Spokesman Volume 51, Issue 5

Spokesman Volume 51 Issue 5

Wheeling High School

900 S. Elmhurst Road

Wheeling, Ill. 60090

February 6, 2015

Time capsule opened in honor of 50th anniversary Kelly McKewin Co-Editor-in-Chief

Kelly McKewin

Jean Pabon

Kelly McKewin

Top: Colleen Keefe and Jacquie Gonzalez, seniors, sort through the contents of the time capsule while filming a commercial for the morning announcements. Bottom Left: The 1963 cornerstone in the main entrance where the time capsule was buried 50 years ago. Bottom Right: Keefe holds up a 1963 photo portraying the corner of Elmhurst Rd. and Hintz Rd. before the construction of the school.

In light of the 50th anniversary of WHS’s opening, a time capsule was opened. The capsule was buried in the walls of the school when it was built and features items from the earliest days of WHS’s opening.

Among the items in the time capsule were pictures, a binder of newspaper clippings relating to the building and the opening of the school and a ballot from the referendum in which community members voted to open another school. “(The time capsule) was very interesting.

It was neat to see a part of history and how they did things back then,” Angela Ginnan, associate principal of operations, said. “It was cool to see the communication with the community to build a new school.”

Over winter break, the time capsule was removed from the 1963 cornerstone, located in the main entrance of the school. According to Angela Sisi, principal, there was some difficulty in locating the time capsule at first, as there were many rumors as to where it was buried.

“We didn’t know if it was actually there. I heard it was (in the 1963 cornerstone), I heard it was outside by the flagpole, and I heard it was outside by a bench,” Ms. Sisi said.

It was only after an alumni sent in a video clip of the time capsule being placed in the 1963 cornerstone that the decision to open the wall was made.

Jacquie Gonzalez, student council president, and Colleen Keefe, senior class board president, had the opportunity to go through the contents of the time capsule as part of a video that was played on the announcements.

“I thought it was really interesting to see how the letters were typed with a typewriter,

and all the photos and how the prices were different,” Gonzalez said.

The contents of the time capsule were placed on display in the main hallway for a few weeks and are currently being displayed at Forest View Educational Center as part of the district’s Centennial Celebration.

When the Centennial Celebration ends, the contents of the time capsule will be placed back in the wall, along with new items that showcase what life in 2015 is like. In the video that aired on the announcements, students were asked to contribute ideas for the new time capsule.

Stefan Kamzol, sophomore, believes that including technology, such as iPads, flash drives containing pictures or items created by engineering or manufacturing classes, would best showcase WHS in 2015 to future generations.

“I thought it would be cool to have a notes section in an iPad for each grade to say what it was like to be a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior,” Kamzol said.

Other ideas that have been discussed by students and the administration include last year’s yearbook, PE uniforms, lunch menus, textbooks, “Vamos Gatos” spirit wear and newspaper clippings about both WHS and world news.

“I’m excited to put the time capsule back in,” Ms. Sisi said. “We’re definitely going to put more stuff in there (than in 1963).”

The time capsule will be returned to the wall in a few weeks. A date has not yet been set so as to allow students more time to contribute ideas for the new time capsule.

“Over the past 50 years, things have changed so much. I think it would be cool for students in the future to see what every 50 years are like to give perspective on how much we’ve grown.

What we put in (the time capsule) will define us,” Kamzol said.

All-school assembly promotes positive message

Jazz Band competes at Northshore Jazz Festival

even if they’re small, and especially if they’re big.”

Bravo is also involved in Operation Snowball, which promotes the elimination On Wednesday, Jan. 21, students attended of destructive decisions in students’ lives. He an all-school assembly entitled “Because I said believes the “Because I Said I Would” message I would” that focused on the importance of can tie in with students’ promises to make making and keeping promises. good decisions.

The assembly was part of a worldwide “The campaign relates a lot to that idea campaign founded by Alex Sheen, and centers because I think a lot of people commit to on the importance of keeping one’s word. the promises and changes made during Sheen began the movement (Operation Snowball). It in 2012 after his father’s opens up their eyes to see death. what kind of life they really “My father was an want to lead,” Bravo said. average man. He was Sammy McJunkin, no war hero. He never sophomore, thought the wrote a book. He never stories and message shared ran marathons. He was a in the assembly were “We can all pharmacist. No recognition. inspirational. leave this No fame. But for “I thought it was everything that made my inspirational. (Sheen) is world a better father average and everyday, making a good impact on the there was one thing he did world,” McJunkin said. place simply exceptionally well. He kept A major part of the his promises. My father was by being kind campaign involves “Promise a man of his word,” Sheen Cards;” cards on which and following said during the assembly. a person can write down through on According to Angela a pledge and fulfill their Sisi, principal, the promise in order to earn it promises.” assembly was organized back. after a number of students McJunkin wrote multiple Angela Sisi promise cards after the attending monthly Principal assembly, one of which was a Principal’s Forum meetings asked about having an allpromise to get more sleep. school assembly to promote “I think it’s easier to stick positivity among students. to your goals when you write “They really wanted something that would them down,” McJunkin said. help the school be brought together,” Ms. Sisi Ms. Sisi believes that the “Because I said I said. would” campaign promoted a lesson that will Xavier Bravo, senior, believed that the apply to students both during school and after assembly was powerful due to it’s universally they graduate. applicable message.

“Being a person of your word is extremely “Everybody makes promises throughout important. It’s one thing you have control their life. It’s just a matter of who can fulfill of. We can all leave this world a better place them,” Bravo said. “A promise is a big thing. simply by being kind and following through It is our duty to follow through on promises, on promises,” Ms. Sisi said.

Jazz Band One performs at the North Shore Jazz Festival held at Glenbrook South High School on Saturday, Jan. 24. The band earned a Division One Rating, 1st Place in Class AA and received the Grand Champion Award. The band will perform at the festival next year as the honor band. Paul Wagner and Anthony Gonzalez, juniors, and Eugene Yakobovich, senior, each won soloist awards at the festival.

Kelly McKewin Co-Editor-in-Chief

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Page 2

“To be honest, I wasn’t paying attention when they were announcing awards because I didn’t think I would win one,” Wagner said.

“Once my name was called, the people around On Saturday, Jan. 24, Jazz Band One, Jazz me started cheering and clapping and I had no Band Two and Jazz Band Combo traveled to idea what was going on and did not know what Glenbrook South High School to perform I won. Once I realized what was going on, I had at the North Shore Jazz Festival. Band won a sense of accomplishment and joy because I numerous awards and three students went home won the award.” with soloist awards.

Despite the success of the band, the point Jazz Band Two earned a Division One of performing at festivals and other events is to Rating and second place in class, while the Jazz learn by doing rather than just win awards.

Combo earned a Division One Rating and “They learn a lot about playing great music,” took home the first place award. Jazz Band One Brian Logan, band director, said. “Our program earned a Division One Rating, first place in is unique. It is a wide variety of music.”

Class AA and the Grand Champion Award as Band uses the opportunities to attend the best jazz band of the day. and perform at Festivals like this to focus on Numerous students won awards for their learning. They perform for four judges, three of outstanding performances. Paul Wagner and which provide feedback and comments.

Anthony Gonzalez, juniors, and Eugene Yakobovich, senior, each won soloist awards.

Continued on page 3...

Chris Alvarado A&E Editor

Page 4

Students use new coordination sign to find buses easier Jean Pabon

Courtesy of Paul Wagner

Page 11

Arvidson breaks cheerleading stereotypes

Kaitlyn Arvidson

Boys swimming team loooks to finish season strong Jean Pabon

Read More Online wheelingspokesman.com

News: Matthew Kulczak, ‘14 graduate, earns a perfect score on the AP Microeconomics exam

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News

February 6, 2015

D214 switches to Infinite Campus system N E F W L A S S H Max Piasecki Staff Reporter

Ebony Club will present their “Dare to Dream” show tomorrow, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The registration deadline for the Saturday, March 14 SAT is on Friday, Feb, 13.

D214 has switched on from its old HomeLogic grading system to the new Infinite Campus system.

On Monday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan. 6, teachers received training on how to use Infinite Campus. Basic training involved how to use the grade book and setting up attendance. Teachers also received specific training depending on their occupation.

Students are expected to receive instructions in an informative video that explains how to use the new system. However, creating that video has posed a challenge as a real student would have to use their account to log in to the system in order to make the video. Due to privacy and safety issues, the department is trying to find an alternative to using a real student’s account.

“We’re trying to troubleshoot different ways that we can train you guys while maintaining student confidentiality,” Rebecca Kinnee, innovative technology facilitator, said.

Parents have also received emails that explain to them how to set up an Infinite Campus account. Ms. Kinnee will be available to help parents during the next PTO and Latino Family nights. Parents have also received a direct number that they can contact where one of the help desk staff members can assist them.

An app for Infinite Campus does exist; however, there are currently issues with it that make it debatable whether or not it’s worth the download.

“It seems right now that it might be better just to use the browser, but the app is pretty convenient. You can set alerts on the app so that every time a grade is changed you get an alert so that you are constantly up to date on your grades,” Ms. Kinnee said.

With the implementation of this new system has come a variety of reactions and feedback from staff and students.

Several students have expressed distaste with the Infinite Campus system.

“I don’t like Infinite Campus since the app won’t let me see my grades,” Jayde Ficks, sophomore, said.

Aidra Crawley, freshman, shares a similar view of Infinite Campus. “(Infinite Campus) doesn’t make any sense, and it always crashes when I try to check it,” Crawley said.

Both Ficks and Crawley think that the system needs to be improved and that they much prefer the HomeLogic system.

Others have been more optimistic about the system. Molly Becker, freshman, believes that while the switch was a big change, the new system is easy to use.

“Infinite Campus was an adjustment for me and the majority of the WHS students, but once you get familiar with it the information is displayed nicely and you can find your classes easily,” Becker said.

Many teachers have also shared a rather positive outlook on the new system.

“Infinite Campus is very intuitive, easy to use and it makes sense,” Cynthia Carro, English teacher, said.

White board eases after-school bus process

Juniors will take the state ACT on Tuesday, March 3.

AVID and Omni youth services are partnering to host a 5k race at WHS on Saturday, April 18.

Proceeds from the race will go towards AVID senior scholarships.

