Students get political
Pages 16-21
Volume 49 -Issue 5 March 24, 2016
Adlai e. Stevenson high school 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire, Il 60069
STATESMAN POLICY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7
News
After administering the Illinois Youth Survey, Stevenson found a percentage of students have “seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months.” Turn to page 7 to learn more about the 2014 Stevenson survey results.
8 10 19
Opinions
Statesman discusses whether or not students’ votes matter during the Illinois primaries. Read our two differing viewpoints on page 8.
Arts & Entertainment
Students performed the winter play, “Twelfth Night” on March 11 and 12. Read about two of the actor’s experiences and the common underlying themes in the play on page 10.
Features
Statesman investigates political activism in the Stevenson community after the Suffrage at 17 law was passed in 2015. Turn to page 19 to see student’s different viewpoints on the political spectrum.
30
Sports
As Statesman interviews some of the new spring coaches at Stevenson. Four coaches share their stories and hopes for the upcoming season. Look to pages 30 and 31 to learn more about these new leaders.
CORRECTION: In our February issue of the Statesman, we referenced the two-day event, Odyssey in two different places. In both, we mentioned that this event counted as a fine arts credit for college. Since then, we have discovered that we were incorrect. Odyssey does not count for a fine arts credit. The Statesman staff apologizes for any confusion we may have caused.
Purpose
Statesman is first and foremost a student-run publication with seven annual issues distributed to students, faculty, staff, and community members of Adlai E Stevenson High School with a press run of 3,000. The primary goal is to serve as a public forum that delivers the news and provide content deemed to be newsworthy and timely, to the Stevenson community. The opinions expressed in Statesman do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, school board, faculty, student body or community members. Statesman tic Press sociation, tion, and
Affiliation
belongs to the Northern Illinois ScholasAssociation, the Kettle Moraine Press Asthe Columbia Scholastic Press Associathe National Scholastic Press Association.
Responding to Statesman
Letters to the editor may be e-mailed to shsstatesman.business@gmail.com, placed in the mailbox of Dean Bradshaw, or submitted to Room 2712. All letters must be signed. Letters must not contain personal attacks and may be edited.
Advertising
Businesses may advertise in Statesman. Ad content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board and will contain information that is appropriate.
Contact
Mailing Address: One Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 Phone: 847 415-4000, ext 4354 Website: www.statesmanshs.org Email: shsstatesman.business@gmail.com
STAFF
SARAH VERSCHOOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAMRATA SRIDHAR & IZABELA ZALUSKA MANAGING EDITORS OF PRODUCTION BRENDA REYN MANAGING EDITOR OF DESIGN SHUBHANGI JOSHI BUSINESS MANAGER KAYLA GUO & JOYLYN YANG COPY EDITORS CINDY YAO NEWS EDITOR SABRINA SZOS OPINIONS EDITOR NIKOL SAFRONOVA FEATURES EDITOR SAMI SPARBER SPORTS EDITOR ALEX SHAFRAN GRAPHIC EDITOR LARA IRIARTE & BELLA GREENSPAN CONVERGENCE DIRECTORS MAX COHN AMAN GROVER EMMA ISMAIL LAWRENCE KREYMER CHARLOTTE RONSON KARAJ SINGH ANNIE WU STAFF REPORTERS
Volume 49-issue 5
DEAN BRADSHAW ADVISER
4 NEWS
BPA members advance to Nationals 13 members of BPA named State Champions this past March. 13 additional finalists qualified for national held in Boston in May
I
n the business world, no book can teach you what a healthy dose of competition and hands on experience can. Business Professionals of America (BPA) offers students this opportunity. The group recently went to state with the outcome of 13 state champions and 13 additional students that qualified for nationals, which will be held in Boston this coming May. One of the club’s sponsors, Jason Ford, has been with the group for three years now and likes the push it gives students. “It gives the kids an extra incentive to focus on business classes and apply what they learned in class to an actual competition,” Ford said. “They get the opportunity to meet other kids and travel.” There are over 60 events that students can compete in, varying from multiple choice test, to making spreadsheets or even oral presentations. Each event varies, but the long hours and dedication that must be put into each and every event remains constant. “[During events], there’s always stuff going on so depending when your event is you could be at another event,” Ford said. “It’s a lot of commitment; if you’re a student you’re up at seven and probably not going to bed until eleven o’clock or midnight.” All students are eligible for BPA as long as they have or will be taking an accounting class at Stevenson. Gary Braznichenko ’17 has been on BPA for the past two years and loves working with the other students and his team. “It’s really just a fun experience and getting to collaborate on stuff that you usually don’t get to work on is something that is really cool,” Braznichenko said. Last year, Braznichenko did not place for nationals, but this year him and his small business management team won first in state.
photo provided by Gary Braznichenko
Braznichencko and his team at State in March, from left to right: Gary Braznichenko ’17, Morgan Kindwald ’17, Adi Alkalay ’16, Sahil Jain ’16 “It’s going to be the same thing we had at state where 30 minutes before our presentation we will have something additional given to us that we have to address,” Braznichenko said. This forces the students to think on their feet and somehow incorporate an additional piece of information last minute which only pushes them to achieve even greater titles. As for Jennifer Zhang ’16, she has also been on BPA for more than one year, and it has continued to influence her greatly. “BPA exposed me to business and made me realize that’s what I wanted to do, so I am applying to colleges for business,” Zhang said. A lot of the students spend hours in and out of school prepping for their events. Some prepare at the library, while others have the option to prepare in class with the help of the business teachers, including Ford. However, events are not all non-stop studying. There is some fun and games involved, Ford said. According to Braznichenko, “[BPA] definitely [has] influenced me somewhat and I’m honestly still not sure where I’ll end up, but it has definitely
opened my horizons” Braznichenko said. Among all the opportunities BPA offers students and teachers, one of the biggest ones is the travel aspect, according to Ford. “Just the opportunity to be with and connect with kids outside the classroom [is important] because many times as a teacher they just see you as the person standing at the front of the room,” Ford said. “With BPA you’re able to travel outside of school, [and] have the opportunity to spend time with kids not in a normal period one through period eight [setting].” Each student takes a different life lesson or skill out of BPA, as well as allowing students to get out of a classroom setting and experience business situations first hand. Not all members will necessarily go into business just because they’re in BPA, but it can influence them. Getting hands on experience and having fun while doing it is something BPA proudly offers.
by CHARLOTTE RONSON
NEWS 5
Campus Report AP Art Show Reception Students in the Advanced Placement Art and Advanced Photography Show whose works are on display will be honored at a public reception. This event will take place 7 p.m. on April 12 in Room 2104 and the Upper Forum of the West Building.
