December 9

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GIFT GIVING

English department hopes BOOK DRIVE for Christenson garden Michelle Chester

TOY DRIVE

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CORRESPONDENTLIVE under quicklinks

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2009

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FOOD DRIVE

Mental health panels offer advice

•CARLOS ANDINA

Student attendance low, interest high Dan Mika

ing, tell someone else about it,” board member Kathleen said. “A mad friend is better than a dead friend.”

The board members also spoke about what irriThe Student Assistance Program puts on a presentation on teenage mental health annually. However, tated them during their times of need.

“Definitely ‘why’ questions. It makes me feel like this year’s presentation had the cloud of three Hersey students’ deaths hanging over it. Titled “Teen Depres- I’m at fault,” board member Rachel said.

“Please don’t say ‘I know how you feel’ if you truly sion: Prevention and Intervention,” the presentation was given on Nov. 30 with a goal to educate parents have not experienced this, because it’s totally different and ultimately reduce the amount of untreated cases for everyone,” Cassie said.

After the panel finished stating their points of of poor mental health in the community.

Although this year’s presentation was supposed view, the floor opened up to the audience for questo have more teenage involvement, students were dif- tions. The dominant question of the night was on the ficult to come by. Many students were unaware of the issue of student confidentiality: should counselors report their meetings with students to their parents even presentation entirely.

“I didn’t hear about it,” sophomore Tyndale Dhan- if the student asks them not to?

Many of those present sided with the parent’s weih said.

However, many students displayed interest in at- right to know. “The parent should go as far as necessary to protect the child,” Lynn, a tending. “If I knew about it, Please don’t say ‘I concerned parent, said. “I think yeah, I would’ve gone” sophoknow how you feel’ there’s parents out there who put more Daniel Niersbach said. if you truly have not too much responsibility on the “I think I would go just to experienced this, school. Parents need to step up learn something new,” Dhanbecause it’s totally to the plate and make sure they weih said. different for everyone, [their children] know that we’re During the presentation, -board member there.” the Alexian Brothers Teen Cassie said.

“My daughter is suffering Advisory Board, comprised from depression. I was upset of four students that suffered with the counselor’s decisions through or are suffering from mental illness, described their experiences and of- here. They weren’t trying to contact us about the meetfered advice to the parents and students in attendance. ings. They didn’t want to break confidentiality,” Daniel, Due to their minor status, everyone on the board’s last another concerned parent, said.

However, a case was also made for confidentiality. names were withheld.

“The parents shouldn’t know about the meetings They discussed pressure from their community, family and themselves. “A lot of it came from me try- unless they’re about to commit suicide or hurt someing to find my identity,” board member Dan said. “I one else,” junior Zach Sarbekian said.

“If my parents were pushy, it made me put up a was trying to figure out where I fit in.”

They gave advice to both parents and students on bigger brick wall against them,” Dan said “Unless they’re being harmed, the counselors how to cope with their feelings. “Talking to someone you trust, anyone in your life helps a lot,” board mem- should keep it to themselves,” junior Megan Fish said.

“Most parents don’t know what it feels like. Sometimes ber Cassie said.

“If one of your friends tells you what they’re feel- we can’t describe it ourselves.” • Continued on page 2

Poll

Bowling season gets rolling

Huskie

Page 11

Page 3

Abel receives Milken award

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“

Ashley Hawkins

English teacher Kathy Christenson was a fiery spirit; compassionate, loving, and inspiring to many. Last May, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and lost her battle on Nov. 10.

This has been hard for both students and faculty alike.

Christenson’s bright personality really captured her students, which made them more willing to learn.

“She really focused on the love and gain of knowledge rather than getting the grade.

She really connected with each student and wanted them to succeed,” senior Brad Grochonchinski said.

The English department is in the process of creating a memorial in Christenson’s honor.

A fund received donations from students, teachers, and friends.

Last week, the department decided on creating a reading garden. The request to place the garden on Hersey property has been put through to the district administration.

“The reading garden would consist of a stone bench or a picnic table. It’d be an area where kids could read, talk, take outside classes, and enjoy nature,” English division head Dr. Charles Venegoni said. “We’re looking for something that students and faculty could use for years to come.”

To Christenson, learning and nature went hand in hand.

She enjoyed reading, and would occasionally take her classes outside to change the learning environment. As a sponsor of the ski and snowboard club and an avid boater, her love of nature is apparent. “[The reading garden] is probably the best idea to memorialize because she hated to be indoors. She thought the best way we could learn was being outside,” senior Samantha Presto said.

“She was so much the whole thing, the complete picture,” Venegoni said. “That’s a rare, rare person that combines those qualities. We want to keep those alive.”

What groups have you donated to?

A. Invisible Children 16% B. Toy Drive 25% C. Food Drive 45% D. None 14%

TO: The Needy FROM: Hersey

Family

150 students polled 189 tallies

News

The Correspondent

2 News

nas part of an effective strategy for keeping the invasive fish at bay while long-term biological controls are developed. de

You

Need To State requests encore for ‘Little Women’

“Little Women” will be performing at the Illinois High School Theater Festival (IHSTF) on Jan. 5 through 7. An encore performance will be held on Jan. 4 in the theater at 7 p.m.

“This cast has dedicated a Herculean amount of time and energy to this production,” senior Grace Petit said.

The IHSTF sends reviewers to each performance who meet Nov. 25 to choose which production will perform at the festival.

“For them to have the opportunity to perform for a statewide audience is an experience they will never forget,” director Kyle Marquette said.

“This production was the perfect selection for Theater Festival because the theme at this year’s Fest is ‘The Art of Connection.’ Our show is all about connections - whether between family members or friends; it depicts the importance of connecting with people,” Petit said.

•Jessica Lynk

December 9, 2011

New staff position opens after assistant principal’s resignation Kevin Hyde Becky Pauwels

After assistant principal for student services Rich Golminas abruptly resigned on Nov. 23, the administration has been struggling to find a suitable replacement.

Though Golminas resigned for personal reasons, members of the administration and staff wish him well. “We respect him and we’re sorry his situation caused him to resign,” principal Dr. Tina Cantrell said.

“Whatever happened, I wish him the best,” special education teacher Margaret Tobias said.

Despite the resignation, the school is in need of a new assistant principal for student services (APSS) immediately. For the time being, a temporary replacement will be offered a position at the beginning of January. The replacement will stay in the position for the rest of the school year.

“We are most likely going to get a retired administrator to fill the position. That way he or she will be able to transition out, and we will be able to have our permanent replacement for next year,” Cantrell said.

As mentioned, a temporary replacement, different from the permanent replacement, will be given the position so that he or she will be here for the rest of the school year.

“For next year, starting July 1, we will be hiring a full-time replacement,” Cantrell said. “The replacement will need to be specialed certified, as well as someone

•COurtesy of the endeavor ssistant principal for student services Rich Golminas resigned on Nov. 23 for personal reasons. The school is now in need of a replacement.

A

whose philosophies are consistent with ours.”

Although both faculty and students are confident that the new situation will go over well, one hardship of Golminas’ departure is the responsibilities left in the administrations’ hands.

“Mr. Golminas was in charge of organizing graduation this year, the eighth grade orientation, and supervising certain events,” Cantrell said. “We won’t let that get in the way of anything, though. Mr. Kiolbassa and I will be able to supervise events, and the permanent replacement will most likely be able to take over the other responsibilities.”

Whoever the replacement may be, he will be in charge of various duties throughout the building. As part of the APSS position, the re-

placement will be expected to lead the efforts of the special education departments, special services, school psychologists, and nurses.

