Prospector Issue #2 (Oct. 8, 2010)

Volume 50, Issue 2

Friday, October 8, 2010

TheVoice of Prospect since 1960

ROSPECTOR

Tony award-winning actress Lisa Howard visited the set of the fall musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” For more on her and the cast, see...

Entertainment, page 13

801 West Kensington Road Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056

Congestion question Parking lot, entrance design create heavy traffic for students with the addition of a stoplight on Kensington Road, When Prospect graduate Tom Wabik an extra parking went to school in the late 1970s, it was lot designed for very unusual for students to show up teachers to the left of the school’s late for first period. entrance “It just didn’t happen because the main and a driveway buses dropped everyone off,” Wabik that wraps around said. “Back when I went [to Prospect], the front of the school. there were buses everywhere, and they In the early 80s, the state were full.”

During that time, the parking lot developed the Kensington Project, which allowed Prospect a stopwas set up diflight but only one ferently with entry to the school. two separate The project also entrances off widened KensKensington ington so that it Road with had a middle, leftno stoplights turn lane, which at either enlessened the pain trance.

One -Prospect graduate Tom Wabik of having to wait entered into countless minutes Circle Drive, which housed the buses, and another to turn into school and increased the into the side and back parking lots, in safety of students and staff cruising which students and staff could park for into the parking lot.

“Without that light there, it would free. The driver’s education course took pose more possible accidents,” said up a decent chunk of the parking space Oscar Acevedo, Building and Grounds as well.

Supervisor.

Since then, the parking lot has deThe addition of the staff parking veloped to accommodate the increasing lot occurred in 2003, simultaneously number of student and staff drivers,

By Kate Schroeder and Gina O’Neill Editor-in-Chief and Copy Editor

“Back when I went [to Prospect], there were buses everywhere, and they were full.”

Graphic by Ian Magnuson and Kate Schroeder

adding 111 parking spots for staff and handicapped while opening 100 more spots for students in the regular parking lot.

But now, as more students choose to drive their own cars, large amounts of traffic congestion cause getting in and out of school in the mornings and afternoons an unruly task, unlike in the past.

According to Principal Kurt Laakso, the growing number of students in general contributes to this lot-overload, and as the student population rises, so does the number of vehicles.

Currently, students dread the milelong line that seems to stretch endlessly down Kensington, and there is a constant rush to get a parking spot before they all fill up. All the while, the clock is ticking, warning them to hurry along

or possibly face detention for tardiness.

According to Tom’s daughter and Prospect senior Ashley Wabik, along with the long line down Kensington, the traffic on Forest Avenue is backed up by at least a half a block, stretching up to a block long on busier days. When this happens, it takes away another two or three minutes from the time students have before the bell rings.

So with the increasing traffic congestion rivaling the chaos of a Six Flags’ roller coaster, why doesn’t the school fix Prospect’s traffic issue?

Laakso feels the main problem is that the school is limited in the changes it can make — each alteration that would seem to benefit the parking lot presents another problem, having the effect of an out-of-balance scale on the school.

Laakso proposed the idea of adding another light onto Kensington three

See PARKING, page 2

Knights’ Way targets bullying problem

By Neel Thakkar Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Ian Magnuson

On Prospectornow.com...

“American Idol” Lee DeWyze signs autographs on his Sept. 23 visit. For coverage of DeWyze at Prospect with photo and video, head online.

During Knights’ Way training day, Superintendent Dr. David Schuler had some surprising news for the new crop of leaders.

Last year, he said, three students had requested transfers out of Prospect because of bullying.

In his six years as superintendent, Schuler had never before had anyone from Prospect make that request.

“I was shocked,” said Sam McArdle, senior Knights’ Way leader, “and I think everyone else was [too].”

McArdle, who was one of the committee members given the task of planning the first Knights’ Way topic on bullying, used the fact to help highlight the importance of the issue.

“When [Schuler] told us, it was like, ‘Oh my God, this means

so much more now,’” said senior Morgan Riedy, a Knights’ Way leader who was also on the committee. “We told our classes, and we told are parents and we told everyone we knew, because it’s a big issue.”

“Over the course of the last couple years, we’ve seen a nationwide increase in cyberbullying,” Schuler said, “and just kind of that ‘Mean Girls’ attitude.”

“I encouraged the leaders of Knights’ Way to change that culture,” he added.

During the first Knights’ Way day, McArdle and Riedy tried to do that by telling students who see bullying occur to get involved.

Those “innocent bystanders,” — who are not the bullies or the bullied ­— McArdle said, make up 85 percent of the student population.

However, McArdle’s reaction of shock softened after a later conversation with Principal Kurt

Laakso, who emphasized that those three students’ problems did not reflect a trend of bullying at Prospect.

“The environment wasn’t for them,” McArdle said.

Still, the impression wasn’t universal.

“There’s always reasons,” Schuler said, “but it was definitely unique.”

School psychologist and Knights’ Way adviser Dr. Jay KypJohnson has seen an upswing in bullying over the past year and a half.

“As a staff, we have noticed more name-calling, more kids just being harsh and seeming to not get that it’s hurtful to people,” he said.

Kyp-Johnson attributed the increase to lowered standards in the media, especially on TV shows.

See MEAN OUT, page 3

Gaga for Gaga?

On the internet

All-conference team

With a wardrobe that redefines the meaning of “original,” are Lady Gaga and her fashion choices too “gaga,” or is she inspiring? See...

Besides Facebook, many students also visit blogs like Tumblr and PostSecret.

For students’ opinions on these sites, check out...

The girls’ golf team not only won conference, but all six team members also made all-conference. For more on their success, turn to...

Opinion, page 6

Features, page 7

Sports, page 14

2 NEWS

Friday, October 8, 2010

PARKING: Students plagued with heavy traffic CONTINUED from front page

inbound and outbound traffic.

If the school made a “loading dock” from the back end of the field house years ago, which would consist of dig- foyer to the cafeteria foyer, traffic would ging up the walkway from Circle Drive flow more freely. to Kensington to lay down a street there However, every project like this takes in its place. However, the Mount Pros- time, maybe even years, to complete. pect Police Department conducted a First, the principal would need to prostudy that showed two separate lights pose the renovation as a facilities imwould only spark more traffic. provement project, or FIP, to the school Acevedo said that two lights might administration building, and after, the move traffic quicker if both lights were facility and maintenance facility would green, but the close position of the be able to include it in the schools sumlights might just be food for the monster mer reservations if it’s been approved. of traffic they would create on KensingCost is a large factor contributing ton. to whether or not a large project like Traffic engineer Tom Ponsot from reconstructing a parking lot can take Arlington Heights Village said that a place, according to Mark Hineman, Disstudy to determine how many kids are trict 214 School Board member. traveling eastbound and westbound All the money for the renovations would have to be done if Prospect was would come out of the District 214 budthinking of adding an additional light. get. Every year, the school board apAcevedo was hesitant to say that a proves their total budget. A section of stop sign would work more effectively that budget is for repairs, but most of instead of a secthe money goes to ond light on Kenseducation. ington because he The principal FIP feels that street gets to provide a Building and Grounds Supervisor lights are safer prioritized wish Oscar Acevedo and his team have than stop signs. list for what the some other projects under way According to school would like concerning redoing the window Dean of Students to see done. Then paneling in the classrooms, Mark Taylor, it someone in the adwashrooms and theater. would be difficult ministration looks Acevedo wants to replace the to create a new over the list and carpeting and seating in the theater, entrance through decides what can and the windows and their curtains the other side and can’t be done are just too old and need to be streets surroundaccording to budredone. ing Prospect, as get restraints. well.

According to “Prospect is Hineman, to avoid odd; it’s smack dab in the middle of a large project spending, the district will neighborhood,” Taylor said. “We are on usually make repairs so that things still an island here in the community.” remain usable from year to year instead A possible solution to the parking of spending three times as much money lot chaos would be to create a pick-up/ to have the “best thing” at a school. drop-off area for parents. According to Even though Acevedo and his staff Acevedo, stopping in front of the cafete- are “always trying to improve the buildria or Door 1 hinders the flow of traf- ing,” the parking lot is not a major confic because the street is only supposed cern to them right now, as they have to have two lanes, and stalling there other projects under way (see FIP). blocks off one of them.

“This is how it’s going to be for a long Ponsot agrees with Acevedo that the time,” Acevedo said. current parent drop-off creates large Laakso and Acevedo agree that stuamounts of traffic due to the conflicting dents can be the greatest factors in

aiding the parking lot’s stressful situation.

“It’s not the way some people want to start their day,” Laakso said, “but it would be great if more people exercised the option to walk to school.”

Taylor agrees with Laakso on the fact that traffic would be less hectic if students chose to manage their mornings a little differently. By leaving for school five to 10 minutes earlier than they normally do, especially on bad weather days, they would help the flow of traffic and eliminate the rush to find a good parking spot.

Laakso said that although the school initially pTIME WARP: In 2003, the staff lot was added, creatinstalled more bike racks ing 100 extra spots for students. The map above shows the to be more “ecologically parking layout in March 2002. (Photos by Ian Magnuson) responsible,” the racks would also lessen the speeding, roping students and staff in amount of cars students take to school, to pose even more dangerous, accidentwhich would improve the packed-car ridden threats. Students can prevent chaos accordingly. this by just slowing down and being Utilizing the bus system would also careful. “absolutely help,” according to Aceve“Without those speed bumps, it’s like do. Yet, he sees how some parents don’t a drag strip [out there],” Acevedo said. want their kids waiting at the bus stop While Prospect’s parking lot is far in the temperamental Chicago weather. from perfect, its situation is not unique “I don’t want my daughter sitting to that of other schools. out there waiting,” Acevedo said.

“Every school has their own dilemWhen it comes to harnessing safety ma,” Acevedo said. “I think we’re OK.” in the parking lot, the main opponent is

Want the best of Knightimes 2010?

Check out our homecoming coverage!

Photos from dress up days, including senior toga day and lazy day from Tuesday and color day on Wednesday Photos from hall decorating on Sunday What else we’re covering... p A NEW REIGN: The homecoming king and queen, seniors Blake Heyde and Morgan Deihs, were crowned at the coronation ceremony on Monday, Oct. 4. For a story and photos from the ceremony, see Prospectornow.com. (Photo by Ian Magnuson)

Go online to Prospectornow.com for recent coverage of Knightgames from Wednesday, Friday’s football and soccer games, photos from the dance on Saturday and a poll relating to the week.

