Prospector Issue #4

Volume 50, Issue 4

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

TheVoice of Prospect since 1960

ROSPECTOR 801 West Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056

One pint at a time Students, parents donate at Service Club blood drive

By Carly Evans Features Editor Senior Kathryn Lowry was always afraid of blood and needles, but recently, she has been trying to find a way to overcome her fears. When Lowry heard about the Life Source Blood Drive that Service Club was sponsoring, she thought it would be the perfect opportunity to face them.

The Life Source Blood Drive took place on Saturday, Nov. 13. Four weeks prior, students began to sign up when Service Club started advertising. Service Club Coordinator David Jacobson was pleased with the number of students who signed up to donate. “[The number of students] just kept growing and growing,” Jacobson said. “First it was 20 [students], then 30 and all of a sudden, there were 70 students signed up.”

After the four weeks, 75 students had already signed up online to donate, so Jacobson was unsure about how many more volunteers would show up. Many stuKathryn Lowry dents, teachers and parents were walk-in volunteers. Jacobson was very satisfied with the overall turnout for the event, considering that many students may have been nervous.

When Lowry arrived for her appointment, she began to get nervous. When the nurse began to prepare her for the shot, Lowry was shaking and breathing heavily, so the nurse told her she was too nervous and went to get a new nurse.

Another attempt at calming her down failed, so a third nurse came and convinced Lowry she should go home. As she began walking away, Lowry gathered the courage to tell the nurse she was OK and wanted to go back and try again.

After about 15 minutes, Lowry was done donating.

She was taken over to a table where she could eat and drink, and she began to feel light-headed.

“It sounded like everything was echoing, and the room was moving,” Lowry said.

Lowry felt better and was “discharged” about 20 minutes later. Despite having “side-effects,” Lowry said, “It was definitely worth it — I was able to get over my fear, and it was for a good cause.”

Senior Ali Kitzman volunteered in various ways.

She donated blood and ran the table where volunteers signed in. Kitzman said most volunteers seemed slightly nervous. “[Giving blood] is nerve-wracking,” Kitzman said, “but once they began to take blood, I felt completely comfortable.”

Although a large portion of the volunteers were students, there were parents who donated as well.

Service Club set up a table at parent-teacher conferences where about 15 parents signed up to donate.

This year’s blood drive is not the first at Prospect.

The National Honors Society had an annual blood drive until about five years ago when student involvement dropped. Now, Service Club is hoping to make this Life Source Blood Drive an annual or even a semi-annual event. “[The Life Source Blood Drive] is a great cause,” Jacobson said. “It’s especially great to get high school students in the routine of donating blood and just helping others in general.”

Prime Time Knights Junior Leaders are promoting fitness with The Biggest Winner, a weight loss competition just for Prospect. Check out...

Features, page 7

Fans showed their excitement before the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I.” But too much competition among fans can ruin the enjoyment of reading the series. Check out...

Entertainment, page 10

It’s more than where we stand The only District 214 school to pass No Child Left Behind, Prospect focuses on all aspects of education, not just test scores

Photo by Ian Magnuson

By Maddie Conway and Jane Berry News Editors New Trier Township High School’s special education students had an average ACT score of 22.6 on standardized testing last spring — a score that is two points higher than the Illinois state average of all students, not just those in special education.

Despite that score, the 45 and 53 students who did not meet state standards in reading and math, respectively, were enough for all of New Trier to earn a failing grade under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) because New Trier’s special education subgroup — 140 students out of 4,143 — did not improve enough to pass NCLB. Along with New Trier, 608 other Illinois public schools — about 90 percent — did not pass the federal standards of Adequate Yearly

Progress (AYP) for NCLB this past school year.

However, Prospect and its 80.9 percent pass rate did meet AYP, making it the only school in District 214 and even the northwest suburbs to meet NCLB standards.

A school must increase the number of students meeting state standards on standardized testing to receive a passing grade from NCLB. For high schools, the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE), which includes the ACT that juniors take in the spring, is used to measure academic success.

Both the passing rate for the general population and all subgroups of minority students must meet AYP. If even one subgroup does not improve enough to meet federal standards, the entire school is deemed failing. If a school fails to meet AYP for several

HOW PROSPECT STACKS UP Although Prospect met No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standards with 80.9 percent passing the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE), a high percentage of students passing the test isn’t a guarantee that every school will pass NCLB. If a school does not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) from year to year in all subgroups, it is deemed failing. Along with Prospect, here are the Illinois high schools with the highest pass rates on the PSAE — not all of them meeting AYP — in percentage of students: 1. Northside College Prep.

2. Payton College Prep.

3. Whitney Young Magnet 4. Deerfield 5. New Trier Township 6. Jones College Prep.

7. Hinsdale Central 8. Glenbrook North

98.7 97.3 93.8 90.0 89.7 86.5 86.0 84.5

9. Lake Forest 10. Lane Technical 11. Stevenson 12. Libertyville 13. Prospect 14. Naperville North 15. Neuqua Valley

Information courtesy of The Chicago Tribune

Stress and school With demanding academics and activities filling up their time, sometimes students just need a break. For more on students’ hectic schedules and how they accommodate their stress levels, see...

In-Depth, pages 8-9

84.2 83.8 82.8 82.5 80.9 80.3 80.1

consecutive years, consequences may include major restructuring to the school curriculum — as the 367 schools in the state that have missed AYP for six or more years now face.

Principal Kurt Laakso said he is happy that Prospect successfully improved enough to meet federal standards — especially in special education, which is the only subgroup at Prospect that has enough students to count towards AYP — because it is “satisfying and encouraging” that Prospect is “doing the right thing.”

But even with success in that subgroup and overall, Laakso also said that receiving a passing grade is not the only important achievement for Prospect, especially in light of the nature of NCLB. Although he supports the concept of making schools accountable for the education of their students, Laakso said NCLB’s method of evaluating schools is flawed.

According to Laakso, the requirements for meeting federal standards are high, especially for high-achieving schools like Prospect that need to continue to improve year to year despite beginning with an already high standard. Labeling a school failing for not meeting these high standards, Laakso said, is grossly unfair.

Superintendent Dr. David Schuler agreed that the NCLB standards are difficult to meet.

While the law “conceptually makes sense,” he said it has created challenges for schools that can negatively affect public education.

According to Laakso, while critics might claim that a success-

See NCLB, page 2 A little too holly jolly?

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Opinion, page 5

2 NEWS

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

NCLB: Prospect meets federal testing standards CONTINUED from page 1 -ful institution should be able to educate its students well enough that 100 percent could meet state standards — which Prospect must do in 2014 to meet AYP — that is impractical because there are social, economic and other outside factors contributing to students’ success that educators cannot control.

“To assume that we’re going to be able to master all of those factors to provide a successful education for every single student, while noble to aspire to, is unrealistic to expect,” Laakso said.

“Therefore, to hold an entire community accountable as this current law does … is absolutely unjust.”

For this reason, Laakso said that Prospect will not be able to maintain that label of success if expected to meet the “perfect success” benchmark in 2014.

But even though Prospect earned a passing grade this year, there are other elements of success at Prospect that the administration said are equally if not more important than its success with meeting AYP. For example, Schuler said the dis-

trict aligns its curriculum with college readiness skills that all students need in order to be successful after high school, whether in college or in the workforce.

By teaching students these skills, he said, the district is not “teaching to the test”; rather, they are “preparing and assessing them” with skills they will need later in life.

Similarly, at Prospect, the curriculum does teach skills from the ACT, but the main priority is preparing students for college and teaching critical thinking skills, not just preparing them to take the ACT. This is also true in special education, the subgroup that met AYP. 39.3 percent of Prospect special education students met or exceeded state standards in reading and 29.8 percent in math in the spring. In 2009, 32.6 and 23.9 percent of students met state standards in those two categories. This improvement was a large enough margin for the subgroup to meet AYP. Special Education Division Head Scott McDermott said the special education curriculum focuses on “giving groundwork” in its resource programs for students to be successful critical thinkers and continue moving forward and improving.

READ 180: A NEW APPROACH According to Special Education Division Head Scott McDermott, special education focuses on college readiness skills and success in all academic areas, which helped the subgroup improve. Prospect’s special education subgroup met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), allowing Prospect to meet federal standards defined by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

Two programs were introduced to increase success in the special education subgroup: Study Island, a program that tests students on their critical thinking abilities, and Read 180.

Read 180 is a two-period reading intervention program for freshmen. The class is team-taught by John Hardey, Elizabeth Joiner and Jill Corr.

Although they have already had one group of students complete the program, they will not know how beneficial the program really is until that first group takes the ACT. At that point, the students’ EXPLORE and ACT scores can be compared to the previous year, which was before Read 180 was offered at Prospect, to measure success.

Hardey says that to be a better reader, people need to read more. That’s why he wants his students to develop a love for reading.

“We are doing the exact same thing that AP English is doing — just at different pace,” Hardey said.

pREADY, SET, READ: Special education teacher John Hardey works with students in Read 180. The team-taught, two-period class focuses on teaching freshmen reading skills and was introduced at Prospect two years ago. (Photo by Ian Magnuson) The department has introduced two er than NCLB — Prospect does all that new study and critical reading pro- it can to help each individual student grams to foster growth (see Read 180). improve.

