Issue 3

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THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959

illary trumps The Donald

VOLUME 56, ISSUE 3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Mock election down-ballot results U.S. Senate

50.5% 38.8% Tammy Duckworth (D)

Mark Kirk (R)

10th District

61.2% 38.8% Brad Schneider (D)

Bob Dold (R)

Safe Roads Amendment

57.5% 42.5% Yes

No

VICTORY: Hillary Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention on July 28. (photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Clinton wins majority in election simulation, third-parties shine

D

MP TO DC

Prospect parent Brian McPartlin has made a career in government.

To learn more about his experiences in the political arena, turn to ...

page 8

ting there looking for some kind of an alternative, so rather than choosing one of the top two candidates, they just chose to go a different direction.”

Junior Zack Spenner never considered a third-party candidate because he had his mind set on a candidate from the beginning. “[Trump] is a strong leader,” Spenner said. “He’s very honest and upfront with people about what he does.”

Spenner believes students are beginning to recognize that Clinton “isn’t who she says she is,” and as a result, she has lost their trust. He draws a parallel between the success of Trump’s campaign, which he says “promotes change,” and Obama’s 2008 run for the Presidency. Spenner thinks that Clinton’s lacks that energy, which is why she earned less votes than the Democratic candidate usually does at Prospect.

Regardless, Judson stresses the importance of not focusing solely on the presidential election. That’s why he made sure the ballot included polls about local elections, including the race for the Illinois Senate seat and the 10th Congressional District.

He also included a question on the ballot about a referendum to add an amendment to the Illinois Constitution involving how transportation taxes are distributed. Judson believes it was important to include because many elections feature such referendums, so it helped keep the simulated one as realistic as possible.

“That’s your duty and responsibility as a citizen, to be involved and be informed about what’s going on in society,” Judson said.

“There’s going to be issues beyond President and Vice President that probably will affect you more.”

Polling it all together

50%

Over 950 students and staff voted in Prospect’s mock election on Oct. 18.

Here is the breakdown of Presidential race results:

0% graphic by Alex Guerra

said. “I wanted to be proud of my vote, and with Gary Johnson, I feel that way.”

Sadlon, who will be eligible to vote in the general election, says that in a “normal” election cycle, he would not vote for a third-party candidate. Sadlon says he is not

BY LEO GARKISCH necessarily a Johnson supporter, but he preCopy Editor fers him to the alternative options.

“If Trump and Clinton weren’t half as bad emocratic nominee Hillary Clinas they are, the comments Johnson has made ton defeated Republican Party would get him … less than five percent of the nominee Donald Trump in Prosvote,” Sadlon said. “I wouldn’t see myself pect’s Oct. 18 mock presidential election, voting for him in any other election but this earning 52.8 percent to Trump’s 31.6 percent. While the result follows a longstanding one.”

But junior Emily Lasky says that even trend of the Democratic candidate winning if students are not fond of either candidate, Prospect’s election, her margin was 14 pervoting for a third-party candidate like Johncent less than President Barack Obama’s in son is not the best strategy, 2012.

For more coverage but she understands why Third-party candidates, people like Sadlon may be Libertarian nominee Gary of how the election inclined to choose that opJohnson and Green Party season has tion. nominee Jill Stein, were impacted Prospect, “People feel like they the beneficiaries of this turn to pages 6-7. have to vote for somebody,” lack of enthusiasm, receivLasky said. “It’s kind of like ing more than 15 percent of throwing your vote away by just voting for the electorate.

The election, run by Gary Judson, Social one of the [third-party] candidates because Science and World Language Division Head, the chances of them winning are so little.”

Lasky was an avid Bernie Sanders supand Division Assistant Sue Cozine with the assistance of the League of Women Voters, porter and even disliked Clinton because drew 962 voters, which is almost 150 more of some of her husband’s foreign policy dethan in 2012. It was orchestrated in an ef- cisions. Nonetheless, she voted for Clinton fort to give students an opportunity to voice in the mock election because she says she their support and learn about the process of recognizes that either Clinton or Trump, who she despises much more than Clinton, voting.

“I do think it’s important to do something will win the election no matter what. She believes voters need to realize that voting like this,” Judson said. “It’s valuable for students to vote so that when they do actually for another candidate is not going to change that. have the opportunity to vote, they get out Sadlon and Lasky are not alone in their and get involved.” displeasure with the selection of candidates One student who took advantage of that this election cycle. According to RealClearopportunity was senior Evan Sadlon, who Politics, an average of polls taken throughcast his vote for Johnson. Sadlon describes himself as being a generally moderate, con- out October indicates that only 43.1 percent of Americans view Clinton favorably and servative-minded Republican but says that Trump’s unrestrained temperament “kills only 35.4 percent feel the same about Trump. me,” so he saw Johnson as a suitable alter- This, Judson says, is why Johnson and Stein were able to earn as many votes as they did. native.

“People don’t like Trump, and they don’t “I would have a troubled conscience voting for either Trump or Clinton,” Sadlon like Clinton,” Judson said. “They’re just sit-

SPOOKY KNIGHT

FORWARD PROGRESS

Horror movies are an Oct. 31 staple. To see Flynn Geraghty’s reviews of famous Halloween movies, flip to ...

Football charged its way to its best record since 2012. To read more about this year’s improvement, turn to ...

page 11

page 13

2

News

October 28, 2016

prospectornow.com

Spanish students work in preschool

BY DAVID FANG Executive News Editor

F

orty-nine Honors Spanish 4 students will assist Prospect’s early childhood and development class students by creating Spanish lessons to present to the preschool classes starting this December.

The program was started by preschool and early childhood education teacher Lisa Curtin after her previous Spanish teacher found a full-time job. Curtin then approached Spanish teacher Leigh Sapp, who jumped on the idea immediately. Curtin says that she recognized the great Spanish talent at Prospect and wanted to tap into it.

Sapp and Curtin both took a full day to flesh out the details of the program. To find interested students, Sapp took full classes to the Early Childhood Education room to explore it and get a sense of the teaching environment. Interested students returned to the classroom a week later to meet the children.

To put together lessons, students will have everything in the classroom at their disposal, and if students ever need anything, they can simply request it. Due to the large numbers of student interest, Sapp will only have each student teaching one day out of the year.

Sapp recognizes the many benefits of a program like this. She hopes that Spanish

students will learn about early childhood development, sustain Spanish conversations and appreciate the art of teaching.

“I want them to know about passing the love of language learning beyond the classroom because you don’t need to be good at something to have a passion for getting to know other cultures,” Sapp said.

Despite the daunting task of teaching preschoolers a second language, scientific studies back up early language acquisition.

In an article by Dr. Jeannette Vos, a doctor of education, entitled “Can Preschool Children Be Taught Another Language?”, Vos strongly advocates learning a second language during the preschool years. In fact, she says that during early childhood, learning a second language is just simple as learning the first.

This viewpoint is also reinforced by Curtin’s own experiences with preschoolers. She says that a grandmother of a preschooler told her that she had no idea they were receiving Spanish instruction until her grandchild started speaking Spanish in the back seat of the car. This supported her idea the preschoolers were in fact taking the language home.

For Sapp, her idea for this type of program was planted in college. As a Spanish and psychology major at Indiana University, Sapp was introduced to a program teaching preschoolers and kindergartners Spanish.

Head over to prospectornow.com to read the complete story.

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Physical Education teacher Aaron Marnstein has been planning an all school assembly for a year now with Michael J. Domitrz, a professional speaker for an organization called the “Date Safe Project.”

This all school assembly is called “Can I Kiss You,” and it will take place on Monday, Nov. 21 in the fieldhouse. Domitrz will lead the event, which will feature two presentations, one for underclassmen and the other for upperclassmen.

Each will be an hour long.

According to Marnstein, the presentation will be very interactive, which will include students acting out different scenarios dealing with relationships and personal boundaries. Domitrz will then pose questions to the audience to elicit their opinions.

After this presentation was approved, Marnstein teamed up with Knights’ Way Advisor Dr. Jay Kyp-Johnson to have one of their topics be based on the presentation. Like Marnstein, Kyp-Johnson believes it’s important to reassert the importance of boundaries due to the use of social media and the internet.

At the end of the day, Marnstein is just happy that the students here will have the opportunity to become educated on a matter that is rarely talked about in school setting.

“I look back and I think, ‘How did I get to this point,’ and I don’t know how I got here, but I think at the end of the day it’s about looking out for our students and making sure that they can succeed,” Marnstein said.

That program inspired her to teach.

Like Sapp, students in the program hope they will find some direction as well. Junior Abby Citterman hopes that the program, which combines two of her points of interests, Spanish and teaching, will help her find a potential career choice. Because she is unsure of what she wants to do in the future,

Citterman believes this will help her gain firsthand teaching experience.

“The ability to teach something requires a greater understanding,” Citterman said. “I hope this will further develop my Spanish skills, and I’m sure my time in the classroom will have me considering … working with kids in the future.”

The Crosspector

Date Safe Project hopes to educate, inform students

VAMANOS: This December, the early childhood and development program preschoolers will be taught Spanish by Honors Spanish 4 students. Early childhood and development teacher Lisa Curtin partnered up with Spanish teacher Leigh Sapp to spearhead the program. (photo by Jack Ryan)

prospectornow.com

October 28, 2016

News

Sit with Us fills seat in lunchroom New app encourages lunchtime socialization, prevents loneliness

BY KATIE HAMILTON Opinion Editor

S

enior Joyce Serrano transferred to Prospect in the middle of her sophomore year not knowing anyone, and as a result, she often did not have anyone to sit with at lunch.

“I’ve seen some kids that hang out in the KLC or the commons to avoid the lunchroom,” Serrano said. “It breaks my heart in a way because you see them, and they’re alone. That’s not how people should be spending their lunch time.”

Having dealt with bullying in the past,

How to join Sit with Us app

1. Download the app Sit With Us. 2. Sign up with your school email, and make sure your location is Prospect High School.

3. Decide if you want to be an Ambassador.

4. Add your interests.

5. Check your featured page for lunches and join them.

she believes that a new app called Sit with Us could have helped her situation and others like it.

Sit with Us is an app being introduced to Prospect. Created by 16-year-old Natalie Hampton from California, who was a victim of bullying, the app strives to make sure that no one has to eat lunch alone.

It works by allowing students called ambassadors to create planned lunch groups in which conversation centers around certain topics.

They set the location to their school and can specify a certain table or room. Then, anyone logged into the app with the same location can view the lunch and join it.

After being excluded during lunch, Hampton was inspired to create an app that would help kids like her reach out to classmates and plan lunches. After hearing about the idea, social services intern Andrea DiPrima was inspired to introduce the app to Prospect “I think what makes this so cool is that [students] already use social networking apps, and this is what that is –– a social networking app, but for the lunchroom,” DiPrima said.

After bringing the idea to her supervisor, social worker Doug Berg, the two spoke to other staff members in order to get approval to start the use of the app at Prospect.

DiPrima says that many staff members recommended Serrano to help start the program at Prospect because of her experience as a transfer student and her leadership skills.

Now, every lunch at Prospect will have a preselected topic that will let students know what the conversation will be beforehand.

According to DiPrima, this system gives kids a chance to talk with people they would have never met before about what interests them. Senior and ambassador Carley Walker is excited for the range of topics that are being chosen.

“We were making up topics at a meeting

3

iLUNCH: Sophomores Matthew Bielawski, Angie Hwang and Becky Rose play games on their iPads during lunch. Soon, students will be able to use the Sit with Us app to arrange lunchtime conversation groups that are designed to help students meet new people. (photo by Katie Hamilton) the other day, and it was just so fun,” Walker lunch.

