Issuu

UNCOVERING TRUTH

Volume 51 - Issue 4 March, 2018

Page 4 // Coverage

Page 12 // Staff Editorial

Page 18 // Profile

Page 32 // Athletics

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

MASTHEAD

2017-2018 STATESMAN STAFF STATESMAN POLICY Bella Greenspan Editor-In-Chief

Karaj Singh Max Cohn Managing Editors of Production Yogin Patel Chloe Myers Managing Editors of Design Olivia Lamberti News Editor Kendall Roberts Opinions Editor Ellie Baden Features Editor Lawrence Kreymer Sports Editor Grace Westphal Copy Editor Adele Lee Michael Levitt Web Editors Sivakami Ramakrishnan Ashley Mandel Graphics Team Aniket Nuthalapati Business Manager Alisa Mufti Social Media Manager Vicky Kolotov Staff Photographer Dean Bradshaw Advisor

STAFF REPORTERS

Rebecca Azevedo Ben Bowler Yana Bushuyeva Cheryl Chen Braeden Forman Ariana Gassel Anjini Grover Dylan Hu Ryan Johnson Christie Lee Raj Mullick Maya Parekh Trisha Patel Adam Rosen Brare Thompson

Purpose

Statesman is first and foremost a student-run publication with six annual issues distributed to students, faculty, staff and community members of Adlai E. Stevenson High School with a press run of 2,800. The primary goal is to serve as a public forum that delivers the news and provides 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.

Affiliation

Statesman belongs to the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association, the Kettle Moraine Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

Responding to Statesman

Letters to the editor may be emailed 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 Wedbsite: www.statesmanshs.org Email: shsstatesman.business@gmail.com

SCHOOL WIFI 06 CHANGES

ILLINOIS PRIMARIES 09 NEWS BRIEFS 10

GUN VIOLENCE GRAPHIC 11

PRO/CON: 13 PRIMARIES

COLUMN: 14 TURNABOUT ST. PATRICKâ€™S DAY TRENDS 15 OSCAR MOVIE REVIEWS 16 ENGLISH CLASS 20 LITERATURE

SECURITY IN SCHOOLS 21 CLUB PROFILE: 24 ETHICS BOWL

TESTING ACCOMODATIONS 25 TEACHER PROFILE: 26 JOE BETTINA

WINTER OLYMPICS RECAP 31 SEXUAL HARASSMENT 32 IN SPORTS COLUMN: 35 DAVE DUERSON COMMITTING TO COLLEGE 36 SOCIAL MEDIA ON 37 COLLEGE RECRUITMENT PLAYER DRUG TESTING 38 TEAM PROFILE: 39 FENCING

SOPHOMORE PLAYER CARDS 40

SPORTS

BEST GAMES OF 30 WINTER SEASON

FEATURES

SEXUAL HARASSMENT 18

OPINIONS

EDITORIAL: 12 #METOO MOVEMENT

CONTENTS

NEW HOMES 05

NEWS

#METOO 04

Photo Provided By Giovanna Guimarães

4 NEWS

A #MeToo poster is displayed during the Chicago Women’s March on January 20th. During the demostration, speakers from around the country came to speak and promote the #MeToo movement, a popular hastag that has swept the globe during this past year.

STEPS TO STOP SEXUAL ASSAULT

#MeToo movement strives to spread awareness on sexual harassment; Stevenson provides support, discipline

ith their handmade posters held high, Izzy Heichman ’18, Tessa Simon ’18 and Giovanna Guimarães ’18 walked alongside thousands of other participants in the Chicago Women’s March on Jan. 20. “It was really empowering, especially because it was my first march ever,” Guimarães said. Returning marchers Simon and Heichman agreed with Guimaraes, despite a major shift they noticed from last year’s demonstration—instead of anti-Trump posters, the slogan #MeToo flooded the streets. In 2017, #MeToo has been included in 1.7 million Twitter posts across 85 countries. As thousands of social media users share their stories of sexual harassment, Simon

predicts it is only time before the #MeToo movement reaches Stevenson. “It’s really helpful that the celebrities we know and love are bringing attention to it, but we also notice that it is not just celebrities but people in every industry,” Simon said. Even before #MeToo launched, Stevenson has always strived to create a community that ensures the safety of students and staff. According to the Stevenson Guidebook, anyone within the high school initiating in sexual harassment can face disciplinary action up to expulsion. “We want our students to be safe and comfortable in coming forward,” social worker Sarah LeFrancis said. “To any student with anything going on, we encourage them to please just talk to someone because they’re never alone.”

Student services also offers plenty of resources including the support group, Empowered, to any students who have experienced sexual violence or abusive relationships. Sanam Jhaveri ’19 agrees that Stevenson offers a safe environment to all its students and staff. With the help of the #MeToo movement, students will become more aware and informed of sexual harassment, Jhaveri believes. The #MeToo movement was first founded by Tarana Burke in 2006 to spread awareness of sexual violence in underprivileged communities. The movement sparked when actress Alyssa Milano encouraged social media users to comment #MeToo if they identified as victims of sexual harassment. Despite its attempt to

spread awareness of sexual assault, #MeToo has received backlash from critics who question the movement’s intention and validity behind recent accusations like Hollywood celebrities Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein. Critics like director Michael Haneke blame #MeToo for being a “witch hunt” by forcing actors out of their jobs without investigation and stripping them of their fame. No matter its intentions, Jhaveri believes #MeToo is a helpful platform to create a community for victims and their supporters. “This is a movement about earning respect, and we need to accept that it’s turning into a reality,” Jhaveri said. “It has brought up a lot of controversy, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.” BY KENDALL ROBERTS

NEWS 5

DEVELOPING DIDIER

iven that Stevenson’s educational program is held in high regard, it should come as no surprise that people from all over the world move to this area to attend. In order to accommodate these newcomers, the Village of Buffalo Grove approved a plan on Jan. 22 to build a new subdivision next to Didier Farms. According to Buffalo Grove Community Development Director Chris Stilling, the subdivision will contain 187 townhouses and single-family homes and be called Link Crossing. This would increase Stevenson’s student population and traffic on school days. “Our staff supported this project for a number of reasons,” Stilling said. “One of which is we’re seeing a shift in housing types. Something we

identified as part of the Village’s Economic Development Strategic Plan was the need for a diversified housing stock and we believe this development achieves that.” Stilling said one of the reasons new housing types are needed is to make more space for the millennials who are currently living in the city but may want to move back to the suburbs in order to gain access to high quality public schools and services for their family. According to Stilling, the construction for the development is estimated to take more than three years, but its length could depend on when the developer sells the homes. With that much time before it is completed, Stevenson’s additions to the East building should be able to accommodate new students.

This image shows townhouses in the subdivision. The subdivision will have both townhouses and single-family homes.

Photos provided by Chris Stilling

Plan for new subdivision of multiple housing types gets approved, will increase Stevenson’s student population

This image shows a sample of a single-family house in the new subdivision. The subdivision will contain 187 single-family homes and townhouses.

Director of student services Sarah Bowen said while Stevenson’s enrollment is expected to increase during the next few years, the school is taking steps now to prepare for the influx of students. “We are working to build different additions to the building so we will be fine,” Bowen said. “We will have room for everyone.” However, Village of Buffalo Grove Trustee Andrew Stein said when the development was first presented two years ago, it was a lot different than what it is now. He had many concerns then, but they were taken care of before the vote leading him to favor the development. “If I would have had to vote on [the development] two years ago,

when it first came before us, I would have voted against it,” Stein said. “But over the two years, the school district was able to demonstrate that it was not going to be as big of an impact as they initially thought it might have been.” Overall, Stilling thinks the project will benefit the community and continue Buffalo Grove’s growth. “We are constantly planning for future developments to occur and make sure that we have the resources to maintain the level of service our residents are looking for,” Stilling said. “In terms of this development, we view it as a positive effect on the community and it will offer additional housing types.” BY MICHAEL LEVITT

6 NEWS

SEARCHING F R NETW RK

Wi-Fi changes implemented, students worry over personal devices, staff receives faster network access

eachers open classes with interactive videos as the network begins to work on their laptops. iPads are used heavily as personal student devices begin to lose connection. The wifi changes have been applied and the outcome has created a new technological environment for Stevenson students and teachers alike. Stevenson implemented changes to the Wi-Fi networks on Feb. 22, replacing the existing two open networks with four new networks. Multiple factors influenced this decision, including density and internet use in classrooms. The change created a student, teacher, visitor and public network. The student and teacher networks require login credentials and are limited for use by respective groups. The student network will eventually only allow student iPads to connect and the public network is only available in commons areas, according to Douglas Kahler, director of information services. Personal student devices will no longer be able to connect to the internet inside classrooms after implementation. Kahler described the problem as being one of “density rather than bandwidth,” and said that the best way to mitigate this issue was to reduce the number of devices that

could connect. “The limiting factor is the routers,” principal Troy Gobble said. “They’re getting choked up by too many devices, and that’s what’s preventing everyone from having an optimal experience.” Some students, like Eric Osuch ’18, are against this change. Osuch went as far as to create an online petition asking the school to reinstate Wi-Fi access for personal devices.