The programs prepare students for colAlthough NCLB does not recognize lege readiness, not just the ACT. all of the school’s “subgroups” — while Laakso said the ACT is a reliable way 83.3 percent white, there are still minorto measure students’ skill mastery that ity groups at Prospect and students who Prospect respects are economiand integrates into cally disadvanits curriculum; taged — Laakso however, there are said the school other elements of treats each and education that test every student scores simply do as its own subnot measure, like group, and in achievements with that goal lies the arts, athletics, Prospect’s sucstudent governcess. ment and in social “[That sucactivity. cess] requires a “We are responkind of deliber- Principal Kurt Laakso sible for providing ate cultivation a rich environment on the part of that challenges and helps students ex- everyone in the organization to mainercise their creative abilities, their [ath- tain a culture of excellence that is also letic] interests and artistic expression,” a caring culture,” Laakso said.

Laakso said. “And if we had a way of He said Prospect’s philosophy is measuring how successful Prospect is a “virtuous cycle” that focuses on relative to other schools in the nation achievement. [in] preparing students to be better ath“I think that’s what [the Prospect letes, artists and activists, then I think community] is really about,” Laakso we would do extremely well in addition said. “It’s continually building capacity to being a successful academic institu- within the institution to help students tion.” meet their goals. And we’re all dediUltimately, Laakso said that in an ef- cated to that. That’s the reason we have fort to succeed — and by standards oth- that success.”

“We are responsible for providing a rich environment that challenges and helps students exercise their creative abilities, their [athletic] interests and artistic expression. ”

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Head online for the latest news!

The girls’ cross country team placed fifth at the state meet, with sophomore Brooke Wolfe placing fifth individually. Senior Kellan Strobel placed 27th in the boys’ division. For more about the runners at state, go online.

pSPEECHAPALOOZA: Juniors David Brablec, Connor Fitzgerald and Jacqueline Dunderdale (from left to right) celebrate their performances at the Nov. 13 speech team competition that Prospect hosted. To read more, log on to Prospectornow.com. (Photo courtesy of Prospect Speech)

Shearling: the hot-ticket item this winter. Read all about it in our new fashion blog. Check in December for a jeans vs. jeggings update.

NEWS 3

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

For a musical future Paint store donates to music program

By Andrew Revord News Editor Lee DeWyze, a former Prospect student and Mount Prospect Paints employee, is easily the most famous musician to come out of both organizations after his “American Idol” victory. Now, Mount Prospect Paints hopes to encourage the development of more musical talent.

Mount Prospect Paints is already known for their sales of the neon “Vote 4 Lee” shirts, which they sold to pay for DeWyze’s homecoming parade.

The proceeds left over from the parade are now going to support the Prospect music department.

It was Mount Prospect Paints store owner Bill Lagattolla’s idea to donate specifically to Prospect’s music department, though DeWyze supported the idea.

By deciding where the money would go, Lagattolla could donate “back into the pot of music” at Prospect.

The donation of $2,000 will be split between the choir and band departments. Half will go to each department.

According to band director Chris Barnum, the band has yet to figure out what it will do with the money, as marching band season has just ended.

According to choir director Jen Troiano and Nancy Matthews, the mother of show

THE LEE FACTOR

Mount Prospect Paints has come to play an important role in Lee-mania.

“We’ve become a sort of landmark,” Lagattolla said.

The store now receives mail from across the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Japan and other countries.

Mount Prospect Paints has also been one of Lee’s largest supporters.

“Any event that focused on Lee DeWyze: we were a sponsor of,” Lagattolla said.

In the future, Mount Prospect Paints hopes to have a “Lee comes back to work” day where DeWyze works at the store for a day and the proceeds go to charity.

The wei

we can

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

pONE OF THEIR OWN: Mount Prospect Paints has a display in honor of “American Idol” Lee DeWyze, who used to work there. The store has donated $2,000 to the Prospect music department. (Photo by Andrew Revord) ther he nor DeWyze wanted the money from the T-shirt sales, so they decided that it would go toward DeWyze’s homecoming celebration — if and when he made it that far.

According to Tedaldi-Monti, they sold 4,000 “Vote 4 Lee” shirts in total and had more than enough money to cover the parade.

Now, thanks to the rise of DeWyze, Mount Prospect Paints can help build a future generation of musicians at Prospect. “[DeWyze] is a good kid, a smart kid and, of course, very musically talented,” Lagattolla said. “Obviously something good was going to come out of him.”

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choir member senior Lauren Matthews, the fees for show choir, voice lessons and other choir expenses cost over $1,000 in total.

Troiano is aware of the fact that more students are having difficulty making payments because of the hard economic times.

The choir’s share of the money will pay for the show choir fees of two students and voice lessons for another.

“We don’t want kids not to be in the program because they can’t afford the fees,” Troiano said.

Well before the donation, it was the idea of Dean of Students Dr. Pat Tedaldi-Monti and some other staff members to start promoting DeWyze at Prospect.

In February, they asked themselves, “Why don’t we make a Lee shirt?”

Tedaldi-Monti began selling the shirts out of her office, and the shirts quickly became a popular item at Prospect.

“I had to draw the line; I just couldn’t keep up with [the demand],” she said.

Tedaldi-Monti contacted Lagattolla, and he took up the effort of selling the shirts.

Lagattolla said his store has been involved with DeWyze since he made the “Idol” tryouts.

According to Lagattolla, nei-

65th Anniversary

SPECIAL!

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An interesting e-mail

Paperboy’s verdict

A man, only referred to as a public servant, met a girl that made a strong impression on him at a party. He then used his federal government e-mail address to contact an entire Department of Immigration asking them for help looking for her.

According to ABC News, the e-mail included the statements “I have struggled to write and send this message. It has taken all of my willpower to do so,” and “Life is too short for regret. This phrase I know you all can identify with.”

The department spokesman, Sandi Logan, said that it was highly inappropriate, but he has not lost his job. ABC News also said that “it is unknown whether the employee has been able to contact the girl.”

He should have had a little less will power, and let’s be honest, folks, “a strong impression” on him, but he didn’t get her name? Draw your own conclusions.

But anyway, the more important part is that looking for your life partner (who you’ve known for what, four hours?) through your federal government e-mail address is highly inappropriate, and he should be forced to resign.

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4 OPINION The Staff

Youth and a divided nation

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Editorial

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Kate Schroeder Neel Thakkar MANAGING EDITOR Deanna Shilkus

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

With unemployment refusing to come down and two wars refusing to end, it was a simple task for the Republican Party to dominate the Nov. 2 midterm elections and win control of the House.

The voters’ dissatisfaction was so strong that they sacked more House incumbents than in any election in the past 60 years, replacing them with 93 freshmen — all but nine of them Republicans.

These candidates won because of their opposition to taxes, President Obama’s health care reform and their social conservatism, but the main reason followed a tradition that dates back to President Thomas Jefferson: They said they would throw the “bums” — or their 19th century equivalents — out of government and

clean house. These cycles for failing to fix our probare normal, and have only lems; in reality, there was become more frequent in only so much they could do. the last two decades.

We, The Prospector, see Though they carry the the Tea Party movement as hopes of their having at least supporters on one essential their backs, truth to it: we too much is exhave to begin to pected of these deal with our congressmen. own problems In any governrather than exFor Against pecting government, the challenges we face Voting results of The Prospector ment, saddled would be very by a massive staff regarding this editorial. difficult to deal debt and crushwith; they are massive forc- ing gridlock, to deal with es, out of the control of even them. To be sure, there are government. certain things only governIn a divided government, ment can do — but there is with the Democrats con- much that we can do as well. trolling the presidency and At this age, this means to Senate and the Republicans take advantage of our eduholding the House, these cation. challenges are near-imposThough America’s probsible to meet. Two or per- lems are currently the provhaps four years later, we will ince of adults, we, as teenagthrow these same bums out ers, are the ones who will be

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affected most by them. It’s our globe that will warm, our country that will face increasing challenges from countries like China and our generation that will face what looks to be a truly bankrupt system of Social Security and Medicare.

Luckily, we seem best equipped to face the challenge. According to a Pew Research Center report from earlier this year, our generation — labeled the “millenials” — is on track to be the most educated in history. We are also the most tolerant; we get along well with our parents, and we are open to change.

And despite our troubles, a full 88 percent of us expect to make enough money to live the kind of life we want — more than any other generation. Optimism, at least, is on our side.

Creative courage checks in with color Girls turn to makeup as alternate form of expression Makeup is a new age art for girls to tweak and play with their looks. Some girls take early interest into their careers, like Annalise Pawlak, a color consultant at Sephora, one of the largest beauty retailers in the U.S. When Pawlak was 11 years old, she decided she wanted to be more like her mom and look more grown-up.

But going to a Catholic middle school, she was restricted to clear mascara. Clear mascara is a bit like hair gel in consistency and effect; it enhances the features without showing up.

Whitney Kiepura Because she was slowExecutive ly introduced to makeup, using clear mascara and Opinion Editor Chapstick for a year then adding mascara and other types of makeup, Pawlak gained basic skills, like how to apply lip gloss and a flattering amount of eyeliner before being exposed to a wide range of options.

Like a book-lover in Borders, many girls can quickly become overwhelmed from all the choices in makeup. However, if they focus on a small part in the store and slowly become more exposed to new genres, they can fully appreciate each style without being swamped. When using makeup, girls should separate the need to impress from the desire to express themselves artistically.

Junior Kate Jordan started using makeup in sixth grade. She started playing with colors because she wanted to make herself “look interesting.”

What originally started as a way to impress people, however, eventually morphed into a new type of individualism.

