’d “fix” Maine South by taking away the stupid parking stickers. It should be whoever gets there first. If theres no spot for you, oh well. Get there earlier next time.

To me a way to guarantee happiness is to do what you want. Stop thinking about making the person next to you happy. It should be about satisfying yourself first and then others. Always put yourself first and happiness will be there for you.

People need to stop judging others by their race. However if someone disobeys the law they better be ready for the consequences that will follow.

Being the middle child sucks. My older brother gets to do everything and my younger sister gets to do everything aswell.

Guess what I get to do; Nothing. I feel like I have the most restrictions out of us three.

I want to be successful when I get older. I would like to go into the automotive industry. Like I said before I am a huge car guy and people always tell me ‘do what you love’ and thats what I intend on doing.

I cannot stand teenager who disrespect their mothers or fathers. Honestly I crinch when I hear a teen say some awful things to their parents. I am not totally for spanking but I swear some of those kids need it.

I would want to live in Montenegro. Ever since I was young I had an admiration for the country and always felt like it was my home, regardless of the fact that I was born in Chicago. I love Chicago aswell but boy sometimes I just want to live in Montenegro.

If I was wealthy I would buy the most exotic cars. Id also buy mansions for my family members. I feel like I wouldnt know what to do if I had an ample amount of money.

What I’ve Learned

Julissa Galvez Student, 17, Park Ridge

Art is my get away place. When I feel upset or I want to pull my sister’s hair all I have to do is whip out my sketchbook or paints. If art was taken away from me, I am one hundred percent sure I would end up in a mental hospital. I plan on majoring in art either in advertising or video game design.

My best friend has always been there for me. We have known each other since we were three. Our mother’s have known each other since they were in high school. Even though she lives about 25 minutes away from me, I hardly get to see her,.

Between work and school, we are both very busy. We talk to each other every day and spend the night at each other’s houses whenever we get the chance to. She is one of the only people I feel like I can be myself around; she accepts me for who I am and I accept her for her. I don’t know what I would do without her.

I strongly dislike water polo even though I just started playing the sport last year. I only play because it’s good for your college application. I dread the two minute countdown when we have to jump in the pool. I am constantly watching the clock during practice or the time left on the scoreboard during a game in hopes that time will go by faster. I would hope that the school day would not go so fast, which is not normal, because I knew that after school was over it was time to suit up.

I don’t really enjoy my job but it feels nice having money in your pocket and meeting great new friends. About a month before school started my dad took me to a water park and we had a blast but once we got hope he pulled an ultimatum on me, he said if I didn’t get a job he wouldn’t pay for me to go out anymore. So I applied to Mariano’s as a cashier which is honestly not the funnest job especially when you have the grouchy, picky old people. I am honestly glad I applied at Mariano’s because now it feels nice to be a bit more independent. I have my own money to spend and I have made a few nice friends there.

When I was younger I always thought to myself, I don’t want to grow up to be like my mom but as I grew up I have realized that she is the strongest woman I know. She always seemed like she was upset and would occasionally yell at my younger siblings and I and I would think “Oh she is just being a grouch and old people don’t know how to have fun”, but what I didn’t realize is my mother has been through a lot. She has raised three kids, went back to college, was raised without her father in her life, grew up in a not so great neighborhood and has been lied to so many times in the past. My mother has always been there for my siblings and I. My mother is my idol and I adore her so much.

Watching movies for me is like a short escape from reality. When I watch movies I feel like I am in them and everything else doesn’t matter. Sometimes after I watch a super hero movie I feel like I could jump off the Willis Tower and fly but then I get back to reality and realize that’s a terrible idea. I love the feeling I get while watching a really good movie because they inspire me to try new things and explore the world.

When I lost my dogs, I felt like I lost a big part of me. It was the first time I actually mourned the loss of something. I grew up with two bull mastiffs so I have always been an animal lover. They both had gotten cancer and had to be put down. My sister and I were sad for a while because they were just like siblings to us. After a few years my mother bought my siblings and me two crazy cats..

My cats’ names are Misty and McLovin. We named them both after actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s characters from Super Bad and Kick Ass. McLovin is from Super Bad and Red Mist,(Misty because she is a girl), from Kick Ass.

What I’ve Learned

Kara Webster Student, 17, park ridge

I am inspired by my mom. She does everything she possibly can to make sure that my sister and I are happy. It took me a long time to realize, but my mom gives up so much for my whole family and she never complains about it. She always knows the perfect thing to say no matter the situation. She is truly amazing.

It scares me that I don’t really know what I want to be. I have some ideas, but I feel like it would be so much less stressful applying to colleges and thinking about my future if I knew. I know I have time to figure it all out, but being unsure freaks me out a little bit.

People spend way too much time worrying about what other people think of them. Sometimes I think it stops people from becoming who they are. I also think that in high school it’s hard not to worry about what people are thinking of you because there is so much pressure to act a certain way.

A moment that changed my life was when I went to Africa for 3 weeks the summer going into sophomore year. I met amazing people and got a chance to experience a culture that was so different from ours. That trip showed me the consiquences of judging a book by its cover and that sometimes you have to go outside of your comfort zone so you can experience amazging things.

I could not live without travel because I think it is very important to see the world we live in. I think people get stuck thinking that the world is just like the place they live, but there are so many cultures to see and things we can only experience when we take a step back from our usual lifestyle.

I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t dance. I have been dancing for 15 years and it has been one of the only constants in my life. Because of dance I have been able to meet new people and I think it has helped shape who I am today.

I have always wished I had an older brother when I was growing up. It’s just my sister and I and we have both always wanted one more sibling around the house. A lot of our friends have brothers and we were always curious what it would be like.

I have always wanted to go to Colorado for college. I have been telling my parents that since I was 8 and I still want it more than anything. I love to ski and be outside and I have family there. Now that my dream could become a reality I am excited.

It feels unreal that Colorado could become my home next year.

Overall, I am a very average student at Maine South. I have a 3.1 GPA and I got a 24 on my ACT. I am in my first AP class my senior year and that’s kind of big for me. All I am trying to do now is stand out for my college applications. I don’t want to look like everyone else at Maine South, I want to be different compared to everyone else so if a school had to choose they would have to choose me.

I try to stay as positive as I can. Life tends to throw a lot of curveballs at all of us. Sometimes, things can get complicated and I have learned that if you don’t try your best to be positive then certain situations can feel even worse than they should.

