Senior field trip to the Shakespeare Theatre - 2 • First home- the coming at new campus - 3 • Vaping popularity increases throughout the student body - 4 • Embracing social discomfort - 5 • What Illiana teacher ) has an unexpected talent? - 7 • ) Celebrating what makes us different EchIlliana Christian High o School ) and embracing all ethnicities - 6 Volume 73 Issue 6 February 22, 2019 Dyer, Indiana Illiana students celebrate with kings, queens at Night to Shine loved being a buddy because Taylor Benes I knew I was making them Reporter feel special,” Weemhoff said. “I highly recommend Nearly 20 Illiana stu- Illiana students to partici- pate in this amazing event dents joined more than next year.” 600 volunteers, kings, and Senior Lyla Kooistra queens to dance the night was a buddy for her second away at Night to Shine, a year at Night to Shine. prom night experience for “Night to Shine is very people with special needs, important to me because it celebrated on Feb. 8 at Faith is a reminder that everyone Church’s Dyer campus. has an opportunity to have Night to Shine, spon- fun and have fellowship to- sored by the Tim Tebow gether as one united family Foundation, began nation- of Christ,” Kooistra said. wide in 2015, and Faith Kooistra and her date, Church has hosted since Rachel, walked down the 2017. This year was Il- red carpet, danced, took liana’s first organized in- pictures in the photo booth, volvement in the event, and enjoyed chicken and ice arranged by Impact Club cream. “The joy on her face sponsor Heidi Teach. said it all,” Kooistra stated. Students lined the red “She definitely deserved it carpet, cheering on the Photo courtesy of Annie Weemhoff and I had so much fun talk- kings and queens with either Students Annie and Chloe Weemhoff smile with their dates Peter Olthof and Ryan Musgrove at the Night to Shine dance. ing and dancing with her.” a loud or quiet welcome, as Kooistra said, “The Tim some people with special of the night, the students were “buddies” for the night. the dancing because you Tebow Foundation is so needs are overwhelmed by joined the kings and queens Sophomore Chloe Weem- could see all the partici- powerful— it gives many loud noises. They helped at on the dance floor. hoff attended the event as a pants letting loose and be- special needs friends & fam- dinner by getting plates of Other Illiana students buddy. ing themselves and just hav- ilies an opportunity to have food, refilling drinks, and unaffiliated with the club “My favorite part was ing a great time. I really a night to shine.” cleaning up. Near the end West trip first project of new missions director Sara Johnson

DJ Gladney tion to the new role, Johnson Reporter will also lead a mission trip to March 30-April Ms. Sara Johnson has 6. Illiana will be teaming up taken a new title and set of with Young Life, which has a responsibilities at Illiana: she Photo by Maddie Holesinger lot of connections in the com- The Spanish IV singing telegram group serenades Justin VanDrunen during Spanish I with the song, “Tengo is now the new Missions Co- munity, schools, and church- tu Amor” (I have your love.) ordinator for the school. es in the area. On this trip, In her new role, Johnson students will be doing things Valentine’s telegrams leave lovers red-faced will help to plan and organize like renovating apartments, She added, “The singing groups love embarrassing people when and increasingly large num- deep cleaning and repainting Cate Peerbolte were mostly made up of seniors, I sing my heart out to them. My ber of service or mission trips the town hall, and helping Co-News Editor so I am concerned about who favorite performance of the day for Illiana students in the pick up trash with a trash- will do it next year. I hope Illiana was to Daniel Chandler because years ahead. o-thon camp fundraiser. The On Feb. 14, Illiana was filled continues to do this because my he was so uncomfortable while Johnson said the position students might get a chance with love, sponsored by Student favorite part is seeing how em- we serenaded him with the song suits her personality well as to go on ATV rides, hike at Council. Student Council Co- barrassed everyone gets. It’s just ‘Head Over Boots.’” she has a passion for service a park, and hangout and talk President Mickey Boss said that hilarious.” Senior Annie Weemhoff and helping others. She is ex- with local teens too. carnations and suckers were not Singing telegram stars Alex said, “I thought they [singing cited to organize the projects Johnson asked that if any- popular items this year. But the Eenigenburg and Isaac Gibson telegrams] were really funny, and missions, and she said one has places or organiza- singing telegrams were a great both agreed that their favorite part and I think that we should have she wants to help set a vision tions that would partner with success. Over forty were sold of Valentine’s Day is the singing more groups next year because for Illiana. Illiana to do these missions, with only three singing groups. telegrams. Eenigenburg said, “I there were only three.” As part of her inaugura- please talk to her about it. 2 News Christianity can learn from meme culture or thousands of years, Christianity has strong- ly shaped moral principles in the West. F However, these Christian principles have been steadily declining in the face of rampant individu- alism and paganism. “This world,” as Paul would put it, has suppressed our religious purposes arguably more than any tyrannical govern- ment could. And, since there are no restrictions on reli- gion in America that could hinder Christianity, the decline of Christian influ- ence is our fault. Over the past few years, memes have had a greater impact Grant Gibson on America’s social envi- Photo courtesy of broadwayworld.com Co-Feature Editor ronment than The Weird Sisters featured prominently in this production of “Macbeth.” Christians have, and often in a positive way, too. Sure, Christians donate billions of dollars, but where are we when it comes to changing society? I don’t have a posi- Seniors see ‘Macbeth’ at Shakespeare Theatre tive answer to that, but I can tell you all about memes: Benjamin Wheeler field trip for years. He to a hip-hop beat as the Shakespeare, I thought Stefán Karl Stefánsson, the Icelandic actor who Reporter added, “We think it is a opening battle raged it was a pretty good and played Robbie Rotten in LazyTown and is featured great experience for stu- around them. entertaining play,” said in many memes, got cancer in 2016. People started to On Feb. 11, sixty-two dents to see Shakespeare Emma Slings said Alex Eenigenburg. show support all across the Internet for him and com- seniors joined English performed live by profes- that she really liked how Colton Dejong had pletely paid for his treatments because of memes. Sadly, teachers Sara Johnson sional actors. Students the director of the play seen “Macbeth” before and he passed away when the cancer