Issue 6

THE

PROSPECTOR

801 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056

THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959

VOLUME 56, ISSUE 6

FRIDAY, FEBUARY 10, 2017

MAKE A WISH: Alyssa Potratz (left) and Lindsey Eyles (right) smile for pictures celebrating their ninth and 11th birthdays, respectively. These were their last birthdays before they died, but their friends and family continue to remember their loving and caring personalities. (photos courtesy of Potratz and Eyles families)

Candles extinguished too soon

Alyssa Potratz died suddenly from an immune system disorder of the thyroid called Graves’ disease in 2008, and Lindsey Eyles died from her battle with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2010. Both girls would have been a part of this year’s graduating class. The Eyles and Potratz families have worked over the years to keep the girls’ legacies alive both at Prospect and within the community.

BY CALEY GRIEBENOW Associate Editor-in-Chief

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he Christmas season after his twin sister’s death, senior Jeremy Potratz and his parents, Dan and Maria, decided to decorate their Christmas tree in honor of Alyssa. Friends and family were welcomed to hang ornaments in her memory. Word of Alyssa’s death eventually got to former varsity football coach Brent Pearlman, who decided to reach out to the Potratz family and take Jeremy under his wing. Jeremy became the ball and water boy in the fall of 2009 and was able to feel a connection to the team. “[The team] has always been extremely supportive,” Jeremy said. “It always gave me something to look forward to on Friday nights. The guys were always friendly and I feel like I’ve been a part of the team for longer than I actually have. ” To honor Alyssa, Pearlman set a goal of raising $100,000 to donate to Shriners hospital in Chicago by the time Jeremy was a senior. Varsity football coach Michael Sebestyen continued this venture when he took over.

“As Jeremy [and Alyssa’s] class got into

SWEET: Top: Senior Jeremy Potratz hoists a flag with the football team. At the time, he was a ball boy. Bottom: Jeremy and twin sister Alyssa enjoy ice cream. (photos courtesy of Potratz family)

our building as freshman in 2013, you could

BY GRACE BERRY see that [raising the money] was something that was important to obviously him but his Print Managing Editor classmates as well,” Sebestyen said. hen Lindsey Eyles died in The football team reached that goal 2011, the community came this year and delivered the check to together to keep her memShiners. ory alive. Purple ribbons were put “It felt pretty amazing to reach around trees across Mount Prospect that goal,” Jeremy said. “I’ve been because purple was Lindsey’s favorthinking about it for a while. It was ite color, and people wore small purincredibly special to see what we ple ribbons on their clothing. accomplished. I know it’s going to “During the time we didn’t rehelp a lot of kids there, and that’s alize the community was so inwhat we wanted.” volved,” Lindsey’s father Jeff EyThey chose to donate the monles said. “We learned that after the ey to Shriners hospital because fact.” the kids there are close in age to One of many ways the Eyles Alyssa when she died, and the honor Lindsey is participating in money will benefit sick kids and the annual CureSearch walk for Petheir families who cannot afford diatric Cancer. treatments. The donations came The Eyles have participated in the mostly from Prospect’s annual Alyswalk for five years and have raised sa Potratz Weightlifting Jamboree. around $125,000 for the organization.

At this event, participants pledge They make a team every year with money and the players see how friends and family to raise money and much they can lift. walk in Lindsey’s memory.

Since football has been a part They chose this organization of Jeremy’s life since he was nine, because the money raised at Curesenior night was an emotional Search is used for pediatric cancer night for both him and his faminitiatives and research. Several ily. years ago, CureSearch even chose “It was a happy moment to raise a larger amount of monto be there for Jeremy, but ey specifically for Ewing’s Sarof course you can’t help but coma research. wonder and wish Alyssa was Lindsey’s mother Sue loves there with us,” Maria said. the walk because it is a chance Senior quarterback Anto honor Lindsey. She also drew Shafis is proud to loves catching up with some have supported Jeremy of Lindsey’s friends and over the years as a teamfamily she doesn’t get to mate and friend. see often.

“The team has an un“I like it because that’s breakable bond,” Shafis the one day that’s about her, said. “It meant a lot to and it’s a happy day for the us to be able to help Jere- MEMORIES: In 2013, this most part,” Sue said. “I think ribbon was on every graduamy raise money. The team the fundraising is important has always been there for tion gown at Lincoln Middle and going there, and hearing him.”

School to honor the students’ and seeing all the children Jeremy is confident he classmates, Lindsey Eyles that are sick [is important], will come back to watch too. But I think for me, it’s and Alyssa Potratz, who had football games next fall more about getting everyone because the team has had died. (photo by Leo Garkisch) together.” such a positive impact on To honor Lindsey, the Eyles also founded him, especially after Alyssa’s death. the Lindsey Marie Eyles Dance Scholarship.

“It doesn’t feel real that it’s over,” Jere- This annual scholarship gives two-to-four my said. “It was a great ending to be able to dancers a $1,000 scholarship to use for dance reach that goal [of raising $100,000], but it is training. still very bittersweet to say goodbye to years Applicants must be from Mount Prospect of watching every single football game.” and fill out an application with questions While the family has been able to con- about why they love to dance, why they aptinue Alyssa’s legacy with the help of the plied for the scholarship and what charitafootball team, they also continue to honor ble work they’ve done. her in their own way. Each year, they travel “Lindsey loved to dance so much, so we to the Rose Bowl parade and place roses on thought it would be a good way to honor her the Donate Life memorial float. According legacy,” Lindsey’s sister, freshman Sarah to Maria, it is another way for the family to Eyles, said. celebrate Alyssa’s life.

Sarah dances, too, and is currently on Alyssa will continue to impact the Potratz Prospect’s dance team and Orchesis. Sarah family, as they could never forget her smile thinks about Lindsey when she is dancing

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SEE ALYSSA, page 3

and is inspired by Lindsey’s passion for dance.

In Orchesis every year, the fathers do a dance with their respective daughters. Jeff loves catching up with some of Lindsey’s friends and their dads during those rehearsals, but he also thinks about how Lindsey and Sarah could have shared this experience.

“Even with the dad dance, ... I’m kind of like, ‘Lindsey should be here,’” Jeff said. “I should be dancing with the seniors. It’s a bummer obviously. You don’t think about it too hard, or you try not to, anyway.”

Sue and Jeff love it when people talk about Lindsey or do things in her honor because it helps keep her memory alive. One instance they found very meaningful was when they heard about a memorial garden senior Max Kron was making for Lindsey at Lincoln Middle School. He worked on this project during his sophomore and junior year for his Eagle Scout service project.

“I feel like [this project was] really important because she had an impact not only on her friends but [on] people she didn’t know at all,” Kron said. “It [is] very important to keep that alive and keep her spirit alive.”

Kron remembers his interactions with SEE LINDSEY, page 3

UNITED: Top: Freshmen Sarah Eyles poses with her older sister Lindsey before a talent show. Bottom: The Eyles family poses together before a concert. (photos courtesy of Eyles family)

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News

February 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

Chess team thrives

BY MANDI HALL Staff Writer

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rospect’s chess team has won five out of the 10 conference matches against individual schools this year, landing them in fourth place at their conference competition on Jan. 28, which is one of the team’s biggest tournaments of the year. The tournament has each individual player playing four games, resulting in an eight-hour day of playing chess, a feat that is both mentally and physically draining, according to coach and school counselor Nicholas Olson.

Each win or loss moves the team to a higher or lower standing in the tournament. The team starts at a particular level out of the 10 participating teams based on how they have been performing throughout the season. This year, the team started in fourth and played against the top three teams in the area: Barrington, Fremd and Palatine.

While the meets and competitions are important to the Prospect chess team, the practices are equally important for honing their skills and strategies in preparation for those competitions. Led by Olson, the team usually meets every Monday and Friday to play chess.

Some people come to practice for competitions, and others come just to play for fun. Many players will even meet at the library during the week to practice on their own time.

Practices are often student-led, and Olson designates team captains every year to help the team during the weekly practices. They will either play against younger players to teach them strategy, or against more advanced players to give them a challenge. “[Leaders are chosen] based on commitment, and there’s a character component, too,” Olson said. “It has to be someone who I view as a leader on our team.”

This year’s captains are juniors Leo Garkisch and Austin Sibu,

Playing to win • • • •

In a normal conference meet, chess boards 1-8 are played on, with first board being the team’s strongest player.

For scoring, the 1st board winner earns 12 points, decreasing by one point with each board down Events like conference and state are player tournament style, with people moving “up and down the ladder” with each win or loss.

Once a player touches a chess piece, he must move it. If he cannot, it results in a penalty.

both chosen because of their skills as chess players as well as their capability as leaders. However, the fact that they are designated leaders doesn’t mean that the fate of the team rests on them.

“Chess is difficult, but there is a lot of strong leadership,” Olson said. “There are several other players who, they may not be an assigned captain, but they do step into that role at times.”

One of these players is sophomore Dylan Binley, who periodically alternates with Garkisch between first and second board, though he usually plays second.

After taking an interest in chess in eighth grade, Garkisch recruited Binley for the Prospect chess team during Binley’s freshman year.

Last year Binley placed third place for sixth board individually at conference, making him one of the only students to be that successful at conference during his freshman year.

While many participate in chess team for the competitions, there are also those who come to practices because they just enjoy playing chess, and they make up approximately half of the team’s members.

“It’s a very community-based team,” Olson said. “It’s a fun group in the fact that everyone is invited no matter what your ability level in chess is.”

The chess team as a whole has suffered this year after the seniors who had usually played their top three boards graduated, but they have come back stronger than ever.

“I think [losing a few seniors] helped us to take on the respon-

CHESS NUTS: Senior Jason Gong prepares for the upcoming state competition of Feb. 10. Gong is one of just two seniors highlighting the state line-up this year. (photo by Leo Garkisch) sibilities of a team,” senior Alex Guerra, the team’s third board in his second year on the team, said.

“It kind of forced us to step up, and it has helped us improve individually.”

With the state competition in Peoria coming up on Feb. 10 and 11, the team is ready to face whatever comes. State is a two-day

tournament for 150 teams, where each player plays seven individual games. Having placed in the top 30 teams in the last three years at state, Olson is optimistic about this year’s results.

“I’ve been very impressed with [the team’s devotion],” Olson said.

“I think that’s really going to show when we hit state this year.”

Redefining Ready program seeks approval from state

BY DAVID FANG Executive News Editor District 214 Superintendent David Schuler has been traveling the nation for almost a year promoting Redefining Ready, a new set of college readiness standards. Schuler now hopes for the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) approval.

Currently, the ISBE is working on creating a definition of college and career readiness.