Yes, bad things happen and they can be hard to deal with, but it’s ultimitly up to us to do whatever we can to make the best out of each situation.

The coolest place I have ever been, besides Africa, was the British Virgin islands. I have gone with my family twice and it was such a beautiful place. It is made up of a bunch of islands in the Carribbean. The water is clear and appears to be ice blue. There are animals and plants that I was able to see that I don’t think I would ever be able to see anywhere else. It was a tropical paradise.

What I’ve Learned

Kate Papciak

Busy Bee, 17, Park Ridge

I couldn’t live without Diet Peach Snapple. Yes, the beverage. My dad and I would always take a case or two on our fishing trips. Since then, every time I open a fresh bottle, it reminds me of the hours spent with my dad; waiting in the boat, holding a rusty fishing pole from the 80’s, and drinking Snapple like it was going out of style.

Overall, I am quite the average student (academically speaking); with a 3.5 GPA and taking mostly regular classes. The only C I have received my high school career (so far) goes to geometry class during sophomore year. It left me with two C’s on my transcript and a few satisfying sob sessions in the end.

I think I spend more hours procrastinating than I do breathing. Being involved in many enjoyable extracurriculars, like Makeup Crew, V-show, Choir, and Southwords, keeps me busy so when I stay up until midnight, I have an excuse.

I love to make people happy. Whether it’s by me applying makeup on them causing their confidence to boost or by making them laugh hysterically until they cry tears of joy; happy people make me happy.

It may sound crazy but nothing calms me down more than blending out eye shadows seamlessly. My dream job would definitely be a professional makeup artist however that doesn’t pay the bills. I have chosen to pursue advertising and hope to get a job that deals with cosmetic advertising specifically.

I try to stay as positive as possible. Losing my dad in 2012 has without a doubt affected my perspective on life. It taught me to spend more time focusing on the good things rather than worrying about the bad. I’ve had to grow up faster than expected but now I really take the time to enjoy every moment and person because you never know when things can become catastrophic.

My first instinct is to call my cousin, Shannon. If I have a problem that regards anything from failing a test to tripping in gym class, Shannon is always there to help me out. She is a remarkable role model to have. Shannon has a good head on her shoulders and I am so thankful to have her in my life.

If I had to spend all of my money on one aspect of life; I would choose traveling. I wouldn’t pick spending it all on a lavish house or expensive clothing because experiencing a new culture and location is a memory that you die with and cannot be stolen.

Both my parents’ families are Polish. When I was younger, I wished I were Irish because the Irish had a whole day of celebration dedicated to their nationality. Why wasn’t there one for us, Polaks? (Little did I know that there actually was one). Over the years, I grew older and learned more about my family’s background and how fun it is to be Polish. I started to embrace my pierogi-loving family. Being a part of a massive, loud Polish family is who I am, and I am proud of it.

The air conditioner was on full blast and my mom, dad, brother, sister and I were lounging in our usual spots in our family room watching Sir Paul McCartney sing “Hey Jude” at the 2012 Summer Olympics. My siblings and I grew up listening to my dad’s obsession, the Beatles. It was only logical for us to watch Paul McCartney perform a classic Beatles tune together as a family. This was the happiest moment of my life (so far) and remembering it always brings tears to my eyes.

“What goes around comes around” and “just be nice to everybody” are the two pieces of advice that my mom always told me and the two pieces of advice I live by.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Kate Papciak

Kathi Papciak

Family-Oriented, 56, Des Plaines

My biggest accomplishment in my life is having two children, Marti and Steve, who grew up to be good human beings.

Yes, I know, for the most part, God gives you good kids and it is your job to not screw them up. But, I actually take some pride in believing that I did the right thing most of the time and did my best. Family would be the one aspect in my life that makes me most happy. I believe that the most joy can be found in those that you love and I have made life choices to prove it: I have given up my career to raise my children and gave up my second career to work for my husband.

Of course, I have many regrets. And no, I am not going to share them. For the most part, everything is a choice and I believe that you have to accept the fact that you made your choice for a reason and take responsibility for it and move on.

Back in high school, I was a student who never lived up to their potential. During my entire educational career, my report cards always said I had more potential. I did get good grades, but I never put in effort or tried that much. However, the one class I was really good in was orchestra. I played the string base. Originally, I wanted to play the piccolo (the best instrument ever) but, they told me that I couldn’t play the piccolo until I learned to play the flute first. But, I did not want to play the flute. So, I said “Screw you all! I’ll just play the string base!”

There is no one like my husband, Wally. He is an incredible man. He made me laugh and made me a better person. He is everything: supportive, caring, loving, giving, and he is a rock whenever you need a rock and when you don’t a rock, he is just... awesome. Although, he came up with the stupidest ideas for dates, we always had the best time. By my 21st birthday we hadn’t been dating too long. Nonetheless, on my birthday, my ex boyfriend sent 21 long stem roses in a vase delivered to my house. Now, remember the time period here. This wasn’t like going to Jewel and simply buying a bunch of roses. No! This was ordered and delivered from a florist. Now on the other hand, Wally got me a bowling ball. And look who I ended up with.

I couldn’t live without books. Yes, books. Even when everything completely sucks, I can simply disappear into a different world of my choosing. If I am completely miserable then I don’t have to read the gloomy, scary, depressing romance novels sitting on my nightstand. Instead, I can go read a cheerful, amusing, mystery story that makes me happier. Books allow me to choose the world I want to live in for those couple of hours.

There are so many happy things in my life. I feel that I would be insulting so many memories to choose just one that was the “happiest”. There are so many times when things are just going so right and everything is where it is suppose to be at the moment. During those moments, I just want to sit on the sofa and be really quiet, so that God maybe forgets about me and doesn’t give me my next challenge. But, if I had to choose, then one of my happiest times would be with my family on our stupidest vacation. We drove from here to Kansas City to see The Negro League’s Baseball Hall of Fame. Along the way, we stopped at The Field of Dreams. One night, we pulled in too late to find a hotel so the four of us slept in the van at a rest stop. We went to a total of five different minor league baseball games the way there and back. And, to top it all off, we had perfect weather the entire time.

I wanted to be the Principal Chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the string base section. I love music. Also, I thought that would be a pretty easy job; you practice, you perform, and you spend your whole day dealing with music.

How miserable could that be?

