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GLENBROOK SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

4000 W. Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60026 VOLUME LII , ISSUE 7 May 23, 2013

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Media Collage students protest against Yik Yak MADISON O’BRIEN

co-editor in chief

LAST LAUGH: Laughing with their freshmen, senior leaders Sophie Gomez and Jojo Garvey (upper left) share a moment on their last day of their second semester Peer Group.

Gomez and Garvey met twice a week with their freshmen and helped acclimate them to South over the course of their first year. Photo by Katelyn Luckey

Peer Group reworks plan to best support freshmen SASHA VASSILYEVA

staff reporter South’s Peer Group Program will be expanding next year by adding classrooms, teachers and senior leaders, according to Joy Cooper, Peer Group coordinator.

Peer Group started in the 1970s as a transition program for freshmen coming into South from middle school, according to Cooper.

“It’s a way for kids to meet some new kids [and] to start to feel like this massively huge school is a little bit smaller a couple days a week,” Cooper said. “[Peer groups] get together, they do activities [and] they actively teach things like listening and communication skills.”

Because of increasing enrollment, next year’s Freshman Class will be

bigger than past classes. According to Cooper, Peer Group will be running every block.

“We’ve tried really hard as the school’s changed and as kids have changed, to put ourselves in a position to get to as many freshmen as possible without compromising some of the things that they need and some of the things that they want,” Cooper said. “Next year what we’re offering is eight periods a day.”

Freshmen will have the option to split their free block into two periods, having the second half be used for Peer Group, which senior Elise McCune thinks will help the program reach more freshmen.

“I think [the study hall] will spike attendance in Peer Group, and that’s ultimately what we want [...] to

reach out to as many people as we can,” McCune said.

Currently Peer Group meets in unused classrooms during one of the three lunch periods. Although, with the size of next year’s Freshman Class, Peer Group will be held in rooms designed for the program’s use. “[The school has] had to do a lot of shifting in a lot of different places,” Cooper said. “There’ll be a Peer Group room and then also they’re creating these smaller spaces, they’re not going to be full size classrooms, […] for kids to meet.”

To lead the larger class size, there will also be an increase of Peer Group leaders, from approximately 60 to approximately 80, which McCune thinks is beneficial.

“It just [allows] more people to

get involved and allows more people to take part and get the experience that we got to have,” McCune said.

Along with an increased number of senior leaders, Peer Group will add two new advisors: David Schoenwetter and Courtney Kelly.

Currently there are two leaders per lunch period, but with eight blocks the program needed to add two more.

Peer Group does not only act as a service to the incoming freshmen, it also serves as a leadership program for seniors according to Cooper. ”I really have seen a lot of growth in my seniors,” Cooper said. “It’s really cool to listen to them grow and learn; they’re really teaching some important skills and that’s really important.”

FIFTH IN A SERIES

growth spurt Summer construction projects maximize building capacity CHARLOTTE KELLY

co-news editor Interior construction projects are set to take place at South over the summer to maximize classroom space as a result of the transition to the block schedule and growing enrollment, according to Principal Dr. Brian Wegley.

Computer labs are going to be converted into classrooms and programs like Peer Group and Project Lead the Way will have their spaces within the building expanded,

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TATE’S RETIREMENT

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according to Wegley. This will allow South to maximize capacity and prevent student opportunities from being affected with more classes offered and more students being taught next year.

“The reality is, you never want to utilize 100 percent of your building’s capacity,” Wegley said. “The higher you get [with percentage used], the more restricted your schedule becomes. If I want to put a class during the third block because that’s best for students, but I don’t have the room available when I need it, that

restricts what we can offer.”

Three labs, the Social Studies lab, the Writing lab and the Writing lab annex, all located upstairs in the Old Pit, are going to be converted into classroom space. Wegley said, with the expansion of laptops in the building, places with desktop computers aren’t always necessary in comparison to classes.

“Computer labs [certainly] are valuable to us, but with every student having a Chromebook, we know we can do a lot of that keyboarding in class,” Wegley said. “A

higher priority for [the school] is having classrooms that we can serve our students with.”

Gary Freund, associate principal for administrative services, said that classrooms from the computer labs do not have a department designation, as the administration is currently refiguring which classrooms in the building belong to each department.

“All the classrooms will be reconfigured a little bit, as far as ‘this is a

Launched in December of 2013, Yik Yak is an application that iTunes ™ describes as a “local bulletin board”. This new form of social media allows users to anonymously view and post comments to a group that includes only people within a 1.5-mile radius of each other.

Last week, Principal Dr. Brian Wegley made an announcement and sent an email regarding the cyber-bullying taking place on the app and suggested that all of South stop participating in its use.

In a Los Angeles Times article published on March 8, one of the Yik Yak co-founders disclosed the app’s intended purpose.

“We created Yik Yak to give college students a private platform for communicating with their entire campus,” one of the co-founders said in the LA Times piece.

“Yakkers have used the app to find a place to crash, report lost and found items and alert other students about deals at nearby bars.”

Although intended to capture the attention of college students, Yik Yak has become a social media outlet for high schoolers and middle schoolers as well.

According to Wegley, South and many other suburban high schools have been increasingly concerned about the large amount of demeaning posts that Yik Yak provokes due to its anonymous nature.

In order to prevent further cyber-bullying through Yik Yak, Wegley suggested that all of South refrain from sharing, posting, or using the application in any way.

In addition to Wegley’s objection towards Yik Yak, some students of South’s Media Collage Class also expressed disapproval towards the new form of social media, according to Scott Glass, Media Collage teacher.

Participants in the protest on May 15 to try to “put a face” to the victims of Yik Yak cyber-bullying. Glass said his students had been in the process of planning their protest before Wegley made the announcement about the app.

The Media Collage students separated into groups for the protest and stood in prominent parts of South with specific quotes from Yik Yak written on their shirts or on signs, Glass said. Some of them tied themselves with ropes. By doing so, the protesters hoped that students would understand the metaphor of how comments on Yik Yak confine people in real life and damage their reputations, even if the information may not be true, and to emphasize the idea that the victims of Yik Yak’s bullying are being talked about against their own will, according to senior Jackie Golding, one of the protesters.

See YIK YAK page 3

See PROJECTS page 3

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May 23, 2014

Tate leaves debate team after a decade with lasting legacy

CHAMPION COACH: Introducing the winner of the Julia Burke award at the Tournament of Champions, coach Tara Tate speaks about the purpose of the award: integrity and kindness in addition to competitive spirit in debate. Tate coached the 2005 winner of the award, South debater Elizabeth Kim. Photo courtesy of Jon Voss

CAROLYN KELLY

senior editor

NISH ASOKAN

staff reporter Tara Tate, head debate coach, will retire from her 11 years’ leadership of the nationally-recognized South debate team at the end of the school year.

‘TARA TATE IS SOUTH DEBATE’ According to Jon Voss, assistant debate coach, Tate’s legacy for South’s debate program can best be summarized by her effects on the students she taught.

“I remember a student […] saying, ‘Tara Tate is Glenbrook South Debate,’” Voss said. “I thought if you had to put

[her legacy] into one sentence, that was very close to accurate. She epitomizes what this program is about and personifies the team.”

Chris Callahan, senior and vice president of the debate team, felt that Tate has been the heart and soul of the team because she has cared about the success of the team and its individuals. “[Tate] has taught me a certain level of integrity; if you are a part of an activity you take that activity seriously,” Callahan said. “You do everything you can for it, and you don’t ask anyone to do anything you are not willing to do yourself.”

‘I WANT TO MEET THIS COACH’ Matthew Whipple, former South debate coach, said he first heard of Tate while travelling to debate tournaments with students she had coached.

“I really came to know her through judging her students and saying, ‘Wow, these are very high- powered students—I want to meet this coach,’” Whipple said.

Before succeeding Whipple as South debate coach, Tate said she coached college debate at the University of North Texas and high school debate for Colleyville Heritage High School, where she was an assistant director.

Tate debated throughout high school and col-

TROPHY QUEEN: Accumulated over multiple years, trophies won by Tate’s South debaters include second

in the nation from the National Forensic League tournament (silver, back) and top 16 in the nation (gold, far right). This is a small fraction of the accolades the team has won under Tate’s leadership. Photo by Dani Tuchman

lege before beginning to teach. Whipple said he retired from coaching in 2003 with the knowledge that Tate would be hired to replace him as director.

“I wasn’t going to leave until we had a coach that I believed in, and she was it,” Whipple said.

‘SHE STEPPED EVERYTHING UP’ Since Tate became coach, she has continued to uphold the South debate program’s high reputation, according to Whipple.

“It’s a lot of pressure to step into a program that is already nationally known and respected, [with] high expectations, and I would say that her first legacy was to maintain the competitive excellence of the program,” Whipple said.

Susan Levine-Kelley, instructional supervisor of the English Department, said Tate’s administration of the nationally renowned Glenbrooks Speech and Debate tournament reflect her capabilities.

“She stepped everything up to make [the tournament] even better known, even more respected—every year it gets bigger and bigger,” LevineKelley said.

‘A GREAT ROLE MODEL IN LIFE’ As well as maintaining the program’s previous successes, Tate has increased its size and diversity, expanding the number of participants and opportunities as well as adding new types of debate, Whipple said. South started competing in Lincoln Douglas debate two years ago with the help of Tate and senior Marguerite Daus.

“Tate has shown me for the [last] two years, ‘This is how a [debate] squad is run, this is what you have to do,” Daus said. “She has served as a great role model in life as how you should act in a position of authority.”

Voss said that Tate inspired her students while balancing her many logistical responsibilities, such as coordinating the team’s travel and organizing tournaments.

“She did a great job of focusing on the kids and

coaching them and teaching them, while also kind of managing the logistical end of things, which is honestly a separate job in and of itself,” Voss said.

Other debaters also witnessed her balancing act. According to senior Brent Mitchell, Tate not only managed to keep the team organized but also had the time to help her debaters grow and become more confident.

“There is so much [Tate] has to do and keep track of that happens behind the scenes that nobody really realizes,” Mitchell said. “So it’s tough to name everything that Tate does, but she has elevated the GBS debate society to a level that would have been impossible without her hard work and influence.”

‘WHAT SETS SOUTH APART’ According to Voss, Tate has grown the program so that more debaters now rank highly at the state and national levels in more types of debate.

However, Levine-Kelley said for Tate, the team’s success came secondary to widening students’ education of debate.

“Over and above the championships that her kids have brought to the Glenbrooks, she really believed in having students with a range of interest—she wasn’t just interested in the winners,” Levine-Kelley said. “Not all debate coaches […] are like that.”

According to Levine-Kelley, the team could perform consistently well because of the responsibility Tate instilled in students, like how experienced students help coach newer ones.

“I will miss that sense of service that she brings to the whole program and the sense of building leadership,” Levine-Kelley said.

Tate said she is more proud of that aspect of her students’ conduct than their accomplishments.

“Not only do we win, but the students do it with a sense of strong character, and that’s what I am most proud of,” Tate said. “And I think that sets South apart from a lot of our competitors in regards to ethical practices and to who we are as people in debate and how we handle our wins and losses.”

