Centerfold Technology advances the green movement The

HoofOctober 2009 | thehoofbeat.com | Northside College Preparatory High SchoolBeat | [email protected] | Vol. 11 No. 2 The story behind Crystal Erpelo’s departure 3 | Slutty Halloween costumes 6 The power of one to one what’s going on with teaching in the top. Individual 21st century,” Mr. Barry Rodgers, “We’ve got to figure out a way to Northside’s principal, said. “Our fund this,” Mr. Rodgers said, “and student tablet teachers now see the next powerful so we are working with a number step in education as putting these of high profile organizations to try PCs piloted at computers in the hands of each and and get funding for this and so that’s every student.” what I am spending a lot of time Northside The freshmen who are currently doing. We are engaging companies part of the one to one computing like Microsoft, we’re engaging com- by Jeffrey Joseph pilot program were picked based on panies like Accenture, foundations Imagine a school where every the course schedules that they select- such as the McArthur Foundation, classroom is a virtual computer lab. ed. The administration tried to find and so we are looking at some those Now, in a couple of years, imagine the most common course-load that larger organizations to help us in this that school is Northside. The path freshman might take. As students venture, as well as CPS [Chicago towards the goal of having a tab- signed up for those classes, they were Public School].” let computer in the hands of every invited to join the program. The freshmen in the one to one student at Northside started during If the one to one piloting is suc- pilot program had generally positive the 2006-2007 school year as every cessful, the entire student population reviews of the program and liked the teacher received a HP TC4400 tab- will eventually get tablet computers. ability to be able to use the comput- let. When the teachers received new “Ideally, we would like to be able ers in classroom tablets for this school year, the teach- to roll this out to the complete stu- “It makes it easier to follow along ers old tablets were recycled for use dent body for the 2010-2011 school in class,” Hallie Cruz, Adv. 301, by 50 freshman students are experi- year,” Mr. Rodgers said. “That is our said. menting with them this school year ideal goal, so what we are doing now Other students raved about the as they pilot the one to one comput- is we are piloting that initiative with unique features of the program. ing program. our teachers to make sure it makes “When you use the tablet, if you There are currently about 1400 sense educationally.” miss a day, it makes it easier to catch Freshmen involved with the one-to-one program complete the majority of schools in the United States that have The school hopes that the com- up because the teacher can record their homework on the laptop. Photo by Evan Rogers. some form of one to one computing. puters that the students would re- the whole lesson and you can just So, the administration looked at the ceive will be partly paid for by out- play it back at home,” Yolanda May, “One-to-one computing is some- munity. different models of what one to one side companies, but says that there Adv. 301, said. thing to look forward to next year,” “We are also looking for the computing could look like and with will most likely be some kind of Most of the complaints that Miranda Miller, Adv. 305, said. parents, the students and everyone, the pilot program is trying to figure financial commitment for the stu- students in the program had were The administration says that, as as we roll it out to ask some tough out what works the best for North- dents. The students will have to pay related to technical issues, such as the one-on-one initiative progresses, questions because we’d rather have side. a yearly lease for the computer, add- low batteries and computers freez- they will hold town hall meetings to those tough questions answered be- “We see much of it as the natu- ed to their school fees. At the end of ing. However, they were enthusiastic further inform parents about the pro- fore we get a computer in everyone’s ral evolution of what we are doing the students’ Northside careers, the about the program being extended to gram and welcomes questions about hands rather than after,” Mr. Rodg- here at Northside College Prep and students will be able to keep the lap- the entire school population. one-to-one from the Northside com- ers said. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and the Northside community dent-run. The café returns “I really want this to be the thing that brings the community together,” to the second Bushi said. “We have teachers, stu- dents, administration, faculty, and floor atrium engineers working together. We just want to bring it full circle.” by Evan Rogers The managers hope to unify the After two years of dormancy, staff by implementing a computer- the café booth located in the second based system of documentation. floor atrium has returned to life. The booth will feature a laptop, so On Octover 26, it reopened under a all sales information can be entered new name, the Sidewalk Café, and immediately, allowing all of the new student leadership, with Merita managers to access key information Bushi, Adv. 012, serving as the chief instantly with no time wasted or execultive officer (CEO). possible mistakes disrupting the data “We’re going to start out small transfer. with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and The Sidewalk Café hosted an in- ice cream,” Bushi said. “We’ll see formational meeting on Thursday what coffee flavors and other items October 1 for all potential employ- are in demand. After a month we’re ees. The meeting covered the appli- going to re-evaluate how things cation process and general details. went, figure out what worked and Students interested in participat- didn’t work, and hopefully expand ing in the café may email Bushi at from there.” [email protected]. Currently, all items are priced “This is such a great present to under two dollars. The Sidewalk Northside,” Bushi said. “It’s nice Café hopes to extend its menu to that it coincides with the school’s possibly include pre-packaged food, tenth anniversary and it’s like an depending on the initial success of anniversary present to Northside. It The staff hopes that the Sidewalk Cafe will revitalize the once popular booth that stands in the second floor the café. Expanding the café’s work- makes the school unique. My hope atrium during lunch periods. Photo by Alejandro Vadieveso. force is also a key goal of the staff, is that the café stays with the school as they hope to avoid the pitfalls that underclassmen stepped up to take Workers at the café are paid on lunch manager. Sponsors Mr. John because it’s so much a part of our the Pig in the Sidewalk Café expe- control. The Sidewalk Café aims to commission, with possible bonuses Belcaster, social science department, culture and atmosphere. I hope that rienced. In 2007, the original café avoid this problem by focusing their depending on how profitable the and Ms. Elizabeth Runkel, math de- all students will appreciate it, take closed down because the seniors that recruitment efforts on freshmen and café is. Ideally, there will be two partment, oversee the operation, but care of the space, and be proud of managed the café graduated and no sophomores. workers per lunch period and one the majority of the café work is stu- it.”

News | pages 1 - 4 Features | pages 6 - 7 Diversions | pages 10 Editorials | pages 13-14 page 7 • Parents react to their child’s • College applications extracur- • Evanston’s hidden gems • “I love you” loses meaning course load riculars stuffing • International film fests across • Debate: Are high schoolers too Senior stand- • Germans excite Chicago • Sky Cubacub designs fashion line the city old to trick-or-treat? out Una Lim takes the Connections | page 5 Centerfold | pages 8 - 9 A&E | pages 11-12 Sports | pages 15-16 reins of Stu- dent Coucil • College Bridge discontinues • Northside and Chicago’s environ- • We The Living rocks Northside • Methods to manage sports prac- in stride after funding cut mental initatives • Danger in pageantry tices and class homework • H1N1 hits Chicago high schools • How to create a green household • Bad Veins debuts to praise • Women’s volleyball conquers Lane  News The Hoof Beat

Northside College Prep H.S. 5501 N. Kedzie “Mom! Dad! Don’t be late for class!” Chicago, IL 60625 our vision and mission and provide Tel: (773) 534-3954 Parents get a opportunities for the students.” taste of their This year, as previous years, the Principal Back to School Night event aimed Mr. Barry Rodgers to show parents what the learning Northsider’s daily environment of Northside and to Assistant Principal life at Back to provide them with information that Dr. Margaret Murphy they may not have heard from their School Night child otherwise. Advisor “I found out about the parent Mr. Chester Tylinski by Diana Obracaj portal and I could look up the grades Parents got an inside look into online,” Mr. John Biskup, parent of Editor-In-Chief their child’s day to day schedule at Tessa Biskup, Adv. 204, said. Caitlin Swieca the annual Back to School Night Parents were impressed with the on September 16. They attended calm learning environment and the Web Editors-in-Chief each of their student’s classes for safe atmosphere. Matt Glodz ten-minute periods, reviewing the “I feel like it’s a safe place to drop Olutoye Adegboro entire curriculum their child takes off my daughter,” Mrs. Dana Gelet, and meeting all of their teachers. parent of Francesa Gelet, Adv. 206, Broadcast Editors-in-Chief Parents of freshmen learned about said. “From all the teachers and staff Evan Rogers colloquiums and the online grading that I’ve ever dealt with, they just Sarah Schoonhoven system. While on their lunch break, seem to have the same values and parents were able to meet Principal mission about getting the best edu- Managing Editors Mr. Barry Rogers, Vice Principal Dr. cation.” Most parents laughed and Evan Rogers, Design Margaret Murphy, and counselors in moved to the music as they walked Mr. Don Yanek, computer science department, presented to parents Alice Henry, Content the student cafeteria. from class to class. about his computer science classes. Photo by Timothy Suh. Parents enjoyed themselves as “The music is preferred over the Business Manager they walked around the school, met bells. I think it is less jarring to the like,” Mr. Michael Rogers, parent of versation with someone who has al- Matt Glodz teachers, heard stories, and learned system,” Ms. M. McDonald, parent Evan Rogers, Adv. 101, said. ready met,” Dr. Murphy said. “Here about what their child’s school life. of Semlah McGill, Adv. 308, said. Lots of different school topics they met the teachers. Teacher’s give News Editor “It’s always a hard time.” Dr. Parents liked the style of learn- were covered among the different out their email, they have the web- Evan Rogers Murphy said. “I think all parents are ing that Northside provided for their grades. site, so parents are comfortable in busy; we had well over 400 parents, kids because it would help them in “World Studies was a little differ- being partners with the teachers to Connections Editor the majority of our freshman par- having a bright future.“The curricu- ent than I expected,” Edith Cama- ensure the success of the children. Timothy Suh ents. It’s always a great opportunity lum is focused on critical thinking,” cho, parent of Paul Camacho, Adv. I think that is probably the best part for them to meet our amazing fac- Mrs. Ellen Youniss, parent of Cuitla- 304, said. of it.” Features Editor ulty and staff. I enjoy it.” huac Pineda Youniss, Adv. 014, said, The Northside faculty’s goal is to Overall, it was a night filled with Melissa España This year, there was a new aspect “and I think that being able to think help the students achieve their am- hundreds of parents, excited teach- to the event about “The Friends of clearly and express one’s thoughts bitions in school to the best of their ers, and information about the stu- Centerfold Editor Northside.” are the most important to helping abilities. Back to School Night lets dent curriculum, providing parents Alice Henry “There was a pre-meeting this you get a job or doing whatever you parents meet the teachers and get a of a child in any class a better insight year,” Dr. Murphy said. “For fifteen want to do in life.” feel for what the year will be like for to what they would be learning, the Diversions Editor minutes, we had parents in the audi- “The block schedule works out their child in the energized event en- system, and the class expectations. Sonya Dekhtyar torium and they could hear how the well for students, giving them a taste vironment. “It was a celebratory exciting Friends of Northside helps support of what college scheduling is usually “It’s much easier to have a con- kind of energy,” Dr. Murphy said. Entertainment Editor Sarah Schoonhoven Northside opens its doors to new teachers Editorial Editor class with an understanding of the Dylan Nugent Five new concepts and a wider array of skills. “We want to build [skills] like crit- Sports Editor teachers and ical thinking, analysis, [and] writing Sony Kassam [skills],” Mr. Good said. “We want administrators [the students] to be able to think and Copy Editors join Northside make decisions.” Jeffrey Joseph Mr. Isenberg served as a student Andriana Mitrakos community teacher last year with Mr. John Bel- caster, social science department, Photo Editor by Olutoye Adegboro in the Advanced Placement (AP) Zobia Chunara Northside welcomed five new Microeconomics classes. He is now teachers and faculty members this an Honors World Studies and AP Chief Photographer year. Ms. Jessica Upchurch, physical Microeconomics teacher, and said Alejandro Valdivieso education department; Ms. Annie his experience as a student teacher Huestis, world language department; at Northside peaked his interest in Art Editor Mr. Michael Good, social science pursuing a teaching position at the Maira Egan department; Mr. Matt Isenberg, so- school. cial science department; and Ms. “I [had] experience with North- Staff Reporters Vanessa Ahmed, Director of Special side through my student teaching Diana Obracaj, John Gon- Programs, are all new additions to last year and had a great experience,” zalez, Lyanne Alfaro, Alida the Northside community. Mr. Isenberg said, “and was looking Pecanin, Ed Heffernan, David Ms. Upchurch taught at Proviso to continue that great experience on Chang, Bjanka Mujicic, San West High School for two years a full-time basis.” Prestigiacomo, Jamilah before coming to Northside. Ms. Before becoming a teacher at Alsharif, Nelson Ogbuagu, Upchurch was first introduced to Northside, Mr. Isenberg was in- Krystn Collins, Zobia Chu- Northside through her experience as volved in banking and hopes that his nara, Jeffrey Joseph, John a trainer for triathlon groups. familiarity with the field can help his Mederich, Tess Thompson, “I’ve been doing triathlons for students. Pooja Agarwal, Andriana three years and we used the swim- “I think that I’m in a unique posi- Mitrakos, Will Riley, Sarah ming pool to train [at Northside],” tion because I bring close to a decade Capungan, Eghe Obaseki, Ms. Upchurch said. of business experience with me,” Mr. Adira Levine, Faique Moqeet, Ms. Upchurch enjoyed her train- Isenberg said. “I hope to teach [my Daniel Washelesky ing sessions at Northside and applied students] not only my course con- for a position as a physical education tent, but I think I can act as a quasi Art Work and health teacher. She says that her counselor if anybody’s interested in Unless otherwise noted, all time at Northside has been a pleas- any of the business careers I have ex- drawings were the work of ant experience, which in part can be perience with.” Maira Egan. attributed to the student body. Ms. Ahmed is Northside’s new- “There’s just a great, positive vibe est Director of Special Programs. Submissions here,” Ms. Upchurch said. “Students Before assuming the administrative The Hoof Beat welcomes opin- are so respectful; they definitely role, Ms. Ahmed worked as a Chi- ion editorials from its readers. have the drive to want to learn. I feel cago Public School (CPS) substitute Letters to the Editor and Op- that they almost crave information, teacher for two years, taught science ed submissions may be sent which is really exciting. It’s a good Mr. Isenberg began his first year as a Northside teacher after student at Logandale Middle School, and to hoofbeat.editorials@gmail. place to be.” teaching under Mr. Belcaster last year. Photo by Alejandro Valdivieso. taught English at Taft High School com. Submissions should not Ms. Huestis is Northside’s new- for seven years. Ms. Ahmed says her exceed two pages. est addition to the world language a more global outlook on the world, Studies and Honors United States role as an educator differs from her department. She formerly taught as she is the co-sponsor of the Glob- History teacher for Ms. Veronica role as a school administrator. Contact French at Lake Forest High School al Initiative colloquium. Hetler, social science department, “It’s different than the class- The Hoof Beat is a monthly pub- for two years. Ms. Huestis hopes to “Through global initiative,” Ms. during her maternity leave. Teach- room,” Ms. Ahmed said. “Its chal- lication produced by the North- make her students understand that Huestis said, “…[I want to] help ing at Northside is Mr. Good’s first lenges are different.” side Prep Journalism Class. the French language in not only im- these students raise awareness about teaching job out of college, and he Ms. Ahmed believes that North- As a student-run newspaper, portant in France and Canada, but any and every issue they are inter- says that Northside has been a wel- side will allow her the chance to your opinions are important to also around the world as it is an in- ested in.” coming environment. expand her experience with school us. If you have any comments, ternational language. Though Mr. Good is new to “The kids here are great… they administration. corrections, critiques, or ques- “[I want to] expand their hori- teaching at Northside, he has had bring so much into the class,” Mr. “Combined with its mission to tions, please e-mail Mr. Ches- zons and make them develop more prior experience with the school. He Good said. “The colleagues that I serve a population of students with ter Tylinski at ctylinski@gmail. of a global perspective,” Ms. Huestis is a 2005 Northside graduate and have, they’re just all top notch pro- exceptional needs, I am honored to com or the Editors in Chief at said. even worked as an editor with the fessionals.” learn more about school administra- [email protected]. Ms. Huestis has acknowledged Hoof Beat. Mr. Good is currently As a social science teacher, Mr. tion from the best high school in the her goal of making students develop stepping in as an Honors World Good wants his students to leave his state,” Ms. Ahmed said. October 2009 News 

