Page 13 Page 17 Avril Lavigne in OpEd: concert To walk or not to walk eat A Delightful Event Northside’s Spring Musical by Zahra Lalani times stay- B This year’s cast of the Spring ing as late at Musical comprises of unprecedent- 10 p.m.” edly few seniors. Despite this, the The seniors involved in the production cast felt that of “Little Women,” Rana Marks (Jo after each March), Adv. 810, Steven Solomon show they (Orchestra, Piano), Adv. 810, Joel grew stron- Rodriguez (Laurie), Adv. 808, John ger, and by Mussman (Mr. Lawrence), Adv. Sunday’s 806, and Jennifer Ceisel (Marmee show, ev- March), Adv. 800, unanimously eryone was The agree that “Little Women” is one of ready to step the best musical performances that outside their oof Northside has put together. comfort “Little Women” tells the story zones and of the four March girls, Meg (Annie try some- Vol. 9 No. 8 Northside College Preparatory High School April 2008 9 No. 8 Northside College Preparatory High School Vol. Mitran, Adv. 909), Jo (Marks), Beth thing new (Bethany Roeschley, Adv. 906), and with their Amy (Mary Mussman, Adv. 109) charac- and how they remain courageous ters. John in the face of adversity, despite the Mussman H many trials and tribulations that did a little come their way. The story takes dance while place in 19th century Concord, Roeschley Massachusetts. Their father is away played at war and prospects of a festive the piano. Christmas are dim due to financial Marks near- The four March girls, played by Bethany Roeschely, Adv. 906, Annie Mitran, Adv. 909, constraints. As the story progresses, ly attacked Mary Mussman, Adv. 109, and Rana Marks, Adv. 810, wanted to give their mother, played by Jennie Ceisel, Adv. 800, a good Christmas. the girls continue to discover their Matthew Photo by Leo Lee identity in the world. Brennan, Prior to the final production, who was tion. It’s interesting to see how me. I got off the stage and was like cast members spent approximately playing the role of Professor Bhaer much someone can grow.” ‘Woah!’” two months rehearsing an average and Jo’s admirer, Adv.010, in their Certain characters, such as Behinds the scenes, Mr. Mike of four hours a day. The cast felt last scene, while Brennan in turn Rodriguez, were faced with other Lill, the band teacher, and Ms. that after weeks of rehearsals they surprised her with a suitcase full of difficulties relating to divergent Nythia Rivera, the choir teacher, had become sort of a family nour- red fabric. personalities in themselves and their and Meghan Doherty, a Northside ishing a baby. “I definitely enjoyed watching characters. Alumnus from the Class of ‘07, “Depending on what your role my anger grow over the four days,” “The kiss was the hardest scene directed the orchestra and the cast. was, you met on certain days of the Marks said. “My mom, after the for me because it’s not really easy When Roeschley missed her cue for week for music and dance practice,” show on Sunday, said, ‘I’ve never for me to act on a whim,” Rodri- a song or when Rodriguez started a Roeschley said. “But two weeks seen you that angry before.’ I think guez said. “But I think it was Friday measure early, Mr. Lill served as a before the show, everyone came to when you’re in a situation where night, I got so into it, I actually started crying when Jo rejected Continued as “Little Women” on practice everyday after school, most you’re out of your natural disposi- page 6. AP Courses go by the board News pages 1-6 Cicero’s speeches. “I think the option [to take these tests] •Security x-ray machines by Natalia Emanuel •Northside hosts first annual The College Board, the company that “Even if Latin Literature were offered as should exist because there are people who are megafest administers Advanced Placement exams, will a non-AP class, we wouldn’t have to go as in- very committed to these subjects and people no longer be offering four AP course exams: AP depth into Catullus’s romances,” Jacob Gruber, should be allowed to explore their interests to Features pages 7-9 Computer Science A, AP Latin Literature, AP Adv. 908, a current AP Latin student, said. “I the utmost extent,” Spencer Rosenfeld, Adv. •Prom mania French Literature, and AP Italian Language and worry that the next generation of Latin Students 909, a current AP Latin student, said. •Personality profile: Rana Culture. These cancellations will take effect in will lose valuable experience.” The College Board said in an email to AP Marks 2009-2010. Mr. Don Yanek, Northside’s AP Computer teachers that their “intensified commitment” Centerfold pages 10-11 AP Computer Science AB, AP Latin: Vergil, Science A teacher, said it was unclear what was will provide