Student council raises morale with dress-up days - 2 • Hallmark club the spreads Christmas cheer - 3 • A view of through the years - 4 • A look at how Illiana celebrates Thanksgiving - 5 • Cheer team takes 4th at State - 7 • )) Preview of Illiana’s Winter Festival - 6 EchIlliana Christian High o School ) Volume 75 Issue 3 November 25, 2020 Dyer, Indiana Change to Illiana’s constitution misses by few votes

Aubrey Porter Board, and overall allow Reporter 25% of the board to be non- Reformed. Upon the campus’ move Principal Mr. Peter from Illinois to Indiana, Boonstra hoped that these the Association Expansion proposed changes would Committee proposed a rec- bring a “sense of ownership, ommendation to rework belonging to people outside certain parts of Illiana’s of the Reformed church, constitution. Acting on that and help the future of Il- recommendation, the school liana as a whole.” Because board proceeded to evalu- other Christian schools in ate the current state of the the area all let parents who document. are not a part of the Re- Junior Max Winters looks away from the needle as he donates blood. Photo by Jim Kamphuis The first change intro- formed church vote, he felt duced was located in Ar- obligated to offer this same ticle III, which mentions opportunity at our school. Blood drive achieves goal the qualifications for Il- Although these changes Hailey Ross the number of donations they students showed up. liana’s association, other- failed to pass, falling short Reporter have been receiving at their “This is the most students wise known as people who of the ⅔ majority by a mere offices. Indeed, according to I’ve seen come out in my life- can vote for changes in our nine votes, Boonstra be- Illiana’s student body senior Student Council mem- time” said Sara Cutter, Versi- school. The board decided lieves that “[the board] will and staff donated 37 pints of ber Simon Molenaar, the US ti’s donor service supervisor to recommend opening up pursue this change in the blood on Thursday, Nov. 12, is experiencing a blood short- on site. the membership qualifica- future; we can learn from during the Student Council age due to the pandemic. Junior Loralee DeYoung tions, enabling people out- the results and reactions sponsored blood drive. “Since blood is so need- participated in the blood drive side of the Reformed church of the voting.” He also un- The overall goal of the ed, we are happy to be able to and reported having a good derstands that it might be school was 37 pints of blood to be members. help,” said Molenaar. and at the end of the day that experience with the people The second change, overwhelming for people goal was reached. In order to try to entice and said, “I never really had which went hand in hand to propose several changes Versiti, the organization more donors to give, Versiti a bad experience with them.” with the first, would only be at once, and that hopeful- that collected the blood, was offered all donors a free CO- Versiti wants students to passed if the first was vot- ly next time there will be eager to receive the blood do- VID antibody test. Whether it have a good experience so ed into effect. This change better communication and nations considering how CO- was the antibody test or just they might become future would allow Association clarification on what this VID has adversely affected a sense of generosity, Illiana blood donors. members to be a part of the means for the school.