“The Stevenson Wi-Fi may not have the ability to carry the student’s cellular devices, but people who use personal computers deserve the ability to use the Wi-Fi if it enhances their learning experience,” Osuch said. Osuch argues that the school should find a way to allow personal devices to connect in the classroom. Students often use personal devices in place of their iPads.

BEFORE

AFTER

Patriots Stevenson

• Stevenson and patriots Wi-Fi servers • All personal devices had access to the servers without a password • Slow connection

Student Teacher Visitor Public

• New Wi-Fi split into four networks: student, teacher, visitor, public • Students may only access Wi-Fi on iPads in classrooms

Employee

Student

NEWS 7

• One-sided authentication • Verify that network’s certificate (a “document” verifying the identity of users and networks) is valid and trustworthy • Any device with login information can connect to the student network

“There is no plan to allow for personal device connection at this point,” Kahler said. There will be no classroom Wi-Fi available for personal devices. Only school issued iPads will have service. “Rather than ban personal devices from the Wi-Fi, there should be a way to register personal devices with the school in order to access the internet for academic purposes,” Osuch said. Gobble said that such solutions had already been attempted. They weren’t able to solve the problem. “In just the six years I’ve been at Stevenson, we’ve more than tripled the number of routers on campus,” Gobble said. “We’ve already put one router in almost every classroom, which should have been more than enough.” Despite the additions, the problem has persisted, according to Gobble. There isn’t much more the

• Two-sided authentication • Verify that the network certificate is trustworthy • Devices have to show own certificate to ensure they can connect • Only some devices can connect to the employee network

school can do other than limiting access to certain devices. “The only other alternative would be to spend taxpayer dollars on even more routers just so students can get Wi-Fi access on their phones,” Gobble said. While the employee network has been configured to limit the devices connected, the student network is currently allowing personal devices to connect as well. The student network will be changed gradually to allow only student iPads to connect. Gobble hopes the changes will be completed by spring break. Aditya Mansharamani ’18 has researched the networks and the way they are currently set up, and has come to a similar conclusion. “Currently, the employee network uses both server-side and client-side certificate authentication,” Mansharamani said. “Not only does the user have to verify that it

is connecting to the right network, the network has to verify that it can allow the device to connect.” This authentication happens through a signed certificate, which is essentially a ‘document’ on the server and on the device confirming their respective identities. The network has to verify the user’s certificate and the user has to trust and verify the network certificate. Within the student network, there is no need for the user to provide a certificate to verify their identity. Simply providing login credentials suffices, which is why students are still able to connect their devices to the network, according to Mansharamani. “We’re just taking it step by step at this point and trying to ensure that we’re only getting rid of unnecessary devices,” Gobble said. BY VICKY KOLOTOV & ANI NUTHALAPATI

NEWS 9

SPRINGTIME STATESCRAFT

Students, faculty prep for congressional, gubernatorial primaries, candidates hope to see disenfranchised students cast their vote

hile many think of spring as a time for relaxation, it could not be any busier for those in the gubernatorial and congressional primaries. Candidates from both political parties are in the homestretch for the upcoming primary on March 20. Students’ role in the election, however, isn’t limited to being impacted by new leaders. Due to lobbying efforts by Stevenson students, 17 year olds in Illinois have the opportunity to vote so long as they turn 18 by the November general elections under House Bill 6167. Democratic Congressman Bradley Schneider, 10th District, hopes to address the educational disparity between the suburbs and cities while running for reelection. “We need to make sure that every student has the opportunity to reach their potential,” Schneider said. Some students and faculty have informed themselves about the candidates and even canvassed for some. Those politically active know the importance of reaching out to voters. Neal Patel ’19 volunteers for Marko Sukovic, the Republican state representative candidate for Illinois’ 59th district. Patel identifies left “You have to understand that it’s center, and yet has found common ground with Sukovic’s various pol- not just about partisanship at this icies and hopes the same for others. point,” Patel said. “It’s about actual-

ly pushing for what you believe in and want to see happen.” Teachers have also weighed in issues they hope will be addressed. AP Government teacher Daniel Larsen expressed his ambivalence for the increasing efficacy among citizens. “More and more Americans feel less and less informed,” Larsen said. “However, these ills have provoked people who might not have considered themselves candidates to step forward and say, ‘I’m gonna do this now.’” For congressional primaries, Illinois has an open primary system, in which voters are not required to register in their ideal party but are obligated to declare which party that they will be voting in. Primaries are held in order to narrow down the candidates who will run for the November general elections. Both parties expressed their eagerness to reach the young voting population. Patel is optimistic to be surrounded by many politically active peers, and encourages them to exercise their rights in the primaries. “Get out there and vote,” Patel said. “Know who you’re voting for and make your voice heard.” BY ARIANA GASSEL

10 NEWS BRIEFS

Photo Provided by d125.org

NEWS BRIEFS

NHS Blood Drive

Who: Anyone 17 or older and over 110 lbs Where: Wrestling Room (2111) When: Friday, March 9 from 3rd to 8th period What: Students are encouraged to donate blood Why: Blood donations aid victims of illnesses, natural di-

tevenson will be hosting its first St. Baldrick’s charity event for students and staff to raise money for childhood cancer research. All proceeds will be donated to the St. Baldrick’s foundation, and participants are encouraged to undergo a full head shave to stand in solidarity with patients undergoing chemotherapy. On March 10 from 4:30 to 7 p.m., participants will be shaved in the Sports Center in front of a crowd of friends, family and faculty. There will be music, guest speakers and members will be recognized for their fundraising projects. According to event sponsor Brett Erdmann, the head shave is a unique visible sacrifice that displays one’s connection to the St. Baldrick’s mission–inspiring others to get involved. Participants are also given other options such as dying their hair green or cutting off a section of their hair. Alex Bryant ’18 introduced St. Baldrick’s to Stevenson after participating in the event outside of school. “Everybody has a cancer story, and we know people in our Stevenson community who have been affected by childhood cancer specifically,” Erdmann said. “With people getting their heads shaved, telling their stories, having cancer survivors talk, this event is really just a celebration of life.

East Asian Festival

hinese Club hosted an East Asian Festival to celebrate Chinese New Years on Feb. 23 in the Recital Hall. Anyone interested in celebrating the holiday and getting to know Asian culture was encouraged to attend. There were several performances including a Mongolian dance performance, a Korean singing performance by Emily Lee and a dance performance by Misfits. There was also free, authentic Chinese food. According to member Kaily Chou ’18, the Chinese New Years celebration in previous years was mostly centered around Chinese and Korean Club. This year, the celebration had more participation and performances from other clubs such as the Mongolian and Filipino clubs. BY ADELE LEE Photo Provided by Chinese Club

St. Baldrick’s at Stevenson

Data compiled from LifeSource.com

sasters and other emergencies. For every blood donation, the LifeSource organization will donate money to the Stevenson to College program.

