Culture, cultivation, and creativity Black Student Union performs at annual showcase by Regine Sarah Capungan

“Break, pound, stone, crumble” chanted Th members of Northside’s Black Student Union (BSU) as the lighting went up on stage. As the group continued to chant, BSU Vice President The Student Newspaper of Northside College Prep HS Ashley Gonzalez, Adv. 209, made her way March 2012, Volume 12, Number 6 to the front of the stage for the first of her Online at thehoofbeat.com many solo recitations. One by one, the rest of the BSU members on stage followed suit and stood in a V-formation. “Our goal is to try to revisit some of the history of African Americans in this country,”

BSU Coordinator, Yvonne Smith, math de- Members of the BSU performing on stage. | SARAH CAPUNGAN partment, said. “We want to show how that history has influenced what we are doing with performed by the students, some of which out the performance, the subject matter of students today and how we may remember were originally written by Richard Wright the performance was not limited to struggles that history.” and other well-known black poets. The poems faced in the past. For instance, a humorous That opening sequence was the first part that were not written by those poets were highlight of the performance occurred when of an hour-long showcase on Feb. 29. The written by Whitson herself. members of the BSU quoted phrases from showcase is a yearly tradition intended to “We didn’t write any of the poetry, but “Sh*t White Girls Say To Black Girls,” a popu- recognize Black History Month in February. she (Whitson) drew inspiration from us,” lar YouTube video. In the past years, the showcase has included BSU President, Eghe Obaseki, Adv. 202, said. “It (the showcase) was not just on the fashion shows of traditional African cloth- “We had certain meetings where she asked civil rights movement,” Luis Mesa, Adv. 207, ing, poetry readings, and dance routines. us questions and based on our answers, she said, “it was on problems we’ve been facing This year, poetry recitations that were cho- would write a poem.” today. These are problems that seem to have reographed to West African and House style In the midst of the poetry recitations was not gone away even though slavery has ended dances were the main focus of the showcase. Trinique Townsend’s, Adv. 404, performance and we have gotten all of these rights.” “I think the subject matter (this year) is of the song “Strange Fruit,” which was origi- The stage lights dimmed on the BSU different, but it’s the idea of taking the spo- nally written and performed by Billie Holiday. members as the performance came to an end. ken words and putting movement to that ex- Townsend sang with a clear, powerful voice After the performers took their final bows, pression,” Smith said. “It’s the idea of using as the others onstage chanted quietly in the Obaseki made a speech to address her fellow writings and black poets to explain and show background. seniors on BSU and thanked Ms. Smith and what is important.” “Strange Fruit,” which contains the Ms. Whitson. Smith was accompanied in her leader- phrase “black bodies swinging in the south- “It (the BSU showcase) has been bitter- Ashley Gonzalez, Adv. 209, and Patricia Muhammad, ship by Mrs. Ni’Ja Whitson, the showcase’s ern breeze,” describes lynchings that occurred sweet,” Obaseki said. “I’m glad to be going off Adv. 403, recreate Rosa Parks’ bus incident. | SARAH director and choreographer. She was respon- in the South. While slavery and the Civil to college, but at the same time, I’m going to CAPUNGAN sible for the selection of poems that were Rights Movement were mentioned through- miss this.” Occupy Dance Floor takes over Northside’s auditorium by Brendali Rios At 7:15 p.m., Ms. Martha Mulligan, Math De- partment, greeted the crowd and asked them On Feb. 3, a crowd of people headed to- to take a seat. Without time to spare, Gifted wards Northside College Prep for Occupy Souls and their Queens of Paradise took the Dance Floor, Northside’s annual dance show- stage. The members of Gifted Souls, who case. Parents, friends, and families who at- had two sets in the show, came out on stage tended the event waited eagerly to be seated. wearing what looked to be tribal attire. The People crowded the auditorium entrance, female members of the group were wearing a flowers and balloons in hand, waiting for the mustard-yellow, long sleeved leotards while show to begin. And what a show they got. the males wore orange parachute pants and an adornment of feathers around their neck. The costumes added to the performance they put on to the soundtrack of M.I.A, Snowboy, and Latin Section. Their enthusiasm and smile hyped up the crowd who was eager to see what the show had in store. The performance by Passion, a ballet dance ensemble new to Northside, led by Sarah Doi, Adv. 404, and Tiara Badie, Adv. 407, as well as Michelle Skiba, Adv. 505, with the pieces “All Will Be Well” and “Break Me The Gifted Souls performing at Northside. | BRENDALI RIOS Down” added variety to the show. Their piec- Adv. 306, and of course, the grand finale by crowd. es were accompanied by music by the Gabe Hypnotik, Northside’s very own Hip Hop Jigg Nation showcased the dominance Dixon Band and 30 Seconds to Mars. dance group, led by AJ Tran and Ivan Capi- of females in their dance, ending their piece “Although the show was composed of fali, Adv. 301. with the men being led out on an imaginary mainly hip hop crews, I wanted to showcase Amongst the dance crews that per- leash, with the women leading them. other styles of dance as well and just let peo- formed as a team was Tommy Le, a guest “Hip hop has been a really misunder- ple see the talent that’s right here at North- performer who stood solo and performed stood culture and I just wanted people to see side,” AJ Tran, Adv. 201, Student Coordinator his piece Game Fever. Utilizing famous game what it could be, outside of Hypnotik and all of the event, said about the contemporary theme songs such as a Pokemon/Mario mix the media influences,” Tran said, “I hope the ballet piece. and the Tetris theme song, he singlehandedly shows continue to expand, a lot of the danc- Other appearances by Northside’s dance got the crowd on its feet, cheering him and ers and directors said that they would love teams included a piece by the Black Student his breakdance-like moves on. to come back and perform next year. I really Union, led by member Deja Lindsey, Adv. 406, Dance groups such as Puzzle League, hope they do. I’m graduating this year and it Members from the Gifted Souls group performing at Sabor Latino led by Elizabeth Schwartz, Adv. Kapwa Modern, Jigg Nation, CODA, Hip Hop would be awesome to know that these shows Northside. | BRENDALI RIOS 202, Aisha Torres, Adv. 402, and Victor Perez, Connection HQ also performed, wowing the will live on; better yet, top this year’s.” ONLINE Visit www. thehoofbeat.com for more articles. NCP NEWS Local School Council (LSC) Report Student Council Report by Zobia Chunara Public Comment: by Carly Jackson lowing options they preferred: Co-President of German club, Nicholas -shortening passing periods and ending Meeting: February 21 Goecke, spoke to the LSC about the future of Student Council is discussing what its school a couple minutes later Announcement: The LSC is still seeking the German program. Finance cuts have ne- role in Field Day will be this year. The coun- -starting school five minutes earlier and new candidates; applications are available cessitated a combined class of German 3, 4, cil traditionally co-sponsors the events, pay- ending five minutes later from Mrs. Kato in the counseling office and and AP students. The students have an inter- ing half of the approximately $3500 bill, with -ending school later should be submitted by March 8th. est in continuing to the next level. If the pro- the administration paying the second half. In The poll also asks if the student would Principal’s Report: gram is not continued, other options include total, approximately $2500 is spent on food rather eliminate advisory than choose one of There will be added testing administered self-study and online courses for tutoring. and $1000 on inflatables. the three options. beginning this year in March. They will mea- LSC response: Members are investigating the plausi- Advisory representatives and members sure Northside’s progress three times a year We cannot commit until we know the bility of a student coffee machine. Proposals of Student Council are filling out an online as a “transitional assessment” in English, real cuts (budget and staffing) that are going have included renting a machine for a trial principal evaluation about Mr. Rodgers. reading, math, and science. to take place, so right now just explore op- period and purchasing an automatic-dispense The council will collect ideas from the Northside will participate in the No Child tions that would fit into the current schedule; machine. student body for more projects by creating a Left Behind Program (NCLB), and expects if something was arranged for coursework in On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Student Council suggestion box. approximately 14 NCLB students. 15 stu- another school building during colloquium or hosted a town hall meeting outlining the pro- Students have proposed that student dents were originally admitted to Northside after school, students would have to arrange cess of applying for a grant from the council. council conduct a trial period for new bean through NCLB program 2 years ago. their own transportation. Advisory representatives were invited to at- bag chairs. The council is considering the ben- In March, students will be attending Parent Network: tend and then pass relevant information on efits and possible problems with the chairs, Adler Planetarium for presentations on sci- Parent Network delivered the petition to their respective advisories. The council is which include sanitation and improper use. entific aspects of astronomy, continuing the protesting the longer school day at the CPS also considering adding a step to the grant A grant benefiting Viet Mua passed for celestial garden colloquium theme. board meeting tomorrow. Two other schools process, in which club presidents will report $190. The request paid for a portion of Viet State grant for $25,000 for capital im- also support an exemption: Taft and Whitney back to the council about the final status of Mua’s I-Night dresses. provements will be used to resurface and re- Young. the grant and provide pictures for the Stu- Student council has begun planning Fac- line the parking lot. There are 2254 signatures on the peti- dent Council website. ulty and Staff Appreciation Week (May 21- Mr. Rodgers distributed the schedule tion, which was written to explain the reason- Student Council is conducting a poll of 25) and intends to organize thank you letters. for the 8:00-3:30 school day: 7.5 hour school ing behind the request for an exemption on the student body about the options for sched- Last year, the council hosted a breakfast for day, 276 minutes teaching, 368 minutes of the extended school day. uling advisory into next year’s longer school faculty and staff and is considering the same instruction, and an extended advisory which Reach for the Stars gala is on Mar. 9. day. The poll asks students which of the fol- for this school year. will only be on colloquium days. Helping the world in few steps: Athletes contribute to charities by Carly Jackson anyone can raise funds for a cause. To start, could ask for a certain amount for each kilo- every year Northside’s Women’s Volleyball a student can sponsor themself to get the do- meter run, challenging themselves to do bet- Team has an annual fundraiser for children Mastering a sport can be difficult, but nations going and then talk in person, email, ter and raising more money for their cause. with brain cancer and other school teams, like some athletes choose to challenge themselves and call about the event. Every pledge spon- Some employers are even willing to match women’s basketball, have considered creating further to benefit a charity. Many people sor and amount should be recorded on a form. a donation