Cure Club plans ‘Hope Week’ to increase Relay participation

JOHN SCHURER

staff reporter

Each issue, the Oracle features a club’s recent accomplishments.

Cure Club is preparing to host the annual Relay for Life event to support the American Cancer Society June 6.

Prior to the event, Cure Club is organizing a ‘Hope Week.’ Ellie Britton, Cure Club leader, expects the campaign to attract more Relay teams.

“Each day we are going to be selling something different, and have a table set up to spread awareness, all in hopes of telling people about [Relay for Life] and getting people to sign up,” Britton said.

Deborah Stein, Cure Club sponsor, highly encourages students to attend. “[Relay for Life] is for a good cause that af-

fects so many of us, and it’s something that everybody can get involved with,” Stein said.

“You don’t have to have a talent or a skill or be a runner. It’s not a race; it’s just a fun event that everybody can enjoy.”

Ellie Foley, Cure Club leader, joined the organization during her sophomore year when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. According to Foley, the club gave her a great outlet to help the community. “[The club’s main goals] are cancer advocacy, awareness and fundraising to make sure that people know what’s going on, how to get involved and how to give back,” Foley said. “Relay for Life is the perfect way for us to do this.”

The event is held overnight on the South track, and according to Foley an emotional ceremony takes place during the night, when the stadium’s lights are turned off. Luminaria bags are illuminated with names of family and community members who have passed away from or are battling cancer.

“It’s really a heartbreaking part [..], but at the same time, it gives you all the more motivation to want to help out and find the cure,” Foley said. “It’s ridiculous how many names are read, and I think that’s the peak of the event where people realize that what we are doing is important.”

RALLY FOR RELAY: Hanging up a sign to promote Cure Club’s Relay for Life event, Marley Hambourger, Cure Club leader and Relay for Life leader, participates in Cure Club’s campaign to recruit Relay teams. Hambourger said the event is a great kick-off to summer. Photo by Dani Tuchman

news PROJECTS, continued from front world language classroom’...,” Freund said.

“We’re shifting into the new pit because of a lack of space over [in the old pit].”

The Peer Group program will have its own classrooms next year. Currently, Peer Group has one classroom and uses English and Consumer & Family Science rooms that aren’t being used during lunch periods to house its freshmen groups.

“We are trying to be as efficient as we can with space so there [are] four classrooms down in the Old Pit that we’ll have a wall put in the middle of them and another door put in that will create, out of four classrooms, eight smaller Peer Group rooms,” Wegley said. “That’s just to maximize the opportunity that our students will have to take Peer Group.”

Wegley also believes, with the increased classroom space and switch to Peer Group running all eight blocks, that the program will be able to help more kids.

“I think right now we serve about 45 percent of our freshmen in Peer Group and that’s at a one-semester crack where you either take it first semester or second; a few take both but most choose between the two,” Wegley said.

“We know we can, with eight blocks running per day, serve upwards of 90 percent of our

May 23, 2014 freshmen all year long. That is a huge advantage for us.”

Project Lead the Way is also expanding, as covered in issue five of the Oracle, adding an additional classroom and production lab to the current single classroom and lab which will allow the program to grow, according to Freund.

“We’re excited because then the curriculum can really come to life because the facilities will help that, which is wonderful,” Freund said.

Wegley believes that there is potential for the Project Lead the Way space to continue expanding as more students take the course.

“It’s a beautiful facility and as we continue to increase in enrollment and interest in these

courses, we might even need another one, but we’re going to build what we need right now and watch it progress,” Wegley said.

Other interior construction projects include adding more office and desk space to the Guidance, World Language and Special Education Departments. All of these changes are the result of enrollment according to Freund, who believes it is essential to maximize the space South has. “[The construction projects] all are because of enrollment,” Freund said. “[With] Guidance, the office space is because of enrollment, and we have more students so we need more teachers and counselors and social workers. Same thing with the office space […], the Peer Group rooms and the computer classrooms; we wouldn’t be doing this if the enrollment wasn’t going up but [it is], so we need to do these things so that the facility is ready. […]

That’s why we’re maximizing the space that we have.”

“We’re excited because then the curriculum can really come to life because the facilities will help that, which is wonderful.”

-Gary Freund, associate principal for administrative service

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YIK YAK, continued from front “These were things that had actually been said about people,” Golding said. “[We were] standing up for people that were getting talked about.”

The protesters received a variety of responses from South students and felt that their actions made a statement worth hearing, senior and protester Chris Baylaender said. Golding recalls some of the reactions from the students she encountered.

“Some people came up to me and asked, ‘Should I help you?’, ‘Can I help you?’” Golding said. “It was really interesting to see people’s reactions and that they did really want to help. A lot of people did walk by, but a fair amount stopped and talked to me and asked me questions… It was really interesting to see that people I didn’t even know cared. I think it had to do with [seeing a face with the attack]. I think it really had an effect on people.”

According to senior and protester Grant Grace, the protest gave students an example of what it feels like to be a victim of Yik Yak bullying.

“I don’t think you can completely stop the app, but we can try to persuade people to stop talking bad about people,” Grace said. “We gave that example to people of how it feels for the victims of it, so maybe they’ll think twice before posting on Yik Yak.” Although primarily nervous about the protest, Golding believes it was worth it. Hopefully South students will stop using the app in negative ways, she said.

“Somebody after school came up to me and said how powerful [the protest] was,” Golding said. “I got a lot of positive comments from doing it even though it was really nerve wracking. It was a huge risk, but it was worth it.”

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May 23, 2014

The editorial expresses the opinion of the majority of the editorial board and not necessarily that of the publisher, adviser, school administration or staff.

Editorials revisited:

editorial

The Oracle Editorial Board recaps three of the most important editorials of the 2013-2014 school year in the hopes that readers will reconsider their valuable messages

Lifeline law implementation necessary in Illinois Rachael Fiege, a freshman at Indiana University at Bloomington, passed away Aug. 23, 2013 after falling down a flight of stairs at a party where she consumed alcohol. Her friends refrained from seeking medical assistance because they thought she had simply “blacked out.” The Oracle Editorial Board wants to make sure that everything possible is done to prevent incidents like this in our own community.

Fiege’s death occurred despite Indiana’s Lifeline Law, a state law that provides immunity for public intoxication, minor possession, minor consumption and minor transport to people who reveal themselves to law enforcement while seeking medical assistance for a person suffering from an alcohol-related health emergency, according to indianalifeline.org.

Under this law, Fiege’s peers could have called the police to alert them of her condition without fearing action taken against them for being intoxicated. Whether or not the law was effective in this situation, the Oracle Editorial Board believes that the Lifeline Law is one that the community should formally advocate for in Illinois.

The Lifeline Law was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives in February 2013 by Representative Naomi Jakkobsen, but it failed to advance to a vote on the House Floor before the end of the legislative session, according to Aaron Letzeiser, Executive Director of The Medical Amnesty Initiative.

In order for the law to be considered again, it requires the people of Illinois to be vocal supporters of the law.

The Oracle Editorial Board urges parents, administrators and students use their personal power to support this law by contacting their local representatives by letter or phone. More importantly, students who find themselves in a situation in which it seems like someone who is intoxicated needs medical assistance must not underestimate that need. Whether or not Illinois makes the right decision to adopt a law similar to Indiana’s, we must constantly consider the value of the lives of the people around us.

Visit theoracle.glenbrook225.org to watch a video featuring several opinions on the law from Representative Laura Fine as well as South parents, students and teachers.

Students: focus on serious effects of using Adderall without needed prescription It seems simple: take this pill and you will focus better, you will be more productive and you won’t be slowed down by exhaustion or distraction. Although relieving some of the pressures of adolescent life with a drug such as Adderall sounds enticing, the Oracle Editorial Board urges students who have not been formally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to either stop taking it or reject the idea from the start.

Adderall is an amphetamine psychostimulant most commonly used in the treatment of ADHD to improve attention, hyperactivity and disruptive behaviors. According to an Oracle-conducted survey of 328 students, 65 percent of students at South either take or know someone who takes some sort of attention-enhancing drug.

Adderall is the most common ADHD medication despite the listed physical side effects: headache, stomach ache, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, nervousness and dizziness. South students who have used Adderall, either through a prescription or illegally, reported feeling social anxiety, like their personalities have been muted. For people who illicitly use the drug, the danger of those side effects should not be overlooked because ultimately, health should be prioritized over academics, athletics or any part of their lives that students use Adderall to excel at.

Aside from the physical danger, students should understand the potential legal consequences to unprescribed Adderall use. The possession of any weight of the substance could result in a one to five million dollar fine and up to 20 years in prison for adults over age 18.

For students who find it difficult for themselves to listen in class or read for extended periods of time, getting up to walk around briefly, or five to 10 minutes of meditation during work time can revitalize that focus. For shorter periods of time in which concentration is vital for success, such as the ACT or final exams, caffeine used in moderation can stimulate in a similar way to Adderall.

PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION

is published monthly by students at Glenbrook South High School, 4000 W. Lake Ave., Glenview, IL 60026.

The opinions expressed in the Oracle are that of the writer(s) and not necessarily of the staff or school.

The Oracle neither endorses nor rejects the products and services advertised.

“Dad, I can hear you hovering.”

The Oracle Editorial Board is well aware that South is an academically competitive environment. However, it has come to our attention that it is common practice for some guardians to check their students’ grades online on a regular basis. With the easy grade access due to PowerSchool, we would like to make sure that guardians are using PowerSchool in a way that benefits their child’s performance and well-being.

To ensure that Powerschool is used properly, communication between guardian and student is key. It is a guardian’s responsibility to listen to their student’s explanations of grades with patience and open-mindedness in order to encourage progress rather than punish unsatisfactory performance. Plus, it is in every student’s best interest to practice independently monitoring their own grades before they leave high school.

However, this grade monitoring must maintain a sense of perspective. For students, checking PowerSchool sparingly will allow for more focus on the content itself rather than the scores. If you catch yourself logging in every five minutes to check if your teacher put that last test grade in, you’re overusing that tool and stressing yourself out.

Photo by Dani Tuchman

editors-in-chief Julia Jacobs Camille Park news editors Carolyn Kelly Charlotte Kelly opinions editors Claire Fisher Sally You features editors Elisa Kim Madison O’Brien a&e editors Shea Anthony Kali Croke sports editors Rachel Chmielinski Breck Murphy

Students, guardians: use Powerschool sensibly

web editors Lauren Durning Richard Pearl Kelsey Pogue Inaara Tajuddin illustrations editor Nimisha Perumpel photos editor Wyatt Richter asst. news Aaron Ach asst. opinions Dani Tuchman asst. features Hailey Hauldren Calli Haramaras Addie Lyon

asst. a&e Lauren Frias asst. sports Hannah Mason asst. photos Marley Hambourger Cormac O’Brien adviser Marshall Harris gbsoracle@gmail.com “The Glenbrook South Oracle” @GBSOracle @gbsoracle

opinions

May 23. 2014

A day in the life of an Academy student Academy Student Charlotte Kelly takes a look at the stereotype of an Academy student.

The following is a parody of what South perceives as the average day of an Academy student.

9:15

CHARLOTTE KELLY

senior editor

4:30

a.m.

