Humorous or harmful?
By now, you have probably seen the videos making satirical jokes regarding unsubstantiated rumors about Springfield, Ohio Haitian immigrants eating pets. From a surface-level view, these jokes seem clear in their intent: to highlight the absurdity of these claims. However, what if these jokes are contributing to the underlying normalization and internalization of racist rhetoric against Haitians and other immigrant groups in society? Often, society embraces cavalier humor beliefs, which is the concept that all jokes are harmless and funny–beliefs that have allowed for the clumping of disparaging and truly innocuous jokes alike. However, many psychologists and researchers have found that cavalier beliefs have allowed for the mental internalization of prejudice, stereotypes and racist rhetoric toward the groups of people being centered in these jokes within society, a finding of which can be seen even today.
As the rumors about Haitian immigrants continued to be the talk of the media, thrusting Springfield, Ohio into national spotlight, for example, the small town is said to have experienced about 33 bomb threats to schools and city buildings. Additionally, hate speech and violent threats
toward Haitian immigrants spiked, causing many Haitians to feel unsafe in their communities. Thus, it is evident that these rumors have taken a toll on the livelihood and safety of the people targeted in them. However, how have the jokes amplified this impact? Well, first, they have undermined the clear
“... we must center empathy and critical thinking in everything we do and say.”
violence and fear these rumors have placed upon the Haitian community. While the jokes at surface level may seem humorous to non-Haitians, for Haitians, these jokes mean a reign of hate and violence, and these jokes suggest that the asylum Hai-
tian immigrants are seeking in the US from poverty and violence in their homeland is compromised. Likewise, these jokes have also allowed for the internalization of stereotypes and racist rhetoric against Haitian immigrants. Today, if you hear the word “Haitian,” the first thing that comes to mind for someone who has never experienced Haitian people or culture will probably not be the rich cuisines or culture that Haitians harbor, but instead, one’s thoughts will likely center around the rumors about Haitians eating pets; they will center negativity and harmful falsities.
Imagine being a Haitian child right now, hearing these rumors and jokes about your “weird” culture among the media and kids at school. Would you claim that culture, or feel a sense of pride for it? Or, would you abandon it, separate yourself from what they deemed “weird?”
Thus, it is clear how these jokes can cause harm and alienation to the people they center. Following the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concerns, we must center empathy and critical thinking in everything we do and say. So, before you make any joke, please consider its intention and any possible implications.
What’s inside this edition
Opinion
Staff
Staff
Staff
Staff
Inscape staff
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Addison Haywood
Fiona Stanek
Mireya Gomez de la Casa
Adilene Urbina
Kayla Baker
Adeline Moles
Angela Zubrzycki
Rylee Dombro
Magen Connolly
Chloe Berten
Olivia Regalado
Luna Munoz-Diaz
Margaret Kilgallon
Elysia Gonzalez
Caitlin Sears
Alila Underwood
Ella Meenan-Smith
Aniyah Roberts
Thomas Bochenczak
Abigail Sheahan
Editorial Policy: The opinions expressed in this magazine are the views of the individual authors, and not of the Inscape staff or Mother McAuley High School. Inscape is an open forum that welcomes letters to editors, comments, and feedback from all readers. All letters to the editors must be signed in order to be printed.
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School 3737 W. 99th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
(773)-881-6500
www.mothermcauley.org
Principal Dr. Kathryn Baal
Vice Principal Mrs. Sandra Smycz
Vice Principal Mrs. Sarah Kolkmeyer ‘06
Front cover by Elysia Gonzalez back cover by Fiona Stanek and Caitlin Sears
The write stuff: McAuley’s student author
As a junior in high school, Kaylee Davenport has accomplished something many only dream of: she has written and published a 98-page novel called “Field of Flowers.” This book explores the ups and downs of a teenage girl’s life, featuring intriguing twists and turns along the way.
The story showcases a French American teenage girl named Eden. She experiences typical high school struggles like being bullied, and not being able to find many friends. This all changes the summer of junior year when Eden meets Daisy. Together they create a special bond, but only one of them will make it out alive.
For years, Davenport has created many dif ferent forms of literature. She recalls drafting up short stories of all different genres since she was very young. This is just the first time she has decided to share her talent with the world. “It was sitting in my Google Docs for two years, and then we [Davenport and her mother] saw an ad for a small-time publisher... so we reached out,” Davenport explained.
The publishing process was no simple task. It involved getting Davenport’s story approved, paying fees, undergoing multiple rounds of editing and discussing even the smallest details such as page and cover design. Luckily, Davenport not only has a knack for
Chole Berten
storytelling, but she also has a gift for art. “I actually drew the cover myself, which made designing it a lot easier,” Davenport said.
The book cover isn’t the only personal touch; Davenport drew inspiration from people closest to her to develop unique characters. She infused the two main characters with experiences reflective of her own life. “Both the characters I feel are two parts of me. Together, they kind of are me,” she shared.
