Issue 4

THE

PROSPECTOR

801 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056

THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959

smoke

VOLUME 57, ISSUE 4

SIGNALS

66% 34% 20% 19%

Percent of Prospect students who have vaped before

Statistics courtesy of a Prospector survey of 200 students.

Photo by Erin Schultz.

BY AMANDA STICKELS Online Editor-in-Chief *Name changed for confidentiality

W

hen a fire alarm went off around three years ago, Prospect classrooms had to be evacuated for 15 to 20 minutes, and no one knew what triggered it. However, administration later found that a student was vaping in the school, and the vapor triggered the fire alarm.

While this might have been another fire drill for some, this incident showed Dean Mark Taylor how the e-cigarette industry has permeated the high school setting.

According to WebMD, vaping is the act of inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vaporizer (vape). These electronic devices can be as small as a pen and contain a liquid usually composed of nicotine, flavorings or other chemicals, as well as a heating device that turns this liquid into the vapor.

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the adolescent use of e-cigarettes has tripled from 2011 to 2015. Federal health officials told USA Today that three million middle school and high school students across the country are vaping, and Prospect has felt these effects (see graph).

Taylor cites about 24 students that have been caught vaping in school this year and says this number has been increasing in past years.

When a student is caught vaping, the deans and Student Resource Officer Chris Rondeau talk with them. On the first offense, the vape will be confiscated, the student’s parents will be called, they will be issued a ticket of $50 and detentions might be given to them. If there are further offenses, the vape will be confiscated again, more detentions might be issued and suspension is also a possibility.

Because vaping has become so frequent, Prospect recently adopted a zero-tolerance policy, so whenever a student is seen with an e-cigarette within the school campus, they will be immediately given a $50 ticket.

Rondeau believes this sort of monetary punishment is effective because vapes themselves can range from $50 to $100. He equates this sort of consequence with driving tickets.

“Just like a police officer writes a ticket for people who violate stop signs, most of the public stops at stop signs. Sometimes the monetary thing is enough and can make a change,” Rondeau said.

Alongside these punishments, vaping violates the co-curricular code, so if a student involved in any extracurricular activities is found vaping, they can be suspended from games, practices or even removed from the activity.

However, senior *Carl Williams doesn’t believe that these punishments are very effective, as he himself continues to vape in school because of the immediacy of using it.

“People are going to do what they want to do,” Williams said. “It doesn’t matter how many times you punish somebody. You can try to condition them as much as you want, but people just have their minds set, and if they have their minds set, they’re going to do what they want. That’s why rules are broken.”

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

In recent years, the use of vapes and e-cigarettes has risen. Prospect discuss risks, motives and other aspects of the habit.

Rondeau attributes this rise in vaping to the ease of obtaining e-cigarettes for underaged students. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) has regulated the manufacturing of the product and will require e-cigarette distributors to put health warning statements on their packages starting in 2018, each state government decides the legality of e-cigarettes. In Illinois, the possession and usage of e-cigarettes are limited to ages 18 and older. However, students who are not of age often have friends who are legal buy one for them.

Williams confirms Rondeau’s statement, stating that it was not difficult for him and his friends to obtain a vape when he was first introduced to the phenomenon in eighth grade.

“One of our friends got one, and we would use it because it’s just fun to have clouds come out of your mouth,” Williams said.

Despite it being legal for students who are of age, vaping is illegal for all people on school grounds.

This is according to the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which prohibits any form of smoking in public areas.

However, Rondeau and Taylor say that students continue vaping on school grounds because e-cigarettes do not produce a distinct smell, unlike smoking cigarettes or marijuana. E-cigarettes are also very small and easily concealable and one does not need a lighter to use it, so there is less risk of getting caught.

“Someone could take it out and take a puff on it and put it away really quick, so I think students are using it because they think, ‘Hey I’m not going to get caught, so I’m just going to do it,’” Rondeau said.

However, Taylor established a firm stance on disciplinary actions for when these rules are broken.

“If [students] continue to [vape on school grounds], we will catch [them],” Taylor said.

“There’s no way around that. We have over 200 staff, so we’re always coming in and out of some place or another. On any given day, [students] might get away with it, but another given day, [they’re] going to be seen by a staff member, and it’s going to be dealt with.”

Taylor and Rondeau attribute the increased usage of e-cigarettes to the marketing of popular e-cigarette companies, such as JUUL. Comparing the rise of vape culture to the popularity of smoking cigarettes a few decades ago, Rondeau says that these companies target young people, saying that if they get a person hooked on vaping from a young age, they will most likely have a customer for a couple decades.

In an interview with NBC, CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden stated that he believes there are major similarities between the tobacco and e-cigarette industry.

“The same advertising tactics the tobacco industry used years ago to get kids addicted to nicotine are now being used to entice a new generation of young people to use e-cigarettes,” Frieden said.

Frieden referenced a 2014 survey of 22,000 children and teens in which CDC researchers found that 68.9 percent of middle school and high school SEE VAPING, page 3

2

News

November 10, 2017

ON PROSPECTORNOW.COM PMK takes 9th The Prospect Marching Knights took 9th place at Bands of America (BOA).

Read all about their victory online.

Gang violence strikes music Rappers such as Snoop Dogg often glorify gang violence, especially if they may have previously been a part of a gang. See how this may effect popular culture.

Dollars for Scholars Read about the college scholarship that is helping members of the community achieve their biggest goals.

prospectornow.com

prospectornow.com

November 10, 2017

News

VAPING: E-cigarette, vape use on the rise in teenagers CONTINUED from front page students have seen e-cigarette ads — more than half have seen them in stores, 40 percent online and 36 percent on TV or in movies.

Williams affirms seeing some advertisements for e-cigarettes but also says that seeing vape shops everywhere, some as close as less than a mile away, can pique students’ interests in vaping.

He also says that the popularity in vaping might be due to the glorification of smoking in the media, remembering how actors in the past, like James Dean, smoked.

Sophomore Katie Draffkorn agrees and believes that this perception of substance abuse can be extremely detrimental to students’ health.

“I don’t see why damaging your body is considered to be cool,” Draffkorn said. “It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Draffkorn’s father Jeff also sees the comparison between smoking cigarettes and vaping.

“Back in my day, people thought that it was cool to be smoking,” Jeff said. “I can only assume that the same thing goes for vaping also. But [kids need] to understand that vaping doesn’t make you cool; it’s just who you are and how you present yourself to others that makes you likable. That makes you who you are.”

Jeff became aware of the increased popularity of vaping when his 13-year-old son expressed an interest in vaping.

“I don’t think young adults should vape at all,” Jeff said. “I think it’s something that should be left for adults who have better de-

19%

- Anonymous senior ping by saying it is better than cigarettes.

“I think kids and parents really believe the marketing campaign that it’s a safe, effective way to stop smoking. It’s the lesser of two evils,” Taylor said.

However, the World Health Organization issued a statement in 2008 that they do not have enough evidence to declare e-cigarettes as a proven nicotine replacement therapy.

Researchers from WebMD believe that vaping is safer than

25%

37%

vaping to his students, showing them a video comparing the two by ASAPscience, a popular Youtube channel focused on science.

He often tries to relay the dangers of vaping to his students.

“Because you’re not burning things people are like, ‘Oh well, it’s a vapor. It’s fine.’ Is it less [harmful than smoking]?

Maybe,” Marnstein said. “But less safe doesn’t necessarily mean safe. The safest thing is to not do it.”

Williams says that he suspects that there are health risks to vaping, but it doesn’t sway his decision to continue to vape.

“Obviously, there has to be something.

Personally, I haven’t looked anything up. I probably should, but taking anything into your lungs that’s not really meant to be there naturally obviously wouldn’t be good for you,” Williams said. “[However, I continue to vape because of] the fix of it and because it’s just what happens. You live with the repercussions.”

Although he believes that the zero-tolerance policy will help crack down on vaping at Prospect, he believes that vaping as a whole will continue to rise throughout the country for a while. Katie feels the same way, as she thinks that it will also grow at the middle school level.

Rondeau believes that once there are more studies conducted on the long-term health effects, there will be a big societal push against the use of e-cigarettes, much like the campaign against cigarettes and other tobacco products.

However, he believes this will take some time.

“A lot of times when you’re trying to tell someone not to do something, and you’re trying to explain why, you have to kind of win the argument in the court of public opinion,” Rondeau said.

of students have vaped before.

33% of students who vape have done so in school.

60% of students believe vaping is a safe alternative to smoking.

34%

13%

9%

Once a week

every day

smoking cigarettes since e-cigarettes don’t burn, so people are not exposed to the same harmful chemicals. However, Rondeau states that this does not mean that vaping is healthy.

In an article on livescience.com, Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine and the director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, said that particles emitted from e-cigarettes are small enough to travel deep into the lungs, meaning vaping is not simply “harmless water vapor.”

In the same article, Dr. Michael Siegel, a tobacco researcher and professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, revealed that propylene glycerol, a chemical commonly found in liquids in e-cigarettes, can irritate the eyes and airways.

Even more severely, when propylene glycerol is heated and vaporized, it can degrade into formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are chemicals considered carcinogens — cancer causing chemicals.

However, vaping is new, as the first e-cigarettes appeared in the United States in 2007, according to the Consumer Advocates for Smoke Free Alternatives Association. Therefore, there are no long-term research studies on the long-lasting effects of vaping, which, according to Rondeau, makes it more difficult to convince students of the serious health risks.

Prospect has been trying to stress these risks to students through their health classes.

Health teacher Aaron Marnstein states that vaping is so new that he doesn’t believe that it’s even in their health textbook, so the health teachers are incorporating the topic more into the curriculum than in past years, such as having the students create anti-vaping posters.

Marnstein teaches e-cigarette use as a method for delivering nicotine and often relays the comparisons between smoking and

Once a month

once

Two to five times

From a survey of 200 Prospect students, 36.5% have vaped before. This chart shows the breakdown of how often students who vape do so.

cision making abilities and might have a better ability to deal with the addictive substances.”

According to Principal Michelle Dowling, a survey conducted by administration showed that many students don’t believe there are health risks to vaping. Taylor has experienced this firsthand, as many students have justified va-

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4

News

November 10, 2017

District initiates laptop trial

BY RYAN KUPPERMAN Executive News Editor

J

prospectornow.com

unior Katie Owen struggled to type an American Studies essay regarding the book “Fahrenheit 451” on her iPad because of the glare from surrounding lights and the constant pop-up ads. Owen ended up writing most of her paper at home because typing the essay on her iPad became too distracting.

District 214’s District Technology Server Supervisor Rudy Gomez and Gabriella Jackson, Assistant Director for Professional Learning, acknowledge situations like Owen’s where the iPad may not be the most productive tool for students when it comes to typing.

According to Gomez and Jackson, District 214 spent six years testing and implementing the iPads, as well as investing in apps, tech support and bandwidth. As of the 2017-18 school year, they have had two full years with a one to one student to iPad ratio. However, the district is already looking to more advanced technology.

