The Voice: Volume 17, Issue 1

voice

Oct. 18, 2013

the

Volume 17, Issue 1

If The Mood Strikes The up and coming band is working hard to promote their unique music. (16)

Freshman Ally Dion is the latest great volleyball player from her family

(25)

Camille Paddock brings to light what it is like to live with alopecia areata. (2)

With the new field, Raider Nation is still going strong and still making improvements.

(10)

Sports Features Opinion www.huntleyvoice.com

13719 Harmony Rd Huntley, IL 60142

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Oct. 18, 2013 Community

A model survior

Camille Paddock strides through her illness and helps others who have been bullied With the help of her family, Paddock tried everything she could to or 15-year-old freshman prevent losing more hair. Religious Camille Paddock, the indusapplication of countless shampoos trial halls of Marlowe Middle and topical lotions, doctor visits, School were more than just pasand even medical steroids did little sageways to and from class. They to bring her hair back. There is were torture chambers. currently no cure for alopecia. PadWhen Paddock walked through dock also refrained from wearing a those halls, there was one major wig, as she did not lose all of her difference that set her apart from hair, but large chunks of it. her peers. Everywhere she looked Even while dealing with the physiwere girls with ponytails, buns, cal effects of the disease, Paddock flowing curls, or complex braids. discovered that her biggest strugTheir hair was like an afterthought, gle would be battling the emotional an accepted part of their being consequences she faced. that they rarely worried about, The bullying began when she was except when deciding what style only a fourth grader, at a time to wear for the day. when children are meant to be nurFor Paddock, hair was a differtured and taught to accept others. ent matter entirely. She was only Its poisonous effects shadowed 8 years old when she discovered her like a ghost long into middle the first bald spot in her long, dark school. brown hair. When Paddock walked down the Shortly after her shocking dishalls, she was greeted with choCourtesy of C. Paddock ruses of meows. Girls would call her a “hairless cat,” and swear at her as she walked past their lockers. Paddock was being blatantly mocked for a condition she could not control. “I was really self-conscious,” said Paddock. “I never wanted to go to school or do anything.” The constant bullying began to get to her, plaguing her thoughts and self-esteem, and was made worse by the fact that most of her cruelest bullies were her own former friends. Shared memories and connections did little to shield her from their damaging remarks. Her sadness deepened, developing into a depression, and as the world around her continued to turn, Paddock spent more and more time alone in her room, hiding out from the pain of a life turned upside down. “She was always upset, and she was always in her room,” said her siscovery, Paddock was diagnosed ter, senior Grace Paddock. “It was with an autoimmune disease called really hard for me and the family alopecia areata, meaning that her because you could just see her body had begun to attack its own keep going down.” hair follicles. Along with the hair The emotional trauma continued loss came a compromised immune to wear Paddock down, and she system, as well as increased susbegan to break off old friendships, ceptibility to sickness and sunburn. spending even more time isolated

By Holly Baldacci Editor-in-Chief

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and alone. Her plummeting self-confidence led her into a state of constant doubt, even driving her to quit the cheerleading team she loved. In the seventh and eighth grades, she had fallen low enough to consider the possibility of taking her own life. As Paddock’s depression intensified, the situation became harder on her siblings and parents, Melissa and Verne Paddock, though her little brother Jack was too young to really comprehend what was Courtesy of going on. C. Paddock “My sister [Grace] was worried about me hurting or killing myself because I was being bullied, and she always felt bad that I had alopecia instead of her,” said Paddock, who used to question the reason that she had been afflicted with alopecia. To try and eradicate the bullying issue, Paddock’s family went to

“I was inspiring people, having people tell me that because of me, they didn’t kill themselves.” the school many times. Paddock cites current Huntley High School Principal Scott Rowe, who was the principal of Marlowe at the time, as the one she relied on the most, as he took measures to help alleviate the bullying. Throughout her trials, another place that Paddock found solace was in a Facebook page she created as a haven where she could vent her emotions and help other kids that were being bullied. It was this simple page that would change Paddock’s life completely. As Paddock shared her stories, other kids that were also suffering from bullying began to reach out to her. They revealed that she was an inspiration for them to stand up and face their bullies. The page was a light that pierced through the darkness of Paddock’s depression, and continued to beam through to other bullying victims as well.

“I was inspiring people, having people tell me that because of me, they didn’t kill themselves,” said Paddock. “Slowly but surely, that just built my confidence back up.” Paddock began to venture out of her room again, reentering the world that had seemingly forsaken her. She had the support of her entire team when she decided to rejoin cheerleading, something she had sacrificed in her time of trouble. She also started hanging out with her new, “wonderful” friends, who did not bully her simply because she was missing some hair. Paddock decided that she was going to stand up as a warrior for alopecia sufferers, and turned that modest Facebook page into an anti-bullying foundation she dubbed “Dare to be Different.” Paddock continued to reach out to and inspire others with alopecia, and, the summer after her eighth grade year, the alopecia community reached back out to her in a monumental way. The Global Alopecia Mission is a nonprofit organization that works to fund alopecia research to bring the world nearer to a cure through both public and private donations and one day, the assistant executive director of GAM, Lana Becker, stumbled upon Paddock’s Dare to be Different page. Becker was inspired by Paddock’s story, and asked her to become part of GAM. That summer, Paddock was named GAM’s first ever junior ambassador. With the organization, Paddock works to raise awareness about the disease and also fundraises. She has currently raised $800

Anatidaephobia is the fear that somewhere in the world, a duck is watching you.

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Oct. 18, 2013 Community

Dare to be Different on Facebook selling t-shirts, and also travels to high schools and other arenas to present her story and her message. Not only has the organization helped Paddock to accept her alopecia and work towards a cure, but it has also given her the chance to achieve a lifelong dream. At a GAM event, Paddock met Randi Moxi, GAM’s global events director, who also directs events in the world of fashion. One of Moxi’s friends, a hairstylist and makeup artist, was able to secure some modeling photo shoots for Paddock. “Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a model,” said Paddock, “and then when my hair fell out and I knew that I had alopecia, I just kind of thought, ‘oh, I’ll never be a model now.’” When the time came for her first shoot, the first step of preparation was to style Paddock’s long, dark brown hair, which began to grow back when she was 13 and has come back in full since that fateful day in the fourth grade when she discovered her alopecia. Then makeup was carefully applied to her slim, pretty face. When looking in the mirror after she was all set to go shoot, Paddock realized how far she had come. “I think my first photo shoot, when I had my hair done and my makeup done, was when I was like, ‘wow,’ because seeing myself like that after being through such a traumatic event was pretty amazing.” Paddock

has since modeled for some magazine shoots, a brochure for last year’s Prom, and other charity organizations, and is building up a portfolio so that she can continue to further her modeling career. Modeling has skyrocketed Paddock’s self-confidence since those dark days of hair loss and bullying, but her true passion still lies in helping others. After completing high school, she plans on going to college and becoming either a psychologist or a therapist to assist kids that are forced to walk the tough road of the bullying victim. Moxi, whom Paddock refers to as her “fairy godmother,” not only arranged for Paddock to finally get the opportunity to model, but she also helps Paddock to coordinate speeches and school visits, including an upcoming speech at Carmel High School on Oct. 29, during what happens to be National Bullying Prevention

