Volume 51, Issue 1
Monday, September 19, 2011
TheVoice of Prospect since 1960
ROSPECTOR 801 West Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
For a review of the new stores at Randhurst... Check out Opinion, page 6
Mandatory spirit? This year’s first pep assembly was mandatory for all students, a change from last year. What was the effect on the level of school spirit at the assembly? For the answer, see... Staff Editorial, page 5
Where the money goes
When teachers aren’t teaching... Teachers don’t spend all their time at school, and some spend their time doing everything from playing all-staff basketball games to playing in a band. For more, turn to... In-Depth, pages 8-9
Creativity on display While art and creative writing classes give students an outlet for their artistic endeavors, Roundtable, the student-run arts magazine, helps students get recognition. Check out... Entertainment, page 11
New year brings new prices, renovations By Meghan Doyle Executive News Editor Senior Kyle Scott was in for a surprise when he went to pay for his four cafeteria cookies. Instead of being 25 cents each as in previous years, the total bill came to $2, making each cookie 50 cents — a 100 percent increase in price. “I used to be able to go up with $5 and still have change for after school,” Scott said. Now, however, Scott must spend the majority of his $5 on his midday lunch rather than his after-school snack. Cookies don’t have the only price increases this school year. While reduced cafeteria prices and the breakfast price have remained the same — $1.25 for breakfast, 30 cents for reduced breakfast and 40 cents for reduced lunch — the prices of most of the lunch room food products have been upped. Also, as students may have noticed,
English novels must be purchased outside of class, a $25 activity fee has been put in place for the majority of extracurricular activities and the price of full-year parking passes have also increased. Last year, passes cost $165, but they now cost $175. In the midst of all these new fees and price increases, however, Prospect has been refurbished with new clocks, bathrooms and windows. This raises the question of how new additions are paid for, as well as what is purchased with the money from the new fees and price increases. According to District 214 Director of Business Services Sherry Koerner in an e-mail interview with The Prospector, the district receives money each year from a combination of local, state and federal sources, including $4 to $6 million from the Illinois government. These funds are set aside for each school in the district based on the number of students enrolled in each. Once every school receives its share, school administrators meet to decide how to split up the money among the various departments. From there, the money can be used for whatever the department head and faculty see fit.
Equipment such as iPads and computers are usually acquired through grants from Apple or other companies. In order to receive a grant, a teacher must compile a presentation, a year in advance, on how the iPads will be used in the classroom to show the district board. Then the board will either approve or deny the rationale, depending on whether they want to apply for the grant from the company or not, according to English and Fine Arts Division Head Adam Levinson. Lunch prices, however, are not discussed within the individual schools and are established by the District 214 Director of Food Services, Christine Frole. According to Associate Principal Greg Minter, the lunch room operates independently from the rest of the school in that its main focus is to make money to purchase more food and new equipment. In an e-mail interview with The Prospector, Frole said there was no choice but to raise the cafeteria prices due to the cost increases for food, transportation and paper goods, all of which have increased.
See D214 MONEY, page 3
LINK leaders now only seniors By Nabi Dressler News Editor The freshman transition program, LINK (Leading INcoming Knights), will include only senior leaders starting with the 2012-2013 school year. Ever since the program began three years ago to help incoming freshmen adjust to high school, it included both junior and senior students as mentors. However, due to the overwhelming number of applications — around 500 this year — and with roughly 100 spots to fill, LINK faculty adviser and guidance counselor Dustin Seemann, along with other faculty, made the decision to limit the program to seniors next year and onward. Though LINK is not a support group, in group counseling there are generally five to seven members per leader, and LINK follows this trend. Fewer freshmen in a group leads to less conversation, so limiting the amount of leaders to about 100 allows for larger groups. Senior and second-year LINK leader Michelle Wander agrees with the decision. Even though leaders get to know
their freshmen better in a smaller group, it is easier for the freshmen with a larger group because they might feel uncomfortable with fewer students. “It’s harder for [the freshmen] to socialize with a smaller group,” Wander said. Freshman August Weseman disagrees. There are four other freshmen in his LINK group, and he’d rather talk to his leader when there are less people in the group; he’s just more comfortable talking in front of a smaller group of students. Regardless of a larger group size next year, LINK will continue to support freshmen during monthly meetings during first semester. Seemann doesn’t believe this decision will affect incoming freshmen and doesn’t think there’s a difference between freshmen getting grouped with a junior or senior leader because both grades go through the same training. Training consists of a three-hour session for the leaders during summer vacation, where issues like freshman orientation and what to expect from the freshmen during P.E. meetings are discussed among
See LINK, page 2
Prospect’s baseball team celebrates their third place finish in state last season. This was the farthest the baseball team has ever advanced.
For more on the team, turn to Sports, page 13
2
NEWS
Monday, September 19, 2011
Prevention through education
Photo illustration by Ian Magnuson
Driver’s education teaches dangers, consequences of drunk driving By Carly Evans Copy Editor Four teens were driving along Camp McDonald Road when their car smashed into a tree at approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday, June 18. Prospect Sophomore Elibeth Solis, the driver, and her friends Freddy Najera and Jessica Ferrer suffered severe injuries from the impact and did not survive. The student who did survive, 17-yearold Hersey junior Daniel Ascencio, recalled the event in an interview with The Daily Herald. Upon entering, Ascencio noticed beer in the car and was pretty confident the girls had already been drinking. Solis began driving at
speeds that made Ascencio nervous. “I was telling her to slow down, but she wasn’t listening,” Ascencio told The Daily Herald. “I think she was doing it because she was just having fun.” Tragedies like this, although sudden, can be prevented, and driver’s education teacher Karie McClure believes the best way to do so is through education. One way Prospect tries to educate students about staying safe on the road is through driver’s education. Prospect offers an 18-week driver’s education class during first semester. Lasting three weeks, the final and longest unit of the class focuses on drunk driving. According to McClure, 6,000 teenagers die every year from driving under the influence, averaging 11 to 12 deaths each day. McClure believes this large number is because teenagers can be under the impression that they are invincible, thinking something so tragic could never happen to them. “The problem with the youth right now isn’t the skill of driving; it’s what’s between the ears,” McClure said. Students are exposed to a variety of elements when learning about drunk driving. These elements include educa-
DUI vs. DWI DWI and DUI both refer to driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, but there is a difference between the two. DUI stands for “driving under the influence” while a DWI is “driving while intoxicated.” The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is what determines with what a person is charged. Not all states classify these as two different offenses; a zero-tolerance policy means there is no distinction between a DUI and a DWI. Illinois embraces the zero-tolerance policy. In this case, any BAC level over the legal limit, .08 percent, will result in a DWI, whereas, some states might only consider BAC levels that are excessively over the legal limit as DWIs.
Information courtesy of www.duivsdwi.org
tional videos, guest speakers and even a visit from Student Resource Officer Scott Filipek near the end of the semester. Filipek will talk about avoiding dangerous driving situations, including drunk driving. Filipek agrees that education is the best way to prevent drunk driving, and notes many students are not aware of what is considered drunk driving versus buzzed driving. “You could get in a car and think you’re completely fine, but 10 minutes later, [the effects of the alcohol] really start to kick in,” Filipek said. There are many ways to go about educating students about driving under the influence. Utilizing social networking, videos and propaganda are all techniques of driver’s education programs. One technique McClure tries to avoid is the “scare tactic.” Some educators believe they can scare students into being better drivers by showing them horrifying scenes from accidents and otherwise. Although McClure doesn’t use this tactic at Prospect, some private driver’s education companies utilize it in everyday class. “We don’t want the youth to be scared,” McClure said. “We want them to be aware.” Filipek agrees students shouldn’t be scared when getting behind the wheel of a car; however, the intent of the scare tactic is good. “It affects different people, different ways,” Filipek said. “It is all about the shock value.” Education at school, although important, is not the only key to educating students about drunk driving. McClure believes a student’s home life has a significant impact on their mind set when it comes to safe driving. The source of young driver’s information is crucial. “We need the parents and/or guard-
Underage consequences In many states, anyone under 21 years old caught driving with a BAC level of .02% or higher can be cited for an underage DUI. Although the punishments for underage DUI varies by state, the sentencing guidelines typically involve the following: - Paying fines ranging from $100 to $2,500 - Impounding the car involved - Attending drug/alcohol and driver’s education classes - Completing between 30-60 days of community service - Revocation of driving privileges for anywhere from 90 days to three years - Paying any and all fees associated with the punishments - Jail time, ranging from two days to a year - Probation for a period of three to five years
Information courtesy of www.lawfirms.com ians to help support our program and also help with the knowledge base because students get a lot of their information from their peers that’s not factual,” McClure said. McClure believes if students can leave her class with one impression, either from her or their parents, she has done her job. “We want [students] to feel confident; we don’t want them to be scared,” McClure said. “But we also want them to know that their whole life could change in a split second.”