Northside celebrates Ramadan Celestial Garden vegetables and flour; and blakava, a the dinner within that brief period. It Annual Ramadan rich Turkish pastry filled with nuts was especially hard to recruit mem- and dipped in honey. The food was bers within the new freshmen popu- nears completion dinner hosted Halal, or Islamically certified to be lation and explain the procedures of the Northside community as well pure and permissible. the dinner. Installation as the neighborhood and nearby by Jama’ah club “The food was delicious. I had “This year’s dinner was great, schools. The Celestial Garden will some of everything,” said Pedro but it was kind of hard to set up,” expected to be serve as an outdoor classroom, with Juarez, Advisory 201. “My favorite Maryam Quadri, Advisory 106. each garden sizing up to roughly hosts annual was the rice and meat.” “The Shura (council) worked really finish in 2010 two-thirds of an average Northside classroom. It will be a profound Ramadan dinner As always, lots of other non-ori- hard for everything to work perfectly by Pooja Agarwal ental, American dishes were also and it did.” Northside’s Celestial Garden will learning experience for the disabled present, such as spaghetti, pasta and This year’s design for the dinner finally reach completion after a long children, and be a very important by Faique Moqeet part of their academic and intellec- On Friday evening, September lots of pizza. was done professionally for the first history of hard-work and dedication tual growth. They will be able to ex- 18, Jama’ah Club hosted its annual The cafeteria was divided in half time by Chanda Gift Studio. The put in by the students, faculty, and plore the different aspects within the Ramadan dinner in the cafeteria. with patricians, a physical way to tables featured brown and silver bal- various contributors. The Celestial garden and learn through the color- The dinner served as a medium for separate the two genders, an Islamic loons massed down to the table with Garden Project began at North- ful and sensory components. non-Muslim Northsiders to learn practice that promotes modesty and weights and alternating table covers side eight years ago when Mr. Neil The Garden will become a valu- about Ramadan and to taste some shuns indecent interaction between that followed this color scheme. Corman, a former Science teacher able part of the community, serving ethnically diverse foods from dif- males and females. The dinner has occurred annual- at Northside, and his sister, a land- as a part of the daily experience of ferent Muslim cultures. Aside from “It’s kind of hard to understand ly ever since the school was founded scape architect, sparked the idea. early morning joggers, dog-walk- an historically large outcome rela- the whole separation issue in this so- and is one of two dinners that is host- It was inspired by historical monu- ers, and bikers alike. Neighborhood tive to previous years, the dinner ciety,” Naim Uddin, Adv.105, said, ed annually by the club. The dinner ments around the world, including started with the breaking of the fast “ but those who fully practice sepa- featured a variety of food from many Stonehenge, located in the United schools will be welcome to explore and ended as people finished eating ration, I find it a testimony to their ethnically-different backgrounds yet Kingdom, Cahokia Mounds in Il- the garden, as well as study and ex- desert. dedication.” dominantly from the indo-park sub linois, and Machu Picchu in Peru, pand their knowledge on subjects The event began around 7:00 Club members noted that this continent. The essence of the dinner among others. such as cosmology and astrology. p.m., the time for the breaking of the year’s dinner was the most difficult was to invite students to learn about The project began in 2001 when The goal is for the installation fast with the setting of the sun. The dinner that they have orgnanized. the motivation and purpose behind it was introduced as a colloquium of the benches to begin in spring of audience was offered dates, a small Since the Islamic month of Rama- fasting in Ramadan. At the same option. Since then, it has remained 2010, and possibly be ready by the fruit eaten in the Middle East, to be- dan fell within the first two weeks time, students were able to eat food a primarily student-driven project, end of the 2009-2010 school year or gin the feast, the traditional way of of school, the club had to organize and enjoy the evening. with the assistance and guidance of by the beginning next academic year. breaking one’s fast. Mr. Timothy Devine, social science Once the contractors have complet- Noman Lashkariya, Adv. 104, department, and Ms. Joanne Minyo, ed the project, the actual gardening talked briefly about the importance fine arts department. Nearly 400 stu- phase of the Celestial Garden will of Ramadan and the principles be- dents have lent a hand in the project begin. hind it. The speech was humorous throughout its many phases. The At the retirement party for Dr. Jay with jokes such as defining “asalam project has consisted of many com- Lalley, Northside’s former principal, wa aliekum,” an Arabic greeting for ponents, including long months of $35,000 was raised for the Garden. “peace be upon you,” as the Muslim research, a meticulous design team, A grant for $180,000 has also been way of saying “wassap.” and the development of the actual secured through the city of Chicago. Soon after, there was a prayer in garden. Several other small grants also con- the third floor atrium; others obser- The final product will be installed tributed to the funding of the Gar- vantly watched making sure not to in Northside’s backyard, between the den Project. The Oppenheimer grant disturb those praying. As the prayer school building and the river. The Northside has won will be utilized finished and people began heading Garden will comprise of six benches towards the mosaic tile purchases. downstairs, the feasting started. placed in a circular pattern. There Other grants will contribute towards There was a large variety of dif- will be a 400 square foot garden be- hiring professional mosaic artists to ferent ethnically diverse foods, all hind each of the six benches, each install the tiles. supplied by the members of the club. with its own theme. So far, gardens “[The Celestial Garden] will Dishes included biryani, a colorful dedicated to literature, as well as sci- show the power of colloquiums south-Asian dish made of rice and Students enjoy the annual Jama’ah Club Ramadan Dinner. ence, are planned. to think big, and dream big,” Mr. meat; pakora, a light snack made of Photo courtesy of Nguyen Than. The Celestial Garden will benefit Devine said.  News The Hoof Beat Metronome “I find your lack of sponsor disturbing” Getting The plight and back into triumph of Star Wars Club the swing by Krystn Collins Northside as a high school ex- presses diversity, both in terms of of things students and student interests. Such by Evan Rogers diversity has produced countless unique student organizations, such STUDENT COUNCIL ADDRESS as the Star Wars Club, the extracur- The Northside Student Coun- ricular activity based around the cil hosted their annual State of the films of producer George Lucas and School Address on Wednesday, Oc- its entire related media. tober 7 in the gym. President Una “We immerse ourselves in Star Lim, Adv. 013, spoke about the Wars-related activities,” Justin Mark, general goals of the council; Edu- Adv. 103, club president, said. “We cational Development (EduDev) watch the movies, play the games, Chairwoman Maria Jolly, Adv. and just have a good time.” 012, discussed the current progress However, since its creation back and plans of the EduDev, including in 2007, the club has faced difficul- changes to the election process; and ties. Student Affairs (StAff) Chairwoman “The first year went pretty good,” Fanny Lau, Adv. 014, talked about Mark said. “It was the second year the activities planned by her depart- that gave us some problems.” ment. Although the president was In 2008, club sponsor Mr. Mi- met with intitial booing, the event chael Sliwicki, world language de- proceeded with little interuption. partment, became unable to con- tinue the sponsorship because of his IMPACT GRADE SCALE involvement with another extracur- Northside has chosen to change ricular activity, Latino Club. There- the grading scale used in IMPACT fore, the search for a new sponsor Gradebook, Chicago Public School’s began. (CPS) online grade service. Instead “We had Mr. Hahm for awhile,” of using the scale of 95-100 A, 88-94 Mark said, “but some things got in B, 81-87 C, 75-80 D, below 75 F, IM- the way and we had Ms. Flanagan PACT will now adapt a pre-set ten sponsor us.” point scale, making 90-100 A, 80-90 Unfortunately, Ms. Flanagan was unable to continue her sponsorship Star Wars Club hopes to continue its celebration of the Star Wars franchise, despite lacking a set sponsor go- B, etc. Some teachers have chosen ing into the new school year. Photos courtesy of amazon.com. to continue using their own custom into 2009, leaving the fate of Star grade scale. Students may check Wars Club uncertain for the first few said. “It’d be weird to have to drop means for enjoying the ever popular and there are more than a handful to their class syllabuses or contact their weeks of the new school year. [Star Wars Club] entirely just be- film trilogies whose appeal spans be found at Northside. teacher to learn about the scale used “We weren’t sure what was going cause we couldn’t find a sponsor.” generations. “I love Star Wars,” Nohemi Fer- by their teacher. to happen for a while,” Mark said, Such sentiments are echoed by Negative perceptions about fans nandez, Adv. 016, said. “The fight “but we kept looking. None of us other members of the club, who of Star Wars exist, of course, namely scene at the end of the third movie is FRESHMAN FRIDAY wanted to give up the club.” likewise find themselves glad that a that to enjoy it is synonymous with my life. I’d definitely join the club.” September 11 marked the date Luckily for the members of Star sponsor was decided. being a dork. This year, Star Wars club intends of the annual unofficial Freshman Wars Club, another sponsor has “It’s just a fun thing to do after “That’s really not true,” Mark to be as it was in years past: fun, en- Friday. At most high schools, Fresh- been kind enough to provide for the school,” Ian Schuba, Adv. 101, said. said. “We’re all normal kids that just joyable, and relaxed. man Friday is charecterized by up- striking back of the club, and the “It’s like a break from school to just happen to like Star Wars. We even “All are welcome,” Mark said, perclassmen throwing pennies and members now have Mr. Mike Lill, relax and have fun.” had a girl in the club for awhile be- “even if you’re not a hardcore fan or quarters at Freshmen. This year, the fine arts department, to thank for According to Mark, the club has fore she had to quit because of her anything and you just want to learn day was notably calm, with very few taking up the position. a laid back atmosphere with no obli- schoolwork.” more about Star Wars. And, at the upperclassman participating in the “It’s cool that we got something gations, very few rules, and aims to Girls who love Star Wars are not risk of sounding incredibly dorky, event. Afterwards, Principal Barry figured out,” John Dorf, Adv. 103, do its best to provide a convenient as uncommon as one would think, ‘May the force be with you.’” Rodgers praised Northsiders for treating Freshmen with respect and abstaining from penny-throwing. Northside begrüßt FALL PLAY PREPERATION Northside has begun preparing for their rendition of “The Impor- Deutsche studenten tance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. Auditions were held during German the second week of school, and offi- cial practice began on Tuesday, Sep- exchange tember 22. Performances will begin students during the week of Novemeber 20 in the Northside theatre. The play will welcomed at be directed by Ms. Kyra Sitz, English department. The 2010 musical has Northside also been announced. Northside’s Bremen’s flag features eight red actresses and actors will be perform- by Greesham Simon and white stripes. ing the musical “She Loves Me!” by Northside hosted German stu- Photo courtesy of amazon.com. Joe Masteroff this spring. dents from the city of Bremen, Ger- many during early September as part winkel school, located in Bremen, STUDENT PORTRAITS of an exchange student program. that have come to experience Amer- Stuart-Rodgers Images gathered The program began in 2000, one ica. They described their mid-sized underclassmen portraits at North- year after Northside opened, with city as radically different from the side on Wednesday, October 7. its first batch of students arriving in colossal city of Chicago, so they en- Students were called down by col- September of the same year. joyed many attractions downtown. loquium and photographed indivitu- “We worked with these groups Likewise, their school is a lot smaller ally. Portraits will be featured in the and we had the exchange every than Northside, since Schulzentrum 2009-2010 issue of the Stampede, year,” Ms. Virginia Apel, world lan- Rockwinkel only has around 200 Northside’s yearbook. Students who guage department, said. “I think it’s people whereas Northside accom- were not photographed or would the tenth time that they are here.” modates about 1,100. The three like to retake their photograph can Northside is involved with two students said that the classes at attend the upcoming portrait make German exchange programs, one Northside and the school system are up day. with Bremen, a mid-sized German basically the same when compared city, and the other with a large Ger- with their school back in Bremen, OPEN HOUSE man city, Hamburg, from which stu- besides the primary language used Northside hosted its annual dents arrived on September 25. in the school. By seeing Chicago and Open House on Sunday, October “The German students come here its people, Henkel rejected a stereo- 25. Current students lead the tours and live with host families of most- typical thought of Americans which The state of Bremen is located in northern Germany. Its capital is aptly of prospective freshmen through ly kids taking German,” Ms. Apel he had inferred prior to visiting. named the City Municipality of Bremen, or Stadtgemeinde Bremen. the school. Various sports and clubs said. “In June and July, [Northside “I thought that much of America Photo courtesy of amazon.com. presented to the elementary students students] go to Germany and have was fat,” Henkel said, “because of and parents in an effort to recruit similar programs.” the amount of fast food… here in here than they are in Bremen. The go back. members for future years. The German students go sight- downtown, there’s a McDonalds at attraction that they all enjoyed the With this program, a connection seeing and experience American cul- every corner.” most was the John Hancock build- forms between the two dissimilar VERVE SUBMISSIONS ture as they visit the John Hancock, The German students left their ing because they got the chance to schools. Verve, Northside’s literary maga- the Willis Tower, and other attrac- homes, family, and friends when dine at the top floor of the building “The nice part of both these zine, is currently excepting submis- tions in Chicago. they came to Chicago, so some be- with a spectacular view. Overall, the programs is that over the years, the sions. Students can send their origi- Florian Henkel, Caroline Krebs, came homesick. three students enjoyed their stay in teachers have a relationship…we nal poems, prose, musical numbers, and Carolin Möller are three tenth- They all said that the activity Chicago and they all said that they know each other,” Ms. Apel said. photos, and drawings to the editors grade members of the group of stu- that they enjoyed most was shop- will miss the shopping and the food “I know a lot of teachers at both at [email protected]. dents from the Schulzentrum Rock- ping because products were cheaper that the city has to offer once they schools.” October 2009 Connections  Help! I wanna be sedated ing the health care system reforms. A they will not be left to fend the costs The health care few days later, MoveOn.org held vig- for themselves. ils across the country for all of those “What this plan will do is to make debate is making who have suffered due to the poor the insurance you have work bet- healthcare system. In the Chicago- ter for you,” President Obama said heads spin land area, there were 12 such rallies in his speech. “Under this plan, it in different locations such as Grant will be against the law for insurance by Alice Henry Park, Old Orchard, and Evanston’s companies to deny you coverage A pill in America: 220 dollars. fountain square on David Street. because of a pre-existing condition. The same pill in Argentina: 80 dol- “The challenge is not to change As soon as I sign this bill, it will be lars. A testimony by an affected Ar- things,” one speaker at the vigil against the law for insurance compa- gentinean-American at a health care in Evanston said, “it’s to improve nies to drop your coverage when you vigil held for all those ill or dead due them.” get sick or water it down when you to what is now viewed by many as Since Senator Ted Kennedy’s re- need it most. They will no longer be a shoddy health care system: price- cent death, Congress has been mak- able to place some arbitrary cap on less. ing a push to finally pass a health care the amount of coverage you can re- The debate over health care re- plan, as this was a steady endeavor ceive in a given year or a lifetime. We form is one of the biggest topics in of Senator Kennedy’s throughout will place a limit on how much you politics right now. While Democrats his long career as a Congressman. can be charged for out-of-pocket ex- are arguing for a more public, wel- “We have seen many in this penses, because in the United States fare-oriented health care system, chamber work tirelessly for the better of America, no one should go broke Republicans support individually part of this year to offer thoughtful because they get sick.” bought health care packages, similar ideas about how to achieve reform,” These changes are what many to what currently exists. President President Obama said in his speech. have been demanding of their health Barack Obama delivered a speech on “Of the five committees asked to de- care, because there have been many September 9 addressing the debate. velop bills, four have completed their cases where people have felt cheated “There are those on the left who work, and the Senate Finance Com- out of their proper insurance and believe that the only way to fix the mittee announced today that it will have suffered the consequences of system is through a single-payer sys- move forward next week. That has bad coverage. Some people are de- tem like Canada's, where we would never happened before.” nied health care or lose their cover- severely restrict the private insurance Much of the debate has been age based on preexisting conditions. market and have the government roused by false claims that there Others have been dropped by their provide coverage for everyone,” would be a death panel for senior cit- insurance once they contracted a President Obama said in his speech izens, that illegal immigrants would health complication, while others (www.nytimes.com). “On the right, be covered by the new insurance, are forced to choose what operations there are those who argue that we and that the government would be to get based on what their insurance should end the employer-based sys- paying for abortions and stem cell says they can afford. tem and leave individuals to buy research. Sarah Palin was one such “…Insurance companies will health insurance on their own…. propagator, who made a claim that be required to cover, with no extra Since health care represents one- there was a death panel in the bill: a charge, routine checkups and pre- Health care continues to be a big debate in the Obama administration. sixth of our economy, I believe it panel that would decide whether the ventive care like mammograms and Image courtesy of Amazon.com. makes more sense to build on what unhealthy were fit to live based on colonoscopies,” President Obama works and fix what doesn't, rather their contribution to society. said, “– because there's no reason tive care, however, is an addition ica. Committees in the Senate are than try to build an entirely new sys- As Congress pushes through the we shouldn't be catching diseases that has not been an overwhelming currently reviewing the health care tem from scratch.” health care bill, changes have been like breast cancer and colon cancer proposal by party factions, though bill. Prior to President Obama’s made largely to provide security in before they get worse. That makes it would significantly prevent over- “The time for bickering is over,” speech, activism “sparked” up health insurance for Americans, so sense. It saves money, and it saves whelming costs in the long run. President Obama said. “The time for around the country. In Chicago, a when they become more severely lives.” “We cannot afford to wait” was games has passed. Now is the season town hall meeting was held address- sick or may become unemployed, The decision to insure preventa- the slogan at the vigils across Amer- for action.” Oh, the places you will not go: no go for College Bridge we offer in our curriculum.” canceled for now, there is still hope CPS program Rhonda Bell, who works for the for College Bridge because CPS is CPS Office of College and Career looking into ways to bring it back. eliminated Preparation that managed the Col- Additionally, college partners are lege Bridge Program, talked about working on ways to keep some form by Jeffrey Joseph some of the reasons why the pro- of the Bridge program. For example, This past summer, Chicago Pub- gram was canceled. Depaul is currently paying for the lic Schools (CPS) cut its College “We have budget deficits, so I costs for high school students who Bridge program. College Bridge had think that monies are going to core participate in the Depaul program. previously given CPS high school programs at the schools, so core edu- “We are just in the process of juniors and seniors the opportunity cational programs,” Bell said, ”and evaluating several options,” Bell to take college classes in a variety then things that would be considered said. “CPS is talking to the various of subjects ranging from fine arts to enrichment or some of the programs college partners and this process just mathematics at various colleges and like a College Bridge, which exposed started. The hope is that a retooled universities in the Chicagoland area. students to college culture and col- College Bridge will reemerge in the “The College Bridge program re- lege requirements, got cut.” spring, but that is unclear.” ally gave students the opportunity to A primary incentive for students According to Ms. Bell and Ms. experience life on a college campus to participate in the program was Medina, the reactions from parents Northpark University was one of the partners of the former CPS College and the rigor of college courses,” that CPS paid for the costs of books, and students both here at Northside Bridge. Photo by Jeffrey Joseph. Ms. Marina Medina, Northside tuition and transport for the students and CPS-wide to the termination counseling department, said, “be- for their classes. The colleges that