Courtesy of C. Paddock

Month. She has made great improvements since her first talk, when she was incredibly nervous and relied on her mother to help her. Now, when she bares her soul and her story to an audience, she does it confidently. “She has a very thick skin,” said Grace Paddock. “Nothing gets to her anymore.” Paddock’s Dare to be Different campaign is also flourishing, and the government has just accepted Dare to be Different’s application to be classified as a 501(c)(3) categorization, which means that the nonprofit organization will now be exempt from taxes and more money can be given to support alopecia research. Paddock uses the page to assist her in her continued crusade against bullying. “To the people who bully other people, I would say that they should think about what they’re saying because normally teenagers are like, ‘oh, it won’t really affect her,’ but words really do affect you, and that’s all you think about,” said Paddock. “I say that if you are being bullied, you should definitely stand up or at least tell somebody.” Paddock’s campaign against bullying has attracted attention not only from GAM, but also from news organizations like the Chicago Sun-Times and even the daytime talk show “Katie,” hosted by Katie Couric. It is possible that, in a few weeks, Paddock might fly out to New York to be interviewed by her The Paddock household also receives constant phone calls, some with invitations to big-name events like the Grammys. For Paddock, though, the greatest reward has been the impact she has been able to make on people just like her that have struggled with the terrors of bullying. She still meets one-on-one with others to discuss their experiences and show them that they are not alone in their fight. “I actually met a girl last year, and she was having problems at school with a couple of girls,” said Paddock. “She actually came over to my house and talked to me, and I guess a couple weeks later, her mom saw my mom at the grocery store and she came up to her crying and said how we changed her life, and I was just completely turned around. It’s a really good feeling.”

Four is the only number that has the same amount of letters as its actual value

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Oct. 18, 2013 Community

Crider’s courageous effort after injury and tragedy When tragedy strikes, he is always able to bounce back focus on it in middle school. “My mom and dad are separated. My dad has always arsity football practice been working two jobs, my comes to an end as the mom has always been working sun sets on Huntley High two jobs. I have four sisters, one School. Players and coaching staff brother. I’m very close to my huddle around head coach John family, especially my mom, I’m Hart, as they do at the end of a ‘mama’s boy,’ I would do every practice, to discuss the anything for her. At the same day’s successes and failures. time, I love my dad for what 120 tired and sweaty teenhe provided me… teachin’ me age boys are all praying they how to be a man, teachin’ me will not hear their name the ins and outs of football… called out on the list beeven though he was hard on ing read aloud. It conme. He would make me tains the last names get up at 5:30 in the of players who were morning and make late getting out onto me do running the field for pracback drills tice, as well as those in middle guilty of other minor school,” he offenses. The few said. called will join Ricky Coach Hart first Crider, who coaches witnessed the talent the running backs, afin Crider as an eighth ter practice for an adgrader, and demonditional consequence strated his faith in the workout. young running back The infamous when he started Crider “Crider roll,” Crider’s as a freshman on the signature abdomen varsity team. workout where playTogether, the two ers literally roll on their were unstoppable. stomachs across the Senior year Crider length of the 100-yard committed to Northern football field, is one Illinois University and was of the most dreaded granted a full scholarship. sentences. His future never looked There is no denying so bright. Sadly, on Oct. that whatever task is 20, 2007, it would change handed to them will be forever. brutal, but the players Six seconds into NIU’s do not appear to be game at the University of too upset. Wisconsin – Madison, am“He’s hard on us, but bulance lights flashed over it’s only to make us the alarmed faces better and because he of the Saturday loves us,” said senior crowd. One running back Jake Scalof Crider’s ise. “He’s always there teammates to teach us something was hit so hard on new.” (K. Gallegos). kick off he fell into CridCoach Crider has er’s right leg, and that attended more than was it. Both Crider’s enough football workouts tibia and fibula bones himself to know exactly what were broken. to do to push the boys just far “After that, I never really enough. was the same player. I never felt In the town of Evansville, Ind., the same whenever I ran,” said at Reitz High School, Crider had a Crider. football career that many can only Most of us would spend weeks, dream of. Led by current Huntley maybe even months, feeling sorry head coach Hart, Crider scored for ourselves, but not Crider. He 85 touchdowns and had more simply changed his perspective on than 6,400 rushing yards over the the events he was faced with. course of his four years there. “For the first time, I started to Crider grew up in the rough think about what the world had to neighboorhood of Evansville, Ind., offer besides football,” said Crider. and chose football as an outlet. After all, his education was still He was interested in football since being paid for. He had the opporthe age of six, but truly began to

By Hannah Rosso Staff Writer

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tunity to create something special guide you because Coach Hart with the college years he still had was that help to me.” As a coach, he explains all he left ahead of him. Injury was not the only thing that wants is to help the kids improve turned Crider’s world upside down and be a good friend and mentor at NIU. A school shooting in 2008 to them. Clearly, Crider is sucbrought him within a few steps of cessful. tragedy. His own classroom was connected to the building through a single hallway. Crider said the event taught him how short life can be, and “to do what you can while you have it,” which that is exactly what he did. Crider began to embrace plan B: coaching. He could not leave the game of football after all it had done for him. It helped to shape the values that make him who he is today. On graduation day, Crider got a call from an old friend. He had stayed in touch with Coach Hart on and off the field since high school. “We were close from the get go… he called me and I called him if I ever needed anything,” Crider said. Hart called with the news of a job opening at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis where Hart was head coach to his youngest son, Derek Hart, who coaches quarterbacks. With no time to even debate the offer, Crider packed his things. It did not take long at all for Crider to fall in love with coaching. “I could not ask for a better coach,” said senior running back On and off the field, he says his number one goal is “to help any kid Mitchell Kawell. “I am really thankhe crosses paths with.” He works ful for him.” It takes a special person to have as a behavioral aid at Huntley and says he takes the same approach a heart as open and forgiving as Crider’s. It is apparent how much he cares for each of his students and players, as well as his family and friends. He hates no one in this world, even from the past, because there is no point to it. “We are who we are,” said Crider. His outlook is the same every day, he says, “whether it’s a bad day and I don’t want to be here or a good day from my standin the classroom that he does on point.” Rarely will you see Crider without Friday nights. It is clear he wants a smile. to help out in any way possible, whether it be reading a test aloud For a video elaborating on to a student or by helping them Crider’s life and career, check through a personal issue. “I grew up in a tougher neighbor- The Voice Online at hood than anybody around here, huntleyvoice.com so I know how far that help can

Images courtesy of J. Hart

You’re more likely to die on your way to buying a lottery ticket than you are to win the lottery.

