Issue 3 21-22

the

prOspectOr

801 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS

THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959

VOLUME 61, ISSUE 3

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

asking for answers Learning gaps leave beneficial changes to tutoring program OLIVIA KIM Editor-in-Chief

E

ntering Prospect at the beginning of this year, freshman Isabella Smith expected the semester to be challenging. She received straight A’s during her time in middle school and stayed committed to learning for the last two years, even through remote instruction.

However, a learning gap was inevitable, and Smith anticipated a need to hit the ground running going into her first year at Prospect, which would simultaneously be her first full year of in-person learning since sixth grade.

Despite her efforts in the classroom, she ended up scoring lower on one of her first geometry tests than she had hoped. This led to Smith deciding that she needed some assistance. After asking her teacher where she could find some help, she was referred to the Knights Inspired To Teach (KITT) tutoring program.

Smith said that after one session during her open period with a peer tutor, she saw immediate improvement in her work, which was proven when she received a higher score on her next test.

“I was very surprised at how well that tutoring had helped me achieve that [score],” Smith said. “I really felt much better [about the workload].”

As the first semester of fully in-person learning wraps up, teachers and students have been working to ease the transition from remote instruction. As a result of pandemic learning, Associate Principal for Instruction Joyce Kim notes that students have been struggling with shortened attention spans, lost organizational skills and gaps in sequential skills such as in math or foreign language.

These challenges have been approached by teachers primarily in two ways: the first emphasizes classroom or relationship

building, and the second focuses on estabstarting at Prospect in August, has already lishing a traditional curriculum structure received at least 160 requests for appointwith regular test-taking and assignments. ments from students. She says while there Kim says that while she prefers the first have been occasional emails from parents strategy, she knows that it is more difficult asking her to set up tutoring for their child, to implement in certain subjects, especially nearly all of the requests have come directfor AP courses that work to prepare stuly from students. dents for an end-of“I’m really exyear exam. cited that students “The teachers are getting the help desire to prepare that they need and the kids to the [that] the appointbest of their ments are effiability, and … cient,” McKay said. it’s just so com“… It feels great [to plicated,” Kim help students get said. “The kids help].” are trying their One potential best; I feel for problem that McKthem. The teachay fears students ers are trying their may have is that best, [too].” they are afraid to In the face of all request academic these challenges, support because of -Isabella Smith, freshman however, students any stigmas there and teachers have may be around askturned to Prosing for help in genpect’s tutoring programs to give students eral, but she hopes that students know that the assistance they need. The KITT tutorreaching out is empowering, even if it can ing program has expanded over the years be hard to do. and has now incorporated a program called KITT President Delaney Nold says that Every Knight Achieves (EKA), which is rethere has been a noticeable increase in the quired in some form in every school in Disnumber of students receiving help this year, trict 214. which she attributes to in-person learning EKA was started last year to help get making tutoring seem more accessible to students who were failing multiple classes students. During remote instruction, Nold back on track and consists of some teachobserved a disappointingly low number of ers supervising along with student tustudents requesting Zoom tors that work together in “pods.” Kim tutoring, despite the difsays that the program has been helpful ficulty of having to many students and encourages an advisory-like environment which allows students to feel more comfortable engaging in learning and receiving help.

KITT’s Tutoring Facilitator Grace McKay organizes and assigns students who have requested help to a tutor proficient in a specific subject, and since

I WAS VERY SURPRISED AT HOW WELL ... TUTORING ... HELPED ME ... I REALLY FELT MUCH BETTER [ABOUT THE WORKLOAD].”

to adjust to the online environment. Luckily, this has been less of an issue this year.

“I have been happily surprised by how many people have taken advantage of [peer tutoring] this year … I would say we have gotten some of the highest numbers we [ever] have in students asking for help,” Nold said. “Seeing the program from [how it’s changed over the past three years has been] really great … because of all the changes that have been made.”

While some, like Smith, may only choose to attend tutoring sessions when they have specific questions or find themselves struggling in a certain subject, freshman Griffin Handler says that he enjoys going to tutoring in order to benefit from an environment where he feels he can focus better.

During remote instruction in middle school, he didn’t feel the same pressure to complete all of his assignments along with his peers, but now that he is in high school, he said he aims to be more focused especially since he plans on qualifying for the Harper Promise Scholarship. In order to do so, when he gets stuck on a problem on an assignment, instead of moving past it, he goes to KITT to ask for help, even if it’s to make sure that he’s on the right track.

Other struggles for Handler have stemmed from organizational challenges such as remembering passwords or managing the homework load, but he has found comfort in attending tutoring sessions so that he can complete his assignments without any distractions.

Regardless of how that time at tutoring is spent, Handler and Smith are happy to have the resource available. Nold believes that KITT will serve as a strong opportunity for anyone that seeks it, especially because of the content gaps caused by the pandemic and the changes made to the program in the past two years.

“I feel like [KITT] is a perfect representation of people giving up their time to better other people, to better a community, which I think is a really great thing,” Nold said. “I feel like that’s also why I know that this program will never go away … Especially after the pandemic, I feel like we really all realize how important … it is to give back and to be close to others.”

STUDY SESSION: A student receives assistance with their homework from a peer tutor.

Tutoring programs at Prospect have undergone major changes, including a revamping of Every Knight Achieves (EKA), to support students with the transition to in-person instruction. (photo illustration by Olivia Kim)

request

a tutOring sessiOn

What’s inside?

OpiniOn

Features

in-depth

spOrts

Knight Media staFF suggest iMprOveMent FOr schOOl security and cOMMunicatiOn (page 3)

One blue line deFines divisiOn in MOunt prOspect surrOunding pOlice patch (page 4)

What giving-bacK Means FOr students, prOspect cOMMunity during hOliday seasOn (page 6)

seniOr basKetball player KazuK OvercOMes acl tear beFOre juniOr seasOn (page 11)

2

NEWS

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

DECEMBER 10, 2021

The ‘finals’ countdown to break

Students, staff get back on track for final exams after COVID-19 pandemic ALYSSA SCHULZ Editor-in-Chief

T

he last full year of in-person learning for freshman Paige Hall was three years ago when she was in just sixth grade. This caused her to feel a little overwhelmed when it came to preparing for final exams, which are returning to Prospect and the rest of District 214 this year.

Although this is the first year that Prospect will have finals along with a block schedule, this year’s exam schedule will look mostly the same as it did prior to the pandemic.

According to Principal Greg Minter, the D214 Calendar Committee, which came up with the final schedule, initially decided on only two days for the finals in order to keep the same amount of A and B days. However, this schedule was rewritten after some consideration. “[Some] teachers expressed concerns about the [proposed final schedule because] it [required] a lot of tests for students to take in just two days,” Minter said. “That was ultimately the reason why we decided on [the three day final schedule] because we wanted students to have the ability to prepare [for finals] without being overwhelmed.”

As this will lead to an uneven number of A and B days, the Tuesday before finals, Dec. 14, will contain an eight period schedule.

During previous years, Psychology 1 and Criminal Law teacher Jay Heilman has often seen students spread themselves too thin while studying for finals — even if they don’t need to.

COUNTDOWN ‘TIL THE HOLIDAYS: A student looks longingly outside his window as he studies for finals. This year, many students have had to adjust to rigorous final exams; some never having taken them at all. (cartoon by Alyssa Schulz) “If you can afford to get a C or a D on the final exam and have your grade be mostly unaffected by it, then do that,” Heilman said.

“You might have other classes that you need to spend more time on … because that grade is more in jeopardy than in my class, and that’s OK.” However this year, Heilman has not had any students come to him with concerns about exams, which may be due in part to the nature of his finals. His Psychology 1 class will have the choice to do a project or multiple choice test, both of which will cover all of the first semester. His criminal law class will perform a mock trial instead.

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According to Associate Principal of Instruction Joyce Kim, finals are not mandatory school wide and are instead decided on by divisions or teachers that teach the same subject. For example, all AP Language teachers will agree on whether or not they will have an exam and what it will consist of.

Hall feels that her teachers have prepared her as well as they could for the finals they have chosen — although that doesn’t stop her from being nervous as she has a couple borderline grades. According to Heilman, the best way to avoid this final stress is to take finals one step at a time.

“Ask yourself going in [to finals week]:

‘What classes am I good at? What classes do I need to prepare for? What classes do I struggle with?’” Heilman said. “Don’t focus on nice, easy classes; you’re good there. Focus on the ones that you need to work on to succeed.”

Scan the QR code to See the finalS Schedule

Environmental concerns create dryer dilemma ALYSSA SCHULZ

As a study by Michigan State University states that 95% of adults do not correctly Editor-in-Chief wash their hands, Villagomez notes that removing leftover pathogens is crucial.

When junior Maggie McGary first saw He additionally cites a 2018 study by the paper towels instead of hand dryers in the American Society of Microbiology which school bathrooms, her first thought was states that using hand dryers spreads more ‘Why?’ germs than paper towels.