This year, District 214 will test laptops at Prospect, Hersey, Wheeling, Elk Grove, Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows. Nine juniors from each of the six schools will be given either a Macbook Air, a Chromebook or a Microsoft Surface. According to Gomez and Jackson, students will not have a choice in which laptop they get.

Although they have not received harsh criticisms regarding the iPads, Gomez and Jackson have gotten small complaints of frustration when typing. They felt that the district could still provide better tools to help students be

more productive.

The district sent an email blast to all juniors containing application forms for the laptop pilot program. According to Jackson, 311 students applied for the program across the six schools.

Students had to have a specific reason to want to participate in the

According to Gomez and Jackson, enrolling students who are testing laptops into a Schoology course and a focus group will capture student voice and perspective. “[When] developing a process to continue innovation and change, we don’t want to say, ‘Okay we have iPads, we’re done,’” Jackson

depending on the assignment.

The district hopes to alert students and parents if they were chosen for the pilot program within the first couple weeks of November. The exact date depends on when the technology is purchased and when it arrives. The district plans to have students test laptops

Difference in laptops?

Macbook Air: Holds 12 hours of charge, weighs 2.96 lbs., costs start at $999 - https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/ Chromebook Pro: Holds 10 hours of charge, weighs 2.2 lbs., costs start at $549 - https://www.google.com/chromebook/devices/samsung-chromebook-pro/ Microsoft Surface: Holds 14.5 hours of charge, weighs 2.2 lbs., costs start at $999 - https://microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-laptop/overview

program, instead of just wanting a laptop, as well as agreeing to the district terms of having a laptop.

These terms include being enrolled in a Schoology course and attending a quarterly focus group.

Once students have met the criteria, Gomez and Jackson select students using a randomizing app called “Pretty Random.” The idea behind this is to get a random spread of students that will represent the entire student population of the district.

said. “We always have to continue growing.”

Gomez and Jackson also stress that this first test run of the laptops is purely for gathering data. If they find out that students prefer the laptops over iPads, specifics such as the budget will be discussed later.

Students will not lose their iPads in favor of the laptops. Gomez and Jackson feel it will be important to let students choose to use either their iPads or their laptops

from second quarter of their junior year to third quarter of their senior year.

According to Gomez and Jackson, the pilot is only open to juniors because they tend to be further along in the college and career decisions and could use the technology to further prepare them for life after Prospect.

Owen, having applied for the pilot program, likes the idea of using a laptop to type her documents because she feels it would be easier

to type on than her iPad. However, she likes the iPad because it is small and apps such as Notability are great for note taking, whereas a laptop would require a student to type all their notes. She also feels like a phone, an iPad and a laptop is too much technology to be carrying around.

Junior Victoria Foort, who also applied for the pilot program, thinks that students will find laptops easier to use than iPads because the websites students use on iPads are created for computers.

She also says that laptops will be easier to maintain and update than iPads. Foort believes laptops will provide a new way of experiencing technology in the classroom. However, AP Computer Science teacher Frank Novak disagrees.

Novak thinks that although it would be an advantage for students to have their own laptops, most computer-based classes have access to a computer lab. Therefore, Novak feels that a student can be just as productive with an iPad or a laptop, not counting the ability to play games.

“Honestly, there is a lot of wasted time on iPads,” Novak said.

“Granted, people might play games and do things on a laptop as well.”

Foort thinks that students don’t typically use their iPads outside of school for academic purposes. She believes the option to use laptops is a great opportunity for all aspects of a high school or college student’s life.

“I think [laptops are] a good way for people to start being introduced to the fact that technology can be used to aid us in learning,” Foort said. “In college, you will probably be expected to use technology, so you can be introduced to different sites and apps that you might get to use for jobs or for your career.”

Students prepare for test, placement into military

BY ELIZABETH KEANE Staff Writer Joining the armed services can be a long, complicated process according the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Thomas R. Merritt. Students at Prospect have many opportunities to work toward their ideal career path in the armed forces.

Junior Justin Sherrick is primarily interested in technology and maintenance, but is also exploring options into the Navy or into tech school after high school. To prepare and practice his interests, Sherrick participates in both car mechanic and engineering classes.

“I feel like I am standing out just a bit,” Sherrick said. “My plans for after high school aren’t necessarily college, which Prospect definitely pushes a lot. … Armed services are [just] not a popular option.”

Sherrick has been considering a career in the armed services since his freshman year, but the first time he seriously thought about it was when he turned 16 and began to look at post-graduation life.

According to Merritt, joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps is a good opportunity to get military experience while still in school. By learning and developing leadership skills, students prepare for a career in healthcare, aviation, finance, engineering, chemistry, law enforcement and transportation.

Sherrick does not participate in this program because he works five to six days a week at the UPS store in Mount Prospect, and the Reserve Officer Training Corps is not a personal interest of his.

But students who share interest in joining the armed forces often develop camaraderie.

“You really have to be understanding of people who want to join the armed services,” Sherrick said. “It’s not really something to joke about, so if someone’s really

ATTENTION!: Junior Dylan Manfredi studies for the Armed Services Vacational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) on Wednesday Nov. 1. The ASVAB will take place at Forest View Educational Center on Nov. 15. (photo illustration by Nicholes Schauer) serious about it, there’s a certain respect.”

According to Sherrick, his family was taken aback when he first told them he wanted to pursue a career in the armed forces.

“It wasn’t necessarily unexpected because they knew it was always an option for me.” Sherrick said.

Sherrick anticipates that his family is nervous and concerned for his safety, considering he will be gone for four years with little opportunities to visit home. Despite his family’s concerns, Sherrick is not discouraged from pursuing his passion. According to Sherrick, he sees the opportunity to go overseas as a temporary experience that lasts four years.

Sherrick wasn’t aware of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) test until a few weeks ago, when his counselor suggested it to him. According to Sherrick, Prospect hasn’t given him much guidance on what to expect, but he assumes it will be a fairly standardized test that uses pamphlets and study guides to guide him.

Sherrick plans to take the test for the first time as a junior and then again as a senior.

“Personally, I’m taking [the ASVAB] just to see how well I do and what I really need to start preparing for,” Sherrick said.

According to Merritt, the ASVAB is a timed test designed to assess a person’s acquired or natural ability in arithmetic rea-

soning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension and mathematics.

The minimum score to be admitted to the armed services is a 31 out of 100, and based on a person’s score, they are presented with different jobs that they qualified for. The test will be given at Forest View Educational Center on Nov. 15. 14,000 other schools nationwide, which covers over one million military applicants, high school and post-secondary students, will also be offering the test. ASVAB was first introduced in 1968, and since then has had over 40 million examinees.

Prospect usually has two to five students who take the test each year, according to Janice Sokolik, the administer of school testing at Prospect. Over the past four years, District 214 has tested 20 to 25 students yearly. Wheeling High School typically has the greatest number of participants.

There are two methods to register for the ASVAB: the Assessment Center (room 143) or through an army recruiter. Both ways are available on all weekdays. Practice tests and study guides are available on the official ASVAB website, in bookstores or in the Assessment Center.

“This test is helpful in that it is career exploration,” Merritt said. “It’s not just for people who want to join the Army.”

prospectornow.com

November 10, 2017

Opinion

5

Detention punishments inadequate productive. dents to go on field trips.

According to Taylor, students can use “We really want students to not cut class at all,” Taylor said. “So we tie the de- their iPads in detention as long as they artentions to privileges. … If you still have en’t playing games.

“I don’t feel like I’m getting anything detentions, you won’t be able to get into the done; all I do is sit on my iPad,” Marshall dance, even if you bought all your clothes, said. “It’s not like, ‘Aw, deasked the girl or guy tention sucks. I’m never goand bought a ticket. ing to cut class again.’ It’s … And if you continnot even a punishment.” ue to park at school Marshall cuts class after you lose that around three times a week privilege, you will rebut says this number used ceive a notice of tow. to be much higher. The reaWe want to oblige son she doesn’t cut class as you; if you want it frequently anymore is betowed, we’ll tow you.” cause her parents were upBut the removal of Voting results of the Prosset at the amount of phone these privileges is not pector staff in regards to this calls they were receiving enough to deter some from the school. editorial. students from cutting However, this is the only class. reason Marshall doesn’t cut class anymore; Junior Layla Marshall estimates she has accumulated 30-40 detention hours she doesn’t mind accumulating detentions but has only served two or three of them because she doesn’t attend dances or drive because she does not feel like detention is to school.

2

Against

16

te monit a r t o r rs a e

BY CASSIDY DELAHUNTY

Editor-in-Chief

b

For

All throughout my middle school career, the one class I didn’t consistently get good grades in was P.E. The teachers would see me running slower than the other kids and failing to catch a ball directly thrown to me and assumed I wasn’t trying. I’d get marked down. No matter how hard I worked, no one could tell because, let’s face it, I have the physical skills of a toddler with her hands taped together.

Then in my sophomore year of high school, the heart rate monitors came along. Suddenly, everything was different. When a P.E. teacher saw me running at the speed of a tortoise missing all of its legs, they could just look at the data from the heart rate monitors and see that my heart rate was nearing 180 beats per minute. I started receiving better grades in P.E.: grades that reflected my effort, not my speed.

My now-sophomore brother, however, felt the opposite. He could run a nine-minute mile without breaking a sweat. And now that he had to wear a heart rate monitor, his teachers could tell that his high speeds were no indication that he was working hard.

Now, he actually has to try in class, and he hates the heart rate monitors for it. Instead of relying on his natural ability to run faster than the other kids, he now has to push himself to get a good grade.

Don’t get me wrong; the heart rate monitors definitely have

“Sure, they can give detentions and that might work for some kids,” Marshall said. “But everyone I know that cuts class doesn’t really care about the detention. I don’t know what else the school can do, but this isn’t working.”

We, the Prospector, believe detention does not deter students from cutting class.

There needs to be a more effective system in place for students who don’t drive to school or attend events such as dances.

The consequence for cutting class and not serving the detention hours that come along with it should be much stricter; it is too easy for students to accumulate hours and get away with it.

If Prospect wants all students to attend every class, detention should not be treated like a study hall. Students serving detention hours can rent laptops, listen to music and work on homework. That is not a punishment; it is free time.

Detention should be a legitimate punishment for a legitimate offense in the Prospect community.

t e t e r ex b n pe i t r ea

ce ien

H

Staff Editorial

T

he process of receiving a detention for cutting class begins with a call home, according to Dean of Students Mark Taylor. When a student is marked absent from a class for an unspecified reason, Prospect sends home an automated phone call alerting guardians.

Once it is confirmed that the student was not missing class for a legitimate reason, such as a visit to their counselor, being picked up by a parent or at the nurse’s office, the student receives a detention: 50 minutes for cutting and 15 minutes for being 10 or fewer minutes late to class.

If the student doesn’t serve their detention, they will be encouraged to do so by security guards or the deans, but Taylor says that choice is ultimately up to the student.

