THE GLEN BARD
March 2019 gwhsnews.org
Tips for studying, preparing, succeeding with AP Exams William Hohe ’21 Social Media Coordinator & Photographer AP exams may seem daunting to students registered to take them this coming May, but with proper preparation and knowledge, the exam does not have to be such a grueling task. While it may seem difficult to study for an exam covering a year’s worth of knowledge, reaping the benefits of getting college credit and saving thousands of dollars far outweighs the studying and preparation now. Here are some tips and advice from teachers and students on how to succeed this May and get the coveted 5 on your exams. 1. Sign up for the exam - At times, students may think they are not prepared to score well on the exam, even after taking a year’s worth of classes in the certain concentration. As senior and AP-exam taker Samra Haseeb notes, “AP exams are a great way to not only get AP credit for college, but they also provide a sort of end goal for classes. Of course final exams are very important and useful, but AP exams provide a standard so that a person taking the test in Illinois has the same opportunity for credit as someone in Colorado, for example.” Even though the deadline has passed for registration, according to College Board’s website, you can still register but will
The AP Resource Study Center (or Support Cafe) is open to all AP students, Monday-Friday during all lunch periods on the 3rd floor bridge.
incur a late fee of $45. See Dr. Sulaver if you are interested. 2. Start Studying NOW - It’s never too early to start studying and reviewing. Not only will it help with your current grade in the class but it will ensure a stronger score later on for the exam. As advised by AP Support Cafe coordinator and AP Psychology teacher Mrs. Davis, “Spread out your studying: don’t cram. Focus on a unit a day, and catch yourself up to where you need to be.” 3. Get a prep book - While sometimes students rely only on the course’s given materials, it is beneficial to get some sort of review book. Some of the best are produced by the Princeton Review, which specializes in making reviews and packets for standardized tests and AP Exams alike. By getting a prep book, you can brush up on forgotten material and review your strong areas. As Mrs. Brandt, AP teacher and Social Studies
Department Chair, explained, “If you are really nervous, talk to your teacher, find your study group, but practice. Keep practicing: the more you practice, the more confident you will be. Then, you will knock it out of the park.” 4. Do the steps - In the review book, there might be some rather annoying steps, such as making a “compare and contrast” chart for certain units or copying down notes. DO THE STEPS. The people who write these books are experts who know the test inside and out, and while it might be annoying at first, it will only help you later on in May. 5. Review your course material - Your teachers throughout the year have created study guides, course materials, and reviews that are valuable and integral to studying. Use them, learn from them, and apply them to the test. Mrs. Davis also added that “the test[s] in May
[are] a great way to summarize the whole year; it allows us to go back to August and revisit the important topics we tend to forget when we pass them throughout the year.” 6. Go to review sessions Often times teachers will conduct review sessions for the exam weeks in advance of the test. These are very helpful, not only to work in a group environment, but see how your fellow peers are studying and learn from them. As Mrs. Brandt stated, “Trust your teacher, trust that we are not going to send you ‘into the wolves.’ We will prepare you, but you need to do some leg work on your own.” Make sure to take the opportunities given to you and attend any review sessions at your disposal. 7. Get extra help from teachers - If need be, ask your teacher for help. They are skilled and know how the exam looks, so they can give you ad-
vice. 8. Come prepared the day of the exam - Bring number two pencils, erasers, and whatever is asked of you in the exam materials list (https://apstudent. collegeboard.org/home). Make sure to NOT bring your phone in when you go to the exam. 9. Have a positive attitude, be open minded, and come well rested - Treat testing day like any day. Come prepared to work hard, know the answers, and do well on the test. 10. Don’t be discouraged - If, in the end, the exam does not go as planned, do not be discouraged. “No one expects you to get 100%. [The test] is to demonstrate your knowledge, and you know more than you think you know. At the end of the day, it’s just a test - it doesn’t define you as a person,” says Samra Haseeb. Hopefully these tips can help you reach your AP exam goals this year. Happy studying!