When asked if Davenport had any advice for aspiring authors, she emphasized the importance of confidence: “If you don’t have confidence in your own writing, you are not going to get anywhere. I was really scared to show people my stories at first too. Believing in yourself and taking the next step can help you achieve your goals.” She also acknowledged that it really helped having supportive friends and family to encourage her along the way. “Field of Flowers” is available to purchase through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Walmart. For further inquiries, you can reach out to Kaylee Davenport personally on Instagram (@kay.and.daisies) with any questions.
Cover of
Scan the QR code to purchase a copy of “Field of Flowers” on Amazon
Macs master pre-med
Moles
This school year, a new club has been created here at Mother McAuley: Pre-Med Macs! Seniors Kaitlyn Bertrand and Ashely Lopez decided they wanted to create this club because they desired to share their love and interest in the pre-medical field with their fellow classmates.According to Bertrand and Lopez, throughout this school year, they hope to, “establish connections with professionals in the medical field through guest speakers, events and panels; building workshops such as medical school application strategies and preparation; increase involvement in the community health initiative to gain experience and to give back; and overall just create a program to support underclasswomen in their pre-med journey.” As stated, the girls want to allow the club members to become more comfortable and involved in the pre-medical field to benefit them in the future.
Getting involved in the pre-medical field is a very beneficial thing because there are so many different careers that can be pursued. With pre-medical experience, you can pursue any of the following jobs: speech-language pathologist, nuclear medicine technologist, chemist, physical therapist, surgeon, anesthesiologist and so many more careers.
When Bertrand was asked if she wants to go to college to study pre-med, she said, “Ashely and I both hope to go into college as pre-med students and complete medical school. In the future we see ourselves as doctors who provide loving care to our patients.” Pre-Med Macs also will help students learn about colleges that have prestigious pre-medical programs and how to get a good shot at getting accepted into those distinguished programs.
Mother McAuley applauds these two seniors for putting their dreams into reality. They took the initiative to create this club in hopes of helping and encouraging other girls in the school to follow and pursue what they’re passionate about. Bertrand and Lopez want to remind all the girls that have joined Preed Macs to “stay curious and embrace your passion for learning. Don’t be afraid to seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge through classes, volunteering, research and now this club! We didn’t just start this club for us but also for all the girls who want to pursue this curiosity about learning the first steps in pre-medical education.”
Adeline
above. Kaitlyn Bertrand 12 and Ashley Lopez 12 unveil their Pre-Med Macs club at the Club Fair in September.
photo by Ms. Rachel Howard
above.
“Field of Flowers” illustrated by Author, Kaylee Davenport 11.
Teenage domestic violence: A global crisis
Many associate October with the beginning of fall and the excitement of Halloween, but this month is also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in any relationship to gain or maintain control over another partner in a relationship. This abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or psychological. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or age. But especially as young women, domestic violence is all around us. According to the World Health Organization, about one in three women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence. Domestic violence affects so many, but in recent years, it has a growing hold on young girls. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2017 recorded that 9% of female students reported physical dating abuse, and 10.7% experienced sexual dating violence. These numbers are only going up in recent years. According to the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2021, 10% of female high schoolers experienced physical dating abuse, and 15% experienced sexual dating violence. Nearly 50% of women from the ages 16-24
Rylee Dombro
reported experiencing some dating violence. As young women, it is vital to know the warning signs of abuse. “Love bombing” can be a huge warning sign of psychological domestic violence. Love bombing is quick escalation of the relationship, such as excessive attention or affection to gain control over a person. Another integral warning sign is controlling behavior that often has undertones of jealousy. The abuser will interrogate you about who you were with, where you were and what you did. This control then leads to isolation. They will attempt to cut you off from loved ones to ensure that you are solely reliant on them. This isolation gives the abuser a kind of power over you, knowing that you need them to build you up. Victims may feel trapped because of this dependency the abuser has created. They feel helpless without this person. It also can be challenging for victims, especially young victims, to reach out for help. Victims experience severe and lasting effects of the abuse that they have been exposed to. The consequences of domestic violence are devastating, impacting mental and overall physical and psychological well-being. Awareness and education are critical in breaking the
Chicago’s looking for “change”
Most remember in personal finance class learning about the importance of planning to underspend and save rather than overspend into a deficit, but does Chicago remember this lesson? With the approach of the mayoral annual budget proposal on Oct. 15, Mayor Brandon Johnson revealed in a budget forecast for 2025 on Aug. 29 Chicago’s current financial predicament: Chicago has been projected to experience a $982.4 million budget shortfall in the 2025 fiscal year along with a $222.9 million deficit at the end of the current fiscal year, a prediction of which has prompted planning from city departments to implement new measures to reduce rising expenditures and increase revenue.
