Friday, December 16, 2011
Volume 51, Issue 5
TheVoice of Prospect since 1960
ROSPECTOR
In honor of the holiday season, The Prospector asked preschoolers what they were thankful for. To read their responses, see...
Opinion, page 6
801 West Kensington Road Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 * prospectornow.com University turmoil The chaos of the Penn State scandal was brought home when ‘11 grad and Penn State freshman Lauren Matthews experienced the protests firsthand. To read her account, turn to... Features, page 11
More than just a word When people think of cancer, they think of a life-threatening disease with disastrous consequences. However, there is more to the illness than those six letters. To learn more, check out... In-Depth, pages 7-9
Swimmers’ stamina Though it can be a demanding sport, the boys’ swim team is able to find the determination to persevere through their grueling season. For more, see... Sports, page 15
Where to go for the H2O Photo illustration by Ian Magnuson
Water fountain differences explained By Meghan Doyle and Jenny Johnson News Editors The Career and Technology Education (CTE) hallway flooded several years ago when a student accidentally rammed a cart into a water fountain and knocked it off the wall. The water came streaming out, filling the hallway and damaging the pipes. Though most water fountain experiences are not
quite as exciting as this one, most students at Prospect have used a drinking fountain at one point or another. Junior Anna Trybula appreciates the fountains for the days when she doesn’t have money to buy bottled water from the cafeteria. Though the convenience is nice, many students have a preference as to which fountain they drink out of, typically based on the water’s taste, temperature and pressure flow. Water fountains can differ by as little as the brand of the fountain to the quality of the water. Senior Bridget O’Carroll prefers the fountain in the girls’ locker room, while senior Michelle Bergeron and
sophomore Elizabeth Konopacki like the fountains by the bathrooms in the choir hallway. “It’s actually cold water, and it doesn’t spray in my face,” said Konopacki, who uses those fountains during summer band camp. Senior Johnny Youkhana, on the other hand, favors the fountain by social science teacher Brad Rathe’s room. “A lot of water comes out — not like the ones that fade away,” Youkhana said. These differences have an explanation. Science teacher John Kenney said when a water pipe is added to the main pipe, the power of the pressure decreases, especially since the piping is narrow, which
ultimately weakens the flow of water. “I don’t like the fountains with low [pressure,]” senior Lauren Maratea said. “The ones you have to stick your whole face in just for a drink — not good.” According to Building and Grounds Supervisor Oscar Acevedo, a construction project started around eight years ago to renovate the older school buildings. Part of the project was to make all water fountains compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This change accounts for the differences in brand; Elkay fountains, with the
See WATER, page 2
P.E. curriculum changes for next year announced By Matt Bajkowski Sports Editor As the first quarter of the school year ended, rumors began to circulate about changes being made to P.E. next year. As course recommendation day, Nov. 8, has proven, these changes are anything but rumors. According to Assistant Principal Jovan Lazarevic, who is also in charge of the P.E. department, starting next year, students will have the option of choosing from three classes for P.E.: exercise physiology, dance or a regular gym class. As all elective choices, other than the those mentioned above, have been eliminated, many students will be taking a regular gym class next year. What students do in their regular gym class will depend on their fitness
score at the end of this year. Students who score under 70 will participate in three cardiovascular days a week. Twice a week, these cardio days will have to be running, but for one cardio day each week, students will have an alternative option, like P-90X or an aerobics class. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will get to participate in an elective of their choice. These electives vary from team sports, like basketball and football, to activities like martial arts and gymnastics. Teachers who taught these classes in the past will continue to teach them on these days. Students who score a 70 or above will get the choice to participate in sports or other activities different from the car-
See CURRICULUM, page 3
pDANCING THROUGH LIFE: Junior Caitlin Claytor follows along as dance teacher Kristin Burton leads the dance class through their routine. The dance elective is one of the few elective gym classes that will still be offered with the P.E. curriculum changes starting next year. (Photo by Ian Magnuson)