These divisions have expectations of the replacement as well.“We need someone creative and who has ideas to meet the individual needs of kids,” Tobias said.

“It should be about what the kids need, not about money.”

Another potential duty of the replacement will be to do teacher evaluations. “Finding someone who is qualified in all these areas might be difficult,” Cantrell said.

Faculty and the administration are not the only people that have opinions on the departure of Golminas. Some students feel confused and uninformed on the current situation.

“I didn’t find out about Golminas leaving until really recently.

I mean, I guess it’s not really any of our business, but it seems really sudden and I just want to make sure that everything is under control, which I’m sure it is,” junior Jenna Callahan said.

As for the issue regarding replacement of the APSS, students agree that the replacement should serve the students.

“As long as he or she works well with students and the certain sections of the school that he or she needs to, I’m fine with it. I guess the assistant principal isn’t the person that kids always see the most, so as long as they do their job right, things should be good,” junior Carly Bell said.

Saint Augustine’s thanks food drive

“Endlessly generous, sacrificing, hard-working, delightful, exuberant: you are the epitome of human beings consumed by love for others.” - Father Peter J. Powell of Saint Augustine’s Center for American Indians Inc. •COURTESY OF THE CAST OF LITTLE WOMEN

Decriminalization consumes local towns Evanston’s city council voted to decriminalize marijuana last Monday, a move that will replace jail time with fines for the possession of ten grams of pot or less. Recently discussed in school, the news has stirred mixed feelings among the student body.

“Other than for medical uses, I really see no reason for legalizing it,” senior Ang Charczuk said.

While full legalization may not be on the list of priorities for students, decriminalization has its supporters as a logical step. “[Decriminalization] is more rational than six months jail time, and they will most likely make a lot of money busting people for it,” senior Eric Lebolt said.

Decriminalization of the drug has become a growing trend, with Skokie recently decriminalizing small amounts of pot and similar policies being discussed in Chicago.

•Carlos Andina

Food drive story, photos, and the rest of this thank you letter at correspondentlive.org

Students miss out on information delivered by speakers

• Continued from page 1

The presentation also featured keynote speaker Dr. Jo Wolthusen, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist practicing in Arlington Heights.

Wolthusen’s speech focused primarily on what depression is and how to spot it.

She discussed what separates depression from the everyday mood swings of an adolescent. According to Wolthusen, some major warning signs are sensitivity to criticism along with sleep and appetite disturbance.

Wolthusen then gave way to resident social worker Jeff Bondora and school psychologist Meghan Muldoon. They spoke about the school’s system to serve those in need, whether it be academically, socially, or emotionally.

Hersey’s crisis response system works by assigning a POD team to a struggling student. A social worker, dean, and sometimes even a nurse will team up and develop a plan for the student.

If the POD system isn’t effective, the group then becomes an In-

tervention Assistance Team, which brings an administrator and the Head for Special Education into the mix.

“It’s like if your ankle is sprained. The doctor ices it, and if it still hurts after a while, he sends you to Physical Therapy. He doesn’t directly send you to a more intense program if you don’t need it,” Bondora said.

After Bondora and Muldoon’s presentation, the stage was given to counselor Allie Evans and social work intern Parisaw Fayezi.

Evans came from Alexian Brothers Health System to discuss the hospital’s role in District 214’s mental health program.

The hospital was recently given a grant allowing them to give students and their families to a wide array of programs such as individual and group therapy to specialized programs for self injury and school phobia at free or reduced cost.

Evans also encouraged parents to look at their private insurance policies in case they had some mental treatments covered. “It doesn’t hurt to give a call,” Evans said.

The students who were in attendance did have some feedback for the presenters. “It was more of an informational thing; an insider’s look in,” senior Roberto Serna said.

“I’ve been through depression and have been hospitalized before, so I knew all of this already. Most of this was for the parents,” Fish said.

“I wished they focused more on how it feels to be depressed.”

Students also had ideas on how the presentation should have been advertised. “HTV should’ve shown something about it,” junior Tess Campbell said. “Everyone would’ve gone then.”

After the presentation was over, the student board was asked what they would say if they could speak to the entire student body.

“Just talk to someone. Don’t be afraid to open up,” Cassie said.

“Be nice to everyone, you don’t know what they’re [other people] are going through,” Kathleen said.

“Make sure you guys don’t change who you are and can be honest with yourself,” Dan said.

“It gets better,” Rachel said.

News

December 9, 2011

The Correspondent

Abel congratulated for national award

3

Scott Bakal speechless. Lost for words, the surprised Abel rives,” Abel said.

Since the award, Abel has received countGarret Matchen thanked his colleagues and his hundreds of stu-

Despite disappointment of not receiving iPads, students were pleased to hear the news that social science teacher Bradley Abel had won the Milken Award.

The Milken Award recognizes outstanding teachers in the nation and awards them $25,000 for personal use. Abel was surprised when he was announced the winner of the award at an all-school assembly.

“Mr. Abel is definitely deserving of the award. He goes over homework when we need it and explains things in detail in a way freshman can understand,” freshman Jenifer Cheu said.

A human geography teacher, Abel is also the girls varsity soccer coach and has won awards in that too.

After the big announcement, Abel was

dents.

“The award for me means more to the school as a whole, rather than an individual honor. It wasn’t an individual award, but rather a “school” award. There are so many mentors and colleagues that I have had throughout the years that have helped me to where I am today in my teaching career, “ Abel said.

With the prize on the mind of students, many wondered what he would use the money for. Although he has not yet received the money, Abel has began brainstorming ideas for the money.

“I plan on spending some of the money on myself, possibly to take a vacation to the European Soccer Championships in Poland and Ukraine next June and July. I’ll probably think more about what to do with money when it ar-

less congratulations.

•DAN MIKa

S

ocial science teacher Bradley Abel stands with Michael Milken as he holds his $25,000 check.

Abel was presented the Milken Award on Nov. 9.

Mystery of the missing cleavage; pictures alter body image Carlos Andina When students received their school pictures this year, some were surprised to see they were missing something: their cleavage. Even in cases where visible cleavage would have been very little, alterations are still visible.

“They blurred out my top area to make me look flat like a man. It’s really irritating because I’m not,” sophomore Jiana Maestro said.

The alterations have surprised both students and faculty, and the reason for the airbrushing seems to be a mystery. Even the yearbook staff was unaware of the changes.

“I was completely surprised that they did that,” yearbook adviser Panagiota Merris said.

The feelings of surprise were common among faculty, but student emotions have been

more unyielding.

“That is not right for them to do that because that means they would have had to look through the pictures, look at girls’ cleavage, and then blur it out. That’s a violation of a girl’s privacy of their body,” senior Kelsey Martin said.

“It’s kind of degrading that they would think to do that,” Maestro said.

Whether surprised or affronted, the feeling that this practice is out of the ordinary is definitely mutual, especially since few people are aware of any policy that would authorize the practice.

“I’m surprised that they would do this without notifying anyone. That seems odd,” choir director Sara Michael said.

Root Photography stated that they did not have a policy against cleavage showing and that

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the school sets dress code for pictures.

Nobody school seems know who is sponsible for alterations.

the the at to rethe

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leavage has been disappearing from yearbook pictures. However, no one knows who is behind it.

•correspondent file photo

4

Opinions

The Correspondent

In Our Opinion

December 9, 2011

Wanted: ‘a new sheriff in town’

Dr. Tina Cantrell will be retiring at the end of the 2011-12 school year, and a new principal is needed. The new principal needs to live up to certain qualities.

Wanted: someone approachable who makes an effort to know students. The principal should be able to talk to students about how they’re doing and know what’s going on.

