INSCAPE
Student Edition Vol. 83 Issue 3 January•February 2024
4 States to remove Trump from Presidential ballot 5-6 Oct. 7 unveiled: the account of Israel-Palestine 8 Boeing airplane door blowout
Sickening weather Looking out your window, you’re met with gray skies, leafless trees and a blanket of snowy ice that seems to freeze the world in place. The comedown of the holiday season and the seemingly endless period leading up to spring leaves many feeling extremely unmotivated and S.A.D. While S.A.D can refer to the common emotion of melancholy, we are referencing S.A.D as an acronym, meaning Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a type of depression that occurs commonly among those living in climates where there is a lack of sunlight during an extended period of the year. While S.A.D has scientifically been proven to be a very real and substantive disorder, many people have undermined its importance. There seems to be a lack of awareness or acknowledgement for the gravity of S.A.D, despite the fact that many people experience it on a day-to-day basis unknowingly. While S.A.D is not accountable for all depressive feelings experienced during the winter season, it very well may be exacerbating them. The human brain chemically reacts to sunlight exposure and a lack thereof. More sunlight correlates to an increase in serotonin, which heightens feelings of joy and calmness and increases focus.
Conversely, less sunlight correlates to a decrease in serotonin and an increase in melatonin, which enhances tiredness, depression and anxiety. Therefore, chemically, during the winter months, you are hormonally unbalanced and more susceptible
“Studies have shown that S.A.D disproportionately impacts teenage girls at about 2x the rate of teenage boys.” to S.A.D, whose symptoms range from changes in mood to poor sleeping and eating habits.
In Illinois, for example, from December to March, the sun rises at approximately 7:15 a.m. and sets at 4:45 p.m. and for most people throughout that time period, they are typically working day jobs or attending school indoors, meaning they practically have no time to allocate to seeking exposure to the sun through outdoor activities. Moreover, studies have shown that S.A.D disproportionately impacts teenage girls at about 2x the rate of teenage boys. Taking that into consideration, as an all-girls school, we must take these findings seriously and seek ways to maintain the mental health of ourselves, our family and our friends. This can include setting aside time for personal needs, eating well-balanced meals, going to bed at a reasonable time or even talking to a mental health hotline (866-903-3787). That being said, understanding and taking care of yourself by staying educated on the effects that this time of year has on your health is imperative. Everyone has their own personal challenges, but that does not mean they must go through it alone or feel invalidated. So, lean on your support system, and weather the storm together.
What’s inside this edition 2 Mac News
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7 Opinion
9 Sports
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8 Science & Tech
10 A&E
Inscape staff Co-Editor-in-Chief Co-Editor-in-Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Mac News Editor News Editor News Editor Feature Editor Feature Editor Student Life Editor Opinion Editor Columnist Science & Tech Editor Sports Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Staff Photographer Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Advisor Advisor
Elise Malinowski Addison Haywood Molly Carr Julia Easterhouse Garrison Urbon Mireya Gomez de la Casa Lauren Nichols Elizabeth Gadzik Fiona Stanek Aniyah Roberts Tiffany Gonzalez Lorelei Saczek Caitlin Sears Savannah Simon Elysia Gonzalez Brijana Labiak Brijana Labiak Olivia Murray Ms. Abigail Sheahan Mr. Thomas Bochenczak
Editorial Policy: The opinions expressed in this magazine are the views of the individual authors, and not of the Inscape staff or Mother McAuley High School. Inscape is an open forum that welcomes letters to editor, comments, and feedback from all readers. All letters to the editor must be signed in order to be printed. Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School 3737 W. 99th Street Chicago, IL 60655 (773)-881-6500 www.mothermcauley.org Principal Dr. Kathryn Baal Vice Principal Mrs. Sandra Smycz Vice Principal Mrs. Sarah Kolkmeyer ‘06
Front cover created by the Inscape Staff
1 table of contents and staff editorial
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Macs outplay, outsmart and outsing Brijana Labiak
Mother McAuley is a powerhouse of talent where young women thrive across all the fields: athletics, arts and academics. The commitment to excellence is evident in the remarkable accomplishments of four outstanding students.These exemplary individuals embody the spirit of dedication and achievement that defines our vibrant and well-rounded McAuley community. Ellie White: Gatorade Player of the Year In the wake of our 17th state championship title, Ellie White shines as a senior and standout outside hitter on the varsity volleyball team. White’s exceptional performance on the court recently earned her the photo by Brijana Labiak p r e s t i g i o u s Gatorade Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year, solidifying her status as a remarkable student athlete. “This award is presented to student athletes, not only for their athletic excellence, but their academic achievement and exemplary character as well,” White shared, encompassing how this award goes beyond the court. The Gatorade Player of the Year award, an annual recognition from the Gatorade company, honors exceptional high school student athletes in various sports. This award goes beyond athletic excellence, considering academic achievement and community involvement, as White shared previously. White’s achievements have not only brought glory to McAuley but also earned her a place among the distinguished 607 Gatorade Player of the Year recipients. White’s dedication to the sport is evident in his rigorous training routine, which includes strength and agility sessions three days a week during the summer and daily practices throughout the high school season, not to mention involvement in club volleyball yearround. “In developing my skills over the years, it just takes practice. Whether it is physically playing volleyball or increasing my strength and agility, I am always working to get better,” White added. As White concludes her impressive status at McAuley, we eagerly anticipate the next chapters of her athletic journey. Beyond McAuley’s halls, White’s passion, skill and commitment are poised to shape a promising future in volleyball. Excitement peaks as she heads to the University of Michigan next fall to play Division 1 volleyball as a Wolverine. “My one goal is to leave my footprint at the university,” White shared. We look forward to following White’s continued success in the collegiate state and beyond.
