Volume 46- Issue 8- March 14, 2014

Culture defines students

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Donations continue for St. Baldrick’s Day ONLINE

Correspondent

THE

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New coach heads to field PAGE 11

Volume 46 Issue 8 March 14, 2014•John Hersey High School• 1900 E. Thomas St.• Arlington Heights, IL 60004 • @Hersey_Corre www.correspondentlive.com

in the Halls

2013- 2014

equals

Senior matches debate history Mili Pandya Senior debate member Michael Miller has qualified for the National Forensic League’s National Championships to take place in Kansas City in June.

Miller, who is only the second debater in the school’s history to qualify for this event, first had to compete at the NFL District Qualifier on March 7 and 8 at Huntley High School.

The 80 competitors, including students from top schools like Highland Park and Stevenson, were divided into one Senate chamber and three House Chambers, the Senate being for the top speaker from each school.

M i l l e r competed •courtesy of the in the Senate debate team and finished enior Michael Miller dein the top two, earning bates at the NFL him a spot at district Qualifier Nationals. “It on March 7 at was a high Huntley High School. risk, high reward type of tournament. Even though it took a lot of work, I was just happy that the hard work paid off and that I was successful,” Miller said.

The debaters competed for nine hours over two days on issues of economics, foreign affairs, and domestic policy.

Along with qualifying as a speaker, Miller’s legislation, a bill to reform federal welfare, was selected.

“I gave a speech on it [bill to reform federal welfare] during the tournament, and the fact that the other kids I competed against voted for it, makes it even better,” Miller said.

Before Miller heads to nationals, the debate team will compete at the state finals in Springfield on March 20 and 21.

“I’m hoping we perform well and make it as far as we can; the sky is the limit. As for nationals, I’m hoping that I can make it past the first round and go from there,” Miller said.

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Declining Enrollment

equals teacher cuts

Jessica Lynk Some teachers will not be coming back next year. Not because of choice, but because enrollment is declining. The school’s enrollment decreases by 118 students next year, which also means it will lose 5.4 (five full-time and one part-time) teachers. Because of the enrollment, the district needed to make adjustments.

Because enrollment is down, fewer teachers are needed.

“It is fair to say that there is some significant impacts that we’re experiencing.

I would also say that we are meeting these challenges with a great effort from the administrative leadership team. We feel as a group that we’ve met the challenge and we’re quite comfortable that we’ll be more than fine,” principal Gordon Sisson said.

Some teachers will teach outside of their subject because of this. Students are weary of this.

“It will be weird because they will have a different curriculum then they are used to teaching, which will make it harder on the teacher,” sophomore Brittnay Antuma said.

Another impact was to the football team. This past week they found

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out that they are losing their coach.

“It’s sad to see him go because he built the team from the ground up. He was a great coach,” freshman Kyle Stenzel.

“It was a shock to all of us, but the team is bigger than one man. It will be a tough loss, but the team will move on,” junior Danny Somary said.

Although enrollment is a main component to how staffing is adjusted, other factors affect the way staffing is decided.

“You take a look at the curriculum and you see which class schedules students have set up.

You have to adjust it, so that your class size meets what your staff is. You can’t have a class with ten students in it,” school board president Bill Dussling said.

At the same time, technology has also played a major role in the way staffing is decided. Because of the increased technology, more staff is being hired to help out teachers.

“You can look at staffing for ten years, we did not have technology like we have now. Certainly the introduction of technology, the maintenance of that technology, and advising teachers and helping teachers with introducing technology into the classroom has had an

(enrolled) (decline)

=

-5.4 (teachers)

equals

impact on the staffing. That is the wave of the future,” Dussling said.

These staffing decisions have led to major concerns. One of these concerns is about average class size.

As of now the average class size at this school is 17, according to the 2013 school report card.

Because this school has a large Career Life Skills program, our average size is dropped because some of those classes have smaller numbers. When the district adds up those size classes with larger classes, the average is brought down.

Some students, now, would like their class size to be smaller.

“I want them [classes] to be a bit smaller because then the teacher’s attention is more focused,” senior Angelika Kudla said.

Kudla has had larger classes where teachers did not pay individual attention to her, and she learned it affects her focus in class.

On the other hand, some student do not mind larger classes.

“Well although smaller class sizes would make the class less distracting, it would not provide us with the type of interaction that we would get when we are in a large class setting,” sophomore Ben Solak said. “So I believe that larger classes, although more distracting, better prepare us for life.”

Despite concerns, Schuler assures the loss of staff will not affect class size.

“We have not modified our class size ratio. We have not touched that in our staffing,” Schuler said.

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2014- 2015

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News News

The Correspondent

Did You

?

Know

Missing plane fuels mystery A potential accident happened on March 8 when Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 went missing over the Gulf of Thailand.

Numerous theories have arisen as to how the plane could have gone missing, with many taking into consideration the fact that two of the passengers boarded the plane with fake passports.

However, the disappearance of the flight might cause some concern among students with airline travel.

“This won’t affect my travel at all, but it does scare me a little,” senior Jacob Komenda said.

However, it’s important to remember that of the ten million flights per year, very few go missing.

As of press, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 remains missing.

•Matt Stadnicki

Avocado shortage causes Chipotle changes

MArch 14, 2014

Administrators address staffing concerns •Continued from page 1 Others are concerned about losing electives and opportunities.

“If we have fewer teachers, that means that we will have fewer opportunities because the most likely candidates to be let go are the non-essentials. This translates to fewer electives being offered and doesn’t allow us to find our best career. Letting other teachers go will also be hard on the teachers seeing as they might have to work more periods and so less time off for them,” Solak said.

Even though we are losing teachers, Sisson is not worried because it happens every year.

“We have teachers that leave every year. It is just that this year we have a few more- 5.4 positions are going to be eliminated,” Sisson said.

“It is always a challenge, whether a teacher transfers to another building as Mr. Murphy did and Mr. Janu did last year or whether or not people retire or people ending up having a change in their status.”

The school is stil trying to preserve the quality of its teachers.

“We stay positive and surround ourselves with the best quality person we can, we have always done that, and we continue to do that,” Sisson said.

In spite of the fact that some teachers were let go already, the number of enrollment can fluctuate between now and next August,

which can change staffing.

“It is not just cast in concrete right now. It is certainly a plan at this point, but again it is based upon what the population is primarily,” Dussling said.

If this plan is changed, staff will be added.

“We are going to not miss a beat in what we do for kids and in our school’s achievement. We are whole and complete and healthy.”

-Principal Gordon Sisson

“If July comes around and a lot of freshman sign up and our projections are off, we will add staff. If next August, or the end of July, our freshman class is huge at Hersey, we are definitely going to go back and add staff. We are not going to force the building to be staffed at a level that is different than student enrollment,” Schuler said.