Project Dance This year’s Project Dance will be taking place on April 9 in the Sports Center. Project Dance is a fundraiser that helps Lincolnshire’s Riverside Foundation and Stevenson’s Kids in Need (KIN) Fund.
AP Art Show Reception There will be no school held on March 25 in observance of Good Friday. Spring break begins the following week starting March 28, and classes will resume regularly on April 4.
Academy helps college counselors Stevenson’s Sue Biemeret creates courses to mentor, develop counselors
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hen Deborah Donely, college counselor at New Trier High School visited Stevenson 30 years ago, the College Career Center was nothing like the comprehensive resource it is today. It was Sue Biemeret that transformed the College Career Center into a system that educates students about the college education system, Donely said. Biemeret has been a college counselor at Stevenson High School for 27 years. Using a grant, Biemeret created the Academy for College Admissions Counseling a professional program with classes in Elmhurst College that takes place over the summer. Currently, Biemeret serves as the executive director of the Academy for College Admission Counseling. Initially, the program was
intended to be a professional development opportunity for counselors at Stevenson, but Biemeret soon opened the program up to all college counselors, Donely said. Biemeret wrote the full curriculum and manual that the counselors in her class use. The most popular course offered by the academy is College Counseling 101. The course covers the modern college application process, provides a student-focused model on how to find the right college, and covers financial aid, student testing, and ethics and principles of college counseling. College counselor Dan Miller took the 101 course in July of 2014, and the binder full of materials he received from that course sits on a shelf above his desk today. Miller’s two teachers at the Academy were current
college counselors at New Trier High School, who taught based on their own unique personal experiences with students. Miller said that since New Trier High School and Stevenson High School have very similar, high-achieving, academically driven student bodies, these experiences were helpful. “One of the things that I learned from the academy was the importance of consulting with colleagues,” Miller said. 'There is a lot of hot-button topics in college admissions and college counseling in which you’re often left scratching your head, wondering how to support students the best way. Consulting is one of the most important ethical procedures for college counselors.” The academy is the only professional program for college counseling in Illinois. Biemeret said she believed that if she didn’t take
the grant that was given, nobody would have. “I thought about how a lot of my own mentors were retiring, and there was no program in place for today’s high school students to benefit from the counselors’ knowledge that I benefitted from,” Biemeret said. “There are over 100,000 families who have benefitted from the Academy.” However, she initially struggled to take the company off the ground because she lacked a business and marketing background. During the year the academy took off, 37 college counselors signed up. By 2016, over 1,750 counselors have gone through the program. “Sue has provided an amazing service,” Donley said. “I pray that whoever takes this job will be able to continue the legacy that she set up.”
by SHUBHANGI JOSHI
6 NEWS
Showcase 2016
The Patriot Parent Association’s annual variety show took place on March 4 and 5 in Stevenson’s Performing Arts Center. Acts ranged from hip-hop dances to beat boxing.
photos provided by Beth Miller, Beth Butler and Michelle Fan
NEWS 7
Survey highlights national concern Stevenson staff and students discuss current efforts concerning statstic that reported 14 percent of Stevenson students considered suicide
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n 2014, Stevenson administered the Illinois Youth Survey where student responses reported that 14 percent of Stevenson students have seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. “The number is very concerning but not unique to Stevenson,” said Sarah Bowen, director of student services. “We have already provided help services to students and are constantly looking for more ways to help them balance their emotional health.” Stevenson does not treat the topic of exclusion or isolation lightly. Support groups are offered for situations including substance abuse, self-identity and familial problems. Students can also connect with social workers at school at their convenience, but as suicidal tendency increases, students and staff members question whether measures go far enough. Nikita Jhangiani ’17 argues that Stevenson’s efforts don’t go far enough in preventing teen suicide. Jhangiani believes that the competitive mindset among Stevenson students is the culprit behind the numbers. “I read the Chicago Tribune article, and I was shocked that Stevenson did not emphasize the academic aspect of the situation,” Jhangiani said. “The competitive atmosphere at Stevenson just causes enormous amounts of stress for students.” Jhangiani blames the grading system as playing a huge role in the stress that students deal with. When an entire term grade can depend on a test, students can feel stressed to perform well and feel disappointed when they don’t achieve the desired outcome, Jhangiani said. Although Evidence Based Reporting has attempted to eliminate this feeling, many classes still use the point-system as the basis for grading. Although 14 percent can be interpreted as high, it is on par with national suicide levels.
Information provided by the National Center for Children in Poverty, Adolescent Mental in the United States, Cathy Drucker
“One in five adolescents nationally has reported to have contemplated suicide,” said Cathy Drucker, clinical social worker and therapist. “The increase over the past few decades is unsettling, and there needs to be more education to parents and students regarding warning signs, symptoms and treatment.” Drucker cites substance abuse, sexual orientation and bullying as possible factors that contribute to suicidal tendency among teens. She suggests that Stevenson raise awareness of resources through presentations at freshman orientation and throughout the year. Because entering high school is a significant change in someone’s life, Drucker believes that access to resources is necessary to help students cope with emotions. “Stevenson is such a big school, and as a freshman I didn’t even know about any of the resources we had,” Jhang-
iani said. “They can’t control stress levels of the students, but they can make social workers and counselors more accessible for underclassmen.” Teen suicide stems from a diverse set of causes. The Stevenson staff have worked to promote suicide awareness and convey the available resources to students. Drucker believes that while the school can’t control every factor that can lead to suicide, support groups and counseling can be more strongly promoted. “Two years ago, we began sending social workers to freshman advisories to give talk about support groups and how to access counseling at school,” Bowen said. “We want each student to know that external support is available, and that Stevenson holds a concern for each one of its students.”
by LARA IRIARTE
8 OPINIONS
Senior editor reflects on tough expectations after high school
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’ve never been the type of person to know what I wanted to do with my life. Every new experience has shown me something new, something different. Every experience has shaped who I want to be, but not necessarily what I want to do with my life. As I sit here pondering college, I look at my myriad of college applications. In each one, a different major, a different career path. I’m 18 years old and in the course of six months, I’ve gone from wanting to be a chef to a marketeer to a restaurant owner. They all have a basis in food, but every time I tell others what I want to do, I never know exactly what to say.