Wanted: someone strict, but not too strict. While a principal should be involved, she shouldn’t be best friends with the students.

Principals are the ones who need to draw the lines, and we need a principal who knows where to draw them.

Wanted: someone fair and diplomatic. A principal has to be able to settle disputes between

students or teachers.

Wanted: someone who won’t shake things up too much. The school runs smoothly as is.

Wanted: someone who keeps emphasis on academics. The point of school is the learning

W A N T ED :

A New S heriff

SOMEONE WHO IS...

-Approachable -Fair -Academic -Experienced Reward: A better Hersey High School

and while sports or extracurriculars are fun, they’re called extra for a reason. This school has great standardized test scores, and there’s no reason to change that.

Wanted: someone who supports journalism and fine arts.

While academics should take first priority, there is more than just test scores. The band, choir, and newspaper are award-winning, and we have an amazing theater program that should be supported Wanted: someone who defends freedom of speech. Dr. Cantrell does not engage in prior review of the school paper and lets it go to print without influencing what is published.

This is what the school wantsand the reward? An even more excellent high school.

Give the gift of kindness for 12 months, not 12 days Abby Fesl

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza are all holidays that take place in a short period of time. Although it would be rare to find one person celebrating all four of them, a certain spirit takes over everyone during this time of year. After all, it is said to be the greatest time of the year.

Personally, I celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. I absolutely love the holiday season.

It’s not because of the presents or the time off of school, although I do love both. It’s simply because of the genuine care that surrounds people.

Around Christmas, it is more likely for people to ask for donations, and give in return.

Just last week, I was going to Mariano’s when I heard a man from the Salvation Army ringing a bell in the cold weather, asking for donations.

Going with the Christmas spirit, I gave a couple dollars and wished him a merry Christmas. Any

The Correspondent

is published 11 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.

The Correspondent welcomes a free exchange of ideas. Letters to the editor may be sent to correspondent@d214.org. Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of The Correspondent is determined by, and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself, its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.

The Correspondent will not publish any material determined by student editors or the student editorial board to be unprotected, that is, material that is libelous, obscene, materially disruptive to the educational process, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, a violation of copyright or a promotion of products or services unlawful (illegal) as to minors as defined by state or federal law.

All unsigned editorial area the opinion of The Correspondent staff. Materials in this newspaper are the property of The Correspondent 2011-2012. The Correspondent is a member of numerous press associations. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Two thousand copies are made each issue to be distributed to students during their second hour classes. Two hundred are printed and given to subscribing parents.

Editors-in-Chief Shea Anderluh Ashley Hawkins Kevin Hyde Becky Pauwels

In-Depth Editors

Editorial Board

Entertainment Editors

Abby Fesl Connor Hargett Jessica Lynk Garret Matchen Emily Swanson

Managing Editors Claudia Caplan Lauren Kelley

News Editors Melanie Cohodes Erika Murillo Matt Stadnicki

Megan Boyle Nick Diaz Julia Kedzior

Michelle Chester Natalie Czarnota Susannah Sinard

Graphics Editors Carlos Andina Zack Killam

Sports Editors Brian Loomis Michael Miller David Milligan

Opinion Editors Anthony Bellafiore Dan Mika Luis Rueda

Feature Editors

Max Bestvina Mackenzie Francis

Headline Editor Scott Bakal

Photographer Madeline Weber

Adviser Janet Levin

other time of the year, I would’ve walked by and given a dollar or a simple smile.

Even churches are more willing to work for other people around the holiday season. The projects that are run during the holiday season are increased. Presents for the less fortunate are bought, collected, checked, and delivered.

Last year, I was lucky enough to be able to deliver the Christmas presents to children at a grade school in Chicago. The drive down made me a little nervous as I knew it was likely that the presents would be all the kids received this season. But let’s just say there was no disappointment about that day. The kid’s faces lit up with astonishment when they saw a bunch of high school kids carrying big boxes down the hall.

I had never been so instantly loved. The kids ripped open their presents and for the next few hours wouldn’t set anything down except when they found another kid sharing his toy. I was given hugs of gratitude.

That day stuck with me for a long time. I think it’s because these kids were so excited to

have just one simple toy truck or coloring book that it made wanting anything more seem so greedy. I’m sure it must be hard for a ten yearold to not to see any presents under the tree when he’s hoping for that perfect toy gun.

But in actuality, this holiday season is about so much more than making a list of all the things that would be fun to open on Christmas Day or during Hanukkah. No, this holiday season is about giving and caring. It doesn’t just have to be this holiday season. Why don’t we make it next season and the season after?

Every week, the S.O.S. program has a new charity they’re helping. The Invisible Children foundation was collecting books in the hallways and t-shirts to benefit numerous causes are constantly being sold.

It’s almost as if when the lights go up, the spirit turns on. And when the lights come down, the genuine spirit, dissolves into thin air. But this year, I am making a challenge, to myself and to everyone: don’t let the “Christmas spirit” end when the lights come down.

Rooney’s words resonate after his death Emily Swanson

Good old Andy Rooney passed away on Oct. 5. He left this world leaving Americans educated and uplifted.

Rooney delivered over one thousand documentaries while ‍employed‍ on “60 Minutes,” and was known for closing the show by saying whatever was on his mind that week.

He covered topics from the War in Iraq, to dogs being nicer than humans. Rooney will be remembered for his character and knowledge that inspired Americans.

In my household for as long as I can remember, my family has gathered around the television every Sunday night to watch “60 Minutes.” ‍I’ve always enjoyed the show, however, I would tune in just for Rooney.‍ I’ve always been interested in what Rooney had to say. To me, he was like a grandpa. Like grandpas do, he talked about what he liked, what bothered him, and was always convinced that everyone he was speaking to was listening attentively.

Rooney had the ideal journalist’s job: he got to say whatever he wanted to say without any consequences.

He could cleverly say, “an average dog is nicer than the average person,” and “I don’t like food that’s too carefully arranged; it makes me think that the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking. If I wanted a picture I’d by a painting.” He was a down to earth great that I loved and cherished my entire childhood.

Billy Joel once wrote that “only the good die young.” Joel is mistaken. Many of the “good” die 92 years-old after a lifelong career of happiness shared with fellow Americans.

He lived his life and that was that, following one of his sayings: “death is a distant rumor.” I hope he inspired students at this school to put pride in their work because that’s what Rooney lived for. This school was named after an incredible author and journalist, so it’s fitting that we strive for greatness such as theirs.

No, Rooney was not a family friend, but once alerted with the news of his death, I couldn’t help but feel ‍blue about it‍. Rooney impacted America from the beginning of his career. His words of wisdom are left gleaming and inspiring to all.

December 9, 2011

Opinions

The Correspondent

J U S T S AY I N ’

Somethin’ to talk about

New prank aggravates sophomore

It’s practically a tradition by now in the sophomore class- when a student leaves his backpack unattended, one of his classmates proceeds to remove the contents and flip it inside out. “Nuggetting” is annoying and a rude thing to do. It wastes class time when the ‘nuggetee’ is fixing his backpack instead of taking notes, or if other students are watching instead of paying attention.

It’s also rude to the nuggetee because the contents of the backpack -some of which may be personal- are strewn over the floor for everyone to see. This could result in homework being lost, textbooks ripped, and messing up of that student’s organization system.

Nuggeting may be amusing for the nuggeters, but the recipients don’t find it as funny. Just sayin’ • Melanie Cohodes

Donations feed positive mood

When junk cluttered my room over the summer, I decided it was time to get rid of some of my items. I was originally thinking to just throw them in the garbage and move on with my life. However, I came up with a better idea that could help the community too. I gave all my old toys, clothes, and electronics to the Goodwill store.

