Volume 49, Issue 3 by Wheeling Spokesman

Garza trains in street magic pg. 4

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Fall play takes goth approach pg. 3

Volume 49 Issue 3

index

Wheeling High School

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Nov. 16, 2012

Wheeling, Ill. 60090

Programs help close Hispanic Achievement Gap Rosalie Chan web editor Throughout the Northwest suburbs, Hispanic students have improved on standardized test scores, but an achievement gap remains between them and their peers. However, WHS has worked to close this achievement gap. On average, Hispanic students at WHS have performed better on standardized testing for math than Hispanic students in the district and state, with 56.3 percent of them meeting or exceeding expectations on the math portion of the PSAE, compared to 50.5 percent of Hispanics in District 214 and 36.2 percent in the state. WHS works to close this gap by offering courses with career pathways, such as engineering and health careers. Also, staff works to target growth in different areas, and WHS has programs to help students, such as the Academic Literacy Program, AVID, the Learning Center and the English Language Learners resource center. “As a school on the whole, the main focus on our teachers is to enhance students’ skills in reading, writing, critical thinking and inquiry,” Erin DeLuga, associate principal of instruction and curriculum, said.

“That’s why we see this continuous improvement. We’re still continuing to achieve at higher levels.” In addition, Dr. Steve May, assistant principal of student activities, started the Hispanic Athletic Council, where Hispanic student athletes discuss their needs for participating in co-curriculars. “Students involved in activities and athletics do better in school. We’ve been trying to work with Hispanic students on getting more involved in co-curriculars,” Dr. May said. According to Gabriela Medina, guidance counselor, Hispanic students may face problems from socioeconomic, family and language factors. “One thing that impacts students is family support and the type of family structure in place,” Ms. Medina said. “When you’re talking about the education background of families, it’s difficult to promote a collegebound mindset. There’s always those financial barriers, too. There are misconceptions that if I don’t have money, I can’t go (to college).” Despite these barriers, according to data for the Classes of 2008-2013, the low-income group has experienced a per-year growth of 18.8 percent in academic improvement.

Grade 11 Students Who Met or Exceeded Expectations on PSAE 80 70

Hispanics at WHS

Hispanics in District 214

Students at WHS

Hispanics in Illinois

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Reading

Math

Science

Infographic by Rosalie Chan Information from 2012 Illinois School Report Card for WHS

Three clubs join to mentor Twain students District makes changes to requirements Perla Jiménez

la voz editor

Students from a variety of extracurricular activities, including Students Helping Accept Diversity in Every Situation (S.H.A.D.E.S), Operation Snowball and Latino Club had the opportunity to mentor a group of fourth grade students from Mark Twain Elementary School. The mentoring program aims to set positive role models for the elementary students to look up to and confide in. WHS students will not tutor or teach the students, but they will work on creating a trust-based relationship with them. “The (Twain) kids were in awe,” Raymundo Galarza, social worker, said. They asked me ‘and we’re gonna be working with high school kids?’” The mentoring program also aims to help counter the advances of drugs, gangs and other negative factors. The students looked forward to the day as a way to give back to the community and create a positive growing environment for the kids. According to Polly Draganova, junior, so many students wanted to help out that they have outnumbered the elementary students. The first meeting of the program focused on introductions and games. The students played “the M&M game,” where the kids and

Rosalie Chan web editor

Above: Polly Draganova, junior, plays the “M&M game” with a student from Mark Twain Elementary School on Nov. 7. In the game, they take turns picking out M&M’s and asking each other questions based on the M&M color. Below: Rachel Cacchione, senior, sorts out the M&M colors with students from Twain. Photos by Perla Jiménez

mentors took turns picking out M&M’s, and depending on the color of the M&M, they answered a question about themselves or their interests. They also played “people to people” and other activities that let the mentors and students step out of their comfort zones to get closer together. Tyler Levy, senior, said the first meeting was very successful because “the kids were very open and willing to talk.”

The group plans to begin pairing off individual mentors with each fourth grade student. “I’m a little worried about it because I know how awkward it can be... Especially since now we’re going into more emotional topics,” Levy said. Students started mentoring on Nov. 7. The program will take place every Wednesday over six weeks. This program hopes to continue in spring 2013.

The school board passed two proposals at the Oct. 18 board meeting: one dropped information processing as a graduation requirement, and the other allowed students in marching band and NJROTC the option of exemption from physical education during the semester in which they participate in that activity. These changes will take effect in the 2013-14 school year. Dr. David Schuler, superintendent, said the board will work with the Education Association on this waiver and make sure P.E. is a choice for the family, not an “automatic default.” “We are providing options that are more targeted to students based on need and a more effective use of everyone’s time if we provide choices for them and their families,” Dr. Schuler said. As for the proposal to drop information processing as a graduation requirement, Dr. Schuler said the administration will continue to recommend, but not require, information processing. Although students will no longer have to take information processing, they still must have 21 credits to graduate. “I was glad for the opportunity to meet with him, but I feel the board is doing a disservice to students by not requiring this course,” Tricia Anderson, computer and business teacher, said. “The board is under the impression that students come in with technological skills. Yes, you can use social networking, but do you know the requirements and etiquette for using computers and using spreadsheets?”

news

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

S.H.A.D.E.S. will present its 2012 variety show, “Good Time,” from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, Nov. 17, in the theater. Tickets cost $6 per adult, $5 per student with a student ID and $4 for children 12 and under. Sophomore Class Board currently collects money to buy Christmas presents for children in the hospital. They ask everyone to donate a quarter or more. Anyone who donates $1 or more will have his or her name put on a snowflake or star that will hang in the commons. In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be an early dismissal on Wednesday, Nov. 21, and non-attendance days on Nov. 22 and 23.

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Megan Jones A crane transports the tree for Daley Plaza on Nov. 1. Located on Wildwood Lane, the tree’s branches were wrapped up for easier transportation, and some were trimmed. The Daley Plaza will look at other trees to match the branches they had to cut off so that it is a “healthy-looking” Christmas tree.

Conferences lack in parent participation

50 percent of the popular vote

As the 64-foot high Colorado spruce tree was lifted off the ground onto a flatbed, the Theiszmann family of Prospect Heights said goodbye to the 66-year-old tree. This special delivery will be given to downtown Chicago for the holidays this year for its 99th annual tree lighting ceremony. The tree was transported to the Daley Plaza where the ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20. “We are very proud, the mayor especially. We always like to see Prospect Heights shown in a positive light,” Anne Marrin, Prospect Heights administrator, said. The tree was chosen through a process done online via a website. People could submit pictures of their trees and vote for their favorite. A committee then reviews each tree, has a contractor visit the site for an examination and then makes the final decision. The tree was transported from Wildwood Lane on Thursday, Nov. 1. “This is something that reflects well on our community,” Ms. Marrin said.

48 percent of the popular vote

Medical Career Club attended a presentation at 3 p.m. on Nov. 13, where the American Cancer Society received donation checks and presented WHS with a plaque for donation. The club sold baked goods in October to raise money for breast cancer awareness. This was the first time in five years they made their budget. Orchesis was selected to perform at Dance Chicago for its 11th consecutive year. On Nov. 17 at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, they will perform two dances: “Fio-Fio Fioletta” and “dopp/ DROP.”

editor-in-chief

Mitt Romney: 206 electoral votes

Megan Jones

Art Club will sell tie-dye shirts and glass jewelry during lunch periods in December.