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Oct. 18, 2013 Community

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The changes to come Huntley HS is getting a makover next year with new policies, additions By Shravan Panchal Staff Writer

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untley High School has been around since the early 1920s and is still going strong today as one of the top schools in all of Illinois. HHS has a fantastic educational system and also provides a very comfortable environment for students to thrive in, but HHS is still not a powerhouse school. However, with a few tweaks here and there HHS can become a school that is looked upon as an example of greatness.

IDs

Technology

“In the grand scheme of things it is our responsibility to make sure that the building is safe and people that are not supposed to be in this building are not in the this building,” said Rowe. With the many shootings that have occurred throughout the past couple of years, there is reason as to why students need to wear IDs. It is being done for safety precautions and it will be enforced. Rowe explained that it will not be an easy concept for the students to accept but it is the right thing to do.

Instead of being cramped into the LRC like students are now there will be a lot more space for students to learn in as well as converse and socialize. “In the grand scheme of things it is our responsibility to make sure that the building is safe and people that are not supposed to be in this building are not in the this building,” said Rowe. With the many shootings that have occurred throughout years, there is one main reason why students need to wear IDs: safety.

Additions

Hallways

“The architects are working on creating passive and active learning environments called passive and active commons,” said Rowe. Passive commons would be areas such as the cafeteria during hours of non-use. There should be more comfortable alternatives than the regular cafeteria benches, such as sofas. Active commons would students can learn while still having school life happening around them. The new commons would be place with lots of natural light where students could sit and study while still being involved in everyday school life.

“We recognize that one of our biggest problems is space in the hallways during passing periods. It gets very crowded. Some of our plans are how can we in some cases widen the hallways that we have or address the areas that are most bottlenecked,” said Principal Scott Rowe.

Sarah’s Songs HHS’s first DJ chooses music for passing periods By Kierra Renwick Design Editor

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enior Sarah Palecki walks into the office and hands over three burned CDs. “Here’s my playlists,” said Palecki. The days previous to that, Palecki spent an hour or so going through her collection of favorite tunes and selecting the ones that she would like to have play during the passing periods at HHS. Palecki is involved in HHS’s National Honor Society and was asked by her teacher, Laura Jenkins, to create three playlists for the music in the hallways. Music being a large part of her life, Palecki gladly accepted the project. “I loved creating a mix of everything,” said Palecki. The original idea for the music during the passing periods was thought up by Principal Scott Rowe and Teacher Shelly Kish. Palecki plays the piano and has just recently started picking up guitar. “I love playing music, and even though I’m not involved with it in the school, it’s definitely one of my favorite hobbies,” said Palecki. Palecki loves every genre of music, hence the wide mix of artists heard throughout the hallways. “I listen to everything besides country,” said Palecki. “Usually it’s some sort of indie rock or 70s rock, but I love pop and some of the older hip-hop or rap songs.” Palecki attempted to create playlists of songs that appealed to everyone’s tastes, including songs by Two Door Cinema Club, The Eagles, The Strokes, Bob Marley, Adele, and Usher. Palecki made two CDs with about 20 songs on each, hoping to bring newer music and classics to the students of HHS. She also created a Christmas playlist full of holiday songs during the winter. “Even though I created the original playlists,” said Palecki, “I’m not the only one who gets their music played.” Soon, the school realized that 40 songs was not enough and that they would have to keep repeating certain tunes. So, the custodians at HHS chose some songs to play. Later, the playlists became a PBIS or Raider Way reward. Students who received a Raider Way Ticket and won the weekly or monthly drawing got a chance to create their own playlist to play during the passing periods for a day. The school has also experimented with allowing teachers to create a playlist for a week, switching teacher to teacher. However, the majority of the music students hear daily was brought to them by Palecki, a music avid who decided to bring songs from all genres for all of HHS’s students and staff to hear.

(photos by J. Bednarczyk)

(Z. Bridges)

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Dr. Suess coined the word "nerd."

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Oct. 18, 2013 Community

New kid on the block More about the big man in charge

By Sarah Henderson Staff Writer

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t’s 6:40 a.m., Scott Rowe pulls his shiny black car into the front staff parking lot of Huntley High School. He enters the building, and as he passes the secretary she gives him a smile and says “good morning.” Rowe continues down the hall to Student Services, then enters his office and sits down in his black desk chair. He logs onto his computer and starts to prepare for the day, hoping to check the building before the day starts. As this all happens, he cannot help but to think how great it is to have finally found a school he wants to call home for the rest of his career. Everyone see him at least once every day in the halls, at lunch, or maybe even in class, and just think about whom he is. Not a lot comes to mind, but he wants that to change. It is finally time to get to know Principal Rowe. Rowe was born and raised, along with his younger sister, in Charleston, Missouri by his mother, Margaret, and his father, Terry. Margaret was a kindergarten teacher for 30 years, and her husband Terry was a superintendent. Charleston, Mo. was a small farming community, similar to Huntley about 10 years ago. He attended Charleston High School, only about 400 students at the time, and graduated in 1998 with a class of 88 students. Following his high school graduation, Rowe attended South Western Missouri State University, then Missouri State University, in Springfield, Missouri. He majored in History Education and graduated in 2004. “I swore I wasn’t going into education when I first started,” said Rowe. “But it was something that I was good at and I learned to love it later.” Rowe has a wife named Marissa, and

they have been married for the past seven years. He and his wife have two children, Carson and Jillian. It is hard to think of teachers and faculty having hobbies and interests outside of school, including Rowe. But he spends his time outside school like anyone else does. Rowe is your average dad and family man. After school, he picks his kids up from their babysitter and goes home. He eats dinner with his family all together, and then spends time with his kids until he puts them to bed. On the weekends, Rowe enjoys spending his free time golfing, playing with his young children and enjoying the time to relax. “My son told me my favorite color’s gotta be green, because it’s his favorite color.” With young kids, Rowe is very involved and loves spending as much time with them as he

can, he even coaches his son’s soccer team. He also likes to watch sports, his favorites including football and baseball. His favorite teams include the Bears and Notre Dame for football, and the Cardinals for baseball. On the occasions that Rowe has time to sit down and watch TV or a movie, he tends to gravitate towards “Hawaii Five-O,” “Chicago Fire,” “Braveheart,” “The Departed,” “Christmas Vacation,” and “Caddyshack”. “The first place I taught was Knobnoster, Mo.,” said Rowe. This would be the first place in the four districts Rowe worked at. Following his teaching job in the small Missouri town, he made the move from his home state to Illinois so he could find a new teaching job. Rowe then went on to teach in McHenry at West Campus, which had a “Warrior Nation”, similar to Raider Nation at Huntley High. “To see [the same thing] happening here is just fantastic, it’s awesome,” said Rowe