which can result in more money a similar event. know that professional athletes reach out to Almost any athletic event can be turned than expected. Another common way to honor some- do charity work: the Luol Deng Foundation into a chance to raise money for a cause. On Even more run and walk events are al- one specific or a group of people is to com- provides uniforms and school supplies to stu- Sunday Mar. 25, Chicago’s 2012 Bank of lowing the athlete to donate their registra- plete an athletic event in their name. Cross dents in South Sudan, and watch coverage of America Shamrock Shuffle will begin at the tion fee—typical of many races—directly to Country and Track and Field Assistant Coach the Super Bowl’s Community Outreach Pro- intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe a pre-selected beneficiary. In Chicago there Jose Nebrida runs in marathons carrying an grams have current National Football League Street. At the Shamrock Shuffle and many is the Alivio y Salud Run for Health 2012 in American flag with the names of all of the vic- players leading activities for youth in the other walks or runs, anyone less than 18 years Harrison Park, which benefits the Alivio Med- tims of the 9/11 attacks written on it. Super Bowl’s host community. of age can participate with permission from a ical Center, and the Wrigley Start Early Indi- Athletes around the world practice a Any student can participate in athletic legal guardian. The course for the Shamrock vidual or Team Run starting at Grant Park, sport they love, but one does not have to be charity events at any time of the year. By col- Shuffle is eight kilometers and ends in Grant which benefits Prevent Child Abuse America. a professional athlete to complete a walk or lecting pledge money from family members Park where there will be food and live music. Aside from events for individuals, there other athletic event while raising money for and friends for finishing an athletic event, A person collecting pledges for this run are many group competitions. For example, a cause. Photos: Groups perform ethnic dances for parents and students during I-Night

Vivian Lei, Adv. 201, performs in Chinese fan dance. | JAMILAH ALSHARIF Hannah Kim, Adv. 408, performs in tinikling. |JAMILAH ALSHARIF The Hoof Beat • March 2012 • NCP News 3 Donating money for bricks Taking over the world at MUNUC character, disagreeing with each other and with that, but we had some difficulties with convincing each other to make decisions that Project ARC lends adults who were doubtful of what we were Northside’s Model UN best help the interests of their country. This doing, and why we were doing it. We decid- a helping hand to represents Iran at the year, the conference was held at the Palmer ed that if we were some kind of non-profit House Hotel in downtown Chicago, and group, then people would trust us more and charities in need annual conference participants stayed for four days and three we would be more credible. I called up a non- by Minna Khan nights. profit lawyer; we sat down and discussed the by Diego Vela “It was a great experience,” Benja- things we would need: mission statement, In an effort to help alleviate poverty in min Winick, Adv. 208, said. “A memorable website, logo, and a leadership team.” Model United Nations is a club at North- certain areas of the world, Project ARC (As- event for me was when a ‘crisis’ occurred. I Project ARC has a history of raising side in which a group of 13 students work sist, Relieve, Cure), an organization run by was woken up and taken out of my room at awareness and money for those in dire need. together to represent a country in a simula- Northside students, is working hard to raise around 1am. Someone was shooting satellites In 2009, they raised over $3000 that would tion of the United Nations. They represent a money with other campaigns. This young at us from space. It turned out to be Russia, be donated to Palestine, and the money was country in mock conferences held by different group of activists is comprised of founder still bitter that the Soviet Union no longer processed by a highly regarded charity called universities and colleges across the country. Faique Moqeet, Adv. 202, executive direc- exists. We took them out right on time and Islamic Relief USA. “Model UN is a great chance to gain lead- tor Haaris Pervaiz, Adv. 306, vice executive saved ourselves.” In addition, they raised about $300 for ership and social skills, representing a coun- director Rohail Memon, Adv. 309, public re- Participants are confident to say that those affected by the earthquake in Haiti in try in a Mock United Nations conference,” lations director Raymond Siddiqi, Adv. 307, this year’s MUNUC was a success. Winnick 2010, and worked with the non-profit orga- Loren Piedrasanta, Adv. 209, said. “Partici- secretary Robin Roy, Adv. 308, and outreach and Rigsby both received awards, being rec- nization Al Shifa Clinics to gather used pre- pating in Model UN allows you to meet over coordinator Greesham Simon, Adv. 209. They ognized for being superior speakers in their scription glasses and send them to Pakistan two thousand high school students, both na- have done several different projects, and they committees. for those who need them. In the end, they tionally and internationally. It exposes you to work with other established charities. “Model UN has taught me the benefits of were able to acquire over 500 pairs of glasses. the issues facing our world today and shows Currently, the organization is working international organizations and how they re- The Threads of Hope bracelets have been you exactly how hard and slow progress can on Threads of Hope and has partnered with ally do provide a voice for otherwise smaller successful at Northside, and they have anoth- be, but [it] also shows you how rewarding it is a charity called 200 Orphanages Worldwide. nations who have struggled with develop- er shipment of bracelets coming in. Donate if you set goals for your country.” Its mission is to collect money that will be ment in all types of ways.” April Swanson, at least $5 to receive one of these bracelets This year, Northside was elected to repre- donated to the Angel of Mercy Orphanage in Adv. 200, said. to support underprivileged children in Cam- sent The Islamic Republic of Iran and Lesotho Cameroon, Africa. In order to motivate peo- President Tess Thompson, Adv. 303, has eroon through this organization. Visit their for the annual conference of Model United ple to donate, everyone who donates five dol- big plans for Northside’s Model UN next year. website http://www.arcnp.org/ to learn more Nations University of Chicago (MUNUC). At lars to the cause receives a bracelet with the “I have a lot of ideas about where Model about this group of volunteers. MUNUC, participants were asked to create word “hope “inscribed on it. Each bracelet solutions to real world problems and be able UN is headed,” Thompson said. “In the past, buys two and a half bricks for the orphanage to compromise with other countries. we have really focused almost exclusively on in Cameroon, and so far members have sold “I consider myself to be very lucky, or MUNUC. We have tried to attend some small- more than 500 bracelets and have raised over perhaps unlucky, to have represented Iran at er-scale conferences, but we all really know 2000 dollars. With this money, over 1000 the conference,” Devyn Rigsby, Adv. 503, said. that MUNUC is the main focus. I'm hoping bricks can be purchased for the orphanage. “Being a country at the center of so many is- that we can expand our focus next year to in- “A few years ago, some friends and I de- sues, I had a lot to say at all the meetings and clude more conferences and more members. cided to basically do something big, so we had a fun time being able to be uncompromis- If I had it my way, we would be going to con- tried to fundraise money for some causes,” ing, seeing as it was expected from me.” ferences in New York, California, Vancouver, Faique Moqueet, Adv. 202, said. “We did okay Hope bracelets being sold by Project ARC members. | COURTESY OF FAIQUE MOQUEET At the conference, everyone gets into Michigan; really as many as possible.” The Buffet: Northside serves up a restaurant review magazine

The Buffet’s logo. | COURTESY OF THE BUFFET by Miranda Roberts the location of the Chicago restaurant. cago. Among the restaurants they have their for a meeting, Musick posts flyers in the hall- Restaurants to review are currently sights set on are Alinea and Next. These two ways and stairwells. “The Buffet” has been drawing attention picked from Time Out Chicago, LTH Forums, have prices ranging from $100-250 per plate, The last meeting was held on Thurs Feb. since its first issue in December. Sponsored and other Chicago area food forums. Addi- but members of The Buffet are hoping to send 4. Money was collected from the members to by Mr. Sliwcki and Mr. Santiago, the mem- tional restaurants have been recommended in some of the magazine issues and ask for a orders Doritos and Kit Kat Bars from Japan. bers of magazine aim to have a bimonthly by teachers. The decision process on whether discount to review the food. The types that the group sent away for are not publishing after the first edition. Morley Mu- to review recommended restaurants includes The restaurant called Next, located at the usual flavors in local convenience stores of sick, Adv. 307, and the editor, is looking for checking the ratings on review sites. 953 West Fulton Market, is a restaurant that Chicago, and the buffet is looking to compare more people to write and review places. How the members of the magazine de- only grants entry to those that win the raffle those flavors to the Japanese counterparts. “We’re trying to make something that is cide whether a restaurant is a good place to on their website. Winning this raffle only lets “I wish we could get productive brain- fun to read,” Musick said, “and [so we do] not eat is simple. The taste and quality of the food someone in the door, and they have to pay for storming sessions so we could get good web need to hold back our opinions.” is the primary factor, followed closely by the the meal by their own means. In addition to videos,” Musick said, “but more people show The review was created in the hopes that cleanliness of the restaurant. being highly selective, the restaurant changes up than I expect.” Musick and his friends could work on their “We’re not so huge on atmosphere,” Mu- their whole menu and interior to match their The website will post food review videos writing skills and write about food. Anyone sick said, “so much as if it [the food] tastes theme that changes every couple of months. when the group recruits more students. Those can join the group and begin writing for The good, aside from it being horribly unclean.” Meetings for the Buffet are very in- who are interested in writing articles, making Buffet. Those who are over-encumbered with An aspiration of the group, after two or frequent and there is not a set schedule for video reviews, or suggesting restaurants can prior commitments can submit names of res- three issues are released, is to review some them. They are mainly for brainstorming for contact Musick in the hallways or by emailing taurants they want reviewed, no matter what trendy and higher-class restaurants in Chi- the magazine in general. When there is need [email protected]. 4 News • March 2012 • The Hoof Beat Northside came, Northside saw, Northside conquered

