The Northmen's Log - March 2021 - Issue 56, Issue 3

The Northmen’s Log Issue 3, Vol. 56 March 2021

For coverage of spring sports check out page 8-9

Letter from the editor

Hey Oak Park, I’m Lindsey and I’m so excited to bring you the third issue of “The Northmen’s Log!” So far this semester we’ve had a couple major changes regarding COVID guidelines. For example, we cut down to 8 lunches instead of 11 causing both the lunchroom and the gym to be at a fuller capacity.

With COVID being a big deal this year and graduation coming up, we decided it was necessary to include a story for seniors to reflect on their last semester, good or bad.

We also were incredibly lucky to be able

to continue the tradition of having a musical each year, so we have coverage of the musical “Into The Woods” brought to life by the theatre department.

Since students have the option to be solely virtual or go to school twice a week, students have an opportunity to work more hours than they normally would. We decided to include a story on how student jobs are going this year and what they look like with school.

We hope you find a sense of normalcy while we continue to bring you a quarterly newsmagazine. Have a great day Oak Park!

Staff

Lindsey Dunaway, Editor-in-Chief Kayleonah Trumble, Managing Editor Kelsey Abunga, Staffer Luka Ashton, Staffer Benjamin Dunaway, Staffer Haydenn Gallagher, Staffer Lillian Goss, Staffer Amelia McCoy, Staffer Nathan Nance, Staffer Rowan Simmons, Staffer Christina Geabhart, Adviser

Publication information “The Northmen’s Log” will publish four times during the school year. “Log” staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society.

Therefore, “Log” encourages readers to participate in the discussion by submitting Letters to the Editor in Room E134 or by email to christina.geabhart@

nkcschools.org. Letters cannot exceed 350 words and must be signed. “Log” will not run letters that are libelous, obscene, or that may cause a verifiable disruption to the education process at Oak Park.

Advertisers may contact the adviser at christina. geabhart@nkcschools.org for more information.

Subscriptions are available at $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed PDF version, and $25 for both.

Opinions expressed in “Log” do not reflect student, staff, or district endorsements of that opinion, product or service.

“Log” is a member of MIPA, NSPA, and Quill and Scroll. “Log” is affiliated with JEA, MJEA, and JEMKC.

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Table of contents

**Cover photo by Benjamin Dunaway

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Feature // Trumble

Another year of celebrations

Seniors talk about their favorite memories and what they are looking forward to.

Mark your calendars: May 5: 7 p.m.

Senior Honors Night

May 17: 7 p.m.

Senior Celebration

May 20: senior

breakfast and commencement practice

May 24: 6:30 p.m.

Commencement Ceremony at HyVee arena

Early May: Prom TBD

Seniors Top 5 Events to look forward to this spring

1. Prom 2. Photos and breakfast 3. Last spring break 4. Senior Night 5. Last homework results from a survey of 10% of the senior class

Feature // Trumble

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“My favorite memory was prom two years ago with my friends. I went as a sophomore with my friend Lauren. She was a senior. Being at prom was so fun, we took silly pictures with props and danced our hearts out. It was definitely a night to remember filled with lots of laughter,” said Kaleighan Chaistain “My favorite parts of high school were either spirit weeks or assemblies. It really promoted school spirit and would always get me so excited,” said Reese Hill “My favorite part about high school was those Friday night lights. Being a part of the football team and playing for the school, student section, and the parents was truly the best feeling about high school,” said Logan Linard “I feel like my favorite from the last four years would have to be my junior year homecoming football game. My friends and I participated in the spirit week and it was just a lot of fun to get a lot of looks from people when I wore a pink tutu,” said Vaughn Dennis

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Sports // Dunaway

A whole new season Spring sports start practicing

Sophomore Corbin Estates is hitting the tennis ball at tennis practice on Monday, March 1. Construction on the new student entrance and locker rooms back up to the tennis courts. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway) Senior Madison Wells kicks the soccer ball at the girls soccer practice.

The recent warmer weather was welcomed by many spring coaches and athletes. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway)

Freshman Samuel Short hits the baseball at the batting cages outside at Oak Park on Monday, March 1. There have been recent improvements at the baseball field with the support of the parents group, Dugout Club. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway)

Sports // Dunaway

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Freshman Shawn Kendrick hits a tennis ball at the practice on Monday, March 1.