LINK: No juniors next year CONTINUED from front page LINK leaders and advisers. Seemann also believes this choice gives incoming seniors the chance at leadership, as they’ve been students
Why so popular? Leading INcoming Knights, a freshman transition program that began three years ago, gets many applicants. LINK staff adviser Dustin Seemann believes the reason for the LINK program’s popularity among upperclassmen stems from a strongly involved student population that “wants to hold the leadership roll.” Leaders like senior Michelle Wander can enjoy helping others while gaining an activity that looks good on a college application.
longer than juniors. In order to become a LINK leader, students submit applications that are reviewed by counselors and a student panel Seemann selects. Students from all different dynamics are selected; from athletes to Mathletes, Seemann looks for diversity because he believes LINK leaders are a “representation of the whole school.” “We don’t want the whole cheerleading squad; we don’t want the whole basketball team,” Seemann said, stressing that not all freshmen fit into a single demographic. Wander also thinks cutting down the program to seniors was the right move because they have the most experience and therefore have more knowledge to offer freshmen about activities and programs offered. Seemann is excited for this year’s LINK program. Wander is excited too; she’ll get to spend half of her senior year sharing advice and her freshman year experiences with new students just beginning their high school journeys as her own high school career draws to a close.
p SENIORS STAND SOLO: Beginning next year, only seniors will be LINK leaders. Approximately 500 applications were received from many upperclassmen last school year; however, only one leader is needed for five to seven freshmen. (Cartoon by Anna Boratyn)
Monday, September 19, 2011
3
NEWS
D214 MONEY: New fees, higher prices this school year CONTINUED from front page Another reason for the increase in food prices is the addition of healthier options to the cafeteria menu, such as whole grains and fruits and vegetables, according to Frole. These changes are results of the District Wellness Policy and the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (See Healthy options). Students such as seniors Kyra Vandivier and Heather Kiran, however, find the price increases ridiculous. They believe if the prices continue to rise, students will gradually stop buying lunch. Already, Vandivier and Kiran have
Healthy options The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) was designed to improve child nutrition by regulating policies for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) child nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the School Breakfast Program. In the case of Prospect, HHFKA requires the school to have drinkable water where meals are served, follow the local wellness policy and comply with the national nutritional standards set by the USDA, along with other rules.
Information courtesy of of www.fns.usda.gov
brought their own lunches and eaten at home more often than they did in their first three years at Prospect. Though it can be inconvenient for families and students, Levinson likens the paying of extra fees and higher prices to a “trickle-down effect,” in which “everything has to pass along,” from the suppliers to the district to the students. Another inconvenience this year was students paying for their novels in English classes. According to Koerner, the district-wide change is to allow students to utilize personal annotation strategies and add to their collection of books at home. Minter agreed by saying some students already purchase their own novels in order to make annotating easier, and it made sense to make the change more widespread. “Those kinds of books typically tend to be paperback, [so] they don’t last long,” Minter said. “Teachers like to keep it fresh and use different books, so this way, it allows for that, too.” Levinson, in his first year at Prospect, was not in on the decision to have students purchase their own English novels; however, he agrees that it’s a good choice. The novels Prospect already owns are still being used by elective classes and are distributed to students with fee waivers who are exempt from purchasing their own novels. Another change students may have noticed this year is the $25 activity fee being implemented for the first time at Prospect. To make it easier on large families, the limit to activity fees is $100
pNEW ADDITIONS: Among the changes this year are digital clocks, bathrooms and windows. The district capital improvement fund covers these renovations, which were planned in advance. (Photos by Ian Magnuson) per family per year. According to Koerner, the fees are needed because of, among other things, an increase in student participation, as well as more activities in which to participate. Prospect is following a “pay to play” philosophy, already observed by many schools, such as Barrington and Lake Zurich High Schools. Minter said, although not for sure yet, the money from the fees will be deposited into a district account, which will most likely cover transportation costs and coaches’ salaries. A different district account is set aside for capital improvements. Money from this fund is typically only used for building renovations in District 214. This money was used to pay for the new
clocks, bathrooms and windows, all of which were planned in advance. The tentative plan is to renovate all four walls of the building with the new windows, but that will probably not happen in the near future, according to Minter. However, even with all these new price increases, fees and renovations, District 214 still has some of the lowest fees in the area, according to Koerner. Levinson agrees the new fees are necessary. “Without some of these added fees, valuable activities [that are] vital to [students’] development might go away,” Levinson said. “I hope that it’s temporary, but right now we are in unprecedented times.”
Cookie Revolution It started as a joke when a friend of Buffalo Grove senior Mikey Diamond came back to the lunch table raging about the 100 percent increase in cookie prices — from 25 cents to 50 cents. Diamond, being a self-described “behind-the-scenes” leader, mentioned starting a Facebook group in order to lower the cookie prices, thus birthing BGSACI (Buffalo Grove Students Against Cookie Inflation). Within two hours, the group had gained almost 800 members. When senior Miguel Melgar heard about the cause, he immediately joined the group and decided to “take this as far as it will go.” Melgar and Diamond soon became the unannounced spokespeople of the group, delegating research and organizing t-shirt sales. “If I’m going to do something, I might as well be passionate about it,” Melgar said. The two liken the movement to “a joke that united a common cause” because, to begin with, none of the support the group received was legitimate. However, when kids began to realize how important the cause was, the movement became “the one thing [kids] can be wired about.” However, BGSACI is more serious than it sounds; the students involved researched cafeteria price statistics, copyright laws and the cocurricular code to make sure the organization did not cross any boundaries. Researchers post their findings in the group so that members know what they’re fighting for. Beyond fighting to lower the price of cookies, though, Diamond and Melgar see the movement as a way to get students to be more active in their school. Even other high schools have followed their example; Wheeling High School has shown videos on the announcements promoting the cause. “You don’t have to wait around for things to change or settle for the status quo,” Melgar said. “You want this to happen?” Diamond said. “You do it.”
On Prospectornow.com...
Don’t miss out on the hottest trends of the season! Be sure to follow Taxi KAB fashions on Prospectornow.com.
The first of many, “Stuff Sue Says” is now online! Read Kiley Walsh’s funny take on her mom’s movie commentary.
4
NEWS
Monday, September 19, 2011
New assembly approach success By Jane Berry Associate Editor-in-Chief All suited up, senior Drew Fernandez walked onto the basketball court, ready to compete. What he did not know is that over three years of gym class would not prepare him for the coming challenge: hitting a tennis ball into a bucket that was attached onto junior Sarah Mick’s head. “It was a lot harder than I expected it to be,” Fernandez said. The pep assembly on Sept. 9 included the expected poms and cheerleading routines and presenting of the fall athletes, but there were also several changes, including the new game and different emcees. The planning for this assembly started the first week of school. Social studies teachers Jay Heilman and Michelle Rosenheim along with Spanish teacher Mike Aldworth put together as much as
In Drew’s shoes Always dreamed of participating in a pep assembly? According to Drew Fernandez, here are some surefire ways to get chosen to play in one of those crazy pep assembly games: -Dress up -Be extra spirited -Don’t be afraid to act a little crazy -Stand up -Be involved
they could in such a short span. Last year, Jean Rezney, physical education teacher, suggested doing “minute to win it” games at the pep assemblies. Rosenheim really liked the ideas, but decided to adjust them slightly so that they fit the theme of the assembly and are still as funny as possible. At this past assembly, the competitors were all wearing a piece of each fall sports’ clothing because the purpose was to introduce the fall sports. Rosenheim now has a book of “Minute to Win It” games that they plan to use the rest of the year. “Rosenheim is the brains behind the whole operation,” Heilman said. “Our goal is to get people on their feet, yelling and screaming,” Rosenheim said. “Of course, in an appropriate way.” According to Rosenheim, the hardest part of planning a pep assembly is having good communication with everyone who is involved. The biggest change to the afternoon were the emcees. In previous years, pep assemblies have had students announcing the fall athletes and running the games. In contrast, this year, Heilman and Aldworth took on the responsibility. “A student trying to fill the role [of emcee] in front of their peers is hard to do,” Heilman said, “But for a teacher, we do it five times a day so, it was a nobrainer.” According to Heilman, it is easier for teachers to think on their feet, which was especially important for this pep
p HAIL U KNIGHTS OF PROSPECT: Senior Drew Fernandez leads his class in a raucous rendition of the Prospect fight song. The mandatory pep assembly was well-received by students. assembly because neither Heilman nor Aldworth had a plan as to what happen if there was a tie in the tennis-ball-inthe-bucket game. “(Heilman and Aldworth) are nuts,” Rosenheim said, “Half of what they did was on the fly.” Senior Drew Fernandez, who participated in the “Minute to Win It” game, says that he really noticed how engaged the students were this year. In the future, Rosenheim believes Prospect can look forward to more games and surprises. The main goal of the pep assemblies is to get kids “excited about being part of their school.” Heilman personally bases the success of the assembly on the “loudness” of the student body. Toward the end of the assembly, Heilman noticed Principal Kurt Laakso motioning to wrap it up. “I get so wrapped up in what we are
doing [at the assemblies],” Heilman said, “I didn’t even realize we were going over 2:50.” According to Heilmen’s unofficial surveys of his class the next Monday, students really did enjoy the new format. “My favorite part was the cheering at the very end,” Rosenheim said. “Having 1,000 people scream, be unified and cheer is what pep assemblies are supposed to be.”