NEWS 3

Friday, October 8, 2010

Language changes expand horizons Name changed, courses added to department

By Andrew Revord News Editor America has always been called the world’s “melting pot,” and for good reason: It is a nation that people of all nationalities, cultures and languages call home.

This year, District 214 wants to acknowledge America’s “melting pot” status by changing the name of “Foreign Languages” to “World Languages.”

Also new to Prospect this year, Mandarin has become the fourth language offered at Prospect.

Concerning the name change, Spanish teacher Mike Aldworth said that one of the reasons for this change is because many schools have already moved away from using the term “foreign languages” because it implies that they are not as American as English.

“Sometimes when you say ‘foreign language,’ you get a bad connotation with foreigners,” Social Science/World Language Division Head Gary Judson said.

In addition to the department’s change in name, Prospect also now offers two levels of Mandarin: Level one is an introductory level, and level two is

pCALLIGRAPHY AND CULTURE: Freshmen Madeleine Ives and Seamus Mangan practice their Chinese characters in Mandarin class. This is the first year that Prospect offers Mandarin in addition to Spanish, French and Italian. (Photo by Maddy Moloney) offered to students who took Mandarin at South Middle School.

According to Judson, Prospect’s addition of Mandarin was motivated

by South’s offering of the language.

Hersey and Buffalo Grove started offering Mandarin last year.

Budget has been one of the major hurdles that Prospect’s Mandarin class

will have to clear. This year, the Mandarin 2 class has very few students.

“How do you balance a class of 30 in social studies or English and only 10 in [Mandarin 2]?” Judson said.

To cut costs, Mandarin teacher Jeanne Hennek teaches Mandarin at both Rolling Meadows and Prospect, facing a situation different from Pros-

pect’s other three languages because Prospect has daily scheduling with 50-minute periods while Rolling Meadows uses block scheduling. This means Hennek has to prepare for four classes instead of two.

But like the other language classes at Prospect, Mandarin students are learning about culture as well.

Mandarin students have the opportunity to learn about the evolution of the Mandarin language characters and Chinese history and philosophy.

In the case of Mandarin, however, Hennek said that “just the characters by themselves are a lot of culture.”

This is because the Chinese characters are pictographs, or symbols that represent ideas, not just sounds.

Characters aren’t the only part of the Mandarin language that distinguish it from the rest of the world languages at Prospect, according to Aldworth.

“I think it is very forward thinking [for Prospect] to have a language that is not a romance language,” he said.

Romance languages, such as the other three languages offered at Prospect, are based on Latin.

In addition, Aldworth is aware of China’s rise as a world economic power and said that for business purposes, learning Mandarin “is a good idea.”

“We really are living in a more global society,” Aldworth said. “The fact that we can accept other cultures and languages as part of the United States helps students become more accepting, open and aware of the world around them.”

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CONTINUED from front page “Even watching ‘Glee’, there’s a certain amount of normalization of people picking on people,” he said. “[And] I think a lot of the reality shows are based on people cutting people out or throwing people off.”

According to Kyp-Johnson, bullying is now predominantly verbal or electronic, rather than physical. It comes most often in the form of name-calling and ethnic or religious derogatory terms.

“I think the assumption has been that, ‘Well, that’s cool to do,’” KypJohnson said. It’s a perception fueled, he says, by shows like “Jersey Shore,” which has popularized the offensive term “guido.”

“I saw an interview with a Jersey person,” Kyp-Johnson said, “and they were saying, ‘God [being called] that would be the worst thing.”

“People have popularized the idea that it’s cool or cute to call people certain things when that’s just fantasy land TV that has nothing to do with reality.”

Another type of bullying that has gained national attention is cyberbullying, conducted over the internet on sites like Facebook or through text messages.

Just this year, the Illinois legislature adopted a new law about bullying which addressed cyberbullying, among other topics. The law comes on the heels of surveys like one in 2006, which found that over 40 percent of American teenagers had been cyberbullied in the past year. Still, the phenomenon is hard for school officials to handle because it occurs outside of school.

“It’s not like we have someone sit-

“People have popularized the idea that it’s cool or cute to call people certain things when that’s just fantasy land TV that has nothing to do with reality.”

- Psychologist Dr. Jay Kyp-Johnson ting on Facebook 24 hours a day,” Schuler said.

But at the same time, he said, “we definitely want to know about” things happening outside of school that could affect the school.

Still, everyone — Schuler, Laakso, Kyp-Johnson and the Knights’ Way leaders — agrees that Prospect is much better off than many other schools.

“There is not a problem here compared to the other schools [I’ve worked at],” Kyp-Johnson said.

“There are very few high schools that have the support we have,” Schuler said, mentioning the web of counselors, social workers, deans, teachers and psychologists. He included Knights’ Way and LINK as well.

The support system is important for carrying on a dialogue between students and staff, Kyp-Johnson said.

“I don’t think there’s a problem that can’t be solved if people discuss it and try to come to a decent conclusion,” he said.

4 NEWS

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5 OPINION The Staff

Alumnus remembered as hero

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Kate Schroeder Neel Thakkar

ASSOCIATE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sharon Lee Riley Simpson NEWS EDITORS Maddie Conway Jane Berry Andrew Revord OPINION EDITORS Whitney Kiepura Katie Best FEATURES EDITORS Megan Maughan Carly Evans Jenna Mastrolonardo IN-DEPTH EDITOR Emmy Lindfors ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Tallyn Owens SPORTS EDITORS Maggie Devereux Nick Stanojevic Miranda Holloway PHOTO EDITORS Ian Magnuson Walker Brewer CARTOONISTS Quinn Blackshere Nicolette Fudala ADVISER Jason Block Some material is courtesy of the American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Published by students in Journalistic Writing courses, the Prospector has won, most notably, the 2004-05 and 2006-07 National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker and the Gold Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2006.

Mission Statement The primary purpose of the Prospect High School Prospector is to report news as well as explain its meaning and significance to our readers and the community. We, the Prospector, hope to inform, entertain and provide a school forum for the unrestricted exchange of ideas and opinions.

Advertising For ad rates, call (847) 718-5376 (ask for Deanna Shilkus), fax (847) 718-5306 e-mail or write the Prospector, 801 West Kensington Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056, prospectornow@gmail. com.

Letters to the Editor Drop off letters to the Prospector in the box in the library, in Rm. 216 or email letters to prospectornow@gmail.com. All letters must be signed. Please limit letters to 400 words. The Prospector reserves the rights to edit letters for style and length.

Staff Editorial

MANAGING EDITOR Deanna Shilkus COPY EDITOR Gina O’Neill

Friday, October 8, 2010

There are 22 of them now.

Among their number there are artists, performers, journalists, doctors, teachers, firefighters, even radio hosts. They have risen to great heights in almost every field.

These men and women, Prospect’s distinguished alumni, embody the height of worldly achievement and have been duly honored for it. Their example is a positive one to current students, who can aspire to the same success that those who came before them found.

But their example isn’t the only one students deserve to see.

Doug Vaughan entered Prospect in 1958. During his accomplished four years as a student, he was an honors student, played on the varsity in four different sports, became student council president and was on the homecoming court.

After graduation, he attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on his way to becoming Lt. JG Douglas Dean Vaughan. In 1966, he graduated and was sent to Vietnam soon after.

pREMEMBERING A HERO: Garnet Vaughan, sister of the late Doug Vaughan, attended the coronation ceremony to recieve the Distinguished Alumnus award for her brother. (Photo by Ian Magnuson) On April 22, 1969 – five days after his 25th birthday – Vaughan was mortally wounded. On May 20, he died.

Vaughan’s friends from the class of 1962 didn’t forget him. But his high school, which began honoring alumni in 2004, did.

For six years, Vaughan’s example was left in the shadows. This year, that finally changed.

With eight of the members of his 1961 homecoming court present, Vaughan became the first to be posthumously honored with a place on the distinguished alumni wall, alongside fellow 2010 inductees Dr. Gary Motykie and Nancy Floros Rajanen.

We, the Prospector, wholeheartedly support Vaughan’s induction. The Wall of Fame, as it is known, should be a place to honor

the examples of not only those who have found conventional success but also those who, trite though it sounds, have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Vaughan is not the only Prospect alumnus to die serving his country.

Lt. David William Skibbe, who was two years younger than Vaughan, also died in Vietnam in 1970. For his heroism, he recieved a Navy Cross.

There may be others, too — their sacrifices forgotten.

It is an indictment of our society to so easily forget these heroes.

Other alumni — Lee DeWyze, Ian Brennan, Jennifer Morrison — who have achieved the “fame” on the Wall of Fame literally, deserve our recognition.

But let us not forgot the the people who, in death, exhibited true herois

On ProspectorNow...

Log on for more about the unique and successful lives of this year’s distinguished

Sex education: too late, too early or just right?

Eminem was being a little crass when he rapped, “Of course they gonna know what intercourse is/ By the time they hit fourth grade/ They got the Discovery Channel/ Don’t they?” But he brings up a good point. Every high schooler knows what the sexual organs are. But w h e n they venWhitney Kiepura ture furExecutive ther, like Opinion Editor wh i c h sex has fallopian tubes (females do), that is where most of the new information lies.

Here at Prospect, all students take the mandatory health class during their sophomore year. The class covers a variety of subjects: some are repeats from middle school like the health triangle, nutrition and exercise

New topics are thrown in the mix like club drugs and alcoholism. But the most interesting topic is saved until the last three weeks of the course: sex education.

Health teacher Michele Burnett said that they have 15 days to teach the sex ed unit.

Some of the topics they discuss are based on state goals.

The most interesting aspect of sex education is not the material that is taught but the timing when the students learn the material.

Every school is state-mandated to teach kids about disease prevention, the human body systems and decisionmaking strategies. But it was a District 214 decision to have all students learn about these topics sophomore year.

There are alternate ways to teach these ideas: some schools spread a comparable health curriculum over all four years. It is very efficient to teach students everything in one year, so sophomore year is the best choice.

During the sex ed unit taught in most middle schools,

WHAT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME? Despite the decision to teach sex ed sophomore year, 87 students surveyed out of 325 think Prospect teaches sex ed too late, and 15 think it’s too early.

However, across the grades, the grand majority agreed that sophomore year is the best year to officially learn about sex.

Those who think sex ed is taught too late feel this way because some students have already had sexual intercourse by the second year in high school, so they believe it should be moved to freshman year. On the flip side, others feel many students are too young and shouldn’t learn about such adult topics until junior year.