Northside wins State Dion Scholarship Award Scholarship for his Championships at the many academic achievements and dedication to Latin. IJCL convention All of Northside’s three certamen teams made it to the finals. The Novice and Lower teams won first place while the Upper team by Maria Flores The top ten students out of 420 students who Latin students from the all over Illinois accumulate the most points individually are and one group from Iowa came together for awarded a medal. In first place was Jaffe; in the annual Illinois Junior Classical League second there was a tie between Danny Washe- (IJCL) convention on Feb. 23- 25 at the lesky, Adv. 301, and Ali Murray, Adv. 407, and Westin hotel. These students came from 19 third place was claimed by Syed. The fifth slot schools across the state. was a tie between Pedro Juarez, Adv. 201, “The JCL reminds us that it’s okay to be and Devyn Rigsby, Adv. 503, while sixth was totally dorky about Latin,” Alissa Murray, taken by Jayce Feiger, Adv. 204. Last but not Adv. 407, said. “I’ve met fellow Harry Potter least was Sana Moqeet, Adv. 402, who came nerds there and Doctor Who fans and plenty Northside’s Latin team chants to show school and team spirit | MARIA FLORES in 10th place. of other kindred spirits.” “The JCL has taught me more about dedi- The convention started with a spirit com- competition awards students points. As a their knowledge in a range of classical topics cation, leadership, and using failure to work petition in which the participating schools school, Northside won overall sweepstakes from mythology to Roman life and Roman lit- toward success than I have ever learned in showed off cheers that they came up with to and sweepstakes per capita scoring a total erature. As they did in previous years, North- any classroom or other activity,” Washelesky fit the day’s theme. Northside won the first of 1,152 points with only 47 Northside stu- side students placed in many of the tests said. spirit competition with their theme “some- dents in attendance. As recognition to service given. David Jaffe, Adv. 204, won the Lois Convention ended with moving speeches thing new, something old, something purple, outside our school and encouragement of the Dion Academics Award for most sweepstakes by those on the board whose terms were end- something gold.” They also won overall spirit classics Northside won Friendly hand of JCL points earned by anyone on academic tests. ing. Many students looked forward to the and received a snuggie as a prize. award. He was four points away from getting a per- summer national convention that will take Receiving a medal on the test or art All students take 10 tests that measure fect score. Saad Syed, Adv. 203, won the Lois place at Wake Forest University in Winston- Participating in a day of music, workshops, dance, and spirit performing in the Emerging Artist Showcase experience the different teaching styles.” “That’s the worst part, the waiting,” Sabor Latino attends for the final day of the event’s festivities. Some of the workshops seemed impos- Schwartz said. “All you can do it try and stay Chicago’s 11th Annual “It’s an opportunity to perform in a pro- sible to follow, but as the rhythm of the song relaxed, even though your buckling knees fessional atmosphere.” Elizabeth Schwartz, flowed through the room, participants fol- make it pretty hard.” Salsa Congress Sabor Latino captain, Adv. 202, said. “We get lowed along as much as possible; some even Salsabor performed third in line along- to take workshops with professionals, grow added personal touches to basic footwork. side other high school and professional per- by Andriana Mitrakos as dancers, and have fun. It’s a great learning “I like the idea of dancing with new peo- formances including Latin Rhythms Cumbia, Every year around mid-February, famous experience.” ple and learning new dances,” Alberto Flores, Modern Clave, Lane Tech’s Aspira, and Grove dance instructors and performers, emerg- Some members of Sabor chose not to Adv. 407, said. “[dances] open you up to be High School’s Caribbean Soul. ing artists, and hundreds of Chicago citizens participate or were unavailable, but besides confident and willing to try new things which There were at least two showcases per af- gather at the Westin O’Hare Hotel for a week- the missing members, the team managed to helps a lot during performance.” ternoon of CISC as well as a competition in end at Chicago’s International Salsa Congress perform just as if they had as a full team. After hours of exhausting workshops, which dancers competed to win a first place (CISC). This year, Salsa Congress’s 11th an- Salsabor was not the only way Northside team members headed up to a hotel room prize. The weekend’s line up consisted of fa- nual event officially began on the evening of was represented this year, another Northside and began dressing and preparing for their mous Latin musicians and dancers who came February 16 and ran through the weekend student, AJ Tran, Adv. 201, also participated performance in the 4:00 p.m Emerging Art- from around the world, as well as “up and until the early hours of Monday February 20, in the weekend’s events. ist Showcase. Over fifteen people crowded coming” artists from the ages of six to eigh- for a total of 4 full nights and 3 full days of “I was performing with Gifted Souls, a the room as clusters formed around spe- teen, to perform a total of seven dance pro- workshops, performances, and live entertain- Chicago hip hop and salsa hybrid group,” Tran cific needs. A group of girls worked on hair ductions throughout the event. ment. said. “We performed all three nights at Con- while another worked on makeup. Some The nights ended late with live entertain- Last year Northside’s dance group, Sabor gress and we also closed all the night shows, boys ironed their shirts or polished their ment and open social dancing rooms where Latino, participated in Salsa Congress for the which was a really amazing experience.” shoes, while other members of the team participants of CISC could show off every- first time after a team member’s mother men- The days as performers at CISC were busy made sandwiches and passed out food. thing they learned in the days’ workshops. tioned the event to the team. This year Sabor and the nights were full. The Hoof Beat had a Heels, skirts, belts, and pants flew around Ballrooms were opened after the final show- Latino, which went under the moniker Salsa- chance to follow Salsabor from the moment the room as members hurried to get ready. case and large crowds were entertained until bor, participated in a full day of CISC before the team arrived at the hotel, to the final mo- One by one, each member exited the room the early hours of the next morning. ments of the evening events. and went downstairs to wait in the holding “The entire experience was overall amaz- Team and participant registration opened area before the show where there was a meet- ing. It’s probably one of the best weekends around 8:30 a.m Sunday. By the time Salsabor ing for all performers. Anxiety was high and I’ve ever had in my life and it was just so fun arrived, was registered, and each team mem- hearts began pumping as the line up list was hanging out and being able to dance with ber received a wristband and printed ID card, posted and team members hurried to find out some of the legends out there,” Tran said. “ it was time to head to technical rehearsals for when they performed. It was crazy, and I loved every minute of it.” the evening show during which the team had to wait to be called up for stage time. After about an hour of waiting for tech- nical rehearsal, the team split up and headed to different workshops based on member in- terest. Boys and girls separated for the first individual’s workshop and came together for a second partner’s workshop. CISC provided guests the opportunity to try out over 70 different workshops at vari- ous levels, from beginning salsa styling to ad- vanced partner and footwork. “I took two workshops. I took a workshop on salsa footwork with Victor Karisma, and I also took a hip hop/funk workshop with Gor- don Neil. They were both great experiences and I learned a lot,” Tran said. “As a choreog- Schwartz and Victor Perez, Adv. 306, performing rapher and teacher, I really enjoyed learning Mitrakos, Francisco Ortiz, Adv. 303, Torres, Capifali, Schwartz, and Perez performing their second piece. | ANDRI- ANDRIANA MITRAKOS from someone else for once, and being able to their third piece. | ANA MITRAKOS SPECIAL FEATURES: Science and Technology

“What the Internet is doing to our brains” expands the content available for storage in tion at our fingertips is worth losing the abil- A look into “The our brains, it has also limited the amount of ity to concentrate and retain information in Shallows” by Nicholas information we can actually store. Although, our memory. the Internet was not the first advancement To get the reader thinking about how Carr that limited the amount of information we technology can affect future generations, can actively recall, Carr believes that Socrates’ Carr includes arguments from determinist by Jamilah Alsharif fear that books would enfeeble memory was and instrumentalist thinkers. Carr presents Focusing on a book is difficult for some misplaced. determinist McLuhan’s view that “human be- people. Nicholas Carr, author of books and While Socrates believed that books di- ings become little more than the sex organs of articles on technology, business, and culture- minished reliance on personal memory, Carr the machine world” and that we will take on published in newspapers such as the New argues that books provide a more diverse sup- our essential role of producing more sophis- York Times, mentioned some of the issues he ply of facts, opinions, ideas, and stories that ticated tools until we become dispensable. faces while trying to read, and I realized that I encourage the commitment of printed infor- However, Carr also presents the instrumen- have the same problems. mation to memory due to the method and talist view that tools are “entirely subservient “My concentration starts to drift after culture of deep reading. In order to make the to the conscious wishes of their users.” By a page or two,” Carr said “I get fidgety, lose connection between memory and reading, presenting the two kinds of views he allows the thread, begin looking for something else students annotate books. Passages are viewed the readers to come to their own conclusion to do.” as flowers which “plucked from the pages of about the gravity of the effects of the Inter- Understanding why we cannot focus on books, could be preserved in the pages of net. something that seems like a simple task mo- memory.” We seem to be in a gray area between the tivated Carr to look into how technological Carr slowly moved up the ladder of ad- two views at this point. We have grown so de- advancements have affected human brains. vancements that have changed our way of pendent on certain machines that it would be His journey began far in the past with a look thinking. Maps, he said, gave man a “new and difficult for some people and even impossible at how Egyptians first began scribbling on more comprehending mind, better able to for others to eliminate these tools from their whatever they could, reaching the modern understand the unseen forces that shape his lives. day through the present use of the World surroundings and his existence.” Then clocks All these tools have “influenced how we redefined time as a series of units of equal find, store, and interpret information, how Wide Web. The Swallows Carr builds on the ideas of a wide range of durations and so “our minds began to stress we direct our attention and engage our sens- Nicholas Carr thinkers: Socrates, Sigmund Freud, Michael the methodical mental work of division and es, how we remember and how we forget.” W.W Norton and Company, 2011 Merzenich, and Marshall McLuhan, to name measurement.” In the modern day, the Inter- Just as we have come to realize that habits are 280 Pages a few. His book gives a clear explanation of net has expanded the range of topics we can passed down to children, we must also realize | COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM how our brains have changed the way we study. Through his book, Carr makes people that we are also handing down the modifica- process information. Although the Internet question whether having so much informa- tions in the structure of our brains. In with the new, out with the old gets into the ground and into drinking water. and Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon Wire- puters, fixes them up, and sends them out to Recycling old 130,000 computers are thrown out daily less, and Virgin Mobile allow you to drop off schools or other non profit groups. They are in the United States. Those computers con- phones free of charge in most stores in the located at 3053 N. Knox