May 1st Spectator

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S P E C TAT O R Volume 87 Number 7

1500 West Kennedy Road Lake Forest, IL 60045

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May 7, 2010

These Boots Aren’t Crown Center Made for Walking: New Building to be the UGG-ly Truth Finished in October

By Eric Clamage News Editor

By Lucy Emery Features Editor

Photo by Kathleen Kennedy

Women have been compromising their comfort for shoe fashion for centuries. They will squeeze their delicate feet into shoes of any size, all to look good.

Ironically, now the most comfortable shoe out there is causing so many foot problems among teenage girls that many are being forced to change their shoe fashions yet again .

Uggs, the suede boots with soft cuddly linings, have hit America in a “viral” form. Seemingly every teenage girl can be found sporting a pair Uggs (if not several) during the colder winter months. Though many people question their aesthetic beauty, now new research seems to indicate that these boots are doing more harm than good from a medical standpoint.

Girls are attracted to the comfort of the boots and the wide variety of colors, proving to be a match made in heaven for the cold winter. But the lack of any arch support in the boots is now a new area of concern for medical observers.

Dr. Ian Drysdale, the head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine told The Mirror, a British newspaper, the following: “Because these boots are warm and soft, young girls think they are giving their feet a break. In fact, they are literally

breaking their feet; their feet are sliding around inside. With each step, the force falls towards the inside of the foot and the feet splay, this flattens the arch and makes it drop. The result can be significant problems with the foot, the ankle, and, ultimately, the hip.”

Drysdale explained that the boots are particularly harmful for teenage girls because their feet are still developing and the lack of support can lead to more serious, long-term problems.

Many doctors suggest buying orthotic devices to put in your Uggs to provide more support. Runners have used orthotics in their shoes for years to give added support to their arches while exercising.

Dr. Robin Ross, podiatrist and incoming president of the New York State Podiatric Association, told The New York Daily News: “They [orthotics] hold the foot in a corrective position as you stand or walk. A podiatrist or foot specialist can fabricate them for you.”

Even with such serious heath implications, many LFA girls are unwillingly to take off these boots. Their comfort comes before their health, which could be a detrimental choice.

Experts say it only takes six

Construction on Lake Forest Academy’s Crown Fitness and Wellness Center is ahead of schedule, according to Chief Financial Officer Mr. Andrew Kerr. The new addition to the athletic wing should be ready for student use by October of this year.

The center is a two-story, 13,600 square foot building which includes a student-athlete commons area, a multipurpose room, meeting rooms, offices, trophy cases and an expanded weight room for athletic training. The Center is expected to cost approximately $5 million. Athletes using the weight room will be able to look out at the field hockey field or in to the Glore gym.

According to Kerr, once the center is completed, the next step of LFA’s overall construction plan will be converting the old weight room above Hutch into a new Student Center. There are no plans yet that detail exactly what will be included in the new Student Center or what will happen to the old space between Corbin Hall and Korhumel. The Board of Trustees will meet this weekend when it is

Ugg-ly Truth continued on page 5

expected they will finalize those plans.

The Spring Gala will also be held this weekend. Some of the fundraising from the Gala will go to help build the new student center.

“We are very grateful for the donations from the LFA community and the money we receive will be used wisely,” stated Kerr.

According to Kerr, the amount of money the school receives from Gala donations will help determine what facilities will be offered in the new Student Center among other Gala priorities. Kerr added that the new Student Center is scheduled for completion before the start of the next school year.

The construction and shifting of spaces has created one problem for next September. Until the new Crown Center is complete, there will be a short period of time with no weight room at the beginning of the 2010 school year. Kerr explained that the Deans and trustees are studying possible solutions to this problem and a final decision will also be made soon.

“Everyone is excited for this project to be complete and it is going to be everything we thought it would be,” noted Kerr.

2 8-9 14 A Sketch of the completed Crown Center.

LFA Makes Changes to Student Leadership Positions See page 2

LFA Blind Date Strikes Again

See pages 8 and 9

Drawing Courtesy of Whitmer & Associates

Former LFA Student Todd Zafirovski Wins NCAA Title with Duke See page 14

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news 2

May 7, 2010

World News K.C. Chilamkurti New All School President Roundup

By Eric Clamage News Editor

By Taylor Jenkins News Editor

Belgian Bishop Quits in Scandal

The longest current serving bishop in Belgium, Roger Vangheluwe, willing quit on Friday, April 23, after admitting to sexually abusing a young member of his entourage. He has been the latest member of the Belgian Roman Catholic Church to quit in the wake of the most recent sex scandal.

This scandal has been a devastating blow to the Church causing many to question its credibility and causing many believers to turn their backs on the Church.

In a statement from the Vatican, Vanguheluwe stated the incident had occurred, “…When I was still a simple priest and for a while when I began as a bishop.”

The votes have been counted and junior K.C. Chilamkurti will be the new LFA All-School President for the upcoming school year. According to Mr. Chris

Tennyson, Dean of Students, Chilamkurti garnered more than half of the votes cast in a field that featured five candidates.

Tennyson added that the election race went smoothly. He noted that all candidates spoke well and demonstrated why they

Ukraine-Russia Deal

In a goal to strengthen relations, Russia and Ukraine recently came to an agreement to extend the lease on a Russian naval base in Ukraine. This was a big victory for Russia, as they feared that if the base would close it would affect their military readiness.

Both sides view this as a new page in relations, yet the political opposition in Ukraine questions the move. They view this as Russian interference in Ukraine and a factor that may prevent them from having a stronger relationship with other western European countries.

Photo Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

All School President Jessica Anderson shakes the hand of future President K.C. Chilamkurti.

deserved to be considered for the All-School President job.

Senior Jessica Anderson, who is the current All-School President, thought that the candidates, “put time and effort into their speeches. I think the campaigning went very well.”

“I look forward to the opportunity to make this school and our community a better place,” Chilamkurti stated after the election results were announced. “As I stated in my speech, I will strive to achieve a greater sense of transparency in student council, and this begins with the creation of a student council website.”

“It was definitely fun to watch it (the speeches) all play out. I have faith in the people’s choice. KC will be a great president I think,” added Anderson.

Police Investigation Forces Canadian State Minister to Resign

Helena Guergis, the Minister of State for the Status of

Women, resigned this April after Prime Minister Stephen Harper ordered a police investigation on her. Although Mr. Harper failed to give any specifics on a suspected offence, he was quoted as saying, “He became aware of serious allegations.”

Many believe that ethics are the main component in question because Harper has asked the federal government’s Ethics Commissioner to investigate also. Any questions of an ethical matter would be devastating to the Conservative Party of Canada because they came into power after the 2006 election due to a series of ethical lapses by the Liberal Party.

According to Sources, Iran Tested Five New Missiles

Iran said Sunday, April 25, that the country fired five new

missiles off the coast in the Persian Gulf.

The missiles all fired simultaneously and struck a target at the same time. In addition to launching these missiles, the military exercises included a high-speed boat race waging a “war” against a warship.

These events were to demonstrate the new weapons systems that Iran has now.

“These demonstrate our strength, will, and national resolve to defend independence and territorial integrity,” noted Brig. Gen. Hussein Salami, deputy chief of the Revolutionary Guard told Iranian media.

Prefects Rachel Fybel and Aaron Beck speak at the opening ceremonies at LFA.

Photo Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

Leadership Changes:

Peer Leaders to be Cut for 2011

By Taylor Jenkins News Editor

The end of the 2010 school year has come with the announcement of major leadership changes for next year’s student body. The Dean of Students Office announced that it will no longer provide students with the opportunity to be Peer Leaders. Rather they have given the responsibilities of the Peer Leaders to the Prefects and created a new Dorm Council to help make decisions regarding boarding students.

“I love it the idea of Dorm Council, I really do. I think it’s a great opportunity for

underclassmen to participate in leading the school, especially in dorm life,” said Ms. Kate Jones, Director of Counseling and Seminar.

Prefects have undergone the most major change of any of the remaining student leadership positions. Unlike previous years they will now be required to take part in the Peer Mentor Program. This program includes helping out on various occasions including Freshman Orientation.

Along with this, Prefects will still maintain the responsibilities of previous years. According to the 2010 leadership schedule these include assisting with the

opening and closing of school, New Family Day, Healthy Choices Day, and Red Ribbon Week.

The changes have also created a new form of leadership opportunity for borders: Dorm Council.

Dorm Council will provide boarding students from all grades an opportunity to nominate themselves for this new leadership post. After the representatives are selected by a student vote they will take part in “planning and execution of activities in their dorms,” according to the 2010 Leadership Schedule.

news 3

May 7, 2010

By Andrew Kingsley Editor-in-Chief

Recognized as LFA’s annual celebration of spring, Ra Weekend is scheduled for

Photo Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

A photo of the top three contestants from lef to right, Laura Davey (2nd place), Takia Broomfield (1st place), and Amanda Shi (3rd place).