Even though some students may miss their favorite teachers next year, the board always keeps them in mind.

“We only exist for students. We

wouldn’t have these buildings, we wouldn’t have staff, we wouldn’t have the school board, we wouldn’t have anything without them. So what we want to do is make it as positive as we can for students within the confines of what the curriculum is calling for, what they have to have to graduate and move on, and what is financially reasonable,” Dussling said.

Despite the loss of teachers, Schuler is still happy with staffing this year.

“I am really happy with how that turned out this year. The majority of teachers that Hersey students have this year are super excited and they will be around next year. Maybe not every single one, but the vast majority will be,” Schuler said.

Although the district has laid off teachers, Schuler still is looking to hire other staff in other areas.

“A number of staff will have the opportunity to apply for new positions. This is the first time in a couple of years that we will have a physical education opening for the district. Social studies, science, world language will have vacancies that will be posted in the next couple of weeks,” Schuler said.

Sisson is confident this transition will go smoothly.

“We are going to not miss a beat in what we do for kids and in our schools achievement. We are whole and complete and healthy,” Sisson said.

Nearby crash impacts student onlookers •HFA WEB BL LN ue to avocado shortages, Chipotle contemplates menu changes.

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The well-known Mexican cuisine restaurant Chipotle may be without one of its main ingredients, guacamole.

According to thinkprogress. org, a website dedicated to creating a better climate worldwide, California is predicted to have an increase in temperature over the next few years leading to a drop in avocado production.

The drop would leave Chipotle with minimal options, based on its guarantee of using ingredients from local, organic farms.

Many students choose Chipotle as one of their lunchtime options.

“Chipotle’s real popular for us Hersey students,” junior William Trossen said. “It would be kind of disappointing if they [Chipotle] no longer had guacamole.”

•Tim Griffin

Matt Stadnicki

sponses was to post a picture, video, or Just after sixth hour status update on March 11, a five car of the accicrash occurred on Rand dent to social Road and Thomas Avmedia. enue near school. A red Ten years pickup truck going over ago, being the speed limit in the able to docuwrong lane resulted in ment such an the death of the driver, event would five totaled cars, and numerous injuries.

•courtesy of Dean Simmons not be possiBecause the crash octudents witnessed a fatal car crash just around the corner on ble, and being able to post curred during a school Rand Road on March 11. Many stopped to take pictures. pictures of aclunch hour, many stucidents such dents were present to “Parts of cars were everywhere. as this one to witness the horrifying The car that caused the crash was social media has enabled people accident.

“We didn’t see the actual col- flipped over on a mound of snow, who weren’t present to witness the lision, but we were the first ones and other cars were in pieces,” horrifying aftermath of the crash.

“I stayed there for two periods. there,” senior Dean Simmons said. Walsh said.

“He was going so fast that an en- I took pictures like 30 minutes af“The car [that crashed] must have been going at least 80 mph and had gine flew out of a car, and [landed ter it happened to make sure it was a head-on collision with four other about] 20 feet from the wreck,” safe,” Simmons Simmons said.

With such accidents rarely hapcars.”

When thinking about accidents pening near, it can often be hard to “My friend and I were walking out of school when we heard this such as these, it’s easy to forget that forget the effects the crash might huge bang close by,” senior Kel- what happens after the accident can have on students.

Although this crash happened in lie Walsh said. “We started leaving be crucial to saving lives.

“There were a bunch of people an instant, the effects on both those when we heard all this commotion and ambulances, fire trucks, and helping and calling for help. Ev- involved and those who witnessed eryone ran out from all the stores,” it will last for a long time. police cars rushed to the scene.”

“I wish I can get the terrifying To Simmons and Walsh, the Simmons said.

In addition to witnessing the image out of my mind,” Walsh said. crash and resulting aftereffects crash, one of the most common rewere chaotic.

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March 14, 2014

News

DECA sweeps in Decatur

The Correspondent

NHS hosts honorary run

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Mili Pandya

•Courtesy of DECA students bussed to Decatur for the State competition on March 6-8. Nine stuDECA dents qualified for nationals.

Isabella Murray

With nine national qualifiers, 14 regional champions, and 29 state qualifiers, the DECA season broke school records. Nineteen also finished top ten in their events. In December, there were also 74 medals awarded to DECA members at the regional competition.

At the state competition in Decatur on March 6-8, Juniors Halle Lyon and Elizabeth Niersbach were named state champions in their event. Also sophomore Adam Johnson, juniors Joey Caputo, Adam Hauser, Jack Marshall, Karthik Ravi, and seniors Michael Frankiewicz Ben Goldberg are national qualifiers.

Lyon and Niersbach won the state champion title in their competition of Travel and Tourism team decision making.

“Halle and I came out pretty confident after one of our competitions, but in our second, the judge didn’t seem like he wanted to listen to us, so we weren’t expecting first place, but we were excited and surprised,” Niersbach said.

State was not only memorable in awards, but

experiences as well. “The induction ceremony was the best part of state. It was awesome to be surrounded by 1,500 other kids all excited for the competition to start,” Lyon said. “[Senior] Sam Mulroe beating Ben Goldberg in a light saber fight would have to be on the top of my list of memorable state experiences,” Niersbach said.

Nationals will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on May 3-6. “We’re very excited to be competing against some of the best kids in the country,” Lyon said.

Having sent juniors Amanda Mix and Carolyn Niersbach to Nationals last year, DECA has national experience. “It was one of the highlights of my high school career so far, and my advice to this year’s qualifiers is to focus on all the conference has to offer, and not the competition,” C. Niersbach said.

“Nationals has a lot tougher competition, so we just want to go enjoy our time there and do the best we can,” E. Niersbach said, “We just want to make finals.”

This year’s National Honor Society service project, “Hersey for Hirschfeld,” will be held here on April 26.

All proceeds from this 5k run/walk will go directly to the family of athletic trainer Ari Hirschfeld, who lost his wife, Sabrina, on Dec. 1, 2013.

Each year, NHS creates and runs a new service project, and senior NHS officer Katherine Surma came up with the idea of doing a run/ walk.

“I first proposed the idea of a 5k because I thought it was an event that all Hersey students could participate in, not just NHS members, that would show our support of a member of our community,” Surma said.

Like many events similar to this, the proceeds would go to a cause of the group’s choosing.

“We weren’t sure who to do it for, but when Ari’s wife passed away, we knew it was the perfect cause,” senior NHS officer Megan Nocita said.

“Mr. Hirschfeld is always at games, and he shows so much dedication to the Hersey family that we want to show him that kind of love and dedication in return, especially in this time of need,” senior NHS officer Emma Mallers said.

Many service projects in the past have included the collection and distribution of money and supplies by NHS members, however, walkers and runners from all around the community will able to see the effect they have on Hirschfeld’s family.

