V5, I2 - October 31, 2019

BLUEPRINT

Thursday, October 31, 2019

The Student Newspaper of Jones College Preparatory High School

PUT IT IN WRITING Math teacher Justin Huang marches with 25,000 teachers as Mayor Lori Lightfoot gives her first budget address.

Two strikes and students are out

CTU, SEIU participate in multi-week strike, pausing classes AVA THOMPSON ‘21 School Editor SIMONE GARBER ‘22 School Staff

“C-T-Who?” protestors called out.

“CTU!” protestors called back. “Who are we?” called protesters, again. “73!” they responded.

Since Thursday, Oct. 17, members of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Services Employee International Union (SEIU Local 73) have been protesting in front of their schools and around Chicago due to the inability to reach a contract agreement with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Within the contract, the CTU is asking for more than $1.1 billion in negotiation demands.

“Teachers are asking for a hard cap on class sizes, prep time during their workday, support staff for all schools (like the social workers, librarians and school nurses that the majority of schools lack), affordable housing programs, and special assistance for homeless students,” according to Forbes magazine.

CPS students were out of school since Oct. 17, excluding students from charter schools. Teachers would protest from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in front of their respective schools and then attend another larger, optional rally.

“They [students] may not have had breakfast; they may not have had lunch,” said K. McGee, a third grade teacher at Brownell Elementary. “We didn’t have any kids show up to our school today, but I picketed in front of my school, and now, we’re [downtown].”

According to CTU policy, teachers cannot enter schools, but they can remain outside school and protest.

In front of Jones itself, the police have been called three times for various reasons such as illegal meat grilling, noise complaints, and obstruction of the sidewalk. In addition, Jones dance teacher Elisa Foshay led a dance outside of the school. However, the inside of Jones is a different experience from the outside.

“It’s been generally very quiet, and we have not had many students,” said Principal Joseph P. Powers. “We’ve had two, three, four students; yesterday [Wednesday, Oct.

24], we had one. What we’ve mainly been doing is just catching up on other important things like reports and so forth that had to get done that sometimes don’t get done.”

Bringing further national attention to the strike, 2020 presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren picketed alongside teachers, gave a speech, and wore red to represent the CTU on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

“I think it’s great that a major presidential candidate came out and rallied with us,” said Jones math teacher and CTU representative Anthony Capetta. “I think it’s significant that she unveiled her education plan in Chicago. It recognizes that the role that the teachers and staff members across the city have nationally on education. I think that her being here yesterday and unveiling that shows how important Chicago teachers are not just to the city but to national about educational equity.

“

I hope that we make significant progress this time around.

The country is watching.

- librarian Francis Feeley

Different schools call for different needs. For example, at King College Prep, the school is in need of some of the demands for which the CTU and SEIU are negotiating.

“I believe that the schools deserve more money; [at] our school, we have a nurse that’s there for one day a week,” said King teacher Matt Glen. “We also haven’t had a librarian since our last one retired eight or nine years ago.”

On their days off, many students are marching alongside teachers. Vitaly Capitaine ‘21 lives in a “union family,” as his mother and godmother are teachers. Capitaine has marched with Jones, Calmeca Academy, John Hancock, Currie, and his neighborhood schools.

“Although here at Jones, we have almost ev-

Volume 5, Issue 2

Photo by Josh Blustein ‘20

erything we need, but in community schools, they have almost nothing,” said Capitaine. “There’s a nurse every day [at Jones]; I never used to think there was a nurse. I didn’t know there were psychologists in schools, like social workers — we didn’t have those in my old school.”

Like Capitaine, Lane Tech sophomore Cristina Aliberto’s parents are both teachers who go to the picket lines in the mornings.

“My parents were saying, ‘It’s not going off work for free time,’” said Aliberto. “They’re going to the picket line; it’s not like a vacation. They’re not getting paid and just waiting to go back to work. It’s not relaxing. It’s really a strike; it’s not like a vacation.”

As teachers’ emails have been shut down, it has become increasingly difficult for seniors to reach teachers regarding letters of recommendation and transcripts for college applications.

“We’re planning for a large number of things that normally would’ve gotten done during a normal school day, including transcripts for seniors who are applying for Early Decision and Early Action,” said Powers. “We’re sending out a form to the seniors so we can get their transcripts going. If the strike goes into next week, we’re working on the PSAT/NMSQT as well.”

Though some students were able to finish Early Action/Decision before the strike, the stress among senior students is palpable.

“To be honest, it’s not really affecting me only because I already did my college application submissions already, but I can see the effect that it’s having on my friends, and they’re really stressed out,” said Chloe Parks ’20.

While Lincoln Park freshman Zach Bezirgan is too young to be concerned with college applications, he sees the strike affecting his transition into high school.

“A lot of freshmen are getting used to their electives and special courses that they’re taking,” said Bezirgan. “One month definitely isn’t enough for us to get into a routine. From my experience, getting into this routine has been thrown off for nearly a week. It’s changed.”

Continued on page 2

PAGE 2 Salute JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

There will be no school on Nov. 11 for Veterans’ Day.

Continued from page 1

As school has been canceled, Advanced Placement (AP) classes have not been able to resume to cover content for cumulative tests in May. College Board has not rescheduled any test dates since the strike has begun.

“This is putting AP kids behind [in relation to] everyone else in the rest of the country,” said Aliberto. “First of all, CPS students start in September; everyone else starts in August. Then, the strike is going to put us behind a week, which is a lot in an AP class.”