dents an opportunity to take courses in the program. According to a CPS of the College Bridge program has cause unlike some other programs, students could have taken classes that we don't offer here at North- board report from 2008, the costs of mostly been disappointment. College Bridge is a program where at included schools such as North- side,” Ms. Marina Medina, said. “If books and tuition alone at the vari- “There was a lot of disappoint- high school students are in college western University in Evanston and a student wanted to experience a the- ous colleges in the College Bridge ment among students who had been classes with other college students, DePaul University in Chicago’s Lin- ater course, they could take a theater program ranged from an estimated participating in the program, a re- not with other high school students, coln Park neighborhood. Another course, if they wanted to experience 300 to 760 dollars per class. ally natural response,” Ms. Bell said, so that is a huge difference.” benefit of the programs for students a Latin American political science “Those [books, tuition, and trans- “and we have received calls from Students who participated in was that it allowed students to ex- course, they could do that.... It pro- portation] are very expensive costs,” concerned parents and certainly the the program were able to receive plore their interests. vided academic enrichment to a re- Bell, said. colleges are concerned because it is both college and high school credit “[College Bridge] offered stu- ally extensive degree beyond what Though the program is officially such a great program.” Seaonal forecast for swine flu and what it means for you Justin Thomas from the National, Johnson, Daily Record, a news ted. Swine flu is in fact transmitted actions to food. Preventative an English written newspaper from website (dailyrecord.com). So really with close proximity with infected To those still frightened of the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. even those who fear the swine flu pigs, like in livestock exhibitions, swine flu, remember Franklin Roos- measures for The regular flu is taking only a quar- can not say that there is no vaccine, and with infected people, according evelt’s tried and true view: “Let me ter of a million to a million lives in and usually epidemics end when to the CDC. The fact remains that assert my firm belief that the only the Northside an average year. Compared to the the vaccine is found and adminis- any unsanitary food can still harm a thing we have to fear is fear itself 400 deaths as of July 2009, it really tered to the public. All high school person. Basic food safety, like wash- – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified student is not a big number. Seven months students need to do is keep in mind ing one’s hands, should be followed terror…” after that article was written, the these rules: wash your hands, bathe, at all times to ensure a healthy life. by John Gonzalez death toll has not risen substantially, and do not intentionally sneeze onto Nevertheless, swine flu should A wind flows across a deserted as there are just 3,500 deaths asso- people; rather, sneeze into your not be the reason to give up bacon. street, cars are torn apart, the road ciated with the swine flu (H1N1). sweater or handkerchief, according Once one understands that the swine are unleveled and uneven, as you Many of those 3,500 who died from to the Center for Disease Control flu is not as deadly as it was hyped walk down the street, the smell of swing flu also suffered from other and Prevention (CDC). Knowing up to be, and that preventing it is ex- corpses are laden in the air. Since life threatening illnesses, and as eas- how to take care of one’s self is im- actly like preventing the regular flu, swine flu came onto the world map ily could have died from those other portant; however, unsafe food can then fear towards the myriad delec- from Mexico in April of 2009, it illnesses. In addition, with vaccines still endanger one’s health. It is hard table pork products can be eliminat- seems that nearly everyone is in a on the way, swine flu will not be as not to be worried about what to eat ed. In fact H1N1 is really a mutation fit of paranoia, with people blaming deadly as feared to be. when an unsanitary fisherman in of the flu. There is no need to restrict any thing from pork to government While students do apply under Mexico can be the cause of a hospi- one’s diet if one follows the Food conspiracies. However, the fact the young adult demographic and as tal visit, unbeknownst to you. As the and Drug Administration’s (FDA) is that swine flu is not really that such are under the list of most at risk CDC website says, not only is eating guidelines. To be safe one can visit dangerous compared to deaths by of getting swing flu, the good thing stuff like pork okay, a person can not the FDA’s website to see an ongo- Face masks are one preventive traffic accidents, which are 1.2 mil- is that high school students can get even get swine flu from pork at all, ing list of food contaminations and measure against swine flu. lion worldwide a year, according to a vaccine, according to Linda A. that is not how swine flu is transmit- ways for people to report adverse re- Image courtesy of Amazon.com.  Features The Hoof Beat It is not Playboy meets Halloween “but not inappropriate.” of a “skanky” costume is something The fine line Alegre believes that when a cos- that appears to be too sexually ap- your tume reveals too much skin, it is pealing. Yet, if someone else wears between considered inappropriate. This, in such costume, he does not feel af- turn, agrees with the Chicago Pub- fected by it. To him it is alright for average costume and lic Schools (CPS) Dress Code which everyone to wear what they want. prohibits female students from wear- “It’s a Halloween-only-comes- lingerie ing “excessively short” bottoms or once-a-year thing,” Tran said. “I senior tops that “reveal cleavage” on school don’t care what anyone wears.” by Lyanne Alfaro grounds. Despite the restrictions on Tran made it clear that he is not project To most children, Halloween clothing, some students, especially against revealing costumes, but he means walking through the neigh- females, express themselves and does not respect them either. Jade Northside borhood, a pumpkin swinging from dress this way once a year. After all, Kurokawa, Adv. 105, shares her side to side on one arm,collecting an most are not as revealing in their opinion with Tran; it does not af- senior begins assortment of candy, from Hershey’s fashion sense on a daily basis. Hal- fect her or make her uncomfortable chocolate bars to bright red Jolly loween, they believe, gives them one if anyone wears a provocative cos- developing a Ranchers. Most still remember the day to be different. tume. night that comes around once each “I would wear a skanky costume,” “I’m not against skanky cos- large-scale year when they had the ability to be Bjanka Mujicic, Adv. 100, said. “Ev- tumes,” Kurokawa said, “and it’s whomever they wanted to be. With- ery girl wants to be someone they’re up to that person what they want to project in a matter of minutes, anyone could not and it’s being someone else for wear.” turn into Cinderella, Spiderman, or a night.” Although Kurokawa believes in by Sarah Capungan a fairy. However, there seems to be However, Mujicic, just like everyone’s right to express herself Sky Cubacub, Adv. 014, has a period of time in every Halloween Alegre, has her limits on her defini- through her costume, she also be- many interests revolved around art spirit, in which some evolve and de- tion of a “skanky” costume. It may lieves there is a boundary between and high-fashion. This year she will cide to take a walk on the other side be Halloween, but to Mujicic, that costume and lingerie. combine them in her senior project. of the world of costumes. is not a ticket to go to the adult cos- “[The boundary is] when you Playboy’s Little Red Riding Hood Each year, seniors have the option The Cinderella from six years ago tume aisle at Party City and choose might as well be in a Victoria’s Se- costume goes far beyond what the to create a senior project. If a senior is now a provocative French maid to wear the Playboy bunny costume. cret commercial rather than trick-or- fictional character looks like in has a specific interest in something or Playboy bunny. While some stu- “If you’re in a bikini or lingerie treating,” Kurokawa said. children’s books. that is not already taught in school, dents do not mind their peers wear- with the excuse that that’s your Hal- Despite the similarity in most stu- Photos courtesy of Amazon.com that senior can submit a project pro- ing these types of costumes, others loween costume, it’s not acceptable,” dents’ thinking, the fine line between posal. are genuinely bothered to see their Mujicic said. costume and lingerie, costume marts Halloween. According to hubpages. Cubacub has been making dresses classmates being so exposed at Hal- Meanwhile, other students like to fail to turn to more conservative com, that costume idea will be one for 20 hour art projects since fresh- loween dances and on Halloween avoid criticizing what other people getups and over the years have dis- of the most popular ones this year. man year. A lot of them have been night. wear and mind their own costume covered new ways to be provocative The option of whether to wear Play- displayed and modeled by Cubacub “Halloween costumes should be instead. Among these students is with their costume ideas. Ladies, boy or not will be left for the wearer herself at the art shows at Northside fun,” Roldan Alegre, Adv. 108, said, Alex Tran, Adv. 200. His definition expect sexy pirate costumes this to decide. in previous years. “I have wanted to do a whole line since I started making that first dress,” Cubacub said. Filling up that blank space on college applications Her senior project will be a fash- ion show that features the dresses College she has designed and created with her friends modeling her creations. application “The show is about the things that are obsessive and repetitive in stuffing life,” Cubacub said. “I will be mostly using chainmaille.” by Zobia Chunara Chainmaillen is a form of art cre- It is not a secret that when look- ated by connecting metal rings into a ing at prospective students, colleges pattern and is also one of the earliest are looking for those that are well- forms of metal armor. The show will rounded. However, they also look feature many chainmaille dresses. at what roles a student had in his “Chainmaille has been the rea- or her extra-curricular activities. A son I’ve had the opportunity to work balanced slate comes from being with so many different artists,” Cu- involved in a club or being part of bacub said. “I just love very tedious a sports team. Quite a few students and repetitive work.” coast through freshman and sopho- Along with chainmaille, Cu- more year, trying to hold on to their bacub will also be using a method precious grades without weighing known as scherenschnitte to create themselves down with extra-curricu- some of her dresses. Scherenschnitte lars. Once these students hit junior is the traditional German method of year, starting college applications paper-cutting. Sky will also use that becomes a wake up call. method to create some dresses out “Well, freshman and sophomore of paper. years, I see, are times for explora- “The results are amazing when tion,” Mr. Patrick Tassoni, college done well,” said Cubacub. “And it coordinator, said, “because you still has the repetitive quality that don’t know what you are really in- chainmaille has.” terested in, so those are times to ex- Cubacub has begun working on plore different things. And then in the dresses this past summer and sophomore, junior, and senior year, will use those dresses in her fashion you sort of understand what you like At Key Club’s first meeting of the year, so many students showed up that the club sponsor, Ms. Runkel, had to show as well as some of the dresses to do, and you do more of that, and escort many of them out into the hall, and keep others from coming into the room. Photo by Zobia Chunara. she had created during her junior then you take up leadership roles in year. that.” be [that] people should try out a lot selves a favor,” Qing Hu, Adv. 206, meeting on September 16, numer- “The best feeling is to make a Students who have missed out as of things,” David Jaffe, Adv. 204, said, “because most colleges have ous students headed to Key Club; dress and see it finished after work- underclassmen, fill up their sched- said, “things they wouldn’t normally read enough applications to tell and however, due to the large amount of ing for a while,” Cubacub said. ules with many activities. They do do. Try it early on, and figure out see a laundry list of extra-curricu- people that showed up to the meet- Cubacub takes three blocks at so without questioning if it is really what you’re really into, what you lars of junior year students who put ing, many interested students were school solely devoted to her senior worth their time to start getting in- really want to be committed to, and them together. So they are putting forced to stay in the hall until the project. Aside from those three volved two years before stepping a focus your time on that.” themselves at a disadvantage be- room cleared out. blocks, Cubacub also takes AP Art foot on a college campus. There is Service hours, as well as being on cause they do that even though they Key Club’s leaders hope that History and Drawing and Painting 2 less of a possibility for a leadership rigorous academic teams like aca- think it’s going to help them.” people learn from it and really enjoy with Ms. Lindsey Caplice as well as position when starting out late in a demic decathlon, or debate team, The service learning requirement giving back to the community even Sculpture 3 with Mrs. Joanne Min- club. Instead, a possible route is to comes as an advantage. Other clubs, is 40 hours, but beyond this it is up if it is for service hours. People truly yo. She often seeks advice from her start out in freshman or sophomore like Recycling Club, get service to a student to decide if a cause is committed to clubs show up early, art teachers, such as Mr. Christopher year. hours without a reflection. Never- of interest to him and whether he are always there to help, and try to Santiago, fine arts department. “Elite colleges are looking for theless, one may wonder if practic- would sincerely like to help out. To help if board members are not avail- “They’re like parents to me,” Cu- well-rounded, but well-lopsided peo- ing three hours every day for a sport make it worthwhile, commitment able. bacub said. ple,” Mr. Tassoni said. is really worth his time if it is not his and showing up to every meeting is “It usually starts with about 40 Aside from the art classes men- According to the counselor, col- true interest or ambition to pursue it important. people,” Obina said, “and dwindles tioned, Cubacub also creates chain- leges are looking for something that in college or later on. “I think a lot of sophomores down to 20 people a meeting, but maille outside of Northside. Cuba- shows that the student’s skills have “I feel that if you are doing some- [join Key Club] because you have to this year seems pretty good. We can’t cub is an intern at the Blue Buddha developed in any area, whether it is thing for your college application, it fill out 20 hours before you become even fit all of them in the room.” Boutique, a chainmaille shop, after academic or extracurricular. Devo- should be something that you are in- a junior,” Jeselle Obina, Adv. 014, a Students at Northside do not taking classes at Caravan Beads from tion to an activity is important as terested in,” Grace Oczon, Adv. 205, public relations officer of Key Club, believe that everyone signs up for seventh to tenth grade. Cubacub also well as showing resulting skills that said, “not just for education, other- said, “and towards spring of their extra-curriculars just for college ap- creates chainmaille for the Chicago have developed over time. wise it will be boring, and you are sophomore year, we get a bunch of plications; many believe that interest based fashion line called Creatures Students should seize the op- just wasting your time.” new members just trying to get some plays a part in it, which is impor- of the Wind. She has recently flown portunity and stick with a club in Extra-curriculars may be a plus service hours. People tend to take tant. to Fashion Week at New York City sophomore year since the seniors on one’s college application, but advantage of what we do because In the end, it is a student’s choice after designing some creations for in the club will be leaving that year. looking back, one might question, they’re like, ‘oh yeah, service hours, whether he decides to take up an ac- Creatures of the Wind. Club officers are usually looking for “Why did I not do that?” when he we don’t have to write a reflection.’” tivity or not. That club, that service “It’s not so much that I’m inter- members who have more time left at realizes that the opportunity to par- Key Club turns a blind eye be- hour opportunity, that team, may ested in fashion,” Cubacub said. Northside so that they can lead the ticipate in something interesting is cause the ends justify the means look good on the application, but in “It’s more that I am interested in club and teach others about it. not there anymore. since many students sign up and the end, it should mean something decorating the body.” “I think a better thing to do would “I don’t think they’re doing them- participate. At the informational and be worth the time and effort. October 2009 Features  Una Lim: power, passion, and personality known this. The new “She tries to do as much as she can because she knows what’s pos- Student Council sible and she likes being busy all the time,” explained Jolly. “In the sum- President, in- mer even, she was taking classes and doing a lot of volunteer stuff and school and out had a job.” by Will Riley But Jolly called out her friend on Una Lim. Captain of the wom- her denial of the title of overachiev- en’s tennis team, the President of er. Student Council, piano, flute, and “She’s a crazy overachiever,” violin, Mikva Challenge, varsity Jolly said. “She’s an overachiever be- Poms squad, peer mentors, and char- cause she likes to overachieve.” ity work through her church. These As her Northside career draws to are only a few of the many things a close, sources within the adminis- she does. But understand this: she tration, too, took time to appreciate is not an overachiever. According to the contributions of Una Lim, and her, no one is. also recognize the fact that much of “I don’t think anyone can be an her legacy is still yet to be defined. overachiever because everyone has “She has a lot of energy,” Assis- their own standards,” Una Lim, tant Principal Dr. Margaret Murphy Adv. 013, said. “I work hard, but I said, “and I think that she and the make sure I have time for myself to student council have a lot of good do the things I enjoy. If you’re pas- ideas in bringing that energy to the sionate about something, you will entire student body. I’m looking for- make room for it.” ward to having the student council And room she has certainly really change how students get in- made. volved in the school.” Lim can be seen contributing to As a senior, the next big test – col- a wide range of activities around the Una Lim, Adv. 013, and her fellow Student Council members. Photo courtesy of Alejandro Valdivieso. lege – is only a stone’s throw away school. If it seems as if she never for Lim, and she just about has her rests, perhaps it is because she does community. Her energy is a driving Lim as Junior Educational Develop- ized after IMP 3.” It’s Una Lim; go plans all figured out. One of them is not. force in the student body,” Albrit- ment Senator. Butzen thinks highly figure. to double-major in Economics and “I like being busy,” Lim said. ton said. “She’s got a pretty positive of his new colleague. With such a high level of accom- Political Science at one of her two And this is nothing new; it’s a pat- can-do attitude and I notice that and “She’s very organized and she’s plishment in the classroom, in athlet- top college choices - Georgetown or tern that Lim has proven time and appreciate it quite a bit and I think compassionate about others, and she ics, and outside of school, Lim must Columbia University in New York again throughout her four years at other students do, as well.” works well at Northside because of not have any regrets – right? Wrong. - and then go to law school. Her Northside. Albritton’s biggest piece of advice those qualities,” he said. Every story has a lesson, and Lim alternative scenario is to attend An- “I’ve been pretty consistent with for her would simply be to continue Educational Development chair says hers is to be more relaxed as drews University in Berrian Springs, my extra-curriculars,” Lim said, “be- what she is already doing so well. Maria Jolly, Adv. 012, shares those an underclassman. Instead, Lim Michigan and major in Secondary cause I don’t want to waste my time. “Just remain confident and shoot high regards. laments that during freshman and Education, after which she