Barack Obama: 332 electoral votes

news Prospect Heights tree given to Election 2012 flash Daley Plaza for lighting ceremony Obama won another term as president. His reelection guarantees the implementation of his health care and health insurance law.

Obama gained a coalition of Asian and Latino Americans. Exit polls show that 73 percent of Asian Americans voted for Obama. Latinos made up 10 percent of the electorate, 67 percent of whom voted for Obama. Senate retained a Democratic majority, with 53 Democrats, two independents and 45 Republicans. The House of Representatives retained a Republican majority, with 240 Republicans and 190 Democrats. Voters in Maine and Maryland approved same-sex marriage in their state. Infographic by Rosalie Chan

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Kristina Piamonte Darren Llewellyn, social science teacher, goes over students’ work while waiting for his next appointment during parent teacher conferences on Nov. 7. Parents had a chance to see the WHS curriculum and meet the teachers.

Rosalie Chan web editor Parent teacher conferences took place Nov. 7, and while many parents now use the option of registering online, staff noted that the conference attendance has stayed relatively low every year. “Well, it’s usually the parents of the kids who are doing good who show up. It would be better to see parents of low-performing kids show up,” Joann Chilver, math teacher, said. According to Ms. Valin, parents’ working at night also affects participation at conferences. In order to spread the word about parent teacher conferences, WHS sends out a letter to parents. The parents of students who are considered “must-sees” re-

ceive a second letter. “There’s usually a fair amount,” Kathy Valin, secretary to the associate principal for instruction, said. “The hard part for us is our parents are calling for term one, and if you don’t have a class that runs the full semester, that makes it a little more challenging.” More parents register for parent teacher conferences online now. “Online is more readily accessible to parents. If a student is having trouble, the parent can email or talk to the teacher right away,” Ms. Valin said. If parents do not speak English, translators are available. Students from National Honor Society and NJROTC volunteered at the parent teacher conferences, acting as guides or translators.

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arts

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

Photos by Jessica Livingston Shakespeare’s widely renowned play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” follows a group of four Athenian lovers, who are made to fall in love with the wrong person by a group of fairies. Top left: Maggie Nickl and Tia Allen, seniors, question Marco Mazzetta, sophomore, in an attempt to figure out his identity and his motives for being in the forest. Top right: Celine Dirkes, junior, rejects her suitor, Oberon, who was played by Harlan Rosen, senior. Bottom left: Breton Spiller, junior, rehearses the play within a play. WHS took a gothic makeup and costume approach that was inspired by Robert Kupon, social studies teacher. Chris Gonzalez, senior, found the gothic approach to be risky. “It was such an old play and attempting to make it more of a modern play was worriesome. However, I think it was good because we offered a new approach to several factors of the play, but we still managed to convey the incredibly interesting story by Shakespeare,” Gonzalez said.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Students chosen to represent WHS at IMEA Chris Nush staff reporter Twenty-four students from the music department were selected to perform ensembles for the Illinois Music Educators Association’s (IMEA) district VII this fall. After auditioning for IMEA, Kaitlyn Nielsen, senior, felt that her performance did not go as well as she hoped. “It was a catastrophe,” Nielsen said. “I was disappointed because I missed a note in the scales.” When she discovered she had been chosen for IMEA, she said she felt really excited. Nine jazz band, 11 concert band, one orchestra and three concert choir players have been selected from WHS. IMEA is a conference of music teachers in Illinois. The state is divided into nine districts and WHS is in district seven.

Sixty-five high schools send their best in band, choir and orchestra. IMEA is the largest fine arts education organization in Illinois. Students signed up in October to audition and received their music months in advance. Nielsen participated in IMEA last year, and enjoyed meeting lots of new musicians and learning from them. “I felt a lot more prepared because I had more time to practice. I knew more people beforehand, and I had the opportunity to work with an oboist that I met last year,” Nielsen said. According to Alex Meza, orchestra director, IMEA requires perseverance from all. “It consists of students working really really hard for long periods of time,” Meza said. The judges choose which piece they want each student to perform. This year, orchestra will

use Tchiakovsky’s Symphony No. 4 Final. Adam Korber, senior, said that the final concert is the best part of IMEA because “you are playing with some of the best musicians in the area.” “I know it’s one heck of an experience to be involved in,” Korber said. Students usually receive little help from their directors. Material for their auditions are handed out as soon as possible. Directors help students find private teachers and material for auditioning. “The students take on the responsibility,” Meza said. “The top students put together this band and make this festival.” The concert groups performed Nov. 10 at Glenbrook North High School. The jazz band and orchestra will perform Saturday, Nov. 17 at Lake Zurich.

IMEA DISTRICT MEMBERS Choir Members: Lizzie Jassin, senior-alto Marco Mazzetta, sophomore- bass Harlan Rosen, senior-bass

Orchestra:

Adam Korber, senior- cello

Band Members:

Chelsie Coren, senior- clarinet Darby Dammeier, senior- flute Cole Dammeier, sophomore- french horn Omar Joya, senior- basson Matthew Kulczak, junior- flute Cesar Mendoza, junior- trombone Kaitlyn Nielsen, senior- oboe David Robertson, senior- trumpet Ronny Roth, junior- trumpet Nick Westin, senior- percussion

Jazz Band:

Kristina Piamonte Adam Korber, senior, plays the cello during the annual Pops Concert on Oct. 27. The concert setlist included songs ranging from Lady Gaga to the Beatles.

Patrick Ryan, freshman- trumpet Bryan Marbin, freshman- bass trombone Matthew Browne, freshman- vibraphone Isabel Chan, sophomore- piano Joya, alto-saxophone Roth, trumpet Anthony Gonzalez, freshman- trombone Robertson, trumpet Mendoza, trombone

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Students, teachers run Hot Chocolate race, support charities Frida Valdés feature editor After Maribel Aguilar, senior, missed the deadline to sign up for a 5K run, she decided to register for a 15K run; she thought she would become tired and would not finish the race. However, as she ran the first five kilometers with Kathy Burke, wife of Michael Burke, English teacher, she felt encouraged to keep on going. “I’m running with Mrs. Burke, and she’s like, ‘Well, you look pretty good, are you sure you don’t want to just keep going to the 15K?” Aguilar said. “I don’t know, the most I’ve ever ran in my life was four miles...I didn’t know if I could do 9.2 miles, and she said, ‘I think you can do it.’” On Nov. 4, Aguilar, Donna Bledsoe, senior, Mr. Burke, Cynthia Carro, English teacher, and Alan Wahlert, social science division head, ran the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K run which took place in Chicago. The race began around 7 a.m. from Grant Park to Soldier Field, Chicago. Although Aguilar, and Bledsoe, did not run with someone in particular, they both felt encouraged by other participants. “The more people I saw,

the more pumped I’d be because I was nervous about running it, but then I’m like, ‘Okay there’s so many people, and there’s people even walking,’” Bledsoe said. “I had nothing to worry about, so I was just motivated by seeing everyone there,” Bledsoe said. Aguilar kept pace with other runners, which helped her finish the race. “You could always find someone to keep pace with; you’re never going be on your own because there’s literally like ten thousand people all around you. It’s just awesome, and they have little entertainers, and they have music, and there’s people on the side cheering you on,” Aguilar said. Bledsoe ran the Turkey Trot race, which took place on Thanksgiving last year at Highland Park. Running the Hot Chocolate run motivated Bledsoe to get involved in other races “It is motivating me to do more, bigger races; I want to do the marathon one day,” Bledsoe said. Multiple charities, such as Ronald McDonald House, teamed together for this race in order to raise money to improve children’s health, well-being and education.