Schuler hopes when the plan is presented to the governor in several weeks, it will include large portions of Redefining Ready, if not the entire framework.

Schuler believes that state approval will validate the work that has been done to create Redefining Ready as well as help spread it to other states. He hopes that in several years, he can present the results of his READY, SET, GO: (From left to right) Dr. Judah Viola, dean of the college of professional studies and advancement at NLU, District 214 Superintendent Dr. David Schuler framework to the federal government and and Aarti Dhupelia, vice president of strategic initiatives at NLU, pose for a picture try to show that a single test score cannot be after the signing a statement of support for the Redefining Ready initiative in October an indicator of success.

“The bottom line is that if we are a coun- (photo courtesy of Jennifer Delgado). try that produces all students with one set The four pathways set seek to combine From those speaking engagements, Schulof skills, which is that they’re good test taker received invitations to present from over academic requirement with some other ers,” Schuler said, “There is no way we will 20 different states. Since then, the American work-related or service requirement. The rebe able to stay the vibrant, global economy Association of quirements are referred to as indicators and that we are.” span from getting a certain score on the ACT School AdminFor SchulReady or not istrators has or completing an internship. Each requireer, the pathment varies in the amount of either academlaunched a Reway to the defining Ready ic and career indicators needed. Schuler Each pathway set by Redefining Ready has it’s statehouse has committee that says that all of these pathways are based in own set of standards. Here are some examples been a year will spearhead academic research. of academic indicators a student might try to in the makThroughout the country, several districts efforts to show ing. Schuler meet for a given career pathway. have already created resolutions in favor of how the framefirst presentwork could be the these changes. ed the plan at Schuler hopes that the program will enimplemented.

• Score of 3 or better on an Advanced Placethe National courage students to identify career paths The framement (AP) exam Conference and take courses in high school that align work, devel• Grade of C or better in an Advanced Placeon Education with their chosen route. He also believes oped by Schulment (AP) course last February er and other that teachers will now be able to expand • Grade of C or better in a dual credit course to superins u p e r i n t e n - their horizons and inspire more creativity tendents from in teaching. Teachers will now be able to exdents in Graysaround the plore more career-oriented assignments and lake, Argo, nation. He then followed up with a presenCarbondale and Lyons Township, sets four projects instead of test preparation. He cites tation at the National School Board Associanew pathways to define college and career the AP Italian students working with an intion two months later. ternational olive oil company as an example readiness.

“The bottom line is that if we are a country that produces all students with one set of skills, which is that they are good test takers, there is no way we will be able to stay the vibrant, global community we are.”

David Schuler, district 214 superintendent of how this could be applied.

“We are unleashing our teachers to develop and create new pathways and experiences,” Schuler said.

While some changes could come to higher level courses, college counselor Diane Bourn says the biggest impact will be to students are not yet thinking about pursuing a four year college or university. She hopes that the reinforced focus on a career path will help them focus earlier on in their high school career.

“It’s really going to benefit our students who still exploring or don’t necessarily have a vision of what they see themselves doing in the future,” Bourn said.

So far, Redefining Ready has been implemented primarily in the freshmen and sophomore classes. Schuler says that freshmen and sophomores were required to identify a career area as well as have more tasks to perform in Naviance as well as being exposed to more elective offerings. The district is still working on the architecture of the program, like how to track community service, which will be completed in the coming weeks. He says that in April, the district will host a convening of nationwide educators where Schuler can display Redefining Ready in full effect.

“It’s one of the things that I’m just so proud of where I get to showcase [the students] and all the amazing things that they’re doing to colleagues around the country,” Schuler said.

prospectornow.com

February 10, 2017

News

Marching Knights to receive waivers have a chip on their shoulder because it’s been the history of our profession. No matter how often we try to improve and adapt, Sophomore marching band member Vic… it seems like it comes down to, ‘Well, it’s toria Foort was not expecting to be able to just PE.’” waive second-semester physical education Marnstein finds this especially troubling (PE) next year. considering his discipline’s unique role in a “I was surprised because marching band high school education. stops in the fall, but at the same time, I’m not “You could have a 36 on the ACT. If you going to complain about it. I’m really hapcan’t get out of bed because your body is not py,” Foort said. working, … does it really matter how smart Foort’s schedule often you are?” Marnstein said. includes days where reTidal waive “We are about educating hearsals prevent her from the whole student. That’s The new physical going home until 9 p.m. bemind and body.” education waiver policy cause she is also involved However, physical activhas created a tsunami in show choir, jazz band, ity was not a primary conmixed company and symof controversy. For sideration when crafting phonic band. She hopes The Prospector staff’s the policy. that a spring PE waiver will opinion, flip to page 4.

“What I would share is help alleviate the burden that the state, in the school on those days in particular, code, allows [a PE exemption] even for coursand although she says that she is busier than es that are not necessarily focused on physimost of her peers, they share her enthusiasm cal activity,” Lopez said. “We want to ensure for the policy. that we … enforce and allow the flexibility According to Dr. Lazaro Lopez, District that the school code allows.”

214 Associate Superintendent for Teaching Minter understands the teachers’ appreand Learning, the district made this change hension, and he knows that in addition to to align its practices with those outlined in worries about student health, they also are the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) concerned about what fewer PE students code, which states that students can be excould mean for their job security. empt from PE if they participate “in an onLopez believes that the impact will be going marching band “minor.” Assistant Prinprogram.”

PE waivers cipal Jovan Lazarevic Associate Principal agrees with his assessby the numbers of Student Services Greg ment, adding that staffstudents currently in a Minter says that in oring reflects the demand PE waiver study hall. der to allow for this new for both semesters and exemption, the district that the change only afadditional students who simply “restructured” fects second semester. will be eligible for a the band course descripAccording to PE teachwaiver next year. tion, and Lopez intends er Michele Burnett, the for band directors to instudents in Advanced concern amongst PE corporate more marchteachers is mainly uning into their second secertainty. They have mester curricula. Band not been told anything an increase in waivers. director Chris Barnum, about how staffing will however, says he has not be impacted by the change. been notified of any changes.

Nevertheless, Minter says that the inThe exigence for these alterations was creasing demand for Advanced Weightliftto alleviate the burden on band students ing can assuage PE teachers’ concerns. The throughout the district. According to stucourse did not exist until 2013 but now has dent services, 22 students, most of whom are 148 students, and Minter anticipates even taking multiple fine arts electives, currently higher enrollment next year as teams work do not have a lunch hour (see “PE waivers by to accommodate restricted practice times. the numbers”). Lopez says that the change In contrast, 171 athletes chose to waiver this was made with these students in mind. semester.

“We want to ensure that students have at Regardless of the final enrollment numleast some opportunity during the day to be bers in PE, Lopez stresses that the new able to stop and take a break and be able to waiver policy is simply another option for have a lunch, which is an essential part of a students. healthy lifestyle,” Lopez said.

“A student doesn’t have to take a subPE teacher Aaron Marnstein believes stitution,” Lopez said. “In fact, I would still that the best way to help students’ health is encourage students to take PE if they’re able taking PE. While he knows that the decision to have a lunch, and they can have balance is based on the ISBE code, he does not think without it. It just adds an extra level of flexit sends the right message to students. ibility.”

“If you’re going to take on the responsibility of something in addition to school, then part of that responsibility is time management,” Marnstein said. “I understand we’re trying to cut a break for some students, but you have to go to school. You don’t have to play sports, you don’t have to play in the band. … There are a lot of things we choose to do and [as a result] a lot of other things get put off to the side.”

In addition to the impact on students, Marnstein and his colleagues are personally WAIVING GOOD-BYE: A freshman plays volleyball in his physical education affected by the issue.

“You don’t want to ruffle any feathers, (PE) class. Next school year, students will not be required to enroll in PE second but at the same time, [waivers make] us feel, or at least me, that there’s no value to what semester if they are a part of marching I do,” Marnstein said. “PE teachers usually band. (photo by Elisabeth Rohde)

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BY MIKE STANFORD Editor-in-Chief

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LINDSEY: Compassion resonates CONTINUED from front page her in elementary school and middle school, even though he wasn’t one of Lindsey’s closest friends.

“Lindsey was always so sweet and kind,” Kron said. “No matter what she was going through or was happening, she was always willing to take some time to talk with you.”

Sharing this sentiment, Jeff believes Lindsey’s legacy is her kindness and her positive outlook on life.

“Through her sickness she was always happy,” Jeff said. “She never said, ‘Why me?’ or anything. She would go to chemo and come home, and she would take a 10mile bike ride. And she wanted to.”

Sue uses Lindsey’s positive outlook to motivate herself and her family. “[Lindsey] never felt sorry for herself,” Sue said. “She savored every moment. We tend to say that a lot in this house. ‘Just savor the moment now!’ You don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring, so you have to be present here, now.”

With graduation around the corner, Sue loves talking with Lindsey’s friends about their future plans but is also saddened that Lindsey could not share those experiences.

“The beginning of the school year and the end of the school year are so hard because it’s the start of a new beginning for everybody, and you don’t get to celebrate that,” Sue said. “As everyone is taking their pictures of the first day of school, you don’t get to do that. At the end of the school year — especially the milestones like graduating 8th grade and then this year — … those days are hard.”

DISNEY: Senior Jeremy Potratz with his sister, Alyssa, at Disneyworld. (photo courtesy of the Potratz family)

ALYSSA: Graduation bittersweet CONTINUED from front page and caring personality.

“She was always giving hugs just to make you feel good,” Maria said. “We admired her silliness and love.”

Come graduation day, the family will continue to keep Alyssa in their thoughts and take pride in Jeremy’s accomplishments.

“I still wonder what she would look like or what she would be doing or who she would be taking pictures with,” Jeremy said. “That won’t go away.”

Dan, Maria and Jeremy have become more open about talking about their experience. They appreciated how their friends and family would support them by making meals, writing cards and spending time with them.

“After her passing, the community came together with such love and support and empathy that it took a bit of weight off us,” Dan said. “It’s become therapeutic to talk about it. As horrible as it’s been, we’ve had so much support. Talking about it keeps her memory alive.”

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Opinion

February 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

PMK waiver undeserved, misleading this physical activity elsewhere at Prosare exactly what they sound like: electives.

This small percentage of students chooses pect. Whereas athletes, who account for the majority of PE waivers, only get waivto overload their schedules.

Lopez also maintains that “a student ers for semesters where they are in-season, doesn’t have to take a substitution” for PE, band students will now get them during and he still recommends students take PE if their offseason. However, this was not a they can fit it into their schedules. In a per- primary consideration for the district.