My best piece of advice is that dreams are fine but, until you have a plan it is not a goal. So, dream all you want but then you damn well better get around to making a plan or else it isn’t going to happen.

What I’ve Learned

By Eamon Hurd

Kevin Carpenter Handyman, 64, Monroe, WI

I am the second oldest of five children. Two brothers and two sisters. Growing up on a farm with that many kids was a bit of a challenge, for us and for our parents. I look back on it now and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

When dad died I felt weak. Even though I’m in my sixties and have grandchildren, I still felt a sadness that I felt when I was a kid.

My favorite genre of music is classic rock. I love myself some Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Rush, Def Leppard, the list goes on.

It reminds me of being a reckless and rebellious teenager. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true. Back to the days of sneaking out of the house and into concerts with my pals.

I guess I was born to be a carpenter. Not only is it my last name, but I have a really good way with tools. It’s a passion that not too many people have nowadays. Not too many kids are fresh out of college looking for a job in local carpentry. I consider it a bit of a lost art.

I don’t have much variety in my life out in the middle of Monroe, Wisconsin, but my kids and grandkids break the monotony of the country. They bring such a great joy into my life that can’t be replicated by anything. Not only does it give me assurance in their happiness, but I also feel better about myself.

Being in the military was a good experience. Taught me a lot about being a real man and how to be decent. I was scared as hell of being sent to Vietnam, but I’m glad I joined nonetheless. I fell and broke my arm the time kids my age were being drafted, so I was luckily never sent. I can’t imagine who I would be today if I hadn’t broken that arm.

I feel like I’m the only one who reads the paper these days. My son is always telling me to get a subscription online, but I’m too deep into the hard copies. I’ve been getting them for so long and I’m too stuck in my ways.

My life motto is, never get excited. Just go with the flow and never expect anything to be exciting. Your expectations will never be crushed.

My parents married very young. Dad was twenty-two and mom was nineteen. My kids got married young too. Marrying young has worked for the two most important couples in my life. I wish I had done the same.

In the future, I hope that I can retire comfortably. Unfortunately I’ll probably still be in the shop until I’m seventy five.

I’m not complaining, but it’d sure be nice to live out the American retirement fantasy.

The first time I drove a tractor myself was traumatizing. I was with dad and he told me to take it for a ride, so I did. I locked it into drive and it started going straight, but I didn’t take into account the huge drop off at the end of the field. Dad was looking at me, waiting for me to turn, but I never did. He had to take control moments before we crashed, stopping it right before the whole vehicle drove straight off. I was flung from the tractor and right next to the blades. If I had landed slightly to the right, I would’ve probably lost a hand.

What I’ve Learned

Kristen Sako Dancer, 17, Park Ridge

I went to Mary, Seat of Wisdom School in Park Ridge, and I loved it. It is a catholic school with only 50 graduating students.

I went there from kindergarten to 8th grade. All the teachers were so nice, and they knew everyone’s names. I loved waking up and going there everyday because it had such a good feel, and everybody was welcoming.

I love dance from the bottom of my heart. I have been dancing for 7 years and I do tap, ballet, jazz, and hip hop. If dance wasn’t here, I would probably be doing nothing as a sport and just sitting at home watching Netflix. I look forward to going to dance everyday. Even though I only dance 3 times a week, all those other days I look forward to dance. I am in the advanced level of my dance class, so it is always nice knowing I am the best!

On Tuesday, my friend and I have early dismissal so we decided to walk to my house after 8th period. In order to get to my house you have to walk through Hamlin gate. We got there at like 2:30, and the gate was locked as usual. Without any delay; we all hopped the fence! For me it was really scary because I have never done anything as bad as that, so I was really scared, but that will be a memory I will have forever.

Spraining my foot hurt really bad because that was my first real injury. It happened about 5 years ago when I was in 7th grade. I was at dance class, and my group was waiting for the teacher to come into class. While we were waiting we were just dancing around the studio….practicing our dance moves. My friend was confused with one of the steps we were doing, so I decided to help her. It was some sort of turn I don’t remember which. But, I went to do the step, and when I put my foot down my ankle rolled under myself and I heard a crack and all of a sudden I felt A LOT of pain!!!

I really want to study Physical Therapy. I have always been great at science, and science was always what I wanted to in college, but starting in high school I really wanted to do Health Science. The main reason is because I love helping others, and I know I’d be good at that field. The reason why I wanted to work in PT was because after watching Grey’s Anatomy, I really want to work in a hospital, but not as a doctor or nurse, and PT seems like a good job for me.

Making Advanced Dance really made me happy because I know since I have been dancing for so long I should prove I am really good and try out for advanced dance. It was really hard for me to try out because I am afraid to try out for things in fear of being rejected. So, this really was out of my “bubble”. But I made it, and it all came together.

Mrs. Kirshner has done a lot for me since I had her freshman year for English. She is one of those teacher who you can talk to about anything, and she will totally understand. She definitely stood out to me as one of my favorites. Even to this day, for college applications, or other clubs in school I will ask her for a recommendation because she really liked me freshman year, and I know she will always remember me.

I really want to do PT in college, so doing an internship before I start will give me a feel for what it will be like later on and if its still something I want to do.

I have 2 brothers. One is older and one is younger. My younger brother’s name is Kevin, and my older brother’s name is Nick. He has 2 daughters, who are my nieces. Their names are Marianne and Andria.

CRUX is my church’s teen youth group. I am a head service leader of the group. What we do is every year we have meeting that lead up to our annual overnight retreat. CRUX is so fun because you can find your faith during these years.

What I’ve Learned

Marissa Scavelli Student, 17, Chicago

I’m the first person in my immediate family to go to college. The whole process is really hard right now because my parents and I don’t have any idea about how it all works. I have older cousins who went to college and try to help us but we’re going into this whole college thing blind. Not knowing much makes it all much scarier and harder to think about.

All throughout high school people would ask “What do you want to major in?” and I’d sit there with a blank face. I think I finally know now. I took PBR last year and fell in love with psychology. It’s extremely fascinating to me. I’d like to do forensic or behavioral psychology. I’d be dealing with something new every day. I want something like that in my life. Then I won’t get bored with my job.

I used to do competitive cheerleading. I did it for two years consistently and it was so much fun. I made so many good friends and we did a lot of traveling. It took up a lot of my time but I have great memories from then. I wish I didn’t quit cheer to go to work because I seriously hate working.