returned, but his legacy and Jeff DeVries to watch suddenly discover that perceived the witches. absolutely loved it both lives on. Memes kept him alive for over a year, and— “Macbeth” at the Chicago Shakespeare’s work is far She said, “I liked seeing times he went. He said, through the permanence of the Internet—allowed him Shakespeare Theatre on more accessible than they something as minor as the “The lighting and music to live past his death. Navy Pier. ever realized.” witches come to life in a was my favorite part of A year and a half ago, Americans from all corners DeVries said that This production start- story we read a year ago.” this production, and it re- of the Internet banded together to protect Net Neutrality, the English Department ed with the Weird Sisters “For being someone ally kept my attention for the concept that ISPs shouldn’t sell different speeds of has taken seniors on this performing a wild dance who doesn’t really like the whole performance.” Internet. Soon after that, Europeans similarly united to repeal Article 13, a bill which would drastically decrease the amount of copyrighted material that creators could New Bible studies encourage question- fairly use. Internet users are defending everyone’s rights to equality and free expression. Because of the online prevalence of self-depre- asking, spiritual growth in students cating jokes, deep, serious conversations with strang- ers about mental and emotional health have become Sophia Thompson club that is being held ev- to talk about the gospel in club with a snack from commonplace. These conversations are almost always Reporter ery day after school from small group settings,” ac- Common Grounds during wholesome and helpful. They develop from simple 3 until no later than 3:30. cording to a blog post by their discussions. Their jokes, providing comfort to those with mental health is- As Illiana moves into “This club is to help stu- Davids. The club started first meeting was held sues. the new semester, it wel- dents in understanding because Davids found Wednesday, Feb. 20. These conversations are especially common in comes two new clubs as what it is like to follow a need for people to be The two clubs differ comment sections of sad videos or songs on YouTube. well: Branches led by se- Jesus,” VanderMolen said. able to find a place to from each other because One artist who produced such music is the late XXX- nior James VanderMolen, VanderMolen started ask questions about life, Branches is geared more Tentacion, a rapper and singer who had a strong pres- and Grounds led by Mr. the club because he, “saw Jesus, and anything else towards students and ence in meme culture throughout his short career. He Lance Davids. These new a need for people to have they wondered about. building relationships turned his life around from actions like beating his girl- clubs are being formed to a space safe to grow [in The club uses a small with others spiritually friend to using his Instagram Story to spread word about create a space for students their faith].” group setting with only while Grounds is pure- mental health, self-love, self-care, and being charitable. to feel open in discussing The Grounds, the oth- three or four students at ly for asking questions He was shot and killed last year, but that didn’t stop his their faith and growing in er new club, is “an attempt a time meeting with Da- about anything, though fans from continuing the ripple of good vibes. The Inter- their knowledge of God. to continue to build com- vids to ask questions or Davids said all questions net met him where he was, helped him change through Branches, started by munity while simultane- discuss struggles. Davids ultimately come back to positivity and encouragement, and carried his cause on VanderMolen, is a prayer ously providing a place provides attendees of the God. when he couldn’t. So where is the Church to help people delay their dying day or live past it? Where is the Church to protect Student Council plans Sadie Hawkins style dance everyone’s rights? Where is the Church to provide com- fort to people struggling with mental health? Where is the church to meet people where they are and help them with Chicago Christian, faces scheduling issues change? Samuel Vargo first conceived by se- cause it is, according to daal, the dance is sup- I’ll tell you where we should be. We should be at Reporter niors and co-Student Student Council mem- posed to be a Sadie the sides of people threatened by death, helping them Council presidents Alex ber Simon Molenaar, “an Hawkins style dance overcome it. We should be honoring the deceased past Illiana and Chicago Wondaal and Mickey open month.” January where the girls ask the their deaths instead of forgetting about them and moving Christian may be rivals Boss. Student Council and February found Illi- guys. Things are still on with life. We should be fighting for the basic rights on the basketball court, hoped to have the dance ana’s exams and the run- up in the air as Student of all humans. (Shoutout to Illiana Right to Life, by the but they have a chance to in December, but the idea up to homecoming caus- Council reached out to way, for being a great example of that.) We should be be friends on the dance was shelved when it was ing calendar problems, Chicago Christian again inviting, caring, and judgment-free toward those fac- floor next month. discovered that Chicago leaving March as perhaps and have yet to receive ing inward struggles. We should be forgetting about The idea for a com- Christian had exams on the final window to fit in an official answer. Even people’s past actions or wrongdoings and focusing on bined dance between the the week they were plan- a co-school dance before if the dance falls through what they’re doing now. We should be family. two schools, Preview to ning. the spring busyness be- this year, Wondaal hopes So, please, let’s take a page out of the Internet’s Dance, goes as far back The dance was re- gins on both campuses. the idea returns next book and get better at making change. as November and was scheduled for March be- According to Won- year. News 3 ‘Whole New Prospective student World’ greets dinner encourages homecoming community building, brings guests in new new students to Illiana Lauren Woo time, hadn’t taught at Illi- Reporter ana. He now teaches STEM building classes. Madison Ceponis The “Supper and Small “We did have some fam- Reporter Talk” dinner for parents of ilies last year say they made prospective Illiana students the decision to send their Illiana welcomed students began last year as a way to students to Illiana after the and alumni to “A Whole New spread information about dinner,” Limback said. World,” an Aladdin-inspired the new campus, but has Davids emphasized “con- homecoming, on Friday and Sat- taken on a new purpose. necting teachers and students” urday, Feb. 1 and 2. The dinner last year and “community building,” Friday night’s