It’s been a crazy few months and as much as I know what I don’t want to do, I still haven’t figured out what will allow me to succeed. All my decisions are rooted in my passion for the culinary industry, but when I look at my friends and family (all who do engineering and medicine), I have to wonder is my choice practical? At 17 years old, I was planning my future and I was terrified. More often than not, these choices aren’t rational or easy. I didn’t know what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be. And at 18 years old, I have to make a decision and I don’t know if I can do that. Experiences shape who you are, who you want to be and I haven’t had
enough experiences to figure out my entire life. But that doesn’t mean the world is going to let me prolong this decision. Next fall, I have to go to college, and for that, I have to make decisions. This decision is by no means easy. I’m trying to figure out a future that is currently looking pretty cloudy. But, throughout my life it’s been ingrained in my head that these choices are permanent and shape who you will be for the rest of your life. And that’s a lot to put on a teenager’s shoulders. But these choices aren’t permanent, and I’m starting to learn that. I’m starting to see my next few years at college as a starting point rather than an end goal that
everyone has made it out to be. I’m 18 years old and I’m still figuring it out. And you know what. That’s okay.
by NAMRATA SRIDHAR
Staffers weigh in on the validity of the primary and national election votes
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hen I was little, I was a total social studies nerd, especially government and politics, and it always really bothered me when people referred to U.S. government as a democracy. Wrong, I always said. We are a democratic republic. The distinction seems small, trivial. Wrong, again. As a republic, we are represented by congressmen, senators and a variety of other people who make critical decisions about education, women’s’ health, the environment. The list goes on.
And when you abstain from voting, you are effectively saying you don’t care about who will be making these decisions for you. In a country where the power of the federal government continues to grow larger and larger, your vote is your loudest, most piercing voice. To think that a single vote is unimportant is simple, passive logic. Your vote contributes to a booming chant that is our democratic republic.
by SARAH VERSCHOOR
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hile wearing an “I Voted” sticker announces to the world that you are an informed member of society, in reality your vote does not matter at all. Our democratic system makes it possible that even if a candidate gets the most amount of popular votes, it doesn’t mean they will be the next president. So why do people still continue to make their way to the polling booths every Election Day? Well for starters, a common misconception is that people believe the next candidate they elect will
decrease any of the problems caused by previous administrations. Nowhere in history has it been confirmed that a president has increased the paycheck of any citizen. The Supreme Court also made it easier for states to pass Voter-ID laws, so voting has become even harder for citizens. Benefits to society come from the policies passed by the President and Congress and your one vote won’t change that.
by NIKOL SAFRONOVA
OPINIONS 9
STUDENT VOICES Is SHS doing enough to help struggling students?
Schools should be more active in helping struggling students
R “The school kind of ignores the issue but I feel like all high schools have this problem.” -Hannah Chiou ’19
“Stevenson is doing enough. The student services here are good for helping anyone seriously considering suicide.” -Sanketh Bhaskar ’18
ecently, data regarding the mental health of Stevenson students has come to light in the community. The Chicago Tribune published an article detailing statistics from a Illinois Youth Survey administered to students in February of 2014. Fourteen percent of students reported they had seriously considered suicide in the last year. Statesman views Stevenson’s academically rigorous environment as a major factor behind the statistic. Many students feel pressure to take Advanced Placement tests and achieve high grades and struggle emotionally as a result. However, many factors outside of academics, such as family, friends and extracurriculars, may contribute as well. This doesn’t mean that Stevenson shouldn’t help students with their personal struggles though. Statesman believes it is important that when schools
get such alarming statistics on the student body, the administration should make an effort to follow up and find new solutions to improve the situation in addition to evaluating the effectiveness of current proposed solutions. Stevenson will be starting classes half an hour later and offering healthier options at the cafeteria— actions meant to reduce stress. While these changes may be beneficial for students looking to get more sleep and eat better, these actions will not have drastic impacts on the anxiety levels of the student body. Statesman suggests that schools should take more direct approaches, such as promoting existing support groups during orientation. Statesman also believes that the Illinois Youth Survey does not provide the most accurate conclusions about Stevenson students. For example, the particular
question inquiring about suicide was only one of many questions in the survey. The question did not provide much elaboration on what a “serious suicidal thought” meant, allowing there to be multiple interpretations. Statesman instead recommends the administration to conduct a more detailed survey about student emotions and stress to get a better understanding of how to approach and better mental health at Stevenson. While the statistics are something to address, Stevenson should not rely on data from the Illinois Youth Survey as a representation of the entire student body. Statesman believes, however, that a greater attempt to encourage students to reach out during periods of hardship can benefit struggling students.
STATESMAN EDITORIAL
“Stevenson definitely tries but it’s such a big school that it can be hard to help students with their struggles.” -Leah Marek ’17
“Yes, but there’s only so much a school can do to connect to around 4,000 students.” -Nicole Strezewski ’16
editorial cartoon by Brenda Reyn
10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Sophomo res took the prac tice ACT last wee k, which was an excellent preparatio n for the ACT that they will nev er take.
Stevenson has decided to block March Madness, but not the synchronized swimming championships. Playing favorites much?
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“Twelfth Night”challenges actors, audience Shakespeare’s play incorporates many unconventional themes and topics
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long with the unique language and storyline of the “Twelfth Night” winter play directed by theater teacher Cynthia Burrows is a physical, tai-chi based rehearsal warmup called Eight Pieces of Silk that fuses the breath with movement. “[Eight Pieces of Silk] helps you become focused and feel in control of your body and breath,” Megan Rivkin ’16 said. “As a group, on the inhale, we raise our arms over our head, and on the exhale, we drop them and let them hang. We do it so often [during rehearsals] that a lot of us run through our lines while doing it.” Not only do the rehearsals incorporate unique ways of engaging students, “Twelfth Night” also explores unique themes not traditionally found in romantic comedies including insanity and the questioning of sexuality. “Twelfth Night” is set in Il-
lyria where the young aristocrat Viola played by Rivkin becomes separated from her twin brother Sebastian after a shipwreck. Unexpected complications rise after the Duke begins to foster feelings for Cesario, Viola’s male disguise. “It’s not your ‘Romeo and Juliet’ where your heart’s rooting for Viola and the Duke,” Rivkin said. “Within it, there are so many individual stories within the play that there isn’t even really a clear protagonist or antagonist. You could make the case that I’m the protagonist of the story, but you also could say I’m the antagonist to Lady Olivia.” Viola encounters groups including noble Lady Olivia’s circle, her uncle Sir Toby’s group of pranksters and Duke Orsino’s group. Intertwined within all the major groups is some who consider the antagonist, Malvolio, played by Barrett Winston ’16.