will try I don’t want to waste anybody’s for the stars,” he said. “She’s the strong backbone that sophomore year she just “worked to to improve the education system in time.” One of Lim’s most important we need,” she said. “When we need work.” America. Either way, her ambitious Many Northside students already and difficult roles to fill this year is to get things done, she’ll make sure Another lesson that she has history will surely continue to be a know Una as a driven individual. that of Student Council President. they get done.” gleaned from her time here at North- hallmark of her character. But most do not know what makes Appropriately for her, she has an side is to pick classes not on the ba- Una Lim is just one part of a mo- her tick. ambitious action plan for the task at With the election of Lim to Stu- sis of difficulty or AP credit, but be- saic of hundreds just like her within Outside of school, church plays hand. dent Council, Northside may have cause of a genuine desire to take that the Northside community. Her drive a large role in her life. Her favorite “My number one priority for stu- unknowingly given the highest of- class. While on the topic, Lim also and passion, while admirable quali- book next to “Tuesdays with Mor- dent council this year is school spir- fice in the student body to the first had some more advice to offer up for ties, are already put into play daily rie” is the Holy Bible. She spends it. We want to create more pride in ever pro-IMP candidate. Although all students, in kindergarten through by every Northside student in their her Friday evenings at Seventh-Day our school. We don’t want students it will surely come as a surprise to grad school. own unique way. Una is but one face Adventist night worship. to say, ‘Student Council doesn’t do many, she says that she would stick Her three principles for success of an unwritten part of the fabric of Besides church, Lim has received anything.’” Lim said. She has made with the Interactive Mathematics in school are first, getting to know this great educational institution, a much of her wisest counsel from her it clear the responsibilities she vests Program (IMP) if presented with the teachers and professors, second, guiding principle summed up best favorite teacher, Mr. Robert Albrit- in the council. alternative of a standardized math talking to counselors, and third, bal- by Lim herself: “Do your best. For- ton, math department. “If the student body doesn’t curriculum. ance. get the rest.” “He advises me on a plethora of know what’s going on, it’s Student “I came into high school with ten “You have to learn how to work That is what she has done for different things,” Lim explained. Council’s fault,” she said. years of standardized math under and play. It’s all about balance,” Lim four years as a Mustang, and she will Albritton has reciprocal respect Tim Butzen, Adv. 103, was also my belt from grade school,” she said. said. surely continue to do as she shoots for his pupil. elected to Student Council last year “I wanted to have a mix of both, and Una Lim clearly has an ambi- for the stars wherever life takes her “Una contributes a lot to the and is currently serving alongside besides, the curriculum is standard- tious history. Una’s friends have long from here. Mr. Steve Arnam goes to high school Greaser + marine aquatics fanatic= Mr. Arnam by Samantha Prestigiacomo Mr. Steven Arnam, science de- partment, is the Chemistry and Aquatic Marine Science teacher at Northside, but he was once a high student too and practically right around the corner. "High School was really just a whole lot of fun,” Arnam said. “Un- like here, we went to school with all kids from the neighborhood, so I grew up with everybody." A student at Roosevelt High School from 1973 to 1977, Arnam was connected to the school most of Mr. Arnam has found ways to incorporate his interest in moles and ma- his life, even before attending. rine animals into his Chemistry classes. Many of his students remember "Well, my mom worked there, how they created moles to represent different elements of the Periodic she was a librarian,” he said. “She Table. Artwork courtesy of Samantha Prestigiacomo started teaching there when I was six years old, so I sort of grew up Mr. Steve Arnam, science department, took his love for Marine Biology "I [also] took child development,” Roosevelt High School was a with all these teachers. I was known and turned it into a career. Photo by Alejandro Valdivieso. he said. “As a junior, I spent most of different place when he attended, already, so it was almost like a little the day at a grammar school in the and differs greatly from our current family." were defined back in those days. My really fit in the same group as the kindergarten classroom." Northside experience. Despite this, High school in the seventies was freshman year I was a greaser, so we basketball players [or] the baseball This experience was not the result high school offers the same thing to a very different experience than what had the greased hair and the leather players [or] the normal sports,” he of an interest in teaching, but acted all of its students, a microcosm for it is today, and the unique culture at jackets and those baggy pants." said. “We had long hair, so we ended more as a cause. the world full of activities and rela- the time influenced students appro- As usual with teenagers, he up in more of the "freak" category "I never thought I was going to be tionships, many forming lasting im- priately. changed throughout his high school and not so much the ‘jocks,’” a teacher,” he said. “[I always knew pressions. "At that time there were greas- experience, becoming involved in Arnam took advantage of a wide I was going to be a marine biologist, "The Northside experience,” Ar- ers,” Arnam said, “there were the swimming and track and losing the range of different classes offered but I think some of the experiences I nam said, “well, it's a community jocks, and there were the freaks. "greaser" label. then that we don't have at Northside, had in high school pushed me in that here. [And] I felt that same way at Those were sort of the groups that "I was a swimmer, and we didn't including shop classes. direction." Roosevelt back then."  Centerfold The Hoof Beat ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY The power is ours with a fleet to defeat more environmentally friendly. automobile manufacturers are begin- day,” Tran said. “If the The Chicago “I ride the bus every day,” Emily ning to experiment with this techno- CTA can make that pollute Tran, Adv. 105, said. “I think it’s good logical advancement, the CTA is oper- the environment less, I’m Transit Authority that it’ll have less of an effect on the ating three ZERO Emission Fuel Cell definitely for it.” environment.” buses.” goes green as The choice to ride the bus alone is Emission Fuel Cell buses are more a step in helping reduce pollution, in- environmentally friendly than the av- hybrid buses are forms the CTA website. erage bus and have the capability to “By its very nature, public transit is eliminate the pollution the bus releas- added to group inherently environmentally friendly,” es into the atmosphere. Simultaneous- the website said. “In addition, reduc- ly, such buses are not compromised in by Krystn Collins ing the emissions of its fleet, recycling the quality of their operation by the The current environmental situa- of vehicles and associated materials, lack of pollution. However, these tion has shown a distinct lack of per- and recycling of standard materials are more rare.There are now Clean fection. Pollution of the land, air, and are also conducted by the agency to Air Hybrid Buses, of which there are water exists, resources are not neces- lessen the impact of its operations on more than three, providing yet anoth- sarily used to full capacity, and fossil the environment.” er environmental option for the CTA fuels are finite. However, there is still In other words, because of the sys- traveler. hope for Earth and the beings that live tem of transit the CTA provides, less “A vehicle that doesn’t cause any on it, according to Jeffrey Sachs on the people drive cars that would only fur- pollution would be a big step,” Angel- Times Online website. ther increase the air pollution caused, ica Cygan, Adv. 011, said. “If every- “To find our way peacefully and furthermore, the CTA has under- body had cars that didn’t pollute the through these difficulties, we will have taken projects to additionally provide air, things would be a lot better.” to learn, on a global scale, the same aid to the planet such as recycling. This is a sentiment that Northsid- core lessons that successful societies “That’s really cool,” Lauren Casa- ers seem to agree with, and will act on have gradually and grudgingly learnt pao, Adv. 104, said. “They don’t have when it is possible for them. within their own national borders,” to recycle, but they do it anyway be- “I would drive an environmentally Sachs said. “Around half a century cause it’s good for the planet.” friendly car [when I get my license],” ago, many nations began to recognize The CTA does not stop there, and Casapao said, “after I get a car, of that their air, water and land resources has furthered its efforts in environ- course, and if I can afford it.” also had to be managed more inten- mental service through revolutionary As it turns out, if offered the conve- sively for the common good.” research and implementation efforts nience provided by the CTA’s environ- It is in the interest of this common into fuel economy innovations. mental buses and programs, students good and the smart, sustainable man- “The CTA has a number of ongo- would have no qualms about taking agement of humanity’s resources that ing initiatives to utilize advanced fuel them up on the offer. the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) technology to reduce bus emission,” “I know a lot of kids [at Northside] has been stepping up efforts to become the CTA website said. “While many ride the bus to and from school every The big blue switch-a-roo bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, accepted by the recycling programs at takes place at the Chicago expands paper, and different types of plastic. A Northside, however, and should be processing center before being repro- significant improve- disposed of in regular black carts. cessed and sent out to the different the Blue Cart ment of the program Another great improvement of the industries. There are a lot of advan- is its ac- program is single stream recycling. tages to single stream recycling. The Recycling ceptance Single stream recycling is defined by program’s participants no longer have of plastic bluecartschicago.org as “a system to put in the effort to sort the recycled recycling which all recycling material, encouraging more people program commodities are to willingly join the program and a by Timothy Suh stored in a recy- greater percentage of recycling among Time to throw those blue recycling cling cart and participants. Also, it increases the ef- bags into the trash - or rather, one of collected ficiency of the recycling trucks, which the many blue carts that are being in a recy- no longer need extra compartments distributed to neighborhoods all over cling to sort the recyclables and can move growing public dissent Chicago. With rising doubts of how faster without having to stop to sort. against the former blue efficient the blue recycling bags truly The Blue Cart Recycling program bag program, which are, the City of Chicago’s Department has been met with various successes relied on blue trash of Streets and Sanitation began a new and to the support of many people. bags as the main way recycling program back in June 2008. “I have a blue cart at my house,” of separating and col- Through the Blue Cart Recycling pro- Mindy Nguyen, Adv. 201, said. “I lecting recyclables for gram, it will become much easier for love it because I think it helps the en- processing. People Chicagoans to recycle their old papers vironment in a better way.” have expressed their and soda cans lying around the house, Since the beginning of the program, disapproval and dis- a step in improving the environment it has expanded to the north side of trust of the blue trash of Chicago and gaining some extra Chicago, in the areas sectioned off bags. money for the city. by Devon Avenue to North Avenue, “How do we even The Blue Cart Recycling pro- Cicero Avenue to Lake Michigan. know they’re really re- gram is a program that focuses on Parts of the city’s west and south side cycling what’s in those providing blue carts to every house- are also participating in the program. blue bags?” Neda hold in Chicago. These blue carts More than 15 wards are participating Tolooi, Adv. 209, said. are identical to their black, garbage in the program, and it continues to “At my old school, counterparts, but they are used to grow, recently expanding to the north they didn’t even re- dump all recyclable materials. Accord- side in June 2009. It does need accep- cycle it; they mixed it ing to bluecartschicago.org, the carts tance from the community members, with trash. They had are emptied every other week by the so community members interested a recycling program Department of Streets and Sanitation. should contact their alderman to en- that was just for show: Garbage service continues regularly. courage further expansion. maybe to encourage The to-be-recycled material is put The results of the program so far recycling, but not actu- into a blue cart using the same basic have been promising, where the per- ally doing it.” procedure as the black carts: residents centage of recycled material out of all Regardless of the place all recyclable materials into the numbers 3, 4, 5, and 7, the refuse has been averaged anywhere complaints that people cart, preferably first putting them into which were previously from 8% up to 20% depending on the have, the new Blue Cart a plastic bag. A recycling truck will rejected under the old area. According to a report released Recycling program come around every other week to pick recycling program of truck mixed to- by the City of Chicago, in 2008, the is sure to address any up the material in the blue cart, taking Chicago. This is a great gether.” Essentially, program collected over 25,000 tons major flaws with the it to a sorting center where the various sign for Chicago’s re- under the Blue Cart of recyclable commodities through previous system. With a materials are separated into groups. cycling program since Recycling program, the blue carts, compared to the 1,500 simpler, more efficient, Then, those materials are sent to dif- those plastic recycling participants can put tons collected by recycling drop-off trustworthy way of en- ferent industries to be recycled into numbers are particu- all types of recyclable ma- centers. trusting our recyclables new products. The city is paid for the larly hard to recycle, terial into the blue carts The city of Chicago is one of the to really being reused for sent material, which helps cover the often rejected by mixed together. There is no few cities that host such a program. better things, Chicago cost of the program. other recycling longer the need for the San Francisco and Calgary, Alberta, continues to make steps The program also expands what programs in favor participants to separate Canada are some other cities found in creating a cleaner, types of material can be recycled. Ac- for numbers 1 and the recyclables by mate- on the Internet as having their own more “green” and eco- cording to bluecartschicago.org, recy- 2 only. Recycling rial type (plastic, paper, Blue Cart Recycling programs. The friendly city that can be clable materials include glass jars and number 6 is still not etc.) Instead, the sorting program grew as a response to the sustained in the future. October 2009 Centerfold  ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY Living, breathing and being green at home mentally friendly products have been remaining beautiful inside and out. efficient appliances outside the home Smart introduced, a sometimes-large cost ac- This smart house features beautiful has been found simpler, there are many companies the green movement. Go- yet helpful gardens, multi-purpose ways of being “green” indoors. Com- housing ing green is another way of saying that garages that included electric bicycles pact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL’s) people are buying eco-friendly and en- and zero-emission motorcycles and can be installed in mostly any light made easy ergy saving products to help reduce a even a roof top garden that helps reg- fixture. These light bulbs are great en- large eco footprint on the Earth, save ulate moderate temperatures in both ergy and money savers and shine just by Andriana Mitrakos in energy costs, and cease the dis- the summer and winter to help reduce as bright as traditional bulbs. For the past few charge of greenhouse gases. energy costs. While the outer “Smart “[A CFL light bulb] will save about years, many people According to the GreenDepot, a House” is full of creative eco friendly $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself have come together green housing and building products options, the interior holds a power- in about 6 months. It uses 75 percent and joined the move- manufacturer, offered products are ful computer system that keeps note less energy and lasts about 10 times ment toward becom- “green” due to five basic environmen- of energy use tracking how much of longer than an incandescent bulb,” ing more tal benefits provided by the product. it is environmental and how much is according to the Energy Star website, environ- Improvement of indoor air quality, electrical. www.energystar.gov. mental- conservation of resources, stimulation With the zero-emission motor- During daylight hours, artificial ly friend- of the local economy, conservation of cycles and electric bicycles aside, this lighting is many times unnecessary ly. Although energy and manufactured responsibil- “Smart house” provides creative, en- under the circumstances. Natural many sources ity are all included. ergy saving and easy ideas that help lighting brought through strategically of alternative There are many ways to help re- homes reduce carbon discharge. Roof placed windows around the home will energy and duce one’s carbon footprint, from in- top gardens harvest daylight and can provide a free and renewable source environ- side, outside, and around the home. act as a source of cooling in the sum- of light all day. The Museum of Science and Industry mer and insulation in the winter while Water can also be conserved by recently opened an exhibit, “Smart absorbing precipitation. Roof top gar- turning off faucets when not in con- Home: Green and Wired,” dens can also be useful in many other tinuous use and repairing damaged ongoing until January ways, such as growing organic fruits, and dripping faucets or showerheads. 