Amanda Schuler: ILMEA All-State Orchestra and Amelie Villasenor: ILMEA AllState Chorus and All-State Theatre
above. Amelie Villasenor and Amanda Schuler celebrate with their cart ride through main hall. photo by Ms. Rachel Howard
At Mother McAuley, history is being made by two exceptional juniors, Amanda Schuler and Amelie Villasenor, who are leaving permanent marks in the arts. Schuler, a gifted violinist, has secured a spot in the ILMEA AllState Orchestra for the second consecutive year, showcasing her remarkable musical expertise. Villasenor, celebrated for her impressive performance skills, has achieved a historic achievement by earning a place in both the ILMEA All-State Chorus and AllState Theatre.
above. Amelie Villasenor (left) makes her debut in the AllState Production of “She Kills Monsters” photo by Jen Heim
ILMEA, the Illinois Music Education Association, hosts the prestigious All-State Show and All-State Orchestra events, offering high school musicians a platform to shine after rigorous auditions. The All-State show highlights outstanding performers, while the orchestra spotlights selected instrumentalists, providing an esteemed opportunity for collaborative, high-level performances. The All-State Conference Show was January 26 to January 28. Schuler took this accomplishment as an opportunity to express gratitude for her mother, sharing, “I have been playing the violin since the age of 3. I have had many teachers, but I am most grateful to my mother who not only exposed me to the world of violin playing, but learned the violin herself so she could teach me.” Schuler’s back-to-back selection for the Honors All-State Orchestra, coupled with Amelie’s double achievement, marks a historic milestone for Mother McAuley.
Alexandria Johnson: Posse Scholar Scholarship Awardee Alexandria Johnson is a remarkable senior here at Mother McAuley and a proud recipient of the Posse Scholar Scholarship. The Posse Scholars Program, a prestigious initiative, identifies and supports high school students with photo by HR Imaging exceptional leadership potential. In Johnson’s eyes, “The overall goal of the Posse Foundation is to increase access of resources to individuals in underrepresented minority groups, striving to support and empower these individuals through their university studies.” Posse Scholars, including Johnson, receive full-tuition scholarships and form a supportive “Posse” throughout their academic journey. The program’s overarching goal emphasizes diversity, leadership and teamwork. Johnson’s journey into the Posse Scholars program involved an extensive five-month application and interview process. “I was first chosen to advance to the next stage after a large first round interview of 3,000 students from the Chicago/Chicagoland area,” Johnson shared. “This then dwindled down to 25 students competing with one another.” Just a few hours after concluding her final interview, Johnson received a call from the Director of Admissions at her chosen school, delivering the exhilarating news that she would be a member of the new Posse from Chicago. This moment marked the culmination of months of dedication and determination, affirming her position as a Posse Scholar. Looking ahead to her college life, Johson is set to attend Middlebury College in Vermont. Reflecting on her plans, she said, “At the current moment, I plan on double majoring in Political Science and International Policy.” Her commitment to a double major underscores her academic ambitions and aspirations to make a meaningful impact, exemplifying the core values of the Posse Scholars Program. Johnson’s achievement as a Posse Scholar and her forthcoming journey at Middlebury College pave a remarkable road to success in her future career. She shared that her goal is “to find or even create an environment for students to freely express their thoughts and ideas among peers who are equally eager.”
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A closer look Molly Carr For the third time, pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein were released on January 5, 2024. Epstein was a sex offender arrested on federal charges for the trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He brought these underage girls to his vacation home in Little Saint James Island and assaulted them. These documents follow hundreds of other pages released within the same week. They are part of a 2015 civil defamation suit brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an American woman who claimed Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his former girlfriend, sexually abused her.
above. Labeled map of Island of Little St. James, a private island owened by Epstein. The island is part of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. graphic by Molly Carr Original map by OpenStreepmap.org
Both the released and unreleased documents are expected to include nearly 200 names of Epstein’s accusers, well known business people, politicians and more. Juan Alessi, a former employee of Epstein, remembers countless famous and influential people, some of which are two former presidents, who both visited his vacation home in 2009. Alessi told attorneys that he had dinner with former President Donald Trump in the kitchen of Epstein’s Palm Beach home and met former President Bill Clinton on Epstein’s plane. He also remembered meeting Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, at the Palm Beach home, along with foreign beauty queens and an unnamed Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, according to the document. A Clinton spokesman was asked about the appearance of Clinton’s name in the documents, and he repeated a 2019 statement that Clinton flew on the private plane, but knew nothing about the terrible crimes. Neither Trump nor Clinton have been accused of any crimes or wrongdoing with regard to Epstein. When Alessi was asked about young women who came to the house to give Epstein massages, he said, “In terms of payment,
everybody got about $100 an hour.” He spoke about one unnamed female under the age of 18, whose mother would occasionally come with her to Epstein’s home. The documents also revealed a handwritten note that Harvey Weinstein, former film producer, left for Epstein. It was included with nearly 200 written phone messages. In an excerpt from the book, “Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein” written by Brad Edwards, he talked about Weinstein’s involvement with Epstein: “He told a victim he would introduce her to Weinstein. Later, Epstein ended his relationship with Weinstein after he acted too aggressively with one of his favorite girls.” But still, there is no implication of wrongdoing by Weinstein in the documents released. Most of the documents were unsealed in 2019, one day before Epstein died by suicide in jail. Ghislaine Maxwell was indicted on sex trafficking charges involving multiple victims and convicted in 2021. Although it’s unsettling news, it’s important for these victims to finally get some type of justice.