Additionally, students cannot be updated on homework unless they are receiving automated Google Classroom assignments and/or preemptive coursework.

Due to lost time, curriculums will have to be altered to cover contents’ entireties by the end of the year as strike days will not be made up.

said Stage Manager Midge Makowski ‘21.

“We’re rehearsing at Piven Theatre and at an event space that a family member of a cast member owns. We can’t work on the set until we get back to school, and we can’t rehearse on the stage, but other than that, we’re fine.”

While progress has been made between the CTU and CPS, the CTU has shown disapproval of Mayor Lori Lightfoot via posts on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.

“I think [Lightfoot] really needs to understand the problems that are happening within the schools,” said school nurse Constance Wolan. “We’re dealing with a lot of poverty. With that poverty, a lot of times, come inadequate care from the par- STOPPING TRAFFIC Science teacher Michal Michniowski shows ents. This includes parents cars his sign, reading, “You’d think that funding childrens’ futures [not] having access to health would be a no-brainer...” care; sometimes, the only

“The number one goal here is more equity in health care provided is within the school.” the system,” said Feeley. “It’s very important for us to

Wolan works at one school on step out of the Jones bubble every now and then and take Mondays through Thursdays and then roa deeper look at what’s happening in the buildings of our tates between four schools on Fridays. On students and our colleagues. The situation is very grim Fridays, she claims that each school rein a lot of places, and we hope that we will give some ceives about two and a half hours of care. concessions and some remedies to those urgent needs

“This sign here was from 2012, in those CPS schools. I think that we all understand that and the message is the same,” said Wolan. when we make negotiations and/or strike, we don’t get “One school, one nurse. I understand that everything that we demand. I hope that we make signifithere is a shortage, but how about two cant progress this time around. The country is watching.” schools? Hell, I would go with three schools, but five schools is not fair. The kind of care I STRIKE SHAKE Students and teachers participate in Jones dance [would like to] teacher Elisa Foshay’s choreographed dance. give is the kind

“We’ll have to figure it out when we get back,” said of care I would want for my son.”

Cappetta. “For AP classes, we’ll have to make some adjust- Jones librarian Francis ments; I think the people will roll with it. We’ll figure it out.” Feeley is one out of only 128 li Despite a number of concerns about miss- brarians left in 514 CPS schools. ing time in classes, some students have used “When there have the strike as an extended personal time off. been cuts and down shrinks

“Well, [the strike] provides me time to re- in the economy, the mandated cuperate after school. I think it’s getting bor- factors have stayed on and the ing after the seventh day of striking,” said non-mandated factors like liHenry Vozniak ’22. “When I’m not marching, I’m gener- braries have disappeared from ally relaxing at home, listening to podcasts, and reading.” the landscape despite the doc All extracurricular activities such as umented advocacy of librarsports, rehearsals, and dances have been can- ies in schools,” said Feeley. celed for the strike’s interim. For Jones’ fall play, Even though Jones is the cast has been rehearsconsidered fortunate by not needing outside of the school. ing most of the CTU

“We’re rehearsing demands, all members IN THE STREETS English teacher Caitlin Miller calls out the city’s refusal to off-campus to ensure that we of CTU and SEIU divert TIF funds to Chicago Public Schools. can get everything done,” are required to strike.

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Letters Letters to the Editor are encouraged and will be screened for libel, irresponsiblity, and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit or shorten letters as long as the meaning is unchanged. All letters must be signed and include your email for verification. Requests to withold the writer’s name from publication will be considered. Letters can be sent to jonesblueprint@gmail.com or dropped off in Room 201.

Photos by Josh Blustein ‘20 Graphics by Emma Casillas ‘20 & Katherine Williams ‘20

PAGE 3 No School November School is not in session on Nov. 8 for a school improvement day.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

Scars and stripes

And our flag was not there

Hanging the flag ignores its history

Reclaiming the meaning of the American flag JACK O’LEARY ‘20

GRIFFIN BASSETT ‘20

Stars and Stripes; Old Glory; the Red, White, and Blue. Truly, no other symbol of American patriotism has so many nicknames. It makes sense, really — any object as beloved as the American flag deserves some terms of endearment thrown its way. After all, it encapsulates everything America is about, right?

Freedom, independence, democracy, “picking oneself up by the bootstraps…”

But what about its history of slavery, and its still-persisting systems of racial injustice? What about the Trail of Tears, and other cruel examples of the government’s genocide of the Native American population? What about the United States’ all-too-relevant record of interning its own citizens? Unfortunately, these concepts are all as American as apple pie — and displaying the national flag in our classrooms won’t erase them.

In an AP Gov classroom, sure, an American flag on the wall makes perfect sense. It’s a symbol of America as a whole, so it’s completely appropriate in an environment dedicated to, well, the study of American government as a whole. The same cannot be said, though, for an AP Calc class, or a chemistry lab, or, really, any other classroom. When it’s taken out of the context of an America-centered curriculum, the flag conveys a clear sentiment of patriotism.

Patriotism, as a broad concept, doesn’t have to convey these messages of oppression — in an ideal world, it wouldn’t. But in the modern American political climate, it is inseparable from the actions executed in its name.

Removing the American flag from these associations would ultimately require an effort much more significant than decorating the school’s classrooms with its image. For the time being, putting an American flag in each classroom would seem forced at best and ignorant of its implications at worst.