Wake up. Do one pushup–I figure that’s enough to keep myself somewhat in shape. Some girls are worried about getting the perfect bikini body, but all I need to worry about is looking good in a lab coat this summer.

I’ve scored the coveted internship at a hospital in the city doing cancer research.

Academy’s already made some serious headway into curing it—I think we can do it this summer.

5:00 a.m.

Head over to Glenbrook Hospital for two hours of volunteering before I start my school day. My goal is to have over 1,000 hours logged for college apps. By the time I actually start medical school, this medical stuff will be easy.

7:00 a.m. Time for early bird gym! Unfortunately, my petition for the state to let kids with perfect ACT scores get out of the four-year gym requirement failed and my marching band exemption is up. Whatever, this is basically another Academy class because we’re all in it. We need to have space to fit more AP classes into our regular day, of course.

8:00 a.m. I don my black robes that we’re required to wear every day to Academy. We think it adds to the allure of Academy, and it definitely freaks people out. I have a Chinese test today.

I’ve studied three hours a night for the last three nights, so I think I should be fine; academy tests are a breeze with ten hours of studying!

a.m. Social Studies class.

Recognize that this isn’t on a regular 50 minute period schedule? Having two classes per day is just another perk of the Academy. I find it so quaint that South is finally moving to a block schedule— Academy’s been on it for years. Anyway, today we’re working on researching solutions to global problems. We tackled global warming sophomore year (proven by the cold winter we just had) and now we’re working on Syria.

10:40 a.m. Time for AP Calculus BC. Another class typical to the academic rigor of the Academy. I’m teaching the lesson today because we have a sub and I learned the material three years ago during a summer class at Northwestern.

I wonder if the College Board people will give me a six out of five if I correctly answer every question on the AP test…

co-editor in chief

attend other AP classes. I think I have a lunch period at some point, but I either spend it doing extra labs in the science office or tutoring in the TLC. I overheard some kids talking about a party this weekend and drinking. I wouldn’t dare, don’t they know that kills brain cells?!

It’s not worth the potential hit to my IQ or my future Harvard acceptance.

4:00 p.m. Extracurriculars, or as they should be called, resume-boosters. Today I have debate practice for an hour, and then I’ll make the trek to Evanston where I tutor kids for another two hours. When I finally get home, it’s time to spend an hour working on my college app essays. I know it’s five months before they’re due, but the Ivies aren’t going to wait!

10:00 p.m. Tonight’s a light load for homework. All I have to do is write a three-page paper on a 250-page book we read in class today and learn 75 Chinese characters. No big deal.

12:00 a.m. Time for bed. I put some Beethoven on to relax me as I hit the hay—I hear it helps increase intelligence.

Senior reflects on favorite memories of time at South

CHRIS CALLAHAN

columnist As I sit writing this column, it’s hard for me to believe that I have only five more full days of high school left.

High school, for me, was quite a ride filled with many ups and downs.

Freshman year was as you might expect. I made more than a few dumb freshman mistakes as I attempted to find a home or community for myself somewhere at South. I’m sure most of us know what posting an embarassing Facebook status that comes back to haunt you feels like.

Highlights of freshman year include going to a South football game—the first and only time I ever did—and Dr. Shellard’s “I climbed a mountain, so here’s how to study for finals” assembly.

Sophomore and junior year sort of blended together in a haze of ACT preparation and US History, as I’m sure many of you can identify with.

Late nights were common and stress

I took sophomore year. Most juniors out there wouldn’t agree, but my stress level has wonderfully declined since sophomore year.

As for senior year, well, let’s just say that everything they say about senioritis is true.

Over the course of the last three—almost four—years, I’ve found a home on the debate team with more amazing people than I can count, I’ve changed lives with Stand for Peace and I’ve found a way to be opinionated without offending too many people, right here on the pages of the Oracle.

There have, of course, been downs along with the ups, like every single time I put aside my misgivings and tried the cafeteDEBATE DOUBLE: Senior Chris Callahan poses with Senior ria pizza again.

Brent Mitchell after they were named second and first, respecIt couldn’t get tively, individual speakers at the University of Michigan debate worse, right? tournament from Nov. 1-3, 2013. Photo courtesy of Chris Callahan Wrong.

And

Yik Yak carries unseen negative consequences

MADISON O’BRIEN

11:35 a.m.-3:15 p.m. I

levels were high.

The first and only time I ever stayed up past two in the morning was sophomore year, actually. Junior year was nothing compared to the AP Euro and Precalc Honors classes

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don’t even get me started on trying to get out of the senior lot at 3:20—It’s like Lord of the Flies out there, people.

In all seriousness, I definitely wish I had gotten more involved earlier in high school. I should have gone to Jamnesty more than once and gone to more football games, or been adventurous and taken Ceramics or some other class out of my comfort zone.

I know everyone says that they wished they’d gotten more involved in high school. Hint: that’s because it’s true. Take this opportunity to experience as many amazing things as possible.

I’ll be spending the next four years at Northwestern University, and I couldn’t be happier. However, I’m also more than a little bit nostalgic about my four years at South, because this school really is an amazingly supportive environment with more opportunities than can be counted.

I’m sure many of you are excited to be getting out in the next couple years, on to college and beyond, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But enjoy what you’ve got while you have it, because these years go by way too quickly.

For something that was originally intended to help college students communicate, Yik Yak has definitely gotten out of hand.

It makes complete sense for an application that allows anyone within a 1.5-mile radius of each other to anonymously post things to exist on a college campus. There are upward of 20,000 students at some of these bigger universities and one demeaning comment about one specific person isn’t going to necessarily get much attention.

You bring that app to a high school though, where an entire campus can be engulfed by that 1.5-mile radius, and high schoolers end up acting extremely immature.

It is mind-boggling to me how the addition of a name and profile picture make the nature of our generation’s posts completely different.

Why is it that the second we are anonymous, we turn into jerks who take pleasure in hurting our peers, even our friends? Have we learned nothing from similar forms of anonymous social media outlets that have led to widespread cyber-bullying and even suicide?

When something is posted on Yik Yak at South, everyone can see it, and that’s not just limited to students. Although many of us may still be convinced that teachers don’t have lives outside of school, they do. And who is to say whether or not they can download Yik Yak? Or your parents, for that matter?

These posts are made public the second you hit ‘send.’ You need to seriously think before you post. Put yourself in that person’s shoes. Maybe you think you’re just joking, but do they?

I know Principal Wegley made an announcement and sent out an email suggesting that South “take a stand” against Yik Yak and stop using it. Sadly, I think a lot of students became curious about the app and downloaded it instead. I hope that as one of your peers, you will listen to what I am saying and stop using Yik Yak. Even if you have the app solely for the purpose of looking at Yaks, get rid of it. Being one of those people is the same as being a bystander as you watch someone bully someone else and don’t do anything about it.

If all I have said is not enough to get you to stop using the app, then at least realize that your posts are not completely anonymous. Two teenagers were arrested in Alabama a few months ago because of threats they yakked regarding their high school.

After the school was shut down for a day, Yik Yak released their exact locations and phone information and the administration was able to track them down. Yik Yak knows who you are.

6

reviews

May 23, 2014

Deceased DJ Rashad’s legacy continued in joyful juking music

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

JAKE AQUINO

music critic Chicago juke and footwork pioneer DJ Rashad passed away on April 27.

He was found dead in his home in the neighborhood of Pilsen, and the cause of death is still unknown. He was 34 years old.

Rashad came up with the rise of Chicago-born Ghetto House music in the early ‘90s. This was instrumental in its evolution from a style only known in Chicago’s South and West neighborhoods to becoming a world famous genre. With the development of the style of dance called “juking,” which employs fast footwork techniques, Ghetto House gradually developed into the footwork genre it is today, and DJ Rashad was at the forefront of the movement.

After Rashad signed to Hyperdub, a

London-based record label known for promoting the best new electronic artists, the popularity of juke music was boosted. The label helped him to release several singles and also his critically acclaimed and final album, Double Cup (released 2013), which Pitchfork Critic Larry Fitzmaurice described as “a defining statement 20-plus-years in the making, a brilliant document that puts him in the position any veteran would kill to occupy.”

Additionally, the collections of various juke music he released through different labels, featuring his and other footwork artists’ music, helped carve out a unique niche for the genre.

Ghetto House, Juke, Footwork music, whatever you’d like to label it, is a genre defined by its skittering drums and abstract melodies. Though it is considered a genre less accessible than most due to its repetitiveness, on Double Cup DJ Rashad managed to create

a unique combination of melody and rhythm that was more aesthetically appealing than its peers, without straying from the origins of the genre.

His live shows were also extremely solid; I saw him twice, once at Pitchfork Music Festival 2013, and the other at Chance The Rapper ’s show, where he closed with an incredible DJ set. In his live sets, he enlists footwork experts to dance alongside his captivating live music, showing the full culture of the genre.

Two days prior to his passing, DJ Rashad had scheduled for a new EP to be released on vinyl on April 28, 2014. Featuring his frequent partner, DJ

Spinn, on two tracks, Rashad shows off more material of the sound that he has perfected. On the first side of the EP, titled “We On 1,” his sound is not as melodic as his previous album, returning to the hard, repetitive bass lines that he has grown accustomed to. On the other side, the second half of the short, four song EP, Rashad adds in his dreamy melodies, coming back to full form for an impressive ending.

He is most impressive on the third track, “Do It Again,” where he takes the song genre hopping, moving from sample to sample flawlessly. Utilizing a sample of an unknown songstress, a Mac Miller sample and a Juicy J sam-

Rashad made music that brightened the lives of those who knew nothing but violence.

ple, the track shows off the thought and delicate craft Rashad put into each song. It is Rashad at his most triumphant, showing off his seamless blending of sounds and intricate skill for all to behold.

Rashad made music that brightened the lives of those within Chicago who knew nothing but violence. Footwork is the antithesis of the drill music coming out of Chicago right now.

Where drill music delves into gangbanging and gun violence, footwork’s sound is eternally uplifting and perfect for dancing, synonymous with good times. It is the sound of being young and alive, and it is this legacy that will help DJ Rashad live on.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 entraps audience with thrilling adventure the villain of the sequel, the movie sends out an important message. Electro, played columnist

by Jamie Foxx, starts off as a vulnerable employee at Oscorp named Max Dillon. DilAudiences were lon refers to himself as invisible, and is constantpacked into the movie ly pushed around in the busy streets of New theatre in 2012 to learn York. Because this poor treatment eventually the fate of Spider-man leads Dillon to turn evil, we are reminded to in The Amazing Spiderstand up for those who are picked on.

Man. They left

As Spider-Man soars across the skywith the death line of New York City, I felt as if I was flyof Gwen ing right behind him. With each explosion Stacy’s faand fight, I watched with terther, Captain ror as if I was right next to Stacy, and a the action. promise from As much as this movie Peter Parker moved me, I felt it did have to Captain Stasome flaws. Considering the cy to stay away movie has multiple storylines going from Gwen. Since on at one time, they seem to lack fluent tranthen, we’ve been insitions between them. Although the multitrigued to see where ple story lines connect by the end, I feel this story would lead. as if smoother transitions could have conPeter Parker, actutributed to a better understanding of the plot ally Spider-Man, and throughout the movie.

