The Prep February 1, 2017

Loyola Academy Jesuit College Preparatory School

The Loyola Academy Prep Wednesday, February 1, 2017 A.M.D.G.

www.goramblers.org

Volume J Issue V

Ramblers Pop, RIPLOC, and Drop It

support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This donation will help fund research for treatments and cures.

Students formed teams of ten, and together they danced through the night. Each team was encouraged to fund raise for this amazing cause. Students (and even some brave chaperones) danced from 6:15 pm on Friday to 6:15 am on Saturday, and they had an amazing time. Students were motivated to join the Marathon for different reasons, whether encouraged by friends or dance teachers, but many, like senior Sarah Dwyer (a member of the Leadership board and Spirit Squad) recognized that, “it was for a great cause and not one you hear often about.”

Dancers danced to a wide variety of music, with the genres changing every 30 minutes to make sure everyone’s favorite jams got

played. This was also to keep the music fresh and to keep all the dancers actively engaged throughout the night. The 24 genres ranged from Pop to Hip-Hop to Beyonce. In addition to prerecorded music, the marathon was host to many live performances throughout the night by many Loyola favorites, such as: Wild, LA Step Team, Drum Line, Nothin’ But Treble, LADC, and LA Dance Collective.

Junior Camryn Alexa Serion, who participated in the Dance Marathon as not only a dancer, but as a member of the Spirit Squad and Leadership Team, said a highlight for her was “watching different groups perform.”

Sophomore Caitlin Ciolek, who was one of the marathon dancers, believed “The highlight was either the dance fitness or when the band Wilde came. Both were so exciting.”

Multiple students, including sophomore Grace Kelly, mentioned the Zumba portion of the night as a highlight.

Loyola Academy dance teacher Mr. Banaszynski said, “We had this idea last year. After the administration approved it, we were able to gather all the support and supplies in close to three months.”

Mr. Banaszynski’s Spirit Squad helped not only organize the event, but they also were actively involved in making sure that no one felt tired, bored, or the need to stop dancing. The squad consisted of seven girls from both LADC and Dance Collective. They gathered donations and prizes for the event (like gift cards to Starbucks and Chipotle) and were a huge help in making sure this event ran smoothly. The gift cards were a big hit with the participants as several students noted them as a rea-

son to participate next year.

The Loyola Academy Dance Program has plans to not only host this event next year, but to also “make it bigger and better.”

Having participated in this event myself, I can firmly say that this is not even close to any type of dance Loyola has hosted before. This dance was different for a wide variety of reasons. To start, this was so much more relaxed than Homecoming or Tulip Trot.

The Dance Marathon was more engaging than the other dances as well. This dance provided participants with the ability to just relax and have fun with their friends, and not have to worry about the stress of finding a date, buying the perfect dress, or figuring out who is getting pictures before the dance. Overall the dance was memorable and is sure to have a lot of success in the years to come.

Sophomore participant Danielle Baffa echoed these thoughts commenting, “It is so much fun and for a great cause. You may think it sounds boring, but it’s so much fun. I would say more fun than Homecoming.”

Caitlin encourages Ramblers to consider participating next year because, “Twelve hours is a long time, but you meet new people, win gift cards, participate in activities, get an amazing workout, and best of all, support a charity. All on top of the fact that it is so much fun!”

Thank you Loyola Academy Dance for hosting such an amazing event; we are all looking forward to participating in the years to come.

Service Learning page 3

Trump Inauguration page 4

Cabinet Nominations page 5

La La Land page 7

Dance Marathon participants spent twelve hours dancing. Each thirty minute segment had a different theme including the popular Zumba. Students followed the lead of energetic volunteers to get them through the night.

Photo Courtesy The Year

Jake Jalloway Junior Writer On Friday, January 20, 2017, Loyola Academy hosted its first ever Dance Marathon. This all night dance was held to raise both awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy, a group of diseases that causes someone to progressively weaken and lose muscle mass. In some cases, people with MD will lose the ability to walk. Some advance so far that breathing and swallowing become difficult. While there is no cure for MD, medications and therapy can help treat the disease. The Loyola Academy Dance Collective (with help from Mr. Banaszynski, Mrs. Hensley, and many others) teamed up to host this event that approximately 350 Loyola Academy students participated in. The dance marathon raised $10,000 in

What’s Inside?

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The Prep Editor-in-Chief Charlie Power Thomas Murphy Moderator Ms. Katie Klein

EDITORIALS

Loyola Academy’s Oldest Organization Founded September 20, 1912

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

THE

Prep

1100 Laramie, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Phone: 847-256-1100

A Letter from the Editor There’s a change that comes with second semester. It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what that change is, but it’s there. The change is subtle, and it varies by grade, but there’s no denying its presence.

