Volume 49 Issue 1

NEWS. Security cameras were installed in all Stevenson school buses this year. Go to page 4 to learn more about the reasons behind the new safety measure.

OPINIONS. Statesman delves

FEATURES.

SPORTS. Brothers Rodney, Willie and Sam Herenton will be joining the basketball team this upcoming season. Meet the new transfer students on page 16.

Teen drinking is a prominent issue nationwide and in our community.

Turn to page 8 and 9 to learn more about the consequences.

Adlai E. Stevenson High School 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069

into the pros and cons of taking an online class versus learning in a traditional classroom setting. Go to page 6 to read up.

Volume 49 ■ Issue 1

October 8, 2015

Quiet Learning Center provides alternative study, resource area

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n an effort to accommodate the learning needs of its students, Stevenson has created the Quiet Learning Center (QLC) and opened it to all students this past year after two years of planning and working with architects.

The QLC offers a different environment than the Informational Learning Center (ILC). While the ILC encourages social, collaborative learning, the QLC gives students a silent space without distractions to get work done.

In addition to having a quiet environment, there is also the ability to get extra help when classroom instruction might not be enough, said Rowena Mak, Director of Student Learning Services. Mak highlighted the classrooms in the QLC for guided study in each subject. Students may also receive extra help on skills out-

Sabrina Szos

side of the typical curriculum that are crucial to being successful in a class, such as time management. Ultimately, QLC classrooms offer students an opportunity to set goals for themselves when it comes to what they want to improve.

“There’s a very strong commitment when it comes to developing supportive learning spaces for our students,” said Mark Onuscheck, Director of Curriculum, Development and Instruction. “The QLC responds to different learning needs, and it’s great for students to have those resources available to them.”

After learning about the QLC through her friends, Madhavi Murali ’16 found herself going around two to three times a week to do homework and study. At first she was doubtful how useful it would be, but after going a few times, she was

surprised at how much work she was able to get done.

“The silence encourages you to study, and it’s a lot more beneficial than the back of the ILC because there’s no opportunities to get distracted,” Murali said.

Even though a collaborative, problem-solving environment is important, a space to focus in on personal academic development is also crucial, Onuscheck said. Onuscheck believes students do better in a focused, positive environment, and they respond well to having a space where they’re able to get their work done without distractions.

While there is a quiet area in the back of the ILC, often times it’s not completely silent since the ILC noise carries to the back. In the QLC, it’s completely silent and the quiet rules haven’t been a problem, Mak said.

Both Mak and Onuscheck have stressed the QLC can be used in a variety of ways, whether it be for studying, doing homework or getting extra assistance. Onuscheck hopes students find the QLC to be a welcoming place and take advantage of what’s offered because not many students know what’s available.

“We are constantly trying to find ways to support all learners, and our architecture needs to represent that,” Onuscheck said.

The QLC is open before, during and after school for all students, not just those enrolled in a study hall or looking for extra assistance. It’s located in 1512, and its hours are the same as those of the ILC: 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

by IZABELA ZALUSKA

Marijuana dispensaries cause controversy Experts discuss medical cannabis use by minors

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s medical marijuana dispensaries prepare to open in Illinois, questions regarding the legality of cannabis usage have resurfaced. This controversy comes at a point in time as minors could be among the first patients to legally use marijuana under state law.

On Aug. 1, 2013, former Governor Pat Quinn signed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, making Illinois the 20 state to legalize medical marijuana.

The bill took effect five months later, allowing adult patients with one or more of more than three dozen conditions to qualify for the program.

These diseases include cancer and Parkinson’s.

At the start of 2015, a modification to the bill allowed minors suffering from seizures to qualify for registry. Unlike patients over the age of 18, minors would only be allowed access to medical cannabis-infused products such as food, oils, oint-

ments and other products that can’t be smoked.

The increase in regulations for patients under the age of 18 aligns with the associated risks in using marijuana at a young age. Nurse Peg Cucci brings attention to a statement released by the American Academy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), in which it explicitly voiced its concern about the harms of marijuana use on the developing adolescent brain. According to the statement, adolescents are especially vulnerable to the cognitive and addictive effects of marijuana.

“There is a medical indication for the use of marijuana,” Cucci said.

“Some people have a very difficult time controlling their pain, but that is unusual. It needs to be made clear that this is not a carte blanche. It should not be interpreted that marijuana use is safe.”

Cristina Cortesi, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, only recommends the use of medical marijuana in very rare situations. Cortesi personally does not recommend medical marijuana as she believes

there are other available medications that are more effective and less harmful.

However, for some minors with epilepsy, medical marijuana has made drastic lifestyle changes for the better. Enter Charlotte Figi, an eight-year-old diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome. This severe form of epilepsy left Figi with around 300 seizures a week. After taking medical marijuana, her seizures dropped to two or three a month.

Figi is able to get the medical marijuana she needs as she lives in Colorado, a state where cannabis is legalized. In Illinois, a total of 2800 patients have been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Among this number, ten were minors. As a result, some school districts around the state are already preparing for the possibility of having medical marijuana patients in their school.

Currently, it is illegal to be in possession of marijuana, both medicinal and recreational on school property. Despite the regulations, many fear that the substance may find its

way into the wrong hands.

“The answer is simple,” Joseph Friedman said. “There are going to be extremely strict policies.”

Friedman is the founder and Chief Operations Officer of Professional Dispensaries of Illinois (PDI) LLC, preparing to open its first dispensary in Buffalo Grove around early November. All consumers will go through a verification process to ensure their legitimacy as a qualified medical marijuana patient.

“There’s always a chance [medical marijuana] will be used for nonintended purposes,” Cortesi said.

“However there are laws in place that will make it difficult for kids to have access to it.”

Marijuana patients will not be able to open or use their prescriptions until they enter their homes.

Even if a marijuana prescription is found open in a car, the patient would still be responsible for the legal consequences, Cortesi said.

Story continues on page 2

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NEWS

Continued from page 1 The PDI Medical dispensary will also have a sophisticated security, inventory, anti-diversion and patient tracking system to ensure only registered patients receive cannabis-based-medications.

Both Cortesi and Friedman note that marijuana is not like a typical medication prescribed by your doctor, and therefore will be handled with extra oversight and precautions. According to Cortesi, the marijuana dispensaries will not resemble stores found in Colorado, as popular belief suggests. For example, the PDI Medical dispensary will have a pharmacist on duty during business hours.

“I consider [the dispensary] to be a similar in scope to a specialty pharmacy,” Friedman said. “It’s not your typical CVS or Walgreens drugstore. Medical marijuana is a very specialized drug that is intended to help patients that are experiencing diminished or lack of benefits or relief from typical medications approved by the FDA.” In addition, the process of becoming a State of Illinois registered patient from a previously qualified patient for both adults and minors can be extensive, according to Friedman. Aside from meeting prerequisites such as being a legal resident in the state and providing fingerprints

and passport photos among other documents, patients must also have a written certification by a physician which may be difficult to obtain.

“Doctors will be careful in certifying,” Friedman said.

“I’ve had a conversation with a doctor who had a patient requesting medical marijuana for his Crohn’s disease, which is one of the qualifying conditions.

However, the doctor was wary because of the patient’s lack of need for other drug therapies and young age. His condition was also relatively under control and mild.”

Doctors must complete a list of qualifications from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in order to provide written certifications. Once certified by a doctor to use marijuana, patients may then send an application to IDPH. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis program is a pilot act, meaning that it is not permanent.

The bill is set to be repealed in 2018, but an extension may be passed for patients to continue using the drug.

by CINDY YAO

October 8, 2015

Program offers safe drug disposal places Save a Star aims to stop medication abuse in Lake County area

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he Lincolnshire Police Department has recently implemented the Save a Star program which gives residents a safe place to drop off unwanted prescription drugs or controlled substances.

According to the Chicago Tribune, two disposal boxes are available for substance disposal at 1 Olde Half Day Road in Lincolnshire and 46 Raup Boulevard in Buffalo Grove.

The Save a Star program was created in 2009 in memory of teengaer Daniel Katz, who passed away from a drug overdose in June 2007. The program aims to reduce prescription drug abuse. The boxes prevent people from disposing of medication inappropriately or keeping expired or unwanted medication.

“We don’t want people disposing of medications themselves,” Christina Cortesi, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, said. “If they are flushed, it can be very dangerous to the water supply. If they are thrown away, especially the medications that can be abused, people can find them and use them.”

When drug disposal boxes fill up, all of the drugs and medications are disposed by Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), Cortesi said. In 2014, Lake County received approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to be able to dispose of these medications independently.