“I don’t even remember

p PALETTE OF CHOICES: Walking into a cosmetics store, girls are shocked with colors that can be exchanged for the paint on an artist’s palette. By using many shades and types of makeup, like eyeshadow and eyeliner, a girl can creatively express herself. (Photos by Ian Magnuson) when I started wearing lip gloss,” Jordan said. “I’m a product of the late 90s bubble gum pop scene.”

Later in sixth grade, she started using mascara and eyeliner. By playing with makeup instead of trying to impress someone, Jordan used it as an outlet for expressing her identity. Like a poet trying out different rhyme measures, every artist needs a period of experimentation to find their personal style.

Playing with colors and glitter can reflect a girl’s personality more than an unoriginal, chain-store shirt.

Girls who try to impress with makeup are acting more like a mirror: They try to reflect what others expect on their face, but in the process, they become masked.

Some girls use makeup to look more like tropical birds to attract attention.

“I tried eyeliner, and I did notice it made my eyes look bigger,” sophomore Annee Pongpradith said. “I know boys won’t notice, but it’s still fun to look more mature and grown-up .”

In the beginning of the year, I would sometimes use foundation and cover-up in an at-

tempt to mask my tiredness. But I now realize that no one noticed that I looked tired — mostly because everyone else is just as tired as I am.

On top of that, I’ve turned to clothes as a way to express myself instead of makeup.

I don’t feel confident enough in my makeup skills to express myself the way I want without trying to follow someone else’s standards, which would be the wrong reason for wearing makeup in the first place.

Guys don’t notice new blue eyeliner or black mascara because they simply aren’t aware of it. When girls start using makeup, other girls in class and in the hall notice — not the boys who were the original targets of the change.

“I don’t know the difference,” senior Mark Garofalo said. “Guys only notice if a girl wears tons of makeup one day and none the next.”

If the only reason girls are wearing makeup is to impress, there are a few actions they should consider. First, put the foundation down, set the alarm clock forward a few minutes and get some extra rest.

Painted faces are only beautiful when the girl under it believes in her interior.

Because after all, makeup, when used expressively, enhances personality as much as beauty.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Xmas season rings early ‘Twas 90 days before Christmas when all of the retailers smiled: Black Friday was approaching, one of the shopping days to come in awhile. Their hope for the season’s success held high in the air — in wishes that the customers will participate in their so-called affair.

When I walked into Woodfield to shop for a homecoming dress at JCPenney, I couldn’t believe what I saw.

It was only the second weekend of September, and there, in the middle of the mall, stood a display of Christmas trees, ribbons and ornaments. The display was abnormally large with lights hanging down from the ceiling; the display stuck out like Rudolph’s nose among the sea of people.

Above the display, gigantic, red signs read, “Early Christmas sales!”

Deanna Shilkus I guess the Managing Editor marketing campaign started early this year.

The sales and decorations of the holidays at department stores seem to begin earlier and earlier every year, making Christmas an even more bitter, merchandisefilled affair.

While I guess I could have expected to see this display so early in the fall season because it happens at some point every year, I still don’t understand the rush to Christmas and why its appearance in department stores seems to be earlier than ever this year.

I love the months of September and October. The fall season is an interesting transition time. Leaves change color; the weather cools down. Because fall is a unique season, retailers shouldn’t be moving their advertising campaigns from warm summer months right to the cold, snowy winter. It leads them into skipping right over two very enjoyable holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving.

The problem with this setup in today’s society is that Christmas has become an experience that draws in customers and, most importantly to retailers, profits.

Since the infamous Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, retailers in this modern society see that if they start their

Hot:

National writing challenge results in 50,000-word book November isn’t just home to Thanksgiving and “No Shave November”; it is also home to a new sensation that has been sweeping the nation: National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo is an online writing competition wherein one must write a 50,000word novel in one month.

I, Katie Best, am willing to take this challenge for the Katie Best month of November. It may Opinion Editor seem crazy, but then again, I never claimed to be sane. I am determined to be a part of the 20 percent that finishes the nearly impossible amount of words. By doing this, I am risking my free time, hand and finger muscles (from typing) and, of course, my grades.

TUESDAY, NOV. 9 Cartoon by Riley Simpson Christmas sales earlier, they can make more money.

By displaying and sending out advertisements for early Christmas sales, it wears down the excitement of the holiday. I love Christmas, but despite all of the ridiculous advertisements that are training people to believe that Christmas is all about shopping, the anticipation of Christmas is something that is fading quickly.

Skipping over a celebrational emphasis on Halloween and Thanksgiving is like going to an art museum with your eyes closed — blind to all that Halloween and Thanksgiving have to offer.

I happen to enjoy these holidays: going to haunted houses, carving pumpkins, cooking large amounts of food and deep-frying turkeys (although I’ve never done this, I still think it sounds like it would be fun). The traditions of each holiday should have an equal amount of importance in the retail business.

Most companies earn 20-30 percent of their profits during the Christmas season, according to upenn.edu, but that shouldn’t matter because retailers don’t seem to care how it affects the enjoyment of the holiday for teens and younger kids, anyway. They are constantly pushing sales and advertisements that focus on buying Christmas gifts.

Because the campaign comes so early, kids grow up not truly real-

izing the meaning of Santa Claus: a figurative icon that brings excitement to kids because he only comes around once a year.

Marketing campaigns influence kids into thinking that Christmas and the holiday season is all about buying gifts and not spending time with family or baking delicious holiday cookies.

It’s also telling younger kids that Halloween and Thanksgiving aren’t even something to be excited about.

By setting out Christmas trees and decorations in the stores in September, they are increasing the chance to turn away possible customers that, I can guarantee, will be fully sick of it by Dec. 25.

If the retailers would spend their time equally on each holiday through decorations and sales, then everyone could enjoy them as the year continues.

If we start thinking about Christmas in its right time — the day after Thanksgiving — then the joy of the season is still on the back burner, an anticipation that will not fade once the 12 days of Christmas come.

Hot or Not

Blizzards at lunch: Seeing those blue and red cups stacked together reminds me of how wonderful the world is. Just breathing in the treats that resemble smooth, snow-covered mountains filled with thick rocks of Reese’s bits instantly cools your mood. No cheap, imitating styrofoam-cup “ice cream” can ever be better. (Gina O’Neill)

Photo by Ian Magnuson

OPINION 5 Killer keyboards

After a long, writing-filled weekend, I’ve done two things successfully: 1. I have come up with a fully developed story idea. It’s about time, right?

2. I have officially completed 11,300 words, exactly.

Not only am I surprised that I was able to accomplish such a task in one Sunday afternoon, but I am also surprised I actually like my story idea.

At first, I thought NaNoWriMo was just going to be something to pass the time and distract me from homework, but now that I am actually writing every day, I have realized NaNoWriMo is (slowly) helping me become a better writer.

When being forced to conjure up something that resembled a story idea, I learned how to actually map out my story.

The first step was creating characters. I had to create their personalities, background information, likes/dislikes, what they look like: everything about their identities. One of my main characters is a slightly neurotic 18-year-old who always ends up in the wrong situations, which leads me to my next step.

Initially, I located my characters in some random place like Kansas; then, I realized that Kansas is not only one of the most boring states in existence, but I really know next to nothing about Kansas.

This led me to move my characters to Chicago.

This makes the situations I place my characters in more realistic since I actually know what I am writing about.

My third step was to come up with all the problems, arguments and events that my characters encounter.

Finally, I had to figure out an ending. This is where I hit a dead end. And I was on a roll planning out my story before. It’s as if an army has barricaded my mind, preventing me from deciding on an ending for my story.

I’m pretty sure I’ve hit a point most people call writer’s block.

Hot: Haircuts: When my color guard instructors told us in late June that we couldn’t get any major haircuts until the end of the band season, I didn’t think it was a big deal; in fact, I was pretty happy about it.

But as the band season drew nearer to its end, all I could think about was how much I wanted to chop off my hair. What started off as a fun challenge manifested into a Photo by Deanna Shilkus monster of bad hair days, split ends and outgrown bangs. Now, I can’t wait until my hair dresser rids me of the monster that’s been clinging to my head for months.

(Megan Maughan)

Not:

Not:

“The lab”: Hearing the dreaded words “we’re in the lab,” not only signals a nice project is on the way, but it also means that absolutely no work will be done — pretty much guaranteeing a hoard of homework and a last minute PowerPoint scramble. The lab is just a bad news bear waiting to take everyone’s food and leave their social lives in ruins for the next week. (Gina O’Neill)

Milk: I realize that I am going to be denounced of all credibility as soon as this catches the eyes of moms and the school nurse, but I’m just going to say it: Milk sucks. I don’t care how strong it will make my bones and how healthy it is for me; it just tastes awful. Celebrities’ pictures with painted-on milk mustaches plastered on the cafeteria wall cannot sway my opinion on consuming cows’ bodily fluids, and as for my health, I’ll just stick to calcium-infused orange juice. (Megan Maughan)

Check out Prospectornow.com for more!

6 FEATURES

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Atmosphere determines class enjoyment

By Megan Maughan Executive Features Editor As soon as the first period bell sounds at 7:30 a.m., senior Mara Schwartz starts her 220 minutes of straight AP classes, including passing periods, for the first four periods of the day.

Her rigorous morning is the reason why Schwartz is relieved once her sixth period Advanced Composition class starts, which Schwartz describes as more laid-back than her AP classes.

After taking nothing but honors and AP-level classes since her freshman year, Schwartz feels a different atmosphere in her regular-level class than in her AP classes.