and has pride in it, but he wants to see more school spirit in every day. “If you walked into our high school, you probably wouldn’t even know what our mascot is,” said Rowe. He wants to see red and black around the school in addition to school spirit. “I want to make people come back for their Homecoming game because they’re proud to have come from Huntley High School,” said Rowe. Besides looking forward to his goals, Rowe looks forward to everyday life at the school. When asked what he most looks forward to, he responded with “the unknown.” He likes his job because he does not know what to expect every day. “[Huntley High School] is the crowned jewel of the district,” said Rowe. With all the plans, hopes, aspirations, and goals going into his career at Huntley High, Rowe is using this year to “survive and learn,” he said. This year is about learning the ropes. “I don’t want to change what the school is about, I want to help it grow,” said Rowe. Despite all this positivity, he admits a downside. “The toughest part is I haven’t gotten much time to sit down and talk here with kids,” said Rowe. Rowe is a normal guy; he has a family and participates in the community. He watches sports and TV shows to relax like everyone else. But he also cares tremendously for Huntley High School, and has big plans to only make the school better. Rowe wants to get to know the students and staff of Huntley High School. Do not be afraid to say hello or introduce yourself or just simply a smile or wave. “I want people [here] to know who I am, but it’s hard with three thousand people.”

In Topeka, Kansas it is illegal to sing the alphabet on the street at night.

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Oct. 18, 2013 Editorial

the

voice

Editor in Chief..........Holly Baldacci Content Editor....Kyle Sommerfield Design Editor...........Kierra Renwick Community Editor....Megan Wilson Opinion Editor.....Angelica Cataldo Entertainment Editor...Kat Gorospe

Sports Editor.........Adam Reckamp Photo Editor............Katie Gallegos Business Manager....Tamara Funke Staff...... Rachel Brands, Trisha Fritz, Justin Gulati, Sarah Henderson, Kevin Klar, Darek Makowski, Shravan Panchal, Laura Pilat, Jaclyn Polit, Danielle Rivera, Hannah Rosso, Kanchan Sachchidanand, Chris Sawalski, Kyle Torp, Cullen Walsh, Jenny Bednarczyk, Zane Bridges, Alvin Wong, Menley Urban, Emily Vitacco

T

he HHS Media Editorial Policy pertains to all HHS media, including the newspaper, The Voice; the yearbook, Chieftain; and the website, huntleyvoice.com. The full editorial policy is available on huntleyvoice.com. HHS Media are the official student-produced media of news and information published/ produced by HHS Media students. HHS Media have been established as designated public forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisers may – and should coach and discuss content – during the writing process. Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of HHS Media is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself; its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.

Blended learning a success this year? T

he implementation of blended classes that freedom, and they know that we holding has been a long and turbulent process them accountable,” said Pasco. at Huntley High School. The program has One major criticism of the blended program been adjusted and updated over and over in is that it puts unnecessary burdens on sevresponse to criticism and doubts. However, eral faculty members. An often-cited examit appears Huntley has finally gotten the ple of this is the massive increase of library blended program right. traffic. When students are not meeting with Blended classes mix the traditional classtheir teachers, they typically leave the buildroom experience with web-based education. ing, go to the blended lounge, or go to the Students in blended classes typically meet library. One would think this mass influx of with their teacher only a few days a week students into the library would create proband have a free hour to work on the days lems, but it actually has created a better they do not meet. educational environment, for both students With the growing time commitment and and faculty. responsibilities of the average high school ““We have a Twitter account. We can make student, the blended program seems like signs. We can post messages. But the more a godsend. Students in blended classes kids I get walking through the door that myhave a considself or my two aides get erably more to have a verbal converamount of sation with, the better,” We want to provide those time to work said library worker David opportunities for students on homework Tambellini. “That’s the when they’re ready or when and are able to best way I’ve found to they’re ready to be pushed a maintain their promote the things we learning in the have going on.” little bit to be ready. process. Although the blended “We want to program is achieving provide those great success, it still is opportunities in development. There for students are still minor problems when they’re ready or when they’re ready and adjustments to be made. However, to be pushed a little bit to be ready,” said things are started to smooth out. Anne Pasco, blended learning department “Teachers are going through the same chair. “We don’t want to provide them growth process that many students are when it’s a huge leap and they can’t get going through, and that can create conthere.” sternation,” said Pasco. “Any time you have However, perhaps the most important change, you have some feelings of being product of blended classes is the “out-ofuncomfortable.” classroom” skills they teach to students. While the blended program is still a work in In other words, students learn to utilize progress, it allows for new levels of innovaimportant aspects of the Internet, mantion and progress in Huntley High School. It age their time, and most importantly, take allows students to try new things and to responsibility for themselves. push themselves academically. But most “All of that goes in line with the blended importantly, it allows students to work to environment of trying to have a safety net be their best without being afraid of being so that students don’t make major errors punished for failing. that they cannot recover from,” said Anne “We need a truly different culture for Pasco. “But they learn at this point in life blended. We need an innovative culture, how to make those decisions and what to and an innovative culture is ‘I’m willing to do, so that when you all leave to go to a take risks, and I’m willing to try things,’” said job, or to the military, or college, you’re Pasco. “And you’re only willing to try that well-armed with that knowledge and you’re if you know that your hand isn’t going to be not making those judgments when you’re slapped if something doesn’t work out peraway from parents.” fectly, while at the same time trying to make While the benefits of blended classes are sure you do well on you AP exams.” easy to see, several people still criticize Huntley has shown the ability to create this the program, claiming it takes away from culture thus far. If it can be sustained, the students’ educational experience and gives blended program will remain a successful opstudents the opportunity to goof off. How- tion for students for years to come. ever, it appears that students have handled this newfound freedom well. “Students have responded very well to

“

Anne Pasco

All fun facts courtesy of omg-facts.com

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Oct. 18, 2013 Opinion

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Taking serious matters lightly How seemingly meaningless phrases can be offensive By Jaclyn Polit Staff Writer The School Grounds shift started out like any other. I scrambled like a busy bee preparing the sweet iced coffees and muffins for the customers. Although a bit hectic, the mood was calm, that is, until the end of the shift. Along came the last straggling customer. He clutched his money eagerly in hopes of getting an iced mocha. The excitement lasted only a moment when he was told the shop was no longer selling the item at the time. The mood quickly changed to exasperation, anger, and a hint of mockery as he yelled, “I’m going to kill myself!” On the same day I heard the phrase “go kill yourself” said to a kind girl in my Chinese class. I do not hear it every day, but when I do hear the phrase, “I’m going to kill myself,” being used over frivolous matters or someone threatening another peer with suicide, it annoys me and disturbs me. Students who say these phrases show no consideration to those around them who may have had experience with suicidal situations. With the phrases popping up more and more in everyday conversations, it

forces me wonder: when we, as students, began to think it was okay to talk about, let alone threaten someone with our number one killer, suicide? “I say the phrase ‘go kill yourself’ when I am playing video games with other players because we know we are all joking. We don’t mean it.” said sophomore Nick Stanek. Sure, it can all be in good fun to joke, release stress, and to describe how one is feeling by exaggerating with