DiPrima is hoping that this app will said. “We had Harry Potter books versus the reach out to everyone movies to the best the school — not shows on Netflix.”

“I’ve seen some kids that hang out in only people who find Ambassadors can in the KLC or the commons to avoid themselves sitting be from any grade level and there is no the lunchroom. It breaks my heart in alone, but also students who just want requirement to bea way because you see them, and to have a fun convercoming one. they’re alone. That’s not how people sation at lunch.

While initially “I care about ProsDiPrima wants to should be spending their lunch time.” pect as a whole,” Distart with a smaller Prima said. “I care group of ambassaJoyce Serrano, senior about the school’s dors, she is hoping culture, and I care about the students, and if to expand it as the app grows.

DiPrima says that while ambassadors this app and this program help to make Prosare free to head lunches alone, there is also pect an even better place than it already is, an opportunity for ambassadors to co-host a that’s awesome.”

4

Opinion

prospectornow.com

October 28, 2016

Social media skews election season I

f Donald Trump’s 12.7 million Twitter followers formed a country, it would be the 76th most populous in the world, surpassing the population of each Greece and Austria.

Social media sites like Twitter are taking over the lives of teenagers. A 2015 study

by Common Sense Media found that teens spend nearly nine hours a day consuming media, and Pew Research report showed that 63 percent of people that use Facebook and Twitter consistently get their news from these sites.

English and Fine Arts Division Head Adam Levinson, who also teaches Media Analysis, explains that that people tend to seek out stories that support their views.

This is called confirmation bias, the book and that 47 percent of conservatives term used to describe when people con- said their news feed is always or consistentsciously or unconsciously retain informa- ly in-line with their views. tion that supports their “People believe current views and reject what they want to the information that conbelieve,” Levinson tradicts them. said.

“Generally “You’re going to gravispeaking, your uptate towards like-minded, bringing and sosimilar-thinking people,” cietal factors like Levinson said. “It doesn’t where you live and mean one position is necsocioeconomic staessarily wrong. It can tus … factor into be, but not always. It’s a the way people are matter of how I feel about and how they view something, how you feel Voting results of the Prospec- things.” about something and This is why tor staff with regards to this if we can find common Levinson believes editorial. ground.” it is important for Another study by the people to get news Pew Research Center showed that 48 per- from a variety of sources and from sources cent of people get their news about politics against their ideologies to find a balance in or government in a given week from Face- their news consumption.

“[Read] sources where you may be opposed to those traditional beliefs that website, that newspaper, that magazine [or] that internet source might gravitate towards,” Levinson said. “It’s always good to at least hear their side, their perspective [because] it gives you more of a balance to approaching things.”

We, the Prospector, believe that students should make a conscious effort to obtain their news from a variety of sources in order to avoid media bias.

According to the Pew Research Center, the most trusted news sources by people of all political beliefs are The Wall Street Journal, BBC, ABC, USA Today and The Economist, but Levinson believes it is important to note that is hard to take all biases out of the news “More than anything else, integrity, ethics and reliability of information are important,” Levinson said.

0

Against

16

For

Staff Editorial

Facebook, Twitter not sufficient platforms for students to obtain news

US war in western Syria not worth strife, death toll Backing of rebels does not defeat Islamic State, save lives in short term

ever he needs to in order to bolster Russia’s standing in the Middle East. We need to accept that because it’s not worth 400,000 lives to fight a proxy war to keep Russia less powerful than us in the region.

The U.S. has taken the firm stance that The Syrian Civil War is anything but when the dust has settled, Syrian President what its name suggests. Enough blood spilled to fill an Olympic swimming pool, more lives Bashar al-Assad cannot be part of the country’s future. Wouldn’t that show Putin who’s taken than Cheerios in five years’ worth of boss! The problem is, it’s going to take a lot breakfasts, an ocean’s worth of tribulation and uncertainty have characterized the mas- more firepower and dollar power to topple sacre, which has left millions homeless and the regime, which, like it or not, has a strong led more to abhorrently misunderstand the grip on the country’s more populous western area and represents what BBC calls the only meaning of “refugee.” “legitimate” government in Syria. Well over War, to me, in and of itself is a crime, and five years since his country fell into turmoil, I don’t understand how some acts of war can be classified as “war crimes” while others Assad has lasted this long and shows no indication of faltering in his resistance any time aren’t. So one can only imagine that those officially classified as “war crimes” by the soon.

He, like and sometimes in collaboraUnited Nations must be disgusttion with Putin, has gone to any ingly heinous. When the United means necessary to retain powNations High Commissioner for er, which, according to the WashHuman Rights says that “crimes ington Post, has included using of historic proportions” are bestarvation as a tool of war, toring committed in Aleppo, which, ture and chemical weapons. for Gary Johnson’s supporters, So why am I calling for us to was Syria’s most populous city avoid stepping our cowboy boots prior to the war, I can’t even into this mess? How can we be

BY LEO GARKISCH come close to imagining the bystanders when we know such horror that is daily life for those Copy Editor atrocities are going on? trapped in the city. Aleppo is, We have to consider the longin the words of Donald Trump, term picture.

I hold the firm belief that all who I dare say I agree with for once, a “total lives are to be valued equally, whether they nightmare,” a “humanitarian disaster.”

It’s often difficult to relate even to our be Syrian or American. If sending in severown family members, let alone feel sympa- al thousand troops would put an end to the thy for people thousands of miles away. But conflict and save dozens thousands of Syrthat’s what’s going to need to happen if we ian lives, even if it left 500 or even 10,000 Americans dead, I would be all for it. But want to save those remaining in Aleppo. our mishaps in Vietnam, Afghanistan and And I mean real sympathy. It’s one thing to acknowledge and even feel one’s pain, but to Iraq should have taught us that an invasion is not the answer. Pumping more guns into actually make an attempt to try and alleviate the most volatile region on the planet makes it is an entirely different issue.

Now I am definitely not advocating some no sense. How can some politicians work so sort of U.S. military action. In fact, I’m push- hard to get guns off the streets here at home yet fail to see that AR-16s shouldn’t be floating for quite the opposite.

Russian President Putin sees this as a ing around Syria, where they have often fallen into the wrong hands, for the same reason game of Risk. He made that very clear when he bombed a U.N. aid convoy, killing 20 and they shouldn’t be floating around the U.S.?

So what if Assad regains control of the keeping thousands waiting for basic necessities like food and diapers. He will do what- western region of the country? At least there

staff Editor-in-Chief Mike Stanford Managing Editors Grace Berry Diana Leane Copy Editors Riley Langefeld Leo Garkisch

Kurds Rebels

Islamic State Assad regime Rebels

MAPPING IT OUT: Syria has been plagued by a destructive war for now well over five years. Above is a map of the holdings of the various groups who have gotten involved in the countrywide conflict. (photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) will be a degree of stability and millions will be able to live their day-to-day lives without having to fear being firebombed to death.

Equally as important, we would be able to focus on allocating our funds to support the Kurds in northern and eastern Syria and bringing countries together to fight the Islamic State, the terrorist organization viciously tearing through eastern Syria that slaughters rural Iraqi and Syrian Shiite villagers, Turkish travellers and French café-goers alike.

The Kurds have actually been gaining ground on their enemy, one common to just about every country on the planet, and are now on the brink of eliminating IS from Mosul, the city the terrorist group has championed as its Syrian stronghold. But this same progress has not been achieved by the militants we fund to fight the other evil plaguing the country in Assad.

Persisting in our effort to continue the di-

rectionless war in western Syria by backing groups like the Free Syrian Army (FSA) will only result in hundreds of thousands more dead, and for what? Yes, Assad is a dictator.

No, the people of Syria will not be blessed with the freedoms of democracy that we enjoy and the FSA are willing to fight for. But the killing will stop. Call it appeasement if you will, but a slight or even significant geopolitical advantage in the Middle East is not worth that blood, those stories cut so short.

Realistically, this column isn’t likely to change how the U.S. approaches the crisis in western Syria. So while it continues to rage on, the people of Syria need our action. They need your action. I’ve asked myself countless times what I can do to help alleviate the pain of those suffering, which is why I donated $75 to UNICEF to help ensure that those fleeing for Europe are welcomed with adequate supplies, and it’s why I wrote this column.

What can you do?

Associate Editors-in-Chief Flynn Geraghty Caley Griebenow

News Editors David Fang Ben Dojutrek

Adviser Jason Block

Online Copy Editor Erin Schultz

Opinion Editors Ayse Eldes Katie Hamilton

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

Social media Editor Jack Ryan Online Editor Amanda Stickels Online Sports Editor Wyatt Dojutrek Broadcast Editor Claire Strother

Entertainment Editors Cassidy Delahunty Cole Altmayer Sports Editors Jack Ankony Paul Evers Visuals EditorS Elisabeth Rohde

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prospectornow.com

October 28, 2016

Opinion

5

Third-party votes prove ineffective A

People don’t like the idea of friend and I were walkvoting for a conventionally presing through Wicker idential woman who knows how Park last weekend in the to press a delete button, but they pouring rain, when a soaking wet don’t like the idea of voting for a man wearing nothing but jeans, dishonest, temperamental, posflip flops and a flannel stopped us. sible sexual assaulter He explained he was either.

Apparently, from People’s Action, choosing between a nonprofit organizaClinton and Trump is tion devoted to equal like choosing between rights activism. After the lesser of two evils, my friend and I relucwhere one evil is a bad tantly decided to enthunderstorm and the gage in conversation other is Hurricane Matwith him, we talked for BY ERIN SCHULTZ thew. about 15 minutes about Online Copy Editor How can the AmerBruce Rauner’s poliican people achieve a cies. He told us about sunny, 70° day with candidates Illinois’s budget and even had pie like these? charts and graphs prepared. It was Some say we should turn our enlightening; my friend and I both attention to Gary Johnson or Jill walked away from the conversaStein. tion inspired to, as he put it, “give I understand why young voters a damn.” would feel compelled to vote for People can initiate change one of the two fringe nominees; by having constructive converafter millennials’ sweetheart Bersations and educating others on nie Sanders endorsed Clinton, the their views. Not by voting for a Democrats fizzled from Bernie vs. third-party candidate who will Hillary to Hillary vs. Johnson vs. never see the White House.

Stein. Bernie supporters found it Voting for a third-party candifficult to switch from him to Hildidate such as Jill Stein or Gary lary because of their dramatically Johnson is an ineffective use of different ideals, even within the your vote. It’s not the brave consame party. viction Libertarians or members The Republican Party also of the Green Party claim it is. It’s split when Trump was declared a way of sloppily performing your the nominee; his beliefs are so civic duty and being transparent avant-garde in comparison to the about your indecisiveness. It’s the majority of republicans -- and even laziest way to vote, only a centimehis former self. I’ve seen a huge ter above not voting at all. amount of “Republican For HilYou must make a choice belary” yard signs. tween the two main candidates if The line between the two-paryou want your vote to count.

Percentage

Stein, Johnson prominent in mock election

THE LIFE OF THE PARTY: With the widespread dissatisfaction of the two main presidential candidates, many voters have taken interest in voting for a third-party such as Libertarian Gary Johnson or Green Party nominee Jill Stein. This is a wasted vote because there is no chance of a Johnson or Stein presidency. (photo by Elisabeth Rohde) ty system blurred and for the first time since 2000, third parties have gained major exposure.

According to Real Clear Politics, with Hillary Clinton at 44.4 percent and Donald Trump at 39.1 percent, it’s apparent one of them will be our next president. By voting for Stein (2.3 percent) or Johnson (6.6 percent), your vote is lost in the abyss.