Save a Star boxes, along with previously established prescription drug boxes, also have substantial value in terms of drug collection in Lake County. According to Cortesi, the medication boxes in Lake County have collected 8,060 pounds of prescription drugs, and 42 pounds of controlled substances from February through August of 2015. The controlled substances alone are estimated to have a street value of $550,000.

“Lake County has 700,000 residents, which is 5 percent of the state’s population, and we contribute roughly 30 percent of the total amount in the state,” said Bill Gentes, Project Coordinator at Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force. “That’s attributed to the fact that we have the most robust network in the state of Illinois.”

by SHUBHANGI JOSHI

Security cameras installed on all school buses, addresses bullying law changes Footage offers improvements, some bus routes redesigned to accommodate overcrowding

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tevenson buses are sporting a new feature this year: security cameras in the front and back. The cameras are present on all 56 student buses and cost around $75,000 to install, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.

The security system was installed in response to the Illinois Prevent Student Violence Act, which is part of a general change in state legislative policy towards bullying in schools. Many surrounding districts, such as Vernon Hills and Libertyville, have implemented the technology on their own buses as well.

“The addition of the cameras on buses was a nice complement to the security program we already have in place with 150 cameras across the campus for for the sake of student safety,” Mark Michelini, Assistant Superintendent of Business, said.

The cameras take high resolution video of the interior of the buses and offer a limited recording of the buses’ exterior environments as well. The internal video is typically reviewed in regards to bullying incidents, while the exterior can be used for traffic related accidents, Michelini said.

“We’re not trying to be Big Brother,” Dean Steve Tucker said. “The cameras simply offer us another lens through which we can review any situations we need to.”

According to Jim Kingston, location manager for First Student Bus Company, all recordings are

kept by the bus company and are not reviewed unless specifically requested by the Stevenson administration. Administration from a feeder school, all of which have the cameras on their buses as well, may also request access to view the video feeds of their respective buses.

The recordings haven’t been used much for behavioral issues thus far, Tucker said. Instead, the school has found a number of alternative uses for them.

“We’ve been able to review any complaints from bus drivers about overcrowding to review the situation on the bus,” Michelini said. “After we look at the footage, we can make a decision about how to reroute the buses if we need to.”

Dealing with overcrowding on buses has been the primary use of the cameras, Tucker said. However, the school does anticipate there being a possible need to also use the cameras in the incident of a minor accident with another vehicle, Michelini said.

“If there were to be a collision, we would have the footage to make an insurance claim if necessary,” said Tucker.

The introduction of the cameras to the buses was a seamless process with no complaints heard by Stevenson or First Student Bus Company, Kingston said.

The new cameras are only the latest in a series of investments the district has made in its buses. Stevenson, the only school in the state to do so, created its Zonar Time of Arrival (ZTA) program towards the end of the 2014-2015 school year. The ZTA service allows students to track the location of their bus on a computer or mobile device.

This can be of particular use during extremely cold days in the winter so that students are not forced to wait outside for prolonged periods of time.

Alex Shafran

Recording the interior and exterior of all Stevenson buses, the recently installed security cameras take high-resolution videos used to review any situations such as bullying, bus crowding or accidents.

Ultimately, these moves are representative of Stevenson’s desire to make their buses a place where students feel safe and secure, Tucker said.

by AMAN GROVER

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NEWS

October 8, 2015

Campus Report New Arches at Patriot Stadium promote spirit Two new arches, one at each entrance to the Stevenson football field, were set up over the summer by the Stadium Improvement Committee. Last summer, the Board of Education approved the decision to install the arches as part of a plan to improve the football stadium. The green and gold archways depicting the school’s name in bold letters add to the spirit at Patriot Stadium.

Stevenson offers new quiet learning environment The Quiet Learning Center (QLC) was under construction for part of last year and most of the summer. It opened at the start of this year to all students to get help, ask questions or just get work done in a quiet environment. It’s located on the second floor of the West building where the study hall rooms used to be.

Coat drive held during recent football game Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission’s Operation Stand Down is providing an opportunity for people to donate winter coats for needy and homeless veterans at Stevenson’s football game against Libertyville on September 25. Spectators can donate coats both at the game against Libertyville and Zion-Benton.

Graduation gowns will soon be ready for Seniors On October 15 and 16, Seniors can order their graduation caps, gowns and graduation announcements in the Patriot Lobby. Orders can be placed at students’ convenience at jostens.com. Seniors will also have their graduation meeting on October 8 during the activity period.

Sodexo creates calorie counter

New nutrition calculator offers students chance to choose healthier meals

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n an effort to make students more conscious about what they are putting into their bodies, Stevenson High School is in the process of constructing the Sodexo Nutrition Calculator to give students a better understanding of the food they are eating during the school day. Stevenson is adopting this calculator as a way for students to check nutrition facts and add up the calories of their school meals.

Sodexo’s goal in creating the calculator is to give students the opportunity to be healthier in the choices they make when buying food. Currently, there is only a basic calculator online, that lists everything across all Sodexo outlets, not just what is sold at Stevenson. The official calculator will be specific to Stevenson’s food choices.

‘SodexoMyWay’ is a general, global website that is customized to Stevenson, and students can use the resources available on the website with regards to nutrition, according to Habib Osman, general manager of Sodexo.

Despite the calculator being online for everyone to use many students are still unaware of this resource. “If they’re aware of it, then some students might look at it for nutritional information,” health teacher Jill Lipman said. “More and more students are tracking what they eat using apps on their phone.”

The calculator comes in response to the trend of nutritional apps. Sodexo is working on an app as well as the web-

Alex Shafran

Sodexo offers a variety of lunches and snacks for students daily. With the new nutrition calculator, students will be able to track the calorie and fat contents of each item. site for students to use in the future.

They also aim to advertise their calculator online through the Stevenson website and Facebook.

“It’s about using social media to spread the message and making things convenient for the students,” Osman said.

Online access to nutrition information allows students to make more educated eating decisions at their own convenience. In turn, Sodexo is able to

promote their healthier food options.

“Our food is more made to order, with more fresh ingredients,” executive chef Joel Meyers said. “We’ve noticed an increase in the number of students buying lunch since the changes we made.”

Sodexo is optimistic that this calculator will change students’ view of food. Many students do not buy lunch because they are under the impression that school lunches are unhealthy, said

Deanna Feiger ’16. On the other hand, Sodexo believes that their food is nutritious.

“We have a lot of healthy choices available to everybody, it’s our responsibility to provide the resource needed for everybody to educate themselves to make better choices,” Osman said.

While Sodexo still offers menu items like fries and hamburgers, they also offer healthier options such as salads and fruit.

Despite Sodexo’s enthusiasm to promote healthy foods, this calculator may not be put to use by many students.

“People I know wouldn’t take the time to use it,” said Feiger. “I think if it’s more advertised people may begin to use it.”

Feiger is not alone in her belief. Teachers are also skeptical if the calculator will impact students’ eating habits. Most believe that it will require much more advertising to make any difference.

“I don’t know if it will change what people are buying,” Lipman said.

Though the calculator is well intentioned, Feiger doesn’t think it will be effective. Feiger proposed as alternative option to relay nutrition facts directly on a menu.

“I think if they have the calories next to [the food] on the menu, then people will be more aware because they will see it right there,” she said.

The calculator is still in the planning process and Sodexo intends to spend more time and effort advertising it in the near future. They remain positive at the prospect of promoting healthier eating.

“The Management team is always available to answer questions regarding nutrition, so people will have the option to make better choices,” Osman said.

by EMMA ISMAIL

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NEWS

October 8, 2015

Electric car chargers added to Lot D Charging units installed, promote environmental sustainablity on campus

These electric spots continue to promote environmentally friendly measures through a reduction in gasoline consumption, Jason Carlson, AP Environmental Science teacher, said. Elechen Stevenson opened for tric cars have become more popular the 2015-2016 school year, over the past decade.

“While one criticism is that it creates not only was the parking lot completely renovated, four elec- displaced emissions of air pollutants tric car chargers were added in the from tailpipe to power plants, electric cars could become a game changer if front of Parking Lot D. In 2011, Stevenson was named the electric energy is provided by wind a Leadership in Energy and Envi- or solar energy,” Carlson said.

Electric cars have become increasronmental Design (LEED) Certified School. LEED Certification is an en- ingly popular in the United States acvironmental initiative to promote cording to the Electric Drive Transpora greener building. Stevenson was tation Association (EDTA). The EDTA awarded the prize for its energy ef- has found that as of Jan. 2015, there ficiency. Waste reduction, building are 25,312 hybrids and 31,402 total automation system and transporta- electric vehicles currently being driven tion are a part of LEED also, Rodney the United States. As of Aug. 2015, that number is now 37,633 hybrids and 46, Phelps, Director of Facilities said.