Graphic by Kelly McKewin

buses so that the students that don’t leave school through the back entrance can see it as well.

“The white board for buses is useful, I tend to use it everyday and it is always accurate. I With the addition of a white board in the do wish that there were other locations for the back foyer of the school that details the location white board, like the front doors of the school,” of afternoon buses, students have been having Filip Bylica, junior, said, an easier time finding their buses and getting to The white board currently only has one their buses faster. location, near the back doors of the school where Prior to adding the bus white board, students all the buses are located. would have trouble finding their buses and “I don’t think that the white board should would continue to walk back and forth outside be moved to a different location because the trying to catch their bus on time. Now that the majority of kids that take the bus exit through temperature has dropped, students want to get the back doors, but I do think that there should to their buses as quickly as possible to avoid be more whiteboards in different locations the long wait in the cold weather. The white throughout the school,” Mariana Godinez, board now provides students with accurate bus senior, said. information that gets them on their bus without “The new white board is great, people weren’t any trouble. used to it at first, and would ask Norb where all Not everyone that takes the bus exits through the buses would be. The white board now helps the back doors and some students believes that me get on bus bus faster.” Irene Cruz, senior, other locations could also use a small board for said.

Kamila Kawa Forum Editor

There will be no school on Monday, Feb. 16 in observance of President’s Day. AP Testing Registration is currently in progress, and will continue until Monday, March 2.

Contact the assessment center with any questions about the registration process.

Students can access the new Infinite Campus system from the Quicklinks menu on the WHS website. Students log in with their d214 ID and password the same way that they did with HomeLogic.

Jean Pabon

Students use the new white board located in the back entrance to find their afternoon buses before heading outside.

Honor Pack seniors raise money school. They have been able to recruit friends and siblings to sell their goods to students, broadening their reach around the school.

“I have been walking around with cinnamon It it almost time for the annual Pack the Place rolls and selling them, and I helped make icing,” assembly and the Honor Pack has been hard at Alyssa Peterson, freshman, said. A. Peterson work. The Honor Pack is a group of seniors chosen has been helping her sister E. Peterson sell her from a variety of diverse electives to raise money cinnamon rolls to raise money for the poor families for poor families in need in our community. They in our community. hope to benefit the community with the money Honor Pack students hope to benefit their that they raise. communities through these sales.

A common form of obtaining revenue has been “For poor families I hope that as a whole through selling food items to students around the Honor Pack group, we raise a lot of money for school. them. I hope it will benefit poor families by having “I was elected for Operation Snowball,” them [in] stable financial situations,” Orlando said.

Emily Peterson, senior, said. “I have started my In addition to raising money for community fundraising by making and selling cinnamon rolls families in need, the Honor Pack senior who around school.” raises the most money is recognized as Leader of For some students the selling is going pretty the Pack. The Leader is announced at the Pack well, but even those who have not raised much the Place assembly and the basketball game that money yet still have plans. evening.

“It’s coming along pretty well; it’s a little slow “I’m not sure on the award, but I’m not in it but I think it is because there are so many people for the honor, I just like fundraising and helping selling treats for Honor Pack,” Karlie Orlando, others,” E Peterson. said. senior and DECA representative, said. “I think so While not all seniors are in it for the honors, far I’ve raised $35, but I have a lot more to sell.” our Honor Pack members will gladly go out and Some Honor Pack seniors have found other raise money to help poor families and brighten our ways of getting their products sold around the community.

Miranda Raimondi Staff Reporter

PLTW classes manufacture car

have been preparing for months.

“Students have had to come in after school and learn things we don’t usually teach like aluminum welding which is very difficult. Not only that but Project Lead the Way (PLTW) students have we’re here after school everyday but Friday,” Geist been working on constructing their own cars. said.

From the fuel pedals to the seat belts, every bit of The whole process has been a learning this automobile is being constructed from scratch, experience for both students and teachers. not including the engine and tires.

Students get to move their classroom techniques “We’re 65 to 75 percent of the way done, to a real world application through this project. so we’re getting there. Right now we’re in the “We get to offer to the students what it’s like to finishing design stages of the fuel pedals,” Michael get frustrated, to fail and try again and again which Geist, engineering teacher, said. Students have is an experience that can’t be simulated. Students been working all year during class and after school are learning how to apply their engineering to complete the car. concepts to a fully functioning car,” Geist said It is planned that the car will be showcased in “The final goal is for the car to be extremely eye Wisconsin, Road America. Students and teachers catching but to also perform well.”

Karina Piña Staff Reporter

WPAC Cinnabon Sale WHEN? Pre-Order February 9 to February 20 WHY? To support KIVA, a non-profit organization that allows women in third world countries to receive loans to start their own business in over 70 countries!

HOW MUCH? Pre-Ordered Cinnabons are only $4! Cinnabons sold on Thursday and Friday are $5. (limited supply) WHERE? You can pre-order your Cinnabon in the main hallway Feb. 17 to 20 or see Ms. Chico in room 245. Pick up your Cinnabon during your lunch period on Thursday, Feb. 26 in the main hallway!

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Arts

February 6, 2015

Passion drives Villa to improve self, help others way of inspiring others. Through supporting his cast members and striving to better his skills, Villa shares his own passion for acting.

“I like to use theater as a way to help not As an actor here at WHS, Christian Villa, only me, but others to use their creativity, help sophomore, shines both on stage and behind them discover things about themselves,” said the scenes. Villa not only works to better his Villa. own work, but also always offers a helping Villa’s passion for acting shows in his work. hand to his fellow cast and He works to better his crew. Nominated by Dr. Orin acting any way he can. He Xavier for his work in the enjoys working extra hours winter play, Next Fall, his to perfect his characters and dedication and persistence to memorize lines. He also tries better himself and others make to learn from classics such him an exemplary Artist of the as Shakespeare. No matter “I like to use theater the work or play, villa works Month.

Villa works both behind as a way to help, not to learn as much as he can the scenes and on the stage, only me, but others from every character he reads always giving it his all. When or preforms. to use their creativity. about on the stage, he works hard “He also loves Help them discover Shakespeare, so he is looking at memorizing lines and things about them- forward to the challenge of portraying his character to the best of his ability. He actively selves.” portraying a Shakespearean strives to better his acting not character before he graduates only for his own benefit, but to from high school,” said Dr. inspire those watching.

Xavier.

Christian Villa “Christian takes the time Villa is considering to really develop his characters Artist of the Month studying acting in college. and make them very unique,” Villa says it is one of his top said Dr. Orin Xavier, play choices as a major in college. director teacher.

Although he has not chosen Off stage, Villa learns from those a definite major yet, acting will play a role in performing and gives help and insight to his his future here at WHS. His hard work and fellow peers. He tries to lead his fellow cast dedication to his characters and those around mates through rehearsals and help as much as him will help him in his future roles at WHS. he can wherever he can.

“I see very interesting roles for Christian “(He is) always encouraging everyone in the future here at WHS, and I definitely to memorize their lines or volunteering to see a future for Christian as an actor if it is help others with their scenes,” said Zuleima something in which he is truly interested. He Prescenda Cortes, junior. definitely has the talent,” said Dr. Xavier.

Villa’s willingness to help those around is his

Abi Cozariuc Staff Reporter

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Jazz Band competes at Northshore Jazz Festival Continued from page 1...

Paul Wagner

Eugene Yakobovich, senior, Paul Wagner, Jacob Bachorski, Patrick Ryan and Anthony Gonzalez, juniors, performing at the North Shore Jazz Festival.

The fourth judge works close with the band on what they thought they could do better.

Yakobovich was awarded a scholarship to Birch Creek, a music camp in Door County, WI. For two weeks here, he will be able to work with band experts on bettering his talent and furthering his career as a musician.

“I attribute a lot of my success to Brian Logan,” Yakobovich said. “He gave me the honor of featuring on our second song, ‘Body and Soul’ which is a ballad as well as letting me solo on the last tune called ‘Turkish Bath.’ He gave me the opportunity to give it all I got and that is exactly what I did.”

Each member of band worked extra hours to prepare for their performances. They did this by working together, staying after school and going to practice rooms.

“Dedication and repetition contribute to success of any kind whether it’s lifting for sports or training for a debate tournament,”

Wagner said. “I also give credit to Eugene as he is a leader and innovator in my eyes. He motivates me to get better and play at a higher level.

Mr. Logan thinks band is successful because of their dedication to the entire program.

“Our success directly reflects the work that goes into it,” Mr. Logan said. “We have good private teachers, we have terrific feeder programs, Holmes, London and MacArthur send us really good kids. We start with our kids playing at a really good level. I think we do a good job providing opportunities to reach for more.”

In the end, Mr. Logan hopes that the students learn from their success and gain skills for the future by playing these festivals and concerts. ”The amount of educational...opportunities that exist by playing Jazz and playing Concert music and even part of marching band, I think it is limitless,” Mr. Logan said. “Our kids, they go after it. They are hungry to go ahead and do well which means play well, not win awards.”

Dance classes awarded grant, work with professional Karina Piña Staff Reporter

One interesting thing is that Orchesis is not Victor’s main group.

“Victor is required to have 5 contact hours Starting on February 17, Cuban dancer and with groups throughout the day. He’ll work director of the Ruth Page Center for Dance, with normal dance classes and then a core Victor Alexander, will start a five day residency group after school,” said Rawlinson. This core with WHS’ own dance program. Back in group is compacted of multiple dance students, October, around 35 students went on a field trip not just Orchesis members. Which gives other to River North and to a master dance class at dance students who aren’t in Orchesis more Ruth Page Center For Arts. Victor Alexander involvement in the dance program. happened to be the teacher of that master dance “Orchesis has so many opportunities but to class. offer something to the other dance students is “He went through a routine of stretching important and I want to do it more often,” said and then started going through certain Rawlinson. movements. He was really talkative and cool” One half of the grant is being paid by the said Melissa Espinoza, orchesis member, junior. Illinois art council. The other half is being paid The students had such a good experience by the WHS dance program. The February with the Cuban dancer that Diane Rawlinson, dance show is helping pay the other half of the dance teacher. She applied to a grant in order grant along with the dance budget. But luckily to have Victor teach more classes to WHS the money doesn’t have to be paid upfront. students.