Furthermore, within Jones’ diverse student population, many people are actively harmed by the historical and present actions of the United States government. Trying to instill the values of patriotism in the student body without addressing these concerns would be a slap in the face.

There are far more meaningful things that Jones students have in common besides their American identity, be it their experience as Chicagoans or even their experience as teenagers. Ultimately, though,

trying to achieve this kind of unity with the

American flag will divide us even more.

Once every year on July 4, millions of people from all walks of life unite together to celebrate a holiday with fireworks, parades, and summer fun. But with other holidays, it seems to have lost its original intention. Celebrating the founding of our great nation and all the freedoms we take for granted every day has all but disappeared.

The stars and stripes that was once seen on every porch and public school classroom in America have become such a rare sighting that the E.P.A. should just declare it an endangered species.

We the people have lost what it truly means to be an American. The most visible example of this can be seen with the symbol that represents our nation since 1776: the American flag.

Specifically, some citizens have taken it upon themselves to bash, burn, and even try to ban the American flag from our lives. I find it completely disrespectful, dishonorable, and deplorable to desecrate the Old Glory. Although it is ironic that people burn the very thing guaranteeing their right to personal expression, I stand behind protecting every citizen’s freedom of speech.

It is a beacon of freedom for all 327.2 million people. It should be raised on every flag pole, in every classroom, celebrated year-round, and given the utmost respect possible. The flag does not belong to political pundits trying to push their own agendas or create political divide.

Certain folks might be ready to shout back that the American flag represents ignorance, it represents racism, that it is a symbol for only select groups to celebrate.

I suggest reclaiming it because the American flag flies for all of our freedoms. It represents all of our veterans that have given their lives to defend the freedoms the foundations of our society need.

It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican or Democrat. The flag of our nation is there for all citizens, and we need to rediscover our national pride. Because at the end of the day we need to be a united country that has the backs of its countrymen, and we need to have the back of our nation.

Show me what democracy looks like

Photo by Josh Blustein ‘20

Why social media activism falls flat

Tap, swipe, click. The process is almost meditative.

Occasionally you stop to look at a particular Instagram story, only giving it a five second glance. You move on with your day. The world goes on—a day in the life of an Instagram user.

Once every couple posts, you take a bit longer to view a picture that’s particularly moving, or one that gets your cerebral gears turning.

And approximately one in every five posts yields a socially conscious activist post, which attempts to “spread awareness” about a particular issue. These activist bursts of reposts come in waves; people rally around a particular issue for an indefinite amount of time, at least until the next flavor of the month comes along.

This trend has been around since the beginning of social media itself, and has only been growing in momentum, specifically among social media’s top users: teenagers and college students.

The benefits of Instagram activism are clear and enticing. It’s easy to take five seconds out of your day to repost a message onto your story or feed, and the internal praise you give yourself for “making a difference” lasts long after the 24 hour story life. It’s certainly easier than open-

ing your wallet, physically demonstrating, or attending meetings of an activist group. And it helps your moral conscience sleep at night.

Critique of social media activism has some limitations. For example, social media can be a useful activist tool when paired with physical, social, or economic action. The Black Lives Matter movement started on social media, and has become one of the most comprehensive, meaningful movements due to the combination of awareness raising on social media, protest, and economic change.

In relation to the political crisis in Sudan, hundreds of thousands of people changed their profile pictures to cobalt blue to commemorate the deaths of protestors for the democratic uprising.

While this has a good intention to it (again, to “spread awareness”) no actual change has yet came from the massive effort, and as users slowly change back their profile pictures, the crisis continued without them.

It would be aimless to broadcast reasons why one type of activism is “bad” without fostering an understanding of what could be done. Assess your reasons for posting what you do: is it because you care? If you do, then it is highly recommended to contact your local government officials, senators, representatives, and even aldermen to address the issues you are passionate about. Show America what democracy looks like.

Graphic by Emma Casillas ‘20

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PAGE 4 Lights, Camera, Smile!

Yearbook photo retakes for grades 9-11 are on Nov. 1.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

The Shining makes horror complex MADELINE FITZGERALD ‘22 Lifestyles Staff

mestic violence and love within the Torrance family to create a piece that deftly avoids the dreaded label of “campy.”

In most horror films, the viewer and protagonist alike would be wholly against the villain. In The Shining, however, the multifaceted characters of Wendy and Jack and their relationship cause the viewer to question who the protagonist even is.

Don’t take my word for it, though. Halloween is coming, and what better way to herald spooky season and take a break from studying than with a viewing of The Shining? After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

I read that headline in Jack Nicholson’s maddened voice every time, and why wouldn’t I? Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining has been an instant classic from its release in the ‘80s until now.

Review after countless review and critic after critic have sung the horror movie’s praises, and with good reason. But what makes the film so alluring goes far deeper than bloody elevators and murdered twins.

Kubrick expertly balances the jump scares with the undertones of do-

Coraline’s artistic style redefines horror EMMA CASILLAS ‘20 School Staff

It’s hard to see the rating “PG” on a scary movie and not expect underwhelming jumpscares and an overall lack of fear.

However, after watching Coraline, those preconceived notions are set to rest. In fact, many angry parents claim that the film is too scary for children and causes nightmares.

These nightmares are likely due to the film’s contrast of its intriguing stop-motion style and dark imagery.

Still, the imagery would likely not be the first thing to scare off kids; the plot of the movie is shocking on its own: a young girl finds her own life boring and seeks comfort in a separate dimension which she almost gets trapped in.