If a student does not serve their hours, Taylor and Dean of Students Lisa Soukup will revoke some of that student’s privileges. Taylor cited not allowing students to attend Homecoming or Prom, confiscating parking passes, not allowing sophomores to go out to lunch and not allowing stu-

some problems. Batteries can die, the straps are sweaty and hard to wash and few P.E. teachers have the time to individually set each student’s personal resting heart rate instead of using the default settings. But the fact that technology is fallible is no reason to throw out the whole system. In large P.E. classes, heart rate monitors can personalize the workout experience for students, allowing them to set and reach personal goals instead of just following the plan for the day or trying to run faster than they did last week.

The heart rate monitors remove a lot of subjectivity from grading, so students can be judged fairly and equally against their own personal best instead of each other.

“Polar has been used over the past couple of years and has made PE as objective as it’s ever been and maybe the most personalized of all academic areas,” Assistant Principal for Student Activities and P.E. Division Head Frank Mirandola said in an email interview.

Ultimately, heart rate monitors help students, whether they like it or not. There will always be kids in any class who just don’t want to do the work, but the heart rate monitors ensure that students who do put in the effort will be rewarded accordingly.

Pump it!

Heart rate zones in beats per minute: Red: 172-190 bpmbpm

Orange: 152-172 bpm

Green: 133-152 bpm

has been used over the past couple “Polar of years and has made P.E. as objective as

Students are encouraged to stay in at least the green target heart rate zone.

it’s ever been and maybe the most personalized of all academic areas.

”

-Frank Mirandola, Assistant Principal for Student Activities and P.E. Division Head

Blue: 114-133 bpm

Grey: 104-114 bpm

Online Editor-in-chief Amanda Stickels

staff Editor-in-Chief Cassidy Delahunty

Online Sports Editor Wyatt Dojutrek Broadcast Editor Kate Hyland

Associate Editor-in-Chief Erin Schultz

News Editors Ryan Kupperman Nick Egea

Copy Editors Cole Atlmayer Ayse Eldes

Opinion Editors Allison Solheim Anthony Romanelli

Entertainment Editors Grace Givan Jenna Koch Features Editors Mandi Hall Mackenzie Noelle Sports Editors Jack Ankony Anthony Santangelo Staff Writers Megan Sulak Ekrem Koseli Visuals Editors Nicholes Schauer Erik Velazquez

Adviser Jason Block 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. The Prospector is published by students in Journalistic Writing courses. Some material is courtesy of MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Advertising For ad rates, call (847) 718-5376 (ask for Cassidy Delahunty, 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. Limit letters to 400 words. The Prospector reserves the right to edit letters for style and length.

6

In-Depth

November 10, 2017

Put your thin

Homework grades vary based on class go

BY MANDI HALL Executive Features Editor

A

ccording to AP Statistics teacher Alexandra Budden, AP Statistics is a class that demands very specific answers, work and wording. She says that students can look at an answer that she writes on the board and believe they got it correct when, in reality, their answer can be wrong based on a single word or phrase.

This is common in writing-based classes.

Because of this, Budden assigns homework almost every night, and each night, she picks a few random problems to check in for accuracy. Students receive grades for homework based on their answers for the selected problems.

Prospect teachers often differ on ways that they grade or check in homework, which can be divided into two categories: grading for accuracy and grading for completion.

Budden also believes that grading homework for accuracy gives students a better incentive to work harder and try on their homework as opposed to doing it just to get a short glance-over.

Though Budden usually does not dedicate class time to going over homework in order to spend more time on her lectures, she encourages students to send her an email or to come find her during an off-period to go over questions.

“If I noticed that two or three students have come in and expressed a difficulty or said something in class, then I’ll be more likely to [be] vocal about, ‘Do you guys have any questions?

What can I help you answer?’”

Budden said.

However, math teacher James Hamann, who also teaches AP Statistics but at one level lower than Budden, chooses to grade homework differently. Because his course takes a slower pace and has kids from different mathematical backgrounds, he prefers to let the homework be only practice and doesn’t take the homework for a grade. “[Grading] homework for accuracy can be beneficial,” Hamann said. “Especially if [students] have done a lot of practice problems to begin with. It’s almost like a takehome quiz. But on the first try I think [it’s best not to grade for accuracy.] It’s just different philosophies.”

Instead, he has a section in the grade book for what he calls problem sets.

These are mini-quizzes on the same topics as the homework so that he can make sure students are on the right track.

“I don’t want to grade on their first attempt of doing something,” Hamann said. “... We do a lot more assessments than [Budden’s class], but we cover the same curriculum.”

Hamann also considers grading for completion to be a bit of a confidence booster for students. His section for homework is only worth 10 percent of students’ grades, but he believes that the 10 percent also boosts students’ grades, however slightly.

On the other hand, English teacher Teri Buczinsky usually chooses to grade for completion. Particularly with her freshmen, Buczinsky assigns homework to help students prepare for a paper or a test.

Despite this general attitude, Buczinsky also says that she looks over most homework assignments to make sure that students aren’t just writing nonsense to get the points.

She also weighs homework differently for different classes. In Buczinsky’s classes, homework has a bigger impact on the grades of her freshmen than those of her seniors.

“With the freshmen, you’re trying to break down big assignments into small-

er pieces, and then you tend to give each of those pieces points,” Buczinsky said.

“Whereas with the seniors, I tend [to assign homework] to prepare them for a test. There’s less homework because I expect them to be mature enough to be studying as we go, whether or not there’s a homework assignment.”

Though Budden grades for accuracy in the majority of homework she assigns, she does see value in grading for completion.

“Sometimes it breaks my heart that students spend time on the homework and it’s just not right,” Budden said.

“They really tried, and it just wasn’t in the right direction for the majority of it, and so giving them a low score I don’t feel sends the right message. I do like completion in that it gives students [credit] for putting forth effort to get something done.”

English teacher Karen Kruse goes back and forth between grading for accuracy or for completion. She says that this can depend on how much time she has to grade homework, as well as the nature of an assignment.

“As a teacher, the advantage for grading for accuracy is that I can see, ‘Huh, this student is really lost,’ or, ‘Oh, wow, most of the class missed this, I need to go back and [go over material],’”

Kruse said.

Kruse usually grades assignments for accuracy when there is a definite right or wrong answer to questions.

This comes into play while she’s looking over study questions for a book or play the class is reading to make sure that her classes understood the meaning behind difficult passages or grading a student’s grammar assignment.

However, Kruse does grade other kinds of assignments differently, like Schoology discussions and annotations.

Kruse believes that many aspects of her class, such as themes of literature, are difficult to grade for accuracy, as there can be many correct answers and interpretations. To her, grading for accuracy no longer makes sense.

Junior Nathan Zoumboulis sees advantages to both ways of grading. He says that when homework is graded for accuracy, he often spends double the amount of time on it than he would if it was graded for completion. While this takes more time out of his day that he’d like to be doing other things, he feels that he better knows the material.

Zoumboulis prefers grading for completion, as it allows him to be a bit more relaxed in his work and make time for other activities. However, as a student

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November 10, 2017

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Pass with flying colors

Teachers work to get rid of subjectivity in grades

BY CASSIDY DELAHUNTY Editor-in-Chief In his creative writing class, English and Fine Arts (EFA) Division Head Adam Levinson often faces subjectivity in his grading.

“Our philosophy is to be able to cultivate a writer’s voice,” Levinson said. “What does voice look like to a student, and how do they grow from that voice? Well, that’s a lot of subjectivity because all students come to our classes with different experiences.”

As with many elements of English classes, such as essays, presentations or speeches, creative writing assignments don’t have definitive right answers. These kinds of assignments in any class can create a subjective grading situation that can be difficult for teachers.

According to Levinson, the EFA department uses several methods to try to eliminate as much subjectivity as they can from grading.

First, according to Levinson, rubrics are the key to fair grading.

“Whatever the paper is, [rubrics are] generally how students are graded,” Levinson said.

“Our students should have that rubric within the first week or so of a new unit.”

Levinson says that the department pairs the use of rubrics with a “backwards-designed system,” meaning students will get rubrics beforehand so they can understand the goals and expectations of an assignment. According to Levinson, using rubrics helps to level the playing field for students with different skills.

“Someone who does a lot of public speaking, obviously they’re going to have an advantage,” Levinson said. “But if the students can adhere to that rubric and skill sets, [then] the rubric should ultimately guide and keep that subjectivity to a minimum, so that kids can earn an A and fulfill those skills that were scaffolded throughout the unit.”

Even in classes such as math and science, where there is often one correct answer, some leeway in grading still exists. According to Math and Science Division Head Keith Bellof, the nature of grading means it will ultimately include subjectivity.

“We’re trying to help students learn skills, and there are multiple ways for students to learn those skills,” Bellof said. “So there’s also multiple ways for teachers to assess whether or not the students know those skills.”

This assessment of skills, however, is important across all departments, not just those for strictly academic classes.

According to Physical Education and Health teacher Aaron Marnstein, subjectivity within his classes has greatly decreased over the past few years due to the implementation of heart rate monitors.

“Prior to the heart rate monitors, it was, ‘Does this person look like they’re running?

Does it look like they’re being active? Does it look like they’re working hard?’ It was really easy for the very fit kids to make it look like they were being active,” Marnstein said.

“Now with the heart rate monitors, [I can] see who’s working hard and who’s not be-

cause the individual assignment isn’t based off of an arbitrary time. …

With the heart rate monitors, I can say I want you in a specific zone, no matter what level of activity you do.”

Assistant Principal of Student Activities and PE Division Head Frank Mirandola agrees.

“The use of Polar [heart rate monitors] has transformed PE’s measurements on fitness,” Mirandola said in an email interview. “Fitness is a very individualized process and results will vary from student to student. HR data does not lie. PE measurements are probably the most objective out of any content area since this shift.”

Marnstein is sympathetic to students who may have had issues with PE grades in the past, as he himself had some struggles with PE grades when he was in high school.

Marnstein recalls being in a basketball unit during his high school PE class. At the end of the unit, the teacher would line all of the student up at the free throw line. Each student would get ten shots, and however many shots a student make would determine their grade.

“I was a wrestler, [so] I couldn’t make two in a row to save my life, let alone eight out of ten,” Marnstein said. “[Grading] has gone away from athletic ability.”

Marnstein also discussed the new focus within the PE department on cognitive activities as well as physical ones. This means more activities about the importance of physical fitness instead of just the fitness activities themselves.

“There has been a greater emphasis on … the ‘why’ of PE,” Marnstein said. “We do a really good job of teaching kids how to be physically active, but knowing why you need to be physically active is just as important.”

Marnstein says that this allows students to make up their PE grade in other areas even if their daily workout grade might not be as strong as they would like it to be.

Marnstein thinks, while subjectivity cannot be completely removed in grading, the amount of subjectivity present is decreasing with time.

“Sometimes you can’t [be objective].

Sometimes the subjectivity is there,” Marnstein said. “But as more time goes on and [as] the technology allows us, the subjectivity is being taken away with objectivity.”

