The Bark Volume 1. Issue 4. The Addiction Issue

Volume 1 Issue 4

CHASING THE NATURAL HIGH

NEWS News Briefs

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Some Juice for Thought Though the amounts of teenagers vaping over the past three years has increased drastically, there is little known information about the long-term effects on one’s health. We explore what is known thus far.

P6-7 Acknowledging the Addiction. What is the big picture behind the choices we make and how does it affect the ones we love most? P 13-15

Keep It Red Learn more about digital citizenship and how to earn awesome prizes using the Bulldog Buck Buckets!

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@GCHS_newspaper

FEATURES Really, Rinsta

gchs_newspaper

What makes finals so stressful, and how can you better deal with this physical and emotional toil?

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FEATURES (cont.)

Hidden Artists

Getting Played by the Game

Why do people make art, what drives them, and where can we find these hidden artists at Grant?

Discover the similarities between Fantasy Football and gambling, and the impacts this may have on you.

ARTS

Turkeys and Turnarounds

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Blocking Out the Present

Literature Magazine

What happens when you’re stuck in the past, and how can that affect your present, your future, and your mental health?

Read your peers’ submissions of poetry, short stories, and other literary works.

Explore the truth on how addiction plagues a family, consumes the addict, and the legal consequences regarding this topic.

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Chasing the Natural High Why do people do theather, or any activity for that matter?

Explore the compulsion for community.

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The Chemistry of Success How do the long-standing friendships formed within the basketball team transfer over to a bigger stage?

Artist Spotlight Learn about what inspires, drives, and influences our January Artist of the Month, Chloe Todd

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Until 2 years ago, Grant’s Girl’s Bowling Team hadn’t won a conference in 38 years. Now, they’re one of the top teams in the state.

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Acknowledging the Addiction

SPORTS

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Who to Watch!

Check out our athletes at the top of their game and our players who are on the rise!

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The Addiction Issue

Connotations are powerful. When people hear addiction, they are likely immediately thinking about alcoholism, about the opioid crisis. Which, they’re not wrong. There’s a reason that may immediately come to mind! And that’s because it’s incredibly prevalent in today’s society, if not lingering under the surface.

Perhaps, in this case, a better word in this case might be compulsion.

We have a compulsion to do things that benefit us, a compulsion to find communities and a place to belong.

Sometimes, this compulsion leads us down a path that is the exact opposite of where we ought to have gone.

Mariah Ona Kaitlyn Krueger

Features Elizabeth Newcomb Andrea Lowry The Bark editor, Kaitlyn Krueger.

Sports

As you go through this issue, picking and choosing the articles that best interest you, keep an open mind to the endlessly shifting definitions of language, and in turn, the endlessly shifting and manipulated definitions of addiction.

Similarl y, please keep in mind that we have done our best to approach this topic with the best of intentions and with the utmost journalistic integrity. Not every addiction has been covered, not every possible facet of this broad overwhelming concept. We might be missing something, some perspective. However, it can be assured that this issue was written to the best of our abilities, and with the best sentiments in mind.

Let The Bark Bark for You! The Bark is currently searching for: - artists for our cover art - writers for literary magazine section - photographers for Photo of the Month

Kaitlyn Krueger Kristina Maestranzi

News

If there had to be a central idea to The Bark’s publications as a whole, it would be the classic idiom “two sides of the same coin”. Every issue released previously throughout the first semester has followed topics that shift from viewpoint to viewpoint, from fear to discrimination.

In this issue, as we delve into the various forms and effects that addiction can have on a person, a community, keep in mind this idea: addiction is a multi-faceted concept in reality, from its grounded roots in chemical science, to its physiological roots, to our interpretations of the basic word itself.

Editors

For all inquires or interests contact: Kaitlyn Krueger 24861@stu.

grantbulldogs.org

or Kristina Maestranzi Coaches and Club Sponsors kmaestranzi@grantbulldogs.org If you are doing a special event that you would like covered or featured in our articles or events calendar, please contact us!

Bryce Mandala Ethan Dicken

Cover Art Kaitlyn Krueger

NEWS

February 20 , 2019

COMMUNITY NEWS If you’re just laying around bored all day take a leap into the frigid waters of Fox Lake to raise some money for a good cause, the Special Olympics.

What is it?

The Polar Plunge is an event in which contestants jump into frigid waters to raise money. Many cities participate in this event.

When and Where?

The Polar Plunge will take place on February 24th 2019 @ 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Fox Lake, 71 Nippersink Blvd. Check in is from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

The Bark

NEWS BRIEFS

Exploring Consequences

What’s the point in fighting fire with fire if it will create more smoke?

This is exactly what the deans at Grant are trying to confront. On December 17th 2018 a parent-student forum was held in regards to how little people actually know on this matter.

“A lot of people think it’s a tool to stop smoking and that’s not at all what it is... there are a ton of harmful things,” explained Dean at GCHS, Jeremy Anderson

This is a good way to put the matter because we don’t know how this will affect people years from now.

Smokers now know the stats, though now they are dealing with the aftermath of smoking.

Grant Community High school parents were invited to learn more on what we know so far. A presentation was given following with a video. If this wasn’t such a big deal why would we need to know about it?

Guests were given a worksheet about vaping following a slide

show and movie. The slide show represented current stats we have on vaping worldwide and in our school. The results were shocking, just in the past two years recorded. The more time went on, the worse the situation got.

“There’s a group of, about 1,000 students here that have not been totally educated”.

Caption for picture Photo of parent at Parent Student forum taken by Mariah Ona

Why should I go?

The event will support Special Olympics athletes. Participants must raise $100 in donations to plunge. Participants can win prizes, according to how much money you raise.

Image of Polar Plunge Last Year taken by Mrs. Borrino

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Found Fashion

Recycling is something we should incorporate into our everyday lives. Fashion 2 has shown that they believe this is true in their last project.

The 14 students divided into two teams with a mission to make stylish dresses, but there was a catch.

Everything has to be made out of recycled materials; this sounds difficult, but luckily these students realized that our school has a lot more materials lying around not in use than they came to believe

“We used some back covers of The Bark... we used some scrap fabric and decorative throw.” answered Megan Maliziola, a Freshman at Grant, in regard to what materials she used to design her dress.

The students were told to make tops and skirts by sewing teacher, Ms. Pipikios who has done this project twice in the past but decided to change up this year’s project a little.

Pipikios previously used to do it as a final grade as an individual found object creation. “I thought this would just be cool to have more fashion

Picture of Fashion Two class in front of display case with recycled dresses taken by Kaitlyn Kruger

forward,” stated Ms. Pipikios when talking about how the found object project developed into designing tops and skirts.

Switching this project a bit seems to have been a good idea. The fashion was placed in the display case for students to pass and admire.

When asked how Megan thinks the project benefits people she said, “ I think it really helps us think creatively on how to use different materials instead of just using fabric.”

NEWS

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Club Spotlight When and Where?

Blocks to Board Photo of frehmen twins Clinton Cerna and Clayton Cerna building Mario themed cutting boards.

Photo taken

by Mariah Ona.

“People make whatever projects they want to make, I dont have an assignment of what you have to make� - Hansen

For more information, contact Mr. Rodd Hansen at rhansen@grantbulldogs. org or in room 100.

Woodworking Club takes place after school from 3:15- 4:00 in room 102 every Tuesday.

What are we about?

Woodworking Club is about making what you want to make from wood, with guidance from peers, and teachers. You can embrace your hobby at school and excel in it. You can make a wide variety of things such as cutting boards, stools, tables, etc.