Gwen Stacy start the Overall, I would not only recomPhoto courtesy of flickr.com audience on their jourmend this movie, but I would watch ney in a familiar place of roit again. It leaves me wondering what mance. Andrew Garfield and his the direction of the next movie in the saga on-and-off screen girlfriend, Emma will be, and I am anxious to go back to the theStone who plays Gwen Stacy, bring an evident ater to follow Peter Parker in 2016. and genuine chemistry that has the audience The Amazing Spider-Man 2 sends the audience head over heels. on a whirlwind of emotion that leaves you feelIn the sequel, flashbacks serve as reminders ing inspired and looking forward to brighter to the disappearance and death of Parker’s pardays. Although struck with tragedy, Parker is ents and the situation he grew up in. The auable to pick himself up to be a beacon of hope dience is thrown right back into the story with for not only the city of New York, but for the the same love for the characters from the first entire audience. movie.

While the Spider-Man appearances increase, a controversy of whether or not Spider-Man is helping the city unfolds, because Spidey just doesn’t have enough to worry about.

When the plot switches to the story of Electro, TORI BROWN

Pins t ripes “t hrows a spare” t hrough invit ing ambiance

CLAIRE FISHER

co-opinions editor Pinstripes invited the Oracle staff to an hour and a half of free bowling on the evening of April 21. Since I hadn’t been to Pinstripes since it opened in 2007, I was interested in checking out the upscale gaming hangout once again.

The ambiance of the bowling area is sophisticated, relaxed and classy. Soft leather sofas partition off each lane, which creates a more intimate feel for parties. One upside to bowling at a classier establishment: the shoes don’t stink like they haven’t been washed in a month.

While we waited for our turns to bowl, I nibbled on the individual cheese pizzas. The cheese was gooey and generously slathered over a sweet sauce, and ordering a larger version would certainly satisfy any group’s hunger. Although I didn’t get to try any other food on their menu, pizzas range around $15 while most of the entrees are around $10-20.

On a Friday from 5 p.m. to when they close at 12:30 a.m., it costs $7 per person per game. Shoe rental is an extra $4.

I’m not inclined to pay $11 for a single game of bowling, without including the amount I would need to spend on dinner. Let’s compare Pinstripes’ bowling prices to those of Brunswick in Niles. On a Friday or Saturday night, bowling is $11 per person (including shoe rental) for two hours of bowling.

Total cost for a Friday night outing at Pinstripes: approximately $25. If you’re looking for something new to do with friends on a Friday night, save a few bucks and head to Brunswick. However, if you’re looking for a venue for a family gathering or a birthday party, give Pinstripes a chance.

features

South says goodbye:

May 23, 2014

7

After spending many years touching the lives of South students and faculty, the following teachers are commemorated by the Oracle as their careers come to a close.

NATALIE JAKUCYN - MATHEMATICS

TERRY BENJAMIN - HISTORY

HAILEY HAULDREN

CLAIRE FISHER

co-features editor

co-opinions editor

Math Teacher Natalie Jakucyn is retiring after teaching at South for 20 years. In addition to teaching math classes, Jakucyn helped write the curriculum for the Precalculus Statistic course.

After working at many different schools, Jakucyn said that she chose South because of the students and their unique work ethic and personalities.

“I really like the students here,” Jakucyn said. “I like the way that they work, their friendships, how they relate to teachers and the fact that they care.”

Jakucyn recalls one of her favorite memories of being at South was a year she helped coach the Math Team. According to Jakucyn, the team went to state and placed in the top 10.

Jakucyn looks forward to volunteering once she retires, and returning to programs that she began years ago.

“What I really want to do is volunteer at the inner-city after school program that I originally set up in 1985,” Jakucyn said. “I hope to go back there and to work there and volunteer there.”

Social Studies Teacher Terry Benjamin is retiring this year after teaching for 35 years at South.

Besides teaching, Benjamin coached boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball and varsity baseball. According to Benjamin, he will most miss the people he has worked with at South.

“Most of [my favorite memories of my time at South] have to do with the people I work with in [the] Social Studies [Department] and people I’ve coached with,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin has also felt lucky to be able to teach at South because of the energetic students, Benjamin said.

“The kids at this school have always been...pretty receptive to academics and to extracurriculars and they’ve been generally enthusiastic for all those things,” Benjamin said. “I think that anybody that teaches at the Glenbrooks realizes that they’re in a good situation.”

Although he will miss teaching, Benjamin is excited to have more time to pursue his other interests, like learning a new language or volunteering.

JUDY LIBMAN - ENGLISH

STEVI MARKS - MUSIC

ANUSHKA KALRA

staff reporter English Teacher Judy Libman is retiring from South after 19 years of service.

“I’m retiring because it’s time for me,” Libman said. “I’m [leaving] in June, and I’m not [hesitant] to say this, but I’ll be 65. I still want time to live life.”

During her time at South, Libman has worked with ESL students and previously sponsored a club called Horizon. Now inactive, Horizon’s goal was to give ELL students an “American” experience.

According to Libman, students are the main reason why she loves her job at South.

“I don’t think the students here realize how wonderful they are,” Libman said. “They’re so giving.”

Despite the people she is leaving behind, Libman looks forward to spending time with her four grandkids and an unrestricted day. “[I can’t wait] to stay in bed,” Libman said. “It’ll be nice to not have a rigid schedule. [But] I’ll always have a soft spot for my years here.”

MARK FERGUSON - TELEVISION

HANNAH MASON

co-sports editor Choral Director Stevi Marks is leaving South after 21 years of serving the school. In addition to being a choral director, Marks also has directed the variety show and several Glenbrook Musicals.

According to Marks, her passion for school and music is what lead her to pursue music education.

“I loved [music] from when I was a little kid,” Marks said. “I also loved school, so I just combined my two loves.”

Eight and a half years ago Marks was battling breast cancer and her doctor insisted that she take a break from work to undergo treatments. She resisted so she could direct Variety Show.

“I’m truly sure I’m here on Earth [still] because I have the contact with the students,” Marks said.

Marks says the thing she is going to miss most are her students and her relationship with them.

After retirement, Marks is looking forward to singing in nursing homes, directing groups part of the organization Voices Rising, and coming back to South to direct the variety show in 2015.

MICHELLE SCHEINKOPF - HEALTH

MARY GRACE NOTEMAN

HAILEY HAULDREN

staff reporter

co-features editor

Mark Ferguson, Television and Broadcasting teacher, will be retiring this year after his 30 years of service at South. He began his career at GBS in 1984 in the Television and Radio Department.

According to Ferguson, there has been a positive culture where teachers and students feel valued and motivated to do their best. He also feels there is a general sense of decency and respect at South.

“Kids generally get along really well and are encouraging and supportive of one another, and they’re respectful to their teachers and vise versa,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson says he’s going to miss teaching and the interactions he has had with the students at South.

“I love learning from them because really they teach me more than I teach them; it’s very collaborative,” Ferguson said.

South has brought him many memories, from great students to productions, colleagues and more, according to Ferguson.

“I’ve had so many great memories,” Ferguson said. “It’s been a very satisfying 30 year career.”

After working at GBS for 35 years, Health Teacher Michelle Scheinkopf will be retiring this spring.

Scheinkopf began working at GBS in 1979 after attending college at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

In addition to teaching health classes, Scheinkopf has been involved in numerous different extracurriculars throughout her years, which are where she claims she holds some of her best memories. “[In] all my activities and extracurriculars I probably have the greatest memories,” Scheinkopf said.

Once retired, Scheinkopf said that she plans on relaxing, traveling and getting further involved in her hobbies, like photography and riding horses.

Though she is excited about retirement, Scheinkopf is grateful for the time she has spent here.

“I really have nothing but fond memories of working [at GBS],” Scheinkopf said. “I know its cliché, but when I wake up in the morning, I’m happy to come here.”

CHERYL HOPE - ENGLISH MEGAN SHEQILADZE

staff reporter English Teacher Cheryl Hope is retiring this year after 27 years of teaching at GBS. Hope taught AP Literature, ELL Transitional English, and Creative Writing.

She also was a sponsor of Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and Calliope.

According to Hope, involvement with the students was always a big part of her teaching. Hope recalls a moment with a student in her first year of teaching at South.

“One memory that stands out is from my first year of teaching when one of my students climbed out of the window during class and went home,” Hope said.

“The whole class and I wistfully watched him run across the parking lot into the sunshine. I have grown a little better at keeping kids in the room since then.

Being on the second floor helps.”

According to Hope,the clubs she sponsored took a lot of time and energy but were worth it. Clare Curtis, sophomore GSA member, comments on Hope’s personality.

“She’s so sweet, nice and makes everyone feel like she cares about [them],” Curtis said.

RETIRING STAFF NOT FEATURED IN THIS SPREAD Brian Robinson - Athletics Dorothy Durchslag - Social Studies Ellen Goldstein - Dean’s Office Janet Green - Library Judy Norton - Dean’s Office Judy Wolter - Principal’s Office Louise Wright - World Languages Luda Tarakanova - English

8

features

May 23, 2014

Usage of fake IDs among student body reveals consequences

CONNIE HOEKSTRA

staff reporter From movies to television, the teenage struggle of a fake ID is one that some students are familiar with. According to an unscientific Oracle-conducted survey of 304 South students, 20 percent own fake IDs. According to those surveyed, the IDs are used to purchase alcohol, get into concerts, or go to bars under the legal age of 21.

Although some students believe having a fake ID may be a way to get around some laws, it is a class four felony in Illinois to be caught with a fake ID and is punishable by up to one year in jail and up to $25,000 in fines, according to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.

Michael Meyer, Glenbrook South police officer, adds that it is also possible to get driving privileges suspended if caught with a fake ID. In addition to legal consequences, Meyer said that there are other consequences that come with using a fake ID to purchase alcohol.

“Unfortunately, I see kids that have been drinking that have put themselves in a very difficult situation,” Meyer said. “[Students] put themselves in a really dangerous situation having been drinking without experience, they’re not able to handle it.”

Junior Gina Miller* got a fake ID so that she would be able to do more over the weekends, according to Miller. “[I got a fake ID] because it kind of opened up more opportunities for the weekend, like go to bars and to supply [alcohol] and make some money,” Miller said.

Miller said she has also used her ID in order to get into concerts which require the person be 18 or older.

In addition to Miller, senior Jake Mann* purchased his ID for reasons similar to Miller.

“I felt like if I didn’t have [a fake ID], I wouldn’t be able to participate in some of the things I would want to,” Mann said. “It seemed like it was the easiest way to get around some laws.”

According to both Mann and Miller, they purchased their fake IDs on the internet and paid about $100 for two IDs. According to Miller, she understands the repercussions of being caught with a fake ID, and she knew them before she bought one. “[The repercussions] do stick in the back of my mind, I am also very cautious when I’m using it,” Miller said. “I only go to certain places I’ve passed with it. I’m very cautious because I know what could happen.”

Junior Kevin Brown* knows the consequences of having an ID as well, but according to Brown, he does not see them as a threat.

“I don’t know [how I feel about] the consequences, like how many times have you heard of a kid going to jail for a year [for having a fake ID]? ” Brown said.