NEWS 11

12 OPINIONS

STATESMAN EDITORIAL

#MeToo movement starts conversation about sexual harassment, potential widespread social change

MEDIA ATTENTION

Pr ot est

ctio n lA

Le ga

ange

N O SI S U SC DI

MOVE M E NT

#MeTo o

out actress Alyssa Milano and her three million twitter followers that the “Silence Breakers” would have received enough coverage to be named Time Magazine’s person of the year 2017. Efforts to raise awareness about sexual violence like the “What were you wearing?” exhibit have popped up over the years, but none have had as much media coverage as #MeToo. The intense media coverage of the movement and sexual harassment has sparked widespread contemplation and conversation about the line between sexual violence, sexual harassment and what constitutes consent. In a society riddled with non-disclosure agreements and victim blaming, seeing sexual harassment being covered on the news everyday is a huge shock to

ver since the #MeToo hashtag hit Twitter, many of America’s most powerful men in entertainment and politics have fallen amidst accusations of sexual harassment. Statesman believes that although the movement is still in its infancy and has mostly drawn attention towards society’s elites, it has already been instrumental in starting the conversation on what sexual harassment is and how to eradicate it. Although it is sad that star power is what finally brought media attention to sexual violence in our society, it is undeniable that famous faces coming forward were instrumental in starting the conversation. Even though activist Tarana Burke coined the phrase “Me Too” in 2006, it seems unlikely that with-

the American people who must now reflect on their own behaviors and experiences. No longer can sexual harrassment be swept under the rug, its the top story on every major news network in America. Statesman believes that sexual harassment is real and that it happens in school, work and Hollywood alike. According to the #MeToo’s website 17,700,000 women have reported sexual harassment since 1998, a number that will only keep growing unless the issue is addressed. In the wake of more and more celebrities stepping forward, the door opens up for people with less social influence to share their stories. This is because society is beginning to recognize that sexual harassment is a problem that can affect anyone regardless of their social status. We believe that Stevenson should focus more of their health classes on teaching what defines sexual harassment and consent, as well as continue to offer support groups for victims of sexual harassment or violence. Most importantly, Statesman believes the continued conversation about sexual harassment in society is imperative to long term solutions. Regardless of your gender, speak up and start a conversation in hopes that you or someone you know never have to post #MeToo.

OPINIONS 13

GUBERNATIORAL ELECTION: VOTE IN PRIMARIES? And what better time to do it than now? Gallup polls show that only 28 percent of Americans have a positive view of the federal government, and that oter efficacy; the governor Bruce Rauner citizens’ faith has an approval rating of in government only 26 percent. and trust that they can It is times like these influence government af- that voters have the most fairs. impact because they have It is a term that seniors the choice of appointing know all too well because Rauner again or choosing of US government class. the candidate that suits It is up to these seniors, them through the Demochock full with the knowl- cratic primaries. Whether edge that school has given it be the progressive Danus, to start being true par- iel Biss, the billionaire J.B. ticipants of the US citizen Pritzker or the moderate pool and cast their first Christopher Kennedy, vote. people should vote in or-

der to be able to make the change that they want to see in Illinois. Those that wait for the general election and just vote along party lines don’t accomplish anything but increase political divisions, while feeling that their vote didn’t do

anything when things go wrong. Go out and vote, that’s the only way that you can create change, but vote along your own beliefs and base it on the candidates, not party lines. BY YOGIN PATEL

ents do not care about the nominees for either party. What they do care about are the parties and their platforms. Democrats know that State Senator Daniel Biss, Chris Kennedy, Businessman J.B. Pritzker or anyone in between will deliver the same types of policies. Republicans know that Rauner will continue with his plan that he has had throughout his first term. The primaries, in all, are just representation of what the party has to offer

and shouldn’t entice voters to come out and vote in them. According to BallotPedia, in the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election, there was only a 40.9% voter turnout rate. Compared to a presidential election, that is an extremely low number that will not change no matter how much politicians advocate for people to come out and vote. In the Stevenson High School area, the population is relatively liberal and with a con-

servative governor as the incumbent, students and other residents are going to be far more inclined to vote for the Democratic party opposed to caring specifically about the candidates running in the Democratic party. I expect this election to have the same outcome as others. People will not come to the boxes for the gubernatorial primaries like people normally do for the presidential primaries, nor should they. BY MAXWELL COHN

YES

o not vote in the gubernatorial primaries: just wait until the general election. We can assume that Bruce Rauner is winning the Republican nomination given that he is the current governor. What we do not know is the Democratic nominee. However, Illinois constitu-

14 OPINIONS

OP-ED: LADIES FIRST

Winterfest sparked unreasonably gendered pressure, girls take romantic initiative less than males

’ve never asked a guy to a dance. To dance. On a date. The list goes on. While many people— regardless of gender—feel nervous asking someone out, males still generally take the lead, intentionally or by default. I believe it’s time for girls to become more empowered and assertive when it comes to their romantic interests. A number of my female friends have thought it would be weird or unattractive for them to tell someone they were interested in them. Instead, they waited eagerly hoping that the boy they liked would magically ask them out, sweeping them off their feet. Why? Tradition, chivalry, romance...the reasons go on. But with Winterfest, girls felt the very unfa“I don’t think how someone acquires a date to a dance is important as long as they want to go with that person. I knew I was going to have a good time so it didn’t matter to me what other people thought. Girls shouldn’t let tradition keep them from being happy.” -Kara Carter ’19

miliar pressure to ask a date to the dance. Designating one dance for girls to be socially encouraged to take initiative romantically ends up reinforcing existing gender roles. This not only alienates students outside the gender binary, but discourages girls from confidently going after they want every other day of the year as well. Girls learn to expect to be sought after but never to seek. As the founder of Bumble (a popular dating app that requires women to message men first) Whitney Wolfe has said, asking men out can help make women more confident in themselves. Let’s teach girls how to experience vulnerability. Facing rejection

“I

think that it’s tradition for a guy to ask a girl on a date and I probably prefer that myself, but a girl can ask a guy and kudos to her.” -Erika Huelsman ’19

can make us stronger and serve as preparation to seize future opportunities, romantically or professionally. In addition, establishing healthy dating habits in high school can help set the standard for future relationships. Personally, I didn’t go to the dance with a date at all. I had previously existing obligations to ice cream and movies with friends. But to any female students out there disappointed or upset that they didn’t muster the courage to ask a boy— don’t worry about it. Maybe you’ll ask next time, maybe you’ll pass. But just because this one opportunity passed, doesn’t mean your confidence should as well. BY MAYA PAREKH “I really don’t ha ve a preference. I say cause this benorm it’s the so ci f the g or the guy etal i r to a l , but h think onest sk e i t h ly I er could take t the guy or h girl e init ask th iat e almo other pers ive and st like o a cha n. It’s n ge in pace.” -Sam Niyazov ’19

OPINIONS 15

E JACKPO H T T I T H KISS

8 million St. Patrick’s Day cards are exchanged annually

gre en dye is

IRISH

83% of people wear green

31% of people attend St. Patrick’s Day parties

40 l bs.

ME I’M

34% of people make a special dinner

urn the Chic t ago to River green d e s u

Data provided by https://www.zinmobi.com & https://www.questionpro.com/

BY ASHLEY MANDEL

16 OPINIONS

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...

Staffer reviews nominated films, discusses relevance of Hollywood’s biggest night “The Shape of Water” Makes a Splash

Part Cold War epic, part monster film and part romance, the task of directing “The Shape of Water” had to be handled with the precision of walking on a tightrope. However, it was a risk that more than paid off for acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro, as I’m not alone in thinking that “The Shape of Water” is the best movie he’s ever made. In the movie, a mute janitor (Sally Hawkins) works at a secret government facility, but her life changes forever when she comes in contact with a highly valuable and mysterious creature. Del Toro packs each frame with a visual flair of colors and set design, and Alexandre Desplat’s mysterious score only enhances what’s going on screen. “The Shape of Water” is bizarre, charming and an absolute treat for any movie fan.

“Get Out” and See This Movie

Coming out like a firecracker, Jordan Peele’s directorial debut destroyed all expectations at the box office and inspired a legion of fans. “Get Out” follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a black male, as he spends the weekend at his white girlfriend’s parents house. Sounds harmless enough, right? Think again. With tension that will leave audiences squirming in their seats and twists that will have them yelling out loud, “Get Out” is a truly unforgettable experience. I couldn’t help but be impressed as Peele precisely built suspense, meticulously foreshadowed events and cleverly portrayed a satire of race relations in America. This is only in addition to Kaluuya’s standout performance, which earned him a nomination and instant rise to stardom.