I’ve been working at a hair salon as a receptionist for over a year and a half. I used to love it. The job is easy, I answer the phones, take appointments and check people out while being able to sit all day. But, now I’m just sick of it. I hate giving up every Saturday of my life to work and waking up early too. I dread going there. My boss can also be really mean or super nice, no in-between. Sometimes she won’t even let me have off if I need it. I really need a new job.

My mom is the strongest, most amazing woman ever. She had cancer less than two years ago and was still positive every single day she suffered. She’s in remission now. I want to be like her one day.

My family is pretty big, I’m the oldest child and I have a 15 year old brother Gianni and twin siblings, Kristina and Anthony who are 13 now. Were all teenagers in my house now, it’s crazy. My parents are going to lose their minds.

I’m really close with my sister Kristina. She’s five years younger than me but we get along really well. You wouldn’t think so because we are polar opposites. She is really athletic and I’m more artsy and laid back, but somehow we are the best of friends. I can’t imagine not having my sister.

I actually like school. I like learning new things. I just wish it wasn’t so early and the days were shorter.

I’m graduating early this year. I have about 70-something days left of school. I’m really excited to leave and start a new chapter in my life. I’m sick of the whole high school scene and I feel like I had my fun and it’s time to move on. I want to just start over in college and become successful. High school is like fantasy land, I’m ready for the real world.

I’m obsessed with my dog Kayla. She’s a one year old rottweiler. She’s so much fun. I have three other dogs but she’s my favorite. When we got her I cried and begged my dad not to get her because we already had three dogd! i told him it will be way too crazy but he got her anyways. Since the day we brought her home I’ve been in love with her. She’s like my best friend. Every time I come home she jumps on me and licks my face. She follows me around and is always by my side. She could get annoying but I’d be lonely without her.

My favorite food used to be strawberries. I would eat them all the time. Then, recently I had this weird allergic reaction to strawberries. I got physically sick from eating only two. i haven’t eaten them ever since. I really want to eat them, but I’m scared. I don’t think they’re worth all that pain again.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Patrycja Jelen

Michael Mastrolonardo Art Teacher, 50, Park Ridge

My major was ‘undecided’. My dad was an art teacher at Maine South and I never wanted to be in his class. My interest in art started in college when I was attending NIU. After changing my major to art, I seriously considered becoming a teacher, just like my father. He sure was thrilled to hear that I was following in his footsteps, but SEVEN years of college.. I could have been a brain surgeon!

I was an extremely average student throughout high school. Better in math and science than languages, wrestled for a few years. Had friends, but wasn’t super popular; goofed around, but never got in trouble.

Family is everything. My wife and two daughters are my life. Always doing everything for them, for the house, chores and trying to give them the best.

One thing Maine South needs is a Starbucks right outside my classroom- but just for the fine arts teachers. If that’s too much to ask for, then a personal parking spot close to the doors would be nice.

These teenagers that sit on their phones all the time. How much time do you have?! I think social media has accelerated our transformation to becoming self centered, you know, everything is about me, you’re always posting about what you’re doing. Don’t get me wrong- Facebook is great. I love keeping in touch with old friends and especially former students; seeing where they end up after high school and seeing their art evolved.

My family is irreplaceable, but my most prized possessions are my wedding album, ring, and then my art.

As many years as I have been teaching, I could never choose favorite or least favorite students. There are so many students who I have been so proud of for so many reasons. Achievements, overcoming obstacles, loyalty to the art, but most of all, being good people. I have never hated any of my students. There were times when I hated what they did or how they behaved, but never them. I think being a parent has a lot to do with how I teach. My first year as a teacher, I had an incident when a student seriously tried to fight me. Needless to say, he was expelled from the district.

With responsibility comes freedom, and with freedom comes responsibility. Don’t take either for granted.

Try your best and don’t be afraid to make an honest mistake. Be your best, but understand that nobody is perfect.

I spent twenty-three years at Maine East, and defending the school from an unfair reputation is hard to get out of your system. I don’t want to sound like a politician, but I honestly can’t pick South vs East. Apples and oranges. But, if I had a choice to go back, I would stay at South. This is my fifth year at Maine South now and this is my home.

Being able to communicate concepts to students and putting students first is all it takes to be a good teacher. There are so many things on our plates these days that it is difficult to spend enough time focusing on the students as individuals. You can be a nice teacher or a hard teacher, a popular teacher or a hated teacher. But if you communicate and put the students’ needs and well-being first, you’re a good teacher.

To find true happiness you have to choose goals in life with grounded priorities. If your goals are shallow, I don’t think you will find real happiness.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Kristen Sako

Stella Weber Teacher, Park Ridge

I was a good student….above average. I loved music, and I always had to sing. Of course, I loved Italian. I came into school late, around late september because my parents sent me to Italy. When I came home I missed one month of school. I was a pretty diligent worker, pretty focused. I didn’t belong to any clubs except the Italian club. I was the only girl who went onto an all girl high school, everyone went to the public school. With my personality I made new friends, and italian friends too.

In 1965, when I was 5 we moved to Italy, and came back when I was in 4th grade. I did 3 years of school in Italy. I cried because i didn’t speak Italian, and I only knew the dialect my parents taught me. After that I went to Italy for my 8th grade graduation, and spent my whole summer there. My parents were bribing me to make me not cry that I was the only girl going to a catholic school.

As an adult, I didn’t want to go back because I wanted to live there, but I became appreciative of what I was discovering...the arts, the people, and of course the food. That is the real reason why I wanted to keep going back.

When I was a sophmore in high school. I told my parents I wanted to be an opera singer, and my dad said, “No daughter is going to be an opera singer!” He told me to find a more noble profession. Its a good thing my italian 2 teacher was awesome, and I wanted to be just like her. So that what I did.

I thought I could relate to the students. I had that kind of personality that would be able to survive. I student taught middle schoolers, and I just needed to find my nitch, and that was it...teaching high school. Little kids are too much for me. Too much crying, and I was like forget it.

Oh my gosh what a great school. How lucky am I to get an interview let alone teach here, and stay her for 34 “unofficial “years because I student taught here for 5 years, so I am starting my official 29th year at Maine South.

I can’t say there was one favorite trip because each trip has different students, so the students compose that trip. The different personalities, the different mixes, the different drama if there is drama, the students is what makes the trip. Each time I go I see something through a students eyes, and i see something different each trip. Weather a student points something out, or I see it myself I always see something new. To me that is awesome.