“Even an outsider can walk into an AP class and then a regular class and feel the different atmosphere,” Schwartz said.

“In my AP classes, it’s more quiet and focused so that we can get everything done, but in a regular class, we’re still learning, but that high demand isn’t really there.”

Sophomore Jessica Endres is in honors classes and is also taking AP World History this year, and she likes AP classes overall because of the environment. One aspect of the class that makes it a good experience is her teacher, Dave Schnell.

“He does lecture, but most of the time, he’s discussing

pCLASS FAVORITES: According to World History teacher Jonathon Kaminsky, how much a student likes a class doesn’t have to do with the subject level, but the atmosphere. Students feel more uncomfortable in a class environment that they’re not used to. (Cartoon by Quinn Blackshere) with us instead of just talking to us,” Endres said. “He always keeps us really engaged.”

However, World History teacher Jonathon Kaminsky doesn’t see a big difference between the productivity of his AP and regular-level classes.

Kaminsky thinks that the reason why students like Endres think that students and teachers in AP classes have better connections is because they are more used to AP classes than regular classes.

“If [students] are more used to taking AP classes than regular classes, then they’re going to feel more comfortable in AP,” Kaminsky said. “But it works the other way too. It just

depends on what [students are] used to.”

Endres feels that student contribution to the class is just as important as the teacher contribution.

She said that though Schnell usually gives them a lead-in to a topic, the students are the ones who generally keep the discussion going, which is something she didn’t experience when she was in regular-level classes.

“In regular classes, you get some kids who really don’t care and don’t want to be there, so there are not as good discussions,” Endres said. “In AP classes, most students want to be there and want to get good grades, so most people care

Bring your

ID!

about the class.”

However, Kaminsky does not think that AP students always care more about class than students in his regularlevel classes.

“In every class, you’re going to have five or six students who raise their hands all the time,” Kaminsky said. “I have some really smart students in my regular class and some students in my AP classes who have to be forced to talk. It’s not about AP or regular but more the personality of the students and the atmosphere.”

After her initial reaction to the different feel of her regular-level course, Schwartz quickly grew fond of the calm

nature of her class.

“Right now I actually feel more comfortable in my regular class,” Schwartz said. “It’s not a blow-off or anything, but it’s more laid-back and there’s more time to connect with the teacher and ask for help during class.”

Yet, Schwartz still enjoys her AP classes. AP US History her junior year was her favorite class in high school because she liked the subject matter and also because the other students and the teacher made it fun.

Endres’ favorite class so far was her Honors Biology class her freshman year for similar reasons. She said that she takes honors and AP courses because that’s what she’s always taken and what she’s comfortable with.

“I like taking honors classes because everyone wants to be there, and it’s like a family,” Endres said. “We all know each other and want to help each other.”

Schwartz, however, doesn’t think that the title of AP or regular has much to do with the environment of the class.

“In both AP and regular classes, there are students who participate more than others, and I don’t think that has to do with regular or AP,” Schwartz said. “That’s just how different kids are.”

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FEATURES 7

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Marketing class, Junior Leaders host weight loss competition

By Kate Schroeder Editor-in-Chief Junior Kelly Friedrichs used to think that her Junior Leaders class would spend the class period lifting weights — until head football coach and physical education teacher Brent Pearlman proposed a particular project idea during class.

Pearlman wanted to do something different that would shed light on the physical education department by creating a weight loss competition at Prospect based off the popular NBC show “Biggest Loser” — but with a twist.

Students from Junior Leaders combined with the Sports and Entertainment Marketing class, who took charge of promoting the event, to create the competition under the guidance of Business Education teacher Lance Burmeister and Pearlman.

To go along with the new project idea, Burmeister felt like the group of students needed a name to identify the competition with.

“There needed to be a identity or brand to what we are doing,” Burmeister said. “We created a brand for us so that students and the community would get involved.”

Their “brand” is called “Prime Time Knights” (PTK) and their mission: “to inspire the students and community

of Prospect to achieve new levels of fit- time that we have ever done this.”

The students decided to include a ness and excellence. Knight by Knight, cash prize for the winners to spend howDay by Day.” Instead of copying the name of the ever they please in order to further proTV show competition, the classes decid- mote involvement in the competition. ed to change the name of the competi- Zanca went to Dr. Pat Tedaldi-Monti to tion from “The Biggest Loser” to “The propose the project idea. Tedaldi-Monti was enthusiastic about the idea and Biggest Winner.” “‘The Biggest Winner’ is a better ti- helped organize the prize money. tle because you are winning more than “When the kids came to me, I losing weight; you are getting a new thought, ‘That’s an unbelievable projattitude, perspective, and work ethic,” ect for them. What better thing for kids senior and PTK president Beau Zanca to invest their time and energy [in] than helping peosaid. “You are becoming a winner ple with their health?”’ Tedalevery time you work out.” di-Monti said.

Tedaldi-Monti In the competithen organized tion, contestants pick a partner and the money to make up the compete in teams prize. The money of two. The final was a combinaweigh-in will take tion of anonyplace at the boys’ varsity basketball mous personal game on Dec. 17. donations and drug-free school Whatever team has money. Drug-free lost the largest per-senior Beau Zanca school money centage of weight comes from the by the weigh-in wins a $500 prize.

Goodman Grant “We all liked the idea of getting Foundation and parking lot fees.

“The money brought a lot of attenpeople at Prospect working out and involved in a good cause,” Zanca said. tion to [the competition],” Zanca said. “[The competition] has nothing to do “It’s a win/win situation. Lose weight: with being fat,” Friedrichs said. “It is win money.” all about getting healthy.”

To get ready for the final weigh-in, PTK hoped to get at least 10 contes- the Junior Leaders class was respontants on board with this philosophy in sible for researching tips, exercise roumind, but to their surprise, they got 24 tines and basic dietary information to contestants to compete in the competi- assist the contestants. Instead of spendtion. ing time running or lifting weights, the “I was really surprised, and people class spent time in the computer labs were taking it seriously,” Friedrichs creating a 50-page book with all of the said. “It seems to be really successful, research the students compiled. and it’s wonderful since it is the first Pearlman thought that making a

“You are winning more than losing weight; you are getting a new attitude, perspective and work ethic. You are becoming a winner every time you work out.”

book would not only help the contestants but also help his students learn a little more about health. Tedaldi-Monti agreed that spending time in the labs is a great opportunity for the Junior Leaders.

“You can really spark the interest of a student in so many ways by going to the computer lab, plotting out somebodies’ improvement and plotting out ways to lose body fat and gain muscle,” Tedaldi-Monti said.

The Sports and Entertainment Marketing class then took the responsibility of trying to get as many supporters and contestants as they could by producing commercials and hanging posters around the school.

If the project continued into next years curriculum, Burmeister feels like there would need to be some changes in the structure of the project for his class.

He hopes that next year, the Sports and Entertainment Marketing students would be able to conduct a survey for students to see what prize would be the most appealing to them and get local business involved to have more sponsorship.

Pearlman agrees with Burmeister, but feels that no matter the end result, his students learned valuable lessons about leadership.

“It really taught everyone that no matter what role you [played] in it, people learned a lot about what it means to be a leader,” Friedrichs said. “We really are out there doing something actively, working in the community [as] leaders.”

“It’s a lifelong opportunity,” TedaldiMonti said. “If people make changes [to their health] now, whether they are in high school or young adults, that could impact them for the rest of their lives.”

Who Knows You Better?

This issue, The Prospector interviewed junior Tom LeClere’s girlfriend, junior Kathryn Angell, and best friend, junior PJ Orel, to see who knows Tom better.

What is Tom’s favorite sports team?

4 Cubs

What is Tom’s favorite color?

What is Tom’s favorite band?

What is Tom’s favorite TV show?

What is Tom’s favorite class?

4

W I N Blue N E R Beatles

The Best Friend

Junior Pj Orel

4 “Colbert Report” Gym

W I N N E R

Cubs

The Subject

4

The Girlfriend

Blue

Indigo Beatles

Cubs

Junior Tom LeClere

4

Beatles

“Colbert Report”

“Mad Money”

AP Human Geo

AP Econ

Junior Kathryn Angell

8 IN-DEPTH Yoga provides new opportunity for exercise go to a class with an instructor.

“There are pros and cons of Wii Fit,” Ives said. “It’s better than nothing, but part of going to a class is that the instructor really relaxes you.”

Yoga instructors take classes that teach its students about the body and require them to take tests on how the

By Emmy Lindfors body works and about the spiritual asExecutive In-Depth Editor pect to yoga.

A main focus of the class is learnYoga is a practice that originated ing how to teach others to breathe and in India centuries ago, but recently, how to make sure you can help people it has become well-practiced around relax their entire bodies. Yoga is prithe globe. Yoga has even found its way marily used to relax and relieve stress, into popular games like Wii Fit. but it is also used to benefit the body’s Wii Fit features 15 different yoga muscles and joints. poses in hopes to “help tone muscles “It’s important to keeping them and improve posture,” according to flexible and moving,” Ives said. “It wiifit.com. Wii Fit yoga helps people helps keep the who may not be bones [strong], able to particiespecially in pate in an actual women. yoga class to “With yoga, gain knowledge you’re using on the most your body as common poses weights. Poses using basic volike planks helps cabulary.