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

Garza explores, practices street magic

Perla Jímenez Fernando Garza, senior, shows members of the Latino Club a card to remember. Garza will perform two new tricks at the Variety Show , tonight and Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the theater.

Frida Valdés feature editor As Fernando Garza, senior, makes an entrance through a black door on the stage during the Variety Show rehearsal, cards cascade from his mouth. Audience members cheer him on as he begins to shuffle the

cards for his magic trick. Garza performs street magic at mall centers, parties and around town. His involvement increased this summer, but he has been interested in practicing magic tricks since he was 15. He was driven by people’s reactions and amusement. As Garza stands onstage,

he asks for two volunteers from the audience. He has each volunteer deal out ten cards and count them aloud in front of the audience. He attends lectures at “Ace Club” once or twice a month, with Bill Cook, 07’ graduate and professional magician. “Since I was little, I liked magic, but I was just not really into it. I was kind of on and off, on and off; this year pretty much during the summer is when I got focused on it,” Garza said. Garza showed Jorge Perez, senior, his tricks, and they came up with the idea of recording Garza’s performances. “He’s (Perez) one of my closest friends. In my lunch period, I used to show him and then he’s like ‘oh, you should go out there and show them,’” Garza said. According to Perez, Garza performs his tricks during their lunch period. “I’m the only one that he reveals his secrets to because I’m the one who sees everything,” Perez said. Garza used to practice every day of the week for two to three hours and on the weekends for five to six hours; however, because of his busier schedule, he practices only on the weekends for four hours twice a month. “He (Garza) picks up real fast so it’s not like I’m pulling my hair out,” Cook said.

“Garza will be nervous, but he will do fine (at the Variety Show). If you’re not nervous you’re not prepared, nerves is the adrenaline that makes us do what we do.” Garza became more involved in street magic due to his increased maturity and sociability. “It takes out the nerves, like if you’re like a shy person, you meet random people and it makes you be more social, more active, not be shy to do stuff. When I started it, I was shy to show people; I used to be scared if I messed up or something,” Garza said Cook works at PJ Trick Shop, a magic shop located in Milwaukee Plaza, where he has taken Garza to buy tricks. Garza learns verbally and physically from Cook, “He (Cook) guides you step by step in the tricks; when he teaches you, you’re doing it with him and at the same time,” Garza said. Garza would like to continue with performing magic tricks only as a hobby but not for a career. “My friends sometimes think it’s fun. My parents, they support me, they’re like ‘okay yeah that’s pretty awesome’ but they just tell me it should be like a hobby and my friends are like just keep going, if you really like something just go for it,” Garza said. Garza will perform tonight at the Variety show.

Who’s in the halls? Name: Daniel Maldonado Grade: Sophomore ID: 415??? Students are selected at random by drawing student ID numbers.

Q: If you could go back to freshman year, what would you do differently?: A: Probably pay attention Q: If you had the chance to meet anyone in the world who would it be? A: It would probably be Kid Cudi because I like his music and he’s a good singer Q: If you were a millionaire what would you do with the money? A: Probably help my friends and family Q: What motivates you? A: My parents; they’ve always been there for me. Q: What activites do you participate in at WHS? A: I play soccer and I’m on junior varsity as the center mid-fielder Q: What are you looking forward to the most about the rest of your sophomore year? A: Getting to know people I didn’t know my freshman year

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish in the next two years here at WHS? A: Graduate and sticking to soccer Photo provided by Lair Information gathered by Antonia Arismendis

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

Megan Provost staff reporter What started as a class assignment has since become a hobby and developing business to Maggie Scanlan, freshman. It began in a seventh grade problem solving class, when Scanlan was posed with the problem of “How to Survive Long Car Rides.” Her solution; Duct tape. “I thought, duct tape. Duct tape fixes everything,” Scanlan said. She began by making simple woven wallets for herself. “This kind of blossomed into me selling stuff,” Scanlan said. Her self-run business took shape in late seventh and early eighth grade, about three to four months after she had discovered her talent. Her products grew from things like flower pens and woven wallets to bigger projects like messenger bags, pencil cases, masks and baseball caps. Products range from bags, wallets and jewelry to school supplies, masks and gaming cases, with prices rang-

feature

ing anywhere from a $1 pen to a $10 cap. “It usually starts with someone asking if I can make something,” Scanlan said. She develops her creations by herself, without the help of tutorials or instructions. The simpler products typically take about a day to make, while more complex projects can take up to a month. When it comes to income, “business is kind of slow,” Scanlan said. Not many people are aware of her business but take notice in the various products that she uses herself. People begin asking about her duct tape creations they see her with in the classrooms, which she hopes will lead to potential business. “I think it’s really neat that she’s getting into business and making money for herself,” AJ Zepeda, freshman and friend/ customer of Scanlan said. Anyone interested in purchasing one of Scanlan’s products can email her at rebelliouslovedtw@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page, Rebellious Love Duck Tape Works. Top Left: Maggie Scanlon, freshman, sorts through tools during the Variety Show rehearsal. Scanlan makes duct tape purses (Top Right and Bottom Right), flowers (Bottom Left) and wallets (Left). Top left photo by Kristina Piamonte and photos of products used from Maggie Scanlan’s “Rebellious Love Duck Tape Works” Facebook page.

Shafek begins career as a professional beautician learn,” Shafek said. Hair cutting and hair staff reporter perming are some of the things Shafek has done and Most students carry their feels proud of because of the backpacks and athletic bags challenging techniques. to school, while Wessam “I didn’t always know Shafek, senior, can be seen that I wanted to be a beaucarrying a tician; it was just cosmetolsomething I ogy mannewanted to do,” quin which Shafek said. she pracIn the past tices hairShafek has colI love that I can styles on. ored and styled S h a f e k never do the same her friends’ hair. l e a v e s things with each “She was school durgoing to cut ing seventh person. Every time it (hair) in the period and is different, bepast, but we heads to cause each person never got to E m p i r e has a different it because she B e a u t y personality,” has school and School in I work,” Mary A rl i n g t on Fink, senior, Heights un- Wessam Shafek, said. senior til 5:38 p.m. D u r i n g Shafek eighth grade, also takes Shafek began an entrelooking up difpreneurship ferent hairstyles class, where which caught her she sells beauty products. attention. Beauticians deal with She began practicing by many styles of beauty treat- styling and cutting her own ments including hair styling, hair. skin care, cosmetics and nail “My goal is to hopefully treatment. have a salon and have an“I was surprised how other career to go along difficult it is because of the with being a beautician,“ techniques you need to said Shafek.