in Chicago. If the electronics tain high levels of lead, mercury and cadmi- Chicago land area. The phones can then be computer cannot be used there is a small fee um. Large computer monitors can have up to used in developing countries where there is a for recycling. by Maria Flores five pounds of lead. great need for communication devices. An easy way to recycle old TVs is taking The technology industry is always up- Staples, the office supply store, and cell Computer for Schools is a non profit them to a local Best Buy. They can give you dating its products and advertising causes a phone manufactures such as AT&T. Nokia, organization in Chicago that takes old com- credit for the item that you are donating. If push for the newest devices especially for cell the television set has no value then they re- phones, television sets, and computers. All cycle it. All this is free of charge as long as the of those products are considered hazardous Average composition of electronic TV is less than 32 inches. Best Buy also take waste and are often disposed of incorrectly. in cell phones, PDA’s, DVD players, and com- 70 percent of hazardous waste is electronics products collected for recycling puter cables. waste according to the website Earth911.com Whatever method is used it is best to be Currently Illinois has passed a law that mindful of the effects our consumption of requires manufactures to offer customers a technology and how we dispose of it when it way to recycle their products and eliminate e Computers (desktops 28% 26% becomes obsolete. The Household Chemicals Waste. e Waste is comprised of all electronic CPUs and portables) and Computer Recycling Facility located at hazardous materials. Ironically the US is one 1150 N. North Branch is amenable to take of the major contributors to this. Computer displays (CRT larger equipment such as washing machines. Americans, on average, get a new cell and flat-panel monitors) It is open Tuesdays 7 a.m. to12 p.m. Thurs- phone every 18 months. Cell phones contain days from 2 to 7 p.m. and the first Saturday lead which can be poisonous, but the more Hard-copy devices 1% of every month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alcott dangerous factor is the battery. The battery is Elementary School 2625 N. Orchard is having made out of nickel and cadmium, the latter an electronic drive on March 9th where they can cause lung and liver diseases. The battery Mice and Keyboards will be accepting all electronics to be either re- is made of lithium and/or lead that can be 15% furbished and resold. The proceeds will go to highly explosive. 30% Alcott’s environmental education programs. Old television sets have cathode ray If they can’t be able to be fixed then it will be tubes that are made out of 20 percent lead. A graph of the average composition of electronic products collected for recycling in 2010 recycled in a green way. Curbside drop off is If left to decompose in landfills all that lead | COURTESY OF EPA.GOV available. 6 Special Features • March 2012 • The Hoof Beat A spotlight on science, a glimpse into the large implications of microscopic work

and out of synaptic terminals, as well as elec- must apply to graduate programs by taking A venture into lab tric recording devices to record electric wave entrance exams and participating in inter- work and careers in patterns. To record the electric patterns, the views. lab takes a small glass tube and places it into “Say you are doing well in science, you science the machine which then heats the center and are excited about science, you have a pretty snaps the tube apart creating a small needle good GPA, you did fairly well on the Gradu- by Andriana MitrakoS with a hole running through the center in ate Record Exam [an exam that tests your Many Northside students show inter- which the lab can gather solution. This needle, knowledge of a particular field] you apply to est in the sciences and medicine with hopes the microelectrode, can be placed inside or on programs like this and you will be admitted of someday earning statuses such as MD or the cell to record electrical wave patterns. into a graduate program,” Dr. Alford said. DDS. However, careers in medicine expand Though most of the work Dr. Alford does For many of the science programs, as further than some of the first that come to is either microscopy or electric recording, he little as three spots are open to over 70 appli- mind: surgeon, dentist, or pharmacist. With- also works with molecular genetics. His lab cants. Some students, Dr. Alford said, come out scientific careers such as those of neuro- uses pieces of mouse brains to study the ef- in very focused, with a specific program and scientists, biologists, and chemists, medical fects of missing proteins by manipulating professor they want to work with in mind. advancements would be hindered. The sci- genes to change the proteins made. Other students may not have an idea of who ences and the implications of results that “We can ask the question ‘what does the they want to work with so they are allowed to come out of lab work, have shaped much of protein do’ because if it is not there we can take a year of high level courses and partici- our modern day lives. The Hoof Beat had the see a defect,” Dr. Alfrod said. pate in what are called rotations during which opportunity to sit down with a neuroscien- The majority of Dr. Alford’s time is spent students can spend about two months work- tist, Dr. Simon Alford, PhD and a professor of in his lab on the fourth floor of the UIC Col- ing with a faculty member. Students may ex- the UIC Biological Science department, and lege of Engineering building. perience working with at least three different “On a daily bases the majority of what professors that year until they meet a faculty discussed typical research schedules, journal Dr. Alford holding a newly created microelectrode I do is research,” Dr. Alfrod said, “but I also publications, and student work. |ANDRIANA MITRAKOS member they like or one that likes them and When asked to describe his work and teach undergraduate and graduate students.” would like to recruit them to join a lab. recent research, Dr. Alford reached over his Dr. Alford is currently teaching one On the weekends Dr. Alford likes to come As students move through the graduate desk to grab a model of what looked like a course per week, in a large three-hour block into his office and use the time and the quiet programs they become more specialized. human cerebellum. The model was actually on Monday, but he expects his course size to write articles or grants. The graduate students who begin work in a representation of the brain of a primitive to go up to at least three in two weeks. His Dr. Alford has collaborations at Vander- the lab are guaranteed a minimum salary of vertebrate, a parasitic fish called a lamprey. classes consist of mostly graduate students bilt University, the University of Wisconsin- around $27,000 yearly. These students also Dr. Alford used the model to explain how with some higher level undergraduate stu- Madison, and in Montreal, Canada. Most of have the opportunity to move on to teaching synapses, devices that transmit chemical in- dents. The techiniques his students learn in his outside connections are senior scientists apprenticeships as teacher’s assistants for un- formation through the nervous system, work. class, he said, are quite sophisticated because or scientists in the same position as Dr. Al- dergraduates. The advantage of using this fish, Dr. Alford the students are higher level undergraduates ford, professors and assistant professors. explained, is that the fish never got around or graduates. “Scientist are peculiar, they can be kind to evolving an important structure called “[The classes] are very hands-on,” Dr. Al- of a single minded bunch of people,” Dr. Al- myelin, an insulator that works around nerve ford said. “Not unlike doing a physics or biol- ford said. “Interactions with other scientist- cells which enables them to transmit infor- ogy lab in high school. In a sense you break s are usually from other labs. I have a num- mation rapidly. something, I fix it, you break something ber of collaborations around the world and “If we had not evolved myelin we would again, I fix it again.” around the country.” have had to find another solution,” Dr. Alford If he is not helping a student with lab Dr. Alford has published over 50 journal said, “and that other solution that we see in work, Dr. Alford either writes papers with articles in his career. A look around his office a lot of animals is that they make very big the graduate students, helps write grants for revealed a credenza full of journals and article axons that are the signaling structures of that money to pay the graduate students for their excerpts. Publishing, Dr. Alford said, is criti- cell. If the axon is big, the presynaptic termi- work, or fixes something in the lab. cal because it marks the end of a section of re- nal is big, and if you are a biologist, big is good “I’ll come in at around 8 am and leave search. He begins with a hypothesis about the because you can get to it. I use this primitive around 7,” Dr. Alford said. “It really is a mat- processes of a particular structure and tries to fish to study this structure because it is big in ter of I’m here writing a grant and someone prove or disprove it. This could involve a lot the fish.” will come and ask me a question or I’ll be in of work, anywhere from two months to two To conduct research, Dr. Alfrod and his the lab playing around trying to fix some- years. lab use imaging techniques such as micros- thing. That might take two minutes, it might He advised picking a big problem, a prob- copy to look at how information comes in take two hours; it’s very difficult to predict.” lem that would require a lot of time and re- search. When Dr. Alford completes a portion of his research, he and his lab send the article to journals for publishing. A piece of equipment used for electric wave record- “The reason we publish is because there is ing in Dr. Alford’s lab |ANDRIANA MITRAKOS no point in me doing what I do unless I pub- “When a graduate student joins the lab, lish it,” Dr. Alford said. “The reason we deal they have just come from undergraduate with science is to tell people how the world work and they don’t know much about the works.” lab. It’s more of a ‘hand-holding’ exercise at “Once you have got this body of evidence that point,” Dr. Alford said. “By the time the together you begin writing a paper and it is graduate students are graduating or [have not unlike what you have written in short lab become] a post-doctorate fellow, they know a notes in class,” Dr. Alford said. great deal about what is going on in the lab, so In journals, scientists describe their field there it is more of brainstorming, “what sort and reasons for research, their equipment of experiments should we be doing to solve and the way it was used, the lab results, and a the problem?” final discussion of result implications. In his labs at UIC, Dr. Alford works most- “The good thing about science is that you ly with graduate students. His current team, don’t know what the answer is if you ask the his lab, consists of two undergraduates and question right, because if you know what the five graduate students as well as a postdoc- answer is, there is no point in doing the ex- toral fellow, who already has a PhD., but has periment,” Dr. Alford said. “The downside of not secured a permanent job. Working in the it is that you have no idea what the answer lab can seem like never-ending work. is. It goes both ways. Sometimes the answer “The good thing about being a neurosci- works out to be very sensible and easy but entist is that we are never going to finish,” Dr. sometimes it is just so damn confusing.” Alford said, “which is good if you want to have A piece of equiptment ready for use in Dr. Alford’s lab | ANDRIANA MITRAKOS Graduate students who wish to join a lab a job for the rest of your life.” EDITORIAL Take a break from technology Technological literacy Should Norhsiders look more at Is technological literacy truly EDITORIALS the world around them instead of neccesary today? into a screen?