Takia Broomfield 2010 Shakespearean Idol Winner

By Eric Clamage News Editor “Shakespearean Idol this year was fantastic; perhaps, the best yet,” stated English teacher, Ann Frkovich, one of the judges of Shakespearean Idol. The Third Annual edition of LFA’s student oratory competition was held before a packed All School Meeting recently in Cressey Center.

After two years as the contest runner-up, junior Takia Broomfield finally claimed the top prize, which includes two tickets to a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare

Theater and dinner in Chicago.

Sophomore Laura Davey took second place and Sophomore Amanda Shi was third.

“Winning felt like I finally reached the potential that I’ve been striving for since freshman year. I was happy and shocked at the same time,” said Broomfield.

“The finalists put on a first rate show. I love the fact that Shakespearean idol provides an opportunity for students to express themselves through the medium of the spoken word,” said Jeff Bell, Chairman of the English Department

May 22nd this year. It’s an opportunity for the sophomore class to pool their ideas for a fundraiser going towards events sponsored by that class, especially for next year when, as juniors, they sponsor the Prom.

Ra Weekend also features the Freshman Car Wash in front of Atlass. Some of the ideas for the upcoming Ra Weekend include a series of inflatable games, a karaoke contest, the largest game of Twister in LFA history, and a giant soccer game. The inflatable activities will be open to people of all ages.

“I’m really excited about having a giant twister game,” said teacher Ms. Erica Wood, the Sophomore Class Advisor, along with Mr. Bill Murphy. “It will be a new addition to Ra Weekend and something students and faculty can do together.”

Wood is also excited about the other new idea for this year – a giant soccer game. The

game is played on a shortened field, with smaller numbers of people with a soccer ball that is about 4-feet tall.

Along with the other festivities, Wood said the committee plans to have a faculty and student dunk tank and a piethrowing booth.

For some people, however, the karaoke contest may be the prime event of the weekend.

Wood said that the Sophomore Class wants to sponsor a live band as well. They started a Facebook group online

to get ideas and suggestions for it. If you have suggestions for a live band, check out the group online or contact one of the sophomore student government members.

“Anyone, family and friends, anyone can come,” said Wood.

Admission to all activities will be by tickets.

People can buy a set number of tickets as they enter the festivities. They will also be able to buy food, like ice cream, cotton candy, and Robek’s smoothies, with tickets.

Photo Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

Ms. Wood throws a pie in a student’s face in the annual pie tossing event.

Suggestion Box Gives Students a Voice

By Lucy Irungu Staff Writer

The next time you catch yourself walking through the halls of upper Corbin Hall, stop and take 30 seconds of your time to write a suggestion to put in the small black mailbox located across of the Dean of Students office. Don’t be fooled by its uninviting looks; this mailbox, also known as the suggestion box, is a way for the students to communicate with Student Council about changes they want to see in the school. The suggestion box was created by outgoing All-School President Jessica Anderson.

“Nothing really sparked the idea for a suggestion box, I just thought it would be helpful for the student body to have a way to communicate with faculty and student council,” said Anderson, when asked about how she came up with the idea.

Anderson wanted a way for the students to voice their ideas and say things that they would not be comfortable saying out loud.

“I’ve gotten

suggestions for things such as better printers, faster internet, and even better computers in the school. These are all ideas that the school’s IT department is trying to work into their budget for next year,” said Anderson.

The comments shared through the box have come from both students and the LFA faculty.

“Although I’ve never used the suggestion box, I do think it’s a good idea and helps show faculty what ideas students have to make LFA a better place” said freshman Calin Cave.

Junior Olivija Cepaite thinks the suggestion box has been a good idea.

“I think it would be even more successful if it were online,” noted Cepaite.”

Creating an LFA Suggestion Box Facebook group would be a great way of doing that.”

Although LFA teacher, Ms. Maggie Tennyson thinks the suggestion box was a good idea, she wondered if some students may have been reluctant to use it.

“The suggestion box is a great way to help the students

voice their ideas, however I do not know that it is being used as much as it could be,” said Tennyson. “I also think that some students are afraid to use it because they do not know if action will be taken.”

Although there has been praise throughout the year about the suggestion box, there have been some mixed feelings about it as well. Some students believe that more action needs to be taken besides the suggestion box for change to happen. Others believe that the ideas being put in the suggestion box are not taken seriously.

“I understand that the suggestion box is supposed to help the school but since it was created, I have not seen much change so far,” stated sophomore Karice King.

One of the major concerns being voiced by students was that issues put in the box were not taken seriously and Student Council did not make an effort to respond.

“It’s too hard to please everyone at the same time,” concluded Anderson. “There are

some ideas that were put into the suggestion box that were not within the Student Council’s power to act upon. People don’t understand that the suggestion box has had a huge impact on our

school this year. I hope people begin to look really closely and see some of the changes and compromises that have been made.”

A student places their opinion in the suggestion box.

Photo by Eric Clamage

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Ra Weekend: Sophomore Class Fundraiser May 22

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features 4

may 7, 2010

Diet Success: It’s in the Genes

A new science that helps people find out what foods to eliminate from their diet in order to lose weight

By Kathleen Kennedy Photo Editor

Many people have the common complaint of experimenting with different diets and not receiving the results that they want. A lack of results is not necessarily due to the particular diet not offering the right advice.

It is more likely due to the fact that it is impossible for any one diet to target every individual person’s body type, metabolism, and genetic code on their plan.

A solution to this problem has been created, offering weight strugglers the opportunity to find the perfect diet plan for their particular body.

Nutrigenomics is a fast-emerging nutritional science that can help people find genetic limitations tailored to ones specific DNA. When a person knows specifically how to address their body type and genetic code, dieting becomes easier.

This test is extremely simple and can be done right in your own home! Tests are available online through distributors such as Seattle-based Genelex. For the test, you just swab the inside of your cheek and mail the swabs to the lab for chemical analysis of genes. These tests relate to heart health, antioxidatoin and detoxification, inflammation, bone health, and insulin sensitivity.

The DNA nutrition test has proven to be extremely beneficial to athletes. Mark Troxler, a team physician for USA Track & Field describes this genetic health test as a very positive opportunity for serious athletes.

“It stands to reason that this knowledge would positively affect athletic results,” said Troxler. “Right now athletes take supplements they don’t need, and need supplements they don’t take, but they don’t know it. Nutrigenomics can eliminate a lot of that misunderstanding.”

Interleukin Genetics Inc. recently reported a test performed on a number of Americans. Their study showed that 39 percent of white Americans have the low-fat genotype, while 45 percent have the type that responds best to a diet low in processed carbohydrates.

Another 16 percent are carriers of gene mutations, showing that

they have to watch both fat and carbohydrate intake. Another test was done with 100 women who had all partaken in the most common diets, such as Atkins and Zone. Interleukin Genetics found people’s genetic makeup and assigned them a diet specifically to their needs. Within a year, the people with diets appropriate to their DNA lost 5.3 percent of body fat, while people on the common diet lost only 2.3. Cholesterol levels were also improved with weight loss.

This test can also help those who show to have high response levels to exercise.

Of the 19 genes believed to be involved in a person’s metabolism, weight loss, and future overall health, four of the genes were directly relevant to athletes. Keith Grimaldi, a molecular biologist and director of research for Sciona, a Boulder, Colorado-based biotech lab believes that paying particular attention to four genes is relevant to athletes.

“The MnSOD gene concerns an individual’s ability to produce and regulate the protein MnSOD, an antioxidant formed in cells that squashes muscle-damaging free radicals and aids endurance and recovery,” said Grimaldi.

With the Nutrigenomics diet plan, a person with weak MnSOD protein will discover that a glass of pomegranate juice or handful of blueberries is necessary after a work out.

Other discoveries have shown athletes that they are overproducing certain types of proteins and therefore they are advised to have a diet high in salmon, and broccoli.

However, gene tests are not limited to helping athletes.

Experts believe they can help anyone who is trying to lose weight or just have a healthier body.

“The potential of using information to achieve this magnitude of weight loss without pharmaceutical intervention would be important in helping to solve the pervasive problem of excessive weight in our society,” explained Christopher.

Photo Courtesy of Kathleen Kennedy

Stressed Out

Two seniors who are getting stressed out by the work load at school.

A new scientific study reveals a chemical that is released when you are stressed out.