In fact, you’re actually helping to elect your least-favorite main candidate because you’re not voting for their opponent. Say you don’t want either Clinton or Trump to be president, but you really, really don’t want Clinton to be president. By not voting for Trump, her main opponent, you’re helping her. If you’d like to cast a “protest vote,” pick the lesser of the two serious evils and vote for them, not a candidate who will have the opposite effect.

Earlier in the election cycle if things went differently, maybe a vote for Johnson would be a vote for a potential president.

In July, when Johnson received 13 percent in a CNN poll, he was 2 percent away from being in the debates. However, he didn’t make it.

The debates are how we see personal sides of the candidates; we

was given in 1995 until of 2015, the number As a member of Prospect’s debate team of women elected to represent American for two years, I’ve learned that the best way voters in the U.S. Congress has increased to get ready for our monthly debate compefrom 50 to 104. titions is to watch others speak. The timing Clinton’s resonating speech preceded of the first presidential debate was perfect to any similar speech to bring power and voice help me prepare for the second competition to women. As a female, she lead many firsts of this year’s season. for women. In 2000, she became Even though I had gone in the first First Lady to ever be with the intention of gaining elected to national office when some knowledge on foreign polishe was elected to the U.S. Sency, the debate instead offered me ate. In 2008, she became the realizations about the future of first woman in history to win a feminism in America. Out of the presidential primary with her fourteen women who have camNew Hampshire win. And this paigned for presidency in U.S. year, Clinton made history on history, Clinton is the first to the second day of the Democratmake it to the presidential nom- BY AYSE ELDES ic National Convention as the ination.

Executive Opinion first woman to lead a major U.S. This is a big step for women Editor party. in politics. Clinton goes beyond By accomplishing a series of stating her opinions. firsts for women in the U.S., Clinton shows She shows the potential of every woman the capabilities of female power in politics. in America. She showcased this potential She surpassed major milestones for women early on in her career with a speech she dein American history. livered in Beijing in 1995. Clinton’s words Clinton has also been a strong example on women’s rights still resonate 21 years in the fight against double standards. As a later. component of politics, Clinton naturally facShe spoke about the importance of vales “scandals,” but her controlled responses uning women’s rights as human rights. Acto these accusations show that she doesn’t cording to The Guardian, since the time it

see more than press releases and speeches edited by a team of employees. We see their pure, unadulterated reactions to questions they have seconds to prepare for. We see how they act under pressure.

If Johnson would’ve made it to the debates, he could’ve redeemed himself from his flops -- most notably, his failure to name a single foreign leader or define Aleppo, a prominent Syrian city.

In fact, Stein was escorted off the premises of the Sept. 26 debate at Hofstra University because she was not credentialed for the event. She attempted to enter via media bus, but wasn’t believed to be prominent enough to enter the university.

Additionally, both Stein and Johnson were the 2012 nominees for their parties; Stein received .36 percent of the total vote, and Johnson .99 percent. Granted, they’re both higher in the polls now, but studies by The Boston Globe show prior polls aren’t reflective of candidates’ performances on election day.

One such study, entitled “Americans love third-party candidates... until election day” showed that third-party candidates received about a third of the votes they

give merit to trivial claims.

When the New York Times became one of the 80 newspapers that endorsed Clinton during the Democratic primaries, they perfectly summarized her role as a woman in politics with their editorial endorsement.

“Our endorsement is rooted in respect for her intellect, experience, toughness and courage over a career of almost continuous public service, often as the first or only woman in the arena,” the New York Times editorial board wrote on Sept. 24.

If she does become president, Clinton will lead with a long history of political experience and accomplishments. And she showcased that potential of female leadership on Sept. 26 at the first presidential debate.

For the debate competition the next week, I had gained more than just political knowledge on international involvement of the U.S. I attained an understanding of the capability this country has with female leadership, and this helped me realize what I as a female individual was capable of. As a woman, Clinton shouldn’t be president just because of the fact that she’s female. She should because she will be the first female in American history to showcase presidential potential, leadership and experience.

thought they’d get. If that rings true, Stein will receive .76 percent of the vote and Johnson 2.2 percent this year.

That defeats the secondary purpose of voting for a third-party candidate.

If a Green Party nominee or Libertarian receives 5 percent of the total vote on Nov. 8, their party will be funded in the next election.

This has been a huge reason people vote for third-party folks. Johnson even campaigned in 2012 with the slogan, “Give me five.”

However, the purpose of a presidential election is to vote for the next president. The Federal Election Commission funding a third party for getting 5 percent of the vote is merely a consolation prize.

If you like Gary Johnson but would equally hate Hillary Clinton to be our Commander in Chief, consider voting for Donald Trump.

If you’re a Jill Stein fan, but would detest Donald Trump to be sitting in the Oval Office, vote for Hillary Clinton. She’s the only thing between him and the presidency. Perform your civic duty the right way; do your research and use your vote effectively. This election is no time for a protest vote.

The first three women to run for president Victoria Claflin Woodhull -1872 She was the first woman to run for president.

Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood -1884 and 1888 She drafted the law which admitted women to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Margaret Chase Smith-1964 She was elected in 1948 to her first term in the U.S. Senate and reelected three more times.

6

In-Depth

October 28, 2016

Politics creates classroom quandary

BY MIKE STANFORD Editor-in-Chief

A

ppalled, English teacher Matt Love did not hesitate to share his disgust when a student read Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum’s remarks aloud in the computer lab during the 2012 primary season. Santorum had said that homosexuals are too dangerous to be around children.

“I will say — and it’s certainly not a teacher’s job to get their political views out there — however, I think it’s interesting because we work in a district that supports certain values — tolerance, compassion [and] inclusion,” Love said. “Sometimes in political speeches and political candidates you find those things, and sometimes you just find bigotry.”

This is an example of when teachers have to handle politics in the classroom, something that has become more relevant during the current election cycle. According to Associate Principal for Instruction Scott McDermott, teachers should strive to present all sides of the argument without presenting their personal opinions. However, he does believe there can be an exception when politics show a lack of respect, like in Love’s case.

Love sees the interjection of his viewpoint as one that was more moral than political.

“To me, that’s not a comment on political ideology,” Love said. “That’s not conservatism. That’s not Republicanism. That’s bigotry in my mind. I think there’s a big difference between a teacher pushing a political point of view and recognizing certain issues as civil rights and human rights.”

English and Fine Arts Division Head Adam Levinson believes that knowing when to interject as a teacher can be difficult and varies on a caseto-case basis. “[Teachers need] to understand who [their] clientele is — students — [and] where they come from,” Levinson said. “Then I think you go from there using common sense in being able to address the issue. … If it’s done with fidelity, if it’s done with integrity, then I think it’s OK.” In Love’s classes, situations like this are rare because politics are not directly ingrained in his curriculum. One time politics do become relevant

is during the satire unit of AP English Language, which is focused on the analysis of argumentation.

“I do try to keep things balanced on the political spectrum, but honestly it’s difficult because there’s a lot more satire going on on one side than the other,” Love said. “That’s just a fact. It’s difficult to find good satire rooted in conservative ideology.”

Senior Charlie Siefke, a member of Conservative Club, understands why the unit lacks conservative viewpoints and does not feel personally impacted, but he worries that the material might influence people with less solidified political stances.

“If someone’s easily impressionable, chances are they’re going to come out very liberal-leaning if they just see all ‘Conservatives are bad, capitalism’s bad, yada yada yada,’” Siefke said.

Love believes those concerns are overblown.

“If it’s a class in critical thinking, then you have to be prepared to give students the ability to make their own decisions,” Love said.

“You can’t become a critical thinker if you’re afraid of other people’s arguments.”

World Religions teacher John Camardella uses a different tactic to address politics in the classroom.

To prevent political bias from seeping into his curriculum, he allows students to run the discussion when controversial issues arise. He sees himself as a facilitator to ensure elevated discourse.

“If you hold an opinion, we would ask that we respect each other’s opinions but then be critical in how we approach it,” Camardella said. “Be respectful, but ask tough questions. That open dialogue is vital to any course with intellectual freedom, which I will go to my grave supporting.”

Camardella believes this structure challenges students to develop their political views independently.

“What I like is helping students navigate questions like … ‘Where [do] I align myself, and why do I align myself that way?’” Camardella said.

“Those self-reflective thoughts are huge. … I think that ability to ask questions initially with yourself is best attained in a high school classroom.”

AP Government and Politics teacher Tim

Beishir agrees that students should be challenged on their political views in order to strengthen them, and he does so equally to students across the political spectrum during discussions.

Because his curriculum directly involves political issues, Beishir also must handle how to present positions outside of discussion. Although the most natural strategy may be to remain purely objective, Beishir believes this is a nearly impossible task.

“Even if you say, ‘I’m going to present both sides,’ human nature is to lean one way,” Beishir said.

To prevent this, he varies frequently between presenting conservative and liberal views as though they are his own beliefs. Because his students know he is adopting these views for the sake of their learning, his views do not seep into the curriculum.

Regardless of what tactics teachers choose to use, Camardella believes the importance of handling politics in school cannot be overstated.

“Life is awkward,” Camardella said. “Discussing religion is awkward. Discussing politics is awkward. But at the heart of things, that’s what most people care about. That’s the core of who we are — how should our government be run, how should our country should be run, and how should we live and practice with a moral foundation?”

Social Science and World Language Division Head Gary Judson agrees and also says that teachers’ jobs are made even more difficult by the rhetoric between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

“Especially right now, just because of the way the candidates have been attacking each other, we’ve lost the whole concept of looking at the issues,” Judson said. “It makes it really hard as a teacher to do. … I’ve never been in an election like this before.”

Love agrees and believes Prospect can play a critical role in helping people navigate political disagreements.

“Argument, in proper terms, means an exchange of ideas in a logical and respectful way and an exchange of viewpoints that leaves you with something to think about,” Love said. “I think we need more practice in that. I think all of us, teachers and students, need more experience listening to, evaluating and thinking about points of view different than our own.”

No matter the challenges 2016 has presented, Camardella believes addressing these challenges is vital to providing students with a well-rounded education. “[We’d be] doing you a disservice … to not engage you in respectful political talks before you leave Prospect,” Camardella said. “I think [you’d be] at a disadvantage because the world is engaging in those talks all the time.”

A Kni

The 2016 campaign tabloid drama and T the halls of Prospect

Campaign volunteers exp

about politics and get first hand exper of a campaign.

He worked four days a week on the Senior Charlie Siefke interns on Bob paign during the summer, and Sief Dold’s Congressional campaign. He gets to still an intern for three to four days a talk to many different people about voting during this school year. He usually m for Dold. phone calls and knocks on peoples’ “[Working on Dold’s campaign] has been asking them to vote for Dold when he a great opportunity to meet other people and into work. see all sides of the political spectrum,” Siefke Siefke also got to attend a fundrais said. an $8 million mansion on Lake Michig He had a conversation with one woman Winnetka. Paul Ryan was there becau for 30 minutes about why she thought the is a colleague of Bob Dold and wanted to two party system is broken him get re-elected. and there needs to be more He went to the even parties. She came to America Parental politics cause he was the top i because of Reagan, but now Before students in his regional campaig believes the Republican Par- encounter politics in high fice. ty is going in the wrong di- school, they hear about Social science tea rection. Siefke met one man the issues at home. To Jon Kaminsky also got who was an immigrant from learn about the impact of tend cool fundraisers a former communist coun- parents’ views, check out he worked on former try. He was in a union but gresswoman Melissa B prospectornow.com! was a stereotypical republipolitical campaign in th can and an NRA member.