Contributors Jake Jalloway, Martin Susanto, Kylie Fronczak, Nina Wetoska, Eva Vitanovec, Charlie Cronin, Riley Harwood, Madeleine Quackenbush, and Kelly Reichert

A Closer Look at Pruitt

By Freshman Writer Martin Susanto

On December 7, 2016, President Trump, following his election, expressed his intention of nominating Scott Pruitt as the head of the En-

For Freshmen, the change might be a realization of just how

vironmental Protection Agency. His decision, however, was question-

real high school is. They have completed their first round of fi-

able as Pruitt does not believe in the global warming phenomenon and

nals, they have begun their second of eight terms, and they

is against efforts to combat it. In fact, some efforts have already been

realize they are in it for the long run. Teachers are no lon-

made by Pruitt which reversed progress in fighting climate change.

ger giving them a break for foolish mistakes. First semes-

During Trump’s campaign, his views on global warming have been un-

ter’s coddling is over. Freshmen, it’s time to get to work.

clear, as there exist examples of him both denying its existence and ad-

Sophomore year is widely recognized as the least desirable

mitting its effects. Trump expressing his desire to nominate Pruitt is a

grade of high school. They are beyond being treated like in-

clear indicator of which side of the issue he has decided to stand with.

nocent little Freshmen, yet they are too young to be accepted

One example of progress in pollution being reversed deals with indus-

into the ranks of the upper-class. Sophomores have little ex-

trial poultry farms. These farms are known for producing toxic waste,

perience to look back on and much work to look forward to,

ranging from animal waste products to residual substances synthesized

so the change they reach at second semester is hardly there.

Sophomores begin to realize at their halfway point that they are indeed the least desirable type of high schooler, and they hopefully check their egos and begin to evolve into adults.

Juniors have it rough second semester. They will hear repeatedly that their second semester is going to be their most important academic term of their high school career, as if stating that fact is some sort of advice. Their semester will be contained, pressurized, and relentless. Many students may finally begin to

through processing. A rising and ongoing issue is the pollution of the water supply in Oklahoma caused by the toxic waste. A law suit was filed against the industrial poultry farmers during Obama’s presidency, which Pruitt declined and removed. The basin of the Illinois River is at high risk of groundwater pollution. In order to combat this, former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson filed a lawsuit against poultry farmers polluting the nearby land and water bodies with manure.

The conflict that rose from this lawsuit was left resolved, but without an

grow into themselves, but maturation does not guarantee suc-

official rule to back it up. When Pruitt took the position of Attorney Gen-

cess. Pity the second semester Juniors, their end is in sight,

eral of Oklahoma, he dismissed the case as it was “a case we inherited.”

but the obstacles between them and the finish line are many.

He once stated in response to this case that “regulation through litiga-

And then there is my group: the Second Semester Seniors.

tion is wrong in my view.” While the statement on its own did not cause

This is where change is most evident. Junior year’s pressure,

doubt, his preceding and future actions contradicted his statement. Dur-

Sophomore year’s immaturity, and Freshmen year’s anxiety are

ing the surrounding months, he had filed dozens of lawsuits against the

replaced by a newfound confidence. Second Semester Seniors

efforts the E.P.A made to protect and regulate the air and water pollution.

have perspective on their time in high school, knowing that the

He had also attempted to destabilize clean water rules regarding animal

past four years cannot be changed and that now there is only

waste in a few states. These actions contradicting with his statements

time to savor the friendships we have created. Senioritis is not a

spawned doubt of his intentions in the position he has been granted.

disease, it is a cure, a lifestyle that enhances the mind and rests

As of press time, the nomination of Scott Pruitt as administrator of

the soul. Senioritis means no worries for the rest of your days.

Some of these changes are better than others, but just like our time in high school, they will soon pass. High school has ups and downs and sometimes even loop-the-loops, so in the not great moments, realize that life is long and soon it’ll be good again, and in the good times, savor what you have, it doesn’t last forever. If you are lucky enough to catch senioritis, enjoy your newfound health.