What do you need to know?

There is no fee and you can join at any point in the year.

Mr. Hansen is very flexible with attending. There are no requirements.

Events Coming Up! February 20 Game On! Wednesday After school 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm Fox Lake Libray

February 21and 28 Read to a Therapy Dog 15 minute slots are available from 4:00 to 4:45 Fox Lake Library

February 21 Wii Bowling 1:00pm to 3:30pm Lake Front Park Building $1 admission fee

February 23

February 27

Interview Workshop Meet a Job placement expert 2:00pm to 4:00pm Fox Lake Library

Starting in Microsoft Publisher 6:00pm to 8:00pm Fox Lake Library

March 13

March 15

March 20

GCHS Spring Blood Drive Must be 16 years of age to donate

Caddy Stacks Play Mini Golf in the Library 3:30pm to 8:00pm

February 23 GCHS Winter Ball Glow in the Dark Themed Tickets in Bookstore for $15

Messy Art You are encouraged to get messy 6:30pm to 7:30pm Fox Lake Library 5

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NEWS

February 20 , 2019

The Bark

Juice for Thought Kaitlyn Krueger

The war against the tobacco industry has waged on for 50+ years, with smoking rates steadily declining over the years as the public became more and more educated about the long-term detrimental effects to one’s health.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Current smoking has declined from 20.9% [adults] in 2005 to 15.5% [adults] in 2016.” This trend was followed by teenage smoking rates, again, the CDC reporting, “7.6% [high school students] reported in 2017 that they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days—a decrease from 15.8% in 2011.”

Evidence shows that preventing smoking in adults is best done by preventing smoking in high schoolers. According to the US Department for Health and Human Services, “Nearly 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking before age 18.”

All this effort on the part of society as a whole to work against the tobacco industry and continue the declining trend of smoking is currently in danger. The CDC Director, Tom Frieden, addresses this. “Current cigarette smoking is at an all-time low, which is great news.

However, it’s troubling to see that students are engaging in new risk behaviors, such as using e-cigarettes.”

We all know it; vaping has become a more and more common phenomenon everywhere, especially in high schools. We’ve all heard the stories of

All the current confiscated e-cigarettes obtained at the deans’ office.

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kids vaping in the bathroom, in the parking lot, Dangerous even in the classroom.

Numbers

While teenage smoking rates are plummeting, vaping rates are rising at an alarming rate. of adult combustible A study published on smokers (non-electhe National Center for tronic) began smoking before age 18 Biotechnology Information states, “From 2011 to 2016, the percentage of 12th-grade students who had ever used an eof students exposed to e-cigarettes in cigarette increased from high school began 4.7 to 13 percent. For the combustible smoking. first time in 2014, more teenagers used e-cigarettes or vaped nicotine than smoked cigarettes— of 12th grade students have used an a trend that continues.” e-cigarette in 2016

National trends are echoed here at Grant, according to GCHS Dean Mr. Anderson. “We have observed a significant decrease in smoking cigarettes and a significant increase in the use of vapes. This is consistent around the county according to the other deans from the Northern Lake County Conference schools.”

For years, electronic cigarettes have been marketed not only as a safer alternative but as a device to help quit smoking. This advertising has led to a false sense of safety, much like the cigarette ads of the 50s. But it’s not safe, it’s not healthy, and it may, in fact, lead to smoking in the future.

To understand the health risks, it’s important to start with the basics. Vaping devices have many names—vape pens, pod mods, tanks, electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDS), and e-cigarettes.

Certain devices and brands can present a higher danger than others. “Pod mods” contain vape liquid made from nicotine salts found in loose-leaf tobacco instead of the

90%

30.7% 13%

NEWS traditional free-base nicotine found in most e-cigarette liquid. This may allow the user to experience a higher—and more addictive—concentration of nicotine, according to a recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine.

One particular brand, called the Juul, a “pod mod” device, is especially worrying to addiction researchers. The company, called Juul Labs, has surged ahead of competitors. According to the New York Times, in August 2018, Juul accounted for 72 percent of the The data: Just Flavoring - 66%, Don’t Know e-cig market. There is currently an 13.7%, Nicotine - 13.2%, MArijuana - 5.8%, Other investigation of the company by - 1.3%. Data obtained from Drugabuse.gov the F.D.A., as to whether or not Juul labs specifically targeted teenagers, inhaling vapor is less dangerous than inhaling cigarette smoke, and that vapwhich is illegal. ing actually helps people quit smoking

Surgeon General Adams cigarettes. shares concerns over the growing Due to the lack of long-term rates of vaping in teenagers, which research on the effects of vaping on he outlined in a news conference one’s health, it cannot be argued with following the Dec. 18 release of his a clear conscience whether or not the advisory: “The number one reason smoke or vapor of cigarettes and e-cigyoung people say they try these dearettes respectively is more dangerous vices is because they have flavors in than the other.

What can be argued, them,” Dr. Adams says, noting that however, is the claim that e-cigarettes e-cigarettes come in kid-friendly help others quit smoking. flavors.

Yale health researchers who

A defense given by many study the health effects of vaping and students and proponents of the e-cigs agree: Vape devices have not growing e-cigarette industry is that been proven to help adult smokers there is a no-nicotine option for those that desire it. While it’s possible to buy liquid without nicotine for some e-cigarettes, it’s not possible to do so with some of the more popular pod mod devices. According to Juul’s website—in a description that is no longer up—a single Juulpod contains 40 mg of nicotine, which is similar to “the nicotine yield of a pack of cigarettes.”

However, it should be noted that it is difficult to describe a single pod as a “serving.” A person might consume one pod in a week, while another may take only one day.

There is a common argument that, while e-cigarettes still contain nicotine and other harmful additives, they are not nearly Graph obtained from the surgeon general website. as dangerous as cigarettes. These arguments include points such as

February 20, 2019

The Bark

quit smoking. Moreover, vaping increases the risk a teen will smoke regular cigarettes later.

According to a study cited by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 30.7 percent of e-cig users started smoking within 6 months while 8.1 percent of non users started smoking.

Science has known about the dangers of nicotine on both adolescents and adults for decades, and as science continues to improve, as does our extensive knowledge over the dangers of nicotine and similar risky behavior. Vaping is so relatively new that extensive long-term reasearch on the effects of just vaping haven’t come out yet.

However, that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous.

On December 18, Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued a rare advisory—the fourth in 10 years— from his office. “I am officially declaring e-cigarette use [vaping] among youth an epidemic in the United States.”

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Keep It Red

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Red Read Health and Wellness Fair The annual Health and Wellness Fair is on April 17 during your PE class or study hall. The fieldhouse will be filled with student-made booths with a wide variety of topics, ranging from the dangers of vaping to the importance of spreading kindness. Check out some of the booths from last year to get an idea of what to expect!

This booth showed the scary (and gross) reality of what germs can be left behind if you don’t wash your hands regularly throughout the day.

Assistant Principal Ryan Geist had some fun at this booth, which shared studies about the mental and physical health benefits of dance.

Students played Mario Kart while wearing drinking goggles to experience the effects of alcohol while driving.

Freshmen 1241

Sophomores 1114

Juniors 802

Seniors 2410

Remember, you can earn Bulldog Cup points based off of how many Bucks your class turns in!

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Bulldog Buck Totals

Features

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Really, Rinsta?

A close examination of the culture behind the “Finsta” and “Rinsta” accounts of which many teens have today.

Pictured above is Morgan Guinn taking a selfie for her Rinsta.