Addison Haywood
Many measures have been proposed to decrease expenditures. More specifically, Annette Guzman, the City of Chicago Budget Director, outlined some of the measures being taken to reduce the deficit predicted for 2025, proposing the implementation of citywide hiring freezes and budget cuts to city departments, including the police and fire department, as well as the enforcement of “stringent limitations” on nonessential travel and some overtime expenses. Furthermore, measures such as raising property taxes and cutting city services deemed nonessential have also been discussed among city officials. When asked by a reporter about how the deficit will be addressed, Mayor Johnson responded,
cycle of violence. Communities must support victims and hold abusers accountable. By prioritizing prevention and providing resources, we can work toward a future where domestic violence is no longer tolerated. If you or someone you know is in need of help, call 1-877863-6339. You are not alone; help is available.
saying it is “going to require decisions that will speak to our overall collective desire to build an economy that works for working people,” later adding, “sacrifices will be made.”
Likewise, the causes of this deficit are anything but unilateral. On Sept. 9, Guzman released a statement regarding the deficit, describing how rising expenditures came from “rising personnel, pension and contractual costs, alongside revenue challenges,” with revenue challenges partly being attributed to the decision made by members of the Chicago Board of Education to not contribute $175 million to the pensions of non-teacher employees, a failure of which can be contextualized by its personal deficit of $505 million.
Facing deficits is not unfamiliar to Chicago. Since at least 2001 Chicago has been documented to have faced structural deficits, using temporary budgeting practices with temporary resolve, such as refinancing and restructuring debts or finding one-time revenue sources, for the sake of meeting the legal requirement of proposing “balanced” budgets.
Similarly, Mayor Johnson is still legally expected to present a formal, balanced budget in October, where expenditures relatively do not exceed total revenue, an expectation that will require continued planning.
graph by Rylee Dombro
graph by Addison Haywood
Gun violence on the rise
Every day in America, at least 12 children die from gun violence and another 32 are either shot or hurt. Beginning the school year of 2024, many schools across the entire country have been put into lockdowns due to active shooters or heavy threats. Recently, there have been many students found with guns in their backpacks, lockers and cars. On Sept. 18, an 11-year-old boy from Florida was arrested for violent threats on social media. The boy posted about his airsoft guns, knives and other weapons, and he also included a “kill list” that had multiple students from
Kayla Baker
two different schools on it. School shootings have been extremely common, and the fact that students have access to not only weapons but social media at home only makes matters worse. In 68% of gun-related incidents at schools, the perpetrators take the weapons from friends or family.
Many schools have started taking extra precautions including having metal detectors, searches when felt necessary and-, drills on active shooters- some schools have even completely gone back to remote learning. Schools have had their main focus on
Imagine you’re grocery shopping after work, and suddenly, you hear a small explosion. Then you see somebody lying on the floor screaming in agony. This is how witnesses in Lebanon felt last week when seeing more than 2,800 people’s pagers and walkie-talkies explode simultaneously while in public. On Sept.17 and 18, thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies, used by the militant group Hezbollah, exploded simultaneously all across Lebanon and Syria in a planned attack orchestrated by Israel’s spy agency.
More than 460 people underwent surgery for injuries, and at least 20 people were killed, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Victims of this attack were from a variety of ages, from the old to very young. These attacks were carried out by Israel since tensions between them and the Middle East have been high recently over the current war between the two. The first round of explosions began in Lebanon’s capital and several other areas of the country at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17th. Many witnesses reported seeing smoke and then seeing small explosions coming out of people’s pockets. The explosions continued for around another hour after the first blasts.
preventing gun violence when it should be a given that students should feel safe and secure in their school. More than 75% of people show signs or post on social media before taking action. It’s important to educate students and teens on the signs of violence and what to do when there is potential danger. Some given signs are making “jokes” about violence in general or directed toward a person or group, posting weapons on social media- or simply the issue of bullying. If any of these is the case, the student should go to a trusted adult or law enforcement if possible.
Since 1999, more than 338,000 students have experienced gun violence in school. As of Sept. 19, 2024, there have been at least 50 school shootings alone this school year. Do not ignore potential signs of gun violence and never make jokes about it. This issue in the United States is one of the biggest, and it takes everyone to help prevent it. It’s important to stay educated on this topic and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Deadly exploding pagers in Lebanon
Adilene Urbina
In a similar way, the attacks played out in Syria in another round of blasts on Wednesday, Sept. 18th around 5 p.m. “People in Lebanon are terrified of everyday communication devices following two days of deadly pager attacks and walkie-talkie blasts,” said the Middle East bureau chief of the Los Angeles Times, Nabiah Bulos. Hezbollah, which is the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group, was the militant faction that was targeted during the attack. They rely heavily on these pagers to avoid tracking by Israel or any tracking in general, since these pagers are much harder to track than mobile phones. They believe that the attack had been planned 15 years beforehand, which involved shell companies whose assets’ had fronted a legitimate company for years. Pagers had one to two ounces of explosives set by a remote trigger switch which then caused the blast. Hassan Nasrallah had also said that the group’s top leadership had old pagers, not the new ones used in the attack. Details about how the walkie-talkies exploded are still being uncovered. Regardless it is currently unclear how and what caused the devices to detonate.
above. Map of Lebanon showing locations of attacks throughout the country. edited map by A
dilene Urbina
graph by Kayla Baker
Celebrities and influencers are no stranger to our society. They’ll tell you what to buy, what to wear, what to listen to, what’s in and out of trend…but how about who to vote for?