District.

“Those 30 minute converDuring his time the sations are probably the most interesting,” got to go to a White Sox fundraiser an Siefke said. “You get to talk to [those] peo- to see Barack Obama when he was a Sen ple more than some of the other people who Kaminsky believes he had a lot fun mom just say ‘Yes, I’m voting for Dold,’ or ‘No, I’m like that fundraiser while working on B not.’” campaign.

Siefke started volunteering for Dold’s He volunteered on the campaign d campaign because two representatives for his summers and breaks when he was Dold came to Prospect last year to speak with from Illinois State University (ISU) Conservative Club. Many students and staff worked on her campaigns from 2004-0 have worked on political campaigns to learn worked the most on her 2006 campaign

BY GRACE BERRY Print Managing Editor

KNOCK KNOCK?: Senior Charlie Siefke knocks on a voter’s door on behalf of Republican Congressman Bob Dold’s campaign. Siefke and others volunteer on political campaigns in order to gain hands-on experience in the world of politics, and Siefke especially enjoys the discussions he has with people while he is door knocking. “Those 30 minute conversations are probably the most interesting,” Siefke said. “You get to talk to [those] people more than some of the other people who just say ‘Yes, I’m voting for Dold’ or ‘No, I’m not.’” (photo illustration by Mike Stanford)

October 28, 2016

Beyond the White House Although the Presidential election may grab the most headlines, races down the ballot have the most impact on everyday Americans according to AP Government teacher Tim Beishir. Here is a rundown of the candidates that will appear below Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and their stances:

Democrat

nt beintern gn of-

acher to atwhen ConBean’s he 8th

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during home ). He 08 but n. Ka-

Mark Kirk

Duckworth is running on a platform of infrastructure spending and improving Veteran’s Affairs and currently represents the 8th Congressional District. Prior to becoming involved in politics, Duckworth served in Iraq, where her helicopter was shot down and she lost both of her legs.

According to GovTrack, Kirk is the third-most moderate Republican in the Senate based on his support for gay marriage and gun control. He made headlines in June when he was the first Senator to say he wouldn’t support Donald Trump.

illustration by Katie Hamilton

perience political immersion

ser at gan in use he o help

Tammy Duckworth

10th District

season has been defined by conspiracy theories, Twitter fights. Its implications have echoed through t, whether in the classroom or on the campaign trail.

e camfke is week makes doors e goes

Republican

Senate

ight at the circus

rience

In-Depth

minsky worked as a manager for volunteers. on the Dold campaign. He believes he has He would help organize parades Bean would gained a lot of people skills and has become a be at and make sure everything ran smooth- lot more articulate when explaining policies ly. that made him more confident in the idea of Kaminsky also helped bring new strate- pursuing politics. As an intern, Siefke has gies to get more voters. to know Dold’s policies During the 2006 and 2008 better and be able to elections, he got more tell people what Dold’s college students to vote stances are on all the in the 8th District by issues. looking up people from “By knocking on a ISU on Facebook who stranger’s door and powere Democrats. He tentially being grilled would then ask them to with questions, you vote for Melissa Bean in really sharpen your an absentee ballot. skills,” Siefke said.

He enjoyed working Siefke has found this on the campaign side of experience very rewardMcPartlin's with her ing and even convinced the election because he loves elections and polls. some of his friends to Prospect parent Brian “The most interesting volunteer for the camMcPartlin has worked on nine thing still to me is the paign because he has enpresidential campaigns, starting numbers and poll game,” joyed it so much. He bewith former Vice President Kaminsky said. “I’m on lieves it is important for Walter Mondale. To read more different websites all the everyone to get involved about McPartlin’s career in time, waiting for new in the political process politics, turn to page 8. poll information to come even if they cannot vote. out and kind of breaking “Getting involved it apart and see what’s in the political process happening.” early on is something we can all do, whethKaminsky has always been interested in er it’s through AP Government at Prospect, politics and even considered pursuing a ca- through internships or even volunteering reer in politics before he got his job at Pros- your time for Schneider’s campaign,” Siefke pect. said. “It’s worthwhile because you’re able to Siefke has also considered pursuing a ca- get informed and network with all of these reer in politics because he has been working people, and that opens so many doors.”

Brad Schneider

Bob Dold

During his term in Congress from 2013-15, Schneider sat on the Small Business and Foreign Policy committees. He is active in the Jewish community and is especially dedicated to pursuing a two-state solution in Palestine.

Prior to serving in Congress, Dold ran a pest control company in Northfield. This experience led him to make small businesses the cornerstone of his platform. He currently is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for writing the tax code.

9th District

Jan Schakowsky Schakowsky has represented the 9th Congressional District since 1999. She is a member of Democratic Party leadership as Chief Deputy Whip, and has used her influence to push a progressive agenda.

Joan McCarthy Lasonde McCarthy Lasonde is running for Congress on a platform of limited government, which includes tax and entitlement reform. Additionally, her experience as a foster mother has motivated her to advocate for orphaned children.

Proposed amendment If enacted, the Safe Roads Amendment would require all revenue generated by transportation-related taxes like gas and tolls to go toward transportation funding. Currently, this funding can be tapped as emergency funds by state lawmakers. Proponents of the amendment argue that it will guarantee that roads are constantly funded, which would prevent transportation infrastructure from becoming dangerous. Critics argue that this will simply guarantee steady income for construction companies.

7

8

Features

October 28, 2016

prospectornow.com

McPartlin makes his mark in politics

BY RILEY LANGEFELD Copy Editor

W

hen Brian McPartlin was 15 years old, he spent his summers a bit differently than most of his peers at Holy Cross High School. Eschewing a traditional teenage summer job, he chose to work in the office of the Illinois Secretary of State as a clerk, filling out forms for newly-licensed drivers. While the work may have seemed monotonous to others, for McPartlin, the position was the beginning of a long and illustrious career in government.

According to McPartlin, he was active in the political world almost from birth. His father was a state representative, and his mother was a union representative for the Chicago Federation of Labor throughout his childhood. In his home, there was a significant familial emphasis on the importance of public service and politics.

“That kind of instilled some values in me about community service,” McPartlin said.

“That was just common nature for us.”

McPartlin has held over a dozen government jobs in his life and has been involved in numerous campaigns on the county, state and federal levels, even running for elected office in 2002. Two of his children have graduated from Prospect, and his son Patrick is currently a junior. With the current election season in full swing, McPartlin is as politically involved as ever, playing an active role in Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president.

This role is the latest in a decades-long progression of government involvement, which began with his summer job in 1982.

more passionate about working my butt off to ensure not only that Hillary Clinton becomes the president that changes the course of history on a gender basis, but also changes the course of history against someone who I consider a bully.”

The Family Business McPartlin’s passion for politics has inevitably played a role in his family life, and he has attempted to impart that passion to his children.

“I [try to pass on my interest in politics] every day. Quite honestly, it’s all by example,” McPartlin said. “I do my best to give my kids the best example I can be. I want them to be global citizens. I want them to have mutual respect for all people. I want them to engage all people. I want them to look at somebody who is different from them, and not look at it as a difference, but look at it as an opportunity to learn something new.”

HE’S WITH HER: Brian McPartlin talks with Democratic presidential nominee His son Matt was inspired by his father Hillary Clinton at a campaign stop. McPartlin has played a role in every Democratic from a young age. Matt traveled with him to presidential campaign since 1984, and he has been a personal friend and colleague of the Iowa caucuses in 2008, where they went the Clintons since 1992. (all photos courtesy of Brian McPartlin) to campaign sites, made phone calls and to be that way? Why should it be that way?’ ware company called Riverdeep. met the Clintons and then-Senator Barack So it kind of gave me an appreciation, a want This job frequently took him to WashingObama. to be involved with different groups, differton, D.C., to try to persuade government offi“Public service is something that I’ve ent aspects of different people.” cials to increase education funding. McParbeen around my whole life. It’s something I At the same time, however, McPartlin tlin was in Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, and truly care about,” Matt said. “I think my dad saw cooperation among activists and public witnessed firsthand the terrorist attack on passes on [his enthusiasm] by the experiencservants to fix these problems. the Pentagon. In addition to the deep emoes I’ve seen him have and the impact in com“There was an inclusionary process,” tional impact of the experience, the attacks plete strangers’ lives that he’s had.”

McPartlin said. “Those were all great things ended up shaping McPartlin’s career path.

After interning at the White House for a that continued to foster my belief that we After the attacks, it became increasingly summer, Matt got to make such an impact can all work together, unite together to build hard to get government money to education himself. He planned a cancer summit that a better city or better country. That’s what I programs, as most government spending was attended by world-renowned researchwas trying to do in the political realm as well was being directed toward defense. ers, the president, the vice president and nuA Career in Service and in the government. The government It was at this point that McPartlin decidmerous other figures. Matt met with cancer After working as a clerk for two years, works for all people.” ed to run for elected office himself. In 2002, patients who told him about how the event McPartlin went to work for Illinois attorney McPartlin’s energy carried him forward he began his bid for a position on the Cook personally impacted them. general Neil Hartigan as an administrative to work on Bill Clinton’s presidential camCounty Board of Commissioners. Running “There’s really no price you can put on assistant in 1984. At 17 years old, he was the paign in 1992. After winning the election, against a 30-year incumbent in a largely Remaking people feel cared about and making youngest person ever to hold the position.

Clinton appointed McPartlin as Associate publican area, he says that the process was their issues heard,” This position presented him with nu- Director of Presidential Advance. His renot an easy one.

Matt said. “And that merous opportunities for networking and sponsibilities included briefing the presiHowever, then-SenDoing his McPart reward that that gives drawing inspiration from other politicians. dent and his associates with information on ator Hillary Clinton them is such a rewardIn 1984, while attending a meeting of the debates and public appearances and carefuland Senator Dick Brian McPartlin has worked on ing part of public serDemocratic Governors Association in Chi- ly planning every aspect of various presidenDurbin helped to lightnumerous campaigns on the vice, and why I’m so cago, McPartlin met a governor named Bill tial events. en the load by actively drawn to it.” local, state and federal levels.

Clinton who had recently been elected the McPartlin describes his time with the campaigning for him Matt currently atHere is a list of the presidential youngest governor in U.S. history.

Clinton administration as transformative to around the county. Al tends Indiana Univertickets he has supported with “As a young guy in government, he was his experience in politics.

Gore also helped to fisity and has a job with someone who you would look up to and as“In 1992, in that campaign, I was very pasnancially support his his work. the Hillary campaign pire to be,” McPartlin said. “[He was] chartsionate about Bill Clinton. I admired him,” campaign. there. ing the course of action and path for you, and McPartlin said. “I worked for him because I Despite the aid of • Mondale-Ferraro 1984 “I love being able to it was great.” believed in the message of what he was trythese longtime friends • Dukakis-Bentsen 1988 spend this time with Hartigan was also the youngest-ever dep- ing to do. He gave a voice to the voiceless. He and colleagues, McParmy dad,” Matt said.

• Clinton-Gore 1992 and 1996 uty mayor of Chicago; in addition to being gave an opportunity to people who never got tlin lost the election. He “It’s something that we • Gore-Lieberman 2000 one himself, McPartlin was surrounded by an opportunity with the government before. took a job at the Illinois bond over. It’s some• Kerry-Edwards 2004 young, energetic politicians and activists.

I watched him engage with people on a very State Toll Highway thing we come together Studying at DePaul University during his personal level.”