Go to

PROSPECTORNOW.COM to read more about Prospect’s extra credit policies.

In-Depth

7

Homework adds level of unneeded stress

It was a little more than a month after freshman year started, and I was only halfway through my geometry homework at 11 p.m.. Lying in bed, I contemplated not turning it in at all and receiving a zero, a grade that had become all too common to me as I adjusted to the heavy workload of all honors classes. I ended up switching to a few regular classes because although I was completing homework every night, my grades didn’t reflect the hard work I was putting in. This is just one of the clear signs that the way homework is managed right now does not benefit students.

No homework sounds like bliss to students, but it is a radical idea to educators. However, no-homework school systems exist all over the world, and even some schools in the U.S. have successfully done this. According to a Stanford study, countries such as Japan, Denmark and Finland assign much less homework than the rest of the world. However, all finish ahead the U.S. in the Program of International Assessment (PISA) test, an international test for 15 year old students that assesses them in science, mathematics, reading, collaborative problem solving and financial literacy. If U.S. schools really want a better system, they must change the whole system, including homework.

BY JENNA KOCH These changes have already started: most notably, flipped classrooms have become more comEntertainment Editor monplace. In fact, according to learndash.com, 78 percent of teachers in 2014 tried flipped classroom at least once, and 71 percent of teachers said they saw a positive change in their student’s performance. In a survey done by the Flipped Learning Network, they found that most students liked flipped classroom more than traditional homework.

While a no-homework system could work for the U.S., we should start by including homework with a purpose other than memorizing what is taught in class and regurgitating it on the homework. I’ll admit, sometimes I write down the bare minimum or leave questions blank because I either don’t care about the homework or I don’t understand it. The fact that students are able to get away with that shows we’re not actually learning and applying the material, but only memorizing and then forgetting everything by the end of the year. By doing more interactive and engaging activities both in and out of the classroom, schools can work towards decreased homework.

The next step would be switching from a lot of homework in core classes to instead more homework in electives. Often times, I find myself wanting to give up on homework because I’m never going to use the information again. As someone interested in writing and literature, why do I need to spend time learning that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell?

Prospect specifically requires four years of writing and three years of math, science and social science. Many colleges require 2 to four credits of a language as well. Language and lunch fill two of the three student elective spots, so many students cannot take the elective courses that they want to. On top of that, Prospect requires a semester of fine arts requirement and a consumer ed requirement.

With limited space in student’s schedules and too much time spent on homework they don’t see as beneficial, these requirements do nothing to take advantage of the hundreds of classes and after-school activities our school offers.

According to a study by Penn State University, an estimated 20 to 50 percent of all students go to college undecided, and 80 percent of students will change their major at least once. Reduced homework in required classes would allow students to join more clubs and sports, or find other activities in their community that could help them decide their career path.

Not only does homework lack a benefit for students, but it’s also become a big stressor for us. In an interview with the New York Times, psychologist Dee Shepard-Look says that she’s never seen so many students coming in to get help with school anxiety.

Surprisingly, her patients were mostly in elementary school.

In a survey from the American Psychological Association, 83 percent of high school students reported that school was a “somewhat or significant source of stress” and 27 percent said school caused them “extreme stress.” If homework was decreased, students would have more time to do activities they enjoy while also learning valuable stress coping mechanisms.

Throughout the process of writing this, I’ve felt stressed. It’s ironic that I’m writing a piece against homework, but this story is my homework. The difference is that I chose to take journalism because I enjoy writing. There will be many classes I take during my time in high school that I will never use after high school but I never had a choice in taking them or not. I didn’t have a choice to be stressed about passing a class I didn’t want to be in the first place.

All this information shows a grim outlook for the future of homework, and even education as a whole. However, change is already happening, not only around the world, but even in our community. Mt. Prospect’s Robert Frost Elementary has started to give their students no homework. What is starting in elementary schools could possibly work its way up to the high school level, and maybe in a few years staying up all night to finish homework will be a thing of the past.

8

Features

November 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

Corr keeps balance between home, class

BY NEELA AHADI Staff Writer

M

eeting up with a creepy guy in a haunted house wasn’t ideal for English teacher Jill Corr and her friend. But it was one of her assignments for the Indiana Daily Student, the school newspaper at Indiana University (IU).

Corr tried to get out of it by coming up with the excuse that their car wasn’t working, but their editor lent them his car that had duct tape all over the bumper.

“It was just an odd assignment,” Corr said. “I felt like we were going to die.”

This was just one of the many assignments Corr had to do when she wrote for the paper.

Studying journalism at IU, she had always thought that she would write for a magazine or maybe work in advertising.

That was before she realized it just wasn’t the type of writing Corr had expected, and she didn’t really like the idea of tracking people down and interviewing them.

Being a teacher was always something Corr thought about, but she loved writing, so she stuck to journalism for awhile.

That only lasted until she was bored out of her mind in her advertising class.

“I remember just feeling disconnected and I didn’t see myself pursuing that in the future,” Corr said.

She got to thinking about majoring in education. Corr had thought about it before, and education was always in the back of

her mind.

During her bathroom break in her advertising class, she got up and walked directly to the education office. There, she asked to change her major and her entire schedule.

Corr has now been teaching for 18 years. Her first teaching jobs were at Libertyville High School and Vernon Hills High School. She then taught at Elk Grove High School and then finally at Prospect.

Because she went to Rolling Meadows High School, she was happy to come back and work in a familiar environment.

“It was kind of a change to try a different place and then come back to my home district,” Corr said.

Corr has now been teaching at Prospect High school for nine years. At Prospect, she teaches American Literature and Advanced Composition.

She hopes that her students enjoy her class and that it prepares them for whatever profession they decide to get into.

Writing, speaking and thinking outside the box are all important skills that Corr believes will help them out in the future.

After a long day at school, Corr goes home to three kids.

“When I get home, I call it job number two,” Corr said.

Most of her time is dedicated to spending time with six-yearold Charlie, five-year-old Sophia and three-year-old Emily.

They usually go on walks, bike rides and play at the park.

Corr also enjoys cooking with her kids.

“Even though it makes things

“I love hanging out with her. She’s such a fun person to be around.”

- Elizabeth Joiner, English teacher

10 times longer, I try to get them involved in helping me in the kitchen,” Corr said. “We’re all kind of in it together.”

Corr says her kids are hilarious in the kitchen. According to Corr, often when Charlie tries to make salad dressing he stands on the counter and puts a bunch of spices that don’t belong together in a bowl.

Other than spending time with her kids, Corr is passionate about house remodeling.

“I’ve been obsessive about houses,” Corr said, “I find it super interesting what they’re selling for and remodeling.”

In fact, Corr has taken advantage of living in an old house built in 1931, starting several remodeling projects of her own.

Some of the projects her family has done are putting all their kids’ rooms upstairs, turning a half bathroom into a full and putting a fence around their yard.

She is currently getting ready to fix her kitchen. It is a big project she can’t wait to see done.

In her free time, Corr takes her kids out to eat at Lindy’s Landing with English teacher Elizabeth Joiner and her kids.

“She’s such a good mom,” Joiner said. “She genuinely cares about her kids so much, and I think she sometimes wishes she could stay home all day with them.”

Joiner has known Corr since she started working at Prospect.

English teacher Matthew Love, who worked with Corr at Elk Grove High School, told Joiner about Corr’s arrival at Prospect, and ever since, they have been close friends.

Whenever they spend time together, they usually go out to eat and discuss Corr’s minor obsession with houses.

“I love hanging out with her,” Joiner said. “She’s such a fun person to be around.”

POWER PLAYER: Spanish teacher Molly Klein poses with her family.

Klein is taking a break from coaching to focus on her personal life. “It’s nice ... having that bond with kids outside the classroom, seeing them excel in another area,” Klein said. (photo courtesy of Molly Klein)

Klein pauses coaching, focuses on family life

BY MANISHA PANTHEE Staff Writer

Before Molly left coaching, she often stayed after school for volleyball For Spanish teacher Molly Klein, practice and games. During these sports have always been a way to times, she had to make sure either her husband or another responsible connect with students outside of the classroom. Coaching has always person was with her kids.

“She’s very driven and passionate filled the gap in the teacher-student with anything she’s doing, whether relationship and strengthens the it’s teaching or coaching or looking bond among those involved.

“It’s nice, especially being a for- after the kids,” Jason said.

As difficult as this situation may eign language teacher, having that be, Molly and Jason have experience bond with kids outside of the classwith overcoming obstacles. Jason was room, seeing them excel in another as a pilot in the Army National area,” Klein said.

Guard from 2007 to January Klein participated 2017, serving for 10 years. while in volleyball and track he was stationed at Fort Ruckduring her time at Iler, Alabama for flight school, linois Wesleyan Unian 18-hour drive from Illinois, versity.

Jason rarely saw Molly at the Since her earlier beginning of their relationship. days at Illinois WesHe later moved back to Illileyan, Klein coached nois after graduation, marryvolleyball. But her ing in 2013. love of sports traces Their son, Jackson, was Molly Klein all the way back to her born in 2015, during which Jayouth. As a child, she used to participate in many sports son continued flying and and travelincluding basketball, swimming, vol- ing to Madison, Wisconsin to keep up with flying hours. leyball and softball.

“His job didn’t affect our relationEarly involvement in sports caused Klein to realize that if work- ship much; just the fact that I was ing as an educator had not worked alone with Jackson all the time; it was an interesting experience but I’m glad out, she would have been very happy he is done,” Klein said. to work in college athletics.

Because of medical issues, Jason Apart from teaching and athletofficially left the National Guard in ics, family plays an important role in January of 2017. Although there were Klein’s life. With both eight-monthold Mary and two-year-old Jackson, times when he rethought his choice to leave, both he and Molly agreed that Klein and her husband have to coordinate their schedules to keep up with the decision was best for the family.

“Although I still miss flying and the growing demands of their job and the military as a whole, the pros of kids.

To devote more time to her fami- spending more time with my family outweighs the longing feelings I have ly, Klein stepped away from coaching in 2016. The decision was a tough for flying,” Jason said.

In spite of these sacrifices, or rathone. Luckily for Klein, her family, er because of them, Molly still has a especially her husband Jason, stays active. In fact, they participate in love of coaching. If all turns out right, activities with her, easing the loss of Molly will be able to coach again a couple years down the line. coaching.

“When my kids are older, I really “Our whole gang, including our do hope to get back into coaching,” dog, go running together. Although, [Molly] is usually running circles Molly said. “But for now, I’ll just continue working the home games.” around us,” Jason said.

ON PROSPECTORNOW.COM Join our new podcast “The Debator” to listen to Prospector staff members dicuss current events. This episode, our topic is on American foreign intervention in Yemeni politics.