On Prospectornow.com... To see a recap of the pep assembly’s greatest moments, check out Prospectornow.com.
The Staff
Variety spurs excitement
COPY EDITOR Carly Evans ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Maggie Devereux ASSOCIATE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Jane Berry Andrew Revord NEWS EDITORS Meghan Doyle Nabi Dressler Jenny Johnson OPINION EDITOR Kiley Walsh FEATURES EDITORS Anna Boratyn Khrystyna Halatyma IN-DEPTH EDITORS Katie Best Zak Buczinsky Maddy Moloney ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Tallyn Owens Tim Angerame Kyle Brown SPORTS EDITORS Jack Mathews Alyssa Zediker Matt Bajkowski Jordan Fletcher ONLINE EDITORS Miranda Holloway Tess Bauer Heather Dove PHOTO EDITORS Ian Magnuson Ali Preissing ADVISER Jason Block Some material is courtesy of the American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. Published by students in Journalistic Writing courses, the Prospector has won, most notably, the 2004-05 and 2006-07 National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker and the Gold Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2006. Mission Statement The primary purpose of the Prospect High School Prospector is to report news as well as explain its meaning and significance to our readers and the community. We, the Prospector, hope to inform, entertain and provide a school forum for the unrestricted exchange of ideas and opinions. Advertising For ad rates, call (847) 718-5376 (ask for Emmy Lindfors), fax (847) 718-5306 e-mail or write the Prospector, 801 West Kensington Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056, prospectornow@gmail. com. Letters to the Editor Drop off letters to the Prospector in the box in the library, in Rm. 216 or email letters to prospectornow@gmail.com. All letters must be signed. Please limit letters to 400 words. The Prospector reserves the rights to edit letters for style and length.
Staff Editorial
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maddie Conway MANAGING EDITOR Emmy Lindfors
5
OPINION
Monday, September 19, 2011
The announcement that the first pep assembly of the year would be mandatory was met with considerable skepticism from the student body, particularly upperclassmen with cars planning on starting their weekends 20 minutes early. “Mandatory pep,” after all, does sound like somewhat of an oxymoron — spirit that’s forced isn’t really spirit. But with the attendance of last year’s after-school pep assemblies dwindling, the administration changed this year’s first assembly from optional to mandatory. And not only was the first pep assembly on Friday, Sept. 9, well-attended; it also stood out as one of the more exciting assemblies in recent memory. Instead of standing on the sidelines with bored expressions on their faces and participating half-heartedly,
students’ cheers were genu- didn’t follow the schedule of ine — not to mention notice- past fall assemblies. ably louder than before. Instead of watching athThat wasn’t, however, letes walk across the floor necessarily because of the and hearing how their seanumber of students in the sons have gone so far, the 27 field house. We, The Pros- minutes did that and more. pector, believe the assem- The fall sports got their recbly’s success was ognition, as they a result of its deserve, but the content rather assembly’s planthan the new ners added more mandate of stuto the agenda dent attendance. with activities A common that were silly For complaint of Against but nevertheless students about fun, keeping stuVoting results of the pep assemblies Prospector staff in regards dents’ attention is, after all, that — and spirit — to this editorial. they lack variety intact as the pe— or have in the riod went on. past. The decision to seat stuUpperclassmen dismiss dents by graduating class spending 20 minutes in the rather than by eighth pefield house stands for what riod class, for example, althey’ve already seen three lowed students to sit with times. If you’ve seen one, their friends and get more you’ve seen them all, the excited when the assemmentality goes. bly’s two staff leaders, Mike This assembly, however, Aldworth and Jay Heilman,
23
2
called each class to a cheering contest to see who could yell the loudest. This kind of activity, along with a tennis ball game between representatives of each class that was appealing simply because it was ridiculous, encouraged the kind of spirit that Knightgames never fails to spark without pitting the classes against each other completely. All students couldn’t help laughing at the staff pep band, for example, and that itself kept it unifying. Ultimately, the pep assembly’s variety led to its success. When students don’t know what to expect when they enter the field house for an assembly, after all, they can’t help but anticipate it. If future assemblies prove to be just as unpredictable and new, the need to make them mandatory will disappear with student disinterest.
Relaxed environment could ease band strains I don’t pretend to know how everyone thinks and feels, but there’s two things I’m confident you have in common with everyone else if you’re reading this. One: You’re a living, breathing human being. Two: As such, you probably like music. And if you’re in the marching band, you definitely love music. I know I did as a freshman Andrew Revord in band. Associate From the Editor-in-Chief competitions with bands from across the Midwest to the bonds I shared with the other band students, the experience was epic. At least, as epic as anything gets in high school. But band is a large time commitment. While in band, I also had many other academic and extracurricular demands. Combined with my lackluster time-management and study skills, it was clear I couldn’t do band along with everything else. So, I quit band after my freshman year. Most people know what they’re getting into when they join band. I did. According to band director Chris Barnum, marching band is an integral part of the full Prospect band experience, so being in band means doing marching band. It also means quitting
Photo by Ian pALL TOGETHER NOW: A club could provide a laid-back setting for students in and out of band to play music. marching band usually means being out of band altogether. I always wished there was an opportunity for me to continue playing music at Prospect. The solution? Start a band club, which could be noncompetitive and open to both students already in band and those who aren’t as a chance to play music in a more relaxed setting. This atmosphere could open up new possibilities. According to Barnum, the music the marching and concert bands play is professionally arranged for high school bands, and therefore isn’t really intended for students to make changes or additions to the music. A club would give students a chance to get some experience with composing and arranging because it is smaller
Cutting the diamond Even in the height of marching band season, band members find time for clubs. Many band students are in the Ultimate Frisbee Club. The Diamond Cutters are an Ultimate Frisbee team named after a marching band drill. They were formed last year by current senior Owen Hoepfner, primarily consisting of band students. According to fellow teammate senior John Desai, being on the team in addition to band doesn’t add stress, and band director Chris Barnum even allows him and his teammates to
and noncompetitive. Think it would be cool to have an extended jam at the end of a piece? Now you can. The club would also allow students more say in the music they choose to play. So for example, it would be possible to play an arrangement of a rock song or movie song if you wanted to. And many students in band still find time for outside activities after school. Look at the ultimate frisbee club and you’ll find a large number of band kids there. (See “Cutting the diamond.”) Neither would finding the interest. My brother and Nick Macina, both freshmen, couldn’t commit fully to Prospect’s band because of other commitments. They and some of their band friends even discussed forming their own jazz band this summer because they still wanted to play their instruments. Macina said he would still be interested in playing band even though he can’t play in marching band because of being on the football team. There are some difficulties with starting the club. According to Music Department Head Patrick O’Connor, in an e-mail interview, Prospect’s has a dozen musical ensembles, all
of which directed by a member of the music department, most of which have some extracurricular component which requires practice space and time after school, leaving little extra space available. Not to mention the difficulty of finding an advisor with O’Connor and Barnum’s busy schedules. As O’Connor pointed out, a club setting won’t provide the same opportunity for students not in band to “grow as musicians” that a regular class can. Obviously, a band club wouldn’t give students the skills or chance to perform marching shows or complex concert pieces. But music is not just about being skilled at playing an instrument. People can still play and enjoy music even if it’s not coming from a serious musical education or playing in a skilled, competitive ensemble. Both Barnum and O’Connor said they hope the music program gives students a love of music for the rest of their lives. For many, this love comes through playing in marching band or any of the other musical groups at Prospect. But a club could give both students in and out of band that same passion. And that’s what counts the most.