“I felt mature enough for [sex ed]. Maybe freshman year would be better,” junior Christian Talbot said.

Nine out of 55 freshman students, or 16 percent of the class, said they were sexually active.

pLEVELS OF MATURITY: Although there are many controversies surrounding the topic of sex education, one of the most prevalent is when to teach the subject. (Photo by Ian Magnuson) everyone learns some of the most critical parts of each reproductive system and abstinence. It’s not until high school when teachers introduce contraceptives and STDs. The idea of contraceptives and STDs would not only worry parents at the eighth grade level, but it would also frighten kids — the pictures are like horror movies without any death.

Sophomore year is a happy medium; 21 percent of sophomores have been sexually active before this year. But on the other side of the maturity scale, there are a portion of students who aren’t mature enough to learn about sex as freshmen. On the anonymous surveys, the question, “Are you sexually active?” provoked some immature answers, such as this one written by a freshman boy: “No, my mom won’t let me.”

Sophomore year is a socalled window of opportunity.

By teaching sex ed to 15 and

16-year-olds, teachers can educate the students before many of them lose their virginity.

Health teachers Cristen Sprenger and Burnett frequently field questions from concerned parents.

“I’ve had parents call before the unit, asking, “What do we cover?’” Burnett said, “Once we explain which topics, they’re almost always OK with the curriculum.”

Nonetheless, there is a rare case when a student may opt out of the three weeks of sex ed.

“I’ve only had two students in ten years opt out of the sex ed unit,” Burnett said. “Once [it was] because of a religious reason. The other time, the student was allowed to learn about their [gender]. When we learned about the other [gender], they left the room.”

However, some parents are thrilled that the school teaches sex ed.

See EDUCATION, page 6

6 OPINION

Gaga for Lady Gaga

Friday, October 8, 2010

She has made headlines with her wacky and out-of-this-world style. From her vampire vixen outfit to her Kermit the Frog coat, she sticks out of the crowd.

While Lady Gaga may be in her own little world, she’s been influencing teenagers with her style and her sound. Take junior Lauren Nopar, for example. Nopar designs her own clothing and has her own sense of style.

Lady Gaga accepted her VMA award for “[Lady Gaga] makes me think that it doesn’t Music Video of the Year on Sept. 12. Only, it really matter what you wear,” Nopar said. wasn’t the VMA everyone was talking about “People come in all shapes and sizes, and they — it was the Franc Fernandez dress she was can have as many different clothes as they wearing. want. It makes you who you are, and what This wasn’t just an ordinary dress; this dress [Lady Gaga] wears is who she is … She’s was made of entirely raw meat. Bright red with willing to put herself out there even white fatty strips and smelling like leftover though there are people criticizing her.

Chinese food and burnt “I look up to that. If a celebrity can put hamburgers, this dress themselves out in front of the world and be was even accompanied themselves, anyone else can, too.” by matching boots and Expressing yourself is vital in today’s socia clutch (with a giant ety. If Lady Gaga can go out in public dressed rhinestone, to add class.) like a twisted, gothic Alice in Wonderland This statement caused when it’s not Halloween, I don’t see why an uproar from not only other people can’t do the same.

People for the Ethical While the students in Fashion Construction Treatment of Animals don’t claim to be influenced by Lady Gaga, (PETA), but other news staFashion Construction teacher Lisa Curtin ofKatie Best tions as well. fered more of an insight to the Lady’s fashion Opinion Editor PETA was none too happy designs. about her gutsy move and “She may not design or construct her own commented on how Gaga clothes, but she is still the one wearing the took the life of an innocent animal to wear it outfit, which says something about who she is and to an event. To these groups, this statement the image she wants,” Curtin said. disrespected their choices and ways of life, but Lady Gaga’s fashion may have not influenced to Lady Gaga, she was simply expressing her sophomore Chantel Higgins’ sense of style, but it opinion. did influence the way she expresses herself.

In an interview following the VMAs, Lady Gaga “Lady Gaga has influenced me in terms of how said, “But for me this evening … if we don’t stand I express myself. It gives me the confidence to up for what we believe in, and if do whatever I want, knowing that we don’t fight for our rights, pretty someone does the same and is soon we’re going to have [as many] adored for it,” Higgins said. rights as the meat on our bones.

She doesn’t care what other people And I am not a piece of meat.” think of her style even though it Actually, Lady Gaga technically is may be for attention, and she sells a piece of meat, but unlike that cow catchy music to the pop-culture she’s wearing, people don’t want to society. lather her in barbecue sauce and While the outfits Lady Gaga wears eat her. It might leave a bad afterare more than insane, she is promitaste. nent in pop-culture and everywhere Lady Gaga’s dress, along with her I look. While I admire some of her other clothing creations, might be fashion, I wouldn’t recommend her eccentric, but the main attentionwearing that meat dress again, or grabber of her fashion choices is the neighborhood dogs may confuse individuality. her with a Milk Bone dog treat or -Singer/songwriter Lady Gaga I truly admire Lady Gaga for her slab of steak. ability not to care what the media commenting on the significance of her VMA dress “Lady Gaga is absolutely insane. thinks of her and to push past the She has something figured out [that] norm and dress however she wants. the rest of us don’t,” Higgins said.

Students seek inspiration from unique singer, songwriter, fashionista

“If we don’t stand up for what we believe in, and if we don’t fight for our rights, pretty soon we’re going to have [as many] rights as the meat on our bones.”

Hot

or

Not

Hot

Jeggings: At first, the thought of leggings and jeans mixed together seemed like a stupid idea. The name itself — jeggings — is stupid. I couldn’t stand them. Then, when browsing Lucky Brand Jeans at Woodfield, I picked up a pair of them and tried them on. They fit like heaven. It was as if the jean — or jegging, in this case — gods were smiling upon me.

They were stretchy and thin like leggings while denim and stylish like jeans.

Hot

The Burrito guy: this is not what you’re thinking. I don’t think some guy who serves burritos is ‘hot.’ Not that he couldn’t be, but that’s not why this guy makes my top ten list of coolest people. My friend and I walked into a burrito-selling franchise at nine p.m. and walked up to the counter and ordered burritos. We were looking through our bags for change when the guy behind the counter said: “Don’t worry — this one’s on me.” Can you believe it? He was giving us a free burrito! Wait, there’s more. We go to check out, and I guess he was thinking, ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ because he gave us a second free burrito, a bag of chips and salsa and two drinks all for free. This was an epic night at the most amazing burrito-selling franchise (that will not be named for protection of the Burrito Guy).

Sex Ed: students show surprising amount of maturity CONTINUED from page 5 “Some parents say they would rather have us [teach the students sex ed],” Burnett said. “I’d say about half the kids have had ‘the talk’ with their parents.”

“Kids have mentioned that after we talk about some of the [sex ed] topics, it ends up sparking conversation at home,” Sprenger said.

Although there is a small minority of students who are immature as sophomores, the peer pressure to act respectfully saves the class from the few clowns.

“Students self-police,” Sprenger said.

“If one of them steps out of line, someone else will call them out for it.”

“I never have anyone tardy during that unit,” Burnett said. “They just love [the sex ed] unit. Kids will usually say it’s their favorite unit.”

Facing one of the biggest social taboos is bound to bring up questions by sophomore year. Because after all, like

ISN’T EVERYBODY DOING IT? The percentages given describe how many surveyed students are sexually active.

- Freshmen: 16 percent - Sophomores: 21 percent - Juniors: 27 percent Hold onto your socks everyone. Those feint of heart should look away.

- Seniors 53 percent Survey out of 325 students

Ever since Beth Rowe and Kelly Rose McAleer graduated, they chose Katie Best and Jane Berry to bring you the “Berry Best” and worst of pop culture. This issue, the duo is sharing four of this month’s “Hot or Not” in print; the rest can be found online at Prospectornow.com.

Not

Facebook cat fights: How old are you girls, two? No one cares about your problems, except maybe your mom and your close friends. So wall posts of “God, she is such a b***h” and “You’re a slut” need to stop. You guys have cell phones, and we live in America. Call the person and complain to them so you stop clogging our newsfeeds with remarks we don’t care about. Man up; I know you kiddies can have civil conversations without killing each other. Having civil conversations and working out problems like adults may actually limit the amount of useless drama we have at school.

Not

Fall colds: Coughing. Sneezing. Runny eyes and nose. We all know this feeling. The achy muscles and the I-do-not-want-to-get-out-of-bed mantra make getting over this nearly harmless disease like being in World War III. Okay, so this may be an exaggeration, but no matter what I do, this cold seems to enjoy making my life a living nightmare.

FEATURES 7

Friday, October 8, 2010

Anonymity enables comfortability Blogs provide outlet for students to anonymously express themselves

By Megan Maughan Executive Features Editor Senior Emily Hoelter regularly reads a blog called PostSecret, which collects anonymous postcards containing a secret about the sender, and over the summer she came across a postcard that announced a stranger’s plans of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

It wasn’t just the secret that caught Hoelter’s attention, but more the reaction to the secret; people replied encouraging the sender to reconsider, and a Facebook group was even created called “Please Don’t Jump.”

“All of the sudden, thousands of people cared about this person’s life, and he was still just a stranger that no one knew personally,” Hoelter said.

Though no one discovered what ended up happening to the sender, the Golden Gate Bridge situation is one of the reasons why Hoelter thinks blogs have a unique ability in connecting people to one another.

About four months ago, she created a Tumblr, one of the more recent blog sites used by teens (See Top blogs), because she saw

that a lot of pictures from a site she liked were linked back to Tumblr.

Though she knows a handful of people on Tumblr from her school and social life, most of the blogs she reads are written by strangers.

Hoelter thinks that the anonymity in blogs is a big part of their appeal.

“If I want to complain about something or someone, they’re most likely on Facebook, so I would never post something personal there because it would just start something bad,” Hoelter said.

“On Tumblr, you have much more freedom to post quotes or songs or just maybe an angry rant, and no one’s going to think you’re a [bad person] for doing that.”

Creative Writing teacher Teri Buczinsky also sees the appeal of anonymity for blogs.

“Writing about your personal life makes you feel especially vulnerable when people you know read it because it’s something you care about, and maybe you don’t want your peers to see it,” Buczinsky said.

Buczinksy sees that fear not only in personal writing, but also in all forms of creative writing.

Her class holds coffee house days in the Community Room where students who want to read their work out-loud can do so, but it’s “terrifying” to some students.

Buczinsky felt this fear first hand a few years ago when her students convinced her to read

some of her own creative work at one of their coffee house nights.