03, 2010, which gives vegetables or herbs and looking great By watering outdoor plants in the early observers a chance at the same time. morning or late afternoon evaporation to see how a Many homeowners have made the is reduced and water is conserved. If home can choice to install solar panels around none of these environmentally friend- be green the outside of the home. Solar panels ly options is at hand, one can continue while are a great way to harvest the sun’s to take part in the green movement by natural light and heat and turn it into recycling paper, plastic and glass in energy to power a home or heat wa- marked containers outside the home. ter systems. These panels, installed on Many steps can be taken by individu- roofs with professional help, look als to help protect Planet Earth. It all beautiful while providing easy depends on how much one is willing energy for homes. to change for the better. The future de- While using energy pends on it. What you sow, you shall eat foods. These markets help farmers stay Northside’s in business as well as preserve natural resources. This preserves farmland farmer’s market which is vital for the health of the environment and conserves the water by Nelson Ogbuagu supply. These markets manage to con- Often times, people may not pay serve soil and clean water and provide attention to what it is that they are a better habitat for natural wildlife. putting in their mouths. They will The farmer’s market colloquium is ini- take whatever is in the mystery bag, tiating the task of making this dream a not concerned about the dangers that reality within our facilitation. lurk each time they decide to indulge “The students are broken up into themselves in “whatever that is.” different teams that we’ve established, The desire for urban and farm and they are all working coherently linkage and consumer interest in ob- to develop this market,” Mr. Tabora, taining fresh products directly from said. “For example we have a collec- the farm brought about farmer’s mar- tion team that is trying to scope out kets. Farmer’s markets play a vital role a potential market. We’re looking at in our society and have continued to people who are interested and what escalate in popularity, mostly due to kinds of stuff they want to seem sold the growing farmer’s markets allow- in the market.” ing consumers to have access to lo- There are many steps being made cally grown, farm fresh produce, gives towards implementing the markets farmers the opportunity to develop a around America. Even the First Lady, personal relationship with their cus- Michelle Obama, is taking initiative tomers, and cultivate consumer loy- towards installing a White House alty with the farmers who grows the Farmer’s Market in Washington D.C. produce. Direct marketing of farm Aside from this there are countless products through farmers markets con- associations and groups that are dedi- tinues to be an important sales outlet cated to reviving the agriculture tech- for agricultural producers nationwide. niques of farmer’s markets, including Today, there are nearly 4,800 farmer’s this colloquium. markets operating throughout the According to men’s fitness.com, nation (www.usda.gov). Northside Chicago is ranked number 13 on the is now taking the initiative towards list of the 25 unhealthiest cities in establishing a farmer’s market by De- America. So it is up to groups such cember of 2010. as the Washington, the USDA, and “Farmer’s markets are a good way Northside’s colloquium to work to of reconnecting with the food that combat the speed in which the rates we eat,” Mr. Johan Tabora, science of Chicago’s obesity statistics are rais- department, said. “These past few ing. Taking into consideration what decades we’ve forgotten the nature of you are fed is the goal of this collo- where our food comes from. quium and the people as this society Farmer’s markets often feature must determine whether to eat to live produce grown naturally or organi- or to live to eat. cally, as well as meats that are raised “I think that it’s a great idea, and humanely on pastures, handmade I’m very interested in doing what farmstead cheeses, eggs and poultry needs to be done,” Genevieve Beck- from free-range fowl, as well as heir- Roe Adv, 011, said. “It is a lot of loom produce and heritage breeds work, a lot more work than any of us of meat and fowl. In many countries had initially thought, but it’s going to with strict food safety laws, farmers’ be really worthwhile. We look forward markets can be one of the few places to the project in general and I feel that beyond the farm gate to purchase raw it’s going to be a labor of love.” 10 Diversions The Hoof Beat Through the camera lens gether nearly a hundred films from minutes; Oct.10, 5:45 p.m.; Oct.12, Chicago’s all around the world, presenting 6:00 p.m.) them in various events and catego- Russia brings “Hipsters,” di- International ries and finally awarding some of rected by Valery Todorovsky, to them honors and medals for best di- the screen this season. It is 1955 in Film Festival rector, actor, actress, and so on. Moscow, and the Soviet lifestyle of The Festival’s logo. Photo courtesy of www.chicagofilmfestival.com. Let’s take a closer look at some the nation is bogging down civilians. by Sonya Dekhtyar of the movies being offered this year. But even this atmosphere can’t stop actually went missing in the horror 11:15 p.m.; Oct. 18, 9:30 p.m.) I look out the window of my I will present them in the categories a group of young self-proclaimed documentary “Cropsey.” Unfortu- Finding herself caught between 21st-floor apartment and I see: leaves they are allocated to in the film fest hipsters from taking the stage to nately for them, their search for an- the abuses of her violent husband turning yellow and orange, tearing catalogue. cheer up the country. (in Russian swers only leads to more mysteries. and the indecisiveness of her young away gently from the protection of with subtitles, 125 minutes; Oct. 9, (84 minutes; Oct. 9, 11:00 p.m.; Oct. lover, Fe enters a period of fear and their trees; Downtown skyscrapers OPENING NIGHT 6:30 p.m.; Oct.10, 6:00 p.m. Oct.11, 11, 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 17, 10:45 p.m.) fright when a baskets of black fruit disappearing into a cloud of mist The honor of opening night 12:30 p.m.) regularly begin appearing at her and fog; Lake Michigan shivering screening goes this year to the Amer- Director Carlos Carrera presents ANIMATION NATIONS door. Who – or what – is trying to from cold and turning gray; people ican film “Motherhood,” directed the Mexican thriller “Backyard.” Regardless of how old we think join her love triangle, and can Fe sur- hurrying to and fro, bundled up in by Katherine Dieckman. Starring The film follows the true story of the we are, we can still admit that we vive her daily oppression? Join Fe in sweaters. I walk out into the street Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards, events unfolding in the border town love animations. Fortunately, tech- Alvin Yapan’s “The Rapture of Fe” on my way to school and I feel: a and Minnie Driver, this energetic of Juárez. Hundreds of women go nology has advanced to the point and see for yourself. (Tagalog with brief quiver of goose bumps running comedy focuses on one day in the life missing, only to turn up as sun-burnt where animation can be used in a subtitles, 78 minutes; Oct. 9, 10:30 down my spine; the stiff early morn- of a mother, Eliza (Thurman), going corpses in the desert, and new police full-length film where the actual dig- p.m.; Oct. 13, 9:30 p.m.; Oct. 16, ing cold stinging my skin; the dense nuts raising two young kids – and a captain Blanco Bravo is absolutely ital-ness plays a second role to the 11:00 p.m.) moisture gathering ominously the husband. Having to plan one of her resolved in stopping the savagery. (in storyline itself. Once again, the Film sky; the unenthusiastic gloominess daughter’s birthday parties, trying to Spanish, English, and Tzotzil with Festival does not fail to impress with CLOSING NIGHT penetrating the air. October is truly pass quickly through a neighborhood subtitles, 122 minutes; Oct.15, 6:30 its animations. End the fest with Jean-Marc here. besieged by tourists and film crews, p.m.; Oct.16, 9:15 p.m.; Oct. 20, Adam Elliot directs “Mary and Vallée’s “The Young Victoria,” a It is not even the coming cold I and dealing with all the other typical 3:00 p.m.) Max,” a full-length animation about historical fiction film about the first will mind so much this month. It craziness of motherhood, Eliza also a lonely Aussie girl and a middle- few years of Queen Victoria’s reign. is the stunning correlation between tries to find time to follow her own DOCUFEST aged New Yorker who form a life- Following her rules and orders, her the chilling weather and a decrease aspiration of becoming a writer. Can There can be perhaps no better long friendship through letters. At loves and hatreds, and her everyday of extremely exciting events around she do it? Watch the film to find out! way to learn about the world than times a comedy and at times a trag- lifestyle and conflicts, the brings to Chicago. Although the city will, of (90 minutes; October 8, 7:00 p.m.) through documentaries. They not edy, the dark humor and irony in the light one of history’s greatest ro- course, never lose all its uplifting only give the viewer a true story, but script are vividly brought out by an mances and most turbulent reigns. culture and intriguing displays, we MAIN COMPETITION they also show real-time occurrences outstanding voice cast, including Starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, must admit that the beautiful days of The main competition is usu- that are as natural as natural can get. Toni Collette and Philip Seymour Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, summer are gone, and with them the ally the most important and also the This year’s Film Festival documenta- Hoffman as the title characters. (92 and others. (100 minutes; Oct. 22, plentiful open-air fests and concerts. most diverse. Here is a sampling of ries come from all over the world and minutes; Oct. 18, 6:15 p.m.; Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m.) Really, who wants to spend a frigid the films being presented this year: present a large variety of stories. 6:00 p.m.) evening outside, when there are so “Prank,” directed by Péter Gár- “Cooking History,” an Austri- Futuristic Metro City is home to The festival goes from October many alternatives inside? dos, follows the lives of boisterous an-Slovakian film by director Peter Astro Boy, a young superhero ro- 8 to October 22. All films will be So what is there to do this month seventh graders at an early-20th-cen- Kérekes, is a fascinating study of bot, in David Bowers’ “Astro Boy.” screened at the AMC River East around the city? There are no more tury boarding school in Hungary, battlefield cooks, their kitchens, and Journeying throughout the world 21, located at 322 E Illinois Street. opportunities to see rock bands per- whose favorite activity is playing their food. The chefs, bakers, and in search of acceptance, he learns Fest passes are available, but they are form at Lollapalooza or to catch a increasingly offensive pranks on butchers of great European armies what it’s like to be human and gains rather expensive, and are only worth showing of an old film at Movies in their brainy classmate. Headmaster recount their versions of the histo- strength to embrace his destiny. purchasing if you intend on going the Park. Theaters and concert halls, Father Zoltan leaves the boys to be ries of 20th century wars and con- And, of course, he’s always there to multiple screenings. Individual museums and libraries, cafés and boys, but strict young Father Weigl flicts. (Croatian, Czech, English, to rescue his loved ones in times of tickets cost $9 (with student ID), and shops all beckon with open doors. begins to act on his own secret plan French, German, Russian, Serbian need. Starring a voice cast including can be purchased by phone at (312) But there is something much more to curb the kids’ hurtful actions with subtitles, 88 minutes; Oct.12 Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Na- 332-3456 (with a $3 handling fee) spectacular, in my opinion, happen- and unknowingly and unintention- and 13, 5:00 p.m.) than Lane, Eugene Levy, and Nico- or at (800) 982-2787 (through Tick- ing in October: the Chicago Inter- ally sets the whole school on a tragic Erik Gandini directs the Italian- las Cage (94 minutes; Oct. 18, 4:00 etmaster, with respective fees apply- national Film Festival. path. (in Hungarian with subtitles, Swedish “Videocracy,” a portrayal p.m.) ing). They can also be bought direct- Vladimir Ilyich Lenin once said, 93 minutes; Oct.13, 4:00 p.m.; Oct. of the relationship between Italy’s ly at the AMC box office, although it “Remember that, of all the arts, for 17, 6:15 p.m.; Oct. 18, 3:15 p.m.) political elite, headed by Presi- AFTER DARK is recommended that you reserve or us the most important is the cinema.” Marco Bellocchio directs the dent Silvio Berlusconi, and power- What’s a film fest without horror get your tickets a few days before the And he may be right – especially in Italian-French drama “Vincere,” ful media empire. With a perfect flicks? This year, the festival brings film, because seats will be selling out the case of this fest. Celebrating its which tells the true story of Benito soundtrack, the film follows Berlus- to light numerous scary stories – be very quickly. 45th anniversary, the International Mussolini’s secret lover and son. Ida coni’s antics in and out of office and wise in your choices (I wouldn’t For more information, visit www. Film Festival brings to Chicago au- Dasler, his mistress, gives up every- explores the dangers of government- want to be liable for nightmares and chicagofilmfestival.com. Don’t miss diences two weeks’ worth of movies thing to help him bring his revolu- media friendship. (English, Italian other unpleasant aftereffects!) out! The weather may be turning from around the world. tionary ideas to the public. But when with subtitles, 80 minutes; Oct. 16, “The House of the Devil,” di- cold, so stay indoors – in the right The festival was officially found- Mussolini disappears during World 6:00 p.m.; Oct. 17, 12:00 p.m.) rected by Ti West, tells the story of indoors, that is! Check out the film ed in 1964 by graphic designer Mi- War I and later returns with a new Join directors Joshua Zeman and a college girl in need of quick cash. fest, and I can guarantee that you chael Kutza. The first screenings wife, Dasler and her son are locked Barabra Brancaccio, Staten Island Taking a babysitting job at the creepy will not regret having to see falling and award presentation were held in away in separate asylums for over a natives, as they connect the urban house of a creepy old couple, the girl leaves and feel the biting cold for a 1965, thus making the film fest one decade. Dasler has no choice but to myth of a child-kidnapping escaped finds that she got herself stuck with little bit before walking into the mov- of North America’s oldest. Always submit, but not until she has put up a mental patient with the true stories more than she bargained for… (91 ie theater for a night of wonders, ad- held in October, it usually brings to- fight… (in Italian with subtitles, 128 of kids from their community who minutes; Oct. 9, 11:00 p.m.; Oct. 10, venture, and excitement. Just another suburb? built in 1873 to guide ships approach- sell and trade their used clothes. The writer.” Among the small aluminum Unique ing Chicago, and it once served as store will pay cash for fashionable elements are representations of sev- the first landmark welcoming travel- clothing. Or, sellers can trade in their eral Evanston symbols, such as the attractions in ers to the city.. clothes for certificates equal to half Grosse Point Lighthouse. Another Right next to the lighthouse sits the price at which Crossroads Trad- corner of the library is dedicated and around the Evanston Art Center, just north ing intends to sell the items. Shop- to the ongoing book sale, offering a of the university campus on Sheri- pers can find good deals on expen- wide selection of old and new books Evanston dan Road. Built in 1926, the center sive brands such as Banana Republic, for fifty cents each. was once a house, but now belongs Gap, Abercrombie, and more. From Evanston, the village of by Adriana Garties to the city. The Evanston Art Cen- Hidden away in an alley nearby Wilmette is just minutes away, and To many Chicagoans, Evanston ter is home to multiple art classes is one of the more interesting shops is absolutely worth visiting. The 59- may seem like nothing more than and galleries. Currently, the galler- in downtown Evanston. Bookman’s acre Gillson Park, located along a small patch on the map, blending ies feature the exhibition, “Ghostly Alley (1712 Sherman Avenue) sells Michigan Avenue, boasts pools, into the landscape that surrounds Echoes,” a collection of work by used books, but the simple descrip- beaches, tennis courts and more. Chicago. But it has more to offer four local artists. The exhibition in- The Grosse Point Light-house will tion hardly does it justice. What ap- Visitors can engage in a variety of than chain restaurants and malls. In- cludes several photographs by artist pears from the outside to be a small sports from ice skating to sailing. triguing artwork, beautiful scenery, greet you on your trip to Evanston. Larry Chait, who drew inspiration Photo by Adriana Garties. book shop is actually a large maze of No visit to Wilmette is complete and the Northwestern Univeristy from the Iowa plains. The series is bookshelves, armchairs, and eclectic without a trip to the stunning Baha’i campus make Evanston one of Chi- based on pictures Chait took from he created 28 etchings of the skull antiques. In addition to books, the House of Worship (100 Linden cago’s more interesting suburbs. a moving car, and he describes his alone, exploring the interior and ex- shop contains old pamphlets, maga- Avenue). The Baha’i faith focuses A traditional Evanston symbol, works, with their bright streaks of terior with what he called “a mixture zines, maps and artwork. It even on unity, accepting and combining the Grosse Point Lighthouse stands color, as “painterly photos.” of observation and imagination” has a small collection of American many of the world’s major mono- at the northern end of the city (2601 Northwestern University, a pre- (www.blockmuseum.northwestern. propaganda posters from World theistic religions. The temple, with Sheridan Rd.). The Lighthouse was dominant feature of the area, occu- edu). The entire album is now on War I. What makes the store even its intricate white cement dome, is pies 240 acres of Evanston. Reaching display at the Block Museum until more unique, though, is the decora- beautifully designed and is surround- right up to the lakeside, the campus December 13. The museum hours tion. Seemingly random objects are ed by large, lush, peaceful gardens. is filled with beautiful ivy-covered are: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 scattered throughout the shop. In Regardless of personal religious be- buildings, such as Deering Library, p.m.; Wednesdays through Fridays, one corner, for example, you might liefs, the Baha’i temple is always a as well as some more modern facili- 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and week- find ancient-looking wooden tennis wonderful place to visit. ties. One such building is the Mary ends, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. rackets, while in another rests a large Although the Chicago skyline is and Leigh Block Museum of Art Shops and restaurants line Sher- case full of old movable type blocks still visible from Evanston beaches, (40 Arts Circle Drive), nestled in man Avenue, one of the main roads from the era of the printing press. it can be hard to believe that the City the campus. The newest exhibit in through Evanston. At Crossroads Anyone interested in more mod- of Evanston, with its suburban feel the museum, “Henry Moore: El- Trading Co., at 1730 Sherman Av- ern books can head to the Evanston and beautiful views, is just a short ephant Skull” opened on September enue, customers can browse a wide Public Library, located at 1703 Or- trip away. Those seeking a change 22. The collection contains pictures selection of used men’s and wom- rington Avenue. In the entrance of scenery can take the CTA Purple “Trickledown” is on display in by Henry Moore, a British sculp- en’s clothing. The store only limits to the four-story library, 900 wires Line to the heart of Evanston and front of the Art Center. tor. During the 1960s, Moore was its stock to in-season clothes from suspend 2500 cast aluminum shapes spend a great day exploring another Photo by Adriana Garties. so inspired by an elephant skull that popular brands. Customers can also making up a sculpture titled “Ghost- city. October 2009 A&E 11 Oh Henry! Death in the spotlight by Alice Henry that were sold in response to the teen stars to in- People die, celebrities die. Ap- legend’s death. The star, who had sanity. Now they parently, the media could sink as recently been receiving solely nega- also appear to be low as six feet under, too. With tive press, was manufactured as following them the plethora of recent deaths in the much as Hannah Montana current- into the realms of death. world of movie stars and public ly is, but postmortem. Infomercials The grieving process is one that figures alike, the media has gone began selling “authentic” posters many recommend be taken slowly. on a splurge of press coverage for idolizing the pop star in his prime There are a solid five steps to the each private moment that is so cru- when he was the icon of pop mu- process: Denial, Anger, Bargaining cial to the grieving process. After a sic. (although this often occurs prior to death, the family and others close In fact, the most proper ar- the loss), Depression, and Accep- to the deceased need time to piece rangement to memorialize the star, tance. If one is interrupted in the themselves back together. The me- the tribute arranged in conjunc- process of grieving, their mental dia should not be present at such a tion with the MTV Video Music state can be severed. In these and time. Awards (the VMAs) for Jackson. other cases, though, what should Farrah Fawcett and Michael In the Jackson tribute, dancers be a personal time has been inhu- Jackson died the same day, June 25, performed in coordination with a manely shattered by media cover- 2009. While Fawcett’s family was compilation of videos, starting off age. Death notices on the news given more peace, both deaths were with “Thriller,” then “Bad,” and have gone from side stories to the Matt Holmen and John Paul Roney jam at the We the Living concert. highly publicized in the news. The lastly “Smooth Criminal.” Then main story, leaving little room for Photo by Caitlin Swieca. publicity over Jackson, however, as the video for “Scream” began a family and loved ones to control went further and totally overboard to play, Janet Jackson joined a and hold on to what normality they in the end. The “King of Pop” was troupe of backup dancers to dance feel remains. Professional rock given an expected tribute: many with her brother, at least in spirit. The disturbing depths that the radio stations played his songs the However this appropriate tribute media has sunk to have appeared to night he died. In Chicago, a zom- was overshadowed by the arrogant be accepted by people or such news comes to Northside bie walk was staged culminating in stunt Kanye West pulled in