“What I would share fect world, this would be is that the state, in the a sensible stance. Howschool code, allows [a ever, in reality, human PE exemption] even nature is generally to for courses that are not take the easiest option necessarily focused on available. physical activity,” LoBand students are pez said. “We want to not at fault for this apensure that we … enproach. They just hapforce and allow the flexpen to be the group of ibility that the school students who have been code allows.” afforded this option.

Voting results of the Lopez did say that The administration’s Prospector staff in regards he would imagine that view of teenagers’ work to this editorial. band classes add more ethics is overly optimismarching to their currictic. ula. However, band director Chris Barnum Because many students will elect to take this path of least resistance, they ex- says he has not been notified of any necessary changes to his curriculum. At best, pose themselves to risks associated with a lack of exercise. According to the Center this portion of the plan is an oversight; at worst, it is evidence that the ramifications for Disease Control, one in five students of this new policy were not fully considnationwide between the ages of six and 19 ered. are obese. As logic would suggest, 50 minutes in a study hall instead of in the fieldhouse makes it more likely that a student becomes part of this 20 percent.

This is especially troubling because these students are not going to be getting

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Against

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For

None of this is to say that the district has bad intentions. Student life is hectic, and flexibility generally helps alleviate stress. In this case, however, it creates dangerous unintended consequences. Similarly, saying that the district does not care about PE would be false. Were that the case, they would not have constructed an aquatics center and bought enough heartrate monitors for every student.

In addition to supporting students and the PE department, we know that the district has been responsive to feedback. For instance, when the district announced that lunch hours would be 35 minutes under the new schedule, students and staff raised concerns about not being able to leave campus and an overcrowded cafeteria. The final plan then included 48-minute lunch hours.

We hope that these words may have the same effect. From the offices of Forest View, the aforementioned problems with the policy to date— a lack of necessity, negative health effects and poor communication — could easily get lost in the shuffle of decisions that are made on a daily basis.

Nevertheless, from the perspective of students, these considerations are paramount. The district should understand our position and work to align its policy with reality.

Staff Editorial

There is no doubt that running a 12,000-student district is a mammoth task.

However, it becomes exceptionally difficult when decisions are made without onthe-ground input, as in the case of the new physical education (PE) waiver policy.

The reasoning behind the policy, which will allow marching band students to waive second-semester PE beginning next school year, does not reflect the realities of student life.

According to Dr. Lazaro Lopez, District 214 Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, the decision was made to align district policy with what the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) code allows. Previously, this option was only available during first semester, but Lopez says the district wanted to allow marching band students additional flexibility during their offseason.

The undue burden on band students that Lopez pointed to was the proportion of band students not taking a lunch hour.

Were this rate high, his reasoning would hold merit. However, according to student services, there are currently only 22 students in the building without a lunch, and some of these people are not even in marching band. This is roughly one percent of the student body.

Not only is this reasoning unsubstantiated, but it also assumes that these students are being coerced into taking a schedule devoid of a lunch hour. Music electives

How I live with the short end of the stick My first plunge into the Prosance and more of a life-or-death pect swimming pool was not as battle when your face is constantly enjoyable as I would’ve liked. Afbeing smushed into what I like to ter taking a leap into the shallowcall The Pit of Despair. est part of the pool, I immediately Driving has also turned into a found myself in water that went big problem. I am just barely tall up to my nose. I had to stand on enough to ride shotgun. In fact, if my tiptoes just so I could breathe I lived in Georgia or New York, without chemical-filled I would still be in a pool water getting in booster seat since I’m my nostrils. not taller than 4 feet 9 Don’t get me wrong, inches. That isn’t even once we got to actumentioning actually al swimming, I was driving, which is absojust fine. But when we lutely terrifying. More played games like waoften than not, I have ter volleyball and I had BY FLYNN GERAGHTY trouble seeing over to stand in the deep Associate the wheel and reachend with the rest of my ing the pedals at the Editor-in-Chief team, I found myself same time. The only grabbing onto whoever thing I can do is hold was near me and climbing on to my breath and hope that I don’t hit their back like a baby chimp. any pedestrians.

According to livestrong.com, It would be one thing if my the average height for a woman in whole family was short too, but the United States is around 5 feet 4 I have a large handful of family inches, so at 4 feet 9 inches I am far members who are close to 7 feet below average. While those seven tall, if not taller. At our little Gerinches may seem fairly insignifiaghty get-togethers, I find myself cant, they have shown me both the having to crane my neck up to the positives and negatives of living ceiling in order to even see some of with the “short end of the stick.” my cousins, who are literal giants For one thing, in the hallways, among men.

I am stuck at armpit level at all But I do have to say, it isn’t all times. When you’re surrounded by bad. I can get away with a lot beteenage boys who don’t use deodorcause of my size. ant, it can be enough to make you Since I’m short and have a chubwant to take them by the arm and by little baby face, I look like I’m throw them down the stairs. This around 10 years old. This means turns into less of a minor annoy-

staff Editor-in-Chief Mike Stanford Managing Editors Grace Berry Diana Leane Copy Editors Riley Langefeld Leo Garkisch

that wherever I go, I am treated as such. Once when I was shopping with my friend, the cashier working at the candy store across the way shouted at me to come over.

She cooed over how cute I was before giving me a bag of free extra large pixie sticks. Meanwhile, my normal-sized friend stood awkwardly in the corner before getting some free candy out of pity.

Not only can I get stuff, I can get out of stuff too. At an airport in Florida, I was supposed to go through a metal detector, but since I was so small and chubby, the lady at clearance just laughed, pinched my cheeks and sent me on my way.

I could’ve been a threat to national security, but I looked so darn cute that it didn’t even cross her mind.

And that isn’t even the best part. Being short is saving me a ton of money in the long run. When I’m going to the movies with my mom, I can ask for children’s tickets without the cashier giving it a second thought. It doesn’t matter if we’re seeing “Fifty Shades Darker” or “Deadpool,” if I say I’m 12 or under, they’re going to believe it.

When I’m shopping, clothes from Forever 21 never fit quite right, but what cheaper store carries clothes that are just my size?

The Children’s Place. And, in my opinion, their clothes are much cuter anyway.

And if that isn’t enough, there are also scholarships that I can apply for that are specifically made for people who are shorter. The

largest one is administered by the Little People of America and can go up to $1,000.

However, when I was looking through the information for that scholarship, I realized that I don’t really need it. No matter how much money they give me, it doesn’t change the fact that I am one of the shortest people I know. And, in the end, it doesn’t really have to. Being short hasn’t ruined my life; it’s not something for which I need to be compensated.

Even though I’ll never be able to enjoy the luxury of those extra seven inches, I’ll always be able to enjoy discounted movie tickets and kid’s menus for the rest of my life.

And you know what? That doesn’t sound too bad to me.

Associate Editors-in-Chief Flynn Geraghty Caley Griebenow

Opinion Editors Ayse Eldes Katie Hamilton

Visuals Editor Elisabeth Rohde

Online Copy Editor Erin Schultz

Features Editor Amanda Stickels

Advertising For ad rates, call (847) 718-5376 (ask for Mike Stanford), fax (847) 718-5306 e-mail or write the Prospector, 801 West Kensington Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056, prospectornow@gmail.com.

Social media Editor Jack Ryan

Entertainment Editors Cassidy Delahunty Cole Altmayer

Online Sports Editor Wyatt Dojutrek Broadcast Editor Claire Strother News Editor David Fang

Sports Editors Jack Ankony Paul Evers Staff Writer Mandi Hall

Adviser Jason Block Mission Statement The primary purpose of the Prospect High School Prospector is to report news as well as explain its meaning and significance to our readers and the community. We, the Prospector, hope to inform, entertain and provide a school forum for the unrestricted exchange of ideas and opinions. The Prospector is published by students in Journalistic Writing courses. Some material is courtesy of MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Letters to the Editor Drop off letters to the Prospector in the box in the library, in Rm. 216 or email letters to prospectornow@gmail.com. All letters must be signed. Limit letters to 400 words. The Prospector reserves the right to edit letters for style and length.

prospectornow.com

February 10, 2017

Features

5

DiPrima pictures future career in art

BY ERIN SCHULTZ Online Copy Editor

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hen senior Toni DiPrima walked into her basement to see her dad doing construction, she never expected to use the rubble as an art project.

But a few weeks later, she salvaged pipes, plywood and a light fixture and transformed the extra materials into a mixed-media piece, which is now displayed in the art room.

DiPrima’s passion has not always been for mixed media, though. She started taking art classes at age three through the park district and has experimented with oil paint, bronze, concrete, wax paper, pulp, glass, charcoal and acrylic paint in high school. She didn’t start adding objects to her pieces until the end of her junior year when she began experimenting with concrete.

“I realized I just didn’t want to paint in a square anymore,” DiPrima said. “I’m the kind of person that walks down the street, and I see a random object, think it’s cool and put it in my big box of things I’m going to paint with.”

Toni’s mother, Beth, has seen her ability to transform ordinary objects firsthand.

Beth, a teacher at Fremd High School, recalls bringing Toni supplies from the science department for her art. After cleaning out cabinets and shelves over the summer, she had lots of extra pipes and scrap metal.

“It didn’t look like much,” Beth said. “But I texted her and [asked], ‘Do you want any of this stuff?’ and she was like, ‘Um, all of it.’”

Toni’s growth can be measured by art teacher Barbara Shaffer, who has taught her every year of high school. She met her freshman year when Toni took an introductory art class. “[She’s] become more mature in how she thinks about composition, how she processes her ideas and uses materials to make those ideas come to fruition,” Shaffer said.

Toni not only spends two periods of the school day doing art, but she also devotes lots of her free time to creating.

Toni estimates she spends up to four hours painting each day, drawing inspiration from artists like Alberto Giacometti, who is most known for his skinny, bronze sculptures of people, and Edward Hopper, a realist painter. Toni especially admires how Hopper can create a scene by manipulating the light in a painting.

Toni devotes so much time to art every

day not only because she’s passionate about the hobby, but because she can’t stand the idea of an unfinished painting.

“Some of my friends tell me, ‘Oh, I’ve been working on this for weeks, or for months,’” Toni said. “I’m not like that.”

Toni paints in long increments. According to her and Shaffer, she also isn’t afraid to take risks, both in her art and the process of making her art.

One instance of this is her experience with bronze. Toni learned how to pour bronze in a continuing education class at Harper College this fall. Since bronze must be 3000 degrees to be poured, it is extremely dangerous and not advised to do alone. But Toni was at her house and decided she wanted to make a mold.

“I was like, ‘Mom, I’m going to make a mold of my face. Come out in 5 minutes and check on me,’” Toni said.