Despite initially liking the change beAlthough the use of paper towels is more cause it makes hand washing more efficient, effective in the light of the pandemic, they McGary was surprised. are also worse for the environment.

However, as she is an active member of According to Higdon, this is yet anoththe Environmental Club, she next thought of er unfortunate consequence that has come which method of hand drying was better for from COVID-19 that has harmed the envithe environment. ronment.

Physics teacher, chemistry teacher and “In the beginning [of the pandemic], we Environmental Club sponsor Michael Highad this weird moment where we saw the dedon believes that hand dryers are the most crease in emissions by a very small amount,” environmenHigdon said. “It seemed tally conlike a big deal, but overscious option. all it was just a drop in According to the bucket.” him, this was After most likely stay-atthe reason home orwhy paper ders were towel dislifted, he pensers were states conreplaced with sumerism greatly hand dryers increased to comin the first pensate for the lack place years *according to a study by Michigan State University there of previously ago. which led to climate This once again begs the question: “Why change continuing on its upward trend even were the hand dryers replaced?” According faster than before, in part due to the increase to Jorge Villagomez, Prospect’s Buildings in use of disposable material such as gloves, and Grounds Supervisor, this change was masks, and, of course, paper towels. implemented district-wide in order to preHowever, hand dryers are not as environvent the spread of COVID-19. mentally friendly as they may seem at first “What we were finding out in different glance. This is because, according to Higdon, districts was that [students] were not tak- the electricity that is needed to heat up the ing the time to dry their hands,” Villagomez hand dryer and turn its fan on most likely said. “People don’t want to wait for the hand comes from a nearby coal plant. dryers, so they walk away with their hands Although Villagomez acknowledges that still wet.” some may be upset or even confused by the Villagomez states that wet hands spread change, he states that he is simply doing more pathogens and therefore have an in- what his job entails. creased risk of leading to germ spread or “We are [doing] the best we can to just cross-contamination. keep the school open,” Villagomez said.

He also notes that paper towels help re- “That’s our job: to clean, to sanitize and to move some pathogens that still remain even create a safe environment. Everything that after hand washing. we do is to keep the kids safe.”

95%

of adults

do not correctly wash their hands

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staff EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Olivia Kim Alyssa Schulz MANAGING EDITOR Charlie Dahlgren COPY EDITORS Kailie Foley Kevin Lynch Ella Mitchell ONLINE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Jacob Siciliano Cameron Sullivan KNIGHT TV EXEC PRODUCERS Juliet Aquino Emma Letzig KNIGHT VOICES EXEC PRODUCERS Nolan Hamilton Kaylie Pasternak KNIGHT TV LIVE EXEC PRODUCER Luis Hernandez PROSPECTOR EDITORS Maeve Molina, Zach Moreth, PJ O’Grady KNIGHT TV DIRECTORS Cedex Estella, Katherine Lytle, Henry Kauke, Matthew Neimczyk ONLINE EDITORS Joey Delahunty Marina Markropoulos REPORTERS Dean Carlson, Alyssa Degan, Nic Fardella, Tito Gavin, Olivia Macina, Chris Rodriguez, Owen Walter VISUAL EDITORS Bella Brouilette, Ondine Cella, Alexis Esparza ADVISER Jason Block MISSION STATEMENT The primary purpose of the Prospect High School Prospector is to report news and explain its meaning and significance to our readers and the community. We, The Prospector, hope to inform, entertain and provide an unrestricted exchange of ideas and opinions. The Prospector is published by students in Journalistic Writing courses.

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OPINION

DECEMBER 10, 2021

3

Connection before direction New rules cause rift in student-security relationship

Staff Editorial

students].”

But in order for students to avoid consequences, they first have to know what the rules actually are, and that’s an area that Olson and Winkler believe Senior Allie Winkler entered is lacking: communication from the bathroom next to the cafetethe administration. ria during her lunch period exWhen a new rule, procedure pecting to prepare for her class or structure is presented, the beginning next period. But indeans try “as best they can” to stead of leaving the bathroom renotify students over Schoology laxed and ready to learn, she left and email, but Olson recognizes feeling aggravated and uncomthat neither is a perfect system. fortable after a confrontation But even with their faults, school with a security guard made her systems are changing so rapidly question what their role is.

SCAN IN: Security guard Edward Cleveland scans in a student. to recover from pandemic losses While using the bathroom, a that it has been hard to stay on The student-security relationship grows tense as new rules security guard entered and told top of all the updates. restrict student’s perceived freedom. (photo by Luis Hernandez) Winkler to hurry up because “I think this year there have there was a group waiting to comfortable in the building.

“We have to provide the been some things where it’s use the stalls. Winkler rushed structure for the kids that really changing so quickly, I’ll admit, I We, Knight Media, disapto finish, feeling bad about the prove of how school security is need it, because it really benedon’t think we’ve messaged stuff supposed line of people waiting, handling the rollout of additionfits them,” Olson said. “It might as good as we could have,” Olson but when she exited the stall, she said. “Moving forward I do want al security structures such as take away from what some might found no students waiting and limiting foot traffic during lunch perceive as their freedom, but to do that.” plenty of toilets available for use. periods and locking outside According to Olson, security there [are] ways for everyone to But Winkler says that’s mild staff grapple at their monthly doors. Although we understand get what they want within the compared to some of the things meetings to figure out how to enthe vast importance of keeping system.” younger students have confessed the school and student body safe, However, Winkler worries force rules, while also maintainto her about their discomfort ing a healthy there needs to be better commuthat such strucwith security personnel. Winand positive nication before such changes tures — while kler says some underclassmen r e l at i o n s h i p proving benare made to ensure a seamless have even told her that they are transition in order to avoid mass with the stueficial to stubeing looked at and surveilled dent body. confusion when shifting to new dents in need through the cracks in the stalls, systems. Better communication “It’s [imof behavioral much to their discomfort. portant to] find and social inwould ensure a more produc“Some of the students are inthat balance ter ventions tive environment for students as timidated by them, and I don’t of enforcing well as security staff and would — may be too think that’s OK,” Winkler said. the rules and overall improve the strained stupunitive on the “You shouldn’t be intimidated by dent-security relationship. ex p e c t at ion s average stua faculty member.” and keeping Olson is surprised to hear dent, affecting Dean Nick Olson understands that so many students feel that the amount of those high but Voting results of and has experienced firsthand coming from security changes are confusing, their perceived the sometimes-awkward ramKnight Media staff in a place of care because, from his perspective, freedom and ifications of keeping the school and empathy school security is less intense i n c r e a s i n g regards to this editorial. safe but emphasizes that these than any year in the past due to for students, punishments. procedures all exist for a reason. the amount of open studies and “When you’re getting people because a lot of students aren’t In the case of the bathrooms, looking to do anything wrong,” free periods. He attributes the in trouble in a school facility, Olson states that more than any student viewpoint of increasing … you’re not actually helping Olson said. other year, school security has Olson and Levinson both security to the fact that so many them in any way,” Winkler said. been plagued with vandalizaagree that security is “absostudents don’t know how the “It doesn’t help a school, it just tion, group vaping and anxiety building usually functions. builds up more incidents ... So it’s lutely” doing well finding that attacks by Olson not helping, It’s just getting more balance this year and commend st udents, their efforts because so much of states that people in trouble.” particularthey’ve Olson says that his door is the burdens of security changes ly in the needed to always open to hear student rest on the shoulders of security women’s cont i nuopinions when it comes to pun- personnel. bathrooms.

But, unfortunately, Winkler ously add ishments, procedures or really “I get these new any comments on the school’s and around one-third of Prosit,” Olson “strucsecurity and performance. He pect’s student body just don’t see said. “It’s the respect and safety security t u r e s , ” and Dean Adam Levinson relish awk wa r d student input and want are supposed to show. The data is for everystudents to know they particularly alarming to Olson, one, but who states that even if only 10 or have the power to make we’re just 15 students responded negatively change at Prospect for trying to to the survey, it would still show the better. make sure “Students have to a problem in need of correction a kid is okay… and now other because school security should understand that you have a people are [saying they] don’t work for everyone. voice,” said Olson. “We want want to go to the bathroom “We need to help change that to hear you. You guys live it, anymore because [security] we don’t always see every- culture so security has better is asking who [they are] while relationships with students,” thing.” on the toilet.”

