The Voice November 2015

the

VOICE

PLUS

District looks to switch from Haiku to Canvas Learning System Joshua Szeszol uses theater to overcome speech impediment Why Russell Westbrook is the premier point guard in the NBA Explore the new features of the newest installment of the Call of Duty series

(R. O’Sullivan)

Huntley High School • 13719 Harmony Rd. Huntley, IL 60142 • (847) 659-6600 • @huntleyvoice • huntleyvoice.com November 13, 2015 • Volume 19 • Issue 2

VOICE

Features

the

13

The puppet master

(R. O’Sullivan)

Sophomore Noah Simmons works on honing his newly-found hobby: ventriloquism.

15

...Be Involved Brad Aney dedicates his time improving Huntley on and off the field.

19

Finding a home Junior Rebekah Green plays the French horn for one of the most prestigious orchestras in Illinois.

A&E 25

James Bond release

Opinion 8

The 25th installment of The James Bond franchise, “Spectre,” pleases many fans.

28

“The Peanuts Movie” Charlie Brown and his vibrant group of friends go from the comic strip to the big screen.

Engineering Club

33

COVER STORY With an influx in disciplinary actions for vaping in school, vape pens should just be left at home.

9

Keeping warm in gym

12

Blended Study Hall Mandatory attendance in study hall has become outdated and is not functional to the students at HHS.

With the success of Technology Day for Engineering Club, the club is on the rise to bigger and better things.

A fresh start Junior Kristen Czarnecki adjusts to high school swimming after spending years on the club circuit.

35

The new physical education policy on gym clothes is understandable, but doesn’t appease students.

News 5

Vaping in school

Sports

Set in a new role Freshman Sarah Zayas masters a new position while starting for the varsity volleyball team.

37

Leading the way Sophomore quarterback Cory Knipp fills the leadership role on both the sophomore football team and basketball team.

VOICE STAFF

the

Editor in Chief • Adam Reckamp • Print Editor • Courtney Thomas • Online Editor • Ashley O’Brien • Assistant Online Editor • Camille Paddock • News Editor • Mawa Iqbal • Opinion Editor • Maddy Moffett • Features Editor • Charlie Vavrick • Design Editor • Sumbul Shakeel • A&E Editor • Devin Martin • Sports Editor • Tyler Watkins • Photo Editor • Ryan O’Sullivan • Staff Writers • Sarah Biernat • Brian Fabella • Brandon Frey • Danielle King • Justin Kostecki • Alex Landman • Tyler Lopez • Maggie McGee • Lucas Modzelewski • Joe Rizzo • Raemon Savillo • Jaclyn Smitendorf • Sam Stubits • Mohammed Syed • Natalie Trzeckiak • Vickie Watkins • Austin Zeis • Photographers • Michael Czapka • Dana Kalish • Sehba Faheem • Adviser • Dennis Brown

Editorial Policy

H

HS Media are the official student-produced media of news and information published/produced by HHS Media students. HHS Media have been established as designated public forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisers may – and should coach and discuss content – during the writing process. Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of HHS Media is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself; its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.

NEWS

The name least spoken: Redskin “Redskins” ban mirrors similar controversy at Huntley 14 years ago tyler lopez • staff writer

I

t is quiet. The crisp, cool October air floods the expansive PAC hallway. Adorned with class pictures, memorabilia, trophies, and the names of sports legends, the history of HHS and the town itself is bound to overpower any onlooker .

Amongst the pieces of Huntley’s history stands an emblem. An emblem of a school, the same as HHS today, but in different age of senses and emotions The game was an upset. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2-4, defeated the 3-4 Washington Redskins on their home turf; the score was 31-30. A team tradition, fans participated in the “Redskins Tomahawk Chop”.

To many, this is a harmless tradition. A show of team spirit and pride. But it is something that made the entire state of California put a ban on the name Redskins for all schools in their state.

The ban is effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Endorsing the law was the Oneida Indian Nation and the National Congress of American Indians, all backed by California Governor Jerry Brown.

Nearly 15 years ago, HHS faced the same struggle. Receiving scrutiny from numerous Native American rights groups, the school changed its name from the Redskins to the Red Raiders in 2002.

It was noted in the March issue of the Huntley Tribe that other schools had faced similar dilemmas.

The opening sentences of the article stated that all of the problem ended

the same: with the former name getting the boot.

It was hardly the first time the Huntley Tribe noted the controversy involving the name. Just two years after the school was built, an article was written about the issue.

It was obvious that something had to be done.

“Everyone, teachers and students, all knew something would change” said Jay Teagle. “We had dealt with threats and lawsuits for a while, and it was time for change.”

In fact, the District 158 Board Of Education voted on changing it in April of 2001. The vote ended with Redskin sticking as the school’s name.

“By the time the name was supposed to change, Huntley was split,” said Teagle.

“There were those who supported the change, and those who blatantly did not.

Things were heated in Huntley for a while.”

The former name of the

school can be traced back to Huntley’s cultural backgrounds; which were rooted in the area’s native American families.

But as time passed, HHS received dozens of threats of legal action. All of this prompted it’s name change in 2002.

Though the school is under a new name, the history under the former will never be lost or tarnished.

“If you were to ask around Huntley today, there are plenty of people who still support it [the old name],” said Teagle. “They grew up with the name, the town they lived in encompassed around the name.”

With such cases popping up all across the US in recent years, many see the reason to abandon the memory. But, this could also bring light to good reasons why not to forget the name.

“It is a part of our history, but the best thing we can do is keep moving from it.” said Teagle. “With that said, it still stands as a truly unknown answer to a rather difficult question.”

For HHS, there are dozens of great memories under the name. It is something they will always have, even under a new name.

“It is something generations afterward have lost touch with,” said Teagle. “They have no emotional connection with the name; they only know the stories and the name now.”

D. Kalish

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 3

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NEWS

Engineering sets its eyes on Vex After winning Tech Day competitions, the club looks to the future devin martin • a&e editor

H

e felt panicked and didn’t know what to expect for this competition. As he walks into an auditorium, he sees 50 tables and over 100 competing students. Thoughts were going through his mind at rapid speed and little did he know, that his motivation to do his best with his friend, would pay off in the end.

Freshmen Eugene Sullivan and River Lee would medal second place in Innovation and Invention at the annual Technology Day at Illinois State University, on Oct. 9. Out of the 31 Engineering Club students who had competed, six medalled. This is the first year the Engineering Club competed, and it won’t be their last; for the club has big plans for the future, with more competitions, and student involvement. “[The students] were in their teams of two and they did well,” said Amanda Henk, Engineering Club advisor. “ There were 190 pairs of students and each set of the students were set to different tasks.”

The 31 students who traveled to ISU competed in either Engineering Design, Innovation/ Invention Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Transportation Engineering.

Those students also were grouped into levels. Level one was 6th through 9th grade, and Level two was 10th through 12th grade.

Grouped in Level One was Sullivan, who was willing to do his best with his teammate, Lee. “Before I went into Engineering

I thought I would not be good at become a STEAM program. Acsomething that important,” said cording to Henk, Engineers over Sullivan. “Then I started to panic, time want to find their niche, and I was all nervous, and then I told with the STEAM implementation, my friend River that we’re going to this allows an art course that many win this.” students could take to help them Sullivan and Lee would not expand their knowledge with what disappoint, medalling second place they are doing. Some students may along. Despite their success at the be good at designing the template competition, the Engineering Club of the project, while others may did not think be better off about competbuilding the ing until this project. year.

What“It was ever students something that choose to do we thought within the about that was Engineering on our table,” Club, the said Henk.

STEM educa“We were trytion program ing to get the at HHS conIED program nects with the running and students’ long I don’t think term successes.

Courtesy of E. Sullivan it was on our That success radar.” though, is reached by the students.

With the success at Technology According to Henk, collaboration, day, Engineering Club is trying to brainstorming, and working with get on the radar, in order for more a team are vital to the program and students to join the club; especially creativity is always encouraged. the young women at HHS. Because of this, Engineering Club “Girls have a tendency to want to expanded their self advocacy for make a difference, make an impact their program and they are prospecting towards a bigger future. in our society, and create opportuHowever, with what the students nities for people in some way,” said created at Technology Day, Vex Henk. “We know that Engineers robotics is a valid consideration for do that, they make our lives easier, building implementation, competimore convenient, and to take care tive aspects, and the creativity that of ourselves that people would not is soon to be implemented by the think of in a daily way.” students.

With that being said, Engineer“Our students in the Principles ing Club wants to open up their of Engineering Class are going doors to all. They also want to

Freshman River Lee participates in Technology Day at ISU. Courtesy of A. Henk

to learn to automate their VEX pieces for compound machines so they could crank a handle and they could press things down to make them move,” said Henk.

While Technology Day is a regional competition that the Engineering Club can easily get to, the VEX competitions are national and might take until next year for the students to obtain the skills needed in order to compete.

“VEX is a national competition and we have some equipment we’re interested in setting up some teams to compete in the VEX competitions,” said Henk. “This competition is building a bot to have these brightly colored balls that [the students] have to scoop them up [with their robot] and shoot them into a bunch of different nets.”

However, at the end of the day, Engineering Club is off to bigger and better things. Whether that be with Technology Day or the soon to be VEX Competitions, Engineering Club has a lot to take on.

Engineering Club though wants your help and to join if you are looking to enrich your competitive side. “ If you like to compete but you are not a competitive student in other areas we are working more in house, mini competitions, like Tech Day, and if you did not get to go to those things and if they sound appealing to you, then those are the things that we are doing,” said Henk. “ It gives our students to have that competitive side in their life that they might not get in other places.”

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 5

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NEWS

Sayonara, Haiku?

District 158 contemplates changing Haiku to a new, online learning management system raemon savillo • staff writer

A

s Haiku reaches its fourth year in the district, it may be going through a change that will alter the whole curriculum. District officials have been looking into a new, and improved online learning systems to enhance students’ learning experiences.

According to Assistant Prinicipal Shelly Kish, as of right now, Canvas Learning Management System is the top contender for replacing Haiku.

“Our district office started looking for better, updated learning systems and so far, Canvas is on top of our list,” said Kish. “Right now, teachers are starting to do pilots of the learning system to compare with Haiku.”

This will give students the opportunity to see how they will respond to the new system.

“The district has given teachers around the high school accounts so they would be able to play around with it and also compare it to Haiku to see which one they would like better,” said media facilitator Erica Holton.

If the district decides to switch from Haiku to Canvas, it would take some time to re-adjust, since students and teachers have already familiarized themselves with Haiku.

“I would be a little bit disappointed since I’ve gotten familiar with Haiku,” said sophomore Tommy Ryan. “And now we would have to learn a new online system which will take more time to learn.”

Haiku has paved the way for blended learning at HHS. These blended programs have even received national recognition from CNN .

Blended learning has changed classes within the high school from only six blended classes being offered for the first year in use, to now almost every course in HHS offering a blended option for that class.

“Haiku is very nice because I can give a lot of resources to students, I can also give them online work, and communicate with students better by email,” said Personal Finance teacher Cathleen Bardy.

But, Haiku doesn’t have a few features that Canvas has, like features that allow communication with teachers and students on different platforms.

Student uses Haiku to connect to her assignments. If the Disrtict Office votes yes, she will be using Canvas instead.

(D. Kalish)

The biggest one that stands out with Canvas is mobile capability, where teachers can cooperate with students online via iPad, iPhone, or any other mobile device, and peer edit and evaluate a student’s paper or homework which emphasizes online blended learning.

“Canvas is nice because I can communicate with students better,” said Bardy. “But there are some restrictions with Haiku with student interaction.”

Another big feature is the online modules, which let students learn lessons through a formulated, step by step process.

“The thing with Canvas that Haiku doesn’t have is step by step modules, in which students would have to pass the lesson in order for them to move on to the next module,” said Holton.

Canvas is also partners with a lot of major businesses, like Khan Academy, Youtube, Linkedin, and much more. Haiku is also partnered with a few businesses, but Canvas lets teachers link different sites into their lesson. Haiku can also do that, but they are limited with what website companies they can use.

What also makes Canvas different from Haiku is that it is set up like online college courses, which helps students prepare for college.

Teachers could make the final decision around December, but it could take some more time since this decision would change how online

learning is handled not only in Huntley High School, but the entire school district.