She agreed to read, but said she “couldn’t believe how nervous [she] was,” before it was her turn.

Still, Buczinsky said that students who have a hard time reading their work at coffee house days are the same students who have no problem sending their work to publishers, and she accredits that to the safety net of having a stranger read their work.

Hoelter also said that a site like Tumblr has a more respectful community than a site like Facebook because users don’t personally know a lot of the people, so they are more “open-minded and understanding” toward each other.

“Most of the time, when someone complains about their day, you’re just going to say, ‘shut up,’ because they complain all the time,” Hoelter said. “But on Tumblr, you only really get an occasional rant about someone’s bad day, and people are respectful enough to strangers to not be rude about it.”

Hoelter added that even though part of blogging is actual writing and diary-esque entries, a lot of Tumblr users post entries that contain something about their favorite TV show or a song they like or their favorite part from a movie.

“It’s not all about you,” Hoelter said, “It’s about seeing who has the same common interests as you and being able to relate to them — even if you don’t know their names.”

In 2005, Neil Pasricha created the blog 1000AwesomeThings.com with No. 1000: Broccoflower. Counting back from 1000, Pasricha posts one awesome thing a day to remind people of life’s simple pleasures. He regularly posts Monday through Friday, and some of his “awesome things” are snow days, finding money in your pocket and celebrity baby names. In April of 2010, Pasricha released his first book, The Book of Awesome, based off of his blog, and it was an International Best Seller for 22 weeks.

TOP TEN BLOG SITES 1. WordPress 2. Google Blogger 3. TypePad 4. Movable Type 5. LiveJournal 6. Drupal 7. Xanga 8. Textpattern 9. Tripod 10. Squarespace info courtesy of blogtap.net

What started as an art project has turned into a regular blog that collects secrets written on postcards. Every Sunday, PostSecret.com’s creator, Frank Warren, uploads the site with postcards he was sent over the week.

Founded by Michael Arrington, TechCrunch is a blog that is dedicated to profiling and reviewing new internet companies and products. It also profiles existing internet companies that are making an impact commercially or culturally.

TechCrunch is famous for breaking the story of Google’s acquisition of YouTube four years ago. info courtesy of ceoworld magazine

info courtesy of 1000awesomethings.com

Who Knows You Better?

This issue, the Prospector interviews senior Hannah Metcalf’s boyfriend, Kevin Mazurek, and best friend, Olivia Lorenzini, to see who knows Hannah better.

What is Hannah’s favorite TV show?

What is Hannah’s least favorite subject?

4 Friends 4

What is Hannah’s favorite food?

Math Bread

The Best Friend

W I N N E R

Senior Olivia Lorenzini

W I N N E R

Friends

The Subject

Math Cookies

Greek

The Boyfriend

4 Math Senior Hannah Metcalf

Granola bars

What is Hannah’s favorite season?

4

Fall

Fall

4 Fall

What are Hannah’s parents’ names?

4

Jack and Pat

Jack and Pat

4 Jack and Pat

Senior Kevin Mazurek

8

IN DEPTH

Friday, May 7, Friday, October 8, 2010 2010

pTRAVELING STUDENT: Senior Whitney Schmidt travels to John Hersey High School every day for AP European History and education internship. Students have the opportunity to take classes at other schools that are not offered at Prospect, and vice versa. (Graphic by Emmy Lindfors and Ian Magnuson)

s l o o h c s g n i p p Ho

hool and a different sc take a class at two travel periods in r taking have to plan fo so they give up , le

By Deanna Shilkus du he eir sc th Prospect.

Managing Editor something at class that hmidt took a Sc se ey au tn ec B hi to have W ed rc or fo at seni , she was to d te rt an hi w ts On days th e ea . sh ol Hersey a Prospect sw different scho Schmidt wears igh School, she feels to travel to a ost likely m s, r that clas yH to John Herse happens to offe teacher certification els to r two reasons: out of place.

Schmidt trav then fo interests. r that Every day, d d an ol has a teache 3rd period an If a high scho h an engineering Hersey during d 5th hour in an AP ac h an ation is certified to te en obviously this spends her 4t class and educ th ry s, to as is cl H y n or ea eryone Europ or hist hool that ev sc e th e be th ld is ou e s. internship. w the clas Schmidt, sh me to to take According to in her history would co ents at a high ct ud pe st os if Pr e, om is w e er on th t O n’ taking a is only one fr an interest in that this class class, meaning s students from other school all have the class would most s, ha that normally particular clas fered at that school, of s. ol be ho ly sc to on ct g elin distri likely n’t mind trav Lazarevic. to g ly in al rd [one re Schmidt does co e ac e sense to run vic ay because sh opt doesn’t mak e re “I th za Hersey everyd La at ” th g, s in el build y and fe her se- course] in every etimes enjoys histor these classes building som ke e ta on to ] y .

So it “[ up . ve id gi .” y portun sa ’t lit dn bi ul si co at respon one she nior year was udents from Prospect will take on th e courses are district es st th 60 y of hl y e th ug an M Ro ring e district means that th high schools du travel to other ent elective classes. courses, which set up the space needffer asses, runs them. They rmine day to take di ost popular cl class and dete to teach the One of the m tant Principal of ample ex ed n taught. A Assis tion where they will be ca s. as according to du E cl ay gy W lo ead-theTechno Project- is the Project-L udents might have Career and c, is called st vi , re es za im La et on m ti n So Jova a special introduc an is is r schools for Th he . ot ay to e, es el av ud tr cl in Lead-the-W to y. For exampl g class, which such as ic opportunit BC em s ad lu to engineerin ac cu lf, al se C it r n ei ses withi nish th different cour electronics. The only if students fi of pursud ve the option an ha ce ey n th pa hi s, it os w as lus that Aer cl s cu he al ac C te level of ospect r their class that Pr Way is Civil Engi- ing a higher fo eily required e, there Project-Lead-th isn’t necessar or ef er Th gh school. hi , co in is each h C at neering. m is ds mber of ki at lar course Another popu e and repair class may be a slight nu strive for this opftwar ant to a computer so Hersey, which has the school that w at ht . ug y ta uit st is un ad out ct that port e usually spre ent of Prospe The courses ar , so students from largest enrollm to among the district dents. t together in ents also go ud st , le ols can be pu hi ho sc ch x su si Meanw s l al se as ge to take cl d CertiHarper Colle a classroom. weeks now, re Science an Fi to about seven e es r th Fo of to make as Intro e m d the chance ssistants. So r high Schmidt has ha ding to fo fied Nurses A or it cc ed A cr s. al se as as du nds in her cl ly care ie classes count fr al re t ents don’ llege. ct. ses at her, Hersey stud pe school and co as os cl Pr e th om fr e at e is at I To accommod schedule, Schmidt anymore that sh th e m bothered her it t to rs in e fi y ew sh t se s kn “A er H asse one ound what cl yone and no ts] en ud had to work ar at Prospect in order didnt know an st y ke . “So [Herse ta id sa to e r le w fo sh ab no s ” e, as od ut B w m peri talking to me. me. It’s elf two open to allow hers weren’t really to lk will ta stu- the kids that I sit by nning].” travel time. zarevic, the gi La be e to th s ng [a d di fAccor not as ba asses at di cl ke ta to t dents who wan ve to decide what’s s ha ferent school ey want to l to them. Th ia nt se es e or m

Breakin Down Walls Prospe Students go beyond Prospect in terms of academics, activities and social life

ng

of ect

IN DEPTH 9

Friday, May 7,8,2010 Friday, October 2010

l o o h c s d n o y e b s e o g e c i v r e s , c i s u M

Cook ess throughout to prac- homel cold od e ri th pe en ng op ri du an ches- plus e County or sh at in th g in es at ay pl tim I enjoy e. She es ths. more than tic two to four mon kept gotras in general

By Sharon Lee practices around “After that, I just id. “It l. sa ta t to et ief a day bands.” back,” Schu n, Mc- hours Associate Editor-In-Ch s to be- ing t the pe ou ho g in ee lp eh he With that decisio rsue cG M ce feels nice pu an to rm le don’t rfo ab ] pe s ho te [w wa Gehee e a flu rtunate Music orchestral com ly play less fo need al in tu s ey st en th re ev te ng d in hi an r yt se he or er , now. have ev ge school. maj lle of co r e As a freshman te id af ts a ou tr ive.” an orches ee encoun- music ply to to surv strict Hon- in sets nior Julia McGeh ma: She joined the di ehee plans to ap ur n y week, Schuett m cG er le M di Ev lt in cu nt ffi co di d lb an and Co a ts y, tr tered a ee es sit sh er ch , bles, beds Rice Univ ol of Chica- ors Or Eastman up ta d makes sure the it School by er d The Merit Scho M an e th y, sit w d er ue Ne Univ od an trip to more involved ic, and she fo rooms are clean. go offered her a School of Mus th to become becoming d ba Y. an N. a nd rd ty, ba co Ci t, re te rk e is doYo the with the quar tting ready to g ge in is ay “Everything ther pl ry to d eo se th ng s. ki ge ta food is d lle more expo he an co a e “T tr . os orches d,” he said tape for th , and king up nate rs ta e. flute. ee er nt te th lu flu es vo ss e to ith th cla d W e ha ehee e, made by cG tim M r vol, he e That meant sh ar th of ye l, m al fro t This most, if no clothes are band conpted into the d it diffi- the ce fin miss the school ac es so do al ee s de eh wa lt teers.” difficu y McG flute for an un cert. It was a , Schuett Youth Symphon cult to practice As part of PADS e end, she Chicago th nd in wi d th an e. bo n, tim r sio of a place fo ci e od a id ri tr ov pe es pr ch ed ed Or nd . w York a has help estra. exte d ch te or ra e stay st th to fru chose to go to Ne d s ly an es al t “I get re e made quarte the homel once McGehee for The decision sh ic ac- McGehee rehearses for five ,” ch es ur tim Ch e es th m of Ja lot e mus at St. impacted all th y Sunday for both said. “[Sometimes during th a group s involved hours ever every week wi wa e w sh ro th es to iti tiv nt Prospect: wa . m I ps fro d ou s,] an ds gr on school s pri- less y- of frien ke cr t ta ar so st al d gs and with both in an ee un te eh Yo flu McG down my . Because seniors Dylan outside of school y music vate lessons from two dif- ing. . ni ia va Ca k ic an s and Domin t no longer does she was in so m to many ferent teachers. McGehee’s “There are up Schuet in n nd ra ba e m sh , fro ps ” ed ou it. urs but gr s, but I like sals week is book ar wn do he DS for service ho re PA to th a wi tr es ch or th the e to conflicts wi c t ls vi ou sa g Ser ys helpin ces. After rehear Steven enjo rtunate because he p classes and and performan ou or gr ni se it er de n M ee he W cGeh less fo much thought, M ing band rehearsals. Then on Sature with the sophomore, ch Schuett was a s likes spending tim ar ha m e it sh r qu fo s, to s d ay ur de nd ho ci Su e . ic d rs rv an ee se ys ar nt ed da lu ye ed e omor other vo mpetitions he ne during her soph much of rs] joke his church, Merit group co “[The voluntee o - Confir mation at to m s Sy wa h t it ut e ou Yo us lp o ca other,” he ag be ic to ch k Ch ea e ic th qu th d s wi an wa so he ent. around hearsal. to re n a tio tr ake it Ac es m a time commitm e ch lic Or “W ub y it was phon ett said. th PADS (P “I didn’t think also changed wi er Shelter), a nonprofit Schu e have inside jokes ee eh cG M ed lik e I Deliv fun. W worth it becaus better,” around her school schedat helps proes ve organization th od for the with [each other].” ha d ul co e sh my other activiti at r and fo ching band ule so th actice vide shelte she said. “Mar free periods to pr t o or tw sp a e lik seems more aspect, and than the music