highlight was “went over really well,” ac- according to Limback. the crowning of a new Mr. and cording to Marie Limback, Limback also said that Miss Illiana. The junior var- the Director of Admissions is was nice to meet with sity had just lost a close game at Illiana. When about 30 parents in a smaller set- to Tinley Park, but that bitter parents of 8th graders at- ting and allow them to have taste washed away as the lights tended. They met at Little their questions heard. dimmed and Mrs. Siersema in- Italy, ate dinner, and heard There was supposed to troduced the 2019 Homecom- from Peter Boonstra, Illi- another dinner on Feb. 7, ing Court: Mark Hernandez and ana’s principal, Lance Da- but it was cancelled due to Emma Groot, Alex Eenigenburg vid’s, Illiana’s Vision Di- lack of sign-ups. The din- and Annie Weemhoff, Alex Won- rector, Bible teacher, and ner on the 19th, however, is daal and Haleigh Olthof, Ben Wi- Photo courtesy of Jeff DeVries Director of Spiritual De- still on, and, according to Senior Mickey Boss is crowned Miss. Illiana. velopment, as well as Brent Limback, “the registrations ersema and Emma Wheeler, and Vermeulen, who, at the are flooding in.” Colton DeJong and Mickey Boss. Ben Wiersema and Mickey Boss won. After their speeches, the Varsity Boys Basketball team took to the floor, battling Tinley Park before a Loud Crowd clad in green and white. The team eventually lost 75-72. The homecoming dance on Saturday, Feb. 2 continued devel- oping the “Whole New World” theme. The Student Council and Junior/Senior Banquet Com- mittee settled on the theme for several reasons. Dave Bosman, a Student Council sponsor, said the group liked the exotic air of an Aladdin theme. He also said it fit well since this was the first homecoming in our new build- ing. The dance was supposed to take place in the Commons, but Photo courtesy of Jeff DeVries later took place in the ARC be- Former Mr. Illiana Jordan Miller and senior Ben Wiersema embrace as Photo courtesy of www..lawfulexpectations.com Wiersema accepts the title of “Mr. Illiana” from Miller. cause of large attendance. Little Italy is located on Route 30 in Dyer and is a popular venue for any occasion. Traveling from China, new exchange student pursues better education in America Madison Rogers ture Matters requiting agency, enjoying his time in America and Reporter His family then signed him up fitting in well with the change in for Illiana to get a better educa- lifestyle. Illiana Christian’s foreign tion. Wang said, “The students exchange student program has “China’s education is not are kind and teachers too … brought in a new sophomore, good enough for those who want Classes are easy to understand Chinese student Eason Wang. a higher scholar, (higher levels and taught well.” Wang said he Wang has been attending Illiana of learning),” Wang said. Wang’s also enjoy his new experiences since the start of second semes- family feels as though Eason’s of America. ter this year in hopes of getting a best shot a great education is in Wang is looking forward better education than what he has America. to his education. He plans previously received in China. Wang has been sponsored to stay in America, more Wang first heard about -Illi and lives with junior Josh specifically Illiana, for the Photo by Haleigh Olthof ana from Mr. Fan, leader of Cul- Matiscik and family, he has been rest of his high school. Wang enjoys livnig with the Matiscik family in America. 4 Feature Finding church in Ford Heights

Maddie Holesinger Heights and started attending First to “embrace a deep level of so- “Chico threw a snowball at coby was less excited. Co-Editor in Chief Union Missionary Baptist Church. cial discomfort” in order to form me,” said Kaneisha, “so I turned “When I first came here, I was Six months later they moved into friendships. One main way Chico around and was like, ‘What the sad because I wanted to go to a Haleigh Olthof a house down the street. They had and Tatiana made connections, es- heck?’ But then, me being who I public school with people I knew Co-Feature Editor saved up enough money for three pecially at first, was through their am, I was happy. So, I picked some and people I could relate to,” said months’ living expenses, expect- church. [snow] up and threw [it] back at Jacoby. “Going to a private Chris- If there’s one thing Chico ing to find jobs in the community. “The truth is that the majority him. And ever since then they’ve tian school, there aren’t many peo- and Tatiana Fajardo-Heflin desire However, they had moved to an of people in our town are Chris- just been really close with us.” ple that can relate to a young black for people to understand about economically depressed area dur- tians,” said Tatiana, and even those Chico and Tatiana later met man in the hood. Not everyone Ford Heights, it’s that “the people ing the recession in 2008, and who don’t attend regularly have the rest of Jacoby and Kanei- goes through the same struggles in Ford Heights have names.” after applying to every part time, respect for the church. It still took sha’s family. Their mom was the as me or views the world the same They’ve spent ten years learning low wage position they could find, years to build trust between people first adult to welcome them into way as me or talks like me.” those names, building trust with they still had no jobs. Yet when who used to fear each other, but her home, which was a big step A month after Kaneisha and their neighbors, and engaging with they checked their bank account now they share such a trust that towards being accepted into the Jacoby started attending Illiana, the Ford Heights community, but three months later, there was still drug dealers put an arm around neighborhood. their family could no longer afford the road to where they are now was enough money to get them through Chico and ask if anyone is bother- According to Chico, Kanei- to stay in Ford Heights. Their mom not an easy one. the next three months. ing him. sha’s and Jacoby’s family was at moved closer to Chicago with their “We both grew up in Christian schools and churches that empha- sized that the Bible is the Word of God and should be taken seriously. However, when we started reading the Bible for ourselves in our late teens and early twenties, we real- ized that there were some parts of scripture that Christians weren’t treating as the Word of God,” said Chico and Tatiana, responding to the interview. Jesus taught his fol- lowers to sell their possessions and give to the poor, and Jesus “rooted his life among lepers, beggars, and outcasts” and taught his followers to do the same. “Our churches al- ways seemed to find ways to jus- tify why we didn’t have to take these parts of the Bible seriously, but it is this very Jesus--the Jesus that makes us uncomfortable--that we began to fall in love with. “I guess you could say we ended up in Ford Heights because we wanted to treat seriously the parts of the Bible that