Authority, eventually • Clinton 2008 about. I joke that it’s time working for Hartigan, McPartlin saw After Clinton’s 1996 re-election, McPar- becoming Executive • Obama-Biden 2008 and 2012 the family business.” growing sociopolitical problems — partic- tlin received a presidential appointment at Director. He worked in • Clinton-Kaine 2016 Junior Patrick ularly racial tensions — manifesting themthe General Services Administration, an inthis position until 2008.

McPartlin has also selves on the campus that spurred him to dependent government agency that supports During the 2008 been involved with his take further action in government. the basic functions of other federal agencies. election, he returned to the campaign trail, father’s work for as long as he can remem“I believe we should have not only toler- In 1998, he took another presidential appoint- this time as a volunteer for the Hillary Clinber. He says that this has fostered an interest ance, but appreciation for other people and ment as the Secretary’s Regional Representon campaign. This volunteer role meant in how the political process works. other ethnic groups. It’s what makes this tative in the Midwest for the Department of that he could decide which events he wanted “Politics is what controls our country. country great,” McPartlin said. “I saw strug- Education. In this role, he aided in various to cover on a case-by-case basis. According It’s the foundation of our country. I’m cugles, and I always thought, ‘Why does it have education-related matters in Illinois, Indito McPartlin, this worked much more effecrious about how it all works,” Patrick said. ana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio tively with his interests in his home life.

“If I were to go into politics, [my dad] would and Wisconsin.

“I was able to be at home and be at my lead me in the right direction.”

During the 2000 election, kids’ sporting events and be at all the differAlthough Patrick isn’t sure what career McPartlin returned to work on ent school activities. I enjoy that,” McParpath he wants to pursue, he says that his the campaign trail, leading the tlin said. “I enjoy being involved in the father has greatly influenced his thought advance team for Al Gore. He school community.” process and fostered his interests. Brian was very unsatisfied with the After serving as a Clinton delegate for McPartlin says that this is his exact goal as Supreme Court decision that led Illinois and Clinton losing the nomination, a parent. to Gore’s loss, but he remained McPartlin worked for the Obama-Biden “I want them to be their own people,” optimistic about the system as a campaign during the remainder of the race.

McPartlin said. “I want them to follow their whole.

He continued to work as a volunteer through own path in life and be successful in what “For all the sadness that you the campaign and both terms of the Obama they do. My job is to ensure that I give them feel that you lost, … the bottom administration, having found a balance bean opportunity to do that and to help them line is there is no greater countween family and work that satisfied him. to achieve their own individual success. If try in the world that celebrates In the current presidential election, they’ve learned lessons from me, it’s to alits politics and its elections as McPartlin has played an active role in Hilways be respectful, to always be inclusive, we do,” McPartlin said. “So just lary Clinton’s campaign. He has done adand to learn and look at every situation you to live in a country where democ- vance work for Clinton at all of her Illinois may engage in the world as an opportunity racy reigns free, and the fact that events and traveled to the debates (among to broaden yourself.” you can have differences of opinother places) to assist in the race. McPartlin Despite the tumult of the current election ion, and people can be out there says that this race is entirely different from cycle, McPartlin retains the optimism and fighting — that’s the beauty of those that he has seen in the past. enthusiasm for politics that he has held for this country.”

“I’m probably more passionate about this his entire life. election than I have been about any other,” “I’m still as hopeful as I was when I McPartlin said. “There have been many naNew Beginnings started in my first presidential campaign in tional events that have shaped/divided our After the loss, McPartlin beMAKING AN IMPACT: (Top) Brian McPartlin poses 1992,” McPartlin said. “I’m still as hopeful country. There have been political struggan work in the private sector with President Obama in 2008. McPartlin (bottom) for our country that we have so much more gles by lots of different people. … Because for the first time, taking a job as good in us than bad. I want to believe, and I works with 1984 Democratic presidential nominee Vice President of Government of those things and because of the opponent do believe that better days are ahead.”

Michael Dukakis during his campaign. in this particular election, I have never felt Relations for an education soft-

prospectornow.com

October 28, 2016

Security guard goes beyond title

the school did that day was watch the news anchors report that King had been shot.

“It was like the world had stopped,” Associate Editor-In-Chief Lynch said. “It was like 9/11.” hen security guard Al Lynch Lynch also occasionally tells classes took a seat in any of his fresh- about the Vietnam War. Some of his best man classes at Concordia Uni- friends were drafted, and when they reversity in the 1970s, he found himself sit- turned, some were without arms or legs. ting alone. Wherever he sat, other students Lynch thought it was ironic that they had would get up and leave. served their country, but they couldn’t use “It was like Moses parting the Red Sea,” certain water fountains or public restrooms Lynch said. or be served in some restaurants.

Lynch, who is African American, was Lynch wants to tells these stories in order attending Concordia University on a basket- to give students a view a history book never ball scholarship, and it was the first time he could. was a minority at his school. When he was “All that Common Core business is great, attending high school in Selma, Ala., there but by talking to these classes, I want the were a few white students, but they were kids to have a more well-rounded view of only there because the government was in- history,” Lynch said. tegrating schools. Lynch was well received Lynch will sometimes stop by to social in high school; he had lots of friends, played science teacher Brad Rathe’s APUSH classes on the basketball team and was even voted and offer his insight. Rathe believes it benhomecoming king. efits his students, and he admires Lynch’s However, college was a different story. different perspective.

Being one of about eight black students on “You can just tell he’s a really well-inConcordia’s campus, Lynch naturally stood formed guy,” Rathe said. “The kids respond out. He understood that in those days, any- well to him; he’s a really respectable guy.” one who was “different” was perceived as Lynch also works to create a rapport with “scary,” and that was why other students students. In the hallways, he offers high fives were apprehensive about sitting with him. It and handshakes wherever he goes. When he pained him nonetheless. sits with a group of kids in the commons, he That was not the first time Lynch was fits right into their conversations. In a sense, mistreated because of his race. He says that Lynch sees himself in some of the more regrowing up, he was pulled over countless served students. times by police for no good reason, and they “I was a quiet kid in high school, and it would search took a lot for me to his car for open up,” Lynch drugs. He and said. “I try to talk his friends to the kids and just would be called “His honesty. He’ll give listen to what they racial slurs by to say and you his honest opinion, have people walking what’s going on past them. But no matter what.” in their lives. You Lynch now can learn a lot from Connor Buckley, senior kids. I want to show tries to avoid thinking about kids that no matter that past. what background “I don’t want someone has, it’s “He actually to dwell on that their intelligence stuff,” Lynch interacts with students that matters more.” said. “I’d rathSenior Olivia and listens to them.” er put it behind Huening admires me.”

Lynch’s relatabilStephanie Odeshoo, Lynch has ity. According to been employed her, he is always senior at Prospect for making an effort over a decade to get to know stuas a security dents. guard. He works to go beyond his job “He is always around to brighten your description and offer students a different day, and he’s always willing to help,” Huenperspective to learning. He also aspires to ing said. build a rapport with students by frequenting However, Lynch has not always enjoyed classes such as AP U.S. History (APUSH) and the disciplinary part of his job. He was anoccasionally World Religions. When APUSH gered several years ago when he saw a stuclasses are in the civil rights unit, Lynch dent making fun of another student with spestops by and discusses his personal experi- cial needs; Lynch had to follow up with the ences from that era. deans and make sure the student’s parents Lynch will sometimes tell the story of the were contacted. Seeing that kind of bullying day Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered. was especially hard for Lynch; his younger He was in middle school at the time, and all b r o t h e r has special needs due to police

Features

9

BY CALEY GRIEBENOW

W

What do you admire about Mr.

K

Lynch?

o Wh ws o n

Senior Luke Falkenholm

beating him when he was in college.

Lynch and his younger brother were close as kids because they were the youngest of eight boys. Growing up in Florida, Lynch looks back at his childhood and is grateful for all that his parents were able to provide for him and his brothers.

“My mom was a saint,” Lynch said.

“Dealing with a house full of boys, she never complained, and she always worked hard.”

Lynch’s mother would open their house at dinnertime so some underprivileged neighborhood kids could have dinner. She would give away Lynch’s and his brothers’ outgrown clothes so other kids could have clothes.

When Lynch left for college, he was in uncharted territory as he was a first generation student. The first couple months at college were difficult for him as he saw how divisive race relations were.

“I realized how there was no unity,” Lynch said. “Blacks lived [on] the South Side, the whites [on] the North Side. And on campus, the races didn’t interact much either. My head was exploding [from] seeing the tension.”

While at Concordia, Lynch also learned more about how he perceives others. Just as his fellow students made assumptions about him because he was black, Lynch made an assumption about a ‘hippie’ in his class named Greg, who had long hair and tattoos and dressed eccentrically. After seeing needles in his dorm room, Lynch made the assumption that Greg was a drug addict.

Lynch confronted Greg about it, and it turned out Greg used those needles because he was diabetic. After laughing about the misunderstanding, Greg and Lynch ended up becoming great friends.

Australia

The Boyfriend

Senior Sarah Ellstrand The Subject

B

etYto u er?

CHIT-CHAT: Security guard Al Lynch talks with a student during a lunch hour. Lynch wants to foster a friendship with kids and to give a different perspective to learning.

“I want the kids to have a more well-rounded view of history,” Lynch said. (photo by Elisabeth Rohde)

Senior Mary Clare Morley The Best Friend

Mental Health Awareness

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Japan

Paris

Toyota Corolla

P

PomegranPsychologist ates

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What club What car do did you you drive? start?

Mental Toyota Health Corolla Awareness Mental Health Awareness

“That taught me a lot,” Lynch said. “Just as people made judgments about me, I made judgments about him. I was no better.”

He ended up taking time off after his freshman year, because he realized a theology degree was not for him. A lot of black priests at the time would preach that the civil rights movement would just create more problems. Lynch figured out he did not want to associate himself with those ideas. He returned to college at Judson university when he was about 20 to pursue a degree in political science.

After graduation, Lynch moved around to places like New York City and Philadelphia.

But he found himself always coming back to Chicago.

“It’s this great melting pot of everything,” Lynch said. “There’s someone from everywhere here.”

In his time living in the Chicagoland area, Lynch owned his own restaurant, worked at General Electric and worked at a factory.

While he enjoyed those jobs, he felt there was an element missing.

“With my restaurant, I didn’t have the resources to do what I wanted to do, which was to talk to people and learn from them,” Lynch said.

He then settled in District 214 as a substitute teacher. Lynch liked working at Prospect the best, and ten years ago he was offered a full time job, which he gladly accepted. Without any plans to leave soon, Lynch wants to continue to be inspired by the kids here.

“The culture at Prospect is the best [throughout the district],” Lynch said. “It’s amazing what the kids accomplish. Kids are the most united. And I believe that’s what education should do –– unite us.”

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October 28, 2016

prospectornow.com

“Magic” gathers money out of wallets

BY COLE ALTMAYER Entertainment Editor While he has always considered himself a “card game connoisseur,” senior Ty Smith hadn’t been properly introduced to his favorite trading card game, Magic: The Gathering, until a family vacation to Florida in 2011. Smith was first introduced to the game in one of his favorite card shops, but he sadly didn’t have enough time to properly learn the game. He came home from the trip with Magic on his mind.

Upon Smith’s return, one of his teachers at Lincoln Middle School, Krissy Goebbert, had heard about his interest in the game and graciously lent him a box of Magic cards that used to belong to her brother.

“She said, ‘Go nuts!’” Smith said. “And that’s how I learned how to play. I built decks out of them and went crazy, and it got me into the hobby right away.”

Smith was almost immediately swept into the world of Magic, where players build decks comprised of all kinds of different exotic creatures and spells with one common goal of defeating their opponents as efficiently as possible by chipping their “life total” down to zero. The first player to reach zero life loses.

