Underachievement in schools has become a prevalent issue in recent years For various reasons, more and more students are finding it difficult to achieve their full potential Educators, parents and students themselves are becoming increasingly concerned about this problem
Academic pressure, lack of motivation, and rising levels of stress are only a few of the contributing factors that have led to this growing issue
One of the most significant
reasons for underachievement in schools is the overwhelming pressure students face With heightened competition for college acceptance, students are often anxious and stressed over the need to perform exceptionally well and take extremely rigorous classes This leads to burnout and a lack of putting in one’s best effort
Sophomore Nolan Howard says, “Instead of looking at school as an opportunity to learn, some students view school as a competitive and high-stakes environment
where mediocrity and failure simply aren’t an option ”
Students typically tend to define success in grades and ranking among peers, rather than the bigger and frankly more important goal of learning and developing new skills
The decline in the mental well-being of students is another contributory factor to underachievement Anxiety and stress are at an all-time high for students, diminishing focus on studying and learning at school
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UNDERACHIEVEMENT
Reed Metzler, a current senior, claims multiple factors cause stress for students, extracurriculars being some of the largest: “For me, balancing sports and academics can be challenging, especially as an avid baseball player During the school season, I usually practice five days a week, on top of having multiple games each week
I get home at 5:30 p m at the earliest, which can then make studying challenging due to fatigue and having less time to get things done ”
According to the American College Health Association’s (ACHA) Spring 2023 national survey of over 55,000 undergraduate students, approximately 76% were experiencing moderate to serious psychological distress, which is higher than ever before When students struggle with stress, their strides for success often deteriorate, and declines in performance follow
The good news is that schools are either beginning or already have mental health resources, helping students cope with the pressure that comes with education Unfortunately, although resources are available, some students do not take advantage when support is offered
Lack of motivation due to interest can also play a major role in the underachievement of students.
If the curriculum aligns with interests and future goals of students, then success is more likely to follow. Students' learning desires wane when the topic is not of interest.
Current Junior, Callie Zhao, thinks different learning styles also impact the level of connection between students and teachers, and can make learning challenging for certain students.
Callie states, “It’s hard for the outliers to speak out and more importantly retain what’s happening in class. For me, I learn best with repetition, but in very rigorous academic settings where all my peers appear to be doing well, it’s hard to stop the whole class and ask a million questions.”
Callie makes a great point about student competition and how it can create an inability to speak up in class. The student may feel like an outcast, making it harder to speak up.
Another prominent issue with lack of motivation is the difficulty of the work required. This is where procrastination is often seen and where students may succumb to other distractions to avoid doing the work. This leads to poor performance, and motivation is again impacted. Ultimately, schools need to cultivate a supportive environment where students feel encouraged rather than pressured, with teachers striving to create engaging lessons. The key takeaway is that solving underachievement is not just about improving grades it’s about students developing a positive and driven attitude toward learning.
Finding success in understanding new topics and applying concepts is bigger than capturing that “A.” By discovering and facing the root causes, schools can help students unlock their full potential and achieve success.
Model UN and DECA Teams Earn High Honors in Standout Year
By Andrew Cohen
North Shore’s Model UN and DECA teams have been a major success this year. Students have been debating global politics in Model UN, and students in Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) have been delving into the business world.
This school year alone, The Model UN team earned a total of 18 awards across high school and college level conferences, and the DECA team has earned 5 awards in its first year ever at North Shore. Not to mention, this is the first year North Shore has had a DECA team, but they have clearly picked it up quite well! Needless to say, both of these teams are thriving.
After an energetic finish to the “season” with three nationallevel awards, Model UN conducted leadership elections and is already preparing for another great year.
Callie Zhao ’26, the newly elected Secretary General, encourages students to join Model UN, because it is a great opportunity to strengthen public speaking skills and learn how to be an effective negotiator, skills valuable for
any job not just a career in politics. Students in Model UN learn a significant amount of current and historical political topics which prepare them for humanities courses.
Additionally, the size and success of the team has led to the introduction of two classes, Topics in Global Studies I and II, which are new for next year and will focus on the United Nations, global politics, and specifically target Model UN skills. Along with all of the knowledge and practical life skills gained in Model UN, students have a blast!
Beyond high-school level conferences, North Shore’s team has traveled to the University of Michigan,
Georgetown University, and will soon compete at Northwestern. These weekend-long trips are a great way for students to build bonds and make memories.