Written and Collected By: Elizabeth Newcomb

Cute Selfie. Filter. Cheeky Caption. Boom! Posted. Let the amount of likes roll in any minute now. Does this process sound familiar? Perhaps it doesn’t occur to you until you’ve taken at least sixty seven photos with the same duck lips over and over trying to get that flawless pose.

Once posted, your feed is updated and you can then switch accounts onto your finsta where you tell your closest friends how you’re actually feeling depressed and struggling to keep up with your average daily life. There’s quite a difference between these two posts, and only one of them tells the full story.

Social media is at a peak.

There are different networking sites and teens are finding a way to take it one step further towards the truth specifically within Instagram. The culture behind the Rinsta and the Finsta is immense and plays a gigantic role in teenage daily life. So, what is the difference between the two and why is there a contrast between these accounts?

The main difference between the two accounts comes from the names themselves. The term Rinsta comes from the combination of “real” and “insta”. However, that leaves the

term Finsta to be the “fake insta”.

This is ironic since users tend to be more real with their fake instas.

“On a normal Insta, or your rinsta, there is this certain pressure to be perfect. On your finsta, you can post whatever you want...” -Analise Cayet

According to Analise Cayet, sophomore at GCHS, finstas are actually more common and truthful than the majority of other networking sites or accounts. She believes that, “On a normal Insta, or your Rinsta, there is this certain pressure to be perfect. On your Finsta, you can post whatever you want and show only your closest friends.”

Cayet also opened up about how she was introduced to these separate accounts. She stated, “As cliche as it sounds, you see that your friends have it and you follow them.”

As great as it is to be able to post the truth, backlash could arise from having the two separate accounts. Health teacher at Grant Community High School, Mrs. Bilbrey claims, “It’s a permanent record. It’s something that can never be erased.” Bilbrey later explained how Finstas could be used to bash other people or spill feelings about the people you like or dislike. She advises to be careful about what you post because everything you say is monitored.

Along with the possibility of your words being used against you, it is possible that by frequently using social media, depression and insecurity could arrive. Bilbrey claimed, “Social media can also have an impact negatively, if you’re constantly thinking about what other people have or what they’re doing or what other people might be saying about you.”

According to Behavioral Health,

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February 20,2019

one third of the United State’s population has one form of social media at least. Imagine if every one of those people had two separate accounts in which they said brutally picky comments about themselves or other people. That would result in a lot of harsh words that are deemed acceptable in some cases because they’re just being “honest.”

As much as honesty is encouraged, there could be potential harm from all of the “truth.” Teenagers can oftentimes be ruthless with the comments they make about others and the majority of them think that within their finsta, they’re safe from punishment. This isn’t the case at all. Everything that is posted online can be traced back to whoever said it, therefore teens need to be more cautious about their words and how they choose to share what they feel.

When asked if she had any advice about how to encourage students to make the right decisions, Mrs. Amanda Bilbrey

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The Bark

“If you don’t want to say it to someone’s face, you shouldn’t be posting it up.”

-Amanda Bilbrey claimed, “If you don’t want to say something to someone’s face, you shouldn’t be posting it up.”

Avoiding the Rinsta and Finsta dilemma could be the best option of all. Sophomore at Grant Community High School Sally Odowd states, “I’ve been raised to not have a ton of social media. So I just kind of grew up not needing it.”

In her free time Sally often reads or focuses on her academic life. When asked about how she feels about not having social media, she displayed

“It’s a permanent record.”

-Amanda Bilbrey Be careful what you post!

an indifferent attitude towards it. “I can tell there’s a slight gap because I don’t have it, but it’s nothing that I’m usually not able to overcome.”

Pictured above is Morgan Guinn reflecting on her Rinsta. Photo by Elizabeth Newcomb.

Features

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Blocking Out the Present

By Andrea Lowry

Student Megan Maliziola holding a photo of her from a past year in school

The past is a dangerous place.

It’s where we hide all of our embarrassing mistakes, past arguments, depressing memories and so much more. Because of the dangers of the past, it’s best to stay away from it by focusing our minds on the present.

Even though we know we shouldn’t, sometimes we allow our minds to travel back in time to rethink some of the things that can pull us mentally away from the present, and once we’re there, it can be difficult to get out.

For some people the past is something they can’t leave behind, so they begin to leave behind their present instead. When students leave their present behind, they can begin to develop several mental illnesses that can seriously harm them.

Being stuck in the past is something that a lot of people don’t recognize about themselves because it’s something they become used to,

but once you do realize it, it can be difficult to deal with. After realizing the problem, many students tend to find themselves lost and stray away from receiving help. If a student with this problem continues to stray away from a solution, they can become stuck in the past for much longer, and it could become more difficult to fix.

Gabi Kezios, a freshman here at Grant is a victim of this problem and has been for some time. “Sometimes it feels like focusing on the past is all I can do,” says Gabi. “I think ‘well, it’s already [happened] and I can’t really do anything about it.” Several students with this problem tend to feel the same way as Gabi, and it can seriously impact one’s mental health.

Once students begin to develop mental illnesses, they begin to link onto other mental illnesses that are typically paired with the ill-

ness they already had. According to Dr. Steven M. Melemis from IWantToChangeMyLife.org, 72% of people with anxiety will also suffer from depression, and 48% of people that have depression also end up finding themselves struggling with anxiety.

This same problem can also be applied to sports, and how thinking about past mistakes in the game you play can cause you to struggle with progressing because you’re afraid of making the same mistake twice.

Junior, student athlete Laura Schwabe elaborates on the athlete perspective of being stuck in the past, “I would get hung up on a play, and I would never want to do that play again,” says Laura as she recalls her experience as softball player. “Whenever I’d play I would always hope [the mistake] wouldn’t happen. That kind of almost kept me contained [on the mistake].” Several students in sports also face the same

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February 20,2019

problems as Laura had, and it causes them to overthink their actions in the game, which could end in a lost win. To become the best athlete you can be, people can find it beneficial to use their mistakes as a way to learn.

As Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”

Along with sports, several people feel as if their mistakes don’t help them towards anything, they just make them look unintelligent. According to Carol Dweck, a researcher from Stanford University, “Students [with fixed mindset] believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb.”

When asked about how this problem occurs, most people say it may be because of a mental illness: this isn’t always the beginning case.

To Mrs. Gill, a counselor here at Grant, the problem is typically caused by trauma the person may have experienced in the past. “They can stay stuck in the past because they haven’t been able to work through [their trauma] all the way,” says Mrs. Gill. “But I also think sometimes that just adolescents in general can stay stuck in something. [...] you’re learning as a child and an adolescent that sometimes you don’t always get your way, and so I think sometimes people can stay stuck in places that aren’t healthy.”

While several students may develop the problem due to previous mental illnesses, many students can also develop it due to past trauma or trauma that may have just recently occurred.

When you’re constantly investing in the past, your present can begin to suffer. According to Jim Taylor, a psychiatrist from Phychologytoday.com, overinvesting yourself in something such as sports or the past can result in putting your selfesteem on the line along with developing constant fear and anxiety to do something, in his example, to play a sport again after a mistake. Not only

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The Bark can you develop mental illnesses, but you can also jeopardize grades, friendships, relationships; just about everything you worked for can be erased when you have this problem.

Students with this problem tend to lose a lot of what they have, and it can cause the brightness of your future to dull. “It’s kind of like a sense of anxiety” says Gabi. “It’s like [...] if I do this, then [a mistake] is going to come back up and then everyone’s going to be like ‘Oh, I forgot you did that, that was terrible.” Having this problem can also cause you to miss out on current available opportunities that could change your future for the better, and most opportunities will never come up again.