“On the program it says ‘funded in part by “The kids had such an awesome time that I Illinois council’ which is pretty cool” Rawlinson wanted to continue it,” said Rawlinson. said.

http://whs.d214.org/

35 WHS Dance students visitied the Ruth Page Center for Dance and took master classes with Victor Alexander in October.

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Feature

February 6, 2015

Clarifying the cafeteria: what’s new in the lunchroom Abi Cozariuc Staff Reporter This past school year, there have been many changes in the cafeteria. Most of these changes are due to the district’s decision to opt out of the National School Lunch Program. This decision has allowed our cafeteria to offer a wider variety of foods to our students.

“Daily we have two salads, deli sandwiches and wraps. We also grill our own chicken for healthier options.

Furthermore, we offer several vegetarian options daily,” Ms. Maureen Mullane, cafeteria supervisor, said.

Not only have we been able to offer more meal choices, but a side of mashed potatoes and the choice between milk and bottled water has become available as a result of a student survey in the beginning of the year.

“I like the more options in the school lunches, there is water bottles that I can get other than chocolate milk so I have more drink options,” Karen Ramirez, junior, said.

There have been inquiries as to why the cafeteria sometimes sells small cookies at a lower price, instead of large cookies.

“It is due to a manufacturing outage.

If the larger cookie is out of stock we sub the smaller one so that we always have cookies,” Ms. Mullane said.

If the large cookies are gone, smaller cookies are put into place so that students will still be able to enjoy cookies at lunch time.

Changes in the cafeteria, however, are not limited to the meals provided. A few weeks ago a microwave was provided for the students use. However, the district has informed WHS that a microwave in our cafeteria is no longer allowed.

“They (the district) are exploring ways for students to have the option of warming their food,” Ms. Angela Ginnan, associate principal, said.

There have also been inquires about the recent price changes concerning utensils. The answer is simple. Because the school must purchase these utensils, they have begun charging ten cents for students to buy.

Overall, the changes in the cafeteria have had positive reactions from students.

“So far, I like the changes in the cafeteria! There is more food choices in comparison to last year,” Ramirez said.

We hope to see more positive additions to our cafeteria, and are glad to see the ones already in place.

Katie Chong

Starting high school in a new country: coming to the USA official language of the Philippines) actually,” Trotter said. Trotter’s father is American and and already had family in the United States. He Imagine moving to another country. Total decided to spend his time with the rest of his culture shock, adapting to a new environment, family here. learning new languages... For some people, Trotter has not gone back to the Philippines moving to that country is moving to the country since he moved to the United States. Trotter some of us consider our home country: the occasionally communicates with family United States. members through Facebook.

Many people move to the United States Flying to the United States was Trotter’s from another country and WHS has some first plane ride, which was another part of his immigrant students. For many students, their journey. parents immigrated here before they were born “I remember being excited for lift-off and for or when they were young. the landing, but after 3 flights and 18 hours on Now imagine starting sophomore year of one plane the novelty really wore off,” Trotter high school in another continent. That’s senior said.

Kendelle Trotter’s story.

Although the part of the Philippines Trotter Trotter came to America from the comes from is pretty westernized, he still Philippines with his parents and his sister experienced culture shock. three years ago knowing English, which was an “In school back in the Philippines, there were advantage to him since some immigrants come haircut regulations. There was also the whole to America knowing very little to know English. idea of misbehaving in class. That happened in “My dad made sure I could speak English the Philippines too, but not to the same extent well. I learned English before Tagalog (the as what goes on over here. Detentions seemed

Erika Pogorzelska Feature Editor

a lot scarier when I wasn’t in the U.S. The motion-sensing sinks were cool for me too. They didn’t really have those in the Philippines when I was there,” Trotter said.

When Trotter enrolled at WHS sophomore year, he was ahead in some classes.

“Regular classes were basically a cake-walk.

I was placed in Algebra which I already took in the Philippines so I got an A pretty easily.

When I got to advanced algebra, I noticed most of the stuff I already covered in the Philipines as well,” Trotter said.

Trotter says homework in the Philipines is very different from in the Unitied States.

“We had tons of homework that was always hand graded. No quick checks, just all out question by question grading. There was also no answer keys for anything,” Trotter said.

The toughest part for Trotter was making new friends. Coming in as a sophomore is rough, since most people grows accustomed to each other freshman year.

“The first time I went to the cafeteria I was pretty terrified. Thankfully someone I met on my

bus offered me a seat,” Trotter said.

Making friends was especially tough for Trotter for he was not used to such a large school. His school in the Philippenes was made up of roughly 3oo students.

“Students would get placed as a group into a class at the start of the year and they would stay in it. You’d be in a room with this group of like 20 kids for the entire year. Teachers came to you to teach. You didn’t move to different classrooms. So, since you were stuck with the same people for the entire year, making friends wasn’t too hard. You just kinda got forced together after a while, since everyone was so tight-knit,” Trotter said.

It’s easy to say that transitioning into high school can be a scary experience for almost everyone. However, it is a whole other experience to start high school as an immigrant in the United States. Coming to a new country with a very different culture and not having at least a few middle school friends start the year off with is like jumping into a deep abyss completely alone.

The decline of using cursive In the life of the cheerleader Erika Pogorzelska Feature Editor

when I’m writing but I usually use it for my signature,” Mikosz said.

Gloria Wide, junior, learned cursive in third and fourth grade.

It’s a known fact that cursive has been “In third grade, we had to write important growing obsolete over time. For years now schools have been cutting teaching cursive in papers in cursive. Not worksheets, we filled those out in print,” Wide said. Wide hasn’t elementary schools for students rarely use it.

With technology, students take notes and type had to write any papers in cursive for school since. papers on computers or iPads. However, it’s Wide thinks cursive lost its importance interesting how WHS’ student population is because students are always typing now-aa mix of students that still remember how to read and write cursive and students that never days. Many of her classmates do not know cursive. even finished learning about cursive.

Norbert Kriss, security guard, really “I still remember cursive, there are a learned the importance of cursive back when few letters that I forget how to draw. But he was in elementary school. my younger sister doesn’t know cursive. If “The nuns would beat your hands if you someone writes her a birthday card in cursive didn’t do it the right way, so I grew up with she says ‘I can’t read this’,” Karlie Orlando, good handwriting. Now I write letters in senior, said. cursive and I have to write on my wife’s behalf Nikki Mikosz, senior, still remembers because I have better handwriting than she learning cursive in elementary school. does,” Kriss said.

“My teacher would make us write the Jaxon Urban, freshman, did not finish names Sparkle and Fred all the time,” Mikosz learning about cursive in elementary school. said.

“They (teachers) didn’t follow through with Mikosz, out of habit, still incorporates teaching cursive to the class,” Urban said. cursive into her handwriting.

“Sometimes my words flow into cursive

their competitive routines for competitions on the weekends. With this busy schedule, how does she have time for homework or a social life? “Balancing school and activities is In movies, high schools usually portray what difficult, but to do what you love, you have to we consider stereotypical- nerdy geeks being make sacrifices,” Arvidson said. To make things bullied while football players and cheerleaders easier for her, she has used cheerleading as a rule the halls of the school. Fortunately, that is motivation to getting good grades because in far from reality. In reality, being a cheerleader order to cheer or participate in any activity, one isn’t just about being a pretty skinny girl in a must be passing every class. short skirt doing backflips. Cheerleading is “Some nights are harder than others indeed a competitive sport, which is commonly especially if you had a rough day and then you misperceived in movies. One living proof of that have to go to practice and come home and still is WHS’s own Kaitlyn Arvidson, junior. do homework when all you want is sleep,” she Ever since the school year has started, said. On average, she goes to bed at around Arvidson’s life has been hectic. Everyday 11-11:30. As for her social life, the only way to after school, she goes to cheerleading practice really have one is to work around her friends’ which can vary since the field house was being schedules. “Friday nights we hang out really renovated. Practice is either in Forest View, the late after basketball games and then after our back of a warehouse, and occasionally WHS, practices on Saturdays we get together.” however; due to the limitation of space, practice Cheerleaders are indeed more than a group starts 7:20 p.m. until 9:20 p.m. of girls in uniforms screaming random things, Movies fall short on showing just how they’re hard-working athletes. Although hard it is to be a cheerleader. During practices, sometimes it gets a little too much with school, they warm up which consists of running, cheerleading, and finding time for friends, stretching, tumbling, and practicing some Arvidson states that it’s all worth it in the end stunts. These girls constantly strive to perfect because she loves cheerleading so much.

Shailah Magallon Staff Reporter

Left: Kaitlyn Arvidson, junior, takes a selfie with a few teammates before varsity cheer performs.

Right: Members of varsity cheer nail a pose in their routine that they put hours of practice into.

Feature

February 6, 2015

5

Seniors graduating early: what to do with the spare time at his job, Munch’s Supply, which sells heating and air conditioning parts.

“I had completed all of my courses and had all my credits so I kinda figured why not. Work While most seniors stay in class until has been pretty slow!” McJunkin said. they graduate at the end of June, “I’m not sure the exact number some students make the decision of students that graduated early, to graduate five months early for a there’s not too many. I’m allowed plethera of reasons. to return for any school event, Jim McJunkin, WHS graduate, which I think is pretty cool.”

“I’m allowed to just finished school on the 16th of McJunkin said. return for any January.

McJunkin says his friends are school event, “I asked my counselor and after jealous of him graduating early. which i think is a couple meetings, he gave me His teachers supported him and pretty cool,” paperwork that I filled out and had were happy for him, and his signed by him, a parent, me, and the parents wanted him to be sure that superintendent. I also had to meet Jim McJunkin, he was making the right decision. with the assistant principle and our “I just kind of decided that senior there wasn’t much left for me at career counselor. “ McJunkin had completed all of Wheeling,” McJunkin said. his requirements to graduate before McJunkin is still walking in the the school year ended. ceremony in June, mainly because McJunkin decided to pick up more hours his mother wanted him to.