churches seem to ignore.” Chico had been attending art school in Chicago, where his daily walk from his dorm brought him past over a dozen homeless people. In his pursuit of taking Jesus seri- ously, he dropped out. Photo courtesy of Chico Fajardo-Heflin Chico, Jacoby, Kaneisha, and Tatiana pose for a picture in front of their home in Ford Heights, Illinois. “It was just very clear after a couple of years that I couldn’t spend my life making really beau- Since then, they have been “If fear is ultimately what that time “the center of our block.” three younger siblings, but Chico tiful paintings while there were trusting God to bring jobs and re- keeps us from belonging to one He and Tatiana would talk to peo- and Tatiana took Kaneisha and Ja- people living on the streets, liter- sources into their lives, and He’s another,” said Chico, “it will be be- ple in their front yard and roast coby in so that they could continue ally right below me,” said Chico. been providing “just enough” for longing to one another that keeps marshmallows around their make- attending Illiana. Since then, they Tatiana felt called to pursue ten years through profits from Chi- us from fear.” shift fire pit, made from the bricks have seen their mom and siblings that same way of life, radically co’s paintings, odd jobs like food Two people who have embod- of the collapsing house next door. less and less frequently, but they rejecting conventional living. She catering, and even bags of food left ied this belonging are seniors Jacoby In Ford Heights, everyone spends have grown closer and closer to graduated from college with a de- on their doorstep by their neigh- and Kaneisha Perry, who have lived time outside, and everyone knows Chico and Tatiana. gree in Biblical studies, not intend- bors. with Chico and Tatiana for over each other. “Kaneisha and Jacoby under- ing to get a job with that degree but Although their physical needs three years and have known them When Kaneisha was in eighth stand all of our worlds now,” said deciding that it would make her a were met, integrating themselves for much longer. Ten years ago, they grade, Chico and Tatiana started to Tatiana, referring to being caught better Christian into Ford Heights was difficult. were the first children Chico and Ta- realize Bloom Trail High School, between the world of Ford Heights A couple years later, after Chico said that they realized their tiana ever met in Ford Heights. the local public school, would be a and a predominately white, upper Chico and Tatiana got married, neighbors viewed them as “either Kaneisha and her little sister toxic environment for her. Kanei- class world. they moved to Reba Place Fellow- there to hurt them or there to help Tariana were playing in the front sha was involved in her church and At the end of the day, Chico ship, which is an intentional group them, but not to know them.” In- lawn of an old, abandoned brick “eager to live a life that looked dif- and Tatiana may be different from of Christians who live together in stead of giving them things and building. ferent from what she saw around the people in their town, but they Evanston and share all of their pos- serving them, Chico and Tatiana “I had this old, raggedy pot her.” When they realized that Illi- are still able to sit at the table and sessions, much like the church in took walks when it got warm out that had water and leaves in it, ana was nearby, Tatiana and Chico break bread with them. Acts 2 and 4. While living there, and waited for their neighbors to and I was mixing it up like it was started working with the school so “Our neighbors don’t want us they both prayed that God would welcome them into their lives. soup,” said Kaneisha. that Kaneisha and Jacoby could at- to be anybody but who we are,” lead them somewhere, and after Some neighbors were hostile, Meanwhile, Jacoby and one tend: their mom had decided that said Chico. “If they grow to learn reading about the plight of Ford other would just stare, and still oth- of his friends were throwing rocks if Kaneisha was going, Jacoby to love you, they will accept you Heights in the paper, that’s exactly ers were curious. Because they at the building, and that is when would go too. Although Kaneisha for being super white or super re- what happened. They visited Ford were so different, both sides had Chico and Tatiana walked by. was enthusiastic about Illiana, Ja- formed or whatever you are.” Feature 5 Vaping popularity rises above Illiana like fat, nicotine-infused cloud Haleigh Olthof cancer, blackens teeth, and Long term effects of vap- Co-Feature Editor kills taste buds. Vaping is ing are unknown but the ef- considered a safer option to fects of nicotine have been Has Illiana ever vaped before? Cate Peerbolte smoking because the elec- researched. According to the Co-Sports Editor tronic heat vaporizes the US National Institute These charts combine the two mul- chemicals at a much lower of Health, “Nico- tiple choice questions “What grade Vaping has become a temperature. tine is well known popular pastime for teenag- The amount to have serious are you in?” and “Have you ever ers, and it is now the most of nicotine in a systemic side ef- vaped in your lifetime?” from a sur- common for them to be ex- vape can vary fects in addition posed to nicotine. According widely depend- to being highly vey that the Echo sent out to the en- to the surgeongeneral.gov, ing on the de- addictive. It tire student body. “E-cigarettes are now the vice and e-liq- adversely most commonly used form uid used as affects the of tobacco by youth in the well as how heart, repro- United States.” The small the device ductive sys- device and non-lingering is oper- tem, lung, kid- smell, unlike smoke, make ated. Some ney, etc.” it easy for teenagers and evidence The FDA adults to carry it with them shows that considers most and vape as they please. vaping can vape flavor- The most common vapes help us- ings to be safe high schoolers use are Juuls ers quit in food, but and Stigs. Juuls can be re- smoking, the effects charged and refilled with although when inhaled various flavors of Juul pods, it is not are largely un- This test group includes 90 freshmen. each pod containing the the most known. The same amount of nicotine as effective same is true an entire pack of cigarettes. method. The www.808novape.org for the pro- Stigs, also available in a nicotine is still pylene glycol and variety of flavors, are not addictive, however, so doc- glycerin that make up much rechargeable, but thrown tors and even the manufac- of the liquid. Studies have out when used up after 270 turers themselves do not found that some vapes, even puffs. recommend for non-smokers nicotine-free vapes, produce Typical cigarettes use to start vaping. harmful chemicals, includ- the heat from fire to change When nicotine travels to ing formaldehyde, when substances from a solid into the brain, it causes a tem- heated. The inhalation of a vapor. The