the “rigorous, college-level aca- and AP French Language will continue to be of- • The Media going to happen with computer sciences now demic experience needed by advanced high fered. The College Board also said in their letter that the A test would no longer be offered. He school students” and ensure that the courses to teachers that they would consider keeping AP seemed confident, though, that courses that that will still be offered will be “supported by Arts & Entertainment pages 12-15 Italian Language and Culture if external fund- covered the material would still be offered. an increased array of curricular resources and •Ms. Pettigrew ing was procured. However, he foresaw other ramifications to this professional development opportunities that will •Avril Lavigne in concert Though Northside only offered courses in change. benefit” AP teachers. Diversions page 16 AP Computer Science A and AP Latin Litera- “On the one hand, I feel a little relief be- They announced that the College Board is ture of these four, some students had still taken • Making the most of your cause I feel that it opens up the course to being planning on developing resource packets. These student ID the other exams, studying on their own. able to teach other things and more exciting would include entire curricula including assess- Mr. Chester Tylinski, Northside’s Latin things at that,” Mr. Yanek said. “But then on ments of student mastery, “giving teachers much Editorials page 17 teacher, said they expected to offer an Hon- the other hand, in the computer science world, more information about students’ strengths and •The Aktarian Way: Literacy ors Latin course that will cover much of the we are constantly trying to raise awareness of weaknesses before exam day,” as they adver- •Op-Ed: Technology and same material as was covered in the AP Latin our curriculum and increase our credibility. tised. The teaching material will, obviously be Teachers Literature class including Catullus’s poetry and A lot of districts don’t have computer science pre-approved. Additionally, the College Board programs. And when announced to AP teachers that they would Sports page 18-20 you lose something like be planning on providing them with access to •Ping pong club that, that is actually a online AP Exam score reports and conferences •The benefits of sports recognized brand, it of teachers and professors. makes it a little harder “So the feeling on the AP list serve from to make the argument university professors who are on the develop- for computer sciences ment committee for the Comp. Sci. test, is that – that they have a place they are sort of trimming the fat so that there in the high school will be more financial resources so that they can curriculum, that it is sell these packets,” Mr. Yanek said. “That might important, that it is a sound cynical. But they’re just trying to improve real science course.” their brand.” Additionally, Some students worried however, that these some individuals had packets would decrease the involvement of expressed concern that actual teachers. these courses were ones “The packet will decrease the creativity of that allowed students to the teacher because they already have stuff to do delve into the subjects for each week,” Rick Kustra, Adv. 800, an AP about which they Computer Science student, said. “And teach- cared, while at the ers will no longer have to be as responsive to Jake Le Sueur, Adv. 908, a AP Latin student will only be able to same time fostering students as before.” take AP Latin Vergil next year - not AP Latin Literature, as was the interest and skills How the tradeoff between additional AP previously possible. needed to succeed at exams and additional course materials plays out Photo by Tyler Johnson the college level will be seen. Page 2 News The Hoof Beat X-rays for security Northside College wanted all schools to have by Natalia Emanuel would try to help get one for Mr. Rodgers said the ma- Prep High School An X-ray machine greeted Northside. chine had already been useful and we never had one,” he students as they filtered in “The head of security for on its first day of use. said. Monday, April 7. The new CPS is the parent of an alum- “And we’ve already gotten However, certain magnet machine, which was give nus and so he, I think, tried to some things that could be schools analogous to North- 5501 N. Kedzie to the school by Chicago do us a favor,” Mr. Rodgers perceived as weapons: a pen side do not have x-ray detec- Public Schools (CPS) Security said. “And so they showed knife and a long screw driver tors except for Walter Payton personnel, will be used peri- up with a free x-ray machine and things like that,” he said.