The horrific nature of this animated movie is enticing on its own. The directors and artists of the film deserve tons of praise.

These creators elevated what could have been a simple children’s movie into a work of art; from every choice of color to every camera angle, this film is visually captivating.

Intentionally symbolic colors are present with Coraline’s vibrant blue hair and bright yellow raincoat, and their contrast with the bland, sepia-toned world into which her parents thrust her.

The cinematography is also symbolic, camera angles being crooked only when in the other dimension.

As a whole, this seemingly child-friendly film is an incredible horror movie. It is a Halloween classic, just unsettling enough to set an unnerving tone.

It is also incredibly nostalgic for a whole generation of kids who watched this when they were younger, the film being their first dose of nightmare fuel.

Coraline is a solid 5 out of 5 candy corns.

How the 1988 Child’s Play brought humor to horror

AMARA ALEXANDER ‘21 Sports Staff

stant, repetitive pattern of killing and resurrection was annoying. I mean, just die already, Chucky! But this pattern soon enthralled me, this small doll driving me and many others to insanity.

Since the release of the 1988 Child’s Play, more possessed doll movies have been released, such as the likes of Annabelle, Doll Graveyard, and even the 2019 remake of Child’s Play.

However, what sets the 1988 Child’s Play apart from other doll horror movies is Chucky’s personality.

Chucky’s raunchy behavior, tendency to use expletives, as well as his unexpected terror tactics has enticed audiences with every new movie.

By creating a chucklesome, yet vile character, Holland was able to secure Child’s Play a spot in the horror movie hall of fame.

When the first entry of one of the most infamous doll horror movie series, Child’s Play, was released, it shook the horror world.

Reviews of the movie vary from praise as a serious horror-comedy to mocking its excessive tackiness. Next came six more movies, each one more riveting than the next.

Child’s Play follows the standard slasher movie plots. Unexpecting victims are tortured by a terrifying menace; they find a way to get rid of the menace and think all is well. The audience is then left on the cliffhanger with the knowledge that the menace is still alive.

And there in three sentences is the plot of the seven Child’s Play movies. I used to think that this con-

Graphic by Sisley Mark ‘20

To trick or not to treat

Why Halloween fun should know no age SAVANNAH CLARK ‘20 Lifestyles Editor

As twilight falls down upon your neighborhood, you grab your empty pillowcase and a parental figure (but don’t have to worry about putting on your costume because you’ve been wearing it since noon), and head out for an evening full of spooks and goodies.

It’s one of the biggest thrills as a kid: running up the front steps to a house with its light on, as if to say, “Welcome! M&Ms this way!”

However, this innocent joy is snatched from us the moment we’re old enough to resemble “hooligans.” That whisper of a beard that you might have been so proud of in school will earn you nothing but scowls and dirty looks when reaching into a bowl of candy on Halloween night.

The eligibility system for who gets to go trick-or-treating is ageist and unfair, and everyone should have a chance to collect their candy.

If a toddler gets dressed up as a pumpkin by their mom putting them in an orange shirt, does that qualify as a costume? Did that toddler put any effort into that look, or did someone else do all the work for them? Do they even really know what trick-or-treating is? No.

Teenagers are putting in exponentially more effort than that toddler did to get the same result, except one of them is shamed for it.

Why? Shouldn’t they be out being a teenager?

Yet there is a loophole into their hearts: simply have a little sibling! If you take your little brother or sister trick-or-treating, the candy-bearers will only smile and say “Awe!” and, because they are blinded by your responsible and adorable deed, you may snag a piece of candy.

Although that trick seems flawless, there is one glaring issue: what about those of us who don’t have younger siblings? For the babies of the family: there is no hope. So that still leaves us with an unfair system, in which you still may not get to eat the individually-wrapped goodness that sits waiting on yellow-lit porches.

Above all, trick-or-treating is fun!

Toddlers, kids, teenagers, and adults alike are allowed to have fun in their own ways, so they should all be able to enjoy this once-a-year excitement and collect some free candy.

Dressing up as a character you idolize or think is funny or whatever

you choose to do is a creative outlet, which can be harder to come by as we get older. Eating candy also grows less frequent with age, and trick-or-treating combines them both.

All people should be allowed to trick-or-treat without shame — unless they hate chocolate and fun, in which case they can be the ones on the porch steps.

Graphic by Emma Casillas ‘20 & Enzo Zerillo ‘20

PAGE 5 Peter and the Starcatcher Nov. 21 to Nov. 23 with four shows, two on Saturday.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

NICOTEEN

ONGOING ADDICTION CONSEQUENCES EMERGE FROM TEENAGE VAPING HABITS

Continued on page 6

PAGE 6

Slam Dunk

Boys basketball’s Battle of the Bridge tournament is Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 at Lane.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31,

Juulry

Senior explores environmental effects of vaping SAVANNAH CLARK ‘20 Lifestyles Editor

Hit the pen, pass it around until the pod’s empty, toss it on the ground, and forget about it forever. It may sound rather harsh when put like that, but how else do you explain the countless discarded Juul pods strewn all over the sidewalks, parks, and train platforms of Chicago?

To give Juul smokers some credit, it’s not easy to appropriately dispose of the pods — mostly because there is no correct way. They are made of plastic and are single-use items. Considering that the overuse of plastic is significantly contributing to the pollution of our oceans and climate change, our days of simply throwing everything in the trash can need to be over.