I put all my junk in a bag and trudged over to the Goodwill store with the bag over my shoulder like Santa. I was very happy to get rid of everything, but I was even more excited to help the community. With my donation, people are given jobs, and others were given products at a low cost. Goodwill will accept anything, so next time anyone cleans his room, think of donating to the Goodwill store. Just sayin’ • Garett Matchen

“I don’t want to grow up...”

College can’t make me Becky Pauwels

At every family function, I’m asked the same questions: “Where are you going to college?” “What are you majoring in?”

“What career do you

want to have?”

It seems as if I’m supposed to have the rest of my life planned out by age 17.

What I don’t think my family realizes is that senior year isn’t just the year before college. It’s an awkward transitional year full of conflicting feelings. I’m stuck between wanting to grow up and wanting to cling to what remains of my childhood.

All of the decisions I’ll be making regarding college seem so final. By choosing a college, I’m subsequently choosing my future. In order to “make it,” I have to choose the perfect college and the perfect major.

What’s worse is the pressure that the economy has put on me. These days, few majors are considered practical enough to take seriously. It seems that unless I want to spend my post-collegiate days in a box (or worse, my parents’ house) I

should probably just major in business or accounting and find a safe job.

News flash: I’m 17. While the decisions I make now will affect my future, they won’t unalterably change it. My life is not set in stone the minute I enroll at college. Throughout my life, I’ll have many opportunities to change my major and my career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average number of jobs a person holds is 10 to 15. Nothing is final.

As much as I hate it, I’m constantly thinking about my future. This holiday season, I’ve been getting sentimental. The other day, I had a scary thought: This is the last Christmas that I’ll truly be a part of my family. Starting next year, I’ll just be a visitor. But then I realized how absurd that was. Leaving my house doesn’t mean that I’m leaving my family. I don’t need to become an adult the moment I step foot in my dorm.

I’ll change and grow up during my college years, but that doesn’t mean I have to grow up now. I’m not going to spend my senior year trying to become the adult version of myself. Instead, I’ll focus on what a 17 year-old should be focusing on and leave the adult decisions for later.

t n e d u t S Sass

Freshman

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE NEW Megan Patton PRINCIPAL? “Someone who can take the

school to new heights by making it fun.”

5

Troops return looking for where the heart is After almost eight years of American forces occupying Iraq, every single member of the U.S. military is supposed to come back home by New Year’s Eve this year. While this fiasco of a war is finally over, we cannot forget all the sacrifices the troops made for us in the name of security.

Soldiers are promised a better life after a stint in the military, but their situation often becomes dire when they discharge. The unemployment rate is three times higher for veterans than for civilians, partly because their line of work doesn’t carry into the job market.

A study from 2010 revealed that over 75,000 veterans are living in shelters and countless others are in the streets.

The housing market also hurts the troops as lending companies and bank can foreclose their homes and evict their families thanks to a loophole in the Service member’s Civil Relief Act. It’s hard to even make payments as the average salary of a soldier will drop up to $1,000 a month once off active duty. The most recent count of soldiers wounded in action is placed just above 32,000 with about 20 percent being brain or spinal injuries. But that figure doesn’t include the psychological trauma of war.

Men and women in uniform are living in a hot, hopeless and hostile environment; fighting what is no longer a war against terror but a rebuilding effort for the nation that we so utterly destroyed. It’s unfathomable how soldiers in Afghanistan feels when they realize that the U.S. isn’t scheduled to pull out from that country until 2014.

It’s baffling when I hear elected politicians in the federal government state that pulling out of Iraq wouldn’t be supporting our troops while they come home disillusioned with the world around them. We like to think that our men and women in uniform are perfectly-oiled gears running in the unstoppable war machine that is America’s military, but they’re human like the civilians they are entrusted to protect.

We must make it a priority to give these soldiers a proper chance returning to life without roadside bombs, and the best way to do that is to try and prevent war in the first place.

As I was driving to work one day, John Lennon’s Christmas standard “Happy Xmas” started playing.

The song’s lyrics beg for an end to war for everyone.

It’s a shame that the human race still puts weapons in the hands of young men and women to fight wars that cause pain for everyone.

So let’s stop all the fights and try to have a merry holiday season together. War is over... but only if we want it to be.

• Dan Mika

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Tyler Carlson “Someone who will work hard to make the school better.”

Dorulc Aktas “They have to be a good leader.”

Stefanie Kintzle “Young and relatable to kids.”

6

Indepth

The Correspondent

December 9, 2011

Dear Diary,

My life as a hi Clubs conquer boredom plague

From Anim e club to Yearboo k, at least 53 clubs and activities ca ll Hersey ho me. Studen ts dedicate th working w eir time ever ith other p y eople day, week, fe el like any or month ex tr a to cu these clubs. rr icu activity pro As students vides this o p dedicate th p ort n it y, ” Z anona said. eir time, th ey find many N o t only can ben clubs he each club an efits from out studen d they may ts by givin find themse g them opportunit lves realizin y, but they a g how much ls o hel them feel m these club ore connec s help them. ted t the schoo l. This alt ogethe can help im “I put in usu prove the st a ll y anywhere from uden as a whole three to six and our sc hours a day h o ol as a whole. into my ex tracurricula “Th ere are a n r activitie s; umber of such as v studies that ariety show have shown , one acts, an students wh that d theatre,” o become in volved senior Ty in aft er school activ ler Zanon a ities persaid. form better academicall y because they Each studen feel a conn t finds • Megan Boyle ec different re tion to the sch uniors Danie asons to be ool and le lle Rivard an arn the in clubs. So sk il ch d ls E es ,” ri is n a . ssistant pri “Getting invo Jo me find it ncipal of lved is really nhson take part in vario as an opp student act us clubs such important an ortunity to ivities John d as I O Novak lo rve said. make frien Orchesis,” Jo ds, wherea being bored hnson said. s o . thers find There’s [now place to dis According it a forward to cover new in ] to a stud each day ‘cau something I look terests. conducted y, “The best se b n y sc io sc h r o th Ir vin Velazq holars Durol drags,” ju ing about lak and Wei clubs, is mee u ez b ei sa n id. g in ssman, scho and after sc ting new peo Boredom ol clubs hool progra ple and han ing out wit plagues m ms contrib “p h your frie g- ter school an o si y ti v st e u so d u en ci n ted to an d a ts l s,” sophom d througho Natasha Co behaviors, sc af- ach ore ing clubs ut weekend ok said. hool grades ievement te ca s. n Jo and give studen st scores.” inDedication ts somethin with their ti “I t to te ea a ch ch g m es to e, whether club can g students th students so do si it be with th ive friends or ey have a re mething to bility to to for the club eir new sponlook forwar an organiz for the end . at d to th io an of the day. n that is b th “Y em o u se m lv igger A a es k s e lots of n students be- g gan to drea think in term , and a student cann ew friends ives me som d school, jo o an t s in et just of himself o d it sa ing activitie hing to do if can bring a r herself,” N s time,” freshm id. fresh outloo I ever have o sp k an v on school fo ak are some.

Annie Korff r said.