While it may seem rare, teenagers have been caught using fake ID. About 40 teen-

agers were arrested for possession of a fake ID in July 2011, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

However, some fake IDs are confiscated before even reaching the buyer. According to Brian Bell, a Chicago spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 1,700 fake IDs being imported from China were intercepted at O’Hare International Airport in the first six months of 2011.

According to Brown, he has been caught using his ID while purchasing alcohol.

His only consequence was that the store owner took it away in order to prevent him from using it in the future.

“I went back in [the store] and I gave him a sad story, like, ‘I’m just a kid I don’t want to get in trouble’ and [he said he was] not going to call the cops. [He] just didn’t want me drinking,” Brown said.

Similar to Brown, junior Sammy Bee* has also experienced getting

her ID taken away by a liquor store owner. According to Bee, she was frustrated when she got it taken away, but continues to use her other fake ID instead.

“I [still use it.] I just don’t go to that store. I usually go to one place now, and I haven’t gotten carded in months because they know me,” Bee said.

Though some students have not faced any repercussions for being caught with a fake ID, Meyer feels that owning a fake ID can be putting a young adult at risk for many consequences.

“I don’t think it’s worth it personally,” Meyer said.

“Whether you’re using the fake ID or just in possession of it, it’s just a big consequence you’re putting yourself out there for.”

Meyer feels kids should understand that the laws that require someone to be a certain age are there to protect them.

“That’s why they have these laws, [to] protect kids from themselves,” Meyer said.

UNDERAGE DRINKING

BY THE NUMBERS

*names have been changed

Source: http://www.dontletminorsdrink.com/

features

May 23, 2014

9

Andersen serves as role model in badminton, other extracurriculars

SUPERB SENIOR: Featured above in her blue and gold, senior Maureen Andersen (middle) poses with fellow seniors Angel Toledo (left) and Rema Abu-Hashim. Pictured on the top right, Andersen leads her dance team, De La Cru, in a wave while performing at the variety show. Pictured on the bottom left, senior badmitton players Isabella McCanna, Hillary Lai, Collen Lynch, Andersen and Joanna Garvey (left to right) stand together in their uniforms. Photos courtesy of Maureen Andersen SOPHIE HENSLEY

staff reporter A queen of two courts—whether she’s dancing at the homecoming festivities or smashing the birdie at a badminton match, senior Maureen Andersen can overcome almost any challenge and will thus be leaving a legacy at South, according to Teresa Kimura, varsity badminton coach.

To wrap up the season with a record of 4-3 at number one singles, Kimura proudly acknowledges that Andersen’s senior year was her best.

Andersen’s skills aren’t the only component to her game. According to Kimura, Andersen exemplifies true character on the court and after a match.

“I’ve never had a player that other players come up to me and say how nice she is,” Kimura said. “When other coaches and players come up to me, it’s something special.”

Andersen’s bubbly and energetic personality is contagious, as stated by Kimura. In agreement, Andersen’s co-captain Colleen Lynch appreciates the support she brings to the team.

“During practice if I blow shots, I yell at myself and she will stop and say all these really nice qualities about [me] that are completely irrelevant to the game,” Lynch said. “She makes you remember how good you are.”

In addition to the obliging complements, Andersen won a Sportsmanship award in 2013, granted to her by Kimura.

“One of my goals is to be kind to everyone, even the people I compete against,” A n d e r sen said. “It made me thrilled to know that I won that award.”

Andersen’s hard work and loyalty to the team, Lynch believes, is why Andersen fit the position of captain so well. “[Being captain] is nice because people listen to you,” Andersen said. “We’re respected but

“[Andersen] is always postive and smiling [...] you can’t be in a bad mood when you look at her.”

-Teresa Kimura, head badminton coach

[are] still equal to everybody in the same way, which I like.”

Besides the daily duties of a captain, Andersen and Lynch run ‘Fun Fridays’, which are fun alternatives to practice, such as zumba fitness, for the team to enjoy, according to Andersen. Dancing is also a part of Andersen’s daily life as captain of De La Cru. According to Andersen, being captain of De La Cru is an incredible commitment, but like most of her commitments, she puts her all into it in order to create the best product.

“What a lot of people don’t know is the work the team puts into the dances,” Andersen said.

“Not only do we make up the dances but we create the mixes and the formations. As captain, it takes a lot of organization and cooperation with the team.”

Andersen also channels her zeal and enthusiasm towards being a Pep Club leader. Andersen said that being in Pep Club is important to her because as an athlete, she can recognize how important support from fans is to a team.

“Being in a sport myself, it is nice to see that people appreciate your hard work and are there to support you,” Andersen said. “[The leaders and I] believe that Pep Club helps make our school feel

SOUTH SCUBA CONNIE HOEKSTRA

staff reporter Leaving school for Spring Break, Math teacher LeaAnne Hotton found herself surrounded by a whole different kind of school. Unlike the swarms of students that fill the halls of South, Hotton was surrounded by schools of squid, fish and many more underwater creatures during her scuba diving trip in the Cayman Islands.

According to Hotton, she had always wanted to be scuba-certified, but waited until four years ago to do it because she had been nervous to take the plunge.

“I just showed u p [to a certifi-

cation class] one day to see what it was all about and I fell in love with [diving],” Hotton said.

Similarly to Hotton, senior Jake Owczarek enjoyed diving immediately.

“My favorite part of diving is how alien the underwater world is,” Owczarek said. “[It is like] exploring space or another planet.”

Although Hotton has had many great experiences while diving, she recalls her first year as being very difficult.

more welcoming and like a close community.”

Similarly, Kimura noticed this side to her at the very start, saying Andersen makes a tremendous difference on the team through her enthusiasm.

“Andersen [is] always positive and is up and smiling,” Kimura said. “She impacts me because I come and I’m dragging or not in a great mood, and I just look at her. You can’t be in a bad mood when you look at her.”

Andersen will be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall and expects to remain active throughout college, but she will ultimately miss the concept of a team, as well as motivation to develop as an athlete.

“I’m going to miss playing and improving,” Andersen said. “I won’t be playing on a team, so I’ll miss that.”

Through all of her activities, Andersen said her main goal is to be a model for others to look up to and to inspire them to get involved at South.

“I wanted to be a good role model to the underclassmen just like past seniors were role models to me,” Andersen said. “It’s a ripple effect. I want everyone to feel as if they are welcome at and a part of GBS.”

The Oracle took the plunge into the lives of some of South’s very own scuba divers. From teachers to students, several members of the South community have found adventure in the underwater world.

“I was still trying to figure out my buoyancy,” Hotton said. “I battled this for most of a year-just getting used to [diving]. But once you get down somewhere and you are diving, looking, seeing and just breathing underwater, it is so awesome.”

Senior Juliana Minasian has also enjoyed her experiences scuba-diving but also recalls one dive that was not as enjoyable.

“We did a night dive, and I am terrified of the dark,” Minasian said. “So I had a flashlight [...] but it went out. I was hyperventilating and I used up half my tank [of air].”

Other than that experience,

Minasian feels that scuba-diving is a wonderful community sport and plans to continue diving.

Similarly, Hotton enjoys the scuba diving community and hopes more people will get certified so they too can experience it.

“I would like to encourage all kids to think about getting certified,” Hotton said. “It is a phenomenal activity to do; you get to see things you never would [have the opportunity to see].”

12

seniors

May 23, 2014

ILLINOIS ITT TECH:

Michael Ruderman

JUDSON UNIVERSITY:

Rosalie Mahler

BRADLEY UNIVERSITY:

COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY: COLUMBIA COLLEGE OF CHICAGO:

Yeomin Kim Christine Sergelen

TRIBECA FLASHPOINT MEDIA ARTS ACADEMY:

Michael Hanches

LAKE FOREST COLLEGE:

Michelle Dume Gaby King Danny Nikitas

TRITON COLLEGE:

Bryce Pragovich

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO:

Daniel Ahn Brad Lee Rohan Shah

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO:

Arun Joseph Zahra Keshwani Alex Kim Theodore Kokoris Agatha Maglalang Saadia Malik Ally Nathan Justin Noh Jenna Park Joris Powathil Leo Tanaka-Lee Vassilena Tsolova Adrian Wojslaw Seong Min Yang

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANACHAMPAIGN:

Alex Koutsostamatis Hillary Lai Jenny Lee Junsup Lee Austin Leonard Jung Lim Suge Lim Devin Maki Annette Manusevich Anastasia Mourikes Morgan O’Connor Jae Hee Oh Austin Okuno Jake Owczarek SJ Oyales Hinna Raja Sabina Raja Wyatt Richter Eddie Roh Neal Schweighart Zoey Sideris Aejin Shon Krystian Szorc Star Therios Paul Tisch Jason Vevang Yunsu Yu Sara Zhukovsky

Chris Baylaender Christian Bobrowski Kosta Brkovic Johanna Dezil Michael Djurin Omar Duran Kekoa Erber Will Estus Alexandra Jaszewski Michael Hani

Taylor Horvitz

Cody Carroll Kevin Gerek Leah Rabinowitz Melissa Wos

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE:

Julia Albano Steven Schroeder Kara Stevens

Billy Warak Francesca Covello

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY:

Michelle Askin Su Oh Marcelle Souri

Kelly Abarca Celia Grabill-Sulski Nick Moses Olivia Polony

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY:

Taylor Fuderer Paul Jones Haris Okic Rudy Pacheco-Munoz Robert Watkins

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY:

Chris Coleman Casey Henrickson Julia Jacobs Joseph Lee Theodore Mavrakis Hannah Schiller

OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

Hooman Mohimani Anthony Nogavich Diana Obniski Jung Ill Oh Tyler Phillips Braselina Sabini Katrina Stiglmeier Doran Theriault Stavroula C. Therios Dimitri Vassilopoulus Christine Vierra Alaina Wood-Hall Shawn Zachariah Joey Zerang Georgi Zhelev

DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY:

Keely Cosgriff

EDGEWOOD COLLEGE:

Susana Delgadillo

HARPER COLLEGE:

Dennis Rossolyuk

ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:

Stephanie Park Sung Min Choi

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY:

Tara Graff Hanna Hampton Kylie Lustig Kristin Lynch Serena Mashni Jake Nelson Jessica Rolf Michael Skuran Alison Tye Carly Weinman

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY:

Veena Hamill Fabian Jano Vasil Kukushliev Madeleine Turenne

Rema Abu-Hashim Jesse Bernstein Ashley Catizone Riley Dahiya Aly Ford Jimmy Gatzke Yasmine Giliana

Honey Joseph Lauren Kessler Megan Mills Huma Nizamuddin Sonali Patel Steve Philip Symeon Soleki Sam Sulejmani Natalie Wytrzymalski

MARIO TRICOCI COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL:

Becky Harrison Hye-In Jayden Lee Michael Lenckos Janna Lyhus Jeffrey Mathew Joel Mathew Andreas Mastoracos Mirella Montesinos Ramis Nayani Cormac O’Brien Tom Olickal Billy Schiele George Sekalias

Mario Tursi

KNOX COLLEGE:

Jose Avila

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY:

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY:

Verlord Laguatan

Aljo Abraham Konstantina Chaniotakis Yvette Dybas Jessika Dziechciowska Kyle Gillani Susie Hawkes Justin Abraham Bri Petty Monica Wierzbicki

Rittu Sabu

KENDALL COLLEGE:

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO:

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE:

OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY:

Alexandra Arnold Lizzie Baetz Chris Callahan Matt Chorvat

Pearl Angob George Bate Jun Choi Jasmine Hernandaz Samantha Ibarra Hope Kleutgen Afroza Ladhani Emily Kay Leonard Tyler Malik David Martinez-Valle Amreen Matharu Salwa Merchant Nicole Miazaga

Statistics according to an Oracle-conducted survey of 399 students

Gabriela Almeida Karla Arcos Gabby Biczek Daniel Dean Asuncion Emily Bazi Delia Ciobotaru Will Gingrich Elizabeth Gospodinov Evi Gountanis Alexandros Halkias

Peter Balabanos Thiago Barros Sarah Betadam Ajay Bhojwani Mariell Demertzis Katerina Economou Will Gasbarra Sammy Gorlovetsky Andrew Golucki Roy Ha Sean Halloran Hannah Hartigan Jenny Hinkamp Kevin Ho Brittany Holsman Sabrina Iqbal David Jeong Danny Jordan Jiyoon Jung Elisa Kim Grace Kim Rachel Kim Sydney Kiwaiko

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE:

Jairo Rodriguez

WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY:

Josh Kim James Roberts

Graphics by Cormac O’Brien

superlatives

May 23, 2014

13

MOST LIKELY TO GET AN eHARMONY ACCOUNT

MOST LIKELY TO LIVE IN...