AMDG Thomas Murphy

the E.P.A has not been confirmed yet, and the decision is still hanging in the air. His nomination will jeopardize the E.P.A which consequentially jeopardizes the integrity of the environment. Around the world, more and more efforts are being made to reverse the scars human beings left on this planet. It is because of the increased focus in climate change that Trump’s decision is being questioned. While the intentions of President Trump nominating Scott Pruitt are not entirely clear, the observed actions of Pruitt provide greater insight into some aspects of the future that President Trump intends to accomplish during his presidency *For more information on other Trump cabinet nominees, please turn to page 5.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The Prep

LA News

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Consider Serving While You Learn Kylie Fronczak Senior Writer Although the current dreary days make the end of the school year seem like a distant dream, it is the time of year to start thinking about making course selections for next year; class registration for 2017-2018 is upon us. With that in mind, there are many unique and engaging classes that will continue to be available to the Rambler community, along with some completely new courses. Many of these classes are a part of a specific set of courses that are quite rare in a high school setting: service learning courses.

Service learning courses provide a very distinct learning experience, because unlike other courses, a big portion of the learning actually takes place outside of the classroom. As members of a Jesuit school, students are encouraged to follow the principles of what a student should exemplify upon graduation. The posters outlining the specifics of following RIPLOC can be found in classrooms throughout the building, and service learning courses put a heavy emphasis on various aspects of the GRAD@GRAD statement, especially in the “commitment to doing justice.”

The basic idea behind ser-

vice learning courses is to have students engage with the world around them, linking the course content with real world encounters. Using the experiences gathered from serving community partners all over the Chicagoland area, students are taught to journal and reflect after each service experience.

After thorough reflection, students are provided with an opportunity for meaningful and in depth discussions, which only improves the understanding of course materials.

Although there is an obvious correlation between service learning and faith, you may be surprised to hear that the theology department is not the only place where service learning courses are an option. While seniors can take Justice Seminar as their senior theology credit (which I highly encourage as a student who is currently enrolled in the course), there are many other options for a service learning course in almost every other department. There will continue to be Spanish IV classes, Sociology classes (although it will now be a year long course and serve as an honors credit) and Honors Environmental Science classes that require seven site visits in the first semester and eight visits in the second semester. Two service learning courses can also be combined,

The other course is a new fine arts course, Studio II: Art & Advocacy, which will be available for sophomore students and older, with Studio I as a prerequisite. This course will produce art with a focus on social justice issues and only require three service experiences outside of school. Although these courses do not require the same amount of service visits as the pre existing classes, they still offer a very distinct learning environment that will not be found in any other classroom at Loyola.

Students may find that the Ignatian Service Learning courses will push them to exit the bubble that many Ramblers find themselves in.

There is a challenge to accept and even embrace this sometimes uncomfortable

experience, and ultimately grow from it. Every course provides an opportunity to grow, whether a student takes honors environmental science and works at nature centers or restoration centers, or takes Spanish IV and engages with Spanish speaking populations. Students may even find themselves taking Justice Seminar or honors sociology and engaging with Chicago’s homeless population, individuals with disabilities, or refugee children. Regardless of the chosen course(s), taking a service learning class will provide students with a great opportunity to fully take advantage of their Jesuit education; they will learn about what goes on in the real world around them, and hopefully learn a bit about themselves in the process.

Overall, the offered service learning courses provide once in a lifetime opportunities to step outside of one’s comfort zone and engage with the world that exists outside of the halls of Loyola Academy.

However, the ability to reflect on those experiences and ultimately evaluate the connections between community service and course work through the guidance of school faculty and classmates is at the heart of each course, and is what makes these courses so valuable and worthwhile.

bring the play to Theater Fest for students to be able to see.

Junior Grace Bright commented on her experience, “Theater Fest is one of my favorite parts of the year, for thespians it’s like our state game. This year we had the amazing opportunity to perform, which was an incredible experience and one I’m not sure I will ever be able to experience again, but I will never forget.”

Loyola performed their show twice and was overwhelmed by the students’ responses. Many audience members stayed after to tell them how captivating their performance was. At the end of the experience, the students from Loyola felt bittersweet as they left Theater Fest.

Senior Helen Krizman described her time at U of I, “Going to theater fest is an experience unlike any other.

This year we were chosen to take The Amish Project down

with us, and I helped out with the costume crew while there. The day we put on the show was hectic. We got to the theater before sunrise and we only had a few hours to load in props and costumes, do a speed through, hair and makeup and take a breath before the cast performed twice. Having gone to Theater Fest last year and seeing so many other high schools perform their shows made it even more meaningful to get to put on The Amish Project.”

They had enjoyed their individual experiences at the workshops and group performance, but were sad to say goodbye to the play that had brought them all so close together. Thankfully, they did not have to wait long before they had another show to work on together. The spring musical, Urinetown, is already being rehearsed and will premiere in March.