Juul’s website used to advertise that the pods “can be thrown away in a regular trash can.” However, the page now blatantly describes the pods as just “disposable.” What’s really important is whether or not the pods are recyclable — which is a much harder feat to achieve, so it’s no surprise the company has yet to share information on that.

These single-use pods hold about a pack of cigarettes’ worth of nicotine, and once they are used up will frequently end up on the ground as litter. As is the case with other e-cigarettes, Juuls contain heavy metals like nickel, lead, and tin. When discarded on the street or even thrown away only to sit for centuries in our overflowing landfills, the discharge that leaks out is enough to qualify Juuls as e-waste and a biohazard threat.

Additionally, like AirPods and most other electronics, Juuls use a lithium-ion battery, which usually gives out after a couple of years. And, being so small and full of little parts, Juuls are extremely intricate and difficult to take apart.

Although Juul does not want you to just throw them away, they offer no clear guidelines on how to recycle them leaving consumers with few options for disposal. Even more concerning, lithium-ion batteries, if handled incorrectly, can explode. So what happens in a few years when everyone’s Juuls die? Chances are they will all be tossed into garbage cans and send to landfills to leak e-waste.

My left brain was spurred one day on the train when my friends and I found three matching blue Juul pods. I had already been on a kick of recycling unexpected everyday objects into earrings.

To fashion the pods into earrings, simply heat up the end of a paper clip over an open flame, and then forge a small hole through the matte black part of the pod. The holes form easily, and then hook the jump rings and findings together, and voilà! An upcycled earring that won’t leak corrosive chemicals into the earth.

The orchestra concert is on Nov. 21.

ALISON MCLEOD ‘20 School Staff

* indicates a name has been changed

Often depicted as a viable alternative to cigarettes, the use of e-cigarettes to intake nicotine has reached all-new popularity. Teens using e-cigarettes to vape nicotine usually do not consider themselves addicted.

And if they do, they believe that it is an addiction they will be able to shake, eventually.

But Maya Greene ‘20*, who maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and is applying for many top colleges, decided to stop after the effects of vaping a pod a day became too great to ignore.

Additionally, the negative reports in the news about vaping captured Greene’s eye, making her more conscious of her health and the adverse impact vaping could possibly have.

“I knew kids that had actually gone to the doctor and said they were having health problems because of Juuling specifically,” Greene said.

“And I reached the point where I was like ‘I don’t need to do this anymore.’ Like, it was fun while it lasted, but I don’t think this is helping my life.”

Greene is not the only teen that has let her vaping habits be affected by the reports of health issues. Monica Taylor ‘21*, a young dancer who has been vaping since she was fifteen, had a moment of panic when she caught a harmless head cold.

“At the end of the summer I started getting this horrible cough, and I kept on like coughing up stuff, and I was like ‘I have lung cancer, like I’m gonna die,’ and because I wasn’t congested at all, these are really just my lungs,” Taylor said.

However, both Greene and Taylor agreed that the way news outlets are presenting the warnings makes the risk sound more dangerous than it actually is.

“If it really was as bad and as fast-acting, I would probably be dead right now or have lung cancer,” Greene said.

Even if lung disease is only caused by dangerous and unsafe vaping habits, the bigger problem yet is the nicotine addiction that many teens are facing.

AP Psychology teacher Meghan McClory has gained perspective on the vaping issue through working closely with teens.

“I don’t think that students have a good understanding of how addictive even the nicotine pods are and how addictive nicotine is, and how hard it is to break an addiction if you start it, particularly at this age,” McClory said.

Taylor’s nicotine addiction became so overwhelming that she has not been able to stop using nicotine, even though she stopped vaping. She turned to cigarettes in order to get her nicotine fix, and since she smokes less than she used to hit her Juul, she thinks they are her path out of addiction.

“I still smoke [cigarettes] during the day. Like I smoke one every morning, and sometimes one after school.” Taylor said. “So, I’m on the way there, to not being addicted. But I definitely was for a good portion of time.”

According to e-cigarette companies such as Juul, their marketing was intended to aid those addicted to cigarettes by providing a safer method for nicotine intake, yet they created more addiction problems than solutions for teens like Taylor.

However, the majority of adults blame companies like Juul who offered candy-like flavors that may have appealed to teens. For this reason, the Trump administration proposed banning flavored vaping products. Many states and cities had already spoken out about future plans on banning flavored e-cigarette products.

“I think that the marketing that the

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

Clouded judgments

Taking the hit

Students who vape tell their stories

PAGE 7

Musical Mania

vaping companies did really was appealing for teens, with the different flavors. And they didn’t really talk about it as a way to quit smoking. They talked about it like how good it tastes. Much like cigarettes did when they first were advertising,” said McClory.

However, both Greene and Taylor place the blame for their addiction completely on their own shoulders.

“It doesn’t matter what the flavor is, you are still going to hit it regardless, and that’s just what addiction does,” Taylor said. “The only person you can really blame is yourself, you can’t assume that it’s these company’s faults.”

Green does not blame in the shops that are knowingly selling vape products to teens, despite the law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 21 in Illinois.

“I was aware it was my choice,” Greene said. “I appreciated [when stores sold to me]. I knew they weren’t targeted to me. I knew that I wasn’t supposed to be doing it. And I think that also a little bit of why people do it, ‘cause you know that you’re not supposed to.

It’s the risk factor and the rebellious factor.”