Phelps realized there was a de- 643 total electric cars.

For English teacher William Fritz, mand for electric charging spots at Stevenson. In response, two car the electric car has become a big success in his daily life. While initially hescharging units were installed.

“Stevenson has been promoting itant about the car, Fritz found that the greener initiatives for several years, car provided him with all the luxuries and the electric spots seemed like of space, comfort and speed while being an environment friendly car. the next thing,” Phelps said.

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Namrata Sridhar

The administration added two electric car charging units to support the green energy movement, while also reacting to the growing demand among both students and staff.

While the cars release emissions, they decrease air pollution and hardly affect electricity bills. According to Fritz, these electric cars are considered to have the world’s longest tailpipe since the emissions leave the power plant that created the initial electricity rather than the tailpipe of every car.

“I believe in ten years everyone will have an electric car,” Fritz said. “We haven’t decided as a society to say enough is enough to combustible engines but we are headed in that direction.”

by NAMRATA SRIDHAR

Stevenson holds annual Color Fun(d) Run The cross country teams and Stevenson Foundation hosted the 5K race for the third time on Sept. 20. Participants competed individually or as a team. Colored powders were thrown at checkpoints throughout the race. The money raised will go towards the Kids in Need Fund and the Stevenson to College program.

Bella Greenspan

NEWS

October 8, 2015

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Patriots choose new workout class Choice PE offers different forms of physical activity, students can personalize workout routines

and you have choices,” Cardella said.

As well as this being a new experience for students, it is also a new experience for the teachers.

Many teachers are a part of the Choice PE program and hope to continue to do so.

“The teachers have to be really flexible on what they teach because the number of students dictates where they’re going to be,” Ramos said.

For example, if there are 100 students signed up for team sports, there may need to be two to three teachers while group fitness may only have a class of 30 students with one teacher.

The class has proven to be popular not only among students, but teachers as well.

“I’ve seen more kids coming in from outside sweaty with smiles on their faces,” Ramos said. “They’re really getting to know their classmates and that speaks volumes. We don’t even have to interview kids it’s just the eyeball test—you know things are right.”

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new gym class to join the Stevenson roster this school year is Choice Physical Education (PE).

Choice PE consists of numerous activities that students elect, switching every six weeks.

One of the newer teachers to join Stevenson’s Physical Education staff is Eric Ramos. This is Ramos’ second year at Stevenson.

“Choice PE is an umbrella term for most of the PE classes we can offer,” Ramos said. “It provides the students the ability to come in everyday and decide what they want to do, based on what they want and need.”

The goal is to allow students to have the ability to pick what activity they want to do, instead of being assigned to a class. Kristen Cardella ’17 is taking Choice PE for the first time.

“Unlike dance or other gym classes, you can do what you want and set goals for yourself,” Cardella said.

Once students are in the class of their choosing, they take surveys on which activities they would like to do as well as setting SMART (specific, measurable attainable, realistic and timely) goals.

“Choice PE is a great idea,” PE Leader Adi Alkalay ’16 said. “Instead of being committed to one type of activity for an entire semester, students get the op-

Charlotte Ronson

by CHARLOTTE RONSON

Melanie Perez ’17 works on cardio. Students can choose from group fitness, team sports, aquatics, and more. portunity to try new things.”

Activities range from weight training, group fitness, team sports, aquatics, and cardiovascular activities. Choice PE aims for students the get the exercise they need as well as allow them to chose the means in which they achieve their fitness goals.

“I would recommend [Choice PE] because it’s easy

To learn about the new American Studies Honors class offered at Stevenson, check out Statesman’s website at www.statesmanshs.org.

Virtual class offers options, greater flexibility Online AP Government available for Seniors, needs strong study habits

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he switch to a virtual education is on the rise. According to a 2013 survey conducted by Online Learning Consortium (OLC), over 7.1 million higher education students took at least one online course. In 2014, that number rose another 3.7%. Stevenson is following this online movement by offering their first online course, Advanced Placement (AP) American Government.

“There was something novel about this new course,” Daniel Larsen, AP American Government teacher, said.

“I think the students saw themselves as pioneers, but even more than that, I think they were looking to being treated as 21st century students.”

All Stevenson seniors are required to take a government course to graduate.

Currently, the majority of seniors who are taking AP American Government are taking the in-class version.

“I think some students are still intimidated by the idea of being able to reserve the time necessary to complete the online course on their own,” Andrew Conneen, AP Government teacher, said. “A lot of students still want the structure of a traditional classroom and that’s totally understandable.”

Although more students chose the in-class version, both Larsen and Conneen clarified that the new online course wasn’t designed to replace the in-class course. Instead, having the online course offers students with different learning styles another option.

“There’s not a best way to do school,

but in the 21st century we feel there needs to be other ways to do school,” Larsen said.

With the online option, Larsen and Conneen have gotten mixed feedback from students. Some like the flexibility, Conneen said, whereas others found the self discipline difficult.

“Because I don’t have to have my teacher check in everyday, I got really far behind on the first assessment,” Jordyn Chapman ’16 said. “I didn’t realize how much it really was but now I’m getting use to it.”

Students have freedom on when to complete assignments. However, teachers set deadlines to ensure students pace themselves.

“For me, especially with college next year, I have to have good time management skills so this is a good time to work on them,” Chapman said. “It’s a lot better than starting my time management skills in college.”

Although the in-class and online students are learning the same objectives under similar deadlines, the feedback to their online students has been more strategic, Larsen and Conneen said “In a typical classroom, I might have a room with 25 students and I’m giving feedback to all 25 at the same time,” Larsen said. “In an online class, we’re giving individualized feedback 25 different times, ways, and styles.”

As a result, there’s a heightened specificity to the feedback they give to their online students, Conneen said.

In conjunction with the online feedback, Larsen and Conneen are both available every lunch period in the Information Learning Center (ILC) to answer any students questions.

“I think a lot of people were worried

Announcements, class materials, and tests, exluding mid-terms and finals, are found on the haiku page. Students are expected to check the haiku page daily. about not being in an actual classroom,” Chapman said. “If you have lunch or a free period, you can go in and get oneon-one attention from the teachers.”

The lunch periods are primarily used for clarification. That leaves students responsible for class materials.

“When the bell rings, you walk into class, you sit down. In this online class, the bell never rings —but you’re still expected to come ‘into’ class and do your work,” Larsen said.

For incoming seniors deciding between the online and traditional class, Larsen said students looking to experience an online class that they might be expected to take in college should consider this class.

“If you’re looking for an easier class, this isn’t it,” Larsen said. “On the other hand, if you’re looking to emancipate yourself from the traditional class-

room, this is it.”

Although Larsen and Conneen see this online course as a step forward, improvements can be made. Conneen is looking into building more discussions, a difficult aspect to recreate online.

“In any change or innovation, the most difficult part is to be willing to say, ‘That didn’t work, let’s try something else’,” Larsen said.

As the course continues, Larsen said he was eager to hear student feedback.

Larsen anticipates more online options available during the academic year as well as the summer.

“Creating this course was one of the best decisions of my life,” Larsen said.

“If technology is changing our world as much as we know it is —it just has to change the way we learn.”

by ANNIE WU

6 STATESMAN POLICY The Statesman is first and foremost a newspaper for the Stevenson community. The primary goal is to deliver the news and provide content deemed to be newsworthy, timely and ethical with regard to the community. Statesman will produce no fewer than six print issues per school year. All content in each issue of the Statesman will be included at the discretion of the staff. Statesman will only print content that is appropriate for the high school readership and conforms to high standards of journalistic integrity and ethical awareness of its readership. Statesman will only use anonymous sources if the anonymity of a source can be guaranteed and if stories, when published, could lead to physical, mental or emotional harassment of a source.

Statesman reserves the right not to give the names of anonymous sources in order to ensure the safety of such individuals. Ad content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board and will only contain information that is appropriate.

The opinions expressed in Statesman do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, school board, faculty, student body or community members; the staff policy itself is subject to change at the staff’s discretion. To contact the Statesman, e-mail us at shsstatesman.business@gmail.com or visit room 2712.

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 DEAN BRADSHAW ADVISER

OPINIONS

October 8. 2015

Social Commentary Statesman embraces the privilege to comment on the significant. Our experiences lead us to reflections and speculations surrounding aspects on students’ lives. The staff hopes our readers will find these insights enlightening and relatable.

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remember that day more clearly than I care to. My dad insisted on picking me up from a sleepover at a friend’s house early. We got home, and I sat in my living room, mom on the couch to the right and dad in the chair on the left.