“I’m hoping that everyone who’s involved sees what a positive impact our hard work has on him and his family. He will be there with his kids, and we want to see his face when he receives the culmination of all the hard work,” Mallers said.

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Opinions

The Correspondent Lent proves positive despite sacrifices

march 14, 2014

The thought of Lent isn’t usually considered a positive 40 days in lent-participator’s lives. Although it should be, giving up something from an everyday routine can be harder then originally anticipated.

I will make what is my third time giving up all junk food, which sounds so much easier said then done. Not being able to reach into a bag of chips or take the cookie someone offered me is exceptionally difficult.

The one thought that gets me through this season is the end benefit it will give me. Cutting out all junk food is incredibly healthy, and in the end makes me feel a lot better.

Whatever it is that Lent-ees give up, it’s something worth living without. It’s a hard Ever since the beginning of the year, task, but look at the positive benefits it’ll bring when the 40 days come to an end public perception of the class-wide iPad iniand it’s worth the struggle. tiative has been on a sharp downward spiral. Complaints about the tablets being too distracting and a waste of money run rampant everyday.

•Nicole cecala However, what these complainers often fail to recognize is that the iPads are only distracting because they let them be distracting. Sure, like most students, I’ve certainly downloaded my fair share of games and time-wasters such as “Angry Birds” and “Cookie Clicker” to name a few.

But there is a time and a place for everything, and I haven’t allowed these apps to dominate my iPad experience. Productivity applications have done wonders for my learning experience. “Notablility” allows me, a previously poor notetaker, to maintain comprehensive, thorough, and organized notes.

Constant access to “Google Drive” allows for on the fly editing to any essay or assignment. If games prove to be too distracting for students, there is a simple solution: don’t play them. Don’t even download them. And certainly don’t blame them for a lack of personal responsibility.

iPads don’t deserve dislike

Speak

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•Brian Boyle

issin’ & ishin’

Hello, boys and girls! I hope there’s no problems going on between anyone. I hope there’s no stress going around. It would be a shame if the tidal wave about to hit every junior in April was preceded with some flooding.

What am I talking about? I’m talking about those things that rhyme with JCTs. The ACT tests aren’t everything that a junior should be worried about. They’re only 75 percent, with another 24 percent, being focused on GPA. God knows what that last 1 percent, could be, but the point is this: juniors are going to be under some cosmic stress.

I have heard about some of the near-psycopathic behavior that students put themselves through in order to make it past said tests.

The cramming of every subject known to man, the addiction towards things that keep kids awake for said cramming, the opposing push for “nutritious breakfasts” and “good sleep schedules,” and all the anxiety attacks and knowledge vomit that become splattered across every surface in the building.

Good times.

I’m not telling everyone taking these tests to calm down during the Abysmal Cramming Test. It’s all about looking at oneself and asking, “Do I do well under pressure?”

Some of us play basketball and nail every shot we take with two minutes remaining. Some of us clank every shot in those two minutes.

ACT stress stirs student

Figure out who is who.

One last thing before I move onto to those wondering why I spent an entire column on juniors. Juniors, keep in mind how relaxed seniors are during these times.

They don’t have to worry about some test that may or may not ruin their lives. Because we will be in their shoes next year. And boy will it be fun.

Hey. Non-juniors. Yeah, I’m looking right at you- who else would I be looking at? Come on, pay attention. Thanks.

Here’s something that has to be given to juniors: we get the right to complain more often during ACTs. That’s just what’s gotta happen.

Who should get the chance to explain how hard living in poverty is, a rich man or a poor man?

Unless Rick Santorum is reading this right now (who I just remembered exists the other day), the answer to that question are the people who experience poverty.

Similarly, the people who have a hard point in their life get to talk about how hard life is.

This may be hard to take in at once, seeing as the stress monster is gnawing at the brains of 1/4 of the student population, I’ll make it simple.

Relax unless performance under pressure is preferred. Back off of those who can’t handle said pressure. And be sure to remember that the payoff to all this is worth it.

Do all those, and stay away from crack. That should be good enough.

stories. If Louis CK was always happy, I’d feel a little disappointing. Russia is starting to scare me. I wish Twitter existed during the Revolutionary War. “British coming #spooked”

All cars look good in black. That wasn’t an opinion, that was a fact. Old people have the best

Dino Ljubijankic

UP

Robotic calls render causeless confusion

Accusatory calls affect trustworthy students Mike Miller When my friend told me that he received a cut from class, I couldn’t believe him.

This is someone, after all, who’s a straight-A, honor roll student.

Other than something like missing school for a college interview, he’s one of the last people I’d expect to just skip a class.

As I suspected, he didn’t actually cut class. As a varsity athlete, he decided to waiver out of gym, though he recently had to attend P.E. in order to complete fitness testing.

Nonetheless, he technically was absent from study hall, and so a cold, computerized robo-call indicting him for his supposed transgression was sent to his house.

As far as I know, he cleared up any confusion with both the school and his parents, getting in no real trouble. But his situation is not unique.

Others have gone through similar ordeals, getting the same robocall delivered to their homes as would an actual truant skipping school to smoke cigarettes in a back alley.

Quite simply, these robo-calls for cuts, tardies, and deficient grades fail to realize the complexity and extenuating circumstances behind any one piece of information on HomeLogic.

Ferris Bueller cut class. Varsity athletes aren’t cutting class; they’re simply doing what they’re told.

But in both cases, the same robo-call is sent home, during the school day no less, when students aren’t even home to defend themselves and explain what really happened. Why should innocent students come home to angry parents

for no reason whatsoever?

Of course, some of these robocalls are useful. When a student does cut class, or does have a real failing grade, parents should by all means be notified quickly, so they can help fix their child’s behavior.

But the simple truth is that an F at the beginning of the semester for one missed worksheet is not the same as an F going into the final exam.

Your son or daughter was missing from 9 classes today. Maybe you should have a talk with him or her about the importance of school or not it’s totally up to you.

•graphic by Jackson Hargett Automated calls from the school make worst case scenarios the default assumption, stacking the deck even more unfairly against students.

It’s probably unfeasible to expect a personalized phone call for every attendance or grade record that goes out every day.

But robo-calls in their current form are too impersonal.

Running the 12 minute is no fun, but getting punished for it too is even worse.

Opinions

march 14, 2014

((

Correspondent

Staff Speaks

Students should authentically expand their cultural horizons

((( Students

No group of the population will ent culture. Expanding what students make up the majority of the United eats is a quick and tasty way to experiStates in 2043, according to the United ence something out side of his comfort States census bureau’s projections. zone.