Now Smith is a Magic fanatic and estimates that he spends around $110 on boxes and booster packs of cards whenever a new set is released, which is approximately every three months. And that isn’t even counting the random individual cards he orders off the internet to upgrade his collection, which has grown to include 51 different decks.

Smith plays the game on both a casual and competitive level. He plays his friends at lunch every day for fun and travels to Pastimes, his favorite card shop, to play competitively at Friday Night Magic events.

While the hobby can be dauntingly expensive, Smith says it finds ways to pay for itself, as he often trades valuable cards he pulls from boxes or booster packs for cash, usually through eBay. After the release of the Magic set “Born of the Gods,” Smith hit the jackpot with a card called Courser of

Kruphix, which was one that had been hyped up by the competitive Magic community at the time. Smith managed to sell it for $70 –– almost enough to buy the $80 deck he won a recent Friday Night Magic competition with.

Smith holds on to cards that aren’t worth much now but have a possibility to be influential in the competitive scene later on. If a certain card that’s worth 50 cents today is used in a deck that wins the Magic Pro Tour tomorrow, the price may increase exponentially. Smith can then sell it for the higher price and make a profit.

“It’s like the stock market, but with cardboard,” said Smith.

Now five years into the hobby, Smith says his collection is a feat that impresses his circle of friends, most of whom are also into Magic.

“They revere me as some sort of god, in a sense,” Smith said. “They see my collection and they just bow down to me.”

Sophomore Jacob Bellak, a friend of Smith’s and a fellow Magic player, remarks that Smith is a worthy opponent during their daily Magic battles due to the breadth of his collection and his knowledge on the subject. “[His decks] are really well-thought-out,” Bellak said. “They’re really hard to beat unless you’re playing something equally well-crafted.”

However, his friends’ awe is lost on his parents. They find themselves mostly indifferent to the hobby.

“They support it, and they absolutely love the fact that I’ve found something that I like,” said Smith. “But they have no interest in actually playing the game.”

Smith says his family leaves it mostly up to him to be financially responsible. Any money he makes from trading or his job at Jewel-Osco is his, as far as they’re concerned. They want him to spend it on whatever makes him happy.

“Seventy percent of my money is set aside for things like college or life [in general],” said Smith, “But the other 30 percent –– I can do whatever I want with it, and I always think Magic first.”

FRIENDLY GATHERING: Senior Ty Smith and sophomore Jacob Bellak go headto-head in a game of Magic: The Gathering. Smith and friends host their games during fifth period lunch or on Mondays after school at Magic Club. (photo by Cole Altmayer)

Top three most expensive Magic cards

prices courtesy of Star City Games

#1. Black Lotus Price: $19,999.99

#2. Undergound Sea Price: $7,999.99

#3. Mox Sapphire Price: $5,999.99

Check out prospectornow.com for more stories on students with hobbies that can break the bank, like Rubik’s Cube collections and online gaming.

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October 28, 2016

Entertainment

11

MONSTER MOVIE MARATHON Need your fill of ghouls and goblins this Halloween? Well, look no further as we go through the good, the bad and the downright terrifying flicks dedicated to all things All Hallows Eve.

BY F LYNN GERAGHTY Associate Editor-in-Chief

The Shining (1980) In my personal opinion, there is nothing scarier than being in a house by yourself at night. I’m not sure why, but any time my parents are working late or out on a midnight trip to the grocery store, I always find myself feeling uneasy, getting startled by even the most mundane of noises. So, it’s no shock I believe that “The Shining” is a tense 2.5 hours that sends shivers down my spine.

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the film centers around Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson. He’s a writer who is tasked to watch the Overlook Hotel during its winter off-season. The only catch is that the hotel is miles into the mountains and has very limited contact to the outside world. Torrance stays up there with his wife and son, but they soon find that the hotel’s eerie presence is too strong to ignore. Soon enough they discover it is starting to affect them in ominous ways.

This movie easily could’ve been a snorefest full of long scenes of nothing happening with a jumpscare every now and again to keep the audience awake. However, the movie is impressively able to keep this uneasy tone at all times, mainly through the phenomenal acting, the fantastic score and vast and menacing design of the hotel. All of this put together makes the film practically pump adrenaline through you, making sure you remember each scene.

While there are a plethora of scenes that are extremely quotable, from “Here’s Johnny,” to “Come play with us, Danny,” there are several scenes that I am not too big a fan of. One that comes to mind is when Torrance’s wife, Wendy stumbles upon a man in a dog costume in one of the rooms.

While the scene is incredibly unsettling, it really disrupts the flow of the ongoing climax and just feels unnecessary. Without it, the film would be dramatically unchanged.

But, despite this, I still believe “The Shining” is one of the best horror films out there. It still gives me the heebie jeebies even just thinking about it.

Coraline (2009) When I was in summer camp back in 2010, my friends and I would in splash around in the shallow end of the wave pool and talk about movies that we liked. One day we got on the subject of horror movies, and my friends gushed over films like “The Ring” or “Blair Witch Project.” I mentioned that I really liked “Coraline” and they recoiled in disgust saying, “Ew! I can’t watch that movie!

It’s way too scary!”

This however, is precisely why I like it. Coraline is a unique gem of a film that isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of what a kids movie is supposed to be.

The flick is a stop-motion horror film starring Dakota Fanning as the titular character, Coraline.

She is a little girl who is bored with her everyday life and ends up stumbling into a world where everything seems absolutely perfect, including a woman who calls herself Coraline’s, “Other Mother.” But she finds that the world is really too good to be true as its puppet master, the Other Mother, is working to keep her there forever.

This movie is what I think of when I think of a perfect horror film. It uses its animated medium flawlessly. It lures you in with this sense that it’s going to be this simple kids film and then completely ensnares you into this dark and twisted story where a monster is going to sew buttons onto your eyes if you don’t get the heck out of there. It completely goes with the tone of the film, which can switch from a world of pure joy to a cesspool of evil in the drop of a hat.

Going off of that, this film’s villain, the Other Mother, is fan-freaking-tastic. She starts off as this overly saccharine sweet woman, who is constantly smiling and cooking up delicious meals. Then, as the film goes on, she slowly deteriorates into this devilish monster woman with this nails-on-a-chalkboard voice. During the climax where she’s chasing after Coraline as the world unravels beneath them, I was literally jumping out of my seat, having to remind myself that it was just a movie.

“Coraline” is not just one of my favorite horror films but one of my favorite films of all time. It pushes the boundaries of what animation should be and it leaves this 17-year-old girl spooked solid.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) While “Hocus Pocus” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” are shown a lot throughout October, a definite staple of the Halloween season is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It seems that whenever the leaves start to fall, Jack Skellingtons begin to poke their heads into every store in the world.

The film stars the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, voiced by Chris Sarandon. He stumbles through a magical tree door and goes into the world of Christmas Town. He’s immediately enamored with the idea of Christmas and goes about trying to kidnap Santa Claus and take over Christmas.

I have always confused as to why this movie is praised as much as it is. Sure, it’s aesthetically interesting and well-designed, but why would I spend 2 hours of my time watching a movie for that alone, if I could get the same experience from walking around a Hot Topic for 15 minutes?

This film doesn’t really provide anything that new or awe-inspiring. The characters are just kind of lackluster. They do go through very clear arcs, but that doesn’t make them fleshed-out or compelling. The music is well-composed, but it doesn’t really get stuck in my head the way that other musicals do.

After all of this, I don’t actually hate the movie. Not by a long shot, in fact.

Its songs, while not particularly catchy, are well-written and narratively poignant. I especially love “Kidnap the Santy Claws” and “Oogie Boogie’s Song.”

They’re both such unique songs with such twisted premises that I can’t help but enjoy them.

Plus, I have to admit, the movie is able to truly capture the essence of Halloween. From the uniquely, dark colors to the world-building, everything reeks of sheer passion for the creepy and disturbing. Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday, so I love how it’s able to get me so thoroughly enveloped into the spirit of the season.

So, while “The Nightmare Before Christmas” not my favorite, I can guarantee that I’ll be watching it sometime this Halloween.

It (1990) All the killer clowns running around the streets this year got me thinking ‘Why are people so terrified of clowns?’ This “bozophobia” seems to be affecting almost everyone. Personally, I’ve never been that scared of clowns. I mean, I never had a decked-out clown room with posters of Krustys and Whizzos lining my walls, but I never loathed them either.

This is most likely why I never really understood why people thought this Stephen King miniseries was so terrifying.

In a small town called Derry, a monster called Pennywise the Clown is going around terrorizing and killing children. So

a group of adults who had all dealt with this clown when they were kids all team up and vow to kill it.

If I could sum up this movie in two words, it would be boring and repetitive. A large portion of the film is shown in flashbacks, and they all go down in the same way: a kid is scared by Pennywise. These flashbacks don’t even give you a sense of suspense because you already know all of the kids are going to survive to adulthood since they lived to tell the tale.

This repetition causes the film to get really dull. No joke; I almost fell asleep. For a movie that’s supposed to be a “thriller,” that’s not a good sign.

Granted, some scenes are legitimately creepy, like the infamous scene where Pennywise pulls the little boy into the storm drain and kills him, but for the most part, the film doesn’t really give me that spook that I was promised it would.

prospectornow.com

Football ‘As One’ in ‘16

BY PAUL EVERS Sports Editor

I

n week one against the Hinsdale South Hornets, the varsity football team was trailing 16-13 in the fourth quarter with 8:47 remaining. The Knights then drove down to the Hornets’ nineyard line, and with 3:43 remaining, the team had three shots to get the go-ahead touchdown. It only took senior quarterback Andrew Shafis one try.

Shafis faked a handoff, took off to his left, got some blocks to the outside and was brought down from behind. Shafis, however, had already crossed the goal line and put the Knights up for good.

“I was pretty pumped about that. [It] got the blood flowing, [and I] started to realize the season could be fun. And it was,” Shafis said.

Throughout the rest of the year, the Knights rode the early season success to a record of 4-5.

The team’s four wins is a program high since the 2012 season when they made the playoffs.

While the team still missed the playoffs this year, according to head coach Mike Sebestyen, the Knights actually played a mean-

ingful game in the last couple weeks of the regular season.

When Sebestyen started at Prospect in 1999, the program had 12 playoff appearances in 14 years, which included state titles in 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Before a 2000 playoff appearance, the team had not made the playoffs in the previous 14 years.

“There’s been a sustained concept of success and a way you do things, so to have this kind of lull where we’ve been out of that mix and not even in contention — it’s been kind of rough,” Sebestyen said. “No one likes to lose. You want to play hard and do things right, and you want to be successful.”

Sebestyen has been impressed with how the group has responded and approached the pressure of trying to make the playoffs for the first time in a while.

“There are people who expect us to be playing [in the playoffs]. …

[The players] are starting to learn to thrive in that pressure,” Sebestyen said. “Some people could collapse under that, and I think our kids are understanding that they would rather have that type of pressure than essentially just be playing out the [schedule].”

Protecting the castle The Knights were 3-2 at home this season. The Knights put up some impressive numbers at George Gattas Memorial Stadium, including:

Sr Andrew Shafis vs. Buffalo Grove n Sept. 23 • 24 carries • 233 yards rushing • 2 rushing touchdowns • 1 passing touchdown

Sr Chase Cummings: vs. Hersey on Oct. 14 • 6 catches • 73 yards receiving • 12.1 yards per rec

Soph Michael Shafis vs. Niles North on Sept. 9 • 13 carries • 170 yards rushing • 2 rushing touchdowns

Sr Jack Pruban vs. Buffalo Grove on Sept. 23 • School record 54-yd FG • 4/5 on FG’s at home

Athlete: Maggie Porwit Year: Senior Sport: Volleyball

Q. A. Q. A.

What has been the most memorable game of the season?