Erika Pogorzelska Feature Editor

“

Different schedules schools around Chicagoland area have -Blocks are 90 minutes, Skinnies are 45 min -Blocks all day -A and B day, switches off every other day -Don’t have same classes everyday -Four classes a day -Core classes lasted all year -Extra classes are a semester

-Blocks are 90 minutes, skinnies are 45 min -A, B, C, D blocks -5-7 lunch skinnies -AP classes (besides AP Bio, AP Chemistry) are skinnies -Same classes everyday for a semester (schedules may be rearranged after a quarter) -Most blocks end after a semester (besides AP blocks) -Typically skinnies stay the same all year -This schedule can fit in more classes in a school year

-Skinnies are 45 minutes -Every class is a skinny -9 periods in a day -Same schedule all year -Didn’t have to stay in same class for 90 minutes -Could not fit as many classes in a schedule

The deal with early bird P.E. A look inside Marco’s mind wanted to go back to sleep but by week four of the season your ody got used to it,” Plummer said.

Plummer enjoyed the class because his While some students are waking up at teammates always pushed him through lifts.

6 a.m., about 50 students are just ariving at They never allowed him to not finish and it school and lift weights or workout for an hour gave a great boost to start off the day. before school starts everyday. These students Alex Karras, senior, decided to take early aren’t just meeting with their teammates bird P.E. with his teammates. for an early practice, they signed up for P.E. “A lot of my teammates were in it so our before school just like students have P.E. teamused it as a time to lift together and bond during the school day. as a team,” Karras said.

Early bird P.E. goes form about 6 a.m.

Karras liked getting lifting out of of the until about 7 a.m. Students are given plenty of way in the morning and it provided more time time to dress and get ready to go to their first for students to finish all of their lifts. period class.

“I preferred having early bird because there Brent Pearlman, P.E. teacher, oversees the wasn’t any distractions of other classes or early bird P.E. class. school. It was time to lift,” Karras said.

Early P.E. follows the same course as “I liked taking P.E. in the morning more advanced P.E. during the day. because i got all of my lifts in and I was able “Early bird P.E. is consisted of mainly to shower afterwards so I wouldn’t be sweaty athletes from various sports,” Mr. Pearlman after class,” Bobby Weber, senior, said. said.

Weber also liked how it woke him up in Brandon Plummer, senior, took early the morning so he wasn’t tired for school. morning P.E. first semester because it was Though many athletes from different mandatory for varsity football. He decided to sports enrolled in the class, no girls were not take early bird P.E. second semester since enrolled. footboll season ended and he could workout “There haven’t been many girls in the class after school since he had more free time. which we would like to build up in the future,” “Getting up in the morning was hard for Mr. Pearlman said. the first couple of weeks. You felt like you

Erika Pogorzelska Feature Editor

Jean Pabon

Students begin stretching in a P.E. class during the day. This is a part of what early bird P.E. classes do everyday before school starts.

throughout the years isn’t in their control and only thought that how the Earth does change and increase its temperature, not themselves and those thoughts would be use for wars, thus, Actual Story: On January 22, 2014, the cause the clock to move to midnight and all Doomsday Clock, a symbolic clock face that humans will soon to cease to exist. represents a countdown to a possible global If some people actually realize how they disaster such as nuclear wars globally or a contribute to global warming temperature climate change like global warming, moved increases and try to make a difference in up two minutes up to midnight (12:00 a.m.) preventing temperatures from increasing so from global warming increasing dramatically quickly, then the clock can be turned back for many decades and global leaders hurting farther from midnight and the humans will live their country/citizens, mainly on not reducing better lives and if the clock moves back closer nuclear weapons and climate changes, according to midnight again, then the humans would to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) join more active to prevent a disaster to end all which was the reason that the clock moved 3 humanity. minutes to midnight.

Opinion: I have seen and heard some predictions on doomsday events on specific days which ended up being false and the world wasn’t ruined and no disasters happened. But, if one day the Doomsday Clock did move to midnight because of a possible nuclear war or global climate changes drastically, then all of humanity will lose many to all lives since most people wouldn’t care about global warming hurting humanity and the Earth because some of them think that global climate increased

Marco Mateos Staff Reporter

6

Focus

February 6, 2015

7

Focus

February 6, 2015

Subscribe no more: Flipster brings magazines to student fingertips Artist’s Palette - This magazine offers step-bystep demonstrations, “news, reviews, and products from the art world,” and reviews of exhibitions worldwide.

National Review - “America’s leading voice for conservative news and opinion, “ it offers conservative commentary on politics, news, and culture.

Atlantic Monthly publication covering news, politics, economy, foreign affairs and digital culture.

Health - Workout routines, healthy recipes, weightloss tips, and advice on body maintenance, mental health, and disease.

Newsweek Global - Indepth analysis, news, and opinion about international issues, technology, business, culture, and politics.

People en Español - Keep up with Latino music, media, people, and pop culture with this magazine.

Better Nutrition - Wellness magazine offering recipes, tips, and practices to help build and maintain a healthy and natural diet and lifestyle.

Entrepreneur Startups - Tips and tricks for new and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start and develop a successful business.

Travel and Leisure - A travelers guide to the best restaurants, hotels, and expeditions the world has to offer.

mental_floss - Knowledgepacked publication offering little-known facts, insight, and answers to the world’s “most intriguing questions.”

Ask - Children’s magazine covering a variety of educational topics such as science, history, inventors and artists.

Week - Commentary and analysis of breaking news, current events, arts, entertainment and people.

Motor Trend - Automotive magazine featuring new, used, and concept cars, road tests, auto shows, and car-buying information and help.

Entrepreneur - Business magazine covering news stories about entrepreneurism, small business management, and business opportunities.

Head to the Wheeling website now and get caught up on all Flipster has to offer.

How to Access: 1. Go to Wheeling High School Website (whs.d214.org) 2. Click on ‘Library’ tab 3. Find ‘Flipster (eMagazines) 4. If accessing from personal device/home computer, sign in with Username: wheeling Password: library

View magazines large and in full-color.

Flipster offers students 14 magazines spanning a variety of subject areas.

View the entire magazine at once to speed your reading and searching.

Photos from Flipster

Flipster: a virtual alternative to traditional reading made available to WHS students through the couple of fun ones here at Wheeling while makwork of the district 214 librarians. ing most of them about classes and academics,” “The district librarians meet Hanrahan said.

We all have a stack of old magazines some- and we talk about what resources According to Hanrahan, over the where in our house serving as a coaster or wait- are available, every month,” past five years, print subscriptions ing to be cut up for a school poster. Magazines Barry Hanrahan, WHS librarto magazines have not been popular seem to have become a publication of the past as ian, said. Alternatives to print around WHS save for leisure magatech-savvy teenagers feed their need for gossip, magazines were discussed at the zines available to students with free news, and information with social media. Why meetings for nearly a year and time in the library. However, when pay for a packet of paper to show up at your a half. The decision eventually Hanrahan saw that he could get an house every month with news you’ve already came between two programs: unlimited subscription to the Week We wanted to provide a known about for weeks? However, magazines Zinio or Flipster. Zinio proved to couple of fun ones here magazine for nearly a tenth of what live on (virtually) thanks to the WHS library’s be the lesser choice due to its inwas paid for the printed subscription, at Wheeling while maknewest information resource: Flipster. compatibility with school needs the decision was clear. As a result, Flipster is an online, user-friendly, interactive and Flipster had the advantage WHS has unlimited subscriptions to ing most of them about new way to access and read full-color magazines of, among others, being sold by 14 magazines for less than $500. classes and academics.” like never before. Students are able to read not the company that already sells The Week isn’t the only magazine Barry Hanrahan only current issues as they come out but also the school most of its databases. available to students and teachers; the Librarian 14 magazines available on Flipster past issues dating back up to nearly a year ago “We decided on Flipster (without the torn, crumpled mess of an old pa- because they gave us a really through WHS span all subject areas per magazine). Students can read articles, view big discount, they allowed us to and interests, ranging from world photographs, and screenshot pages to save or pick, as individual schools, what magazines we news to art to vehicles to children’s educarefer to later. Recently, this application has been wanted to share, and we wanted to provide a tion. The selection of magazines came down to

Megan Provost Co-Editor-in-Chief

“

contributions from both students and administrators.

“I took a survey and feedback of a small handful of kids informally. For the administrators and teachers we got a lot of feedback; we did it formally where they had a spreadsheet and they told me what magazines they were interested in getting to support the curriculum,” Hanrahan said. English and social studies classes across grade levels saw potential and showed interest in magazines like the Week, Atlantic, National Review, and Newsweek Global.

Rebecca Castro, Spanish teacher, said these types of magazines, even if written in English, could be useful in her Spanish classes when they discuss current events (in Spanish, of course).

Art teachers expressed interest in Artist’s Palette for class assignments while Health classes plan on doing the same using Health and Better Nutrition. Even People en Español, a seemingly non-academic choice, reads in the universal language of fashion and has the potential to play a role in those classes.

Would you use the Flipster e-magazines? How? “Yes, I would use the ‘People en Español’ magazine because some of my friends are hispanic and I could talk with them about it,” John Ufir, freshman.

“No I wouldn’t use them; I don’t know what they are or where I could find them.

I don’t really have any reasons to read any of them either,” Elizabeth Margo, sophomore.

Access not only current issues but also issues dating back up to nearly a year ago.

Take your favorite or most interesting articles with you by printing single pages or spreads (without the weight or hassle of an entire magazine).

View full spreads and articles as they are laid out in the actual magazine

“I would read the magazine about entrepreneurship; it looks interesting and very informational. It also might inspire me career and future wise,” Alex Mendez, junior.

“Maybe if they had ‘People’ in English and not just the Spanish one, I would read that. Maybe the ‘Travel + Leisure’ one when my family is planning trips,” Zoe Maglaris, senior.

Magazine: mental_floss Screenshots from Flipster

“I think it’s great that we have that. It’s a valuable source of information for students and teachers,” Neal Weiner, physical education teacher.

Photo Opinion by Jean Pabon

8

La Voz

febrero 6, 2015

Paso a paso Obama crea posibilidades de educación para una nueva generación de Latinos en los EE.UU Aidé Hernandez La Voz Editor Este año ha sido uno grande para el Presidente Barack Obama, especialmente entre la comunidad Latina. La reforma migratoria en primero, ha traído grandes esperanzas a los estudiantes Latinos. Entre todos, desde los soñadores a los Latinos nacidos en Estados Unidos. Ahora hay una sensación de seguridad entre la comunidad Latina por la razón que ya no se separaran familias.