smoke produced porary feeling of relaxation diacetyl, a chemical used from this contains partially and stress relief. It can also to create a buttery flavor in burned particles which cre- improve the user’s mood some vapes, has been linked ates tar in the lungs, causes and elevate the heart rate. to lung disease. This test group includes 58 sophomores. Students can’t see through fog, continue to vape 3. You get a good buzz and 3. The buzz. And sometimes Alex Wondaal puffing smoke is cool when I’m too amped up, it Co-Editor in Chief calms me down. 1. Freshman year because Although the admin- my friends encouraged me 1. I started in 6th grade istration guaranteed that to when my cousin told me to there would be no pun- 2. Every other day try it but I started vaping ishment for 18 year old 3. The feeling of calmness regularly freshman year. This test group includes 47 juniors. non-athletes who vape 2. About 5 days a week off campus, none of the 1. I first tried vape in the 3. I enjoy the buzz; it’s fun Illiana vapers who fit that seventh grade when I was to blow fat clouds and make demographic were willing hanging out with one of my rings and do other cool to talk openly about their friends who had one. I tried tricks. use of electronic cigarettes. it because they said it was So instead, we agreed to a good flavor and I had to 1. I started in 5th grade but let students speak anony- experience it for myself. then did it often freshman mously to answer the three 2. I vape on the daily. year. following questions: 3. I enjoy the relaxed feel- 2. Every day, usually hour- ing it gives me and also ly. 1. When and why did you the many flavors that have 3. I like the nicotine buzz start vaping? come out over the years. and I’m addicted. 2. How often do you vape? This test group includes 63 seniors. 3. What do you enjoy 1. I started the weekend af- 1. I first vaped in 6th grade about vaping? ter class trip because I had but did it more regularly my Any survey has a margin of error, and we have reason to believe that margin never tried it before and my sophomore and junior year. may be higher than we’d like in this survey. We have indication that some Here are their responses: friends asked me to. 2. Daily people answered less than truthfully because they were afraid of possible 2. Every day, it’s an every- 3. I like not going through ramifications if their identity were revealed. Others answered in ways that 1. I started in 6th grade. My day thing, it’s an addiction. withdrawals, the nicotine were clearly false. We removed such responses. We offer these numbers as a friend wanted me to try it. Should I stop? Yes, and I buzz, and I think I’m ad- loose attempt to get a read on the prominence of vaping in our student body. 2. Everyday think I could if I wanted to. dicted. 6 Arts and Leisure Encouraging Discrimination hits too close to home diversity and Illiana students of color share hurtful moments from family histories celebrating Black History Month matters In light of Black History Month the Echo staff wanted to share stories of discrimination from Illiana students and hear this question over and over during Black their families. Many believe that discrimination against History Month: “why isn’t there a white history was a long time ago but these stories month?” The question has led me to assume that prove that discrimination against people because of their I skin color is closer to present day than we realize. We also many white people don’t believe promoting diversity or celebrating Black History Month is important. recognize discrimination is still a problem today. We ask In 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, readers to be respectful of these students and their families. 63.7% of the United States population was white, Photo courtesy of Genesis Barlow Beaten for not holding open a door Barlow’s mother has faced discrimination because of her skin color. 16.3% was Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% was Black, Maddie Holesinger open the door for a fellow classmate, who was white. Followed while shopping in mall 4.7 was Asian, and 0.7% Co-Editor in Chief was Native American. “Because my grand- Kylie Boss Barlow herself has also dealt Because of those “My grandma was ma’s friend didn’t hold Co-News Editor with instances only because of her the door for a white per- demographics, mixed, but her best friend Senior Genesis Barlow’s race. When she was little, her sis- son, she was beat severe- I don’t expect was black,” said Daniel mom remembers a time facing ter and her were called a racial slur ly,” said Chandler. all races to be Chandler, a senior at Illi- discrimination because of her race. when crossing the street. Barlow Soon after, her friend equally represent- ana. Chandler’s grandma, Her mom was shopping at a mall said, “It digs deep. It hurts. I was moved to the south side ed in a room. I do Mary Roberts, grew up used predominantly by white peo- really young then, too, so it really of Chicago to escape the expect, though, in Aliceville, Alabama. ple when she noticed she was be- hurt.” Kylie Boss toxic environment in Ala- for schools, One day at school, Rob- ing closely followed by a security It also dug deep last year at Il- Co-News Editor bama. churches, and ert’s friend didn’t hold guard. liana when Barlow and her friends other social set- According to Barlow, be- hung up posters on lockers for tings to promote diversity for the well-being of minori- Denied acceptance to programs cause her mom was black, a se- Black History Month. Some stu- ties and for the edification of majorities. curity guard followed her around dents tore down the posters, angry professor, a head nurse, Imagine being the only person of your race in a Kylie Boss in case she tried to steal anything. that they were on their lockers. and a researcher all dur- room full of people from another race. Feels intimi- Co-News Editor This is a common case of racial “It was very high tensions last ing the time when being dating, doesn’t it? Most minorities experience this situ- profiling. year,” Barlow added. ation all the time. Being a minority means in a lot of a black woman made ad- Freshman Indya Joli- situations you’re the only one that looks like you, the vancement extremely dif- coeur’s family immigrat- Searched, seized because of race only one who knows your subculture. That feeling of ficult. At some schools, ed to America from Haiti alienation is not healthy. Humans were created to live she wasn’t accepted into during the 1960s. Her in community. This is why celebrating diversity mat- nursing programs because great aunt aimed to ad- ters. of her race. As Dr. King vance her nursing career. Diversity also needs to be promoted so the major- put it, she was judged Despite being black and a ity race can grow from exposure to different cultures. by the color of her skin woman, Jolicoeur’s great Failure to appreciate different cultures can lead to in- rather than