Presidential endorsements on social media have been on the rise, especially since social media has become more popular, convenient and accessible, particularly among younger generations. For the upcoming 2024 election–held on Nov. 5 between Democratic candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and Republican candidates Donald Trump and JD Vance–public figures have been inescapable in announcing who they are voting for or supporting.
On July 21, President Joe Biden announced he was resigning from his campaign, fully endorsing current vice president Harris on becoming the new Democratic nominee. Following this, British pop star, Charli XCX, took to X (formally Twitter), stating her endorsement for Harris. “kamala IS brat,” XCX wrote, referencing her smash hit album “Brat” which had major pop culture influence across the entire summer. This caused the “Kamala HQ” X account, an account officially run by her campaign, to be rebranded into a “Brat” theme, changing their banner to mimic the official “Brat” cover to appeal to XCX’s fanbase and the influx of “brat memes.” Kamala HQ also has a TikTok account, with over 4.6 million followers. It’s no doubt that this campaign relies on Gen-Z centered TikTok trends and social media posts to gain traction and educate young voters. Content on their page includes edits using popular songs, participating in viral trends and just overall posting information about voting and the election, gaining a lot of attention from the youth.
This isn’t the end for pop stars and Harris. On Sept. 11, immediately following the debate, Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift announced her endorsement for Harris and Walz. Swift took to her Instagram account, which has over 283 million followers and encouraged her followers to do their part, stating, “If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.” According to The New Yorker, “Swift did not endorse anyone in 2016, and later told Vogue that Trump ‘was weaponizing the
The social swing
idea of the celebrity endorsement.’ As a result, she said, ‘I just knew I wasn’t going to help.’” Additionally, Swift posted a link on her Instagram story leading to “vote.org.” According to NPR and vote.org, this website received more than 35,000 registrations because of Swift. This was not the first time this has been done, as according to NBC, “Back in 2018, Taylor Swift encouraged her fans to register to vote by posting a simple Instagram story, resulting in 250,000 new vote. org registrants in 72 hours.” according to an article from The New Yorker. Other celebrities and singers who have publicly supported Harris include Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Oprah, Hillary Clinton and Megan Thee Stallion.
Trump drew in different types of celebrities compared to Harris. CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, publicly announced his support for Trump on July 13, following Trump’s attempted assaination in Butler, Pennsylvania. “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk posted. This gained over 2.3 million likes and over 220.3 million views. From that point on, Musk continued to post about Trump to his 200 million followers. Musk even held an X “Space” live stream with Trump on Aug. 12. 1.3 million users tuned in as they discussed topics ranging from immigration, crime rates, inflation, climate change, etc.
To appeal to the younger side of voters, TikTok influencer Bryce Hall appeared to speak at Trump’s Las Vegas rally. “We need Trump back really bad. Make America great again,” Hall said. Hall has also discussed his distaste for Harris across his feed. Other celebrities who have publicly supported Trump and Vance include Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, Amber Rose and Azealia Banks.
But does all of this endorsement have effects? Do young people actually base their vote on what their favorite celebrities say? Where do young people get their information from? Avid Swiftie Lauren Kane 11 shared her thoughts regarding Swift’s endorsement: “Celebrities like Taylor Swift have a huge influence on the election. When a huge celebrity like that endorses someone or something, their fans’ attention is brought to it. Swifties know Taylor’s political views, and her involvement in voting is very important to her and has always been, so I
think that this endorsement will definitely have a huge impact.”
Grace A. Murphy 12, planning to vote for the first time during this election, revealed she gets most of her political information from social media, along with CNN and Fox News. “I think it’s hard to get reliable information because everyone does have a personal bias, especially news stations because they are trying to appeal to a certain crowd. I don’t think they are very reliable because they want their party to seem more favorable,” Murphy said. In regards to celebrity endorsement, Murphy said, “I do think celebrity endorsements do swing young voters, but I don’t agree with it because everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I don’t believe you should just vote for someone based on how popular they are or what their status is. I do think, unfortunately, that celebrities can sway a crowd because of their popularity. Because of the upcoming election and it being my first year able to vote, I’m definitely trying to educate myself more on both parties. I really want to pick someone that is going to be beneficial to everyone in our country.”
Kane and Murphy aren’t alone. Teenagers and young voters rely on the internet for relevant news regarding the election more than ever; however, this comes at a cost as misinformation, propaganda and personal bias thrive during election season, and it’s hard to distinguish what is true or not. It’s crucial to form your own opinion and to not let celebrities and influencers persuade you to vote one way or another. There are plenty of reliable resources and websites other than social media voters can use to get educated on policies, candidates and how voting works in general. For example, The Us Vote Foundation is a site that answers questions one might have about voting such as absentee ballots, traveling during an election, etc. Vote Smart is another website that is a way to get an in depth overview on the different candidates and their policies and proposals. Finally, FactCheck.org is a great tool to help distinguish between the misinformation candidates might say in their campaign. As the election is right around the corner, remember to register to vote and pick the best candidate suited for you and the needs important to you.