The Kids Aren’t Alright What is in Store for Huntley High School By Angelica Cataldo Opinion Editor I was sitting on my living room couch with my bulky English textbook in my lap while I flipped through the mess of papers in my folders. I could hear footsteps behind me and I had let out a sigh of relief. My brothers were home, which meant I was able to take a small break from tedious studying to ask them about their day. Nothing brought me more entertainment than hearing about my brothers’ elementary school drama, but instead of the usual cheery “hello,” I received a nice, cold serving of silence. My brother, Ben, a third-grader at Leggee Elementary, casually walked passed me, took out his newly acquired tablet, sat in the corner of the living room, and prepared to tune out the world around him. I stared at him in awe, wondering why a tablet was more important than me. I brushed it off the first day, but it seemed to get increasingly worse. I’d find my brother tinkering with his tablet in the corner of the room, but rarely would he be on there for educational purposes. My brother hardly has homework as it is, and here I am lugging three densely packed textbooks around. His tablets have all but one textbook installed on it, and most of his class assignments and tests are taken on it, as well. Tablets have been set up and given to students in District 158 elementary schools for a few years now, and slowly, the entire curriculum is chang-

ing to revolve around the tablets. It is true, my brother has become accustom to using his tablet on a daily basis, but what I am more worried about is my brother’s lack of awareness of what is going on around him because he is so fixated on his tablet. He is quite tech-savvy. Thankfully, my parents have been able to stop him from being completely obsessed with it. Despite my brother’s fondness of his tablet, he constantly tells me how the tablets were not working and he was not able to finish many of his lessons at school. As much as the tablets seem like the logical thing to use, I don’t see a lot of learning coming from them based on my brother’s complaints. I asked Leggee Elementary’s principal Scott Iddings to shed some light on the subject. “There have been connectivity issues. A lot of them were a result of our Internet service provider, which has been resolved. Within classrooms, there have been times when students aren’t able to access the Internet. However, our new literacy series, ‘Reading Street,’ is almost entirely on the tablet itself, so we don’t need the Internet to access it. Because of that, a lot of the learning process has remained intact,” said Iddings. “As the students become more comfortable using the ‘Kuno’ tablets, they will be better problem solvers when connectivity issues pop up.” Sure, getting the younger generations more comfortable with new technology will prepare them for the future,

Courtesy of MCT Campus such phrases, but the threat of killing yourself is unnecessary and can cause misinterpretation to those who take it seriously. “I deal with real situations of suicide,” said social service counselor Tami Broskow. “If I were to hear the phrase I would immediately access the situation. I would ask if they were serious. If they weren’t they could get into a lot but I’m not sure that the elementary kids are the ones that can actually put them to good use. From what I understand, the tablets are just the beginning of the technological advancements being made in District 158. The graduating class of 2020 is the first class to have tablets with them for middle school, but that doesn’t mean that tablets are the sole future of District 158 students. “We are just scraping the tip of the iceberg with technology and tablets; they won’t replace paper and pencil or traditional books. There will always be a need and a desire to use these tools,” said Iddings. “Learning is more about content and instruction than anything else.” Blended Learning Department chair, Anne Pasco, believes that the educational advancements aren’t going to stop with the use of tablets in the classroom. “Learning is a lot different than it was 30 years ago,” said Pasco. “Kids have so many distractions in their faces. When I was that age, I didn’t have all that.” I have to say; education has come a long way in regards to the resources available to students. With just one click of a button, students can get immediate feedback on their work, and also communicate with peers. “With all the resources like Google and YouTube, students can self-advocate for themselves, and they have all the tools,” said Pasco. “They don’t have to wait on me.” High school students who truly need the resources to communicate with one another, as well as simplify their workload, would be able to benefit from the use of their own, school-issued tablets. With the increasing number of blend-

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of trouble.” Trouble means talking to teachers and deans. Trouble also develops for the kids who truly mean what they say. As time passes, and the phrases are used more frequently, their meanings slowly diminish. We would not know who was serious and who was not. According to the American Association of Suicidology, nearly 3,000 suicide attempts occur each day, and 30,000 suicides occur each year. I would hope we would not need such a rude awakening. We are high school students who, without a doubt, have known what it feels like to not want to keep moving forward. Yet, if we continue as we are now, who knows how much tragedy the future holds because we did not take it seriously. Because ignorance, lack of education, and insensitivity got in the way. Perhaps reality would be better than faint ideas. ed classes and AP courses, high school students have more use for tablets, than an elementary student. Elementary students will not be to fully benefit from their tablets they way high school students can. I am not saying that the advancements made in the last few years, are terrible. I do think that we are not using these advancements to their full advantage by supplying them to elementary students. What I fail to understand is the fact that all this technology is being used on such young minds. My brothers are still learning how to use our house phone, let alone their very own tablet. They don’t fully grasp the concept of communicating and simplifying their work with the use of their tablets. Elementary school is a place for kids to build a base for learning and to enjoy the perks of being a child. By giving them tablets, we are giving them the distraction that society thinks hinders their focus in school, and also taking away their chance to learn without all the distractions. If tablets are what are being given to the younger students, I can only imagine what future high school students will be getting. “It’s very possible that when these current fifth graders reach high school, there may be a whole new form of technology available to us,” said Iddings, who is embracing the new wave of technological advancements. The truth is no one knows what is in store for Huntley High School when it comes to technology, and there is no telling if it will be good or bad. I know my brothers will have a bright future, and I just hope that all the advancements and changes in education will benefit them as much as the district predicts it will.

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Oct. 18, 2013 Opinion

Raider Nation for the win

Huntley’s fan section proves it’s still going strong By Laura Pilat Staff Writer

As the wind blows against the faces of Huntley High School students, they stand anxiously in the bleachers watching the game to see if the varsity football team will defeat Prairie Ridge at the much anticipated Homecoming game. The students are the most excited they have ever been to have the new Raider Nation section. Fridays are no longer ordinary Friday night football games. The new stands fit up to 2,000 students, surpassing the old stands that only fit

around 900 students. Students no longer need to overcome the struggle of straining their necks to obtain a good view of the action on the field. Now students can clearly see the Raider Nation leaders. Having the leaders visible this year has helped make cheers more organized and easier for everyone to get involved in. This is exactly what Athletic Director Michelle Jakubowski had hoped for. In order to be involved in a game fans need to be able to see the game.