out consistently,” she said. “We Veteran veneration goes virtual already have some design im- military, including where provements that will greatly Gracie Jania and when they served. improve our ability to compete, Reporter “Lots of family mem- such as making our robot more compact and faster along with bers were able to answer testing different intakes.” the survey… We got pic- Veterans Day celebra- Chris Kinkade, a sopho- tures to go with each re- tions at Illiana on Nov. more on the team, said, “Sure, 11 happened with a slight spondent,” Dutton said. we didn’t finish first, but it was a twist; instead of celebrat- Dutton used the infor- real test of how well we can lose ing the veterans with a mation collected to create as a team. It isn’t hard to win as flag-raising ceremony, profiles of different veter- a team, but losing as a team is a school-wide chapel, and ans, and those profiles ap- real testament to how well the breakfast run by the Stu- peared on Illiana’s Face- team functions.” He added that Photo by Brent Vermeulen dent Council, Mrs. Jenna book page. The sophomore robotics team works on its robot at the first competition. the team will continue to im- Dutton and Mrs. Cassie Even with no in-person prove their abilities to “drive” Siersema put together a events scheduled to cel- Robotics students progress the robots. way to celebrate those who ebrate the veterans, Dutton Robotics team coach Brent and Siersema found ways to served our country safely to quarterfinals Vermeulen said he was impressed bring the day to everyone’s and respectfully. at Crown Point High School. The with the freshmen who made it to The two created a “Vet- attention. “We just wanted Olivia Oostema teams had the objective of using quarterfinals, and he believed the erans Day Spotlight Sur- to keep everyone safe, but Co-Editor in Chief their robot to put a ball into one event served as a “stepping stone vey” on Illiana’s Facebook we still wanted to celebrate of nine goals in the arena. for bigger tournaments this year.” account. According to Dut- the veterans… and honor Two robots designed by Il- Senior team member Sydnee ton, interviewing the vet- them,” Siersema said. liana’s robotics team progressed Tuuk said that the team didn’t do The team is scheduled to erans began the week prior Dutton said, “I want our to quarterfinals in the team’s first as well as they’d hoped. compete in a similar competi- to the holiday. The vet- veterans to know we appre- competition of the year. “We had a good design, but tion at Portage High School on erans interviewed shared ciate their service and how On November 7, Illiana unfortunately there were some December 12 and hopes to have stories of their time in the grateful we are for them.” competed against 35 local teams small things that didn’t work a robot make it to state this year. 2 News Bridging Concerts chasm between to take poverty and new format affluence for future his past month I had the opportunity to months go to Los Angeles, California and serve Talongside my brother and family. For Hailey Ross those of you who don’t know, I have an older brother Reporter named Jacob who is 21 and lives at the Dream Cen- ter in California. He works as an intern for their short Due to COVID the choirs, term missions program where band, and orchestra have had to he plans and oversees all of get creative with conducting per- the short term mission trips formances. In the fall, performance people take to the Dream groups recorded the different en- Center. The Dream sembles playing and then posted Center has many dif- those videos to YouTube. ferent ministries, For winter, the instrumental one being Re- programs are hoping to perform start, a place for an in-person audience, follow- for children to ing the CDC and county health Sophie Thompson go to do their Photo courtesy of Illiana’s Facebook page department’s guidelines. Sports Editor e-learning while Students from Mr. Fennema’s homeroom pose together dressed for Fan Friday. This, however, is not the case parents are un- for the choirs. Mrs. Kathy Sliek- able to watch them because of work or other things. StuCo sponsors dress-up Fridays ers, choir director, will continue to record performances for the near The first day we went to Restart and helped the Sophia Thompson flannel Friday. The second they make those days a little kids. As soon as I walked into the outdoor area and be- future as it is difficult for students to was fan Friday, where stu- more exciting. With every- gan walking around awkwardly, hoping a child would Sports Editor sing in masks. dents wore jerseys and other thing going on right now, need my assistance, a little boy sat up on his desk and The choirs also have picked things to represent who they it’s nice to have a little bit of called me over. There was already a man sitting with up handbells. With handbells, the After the cancelling are a fan of. The last dress excitement in the school.” him trying to convince him to focus on his schooling choirs were able to perform mask- of Illiana’s annual Sadie up day for Nov. is the 20th. Students council mem- and failing terribly. The little boy whose name tag read, less, but that might change for the Hawkins dance, Student ber Simon Molenaar claimed “Raiden,” looked at the man and asked if I could take That day’s theme is a tie-dye winter concert. Council thought of another his place at the table. The man sitting with him was theme. he thought the idea for dress “It’s a bummer that we can’t way to get students involved quick to get up, leaving me with a rowdy little boy. It Sophomore Brenna up days was good and that it sing all the time but I do enjoy throughout the school: The seemed like no one wanted the responsibility of sitting Thompson said, “I really gave the students something handbells,” said junior Citlali San- group came up with dress- with him, but here I was. like the dress up days. It to do. chez, Acapella choir member. up Fridays, where students As we got to know each other, he came out as a gives me and my friends The change away from live are invited to dress up ac- Student council mem- loud, sassy little five year old. We got in trouble mul- concerts still disappoints many. cording to the theme Student something to look forward ber sophomore Greg Good- tiple times for not doing his work. There were many “It’s sad that we can’t do a Council presents. to at the end of the week. It’s fellow said, “The [dress up failed attempts by the rest of my family to try to get concert for everyone. [In the past] “We thought it would be really sad Sadie’s got can- days] weren’t so much a Raiden to concentrate, but nothing seemed to work. it was super fun, and the best part celled, but I am happy that Raiden went home that day having learned nothing. a good way to change things replacement for the Sadie was talking to everyone after- The