Elysia Gonzalez
graphs by Elysia Gonzalez
McAuley in the real world
I recently had the opportunity to speak with McAuley alumna Lorelei Saczek, class of 2024, who is currently attending Saint Xavier University. While her major is Education, Saczek shared how her time at McAuley helped prepare her for college life, particularly in academic and personal development.
When asked which classes best prepared her for college coursework, Saczek highlighted the importance of career-focused classes. “All the classes I’ve taken really prepped me for college. The career-focused ones especially
Who is your Latina role model?
“My Latina role model is Celia Cruz.’’ -Garyelle Bonney 10
“Selena Gomez!” -Madalynn Coffey 9
“Definitley my mom!” -Zuylem Zamora 12
“My favorite Latina role model is the singer Selena!” -Catalina Porras 11
Mireya Gomez de la Casa
helped with my current classes,” Saczek said. “Little School and AP Psychology were great for my Psych classes now—those notes are even better than my college ones. AP Lit also helped a lot with my papers.” Saczek also credited a few key teachers for her smooth transition to college.
When asked which teachers made the most impact on her transition to college, Saczek said, “Definitely Ms. Abigail Sheahan. She’s great to talk to and voice any concerns. She helped me decide my summer job, was a reference and helped me secure a scholarship,” she explained. “Mrs. McCormick also gives awesome advice. She really values her students and listens. She always asked how the college process was going and gave great advice. Talking to your teachers is a good idea; it’s nice to have someone there to help.”
Reflecting on the confidence she gained during her time at McAuley, Saczek spoke highly of the school’s all-female environment. “The female-focused environment at McAuley really helps build confidence in what you can do and what you’re capable of. By the time students graduate, they are strong, confident women,” Saczek said. “Socially, McAuley taught me not to worry about what others think and to take pride in being yourself.”
Her advice for current McAuley students? Make the most of high school and don’t be afraid to go into college undecided. “Go to the games, the dances, have fun at events. Once high school is over, it’s the real world, so cherish every moment,” she advised. “College is a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Thanks, McAuley, for preparing me!”
Remembering Officer Dan
Officer Daniel “Dan” Hnatusko was a beloved member of the McAuley community.
Unfortunately, Officer Dan passed away on July 12, 2024 at the age of 74. Officer Dan grew up here in Chicago’s Burnside neighborhood.
He was a United States Army veteran, who served in the Vietnam war. After the war, he went to work for the Chicago Police Department as an Explosive Detection Canine Handler. He and his canine partner Max’s service is remembered with a memorial brick at the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park located on the Chicago Museum Campus. It’s ironic that he chose to work with dogs since cats were his love. He had two fur babies himself: Maine coons Sydney and Sylvester. Dan said he wanted more cats. He is survived by his wife Sonia, daughter Michelle, Max and several other family members.
In retirement Dan was busier than ever. He was an active member of several organizations, traveling with his wife, a security guard at Mother McAuley High School, a selfproclaimed Genealogy Researcher and an advisor to his son-in-law’s renovation projects.
In the past couple of years, Dan felt a calling to help others in light of the conflict in Ukraine. He helped provide a generator for a daycare, medical supplies and much needed everyday items. He even organized high school students to make blankets for children in need to use while in bomb shelters.
Officer Dan was a beloved member in the McAuley community. His passing came as a shock to many. We will always remember all his silly questions in the morning before school and the joy he brought to us with his jokes. Thank you, Officer Dan, for keeping us safe and happy!
Caitlin Sears
above. Memorial photo of officer Dan in Mother McAuley’s courtyard photo by Caitlin Sears
Ella:
Hot takes: Best vampire franchise
Ella Meenan-Smith and Angela Zubrzycki
Almost every single teenage girl I know has watched “The Twilight Saga.” It is a cult classic, filled with a crazy love triangle, vampires, werewolves and so much more. The franchise began as four novels written by Stephenie Meyer, which were released between 2005 and 2012. Later, Meyer added two more books with more perspectives from the original storyline.
above. Ella is #TeamEdward as she explores Forks, WA as his “spider monkey.”
The story revolves around a mysterious teen, Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, the peculiar student nobody can seem to figure out is a vampire and Jacob Black, who is secretly a werewolf. The saga follows these teens through love and romance, as well as conflict and battles. Throughout the story, we follow the love triangle between Jacob, Edward and Bella. Both of them want her more than anything... except one of them is constantly craving her blood, but she doesn’t seem to mind. You’ll have to see which one she finally chooses. The story then follows their relationship’s hardships with being accepted by their families and entire species while also having to worry about not being caught or found out by other students. These books and movies aren’t only entertaining but also teach many life lessons about love, loyalty and sacrifice. Although not many relationships go through this many hard situations, many can still relate to them. This story can resonate with so many people around the world, especially young girls, which led to its success, making over $3 billion worldwide from the movies.