Students create l i nk

By Emmy Lindfors Executive In-Depth Editor

s with other sc hools

friends instea d of her own for the fere entire night. nt schools to support her co “I kn ew in, Palatine usa When compari few people,” High School Carlson Jake ng two differen said. “The pe student, t countries, peop Demars. Iovi ople I didn’t no recently sa le talked to me. Th kn t tion the cuis tend to meney were really ow on the Palatine side ine, language and friendly. It wit open ily to ch and landmarks never felt awkw eer on her cous h her fam: aspects of a but it wasn’t ard, Pirates in when the culture that de the feeling I were playin would have got if I fine a country Iovino priori g the Knights. were at my pr .

Similarly, whe tizes the foot om sur- gam rounded by m n thinking of ba es she attend y friends.” schools other s. She will atte ll than Prospect C ar ls on met Reed Prospect gam nd , it’s like thinki es her sophomore year whe ng casionally go mostly but will ocn she went w world that sim of another to see he ith he ilarly has its friends to see on own “culture.” e of Reed’s foot r games with her entire r cousin’s games. fa ball W he n Iovino atte mily.

Even though nds Prospect Now, Carlson students ga m es , are involved sh go e es to Prospe will sit on the in their own football games ct side, but Knights’ schools, stud during the ga ents immerse home and Reed when they’re at pect me, if Prosis playing agai themselves in ’s games when nst pect is away. ot Pros- Iovino activities, goin her schools’ has friends on a team that g , she will visi to A th s ei th r her friends on is week is ho dances and attendin t the other side mecoming, g sp Carlson plan of the field. s to see the Senior Deann orting events. football a Carlson wen game Friday to prom last Eve t night against year with he Wheel- Iovi n when crossing the stadium r boy- ing, sitting on the Pr friend, Nick no still cheers os Reed, a seni pe for the Knigh , ct side or at because “Prospect al ts.

Wheeling H “I ’m al w ay s de ways comes igh School. first.” pect gear,” Iovi cked out in ProsCar son was surr no ounded by Re lsaid. “I get re Similarly, juni pumped up fo ed’s ally or Kelli Iovino r all Prospect attend other will Prospe games. football games ct’s great.” at dif-

Photo courtesy of Deanna Carlson

10 FEATURES

Friday, October 8, 2010

Learning beyond the classroom Students stray from normal routines in Medical Academy

HOSPITAL ROTATIONS For the Medical Science Academy course, the students participate in rotations at the hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and each rotation lasts four weeks long. Some of the departments where students spend their rotations are:

By Jenna Mastrolonardo Features Editor Senior Morgan Deihs doesn’t spend Tuesdays and Thursdays at Prospect High School, listening to lecturing teachers or doing assignments.

Deihs, along with 14 other carefully selected students, spends these school days traveling throughout local hospitals and observing the different areas of treatment open to observation (See Rotations).

“Most classes don’t go to hospitals,” Deihs said. “This class isn’t really like other classes.”

Students have these opportunities through District 214’s Medical Science Academy, a program that educates students about the medical field through classroom activities and observating patient care.

According to adviser and instructor of the Med Science Academy Mollie David, the class was “designed to get students to be able to observe different departments at the hospital and to learn more about medicine in the classroom.”

Because of limitations, these mere 15 students are selected not only from Prospect, but from all District 214 appli-

-Physical therapy -Radiology -The Emergency Room (some students got to practice heart compressions on a dead body) -Mother/baby pediatrics (some students get to put on scrubs and watch C-sections)

p BOOSTING COOPERATION: Medical Science Academy students hoist classmate senior Kathryn Lowry into the air as part of a team building exercise. Every year, the group participates in Team Building Day, which brings the students closer together through activities that promote unity. (Photo courtesy of Mollie David) cants. This year, a whopping 11 of the 15 are from Prospect, compared to the three students from Hersey and one student from Wheeling.

“I look for students who are really interested in the medical field,” David said.

“A student has to commit three periods a day because they need a full period to travel. That sort of narrows down who’s willing to take it,” she added.

Deihs found that, after committing herself to the program, it is a great opportunity to narrow down her choices and find the perfect medical career.

“I’m still open-minded because I’m not positive that [oncology] is what I want to go into,” Deihs said. “It helps that I get an overview of a lot of things.”

Deihs is seriously considering pediatric oncology, or children’s cancer treatment, but also admits that after shadowing the pharmacy for one of her rotations, she has also considered becoming a pharmacist.

However, not every depart-

call 847-255-2526

421 W. Prospect Ave. Mt. Prospect, IL

ment is as inspirational as the pharmacy was to Deihs.

Deihs recalls a day when two of her classmates, seniors Mary Clare Rosemeyer and Ryan Powers, were working an hour long rotation in the emergency room.

A woman checked in and, right away, doctors noticed an issue with her heart.

Rosemeyer and Powers watched as doctors pronounced the woman dead after nearly an hour of CPR. While the students spend every Tuesday and Thursday touring a specific treatment area such as the emergency room, they also spend first and second periods participating in classroom activities and engaging in group discussions on controversial topics in the medical field. These include obesity, stem cell research and organ donation, among others.

Students also get to participate in hands-on activities regarding human anatomy. The labs range from assembling a life-sized skeleton model to dissecting and inspecting the insides of a cat.

Despite the amount of time spent in the classroom, David says that the hospital is the “big draw” for most students.

However, David says that many students also enjoy the classroom environment and how beneficial it is to be in a class where “everybody wants to learn.” This positive environment can be observed the week before school resumes from summer break when the Medical Science Academy students participate in Team Building Day. “Everybody’s trying, so you don’t want to let each other down,” David said. “It’s competitive, but it’s not out of reach.”

The program proves helpful to aspiring medical students, but according to David, it lacks the recognition it needs.

“We’re working to promote it more in other schools,” David said. “It’s left up to the counselors to tell their [students]. If a student doesn’t mention, for some reason, that they’re really interested in the medical field, the counselor doesn’t think to tell them about it.”

To try and get the word out to students who might find the program beneficial, David and a co-worker from the Education Academy are going to put up posters and speak with the counselors this fall in hopes that they will make a lasting impression.

“They get to talk to people and find out more about the schooling,” David said. “It helps them decide what area [students are] interested in.”

ENTERTAINMENT 11

Friday, October 8, 2010

Top-notch television The Prospector picks the best fall TV shows to watch each day on each network SUNDAY

MONDAY 8 P.M. ON

BOARDWALK EMPIRE “Boardwalk Empire” chronicles the life of corrupt 1920s Atlantic City treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Thompson.

The first season premiered recently on HBO with the first episode starting the day Prohibition did. Nucky is both a politician and booze dealer. With the help from his brother, Elias, Atlantic City is Nucky’s playground.

But when Nucky’s former chauffeur and protege, Jimmy Darmondy, gets back

from war, business gets messy.

Jimmy feels like he isn’t held in Nucky’s highest esteem and that the booze isn’t moving fast enough, so he takes matters into his own hands.

Only three episodes in, and “Boardwalk Empire” is already worthy of replacing “The Sopranos.”

With the original gangsters and more rum-runners than you can count, this show depicts the 1920s with ease and excitement.

- Katie Best

WEDNESDAY

CRIMINAL MINDS Shadows of danger and fear lurk around every corner in everyday American towns. Deranged individuals who are plotting to jump out and steal the well-being of innocent people need to be stopped by someone. That someone is the Behavioral Analysis Unit, or BAU, of the FBI. The BAU gets calls to help catch killers, rapists and kidnappers from all across the country. The team is comprised of three tough guys, two super geniuses and two awesome girls who get inside the minds of the nation’s darkest criminals. They need to know the killer’s next move before he takes another life.

TUESDAY

NBC’s “Chuck” is no classic spy spoof like “Get Smart” in terms of odd and hilarious moments and characters. But this doesn’t mean “Chuck” is a bad TV show.

Zachary Levi stars as the title character Chuck Bartowski, a true accidental spy. In the first season, he was a regular guy working at a Buy More store— the show’s Best Buy— and downloads the “Intersect” to his brain, which is a program that makes him the perfect spy. Now in the fourth season, Chuck quits spying to ease his sister Ellie’s worries about his safety. Now, Chuck searches for his long-lost mother with his best friend Morgan (Joshua Grimes).

Levi and Grimes are

a good comedic team, implementing physical comedy and geeky remarks about old DC Comics and kung-fu movies. “Chuck,” at the very least, is an hour of constant amusement.

With guest stars like Dolph Lundgren and Lou Ferrigno, a show can’t get much better.

Unless it’s titled,“Get Smart.”

to take Glee down — and it isn’t Sue Sylvester, although she’s just as obnoxious (and hilarious) as ever. No, it’s coach “Beast.” (“It’s french,” she says), who demands more funding for football and scares off a talented transfer student from joining Glee Club.

And with those challenges remain the old: Rachel and Finn attempt to stay together while Will makes a fool of himself trying to win Emma back from her “hot dentist” boyfriend (John Stamos of Full House), all the while aiming to get to nationals in New York. So “Glee” starts its second season, promising to be as interesting as it was in its first.