Next year, sophomores will be able to take a service learning course as part of their English requirements.

Photo Courtesy The Year

as long as the chosen service site serves both courses, however the combination of Honors Environmental and Spanish VI is the only exception.

The 2017-2018 school year will also see the addition of two totally new service learning courses. These courses will be available to underclassmen, whereas current service learning courses were typically for only upperclassmen.

Sophomores have the opportunity to take Honors American Literature: Hidden American Voices.

While taking a thematic approach to studying American literature during the second and third quarters, students will have service experiences at specific Arrupe sites. However, this course should not be taken with another service learning course.

Thespians Take Theaterfest at U of I

Nina Wetoska Junior Writer Over winter break hundreds of students from all over the state went to the Illinois Theater Fest at the University of Illinois. Throughout the three day period, students were able to attend workshops, plays from other high schools, and see the All-State production of Sweeney Todd, which Senior Karina Kavanagh helped stage manage. Going to workshops was very fun and very helpful for students with upcoming auditions, especially those looking to continue with theater in college.

There were dozens of different opportunities all of which welcomed a different type of person. There were workshops for monologues, lighting, makeup, dance, and many others. Attendees also had the chance to pick the activity they were passionate about

Loyola thespians performed their award-winning play The Amish Project while at Theater Fest.

Photo Courtesy The Year

and enjoy it with other theater enthusiasts from Illinois.

Junior Tessa Volpe attended the play brought by Naperville Central High School.

She recounts, “The high school production of Two Rooms was about a man who was captured and tortured while teaching in the Middle East, his wife who had no communication with him for three years, a reporter who was determine to tell their story, and a government agent

who wanted the story under wraps. My eyes were opened to the determination of love and the true connection between partners despite distance, disbelief, and death.”

This year was especially important for the Loyola Academy theater program because The Amish Project was selected to be one of the eight main stage productions. This meant that after a panel of judges attended the play at Loyola, they decided that they wanted

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The Prep

Editorials

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Alternate Facts for an Alternative President Charlie Power Editor-in-Chief One thing is clear about President Donald Trump: the man loves crowds. On the campaign trail, he frequently bragged about the size of his rallies, referencing them as direct evidence of his “movement.” On Inauguration Day, President Trump gave his remarks, and at first not many comments were made on the crowd size. It was noted the crowd was smaller than former President Obama’s inaugural in 2009, but not much more was said, and coverage quickly pivoted to the parade and other festivities. It took until the next day for the issue to explode.

Trump claimed 1.5 million people were gathered in the National Mall and the crowd stretched all the way to the Washington Monument. Photographs show this was not the case, and side by side comparisons show Trump’s crowd a third of the size of Obama’s 2009 inaugural. Trump’s press secretary, Sean Spicer, then took to the podium and defended these remarks, “This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration – period – both in person and

around the globe.” This is blatantly false; Trump had a smaller crowd than Obama in 2009 as well as a smaller TV audience than Obama and Ronald Reagan in 1981.

Mr. Spicer also gave the assembled press figures about DC Metro rides, a proxy for crowd size since no official estimates were given, “We know that 420,000 people used the D.C. Metro public transit yesterday, which actually compares to 317,000 that used it for President Obama’s last inaugural.”

This is false too; the Metro tallied 570,557 people for Trump’s Inauguration and 782,000 for Obama’s 2013 Inauguration.

Mr. Spicer then went on to give two reasons for why aerial photographs clearly showed smaller crowd sizes, claiming: “this was the first time in our nation’s history that floor coverings have been used to protect the grass on the Mall. That had the effect of highlighting any areas where people were not standing, while in years past the grass eliminated this visual” and “the first time that fencing and magnetometers went as far back on the Mall, preventing hundreds of thousands of people from being able to access the Mall as quickly

as they had in inaugurations past.” Again, both false.

Grass coverings were used in 2013, and the according to the Secret Service so were the same security fencing and magnetic protocols.

Clearly, crowd size does not really matter. As Press Secretary, this should be easy for Mr. Spicer to knock down. He could have said a number of things, from pointing out that DC overwhelmingly voted for Clinton (95%) and Trump supporters live elsewhere or recognizing Obama’s inauguration had much more historical significance and drew

more people. He could have said Trump won enough votes for the presidency, and that’s all that matters.

But no.

On the first day, Mr. Spicer went out to his podium with the seal of the White House emblazoned on the front and lied. Again, crowd size is not an issue, and nobody would be talking about it unless President Trump brought it up again.

The next day, Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s campaign manager and now Counselor, went on Meet the Press and defended Spicer, claiming he had “alternate facts.”