Students oft Many stud en en ts fa “I dedicate ca ll n into a daily and forget ab find multip efits from jo my time bec routine le benout their in ining these to keep my ause I like te a ct rests, but cl h el iv self busy an p it ie st “I s. u dents realize think it’s ben u bs can d I don’t li that there is eficial becau ke important more to life se the most than high school. things you learn abou you learn th t yourself rough exper ience, and through

J

Class credits clash

with time

-Jessica Lynk

Grades can make or bre are vital for ak a studen college. So, t and stud it is no surp ent to finall grades can rise that y end their certainly ta academic d ke up a larg “My AP ho of the day. ay. e portion mework ca Grades are because it h n take up to o ex u p rs ple letter w ressed with allows me o n so m e nights, bu tw ith maybe a to know w o a sim- lon m ents I need t it isn’t usu hat assignplus or min g,” sophom end, but then to turn in a ll y ore Maddie that soph us at the again, so ar a s w el o O m l ’M as retake,” o e re Although th ara said. chemicals.

Kelsey Panfi However, th e work is ti l said. e w o B st rk y u h m d th av en e consumin ing those le at goes into ing each gra ts find that g, ed, stu tters appear mak- efici de individu the college dents can si on a report ally postal. cr lot of work ed it is ben- assig ngle out th card is a . The distric e n m p ro t en m “I blematic school day ts lowering ay see it th still take A ends at 2:5 their grades at the ma P classes b th en ta lk 0 . k Th e ec p know acad to their tea .m., but stu my life easi ause it wil ey can emic work cher to fin l they dea dents O’M er when I can drag in d out how l with these get to colleg ar three to fou a sa id . an extra assignments e,” r hours of h It isn’t a su . omework ea College cred “I usually sp rprise that ch d it ay s . d ar en o e m d five hours a ca in g w iv d at h emics can en o e sc work each a majority to students ore a three, on my h night, my R of a studen terall they ar t’s .O.T.C. class ome- that are given in four, or five on the AP takes me th day, afe students. tests spon May. The co usually w e longest,” se It is the stu sibility to st hether or n llege determ nior Leticia d said. en t’s reay o ines to m on top of h t the credit Vasquez ca ake sure that er grades an s are accep use all scho The homew te d th d o ey are wher ls are differ be- be. H ork assigned e they need pass the test ent. Most st owever, if st can var y by to ea to u u d w ch d en hich can all ents are cap student in ts aging th class as wel ow students able of man to college a is, they are l as whatev is. Some co s a second se to go selv er day it certainly se urses, such es m u tting themes p as AP, can te fo H impacts on r r o fr m th es el e h o fu m g tu ic an b e major ar re. is another w . the amount e able to mo ay that stud of time it ta nitor their a ents kes for a cademics.

“I like to ch eck Homel ogic frequen tly

-Brian Loomis

c r

December 9, 2011

Indepth

ighschooler Athletics enable time management skills

Whether it’s bask etball, volleyball, bowling, or gym athletes practice ar nastics, this scho en’t provided at th ol school. Traveli e offers a wide varie ng time must be ty of sports to an added y- to the equatio one who’s intereste n now. d. Some play spor ts to tr y something Another difficult new while some aspect is coaches are may not alw elp training to beco ays consider all th me champions. e responEi- sibilities that ther way, sports m come with high take up a signific school. an t Conflictions amount of a high lp of important pr school student’s lif actice e. times or competit to One of the major ions might interfe ways sports inre fluence the stude with the athletes’ er academic success. nt athlete’s life is by limiting the tim nt “I t’s hard to get all e students have my hometo work done complete their da s on time and sti ily homework. W ll he n have some a student athlete time for myself comes home fro bem cause sometim practice or compe f es I get home pretty tition, he often ha lat e,” s sophomore fig no time for procra ure skater Briana stination and som Lear e- said. “I somet times struggle to imes miss school complete the hom bee- cause of com work on time. petitions.”

“My homework St u d e nt s time is limited, and it’s harder to that sacrifice organize my tim e,” hours of tim sophomore Maggi e e Mueller said. have to work After a long day, so lving quadratic equations or learni extra hard, but ng about binary io n- definitely ap ic compounds mig preht be the last thin g a ciate the be student athlete w nefits ants to do, but he still of participat has the same resp ing in onsibilities as a re gu- a sport. lar student. Studen ts who are involv ed in other activiti There is much es outside of sp or ts to be gained have even less tim from e to complete thei r athletics, and school work. As a taking result, many athlet es advantage of are doing their ho that can mework much lat er than someone who influence an athl ete’s ’s not in a sport. life in a positive “When I get ho way. me tired, I still have to find time For some, it impr to do my homewor oves k. their self-este Sometimes, I don’t em, teachfinish until 11 p.m .,” es valuable les sophomore Joy Ka sons about nnookaden said. time managemen Even though this t, and may seem like a burden, some stu helps make new fr dents appreciate ie nds. the extra motivation “I gained confide and view it as a nce way from swim to be more time effi ming,” sophocient. more Iris Wencesla “Sports help beca o said. use as soon as you get home, yo Athletics have alw u have to do yo ays been one of ur the major pa homework. You rts of a high scho can’t mess around ol stu,” dent’s life, and sophomore Andy it doesn’t look lik Philipose said. e that will be changing an Students participat y time soon. e in sports outside of school, to o. This proves to be challenging becaus e the courts, pool s, rinks, and other places where thes e

e; I ular tu-

The Correspondent

What is y o most mem ur orable high schoo experience l thus far?

Freshma

n

e

or Sophom

Zac Ling e n “My wh ole fo

otball

season.”

e e L n a Nath

Junio

r

the n i g n i c “Dan assembly.” honors

-Julia Kedzior

Zach

Schul

“Seei Corni ng Nick H footb ng to Homeeron as k all ga e me.” coming d Elizabeth uring a

Senior

S

enior Nathan Gra m board to see wha er glances at the activities t athleteics he may in. Athletics is ju be interested st dents daily routin one aspect that shape many stues.

7

Mariel Fechik “Playing at Carnegie Hall with the band.”

ze

8

The Correspondent

Movies not to watch

with Ashley H

awkins

Horrid connection made in human centipede

The thought of joining one person to another in order to create a human centipede makes me sick. The thought that this crossed someone’s mind and he decided to make it into a movie makes me even sicker.

“Human Centipede” and “Human Centipede 2,” written and directed by Tom Six, are two of the most grotesque movies to be released.

“Human Centipede: First Sequence” stars a psychotic German doctor, Dr. Heiter, and two ditzy American girls. The duo is traveling through Europe when their car breaks down in the woods.

The crazy girls end up outside Heiter’s door and hope he will let them call for help, but instead he drugs them and holds them captive. The horror has just begun.

They later awake in his basement, strapped to makeshift medical beds. A third stranger is lying next to them.

The doctor informs the trio of his plan to create a creature sharing a single digestive system, AKA the human centipede.

He wants them to be a part of his twisted experiment, and there is nothing they can do to escape.

“Human Centipede: Full Sequence” features a creepy loner named Martin who is strangely obsessed with the first film.

Despite it being a film, he was so inspired by Dr. Heiter that he decides to make his own human centipede, only this time with 12 people.

He brutally assaults strangers to participate in his sick experiment, and is ultimately successful in creating his “pet.”

These films feature something I’ve never seen before. But originality won’t give Six 10 out of 10 stars.

Packing unnecessary blood, guts, and gore, ranging from a grimy surgery by a sleazy doctor to the gruesome death of a baby, into a film isn’t entertaining. It’s disturbing beyond belief.

I’m not one to get queasy when it comes to gory movies, but for majority of these two films, I cowered behind a pillow, not able to withstand the atrocity taking place on screen.

I “thank” Daniel Tosh for bringing my attention to the spectacle that is “Human Centipede.”

After viewing the “Spoiler Alert” on his show, I thought it would be a good idea to check out the movie. It wasn’t.