Overusing technology is overrated MASTHEAD example, if the Hoof Beat sets a deadline for dents spend more time looking at computer Take a break from all writers to turn in their articles by Mar. 9, screens than at the world around them. Think Northside College Prep H.S. writers can easily wait until the day before to about the last time you read a book for two modern devices 5501 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60625 sit down and write their articles and email hours straight without taking a look at your Tel: (773) 534-3954 them in instead of doing so before hand. Situ- cellphone, turning on the TV, or checking Many people may wonder will happen to ations like these not only allow for a low qual- Facebook’s news feed. For many, doing an Principal our generation because we are so attached to ity of work, but also excuses (my computer activity without technological distractions Mr. Barry Rodgers technology- would we be able to survive with- crashed or my printer is not working) that may have never happened. That is because out it? After all, electronics today allow us to can be blamed on technology, which may or technology creates distractions. You can go Assistant Principal better connect with others, get information may not be legitimate. from reading a book, to texting your friend, Dr. Margaret Murphy right at our fingertips, and finish any task “Well, I guess it depends on what kind of to checking your email, etcetera. more quickly. The main thing to keep in mind technology you’re talking about.” Frank Hick- “I think it’s a bad thing, especially for Advisor Ms. Dianne Malueg is that although technology is a good thing, ey, Adv. 203, said. “Like computers and the me, because we don’t really need any more,” there is a fine line between being efficient and internet tend to make peoples’ lives easier. I Eleanor Dollear, Adv. 201, said. “I’m basically overusing technology. How you use technol- Print Editor-In-Chief don’t think anyone would deny that. Really, illiterate when it comes to technology so it Zobia Chunara ogy is what makes it a good or bad thing. it’s like anything else. I think that the world is super frustrating for me. Also, staring at Technology is a luxury, not a necessity, of technology should continue to expand, a screen for 100 minutes is so annoying and Web Editor-in-Chief and maybe it is time to start focusing on re- but at the same time, we have to limit what frustrating and almost painful at times…I Timothy Suh verting back to the way things used to be be- people are able to do with that technology, if just don’t see the point of more technology.” fore everything got high-tech. For example, that makes sense.” When was the last time you had an out- NCP News Editor instead of calling your brother, who is in the Overusing technology for unimport- ing with your friends, where you did not Jamilah Alsharif next room of your house, you may want to ant reasons happens everyday. For example, check your phone more than four times? Or Special Features Editor try getting up and walking there. Cellphones when driving, many teenagers text, and this when was the last day you went the whole day Andriana Mitrakos allow us to communicate better than before, causes safety problems, leading to devastat- without checking your email or Facebook? Do but overusing this luxury can also mean less ing outcomes. According to a Pew survey of not completely erase technology from your face-to-face time. In fact, there is even a Sports Editors 800 kids aged 12 to 17, half of teens who are life, but make use of its benefits. In addition, Carly Jackson Facebook page titled “Calling someone in the 16 and 17 who own a cell phone said that sometimes you should step back from what same house because you’re too lazy to get up,” they have talked on the phone while driving. you are doing, and take a moment to realize Arts and Entertainment Editor with 1,178 likes. Are text messages to friends so important whether what you are doing is really neces- Nelson Ogbuagu With computers and the ability for email that teens have to do it while they drive? The sary. messages to reach the receiver within sec- answer is probably no, and one calls or texts Sure, hours can go by watching videos on Staff Reporters onds, people today now have more time to do while driving just because they can. YouTube, chatting on the phone, or watching Jamilah Alsharif other things. However, this ability can also Finally, TV, iPads, cellphones, and com- TV, but maybe it is time to pay more attention Calum Blackshaw Regine Sarah Capungan lead to a decrease in quality and procrastina- puters take us away from the here and now. to the people around you by living in the here tion, especially at a school like Northside. For Chris Ceisel Many times, it can seem like Northside stu- and now instead of in the computer screen. Zobia Chunara Maria Flores Sharon Flores The importance of technological literacy Andrew Hague cation “Inside Higher Ed,” technology literacy It is also important that computer sci- Carly Jackson Understanding beyond includes “an understanding of and capacity ence and technological literacy is emphasized Minna Khan Photoshop and Firefox for critical thinking about technological con- at schools. Students often see these classes Andriana Mitrakos cepts.” Zvacek believes that it is important as only for those who are interested in the Nelson Ogbuagu Brendali Rios for young people to continue learning and computing field, a career path that dropped Miranda Roberts Recently, I taught my mom “control – C” exploring technology, especially with “tech sharply in numbers after the dot-com bust and “control – V,” the Microsoft shortcuts for Timothy Suh skepticism,” wariness of technology, and its but has since began a comeback. However, Diego Vela copy and paste. As I told her offhandedly, flaws. Thus, an increased focus on technologi- according to collegesurfing.com, computer Sylvia Wtorkowski I was surprised by her delight; she had no cal literacy is important not only for people skills remain the top resume skill for today’s idea copying and pasting could be so simple. to be able to handle simple programs, but also workforce, with a majority of modern jobs SUBMISSIONS Armed with her new knowledge, she quickly to learn to solve problems, analyze, and think requiring at least an intermediate skill level. The Hoof Beat welcomes opinion editori- became the technological guru at her office. creatively through the computer. Technological literacy is not the same as als from its readers. Letters to the Editor It was then that I realized the increasing Not only is technological literacy an im- just computer literacy. Technological literacy and Op-ed submissions may be sent to gap between the technology literacy of this portant issue, but it is also a pressing one. extends to all forms of technology, being able [email protected]. Submis- generation and the last. With new technologi- Many people believe that today’s youth are to understand and utilize them. This could sions should not exceed two pages. cal innovations at an increasing rate, it is easy tech-savvy because we are natives to the new be smart phones, cameras, iPads, etc. In this CONTACT for people to give up and remain comfortable digital age. However, Zvacek holds that a ma- case, it is easy to ignore the need to under- with their Windows 98s. Technological litera- The Hoof Beat is a monthly publication jority of American high school students do stand this technology, how people utilize produced by the Northside Prep Journal- cy is something overlooked in U.S. society. No not qualify as technologically literate because them, and how they are opening doors for ism Class. As a student-run newspaper, parents make it a priority to make sure that they are focused more on performing many innovation. But, according to Zvacek, people your opinions are important to us. If their kids can use the most updated technolo- tasks, not looking at the concepts behind must at least understand the uses of these you have any comments, corrections, gy. Yet, we should maintain an active interest technology. The very people that society per- technological innovations and their roles in or questions, please e-mail Ms. Dianne and dedication to remaining technologically ceives as the most technologically literate are, society in order to be ready for shifts in the Malueg at hoofbeat.malueg@gmail. literate beyond what we are comfortable with. in fact, the ones that need the help. future toward new technology. While schools com or the Editor in Chief of the Hoof People often feel that any advanced Inevitably, the beginning of the solu- can adequately prepare students with this Beat at [email protected]. technological knowledge is the keepsake of tion is in the schools. Computer science is information, it is hardly a focus. The respon- technology savants and the “Geek Squad.” now vitually taught at all schools, but many sibility lies with individuals to do their own However, there are dangers to relying solely are often limited to learning basic computing research and hone their awareness. on others for answers whenever problems skills, like word processesing or Excel. It is im- We are said to live in the Digital or In- exceed basic knowledge. In an age where, ac- portant for schools and educators to begin in- formation Age. The technological advances cording to the 2007 U.S. Census, 88.7 million tegrating the use of technology in all subjects. of recent years never cease to amaze even the households have computers, a strong educa- Students should learn how to begin research most up-to-date individuals. Although the tion in computing is increasingly crucial. papers and which sources are trustworthy. many dangers or temptations of technology Technological literacy is no longer limited They should also learn how to utilize the vast turn people off, it remains a fact that under- to just knowing how to operate computers, ei- technological resources available to them in standing technology and the processes be- ther. According to an interview of Susan Zva- order to be creative—not just spit out what hind it is a key skill in society, which is why cek, director of instructional development at has been taught to them. They should be we should embrace the growth of technology. the University of Kansas, in the online publi- looking for innovation using these tools. LIVE EVENTS “HowHigh School to make in itCollege work” Northwestern University puts ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT on a show about high school

THEATRE Bodies moving, people grooving, but this is not a dance concert Harris Theatre puts on Bright yellow lighting beams down on them, like a glowing spotlight in the center of an interactive concert darkness. In all of the scenes in which it does, the viewer becomes captivated and his eyes by Sylvia Wtorkowski follow every movement that the performers make. The Seldoms made their debut at the Each scene narrates a story, adding to Harris Theater for Music and Dance. on Feb. 4 how interesting the play is. Individuals are when they celebrated the anniversary of their handed small cards of text, which tell a short tenth season As the title suggests, this is not story of what the coming act will center your typical dance concert. It is much more around. It is here that some of the most re- than that because the performance moves vealing moments occur. There are short, yet you, literally. swift pauses between action and stillness that Rather than sit back and watch the danc- show the dancers’ bodies’ responses to the ing take place, the audience members follow actions of the others and create this modern the dancers through the theater. Individuals form of live art. get the opportunity to view the theater from Carrie Hanson choreographed The Sel- many different perspectives, one of which in- doms dance showcases through the use of cludes going backstage. Before the hour-long contemporary dance. She created a very in- concert comes to an end, everyone has had a terpretive modern theater dance that shifts different experience, standing at the vantage away from classical forms of ballet. Rather point of their choice. than watch performers complete a series of Carrie Hanson, artistic director of The slow movements with the intent of looking Seldoms, oversaw the unusual choreography effortless and graceful, the dancers of The Actors performing on stage during concert | COURTESY OF HARRIS THEATRE sequence for their tenth anniversary sea- Seldoms do not focus on fixed movements; son performance. Unconventional locations, instead, they move their bodies in an uncon- lows to viewer to see Harris Theater, as well going to present The Seldoms in Marchland which include a warehouse, create scenery ventional way, allowing movement to expand the “concert” itself, from various vantage on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm and Friday, unlike any other. Because there are usually action and create a powerful visual for the au- points. The dancing itself is often choreo- May 20 at 8:30 pm at the Aronoff Center only two or three dancers in each scene, the dience. graphed oddly, but the dancers’ humor over- Jarson-Kaplan Theater. More information viewer’s attention is automatically drawn to Overall, following The Seldoms through powers the awkward movements and makes can be found at www.cinstages.com. Tickets the center because it seems as though the the Harris Theater is an experience that al- the “concert” one that is not to be forgotten. sell out within days of becoming available, so dancers are the only people in the room. The Contemporary Dance Theater is it is advised to purchase them ahead of time.