Many teens recognize that vaping is no longer a healthy way to get the substances they crave, whether that be THC or nicotine. But both Taylor and Greene hope for understanding about how difficult it is to break an addiction, especially one made so young.

When Greene decided to quit, she threw all her materials away, knowing that the temptation to keep using would be too strong.

And though she supports the decision to quit, she believes that the choice belongs to the user.

“If that’s the way they want to do it, then I think it’s okay [to keep vaping],” Greene said. “But I think it’s better to support your friends if they do suggest quitting because, ultimately, it’s better to quit than to keep using it.”

Doctors work to persuade teens to quit vaping LEO NECHELES ‘22 Sports Staff

The vaping industry is facing intense persecution after past weeks of numerous medical issues associated with vaping. New cases of patients with various chest pains and lung issues have stumped doctors nationwide. However, with no direct evidence suggesting the downfalls of vaping, doctors are left struggling to persuade people to quit.

“The worst thing about this is we figure it’s bad, but we don’t have the hard evidence that it’s bad,” said pediatrician Kenneth F. Lyons. “In this day and age, when you don’t have hard evidence that it’s bad, the public thinks it’s okay.”

With no studies to support them, doctors are left convincing patients to quit vaping with nothing besides common sense and credibility. As a pediatrician, Lyons has recently begun asking each one of his patients if they have vaped. To his astonishment, around 20 percent of kids over the age of 16 responds with yes to the question. Lyons makes sure to provide each teen with the same warning when it comes to vaping.

“Don’t put anything in your lungs but oxygen and nitrogen,” Lyons said. “Your heart and lungs are really important; you don’t want to be burning them up when you’re 17.”

Of all the big-name companies that have taken over the vaping industry, doctors appear most concerned with the off-brand products sold on the streets. Steven Aks, an emergency room doctor and chief of medical toxicology at Cook County Hospital, cites how he has received “quite a number of calls about these cases.” With the ability to put numerous chemicals in vape products, off-market vaping devices are proving to be more and more dangerous.

“What we’re really worried about now is all these bootleg products, particularly the ones with all the THC that could be made by someone in their garage or house,” said Aks. “There’s just really horrible quality control.”

Aks also said that a lack of government oversight is possibly to blame for vaping issues.

“We could also be critical of the government and administration because they could heavily regulate this and demand safety testing,” stated Aks. “Quite honestly, that’s what I find the most concerning thing; there has not been the level of oversight there should be.”

Lyons even went to compare vaping regulations to the Wild West. He believes the limited amount of ordinances on vaping has led to the chaos and misbehavior often portrayed in movies about old Western America. Lyons had a very teen based suggestion to possible solutions to this issue.

“I think you almost have to make it inaccessible to people under 21. You have to make it like alcohol.

Teenagers are impressionable,” said Lyons.

Because teens are so much more susceptible to addiction, especially with vaping, many believe vaping needs to be not only illegal but also inaccessible.

Currently, many teens find no issues buying vaping products off-market. However, these off the book’s sales should be yet another reminder of the dangers of bootleg commodities.

Aks even believes these bootleg products can be more dangerous at times than cigarettes. Their ability to blindside a customer with chemicals randomly thrown in prove more critical than the known dangers of smoking.

“You don’t know what you’re sticking in your bodies. With cigarettes, you have tar, nicotine, and all that stuff, but you have no idea what you’re putting in your body when you’re vaping,” stated Aks.

People are aware of the risks they take when smoking. The studies are out there, and the ingredients are relatively clear on each pack of cigarettes. Unlike vaping, one can know what to expect, even if they are willing to take the risk.

Working in toxicology, Aks has seen many of the accidents that have occurred from bootleg products.

“We see all kinds of examples of this; people who buy drugs on the internet trying to get high.

Many of these things just go badly,” said Aks.

Both Lyons and Aks see nothing good that could come out of vaping, especially with teenagers. As doctors work hard to seek a solution to this modern epidemic, there appears to be no immediate answer in sight. Lyons explains how “medical evidence moves slowly” and he doesn’t see anything helpful surfacing for at least ten years.

For now, doctors are left attempting to convince teens to quit vaping and hope they listen.

As Lyons says to each one of his patients, “The worst thing you can do to your body is put something in it when you don’t know what is going to happen.”

Graphic by Enzo Zerillo ‘20

PAGE 8

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Nothing but Net! Girls basketball game on Nov. 21 at Hinsdale South.

Graphic by Sisley Mark ‘20

PAGE 9 Show Time The Performing Arts Showcase will take place on Nov. 6.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

Flipping the script

Inside student-directed play GRIFFIN BASSETT ’20 Lifestyles Editor JOSH BLUSTEIN ’20 Lifestyles Staff

Moving into this fall’s theater production, Peter and the Starcatcher, there is a key factor to notice—there are two people in the director’s seat, and neither of them are teachers.

Because Brad Lyons, the former director of both productions last year, chose not to do the fall play, Ashton Goren ‘20 and Maya Reyna ‘20 decided to take a shot at directing.

“Suddenly, a Facebook post pops up from Ashton saying ‘we’re looking for directors,’” said Reyna. “I immediately texted Lyons, [saying], ‘can I please have this opportunity, it’s really important to me!’

And he said, ‘yeah, sure,’ and he told us ‘you’re working together,’ and that was that.”

Goren and Reyna’s first challenge as co-directors was determining what play Jones would produce, laying out the research for the decision. As questions circled the minds of the two student directors, a decision was made eventually.