By Roma Mirutenko Managing Editor

In recent scientific studies, experts have found evidence which shows that when people are put under unpredicted stress, or in an unexpected event, the body releases a protein that causes a higher risk of short-term memory loss. For some teenagers, this could be a recurring event that could happen before major tests or presentation.

So if you’ve ever blanked on a test you truly studied for, now there’s a scientific reason why you couldn’t remember historical dates, mathematical formulas, or the parts of a cell.

A study that was reported in the journal Science which stated that a certain protein called Protein Kinase C or PKC inhibits certain information from being transferred within

UGG-ly Truth Jumped from page 1

months to cause damage. The lack of support found in these boots can cause problems all the way up to your hip.

Knock-offs of the boots provide even less support than real Uggs. Girls in real Uggs, or fakes, are commonly seen shuffling around, which causes even further damage to the feet. It’s suggested that girls do not wear their boots for extended periods of time.

News website WCCO, a CBS broadcast affiliate in St. Paul Minnesota, asked how Uggs will resolve the issue of foot issues. An Ugg Australia spokesman said they have 140 styles coming out for fall '09 and many of those do have arch supports in them. They said they also are adding outer support and added comfort features to the Ugg boot.

the brain. PKC regulates cellular responses which help with phosphorylation between neural proteins. The article stated that “the influence of PKC (signaling) on (the) prefrontal cortex showed that… during stress exposure (it) impairs behaviors and working memory.” The article continues on stating that PKC also creates distraction, impaired judgment and thought disorders.

When talking to some LFA students about the recent findings many agreed that there are times during the year – especially at the start of school or during final exams – where it was easy to get stressed and forget things.

“Earlier in the year I would forget things in my car all the time, like my calculator or textbooks,” senior Rachel Fybel said. “I was also always forgetting books and stuff in my locker

for class.”

Many students under stress will experience this memory blockage during a test or quiz.

Sophomore Frankie Senese said that has happened to him.

“The other day I was so stressed because I had a test first period that I forgot and couldn’t focus on the test,” he admitted.

This has probably happened to many of Lake Forest Academy’s students, but a good way to remember is to study and stay calm. If you get frustrated or stressed during a test or quiz, relax and take a few deep breaths to clear your mind. Try not to stress out even more, because then it will be that much harder to recall the information that you know. Deep breaths and studying will help you keep cool under pressure.

Picture this...

Spring has Sprung!

LFA freshmen, shown above, take advantage of the nice weather. Around campus students have been studying, relaxing and playing wiffleball and frisbee outdoors.

features 5

may 7, 2010

Most Students Don’t Know that LFA’s Willow Lake is Home to One of the Largest Heron Rookies in Illinois

By Erica Lewis Staff Writer

People passing the lake on the way to school on Caxy Drive must often think: “What is on that island in the middle of Willow Lake?!”

In what may come as a surprise to most LFA students, the island is actually one of the largest and most active heron rookeries (nesting and birthing sites) in the state and home to many different types on heron that live on campus. The island is actually on a protected list of sites being watched by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The rookery has been on the LFA campus for more than 10 years. The herons have inhabited the island and the lake since it was created by the Armour family, the original inhabitants of Reid Hall (formerly Armour House), between the years of 1908 and 1910.

The two main types on herons living in the rookery are the Snowy White Egrets and Great Blue Herons. These birds are common for this area and

A heron watching over the water in its natural habitat.

can be spotted in different areas throughout the North Shore, including many golf courses. The herons spend most of the day out of the nest hunting small fish and eating plants, later returning to the rookery when the sun goes down.

The large population of birds on the island has caused the

condition of the island rookery to change.

“In the past four years, their guano (poop) has effectively killed some of the trees where they roost and this has weakened some of the branches where they make their nests,” said Mr. Andy Kerr, the Chief Financial Officer at LFA and the administrator who

Image Courtesy of Google Images

has followed the herons’ life on campus with great interest.

According to Kerr, with all of the construction to LFA, its surroundings, and the adjacent corporate properties, everything possible has been done to insure the safety of the herons and their habitat.

“When the last com-

mercial building was being built in Conway Park to our west, the City of Lake Forest and the Academy Woods homeowners made it a requirement that the builders hire a certified ornithologist (one who studies birds) to insure the birds were not being adversely affected by the construction,” Kerr said.

Although the state is not currently requiring any specific steps be taken to protect the birds living on the island, there are boating restrictions on the lake, which does help the protect the habitat of the herons. The lack of human interaction with the herons has proven to be a positive thing for their environment.

The Spectator contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources inquiring what sorts of things LFA students could do to help protect and preserve the rookery on the island, but our e-mails went unanswered.

So for those of you who have always wondered about the island on Willow Lake, you can finally sleep at night again knowing it’s a heron rookery!

Has Going to College Just Gotten Easier?

A Drop in Application Pool May Work in Applicants Favor

Image Courtesy of farm4.static.flickr.com

The Common Application is used for students to apply to college, which now with a drop in the number of prospective students, now may have gotten easier.

By Ariana Bhatia Staff Writer

Do you have any ideas for what college you might like to attend? If you are like most LFA students, you have been bombarded with questions about college since you graduated from middle school. Fortunately, recent demographic trends seem to indicate that getting into college may be easier in the next few years. By 2013, if current demographic projections are true, there will be a half million fewer students applying to college.

Almost everyone has heard of the Baby Boomers -those born from approximately the 1940s to 1960s. And many people have heard of the Echo Baby Boomers, who were the Baby Boomers kids (or “boomlets,” as some refer to them).

Both these generations put a strain on the college system.

There were simply more 18-yearolds in society and more of them wanting to go to college.

“The percentage of Boomers who graduated college is almost 75 % higher that the percentage of their parents,” said Rodney Johnson, of the Dent

Forecast monthly newsletter, “…those boomers began having children creating the Echo Baby Boom, which lasted from 1976 through the early 1990s and created a second shock wave to the college system.”

Competitiveness and stress reached a peak in at the turn of the century and created a dog-eat-dog environment for the application process. However, now that the Echo Baby Boom is subsiding, and a declining number of 18-year-olds in society will reflect this change, some predict that the college admissions process will become easier.

According to a U.S. census taken in 2004, the number of projected 18-year-olds was supposed to peak at 4.2 million at the end of 2008. This is supported by the fact that in 2009 the Pew Research Center reported an all-time high college enrollment in October, 2008.

Following the census taken in 2004, it was predicted that the number of 18-year-olds would decrease to a startling low of approximately 3.7 million by 2013. This could mean that there will be 500,000 fewer students applying to college by that time and it would create a signifi-

cantly better chance for students applying to colleges at that time.

When asked if he’s seen this trend, LFA’s Dean of College Counselors Mr. Jack Lewis said, “It just hasn’t begun yet.

By about 2018 it will be more noticeable.”

Mr. Andrew Poska, another one of LFA’s college counselors agreed and said, “I haven’t seen this yet at the most selective places nationally. The common app makes it easier to apply to more schools and the fact that more kids want to go to college mitigates this decrease in numbers.”

However, Poska felt that a decrease in the number of applicants might be a good thing: “It would allow colleges to look for the best in an applicant, not look for their weaknesses.”

When asked if he would change the way he would counsel students due to this trend, Lewis said, “No I wouldn’t; as long as we have students looking at the top tier schools, the numbers won’t change significantly.”

More than the decrease in 18-year-olds, today many feel that the driving factor in subsiding competitiveness is hard economic times. The fact that many colleges remain just as expensive in these times makes it hard for families to support their children.

Poska commented, “Schools haven’t been able to increase financial aid budgets.

Right now instate public universities are the most cost effective option.”

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Home is Where the Herons Are

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features 6 Destination:

may 7,2010

Lincolnshire

By Mary Kate Hayes Staff Writer

City Stats Distance from LFA: 5.48 miles Travel Time: 11 minutes Founded: 1957 Population: 6,108

Lincolnshire has a movie theatre, restaurants, and a popular golf course.

The movie theater has a IMAX system , which makes the movies even more real.

There are restaurants and an ice cream shop located across the street from Regal Cinemas.

When LFA Students were asked about Lincolnshire they said the following:

Freshmen Palmer Taylor: “Lincolnshire Regal Cinema is awesome. It’s by far the best theater around. I love going there.”

Sophomore Vivian Chung: “Red Robin is the best place to go to dinner right before movies. It’s fun and convenient!”

Junior Joanie Davis: “The Cheesecake Factory is amazing! Since it’s pretty close to home, it’s easy to go to for dinner with friends.

When it’s time for dessert, I start to get very nervous because of all the options of cheesecake there are. Tuxedo cheesecake is pretty darn delicious but they basically have over a hundred.”

