Pages 15 Pages 8-9 Northside’s Testing the ballin’ limits of bowlers prescription drugs eat Northside’s brightest The IML competition by Sonya Dekhtyar tests is definitely not the only thing the Math a further interest in mathematics,” Ms. Tomasie- B Here at Northside, there are always men- Team does, however. Every year the Math Team wicz said. tions of all sorts of sports teams, but in addition also faces at least seventeen challenging com- Each contest lasts thirty minutes and has to that there are intellectual teams as well. The petitions, ranging from the 20-question City of six questions, with various levels of difficulty. Math Team is one such group of students, and Chicago Math League (CCML), to the Illinois Knowledge of calculus is not necessary at all; it is important to know what these students do. Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), to anywhere from two to four of the questions The Math Team is led by Ms. Jill Naughton and the relatively short Illinois Math League (IML) require only familiarity with elementary algebra, Ms. Elizabeth Tomasiewicz. It brings together competition. while the last couple of questions are typically a large number of students interested in math. The next competition is the IML, one of the harder, longer, and trickier, and challenge even Within the Math Team, the students are split up several contests put forth by the Math League. the best math students. “Of course, the problems are challeng- ing, each at its own The level. But it is nice to oof go through the solu- tions later as a group,” Ms. Tomasiewicz said. For each of the Vol. 8 No. 5 Northside College Preparatory High School January 2007 Vol. six contests, a school’s “team score” is the sum of the 5, or fewer, highest scores on that particular test, and H winners are deter- mined at the end of each school year by the sum of all these scores. Previously, Northside’s Math Team has always done well, with high rank- ings and scores within Illinois. This year, on the first contest in Northside’s students sit down to the grueling IML Competition test and carefully think through their solutions to November, Northside’s various problems. score was 22 points Photo by Neha Alam out of a possible 30 points. There was no into groups, mostly according to what year of The Math League was formed in 1977 by Steven December contest, and the results for the upcom- math they are currently taking, and if that year R. Conrad and Daniel Flegler and has a depart- ing January competition should be available is considered In Progress – if the student is cur- ment in practically every state. The IML is one somewhere around mid-Jaunary. rently taking it – or Accelerated – if the student is of the better known contests within the Math The next IML competition will be on between two levels in progress (with the excep- League, and similar competitions occur through- Tuesday, January 9, 2007. Because this competi- tion of cases in which one particular group is out the year in the other participating states as tion is open to all, every student at Northside is lacking students, and then some students from well. encouraged to participate. The competition will the level above are brought down to that group). The six annual IML competitions are open to be held in Ms. Tomasiewicz’s room, room 321, The Math Team meets every possible Thursday, everybody. around 3:20 pm. The competition lasts only half and, during these meetings, each group takes “I encourage students to take this test, an hour, but that time spent can help Northside News pages 1-4 practice tests pertinent to their level. because it is fun. It allows students to be part of achieve even greater standards. Gathering once a week to solve some practice a large group of classmates, and it helps arouse •Alumni return December 21 •Band and choral classes perform Financing the Future A&E pages 6-7 •The buzz on Blood Diamnod Northside holds its annual Financial Aid Night Centerfold pages 8-9 by Mohammad Khaleelullah me to understand the whole process niors, which is a good thing because attend future events. •Marijuana meds Finding appropriate financial better, and I felt satisfied that I it doesn’t hurt to think early.” “The event was good,” Kristian aid and being able to navigate the came to the event.” By the end of the event, attend- Estrada, Adv. 708, said. “And it •Caffeine catastrophe obstacle-course of applications With the high number of ees were happy they could make the definitely plugged some holes in the are matters that grow ever more students in attendance, once again trip and advised other students to process.” Features pages 10-11 pertinent as students approach an event setup by the •JSA fundraises for