“The Raider Nation section is a great way to bring the student body together,” said Jakubowski. Not only has the size of the section increased, but also the amount of people attending games. The expansion is a big reason why people are more likely to attend games. “So far we have had a good amount of people showing up to support the soccer and football games,” said Jakubowski. The bigger the crowd, the more beneficial it will be for school spirit. “I love the Raider Nation section this year because it feels like we come together more when everyone can be involved at the games,” said senior Zoe Dowell. The main reason the Raider Nation section was switched to being in the bleachers is because the student leaders asked to have it switched. “I try to do whatever the students ask me to do, if I can,” said Jakubowski. Improvements are being made at each game in order to prove that moving Raider Nation section off the field was

“The Raider Nation section is a great way to bring the student body together” the right choice, and to provide the students with an enjoyable time. To step it up a notch, the new Raider Nation section has added signs letting the crowd know what cheers will happen next. Some students may debate that being in the bleachers was not the best choice because now we are closer to parents, but having everyone on the bleachers together proves that not only is the student body as whole, but also that the community is there to support us as well. The Raider Nation section is a place where you forget anything bad that happened in the last week, and to remember all the good that happened this week, and a place where you create new memories while supporting our high school sports team playing that night. “The section is for the school spirit, and it’s for the students,” said Jakubowski.

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Oct. 18, 2013 Opinion

Music to My Ears

New tunes bring a change to passing periods By Danielle Rivera Staff Writer As the first period bell roars throughout the halls on Aug. 21, 2013 many students hustle to their classes eager to begin the new school year. Then as the two minute bell sounds several stand in confusion while music is blaring from the intercom system. As many of you may have realized, there has been a slight change with our usual passing periods. Instead of the two minute bell ringing to inform all students to hurry on to class, we are greeted with the intercoms playing music throughout the school. The sudden change threw off a vast majority of the student body at first since we are not accustomed to the music. At first I was a bit skeptical about this , but as the days progressed I found myself enjoying the sweet tunes every now and then. “[The music is] a good addition to the school. It’s a lot of different varieties of music that they play so it’s really nice to be in the hallway and get a little bit of music throughout the day,” said junior Claudine Garcia. The idea to begin running music was first thought of last year while the Justin Beiber donations were going on. Then the idea was again pushed forward by our new Principal, Scott Rowe, who went to Mark Loewe because he heard that Loewe was the man to talk to. Rowe believed that the music would be an outstanding feature to add since he has worked at other high schools that have done the same thing. Rowe stressed to push the movement because he believed that it would add a component to the schools personality that he wanted to create. “Is like our home. We spend so much time here. We want a place all students enjoy com-

J. Bednarczyk

Huntley High School students walking through the halls ing to,” said Rowe. The idea was to be set in motion by Loewe, who happened to have a past with music. He was more than happy to contribute to this new act. Loewe went through his personal music as well as his daughter’s music to create a school appropriate playlist that consisted of 150 songs. The playlist actually builds up as the school year goes on because of all the song submissions by students and teachers. If you are not familiar with Loewe, you can usually find him in front of the library during passing periods making sure that the music is running smoothly.

Changes in the Cafeteria

He is actually a very interesting man. In high school he worked for a local radio station, he has done the lighting for a rock band, and was a DJ in the early ‘80s. Later on he worked for a police department. He then continued to do radio mixes until 1996. What our school is doing is fun. The idea is uplifting. It is actually a nice way to expand your spectrum of music and discover new bands without searching. I know that most of the students are still a bit unsure about this, but I am sure that as time goes on, a majority of the student body will warm up to this idea and begin to love during every passing period to listen to some tunes.

Why School Lunches have Dramatically Changed By Cullen Walsh Staff Writer Freshman Josh Wolicki strolls down the halls after his previous period is dismissed. His destination is certain. There is only one thing on his mind. He arrives where he is supposed to be, straining his eyes to see what is written across the room. On a small white board, the words “popcorn chicken” are written in Expo marker. Wolicki can rest easy knowing that his favorite meal is being served for lunch today, but this is not always the case. “The food is good,” said Wolicki. “Sometimes it isn’t what you want, but it’s still satisfying.” Opinions like these are to be expected about a school lunch schedule; some days a student buys the meal of the day, other days they settle for another option offered by the school’s cafeteria. “My favorite food is corn dogs, because it’s a small meal, and it’s not really food,” said Wolicki.

A single entree has been served some days for lunch, such as corn dog day. Small meals like these leave more to be desired at lunch. This has been a problem here at Huntley High School for a while now, among other things. On some days, lunches just are not all that they are cracked up to be. Many changes have been made to the lunch menu to create a healthier arrangement of foods that students can pick from, but, as everybody knows, healthy does not always mean tasty. “The pizza has gotten smaller,” said senior Louis Morales when asked what his major complaint about the school lunches was. “The sweet potato fries and sweet tater tots aren’t very good.” The appearance of the food that is prepared in the cafeteria has not exactly gotten better over the years either. Many meals in the cafeteria tend to look unappealing to students upon first inspection. “It’s gotten crappier,” said junior Kaelin Lopriore. “It doesn’t even look like food anymore.” School is largely based on first impres-

sions, whether it be the first impression of a teacher or a student or a fellow classmate. School lunches are no exception. Too often a student will look at an item sitting on the serving rack in the lunch lines, such as green beans, and not even think to take them. Appearances are not everything, but they definitely do play a big role when it comes to serving food. Huntley High School does not have to have world class chefs to serve our food, but in order to have students buy some of the healthier items, and not just the meal being served that day, the food needs to look a little more appetizing. Despite the many issues that have popped up over the last few years, changes are being made for the better. Food Services Coordinator Julie Kearns was able to shed some light on the situation in the cafeteria. “Food changes happen due to government rules on school lunches,” explains Kearns. “That went into effect last year. We try to do the things that sell,

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like chicken or pizza items.” Kearns was happy to announce that starting Oct. 1, two entree items will be served instead of just one. This will solve the problem of a little-to-no variation in main meal items. “There will also be three chicken items [a week],” said Kearns. “We can only pick from what our supplier has, so we can’t just buy anything. We wouldn’t mind offering a grilled chicken sandwich, but they’re so pricey.” “Lunches just went to $2.60 this year. That’s the cost of everything that we provide for the students for lunch,” said Kearns. The cafeteria makes very little profit off of the meals served. The prices of meals are to cover the purchase of food and drinks, and to cover the cafeteria workers’ wages. The meals here at Huntley High may not be exactly what we would like them to be, but we have it pretty good considering the options we have to pick from and the healthy meals that are provided.

HHS Cribs The Voice has interviewed three HHS students about their rooms. Their rooms say something about each of them and are unique.