Chicago Restaurant Week Aniyah Roberts This year from Jan. 19-Feb. 4, the 17th annual Chicago Restaurant Week took place. Chicago Restaurant Week is a 17-day event where over 400 restaurants across Chicago curate items from their regular menu into smaller menus. Some restaurants have menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, while others only have menus for dinner. Gyu Kaku, a Japanese barbecue restaurant, was one of the restaurants selected to participate in Chicago Restaurant Week. They provide a unique dining experience by supplying meats and vegetables for their customers to cook on a smokeless grill. The menu they pre-fixed consisted of four side dishes, one appetizer, three sets that each contained three meats, one vegetable and one dessert. All the items selected for their pre-fix menu are popular items from their main menu. I ordered steamed chili dumplings for my appetizer, which had a spicy aroma, and set B, which consisted of yaki-shabu beef, garlic shoyu chicken thigh and Spicy pork. I chose zucchini for my vegetables and s’mores for my desert. The s’mores were fun to make because I was able to hold my marshmallow over the fire and roast the marshmallow.
The experience is amazing for such a good price. The food was delicious and fun to make. It’s extremely interactive and provides people with an experience to unplug from their phones and converse with the people around them. There is more than enough food, and you can even cook your leftovers and take them with you. Chicago Restaurant Week is not just an event for customers to enjoy delectable foods at good prices, but it also allows restaurants publicity for an increase in business. When Erica Amann, a waitress at Gyu Kaku, was asked if restaurant week had increased business, she responded, “Yes, business has increased a lot.” She also added, “The most popular item is one of our meats, it’s called the harami miso skirt steak.” Overall, Chicago Restaurant Week is a significant event in Chicago. It provides people opportunities to try new foods and new restaurants. There are so many unique restaurants in this event. Restaurant week helps to spread awareness and culture with the different kinds of cuisines available; it’s truly a memorable experience.
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above. Gyu-sushi from Gyu Kauku Japanese BBQ. photo by Aniyah Roberts
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States to remove Trump from Presidential ballot Olivia Murray
from being on the presidential ballot, Bellows has also never witnessed a presidential candidate involved in insurrection. Trump filed an appeal on Jan. 2, 2024 that challenged Bellow’s decision. In contrast, Oregon’s top court rejected Trump’s removal from the ballot until the U.S. Supreme Court first ruled on the Colorado case. Besides Oregon, Midwest states like Minnesota and Michigan have denied the removal because legislators there believe election officials don’t have the power to do so. In Illinois, five voters filed an objection to Trump’s representation, arguing that it is unconstitutional for him to run in the 2024 election. They are requesting a hearing for their petition and are fighting to get Trump’s name removed on the printed ballot. This primary election takes place on March 19, 2024. As of Jan. 5, 2024, 14 states claiming Trump is not eligible to be on the ballot are still pending. Those states are Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
With Trump’s primary victory in the Iowa GOP caucus on Jan. 15, he holds an early lead over his top challenger, Nikki Haley. The next GOP primaries are set to be Feb. 3, 8 and 24.
graphic by Olivia Murray
Farmers make their mark with manure European farmers have not been happy with requests from their governments. Recent incidents include protests from farm workers against harsh policies put in place to combat climate change. Farmers are furious with the rising costs and tax increases on their industry that is still recovering from the pandemic. German farmers are taking a big hit from the government. The government in Germany has decided to cut fuel usage and tax breaks for farmers. They made these new policies in hopes to make up for the tens of billions of euros in debt their country is in. The German farmers decided they were not going to put up with this and were going to protest. The German farmer association stated, “These steps do not go far enough and we will push ahead with protests.” These farmers spend hours harvesting and growing crops and always deal with high economic demands. These farmers believe their restless labor should not go unnoticed, and they will not settle for less. The farmers blocked roads and highways with tractors throughout Germany to stop these new, enforced policies. Neighboring the country of Germany, France is also going through a disagreement with their government. France’s government
Garrison Urbon
is trying to continue with new policies to increase taxes and decrease polluting fuel used by farmers. The French government is enforcing these policies to fight climate change and also to help manage their national budget. Francois Purseigle, a professor at Toulouse Institute of Technology, stated, “Farmers are on the frontline of climate change with successive droughts taking place, and they have been repeatedly told they are not doing enough for the environment.” Overtime produce in France has decreased, allowing farmers to make the same amount of money but selling less produce. The government is losing money in this sense. With farmers depending on good sales to make ends meet, these new policies could send the French farmers into poverty. The farmers have been protesting by blocking the A64 highway since January 18; also, they sprayed cow and horse manure on government buildings as a way to be heard. Farmers from both of these European countries are looking for the same resolution. They want sustainable farming practices, environment care and are also just trying to protect their livelihood. Hopefully in the future the government and farmers can meet in the middle somewhere in order to satisfy all needs.
top. Farmers fly Occitan flags and block roadways with tractors in southern France. above. Farmers barricade busy streets with messages saying, “Here begins the country of agricultural resistance.
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Since the 2020 election, the efforts to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 Presidential ballot have skyrocketed. States like Maine and Colorado are at the forefront of efforts to remove Trump from their state run ballot. Many states pushed for his removal, citing the clause of the 14th Amendment which states that “government officials will be disqualified if they partake in insurrection or rebellion.” Due to Trump’s charges of alleged illegal actions in stealing official federal government documents and leading the Jan. 6, 2021 rebellion, many believe his actions would fall under the 14th Amendment clause. The Colorado Supreme Court voted fourto-three to disqualify the former president because of his involvement in the insurrection during the timeline before the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The justices in Colorado will allow Trump to be on the ballot if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns their court’s decision on appeal. Meanwhile, Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, claimed Trump was not a legitimate candidate for the Republican party after his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Although she has never seen someone barred
Oct. 7 unveiled: the account of Israel-Palestine Present: Oct.7 to now On Oct. 7, 2023, a Palestinian-Islamist militant group called Hamas launched a coordinated terrorist attack on the Jewish state of Israel that entailed the launching of a barrage of about 5,000 rockets in Israeli territory–a vast majority of them coming from Gaza–along with the capturing of more than 240 hostages and the killing of around 1,200 Israelis, most of which were civilians. More than 44 nations have classified this attack as terrorism; however, for many Arab and Muslim nations, this attack is seen as more of an uprising against the systematic oppression and military occupation that Palestine and its inhabitants have been subjected to for the last 75 years. Despite such arguments, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pursued declaring war on Hamas, quickly securing the backing of its longtime allies: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Canada and many other countries. As a response to Hamas’s attacks, on Oct. 8, 2023 Israel bombarded Gaza with airstrikes, and over time, it has accumulated almost 30,000 Palestinian victims–the majority of them being women and children.
above. Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal aera in Gaza City on October 9. photo by WAFA and APA images
Casualties and injuries in Gaza have heightened since the initial bombardment. Israeli forces have impeded humanitarian aid from entering Gaza; hospitals and aid stations have also been bombed, killing many innocent people seeking medical treatment. While the number of available hospitals has been reduced severely, the amount of injured persons continues to increase overwhelmingly, as there have been more than 62,000 people injured according to a report by Gaza’s Ministry of Health. However, Israel justifies such restriction of aid as being a way to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza, as well as using this blockade tactic to place some pressure on Hamas that will hopefully prompt them to release hostages. In response to Hamas’s attack on the southern Israeli communities, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered for a blockade to be placed on Gaza, stating, “I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed.” Gallant supplemented this statement,
Addison Haywood and Aniyah Roberts
adding, “We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.” This blockade has prompted some human rights activists and media outlets, such as the Human Rights Watch, to label Gaza as being an “open-aired prison.” Such a restriction of supplies is not uncommon in Gaza, as for the last 16 years, Gaza has been subjected to a blockade by the Israeli and Egyptian government, in which Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, two-thirds of them being refugees, has been restricted from leaving the land of Gaza or receiving imports without administrative permission. This blockade was instated by these two governments in 2007 as a response to Hamas’s win in the election hosted by the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 and Hamas’s seizure of control over Gaza in the following year. Primarily, the two powers wanted to limit Hamas’s power and prevent it from importing weapons to Gaza to contain conflict and “Palestinian political violence.” Furthermore, many Palestinian-Americans, in particular, have taken to the streets to promote the “Free Palestine’’ movement, which calls for the excise of Israeli occupation over the indigenous Palestinian lands in West Bank, Gaza and any other territory stolen from them following the establishment of modernday Israel. It is important to note that not only are Palestinians rallying for peace and justice, but there are also people of different nationalities and ethnicities rising in solidarity, as well. For example, Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist grassroot organization, made a statement concerning the Oct. 7 attack on their Instagram, stating, “We call on all people of conscience to stop the imminent genocide of Palestinians. We demand our [the US] government work towards de-escalation, that it immediately stop sending weapons to the Israeli military. A future of peace and safety for all, grounded in justice, freedom and equality for all, is still the only option.” Taking this statement into account, it is important to note that not all Israelis are in support of the Israeli government or of Zionism, which is a Jewish nationalist movement that supports a Jewish homeland being established on Palestinian
Cardiff Solidarity for Palestine protest, 4 November 2023
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lands. Furthermore, it is important to note that not all Palestinian or pro-Palestine movements are in support of Hamas’s tactics when it comes to supporting the cause. For example, some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have protested against Hamas, calling for them “to release the Israeli hostages and stop the war,” according to a video by Kanal13 news. Additionally, violence and hate is not limited to the boundaries of Israel and Palestine, as many people of Jewish and Arab descent worldwide have faced mass discrimination as a result of this situation. For example, 70% of Jewish college students have faced forms of discrimination since Oct. 7. In addition, students of Muslim and Arab descent have also been targeted with hate speeches and sickening violence, prompting federal agencies to issue warnings to both these communities about increased targeted attacks.
above. Solidarity protest on the Pariser Platz in Berlin on the day after the invasion of the Hamas in Israel.
All things considered, this situation is a tragedy on all levels; however, in some ways, it was inevitable when looking at the historical contexts that precursored the exigence that was Oct. 7. In order to truly understand why people are chanting “Free Palestine,” in order to truly grasp why people are willingly staying in Gaza to keep updated reports on this tragedy in hopes that one day it will be taught to children worldwide, we must first gain a thorough understanding of what came before Oct. 7, 2023. Past: Before Oct. 7 For decades, Palestinian and Israeli forces have fought over the land of modern day Palestine. Following World War II, and particularly the Holocaust, many Jewish people found themselves displaced and in search of a permanent national homeland. It is believed in the Jewish faith that Jerusalem and its surrounding areas encompass the holy land promised to them by God through Abraham. Basing their search on such beliefs, scattered Jewish people looking for a place to call home were very receptive to the idea of the land of current-day Palestine being their escape from persecution. Prior to their settlement on this land, Western powers, in particular Britain, made promises to Jewish people, encouraging the idea of a Jewish
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homeland. More specifically, in 1917, amidst World War I, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, which laid out Britain’s support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. This document garnered an immense amount of support among Jewish people and Zionists, or Jewish nationalists who support the efforts of establishing a Jewish nation on Palestinian land. Furthermore, around the time that the document was issued, Britain had gained control of Palestine from the Ottoman Empire during 1917 and 1918, and ruled over the land under a mandate by the League of Nations, which was an intergovernmental organization formed after World War I to promote peace and prevent other large scale wars. Britain, being committed to the efforts of cultivating a Jewish homeland in Palestine (mainly because of economic and political reasons), made numerous efforts under its mandated rule to promote Jewish immigration, especially during the Holocaust of World War II. In 1947, the United Nations (UN) proposed a plan to partition Palestine into two segments: an independent