Más recientemente, en su discurso del Estado de la Unión Obama anunció un plan que traerá una mayor seguridad para el futuro de la educación. Más importante aún, no sólo va a traer más oportunidades para todos los Estadounidenses, tambien traerá oportunidad para los estudiantes de la comunidad Latina.

El presidente Obama tiene previsto crear un nuevo crédito fiscal que cubrirá los primeros $4,000 dólares de la universidad, cubrir todos los gastos de la universidad de la comunidad y cubrira sesenta por ciento del costo en otras partes. Todo esto en intercambio por cien horas de servicio comunitario. Algo que se ha echo muy claro es que se beneficiarán todos los estudiantes en América en una forma u otra.

Esto es, si el presidente es capaz de obtener el apoyo y se logra pasar la ley.

“Si se aprueba habra muchos que van a podre recibir una educación mucho mejor, por que ahorita el problema mayor es el dinero” comento Haide Torrez, Senior.

Mientras que todos los que quieran beneficiarse lo podran hacer, trae algunos beneficios adicionales entre la comunidad Latina. En los últimos años los jóvenes de la comunidad latina ha demostrado verdaderamente avanzar en la participación en sus comunidades. Esto es tan verdadero y onvio que ahora

están superando el número de estudiantes que se inscriben en una universidad luege de salir de la preparatoria. Los Latinos sobrepasan a la raza Americana con un setenta por ciento, en comparsion a su sesenta y siete por ciento.

Lamentablemente, estas tendencias no continuan en la educacion entre los estudiantes Latinos. De hecho, sólo el cuarenta y ocho por ciento de los estudiantes universitarios Latinos continúan en obtener un título mientras que el resto abandonan la escuela antes de completrar los primeros cuatro años. Y aquí es donde los planes de Obama juegan un gran papel, presentando a los estudiantes con una solución o ayuda con el mayor problema: el dinero Independientemente, no tiene importancia que bueno sea el estudiante o cuántas becas recibe ni cuánto ahorra durante su infancia. Lo más probable es que si tus padres son nacidos en el extranjero el dinero para la universidad esta un poco apretado. Desafortunadamente, muchos estudiantes tienen los grados y tienen el potencial de ser aceptados en universidades de prestigio, sino que simplemente no tienen la billetera para hacer lo.

El Crédito de la Oportunidad Americana hace eactamente como su nombre, da una oportunidad. Aquellos que opten por ir fuera del estado o a una universidad ahora tendrán la capacidad financiera para graduarse. A través de la graduación de sus horizontes se expandirán y mejorara la accesibilidad y calidad de vida. Esto todo sera posible gracias a la disponibilidad de trabajo que se abrira con un diploma.

“Seria algo gran, especificamente para los immigrantes de Mexico, podran salir de la pobreza” dijo Bruno Salgado, freshman.

Se ha informado que los hijos de inmigrantes Latinos tienen menos de un décimo de posibilidad de graduarse en la universidad, todo debido a sus bajos ingresos. Si se aprueba esta

Tostones, comida tradicional de Puerto Rico Instrucciones de Preparación

1. Usando un cuchillo, corte el plátano en rebanadas de una a dos pulgadas 2. Tome las rebanadas y distribuye en un plato grande 3. Tome la sal y pimienta y mezcle 4. Usando un tenedor, tome el ajo y cortarlo en pedazos chicos y agregue a la mezcla de sal y pimienta 5. Con una cuchara tome la mezcla de sal, ajo, y pimienta y ponla sobre las rebanadas de plátano 6. Deje que el plátano se quede en el plato por lo menos media hora, dejando que la mezcla de especies se pegue 7. Caliente el aceite, y mete los plátanos 8. Despues que los plátanos se vuelvan un color amarillo remueva los 9. Tome las rebanadas y aplaste las usando un plato o cucharón

NBC Latino

Estados Unidos y Cuba uniendo fuerzas de nuevo

espías cubanos enviados a Estados Unidos hace 20 años para infiltrar instalaciones militares .

Alan Gross fue liberado un par de semanas El 17 de diciembre Obama anunció el antes del gran discurso de Obama e incluso cambio en la relación con Cuba. Durante 55 fue presentado como su invitado especial, años los EE.UU. ha estado en duros términos Gross recibió una ovación de pie por parte con Cuba, comenzando con nuestro embargo del Estado de la multitud cuando la Unión desde 1959. El embargo hizo que sea ilegal recibido de nuevo por Obama. que las empresas estadounidenses hagan Los funcionarios están pidiendo esta negocios con Cuba. Los dos normalización de las relaciones países nunca han intercambiado entre Estados Unidos y Cuba “ embajadas .

El deshielo de Cuba” “En Cuba estamos “Es ridículo que tomó todo terminando una política que ese tiempo para que los países era largo pasado su fecha de se lleven bien. Rastrear a través caducidad. Cuando lo que está “Creo que es de la historia y a causado nada haciendo no funciona desde que problemas,” dijo Selena bueno que más hace 50 años, es hora de probar Grode, junior. nos estamos algo nuevo,” dijo Barack Obama Y ya que el cambio de Obama convirtiendo y dirección en el estado de unión durante el Estado de la Unión.

La decisión final se llevó a amigos con todo el mundo ha preguntado cabo durante nueve sesiones Cuba, estamos cómo va a afectar y cambiar diferentes a lo largo del tiempo Latina. El cambio en la política construyendo tiene previsto incrementar el de 18 meses. Representantes de nuevas relaciones turismo a Cuba y beneficiar su Barack Obama y representantes de Raúl Castro se reunirían en y espero que economía. Viajes se hará más secreto en Canadá. El Papa del sucedan cosas accesible, por lo que es más fácil Vaticano tambien fue incluido los familiares y visitas de mejores para los para entre la conversación para dar negocios . No sólo eso, sino que dos países en el los EE.UU. planea construir una consejos a los dos países. futuro” embajada en La Habana , algo “Esta expresión por el presidente Barack Obama -Alondra que nunca se a hecho antes en merece el respeto y el Esquivel, Cuba. reconocimiento de todo el pueblo “Sinceramente, creo que es Junior genial y quiero agradecer y reconocer el cómo están llevándose apoyo del Vaticano y en especial bien ahora, estoy seguro de que de Francisco en la mejoración de va a beneficiar a ambos países,” las relaciones entre Cuba y los dijo Leslie Miranda, junior.

Estados Unidos,” dijo el presidente cubano, Para los cubanos, el cambio les permitirá Raúl Castro. obtener materiales con mayor facilidad.

La decisión incluyó el acuerdo de Tales como materiales de construcción para intercambio de prisioneros. Un intercambio casas particulares. El embargo ha afectado que incluyó a Alan Gross, un contratista profundamente a los cubanos, pero espero que de ayuda estadounidense prisionero por el con este nuevo desarrollo cosas cambiarán gobierno cubano durante cinco años. Alan tanto para los cubanos como para los Gross fue intercambiado por tres condenados norteamericanos.

Karina Piña Staff Reporter

“

Ingredientes

3 Plátanos para Cocinar 2 Copas de Aceite para Freir 1 Cucharadita de Sal 1 Cucharadita de Pimienta 1 Cucharadita de Ajo

ley, esto aumentará dramáticamente a siete décimas.

Aún más impresionante es la idea de que con la comunidad Latina que compone una gran fracción de la población de Estados Unidos, creara una oportunidad para ascender de su rango duodécimo lugar actual de finalización de estudios universitarios. Todo-en-todo el país tendra una mayor oportunidad individual en la prosperidad económica.

Aunque el president Truman ya hizo el proposito en 1947, ahora, Obama reina en una era en donde la educación es clave para el futuro, y nunca antes se a querido tener tanta educación.

Paso a paso la comunidad latina está ganando una presencia poderosa, y a través de la voluntad y la unidad entre la población más joven es seguro que si se va poder lograr.

US News

El Presidente de Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, y el Presidente de los Estados Unidos, Barack Obama se reunieron este año para discutir sobre los Mexicano en los EEUU, incluyendo la educación.

Requisitos de calificación para el plan de Educación del Presidente

Estos son los requisitos establecidos el mes de Enero y tienen posibilidad de cambiar.

-Ser estudiante y asistir a clases en un colegio comunitario por lo menos tiempo medio -Graduarse de la Preparatoria con un GPA de promedio de 3.0 -Mantener un GPA promedio de 2.5 a traves de la educacion secundaria -No tener cualquier antecedentes penales -No tener deudas escolares en existencia

February 6, 2015

9

Entertainment

Meghan Trainor’s new album released to mixed reviews Trainor’s songs lack originality as well, with the same word or phrase being repeated throughout the chorus.

The title track, “Title” repeats the word “title” a grand total of 32 times, while the chorus to “No Good For You” (featured on the deluxe version of the album) repeats the title phrase over and over and over again to a point where it’s almost annoying.

“Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” a duet with John Legend, is one of the few exceptions on Title. It features meaningful, heartfelt lyrics, and Trainor successfully exhibits her superb singing capabilities as she harmonizes with Legend.

Title features a fuse of pop and 50’s style music throughout the album. In some songs, such as “Dear Future Husband” and “Close Your Eyes,” this blend Kelly McKewin of sounds is clever and Trainor pulls it off well, but throughout the rest of the album, it seems overdone.

Co-Editor-in-Chief Songs like “Walkashame” and “My Selfish Heart” After gaining popularity throughout the second would have been better off solely as pop songs, and half of 2014, Meghan Trainor released her debut the attempts to add a 1950’s flair to them seem album, Title, on Tuesday, Jan. 13. However, despite forced and unnatural. “What If I” opens as a soft, the success of her catchy, chart-topping singles “All 1955-esque, slow dance type of song, but Trainor’s About That Bass” and “Lips Are Movin,’” the rest of voice, rather than being soulful, is too pop-like and Trainor’s debut proves to be unremarkable. sweet for the song to truly shine as a ballad.