Many students in sports make

“Students [with fixed mindset] believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. “ - Carol Dweck, Stanford University Researcher

mistakes that cause them to question their ability to play the sport, and whether they should continue playing or not. When students have these thoughts, it can give them several different mental disorders that make them question how good of a sports player they are. The mistakes students make in sports, however, are usually commonly made mistakes.

For Laura, a mistake could be missing several baskets in a basketball game. “ I would miss so many shots in the game and it was just terrible,” says Laura. “I would think ‘Oh my gosh, I suck, I should just quit, like I’m not good.” Laura, however, continued to play the sport and began to accept her mistakes.

When students allow the past to overrun their present, they begin to miss out on their high school experience because they are mentally stuck way too far behind in the past.

A lot of people at this school carry

this problem, so why does this happen to students? “They might be carrying some emotions or feelings that are impacting how they interact every day,” says Mrs. Gill. “That can kind of impact their present, and being able to function. “ Several students with this problem tend to be holding in their emotions and it can cause them to miss out on a lot of what is happening in the present.

Once you’re in the past, how do you get out? Once people realize there is a problem, they are anxious to get rid of it but don’t know how.

Being stuck in the past is something you can try solving by putting a little bit of time and effort towards a new hobby such as learning a new instrument or learning a form of art. For many people, however, the problem is too extreme to solve on their own. “I think counselling can be helpful, to be able to talk about stuff that maybe people aren’t able to talk about in their everyday life,” says Mrs. Gill. “Maybe counselling isn’t necessary. Maybe it’s journaling or figuring out a way, dependent on an individual, how to come to terms with the past and figure out how to let go of that and move on.” The counseling staff at Grant is always available to help out students who need assistance with their problems.

For everyone stuck in the past, just know you aren’t alone.

Several students all around the school have the same exact problem, and are also looking for a helping hand out of the past. If you have this problem and are looking for a way out of it, don’t be afraid to talk to your school counselor or parents to begin looking for an escape from your past.

Getting out of the past can be just as easy as getting into it, as long as you try your best to get out.

“If you focus too much on the past then your life flashes before your eyes,” says Michelle Lopez, a Grant freshman who has adopted the ability to focus on the present. “Focus on now because you can’t change what you did in the past.”

Features

February 20, 2019

The Bark

The Unheard Voices

Acknowledging The Addiction T

The urgent screeching, cracking sound of two cars colliding at a hectic intersection during rush hour is deafening. Shards of glass fly and passengers feel as if their hearts and stomachs switch places. They process for a moment in the silence that follows, and then glances flicker. Phones get ripped out of pockets to dial for help; panic and fear set in. Who is hurt? Who may not survive?

Often times this mirrors the chaotic, out-of-control feeling of watching a person struggle with addiction.

Few know that I have three addicts within my family, for I refuse to outwardly wear the chaos. These people oftentimes act unpredictably, scary even. When I look at their faces now, I only see their addictions. Lately, I notice the empty bottles and traces of amphetamines behind their eyes. Those same eyes that used to belong to an uncle, a father, and a brother have been replaced by red, misty glass stares. I long to help them, but I am not in control. Similar to the car accident, I can’t stop the collision. I can only recover from the shock, pull out my phone to dial for help, and ask who is hurt?

Who may not survive?

I am not a driver in this situation; I am a passenger. As a result of what they’ve put me through, I seek help from many therapists and visit a counselor at school every week. Keep in mind that I am a hardworking, successful person. I am aware that I work harder to distract myself with opportunities at school so that I don’t have to be home.

On top of that, I try to protect my younger siblings from the collisions because they don’t need to experience the same pain.

Yet, how can I save them when my sorrow constantly disrupts my peace like the urgent screeching, cracking, deafening sound of a car crash?

Essentially I feel trapped among the shards of glass and wrinkled metal. What more can I do except wait and get better?

When will the addiction finally come to an end? Or worse, what if their lives are already unsalvageable?

-My Story, As Told By Elizabeth Newcomb

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February 20,2019

The Bark

Acknowledging The Addiction The photo pictured above was taken by Elizabeth Newcomb and Jessica Danowski

Written and Collected By: Elizabeth Newcomb

Addiction is one of the biggest elephants in the room for Americans. “Addiction” carries a jaded connotation. The media does not accurately portray the depth, for it is something much worse and more unpredictable. It is the constant fear of a loved one’s safety, incessantly checking to make sure they’re alright. It is precarious situations with the police and phone calls home from school. Dealing with addicts requires delicate care and the help from others, yet this dilemma is difficult to discuss, taboo.

According to American Addiction Centers, 100 people in the United States alone die from a drug overdose everyday. These people are siblings, cousins, parents, friends. Spreading the word about this deadly, pivotal problem is key and that is exactly what a student at Grant did recently.

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Junior, at Grant Community High School, Jack Hubbard spoke about his personal experiences with addiction through a speech given to his class last year. This speech promoted a very deep and honest response, as the discussion about addiction should be. When asked about it a year later, it was clear that this was a sensitive area to cover.

“It affects more than just the person using. It can ruin a family. A lot of my family members have struggles with that so, I know that it’s a tough thing to be open about.”

Despite how challenging it is to come forward about this topic, Jack made it possible and inspired more conversation to be had.

However, the media has twisted human perception about

addiction through twisted conversation. The types of addicts portrayed on television are only a mere image of what it can be like in true everyday life. The consequences of teenage addiction are much more serious than the ones on our favorite Netflix shows.

Substance abuse is a topic not to be taken lightly. Consequences from addiction have deep impacts that aren’t always discussed as thoroughly as they should be. As difficult as it is to go through, it is immensely painful to watch someone you care about deteriorate their entire lives because of a substance.

Overtime that substance begins to replace whatever relationship you had with that person and it takes a deep toll on family members especially.

On a more serious note, legal actions can be taken as well

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February 20, 2019

The Bark

for students choosing to participate person can be considered one of in illegal behavior. According to the the most troublesome hardships a person can endure. student resource officer at Grant

However, as the discusCommunity High School, Matthew sion about addiction continues Malezewski, juvenile detention is to be had, perhaps more solua form of consequence as well as tions will become available. ticketing fines. Of course, cases can vary depending on the substance, butWithin these types of situations either way there is a punishment for it can seem impossible to speak out about what’s right or find every substance. the correct answer to this prob On the other hand, according to the deans at Grant Community lem.

Along with this pivotal High School, there is a list of crisis issue, comes many sacrifices hotlines to call in any scenario in and tough decisions that need which an individual is struggling. to be made.

If you or someone you know of is

Until a proper protocol having a hard time, all it takes is a can be put in place in order to trip down to their offices to receive assist, people are stuck wonderthat same list. For students tackling ing.

When will the struggle of addiction themselves or are family addiction come to a screeching members who are trying to find a stop, or is the addiction already way through it, they can always visit deeper in the intersection than the school’s substance abuse counthey originally thought? selor Mrs. Tisha Eisenmenger.

Eisenmenger has been work- ing at Grant for fifteen years and has experienced some of the most heartPhoto pictured above was taken by Elizabeth Newcomb and breaking scenarios. Despite the difJessika Danowski. ficulty behind her career, she does a wonderful job of providing guidance for students who are having trouble coping. “I meet with students who are at risk of using, students who are using, or students who are recovering and need extra support.”

She is here on behalf of the Lake County Health department three days a week. She also runs several support groups for students who wish to reach out to others within the same circumstances as them.

When detecting certain characteristics linked to addiction, it is important to notice patterns.