Press Secretary Sean Spicer spoke to the press about the unprecedented number of people who attended the inauguration.

That,however, that proved to bea lie.

Photo Courtesy AP

Alternate facts? How are we to give Mr. Trump and his administration any credibility?

If President Trump sends troops into battle, how are we to know what the press office is saying is true and not “alternate facts”? If Obamacare is repealed and 18 million lose access to health insurance, would it surprise anyone if Mr. Trump’s administration walked out and said, “That’s not the case, we have alternate facts”? If an alarming climate change report is released, would it surprise anyone if it is shelved because “We don’t concur with 97% of scientists, we have alternate facts”?

Crowd size does not matter, but the fact that the White House is willing to put its representative in an official briefing in front of the American people and lie about trivial affairs is not only disgraceful but dangerous. It raises the question of how the White House will react when confronted with real challenges when American interests and lives are at stake. The press has not really figured out how to cover Trump and hold him accountable, but they better do so, fast.

President Trump’s Inaugural Weekend Thomas Murphy Editor-in-Chief If a new administration’s first hundred days in office is supposed to set a tone for that administration’s entire four years, President Donald J. Trump better be prepared

to fight many battles between now and 2020. During just his first four days in office, President Trump has created a whirlwind of news and controversy for the nation to sort through.

January 20, 2017 marked the swearing in of Donald J. Trump as the fourth-fifth

Trump takes the oath of office, officially making him the 45th president of the United States.

Photo Courtesy AP

President of the United States of America. Following the Inauguration, President Trump addressed the nation from the steps of the Capitol Building, reiterating his “America First” political model and describing a grim modern America.

Trump described the nation in terms of urban crime and abandoned factories “scattered like tombstones,” but promised a prosperous American future.

Within hours of this address, President Trump signed his first executive order, requiring government agencies to begin scaling back on former President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (also referred to as “Obamacare”) as much as possible. This order was as much symbolic as it was substantial, as President

Trump has repeated several times that his first goal as president is to “repeal and replace Obamacare.”

President Trump’s second day in office was even more eventful than the first.

On the morning of Saturday, January 21, President Trump had a meeting at the CIA. President Trump had previously criticized the intelligence community for its alleged leaking of controversial documents regarding possible Russian communications with President Trump prior to Election Day. President Trump’s message of support for the CIA was sidetracked when he began speaking of the size of the crowds at his Inauguration, and President Trump was later criticized for doing so in front of the CIA’s memorial to those of

its members who died in the service of their country.

Later in the day, the Administration’s press secretary, Sean Spicer, made his first address to the press. The address was not a traditional briefing, however. Spicer challenged the media’s estimation of the public’s attendance at the Inauguration, claiming that contrary to their reports, President Trump’s Inauguration had the largest attendance of any inauguration “period.” Despite falsehood of Spicer’s own claims, the Administration’s new spokesperson accused the media of falsely reporting crowd sizes in order to delegitimize Trump’s presidency. Later in the evening, President Trump’s former campaign manager, continued on page 5

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The Prep

Editorials

5

Pres. Trump Takes the Capitol, cont. continued from page 4 Kellyanne Conway, referred to Spicer’s statement as offering “alternative facts.”

Meanwhile, a short distance from the White House, millions of men and women took part in the “Women’s March,” a demonstration advocating women’s rights and general anti-Trumpism.

The demonstration extended to more than six hundred locations across all seven continents. The peaceful demonstration has been widely regarded as a success and is noted for its surprisingly upbeat and positive attitude.

Monday, January 23, is

the day that President Trump begin his work as Presi- President, Trump withdrew said that he would officially dent. On this “first day” as the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Treaty (TPP), former President Obama’s “signature trade deal” and an important element in the worldwide economy. President Trump campaigned on an anti-globalization platform, and this withdrawal may be the first of many steps towards economic protectionism. However, the withdrawal from the TPP was also promised by democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as well as “democratic socialist” Bernie Sanders. This anti-gloTrump signs an executive order as one of his first official acts balist position reflects the in office.

Photo Courtesy AP global trend of nationalistic

attitudes also on display in Europe and Great Britain.

Though his first few days in office were actionpacked, it remains largely unclear how President Trump plans to run the country. A President’s first hundred days in office may set a tone, but it is all four years that determines his legacy. Based on what transpired in the first few days of his administration, President Trump’s road to “making America great again” is likely to be paved with tension and controversy.

Will Senate Republicans Please Stand Up Charlie Power Editor-in-Chief

Former Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) was regarded by many as the ultimate tactician of arcane Senate procedure, but it is hard to imagine how he could have been so shortsighted.