Shaffer said this is also the case with Toni’s artwork. Shaffer is impressed with Toni’s growth over the past four years and hopes she has been a helpful mentor to Toni.

“She’s fearless. She tackles whatever she feels she needs to tackle and experiments with new methods and materials,” Shaffer said. “She’s not afraid to take risks, and that’s what being an artist is all about.”

Toni’s love for art goes beyond school and her home; the past three summers, she has taken intensive classes at The University of Illinois and The University of Michigan. She was accepted to the latter and hopes to attend this conming fall.

Michigan offers Toni’s preferred curriculum: an interdisciplinary program where she doesn’t have a focus on any particular type of art. Because she works with a variety of media, Toni does not want to pick just one to focus on.

“I do so many things with different media that I can’t be a painting major or a ceramics major,” Toni said. “I do a lot and don’t want to have to specify myself.”

Toni originally thought she wanted to be an architect or an art teacher but has recently reached the conclusion that she wants to be an artist.

Her family, though Toni says they are not very artistic, supports her pursuing art full time. She also attributes her continued interest in art to her art teachers, both at Prospect and at Lions Park Elementary School.

“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I want to do something, and it’s going to be art,” Toni said. “That’s what I know. I’m excited.”

WORK OF ART: Senior Toni DiPrima has been influenced by artists like Edward Hopper, an American realist painter, and Alberto Giacometti, a Swiss sculptor famous for his bronze sculptures of people. She’s been doing art since she was three years old and plans to study interdisciplimary art at the University of Michigan.“I do so many things with different media that I can’t be a painting major or a ceramics major,” DiPrima said. “I do a lot and don’t want to have to specify myself.” (photos courtesy of Toni DiPrima)

Chicago Women's March Photo album

ON PROSPECTORNOW.COM

6

In-Depth

February 10, 2017

Mount Prospect celebrates 100th

Busse family’s legacy thrives through landmarks, students

The Busse family picking onions on their farm in the 1930s.

(photos courtesy of Jeffrey Busse)

George opened Busse Realty, and Louis started Busse Flowers. Sam and Ryan are descendants of the Louis line.

Due to this legacy, Sam and Ryan’s last name alking through downtown Mt. Proshas followed them throughout their lives. In secpect, the Busse family’s legacy is ond grade, their classes completed a project on inescapable. Busse Flowers and Mt. Prospect’s history, and it was around this Busse Automotives sit on either side of the train tracks. George, Albert, William, Edward and time that peers began asking them if they were related to the original Busses.

Busse streets that outline the blocks near the “That’s when I started caring more and downtown are named after family members. more,” Sam said. “It made me feel … special in Since the original Mt. Prospect Busse family a way.” died, these businesses have been sold and relaThrough the project, Sam tives have moved, many to Hoff“[My relatives] always learned that early Busses, like man Estates. Yet two living remWilliam and Louis, now reside nants walk through Prospect’s come up with new halls daily: junior Sam Busse stories to tell. Instead in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, which is next to the Mt. Prospect and freshman Ryan Busse. of politics, we talk Post Office.

The Busses originally came “I just thought [the cemetery] with a mass of German famiabout Mt. Prospect.” was insane,” Sam said. “I didn’t lies and were one of the first even know [my relatives] were and most notable settlers in Mt. Sam Busse, junior there, and that was really cool.”

Prospect. Early residents moved Ryan found the old chimney to the area after real estate agent in the downtown with Busse on it to be the most Ezra Eggleston bought the surrounding land. interesting. Ryan recalls this as his favorite Eggleston hoped to develop the land after the project he’s done because he felt such a personal Chicago Fire, according to Lindsay Rice, Executive Director of the Mt. Prospect Historical connection to the subject. “[Learning the history] gives you a scope on Society. However, people didn’t begin showing significant interest until the train station was the past, like where [my ancestors] lived,” Ryan said. “It makes it feel more real.” built in 1850.

Sam and Ryan further noticed their relaFriedrich and Johanna Busse were the first tives’ impact when they attended Lincoln MidBusses to inhabit the area. They immigrated to the US in 1848 from Hanover, Germany, accord- dle School. Throughout the three years there, they both took P.E. class in Busse Gym. As she ing to the Mt. Prospect Historical Society. grew older, Sam realized why her family’s hisThey had six children, one being Louis. Louis tory was important since their actions shaped and his wife, Christine, then had nine children, her life today. three including William, George and Louis.

As a result, she sought more information William became the town’s first mayor,

BY DIANA LEANE Online Managing Editor

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about her family by reading books at the Mt. Prospect Public Library. Her dad Jeffrey also passed down Busse stories to her, Ryan and their mother Cassie. According to Jeffrey, later generations of Busses fought in both WWI and WWII. Specifically, one worked as an interpreter for the U.S. Army by translating German messages into English. Jeffrey has an army duffel bag from the war with “Louis Jr.” painted on it. In addition, he has a hatchet from his great grandfather that is over 200 years old (see photos of bag and hatchet below) and the house his great grandfather lived in is still standing on Elm Street.

These stories are an integral part of family gatherings and lead to unusual dinner topics. “[My relatives] always come up with new stories to tell,” Sam said. “Instead of politics, we talk about Mt. Prospect.”

Jeffrey began looking into his family’s background when he had to create a genogram, a family tree, of his ancestors for graduate school.

Through this, he discovered his interest in the history.

“When I realized the streets were named after my uncle, that made things click,” Jeffrey said.

Although Ryan appreciates the local ancestral connection that his dad told him about while growing up, he doesn’t plan to live here his entire life. Jeffrey ensures that he places no pressure on his kids to stay close.

Yet Sam hopes to stay in the area as an adult to stay near her roots.

“It’s cool to have a legacy behind your name when you live in a town that was created by your family,” Sam said.

Check out prospector com to see more old p of the town like thi

Busse family heirlooms

Lloyd Busse wore this necklace while fighting in the Vietnam War. His father Louis F. Busse wore it while fighting in WWII.

Louis F. Busse, Jr. used this bag when he fought in WWII. Members of the Busse family fought in WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War.

The hatchet was owned by Louis F. Busse which he had from fighting in WWII.

February 10, 2017

In-Depth

anniversary, founders remembered

rnow. photos is!

e, Jr.,

Past of Prospect

BY AYSE ELDES Executive Opinion Editor

(photo by Elisabeth Rohde)

“If I’m the old block, what is he? The chip. He’s the chip off the old block,” alumni Fred Lussow jokes about his son Nicholas Lussow, who teaches english courses at Prospect.

Fred graduated Prospect in 1960, becoming one of the first students to graduate Prospect. Sometimes substituting even for his own son, he still roams the school’s halls 63 years after he first stepped foot into the building.

Fred began attending Prospect when the Arlington Heights High School became too crowded to host all its students at once. The town’s new high school slowly began accepting students year by year, starting its first with only a freshman class in the whole school.

At the beginning, construction was only halfway completed. Fred’s first semester in the building was spent without a finished cafeteria. The whole first year, Prospect’s athletic practices took place at Arlington because the gyms had not been finished, either.

The town itself was changing, too. Fred remembers looking out of his math class’s windows to watch the neighboring farm’s cows and chickens.

“They used to be right up against the parking lot,” Fred said. “This was just farmland back here.”

Neighborhoods were newly being built, but Prospect was still surrounded by farmland. When Fred was learning how to drive, his mom would let him drive down Kensington to pick up eggs from the farm next to Prospect. While his mom talked with the farmer’s wife, Fred would take the car on a ride by himself.

Fred remembers being in high school during Eisenhower’s presidency, when he and his classmates listened as the country’s first satellite ascended. During such a different historical time, the school’s culture was different.

Assemblies and sports events were huge get-togethers for students. Rather than being a competitive team, Prospect’s cheerleaders were only responsible for rallying people for and at games.

“When Friday night came around, adults were lucky to get in because all the students came,” Fred said.

Beloved ice-cream store embraces, hires students

BY AYSE ELDES Executive Opinion Editor When senior Gracie Dix was at church one Sunday with her family, she watched as a young church member went through communion. When the boy saw Dix’s mom, Katie, he immediately froze, like many others often do when they recognize her.

“He stopped dead in his tracks and was like, ‘Oh my god, oh my god, it’s the ice-cream lady’ and started freaking out,” Gracie said. “It’s really cool — just the amount of people who know who my mom is.”

Gracie’s family co-owns the local Capannari’s ice-cream business, and her mom is often recognized because of the store’s involvement with local events.

She has grown to understand how Capannari’s is more than a locally owned store; it has turned into a central community meeting spot, an employer of many Prospect students and a carrier of the legacy of the Dix and Capannari families.

To honor Mt. Prospect’s centennial, Capannari’s will be celebrating the historic nature of its building by financially supporting several community events.

The building was the town’s first general store. When a truck driver crashed into the building during a fatal car accident in 2001, the town planned on either demolishing or relocating the building.

That was when the Dix and Capannari families decided to start a business together. Jim Capannari, Katie’s brother-in-law, had graduated from culinary school, and the families were deciding

among a bakery, a bar or an ice-cream store.

Locals made it clear that an ice-cream store would serve them best.

In addition to being close with locals, what makes working there special for Gracie is how the business makes sure to address the building’s history.

She says the old-town pictures in the store immediately remind customers about the location’s history. The pictures are key components of the building’s historical tours given to visitors.

One way the business serves the community is through the “Coolest School” program. Over the summer, 14 area schools are given a day to raise as much money as they can by selling ice-cream for their school.

In addition, the business sponsors movie nights and concerts in the adjacent park. The combination of these efforts gives the establishment a unique reputation within the community.

“The town thinks it’s their store, which it is,” Gracie said.

Capannari’s also serves as a community fixture with its employment of many Prospect students. Senior Aidan Fier began working at the business in May of 2015.

Fier originally wanted to work at Cappanari’s because he knew Gracie through their close friendship at school.

According to Fier, its historic background, family ownership and ties to the community make it one-of-a-kind.

“Being a part of that makes you feel closer to the town,” Fier said. “Even when I’m older, even if I don’t live here, I’m going to think Mt. Prospect [means]

WORKING TOGETHER: Capannari’s workers pose for a photo over the summer. “The town thinks it’s their store, which it is,” junior Gracie Dix, daughter of store’s co-owner, said. (photo courtesy of Gracie Dix) Capannari’s. Like they go together. And it’s really cool that I got to be a part of that.”

Those like Fier feel a sense of camaraderie amongst students who work there. Because so many workers are in high school, Fier and Gracie believe the work environment is better than other businesses, offering a laid-back yet hardworking atmosphere.