“Dunkirk” Disappoints

Christopher Nolan’s ability to make interesting, attention-demanding films makes him one of the most consistent directors working today. For his latest film, Nolan captured the retreat of Dunkirk while also attempting to bring his usual mind-bending flair of filmmaking. Unfortunately, “Dunkirk” failed to engage me in the way that his other films have. Nolan once again crafted a movie in a nonlinear structure, but the end result feels more pretentious and confusing than interesting and impactful. Yes, the film does work on a technical level with stellar cinematography and effects, but its inability to make me care about what was happening on screen resulted in a two-hour headache. Suffice to say, it’s unfortunate that this is the film for which Nolan receives his long overdue Oscar nomination.

Should we care?

Given recent revelations in Hollywood, #MeToo’s presence at the Oscars is both justified and necessary if Hollywood wants to redeem itself.

ome fall of every year, the film industry buzzes amidst talks of which films will win big during “Oscar season.” However, is all of this focus on awards healthy for the film industry? The goal of awards is to recognize and reward quality, and it’s great that independent films can find a wide audience after receiving Oscar glory. Unfortunately, Oscar season is more often unhealthy than beneficial for movies. People often compare vastly different films in an apples-to-oranges type manner and jump to hyperbolic conclusions all while not even viewing the films in their own merit, but rather how they stack up against competition. Too much of Oscar season relies on external circumstance, such as how the topical the film is, when the film is released and how the studio is campaigning for the film. Studios try so hard to make an “Oscar movie,” but an Oscar movie should ultimately just be a good movie. It’s sad that studios have to attempt to appease The Academy’s narrow preferences just to win a statue, as many films that don’t receive Oscars are the ones that stand the test of time. While it’s fun to gather around the TV and watch Hollywood’s biggest stars assemble for one night, the best thing to do is enjoy the year’s movies without getting caught up in Oscar fever.

Information compiled from Town and Country Magazine and Entertainment Weekly

OPINIONS 17

Oscars Fun Facts It takes around three months to produce fifty Oscar statues

Famous directors Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick never won an Oscar

Lord of the Rings is the only film to win in every category it was nominated

With his 22 wins, no person has won more Oscars than Walt Disney BY BEN BOWLER & KENDALL ROBERTS

18 FEATURES

LEARNING TO HEAL

Sexual assault survivors speak out, share their stories

arely managing to leave her bed in the morning, she drags herself out to get ready. Looking in the mirror, she stays laser focused on her teeth as she brushes, watching as the bristles move swiftly from left to right. From the moment that she leaves her room, she begins to count down the hours until she can go back to sleep. Fourteen hours of counting go by before she is back in her haven. She feels safe until she wakes up the next day to repeat the cycle. Alice Lakin ’18 never thought it would happen to her— let alone twice. “I was 15, and I worked at a grocery store,” Lakin said. “There was a kid who worked there and was really nice. One day he asked me to see a movie and I said yes. I made it clear that it wasn’t a date though.” As she went through her night out with her co-worker, she felt that their interactions were awkward but decided to give her cowork-

er the benefit of the doubt. It was not until the ride home that things took a turn for the worst. “I don’t even remember the transition, it happened so fast, but I completely froze,” Lakin said. “He proceeded to completely assault me. I remember looking into the rearview mirror of his car and seeing the air freshener—I was in tears, just trying to focus on that.” Lakin had to work the next day, forced to face her assaulter. It was four months and many panic attacks later when Lakin had to quit her job. The pain of it all had become unbearable. “If I told my mom she would break, and I can’t do that to her… I’ve just waited too long, and at this point I can’t prove it,” Lakin said. Being a two-time sexual assault victim has not made the already painful healing process any easier for Lakin. If anything, the toll it has taken on her is that much worse. “You think ‘you break your arm

once and it hurts really bad, but if you break your arm again then it’s not that bad because you kind of got used to the pain,’” Lakin said. “But it’s not like that—it’s like someone is ripping you in half all over again.” While her first assault left Lakin confused and in denial, she found herself with a different perspective the second time around. Working at a location with only female employees, her second assault began with helping a distributor whose name she will never know. She helped him carry boxes to the building’s isolated basement and stayed ahead of him as they went downstairs. “I put a box down and turned to see him standing in front of the door which he had locked,” Lakin said. “To my absolute horror he pulled out a gun, pushed me against the door and ripped off my clothes while placing a gun against my head. I didn’t fight back because I didn’t want to die.” In a different situation than her first assault, Lakin found herself making a tough decision in regards to coming forward. She has greater concerns now than ever before. “I don’t know who this guy is, but I don’t want to find out because I’m afraid for my life,” Lakin said. “I’m afraid that people will call me a liar, and that anyone he has connections with will come after me.”

FEATURES 19 Data compiled from CDC

However, there is more that prevents her from identifying herself as a victim of sexual assault. Lakin feels that there are societal pressures keeping her silent. “I feel like nowadays, especially with what’s going on in Hollywood, if I come forward then people would say ‘Oh, you just want attention,’ or ‘You’re just doing what everyone else is doing,’” Lakin said. Social worker Jennifer Polisky encourages survivors to come forward and talk to a social worker or psychologist. While reports need to be made if the assaulter mentioned plays a caregiver role or is in a position of power or authority in the survivor’s life, other cases may be able to remain anonymous. “People who have been assaulted have lost some sort of control,” Polisky said. “We’re not going to take that away from them again, they get to keep control of the decisions made moving forward.” Lakin has refrained from publicly sharing her story for more reasons, including fear of being labeled a victim but has recieved support. As time progresses, Lakin still

sees the repercussions of these incidents in her daily life. She feels that her assault will always stay with her in the back of her mind. “To this day, I have such a hard time looking in mirrors,” Lakin said. “When I look in the mirror, all I can see is the reflection that I saw in his rearview [mirror] when it was happening.” As she continues her recovery, Lakin feels fortunate to have someone to talk to. Still, she feels that she will never truly be able to move on. Dorothy Hurst ’20 can relate to this feeling. Also an assault survivor, her experience has much in common with Lakin. “When I was six years old, my uncle and I were alone at his house, and he raped me,” Hurst said. “I didn’t understand it because I was so young, but I knew that what had happened was not okay.” While she was uncertain about the events that had taken place, Hurst waited five years before telling anyone. When she did come forward, she was told that because

of the statute of limitations, which restricts how long after an incident a victim is able to press charges, legal action could no longer be taken. In hindsight, things have changed and Hurst now wishes she spoken up at the time of the event. “I regret not telling anybody because I hate to think about who else this might have happened to,” Hurst said. “I would blame myself if it happened again.” Polisky understands that victims often feel a sense of guilt for their assault. Many believe they could have prevented these occurrences. “You blame yourself for being in that situation and you make it out to be your own fault,” Lakin said. Hurst also felt guilty, although her guilt stemmed from her religion. Her faith teaches to wait until marriage to engage in intercourse. “If you’re out on the street and you get mugged, nobody blames you for putting yourself in a situation to get mugged,” Polisky said. “However, that’s a feeling that many survivors get when they’re raped.” With time and therapy, though, both Lakin and Hurst began to have more positive outlooks on their situations. “Without thunder, rain, lightning and pain, flowers wouldn’t bloom,” Lakin said. “Even though it feels like the world is shattering, you have to keep going because you cannot let them win.” BY ANJINI GROVER

Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, Statesman has decided to keep the students interviewed anonymous.