The album begins with a interlude entitled “The Despite it’s flaws, however, Title is an upbeat Best Part” in which Trainor proclaims her love for and fun album to listen to. Almost every song on singing, before jumping right into “All About That the album is incredibly catchy and I’ve found myself Bass.” “The Best Part” was a missed opportunity for absent-mindedly humming a number of Trainor’s Trainor, who, had she expanded it into a full song, songs in the last few weeks. While the lack of lyrical easily could have made it the most meaningful song depth makes it hard to make a heartfelt connection on the album as well. Although the lyrics to most of with some of the songs, the upbeat, positive vibe that the tracks on Title are catchy and will easily get stuck the entire album encompasses makes it a perfect singin your head for days, they lack depth. Even as the along-in-the-car soundtrack. Trainor has a long way album progresses, we don’t learn much about Trainor to go before she perfects her song-writing abilities, herself from her lyrics, other than the fact that she’s but she has potential, and is definitely an artist to “got a thang for drummers” (“Bang Dem Sticks”) watch in the next few years. and is incessantly impatient when it comes to texting (“3AM”). The short 24 seconds that make up “The Best Part” provide the most meaningful look into Trainor’s life.

In addition to lacking depth, the lyrics to many of

Meghan Trainor’s album, Title, was released early January. It reached #1 on the Billboard 200 record chart. The album features many throwback styles from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Is it worth it to meet a Kardashian?

Kylie Jenner appeared at the grand oppening of the Sugar Factory in Rosemont recently. This is three students’ accounts of their goal to meet her.

Chris Alvarado A&E Editor

Shailah Magallon Staff Reporter

Kylie Jenner was in town two weeks ago for the grand opening of the Sugar Factory, a nationwide candy factory, bar and grill. She also had a line of lollipops being sold.

We all ended up taking a cab to Rosemont and waiting in line for what seemed like forever. Finally, when Kylie arrived, the line that was meant to keep everyone in order dispersed and everyone crowded around the front of the restaurant. Kylie walked the red carpet, spoke to press and went inside leaving everyone outside wondering how they could get in.

A man whose party couldn’t show up graciously offered us the spots in his group and we took it. Inside, we were sat next to VIP guests, huge cakes for Kylie Jenner and Nick Cannon who would DJ later that night. Throughout the meal, cameramen from “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” filmed the room and our table in particular.

At the end of the night, we walked out having maybe glanced at Kylie, sometimes being an inch away from a simple highfive. We did walk away with a fun experience under our belts, being filmed for a reality watched by millions, seeing Kylie Jenner and meeting entertainment business types.

They say unexpected adventures are the best and thanks to Kylie Jenner, I finally believe that theory.

Despite the fact that I attempted to RSVP to meet her at the Sugar Factory, I was rejected because the list was full.

I asked Chris if he was going, which generated this chaotic adventure. One of the hardships we had to face was finding a cab. Yes, we could’ve taken the train and that was an option, but we were in a time crunch and taking the train wouldn’t do us any good.

Once I got home with Chris, I was convinced that we weren’t going to be able to go. We went as far as downloading the app, Uber. Unfortunately we didn’t have a credit card to get an uber.

After our multiple attempts, we finally booked a cab and I was excited for the first time my high school life started.

Half an hour into standing in line waiting to get in, I started regretting my decision into coming because it was very cold. In fact, later that night, the cold got to me- I started freaking out. I said things that didn’t make sense, I started laughing for no reason and kept telling Josie to shut up even though she didn’t say anything. We ended up getting in because of a VIP guest who didn’t have his entire party with him.

Josie Levin Staff Reporter I’m not a fan of the Kardashians.

Mainly because there’s an absurd amount of them, but also because I don’t care. So why on earth would I want to wait in the cold for two hours to see one that didn’t even have the last name? I do not know.

People were lined up around several buildings when we got there at 4:15.

And when we moved up in line a half hour later. If it was frigid when we got there, it was the dawn of a new ice age at 5. The event was supposed to start but no one was going in. We debated pooling our money for a spot farther up in line. Which, to be perfectly honest, wouldn’t have made a difference. I don’t know how long it was until the line dissolved in chaos, but it was long enough for me to start wondering if my fingers were going to fall off, but not cold enough that they actually would.

When the line did descend into chaos, I was left feeling vaguely astounded that I had stood in a meaningless line for over an hour. But then, we were squished between twenty people all wearing excessive mascara, all shouting “When do we get to meet Kylie?” the shrillest they could. It was warm, but that’s about it for comfort.

Picks of the month: January

Information collected by Shailah Magallon

Sam Smith

Fuzzy Socks Staying warm for winter became more stylish recently with fuzzy slippers. The concept is simple but the effects are great. Keeping your feet warm keeps your entire body warm and these socks, made of polyester, can be found anywhere.

Yet another British Invasion! With songs like “Stay With Me” and “I’m Not the Only One,” Sam Smith quickly became one of today’s greatest stars. His album, “In The Lonely Hour,” came out last year and his fame and popularity has skyrocketed since.

Person

Fashion

Uptown Funk ft.

Bruno Mars

Spotify Music is a big part of our lives, but it’s also expensive, which is why Spotify is a favorite. It has all the latest music as well as old classics. You can create your own playlists for workouts, homework, etc. The best part is, it’s all free!

Bruno Mars has done it again folks! With classic hits like Just the Way You Are and Grenade, Mars has another song to add onto that list. Off of Mark Ronson’s newest album, Uptown Funk is a definite throwback song to 70’s funk, boogie and dance.

Song

Chris Alvarado

Top: Kylie Jenner walked the red carpet with tons of fans, reporters and bodygaurds crowding her.

Bottom: A cameraman from “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” filming the restraunt where Kylie was eating.

App

10

Forum

Editorial

February 6, 2015

‘Mockingbird’ essential part of curriculum and culture

55 years ago, Harper Lee published her only novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” (TKAM) which has since become an American classic. Although controversial and banned in some school districts, the book is nevertheless a staple of many high school reading curriculums.

On Tuesday, February 3, both Harper Lee and “TKAM” were trending on Twitter. The

reason for this peculiar revival lies in talks of Lee’s apparent return with a sequel to her iconic book.

Ironically, the sequel, “Go Set a Watchman,” was written before “TKAM.” The book follows an adult Scout who goes back to Maycomb to visit her father, Atticus. While there is no set release date for the book yet, 2 million copies are expected to be published.

Amid talks of removing “Mockingbird” from the freshman reading curriculum, Spokesman believes that while the book might seem outdated in that it takes place in the 1930s and was written in 1960, the themes still ring relevant today. The theme of racial tension in “TKAM” parallels conflicts in our modern society. We study literature to foster empathy and study history to prevent

it from repeating itself. In pulling “TKAM,” students would be deprived of the lesson in how far we’ve come since the early 20thcentury. Spokesman believes “TKAM” is an essential part of WHS curriculum and American culture.

8 out of 8 members of the editorial board agree

Parents closer to teens through the use of social media Kamila Kawa Forum Editor Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr are old news for teenagers, simply because we use it every day to the point where we’ve seen it all and it just seems boring. To our parents, social media is definitely something new and lately many parents have a Facebook, while other savvy parents have a Facebook and an Instagram, Pinterest, or even a Twitter.

According to Brigham Young University professors Sarah Coyne and Laura PadillaWalker, teenagers who are connected to

their parents on social media feel closer to their parents in real life. They also conducted a study of nearly 500 families and found that teens that interact with their parents on social media have higher rates of “prosocial” behavior, meaning that they are more generous, kind and helpful to others.

Social media helps families feel more connected, simply because now parents and their teenagers can do a lot on social networking sites. For example we, the teenagers, might post a picture and our parents show support by commenting on it or liking it; the same idea goes for a status update or posting a video. Michaela Wittman, senior said, “My mom and my grandma both comment on my statuses and pictures. It can get annoying because I already know what their opinions are about me and my life, but in the end I do appreciate their positivity on my Facebook.” With this simple way of showing support, it gives more opportunities to give positive feedback or show affection. Karlie Orlando, senior said,

District 214 new pool rules Katie Chong Staff Reporter New rules have been implemented in D214 regarding pool dress codes. The new rules state that all girls wearing a two piece must wear a shirt over her bathing suit, and boys are no longer allowed to wear speedos in the pool. “Who wears a speedo in school for swimming class?” Alicja Sieracka, freshman, asked me when I told her about the new rule regarding speedos. Even though I’ve never seen a speedo during school outside a swim meet, I have seen a lot of two piece and bikinis in the pool over only two years.

“I have yet to have a male student wear a speedo,” Diane Rawlinson, dance and yoga teacher said. Despite not having many male students, Ms. Rawlinson has been working at WHS for 24 years. Despite varying opinions, all of the students I interviewed were aware of the new rules for female students but none knew that rule changes were also made for the male students. The new rules for girls are getting noticed by more students because it affects more students, specifically more female students than male.

Another trait all my interviewees shared was that they believed in the right to choose.

“I think that if you want to wear a shirt, you can and if you don’t want to, you don’t have to,” Sieracka said. And it is not the just the female students.

“Girls shouldn’t have to wear shirts in the pool; it should be up to them,” Jimmy Tsogas, junior, said. While the district takes away female students’ right to choose, males still get to decide if they wear a shirt or not.

“Both of my parents have a Facebook and in some ways it does connect us more because they always get to see what’s going on with me and my sister.” Social networks give an intimate look at our lives. It lets parents know what their kids are going through and helps them feel more connected to their child. It gives a window into what is going on.

Being connected with parents on social media isn’t always the best thing either, because it takes away from actual face-toface time with our parents. Social media is the internet and it’s a simple, easy way of communicating, but what about an actual talk with our parents or spending time with our families. Social media is slowly creeping up and substituting itself for actual bonding time with our parents. Julia Kurolapnik, sophomore said, “My parents like the fact that they have a Facebook, however I don’t have one so I can’t exactly connect with them over social media. If I did have a Facebook, I would be a lot more mindful of what I wrote and posted, I also don’t think it would bring

us closer.”

Social media means less connection, the real kind. This means that families aren’t able to build relationships as strong as they could be nor are they able to maintain them as well. Anita Wittman, Michaela’s mom, said, “I don’t think being friends on Facebook brings me closer to my daughter because I am not on Facebook that much. Spending time together works much better.” As a result, teenagers will feel less familiarity, comfort, trust, security, and, most importantly, love from their parents. Jose Castillo, sophomore said, “My parents don’t have any type of social media because they say it’s not something you need to live.” Castillo’s parents are right, and social media should only bring in further connection between us and our parents.

Although in some ways social media may bring extra support, this extra support should only be an addition to the support parents give on a regular basis, outside of social media, and in our everyday lives.