In 2013, Reid (D-NV), the majority leader of Senate Democrats, frustrated at what he perceived as Republican obstructionism, triggered the “nuclear option”: a change in Senate rules that gutted the filibuster. In the process, the approval threshold for cabinet nominees was ef-

Scott Pruitt fields questions as the nominee for head of the EPA. Photo Courtesy AP

fectively lowered from 60 votes to a 51, a simple majority. Condemned by both Republicans and even a few Democrats (notably the new minority leader Senator Chuck Schumer [D-NY]), the move allowed Reid to momentarily break the

impasse for former President Obama’s nominees.

That move has come back to burn Democrats. The tables are flipped, and now Republicans control the chamber. Assuming all members toe the party line, they will be able to confirm all of President Trump’s cabinet nominees, rendering Democrats irrelevant; hence why Reid’s maneuvering was called the “nuclear option” for its potential to destroy bipartisan negotiations.

To be clear, Presidents, Donald Trump included, should have wide latitude in their cabinet picks.

They have won an election and deserve an honest chance to set the tone for their administration. When the President and the Senate are controlled by the same party, as the case today, the minority should respect their right to put forth nominees who they do not agree with ideologically.

An expression of good faith does not come without limits, and President Trump has reached this point. Many of his nominees are marred in ethics complications and are dangerously unqualified.

Let’s take a quick look.

Scott Pruitt is a climate change denier and has sued against regulations designed to protect the environment, he’s now slated to lead the EPA. Jeff Sessions, a man

dogged by allegations of racism and has a record hostile to minorities, especially voting rights, is now expected to be Attorney General, responsible for protecting vulnerable groups. He once called the NAACP “un-American.”

His reason: “for trying to force civil rights down the throats of people.”

Rick Perry is the nominee for the Department of

Rick Perry jokes with Congressmen during his hearing.

Photo Courtesy AP

Energy. He once managed to forget we had an Energy Department and then call for its elimination, all in the same sentence (it’s complicated). As Secretary, he will be responsible for our nuclear arsenal. The prior Secretary had a PhD in theoretical physics from Stanford and was directly involved in technical negotiations with the Iranians over their nuclear program, Rick Perry, when nominated, mistakenly thought he would be working to increase oil and gas production. Awkward.

Rex Tillerson, for Secre-

Sessions faces scrutiny over his controversial past.

Photo Courtesy AP

tary of State, received an “Order of Friendship” from Vladimir Putin, continuing this administration’s odd affinity for Russia. At a time when the world is struggling to turn back climate change, he has expressed uncertainty if the U.S. should act.

Betsy Devos is nominated for Education Secretary.

She has lobbied for charter schools in her home state of Michigan, which have performed poorly, testing below state average in reading and math, no surprise since under her system they are grossly unaccountable. In her hearing, she did not understand the idea of judging students based on proficiency or growth, a foundational debate in education policy. Bizarrely, she defended guns in schools because of the possibility of grizzly bear attacks.

Ben Carson, a brilliant neuroscientist, is set to oversee billion dollar programs that compose Housing and

Urban Development. His close confidant, Armstrong Williams, suggesting he was not qualified for the role.

The list could go on.

Senate Republicans, despite being allied with President Trump, must not become a rubber stamp. They must properly exercise their right to “advise and consent.” Senate Republicans, push back against incompetence, inexperience, and the inability to accept established science.

It may not be as evident at Loyola Academy, but if confirmed, these nominees will have tangible negative effects on our fellow Americans, especially the most marginalized.

Senate Republicans, stand up. Stand up for our environment, our education system, our civil rights.

The country is watching.

Betsy DeVos faces questions over her education record in Michigan.

Photo Courtesy AP

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The Prep

Fun & Games

The February Prep Challenge

This month, test your sodoku skills with our newest puzzle.

Each row, column, and 3 x 3 box must contain the numbers 1-9 without any repeats. Work on your own, or join forces with another Prep reader. Be the first to correctly solve the puzzle and bring to Ms. Klein in the English office to win a prize.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Charlie Cronin’s Comic Corner

1 9

7

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6 8

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3

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Who do you want to win the Super Bowl?

What wil you be doing for Valentine’s Day?

What course are you most excited for next year?

Will the groundWhat song do hog see his shadow you want to win a tomorrow?

Grammy?

Patriots

Hanging around my house

Band

Yes

Any of The Weekend’s songs

Falcons

Volleyball tournment

Chambers

What’s a groundhog?