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Top: Wessam Shafek, senior, finished a fishtail braid on Mary Fink’s, senior, hair. This braid is one of Shafek’s favorite braids to make. Shafek knows how to curl and do different types of braids. Shafek has also dyed her mom’s and friend’s hair. Bottom: Shafek makes a fishtail braid on Fink’s hair, during first period study hall. The fishtail braid is different than a traditional braid because of its complicated technique of pulling a thin strand of hair from the outside of the left section, pulling it over the top and then under the right section and repeating the steps on each section to finish the product.

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10 Facts About Thanksgiving Fact 1 It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Fact 2 The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in the fall of 1621 by the Plymouth Pilgrims.

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

What cultures celebrate this time of the year? The U.S is known to be the most diverse country in the world. With a variety of cultures, celebrating Thanksgiving the “traditional” way is done with a twist. American Culture

Italian Culture

Latino/ Hispanic Culture

• Celebrates with • Don’t celebrate Thanks• Don’t celebrate parades, festivals and giving but La Festa del Thanksgiving but have community gatherings Ringraziamento, a variety made the holiday • Pays tribute to the of different religious holitheir own by adding well-known turkey days throughout the year customs and tradi• Food served: turkey, to honor patron saints. tions mashed potatoes and • Food served: ravioli • Pay tribute to God pumpkin pie con la zucca (pumpkin and their families • Usually when families ravioli) and roast turkey • Food served: turkey, play Christmas music basted with pomegranate tamales, beans, rice, for the first time that sauce salsa and pumpkin year pie.

Chinese Culture • Dongzhi Festival in December • Day of family gathering and feasts • Food served: Tangyuan, balls of rice symbolizing reunion and sometimes cooked in sweet soup or savory broth.

Infographic by Megan Provost and Khadeeja Salehbhai

Fact 3 The first feast was with the Wampanoag Native American Tribe.

Egger, Carvajal dedicate time helping children

Fact 4 The length of the feast lasted three days. Fact 5 The Plymouth Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving during their second year in the New World.

Fact 6 Thanksgiving was not a national holiday until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it 200 years later. Fact 7 There are about 107 million American homes that celebrate Thanksgiving each year.

Used with permission by Abbey Egger Abbey Egger, freshman, helps a child at Bridge Community Church’s preschool program, “Cubbies,” put a puzzle together. Egger volunteers at the church every Sunday and Monday evening. She has been volunteering at the church for three years now and “still enjoys what she does.”

Megan Provost staff reporter

Fact 8 The most popular Thanksgiving spread includes turkey, cranberries, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Fact 9 Minnesota is the nation’s top producing turkey state. Fact 10 In 1924, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade took place in New York City. Infographic by Megan Provost

Students at WHS are volunteering their time by helping to teach the younger members of the community. Although clubs such as Operation Snowball and Students Help Accept Diversity in Every Situation (S.H.A.D.E.S) volunteer at elementary school, individuals also go out of their way to serve the community through church sevices and youth groups. Abbey Egger, freshman, has worked as a volunteer preschool teacher at Bridge Community Church in Des Plaines for the past three years and teaching Sunday school for two years. She started volunteering when she first began attending the church in 2009, and a friend there heard that she was not in-

volved in anything in the church community. She suggested the preschool group “Cubbies.” “I didn’t really want to do it at first, but I didn’t want to be mean and say no,” Egger said. She teaches for a few hours on Sunday and Monday nights in the church building. “The children are adorable,” Egger said. “It’s something I look forward to doing every week.” Her goal in doing this is to help set a good example for the generation that is going to take on the world someday. “I tell the kids all the time to listen before they talk,” Egger said. “I want to create a community full of good listeners.” For anyone interested in getting involved in their community, Egger suggests volunteering for something “you love or enjoy doing.”

“You’re more willing to do it and likely to stick with it,” Egger said. Likewise, Maritza Carvajal, senior, has worked as a youth leader at Mount Zion Church in Buffalo Grove since she began teaching Sunday school at age 11. She wanted to be a teacher ever since she was little, and religion was a regular practice, “so it was kind of an easy choice.” “What I taught in Sunday school was more bible stories than real life, and I kind of wanted to teach that,” Carvajal said. She has taught the same group of children since she first volunteered and says she has enjoyed watching the children grow religiously and as people. “It’s taught me that you can have an impact on people even by doing the smallest of things,” Carvajal said. Her students are now middle

school aged, “so they’re not much younger than me,” Carvajal is also involved in Student Council, New Dawns, plans to join the girls’ varsity soccer team and takes Advanced Placement classes, such as AP Psychology. Despite her busy schedule, she is able to take the time to teach and buy treats for her youth group. “I can take mistakes that I’ve made and try and prevent them in them (the youth group),” Carvajal said. Her advice to anyone looking for volunteer work, or to work with children in general, is to stay open-minded because there are many different opportunities. Carvajal teaches Sunday school every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is a youth leader every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

Ebony Club, WPAC, Student Council run coat drive Kelly McKewin staff reporter This year on Nov. 5, for the first time ever, Ebony Club, the Wheeling Political Action Club (WPAC) and Student Council teamed up for the coat drive, which Ebony Club has ran for 15 years. With the collected donations, adult coats will be donated to an organization called Journeys in Palatine. All children’s coats will be given to District 21 to help provide for students at Walt Whitman and Mark Twain Elemen-

tary schools. “(This is) the first year Student Council has been involved,” Sandra Chico, Student Council and WPAC sponsor, said. “We wanted to do a coat drive and so we worked together to help bring in more coats.” Since Ebony Club already runs the coat drive every year, WPAC and Student Council decided to team up with the club to get more participation from the Wheeling community and school. “It’s rewarding for me, and also for those who need help too because they are getting

what they need. They’ll be able to survive the harsh winter a little better,” Connor Leuck, senior, said. Student Council runs an annual food drive every year, and while passing out flyers for the that, they advertised the coat drive along with it. “We passed out close to 10,000 flyers in the Wheeling area,” Ms. Chico said. She also said she “really did not know what to expect” because it is her first year helping with the coat drive, but she hopes that it will be a success. According to Joyce Brewer,

guidance counselor and Ebony Club sponsor, the success of the coat drive has varied in years past, but she feels positive that this year will be a good year. Ebony Club aims to help people in need in the Wheeling community and get more students involved with helping. “It’s important to do community service,” Ms. Brewer said. “You know that there is a need.” Ms. Brewer started running the coat drive with Ebony club after she saw that it was “something the community could benefit from that wasn’t being done.”