It was for sure when we beat Hersey two weeks ago. It was really memorable because that was our one goal going into the season, and we haven’t won against Hersey in 10 years, so it was nuts when we won.

How has the team improved throughout the season?

Honestly I think that everyone has gotten to know our positions and how to play with each other a lot better over the course of the season. I think our coach has found some really good strategies of how to beat other teams, and I think through listening to her, we can be really successful.

Q. A.

Q. A.

According to senior Chase Cummings, this year’s group focused on the motto “As One.” “I felt like we were somewhat divided last year between the grade levels — seniors and juniors,” Cummings said. “I think we’ve done a pretty decent job this year at bringing everyone together.”

Junior Nick Ergastolo said the team stuck behind the motto even after some tough losses.

“We played as one, and we were brothers. We didn’t have too many selfish players,” Ergastolo said.

“No one really broke off. No one started pointing fingers.”

The seniors really pushed the idea that everyone has to play within the program’s scheme and play together. “[The seniors] made sure everyone did their job, and it’s very difficult to do that with so many guys because everyone wants to do their own thing,” Shafis said.

After last year’s quarterback Matt Drew graduated, Shafis was selected to become the Knights’ new quarterback.

Shafis played running back on varsity last year. Sebestyen says Shafis has made the whole team better.

“He’s the most dynamic athlete we have in the program. He’s touching the ball every play,” Sebestyen said. “He’s shown himself to be enough of a passing threat that people have to at least respect that.”

According to Sebestyen, each group of the offense — running backs, wide receivers and offensive linemen — is improved by the threat of Shafis.

Sebestyen said the opposing defense is worried about Shafis running the ball that it creates holes for the running backs and the receivers.

Also, Shafis is athletic enough that if the offensive line misses a defender, he is able to outrun him.

“Sometimes just by being a better athlete you can make people miss just because you’re better than them, and Andy has been able to do that at times,” Sebestyen said.

In a week six matchup against Rolling Meadows, Shafis suffered a knee injury early in the first quarter and missed the next two games against Hersey and Wheeling.

Shafis was replaced by Ergastolo in the interim.

According to Sebestyen, the team passed 24 times in the first six weeks of the season, but then attempted 25 passes in the matchup against Hersey on Oct. 7.

What are your expectations for the rest of the year?

I really hope to make it out of regionals. In my four years I have been here, we have always lost in the last round of regionals. So if we could make it to sectionals that would be great. We also want to win tonight in our crossover against Barrington which will determine our overall spot in the MSL.

What will it take for the team to be as successful as possible the rest of the season?

I think honestly we need to for sure take what Mrs. Gerber is saying to us and apply it right away because I know sometimes we have hesitations or a hard time adjusting but if we can adjust to what she is saying quickly, I think we will be really successful.

October 28, 2016

Sports

12

TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE: The football team celebrates a touchdown scored by junior Brandon Onori against Hersey on Oct. 7. The team went 4-5 this season, their best record since 2012. The Knights fell short of a playoff birth after losing their last home game against Wheeling on Oct 14. (Photo by Elisabeth Rohde) The team tailored the offense to make Ergastolo feel more comfortable during a high-pressure part of the season.

Cummings was very impressed with how Ergastolo handled it all.

“He was very calm about it. He didn’t seem like he was under that much pressure,” Cummings said.

“He was, but he stepped up and made a difference in the offense.”

In terms of helping out, Ergastolo received some mentoring from Shafis while learning how to play varsity quarterback.

“I think it was really special because [Shafis] is obviously such a big name in Prospect Football in the past three years, and it’s just helped me a lot,” Ergastolo said.

“He gave me confidence while on the field.”

Shafis said he and Ergastolo thought very similarly.

They both simplified the situation, which is beneficial for a quarterback.

“Nick knew what he was doing,” Shafis said. “He’s been watching me, and I helped him along more and more with his technique.”

Along with the great ability of Shafis, this year the Knights also had a special talent in senior Jack Pruban.

Pruban set a school record and tied for 10th all time in the state for longest field goal with a 54 yard field goal against Buffalo Grove on Sept. 23. Sebestyen spoke to how impactful Pruban was on how the

offense was coached.

“You’re not as concerned with, ‘Okay can we kick from here?’”

Sebestyen said. “If we get inside essentially the 35-yard line, I have full faith that we can kick the football and gain three points.”

Sebestyen said the group of Pruban, senior long-snapper Billy Matzek and holder Ergastolo have all contributed to a successful field goal team.

Sebestyen talked about how Pruban’s ability has changed how the game is managed compared to last year.

Instead of going for it on fourth down, the team is able to reliably kick a field goal and put some points on the board instead of possibly scoring none.

Ergastolo said that while the offense’s goal is to get touchdowns, Pruban’s ability gave him a lot of confidence when he filled in as quarterback.

The special part of this group, according to Sebestyen, was their will to continue to fight as the season went on.

“They’ve continued to work with each other, stick with each other, continue to focus on this idea of fighting together,” Sebestyen said. “They want to try to leave a legacy for others to follow. I’m very appreciative of the fact that these kids don’t have a situation where they’ve just fallen apart. Every time they have had an adverse situation, they have responded.”

prospectornow.com

October 28, 2016

Sports

13

Depth helps Girls’ XC win conference

BY WYATT DOJUTREK Online Sports Editor

S

enior Brooke Wilson was leading the pack in the Palatine Invitational on Sept. 24. All of a sudden, Wilson was passed by the second-place finisher in Kentucky’s largest cross country athletic class and was a tenth of a second from winning first place.

However, her teammates were right behind her to help the Knights take third place in the team’s third meet of the season.

Sophomore Marissa Valentini finished 31st with a time of 18:26.4 while sophomore Jenna Baltes was just behind her in 36th with a time of 18:38.1.

Valentini and Baltes finishing five places away from each other has happened frequently during this season.

“Our program has been so tal- RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE: The Prospect varsity girls’ cross country team begins their race in the ented that there really isn’t a gap MSL conference meet on Oct. 15. The Knights finished first in the conference meet and had seven runners between our second and third runplace in the top 30. “I don’t think that there is any other team in the MSL with the talent we have,” Wilson ners,” Wilson said. “There isn’t said. (photo by Erik Velazquez) a lot of programs in our area that the Palatine Invitational, third at mute said. “Not running our top the Knights losing the MSL East has that.”

Wilson thought the team as a the Niles West Invitational and eight runners, we still had 20 in the brought back similarities to last whole was just as good as she was third at the team’s first invite, the top 35 awards in the Knights invite season’s team losing the SchaumFenton Invitational. In each of and 17 of the 75 awards at the conburg sectional meet. in the meet. those matches Valentini has fin- ference meet.”

After winning the East title for “That was a race where all of This season however, the girls the ninth consecutive time, the ished as the second place runner for our runners did great and had allare in a dogfight with the Hersey the Knights.

Knights were on top last postseaaround good Huskies after they lost to this bit“ I t ’ s son. performancRegional Results great to have ter rival in a dual meet with a box They won both the MSL cones,” Wilson Oct. 22 at Busse Woods her back be- score of 27-30 on Sept. 22. ference championship and the resaid.

“It Hersey beat the Knights out gional championship at Hoffman cause she is wasn’t like, just a great during the regular season to Estates.

‘Oh these Top 5 teams: teammate,” prevent the team from winning However with a trip to the state s p e c i f i c • Hersey- 46 Wilson said. the MSL East title for their 10th meet in Peoria on the line, the team people ran • Prospect- 57 “She contin- straight time. placed sixth at the Schaumburg really well, • Schaumburg- 75 “Immediately after that day, sectional to end their season. ues to strive and these • Fremd- 81 to get better the team just said ‘We can still be “We had a young team and half people did • Hoffman Estates- 129 as a runner conference champions,’” Winter- of the girls running had never run too.’ It was a and is really mute said. “We were disappointed in a sectional meet before,” Wilson much more important to that we didn’t win that day against said. “I think that this year we can c o n s i s t e n t Individual times: • 1st- sr Brooke Wilson 17:06 our teams Hersey, but it was an uplifting mouse that experience from last year race.” p e r f o r - ment.” and be in much better shape this W i l s o n • 8th- soph Marissa Valentini 18:23 The team had its revenge at the time around.” mance.” b e l i e v e s • 10th- soph Jenna Baltes 18:33 W i t h MSL conference meet on Oct. 15, Wilson thinks that the team has that Val- • 17th- jr Mikayla Olsen 18:44 a sopho- with the Knights beating the sec- learned enough from last year to entini has • 21st- sr Molly Leeney 18:54 more as the ond-place Huskies 55-67. The team try to prevent it from happening been a nice team’s num- had three runners placing in the again this postseason. rebound (stats courtesy of Daily Herald) ber two run- top 10.

“That meet really blindsidrunner for Wilson took home first place at ed us,” Wilson said. “We had all ner, Winterthe Knights the conference meet for the second of these expectations, and it just after she went down with an injury mute agrees with Wilson, as in his year in a row. Valentini placed didn’t happen. I think that this 15 years of coaching, he has never at the end of last season, missing seventh, and senior Molly Leeney year we are much more mentally seen a team with this much talent. the postseason as the team’s numplaced tenth.

“This is one of the deepest prepared for the postseason.” ber two runner.

According to Wintermute, With 14 of last year’s 15 top The team has finished fifth at teams I’ve ever coached,” Winter-

Embracing the “W” flag Cubs fans are used to one saying: “Wait till next year.” But what happens when next year is this year?

You get the 2016 Chicago Cubs. The team that posted the best record in the MLB during the regular season is not waiting for next year. This is next year.

The Cubs’ regular season record of 103-58 is the most wins since 1910. The Cubs haven’t won 100 games in a single season since the 1935 season.

BY PAUL EVERS Now, we get into Sports Editor the numbers that make die-hard Cubs fans shiver.

The Cubs haven’t been to the World Series since 1945, a total of 70 seasons of missing the Fall Classic. The team also hasn’t won the World Series since 1908, which makes it a grand total of 108 years since the Cubs have been the best baseball team in the world.

This year’s Cubs have done the unthinkable. They came back from a four-run deficit in the 9th inning of game four of the NLDS to beat the San Francisco Giants. They hit

the unhittable Clayton Kershaw, to win the NLCS. Now enough of the history lesson.

Enough of the stats. Enough of the miracle stories. You’ve heard it all already.

There’s no need to talk about Bartman or black cats or billy goats (notice how all of our “curses” have B’s in it… any B names on the Indians? Shoot, there’s Trevor Bauer).

Everyone knows about that.

Let’s get to the real question. What does all of this actually mean?

Cubs fans have suffered so much, whether they’ve been alive for the last Cubs appearance in the World Series or if they only barely remember the 2008 Cubs. Every Cubs fan is indoctrinated from birth with the Cubs’ blunders and hardships. They have so much dread and fear in their hearts; it’s amazing to see them have some true faith for the first time in my lifetime.

So whether you’ve seen it all yourself or you only have seen some grainy old TV footage on YouTube, you know what the impact of this World Series is if you’re a Cubs fan.

So for all you non-baseball fans out there, just bear with us as Cubs fans have their moment. You’ll hear all about every single game every single period of your day, so instead of thinking to yourself, “Why get so invested in a meaningless game?”, just stick with us. We’ll come back down to earth in December — maybe.

Realize that teacher-parent conferences were pushed back a week because game seven of the series could be that night. This is how historic this moment is.

runners returning this season, the team is ranked third in their sectional group and was the early favorite to win the MSL. Along with this strength, Wilson believes that the team has many talented runners to choose from any given day.