The great academic and social impact North Shore’s Model UN team has on students cannot be done without the hard work and dedication from beloved advisors, Mr. Greer and Mrs. Aiston.
A new addition to North Shore’s academic teams is DECA, which is advised by Ms. Park. DECA is a program for students interested in business, preparing students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and
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The North Shore Model UN team
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management through handson learning At competitions, students participate in “roleplay” where they are given a business situation and have to navigate towards a solution Then, students present their “case” to the judges
Through role-play, students in DECA develop strong critical thinking and improve their public speaking skills
Additionally, students participate in a written exam in their chosen field of interest
Ms Park is incredibly proud of the students’ commitment to succeed Students’ dedication is shown through their preparation work, whether that be discovering online DECA guides that teach business literacy, or watching videos on YouTube to learn how to strengthen their business judgement
Being a member of DECA is also a great opportunity to build community At competitions, students at North Shore have made friends with students from schools all over the state of Illinois After earning multiple awards at the state competition, the team’s next goal is to attend the national competition in Orlando next year! Clearly, DECA and Model UN are only getting warmed up
Top : Model UN; Bottom : DECA students Marina Bullock-Puzon ’26, Jack Walker ’27, with a second-place win, and Raina Khana ’26.
North Shore DECA Team
Not-So Senioritis
By Aiden Darneider
With many NSCD seniors receiving their college acceptance letters and others waiting anxiously for theirs, the term “senioritis” is beginning to pour out of the mouths of many upper school students, faculty and staff “Senioritis” is a common noun used across the United States to describe the decline in motivation experienced by many high school seniors following their admittance to university Although one may assume senioritis is far more harmful than beneficial, it might be better for one’s overall health and learning than you may think
Many Students experiencing the effects of senioritis are considered lazy, using their commitment to a university as an excuse to slack off in school. To upper school history teacher Mr. Mercer, there is “some myth” in the term. What he finds to be true is that some students feel that they do not need to continue working as hard as they have before, but, to him, it makes “logical sense.” Saying this, it may come as a surprise that Mr. Mercer “starts to find [his senior students] more interesting” in the second semester because they start “learning for the sake of learning.”
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SENIORITIS continued
Saying this, it may come as a surprise that Mr. Mercer “starts to find [his senior students] more interesting” in the second semester because they start “learning for the sake of learning.”
Senior Josh Sanders (committed to Howard University) agrees with Mr Mercer that there is both fact and fiction in what is known as “senioritis ” Josh finds himself “participating more because [he] feels like more of a leader now ” He explains that he strives to achieve more “in my APs,” highlighting the shift in mindsets that Mr Mercer has recognized
Focusing beyond the classroom, Josh has noticed a change in how he manages his time. He has realized he’s been procrastinating more, delaying some assignments until later in the day to prioritize social endeavors. Josh’s behavior is expected of someone working tirelessly for a long period towards the single objective of acceptance into a college or university
With this, it is not rare for a student’s social life to become less of a priority during the months of their college process. The stress of balancing college applications and schoolwork can begin to take a toll on one’s mental health.
To Senior Charlie Ver Eecke (Committed to Wake Forest University), the time leading up to submitting college applications “were some of the worst months of my life.” This is a common belief among many who have gone through the same process. What Charlie said suggests that senioritis could simply just be a word used to describe the hardly avoidable burnout of students and seniors in particular.
Supporting this claim is Ms Ryder, an upper school science teacher, who believes that after working so hard for three and a half years, “sometimes, [students] just need a breather ” that “if you’re running a race and the race is over, it would be weird if you kept running,” unless you are Forrest Gump
She believes that many students view getting into college as the finish line to their high school career. Ms. Ryder thinks of the college process and high school in general as a race, explaining
Despite that, she still believes that students need to make an effort to stay engaged and keep working. Ms. Ryder describes that students should not “disengage, but to re-engage in a way that helps them enjoy school without being stressed about whether or not they have an A in the class.”
After talking with students and teachers, it is clear that senioritis is not what it appears to be. While it is clear that there is a change in the academic effort put in by some students, this change might not be as negative as one may think. The second semester plays such a pivotal role in a senior’s social life that it is almost more important to focus on friendships and family before leaving for school, rather than books.
NSCD’s First Student-Led X-Day
By Jack Walker
North Shore Country Day School recently held a brand new type of student-led XDay, an exciting, student-led series of programs, and even a few field trips, that brought students and faculty together to learn in a series of unique and enriching experiences.