In the 80s I had 2 boys in class who didn’t see eye to eye. One boy dropped his pencil while the other boy though he was reaching for him and all of a sudden they were punching each other. My nervous energy took one of the boys and picked him up and threw him into the hallway, and little did I know that his uncle was my best friend in college. Small world!

I would be a singer because that was my first passion, and I still am able to use singing in class especially when we get to the music unit. I would love to be an opera singer because I have always wanted to do that since i was a little girl.

I’d love to go to London. I would love to travel England, and especially London. I love to go to Spain and Austria. I’ve only been to Austria for less than 12 hours. I’d love to see all those places. Actually, those are foreign countries. I’d like to see my own country too. I want to go out west, hear its beautiful. Out east too, Martha’s Vineyard wouldn’t be all that bad. I heard that West has a lot of good food and cool places to go visit. The United States has a lot of nice places, but you just need to take the time to see and enjoy them.

What I’ve Learned

Natalie Hayes Student, 17, Park Ridge

I lived in Ireland for the three years before I started school. That place feels like a second home to me whenever I visit.

Since then I’ve spent each summer there with all of my cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I don’t have any family here in the U.S. so that makes holidays boring as ever.

Planning college is something my whole family is new to. I am the first one in my family who is going to attend college here in the states. It’s a completely different system compared to overseas. My mom went to a small 2-year college in Ireland and my dad never went at all. So it’s been pretty stressful these past few weeks.

School is very important to me for many reasons. I’ve been working hard the past 3 years trying to keep my GPA up and stay involved in the clubs and activities.

I think I want to attend college and become a nurse. My favorite thing to do is help people and see them benefit from my help. Even though I believe I will never really know what I want to be because life isn’t that simple, nursing seems like a good career choice for me because I know there will always be job opportunities. I know I want to have a family and a nursing schedule is very flexible under those circumstances, too.

My parents are some of the most loving people I’ve met and will do anything and everything for my brothers and me. I think I get a lot of traits from them. My dad was born in New Zealand and my mom was born in Ireland. They met in London and got married in Rome. Their adventurous past and their love of travel is a characteristic I know I have.

15 years from now I see myself with a husband and kids living somewhere outside the United States. Not that I don’t love America, I just really enjoy venturing outside what’s normal. Ever since I was little I’ve dreamed of living in Australia. I think that would be pretty amazing.

I could never live without my best friends. All of us spend so much time with each other it’s almost too much. They are the realest people I know, meaning they never try to start stupid drama, they will always have eachothers backs and are honest about everything. I trust them with a lot and know I can talk to them whenever I need someone to talk to.

People spend too much time worrying about appearances. I see the problem come up at Maine south every single day.

People around me are always making negative comments on the things people around them are showing on the outside.

Cheating is on the rise because our schooling system is on the low. I know people probably say this all the time, but there is a picture I always see with a monkey, a bird, an elephant, a fish in a fish bowl, a dog and a seal. Then there is a teacher in front of them telling them they are all going to take the same test so it’s “fair”, just as it happens in school. Their task is to climb a tree. The message this picture sends is that when you have 30 students in a classroom who are each separate individuals with separate talents and difficulties we ask them to complete the same task and expect them to do well at said task.

It makes no sense Being your child’s friends is a good and bad thing. I wish I was in more of a “best friend” relationship with both of my parents, but I don’t think I am. I see my parents as more of a model figure. I am still close with my parents, don’t get me wrong. The part where I could tell my mom or dad anything would make things a lot easier. The bad part of having your parent be your best friend would be that you have no “parent” figure. If your parent is your best friend they are going to enforce rules and restrictions on you much lighter than a parent who is not your best friend.

What I’ve Learned

Patrycja Jelen

Student, 17, Park Ridge

I can’t believe I’ll be turning eighteen next July. The careless childhood years have come to an end and here I am really beginning the first chapter of my life.

One thing I can’t live without is my car. I’ve been working since I was just shy of sixteen, so about a year and a half now.

My system for saving was giving my mom every last penny from each paycheck. Earlier this year, I bought a 2011 Jeep Patriot for a really great price and I swear it was love at first sight. It’s my most prized possession and without it I couldn’t get anywhere. Being independent and not having to ask for rides is THE BEST feeling!

In the past three years, I believe I’ve really matured and grown up. Being an only child, I’ve always been around adults. I always felt way older than I was because my parents never gave me a break from responsibility.

I’d rather work than be at school. I’ve been a waitress at a Polish-American banquet hall in Schiller Park for about a year and a half now. The environment is amazing. My coworkers and I even hangout outside of work and I swear they’re like my second family. Recently, I got a second job at Buffalo Wild Wings. I’ve been there for about three weeks and I can’t decide which job I want to stay with. For now, I’m planning to juggle the two and hopefully manage to stay on top of my school work and get all A’s this year!

Architecture is my field. Believe it or not, this all started because I was obsessed with the video game series Sims. As a kid I would spend hours on our old, boxy PC building houses and designing its rooms. What scares me is that I haven’t started looking at colleges yet!

I wasn’t born in America. I’m actually ¨off-the-boat¨. I was born in Poland and came here with my parents back in 2006.

The endless jobs and educational opportunities had a major influence on our migration. My mom opened a flower shop, my dad a construction company and since then we decided to stay here permanently.

The best way to guarantee happiness is by making it happen. Nothing is just going to be given to you in life, you have to earn it. My parents are the perfect example of that because they started from scratch in a totally new country and now they are both self employed and run their own businesses.

The transition here was hard. Out of all the words in the English dictionary, all I knew was ‘plane’, ‘car’, and some colors. As a second grader- age wise, I was in a first grade classroom for a third of the day everyday so that I could learn how to read, write and most importantly SPEAK! When I’m ready to start a family I want to have three kids. Since I am an only child I know how much it sucks to not have anyone your age around. I want my kids to have someone to rely on when their parents aren’t here.

It is my dream to become a model and travel the world and inspire young girls just like Bar Refaeli and Joanna Krupa inspired me. I just love being in front of the camera.

Twenty-four hours is never enough. Even though I know how to manage time well, I always find myself running short of time, slightly because I’m an extreme procrastinator.

Everyday is the same routine. Wake up, eat food, go to school, eat food, come home, eat food, go to work, eat food at work and then come home and sleep.. and maybe get up for a midnight snack.