6
OPINION
The ups
Monday, September 19, 2011
The ups and downs of Randhurst strip mall
1. Parking lots
By Kiley Walsh
1. Wet Seal
Opinion Editor
When I thought about the stores that the new Randhurst would be putting in, I immediately thought back to the stores at the old mall. Displeased, I didn’t want American Eagle to be my only clothing store again. But when I spotted hot pink mannequins in the Wet Seal window, I knew this mall would be different. Wet Seal is a clothing store with jeans, tops for all seasons and everything a girl’s outfit needs. This is the kind of store where the clothes make you want to step outside of your comfort zone and try a new style. Wet Seal’s variety and uniqueness have easily made it my No. 1.
2. Restaurants
The downs
Since 2008, my beloved Randhurst mall — the place I spent my tween years roaming and eating greasy slices of Sbarro pizza —has been nothing but a pile of rubble. Sure, they promised to turn it into a fancy-pants outdoor “lifestyle” center, but in the meantime, I’ve had to hike to Schaumburg’s Woodfield Mall every time I have a fashion crisis or an unspent gift card. And by hike, I of course mean convincing my older sister to drive me with the offer of chores and occasionally blackmail. But now, Randhurst Village — as they fancily call it — is finally open for business. I’ll admit I had my doubts and that the three-year wait felt sometimes excruciating, but the new renovations make Randhurst feel modern and progressive. The outside patios and style of building structures make you feel like you’re shopping in a real city and not just little Mount Prospect. Randhurst is no longer eyesore debris and construction cranes, but it’s also no longer my homey little tween hang-out. This is somewhere anyone would like to hang out and will be a great economic and social attraction for our town.
Navigating through the Randhurst parking lot is like driving with my mother on the day I got my permit — difficult. Although my mom treats me like I’m driving blind, you might as well be when maneuvering through the lot, store to store, hoping you don’t take the wrong turn back to the street. Now listen: I understand they’re doing their best to ease the confusion for drivers while finishing up construction. But please, I could do better standing there in the dark, in a poncho, pointing with an orange glow stick. Day in and day out, I see people turning wrong directions. One time I think I saw an elderly man drive around and around in circles for two hours before he ran out of gas and tumbled out with his walker. It’s not worth losing customers just because they couldn’t get to the store when looking at it from their car 500 feet away.
2. High Prices When Randhurst was just rubble and rocks, the one thing I knew they would have, regardless of construction, is their food. Every day last year when I rebelliously snuck out to lunch as a freshman, the majority of the time I ended up eating at Randhurst. Whether it’s Pei Wei, Chipotle or Costco, there is always an option for taste — even for the picky eaters. Although last year the food satisfied me, mostly because of the adrenaline rush from my version of a jail break, the new restaurants, such as Tony Sacco’s and a closer Subway, have only added more reasons for students to make Randhurst their daily cafeteria.
3. Sports Authority
All photos by Ian Magnuson
When I was little, all the girls wanted to play with Barbies and each other’s hair. While they were primping, I was trying every sport I possibly could at the age of 8. Now with basketball, golf, badminton and more, I need a lot of proper clothing and equipment. Instead of having the drag of leaving Mount Prospect to go to a sporting store, students can now go to the Sports Authority open right next to Old Navy. As many already know what a Sports Authority is, people may not realize that while the equipment and supplies for any outdoor activities are available, they also sell workout clothes, socks and shoes for any activity.
All this glamor and big city feel comes at a cost. The popular restaurants along Randhurst, such as Five Guys, Chipotle and Jersey Mike’s, are ridiculously overpriced. Yes, I could eat chicken tacos for the rest of my life, but my main reason not to visit Chipotle every day is the cost. No, not the cost of me ever fitting into skinny jeans again, but the price of a simple burrito. Every time I go, I’m always pulling out a $10 bill and usually only getting back pocket change. Also, you might as well save the money you spend for general admission to the movie theater because in a month you could have enough to retire. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to limit your movie selection and go to Arlington Theater, saving up to $6 for one movie. But if you choose Randhurst — don’t you dare, and I mean it — bring a date or pay for food. At the end of your movie, regardless of the genre, you’ll be crying just thinking of the amount of carts you’ve pushed to pay for this.
What’s your opinion of the new bathrooms? “I wouldn’t really know — I’m a freshman.” - freshman Lauren Becherer
“They are really fancy inside. And they are nice and clean.” - sophomore Tyler Walker
“The bathrooms are so much nicer. I almost feel like I’m in a hotel.” - junior Danielle Church
“They are really white and clean. But they could get vandalized easier since they are all white.”
- senior Jack Gudritz
7
FEATURES
Monday, September 19, 2011
high pKENYAN TRACK: The track used for meets and practices in Iten, Kenya, where track and field coach Dave Wurster spent his summer vacation (left). Runners practicing for competitions (right). It had always been a dream of Wurster’s to travel to Kenya and see the enviroment in which many Olympians are born and raised.
Track coach takes dream vacation to Iten, Kenya By Khrystyna Halatyma Features Editor Anyone who has ever had head track and field coach Dave Wurster for a sport or class knows he has a strong love travel along with running and fitness. This summer, Wurster decided to go to Iten, Kenya, for a 10-day vacation. “His passion is track and running,” senior runner Christine Grossman said. “In a place where people are really known for distance running, it must have been an amazing experience for him.” Iten has a population of fewer than 2,000 people and is known for its local St. Patrick’s High School, which has produced 19 olympians. “[Wurster] definitely wanted the opportunity to go see the environment they live in [and] what they grew up with,” assistant coach Peter Wintermute said. “I was really impressed [that Wurster went to Kenya], especially because
Driving in Kenya When head track and field coach Dave Wurster arrived in Keyna, people were driving on the left side of the road with very few street lights. Roads were heavily traveled with frequent roundabouts and bumpy, narrow, unpaved side roads. There was high traffic with pedestrians, bikes, motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks and just about anything. Witnessing all this Wurster had only one thought: “Thank God I don’t have to drive here!”
fitness center, swimming pool, housing and access to bikes along with maps and directions to running paths around Iten. During his first run in Africa, because he was still getting used to the higher altitude, Wurster took a very of the running environment out there,” easy pace. Wintermute said. “Instead of just going “[Running] was on the verge of beto a place in Africa, he went to Kenya, ing embarrassing, especially in Iten,” which is like [the] Mecca of running.” Wurster wrote. Before leaving, Wurster contacted The reason for some embarrassment the Center for Disease Control and got was because the majority of young shots for hepatitis A, meningitis, polio, people in Ketyphoid, tetanya want to be nus, diphtheprofessional ria, pertussis runners and are and yellow feused to seeing ver, along with people running pills for malarat a much faster ia and high alpace. titude sickness “A lot of peo(Iten is 2,400 ple were staring meters above at me, I’m sure - Assistant track coach Peter Wintermute sea level). because of how “My arms lilly-white I am hurt for a few and how slow I was going,” Wurster days [after the shots], kind of like over- wrote. doing weightlifting,” Wurster wrote in Besides the interesting looks he was the journal he kept throughout his trip. getting, Wurster also noticed there He shared his experiences in the were no street signs in sight, and the journal and e-mailed it to his coworkers roads were made of red dirt with slateand athletes. like rocks stuck inside. He had to pick “[Wurster] puts in so many hours [for up his feet and look down regularly to track and cross-country], he needed a find the best path and avoid vacation,” Grossman said. “He seemed tripping. very excited, like he was trying to drink The track in Iten is nothup all the details [of Kenya].” ing compared to the track Once Wurster arrived in Kenya, it at Prospect. The track enwas like stepping into a whole different trance is barely marked, world. One of the first things he noticed and it has no shiny metal was the general stench of motor fuel, bleachers overlooking it, the darkness — which fell by 7 p.m. — no lane separations, no and the way of the road (See Driving in 100-meter mark and no Kenya). finish line. It’s a comThroughout his trip in Iten, Wurster pletely blank, red dirt, stayed at the High Altitude Training 400-meter track, which Center (HATC), which was developed is used for anything and is owned by Lornah Kiplagat, a from everyday practice world record holder for the 5,000- and to official meets. 10,000-meter runs. HATC offers three Finding the track on a meals a day, grown from its local farm, a flat spot of land was sur-
“Instead of just going to a place in Africa, [Wurster] went to Kenya, which is like [the] Mecca of running.”
prising to Wurster, as most of Iten is either up or down hill. “I guess they just kind of sliced off the top [of the hill],” Wurster said, “and kept slicing down until they had a 400-meter oval.” Wurster realized how different Kenya is from the United States, not only from its running environment, but from its running culture as well. “In the U.S., we all dream of being professional baseball, football [or] basketball players,” Wintermute said. “In Kenya, one thing they really emphasize is the running community. I think a childhood dream [in Kenya] is to get an endorsement deal and run for Nike.”