- Maddie Conway

FRIDAY 9 P.M. on

8 P.M. on

-Miranda Holloway

Just as the bell rings for the start of the first day of school in William McKinley High’s halls, it’s already happened: A Glee-clubber has been slushied in the face.

“Glee” is back, and it’s just as musical, sometimes awkward and very often crude as it was in season 1. McKinley has cut its funding, and there’s a bully on staff who seems to want

-Riley Simpson

THURSDAY

In the season 5 finale, the team needs to stop an “unsub” or unknown subject, who has been raping, torturing and killing people during blackouts in Los Angeles, Calif. and has thought to be doing so for 26 years.

Season 6 started on Sept. 29 with the team in Los Angeles trying to rescue a police officer’s daughter who was kidnapped by the unsub from the season 5 finale. This season should bring changes in team members and a whole new group of monsters to be caught.

7 P.M. ON

7 P.M. ON

Roughly 70 miles from the Jersey shore lives a different group of socially unacceptable cohorts.

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is one of the funniest shows on TV thanks to its ridiculous gang of five egotistical friends with flawed logic and drinking problems to match.

“Sunny” offers a raw and completely ridiculous guide on how not to act.

The show has just entered its sixth season, and the hijinks have already gotten of to their typical start.

Dennis, the show’s alpha-male, got married to a high school girlfriend, while Charlie

and Frank (played by Charlie Day and Danny Devito, respectively) were bonded by a domestic partnership because Charlie was out of a job and in need of health insurance.

The gang has managed a lot in previous seasons, including attempting to solve the gas price crisis and holding a dance marathon in their beloved bar, Paddy’s Pub. “Sunny” has a knack for being profane and politically incorrect and it really is a quite sunny, funny viewing experience.

-Tallyn Owens

Dean and Sam Winchester have been through hell and back, literally. These two brothers have a knack for hunting — and not just your average deer or rabbit. No, they aim for bigger targets: werewolves, vampires, demons or anything else “Supernatural.” At the end of the fifth season, Sam, the younger of the two, was sent to hell.

Dean returned from hell in the fourth season, but losing Sam pushes him over the edge.

The season starts a year after Sam was sent to hell and Dean is left to deal with the aftermath. He has given up hunting and finds out Sam not only managed to escape hell, but also has been back for a year and never attempted to find Dean.

Now, Sam

8 P.M. on

and Dean’s grandfather are back and ready to start kicking some supernatural butt. With characters old and new, “Supernatural” is back for another riveting season.

-Katie Best All photos courtesy of IMDB.com

12 ENTERTAINMENT

Godard’s French ‘Woman’ in a league of its own above American rom-coms

By Tallyn Owens Entertainment Editor Jean Luc-Godard’s 1961 French newwave classic, “A Woman is a Woman” possesses a unique charisma which seems to have been lost in the romantic comedies of today. Sure, movies change over time and surely across an ocean, but the wonderful thing about “Woman” is that the foreign nature makes the film much more enjoyable than if it were American-made.

(Not to say that all American movies are as vomit-inducing as “When In Rome” or as wretched as “The Bounty Hunter.”)

The premise of “Woman” is vague at times and it’s doubtful that any American director looking to make a quick buck would be able to handle it with the care that Godard did.

The plot is solid enough: Angela, an exotic dancer played by Anna Karina, wants to have a child with her boyfriend, Émile (Jean-Claude Brialy), who isn’t keen on the idea, so she seeks out the assistance of their mutual friend Alfred (Jean-Paul Belemondo).

During the rest of the movie and Angela’s quest for a child, hijinks ensue.

A good portion of the movie is Émile

and Angela bickering, but Godard, who also wrote the film, provides quick paced, witty dialogue makes their arguments not only bearable, but also interesting to watch.

Godard manages to make their prolonged series of trivial arguments

Photo courtesy of imdb.com

Friday, October 8, 2010 slightly philosophical: a trait that she asks Alfred why he’s looking at would be scoffed at in a modern, her “like that,” to which he replies American rom-com.

“Because I love you!” Angela simply At one point, Angela asks Émile, looks at him and laughs, saying, “Yeah, “Why is it always women that suffer?” right!” to which he replies, “Women are, or In another rom-com staple ala, they go woman is, the cause of the suffering.” back to the afore-mentioned bar, get their 1960s Paris drink on, talk about Nowadays, it’s rare hear something like that during a scripted argument life and — you guessed it, they sleep that still manages together. Afterto be funny. It wards, she runs back to Émile may not seem as MEMORABLE QUOTE funny (or funny and sleeps with at all) out of conhim, too. This Alfred Lubitsch: Answer yes, and I text, but during isn’t just Angela owe you 100 francs. Answer no, and the course of the being sleazy, but you owe me 100, OK? it’s more of a movie, the timing and delivery of way to clear her Bar Owner: OK. the lines allow it conscience. This to take on a very way, if she does Alfred Lubitsch: Here’s the unconventional become pregnant, question: Can you loan me 100 she won’t be able kind of humor. francs?

Possibly one to tell who the of the funniest baby’s real father is. scenes of the film, dubbed “The Book Scene,” actually contains no dialogue.

Typically, a female viewer has no symÉmile and Angela, determined not to pathy for a heroine who sleeps with two different guys within 24 hours. speak to each other, resort to insulting each other by using the covers of books Karina, however, manages to convey a in their apartment. type of urgency that makes you believe They each grab a stack of books and that Angela couldn’t go without sleepfire silent insults at each other. Execuing with Émile afterward in order to tioner, Peruvian mummy, con artist make amends.

The last shot of the film is Émile and and sardine, which are fragments of phrases on the cover of each book, are Angela laying in bed together. They exchange banter which includes wordall thrown into the mix.

The secondary plot-line involves Anplay on “dame” and “damn,” which gela and Alfred. Alfred personifies the doesn’t translate well into English. often clichéd role of the guy who falls When Karina delivers the pun with the charm that carried her throughout in love with his best friend.

Their scenes together, mostly those the movie by winking directly into the camera,. towards the end of the film, are much more serious than most of the oth“Woman” crosses generational and cultural boundaries to provide a spectacle ers, but they still have a comical air to that is so much more than the formuthem.

At one point, while alone at a bar, lated rom-coms of today.

ENTERTAINMENT 13

Friday, October 8, 2010

Rated

R

for Riley

‘MacGruber’ must die The action-comedy “MacGruber” is based off of a silly and predictable running skit on “Saturday Night Live” of the same name.

On Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie review aggregator, the “film” received an average 5.2/10 review from 125 critics when it opened back in May —that score is deplorable by the way.

Even worse, only 37 percent of Rotten Tomatoes users gave “MacGruber” a positive review (usually users are more generous in ratings than critics).

Kyle Smith of the New York Post said this about “MacGruber:” “There’s a reason you’ve never seen the words ‘Will Forte’ topping the billing of a major motion picture. After the throbbing flameball of unfunny that is ‘MacGruber,’ you never will again.”

So, if “MacGruber” is so terrible, why is its poster flaunted in the sophomore hallway as a part of Homecoming’s “Lights! Camera! Action!” decorations?

From its perch on the wall next to the boy’s bathroom across from the College and Career Center, the poster stared me down as I Unacceptable walked to my locker. posters I felt its presence.

I stopped and did a double take.

“No way,” I said in as much disbelief as Ted Theodore Logan was when a timetraveling phone booth appeared in his lawn.

In shock, I continued down the hallway and saw other random, if not bad, movie poster choices: “Takers,” “Going the Distance,” and “Charlie St. Cloud,” among others.

These lackluster movies are being advertised in place of other, more deserving titles like “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Iron Man” — real classics — are the obvious choices to be taped and admired throughout HomePhotos courtesy of imdb.com coming week?

It seems as if the members of Sophomore Class Board just chose random new releases and slapped them on the walls.

According to Sophomore Class Board Adviser Michelle Tantillo, that’s just about what happened.

She said that sophomore Kaila Travis went to AMC Randhurst 16 to ask for any left-over movie posters.

“There was no picking or choosing,” Tantillo said.

I thought I was, as Lou Gehrig would say, “the luckiest man on the face of the earth” to not have that poster anywhere between 50 feet of my locker.

I reached locker No. 1432, dialed in the combination: 7-35-17 (try it if you dare), put my coat away and closed the door. I turned around.

It wasn’t “MacGruber.”

It was worse.

It was “Resident Evil: Afterlife.”

Maybe I quoted Gehrig a bit too soon.

pTO SING OR NOT TO SING: Seniors Terry Thomas and Dan Hug rehearse the fall musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Thomas chose to audtition for the musical after he quit Prospect football last spring. (Photos by Ian Magnuson)

Terry and Nick’s choice show.

"At that point, I knew I was pretty SWINGIN’ AT THE BEE much done with football," Cartwright said. "It's like a perfect opOut of a cast of 15, “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee” has six portunity. I might as well take it “swings,” whose roles are similar to while it's here." those of an understudy.

Cartwright has had an interest “A professional swing is literally in performing since middle school offstage ready for a phone call,”

By Riley Simpson and Sharon Lee when he appeared in "Bye Bye, Birddirector Jeremy Morton said. “And if Associate Editors-in-Chief ie" in eighth grade, did two shows they get that phone call, they go on with the King's Players, including right then and there without prep.

Senior Terry Thomas first heard "The Sound of Music" over the sumThey just go.” about this year's fall musical, "The mer.

The swings of the cast will have 25th Annual Putnam County Spell"Acting and performing have their own show on Saturday, Oct. 16. ing Bee," in the closing weeks of the [been] something I've always loved school year this past spring. About doing," Cartwright said. "I just on the sideline, you're still a part a month earlier, he had quit never had much of an opof that family. I consider the musithe Prospect football team portunity to do it in the cal people my family; I consider the and planned on taking the first place when I was in football people my family. fall off from school activifootball."

Senior Dan Hug agrees. Hug, ties or sports.

Morton was "pleasantwho plays speller Leaf Coneybear Thomas said that he lost ly surprised" with both in "Spelling Bee" said that Thomas passion for the sport that Thomas' and Cartwright's and Cartwright have most definitely he loved, which is why he auditions for "Spelling done a good job in their performancquit.

Bee," which premiers Oct. es and in joining the musical's fam"I quit because I knew 14 and plays through Oct. ily. that if I played, I would've Senior Terry 16.