WRITE RIGHT: English teacher Jill Corr lectures helps her Advanced Composition class. Corr and English teacher Elizabeth Joiner have formed a strong bond during her time at Prospect and often meet up outside of school. “I love hanging out with her,” Joiner said. “She’s such a fun person to be around.” (photo by Erin Schultz)

prospectornow.com

November 10, 2017

Features

Curfew curbs night explorations

9

BY Nicholas Egea News Editor

be beneficial for the students in case they are in an area with an earlier curfew.

“Always educate yourself on that particunior Jimmy Martin had a regular curfew of 11:30 p.m, but tonight was ular area if you’re going out [and] meeting a special occasion. He and a friend someone,” Rondeau said. “Always familiarize yourself with the local curfew.” Accordhad just finished a round of night golf at the ing to Rondeau, driving past curfew is equivDes Plaines Golf Center. Driving home at alent to driving without a license and can 12:30 a.m, listening to loud music, Martin be punishable in the same way. This turns was living in the moment.

“I was blasting ‘Purple Lamborghini’ by any traffic violation into an automatic misSkrillex and Rick Ross,” Martin said. “You demeanor and can be punishable by service hours, suspension of license and a fine. have to jam out to that song.”

According to Rondeau, staying out past On Mount Prospect and Central Road, Martin says he was pulled over almost im- curfew creates a greater potential of traffic mediately. The punishment: 12 hours of com- accidents. In the instance of a traffic accident or violation that happens past curfew, munity service for speeding and staying out the license of an underage driver is invalipast curfew.

“I got caught almost immediately,” Mar- dated.

“Usually there is a lack of supervision,” tin said. “I called my parents, and they were Rondeau said. “The later the night gets, ticked.”

In Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, the greater chance drugs and alcohol is inlegally enforced curfews apply to everyone volved”.

Supervision is important according to under the age of 17. Curfews vary between Rondeau, and in the hours past curfew, there townships, and also between students perare less people out compared to during the sonal curfews. Both legal authorities and day. In many cases, kids see this as an opporparents often enforce curfews, though some tunity to do what they want, which leads to parents are more lenient than others.

According to School Resource Officer vandalism and destruction of property, acChris Rondeau, legally enforced curfews are cording to Rondeau.

“There is a sense that [people] can get instituted for the safety of the kids. This can away with more because it is night time and there are not many people out there,” Rondeau said. “I think people tend Curfews near Prospect: to act differently in the night versus the day time.”

When curfew hours begin, Arlington Heights: Weekdays : 11 p.m. - 6 a.m Mount Prospect: Mount Prospect police are alWeekends : 12 a.m - 6 a.m Weekdays : 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. lowed to stop anyone who looks Weekends : 12 a.m. - 6 a.m. under the age of 17. Substitute teacher Joyce Rosley believes Palatine: Weekdays : 11 p.m. - 6 that nothing good happens afBuffalo a.m.

Grove: Weekends : 12 a.m. - 6 Weekda ter curfew. This belief is shared a.m. ys : 10 p .m Weeken ds : 11 p . - 6 a.m. by officer Rondeau. .m. - 6 a .m.

“Over the years, I just don’t see any need for [teenagers] to s: ine Des Pla .- 6 a.m. be out,” Rosley said. “I think Weekdays : 11 p.m . - 6 a.m. they’re better off home.”

Weekends : 12 a.m At the same time, some teenagers find curfews hard to follow. Martin enjoys passing time with friends and finds it hard to leave when he’s having fun, even when it’s getting close to curfew.

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TICK TOCK: When the clock strikes 12:00 a.m, teenagers under the age of 17 are required to return home. No matter what the circumstances are, even if they are out for a round of night golf, they must be home. (photo illustration by Katie Hamilton) Sophomore Sam Lee agrees. Lee believes that when his friends are out, there is a greater chance that he is going to stay out with them. Lee believes parents are simply looking after their kids when telling them to be home at a certain time.

This is the overall consensus of many teenagers who are trying to follow curfew.

When their friends are out, their desire to stay out past curfew increases.

After the age of 17, no legal curfew is enforced. However, guardians still often set curfews for their kids. This applies to many seniors who are 18 years-old by the time they graduate.

Senior Karen Kukuc has a more lenient curfew now that she is a senior. Her curfew has changed as she’s gotten older, now it is at its latest since becoming a senior.

“I feel like as long as you’re being respon-

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sible, it shouldn’t matter,” Kukuc said.

Kukuc saw the greatest change in her curfew when making the change from middle school to high school. According to Kukuc, special events like concerts and movies are the one exception.

During special events, Kukuc believes parents know where you are and when the event will end. This gives parents a comfortable feeling, knowing where you are and when you will be home.

This puts an immense responsibility on parents and legal authorities. Rondeau finds it important for kids to understand their curfews and the ones around them to avoid bad situations.

“Because of their age, we have a greater sense of responsibility to keep them safe,” Rondeau said.

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10

Entertainment

November 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

Improv show brings competition, fun

BY COLE ALTMAYER Copy Editor

A

s evident from this past fall’s performance of “Rose and the Rime,” theater director Jeremy Morton’s vision for the stage this year is anything but conventional. With minimalistic sets and source material that draws from the House Theatre of Chicago rather than Broadway productions, “Rose and the Rime” was only a taste of things to come.

On Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, “Comedy Sportz” will grace the stage. “Comedy Sportz” is an improvisational comedy show, where two teams of actors compete with each other over a series of improv games.

Topics, settings and characters all come from audience suggestions, and actors will need to utilize quick wit to make the most out of every skit. The more laughs a team gets during their scenes, the more points they get. Whichever team has the most points by the end of the show is declared victorious.

“Comedy Sportz” brings unique challenges to the theater department, as it is the first improv show that Morton has been a part of since he began directing plays for Prospect in 2001. However, “Comedy Sportz” has a long history within the district and has been performed at John Hersey High School four times since 2010.

This year, every school in District 214 has decided to throw their hat into the ring for “Comedy Sportz,” and each performance

FUNNY BUSINESS: Professional “Comedy Sportz” performers clown around on stage. This winter, the theater department will bring their own version of “Comedy Sportz” to the Prospect stage and will compete against Buffalo Grove’s “Comedy Sportz” team. (photo courtesy of CSz Theater Chicago) will have two improv teams from different high schools competing against each other.

Prospect’s main team will be competing against Buffalo Grove with two shows hosted at Prospect.

The next weekend, the Prospect team will be competing against Buffalo Grove on their home turf for two shows.

“If people want to follow, they can actually go to [Buffalo Grove]

GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME “Comedy Sportz” will be comprised of a series of comedic improvisational games performed by two teams of actors competing for laughs. Here are a few of those games.

What Are You Doing?

The audience suggests a letter. Actor A pantomimes an action starting with that letter. Actor B asks what Actor A is doing, and Actor A describes an action that starts with the same letter.

Then Actor B starts pantomiming the described action.

I Can Do It Better The audience suggests a situation.

Two actors stand center stage and act out the situation, while three other actors stand behind them. At any time, an actor in the back can shout “I can do it better!” and swap places with one of the actors in center stage.

Two Minute Expert The audience suggests a subject. 10 actors go up on stage and stand in a line. One actor at a time pretends to be an expert on the subject, but at any time another actor can shout “Objection!” and take over as the expert.

and watch all four shows, and each one will be completely different,” Morton said. “There will be different actors playing different games and different audience suggestions.”

An alternative Prospect team comprised of entirely different cast members will go on to perform against Rolling Meadows High School in February. Finally, after the winter play season is over, all the participating schools will regroup and compete in an all-district encore “Comedy Sportz” performance on March 15.

Each show will be moderated by a professional “referee” from the show’s namesake organization, ComedySportz Chicago. ComedySportz Chicago is only one part of a larger ComedySportz organization that organizes teambased improv shows worldwide.

According to Morton, one of the biggest challenges for “Comedy Sportz” is casting. Morton says that casting for improvisational theater is entirely different than casting for a more traditional performance, and some actors can excel at one but not the other.

“The best improv performer is one who doesn’t focus on themselves, but instead is someone who focuses on the ensemble,” Morton said. “[It’s more about] how to make what the other person just said even better versus, ‘Look how funny I am!’ … The show is never about one individual, it’s about the team.”

Junior Molly Ruhl, who is a member of the main “Comedy Sportz” team, has experience with both improv and scripted performances and feels that improv is an effective team-building experience.

“You need to be able to work with whatever is given to you, and

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“The best improv performer is one who doesn’t focus on themselves, but instead is someone who focuses on the ensemble ... The show is never about one individual, it’s about the team.”

- Jeremy Morton, Fine Arts Coordinator then add on to it,” Ruhl said. “Understanding what [your team] is trying to say is a key component to making it funny.”

Fellow team member and senior Will Hitesman agrees and believes that the key to getting perfect chemistry on stage lies within the team’s rehearsal process.

Instead of memorizing lines to perfection, “Comedy Sportz” has the actors practicing improv games with each other so they can get to know the different senses of humor present amongst the team.

“Most of us are friends. We all know each other from something or another,” Hitesman said. “[Practicing] the games obviously makes us individually better at improv, but they also serve a double purpose where they unify us as a team.”

Acting on the fly isn’t the only challenging part of improvisation.

The tech crew faces their own unique pitfalls and hurdles.

While no fancy set pieces need to be constructed, Morton emphasizes the importance of timing light, sound and music cues to make sure the show transitions well from sketch to sketch.

Senior Kat Sinnott is a veteran among the tech crew and has been a stagehand since her freshman year. She mainly works the lighting cues, as well as anything else that happens above the stage. Sinnott expresses that while there are a multitude of different directions the tech crew can approach “Comedy Sportz,” it isn’t a challenge that they haven’t faced before in some form or another.

“Anything that goes wrong in a normal show could go wrong here,” Sinnott said. “[‘Comedy Sportz’] isn’t anything more worrying.”

In fact, Sinnott expresses a sense of freedom that comes with an improv show that is specific to the medium, especially when it comes to designing props and set pieces. For this show, the tech crew has complete freedom to design whatever they think would contribute to the comedic and light-hearted atmosphere of “Comedy Sportz.” They also need to keep props in mind that will give actors plenty of opportunities to work them into sketches effectively.

“I’m excited for every show [I work on]; I’m a complete theater nerd,” Sinnott said. “[But] I’m more excited to build this show than I am to run the lights. …

We’re going to have to find stuff [to build] that’s logical while still making it sort of interesting – not just, ‘Here’s a book; do something with it.’”

The show will mainly be comprised of traditional improv acting games with a heavy focus on audience participation and interaction. The “Sportz” in the title only refers to the fact that there are two competing teams, not to it being entirely sports themed.

The theme of the particular game hinges on whatever the audience wants to see, permitting that the referee considers it appropriate.

“There’s very little control [from me] as a director once the scene begins,” Morton said. “However, the [referees] have very good control over what suggestions they actually take from the audience … and if a scene is not going anywhere, they’re trained to step in and make it happen.”

All in all, “Comedy Sportz” is a show focused on interactivity, unpredictability and most importantly, fun. While the show’s primary purpose is to entertain an audience, Ruhl believes that improv is a powerful experience for those on the stage as well.