20 FEATURES

READING BETWEEN THE LINES

English teachers discuss course objectives, how they choose texts read in each level

team of Freshman English teachers gather around a table to discuss the Freshman English courses and books read by students throughout the year. At another table, Sophomore English teachers discuss the portions of “Jane Eyre” that were selected to be read by students instead of the entire book. English teachers have a significant job choosing which books to read in each grade. In this process, they must consider several things, such as course objectives and text complexities. “The team of teachers look at the objectives for the course, what it is that we want to have kids learn,” said Doug Lillydahl, head of the English department. “We also talk about what texts have been successful with generating student interest.” According to Lillydahl, English Data compiled from Goodreads

classes normally start the year with easier texts and read texts that are of higher complexity towards the end of the year. Teachers must choose appropriate books based on the reading levels of students in each class. However, even though many books read in each level are different, there is still consistency among all English levels in a grade. Steven Heller, AP American Studies English teacher, said there are some criteria that English teachers refer to when selecting the books to be read in each grade level. “[One] criterion is how well [the book] matches with other areas of the students’ education,” Heller said. For example, freshmen in Accelerated English classes read “A Tale of Two Cities” towards the end of the year. Since most freshmen have already taken World History or are currently taking the class, they have more knowledge about the French Revolution, during which “A Tale of

Two Cities” is set. There are also some books that have been taken out of the curriculum, such as “Jane Eyre,” which was taken out of the Sophomore English curriculum because of a time constraint in the unit. Some parts of the text were covered in class, English teacher Anna Goman said. “The idea behind picking a book is about what students can get out of it,” Goman said. “Sometimes there are complicated issues and topics that are very hard to explore.” Students in some English classes often read books that have difficult topics, like race or abuse. According to Goman, teachers create safe environments in the classroom so that these topics can be explored. “We try to be mindful of the diversity and sensitivity of our student population,” Lillydahl said. “We also try to be respectful of various points in history.” BY SIVAKAMI RAMAKRISHNAN

STEVENSON SECURITY

22 FEATURES

A SENSE OF SAFETY

Security personnel build relationships with students, use technology to improve learning

wenty-five minutes before the first period bell rings, Stevenson is already bustling with students filling the common areas, scurrying to finish homework and grabbing breakfast and coffee to fuel themselves through the day. It’s 8:05 a.m. and despite attending a school of over 4,000 students, Sabrina Scheufler ’19 feels safe when walking into school. This feeling of safety is necessary at school for students to concentrate on education without worrying about security. Stevenson’s safety systems are reliant on the work of the security staff and use of technology.

Jim Kedroski manages the buses, roams the halls and supervises the Quiet Learning Center after-school as busy students flood the hallways around him. He frequently waves at students that he’s gotten to know over the school year. While students may recognize the friendly security personnel at Stevenson, many are unaware of the effort that the staff puts in to keep the school running as usual. Although Stevenson’s security staff enforce the school rules strictly, they ultimately have a unique purpose: to develop relationships with students. “We try to get to know students and develop relationships with them so Security Guards students can come forOn a standard school ward with problems if day, security employee necessary,” Kedroski said.

Security employee Jim Kedroski talks with a student in the Information Learning Center after school. A priority for security guards is to establish strong relationships with students.

Because of this, security staff are expected to use first-names with students to personalize the daily interactions. Security personnel are selected and hired primarily based on their ability to connect with students. “Metal detectors and armed guards don’t make a school as safe as a warm, friendly environment where adults and students trust each other,” assistant

principal Ken Latka said. Scheufler agrees with Latka’s sentiment. She attended various schools among many states and countries before going to Stevenson. “This is the first public school I’ve been to,” Scheufler said. “But despite it being a public school, the safe environment at Stevenson makes me feel like I’m at a private school.”

Examples of Recent Security Improvements Electronic locks replaced traditional keys on all classroom doors that are opened by faculty IDs and can all be remotely locked

The public address (PA) system was extended to the school parking lots and the football field to inform students outside of announcements

Standard Protocol

The security system at Stevenson can be divided into the staff and their technology that enhances and supplements the personnel. During the busiest hours of the day, there are about 30 security staff members around the school’s entrances and common areas, with other faculty members supporting the security team if needed. Some stay in fixed areas around the school while others roam around the school without a designated role. “Some security guards arrive as early as 5:45 a.m. and often stay for hours after school ends, supervising activities, entrances and common areas,” Latka said. The other half of Stevenson’s security is the technology implemented around the school, notably the camera system. However, students are unsure of how this technology is being used. “I don’t blame the school for having so many cameras and for constantly monitoring us,” Scheufler said. “But they should inform students more because sometimes it can be scary to know there are

Information compiled from National Center for Education Statistics

FEATURES 23 97 security cameras around the school 75% of schools use security cameras, while

43% reported to using security personnel ly 30 security personnel in Approximate ding during the busiest hours the buil

people always watching.” However, Deanna Dreyer, the security and facility manager, says the cameras are not used for that purpose. “The camera system wasn’t put in place to spy on students at school

years include the bullet-resistant glass for windows in vulnerable areas of the school and yellow strobe lights in loud areas around the school. Not all schools have the opportunity to enhance their security technologically.

After any incident, as a department, we take time to debrief and review our procedures. -Deanna Dreyer but rather to assist in the smooth operations of the day-to-day running of the school,” Dreyer said. “We don’t hide the cameras, we want people to know they are there.” New technology at Stevenson has been a focus of recent security improvements. For instance, examples of these improvements in recent

“Our school board has always been really supportive of our security efforts, so without them, we definitely wouldn’t be as safe,” Latka said.

Emergency Plan

In light of recent school shootings, the Stevenson administration has reaffirmed that the students’ safety is the first priority.

Given the case of an incident, there are security guards, deans and first responders always ready at school. “We never stop talking about how to improve our security measures,” Dreyer said. “After any incident, as a department, we take time to debrief and review our procedures. It’s important to keep talking.” Many faculty members are a part of a safety team called PREPARE, which addresses improvement in security protocol after conflicts. There are counselors, teachers, directors and special educators who look at all aspects of school safety to promote physical, social and emotional wellness. Safety at Stevenson is founded upon students and faculty mutually trusting each other. That obligation necessitates frequent communication between both parties. “It’s important for everyone, including students, to be concerned about safety,” Dreyer said. “If students see something or hear something, they need to say something to an adult they trust at school.” BY DYLAN HU

24 FEATURES

THE ETHICS OF SUCCESS

Ethics Bowl provides students opportunity to engage in ethical dilemnas, wins competition

rthur Yolles ’19 takes a deep breath, examining the array of ethical dilemmas scattered on his desk. He picks one titled “What Morals Should Drive Driverless Cars?” and considers what would be the best stance for his team. Yolles first heard about Ethics Bowl during his sophomore year. Now he regularly attends the weekly meetings. For Yolles, the club is enjoyable due to its warm atmosphere and the interesting topics he gets to pursue. “There isn’t a incredibly highly competitive culture to see who can win the most awards individually, and the club is more focused on team aspect rather than individual merit,” Yolles said. “I like that I get to think and talk about topics that are actually interesting to me.” This was Rebecca Sullivan’s ’18 first year participating in Ethics Bowl. She joined due to encouragement from Clayton Duba, History and Philosophy

teacher and Ethics Bowl sponsor. “I’ve always been really into philosophy and talking about ethical dilemmas with people,” Sullivan said. “Mr. Duba asked me if I wanted to join so I went to the first meeting, and I got hooked immediately to the club.” Duba believes that the main appeal of Ethics Bowl is that it tries to demonstrate one’s knowledge of certain topics. It also teaches a more complex, nuanced understanding of an issue at hand. “If I would imagine how would two philosopher professors talk at lunch, I think Ethics Bowl is trying

to model that,” Duba said. “You’re trying to do what Socrates called the elenchus method where people dialogue together, and you can come to a conclusion which is more fulfilling than just thinking about [a topic] yourself.” Ethics Bowl has seen success in its most recent competition, with Stevenson’s two teams recently placing first and second at the Regional High School Ethics Bowl Competition. Matthew Walsh ’19 attributes his personal success to individual practices. “Outside of school I take a look at all the case studies and take notes on the different possible

sides and philosophical concepts that you can incorporate into the arguments,” Walsh said. “I take a look at everything to prepare my own perspective [for that case].” Yolles attributes the success of the team to process over time. He believe that this year’s team was able to play with more knowledge and experience. “I think we improved a lot from last year,” Yolles said. “Last year we kind of went into the competition cold, but this year, team members were able to bring a lot of advice and experience.” BY CHRISTIE LEE

Stevenson’s two teams placed first and second at the Regional High School Ethics Bowl Competition in the Illinois Technology Institute. This was Stevenson’s second Regional championsip.

