First Week Supplement Volume 48

KANELAND

KR ER

LOOKING FORWARD Events, gatherings and in-person education return.

Volume 48 • First Week Supplement • Kaneland High School • August 13, 2021

August 13, 2021

COMMUNITY WELCOMES BACK ELBURN DAYS

BY NICHOLAS MITCHINSON

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Co-Editor-in-Chief of Print

hat was once known as “A Day in the Park” in 1934 has now grown into the annual festival called Elburn Days. Elburn Days will be returning this year after the cancellation of last year’s celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Elburn Lions Club will host the festival, which will be held at Lions Park and will begin Friday evening, August 20, and conclude Sunday, August 22.

The most recent president of the Lions Club, Nancy Faber, is in charge of planning and making sure Elburn Days happens this year, despite ongoing concerns related to the pandemic. Faber realizes how much of a priority it is to the residents who look forward to it each year.

Hosting Elburn Days has always been important for the Lions Club, but the significance to the community is heightened

Photo courtesy of Elburn Lions Club

to the local food pantries. They also give to local residents who will write to them for help,” Lions Club member and high school guidance counselor Anne Kuntz said.

While the Lions Club hosts many events, Elburn Days is the biggest event each year and is greatly enjoyed by the community and the Lions Club itself. Faber loves everything about Elburn Days but is especially excited to see community members enjoying the various activities the festival offers.

“I cannot say there is one thing in particular that I enjoy more than anything else. I am looking forward to having a good weekend and getting to see a lot of our friends and people from Elburn, as well as from other communities,” Faber said.

Every year, on the Friday night to kick

Photo courtesy of Elburn Lions Club

Crowds watch as an Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection truck passes through as part of the annual Elburn Days Parade. This parade is a tradition for Elburn and surrounding communities, and it allows everyone to celebate the town together.

Kids wait in line for the chance to participate in one of Elburn Days’ many carnival games, which provide entertainment for children and adults alike. In addition to rides and live music, these games give people chances to win various prizes.

now because of its absence last year. “[Having Elburn Days] is always a priority for us because it is a big thing for the community. We give back to the community with Elburn Days, so not having it last year and not having the parade was a disappointment,” Faber said. “It is really important that we have it this year to keep in touch with the community.”

Elburn Days is only one of the many ways the Lions Club gives back to the Elburn community. They host events for people to attend throughout the year while giving donations to organizations and residents in need.

“Most of what [the Lions Club] gives goes back into the community. They have bought seeing eye dogs and therapy dogs for people, and they give regularly

off the festival, there is a parade through downtown Elburn. People come together and line the streets to see what business owners and community members offer to the town and surrounding areas.

“The parade is a great way to get the community together, and it also helps show the community the businesses and organizations that are part of the community,” Lions Club member and longtime Elburn resident John Van Bogaert said.

Members of the community look forward to the parade every year because it entertains people of all ages. It is a great way for a family to enjoy themselves while getting to see their friends and others they may not see as often.

“This will be our seventh year attending Elburn Days as a family, and we are

extremely happy it is returning this year.

The kids enjoy the parade the most,” Elburn resident Nicole Holakovsky said.

“They get excited to see some of their classmates and teachers and of course run out and grab the yummy treats. It is a great way for our community to come together.”

Elburn Days also serves as a fundraising event for the Lions Club to allow them to keep serving and giving back to the community. “[Elburn Days] is very important for a lot of reasons. Elburn Lions Club relies on this as our biggest fundraiser of the year, so not having it last year really affected our mission as a non-profit,” Van Bogaert said. “So we hope everybody comes out this year to have a fun weekend and help us out.”

Elburn Days is an event where every-

Photo courtesy of Elburn Lions Club

Families gather in Elburn Lions Community Park to experience the carnival rides that are present during the festival. These rides play a big part in making Elburn Days special for not only kids, but people of all ages.

one can come together and even meet people they might not know within their own community.

“I think it is a chance for everyone to come together - kids, adults, and neighbors - and enjoy a festival of music, rides and all the other fun things,” Faber said.

“It is a chance for neighbors to get together, and we do not do that as much as a society like we used to. You do not always know your neighbors anymore.”

Please note that the information in this story and on each page of this supplement is accurate as of our press deadline. With how quickly local, state and national guidance can shift, we acknowledge that some information may have changed between when this supplement was sent to our printer and when it reaches our audience. We appreciate your understanding.

August 13, 2021

KNIGHTS EXCITED TO RETURN TO THE FIELD

BY MADELEINE LITTLE

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Editor-in-Chief of Web

fter an unusually short offseason, the Kaneland varsity football team is preparing to step back on to Peterson Field for some meaningful and exciting games. The Knights will play four non-conference games this upcoming season, with three of the four coming against programs they have never played before. According to head coach Patrick Ryan, Kaneland will play Andrew, Woodstock and Woodstock North for the first time in the program’s history. The team has been working hard and creating strong bonds in hopes of putting together a successful season.