“For me, [improv] is like being awake and energized but being in a dream state. I let my mind wander to wherever it goes,” Ruhl said.

“With scripts, you’re a different character. You might connect to that character, but with improv, it’s different every time. You could be yourself. You could be someone else. It doesn’t matter.”

Prospector Panels presents...

The high school experience as told by a calculator

Spring Competitive season for Boy’s grades 5-12

Sign-Up Day: Saturday, December 10th. 9 AM to Noon Camelot Park, AH For more Information:

www.arlingtonstallionsrugby.com comic by Katie Hamilton

prospectornow.com

Local band grows throughout years

November 10th, 2017

Entertainment

BY GRACE GIVAN Executive Entertainment Editor

11

“Variety shows how much you know about music in general,” Rebecca said. “And it doesn’t only attract children. It attracts ll while a man was doing the adults. My grandparents can go to our conchicken dance at the front of the certs, and they know a bunch of [the] songs. crowd, lead singer sophomore … Just a bunch of different people can listen Rebecca Bradshaw found it very hard not to to us.” laugh during her cover band Chapter 1’s perAccording to Rachel, adults formance at the Arlington Park Race Track. are always very shocked that The band, formed of students from the disthey play music from their A NEW CHAPTER: (From left to right) Sophomore James Ragusin, sophomore Ratrict, was performing at the “Battle of the time because they expect stu- chel Bradshaw, sophmore Rebecca Bradshaw and freshman Jason Peck play at Battle Bands” competition in July 2017. of the Bands at the Arlington Heights Race track. “We performed better, fed off each dents to only play pop songs.

After performing their entire set list in Chapter 1 has played in a other on stage and bonded as a group,” lead singer Bradshaw said. (photo courtesy of the 30-minute breaks between races, the variety of venues, such as Six Rachel Bradshaw) band found out Flags Great America, Knots of “The members are really nice and funThis support from their parents has conChapter 1’s set list: that they won Love, Berry Yo, Capannari’s, Pegny ... like Rachel and Rebecca feel like they tinued to the present. Their dad being the and immediately Everybody Talks gy Kinnane’s and a fundraiser for are my sisters,” Peck said. “And [Ragusin] band’s designated sound guy, he always sets went to go take Kick the Dust up the Pediatric Brain Tumor Founjoined one year ago, and he feels like my own up for their outside shows. Their parents pictures.

Even dation, to name a few.

Ghost Town brother.” also let the band practice in their basement though they had The fundraiser for pediatric Twist and Shout The band has experienced many memevery week, where they have amps and mibeen a band for brain tumors was called Starry Drag Me Down bers coming and going in the four years of crophones. one year at this Night, and it sticks out to both Ratheir existence. Each person has joined in During these weekly two-hour practices, Jailhouse Rock point, Bradshaw chel and Rebecca because of how their own unique way.

Peck joined after seethey do a run-through of their set list and One Way or Another felt that this expemany children were mentioned for ing a flyer hung by Rebecca at El Rey. He told practice their newly added songs to make rience strengthTake it on the Run passing away. his dad he wanted to audition since he had sure everyone is playing it correctly. In orened the band’s You Give Love a Bad Name “It was very moving to all of never been in a band before and wanted to der to get these new songs, they all suggest a relationship with these people out to walk around Johnnie B Goode be. He made it after auditioning to the Bradsong every week and come to a consensus as each other. and raise money for a really great Renegades shaws. to which ones they would like to add to the “I felt like we cause,” Rachel said. “Especially Viva La Vida Rachel, on the other hand, joined in a set list. really bonded totwo years ago, this boy [was diagless structured way. Four years ago, RebecWhile these practices may be consistent Hey Soul Sister gether as a band,” nosed] with brain cancer, and he ca pressured her to go on stage at an open throughout the year, their gigs are not. They Smells Like Teen Spirit Bradshaw said. died the day of Starry Night, and mic to sing at Lamplighter Inn Tavern and have two to three gigs per month in summer, “We performed She Will Be Loved his whole family came to the founGrille. and they have even more if you count open better, fed off each The Middle dation still. I still remember that “[It was] very scary having everyone mics. However, in the winter months, they other on stage day because it was so sad but movAre You Gonna Be My Girl [watching me],” Rachel said. “And lot of old- only have gigs once a month and do open and bonded as a ing.”

Radioactive er people were looking at me, and I just did mics. group.”

In order to get these gigs, Rebec7 Nation Army not like that. Once I did [that], it felt normal The reason the band does not have gigs Chapter ca emphasizes that is important to keep going up on stage and singing.” at this time of year is because they usually Hotel California 1 consists to have connections. Using Starry Rachel and Rebecca discovered their love play outdoors, so indoor gigs are harder to Chelsea Dagger of ProsNight as an example, Rebecca statof music at an early age. When they were find. However, this time is a growth period pect and Ex’s and Oh’s ed that her mom used to work with younger, they would perform shows for their for them to utilize open mics as practice.

Rolling Bad Romance people on the committee for the parents.

While Rebecca played guitar and In order for this improvement, they add Meadows fundraiser, so this allowed Chapter sang, Rachel played keyboard and sang. new things to their covers of the original artstudents 1 to perform there. Also, they know ists’ songs during their pracwho met while the owners of Peggy tices. For example, they can taking music lesKinnane’s and Berry change the key of songs, add sons at El Rey Music Center. The band has Yo, so this made it possible to solos, add fills or add vocals to been around for four years with members get gigs there. change the melody.

September September December September One Gig coming and going. These four current memAt these gigs, they some“[We want to be] a different 2016 2015 bers have been together for one year and are 2015 2013 Later times get paid. The band memband,” Rachel said. “When mainly active in the summer. bers received money for peryou go to gigs, you do not want The members are drummer freshman forming at Bash on Wabash, to hear the same recording Jason Peck, back-up singer and Bradshaw’s Great America, Capannari’s, with everyone sounding the twin sister sophomore Rachel Bradshaw, Berry Yo, Peggy Kinnane’s The orignial band, Two Backup Drummer Band Guitarist same. You want to be differguitarist Rolling Meadows sophomore James and Frontier Days. including Rebecca singers added, breaks up, added: added: James ent, and you want that particRagusin and lead singer Rebecca. They perPeck believes that the Bradshaw, makes including Rachel Bradshaw Jason Peck Ragusin ular band to stand out in peoform all different genres of music from the members have formed a Bradshaw their debut twins ple’s life.”

‘70s and ‘80s to country and pop, bringing all form own strong bond during their time ages of people to listen to their music. band together.

A

Chapter 1’s History

Prospect’s Portfolio: Sophomore

Catherine Cook Q: What is your favorite kind of art?

A: I generally like doing simplistic art for the most part because the lines work easier for me than doing something crazy … I usually do things with ink [pens], but I started doing water colors a few weeks ago.

Q: Why do you like art?

A: Because I have different types of images or scenes in my head, and I like to see them come out onto paper. And I like seeing the different kinds of ways that I can create them, so art’s a fun way for me to see those [images].

Q: What is your favorite piece you have made?

A: I did [a] drawing a few weeks ago where I ripped a post-it note into three [parts], and I made those different islands. And I drew a tree on top of one of them and a house on another. And there is a portal on the third. I tuned the middle one into a house. I just like how it flows together.

12

News

November 10, 2017

Sebestyen steps away after 20 seasons

BREAK THE HUDDLE: Former head football coach Mike Sebestyen stepped down on Oct. 27. Sebestyen was the head coach at Prospect for seven seasons and an assistant for 13 seasons. “I think the relationships you build with the adults and the kids in the program [is what I will take away or remember most],” Sebestyen said. (photo by Erik Velazquez) you have so much impact when you truly said. “A good coach is key, but it is up to the players who play the game. It is all up to us dedicate your time to [your students]. It is more than just from bell to bell, it is everlast- now; this is a huge offseason for us.”

During the offseason, Martindale will being. I think that is the part about the football rospect head football coach Mike program here that I will miss the most is that gin the search for a new coach.

Sebestyen held a meeting on Oct. 27 it has afforded me the opportunity to influHe has decided that this process will start to discuss offseason workouts. after the IHSA State Playoffs are finished so ence and have people influence me in that Little did the team know that during that way. I leave excited for the next challenge he can allow coaches to finish out their remeeting, Sebestyen would announce that he but also appreciative of what the last 20 spective seasons. would be stepping down as “You are looking for someone that is goyears have afforded me.” head coach of the football As he leaves coach- ing to be a leader,” Martindale said. “You are “It is time for me to see team.

Sebestyen thinks the looking for someone who is passionate about what the next challenging ing, “The whole room just the job and the position and the challenge. program will be better off [went] silent,” junior quargoals are outside of with a new face leading You also need someone who is committed to terback Jimmy Martin the long haul. You don’t come in here in Authe program. my time here... There’s a said. “I couldn’t move; I Reflecting on Se- gust and say, ‘OK, I am committed here for a little bit of excitement to just froze. It was definitely bestyen’s career, boys’ certain amount of years.’” a big surprise. I did not exMoving forward, Sebestyen explains that the unknown and to the athletic director Tom Marpect it.” tindale thinks Sebestyen the hardest part of stepping down as the discomfort of the unknown.”

Sebestyen had a gut had a very positive impact head coach will be knowing that he is leavfeeling that told him it was ing behind a great group of kids. on the football program.

-Mike Sebestyen, time to move on, spend “I think the relationships you build with Martindale points out more time with his family Sebestyen’s professional the adults and the kids in the program [is former head coach and approach new chalmanner as a characteris- what I will take away or remember most],” lenges as a person and Sebestyen said. “A lot of people will be like, tic that stands out to him. teacher.

“He was very dedicated, very commit- ‘Was it this state title, was it this state title?’

“You take into account the fact that my They are nice, and they are special, but they ted, a good classroom teacher [and] a good kids are getting older, and we don’t live father,” Martindale said. “There were a lot are a trophy in a trophy case. … They are close, so it would be helpful [to my wife] to of positives that Mike brought to the table.” just symbols. The relationships that I have be around more,” Sebestyen said. “You take Martin is thankful for Sebestyen’s help in been able to build with young men in the prointo account your energy level. Coaching making him become the best quarterback he gram and the appreciation I have for watchfootball is a 12-month, 365-day-a-year – it is ing people work together could be in his junior seaconstant. … People always would joke, ‘Oh at 15-18 years to age, relason for the Knights. now that football is over, you have a little Continuing the legacy tionships that I have built “One word to really more time,’ and I would be like, ‘No,’ because with coaching staffs that describe him is selfless,” it doesn’t end.” have been here.”

Martin said. “He always Head varsity football coach Whether it be as an assistant or head Though he will not be puts others before himMike Sebestyen spent 20 coach, Sebestyen was involved in the Prosdirectly a part of the proself, and he made me a years as a football coach. pect football program for 20 years. In his sev- better quarterback and a gram, Sebestyen hopes Here are some of his accoen years as head coach, Sebestyen’s record better football player. He to maintain the relationlades: was 27-39 as a head coach and 104-34 as an was really patient with ships he has built with assistant. the players and coaches. me. He was always very Sebestyen is proud of his time coaching enthusiastic.”