In other words, every culture will not Learn parts of a new language: The be more represented than the other in internet is a great way for students to our country. Although that is only pre- learn a new language without leaving dicted and is a while away, being cultur- their home. ally diverse is someAlthough google thing that is valuable Be more sensitive towards other translate is nice, it in any student’s life. can lead to embarcultures When walking out rassment.

When into the ‘real world,’ at a meeting with being understanding a business partner about other cultures from China, knowis a necessity for stuing a little bit of dents.

Chinese makes a Watch a foreign big difference. film: The Academy Starting now and Awards give out Oslearning just a little cars to the best forbit will help any eign films. Pick one student communiand watch it. cate with a larger •Cartoon by Kenzie Killam Although students mass of people. may need subtitles, Take a day trip hearing a language and becoming some- ‘out of the country’: Living an hour away what familiar with a language is good. (by train) from the city of Chicago, is an Being exposed to different cultures and advantage that most people do not have. how they act, even in a movie, is a great The neighborhoods in the city give stuway to be aware of traditions in other dents the opportunity to completely cultures. submerge themselves in a new culture.

Go to an authentic restaurant: The Our school is multicultural. Start to amount of students who eat a Chipotle take an intrest in other student’s cultures. is a high percentage, but more students Listen to stories about their ‘Nonas’ and do not eat authentic Mexican food. ‘Abuelas.’ Take the oppertunity to try Downtown Arlington Heights and Polish pastries or Russian candies. With Mount Prospect are filled with authen- many diverse cultures within reach, it’s tic restaurants like Thai, Chinese, Ital- silly not to get educated about the stuian, and Mexican. Students can learn a dents around us. lot just from eating food from a differ-

The Correspondent

Speak

What have you done to experience other cultures?

FRESHMAN MATTHEW SHORT

“GOING DOWN TO GEORGIA AND SEEING THE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT” SENIOR MATT LAZARSKI

“I HAD INDIAN FOOD AT MY FRIEND AjiE’S HOUSE”

JUNIOR SARAH FISHER

“MY FAMILY AND I WENT SHOPPING IN THE STREETS OF JAMAICA”

FRESHMAN DANIELA GLOWICKI

“I ENJOY HAVING DINNERS AT MY RUSSIAN STEPDAD’S HOUSE”

Current events shine light on positives Drew Snelson As the world cautiously watches the Ukrainian/Russian unrest unfold, it prompted me to think of the similar situations I find myself in daily in order to relate to the strenuous conflict half a world away, so I could write an opinion story about it. But I have to say, I couldn’t really think of anything.

I mean, my life, as stressful and hectic my life may seem, I’ve never experienced anything nearly as traumatic and life-changing as something that is now being called a revolution by many.

While there are always exceptions to every generalization, I think I’m well within reason to assume that many students are in the same boat as I am. Conditions can get rough and things can look pretty bleak, but I can always find solace in the fact that my situation is better than millions, possibly even billions, of other people.

Just look at the fact that we have running water in our houses. Most people take that engineering feat for granted, I know I do. But now that I think about it, indoor plumbing for people in the poorest parts of Africa is a godsend. Some people walk farther to get unclean water every morning than I do in a week.

According to the Millennium Project, a group commissioned by the United Nations, in 2006, more than one billion people lived on less than one dollar a day.Every year in these impover-

ished countries, more than six million children die from preventable diseases like malaria, diarrhea pneumonia.

While the standard of living is much higher in Ukraine than the countries that contribute to this tragic statistic, many people there are currently living in hellish conditions, the likes of which few students have ever seen.

The other day, I was stuck in traffic after school, and I had to get to an ACT tutor. I threw my head in my hands and muttered, “Why me?” to myself a few times before I realized that I’m pretty lucky to even be able to afford a tutor for the ACT, let alone be able to take the test at all.

When my daily life was thrown into the larger context of the world and all the suffering and misfortune that takes place in it, my circumstance and the circumstances of my peers are among the best in the world.

We’re living in America, going to school, and having a roof over our heads and it seems like a no-brainer, but those three things just put me ten steps ahead of half the world.

Does this mean that I’m trying to say we should all change the way we live? No. I’m just saying that students, myself included, should stop for a second and think about the less fortunate.

When the barista at Starbucks gets the order wrong, it could be worse. That barista could be an oppressive dictator, and he could be serving tyranny instead of a macchiato.

5

The Correspondent

is published 10 times a year by the journalism students of John Hersey High School, 1900 East Thomas Street, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. Subscription rate is $15 a year. Call for advertising rates. Phone (847) 718-4945.

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All unsigned editorial area the opinion of The Correspondent staff. Materials in this newspaper are the property of The Correspondent 2013-2014. The Correspondent is a member of numerous press associations. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

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Editors-in-Chief Brian Loomis Jessica Lynk

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In-Depth Edtors

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The Correspondent

InDepth

march 14, 2014

Julia

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Wa see--a varied natio basis De these tiona of the Sen ily in ture f “I s ish m dition “Polis greate ing th ple,” S Skr dition As day sc on hi “It’ past, I act a It’s tiona als, b create

Junior jigs, gains cultural experience

Kenzie Killam

Everyone has a different culture that they want to be a part of, and for junior Karli Falkiner, that would be her Irish heritage. Falkiner has been involved with her Irish culture her whole life.

“I am a retired Irish dancer, and I danced for 12 years,” Falkiner said.

She was a part of the Trinity Irish dance school, and she performed at over 50 venues during each St. Patrick’s Day season, including the Daley Plaza, parades downtown, and the halftime show at a Chicago Bulls game. Irish dancing has many perks; dancing at various venues is one of those perks.

Another would be that dancers are able to make new friends and make new memories at each competition.

“My favorite part is the competitions because I love the feeling of being with people who shared the same love in dance. I have so much respect for them because Irish dancing is not as easy as it looks,” Falkiner said.

Dancers are required to keep their arms glued to their sides, and the slightest movement can cause a deduction in their score. That is only in the case of competitions, called feis or féile, where they get scored by judges; otherwise it is all just for entertainment.

There are also variations of Irish dancing such as group or individual and step dancing which includes hard or soft shoe. The dancers wear intricate dresses which can cost anywhere from around $100 all the way up to $1000 depending on how detailed the designs are. Their soft shoes, or ghillies, are similar to ballet slippers, and their hard

shoes are very similar to tap shoes. Ghillies can cost anywhere from $40-$80 and hard shoes cost about $140.

Irish dancing requires a lot of time, commitment and a large amount of money, but for Karli Falkiner it was definitely worth it.