Student Council donates more food to families Katia Bryhadyr staff reporter Student Council distributed over 10,000 flyers on Saturday, Nov. 3, encouraging people to give food, coats and recycled electronics for this Thanksgiving season with the annual canned food drive to help families in the Wheeling community. People around Wheeling left canned food at their door, and on Saturday, Nov. 10, Student Council picked up the donations. “It feels good to give back to the community,” Isabel Chan, sophomore, said. “We don’t think about hungry people, and it’s good to be aware that there are families out there that need the support.” Eighteen groups of students participated. In each group there were four to five students and they all collected food. More clubs, such as the National Honor Society (NHS) and Italian Club, are helping out with the canned food drive this year. After the canned food is collected, it is put in boxes and sent out for families in need. This year the school did donations differently. “Instead of keeping all

the food for Wheeling High School, we donated to three different places: Rodeo Club, Community and Economic Development Association and the Mount Prospect Food Pantry,” Sandra Chico, Student Council sponsor, said. With sorting and packing, middle school students from Cooper Middle School came to help, along with Rodeo Club representatives. According to Ms. Chico, all the donating is done anonymously. The students that helped out will not know which family the cans will go to. “Wheeling has good social workers that are trusted by the students, and that’s how we help families in need,” Maritza Carvajal, senior, said. On Wednesday, Nov. 14, Student Council will help load a truck to be shipped to the food pantry in Mount Prospect. Also Raymundo Galazara, social worker and Snowball sponsor, will deliver boxes of food to families himself. Each of the 30 families will receive three boxes of food for the Thanksgiving season. Many of these families are a part of the WHS community.

What are you thankful for?

“Spending time with my family and friends. I don’t see them often because I’m always busy.”

Itsa Mandujano, freshman

“Music and dancing because I like country music. It expresses feeling and of stories, since I’m from the south it reminds me of home.”

Molly Kalmes, sophomore

“Eating food (because) I like to eat food most of the time; basically because food tastes good.”

Duke Lee, junior

“Not having a lot of homework; that way I can go to bed at a normal time.”

Eric Ruttenberg, senior

Photos by Solinna Chong Above: Xavier Bravo, sophomore places canned vegetables onto the designated table for Student Council’s annual canned food drive. This year, Student Council plans to feed 30 Wheeling families. Top Left: Julia Mach, junior, and Jacquie Gonzalez, sophomore, unpack boxes and bags to be sorted into certain categories of canned food. These categories include canned fruit, pasta, soup, meat and so on. Right: Cesar Mendoza, junior, and Tyler Levy, senior, stack canned soups to organize the hundreds of canned foods. This year, Student Council hopes to donate more food boxes to families in the community.

“Friends and family that support me.”

Julissa Hernandez, math teacher

Photo Opinion by Kristina Piamonte

la voz

Antonia Arismendis

staff reporter

Perla Jiménez la voz editor

fotografía usada con permiso de Iliana Rivera Iliana Rivera, junior haciendo un anuncio en una fiesta quinceañera. Rivera está a cargo de asegurar que todos los eventes van como planeados.

23.7 millones

11 porciento

los latinos decidieron el 11 porciento del voto popular, de 9.5 porciento en el 2008

17 porciento

La quinceañera es el día cuando una niña se considera una mujer. Según los aztecas, cuando una joven llega a los 15 años, su madre debía enseñarle todo lo que necesitaba saber antes de casarse con su esposo futuro. Hoy en día, una quinceañera se celebra con una fiesta, comida, favores de partido, y regalos. La Quinceañera lleva un vestido de fiesta, se arregla su peinado y se maquilla, y tiene su corte de 14 chambelanes y 14 damas. Tradicionalmente, la quinceañera prepara una rutina de baile para sus invitados meses antes de su gran día. Iliana Rivera, junior, tiene su propio negocio de enseñar Quinceañeras estos bailes. Rivera dijo que se había hecho a la idea de comenzar su negocio cuando una de sus amigas, Yarely Muñoz, junior, le contó sobre una amiga que estaba preparando su Quinceañera. Maritza Hernández, sophomore, le había pedido que Rivera le ayudara con su baile porque tenía problemas

latinos son 17 porciento de la población nacional

latinos pueden votar

75 porciento

de latinos votaron por Obama en el 2012

23 porciento

de latinos votaron por Romney en el 2012

Club folklórico nuevo a punto de ser creado, es promovido Perla Jiménez la voz editor En los últimos años, estudiantes de varias culturas, no solo latinoamericanos han participado en bailes folklóricos no oficiales para WHS. Este año, el Club Latino intentará juntar a estos estudiantes bajo la instrucción de Minerva Solano, maestra de baile. Para juntar a los estudiantes con interés en el baile folklórico, dos talleres de baile fueron planeados. El siguiente taller se llevará a plazo el lunes, 19 de Noviembre. La Sra. Solano tiene varias actividades planeadas para el taller. Aparte de enseñar los pasos básicos de un baile foklórico, también planea modelar varios vestidos folklóricos tradicionales y enseñar un poco so-

bre la cultura latina. Roldan apoyaron su desarGabriela Medina y Ber- rollo y promovieron los tha Sanchez, trabajadoras eventos. sociales, colaboraron para Roldan, entre otros juntar a los estudiantes y de los que participaron, promover que se reúnan no sabía mucho sobre los más con su cultura a través bailes folklóricos. Esta fue del baile. la razón por cual los estu“Los hace diantes más apoyaron sentirse mea este programa fue jor sobre sí por promover la culmismos cutura latina en los esando están tudiantes. representan“Si son latinos do su propio Si son latinos o o no son latinos, los país,” la Sra. no son latinos, ayuda aprender un Sanchez dijo. los ayuda aprenpoco más sobre la Cecilia der un poco más cultura latina,” Gama Gama, se- sobre la cultura dijo. nior, Arianna Los estudiantes Roldan, ju- latina,” involucrados esperan nior, y Alexis que la actividad se Cecilia Gama, desarrolle después Counts, jusenior nior, entre de las vacaciones de otros estuinvierno y tener prácdiantes colaboticas los lunes de las curaron para promover los atro a las cinco de la tarde y talleres. Counts diseñó prácticas opcionales en los el volante para y Gama y fines de semana.

“

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

económicos. do con una Quinceañera, a parRivera es la maestra de cer- tir de la primera práctica donde emonias (MC). Su trabajo con- la niña no tiene idea de lo que siste en introducir la corte y la está pasando, hasta el día de la quinceañera y asegurarse de que fiesta cuando se realizan delante todas las danzas vayan según lo de todos sus amigos y familiares” planeado. Guzmán dijo. “Ella es a menudo la que Rivera dice que ofrece un calma las muchachas el día de la mínimo de tres danzas. fiesta justo antes de los bailes ... Esto incluye la introducción Yo veo un futuro para ella en esto (entrada principal), vals y el baile porque ya es una parsorpresa. te muy grande de También incluye: su vida,” Manny El brindis, cambio Guzmán, senior, de zapatos, corodijo. nación, Las 12 roElla hace una sas para la madre c o l a b o r a c i ó n Ella es a menudo la que y el baile de padre con su novio, calma las muchachas e hija. Guzmán. Asiste “Le pido a las a Addison Trail el día de la fiesta justo chicas que me den High School, ayu- antes de los bailes ... Yo ideas, para poderles da con la coreo- veo un futuro para ella ayudar a vislumbrar grafía y en algu- en esto porque ya es una lo que quieren,” Rinas situaciones, parte muy grande de su vera dijo. es un escolta. Ri- vida,” El costo de sus vera y él han traservicios es de $ bajado juntos des400 por ocho danManny Guzmán, de el año pasado. zas. Si desea ponsenior “Es un honor erse en contacto no sólo llamarla con Iliana Rivera mi pareja, pero tampuede buscarla en bién mi novia,” Guzmán dijo. Facebook. En algunos casos, han traba“Siendo tan joven y haber jado por separado en quincea- tenido mi quince hace dos años, ñeras. sé lo que estas muchachas están “Me encanta todo lo relaciona- pasando,” Rivera dijo.