Deluxe rooms? Not in Kenya Head track and field coach Dave Wurster arrived at the High Altitude Training Center (HATC) and told the ex-runner who worked there, William Songok, he had ordered a deluxe room. Songok chuckled and told Wurster, “This [isn’t] a hotel, so don’t expect hotel deluxe.” Songok also said “always remember, hakuna matata” just as Bob Marley said “don’t worry, be happy” or as some Americans just say “no worries” because Americans worry too much.
Photos courtesy of Dave Wurster
Who Knows You Better?
This issue, The Prospector interviews senior Tiana Guanzon’s boyfriend, senior Tim Purtell, and best friend, senior Sami Forsythe, to see who knows Tiana better. What colors were her prom dress?
gold, 4Purple, white
What is her favorite TV show?
4
tosh.o
Where was her favorite vacation?
4
Hawaii
What is her favorite ice cream flavor?
4 Peppermint
What is her favorite class?
4 Biology
W I N N E R
The Boyfriend
Senior Tim Purtell
W I N N E R
Purple, gold, white
The Subject
tosh.o Hawaii Peppermint Biology
Senior Tiana Guanzon
Purple, yellow, silver
4
tosh.o
4
Hawaii
4
Peppermint
4
Biology
The Best Friend
Senior Sami Forsythe
IN-DEPTH
Teachers: They’re just li
Monday, Septe
By Maddy Moloney In-Depth Editor
They play ball with their friends.... When the lights flash on at 6 a.m. in the field house every Wednesday and Friday and the basketball hoops are lowered down, the Knights are ready to play. But it’s not the varsity basketball team practicing their full court press or free throws — it’s Early Morning Hoops, otherwise known as EMH, an early morning basketball league for teachers at Prospect. EMH started their league before the current freshmen even knew how to read. They were started and are commissioned by social studies teacher Jay Heilman, who played four years of basketball at Palatine High school. “I sent out an e-mail the first week of school asking if anyone was interested in playing basketball,” Heilman said. “We got a group of guys, about eight to 14, and every Tuesday and Thursday since, I have sent out an e-mail asking who wants to play.” Once the EMH members are laced up and ready to play, Heilman does his duty as commissioner and organizes the teams based on skill, height and age. “The age ranges are across the board. We have [school psychologist] Dr. Jay Kyp-Johnson, who is our oldest member playing, all the way down to students who are in college who just come back to play in the morning.” Just like Prospect athletes, the bond made from playing together extends outside of the field house. “The camaraderie with the guys we just get to know each other socially,” Heilman said. “You just get to see each other in a different light other then a colleague, more of a social level. You just get to hang out a bit and talk trash to one another.”
They hate the books you’re reading in Lit....
Students are not the only ones who have shivers run up their spines when the sophomore reading book “Enrique’s Journey” is mentioned. “It’s absolutely torture,” English teacher Tim McDermott said. “It’s not exceptionally well written, [and] it’s very biased. “The fact that it is extremely repetitive — she says the same thing over and over.” The second year McDermott read “Enrique’s Journey,” he cut the book down and only made his students read close to half. Luckily, the next year McDermott was able to lump both Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth,” the other sophomore required reading book, and “Enrique’s Journey” together and replace it with Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar.” “I enjoy ‘Julius Caesar,’ and now I incorporate that into the sophomore curriculum,” McDermott said. “It kills two birds with one stone.”
p’BLOCK’IN ’ SHOTS: Eng lish teacher Ja get a shot for son Block trie his team. The s to get passed Early Morning morning. (Pho social studies Hoops league to by Ian Mag teacher Jon K was formed by nuson) aminsky in at Jay Heilman tempt to and meets ever y Wednesday and Friday
Graphic by Zak Buczinksy
8
ments at the Sept. 9 pep ect staff play their instru osp Pr the of e-mail ers mb Me : senheim, who sent out an pMUSICAL TEACHERS dies teacher Michelle Ro stu ial soc by d me for s assembly. The band wa oto by Ian Magnuson) month ’s pep assembly. (Ph asking for ideas for this
To see “JMo and the Melodies,” Prospect’s teacher pep band, play at the Sept. 9 pep assembly and read more about how the teachers get homework too, you can find them....
On Prospectornow.com...
They practice their instruments.... Most band kids are used to staying after for band during band season and even occasionally in the off season to practice, but how about 15 years later? For “JMo and the Melodies,” the Prospect teacher pep band, their first ever band rehearsal brought back many memories. “You can tell that a lot of teachers, back when they used to play regularly, were pretty good,” band teacher Chris Barnum said. “Even after one rehearsal, they were doing really well.” The idea for the pep band was hatched after Student Council adviser and social studies teacher Michelle Rosenheim sent out an e-mail asking for pep assembly ideas. Social studies teacher Jay Heilman then submitted his idea for Prospect’s very own teacher pep band. “[When] staff members were in high school, they had to of played an instrument,” Heilman said. After agreeing to the idea, Rosenheim sent out an e-mail asking for volunteers and received close to 15 interested participants, some of whom had to borrow their own instruments while others still had theirs from high school. “I got my trumpet out last week,” Heilman said. “It has been up in my closet, so I got it out and I had to put some oil on it. I have a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old, and as I was blaring and just trying to warm up, they were screaming, and my wife was all embarrassed and like, ‘Put that thing away —you’re not going to play that,’ and I was like, ‘Yes, we are.’” Rosenheim then got the sheet music from Barnum, who plays the baritone, for the Prospect fight song. “It was really fun, and we hope the kids like it,” Barnum said. “That’s the idea: a little school spirit. Have a good time. It’s not really serious or intense; it’s just supposed to be a good time.”
ike us!
ember 19, 2011
y
Most Likely to Become President
1. Craig Bianchi 2. Kurt Laakso
Biggest Trendsetter
1. Elizabeth Joiner 2. Erik Hodges
IN-DEPTH
9
And the votes are in... This issue, the In-Depth team asked your teachers to vote for their fellow staff members for teacher superlatives. Here are the winners! Class Clown
1. Jim Adair 2. Dave Schnell
Most Athletic
1. Brad Rathe 2. Martha Kelly
Best Hair
1. Nicole Warren 2. Michael Andrews
Most Involved
1. Lyn Scolaro 2. Dave Jacobsen
Most Intimidating
1. Margaret Mamsch 2. Brent Pearlman
Everybody’s Best Friend
1. John Camardella 2. Jay Heilman
Camardella, Andrews teach, bond By Zak Buczinsky In-Depth Editor Every time social studies teacher John Camardella, or “Cuba,” as his students call him, has a conversation with his friend, English teacher Michael Andrews, he struggles. Cuba has to angle his head downward slightly, because at a towering 6’4” if Cuba looks straight, 5’6” Andrews just disappears. “We are sort of opposites,” Cuba said. “We are like Yin and Yang.” But it’s true: Andrews plays guitar; Cuba plays nothing. Andrews loves soccer; Cuba’s into basketball. “He likes to throw balls in hoops; I kick balls in nets,” Andrews joked. Underneath what seems to be two
The Sunflowers
Two years ago, when social studies teacher John Camardella, or “Cuba,” as his students call him, arrived at school with an oversized leaf, hanging it up in his class and the social studies office, it became the wonder of students and teachers alike. The leaf was a product of one of Cuba and English teacher Michael Andrews’ group hobbies — gardening. The teachers began to garden when they started a project to make their own mint tea out of an extensive field of mint plants growing in Cuba’s back yard. Cuba and Andrews then decided to expand this project by planting a plethora of fruits and vegetables in their yards. But last year, the teachers reached a height in their gardening skills when Cuba planted 99 sunflower seeds in his back yard. Despite losing some of the sunflowers in the storms over the summer, the flowers reached a maximum height of 13 feet. These towering plants produced equally large leafs, growing just over one foot in diameter. According to Cuba, it’s the biggest leaf most kids have seen.
blatantly different personalities lurks two teachers with surprisingly similar philosophies and teaching methods. This is what has bonded the two of them to become the comrades and power American Studies teachers known throughout the school today. When Andrews and Cuba look back on how they first met and became friends, Cuba thinks they would never have become such close friends if it weren’t for Social Studies and World Language Division Head Gary Judson. “[Judson] forced us to teach together,” Cuba said. Judson had no idea what he was unleashing upon Prospect that day. Andrews and Cuba expanded their relationship even more when they began carpooling to school together, blasting ‘90s hip-hop music out their car windows. Andrews said that at first, they just took turns teaching American Studies, but after six years of teaching the class, the two of them fell in-sync and began to teach simultaneously. “They go back and forth a lot,” junior Mike Stevens said. Stevens has been in American studies for only three weeks, but he is already realizing how peculiar the two teachers are. “It was always fun; you never really knew what they were [going to] do next,” senior Amanda Drucker said. Drucker, who had American Studies with Cuba and Andrews last year, remembers the teachers’ antics, from ripping up Cuba’s money to the two teachers using a website to create a picture of the teachers “love child” — what the teachers’ baby would look like. “They are a different kind of teacher,” social studies teacher Brad Rathe said. “In the last few years, they have gotten this idea of Zen in their teaching.” This is what has earned the two teachers the title of “The Zen Team” among their colleagues. “[Previous American Studies teachers social studies teacher Frank Mirandola and English teacher Jason Block] declared themselves the ‘A’ team, and by default they called us the ‘B’ team. We preferred the ‘Z’ team,” Cuba said.
pFRIENDSHIP ISN’T THE ONLY THING THAT GROWS: Social studies teacher John Camardella stares up at the monster sunflower that he and English teacher Michael Andrews grew together in Camardella’s garden. (Photo courtesy of John Camardella) The two teachers also lift together, garden together, read together and even have family parties. One story Cuba and Andrews tell is how they heard about Osama Bin Laden being killed while watching “River Monsters” in Cuba’s basement. The two teachers also have an invested interest in sports, but despite their involvement in athletics, the two have never faced off in either basketball or soccer. Andrews stays polite, maintaining that Cuba would win, but other teachers are less chivalrous.