photo provided by Stephen Carmody
Actors perform a scene during the March 11 show “Everyone loves to hate the villain,” Winston said. “That’s why I think being empathetic is the most important trait an actor can have. I don’t see myself doing the things Malvolio does, but what I can connect with is being so loyal to something that you just want what’s best for that. Having an understanding allows for the character to be properly shown.” With such a complex storyline comes great challenge to the actors and actresses. Both Rivkin and Winston said the most difficult part was working with the language; however, Winston said the
language is also what makes the show so impressive. “It takes a lot of time outside of class to prepare the lines and be at all the rehearsals,” Burrows said. “All of this doesn’t happen without passion.” During the final tech rehearsal and before shows, the cast channel their energy again but this time in a circle where students pass on positive thoughts. Students squeeze their partner’s hands until everyone has shared in the circle, fostering a unity among the group.
by ANNIE WU
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 11
Staffer reviews Van Gogh exhibit Three famous paintings on display now until May 10
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o simply dismiss the art of Vincent Van Gogh would be shameful and embarrassing. However, the multiple Facebook posts and sponsored ads on my instagram feed advertising the Art Institute of Chicago’s installment of Van Gogh’s famous “The Bedroom” Paintings “come to life” did not live up to any preconceived expectations. On the hour long drive to the museum, I didn’t know what I should expect. I knew this was only the third time all three of Van Gogh’s “Bedroom” paintings had been exhibited in the same room, but my excitement neither grew nor diminished upon walking into the overcrowded, humid room in which the paintings were displayed. At first, we walked into a waiting-room type space, featuring dim blue walls with the biography of Van Gogh printed in white paint. We navigated our way through those taking photos and made our way into the start of the exhibit. Once past the doors, the room was pitch black aside from a projector screen replaying the same The Bedroom painting with the phrase “The Art Institute of Chicago” printed over it. Many people were standing in line, but it appeared no one knew where to go next. There are two options—either walk through a timeline of Van Gogh’s art and life or proceed ahead into a room showcasing not only his works but works of other artists. We went with the latter and walked into a starkly lit red room that was way over capacity. The ambiance suddenly became tense as hardly anyone spoke; we all took in the art that surrounded us. The compositions on the walls included some of Van Gogh’s more famous works, such as his 1887 self portrait (which my friend appropriately faceswapped with via Snapchat). From this room we entered a larger, more cheerful room that, if you couldn’t guess, showcased more of
Nikol Safronova
The Van Gogh exhibit features “The Bedroom” paintings (on the right) as well as a life size replica of “The Bedroom” (pictured on left). Van Gogh’s art. Not much time was spent here, as we were all looking forward to the next space that held the replica of The Bedroom. The bedroom was less of a room and more of a oddly angled shack with a small bed and wooden chair. From the start of the exhibit, it seemed everyone was enjoying it through the screen of their cell phone, and here was no exception. We stayed for a few minutes, got our photos, then made our way to the final space of the exhibit. This last gallery was probably the best out of all of them. It showcases the other famous Van Gogh portraits, as well as the three “The Bedroom” paintings. To see these paintings up close feels very intimate, giving greater value to the replica in the other room. The entire exhibit seems to come together with this display of artwork. From there, our visit came to an end as we made our way to the Van Gogh themed gift shop that featured The Starry Night prints and detailed dining
ware (exactly what he had in mind at the time of his painting, I’m sure). The exhibit itself was nothing to write home about. Sure, it was interesting and different, but I wouldn’t highly recommend it unless you wear “Van Gogh’s #1 Fan” shirts on a daily basis. The layout of the spaces was poorly executed, making it at times difficult to view each piece. The replica of the room in itself was quite disappointing. I myself am not an art fanatic; however, I am fully aware of the importance of art and artists, so it wasn’t a complete waste of my time. What made this experience enjoyable was the people who accompanied me. If you want to see this exhibit, definitely make it one of your many stops downtown. It’s not worth spending over $30 just to see a bedroom you could feasibly view photos of on the Art Institute’s website.
by SABRINA SZOS
12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Frozen yogurt chains reviewed Conveniently located between a Chipotle and a Potbellys, not only do you have the opportunity for a great frozen yogurt experience, but you also have the possibility to pair it with a classy dinner of a burrito or sandwich of your choosing. Upon walking into the establishment, you are greeted with the friendly workers at the front counter. There is an adequate choice of cup sizes perfectly suited for all your frozen yogurt needs. Additionally, going above and beyond, Yogurtland offers complimentary cucumber water that makes you feel like a Bourgeois woman shopping at Bloomingdale’s. Their flavor selection is varied and paired with lofty names of vocabulary higher than your junior research paper such as “Alphonso Mango Tart.” The cherry on top of the cake (or should I say on top of the frozen yogurt) are the toppings. Just like Menchie’s, everything is self-served so you can choose just the best fit for you. From graham crackers to mochi, Yogurtland will guarantee to have a topping that mostly meets all standards on your evidence based reporting rubric. In sum, Yogurtland is the perfect destination to treat yourself.
This is the créme de la créme of north suburban frozen yogurt chains. The name might sound elementary, but I can guarantee you their froyo is graduate level. Right upon walking through the front door, you are greeted with the pleasant colors of pink and green. You can put your froyo in not one but two different size cups or into one of their freshly made waffle cups. After selecting a flavor, you proceed to decorate your frozen creation with toppings of your choosing. Every topping has a label over it so you know exactly what you are putting into your dessert. The whole experience is wrapped up with friendly customer service and a cute seating environment that includes a beautiful view of Fleming’s Steakhouse and a parking lot. All in all, an easy-going establishment perfect for frozen yogurt enthusiasts.
With only one location in Chicago, Pinkberry is totally worthy of the approximate 33.9 mile drive. If you ever want to feel like a Kardashian but are not willing to spend a grand on a pair of Yeezy’s, Pinkberry serves as the perfect middle ground. Unlike the classic self serve like Menchie’s and Yogurtland, at Pinkberry you are helped by a professional who will know exactly how to magically fit all the toppings that you desire. Another bonus is that you pay by the size of the cup you choose, rather than the weight. You can layer on as many toppings as you want without worrying about breaking a scale. In addition, you don’t have to worry about breaking your scale at home either. Pinkberry has mostly healthy and nutritious toppings that still perfectly satisfy your sweet tooth ranging from natural brownie bites to popping boba. And if that was not enough to sell you, Pinkberry will try its best to accommodate all of your allergies, lactose intolerances or other food needs. So if you ever feel like going on a mini road trip or want to try something new in the realm of frozen yogurt, then Pinkberry is a perfect fit for you.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13
Featured guest artist Kelvin Rim anticipates spring season
“The drawing is of a mermaid’s first experience on land,” Kelvin Rim ’18 said. “To me, it represents how in Illinois the transition from winter to spring is like entering a new world. I’ve been waiting for the end of winter and hoping for the warm weather to stay for as long as possible.”