For to build the upinstance, Wii per body and -Former yoga instructor Jeanne Ives Fit says warrior muscles.” pose instead of Ives also said that some of the best its official name, simhasana. yoga poses stretch the spine, and some Even though yoga seems more dostretching techniques like reaching it-yourself with its presence in poputo touch your toes are “great because lar games like Wii Fit, Jeanne Ives, a you always want to have fresh blood former yoga instructor at Willow Yoga get to your head” to keep the mind in Arlington Heights, recommends more aware. that people interested in yoga should

New method in fitness helps stay healthy, relax

“[High school students] are so busy nowadays, and doing yoga stretches is one of the best ways to relax.”

Tuesday, Novem

Ives recommends that people do some of the yoga stretches and deep breathing before bed to calm their body and to help them fall asleep.

Even if some people are reluctant to try yoga, Ives says that many of the major athletes and Olympians participate in yoga to keep their body limber and at a top performance rate.

Some classes at Prospect have tried to incorporate yoga into the curriculum, like dance class and during the stress unit in health (See Stress unit, page 9), and Ives feels that a yoga class for gym would be beneficial to the students. “ [ H i g h school students] are so busy nowadays, and doing yoga

Prospect

Learn to be at peace Recommendations from former yoga instructor Jeanne Ives Poses demonstrated by dance teacher Kristin Burton

Triangle

Tree

The triangle pose is based off the warrior pose. In order to create this pose, which stretches the hamstrings and hips and opens up the chest, begin by spreading your feet apart an equal distance with equal balance.

Next, keep the feet equally spread apart and square the hips to the right, turning your body but still keeping your feet in the same place. Once completed, bring your left hand to the outside of the right foot as you twist to the right. From there, stretch your right arm up toward the ceiling and gaze up at the right hand fingertips.

Once completed on the right side, switch and repeat the

In order to do this pose, stand up straight and make sure your weight is equally spread throughout your body. Next, shift your weight to your right foot and lift your left leg up, bending your left knee. Place your left sole onto your inner thigh to make a triangle out of your leg and thigh.

To maintain balance, think of something calming. After some time, and if you feel in control when doing this pose, Ives suggests to try closing your eyes to see if you can still maintain balance.

The tree pose helps strengthen your legs and helps with learning how to balance on one foot. Learning how to stay balanced helps with distributing the body’s weight equally. It can also help for athletes because it keeps people from falling down easily during games.

The pose helps with strengthening the thighs, calves, ankles and spine while helping to reduce flat feet.

Deep breathing One of the main and most important yoga poses is the deep breathing pose. This pose relaxes the mind and clears away stress. To do this, one must sit on the floor crosslegged and inhale and exhale slowly.

“When most people learn to breath, they breath in through the nose and out through the mouth,” Ives said. “In yoga, you are breathing in through the nose and out through the nose. You are breathing in slowly and exhaling slowly.

“Not many of us breath slowly. We are [breathing shallowly]. We aren’t filling up our lungs completely; we are only filling them half way. We fill the lungs up all the way to get rid of the bad toxins, [and] breathing shallowly never gets rid of all the toxins at the bottom of our lungs.”

Even though Ives is no longer a yoga instructor and now teaches fifth grade, she will do this with her class before a test or quiz, saying that it helps her students “get over their anxiety.”

Sports, activit

By Sharon Lee Associate Editor-in-Chief With five AP classes and no lunch, senior Rob Osiol has no time during the day to rest before attending to his overwhelming number of activities after school which include band, two jazz bands, two combo bands, debate, academic bowl and Knights’ Way. “I have no breather,” Osiol said. “I go through the day, and I don’t stop. I’m pretty stressed out.”

Stress in students’ lives is not uncommon at Prospect, according to health teacher Michele Burnett. Every year as part of the mental health unit, Burnett conducts a survey measuring the stress level of each student. She provides 30 different stressors and has the students add up certain number values if a stressor pertains to them.

If a student receives a total score below 100, there is “no concern”; however, if the student receives a score over 200, there is “urgent need of intellectual stress manager.” Burnett said that in the 10 years that she has been conducting this survey, the vast majority of the students have scored over 200.

“Students at Prospect have a lot on their plates, and they don’t have a chance to relax,” Burnett said. “I worry a great deal about that.”

The activities students are involved in, although they keep students busy, do what they can to help relieve them of the stresses of school and extracurriculars.

Theater director Jeremy Morton, in his 10 years of teaching acting classes, coordinating speech team and running the play and musical, has dealt with numerous students who are involved in a wide variety of activities and understands how stressed out students can be.

“It is my goal to alleviate those stresses and fears,” Morton said. “I use warm-ups, games and activities to help the students relax, breathe and stay focused.”

Right before every show, Morton has the entire cast

IN-DEPTH 9

mber 23, 2010

How students relieve stress

Television 21 percent Exercise 27 percent

Friends 28 percent

Internet 24 percent

at Peace

Based on a Prospector survey of 185 students

Students’ average hours of sleep 10 hours 10 hours 7 hours

6 hours

8 hours

7 hours 7 hours

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu.

Fri.

Sat. Sun. One pillow equals two hours

ties accommodate stressful students’ lives stand in a circle and gives them a pep talk to remind Marching band, which is also a physically demand- said. them of their long hours of rehearsing and hard work ing activity like football, incorporates nap time into its A new routine that the football coaches have added leading up to that point. The cast then takes a moment schedule for competition days that allow for downtime. to the program is doing yoga every Saturday morning to breathe in and out together to become more relaxed Marching band members put in a total of 529 hours after a Friday game. Yoga was first brought to Prospect and focused as a group. worth of rehearsal and performance through an all-sport conditioning camp held over the After taking the time to get into the time in their season every year. summer, and the football program took advantage of the CAUSES OF STRESS mindset of the task at hand, the cast Band director Chris Barnum said technique. takes part in a stimulating “chant” that competitions start very early in Initially, junior Harry Hamilton was skeptical about of the phrase, “nothing great is ever the morning, so students are tired by doing yoga for football because he had never done yoga School/homework: 37 percent achieved without enthusiasm” that the middle of the afternoon because before. He didn’t think it was necessary for such a physFamily: 27 percent helps release the nerves and stress bethey have already ically challenging sport like Sports/clubs: 23 percent fore getting ready to go on stage. performed and have football.

Friends: 13 percent STRESS UNIT The members start off chanting been up for 10-12 But after the first couple sesquietly and quickly grow in volume hours. sions of yoga, Hamilton really According to a Prospector Every year, the very first unit that until they are screaming and jumping “[Competitions] enjoyed it because it helped survey of 185 students health teacher Michele Burnett up and down. By this point, the cast is are mentally drainhim to reflect on his perforteaches is mental health. The first energized and ready to perform. ing,” Barnum said. mance the night before and colthree days of this unit is devoted to Senior John Hummel remembers how extremely ner- “Students need to re-energize somelect his thoughts. stress. vous he was before the opening night of “Uno,” the fall where in the middle of the day.”

“Yoga is a great relaxation play of his freshman year, despite the fact that he had So for these long days, all the stutool as long as it is done corFirst day — Talk about the effects only one line to deliver. dents bring blankets and pillows and rectly,” Sebestyen said. “It is of stress and identify common Hummel said that Morton’s pre-show procedures re- gather in a gym to just rest. a type of relaxation that gets stressors affecting the students ally helped him to get “in the zone.”

Although Barnum tries to build in a your mind in focus with your specifically The football program also tries to assist players in nap time for as many competitions as body. It is also a great healing relaxing before their performance. Assistant football he can, he said that it really depends on technique.” (See Learn to be at Second day — Discuss the good coach Mike Sebestyen believes football and theater are how tight the competition schedule is peace, page 8) and bad ways of dealing with stress similar in the aspect that “you are trying to focus your- for that day.

Sebestyen said yoga helps self to a task or goal.”

“We ask a lot out of students,” Barthe players work out some of Third day — Do some deep Before every game, the entire football team goes to num said. “[So] we try to make sure the different aches and pains the choir room, otherwise known as the ready room, kids can enjoy their time in band and after a game by helping release right after school on game days to unwind and de-stress enjoy other activities as well.” the lactic acid that builds up themselves.

Barnum said that he tries to make these nap times with muscle use and causes stiffness, tension, pain and According to Sebestyen, there is rarely any talking a routine for the marching band members. Sebestyen fatigue. More importantly, yoga benefits the players in in the ready room during the allotted hour and a half agreed that it is always good to have a routine set in a spiritual aspect. for home games and 45 minutes for away games. It is an place.

“Yoga teaches them calm humility and relaxation opportunity for the players to sleep, meditate, focus on “The more routine you can be in, the more comfort- techniques to really get in touch with their understandwhat they need to do or relax. able you can be, the more relaxed you can be,” Sebestyen ing of themselves and their bodies,” Sebestyen said.

10 ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Cartoon by Riley Simpson

Spellbinding series spoiled by competition among fans Luna Lovegood. Butterbeer. Good, old-fashioned expelliarmus.

Everyone knows what cultural phenomenon I’m referring to, and everyone is probably conjuring up obscure details from the text just to one-up me in their “Harry Potter” knowledge.

And that’s just the problem.

“Harry Potter” is near and dear to the hearts of majority of the world, so being a fan just isn’t enough anymore.

With the first part of the last book, “Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows,” apparating into theaters this past Friday, the reGina O’Neill minder to whip Copy Editor out the wands and prepare for a description-of-each-book duel could not be more apparent.

There’s a constant pressure to prove one’s dedication to the novels — whether that means reading all seven books before each movie comes out, throwing on your “robes” to the extra-special midnight premiere of the film or quot-

ing Dumbledore as a Facebook status.