Construction on the entry and concession stand to the football field can be seen in the background. (photo by Benja- Senior Ethan Willman min Dunaway) runs during track practice on Monday, March 1. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway)

Sophomore Andrew Ufferman bunts in the batting cages during baseball tryouts on Monday, March 1. The team warmed up with laps around the field. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway)

Sophomore Shawn Kerr pitches the ball at baseball tryouts. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway)

Sophomore Nik Morales runs the track at practice. Much of the track and field area is under construction for the new home field, set to open officially in the fall. (photo by Benjamin Dunaway)

As of Monday, March 1, there are currently only two athletes on the boys golf team and more players are needed. If you’re interested in joining the golf team, please use this link to fill out the information sheet. If you have any questions talk to Head Coach Seth DeRose or Coach Craig Knaak. https://forms.gle/cBkcDdxHZqeFb5kR6

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Feature // Trumble

The effects of COVID

Seniors write dear COVID letters.

Dear COVID, Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught me. The resilience and persistence that you’ve forced me to have has ultimately made me stronger. senior David Gresty Dear COVID, Why did you have to ruin my senior year for me? I don’t like the mask because it’s hard to breathe. I want to go back to when we had more freedom. I will say I hate that you hit when I was supposed to go to State. senior Nathan Nance * If seniors would like to send in their Dear COVID, letters, they can email them to 910816@ nkcschools.org. If more letters are received, they will be published online in a special section of www.NorthmenNews.com.

Feature // Trumble

Sources

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https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronaviruscovid-19-spread-map/state/missouri https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home body text https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/ coronavirus-disease-covid-19/which-otc-medications-are-best-for-coronavirus-symptoms

graphics by Lily Goss, art courtesy of canva.com

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Entertainment // Ashton

Oak-scars: Results are in OPHS held a student-voted Oscars: Here’s what the Northmen said by staffer Luka Ashton

choice was “Da 5 Bloods, “a war film focused on four African American veterans returning to Vietnam.

While COVID-19 has stopped a lot of the world, the Out of those, the Northmen favored “The Trial Of the show must go on. The official 2021 Oscars winners won’t Chicago 7” with 41.9% of the total votes going to the film. be announced until April of this year, however the North- Available on the most popular streaming network, Netmen voted on their own. flix, and holding a budget of $35 million it’s no surprise With three different categories presented, best picture, this movie captured the attention of the public. best actor, and best actress Oak Park students got to vote The next category was best actor with another five amongst the Oscar-predicted nominees. choices, with an even bigger sweep for the Northmen’s For best picture students got to pick between “Nomad- pick. land,” a drama and western film based on a woman The nominees were Ben Affleck for his performance as who’s lost everything and lives her life as a modern Jack Cunningham, an adult high school basketball nomad. star now struggling with the troubles of adult The “Trial Of the Chicago 7,” a drama based life in “The Way Back.” off the real story of the Chicago 7, who Riz Ahmed for his intense perforwere anti war protesters in the 1960s. mance as a rock-star struggling “Minari,” which has already won the with losing his hearing in Golden Globe foreign language “Sound of Metal.” award, a drama based on a KoThe late Chadwick Boserean family searching for the man, who has already American dream in Arkanwon a Golden Globe, for his sas. performance as Le“News of the World ,” vee Green, a western, drama film set post-Civil War showing an adventure with a captain and a 10-year-old little girl.

The last movie

Entertainment // Ashton

an ambitious trumpet player from the 1920s, in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

Anthony Hopkins was nominated for best actor for his role as Anthony in the drama film “The Father,” a stubborn, aging man who refuses help from his daughter.

And Steven Yeun’s role of Jacob, a Korean immigrant father, in “Minari” earned him a nomination.

Taking 43.8% of the votes, the beloved Boseman and his role as Levee Green captured his audience with intense emotion of a time forgotten.

The last category OP students voted on was best actress, with another five nominees and an even bigger gap between the votes.

Starting off, Frances McDormand’s central and intimate role of Fern in “Nomadland” earned her a nomination.

graphic courtesy of canva.com

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Carey Mulligan nominated for playing Cassandra Mulligan in the thriller/comedy “A Promising Young Woman,” a film praised as feminist and powerful through the message it shares about serious topics such as assault.

Vanessa Kirby and her haunting performance as a grieving mother in “Pieces of a Woman” has her nominated Han Ye-ri was nominated for her role in “Minari” as Monica, an immigrant woman.

The last nominee is Viola Davis as Ma Rainey, an influential blues singer, in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

Davis took the Northmen’s favor, same as her co star Boseman won best actor, with her 46.3% of the total votes from OP students.

The actual Oscars take place Sunday, April 25, but for the Oak-scars - these are the winners.

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Feature // Ashton

The show must go on

by staffer Rowan Simmons

The theater department, under the direction of Matthew Ashpaugh, plans a musical, ‘’Into the Woods,’’ based on a book by author James Lapine, who also directed the Broadway original.

The musical will be streamed from March 18-20 on the N2Sports YouTube and oakparktheatre.org. The prices will be $15 to view for one night and $30 to view for three days.