Despite the sickening plot of the first film, I felt it was necessary to see the sequel. Another bad idea.

Daniel Tosh is hilarious, but there is nothing funny about these movies.

I would’ve been better off sticking to his witty, non-graphic 20-minute summary.

With the third and final sequence of this horrid trilogy set for release in 2013, I’m disturbed by the thought of sitting through another 90 minutes of nauseating nonsense.

Don’t make the mistakes I made.

Reviews

a t t Go

December 9, 2011

Magnetic nail polish attracts positive reaction

In preparation of Black Friday, many stores in Woodfield updated their collections of merchandise, and one of those stores was Sephora.

Sephora now stocks two colors of the latest make-up innovation- magnetic nail polish.

The colors available are gray and purple; other brands have different colors but aren’t held at local stores.

The way the polish works is quite simple; the bottle comes with a cap that is magnet embedded in the top of it. To use it, customers apply a coat of the polish and hold

the nail above the magnet, which dries the polish.

The magnetic parts of the polish are attracted to the magnet, and a unique pattern is formed.

Multiple brands have released the polish, but other than ordering them online, the fastest way to get them would be a trip to the mall.

While the polish itself isn’t magnetic, the look is still cool. This new product is a musthave.

•Melanie Cohodes

OR

Breaking Dawn disappoints audience Bad acting was obviously the key ingredient directors were looking for when trying to decide who was playing the roles in the Twilight Sagas. In the newest movie of the series, that pattern seems to shine through. In “Breaking Dawn” part 1, we see bad acting, poor dialogue, and weak story plots.

In a series that does not seem to be able to get any worse, the actors give the unexpected- a worse production.

To spoil the movie would be saving those who haven’t seen this tragedy in action, but not giving viewers the chance to have a good laugh at this drama would also be an equal tragedy.

In so many words, viewers can expect young married couples, angry wolves, sad vampires, and unprotected sex.

Anyone that enjoys sitting in a theater wishing for a large bowl of popcorn to distract from the horrid film should see “Breaking Dawn: Part 1.”

N o t ta •Claudia Caplan

Check out more stories at correspondentlive.org

Rihanna trades originality for ratings Melanie Cohodes but is still decently upbeat.

This album is worth a listen, but not as While Rihanna’s style has changed, the original as previous releases. Her dance songs standard of her songs has not. From a sunny, have been the most popular in the past, so Rismooth pop to a darker R&B and a dance influ- hanna seems to be sticking to that type of music enced quality, she still sticks to the same pattern. in hope of a top 100 hit (and found it in “We There are a few dance tracks, some that Found Love”).

Of her top songs, eight of shouldn’t be played at loud volthe 10 (“Umbrella,” “Disturbia,” ume around parents, and the “Only Girl (In The World),” inevitable collaboration with “S.O.S.,” “Don’t Stop The Music,” Jay-Z. “What’s My Name,” “Rude Boy,” Out of the collection, Ri“Pon De Replay”) were dance hanna’s standard upbeat vibe is tracks, according to Top40. still there, but more muted than About.com. The other two, before. This album isn’t as dark “Russian Roulette” and “Take as “Rated R,” or as out there as A Bow,” were slower, but more “Loud,” but manages to toe the original and still good songs. line in-between.

It seems in her new releases, The single “We Found she’s traded uniqueness for billLove” was pre-released and exboard ratings, and while it might tremely popular. It’s a standard pay off in the short run, it won’t energetic party track, but the be worth it for Rihanna to keep synthesizer driven beat is a nice churning out mindless beats like touch. these.

“Talk That Talk,” her usual For a die-hard Rihanna fan, collaboration with Jay-Z, folthe album might be worth buylows their usual patterns; it’s •NC WEB LN NO MAGAZINE good for a few listens, but isn’t SALES ing, but not for the casual listener. It is nothing original or revolutionary. ihanna’s new album ground breaking.

“Talk that Talk” was Some of her more explicit One of Rihanna’s strengths songs (“Birthday Cake” and released on November 21. Alis collaborating with other art“Cockiness (Love It,” to name though it lacks her previous ists to release dynamite tracks, a few) are definitely not ‘fam- originality, “Talk That Talk” but there was a lack of that on ily fun’ songs, but Rihanna has is expected to rank high on billboard ratings. this release. never really been a kid-approShelling out $1.29 for one of priate artist.

“Where Have You Been” is her version of the better singles is reasonable, but not $9.99 on the generic ‘new love’ song, with a trance influ- iTunes for a bland collection of variations on the same beat with different lyrics. ence and a strong back beat.

Previous albums have been amazing, but “Drunk on Love” is a slower song, but still with the electronic vibe that resonates through this one is a bit of a let down. the album. It has a sadder mood than the others,

R

December 9, 2011

Entertainment

25 Days of Christmas

The Correspondent

9

Ho-Ho-Home Alone rings in holiday memories Megan Boyle

to make their own mark on history.

Some become instant classics, while others It’s that time of year again. Starbucks has its fall short.

“I think old and new holiday movies are holiday specials brewing, houses are lit up with decorations, and Christmas tunes are beginning equally good, but the older movies are probably my favorite because I’ve been watching them to ring.

For many students, December is the most my whole life,” Morley said, “I love watching any wonderful time of the year, and starting Dec. 1, Christmas movie though, from ‘Elf ’ to ‘Miracle on 34th Street’.” holiday excitement can finally begin.

Some students don’t think so highly of new Also starting Dec. 1 is ABC Family’s 25 holiday hits.

Days of Christmas. This count“The classic holiday down shows classic Christmas “When I was little, I movies are way better. They movies along with some ABC used to pretend I was are in a league of their own,” Family originals. senior Drew Curtis said.

Many of these movies the kid from ‘Home Mixed in with the bring back childhood memoAlone’ and try to pull classic movies are ABC ries and are enjoyable for stupranks like he did, Family original movies dents at any age. that some consider a “I watch the Christmas so it’s fun to watch bit over the top. movies every year, it’s sort of a those movies again “S omet imes tradition. Plus, I love the holievery year,” senior they can be good, days, so it gets me super exbut other times, cited,” senior Hannah Morley Leya Allind said. they can be resaid. ally weird.

While many of the holiday movies are targeted at little kids, students still You have to be in a really Christmas-y mood to experience plenty of the magic.

“When I was little, I used to pretend I was watch them,” senior Casthe kid from ‘Home Alone’ and try to pull pranks sidy Muir said.

Old or new, classic like he did, so it’s fun to watch those movies or original, 25 Days again every year,” senior Leya Allind said.

“I remember watching holiday movies with of Christmas is a sure my family when I was little and I would dance hit to get into the holiday to all of the songs,” sophomore Michaela Slosar spirit.

Even as high said.

No matter how old, some holiday movies school students, never lose their fire. Even without modern spe- many stucial effects or technology, these movies still cap- d e n t s feel that ture the true spirit of the holidays. holi“I look forward to watching the classics like the ‘The Year Without a Santa Clause’ and ‘Santa days are still filled with Clause is Coming to Town’ every year because magic.

“Holiday movies make me feel joyful and they really get you in the spirit,” Slosar said.

The classic movies won’t be forgotten, but excited like a little kid,” senior Olivia Stasiuk new holiday movies come out each year that try said.

Morley agrees. “Every time I watch holiday movies, I feel like a kid again.”

• GRAPHIC BY ZACk KILLAM

10

The Correspondent

Features

December 9, 2011

Blustery weather brings seasonal activities Julia Kedzior Garret Matchen Bring out the boots and jackets because here comes the chilly weather.