In addition, the boss and employee relationship is warmer because they’re familiar with the family from their community presence.

Because many locals visit, the day becomes tiring fast. The workers blast music while cleaning up at the end of their five-hour shifts.

Fier’s favorite part of working there is

the free scoop of ice cream at the end of his long shifts.

According to Katie, Capannari’s employs around 40 students over the summer.

When starting, she thought the hardest thing she would have to do would be managing 16-year-olds and that the easiest part would be dealing with the public.

Sixteen years later, she has found the exact opposite to be true.

“I’m not out there every single day in front of the customer. My kids are,” Katie said. “We invest in [students] as our own children, so they have to treat it as if it’s [their] own family business, and they do. I get the most compliments about my staff. ... The kids at Capannari’s are above and beyond the greatest.”

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8

Features

February 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

Alum travels, writes book

BY RILEY LANGEFELD Copy Editor

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hen 2005 Prospect graduate Chris Miller sent the final manuscript of his book to the University of North Carolina (UNC) Press to be published, all that he felt was an immense sense of relief. Miller had been working on the book for three years and had begun to feel that the process would never end.

However, when he first saw the final product, he knew that it was worth the time he had spent. “[I felt] really good,” Miller said. “It was nice to see that that many years of work had come to fruition.”

Miller has been particularly academically active in the time since he graduated from Prospect. He went to Harvard University for his undergraduate education and now works at Yale University, where he previously received his doctorate.

His book, called “The Struggle to Save the Soviet Economy: Mikhail Gorbachev and the Collapse of the USSR,” was published in December.

When he walked the halls of Prospect as a student, Miller was active in the school community.

He was a member of the band, competed with the debate team and wrote for the Prospector.

“I think that the most valuable thing for me was being able to not only have great teachers, who were super engaged and making sure that I was learning a lot, but also being able to do these things

outside of school that were really useful and that I think I learned a lot from,”Miller said.

During his senior year, he wrote a piece for the Prospector about 1979 graduate Kateryna Yushchenko, who became the First Lady of Ukraine in 2005. This piece proved to be a precursor to his extensive studies in Eastern European history.

Miller says that his teachers at Prospect helped to fuel his passion for history. He developed a particularly close relationship with former social science teacher Mary Willer, who taught Miller in her independent study course during his senior year.

Willer helped Miller as he wrote a history paper during this class about U.S. relations with Nicaragua during the early 1900s. This was one of his first ventures into independent historical research.

“What set him apart is that he has a very quick mind,” Willer said. “He is able to analyze and synthesize, which are very high-level critical thinking skills. One thing about Chris where everyone would agree is that he’s truly a nice person. He’s very considerate. He’s very polite, and I certainly did enjoy working with him.”

Miller was perpetually fascinated by history, and he spent much of his free time reading history books in high school. However, he wasn’t sure of his path coming out of Prospect.

“I don’t think I had any kind of clear ideas when I graduated,” Miller said. “I think I kind of

K

A MAJOR KIEV: In his senior year, 2005 graduate Chris Miller wrote a story about 1979 graduate Kateryna Yushchenko, who became the First Lady of Ukraine in 2005. This piece foreshadowed the extensive Eastern European studies he pursued later in his academic career.

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BACK IN THE USSR: 2005 graduate Chris Miller (right) recently released a book (left) on the history of the Russian economy in its final years. He spent several years living in Moscow while researching Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev’s role in the fall of the USSR. guessed I was going into business in some capacity.”

Throughout his undergraduate education, Miller ended up taking a number of history courses and realized that he wanted to major in history. During his senior year, he wrote a 100-page thesis called “The Bank of England’s Response to Financial Panic in the 19th Century: The English State, the Money Market, and the Emergence of the Lender of Last Resort.” One of his professors suggested that he pursue graduate work in history, an idea Miller found to be enticing.

The following year, he entered the Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and immediately began studying the history of the Cold War and U.S.-Russia relations through the past several decades. Despite finding a passion for his studies, he was finding it increasingly difficult to study primary sources concerning Russian history, as most of them were written in Russian. Miller realized that he would need to learn Russian to continue learning.

Determined and eager to expand his knowledge, Miller moved to Moscow in 2012.

“When I was there learning Russian and learning about the culture, I found it to be a fascinating place,” Miller said. “I decided that that was really what I wanted to keep focusing on.”

Miller began visiting six different Moscow archives that preserved documents from Soviet regimes, focusing on primary-source research. He spent months poring over sources that gave him a better picture of the structure of the Soviet government shortly before its collapse. He eventually began focusing on Soviet premier Mikhail

Senior Deegan O’Malley The Boyfriend

Junior Lauren Caldrone The Subject

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Junior Gianna Rossi The Best Friend

Gorbachev and his economic deMiller became the associate direccisions during the late 1980s and tor of the Brady-Johnson Program early 1990s. in Grand Strategy at Yale. He It was during his time in Mosco-teaches a Yale course that excow that Miller developed the amines classical Russian texts and basic thesis the relationfor his book, ship between A labor of love in which Russia and he defends the U.S. This 2005 graduate Chris Miller Gorbachev’s semester, he spent years writing his new actions beis also teachfore the fall ing a course book. Here’s a glimpse into his of the Soviet on Russian process.

Union. After history. this point, he Recently, 1. Began learning Russian after was able to he wrote an arriving in Russia in 2012 make specifarticle about 2. Visited Moscow archives over ic efforts in the Russian several years to find primary his research economy and develop for the Wall sources from the regime of Sovihis ideas furStreet Jouret premier Mikhail Gorbachev ther, finding nal. It was 3. Began writing in the summer information published in of 2013, editing hundreds of to support December, times as he wrote his contencoinciding 4. Finished the first draft of the tion that Gorwith the rebook at the end of 2014 bachev’s lease of his decisions book and 5. Sent the book to the UNC were not the the 25th anPress for review downfall of niversary 6. Saw book reviewed by two the Union. of the fall of university professors M i l l e r the Soviet 7. Made more fixes and takes started writUnion. suggestions of professors ing in the Willer 8. Performed a massive final edit summer of says that 2013 and finMiller’s re9. Sent the final version of the ished the cent work ilbook for publishing first draft of lustrates his the book in intellectual late 2014. After personally editability and passion for history and ing the book, Miller sent it to the that it is indicative of more coming UNC Press, where the draft was success. then reviewed by two university “The exciting thing about histoprofessors and sent back to him ry is that the interpretation of the with edits and suggestions. He past does change. And what Chris did a massive final edit and sent is doing is a new interpretation,” the completed version to the UNC Willer said. “Prospect High School Press for publishing. should be very proud of him. He Before the book was published, has a great future.”

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prospectornow.com

February 10, 2017

Entertainment

‘Unbound’ unites

Orchesis show creates bonds, improves dances

BY CASSIDY DELAHUNTY Executive Entertainment Editor

W

hen asked to name a time when she was proud of the Orchesis team, Orchesis director Kristin Burton cannot name one specific event. For Burton, pride is an ongoing emotion when around the girls on Orchesis.

“I’m always proud of them,” Burton said.

“They’re very supportive of one another, and they push each other to keep working hard. They have to know so many dances; it’s crazy. I’m proud of them [for] the way they carry themselves around the school.

I’m always proud of their performance, so I think [my pride] is more about them as people.”

For an extracurricular that only puts on a performance once a year, the Orchesis show has been in the making for a long time.

With two to three hour rehearsals four days a week since November, the team has been busy.

Because of the tremendous time commitment and high standards set by both the team themselves and parents and coaches, the Orchesis team feels a lot of pres-

sure leading up to their annual show in February (see DANCE LIKE EVERYONE’S WATCHING).

“We want to do the best and we want to look as perfect as we can,” senior and student director Carley Walker said.

“We’re all really good dancers

and we want to show off our skills.”

Despite this stress, the team is still excited to continue with the annual tradition that is the Orchesis show. For students and teachers alike, the experience is both nostalgic and slightly sad, for it will be the last time the seniors on Orchesis will get to put on a school show.

“Every year is hard when the seniors graduate because I spend so much time with them,” said Burton. “This year, this is another group of really special girls who are going on to do really great things, so it’s bittersweet. I’m so excited for them to go off and go to school and see what life brings them.”

Over her four years on Orchesis, senior and student director Dana Iverson has not only come to appreciate the other girls on her team, but the support they receive from others within Prospect.

“Orchesis is a really appreciated school activity that a lot of people come to, and I feel very lucky to have the large audiences,” Iverson said. “This year I think we can have a bigger audience … and [draw] a bigger crowd. It really does energize the dancers on stage, so I’m looking forward to that as a possibility.”

Iverson sees a larger audience as a possibility this year because the show has been catered to what previous audiences have enjoyed. According to Iverson, dancers usually enjoy slow, dramatic dances due to the difficulty and technicality of the moves, despite some audiences finding them boring. This year, the show will include more dances using jazz music and other upbeat genres in order to keep the audience engaged.

“We have a lot of really quality choreographers come in, but sometimes their numbers are not as translatable to the audience because they require more of a sophisticated taste in dance specif-

ically,” Iverson said. “[We wanted to include] a type of music that they recognize and a type of music they really enjoy. As much as the audience energizes us, I think it’s always nice to energize the audience as well.”

Walker agrees that the audience will enjoy the show more than in previous years.

“I’m looking forward to the diversity in our show,” Walker said. “This year we have a lot of jazz, ballet, [and] contemporary [music], so it’s a lot of different styles and I’m excited for the audience to see it.”

While preparation for the 2017 Orchesis show has been relatively standard despite a few small setbacks resulting from an extra performance early in the year, the team is still excited to go through all the steps.

From guest choreographers to brand new costumes to lighting design, every step of

DANCING QUEENS: The members of the Orchesis team who were a part of the ultimate frisbee team they formed this year pose together. Orchesis has made a concious effort this year to bond as a team, which they say is evident in both their interactions with each other and the quality of their dances. (photo courtesy of Grace Berry) the process is exciting, even to the longtime stage.” members. However, this year more than Despite the physical strain of dancing ever, members of Orchesis are looking for- and the endurance required to stay consisward to the show because the team has bondtent throughout the entire show, Iverson is ed much more outside of rehearsals than not worried thanks to her team and Burton, they did in previous years. Both Iverson and who the girls refer to as “KB”.

Walker say the seniors decided to make a “One of the reasons our show looks so imspecific effort to decrease the stratification pressive when February comes around is bebetween grade levels this year. As a result cause she encourages us to work really hard, of new friendships formed in this effort, the so I just have infinite amounts of gratitude team even formed an ultimate frisbee team, for KB,” Iverson said. named “The Orcha-chicks.”