“The earliest time that a decision would be around December, but it could take some time to get a final decision done since the district would have to see how they would input Canvas into the district,” said Holton.

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OPINION

Planet of the vapes School is meant for learning, not for vaping ashley o’brien • online editor

T

he H-O pod is my go-to place for any college questions or any class help from my counselor.

As I waited to see my counselor, I noticed a boy. His face in his palms, he was looking down, sitting in dean of students Thomas Kempf ’s office. And next to him, his vape.

The hallways may be crowded, but the true crowds are near the bathrooms, the main entrance, and any exit. A good portion of HHS students leave for a period or two during the day, myself included, and for those who stay the day seems endless. It’s in any teenagers blood to be rebellious, despite the consequences; but is vaping in school worth it?

“It’s better than smoking cigarettes,” said senior Nick Strauss.

“However, I think it’s a stupid thing to do [in school].”

Especially the two weeks prior to Homecoming, deans and administration were paying close attention to students who vape in the school during the day. It caused chaos for Kempf as he had dealt with many vaping cases.

“We’ll see something in the bathroom,” said Kempf. “And now we have to spend a period or two looking on camera to find out who was in there at that time.”

The amount of hunting the deans have to do is kind of ridiculous.

They have better things they could be doing, and so do students. There is not much of a point to do it in

8 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

school.

“It’s not smart bringing it to school,” said senior Brandon Tharp.

“If you’re going to do it, do it somewhere else.”

Vaping has become common near the Huntley area. Regularly, I see adults and teenagers vaping in their cars, streets, or even in restaurants. “[Outside of school] if they’re being respectful about it then it doesn’t bother me,” said Kempf.

Vaping in public places can cause a distraction to others, just as cigarettes and other substances can.

As the phenomenon has grown, vaping has reached teenagers, and grown to be more prevalent than cigarettes. The addiction of high school students has not changed.

“It’s a growing trend and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon,” said School Resource Officer Nora Cirks. Although vaping is done in the school, a good portion of it is outside of school.

According to Kempf, seniors are much less likely to vape in school because the majority have the option to go off campus for a period or two during the day. Seniors are also more likely to have vapes because they are of age, whereas freshmen, sophomores, and juniors do not have as many freedoms.

However, the epidemic of students having vapes seems to be equal across the board with all four grade levels.

“No matter how hard police try or teachers try, they’re not going to stop kids from smoking or doing

drugs,” said Strauss. “There’s never not going to be illegal stuff going on.”

It’s more of a distraction than anything. School is a place to learn, not get a ‘nice buzz’ in the bathroom during your fourth hour class. If you really need it, leave it at home.

It sounds crazy, but leaving your vape at home and keeping it out of the building will not only lessen the possibility of consequences, but can help calm addiction too.

“It’s better than smoking cigarettes, however, I think it’s a stupid thing to do [in school].”

-Senior Nick Strauss

Vaping is too new for possible conclusions to be made about it, like whether vaping is better or worse than cigarettes.

“Students don’t think it’s a big deal, but in the ‘70s, LSD didn’t seem like a big deal,” said Cirks.”[It has] long lasting effects, and [it’s] too new to say if it’s good or bad.”

Vaping in school has calmed dramatically for the deans, as a lesser amount of cases have been reported.

The liberating feeling of breaking the rules is a well known trait that all teenagers have. It is something in our brain chemistry that will never change. As vaping is said to be both good and bad, we can all conclude nothing will change.

“It’s normal for people our age to vape,” said sophomore Robert Garcia. “It’s accustomed.”

Rules are different compared to inside and outside of school.

The smartest choice in this case is to not bring the vape. It bothers others and can ultimately cause big amounts of trouble for yourself.

The use of vapes may never calm, but it needs to calm in school.

I. Fabella

I. Fabella

Snow on your parade Gym is even more miserable than ever with new clothing rules

sarah biernat • staff writer

I

n grey shirts and black shorts, Derrick Morehart’s sophomore gym class ran unwillingly around the track. With some students having gym class in the early hours of the day, some decided to wear their sweatshirts from home, while others did not.

Running laps is boring in itself, but having to run in the cold without any protection against the chilly weather makes it even more miserable.

Karen Naymola and Morehart have the same schedule. Every Tuesday and Thursday, during the first and fourth quarters of the school year, their students run outside.

During quarters two and three, they have their students run in the fieldhouse. Seems a little better right?

I mean, we aren’t suffering outside.

Well, it is not exactly the best.

But as the weather is cold at the end of first quarter and the beginning of fourth quarter, students wear sweatshirts and sweatpants to keep warm. However, these extra layers have to be purchased through the physical education department.

“We don’t allow students to wear their street clothes inside for gym class because it is not sanitary,” said Morehart. “We don’t want them to be sitting in their sweat all day.”

I think we can all understand this, given there are only so many minutes in a class period. The gym teachers still need to let us get dressed, they need to take attendance, and have us do warm-ups.

However, gym class is supposed to be an easy class, one of the only classes we take in our high school career where we shouldn’t feel discomfort, even if it takes a little more time during attendance to be sure we have our gym uniforms on under our sweats.

The only students who get very sweaty are the ones who are hardcore into fitness, and those students

are usually athletes in Weights.

Standard gym is like the least favored sibling in a family. Every girl is too concerned to get sweaty and have their makeup smear to do anything very physical and some guys sweat just to sweat. This whole rule is a little unnecessary.

According to Morehart, he can’t tell if someone “is dressed in their street clothes or not” if they wear their Victoria’s Secret Pink sweatshirt to class.

“We don’t want them to be sitting in their sweat all day.

-Derrick Morehart The gym teachers have tried taking the temperature-related obstacles into consideration, and last year introduced the Dri-Fit shirts

OPINION

and this year introduced the HHS physical education sweatpants and sweatshirts.

“The ones who complain are usually the ones who forget to bring their gym clothes home,” said Morehart. “If they brought them home, they’d be more comfortable.”

With this in mind, Morehart said if someone were to purchase the sweats, they could use them instead of the shorts and tees.

I see where the physical education department was going with this, trying to make us more comfortable in the fieldhouse where the humidity is always unpredictable.

But one thing that clearly wasn’t 100 percent discussed was the costs of everything. I don’t think everyone has $40 laying around at home.

“I don’t know why everything is the price it is,” said Morehart. “The gym teachers had no say in it.”

According to Morehart, we can use the sweatpants and shirt throughout our whole high school career. However, if you think about it, even if you aren’t freezing to death, you are going to get really hot. Being in a warm sweatshirt will make you feel like you are in a sauna in the middle of July in Mexico.

This sounds a little ridiculous.

We are expected to not complain when we’re cold, but also not allowed to complain when we are burning up? The problem with this is that there is no happy medium.

What about long sleeved tees?

“That could be an option the gym teachers and I discuss,” said Morehart. Until then, Morehart says it is okay for girls to wear leggings under their gym shorts and for everyone to wear a long sleeved shirt underneath their physical education shirt.

“I think the long sleeved shirts could work,” said sophomore Mackenzie Boress. “We could always roll up our sleeves if we get hot.”

The gym clothes situation is still a work in progress. As badly as we all want to kick and scream, we need to give it some time. It is unfair to us, but we can’t blame the gym teachers for it; they are doing everything they can do for right now.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 9

OPINION

I. Fabella

Is Facebook still relevant?

With the increasing popularity of other social media sites, Facebook has been left in the dust mohammed syed • staff writer

G

raduation day is approaching, and senior Scott Weideman finalizes his college decision.

Aside from applications and ACTs, he has another problem to face, losing his high school friends.

According to the Pew Research Center, the number of teens using Twitter increased from 16 percent to 24 percent from September 2011 to September 2012. The number of adult users, however, has not changed significantly at all. These users are continuing to use other social media websites, specifically Facebook.

You cannot blame them.

Facebook is geared towards adults because they tend to keep up with their old friends rather than increase their social status by getting “likes” or “friends.”

“Messenger is the only good part of Facebook,” said senior Shahzaib Haider. “It’s spammed with BuzzFeed. I don’t think Facebook will be as prevalent in the future.”

At first, I agreed with Haider. Now, however, my opinion has changed.

“I never had a Facebook because the people I want to talk to I talk to at school,” said Weideman. “But I might get one after high school to keep in touch with what’s going on.”

It seems like Facebook is more of a communication source rather than a social media website, which is why adults utilize it more.

“I have a Twitter account, but I rarely use it,” said science teacher Andrew Johnson. “A lot of younger individuals use Twitter more, but that’s just my speculation.”

10 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

I believe that Facebook is relevant, but its relevancy depends on who uses it. It seems that older users access Facebook more. This is because a Facebook status update has a longer interaction time than a tweet, which means that a status update will get replies for a longer period of time than a tweet.

“I don’t think Facebook will be as prevalent in the future.”

-Senior Shahzaib Haiber According to Buffer, about 92% of engagement with a tweet happens within the first hour after being tweeted. My guess it that

high school students communicate mainly with students at their own school, while adults want to keep in touch with their high school friends. A good number of adults move to another place after college.

The slow pace of Facebook allows these adults to communicate at long distances, whereas teens use a fastpaced Twitter. This is due to the simple fact that information spreads faster student to student rather than state to state.

The difference between “friends” and “followers” also determines who uses which website. Facebook “friends” are able to develop more meaningful relationships than Twitter “followers.” Since high school students are able to communicate with their friends face-to-face, they do not use Facebook at all and instead use Twitter as a news source.

I think Facebook is still relevant.

It is neither declining in popularity nor increasing. In the far future though, I think Facebook will lose its popularity.

OPINION

I. Fabella

Problem or Priviledge?

HHS parking policies fair compared to other schools sumbul shakeel • design editor

E

very now and then new complaints regarding parking come up. It has become one of those eternally debated issues. Students either complain about the price to park, or the number of spaces and how there’s not enough.

It’s true, our school population has spiked recently, and this spike in enrollment has been bringing about lots of new changes, one being that sophomores were not able to purchase parking passes for this year.

“Over 700 parking spots were all sold by 8:30 a.m. on the first material pick-up day,” said Dan Farlik, dean of students.

Those passes were opened to seniors first in early July, and then the juniors. Both classes have so many students that the passes sold

out before the sophomores got a chance. Although this feels unfair that there aren’t enough spots for even half of the school’s population, it should be remembered that parking is a privilege.

Parking something special that we should appreciate and cherish since we do have a bigger lot than most schools around, like Jacobs and Dundee-Crown. Not only that, but ours looks brand new because of the recent construction.

Yes, it can be frustrating. Not being able to get a pass is a bummer, especially when you are really looking forward to it. But people still make it work.

“What I like about this..is there are students who are car pooling, making ends meet,” said Farlik. “I appreciate them.”

Another question that bounces around is why we have to pay $100 for parking the whole year. Honestly, it is not that bad. It’s less than a dollar a day if you do the math.

In fact, Jacobs and DundeeCrown students both pay $125 for the year.

“[The] price is reasonable compared to other schools,” said junior Matthew Rodriguez.

According to Farlik, the parking fees is not used for anything else except for, well, parking.

“Over 700 parking spots were all sold by 8:30 a.m. on the first material pick up day.”

-Dan Farlik “Our parking lots take a beating,” said Farlik. “[The fees] are used for maintenance of the lots.”

Although I believe that the parking we have currently should be appreciated, there is another requirement that students tend to question: the GPA requirement.

To be able to purchase a parking pass,the minimum GPA required

is a 1.7, which is about a C average.

It is pretty low, but that is so that students who have a need to drive to school have that opportunity.

“Students may not all be the best and the brightest,” said Farlik.

“There’s been talk of raising it, but that needs to be an administrative decision. Will it happen?

Maybe.”

I understand why the requirement is low, but I think it should be taken away. After all, I think parking should be considered a privilege.

Jacobs and Dundee-Crown don’t have a GPA requirement; they mostly just let seniors go first, and fill the rest of the spaces with licensed juniors and sophomores.