“There’s a lot of research that goes into it,” said Goren. “We don’t just pull it out of a hat. What kind of audience am I targeting?

What will get them on the edge of their seats? What will get them in the seats in the first place?”

Ultimately, the duo settled

on Peter and the Starcatcher.

One of the deciding factors that influenced their decision was the smaller cast that the play requires.

Having two students with different skill sets on the director’s chair is uncommon for Jones productions, due to their differing backgrounds and talents, Goren and Reyna complement each other’s skills.

“I’ve spent a lot of time doing stage management and doing technical work,” said Goren. “Maya is on the opposite end - she has performed at the Goodman Theatre, and she’s an incredible singer. Our talents balance each other out really nicely.”

The pair have also had to manage their new relationship with the actors and other students involved. Reyna noted the balance that comes between playing an authoritative role and a collegial one. “ I have to kind of now assert myself in a different way,” said Reyna.

“There needs to be a dynamic of ‘director’ and ‘actor,’ because my job involves telling them what to do. But they’re still people I work with.”

The directors are not the only ones observing this dynamic. Some actors, including John Weaver ‘20, noticed the dichotomy between the separation of labels.

“It’s a little strange sometimes, I have to admit,” said Weaver, who plays Prentis in the production.

“It’s weird to separate ‘okay she’s my boss’ to ‘okay she’s one of my friends and classmates.’

But other than that I think it’s definitely a positive experience.”

Other members of the cast also understood and worked under this separation—but that did not prevent them from having a good time.

“I’d say it’s definitely more of a professional atmosphere,” said Wilson Kenny ‘21, who plays Peter, the lead, in the production. “That’s not to say we don’t have our casual moments -- we still have a lot of fun.

It’s not all work and no play.”

Goren and Reyna’s direction style is also different from previous productions.

“Mr. Lyons is very direct,” said Weaver. “He knows what he wants and he knows how to direct it, but Ashton and Maya can play ideas off of each other, and it really spawns some great scenes and great chor e o g r a p h y. ” C a r rying over to different, and sometimes difficult, situations on the stage and back, the difference in direction style eventually worked itself out.

“There was just one moment where we were rehearsing on a Friday and we did the whole scene, we blocked it out, and then we were showing them the final product of the scene,” said Weaver. “The next day they sat us down and they went ‘okay, we messed up with that one,

but we know how to improve on that,’ and that’s definitely what they’re good at.”

While there are teachers on set for logistical purposes, the production is still in the hands of the students.

The presence of the teachers can also provide for advice and counsel when needed.

“None of this would even be able to happen if it weren’t for Ms. Colby and Ms. Dernbach,” said Goren. “They always, when prompted, will offer advice, because they’re knowledgeable and totally experienced - but they’re definitely not spearheading the production.”

The students’ management of the play has also extended to its finances.

None of the fundraising comes directly from the school, which means that the student directors primarily rely on grants, Friends of Jones, and their own fundraising.

“We’re definitely on that grind for selling stuff,” said Weaver.

“We’re going to be at the open house, we’re going to be at the parent teacher night, and we’re also going to be at the 5K. Just selling taffy apples and spreading the word about the show.”

Peter and the Starcatcher will be playing in the Robin Bennett Theatre from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23.

Graphic by Emma Casillas ‘20

PAGE 10 Right Up Your Alley

Boys bowling will compete against Von Stueben on Nov. 25

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

JCP ARTIST

PLAY

FOLLOW

OVERVIEW

ERIC HINCH ‘20

Up next

KHALIL CRUMP ‘20

JACK DICKINSON ‘22

A look into upcoming SoundCloud artists at Jones

SAMUEL TEDROWE ‘21 Lead Reporter CARRIGAN GARRITY ‘22 Lifestyles Staff

Every day after school, 1,991 Jones students walk home, complete homework, and go to their respective extracurricular activities— almost every Jones student knows the drill.

However, Eric Hinch ‘20, Khalil Crump ‘20, and Jack Dickinson ‘22 go home and begin to record, write, and help produce music, setting them apart from the rest of the student body.

While Hinch has played acoustic and electric guitar since he was eight, he only began producing and writing his own music during his freshman year. Hinch lists his biggest musical inspirations as Kid Cudi and Kanye West.

“I like that [Kid Cudi] does a mixture of genres,” said Hinch. “It’s kind of like rap and pop, and it’s really melodic, so I like that. I also love the meaning in his lyrics. Kanye West first got me into music seriously, so I’ve got a special spot in my heart for him because of that.”

Crump shares Kanye West as his inspiration for making music—he enjoys how West “does his own thing.” Crump makes primarily rap music, similar to Kanye West.

“Even though he’s done some questionable things, and people feel like he isn’t the best role model, I feel like he’s never afraid to voice his own opinions,” said Crump. “And he’s never afraid to stand out. I admire that quality, I took it into myself and I encourage that in other people too.”

Another inspiration Crump has for making music is to make the world a better place, and to have people come together over his music.

“I’m very much for communication, and the social aspect of things,” said Crump.

“And I really want to encourage people to share their interests and to be interested in the same things, and to talk to each other.”

Hinch’s household is a music-oriented one, as his parents are both very musical—his father plays piano, and played clarinet, which provided inspiration for him in the past and present.

“I wanted something to do, so that I could be a part of this musical family,” said Hinch, laughing. “My sister also played piano, so that was another part of my family.”