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Riley Eckhart

Riley Eckhart Stuent, 17, Park Ridge

I look at my dad and say that I want to marry a guy like him one day. That might be weird to some people, but not to me.

He is very smart; he knows everything. He’s always helping me with sports, especially with basketball. Even though I may get annoyed, I love the one on one time.

When I think of a good friend it is someone who is always there for you, always laughing with you, being honest and loyal, and pretty much someone who you can be yourself around. When I think of a bad friend they say one thing then turn around and say another thing, talk behind your back, or someone who ditches you for another group when they say “you’ll always be my best friend.”

My mom always says, “life’s not fair” and it really is true. No matter how rich or famous a person is, they might not have everything they want even though it may seem like it. Life is not fair because there is always going to be something you want that you can not have.

As of right now I do not know what I want to be. It does scare me because in one year I will be away in college. I have been going back and forth between what want to do.

I love sports. My whole life I have been involved and I can’t imagine coming home from school and not doing anything except homework. Sports keep me busy but sometimes they stress me out, especially basketball. I love the game and hope to play in college. But sometimes I feel like I am playing for my parents because I care what they think. I need to relax and play my game. The game I know how to play.

My mom always calls me a homebody because I never really go out. I like to stay home. The main reason I stay in is because I am always busy running around.

I love rainy days. Every time there is a rainy day I get excited. I like how the house is dim and not as lit as it usually is. I like the feeling of being able to stay in and watch a few movies.

This summer I worked as a lifeguard. I love my job. The people there are great and super nice. When I have to go to work I’m not mad or say “why do I have to go” I look forward to going. The work environment at the pool is great and there is never a dull moment.

I have 3 brothers and 1 sister and I have to say I love it. I could not imagine having one other sibling or even being an only child. My mom grew up with 11 brothers and sisters. To be honest, I don’t know how my parents did it. However they did, I give major props to them. When I am older I hope to raise a big family. I can’t imagine my kids only having one other sibling.

I love horror movies. Most people will ask me why and I don’t have an exact answer for them. My cousins, sister and I will always have movie nights and we always end up watching scary movies. The funny thing is, I love horror movies, but hate haunted houses.

Walking into senior year, I have learned not to care what poeple think. People are going to judge you and others no matter how haard you do not want them to.

What I’ve Learned

Robbie Mergens Student, Eighteen, Niles

My Grandfather was a very inspirational man in my life. He had to live in the boarding school he was attending and barely saw his family growing up. Later on he got a steady job that he loved and stayed with it for over forty years.

Finding a career you love and get to do it with people you love is my biggest goal in life.

Teens these days are much too technologically dependent. Everywhere I go I see huddles of teens sitting around on their phones rather than interacting with each other. Maybe I’m different but I’d rather do something with my friends than focus my attention on a little screen.

Happiness in life is doing what you love with someone you love.

After school finishes, I want to be involved with something around sports. I’ve really been looking into sports managing for when I go to college. I feel like this would give me a good grasp on both the sports and business world.

I like Michigan State a lot. My father went there and it’s up there with the other places I’m still deciding on. I wanna study somewhere away from home and experience life in a new place.

One of the schools I have really been looking into lately is the University of Iowa. I know I know, Iowa seems like the dullest place to be but the campus looks really big and they have good programs and classes regarding my future interests so it hasn’t been officially decided but next year this time, I might be living it up in Iowa.

APush was really hard class. It was probably the biggest challenge I had in school. From all the hard college level questions to the tons of homework I needed to do. It was hard, but worth it.

The best gift for me would probably be a couple of new Michigan State hoodies, a fresh pair of Jordans and throw in some gas money. And some alone time from my hectic family.

I like shoes too much. That’s all I talk about with everyone. I even use that to start conversations. I have paid almost $300 just for a pair. I like shoes.

Everybody loves me for my car. I was the first to get my license and I was abused for it many many many times.

Being the oldest of three really puts pressure on you. You are expected to succeed, to be a good role model and of course to take care of everyone. It’s not easy and not always fun but it feels rewarding.

I act a lot like a dad. My friends call me Dad. I don’t know if that accurately represents me but it doesn’t seem like a bad thing. Better than Mom I guess.

I used to do football and track freshman year and it was great but really time consuming. It messed me up academically which is why I have completely changed and focused more on schoolwork instead. I miss it but I can still go out and play pick up with my friends. Whats the difference really?

What I’ve Learned

Russell Langan

Baseball player, 18, Park Ridge

My grandfather has influenced me a lot. The man has been through a depression and a World War. He’s had 96 years on this planet and he is still sharp as a tack; I hope I have those genes in me.

My greatest passion is baseball. The sport has been with me my entire life and I think, like my parents, it has helped me grow up and mature. The game taught me so much from competition, learning to deal with failure and keeping my composure. It’s the best pastime of all time.

How I feel about the Cubs? Well I feel like they have improved in a lot more ways than just hitting and pitching better.

There’s something else going on in the North side. The team chemistry established this season is like watching kids in high school, calm, relaxed and having fun. It makes a difference. The addition of Joe Maddon was without a doubt the biggest sign in the past decade. He makes the game fun for every player on his squad. The way he handles a team is unlike anyone else in the MLB right now. He is, in my opinion, the best manager in the MLB. I really want to grow up and play baseball professionally. The game has been in my life for as long as I can remember. It’s also been in my family forever. My grandfather played when he was little and my dad played and pitched when he was my age. My dad always tells me that I’m better than he was when he was my age.

I think people these days, especially teens, worry too much about social status. If they should fit into this group, or that group, or the one over there. I think that it really shouldn’t matter who it is that you hangout with or spend time with, but more or less just be happy with doing what you do and along the line if someone you know has the same interest, it just makes it that much better.

First off, I’d like to think I changed for the better. I eliminated some bad and negative influences in my life, surrounded myself with positivity and it’s made all the difference in the world. I was fed up trying to fit in and associate with certain people or things, but now I just do me.

Today’s teens do not get enough credit. There are some bright, funny, and likable kids out there that are just stereotyped to be the trouble makers of today’s society. I just think people need to learn not to treat us like we’re younger than we are. If you want us to grow up to be an adult, how about maybe treating us like ones more often.

I wouldn’t call myself very religious. I am a firm believer of the Lord and the heavens and hells and all of that, I just don’t necessarily practice it by going to church on Sundays or attending masses.