Senior Alex Morgan: “Maggie Moo’s has great ice cream! There’s also Go Roma, Noodles and Company, and The Cheesecake Factory too.”

Image Courtesy of iPhone Maps

Cultural Diversity Cook Book

Cultural Diversity Club is asking all LFA students and faculty to send their favorites recipes that are representative of cultures from around the world, for a published a cook book.

Please send your submissions to caxyculturaldiversity@gmail.com by May 12th.

What you Didn’t Know…

Armour Connections to Baha’i Temple The Baha’i Temple in Wilmette is connected to Reid Hall through donations made by Lolita Armor.

By Sophia Salsbery Staff Writer

One of the iconic structures of the North Shore of Chicago is the Baha’i Temple of Wilmette. Airline pilots use it as a directional marker. Tourists swarm to it and take pictures on spring days when the beautiful temple gardens are in bloom. It is also a sister building to LFA’s own Reid Hall (formerly Armour House) because both were built by members of the same family.

Lolita Armour, a daughter of the Armour family that created the estate that eventually became Lake Forest Academy and built Reid Hall, donated money to the building of this temple. But this link between LFA and the Baha’i Temple has been unrecognized by either organization until The Spectator wrote this story.

Those who pass the Baha’i Temple understand the beauty this temple gives to the area; with an amazing, white dome and lush gardens in the back, this temple is only similar to eight other temples in eight other countries. Those countries are: Chile, India, Western Samoa, Panama, Germany, Australia, Africa, and Turkmenistan. Each temple is different, except for one characteristic, which is the requirement that the temple be 9-sided having 9 doors.

"It’s really cool to be able to pass such a significant landmark just driving 10 minutes from my house," said Erica Lewis, an LFA sophomore.

Lewis and several more students and faculty from Kenilworth, Winnetka, Wilmette, and Evanston frequently pass the temple but never realized the connection

with LFA.

“I’ve admired the temple as a work of architectural beauty for the two decades I’ve lived in Winnetka,” recalled LFA teacher Bill Murphy. “It wasn’t until I was able to tour a small museum, inside the temple, that commemorates its construction that I had an inkling it might be connected to LFA.”

According to the temple’s historian, this unique structure symbolizes unity and

other major religions.

When trying to research more information about the possible connection between the two North Shore institutions, The Spectator discovered that temple spokespeople were unable to give many specifics since they honor the confidentiality of their members. However, Robert Dahl, historian for the temple, said construction donations for the temple began in the 1920s, and building didn’t begin until

Photo by Mr. Murphy

religions, except the converter had to report to the National Baha’i Council, but it sounds scarier than it really is. So Ms. Armour had to convert to Baha’i before she could donate her money to build one of the most unique buildings in the world.

Dahl also pointed out that Chicago was the first Baha’i community in North America.

Before they had the temple they had to have celebrations like the 19-Day Feast in homes or rented

Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

Reid Hall which was the home of Lolita Armor who later went on to help fund the Baha’i Temple.

invites prayer to God. The Baha’i faith is centered around the belief of: the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, and the oneness of religion. The Baha’i religion focuses on the global society and it combines elements of belief from several of the world’s

the 1930s.The temple was finally completed in 1953.

According to Dahl, only those who are members of, or convert to, the Baha’i religion are able to donate money. Dahl said converting to the Baha’i faith was no different than other

spaces. If not for the many generous people like Ms. Armour, the Baha’i celebrations could still be taking place in homes or rented spaces today.

features 7

may 7, 2010

By Mariam Hussain

Managing Editor

for these alarming statistics are

“Nearly half (48%) of girls admit

head on. Many states such as

it cost almost twice as much to

immaturity and lack of driving

that they are likely to speed more

Indiana, Delaware, Kentucky and

insure a boy than a girl. Now, as

experience.”

than 10 m.p.h. over the limit,

Massachusetts have changed the

the label that the auto insurance

explained by Allstate Insurance’s

versus the 36% of boys. Fifty

age to receive a learner’s permit

companies have bestowed on

website, costs are nearing equal

American Academy of

one percent of girls are likely to

to age 16 and 6 months and New

drivers ages 25 and under. If

and rates for female teens are

Neurology, the part of teenage

use a cell phone to talk, text or

Jersey’s age to receive a learner’s

you are in that category, you are

close to surpassing the rate of

brains which controls judgment,

email while driving, versus 38%

permit is 17. According to www.

forced to pay a lot more for car

male teens.

impulsive behavior, and weighs

of boys. Eighty four percent of

cyberdriveillinois.com, in Illinois

insurance. Male teenage drivers

risk doesn’t mature fully until

girls are likely to adjust music

you must be 15-17 to receive

were previously considered

of teen drivers accident and

that individual is 25 therefore

selection or volume while

a driver’s permit while being

a greater risk, but increased

death rates can skyrocket

contributing to the ubiquitous

driving, versus only 69% of

enrolled in the mandatory 30-

rates of speeding, talking on

your insurance rates 50 to 100

presence of immaturity in

boys.”

hour classroom study, and having

cell phones, and texting-while-

percent,” said Jeanne Salvatore

teenage drivers.

Lack of driving

had 50 hours of practice driving,

driving is narrowing the gap for

of the Insurance Information

experience is an issue that states

including 10 hours of nighttime

girls as higher risks as well.

Institute. “The two main reasons

State of Teen Driving 2009:

governments are attacking

driving.

“At Risk Drivers” is

For the last 20 years,

“The high risk profile

According to the

According to Allstate’s

LFA Student Driver Experiences “Alive at 25”

By Mariam Hussain

designed for young drivers who

College of Lake County I

teens on it. The instructor

because of an impaired driver,

Managing Editor

have earned multiple speeding

wondered what on earth these

then started her spiel. She first

be it the as a driver or passenger.

violations.

people could tell me that I didn’t

sarcastically congratulated us on

This was just the beginning of

all my first period teachers

already know.

being such great drivers…that’s

the hard facts.

who have the endless pleasure

and sleep deprived at 6:45 am

the way to be encouraging. We

of receiving my late passes:

on a Saturday morning, a time I

looking teenagers up to a room

then had to go around the room

the leading causes of accidents

Mr. Bell, Mr. Ryder and Mrs.

considered six hours too early on

with a sign on the door that said

to say our name, age and where

involving young drivers which

Vaughn. I know you’ve all

a Saturday morning. It then hit

“Drivers sign in here.” I found

we were when we received our

include lack of awareness to

wondered (and asked me) when

me that today was the day I had

an empty seat and the haggard-

tickets and the speed at which

the consequences of risk-taking

I will get my my Saturday

to go to driving school. I sprung

looking lady at the front of the

we were going. It felt like an AA

behavior, peers in vehicle with

morning detention. Don’t worry,

into motion with the same panic

room said, “Welcome to ‘Alive

meeting. Hi I’m Mariam I’m 17

the youthful driver, speeding and

I got what was coming for me.

and dread I feel every morning

at 25.’”

and I’m a speed-a-holic, I was

driving under the influence of

I recently had to attend a four-

when I know I’m going to be late

speeding on Route 60 going 21

alcohol or drugs. The instructor

hour, mandatory driving class

for school.

booklets with pictures of

mph over the limit. There done.

though, saved the worst for last.

called “Alive at 25”. It is a class

cars, road signs, and smiling

The learning then began; and

She showed us a video about

though it sounds cheesy, the

two best friends who lost their

lessons I learned during those

lives while speeding under the

four hours really did impact me.

influence with a group of friends

We learned that traffic crashes

at night in Colorado. In the video

are the leading cause of teen

there were interviews with the

fatalities, accounting for 44% of

family members, pictures of

teen deaths in the U.S. Each year

the accident and gravesite. The

nearly 6,000 teens are killed in

worst part, though, was one of

vehicular accidents; more than

the victim’s mothers trying to

3,800 are drivers aged 15-20.

speak but only sobbing, instead.

Annually, more than 326,000

We had to watch her sob for

young drivers are seriously

two minutes straight until she

injured.

composed herself enough to state

This is dedicated to

I woke up bleary eyed

As I drove to the

I followed a line of tired

We received thick

Exceeding the posted

speed limit is the most common error in fatal teenage accidents.

More than 1,000 teenagers lose their lives each year in crashes

We then learned about

that irresponsible decisions lead to tragedy.

lfa spectator

Teenage Girl Drivers Now Considered as Dangerous as Teenage Boys

lfa spectator

features 8

LFA Bli

By Lucy Emory Features Editor

LFA has a vivacious student body and for this issue of The Spectator t annual LFA Blind Date. Announcements were made around school asking inter wasn’t to find a couple who would get married (and then donate large sums of m who usually wouldn’t spend time together and get a free meal.