Jewish state and an independent Arab state, with the city of Jerusalem assuming the status of corpus separatum, which is Latin for a separate entity, meaning it was to be governed by a special international regime, but continue to assume the title of capital for both the states of Israel and Palestine. This resolution was accepted by most Jewish leaders; however, many Palestinian Arabs strongly opposed it, arguing that the plan did not reflect that Palestinians made up the majority of the population, for it allocated the Jewish state more than half of the land of Palestine, despite the fact that they made up less than half of the population. Despite such opposition, the plan was passed. On May 15, 1948, an event that the Palestinians now refer to as the “Nakba,” or the “Catastrophe” in Arabic, commenced, which was the day after the founding of Israel at the expense of indigenous Palestinians, who built their entire livelihood on the land. Nakba is remembered as a day of great tragedy for Palestinians, as it was a day characterized by the destruction of society, the displacement of families, the erasure of culture and history, the depopulation of rich communities and the advent of Israel’s rule over the native population, which would continue to push Palestinians off their land and restrict them of basic rights and necessities for the next 75 years. More specifically, during Nakba, more than 500 Palestinian villages were destroyed by Zionist militias
and what was soon to be known as the Israeli military, leaving many of the native population to adopt refugee statuses in other places. Furthermore, in 1967, the Six-Day War ensued, which was a struggle between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. This war, along with a war in 1973, helped define the geopolitical boundaries of Israel, as it gained a substantial amount of territory, including the territories of the West Bank, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula and the Syrian territory of Golan Heights. Gaza (which was a territory previously controlled by Egypt) and the West Bank, in particular, consisted largely of a population made up of stateless Palestinians who had fallen victim to the mass displacement that followed the founding of Israel in 1948. In 1987, the First Intifada (resistance movement) proliferated as a response to the continued occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. During this uprising, Palestinian militia groups revolted and more than 100 Israelis were killed along with over 1,000 Palestinians (both death tolls consisting of a mixture of civilians and soldiers) only ending on the terms of the First Oslo Accord signed by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), a Palestinian nationalist coalition, representing the Palestinian people, and Israel in 1993. The First Oslo Accord was created in secrecy under the surveillance of the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the head of the PLO, Yasser Arafat. This document, along with the Second Oslo Accord of 1995, worked to establish a plan for an Israeli-Palestinian peace process, as well as for initiating an interim Palestinian government in parts of Gaza and the West Bank, as long as the PLO recognized Israel as a legitimate state and Israel recognized the PLO as a legitimate authority representing the Palestinian people. In summary, both accords sought to grant limited self-determination to Palestinans and in the long term, create the frameworks for the formation of a separate Palestinian state. However, both received pushbacks and failed to bring about longlasting peace, as many right-wing Israelis opposed the idea of conceding land to Palestinians and Palestinian organizations, such as Hamas, felt that such a “two-state solution” would prevent Palestinian refugees from returning to the homeland they occupied before 1948.
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Moreover, by August 2005, the Israeli army withdrew from Gaza and many of its settlements were dismantled within that area. In the following year, Hamas, a Sunni-Islamist militant group, won the election in the Palestinian Legislative Council against Fatah, the political group that headed the PLO, for political control of Gaza and the West Bank (both predominantly populated by Palestinian refugees) at the dismay of the Israeli government, who declared it a terrorist organization. Hamas, founded in 1987, has acquired the classification of being a terrorist organization by the Israeli government and other Western powers because of its tactics when it came to seeking Palestinian liberation and the complete withdrawal of Israelis from Palestinian lands. Furthermore, Hamas did not particularly agree with the PLO’s decisions when it came to liberating Palestine, for the PLO came to recognize Israel as a legitimate state in 1988, while Hamas still viewed Israeli occupation as illegitimate. One of its major goals was to destroy Israel as a whole. With such extreme views, Hamas has had many run-ins with the Israeli government. There have been several bloody conflicts, including in 2008, 2012, 2014 and what happened in recent months. For decades, Palestinians have suffered under the Israeli government. According to the Palestinians, they have faced mass displacement from their ancestral homelands, as well as been restricted of their basic rights as a way to subdue and cripple their growth. Additionally, many Palestinians can attest to being treated as second-class citizens in Israel, for they have been restricted from the right of national selfdetermination, of freedom of movement and of acquiring land. Furthermore, many Palestinians live as refugees as a result of the ongoing denial of the “right of return,” which they believe is their right to return to the lands that they were pushed off of due to the founding of Israel in 1948. However, Israel counters such narratives, claiming that it seeks peace with Palestine and its Arab neighbors and aims to establish a twostate solution; however, continued violence and hostility enacted by said neighbors brings Israel to subdue these forces in the right of selfdefense. Future? Many peace and diplomacy organizations, such as the UN, call for a two-state solution, in which Palestine and Israel form two separate states on the land being fought over, and while the current fighting has placed questioning around the feasibility of such a solution, many remain hopeful, such as Uriel Abulof, a political scientist of Tel Aviv University. He believes that peace can still prevail even in the face of mass trauma: “A two-state solution is still possible, perhaps more than before, because there is a potential for both sides to understand that this is not a conflict between the majority of Israelis and Palestinians, [both of whom] want to live in coexistence, without radical leaders.”