Teens cheat in schools now a days more often because of how wrong the school systems are making things seem. A long time ago if you went to a school you would see kids wanting to learn and teachers really caring for their students. Now the only thing that matters are the grades. Teens have less and less confidence with themselves solely from their grades. In my opinion grades only view a kids’ discipline, not intelligence.

I think my family expects a lot out of me, but they don’t pressure me into being that successful. They let me live my own life and they let me choose my path. All they do is steer me the right way and make sure I don’t follow the bad path, which I think being a parent is really all about.

I do know some depressed teens out there. After hearing their stories and their struggles I can tell you that their depression is real and their feelings are real. Is it getting blown out of proportion? That I can’t say because I do not know what it is like to suffer from such depression.

What I’ve Learned

Stephany Schnaufer STUDENT, 15, Park Ridge

My playground as a kid was my mom’s office, she would set up a movie for my brother and I in her office when she was in a meeting. We soon got bored and played tag around the whole office, and hid under people’s desks.

I am the type of person that values being alone. I have 7 people in my mom’s house and 6 at my dads. The times I get or be alone are very rare. I love chilling in my room, and listening to music on my computer for hours. I like the feeling of not having to care about anything, and just doing whatever I want.

I have never liked reading and was never good at reading, but I love to write and to be a good writer you have to be a good reader to write well.

Ever since that one Fear Factor episode where a woman had to shave her head in order to move on in the game, I had wanted to shave my head also. I built up the courage in March for St. Baldrick’s and finally did it for the kids with cancer, and donated my hair and raised $1,500. This has been the best decision I have made in my life, even though some would disagree.

Don’t do anything that you wouldn’t want to see on the Internet, because it will end up there whether you like or not these days.

The easiest way to make friends is to do sports or join a club. I met my best friend through playing lacrosse. You can always find people to relate to best in a sport, because you are all there to do the same thing for the same reason.

No one believes me, but my earliest memory was when I was at my first birthday party, and everyone was singing happy birthday to me. Instead of blowing out my candles I just put my finger right in the flame.

I want to end up college, I don’t know where, I don’t know what I want to study, but I do know that I want my grandma to stop asking me about my future. I am only a sophomore.

I try my best in school because I don’t want to turn out like my older brother who can’t go to college because his grades.

My mom always told me to never burn bridges because you never know when you will see someone from high school again and they might be able to help you out in the future.

Perfect attendance has always been my thing. I have only missed one day of school since fourth grade when I was forced not to come to school because I had a fever of 100 degrees, but I wanted to go to school so bad.

My dog is my best friend. She is always there to listen, and never talks back. I go on walks with her after school every day.

When my parents got divorced I brought her up to my room for the whole day.

I wear what ever I want because I don’t care what people think. Everyone should be comfortable in what they wear to school. Even though most people wear what they think won’t make them made fun of, I do the opposite and wear what I want based upon me. For example I wear my crocs to school even though they are so “out of trend.”

The most important thing to remember when trying to be happy is to do what you want to achieve your goals in life.

What I’ve Learned

Stevan Barjaktarevic Student, 17, Park Ridge People send too much time worrying about the Kardashians. Honestly I don’t understand why some plastic titty broads are making headlines while serious news such as the threat of the islamic state is taking the backseat.

If I could change the world, geographically at least, I would move all the continents together so I would not have to fly over the Atlantic Ocean every time I want to see my family in Montenegro.

If I was wealthy I’d probably spoil my whole family. I wouldn’t know how to handle a lot of cash. Id buy the most useless things. Like one of those toilets that cleans your butt or the toilet that plays music while you poop.

My favorite animal is probably the dog. My whole life I have had a dog around the house and many moments in my life I have had a dog come into my life sometimes for good and other times for bad.

I choose to drive a Jeep because I always liked the boxy Jeep style. When I was an infant my grandpa had a military Jeep and I thought it was the coolest thing.

I love playing soccer. It’s my freedom from stress. I get to escape anything that bothers me; once I step on the pitch all my problems go away.

My biggest pet peeve is when I see a wealthy successful person waste so much money on drugs. Like come on! They can buy so many useful things yet they buy substances that do more harm to themselves and others around them.

For college I want to go study abroad in Europe. The last thing I want is for my family to spend 100,000 on some college where I don’t succumb to anything. It is scary to think that you pay so much for college but you do not even know if you will succeed in your selected course.

My idol is probably my two grandpas. They are literally badass. They have overcome so much and still managed to become successful.

I was named Stevan because of my great grandfather; his life should be a movie documentary. After the murder of his brother, he avenged him by killing 40+ members of the mob that was responsible for his brother’s death.

I was raised in Chicago. My family lived in a crappy 1 bedroom apartment and our lullaby was the sound of gunfire late at night. I am extremely proud that my parents were able to get out of there and expose me and my brother to a nicer area, first La Grange Park and now Park Ridge. I hope to do the same for my kids.

My number one priority is my family. I do not care about anything if my family is not as it should be. My family is large but attached, that’s how families should be. I can never understand those families that hold grudges against one another; that should never happen.

I am an OK student. I could get better grades, but I am lazy. When I was younger I looked at grades like they were the most important thing ever! Well, they kind of are, but not that much. I hope to become a better student senior year...

What I’ve Learned

Interviewed By: Jaimee Zajac

T.J. Zajac

College Student, 19, Ames

Meeting a bunch of guys that I will be getting to know the next 4 years. I saw some really nice house while being disgusted by others. I especially liked the TKE house, the guys were super awesome and it helps being a legacy.

Besides my sister, my dogs and free laundry. I hate having to pay for laundry and I miss being able to cuddle with my dogs all day. Even though I hate to admit it, my sister is my best friend, even on the days she annoys me so much I wanna punch her.

Graduation. I hate high school because I moved around a lot. It was hard to start all over at a new school each time. I went to 3 high schools, it was tough.

Getting a game winning interception my freshman year playing football. My grandparents were there and I’ve never seen such a huge grin on my grandpa’s face before. It was the last sport even that he could attend of mine.

Skydiving. The rush you got after jumping out of an airplane, there is nothing like it. Even though I was scared, the minute I hit the ground I wanted to do it all over again. When we were up in the sky you could see the entire island of Aruba and I want to go to every single major league baseball stadium. Baseball is my favorite sport and I would like to have the chance to experience a game at every stadium.

Enjoy it. High school goes by way too quickly. Take in every moment because it could be your last.