Tisha claims, “One way to know if it is becoming a problem is if people or things are changing.” Mood, attitude, appetite, and stopping the things they like to do are all viable signs to know when it is becoming an issue.

The dilemma behind addiction is excruciating and tiresome to According to the CDC, “On average 130 Americans die every day from opiod overwatch or go through. The emotional, dose.” as well as physical toll it takes on a Wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER). Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2017. Available at http://wonder.cdc. gov.

Pictured above is an infographic generated by Elizabeth Newcomb through Piktochart

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Above one of the doors to the wings backstage, this sign was painted with one a mantra from the theater program.

Chasing the Natural High Kaitlyn Krueger

On January 10th, around 8:00 PM, hundreds and hundreds of high schoolers fill a large auditorium in Urbana-Champaign. These high schoolers come from all over Illinois, driving hours and hours, just to file in here. The anticipation is palpable, the energy is high-strung and restless, and this results in the thunderous sound of off-key “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

All this ends when the lights dim, the spotlight comes on, and a question is answered: why are we here? Not in a philosophical sense, but in a more short-term style of the state of identity crisis that accompanies many a teenager’s actions. Why are we here, what am I doing, how can I begin to explain myself? Why am I spending all this time on something that will exist in its entirety for only around three days, only for it to only last in memory?

There’s a number of possible answers, each as valid and theoretically true as the last. Some like the rush of being on stage, the adrenaline high of performing for a live audience. Others like the act of pulling on a mask, being able to play many characters and be so many different things. Others like the act of creation, watching a set form before

their very eyes until the moments where every single piece falls into place.

However, there is a single unifying factor to all of these motivations, something that stretches even beyond the theater program: community. There is an incessant biological need for a community, an addiction you might say, to finding a home. For many people, the theater program is that necessary home.

Meg Sampson is a senior that has stuck with the theater program for many reasons. She explained that she does enjoy the ability to be many different people, but she also explained what she thought of theater as a home. “Theatre is definitely a home - especially because you tend to be there more than your actual house.

I’ve made some of my closest friends through theatre and learned so many lessons because of the theatre experience. [...] It’s really my home away from home, just this home has

a prop bed instead of a real one, but still perfectly comfortable to sleep in.”

While the seniors in the theater department are often bound together in their own community, sometimes freshman are left on the wayside to make it on their own through the program without a community of peers to support them. Natasha Bivins and Bree Vouga are seniors and student art directors for the tech program.

They have dedicated so much of their time into shaping the theater program to be the home they wanted it to be. It wasn’t always that way, for them.

Natasha begins her story with describing her rough 8th grade year, and then coming into the theater program as a freshman. “I wanted to find that sense of belonging. I was in search of what, you know, everyone talks about with theatre, finding that family, finding a home [...] and I began to find my place.” She continues the tale of how the energy and toxicity of the tech

“It’s really my home away from home, just this home has a prop bed instead of a real one”

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program that year changed as things everyone is there to lift you up! The grew increasingly negative, fell apart, upperclassmen are some of my closthen crashed and burned. And then it est friends [...] and they welcomed gets better. me with open arms.”

She’s offered As expected, when “Theater is a the role as assistant asked why she did very welcomstudent art director, theater, she explained ing community, and things started that it was the comlooking up. “I was munity. and everyone able to take all that In the end, whether is there to lift growth and channel you become an actor you up!” - Maddy and dedicate hours all that into making theatre, the program upon hours every English” that it was supposed week after school to to be and changing perfect your acting, the things that I kind of fell into, so or you become a techie and work nobody else fell into my situation.” on a set, building and painting and

Bree shares a different expeforming a whole world, or you work rience with a similar outcome, where on lights and sound, making sure she would join tech, go to a meeting that all the hard work put in by othor two, but constantly feel ostracized ers can be properly seen, heard, and and never stick with the program. presented artistically, every aspect Eventually, Natasha pulled her into of the theater program is essential the program and it finally stuck. Toto the other and requires dedication gether, the two have consistently put and sacrifice along the way. their effort into making the theater

But students keep comprogram a welcoming place for anying back, and in a large way, it’s one that wants to join literally any for the community. In the words of aspect of the theater program.

Ryan Lewis, a junior who has been

Maddy English, a freshman involved in many of Grant’s theatrithat just joined the theater this year cal productions, “The show is like said that she believes that, “theater a spaceship. The actors may be is a very welcoming community, and the Neil Armstrongs and the [Buzz Aldrins], but we didn’t build that

In the backstage hallway, every graduating senior has the opportunity to paint a paw print years and year of paw prints have accumulated.

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Senior Hannah Goodwin operating the shop door at tech and making sure it doesn’t close.

Even the smallest jobs are important.

rocket ship. We’re going to go to the moon. We’re going to collect some samples. [...] But we didn’t build that ship. We didn’t do the math. The show can’t exist without all the parts coming together. And tech week is the countdown, the five, four, three, two, one. We’re all panicking, we’re all crossing our fingers and praying to whatever god we think exists.

And Friday night is blast off. [...] We might blow up midair, it hasn’t happened yet, but we know it might. But it’s worth the risk.”

Something might go wrong, and you won’t know it’s going to happen until it does, but all the while you’re going to have a home to fall back on.

Even if you aren’t interested in theater, there are a number of different programs at Grant that can satiate the compulsion for community. After all, from any sport team, to something like speech, different clubs require almost equally high amounts of dedication and sacrifice, and are all forms of work, just of a different type. They are not any less valid than the other, and they all offer a community.

It’s why we do anything. We need a community.

Features

Hidden Artists

February 20, 2019

The Bark

By Andrea Lowry

Person writing ‘ART’ in an artistic form.

Art is something that’s all around us. We see art on the walls of our school, on social media, on TV, and so many more places.

We all have heard of the famous artworks, such as ”Mona Lisa”

by Leonardo Da Vinci, “The Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh, “The Water Lilly Pond” by Claude Monet, etc.

What about the art that isn’t so com-

monly known? What about the artists all around that don’t get any recognition? Here in Grant High School, several students express themselves through the form of art.

Many students aren’t as vocal as other students, whether they be introverted, shy, or just simply don’t wish to speak. Most of these students enjoy to do art to express the voice

they don’t always physically speak.

Many freshman enjoy doing art because since they are the new kids and the youngest in the school, they may feel inclined to be quiet.

As a result, they do art to speak their voice.

Here are the stories of three freshman that devote tons of time to the love of art.

Online Inspiration

Sometimes, YouTube can help inspire the hidden artist inside you that you never knew you had. For Zarielle Lomingkit, this is how she started practicing the art of drawing.

Everyone knows about YouTube. Whether you be a creator or you just watch, you still are a part of YouTube. Most of the time when you’re on YouTube, you spend the hours watching videos about things that entertain you, such as vlogs or challenges. Sometimes, however, you’ll stumble upon a video that could change your life. “I used to watch a lot of art channels and they gave me inspiration,” says Zarielle.

“Some of the better artists I like to watch now are like, Jaiden Animations.”

Zarielle began to notice an interest in art when she was little, and she says she didn’t begin to take the

interest seriously until sixth grade.

When she was younger, she says YouTube still helped her inspire to draw, and she would watch art videos by creators she doesn’t currently watch anymore.

Many artists draw different things, whether they be landscapes, people, objects, etc. Zarielle typically draws people, but for the future she would like to begin working on a new drawing strength. “ (I would like to practice drawing) animals and like natural things because those are really hard to, like, get the look for,” Zarielle says.