“Sarah, your mom and I are getting a divorce,” he said. Tears ran from my face, no sob, just a steady

flow down my cheeks.

You don’t realize the ramifications of a separated family until after the separation happens. At first, living in two houses became just a new norm. It’s during the holidays, special occasions and celebrations when it hits you. You want mom’s joy and her baking and dad’s happiness and his cheesy Christmas puns. But you can’t have both.

I never thought I’d be a part of one of “those” families. Divorce is depicted in a certain way on television and in movies, but you do not truly understand it until you live through it.

I’ve battled through divorce throughout my high school years, moving back and forth between houses week to week. Sometimes it’s going to my dad’s at 10 p.m. to get a textbook, or driving to my mom’s

before school in the morning to get a shirt I need for the day.

It was painful three years ago and still is to this day. But, you don’t wallow in pain forever. You learn, you grow. I would not be who I am today without going through this process.

My non traditional life at home has taught me to make my own family.

I have families at school. My Statesman family. My FMP family.

My golf family.

I have family in my friends, the people who are there for me everyday and the people who are always there when I need them.

It might seem odd that my closest family is not blood, but they treat me just the same. They push me to achieve and support me through good and bad times, and that’s all I could ever ask for.

I am lucky to be surrounded by friends and mentors who helped me during this time in my life. Brothers and sisters, I consider them, who don’t share my last name.

by SARAH VERSCHOOR

Pros & Cons AP Government is offered as Stevenson’s first online course, allowing Seniors to fufill their graduation requirement without taking up space in their schedules. Writers explore the different aspects of learning via a virtual classroom.

by NAMRATA SRIDHAR

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ecause of Stevenson’s rigorous academic environment, many seniors have opted to take their required Government course online, offering enrolled students a free period in their schedule. However, this online learning environment is not effective as it lacks the social interaction between student and teacher.

When students are in front of a screen, their learning is a more generic environment, and students fail to take into account the manner in which the teacher presents the material. According to a publication by the National Communication Association, the lack of face to face communication creates a method of teaching that does not allow for further understanding of the material or a relationship between the professor and the student.

At Stevenson, the traditional classroom setting is still maintained in Government classes with a blended learning environment that utilizes technology to supplement the class. While many of the assignments and quizzes are onlines, handouts allow for interac-

tion with peers and instructors. This creates a unique blend between technology and a classroom setting.

According to Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up Survey, in 2014 there was an increase of 8 percent in students’ interest to have an online class in comparison to 2013. Students have become increasingly reliant on technology outside of class.

While it is important to integrate technology into the classroom, teachers should not depend on technology.

When offering online courses, it is necessary to weigh the implications that may arise. Students may begin to not do their work as teachers would not be able to monitor them. According to a study done by the University of Texas, students also have the opportunity to ignore the teachers when not required to go to a physical classroom.

All in all, the face to face interaction in a traditional classroom setting is the most effective for success.

However, by creating a classroom that uses technology can create a positive learning experience for noth the teacher and student. It is important to use technology as an addition for in class learning rather than a strictly online medium.

by IZABELA ZALUSKA

W

ith the recent push for technology to be implemented in a classroom setting and the typical pencil and paper being replaced with an iPad and a stylus, it only makes sense for Stevenson to start exploring online classes.

While initially it may seem like more of a risk than a reward, taking a class online while in high school only serves to prepare students for the future. Online classes make students more well rounded by strengthening skills such as independence and time management. According to the Online Learning Survey website, the number of students taking at least one online course in the United States during 2014 was 7.1 million. Now, students at Stevenson have the opportunity to try out a form of learning that is growing in popularity at no additional cost.

AP Government takes place on Haiku, a website familiar to students. Many classes use this online portal as a resource. Everything a student needs for the class, like readings, quizzes, videos and notes, is located in one place.

The way that AP Govern-

ment is structured is unique because it offers flexibility with a sense of structure.

Most days there is an assignment due, whether it be reading or participating in an online discussion. The student is in charge of when it gets done but isn’t able to continuously put it off without it being reflected in his or her weekly grade.

At the start of each week, a schedule of the assignments is posted, so students can plan accordingly and know what to expect. Since AP Government is taken by Seniors, that sense of independence and self-discipline has already begun to be instilled during their three years at Stevenson, and an online class only strengthens those skills.

While an online setting is different and challenging, it allows room to become a better all around learner.

Students are given additional responsibility and a sense of independence, a good way to check how prepared they are to step into the real world where there won’t always be a teacher around.

High school is meant to prepare us for the real world, and by offering an online class, it gives us an opportunity to explore something that’s quickly becoming part of our culture.

October 8, 2015

OPINIONS

Community, teens not impacted by dispensary

7 Student Voices Are nutrition charts something that will help students make better meal choices?

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fter passing the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act in 2013, Illinois became the 20th state to legalize marijuana. Under the pilot act, patients with one of approximately 40 identified health conditions can qualify to receive medicinal marijuana from state-run dispensaries. To complicate matters, the act was edited this year to include minors with epilepsy in the list of people who can qualify. One concern with treating minors with medical marijuana is its likely interfere with cognitive development in comparison to its effects on those over 18.

Another major concern revolves around the learning environment of these minors as schools are starting to prepare for the recent change in legislation.

Statesman believes that Stevenson High School does not currently need to adapt to this pilot act because it poses no direct problem to our community. Only 3000 residents are registered with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), 10 of whom are minors and none go to Stevenson.

Additionally, all registered patients will not have access to medicinal marijuana until the opening of the first dispensary this November.

While we recognize that the pilot act, which is set to expire in 2018, may potentially apply to a Stevenson student, Statesman contends it will have little impact on the student body as a whole.

Statesman has considered the

“Nutrition charts will affect the small health conscious minority, but to most, they won’t make a noticeable difference. “ -Bill Wei ‘16

graphic by Brenda Reyn

possibility of medicinal marijuana being distributed at school for recreational use; however, we don’t see that as a major concern because medicinal marijuana will be prescribed in the form of non-smokable ointments or oils. This form serves to target health issues and has less of a psychological effect than recreational marijuana.

Although the use of medicinal marijuana does not pose a strong concern within our community, Statesman suggests that in the future, the school should develop a program specifically to meet the needs of students who qualify for the drug.

This program should establish clear and strict guidelines for when

and where the drug should be stored and taken, who would administer the dose as well as the consequences for misusing the drug. We believe the administration will work closely with the district polices since unlawful possession of the drug results in arrest.

Despite possible ramifications with the first dispensary opening in Buffalo Grove this fall, Statesman commends the clarity and strictness of the pilot act.

The act addresses that all marijuana dispensaries will be operated by skilled pharmacists and are located a certain distance away from schools.

“If students actually pay attention to the nutrition chart, they will make better meal choices, and in turn, students will be more health conscious when choosing meals.”

-Cami Welyki ‘17

STATESMAN EDITORIAL

Nutrition charts might not be useful for majority of students

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ecently, Sodexo has taken the initiative to add nutrition charts for the daily lunches that they offer to students. Like the nutrition charts offered by many large scale food chains— such as Panda Express and Subway— the Sodexo nutrition chart offers information about the number of calories in the meal, along with saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, carbs, protein and sugar content.

While nutritional information can be beneficial to students with food restrictions or allergies, Statesman believes that others may not find the nutrition chart to be useful.

For example, chip bags in the lunch lines already have an ingredient list, yet few students appear to give a second thought to checking the labels before tearing the bag open. The addition of the nutrition charts may be an effort to help students make healthier choices, but it seems that many students will continue purchase pizza and boxes of fries regardless of their calorie content.

Lists of fat and sugar contents

will not necessarily generate more healthy eaters. Many students who are more health-conscious would most likely be bringing their own lunches instead of buying a school lunch. However, students who are already health-conscious tend to pay more attention to nutrition labels than those who are not.

For instance, if a calorie-conscious student wanted to purchase a snack from Jazzman’s, they might decide against buying a brownie cookie after seeing how many grams of sugar it contains, and opt for an apple instead.

Statesman views nutrition charts as something that could help students make healthier choices, though the students themselves must be willing to give thought to looking at the nutrition content to begin with.

Vegetarians or vegans would be able to see ingredients, which would save them the hassle of asking about possible hidden ingredients.

Statesman believes that the placement of the nutrition charts also plays a huge factor in decision making. Nutrition charts would be more

effective if they were placed somewhere visible, where the student is able to clearly see it, as oftentimes few people would care enough to check for the information online.