14 FEATURES
FEATURES 15
FEATURES 17
16 FEATURES
ILLINOIS PRIMARY RESULTS
WE VOTED TODAY
DEMOCRAT Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders
50.5% 48.7%
REPUBLICAN Donald Trump
18 19
Political activism has been on the rise with younger generations. Statesman explores the reason for this boom in political action.
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Illinois congressional politicians explain the importance of staying informed in national and local policies.
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Stateman’s Aman Grover sits down with leaders of political clubs in Stevenson to explore the importance of student participaton in politics.
38.8%
Ted Cruz
30.3%
John Kasich
19.7%
After the passage of a law that allowed teens to vote at 17, Stevenson students reflect on the opportunities offered for this election.
18 FEATURES Under the “Suffrage at 17” law passed in 2013 by the Illinois General Assembly, citizens who will be 18 by the time of the national election are allowed to vote in the primary election. Seniors reflect on how the law impacts them and the opportunities it allows. “If you don’t vote, you don’t exercise one of your fundamental abilities. Billions of people around the world don’t have a right to have a say in their government; we have that right, and people tend to take that for granted.” -Max Weiss ’16
“Anyone that wants to vote should definitely be informed, and given that we’re at Stevenson, we have a culture of being informed. The idea that we’re too young to undestand these things may be applicable to some places, but we have a good culture of kids who seek out information to form their opinions.” -Kevin Cao ’16 “Everyone should vote - especially because generationally there a lot of differences between our grandparents and us. It’s important to recognize that we are the rising voice. We’re the ones that will impact the world.” -Holly Youngberg ’16
by BELLA GREENSPAN
FEATURES 19
analyzing teen voting trends Students comment on significance of voting and increase in voter participation
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n social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and even Snapchat, there have been more and more posts regarding politics in recent years. Many have observed an overall trend of increased interest in politics among teens. According to the Huffington Post, voter turnout for 18 to 24 year olds increased from 37.4 percent in 2008 to 38.8 percent in 2011. “I have definitely noticed more political activity among my peers,” Daniel Bien ’18 said. “This may be because we have been electing officials that have more complex ideas, and teens our age have certainly been educated to think more analytically and politically. When we see a candidate with the same views as us, we tend to become more involved.” The growing interest may be attributed to the increased interest in a competitive Republican and Democratic presidential nomination process, along with the large numbers of 17 year olds voting under the new Illinois law, according to Andrew Conneen, Advanced Placement government teacher. Many are politically active for various personal reasons, too. According to Marco Laudati ’16, one reason for political involvement is that all decisions made by politicians affect the country. “My interest stems from having the desire to understand what politicians do and be a part of the process that we as citizens can affect in a democracy,” Laudati said. “For me, I want to affect future policy to make the country a better place.” Political thought is paramount in the assessment of a candidate, said Samarth Madduru ’17. She believes discussing politics with those who can make a change is making a direct
difference in society. Beyond voting, there are many simple ways to become more politically involved in the community. Following the news, learning about new issues, watching debates and taking the time to visit candidates’ websites are easy ways to be politically active, according to Laudati. “The important thing is to take the initiative towards a cause you believe in,” Madduru said. “Politics are huge, there are various aspects to it. Find something you like and work towards making the community a better place in that way.”
by JOYLYN YANG graphic by Kayla Guo
20 FEATURES
Students favor national politics Teens prefer presidential affairs, former and current congressmen think local projects are more relevant
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round the community, there are local, state and presidential campaign signs sprawled on lawns and sidewalks. Along with the presidential election coming up, district elections, which will elect the House’s next representative of Illinois’s 10th Congressional District, will take place on Nov 8. While both election seasons overlap, it seems as though students tend to focus more on the presidential election rather than district ones. “I follow national politics more than local; however I’ve been more aware of local politics because it’s important to the place where you live,” Daniel Bien ’18 said. “You want to know the stuff that’s happening, the stuff that’s facing your community, and the right people to lead that community.” This sentiment is also supported by Ron Levich, a senior at Vernon Hills High School. He started to pay attention to politcs during the 2012 presidential elections and has since become more involved. Levich previously interned for current Congressman Bob Dold, but tends to pay more attention to policies that are either presidential or those that affect every state. “I don’t follow local politics as closely as I
should,” Levich said. “I follow mostly national policies. They’re a little more relevant, and even though we do live in the 10th Congressional District and in Illinois, I just find myself more drawn to politics at a more national level.” Dold, however, disagrees with the idea of national politics having more relevance. To him, laws that begin at home are sometimes the most consequential. Passing Lali’s Law, a bill that makes opioid antidote naloxone more accessible in Illinois, is just one way of a representative having a direct impact to their state. The antidote provided by this law, which was named after a student who passed away due to a heroin overdose, reverses the effects of opioid drugs. “We were able to get [naloxone] to the police departments around Lake County,” Dold said. “They saved 56 lives in a little over one year.” Along with passing laws that directly impact his county and state, Dold believes that there is a reason behind the larger focus on national politics - the media. According to him, the media covers more of this type of politics rather than those that take on a more local form. “Unfortunately, the mainstream media’s fo-
cus on partisan bickering and mudslinging often distracts from the good, bipartisan work being done in our community and other communities all across the country,” Dold said. Former Congressman Brad Schneider also says that district politics are more pertinent. To him, not only are national-level politics important, but all types of politics should be covered and understood by students. “Your city council, your mayor or village president makes decisions that affect every aspect of your lives, and in many cases have a more direct consequence on our daily lives than decisions being made in Washington,” Schneider said. However, with both elections coming up in a few months, students are getting more involved in local politics as well. Bien, who has previously focused more on national politics wants teenagers to get involved locally as well. “I urge every student to get involved in local politics,” Bien said. “We are the next generation to run our country, and it all depends on us.”
Can you name a presidential candidate running for the party nomination? Can you name the congressman representing your district in the House of Representatives?