It’s understandable: In order to be fans, people have to know their stuff.

Otherwise, they are similar to that guy with the crisp, new White Sox jersey who talks smack about the Twins but can’t name more than two players on either team. Nobody likes that guy.

At the same time, however, this pressure is a constant annoyance. If people even begin to breathe the word “Quidditch,” they are stopped in their tracks before they can reach “ditch” and mauled by Harry Potter detail-dementors, or in other words, fellow fans.

These human dementors infiltrate the mind and force you to fear ignorance of all the petty details in the book. Not to worry, though. They will be sure to bombard you with their knowledge of the book, proving superiority to your lowly status as a fan who only knows the basic plot of each story.

For example, right now, I’m trying to think of muggle-related metaphors and slytherin similes just to prove that I can successfully write about “Harry

Potter,” and it’s not because I care about what people think; it’s because I know I’m a part of the slew of wizard fans, and I want to be the best fan I can be.

The last couple times I went to see “Harry Potter” movies in theaters, I felt out of place because I wasn’t cozying up to my book during the previews for “Half-Blood Prince.” I almost felt out of the group last year when kids in front of me were discussing the exact moment of how (spoiler alert!) Dumbledore died — who committed the act, why, with what, and what followed — and I couldn’t recall most of what they were saying. I just remembered his death. Shame on me.

Relentless competition over the level of fandom takes a toll on readers. The competition sucks the fun out of being a fan like a horcrux splits a soul, making fandom less and less appealing each time someone corrects how large a quaffle ball should be.

Plus, I don’t want to have to try to “belong” to a group of fans. That’s what middle school is for.

The competition sucks the fun out of being a fan like a horcrux splits a soul.

It’s ironic that “Harry Potter” is fueling a feeling of trying hard to fit into a group of superfans when Harry himself doesn’t fit in because he is not normal. Potter-mania is taking over what should be taking precedence: the books themselves and their stories.

Reading should be a way for people to escape reality and find refuge in a different, more intimate place. Yet, reading “Harry Potter” drags people out in the open to test them: the complete opposite effect of what reading should bring.

Instead of feeling like I’m on constant “Harry Potter” Jeopardy — with everyone slamming down on the answer buzzer simultaneously — I want to feel like I’m a part of the story, decked out in an invisibility cloak so that no one can bother me with trivia.

It’s not that people shouldn’t plan Harry Potter-themed weddings or participate in college Quidditch teams; it’s great if people are enjoying the book together. When insults similar to “stupefy” fly, being a fan becomes hard — almost stiff — and that’s just ridiculous.

I’m sick of this war of words on witchcraft and wizardry. We’re all being too Sirius; can’t we all love each other?

Er, Lovegood each other?

ENTERTAINMENT 11

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Rated

R

for Riley

Classic road trip comedy reigns

Stepping onto the stage p ROCKING AND ROLLING: A group of middle school students dance alongside members of Prospect’s Mixed Company at the “Show Choir Rocks” workshop on Sunday, Nov. 14. Mixed Company used “Show Choir Rocks” as a way to help younger students interested in show choir become more comfortable with it. (Photo by Tallyn Owens)

Show choir clinic aims to bring onstage ease to new performers

By Tallyn Owens Entertainment Editor Lincoln Middle School sixthgrader Nolan Murphy has already developed his own ways of dealing with stage fright.

“When I perform, I either look straight out so I can’t see anything below [the spotlight], or I just picture myself at home in my room,” Murphy said.

His stage fright didn’t involve jitters or sweating of any sort, but rather a mix of “nervous excitement” according to Murphy.

Murphy had his first major on-stage experience performing as Kurt Von Trapp in The King’s Player’s youth theater production of “The Sound of Music” over the summer (see Community effort), where he shared the stage with several members of Prospect’s Mixed Company, including junior Johanna Scott and sophomores Seth and

Brent Groharing.

The Mixed Company members were able to help Murphy become more comfortable on stage by giving him tidbits of advice like focusing on a fire alarm at the back of the theater during shows.

On Sunday, Nov. 14, he attended a workshop called “Show Choir Rocks” that aimed to help middle school students, like Murphy, from Prospect feeder-schools and other area schools by giving them an opportunity to become more comfortable with show choir.

According to senior John Hummel, Mixed Company member and vocal captain for “Show Choir Rocks,” the clinic is open to six, seventh and eighth-graders, as well as freshmen and sophomores.

Even though Murphy already knew some high-schoolers, he recognized the effort Mixed Company made so that every kid would feel more comfortable, including icebreaker games and an enthusiastic, laid-back rendition of “The Casper Slide” that featured Mixed Company and a large majority of the younger workshop participants.

Murphy felt the classic icebreaker game (name, age, favorite color) with a few added questions such as favorite Disney character and flavor of ice cream helped him become more comfortable with the other kids.

A COMMUNITY EFFORT Junior Johanna Scott performed as Liesl Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” this past summer with “The King’s Player’s”, a youth theater group founded by her mother, Jan, in 2001.

Jan started the program because she had a passion for musical theater.

She realized that the local theater companies didn’t have shows for teenagers and wanted to give them opportunities to be in shows outside of school.

Each summer, they put on a musical featuring a cast of roughly 60 performers ranging in age from seven years old through high school graduates.

Johanna believes that the program is very effective at creating a comfortable community for all it’s participants, regardless of age.

“We hope it helps them grow as performers and encourages them to become involved in show choir and other music programs,” Johanna said.

Murphy thought that in addition to making him feel more relaxed on stage, the workshop also taught him more advanced dance steps and vocal techniques to use while on stage.

The younger kids were split into three groups where they had four hours to learn and rehearse a dance number to perform for their parents later that evening.

The performance serves as a casual competition and utilizes the competitive setting to help get the participants excited about the performance.

“No one leaves thinking, ‘that was dumb,’” Hummel said. “I’m surprised by how many people love it.”

He noticed a progression in the participants and their confidence as the day goes on.

Choir teacher and Mixed Company director Jen Troiano sees the workshop as beneficial to the middle school students, Mixed Company members and choir program as a whole, calling it a community outreach program.

“The fact that it gives Mixed Company another chance to perform as well as teaching with each other is good opportunity,” Troiano said.

Hummel fondly remembers his middle school experience at “Show Choir Rocks,” including watching Mixed Company’s rendition of “Smooth” by Carlos Santana, and uses it as a motivating factor when working the clinic himself.

“I saw how cool and confident [Mixed Company] were with each other,” Hummel said, “and it was a relaxing environment. You can be crazy and weird, and it’s OK.”

Want all reviews, all the time?

Prospectornow is up-to-date with reviews on all things entertainment from Taylor Swift’s newest release to the latest in animated movies and even video games. Check out what reviews are online now:

“Walking Dead” AMC premiered their new zombie thriller on Oct. 31 and is on at Sundays at 9 pm.

“Megamind” Animated Supervillain comedy came out in theaters Nov. 5.

“Speak Now” Taylor Swift’s third studio album hit the shelves Oct. 25 .

“Call of Duty Black Ops” The wildly popular video game series released it’s latest edition Nov. 9.

A few weeks ago, “Due Date” — from Todd Phillips of “The Hangover” — hit theaters as the first buddy-road trip comedy since “Wild Hogs” in 2007 (anyone shaking their head in disappointment at this last title is a friend of mine).

Personally, I liked “Due Date”: the tale of an expecting father, Robert Downey, Jr., traveling across the country with lovable oaf, Zach Galifianakis. Its crass and gross-out approach to the sub genre was reminiscent of “The Hangover’s” humor. It also had a masturbating dog!

But while walking out of “Due Date” with my father, some rambunctious 11-year-olds ran past us, screaming, “That was the funniest movie ever! Best road trip movie I’ve ever seen!”

My father and I looked at each other and cracked up. There were two things wrong with this picture: 1. How could 11-year-olds find “Due Date” that funny? They’re about two years short of understanding half the raunchy and R-rated jokes in the film.

2. “Due Date” is by no means the best and funniest road trip movie ever.

That title belongs to John Hughes’ 1987 “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

The hilarious classic is basically the ultimate Hughes movie: complete with funny antics and genuine, coming-of-age characters and touching moments. It even has the tacky 80s soundtrack!

(Note: no Chicago-area high school setting).

“Planes” stars Steve Martin and the late but great John Candy as unlikely travel partners who become victims to the Midwest’s unpredictable winter weather.

All advertising executive Neal Page (Martin) wants is to make it home from a business trip in New York to his home in Chicago for Thanksgiving dinner.

But a monstrous snow storm at O’Hare Airport forces his plane to land in Wichita, Kan. With air travel out of the question, Neal and shower curtain ring-salesman Del Griffith (Candy) take trains and automobiles the rest of the way to Chicago.

Martin is the perfect straight man as Neal.

He drives the movie as a cynical and pessimistic guy who’s resistant to and impatient with Del. But he does get the movie’s funniest scene.

When he is screwed out of a car by his rental car company, Neal takes out his frustration on an innocent secretary for the company. The scene is comprised almost entirely of F-bombs — it’s also the main reason “planes” is rated “R” — which Martin shouts with the right amount of anger and pronunciation.

Candy easily turns in his best performance.

Say what you will about his caring title character in “Uncle Buck” along with his memorable roles in “Home Alone” and “Stripes.” Sure, he’s funny in those movies. But those performances lack the big heart that powers Del in “Planes.”