“Lemonade”

Lady Gaga

Musical rehearsal

Chambers

Yes

“Million Reasons” by Lad

Do not care

Be with friends

Not gonna be here!

Yes

Anything from Hamilton

Who’s in the Super Bowl?

Going to grad school

Geometry and pre-calc

Absolutely

Frank Sinatra “It Was a Very Good Year”

Joe Kim ‘20

Jack Howard ‘19

Jake Jalloway ‘18

Kylie Fronczak ‘17

Mr. Sultan (Math)

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The Prep

ARts & Entertainment

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La La Land Strikes the Right Chord Riley Harwood LA Editor

At its core, a movie is an escape from reality. Seldom has there ever been such a whimsical escape from reality as the recent musical La La Land from Damien Chazelle, director of Whiplash. Collecting fourteen Oscar nominations, the winter movie has also been treated well at the box office with $136 million over the first month of release. La La Land is undoubtedly a visually pleasing escape from the concerns of current events, but is the movie worth all the critical acclaim it has hitherto received?

An opening scene, reminiscent of the “one-shot” Birdman, gives reverence to the old school Broadway theatre to which the movie owes its form origin. Extremely long shots, like the one used in the introduction, are used throughout La La Land with the intention of capturing the real life performances in the theatre.

The scenes are composed of long pans stitched with quick cuts in order to allow the camera to follow characters through a space in the illusion of one cut such

movements evoke Singin’ in the Rain and the old school musicals of its ilk. If nothing else, La La Land is a visually stunning movie.

The film truly deserves every cinematographic and editing accolade allocated to it. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren has created a unique visual experience: a feat becoming increasingly rare considering the saturation of the filmpool.

While the cinematography of La La Land stands on its own, the acting must also answer the tall order of the musical. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star as Mia and Sebastian, respectively. Moviegoers have seen the duo star in romance movies before, but the pairing nearly didn’t happen.

In fact, Emma Watson was originally slated to play Mia, but dropped the role to be in the also musical Beauty and the Beast, whereas Ryan Gosling denied Beauty and the Beast to play Sebastian in La La Land.

Stone and Gosling deliver convincing performances with each still owning some things yet to be desired. Emma Stone gets the chance to showcase her acting chops in a montage of scenes where Mia auditions for different roles. A pivotal

Jazz musician and aspiring actress, Sebastian and Mia, fall in love over the course of the modern musical romance.

Photo Courtesy AP

as in the apartment scene with the accompanying “Someone in the Crowd.”

The cinematography is paired with a consistent color selection that guides the audience’s emotions from scene to scene. The colorful costumes and colorful

moment near the end of the movie includes an audition where Stone sings the solo “Audition (The Fools Who Dream).” What Stone lacks in singing ability and dance fluidity, the actress accounts for in believability.

Ryan Gosling, on the

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (Mia and Sebastian) sing and dance their way into viewers and critics hearts.

Photo Courtesy AP

other hand, delivers an incredible song and dance performance with some quality in the acting department unattended. Audiences, however, can hardly notice any deficiency in stagecraft when confronted with Gosling’s charm and handsomeness. To his credit, Gosling learned how to play the piano for the role of Sebastian in less than a month’s time. The actor learned so quickly that no hand doubles or CGI were required for the pianist’s scenes. John Legend, a trained classical pianist and central character in the film, admits being “jealous” of how quickly Gosling was able to take up the keys.

The logical transition now is to discuss the proverbial glue that binds any movie in the genre: the music. The score is largely composed of piano pieces by Justin Hurwitz and played by Sebastian in the movie. Repeated melodies “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme” and “City of Stars” are earworms bound to burrow in viewers heads for the days following a screening.

The more traditional show tunes are catchy and fun but a step below real musical theatre productions. A single more modern popbop is offered by Legend in “Start a Fire.” The most exquisite song and accompanying scene are encapsulated in Hurwitz’s seven and a half minute opus “Epilogue.” The scene

and tune are what propel La La Land above being a mild romance movie.

The Academy certainly seems to agree with my overall beaming impression of La La Land based on the allocation of a record-tying fourteen Oscar nominations with other club members: All About Eve and Titanic.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone received nominations for Best Actor and Actress respectively in a year where the nominees reflect the global race populations more closely than the domestic demographics.

Along with Best Picture, the musical is nominated for each major technical and, obviously, sound category. This kind of nod is unprecedented for a movie of its kind, but is it deserved?

The Academy notoriously neglects sci-fi and comedy productions which also account for the biggest box office breadwinners.