As for new procedures Olson said. “Not necessarily [beHowever, the theme of disjust getting students in trou- cause of] the safety piece but just com for t ble and not making the … so [that] when you do the suramong vey, a lot more students feel the school safer, Levinson st udent s states that there are security is there for them.” a n d Winkler looks forward to seeplenty of structures to school keep all facets of stu- ing an improved relationship, s e c u r it y dents safe that my go knowing that it will lead to more is not an openness and thus communica*according to a survey of 233 students over the heads of the average isolated issue at Prostion between both parties. student. pect. According to a survey of “I think there should be a what some students would call “There are protocols that are 233 Prospect students, over onerestrictions, such as limiting in place to make sure that people friendly dynamic, especially third of students feel that they foot traffic during passing periare safe,” Levinson said. “So if when you’re working in a school are not treated with respect by ods, into the school day in order students don’t understand the with students,” Winkler said. school security, and an additionto support the social-emotional bigger scheme, we can totally “It’s not like you’re a cop … al 30.4% say the current school losses in younger students from understand why people would We’re not criminals, we’re just security makes them feel less the pandemic. say that [they are just punishing students.”

1

Against

30

For

34% 30%

of prospect students feel that the security staff does not treat students with respect

of prospect students say school security makes them feel less comfortable on campus

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4 FEATURES

DECEMBER 10, 2021

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

The line cutting through Mount Prospect

Thin blue line patch divides community even after removal Jacob Siciliano Online Editor-in-Chief

S

enior Jeongmin Lee stood outside Mount Prospect Village Hall paralyzed in shock as a group of furious people rushed towards him. As a part of a demonstration against Mount Prospect’s police patch, Lee said he and around 20 other activists found themselves surrounded by 200 pro-patch supporters. In only a few minutes, the mob stormed past police and surrounded the group.

As the pro-patch group began to close in, Lee heard a vicious shout loaded with hatred.

“I know where you live,” a pro-patch supporter threatened a Black woman.

Then Lee heard a racial slur directed at him. Beginning to feel lightheaded as the crowd closed in, Lee began to fear for his safety.

“It was a truly traumatizing moment for everyone there,” Lee said. “I had never been called a ‘Chink’ before … I was scared for my life.”

Hours later on Aug. 5, the Mount Prospect Village Board elected in a 4-3 vote to redesign the Mount Prospect police patch.

After appearing on car stickers in 2019, a debate began to form in Mount Prospect due to the thin blue line flag that runs in the background of the patch.

Residents offended by the flag began to call for its removal through emails, social media and in-person protests like the one Lee attended. The police and supporters stood firmly behind their symbol and pushed for it to remain in the patch. Doing so created a division and tension that lasted for over two years.

Even after the dust settled on the board’s ruling, there are still some who are infuriated by the board’s decision.

Bill Golden, a former police officer and current owner of FIVE-O driving school in Arlington Heights, is one of those individuals who still disagree with the board’s decision to redesign the patch.

Golden served as a police officer for 32 years in Glenview, receiving three ‘Officer-of-the-Year’ awards while he was there, according to his service record. His inspiration for joining the force came from his father’s police partner Oliver Singleton, who was paralyzed in a 1969 shootout. Despite his condition, Singleton still gave testimony in court leading to the arrest of the individuals involved.

His death followed shortly after, but to Golden, his legacy was extremely impactful. To him, this final act was the perfect example of what the thin blue line means.

“He sacrificed his life for his community,” Golden said. “... vwhat it represents.”

Historically, the thin blue line derived from the thin red line British soldiers representedin the Crimean war.

That red line represented the soldiers,

who wore red uniforms, as they

as possible.

“I want people of color [and] people [of other minority groups] to feel welcome,” Pissarreck said.

“We pride ourselves on being a village where friendliness is a way of life. That symbol has no reason to be here.”

Lee, who served who stopped a Russian cavalry charge, preventing the enemy on Piss a r r e ck’s from crossing into their territory. campaig n, In a modern context, Golden agrees the and other supporters say the thin symbol should blue line represents the police as removed the thin line between order and be chaos. The thin blue line flag also but disagrees with Pissartakes on a double meaning as a mourning flag for fallen officers. reck about For Golden, that represents his the village’s slogan. fallen partners Kenneth Dawson “It’s such and Michael W. Ridges. So, when a shallow the Mount Prospect Village Board elected to remove the thin blue slogan that doesn’t apply line from the patch, it became perat all,” Lee sonal to him. said. “Like “I think it’s a disgrace,” GoldI think it’s en said. “Those [who died] should just comhave some sort of representation.”

So, instead of writing an email pletely missing the mark or protesting in the street as othof what’s ers did, Golden used a different tactic to voice his disapproval: an h a p p e n i n g [in Mount “economic vote.”

Prospect].”

“I don’t want to fund or support Golden believes there is a silent anything that supports the removmajority of residents who support al of the [thin blue line],” said.

In the past, Golden was a large the police and the patch. He believes just because a few residents donor and supporter of Mount oppose it there is no reason the Prospect events and organizapatch should go. tions, including advertising in the Pissarreck couldn’t disagree Prospector and donations to the Mount Prospect Food drive. But more. To her, the number of people offended by the patch shouldn’t now, Golden refuses to donate to matter at all. She believes if even any group that has ties to the vilone person is made uncomfortable lage. He says he’s not doing this for publicity or attention but just by the flag, it is one too many.

“If it ostracizes even 5% of the out of his sheer disgust for the vilcommunity, that’s [too much],” lage’s decision.

Pissarreck said.

“The one thing that we say that In her reasoning, Pissarreck represents us and those [who have cites a key difference between the fallen in the line of duty], the vilmourning flag and the one that aplage says we can’t use because of pears in the patch. political pressure,” Golden said.

The mourning flag depicts a Golden does say, however, that he disagrees with the co-opting of black flag with one thin blue line running through the the thin blue line by center. The flag that Blue Lives Matter, a appears on the patch group formed in 2013 features a thin blue to show support for line replacing the the police, according 8th white line on the to Brittanica.com.

American flag. That This is one of the flag has generally few things Golden been associated with and Mount Prospect the Blue Lives MatVillage Board memter flag, with the only ber Peggy Pissardifference being the reck agree on. patch’s black backPissarreck was ground. one of the four board Golden says it members who voted Scan to hear Senior to remove the patch Jeongmin Lee’s full story shouldn’t matter if an American flag was and said one of her at the Aug. 5 Protest. added to the backreasons was the ground. To him, it still represents co-opting of the flag. According to the same purpose of honoring fallPissarreck, the flag took on a douen officers. He believes it shouldn’t ble meaning after white supremamatter what others think. cists touted it at Charlottesville in “A lot of people think that the 2017 and the Capitol riot in JanuAmerican flag itself represents ary of 2021.

But Pissarreck said her main a racist country,” Golden said. “I don’t fault them; they’re entitled to reason for voting against the that opinion. But does that mean patch was one promise she made while running for village board we should take the American flag this summer — to make Mount Prospect as welcoming of a place

off of our police cars, off of our patches or off of our ambulances?”

Pissarreck believes the exact opposite: to her, all that matters is how Mount Prospect’s residents interpret the sym-

History of the Thin Blue Line bol.

“I don’t care what the intent is,” Pissarreck said.

Pissarreck says that she supports the police and recognizes the hard work that they do every day for the village of Mount Prospect.

But in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Mount Prospect police Chief John Koziol said that cannot be the case.

“It is impossible to both support the police and say that the patch is divisive,” Koziol said.

Both Mount Prospect residents Mary Ann Benden and Lee would disagree with Koziol’s statement but believe the division within their community is true. Benden said this division was most clear inside the village board meetings over the summer. One side of the hall filled with Anti-patch individuals and the other side with those who were Pro-patch, only separated by a thin blue line of carpet.

According to Benden, hatred had filled the room with neighbors threatening neighbors and people harassing speakers.

Lee compared it to hell.

“It was the worst place that I’ve ever been. It was absolutely shocking how mentally destructive that experience was,” Lee said.

Lee was able to escape the protest earlier that day by putting his head down and just walking out.

As he did so, he said everyone was laughing at him.

Even now, for Lee, it’s too difficult for him to speak at board meetings or walk by the village hall— all because of what he experienced at that board meeting and protest. For him, it was the final straw with the village and people of the place he calls home.

“It made me lose all hope in [the village of] Mount Prospect,” Lee said. “ I went home and cried to my parents ...

That was the day I decided [that] I need to leave this town.”

October 1853

The Crimean war begins. A thin red line was used to describe the scottish highlanders stoping a russian attack.

1911

The term “Thin Blue Line” is created in a poem

by Nels Dickman Anderson to describe the American army.

April 1950

Police chief Bill Parker uses the term “Thin Blue Line” in speeches.

Febuary 1971

Joseph Wambaugh relases multipul novels normalizing the thin blue line term.

December 2014

Start of the the Blue Lives Matter Movment and flag.

August 2017

Use of the Blue Lives Matter flag at the “Unite the Right” rally.

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

DECEMBER 10, 2021

FEATURES

5

Troiano: teaching students to a T SYDNEY STRIMLING Staff Reporter

T

hen 22-year-old Jen Troiano stood on her opera company’s stage in Germany in 1997, the shining lights blinding her. As she stared into the faces of the audience, a feeling sparked within her, like maybe she had made it. It was a small stage, sure, but a stage nonetheless. Maybe the path to opera stardom wasn’t so glamorous, but it had to be worth it in the end. It had to pay off. Didn’t it?