next day we went on Adopt-a-Block, a min- up since COVID is restrict- we are coming up with safe Hawkins dance.” ward,” said junior Charlie Breed, istry that goes into the projects and distributes food to ing our usual activities,” alternatives to have fun.” He said they gave home- Wind Ensemble member. the people there while ministering with them. I had said Senior Jaxson Smit, Senior Jake Vander Zee rooms a chance to “ride to- Sliekers said that “it would be never been to a housing project, so I didn’t really know member of Student Council. said, “They help keep school gether” and bring excitemnt nice to do an in-person concert in what to expect except for what I’d seen in movies. It The first theme was from getting too boring and on a Friday. the spring.” was worse than I could have ever imagined. Trash lit- tered the ground and young children played unsuper- vised in the streets. My brother said this project is the Close call for junior Close Up program safest and cleanest one they go to, Nickerson Gardens been pushed back to April. being the worst. He then told me that Raiden lives in now,” said junior Katherine Van- workshops, and listen to speak- Hailey Ross According to Mr. Jeff Nickerson. Drunen. “It’s weird not knowing ers. In the past, speakers have Reporter White, the entire program was I kept catching myself thinking about California what’s going to happen. included U.S. senators, members originally canceled due to COV- when I got home. I just couldn’t get the thought of the The Close Up Program, “I’m upset that we could not of the President’s cabinet, and ID, but then the national program poverty there out of my head. Then I began to think which gives eight Illiana juniors go now,” said Mathew Smits, military generals. decided to reschedule in 2021. about the poverty around me right here that I don’t the chance to join other students “but it would be nice to go in the The students will also have Illiana’s students are planning to even think about. After looking it up, I discovered from across the nation to see and spring.” the chance to explore Capitol attend during the new dates. multiple public housing projects around here, includ- experience the inner workings of The program affords eight Hill, have a free day to roam Still those plans have not yet ing one in Chicago Heights, not far from here. It made government in our nation’s capi- students one week to travel to through D.C., and maybe see the been finalized. me think about the kids who live there who are do- tal, was originally scheduled for Washington D.C. to engage House of Representatives in ses- “It’s sad that we can’t go ing only e-learning. Are there little kids sitting at home the week of Nov. 29, but now has in field studies, attend various sion. by themselves because their parents can’t be around during the day? Are there kids trying to do e-learning who don’t even have the tools they need like wifi or a Praise Crowd dinner meets ‘Uber Eats’ delivery Chromebook? Aubrey Porter of the annual fall play, draw- 100 orders were taken, and driv- smoothly and that the people Why is there such a chasm between us and these Reporter ing people to the show and en- ers followed a route that would who ordered food that night kids who are struggling? What is stopping me and couraging a time of fellowship. get everyone their food in their were very thankful for all of you from going there, handing out a hot dog and bag This year, Praise Crowd However, since no in-person allotted time as efficiently as the hard work that went into the of chips, and asking to pray with the person? Some- committee’s members brought performances occurred this possible. event. times I think that we should stop focusing on what we fall play dinners do peoples’ year, the Praise Crowd commit- According to Mrs. Rachel Mr. Doug Gorter, a par- have to do, like our own school work, and go out to doors, following safety guide- tee had to develop a different Drost, a Praise Crowd com- ticipant who ordered food on find kids like Raiden who, without Restart, might be lines and taking the health of the approach. mittee sponsor, the event was Saturday, noted that his family home alone learning even less than what he did with Illiana community into consid- On Saturday Nov. 7, extremely successful, raising was very pleased with the food Restart volunteers. We need to stop pretending that the eration. committee members spent their roughly $21,000, double the and the experience overall. “We struggling children don’t exist. They do, and they are In past years, the Praise night delivering tacos all around amount raised last year. Despite always went to the meal, and it silently begging people like ourselves to help them. It Crowd committee sponsored the region ranging from Lan- the unusual conditions under was nice of them to offer this op- doesn’t take much to make an impact on a struggling dinner occurred between the sing, Crete, Lowell, Griffith to which the dinner was held, portunity because we couldn’t kid, and we shouldn’t settle for anything less. two Saturday performances everywhere in between. About Drost thought the event went come to the play,” Gorter said. News 3 Illiana Farms finally sprouts Aubrey Porter Reporter hydroponics classes. “[Illi- used as another place to ana Farms] adds significant grow organic goods along- Illiana Farms has under- dimension to the science side the preexisting hydro- gone change this year, but curriculum,” Kuipers said. ponics setup that many stu- despite minor setbacks such Kuipers was offered a dents at Illiana might see as COVID and an accident trailer by an acquaintance while walking through the involving the farm’s trailer, whom he had known for a science wing. the organizers foresee great couple years, which he then Kuipers said that prior things in store for its future. acquired for the school to to the pandemic, the farm The idea of growing or- use. Just a week before they hoped to sell its produce to ganic produce sprouted six were supposed to pick it up, restaurants or even grocery years ago from Dr. Jim Kui- a woman lost control of her stores such as Strack and pers when he was a teacher car and ran into its side. At Van Til. However, Kuipers at Chicago Christian High first, Kuipers and Sylvester says that this year they have School. Now, this dream thought the trailer was a lost to come at it with a differ- has become a reality for cause. However, Kuipers ent approach. Their plan Kuipers and biology teach- negotiated the school pur- is to sell the vegetables to er Brian Sylvester as they chasing the trailer at a low- families within the Illiana work with community mem- er cost and used the money community, and whatever bers and students from both saved on the purchase to re- isn’t sold will be donated to the agricultural science and pair it. This trailer is now local food pantries.