Changing or adjusting some requirements would eliminate the disappointment of the underclassmen when they don’t get a parking spot, since it would be clear that it is a privilege for seniors first. It won’t really change anything, but it may help with the overall mindset about parking and perhaps make it so students learn to appreciate what they have.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 11

OPINION

I. Fabella

Sit in class no more Blended study hall makes more sense than traditional

austin zeis • staff writer

A

s the eighth hour bell rings, students take their seats in Huntley High School’s study hall room. Ten minutes after the bell, only 12 of the 67 students are doing homework. So what are the other 55 students use this time for? Thirty-one of them just sit on their phones or stare off into blank space, while the remaining 24 leave the class, and go to Raider Aid, the Hub, or to see a teacher.

Study hall should be offered as a blended class. Since 82 percent of the class leaves to go somewhere else anyways and the students who actually work can sit in the Hub for a quiet workplace, every student would be happy.

“I would love a blended study hall simply because I could go down to the Hub and use the Chromebooks to do my online assignments,” said junior Whitney 12 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

Branch. “Making it blended would be even better on the days that I do not have online assignment, so I could beat the traffic and head home.”

The biggest problem I find with the study hall procedure would have to be the rules. A rule that makes me and other students angry is that the study hall advisor is only allowed to send 10 students to the Hub. Every study hall has more than 10 students that need to go down to the Hub to either use a computer, as there are only four in the class, or collaborate on a project. By the time that I get to the study hall room, the four computers are already taken and there are about 15 students who want to go down to the Hub. What makes it worse for me is that eighth hour study hall is the only time I have throughout the day to work on projects with my group members because that’s the only hour of the day our schedules line up. But that does not always work out since I cannot go down to Hub every day. But if study hall were blended, I would be able to go to the Hub whenever I wanted to. I also cannot work with them

after school because I have football practice until 5:30 p.m., every day.

Besides, nobody wants to stay at school longer than they have to.

“Blended study hall is definitely something that I could see being a benefit to some students, but also abused by others,” said Tom Kempf, dean of students. “Seniors with sixth and seventh hour blended could abuse it as an early release, but it would help students who need to collaborate in the Hub.” People abusing the class and just leaving is a possibility, but most students do not use blended time to actually work on that specific class they have blended at that time. A majority of the students go home if they have multiple blended classes in their schedule or go grab a bite a to eat if it is only one class. Having the luxury of being able to leave once you are done in the Hub or wherever you are doing classwork would be nice, since the juniors and sophomores cannot apply for early release or late arrival.

I do not see what the big deal would be if the seniors use the blended study hall as an early release or late arrival, since they most likely applied for it but did not get

it put into their schedule.

A way you could determine if a student, specifically seniors, gets a blended study hall could be their grades of the previous three years. If the student has average or above average grades the previous years, you could reward them and apply this to their schedule. If the student has not proven to meet the standards set, then he is not rewarded and is given a regular study hall. At least it will show that the administration is doing its best to put a struggling student in a successful environment.

Blended study hall would help students more than it would hurt them. It would obviously be different than other normal blended classes since there is no curriculum or online work to do. A way to assign the class would be only to student-athletes since they would not be able to abuse it as an early release, causing more disorganization.

Blended study hall is the best option to solve problems students have regarding lack of time to work on projects outside of school and opportunities to access computers for online homework.

FEATURES

The master of puppets Noah Simmons explores an interesting hobby courtney thomas • print editor

I

t all started with a YouTube video, just after Halloween in 2011.

He had just seen Jeff Dunham performing with Achmed the Dead Terrorist. It sparked a sort of fire in sophomore Noah Simmons. He began recording all of Dunham’s specials on TV and became enthralled with the performer, and his figure, Achmed.

It was not until after Simmons accidentally recorded a biography on Dunham, that he truly became inspired.

Simmons had decided to take up the art of ventriloquism.

“I told my parents and they were like, what, because [ventriloquism is] just so obscure and weird,” said Simmons.

Simmons’ stepdad was worried that he would be teased or made fun of at school, but Simmons did not let that stop him.

He begged and pleaded with his parents. Finally, with the help of Christmas and birthday money, he had enough to afford his first figure, Mortimer, which was the same name Dunham gave his first figure.

Mortimer had a plush body and hard head with a string in the back to make his mouth move.

“I started practicing the moment I got it,” said Simmons.

Soon after, his practicing paid off. While his dad was DJing at a school dance, Simmons was showing off to a magician, who was hired to entertain the kids at the dance.

The magician let him perform for the kids at the dance, and they loved it. The magician saw the potential in Simmons and offered to let him perform at the Nothin’ Up My Sleeve magic show.

“I did a little five minute bit in there and I didn’t expect to get paid for it, but I did,” said Simmons.

He was asked to perform again the year after that, and had his own little show there. But Simmons says his YouTube channel is where he performs the most.

He has 508 subscribers and 104 videos. His videos have anywhere from 200 to 2000 views, and consist of him and his figures, some of which include a bird, monkey, and a dog.

“I’ve had at least 10 [figures]. Some have gotten thrown away or broken over the years.”

- Sophomore Noah Simmons YouTube has been Simmons’ claim to fame. He started his ventriloquist career there, and it also

just happened to help him get to the next level.

This season’s winner of “America’s Got Talent” was a ventriloquist, which was good news for Simmons.

The producers looked through the entirety of YouTube for ventriloquists to ask to audition, and Simmons happened to be one of them.

However, this was not his first year auditioning for the show.

The same year Simmons got started with ventriloquism, he auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” which was having auditions in Chicago that year. Nothing came from the audition, except for a WGN News, “Coming up next” clip, where Simmons was featured looking up at a loud speaker. Three seconds of fame, right?

They called his parents and asked him to audition again, after realizing he had already auditioned once before.

“Apparently, they said I was the best of all the young ventriloquists

Sophomore Noah they found Simmons showing off online,” his favorite puppet. said Sim(M. Czapka) mons.

“They said I had the best humor and ability to do it.”

The producers, however, did have one comment for Simmons. They told him that if he wants a spot on the show, he had to work on his ability to change voices between himself and the character he is controlling.

For now, ventriloquism is a job and a hobby for Simmons. While he does not plan on pursuing it as a career, he wants to continue acting, whether it be for movies, musicals, or plays.

For Simmons, it’s not about how famous he is or how many subscribers he has. He got started in this obscure business for himself, and he intends to keep it that way.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 13

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FEATURES

Devoted to changing lives Brad Aney involved in more than just football brandon frey • staff writer

O

n a cold, fall Friday night, Brad Aney stands on the sidelines, barking orders at the varsity defensive line. He ensures that the defense is lined up correctly and is ready for the next play. It is a demanding job, but being the varsity defensive line coach is not the only way Aney is involved in our school.

As Aney bundles up to go out on to the football field, he has a long Friday night ahead. Along with being the varsity defensive line coach, Aney is also the sophomore head coach and sophomore defensive coordinator. As defensive line coach, Aney works with their technique, trying to get them better for each game; a demanding task which requires him to stay after school every day and prepare for the next game.

As a kid, Aney knew he wanted to become a teacher. Aney’s mom was also a teacherm, and he remembers when one of his mom’s former students came to his house crying.

The student found her through the phone book and came to thank his mom for how much of a difference she made in her life. The student told her that she was suicidal at the time and his mom took her under her wing through a tough time.

Aney’s grandmother also influenced him to become a teacher when

Aney barking at his defensive line.

(R. O’Sullivan)

Brad Aney rallies the football team.

(R. O’Sullivan)

she made him promise to her that he would make a difference in the world. A promise he would chose to fulfil by becoming a teacher and shaping the lives of children.

He is definitely changing the lives of the students he teaches.

“He is a very energetic and outgoing teacher which makes it fun to learn from him,” said junior David Blain. “He is able to joke around with the students while being able to stay on task with the lesson which sets him apart from

other teachers.”

Aney’s ability to make the classroom enjoyable while still being able to convey the material to the students makes the material easier to understand and remember.

Additionally, Aney devotes his time to improving the school and the lives of the students inside.

He, along with Angela Zaleski and Valerie Lindquist, coordinate Link Crew at HHS. Link Crew is a freshman integration program where they create lessons for juniors and seniors to give to freshman These include valuable life lessons that benefit the underclassmen and help them prepare themselves for situations they might face in high school.

“We are really trying to build a sense of leadership and commitment to the overall culture of the school,” said Aney.

This program is supposed to make freshmen feel welcomed into the high school and get them involved in various activities in the

school.

Recently, Aney was elected as the Union President for the teachers of District 158. As Union President, Aney is in charge of making sure all of the teachers throughout the district are being treated fairly and equally. His job is to serve and protect the rights of the teachers that are given to them in the contract and unify the teachers throughout the district communicate their objectives. Initially, Aney was elected vice-president, but after both of the current presidents were promoted to administrative positions, he was promoted to president.

As Aney walks out to the football field each week, he clears his mind and focuses on the goal in front of him. He shuts out all the other things going on and strives to achieve that goal.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 15

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Overcoming his obstacles Joshua Szeszol finds confidence in himself camille paddock • staff writer

T

he curtains opened, the crowd grew silent, and the lights shone bright.

He took it all in. When his time came, he stood up tall and delivered his line effortlessly. To the crowd he appeared as confident as could be, but that confidence has not always come naturally to junior Joshua Szeszol.

When Szeszol was in middle school he was bullied for not fitting in. Not being the typical teenage boy paired with a severe speech impediment and undiagnosed mental illnesses did not help with his confusion about his sexual identity.

Throughout middle school, any time he tried to express or defend himself, his stutter stopped him.

“It was like being in a vocal prison,” said Szeszol.

However, he had an inspiration to win the battle against speaking: theater.

Szeszol has been involved in

“It was hard because I didn’t understand what was wrong with me. I couldn’t put my thoughts into words.”

- Junior Joshua Szeszol theater since he could remember, and it has always been a big part of his identity. He had always dreamed of being on stage with a speaking role, but his stutter was holding him back.

“I always wanted to be good at something,” said Szeszol.

With the motivation of theater and self-determination to improve, Szeszol conquered his speech impediment by the seventh grade.

After years of being pulled out of class for speech therapy, he had finally taken back control.

The bullying stopped along with the stutter, but it had a lasting impact on him in both negative and positive ways.

“I deal with anxiety and depression from it, but I have insight on it,” said Szeszol. “If I see someone being super closed-minded towards somebody, I know I am going to stand up for them.”

Even now, he still faced the question of his sexual identity.

As a kid he had always thought he was straight, but as he grew older and learned more about himself he started to put the pieces together.

“I was ashamed to fall under [the

Junior Joshua Szeszol performing in the theater classroom. (S. Faheem)

category of ] what [my bullies] told me I was,” said Szeszol.

Over the years he found his saving grace, Feminism.

Szeszol learned that it was not just for women, it’s for everyone.

Feeling confident in his body gave him the courage and strength to be open about his sexuality.

He now spends his time giving information and advice to those who are closeted and those who are uneducated on the topic.

“I wouldn’t have expected that me being confident in my own body would be an inspiration to people,” said Szeszol.

He serves as a role model to the people who are apprehensive about coming out about their sexuality.

Szeszol encourages people to be truthful about their identity because the amount of close-minded people is much smaller than what is perceived.

“There is a safe place for everyone,” said Szeszol.

“Don’t be afraid because there is somebody there for you.”

From time to time, Szeszol experiences discrimination because of the way he identifies, but he tries not to let it phase him.

By accepting the fact that not everyone will agree with his sexuality, Szeszol has grown stronger as a person. He believes that being open-minded is the way of life.

“Be more aware and openminded of those around you.” said Szeszol. “You may think you know someone, but if you express negativity then they may be afraid of expressing themselves.”

When the play ended and the crowd applauded, a smile stretched across his entire face, proud of yet another flawless performance. He took it all in. Maybe being different was not so bad after all.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 17

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R A I D E R S!

FEATURES

Going to play for IMEA Junior Green plays French horn at a high level vickie watkins • staff writer

W

hen she could hear how well the person currently auditioning could play, junior Rebekah Green began to get nervous. The music ended and before she knew it, it was her turn.

With her French horn in hand, Green opened the door to the first classroom where she would showcase her musical skills. Auditioning for the IMEA orchestra involves going into three separate rooms: the scale, site reading, and etude rooms.

There was no guarantee that she would get in, which only added to the stress of having to wait to perform. Without any words, she took a deep breath and started to play.