This year, NSCD introduced the Common Ambassador program, leading students to create mini-classes and discussions to conduct productive conversations and learn about certain topics of personal interest not mentioned in typical classes.
The most recent X-Day was a continuation of that program, coordinated by students, both who led Common Ambassador Programs and some who did not. The event led to students and faculty exploring a wide variety of opportunities from field trips to playing Monopoly, all designed to foster a sense of connection and learning outside the typical classroom.
One of the student-led field trips was organized by Yusuf Adams and Kaeden Ackley, who arranged a visit to the Baha'i Temple.
"Originally we did say that we wanted to do a trip, and
Madame Wollin-Casey basically gave us the idea to go to the Baha'i Temple," Yusuf explained
Both students had previously led a religion-focused Common Ambassadors program earlier this year, which tied into the trip they planned. Madame WollinCasey’s support reflects a common theme throughout the event; while students took the lead, faculty played a massive role in supporting each program.
"I just hope that people learned about new religions and about the Baha'i religion and its historic impact," he said. When asked how he thinks the trip impacted him, Yusuf talked about his leadership skills: "It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone by scheduling the tour, having conversations with the Baha'i Temple employees."
His opinions highlight the fundamental goals that every successful X-Day strives to achieve: encouraging meaningful conversation, learning important life skills, and creating engaging learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting.
This X-Day was a resounding success, thanks to the hard work and creativity of both the students who organized the trips and the faculty who supported them By taking ownership of the event, students who participated gained valuable skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork
This X-Day not only enhanced the school community but also reinforced the importance of student involvement in shaping the school’s activities, hopefully encouraging North Shore Country Day School to continue both the Common Ambassador program and this X-Day for years to come
The Baha’i Temple, an X-Day destination
Basketball Recap: Closing Out the Season and Looking Ahead
By Kaeden Ackley
It was an amazing season in the new Mac McCarty Athletic Center for both the girls and boys basketball teams.
From “Pack the MAC” to the hugely successful Dunk Alz fundraiser, it was a great winter full of Purple Pride, not to mention success, with both the girls and boys Varsity teams making it to the regional finals this year.
The girls team fell just short of a regional championship, but with a number of strong returning players, invested coaching staff, and great team chemistry, they are poised and ready for a regional re-match next year.
“Most of the girls had played together previously, and we welcomed the freshman into the program which created a sense of chemistry,” explained Reese Myers ’26.
The boys team had a memorable season as well, capped by the school’s fifth ever regional title, following a thrilling game-winning buzzer
beater by Luke Ryan ’25.
The varsity boys also won both the Hiawatha and Mather tournaments over holiday weekends. Coach Rashid Smith acknowledges the loss of many strong senior players from this year, but he is also optimistic about what lies ahead: “I’m excited to see the growth of our younger players and to see who will step up and fill roles next year.”
When asked to use three words to describe this year’s team, Coach Smith responded, “Resilient, passionate and dependable.”
Both of the Raider basketball teams improved their records from the previous season and are in good spots to be successful next year, and potentially make runs into the state playoffs.
Boys varsity basketball team: IHSA 1A regional champions
The Girls Varsity Basketball Team, during a game.
A 2025 NSCD Baseball Preview: Raiders Look to Build on Past Success
By Nikash Bawa
The Raider Baseball team has big shoes to fill, following the 2024 baseball season’s strong game record and regional title win. The Raiders will surely face challenges this year and will have to find a way to succeed despite losing their best hitters, pitchers, and fielders from last year.
The team is relatively young, with only two seniors in contrast to eight freshmen and sophomores There are big questions and uncertainties for the team, especially on offense, in the outfield, and pitching
The Raiders will also need to rebuild their offensive lineup, after their three best hitters graduated, as well as their outfield spots, with freshmen and sophomores who are playing at the high school level for the first time. The Raiders will also have to find a way to provide good pitching without their two most frequently used pitchers last year.
On the eve of the team’s spring break trip to Arizona, the team started to address these uncertainties. “Arizona will decide everything,” Captain Reed Metzler, ‘25, explained. “From lineups, roster spots, and overall strategy.”
Despite the upcoming challenges, expectations are still high. Reed still expects a regional championship and says that the key to success will be the underclassmen. “If they can stand up, they can fill the gaps of the leaving seniors,” he explained.