TELEVISION The River leaves viewers adrift a lost family member that turns dangerous. New television series Much like the Paranormal Activity films, the audience views the show from the lens of a “The River” sends character in the series that decides to film the mixed signals incidents at hand. Footage comes from those aboard the ship who are turning the disappear- by Brendali Rios ance of this famous TV star into another one of their shows. The credibility is lost, howev- The River, an ABC production that pre- er, when such high quality footage is captured miered on Feb. 7, has left many in the water. by the same guy who is basically trying to run From its frightening previews to the producer on water to get away from the occurrences. and creator’s background (creator of the Para- Another one of the characters, the daugh- normal Activity films) and even Steven Spiel- ter of the ship’s mechanic, seems to bring berg’s mention in the credits, The River had doom with her. She is a teenage girl who much hype to live up to. only speaks Spanish and is ignored when she Unfortunately, The River, which happens pleads with the crew to stay away from the to take place in Hawaii on just that - a river, beast that hides in the abandoned part of the lacks originality. Many critics, such as Mau- river. reen Ryan from the Huffington Post, even The show lacks explanation for every- went as far as considering it ABC’s attempt at thing that goes on in these incidents; some another show of Lost’s magnitude. of the vague explanations for various events Basically, Emmet Cole (Bruce Green- come off as lazy storytelling. Although this wood), the world-renowned host of a popu- is a short show with only a few episodes, it lar nature program, has gone missing in seems to be saddening that a show with such the Amazon, and his family is trying to find hype would just leave the viewer questioning him. The show’s characters are thrown into who ate this person or how someone ended the journey of finding what actually hap- up possessed. pened to him after his wife is convinced The plot is simple: Emmet dabbled in that he is still out there, alive somewhere. the kinds of magic he found deep in the The show has some melodramatic effects Amazonian jungles, and not to anyone’s sur- that cause the viewer to either sympathize prise, the gods were not so friendly. The my- with the characters or just flat out giggle Telvesion cover for the new series, The River | COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM thology behind it will not strain your brain. at how ridiculous and predictable it was. All in all, The River is a good show to kick stretch shows for seasons and seasons, even Trying to adapt a model that is very com- There are some upsides to the show, such back and relax to, but definitely not some- when the public is obviously tired of the same mon in the U.K., The River is presented thor- as the fact that it is only eight episodes long. thing to watch if you are looking to start a topics being discussed over and over again. oughly in the first episode as a journey to find Nowadays, TV companies feel the need to new series or are looking for some originality. The Hoof Beat • March 2012 • Arts & Entertainment 9

MOVIE Proving that you do not need a leotard and cape to be super usually is not always present in other super- a good movie for you. Throughout the movie Chronicle turns hero films. there are funny scenes and a lot of “feel-good” out to be quite an One attribute that characterizes An- moments, which help keep the film from be- drew is that he likes to videotape everything. coming depressing and unappealing. exceptional film That is how they originally decided to film Probably one of the main reasons that the movie. The audience usually sees things this is a good movie is that although the act- by Chris Ceisel through Andrew’s camera, or on occasion, ing was mediocre, the cast had a lot of chem- through security cameras or other cameras. istry. It helps the audience connect with the Chronicle is not your normal super Though the camera work starts out shaky at characters and brings people into the movie hero movie. While yes, it does have teenag- the beginning of the film, as soon as he de- well. The main actors are not very famous, ers stumbling upon their powers like a lot of velops his telekinesis, he controls the camera which allows the the audience to believe that super hero films do, it is unique in its own way. with his mind, and this leads to it being much the actors really are those characters. Some It is a darker movie, which is one of the main steadier. The viewer does not have to worry people do not want to go to a movie and won- differences. It is not just a movie about three about the nauseating experience of sitting der “whoa, Harry Potter is naked on screen,” guys who fight a super villain and prevail over through shaky cinematography. or “since when does Padme Admidala do bal- him. They do not end up happy without any Chronicle follows these three friends let?” The fact that the main characters are problems for the rest of their lives. They have as they grow together and try to strengthen relatively unknown helps with the backdrop depth. the powers that they stumbled upon during a of the film because the audience is going in The main characters of the movie come party. The movie specifically follows Andrew completely unexposed. from very different backgrounds. Andrew as he deals with his problems at home and Overall, Chronicle is a pretty good movie Detmar, the main character, is a geek who is tries to use his super powers to change things and something that you should see. It has a constantly badgered by his classmates and has for the better. As previous super hero mov- Movie poster for 2012 film “The Chronicle” |COURTESY unique twist to a commonly used plotline, has a lot of trouble at home. Being matched with ies have proven, using your powers for selfish OF AMAZON.COM good character development, decent but ef- darker side, and a part of the second half of not just a normal kid, his cousin, but also the reasons leads to disastrous results; Andrew is fective acting, and great special effects. It is the movie deals with the results of his actions. most popular guy in school, leads to a lot of no exception. one of the few movies these days that is actu- If you do not like dark movies, this can still be character development for all the actors, that Andrew eventually starts exploring his ally worth seeing. MUSIC Songs and stories of travel Germany’s influence is made apparent phia.” However, the cover of “Streets of Phila- The Fray releases new through the titles of the tracks “Munich” and delphia” stays truer to the original version, album this month “Rainy Zurich.” One particularly interesting despite sounding more vibrant. song is “1961,” which was influenced by the While the album is enjoyable to listen by Regine Sarah Capungan Berlin Wall. It refers to West Berlin and East to, “Scars and Stories” is not that much dif- Berlin through lyrics such as “Two brothers ferent from The Fray’s previous albums. The It has been three years since the release in 1961/on a road 90 miles too long/someone band’s music as a whole is nearly identical to of The Fray’s self-titled sophomore album don’t want us together.” The “brothers” in the other artists in the alternative rock genre, before the first single from “Scars and Sto- songs are the two sides of Berlin, the “road 90 such as The Script and Snow Patrol. However, ries,” “Heartbeat,” was released in November. miles too long” refers to the Wall, and “some- the band’s experiences traveling the world The rest of “Scars and Stories” was released a one” refers to the conflict between the demo- have provided them with new subject mat- few months later on Feb. 7. According to The cratic West and the communist Union of So- ter to include in their music, even if one can- Fray’s biography on iTunes, the album was viet Socialist Republics (USSR). not immediately determine the source of the inspired by the band’s recent, spur-of-the- A deluxe version of “Scars and Stories” band’s inspiration. At the very least, it gives moment trips to Germany and Rwanda. is available on iTunes, and it contains songs the common themes of personal and relation- At first listen, “Heartbeat” is a vibrant that The Fray covered from other artists. The ship struggles a deeper meaning than what and upbeat start to the album. Contrary to band managed to put their own unique spin one may have inferred from their first listen what the tune may indicate, the song was Album cover for “Scars & Stories.” |COURTESY OF AMAZON. on these songs. For instance, the track titled to the album. written after the band witnessed the effects COM “Maps,” originally by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, is Although the album may not be the most of genocide in Rwanda. Lyrics such as, “rain their travels. However, the music video for light and upbeat when covered by The Fray. original work of music, “Scars and Stories” is coming down and we’re on the run” and “Heartbeat,” which was released shortly after However, the original version sounds more gives off an overall uplifting, calming vibe. “I want to kiss your scars tonight” are allu- the single, depicts the band performing at a solemn. Another song that The Fray covered Fans of The Fray will neither be shocked sions to the sadness they encountered on bonfire on a California beach. is Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadel- nor disappointed by listening to this album. ART The Art Institute’s collection of a pioneer artist of his time to. Without any formal training, similar to Most of the artwork in the gallery is un- her relationship with men. His last pieces are by Calum Blackshaw how he began as a writer, he created his own titled and includes a collection of art styles, all portrait-style, with vast amounts of faces thoughts and feelings into the medium in like his use of various materials: ink, water- with different emotions or expressions of the Rabindranath Tagore’s name does not order to express his disgust for British poli- color, and a mix of pastels. Tagore proves Indian people being imposed by British social stand as high in history as names of artists cies in India; Tagore wanted to express the to be masterful with these materials, using ideals. The variety in his work, not only in such as Andy Warhol or Vincent Van Gogh. rhythms of life, the feelings the Indian people colored paints with mixed inks to form very theme, but also in technique, prove Tagore’s Such a thing would be expected anyways, see- had, and he shared them through his paint- transverse pieces; in this, viewers can see his ability to be a masterful artisan in whatever ing as he was a renowned writer of poetry ings. He conveyed his global view in which the use of light and dark colors, as well as shad- craft he undertook. and short stories; Tagore even received the world would fall into harmony, where citizen- owing effects and other techniques that give “The Last Harvest” is the culmination of Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. Though he ship would be removed, and when all people a unique style to his work. Tagore’s work that he hoped would show to passed away over 70 years ago, his final crafts, would be accepted by each other. Tagore’s work follows a trend over time the world India’s beliefs and customs. In the the pictures and paintings he drew in the last In the gallery, patrons can see Tagore’s 61 as well. In his earliest pieces, large creatures 80 years that he lived, Tagore became an in- years of his life, are now a part of the “Last pieces made in 15 years, from 1924 to 1939. or small people, constructed from a combina- ternational success and a national celebrity Harvest” gallery, which currently resides in He meant to draw with elements and affini- tion of shapes, are the main focus, perhaps in through his writing. With that popularity, he the Art Institute of Chicago. ties commonly found in modern western art. relation to spirits in the Indian heritage. As conveyed his message to all societies: social Tagore began drawing in his mid-60’s His mastery of the craft without any formal one follows his work, he moves onto large, de- imposition is cruel and unnecessary, and all and finished his career in writing, which had training made him an even greater inspira- tailed environments where one can identify nations can not only remain diversified, but already made him an inspiration to India’s tion to India, especially his home of Bengal. foliage and plants clearly. In later pieces, he united through their various ideals and social youth and a person of national pride. In his Though this gallery is one that America gets uses a lot of ink color to show a greater flow of behavior. To learn more about his message, artwork, he meant to convey some of the ex- to see, Tagore wanted to express India’s spiri- people in scenes from everyday life in India. including some of his work in poetry or the periences and messages he wished to address tual heritage in everything he did, including He especially enjoys expressing his idea of art he has created, visit nobelprize.org. through his writing, but could not find a way painting. the ideal woman, whether by her features or 10 Arts & Entertainment • March 2012 • The Hoof Beat LIVE EVENTS Northwestern’s high school musical, class of 1892