Nutrition charts are not new to us. In fact, many popular fast food chains including McDonald’s and Wendy’s offer calorie content underneath their menu items. In addition, Barrington High School offers nutrition charts for their students online as well.

As our generation is one of change, it makes sense that more information about health is currently being implemented. Nutrition charts have many benefits to those who are health conscious. They allow us to know exactly what we are putting into our bodies.

While nutrition charts have many positive aspects, Statesman ultimately believes that most students will not care enough to read the information on the charts unless it is conveniently placed to catch our attention.

STATESMAN EDITORIAL

“Nutrition charts could potentially be useful; however, most students would probably ignore the chart and eat the food they want.”

-Sonya Ayar ‘18

“Nutrition charts will make students more accountable for what they eat and can help students be more aware of good nutrition, as well as encourage good nutrition habits. “ -Josh Christensen ‘19

8

FEATURES

October 8, 2015

Teen drinking initiatives, clubs encourage Underage drinking is a complex social issue. Fortunately, rates have decreased since 2011. Statesman discusses the effects of teen drinking in our community and nationwide.

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lthough alcohol still remains the most widely used substance of abuse among adolescents, the recent historic decline in binge drinking rates and teen drinking indicates the success of the policies implicated by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These trends are crucial in proving the increased attention to the problem of underage drinking in the past decade.

According to a 2013 report on underage drinking by the HHS, the past-month use of alcohol by persons ages 12 to 17 declined by 22.2 percent between 2004 and 2011, and binge drinking rates for the same group declined by 33.3 percent.

Robert M. Vincent, Public Health Analyst for the HHS, explains that the decline in teenage drinking is impacted by the policies of the HHS which focus more on education and discussion.

“Some of the policies that we have suggested target the types of conversations that parents should have with their children,” Vincent said. “Instead of having a one big, overwhelming talk, we suggest parents should have a lot of little talks to get to know their child’s view on undearge drinking.”

“Tobacco was very popular among teens, yet now we see that has alcohol replaced tobacco.” ­­—Robert M. Vincent By having conversations, the beginning of alcohol drinking may significantly decline and improve health later on, Vincent said. Early initiation to alcohol use increases the risk of a variety of developmental problems during adolescence and problems later in life.

“It used to be that tobacco was very popular among teens, yet now we see that alcohol replaced tobacco,” Vincent said.

“Another reason why there has been a decline is that young people have been making better choices regarding their health.”

Fortunately, as supported by Jason Gorham, Administrator for Adolescent Residential Services Rosecrance, teenagers are now realizing the devastating effects of alcohol on their body. According to the U.S Center for Disease Control (CDC), some of the problems associated with underage drinking are alterations in the structure and function of the developing brain and can cause cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx and esophagus.

“I would also attribute the decrease to the social stigma associated with teenage drinking,” Gorham said. “If you think about it, you can carry drugs or pills in your pocket, but alcohol is hard to hide.

So maybe teens are drinking less because it’s easier to get caught.”

While the general connotation with media regarding alcohol use is that it promotes reckless teenage binge drinking, the reality of the situation is that teens are trying alcohol because they are curious, Gorham said. However, casual-drinking and binge drinking can lead to serious negative consequences in the teenager’s future.

With regards to how schools should handle teenage drinking, Gorham believes that instruction should be prioritized over scaring the teens.

“I think the best thing for schools to do is to educate, educate and educate,” Gorham said. “The scaring tactic isn’t as effective as people think it to be—that’s part of the attraction to alcohol. If you tell someone not to do it, they will obviously go out and do it.”

Instead of scaring teens, schools should put more focus into education and provide the necessary information needed to understand the consequences associated with teen drinking, Gorham said. However, while Emily Ivashnev ’18 also believes that schools shouldn’t just scare students, she expresses the need for reform in the way schools approach teen drinking discipline.

“Ultimately, I think that if students who drink get caught, then there should be stricter punishment for them,” Ivachnev said. “However, schools shouldn’t just tell teens that drinking will ruin their lives—they should educate and provide necessary information”

by NIKOL SAFRONOVA

October 8, 2015

FEATURES

9

support to lessen underage alcohol abuse

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arah Comm ’13 had always been eager to try alcohol. In her family, in the media and at school, the influence was everywhere. It looked like a way to have some harmless fun.

But drinking wasn’t what it was hyped up to be. It paved the road for experimentation with serious drugs throughout her Stevenson career.

“I was fourteen the first time I drank,” Comm said. “At first it was something I did without thinking. I didn’t think it would ever turn into something serious.”

Although drinking for the first time her freshman year, she was far from the only student who experimented with alcohol.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention administered a Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which reported that 35 percent of high school students drank some amount of alcohol in the last 30 days.

Experimenting doesn’t guarantee ad-

“Alcohol and other substance abuse is a disease that needs treatment. We now suggest remediation programs instead of punishment alone.” ­­—Cristina Cortesi diction, but the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence reported that kids who start drinking alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol abuse or dependence than people who first used alcohol at age 21 or older. An addiction to alcohol can lead to social and emotional problems later in life, such as violence and depression. It can all start with the first time a teenager tries alcohol.

Cases of alcohol abuse are unique. Some use because of peer pressure and media influence, others may be dealing with familial or relationship issues at home and

at school.

“People start using for a variety of reasons,” said Cristina Cortesi, Stevenson’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator. “It can range from emotional problems to social expectations. We can’t pinpoint a specific reason as to why some teens choose to use.”

The influence that alcohol plays in daily life is relative to the individual. For Comm, her grades weren’t affected. She graduated with honors despite dealing with addiction throughout her four years at Stevenson. Her grades were good, but drugs and alcohol were still everywhere and hard to escape.

“I had a pretty big group of people that I could go to when I wanted to drink,” Comm said. “My grades didn’t really suffer, but my family relationships did. I would manipulate and lie to my mother constantly.”

Comm credits peer influence to be part of what kept her hooked throughout her high school experience. For many adults, and in some cases teenagers, alcohol can be detrimental to social health.

The Promises Treatment Center suggests that alcohol is behind over 40 percent of cases of domestic violence. Similarly, a study by the Institute of Alcohol Studies found that underage drinking can significantly lower a student’s academic ability, including both short and long term intellectual achievement.

Problems with academics and strained relationships are only a few factors that point to a suffering social exterior due to alcohol consumption.

Legal consequences aren’t dealt with by the school, unless the student is under the influence on campus.

“The consequence of a first time prohibited substance offense is LOP and an out of school suspension for up to ten days with a possible recommendation for expulsion depending on the nature and severity of the situation,” dean Kathy McCauley said. “This can be reduced with completion of a District approved drug intervention program, if the student chooses to do so.”

Substance abuse on campus is not taken lightly, but new alternatives are being introduced in order to prevent it and promote a progressive route on how to deal with it. This new approach involves psy-

chiatric help for underaged users.

Stevenson has recently partnered with the Omni youth organization, which provides counseling services to those struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.The idea behind the program is to offer a more understanding procedure dealing with an alcohol or drug problem, as substance abuse is no longer seen as something to be ashamed of or given excessive consequences for. It is a step by step effort that requires professional and familial patience and support to prevent what was a thoughtless experiment from progressing into a persisting problem.

“Alcohol and other substance abuse is a disease that needs treatment,” Cortesi said. “We now suggest remediation programs instead of punishment alone because you can’t punish a disease out of someone.”

Beginning this fall, a new club and support group known as Catalyst is available to students seeking support for alcohol and drug abuse. The purpose is to pledge to be drug and alcohol free, while also discussing past experiences involving substance abuse that someone has had.

“It is a judgement free environment for anything involving drugs or alcohol,” Cortesi said. “Students who have had a substance abuse problem in the past can attend, as well as those who just want to stay drug-free.”

by LARA IRIARTE

graphic by Nikol Safronova

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FEATURES

October 8, 2015

Buddy program aids new students Peer mentors guide transfers throughout school year, advise and support during transition

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oving to a new school may be intimidating and scary for anyone, especially if that school has a student body of almost 4,000 and a campus size of one million square feet. However, for more than twenty years, Stevenson has run a program devised to help transition transfer students into Stevenson and make their experience at Stevenson as comfortable as possible.

“Our hope is that the students will have someone who knows what to do from day one,” Dawn Timm, counselor, said. “So the transfer student does not have to try and figure everything out on their own.”

According to Timm, close to 100 transfer students are apart of this program. Transfer students continue to enroll throughout the school year, and are able to be connected with a Stevenson student whenever they arrive.

“We give each transfer student the opportunity to opt out of the program,” Timm said. “However most of them stay because it is always nice to have someone to help on the first day.”