Sebestyen thinks • Three time state champion at Prospect and thinks leaving the players that he will now have to Though the members (2001, 2002, 2005) will be the toughest adjustment. compete with Assistant of the football team were “My old boss and I used to say, ‘The guy Principal for Student Acsurprised that Sebestyen • 13 years as an assistant at the front is sometimes the least important tivities Frank Mirandola, stepped down, Martin coach at Prospect High guy in the room. The most important guys who stepped down from thinks it will be good to School in the room are the young men and who is have a fresh start. coaching football two playing,’” Sebestyen said. “There is not goseasons ago, for the title “It is hard to lose your ing to be much missed at that point. I think head coach, and none of of “Biggest Prospect Foot• 7 years as head coach at the kids will move forward and take initia- us wanted that to happen, ball Fan.” Prospect High School tive like I challenged them when I left.”

“At the end of the day, but everything happens Sebestyen will continue to coach track for a reason,” Martin I have spent 20 years of and teach AP Human Geography and U.S. my life with this program,” Sebestyen said. said. “With the guys here, I really think we History, but he is excited for new challenges can be something special next year.”

“I have seen it from its worst to its best and in his life.

This past season, the Knights started up everything in between. It has given me so “Teaching is the greatest profession on to 15 sophomores and juniors at some point. much in terms of relationships. … The relathis earth,” Sebestyen said. “Anyone who tionships that I have been able to build with Martin thinks this experience will be key wants to argue that with me can do that. people are things that are way more importheading into next season.

They will be wrong. I will be right because ant than the game itself.”

“It is always up to the players,” Martin

BY JACK ANKONY Executive Sports Editor

P

prospectornow.com

Concussions question safety Every year until eighth grade, I routinely received an email from the Mt. Prospect Football Association asking for my interest in their program. Every single time, I responded with the same 12 bleak words: “No, I don’t want to register; the risks are simply too high.”

More people around the state of Illinois have also been saying no to football and choosing to participate in

BY WYATT DOJUTREK non-contact sports.

A recent DaiOnline Executive ly Herald article Sports Editor found that football participation in 87 suburban high schools dropped 7.3 percent from 2015 to 2016 and 3.5 percent from 2016 to 2017.

One key reason for this decline is how concussions are plaguing not just the National Football League, high school and college football, but also park district and Pop Warner Football leagues.

Pop Warner Football lost a total of 23,612 players from 2010 to 2012. This is the league’s largest drop in players in a two-year period in the company’s history.

In a survey done by CBS News, 18 percent of parents would not allow their children to play football due to the evolution of concussions and head injuries. As someone who has had two concussions, I get these parents’ concerns. They do not want to see their children walking like zombies and throwing up their guts as they have gained knowledge of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, better known as CTE. “Parents would rather not risk their children’s futures,” senior football player Nick Ergastolo said, when guessing why some parents don’t allow their kids to play football. “They don’t want their kids brain damaged, and that can be prevented by them not playing.”

According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, CTE has been known to cause depression, dementia and memory loss. It has already been a key factor in the death of former NFL greats Dave Duerson and Junior Seau. Not only have NFL players taken their lives, but health concerns have risen among high school athletes as well.

One case that has gained national attention is that of a former student and football player in Iowa, Zac Easter, who suffered multiple concussions throughout his high school career. After his suicide at 24 yearsold in 2015, doctors found CTE in his brain.

However, other than major health effects like CTE and dementia, concussions can also cause very small issues, like the inability to complete simple everyday tasks.

According to Prevacus, 47 percent of all high school athletic concussions are football related.

Despite never having played it competitively, I love football like it’s my best friend.

But I would never want to risk anything that involves my mental health for a brown ball with eight white laces. However, people still play football because of the friendships and character they build.

Ergastolo knows the risks that concussions and head injuries possess, but still loves to play football because of the social aspect of the game.

“Being part of the team is a very good experience,” Ergastolo said. “Games and hitting people is an unmatched experience and it’s just a lot of fun.”

I now look at playing football this way: it takes one hit not only to get a concussion, but to cause you much greater damage in the future.

It has been a few years since I’ve gotten that email from the Mt. Prospect Football Association, but there has been a lot of progression in the sport.

Heads Up Football is teaching kids and coaches how to tackle properly and not using the head of a football helmet to tackle.

The NFL has recommended the Vicis Zero1 helmet which has four layers of protection to the head.

With the progression the NFL has attempted to make with reducing concussions, they are still happening. If I was to receive that email again, my stance against the risks of youth football would not change.

prospectornow.com

November 10, 2017

Sports

13

Golf programs develop college stars ?

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Ally Scaccia '14

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BY JACK ANKONY Executive Sports Editor

T

hough 2014 graduate Kiley Walsh helped the girls’ golf team win two state titles at Prospect, neither of those accomplishments were her most memorable. During her senior season, Walsh and the Knights set a school record for the best nine hole round as a team.

As they approached the ninth hole, Walsh explains that the team had a decent score, but after Noreen Caporusso holed out from the fairway for an eagle and Walsh made birdie, the Knights caught fire. The next group of Ally Scaccia and Emma Menich made birdie and par and were followed up by two more birdies to finish -8 on the ninth hole alone.

Walsh thinks this moment was special for the team because of everyone that was involved.

“Prospect golf was so unique in terms of team camaraderie,” Walsh said. “The girls on my team all worked together to make each other better, to be the best golfers and to be the best golf program we could be.”

In the past 13 seasons, the girls’ golf program has produced 28 college golfers. Prospect head girls’ golf coach Jim Hamann credits this to the consistency and development of the program.

“In 2006 and 2007, we had some great leadership from some girls,” Hamann said.

“That just kind of filtered down to [Walsh and Scaccia] and that group from 2010 to 2013 had so much positive energy and great work ethic it was just contagious throughout the whole team.”

Currently, Walsh is a senior at Illinois State University and Scaccia is a senior at Bradley University. According to GolfStat, Walsh was the no. 1 golfer in the Missouri Valley Conference for the 2017 fall season and Scaccia was the no. 3.

Walsh and Scaccia are both the top golfers on their team, so when Illinois State plays Bradley, they get the opportunity to golf together again.

“It is so much fun because any time we go to a tournament we give each other the biggest hugs, we are being goofy all the time,” Walsh said. “We act just the same as when we were teammates at Prospect as we do now and it is so much fun.”

Scaccia explains that she is proud of the friendships she made at Prospect and still keeps in touch with most of the team..

“It is so fun because in high school we were on the same team but we usually didn’t play together,” Scaccia said. “But now we are usually in the same group but it is just so much fun seeing each other grow and pushing each other and just catching up on life.

The 35 minute drive from Illinois State to Bradley also helps Walsh and Scaccia keep in touch. Walsh says that she was influenced by her two sisters who played college golf to continue playing after high school. Now at Illinois State, Walsh is appreciative of her teammates, coach and the way the golf program treats their golfers.

“I have found in college golf programs to be this close to your teammates and coach,” Walsh said. “I am really grateful for that because when you play college golf you are surrounded by the same girls all the time.”

Walsh also thinks that Illinois State has provided her with the facilities to make the most out of her college experience.

“They make us feel like professionals and I know that I something that doesn’t happen at every school,” Walsh said. “So I am super blessed to be at Illinois State.”

Walsh began her fall season at the Redbird Invitational finishing tied for fourth place, shooting a 6-over-par 222 (72-76-74).

She followed that up by tying for sixth place at the Boston College Intercollegiate Tournament with a 222 (72-76-74).

Finishing her season strong, Walsh chipped in for birdie at the Missouri Valley Conference Preview in Newton, Kansas to

Grant Gavin '15

Career Achievements at Regis and SIUE 15-17 Career Achievements at Bradley 14-17 • No. 2 in the Missouri Valley Conference in ‘17 • 66-1 conference record • All MVC team ‘16-17 • 74.8 18-hole average ‘17

• At Regis, his best 54-hole total of 228 came at the NCAA DII Super Regionals • +13 at the SIUE Derek Dolenc Invitational

(photo courtesy of Ally Scaccia) (photo courtesy of Grant Gavin)

Nick Tenuta '17

Kiley Walsh '14

Career Achievements at Regis 2017 • -4 at the Western Washington Invite • -3 at the Midwestern State Invite (photo courtesy of Nick Tenuta)

Career Achievements at Illinois State 14-17 • No. 1 in the Missouri Valley Conference in ‘17 • +6 at the Redbird Invitational in ‘17 • Tied for 6th at Boston College Intercollegiate (photo courtesy of Kiley Walsh)

place second at the tournament: her best finish ever. Walsh also played at the US Women’s Amateur in San Diego in June, a tournament made up of the best amateur golfers in the world.

“It was such a hard golf course set up,” Walsh said. “But it was so much fun and I learned a lot and I know that playing at that tournament is going to help me now and I am so grateful for it.”

Unlike Walsh who grew up watching her sisters play golf, Scaccia never picked up a golf club until her freshman year of high school. Now a senior, Scaccia averaged a 74.8 with her lowest round being 68. She also won the Redbird Invitational shooting 215 (71-7173).

What Scaccia likes the most about Bradley is the culture.

“We have a pretty similar culture in that all of my best friends are on the team as well,” Scaccia said. “Not just because we are always together, but because we all get along, we set team goals and dreams and our coaches have just ingrained a great culture as well.”

Throughout their years in college, Scaccia and Walsh have come back to Prospect during the summer to help the girls’ golf team with camp as well as their summer trip to Decatur, Illinois. For Scaccia, this is an opportunity to show the girls they can be like her someday.

“I try to make it as fun as possible in hopes that they can have the same experience that I did in high school,” Scaccia said.

“I also try to be a role model for them growing up just because if you are not good freshman year that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to improve because golf is a crazy sport in terms of development.”

While on the summer trip, Walsh was glad to see the culture of Prospect golf was still the same.

“Prospect golf still has girls who love to be around each other, love the bus rides, love doing the drills because they know it makes

us better,” Walsh said. “It was just so cool to see the program represent so much of what it used to be.”

Hamann is especially glad to have alumni like Walsh and Scaccia around in the summers because of the examples they set for the current team.

“They are just such positive people,” Hamann said. “They always have positive energy, they are hardworking, perseverance, determination, and they are just team players and show great leadership.”

Boys’ golf alumni inspire program: In his first year as captain of the golf team, 2015 graduate Grant Gavin helped the Prospect boys’ golf team advance to state.

His favorite memory as a Prospect golfer came at the sectional meet at Blackstone Golf Course in 2013.

“That was the best experience because of having the whole team there,” Gavin said.

“It just doesn’t get much better than that.

I ended up advancing as a senior individually and it just wasn’t the same to have an individual performance compared to a team performance.”

