Lemont High School 800 Porter Street Lemont Il, 60439 March25, 2011 Issue 24 IN THIS ISSUE by Caroline Celis p.2 Fifteen LHS Se- News writer niors Named Prarie The recent events in Japan have been the main concern of worldwide news sources. State Scholars Amidst the many tragedies that have struck the nation, a recent nuclear disaster has added to the concerns. p.3 Reach out, Provide A recent attempt to cool down nuclear reactions within the plant, using ocean water and pumps, by the Japanese military has failed. The power outages across Japan Relief have affected not only residential and commercial properties nation-wide, but also p.4 Lose Our Speech, temporarily shut down the Naiichi Nuclear facility that houses six nuclear reactors. The malfunctioning of these reactors has caused multiple explosions that have Lose Ourselves released drastically dangerous amounts of radiation into the atmosphere. The Japanese p.5 Give a Little Bit & government has advised all citizens living within 18 miles of the plant to stay inside their homes. The Diary of a Newly Erin Boyd, LHS Physics teacher, commented that she thinks Japan will “get it all under control soon.” Converted Vegetarian: While the world waits to see what will happen next in Japan, many solutions are One Month Later being suggested. Boyd suggested that when the plants are rebuilt that they “definitely plan for p.6 Hunger: A World bigger earthquakes” and said “this is something the U.S. can learn from too.” Boyd Issue also stated that Japan should next, “contain the radiation, so that it does not expand.” These recent events have taken up most the news’ stories, but it is widely speculated p.8 Jane Eyre that Japan is not releasing all information. The more knowledgeable the world becomes about the true problems within the country, the more the world can respond p.9 Rango with aid to them. p.10 Dig This! p.11 Hitting the Ground Running & Going, Going, Gone p.12 Lights Out p.14 Q&A With Con- cussed Athletes photos courtesy of Google 2 3 LHS also recognizes students who scored better Fifteen LHS Seniors Named than expected on their PSAE tests. These “Beat the Spread” honorees have increased over the years, with a record 85 students making the list this year. by Elizabeth Bernabe As Rogers optimistically predicted, “Hopefully by Erin O’Connor provide relief News writer News writer [those] results will continue!” Recently, 15 students from the Class of 2011 were named as Prairie State Scholars after taking the Prairie State On Friday, March 11, a 9.0 earthquake hit the islands Achievement Exam (PSAE) in April 2010. According to the Director of School and Community Relations Tony Prairie State Scholars this year include: Lindsay of Japan. The strongest quake ever to hit the region was Hamilton, the number of LHS students honored as Prairie State Scholars increased dramatically since last year, when Bromberek, Janelle Fennessy, Kevin Fritz, followed by a tsunami causing even greater damage to only 2 students were given the honor. Jake Groselak, Ryan Harding, Nick Hunt, Rita the country. Senior Arthur Laciak revealed, “I believe that [the Class of 2011] has a large number of highly academic students, Kuseliauskas, Arthur Laciak, Matthew Lithgow, The recovery efforts, which started almost immediately who are able to perform really well on the PSAE. I was shocked, but pretty proud of our grade to learn that 15 of us Aileen McGraw, Vijay Rajendran, Clare Rogers, after the tragedy, will help Japan overcome the damage compared to 2 last year have received the award.” Paige Szymanski, Nick Taluzek and Jessica from the natural disasters. The United States, along with The PSAE tests students’ levels in Math, English, Reading and Science. The test consists of an ACT and writing Wienand. many other nations, stand ready to give their aid to the portion that is given on the first day. On the second day, students are tested on an ISBE science assessment and two Beat the Spread students include: Allison country. WorkKeys for Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information. The test is required for all juniors in the state of Abril, Matthew Andrejko, Brian Arvans, Lindsay The United States and China, along with the Red Cross Illinois. Bromberek, Jacob Brzostowski, Francisco Castro, and several other charities, are helping to support Japan. Prairie State Scholars are chosen because in the Math, Reading, English and Science portions, they attained scores Andrew Chapman, Michael Czuma, John Daly, Even celebrities such as the band, The Black Eyed Peas, among the Exceeds Level. Megan DeVries, Gianna DiMenna, Lindsay are spreading awareness for the disaster through a clip at Senior Clare Rogers said, “We took practice questions for the test in many of our classes. The LHS teachers are very Dolezal, Crystina Dyer, Holly Ekkert, Brianna the beginning of their newest music video; the video was good at preparing us for what will be on the test.” Eslary, Maria Falese, Clayton Fejedelem, Janelle shot in Tokyo one week before the earthquake. Even