Iverson’s main goal for the show is to “We wanted to have a connection with ensure the audience understands the intent each other and not have tensions between behind each dance. Especially for the dances the grades,” Walker towards the end of the said. “We gain more show, lack of stamiDance like everyone’s trust with each other, na can be a cause for and we’re able to be stress, but Iverson has watching more friendly when we faith in her team and were dancing and [be] is excited for the perOrchesis’ annual show is fast more comfortable with formance. approaching. Here are the dates each other on stage.”

“We’re working reand times of the upcoming Iverson agrees with ally hard to make sure shows: Walker’s sentiment. our movement is clearShe says that getting rid ly portraying a certain of some “antiquated” intention, … and I Thurs., Feb. 16- 7 p.m. traditions and rules, hope that we’re able to Fri., Feb. 17- 7 p.m. such as organizing all communicate that to Sat., Feb. 18- 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. dancers with seniors in the audience,” Iverson front and freshmen in said. “Once it comes back, helped to improve time for the show, both the bonds between the girls on Orchesis you’re fully ready to handle everything.” and the performances themselves.

Burton agrees, and is excited to watch “There [weren’t] any overt issues with her team finally perform after such a long [the rules]. I think we just decided maybe period of rehearsal. the culture of the team could be a little bit “I try to relay as much [as I can] to the more inclusive,” Iverson said. “When we girls about my passion for dance and wantdance together you can really sense the col- ing to put our best foot forward,” Burton laborative energy coming out in the routine. said. “They are so capaYou can see the girls feeding off of each other ble of such a high level whereas before they were dancing individu- of excellence.” ally. Now that we’ve built connections, you can see those connections really flourish on

Q: What kind of art do you most enjoy?

A: I’m kind of a connoisseur of everything; there’s nothing I don’t really do. It’s kind of terrible, but as soon as I get good at something I move on to the next thing.

Q: Could you ever seen yourself making a career out of art?

Delaney halloran- senior

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A: Yeah, for sure. I have always really wanted to be an author; it’s what I’ve dreamed about. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t believe in that as a career. A lot of people say it’s risky; there are so many other people who are authors, what sets you out? But I feel like every story that there ever was has already been written but each voice is so individual, and I feel like I have a really individual voice, as anyone does. I think if I could become a writer and influence people in that way it would not only be fulfilling, but it would make the impact on the world that I’ve always wanted to make. That being said, everyone I talk to is just like, “shouldn’t you just do that as a side project?” If it’s your whole passion, it should be your whole life.

10

Entertainment

February 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

OSCAR Musicals make resurgence in media

BY COLE ALTMAYER Entertainment Editor

T

heater is all about the spotlight: a beacon of light shining down on the dramatic focus of a scene, drawing hundreds of eyes to a single actor, a single prop or a single moment of intense emotion.

Recently, a metaphorical spotlight has been shining upon an ironically unsung corner of the theater community: the musical.

The trend picked up recently with “Hamilton,” a hip-hop flavored stroll through American history that exploded in popularity, demanding ticket prices that reached five figures.

It has continued with “La La Land,” a romantic musical comedy-drama detailing the relationship of two Hollywood dreamers. The film has proven itself as a critical darling, making a stellar showing at awards shows with a record-breaking seven award victories at the Golden Globes and a record-tying fourteen nominations at the upcoming 89th Academy Awards show. It now shares a spot in history with “Titanic” and “All About Eve.” But this resurgence of popularity didn’t happen in a vacuum. As neither “La La Land” nor “Hamilton” are typical musicals due to unique stylistic choices and storytelling, reactions have been polarizing. Some are glad their favorite genre has risen to the top, but it has left a sour taste in the mouth of many others.

Fine Arts director Jeremy Morton had nothing but optimism after leaving his showing of “Hamilton.”

“When I left [Hamilton], I was … in awe of the way they told that story, and the ways they made it engaging and tangible for all audiences, even for audience members who don’t appreciate that style of music,” Morton said.

However, senior Ben Marshall, who held several major roles in Prospect productions including “The Producers” and the upcoming muscial “Big Fish,” had some mixed feelings about “La La Land.”

“I loved [La La Land]... but although it’s very original, the conflict [in the story] wasn’t anything that made me too emotional,” Marshall said. “My fear is that people are going to think that’s what musical theater is. So when they’ll go see a show like ‘Spring Awakening’ or ‘Fun Home,’ they’ll just think it’s bad -- no, it’s not bad, it’s just good in a different way.”

Nevertheless, this new generation of musicals must

powbe doing something right to garner this much critical tell stories or convey emotions is among the most acclaim and box office bank. Morton cites the trend of erful tools in an artist’s arsenal.

“You have to sing, you have to successful screen-to-stage adaptations of frandance, and you have to act,” Morchises like “Shrek” or “School of Rock” as an ton said. “It’s really cool, but it’s example of musicals enjoying more mainalso really complicated. But as an stream success, while Marshall attributes audience member, you feel this their growth to musicals tackling more raw emotion that music auuniversal themes. tomatically provides the “If you go back to an older show like ‘Guys audience. … For most and Dolls’, it’s kind of hard for some people people, music will help to connect to it,” Marshall said. “But for enhance the tale.” something like ‘Urinetown’ — that one is With the widespread acclaim emotional and political. … It’s got some [reof musicals growing stronger al-life] connections that seem so far-fetched, with each passing Tony, Oscar but when you look closer you realize, ‘No, or Grammy. more people are bethere are some direct parallels here.’” ing exposed to the medium.

This recent change in musicals is only “I notice people in my … classes just a fraction of the much larger approach to talking about Hamilton,” Marshall production and writing that the genre said. “And I’m like, ‘I never even requires. The critical success of “La thought you knew what musical La Land” and “Hamilton” can be theater was!’ It’s definitely drawing considered surprising as they both a larger audience.” appeal to what seems to be a very niche When it comes to the spotlight, corner of their respective mediums. it’s not just what it’s shining on The film community usually doesn’t do that’s important, but how many eyes a whole lot to recognize musicals like “La are following it, and Morton feels a La Land.” “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel sense of validation as musicals Miranda successfully got a crowd that usually grow both inside the confines of listens to show tunes hooked on rap music.

Prospect and out.

“La La Land” director Damien Chazelle “I think musicals provide told NPR’s Fresh Air podcast in an intergood escapism, but they also view that he sees musicals as “experimenbring back some really honest tal [movies] in mainstream packaging,” Jeremy Morton, Fine Arts Director truths to our lives,” Morton one that requires a very unusual way to said. “The more [people express emotion and themes: song.

It’s uncommon for a normal human being to break out that see] that this type of art form is acceptable, the more into song during a moment of great emotion, but accordpeople will try it.” ing to Morton, the successful use of song to

The best of the best Most Oscar wins for a movie

11 awards Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Ben-Hur Titanic Most Best Actress wins

4 awards Katharine Hepburn

For more Oscars coverage, including reviews , staff picks and more, go to

PROSPECTORNOW.COM

Most Best Actor wins

3 awards Jack Nicholson *information courtesy of filmsite.org

prospectornow.com

February 10, 2017

Entertainment

11

KNIGHT Moonlight proves emotional, worth price of admission

BY AMANDA STICKELS Entertainment Editor I walked into the AMC theaters on a Sunday night, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the trailer and read both good and bad reviews but still couldn’t figure out what “Moonlight” was about. As I walked out of the theater that Sunday night, I felt like I knew, but I couldn’t put it to words.

New York Times critic A.O. Scott described it best when he wrote, “It’s about teaching a child to swim, about cooking a meal for an old friend, about the feeling of sand on skin and the sound of waves on a darkened beach, about first kisses and lingering regrets.”

The three-part narrative, which is nominated for eight Oscars, follows an African American boy, Chiron, throughout three stages of his life — childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

During this time, he deals with his sexuality, bullying and a difficult home life.

I left the theater trying to process the movie, and I still am.

“Moonlight” tackled the difficult themes in such a subtle and human way.

We see Chiron, played by Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes, physically struggle with his internal conflict while saying as few words as possible. He doesn’t even speak until about 10 to 15 minutes into the movie. However, his struggle is conveyed through his refusal to speak and long pauses in between sentences.

While not all of the audience is able to relate to what Chiron is going through, the incredible screenplay and acting allows viewers to empathize with him and his situation.

The extremely personal movie has the effect of revealing a different side to life that some may never know but at the same time letting people feel like they’re experiencing it because of the very honest dialogue and storyline.

Reasons like these are why there has been much debate as to why “Moonlight” should win the Oscar for Best Picture over the musical “La La Land.” After seeing both “Moonlight” and “La La Land,” I have to agree with the those that believe Moonlight should win. It’s so incredibly difficult to compare both of these movies since they are so different.

Moonlight deals with heavy topics in such a real and honest way while “La La Land” circles around a story of love and dreams in a very “Hollywood magic” way. Comparing them is like comparing apples and toothpaste.

However, when I walked out of “La La Land,” my mind wasn’t working to process anything. I wasn’t utterly speech-

*information from a survey of 150 critics by Rotten Tomatoes less. I wasn’t challenged to think about the world. I liked it, but it wasn’t as powerful or impactful as “Moonlight” was.

I feel that the reason the majority of critics predict that “La La Land” will win is because of the revival of the musical, which isn’t a bad thing; I loved the music, singing and dancing, but it wasn’t something that opens your eyes.

The incredible acting, writing and cinematography of “Moonlight” pushes it over the edge. The movie will leave you crying and happy with a level of understanding but bewilderment at the same time. As Scott wrote, “From first shot to last, ‘Moonlight’ is about as beautiful a movie as you are ever likely to see.”

I’d like to thank the Academy...

Due to the backlash from last year’s Oscars about the lack of diversity both in the academty and in the nominations, the Academy has made a specific effort this year to include both more women and more people of color.

“The Academy is going to lead and not wait for the industry to catch up,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

“These new measures regarding governance and voting will have an immediate impact and begin the process of significantly changing our membership composition.”

*information and quotes courtesy of oscars.org

12

Sports

February 10, 2017

prospectornow.com

Girls’ gymnastics finds all-around balance

BY PAUL EVERS Sports Editor

H

eading into their own Knights’ Gymnastics Invite on Jan. 14, the varsity girls’ gymnastics team was looking to rebound from their last MSL East tri-meet. The team had placed last against Rolling Meadows and Buffalo Grove just two days before.

Not only did the team avoid another last-place finish in the fiveteam field, but they also beat Rolling Meadows and Buffalo Grove to avenge their previous loss. Even more importantly, the team managed to take first place in the invite overall, putting together their best score of the season with a 135.045.