CANDIDATE: Donald Trump REPRESENTATIVE: No
-Ross Wilson ’19
CANDIDATE: Hillary Clinton REPRESENTATIVE: No idea
-Hanya Laman ’18
CANDIDATE: Bernie Sanders REPRESENTATIVE: Nope
-Ashton Keane ’17
CANDIDATE: Bernie Sanders REPRESENTATIVE: No clue
-Vikaas Ranganathan ’16 by KARAJ SINGH
FEATURES 21 Statesman reporter Aman Grover sat down with three leaders in Stevenson political clubs: Dev Desai ‘16, president of Young and Government Legislative, Olivia Nye ‘16, president of Model United Nations (UN) and Daniel Larsen, sponsor of Political Action Club. What does your club do? Desai: In Youth and Gov Legislative, we create bills that represent actual Congressional legislation and we then debate them in March at the Capitol building. Nye: In Model UN, we train our members for conferences at which we simulate the United Nations on a variety of global topics. Larsen: Political Action Club is an event-based club in which really any teacher can propose a political event and then sponsor it for students to participate in. What can students learn from being a part of your club? Desai: Students can learn about how the Illinois government, or any state government really, does its job. They also get to see what state representatives and senators do on a daily basis, and how the debating process works at the Capitol. Nye: Students can learn about the details of international relations and diplomacy through involvement in Model UN. They also get the opportunity and resources from our club to hone their research, speaking, writing and interpersonal skills. Larsen: What we learn more than anything else is that in the political arena, it’s not about learning - it’s about doing. We feel strongly that rather than learning about government in just an academic environment, it’s important to do it and experience how everything works in our daily lives. These are things that will affect our daily lives. How has your club impacted Stevenson? Desai: Stevenson has lots of political diversity, and I think we’ve added to that by showing people different topics. Letting them debate with friends about these topics makes them more invested in politics in general. Nye: Our club has brought about a sense of global awareness and understanding to Stevenson. We pride ourselves on being able to delve into controversial situations and foreign opinions. By doing this, we diversify the minds of Stevenson’s student body.
information provided by US Census; graphic by Aman Grover
Larsen: Our theory is that studying government isn’t just a class, it’s a lifestyle. We really want to impart to our club members that the studying of American government isn’t academic; it’s active and participatory. So by getting students involved, we’re setting them up for a life of political involvement. Why do you think it’s important for students to have an understanding of politics? Desai: I’d say it’s because politics impact everyone’s day-today lives, not just now, but for years to come. So it’s important for students to know which issues are present and which candidate represents them so they can be well represented when the time for them to vote comes. Nye: I personally think that it’s incredibly important for students to have an adequate understanding of politics so that they can learn to engage with the world around them and to be an active citizen at a young age. If young people don’t understand the world around them, how are they supposed to find their place in it? Larsen: Political science has shown that those who can get involved in their government now through their classes and clubs will be involved throughout their life, while those who aren’t involved likely won’t be as they get older. The grand lesson for students is that it’s never too young to live up to the title of “citizen.” The United States depends on people living up to that title by engaging, being active, and participating.
for more of the interview, go to statesmanshs.org
by AMAN GROVER
22 FEATURES
Chess captain reflects on growth
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hess team. Last time you might’ve heard about us was when we got second at state. Again. It stings a little, but it taught me a lesson. The very thing that infects all high schoolers: a case of procrastination. When we went to state, we studied and studied, but it was already too late. You see, studying the day before state is the equivalent to studying the day before a test, except even more so. Chess is a direct competition between you and your opponent, not between you and a sheet of paper. That opponent is able to throw unexpected curve balls at you, and you have to be able to adjust to it. This is why chess requires so much more preparation than the dreaded last Friday of a term. There are things that you will study that won’t come into use during the test, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Sorry loses state championships two years in a row. Don’t be afraid to learn more than the standard. Over achieve. That’s
how you shine. I learned, as well as my team, that procrastination is not an option anymore. While other teams were preparing against us, we were wasting time. And it showed. If you’re still reading this, take one thing away: study. Put in that extra effort. We’re going to be pushing next year, and I hope you’ll push alongside us on your own school journey. When I first walked into the room where chess team would be hosted for the next two years of my high school life, I knew three people well. After the first day, eight. By the second day, I felt like I knew everybody well on the team well. The reason behind that was one giant similarity between us. All of us had dedicated a portion of our lives to play chess. Chess is different than most other sports. You can’t walk in and have a height advantage, speed advantage, etc. You need to start from the roots, and build yourself up. Everyone who was in
that room those days had started from the roots. We quickly became a team, not by name, but through developing relationships. To this day, there have been no fallouts between teammates, because in the end, that one similarity stands out. We as a team—Allen, Conrad, Miranda, Rahul, Jack, Shanky, Adit, Kavin, Teja—are always able to put aside our differences, and that is what makes me show up each Tuesday and Thursday to spend the time hanging out with friends, playing the sport we love. When we aren’t playing, we’re laughing. Most of that goes to Rahul, the one-line wonder, but everyone contributes. When I graduate, which is gonna be in a while, the one giant memory I’ll have with me is the joy brought to me through my experiences from chess team.
Guest columnist ALEXANDER BIAN
graphic by Namrata Sridhar
FEATURES 23
Project Dance Preview
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mmersing themselves into the community, Stevenson students are given a chance to work together to give back to local charities through the annual Project Dance. Founded by the class of 2007, Project Dance is a dance event where students get to form teams and help raise money for local causes such as Lincolnshire’s own Riverside Foundation and the Stevenson’s Kids In Need (KIN) fund. The Riverside Foundation is a non-profit for adults in the community with disabilities. Receiving care and services in these homes, the funding that they receive from Stevenson students is directly affecting these adults in helping them gain access to better facilities and also develop new skills.
“Seeing the amazing work that young adults do to help those in need around them is the most touching experience ever,” Bettye Traylor, secretary of the Riverside Foundation said while attending last year’s event in which student teams helped fundraise over $40,000. The KIN fund helps support students whose families are in financial need by providing them with a free breakfast program and paid/ reduced lunches. Participants of Project Dance get the opportunity to help their own peers. One team that has joined up every year to help as well as attend the dance event in celebration of their work is “Turn Brown For What”. With Priya Vaikuntapathi ‘16, Harika Booragadda ‘16 and Abhirami Ramakrish-
nan ‘16 to name a few of its members, the group has worked together to compile many different ways of helping fundraise for the event. Gathering donations, selling gum and baked goods along with selling henna designs helped the group fundraise over $475 for Project Dance 2015. Gathering up all of the students together into the Sports Center this upcoming April 9, Project Dance will be hosted by Boom Entertainment for all the participants and the guests attending from the Riverside Foundation. Teaming up with Stevenson’s DJ club, the event allows student DJ’s to work with Boom, taking charge of entertaining the crowd for the night. “Every year we want to
Alex Shafran
put on the best production possible and get the students to celebrate the amazing collaboration that they have with their community,” Sam Vargi, Boom Entertainment’s emcee said. Over 60 teams have signed up to participate in this year’s event. The goal for this year’s student body is to pass the total of $40,000 that was fundraised during the 2015 Project Dance fundraising season.
by ALEX SHAFRAN
24 SPORTS Statesman’s Lawrence Kreymer sat down with girls’ badminton varsity coach Grant Johnson to discuss the strategies, rules and equipment used in badminton.
graphic by Annie Wu content compiled by Lawrence Kreymer
SPORTS 25
FRESHMAN FOCUS with ERICA SPIELER ’19
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eing on varsity girls’ lacrosse as a freshman is a really cool experience. The whole team has been really welcoming and nice. Overall, it’s just a great environment. Lacrosse is definitely my favorite sport; I’ve been playing it since sixth grade. I’m excited for this season because the team is supposed to be really good this year. I can’t wait to play some games and see where this year takes us.