FEATURES 25

EXTENDING UNDERSTANDING

Stevenson students with special learning needs take extended time on assessments

said. Student Services works with students and parents to write specific plans for each student based on their needs. “Sometimes we get this information from doctors, or if a student is working with a therapist or a mental health provider, we get information from them too,” said Sarah Bowen, Student Services director, said. The College Board and ACT offer accommodations such as extended time, alternative testing location and more breaks during the exam. Jack Lamberti ’19 also has a 504 plan and receives extended time on tests, helping him finish the test. Lamberti, like Konotis, does not let judgement get in the way of success. “[Judgement] doesn’t prevent me from doing anything,” Lamberti Percentage of students 5-17 diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity

Data compiled by CDC

udents flood into the frigid gymnasium as a faculty member gives monotone instructions. The seemingly infinite rows of desks paint a picture of militant order. Minds race, palms sweat as the clock counts down. Students anxiously begin the standardized tests taking place that day. Some students take tests in different classrooms or over the period of multiple days. These accommodations are protected by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. A 504 plan and an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) are documents developed to accommodate students with disabilities in school and during standardized tests. Maggie Kotsonis ’20 was diagnosed with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) two years ago. She receives testing accommodations such as extended test time though a 504 plan. Though teachers receive 504 plans from Student Services, and they try to be discreet when accommodating students, Kotsonis has experienced miscommunication. “Once a teacher consistently called me out in front of the class for not paying attention, so I approached them about it, and they were understanding,” Kotsonis

I think that a lot of people have a problem with it and think that it is unfair. It’s basically an equal playing field. In the time it takes you to get three questions done I willl only have one done.” -Maggie Kotsonis ’20 said. “The accommodations are to help my academics.” Applications to receive accommodations on the SAT, ACT or AP tests are filled out by students and parents. Student Services provides information to these organizations about the accommodations students receive at school. Even though Kotsonis needs more time on her tests due to her ADHD, she feels like other students do not understand. “I think that a lot of people have a problem with it and think that it is unfair,” Kotsonis said. “It’s basically an equal playing field. In the time that it takes you to get three questions done I will only have one done.” BY ALISA MUFTI

26 FEATURES

SUMMING IT UP

Retiring calculus teacher, Math Team coach Joseph Bettina reflects on career,

wenty-nine years ago, Joseph Bettina began teaching math at Stevenson. Throughout his tenure, Bettina has created a multitude of new math courses. Math has always been a passion for Bettina. But his love of math is not the only factor that made him want to become a math teacher. “I loved working with others, explaining things and helping people,” Bettina said. “With that and my love of mathematics, math teacher was perfect.” Bettina’s legacy not only includes work as a teacher, but also as one of the Math Team coaches. The Math Team has brought great joy to Bettina over the course of his career. “The proudest moments during my tenure were all the accomplishments we had with Math Team,” Bettina said. “Winning the state math contest in 1991 and 2014 was an incredible feat.” Tony Tan ’19, had Bettina as his calculus teacher and is a part of the Math Team. One of Tan’s fondest memories of Bettina was at a state math competition. “Every year at the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics state contest, the seniors give the coaches a gift,” Tan said. “Last year, a senior

gave Mr. Bettina a large plastic B, explaining it stood for Bettina, and the ‘average grade’ in his classes.” The head of the math department, Darshan Jain has had the opportunity to work with Bettina over the course of years. According to Jain, Bettina has greatly impacted Stevenson over his career. Thank you for being an amazing teacher and math team coach. I hope you have a well-deserved, relaxing and fun retirement.” -Tony Tan ‘19 “Mr. Bettina is undoubtedly our resident mathematician at Stevenson,” Jain said. “His depth of knowledge in mathematics is vast and the connections he makes within and outside of math disciplines are extraordinary.” Throughout his 29 years at Stevenson, Bettina has taught many students. But to him, knowledge of math is not all he hopes he gave his students. “I hope that I didn’t just give knowledge of the curriculum,” Bet-

tina said. “I hope that I gave them an overall appreciation for mathematics.” With this year being his last, Bettina thanks all of his students and fellow staff while also looking forward to sleeping in and traveling in retirement. Bettina said throughout his term, he has acquired many useful qualities and lessons. “I got a better understanding of how to interact with, help and work with others,” Bettina said. “And I hope that my students say I treated them fairly and taught with a sense of humor.” BY ADAM ROSEN

ENTERTAINMENT 27

STEVENSON WORDSEARCH

WORDS TO LOOK FOR: squishies patriot

gobble jazzmans

eddy point

ilc link

sodexo sushi

28 ENTERTAINMENT

BRAIN EXERCISES

Directions: The boxes below have fun facts about various subjects. Two are not true. Can you determine which ones?

ART

SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGY

Vincent Van Gogh produced more than 20,000 works during his life.

Fleas can jump 130 times higher than their own height.

The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute. The normal rate is 20 times per minute.

MISCELLANEOUS

HISTORY

Originally, purple carrots were the norm, but yellow and white ones appeared in the wild.

Officially, the longest war in history was between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly, which lasted from 1651 to 1985. There were about 400 casualties.

ENGINEERING

MUSIC

MATH

The word ‘engineer’ comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness.’

A 2007 study found that music, especially classical music, helps plants grow faster.

A number is divisible by three if the sum of its digits is divisible by three.

CREATED BY DANIEL BRIN

Answers: The untrue statements are under “Art” and “History”

ENTERTAINMENT 29

FILL IN THE BLANK CHALLENGES -2 points for each correct answer in the front row -3 points for each correct answer in the second row

-4 points for each correct answer in the third row -5 points for each correct answer in the fourth row

ENGINEERING

MUSIC

GOVERNMENT

What is both the process and the product of planning, designing and constructing buildings or any other structures?

A single violin is made from over __ individual pieces of wood.

Which state has a law system based on the Napoleonic Code?

SCIENCE

MATH

HISTORY

_____ is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

Among all shapes with the same perimeter a ____ has the largest area.

ENGINEERING

MUSIC

ART

Who was instrumental in the founding of industrial engineering and was the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering?

_____ was an Austrian composer in the Classical period who wrote 107 symphonies in total.

_____ is a movement in which painters looked to nature for inspiration and used vibrant light and color rather than browns and blacks.

History: ______ was the first to bring philosophy to Athens.

______ was a king of Macedonia who conquered an empire that stretched from the Balkans to modern-day Pakistan.

Geography: What is in the USA and is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined?

Send feedback to dbrin21@d125.org

Row 1: (from the left) Architechture, 70, Louisiana Row 2: Ecology, circle, Alexander the Great Row 3: Lillian Moller Gilbreth, Joseph Haydn, Impressionism Row 4: Anaxagoras, Alaska

30 SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS 2

Jan. 12: Boys’ Basketball (Stevenson vs. Lake Zurich) 1. In an intensely close game, the Stevenson Patriots beat the Lake Zurich Bears 42-41 at the buzzer due to a bank shot by Matthew Ambrose ’20. “I dribbled, spun back and shot right when the buzzer sounded,” Ambrose said. “Credit goes to my teammates for finding me in that spot and having confidence in me to take the shot.” Among those responsible for the comeback is Jackson Qualley ’18, who scored 10 points in the final quarter to help the Patriots win. Photo provided by Paul Swan

Jan. 20: Boys’ Bowling State Sectionals 2. Despite this year’s team being one of the youngest Stevenson has had, the team exceeded everyone’s expectations. “We bowled all day with our best series,” coach Cody Mathias said. “And we weren’t expected to go above our season average.” Every team member bowled above their average, including Lucas Pinkus ’18, who broke two school records. Pinkus broke the six game series with 1547 and the three game series with 837. His score of 837 was also the third best state performance. Photo provided by Cody Mathias

Jan. 28: Boys’ Ice Hockey (Stevenson vs. Loyola) 3. Stevenson ended their regular-season by defeating Loyola 4-1. “We played great defense that game as a team,” coach Tom Wood said. “We have had great goaltending all year, and [goalie] Elias Sandholm ’18 was exceptional this game. We were also able to score two goals when they took a couple of penalties and we had the extra man advantage.” Throughout the game, Sandholm stopped 25 shots. Jackson Leptich ’18 and Carter Devlin ’19 each scored two goals, leading the team to victory. Photo provided by Dany Kleiman

Feb. 15: Girls’ Basketball (Stevenson vs. Palatine) 4. Stevenson became the underdog victors of the regional championship when the six-seed Patriots beat the three-seed Palatine Pirates 35-32. Despite an early lead, Stevenson had fallen three points behind by halftime. After Avery King ’18 hit a crucial two-pointer with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Stevenson gained the lead. “We never truly went away,” coach Ashley Graham said. “It takes will to win, guts to win. This team had it.” The regional win was the first one in five years. Photo provided by Ashley Graham

BY BRARE THOMPSON

SPORTS 31

MEDAL

COUNT

Canadian ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir earned a gold medal in their free skate ice dance. The dancers have earned five Olympic medals while appearing in three different Games.