“We’re definitely growing as a team. We have a lot of new faces, we graduated a lot of players and we are young and inexperienced but are seeing a lot of growth throughout the summer,” Ryan said.

The class of 2021 featured many players who held prominent roles, which might raise questions about who is in line to replace them this coming season. Many seniors and underclassmen are working to sustain the previous team culture in hopes of pulling the team together.

Sophomore quarterback Troyer Carlson has a strong presence on the team, both on and off the field.

“It’s very hard to fill the shoes of those 2021 graduates with them being such great players. But the goal is to get better each and every day, and we have some good seniors trying to fill those shoes, ” Carlson said.

Along with the anticipated impact of the underclassmen, there are also seniors to guide them. Senior Jai Sekhon believes that many of his classmates have been stepping up to fulfill leadership roles.

“It’s been different losing all of our seniors, especially 11 starters on defense, but a lot of our teammates have stepped

up. We have been helping them learn offense and defense since we don’t have a lot of varsity experience,” Sekhon said.

The seniors have been including and encouraging the underclassmen to help improve the team. Senior Matthew Slou has worked to take the younger players under his wing.

“We try to get them into the drills as much as we can if they are being shy. [We] push and get them out there if they don’t know what they’re doing,” Slou said.

This offseason was different from the typical one, as it was cut short due to last year’s season ending in late spring and without a postseason. Regardless of such limitations, many team members have found ways to develop their skills since last year. Senior running back Corey Phillips is excited to showcase his skills this season in hopes of building more interest from colleges. Phillips spent his offseason working to become a better and more well-rounded athlete.

“I prepared for the upcoming season by adding more muscle to my frame, improving my footwork and quickness.

I worked on being more involved in the passing game and my route running this offseason,” Phillips said.

As the new season begins, the players are looking forward to competing against some teams they haven’t seen previously.

Sophomore Aric Johnson is a returning starter who has a lot of enthusiasm about playing those games.

“I feel that it’s going to be a new challenge for us so that we can see different competition than we are used to this season, and that will give us an opportunity to see new faces and new offenses,” Johnson said.

Playing new teams can cause many challenges, such as game planning for

unfamiliar systems. Kaneland coaches have taken this into account, and they have plenty of ideas for how to prepare their players.

“Right now we are trying to install our offense and defense. We do have some films that we watch to prepare a game plan. It’s alway hard when you play a new team because you don’t necessarily know what the other team is going to do,” Ryan said.

Students, staff and the Kaneland community are anxious to return to Peterson Field to support this year’s version of Knights football. Last season’s restrictions made it more challenging for spectators to attend games in person, but as those restrictions ease it will be possible for more fans to watch their team from the stands. And while the reality exists that things can always change, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for this year’s football team.

Varsity Football Schedule Aug. 27 @ Andrew (7:30 PM) Sept. 3 @ Geneva (7:30 PM) Sept. 10 @ Sycamore (7:00 PM) Sept. 17 v. Woodstock North (7:30 PM) Sept. 24 @ Woodstock (7:00 PM) Oct. 1 v. Morris (7:30 PM) Oct. 8 v. Rochelle (7:00 PM) Oct.15 @ Ottawa (7:00 PM) Oct. 22 v. LaSalle-Peru (7:30 PM) Pictured below: The varsity football players go through a dynamic warm-up before summer camp.

They used their time at camp to prepare themselves for their first game at Andrew High School on August 27 and for the challenging season that will follow.

Photo by Madeleine Little

August 13, 2021

WHAT ARE OUR HOPES F

BY SARAH JANITO

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Production Executive

[I’m looking forward to] being there to see my students, but the social aspect of students being able to see each other as well should hopefully alleviate some of the stress that naturally happened.”

fter nearly a year and a half of living under restrictions due to C as it was before mask mandates and social distancing. Now th have to adjust to a schedule that is vastly different from what it Many people’s main concern is how exactly to return to a normal life spent the summer wondering what life would be like when school res if we had been vaccinated? Would we be going back to work and scho find care for younger children? What would we do if our personal bel A July 26 Board Meeting determined that masks are not necessar and teachers will be in the building five days a week. However, followi (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that was re email to all Kaneland families stating that masks will be required amon 3), parts of our day like lunch and P.E classes are returning to how th from last year.

Despite the guidlines that are consistently changing, the 2021-22 s students, teachers or administrators, have different hopes in terms of

- Social studies teacher James Fuller

“Having everyone together five days a week will allow us to get through all the topics needed without the students and teachers being rushed to complete them like last year.”