After an intense verbal beatdown by Neal, Del responds that he isn’t changing his personality for any reason: “I like ... I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. ‘Cause I’m the real article. What you see is what you get.”

Other than being one of my favorite movie quotes, it’s also the emotional showcase of “Planes,” which Candy delivers with compassion and genuine emotion. I might have cried during this scene — if it weren’t for the fact that I don’t cry. In unrelated news, after seeing “Planes,” I broke the record of “Most Kleenex Boxes Thrown Away in One Day.” And this compassionate and genuine feeling is what truly makes “Planes” great. It the same feeling that made Hughes’ other films so lovable. The secret? Sacrifice some laughs for real people in your movie; real people that you laugh at and cry for.

I’ll take that any day over a masturbating dog.

12 SPORTS

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The meltdown: winter preview

Boys’ basketball

Girls’ gymnastics

Last year’s finish: 17-10 overall; 8-2 in conference

Key meets or games: Home opener against Libertyville (Nov. 16); Pack the Place game against Rolling Meadows (Dec. 3); Winter tournament at Dundee Crown Returning varsity members: Seniors Ashley Wabik, Sarah Winans, Marissa Pettenuzzo, Jessica Shaffer, Sarah Hunt and juniors Jessica Petrovski and Maura Benson

Returning varsity members: Junior point guard and shooting guard Mike LaTulip, who was all-conference and allarea last year

Conference outlook: The team’s toughest competition in their division will come from Hersey, Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows Coach’s corner: “[The team] is a very cohesive unit,” coach John Camardella said. “[They] understand that everyone is competitive and that everyone want to play.”

- Miranda Holloway

Girls’ basketball

Last year’s finish: 20-9, regional champions

Key meets or games: Oak Park River Forest at the St. Pat’s Invite (Nov. 24); home opener and Pack the Place game against Rolling Meadows (Dec. 3)

New varsity members: Seniors Terry Redding, Danny O’Brien, Will Botefuhr, Quinn Drinan and captains Matt Loebbaka and Grant DePalma

Last year’s finish: Regional champions Key meets or games: First meet against Conant (Dec. 1); Knights’ Invite on Jan. 15 Returning varsity members: Seniors Christina Pekar and Sarah Pekar, junior Lauren Johnson and sophomore Maggie Kania New varsity members: Freshmen Jacqueline DiFonzo and Gianna Scala Conference outlook: In the entire MSL, the team’s biggest opponents will be Fremd and Barrington Coach’s corner: Though the team is still transitioning from fall sports to gymnastics, new coach Randy Smith has faith.

“There are a lot of high level gymnasts [here],” Smith said. “[It’s] going to be something good for the crowd to watch.”

New varsity members: Junior Christina Brucci, sophomores Adriane Falagario and Michele Molini and freshman Tess Bauer Conference outlook: The girls’ biggest rivals in the East will be Hersey and Buffalo Grove Coach’s corner: “We are going to try and make the games exciting, play good solid defense and we are going to look to push the ball,” head coach Martha Kelly said. “We’ve got a number of girls who can really shoot.”

- Miranda Holloway

- Deanna Shilkus

Wrestling

Boys’ swimming

Key meets: Schaumburg (Dec. 2); Rolling Meadows (Dec. 3); Dick Mudge Invite (Dec. 11) Returning varsity members: Seniors Joey Randazzo, Mike Geweniger, Terry Thomas, Brandon Thompson, Emilio Alvarado, junior Harry Hamilton and sophomore Josh Boggess New varsity members: Junior Mike Etchingham, sophomore Danny Fiumetto, freshman Sam Labono

Last year’s finish: Third in conference.

Key meets or games: The swimmers will see how they stack up at the St. Viator’s Invitational (Dec. 8) Returning varsity members: Seniors Ryan Konieczka, Decoda Selzer, John Behnke, Reed Mauer, Brian Kugler, Alan Palczewski, Kris Daorerk, junior Matt Rendino and sophomore Andrew Younger and Liam Hansen New varsity members: Coach Alfonso Lopez named freshman Nathanael Ginnodo as a standout addition to the varsity team

Conference outlook: The wrestlers’ main opponents will be Rolling Meadows, Wheeling and Schaumburg Coach’s corner: “I expect to be very competitive with [the MSL East],” head coach Tom Whalen said. “... Last year we ended up knocking off some ranked teams in the state and we lost to some ranked teams in the state. Right now we are in the middle of the pack and looking to take that next step into the upper-echelon.”

- Nick Stanojevic

Conference outlook: According to Lopez, the team was “the best in the East” last year. He believes it has the same potential this year, though having lost 13 seniors to graduation, he isn’t sure Coach’s corner: “Come watch us, come see what it’s all about,” Lopez said. “Swimming is a big American sport that no one ever talks about, and there is a lot of talent in this area — not just with but with the entire MSL. It’s intense.”

- Miranda Holloway

Bowling Last year’s finish: Third in conference Key meets or games: First meet against Hoffman Estates was on Nov. 22; Elk Grove (Dec. 13); Schaumburg (Jan. 6) Returning varsity members: Senior Whitney Schmidt is the only full-time varsity bowler returning New varsity members: Seniors Emily Victor, Kelly Lawless and Mary Styzek and junior Allison Walsh.

Conference outlook: Schaumburg, Conant and Elk Grove are the girls’ rivals for the top spot in the conference Coach’s corner: “The girls that I’ve got on the team this year … are all really hard competitors,” Troyer said.

“I have a team that is really going to be willing to fight and battle through matches.

Whether we will have the ability to fight against Schaumburg and Elk Grove — we’ll find out.”

- Miranda Holloway

Photos by Ian Magnuson, Amanda Mlikan, Tallyn Owens and Miranda Holloway

SPORTS 13

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Title IX: a balancing act High schools weigh equality against growth of male sports

By Maggie Devereux

Executive Sports Editor Girls’ bowling coach Greg Troyer has seen the interest for a boys’ bowling team grow over the last 10 years.

Five years ago, boys’ bowling became part of the IHSA, and it grew as a club sport five years prior to that.

However, due to Title IX, there isn’t a way to add the sport to Prospect’s athletic program. According to Troyer, the MSL is one of the biggest conferences in the state that is lacking a boys’ bowling program.

“I’ve known a lot of really good [male] bowlers that have come through Prospect, but unfortunately, with no team, there is no offering for them,” Troyer said.

Title IX is the education amendment that states high schools and colleges that receive federal funding must create equal opportunities for male or female athletes in all regards, from the number of sports to academics.

The creation of Title IX in 1972 brought a great change to women’s sports. In 1971, fewer than 295,000 girls, or one in 27, played a high school varsity sport, according to the Women’s Sports Foundation. That was one female athlete for every 10 male athletes.

By 2007, 35 years after the creation of Title IX, there were over 3 million high school female athletes, or one in 2.5, according to Title IX.info.

The effects of Title IX haven’t only affected female athletics, however.

Over 2,200 male athletic teams have been eliminated since 1981 due to schools’ need to meet Title IX requirements while also staying in budget.

Luckily, no teams at Pros-

pect have been cut. Instead, the athletic program has found a way to work toward equality without sacrificing the opportunities already established.

However, even though Prospect isn’t cutting any teams, it isn’t creating any either.

Prospect has a girls’ bowling team and not one for boys.

And as sports such as hockey and lacrosse become more popular, the district will not add those sports yet, either.

According to girls’ athletic director Jean Rezny, the athletic program does not want to add more teams until the current sports become completely equal.

Currently, Prospect has 13 varsity girls sports and 13 varsity boys sports. However, there are more underlevels for boys than there are for girls.

“38 years later, and guess what?” Rezny said. “We are still not equal because we still don’t have the same opportunities for girls.”

For example, boys’ baseball has five levels: varsity, JV, sophomore, freshman A and freshman B, and girls’ softball has only three: varsity, JV and freshman.

If the programs build and the interest grows, the levels will become closer and closer to where boys’ programs are currently, and then the athletic department can consider adding another program. “[With] any program, when you think 1972 and starting programs, you’re starting with building blocks,” athletic director Tom Martindale said, referring to girls’ sports. “It takes years really to build a program [from nothing].”

If Prospect instituted a boys’ bowling team, there would be 14 boys’ varsity sports versus 13 for girls, which would violate the rules

REPRESENTING PROGRESS Every girl that walks into the locker room passes this same picture every day. The picture shows the progression of female athletics starting in 1919. Underneath is the name of every Illinois public high school.

The poster reads: “No great achievement comes without obstacles, physical limitations, the vagaries of nature or resistance from the outside world. Although our achievers sometimes met with failure, they never abandoned their dreams, but doggedly persevered until they succeeded against the odds.” “[It represents] what it was and what it is now,” athletic director Tom Martindale said. “There are still some hurdles to jump, but a lot of positive things have happened for individuals all across the board.”

@ Knight Our very own ‘Rudy’

pSTRIKING MALE ATHLETICS: Title IX has brought many opportunities to female athletes since 1972, but it has also affected male athletics. Many new opportunities for males have to be put on hold while schools strive for equality. (Cartoon by Riley Simpson.) of Title IX. Troyer believes that any other girls’ sport the athletic program could add has the possibility of creating a boys’ sport as well.

“The reason that they don’t [create boys’ bowling] is that the boys have football and wrestling,” Troyer said.

“The girls have badminton and bowling. Every single sport has an opposite.”