“It was a little stressful. It was kind of intimidating because you can hear other people auditioning. Some people you’re like oh they’re not that good, I don’t have to worry, but other people you can hear them and you’re like dang.”

- Junior Rebekah Green Green finished playing in the final of the three rooms and was left to wonder if she would make the cut or not. Soon enough, she got the results of her performance.

junior Rebekah Green plays her French horn for Wind Ensamble A. (R. O’Sullivan)

The Illinois Music Education Association approved of her audition and accepted Green into their Senior Orchestra. Many schools send multiple participants that want to try out to get onto the Senior Orchestra. However, only a select few get in each year. For Green, she had to go against all of the participants in District 9 of the IMEA. Judges are not allowed to look at the auditionees in order to prevent discrimination based on gender, age, and general appearance. These rooms give the judges a basic understanding of how the auditionees perform and whether they would be a good addition to the orchestra that year.

Green has gone through this process twice, making it both times.

Her first acception was in eighth grade for the IMEA Junior Orchestra, the orchestra for junior high school, when her fifth grade music teacher Ingrid Mullane recommended she try for it.

Although she did not try out her freshman year, she auditioned again

sophomore year and made it into the Senior Orchestra, the orchestra meant for high school students.

An addition to her musical resume is the fact that Green is the first-chair French horn in Wind Ensemble A, the top band at Huntley High School, and stands out among all musicians in the class.

“She’s really focused and knows what she wants to do,” said Philip Carter, Wind Ensemble A teacher.

“She gets the results.”

Taking piano lessons at the age of 5 granted her an entrance into the world of music, allowing her to raise her musical standing to such a high level.

“I’d say she’s really confident as a result of her putting in all that practice time,” said Carter.

In fifth grade Mullane recommended the French horn to Green, which she began to play in sixth grade. Mullane was her musical inspiration whose passion, and help during private lessons, led her to continue playing music into high school.

“I think she’s really passionate about music and that she’s a good influence to other people,” said junior Emily Schirmacher, a member of Wind Ensemble A. “Seeing a classmate dedicate so much time to music makes others want to give their all too.”

While in Wind Ensemble A and the IMEA Senior Orchestra, for the second time, Green found time to squeeze in extra practice by joining marching band. Although her usual instrument, the French horn, is not an instrument suited for marching and playing, it does have an alternative: the mellophone.

Being involved in music for so many years gave Green the drive to keep improving. She wants to try out for the IMEA Senior Orchestra next year, and make it her third year in a row. The IMEA is a perfect gateway for her future musical goals.

“I would like to major in music performance and hope to one day play professionally,” said Green.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 19

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FEATURES

FEATURE

It’s a great day to be a Raider...

Fall activity/sports photo gallery

(D. Kalish)

(S. Faheem)

(D. Kalish)

(R. O’Sullivan)

(D. Kalish)

(S. Faheem)

Novmber 2015 huntleyvoice.com 21

CENTERSPREAD

Mr. & Mrs. Swartzloff mawa iqbal • news editor

R

iding along in the car, she began to doze off from what had been a tiring week of school and late-night poms practices. She was eager to spend her long-awaited friday eating fish fries with her parents.

Julie Kenney and Todd Swartzloff had just finished their shifts at Antioch High School, and were headed straight towards Milwaukee for a relaxing weekend with Julie’s parents, as they would usually do on most weekends.

After she woke up from her car nap, however, she noticed something was very different. It took her a second, but she realised that they were going towards Madison, Wisconsin. They were about to go four years back in time, to the place where they first met.

Todd led Julie out on to the Union Terrace on the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where they had both attended school. Live music and the vibrant chatter of friends spilled into the warm air, with the views of Lake Mendota and the lit-up Capitol building serving as the perfect backdrop for a beautiful fall night.

Everything felt right to him. He knew there was no better time to do it, than now.

It was September of 2007, and Todd had just asked Julie for her hand in marriage. With butterflies in her stomach and a smile on her face, she happily accepted his proposal.

“It was just this kind of happiness that I never really experienced before,” said Julie. “When I found out that we were officially getting married, I was just so excited.”

The Swartzloffs had been dating since 2004 but first met a year earlier in college, when Julie was asked by her advisor to be a tour guide for the incoming transfer students. If it weren’t for her love of ice cream socials, she may have never met her future husband.

“When I heard that the [tour day] was an ice cream social, I was like ‘YES!,” said Julie. “He was the only transfer student in my group who was my age, so that’s how I got the chance to talk to him.”

Their relationship took a turn onto the “more than just friends” street when Todd received two tickets for a John Cary rally/ Dave Matthews concert, and gave the second one to her.

“It was definitely a turning point when he took me to there,” said Julie. “I was like ‘Hmm, I don’t think we’re just friends anymore.”

Now 11 years later, the Swartzloffs are happily married with one furry child named Phil The Dog. And like most families, they’ve created special, somewhat untraditional traditions over the years, when celebrating Thanksgiving.

That evening, families from both sides would come together to Julie’s parents’ house to celebrate. Anything from wearing football jerseys, to allowing the dog to eat at the table with them, their traditions contribute to a more laid back, content atmosphere.

“Everything is very relaxed,” said Julie. “My siblings bring their nieces and nephews, and It’s just a lot of fun to get everyone together.”

Courtesy

Courtesy

of the Sw

artzloffs

I

artzloffs

of the Sw

Mr. & Mrs. Livengood danielle king • staff writer

T Courtesy

ngoods

of the Live

22 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

he class yells out “Yessss” and “I love her” as the teacher tells us who our substitute teacher will This was last year, my freshman year. The teacher had never been a substitute for one of my cla Why does everyone love her so much? The expressions on students’ faces were filled with pur is Cathie Livengood, and her husband is Dick Livengood. The couple met on a blind date set u Three years later, the Livengoods got married on a sunny day in St. Charles, Miss. The date, to be exact, “They are best friends,” said sophomore Ben Litwin. “You can tell they love each other a lot.”

The couple’s favorite activity to do together is to travel abroad. When asked what their most memorabl “We visited 13 countries,” said Dick. “We were in Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, London, Zurich.”

There were multiple reasons to why Cathie thought her relationship with Dick was so great.

“Experience, having both been through marriages that didn’t work for us. Experience helps a lot, wh other,” said Cathie.

Their love for each other is almost as strong as their love for substitute teaching.

“I miss the classroom and I had said I would never substitute teach,” said Cathie. “I guess you never The Livengoods did not begin to substitute teach until they retired. Cathie was a teacher most of her c Now being a sophomore, I can see why the Livengoods are so loved at Huntley High School.

“We respect the students,” said Dick. “I always tell the class that I am here to help you and not hurt you Whenever the teachers tell me that Mr. or Mrs. Livengood will be my substitute teacher I cannot help b

CENTERSPREAD

Mr. & Mrs. Naymola

T

natalie trzeciak • staff writer

he screeching of shoes on the gym floor harmonized with the echo of the whistle is music to their ears. It’s the reason they wake every morning. They want to see their athletes try harder, run faster, do better. They’re driven by the same passion. The same passion that brought them together four years ago.

Michael and Karen Naymola have been married for a little over a year after meeting at Huntley High School. The Naymolas were originally assigned to co-teach Sophomore Physical Education their first year together. Within months, the two were already dating.

“At the time, I didn’t know her. Since we both were new teachers, we almost gravitated towards each other,” said Michael.

After dating for a few years, Michael finally proposed in late April with plans for a wedding in December. In the end, the two ended up eloping in Las Vegas.

“The main reason we didn’t go through with the wedding in December was the fact that we were both coaching,” said Karen. “We didn’t really have time to sit down and plan all of the details.”

The wedding, which took place in August, consisted of a few friends and family. The two were fully supported by their parents who, despite the “curveball,” were happy for the couple. Karen’s girls, 7-year-old Abby and 6-year-old Izzy, were equally as excited.

“Coincidentally, Karen’s parents had eloped in Vegas as well,” said Michael. “We knew it could work for us too.”

The newlywed couple spent the weekend with their loved ones and were able to get married without interfering with their coaching seasons.

“It all happened so fast, but we didn’t feel rushed,” said Michael Naymola. “It was for the best.”

The Naymolas also have the privilege of working in the same department a mere five feet away from each other.

“Michael likes to embarrass me in front of everyone,¨ said Karen. ¨He likes to scream out my name in the hallway whenever he gets the chance.¨ The Naymolas make use of all of their time together at school. Whether it’s running to the bank or setting up plans for the weekend.

“Some people would think ‘Oh my gosh, you work with your wife? That’s got to be horrible,’” said Michael. “I’ve never felt that way. It’s always been really fun.”

Aside from school, the two enjoy spending time with their family and relaxing. ¨When we don´t have our sports seasons going on, we like to take the girls out,¨ said Karen. “But when it’s just us two, we’ll usually have dinner and see a movie.”

The Naymolas believe that their situation has made an immense impact on their lives, and it’ll only continue to make their relationship stronger. ¨I have no regrets. I believe that was the best decision for us and we got to where we wanted to be sooner than expected,” said Michael.

do...

be for the next few days. asses before, but I had heard her name. I was told that her husband was also a substitute teacher. re joy after hearing her name and the only facial feature I could make was pure confusion. The teacher’s name up by a mutual friend. was 9/9/99 at 9 a.m.

le trip was, they both replied with their three week trip to Europe.

hen you’re older you get married for different reasons. Experience and communication and respect for each

Courtesy

of the Nay

molas

er say never. I loved it. The students at Huntley high are phenomenal.” career and Dick was a Business Manager.

u.” but cheer “Yessss!” and “I love them” along with the other students.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 23

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Bond, James Bond With the recent release of ‘Spectre,’ many James Bond fans rejoice over the new hit film. joe rizzo •staff writer

J

unior Andrea Martinez walks into the movie theater excited to see the new James Bond movie. All her life she has loved to watch Bond. As the previews turn on, she still feels the excitement she did when she saw her first Bond movie 10 years ago.

Since 1962, one man has killed more enemies, saved more girls , and has looked good doing it; his name is Bond, James Bond. “Spectre,” the newest James Bond movie will be the 25th movie produced by Eon Productions.

With a $300 million dollar budget, “Spectre” ties “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” as the second most expensive film ever made. This allows Eon Productions to spend a lot of money to make this movie amazing. With a strong cast including Daniel Craig as James Bond, “Spectre” looks like it is going to continue the serie’s glory.

In 1962, “Dr. No” was released and we had the first look at super-spy James 24 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

Bond. Bond traveled to Jamaica where he found out the evil plan of Dr. No, an evil enemy, and the SPECTRE. The SPECTRE is a group of skilled “bad guys.” Bond must stop the SPECTRE and save the world. Dr. No was the first of many James Bond movies and started one of the most historical series of movies in the world.

Everyone was waiting for the next James Bond movie to come out and it finally did in 1963. ‘From Russia with Love’ was a sequel to “Dr. No.” Bond traveled to Turkey and met Ali Kerim Bey an officer in Turkey. A Soviet clerk named Tatiana Romanova is captured by the SPECTRE in order to bait Bond to come and save her. Bond escaped with Romanova and once again saved the day.

This led to the world being in love with Bond, everyone wants to be that super-spy who gets the girl and saves the day. The one thing that really evolved as James Bond movies progressed was the special effects. In “Dr. No” and “From Russia with Love” there was a limited amount of special effects due to

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo Cutouts courtesy of https://www. facebook.com/JamesBond007/photos_stream.

lack of advanced technology. However, in 1979 “Moonraker,” the 11th James Bond movie, had come a long way from the first movie with the use of scenes and sounds from space. A space shuttle was hijacked and Bond was ordered to investigate. Bond flew the space shuttles and destroyed globes containing toxin in the atmosphere to save the world.

As the James Bond movies progressed there were many similarities and differences, but each movie had its own story. It is like a TV series with every movie bringing different attacks in new, unusual places. All of these movies are connected in some way. For example, Bond usually finds himself in a bad situation and ended up saving the world. One thing that Eon Productions does well is that they base the movies on current events. In 1989, “Licence to Kill” was released and Bond had to deal with Franz Sanchez, a drug lord. The presidency of Ronald Reagan marked the start of a long period of skyrocketing rates of incarceration, largely thanks to his unprecedented expansion of the drug war. Eons Production was smart enough to realize that this was a hot topic for the decade and used drugs as a theme for their movie.