•Courtesty of Karli Falkiner unior Karli Falkiner prepared to perform in J a traditional Irish dance costume. Falkiner danced competetively for 12 years.

ar fud an domhain

March 14, 2014

Kedzior

Indepth

The Correspondent

Polish culture unifies students

alking through the hallways, one can and maybe sometimes even hear-d cultures and nationalities. A popular onality that can be observed on a daily is the large number of Polish students. espite attending an American school, e students stay involved with their naality and culture through different parts eir lives. nior Martin Skrzypkowski has been heavnvolved in the Polish traditions and culfrom a very young age. speak the language; I usually have a Polmeal waiting for me at home; I also do tranal Polish dancing,” Skrzypkowski said. sh dancing is my passion because it’s the est feeling to show someone who’s watchhe culture and the pride of the Polish peoSkrzypkowski said. rzypkowski has been participating in tranal Polish dancing for about 12 years. side from playing a big role in his everychedule, the Polish culture has an impact is identity. ’s a big part of who I am. It represents my how I eat, how I present myself, and how around people,” Skrzypkowski said. s visible that identifying oneself with a naality has its personal effects on individubut it can also help make friendships and e bonds with other students of that same

culture. Seniors Lukasz Pytlak, Kevin Podsiadlo, and Piotr Janiszewski are all students who have one major thing in common--they are Polish.

For them, having friends who share their language, traditions, and understanding of Poland is an advantage that they see everyday.

“We can communicate better with each other,” Pytlak said.

The experiences that they participate in and share with each other range from eating Polish pierogis to speaking Polish at home to celebrating Wigilia, a vigil supper on Christmas Eve. They also know the big time commitment and extra work that comes with attending Polish school on Saturdays, where they learned about Polish history and grammar.

“We celebrate it [Wigilia] the way they do in Poland,” Pytlak said.

Although they are engaged in the Polish culture in America, they are always willing to go back to their native country on vacation.

“I’m going this summer,” Janiszewski said.

Senior Dirk Vandernoot is another example of a student who knows and participates in the Polish culture. However, Vandernoot’s story is different because he is not 100 percent Polish.

Despite being half Polish and half Dutch, he is no stranger to the country.

Through volunteer work and travel, he has expanded his knowledge and experience.

“My mother works for a Polish company where I donate my time to help with Polish fundraisers and events,” Vandernoot said.

“I’ve been to Poland three times and found the country and towns beautiful as well as the culture unique and fascinating. The historical sites in Poland really top my list of places to visit and revisit, like the medieval town of Torun,” Vandernoot said.

From helping out at the Polish Women’s Alliance Christmas Party, to enjoying Polish foods like pierogis and zapiekanki, Vandernoot sees the importance of the Polish culture in his lifestyle.

“I believe it is always beneficial to hold onto familial cultural ties, especially in such a globalized world where culture is falling to the wayside. I feel that being Polish is a good way to both differentiate myself from others and being a part of an awesome cultural association,” Vandernoot said.

Traditional dance connects student with heritage Jessica Lynk When senior Jenny Kannookaden was four years old, her parents signed her up for Indian dancing because they wanted her to be a part of their culture in India. She still continues on the cultural tradition today because she enjoys it.

“I like the connection it brings to my culture because it minimizes the differences from living in America and India. I think it means more to families that have moved away from their motherland,” Kannookaden said.

Indian dance is a bit different from the type of dance students are used to watching because it tells stories, religious deities, and myths.

Indian dance also has many styles like Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipuddi, Bhangra, and other types.

For Kannookaden, she enjoys Bharathanatyam.

“I understand it more, and it can go from explaining stories to hardcore step,” Kannookaden said.

Kannookaden dances four times a week as she prepares for her Arrangetram, or her graduation dance. She enjoys continuing on what her parents signed her up for many years ago.

As for her favorite part of dancing, “The underlying meanings of each dance or the beat of it,” Kannokaden said.

•Courtesy of Jenny Kannookaden enior Jenny Kannookaden perS forms Bharathanatyam, a traditional Indian dance.

na całym swiecie

7

8 The Correspondent

Entertainment

MARCH 14, 2014

Kowols conquers choreography

Senior creates third qualifying state dance Mili Pandya

pieces, and after both were finished, they left the stage without any feedback from the judges.

“It’s a very intimidating process because you don’t know what the judges are looking for or how they feel about your piece,” Kowols said.

Later that day, only if their piece was chosen, the director would receive a phone call.

“It was a phone call from an unknown number, and I was very excited when I heard her [Kowols] dance was picked. She took the challenge of taking on a difficult meaning, and as a group, they explored a lot of movement. It was very well-deserved,” Orchesis director Jennifer Foss said.

Kowols even had doubts about whether her dance would be selected. “ ‘Till The End’ is what Orchesis would call a ‘problem dance.’ Until the day before state auditions it was still messy and needed a lot of work, but we all pulled it together and really felt the movement and emotions behind it,” Kowols said.

This is the first time each school from district 214 has been selected and will travel to Stevenson High School to perform in the festival.

“I think it’s exciting that everyone is going, and it represents our dance program in the district very well,” junior Emily McCluskey said.

As the girls come closer to their performance on May 10, Kowols is appreciative for everything and everyone that has helped her dance reach this level.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling to know that your choreography gets to be recognized at such a huge event,” Kowols said.

“I never imagined it would be what it is today.”

Orchesis will perform in the Illinois High School State Dance Festival for the third consecutive year.

The chosen piece, entitled “‘Till the End”, was choreographed by senior Kathryn Kowols and was one of eleven pieces selected for the show.

The dance is set to the song “Blue Jean”

by Lana Del Ray and features 16 Orchesis members. With quite a few dancers to incorporate in the piece, choreographing the dance was not as easy as it was for other dances.

“With such a large number of dancers, I had to keep the big picture of the dance in mind so what the audience sees isn’t overwhelming and too chaotic,” Kowols said.

The piece’s meaning is focused mainly on the cycle that relationships go throughthe dancer’s relationships with a significant other, friend, or family member.

“In that cycle you have moments of comfort and joy but then moments of pain and bitterness. The dancers had to really become the character to really have this piece work,” Kowols said.

“I had to put myself in that situation and really try to convey my emotions on stage,” senior Bailey Street said.

This contemporary piece is unlike many of Orchesis’ regular dances, featuring sharper moves and more simultaneous groups.

“The movement is very different from the normal Orchesis style,” sophomore Casey Gunther said.

To audition the dance, the girls had to perform on stage in front of three professional dancers from Chicago. Each of the 50 schools were allowed to audition two

ee

ff o C Hou

se

March 18

Black Box theater All lunch periods

See the performances again on correspondentlive.com

• courtesy of Kathryn kowols enior Katie Kowols performs one of her pieces.

S Kowols choreographed a third state qualifying dance. It will be performed May 10 at the Illinois High School State Dance Festival.

Students pour out talent

Nicole Cecala The Black Box will transform once again for its 12th consecutive time for the annual Coffee House on Tuesday during all lunch periods.