Head coach Bridget Erickson has been striving to create cohesion amongst the team members and place everyone into proper roles.

She saw those pieces come together at the Knights’ Gymnastics Invite.

“Everybody’s score counted, and everybody pulled their weight and really shined that night,” Erickson said.

Junior Rosie Barros felt that the meet finally showed the team what they were truly capable of accomplishing.

“We finally understood how much potential we had to win, and we really worked together and motivated each other to do our best,” Barros said.

Barros felt that it was fun to win the invite and that it was a key point in their season. “[Winning] was so important, especially for the whole team,” Barros said. “We realized that everyone has their bad days, but

when we have our good days and with the music, to know all the push ourselves and really motivate little dance moves and everything each other, then we can really push like that,” Erickson said. “The [gymnasts] did an awesome job our limits.” this year.”

According to Erickson, the team Barros enjoys watching the has a great mix of younger and freshmen improve the routines more experienced gymnasts, starting with leaders in juniors Barros, just as she did during her freshJane Williams and Abby Gonzalez man year.

“It’s great because you can see and seniors Maddie Marx and Maggie McCue, who are complemented all these different girls with different talents and different abiliby strong freshmen Jill Schmit, ties [perform the routine],” BarLily Nicoll and Julia Fasick. Erickros said. “We’ll son has seen the change it up bejuniors provide Early Season Success tween how they great leadership move and what and show the The girls’ gymnastics team skills they can younger memplaced 1st in their own do. It’s not exactbers on the team Knights’ Gymnastics Invite ly the same as my how to work on Jan. 14 with an overall freshman year, during practice, score of 135.045. Junior but it’s definitely which Schmit Rosie Barros, who automatimproving.” has experienced When pracfirst hand. ically qualified for sectionals ticing the floor “They always in the all-around later in the routines, all the pat me on the season, had a great day. girls on the team back, tell me that will sit down and I did a good job,” •ALL-AROUND: 1st (35.22) take turns pracSchmit said.

•VAULT: 6th (8.52) ticing. Instead of “They tell me •UNEVEN BARS: 3rd (8.55) being unfocused I can do it, and •BALANCE BEAM: 2nd or talking, the they’re really (9.3) girls will focus supportive.” on watching •FLOOR: 5rd (8.85) The focus of whoever is perthe training the upperclassmen provide for the forming and help them improve their routine. freshmen is on their floor routines.

“I lean on [the girls] a lot. They The more experienced girls take know gymnastics very well, and the time to teach the freshmen a floor routine that they themselves it’s just another set of eyes,” Erperformed as freshmen. Erickson ickson said. “[It is as if] I have 13 assistants on my team, too, which says the team spends the first three weeks of the season working on is really nice. I think it’s really helpful for them to help each other. those floor routines.

“It’s so stressful to be on time … Hearing it from a peer is a little

FLIPPING OUT: Senior Maddie Marx practices her floor routine at a practice on Jan. 31. According to Head coach Bridget Erickson, the seniors provided great leadership. (photo by Elisabeth Rohde) bit different from hearing it from a coach. I think that helps them build camaraderie and make each other better gymnasts.”

Along with the floor routine, Barros said the upperclassmen teach the freshmen to have fun while competing. While she admits competing can be stressful, the team focuses on keeping the environment light enough so they can joke around with each other as well.

“If you aren’t doing it to have fun, then why are you doing it at all?” Barros said.

Heading into their regional meet at Maine South on Feb. 2, the Knights were hoping to advance to sectionals as a team. By failing to place first or score high enough to earn a wild card bid, the team did not advance, finishing in third place with a score of 130.15.

Nonetheless, Barros was able to keep her season alive by taking the fifth and final automatic qualifying slot in the all-around contest.

She is competing in the Fremd sectional that begun on Feb. 7.

“It was so exciting [to qualify],” Barros said. “it’s icing on the cake for the season,” Barros said she was nervous to

just make it in on an automatic bid because it is so hard to qualify for an at-large bid. If she didn’t make it on the automatic bid, she would have had to hope her performance at the regional was enough to outrank enough people across all the regionals to qualify for sectionals.

The team was able to secure three individual at-large bids, with Schmit qualifying for the allaround event, and Williams and Barros qualified for the uneven bars.

“The three of us who are going are actually pretty close friends so I think that kind of helps [when competing],” Barros said.

At the time of publication, the girls were competing at Fremd for their chance to make it to state at Palatine on Feb. 17-18. The girls can advance by either an automatic bid by placing in the top five or earning an at-large bid from across all the sectionals.

With the season now coming to a close, Erickson says she can’t believe that the journey the team has embarked on is over.

“All day I teach, but all day I want to be here with them,” Erickson said. “I love them all and I can’t believe it’s almost over.”

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prospectornow.com

February 10, 2017

Sports

Girls’ basketball powered by youth

BY WYATT DOJUTREK Online Sports Editor The varsity girls’ basketball team was trailing at home against Buffalo Grove on Dec. 9 and needed a big third quarter to have a chance at beating the Bison.

The Knights turned it around, scoring 24 points in the third quarter and went on to beat the Bison.

Junior Emily Frasco led the team with 15 points to help lead the Knights to the victory.

Head coach Gabrielle Lovin attributed the comeback to forcing Bison turnovers and converting them on the offensive end of the floor.

“I think that the girls did a great job forcing a massive amount of steals and passing the ball as well,” Lovin said. “It was just like binoculars into the future what our team can be.”

The victory was the Knights’ third win on the season and first conference victory.

The team currently stands at 10-12 with a 4-5 record in conference play, which is good enough for third place in the MSL East.

However, the team has been prone to the injury bug this season.

Multiple players, including seniors Haley Will and Maggie Determann and junior Margherite Pettenuzzo, have been sidelined due to injury.

Frasco thinks that even though Will has played under limited minutes this season, she and the other senior leaders have been great mentors for her. “[My teammates] all have a really positive attitude,” Frasco said. “If I am having a really bad game, they will tell me what I need to [do] right, and they try to tell everybody what they need to fix. They really make a big impact on our team.”

Lovin believes that these key injuries have caused lots of changes to how the team prepares for any given game.

“These injuries cause a lot of change,” Lovin said. “ These injuries alter what we work on in practice, which also changes our mental status. I think that really does carry on to the court.”

Lovin says the team played very well against ranked Hononegah High School on Dec. 26 at the Dundee Crown Charger Classic. However, they were defeated by the Indians 55-47.

“That was a really tough game,” Lovin said. “Those girls were ranked way above us, and I think that we gave them all we could handle.”

However, the team has also had to overcome mistakes on the court as well.

The Knights’ next opponent was Dundee Crown, and, according to Lovin, that 53-46

really well so far,” Frasco said. “[Kowalczyk] actually started a game and did really well in it. They are both really doing a good job at learning their roles.”

Frasco also thinks that Withey has been one of the team’s most consistent players this year. “[Withey] has been unreal,” Frasco said. “You can always rely on her to get the boards, which is awesome for us. She can jump out of the gym. It’s great having her on the court, and we can always rely on her.”

The three sophomores — Adams, Kowalczyk, and Withey — are the first class to have played exclusively under Lovin’s program since she took over as head coach.

“It is always tough taking over a program from a really good coach in [Ashley Graham],” Lovin said. “She had different philosophies, different environment. You can tell [that] these sophomore girls … know what my philosophy is and what it is about.

So they are sold on what the future of this program is.”

Lovin thinks that these younger players LOCKDOWN D: Sophomore Mandy Withey defends against Wheeling forward Nopushing into the varsity level are reasons for sawaru Igiehon (#14) on Jan. 6. The Knights defeated the Wildcats 45-36 to claim their to be excited about the Knights’ future.

“We have some really solid guards on the seventh win. Head coach Gabrielle Lovin thinks that the team has played solid defense eighth grade feeder team,” Lovin said. “I’m which forces turnovers. “I think that the girls have done a good job forcing a massive really liking what I see from the freshman amount of steals and passing the ball as well,” Lovin said. (photo by Erik Velazquez) teams. All of our underlevel teams have been loss was the team’s weakest performance of made another free throw to put the nail in very successful this season. That makes me the season. the coffin. really excited about the future.”

Even after the defeat, Lovin believes that Pettenuzzo says the victory over Viator, a Lovin thinks that it is up to her to create the team did learn something very import- team that was on a six-game winning streak not only a winning program, but a program ant moving towards the halfway point of at the time, gave the Knights momentum go- where the girls will feel comfortable. their season. ing forward.

“Continuing to build up this program “I was expecting us to come into that ”We just kept and build up the “It is always tough taking a game with lots of confidence,” Lovin said. pushing,” Pettenuzenvironment is a program from a really good coach positive community “However, I thought that the girls were zo said. “We had a very fatigued both physically and mentalreally great fourth [Ashley Graham]. She had different [in which the] girls ly. But I think that we grew a lot from that quarter and ended not only grow philosophies, different environment. can game because of the fact that we played so up winning.” as players, but as poorly. Ever since that game I think that the Sophomore AshYou can tell [that] these sophomore people, too,” Lovin girls have been doing all of those little things ley Adams also made said. “We are going girls... know what my philosophy right.” a large contributo teach these sophis and what it is about. So they Lovin also thinks that the tiresome tourtion, scoring a caomores and junior nament schedule at the Charger Classic reer-high 15 points are sold on what the future of this girls on how to lead helped the team learn a valuable lesson. while sophomore and become better program is.”

“You talk about having these tournament Stephenie Kowalplayers off the court games day after day after day,” Lovin said. “I czyk also made sure as well.”

Gabrielle Lovin, head coach think that it was very beneficial for our team her presence was felt Lovin thinks that to play under that type of schedule. That is on the court. if this year’s group where you learn the most.”

Another sophomore,Mandy Withey, reof girls plays as a team, they can take their The team returned from the Dundee corded a double-double, scoring 11 points season as far as they please.

Crown tournament to play a non-conference and grabbing 16 rebounds.

“If they put in the work, and they are game against Saint Viator.

Two of those sophomores, Adams and able to push themselves to the limit where The Knights were trailing by a single Kowalczyk, were called up from junior varthey feel comfortable without me having to point after a made free throw by senior Eisity ahead of Viator game, a move Lovin says tell them when to do it, this team can take it leen Donohue. worked out well for the team. as far as they want to,” Lovin said. “We are Donohue then hit a go-ahead three pointFrasco agrees. just going to need to push each other to be er to give the Knights the lead and later “I think that Steph and Ashley have done successful.”

Team ‘blonding’ experience Bleached hair creates hype around swim team as playoffs near

BY ANTHONY SANTANGELO Staff Writer Traditions at Prospect can go unnoticed behind the stage or on the football field, but the swimmers have been drawing attention for decades with their bright, blond, bleached hair.