Now a junior at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE), Gavin started his college career at Regis University in Colorado, but transferred before his junior season.

The Prospect boys’ golf program also produced a current college golfer in 2017 graduate Nick Tenuta who is a freshman at Regis University.

Gavin credits head coach Tom Martindale and assistant coach Gary Judson for building a strong culture in the golf program.

“I think Martindale and Judson stressed [having fun] a lot,” Gavin said. “I think sometimes when you play it like a collegiate level it can kind of sometimes feel like a job or work and I think the biggest thing is to remember that it is supposed to be a game and it is supposed to be fun and you should remember why you started playing the game

in the first place.”

Tenuta credits Martindale for making him the golfer he is today.

“He was such a great coach as well as Judson,” Tenuta said. “They both helped me push my game forward both mentally and on the course, so they were a huge impact on me as well as the guys there who are all still my great friends today.”

Martindale explains that he tries to be more of a “sounding board and a resource” when helping golfers get recruited to play in college. Gavin chose to play his first two collegiate seasons at Regis because he liked the coach and had the opportunity to play right away.

At Regis, Gavin had a season-best three round finish of 228 at the NCAA DII Super Regionals with scores of 73-79-76 in his freshman season. However, after his sophomore season, Gavin decided to come closer to home and play at SIUE. “Obviously at Regis, every time I came home it was a flight home and that adds up,” Gavin said. “Southern Illinois is only a four hour ride from home and I like the guys here and the coach here a lot. He gave me an opportunity to play here, and I just like the facilities and the coach and everything about the school.”

In his junior season, Gavin placed 44th at the SIUE Derek Dolenc Invitational on Sept.

25 and also helped the Cougars win their home tournament. Gavin explains that the team is now preparing for their spring season and he is most looking forward to competing with the team.

After college, Gavin hopes to continue playing golf, and is excited to see what his future holds.

“I never want to look too far ahead but you always want to have that in the back of your mind,” Gavin said. “That is something I want to strive for, but you have to take it one day at a time and make sure I enjoy my time here and my teammates and college golf because it only lasts so long.”

Similar to Gavin, Tenuta chose to play at Regis after graduating Prospect. According to Tenuta, he had a gut feeling Regis was the right choice after his visit.

“The golf team is great,” Tenuta said.

“The coaches are spectacular, and the schedule is amazing so it was a really easy choice.”

Tenuta finished up a strong freshman season averaging a 72.5 and helping the Rangers finish 21st in the nation: Regis’s lowest ranking of all time.

“That was all just due to the preparation in the summer as well as all of the coaches that helped me get here,” Tenuta said.

The Rangers start their spring season on Feb. 19 and have set a goal to be ranked in the top 10 in the nation.

Martindale credits Gavin and Tenuta, among others, for developing the Prospect golf program throughout their years as Knights. He thinks their work ethic is what has allowed them to accomplish what they have done so far.

“Those are two guys that really worked at it,” Martindale said. “They practiced, they played in tournaments, they would be out there on a rainy day. They were both extremely competitive, had a high competitive motor, not only wanting to be good, but wanting to be even better. They were internally motivated and externally. They had this idea that they were going to compete, they liked to compete, they loved it.”

Though no longer playing for Prospect, Gavin and Tenuta’s impact on the team is still seen by Martindale. Before the Knights 2017 season, Martindale sat down with current seniors Riley Kingston and Nate Dunker and asked them to name someone they admire and want to be like.

According to Martindale, one of them said Gavin and the other said Tenuta. Martindale believes Gavin’s Zion-Benton Invite first place finish shooting a 72 in a field of 110 players is a moment that still inspires the team.

More recently, the team can draw from Tenuta’s round of 70 at the state meet, which is the lowest ever in Prospect history, as well as his round of 67 at the conference meet, which ties the Prospect record for lowest 18hole round.

“That ball has been passed,” Martindale said. “It goes back pretty far, and quite frankly their voice is the voice our golfers would listen to.”

SPORTS

FRIDAY, NOV 10, 2017

Sports Previews

Cross Country

Winter sports are starting soon. For previews of these upcoming seasons with insight from players and coaches, visit: prospectornow.com

The girls’ cross country team placed 18th at the state cross country meet. For a full recap, visit: prospectornow.com

Sauce wins ultimate frisbee tournament

BY ANTHONY SANTANGELO Sports Editor

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Check out a photo album from the Ultimate frisbee playoffs on Prospectornow.com

Regular Season Records

auce frisbee faced the Bees in the championship game of the 2017 Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Trailing 1-0 in the first half, senior Quinn Benson threw the frisbee the length of the field looking for senior Tim Lussenhop in the end zone.

The teams debated whether or not Lussenhop had his feet in bounds when he caught the frisbee. By rule, if there is debate between the teams, the frisbee goes one throw back. Motivated by this call, Sauce turned a 2-0 deficit into a 9-3 victory to claim the championship.

“I wasn’t really worried [about the game],” senior Ryan Howe said. “I knew that we had momentum coming from a really great game against [the Zebras]. [I] love all those players you know. … I just tried to take it one possession at a time, and I knew that I could trust two of the best players in the league, [Lussenhop] and [Swedura]. [I’m] glad they could come out as they transition into the basketball season.”

Ultimate Frisbee Club is usually held at Melas Park, but the tournament on Nov. 3 was played at George Gattas Memorial Stadium.

Sauce became the highest scoring team in the club’s 15-year history. The team consisted of Howe, Benson, Lussenhop, and seniors Anthony Catalano, Nick Caputo, Jack Ankony, David Swedura, Nicholas Egea, Peter Dolan and Colin Norton.

The club first started in 2003

1. Bees 28-3 431 pts 2. Sauce 27-3 589 pts 3. Zebras 27-3 359 pts 4. Fantasy 25-5 388 pts 5. Dream Team 24-7 414 pts 6. Krakatoa 21-9 334 pts 7. Benchwarmers 16-14 326 pts 8. Hype 16-14 326 pts 9. Giraffe 2.0 15-15 295 pts 10. Blue Wahoos 14-16 260 pts 11. Big 12-18 187 pts 12. Mean Machine 11-19 185 pts 13. Dream Catchers 7-23 135 pt 14. Average Joes 6-24 142 pts 15. Flavor 5-26 103 pts 16. XX Chrome 2-28 72 pts 17. Orchachicks 1-29 40 pts

TOO MUCH SAUCE: Senior Tim Lussenhop reaches out to catch the frisbee in the championship game on Nov. 3. Lussenhop led Sauce in scoring in their win over the Bees. (photo by Erik Velazquez) when a group of students asked World Religions teacher and club adviser John Camardella what he enjoyed doing in his free time. He responded by telling them that he played ultimate frisbee, a sport they were unfamiliar with.

15 years later, the club has grown to 251 active players and 17

What was your most memorable game this frisbee season?

“The most memorable day was probably the day when it was freezing cold outside... Everyone still went out there and played frisbee. It was just fun to come together.”

teams. The club started off with only 24 students (four teams and six players per team) after school on a Friday, which would become the first Ultimate Frisbee meet in Prospect history. Prospect has been the only school in the district to have an Ultimate Frisbee Club.

The club has been a success for multiple reasons, according to Camardella. “[One reason is because] it is student-centered,” Camardella said. “So I mean I run the Twitter account. I do the power rankings. I do standings. I do the schedule. [I] preserve the fields. But in terms of getting your team together, getting your jerseys, style of play, offense, defense [is up to the players] …

[Ultimate Frisbee is] just a great,

healthy way to set the week.”

Senior Zebra member Richie Baczek loves the game because there are so many different components like playing the wind and the different kinds of throws that are involved within the game.

“It is almost like a good golf shot,” Baczek said. “The wind can just steer it out of control so you have to compensate for all of [the problems], and the mental game is fun as well.”

The Zebras have consistently been ranked in the top five all season long.

Teams like the Bees, Dream Team, Sauce, Fantasy Frisbee and the Zebras were at the top of the rankings throughout the season.

A couple of the best games that the

-Tim Lussenhop, Sauce senior “My most memorable moment from this past frisbee season was when we beat the Bees 11-8. I feel like our team played our best game this entire season, and I hope it carries into the playoffs.”

-Dan Morgan, Dream Team junior

“My favorite memory of the frisbee season was when we got ranked number one... We played really well together this year.”

-Matt McAleer, Fantasy sophomore

“My favorite part about this year was winning our one game ... It was so much fun, so much excitement. Everyone was cheering [for] us, and it felt good to win a frisbee game.”

-Megan Ladd, Orcha Chicks senior

UPSET VICTORY: On Sept. 29, the Orcha Chicks beat Flavor in overtime for their first win in team history. Club adviser John Camardella called this game the “greatest win of the season” on the Twitter page for the Ultimate Frisbee Club. (photo courtesy of Madalyn Ladd)

Zebras played were against Dream Team and the Bees, according to Baczek.

Heading into the tournament, sophomore Fantasy Frisbee member Ben Osowski was confident in his young team’s chances.

“We are going four seed into the final four,” Osowski said. “We are having high hopes for this tournament. [We have to] play Dream Team in the Elite Eight and hopefully beat them and get the Bees. ...

We are looking for vengeance, [we have to] get into the championship and see what happens.”

Fantasy Frisbee ended up losing in the quarterfinals of the tournament but has shown great potential for upcoming seasons. Not only have they gained patience with the frisbee, but they have gotten taller and faster which makes them a threat to the older teams, according to Osowski. “[Our] best competition … I would say [is] no one,” Osowski said. “We have the confidence and ability to beat every team.”

Krakatoa was also a heavyweight competitor this season after beating Sauce 8-3 in the first game of the year.

The last time the Zebras played Krakatoa in the regular season, the Zebras won 13-2. The Zebras prefer to scrimmage opposing teams compared to practicing on their own, but sometimes it is hard to find a match-up.

In the beginning of the season, if they couldn’t scrimmage another team, the Zebras didn’t mind going to Melas Park to practice the mechanics of different throws.

According to Baczek, there was a lot of balance between the good teams this past year. If Baczek had to choose the best competition for their team, it would have been Sauce because, according to Baczek, they had very athletic players.

Many of the kids on Sauce have 30-inch verticals and are very fast, according to Baczek. In addition to Sauce, Baczek points out that the younger teams such as Dream Team and the Bees are full of talent as well.

“The Bees are a solid team because they are very good at man [to man defense],” Baczek said. “They are very athletic. They have a lot of endurance, same with Dream Team. A lot of people are sleeping on them, but I think that they are going to come out and be something big [during the tournament] because they have solid athleticism.”

Ultimate Frisbee Club continues to be one of the most popular clubs at Prospect, not only for the sport, but also for the reputation that the club has.

“I think more than anything, [the club] also demonstrates the community we have here at Prospect,” Camardella said. “You have girls’ teams; you got guys’ teams; you got old teams, young teams, athletes [and] non-athletes. It draws from all parts of the student population. I think it’s important, like I said, to keep that community of Prospect, sort of who we are and how we agree to operate.”