Angela:
“Vampire Diaries” is so popular because of its unique storyline and its shocking plot twists. What makes it a good show is the characters, its storyline and basically everything about the show. “Vampire Diaries” ran from 2009 to 2017 and is based on the series of novels by L.J. Smith. It’s about a girl named Elena Gilbert who falls in love with a vampire named Stefan Salvatore, and his older brother Damon Salvatore returns to town in hopes of stealing Elena for himself. This series is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, VA.
above. Angela is stuck in a love triangle with the Salvatore brothers, Stefan and Damon .
The main characters are Elena Gilbert who is popular, pretty and becomes an orphan after her parents death from a car crash. Then there’s Stefan Salvatore who is a 161-yearold vampire who is selfless, brave and guilt ridden. Lastly, there’s Damon Salvatore who is Stefan’s older brother. He’s handsome, charming and snarky, and he has a tendency for evil. I think that “Vampire Diaries” is the best vampire franchise because of the love triangle between the two brothers Stephen and Damon and their love for Elena. Even though “Twilight” has a love triangle in it as well, “Vampire Diaries” love triangle hits viewers differently than “Twilight”. For me I feel like the love triangle with Stephen and Elena is more detailed than Elena and Damon just because of it being more efficient where Elena is starting to understand Stefan and who he is and what he does but with Damon there’s still a little uncertainty with him.
What is your favorite Vampire Franchise? Cast your vote by scanning the QR code below!
Deep pockets!
Chloe Berten
Have you ever found yourself walking outside, at a concert or at the grocery store with no place to put your phone? Of course, put it in your pocket! Duh! This seems like a pretty good idea, right? Until you realize your phone barely fits the width of the pocket and three-fourths of the phone is sticking out. One wrong move and it is falling. This is because women’s pockets are 48% smaller than any pocket on men’s clothing...time to buy a purse. This is a common problem among girls and women everywhere. Major corporations, while tapping into the female market, continue to prioritize profit over practicality, forcing women to navigate a world where their purchases are constrained by design flaws and limited options. It is hard to trust major companies when they profit off of lying to women. This does not only affect clothing or makeup products but also women’s self image. Businesses have to profit off of female insecurities, so they can sell the solution to “fix” them–similar to how small pockets encourage purse sales.
Social media ads enforce unrealistic beauty standards. Platforms often showcase edited or filtered images, claiming the products they sell are responsible for that look. This leads women to feel inadequate about their own appearance and can convince them to buy things like supplements, skin care products, strange face shapers, etc. These are all products commonly advertised as the next “beauty secret.” As children start having access to social media at younger ages, this problem becomes much more severe. Children are highly influenced by what they see and hear. If they start believing they need to change their appearance or buy the newest product to be fulfilled, there will be an entire new generation suffering from confidence issues. Women are so much more than their appearance. They are also so much more than the money they have to spend. This is why we must be careful about being manipulated by commercials and advertisements. A lot of the insecurities and misinformation we deal with every day would be significantly lessened if we educate ourselves before clicking “add to cart.” Ultimately, while women’s pockets may not be as deep as men’s, corporations continue to dig for our dollars, urging us to fill them with the latest beauty products; it’s time we demand pockets that reflect our worth–both in practicality and value.
Have you ever stayed on vacation longer than your original planned stay, been delayed by inclement weather or had the recent inconvenience of a global mass IT outage that impacted airports, businesses and broadcasters? Well, as of Sept. 29, 2024, two NASA astronauts are currently experiencing something similar. Flight Commander Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been stuck on the International Space Station since early June after their spacecraft ran into several mechanical issues mid-flight. These
Stuck in space
Alila Underwood
issues consisted of helium leaks and–most concerningly–the possible malfunction of their spacecraft, Starliner, with its reaction control thrusters as it approached the space station on June 6. Due to these events, the two astronauts are spending a lot more time on the International Space Station than planned.
The original flight period was scheduled from June 5 to June 14; now they are planning to return in February of 2025 at the earliest. NASA has claimed that the two astronauts are safe as they remain in space; however, the
This was previously reported in the Inscape issue published March 2024, and there is now a new update to the story. As you all last heard from the staff at Ecco Aquarium and Shark Lab in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina, Charlotte the stingray was pregnant. There had been no male contact in eight years with Charlotte, and it led the Ecco Aquarium and Shark Lab to believe that Charlotte was pregnant through a process called parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis is an asexual reproduction process where a female can produce and fertilize an embryo without male sperm.