At the moment, Zarielle is currently taking the Painting One course, but she has plans to take a couple different courses to expand her artistic ability. “I’m thinking about taking photography,” says Zarielle. “(But I also plan on) continuing

painting and drawing.”

After taking an interest in art and practicing drawing for years, Zarielle has one thing to say to all the artists just beginning their artistic journey, “ Just don’t give up, because the first steps are really hard because you don’t know how to draw anything, you don’t have your own style yet,” she says. “You just gotta keep working on it and then you’ll eventually get things to [...] improve.”

19 Drawing done by Zarielle Lomingkit

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Inherited Talent

When you’re born with an artistic older sibling, it can be easy to follow their footsteps and pursue the same interest in art. This is exactly what happened for Megan Maliziola.

Something most people know about having an older sibling is that you learn a lot from them, whether you would like to admit it or not. We are all like our siblings in some ways, and for Megan, one of the ways is her artistic ability. “My brother has been drawing since he’s been young,” says Megan. “My brother has always been a really talented artist, and he’s always given me tips on what I can do and helped to explain how I can be better. [...] if he had just ignored me or not cared as much, I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am today with my art.”

After being inspired to start drawing at a young age, she started doodling around until art became a serious passion for her. As every artist does, she has favorite things to draw. Megan typically enjoys taking

song lyrics and drawing the letters out in an artistic way to fit with the lyrics itself. Aside from song lyrics, Megan also has an interest in nature, so landscapes can also be found in her sketchbooks.

Currently, Megan is taking the Drawing One course, and is also a proud member in the National Art Honors Society and the Grant Art Club. In the future, Megan plans to widen her artistic abilities by taking the digital art course, the painting courses, photography, ceramics, and sculpting. She also hopes to get into AP art classes in her future years at Grant.

Artists all around the school are just starting art or are thinking about maybe taking it as a hobby, and Megan has one thing to say to them, “If it’s not clicking at first it doesn’t really matter because you just need to keep practicing, keep going. Eventually it’s going to click and it’s going to get better, so just don’t give up

and keep going.”

ate about art, nothing could stop her from achieving great things. In seventh grade, Cindy opened an art account on Instagram that has now attracted over 200 followers, and won an award a year later in eighth grade for her amazing artistic ability.

Cindy really enjoys using her cartoonish art style to the best when she draws. “I have my own characters and I like to draw a lot so that’s really fun, like making up my own stories and comics.”

At the moment Cindy isn’t taking any art classes, but she is a member of the Grant Art Club. In the future, CIndy definitely has plans to take several art classes such as ceramics, drawing and painting.

For all the beginning artists, Cindy would like to say one thing to them,

“You just gotta practice and do your best. It sounds cliche but it’s true, and if you get down hearted seeing other people that are more experienced than you, just tell yourself that you can do that too if you keep going.”

Drawing done by Megan Maliziola

Inspired Siblings Sometimes when people notice their sibling’s artistic talent, they feel inclined to try to match their talent to be like them. For Cindy Ponce, this is exactly how she became passionate about art.

A stereotype that everyone thinks about sisters is that they always fight, steal each others things, etc. For Cindy, her relationship with her sister is completely different.

Growing up, Cindy looked up to her older sister greatly, trying her best to be talented just like her. One thing she took away from looking up to her older sister was her passion for art. “At some point I saw my sister drawing and I was like, you know what, I really want to be as good as her,” says Cindy. “I always looked up to her in that aspect.”

Once Cindy became passion-

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Drawing done by Cindy Ponce

Something to Declare Arts

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Students who have writing they would like to publish, please e-mail all submissions to Mrs. Maestranzi (newspaper advisor) kmaestranzi@grantbulldogs.org or to Kaitlyn Krueger (Editor in Chief) at 24861@stu.grantbulldogs.org

“Once Upon a Time”

By Emma Lancaster (Junior at GCHS)

C

hange is inevitable. the young girls with dreams of castles upon a hill must eventually learn that peasants cannot be princesses. heartbreak is inevitable. the young girls with dreams of marrying the handsome prince must eventually learn that they will never be (pretty) enough (skinny) enough (rich) enough (strong) enough (good) enough enough. reality is inevitable. the young girls with dreams of happily ever after must eventually learn that even when you wish upon a star, dreams do not always come true.

but that doesn’t mean that the young girls with dreams of fantastical adventures stop believing in magic. that doesn’t mean that the young girls with dreams of far off lands stop searching for a place to belong. that doesn’t mean that the young girls with dreams of ruling their own kingdom sitting atop a throne finding true love stop trying to chase their fairytale ending.

it just means that they might have to learn to kneel before they can stand.

it just means that they might have to learn to wield a sword before they can wear a crown. it just means that they might have to learn to be their own knight in shining armor before they can ever be rescued.

promise me that you will never be afraid of a tear in your dress you will never be afraid of getting your hands dirty you will never be afraid of running free you will never be tamed because, princess, you are wild. promise me that you will fight your own battles you will slay your own dragons you will fend for yourself you will never be subdued because, princess, you are strong. promise me that you will laugh with the saints you will cry with the sinners you will speak up for those who have lost their voices you will never be silenced because, princess, you are brave. but most of all, promise me that you will never forget where you came from you will never forget who you used to be you will never forget the young girl with dreams of royalty you will never be doubted again because, princess, you are enough.

A Collection of Haikus

By Edward Molsen, Maggie Ulinski, and Rachel Lynne Terry

“The Pains of Consumerism” I stare at the shelf Walmart has forsaken me My yogurt is gone “A School of Thought” Big Mouth Billy Bass Lifts his fish head from the wall And talks. Art is dead “The Duality of Life” My spoon is missing How will I eat cereal I guess with a knife

and you always have been.

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Arts

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“You Thought”

I hit the floor again and again, feeling alone, useless, like I did not belong, like no one cared what they did to us.

As the wind blew, a shiver of confidence runs up and down my back, to my head.

I knew what I wanted to do, had to do, needed to do.

One foot at a time, getting up, feeling rushed, ready to go.

No one or nothing was going to stop me.

“Are you really going to make fun of them for the way they act, the way they speak and the way they look?

Well, take a look around That girl you called a mouse, tried to kill herself to not hear herself.

Also that guy you called gay, well, he doesn’t want to communicate any more.

And remember that girl you called a ‘player’ and ‘the ugly duckling’? well she is standing right in front of you, confronting you, telling you, making you feel what you make everyone else on this damn earth feel.

Take a look around and think twice about what you did.

Only you you only

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“Transition”

I stand up tall.

No one will ever bring me down I have everything I need.

At least, I thought…

by Bianka Schultz (Sophomore at GCHS)

by Madison Weber (Sophomore at GCHS

Butterflies They start in your stomach Then they start to flutter They refuse to subside They only grow Going around and around inside of you They speed up Until they aren’t even butterflies anymore They explode into various colors Moving into your chest Fireworks They start bursting in your chest Bringing excitement for the next time our eyes meet Even if its a few seconds Then i look down afraid to fall for this again Afraid of the rejection But still longing for your fingers to intertwine with mine Then when the last one blows The biggest The brightest The strongest of them all Heartbeat racing, unable to escape Slow motion Envelopes the bond we’ve created Only we are here Everyone else seems non existent Although they are still heard But they do not matter It is only us Gravity We are released from the hold of the world It does not own us any longer We own it Eyes never part For the fear of losing their gaze forever Fear of your rejection has been lifted Although trust is still difficult Looking into those deep pools of pain With the ember of hope that is screaming for help Perception Everything is seen so differently The world is not as dull Not so lonely The breeze is light but noticeable Bringing shivers to me But your hands are right there Running up and down my arms Attempting to calm the chills Soft as silk but rough like sand Comforting and reliable Trust You’ve earned it So much time and affection has been applied Never did I think you would gain this My own family does not have it You are so unique and I love it

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Artist Spotlight

Chloe Todd

A brief inside on how chloe pursues art, and how she has become a exquisite artist.