The announcement brought about a quick series of responses, and two students and took them to a restaurant of their choice in Vernon Hills.

Taylor Jemillo and Hillary Werner were the two selected to go on a bli place to meet- leaving the rest in Fate’s hands.

Werner had only positive things to say about the experience: “It was a and good conversation.”

Jemilo had initial apprehensions.

“ It was fun. It really was a good time,” he said. “It was very suspense

What’s was the overall experience like? It was really fun and only a little awkward, but it was good chance to get to know someone better.

What were some of the best parts? When we were in line to get food, the guy calling off the numbers would make rhymes to go with them and it was really funny.

How well did you know Taylor before the date? Not well, we have some mutual friends and we’ve talked like once or twice, but not too often.

What did you guys talk about? We really only talked about school and prom. Like who we were taking, classes, sports...

Was the date what you expected? Yea, I had thought it was going to be dinner with someone I didn’t really know and that was what it was.

Any other additional comments? It was a good way to get to know someone I didn’t really know and I got good food and good conversation

Hillary Werner and Taylor Jemilo went on Th The couple choose dinner at Portillo’s in Vern

the staff wanted to channel some of that spirit and put it in to our second rested students to alert The Spectator of their desire to get involved. The goal money to the school where they found each other), but rather find two students

o participants were found. Two staff members of the paper picked up the

ind date. They were told the bare minimum information- simply the time and

a good way to get to know someone I didn’t really know and I got good food

eful at first, then slightly awkward. All in all, it was fun though”

he Spectator’s Second Annual Blind Date. non Hills. All photos by Kathleen Kennedy

What’s was the overall experience like? It was fun. It really was a good time. Very suspenseful at first, then slightly awkward. All in all it was fun though.

What were some of the best parts? I think the dinner itself was the best. We were able to talk a little a bit. I think the ride there and back were slightly awkward though with [Lucy] and Kathleen there.

How well did you know Hillary before the date? I think I had talked to Hilary in passing before; like maybe a hello or something but nothing more.

What did you guys talk about? We talked mostly about school. Also, a little about the sports we are doing and about prom.

Was the date what you expected? I didn’t really know what to expect going into it. I was honestly just hoping it wouldn’t be extremely awkward, which it wasn’t.

Any other additional comments? No...not really.

lfa spectator

ind Date

features 9

lfa spectator

editorial & outlook 10

May 7, 2010

The Last Goodbye for the Bells Opinion

By Jeff Bell Guest Writer

I came to LFA right out of graduate school. It occurs to me now, as I am about to leave after eight years here, that I have, essentially, spent my entire adult life at the Academy. So it’s strange to think that I will be leaving. In many ways, this experience gives me a sense of déjà vu: this is not the first time I have left LFA. After my first year, I was sure that I was moving on and returning to graduate school. I said all of the requisite goodbyes and closed all of the necessary loops—until Memorial Day weekend when I fully realized what I would be giving up,

and I begged Dr. Strudwick and Mr. Dolbee to give me my job back.

LFA has been very good to me. It gave me a chance to experiment in the classroom and teach lots of diverse and crazy classes. It supported me as I explored the field of health care ethics. It forced me to do things that I didn’t want to do but am now glad that I did them (a feeling that perhaps many students share here, although they are loathe to admit it.) It provided me with great mentors and friends. And, of course, it was the place where I met and married my wife. Mrs. Bell put it best when she told The Spectator that, “Our whole story is here.” As English teachers, Kim and I know acutely, however, that the most interesting stories often take unexpected turns.

I will miss many people and many aspects of this school.

Most of all, I will miss my students.

This is the point where I am tempted to insert any number of clichés (next chapter, new opportunity, or more appropriately, turning the page, etc.), but somehow I think it’s more important to simply acknowledge the depth of the loss that I am about to experience—leaving this community.

I have been here long enough to know that institutional memory is short and that, in a few months,

Mr. and Mrs. Bell with their children Charlotte andAmelia

my presence here will fade. For me, the inverse is true. I will forever be grateful to LFA for giving me the chance to teach here and, I suspect that with each passing year, the significance and meaningfulness of the time I spent here will only become clearer.

LFA has shaped me profoundly.

I will never forget that.

Photo by Rickey Larke

“This is the point where I am tempted to insert any number of clichés (next chapter, new opportunity, or more appropriately, turning the page, etc.), but somehow I think it’s more important to simply acknowledge the depth of the loss that I am about to experience—leaving this community.”

-Mr. Jeff Bell

Opinion: Obama, The

School Day is Long Enough

By Andrew Kingsley Editor in Chief

President Barack Obama said in March 2009 that he wants to extend the school year, and possibly lengthen the school day in the U.S. public school system.

This would eliminate summer vacation, and it would make the average day longer than it is now. The school day could be extended as much as three hours; meaning students wouldn’t get out until 6:00 pm. He proposed adding 20 days to the current public school calendar, changing the total number of days spent at school from 180 days per year to 200.

I strongly oppose the suggested changes to the U.S. public school system for a few reasons. First, Americans are already spending more time in school than students in other countries. Kids in the U.S. spend 1,146 instructional hours per year in the classroom. Asian countries

that consistently outscore the U.S. on Math and Science tests only send their kids to school for 1,005 instructional hours per year in Japan, and 1,050 hours in Taiwan. Why should we extend the time that American children spend at school, if we already have more instructional hours per year than countries like Japan and Taiwan? That’s despite the fact that Japan and Taiwan both have longer school years with 190 to 201 days compared to 180 days in most U.S. public schools. It’s plain and simple that American students spend more time getting instruction in the classroom than students in other countries.

Second, extending the school year and lengthening the average school day would cost a lot of money. A Massachusetts public school program that extends the school day three hours, spends 12 to 15 percent more money per student than regular per-student spending. That’s an extra $1,300 per student for one year. The program received more than $17.5 million from

the State Legislature in 2008.

Imagine spending that much money on every single school in the U.S. to extend the school day, and then even more to make the school year 200 days long. The same money could be invested in making public schools safer, and getting new technology in the classroom. Also we should consider a raise in teachers’ salaries to ensure kids are getting a good education.

Third, American students have enough on their plate in the current public school system. Their schedules are packed with study sessions, tests, club meetings, music lessons, and sports. Making the school day longer and the school year an extra 20 days, can only make things harder for students with jampacked schedules. Homeschoolers, who learn in an often stress free manner have much higher test scores than kids that attend public school. A study titled “Strengths of Their Own: Home Schoolers Across America.”

Showed that homeschoolers, on

the average, out-performed their counterparts in the public schools by 30 to 37 percentile points in all subjects. So who says that we aren’t learning at home? According to the study, kids learn more effectively at home.

Fourth, some families rely on free time from school to support themselves economically.

Farming families for example spend a majority of their free time working crops on the field and maintaining their land. They cannot afford to have their children at school for the majority of the day, and for more days out of the year, because their children play an important role in working the fields. According to a 1997 Census of Agriculture, the vast majority of farms in the U.S. (90%) are owned and operated by individuals or families. Such farming families rely on produce they sell, which can be directly correlated to how much time and effort they spend out on the field.

The proposed education reform would make farmers less willing to send their children to school,

and it would take away from productive working time.

We should keep the current public school schedule, because it best serves the interests of our nation.

The U.S. has only 180 days of school, but we have more instructional hours than other countries with longer school years. Instead of spending taxpayer money on making the school day longer and the school year longer, we should invest in improved technology and better pay for teachers.

While many countries are resorting to a full-year public school schedule, we can rely on our current system. As a high school student, I think that Barack Obama should stop trying to push through education reform, because it will change the way we look at the school year.

editorial & outlook 11

May 7, 2010

What’s Random and Fair About Amnesty in the Dorms

Both Field and Atlas dormitories were recently searched for items banned from LFA property, as set forward in the Student Handbook. The “surprise” search was controversial and has left some students feeling distrusted and singled out. However, The Spectator staff believes that despite the bruised feelings of some students, and taking into consideration the agreements every boarding student makes when accepting a room assignment here, the event that took place was fair.

After proctors had given students a chance to turn in any banned items and receive amnesty, teachers (not all willingly) were required to do an unplanned search in each student’s room in both Field and Atlas, but not in Mac or Warner. Searching for items that are prohibited in the dorms such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, dorm parents searched each student’s room and belongings. Although this may seem like an enormous invasion of privacy and property, the search was fair and the school, including the dorm parents, does have a right to search the dorm rooms, which are school property.

We also believe that

these searches are in the best interest of all the students in the dorms, although all may not agree with this position. However, singling out certain students because of “probable cause” (such as rumors) is not fair. If the school would like to search the dorms for banned substances, every student should be searched with the pure concern for student’s safety; individual students should not be personally targeted without solid evidence. Every search should have the same intensity throughout the dorms to be fair and proper.