“If girls have to wear a t-shirt in the pool, guys should too because it’s the same amount of skin,” Regina Sevilla, sophomore, said.

No matter the true reason for the change in rules, most girls think the rule changes are due to their bodies being “distractions.”

“Girls should be able to wear what makes them comfortable. The only reason the rule was enforced ( in my opinion) is because it’s too ‘revealing.’”Marisol Ruiz, freshman said.

I refuse to believe that the school officials wanted to objectify their students’ bodies, but it does not matter because the student body thinks they are.

The new rules do not only bother the female students, male students finds it unfair as well. Unlike some of their female counterparts, male students do not think that they should have to wear t-shirts in the pool.

However, they do not think their female peers negatively affecting their learning environment either. “You see (girls in two pieces) when you go to public pools all the time. “We’re in the water most of the time, so there’s nothing to be distracted by even if she was wearing a bikini,” Solomon Kong, freshman. Male students also believe that their female peers should have the right to chose what they wear in the pool like they do.

“If he or she doesn’t want to wear a shirt then he or she should be forced to wear a shirt.”

Kong says.

We have gone years in the passed without these rules, and I have not heard any horror stories of girls losing their top or boys losing their speedo bottoms in the pool. At the end of the day, it does not matter what the real motive for the new pool rule are, it only matters what the students think the motives are. The school needs to trust that the student body will make appropriate enough choices in swimwear and treat their peers with respect.

Spokesman Staff 2014-2015 Editors-in-Chief Kelly McKewin* Megan Provost*

Focus Editor Megan Provost

News Editor Kelly McKewin

La Voz Editor Aide Hernandez*

Web Editor Kelly McKewin

Forum Editor Kamila Kawa*

A&E Editor Chris Alvarado*

Sports Editor Patrick Ryan*

Feature Editor Photo Editor Erika Pogorzelska* Jean Pabon*

Staff Reporters Abi Cozariuc Jacob Sweetow Josie Levin Karina Piña Katia Bryhadyr Marco Mateos Mark Tannous Max Piasecki Miranda Raimondi Shailah Magallon Zalman Faltushanskiy Graphics Simon Milstain

*Staff members with asteriks are members of the Editorial Board

Cartoon by Josie Levin

Adviser John Uhrik Cartoonist Anakristy Gonzalez Katie Chong Seri Cho Photographer Anna Markiewicz

This is the official student newspaper of Wheeling High School, 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling, Ill. 60090. Written, edited and distributed 8 times a year by advanced journalism classes, independent studies and other interested and qualified students. Produced by using desktop publishing and is printed by Son’s Enterprises, Inc., Skokie Ill. Mailed subscription $15 per year.

are encouraged to contribute letters to the staff in room 137 or mail them in care of WHS. All letters must be signed. Letters may be edited for length, style, possible libel, clarity, and adherence to our publication policies.

Spokesman’s mission is to report the news objectively and truthfully. We will print any known errors here in the issue following our gaining knowledge of the error.

Letters- Spokesman is a Advertising- For information, limited public forum and call (847) 718-7114 Mondaywelcomes a free exchange of Friday 7:25 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. ideas from all readers. Readers

CorrectionsNone

February 6, 2015

11

Sports

Hall of Fame inductees honored Swimming prepares for sectionals Patrick Ryan Sports Editor

Courtesy of @whsactivities

The 2015 WHS Athletic Hall of Fame Class was officially inducted in a ceremony at halftime of the girls basketball game. Pictured from left to right are inductees Rick Benedetto, Ann Kent Haller and Brian Lichtenberger. Tom McManus, the fourth inductee, is not pictured.

Patrick Ryan Sports Editor Each year, WHS honors the contributions of a few individuals who have made a significant impact on the athletic programs by inducting these individuals into the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Members of the 2015 Hall of Fame class Rick Benedetto, head football coach, Ann Kent Haller, athlete, Brian Lichtenberger, athletic trainer, and Tom McManus, athlete, were officially inducted on Jan. 24.

Rick Benedetto: Benedetto was inducted for his time as a football coach, first as an assistant and then as a head coach. While head football coach, a position he held for 12 years, Benedetto amassed a record of 61-50 and is the longest tenured head football coach in the history of WHS. Benedetto’s 1984 team was the second team in school history to win 7 games, and his 1985, 1988 and 1994 teams won the conference championship and made it to the IHSA playoffs. The ‘94 team won 9 games, which is the current school record for wins. Benedetto was selected as MSL coach of the year twice and was also the head baseball coach and assistant basketball and golf coach.

Ann Kent Haller: In her time at WHS, Haller was a 3 sport athlete and earned 10 varsity letters, playing volleyball, basketball and track and field. She was a 3 year starter on the volleyball team, and in 1982 earned All-Conference honors. On the basketball team, Haller was a 3 year starter and

in 1983 earned All Conference honors and was a Daily Herald All Area Honorable Mention player. In her time at WHS, Haller was a member of girls track and field teams that won four straight MSL conference championships.

Haller was a 2 time MSL champion in discus and an MSL champion in shot put, and her discus throw of 134’3” is still the WHS school record.

Brian Lichtenberger: Lichtenberger was inducted for his work as an athletic trainer at WHS. Lichtenberger served as the head athletic trainer at WHS from 1980-2007. In all those years, he cared for thousands of athletes and was the head athletic trainer for over 70 sports seasons.

“The most memorable thing for me about working as an athletic trainer was the relationships I formed with student athletic trainers, athletes, parents and coaches,” Lichtenberger said. “This award really recognizes that the time and services of athletic trainers is valuable.”

Tom McManus: During his time at WHS, McManus was a linebacker and team captain on the football team and a member of the track and field team.

He was selected to the all conference team in 1986 and 1987, and was also named to the Daily Herald all area teams both years. In 1987, McManus was selected for the Chicagoland top 44 team. McManus received a football scholarship from Boston College, where he was a two time first team Big East selection, and was a third team All American. After Boston College, McManus played professional football for the Jacksonville Jaguars for 5 years.

As the boys swimming regular season drew to a close Jan. 30 against Prospect, the Wildcats hoped to finish off the season strong going into the conference, sectional and state meets. While Prospect came out on top, it was not all bad because the entire team performed well and many achieved personal bests, according to Justin Loquercio, junior.

“As a team we lost, but our efforts as individuals was the best so far this year,” Loquercio said.

Some of the notable times from the Prospect meet were Kyle Noel, junior, with a 49.97 in the 100 yard freestyle, Justin Loquercio with a 1:54.86 in the 200 free (a season best), Jake Noel, junior, with a 55.28 in the 100 fly and Nate Reiff, junior, with a 22.63 in the 50 free, a personal best.

While it did not end in a victory, the Prospect meet had many individual successes for the Wildcats, and these results are very promising for the team going into the postseason. The Wildcats have improved greatly since the beginning of the season, and look to be swimming their best going into the conference meet.

“We got off to a rough start, but people have been putting in the work and we have been doing a great job to do the best we can with the very small team that we have,” Noel said.

“We want to repeat or even do better this year at conference, and I have the personal goal of getting back to state this year for both of the

events that I went for last year and hopefully I can go for more this year.”

The boys swimming team has a record of 7-2 this season, and according to Reiff, this success is brought by three key things.

“The first is determination. As a team we’re dedicated to the sport and we want to prove that the boys swimming team is one of the best teams at Wheeling and finally earn some recognition,” Reiff said. “The second is hard work. I don’t think I’ve ever pushed myself so hard in a season and the team has really been pushing it all season.”

Reiff continued, “The third is drive. We all want to break records and have those records be so fast that our names are still on the board when we come back from college and maybe even longer then that.”

As the sectional and conference meets approach, the team is doing many things to prepare. Some of these things include tapering their workouts, which is when each swimmer rests and does less yards in practice so that their bodies can recover and be in their best shape for the races. In addition to tapering workouts, the team has “carb load” dinners before meets and tries to get lots of sleep, according to Reiff.

The boys swimming team is very optimistic about the conference and sectional meets despite having to face other talented teams, but they believe their hard work will be the key to success.

“To be top three in the conference is a tough goal with all of the young talent on other teams, but I think we can do it,” Loquercio said. “At sectionals, we want to break as many as the records as we can, and hopefully make it to state.”

Jean Pabon

Justin Loquercio, junior, swims in the 200 free against Prospect. Loquercio swam a personal season best time of 1:54.86 in the 200 free against Prospect Jan. 30.

Sweetow’s NFL recap

Fieldhouse opens Feb. 3

boys go up against the Legion of Boom was definitely something to get excited about.

The first half certainly lived up to the hype.

After a pair of late touchdown passes by Brady and Wilson, the game was tied 14-14 going into halftime.

While Katy Perry was trying her hardest to excite the crowd with her dancing sharks and pyrotechnics, the two teams gathered in their locker rooms to prepare for the second half.

After receiving the second-half kickoff, Seattle would march down the field and put up three points, giving them their first lead of the game at 17-14.

Playing from behind, Tom Brady began Jacob Sweetow driving his Patriots down the field when he was intercepted by Seattle middle linebacker, Bobby Staff Reporter Wagner. Six plays and three minutes later, Russell Wilson passed to Doug Baldwin for a After a season tainted by an elevator video three-yard touchdown. 24-14 Seattle. and a few (un)intentionally deflated footballs, Down ten points with just under eleven the NFL and football fans across the globe minutes to go in the game, Tom Brady conneeded to see a great game, and after sixty verted on a third and fourteen with a beautiful minutes of hard-fought football between the pass to wide receiver, Julian Edelman, and with league’s two best teams, that is exactly what eight minutes left Brady completed his third they got. touchdown pass of the game to wide receiver, On New England’s side, thirty-seven year Danny Amendola. 24-21 Seattle. old Tom Brady sought to end his Super Bowl After the New England defense held Seattle losing streak and capture his fourth ring while to a huge three-and-out, Tom Brady was at it the 5’11” twenty-six-year-old Russell Wilson again, and with just over two minutes remainlooked to scramble his way to a second straight ing, he completed yet another touchdown pass title. giving the Patriots the lead, 28-24.