If art surrounds us everywhere that has to mean artists do. Even here in our school there are some artists way too remarkable not to notice.

Take Chloe Todd, a junior here who has already achieved so much as a highschooler. She has appeared in the art show and has sold art work outside of school with the help of her dad.

When asked how long she has been doing art, Chloe responded with “as long as I can remember.” Ever since she was a child art has been a part of her life. She continues to keep it that way in her future.

When Chloe becomes older, she wants to keep art as a hobby.

Art is a very popular

class choice. If you take Intro to Art it branches out into many specific classes in which Chloe has taken many.

“I have taken Drawing One, Drawing Two this year, and next year Painting.

I’m planning on taking AP.”

Art allows her to be free. She does art because she has enjoyed it since she was young, and will more likely than not always have passion for it. She feels as though her “mind spills out onto the canvas.”

Although appreciating and recognizing yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself, Chloe found art and can’t remember life without it. Her emotions on all that she has accomplished

is “really proud” of herself.

It’s good to be appreciated but self appreciation will top anyone else’s.

Motivation is a strong part of Chloe’s life. Her teachers have pushed her, her family has pushed her. “My family will always tell me to paint”.

She has been encouraged by so many people but out of all those people Chloe motivated herself the most.

Chloe believes “If you want to do something you just have to put all of your mind into it.”

Photo of Chloe Todd’s work which was placed in the display case in front of the school, during the month of January taken by Mariah Ona.

Photo of the Month “I took this photo to capture a short moment, make it my own and share it with whoever wants to see. Looking at a sunrise reminds me to look at the positive and brightside of any situation after dark times.”

Photo Taken By: Kelvin Pittman (Senior at GCHS)

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Sports

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Getting Played

By The Game Written and Collected By: Ethan Dicken

Photo above was taken By Ethan Dicken as Nolan Flores logged on to Fantasy Football.

It’s the championship week in Fantasy football, week 17 of the NFL season. You are down 4 points to your rival best friend. Todd Gurley and the Rams are at the 1 yard line. You need Todd to score this touchdown or else your dream of winning the championship goes down the drain. Gurley then gets the ball and scores. You have won your fantasy league.

You just won bragging rights and 100 bucks. Your friend on the other hand has lost 10 bucks and has nothing to look forward to other than next season.

People who watch football and play fantasy football only care about the numbers their players put up. Nothing else matters to them.

Adults and kids have an addiction to fantasy football. No one talks about this addiction because it’s such a problem and most people view this as a hobby instead of addiction. This is a real issue, kids are betting money with friends and losing tons of it every year in fantasy football. Adults are losing even more because they are willing to put more money into it and might have more interest in it.

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There are fantasy football gambling websites that play a similar role in getting people to come back and spend their money, like a Vegas Casino. The thing you have to remember with gambling is that the house always wins.

Fantasy football has changed the way people view the sport. People used to care about their favorite team and players. People now just cheer for their fantasy players even if they play their favorite team. The sport of football has changed the way people watch the sport.

Nolan Flores is a Sophomore at GCHS and has been playing fantasy football for 4 years.

When Nolan first started playing fantasy football, it became the app he would open and use the most, whether it was to pick up a top player of the waiver wire or taking out a big player who was injured.

When he wakes up, he checks fantasy football, when he gets on the bus, he checks fantasy football, when he is in class, he will check fantasy football. “I check fantasy football at least 20 times a day,when it’s game day, I check maybe 10 times a day, says Nolan. Nolan also says he usually puts 15 bucks into fantasy football every year. Which can turn into a $15 lost if he doesn’t win. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop playing fantasy football it’s too much fun” he says.

Adults have the same problem, but this addiction can become an even bigger problem, they take fantasy football to a whole other level.

Adults will bet hundreds of dollars in the league to only come up short and lose it all and, wait til next year for their chance at glory. They can become more competitive than children in every aspect of fantasy football.

Older people have more experience with football and have been in more competitive situations than children have been in.

This online gambling phenom is rapidly growing every year. More leagues are being made and more teams are being drafted every season.

An article by “Nielsen” wrote an article on the growing number of adults playing fantasy football. The article reveals that 6.2% of the general adult population has played some kind of fantasy football in the last year. It increased from 8.6 million in 2012, and grew to 15.6 million in 2017. Young adult males make up 42% of the fantasy football base.

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February 20, 2019

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The increased interest in fantasy football has also increased the interest and has had a huge impact on the NFL. NFL fans used to mainly pay attention to the local games, and local teams. Now every game is crucial to a fan’s fantasy team.

People are watching football more and more now.Which makes the teams and games in other cities more valuable to the league. CNN did an article talking about the NFL renewing a contract with DirecTV to show the out of town games for an estimated, $1.5 billion a year. The NFL is capitalizing on the growth of fantasy football which might explain why they aren’t trying to address some of these issues that fantasy football is going through.

A casino doesn’t care if you lose your money, they only care about you coming back and spending more money.

The New York Times made an article on this topic about how football has changed from a sport to a Vegas Casino. The sport only cares about the money they are rolling in and how the fans perceive the sport. Fantasy football players only care how many points their players have and if they will beat their opponent. Football fans fall in love with football because of the physical nature of the game and the flashy moments. Fantasy football brings out the greedy side of you and how money clouds your values as a person and football fan.

Both infographics pictured above and below were generated through Piktochart by Ethan Dicken.

Photo of Nolan Flores checking his Fantasy Football account by Ethan Dicken

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Turkeys and Turnarounds

The 180 Degree Turnaround for the Girls Bowling Program Bryce Mandala

Girls Bowling, and all bowling for that matter, typically flies under the radar in terms of popular sports. Although it may not entail much physicality such as sacking a quarterback on fourth down, or dunking on someone for an “and one”, it requires just as much skill and precision as any other sport.

One program in particular that deserves some much-needed recognition is the GCHS Girls Bowling teams. They’ve been on a roll this season (no pun intended). Varsity ended the season with an 8-2 overall record, first place in the NLCC at 6-2, and have taken first place at 4 out of 6 tournaments they’ve competed in so far this year. The JV team has excelled this season as well, standing both undefeated in conference and overall, not dropping a single match the entire year.

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As sweet as it as to be winning like they are, this kind of success is a bit of an abnormality for the girls and Head Coach Beth Miller, in comparison to what this program is used to seeing.

The female bowldogs just took home their second NLCC conference title in three seasons, but prior to those two years, it was the first conference championship they had won in 38 years.

To put that in perspective, most of our own parents weren’t even in high school yet, let alone us being introduced to the world.

It’s been a long time coming for the program to say the least.

Mrs. Miller talks briefly on the turnaround of the program, “It’s a huge accomplishment ending the drought, but also to repeat it again that soon after, especially with the hard work the girls put in.”

Senior, Katie Dinschel also feels humbled to be apart of something this monumental considering the team’s lack of experience . “I think it’s really cool because most of us don’t bowl outside of school, so it’s really interesting.”

Madeline Cimo in her walkup duringpractice. Photo Credit VIP

Although bowling is an individual sport, all of us could use some constructive criticism and a teammate to pick us up once in awhile.