the content of aunt completed her educa- tolerance. Intolerance leads to hate groups like the Ku her character. Despite the tion to be a surgical nurse Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, skinheads, and the pushbacks, Jolicoeur’s and traveled across Hai- Militia, groups who terrorize others and advocate vio- great aunt kept advancing ti, America and Canada. lence. That’s why diversity matters. her education to be the Whether working as pro- Appreciating different ethnicities led to the cre- best and most qualified fessor or head nurse, she Photo courtesy of Parish Townes ation of Black History Month, which celebrates the nurse she could be, said Parish Townes poses with wife Tracy. helped people wherever many black Americans who have helped make Amer- Jolicoeur. [her friends] looked in the system. she went, said Jolicoeur. Maddie Holesinger ica what it is today. During this month, whether black, “She really pushed ed- There was no warrant for him,” In 1974, Jolicoeur’s great Co-Editor in Chief white, Asian, Latino, Native American, or any other ucation for all of us,” said said Townes. aunt became a citizen race, we should celebrate black individuals who have Jolicoeur. Parish Townes’ father, who Personally, Parish Townes, of the United States and made contributions to our society despite significant Jolicoeur family now is also named Parish, was driving Jr. has been pulled over by the po- settled in Chicago, where obstacles in their path. consists of doctors, law- along the highway in the sum- lice four different times in the last she would eventually stay Some white people, however, complain of not yers, engineers, and teach- mertime, when he got stopped at a nineteen months, and his vehicle for the rest of her life. having a white history month, but they only do so dur- ers all because of the leg- random checkpoint. At the check- was searched three of those times. During her lifetime, ing Black History Month. Doing so shifts the focus acy Joliceour’s great aunt point, informed him that “One time, I was pulled over Jolicoeur’s great aunt onto themselves and defeats the purpose of the month. left. Sadly, she passed they had a warrant for his , for not using my turn signal, and was a staff nurse, a cer- There is no white history month because every month away at the age of 92 in and then he was apprehended. they pulled me out of the car and tified teacher, a supervi- in America is white history month. Don’t believe 2017, but her legacy will “My stepmom, Tracy, said they needed to search me,” sor, a graduate student, a me? Open your history textbook and look. Because live on, said Jolicoeur. knows people in the police, so said Townes of their position of privilege, white people have long controlled the historical narrative, ignoring other races’ history. If you still don’t believe me, take a look at our Despite growing diversity, Illiana Constitution where a black person was defined as ⅗ of a person and Native Americans were not even consid- ered people. That’s why diversity matters. just beginning to market to minorities Black History Month does not belittle white Natalie Togtman wherever they are. I work with African American congregation. back.” people, and promoting diversity does not mean “anti- Arts Editor kids, whomever they are. We want to do this because in Illiana released a new white.” This mindset comes from both a lack of diver- However, Illiana does have that community the pastors have promotional video that was sity and a lack of understanding different ethnicities. Illiana’s Admissions Direc- plans to begin working with so much say and so much leader- showcased at the homecoming For example, the Black Lives Matter movement is of- tor, Marie Limback, goes to feeder schools and churches in African ship.” game. ten perceived as only black lives matter, but in reality, schools with the goal of recruiting American communities, accord- Dutton added the commit- Dutton said, “We try de- the movement focuses on black lives because they are kids to come to Illiana. Limback ing to Director of Marketing Jenna tee would also like to see Il- liberately to reflect the different the ones being oppressed and hurt. It is the same case uses slideshows and printed ma- Dutton. liana stuedents begin going to groups we have here, mainly for Black History Month. Black History Month does terial to hopefully appeal to these Director of Marketing, Jen- schools such as Calvary Acad- with our visual marketing. For not serve to exclude other races, but to focus on one students and their families. How- na Dutton said, “One of the things emy to do things such as read example, in the new promo- race because of its history. ever, the question about the lack of the Advancement Committee of books to the children. tional video we just released, Race and ethnicity is not something we should diversity still remains. the board wants to start doing is Dutton said, “We don’t we had students from different ignore. It’s time we embrace all ethnicities and love Limback said, “I don’t have reaching out to churches and go- have as much involvement races, different ethnicities, just each other for who we are, “the rainbow people of a specific campaign for recruiting ing to churches (supporting and with those schools anymore, so that we are hitting every tar- God”(Desmond Tutu). That’s why diversity matters. minority students. I visit schools, non-supporting) that have a large and I would like to bring that get market that we can.” Sports 7 Late season skid leaves bad taste Kade Bouwer last year, so I think that is why we Co-Sports Editor have so many wins. Almost all of our losses have been to Illinois After a hot start to the sea- schools that we played last year. son, the boys basketball team has So, we do have a better record, cooled down significantly since but I think it looks a lot better than late December, losing 7 of their what we probably are.” last 12 games, including a three While this season for the team point loss to Covenant Christian hasn’t ended very well, next year High School on Feb. 12. might take a turn for the worse. Despite their recent skid, the A “rebuilding season” may be on team has fared much better than the way with ⅔ of their team and last year’s squad which ended its 4 out of the 5 starters graduating season 9 games below .500. This this year. Despite the impending year, their record is 15-9. rebuild, players think that the pro- Senior Colton DeJong said, “I gram will be okay. think we have a better squad than Senior Daniel Chandler said, last year. We also got a lot more “[The boys basketball program] seniors which is nice. We also got is in great hands with [Tom a solid sophomore, Logan [Van- Rozenboom] and [Caleb Jonk- Essen] stepping up. He’s been an man.] They are great coaches and asset to the team.” they’ll help the players [in both] DeJong added, “I think we training and becoming a better are playing a lot easier teams than person.”