Similarly, the year was 1997 and the 18th movie of the James Bond series was released. “Tomorrow never Dies” puts Bond on a warship where he navigates through water to find and destroy a British warship before it fires a missile at Beijing. Global tensions during this decade had become a major concern and Eon Productions would capitalize on this crisis.

It is truly amazing how Eon Productions has created stories which included explosions, action scenes, and cutting edge technology.But one thing has always stayed the same, James Bond himself. In every movie Bond dressed impeccably, in an expensive suit and always started and ended the movie without a scratch on him. This is why Eons Productions is so good because they can draw in any audience in the world.They appeal to multiple ages and diverse cultures. Little kids want to be James Bond and they have his action figure in

their toy collection. Men love the movies for its action scenes and beautiful women. Women love James Bond who is a classic man with super- spy abilities and good looks which is a catch for most women.

“I love James Bond movies because of the action and special effects, you never know what is going to come next,” junior Andrea Martinez. “One minute you think Bond died the next he is saving the day.”

“Spectre,” the new James Bond movie came out Nov. 6. Eon Productions blew it out of the water. “Spectre” was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, James Bond movies of all time. Daniel Craig, who played Bond, was unbelievable. “Spectre” also added a new Bond Girl, Madeleine Swann, who caught the eye of the male viewer.

When a message from the past sends Bond to Mexico City and Rome, where he meets Lucia a beautiful widow of an infamous criminal, Bond uncovers the existence of a criminal organisation called SPECTRE. SPECTRE was seen in the first ever James Bond movie back in 1962. Bond tries to stop SPECTRE and because of a little surprise this seems like a harder job than expected. Overall “Spectre” was amazing, it had lots of action and suspense. Eon Productions incorporated modern problems to pull the audience in. Cyber attacks and different kinds of technology played a huge role in the movie.

With all of the technology advancements thoughout the years, this was a good way to keep the audience interested. I would give this movie 5 stars. It was a classic Bond movie with unbelievable scenes and spot on connections.

“Spectre” was another hit movie for Eon Productions. 25 missions, 25 movies, 52 years, one man has changed America his name , Bond, James Bond.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 25

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Call of Duty’ release ‘Black Ops III’ gives players more choices charlie vavrick • staff writer

S

enior Alex Leadbeter stands patiently in line, the cool November air sending chills through his body. As he waits, anticipation and excitement build inside him.

“It’s almost midnight,” says a voice from the front of the line.

“Finally,” he thinks to himself.

The doors to his local GameStop open with a cheer from the line and within minutes Leadbeter has in his clutches a copy of the much-anticipated game “Call of Duty: Black Ops III.” “The Call of Duty Franchise” is at it again, this time with a third iteration of the “Black Ops series.”

“Call of Duty: Black Ops III” features three distinct game modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies.

Perhaps the most underappreciated aspect of the game, this year’s campaign brings to life a dystopian future, set 40 years after the events of “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.” Scientific advancements have radically changed the Earth’s landscape and given humans a grim outlook on their futures. As a result, society launches into a series of violent protests against the new technology, attempting to halt further advancements.

Warfare has progressed to where robotics have become the main focus, being implemented into super soldiers that are designed to fight in ways unknown to previous generations and frightening to this one.

Humans have evolved into a conjuration of more metal and engineering than flesh and blood. As a result, speculation and fear about an eventual robotic takeover can be felt throughout the world.

“I really like what they did with this year’s campaign,” said junior Sean Farney. “It’s just cool to play a futuristic story that I can actually see becoming a reality.”

Many of the world’s countries have access to high-tech air defense systems, rendering any air assaults useless. As a result, much of today’s

26 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

fighting is done behind enemy lines with these robotic super soldiers, running covert ops.

The campaign follows a team of such operatives equipped with these super soldier robotics, allowing for new and exciting abilities that keep the gameplay fresh.

This team of covert operatives consists of the characters Commander John Taylor, Sarah Hall, Jacob Hendricks, Rachel Kane, and Dr. Yousef Salim, played respectively by Christopher Meloni, Katee Sackhoff, Sean Douglas, Rachel Kimsey, and Tony Amendola.

In addition, Ben Browder and Abby Brammell voice the player, depending on the player’s chosen gender, and Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch makes a cameo in the game as a villain.

Along with the ability to completely customize the player character, the campaign also features a brand new progression system, utilizing unlock tokens which can be used to acquire different items, giving players more choice on how they progress through the story.

For the first time in the franchise’s history, the campaign in “Black Ops III” supports 4-player cooperative gameplay, allowing for bigger, more open level design and more communication among players.

The game also features a brand new “realistic” difficulty mode, in which players are defeated if they are hit by one bullet. This game mode is extremely difficult and is a frustrating, yet rewarding experience for hardcore gamers.

“The Campaign is a good way to relax when you don’t feel like playing super hard. It’s a cool way to get walked through a story,” said senior Jeremie Allen. “I enjoy the changes they made this year; I feel like they give players much more control over

how they choose to play.”

A fan favorite, “Zombies” mode contains both story and multiplayer modes in “Black Ops III,” featuring the new XP progression system in each.

The new map, Shadows of Evil, was revealed for the “Zombies” mode on July 9, 2015 at San Diego ComicCon International 2015.

The map features four brand new characters: Nero the Magician ( Jeff Goldbloom), Jessica the Femme Fatale (Heather Graham), Vincent the Cop (Neal McDonough) and Campbell the Boxer (Ron Perlman), and takes place in a new setting called Morg City.

The four characters are thrown into a twisted cityscape, overrun by hordes of zombies, and are guided back to civilization by a mysterious, unreliable figure called the Shadow Man (Robert Picardo).

Treyarch says that their story will tie into the main Zombies storyline from the past games, particularly “Mob of the Dead” from “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.” The second story, The Giant, focuses on the alternate versions of the original characters: Tank Dempsey (Steven Blum), Nikolai Belinski (Fred Tatasciore), Takeo Masaki (Tom Kane) and Edward Richtofen (Nolan North), who were introduced in the “Black Ops II” map Origins.

The Giant is available in the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game and is confirmed to be a remake of the popular Zombies map from “Call of Duty: World at War,” Der Riese.

The story continues from where Origins left off, as they attempt to rewrite the original timeline’s history.

“Zombies mode has always been my favorite aspect of the ‘Call of Duty’ franchise since they released it in ‘Call of Duty: World at War,’” said senior Liam Gannon. “I’m excited to see where they go with the story.”

The main draw for most players, this year’s multiplayer experience introduces a new momentum-based movement system, allowing players to perform slight boosts into the air, as well as perform wall running and sliding, all the while allowing players to maintain gun control throughout.

The system is smooth and easy to pick up, allowing for more movement control in a way that allows skilled players to take advantage on the battlefield, while not hindering the less-experienced player.

“The movement system in ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops III’ is really fluid,” said Allen. “It’s a lot like the movement system from Titanfall. It’s easy to pick up and gives a new level to the Multiplayer experience.”

Expanding on their well-received “Pick Ten” class system from Black Ops II, Treyarch implements a character system called “Specialists” into the “Black Ops III” Multiplayer.

This system allows players to pick from 9 different super soldiers, each with a special weapon and an unique ability. The player then chooses one of their selected soldier’s specialist abilities, a total of 18 in game, and can perform these devastating actions on the battlefield when enough points are earned.

“I really like what they’re doing with specialists in ‘Black Ops III.’ It keeps the multiplayer experience exciting,” said Gannon. “It’s kind of similar to the supercharge abilities from Destiny.”

The multiplayer of “Black Ops III” also features new “Gunsmith” and “Paint Shop” options, allowing players further control over the aesthetics of their characters.

Specifically, these options give enormous variation in weapon attachments, allowing various weapon customization combinations, while also allowing players to create and place their own custom designs onto specific portions of a gun, further emphasizing the depth of customization in the game.

“If you haven’t played ‘Call of Duty,’ you should. It offers a lot of variety in gameplay and is always easy to pick up and play,” said Farney.

Photo cutouts courtesy of https://www. facebook.com/CallofDuty/photos_ stream?tab=photos_albums

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Top three winter movies

‘Home Alone,’ ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,’ and ‘Elf’ continue to captivate audiences sam stubits • staff writer

E

very year during the holidays we revisit our favorite Christmas movies. There are thousands of titles to choose from, but each of us have movies that stick with us, whether it’s a Christmas classic like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or if it’s a more recent title such as “The Family Stone.” There are, however, three Christmas movies that I am particularly fond of; “Home Alone,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” and “Elf.” Each of these brings up different seasonal feelings through both laughter and drama. Each is unique, but each has a similar theme running through it, and that is the winter holiday season that we all should be excited for.

“Home Alone” is the story of a bratty child who is inadvertently left to his own devises and alone over Christmas. This plot leads to a number of comical misadventures with the family reuniting at Christmas. These experiences lead to him having a deeper appreciation of what it means to be a part of a family.

The idea for “Home Alone” occurred to John Hughes during the making of “Uncle Buck,” which Macaulay Culkin also starred in. Always game to the precocious one, there’s a scene in which Culkin’s character interrogates

Photo cutouts and photos courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/HomeAloneMovie/photos_stream, https://www.facebook.com/ElfMovie/photos/pb.435849533138165.2207520000.1446953329./797978690258579/?type=3&theater, https://www.facebook.com/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas/, & https://www.facebook.com/25DaysofChristmas/?fref=ts

a potential babysitter through a mail slot. In “Home Alone,” Culkin has a similar confrontation with Daniel Stern, this time via doggie door.

I enjoy this movie because of its humor, simplicity, and overall message on relationships.

In my view the message that hits home by the end of the feature is that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. And sometimes you don’t truly appreciate your loved ones until you are forced to face the world without them.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is the tale of a bitter, grouchy, cave-dwelling creature with a heart “two sizes too small” that lives on snowy Mount Crumpit; a steep, high mountain just north of Whoville, home of the merry and warm-

hearted Whos. This unfortunately leads to the untimely stealing of Christmas.

In the end, the Grinch learns that Christmas isn’t about gifts, and lavish meals, but something more intangible. An interesting fact about this movie comes from the audition.

Producers came to the set of “Man on the Moon” to see if Jim Carrey would be a good fit for the role of the Grinch. But he was so deep into his character that the impersonation of the Grinch ended up being him doing an impression of himself doing an impression of the Grinch, that’s how he got the role. This movie is one of my favorites simply because of the overall lesson it teaches.

This message is that you don’t have to give expensive gifts or have money to make Christmas something special.

“Elf ” is a comedy-filled adventure of Buddy, a human raised by the elves. Buddy is sent to New York to find his father, but when his father isn’t aware of his existence he is forced to reevaluate his priorities.

Buddy learns to be himself even when he struggles to find himself. Something most people would recognize from seeing this movie is that the sound effect used by the jack-in-the-box is the same sound effect used by the laughing hyenas at Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando, Fl., and was also used in the 1955 Disney movie; “Lady in the Tramp” for the laughing hyenas in the zoo.

I presume that this teaches us how to be open and speak your mind.

Overall, we all have our own reasons to like and favorite these movies. But to me, these movies all have their own virtues and likable features and they’re universal in their own purposes.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 27

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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“When you redo a classic, you have to do it justice.”

-Senior Kate Dougherty

Nuts for ‘Peanuts’ Charlie Brown and his infamous group of friends go to the big screen jaclyn smitendorf • staff writer

Y

ou’ve made it to the 21st century, Charlie Brown!

He spends his days in a tired state, yet he lives life to the fullest. He’s a mischievous, laid back, free-spirited fellow with an insatiable appetite. His escape is in fantasy land, a home to his alter egos.

No, he isn’t one of your peers. He’s the beloved quirky canine, the one and only Snoopy.

Snoopy and the gang reunited on the big screen as of Nov. 6.

“The Peanuts Movie” wasn’t written by just any dog on the street.

Sons to the creator of the Peanuts comics, Craig and Bryan Schulz, co write the production. The brothers aspire to draw attention to their father’s original work, but with a gentle modern take. In this family affair, the film is in close spirit to Charles Schulz’s classic comic strip.

Many times, a modernized classic is off putting due to moviegoers’ appalling experiences with the genre in the past.