Shoveling driveways, wearing mittens, and spending more time with people are only a few things that are very common during the winter.

Being in the Chicago area, heavy snowfalls are nothing new, although they’re not always liked.

For some, winter is enjoyable because of the weather. “My favorite part of winter is the cold because it makes the warm feel amazing afterwards,” sophomore Joey Nemmer said.

Others love winter because of the outdoor sports.

These sports include sledding, snowboarding, skiing, ice fishing, ice skating, and pond hockey. “I like the snow because it’s fun to go sledding with friends,” sophomore Chris Yendrzejowsky said.

Several hills have entertained eager sledders over the years, including the well-known hills on Wolf Road at the Woodland Trails Sled Hill and Belmont Ave., next to Thomas Middle School.

Ski and snowboard enthusiasts are encouraged to join the ski and snowboard club, where they can socialize with others that share the interest.

Students travel to various mountain ranges during the winter including Cascade, Chestnut, Devil’s Head, and Granite Peak mountain rages.

“It’s great to have a day of boarding with friends. It’s relaxing and you always have a great time riding the slopes,” junior Mike Boivin said.

Ice fishing in the area is hard to come about, but certain lakes allow it. As for pond hockey, rinks are everywhere. Pioneer Park, River Trails Park District, MacArthur Middle School, and other local

parks all have rinks for anyone to go shoot a puck at.

Besides winter activities and the weather, some enjoy the weather because it brings back memo-

ries. “I like winter because I’m from Canada and it reminds me of home,” junior Kyle Cooke said.

Favorite

Winter

ACTIVITIES

POND

HOCKEY }

SLEDDING

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ICE FISHING } SKIING or

}

SNOWBOARDING

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•carlos andina

No garbage bins in classrooms, students still have garbage Carlos Andina Last year, garbage cans were removed from classrooms all over the school and replaced with a lone recycling bin.

This move was made as an attempt to reduce waste as well as keep food waste out of the classrooms. While done with good intention, the change has left students without a place to put their garbage.

“Sometimes I just throw my trash into the recycling bin,” senior Joe Farrell said.

Taking a look into recycling bins in different classrooms, actual recyclables seem to be freely mixed in with regular garbage.

Assistant principle Joseph Krajacic points out that much of the garbage in classroom trash bins consists of food items. “Are we supposed to have food in the classrooms? No, we aren’t,” Krajacic said.

The elimination of the classroom garbage bin also has its roots in the need to make classrooms more sanitary. Food items can spoil and harvest insects or attract mice.

According to Krajacic, food items should be thrown away in the trash bins located throughout the hallways.

But with tissue use in full swing during the winter season, students rarely take the time to save their tissues for the garbage cans in the hallways. Krajacic points out that having used tissues in the classroom can also be unsanitary.

“It can be inconvenient if you pay attention to the rules of recycling,” senior Tom Cotey said.

Still, the lack of garbage cans has more students frustrated than

Career day clears up questions

Backyard football earns following Recently a group of District 214 students from Hersey, Prospect, and Wheeling formed the HPWFL backyard football league.

The league consists of six teams with six players on each team.

“The league is well put together and managed by Jason Brown, it is tons of fun. I’m surprised that other people haven’t tried something similar,” senior Danny Bojczuk, captain of No Punt Intended, said.

All parts of the game have been accounted for. There are off-

side penalties, player statistics, and even power rankings.

The league has a Facebook page that says when and where the games are.

“The league is great.

Once the snow starts falling it’ll only get better,” senior Jason Brown, captain of Fancy Men and commissioner, said.

• Nick Runge

Children’s Theater brings joy to audience; actors Children’s Theater put on a performance of Raggedy Ann on Nov. 15, 17, and 19. After two long months of practicing to perfection they were able to put on a great show that the little kids had a wonderful time seeing.

“The little kids talked back to the actors a lot, that was funny, they really enjoyed it,” freshman Marisa Pierre, who played Bruin Bear, said.

Children’s Theater consists of freshman and sophomores who get to act, while

changing their ways.

“It’s pointless because all the kids are throwing their garbage in the recycling bins anyway,” senior Kelsey Martin said.

With all the garbage going into recycling bins, there has been concern that the contents of the recycling bins has to be thrown away. However, custodians say they haven’t had problems.

“As long as it’s only up to 5 percent garbage it can still be recycled,” custodian Steve Newman said.

bringing back the child within them with Raggedy Ann and Andy.

“It was great and a lot of fun, the performances were really awesome,” Pierre said.

Although Children’s Theater has come to a close, the kids and students won’t forget the fun time they had watching and performing Raggedy Ann. • Nicole Cecala

Many students are unsure of what they want to study in college. Actually, that’s normal. Some of the most commonly asked questions are “Is it normal not to know what I want to study in college?” or “Will I be able to change if I don’t like what I’m doing?” The counselors and college and career center wanted to help students decide before they went to college.

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from multiple schools attended a ‘field trip’ on Nov. 30, to the theater, Titre room, and black box theater to hear professionals in the medical field talk about what they do.

The speakers ranged from nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists to psychological therapists and orthopedic surgeons. The field trip allowed students to listen to successful professionals in a certain field and ask insightful questions.

“Since I am unsure what exactly I want to do, this fieldtrip really gave me more ideas of the positive and negative experiences I would have with certain jobs,” junior Anna Freitag said.

Each student attended two sessions with either one, two, or three speakers. After the two sessions students were allowed to talk to a few college representatives from Kansas, Loyola, Harper, Butler, and other schools.

The school representatives were in the hallway for the lunch periods for not only the students on the field trip but also any student in the building to ask questions to the representatives.

“I really liked having a chance to talk to professionals because they cleared up a lot of questions I had about schooling,” Freitag said.

• Abby Fesl

December 9, 2011

Sports

The Correspondent

11

Girls hope to strike in Streamwood SP R S S R S Abby Fesl Ashley Hawkins

face any competition that comes their way.

“Our toughest competitor this year will be Prospect because they are extremely good and As the winter months roll around and out- have made it to state many times,” Tinaglia said.

By setting both door sports have already individual and team come to a close, the girls goals, the girls hope bowling team has started to improve their gathering to prepare for achievements from their upcoming season. last year.

They participate in 21 “My goals for meets from November the season is to bowl to January. a 200 or more at a Even though the meet,” Tinaglia said. team may not practice “[My goal is to] year round, many of the get more spares,” players stay ready for the Spychala said. season by getting togethThe team is er in a non-competitive close because of atmosphere. the amount of time “I have been prethey spend together. paring for the season by While most teams going bowling for fun only travel together with friends and famto go to games, the ily,” senior Brittany Tinabowling team travglia said, “Even if it’s not els together to go to competitive bowling, it practices as well. doesn’t matter.”

“During pracNow that the season tices we talk and has begun, the girls are joke as a team,” preparing for their meets Spychala said, “we during practice with oth•Abby Fesl ride on the bus toers players and coaches gether to meets and on a regular basis. practices which “We have lots of reshman Delaney Steinweg hopes to wipe out helps a lot with team practice,” sophomore the remaining pins at the Fremd Invite. The bonding,” Marie Spychala said, girls finished 12 out of 20 with a score of 3,806.5.

“Our season “Getting tips from coachthis year has been a es helps us improve.” lot of fun,” Tinaglia With all this practice, the team has been improving from last said.

At the bowling match on Monday against year. During their most recent tournament, the Elk Grove, the girls suffered a loss of 2549 to Fremd Invite, the girls finished 12 out of 20.

“At the Fremd invite, we got our team’s 2220, but they put their skills into play.