Spring Awakening since he was younger and has to make a deci- sion about what he will do with his future. depicts teenage “Awful sweet to be a little butterfly/Just wingin’ over things and nothing deep inside/ struggles Like sadness/You just sail away/’cause ya’ by Carly Jackson know/I don’t do sadness,” the actors sang. In this scene, and often during emotional scenes focused on only one or two characters, “Ah, but children,” said one of the few other actors and actresses playing students adult characters in the musical Spring Awak- from the high school students would form a ening. “Children, in what ways have we circle around them. cloaked, and hidden even from ourselves, the “The Dark I Know Well,” sung by the char- secret bargains we have made with our own acters Ilse and Marta, a girl who also deals devils?” with physical abuse. While KC Schlossberg, as 25 undergraduate students from North- Ilse, and Lillian Cummings, as Marta, belted western University participated in a produc- out the last words of the song, they ran to em- tion of Spring Awakening at Ethel M. Barber brace each other, faces red and tear-stricken. Theater on the university’s campus. 17 stu- Alex Nee (“Melchior”) and Jessica Kahkoska (“Wendla”) in the Theatre and Interpretation Center at North- “I wanna be strong/I want the world to dents took on roles in this musical adaption western University production of Spring Awakening (Feb 10-26, 2012). | COURTESY OF WWW. JUSTINBARBIN.COM find out/That you’re dreaming on me/Me and of the controversial play from 1892, while my beauty,” the actresses sang. eight more students played in the live or- before. The actors portrayed their characters Many of the musical’s most powerful The next performance produced through chestra. From Feb. 10 to 26, Geoff Button, a convincingly, even during the most intensely scenes include duets, such as “Don’t Do Sad- Northwestern University’s Theatre and In- Northwestern University alumnus, directed emotional moments. In particular, North- ness/Blue Wind,” and “The Dark I Know Well,” terpretation Center will be The Little Prince, this rock and roll musical about teenagers liv- western undergraduate senior Max Cove’s both of which made me cry. In “Don’t Do Sad- adapted from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s ing in a small German village. scenes as Moritz, a failing student with strict ness/Blue Wind,” Moritz and Ilse, a girl who book of the same name, and it will run from The musical, known for controversial parents, were very realistic. As Cove’s Mori- ran away from her physically abusive father to Apr. 13 to 22. Student-discounted tickets scenes, a few that include promiscuity and tz considers suicide, he runs from friend to live with bohemians, sang about how they felt can be purchased for ten dollars through the harmful behavior, conveys a universal theme: friend for help, his eyes wide, sweat glazed to lost, but were happy to talk together about Northwestern University School of Commu- No matter what you are going through, it is his forehead and his hands grabbing desper- childhood memories. Towards the end of the nication website. likely that someone else has gone through it ately at their clothes. song, Mortiz realizes how much has changed MUSIC Continuing the new year with new music by new artists Top 10 new artist to sounds that match his sharp rhymes. Unlike titled “Cold War.” omore album in April of 2012. Pundt is a tal- other rap artists, he does not release many Gauntlet Hair: This duo is distinct for ented guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist. He even listen to in 2012 mix tapes, and he is nothing short of unique. their echoing guitars and their cymbal crash- sang the vocals on Deerhunter’s song “Desire His unpredictable songs include random ing percussion. Interestingly, the drummer of Lines” from their album “Halcyon Digest:” by Minna Khan noises, which set a dissonant tone for his this act was inspired by Beyoncé in terms of Lotus Plaza revolves around Pundt’s hazy music. The first track on his first fill length his beats, but that is hard to tell when listen- and droned out vocals. Lotus Plaza will be St. Vincent: St. Vincent’s work couples album “Black Up” is “Free Press and Curl,” ing to some of Gauntlet Hair’s songs. Andy going on tour across the country once their her melodic vocals with her electric guitar. which is song that clearly displays his love for and Craig alternate when it comes to vocals, new album is released. “A Threaded Needle” However, her music is not all about her reso- strange synths and distinct sounds. which creates a nice variation in their music. is a song off of their old album that begins nant instrumentals and smooth vocals; she Youth Lagoon: Trevor Powers’s debut Gauntlet Hair also experiments with a lot of with a dreamy hook created by guitar strings, concentrates on her lyrics to give her songs album, “The Year of Hibernation,” was cre- reverb on the vocals, along with heavy use of and Pundt dips into the song with his cloudy a personal significant meaning. The song ated by himself in his bedroom. Rather than their electric guitar and drum set. Although vocals. “Surgeon,” off of the album “Strange Mercy,” just strumming his guitar, like many other they have been collaborating for the past The Weeknd: In less than a year, the is a doleful song about loneliness, but the “bedroom artists,” Powers uses a variety of 15 years, Andy and Craig are just starting man behind The Weeknd has managed to song still manages to sound bright and invit- sounds, tools, and instruments and each out, and they released their self titled debut release three mixtapes. Abel Tesfaye has a ing. Clark proves to be a great front-woman, song does not sound exactly identical to the album in 2011. “Top Bunk” off of their debut silky voice that flows with the slow bass of his doing something that only a handful of art- next. He has said that his songs are his way album will give listeners a taste of Gauntlet beats. His roots are ists can achieve. of expressing his innermost feelings because Hair’s reverb and blaring snare drums. in Toronto, Canada, Clams Casino: The way that Clams Ca- he suffers from anxiety issues and often feels Charli XCX: Labeling herself as “dark and actively collabo- sino makes his music is by chopping up free alone. It is difficult to tell that the message of pop,” Charli XCX uses her vocals and key- rate with fellow Ca- samples that he finds his music is melancholic due to his harmoni- board talent to create nadian, Drake. The online, and turning ous and upbeat instrumentals. “Canons” is a her own sound. She is Weeknd has quickly that into songs with song off of his album that sounds animated 19 years old, and she risen, and that is mellow drum beats, and catchy, thanks to his falsetto, but it is ac- has already come out thanks to his soulful snares, and bass. He tually about him wanting to confine himself with two singles. She r&b songs that ar- has risen after col- as a result of relationship issues. is currently finish- rive frequently. Lis- laborating with well- Janelle Monae: In 2011, Janelle Monae ing her debut album ten to “The Knowing” from his first mixtape known rappers Lil B was nominazswxecfted for a Grammy for her with the help of Ariel “House of Balloons” to melt into Tesfaye’s and Soulja Boy. A song debut album “ArchAndroid” which is artfully Rechtsaid from a enticing vocals. worth checking out by this artist is “I’m God,” composed of 17 tracks band named Glasser Grimes: Clare Boucher goes by the name which are the instrumentals to Lil B’s song of many differentand artist Robyn. Charli XCX’s sound is very of Grimes, and is taking off with her solo ca- “I’m God.” In this song, Volpe samples artist genres. Monae dem- similar to Robyn’s, in terms of girly dance bal- reer. This pop artist has a unique voice and is Imogen Heap’s “Just For Now” and complete- onstrates her talent lads. One of her only two singles is “Nuclear influenced by a variety ly refixes it into his own. in the form of many Seasons,” which relies on 80’s inspired synths of artists and genres. Shabazz Palaces: Over the past few genres, whether it be and her pop-y vocals. She has recently years, rap artist Shabazz Palaces has released funk, jazz, pop, or rap. Lotus Plaza: From the band Deerhunter come out with her several extended She seems to break out comes guitarist Lockett third album “Visions” plays and continues into different music Pundt, and Lotus Plaza through the record to break through in stylings in her first album, and she has been is his side project. In label 4AD. Grimes will the music business. working on new material that she is ready to 2008, he released his appeal to those who There are many as- release in 2012. Monae is one to watch out band’s debut album are into distinct and pects that make this for this year when her new material comes titled “The Floodlight unusual vocals. On her single “Vanessa,” she artist alluring such out, because her past work displays her admi- Collective” and is now experiments with her high-pitched falsetto as his dark synthy rable talent. One of her better known songs is ready to release a soph- and synthesizer. Men’s Swimming and Diving Chess Not much treading water Making the final moves Varsity team finishes second in the Varsity players visit Peoria for the SPORTS city finals state championships Men’s Track has bright hope for this season Eagles trap by Andrew Hague ting a lot of athletes from other sports, and Northside’s varsity The Northside Men’s Varsity Basketball we have a lot of people coming off injuries Team fell to a dominant Jones College Prep right now, so we are going to have a lot more track team surprises squad 54-40 on Tuesday Feb. 22 at Near depth to our team than we had at the begin- North Career High School. The Mustangs the competition ning of the year.” lacked any sense of fluidity within their Track is the culmination of a lot of indi- by Chris Ceisel turnover-ridden offense and could not match vidual athletes working together for one team Northside’s Men’s Varsity Track Team the Eagles’ speed or intensity. goal. Whether it is actually working together took fifth in the Lonnell Poole Invitational at Gibran Mendez, Adv. 205, agreed that in relays or just at the end of the meet when Bloom Trail High School. The meet started the Mustangs were not enthusiastic about all the points are added up, every single ath- on a cold Saturday, Feb. 11, and the athletes the dimly lit, dusty, and hot gym as well as lete affects the outcome of the team. That mimicked the chill in the air. Teams warmed the lack of focus among his teammates. being said, some athletes have consistently up in packs; every school seemed to be seg- “The poor conditions of the gym and sur- proven that they are born for the sport. regated from the rest, and there was a dead roundings already dampened our mood be- Mac Melto, Adv. 209, scored 20 of North- silence in preparation for the meet. fore the game,” Mendez said. “There was sim- side’s 39 points at the Lonnell Poole Invita- “Warming up before an event is one of ply no motivation from our team. It set the tional. He did this by finishing well in a lot of the most important parts of running well,” tone for the loss, and we suffered from that.” different events, but specifically the 55 meter Captain Pat Duffy, Adv. 205, said. “It gets Jones started off passing well and main- and the 400 meter dashes, in which he took people both physically and mentally ready taining focus as its first six points in the first first overall. He won seventh in state in the for whatever event they are about to run. A quarter came off assisted layups. The Mus- 400 meter last year, and is very hopeful to do bad warm up usually leads to a bad race, and a tangs used their scrappy play to keep up with even better this year. good warm up, a good race.” the Eagles until a three point shot by Jones Dan Graham, Adv. 201, scored nine The team was pretty happy with the way broke a 6-6 tie with 4:30 left in the quarter. points at the meet as well, and although he Ezra Edgerton, Adv. 301, sprints to the finish. |CHRIS that they performed. Although they got fifth Northside closed out the quarter playing did not outright win any events, he won sec- CEISEL in the meet, they placed first in their division sloppy defense and struggling to move the ond in the 800 meter dash overall and won and beat teams that had consistently beat- during and between meets.” ball up the court on the offensive end leading his heat. Graham also contributed a lot to the en them year after year. Many members of While this was Northside’s longest meet to a 13-9 Eagles lead at the end of the quarter. team by performing well in numerous relays. Northside’s track team are optimistic about of the year, lasting about ten hours, the team The second quarter was much of the Northside also had some sophomores how the rest of the season is looking for them. did not lose its focus. The athletes from same, as the Mustangs struggled to score in that performed well at the meet. Cesar Ru- “Obviously we try to beat as many teams Northside brought homework, iPods, blan- the paint and had to rely on their midrange fino, Adv. 400, won the sophomore 3200 as possible,” Patrick Andrade, Adv. 402, said. kets, food, and pretty much anything to keep shots to try to get them back into the game. meter. Lucien Fitzpatrick, Adv. 406, and Rob- “We definitely accomplished something by them ready to go and help them keep their The team started the quarter off playing much ert Szmurlo, Adv. 400, scored for the Varsity beating Simeon, because of their victory over focus. It seemed like they were a tired team better defense, holding Jones scoreless for team, which is no easy task as they were run- us last year.” overall, as most of the team took long naps at the first few minutes before Michael McMan- ning against the best upper classmen that the Northside only hopes to do better and one time or another during the meet. non, Adv. 200, found a cutting Chris Ceisel, other schools could offer. better as the season goes on, especially since The Northside team usually has its meets Adv. 208, for the reverse and-one layup to “It is all a team effort,” Duffy said. “I once winter sports end, they will have ath- on Saturdays, but not always. If a student is cut Jones’ lead to 13-12. However, Jones an- could tell that we were performing well as letes who were previously already playing a interested in watching any meets, or possibly swered back with an 8-3 run until Palwinder a team, and it is pretty easy to see that how sport, ready to come and help the track team just interested in how people did during a spe- Sodhi, Adv. 304, was fouled on a score of his much chemistry we have with each other, win. cific meet, all the scores and the entire sched- own with 3:13 left in the second quarter. He which makes it easier for us to perform better “We are definitely going to do even better ule are listed on the track website, which can missed the free throw and Jones’ offense during the meets. We are all very supportive, in the second half of the season,” Ezra Edger- be accessed through the Northside website, came to life once more, attacking the paint but we definitely push each other to do better ton, Adv. 208, said. “We are going to be get- or