Stevenson students participating as transfer buddies, or those who help transfer students, such as Rachelle Lee ’16, will usually call the transfer student over the summer to reach out to them before they begin at Stevenson and welcome them to the community. Then, there is a special orientation day specifically designed for transfer students in which the transfer buddy will give tours and walk through the student’s schedule. Additionally, the transfer buddy will eat lunch with his or her transfer student for the first full week of school, to make sure that they have someone to eat lunch with.

“I was really excited to learn about their experi-

graphic by Brenda Reyn

ences and be able to be their first friend at Stevenson,” Lee said. “I am glad that I have been able to introduce them to new people and show them common hang out spots within the school.”

Outside of the transfer buddy program, Stevenson also provides transfer students with a resource fair that teaches each student about the different resources and clubs available at Stevenson held during the first full week of school. Additionally, there is a club open to transfer students known as Stevenson Patriots in New Situations (SPINS) that gets transfer students together socially within the community. If the transfer student is still stressed over adapting to Stevenson life, a support group is also available that meets once a week in the morning, which like freshman year advisory, allows for the students to learn about Stevenson’s grading system, programs and clubs all within the school.

“It is ridiculous to think that it would be easy to transfer into a school like Stevenson, it is an amazingly tough thing to do,” Janet Sushinski, social worker, said.

“However this program allows the transfer students to

see that they are not alone and that other students are going through the same transition.”

While in smaller high schools, everyone would know that a student is a transfer student, due to Stevenson’s size, most students don’t even know that the student is a transfer student because they just assume it is someone they never seen before, Sushinski said.

According to Timm, buddies usually return every year because of how deep of a connection they grow with their transfer students, while transfer student often return because they understand how important it is and what it means to do that for someone else.

“It is really amazing to learn about different cultures and meet new people, not just sticking with your own friends,” Lee said. “It’s good to get out of your comfort zone once in awhile, and if you do participate you’re going to be the one person that makes the student enjoy every school day.”

by BRENDA REYN

October 8, 2015

FEATURES

11

Senior publishes electronic book Writer dedicates project to honor late relative’s long battle with cancer

by ALEX SHAFRAN

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pening up your Amazon tab on your iPad, you scroll through the many e-book titles, waiting to find one to read.

As you keep scrolling through, you come across “The Broken” by Yash Hatkar ‘16, who recently published his electronic book this past summer.

Hatkar has had a passion for creative writing ever since he was young. This past year, he decided to publish the book he had been working on for a year.

Hatkar has always had an interest in mystery and very action filled stories which he translated into his project. In his electronic book, a CIA agent assumes the role of a prisoner to investigate a prison from the inside. Through studying the prison he realizes that the conditions in the prison are much worse than expected and there is almost no means of ever getting out.

“No one really knows the true reason of why I published this book,” Hatkar said. “Everyone thinks it’s for the purpose of simply getting my work out there but it’s much more than that.”

Last year, Hatkar’s uncle, whom he was very close with, passed away from cancer. Through hard work and dedication, Hatkar’s uncle inspired him to continue his writing

Yash Hatkar is pictured in a family photo from 2012. This was before his uncle’s diagnosis of cancer, who is seated in the middle of the photo. and publish the book.

Being so close with his uncle and aunt, Hatkar had grown to have a very meaningful connection to his electronic book.

“It means so much to have this book dedicated to my husband,” Hatkar’s aunt Sushma Raikar said. “It really means a lot that Yash is using this as inspiration to pursue his passion as well as help out such an important cause.”

Through every purchase Hatkar receives from his electronic book, he will donate all of his earnings from his project to the American Cancer Society organization. This was done as a dedication to his uncle and to anyone who is suffering from cancer.

“This book allows Yash to not only unveil himself to the world of film and creative writing but it also helps

steer him in the right direction for his future, along with people able to support the memory of his uncle,” Hatkar’s mother Sangeeta Hatkar said.

Hatkar mentioned that in using this project to express his talents he also has a way to make a greater impact on the community. Inspired to make his electronic book a tribute to his uncle, he also hopes to help change others suffering from cancer, in a positive way through donations of his profits.

“This is something truly inspiring to me and giving back to such an important cause is the only reason that I raised the price for the ebook,” Hatkar said. “Through selling goods and this project, I hope I can make a significant contribution to this cause.”

synopsis provided by Amazon

12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

New SH S Snap chat filters s pice up your photos and alm ost make yo u forget the school blo app from cked the the serv er.

Stevenson spent the summer building a new study area, the Quiet Learn ing Center.

In other ne ws, ceiling s in the 2 400s hall way are s till leaking .

Dear Adlai, Please convert electric charging stations to normal parking spots.

Sincerely, the 3,990 students who do not drive a Volt

g: Now hirin ainime m A full t rker to wo tence sh nd poli a n a le c unlen Br the Ja ilia. emorab son m

October 8, 2015

have niors e s enSome get their m on, ti yet to vaccina nea s i ingit a new m .” is g t i givin “senior o t ing

Theater department presents historical, controversial musical “Miss Saigon” tells Vietnam war love story between soldier and girl

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n November 14-16, the fall musical “Miss Saigon,” directed by Lauren Rawitz will be performed at Stevenson’s Performing Arts Center. Starring Jordan Radis ’17 and Kaitlin Feely ’16, the pop opera set during the Vietnam War follows the story of a young Vietnamese girl who falls in love with an American G.I. With over 20 years of experience, Rawitz has been involved in theater since a young age. She graduated from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in directing.

A veteran in the Stevenson theater department, Rawitz has previously directed productions including “Sweeney Todd” in 2011 and “In the Heights” in 2013. She also works as a resident director at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights.

“I love directing at Stevenson,” Rawitz said. “No matter how high I raise the bar, the students always meet me there.”

Working alongside Rawitz, Feely is playing the lead female role of Kim, a recently orphaned Vietnamese girl. Feely began acting in fourth grade when she played Annie at Big Deal Productions, a local theater company. As a freshman, Feely was in the ensemble for the 2012 production of “Pippin.”

“Sophomore year we did ‘In the Heights’ and I played Nina, the female lead role,” Feely said. “But junior year I didn’t audition for any shows because my schedule was crazy.”

Radis plays the role of Christopher Scott, an American G.I. who travels to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Radis moved to Lincoln-

opera: musical theater that has little or no speaking and almost all music and singing. Written by Claude-Michel Shonberg and Alain Boubil, the show is based on a photograph detailing a Vietnamese mother leaving her child at a departure gate to an airplane headed to America, where the child was to go live with her ex-GI father.

This interpretation of the show is currently the most modern version and the one that Stevenson will be performing.

“I think that Miss Saigon is extremely challenging,” Rawitz said. “I could choose to do ‘Bye Bye Birdy’ or ‘Grease’ or something more well known. But to me, when I think about choosing a musical, I think, ‘why not take on a story that is more challenging, and music that is more complex?’”

Although ‘Miss Saigon’ is a wildly popular musical that has received numerous awards and acclaims, topics such as racism, sexism, teenage pregphoto provided by Kelvin Rim nancy and negative stereotypes could Lead performers Kaitlin Feely ’16 and Jordan Radis ’17 practice their vocal skills during be inappropriate for in a school envia rehearsal. The cast of Miss Saigon have rehearsed for the musical since late August. ronment.

“The show may be controversial for shire from Palatine as a freshman. He nant and loving a married man are just some because it deals with some adult was cast in the ensemble of the 2013 a few of the things that the audience themes such as prostitution, murder and suicide,” Feely said. “But above all production of “In the Heights,” and as gets to watch Kim go through.

“It’s so hard for her to cope and try the messages are extremely important part of the group of waiters in the 2014 to figure out how to be strong,” Feely for students to think about.” show “Cabaret.”

The cast and crew want their audi“I was really looking for something said. “I kind of feel the same way. Obto throw myself into that would take up viously not to that extent, but there’s ence to know that the controversy is not some time after school, like an extra- a ton of stuff that comes my way and I what should matter. The show is put on curricular,” Radis said. “I knew some try to cope with it and figure out how to to entertain and send a message to its people who were in the theater depart- deal with it. The stress can get to you, viewers.

“We’re choosing to focus on the stoment at Stevenson before, and they told but it’s important to figure out how to ry of love; it’s a story of love, pain, loss, me I should try out for the fall musical, find strength from all that.”

Likewise, Radis acknowledged that triumph, courage, bravery,” Radis said.

‘In the Heights’ and I thought ‘why not.’

I tried out and got cast in the ensem- he believes he’s similar to Chris be- “We’re hitting on that [love] instead of cause they’re both very compassionate focusing on what people would think is ble.”