The aquarium later reported in May that Charlotte had a rare reproductive disease, which caused a false pregnancy. Two hours after the owner confirmed Charlotte was not pregnant, Natalie O’Neill from New York Post said, “Others said she may have been knocked up by a 1-year-old white spot bamboo male shark, which had been in her tank–but biologists said Friday there was almost zero chance that was true.” Shark bites on Charlotte may have indicated that the shark could have mated with her. Charlotte’s mysterious pregnancy and sudden false pregnancy poses the question: was it really all a hoax? It has
question still stands: how are they supposed to get home? The two will travel back to earth with NASA astronaut Nick Hauge and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov from a SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
Due to the astronauts extended stay in space, there have been questions around how they will be able to vote in the upcoming United States presidential election. Luckily, the astronauts are still able to cast their ballots while in orbit. The Texas Legislature passed a bill in 1997 that allowed NASA astronauts to vote from space. A special electronic ballot is used, or the astronaut may choose to communicate their voting intentions to a proxy. This is not the first time astronauts have voted in space. People have been voting from space since 1997. David Wolf was the first American to vote in space, when he was aboard the Mir Space station. More recently, astronaut Kate Rubins voted in space from the International Space Station for the 2020 election.
No matter how luxurious, restful, purposeful or productive any stay from home is, it is always comforting to know an anticipated return date to reunite with your family, friends and loved ones.
New updates to stingray story
been suggested by a lot of people that it may have all been a set up to get more attraction to the aquarium.
A similar story happened to an Epaulette shark at Brookfield Zoo last fall. The female shark had been at the zoo since 2019 but hasn’t shared a tank with a male. In the beginning of 2022 they had begun to lay two to four usually infertile eggs per month, until one wasn’t. The shark had its pup last summer and it is reported to be eating well. The story gained a lot of attraction and visitors to Brookfeild zoo to see the miracle shark.
On July 2, Charlotte the stingray died of a rare reproductive disease. Charlotte’s fans were very upset about her death.
“Having previously written about Charlotte in the Inscape, I was extremely saddened and shocked when I learned about her unfortunate passing. I’ve become obsessed with her and her story, even after that issue was published. I would check up on her and the aquarium to finally see if she gave birth, and I had no answer until now! Hearing about it being an alleged scam and tourist trap was also disappointing, but it shows how easily fooled people can be. NPR and NBC were writing about it, so everyone thought it was true,
including me and almost everyone on social media. Her case can truly be a lesson to not believe everything you see.” Elysia Gonzalez 12 said.
Unfortunately, the answer to Charlotte’s impregnation–and if she was ever pregnant to begin with–will remain a mystery.
Olivia Regalado
above. Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams within the Internationsal Space Station. Source: NASA
graphic by Olivia Regalado
Macs don’t slack
Aniyah Roberts
As of Feb. 5 of this year, the IHSA Board of Directors added flag football to the list of sports to further the mission of creating participation opportunities for high school students! The Macs had an awesome start to the new year, as they joined Marist, Hillcrest and other schools in creating teams. Flag football is a sport, similar to football, played with five to eight players on each team. One team attempts to score points by moving the ball down to the goal line. The team on offense gets four plays to reach midfield, where they get another four plays to reach the goal line to score a touchdown. If they don’t make it to the midfield or goal line in the four plays, the other team gets the ball. The other team tries to defend the goal line by ending the other team’s plays by pulling the flag of the person with the ball or intercepting the ball thrown by the opposing quarterback. They alternate
between defense and offense, and whoever scores the most points is declared the winner.
Many students were excited about this new addition! Carrie Hudak 11 plays for the varsity team and shared why she was so excited to join: “I’ve always loved watching football games, so I thought it’d be exciting to be a part of something that’s brand new.” Hudak is the wide receiver. She runs routes and catches the ball from the quarterback when on offense.
When asked about her position, Lily Desmond 12 said, “I usually play rush or safety. Rush is going after the quarterback before they throw the ball. Safety is just the last line of defense.”
This Mighty Macs team finished their season with a win against Hillcrest on senior night, and as of the writing of this article, they are going into the playoffs! Good luck, Macs!
Another step forward
Magen Connolly
Athletes Unlimited, a network of professional women’s sports leagues, is using their existing fan base and sponsors from their platform to launch the Athletes Unlimited Softball League in June of 2025. The league will expand opportunities for the best softball players in the United States.
Athletes Unlimited is a program dedicated to bringing the best of female athletes to a program centered around the players and the community. They already have established professional basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and softball teams. Their softball program is unique with two different sections: the Championship season and AUX event. In the Championship season, athletes compete to earn individual points in a five week season in Rosemont, Illinois. Rosters change throughout the season, with the top four players picking their teams after each series. The top player is crowned champion at the end of the tournament.
The Championship season is being turned into a follow up “Championship Cup” to the
Athletes Unlimited Softball League, a more traditional league. The inaugural season will include four teams playing a total of 60 games, touring facilities in six to eight cities to find where they will play in 2026 for a more city-based program. They will be sponsored by partners of the current Athletes Unlimited Championship season, including ESPN and Gatorade. They also have support from Team USA, as many players are Olympic athletes.