English teacher Lara Becker has run and overseen the Coffee House every year since it first began. The entire English and fine arts department helps create a day of music, poetry, and art work for all students to come and experience.

“I think what it offers is a space and place for students to perform where it is not necessarily coming because they have to, it’s because they want to,” Becker said.

The Coffee House gives all students a chance to show what they can do, what their interests are, and gives them a chance to express themselves.

Clubs and organizations aside, anyone is welcome to come just for a day and let their peers into some of their interests and perform in a comfortable setting.

The setting alone gives off a welcoming vibe for all performers and viewers. “We make creative use of our Black Box space,” Becker said.

Students are given the chance to relax to coffee and desserts while they watch their peers perform.

Not only that, but surrounding the Black Box is student made art and photos, extending the day to physical as well as performing art.

The Coffee House is open to all stu-

dents for performing, and many take advantage of the low stress environment.

“I really like singing and Coffee House is a lot more low key. There’s a lot less pressure,” junior Cassidy Andracki said, who will be playing singing and playing guitar.

All students are welcome to come during their lunch period to see amazing, stripped down performances of singing, music, poetry, duets, and much more from their fellow peers.

• correspondent file photo unior Cassidy Andracki performs J at last years annual Coffee House Show, and will be performing at this year’s show, Tuesday March 18 in the black box theater.

MARCH 14, 2014

Reviews

The Correspondent

9

Sun shines on new album ‘Helios’ Colette Tangney The chilling quartet from Denver that has mastered the combo of electronic indie and alternative rock has once again served up another earcandy album. The Fray’s, ‘Helios,’ was released on Feb. 24, and has sky rocketed to number 18 on ‘iTunes Top Album Chart.’

“Love Don’t Die”, the most well-known song on ‘Helios,’ has captivated millions by the crisp vocals of lead singer Isaac Slade’s as he starts off slowly clinging onto each and every word, then a beating of a drum shifts the song into a fast, foot-stomping tune.

Listeners cannot forget the Fray’s legendary, slow-paced jewels that are filled with meaningful lyrics of dejection, love, and ironic happiness. Stemming from the viral, heart-trembling “How to Save a Life,” the band has mixed in their piercing, piano-provoking abilities with the help of a steady drum set to give their old-style notes into a more contemporary, upbeat feel.

Songs such as ‘Wherever This Goes,’ ‘Shadow and a Dancer,’ and ‘Same As You,’ incorporate this sensational combo, and portrays the intensity by using lyrics such as in ‘Same As You’ where Slade coos, “The cool water quite never touches

Brain’s World with Brian Boyle

The masked movies of the Oscars

• Courtesy of www.thefray.com by the four member band the Helios Fray is now in stores. your soul, makes you want it all the more.” This is someone trying to encompass some sort of love and/or tranquility that they crave because of the divinity surrounded by it, but repeatedly fail reaching it.

‘Helios’ is overall, a relaxing, yet addictive collection of songs bearing touchingly-deep, sentimental content. Just like how the Greek god of sun, Helios, was worshipped from the East to the West, likewise the Fray’s genuine melodies have been praised throughout the world.

‘Rick and Morty’ swims to the top Dino Ljubijankic Let me get the facts out of the way, so I can talk about the good things.

Rick and Morty is a cartoon that is currently playing on Adult Swim. Now, before people freak out about me promoting a show on Adult Swim, this isn’t a false alarm.

This show is the real deal, despite its mature content. I still can’t believe a show this good is on a network like Adult Swim.

The two people in charge of making the show are two fellows by the names of Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. Roiland’s other works includes voice acting for Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time” and Disney Channel’s “Fish Hooks.” Harmon was a former writer for “Community,” and it was before “Community” went down south quality-wise.

About the show itself, here’s my selling point:

Take it Tea takes over coffee Getting a caffeine fix from tea versus coffee is an age old debate, but with a Starbucks on every corner that serves both, there is an option for everyone, right? Wrong.

For tea lovers like myself, a cup of lukewarm water won’t cut it. Argo Tea, a new Chicago based company offers over 30 different types of hot and iced teas, lattes, espressos and mochas.

The location in Woodfield has a circular layout with an electronic ordering screens, friendly staff and plenty of tea samples.

Speciality drinks like a green tea ginger twist is unique to Argo and with tons of custom drinks, there is always something new to try. From the coffee obsessed to tea lovers, there is a drink on the menu that will satisfy anyone.

•Julia Hapanowicz

think about “Back to the Future.” Turn Marty into a nervous wreck and turn Doc into an alcoholic.

Those are the show’s main characters. Rick and Morty is all about the escapades of a genius, drunkard scientist and his anti-social grandson. And their adventures are as crazy as that last sentence, ranging from finding themselves inside an alien simulation to building a theme park inside another human.

All the while, there will be a separate yet equally crazy plot line starring the rest of Morty’s family.

I’ll be honest: this show isn’t for everyone. If there are people who watch cartoons to feel jolly and optimistic, this great show IS NOT FOR THOSE PEOPLE. Midway through the fifth episode, I don’t want to spoil anything, but it gets real. It gets really real. Tumblr-controversy real. Basically, those who get creeped out by the abnormal easily, shouldn’t watch this show.

Beats defeat student Metronomy recently released their latest album “Love Letters” on March 10 that didn’t only dissatisfy me, but unintentionally weirded me out.

The British electronic pop band’s emphasized organ accompanied by soft and eerie vocals overwhelm the rest of the simple and boring arranged song. It reminds me of a crackaddicted Wiggles, which is not my preferred choice of music.

There is little diversity on the album as well as little diversity throughout all of Mertronomy’s career. “Love Letters” has new song with new titles, but musically have they changed a bit? No. “Love Letters” is an overpriced disappointment, and there is absolutely no way I’ll buy Metronomy’s new album.

•Nathan horne

Leave it

With the new year in full swing, the Academy Awards give the cinephile crowd a chance to look back at the best Hollywood had to offer over the previous twelve months.

While this year’s big winner “12 Years a Slave” proved to be a worthy pick, several other outstanding big screen achievements failed to garner a single nomination. Here are my favorite films that went unrecognized at the annual awards show.

“The Kings of Summer” When fifteen year-old Joe Toy gets fed up with his overbearing father, he recruits his two best buddies and skips town. The trio venture deep into the woods, construct a bonafide treehouse, hunt their own food, and live by their own rules.

Despite the farce of a premise, “The Kings of Summer” offers a resonating and realistic depiction of the high school psyche that few films can ever recreate.

Infused with whip-snap humor, an infectious soundtrack, and flashy cinematography, this indie hit proved to be my favorite film from 2013. Long live “The Kings of Summer.”

“The Spectacular Now” Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley give two of the most underrated performances of the year in this sweet high school romance tale.