dissent stories would not have made such melodic ballads that could be found all the zombies dancing to the song of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with an outlandish impact. The media We The Living on an indie playlist. The orchestral “Thriller,” based off the signature Me” winning female music video. has altered the moral conscience sounds of the band resonated well moves Jackson had premiered in Everyone felt the brooding atten- to crave the daily dish, the private delivers at in the auditorium, highlighted by the video. People of all sorts of tion of the media and their overplay matters that, if exposed in our own passionate singing, epic guitar solos, fame expressed their sympathies covering the loss of a life, in partic- lives, would cause us great shame. Northside and steady rhythms. for Jackson’s family. ular Jackson’s. When Senator Ted Death is a solemn event and is an Unlike many unknown bands, What followed was surprising. Kennedy died, many commented event that no human being should concert We The Living is quite polished Minute to minute coverage fol- how they hoped the media would underestimate. What others may when it comes to playing live. The lowed Jackson’s funeral and me- not turn him into another Michael accept easily can be incomprehensi- songs sounded similar to their re- morials. For a few weeks, not one Jackson. The force behind paparaz- ble to those closest to the deceased. corded counterparts that had been by Caitlin Swieca night went by without a story re- zi, tabloids, and sometimes major Respect the human condition. Stop blasting through Northside’s PA lating to Jackson. Most sickening, television networks like CNN has paying for personal lives to be put Northside’s auditorium was system during passing periods in packed with students shuffling into though, were the copious amounts degraded each celebrity’s life one on the cutting board of media hys- the week leading up to the concert. of memorabilia and kitschy items by one, driving especially child and terics. Be humane; be human their seats, impatiently waiting for The crowd was bigger than that of the group to kick off the event they the group’s spring concert at North- were there for. This scenario, famil- side, partly thanks to the positive iar to any Northsider who has at- reviews spread by those who at- tended an orientation session, was tended the first show. The band Forecast: cloudy with a chance of punctuated by the students’ chat- lived up to the created hype, hold- tering, clapping, and cheering that ing the crowd’s attention as it rolled good old-fashioned fun resonated throughout the room. through its 45-minute set. The high- Obviously, this was no extended-ad- light of the show came when the children’s book, “Cloudy with a jokes triggered endless laughter, yet visory college information session, band played its more recognizable “Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs,” written by others were not golden or extraor- and when the event finally started, it songs, such as “75 and 17” and the Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron dinarily original. This movie can be certainly was not a group of North- encore “Half the Girl.” While most a Chance of Barrett, published in 1978. The film seen and enjoyed on a few occasions, side’s counselors taking the stage. audience members were just getting stars Bill Hader and Anna Faris as but does not seem like evergreen Rather, We The Living, a rock band acquainted with the band’s music, Meatballs” is the voices of the main characters, material such as Toy Story. Certain based in Nashville, Tennessee, took everyone in the crowd had a chance Lockwood and Samantha Sparks. parts of the movie seemed to drag the stage, putting the crowd into a to sing along when the band busted surprisingly It is a relaxing and enjoyable on somewhat, but as a whole it was frenzy. Their September 17 show, out a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Love movie with a very cute ending that is a unique film. the band’s second performance at Story,” remade in the band’s style of entertaining certain to provoke smiles, from even Most teens would think that since Northside, was a solid, lively set arena rock. the most critical audience mem- it is an animated movie; it is meant that was enhanced by the passion of The show itself was only part of bers. It is not a difficult movie to only for the younger audience, but both musicians and fans alike. understand, and the plot is not over- surprisingly there are elements that what helped We The Living gain by Pooja Agarwal The band wasted no time launch- fans in the crowd. After the show, whelmed with twists that complicate would also entertain teenagers. One ing into an explosive track after tak- Imagine a world where there the story. The movie was well-writ- fine aspect of this animated film was the members stuck around in the are hamburgers instead of rain and ing the stage in the dark. The crowd auditorium atrium, signing auto- ten in terms of the target audience that it was not particularly a com- reacted to the lively music, jumping ice cream instead of snow. Sony and was entertaining with wonderful edy, suspense, or romance, yet is graphs, taking pictures, and chatting Pictures Animated released its lat- around in the cramped aisles of with fans near their merchandise graphics. comprised of various characteristics, the auditorium. The concert was est computer film, “Cloudy with a While thoroughly enjoyable, there producing a very cute family-orien- stand. Holmen even painted cus- Chance of Meatballs,” on September highlighted by the enthusiasm of tomized t-shirts for fans. Despite were a few drawbacks to “Cloudy tated movie that will be enjoyed by the band members, namely guitar- 18. The movie is hilarious for chil- with a Chance of Meatballs.” Many all ages. their on-stage swagger, We The Liv- dren and surprisingly entertaining ist Matt Holmen, who constantly ing was very approachable after the sprung around the stage looking for the older audiences, as it keeps show, allowing fans to connect on a all viewers smiling for the majority as happy as though he was playing level that is rarely seen with profes- Madison Square Garden, save for of the 80-minute film. sional musicians. Although it is not It was a refreshingly different breaks to adjust his guitar effects. always valued in the music business, Lead singer and guitarist John Paul movie as compared to recent animat- the simple kindness of the band ed films, with crumbs of comedy and Roney mirrored this enthusiasm in members will certainly resonate between lines. His singing was on- an adorable PG-style romance story with their new fans, creating a loyal tossed in. Primarily targeted for a pitch all night, highlighting the pow- following for the band. erful sounds provided by the instru- younger audience, adults, especially Part of what made the concert so parents, will enjoy this movie as they mental music. The two fed off the special was the fact that it took place energy of the crowd and each other remember their youthful days. There at Northside. The auditorium con- were several moments throughout as drummer Benjamin Schaefer cert could not have been engineered kept a steady rhythm that provided the movie that would make older au- without the work of Northside stu- diences chuckle and make children a backbone for the music. The band dents, from Maria Jolly, Adv. 010, members often came to the edge of burst out laughing. Some scenes are the Student Council rep who orga- silly and a bit lackluster that produce the stage, getting close to their front- nized the event, to Allison Neubau- row fans, who in turn responded groans and heads shaken in dismay, er, Adv. 015, who provided markers while others are sure to generate the with gusto. Creative lighting added to mark the hands of concertgoers. to the overall aesthetics of the show, “aww” effect. The Acafellas provided a short but “Cloudy with a Chance of Meat- which were impressive considering sweet opening set filled with im- the generally drab state of North- balls” is set on the fictional island of peccable harmonies. The unique Swallow Falls, located in the middle side’s stage. group’s cover of R&B hits pleased While most of the crowd was un- of the Atlantic Ocean, known for the crowd, and the student group its mass sardine market. Flint Lock- familiar with the band’s music, the set a good atmosphere for the main group made up for it by providing wood, a genius with a knack for act. The Student Council managed inventions gone terribly wrong, be- a fierce set with few talking breaks. to raise $400 as well, which will be The music was lively, yet the com- lieves he has the recipe to end world donated to KIVA. hunger. He has invented a gadget plex melodies and soaring sounds We The Living created a friendly made it clear that the lyrics dealt that is capable of turning water into atmosphere with its fans and a genu- food. Flint is notorious amongst the with issues deeper than those of ine rock show in a high school au- the typical teenage band. The band townspeople for his faulty creations ditorium. The concert provided all that often have destructive effects. began with a handful of energetic the entertainment that one could tracks, followed by a more intimate The movie revolves around the fate expect on a school night. Although of Swallow Falls when the invention set with Roney on the keyboard. it remains to be seen where We The This highlighted both sides of We is trapped in a cloud, which produc- Living’s career is headed, the band es rain, resulting in deliciously tasty The Living: the alternative rock that can rest assured knowing that it has might fit into a Q101 line up, and the showers. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” debuted this month. a loyal fan base at Northside. The movie was inspired by the Image courtesy of amazon.com. 12 A&E The Hoof Beat If the Killers and Franz Ferdinand got married... strong sound. The constant build up of how he woke up and pondered Bad Veins make from the drums at the end lead into thoughts that popped into his head. the next song on the record, “Gold As he reaches the end, he becomes memorable music and Warm,” the first radio single, metaphoric, singing of “driving un- which has a more upbeat mood with der morning sun” and “driving into fun guitar riffs and fast paced drums. you”. Next we have “This Ending,” This song is the one that the Bad a slow song featuring the softer side by Diana Obracaj Veins are known for. In listening to of Davis’s voice. Opening with some The Bad Veins, an indie rock band this song, Davis’s voice can be either high organs playing and leading into from Cincinnati, Ohio, consisting of accepted and enjoy the song as it is, hard drum beats, it offers a light and Benjamin Davis on vocals, guitar, or dislike it, along with the album as easy mix into the CD. With very and keyboard and Sebastian Schultz a whole. The song gives off a warm mellow and situational lyrics that on drums, is one band that is hard to feeling, especially when Davis sings, the listener could relate to, Davis describe, interesting to listen to, and, “I wanna hear your hearting beat- offers the listener the perfect song by far, a duo that creates unique and ing love/I wanna see you stand up to ease his or her mood or listen to memorable music that could appeal proud, you go, where sunlight and while working. The last track, “Go to a lot of people. With their emo- gold.” Home,” starts off with an electric, tional, relatable lyrics and interest- Uplifting lyrics like that, or situ- computerized beat, and goes into ing instruments, the Bad Veins cre- ational ones, dealing with relatable piano and electric guitar. Davis’s ate a very eclectic style. The music’s circumstances, are the types that voice is overlapped twice, so the unusual style is likely to split the true listeners can associate with and be listener hears as if two people were fans from just mere listeners. drawn to when discovering the Bad singing at the same time. Though the The Bad Veins were created when Veins. The next song, “Crosseyed,” instruments create a unique sound, Davis, a solo act at the time, real- offers a mystical mood. Davis’s fluc- this song, like the first song, was a ized he was in need of a drummer tuating pitches and the piano ballads bad choice as the first and last thing and looked to passionate drummer depict the emotional mixed messag- a listener hears from a new artist. Schultz just over two years ago. Af- es between people and a feeling of a “Gold and Warm” has captivating ter playing some small local shows, sort of reaching-the-end-of-a-roman- lyrics and a recognizable tune, while the band became popular by a lot of tic-movie sensation, which fits per- “Found” and “Go Home”, though people and soon signed to Danger- fectly with the meaning of the song. good songs, are not as powerful and bird Records. Known for their superb The dynamic piano chords towards memorable. quality live performances, they made The Bad Veins put out an interesting new album this month. Image courtesy of amazon.com. the end of the song are another one Offering a variety of instruments a CD that is equally admirable. of those interesting sounds that the and vocal tones, some of the Bad common. Catchy lyrics? Yes. Mem- tracks on the CD, it was a poor “I`m so glad that we waited and Bad Veins use to differentiate them- Veins’ songs will be stuck in your orable beats? Yes. Though they are choice to make it the first song that made this record on our own terms,” selves from other artists. Jumping head for days, while other might just part of the indie-rock scene, the Bad new listeners hear. Accompanying Schultz says. to the sixth track, “The Lie” is one slip through one ear and out the oth- Veins incorporate different sounds Davis’s unique vocals are trombones, Which brings the reader to the of the situational songs on the re- er. Either way, the Bad Veins created such as the reel-to-reel player and bass drums, and more marching Bad Veins’ self titled CD, emulating cord that listeners could relate to. a very well put together CD of songs band instruments. band-esque instruments. Listeners other musicians such as the Killers Davis repeats the same two stanzas that listeners of artists such as The The first song on the CD is might be both intrigued and wanting and Franz Ferdinand, they create until the song is over. At the begin- Killers, Kings of Leon, and Boy Kill “Found.” The slowest of the 10 to hear more or thrown off by such a a sound that is memorable and un- ning he sounds very literal, singing Boy should look up. You will remember her name “What the h***. He’s kept me in it.” worth her work and time. One-on-one The actress was further motivated “I would not change anything getting his own show?” to pursue a dancing career when she for the world,” Payne said. “Look with “Fame” saw professionals perform on stage, where I am now.” Stan Smith, who are both full of per- just as she ended up performing in In “Fame,” Payne took on the “The Cleveland sonality and entertaining, everything star Kherington “Fame.” Yet, Payne admits that she role of Alice. Along the way, she that Cleveland is not. Payne was wary of how well she did in her discovered similarities between her Show” is The opening of the show was a audition. She was not sure if she character and herself. scene from “Family Guy” where by Lyanne Alfaro even wanted to take part in the film. When Payne was finished shoot- even more Cleveland announces that he is leav- Kherington Payne, a former con- To her, the real life audition was way ing, she was satisfied with the results. ing Quahog because no one there testant on “So You Think You Can more intense than any staged audi- She even learned about what it takes disappointing cares about what goes on in his life. Dance,” will star as Alice in the re- tion in “Fame.” to be a student at the NYC School of It’s true. No one really cares about make of the 1980’s film, “Fame”. “For two weeks you don’t really Performing Arts. than expected Cleveland. So why make a spin-off Both movies focus on the same know if you did well,” Payne said. “It has to do with hard work and starring him? concept: a group of dreamers at- After those two weeks, the aspir- focus,” Payne said. The rest of the show revolved tend the New York City (NYC) ing actress discovered that she was Payne asks that old “Fame” fans around Cleveland and his son Cleve- School of Performing Arts in hope officially part of the “Fame” cast. As not to worry about the remake. The by Melissa L. España land Jr. The two of them left Rhode On Sunday, September 27, of becoming icons in the media in- Payne soon discovered, being part of director’s and cast’s intention was to Island and traveled to California. dustry. However, this time around, “Fame” would not be all about the send the same moral and message Fox premiered the pilot of “The However, on their way there, they Cleveland Show,” a spin-off of the “Fame” will have a whole new cast glitz and the glamour. She recalled the original did. However, the new make a stop at Stoolbend, Virgin- and different characters. “Fame” waking up at five in the morning to “Fame” cast will take the storyline popular animated comedy, “Fam- ia, Cleveland’s hometown. That’s ily Guy.” “The Cleveland Show” is a musical and will be accompa- shoot with the cast. in a new direction with modern mu- where Cleveland runs into his old nied by a new soundtrack, featuring “It was a little stressful,” Payne sic, performances, and characters was disappointing, to say the least. flame, Donna. Cleveland’s feelings Seth McFarlane -- also the creator “Fame,” the main song used for the said. that will update the classic. for her immediately come back, and movie promos, performed by Naturi Working for “Fame” even cost “It’s the same old with a new of “Family Guy,” and “American he tries to help her out by fathering Dad” -- needs to stop bringing new Naughton. Payne the opportunity to attend her twist,” Payne said. her two kids: her teenage daughter Although she may be in the own high school graduation. Payne’s next project will be in an “comedies” to Fox (who, let me re- Roberta and her five your old son mind you, cancelled “Family Guy” movie industry now, acting was not “That was really hurtful for me,” independent film called “Leading Rallo. However, just when Cleve- in her original plans. She was born Payne said, “the fact that the last Ladies” in which she will perform as at one point). land thought he and Donna had The show has been advertised in Whittier, California and grew up month (before graduation) I had to one of the dancers in the movie. The something special, Donna’s ex-hus- taking dance lessons. leave.” film is currently being sent to the in many newspapers and magazine band comes back into the picture. articles for the past year or so. “Fam- “I have been dancing since I was However, the dancer was con- Sundance Festival for consideration Despite this, Donna and Cleveland two,” Payne said, “and my mom just vinced that this experience would be to be included. ily Guy” fans rejoiced to hear that end up working things out, and the a spin-off staring one of the show’s two of them get married after all is characters was going to take place. said and done. However, the first thing that came The entirety of the show was just to mind when it was first announced a cheap imitation of “Family Guy.” that “Family Guy’s” Cleveland The main cast is obviously nothing Brown was getting his own show more than an African American ver- was the same thing Stewie Griffin sion of the Griffins. There is also a said in the first episode: “What the talking bear named Tim in the show. h***? He’s getting his own show?” He has a German accent, seems well Of all the characters that MacFar- educated, and will probably be the lane could have chosen to get his or most reasonable and level-minded her own show, he picked the most of the characters. Sound familiar? boring and monotonous one. Cleve- That’s because the bear is simply land not only lacks personality, but is another version of Brian the dog nothing like McFarlane’s other main from “Family Guy” and Klaus from characters, such as Peter Griffin or “American Dad.” The jokes weren’t even funny, but then again, “Family Guy” stopped being funny sometime after Stewie stopped trying to take over the world. McFarlane is simply los- ing his touch. Instead of bringing out new shows every time the other ones enter their third or fifth season, he should try perfecting the ones he already has. Maybe then they’ll start being funny again. Nothing about “The Cleveland Show” is worth watching. Hope- fully, Fox will finally come to its “The Cleveland Show” is just a senses and cancel his poor excuse copy of “Family Guy.” for a comedy. Image courtesy of amazon.com. Kherington Payne is one of the stars of the new movie “Fame.” Image courtesy of amazon.com. October 2009 Editorials 13 Happy National Know Your Latin Faique: my life Roots Day “Advisoryless” by Faique Moqeet times, Advi- Advisory is not stupid; in fact, sory becomes October should it is actually very important. It even more celebrate more may not follow its original intent, important yet it still serves a vital function to stay in- than Halloween to Northside students. It is not formed about discussed much since getting rid updates on