Photo courtesy of Mark Dykstra Dykstra (bottom) poses with teachers and staff around a disc golf hole after playing in the annual disc golf outing before the graduation ceremony. Teacher Mark Dykstra discovers

Photo by Jenna Dutton peace, joy on frisbee golf course The boys basketball team huddles up before the Homecoming game. Kade Bouwer leyball with gave me a real there. Every year the day of Veteran loaded golf team begins early Co-Sports Editor high caliber disc that was graduation for Illiana, he easy to control and then I hosts a disc golf outing for preparations for first season in Indiana Although Mark Dyk- got back into it in 2002.” the staff at Illiana. Dyksta Alex Wondaal with the very best, and new competi- stra’s tenure as a Bible That same buddy that also will be running a disc Co-Editor in Chief tors whom Coach Jack Rudenga is teacher at Illiana has been gave Dykstra the high-cal- golf camp over the summer hoping to impress. “I’m bummed long, 15 years, his love for iber disc invited him to a for Illiana. The golf team is preparing to about not having a postseason,” said playing disc golf is longer. disc golf league and the rest “Sometimes I get really make waves its first season in- In Rudenga. “This is one of the strongest Around 20 years ago, Dyks- was history. Dykstra’s love sick of head-to-head sports. diana with a group of talented and teams I’ve ever had…. We have lots tra went out with some bud- for disc golf has only grown Like if you and I play bas- experienced seniors, new equipment of veterans coming back, experienced dies to play some disc golf. over the years. In fact, at ketball or soccer, my victo- for winter training, and a new con- seniors.” Rudenga added that he Dykstra said, “[MC his peak, Dykstra was play- ry is completely dependent ditioning program. In fact, senior hopes to do more indoor training this Sports] had a starter pack ing in three leagues at once. on you, whereas, if I play Lawton Bouwer said his goal for the year because the team won’t be able where you could buy three Dykstra’s home course, this course ten times I can team is to “never lose, or to always to practice outside like they did when discs, putter, mid-range, Lemon Lake, is one of the set goals. Even if I am play- win.” the season took place in autumn. and driver. So then I went best in the world. Lemon ing with three other guys For the golf program, the switch Senior Matt Lagestee recently out to Lemon Lake with Mr. Lake has five disc golf who absolutely annihilated to Indiana will have three significant fractured his wrist in a skiing acci- Bosman. After, two holes I courses and has hosted mul- me, if I hit my PR or bet- ramifications: a golf season that now dent and is hoping to recover in time lost two of my three discs. tiple of world champion- ter my score, it feels pretty takes place in spring rather than fall for tryouts on March 11. Lagestee I threw them in a lake. I got ships, some of which Dyk- good,” said Dykstra. “[Disc which means training has to take said, “The team will need to become discouraged and I quit for stra helped in. golf] helped me complete- place in the winter, a junior varsity/ more consistent. We can’t have re- the rest of the year. Then Dykstra’s involvement ly re-evaluate my view of varsity setup which, for Illiana, will ally good days and then really bad a buddy that I played vol- in disc golf doesn’t just stop sports.” mean more underclassmen playing days like last year.” Male Fan of the Month Female Fan of the Month Although the basketball team has faltered Loud Crowd was in need of a per- as of late, senior Sam Gaich’s school pride son who was able to lead the chants, and enthusiasm at basketball games never has. so senior Rachel Huisman stepped in. A regular at both Loud Crowd and mid-week Despite not being on Loud Crowd com- games, Gaich really shows what it means to be mittee, she is the one on the floor lead- a super-fan. ing the cheers at almost every Loud “I love showing my school spirit, especially Crowd game. Her voice is one of the when my fellow classmates do well in a bas- few voices that can reach all the way ketball game. It makes me feel happy for the back to the freshmen in the back of the school and their great basketball program here,” Loud Crowd. said Gaich. “Lots of people go to the game to Senior Dylan VanDrunen said, mess around and talk. I just have to remove all “[Huisman] really gets the crowd go- the negative distractions and be hyped because ing. She has good leadership and no when the fans are hyped, then the team is hyped, one else does anything, so she picks up and when the team is hyped, the team goes off.” the slack for everyone else.” 8 Opinion Sick of cold routines? Editorial 5 Ideas to spice up Pro-life movement must be more than political your winter slump On Friday, Jan. 18, Illiana sent decisions will not, in and of them- these may convince the woman to giving a child a chance at life is bet- s we descend into the long two buses full of people to walk selves, create a culture that values keep her child and may support her ter than talking it away all together, stretch of school days before in the 2019 March For Life in life. when she has it, but for how long? yet we aren’t too quick to adopt A spring break: where there , D.C. We chanted and The pro-life movement needs Even if they help the mother for ourselves. According to adoption- are no more Friday night Loud Crowd cheered and then returned home to start with our community, or the first year of the child’s life, what network.com, no more than 2% games, winter sports are all wrapped and left it up to the government to more specifically us. We should about the next seventeen years? of Americans have adopted even up, but the spring seasons haven’t be- make change. educate women on the grave Will she be given affordable insur- though more than 1/3 have consid- gun, the thought of Four days later, New York’s consequences they are consider- ance? Who will help them with ered it. This statistic should make warm weather is a Reproductive Health Act was ing and, in the same matter, we childcare, especially when she’s us nauseous especially when on nice once. The cold signed on the anniversary of the should aid the placement of ultra- working? Not everyone has able any given day, there are