SPORTS 27
Girls track initiates squads, strives to eliminate cliques New program excites captains who aim to remove isolated social groups within team, allow runners to interact with a large variety of teammates
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he girls’ track team has kicked off the season by winning the first track meet of the year. On March 1, the team beat Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills High School during an indoor meet at Buffalo Grove High School. “We won, I was so pumped,” girls’ track captain Bridget Huston ’16 said. “It was a good start to our year.” The four new senior captains were chosen the day after the first meet. Captains are chosen as a combination of team and coach preferences. “We let the girls vote, and I let them know that their votes weigh heavily on the decisions, but the coaches as a staff make all final decisions,” head coach Emma Degen said. Though excited to be elected captain of the team they have been a part of for four years. The girls feel like they have a lot of live up to according to captain Janine Fajardo ’16. All four captains agree that they are very proud of their new positions though they have lots of expectations on them. “We have to encourage everyone,” captain Jessie Philipp ’16 said. “We have to make sure everyone knows what’s going on and feels included.” Track is a no-cut sport, so the team gets to be fairly large. Within the overall
photo provided by Jessie Philipp
Jessie Philipp ’16 runs the indoor 4 x 800 meter relay in 2015. Her training payed off when she became a track team captain this school year team, many groups of friends tend to separate themselves. “I’m not sure I’d label them as cliques,” captain Amy Atkinson ’16 said. “They’re just certain social groups that you tend to converse with more.” In an effort to remove these distinct groups from the team, Degen and her assistant coaches have decided to implement the new idea of squads. Each captain would
have an assigned group of random girls from various events, levels, and ages. The squads will have friendly competitions throughout the year to keep everybody in communication with each other. “We like to do a lot of team building stuff to make sure they all know each other,” Degen said. “A big emphasis is making them feel like they’re one team instead
of multiple groups.” During practices and meets, it is common for each category of participants to be both physically and socially separated. Long distance runners practice and converse with other long distance runners while the throwers are somewhere else, for example. The captains are hoping that squads will help bridge the gap between groups. “It will make it seem more like a family I think,” Huston said. “It’s hard to apply that feeling to a big team, but I think the squads will help.” In the end, despite the different groups, all of them are part of the same team. Their team goal for the season is to win conference something that Degen really feels like they can accomplish. “I think that if we all want it and we’re all willing to work for it [winning conference] is very achievable,” Fajardo said. Philipp agrees and adds that they are physically ready for it, but now they have to be mentally ready for it. All the captains agree that they just have to continue training hard as a team this year to reach their goal. “One team, one dream,” Atkinson said.
by EMMA ISMAIL
4 NEWS
SPORTS 29
Water polo off to strong start
Girls’ varsity team won 40 straight matches and counting
photo provided by Kristen Eastman
Allison Travetto ’16 attempts to block the shot of a Wheeling player at a March 12 meet. Stevenson went on to win all three games.
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ast season, Stevenson’s varsity girls’ water polo team had the best season in school history, going undefeated (36-0) and bringing home their first state title. Coach Jeff Wimer has a lot of faith this team can go back-to-back. “This is my nineteenth year coaching water polo at Stevenson,” Wimer said. “Last year was the first year we’ve ever won a state championship, and I think we have a shot at it again this year. My goal every year is to win a state championship.” This year’s team is putting in the extra work to repeat as state champions; on March 12, they won three consecutive games by a combined total of 49-13. In preseason polls within Illinois, they are ranked number one in the state. “Obviously our team wants to do it all again this
year,” said team captain Allison Travetto ’16. “Our motivation is what is going to lead us to the end and help us make it that far again.” Losing five senior starters from last year’s team posed a potential issue for the team, but according to younger members, that just means they are hungrier than ever to get in and contribute. Last year, the team started only upperclassmen, however this year, the team starts freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. “A lot of girls are anxious to get their opportunity to fill the open spots from last year and contribute at a high level,” Wimer said. “We lost some incredible players, but I have lots of faith in this year’s team; we will absolutely be back in the Final Four.”
by MAX COHN
Boys’ varsity team seeks revenge after losing in state finals last year
photo provided by Charlie Day
Charlie Day ’18 gets way out of the water to make a diving stop and save a goal. He has allowed only 19 goals this season in his first year on varsity.
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evenge is on the minds of all the returning varsity boys’ water polo players after coming up just short of a state championship last season. According to many team members, losing 9-6 against Lyons at home in the state final still stings and has created extra motivation for this season. With a 4-0 record already under their belt (winning by 18 or more points in all their contests this season), the team is picking right off where they were last year. “We have to finish the job,” said coach Sean Wimer, the son of girls’ water polo coach Jeff Wimer. “It left a bad taste in all our mouths last year and it did not take much motivation to get back at it.” This year’s team is very
young. However, the team is built extremely big: every single starter is above six feet one inch tall. They also have two sophomores starting, including goalie Charlie Day ’18, listed at six foot five inches. Replacing one of the top goalies in the state is a tough task, but Day is up for the challenge. He says the team has had a crazy work ethic since the beginning of this year. “We all really hate to lose; Coach [Wimer] told us to use this anger we had after losing the state championship last year as motivation for this year,” Day said. “We have this big sense of comradery on the team and all as one share the mentality of winning. We are all equals here.”