Should the Academy’s selections reflect the tastes of the American public? On the same plane, La La Land received such a breadth of nominations despite being, at its core, a boy-meetsgirl movie. Should the Oscars show more reverence to justice motivated projects like Hidden Figures?

La La Land even faced some criticism for portraying a whitewashed version of historically black jazz.

Beyond even the superficiality of the award season, what should we

as moviegoers value in a film? Is a good movie one that imitates life most accurately or rather an experience that most effectively transports the viewer into another world? La La Land’s departure from reality is exemplified in the planetarium scene where Mia and Sebastian transcend their earthly bonds and defy gravity. Contrast this with the morbid tale of Lee Chandler, played by Best Actor Nominee Casey Affleck, in Manchester by the Sea. Chandler’s life is marred by a series of tragically morbid events. Manchester by the Sea is a story that models life, without the song and dance, exactly how everyday people experience it. The question for the Academy and the moviegoer becomes, “Do we go to the movies to escape or to understand?” The distinction can seem unrelated or inconsequential, but in the context of an award ceremony or a critique, the query is necessary.

All ruminations, criticisms, and rhetorical questions aside, La La Land is a fun movie with stunning visuals that deserve to be seen in the theatre. A beautiful romantic story also portrays the conflict between ambition and safety.

Based on the nominations and box office success, jazz enthusiast Damien Chazelle has proved that, “people love what other people are passionate about.”

8 The Prep

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

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UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS Thursday, February 2 Girls Basketball GCAC Tournament

Friday, February 3 Boys Basketball vs. Glenbrook South @ 4:30 Boys Swimming and Diving @ Fenwick @ 6:00

Saturday, February 4 Wrestling @ Wheeling High School Boys Swimming and Diving @ Fenwick @ 10:00 Boys Track and Field @ Evanston @ 10:30

Tuesday, February 7 Girls Track and Field @ Glenbrook South @ 4:30 Boys Basketball vs. St. Rita @ 5:00

Friday, February 10 Boys Track and Field @ Glenbrook South @ 4:30

Friday, February 10 Girls Basketball @ Kalamazoo Central @ 2:30

Sports Vonn Makes Comeback to date,” Vonn remarked in early January, “today I am still struggling to do simple things like put on my ski glove and do my hair.”

However, she has somehow still maintained her status as an unstoppable force in the world of skiing, clinching yet another win while skiing with a heated sock over her hand in order to maintain feeling in her fingers.

Vonn edged out Lara Gut, a Swiss skier in second place overall in the World Cup standings, for the win on Saturday. She skied a powerful and aggressive race, which was commended by all of the competitors, including Gut. Unfortunately, Vonn could not replicate that aggression the next day on the super-G course, where she struggled to a ninthplace finish after making a critical error early on. Gut went on to win the event after several other skiers

struggled to stay on track and make turns due to dark A&E Editor and icy conditions. Despite her lackluster performance, Babe Ruth once said that Vonn maintained a positive it’s hard to beat the person attitude, taking her race as who never gives up. And a mediocre training run and Lindsey Vonn most certainly is that person. Arlooking to upcoming races guably the greatest skier as opportunities to furof all time, Vonn just obther improve her standing. th tained her 77 World Cup This latest win in Germaevent win at Garmischny brings Vonn within nine Partenkirchen, Germany, wins of the all-time World on January 21 in her secCup record- Ingemar Stenond downhill race since mark’s mind-boggling 86 her return to the World victories. The circuit moves Cup circuit after a broken next to Cortina, Italy, where arm injury in December.

Vonn is hoping to earn two She recently revealed that more victories in the downshe spent over 300 hours hill and super-G. As she on therapy during her eight approaches the incredible week recovery period, in world record, however, she which she was faced with is already focused on an the task of regaining motion even greater and more eluin her arm, which suffered sive goal-racing with the from extreme nerve dammen. Vonn has already petiage. Immediately after surtioned for an opportunity to gery, she couldn’t even lift a finger, let alone compete enter a men’s race and has in a World Cup ski race. been denied, but she plans “This has been the hardto attempt this feat again, est recovery of my career targeting races in January of 2018 as opportunities to do so.

Her focus and determination in pursuing these goals, which most skiers can only dream of achieving, only solidifies her status as one of the most talented skiers in the history of the sport. Despite the constant adversity that she faces, Lindsey Vonn is perhaps the greatest example in history of perseverance in the face of challenges, and the triumph that Lindsey Vonn fought back from what could have been a career endstems from a reing injury to win her 77th World Cup event. fusal to give up.

Photo Courtesy AP Madeleine Quackenbush