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Hot takes: Water bottle war Mireya Gomez de la Casa, Tiffany Gonzalez and Lauren Nichols Mireya: Welcome to the water bottle showdown! In one corner, we have Hydroflask: the trendy, colorful and insulated choice of many. Known for its ability to keep drinks cold for hours, it’s a top contender. In another corner, we have Owala: a newcomer with a unique design. It’s winning hearts with its easy-flip lid and free sip option. Last but not least, we have Stanley, the classic, rugged and reliable choice that’s been around for ages. It’s built to last and has a loyal fan base. Each of these brands brings something unique to the table, from style and function to durability and design. So, who will take the crown in this water bottle war? Stay tuned as we dive into the details and uncover the strengths and weaknesses of each. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite hydration companion!
above. The Inscape Team compares their water bottles in class. Stanley was the majority winner. photo by Elysia Gonzalez
Hydroflask steps into the water bottle war with a bang! This trendy brand has become a fashion statement as much as a hydration tool. With its vibrant colors and sleek design, it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite among the younger crowd. But Hydroflask isn’t just about looks. Its double-wall vacuum insulation is a game-changer, keeping drinks icy cold for up to 24 hours or piping hot for up to 12 hours. The premium-grade stainless steel also ensures pure taste, free from any metallic aftertaste. It’s durable and built to last, a worthy investment for any hydration enthusiast. One slight drawback might be its price point, which is on the higher end. However, many argue that the quality and performance justify the cost. In the water bottle war, Hydroflask stands tall, offering a perfect blend of style and functionality. It’s not just a water bottle; it’s a lifestyle choice!
Tiffany: Owala is the way to go. It is a game changer in the market now. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe. It includes a lid and straw which allows you to choose between sipping from the straw or taking gulps without the straw. Owala water bottles come in a variety of colors; it’s leak free. All Owala bottles come in insulated stainless steel that keeps water cold for hours. Owala is lightweight compared to a Stanley, and it’s easier to carry around and to take places. It is more durable, and it fits on your car holder rather than a Stanley. Owala gives you the option for a 30oz., 35 oz. or 40 oz. sizes. It’s convenient in every way. Owala’s hype is mostly the mouthpiece. It’s nothing like you’ve seen before. You sip like a straw or tip and chug, and on the Owala, there is a handle that acts as an additional lid lock–yet another way you can carry your water bottle. Owala takes pride in their brand by giving you a limited lifetime warranty. Lauren: ANNNDDDD HERE COMES STANLEYY. You know it and you love it. Stanley is a name brand known around the world. Stanley was created in 1913 by a man named William Stanley Jr. This water bottle comes in many different colors and sizes, and it keeps liquids cold for 11 hours. We can’t forget about your hot drinks! It keeps drinks hot for at least 20 hours. The company verified this in a statement: ”Our vacuum insulated stainless steel thermoses or bottles will keep drinks hot for at least 20 hours, cold for at least 24 hours and ice cold for 4 days.” I know we’ve all seen the viral video of Danielle Marie Lettering and her copper colored Stanley. In the incident her car caught on fire, Stanley had very minor infraction and STILL HAD ICE in it. I think this shows how sustainable the water bottle is itself.
Which water bottle brand do you use? Scan the QR code to cast your vote!
Snow spite Lorelei Saczek
I love summer. I love the sun, warm weather and long days. I love spending my time outside, going to the beach and driving with the windows down. Sadly, that’s the exact opposite of our current weather conditions. I always say I wasn’t meant to live in Chicago. Don’t get me wrong, I love Chicago summers, if you couldn’t tell, and I love the week of fall and spring weather that we get, but I can’t stand the rest. The incorrect seasons are a start. We all learned in preschool about the FOUR seasons, four being the key word here. At best, Chicago has three seasons: summer, winter and gray. There’s a possibility that there will be a week of fall-like temperatures or spring-like weather conditions thrown in there, but more likely than not, the sky is gray and it’s raining. I like to call that time the “in-between;” it’s in-between the two definite seasons Chicago has: summer and winter. Winter, ugh, I can’t say I hate it all, because I don’t. I enjoy the snow when it’s nice, and light, and powdery and sparkly; however, that only lasts for about a day. After that we get gross slush, frozen snow chunks and insane cold. I just can’t stand that type of winter. I hate having to put on a billion layers before going outside and having to clean off the car and shoveling. I hate the bitter cold of polar freezes and when the snow freezes so it becomes ice in disguise. It always astounds me how a city with such wonderful summers can have the worst winters. I mean, who would enjoy going outside when the air is so cold it makes your lungs hurt? No one, the answer is no one. Of course, I can see the beauty in winter, but the blinding light reflecting off the frozen snow makes it a bit challenging. I just think I’m meant to live in a warmer climate during the winter months, which according to Chicago’s standards, would be from December to March. I’ll just never be a winter person. I’ll never understand the hype of the cold months. To me, the marvelous summers will always be better than winter.
Nov/Dec Hot Takes results Do you believe in horoscopes/zodiac signs? 85.7% Yes 14.3%-No
7 opinion
january/february 2024
Boeing airplane door blowout Julia Easterhouse One of Alaska Airlines’s Boeing airplanes and its passengers went through a terrifying ordeal on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. Flight 1282, Boeing plane 737-9, experienced an incident in which a door blew off mid-flight due to a defective door plug. Occurring at 5:07 p.m., this casualty exposed passengers to open air thousands of feet above ground. By 5:26 p.m, under 20 minutes after taking off, the plane was forced to land. It is said that the plane reached an altitude of 16,000 feet above sea level just as the hole opened up. The said door plug was found in a backyard in Portland, and a man’s cell phone from aboard the plane was found by a man while on a walk in Portland. Thankfully, no one was sitting in seat 26A or 26B, the two closest seats to the missing door, and all passengers that endured injuries during the flight were medically cleared. Four passengers, though, are suing Alaska Airlines and Boeing for the traumatizing experience they went through. “Some passengers sent what they thought would be their final text messages in this world,” said Mark Lindquist, a Seattle attorney. Unfortunately though, this was not the first incident involving Boeing airplanes. The Boeing 737 Max is under supervision due to several crashes and malfunctions over the past few years. “The occurrences include a
Lion Air Flight 610 that killed 189 people when it crashed in Indonesia in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 that killed 157 people when it crashed in waters northeast of Jakarta--both Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, a previous version of the aircraft.” said ABC News. ABC news also shared, “The FAA announces that every Boeing 737 Max 9 with a plug door will remain grounded until
the administration determines that each can safely return to operation.” It has been said that Boeing fully supports the need for inspection of these planes and understands the temporary suspension of the aircraft’s. Boeing has provided instructions to examine the planes but has been asked to revise and give a more detailed example of inspection to ensure this safety.