"They're awesome," Hug said. "Just messed up a lot, and that "It was fantastic," MorThomas the way we've all gelled together ... would hurt all the guys ton said. "I was very, very we're tight now. You think Terry's that I love," Thomas said. impressed, and I know the this big, scary dude, but he's hilari"I didnt feel like letting the audience will be as well. ous. team down. If I mess up on [Thomas'] songs are in"But I am still kind of scared of the football field, I mess tense. The guy rocks it," him,” he joked. up the entire team. I didn't Morton said. "He is going Along with a different atmosphere, want that burden on my to be one of those surprise Cartwright sees other changes in shoulders." moments where you're performing: for the first time in his So when fall musical just not expecting to see three years at Prospect, he finally director Jeremy Morton him go to town. has "a regular, little square gym asked Thomas — who took "And he goes to town."

Junior Nick locker."

Morton's Acting course in With a new activity in Cartwright According to Morton, neither his freshman year — if he "Spelling Bee," came a new Thomas or Cartwright showed any wanted to audition for the and better atmosphere, acdifficulty in shifting from football musical, Thomas refused. cording to Thomas and Cartwright.

It took several more attempts by To Thomas, the people have better to dancing and singing. Over the Morton and his co-director Stephen senses of humor, especially senior summer, Morton and Colella kept all Colella to sway Thomas into trying Lauren Matthews: "She's freaking the actors busy, much like a training camp for a sport: three rehearsout for "Spelling Bee." hilarious," he said. als a week during the summer and "I said 'sure' because they kept At first, Thomas was nervous, bugging me," said Thomas, who never having been in Mixed Com- practice every day since the start of plays Sam Prayer, the comfort coun- pany or any other play at Prospect; school.

"It wasn't a big deal; it's just difselor of the Putnam Spelling Bee. he was in a choir at the age of 10. ferent," Thomas said. "Football ... it's Similarly, junior Nick Cartwright But thanks to his fellow "welcomphysical.

You're just moving, movwas ready to quit football. ing" actors, he relaxed and enjoyed ing, moving. Musical ... you move, According to Cartwright, many performing. then you stop, fix it, lock it." things drove him away from foot"Football is the same thing.

"Here at Prospect, we allow stuball, including the huge time If you give it your all, people dents to do what they want and folcommitment and the year-round are welcoming," Thomlow their hearts," Morton said. "And lifting. as said. "Even if hopefully you, too, will be pleasantly "I really felt like I didn't yo u ' r e surprised to see these two onstage." belong there," Cartwright

said. "I was an above-average player, or at least WHEELY SHOES: FUN OR DANGEROUS?

I think; I had very Senior Dan Hug’s plays Leaf Coneybear, the “crazy son” of hippies, few friends that I in the fall musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” As could relate with an off-the-wall character, Coneybear wears a pair of Wheely shoes on the team. during the bee.

It wasn't for me."

“Wheely shoes are the greatest invention, arguably, in the 21st Cartwright didn't necessarily Century,” Hug said. “They’re so much fun.” choose the musical over football, but Fun, but dangerous. Hug sprained his ankle on the first night of once he made callbacks and realized practicing with his Wheely shoes. Hug’s mother got him a helmet, too so he had a shot at making the cast, he that when he’s wheeling around on his shoes, he doesn’t break his head. re-evaluated his options and decid“Actually, the first day I had them ... [the directors] told me, ‘All right, go home and practice on your Wheely’s and make sure you don’t get ed to quit football. hurt,’” Hug said. “And I was like, ‘All right, I got that. Don’t worry, I’m not At the callback, the directors gonna get hurt.’ [In the] first five minutes I was wheeling ... boom. cast Cartwright as one of the That was brutal. They’re still fun, though, even though I’m scared of "swings" (see Swingin’) for the

Football players go with music over sports

14 SPORTS Friday, October 8, 2010

Girls’ golf holes a trifecta in MSL

By Miranda Holloway Sports Editor

pUNBREAKABLE FOCUS: Junior Allison Walsh gets ready to putt during a recent practice at the Mount Prospect Golf Club.

Coach Jim Hamann belives that a great amount of the team’s recent success comes from the focus and motivation that the team shows in practice. (Photo by Miranda Holloway)

The girls’ golf team ended their regular season 11-0 by winning the conference tournament at Wheeling on Sept. 28. The team won the tournament by shooting a 329, which beat Barrington’s 349 by 20 strokes.

This was the girls’ third year winning the conference championship. “[The conference win] felt really good because Barrington is a great team, and it just showed that all our hard work payed off,” junior Allison Walsh said.

The team also had six out of nine girls finish in the top 20, which qualified them for the all-conference team. The team had the most girls out of any school attending to earn all-conference honors.

The most impressive performances included Walsh’s second place finish in an extra hole playoff round where she shot a 79. This was the first MSL playoff since Prospect’s Michelle Caporusso’s win in 2007.

“It was honestly like nothing I have ever experienced in my life,” Walsh said. “It was so exciting to play in front of my family and friends and have them cheer me on. I was nervous, but it was so worth it.”

She was followed closely by seniors Emily Mick, who shot an 80, and Rachel Lawless (82). Both junior Christine Garmoe and freshman Noreen Caporusso shot an 88. Freshman Kiley Walsh shot a 93 to round

THE SYSTEM

As part of Hamann’s “system” in the summer, the girls’ tennis team plays on their home course and goes on day trips to visit other unfamiliar golf courses, and they take a four-day overnight trip in June to give the coaches an idea of the elements that they need to work on to earn lower scores.

This system carries over into the regular season and was used to prepare the girls for their conference meet.

The girls even played on Hickory Golf Course, which will hold the state tournament on Oct. 15 and 16. off the girl’s all-conference team.

The team has been sending multiple girls to the all-conference team for the past three years, and the coaching system that head coach Jim Hamann and assistant coach Tim Casper have in place could be the reason why.

“It was really cool,” Walsh said.

“It just shows how strong our team is and how the program works out so well.”

“It has taken quite a few years to get here,” Hamann said. “They are really buying in to what we are trying to teach, and they are believing in the things that we are doing in practice. What will result is lower scores.”

Both Hamann and Garmoe attribute a great amount of the team’s success to the depth that the team has and the amount of passion and motivation that the girls showed throughout the season.

“The kids want it; they love golf, they’re golfers and they’re competitors, and the reason we beat Bar-

rington by 20 shots is because of our depth; it’s not just one girl that loves the game — it’s all nine of us,” Hamann said.

This depth does not come without practice. The team met about 20 times over the summer (see The System).

Hamann says their goals are set high this year, but they need to concentrate on the regional and sectional meets before they set their sights on the state meet Oct. 15 and 16.

“It’s definitely a big goal of ours to get down there,” Hamann said, “and we feel like we can finish towards the top of the state, but we’ve got to get there first.”

After a “long season,” Walsh said that going to state would feel like a perfect reward for a tough year.

“Our team hasn’t gone to state for a long time,” Walsh said. “We have always been really close, and if we make it down state, it’s going to be not just for our team, but for all the teams that have worked so hard in the past. It would be worth a lot.”

Sports in 60 seconds Boys’ XC

Won MSL East conference title.

Fast Fact: On Oct. 2, the boys beat Sandburg (ranked eighth) by 98 points. Had Sandburg not sat their star runner and were he to win, Prospect still would have won by 49 points.

Girls’ XC

Won their divison as an undefeated team.

Fast Fact: The girls compete in the conference meet on Oct. 16. They are hoping to dominate and advance to the state meet.

Girls’ Tennis

Finished third in the MSL East. Conference tournament starts Thursday at Hoffman Estates.

Fast Fact: Sophmore Jordan Pollock has a 7-1 record in conference matches.

Football

Ranked second in conference behind Conant.

Fast Fact: Last Friday, coach Brent Pearlman won his 100th career game.

Girls’ Volleyball

Conference rank yet to be determined.

Overall 6-0

Conference 6-0

Overall 5-0

Conference 1-0

Overall 8-4

Conference 5-3

Overall 5-1

Conference 5-0

Overall 10-9

Fast Fact: The team hosts Volley for the Cure against Maine South Tuesday Oct. 12.

“If being stoked for Volley For the Cure was people, I’d be China,” coach Mike Riedy said.

Conference

Boys’ Golf

Overall

Won the MSL East championship.

Fast Fact: Junior Ryan Kowalski and senior Cael Kiess have qualified for sectionals as individuals.

4-3

15-3

Conference 8-3

SPORTS 15

Friday, October 8, 2010

@Knight Fixing college sports

p HAIRY SITUATION: Sophomore Molly Gilbertson swims in practice. The swimmers have been practicing and not shaving for two months in prepartation for their conference meet Oct. 30. (Photo by Ian Magnuson)

Razor sharp dedication ment directly contributes to the to avoid fast food, swim as hard as they can in both practice and teams success.

“They’ve come in with a lot in meets and complete an intense more focus [this year],” Lopez said. workout of new sets Lopez gives “They know what’s expected.” them each practice.

Even if the tradition not to For the most part, the girls don’t shave is mental, there is a techni- mind the commitment it takes to cal reason behind it. Not shaving be on varsity. According to sophtheir leg hair adds drag, so when omore Emily Rigopolous, who the swimmers shave before confer- switches between JV and varsity, ence, they glide more in the water, the latter takes a lot more commitment. thus they swim faster.

Last year, at the meet prior to The varsity swimmers must weight lift and conference,

By Maggie Devereux meet faster times the 200-medExecutive Sports Editor ley relay while training with harder sets, swam a time Once hockey gets in the middle of 1:59.28. At but it is much of their postseason, both players more beneficial. conference, and fans alike start growing their the same “Theres a traditional playoff beards. When team swam sense of pride the Blackhawks were in the midst being on the vara time of of their Stanley Cup run, the playsity team,” Rigo1:56.45. The ers didn’t shave, and neither did polous said. “It’s 400-yard junior Emily Gabriel many of the fans. freestyle worth it.”

It’s a mental strategy, and while relay swam When a memhockey players keep their facial 4:06.44 at the previous meet and ber of the team breaks a commithair to maintain tradition in the swam a time of 4:02.92 at confer- ment, naturally there are conpostseason, Prospect swimmers ence. sequences to pay. If a swimmer keep their leg hair in their regular Even though it’s not a concrete ditches a practice, she misses the season. rule to stop shaving, the swimmers next meet. “Going easy” in pracThe swimmers keep their leg still take the concept seriously. tice can result in a varsity swimhair so that when they do shave beThe team sometimes has ran- mer being moved to JV since many fore their conference meet, they redom “leg checks,” according to swimmers are competing for a spot ceive not only a confidence boost, Gabriel. This consists of senior on varsity. but also a speed boost.