The three-time champion and strategic With just over a minute left, Russell Wilson mastermind Bill Belichick would face off threw a deep ball to wide receiver Jermaine Keagainst the defensive-minded defending arse who was covered tightly by New England champion Pete Carroll. Carroll, who coached cornerback, Malcolm Butler. Butler deflected the Patriots from 1997-1999 and was fired and the ball up in the air, and gravity deflected the replaced by Bill Belichick in 2000, may have ball down, right into Jermaine Kearse’s hands. had some extra motivation going into Super With the ball on the one-yard line, instead Bowl XLIX against the Patriots. of handing it off to running back Marshawn The eleventh ranked total offense for New Lynch, the league leader in rushing touchEngland would battle the number one total downs, the Seahawks instead chose to pass, and defense for Seattle. Doesn’t seem like a great Malcolm Butler read the play like a book as he matchup, but for New England’s offense, the intercepted Wilson, sealing a Patriots victory only number that mattered was twelve (Tom and putting an exclamation point at the end of Brady’s number), and seeing Brady and his one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played.

will be using the fieldhouse for open gyms in February. This will allow them to use the Staff Reporter resources of the school, like the batting cages.

According to Jason Wieder, head baseball coach, “Having the field house allows us to stay The WHS fieldhouse was scheduled to home and not have to travel to Forest View or reopen on Feb. 2, but since there was a snow other schools, which is great because baseball day that day, the date was pushed back to Feb. practice involves a lot of equipment that would 3, the first day of school this week. When it be hard to travel with.” is opened, however, it will be used by various The opening of the fieldhouse will also teams such as the baseball, softball, and track make it easier for gym classes to spread out, get teams. more exercise, and participate in more activiThe fieldhouse is the largest space in school ties. Fitness testing, formally canceled do to the for sports activities, important for practicing loss of area and resources for testing, will now sports usually played in a large area. This is resume and is scheduled to start soon. The long especially true in the winter when there is snow awaited opening of the field house will benefit on the ground. For example, the baseball team all of WHS, especially the spring sports teams.

Josie Levin

Courtesy of @Wheeling_Cats

The WHS fieldhouse was damaged Sep. 5, by a heavy storm, and was reopened Feb. 3. Fitness testing will now resume as usual because of the added space.

Sports Volume 51 Issue 5

February 6, 2015

Upcoming Events

Wrestling: Saturday, Feb. 7 IHSA Regionals at 9 am at Glenbrook South.

Girls Basketball: Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Buffalo Grove at 2 pm at Forest View.

Boys Basketball: Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Buffalo Grove at 3:45 pm at Forest View.

Wrestling ends regular season ranked 22 Patrick Ryan Sports Editor

WHS wrestling has finished the 2014-2015 season with a record of 23-3, an achievement that has also earned the Wildcats a 22nd ranking of all class 3A wrestling teams in the state of Illinois. As a team, the Wildcats have had one of their most successful seasons in several years, according to Neal Weiner, head werstling coach.

“I believe that this year sets the stage for us to be one of the better teams in Illinois in the next few seasons,” Weiner said.

On Jan. 31, the Wildcats took 6th out of 13 teams at the MSL meet, a result they hope to improve upon in the coming weeks as the Regional, Sectional and State meets approach.

“In the MSL meet, the team results were good but not as great as we had planned,” Ricky Muro, senior, said. “Even though it wasn’t exactly what we wanted, there is always something good you can take out of the negative. We had some big matches that were key for us to win, and even the freshmen stepped up for us and wrestled great.”

Muro placed second in the MSL tournament.

“I lost to a Conant kid ranked first in the whole state who is undefeated, but it was a good experience to get great competition like that,” Muro said. “I am disappointed I lost yet I am happy at the same time because I get to wrestle the best guys out there which will only make me better for my other opponents.”

All season, the varsity wrestling team has been supported by very successful freshmen and JV teams. The JV team placed 4th out of 12 teams at the MSL meet. The freshman team finished undefeated with a record of 18-0, and the sophomore team had one blemish with a record of 17-1.

“Success is firing on all cylinders,” Weiner said. “The future of Wheeling wrestling looks very bright because of the success our lower levels have had.”

A major reason for the success of the team

has been a very experienced coaching staff, according to Weiner.

“With coaches like Nick Blackshaw, JP Akouri, Max Smith and Joe Raupp, I think we have one of if not the best coaching staffs in the conference,” Weiner said.

Coming into this season, the Wildcats had definite goals set for the 2014-2015 season, and those goals have not faltered since then. One of those goals was to win the regional tournament, according to Johny Carvajal, senior.

“In the beginning of the season, we strived as a team to win the division and if possible win the conference, and to also win our regional so we could make it to team-sectional,” Carvajal said. “With several changes to the team we still believe that our pursuit for the regional championship is in reach, as long as we all wrestle to our full potential.”

With regionals approaching, the Wildcats hope to be wrestling their best coming into the tournament.

“We are still determined to win the regionals and to just really wrestle great individually and leaving everything out there on the mat with no regrets,” Muro said.

Like Muro, Weiner remains very optimistic about the team’s chances at the regional tournament.

“Wheeling wrestling has won nine regional championships in the past, and this year we are very capable of adding a 10th,” Weiner said.

According to Muro, this season has been filled with many successes, and is one of the best Wheeling wrestling seasons in his time at WHS. “It’s such an honor to be apart of this wrestling team and I wouldn’t change anything,” Muro said. “We have grown so much since I started as a freshman and it just shows that hard work really does pay off because now we are one of the top teams in the state and we are ranked to prove that.”

Muro continued, “Now that we are in the postseason, many guys have grown much more mature and know what is is that we have to do in order to be successful.”

The regional tournament takes place on Feb. 7 at Glenbrook South.

Jean Pabon

After the conference tournament Jan. 31, Wildcat wrestling finished with a record of 23-3 and a state ranking of 22. Martin Sanchez, junior, grapples against Buffalo Grove on Dec. 5.

2014 Matmen Wrestling Rankings as of 2/6/15 1. OPRF (24-0) 2. Glenbard North (25-1) 3. Sandburg (21-3) 4. Mt. Carmel (12-2) 5. Marist (9-10) 6. Marmion (14-6) 7. Hononegah (17-9) 8. Lockport (19-6) 9. Barrington (15-4) 10. Lyons (10-4) 11. Conant (18-2) 12. Lincoln Way Central (13-7)

13. Stevenson (20-3) 14. Deerfield (23-4) 15. Yorkville (17-3) 16. Wheaton North (14-6) 17. Prospect (12-4) 18. Grant (21-6) 19. Metea Valley (18-5) 20. Naperville Central (16-5) 21. Edwardsville (14-5)

22. Wheeling (23-3) 23. Alton (16-3) 24. St. Rita (9-9)

Girls basketball claws their way into MSL race team chants the mantra at the end of every practice, symbolizing the commitment that the Staff Reporter team has to one another.

“We’re coming together more as a team inWhile snow and extreme cold burdens stead of playing as five individual players,” Wildown the WHS community, one Wheeling helm said. “Coach Weber has a big emphasis team’s performance in the gym has only been on, what do I need to do to help my teammate? heating up.

If my teammate needs something, I’m going to The girls basketball team, at the time of do anything I can to meet them.” issue, has a record of 18-6 (.750), with a 4-4 The seven seniors on the team have pro(.500) record in the MSL East. Over winter vided ample leadership to a team that also break, the Wildcats finished first in the Warincludes three sophomores. For Coach Weber, ren Blue Devil Classic for the second year in the seniors have been instrumental in carrying a row, which led to their being ranked as high out his vision for the program. as twelfth in the area by the Daily Herald. The “The seniors have led the team to where we team has followed their tournament victory are today. This is their team,” Weber said. “In with a 6-2 stretch in their last eight games. the future the team will have different players, “We are working together as a team; a lot but the same ideals that we strive for as a proof people of contributing to the team,” Matt gram will be present in next year’s leaders.”

Weber, head coach, said. “Just need to continue The leadership presented to the lowerclassto play with confidence and work together as a men means that they will be able to step it up team in order to maintain success.” next year, says Kuzmanic.

For Deanna Kuzmanic, senior and team “For this team in future years, there are a captain, the team’s success has been highlighted lot of underclassmen who have the ability to be by the constructive mindsets of each of the leaders. Nine varsity players will be returning to members. the team next year and they will be able to fill “Our program’s positive attitude towards the roles of the seven seniors graduating this everything we do has contributed a lot to our year,” Kuzmanic said. success this season. We come to every pracFor now, however, the focus remains on the tice and game with the mentality that we can playoffs as the girls finish their regular season achieve whatever goal we have set for ourselves February 7 against Buffalo Grove. as long as we work hard and work as a team,” “I have seen the rankings/news stories, Kuzmanic said. but rankings/news stories do not matter,” said The team slogan of “One Heart, One Beat, Coach Weber. “The only thing that matters One Team” has carried the team far this season, is how we play at the end of the year during according to Kirsten Wilhelm, junior. The playoffs.”

Zalman Faltushanskiy

Kuzmanic scores 1500th point

ley Wilson play and I looked up to her so much when I was a little kid, so being second behind Staff Reporter her on the list of Wheeling’s leading scorers is something I never imagined.”

Deanna Kuzmanic, senior, scored her Matt Weber, head basketball coach, cites 1,500th point of her varsity basketball caKuzmanic’s success off the court as a large reareer Jan. 8 in the game against Lake Zurich. son for her success on the court.

Kuzmanic, a four year varsity player, stands as “Deanna has had such strong success because the second-highest scorer in Wheeling history she works very hard during practice and outside behind Ashley Wilson, who had 1,916 points. practice. She puts in many hours outside of “Being the second leading scorer in Wheel- practice working on her game and this has ing history is very humbling because there have made her the player she is today,” Weber said. been so many talented players that have gone “Deanna has an extremely high basketball IQ, through the Wheeling girls basketball program which makes her a true leader on the court. She over the years,” Kuzmanic said. “I watched Ash- is a great scorer.”

Zalman Faltushanskiy

Jean Pabon

Above: Hannah Dobrowski, senior, plays defense against Elk Grove Jan. 30. The Lady Wildcats now turn their focus to Buffalo Grove Feb. 7.

Below: Deanna Kuzmanic, senior, scored the 1,500th point of her WHS basketball career Jan. 8 against Lake Zurich. Kuzmanic is now the second highest scorer in WHS history.