The heart of the community: Why small shops make Glen Ellyn a vibrant town Lilly Soane ’19 Contributing Writer Opinion Glen Ellyn’s beauty and charm is taken for granted. Like the rest of America, I am guilty of shopping at large chain stores for almost everything I purchase. However, while
A recent addition to the plethora of shops that line Crescent Boulevard, as of 2018, The Joy Bar is a smoothie cafe run by Glen Ellyn locals. Adorned with a bright green logo and exterior, the Joy Bar has offered a unique flair to the beloved downtown scene. Photo by William Hohe ’21.
stores like Walmart and Target are convenient, they are killing local businesses. The chain store epidemic is not only a problem in the Chicagoland area; it is nation wide. According to Joe Persky, University of Illinois at Chicago economics professor, “In 2006, months before a Walmart store was opened in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago’s West side, researchers counted 306 businesses in the surrounding area. Two years after the Walmart opened, 82 of those businesses had closed.” Small businesses can never compete with the low prices and variety of options a chain can provide, but large stores are not perfect themselves. With endless aisles of “stuff” comes a lack of attention. Colleen Corkery, a blogger on Five Stars, said, “One of the biggest advantages [small businesses] have over large retailers is the ability to provide more personable, hands-on, and memorable customer service.” I am not alone with my concerns for the independent shops. The website for the Shop Small Movement, a movement dedicated to supporting and celebrating small businesses, states, “In 2017, an estimated 108 million consumers reported shop-
ping or dining at local independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday — generating roughly $12 billion in reported spending.” There are people who may argue that large businesses bring life and economic growth to towns by being able to pay higher taxes and rent fees. They also are able to bring in a larger variety of goods for consumers. While this is true, large chain stores cannot provide a town with the charm and uniqueness an independent shop can do so well. The Shop Small Movement is confident that a “visit to the family-owned framing shop or a stop at the neighborhood taco truck not only supports our local economies, it promotes more vibrant communities.” As any small town resident can agree, local shops are the heart of a community. Not only do they contribute to a unique and vibrant culture, they make sure to make every customer’s experience special. So, the next time you are shopping for a birthday present or holiday gift, stop by one of our local shops and contribute to the stores that make Glen Ellyn the special, beautiful, lively town it is.
670 Crescent Blvd Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
The iconic marquee of the Glen Art Theatre is a landmark of downtown Glen Ellyn. Since its opening in the 1920s, the Glen Art Theatre has served Glen Ellyn moviegoers with classic films and modern-day hits, even getting its own feature in the movie Lucas. Photo by William Hohe ’21.
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West senior competes in global Irish dance competition By Julia Lane ’19 Managing Editor From football to chess club, Glenbard West offers almost every activity that any student could imagine—except Irish dancing. Maura Doyle, Glenbard West senior, has been participating in this traditional sport for almost 15 years. At only two years old, she was hooked. As she watched the Irish dancers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, her eyes were glued to the TV screen and she instantly told her mom that she wanted to “dance just like those girls.” A year later, Maura’s career took off. For the first eight years, Maura poured her blood, sweat, and tears into learning the fundamentals of the sport at the World Academy School of Irish Dance. It was there that she was first exposed to the unparalleled traditions of Irish dancing that date back to the eighteenth century. According to Maura, “Mothers required their children to dance in their ‘Sunday best’ outfits, meaning girls had to curl their hair. But due to so many girls complaining about the pain of wearing rollers at night, the idea was brought up to wear wigs instead.” Along with wearing curly wigs, Irish dancers’ costumes would not be complete without the rest of their ensemble: a beautiful competition dress, spray-tanned legs, and makeup. While Maura recognizes that these aspects of Irish dancing often bewilder people, she would not trade the customs for anything. At age eleven, Maura transitioned to her current studio, the Lavin-Cassidy School of Irish Dance, a deci-
Maura Doyle, senior, competed in the 2019 All-Ireland Championships in Killarney, Ireland earning 42nd place. Photo courtesy of Maura Doyle. sion she couldn’t be happier with. It was at this school that she got the opportunity to travel to Killarney, Ireland to compete in the 2019 All-Ireland Championships. Impressively placing 42nd out of 180 dancers, Maura was “filled with a combination of nerves and excitement” as she “had never danced in Ireland be-
fore and put pressure on [herself] to perform well.” To begin competition day, two rounds commenced—one in hard shoes (similar to tap shoes) and the other in soft shoes (similar to ballet slippers). After those rounds, the top 50 dancers were recalled to dance in the third and final round, Maura qualifying for that round. She notes that the “competition was tough, and even though [she] was really happy with [her] performance, anything could have happened with the end result.” Maura’s talent earned her an amazing placement. As for Maura’s future in Irish dancing, she definitely wants to continue to pursue her passion in college. She plans to attend a university with an Irish dance team, as she would never want her hours of hard work to go to waste. While Maura will be the first to admit that long, hard practices can be exhausting, she also says that days “spent in front of the studio mirror for hours on end can make you capable of achieving things you never thought were possible.” Looking further into the future, Maura would love to experience performing in a traveling show such as Riverdance. As her whole Irish dance career has been spent at the competition level, she seeks the chance to eventually transition into the performance level. If that plan doesn’t work, Maura may take her talents to teaching dance, which she already helps with at her studio. Wherever she ends up, Maura will be wildly successful. Congratulations on your dedication to such a unique sport Maura. Your hard work has paid off and Glenbard West can’t wait to see where Irish dancing takes you!