above. Leani Benitez-Cardona, NTSB aerospace engineer, and Matthew Fox, NTSB chief technical advisor for materials, unpacking the door plug from Alaska Airlines flight 1282, in the materials laboratory at NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C
The ultimate Sephora matchup Elizabeth Gadzik
above.Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Fragrance Mist photo by Elizabeth Gadzik
It seems like nothing in the world is able to stop the “10-year-old Sephora addicts;” however, they might have just found their match… and it’s not who you think it would be. Spiders! The 10-year-old Sephora kids who are buying skincare products like Drunk Elephant and fragrance products like Sol de Janeiro just ran into a major problem. Right now, Sephora is going through a change of consumers. 10-year-olds are flooding the stores selling out skincare and fragrance products, leaving none left for the targeted demographic. People are getting annoyed with the 10-year-olds, because of the rude and unhinged behavior they are displaying. The most well known item that has been selling out on the shelves is the Sol de Janeiro body butters. People are attracted to this product due to the rich scent and smooth whipped consistency that leaves the skin feeling nourished. This product may sound like a dream, except for the fact that it has been leaving people with not just moisturized skin, but also spider bites. Many people have claimed after using the Sol de Janeiro Delícian Drench Body Butter that wolf spider bites started appearing. The consumers were quick to take these claims to
social media, blaming the scent. This caused a massive reaction on major platforms like Tiktok, Snapchat and Instagram. Claims of the product containing the chemicals farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate, which are commonly found in skincare products, are to blame. Wolf spiders are attracted to this combination of chemicals in the butter, hence the bites. Since these claims have come out, Sol de Janeiro has come out with a statement via Instagram. They debunked the rumors, stating that every Sol de Janerio product is free from farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate. Not only did the brand clap back on Instagram, they also defended their name on Tiktok. Sol de Janeiro commented on TikTok videos with false spider allegations in regards to the butter saying, “Of course this rumor is untrue!” and “None of our products, including Delicia Drench + 59 Mist, contain these alleged arachnid attracting ingredients.” In conclusion, the saying remains true: you can’t believe everything you see on social media. So now that the Sephora 10-year-olds are left again undefeated, what do you think will cause the downfall of them?
january/february 2024
science & tech 8
McAuley’s newest sport Lorelei Saczek McAuley is known all around for its amazing sports, from volleyball to basketball to everything in between. McAuley has every sport you can think of, and they just gained another. Maggie Zuber 11 recently founded the newest team McAuley has to offer: wrestling. “Wrestling is the fastest growing sport in many states, including Illinois,” said Zuber. “I wanted to start the team because wrestling means so much to me and teaches so many lessons that will benefit you throughout your whole life.” Although there are only five girls currently wrestling, their hopes and spirits are high. When asked what they were most excited for, their responses were full of enthusiasm and passion. “I am most excited to try out a new sport that I’ve never done and gain a new appreciation for the tremendous amount of training and mental strength it takes to be a wrestler,”Marisa Gilio 12 explained. “This season I am most grateful to try a new sport that will train my mind and body and teach me discipline. I think it’s important to try new experiences during my time in high school, and now I look forward to practice every day!” stated Bella Judeh 12. “ Wrestling is an amazing sport, and the team is so supportive. What I’ve taken from this is that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable, and
you should always try new things and push yourself to the max because you are capable of so many amazing things.” Zuber is very hopeful for the future of McAuley wrestling. “I hope as the year goes by, and even after I graduate, the team will continue to grow and will expand to a full team one day.” It’s safe to say that Zuber has left her mark on McAuley, and we’re all eager to see how the team continues to progress. There might be another state championship down the line.
above The McAuley Wrestling team composed of: Alyssa Gonzalez, Meave Zuber (manager), Maggie Zuber, Marisa Gilio, Bella Judeh, Coach Sammy hyped for their first competition meet. photo provided by Maggie Zuber 11.
A new shot Elysia Gonzalez For the first time in professional hockey history, female hockey players are able to play with the new PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League.) The PWHL was founded on August 29, 2023, after buying the PHF (Premier Hockey League) also known as the NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League), which started in March of 2015 and disbanded in June of 2023. The season began on Jan. 1 and is scheduled to end on May 5. Each season is set to have 24 regular games. The league is represented by six teams from the United States and Canada. The United States teams consist of Boston, New York and Minnesota, while the Canadian teams are the cities of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Each team has phenomenal players as most were on team U.S.A and Canada in the Olympics, winning numerous gold and silver medals. Boston player Jamie Lee and Minnesota player Nicole Hensley each signed three-year contract deals for the PWHL teams. Lee has been playing for team Canada since 2022, winning her first gold medal in Beijing. She
has also won two world championships in 2021 and 2022. Hensly has been playing for team U.S.A since 2016. Here, she won one gold medal in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, as well as three world championships. Fans are going out of their way to show their love for this new league. On Jan. 6, 2024, during the Montreal vs. Minnesota game, the record for the largest attendance ever at a professional women’s hockey game was broken with over 13,000 attendees at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. The league has even garnered support from the NHL franchise, which stated, “We remain committed to supporting the women’s game and look forward to working together with the PWHL to grow our sport.” As this new opportunity for women in hockey continues to expand in support and viewers, it’s exciting to see what the future holds for the PWHL league and the amazing opportunities offered to its players.