nearly still persists, we’re Supreme Court case of Roe v. sound machines in clinics across or willing family members to help 438,000 in the United State’s fos- all settled into our Wade. The acts allows abortions the country, so that women may out. What if the child is born with ter system, and we are apart of the second semester after 24 weeks of pregnancy if it’s connect with their unborn child. disabilities? Does this community problem. Look around our com- schedules and necessary to protect the mother’s Instead of shaming teenage girls do enough to provide for them? munity. How many people do it’s just a life or health or there’s an “absence you know who are adopted? How matter of of fetal viability.” The mother’s “ If we solely rely on the many friends or family members? slogging health-care provider is supposed Even when people adopt, many through the to “use their reasonable and good government and political activists to times it’s after they find out that days. When Cate Peerbolte I start to faith professional judgment based they can not have children biologi- Co-Sports Editor on the facts of the patient’s case,” to lead, we will constantly be ) cally. Why is adoption the last re- feel a slave ) to school, but bored without it, decide whether a mother’s health is sort in our minds? If we really want ) here are some things I do when the wait- in danger. disappointed by the lack of change.” to promote “adoption or the loving New York’s law demonstrates option,” then we must be willing ing for spring break and summer seems that the pro-life movement must be who find themselves unexpectedly Do we have adequate schooling, to open our houses and families to eternal. more than a political fight. If we pregnant, we should care and sup- employment opportunities, and children who need to be adopted. Plan activities early on it the week solely rely on the government and port them so they know that they living conditions? If these children We can be so quick to wear so you have something to look forward political activists to lead, we will can take care of the baby. are brought into the world, will they shirts with sayings of “We are the to. The biggest goal of the week? The constantly be disappointed by the There are organizations like be given the same opportunities as pro-life generation,” “Adoption is weekend. Weeks always become easier lack of change. PASS (Pregnancy Aid South others? Mothers like these need the the loving option,” “Pro-life, Pro- for me when I have an event to look for- It would be naive of us Suburbs) and National Institute of love and support of a community. women.” “Every life matters,” yet ward to. Fun plans for Saturday after- to think that even if, one day, the Family & Life Advocate, which If she feels that still doesn’t have we expect politicians in D.C. to noon, make for a better Wednesday. Supreme Court were to overturn are great groups that supply preg- enough help, then we have to lead lead the change in this issue that Make thirty minute after school Roe v. Wade, that abortions would nant women with alternative op- her to think of adoption. we care and advocate so fiercely plans. It can be hard to focus on home- cease to occur. Many women tions rather than abortion. But what Adoption is one of the “quick for. The pro-life movement needs work right when you get home from a would turn to illegal and dangerous if a woman believes that she lacks and easy solutions” that we like to to start in the hearts of the people full day of school but instead of wasting ways to terminate their pregnan- the support she’ll need to take care throw out when a woman consid- in our community, and we need to time (see below), hang out and talk to cies because legislation and court of her child? Organizations like ers an abortion. We believe that lead it. a friend for 30 minutes before heading home to work again. Grabbing a coffee the or jamming to music with someone is a great way to keep yourself sane in these Echo)))) long days. Limit the amount of time you waste. Every day we are given twenty- Editors-in-chief four hours, but not one second is guar- Maddie Holesinger anteed. So, I urge you to use the time Alex Wondaal you have wisely. It can be easy to lose track of time sitting on your phone with News ) Kylie Boss )) no motivation to think or move. But if Haleigh Othof you can get started being productive you’ll continue to be. Instead of watch- Feature ing Netflix, clean your room. (Seriously, Grant Gibson when was the last time you vacuumed Liz VanDrunen and dusted your room?) Help your par- ents out around the house. Better yet, do Arts it without asking or telling them - they’ll Natalie Togtman notice. Be dedicated to your school work. Sports I know the days feel long and the weeks Kade Bouwer like an eternity, but as students our first Cate Peerbolte responsibility is to school work. Try as hard as you can to work ahead, set goals, Photos and accomplish them. Also to my fellow Grant Gibson seniors it may seem pointless to be dedi- cated to school work right now, but if you Advisor focus now, you’ll ease the pressure of Jeff DeVries keeping the senior voucher in the spring. Change up your routine by taking a Editorials, unless otherwise stated, have been written by an editor and reflect the risk. Weeks feel the longest when all you opinion of the majority of the Echo staff. do is repeat the same schedule over and Opinions expressed are not necessarily that over. Try to break your routine by taking of the administration, faculty, or student orga- risks. It doesn’t have to be big: talk to nizations. someone new, wear a bold outfit, say yes Letters to the editor can be submitted when you would normally say no. to the advisor or sent to the school. All let- All us high schoolers are struggling through ters must be signed and must not exceed 250 these months. We’re all in the same boat (er words. They will be printed provided there is building), so let’s help each other through. Be enough room and content is not offensive to The newspaper is a forum for expression; therefore, we friendly in halls, help each other in class, invite the general public. encourage feedback or commentary. Please contact us at people over. There’s no reason to make school [email protected] worse for each other than it already is.