“I sang in a very small opera house in Germany for a couple months, and I hated it; I couldn’t stand it,” Troiano said.

Troiano is now the director of choral music at Prospect, while being the theater house manager and graduation sponsor. However, she didn’t always carry these titles with her.

Troiano had originally attended college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her major had directed her on the path to becoming the opera singer she had always dreamed of being. However, the reality of it wasn’t quite the dream.

Her time in opera singing wasn’t the luxurious life she thought it would play out to be, but that wasn’t why she hated it.

The business was not exactly friendly; people were only out for themselves, and that was not an environment that Troiano had enjoyed. But still, that wasn’t entirely it.

“When the casting director told me that I looked very pretty on stage, I realized that I wasn’t all being valued,” Troiano remembered. “I felt like it was more about how I looked on stage than my talent.”

This devastating moment had somehow played a crucial role in Troiano’s life as it pushed her to pursue what she really wanted: music education.

Coming home from her three months at the opera house, Troiano decided to share her knowledge by teaching private vocal lessons for a year while she tried to get into Illinois State University. Once she was accepted, she began her undergraduate program for music education.

After graduating, Troiano taught gener-

CLASSIC TROIANO: Director of choral music Jen Troiano sits at the piano, flipping pages in her songbook, while teaching Advanced Mixed Choir. She planned to sing opera, but she found a fulfilling love for teaching students music. She wants students “to remember that music is a way to express yourself and is a positive outlet, ... a form of expression.” (photo by Kailie Foley) al music to fourth, fifth and sixth grade in a small town outside of Peoria. She never thought about leaving until the former choir director at Prospect contacted her for an interview, which was a success.

Naturally, Troiano accepted the job offer and began working her dream job.

“I never wanted to be a teacher,” Troiano said. “If anything, that was the one thing I said I would never be. But then I started teaching, and I just realized it’s so much more fulfilling in life for me.”

Troiano realized that she enjoyed teaching while she attended Prospect as a student up until she graduated in 1991. Her teacher had let her run the choir class, and she now lets students help run the choir in her own classroom.

Her former teacher made a big impact on Troiano’s life, and she has also impacted her students.

Maria Anzalotti, a junior at Prospect High School, joined choir freshman year. She’s made many memories with Troiano over the years and now refers to her as “T.” Anzalotti has learned a lot of things from Troiano, but one lesson in particular stood out.

“T very easily rolls with the punches and ... has shown us all how to do that as well,” Anzalotti said. “She’s taught [us] how to adapt to all situations and kind of stay true to ourselves and to our music and to our art through it.”

Not only had Troiano helped Anzalotti through COVID-19 by teaching her an important lesson, but she had also successfully

made her classroom a safe and trusting environment for students to come to.

“When I come to choir, I know that I am safe, I know that I am loved, I know that I am cared for,” Anzalotti said. “Creating that safe space is something that T excels at, and I am grateful to her for it.”

Within lots of important stories shared, there’s one lesson that Troiano hopes her students will take away from her and her class.

“I want them to remember that music is a way to express yourself and is a positive outlet, ... a form of expression,” Troiano said.

“And I want them to feel good and have good memories of their experience with music, so when they go into the world to be adults, they have a positive relationship with music.”

Riedy runs through the thick and thins of life PETER NICOLL Staff Reporter Sorrow and sadness filled the Riedy family on April 2, 2016. Math teacher Mike Riedy spent the day in Wisconsin and was nearing his hotel in Cedarburg when he received a call from the South Bend, Indiana police.

They told him that his only son Jack, who was a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame at the time, had been in a life-changing car accident. Mike immediately drove to South Bend, not knowing if his son was dead or alive.

“I don’t remember any of the drives to South Bend, I just slightly remember getting out of my car once I got there,” Mike said.

Jack made it out alive. In the immediate aftermath of the unfortunate events, Mike stayed in South Bend for weeks to make sure Jack was OK and that he was healing, along with going through insurance paperwork and payments.

Jack’s parents stayed with him all summer and helped him through physical therapy and simple activities like walking. “[There’s] no way I would’ve survived without my parents,” Jack said.

Now Jack is living in Chicago, spending much of his time on music, something he is passionate about.

Mike got tattoo sleeves on his arms to cope with the situation of his son’s car accident. Both of his arms are very colorful and

INKED UP: Math teacher Mike Riedy displays his tattoo sleeves that represent his son’s car accident that had a significant impact on him and his family. “It’s an honor to have a piece of my story on my father,” his son Jack said. (photo by Bella Brouilette) detailed with the left arm being dedicated to his son and the accident, and the right arm including the pelvis to show his son’s worst injury spot.

“It’s an honor to have a piece of my story on my father,” Jack said.

Jack says that his father is a man who looks out for others and loves what he does.

Many people might think Mike is kidding when he says he is living the dream every single day, but he is not joking. He loves his job and he loves helping out students, some-

thing he found a passion for while attending Hoffman Estates High School.

His physics and astronomy teachers, Will Vrba and Chuck Hanna, inspired him to become a teacher because of how fun they made their classes. This, along with his life pursuit to help people, made him realize his desire to be a teacher.

Mike went on to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a major in physics. He has now been a teacher for 32 years, the first two being at Lane Tech College Prep

and the last thirty at Prospect. He now teaches calculus, geometry and education pathway courses.

Mike has now been the boys’ varsity volleyball coach at Prospect for 28 years. He has had many achievements, like coaching the team to place fourth in the state in 1997.

One of Mike’s best coaching moments was 10 years ago when Prospect won the MSL championship against Barrington. At the time, Prospect was a huge underdog, and the bleachers were packed with the rowdy fans.

Another sport he loves, and one he participates in more actively, is running. He has run twelve marathons so far, but it wasn’t always so easy. When he started running, Mike wasn’t in the best of health, so he was pushed to pick up the activity.

He would just go out and run two to three miles at a time until he built himself up to be able to run a marathon. He has made some of his lifestyle running and he completed his best marathon time of three hours and 49 minutes at Disney World on his 50th birthday. He was very emotional approaching the finish line; he cried and laughed out of pride and happiness. Beyond physical changes, running has changed his mental mindset and is now something he keeps up with often.

“I went over the finish line running like a 6’2” crying baby,” Mike said.

He was there for his son when he needed it, and he’s there for his students as well.

“He goes into every day with a positive attitude just looking to help people that need it,” Jack said.

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6 INDEPTH

DECEMBER 10, 2021

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

The Joy Of ho

‘Tis the season to give back Prospect community spreads holiday spirit by supporting local organizations

Both of these show Prospect’s impact and willingness to provide, especially during the holiday season.

But it isn’t just Prospect eager to give back during this season. In fact, according to Network For Good, nearly 31% of yearly giving occurs in December alone. While the winter months in temperature are cold, it seems that when it comes to sharing gratitude and giving back, they are the warmest months of all.

For Knott, giving back has always been a ELLA MITCHELL large part of her holiday season. Inspired by her mother’s passion for giving back to the Copy Editor community as a youth minister at Saint Raymonds, Knott began helping alongside her unior Taylor Knott has always valued mom with the efforts to give back, starting giving back. Whether it be supporting with visiting Timothy’s Ministry at age six or those who are homeless or spending seven. time at an organization she cares about, like Located in Chicago, Timothy’s Ministry Timothy’s Ministry, Knott and her family started up back in 2002, shortly after the passstrive to give back, especially during the holing of the founder Marian Alvarado’s son, idays. It is the warm feeling of helping others Timothy. Whether it be emptying his pockets that keeps her involved in such things. of change or inviting a person who was homeOne weekend when Knott was volunteerless into the comfort of his own home for three ing at Timothy’s Ministry, a nonprofit that months, Timothy was passionate about helpserves people who are homeless, she rememing others. Inspired by her son’s efforts, Albers a mother and her small child coming in. varado started Timothy’s Ministry in order to The woman was stressed, and the child was give back to the community by hosting people fussy. For only an hour or so, Knott was able that are homeless for a meal. to share this woman’s burden and support her Ever since that first encounter with the orby entertaining the child while the mother reganization, Knott has continued to volunteer, ceived a hot meal. especially around the holiday season. Giving A small effort by Knott, made by someback in this way has always been a valuable one who cares, can really go the mile. In the experience to both Knott and her family. warmth of the holidays, ‘tis the season of giv“Once you experience something like that, ing back and joy. The two are more connected it really opens your eyes a lot and makes you a than one might think with a strong correlalot more empathetic towards their situation,” tion found between sharing gratitude and Knott said. “It is obviously not a great feeling happiness. The opportunities to give back this to walk past or see someone struggling and holiday season are plentiful. homeless on the streets, but when you actualGiving can be seen in so many ways at Prosly talk to them and build connections through pect and in the community. Service Club, Astalking and seeing them all the time, it besociated Student Body and plenty of other orcomes a lot more significant.” ganizations have all contributed to this month Additionally, an annual practice for Knott of Prospect Provides. With Knights’ Way foand her family is to buy gift cards to distribcusing on selflessness, the “You Got Gobbled” ute to people who are homeless in Chicago. community drive and Volley for a Cure, many For as long as Knott can remember, her family Prospect organizations have joined together has purchased a bunch of gift cards, typicalto give back throughout the entirety of second ly in increments of $5 but sometimes more, quarter. to distribute. The goal of the giftcards is not Service Club has also taken on three main only to provide some sort of food, but also the drives this holiday season. Two of the drives ability to get into one of these restaurants for were the Music & Memory Donation Drive and warmth. The Knotts distribute the cards — a nonperishable food drive. The final drive so typically for places like McDonalds or Starfar was creating cards to honor active duty bucks — as they walk around the city. service members and veterans.