Teller (who recently co-starred with Zac Efron in “That Awkward Moment”) plays the hard-partying, self-destructive, albeit kindhearted Sutter Keely. His personality is alternately charming and irritating, spectacularly forcing the audience to feel for an often unsympathetic lead.

Woodley (who is set to star in the “Divergent” movie) provides a beautifully understated performance as the shy yet atypical nice girl. She never tries to show-off or prove her acting chops. Instead, we’re treated to a thoroughly human, flawed character.

As the couple struggles through their fledgling relationship, alcoholism, and their broken families, the film delivers several holdsno-punches emotional touchstones. This coming-of-age story is honest, sentimental and truly spectacular.

“Rush” Nothings better than seeing an underdog win against seemingly insurmountable odds.

But if there is one flaw that nearly every famous sports flick falls on, it’s that the opposing team or player somehow becomes a villain.

What if Johnny Lawrence from “The Karate Kid” had a similarly inspiring story as the titular character? The film never even bothered to show us both sides.

Instead of following a single protagonist and pitting him against an almost evil rival driver, “Rush” opts to split time between two lead characters, making neither hero nor villain.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, (a.k.a “Thor”) and a revelatory Daniel Bruhl, the film depicts the real life European race car rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda that defined the mid-seventies.

Filled with mind-numbing visuals, thrilling races, and great characters, “Rush” is an incredible film that deserved much more Oscar love.

10 The Correspondent

N

w Trending TEACHER EDITION Every issue, The Correspondent staff is going to pick creative tweets that deserve recognition.

Tweet @Hersey_Corre if you want to be in the next issue.

Pihl produces popular parodies

Math teacher Robert Pihl is becoming a well-known tweeter with hilarious parodies, sly analogies, and satire references.

Each tweet seems to rush in more and more followers for Pihl, and his twitter fame just seems to keep on growing at a significant rate.

“It’s a creative outlet for me,” Pihl said.

This one in particular, a parody of famous Dos Equis commercials, shows both characteristics of his posts: popular and whimsical.

•Colette Tangney

Ballarini binges on zombie show

Features

March 14, 2014

Fearless females to shave for a cure Isabella Murray

the time she shaves her head.

“I encourage people to donate because it goes to someone like us, and children’s cancer is something that is scary and should be eliminated,” Stassen said.

Peer reactions are mixed, but Stassen is comfortable with her decision to shave her head.

“Some people are super supportive and think I’m doing a great thing and others think there is no point to shaving my head because I’m a girl and being a girl with no hair is abnormal,” Stassen said. “It’s only hair, so shaving it off is worth it.”

In order to raise awareness for childhood cancer, choir director Sara Michael and junior Jackie Stassen are planning on shaving their heads as part of St. Baldrick’s day, sponsored by S.O.S. Michael, who will be shaving her head today is donating her hair to Children With Hair Loss.

“I have three children with various health issues that have taken us to Lurie Children’s Hospital. I’ve been touched by the children who are facing treatment and spending time in the hospital fighting for their lives,” Michael said, “There are so many things I’d like to do to help people in this situation, this is the one thing I can do.”

Already having raised $6,300, Michael’s initial goal was $3,000, but she pushed it up to $5,000 after a great number of people supported her.

“I’m extremely humbled and grateful to all of the people who have taken the time to donate to the cause. The incredible thing is that people outside of our Hersey family are getting involved. I believe it further emphasizes how many people have been touched by cancer,” Michael said.

Michael isn’t nervous about how students will respond to her head shaved, other than how her own children will react.

“I have three children under the age of five, and we’ve discussed that I’m shaving my head.

They’ve asked me why I’m doing this, and I tell them that I want to help other children who are sick and who don’t have hair. They say they think it’s cool,” Michael said.

“I think Ms. Michael shaving her head is incredible. I don’t think a lot of people would have the courage she has to shave their head, and she’s doing it without hesitation,” junior choir member Ryan Cassady said.

Stassen, planning on shaving her head on March 18, also wants to make an impact regarding cancer awareness. “What’s motivating me is •FraNcesca Hernandez the thought of so many other kids that don’t get a choice in losing their hair,” Stassen said. hoir director Sara Michael has raised Only having raised $200 without much ad$6,300 already; she is well past her vertisement, Stassen is hoping to raise more by $5,)000 goal.

C

Within a school setting, teachers remain aloof and professional, and sometimes students view them with a falsely inhuman perspective. “I think kids forget that teachers are actual people too,” math teacher Jackie Ballarini said. She wrote the tweet in spite of procrastination and as a way to motivate herself.

“The tweet was motivation to get myself working. If I tweet something then I have to do it,” Ballarini said, “Just because you grow up, doesn’t mean you stop procrastinating.”

•ISabella Murray

Witty pun entertains teachers

Students who find themselves scrolling through junior Laura Bjankini’s tweets may notice the multitude of puns. This one about English teacher Cary Weisgram is just one of many.

“I heard about how he’s having a baby boy, so I was thinking about that, and the pun just came in my head,” Bjankini said.

Little to her knowledge, it wouldn’t only be seen by her peers.

“It spread throughout the entire English department, and I’m very happy that other people are appreciating my puns and starting to make their own ,” Bjankini said.

•Mili Pandya

Students travel for special classes Julia Kedzior

In the large variety of classes offered to students each year, some require the students to travel to other schools in order to participate.

These classes can either be a further explora- tion of topics offered in the building, or a completely new and different pathway.

These classes range from Medical Science Academy to Italian to ProStart, and the students who choose to dedicate periods of their schedule to them have unique experiences that enable them to pursue their passions, feed their interests, and plan for the future.

Medical Science Academy, also known as Med Academy for short, is a class offered at Prospect High School for students who are looking into medical careers. Senior Andy Philipose is enrolled in the class.

“The class meets at Prospect three days a week. Every Tuesday and Thursday, we complete hospital rotations in the ER, radiology, and pediatrics,” Philipose said.

The class takes three periods out of a student’s schedule. It takes place during the first two periods of the day, and third period is designated as a travel period.

“I chose it because I wanted experience in the field,” Philipose said. “For the most part, we watch the doctors, nurses, and therapists do their jobs, but occasionally, they’ll show us a surgery, let us meet with patients, or even run a

few tests on blood samples.”

Another class offered at a different District 214 school is ProStart. Students who take this class typically want to get involved with the cooking and restaurant business. Senior Katie Bordenet is one of the participants.

“We run a restaurant once a month, we learn about the restaurant business, and we learn about other cooking techniques,” Bordenet said.

Bordenet’s decision to enroll in the class was not only because of her interest in the topic, but a l s o because of a desire for more choices.

T o accommodate for students’ interests that may not always have a corresponding class in the building, ProStart is offered at Buffalo Grove High School.