Photo by Jeff DeVries Photo by Jeff DeVries Senior Olivia Yonkman and Junior Josue Sanchez transplant seedlings to be moved into the farm trailer. Teacher Brian Sylvester hangs plants amidst the growth lights inside the trailer. Juniors, seniors participate in virtual COP appointments Rachel Bultema Co-Editor in Chief fice is at least functioning rather than shutting its doors, a possibility that In a time where it is difficult to Gibson and her team considered be- get students to experience jobs on site, fore opting for the virtual approach. the Career Opportunity Program has “We still wanted to offer them brought appointments and meetings something,” said Gibson. “At least to the students through virtual meet- they can learn about the profession: ings. the schooling, what the job entails… Mrs. Amy Gibson from the COP Just to make contact with the person office has, through multiple media is good still.” platforms including Zoom, Google “If you want to take the day to Meets, and Microsoft teams, helped [meet with someone off campus], Photo by Jeff DeVries students meet with professionals from you can do that. It’s not through the Freshman Abbey Helmus writes a Christmas greeting in a card for a resident of Wittenberg Village. different careers including X-ray tech- COP office, but you can do that.” nicians and sound technicians. Students are usually notified Hallmark Club makes cards for Wittenberg Village residents Instead of leaving to go off-cam- roughly two days before the appoint- pus to visit workers and experience ment, giving them time to prepare Gracie Jania lives in Wittenberg, but with COV- Club member sophomore things hands-on, students now sit in questions and research the company Reporter ID they had to lock down,” Rachel Angelina Daniel said, “I think it’s the COP office in a virtual meeting which will sponsor the virtual visit. said. “It was really hard on her and a good idea; we just get to make talking with professionals about their Gibson said, “Each time is dif- One of Illiana’s newest clubs, the residents because they couldn’t people happy.” career. ferent, and we’re learning as we’re a Hallmark card-making club see anyone and it gets lonely.” When asked why she likes this Senior Simon Molenaar, who going.” started by Mrs. Kathy Sliekers and Not many of the details are club, Bultema said, “Everyone is so attended the meeting with radiology Senior Kate Ohm said, “I liked Mrs. Peggy Mollema, has decided known for the delivery of the positive. It’s lovely to be with these and x-ray technicians said, “It’s bet- that I could still learn about [my ca- to make cards for the residents of cards. Sliekers said that since the caring people. They are doing [this ter than nothing.” Though, he prefers reer interest. My visit] was a lot more Wittenberg Village in Crown Point building is on lockdown, the group club] to make others happy.” “the old way” as it is “easier to go see informational than I thought it would to spread joy. will most likely not be able to visit “What we hope to accomplish and do stuff than it is to look at a Pow- have been.” Club member, senior Rachel the residents and pass out the cards is the gift of service, but also us- erPoint.” Molenaar said. “[The virtual Bultema came up with the idea to individually. The selection of resi- ing creativity and sending cards, Of course, despite any draw- COP appointment] was a very good give the cards to Wittenberg Vil- dents to receive a card will most which is a lifelong activity,” said backs to the virtual approach, the of- experience. It was very well done.” lage specifically. “My grandma likely be random. Mollema. 4 Feature How Thanksgiving as we know it came to be Thanksgiving is traditionally thought of as originating from the feast shared by Native Americans and pilgrims in Plymouth Massachusetts. The holiday, however, has a complex history that began well before the colonists, and has evolved since the “first Thanksgiving.” Let’s take a closer look. Olivia Oostema ratification of the Constitution. “Franksgiving” by many op- Arts Editor to be the first Thanksgiving in stream American holiday large- America. These historians cite ly because of the work of Sara During their presidencies, many ponents and the move was re- What was the “first Thanks- the meal shared by Spanish ex- Josepha Hale. Hale, the author successors of Washington also pealed three years later. giving”? plorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilé of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had designated days of thanks. None Additionally, as aforemen- The event commonly re- and Timucua tribe members in a Little Lamb,” campaigned of these “days of thanksgiving” tioned, Native American and ferred to as the “first Thanksgiv- St. Augustine, , 56 years American politicians for 36 were consistently scheduled un- pilgrim relationships were rid- ing” was a three-day feast shared prior. The feast took place after years on behalf of national day til designated den with great conflict. The pro- by Plymouth colonists and duction of happy Thanksgiving Native Americans coloring book pages, for exam- in Massachusetts. Organized by ple, and any other “deceptively the town’s governor, the feast sunny” portrayals of these rela- was attended by the Wampanoag tions have caused some to par- chief and ninety men ticipate in a “National Day of of his tribe deemed to be allies to Mourning.” This memorial of the pilgrims. the lives lost because of these conflicts began in 1970 at a hill What did the colonists and overlooking and Native Americans at the first continues to be observed at oth- Thanksgiving eat? er locations in the country. When many think of the first Thanksgiving in the - colo What major Thanksgiving cel- nies, they imagine pilgrims and ebrations are shared by Amer- Native Americans giving thanks icans? over a giant table laden with a Introduced in 1924, the Ma- giant turkey and decadent pump- cy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kin pies. However, this depiction celebrated the season with floats of the event is inaccurate. and marching bands. The parade Besides portraying pilgrim is the most famous Thanksgiv- and Native American relation- ing parade in the country with ships as being unrealistically up to 3 million in-person spec- simple and peaceful, this imagi- Photo courtesy of Newsweek.com tators (this year the parade is nation’s menu is historically entirely virtual). Famous char- inaccurate. Contrary to popu- Menéndez de Avilé and his crew of thanksgiving. Her efforts the last Thursday in November acters like Mickey Mouse and lar belief, the first thanksgiv- held a mass for their safe arrival persuaded President Abraham as Thanksgiving. the Tin Man debuted as floats ing feast likely did not include in the New World. Lincoln to establish Thanksgiv- Notably, Thomas Jefferson in the1934 and 1939 parades re- turkey at all. Instead, Plymouth Furthermore, thanksgiving ing as a national holiday during viewed days of thanksgiving spectively. Many New Yorkers colonists and Native Ameri- feasts are seemingly universal the height of the Civil War. Be- as religious and a violation of watch the balloons get inflated cans shared foods like lobster, throughout the world. In ancient cause of her work, she later be- the barrier between church and before the parade as a holiday seal, pumpkin, deer, and swan. times, Egyptians celebrated a came known as the “Mother of state. Therefore, he refused to tradition. Around the country, There were no potatoes because harvest feast of thanksgiving Thanksgiving.” participate in the tradition fol- many throughout history have they had only just reached Eu- and celebration to their gods. Previous to its national in- lowed by other Founding Fa- celebrated and continue to cel- rope from South America, and Jews celebrated a harvest festi- stitution, certain states, mostly thers. ebrate the parade from their liv- there is no recorded presence of val called Sukkot. Native Amer- in the north, celebrated their ing rooms since 1932, when it turkey. Furthermore, colonists icans celebrated the fall harvest own days of thanksgiving. Dur- Has there been any controver- first was broadcasted over the didn’t prepare any desserts due long before European colonists ing the American Revolution, sies surrounding the holiday? radio. to a dwindling sugar supply and arrived in the Americas. the Continental Congress is- During the Great Depres- Though less prominent, an- lack of ovens. sued days of thanksgiving, and sion, Franklin D. Roosevelt other tradition includes a presi- How did Thanksgiving be- later President George Wash- moved Thanksgiving to the dent “pardoning” a few turkeys, Was it really the first? come a mainstream American ington designated a proclama- second to last Thursday of the saving them from death. Although Many scholars don’t con- holiday? tion to “express gratitude” for month to increase retail sales. the tradition is odd, U.S. presi- sider the meal shared in 1621 Thanksgiving is a main- the conclusion of the war and The holiday was referred to as dents and governors participate. All information from History.com Feature 5 How does Illiana celebrate Thanksgiving? The entire student body as well as Illiana teachers and faculty were surveyed on the food they share and the traditions they treasure during the Thanksgiving season. Here are the results:

