Issue 2

Page 1

THE

PROSPECTOR

801 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056

THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959

VOLUME 56, ISSUE 2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016

Fingers crossed As postseason kicks off, different generations handle Cubs anxiety BY MIKE STANFORD Editor-in-Chief ubs hysteria is becoming unavoidable. Senior Carrie Weimann sees it whenever she refreshes her Instagram feed. Sophomore Ben Miller notices it on the T-shirts of an increasing number of people in the halls. Sophomore Grant Hiskes hears it daily in lunchroom conversations. Combined with the excitement is abundant optimism. According to a survey of 143 students, 71 percent of students think the Cubs will make it to the World Series, and 55 percent of those students think they will win it. Teachers, however, are more apprehensive — a sentiment rooted in their past experiences.

For former social science teacher and softball coach Jim Adair, the heartbreak started during the 1969 season. By mid-August, the Cubs had built a nine-game lead on the rest of the National League East Division. Over the next six weeks, the Cubs watched the New York Mets claw their way back up the standings by winning 38 of their last 49 games. According to an MLB.com story, theories for the collapse abounded. Some blamed fatigue from playing more day games in the summer humidity than the rest of the league. Others pointed to a breakdown in team chemistry. Some even faulted a black cat that walked behind their on-deck circle at Shea Stadium in September. Regardless, the collapse was inexcusable to Adair. “Nobody blows a [nine]-game lead,” Adair said. “To be that late in the season and … lose it — that was one of the most massive chokes of all time.” English teacher Tim McDermott’s agony started 15 years later with the 1984 team. Led

Five outs from reaching the World Seby National League MVP Ryne Sandberg and Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe, the ries, the Cubs had not been so close to bringing the trophy home to Wrigleyville in more Cubs roared to their first playoff appearance than half a century. in 39 years only to lose Throwback to 1908 Then, left fielder Moises to the San Diego Padres Alou reached into the in the NL ChampionThe last time the Cubs won crowd to catch a foul ship Series. the World Series: ball when spectator “As any Cubs fan Steve Bartman infathat young, you think, Teddy Roosevelt was mously interfered. At ‘Oh yeah, they’re goPresident this moment, Kamining to win it sky swore loudly at the all,’” McDermott Henry Ford had just TV, prompting his resisaid. “There was launched the Model-T dential assistant (RA) to no doubt in my check on him. mind that, with The Wright Brothers Later in the the team they had, they were still working same inning, were going to take it on their first airplane shortstop Alex all that year, and, of info courtesy of USA Today Gonzalez made an ercourse, they didn’t.” ror on what should Social science teachhave been a routine double-play ball. In a er Jon Kaminsky found himself in the same fit of rage, Kaminsky broke a wooden chair situation as he was watching the 2003 NLCS against the Florida Marlines from his dorm room at Northern Michigan University. SEE CUBS, page 3

Prospect Gives Back mobilizes 350 student volunteers BY LEO GARKISCH Copy Editor Over 350 students and 30 staff members spent the morning of Oct. 1 volunteering at businesses and events around the Mount Prospect area as a part of Prospect Gives Back, kicking off District 214’s Redefining Ready month and Prospect’s Homecoming week. Students from 24 Prospect clubs and sports accumulated an estimated 1,200 hours of community service through the event. Assistant Principal for Student ActivitiesFrank Mirandola, who coordinated the event, called it a “smashing success.” “It was one of those situations where a lot of logistics go into it, but to see the payout, to see how many people benefit from what we have going on –– it’s been a pretty impressive day,” Mirandola said. The rain couldn’t keep the volunteers away from the 14 businesses and events at which they were scheduled to volunteer. At Lion’s Park, boys’ and girls’ volleyball players dressed as movie and TV show charac-

BLANKET BANANZA: Senior Riley De Luca, junior Nick Cima and sophomore Cora Vincent tie together a blanket in the cafeteria on the morning of Oct. 1. These students voluneteered for Prospect Gives Back, a school-sponsored day that included 1,200 hours of service. (photo by Elisabeth Rohde) ters ranging from Snow White to Hello Kitty for the Mt. Prospect Park District’s Fabulous Fall Fest. The athletes took pictures with, played games with and handed out candy to young children attending the event.

Boys’ volleyball coach Mike Riedy, who also helped at the festival, says that although the students weren’t formally recognized as being representatives of Prospect, the impact of their time and commitment was felt

by the kids. “It’s not necessarily a PR move for Prospect,” Riedy said. “It’s just a really nice opportunity for us to give back, and we’re not getting anything out of it other than the opportunity to help.” Riedy, a frequent volunteer for various charities and causes, was quick to praise Mirandola for organizing the event and thank his colleagues and students for their devotion to giving back to the community. “So many staff members willing to give up their Saturday, willing to come here on a three-day weekend was a testament to everyone that’s helping out,” Riedy said. “The fact that [the students] got up at 8:15 on a threeday weekend and are here just giving up [themselves] and not expecting anything in return, I think, is the epitome of what Prospect is all about.” People within the Prospect community weren’t the only ones proud of the students’ work. Former Mount Prospect Police Department officer Joe Ziolkowski, who officially SEE SERVICE, page 2

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