“Cuba’s afraid to come out and play now, or he’s too old,” Rathe said. Another constant activity the two teachers participate in are family barbecues. Their kids play together, their wives talk and as Cuba struggles over the grill trying to barbecue fish for Andrews, who doesn’t eat red meat, the two discuss “River Monsters,” tea, Zen and their next strategy for expanding the minds of Prospect students. “Do you know how hard it is to barbecue fish?” Cuba said. “It’s hard, but he’s worth it.”
10
ENTERTAINMENT
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sharks, 3-D and the new age of film By Tim Angerame
Entertainment Editor “How to Train Your Dragon” made over $490 million at the box office. “Saw 3D” made six times its $17 to $20 million budget at the box office. “Avatar” is now the highest grossing film in history. With figures like these, it is hard to ignore America’s love affair with 3-D movies. This ‘50s gimmick has reemerged to become a cash cow for major studios. New technology has made this possible, such as more advanced CG and polarized glasses replacing the traditional red and cyan. On Sept. 9, director David R. Ellis (“Snakes on a Plane”) combined 3-D with America’s other love affair, sharks, to make “Shark Night 3D”. The shark craze stems from the “Jaws” series, and the Discovery Channel’s annual “Shark Week” special, which has been a summer tradition for young people across the country since its debut in 1987. Right off the bat, there is a problem with this movie’s premise: A group of vacationers in danger of being attacked
by sharks. It’s been done before with “Jaws” four times and once in 3-D. In fact, the actual 3-D adaptation of the third “Jaws” was received poorly upon its release. The 3-D was gimmicky, the plot was ridiculous and the ending was cartoonishly gruesome (Jaws blows up and his body parts fly through the screen like an “Itchy and Scratchy” cartoon.) “Shark night 3D” is no different, right down to the chunks of shark meat floating across the screen at the end. As far as plot goes, it is basically the first “Friday the 13th” movie, except Jason is replaced by hammerheads, great whites and dozens of other sharks in a freshwater lake where they couldn’t possibly survive (only the bull shark can survive in freshwater). “Shark Night 3D” involves seven affluent college kids hanging out in a lake house on an island in the middle of the California swamp. In horror movies, everyone must die in a remote, obscure location. There is Nick, a med school hopeful, his geeky online gamer roommate Gordon, Nick’s blond, blue-eyed girlfriend Sara who owns the house, Beth (Katherine McPhee, as American Idol can
Grap
hic b y He
athe
only make you famous for so long), a tattooed rebel who is Sara’s best friend, Malik, an African American who is celebrating passing an important test by doing awesome wake-boarding, Maya, Malik’s sassy Latino girlfriend and Blake, a skateboarding comic relief. (Everyone in danger needs to be a stereotype in slasher films). Their fun is spoiled by crazy rednecks who brought the sharks to the lake to record and sell footage of the attacks. The movie has a great number of baffling moments. For example, while wake-boarding, Malik is attacked by a shark and gets his entire arm torn off, and most of the plot revolves around getting medical help before he dies of blood loss. After the attack, Malik spends a great deal of time passed out in bed, unable to move. Later that same night, however, Malik is walking, talking and even manages to single-handedly kill a hammerhead with a huge spear. Hey, if we’ve learned anything from “Evil Dead,” a severed arm only makes you stronger.
As far as 3-D goes, it is definitely no “Avatar.” I took off my glasses during one scene and saw no difference in the picture whatsoever. The movie only uses 3-D effects in the underwater shark scenes. This is fine, but there aren’t too many of them, and the 3-D varies from realistically clear to eye-squinting blurriness. “Shark Night 3D” is one of the many films that are just trying to capitalize on the 3-D craze. You can’t make a ‘b-movie’ in Real-D 3-D, and this movie is living proof. There is just so much detail you have to take into account (see Do’s and don’ts of making a 3-D movie). The whole point of new-age 3-D is to make the environment more tangible and give more of an in-depth perspective. A cheap thrill every now and then is fine, but don’t base the entire movie around it. If we make stories more indepth, 3-D will be here to stay. If we just resort to cheap thrills, new-age 3-D will just be another passing fad.
Do’s and don’ts of making a 3-D movie
Do’s
Use the 3-D to make the environment of the movie more deep and life-like while still making the action sequences sharp and easy to comprehend. Whether you loved or hated “Avatar,” the 3-D was beautiful and really made you feel like you were actually there. This goes without saying, but you have to release the movie in 2-D as well as 3-D to not alienate customers who don’t want to pay $14 to see a movie. 3-D movies can even cause motion sickness for some people. Make sure that the movie is just as watchable in 2-D. Make sure the movie is enjoyable from all angles, and not blurry or hard to see by anyone. Think about the unfortunate movie-goer who arrived to a full house and had to sit in the front row or way at the side.
rD ove
Don’ts
Don’t pander to the 3-D effects too much. You have to release this movie in 2-D, too. Don’t put the word “3-D” in the title. If the title has to tell me that this movie is in 3-D, your movie is already gimmicky.
Don’t give 3-D to a movie that doesn’t need it. The upcoming “The Great Gatsby” movie will do just fine in 2-D. Why don’t we re-release “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Scent of a Woman” in eye-popping 3-D while we’re at it? Do not resurrect old children’s entertainment as an excuse to make a 3-D movie. I also doubt any little kids born in the ‘90s grew up with Yogi Bear or the Smurfs, and turning them into CGI nightmares is just disrespectful.
Roundtable new hierarchy evokes medieval ambiance By Kyle Brown
Entertainment Editor It is not an understatement to say that Roundtable, Prospect’s art, literature and music magazine, is far beneath most of the student body’s radar. Even senior Clair Felde, presently one of the most involved members of Roundtable, didn’t know it existed until she saw copies on sale at the end of her freshman year. If the release of the publication brings a lot of attention to the club, then the glaring absence of the book’s sale during the 2010-11 school year really hurt Roundtable’s notoriety. This folly can be attributed mainly to last year’s editor-inchief, who graduated before Roundtable was able to complete the book, which printed during the summer instead of at the end of the school year. “Last year, the editor-inchief basically took over the whole formatting project of the book [and] didn’t let many people contribute,” Felde said. “That didn’t work out because [she] was really stressed out, so we’re trying to make sure this year that everything flows smoothly and the book gets out on time.” Roundtable has learned
from this missed deadline and lack of communication, bringing them to an overhaul in the club’s hierarchy, going from having one editor-in-chief and the rest being staff members to a feudalistic chain of command, much like the Round Table of medieval lore. Roundtable now has a king and queen, senior Zak Buczinsky and Felde, respectively, to replace their editor-in-chief position. This way, the duties of the former editor-in-chief position are evenly distributed between two people, making the task half as stressful on them and the whole group. Also included in the hierarchy are Royal Advisers, members the “royalty” choose to promote who lead certain sections like fundraising, paper ads and technology ads. Finally, there are knights, who are official members of the club who have proven their
Give art a chance
To submit art, poetry or short stories to Roundtable, send them an e-mail at roundtable. phs@gmail.com or drop it in locker 2258 across from the Special Education office (pictured at left).
commitment to the magazine’s processes, including criticizing works and designing the magazine itself. In the original format of Roundtable’s hierarchy, they included a peasant class for people who attend the weekly meetings, but have not yet been dubbed a “Knight of the Roundtable.” This was removed due to objections from English teachers Michael Andrews, the club’s sponsor, and Karen Kruse. “[They] thought it could be offensive to some people,” Felde said. “I don’t see how it could be offensive, but Andrews has spoken, so it’s gone.” During the first meeting, Buczinsky mentioned a knighting ceremony, although details remain to be seen as to what it would entail. “[Buczinsky] could’ve been over exaggerating on that,” Felde said. “He probably just wanted to get a fake sword or ruler and do the corny thing they do in the movies where they get down on one knee and tap the right shoulder and then the left shoulder. I can see [him] doing that.”