“It’ll be great to have normal activities back, with things like Homecoming Week, sports and clubs hopefully back to normal. I’ve missed having that feeling of excitement in the hallways.”

- English teacher Matt Czerak

- Sophomore Jordan Theis

August 13, 2021

FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR?

COVID-19, this summer opened more opportunities for returning to life hat school has started, teachers, students, administrators and parents was last year. e while dealing with a dangerous and evolving pandemic. Many people umed in the fall. Would we have to wear masks in certain places, even ool full-time or with a modified schedule like last year? How would we liefs didn’t align with what the district ultimately decided? ry in Kaneland schools regardless of vaccination status, and students ing the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eleased following that July 26 Board Meeting, administrators sent an ng all students and staff. So, as of our press deadline (Tuesday, August hey used to be, but masks are still one restriction that will not change

school year is here, and many people in this building, whether they are how this year will play out.

“I work with kids with special needs that have IEPs, so [this year], I’d like to be able to fulfill their IEPs as they are truly written.”

- Director of Special Services Fran Eggleston

“I’m eagerly anticipating students being in class every day as opposed to the hybrid schedule. I think that will make things much more consistent with their learning and my ability to teach.”

- Social studies teacher Mark Meyer

“I want the teachers to be checking in with students not only about schoolwork, but making sure they’re comfortable with the environment we’re being put back into.”

- Senior Davina Olson

August 13, 2021

Photo courtesy of Leah Hayes

August 13, 2021

LEAH HAYES’ JOURNEY TO OLYMPIC TRIALS

BY GABRIELLE PARKER

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Ad and Business Executive

ummer break suggests different things to each student. Some spend the season working to save money, while others enjoy extra time with family and friends. But sophomore Leah Hayes had no ordinary summer. She spent the past year training for the 2021 Olympic Trials in Omaha, NE. The opportunity took place on the weekend of Friday, June 19. Swimmers competing in the Olympic Trials had their sights set on earning a spot on the Team USA roster in advance of the Tokyo Olympics, and only a select few would qualify.

Hayes swam the 200- and 400-individual medleys and the 100-meter freestyle.

She ended up placing 10th in the 200 IM, 11th in the 400 IM and 30th in the 100 freestyle.

“In each swimming event, only the first and second top finishers are given the opportunity to compete at the Olympics.

Swimming at the Olympic Trials was an unforgettable and incredible experience.

I was able to compete against the nation’s best swimmers and Olympians,” Hayes said.

Although Hayes did not make the Olympic team this year, she is persistently working towards her goals.

“This experience made me realize how much more I wanted to make the U.S. Olympic team myself. My goal in three years is to make it to the next Olympic games in Paris, and in the meantime I will give my best effort in training for it,” Hayes said.

It’s not every day you hear of someone talented enough to compete at the Olympic Trials, but thanks to Hayes, we have one such individual walking our halls and sitting in the same classes that we are. Hayes has won multiple prestigious awards over the years, including being named the 2018 Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the Year. She also won a trip to New York City, where she was honored at the SI Sportsperson of the Year ceremony. In addition, she holds six national records and 31 state records. Her calendar, not surprisingly, is quite a bit different from the typical high school student.

“I am currently training for the 2021 World Juniors competition. Due to my performance at the Olympic Trials, I was invited to attend this international competition in Berlin, Germany and Budapest, Hungary scheduled September 28 through October 10,” Hayes said.

Hayes’ accomplishments would have been difficult to attain without a strong group of supporters. Hayes had many people both in and out of the pool to

help her become the swimmer she is today, such as her coach, Nancy Hooper. “[Leah] has been swimming with me [since she was] eight years old, when she was learning how to get stronger. She was very strong in the water, very impressive to look at and very much loved swimming,” Hooper said. “It’s just been a matter of watching her embrace the sport and develop that very strong love of swimming and winning.”

Hooper said she didn’t expect Hayes to compete at the Olympic Trials when they first met, but after she set her first national record in the 200-meter freestyle as a 10-year-old, Hooper “absolutely knew” that Hayes’ future was much more than just swimming as an after school hobby.

In fact, Hayes won her first state title at age nine in the 50-meter breaststroke.

Locally, Hayes swims for the Fox Valley Park District located in Aurora, where she is surrounded by more people who offer her support. One of these individuals is team member and friend Kayleigh Kuschewski, a senior at Batavia High School.

Hayes and Kuschewski met when the two were only eight and 10 years old, respectively, and they have been extremely close ever since. Kuschewski only has good things to say regarding Hayes as both a swimmer and a person.

“Swimming with Leah is always extremely fun and truly an honor. Even though she is a very high level swimmer and takes her work very seriously, she can laugh and have fun, which is something I really admire about her,” Kuschewski said. “She’s a very kind, intelligent and funny person in general. I truly believe that swimming even further amplifies the very down-to-earth nature she already possesses.”