The roles actors audition for are not and caring. Radis explained how Chris controversial.”

“Miss Saigon” performances are always random. Sometimes the roles is immediately drawn to Kim because scheduled for Friday, Saturday and they try out for tend to reflect their own of her story, not because of her looks. personalities, and are a character they “I think that’s something I also Sunday of November 14-16. The show connect with. share; when I meet a person I listen starts at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Throughout the show, Kim is trying to their story, I listen to who they are,” and 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Performing Arts Center. to find ways to cope with the different said Radis. problems that come her way. Becoming Unlike previous shows at Steven- by BELLA GREENSPAN orphaned at a young age, getting preg- son, “Miss Saigon” is a musical pop

SPORTS

October 8, 2015

13

Bucket boys rally school spirit Enthusiastic seniors help unite student section at home, away games

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s crowded as sporting events can be, chances are you’ll still be able to see and hear the Stevenson bucket boys in the front row of the student section, decked out from head to toe in outfits that match the game’s theme.

The SHS bucket boys are a group of seniors that lead the student section at sporting events, doing everything they can to excite the crowd.

“At football games we stand in the front row of the bleachers, get really loud and recite cheers between plays,” Eleanor Fisher ’16 said. “We bang on our buckets to get loud, and we use other sound devices, like megaphones, too.”

Being a bucket boy is more than leading cheers at games. Prior to football games, the bucket boys get together to paint their buckets depending on what theme they chose, as well as run through cheers. They tweet on the Stevenson patriot student section twitter page and try to tell as many people as possible, Olivia Sorenson ’16 said.

The bucket boys all share a common passion and excitement for school spirit. They are typically the first ones to arrive at football games and the last ones to leave.

“We started off as a group of people who were already friends, but joining together as bucket boys helped us become even closer,” Fisher said.

Although the bucket boys are a group of friends, what they do would

photo provided by Eleanor Fisher

From left to right, seniors, Jonah Rawitz, Jake Landry, Valerie Azcona, Tyler Davidson, Rachel Mopper, Eleanor Fisher, Olivia Sorenson and Ryan Weisner show off their spirit after the home game against Wauconda High School. not be possible without the help of other students, Danielle Affrunti ’16 said.

School spirit is something that many find crucial to a school’s environment and identity and the Bucket Boys allow Stevenson to become a more close-knit community and uphold the principles that Stevenson was founded upon. It is a way to unite students, staff and other members of the community.

“The best part about being a bucket boy is being able to lead one of the biggest student sections in the state,” Jeremy Klaber ’16 said. “Hearing the roar

of all of the students repeating after us is just an unbelievable feeling.”

“I think school spirit is incredibly important,” Sorenson said. “My brother, Jack Sorenson, is the quarterback for varsity football this year, and last year he was a wide receiver. He would come home from every game with a different attitude depending on how loud the student section was. I saw through him the value of spirit and its impact on people.”

The ultimate goal of the bucket boys is to make the students in the student

section become closer and join together to support a common cause. Their enthusiasm impacts not only the student section, but the players as well.

“This joint support enables Stevenson students to feel as if the Stevenson community is like a family,” Affrunti said. “The players are also able to hear and sense the support from the crowd during games, which only reminds them of the huge and welcoming community they are part of.”

by JOYLYN YANG

Captain’s Corner Each issue, Statesman asks a guest writer to reflect and write about his or her experiences as a team leader. Jack Sorenson ’16 shares his perspective on being captain of the varsity football team.

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think being a captain really doesn’t mean much more than a cool title to put with your name. It doesn’t mean you’re better than anybody else on the team; it doesn’t give you any special privileges that other teammates don’t get. But what does come with being a captain that I have learned is responsi-

bility and a sense of natural leadership. I have found that being a captain for the varsity football team has allowed me to take leadership roles in the team and help kids on the team both with on-field and off-field problems. Being captain is a great honor but what I have learned most from being a captain is that you

have to learn to treat everybody with respect so you gain their’s back. Trying to be a captain with nobody’s reverence won’t work. You need every man on the team’s respect in order to create the team atmosphere you want to have. I am very humbled and honored to be a captain of the varsity football team.

“Jack is a great captain and leader on the team. He is always there for the team and always knows what to do at the right time.”

—Chucky Sullivan ‘16

photo provided by Jack Sorenson

Sorenson drops back looking to pass during the home game against the Wauconda Bulldogs. Stevenson won this game 20-7 during a rainstorm. Sorenson has lead the Patriots to a 3-3 record, 2-2 in their conference.

“Jack Sorenson is our guy.

He is the best athlete on the field. He can do so many things with the football.”

—Coach Bill McNamara

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Athletes receive trainer support Athletic staff tends to players’ injuries, aids recovery process

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he athletic training room bustles with rushed energy after school. Athletes from a variety of sports make a quick stop to get an ankle taped, follow up with treatment or even just to say “hi” to the very trainers who have become close friends among many roles they play in an athlete’s life.

“Athletic trainers wear a lot of hats,” athletic trainer Tyler Kollman said. “We’re sometimes your nurses, sometimes your counselors, physical therapists. You have to treat the whole injury, which includes the psychological and physical aspects of it.”

Stevenson athletic trainers treat athletes’ injuries both during practice and during games or meets.

They follow through with the entire treatment process, including paperwork, communicating with parents and guardians and sending emails to counselors and teachers regarding any conditions or injuries an athlete might have.

Therefore, in many instances, the trainers are the busiest before and

after sports practices and games, Kollmann said.

“When you break down the athletic training career, it was the best of both worlds for me,” Kollman said. “I was able to be involved with sports, but I was also able to treat people in sports.”

Kollmann, along with athletic trainers Matthew Williams and Nicole Stephens, agrees that the greatest reward of being an athletic trainer is being able to help athletes who have lost confidence in themselves because of an injury return to the field.

“My greatest reward is seeing those kids [with major injuries such as ACL injuries] come back next year and do something successful,” Kollman said. I get the biggest rush seeing those kids do so well Shubhangi Joshi after going through such struggles and pain, not just during the injury but also An athletic trainer tends to a player after an injury. The athletic trainers attend every game and practice and follow up with each athlete during recovery. after surgery.”

During Stephens’ first year at Stevenson, she met an athlete whom she worked warding seeing [athletes’] injuries at “Around Christmas time, and towith up until her graduation through her first, knowing how incapable they are of wards the end of seasons, athletes various injuries such as ankle injuries, returning at that point, and then seeing look back at how much we did for back injuries, shoulder injuries and con- them able to return again and win their them, such as rehabilitation and cussions. The athlete went through vari- first game.” helping them through their injuries,” ous treatments and returned to the field Athletes frequently think about the Williams said. “They sit back and look after each injury. athletic trainers since they worked with at how much time we put into their “I was able to work with her through them throughout their athletic career. rehab and treatment.” each one of her injuries and watch her When the seasons come to an end, many overcome them and get back to play- athletes express their gratitude towards by SHUBHANGI JOSHI ing status,” Stephens said. “It’s very re- the trainers for providing support.

Girls’swim teams welcome new coaches Zakrzewski, Martinez create goals, heighten ambition in athletes

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he girls’ swim teams have begun reshaping the way things work at the pool. The girls have found that their two new coaches have created a large positive impact on their team.

The new swim coaches for girls’ varsity and junior varsity two are Kevin Zakrzewski ’00 and Luke Martinez, respectively.

Both coaches have goals for each of their teams that include focusing more on technique, team dynamics, and strength. Zakrzewski’s personal goal is to help his varsity team become one of the top teams in the state, while Martinez’s goal is that his girls will eventually compete at the varsity level.

Since both coaches are new, they have worked together to make the necessary changes.

“It’s easier to execute your vision with people you trust,” Zakrewski said.

He and Martinez have already

Karaj Singh

The girls’ junior varsity two swim team gathers around their coach before starting a practice. Outside of coaching girls’ swimming, Martinez is the director of Swim America and a coach for the Patriot Aquatric Club. gone through a number of changes. Many were products of fresh ideas put together.

“We’re at double the practices we’ve had from past seasons,” Eva Holsen ’18 said. As a girls’ varsity swimmer she believes that the practices are helping them improve. At a recent invite in Lake Forest, the team placed second, while last year they placed fourth.

As another way of improving both

teams, the coaches have implemented new methods of motivation. Zakrzewski and Martinez prioritize motivation and recognition.

“We do something called ‘Patriot Pride Cap’, where all the teams get together and nominate the people who have best exemplified Patriot Pride,” Zakrzewski said. “Out of whoever they nominate, I decide who deserves to wear a bright yel-

low swim cap during the week while everyone else is wearing a black cap.