THE NORTH SHORE: Gabbi Oppenheimer

THE WILD: Zack Bauer

BEST EYEBROW GAME: Sarah Betadam

CUTEST COUPLE: Andjela Vukosavljevic & Luke Pilliod MOST LIKELY TO WIN THE HUNGER GAMES: Anastasia Athas

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superlatives

May 23. 2014

MOST PATRIOTIC: Jamie Studenroth

BEST TWERKER: Jeff Mathew

MOST LIKELY TO BE IN THE BLOTTER: Cole Stewart, Shea Anthony, Ryan Dobrowski and Jake Carr

MOST LIKELY TO BECOME A CAT LADY:

Alex Canary

MOST CHANGED SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR: David Chengazhacherril S S E E & Hinna Raja N F R E S H M A N Y E A R

N I O R Y E A R

F R E S H M A N Y E A R

I O R Y E A R

seniors

May 23, 2014

15

Seniors explore alternatives to traditional college paths Next year, while the majority of current seniors will leave Glenview to begin their first year of college in the U.S., a few have chosen to take gap years or study at an international school.

a Visa but not a green card, so she will pay higher tuition rates because she isn’t a full U.S. citizen.

Vargas is planning to travel for after she receives her green card in December.

“There’s a program called Rustic Pathways and you choose whatever [time frame and type of trip] you want,” Vargas said. “I’m passionate about Asia and I’m passionate about helping out in orphanages.”

WESTWARD BOUND

BONJOUR, PARIS

Seniors Haley Wilson chose to take a gap year to try and move to the West Coast. Wilson hopes to work for Disney hotel services to get experience for a possible future career in hospitality.

“I love working with people who travel, you meet the coolest people,” Wilson said. “I was sitting at the hotel at Disney [once] and we talked to someone who was there from Scotland.”

Wilson claims she was influenced to take a gap year by watching her older friends.

“No one in my family has ever gone to college before,” Wilson said. “They always told me ‘Yeah you’re going to college’ and I looked around and saw a lot of people who weren’t going for one year, who were just going right to work.”

Wilson is also exploring the option of attending college and gaining residency in California.

Senior Bojana Galic is going to New York University (NYU), but is studying abroad for her freshman year at the NYU Global Academic Center in Paris. Galic was surprised when she found out she would be studying abroad.

“When I checked the box of, ‘to be considered for entry into the program’, I knew that only 25 freshmen are admitted into it,” Galic said. “So I like definitely did not expect [to get in], and I’m not completely sure I understood what it meant to check the box of ‘yes I would like to be considered’ […]. So then, when I got my acceptance letter, it said we will expect you to spend the first year in Paris; I was so confused. It was the most amazing surprise.”

Galic had a tough decision to make, balancing distance and opportunity, but ultimately decided to accept the offer.

“I was really hesitant to accept their request that I spend my first year in Paris at first, just because it is Paris, and granted I’ve been there more than New York and I know the city way better […], but it’s still an eight hour flight as opposed to a few hours,” she said. “It is a huge difference, but they told me I might not get the opportunity again, so I thought, why not?”

Galic will be in the Core Liberal Studies Program, which consists of classes such as philosophy, writing and French. Galic is looking forward to spending the year in Paris.

“I love Paris; I think it’s amazing,” Galic said.

“Just whenever I go, it’s always me rushing to see

KELSEY POGUE

co-web editor

VICTORIA SUNKEL

staff reporter

PATHWAY TO ASIA Senior Daniela Vargas is planning to concentrate on traveling during her gap year. She chose a gap year to save money and believes it will be better for her to find out her intended major.

“I don’t want to choose just any college and see from there what I want to do as a major,” Vargas said. “[I want to] go to the best school I can for what I want to do and I want to be completely 100 percent sure.”

Vargas claims the high tuition rates she would pay are something she is not ready for. Vargas has

everything that I can. […] When I went with the exchange here, we only had three days to see all of Paris. That’s nothing. […] I’m really looking forward to exploring things at a slow pace.”

IRISH LASS Senior Molly Carroll has visited Ireland almost every other summer growing up and she has chosen to attend Dublin City University in Ireland.

She plans to see how the year goes, and then decide if she wants to stay there.

“A lot of the schools in Europe are only three year or four years,” Carroll said. “So next year I’m going to go over for the year and see how it is, and I might transfer back here or stay there.”

Carroll has dual citizenship in Ireland and the US. However, she would still be entering as an international student.

“My dad was born there so I have my passport there so I have dual citizenship there too, so it’s a little cheaper,” Carroll said. “I still have to go in as an international student, [but] it’s [still] cheaper as an international student [there] than [here].”

Carroll is looking forward to visiting her family and also traveling the country and Europe.

“I have so much family over there, I have a lot of cousins over there and also another friend of mine is going over,” Carroll said. “[...] So we’re hoping to visit a lot of family and just

travel around the whole country and see what it’s like.”

Since she was little, Carroll thought about attending college in Ireland. While Carroll says she does not plan on living in Ireland, she is excited about the new experiences.

“It might be hard if I don’t get to come home for Christmas or Thanksgiving, [...] like I could if I went to a college here,” Carroll said. “But I’m definitely glad I chose to do the year over there instead of [doing study abroad here], because I think that I will like it over there. I think that I will eventually end up staying there [...], I’m just really excited to see how it goes.”

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a&e

May 23, 2014

South TV students awarded at CTEC-hosted festival DANNY FOOKSON

staff reporter On their way to the Chicagoland Television Educators Council (CTEC), South TV students anxiously awaited to see if their videos would be recognized at a festival held at Neuqua Valley High School on April 25. That same level of energy vibrated through the bus on the way back to school because, according to Mark Ferguson, TV and film instructor, South won more awards than any other school that attended CTEC. According to Ferguson, this was the best performance South had at CTEC since 2000 in terms of the number of awards won. Ferguson believes that much of the success can be credited to former television students at South.

“Every year is a continuation of the previous year,” Ferguson said. “The kids this year had great mentors last year. The former students have a legacy they left here that the current group of kids want to follow.”

Students from high schools across Illinois and out of the state can enter one video of five minutes or less in each of 14 categories that are judged

by professionals in television. According to senior Wyatt Richter, winner of the Cinematography, Documentary and Comedy categories, these schools are put into two divisions based on the funding the schools get: Division A and Division AA. Wyatt explains that although South has always been in Division A, the higher division, this was an exceptional year.

“Our film program has definitely gotten significantly better over the course of the last several years, and we are always trying to better ourselves,” Richter said.

One entry that Richter tried to top was the comedic narrative from last year’s variety show. According to Richter, this year’s comedic narrative “Biggest Fan” was the biggest project that he has ever di-

rected and it took months of planning to pull it off. Richter says that the difficulties of this narrative caused him and the rest of the TV crew to work on the production until the night before the show.

“A few weeks before [the Variety Show] and we hadn’t shot a few very important scenes and Ferguson came up to me and asked, ‘I don’t know, Wyatt. Is this happening?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know, maybe not,’” Richter said.

“Still, it ended up working out, and we made a really good video.”

Richter is not the only one who feels proud of the work that got him first place. Junior Janie Kahan got first place for her documentary about deaf culture and says she felt ecstatic when she

“[Getting recognized] is validation that I did a good job; it’s validation that I’m working hard. [...] It gives me the confidence to take risks in filmmaking.”

-junior Janie Kahan

heard her name get called to accept the award. Beyond that, Kahan explains that the award possesses greater meaning than excitement. “[Getting recognized] is validation that I did a good job; it’s validation that I’m working hard, it’s validation that I’m a great filmmaker,” Kahan said. “It gives me the confidence to take risks in filmmaking.”

Aside from showing their own work, South students get a chance to see the television productions of schools around the area. According to junior Van Hershey, CTEC is a great way to meet other young filmmakers.

“The thing I’m most excited about is being with the people who share the same interests as me, and I love to see the productions that other people have made for CTEC,” Hershey said.

Similar to Hershey’s enthusiasm about the conference, Ferguson draws continued joy from South’s program itself.

“You develop students who serve as inspirational mentors and then you allow that program to perpetuate itself,” Ferguson said. “Ideally, every year should be better than the previous year.”

CAMERA CREW: Posing for a picture, members of South’s broadcasting crew celebrate after winning five first-place awards at the Chicagoland Television Educators Council (CTEC). The team won a total of eleven awards in categories ranging from documentary films to humorous narratives. Photo courtesy of Mark Ferguson

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a&e

May 23, 2014

17

GBS, GBN students connect to musical on personal level MOLLIE CRAMER AND ALEX SHARP

staff reporters Behind every Elle Woods is more than a blonde Malibu Barbie. Behind every Glenbrook Musical, more than 173 high school students strive for excellence. Glenbrook South and North students performed Legally Blonde in this year’s musical on Wednesday, April 30 through Saturday, May 3 at North.

The musical follows sorority girl Elle Woods on her journey to Harvard Law School. According to junior Julia Packer, who plays the role of Elle in the show, the musical portrays an important message to the audience through the lense of comedy.

Packer comments that not only has the amount of pink in her wardrobe increased, but also her awareness of the meaning behind the story. Packer also comments that the show is very empowering for women.

“Although Elle seems to be just some blonde, she really proves to everybody that you can look past your looks, and I think that’s what I admire about Elle as a character,” Packer said. “She’s so much more deep of a person than people perceive her as. I think that working on her, I wanted to make her come across like that, not just an iconic character from a movie but so that she’s more.”

Director Julie Ann Robinson stated that one of the challenges that the members of the cast face was some difficulty that Elle herself faces in the story.