“I think for them, it feels good that According to Service Club people care,” Knott said. “Especially advisor Erik Hammerin the city, a lot of times people strom, the cards are just trying to get to work for the veterans and go on with their days and the food and don’t really pay drive have been attention to a Prospect homeless peotradition for ple as much. years. InitialI think even ly kick-started if you don’t under the advihave anything sorship of former to give back, a service club sponsor nice smile or David Jacobson, Ser[saying], ‘Have - Daria Schaffeld, AP vice Club advisors a nice day,’ and students alike means a lot.”

Psychology teacher have continued to keep the It seems that tradition alive. the spirit of giving is in the air at Moments like dropping off the both Prospect and within the comcards to the active service members munity. With all this giving-back, it and veterans is when Hammerstrom is able begs the question: why now? to see, firsthand, the importance of the work Two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. being done through these drives. Many times Emmons of the University of California the stacks of cards are simply dropped off, but in Davis and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the he remembers one time in particular where University of Miami might have an answer in reading one of these cards brought a tear to their research about gratitude. the recipient’s eye.

In a study they performed, they request“Those kinds of cards, especially those that ed all participants to write a few sentences really hit home and the heart, can end up on a during the week, each focusing on certain topwall in a faraway base or camp. They can end ics. One group wrote about events they were up in a drawer or footlocker for years where grateful for that occurred during the week, people look back on it and think, ‘This one reanother described daily irritations, while a ally made my day’ or ‘This one really made my third was given no direction and was told simknow that people really care.’” ply to write about things that affected them.

Additionally, the cumulative efforts toAfter 10 weeks of entries, it was found that wards giving-back is evident through the total those who wrote about gratitude were more number of items donated to the food drive. optimistic and generally felt better about their While there is no exact count, Hammerstrom lives. The benefits of gratitude did not simply would estimate that nearly 6,000 items were extend to attitude, but also to physical health. donated.

Participants asked to write about gratitude

J

THE NEED FOR KINDNESS SHOULD BE ALL YEAR LONG.”

cited that they exercised more and visited the doctor less often than their counterparts that focused on more negative points.

Cause and effect can not be asserted in an experiment such as this, however, the correlation between the two should not be ignored.

Perhaps it is this warm feeling of happiness that gratitude brings that explains the increase in holiday giving.

AP Psychology teacher Daria Schaffeld reckons that the fact that the winter months hold several holidays anchored in food, family and get-togethers also plays a role in why people are more inclined to give back during this holiday season.

Since some families have to worry about bills or other necessities, things like toys or fancy feasts for the holiday might not be at the forefront of their priorities. Christmas, in particular, is a holiday centered around kids, so it’s natural that people want to share the feel-good of the holidays for the youngsters.

Whether it be through food drives or adopting a child during this holiday season, many people are willing to give-back and spread a bit of joy this season.

For Schaffeld herself, giving has always been important. Doing it less for personal gain and more to help others, Schaffeld also encourages her students to contribute as well.

In her AP Psychology class, the students are currently working to adopt a child for the holidays. Spearheaded at Prospect by Administrative Assistant to the Principal Laricia Vazquez, this program is meant to provide different gifts and such to children during the holidays. The Social Science Department adopted two kids, AP Psychology adopted one and Schaffeld and her son adopted another.

“You know, I think that it’s a time of the year where I’ve always [given back],” Schaffeld said.

“It’s part of my upbringing. It’s part of my adulthood now. I have a nine-year-old son, and he knows that’s just kind of how we roll … It makes me feel proud that I can help and give back. And I think it helps my son learn that there is a range of fortunate people out there, and it is good for him to help others.”

It is always important to give back, especially during the holidays. That being said, the year does have twelve months, and the need for giving-back doesn’t magically pop up only for November and December.

There is always a need to be filled, so giving shouldn’t be limited to only the season of joy.

“As a society, we go big in November and December because of the holidays, which is great, but the need for kindness should be all year long,” Schaffeld said.

cartoon by Rey Tello

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

INDEPTH

DECEMBER 10, 2021

oliday Giving

7

Prospect students answer the question:

“What brings you holiday joy?”

“I get happiness during the holidays by looking at Christmas trees and drinking hot chocolate.”

- Sean Beihoffer, senior

“Seeing my friends and family and getting a break from school. Oh! And presents! ”

- Maia Johnson, junior

“Being with family and eating pie. Specifically pecan pie with vanilla ice cream and coffee.”

- Noemi Patyk, junior

“Waking up with the feeling of no work from the semester to worry about while spending time with friends and family.”

- Makayla Zurbuch, junior

“I’m grateful for my friends and family. This feeling of appreciation is strengthened during the holiday season but lasts year round.”

- Melania Grzesik, senior

“Being around my family and seeing relatives I only see around the holidays.”

- Sammy Hong, junior

8 FEATURES

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

DECEMBER 10, 2021

Social media changes advertising game DEAN CARLSON News Reporter

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unior Julia Neugebauer was scrolling through Instagram recently when she was suddenly caught off-guard by an advertisement that she then decided to click on “It feels like [the ad] knows what I want, and it’s just right there on my phone … [the advertisements knew] exactly what I was looking for at that exact moment,” Neugebauer said.

With the increased use of online platforms, businesses have started to use social media and the internet to their advantage, shifting the way they have traditionally advertised. This has impacted the way people have shopped too, especially for those who frequently use these platforms like Neugebauer, who says she often buys one to two products per week, usually through Instagram.

Now that the holidays are coming up, people plan to make large purchases. This has led to a noticeable increase in advertising.

According to Statista, the total amount of money spent on general advertising in North America in 2020 amounted to $249.8 billion, which was higher than the previous year. It is also expected to rise to $282.8 billion by the end of 2021.

In these ads, the companies try to use tactics ensuring that it gets clicked on.

ADD TO CART: A teenager scrolls through Instagram, suddenly stopped by an online advertisment which she then uses to make a purchase for the holidays. Advertisers have been using social media increasingly to reach a more specific audience on a wider scale. (photo illustration by Luis Hernandez)

One of these tactics is using social media to reach a wider audience. According to blacklinko.com, as of 2021, there are 4.48 billion people actively using social media globally, compared to 3.69 billion in 2020. Because of this, every year, billions of dollars are spent on advertising on social media in the United States.

According to data from InfluencerMarketingHub.com, the money spent on social media ads reached $40 billion in 2021.

Businesses are expected to spend over $55 billion towards promoting their products InfluencerMarketingHub.com on social media

$56 Billion

are expected to be spent towards social media advertising in 2022* *according to

platforms this year.

Subsequently, Instagram is taking advantage of this, and more companies are paying to put their ads on the platform.

Neugebauer said she did most of her shopping for the holidays online mostly due to the fact that there were online ads for the items she intended on purchasing.

“Sometimes I say to myself, ‘I didn’t really need that,’” Neugebauer said. “The fact that it was on a well-known social media app, it made me feel like other people had it, so it was like, ‘I should have it as well.’”

This is a common phenomenon that triggers impulse buying. Impulse buying occurs when an enticing ad pops up right away, and it pulls you in to buy it immediately without thinking if you actually need it.

Like Neugebauer, some feel that online ads are more effective in persuading their spending because of their perpetual visibility, unlike in-person ads.

“I’m on my phone more, so [the advertisements] pop out more [and] grab my attention. But in the real world, I’m not really looking around for ads. Whereas, since I’m on my phone [the ads] are right in front of me,” Neugebauer said.

“And because of COVID-19, I haven’t gone out shopping recently, so I’m not used to it and I don’t really see the need [to do so] anymore.”

This explains why there has been an increase in purchases for social media and online advertisements. Because individuals find themselves indoors and using the internet more, partly due to the pandemic, businesses use online advertising to their advantage.