Augusta National golf course. I’ve always wanted to either play it or watch the masters there. I’ve watched golf ever since I was little and it has always been a dream of mine. I remember watching Tiger win and realizing how badly I wanted to go there.

Lucky Charms. Lucky charms are god, I just couldn’t live without them. I hate when I see people separate the marshmallows and the grains, you have to eat them together, otherwise it’s just not right.

Beating anorexia. It is the hardest thing I have ever done and it is something that no one should have to deal with. And I’m just going to leave it at that.

Watching my best friend get drafted into the NHL. I got to see his dreams come true, I couldn’t have been more prouder. He had worked so hard to achieve it. Also, it was a bonus that he got drafted by my sister’s second favorite team, so I got to rub it in her face that I met the owner and the coaches.

It is hard to get back into the swing of things after you take a gap year. These first couple of weeks of college have been hard for me. I didn’t remember how to do anything for math or physics, my professor now knows my name and I am not just another number.

Realistically, i want to become an engineer. I will make bank, but it is going to be a lot of work. In my dream world, my job is to be a sports agent. I know a ton about sports and my friends agent always tells me that I would make a good one.

What I’ve Learned

Jaimee Zajac

STUDENT, 17, PARK RIDGE

I have no fears. When I started freshman year, I took a step back and said “what’s the point of having fears?”. Fears hold you back from so many adventurous opportunities in life. I look at it as no matter how long you live, if you have many fears they are holding you back from truly living.

I wish I had more time in the day. It always feels like I’m running out of time. It is the same routine everyday: Wake up, go to school, go to lacrosse, do 2-3 hours of homework, eat, and then try to get 6 hours of sleep every night. If I could have an extra two hours a night, I wouldn’t be as tired or stressed.

When my brother left to go live with his Billet hockey family, I noticed myself starting to hang out with my parents more, instead of staying trapped up in my room. Him leaving made it easier to hang out with my family without getting super annoyed, super fast. Having him leave helped our relatiosnship to grow.

I can’t live without hockey. It doesn’t matter if I’m watching the Hawks or any team in the NHL, I just love watching hockey.

I don’t ever miss a Hawks game.

When people get into my car they are surprised by the music I listen to. I listen to a lot of different bands/artists, from O.A.R. to Metallica to Eminem. I don’t have one particular genre, like most other people. I love to have a variety of songs playing. My friends think I’m crazy for it.

Skydiving was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. The adrenaline you get the moment you jump out the side of the plane is indescribable. The view I had of the entire island of Aruba was absolutely breathtaking. It is an experience that I will never forget.

It would be a dream come true if the Cubs won the World Series in my lifetime. I’ve been a die hard Cubs fan since I was 3 years old and it kills me that they were so bad the last 7 years. But they are on the road to success and it would be amazing if they just made the playoffs this year.

I hate when I am in the halls and I hear people calling other people fat or bullying them. After having my brother take extreme measures because he was bullied, it makes me sick when I hear people calling each other names.

I always try to laugh and smile throughout the day. It’s the best way to get through the day, even if it is a bad one.

I love to go on long road trips every summer. No matter if it is with my friends or my family. There’s nothing like just driving off into the sunset with no destination planned. This summer my parents and I went to NYC for seven hours and it was the best seven hours I could have ever asked for. We did the top 10 things to do in NYC as a toursit in those seven hours.

Movies take up all of my free time. I watch them even if I don’t have anyone to watch them with me. When I’m in need of a good laugh my go-to movie is Talladega Nights, or a horror movie because I think they are so ridiculous that I laugh really hard. Movies really help pass the time.

I feel that teenagers nowadays have way too much on their plates, which causes them to have so much stress. You shouldn’t have to be 16, 17, or 18, and be extremely stressed out.

What I’ve Learned

Yianni Chronopoulos Student,17, Park Ridge My name is Yianni Chronopoulos, and as you can tell by my name, it’s not ordinary. I am 100% Greek.

I grew up in Des Plaines for about 14 years, I went to South Elementary School, Algonquin Middle School, Maine West High School and now Maine South. I went to Maine West for 1 ½ years and then moved to Park Ridge during my Sophomore year and have been here until now.

Hopefully, 5 years from now, graduate from college and at least have a steady job. I definitely won’t behave the same way as now. I’ll be more mature and look somewhat older.

I try to laugh, or even smile as often as I can. I love to laugh, I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine.

In elementary school I won a trophy for my skills in Literacy. I took a lot of pride in that because in elementary school, I loved to read and write. Now, that passion has changed drastically.

What annoys me the most is the noise that’s made when a chalkboard is scraped. I hated when teachers used chalkboards, because of the chance of that noise happening. Now I’m happy that most teachers have whiteboards instead.

I’m an average student. I get through school with passing grades. Although, Math is definitely not my strong suit. Unfortunately, I had to learn this first hand when I went to Summer School during my Freshman Year.

My dream has always been to be a professional Basketball player. As I grew older I realized that is more of a fantasy than a reality.

When I cut my wrist in 3 different spots was pretty dangerous. I didn’t see it coming at all, that was the farthest thing in my mind at the time. I was putting my hand to the door to open it for my dad who was coming to the door, and next thing I know my hand goes through the glass. I try to wiggle it out as quick as possible, but there was a glass shard stuck in my wrist that I had to pull out, it hurt...A LOT. I was bleeding so much, I washed it as much as I could, wrapped it in a couple of towels, and headed to the hospital to end up getting 13 stitches.

I am a HUGE Sports fan. I’ve always been a fan of Chicago sports mostly. I’ve been to a lot of Chicago sport events. I’ve been to Cubs, Blackhawks, Fire, Wolves and even a former indoor soccer team game, Chicago Storm.

Living to 100 years old would be amazing, not many people can say they lived for an entire century. Hopefully I am able to live until that age. I don’t want to go “away” anytime soon, I’d rather live as long as possible.

For college I would like to go to a college close to home. Definitely somewhere close, but it would have to have what I want to major/minor in. I can’t decide yet, but I’m interested in Graphic Design, Secondary Education, and Psychology. But unfortunately, not a lot of schools close to me have all three, so the search is difficult.

My inspiration in life is my older brother. Even though he can get on my nerves at times I admire for what he’s done in his life. He basically moved to a different country to achieve his dream. Even though he had to go through the Greek Army to do it, he is currently achieving his dream as a soccer player, and why not do it in your home country of Greece while your at it?