“The Peanuts Movie” stayes true to its roots and didn’t soil its reputation of

28 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

success.

“When you redo a classic, you have to do it justice,” said senior Kate Dougherty, a die hard Peanuts fan.

“It needs a modern twist, but more importantly there needs to be classic moments.”

Lucy has been sassing the neighborhood blockheads for over half a century; that is, “Peanuts” has been alive in American culture since the ‘50s. The comic was fed to the baby boom generation teaching them how to deal with life’s ups and downs. The generation grew up with the comics, and the comics grew alongside them. The first black character was introduced after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Following in 1970, Snoopy’s yellow partner in crime, Woodstock, was named after the music festival.

Peanuts stood alongside for them during the civil rights struggle and hippie counterculture phase, earning its title as the most successful comic strip of all time.

During times of dark-

ness, Peanuts was literal comic relief.

Bringing back the Peanuts only keeps the characters alive.

The soundtracks in the film are a perfect blend of ages past and current. The iconic Peanuts theme song is played along with other recognizable tunes from holiday specials. To encompass the new age music, film score by Meghan Trainior is added for modern flavor.

“The Peanuts Movie” contains two story lines, covering all the bases to ensure no aspect of the comic was left out.

In one plot, Snoopy is at war with his arch nemesis, the Red Barron. The beloved beagle and his army of yellow birds battle the Red Barron to rescue a pooch in distress. In the more substantial plot line, Charlie Brown falls head over heels for the new kid in town, the Little Red-Haired Girl. Charlie Brown desperately tries to shed his reputation as a wishy washy failure and desires to show her the real him.

This leads to Charlie Brown always questioning and doubting

himself. Overthinking his life, he wonders if people like him for who he is or who they think his is. His philosophical pal, Linus, enlightens him of to wild possibility that people like him because he’s a good person. Once he makes this realization, the recurring horrible embarrassments disappear, as if the world stopped conspiring against him.

At the end of the day, Charlie Brown teaches us that the false p peers judge us by can be cast aside, as long as we stay true to ourselves.

Cast by Steve Martino, child voice actors portrayed the Peanuts gang.

Resurrecting the original Snoopy and Woodstock, Bill Melendez was included via archival recordings. It’s been decades since we’ve seen a Peanuts film come out; adapting a comic strip to modern computer animation was no easy task. Martino arose to the challenge.

Many of us see ourselves in these characters; we crave a safety blanket like Linus, demand a voice like Lucy, and daydream impossible scenarios like Sally. On bad days, we remember that there are always those that have it worse like the Charlie Browns of society. Relatability is why ‘Peanuts’ remains timeless.

“The Peanuts Movie” was charming and won’t disappoint existing Charlie Brown fans. The film is wholesome and stays faithful to the classic character descriptions. Come one, come all, and enjoy this adorable film.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo cutouts and photos courtesy of https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/ community/blog-posts/canon-fodderjurassic-ark

‘Halo 5’ shocks fans The newest installment incorporates many new gameplay options justin kostecki • staff writer

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lasma grenades are flying, gunshots deafen the ears of combatants, and a war is still at hand between the Covenant and the humans. This leads to all hope of dismissal seems unobtainable. This is proven in the newly released Halo game.

Gamers everywhere rejoice in the arrival of a longly anticipated video game, ‘‘Halo 5: Guardians.’’ ‘‘Halo 5’’ takes to the stores and offers a brand new perspective other than the Master Chief ’s usual viewing.

With a reputation as

one of the best set of first-person shooters known to a video game console, “Halo” is continually praised for the ingenious plotlines and understandable gameplay it had originally obtained its prominence from.

Former Halo gamer, junior Austin Krause, reminisces his past years of gaming experience in “Halo.” “‘Halo 4’ was my initial firstperson shooter game I played, and I loved it,” said Krause. “The graphics were great and the gameplay was awesome.”

With a solid, surprising storyline and formidable, fresh features, ‘Halo 5’ is expected to impress many minds of eager Halo fans, with more fluid combat and movement capabilities.

“Halo 5” takes place in the distant year of 2558 and an estimation of eight months after the events of “Halo 4,” where Cortana disappeared after courageously saving Master Chief ’s life.

The storyline for the fifth addition, although the ninth game chronologically, to the popular “Halo Franchise” has invigorated old and new fans as it brings back some ele-

ments from past games including playing as two human fireteams, and a little spoiler, Cortana returns in a spiritual form to aid the units.

Renowned Master Chief and his newly introduced unit decide to end

“‘Halo 4’ was my initial first-person shooter game I played, and I loved it,” -Junior Austin Krause their partnership with the UNSC (United Nations Space Command).

This is led by fearless Spartan Jameson Locke, Fireteam Osiris is assigned to retrieve the missing members of the Blue Team.

Meanwhile, a new force threatens to overtake the galaxy. Strange figures referred to as ‘guardians’ unexpectedly appear in human colonies located throughout the galaxy.

The figures are capable of producing strong electromagnetic pulses which could potentially cut communication connection. This could be detrimental to the war as no one will be able to converse with one another in the galaxy.

The only hope to track down those missing and save the galaxy

from potential destruction, lies in the hands of the almighty gamers whom take the oath to do so.

“The Halo franchise has revolutionized the genre of sci-fi gaming,” said junior Austin McCoy. “Halo Combat Evolved, the first Halo game, is still an enjoyable game to this day.”

An innovative Warzone selection brings all new life to the series as it gives the players access to battle among a maximum of 24 players. In Warzone, confrontation occurs between Forerunners, Covenant, and Spartans all while completing a widespread variety of missions such as capturing the opposing team’s flags.

A new assortment of guns, swords, and characters, offers a fresh experience and variety to the playing field as new approaches towards problems can be experimented on. Well-known weapons remain consistent and illustrious to the storyline.

Anticipation builds as cutting-edge, concise graphics and the involvement of certain abilities, such as the vital sprint button, are introduced as modern features. Climbing walls, indepth scoping, and other little add-ons provide capabilities gamers hadn’t even recognized as being possible improvements to gameplay.

New enticing games of all types are introduced almost every day, but none compare to those of “Halo Series” and the loyal following it has built up throughout the years. “Halo 5” is definitely no exception as it offers exciting features all the while staying true to its roots for the rapidly growing fan-base.

In my opinion, “Halo 5: Guardians’” is a great continuation to the series. It remains parallel to expectations and goes a little above.

The graphics and gameplay are very neat, and the story mode is very well laid out. The new additions make for a cleaner way to play. As you divulge into the story mode, addiction may arise until you have restored order in the galaxy.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 29

SPORTS

Westbrook above the rest OKC Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook shocking the NBA with his electric playstyle

A

adam reckamp • editor-in-chief sk most NBA fans who the best point guard in the league is, and they’ll probably tell you Chris Paul or reigning MVP Steph Curry.

And while Steph Curry and Chris Paul are amazing players, probably top 10 players in the NBA, they are both literally and figuratively a step behind the best point guard in the league, the most unguardable player in basketball: Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook.

Russell Westbrook is not a prototypical point guard. He doesn’t calmly lead his offense, looking to pass first and score later. Westbrook is a new breed of point guard, the best athlete the position has ever seen, looking to score; whether it be a vicious dunk or a pass out for a three he doesn’t much care. The only way to describe him is as an unstoppable force of nature, his playstyle is unrelenting, filled with violent drives to basket finished off in dunks or acrobatic layups.

The only other point guard even comparable to Westbrook in terms of raw athleticism was pre- injury Derrick Rose, but with Rose in a different stage of his career now, Westbrook is in a class of his own.

The age old wisdom that a scoring point guard couldn’t win a championship was shattered last year, with Steph Curry shooting the Warriors to an NBA championship. This paradigm shift around the league has opened the door for scoring point guards like Westbrook to flourish.

A prototypical point guard is fine, but Westbrook’s unique playing style opens up the same opportunities for his teammates, just in a different way. With the new “Pace and space” style of play being adopted around the NBA, Russell

Westbrook could not be in a better position to succeed. With three point shooters drawing defenders out to cover them, Westbrook has open driving lanes after he inevitably breaks down his defender. As Westbrook hits another gear and crashes towards the basket, defenders have two choices: Protect the basket and still possibly end up on a poster, or stick on their man and give Westbrook free points.

As teams adapt and start packing the paint with multiple big men, Westbrook’s incredible vertical and subsequent hang time allows him to make acrobatic passes to open three point shooters.

Westbrook’s superior athleticism to every other player on the court presents an utterly unique problem for defenses, even tougher to defend than Steph Curry’s famed three point shot. It’s the reason he led the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.1 points per game, and joining Allen Iverson as the only two point guard to lead the NBA in scoring in the last 40 years.

Westbrook’s offensive game is multi-faceted, he can do more than just drive to the basket. Some might wonder with Westbrook being a career 30 percent three point shooter while shooting 45 percent from two point range why teams don’t give him the Rondo treatment, packing the paint, going under ever screen, and forcing him to make jumpers. Coaches realize they can’t give Westbrook the same treatment they give Rondo because in this case, numbers do lie. Westbrook is a decent shooter, he just takes poorly chosen shots which skew his percentages, perhaps his biggest vice. While Westbrook is sometimes inefficient, analytics show that Westbrook is effective.

Westbrook, even with the high-

30 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook drives against Michael KiddGilchrist. (David T. Foster, III/ Charlotte Observer/TNS)

est usage rate among NBA point guards, had a true shooting percentage of 53.6 percent, 11th highest among starting point guards. While not as high as his counterparts Stephen Curry and Chris Paul, Westbrook’s incredible volume of offense leads to his percentage being lower.

But Westbrook has never claimed to be the most efficient and precise point guard in the NBA. His game is high volume and with that you get the good and the bad. But when you account for Westbrook’s total impact on the court, he is in a class of his own.

Westbrook had a Player Efficiency Rating of 29.12, second highest in the NBA after Anthony Davis, and a full point above Stephen Curry. PER attempts to measure a player’s performance in one number, and is an advanced stat often used by NBA front offices to evaluate players.

While offense is the side of the floor that most NBA fans focus on, it’s only half of the game. Westbrook’s defense is exactly how you would expect it to be, he’s one of

the most aggressive defenders in the NBA, flying around the floor with an intensity seldom seen in NBA players. Due to this relentless style of play, Westbrook forces an exorbitant amount of steals, finishing second in the NBA in steals with 2.1 per game last season, after Defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard. While his style of play often creates havoc and turnovers, Westbrook is sometimes reckless, occasionally gambling for a steal and giving up a basket as a result.

This style of play while not safe, can singlehandedly win his team games in fourth quarter situations.

The 2014-2015 NBA season highlighted another aspect of Westbrook’s game that is so incredible, his rebounding. Most point guards ,due to their height, post low rebounding numbers. Westbrook is an exception. He finished tied for 40th in rebounds per game, tied with Timofey Mozgov and above Roy Hibbert, men that are almost a foot taller than him, and finished as the only guard in the top 75. Westbrook’s rebounding was highlighted

R. Westbrook

PPG: 28.1 PER: 29.1 APG: 8.6 RPG: 7.3 SPG: 2.09 (Statistics via NBA.com)

Paul is coming off one the biggest chokes in NBA history in last years playoffs. The Clipper blew a 19 point lead in the third quarter of game 5 against the Rockets, and went on to lose the a series they once led 3-1 in seven games. Paul’s distinct lack of team success in the postseason seems odd for a player often seen as the ultimate floor general. Most of this seems to be a result of his inability to take over games by himself, and his reliance on his teammates to win games in crucial moments. Although Paul has shown an ability to dominate close games, such as game seven against the San Antonio Spurs in last years playoffs, his late game inconsistency is his biggest vice. And while no one can debate the fact

S. Curry

PPG: 23.8 PER: 28.1 APG: 7.7 RPG: 4.3 SPG: 2.04

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

NBA last year, and is an extremely underrated passer.

Chris Paul, a point guard who has never made it past the second round of the playoffs, is often rated as the best point guard in the NBA. Paul is the perfect prototypical point guard, a great defender, and the best distributer of the ball the NBA has seen since Magic. Paul led the NBA in assists last year, and while having less steals than Westbrook, was a better team defender.