Top five ’80s, ’90s ‘bucket list’ films not to miss By Madeline Yob ’22 Contributing Writer
The film industry is known for being grand and glamorous, but what happens when we look further into each individual movie? Films tell stories, explain our history, and have the potential to make a room full of grown men and women cry. We waste our time on reality TV or binge watching dramas, when instead there are so many better and more cultured options. Here are some of the greatest movies of all time that you need to add to your bucket list. 5. The Breakfast Club - 1985 When a nerd, a princess, a bad boy, an athlete, and an artistic social outcast are forced into a Saturday morning detention, they soon learn about the secrets that lie within each of them. Touching on the topics of social divisions, mental health, and parent-child relations, this film finds common ground with every viewer in a comedic way. The Breakfast Club never fails to impress with its sly humor and satisfying ending. 4. Good Will Hunting - 1997 Starring Matt Damon, Will Hunting is a young genius with an attitude. Will works at MIT, right where he belongs. Only he’s not a student, he’s a janitor. When prestigious math professor Lambeau writes a difficult math equation on the board, Will Hunting can’t help but solve it. When Lambeau discovers who solved the equation, he is determined to make Will into a math legend. However, this
requires getting Will proper help and therapy - therapy Will is not interesting in having. Love, humor, vulnerability, and a power struggle between desire and the past, Good Will Hunting will not disappoint. 3. Schindler’s List - 1994 Based off true events, Schindler’s List will rip your heart out in three hours and fifteen minutes. World War II was a time of pain, strife, and prejudice. Not only does Schindler’s List portray the war in a detailed way but it adds so much dynamism to the characters that every member of the audience can observe the internal conflicts of everyone. Oskar Schindler is responsible for saving about 1,100 Jewish people from death in concentration camps by having them to work in his factory. Schindler is honored throughout this film and his name remains in every viewer’s heart. Schindler’s List is credited as being one of the most lifechanging movies of all time. 2. Forrest Gump - 1994 Ever heard the phrase, “Life is like a box of chocolates”? Forrest Gump is the creator of that famous simile. In 1981, Forrest Gump, played by the ever famous Tom Hanks, is sit-
ting on a park bench, talking to a stranger next to him. He begins to tell his story, starting when he was a young boy. Young Forest is mentally impaired, wears leg braces, and is constantly bullied, but he is extraordinary intelligent and talented. Despite his braces, Forest is also an extremely fast runner, and soon earns himself a scholarship to University of Alabama, where he plays football. After college, Forest enlists in the army. There he meets his best friend, Bubba, who convinces him to join the shrimp industry. “Bubba-Gump Shrimp” sound familiar? Despite these iconic scenes, more happens from there on out. In the first hour of the movie, the audience falls in love with Forest and his sweet nature. Tearjerking and gut-wrenching, this description is only the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to this two and a half-hour movie. A classic and a brilliant choice for a Saturday night in, Forrest Gump will leave you with a swelling heart and watering eyes. 1. La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful) - 1998 In comparison to its name, Life is Beautiful is one of the most intricately orchestrated films of all time. Taking place during World War II, Guido, a Jewish man living in Italy, possesses the rare traits of constant optimism and humor. He works as a waiter for his wealthy uncle’s restaurant and has no trouble cracking a few jokes here and there. That is, until he meets the lovely Dora, who happens to be engaged to an-
other man. Swiftly, however, he sweeps her off her feet in breathtaking romance and the two fall in love. Years later, Guido and Dora are living happily with their young son. The family lives in innocence and bliss until the Nazis arrive in their town. Taking Guido and his son away on a train to the nearest concentration camp, Dora hops on board, refusing to let her family be taken away from her. Although written and spoken in Italian, do not be deterred from putting on your English subtitles and enjoying this cinematic beauty.
Did you know Sally Field, who plays Forrest Gumps’s mom, is only ten years older than Tom Hanks?