Putting themselves on the line Many of the works in Roundtable’s final product are submitted from Prospect’s art and Creative Writing classes. Other than those sources, submissions are sent via e-mail and the Roundtable locker (see Give art a chance). According to English teacher and club sponsor Michael Andrews, volunteer student submissions are not extremely steady, and students usually wait until they feel their portfolios are more complete and “submit their best stuff.” “It’s not only hard to find [the] ones [who are] creating it, but it also takes confidence,” Andrews said. “[The artists] are hesitant for whatever reason.” Because it takes so much courage for artists to submit their expressions, Roundtable does its best to encourage students to put themselves on the line and allow the club to evaluate their works, even if that means criticizing anonymous entries. Even though Roundtable’s submissions slow down at points throughout the school year, it doesn’t stop them from putting out their final product. If they ever need more works to critique, they can always get works from the art program. “We always need more from people just drawing pictures at home,” senior Clair Felde said. “We get so many things that are school-based, so it would be nice to get things that people do at home in their free time.”
Photo by Kyle Brown
12
SPORTS
Monday, September 19, 2011
Tennis coach adapts to new position
By Alyssa Zediker Executive Sports Editor Girls’ varsity tennis was another team to get a new head coach this fall season. Math teacher Mike McColaugh worked under previous head coach Karie McClure and has a similar coaching style, but now he has more responsibility. “The tennis is tennis,” McColaugh said. But now as head coach, he attends to administrative details such as communicating with all levels and organizing the lineup. McColaugh feels creating a lineup can be hard because some of the girls have similar ability levels, and he feels the talent runs deep with this group of girls. Despite the new responsibilities, McColaugh is excited about the challenge of following in McClure’s footsteps, and he wants to do as good of a job leading the program as she did. The team had a lot of success and the girls had fun. Last season, the girls took fourth in the Mid Suburban League
This season’s stats Current team record: 7-0 Singles Maggie Partridge 6-1 Jordan Pollock 6-1 Christina Santiago 6-1 Doubles Katie Best / Tracy Becherer 5-2 Lauren Nopar / Laura Dietrich 7-0
Stepping Down
pTHROUGH THE WIRE: Mike McColaugh talks with senior Maggie Partridge after her match against Schaumburg. As new head coach, McColaugh has led the girls to an undefeated record as of Sept. 13. (Photo by Ian Magnuson) Conference and qualified senior Maggie Partridge and graduate Jackie Hertrich for the doubles state competition. In the past, McClure had “Fun Friday,” where the coaches or kids came up with an activity for the end of practice on Fridays. All levels join in for a team bonding experience. They have had a bowling day at Beverly Lanes, a pasta party, and on Day of Knights, they had a parents vs. players cookout, where the parents play a game against their kids. McColaugh continued the tradition of “Fun Friday” and began the year with a doubles tournament where an upperclassman and underclassman were paired together to compete for two or three minutes.
Similar to king of the court, the winners move up a court and the losers move down a court. While the winning team gets prizes, McColaugh does not want to make it about winning or losing. The main purpose of “Fun Friday” is to get the all levels to interact because practices are conducted separately. “[The coaches and I] overheard a few freshmen saying at the end of the first one that this was really fun, so that is what it was supposed to be,” McColaugh said. McColaugh also wants the girls to have fun while they compete and values positive thinking and not dwelling on past shots, so he and his coaching staff encourage such a mentality. The girls
Nine years ago, driver’s education teacher Karie McClure was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease. Last October, McClure had a relapse, which led to her decision in May to step down as head girls’ tennis coach. The decision was hard for McClure, but because during the tennis season her schedule included 12-hour days and 10-hour Saturdays, the work load was interfering with her health. “The part I miss the most is the relationships with the kids that continue on into the future for years and years,” McClure said. McClure still wants to help out and hopes to be an assistant coach for the badminton team. “We all miss coach McClure and her energy [and] passion she brought every single day to practice and matches,” McColaugh said. “The kids are very resilient, and they seem to be working just as hard and having as much fun as ever.”
should focus on playing the ball and playing the right shot at the right time with confidence. “[McColaugh] looks at the individual aspects of [the game],” Partridge said. “He doesn’t look at if you are winning or losing, just how you are playing.”
Fans follow team to state By Alyssa Zediker Executive Sports Editor
As the varsity baseball team started working their way toward the state championship last spring, the support from Prospect and the community grew with each win. Then, when they finally made it to Silver Cross Field in Joliet to face the Providence Celtics, the stadium was full of cheering fans. “[With] our parents and our community, it was a supportive situation,” head coach Ross Giusti said. “I think everyone felt a part of [the playoff run] and that was the unique thing about [it].” Throughout the playoff run, Giusti received e-mails, calls and texts from people in the community, former players and Prospect graduates, telling him how “addicting” it was to watch the
pHOME RUNS TOWARDS STATE: Graduate Peter Bonahoom hits a deep homer to left-center to help the team defeat St. Viator at the sectional semifinal game on June 2. (Photo by Tess Bauer) team play. “You always think about going that far, and being the first team [from] Prospect to ever go that far is surprising,” senior Shane Joyce. said. He said back in February, he would not have predicted
that end to their season. Once in the playoffs, the team took it game by game, and after regionals against Fremd, the team’s mentality was, “Let’s just make it through another day and enjoy this experience along the way.”
“We didn’t feel intense pressure at all,” Giusti said. “But every kid felt confident they were going to contribute someway, somehow.” Though the team did not have time for pressure because their playoff schedule moved so quickly, it was not until they were on the bus ride home that the realization hit Giusti that they were going to the state finals. While the Knights lost the first game in the state series to Providence Catholic 9-1, they were able to come back the next day and defeat Mt. Carmel 2-1 to take third in state in class 4A. “I remember looking up from the third base coaching dugout and realizing the stadium was packed,” Giusti said. “To play in front of that many people in that venue was a one of the greatest experiences a coach and team can have.”
Kowalski swings for new school record, 67 doing, but did not see him again until he was coming up 18. “The word got out,” MarLike something out of tindale said. “There was a a PGA tournament, senior big wave of people coming Ryan Kowalski looked at the down. It was obvious some18th green of the thing special was Mount Prospect happening.” Golf Club and was Kowalski had amazed. been on par to Around the break Prospect’s hole’s green stood record for 18 holes about 30 to 40 since tryouts, people who had where he had shot gathered to watch the same score of his approach to 67. the final hole of Senior Ryan Kowalski According to his round in Prosteammate junior pect’s meet against Maine Jeff Blethen, it was no surWest High School on Aug. prise that Kowalski broke 20, where Kowalski broke the record, especially at Prospect’s 18-hole record of Prospect’s home course. 70 with his 67. Blethen helped Kowalski “I’ve never been in a situ- on the back nine holes by ation like that before,” Kow- reminding him to remain alski said. focused. Kowalski had started by “I would say things like, shooting a normal score for ‘Focus on this shot; don’t fohim of 36 on the front nine, cus on what you could shoot. but knew he could break the Just do what you can now,’” record after he birdied holes Blethen said. 11, 12 and 13. Blethen also stopped beHead coach Tim Martin- ing concerned about his dale was at hole 13 when he own score, not wanting to found out how Kowalski was interfere with Kowalski.
By Matt Bajkowski Sports Editor
On ProspectorNow.com
13
SPORTS
Monday, September 19, 2011
On Prospectornow.com... Check out coverage of the record-setting girls’ golf team at their Sept. 13 home game vs. Schaumburg and a season preview. “I was mainly focused on trying to get out of his way and make sure I wasn’t distracting him,” Blethen said. Even with his familiarity with the course and Blethen calming him down, Kowalski felt the pressure. “Once you get to the back nine, you know you can really put up a good number,” Kowalski said. “So, I was just trying to stay patient.” Even keeping that in mind, Kowalski was filled with anticipation at the 18th hole tee box. “I had trouble even putting the ball on the tee,” Kowalski said. Like he had practiced all season through, Kowalski gripped his Taylormade club and put his tee shot straight down the fairway, putting him about 150 yards from the hole. He continued by putting himself within 20 feet of a birdie putt with his pitching wedge, a club down
from what he would normally use. The putting was also great from Kowalski who, on top of breaking the 18hole record, barely missed breaking Prospect’s ninehole record by one stroke. “My birdie putt was tracking all the way,” Kowalski said. “And then, at the end, it just turned and bit the edge.” So, Kowalski tapped in for his 67 and the new Prospect record. According to Martindale, what made the day extra special was that the entire Prospect golf program and the families of players were there to witness the 18th hole with Kowalski’s parents 15 feet from the green when he broke the record. “It was super exciting to see him do it on our course, at a home meet, with plenty of people watching that happen,” Martindale said.