“

entertainment

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

AC3 sets high gaming standard Around the Town

Bank of America will host their annual Winter Wonderfest on Nov. 30 - Jan. 8 at Navy Pier. Rollercoasters, an icerink and an indoor ferris wheel will be present at the event. A $15 fee is required in order to participate in activities. The annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Nov. 22 for the 79th year. Nearly 400,000 people attend the event every year, as general admission for the holiday parade is free.

The Chicago Bears will continue their season on Nov. 25 at Soldier Field for their latest game against the Minnesota Vikings. Current Record: 7-2-0

DIRECTIO N

ONE

One Direction fails to show growth

Robert Perales Preceded by a critically acclaimed performance on the X-factor, One Direction released its sophomore effort, “Take Me Home,” on Nov. 13. Despite the massive hype built around “Home,” the album fails to venture far from the debut, “Up All Night.” The lead single, “Live While We’re Young” closely resembles their previous chart topping singles, while also maintaining the success. The teen pop track fea-

ONE

Ubisoft sets the bar with the newly released video game, “Assassin’s Creed 3,” which has proven to be one of the best releases of 2012. “AC3” redefines the beauty of video games with its magnificent settings, thoughtful characters and excellent cinematics. The storyline follows Connor Kenway, a part-British, part-Native American man who trains to become an assassin to ensure the safety of his tribe and to avenge the death of his mother. The timeline parallels colonial American history, and along the way, Kenway assists in liberating the USA from British tyranny. The game’s writers did an outstanding job weaving historical events into the plot of the game. As you unfold the convoluted storyline of the ancient conflict between assassins and templars, you witness major events in American history such as the Boston Tea Party, The Battle of Bunker Hill and even the signing of the Declaration of Indepen-

Although the experience may be breathtaking, “AC3’s” unrefined controls and basic mechanics become overwhelmingly frustrating during certain missions. As you free run through cities and towns, Kenway will climb anything in sight and unexpectedly jump into nearby haystacks. Despite the unrefined controls, “AC3” contains hours of gameplay, whether it be the main storyline missions, challenging side missions or homestead missions. The Assassin’s Creed series has been a consistent example of dedication to an engaging trilogy, and “AC3” does not let the franchise down. Its compelling story and fantastic graphics create an enjoyable experience and definitely outweigh the few slips presented. Overall, the game is a work of art and is the must-play game of the year.

EC DIR TIO

Keira Skenandore

dence. Similar to previous Assassin’s Creed games, “AC3’s” characters have realistic, fluid movements. These smooth motions are especially displayed while walking through bustling towns or running amongst treetops. Combat, although simple, reveals dynamic kill combinations and creative assassinations consistent throughout the Assassin’s Creed series. The Ubisoft team also pushes the boundaries when it comes to the beautiful settings and the environment that develops around the gamer. As the game progresses, the world evolves, towns grow and seasons change. The stunning graphics and polished cinematic effects lend to the breathtaking gaming experience for which the Assassin’s Creed series has been praised.

tures heavy production on a catchy chorus that exclaims the need to “Live While We’re Young.” Despite a peak at number three on the billboard hot 100, the group’s highest charting single in the U.S., “Young” ultimately fails to capture the group in their most powerful element. Like “Young,” the majority of the album, including tracks like “C’mon, C’mon,” “Kiss You” and “Heart Attack,” sounds far too generic and ultimately fails to showcase One Direction’s stronger capabilities. Rather, in the Ed Sheeran penned follow up single, “Little Things,” One Direction perfectly fuses a sense of fragility with powerful vocals and poetic verses. While One Direction

continues to take over the world with their newly emerging sound, they resemble “The Backstreet Boys” on some of the stronger tracks on the album: “Last First Kiss,” “Rock Me” and “They Don’t Know About Us.” As they plan to continue to promote “Home” throughout the rest of the year, One Direction will embark on a worldwide tour in 2013 with its first show in North America on June 13 in Sunrise, Florida. Although “Take Me Home” fails to venture from their last effort, a few tracks manage to uphold the album. “Take Me Home” will undoubtedly debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 according to Nielsen Soundscan.

forum

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

editorial

Cyberbullying sheds negative light Walking through the hallways, we encounter people from a wide array of backgrounds, but we are all linked by one factor: We attend WHS. A community has the ability and responsibility to take pride in its surroundings and hold each other accountable for their actions. Recently, Spokesman became aware of events specifically concerning two student-created Facebook pages that commit acts of cyberbullying crimes. The students at WHS have a social responsibility to govern one another. They should discourage the disgusting comments written online, for it reflects on the school

badly. fect on the creators The pages fea- of the pages. tured pictures of girls According to the and hatefully drew at- i-SAFE Foundation, tention to several of more than one in their characteristics. three young people The diversity at WHS have experienced is a distinct quality cyber threats online. among District 214 Unfortunately, we that we pride ourhave seen our peers selves on. Any from District attack to an insuc8 out of 8 214 dividual online cumb to members of bullying is considered a the editorial and take hate crime and can leave long board agree. their lives lasting effects because of on the victim. it. In order According to Pew Infor a change to ternet Research Cen- occur, it is vital that ter, one out of three not only the faculty teens are distressed, take a stance but stuextremely upset or dents as well. afraid of online haAccording to Pew rassment. Internet Research It saddens our Center, 95 percent staff to see that the of social media-using summer reading teens, who take no theme of overcoming action, admit to witadversity had no ef- nessing cruel behav-

ior on sites. Of the 95 percent, 55 percent witness cyber bullying frequently. It is our social responsibility to put an end to the cyberbullying by flagging pages and informing others to report it. Spokesman commends the District for quickly shutting down the page. Whether we like it or not, pages like these reflect our school in a negative light. Further, they enhance stereotypes of WHS students, which effects everybody in the community, past and present. The capabilities of WHS are infinite, but we can not allow acts of bullying to overshadow the accomplishments.

How to report cyberbullying? “Generally speaking, what goes on online is a parent’s responsibility. When the conversation begins to involve school, such as threats about violence at school, students should bring evidence by printing out conversations or snapshots of the screen to the deans. The deans can then see the participants of the conversation and what was said. The worst thing a student can do when they are bullied is to write something back. It’s like throwing more gasoline onto the fire. You are just challenging them,” Dr. Kenneth Stiff, dean of students, said. You can report the issue on f, whether it is school related or not, by flagging the pages. Facebook holds violations against pornography, hate crimes, violence and threats, self-harm, bullying and misrepresenting someone.

keira’s kartoons

Thumbs Up...

To the students and staff who voted. Thanks for contributing to a democratic country and making your voice heard. To the participants in the Hoops for Africa event that raised more than $1,300 going towards building schools in Africa.