Westbrook had the clear edge in points, rebounds and PER, but the stats don’t show the whole picture in this case. Paul and Westbrook are fundamentally different players, and are much more difficult to compare statistically than Westbrook and Curry.

(Dan Honda/Bay Area News Group/TNS)

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

by his incredible 11 triple doubles during the season, seven higher than any other player in the NBA. Comparing Russell Westbrook to the other top point guards in the league shows why he reigns supreme. While Steph Curry is likely the best pure offensive point guard in the NBA, Curry, while much improved last year, still struggles defending bigger point guards on defense. Russell Westbrook’s defensive playmaking, rebounding and explosiveness give him the slight edge over Curry. The stats back this up with Westbrook averaging more points, rebounds and even assists than Curry last season. While Westbrook is often thought to be a selfish player, he averaged the fifth most assists in the

SPORTS

that Paul is a better defender and passer than Westbrook, his lack of raw scoring and ability to take over games gives Westbrook the edge.

Westbrook’s insane motor and athleticism make him the best point guard in the NBA. These two traits make him the hardest player in the NBA to stay in front of, make his aggressive style of defense viable, and allow him to get rebounds at a ridiculously high rate. Westbrook is the youngest of the three elite point guards at 26 years of age, and figures to get better as the years go on. The question is one that people having been asking his whole life: How high can Russell fly?

C. Paul

PPG: 19.1 PER: 26.0 APG: 10.2 RPG: 4.6 SPG: 1.90 November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 31

SPORTS

Junior Kristen Czarnecki practices for the 200 Individual Medley (S. Faheem).

Strokes of success Kristen Czarnecki makes the switch from club to high school swimming tyler watkins • sports editor

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he familiar scent of chlorine fills Centegra as junior Kristen Czarnecki prepares for her first day of practice with the Huntley girls swimming team. Anxiety fills her body as she nervously enters the pool. For years, she has swam at an elite level, and she has no idea how her teammates, most of whom she has not swam with since elementary school, will react to her presence.

As she hits the water, her instincts take over and she quickly eases back into her usual practice routine.

Unsurprisingly, her teammates are ecstatic at the return of such a successful swimmer.

Czarnecki began swimming

when she was 7 years old. Her first team was the Huntley Stingrays.

After a few years of swimming for the Stingrays, Czarnecki decided that she was ready to become more competitive.

“I got competitive when I was 10, for the Woodstock Dolphins, and that was year-round,” said Czarnecki.

Both of Czarnecki’s parents are athletes; her dad competes in Ironman triathlons and her mom runs marathons. Her mom’s high school swimming career was part of the reason she decided to take up swimming herself. However, she does not feel that there has been a specific person who has served as her mentor.

32 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

“There’s not someone who was a specific mentor,” said Czarnecki. “I push myself a ton and set high goals that I try to reach.”

Going into her freshman year, Czarnecki sat down with her club coaches and came to the conclusion that it would be in her best interest to remain with her club team, Academy Bullets, in Aurora.

However, before her junior year, Czarnecki became determined to put more of an emphasis on school, so she decided to swim for the Red Raiders.

“I had a coach and we were training for the 2016 trials, but I decided to focus on school, and made that my primary focus rather than swimming,” said Czarnecki.

Czarnecki’s debut for the Red Raiders coincided with her mom Brenda’s first season as Huntley’s head coach. Neither Kristen nor Brenda feel that it has been difficult to balance the mother-daughter and coach-athlete relationship. In fact, Kristen feels that it has been a great experience to have her mom as her coach, and does not think that she is treated any differently from the other swimmers.

“We have a really good relationship, it’s actually really fun having her on-deck,” said Czarnecki. “She’s fair across the board. I used to put a ton of pressure on myself, so she was always the one who tried to relax me.”

Although it can be hard to

adapt to a team where most of the members have been teammates for a couple of years, Czarnecki knew most her teammates from various club teams when they were younger, so the adjustment was not too hard.

“I’ve known these girls since I first started swimming. We all swam on the Huntley Stingrays together,” said Czarnecki. “I’ve talked to them throughout all these years, but it was just a different experience for me, coming from staying with club and then going here.”

Czarnecki’s teammates view her as a great influence on the rest of the team. She is always motivating her fellow swimmers. Her dedication has paid off as the other swimmers work harder to keep up with Czarnecki during practices, helping them drop their times at meets. Senior Keili Herron, a captain for the swim team, believes that Czarnecki could easily play an even bigger leadership role next season.

“There’s always people sitting on the sideline, not cheering, and she’s always there to make sure they stand up and cheer,” said Herron.

“She’s just really good at getting people to be team players.”

Within the past few years, Czarnecki has made multiple improvements in swimming, but she feels that there is a specific improvement

that has really impacted her and allowed her to improve.

“My biggest improvement is probably not putting so much pressure on myself and not making swimming my primary focus,” said Czarnecki.

Throughout her many years swimming, Czarnecki has earned many accolades. She’s competed in multiple meets on the national level and earned various awards for her times. However, there is one accomplishment that she holds more closely than the rest.

“My favorite moment was being

“She’s just really good at getting people to be team players.”

- Senior Keili Herron the fastest in the nation for 12-yearold girls in the 200 meter breaststroke,” said Czarnecki.

Brenda Czarnecki also holds many memories from Kristen’s budding career. According to Brenda, it has been thrilling to watch all of Kristen’s meets, regardless of wheth-

er they were small, local meets for the Huntley Stingrays, or the ultracompetitive national meets that Kristen has shined in.

“It has been amazing to watch her go from the little girl who forgot to put her goggles on in her first race to a State and Zone champion,” said Brenda Czarnecki.

Both Czarnecki and her mom agree that Kristen’s biggest improvement would be in making faster turns. However, Brenda believes that it is important that Kristen continues to work on finding the right balance in her life between school, swimming, and a social life.

“My biggest improvement would probably be my turns, getting in and out of the wall fast,” said Czarnecki. “I always take my time on the walls. All my coaches have mentioned that.”

Czarnecki enjoys both club and high school swimming even though they are very different environments. In her eyes, the biggest difference between the two is the support system for the swimmers.

“I know with these girls that I can go into practice and they’ll support me no matter what and they have my back,” said Czarnecki.

“When we’re at meets they’re cheering for each other and it’s really a family, like a team sport, rather than

SPORTS

individual like club.”

As the high school season nears its conclusion, Czarnecki already has a goal in mind for the postseason. She hopes to make state in multiple events. She also plans to swim for Huntley next year.

“My goal right now is to make state this year in the 100 meter fly and 200 meter IM,” said Czarnecki.

Czarnecki is still unsure about where her swimming career will take her after high school. She plans to continue swimming in college, but has not decided if it will be for a school’s club team or varsity team.

“I would love to swim still in college, that hasn’t changed throughout the years,” said Czarnecki. “I’ve always wanted to go D1, like that was my biggest dream, but that’s kind of changed, so I’m not really sure if I want to swim club or on the team.”

For her part, Czarnecki already has two colleges in mind that she would love to continue her career at. Ideally, Czarnecki would like to attend either the University of Florida in Gainesville or Ohio State University in Columbus.

One thing is certain, no matter where or how Czarnecki chooses to continue her career, her work ethic and desire to improve ensures that she will be successful.

Junior Kristen Czarnecki works on her form at practice (S. Faheem).

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 33

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SPORTS

Setting Her Goals High Freshman Sarah Zayas stands out in volleyball alexandra landman • staff writer

T

he atmosphere in the East gym was very professional, and there was one obvious unspoken rule; there was no messing around.

The gym was hot and sticky, but that was not the only thing keeping her uneasy. As she was walking into the gym, she could hear the shouts of encouraging teammates and familiar sound of bodies diving all over the floor. She did not know anybody, but she did know one thing; that she wanted to play for Huntley.

On her first day of tryouts, freshman Sarah Zayas was intimidated.

There were 70 skilled athletes trying out, 28 of them for the varsity team.

15 athletes would make varsity, however, only the best six would play. She did not know what to expect, yet she knew how badly she wanted a spot.

Zayas knew she had the skill to make the varsity roster, due to her six years of experience and countless hours playing at Sky High, a club volleyball organization based in Crystal Lake. She was a libero, but she knew that she may be asked to play a new position.

After several intense days of tryouts, Zayas’ dream came true.

There it was; her name on the varsity roster.

“I was ecstatic. This has been my dream since 6th grade, and I’m so happy I was able to fulfill it,” said Zayas.

However, Zayas’ excitement was not over. Not only did she make the varsity team, but she earned one of the six starting spots. She became a respected player and opponent on the court, but this was not always the case. In fact when she first started, Zayas did not even want to play volleyball.

“I actually did not want to play volleyball; I thought it would be boring,” said Zayas. “I wanted to be a dancer, but my mom signed me up for volleyball to keep me active and I fell in love with the sport.”

The sport that was meant to keep Zayas active turned into her passion, and it was what she put most of her effort into. After she found out she was a varsity starter, Zayas knew what was ahead of her. She had to prove herself to not only her coaches, but also her teammates.

“I feel very honored to be able to have this title. It’s a bit pressuring, but I’ve gotten used to the pressure and now I’m just super happy about it,” said Zayas.

Her first practice was a walk in the park in terms of anxiety because she got to know her teammates during preseason and team bonding.

When it came time to determining positions, Zayas did not know where she would be put. She served as a libero on her club team, but senior Brea Jereb was a returning starter and had already secured that position. Zayas played all positions to the best of her ability, but she discovered something about herself along the way.

“I discovered throughout the season that I have an aptitude for setting; it came naturally to me. I think the hardest part was trying to live up to the name as a “freshman starting setter,” said Zayas. “I felt I wasn’t good enough to be a starter, but as my coaches and players helped me, I improved a lot.”

Zayas became the starting setter, a position that she had never played before. A setter is the player who positions the ball and hits it into the air for the middle players to spike. Zayas usually touches the ball on the second contact and is the leader of the offense. When she first started as a setter, she was

nervous because she did not think she was good enough. Coach Karen Naymola thought otherwise.

“Sarah is very athletic, and we need our setters to be athletic,” said Naymola. “We took a chance and now she runs the offense. She comes from a great club, and has a lot of experience and knowledge of the game.”

Practice was easy, but varsity games were a whole different category. The speed of the game, level of competition, and different strategies were all things Zayas had to adapt to. With the help of her coaches, private lessons, and upperclassmen leadership, Zayas adapted in no time. One of Zayas’ significant strengths was one that most setters did not have. Since being a setter is more of an offensive position, the defensive aspect of their game is normally not strong.

Zayas is an exception.

“Her defense is great because she was a libero. Itś hard to have setters play defense, but she has done a great job,” said Naymola. “She is extremely coachable and wants to improve.”

Being a leader of the team and the “quarterback” of the offense is no easy feat, especially for a freshman new to the program. With the help and support of her parents, teammates, and coaches, Zayas made a name for herself.

She is an incredible athlete, but more importantly, a selfless player.

“I just do what I can to contribute to the team I am on and do everything in my power to help,” said Zayas. “I can’t wait to see where these next four years take me, but in the meantime I’m going to do what I can to become both a better player and teammate.”

Freshman Sarah Zayas prepares to serve the ball (R. O’Sullivan).

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 35

SPORTS Junior Tyler Salgado poses in front of the Snow Raiders’ display case (Courtesy of Tyler Salgado).

King of the slopes Tyler Salgado finds a new passion lucas modzelewski • staff writer

J

unior Tyler Salgado flies across the snow on the ground at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin. Above him are large clouds and a dark sky matching the color of his snowboard.

The snow had been soft earlier, as fresh snow had slowly fallen down like lost leaves in a gentle fall wind, but it is now crunchy, yet slick, and gives off a familiar festive feel. As Salgado slides, he sees a hill. He starts to race towards it. Once he meets the highest point of the hill, he jumps. The junior lands on the ground after he completes a spin.

All he could think to himself was one word: Exhilarating.

Salgado has been snowboarding for two years and he looks to return, yet again, to the Snow Raiders and learn more than ever in his third year.

Salgado believes he is a talented snowboarder. He seems to be right in his belief because he has never suffered an injury while snowboarding. Salgado does not appear to make many mistakes while on his board.

“I have a lot of control over my board,” said Salgado.

His drive to snowboard began on a Christmas morning, ten years ago. Salgado, 6 years old at the time, woke up to open his presents.