Justin Burns

Dylan Ou

Nico Raymond

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ustin Burns is a 15-year-old sophomore and is a total anime and cartoon junkie. Despite not being into sports or clubs at school, his schedule is almost always full. He gets on the loud, slightly inappropriate bus ride to school, where he sits quietly in his classes, saying nothing unless he has a friend to talk to. Now, as normal as his day starts, Justin goes home to a much different scene. He takes two steps into his spacious, colorful room to come face to face with the characters of Looney Tunes. His Dad had to leave back when he was really young, but before that happened they decided to paint baby Justin’s room with all of his favorite Looney Tunes characters, like Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, and Yosemite Sam. His room really is sentimental to him. It reminds him of a time when his family was happy and together.

eir unique rooms.

and and Darek Makowski a Renwick i and Katie Gallegos

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ylan Ou has on black, bulky headphones when he sits in the empty Huntley High School cafeteria in the morning, a normal kid listening to music. The music is getting faster and faster just like his days are. Ou, a junior, has been balancing his love for DJing and his focus on schoolwork during the busiest year of high school. His music is essential to his life, and it all occurs in his home office: his bedroom. Dylan’s room is not just a room, but a point on the map to his future opportunities. In his room there is a piano, his laptop and his guitar, among other things. His newfound hobby started two years ago when he got involved in producing electronic music, something he still does to this day. He is devoted to music and spends a lot of time on it, as it is his hobby and possible career further down the road. He takes three to four hours per day and six to eight per weekend to keep up with what’s keeping him up. He has grown fond of his hobby because music, he said, can be used as a vehicle to send a message or have people feel certain emotions. “It is essentially having a conversation with someone who will always be there to listen to you no matter what has happened and how you feel while knowing how to relieve stress like by listening to rock and roll to stop that flood of emotions.” Ou said. Music is the person who will always be listening to you at any time of day or moment. Whether you’re on a plane, in the car, or sitting on the living room couch. Ou likes not only general music, but music with beats. His favorites in the industry are the M Machine, Skrillex, Owl City, Noisia, and Lights.

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ico Raymond is not your typical high school student. He’s not a jock or a prep. He’s an avid comic book collector and television enthusiast. He’s unique. In Raymond’s bedroom are the things that he holds dear, things that will be a part of him forever. Raymond’s room is lined with posters of his favorite shows and superheroes, while his tables are scattered with his favorite comic books and his immense DVD collection. The first thing of these three that is a part of Raymond is his comic books. When he was young, his dad liked comics, so Raymond did the same, liking what his father did. He then, like his father did, bought his own comic books. After watching the Spiderman movies, his liking and understanding of the series grew. He says he likes comics because “they provide an escape from reality and it can help people overpower themselves when they are feeling powerless themselves.” Even though he buries his face into comic books, Raymond loves television as well. Whether it is “Community” (a postmodern show which mocks media, he said), films directed by Edgar White, or “Smallville,” Raymond has something to look forward to, to watch, and to analyze. He likes watching television because television shows responsibility, he said. He would like to write for the TV show “New Girl,” something he says is not out of his element. He would also write for movies but would want to be a director the most. The next time you see Raymond in the hallway, another face in the crowd, you could be looking at the future of comics or television. For now, Raymond may be behind the scenes, but later on he wants to be in the line of action, just like his superheroes, or showing the paths of his favorite television characters as a director.

A Pla of Their

HHS students share the

Written by Kanchan Sachchidana Design by Kierra Photos by Darek Makowski

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Oct. 18, 2013 A&E

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If The Mood Strikes: from YouTube to the stage The up and coming band talks music, personal life, and working together By Kat Gorospe

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A&E Editor

he strumming of an acoustic guitar, the beat of a cajon, the notes on a piano and the shuffling of sheet music fill the household. Three friends sit around a coffee table while waiting for one more person. 20 minutes later the door opens and he’s here; the band can officially start practicing for their next gig. If The Mood Strikes is an upand-coming band made up of four close-knit friends and family. The guitar player is Derick Gellangarin, on keyboard is his cousin Jestoni Losbanes, and his other cousin Jess Clavero and close friend Melissa Drzal sing vocals. It’s Sunday, Sept. 22 and the group is practicing for their twohour-long performance that’s scheduled for the following week’s Saturday morning. Regardless of it only being their second time performing in front of a live audience, they’re able to joke around and have a good time while still being able to practice and improve on their band skills. The atmosphere is casual and light-hearted but at the same time it’s obvious that the four take this opportunity seriously.

school musicals and her dad’s love for music was passed down to the rest of the family. “My dad is my biggest supporter,” said Drzal. Her eldest brother Ryan has his own band and her youngest brother Noah loves music as well. She has a strong support group; and is told every now and then that she should audition for shows such as “American Idol” and “The X Factor”. She plays the guitar along with a little bit of piano. The thought of stage fright never occurred to her when in front of large audiences. However, singing in front of a small group of people is not the most comfortable position for the humble artist. Now that she is in a band she hopes to learn more about herself and her voice along with being in a cohesive group. “I think what makes us work well together is that we’re all so close. I’ve known Derick since third grade,” said Drzal. The 17-year-old would like to become a professional singer or a music therapist, and also wants to improve her writing skills so he can write her own songs in the future. Drzal looks up to artists such as

Performing at the Farmer’s Market in Huntley (K. Gorospe) As the sun shines brightly through the living room, Clavero and Drzal start singing to their first cover: “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper. “Dear God, I could sing before I could start talking” said Drzal with a laugh. “I would make, like, little sounds and my mom would always tell me to be quiet.” Music was always a big part of Drzal’s life, as her mother also did

Hayley Williams of Paramore and Demi

Lovato. “[Demi Lovato] literally has the most powerful voice I’ve ever heard and can basically sing any song she wants,” Clavero said. “I really wish I could do that whenever I wanted and have the range she does. Clavero started singing in the third grade and enjoys singing at small get togethers because of the casual and spontaneous feel. Start-

ing at an even younger age of five, she took piano lessons with the same instructor as Gellangarin and

The Mood Strikes), and hopes to post more soon. Bright and talented, Clavero is an

From left: Melissa Drzal, Derick Gellangarin, Jestoni Losbanes, Jess Clavero (C. Garcia) Losbanes, until she turned 14. Being in a band means a lot to Clavero, as she wants to prove to people that they have true talent. Her favorite song to sing with them is “Alive” by Krewella and the four love playing all different types of genres. Despite the heat and large crowd at Sunset Fest this summer, Clavero felt more excited than nervous. It was the group’s first time performing in front of an audience other than close friends and family. However, that support group did not fall short. Rows of familiar faces filled the white plastic chairs in front of the stage that was soon to be taken by the four friends. After performing an acoustic cover of Krewella’s hit single, close friends from school, family, and even a few Huntley High graduates crowded the band congratulating them on their first performance. “The best compliment is when someone says we sounded amazing. You can see it in their face that they genuinely mean it,” said Clavero. Although scheduling is not always easy; as work, school, and daily life gets in the way, the group was able to earn fourth place out of 25, making everyone who came to see them very proud. Clavero currently has songs like “All About Us” by He is We and [her favorite] “Alive” by Krewella on the band’s YouTube channel (If

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aspiring PR or hopes to work in the area of advertisement and media. “I believe ‘Not all who wander are lost,” explains Clavero, quoting author J.R.R Tolkien. “I don’t know exactly what I want to do in the long run...but if I do the things I love and make decisions that make me happy I’ll be fine.” Unfortunately, Losbanes was riding his bike down a hill this summer and wandered a little too fast. Since he was five years old, Losbanes has been playing the piano and has won 10 awards. With a calm and laid back personality, he never had stage fright. He favors playing classical music and can easily figure out how to play a song just by listening to an instrumental version on YouTube. With his phone to the left playing the famous song “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Lesbones listens carefully as he figures out how to play the song on the keyboard with his bandaged fingers. On a cloudy day during the summer, Losbanes was going downhill on his bike until he picked up a little too much speed. He used his hand break- but not the pedal. Losbanes ended up with two injured fingers on his right hand and chipped teeth. “It was hard to play some of the bigger chords” said Losbanes. However, that did not stop him