Freshman Jenna Holland plays Red Riding Hood from the tale ‘’Little Red Riding Hood.’’ ‘’It’s fun,’’ Holland said. ‘’The more technical aspects we add in the show moving forward, the more fun it gets.’’

Holland also works the set design, lighting and props backstage mostly works on the stage to perform. She takes precautions to keep her distance when performing and wears her mask.

Sophomore Halle Byers plays Belle from the tale, ’’Beauty and the Beast.’’ She also works on the hair and makeup crew. She works with costumes and worked on designing masks as well. ‘’Working on the set is really fun,’’ Byers said. ‘’Everybody is so nice and every day there is something new we need to work on so it is very interesting trying new things, seeing what is going to work, and how we can work with those things.’’

Byers said the crew helps with the designs and comes up with ideas to make sure the musical is brought to life.

Although there are a few things that they do differently because of health restrictions. ‘’Some things we do with hair and makeup is working with costumes and we’ve come up with printing the actors lower half of their face and printing it to a mask.

This helps because in “Radium Girls” everybody didn’t like the clear masks due to them fogging up and some people would feel uncomfortable in them,’’ Byers said.

Senior Reese Hill plays the stepmother from the tale ‘’Cinderella.’’ ‘’My favorite part about that role is definitely the dress,’’ Hill said. ‘’Emily Morrison, who’s in charge of the

Pigs - no cows take flight in this years musical. Senior Jacob Collier’s character Baker carries senior Colby Johnson as a cow across the stage in “Into the Woods.” (photo by Lindsey Dunaway)

costumes, did a really good job, and I’m just really really excited to flounce about the stage with my two daughters, who have equally fancy dresses.’’

The crew is working on set the first week of March and will begin to film and put all of the footage together before it is streamed online.

Junior Hannah Butts plays Florinda, one of the stepsisters from the tale ‘’Cinderella.’’ ‘’She’s the more sassy, bossy one of the two for sure,’’ Butts said. ‘’My favorite part about playing her is just being able to kind of bully Cinderella on stage, like it’s just so fun getting into character and being able to interact with Cinderella like that.’’

Butts does face some challenges when it comes to being on set, but she finds solutions to the problems. ‘’The restrictions have definitely felt like a setback at first, but we’re adapting like we always do. We’re definitely doing things differently, but it’s kind of giving us new opportunities that we wouldn’t usually get in a typical year, so there’s definitely a bright side,’’ Butts said.

The money earned from viewers will be used for creating more shows in the future. Music and lyrics are by composer Stephen Sondheim.

Feature // Ashton The key to a musical comes from the pit, an orchestra student works hard to build the music for the cast. (photo by Lindsey Dunaway)

Senior Franchesca Young gives a magical performance as the witch with her magic staff. (photo by Lindsey Dunaway) Senior Brendon Blue has been given the charming role of Cinderella’s prince in the musical, even during rehearsal he’s wearing his costume mask with his face print. The theater department tried several innovative ways to protect everyone’s health. (Photo by Lindsey Dunaway)

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Feature // Dunaway

Diving into the power of multi-tasking Students share their experience balancing work and school

by Staffer Kelsey Abunga

As the years go by and people grow older, adolescence comes with many responsibilities.

High school prepares one for college, which prepares them for life. However, many students take it one step ahead and get jobs.

“I work at Anthony’s Italian Restaurant & Lounge.

Lounge Something I enjoy about my job are the hours, they’re pretty fair,” senior MariClaire Jones said.

According to evolvetreatement.com, jobs help teenagers develop a sense of responsibility. It teaches kids -senior Kaiyah Rainey also how to manage money and have a deeper understanding about personal finance.

“I work at Rally House. I think working there has helped me understand how to budget my money so that I don’t run out before I get paid again,” senior Billie Collins said.

There can be obstacles students have to face

“I work at Chipotle.

I work five days a week, which leaves two days for me to do my homework.

I have trouble managing my time, and I lose sleep on many days,”

when it comes to being a working teenager.

“I work at Chipotle. I work five days a week, which leaves two days for me to do my homework. I have trouble managing my time, and I lose sleep on many days,” senior Kaiyah Rainey said.

Time management is a recurring issue students face when it comes to having a job.

“The hardest part about being a student and having a job is figuring out when I can do my homework, especially when I pick up extra shifts,” Jones said. The way I manage my time is doing my school work beforehand, or taking an extra day to do everything.”

Whilst managing being an employee and a student can be stressful, there are many benefits as well.

“One of the things working has taught me is how to improve my time management skills and helped me realize what I can and can’t fit in my schedule without being overwhelmed,” Rainey said. “I also like money.”

Many students said getting jobs at young ages taught them skills they need to learn for the future.

“Working has taught me about being more responsible, since I need to be held accountable and stay focused on my tasks at work,” Collins said.