D.C. college fees. On Tuesday December counseling department •Open mic a success 5th, 2006, Northside held its an- has received a warm nual Financial Aid Night with the response from the Editorial pages 12-14 Financial Aid Director of Loyola students. The counsel- •The task before Mr. Rodgers University. The two-hour event was ing department and geared for Northside students to get Northside itself along •No hablo ingles! an understanding of the process of with its teachers have Sports pages 15-16 filing and receiving financial aid for always tried their best college. The event has been success- to help their students •Men’s Varsity Basketball in ful in the past and the Counseling prepare for the needs the lead Department believes the event will of college, through the benefit the students for their future. application process, The speaker Mark L. Linden- and whatever tidbits meyer was ready to share infor- college life requires. mation with the many attendees “I think the coun- in the audience. The auditorium seling office has been was mostly filled with seniors and great with [the seniors] their parents, with a few juniors. throughout this entire The structure of the talk was loose process of applying to with questions welcomed from the colleges,” Salvia Asad, audience. Mr. Lindenmeyer went Adv. 708, said. “Events through some of the different ques- like this and the other tions on the Free Application for things such as the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). He tables set up outside gave out tips for some of the tricky the cafeteria during and most misunderstood questions lunches have really had and advice to those who needed it. a positive impact on all Many students and parents took the students, not just advantage of the event. the seniors applying “I was glad that he let us ask to schools this year. questions in between for things It exposes what every Robert Garcia, Adv. 706, sits alongside his family as they all listen and learn as we still didn’t understand,” Ikram student will be facing in much as possible about Financial Aid. Khan, Adv. 800, said. “It allowed [his or her] future as se- Photo by Mohammad Khaleelullah Page 2 News The Hoof Beat “Magical Moments” with the Band Northside College Three ensembles bring holiday spirit to Prep High School by Andrea Ljevar 900, on bass, and Charlie They were really good and in “I thought the concert On December 20, 2006, Snyder, Adv. 902, on drums. unison,” Plamena Daskalova, was good considering we’ve the Jazz Ensemble, Begin- After Jazz Ensemble, Adv. 904, an audience mem- been preparing the four ning Band, and Concert there was a quick intermis- ber, said. pieces we played since the 5501 N. Kedzie Band gave a successful first sion to set up the stage for The members were also start of school,” Christopher performance for the school the Beginning Band. All 95 proud of their performance Lam, Adv. 907, alto saxo- year. Appropriately titled members of Beginning Band in the concert. phone, said. Chicago, IL 60625 “Magical Moments,” the The concert three bands went smoothly, Tel: (773) 534-3954 performed with only minor holiday songs, problems coming serving as a from the micro- Fax: (773) 534-3964 suitable begin- phone. Mr. Bob ning to the Solomon kept the approaching crowd’s attention winter break. by informing the Mr. students and par- Principal: Dr. James Lalley Michael Lill, ents about current band director, events at school Assistant Principal: worked to pull during the inter- Ms. Lisa Moreno this concert missions between together and each of the three Advisor: Mr. Chester Tylinski felt all the ef- ensembles. fort paid off. Mr. Lill felt that “I was the only obstacles Editors-In-Chief: Damon Beres, very im- he encountered pressed with were “logistics.” Aliy Markowski all the group ”We had two performances. days to figure out Copy Editors: Maxwell Brown, I think it was how to get 170 Natalia Emanuel one of the people where they best, from should be on time, Managing Editor: Kana Yoo a musical tuned up, etc. standpoint, And only having Assistant Managing Editor: Rachel December Northside’s Beggining Band, comprised of over 90 students, takes to the stage one Jazz Band Hautzinger concerts so with the uplifting “Jingle Bells.” rehearsal on stage,” far,” Mr. Lill Photo by Andrea Ljevar Mr. Lill said. Chief Layout Editor: Geethi Abra- said. packed the stage with a large “I think we did pretty The complica- Jazz Ensemble was the ham percussion made up of 26 good in the two months tions that affected the Band first of the three bands up, students. To some of Begin- we had to learn the songs,” concert were not evident to opening to a large audi- ning Band members, this Derick Ruiz, Adv.