Max Flemma ’26, the returning starting catcher, echoed the same sentiments. “I expect this season to have a lot of ups and downs, as it is a very young team,” he said. “We will need a lot of our underclassmen to fill in as best they can, especially as pitchers.”
For him, the key to success is having energy throughout the season. “We need to bring intensity and high expectations into every single game because we can win or lose every single game we play,” Max said.
The Raiders look to defend their regional title. With an excellent coaching staff who was named ISL Coaching Staff of the Year last year, the Raiders are always a contender in games.
Despite a difficult loss in their first home game against Walter Payton, the Raiders are eager to show their skills on the field!
From top: Jonathan Wiggins ’25, Jack Walker ’27 and Filip Bialon ’28, during the Walter Payton Game
TikTok Ban: Where It Stands & What NSCD Says
By Samuel Rappoport
It seems like TikTok has been around forever. With unlimited possibilities and exciting content TikTok appears to have it all. And then… it was shut down? Beginning in 2017, TikTok took off in popularity. However, in November 2019, U.S. authorities began questioning its data practices. President Trump signed an executive order in 2020 to ban TikTok, but it was rescinded by President Biden. In 2023, Biden revived the threat, demanding ByteDance sell TikTok After Trump’s 2024 re-election, he temporarily shut down the app, then gave ByteDance two 75-day extensions to sell The current deadline is June 19, 2025
So What Do NSCD Students Have to Say?
While opinions vary, the majority of students agree: TikTok should not be banned. Junior Tarik Awada, is unsure about the accusations, calling claims regarding China’s data “complete lies.” Ellie Rose Horowitz notes that over 70% of the files related to the case are classified, which speaks to a lack of public transparency.
To many, they see the ban as an infringement on freedom. Sophomore Nikash Bawa calls it a “violation of free speech” and “exactly how authoritarian regimes start.” Juniors Kate Connolly and Elle Huss feel similarly, calling it a “[violation] of constitutional rights.”
Others mention TikTok is not the only company collecting user data. Callie Zhao details “at this point…who isn’t stealing my data?”. Dixie Oelrich goes on, “TikTok isn't the worst company to be taking our data.”
For many students, the impact is personal. Nolan Howard refers to TikTok as a great way of staying connected. Dixie Olerich appreciates its educational content along with its entertainment.
Some students confess that TikTok is dangerous for their mental health. They concur that a ban could be beneficial for their own health.
In addition to individual use, TikTok plays a large role in small business advertising. Henry Potthoff outlines how it helped him gain costumers for his car photography business.
But not everyone is opposed to the ban. Liam Gallagher states that he could “live without TikTok,” while Simon Lugilio states the ban is “needed to save our youth from Chinese communist propaganda.”
As the June 19 cutoff approaches, TikTok’s fate still hangs in the balance. But in North Shore the opinion is clear: TikTok is more than just an app, it is an opportunity to connect and speak for a generation.
The True Meaning of St. Patrick’s Day
By Maxwell Coppans
St Patrick's Day is a popular holiday with parades, parties and lots of green However, there's more to this holiday than meets the eye.
According to Modern World History teacher Dr. Strickland, St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally a religious holiday in Ireland that recognizes Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland He was a 5th-century missionary who is credited with spreading Christianity in Ireland Furthermore, since St Patrick's Day falls during the religious season of Lent, bars in Ireland were forbidden to open to the public, a practice that lasted until the 1970s
St Patrick’s Day became popular in the U S when Irish immigrants in cities like New York, Boston and Chicago used it to celebrate their heritage Over time, this became a popular celebration even for people with no Irish blood
In recent years, the American way of celebrating St Patrick’s Day has made its way back to Ireland. If you attended a St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin this year, you would find it very similar to American festivities. The day has transformed from a very reserved religious observance into a worldwide celebration of Irish culture, mixing old traditions with new ones.
This year’s upper school Student Council thought that celebrating St Patrick’s Day would be an excellent way to build school spirit.
According to Student Council President Josh Sanders, many student council members felt nostalgia for the days when all of the upper school would eat lunch together in the cafeteria and hoped a St Patrick’s Day celebration would attract students Since it fell during spring break this year, the student council decorated the cafeteria on the Thursday before, handing out chocolates to students who showed up and to those who wore green
“I was surprised by how many people participated in our celebration,” Josh said “It was a small victory ”
St Patrick's Day has become something way bigger than it was originally Learning about its origins can help us appreciate why it continues to bring people together!