With the increase in phone purchases in 2021, according to Statista, businesses made sure to take this opportunity to get their ads in front of the eyes of as many consumers as possible, one smartphone at a time.

“The fact that our phones today are manipulated in such a way is very different from phones 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 years ago … matters … because we used to only see ads on TV or on a billboard,” AP Psychology teacher Daria Schaffeld said.

“Now literally almost every hour of the day, advertisements are hitting our brains … It’s always easy to just click-click.”

Business teacher Andrea Izenstark attributes the success to social media ads to marketing groups being able to target specific demographics and groups based on their online activity. Prior to this, advertisers weren’t able to use such strategies because they didn’t have tools to use such precision consumer tracking that platforms like Facebook and Google provide.

Now, platforms like Facebook and Google have data points where they are stored from targeted individuals. This is why individuals, like Media Analysis teacher Cambria Myers, may suddenly feel bombarded by ads featuring interests that they share.

“The algorithms are the biggest game changer in advertising,” Myers said. “[Google and Facebook] store what I like, what I click on, where I live, what type of computer I’m using…my age, my gender, and so on. So [I] get these ads that are tailored towards me, and that is called ‘targeted direct advertising.’”

While these social media-based advertising strategies may become the standard for marketing, Myers worries about how it will change e-commerce in the future.

“The way that [social media] ... is trending is that [advertising] ... will be personalized to people,” Myers said. “... Businesses are going to figure out, ‘Who is the type of person [and] who do we think will want to buy this product?’… If they can do that effectively, then that’s going to be really good for businesses, but not necessarily for the consumers.”

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DECEMBER 10, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

9

Gossip and drama: a royal curse I

remember once hearing that if life is like a football game: your friends are the people that you go to the game with, and your family are the drunk people sitting behind you that spill beer down your back.

Every family’s dynamic is unique and dysfunctional in its own way. Now, what if that same level of dysfunction was projected on an international scale? What if audiences around the world were made aware of every time your dad left the toilet seat up or every time your sibling stormed up to their room to pout? Well, you wouldn’t just be dysfunctional; you’d be the House of KEVIN Windsor.

LYNCH Ever since (and preceding) ElizaCopy Editor beth II’s coronation as Queen of England in 1953, the British royal family (the House of Windsor) has been a constant in popular culture and the media. Even in spite of new trends and mediums of communication, gossip, drama and scandal surrounding the family has made headlines for decades.

It’s pretty widely understood that monarchies are a highly outdated form of government by modern standards; if you don’t agree, then you clearly need to cram a few more bomb pops and Budweisers down your throat until you see the red, white and blue light.

The title of “Queen of England” may have certain connotations in our heads, but according to the royal family’s official website, the Queen and the rest of the family don’t possess any true political power and serve more of a ceremonial and formal role in government.

That seems a little silly, sure, but, in all fairness, the U.S. does have its fair share of nonsensical tradit ions that serve n o purpose, such as the president i a l turkey pa rdoning, the White House Easter egg roll and the Office of the Vice President.

The royal family does, however, serve another purpose altogether: they are the stars of their very own 24/7 reality show. Now, the Windsors’ worldwide notoriety isn’t exactly a secret. In my experience, there are two firm camps when it comes to the royal family: the people who follow news and gossip surrounding the family religiously and then the productive half of society.

Speaking personally, while I like to think I belong in the second group, I did, in fact, sit indifferently through all six seasons (and one cash-grabby movie) of “Downton Abbey” and groaned miserably through roughly half of “The Crown.”

Given this experience, I’ve picked up several things. For one, children of the royal family are essentially bound into becoming celebrities themselves for the rest of their lives. Even though it might be every little girl’s dream to grow up and become a princess, I would have to guess that the job loses its luster a few egregious tabloid covers in.

Former royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle both shared accounts of their worsened mental health as a part of their time with the royal family in their highly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey

THAT’S THE TEA: News and gossip of the British royals still surrounds U.S. culture, even today. However, this constant coverage of the family can be incredibly harmful to the royals, innocuous as it may seem. (illustration by Kevin Lynch) earlier this year. This included their mental health depreciating to the point of suicidal thoughts in the case of Meghan, according to Insider. When she spoke to others in the family, Meghan said that she was told to keep quiet and not seek professional help out of a fear of hurting the family’s image.

And keep quiet she did, until the couple decided to leave the royal family in early 2020 to focus on their health and raising their children.

Now, I’m not arguing that Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the family are to blame for this treatment of the couple — not by a long shot.

In fact, I would argue that the rest of the family is just as victimized as Harry and Meghan.

The true cause of the p r o b lem, as in most scenarios, is obnoxious Br it ish people.

In this c a s e , the root of the problem lies with t ho s e w h o write for the endless drove of tabloids that flood British and American newsstands.

According to CBS, the royal family essentially relies on the media to make them look good and justify their existence (which is paid for partially by taxpayer money), and that’s why they, in turn, give news outlets access to the drama and intrigue in order to build their public appearance. Each year, the Queen gets a Sovereign Grant equal to 25% of the profits the Crown’s estate makes that year; the grant was roughly $107 million in 2019, according to Insider.

And you can bet the farm that being a routine topic of every daytime talk show on the planet is a surefire way to increase said profits. In addition to single-handedly monopolizing the cover of “People,” the royals also provide the lifeblood for sleazy magazines and tabloids as well.

THERE ARE TWO FIRM CAMPS WHEN IT COMES TO THE ROYAL FAMILY: THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW NEWS AND GOSSIP ...

RELIGIOUSLY AND THE PRODUCTIVE HALF OF SOCIETY.”

MEDIA INFLUENCE ON THE ROYALS

If you need further proof of the sleaze, look no further than the Daily Mail. According to CNN, the paper ran the headline “KATE MADE ME CRY” just hours after Harry and Meghan’s tell-all interview while also displaying a banner on its website that read “I WANTED TO KILL MYSELF.” Not to mention, while I was researching on CNN’s website, a highly specific pop-up blocked my screen asking if I wanted to subscribe for “weekly updates on the Windsors.”

If CNN of all publications is banking on covering the royals, you had better bet that there are a thousand tabloids that pray fervently each night for some major royal scandal to arise so that they can keep the lights on.

According to the Tyndall Report, a site that tracks the nightly news coverage of the major news networks, the British royals were reported on for a total of 867 minutes in the last decade. For perspective, that’s more than Iraq, North Korea, Israel-Palestine and gun control all received.

In all truth, much of my opinion about the royals comes from this distasteful coverage; I am genuinely baffled by the idea of people reading a tabloid and decrying Meghan’s worsened mental health while being completely unaware the very magazine they’re holding is the very source of the problem.

If magazines and newspapers are actually upset about the situation and want Meghan, Harry and the rest of the royals to be free from the constant scrutiny, then why are they still plastered on front page after front page? The answer, of course, is that coverage of the royals brings in money, and like the saying goes, you can’t make an omelette without cracking a few Brits.

It’s not politics, it’s not human interest and it sure isn’t relevant, but the drama that the royals stir up brings in readers, viewers and subscribers, and, hey, everyone else is already covering it, right? Hell, even I’m writing about it at the end of the day. And you’re reading about it right now.

Of course, there are actual issues

1997

worthy of coverage surrounding the royals, such as the alleged racism described in Harry and Meghan’s interview or Prince Andrews’ alleged sexual assault of a minor.

The thing is, the majority of this coverage is simply meant to provoke its readers and stir up drama rather than actually call out the people involved and enact change.

While it was certainly anticlimactic to write all of this just for it to lead to “royal family equals bad,” the real problem doesn’t lie with any one person or group. The entire system of the royal family perpetuates a culture of suffering in silence while simultaneously putting the royals’ lives on display for the drama-hungry public to consume.

In many ways, the royals are fascinating; they’re a snapshot of the romantic spirit from the bygone days of kings and queens which has captured the imagination and attention of people around the world. But at what expense? The media has essentially forced the Windsor family to act for a living; whenever they deviate from their roles, they’re blasted on the front page for all to see.

Obviously, this isn’t a problem with a clear solution, but at the very least, society needs to take an honest look at the way people follow modern-day celebrities. We might think that we would never lead our favorite celeb to thoughts of suicide, but how well do we really know that person?

The royals may be antiquated, but they’re still people, people trying their best to survive in a life where their every action is liable to be reported on and misconstrued.

The royals may not be my favorite people in the world, but they deserve better than to live life simply in order for the media to cover them. It would be nice if the royal family was a relic of the past, but until then, it seems like the ordinary people may just have more sovereignty than their “rulers.”

2020

1992

Duchess of york sarah ferguson is forced out of the family due to NEGATIVE media coverage

PRincess Diana is killed in a car crash while being hounded by the Paparazzi

Prince harry and meghan exit the royal family due to the strain on their mental health

10

SPORTS

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

DECEMBER 10, 2021

Will leads charge for basketball

NIC Fardella Sports Reporter

T

he girls’ basketball team finished a solid 2020-21 season with a record of 12-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play, ending second in the East. The girls are working to secure more success this year by winning the East, which would be their first time winning that Division in over 10 years.