To the encouragement placed on students to take AP classes and challenge themselves. Hard work? Yes, but the opportunities it brings for the future are worth it.

To the new water fountains that promote eco-friendly lifestyles at WHS. So far it has helped eliminate waste from 2,103 disposable plastic bottles and still counting.

Thumbs Down...

Family ties help surpass obstacles

Solinna Chong The Wheeling community is familiar with Wheeling Donuts. The little doughnut shop by the train tracks owned by a petite Asian woman known as my mom. While some peers think it is “cool” to have a family

business, I think it is quite the opposite. Back in 2010, my parents bought the doughnut shop from a family friend. They were thrilled to have a shop of their own, and the rest of the family was willing to pitch in with shop hours, deliveries and more. We were like a family-working machine. During my sophomore year, I would boast about my family owning the shop and would bring in doughnuts. Unfortunately, this golden moment died very quickly. My aunts and uncles became greedy with

the monthly salaries, took orders as insults and the family-working machine fell apart. I remember walking into my mom’s office and seeing her cute physique fade: dark circles formed under her eyes, and her hair became a silvery white. Along with my mom, my dad spent less time at home and more time at the shop doing deliveries and fixing the broken coffee makers. My family fell into ruins, and the only way out was to sell the shop. My parents sold the shop to an experienced couple who also owned a cookie

shop in Mount Prospect. The couple was like an answer to my prayers. With the shop out of the picture, my family was able to recover its wounds. We were able to sit down and have Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners as a family once again. We were reunited. Two years later, my parents bought the shop back with a family willing to back them up. The difference this time is my family understands there will be obstacles, and arguing will not solve them. They have set aside differences and personal issues

to keep Wheeling Donuts afloat and serving the community. Family is one of the strongest ties in any relationship. Family is an entity of people who are willing to make sacrifices, understand and stay humble for the sake of others; and that is what my family has built Wheeling Donuts upon. Although we do run into issues ever so often, my family has learned to solve them together. As my mom would say, “Wheeling Donuts does not just belong to our family, it belongs to the family of Wheeling.”

To the rotten fruit in the cafeteria. If students are forced to take a piece, it should be decent quality. To not having more time off school during Thanksgiving break, especially since we did not receive Veteran’s day off. So much for spending quality time with the family.

Spokesman Staff 2012-2013

Editor-in-Chief

Focus Editor

Advertising Manager

Web Editor

La Voz Editor

Staff Artist

Associate Editor

Forum Editor

Staff Reporters

News Editor

Sports Editor

A&E Editor

Photo Editor

Feature Editor

Broadcast Editor

*Megan Jones

*Rosalie Chan *Solinna Chong Rosalie Chan

*Robert Perales *Frida Valdés

Solinna Chong *Perla Jimenez Megan Jones Megan Jones

*Kristina Piamonte

*Mark Tannous

*Staff members with asteriks are on the editorial board.

Megan Jones

Keira Skenandore Megan Provost Erik Hernandez Kelly McKewin Mike Pink Paige McCoy Rossy Peralta Megan Brezka Katia Bryhadyr Chris Nush Antonia Arismendis Khadeeja Salehbhai

Graphic Designers Henry Gonzalez Nycole Garcia

Staff Photographer Jessie Livingston

Adviser

John Uhrik

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. Letters- Spokesman is a limited public forum and welcomes a free exchange of ideas from all readers. Readers are encour-

aged 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. Advertising- For information, call (847) 718-7114 Monday-Friday 7:25 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

CorrectionsJenny Mendieta is a junior, not a sophomore on Page 2. Olivia Damaszk’s name is misspelled on Page 2. Matthew Kulczak is playing the flute, not the clarinet on Page 3. Elizabeth Smith was misidentified on Page 4. Carolina Figueroa is a sophomore, not a senior on Page 8. Brent Pearlman’s name is misspelled on Page 11.

sports

spokesman

Nov. 16, 2012

Who’s beneath

Girls cross country adjusts to new coaches

the suit?

Left: Marta Dzundza, junior and girls cross country captain, runs during a meet. “This season was awesome. I couldn’t have asked for better people to be with me and two phenomenal coaches,” Dzunda said.

Mike Pink staff reporter While other schools like Rolling Meadows High School and Elk Grove High School have a designated student to be the mascot and pump up the crowd during football games, basketball games and other school events, WHS does not. Willie the Wildcat has been the official mascot of WHS for as long as anyone can remember. He would make appearances during pep assemblies and games. With the upcoming basketball season, any students interested in becoming a mascot should head down to Students Activities and talk to Dr. Steven May, Assistant Principal and Dean of Student Activities. The reappearance of the mascot costume could be beneficial during football and basketball games by pumping up the “soft-spoken crowd.” The last time Willie made an appearance at a game was during a football game in 2010 and Pack the Place in 2011. “The cheerleaders were arranging the Willies for a while but that stopped too,” Beth Anderson, athletics assistant, said. Maggie Evans, senior, talked about her experience being a mascot during a football game her sophomore year. “It was rubbery and smelly,” Evans said. “I did not like being inside. The head was very heavy.” Her mascot partner, Angela Reinhart, senior, shared both positive and negative experiences about being in the costume. “Being in the suit with Maggie was so much fun for the both of us,” Reinhart said. “But a lot of seniors tried to bring us down by not cheering with us and trying to make us look foolish, but we still made the best of it and had a blast” More recently, Willie has appeared in the announcements for Homecoming and weekday introductions.

Erik Hernandez

Mark Tannous broadcast editor With two new members of the coaching staff, Tim Nowicki and Don Rowley, girls cross country coaches, the team still managed to send three girls to Sectionals. “The season went great. We improved so much with

Mark Tannous broadcast editor With fall sports in the history books, winter sports have now arrived, which means wrestling season is underway. The Wildcats’ first meet takes place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at home, and according to two wrestlers, Wheeling will win their division.

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son. New coaches brought a lot of good changes to the team,” Dzundza said. According to Rowley, the record did not really show, but all the girls from freshman to varsity levels improved drastically from the beginning of the season to the end. “This was a testament to how hard they worked,” Rowley said.

Wrestling season starts with division title goal

Want to make a difference?

 

the new coaches (Rowley and Nowicki),” Marta Dzundza, junior, said. “The best runner on the team was me, but Melissa Rodriguez (freshman) beat me at Sectionals.” According to Dzundza, the girls were more “committed” this season. “We were a lot more serious and committed this season than we were last sea-

Resale shop Visiting seniors

Assisting disabled persons And more!

To get involved, contact Emily Mihalcean, Youth Program Manager (847) 288-1320x106 emily.mihalcean@volunteerinfo.net

“I’m excited because every drop of sweat, every drop of blood and all the hard work will pay off when we bring Wheeling back to a division title,” Ricky Muro, sophomore, said. Jacob Del Toro, senior, agreed with Muro. “We’re going to be division champs. It’s that simple,” Del Toro said. Last year, the team fell



short of first in conference by winning third, but WHS had a winning record of 5-2 in conference. “I’m excited for the season because of the time and effort my teammates and I put into the season,” Steven Montesinos, sophomore, said. Neil Weiner, boys athletic director and P.E. teacher, coaches the varsity boys wres-

tling team. This will be Coach Weiner’s 27th season coaching the team at WHS, and one of the captains, Sal Dominguez, senior, feels excited for the “young lineup.” “I’m excited because we have a young lineup; everyone is giving their all, and that’s all I can ask for from my team,” Dominguez said.