Olivia Oostema Arts Editor

What’s the most unique dish you eat?

Adam Gibson: “I think we had different weird kinds of beef jerky for fun one time, like goose jerky and alligator jerky.”

Alayna Knoll: “Coughing pickles.”

Michael Moore: “The most unique dish I eat at Thanksgiving is a Hamwich. My sister came up with the name and it stuck. If you didn’t already know what a Hamwich is, it is a ham Family and friends sandwich, which comes fresh from the just-cooked ham.”

Correy Williams: “We eat a different foreign animal every time!”

Isaac Eenigenburg: “Homemade pickled carrots and salmon .”

Isabella Verastegui: “Cactus (Nopales).”

Sanyah Sampson: “ casserole or deer.”

What’s something you always eat? What’s one Thanksgiving tradition you keep?

Doug Gorter: “ - the one with the cream Kristy Medema: “My kids help my husband stuff the turkey in the morning. We all (25-40 of of mushroom soup and french onions on top. It’s not very us) sit around a long table to eat. When we’re finished, we go around the table, and everyone healthy.” tells what he or she is thankful for. There are always tears.”

Lucas VanderWoude: “STUFFING!” Sara Johnson: “We draw names for Christmas gifts on Thanksgiving. And, there is always a LOT of football going on. This year, our Thanksgiving is a football tailgate for the Iowa vs. Tony Ren: “Nothing very specif- Northwestern football game. Go HAWKS!” ic... Just as normal meals. *Rice, fried noodles, hot- Mary Lagerwey: “We sing some Thanksgiving hymns. And we love to eat leftover turkey on pot, dumplings/wontons/ rolls or bread with and mayo. Oh yeah, and we go for a walk to help digest all shumais, suan cai, etc…” that good food.”