“We are a very hardworking and motivated team,” senior point guard Andie Will said.

“We set high goals like winning the East and going to state, [and] I feel like we can reach those goals.”

The Knights are hoping to reach those targets this year through their strong team chemistry. Along with Will, Jess Reizer, Katie Neal, Macy Zei, Summer Srodulski and Cam Mather have all played together since sixth grade on the South Middle School team.

Playing with the same people for eight years is truly an advantage, and it creates a bond that is hard to break.

We grew up together. [It makes] our last year of high school … fun, playing with them every day,” Will said.

Will committed to Colorado College on Nov. 12; a Division three school in Colorado Springs. Will was also looked at by Brown, Bowdoin College and Southern New Hampshire University, until Colorado College ultimately won the Will sweepstakes.

“The coaching staff, athletic director and every person I met was such a great person and so influential,” Will said. “Colorado Springs is an amazing, beautiful and fun city. It is a great school and I am really lucky to go there.”

The recruiting process for Will was strange to say the least. Because of COVID-19, Will had to send the college coaches the links to the games because very few people were allowed to watch them last year in-person.

“Will is a very talented player. She puts in a lot of work in her game,” head coach Mathew Weber said. “Basketball players are made in the off-season. She puts a lot of time into working on it and improving it.” During

Girls’ Basketball Fast Facts Record: 6-2 Points per game: 45.38 Points against per game: 37.12 Leading scorer: Andie will(11.5) Leading rebounder: Kathryn Keehn (5.5) most 3-pointers made: jessica reizer (10) *As of Dec. 8 the off-season, Will is constantly working at the gym, whether it be playing with her sisters or with her friends. She is also part of an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team in the off-season called All In Athletics. Will goes to KR Training, located in Buffalo Grove, a gym she uses four days a week for an hour and a half each day.

Both of Will’s sisters played in high school and college. Her sister Taylor played at Brown University, and her other sister, Haley, played at NYU. Will type of leader. She prefers to show her teammates what to do instead of just telling them.

“Every day on the court I try to work as hard as I can, always listening and following directions,” Will said. “The easy thing is to contribute [into the team is] being a good player.”

Being the point guard of a basketball team means that the ball is in Will’s hands to start every possession.

“Will commands the court,” Weber said. “[She] leads by example, [she’s] hardworking [and is a] great teammate. [She] wants her teammates to be just as successful as her.”

With her last season at Prospect beginning, Will also gives great advice to her younger teammates about their time on the team.

“Don’t take any day for granted. Have fun every single day because it goes by really fast,” Will said.

DRIBBLING IT: Senior captain point guard Andie Will dribbles the ball up the court on Dec. 4 against Palatine. The girls won the game 52-41, and Will finished the game with a game high 21 points. (photo by Alexis Esparza)

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Discover what’s behind Will Baysinger’s Success

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DECEMBER 10, 2021

SPORTS

11

Basketball star makes his return ZACH MORETH

Executive Sports Editor

T

1 in 3,000

athletes in The United States tear their ACL.

he day was Jan. 29th, 2021. At the time, junior Al Kazuk showed up to according to Washington university physicians basketball tryouts as usual. Kazuk has played for as long as he can remember and was planning to make the varsity roster as a guard, going into the 2021 season. Tryouts were going as expected for Al, until he performed a move he’d done a million times: a pull-up jump shot. Suddenly, in mid-air, he felt a pop in his knee. Al fell down in pain imAccording to a national study from 2013 mediately.

“I knew it was something serious because I’ve never felt anything like that,” Al said. was that he wasn’t 100%, which would get frusHaving a one in 15,000 chance to happen for trating,” Kristen said. high school athletes, Al had torn his ACL. He Although Al did his leg work, he still found wouldn’t see another play of basketball until himself with lots of downtime. Instead of drivthe winter of 2021. ing around with friends, working out or pracRight after the incident, Al called his mom, ticing basketball, Al now spent his nights stuck Kristen Kazuk, and informed her he needed to on his couch, usually watching the nightly be taken to the emergency room.

NBA games on TNT and ESPN. Through all “I didn’t the down time, Al luckily had an abundance of rea l i ze support, especially from his family. how bad it “They’ve been awesome,” Al said. “They’ve was,” Krisbeen with me every ten said. step of the way, wheth“When I er it’s encouraging me spoke with or keeping my head him on the up when I [get] down. phone, I They’ve been the bigsaid, ‘Can gest supporters I’ve you drive had.” h o m e ? ’ Finally, after eight and he said, long months without ‘I don’t think basketball, Al has been - Al Kazuk, senior so.’And then I allowed to return for his senior was like, ‘Oh … something’s up.’” year. He was cleared on Oct. 15, which gave Al knew that he was in need of an MRI, Al the opportunity to play in the St. Viator which informed him about his ACL injury; he Thanksgiving Classic tournament, which took then had surgery on Feb. 18. The recovery pro- place on Nov. 22-27. Al averaged about eight cess began from then until Oct. 15. minutes per game in the tournament.

In that period, Al was deeply missed by the In the Knights’ second game against team.

Streamwood, they took an easy victory, win“When I heard the news about Al I really ning 79-36. Although Al’s minutes were limitfelt bad for him because I know how hard of a ed, he still scored 11 points in the team’s big worker he is,” junior and varsity guard Nolan win.

Murray said.

Not only does Al bring presence to the While grinding through recovery, Al had court, but he also brings heart. to re-teach his leg how to function properly.

“It motivates us because seeing him come He was given exercises and physical therapy back from such a serious injury is inspiring to treatment to get it back to full strength. He the team and pushes us to work just as hard as had sessions with therapists about three times he did,” Murray said. every week and worked on only leg exercises, Since returning on the court, Al is playing like jumping and running, which eventually with the injuries of his past, which can someturned into squatting and lunging. After sev- times lead to fear that his injury may return. eral long months, Al’s leg was finally in shape “It’s definitely scary getting back out there to start practicing again. and playing again,” Al said. “I just have to During recovery, Kristen mentioned how trust the work I put in and trust the trainers, Al was “committed” to doing all of the physical families, doctors and surgeons that cleared me therapy prescribed to him. to play.”

“He was working hard, the only struggle

5.5%

of male high school ACL injuries occur on the basketball court.

[MY FAMILY HAS] BEEN THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS I’VE HAD.”

Boys’ BasketBall schedule dec. 10 @ elk Grove dec. 17 @ hersey dec 18 vs lyons township dec 21 vs niles north dec 27-30 @ wheelinG tournament Jan 4 vs BarrinGton Jan 7 vs Buffalo Grove Jan 14 vs rollinG meadows Jan 20 vs wheelinG Jan 22 @ stevenson Jan 30 vs GlenBrook s. (united center) feB 1 vs hersey feB 4 @ rollinG meadows feB 5 @ prairie school feB 8 vs GlenBrook north feB 11 @ Buffalo Grove feB 15 vs palatine BUCKETS: Senior Al Kazuk works on his shot during practice. Kazuk missed his entire junior season due to an ACL tear and was cleared on Oct. 15 to return for his senior season. Kazuk made his first appearence in the St. Viator Thanksgiving Classic tournament where he scored 11 points in the Knights second game vs Streamwood. (photo by Alexis Esparza.)

Follow through football’s journey to semifinals Prospect football had an impressive season finishing the regular season with a 7-2 record and making it all the way to the semifinals during their playoff run. Scan the QR codes below to relive some crucial moments and games from the season.

Cameron Sullivan and Jacob Siciliano sit down with football headcoach, Dan Debeouf, and quarterback, Frank Covey before week one to preview the Knights’ season.

Dive into a recap of the Knights big road victory against the Hersey Huskies. ON the Huskies homecoming game, the Knights held onto the 24-23 win.

CAPTION: The Knights’ defense celebrates after holding the Jacobs Eagles to 21 points in the quarterfinal game. (photo by Alexis Esparza.)

In the opening round of the playoffs, the Knights took care of the Shepard Astros in an easy 28-0 victory. Relive the huge first round win with a game recap.

Read about the Knights incredible 35-21 victory against the Jacobs eagles in the IHSA playoffs quarterfinal game. The win qualified the Knights to play in the semifinals the following week.

12

SPORTS

CURRENTLY ON PROSPECTORNOW.COM... check out the latest action of all your favorite Prospect sports here

December 10th, 2021

Girls' cross country makes historic run

How the program became an unstoppable force PJ O'GRADY & EMMA LETZIG

Exec Sports Editor & KnightTV Exec Producer

F

ootball and track and field coach Dave Wurster expected to be the new assistant coach for the Prospect girls’ cross country team in 1996.