The teams showcase America’s most talented. “The AUSL not only gives players another platform to showcase their talent at the highest level, but allows many athletes to extend their softball careers past college and professionally. It also inspires millions of young girls to follow their idols and aspire to be a professional athlete one day,” commented Natasha Watley, league advisor and softball legend. This step-up in women’s sports helps facilitate a large community, building networks of successful women while inspiring young athletes to pursue their passions.
Play like a girl
Luna Munoz-Diaz
Maeve Howley, a senior here at Mother McAuley, has had an outstanding career throughout her years playing in the golf team. She started playing golf at the age of 10 after her father signed her into a camp through the police department. “Ever since that camp, I really enjoyed playing golf,” Howley said. This season, Howley and the rest of the varsity team have accomplished great achievements in a tournament for Caroline Griffin at the Ridge Country Club against Marist and St. Ignatius College Prep, and McAuley won first place!
During her freshman year, Howley started on the junior varsity team and made her way to the varsity team by her sophomore year. Now, in her senior year, she has been named captain of McAuley’s golf team. “I was shooting in the high 40s during my sophomore year,” Howley stated. “Now for my senior year, I am number one on my golf team, and I am shooting in the low 40s.” These achievements show how committed Maeve Howley is as an athlete. She’s not only a great golfer but also an inspiring leader for her team.
Golf has given Maeve the opportunity to meet new people and make long-lasting friendships. She’s also very thankful for all the people who have helped her grow into this sport. “I would say my coaches during my four years here at Mother McAuley have helped me improve during the season, and I am very grateful for them,” Howley said. There is no doubt, that Maeve Howley has proven to be an outstanding and determined athlete.
above. Teammates Avery Shipman 10, Maeve Howley 12 and Delia Sullivan 11 smile with McAuley’s first Golf Regional Plaque in over 12 years!
above. Mother McAuley Varsity flag football team poses for a team photo. photo by HR Imaging.
Artist spotlight
Margaret Kilgallon
Fiona Stanek
One of the most essential elements of any theatrical performance is what goes on behind the scenes. Senior Emily Guzman knows better than most how stage crew operates. Guzman has been in stage crew all of her four years, from “Meet Me in St Louis” in 2021 to “Peter Pan” this upcoming fall, as a stage manager. “As a stage manager at Mother McAuley, I provide leadership and teach my peers how to use tools. I share the knowledge that I was taught with those younger than me, and I make decisions to help better streamline my projects,” said Guzman.
“My favorite memory from crew at McAuley was doing ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’” Guzman recalled “I loved it so much, and the set was different, making it kind of challenging. I had a wonderful time learning new things. I had to make the set look very natural which involved a lot of moss. I had a lot of creative freedom to do what I wanted to make it look as forest-looking as possible!”
Not only has Guzman been involved in stage crew at McAuley, she is also a part of stage crew at the ILMEA All-State production of “The Prom.” ILMEA, the Illinois Music Education Association, is credited as being one of the most prestigious fine art education organizations in the nation. She was selected among a number of applicants to participate in build crew. Guzman has already spent two weekends working on the set for “The Prom,” and she has completed a great amount of the set.
“For crew at All-State, I’m most looking forward to when McAuley comes down to see it during Theaterfest! I am so excited that my peers get to see the set that I’ve helped to create, and I am so grateful for the support both my friends and teachers have given me so far!” said Guzman.
In recent weeks, the reality show “Secret Life of Mormon Wives” has taken not just myself but the entire internet by storm, thanks to its consistently outrageous drama and its relatable cast members.
The show was released to Hulu on Sep. 6, and it focuses around eight women–Whitney Leavitt, Mikayla Matthews, Jennifer Affleck, Taylor Frankie Paul, Mayci Neeley, Layla Wessel, Jessi Ngatikaura and Demi Engemann–after their “MomTok” group nearly disbanded after news of online scandal broke out and plagued every news site.
Over the course of eight episodes, “The Secret Life Of Mormon Wives” follows these women as they attempt to revive “MomTok” after the infamous online scandal, challenge and break the rigid stereotypes of Morman culture, all while navigating the drama between their own friendships and friend group.
The show is undeniably drama-filled, with that said drama mostly surrounding the implicit portrayed villain, Leavitt. From
“running away” to Hawaii after getting caught up in drama to refusing to show up to support any of her friends, Leavitt adds the spark that makes the show so captivating. Despite Leavitt being criticized and bashed online amidst the reality show’s release, I believe the show would be incomplete without her. What would the show be without the petty fights and confrontations between Leavitt and the others, such as Engemann?
In my opinion, the show really is pointless, but that’s what makes it so enjoyable. At the end of the day, “Secret Life of Mormon Wives” is one of those shows that, while unserious, gives you something to look forward to after a long day.
While this show may not be for everyone, I highly recommend watching “The Secret Life of Mormon Wives” to be able to see every type of drama from hair drama to birthday party drama.
Latina Artist showcase
above. Emily Guzman 12 working on the set for “The Prom” for ILMEA