schedules, classes, and by Sarah Schoonhoven of Advisory seems to be unlikely. clubs, and school events. Around the middle of July, every I mean, it is only ten minutes of Student also need a way to store seems to be completely stocked the almost four hundred and fifty identify themselves, Advisory with Halloween merchandise: cos- minutes of the school day. Yet, complements this idea. Your Ad- tumes, decorations, candy, artificial even then to the curious specta- visory becomes a source of pride, dismembered heads… the list goes tor’s mind, the question remains “Advisory 202.Yea, you wish you on. Sometime in September, all of to be asked, “What if there was were in it.” Headings for papers the “Halloween Superstores” open no Advisory?” Some students and assignments often include up in strip malls far and wide just might view the situation lightly Advisory and very importantly, for the occasion. In October, some yet only by understanding the the Hoof Beat needs a way to houses are already decorated, and roles that Advisory plays in our properly identify students. While children (and adults) are frantically lives can we fully appreciate its we do have a beautifully deco- searching for the perfect costume/ true value. rated lost and found, if students pumpkin/decaying skull. By the Saying that Advisory is use- find something, they can always time October 31 rolls around, the less is quite silly because Advi- return it to the Advisories in- entire country is filled to the brim sory is very useful, to every other stead of putting it in the lost and with all of the frighteningly sweet person at least. It serves a lot of found. candies. purposes, but the most cited rea- It is no wonder than that even And yet, there are so many other son in support of it is doing some colleges have Advisories. At holidays in October that go unno- then we can have National Squash, National Finish Up Your Weekend last minute-work or studying. Loyola University Chicago, fresh- ticed. Nearly every day of October Pumpkin, and Gourd Day, which Homework Day. October 17, the day Advisory is one of the best men meet on a weekly basis for celebrates something special, yet about covers enough fruits and veg- after Boss’ Day, could be National times to do some last-minute fifty minutes. Five times ten hap- each one is overlooked far in ad- etables for one month. Minions Day. homework or even get a little pens to be fifty; just a coincidence vance in favor of a holiday that in- What next? Well, the word “Oc- Personally, I think that National studying done, especially for or is it? Maybe it aids my argu- volves Freddy Krueger. No offense, tober” comes from the Latin root Class Pet Day or National Thank those who work well under pres- ment. Similarly, CPS high schools but Freddy Krueger? Couldn’t a bet- “octo,” so the eighth of October will a School Mascot Day are in order. sure. For some, it is all a race, “4 have some sort of Advisory-like ter holiday be found? become National Octopus Day, and Don’t forget National Put on the graphs for trigonometry. I have portion daily. Often it is referred Perhaps a good starting point the ninth can be National Know Winter Weight Day and National nine minutes left. Okay, go.” to as division or homeroom, yet would be autumn. Autumn is loved Your Latin Roots Day. The tenth Take a Break from All That Home- And so begins the race to finish serves the same function. by everyone — or at least some will come next with National Honor work Day. as much homework as possible. Another aspect of this argu- people. It is not too hot or too cold, the Number Eight Day. Okay, so maybe none of these If you can’t finish all of it during ment is what students do in Ad- not too sunny or too rainy. Autumn October 12 has long been the day holidays really exist, and maybe they Advisory, whatever is left can be visory besides those doing home- is that perfect time when the leaves to celebrate Christopher Columbus’ strike you as a bit…off. But believe finished during lunch or a blow- work — many of us just relax. turn red and orange, the birds make journey to the “New World.” As any it or not, there are tons of wacky, off class. The majority of students would their last northern rounds, and all sophomore at Northside in U. S. His- unknown holidays out there that just This is not a new trend or one agree that they feel they do not of the fun winter sweaters hit the tory will learn, Columbus was not are not being celebrated (National that will go away soon. Accord- get enough sleep. According to stores. Therefore, I propose that the exactly the first European to be here Cookie Month being my personal ing to The National Center for a recent study published by The first three days in October should (not to mention the Native Ameri- favorite). The whole purpose for a Educational Statistics, as time Coloradoan, teenagers should be National Orange Leaf Day, Na- cans who were here long before any holiday is to celebrate or commemo- progresses, high school students ideally get a minimum of nine tional “Bye to the Birds” Day, and European even thought about com- rate something, like just how great are spending more and more and a half hours of sleep while National Wear a Sweater Day. ing over). As a matter of fact, he was autumn really is. time on homework. It is probably the majority of teenagers only get By October, most of the sum- never actually even here - he did not So, if someone fancies a holiday, safe to assume that teachers are on average six hours of sleep per mer fruits are just about done for the travel past Central America or into there is nothing holding that per- giving more homework. Accord- night, that is, if they are lucky. year, but apples are in season, so the the continent. In that case, perhaps son back, save a few signatures. If ing to their data, the number of Advisory seems to be a good time fourth can be National Finish your the thirteenth should be National enough people petition for a minor high school students spending to coming back to life from the Summer Fruit Day, followed by Na- Random Guy on a Boat Day. national holiday, it could become a five to ten hours per week in- sleepy dead. Most students can- tional Eat an Apple Day on the fifth. Considering that Columbus Day real holiday. creased from seven to thirty seven not go to sleep for ten minutes; If we give ourselves some leeway Weekend gives an extra Monday off So, should we make it National — thirty percent is seriously not psychologically, it might actu- and allow pumpkins on the scene, from school, the thirteenth should be Learn Your Latin Roots Day? a subtle, natural increase. As a ally be hazardous for your health. sophomore, I can say that the Yet, being together with familiar transition in terms of the amount students in Advisory revives stu- Northsiders: second-class citizens of work from freshman to sopho- dents and prepares them for the more year is hard, very hard. school day together, even if it is CPS and the Advisory is also a good meth- only ten minutes. od to get required information or Over the course of high horrors of forms you need. “Oh, Advisory is school, one begins to develop a pointless, I can get all the informa- mutual relationship with his fel- tion and the deadlines from First- low Advisory peers and his Advi- FirstClass Class” is the argument students sory teacher. Ten minutes a day, by Dylan Nugent present, yet it is superbly flawed. times five times a week, times Among the many things North- While the CPS Handbook states forty weeks a year of school in side students are generally spec- that students should check their session over the course of four tacular at, one cannot rule out emails regularly, most students years adds up to a whopping one complaining. Of course, at North- don’t. Sure. If there was no Ad- hundred and thirty-three hours side, the complaining often turns visory and students had to check spent in Advisory each year. out to be made up of completely their emails for information that Yet, the reality of the situation valid concerns. The vast majority of would be a different story. But is that arguing about Advisory is these protests, at least recently, have Advisory is more than a manual, pointless. Regardless of opinions come down to issues of technology: its customer support. If you do on Advisory, it will remain as it whether or not games should be al- not understand something, you should. A school day without Ad- lowed in the computer labs, usage of can always resort to your Adviso- visory would be crazy. Actually, a Moodle in Northside classes, prob- ry teachers for help. They should school day where Advisory is not lems with login and printing and the be willing to help. With technol- the first part of my day sounds like, and most prominently, First- ogy being heavily unreliable at unbearable. Class, an email software produced CPS FirstClass desktop user interface. Image by Dylan Nugent. by the Open Text corporation. However, the issues presented ing for denying various initiatives documents, all of which CPS can ar- when discussing anything like First- that could benefit the school system, chive for just a fraction of the cost of Class, Moodle, and one-to-one tablet instead of creating problems. FirstClass. In fact, the entire Google computing are almost always inter- Of course, the CPS’s main reason Apps for Education system is free Have a strong opinion on an article face and usability issues. Such issues for using FirstClass instead of allow- for any educational institution, and have been raised about FirstClass ing schools to keep their original the additional email and document we publish or a student issue? more times than I can count, and email systems in place is archiving archival system is 66% off for all range from its obstructive and un- all conversations between students educational and non-for-profit insti- Want to write about it? intuitive user interface that reminds and teachers. This may be a very tutions. one of a computer system from the valid concern, specifically for the Of course, one might argue that Interested in being published in early 1990s, to the lack of server-side protection of students, but it is not no or large scale school district could multithreading, which can cause lag inconceivable that archival services make use of Google Apps, and that the school newspaper? and other problems in the system could have been achieved with other they would require a better, more ro- when multiple users are online. The methods besides spending seven mil- bust solution. However, since Gmail issue almost never raised, at least by lion dollars on a defunct email sys- supports millions of users every day, students, is the cost-effectiveness of tem. and Chicago institutions like North- Send a Letter to the Editor at using FirstClass — or rather, the lack The most often recommended, western University and the Field thereof. and probably best available, alterna- Museum have replaced their old [email protected] Chicago Public Schools (CPS) tive is to use Google Apps Premier email solutions in favor of Google spent about 7 million dollars on for Education. In addition to in- Apps, there is genuinely no reason FirstClass for the 400,000-plus stu- cluding 25 GB of storage per user for the CPS not to use it. It is not an dents in the system. Even if this on a separate domain using the re- argument of ease of use, interface, Send an Op-ed piece to us at doesn’t seem like a lot of money liable and intuitive Gmail software, or simplicity, even though these are when broken down, CPS constantly Google Apps includes the ability to all valid points. It is a simple finan- [email protected] points to a lack of funding as reason- share calendars and collaborate on cial matter. 14 Editorials The Hoof Beat I love you (never); I (always) love you not it that teenagers cannot say “You’re Has “I love you” the best” instead of “I love you?” Do they both not have the same number lost its meaning? of syllables? Although “I love you” is not by Sony Kassam merely limited to the “romantic” Not a single day passes by with- meaning, but also shares a platonic out the words “I love you” being and familial definition as well, the said from one person to another. frequency of how often it is spoken, Through instant messaging and written, or typed makes the phrase Facebook conversations, through worthless. Sometimes, when a friend text messaging, or just plain face-to- says “I love you,” it may feel neces- face, the once significant phrase has sary for one to respond back with now become as meaningless as the a similar phrase. Most would reply overuse of “I’m sorry.” back instinctively. Other responses Now, I am not arguing that we include jokingly saying “Oh, but should bring back the cheesy roman- I don’t love you” or resorting to tic connotation of “I love you” from mumbling nonsense about how their our grandparents’ days, the time friend does not actually mean what when it was previously sacred, but he says and then trailing off, which it would be preferred if people re- of course brings a laugh and then frained from using “I love you” with another “I love you.” such a high frequency. Specifically, On the other hand, the recipient in this day and age, teenagers have a of “I love you” may feel warm and tendency to blurt out such a phrase fuzzy. According to the article “Love to friends for some of the least signif- has lost meaning” on www.reflector- icant reasons. For instance, during online.com, the online newspaper an online conversation one friend for Mississippi State University, us- may say something along the lines ing “I Love you” for this reason is a of, “Oh, Bob, you’re so funny. Ily [I mistreatment. love you]!” Bob would then respond “Some may say it might not cost by saying “Ily 2 [I love you too].” much to say "I love you" because it In reality, Bob’s friend would most makes people feel better for the time likely care less about Bob. being,” Mississippi State University’s second friend could be misled to “They may be close to them for a that the phrase can still regain its in- One of the most prominent ways online newspaper article stated, “but believing that the first friend might few months or years, but as soon tended implication if people changed people use the phrase is when some- doesn't it mean that they are misus- have feelings for that person. as there is misunderstanding in the their usage of the phrase. Depend- one saves them from impending ing a sincere word like love?” In addition to these consequenc- friendship, the friends are dumped ing on the way one says the phrase doom, like allowing that person to The phrase may also bring up mis- es, Mississippi State University’s on- for some reason. Then they go look- and depending on the way the other copy their homework at the last mo- understandings between two friends line newspaper article mentions that ing for another friend. Do they try to person interprets the phrase, “I love ment. Based on such a situation, one of the opposite gender. For instance, people generally tell their friends that make up with the friend? Rarely.” you” might just be able to survive. can say that the original meaning of if friends of the opposite gender are they “love” them, but once fights Although through the above ex- I would love to continue on this the phrase “I love you” may have speaking to each other and the first erupt, the phrase is a total waste. hibitions of how “I love you” has topic, but I have reached the limit of altered to another way of saying friend happens to tell the second “Many people say they love their lost its meaning, especially among this editorial. And just remember, I “You’re the best.” Even then, why is friend that he loves that person, the close friends,” the article stated. teenagers, one should be informed less than three you. Scary is sweet Trick-or-treating is for kids plies to any other dessert food. Stud- quires over an hour of walking from As the night goes on, running to Pro trick-or- ies show that people who suffer from Get your candy at door to door, hoping that someone the door every few minutes to pass obesity aren’t chocoholics. Actually, opens the door, and then hoping the out candy gets annoying. The little treating on most people that suffer from obesity the store candy is actually delectable. Most kids who dress up in full-fledged do not even eat chocolate. Choco- by Matt Glodz Northsiders would agree that trick- Cinderella, Spongebob, or bumble Halloween late in particular increases good After ringing 10 doorbells only or-treating is not very productive. bee costumes make us go “awww,” by Lyanne Alfaro cholesterol and protects the cardio- to receive a mini-Butterfinger and a The cost for the opportunity of do- smile, and throw a piece of candy Many will still remember their vascular system. Also, if the reason few other sugary concoctions, most ing so is the loss of time that could into their cute pumpkin pails. The childhood days this Halloween. most say they can’t go trick-or-treat- teens start to realize that trick-or- be spent elsewhere. This alone puts big kids who throw on a pair of Memories will flood back of when ing is because they are stressed over treating is not fun. It is an activity down the free candy argument. sunglasses and pull their rainbow trick-or-treating was about becom- school work, going out for a while that should be discontinued once If they must experience a sugar socks up to their knees make us go ing their idol, collecting Smarties and hunting some chocolate down we reach middle school for several rush, teens should head to the near- “WTF?” We still give them some and Skittles, bobbing for apples, and should not be a burden — on the reasons. Whether students take Ad- est Walgreens. There they can pick candy, but only to avoid the egging popcorn clusters dripping in cara- contrary, chocolate is a major stress vanced Placement (A.P.) Microeco- up a discounted bag of candy and that would result from slamming the mel. However, for most, this holi- reliever. According to sofeminine. nomics or not, they should come to indulge. Halloween only comes door in their faces. day will not be the same this year. co.uk, chocolate’s carbohydrates realize that trick or treating is simply around once a year, and clearly there If the economics of trick-or-treat- According to thestar.com, based on help produce serotonins, happy hor- a waste of time. The appeal of free are better ways to enjoy it. ing have not convinced you to avoid past years’ surveys, 90 percent of mones. Magnesium in chocolate will candy tends to lose its excitement as For many of those who still look it this year, consider the health side high school students decide to stay be the main ingredient to relieve and we get older, but if your sweet tooth forward to it, celebrating Halloween effects that come along with eating back home and slip treats out their fight stress. still needs some satisfaction, go to consists of a drive down to Statesville the candy it provides. sibling’s pumpkins. Some students’ Furthermore, other students may Walgreens. Haunted Prison or a costume party. Eating candy leads to weight excuses to stay home will be home- not be concerned about the healthi- Consider one of the basic princi- Both of these are age-appropriate gain. Eating fun size candy has the work, while others may admit to la- ness of the Halloween treats at all. ples of economics: opportunity cost. ways to have fun and spend some potential to lead to even greater ziness or believe they are too old and Some may think that they have Getting a decent amount of candy quality time with friends, without weight gain. Why? Fun size Snickers just “too cool” to trick-or-treat. outgrown trick-or-treating, that it is from trick-or-treating usually re- getting weird looks from neighbors. do not make us feel as guilty about First, for the 10 percent that work no longer an activity that pertains eating the whole thing as a king-size to get their own candy, some may to their age group. As most high Snickers would, and before we know worry about the cons of candy. Ac- school students cross into adult- it, the whole bag of munchies disap- cording to the National Confection- hood, sooner or later most will be pears. Then when our love handles ers Association (NCA), less than two the ones handing out candy to the get slightly enlarged, we wonder how percent of the calories in a typical miniature ghosts and goblins in the it happened and head to the gym to American diet are supplied by candy. neighborhood. Someday, when they run miles upon miles to burn them Candy may not be all that healthy, are wishing they could be the ones in off. Save yourself the sweat and gym but it will not blow anyone up, espe- the witches and princess costumes, membership fee by resisting the urge cially if he or she consumes candy they will not be able to rewind time. to trick-or-treat. only on rare occasions such as Hal- Why not enjoy the time left to trick- Cavities and Pepto-Bismol symp- loween. A cup of candy corn from or-treat while there is some left? toms (particularly nausea and up- a friendly neighbor, for instance, will Trick-or-treating can be for a good set stomach) are also unfortunate have fewer calories than a cup of cause as well. There is no longer a side effects of binge candy eating raisins. As for those who drink Star- reason to think trick-or-treating is a that often comes