Kathy Sliekers: “We make everyone’s favorite pie which Marie Limback: “Since my children were little, my husband always took them to Bakers usually means we have about 5 pies for 8 people. It is a little Square for hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls, and to pick up our pies. It gave me a quiet hour ridiculous.” in the kitchen! Our kids are grown now, but they still go with dad on Thanksgiving morn- ing. This year, due to COVID and due to Bakers Square in Lansing being out of business, Brent Vermeulen: “Turkey....duh.” we’ll probably make homemade cinnamon rolls (We’re already working on a replacement pie source).” Ellie Southworth: “Pecan cinnamon sweet potato dish.” David Boer: “Playing Sjoelbak or Dutch Shuffleboard.” Treyton Sederstrom: “Oreo fluff.” Rachel Monroe: “We always woke up and watched the Luke Fennema: “All the basics: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuff- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! I remember watching ing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole.” friends in marching bands on the tv and always looked for- ward to the Snoopy balloon!” James Mock: “Mashed Potatoessssss.” 6 Arts and Leisure Winter Festival, beacon of light during cold winter months Rachel Bultema all of the sets set up and walk- Feature Editor ing through the sets and seeing and hearing everything set up. On Dec. 11, the Winter Sophomore Kevin Truong, cast Festival, the brainchild of Jeff member and Acapella choir DeVries, his wife, and Jim member, looks forward to per- Kamphuis, will take place in Il- forming at the festival and later liana’s courtyard in place of a litening tothe radio show. fall play performance. Though the format of the After realizing a fall play show is different, it can still be performance wasn’t feasible, enjoyed. Truong looks forward DeVries and Kamphuis began to hearing the performance. scheming ways to allow com- Senior Jenna O’Brien munity to gather safely. looks forwad to “showing off Though the cast of “It’s a the ‘final thing’ [at the winter Wonderful Life” will not per- festival]. It’s going to be crazy form that night, bands, choirs, fun.” She looks forward, also, and the orchestra will. The play to showing the finished product will be represented via table- at the festival. top displays that tell the story When coming up with the of the play. idea for the winter festival, To add to the seasonal am- DeVries “didn’t care” whether bience, choir director Kathy people liked the idea of the Sliekers plans to have her festival, and challenged such choirs sing carols outdoors in people to “come up with a bet- the courtyard and band director ter idea.” Rachel Monroe plans for the Mainly, he said he was bands to play in the commons, Photo by Jeff DeVries looking for a way to get stu- and for the music to be “piped Here’s a sneak preview of one incomplete diaroma which will feature at the Winter Festival: the Bridge- dents involved in some sort of through” to the courtyard, said keeper’s House. production, and more students than simply cast performing. Kamphuis. Mr. Andy Ander- phuis, will have Christmas ing, cast and crew members of communion to happen at Illi- Cast member senior Mi- son, orchestra director, said the lights strung about: twinkly the show will be working the ana. chael Moore looks forward orchestra will likely play inside lights in the trees and party festival: decorating, arrang- Senior Gabby Albanese, to this new idea and event the glass for people to watch lights strung from table to table. ing, and preparing for the festi- Festival Crew member, looks and appreciates the fact that from outside, “like at the zoo.” DeVries added that there may val, helping out throughout the forward to the possibility of despite things and activities Along with musical per- be colored, laser lights on the night, and doing cleanup after- drinking “mass amounts” of formances, the Winter Festival ends of the building. ward. hot cocoa at the festival. Junior being limited, new ideas and will include food and drink. Kamphuis said that the ta- Despite all of the planning Hannah Sliekers, cast mem- aspects of ideas are being ex- DeVries plans for the cast of bletop displays of the play will and preparation going into the ber, looks forward to seeing plored. “It’s A Wonderful Life” to rest along the road in front of festival, somethings cannot serve hot beverages, and Mrs. the courtyard and be lit with be dealt with right away, such Jenna Dutton has secured “theatrical lighting.” Kamphu- as the weather. DeVries and Bub’s Bowls, a food truck, to is hopes to have soundbites of Kamphuis are unsure of what sell food at the festival. They the recording play with some of the weather may hold for the hope to secure a second food the sets as a “sneak peek” creat- evening, and are not sure how truck for the festival as well. ed by the “Model Painting” and to create a backup plan for it as Mr. Brent Vermeulen hopes “Model Construction” crews. the event cannot be moved in- to sell laser-cut Christmas or- Kamphuis and DeVries side very smoothly. naments, Bible verses, and plan to have fire pits placed Despite facing this, DeVries “things that have to do with the throughout the courtyard area looks forward to seeing the birth of Christ.” He hopes to to allow attendants to warm up Christmas lights strung along have about 5-6 different prod- and “maybe roast marshmal- throughout the courtyard. He ucts to be sold at the festival. lows on them,” said Kamphuis. also looks forward to creating Photo by Jim Kamphuis The courtyard, said Kam- Since they are not perform- and allowing community and Junior Emma DeBoer paints models backstage for the Winter Festival. Leaving no seat or plate empty at Thanksgiving A look at how two establishments in the Region help provide during this unusual Thanksgiving season Cafe Fresco Suncrest Christian Church Rachel Bultema Rachel Bultema 159 people came to the Feature Editor event and 61 of them worked Feature Editor on Thanksgiving Meal Boxes. This Thanksgiving, Community Mehrle said, “We took extra Love, the name of the outreach group On, Nov. 7, Suncrest steps to provide social dis- run by and through Cafe Fresco, will Christian Church held its 3rd tancing inside the building, host its 7th annual “No Empty Seats” Suncrest Serve Day of 2020 and provided plenty of hand event at Cafe Fresco in Crown Point, and packed 100 meal boxes sanitizer.” Indiana. For those who don’t know for families connected to Mehrle hopes that the Photo courtesy of Cafe Fresco’s Facebook where to go, or do not have the means Cafe Fresco’s window featured an encouraging message during the the Sojourner Truth House. events show that Suncrest is to secure a traditional meal, Cafe Fres- spring months Event coordinator Jared “#ForTheRegion”, that the Mehrle said, “[Serve Day church cares about people in co is the place to go. will then be dropped off on the porch it has since expanded to a food drive. events]... shine a light on our the community, and that the This year, the front space of the or other outdoor area of the home to Last year, Community Love do- partners to everyone in the church is doing its best to cafe will be open for walk-ins to get maintain social distancing. nated food to 13 families and had over church, and allow us to do help them. food to cook a holiday meal. Others The event began with Breanna 100 people walk into the cafe for food some big projects to increase Mehrle hopes to organize can nominate families in need to re- Zolfo and her parents keeping the cafe and meals. This year, Zolfo expects our partners’ efforts in the Serve Day again for 2021, but ceive food to make a meal. The food open for business on thanksgiving, but more walk-ins due to the pandemic. region.” the date is not yet set. Sports 7 Cheer finshes 4th at State Wrestling Sophia Thompson Sophia Thompson beginning of the season. Sports Editor Sports Editor We did hit a few bumps along the way since a lot This year Illiana’s wrestling pro- Illiana’s Competition of our competitions had to gram has adapted to restrictions CO- cheer team showed its great be cancelled or resort to VID has put on their season. talent even in the face of video competitions, but we Junior Graham Goodfellow said, big difficulties due to CO- did make a lot of improve- “Due to COVID, we have to wear VID. ments.” masks while wrestling, which is not The team’s only in-per- The team placed fourth at fun. Some things we do to stay safe son competition was against the virtual State competition. include, taking temperature, wearing Carmel on Oct. 31, where “It was an exciting sea- masks, disinfecting the mats twice a they took first place. son despite the challenges, day, cleaning our shoes before and af- The majority of their and I loved all the time I ter practice, and not sharing any equip- competitions, however, got to spend with my girls,” ment unless it has been cleaned.” were virtual, where the Jania added. The team has also lost one of its team videoed their routine Senior Karlie Detmar three seniors, Jake Vander Zee, who and sent it to the judges or said, “Being the only senior is out for the season with a torn ACL, they had a live meeting on on the team left me with a MCL, and meniscus from soccer. a Zoom with a whole panel big leadership role, to be a Vander Zee said, “I am bummed of judges. model to the girls. I want about missing out this season, but I am Sophomore Gracie Ja- them to remember that all finding other ways to help the team out nia said, “Our season went the glory and honor should and I am so thankful for that. One way great; all the girls and I be- go to Jesus Christ, he is the I am helping is by helping coach the Photo Courtest of Taylor Olthof new wrestlers and advising others on came great friends and we one who gave us these gifts Competition Cheer team celebrates taking first place at the Carmel High their technique.” improved a lot since the and talents to compete.” School competition. Boys basketball