When LFA boarding student’s come to LFA they sign an agreement stating that the school owns and has the right to enter and search their rooms.

Each student needs to be personally responsible and take this into consideration before bringing prohibited items into their rooms. But our school also has an ethical responsibility to respect everyone’s rights and not those of some students. Also, every LFA student is aware of, and has signed an honor code, which they are expected to obey. If everyone was following the rules to which they agreed, they may not feel as betrayed by random searches.

Students who feel especially tar-

Opinion

geted, and happen to be victims of false rumors, should feel especially upset at the news that some were searched more heavily than others. But if students who were negatively targeted were breaking school rules then they have no reason to be mad.

Before the dorm parents searched the rooms, the students had an opportunity for amnesty; but, in some cases, proctors had not completed their offers of amnesty before teachers tried to check rooms.

When amnesty for students is brought to the table, as an option, it should be true amnesty with procedures followed exactly the same for all students.

The proctors came around to most rooms and gave students a chance to turn in any items they had without any questions being asked. If students chose not to turn their prohibited items in, then they are at fault; but if they are not given the chance to turn things in then how can they fairly receive amnesty?

We believe that amnesty is defiantly a privilege at this school, and all boarding students are thankful for it, but if true amnesty is being given then it should be used in all cases.

Why Morning Meeting Is Wasting My Time

By Taylor Jenkins News Editor

For the three years I have been a student here at LFA, Morning Meeting has always been an enjoyable way of receiving informa

tion that is necessary for the entire school community to know. However, it seems as the year has progressed Morning Meeting has taken a turn toward being pointless.

Every meeting seems to have an increasing amount of announcements that serve almost no purpose. These announcements often times take up the majority of the 20-minutes leaving not enough time for many of the more important announcements.

As a solution to this problem I suggest that, rather than scedule the potential announcements in the order they are brought to the

prefects, schedule them in order of importance.

For example, if the Dean of Students Office has to make an announcement about weekend activities, or something that should take precedent over the seemingly endless prom announcements/invitations, that DOS announcement should be given primary time.

Perhaps the requested announcenments should be assessed for all-school value before they are used?

Put the unnecessary announcements at the end of the list to ensure that the necessary ones make it into the meeting.

L a k e

F o r e s t

S P E C TAT O R STAFF LIST Editors-in-Chief

Managing Editor

News Editor

Features Sports Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Op-Ed Editors

Entropica Editor Photo Editors

Staff Writers

Faculty Adviser

Sarah Jacobson Andrew Kingsley Mariam Hussain Roma Mirutenko Eric Clamage Taylor Jenkins Lucy Emery Chris Boudreaux Georgiana Wagemann Rickey Larke Natasha Patel Dan Patterson Natalie Konstant Kathleen Kennedy Mary Kate Hayes Sophia Salsbery Anastasia Perry Ariana Bhatia Takia Broomfield Mark Yingling Erica Lewis Lucy Irungu William Murphy

PUBLICATION The Spectator is published eight times per year by the students of Lake Forest Academy and is a forum for student expression. The views and reporting herein are the sole product of The Spectator’s student reporters and in no way reflect the official views of Lake Forest Academy faculty, staff, administration or Board of Trustees.

EDITORIALS Opinions of the staff are presented in the form of unsigned editorials. Personal views are bylined or presented as formal dissents.

SUBMISSIONS The Spectator welcomes submissions from the community.

If you would like to write an article, please see Mr. Murphy (please note: if space is limited, priority goes to journalism students). We also welcome short stories and poetry for our “Featured Writers” column, and we are always interested in publishing student artwork and photographs. Please send all submissions to Mr. Murphy via e-mail at wmurphy@ lfanet.org, or hand them to him directly.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Spectator welcomes responses to its articles in the form of Letters to the Editors in addition to letters on subjects of the author’s choosing. Please e-mail Letters to the Editors to Mr. Murphy at wmurphy@lfanet.org.

AWARDS In the past three years, The Spectator has been awarded six consecutive First Place prizes by two presigious student press associations: the American Scholastic Press Association and the Kempler Moraine Press Association.

quote of the month

“If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”

-Noam Chomsky

lfa spectator

Editorial

T h e

lfa spectator

ar ts & enter tainment 12

may 7th, 2010

One Act Plays: Theatre Students’ Opportunity to Display Talent

By Sarah Jacobson Editor-In-Chief

The One Act Plays, which Theatre Concentration students at Lake Forest Academy have annually presented for the past three years, will be performed on May 18-19 in the Cressey Center for Performing Arts.

Theatre concentration students, Andrea Shen, Casey Coulter, Greta Nagel, Jessica Gunderson, Jenna Madeley, Jerome Sacherer, Devan Rottman, Bryan Chou, Catalina Todd, Lizett Meraz and Molly Rosenbaum, will all be “casting and directing [their plays]” and be “responsible for the rehearsal and performance of their show[s]”, according to Mr. Mark Dryfoos, the Theatre Concentration instructor who will be overseeing the students productions.

There are “a lot more shows than last year”, according to Dryfoos.

There will be performances on two nights instead of one, with six shows on the first night and then five shows on the second night.

What makes the One Acts different than last year is there are “different people” and “a lot of new [and different] shows”, according to Dryfoos. The One Acts that will be featured include: “All for Love,” directed

by Jessica Gunderson, starring Greta Nagel, Casey Coulter, Nina Varillla, and Jacqueline Cooper; “Pie in the Sky,” directed by Molly Rosenbaum, starring Jenna Madeley and Aaron Beck;

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Jacobson

Students Myron Ford and Molly Rosenbaum practice reading lines in the Cressey Center

to put on a production. Members of Theatre Concentration get into the class by audition. Next year, LFA students eligible for admittance into the program will be students who are at least second semester freshmen.

Many of the student directors are underclassmen and for seven of them this will be a new experience.

Senior Molly Rosenbaum said of the underclassmen directors, “it is a new experience for them to show a new leadership skill”.

“I have learned so much about presenting onstage, my identity, thinking on my feet, and collaborating with fellow classmates by taking theater concentration,” said Jessica Gunderson, a member of Theatre Concentration, of her experience as a director.

Another aspect of this theater exhibition that observors will find laudable is that some of the actors in the plays are volunteers. They offered their services to help their friends who are trying their hand at directing. These volunteers do not receive credit for their appearences but will earn the gratitude of the student directors.

According to Dryfoos, the class of Theatre Concentration students for this year has been a “great group of students who are very committed and have grown a lot”.

“Concealed,” directed by Jenna Madeley, starring Molly Rosenbaum and Myron Ford; and “It’s Not You,” directed by Andrea Shen, starring Carina Baker, Yang Won Yoon, Takia Broomfield, and Nyalia Lui.

“Each act is no longer than 10

minutes in length... [and] all of the shows are funny and should be challenging,” according to Dryfoos.

The One Acts are a component of the final projects of the Theatre Concentration class. All the members of the performance-based class are expected

are that you have an interest and the

how to read notes while playing the guitar

the basic skills. He is trying to see if it’s

willingness to practice and to do the work

and the book that they will be studying

possible to have a concert at the end of

that’s assigned.”

from has mostly short and easy songs,”

the year, sometime around April, to show

noted Schlipmann. He says that to learn

what the students have learned.

Arts Department Offers a New Guitar Class for 2010-2011 Year

By Anastasia Perry Staff Writer Don’t play an instrument? Don’t know much about music, but want to

He hopes that every student that

learn? Students at LFA who want to learn

wants to take the class will come and ask

the technique, you learn by playing a

to play an instrument without any musical

advice on what guitar they should get and

short tune and then employ it by playing

class is that I would expect pretty much

background are in luck! A beginner’s

which ones will fit them best. The school

a longer song. The beginning of the class

anybody, from sophomore through

guitar class, taught by Mr. Adam

will have a couple of guitars to loan

will be fairly easy and then it will progress

seniors, who wanted to come play could

Schlipmann, is being offered as part of the

during the school day and classes but he

as the semester goes on.

sign up for the class and it’s a great way

Fine Arts curriculum at LFA next year.

asks that students get their own guitar.

to get into music. It’s something to do for

Mr. Schlipmann hopes that

According to Schlipmann, the

“Yeah I’m excited I’m looking

“The great thing about the

forward to learning how to play a new

fun during the day.” said Schlipmann with an excited and hopeful smile.

students who have an interest in music,

class will be playing acoustic guitars

instrument!” said Christian Buerkle, a

but who haven’t had a chance to learn

and most students should buy Nylon

sophomore who signed up to take Guitar

about it, will take Guitar 1.

strings because they are easier to play.