“It’s a great message for girls that you can be pretty, smart, and funny all together,” Robinson said. “As a teacher of Improv Comedy, I know there are a lot of girls who are afraid to be funny because they think ‘If I’m funny, then I wont be attractive,’ and they’re wrong. The world may try to pinpoint you in one way or another, but this show is about overcoming those obstacles and believing in yourself.”

Chuck Quinn, who plays Elle’s main professor, said the time commitment was demanding, but the final product made the whole experience worth the hard work and effort.

“It might be grueling during that week and a half where we’re [at rehearsal] until 10:00 every night, but it’s definitely worth it when we finally see what we put together,” Quinn said. “It’s really cool to just [...] build a story with other people [...] and see all 1,100 people in the audience cheering for you when you finish.”

Jack Riley, freshman chorus member, testifies to Robinson’s efforts at trying to fea- t u re all of the actors. He believes that the show overall is not solely about the lead, but about the entire cast as a whole.

“There’s always a group effort involved [...] it’s not like ‘Ok you’re the lead so you’re the whole show,’” Riley said. “I have one part, The Jetblue Pilot, where I come on and say ‘Thank you’ and that’s my big debut.”

The show did more than draw the eyes of viewers and entertain the audience. During intermission, ushers raised money for the animal shelter, Our House of Hope, according to senior Hannah Schiller, who played Paulette—a friend of Elle’s and worker in the salon Elle attends.

The charity was chosen based on the role of Elle’s and

DANCING QUEEN: With animated faces, the cast of Legally Blonde sing Omigod You Guys and dance across the stage in the GBN auditorium. Pictured at the center of the photo is GBN student Leslie Levy,who played the lead role of Elle in the musical for two of its four nights. Photo by Marley Hambourger

Paulette’s dogs, Bruiser and Rufus, respectively, in the play. Both Packer and Schiller commented that working with the dogs was an exciting new experience.

“It can be an obstacle in that you never know what they’re going to do,” Schiller said. “They could walk off the stage and we’d just have to roll with it. But with that mindset, it’s kind of a growing opportunity too because learning how to improvise has been a nice experience.”

Packer explained that the show’s opening night was interrupted by a fire alarm. Despite the slight setback, the cast was able to bounce back, showing their strength and talent.

“The fire alarm went off, so I was very frazzled, and when we got back inside [...] they were like ‘Okay get to your places,’” Packer said. “But I usually get very quiet before shows because I just like to take a moment and I’m like ‘Okay, I’m going to become the character. I’m not going to talk; I’m not going to be Julia’ and it’s my way to transition into the character.”

According to audience

member Linda Ring, the professional ability of the cast to maintain character in a joint effort made the musical remarkable. Working cohesively, the cast was able to portray the story as if performing as professionals. “[The actors] really seem to be cohesive,” Ring said. “I see a lot of professional theater and this is just as good as anything I’ve seen in the broader Chicago area.”

Another professional aspect of the show was the sound and stage settings, according to Schiller, who believes the crew plays a major role in this logistically challenging musical.

In charge of various responsibilities ranging from curtains to lighting, the crew entertains the crowd as much as the cast does. One thing to note is their expert use of lighting and stage settings to portray emotions and the interesting storyline, Schiller said.

“This year is more bright lighting because it’s a more exciting musical […] there’s one song called ‘Blood in the Water’ during Elle’s first day at Harvard Law School,” Schiller said. “The stage is bright red which portrays that fearful emotion she has, and it’s shown by the lights, which is really cool.”

According to junior David Sucher, who plays the role of Emmett, Elle’s love interest, the overall experience allowed him to learn in a unique environment.

“I’m surprised that sometimes I learn a lot more by doing something like this than what you learn in a class,” Sucher said. “I really just want [the audience] to say ‘Those kids really look like they’re having fun’ because [...] that’s the most important thing we have to offer.”

STANDING TALL: Sitting on the shoulders of sophomore Dillon McNulty (left) and North sophomore Brian Schepkovich (right), junior Julia Packer, who played the role of Elle, sings along to the song, What You Want. Photo by Marley Hambourger

TWIST AND SHOUT: Dressed as cheerleaders, marching band members and track runners, several members

of the Legally Blonde cast perform a choreographed routine to the song, What You Want. More than 170 North and South students participated in this produciton. Photo by Marley Hambourger

18

a&e

May 23, 2014

DYNAMIC DUO: Engaged in their performance, seniors Paul Tisch, playing the guitar and singing vocals, and Chris Neuhaus, playing the drums, jam out their music and entertain the crowd. The two-man band performed outdoors at this year’s Spring Fling, held in the Autos Courtyard on May 6. Photo by Marley Hambourger

The Accountants strive to find musical identity by performing GRACIE SANDS

staff reporter The intense sound of distorted guitars blasts through the Marshall amplifiers on stage accompanied by a heavy drum beat keeping the time and filling in the empty space. Melodic vocals cut through the sound, causing the crowd to settle down and become captivated by the alternative-rock. The two musicians on stage, seniors Paul Tisch and Chris Neuhaus of the band The Accountants, move with the time of the music, and soon the crowd begins to join them.

Since their recent start, the band has been seen playing at various events around South including Jamnesty, Paradox and Battle of the Bands, as well as at local venues. More recently, the band made an appearance at the school-sponsored event Spring Fling, playing a tenminute set comprised of three original songs, all written by Tisch. The songs are entitled “Cold”, “Dream” and “This Song”.

The band first formed last year when they auditioned for Jamnesty, a concert run by South’s Stand for Peace and Amnesty. Considering that the two were already friends, they decided to take their similar interest in music and make a band out of it.

“Paul and I were in the same friend group, or I guess clique in high school, and we kind of talked about jamming a little bit,” Neuhaus said. “We did from time to time. Then eventually Paul just called me up and wanted to do a song for Jamnesty.”

When the two first started collaborating musically,

they soon realized that they had very different tastes in music. They came to appreciate each other’s preferences and came to like them. According to Neuhaus, this is essential to forming a band, because collaboration is key.

“I actually hated Paul’s music when he first showed it to me, not the music that he plays, but the music that he listens to,” Neuhaus said. “Now I’m starting to get an ear for it. It still takes me a while.”

After making an appearance at Jamnesty, the next step was to decide on a band name.

Tisch explained that the background behind the name is random and does not really have any significance.

“We were on a German field trip and we were sitting next to each other on the bus, and we were kind of just reading signs out loud and there was one that said ‘Accountants’ and then I was like, ‘Hey, that should be our band name,’” Tisch said.

Once this was decided, they needed to establish their own sound. According to both of them, their music is pulled from many different influences. As a result, the group is unable to label the music they produce as having one particular sound.

“We are still trying to figure out what kind of music we make exactly,” Tisch said.

As for the future, the band plans on figuring out

their signature style. The Accountants are currently working on their senior project and have decided to release an album.

“We are going to, for two weeks, record, mix and try to master an EP in Chris’s basement,” Tisch said.

After the EP is released they hope to get some publicity. They have taken a step in that direction with the recent show they played at restaurant and venue, Township, in Chicago. According to Neuhaus, this is the first real gig that the band has played together.

“We felt really honored to play there,” Neuhaus said. “We only had a 30 minute set, but a week before we had to play we only had a 15 minute set. We actually had to double that in a week’s worth of time, which was awesome because it was kind of like crunch time and we put together four new songs.”

The band is optimistic about the summer that they have ahead of them because they hope to play many shows and gain support.

“Our plan right now, what we want to do, is obviously over the summer we are going to try and practice as much as we can and try to produce as much material as we can,” Neuhaus said. “Not necessarily to get famous, but maybe just to get our music out there. Just have something to show for how much time we have put into this band.”

“We are still trying to figure out what kind of music we make exactly.”

-senior Paul Tisch

The band currently has two members, but they hope to add another member, probably a bass player, in the future. According to Tisch, this will help to produce a fuller sound and take some weight off of his shoulders.

“Just on the guitar end of it, that’s the only instrument playing,” Tisch said. “I have to cover the low-end that a bass would provide and then keep something interesting up top. I constantly have to play because I can’t just stop for a little bit and let another guitar or bass take over.”

As a fan and friend of the band, senior Nick Moses helps them to finds gigs in the area. He hopes that they will have the opportunity to play together in the near future because he sees a lot of potential in the Accountants.

“Now we are both in our own separate bands, but I’ve listened to their band, and I’ve listened to a few of their songs,” Moses said. “And so I am trying to get them to come play shows with my band [...] because I really hate [that there are] really good bands who don’t get to play a lot of shows.”

Attending colleges in the fall will be difficult for the band considering the distance between them. Neuhaus will be attending Marquette University in the fall and Tisch the University of Illinois. However, they hope to continue producing music together when they return home.

“We have already talked about trying to play together when we come back for breaks,” Tisch said. “We are not really that close, but I’m sure we’ll find time to practice together.”

sports

May 23, 2014

19

Men’s lacrosse ends rebuilding season under new coach TYLER AKI

staff reporter After a third place finish in the CSL Conference last year, the Titans entered a rebuilding phase, according to Dan Leipert, first year head coach. This year, they finished third in the southern CSL conference, but lost 4-8 in the first round of playoffs to Libertyville.

Leipert believes that the team’s success was not necessarily reflected by their 6-12 record. Instead, he believes that this year was more about setting a bar for the future of the program.

“Our goals [had] nothing to do with wins and losses,” Leipert said. “Our seniors have had five different coaches in the past four years, so there [was] a lot of adversity for them to overcome. Our goal [was] to play as a team and develop a set of standards that we want the program to go by for years to come and also to establish a work ethic that we want to have.”

As a first year coach, Leipert knew the challenge of taking on the rest of the CSL, a conference that he believes is the best conference in the state. However, he expressed confidence that his team had what it takes to compete against the other conference teams.

“I knew we had high level guys so my expectations were that their stick skills would be there and that they would be able to beat anybody one-on-one because they have that talent,” Leipert said. “I expected the [team] to learn and want to learn complicated and rigorous offenses and defenses.”

After a multitude of coaching changes, Leipert is pleased with the way that the team handled the situation.

“The players [took the coaching change] well,” Leipert said. “I think it’s something that we [had] to grow into. I was learning about the players just as

much as they were learning about me so I was learning about the culture of GBS and their lacrosse history.”

Senior captain Jackson Irwin expected the team to enter a rebuilding phase this season. Irwin believes that Leipert did a good job in his first season, but the transition will still difficult because Leipert was his third coach in four years. “[Leipert did] well for his first year as a head coach,” Irwin said. “This year was probably one of our main building years [by] trying to get a new offense in, trying some new defense stuff and just helping the underclassmen learn the ropes of the system. I feel like we [did] very well [...] adjusting to a new coach.”

Leipert enjoyed a successful coaching debut at South as the Titans beat Grayslake North 8-7 in overtime on March 17. According to senior captain Will Reynolds, the win boosted the team’s confidence due to their ability to handle adversity.

“We were up four goals and [Grayslake North] came back in the second half and they tied it and [the game] went into overtime,” Reynolds said. “[In overtime], Chris Clifford took the ball, dodged through three people and I knew right then as soon as he got that first dodge through I knew that the ball was going to go to the back of the net.”