Sophia Thompson tice. We are always focused on not getting too close to Sports Editor each other which is super hard to do. Also the uncer- Illiana’s boys’ basket- tainty of whether or not the ball players are excited to team that we have to play be starting after having will be able to play. And the their season questioned due biggest difference when we to the recent spike of CO- get started is getting used to VID cases in Lake County. not having any fans.” The team is focusing on Although there will all of the good things that be no fans watching live can come out of this sea- games, the team is still im- son. Senior Leighton Fos- proving. “We’ve spent a ter said, “I’m really look- lot of time improving our ing forward to this season. defense because that was Photo Courtesy of Erin Behn We have a team full of guys something that we strug- The varsity girls anticipate which way the ball is going to go after the tip off as freshman Cheyenne DeJong that all have a passion for gled with last season. We fights to win the ball in the home game against Highland High School on November 14. basketball and want to get are putting in a lot of time better and see the team working on it and we are Girls basketball works to overcome early struggles succeed. We have a lot of improving,” said Foster. spread, the team will do what skilled players this season, The varsity team’s first Sophia Thompson added Cruz. and I can’t wait to play with scrimmage was Nov. 19 The only spectators al- needs to be done.” The varsity team is look- them.” against Morgan Township. Sports Editor lowed in the gym during Even with the good The team took the overall games are the parents of the ing forward to the rest of its season and is working harder things come COVID restric- win, by winning three of players, no siblings or friends tions though, and the team the four games played. “I Illiana’s girls basketball to become better on the court. are allowed in the gym at all. is definitely feeling them. think our game went really program has had a bumpy “So far we’ve been suc- This has also added some Foster added, “The thing well. There are definitely start to its season. cessful in talking with each struggle for the girls. “It re- that is the most different is things we can improve on In the games the girls have other and working hard during ally upsetting that I can only not being able to huddle at but overall I think we did played so far, they have suf- practice as a team to become have my parents in the gym. the start of basketball prac- great,” said Foster. fered losses under some pretty It’s my last year playing at Il- the best we can be,” Cruz said. lopsided scores. However, liana and I have a sister and the team has not lost hope grandparents who love watch- for the season. Senior Mia ing me play,” Cruz added. Female Athlete of the Month Cruz said, “So far the games COVID has made a sig- we’ve played haven’t gone as nificant impact on the junior Senior Karlie Detmar has participated planned, but as a team we nev- varsity team. A girl on High- on Illiana’s competition cheer team for four er gave up and we went down land High School’s team test- years. fighting.” ed positive for COVID one She has shown amazing leadership and The team is also battling day after competing against perseverance throughout every trial and vic- the inconveniences COVID Illiana. As a result. The entire tory her team has faced. has brought upon the season. JV girls’ team has had to quar- “Karlie leads the team in so many ways. “Due to COVID we obvious- antine. She always has the most energy out of any- ly have to wear masks on the Freshman on the JV team, one in the room and is always smiling,” said bus and the bench when we Makenzie Mulderink said, “I junior Taylor Olthof. “She pushes herself to aren’t playing and things like feel bummed because I was re- do better and try again when she isn’t satis- that. Things are a little differ- ally looking forward to being fied with her skills, which sets a great exam- ent but we work with it and able to play for the JV team ple for all the younger girls on the team.” we are still thankful we even this year, but if quarantining get to be playing right now,” for two weeks helps stop the 8 Opinion Finding future Editorial and positivity Gratitude found in banal, ordinary events in unpredicted As citizens of a first with. the rise and fall of music sinful. There’s no beating friendships world country, we some- One way to rid our- in the background as we around the bush about it. times find it difficult to selves of anxiety is to stop complete our assignments. One of the biggest things Anyone who knows me knows that I’m muster up more than token looking at the big picture. It’s the first embrace of a to be thankful for is that fairly pessimistic. I try to convince myself I’m an thankfulness. One alluring By shifting the focus off of friend whom you haven’t we have been rescued from optimist, but I’m a realist on my best days. At my trap is the idea that we can the long term goal of be- seen in so long. Thankful- sin. As Romans so bluntly worst, I have a set of blinders that entirely block only be thankful for the big coming more thankful, we ness is found in the friend- puts it, our only true en- good from my vision. things. But thankfulness give ourselves more mobil- ship between a dog and titlement is death. That’s What always removes my blinders, however, shouldn’t be restricted ity in our mindset. We can ourselves. what we deserve. But in- is the reminder that I am to finding an organ donor appreciate the little things Life is found in the stead, by grace, we are set only a small fish in a big match within your church. more because we can take little things. If we keep raised to life and set free to pond. It should also swell within the time to focus on them in- searching for the big things enjoy God and his world. I mean, out of all us for simple things like In that life and freedom, of the people on this waking up in the morning Good finds a way into our we can find millions of planet, I have met to walk the dog and do the things to be thankful for: so few. Out of all crossword. lives in many shapes and the cool splash of water in of the people But why is thankfulness our throats on a hot, dry whom I will so hard? We’ve all heard the day; a full moon shining love, I’ve only Thanksgiving sermons yell- forms. The first step toward behind a wispy veil of