1.The students that come into the class

expanding to have multiple sections and

With Nylon strings, fingers don’t get hurt

don’t have to have any music experience

maybe even getting into some advanced

that was pretty much available to every

as easily and they are especially good

at all. Schlipmann did note, however,

classes for people who already know how

student, a class where you didn’t have to

because they will be using a classical style

that his second semester class (Guitar 2)

to play. You can easily take Guitar 1 or

know really anything coming in,” said

of finger picking.

is more of an intermediate guitar class

Guitar 2 and go into recording your own

Schlipmann. “The only requirements

for students that are comfortable with

music.” said Schlipmann.

“I wanted to make a music class

“The class will start by learning

“I think I can see it easily

ar ts & enter tainment 13

may 7th, 2010

By Georgiana Wagemann A&E Editor

For the two past years, LFA librarian Mr. Grier Carson been very successful in exposing LFA students to stimulating movies, containing artfully

crafted cinematography, unique imagery, and (in some cases) piercing language and raw violence, as part of the Library Film Series. The film series is just completing its second year and Carson plans to continue with the series next year as well.

LFA students now expect that the series shows sometimes bizarre flicks that pique viewer’s interests and inspire controversywhich, in turn, leads to discussion.

For the past two years, the series has taken place in the Cressey Center; however, next year, Carson hopes that he can relocate to the library Reading Room.

“It is difficult to schedule in Cressey,” Carson explained, “and the sound isn’t as good as it could be.” Carson thinks the cozy and comfortable Reading Room offers promising symphonic

sounds, which would lead to a better viewing experience.

“The theme of this year’s theme was extreme individualism and the beauty of the disturbed,” said Carson. And how did he feel about this radical topic?

“People generally associated [the movies] with strange and weird, and that’s good!” said Carson.

Carson’s series have been crafted to stimulate conversation and discussion about topics that schools are sometimes hesitant to deal with. For example, this year the series featured “The Cook, The Thief, His wife, and Her Lover,” a film praised for its wonderful cinematography, but simultaneously criticized for its R-rated contents.

“At first, many people said, ‘Are you sure about this [showing the film]’ but then I showed it, and the result was really great,” recalled Carson.

Why does Carson want his film series to push the boundaries?

“I try to treat my students like

Caxy Playlist

This is Lauren Kraemer’s playlist for Spring 2010.

1. Uprising- Muse 2. Don't You Evah- Spoon 3. Heartbeat- Tahiti 80 4. How We Operate- Gomez 5. Cousins- Vampire Weekend 6. Portions for Foxes- Rilo Kiley 7. Set the Fire to the Third Bar- Snow Pa trol 8. Big Yellow Taxi- Counting Crows 9. Tell You Something- Alicia Keys 10. Short Skirt, Long Jacket- Cake 11. I Will Possess Your Heart- Deathcab for Cutie 12. Goodbye- Mutemath 13. Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin 14. The Garden- Mirah 15. Breathe Me- Sia

adults,” he continued, “I think of them as collegiate and mature.”

These movies aren’t your typical “guy movies” or “chick flicks.” No, Carson is not interested in these. It is the disturbing and provoking movies that captivate him.

“I don’t want to shy away from the topics, I want to expose them to ideas and stimulate the students to talk about them,” said Carson.

With regard to the inclusion of violence and crude language, Carson believes we should examine the world as it really is; however, he is very careful about sexuality.

“There is a difference between sexuality as an art form, and sexuality for the purpose of entertainment,” he explained.

Carson draws his inspiration from directors such as Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch.

“These directors are so bizarre, but they use beautiful imagery to craft

their creations,” he said.

Films like “Pulp Fiction” and “Clockwork Orange” are the type of artful movies he tries to incorporate into the film series.

And as for next year’s movies, Carson is unsure of what the topic will be or what specific films will be scheduled.

Even though Carson doesn’t expect students to show diligent dedication to the Friday movie nights, he actually finds that the viewers do take it pretty seriously.

“Yeah, people get into it. I find that no one is really interested in snacking or anything, they just want to watch.

Then we have a follow-up discussion afterwards while the movie is still fresh on our minds,” he said.

Carson encourages anyone to come out to the series next year. Although he has been excited about the number of people that come out, he would also enjoy seeing new faces.

“I encourage anyone to come, see, and talk,” he concluded.

“Date Night”

Not as Funny as Expected From Popular Comedians Tina Fey and Steve Carrell

By Georgiana Wagemann

stars. For example, James Franco is in

A&E Editor

the movie for about ten minutes, when

Directed by Shawn Levy ( Big

previously he had held major roles in

Fat Liar, Cheaper by the Dozen, Pink

popular films like Oscar nominated Milk

Panther, and Night at the Museum), Date

and comedy Pineapple Express. Fey

Night stars comedians Tina Fey and

and Carrell do have fabulous chemistry;

Steve Carrell, who play married couple

however, their roles weren’t challenging.

Phil and Claire Foster. The two live in

Carrell’s character seemed to be very

a typical suburban neighborhood with

similar to his persona on the tv hit The

their two kids. In an attempt to spice up

Office. This film did not live up to any of

their love life, the Fosters have weekly

the hype that it had been built up to be.

“date nights,” which always end in dinner-table conversation that they might

2 stars out of 4

as well be having at their house. When the couple sees their close friends split up due to a lack-luster love life, they begin to get concerned about the future of their marriage. Phil then decides to take Claire out to the city’s hottest restaurant, except there is one problem: they don’t have a reservation. The couple then poses as a couple who originally had the reservations, but their meal is cut short when the cops chase them down.

Apparently, the couple whose reservation they stole were criminals.

Although it features a star-

studded cast and hilarious members, Date Night did not live up to expectations.

With a whimsical storyline, the flick is full of lack-luster stunts that drag on forever, as well as small roles by famous

Courtesy of Google Images Carell and Fey in their slapstick comedy.

lfa spectator

Library Film Series: Bizzare and Daring Movies Pique the Interest of LFA Students

lfa spectator

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LFA Alumnus Wins NCAA Basketball Championship

may 7, 2010

Todd Zafirovski Among Duke Players Celebrating Their Victory

Photo Courtesy of Todd Zafirovski LFA Alumnus Todd Zafirovski Cuts down the net after a victory

By Mark Yingling Staff Writer

How would you like to tell your friends and family that you attend Duke University, walked on to the basketball team as a freshman, and won the NCAA Championship? Ask LFA alum Todd Zafirovski, Class of 2009, what that feels like because that is exactly what he accomplished.

On the night of April th 5 , the entire Lake Forest Academy community could not believe their eyes when Duke won the national championship and there were television images of Todd cutting down the net in Indianapolis. They witnessed Zafirovski smiling and celebrating with the famous Coach Mike Krzyzewski and great players Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer. However, about a year prior to that unforgettable

and “unbelievable” night, Zafirovski never imagined that he would ever be a national champion, let alone attend Duke University.

“I never thought I would have this opportunity. It was a thrill for me to just get in to Duke,” said Zafirovski.

When first attending the university, he did not even know whether or not he was going to make the basketball team. It was not until after many days of hard work and dedication that Zafirovski found out he had made the team. At first, he was notified that he would be “red shirted” because Duke’s coaching staff had not anticipated any walk-ons. However, about midway through the season, a Duke player transferred to another school, which allowed Zafirovski to join the regular varsity team.

Even though Zafirovski

was extremely excited and thankful about making the Duke Basketball team, it was quite difficult for him to balance school and sports. During the NCAA tournament, it was especially difficult because he was often forced to miss classes for days and sometimes weeks at a time. In spite of the difficulties, Zafirovski loves playing basketball for Duke.

“It’s every kid’s dream who plays basketball to be on that stage;” said Zafirovski, “I am fortunate to be on such a great team with such a great coaching staff who put as much effort in to the game as the players do.”

Next year he hopes to be able to exhibit more of his talent to the Duke fans and make a big impression, just as he did with his Lake Forest Academy fans, who have given him a lot of support over this last year.

Caxy Girls Softball Getting Accustomed to New Changes

By Mariam Hussain Managing Editor

The casual observer will notice that this year’s LFA Softball team is very different from those of years past. There is currently no Junior Varsity team; instead all players are included as members of the Varsity Team.

Lake Forest Academy’s Hockey coach Darrin Madeley has stepped in to fill the vacancy left when previous softball coach Kaitlynn Luther announced she was leaving to attend law school. Because of a shortage of coaches, Madeley brought all the softball players together on one team.

“Mr. Madeley is different from Ms. Luther. We focus more on drills now and ways to improve. He really brings a new approach to the team,” stated senior co-captain Evelyn Gordon.