Despite winning their first game, Reynolds admitted that the team struggled with the coaching transition, but acknowledged that the change was all for the better and will help the program for the future. “[The change was] shaky, but we knew that was going to be the case coming into it,” Reynolds said. “[Leipert did] a good job, but we can’t be expected to win a state championship in his first year here. It’s a shame that it has to be my last year but I think the program will be built over the next few years.”

According to Reynolds, aside from Irwin, the Titans were also led by EJ Reynolds, McLain Murphy, Quinn Conaghan, Patrick Mihelic and Chris Clifford.

“Our goal [was] to play as a team and develop a set of standards that we want the program to go by for years to come and also to establish a work ethic that we want to have.”

-Coach Dan Leipert

RUTHLESS REYNOLDS: Pressuring a York attackman, senior captain Will Reynolds defends and fights for control of the ball. This is Reynolds’ third year on varsity and he currently leads the team in groundballs with 47 total. Photo courtesy of Bruce Irwin

Volleyball aims for sectional title JOE LEE

staff reporter With a record of 14-15 and one game left in the regular season, the men’s volleyball team is looking to end the season strong as they prepare for the playoffs.

According to head coach Tim Monohan, the varsity squad kicked off the season with a great win against Stevenson, which gave the team strong momentum for their next couple of games.

“We beat them in two sets 25-14 and 25-11,” Monohan said. “The boys just came out really strong and ready to play. They played with a lot of energy and they never gave Stevenson a chance to get in the game.”

However, the Titans lost their rivalry game against GBN which immediately impacted their roster, according to Monohan. “[The team’s rotation] cycled a little bit and we were making adjustments,” Monohan said. “We had new players filling in and we got through all that. We are in a good place now.”

More recently, the game against Loyola was the kind of competition that the team was hoping for in terms of excitement, according to junior Pawel Rafalo.

“Although we eventually lost, there was certainly a high level of intensity on the court from both sides,” Rafalo said.

According to junior Shan Kadalimattom, the high level of intensity doesn’t only affect the games, but it also helps the team realize what they need to accomplish.

“Some expectations are going back to state,” Kadalimattom said. “I know everyone’s hungry for that state championship title, and we want to show everyone we’re not just a one-year team.”

Rafalo pointed out that the team started out

with realistic goals, but hopes to push beyond their limits by the end of the season. “[Our goal is to get] the sectional title,” Rafalo said. “But we’d be extremely happy if we went as far as the team did last year, which was fourth in state.”

According to senior Anthony Lebryk, the Titans are focusing on improving as much as they can with the time ticking down before the playoffs begin.

“During practice we just work on the basics with serving, blocking and passing,” Lebryk said. “Those are the three fundamental platforms for volleyball.”

Monahan, however, states that the toughest opponenents of the year are yet to come with just a couple of games left in the season.

“Our biggest match-up in the playoffs will come in the Regional Championship,” Monohan said. “We should be playing Loyola, which is the team we beat last year to go to the State Tournament.”

Junior Ben Wiberg said that overall, the team has been superb this season and thinks that they will excel through the playoffs.

“I think there’s a lot of potential to go far this year,” Wiberg said. “We have a lot of great guys and some fantastic athletes.”

Monohan believes that the team will be able to tear through the playoffs as they did last year. “[We need] to keep getting better, tighten things up, keep our goal focused towards the post-season, which is where we are heading [...],” Monohan said.

The Titans hit their home court one last time with a win against Waukegan on May 15 before the post-season started.

SETTING STAR: Focused on the ball, junior Alex Alwan makes a set to a teammate while playing New Trier. In this game, the Titans lost in three sets (25-27, 25-23, 17-25). Photo by Marley Hambourger

20

sports

May 23, 2014

Baseball dominates CSL conference with 13-1 record HANNAH MASON

co-sports editor As the Titan baseball team leads the CSL conference division with a 13-1 record and an overall record of 26-4, they are continuing to push themselves to excel in the playoffs and make it to State, according to head coach Steve Stanicek.

Over the last four years, South has won conference, and senior shortstop Mario Tursi is confident that the team can continue to carry out that title. Tursi also explained that the whole team is committed to working towards the state tournament.

“I think everyone is on board and has confidence [that] we can go to state, so that’s our goal,” Tursi said. “[...] State’s been the goal since freshman year and this is our chance, so we are all trying to get that done.”

According to Tommy O’Hara, senior third baseman, the team started their season on a bad note with a loss to Barrington on March 26 in one of their first games of the season. The Titans were able to come back the next day, March 27, and beat Dundee Crown 17-2. According to O’Hara, he believes this is an example of the

team’s growth.

“I think we are getting better at doing our job, understanding where we are and just playing [baseball],” O’Hara said.

Another key victory was a 10-0 win against Stevenson on April 1, the team which ended the Titans’ season last year in sectionals. According to senior catcher D.J. Dillon, the game was a comeback statement for the Titans.

In more recent games, South played Evanston on April 22 and April 24, and swept both games.

“We know we are better than [Evanston] and we just have to continue to stay hot,” Dillon said.

“Right now I would say that [primary competition is] Maine South and New Trier for us.”

GBS was able to conquer New Trier 16-5 on April 29 and 3-1 on May 1.

According to Dillon, pitching by senior Conor McCarthy helped to carry the team in their first game against

New Trier. In the second game, Dillon credits the victory to a hit from senior Rob Milota that triggered an attack at the plate, and senior Michael Lenckos who allowed the Trevians only one run while pitching.

“I thought we did really well in the first game, jumping on them right off the bat with our offense,” Dillon said.

“The second game was a much better game [...], [Lenckos] continued to get ahead of hitters which is always key.”

According to Dillon, many of the 13 seniors played together on the Glenview Blaze team around the age of 10. O’Hara says this has helped contribute to the team having a good chemistry.

“I’ve been playing with them since 10 years old and it’s been awesome,” O’Hara said. “I couldn’t ask for better guys to work with [and] to even go through this journey [with].”

They gained even more of a bond

“I think everyone is on board and has confidence [that] we can go to State, so that’s our goal.”

-Senior Mario Tursi

when Stanicek took over this past season and implemented an off season program. O’Hara was able to see a difference in the work ethic of the team.

According to Tursi, the program gave the team the ability to fight back in games.

“Everyone is stronger, and I think when times get tough, we still are conditioned well enough to perform,” Tursi said.

The quality of South’s team is confirmed by the fact that six of the 13 seniors will continue to play in college.

According to Stanicek, he has been trying to prepare them for college baseball since the season started in March.

“The practices have been geared to really reflect what a college practice is going to be like and to just get them to think about the game [in] a little more of a high level way,” Stanicek said.

Unlike many other South athletic teams, baseball doesn’t elect captains.

According to Dillon, he feels that everyone on the team is key.

“We got so much talent in the field and so much talent on the bench just waiting for their opportunity,” Dillon said. “The people that aren’t playing are giving us a lot of effort and cheering us on and keeping us up.”

BATTER UP!: At bat against Niles North on May 17, senior Mario Tursi (above), follows through on a swing. The Titans beat Niles North in a double header 7-1 and 12-1.

Photo by Marley Hambourger

NO CRYING IN BASEBALL: On May 8, the Titan baseball team defeated Waukegan 8-1, but this was no ordinary victory.

After spending seven years coaching at Homewood-Flossmoor high school, four years coaching at Lockport high school and taking over this year at South, head coach Steve Stanicek reached his 300th career win. Photo courtesy of Dave Dillon

Women’s lacrosse enters playoffs in fourth seed, aspires to win state title JUSTINE KIM

staff reporter The women’s lacrosse team ended their regular season with a record of 14-4. The team is currently ranked 4th in the State and 15th in the Midwest.

According to head coach Annie Lesch, the team is very well balanced and is more consistent this year than ever. “[The girls have been] playing more consistently throughout the whole game and not having as many peaks and valleys as we’ve done in years past,” Lesch said. “[The team] is able to replicate the intensity of a game in our practices and

LAX TO THE MAX: After coaching at Connecti-

cut College for three years, head coach Annie Lesch moved to the high school level nine years ago. Since 2007, she has led the women's lacrosse team at South to success. On April 30, she accumulated her 100th win in a game against Evanston. Lesch attributes her success to her team and how hard they work and how much they care. Photo courtesy of Anna Clark

[they’re] taking each game individually.”

Senior captain Kelly Ward believes that the team’s balance on the field and record of only four losses reflects the effort the lacrosse program has put into increasing their state ranking.

“Our [team’s] main goal has always been to win state [and though] we are happy with our current seeding, we want to keep pushing it and improving,” Ward said. “We hope to [excel in the State playoffs] by always giving 100 percent in practice and working together well on and off the field.”

The women’s lacrosse program rankings have slowly been on the rise over the past few years and in 2013, the Titans finished 8th place in the state. According to Lesch, the team is aiming for entering the Final Four in the state and are changing some of their game strategies to improve their game. “[The girls are] changing their attack sets depending on the opponent we’re playing,” Lesch said. “And we’re taking each game individually, [and] preparing for different defenses we’ll see. We’re also trying to stay loose, not get into a mental game, but to rather be loose and confident when we step onto the field.”

Senior captain Carly Weinman believes that the team’s wins against highly ranked teams, such as Montini Catholic and GBN, gave South’s wom-

en’s lacrosse program a good name and increased the confidence of the girls.

The Titans played Montini Catholic on April 16 and according to senior captain Calie Nowak, winning the Montini game helped determine the road the rest of their season would go down.

“Winning this game meant the world to us and it means that we’re just that much closer to winning the State tournament,” Nowak said. “[The Montini game] meant everything [to our season] and it meant the world to us.”

A l o n g with the win against Montini, the team’s victory over GBN boosted the morale of the girls, according to Weinman, and the girls exited their season ready for the State playoffs.

“There was a lot of [excitement] about this game and there was so much energy going into [the game],” Weinman said. “[While] they gave us a good game in the beginning, we pulled away near the beginning of the second half and winning the game put us in a good position for playoffs.”

Ward believes that the success of their season can be attributed to the trust that all of the girls had for each other.

“Our [team’s] main goal has always been to win state [and though] we are happy with our current seeding, we want to keep pushing it and improving.”

-Senior captain Kelly Ward

“If our team was not as balanced, we would not have done as well in the season,” Ward said.

“By us being so balanced we are able to trust everyone on the team completely with anything.”

Though the team is enthusiastic about their recent success in the regular season, Nowak sees the team going far in the State playoffs. Some key players this season include Nowak on attack, Ward on midfield, and senior captain Kara Stevens on defense.

Lesch is optimistic about the team’s performance in the state playoffs and believes that the team is both mentally and physically preparing for what’s to come.

“I’m excited to see what this team can accomplish in the playoffs, but we need to stay grounded in what has gotten us here so far, hard work.” Lesch said.

The Sectional finals begin on May 28.

CHICKS WITH STICKS: Running down the field with the ball in possesion in a game against Maine South on April 11, sophomore Sarah McDonagh searches for an open teammate. South beat the Hawks 13-1 and are currently ranked second in the southern CSL division.

Photo courtesy of Callie Nowak