by MAX COHN
30 SPORTS
Lacrosse coach focuses on team unity
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aving served as assistant coach since 2004, new head coach Patrick Fitzgibbons ‘97 was introduced to the sport his senior year of high school and knew then that it was the sport for him. Fitzgibbons, a former soccer player, found the fast-paced, contact sport exciting. “The teams were a lot different then as the program was only 3 years old,” Fitzgib-
bons said. “We only had a varsity and a junior varsity team, there were no cuts, and just one field to use. It was a very different experience than today’s program, which makes me appreciate how much support the program receives now from the Athletic department, students, parents and the community.” Six-year-old Fitzgibbons was greatly influenced by his father, who was his first coach. He adopted his father’s philosophy that the harder a player worked at practice, the easier it is to have fun during game time. “I’m taking that to the next level as I have taken [my father’s] philosophy and combined with what I’ve learned from previous coaches I’ve worked with as well as ones I’ve read about,” Fitzgibbons said. “I want to take the best components that each player has to offer and turn it into a winning combination on the field.” On top of coaching, Fitzgibbons has formed close relationships with the players. When Marty Mann ’17 played lacrosse his freshman year, he instantly bonded with coach Fitzgibbons. He described his coach as someone who taught the players how to
make smart decisions on the field rather than listening to calls from the sidelines. “Most of [the lacrosse players] started on JV with Fitz and made varsity last year while he was an assistant, so we have always been with coach Fitz,” Mann said. “One of the reasons I love lacrosse at Stevenson is that my teammates are my best friends on and off the field. This makes practices, workouts and games more beneficial to our success and ultimate enjoyment of the sport.” Mann mentioned that instead of positions such as attackman, midfielders and defenseman, coach Fitzgibbons has introduced offensive and defensive positions. Fitzgibbons also hopes to pioneer a lacrosse program where the varsity and junior varsity teams are more tightly knit with the community. He also plans to incorporate the latest technology into the training and reviewing video of players’ performances. “I’m extremely excited to see what we can do,” Fitzgibbons said. “In the end, I just hope that we are a better team than we were at the beginning of the season, and the players walk away at the end proud of what we have done no matter the outcome.”
Jumps coach fulfills highest credentials
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oaching girls track and field has meant missing some of her own daughters’ meets, but ultimately, it has been an honor for new coach Toni Car-
michael. Carmichael has been involved in track and field for over 35 years. She has had the opportunity to compete at the international level and has the highest level of coaching certification. Carmichael has worked very closely with Stevenson athletes in jumping events. Janine Fajardo ’16 has worked with Carmichael for two seasons and said that they have a very close relationship. “Coach Carmichael, alongside our head coach Degen, helped me get to state last season,” Fajardo said. “Coach Carmichael’s talent helps me because I am fortunate enough to have two coaches now with high knowledge in the events that I am doing.” Carmichael currently holds an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) level five coaching certification in jumps. This is equivalent to Olympic-level credentials to coach pole vault, high jump, long jump and triple jump.
“My coaching philosophy is to coach up the athletes,” Carmichael said. “I want the athletes to feel they can accomplish anything they set their mind to with hard work.” Carmichael will work with Fajardo this season to accomplish Fajardo’s personal goal of breaking her own record. Fajardo hopes to drop down to 14 seconds in hurdles and get back to states this year. “Every new coach has just been a blessing,” Fajardo said. “They are welcomed very easily to our team and everyone loves them.” Carmichael coached at the collegiate level before coming to Stevenson. She described the latter as a dream come true. “I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to coach at Stevenson High School, “ Carmichael said. “I already see many talented athletes and look forward to see what we can accomplish this season.”
SPORTS 31
Coach Wood steps down, son steps up
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ockey was officially recognized as a sport by Stevenson when Tom Wood, Stevenson boys’ ice hockey assistant coach, was a senior. Tom Wood, who played defense, recalls the rigorous 5:30 a.m. Friday practices. More importantly, Tom Wood remembers his coaches, including his father, current Stevenson head coach Jim Wood and
how they shaped him both as a player and a person. He spoke fondly about playing pond hockey at his former coach’s house over winter break. “My head coach and my dad focused on discipline,” Tom Wood said. “They taught us to work hard in addition to being a good teammate, a good person, and to represent our school appropriately.” After playing two years on the Stevenson team, Tom Wood went on to play for the University of Arizona. He returned in 2002 to coach at Stevenson. He and his brother Dan served as assistant coaches under their father, an experience which has brought them even closer, according to Jim Wood. “As a dad, I’m proud that they continue to give back by giving up their time to be with the Stevenson student athletes,” Jim Wood said. After coaching at Stevenson for 18 years, Jim Wood said that he is ready to step down. He leaves with a quote from John Wooden, legendary hockey coach at UCLA, “Where could I find more splendid company?” “I just turned 62, and it’s not as easy to get out of the way of flying pucks anymore,”
Jim Wood said. “I will miss the players. Each year there is a new crop of students with a fresh set of dreams and goals.” With his promotion to head coach, Tom Wood looks forward to putting his own spin on things. Coaching under his dad has given him room to make decisions, but there have also been disagreements between father and son. “My dad’s coaching style is more old school,” Tom Wood said. “I think, coming from the same background as the players, I am able to relate to them, and I have a more laid-back coaching style.” In addition to goal setting, Tom Wood explained that he wants to hold practices in a smaller rink space than the traditional rink size. This will allow the players to develop their skills. Tom Wood also hopes to advance the youth ice hockey program to draw more prospective players, who are interested in the game. “I want to create a supportive and positive atmosphere,” Tom Wood said. “Hockey should not only be about the players, but it should be about getting the entire hockey community involved.”
Rogalski recruits freshmen gymnasts
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ue to an injury, Joe Rogalski, head boys’ gymnastics coach, spent half of his time at Hoffman Estates High School competing and the other half
helping coach the team. Rogalski never let his injury stop him from being involved in the sport that he loves. Rogalski then coached at Glenbrook North High School and New Trier High School where he was named Illinois Assistant Girls Gymnastics Coach of the Year in 2011 before coming to Stevenson. As head coach, Rogalski wants to focus on building up the team by bringing in more freshmen. “Gymnastics seems like a sport that only people with experience can do,” Rogalski said. “I want to get the message across that anyone can do it and it’s not as intimidating as it seems.” The team has doubled in number from last year, with the majority being freshmen. Returning, state title holder Matt Krames ’17 is excited to see his fellow team members progress throughout the season. Although not having a single senior on the team most likely means the Patriots will
not be able to defend their state title, the addition of younger members means future state wins, according to Rogalski. “I want to focus on personal responsibility,” Rogalski said. “Gymnastics is a sport where you’re competing against yourself and your event. It’s important to be self-disciplined and to be willing to do things that others can’t or are afraid to do.” Although it’s great to win as a team, Rogalski stressed that gymnastics is an individual sport at the end of the day. He believes Krames has a shot at defending his personal state titles. “My personal goals are to place top 3 individually as an all-arounder,” Krames said. “I would like to place top 5 on floor and vault, and I would like to final on every other event. I would like to see some of my teammates qualify for state as well.”
by KAYLA GUO
content compiled by Sami Sparber; graphic by Sami Sparber