au- just started ing at us for how ungrateful true thankfulness is) ) tumnal clouds; the laughter meeting them. Rachel Bultema we are despite having so of small children playing What secretly Co-editor in Chief ) excites me is much to be grateful for. The in the park. We were dead, effectiveness of those ser- to look for it. but now we are alive. Ev- that I have no mons is limited, however, stead of glossing over them to be thankful for, thank- ery single moment of the idea when or where I’ll meet them. as thankfulness ought not as we frantically search for fulness will not come eas- day offers something to be Back in elementary and middle school, my to come from fear. Indeed, things to be grateful for. If ily. It will be easier to find thankful for, and recogniz- best friend was a girl from the same orphanage as true thankfulness cannot we continuously search for the chip on our shoulder. ing this sets us on the path I was. Neither of us knew each other in China (I come from fear. Rather, big moments in our lives Looking for big moments to thankfulness. mean, we were babies). But, somehow we found thankfulness springs from to be grateful for, we can and finding them to be few After acknowledging each other again in the United States before drift- love. Hence, thankfulness easily skip over the little and far between can easily our rescue can we begin ing apart. may be hard because of things that make up every- lead to entitlement, an op- focusing on, and finding, Then, like all incoming freshmen at Illiana, I where our hearts’ focus is. thing else. posite of thankfulness. We the little things. But may- had to take a placement test a few months before We feel so nervous that Life will not always, feel that we are entitled to be that’s difficult. Maybe I started high school. I sat in the back of the room, we aren’t being grateful and may not ever be, hit- joy and the winning lottery we have on a set of blind- and a few seats ahead of me sat an unfamiliar girl enough or thankful enough ting the jackpot lottery ticket, but why? Why do ers that hide the good. with her hair in a single braid. Little did I realize, that we focus on the anxiety and finally getting rich af- we deserve good? Nevertheless, it persists. only a few months later she would become one of we feel and on how to get ter a life of penury. Some- Romans 6:23 clearly Good finds a way into our my closest friends after Mr. Sylvester sat us next rid of it, and we lose sight times it’s simply the warm says “For the wages of lives in many shapes and to each other in Honors Biology on the first day. of what should be our goal, glow of the sun on our sin is death, but the gift of forms. The first step to- In a scrapbook, perfectly pasted, is a ticket to thanking the Lord for ev- faces as we drive to meet God is eternal life in Christ ward true thankfulness is Illiana’s production of You’re a Good Man, Char- erything he has blessed us our friends. Or maybe it’s Jesus our Lord.” We are to look for it. lie Brown from when I attended the show with my family. As I sat in the audience, the idea that the I would befriend any of the actors I admired on ))) stage never crossed my mind nor that it would Echo ) Letter to the Editors be the first time I met one of my closest friends. )) If only I had known then that I would one day I Editors-in-chief ))) would work up the courage to start a friendship Rachel Bultema with the actor on stage I was laughing at. Olivia Oostema But why is this important? In each of these News Congratulations to the entire ECHO staff for an excellent recent issue. I instances, my small world grew a bit bigger, and Madie Ceponis loved the variety of topics (even though I come to this school every day, I that expansion brought a pleasant surprise each miss some events and issues!) and the evenhanded reporting--even about Feature time. Sometimes I forget that my life has only touchy subjects like dance cancellation and cultural intelligence training. started, that my heart is nowhere near full capac- Rachel Bultema I also appreciated the clean look of the issue and the lack of typos. (Ok, ity. I forget that life goes on and expands further maybe that’s a machine/spell check thing--but it’s still shows an impressive than the walls of Illiana. I have so many more Arts amount of attention to detail.) people I will love and so many more experiences Olivia Oostema I will love before life is done, and I think that’s And thanks for the editorial, especially “some people view this kind of something to always look forward to. Sports selfishness as some...celebration of individual freedom, but such an argu- Life, and love, are unpredictable. That unpre- Sophia Thompson ment misses the point.” I hope we Christians keep asking “what is best dictability is the spice of life. Knowing I am only for others?” and “how do I love my neighbor in this situation?” long after one out of nearly 8 billion people is a humbling, Advisor COVID is past. but comforting thought. The world does not re- Jeff DeVries volve around me, and I will love as life continues. Keep up the good work, Better than that, I have no idea where these peo- Mary Boerman Lagerwey Editorials, unless otherwise stated, have ple are hiding. Like my three friends, they may be been written by an editor and reflect the hiding in plain sight or right around the next corner. opinion of the majority of the Echo staff. Around each corner of life lies the potential Opinions expressed are not necessarily that of meeting someone important, someone who of the administration, faculty, or student orga- will have a profound impact on me, someone who nizations. could change my life forever. Letters to the editor can be submitted This is an exciting and terrifying idea. It makes to the advisor or sent to the school. All let- me want to start living faster, if that’s a thing, to ters must be signed and must not exceed 250 words. They will be printed provided there is meet as many people as I can as fast as I can. enough room and content is not offensive to But, I think that’s the wrong approach. God the general public. wants me to meet people at his timing, not mine. I don’t know why. I wish I had the answer, but I don’t. The newspaper is a forum for expression; therefore, we But, I do know that his timing is better than mine. He encourage feedback or commentary. Please contact us at will introduce me to everyone when it’s best. [email protected]