Though the team lost its

primary pitcher from last season there are three returning seniors -- co-captains Gordon and Elizabeth Duckworth, and senior Shannon Chen – who will offer veteran leadership this season.

“This year’s team is fairly young,” stated Gordon.

“That acts as both a strength and a weakness. We have strong hitting and we all get along.

But we need to develop game experience.”

According to Coach Madeley, “We are a younger and we are still willing to learn and enjoy playing the game. The girl’s strengths are the character of the team and how the girls are unselfish. They cheer for their teammates if they are not playing and we do not have jealousy.

Though our inexperience can act a weakness it can also act as a strength giving the team room for learning and improvement.”

Junior Liz Meraz swings at a pitch during practice.

Photo By Kathleen Kennedy

spor ts 15

may 7, 2010

By Chris Boudreaux Sports Editor

The Caxy Varsity Tennis squad this year is young, but also very talented. The team, captained by senior Zach Carlins, has already gone 2-2 to start the season.

Three seniors -- Zach Carlins, Andrew Kingsley, and Dan Patterson – are serving as experienced leaders on the courts this spring. Carlins and Kingsley are both new to the team along with juniors Rob McNerney, David Lin, and Mark Yingling and freshman Teddy Baldwin. According to coach Matt Flack, all of these players have worked hard and made an immediate impact on the team.

Returning players to

LFA’s leading scorer Junior Georgiana Wagemann heads the ball.

Photo Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

Girls Soccer Enroute to a Succesful Season: Out to a 6-0 Record Early in the Season, The Caxy’s have Easily Dealt with their Opponents thus Far

By Mark Yingling Staff Writer

The Lake Forest Academy Girls soccer team is on an undefeated roll and does not plan on stopping any time soon.

After outscoring each team they have played by at least two goals and recently winning the Antioch Invitational, many people seem to think that the girls are unstoppable.

“I’m excited because our team’s really good and we should be awesome. And we’re playing tough teams,” said Sam Nelson. The Caxys are currently 6-0, heading into the Glenbrook South Tournament.

As if the team did not possess enough talent, Ella and Erin Peterson joined the team this year and have already made an impact for LFA.

“It has been fun to incorporate them into the team,” said junior Georgiana Wagemann, who is the leading scorer of the team with nine goals.

“We have better chemistry than all the years I’ve been here,” said Joanie Davis, “and we have more people who can score now.”

According to Coach Kathleen Schlosser, the team, in general, is mentally tougher and more talented than any Lake

the team are sophomores Scott Fuller, Christian Buerkle, and Mike Hong, The Pioneer Press recently listed Scott Fuller and Christian Buerkle as “Rising Stars”.

The team has a very tough schedule ahead of them, facing large public school opponents such as Vernon Hills, New Trier, Lake Forest, and Libertyville. These schools will put up a very challenging series of matches but the LFA team is talented enough to compete against any one of them.

Even with big schools on the schedule, Coach Flack is still most looking forward to playing Chicago Latin.

“Latin is always a good rival” said Flack, and a very good team to play.”

Forest Academy girl’s soccer team she has seen.

In addition to their early-season success, the girls are looking forward to hosting their own soccer tournament; the Lake Forest Academy Invitational that will be held later in the spring.

Many teams from around Lake Forest have been invited and it should be “intense,” said one player.

Schlosser and the players ask that the Lake Forest Academy students support them in this winning season by going to the games and cheering them on.

Photo Courtesy of Ruth Keyso

“Rising Star” Sophmore Scott Fuller returns a shot.

Boys Volleyball Enjoys a Series of Close and Exciting Games have strong senior players, it

By Chris Boudreaux Sports Editor The Caxy Boys Volleyball team has started the season strong and has posted a record of 3-2 with strong wins over Montini and Holy Trinity.

Kyle Gaskin and Andrew Upshall are the captains of the team and are among the 6 seniors on the team. Upshall and Gaskin, both outside hitters combined for 24 kills against Montini on earlier in April.

According to Coach Jeff Bateman, the team’s six seniors are very strong volleyball players. Aside from Upshall and Gaskin, Luc Cote, Harry Matheson, Remi Ndiaye, and David Sebulsky finish the talented senior cast.

Not only does the team

also has some emerging talent that appears to be contributing right away.

“Brian Berry, a middle hitter, Casey Coulter, an outside hitter and defensive specialist, and freshman Charlie Versen, a setter, show good potential,’ noted Bateman.

With only five games played so far, Bateman already has a memorable moment from the season.

“The win against Montini at home was very exciting and close. The Caxy fans really go into the game,” recalled Bateman.

The team and coaches are both looking forward the Lake Front Invitational, which is a challenging tournament at the end of the year.

lfa spectator

Caxy Tennis Fields Talented Team

lfa spectator

may 7, 2010

entropica The place where stuff happens

What Dorm Life is Really Like Top 10 Takia Broomfield draws about dorm life at LFA.

Signs You May Not Be Grasping the Spirit of Service Day

By Dan Patterson Entropica Editor

For most students at LFA, Service-Day is an all-too-rare

chance to give back, whether it be to the elderly, the poor, or perhaps nature. But maybe, for you, it’s just a day off from school. I am here to expose horrid persons such as this, who see the day, not as the opportunity to help young children learn to read and write, but as an opportunity to pretend to do so and then go home and take a nap. I know it is true—the Academy’s students have an innate love of service learning—for I have heard Caxy Keys mention it a number of

Asking a Girl to Prom

Methods Proven to be Affective

By Mark Yingling Staff Writer

Since Prom was awesome and pretty much everyone had a fun time, I believe it is not only

times. Yet there remains a small number who are only thankful that their Chemistry test was moved back a day. This slimy group evades the loving reach of our community and is able to continue undetected.

So the questions now arise: from where did these parasites of our devotion arise, and, more importantly, could you be one of them?

The answer to this question is most likely “Yes” if one or more of the following Top 10 items are true for you: 10. Service Day is listed as community service on your resume.

important to compliment the more clever ways that many guys have come up with to ask girls to Prom,

9. You wear shorts to cut buckthorn.

but it is also imperative to lay down some precautions for next year.

8. You sent five or more text messages while serving.

7. The Food Bank is providing your snacks.

First, the most memorable performance for me this year was the “super secret awesome

surprise” during Morning Meeting which somehow including bacon while asking a girl to prom... I love

6. Your Hispanic mentee is helping you with your Spanish homework.

bacon. Also, there were many original ideas that surprised people, such as writing a chalk message on

5. You chose your trip solely based on when it was returning to

the walkway leading up to Reid Hall or popping the question at the end of one candidate’s All School

school.

President campaign speech.

4. You strike up a conversation at Open Lands with the attendant

about how great a golf course would be there.

There are also some classics that are always well received. Getting a teacher to include your

request on a quiz or test is a tried-and-true method. Don’t forget the one where you slip your request into a

3. In your two- hour allotted service slot you managed to find time to

Power Point presentation in class as well. Or there is the Rickey Larke method of dropping a candy trail in

get a Starbucks.

the hallway leading to the girl’s locker, where you have hidden roses and your written request for a Prom

2. What you enjoyed most about your service experience was the bus

date. Stud!

ride.

1. You take pride in beating old people at bingo.

Now, you might have noticed that at the beginning of this article I used the phrase that “pretty

much everyone had fun.” Now this is true, most people did have a great time at the SEARS Tower!

However, the amount of fun you had may have been dictated by whether or not you went with the date

Caxy Match

who was your number one choice. If you went to prom you probably saw one of those guys who was feeling sorry for himself because he waited to long to ask a “special” girl, and ended up going with someone else. I hope you didn’t feel sorry for that guy. It was his own fault!... or his mother’s. I am “fortunate” enough to have an (overly) enthusiastic mother who has taken it upon herself to take lead of my love life, I think the scene may have changed slightly in the last 30 years. She made sure I had a “Plan B” if something went wrong and constantly wanted to hear about my options for Prom dates.

Unfortunately, most guys are not as lucky as me to have such an involved mother. Next year they

will have to motivate themselves to ask as early as possible. Even if you do find yourself in the situation where you have waited and are running out of time, and you get home from your sport after school and find your phone filled with three voice mails, ten missed calls, and four texts from your friends all trying to warn you that someone else is going to ask the girl you want to there is no need to freak out. The classics are always a respectable way of asking someone to prom. How about creating a huge poster to ask someone and hanging it outside of the Dean of Students Office?

Photo by Kathleen Kennedy

Photo Courtesy of The Justin Timberlake Calander

Senior Andrew Upshall is bringing “Sexy Back” by looking like singer Justin Timberlake.