Athlete of the week
You Don’t Know
JACK Fantasy vs. Fanhood As soon as the draft begins, my fanhood is tested. As a Bears fan, should I draft Aaron Rogers if it means I have to root for a hated rival to score every Sunday? Every year as the first weeks of the NFL season are kicked off, I am reminded about one fact of NFL watchers: An NFL fan and an NFL fantasy owner are completely different. Nowadays, almost every fan of professional football has a fantasy team, including myself, but even though participating in fantasy football makes almost every game — even the ones people normally never care about — more interesting, it also regularly interferes with allegiance to a favorite team. As much as I love making my lineup and winning bragging rights over friends, I sometimes miss the days where I could watch a Bears game and enjoy a touchdown instead of the bittersweet feeling I get when they score — and then I remember I started the opposing defense. Or watching an intense Bears-Vikings game with friends and not having one guy cheer every time Adrian Peterson has a big run even though he is wearing a Cutler jersey. Because of instances like that, watching games with fantasy owners can be the most frustrating experience ever. Everyone in the room is simultaneously shouting out who they need to get the touchdowns and how many points soand-so needs so they can get a win. The last thing on their minds is what this game means to the teams that are actually playing in it and being entertained by plays that do not involve scoring. During NFL season, fantasy football is the number one topic of small talk among guys, but the truth is that nobody cares about anyone else’s fantasy football team. Talking about your team is equivalent to going up to someone in the supermarket and showing them your grocery list. Everyone already has their own to worry about, and neither one has any real world relevance to anyone but themselves. Fantasy football generates millions of dollars every year, makes every NFL game much more interesting and is overall a fun activity to compete with friends at, but at the end of the day, fanhood should come first. If someone cares more about their fantasy players than the result of their favorite team strategically winning as a single unit, then they are not a football fan. So, even though in return, Rogers gives me a much better chance of winning 50 bucks when the fantasy season ends in December, I still get chills at the thought of rooting for him to put points on the board for the cheese heads. Yeah, I think I’ll go with Vick. Three ways to know if you’re taking fantasy football too seriously: 1. You offer to do someone’s math homework for a month in exchange for Chris Johnson.
Bill Cooney has scored 11 goals Mag gi for the season as of Sept. 13. h er re e Par trid e t at hr S e cord g s w i S e p e imp ro L and Illi n o t. 13 ve Jack itted to to 6 d m -1. com
Check out athletes of the week to find out fun facts about each player.
2. You choose to watch the game with more of your fantasy players in it than the game your favorite team is playing in. 3. You no longer root for an NFL team, but instead keep track and run three different fantasy teams.
SPORTS Monday, September 19, 2011
On Prospectornow.com...
Head online for coverage of the boys’ soccer team’s successful season. Their record was 7-0-1 as of Sept. 12.
Sebestyen builds on past tradition 2011 Player Stats Game 1: Loss to Glenbrook South 34-10 Game 2: Loss to Fremd 14-7 Game 3: Win over Hoffman Estates 55-7 Rushing yards S. Mazukelli- 201 S. Frasco- 184 C. Meersman-145 J. Gleason- 105 A. Prince- 49 D. O’Hara- 38 Passing yards S. Frasco -226 Interceptions N. Meersman- 2 H. Hamilton-1 D. O’Hara- 1 L. Leguer-1
pCONTINUING TRADITION: New head football coach Mike Sebestyen speaks with team members at the game against Hoffman Estates on Friday, Sept. 9, which Prospect won 55-7. Sebestyen has built on the team’s past traditions as head coach. (Photos by Ian Magnuson)
By Jack Mathews Executive Sports Editor The last time Prospect football changed their head coach, it was in hopes of changing the entire program. In the 12 years before former head coach, and the most successful coach in Prospect’s history, Brent Pearlman took over in 1999, Prospect had won just 15 games and had four seasons where the Knights finished without a single victory. In the following 12 years, an unimaginable transition had been made as the Knights had a record of 104-34 and likely reshaped the reputation of Prospect football forever. This time around, Prospect is not looking for a program overhaul but a smooth transition and continuation of the success of the previous decade. New head coach Mike Sebestyen has been through the reconstruction and achievements from the beginning and hopes to make the change as fluid as possible. Sebestyen feels his experience with this program will make it easier for everyone and is making an effort to keep the earlier tradition alive. “There is never a change like this without bumps, but having a familiarity with the kids and the kids having a familiarity with me along with a great coaching staff that we have been able to keep together has made [the transition] very fluid,” Sebestyen said. From a players standpoint, senior quarterback Sam Frasco says the team
has taken the transition in stride. time understanding what has come be“I think we have taken [the coach- fore them so they could see the teams ing change] pretty smoothly because that put Prospect on the map.” [Sebestyen] has done such a great job of The players’ studies will get personkeeping the tradition of Prospect foot- al during homecoming week because ball together,” Frasco said. Sebestyen has set up a celebration Before the turn of the century, the for the 2001 state championship team words “Prospect football tradition” where the whole team will reunite. meant losing records and finishing at Sebestyen says he is looking forward the bottom of the division year in and to his current players to meeting and year out. talking to one of the best teams to ever In the last decade, however, the pro- come through the school. gram’s drastic change has resulted in Aside from the history lessons, Prosbringing home three state titles and pect football has managed to retain consistently winning the conference. their identity. Sebestyen has been there since the According to Frasco, practices are albeginning most the same as of the turnlast year except around and for things like describes conditioning, Prospect footwhich he says ball tradition was tougher this as he knows summer and has it: “[a] team even continued - Senior quarterback Sam Frasco made up of into the season. players who Although fight for what they believe in, battle to practices and many traditions have rethe last second and have the courage to mained familiar to seniors on the squad always keep going.” throughout the coaching change, SebeAfter 12 years under Pearlman as styen says his style of coaching is difan assistant coach, Sebestyen hopes to ferent from Pearlman’s. carry on that same tradition, which is “Every coach has their own unique why the team spent time in the off-sea- style,” Sebestyen said. “Of course there son learning about previous teams that are elements of our coaching style that have been successful. are the same; we spent 12 years togeth“I think it is very important for our er... I think anyone you coach with has guys to understand the tradition of this an impact on your style, but as long as program because they were only seven- you are always analyzing and learning or eight-years-old when we won our you will be in good shape.” first title,” Sebestyen said. “We spent Assistant coach Mike Kamedula
“We all support what [Sebestyen] is doing, and hopefully we can help him out as players by winning.”
A change of his own After playing soccer for years, senior Vito Anzalone has switched to kicking footballs this year for the Knights. Anzalone planned on focusing on track this year, but he expressed interest in becoming the kicker with head coach Mike Sebestyen earlier, so when he heard they were looking for a kicker, he jumped on the chance. “Vito pretty much found himself [as our kicker],” Sebestyen said. “We talked about him potentially kicking a couple years ago, and when he heard we were looking for a kicker this year, he finally got his shot.”
According to Sebestyen Anzalone’s transition from kicking soccer balls to footballs has came very naturally. “[Kicking] came pretty easily,” said Sebestyen. “He didn’t struggle in any way shape or form.” According to Sebestyen, Anzalone progressed the most from working out with a friend at South Elgin, who is also a very talented kicker. In Anzalone’s first game, he made his first attempt of the season by putting through a 32-yard field goal. - Jack Mathews
agrees that the style of the head coach has changed, citing the difference in personality of the two men, but also says generally the assistant staff goes about their business in the same way. “We haven’t really had to make any changes [as coaches] because we have the same staff,” Kamedula said. “But, if there is one thing, it is that Pearlman had a lot of intensity so there might have been a very tiny drop off there because that is just not [Sebestyen’s] personality, but I think that has made all the assistants pick up their intensity.” Frasco also thinks their approach to coaching is somewhat similar. He said Sebestyen is extremely organized off the field and very patient on the field. “Some coaches would take you out right away if you made a mistake, but with [Sebestyen] I feel you can go back out and prove yourself. I think if you know how to correct your mistakes you should be able to stay in. He understands this and that is what he does best,” Frasco said. “We all support what he is doing, and hopefully we can help him out as players by winning.” Sebestyen realizes the importance of stepping back and letting players do things on their own from time to time. “This program is based upon the kids; it always has been. The kids make the changes and they continue to shape Prospect football,” Sebestyen said “My goal is to let them make their own legacy and create their own chapter.”