“You’re scared to break the members feeling the younger team “It’s all mental,” junior Emily members’ legs to make sure they rules,” Gabriel said. “[Lopez] Gabriel said. “But it helps at conaren’t shaving. works us really hard to make us do ference and makes you feel good When a swimmer does shave, better, but it does help us out in the [in the water].” they must swim a 500-yard butter- end.”

The decision not to shave for Lopez can already see improvefly and do a 10-minute wall sit. two months is just one of the many Dedication, such as choosing ment due to the girls’ dedication sacrifices that the girls make. Acnot to shave for two months, is a and focus in their times. cording to both Gabriel and head He compared the girls’ times at key component to the swim team coach Alfonso Lopez, the commitaccording to Lopez. They also have Buffalo Grove this year to last year (see Making a comparison) and noticed a big improvement. While he MAKING A COMPARISON acknowleged that not all times beat last years, Lopez felt that “overall

Event BG-2009 BG-2010 we swam a better meet.”

The swimmers agree that with the help of harder practices de1:56.69 200 Medley Relay: 1:57.78 signed by Lopez and just an overall improvement in dedication from 59.76 100 Free: Amanda Drucker 1:01.90 the girls, the team is producing better results.

1:09.95 100 Breast:Jessica Cavaiani 1:15.50 “We are more focused,” Gabriel said. “We all have goals in mind, 1:04.76 100 Fly: Greta Pietraszek 1:06.15 and we all know what we want to accomplish.”

4:13.27 400 Free Relay: 4:11.41 “We are leaps and bounds ahead,” Lopez said. “We are just faster up and down the line-up.”

Swimmers show commitment by keeping leg hair to boost speed, confidence

“We are more focused. We all have goals in mind, and we know what we want to accomplish.”

College sports have never been my thing. It doesn’t make sense to watch a team with only a few players of professional quality when people can just watch the best of the best by turning on professional sports. Isn’t that why we like Major League Baseball more than AAA baseball?

But recently, I have grown to hate college sports more. And you should, too.

College sports are a multi-billion dollar business.

At the start of the 2009 season, ESPN and CBS signed television contracts to broadcast SEC football for the next 15 years.

CBS is paying the conference $825 million, and that is chump change to the $2.25 billion ESPN is throwing at them. The SEC also launched their version of the Big Ten Network just over a year ago. Soon, they will begin to bring in even more money from them.

That is about $200 million a year that the players don’t see a dime of, which is why many sports writers are starting to call the players “peons.”

And they aren’t far off.

Nobody would take a job where they work for free but see their bosses make millions of dollars. Amazingly, the players don’t complain even though the conferences openly seem to pursue nothing but money.

For example, over the summer, the conferences realigned in order to maximize their TV revenue.

The Big Ten saw a great opportunity to snag Nebraska, giving them 12 teams, allowing for two separate divisions of six teams to exist. This will create a lucrative Big Ten Championship game every year.

Because the players get less money for playing high-level football than the high school students that work at Mariano’s make, more and more players are beginning to accept benefits, take money and associate with agents for money.

Junior wide receiver A.J. Green of the Georgia Bulldogs was suspended for four games for selling his game jersey to an agent for $1000. Although this may not seem like a big deal, Green might move down in the NFL draft because of it, consequently costing him millions of dollars.

All of this could have been avoided with a simple solution. With many conferences already bringing in billions of dollars, the NCAA should pay all of the D-1 basketball and football athletes $250 monthly.

I assume that most players don’t have time to play college sports, study and work many hours, if any.

It only makes sense to give them some monetary compensation for the billions of dollars they help create. Sports like lacrosse, volleyball, soccer and softball should also pay their players according to the revenue they raise.

To complement this, however, if any players are caught receiving improper funds from the school or agents, they should be punished even harder than they are now.

The punishment USC received for the Reggie Bush scandal makes sense. If USC or one of their players allowed for anything similar to happen again, then that is their problem, and they should be punished even harder.

Schools would understand the consequences and actually try to get their athletes away from agents and trouble. Before it became publicized recently how athletes have accepted benefits, colleges probably didn’t think much of educating their players. In the new system, this would change completely.

It is becoming more and more obvious that scholarships are not enough for college players, and with so much money floating around in the business, this shouldn’t be a surprise.

We may not care about Green or another athlete getting a few thousand in cash from their college or agent, but if it happened to someone from Prospect, it would bother us.

If one of our classmates received a punishment that did not fit their crime, of course we would be angry. And with the path the NCAA athletes are on, this might just happen.

SPORTS

They said it

Friday, October 8, 2010

“I didn’t think I was going to [play] a big role this year. I thought I would just be there again how I was last year, but when I found out from Trenkle, I thought, ‘oh gosh.’”

Senior David Spudic on learning his new role with the team, as a defensive midfielder.

Testing the field pJUST KICK IT: Senior Michael Hamman (right photo) runs after a 50-50 ball Oct. 2 against Barrington. Junior and team captain Patryk Ruta (left photo) looks for the open man in the team’s 1-0 loss to Barrington. The team’s new formation and style of play has brought success to the team this season. (Photos by Ian Magnuson)

New formation drives strong soccer season

By Nick Stanojevic Executive Sports Editor While most soccer fans spent the summer watching the World Cup and Champions League qualifying matches, varsity soccer assistant coach Jon Kaminsky took his soccer love to a new level.

Over the summer, Kaminsky read, “Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics” by Jonathan Wilson, where he learned about how the Dutch used to play a total soccer game by shifting players constantly and how England consistently used multiple forwards in the ‘40s and ‘50s.

With these concepts in mind, Kaminsky came up with a brand-new formation idea for the Prospect team (see The Formation).

After losing Sam Slusher and Mike Stankiewicz, all-sectional and all-state players in the midfield, Kaminsky and head coach Kurt Trenkle knew that they could not keep their 4-4-2 formation from last year.

Without as many talented center-midfielders, Kaminsky felt it would be a disservice to the team to have only two forwards on the field at a time since he knew the team had four strong forwards: juniors Alex Schneph, Patryk Ruta, Richard Lenke and Bill Cooney.

With this in mind, both coaches agreed on the new 3-43 formation. “[Prospect soccer] isn’t at the level that football or basketball is yet. They have scouting reports on all the teams they play, and soccer doesn’t,” Kaminsky said. “So if you can, for the first 25 or 30 minutes of the game, confuse another team of where your players

are and exactly why they are going there, then that just gives you that much more of a mental or tactical advantage.”

Kaminsky proposed the formation over the summer to Trenkle. After trying it out in summer league games, Trenkle began looking at the formation more closely.

“When we really started to look at it — once tryouts started and we knew what our starting 11 would look like — we started to work with it in practice, and it seemed like it clicked almost immediately,” Trenkle said.

In addition to having many forwards, Kaminsky feels the team has terrific players all around who allow the formation to work. The outside midfielders, seniors Brayhan Nunez and Mario Morales, play with an attacking attitude and have great talent.

“Your outsides cannot just be place-holders; they have to be game-changers,” Kaminsky said. “[Morales] and [Nunez] are actually game-changers.”

Both coaches believe that the formation does not stem only from the offensive talent, however. In the midfield, playing as defensive midfielders, the team has three players to choose from: seniors David Spudic and Patryk Sitko and junior Stefano Dolomas. With

PLAYER REACTIONS Players reacted differently to the formation at first.

“I wouldn’t say I was skeptical at first, but I was interested to see how well it would work out with the players we had this year,” junior Richard Lehnke said.

Senior David Spudic admits that he was much more concerned at first than Lehnke.

“I thought it wasn’t going to work,” Spudic said. “There is going to be a huge gap in the middle of the field. They are going to get there; they are going to be able to counterattack if we go up too high.

I didn’t think it was going to work at all.”

HOW THE PLAYERS HAVE FARED Juniors Patryk Ruta and Richard Lehnke lead the team with six goals each so far this year. Junior Bill Cooney is in second with five.

However, Cooney leads the team in assists with seven, while senior Brayhan Nunez is second with five and has scored one goal. their defensive abilities, Kaminsky felt confident in giving them new positions.

“Our thought is that if we can put [Spudic, Sitko and Dolomas] in a defensive spot and let them leak up when they want to, [the formation] would work,” Kaminsky said.

The new formation has worked out by most measures.

In 14 games, the team has won nine and allowed only eight goals while scoring 28.

One of the team’s biggest defensive tests was against Crystal Lake South (14-1-2), a team that scored 47 goals coming into their 18th game against Prospect. South also has the top goal scorer in the area, Charlie Oliver, who had 20 goals coming in. Oliver only got two good scoring chances the entire game. And more importantly, South only managed to score one goal.

“We score a lot, but we really don’t give up a lot of goals, which says more about the personnel than the formation,” Kaminsky said. “[Hoffman Estates] is sort of running with this to a certain extent, [but] it doesn’t look as good because they don’t have the talented players.”

In the formation, however, an area of concern could be the midfield, which seems open. According to Kaminsky, however, this is where Spudic comes into play.

“Going through the summer at tryouts, I didn’t think I was going to [play] a big role this year,” Spudic said. “I thought I would just be there again how I was last year, but when

I found out from Trenkle, I thought, ‘oh gosh.’”

“This role is really built on him. He has better possession than almost anyone I have seen,” Kaminsky said. “He can rip a shot from 30 yards away or drop in a ball to an outside mid getting up the field. But he really is a defender. Besides forward, he can play any position on the field.”

In big games, such as the 2-1 win against rival Hersey, Spudic played the entire 80 minutes.

“Possessing in the middle of field is awesome; it looks really pretty, but you can posses all day and never get a scoring opportunity,” Kaminsky said. “If you can move the

ball quickly to the outside and throw it back to the middle, that is where a lot of soccer teams tend to break down at this level.”

The numbers also indicate that the team has no problem with keeping the ball. According to the Daily Herald, in the first half against Crystal Lake South, Prospect had possession of the ball almost 90 percent of the time.

“I don’t think [the Herald] was far off,” Trenkle said.

Although Trenkle admits that players like Spudic are keys to the formations success, he thinks the whole team has something special.

“I think [the talent] is more spread around,” Trenkle said.

The Formation

Jr. Bill Cooney

Jr. Richard Lehnke

Jr. Patryk Ruta

Sr. Brayhan Nunez

Sr. Mario Morales

Sr. David Spudic

Jr. Stefanos Dolomas