While Hinch’s family supports his musical experience, Dickinson has family issues that affect his music. Dickinson states that his mother has difficulty accepting his music, and afterwards his friends chimed in with the fact that his sister didn’t seem to enjoy or encourage his music either.

Crump agrees that “haters” are prevalent in his career, even though most of his audience is supportive.

“There’s some people who doubt what I do,” said Crump. “Or they feel like anyone can do it, like they try to make light of the situation.

But I just use that as motivation, because it makes me want to work harder to be the best person I can be, and just to be a better artist in general.”

Hinch’s love of life “behind the scenes” combined with his passion for music directed him toward producing his own

music. He describes the music he writes, edits, and produces as a nuanced combination of pop, hip-hop, and alternative.

“When I edit my music, it can actually be what I want it to be,” said Hinch.

Hinch’s lack of confidence in his singing ability, while described as a setback, does not deter him from making music.

“It’s kind of hard to get people to sing how you want it to be,” said Hinch. “But I can’t personally sing it. What I like to do is I chop up audio with other singers that are really good and that I enjoy, and I like to put that into my own music, so I would call that a big blend.”

Both Hinch and Crump describe recognition as both a challenge and a goal for their musical careers, as they are both high school SoundCloud artists without serious funding. Hinch recommends other high school musicians or people who are getting into music find people with similar interests.

“Find other people who enjoy the same type of music as you,” said Hinch. “Or like editing, or playing music with you. Because once you have those connections, you can really branch out and do something big.”

Dickinson and Crump also hope to “do something big” with their music.

Crump wants to increase his fanbase and open a safe space for his listeners. Dickinson hopes to perform at Soldier Field.

“Just putting in that grind and hard work,” Dickinson said, discussing how he plans to achieve his goals. “I think it would just come with it. You have just got to put in the time.”

Graphic by Jacob Dunn ‘20

PAGE 11 Strike!

The boys bowling team will compete against Payton on Nov. 18.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

A season cut short

Judge rules CPS student athletes cannot play in state playoffs SAMUEL TEDROWE ‘21 Lead Reporter

Standing in solidarity, silently protesting the ruling that CPS student athletes cannot compete in the state playoffs, the Jones Boys Cross Country team stood together as a community at the State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, October 26.

The day before, Friday, October 25, Judge Eve Reilly heard both arguments from the attorney who represented the plaintiffs,

that the IHSA took a very broad definition of when the state finals began, and narrowed it down in a “self-serving” manner.

As for irreparable harm, he argued that seniors had one of their only chances to be seen by college scouts taken away from them by something out of their control.

Ending his opening statement, Sterling said that the athletes should be able to “do what they’ve been trained to do, and what they deserve to do.”

The primary part of David Bressler’s

his classmates, credit for the evidence he presented during the hearing on Friday.

“I think [the hearing] went well. I think that Mr. Sterling provided a lot of great evidence,” said Maida. “And I think that he did as good of a job as he could have done. I wouldn’t have anyone else do it. We just have to wait until 5 p.m. and see what happens.”

Students from all different CPS schools eagerly awaited the ruling of Judge Reilly, as it was delayed from 5 p.m., the expected time of the court order.

LIVE NEWS Ian Bacon ‘20 addresses reporters at Daley Plaza as fellow CPS athletes stand behind him in support.

who filed a complaint on Thursday (12 Jones Cross Country athletes and their families) and the defendant attorney, who represented CPS and IHSA (Illinois High School Association).

On the day of the hearing, the benches were packed to the edges, with students moving over and giving up what little space they had to allow more athletes to sit down.

Beginning with Sterling’s opening statement, he had to argue that a temporary restraining order was indeed useful. This consisted of three parts: a legally protectable interest, irreparable harm if the order is not granted, and a likelihood of winning the case.

“If they don’t compete tomorrow, their season is over,” said Sterling. “We are asking the court today that the Temporary Restraining Order should enter, enabling these athletes to compete in the State Competition.”

Another point of his argument was

(the defendant’s attorney) argument was that without the proper bureaucracy and staff needed in order for the students to compete, as the teachers were on strike, it would not be safe or efficient for the students to compete.

“We are a country of laws,” said Bressler.

“We all want these kids to run, by that sympathy does not mean we can overlook the rules.”

Boys Cross Country Team Captain Anthony Maida ‘20 noted that student athletes should not be harmed by something “out of their control,” such as the 2019 CTU Strike.

“In reality, we’re just concerned about if they get it figured out so that we can play our sport,” said Maida. “We just want to set the precedent for later people and ourselves, that we’ll be able to participate in sports even with the strike going on.”

Maida also gave Kevin Sterling, the attorney representing him and

It was eventually decided by the court order issued out by Judge Reilly that “plaintiff’s motion for a Temporary Restraining Order is denied.”

Retroactively looking back on Friday’s hearing, Sterling noted that he is “disappointed by the result,” but he “certainly understands” the ruling.

“The judge’s concern about the burden on CPS for having to facilitate not just cross country, but all the other sports that got impacted by the strike was part of the reason she denied the Temporary Restraining Order,” said Sterling. “But, the kids have really just stepped up. And not just Jones Cross Country, but all the Cross Country kids, it’s the Simian football players, the Solario soccer players, the Whitney Young tennis players. Everyone have stepped up and shown something remarkable.”

Photo courtesy of Owen Ziliak ‘20

PAGE 12 Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving break starts on Nov. 27.

JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT OCTOBER 31, 2019

Graphic by Jack Burkhardt ‘20 & Griffin Bassett ‘20