9 sports
Play like a girl Elise Malinowski
Taylor Lawrence, a senior cheerleader for Brother Rice and Mother McAuley, had an impressive career. At 3-years-old, she began cheering for her local football organization, then continued to cheer competitively for Cheer Extreme. When she reached highschool, Lawerence cheered for Brother Rice, freshman to senior year, and for McAuley junior to senior year, where she is a two-year reigning captain. “It’s my job to set the mood at practices and competitions. Energy is so contagious, and I have to put everything aside to make sure we all do our best,” said Lawerence. Throughout Lawerence’s career, she made many impressive accomplishments, from landing her first full, to placing 11th out of 168 teams at the summit in Disney with her team and winning competitions such as Cheersport. This mentally and physically demanding sport requires a very strong stature and a reliable support system. Lawerence stated, “The most supportive person throughout my cheer career has to be my mom. She has genuinely been my biggest supporter. She has put so much time and money into it, and I can never thank her enough for everything.” While Lawerence does not intend to continue her career into college, she plans to attend cosmetology school in hopes of one day owning her own salon. “I am sad my journey ends here, but I am so beyond grateful for my experience,” Lawerence said “I can see myself still being involved with cheer, one day taking over Brother Rice cheer when my coaches are done and maybe even then McAuley cheer.” There is no doubt Lawrence will finish her season strong and continue to do amazing things in her future!
photo provided by Taylor Lawrence
january/february 2024
Artist spotlight Savannah Simon
Amar Tadros 11 is one of Mother McAuley’s artists. standout Tadros participates in water polo, band and acapella. In band she is the conductor, and for musicals, she helps create the music under the stage. She has a bright future ahead of her and continues to make the McAuley community proud. During our interview, I asked her how she is able to manage all that she is involved in with school. Her response was, “I plan out a schedule and manage them on my calendar.” Tadros is inspiring many people across the school. Tadros has made many students feel that they can be a part of many different things. Whether it’s clubs, sports or the theater productions, Tadros has shown that anything is possible. Another question I asked Tadros was which of her hobbies were her favorite and why. She said, “That’s a hard one…I like them all!” McAuley has given students the feeling that they can be part of many different things while still representing their school. When asked what inspired her to be involved in this many activities, she answered, “I would say that I wanted to be involved in as much as I was able to freshman year to see what I liked and what I didnt, but then I ended up liking them all.” Tadros is very dedicated to what she does and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the future.
above. Amar Tadros leading the BR/MMc Marching band during an Open House event.
‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace’ Fiona Stanek “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace” stands as one of the most perplexing and interesting docuseries I’ve ever watched. The first season filled me with uncertainty and conflicting narratives and left me questioning what and whom to believe. As the awaited second season was finally released earlier this month, the same energy of the first season persists. This Max documentary series dives into the adoption saga of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian girl with dwarfism, who was adopted by the Barnett family in 2010. Post adoption, the Barnetts made claims that Natalia had lied about her age and was not a 6-year-old girl, but a grown adult who posed a threat to the family. She supposedly terrified them with multiple attempts to physically harm them. In 2013, the Barnetts legally changed Natalia’s birthdate from 2003 to 1989, portraying her as a 22-year-old adult. The first season of the show is predominately narrated by the former adoptive father, Micheal Barntett, and the second season introduces Natalia and her perspective. Both of the seasons focus around two central themes: Natalia’s real age and whether she possessed the evil that was described by Kristine and Micheal Barnett.
In the first season, Micheal made claims of Natalia’s “reign of terror” while she lived with the Barnetts. Micheal claimed that Natalia wasn’t a 6-year-old upon adoption and that she tried to purposely harm his family on multiple occasions. Throughout the second season, Natalia countered all of Micheal’s previous claims with her own serious claims of abuse by Kristine and Micheal. She told shocking accounts of being both maced and beaten multiple times. I feel as if the second season seamlessly weaves together every perspective there is, leaving no narrative out. The docuseries does a very good job of building up Natalia’s story in the second season, exposing the complexity of the Barnett family; however, the series does raise certain doubts about Natalia’s reliability, prompting speculation that she might not be telling the whole truth. This series is a binge-watcher start to finish, and it leaves you on a shocking cliffhanger at the end of the second season. This is a must-watch series with the insane theatrics of Micheal Barnett, the drama and tension between both sides and the uncertainty of who is telling the truth.
The 96th Oscars Caitlin Sears
It’s official: the 96th annual Oscars is back with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing that Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting once again. The ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The Oscars is made up of 23 different categories ranging from Best Animated Short Film to Best Supporting Actress. With new movie releases from 2024 starting to come out, the Academy will celebrate movies from the 2023 year. The leading movies are “Oppenheimer” with a total of 13 nominations, followed by “Poor Things” with 11, “Killers of the Flower Moon” with 10 and “Barbie” with eight. Many critics suspect that “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” will lead the night. The two movies came out on the same day in July 2023, and the popularity surrounding them (both with casual audiences and film critics) caused many to label the cultural phenomenon as “Barbenheimer.” Many memes were shared across social media about their contrasting themes and tone. Moviegoers argued which one was worth the price of admission; others declared that a day at the theater was required to see both as a double feature. The two movies will duke it out again–only this time they will be vying for the admiration of the Academy.
The night is not only going to be historic for the actors, actresses, directors and the crew that work on these films and movies; also, Jimmy Kimmel will join the club of now six people who have hosted the Oscars four or more times. Others that have hosted four times include Jack Lemmon and Whoopi Goldberg, while Johnny Carson hosted five times, Billy Crystal nine times and Bob Hope had the most with 19 appearances as host. Many viewers of the Oscars can’t wait to see their favorite winners, funny moments and dramatic interactions, such as Chris Rock and Will Smith’s infamous showdown at the 94th Oscars. Tune in on ABC at 6:30 p.m. EST for the pre-show and 7 p.m. EST for the awards.
“Barbie” or “Oppenheimer” ? Scan the QR code to cast your vote!
january/february 2024
a&e 10