“Overall, we work really well as a team, we pick each other up when we need to, and I think it’s been a big part of our success this year,” quotes Dinschel.

With an exceptional regular season, comes high expectations going into the postseason.

“Taking on regionals and sectionals, we stand a pretty good chance of getting out of regionals as a team, and if they keep rolling, I could see a couple individuals making it to state...we haven’t had an individual make it to state in five seasons.”w

With the bowldogs on a hot streak, there’s no telling their ceilings moving forward.

The girls compete at Regionals this coming weekend. (at time of print date)

Chemistry of Success

Sports

February 20, 2019

The Bark

The Longevity of the Boys Varsity Basketball team Bryce Mandala We’ve all had those long-lasting relationships with a seemingly unbreakable bond.

One where no matter what happens, you know you’ll stick together through thick and thin.

The Boys Varsity Basketball team has a relationship similar to that.

Nearly every single player in the rotation has been playing together since the seventh grade courtesy of the Grant Feeder Basketball program. In those six years, the guys have experienced a fair amount of ups-and-downs with each other, but that comes along with any sports team.

Nonetheless, they’ve achieved their share of success throughout the years.

From countless tournament championships in middle school, to the best Freshman and

Sophomore records in school history for a combined record of 47-6.

That same group is still together to this day and finally has the opportunity to play with one another on the biggest stage of high school basketball and aren’t taking it for granted.

The only player in the current Varsity rotation that is vaguely new is Senior Guard, Torren Curry.

Torren transferred from Zion-Benton Township high school following his Sophomore year. He’d played against most of Grant’s players through feeder basketball in middle school and even played with a select few on a local travel basketball program called the TNT Shockers.

Torren touches on what

(Left to right) Hunter Waszkowski, Torren Curry, and M.J. Smith go up to block a shot against North Lawndale.

Photo Credit:VIP

it was like competing against his now teammates, “I always admired this team because of their chemistry alone, we’ve really clicked since I’ve gotten here, it’s like I’ve been playing with them all those years...this is probably the best decision I made in high school.”

Head Coach Wayne Bosworth shares his perspective on the realationship that the guys have with each other as well, “you can see it with this group from the standpoint of off the court, with a lot of guys hanging out with each other and in the hallways...you can tell there’s a history between them.”

The boys chose just the right time to get hot as they have won six out of their last seven games and are nearing the end of their regular season with just a few conference matchups left to go and Regionals coming up in a few weeks. (at time of print date)

They hold a current record of 15-11 overall, and atop of the NLCC at 8-2. (at time of print date)

The Seniors that grew up together are cherishing every moment of their last season of high school basketball.

I guess all that time they’ve spent together is paying off after all.

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3 Athletes to Watch Sports

February 20, 2019

Boys Basketball

The Bark

Hunter Waszkowski Grant Thanksgiving All-Tournament

Senior Rise and Shine

The passion for the sport of basketball has always been present for Hunter Waszkowski, “Everyday over the summer, I’d play basketball from eight o’clock in the

Jacobs Holiday All-Tournament

morning, to nine o’clock at night at the park, and ever since then, I’ve just fallen in love with the game.” He has also played year-round for some of the top travel

Daily Herald POTW

basketball programs in the area including Full Package and the TNT Shockers. Hunter is a two-year Varsity starter and has been one of the team’s top scorers in

13.3 Points/Game

both seasons.

Dance https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=3f82e1d176&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1623662152843785 Taylor Schweiss Senior 968&th=168868201f7ff6f0&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=14a5e5b721f584e5_0.1 Handstands to Hip-Hop

NLCC Sportsmanship Award Winner

Spending most of her childhood competing in gymnastics, Taylor’s first year dancing was her Freshman year. She had no trouble with the transition as

Academic All-Conference

she made Varsity that year and has been part of the team ever since. “It was an easy switch because a lot of the tricks that I had from gymnastics carried over

Marching Band Member

to dance.” From being one of the youngest girls on the 2016 State Qualifying team, Taylor is now looked upon as a leader and regarded as one of the most

4.3 GPA

Boys Bowling

Matt Auckland 741 Pin, 3-Game Series

talented dancers by her teammates.

Senior

Striking into the Sport

Despite only bowling competitively for two years, Senior, Matt Auckland has established himself as one of the best bowlers in the NLCC. “I used to only

2-Year Varsity Bowler

bowl like once a year, but a couple summers ago I started going a lot with my friends… Eventually, I started getting good and I wasn’t in a winter sport,

Varsity Anchor

so I said, “why not?” This year, Matt is utilized as the anchor on varsity, which is the last player to bowl at a meet and is arguably the most crucial

278 Pin Game

position on the team. Matt also plans to bowl at the University of Nebraska next winter.

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Bryce Mandala Photo Credit VIP

3 Rising Stars Sports

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Girls Bowling

Boys Wrestling

Girls Basketball

Madeline Cimo

Brett Riggs

MaCalyn Flores

Sophomore

Sophomore

Freshman

106th Place at Dallas 15U Nationals Tournament

35-2 Record Last Season

Referee’s Most Valuable Player

21st Place at Illinois Pepsi State Tournament

138 Lb. Weight Class

18 Points Against Huntley

687 Pin, 3-Game Series

6-1 NLCC Record

Varsity Starter

258 Pin Game

3x State Qualifier

Point Guard

Sophomore Surge

Pinning Expectations

Heart Over Height

Sophomore, Madeline Cimo has racked up her share of accolades throughout her bowling career. She’s one of the three girls on the Varsity team who participate in a travel bowling league outside of school. Madeline bowls for North End Junior Travel and has found notable success in recent years. Some of the achievements with her travel league include, a 21st place finish at the Pepsi sponsored state tournament in Peoria, Illinois, as well as competing in a nationwide tournament in Dallas, Texas in which she placed 106th out of 387.

In seventh grade, Brett Riggs qualified for

Standing at five feet tall, Freshman, MaCalyn

state for the first time, and has made it

Flores has already made a name for herself

every single year since. He placed sixth

at the Varsity Basketball level. She was

overall at state in eighth grade under the

named the starting point guard for the

Fox Lake Wrestling Club and qualified again

Bulldogs back in November and has been

the next year, for the Freshman/Sophomore

lighting it up ever since. Stepping into a role

division. Brett has also owned up to being an

as big as hers could be a real challenge for

underclassmen on a Varsity sport and feels

some players. Flores comes from middle

like he fits in just right with the older guys,

school, straight to the biggest stage in high

“It’s fine, they don’t really expect that much

school basketball, and she’s embraced it

from you, so when I do something good, it

and has had some Varsity veterans help her

surprises them.”

along the way.

Bryce Mandala

29 29

Sports

February 20, 2019

The Bark

The Bulldog Battle By: Bryce Mandala

Samir Muhammad goes up strong over four Crystal Lake South defenders for the tough layup.

The Varsity Dance Team performing their own spin on classic motown funk at the Vernon Hills Invite in December.

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Photo Credit: VIP

Grant Varsity Cheer pumping up the crowd before performing at Belvidere North.

Chase Martin rolls his bowling ball down lane, working to find the perfect strike.

Sports

February 20, 2019

The Bark

Junior, Kaitlyn Flader with her eyes on the target, preparing to shoot a threepointer against Wauconda.

Senior, Autumn Hernandez, focusing on finding her shot on the right side. enior, Alexis Hernandez, focusing on finding her shot on the right side.

Grant’s student fan section, the “Dog Pound” cheering on the Boys Varsity Basketball team at home.

Dylan Rinkenberger wins a match with a pin against Deerfield.

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