The tradition has been going on for quite some time, considering the fact that Head coach Alfonso Lopez was a part of this tradition at his high school in the nineties.

Senior Matt Inserra hosted the varsity swimmers for the bleaching tradition this year, and even though this would be his last time participating in the tradition, he did not think of it that way.

“It doesn’t really feel like I am ending my swim career at Prospect,” Inserra said. “[I] didn’t really process it. It was a little weird because the last three years I’ve done it at the Gabriel’s’ house, and there’s no more Gabriels.”

The Gabriels, Jack and Sam, were brothers who have graduated in recent years and were both on the varsity swim squad.

The bleached hair reminds Prospect students of the swim team’s unity.

Swimmers on every level have the option of bleaching their hair. Nobody is forced to do so or is left out.

“It has become a badge of honor,” Lopez

13

said.

Swimmers traditionally shaved their heads before their conference, sectional and state meets with the idea that it gives the swimmers less drag. Even though many swimmers participate in this tradition, not every person was able to join in. “[My mom] didn’t really like it because [the bleach] ruins my hair,” said Junior Faizon Ahmed. “It gets into the roots, and it’s not always the same when you shave it off.”

Ahmed says he would have taken part in the bleaching if his mom had said yes to the idea.

Some of the risks of bleaching can lead to frayed hair, making it brittle, dry and more susceptible to knotting up. Due to the effects of the chlorine, Inserra’s hair has actually become thinner overtime.

According to the Huffington Post, chemically-lightened hair can be damaged by elements such as wind and ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Not only is the swimmers’ hair affected by the bleach, but the chlorine in the pool, too. Before chlorine was used in the sterilization of pools, it was used as a chemical weapon in World War I. Anywhere above 10 ppm (parts per million) of chlorine in a pool is a hazardous concern, according to the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. According to PE Area Assistant Bobby Reibel, who is in charge of aquatics, Prospect keeps the pool’s chlorine level anywhere between two and four ppm.

The Knights finished undefeated in their

MSL East Dominance Swimming • 200yd medley relay: Ginnodo, Kosinski, Inserra, Partipilo 1:43.51 • 200yd free: Reidar Erbe 1:57.87 • 200yd IM: Nick Partipilo 2:09.14 • 50yd free: Asher Ginnodo 24.35 • 100yd fly: Partipilo 57.93 • 100yd free: Nick Lagowski 54.34 • 500yd free: Matt Inserra 5:23.38 • 200yd free relay: Ginnodo, Jarosz, Kosinski, Erbe 1:35.62 • 100yd back: Cameron Rodriguez 1:02.82 • 100yd breast: Jacob Kosinski 1:02.01 • 400yd free relay: Erbe, Partipilo, Jarosz, Inserra 3:29.86 Diving •Anthony Liva 272.15

READY TO GO: Senior swimmer Nick Partipilo prepares to dive in the Prospect pool. Partipilo and the seniors have bleached their hair for the final time as Knights (photo by Riley Langefeld). dual meets this year and defeated Elk Grove 136 to 43 to win the MSL East for the second time in a row.

Many of the leaders have attributed a special influence on a well-rounded group of swimmers. “[The leaders] have done a really nice job of setting expectations of what it means to be at our top end and then executing,” said Lopez. Before sectionals, the team will shave off their bleached hair.

“It’s more mental than anything that will

actually help them in terms of speed.” said Lopez.

Going into the final stretch of meets, Inserra is proud of what he and the team have accomplished at Prospect.

“I was able to end my career 32-4 in dual meets and probably one of the best records the Prospect class has ever had,” said Inserra. “It was pretty cool to [win conference 2 years in a row], and I don’t know if Prospect has ever done that in swimming.”

The bleaching will continue to be a legacy at Prospect High School.

Ahmed feels that the bleaching symbolizes not the unity but the individual accomplishments of the swimmers, “I got through swimming,” Ahmed said “It’s a feeling of accomplishment.”

SPORTS

FRIDAY, February 10, 2016

2009 Prospect graduate Miles Osei accepts coaching job at Elk Grove High School. To learn more about his new job, read here:

Wrestling pins MSL opponents BY: JACK ANKONY Executive Sports Editor

A

defining moment for the varsity wrestling team came on Dec. 30 in the Don Flavin Invitational at Dekalb High School when the Knights went 4-2 as a team. According to senior Alex Palczewski (270), the team used the meet to launch a strong season.

“That’s when we really started fighting for each other and bringing the whole thing together as a team,” Palczewski, who was unde-

How wrestling is scored Takedown (2 points) Two points for taking the opponent down to the mat then gaining control.

Escape (1 point) - After a wrestler gains control, the opponent may escape out from the bottom to a neutral position.

Reversal (2 points) When the bottom wrestler reverses control and gains control over the opponent.

Near Fall (2 or 3 points) - When a wrestler gains control over the opponent and puts the opponent on his/her back.

Penalty Points (1 or 2 points) When a wrestler commits illegal holds, technical violations, unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, and stalling. info from OPRF Wrestling

Athlete: Jill Schmit Year: Freshman Sport: Gymnastics

Winning streak

Osei Lands Job at Elk Grove

feated in his six matches, said.

Senior Alex Koczwara (182) says that though they could have done a better job with small details like getting bonus points, he was proud of the attitude and toughness the team displayed.

“We made huge strides in Dekalb,” head coach Tom Whalen said. “Still not at the level that we expect out of our program, but we definitely made huge strides in comparison to where we were before.”

Going into the season, the Knights were five-time defending MSL East champions and hadn’t lost an MSL East dual meet in four seasons. Whalen attributes those past accomplishments to a strong effort on the part of the whole wrestling community.

“A lot of people took a lot of pride in what we were doing,” Whalen said. “The wrestlers, the families, coaches — everyone — was willing to give up themselves.”

Whalen credits offseason training, time in the weight room and wrestling camps to the success the program has achieved recently.

“The attitude that [the wrestlers] are doing it for each other and the mentality that no one is bigger than the program has definitely carried over into our success,” Whalen said.

With an opportunity to defend the MSL East title, the Knights had a decisive match on Jan. 6 against Wheeling. The Wildcats came out victorious 39-29 and clinched the MSL East title, ending Prospect’s streak.

“Even though we lost, it was a very close match,” Koczwara said.

“Coming in a lot of us had doubts, but a few mistakes that we could have avoided, without a doubt we could have beat them and proven ourselves as a team to be reckoned with.”

With that loss, the Knights’ five year stronghold of the MSL East came to a close, challenging their annual dominance.

prospectornow.com

“We are starting to become more accountable for our actions and really learn what it will take to make state.”

- senior Alex Koczwara TAKEDOWN: Seniors Alex Koczwara (t0p) and Matt Wroblewski work on their techniques at practice.

Head coach Tom Whalen believes that the team’s humility has helped them achieve current level of success. “The attitude that [the wrestlers] are doing it for each other and the mentality that no one is bigger

“This year I think that at times we might have taken our previous success for granted and how we got there,” Whalen said. “We had to retrain our minds that nothing is going to be given to us, and no one is going to bow down because of what we have done in the past.”

Nonetheless, Whalen had some positive takeaways from the Wheeling meet. He says the team had opportunities to win the match but couldn’t finish the job.

In the meet, the Knights had strong performances from junior Ryan Vedner (170), junior Joe Kaiser (195), Koczwara and senior Matt Wroblewski (220), whose tech-fall put the Knights in front 29-27 at one point. Still the team couldn’t hold onto that lead. With Wheeling clinching the MSL East, the Knights are now focusing on making a second straight team state appearance, according to Koczwara.

“We have to continue to improve,” Whalen said. “Hopefully it has been a great learning experience for our young people in our program to realize that everything we do is because of our hard work and not because something is given to you.”

This learning experience also helps wrestlers like Palczewski with football. Palczewski, who recently committed to the University of Illinois to play football, says that

Knights Gymnastics Invite: Placed fourth in all-around with a 34.550

The boys’ basketball team has won 14 of their last 15 games. For full coverage of the team watch Prospect Basketball weekly on: prospectornow.com

wrestling helps him with football in terms of leverage, strength and toughness. Palczewski says that Lovie Smith, head football coach at Illinois and former Bears head coach, thinks it is a plus that he wrestles in addition to playing football. Wroblewski has taken advantage of an opportunity not available to many to help the Knights be successful this season.

Wroblewski has recently taken summer trips to Poland to train with the Polish national team.

The senior has wrestled since first grade and thinks doing this has helped him a lot with Prospect wrestling “It really opened my eyes to different styles and how people behave and workout for wrestling,” Wroblewski said.

Wroblewski has had this opportunity because his uncle wrestled in Poland and has friends who coach the team. This season, Whalen says that the team has also looked to some of the seniors on the team for production and leadership. He explains that senior Vince Lobono has matured as a leader for the team, as well as Wroblewski and Palczewski. “[Wroblewski] has always been a guy that cares more about his teammates than his own personal success,” Whalen said. “Palczewski has never once complained

Q. A. Q. A. Q. A.

knowing that whatever is best for the team is best for the program.”

In pursuit of the goal of making state, Palczewski thinks it will be key for the team to keep fighting for each other and pick up bonus points from pins. (see “How wrestling is scored” to learn how scoring works). Last year, the Knights made it to the quarterfinals at state as a team, but did not place. This year, the team state competition will be held at Illinois State University on Feb. 25, and the individual state competition is at the University of Illinois from Feb. 16 to 18. Big matchups in sight for the Knights include Conant and Notre Dame in Niles, according to Whalen. To improve from last year’s appearance, Palczewski and Koczwara both agree that the team is focusing on toughness and strength.

“We are starting to become more accountable for our actions and really learn what it will take to make state,” Koczwara said.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Palczewski and Koczwara both hope to leave their final impacts on the wrestling program.

“Fight for everyone who wrestles for Prospect,” Palczewski said.

“Once you start fighting for everyone else on the team, that’s when the team will really grow and get better.”

What has been your favorite memory from this season?

My favorite memory was when we had the Knights Invite, which was the meet that we hosted, and we won. And in the beginning of the season we weren’t doing too fantastic, and the Knights Invite came, and we won our own invite and that was really exciting for all of us.

What do you think has been your biggest improvement this season?

Individually, when in the beginning of the season on the beam which hasn’t really been my strongest event. I got a 9, which is really exciting because it is not my strongest event.

What do you think are some of the best qualities on this team?

I think that we all have good positive attitudes.

And whenever we are sad, we try to pick each other up and cheer each other on.