According to boys’ volleyball coach Mike Riedy, the “simple answer” to why the program can’t add more levels is Title IX. The girls’ volleyball program has five levels: varsity, JV, sophomore, freshman A and freshman B; the boys’ program only has three: varsity, JV, and freshman.

Riedy believes Prospect has the capability to have a fourth boys’ team. As a district, however, adding one more team per school would walk a fine line in relation to Title IX. “We’re looking at a microscopic situation versus a macroscopic situation,” Riedy said. “So on a microscopic scale, we could support another level of boys’ volleyball and bring us closer to being even with girls. On the macroscopic scale of the entire program here, and in the district and the state, legally we can’t afford to add another boys’ level.”

Title IX has not only had negative effects on male athletics. It has provided protection to many as well.

Football programs, for example, are allowed to have higher funding under Title IX, which allows for increased funding based on “the nature of a sport.”

Regardless, according to

SPORTS HISTORY YEAR

SPORT STARTED

1959-60 -boys’ baseball

-boys’ basketball

-boys’ gymnastics

-boys’ wrestling

-boys’ golf

-boys’ track

-boys’ football

-boys’ XC

-boys’ swimming

-boys’ tennis 1968-69 -girls’ tennis

1969-70 -girls’ badminton 1971-72 -girls’ bowling 1972

TITLE IX PASSED

1972-73 -girls’ track

-girls’ basketball

-girls’ volleyball

-girls’ softball

-girls’ gymnastics

-girls’ swimming

-girls’ XC 1975-76 -boys’ soccer 1980-81 -girls’ golf 1986-87 -girls’ soccer 1990-91 -boys’ volleyball

For most, football serves as an exciting Friday night activity. Whether it is the atmosphere, friends or the game that actually causes one to attend, football has become a staple of our community.

The football program here has developed a reputation of rigor and pride, but some of their most impressive actions have come in the community.

An example from the 2005 team stands out more to me than any other.

For the 2005 season, mainly highlighted by the state championship win, the football team had an extra coach.

Allen Daniel, brother of then running back Evan Daniel, who ran 1,158 yards that year, stood on the sidelines of every game with his own Prospect jersey.

Allen, who suffers from Down’s Syndrome, was there largely to coach his brother Evan.

Throughout the season, Allen would point out to his brother if he was doing anything wrong, such as making bad reads or bad cuts.

“It’s like having another coach on the field,” Evan told the Daily Herald in ‘05. “Not only is he coaching me up, but he’s coaching everyone up.”

But the impact felt between Allen and the team was mutual.

When games ended, the defense and offense would line up for one more play from the 10-yard line.

Then players would create a last second scenario where they needed Allen.

Lastly, Allen would put on a helmet and run it in for a touchdown making him the original A.D..

While sports fans still love “Rudy,” we should remember our own Rudy story.

Not only is it just as heartwrenching, but none of it is blown out of proportion. This story isn’t a Hollywood film; it happened in our back yard.

The way the football team acted with the Daniel brothers should be commemorated just as much as state championships are.

One anecdote summarizes their story better than any other.

Head coach Brent Pearlman once asked his team why they play football. When Pearlman asked Allen why he showed up every day, Allen was ready.

“Because I love my brother,” Allen responded.

2006-07 -boys’ waterpolo -girls’ waterpolo

Martindale, Title IX “has a lot of positives” that have promoted major steps toward equality.

“There were people that had to keep fighting for this, and it didn’t come overnight,” Rezny said. “We are very fortunate that Prospect [is at this point] as far as our administration [who] supports both girls and boys athletics equally.”

pBROTHERLY LOVE: Evan and Allen Daniels celebrate a Prospect victory. Evan ran for over 1,000 yards the same year his brother served as an honorary assistant coach. (File photo

by Andy Sullivan)

SPORTS Tuesday, November 23, 2010

In This Issue...

The winter sports teams are starting up their seasons. For previews on all your favorite teams, turn to...

Page 12

Pearlman leaves players with pride Head football coach ends 12-year reign

ANOTHER COACH’S PERSPECTIVE Michael Donatucci has been the Fremd football head coach for 18 years and remembers playing Prospect before Brent Pearlman took over.

“Before Pearlman got there, we looked to play them and figured [we] would come out with a win,” Donatucci said.

Now Donatucci thinks much more of playing Prospect and expects that this won’t change.

“They are tough,” Donatucci said. “I thought, after playing them this year, they were the best team we played prior to the playoffs.

There is a tremendous respect and expectation when you play Prospect.”

By Nick Stanojevic

Executive Sports Editor

During his four-year tenure as defensive coordinator for Prospect’s football team, Brent Pearlman noticed something about his players that bothered him. On game day, the football players would take their jerseys off during their lunch periods. “[The kids] weren’t proud of their program; they were embarrassed of it,” Pearlman said. “I don’t know if they should have been embarrassed, but they were ... It’s something I vowed to change the day I got the head coaching job.” p PROJECT LEAD THE WAY: Football coach Brent Pearlman coaches junior Paul Schoessling at the Twelve years later, with Homecoming game against Wheeling. Pearlman retired this year after 12 years of coaching at Prospect, where he over 100 wins and three state won three state championships. (Photo by Ian Magnuson) championships, Pearlman’s see in kids is just incredible,” era as head coach at Prospect won 15 games in the 12 years lins remembers the team bare- before being a good football Pearlman said. “To watch the ly surviving the summer camp. player,” Bonahoom said. “He kids grow, mature, go from has come to a close. After a 14-7 before Pearlman took over. “[The players] were going has helped a lot in that aspect teenagers to young adults, have “The kids haven’t changed; loss on Nov. 6 to Lake Zurich in the second round of the play- we haven’t gotten any stud through real tough workouts,” – basically becoming a person a belief system that they reoffs, Pearlman retired from athletes,” senior runningback Collins said. “It got really hard, in life thats never going to quit, fuse to budge on, develop the his coaching job at Prospect, Peter Bonahoom, a three-year and [the players] just said, ‘We never going to give up and goes courage that’s going to take leaving a tremendous legacy varsity player, said. “Just hear- can’t do this anymore, and out and gets what they want. them great places — watching That has really helped me in that growth is what I am most ing [the team’s success] makes we’re just not going to do it.’” behind him.

In response, Pearlman gath- the classroom and in life.”

“You have to be somewhere you think of how truly great of proud of.”

Bonahoom added that Pearla coach he is ered the team together and where you Just because his Prospect and how he put them on the bleachers. He man has become “like a father” coaching career is over, howthink the NOT JUST A TOUGH is able to get asked them, “Do you guys want to him and the other players on ever, Pearlman does not plan g r o w t h the most out to be champions, or do you the team. Getting players new on stopping his work with kids. potential GUY of his play- want to do it a different way?” shoes, equipment fixed quickly is huge,” “I’m passionate about workWhen former quarterback ers when and Pearlman gave them five and helping players play foot- ing with kids,” Pearlman said.

Pearlman and ‘10 Prospect graduate ball in college are just some of other people minutes to decide. said. “That “I think I’ll still be doing someMiles Osei was a sophomore, “That was a critical moment the fatherly actions he does for thing with kids; it could be in couldn’t.” growth poand preparing for one of his “ [ P e a r l - because we all had something the team. tential at football. I love what I do. I will For Pearlman, these types of man] chang- at stake,” Pearlman said. “We Prospect has first big varsity starts, coach continue in some way, shape es kids’ as a staff had at stake that relationships that he develops or form to do it. I guess what’s become a litBrent Pearlman decided to play m i n d s e t s , ” maybe these kids are all going with players are what coaching next for me is the beginning of tle bit small a joke on his new quarterback. said Miles to quit on us. We as a program is all about. for me, and I a new chapter.”

Pearlman hid behind a garbage “The amount of growth I Osei, ‘10 had our credibility at stake.” think I [have can and popped out when Osei Since then, the results have Prospect to] find somewalked by and shouted “The graduate and changed in the football prothing where beast of Fremd is here!”

BY THE NUMBERS former quar- gram, and according to Osei, the growth “He’s just a really funny guy,” terback. “He Pearlman has accomplished potential is Prospect football in the 12 Prospect football in 12 years Osei said. “I can see why people is a player’s his goal of restoring pride in limitless.” years before Pearlman with Pearlman would be intimidated by him, but coach ... Kids the players.

Before once you get to know him, he’s “That’s probably been one just listen to Total number of wins Pearlman The number of wins just a great guy — just hilarious.” him; I think of my most prideful moments: took over, Pearlman has in 12 Prospect had

that was the to wear the jersey and play un‘03 grad and years at Prospect biggest dif- der ‘Coach Pearl,’” Osei said.

Prospect The number of Number of MSL East But the players from the substitute Brock Collins re- ference. People really believed win less seasons championships won members a completely differ- in what he was saying, and he past 12 years agree that they felt Pearlman’s impact both on ent football program. Collins knew what he was saying.”

Number of MSL east Number of state The success, however, did and off the field. didn’t attend a single game and state titles won “’Coach Pearl’ really until he was on the freshmen not come easy. During the sumchampionships won team largely because they only mer training camp in 2001, Col- preaches being a good person

15

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6

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3

Through the years

Brent Pearlman coaches in his first year, where he led the Knights to a 4-5 record.

1999

Prospect qualifies for the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

2000

The Knights go 14-0 and win their first ever state championship.

2001

The team finishes 12-2 and repeats as state champion.

2002

For the third time in five years, Prospect is state champion after posting a 13-2 record.

2005

Pearlman carries his daughter off the field after his final game as coach of Prospect.

2010