along with trick- bucks coffee or any other caffeinated selfish activity. While trick-or-treat- or-treating. Stuffing your face with drink on a regular day-to-day basis, ing, anyone can contribute to com- too much candy at once will make a one-ounce piece of milk chocolate panies like UNICEF to help children you puke and can result in cavities. has the same amount of caffeine as a around the world. Anyone can also Those can seriously hurt your wal- cup of decaffeinated coffee. help their younger brother or sister let in addition to causing physical According to boston.com, not all learn about the importance of doing pain. Neither of these experiences is Americans are chocolate-loving ma- a good deed by doing anything small pleasurable, but now that you know niacs. One in three Americans will but charitable on Halloween, such about them beforehand, you can eas- resist eating chocolate when they see as collecting unwanted cell phones ily steer clear of them. it. Despite some people worrying to recycle. Others may argue that trick-or- about the effects of chocolate on the Trick-or-treating can not only aid treating “brings out the kid in you.” human body, there is a benefit to eat- a high school student with his or her Although we all looked forward to ing chocolate occasionally. Accord- stress but also allow anyone to give the festivities of Halloween as kids, ing to sofeminine.co.uk, a possible back and help his or her commu- and though trick-or-treating will explanation for these statistics is the nity. Halloween may even provide surely bring back fond memories of myths that circulate about chocolate. a slightly heftier reward for a high dressing up, playing pranks on neigh- Chocolate does not cause indiges- school student such as service learn- bors, and sharing candy with friends, tion. As a matter of fact, 200 grams ing hours or babysitting pay while it will not necessarily be enjoyable. of chocolate should only stay in your taking the next door trick-or-treat- If after reading this article you stomach for about an hour. Besides, ers around the block. Whether it is still decide to go trick-or-treating, chocolate does not makes you fat, through work or play, there are still have lots of fun. At least you will as long as you eat it moderately and ways to make trick-or-treating legiti- know that it is a better alternative to occasionally; of course, this rule ap- mate, no matter what age one is. “TP-ing” trees and egging houses. October 2009 Sports 15 The Cait’s Meow A dash to Setting a low bar for student-athletes the top by Caitlin Swieca The message here is that classes wrong, the university has been put to a dedi- Although Northside’s sports are simply a formality for the ath- on probation and had to surrender cated stu- Cross country teams usually succeed in the Chi- letically gifted. Collegiate “student- its prize winnings from that year’s dent who cago Public League, it is safe to say athletes” are more like “athlete- NCAA tourney, as reported by the could not places third that most of our athletes will not students” – sports come first. Even Chicago Tribune. Far from a role afford to be suiting up for Division I schools though most of us will not be a part model, Rose is currently enjoying attend a at Rebel anytime soon. While the hallways of college athletic programs, they millions of dollars from his NBA top institution because of the lack ring with complaints about college invariably affect us. Academically contract while avoiding the situa- of financial aid offered. Invitational applications, very few of us deal qualified students are turned away tion altogether and taking no re- At the root of this problem is a with college coaches relentlessly from universities in favor of less sponsibility for his actions. flaw in America’s culture. As chil- by Tess Thompson trying to lure us to their programs. dedicated student-athletes who will Rose, like so many other ath- dren, many of us are exposed to The Northside cross country As Northsiders, we tend to worry attend college at no cost at all. As letes, was simply using the college ESPN before we even start kinder- team, though its season has barely more about our GPAs than our my eyes start to hurt from yet an- system to his advantage because it garten. Obviously, I have no prob- started, has already started its climb ERAs – and we should be proud other late night of homework and was a required step on his road to lem with being a sports fan or an to the top. On September 5, the team of that. Incoming college students college applications, this injustice the National Basketball Associa- athlete. But the astonishing hype made one of their first successes. At should be committed to their infuriates me. tion, which requires players to play over sports in this country teaches the 22nd Annual Rebel Invitational, coursework. One of the most famous cases at least one year in college before kids, particularly kids from lower- which hosts over 150 runners for This general rule, however, of such injustice is Derrick Rose, entering the draft. While this rule class backgrounds, that the road to both men’s and women’s divisions, seems to be lifted for student-ath- a rising star in Chicago sports. seems like a good idea – after all, success is not through schoolwork the men’s varsity team took third letes in the National College Ath- While he seemed like a humble, no one would argue that education but rather work on the field. Before place overall and one of their run- letic Association (NCAA). To hardworking kid who made his is worthless – it is only a sign of a they criticize students for abusing ner’s placed first individually. The determine academic eligibility for way from Chicago Public Schools nation trying to convince itself that the collegiate system, adults need men’s junior varsity team also got student-athletes, the NCAA uses to potential superstardom, word these athletes belong on college to watch the values they preach and ninth place, and the freshman team a sliding scale, meaning that the came out that Rose’s SAT score campuses. It opens the door for col- start the cultural shift in America. came in sixth. Though the women’s higher a student’s GPA is, the lower was canceled when the agency de- leges to profit off of players who At Northside, students are expected varsity team did not place in the top their standardized test scores have tected that someone else had taken have no intentions of ever earning to balance school and sports, with 90, the junior varsity girls placed to be, and vice versa, setting the bar it for him. In addition, Simeon a diploma. the former always taking precedent. sixteenth. The Rebel Invitational low for prospective athletes. It is no High School allegedly changed a Universities will claim that stu- For that reason, our athletes are is held on the U.S. National Cross secret that student-athletes are of- grade on his transcript before it was dent-athletes receive free rides to some of the most respectable in the Country course in Kenosha, WI. It’s ten given preferential treatment at sent to the University of Memphis. college because they generate rev- nation, regardless of their win-loss a permanent 5 kilometer (5K) course all levels. While Rose claims he did nothing enue for the school. Try telling that records. that incorporates hills and detours through the woods. “It’s a really hard course,” Bessie Nolan, Adv. 017, one of the wom- en’s team captains, said. Cuitláhuac Pineda-Youniss, Adv. 014, the co-captain of the men’s team, was the first Northsider to take first at the Rebel Invitational. Up until mile 2.8 of the 3.1 mile race, Pineda-Youniss was about even with Aaron Derner, a junior at Wa- terford Union High School. At that point, Derner gained the lead. But by mile three, Pineda-Youniss had caught back up with Derner. In the last tenth of a mile, Pineda-Youniss surged ahead, beating Derner. Pine- da-Youniss also beat his personal record on the course by 57 seconds. Cooper Eben, Adv. 013, men’s team co-captain, improved as well, mov- ing up 11 places from last year’s fin- ish to finish eleventh. “We definitely did an incredible job,” Eben said. “We did better at that meet than we ever have in previ- ous years.” On the varsity men’s team, four others placed under 75. On the ju- nior varsity team, six people placed in the top 70. Monica Pinkus, a future star of the swimming world. Photo by Alejandro Vadivieso. “I think we did pretty good,” Pineda-Youniss said. “We all killed The brightest star of the swimming world our old times on the same course.” record for the latter. She also won [motivate me],” Pinkus said. “I real- ally always in the water. At 5:30, I Though the women’s varsity Monica Pinkus, first place in the 200 Medley Relay ly love swimming. It fires me up, and get out, go home, and gorge on food. team did not place, they were still and the 400 freestyle relay. when we all feel good, I feel good.” By 11:30, I’d be done with home- able to keep up in the race. Three avid athlete, Pinkus discovered her love for Although Pinkus is well-known work and I’d go to sleep.” girls placed in the top 100, and five swimming long before she walked for her swimming, she is not the only With Pinkus’s hectic schedule, it more were in the top 140. reflects on the halls of Northside. standout athlete on the swimming would seem impossible to complete “We were all very close in our “I had been swimming for 4 years team that won the 2008 city champi- any homework. Pinkus is able to times together, so we were pack run- her sports before Northside and I already knew onship, but what sets her apart from demonstrate self discipline by prac- ning, which was really cool, because the coach,” Pinkus said. the rest of the crowd is that she has ticing half the day and forcing her- that means we’re all around the same experience Before she began swimming, both a passion and a talent for swim- self to work the other half. level,” Nolan said. Pinkus played soccer and softball. ming. When asked if she is better “It’s hard, it really is,” Pinkus The JV team took sixteenth. Also, four girls placed in the top 100, and by Alida Pecanin Swimming, however, is where her known for her talent or for her pas- said. “I know over the past years Talented swimmers are hard to passion lays. sion, Pinkus was torn between the I’ve especially had a hard time do- three more in the top 120. come by but passionate swimmers Pinkus takes pleasure in par- two. ing homework. You just have to sit “It was awesome this year be- who are talented are extremely hard ticipating in the sport so much that “[I am] definitely [known for] a down, do your work, and you have cause we beat every team in the State to come by. Luckily, Northside has when asked what she would be do- little bit of both,” Pinkus said. “Pas- to stick through it.” of Wisconsin for the first time,” Jon found its very own super swimmer, ing if she were not swimming she sion always outweighs talent. I love Pinkus is currently a senior and, Gordon, cross country coach, said Monica Pinkus Adv. 018. Even if was, at first, totally clueless. what I do. I love being in the water like all seniors, Pinkus currently has in an email interview. one has never had the chance to “Oh my goodness, I can’t imag- everyday.” a lot on her plate with planning her The team is currently the defend- meet Monica Pinkus, one would ine not swimming,” Pinkus said. A typical day in her life is ex- future and college. ing regional champion for the Illinois nevertheless know that she is a rare “I guess I’d probably be knitting or tremely eventful, to say the least. “What I do this year can be the High School State Athletic Associa- talent. maybe…. I don’t have many hobbies. “It’s a physical day if it’s a Mon- deciding factor for college,” Pinkus tion, or IHSA. ast year, they broke Pinkus is well-known for her par- Maybe watching lots of movies.” day,” Pinkus said. “I wake up at 5:15 said. “I’m excited and I’m just gonna 44 school records, the most for any ticipation on the swimming team at Despite being in the spotlight, and rush around the house to get ev- let whatever will happen happen.” Illinois team. The women’s team has Northside. She finished first place in Pinkus has retained both the pas- erything ready and get to school for This year will end with the blink doubled in size since last year, and the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke sion and the motivation that she has practice. I’m either in weight room of an eye and Monica Pinkus will be the men’s team is the largest in CPS races in the city, breaking the school when she just began swimming. or swimming pool. After school at a memory that will live on in North- for the second year in a row. record in the 50 freestyle and the city “My friends and my coaches 3:30 we have practice and we’re usu- side forever. “In terms of depth, we are al- ready stronger now than we were a year ago at this time, and the best is yet to come,” Coach Gordon said in an email interview. Catch up on Northside news At the Gordon Tech Invitational The a week later, the team finished sec- 24/7 on the redesigned ond overall in the women’s division, and fourth overall in the men’s divi- sion. The top 12 for both men’s and Hoof Beat Online at women’s from the meet went on to Hoof Beat the Peoria Notre Dame “Pre-State” Invitational on September 19. www.TheHoofBeat.com “It [the Rebel Invitational] was Online a very good sign for the rest of the season,” Eben said. 16 Sports The Hoof Beat The ultimate balancing act: sports and classes face off Managing your curricular and extra-curricular activities by Nelson Ogbuagu In every athlete, there is a battle. It is an internal, seemingly eternal bat- tle. This battle within is between the academic and extra-curricular activi- ties that each athlete participates in. But that athlete must choose a side and that decision will ultimately de- cide which side will win that battle, and ultimately the war. Northside College Prep High school offers several sports each sea- son, such as cross country, basket- ball, and track, to name a few. Re- gardless of what sport onechooses to be a member of, each one uniquely and distinctly assesses your will, your character, and your commit- ment to that particular sport. The schedules and the practices are gru- Cross country team begins its rountinely run around the neighborhood to prepare for upcoming meets. Photo by Alejandro Vadivieso. eling, often forcing you to wake up early for practices as well as keeping noticed the lack of commitments in their classes because their dedica- feel that it is very simple and that it priority is. Decide whether com- you late at Northside. Often athletes in other schools. Northside is prob- tion to sports has outweighed that comes as a type of second nature to mitment to sports or to academics are dismissed early from classes for ably one of them. I’ve seen some of their academics. In the same way, keep organized. is more important to one’s success. special sports related events and ac- very talented people there, but their student’s dedication to academics “If you really are as dedicated to Once decided, it is imperative to cre- tivities such as games, causing them lack of commitment to their team is has prohibited them from commit- balancing your sports and academ- ate a very well-organized schedule to miss out on possibly vital infor- hurting them. I saw too many acts of ting to sports. ics as you say you are, then there’s in which the top priority has been mation concerning that class. reckless individuality at our JV soc- “It is so hard to fully commit no reason why you wouldn’t and tightly knit and carefully planned. The supreme issue with high cer game a month ago. We won 8-0 to sports when you’ve got teachers couldn’t figure out a way to do it,” Once accomplished, learn to find school athletes is the challenge of thanks to our team play.” from every class piling homework on Patrick Wieckowski, Adv. 208, said. extra time within this schedule for maintaining an excellent curricular Attempting to prioritize often you,” Arinze Okeke, Von Steuban, However, others strongly dis- extra-curricular activities. status as well as enduring the de- leads to making difficult choices, de- said. “I’d come home from practice agree with this statement and argue Of course this takes time and manding schedule of extra-curricu- ciding what is more important to an and be so tired that I wouldn’t have it fervently. practice to master but as you con- lar activities, all the while making athlete in school: practicing plays, or the stamina to do homework and I’d “If there really was a way to stay tinue to work at it, it will eventually sure that you can contribute com- practice tests, making it to the NBA, end up missing some assignments.” organized, you probably wouldn’t be become a part of this daily routine. pletely to all of which you have com- or getting a high GPA, being MVP, All aspiring college students writing this article because there’d be Ultimately, it is one’s will and mitted yourself too. or doing well on the SAT. know, it is imperative that you have no need,” Emmanuel Odiase, Lane dedication to maintaining a healthy “Commitment is very important “ It’s probably obvious that school a nice balance of good academics Tech student, said. “Even Northside curricular diet that will confirm that at WY [Whitney Young]. Every- academics is probably the most im- as well as an active extra-curricular is having problems with this, you’re academics as well as sports do not thing we do must be for the good portant, but I hate the fact that they structure. But the big question re- obviously more concerned with your weigh an athlete down and tire one of the team and the team only. If get in the way of what I’d rather fo- mains: How do you balance such a academics than sports to say you’ve out. we ever do something for our indi- cus on, which is my sports,” Damian hectic schedule? Or rather: Is it truly completely balanced your sched- “Commitment is like dedication, vidual good while disregarding the Azubike, Adv. 102, said. “My sports possible to completely balance out ule.” with commitment, however, you team, we face some tough conse- are very important to me. It’s hard this schedule? When first attempting to answer entrust your obligation. Coaches de- quences,” Carlos Rodriguez, a ju- to decide.” Many students have mixed re- this question, one must first and mand it, players need it,” Derek Lin, nior at Whitney Young said. “I’ve Many times, athletes fall behind sponses to such a question. Some foremost consider what the main Adv. 207, said. Lady Mustangs trample the Indians on the court “It was fun to see all the fans all the spectators. Mrs. Tacione said. “It is important “In previous seasons, our matches Women’s Varsity there, which was probably what Mrs. Fheila Tacione, who has a as well for spectators to know about with Lane are always close,” Coach changed the outcome of the game,” daughter attending Northside and the sportsmanlike conduct, not just Nicole Flores said in an email inter- Volleyball Team Becky Schuba, Adv. 210, said. another at Lane, was trying to watch the students of the game.” view. “As experience tells, we usually However, there were some fans the game but was bothered by the The players that made up the last come out on top.” that were more of a distraction group of students. She felt that they year’s team were mostly juniors, and Even after a victory, the team conquers Lane rather than supporters at the game. were acting as “mean-spirited dis- almost all remained on the team for focuses their goals on winning their The cheering coming from the stu- tractions.” senior year. Out of this year’s 16- next volleyball game. With all the ef- Tech dents in the front middle rows was “Instead of cheering for their team player varsity team, there are five fort put in, the girls aim to capture a not seen as good sportsmanship by they were jeering at the other team,” new players. city championship. by Jamilah Alsharif After all the hard work put into practices the Northside players were ready to face their biggest rivals. Northside’s Women’s Varsity Vol- leyball Team won a home game against Lane Tech’s team on Friday, September 11. “Lane and Northside have a good rivalry,” Daniel Phan, Adv. 208, said before the volleyball game. “It was really crazy last year. I wanna see that same intensity this year.” In the first volleyball game Northside defeated Lane Tech by a score of 25-17. For the second match, Head Coach Nicole Flores put the reserves into the game. The Lady Mustangs won that game as well, again by a score of 25-17. “We knew that they really wanted to beat us, so we were really pumped going into the game,” Zoe Katsagel- los, Adv. 110, said. “We worked re- ally hard so we knew we deserved to win that game.” Northside’s varsity team has been preparing for games since the start of its season in summer. Since school started, they have been prac- ticing three hours daily with games almost every day. “Northside pulled off a good fight,” Stephanie Stamm, a senior player from Lane Tech’s team, said. “Some overhand serves were ques- tionable. They were worthy con- tenders. They deserve to win, but of course it disappoints me.” The game drew in a lot of fans, which helped improve the team’s performance. The Northside Mustang face off against the Lane Tech Indians. Photo by Alejandro Vadivieso.