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Outstanding achievements, extreme passion earn Dr. Monaghan Principal of the Year award By Ellie Ostroff ’19 Editor-in-Chief This February, Glenbard West’s very own principal, Dr. Peter Monaghan, received the DuPage Illinois Principals Association Principal of the Year Award. This momentous achievement is given to “outstanding high school leaders who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students” across Illinois, according to the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) website. IPA accepts nominees who demonstrate “creativity and imagination in bringing about positive change” and who ensure “the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale.” Dr. Monaghan was gratified and amazed by his receipt of this award and said, “I was totally shocked, of course” but added that he was “flattered and honored.” “It’s a great honor for me, but it’s also a reminder of what happens here [at West] every day,” Dr. Monaghan stated. “This type of award, and I don’t mean this just to sound humble, it’s really a reflection of the school.” Dr. Monaghan’s colleagues were less surprised by his accomplishment and extraordinarily pleased on his behalf. Mrs. Larsen, Assistant to the Principal, said that he’s “such a great leader.” “He’s positive, encouraging, [and] steady,” Mrs. Larsen stated. “[I’ve] always been a big fan of Dr. Monaghan.” Dr. Larson, Glenbard District 87 Superintendent, noted that Dr. Monaghan is “caring, attentive and empathetic” and he “[c]ontinues to maintain the high standard and expectations academically for all students” at Glenbard West. In addition, Glenbard West teachers and students believe Dr. Monaghan deserving of this important achievement. “I was really excited when [I learned] he was going to become principal,” said Mrs. Wiersum, a member of West’s English Department. “His greatest gift is the tone that he sets for the school.” Mrs. Wiersum added that Dr. Monaghan is “very affirming,” as well. Students also notice and appreciate Dr. Monaghan’s work for Glenbard West. “Dr. Monaghan is probably one of the most dedicated principals [I’ve] had. He genuinely wants to make Glenbard West the best environment for students to learn in and works very hard to help the students at [West] succeed,” said sophomore Avnika Surapaneni, a member of the
Dr. Monaghan has held three positions at Glenbard West: dean, Assistant Principal of Students Services, and, most recently, Principal. Photo by Ellie Ostroff ’19.
Principal’s Advisory Board. Katelyn Schultz, a senior at West, agreed: “He really deserves this award, he knows how to work with kids and teachers.” One significant trend, however, emerges when speaking to the West community about Dr. Monaghan: our principal’s “ability to connect,” as Mrs. Larsen put it, really shines in our school. “Dr. Monaghan emphasizes and models the importance of connecting and building relationships with everyone - students, parents, staff - everyone. He remembers names, shows a personal interest, and genuinely cares about people,” said Dr. Larson. Dr. Monaghan “resonates.” Mrs. Wiersum concurred: “[Dr. Monaghan] leads with his humanity. He’s setting a standard...but he does it through this humanity-driven way.” “He has done an excellent job, throughout his career at West, of connecting” to students, teachers, and the surrounding community, said Mr. Peterselli, English Department Chair. “People trust him, people like him.” Mr. Peterselli also noted that Dr. Monaghan “knows the names of so many kids, which is really impressive. He makes an effort to be out in the hallways connecting with kids.” Another interesting emphasis made by Mrs. Larsen: Dr. Monaghan tries to go to all the student events he can fit on his calendar, and he makes
“a point to get out into the hallways to greet students.” Alex Frazer, Student Council President, has also observed this trend over his four years at Glenbard West: “[H]e has some of the best school spirit I’ve ever seen. He loves to go to our performances and games. In fact, he runs a whole Twitter page dedicated to acknowledging the many achievements of our school.” “His heart is with students,” Mrs. Larsen said. Dr. Monaghan has been the principal of Glenbard West for six years; before he occupied this position, he was the Assistant Principal of Student Services at Glenbard West, and before that he was a dean at our high school. According to Dr. Monaghan, he has worked at West for twentyfour years. As one might expect, Dr. Monaghan has learned much during his time at Glenbard West. When asked, he stated, “I learn[ed] that learning is the most important thing you can do” as a leader. “You need to get next to students and next to teachers,” he added. “I think one of the most important characteristics as principal is to maintain curiosity and interest… You have to walk into situations, wanting to learn more. I learn something every day from kids,” Dr. Monaghan emphasized. “You can’t do any of it by yourself, you’re part of a team, you have to rely on other people.” Dr. Monaghan was also asked
about his famous tendency to greet students in the hallways during passing periods. “[It’s i]mportant for me to try to find out what’s happening from the student’s point of view,” he said, adding that he wants “to be present, as much as I can.” From his presence and time at Glenbard West, both Dr. Monaghan and the community have developed many anecdotes. “He personally sent me an azalea,” said Mrs. Wiersum of the time she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “That was really nice.” Mrs. Larsen shared that Dr. Monaghan brought the Glenbard West maintenance staff bagels in the midst of the slushy weather this February. He also “shaved his head for St. Baldricks” one year, according to Mrs. Larsen. “[Dr. Monaghan] was one of the first people to welcome me, to offer advice,” Mrs. Peterselli stated about when he was hired. “He’s funny, which is not something I knew about when he was my dean [in 1995],” he included. “One of my favorite Dr. Monaghan memories happened during a pep rally two or three years ago,” said Alex Frazer. “He ran out in full Hilltoppers basketball uniform and had a three point contest with Ms. Gatz. He ended up making so many in a row and the students went crazy.” Dr. Monaghan remembers with particular clarity a Glenbard West Homecoming Parade when he was still a dean. “The theme that year was Disney…[my class board’s] theme was Cinderella.” There was “a giant weather balloon” and “PVC piping and lights,” recalls Dr. Monaghan, and the class board put Dr. Monaghan’s two young children on the float during the parade. Eighth grade activity night is another event which holds a special place in Dr. Monaghan’s heart. “Athletic and activity night has got to be one of my favorite nights of the year, because it’s just wide open, it’s a great sampling of our school. You walk around that room and see everything.” “There are so many profound moments in this job,” Dr. Monaghan concluded, “when you learn about some of the struggles that kids go through, when you’re able to help somebody achieve their dreams.” Congratulations to Dr. Monaghan on his fantastic award, and thank you for all your work on behalf of Glenbard West!