American snowboarder Red Gerard, 17, overslept, dropped an f-bomb on TV and won a gold medal in men’s slopestyle all in one day.

Snowboarder Shaun White won his third medal during the men’s halfpipe competition, earning a 94.25 score. His win was the US’s 100th gold medal won in the Winter Olympics.

South Korea’s curlers, the self-titled “Garlic Girls”, lost 8-3 to Sweden in the women’s curling gold medal match. The Garlic Girls won South Korea’s first silver medal in curling. BY YANA BUSHUYEVA

32 SPORTS

PLAYING IT SAFE

Administration creates, enforces protective protocols, ensures student athletes safe from sexual harassment “If faculty or coaches need to have individualized meetings, we ask for them to be in common areas that are open for people to walk in and out,” Betthauser said. “Our coaches do not have their own offices where they can have these meetings, and interactions over social media are highly restricted.”

Data Compiled by Psychologytoday and DW

eaves flutter to the ground in piles of fading orange and yellow, as there is bustling activity inside Stevenson. As faculty solidify last minute preparations for the new school year, Principal Troy Gobble sits in his office and writes on a notecard titled “Administration goals for 2017-18”. With recent sexual harassment cases at the collegiate and national level being scrutinized, Gobble writes “student safety” on his card. Having worked hard to create protective protocols, Gobble’s confident in the headway he’s made on his goal. “Every adult that has been hired at Stevenson is a mandatory reporter, meaning that they are required by law to immediately report any student that is being harmed,” Gobble said. “If sexual assault is alleged in any way, police will instantly be involved.” Director of Athletics Trish Betthauser shares the same confidence. However, instead of creating administrative protocol, Betthauser focuses on the athletes’ interpersonal relationships. For example, Betthauser attempts to minimize the number of one-onone interactions between adults and students for all sports.

Betthauser also points to fundamental differences between the athletic programs that would create a situation like the one at Michigan State, where Larry Nassar used his position as a physician to sexually abuse gymnasts, highly unlikely at Stevenson. According to Betthauser, the lack of an on-campus doctor

prevents one-on-one examinations with students, and there are no rooms with closed doors in the athletic trainers’ room. Betthauser also concentrates her efforts on spreading awareness for issues threatening athletes directly. “It is required for every student athlete to attend an introductory meeting at the beginning of each season where issues like hazing, substance abuse and sexual harassment are discussed,” Betthauser said. The effort that administration pours into ensuring student safety has reaped positive outcomes, according to gymnast Shehrzad Saeed ’20. Saeed said she has never felt unsafe in her sport. Even with the administration’s measures, the situation constantly changes. Betthauser looks for ways to address further development. “We are very diligent about supervising open spaces and situations pertaining to injury recovery, but it’s impossible for us to be there all the time,” Betthauser said. “It ultimately comes down to creating a culture where people feel comfortable coming forward and sharing any concerns and troubles that they may have.” BY CHERYL CHEN

THE DUERSON DEBATE

SPORTS 35

Duerson Law will protect childrenâ€™s brains, limit hits to head

Duerson Law should educate, make football safer rather than ban game

ince 2009, it has become increasingly clear that football has a dangerous impact on its players in the form of degenerative brain diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Far too many former players, including namesake Dave Duerson, have killed themselves due to CTE. In 2009, Washington passed the Zachary Lystedt Law, the first law in the nation that aimed to reduce brain injury risk in high school football. All 50 states and D.C. have since passed similar laws, but none have laws to protect against the exponentially higher risks that come with youth football. The ages between 10 and 12 are critical for brain growth, but the hard hits that come with football on any level can permanently

stunt it. Players who start before age 12 and go on to play at any level are twice as likely to lack executive functioning skills, according to a Boston University study, and three times as likely to suffer from clinical depression. What, then, is the controversy over the Dave Duerson Act? Both public opinion and scientific evidence stand against youth tackle football. Some may argue that the future of football is at risk, but even the NFL itself endorses flag football. Not to mention that other sports, like basketball, provide invaluable sports experience and community bonding without such high injury risk. Eight years after the Lystedt Law, Illinois, California, New York and Maryland all have proposed bills that would help protect children. With the Duerson Act, Illinois can lead the rest of the nation by example, and say that children should not be at risk for devastating brain injury. BY BRAEDEN FORMAN

n Jan. 25, Illinois introduced the Dave Duerson Act that would ban tackle football for kids under the age of 12. The bill is named after former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson, who took his life in 2011 because he developed CTE. It was only after his death that it was found he had CTE. Some symptoms include impaired judgement, erratic behavior and gradual onset of dementia. Although the act brings awareness to brain damage, where the act is wrong is banning tackle football. Rather than keeping kids from playing tackle football, the focus of the bill should be making tackle football a safer game for children. If we look at the NFL, they are pushing for a safer game and to limit the

amount of hits a professional athlete takes to the head. The goal is to limit the number of times a player gets hit to the head, in hopes of prolonging a players career and life. For Illinois this should be the direction they take this bill, educating young children how to play football safer. In youth football there are weight restrictions, if someone is 130 pounds, they only play with other people who are the same weight. However, in high school football there are no weight restrictions. A 15 year old who is 145 pounds could be taking hits from someone 150 pounds heavier than them. The focus of the bill should turn to making the game safer and teaching kids how to tackle safely. Making this change would make both sides happy, children would still get to play the game they love while also learning to play the game safely. BY LAWRENCE KREYMER

36 SPORTS

COMMITTING TO THE FUTURE

Claire Haas ’18 has committed to USC to play water polo. Haas has won two state championships with the Patriots.

ithin the athletic programs and state championships, many student athletes have cemented their place in school history with their individual accomplishments. For most, high school is the finish line of their athletic career. For some, committing to a college to play their sport is the next step. The drive and preparation to play college athletics sets elite competitors apart. Stevenson boasts a highly successful women’s lacrosse program. Sophie Sorenson ’19 recently committed to University of Conn ecticut for lacrosse, being one of the program’s premier players. “I’ve always known I’ve wanted to go Division I because I’ve always been a super competitive person at anything I do,” Sorenson said. “I love every second of when I’m out on the field because I feel like I am meant to compete at such a high lev-

el playing the sport I love.” Claire Haas ’18 made history this past year, being one of the few Midwestern water polo players to ever make the U.S National team. Haas has signed to play at USC next fall. Haas’s recruitment initially began with emailing coaches and narrowing colleges down based on academic prestige and athletic success. Laurie Haas, Claire’s mother, played an instrumental part in Claire’s commitment with years of driving her to camps, tournaments and practice along with hours spent at the pool cheering Claire on. “The biggest piece of advice I can offer about recruitment is communication.” Haas said. “For Claire, reaching out to former players, or other students that have gone through the process was a big help. Even for me, having another parent within the Stevenson community who I could talk with about the basics of recruitment, ask questions and get pointers from really helped me feel a lot calmer about the whole process.” Sorenson, however, is restricted to a verbal commitment until her senior year of high school. A verbal commitment refers to a non-binding agreement that can be made any time by a college-bound student-athlete before they sign a National Letter of Intent. Although both are committed,

Photo Provided by Varsity Views

Photo By Claire Haas

Stevenson athletes, families reflect on recruitment process, find the right fit

Sophie Sorenson ’19 recently committed to UConn for lacrosse. Sorenson led the Patriots in scoring last year.