at http://eteamz.com/mustangstf/. and outrebounding the passive Mustangs to a 31-15 halftime lead. Things did not get much better for the smaller Northside team as the second half Scrambling for the basketball started; their offense seemed to lack any Women’s team ends coaching changes that adapted to Jones’s zone defense. Captain Fabian Lara, Adv. 206, season with effort tried to spark his team by splitting two Jones defenders for a nifty jump shot to make the score 35-20 with 4:16 left in the quarter. by Jamilah Alsharif However, his attempts were futile as Jones Starting for the Women’s Varsity Bas- did not let down after a 42-27 lead heading ketball Team in the game against the Saint into the fourth quarter. Viator Lions on Feb. 14 at Northside were The Eagles opened the quarter with two Lauren Antosz, Adv. 201, Veronica Schwartz, alley-oop layups in consecutive trips down Adv. 203, Allie Martinez, Adv. 207, Brianna the court and with a 21-point lead at 50-29 Cirrincione, Adv. 302, and Sarah Parks, Adv. and 4:18 left in the fourth quarter. The Mus- 505. Saint Viator set the tone for the game, tangs looked slow and confused until Ceisel which ended in a 45-23 loss for Northside, by and Lara came off the bench, into the game scoring four points in the beginning. By the and cut down the score down to a respect- time Northside scored four points, Saint Via- able 50-38 even though only 38.9 seconds tor already had ten on the scoreboard. Mary McInerney, Adv. 301, avoids a defender from Saint Viator and searches for a teammate. | JAMILAH ALSHARIF remained in the game. The Eagles scored four “I was anxious going into the game,” An- “We anticipated Saint Viator to be play- minutes left. easy baskets as the game ended, adding to tosz said. “During our pre-game talk, my legs ing a man defensively,” Antosz said. “But they “I don’t think the team lacked anything,” their dominating performance with a 54-40 were shaking, and I had to hold onto the arm played a zone. To improve, we could have Martinez said. “I think the team played hard, win over the Mustangs. rests to stop my hands. I shot in the three moved the ball more to move their defense.” and with pride and class from buzzer to buzz- Tae Woo Lee, Adv. 204, could tell from point shooting contest, and after that, I be- For every shot Northside made, Saint er.” the start that things were not going to go well lieve my nerves went away.” Viator seemed to make two. The third quarter This tournament provided the last op- for Northside. Northside lacked attention to rebounds. started with 28-16 on the board. Northside portunity for Northside’s Women’s Varsity “We came out lackluster, some of us ar- With less than 40 seconds in the first quarter, came back fighting with the five starting play- Basketball Team to play against other schools. rived late to the game and there was a clear Saint Viator attempted to score a shot more ers back in the game. However, they were out- “This game was an opportunity to show lack of focus and energy,” Lee said. “The posi- than five times. Northside stole the ball but played, and the quarter ended with the Saint all of the work my team and I had put into tive side is that as we progressed throughout fouled. Saint Viator missed both free throws, Viator Lions leading with a 34-20 score. The this season,” Antosz said. “It was the game to the game we played better and even outscored and the teams left the first quarter with 13-8 score was 40-20 in the fourth quarter with six showcase how much we had grown together.” them in fourth.” on the scoreboard. 12 Sports • March 2012 • The Hoof Beat Endgame Dolphins beat Mustangs in the water by Miranda Roberts Men’s Varsity swimming and diving makes second in city finals On Thursday, Feb. 9, the nine members by Calum Blackshaw of the Varsity Chess team and top three Ju- A crowd watched the teams of young nior Varsity members waited in anticipation swimmers and divers as they swarmed the for the bus that would take them to Peoria pool area of Whitney Young Magnet High for the state championship. In a seven round School on Feb. 12 for the varsity men’s swim- competition that lasted from Friday to Satur- ming and diving city championship. At the day, Northside placed fifth, the highest finish beginning of the event, one team huddled up, in school history. The team was seeded sec- then a chant arose that filled the pool hall; ond and expected to do very well. Students they began a chant of their own, preparing for won all but the fifth round and ended with a the meet with determination and the hope of a 6-1 score. intimidation. While the Mustangs began to Since there is no Junior Varsity champi- get restless from a delay, Carlos Ceja, North- onship competition in Illinois, Max Haugh- side’s Swimming and Diving Coach, pulled Ewald, Adv. 505, James Fan, Adv. 403, and them aside to give them a few words of en- Richard Kim, Adv. 400, accompanied the nine couragement as the meet was about to begin. varsity players to the tournament. They hoped About 18 teams were competing in the to learn about state championship procedures 12 swimming events, both in the prelimi- in case they make the varsity team next year nary rounds and the final matches. Teams and return to the tournament. went in heats during the preliminary events, “No one’s forcing me to watch but I can Stefan Roeseler, Adv. 407, dives off of the block. |CALUM BLACKSHAW and teams with the best times in the events learn from my team and they’ll feel better be- each event. The teams took final warm-up most grueling, with O’Donnell and Roeseler pulled a higher seed for the finals. Northside cause someone is there to watch them,” Fan laps around the pool at 3:00 p.m. in the 500 yard freestyle. Both Northsiders had at least one swimmer for each event, un- said. “The best way to practice is to play or The first event after the break was the gave it their all and pulled it together with like most of the other schools. The events watch…if I want to be on the team next year, 200 yard relay. The four members of the team, O’Donnell finishing second and Roeseler fin- were group relay, freestyle, individual medley I want to watch how they play and learn from Stefan Roeseler, Adv. 407, Sean White, Adv. ishing fourth. The next event was the second (IM), butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke. them.” 503, Gillespie, and Michal Rajski, Adv. 403, 200 yard freestyle relay, and the Northside Events were split up by the length of the Spectators were governed by a strict set each took a full lap, 50 yards. The team placed team moved from placing sixth seed in the event, from 50 yards to 500 yards, depending of rules. One regulation was that in order to third with a time of 1:44:05, a new school re- preliminaries to towering at second place in on what type of event it was. watch the game play, people had to sit on the cord and 2.57 seconds faster than their pre- the finals, giving Northside 188 points at the Aside from the twelve swimming events, side of the chess boards of their team in order liminary time. break, 12 points away from Whitney, who had Whitney Young was also where the men’s div- to discourage mouthing coaching or direction After that was men’s 200 yard freestyle, slunk ahead with a few wins. ing championships were held, which included to a player. In addition to that, teams could be with Dariusz Duplaga, Adv. 406, making In the remaining events, Gillespie and Northsiders Isaac Howenstine, Adv. 205, docked points if spectators were to talk. fourth place and Evan O’Donnell, Adv. 502, Rajski made second and fifth in the men’s and Luke Brodarick, Adv. 209. There were The team rode down to Peoria, Illinois in sixth. In the 200 yard IM, Reed Cabral, 100 yard backstroke. Cabral took seventh and six divers in total, making eleven dives each. with Lincoln Park, Lane Tech, and Marshall Adv. 301, turned ninth seed into eighth place Roeseler made fourth in the men’s 100 yard Out of the six divers, Brodarick was in sixth High School. Once they arrived, they relaxed while White moved from his fourth seed to breaststroke. In the final event, Northside place, with judges giving him a score of 197.4 and settled in. The chess players thought they finish third place. White also took fifth place had to place first or second to make enough points. Howenstine took first place in the were ready. in the 50 yard freestyle. In the 100 yard but- points over Whitney Young to win. It was the competition with a score of 400.17 points, a “Some people stayed up late and read terfly, Gillespie kept up his preliminary per- 400 yard freestyle relay, with each member new school record for the one meter dive. strategy points,” Fan said. “Everything was formance to make first place with his new swimming 100 yards. The crowd’s shouting After the preliminary events, the teams leading up to this point, and we thought we school record time 53.47, and 1.94 seconds was booming from the start. The Northside took a break and prepared for the final events. were well prepared.” faster than his first time. By this time, North- swimmers were going strong, but Gillespie Northside had taken first seed in two events, Each Mustang prepared in the best way side had accumulated 47 points, the top team had lost a lot of energy in the breaststroke. the 200 yard relay and the 100 yard butterfly they saw fit. so far. His team backed him up, and Northside by Connor Gillespie, Adv. 407. In every other “I had been studying Grandmaster The next event had Duplaga take third in pulled through in third, taking second place event possible they placed at least in the top games,” Christian Kavouras, Adv. 404, said, the 100 yard freestyle. The next event was the at the overall city championships. six seeds out of the twelve possible seeds in “and just being ready for state.” Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can obtain in competitive chess. There Gymnast Ashley Bernardo makes it to State are records of their games, and other chess by Sharon Flores tator watching her can see the strong sense of players use them to study strategy. Northside has a great gymnastics team, focus in her face, seemingly unmoved by the Things were going well on the first day and it consists of one person: Ashley Bernar- performances of her competitors going on of the chess championship. In one round, do, Adv. 306. As an individual school entry, around her as she does several hand stands to every player participated; the number of won Bernardo has no teammates to rely on as she warm up for competition. points and what board the victory was on competes at high-pressure skills on balance “Of course, the first thing going through determined the winner of the round. At the beam, vault, uneven bars, and floor exercises. my head is ‘don’t fall off’,” Bernardo said. “But end of the first day, Northside was the sec- Alone, she has taken Northside to the State before each of my major skills, I focus and re- ond place school even though the Mustangs Gymnastics Competition. mind myself of the correct technique I have had won all the rounds on that day. To reach the level of skill and talent to execute in order to be able to stay on the In a non-elimination tournament, play- she has today, Bernardo began walking on a apparatus. I take it one skill, flip, or step at ers receive points for their wins, and the 10-centimeter wide beam, doing flips, and a time.” points earned are based on the board played sticking landings at the age of three. Initially, Since she has been competing in club on. The lowest scoring board is 1, which is it was a decision her parents made for her as a gymnastics, Bernardo has qualified for state worth five points in victory, and the highest, way to release her energy as a child, but soon, every year. Once she reached level eight, nine, board 8, is worth twelve points. There is a Bernardo grew to love the sport. and ten, Bernardo qualified for regionals. At total of 68 points that you can receive in one “It is a difficult sport, but gymnastics has level nine, she was an alternate for the na- round. taught me patience, confidence, and disci- tional competition in Cleveland, Ohio. The first round of the second day in- pline,” Bernardo said. “Gymnastics has helped During her 2011 through 2012 season, cluded some of the first difficult matches for me break physical and mental barriers and it Bernardo reached some of the highest scores Ashley Bernardo, Adv. 306, performs her floor exer- Northside. They played Stevenson first fight- has taught me to believe in myself and my of her high school career. Her personal best cise routine. | COURTESY OF ROSEMARY BERNARDO ing till the last minute. Boards 1-3, 6, and 8 abilities.” of the season was 36.975 out of a total of a real challenge for Bernardo. She scored her lost, bringing the score to 44-24. Stevenson A gymnast must have both athleticism 40 points in a single meet. Some of her best season best on the vault of 9.475. Due to a was underestimated, and the team suffered and mental strength, acquired from patience, scores, out of ten possible points, on indi- couple of unfortunate falls in the other skills, for it. Even though they won rounds six and focus, and confidence, in order to execute vidual skills were 9.45 on floor, 9.575 on the Bernardo placed in the middle of the pack of seven, it was not enough to come out on top. dangerous skills while under extreme pres- uneven bars, 9.475 on vault, and 9.5 on beam. 65 total competitors overall. On a lighter note, several Northside stu- sure from judges. As expected, Bernardo ranked as one of the dents won individual awards. This was calcu- “Repetition is what gives you the self- top gymnasts at each meet and moved on to lated solely on the wins and losses of the play- assurance in the skill,” Bernardo said. qualify for the State competition. Visit www.thehoofbeat.com for videos of ers on the boards they played. Aamir Ansari, Bernardo is undoubtedly an athlete that The pressure and competition at the state Ashley at the State Gymnastics Competition. Adv. 303, placed first on Board 5. is in tune with her body and mind. Any spec- competition was higher than ever, providing