“I wanted to take another foods class, but nothing other than Foods 1 and Foods 2 are offered [in the building],” Bordenet said.

The class consists of Hersey and Buffalo Grove students, and is meant to prepare students for possible careers involving food preparation and restaurant management.

Although Med Academy and ProStart are only two of these unique classes, they show the obvious advantages of being enrolled in such career-specific programs. Both Philipose and Bordenet are satisfied with their experiences in these classes.

“It’s easily manageable, and the experience from the rotations helps a lot,” Philipose said. “I think it’s a lot easier to learn from experience and reflection than from lectures and repetition.

Traveling back and forth has its ups and downs, but I think it’s definitely worth it.”

Sports

March 14, 2014

The Correspondent

11

Soccer transitions with Llewellyn Girls prep for another successful season Brian Loomis

•Correspondent File Photo unior Sara Magnuson cuts the ball J away from her opponent. Magnuson is one of the team’s returning players who will be coached by new coach Darren Llewellyn.

The soccer team has a new coach following former coach Brad Abel’s decision to step down.

Coach Darren Llewellyn coaches the boys varsity team, and was coaching Wheeling’s girls soccer team last year.

The team has a high number of returning players who are working to adjust to Llewellyn’s system.

These sort of changes can be expected with any coach, however Llewellyn sees no reason to make major changes in the program.

“I believe that a quality program like Hersey will continue in it’s winning ways in spite of me. Because of the quality players, the program wins,” Llewellyn said.

The players have noted that both Abel and Llewellyn have similar philosophies that let players have an easier time transitioning.

“Both Llewellyn and Abel are very defensive minded, so that aspect never changed,” junior Kayla Knauss said.

Abel will continue to be a part of the program however.

“Although coach Abel stepped down he is still a large part of the program,” Llewellyn said.

“Abel is still a big part of the team and works with coach Llewellyn at all of our practices, so the transition hasn’t been difficult at all. They are both great coaches,” senior Morgan Harris said.

Aside from coach Llewellyn, the team has also had some personnel changes. The team lost four seniors and needed to fill these spots, as well as otherpositions left vacant from nonreturning players.

“There are so many strong players that have joined the program and existing players who have greatly improved,” Knauss added.

Last year’s team was defeated by Buffalo Grove in their sectional finishing with a record of 14-5-5.

This was only another example of the success that the program has had in recent years. The success is what Llewellyn hopes to carry on this season.

“I believe that a quality program like Hersey will continue in its winning ways in spite of me. Because of the quality players, the program wins,” Llewellyn said.

The team is scheduled to play their first game on Tuesday, though the continued winter weather may not allow it.

While the girls have made it outside whenever possible, Wednesday’s snow has hampered these efforts.

Despite dealing with the adverse weather, the team plans to kick off on the right note.

“Our goal this year is to come out strong, control the field, and win as many games as possible,” Harris said.

k c i Qu ch t a C St. Patrick’s Day Special : March 17th

Slow roasted corned beef brisket, topped w/sauerkraut, domestic swiss, thousand island dressing & pickles served on thick marble rye with a side of homemade cole slaw $8.50

Lent Favorites: Southwest Chicken Salad Fresh Tuna Seafood Veggie Come Dine In Our New Dining Area!!

Water polo washes out competition

The girls water polo team faces off against Buffalo Grove this Monday at 7:30 at Palatine, and are ready for the competition to test their strengths from here on out.

So far, the girls water polo started strong as their season begins to fold out.

The girls are undefeated, winning their first game against Deerfield 19-6 on the March 10th.

The girls added to the win column following their game

against St. Viator, winning 16-4 on March 11.

They hope to continue this strong start, “We are working a lot harder because we are going to play tougher opponents,” senior Natalie Curtis said.

They look forward to the rest of their season, hoping to keep their team strong and achieve their goals.

“One of our goals is to win the MSL East and the cross over game,” Curtis said.

•Nicole Cecala

12 The Correspondent

SPORTS

March 14, 2014

op left: Sophomore Will Troutine Nicholson performs his on the parallel bars.

ottom left: Junior MathB ias Newman swings his legs over the pommel horse at the Prospect Invite on March 5.

enter: Sophomore C Matt Phelps performs on the pommel horse. bove: Senior Matt A Swanson sticks his landing following his vault.

Swanson placed first in vault.

•All photos by Francesca Hernandez

Athletes adjust to changing atmosphere Gay pro athletes force high schoolers to reflect

Scott Bakal

NBA center Jason Collins became the first player to come out as gay in all of the major four professional sports in the U.S. Some people supported him and others did not.

After being a free agent most of the 2014 season, Collins was picked up on a 10 game contract by the Brooklyn Nets. Collins received a lot of attention from the media as well as NBA fans.

While the members of the Nets have done nothing but support Collins, some speculate whether his teammates may feel a little discomfort.

The locker room is an area where some believe this discomfort can

GAMeN PLA

arise. At all levels, teammates change and sometimes shower in the presence of one another.

“In the locker room I can’t see a problem arising. We already have gay individuals that change and go about their business just fine during gym periods,” senior baseball player Mitch Smelser said.

Since Collins came out last year the idea of open homosexual athletes in sports has caught the attention of many.

One of those was Michael Sam. Sam is an NFL prospect who hopes to be drafted in the NFL draft.

Sam came out to his teammates last season and was reportedly immediately accepted by them.

Some athletes here feel that if they had an openly gay teammate

THE

they would be accepted on and off the court.

“I think the team would be completely supportive of who they are since your teammates are your family,” senior badminton player Carly Pisano said.

Other athletes feel it may be a bit uncomfortable in specific situations.

“I think at first it would catch us all off guard, but I believe the team would be very accepting of the players sexual orientation, even though it may be a little awkward in the lockers at first,” senior baseball player Joe Silva said.

Senior track member Annie Johnson had similar comments to Silva.

“I would be fine with if a team-

What’s the game plan?

Soccer

Volleyball

Senior Lauren Gierman “We need to keep working hard in practice, stay healthy, and get goods grades.”

Junior Bart Migus “We just need to practice hard to put everything together.”

Badminton Senior Carly Pisano “we need to have a lot of drive. Even when things are bad, we need to fight through it.”

mate came out, but I might feel a little uncomfortable in certain situations.”

Sports that require physical contact such as football and wrestling may make athletes even more uncomfortable.

“If I don’t know my opposition is gay then it won’t make a difference.

If I did know he was gay then it would be awkward, but it wouldn’t affect my performance,” sophomore Grant Warner said.

One of the gay straight alliance sponsors Tricia Moore, warned students to be careful when, if they do, decide to come out.

“Be very careful as to who you tell. If you tell one kid, you’re telling 20. You can’t unfry the egg,” Moore said.

Tennis Junior Owen Connor “We need to practice, stay fit, and stay focused.”