The girls will compete in the Streamwood highest score yet, [3,806.5] which is very good,” Invite tomorrow.

Tinaglia said.

The girls continue to look ahead, ready to

F

Wrestling hurts from loss of graduates

Athletes improve with new leaders David Milligan It’s always tough losing graduates, but this year’s wrestling team lost a three-time state qualifier and their team captain, Jeff Koepke.

This year, the three team captains are doing their best to keep a positive leadership for the team.

“We can never replace Jeff, but [fellow captains] Steph’fon Scales, Conrad Bugay, and I are trying our best to install the leadership Jeff gave,” junior captain Hunter Rollins said.

One way this year’s team can improve is by beating the co-champions of the MSL East, Rolling Meadows, today at home. The team tied the Mustangs with 6-1 records in the MSL conference last year, but the outlook looks good for the guys.

“We’re looking for some payback. I think we have a really good chance of winning this Friday,” Rollins said.

Senior Steph’fon Scales added, “I’m going to have to go with us on the victory side. I think this match will be a good one.”

However, Coach Jim Wormsley still thinks this will be a quality match. “This Friday’s match against Rolling Meadows should be an exciting dual to watch. I feel that we always have a great chance of being successful if we compete to the upper level of our ability.”

New coaches have fostered an intense environment for the team.

“[The coaches] push me and everyone else to achieve our true best,” Rollins said, “They won’t let us quit... until we hit our limit.”

“We all push each other... and leave nothing on the mat,” Scales said.

“Everyone’s going hard,” Bugay added. The team is always practicing hard.

Last Saturday, the team traveled to Glenbard West to play a three way meet between Glenbard West and Woodstock. The Huskies defeated Woodstock with ease, but fell to Glenbard West in a close match.

Over winter break, the Palatine Invite will be one of the wrestlers’ first big tournaments of the year, and the guys have high expectations.

“We definitely want to have a lot of guys place,” Bugay said, “and I especially want to get in the top 10 for my weight class.”

For Rollins, he thinks this is his year to prove himself. After a third place finish last year, he has high expectations for himself, saying, “Individually, I won’t accept anything but first.”

“I expect my fellow captains to be on top of the podium with me,” Scales added.

While the guys have their work cut out for them this year, Wormsley is still pleased by what he’s seen so far.

“I am very proud of the guys who have stuck it out and are there every day. They are really working hard to improve and get ready for the end of the year.”

Girls rebound from rough start The girls basketball team is coming off of a 23-8 season the previous year.

Unfortunately for the team, its going to be hard to live up to the success they had last year. They will be without All-State player Megan Rogowski.

Senior Corinne Busby tends to think otherwise, “I know it’s going to be hard to replace a player like Megan, but I think were going to be okay. We play a lot more as a team now and everyone brings a different aspect to the game,” Busby said.

Currently, the team is 4-4 coming off a fourth quarter win versus Wheeling on Tuesday.

The team knows that there is a lot of room for improvement.

“We need to be more consistent, and limit our turnovers.

We’re also not putting enough points on the board, so we need to score me,” Busby said about what her team needs to do to become more successful.

The team intends to start taking shots that are in their range, and to look for the open player when there is a double team.

If the team is to follow up on this plan, it will make this year’s goals a lot more reachable.

“Winning conference is always our main objective, but making a playoff run would always be ideal,” Busby said.

The girls next game is against a versatile Rolling Meadows team tonight.

•Kevin Kozil

Gymnastics seeks sweet victory With the first few meets of the season concluded, more intense, excitable meets and exhausting practices are to come. The girls gymnastics season has started. They have withstood some savage competition, yet have held their own.

Today, the girls are hosting the anticipated Candy Cane invite at home for JV participants, and Saturday for varsity competitors.

In the most recent meet, their first home meet this past Tuesday against Rolling Meadows they lost a tight competition, falling 119.3118.8.

The bright spot of the evening was sophomore Annie Johnson with an allaround score of 34.35.

In their first meet, a nerve racking and highly anticipated one at Barrington on Nov. 29, Hersey remained strong against a very strong team.

The outcome was not in our favor, with a final score of 120.45 to Barrington’s 136. The girls had a strong individual performances, including Johnson’s first place title with 35.45 points in the all around category.

But even a victor gets anxious before a big meet, “I was a little nervous but I knew we’d do well, so I tried my best,” Johnson said, “I was confident because I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was little.”

With more competition coming this weekend, confidence is what a team needs.

The team is determined to succeed.

•Isabella Murray

12 The Correspondent

December 9, 2011

Sports

•MADELINE WEBER enior Justin Jobski drives for the hoop as the Wildcats close in on him. The Huskies defeated Wheeling with a 65-32 score last Friday. Senior Vuk Vukovic scored 14 points, however offense was not what won them the game. The Huskies are in action next Friday against Prospect at home.

S

Off-season lifting bulks up athletes Students ‘weight’ for pay-off Scott Bakal

No matter what sport a student plays, getting stronger can improve his performance.

With sports that require good weather, such as baseball, football, and soccer, living in Illinois makes it tough to practice in the harsh winter months.

Even though rosters are not set and practices aren’t being scheduled, most sports have the opportunity to lift in the winter.

“The goal is for them to improve strength and conditioning in ways that will help them for baseball,” varsity baseball coach Bob Huber said.

Lifting is not required, but it is a good way to improve strength, meet coaches, and stay close with teammates.

“It keeps me in shape specifically to get me ready for the next season,” senior soccer player Matt Brant said.

The opportunity to lift as a team in the offseason is one that should be taken advantage of. Rather than working out at home or away from school, students get the opportunity to let coaches see them make improvement and show the individual effort.

“It gives the coaches a good chance to take a look at you and see your work ethic. It is to get a good idea of what kind of player you are,” sophomore baseball player Danny Burke said.

Showing off to coaches is not the only positive to winter lifting. The effect that lifting has on an individual’s performance can be drastic.

If an athlete needs to get in shape or just wants to get stronger, winter lifting gives that opportunity.

“Winter lifting helps me get in shape for the season because you are working out all of the muscles needed in order to perform well on the field,” sophomore baseball player Eric Labahn said.

TIMEOUT! Q:

Q: Q:

My main goal is to be a distributor and play a more defensive role.

What are your expectations for the team?

The start of the season was a little rough, but we have a lot of potential to get better.

How is the team making up for lost seniors?

Megan Rogowski was a big part of the team, but now we have to be more fast-paced. We have got new good players and everyone has stepped up as a whole.

i

or

C th i w What are your individual goals for this season?

e nn

Being together as a team year round can help a team bond and work better together.

“One of the goals is to become more of a team and do more things as a team,” Huber said.

Winter lifting can be enjoyable for many reasons. Some students enjoy working out and others like the payoff of all the hard work.

“The best part about winter lifting for baseball is in the spring when we get to see the progress we made as a player,” sophomore baseball player Joe Silva said.

Other students appreciate the rare opportunity to work on strength and conditioning for there specific sport.

“Winter lifting helps me get stronger specifically in areas that help me be a better baseball player” sophomore baseball player Quinn Jedd said.

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9

December

Boys Wrestling vs. Rolling Meadows “It’s a conference, so it is impor-

tant for conference seeding.”

-sophomore Tom Somenek

10

Girls Gymnastics JHHS Invite

“Since it is our invite, we need to represent ourselves well.”

-sophomore Annie Johnson

16

Boys Basketball vs. Prospect

“We need to play as a team and communicate on defense.”

-senior Trevor Haas

17

Cheerleading at Rolling Meadows

“This year we have more potential than we have had in any prior years in JHHS cheer history.”

-senior McCall Reed