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sports Volume 49 Issue 3

Nov. 16, 2012

read tweets live from the game...

watch games live from anywhere...

upcoming events Girls Bowling; 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at Buffalo Grove High School Boys Basketball; 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Ridgewood Invite

@WHSSPOKESMAN

<ihigh.com/whsspokesman>

Wrestling Wildcat Triple Dual; 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at home

Girls basketball bonds over community service work

District 214 ponders insurance options Megan Jones editor-in-chief

Frida Valdés Brie Majkowski, senior, Elizabeth Smith, junior, Hannah Dobrowski, sophomore, and Jessica Zuba, senior, sit on the sidelines during Interact with Africa’s Hoops for Africa game, which featured a students verses teachers basketball game. “It was really fun to play against the teachers and with the boys, especially because it was for a good cause,” Majkowski said. “It wasn’t much of a preview to the season because playing the teachers is a lot easier than playing an actual game, but it was a very exciting and fun way to start the season.”

Paige McCoy staff reporter The girls varsity and sophomore basketball teams plan to participate in five community service events during their season to promote team bonding and giving back to the community. “It helps us bond because we get a chance to see each other when we are not in basketball,” Hailey Dammeier, sophomore, said. “We get to talk about stuff and get away from sports. This helps us to communicate better, get to know each other and better predict people’s actions on the court.” On Thursday, Oct. 25, the girls helped with Hoops for Africa, sponsored by Interact with

Africa, which consisted of a students versus teachers basketball game. The event raised over $1,300, which will go toward giving children in Africa school supplies. “That was just a fun game where we did what we wanted. When the season comes, we will be 100 percent in the game, going hard the entire time,” Kaitlyn Debusk, senior, said. In December, the girls will visit Addolorata Village, a retirement home, and sing Christmas carols to the residents. “I think it’s very important that all of us understand we need to extend ourselves to the community to make it a better place. We need to realize there is a larger world out there than just us,” Lou Wool, sophomore

basketball coach, said. The entire girls team will also participate in a basketball game and pizza outing that will take place in January at WHS with a Special Olympics team of children from the area. “Last year, my favorite service event was with Special Olympics. I think it’s really good to give back to the community and help others in need,” Deanna Kuzmanic, sophomore, said. The fourth event will take place during winter break. The girls are going to volunteer at St. James PADS, a homeless shelter in Arlington Heights, for a morning. Last year, when the girls participated in this event, only the sophomore team went. This year, both the varsity and the sophomore teams will par-

ticipate in volunteering at the shelter. At the shelter, the girls will collect clothes, food and help clean the building. “These are things we strive to do every year,” Julissa Hernandez, varsity basketball coach, said. In the middle of their season, the team will read to elementary school students from Tarkington Elementary School. “I definitely think it brings the team together. Not only are they playing basketball together, but they are also hanging out together outside of basketball,” Hernandez said. The girls basketball team will play their second game tonight vs. Fenwick at 7:30 p.m. at home.

Godlewski advances to State

Megan Jones

editor-in-chief Theresa Godlewski, sophomore, not only continued knocking seconds off her record breaking backstroke time, she also qualified for State in two events during Sectionals. Godlewski heads to State today at Evanston High School to compete in the 100-yard freestyle and 100yard backstroke events. “When Theresa qualified for state in the 100 free everyone was just so excited and happy for her,” Lisa Hanrahan, swim coach, said. “Our fans in the stands were going crazy as were I and the other girls.” After breaking the school record at her first home meet with a time of 1:01.48, she finished Sectionals with a time of 0:58.56. She is the first State qualifier for WHS since Liseli Baich, ‘09 graduate, in 2009 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Wheeling has not had a female athlete qualify in two events since Kristin Stoudt, graduate,

competed in 1986. “I’ve never seen my coaches and the girls so excited. We all had tears in our eyes as we hugged her. Just talking about it I get goosebumps,” Katharine Schwarz, senior, said. WHS started off Sectionals with a sixth place finish in the 200 medley relay made up of Shannon Richards, sophomore, Emily Zieger, junior, Godlewski and Michaela Rozmus, junior. “The girls received a medal and got to stand on the awards podium. Being able to medal in the first event kind of set the momentum for the rest of the meet and we had 100 percent of our girls get personal bests,” Coach Hanrahan said. Godlewski is seeded 32 in State in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 53.15 and 23 in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.56. “When you look at the clock, it just proves to yourself all the hard work you put into it was worth it,” Godlewski said.

Used with permission by Rachel Ropski Theresa Godlewski, sophomore, stands in shock during her Sectionals meet at Stevenson High School after finding out she qualified for State.

Gridiron Alliance, local advocates who reach out to paralyzed high school athletes, asked District 214 to consider a paid insurance policy that would cover student athletics in case of “catastrophic” accidents. The discussion arose at the school board meeting on Thursday, Oct. 18. “The district should look into more insurance policies because there are many families who may not have insurance at Wheeling, and it would be nice to have more protection at athletic events,” Chad Mikosz, senior, said. District 214 already offers optional student athletic insurance for in school and out of school hours. A special policy stands for football players that range from $30 to $400 premiums. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) currently covers insurance during state championships. Over 95 percent of high schools in Illinois lack insurance plans. Dr. Dave Schuler, superintendent, plans to look into the costs of additional insurance. A wait was placed on researching due to the new health bill coming into effect by President Barack Obama. Obama’s new Affordable Care Policy will affect prices in the next 12 to 18 months. According to Mikosz, this would help take the weight of medical bills off a lot of people. He has seen students not participate in athletics because of the risk of not having insurance. The lack of insurance has affected WHS specifically as Sean Murillo, ‘11 graduate, did not participate in football due to a health condition pertaining to his lung. “My father had also lost his job the past year, and we hadn’t had insurance to where if I had gotten hurt I could be covered,” Murillo said. He instead acted as a manager for the team his senior year. “I think that if a student involved in athletics is not covered on a parent’s insurance that in their registration a small fee could be paid to where the school could offer a very basic form of coverage so that the student could still participate,” Murillo said. According to Murillo, given insurance, he would have taken the chance to play in a heartbeat. “Even though I still got allowed to be a part of the team, it killed to not be able to practice with my friends, let alone play,” Murillo said. The request for D214 insurance was inspired by an accident 13 years ago at Rolling Meadows High School involving Rob Komosa, football player. He was injured during a practice after crashing into a fence post and left paralyzed from the neck down. Komosa was awarded with a $12.5 million settlement as a result of his lawsuit against District 214. Deacon Don Grossnickle, member of the Gridiron Alliance, has been an advocate of Komosa’s injury and hopes to add more safety nets for student athletes. The Gridiron Alliance cited District 218 schools that have been covering all their students since the 1990s. Steve Herbst, a member of the Gridiron Alliance, said that the group plans to have money for the policy drawn from gate receipts and concessions at sporting events, which would have “minimal impact” on the district’s budget.