“I don’t think that there is any other team in the MSL with the talent we have,” Wilson said.

While Wilson believes that there are many good runners on the team, she says that it is tough to decide who to bring to a specific invitational because the roster is that talented.

Last year, the Knights had four freshmen — current sophomores Cori Drew, Marissa Valentini, Julia O’Grady and Jenna Baltes — on the varsity team. Wintermute believes that they have made huge improvements on and off of the course.

“The sophomores have been just incredible,” Wintermute.

“These girls have just made incredible strides in terms of improvement, and I think ... that they have been some of the inspiration for the freshmen runners.”

According to senior Aileen White, the girls have had some of their strongest bonding experiences off of the course, as the team has used the new pool for practice every Friday morning.

“It has been a lot of fun having the pool,” Wilson said. “It’s been a great way to end a long week of practice by just hanging out with my teammates and having a good time.”

Even though she is not running at the same pace as her teammates, Wilson believes that the team has also bonded on their daily runs and at other courses around the area.

As the team continues to bond on and off of the course, Wintermute believes that this group has a chance to have success in the postseason, and the girls have a good shot to make it all the way down to Peoria for the state meet.

“I’ve been around this game for a really long time to know teams [with which] you are not sure if they can make it to state,” Wintermute said. “We have the legs, we have the bodies and have the inspiration to make it down there. We just have to put it all together.”

FRONT PAGE NEWS: The Cubs have dominated headlines since April. The team went on to win 103 games, the most since 1910. The team has advanced to the World Series, with game three being played tonight at 7:08. (photo illustration by Erin Schultz) In the end, it only took the Cubs 27 outs in the end to finally clinch a spot in the Fall Classic. As the final double played was turned, I pumped my fists into the air.

I got a call from my grandparents, who were at the game. It took them an hour just to get back to their car, let alone to get back to Mt. Prospect.

As I was finally winding down from the victory, I got another call. It was my best friend, who was coming home from the band

competition at ISU crying on the bus because the Cubs made it to the Fall Classic.

The whole situation made me cry tears of joy.

I’m hoping by the end of October, or November if need be, I’ll be crying some more tears of joy with the rest of Cubs nation.

Here are seven words that Cubs fans have not heard for a long, long time, possibly in their lives.

The Cubs are in the World Series.

SPORTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Girls Cross Country The girls cross country team will run in the sectional and state meet each of the next two weekends. For coverage visit:

Girls Golf The girls golf team placed 9th at the IHSA state meet.

For the full story visit:

ProspectorNow.com

Sharpening up for postseason

BY JACK ANKONY Executive Sports Editor

S

ince training started in June, the varsity boys’ cross country team has run roughly 1000 miles. This rigorous training all comes down to the final six miles the team will run at sectionals and state, which are the next two weekends. Head coach Mike Stokes calls this the “sharpening phase” of the season.

According to Stokes, during the “sharpening phase,” the Knights hone their championship mentality by running shorter distances at faster paces to acclimate their bodies to speed. Also, during this phase, the team is allowed more recovery time after their training. Stokes explained that in the past few weeks, the team has run around 10 percent less mileage than they did during the season. Recently, the Knights have run 200 meter sprints in one practice, as well as two sets of two mile runs at a 4:55 and a 5:15 PACE YOURSELF: Junior Jack Terry (left) and senior James Riordan (right) keep pace at another practice. pace at the MSL conference meet on Oct. 15 at Busse Woods with senior Jack O’Donnell “We dial back the intensity of our worktrailing not too far behind. (photo by Erik Velasquez) outs and work on more raw speed so our legs team’s split. In the Knights’ meet against aren’t as tired but still moving fast,” senior the year because of this split.

Hersey, Riemann placed 11th out of 34, run“We were a little strung out at the beginJack O’Donnell said. ning a 16:10. Looking ahead to the state race ning.

But now our fifth and sixth runners are Looking to the sectional and state meet, starting to get up with the top group a little in Peoria, O’Donnell and Riordan agree that O’Donnell believes that Hersey and Palatine better, and we are really tightening down,” the team’s goal is to place in the top five. The are their biggest competition in terms of Knights placed seventh last year at state. For O’Donnell said.

MSL teams. According to senior James RiThis depth of pack running has come Riordan, the state race means a little more to ordan, since the Knights only need to place in the top five at the regional and sectional from the emergence of sophomore Andy Rei- him because he was unable to run in it last year because of a sprained foot. mann. In the Peoria Invite, Reimann placed meets, it should be easy for them to quali“It was really hard not being able to run 38th with a time 15:26.2. Riordan says that fy for the state meet in last year,” Riordan said. “We were really he tries to make ReiPeoria on Nov. 5. The Regional Results good, and I felt like I let the team and myself mann feel as comfortKnights are currentOct. 22 at Busse Woods able as possible on down.” ly ranked 7th in the Top 5 teams: Riordan explains that the injury has the team by making state according to dye• Prospect- 37 • Fremd- 66 made him particularly motivated to do well him feel welcome. stat.com. Stokes says that Hersey, Fremd • Hersey- 72 • Hoffman Estates- 104 On the other hand, this year.

“It has been a dream of mine to run at the O’Donnell doesn’t and Lake Zurich are • Wheeling- 150 state meet ever since I saw a video of the 2012 think Reimann needs among the teams who state meet when Quentin Shaffer got secadvice because he alpose the biggest threat Individual times: ways knows what he ond,” Riordan said. to the Knights. Stokes • 5th- senior Sean Sanaghan 15:17 Riordan thinks he is in a good position is doing. believes the Knights • 6th- junior Jack Terry 15:18 now to make that dream a reality. Since last “He’s only a sophhave improved signifi• 7th- senior Jack O’Donnell 15:21 omore but he has year was the second year in a row Riordan cantly on their pack the mentality of a was injured, he hopes it is not a reoccurring running this year. • 8th-senior James Riordan senior,” O’Donnell theme.

This means that there Stokes believes that the team needs to stay said. “He’s a very mais no one clear leader; they are all close in healthy and consistent in order to run well ture runner.” times. in this final stretch of the season. O’Donnell According to Stokes, runners like ReiIn the Knights’ race at the Peoria invite thinks that at the start of the season the team mann and juniors Nate Cozine, Casey Daon Oct. 1, their first through fifth runners leiden and Jack Hempleman have also giv- struggled a little bit with self-confidence, but were within 18 seconds of each other. Stokes en the team good depth by shortening the now that they know what they are capable of, thinks that this was the team’s best race of

ProspectorNow.com

Peoria Invitational The Knights placed second on Oct. 1 with seven of the top 12 teams in state competing against them.

Top 5 teams: • Lyons- 65 • Prospect- 150 • University- 172 • Neuqua Valley- 202 • York- 220 Individual times: • 18th- jr Jack Terry 15:10.1 • 22nd- sr Jack O’Donnell 15:13.1 • 31st- sr James Riordan 15.22.6 • 38th- soph Andy Reimann 15:26.2 • 41st- jr Jack Hempleman 15:28.4 • 59th- sr Sean Sanaghan 15:39.3 • 67th- sr Nick Serio 15:45.8 they can get over this doubt. The state race is held in Peoria, where earlier in the year the Knights ran at the Peoria Invitational.

Stokes strongly believes that running at the same course earlier in the season helps the team because the race is set up the same way for state.

As a result, the runners know what to expect and feel more comfortable.

At the Peoria Invitational, the Knights placed second with seven of the top 12 teams in the state competing against them.

“We really got to show everyone what we are made of, so that was a big race for us,” O’Donnell said.

In Stokes’s 26th year as coach for the Knights, he thinks they set themselves apart from other teams because of their maturity.

“They are a very mature group as far as the way the approach running and getting things done,” Stokes said. “You don’t really have to ask them twice. They want to do well, and they know what it takes to do well.

The seniors [O’Donnell] and James [Riordan] have led, and the others have followed.”

Stokes believes that the experience and confidence the team has gained throughout the season will help them be as successful as possible at the state race.

“The vibes at state are completely different from everything else,” O’Donnell said. “It’s where you can really leave everything out on the course since it is your last chance.”

Tenuta shines at state, fulfills dreams Golf shatters

BY JACK ANKONY Executive Sports Editor

HITTING THE FAIRWAY: Senior Nick Tenuta hits a drive on Sept. 16 at Mt. Prospect Golf Course. Tenuta finished the season by placing third at state out of 112 competitors. (photo

by Riley Langefeld)

As senior Nick Tenuta approached the green on the 18th hole of the final round at IHSA boys golf state meet, he needed to make a 20-foot putt for par to save his spot in third place and earn a state medal. According to Tenuta, his putter was his strength all weekend and the biggest reason he played the way he did.

Tenuta would go on to sink the putt and set the Prospect school record for highest finish at the state meet.

“I felt emotional after I made that putt,” Tenuta said. “I knew that was my last time playing a high school meet. It was a great way to end my season. It was good to know that all the work I put in wasn’t wasted.”

According to head coach Tom Martindale, Tenuta set himself up well for the weekend after a strong first day on Oct. 14. Tenuta shot a 70 on the first day to put himself in second place. He came back to shoot a 78 during a very windy second round and continued on to place third out

of 112 competitors.

The meet was at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, a course Tenuta has played at before. Tenuta explains that it is important to know the course before because most of the tee shots are blind, meaning trees block the view of the fairway where players want to land.

Going into the weekend, Martindale explained that the main advice he gave to Tenuta and his teammates, senior Robert Garmoe and sophomore Charlie Busch, was to be confident, stay calm and execute what they were capable of. Garmoe placed 23rd at state, an impressive accomplishment according to Martindale. Tenuta also tied the 18 hole school record at the MSL conference meet at Buffalo Grove on Sept. 27. According to Martindale, these two records combine for another extremely impressive accomplishment.

“Any time that you put yourself on a record board or put yourself in an elite status, those are big-time achievements,” Martindale said.

Looking back on his years of golf at Prospect, Tenuta thinks

the golf program helped him out tremendously.

“The team aspect that we had was always amazing,” Tenuta said. “Without the team, I wouldn’t have done what I did.”

Martindale explains that this historic experience will impact the whole program by using it as motivation. Martindale also credits Tenuta for willingness to help younger players throughout the program.

“He’s not just about Nick.

He always helped out. He loves the game,” Martindale said. “He was a great captain, and so was Robert [Garmoe].”

In Tenuta’s career after Prospect golf, he strives to play in college. So far, he has been contacted by Illinois Wesleyan University and hopes his performance at state will attract bigger colleges, too. Finally, Tenuta gives advice that in order to achieve something, hard work is necessary.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without all the hours put in,” Tenuta said. “The process is hard, but it’s really good to achieve what you want to do.

Dream big.”

expectations

BY WYATT DOJUTREK Sports Editor The Knights varsity girls’ golf team took home 9th place at the IHSA state meet at Hickory Point Golf Club in Decatur.

This was the team’s first appearance in a state meet since the 2013 season.

Senior Kate Ponzi had the best score of DRIVE: Senior her career at her first Kate Ponzi gets state tournament, ready for her shot shooting a 75. Ponzi on Oct. 5. (photo by would later finish Stewart Smith) the tournament with a score of 151 for 36 holes. That was good enough place 14th in the state.

According to head coach James Hamann, this season’s team has been one of his favorites in his time as the leader of the program.

“To help these girls get to the state tournament and do what they did is one of the proudest moments of my coaching career,” Hamann said. “Even though I knew it was possible, I can tell you other schools in the state did not expect us to be there.”