The original head coach, Dan Nelson, had resigned, and the energetic assistant coach Paul Paynter got promoted to the head coach’s spot. Paynter was on the hunt for a teaching position when he was promoted, and by chance, two days before the season began, Paynter got a teaching job in Colorado, so Wurster became the new head coach immediately.

Consequently, right before the season, Wurster had to scramble to coach the girls’ cross country team after coaching the track camp before that. What followed completely revolutionized the course of the girls’ cross country program in the years to come.

Wurster knew some changes needed to be made to the team. He said he started with the program’s original coaching style for a while, but after a bit he started to coach his own way.

To do this effectively, he began reading articles on running coach Jack Daniels’ cross country methods and tips.

The changes made by Wurster and successive coaches in the following years would all contribute to the successful years ahead for the team.

When current head coach Pete Wintermute took over the girls’ program in 2014, he continued the legacy of a successful team, becoming 2021 4x800 meter state champions and 2021 cross country state runner-ups this fall, which became the best season the girls’ cross country team has had in school history. The program has qualified for state 17 times in its history, and has accumulated seven top five finishes at state.

This dominant program has been building upon itself for years now.

The program had always had enough talent to work with, but Wurster’s main concern in the beginning was with how many kids were on the team his first year.

Wurster said that he had about 18-20 kids on his first team, which is less than half of the 45 kids that were on the team in Wurster’s last season in 2013. In order to build up the program’s numbers, he did his best to make the team more fun, while also keeping the intensity and training at a premium.

“It’s not an easy sport to love, because all you do is a lot of running, and most people don’t like to run a lot, most people don’t like to run at all,” Wurster said. “So, I tried to make it as fun as I could.”

Former Prospect runner and current Hersey girls’ cross country coach Annette White said that Wurster knew how to find the medium between fun and work.

“He was extremely supportive, and he had the perfect balance, I would say, of being hard on us, while still making us feel like he was there for us,” White said.

Wurster would implement pasta parties on Fridays before big Saturday invitational meets, and in addition he would buy Slurpees from 7-11 for the girls once a week after practice, a tradition carried on by Wintermute as well. Wurster explained that creating little things to look forward to each week made a big difference for the girls.

White enjoyed her time on the team a lot; she joined when one of her friends got her interested in running, and since then she hasn’t stopped.

“I think it was probably one of the best decisions that I ever made, joining cross country,” White said. “It definitely shaped my high school experience

MSL Conference Champs 10/16

[and] my high school career, [and] the girls run as head coach. In that time, he finished that I ran with really became more like best with seven Mid Suburban League East friends than my teammates.”

(MSL) division championships, two MSL In spite of the fun, Wurster, like conference championships, five IHSA many coaches, was serious a b o u t regional championships, one IHSA sectional working hard. He installed championship and seven IHSA state meet a creative training appearances, placing in the top ten five of program that included those seven times. weightlifting, sprints, In 2002, Wintermute, affectionately long runs and pool nicknamed “Wint” by his runners, workouts. was hired as the boys’ assistant cross For most people, country coach. After eight years with the it’s difficult to stay boys’ program, Wintermute switched motivated with tougher over to the girls’ program in 2010 to coach tasks, so there is no with Wurster. Ultimately, in 2014, question that Wintermute was hired as the head it’s hard at coach of the girls’ cross country times to team. keep a cross In Wintermute’s eight country team years as head coach, motivated. the team has been Wurster MSL East division kept that in champions mind when s e v e n coaching years, MSL the girls, conference and he champions made sure five years, IHSA to teach regional champions six years, the team IHSA sectional champions for the why they past four years in a row and has did certain qualified for state the past five workouts like long years in a row. runs, recovery runs, “[Coach Wintermute] took over and weightlifting. my program, and he has soared “You might hold with it,” Wurster said. “He’s done back a little bit, you a great job and I’m very proud of might not be giving him.” your 100% when you The reason for the success of don’t know why you’re the team? Wintermute says that doing it,” Wurster said. he really does not have a specific In his coaching years, reason, but that their success is Wurster was very organized mainly due to the and analytical; he was former coaches, always keeping stats for the the parents meets they ran. White said and the that Wurster was “amazingly athletes dedicated to the sport” and w h o that he was always able to find answers to her questions or contribute so much to provide support when needed. the team.

“He really became like a In the sport of cross country, second father figure to me where successes can easily be in high school and beyond,” measured on a stopwatch, setting White said. goals and following through with Like all great teams, them is important. No matter whether the program needed strong an athlete is the fastest runner on the team leadership. One year, Wurster or the slowest, every athlete is able to track noticed that his upcoming their personal success, unlike in many other group of seniors didn’t have team sports. enough of an initiative to guide “The goal here is personal growth and [to the team. His first tactic was to create] that atmosphere where … athletes force leadership qualities onto feel the ability and the opportunities to push them, but that didn’t work. So their own limits, and we celebrate … all in response, Wurster sent out those successes,” Wintermute a survey to all the levels of said.

Sophomore the team to see if anyone else A unique aspect to Prospect's Lily Ginsberg wanted to apply for a spot success is the middle school runs at the MSL to help lead the team. If cross country programs that Wurster felt it conference meet. many athletes participate in was appropriate, (photo by Alyssa before coming to high school. he would try South Middle School, Lincoln Degan) to encourage Middle School and the private aspiring leaders using schools in the area run at a very positive talk, even if they were just a high level. sophomore.

“I think having feeder schools around “Those older girls had a huge impact on here is very influential in terms of the type us as freshmen, and then I think we picked of success in all the high school programs.” up on their leadership skills . . . and really Wintemute said. then [we] were able to become those leaders, However, entering a high school cross because of how we saw them when we were country program still differs from middle younger,” White said. school, and the added stress on setting goals Wurster retired after the 2013 is one of those differences. Under Wurster, season to wrap up an impressive the girls would answer 18-year surveys at the end of each Ranked 20th in the season so that Midwest Nike they entire country

IHSA Sectional Champs

10/30

Cross Country Regionals Runners Up 11/14

IHSA State Runners-ups

11/25 2021 Season Accomplishments

11/6

could focus on what they needed to improve on for next season. Wintermute continued to implement this idea, and for season-long goals, athletes make colorful and creative goal sheets on paper that they can then hang in their athletic locker.

Throughout the season, the seniors choose a way that specific meet goals are

read about Steve Shaffer's take on how Prospect feeder schools impact the Knights made. Two years ago, each girl wrote their goal down on a ribbon before each meet and pinned it on their backpack. Last year, the girls wrote down goals on Post-It notes and pinned them up on a goal board along with the rest of the team’s goals. This year, athletes would write their goals down on their hand before the race, so as to always have a constant reminder of what they were trying to achieve.

“I think that it’s sometimes hard for people to set themselves out there and kind of push what was once thought is like a barrier, because many times you don't reach your goals, but it's the process along the way [that matters],” Wintermute said. “It's the journey of getting towards that goal.”

One thing Wintermute emphasizes is that the athletes themselves must be the ones willing to push themselves to achieve their ambitious goals.

“The athletes [come] to practice with a positive attitude,” Wintermute said. “[They] come to practice with a willingness to be challenged and excitement to be challenged and a willingness to challenge each other to ultimately be the best versions of [themselves they] can be every day.”

Prospect’s top four cross country runners, Hailey Erickson, Audrey Ginsberg, Lily Ginsberg and Cameron Kalaway were 4x800 meter state champions in the 2021 track and field season. Working together every day to become better runners creates a bond comparable to family.

“Our team is really strong,” Erickson said. “[We] are really close friends, [and] it’s a really cool environment. [I love] going to practice every day and just having [my] best friends run with [me].”

Becoming state champions was not only a huge accomplishment for these girls, but it also helped them form a winner’s mindset.

“Winning is contagious,” Wintermute said. “When you see friends, when you see teammates that have done it, it starts to create that belief in yourself that, ‘This is attainable. This is something I can do. This is something I want to be a part of.’"

Overall, the Prospect girls’ cross country program is a remarkable one, and, due to hard work, a lot of planning and a vision, this program has earned its recognition.

This season’s success in particular was impactful. The last state trophy the program got was nearly 30 years ago in 1989, which was when the team placed 3rd in state. Three times Wurster placed 5th at state. They were in 2008, 2010, and 2011. So, after the team’s state run this season, Wurster was emotional.

“I was so excited for them,” Wurster said. “ … I was in tears because it's been a long time coming [and] … we were really close a few times and we just never quite got it.”

Wurster said the biggest reason that this program is so successful is because of the community around them. He explained the cooperation of the middle schools, the summer cross country camps and the engaged and involved parents all are a big part of the program.

“There’s an old African saying, ‘It takes a village to build a kid,’ and it takes a village to build a kid in cross country as well,” Wurster said.

IHSA Regional Champs 10/23

MSL East Champs 9/28