Kuschewski says she expected Hayes to make the Olympic Trials because of her hard work over the years. After all the goals Hayes achieved, records she broke and awards she won, it was no surprise to Kuschewski that her determination carried her to this point. Kuschewski also says she looks up to Hayes, not only because of her gift for swimming but also her positive personality no matter what life may bring.

According to Sports Illustrated for Kids contributing reporter Jeremy Fuchs, Hayes’ character shows itself even in a competitive environment. While she always loves to win, she never likes to see other people down on themselves. Fuchs mentioned that Hayes’ coach is often told by officials that Hayes’ sportsmanship is particularly impressive.

Along with the support from her team and coach, Hayes also has a very proud and loving family, with her mother, Jill Hayes, being one of her biggest fans.

Swimming runs in the family, as Jill Hayes was a collegiate swimmer at Western Illinois University, and she has loved watch-

“

It’s just been a matter of watching her embrace the sport and develop that very strong love of swimming and winning.

- Nancy Hooper

“

ing her daughter succeed.

“Watching Leah grow into the swimmer she has become [is] truly exciting. When she was younger, she liked being under the water more than being on top of it.

As she grew and began to understand things in the sport, she began to reach certain times and achieve her goals, and it got to be unbelievable,” Jill Hayes said.

“Other parents would ask me things, and I’d say she amazes me each time. As her parents, we are so proud of her and this talent she has.”

Watching her daughter at the Olympic Trials was such an emotional and exciting experience.

“Seeing Leah at the Trials brought about so many emotions. There were nerves.

We just wanted her to be calm and swim the way we knew she could. [There was] excitement at being in the venue where other Olympians had swum many times before, and swimming with them was a true joy for her,” Jill Hayes said. “She had made one of her goals come true. She has set her mind on [the 2024 Olympics in Paris] and wants to be there. So for Leah, now it’s full steam ahead with training and being at the next Olympics.”

Throughout all the swim practices, homework on school nights and being with family or friends whenever possible, Hayes always makes time for her faith.

She credits God for everything she’s accomplished both in and out of the pool.

“My family created shirts for the Olympics Trials, and the quote I chose for the back of the shirt was, ‘Your gift is what God gave to you, what you do with it is your gift back to God.’ I view my swimming ability as a gift from God because through this sport I have learned life lessons and accomplished much both mentally and personally. So whenever I am swimming, I am not only doing it for myself, but for Him,” Hayes said.

August 13, 2021

BEGINNING A NEW YEAR TOGETHER AT KHS

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s we set off into the new school year, we are reunited not only with each other, but in many ways with how life used to be. Sports, activities, classes and experiences that we missed out on last year are finally back within our grasp. The anticipation of learning and growing together again has made this back-to-school part of the year more meaningful than any in the past.

As your new Krier executives, we are excited to welcome everybody back, and we are honored to represent Kaneland; this year is full of opportunities, and we cannot wait to be a part of it. For some, last year’s hybrid schedule was a nice break from waking up early every day, and it provided beneficial time for school work. For others, however, missing out on in-person learning and not seeing peers every day was unbearable. This new beginning is a chance for us all to move on from last year and make the most of the time in school that we used to complain about.

School isn’t the only thing getting a fresh start. Over the summer, band students prepared for competitions and events they missed out on last year, and athletes practiced for their traditionally scheduled seasons. Kaneland students were still able to participate in many extracurricular activities last year, but now we’re making more progress with a normal timeline, and we have more opportunities than we were presented with at this time last year.

As we’re all in different stages of life, we’re also met with different challenges.

No matter what grade you’re entering this year, high school is a challenging time for each of us. Even so, if we can all stay safe, healthy, responsible and optimistic, this will be a great year.

FRESHMEN

Your parents may be concerned that you’re behind, starting high school after a year that turned our lives upside down.

But whom are you really behind? Don’t worry about being at a disadvantage; last year was a struggle for everybody, and this year can be a fresh slate for a great four years.

SOPHOMORES

Missing out on a typical freshmen year may have been disappointing, but don’t dismiss how much time you still have left.

Now that you have adjusted to life as a high school student, this year is an opportunity to find ways to get more involved.

Make the most of this year, and keep an open mind about what’s to come.

JUNIORS

People often say junior year is difficult and stressful, but working hard, asking for help and staying positive is a sure way to achieve success. Beginning the post-secondary search this year will alleviate some of the stress that can accompany your remaining time in high school.

SENIORS

Do not take your last year for granted. We’ve spent almost the entirety of our school lives together, so let’s make this year special by connecting with each other, trying new things and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes our way.

From your 2021-22 Krier executives