It kind of gives them an opportunity to acknowledge each other.”

According to the girls in the program, both coaches have successfully created a positive and uplifing atmosphere. Holsen sees the changes already taking effect.

“If you see another girl having a tough practice, you turn to her next to you and say ‘Come on! You got it, we’re already halfway through!’” Holsen said.

It’s this attitude that creates such a prominent swimming culture at Stevenson. Many swimmers on their teams helped the coaches transition into working at the school.

“There are really big teams at Stevenson,” Martinez said. “I’m used to having 40 kids on a team, but now we have 80. It helps me get a little more involved with the student body, being that my girls bring down their friends to the pool. Stevenson’s the best place I’ve ever coached.”

by KARAJ SINGH

SPORTS

October 8, 2015

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Play Smart, Play Hard offers new Illinois football safety regulations IHSA implements high school sports program, encourages well-being

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he Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced that all high school football players will be asked to wear stickers for player safety for the upcoming 2015 season.

Three months before this act was passed, on May 12, the IHSA created a program named Play Smart, Play Hard (PSPH).

PSPH is a program that reaches out to high school football teams within Illinois to suggest ways about improving player safety.

“This program is meant to transcend football for safety and protection of the players within the sport,” Matt Troha, IHSA Assistant Executive Director, said.

“It will empower coaches, players, parents and fans to educate themselves on these issues.”

Stevenson is one of many schools within the state of Illinois that has not yet put the stickers on the back of its helmets. However, the coaching staff has been following mandatory PSPH requirements that were put into place in June of this year, teaching new techniques to try and diminish injuries. “[The coaches] have really taken it to heart,” wide receiver Mike Marchese ’17 said. “Earlier in the summer, we had to

any kind. Troha said that the IHSA made a rule this year to restrict all contact above the shoulders.

Within the last decade, football has changed its rules to better protect the players from dangerous head injuries.

The equipment used during practices and game play have been upgraded substantially to better protect the athletes.

“The helmets are very important.” said Marchese. “They’ve really got the new technology to keep our heads safe and everything safe with the new pads.”

PSPH has a part-time partnership with Practice Like Pros, an organization that emphasizes the practice of safe play.

Mike Ditka, the former middle linebacker as well as former head coach of the Chicago Bears, came to speak at a presentation at the McDonald’s headquarters in photo provided by IHSA Oak Brook on Aug 5. He shared some of Play smart play hard stickers on the back of high school helmets encour- his expereiences as a player and coach. age player saftey. On May 12 IHSA created a program to improve player saftey.

PSPH is looking at the National Federation of State High School Associations watch a 40 minute video and even though ucation program,” Troha said. “The head (NFHS) as a partner and is trying to use it was boring, it shows they really care coaches are required to have to watch a some of their resources to spread awareabout us and our safety.” video to educate themselves on the symp- ness across the nation. Troha loves the According to a study on head trauma of toms of concussions and if a player does idea of safer football.

“We want to unite people to say, hey, high school sports by the Institute of Med- happen to show these symptoms, make icine, it is predicted that high school foot- sure they are removed from the game and look the game is safer than it ever has been before and it’s a great game,” Troha said. ball players suffer about 11 concussions for evaluated by medical personnel.” every 10,000 games and practices. With However, this program is not just to over 1.1 million high school football play- help minimize the risk of head injuries, ers, PSPH worked to educate high school but also to prevent all injuries in general. student athletes the need for safer football. One of the new rules put into place was by MAX COHN “Most recently, we continued our ed- abolishing helmet to helmet contact of

IHSA approves new concussion protocol Governor Bruce Rauner approves improved head injury policy

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ruce Rauner approved a policy requiring students who suffer from a concussion to recieve permission from a doctor or athletic trainer before they may fully return to participate in class or sports. The policy was approved on Aug 3.

“We show our players a video on concussions that the entire team has to watch; we baseline test our players,” William McNamara varsity football head coach, said.

“We practice tackling, contact, and fundamentals daily to prevent injury.”

Under the new policy, schools must implement a plan dealing with a concussion. If a player does suffer a concussion, a doctor or trainer needs to clear the player to return to class and to game action.

“After the player has been cleared, they have to go through a five day return to play protocol,” athletic trainer Tom Loew said.

After a player has been cleared to get back on the field, they also have to be cleared to go back to class and be able to take on rigorous school work. A player has to be able to focus and use iPad and computer screens with no trouble. Players have to be able to concentrate during class.

“Player saftey is the number one priority for players,

graphic by Alex Shafran information provided by Minnesota Department of Health coaches and familes,” McNamara said.

During the course of a game, a player may have contact above the shoulders. There are now new ways to test for whether an athlete has a head injury.

“Every year there is different equipment to help know if a player does have a concussion,” running back Tyler Vincent ’16 said. “It needs to be taken care off so that it happens less frequently.”

With the new protocols in place now and with all the testing done, it’s much easier to tell if a player has a concussion. Coaches and trainers now have a better understanding if a player has a concussion.

“The football team now has helmets that go off if a player does have a concussion,” Vincent said. “The helmets would signal to the trainers and coaches that a player has a concussion.”

Parents now have a better understanding how the school handles a player if they do suffer a concussion.

Also, they now have a bigger role in helping their son or daughter to go back on the field or back to class.

“We make sure to inform the parents of the son or daughter who suffered a concussion, and make sure they allow their son or daughter to go back to the sport,” Loew said. “We do this not just by verbal but by written permission too.”

Stevenson athletes have had a concussion policy for 30 years now and believe it’s important to teach the players about concussions and the symptoms involving one.

The school is in the process of revising the policy and adding more information to help parents and players know what a concussion is.

Stevenson’s goal is for all their players to be safe and understand how each injury is handled.

by LAWRENCE KREYMER

SPORTS

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October 8, 2015

Meet the Whitney Young transfers Statesman’s Sami Sparber sat down with the Herenton brothers to talk about their transition to Stevenson.

How do you like Stevenson?

Rodney: We love Stevenson. The people are nice - it’s very welcoming Willie: There’s a great energy in the school. It’s very lively, the people here are nice, the teachers here are great - it’s a great feel.

Rodney: (laughs) And the food is good here.

Sam: It’s extremely large. But I love the teachers, the students - I love the environment...and the lunch food.

R: I think the only bad thing is the passing periods. Eight minutes isn’t enough.

What’s the biggest difference between Stevenson and Whitney Young?

R: Well, it’s a lot bigger.

W: And the atmosphere.

R: Yeah, it’s definitely more alive. There’s a lot more going on.

S: It’s more college-like.

W: People here actually go out to watch the games. The football games are packed, the basketball games are packed, even the volleyball games are packed.

Kids here actually go out and support each other whereas at Whitney, students rarely went out to the games.

What had you heard about Stevenson before coming here? What were you expecting?

S: What I heard about Stevenson was that it was the number two public school in the nation and number one public school in state. So I bragged a lot on that.

R: Yeah. Academics come number one, so we definitely knew about that and wanted to come here for that.

S: Plus, number one in the state for basketball.

R: Yeah, plus they were the state champions for football and basketball. And we love sports so that’s a plus as well. And we heard about how good the teachers are here. I have a couple classes where I have two teachers in one classroom, so that’s different.

You mentioned the other day you’ve been doing some pre-season basketball conditioning. What’s that been like?

R: We have conditioning practices at 6:30 a.m., at least four times a week. Then after school we’ll have open gym where we just run, play games, put up shots stuff like that.

W: And then we play in the Stevenson fall league at the Libertyville Sports Complex every Sunday. So we get to play in real games and get our chemistry together as a team.

S: And Willie hit the game-winning buzzer beater.

W: Last Sunday we played St. Viator; it was a close game. It was 58-58 with three seconds left. I hit the buzzer beater from the right corner to help us win the game. So we’re undefeated right now in fall league.

It’s cool that you guys noticed how awesome the Patriot student section is. Have you come out to some of the football games this season?

R: We haven’t missed a single game.

W: Yeah, we love going to them.

Rodney Herenton Age: 18 Height: 6 ft. 1 in.

Position: PG/SG

“Rodney’s definitely a leader.

And he’s smart. Really, really smart. He’s going places.”

Willie Herenton Age: 17 Height: 6 ft. 1 in.

Position: PG/SG

“Willie works hard. He's funny.

He has tall hair. A little goofy.

Did I say funny already?”

Samuel Herenton Age: 15 Height: 5 ft. 11 in.

Position: PG/SG

“Sam’s the happiest person ever. Like, his teeth are always out, that’s how happy he is.”

Willie Herenton

Rodney Herenton

Sam Herenton

graphics by Sami Sparber