Did you know Dr. Monaghan has worked at Glenbard West for 24 years?
Entertainment
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Lies, blurred reality, disappearances: which novel is right for you? By Michelle Bishka ’21 Features Editor The genre of mystery is inclusive, appealing to almost everyone. With its intriguing plots and complex characters, a mystery book is the perfect solution to end any reading crises or any crisis at all. Explore the list below to find the most fitting book for you. 1. The Color of Lies, C.J Lyon: Reading people came as a second nature to Ella Cleary due to a rare medical condition that runs in her family, synesthesia. Since synesthesia blurs an individual’s senses, she has the ability to see others’ true emotions, seemingly making nothing a mystery to her. However, when Alec, a journalist who she cannot possibly read, informs Ella that the deaths of her parents may not have been an accident, Ella’s world turns upside down as she realizes she has been raised with lies and the only way to find the truth is to find the killer. Although the relationships established in the novel are undeniably cliché, the characters have depth individually. Told in multiple perspectives, predominantly Ella’s, The Color of Lies hooks the reader through character development. Because Alec starts off the book in the lead with his experience, Ella has to play catch-up, making her seem weak. However, as Ella undergoes an emotional journey and pushes through each time, this is certainly not the case. The complexity of these characters simply adds to the intrigue of the plot and the solving of the crime. With its strong leads and interesting case that it centers
around, The Color of Lies is not one to skip. 2. Broken Things, Lauren Oliver: Five years after Summer Marks’ brutal murder in the woods, Mia and Bryn, her best friends, are still being accused for her death. Despite their innocence, the town assumes their guilt because of the girls obsession with the novel The Way into Lovelorn: the girls had transported themselves into a fictional world where their fantasies became less innocent and more lethal. On the anniversary of Summer’s death, an insignificant discovery reopens this cold case and pulls Mia and Bryn back together again. As the lines between past and present - and fiction and reality - begin to blur, the girls must confront what truly happened in those woods years ago. From learning how the hostility of the public affects the protagonists to just generally understanding the complex personalities of Mia and Bryn, Broken Things is a must-read. 3. Last Seen Leaving, Caleb Roehrig: Flynn’s girlfriend, January, has disappeared and all accusations are directed towards him. As the police are asking questions he cannot answer and January’s friends Pictured from left to right are the must-read books Last Seen Leaving and are telling suspicious stories that do Broken Things, written by Caleb Roehrig and Lauren Oliver respectively. not add up, Flynn needs to uncover Photo by Michelle Bishka ’21. the truth about January’s disappearHopefully the novel you choose ance while coming to terms with it simplicity through the layers of the protagonist and the journey that he helps you overcome your reading himself. In addition to its mystery, Last goes through. Thus, the approach block or any other obstacles you Seen Leaving is also a novel about the book takes, embedding both a are facing. Each one of these books self-discovery, succeeding more in traditional mystery and realistic fic- truly has an interesting plot with this plotline than the thriller form. tion plot about murder and identity, interesting characters, it should ulAlthough this case is simpler to is what makes it so appealing to a timately lead you to reading more. solve, it still hooks the reader. The general audience and just a memonovel further compensates for this rable plot in general.
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Did you know that NPR’s #1 thriller of all time is The Silence of the Lambs?