One of the presents was from his dad. Salgado opened it, and he found a small, grey snowboard with red straps and tiny boots. While Salgado never really got around to snowboarding with it too much, having that board motivated him enough to learn how to snowboard and eventually become a snowboarder.

One day during his freshman

36 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

year, he heard about the Snow Raiders. He thought about his old board and decided that he would finally learn to snowboard. So he signed up and bought a brand new board. Soon after, he started to go on trips as a Snow Raider and began to snowboard with the other students in the club.

According to Salgado, it was difficult to learn the sport.

“I wasn’t used to all the sliding and turning but it got fun,” said Salgado.

Once he learned how to snowboard, nothing could stop the thrill he experienced on the snowy hills of Alpine Valley. There were some notable events the junior had while snowboarding, but a few stood above the rest.

“My favorite snowboarding moment would probably be [when] I landed my first 180,” said Salgado.

“[It felt] satisfying.”

However, snowboarding is not always an exciting rush. Sometimes it can instill fright in the snowboarder. According to Salgado, the most scared he had ever been while snowboarding was the first time he jumped off a hill.

“It was really weird, and I didn’t like it, but I just did it over and over,” said Salgado.

Eventually the junior was able to successfully land his first jump.

Now, landing tricks and jumps is some of the most fun he has. Salgado and a lot of other snowboarders participate in the sport so that they can ignore the outside world and just have a good time.

“I snowboard because it’s fun and it helps me get away from all the stress,” said Salgado.

Salgado has been through a

“My favorite snowboarding moment would probably be [when] I landed my first 180. [It felt] satisfying.”

- Junior Tyler Salgado couple of different snowboards and he currently uses a black and grey Forum board.

The Snow Raiders is not just for snowboarders though. Anyone looking for a different winter sport can join the Snow Raiders and start skiing. Salgado believes that joining the Snow Raiders is definitely worth it, even if you do not know how to snowboard or ski.

“You just get to go on a trip to Wisconsin and have fun with your friends for the whole day.”

The club leaves to go on these trips about ten times a year, depending on weather conditions.

The Snow Raiders depart for their first trip this school year on Dec. 4.

Sophomore Cory Knipp awaits the snap (R. O’Sullivan).

Two-sport athlete Cory Knipp shines in multiple sports maggie mcgee • staff writer

W

akeup. School.

Football practice.

Homework. Sleep.

Repeat.

This is life for sophomore quarterback Cory Knipp, who is a leader on Huntley’s sophomore football team and freshman basketball team.

Knipp first started playing flag football at the age of 6. He remembers always wanting to wear full pads and asking, “When are we gonna hit, coach?”

Originally, he wanted to play wide receiver, as any tiny, quick 6-year-old would. Yet after a few years playing football, and after maturing a bit, he was told that the quarterback was the person who leads the team. He liked that, and knew he wanted to be that leader.

“As quarterback you have to be a leader, have a great work ethic, and be able to perform well under pressure because everyone is watching

you touch the ball every single play and control the game,” said Knipp.

The role as quarterback fits Knipp’s personality and morals head on, as he has always been driven to excel no matter what aspect of life it is.

“He’s a really bright kid, always a positive person, and his work ethic is great so together those things make it easy for him to be a great leader,” said coach John Hart.

There’s no doubt that Hart’s leadership plays a huge role in Huntley’s success, but it also plays a huge role in influencing Knipp on the field.

“Coach Hart is one of those coaches where if he told me the sky was purple, I would believe him just because he’s so good at leading kids and so good at coaching,” said Knipp.

In reality, it is Knipp’s parents, Ann and Alan Knipp, who have been there for him since day one, coaching him and encouraging him to always work hard.

“My dad has coached me ever since I could understand the language; as a coach and father he has really grown me and improved my game,” said Knipp.

After losses or during mentally tough times, it has been his mom who has came through and been there for her son.

“Every time I’m down on myself, my mom is always there to pick me back up and encourage me,” said Knipp.

Wakeup. School. Football Practice. Homework. Sleep. Repeat.

Balancing school, football, and life is hard enough, now throw basketball into the mix. Two sports, back to back seasons.

Knipp has been playing basketball since age 3. With his dad being the main influence on him playing basketball, he got his son into it quickly.

Despite not playing a specific position that requires more leadership than another on the basketball

SPORTS

court, Knipp’s role as a leader never diminished.

“He’s not the most vocal guy, but you can tell that he is always trying to step up and do the right things.

He tries to put his team first, his friends first, his academics first and then himself second. Cory leads by example,” said Knipp’s freshman basketball coach, Dan Jennings.

When you’re on a team so much is learned from the guys around you and the influences they make on your game and life. Knipp does exactly that to everyone around him.

“He is the type of person that every guy wants to be. He is the perfect role model,” said longtime teammate and friend Andrew Fulcer.

Leadership can only get you so far though, hard work is what separates the dedicated players from the players who come to get stuff done and that is it.

“He’s not the most vocal guy, but you can tell that he is always trying to step up and do the righ things.”

- Coach Dan Jennings When not at practice or playing in a game, Knipp is constantly improving his game no matter what the sport is and no matter what the season is. He lifts in his off time, participates in camps and clinics, eats to build up more muscle, and even plays spring basketball.

“I want to be known as the hardest worker wherever I go, whether it’s with sports, in the classroom or even anywhere else,” said Knipp.

“So if I show that example then maybe other guys will see that and do the same.”

If one thing is certain, offseason doesn’t exist for Cory Knipp.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 37

SPORTS

True student-athlete

Jason Zobott excels on the field and in the classroom maddy moffett • opinion editor

I

t played out how any predictable sports movie would; the Huntley boys soccer team was down 1-0 against Barrington in the sectional final. The first half concluded with the Raiders trailing, and they entered the second half with the thought that this could be the last 40 minutes of the season.

Then it happened, the equivalent of Rudy sacking the quarterback.

That one glorious moment that sends chills down your spine and makes your arm hair stand on end.

Freshman Jason Zobott, being inexperienced in high school soccer and slightly undersized, was not a primary goal scorer for the Red Raiders. But in this game, he was Rudy, scoring on a header to tie the game.

Now a senior, Zobott has not only become one of the best players in the area, he has proven himself to be a leader on the field. “[He] is a leader first by example and then vocally,” said coach Kris Grabner. “He earns respect from his teammates.”

Named one of three captains of the boys soccer team this year, Zobott did not wait for the season to start leading. Though he did not play his junior year for the high school, he knew that the largest problem in the previous season was the team’s lack of physical fitness. So before the season started, Zobott and his senior teammates led six mile runs in an effort to be in the best shape possible.

“It was awful,” said Zobott.

“Nobody wanted to do it.”

Despite the numerous mental objections and physical obstacles, the team continued to push themselves to their breaking points. At the end of the runs, Zobott would push his teammates to sprint and dig down deep.

“When we wanted to quit was

when we worked the hardest,” said Zobott.

Besides being a great athlete and impressive leader, Zobott excels in the classroom. He is ranked third in his class of 644, taking the most rigorous classes possible. While others are struggling in Pre-Calculus, Zobott wrestles with Multi-Variable Calculus. While others are toiling with Conceptual Physics, Zobott tackles AP Physics C. His success in the classroom can be attributed to his desire to be the best.

“I don’t settle for being anything less than the top,” said Zobott. “I’ll put in the work necessary in order to get the goals I want.”

In the eyes of Zobott, success looks a lot like hard work and commitment.

“I don’t settle for being anything less than the top.”

- Senior Jason Zobott After going to bed around midnight, he wakes up and goes to school. Due to his many blended classes, Zobott spends a lot of time in the library doing homework and studying. Once the bell rings, it’s off to soccer practice until 5 o’clock.

Depending on how he feels, he may complete a CrossFit workout before he heads home to begin a hefty load of homework. He studies late into the night, only to do the same thing all over again the next day.

Juggling extracurriculars, schoolwork, and a social life can be a challenge for Zobott.

“You have to have priorities,” said Zobott. “You have to know what’s important and what you have to do and what you don’t.”

38 huntleyvoice.com November 2015

To stay on top of his homework, Zobott takes advantage of any time he can get. On bus rides to away games, he endures the bumpy ride while simultaneously attempting to get mentally prepared for the game while doing his math homework.

Though he may sound like one, Zobott does not believe he is a nerd.

“I take pride in my intelligence, but I’m just like anyone else,” said Zobott. “I go out on weekends with my friends and do normal things.”

Zobott plans to continue his crazy schedule in college. He plans to major in petroleum engineering, a degree not offered at a large number of universities in the United States. To make the list of potential schools shorter, Zobott also wants to play soccer at the next

level. His greatest challenge was finding the perfect combination of academics and athletics. Missouri University of Science and Technology offers Zobott both.

“That’s my top school right now,” said Zobott.

He plans on traveling to their campus for an overnight visit, while also getting the opportunity to train with the team.

He doesn’t see himself as a nerd, but he encompasses the true meaning of student-athlete.

“Alone, they’re both totally different things,” said Zobott. “But when you put them together it shows that you can handle both school and sports.”

Senior Jason Zobott heads the ball away from the other team (Courtesy of Randy Whitaker).

STAFF EDITORIAL

Project-based learning needs to improve

A

t Huntley High School, complaints about project-based learning can be heard throughout the school.

Generally, students are talking about their biology classes. “[Project-based learning] is more student-centered, allowing kids to take a more hands-on approach and research in topics that interest them,” said biology teacher Ryan Marsh.

While the actual definition may be “student-centered,” students feel that the work on project after project on topics that were never taught, and graded using a rubric with very few guidelines. As soon as the projects are done, they are given tests covering everything that they should have learned from the projects, but were never told to look for.

Take the carrying capacity of deer project, for example.

“We weren’t exactly sure what the teacher wanted from us,” said junior Justin Panacchia. “Everybody doing the same project is repetitive. It’s drilling stuff that we don’t understand and aren’t really going to use.”

The unclear rubrics make it difficult for students to create their project.

Teachers give students rubrics with guidelines that are totally different from what they say in class.

On top of that, teachers tell students to check haiku if there are any questions, but the information on haiku says something completely different as well.

According to biology teacher Zach Davidson, there are new national standards, Next Generation Science Standards, that the science teachers are struggling to fit with the projects.

NGSS also has specific standards for testing as well. Teachers have followed these to a tee, even putting the number correlating with the standard next to the question on the test.

But what the teachers are still failing to do is make the projects align with the tests.

Another problem is that there is no built-in class time to have a quick review of things to know for the test, which would be helpful.

“Have notes and an overall review after each project is finished, so students can prepare for the test,” said junior Shivam Vashi.

The teachers in the biology classes really do not even take the time to teach their students about a given subject. There is not even an explanation of the terms in the project. Most students do not know the difference about nuclear energy, wind energy, water energy, or solar energy, or how these forms of energy work. Instead of explaining what they are to students, teachers put up a video in class of a debate between which form of energy is better.

“A lot of people look at it as ‘the teacher can sit back’ but we have to prep so much,” said Davidson. “It’s so much easier to put a PowerPoint up and lecture at you than to work you through it, help you through these skills.”

Many students think that if they complain enough, the district will eventually relinquish its tight hold on project-based learning. But that is not the case.

“Project-based learning is a highly researched instructional practice and is considered a best practice in science education (and other subjects too) so I would not be in favor or reverting to teaching methods that have not been shown to be successful,” said Peter Kupfer, District 158 Director of Curriculum Instruction- STEM. Project-based learning is a great idea in theory. Having students learn on their own and ask questions is a skill that is needed for the rest of life. But there are many flaws that need to be fixed before it is considered the right way to teach students.

“The teachers are working really hard [to improve the curriculum],” said Science chair Cindy Fuhrer.

Let us offer some suggestions to improve the curriculum.

Teachers need to find a way for projects to cover what is on the test, while still fitting into the NGSS guidelines. They also need to stand up in front of their classes and teach. Teachers should give an overview of the unit, at the start of the unit, before the projects. At the end of the unit, teachers should spend a day reviewing for the test and making sure the students are well-prepared.

If these improvements are made, students are more likely to buy into project-based learning.

November 2015 huntleyvoice.com 39

Jason Zobott: Desire to be the best

(Courtesy of Randy Whitaker)