Stevenson holds student athletes academically responsible within the classroom, as well as dealing with the expectations and standards of the university. Sorenson is still is required by Stevenson to participate in the SAT or ACT, but chose a relaxed academic schedule after her commitment. Haas and Sorenson are only two of the many committed athletes Stevenson boasts. But behind the statistics and numbers of Stevenson and collegiate sports, lies passion, hard work and motivation. “I hope I can be an inspiration for any girl playing water polo. I try my best to be a good leader and motivator for my teammates,” Haas ’18 said. “They all are inspiration for me to continue to work hard. I hope I can inspire girls and go all in for something they are passionate about.” BY RYAN JOHNSON

SPORTS 37

PLAY BY THE (ONLINE) RULES

Athletes learn to be careful when posting on social media; avoid punishments, improve chances of recruitment

henever Matt Benjamin ’18 considers posting something to social media, he knows that he must be cautious. If even one post containing an illegal substance or other inappropriate elements finds its way onto his accounts, his opportunity to play lacrosse for Illinois Wesleyan University this fall could be placed in jeopardy. “My college coach told me that if we want to be on the team, we have to keep our social media clean,” Benjamin said. According to Northwestern University football recruiter Bryan Payton, being active on social media can be beneficial in terms of finding athletes to recruit. Additionally, Northwestern often utilizes social media in order to connect with students to gain a greater understanding of what type of person the student is. “[Social media] is another resource for us to get to know kids,” Payton said. “The biggest thing for us is getting to know the prospect because we don’t offer scholarships to guys we don’t know.” However, a poor social media presence could also be a turnoff for colleges. According to Payton, Northwestern players are at risk of consequences including potentially losing their place on the team if

they violate certain social media rules including posting about another player’s injuries, bad-mouthing opposing teams, sharing photos of underage drinking or using profanity in social media posts. Recruiters hold high school prospects to a similar standard and may not recruit an athlete if their social media shows a pattern of bad or illicit behavior. However, this is not only a concern for those trying to be recruited. Stevenson’s Code of Conduct states that behaviors seen as disrespectful and aggressive, or criminal activity including the possession of illegal goods, are punishable by a suspension from activity, even when

the offense is online. For student athletes, this could mean missing between 15-100% of practices and competitions or even being reported to the police, depending on the severity of the situation. Because varsity football coach Christopher Caballero believes that most students who post inappropriate content do so because they are unaware of the potential ramifications, he and the rest of the coaching staff try to issue constant reminders to their players about what is suitable to post. “Always be professional,” Caballero said. “You never know who’s going to be looking.” BY ELLIE BADEN

38 SPORTS

T HE T E S REASSESSED

IHSA phases out steroid testing for high school athletes or synthetic hormones used to build muscle and enhance athletic performance. Steroids are prohibited by most major athletic organizations, including the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), and can cause health issues ranging from emotional instability to organ malfunctions. But experts disagree on how to best prevent steroid abuse. Dr. Linn Goldberg, a professor at Oregon Health & Science University, found in a 2008 study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that random testing is ineffective and even harmful in addressing drug use. “We did catch kids using drugs and alcohol, but drug testing didn’t deter them,” Goldberg said. “Those that were in the schools doing drug testing were more likely to think that drug use is not as bad as it’s cracked up to be.” Goldberg’s study saw random drug tests accom-

panied by a statistically significant rise in risk taking behaviors and other predictors of future drug use. The IHSA and Stevenson are currently phasing out their drug testing programs but not for the reasons Goldberg proposes. State controlled drug testing began in 2008 and ended last year after showing minimal benefits. IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson views past drug testing as a deterrent to future steroid use rather than a method Data compiled from National Institute on Drug Abuse

uring time spent with his players throughout the season, head basketball coach Patrick Ambrose stresses a healthy lifestyle. He believes that players benefit from a balanced diet, sufficient exercise and other contributors to overall well being. H o w e v e r, A m b r o s e worries that coaches and administrators aren’t doing enough to monitor student health. With international doping scandals on the rise, Ambrose wonders if drug testing for steroids could benefit his team. “I think the school should drug test students,” Ambrose said. “I do know that there are issues of privacy and finances, but I believe those issues are far outweighed by the positive effects of helping students understand that using drugs is not good.” A report by the Center for Disease Control found that approximately 3.5% of high schoolers admitted to using anabolic steroids

to detect individual users. Because widespread drug use is a rare among Illinois high school athletes, IHSA drug tests are no longer required at any level and many schools, including Stevenson, do not conduct them. “If we get to a point where we think we should bring testing back, we have the framework to support that,” Gibson said. “But our coaches have done a good job of talking with their athletes about making good choices.” BY OLIVIA LAMBERTI

ONLY 20% OF HIGH SCHOOLS DRUG TEST ATHLETES

SPORTS 39

EN GARDE, READY, WIN

Fencing wins state, regional championships, third consecutive year for girls, second for boys Photo by Chloe Myers Lopez scores a point against her opponent with a lunge. The fencer placed eighth in the Great Lakes Conference championships this season.

very dedicated in learning how to attack and defend themselves using their weapon,” Head coach Fernando Delgado said. “They’ve also developed in working together to accomplish the goals that we’ve set during the season, and that’s very gratifying as coaches.” Lopez believes that the school’s ample resources may aid the team’s improvement. The coaches’ dedication and prior experience is important as well. “The athletic funding for Stevenson allows us to get a lot of electric equipment, which lets you perfect your point control and gives you a more

accurate understanding of how you are performing,” Lopez said. “The coaching staff is also very experienced, so we have that strong background in each of the weapons to be able to train fencer through basics and techniques that gives us an advantage over other schools.” Like any sport, fencers practice regularly during season and off-season. Rachel Roh ’20 fences at a local club five times a week for three-to-five hours a day. “It’s important that you try to keep up your skills during the off-season,” Delgado said. “Because if not, you reach peak at the

end of the season. When the season starts, you have to start from the beginning again and work yourself back up.” Many clubs give fencers the opportunity to compete nationally and earn a rating. Ranked fencers start at an E and work themselves up to an A. Roh, who tied for third in girls’ saber at regionals, holds a B ranking. “Fencing has been a huge factor in my life,” Roh said. “Before fencing I was super shy, and now it’s gotten better. Its allowed me to make a lot of friends because I’m more confident. It’s a sport that takes a lot of confidence in yourself to push past what you think you can and can’t do.” BY TRISHA PATEL Photo by Chloe Myers

green light flashes with a buzz as foils clash. Angelica Lopez ’18 scores a point against her opponent in a fencing bout. Lopez is a captain for the girls’ foil team, and competes in a number of varsity tournaments. The team competes in three different weapons, foil, epee and saber, with girls’ and boys’ teams for both. All three teams have won state championships and recently placed first in girls’ and second in boys’ at the Great Lakes Conference championships. Girls’ fencing has won the regional championship four times in the last five years, and boys’ fencing has won the Illinois championships the last three years. The fencers’ hard work has contributed to the team’s success. Fencers practice five times a week for two hours during the season, working hard to improve their skills and teamwork. “The team has been

Roh celebrates after scoring a point. The fencing team competes against a number of schools from around the Midwest.

Avery King

Q: How long have you been playing basketball? A: I started playing basketball when I was in first grade. I was tall and terrible. Q: Have you had any coaches that have helped you as a person? A: My coach right now, Coach Graham, is really influential. She teaches us how adversity in basketball will prepare us better for life. Q: What is the team dynamic at Stevenson like? A: I really like the girls on the team; they’re really funny. We dress up before every single game in weird outfits, and we wear bright green crocs to school.

Matthew Ambrose

Q: How long have you been playing basketball? A: I’ve been around basketball my whole life because my dad has always been a basketball coach, and he’s the coach at Stevenson.

Q: You’re already seen as a big part of the future of Stevenson basketball, what is that like? A: It’s really flattering because I know I’m a young guy, but I’m just trying to be the best I can be. The older guys have kind of embraced me and even though I’m younger, I’m still a part of them. If there is anything I can do to help the team out, that’s what I do and that’s what I bring.