here at LHS, relief efforts are already underway Laciak agreed, stating, “I believe that our school prepares the students well for the test. We have challenging courses Fennessy, Will Filer, Kevin Fritz, Jeff Gurrister, to help this devastating occurrence. The school’s Manga that challenge us and keep us prepared for the PSAE and for other acronym tests.” Ryan Harding, Mikey Hayes, Nick Hunt, Gregg Husa, James Janik, Magdalena Jazowski, Rebecca Club is providing a relief fund for Japan. The club’s Jozefiak, Madeline Justice, Nick Kasperski, President, Ren’e Tovar explained, “As a club that TOM-TOM STAFF Courtney Keefe, Nathan Kievert, Abigail Korte, would not be around if it wasn’t for Japan, many of the News Editor: Design Assistants: Danny Kulasik, Rita Kuseliauskas, Arthur Laciak, members feel that they should do something to help in News: Editorials: any way possible.” Dylan Blaha Shawn Lawless, Matthew Lithgow, Danny Dylan Blaha Kelly Lyons Mary McKevitt Lombardo, Emily Marzo, Andrew Mason, Dylan The club will be selling chocolates after spring break Alexis Caspers Matthews, Denis McAuliffe, Matt McKenna, Mike and will proceed to give all money raised to the Red Brittany Baldwin Annie Lillwitz Editorials Editor: Cross. From there, the funds will go towards providing Haley Haase Medwed, Nicolette Mendoza, Jacques Mitrani, Caroline Celis Maribeth Van Hecke Kelly Lyons Milana Montalto, Gianni Morrone, Jimmy Myers, relief in areas of need in Japan. Morgan McPartland Rebecca Nelson, Natalia Okon, Mike Orszulak, After the devastating natural disasters each donation Features: Features Editor: Head Editor: Nicole Papiernik, Krystian Paszek, Sebastian can contribute to rebuilding Japan to its pre-earthquake Erin O’Connor stance. Andrea Earnest Andrea Earnest Dylan Blaha Ponicki, Stephanie Putna, Rebecca Radavich, Elizabeth Bernabe Rene Tovar Vijay Rajendran, Joshua Reed, Paul Reid, Sports Editor: Jonathan Remiasz, Rachel Rendak, Justin Rigler, Lindsay Simonetta Journalism Advisor: Sports: Gregg Husa Clare Rogers, Kelly Ronspies, Jeremy Santiago, Maddy George Sean Clark Alyssa Schroer, Jim Shupryt, Stephen Soljacich, Gregg Husa Richard Staszel, Nick Stokes, Kelly Swann, Nick Kyle Griffin Michael Gaytan Design Editor: Szerzinski, Paige Szymanski, Nick Taluzek, Lee Ryan Peraino Bridget Carr Rachel Hunter Taylor, William Udziela, Jerome Uthupan, Joshua Katelyn Bitke Weck, Taylor Westfall, Jessica Wienand, Colton Ian Stratta Wojnowski, Vicki Wrobel and Andrew Wroblewski. Mallory Christine photos courtesy of Google 4 5 Lose Our Speech, Give A Little Bit The Diary of a Newly by Taylor Westfall by Kelly Lyons Converted Vegetarian Editorials writer Lose Ourselves Editorials Editor by Kelly Lyons People can be very selfish about their money. I don’t mean Editorials Editor to criticize others; I see it in myself as well. Just the other day One month later Over a month has passed since I decided to When we enter the school, are our First Amendment rights to free speech compromised? I was shopping and spent more than necessary on clothing become a vegetarian. Although this has caused me To get a sufficient answer, we must crack open the history books and take a look back to yesteryear. As seniors when I really have more than enough to wear. But whether you’re a shopaholic or just stingy, it’s not a big deal… right? quite a bit of food trouble and unnecessary stress, I in American Government learn, the issue of students’ rights has been brought to the Supreme Court before. realized that this really could become a permanent The case of Tinker v. Des Moines proved instrumental in determining what form of free speech students Wrong. Whether or not you blow all your money on trivial purchases or keep it all to yourself, why not give a little to decision for me. maintain. In 1965, three high school students were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Rather than an added stress, finding new things government’s actions in Vietnam. a good cause? Most people living in the United States have a steady job and extra money to spend on entertainment, to eat has become somewhat of a challenge. Now After Supreme Court deliberation, the students’ protest was said to be quiet and peaceful, therefore protected clothing and daily Starbucks runs. Even donating a few extra that I consciously think about what I’m eating, I under the First Amendment. This court case established that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to dollars or spare change can help charities and other causes. find that I make much healthier decisions. Instead freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Maybe you haven’t heard from every single national news of eating cereal for two of three meals a day, I think This ruling sets up the framework for our rights - students cannot be punished for expressing their beliefs on source in the country, but Japan’s going through a bit of a plan my meals around what sorts of things I need to school grounds, so long as it does not disrupt the educational process.