Oct. 18, 2013 A&E from performing with the rest of the band at the Sunset Fest Talent Show. Also having an interest in music since he was little is Gellangarin. “I started singing when I was little.” he says. “My dad would play songs by The Beatles and I would sing them” By the time he was in third grade, Gellangarin dreamed of being in a band like Green Day. “They [Green Day] inspired me to be in a band. They always looked like they were having fun and doing what they love. Then, All Time Low pushed it even more. I want to be on stage like that one day and have fun.” With music clearly being a big part of his life, Gellangarin learned how to play piano at 5 years old, picked up the guitar when he was 8 , and the Ukulele in 7th grade. He mostly plays guitar when performing with the band, along with

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the ukulele in YouTube videos. Even though Drzal and Gellangarin have known eachother for many years, the two decided to start collaborating when they were sophomores. When the YouTube channel was created and covers were posted, a certain band took notice. Drzal and Gellangarin posted a cover of the band’s “Some Things” last Valentines Day. With Gellangarin on the Uke and both singing vocals along with bloopers at the end; the band For the Foxes found the link through twitter. “F*ckin awesome!”, tweeted Jimmy Brindley (guitarist) to Gellangarin. The two were estaticed to get noticed from the band they covered; along with a “favorite” and a response back. Although posting videos on YouTube is fun, Gellangarin prefers to sing live because the band’s

performance gets all the attention; rather than just being lost in millions of other videos on the internet. He’s performed solo at parties, in the Philippines for family, and at Sunset Fest with the band. Despite of the title of his recent song “F*ck Up,” Gellangarin believes that a good song has to have meaning. Not many songs on the radio have meaning any more, and if it’s all about drugs- forget it. His favorite part about being in a band is “being with friends. We get to fool around and then when we practice it’s all seriousness,” said Gellangarin. The dedicated artist would love to go pro, as he sees it as being a one in a million chance.

“Do whatever makes you happy,” said Gellangarin. If he ever got that chance, Gellangarin would like to open for bands like All Time Low, A Day to Remember, or Green Day. The band was previously known as Downfall Highway, but agreed that the name should have a more positive vibe. The ultimate goal for the four would be performing at Warped Tour; where the sounds of a guitar and vocals fill more than just a household.

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Oct. 18, 2013 A&E

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The “best of both worlds”? Despite her recent outfit choices and failed relationship, Miley Cyrus is still on top By Trisha Fritz Staff Writer

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lad in a nude two-piece, plastic looking ensemble with recently bleached locks chopped off above the ear, Miley Cyrus stepped out on the Video Music Award stage on Aug. 25 as she bellowed out her new song “We Can’t Stop.” Cyrus, showing off her new moves, got a little too comfortable with that foam finger and stuck out her tongue more than she needed too. Celebrities in the audience and families alike looked back and forth at each other with utterly embarrassed, confused, or amused faces as they wondered what was going on. Miley Cyrus has been a big part of our childhood, teaching us life lessons with that blonde wig on and sparkly clothing as Hannah Montana. Everyone thought it was over when a video surfaced of her smoking the substance Salvia which is legal in California, at the age of 18. When this teen sensation went from singing “Best of Both Worlds” as an intro song to her children’s TV show to releasing a publicly criticized and controversial music video for “Wrecking Ball,” the media went nuts. It was just the beginning of her walk through the spotlight when she started dating the “Hunger Games” hunk Liam Hemsworth, and soon after tweeting that she was engaged to him. After years of dating, it was said her relationship with Hemsworth was on the rocks. Rumors spread that she was an avid drug user which did not help when she added a reference to them in her song “We Can’t Stop.” Other rumors consisted of Cyrus seeing Justin Bieber behind her fiancés back. Even

more recently was the story of how she could be pregnant with Juicy J’s baby which Cyrus quickly replied back the next morning on Twitter with “Waking up to the news that I’m pregnant with @therealjuicyj baby.” Cyrus’s transition into adulthood hit us like a wrecking ball. Her new style and hair caused a lot of backlash. Many people say that it is about time she put her tongue back in her mouth and wore something other than denim underwear. Others say she is just going through the “Britney Spears stage” from being under the many pressures of teen stardom and will soon grow out of it. There has been an opposite reaction from fans. Those who think she knows what she is doing or others who would have to be forced to listen to her new album Bangerz that was released on Oct. 8. What hasn’t Cyrus done? From being on SNL, to having her own special on MTV, “The Movement,” and even recently being on the cover of Cosmopolitan her name has somehow been put into every magazine article, interview, or TV show. Cyrus’s song “We Can’t Stop” broke the record on VEVO for the Most 24-hour views, passing up anything other big pop stars have done. Statistically it was shown that people were 12 times more interested in Cyrus then the Syrian crisis. “She is interesting...and looks dumb...and maybe she needs to put some clothes on,” says junior, Meghan Higgins. Maybe thats exactly what Cyrus wanted. When Matt Lauer asked her on the Today Show about all the attention she was getting from her VMA performance she easily

Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards 2013 replied, “It went exactly as we planned. ... I mean, it’s a month later and we’re still talking about it.” Cyrus can’t go a day without being on headlines for walking her dog or going for a Starbucks run. We are all stuck in this oblivious

(MCT Campus)

circle of being mesmerized by her even if you completely dislike her. Obviously there is one answer- her managers are completely genius and we are now putty in their hands.

Controversial Women Madonna

Britney Spears

Madonna and Britney

Madonna performed “Like a Virgin” on the VMAs in 1984 with the words “Boy Toy” on her belt and did seductive dance moves.

Britney Spears on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine at the age of 16.

The two lock lips on the VMAs stage in 2003.

The average person has between 1,460 and 2,190 dreams a year.

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By Tommy Jones

Every year, dogs kill more people in American than Great White sharks have in the past 100 years.

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Oct. 18, 2013 A&E

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American Authors write to fame The Brooklyn native band with a self-titled EP and unique sound By Kevin Klar Staff Writer

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ommercials are not usually the most ideal place to discover new bands, let alone one dealing with paint at Lowe's. But unlike most stereotypically ignorable commercials, this one had a magnetic and catchy jingle that played in the background immediately setting it apart from your typical happy-go-lucky commercial song. This one song in particular was filled with an unexpectedly, appealing and somewhat rebellious tone, almost similar to that of the popular band Imagine Dragons. When the commercial was finished, hours of searching for this mystery pop group and their song quickly followed. In the end, the band's name was discovered to be American Authors, a new alternative-rock band that had just recently changed its name from The Blue Pages and had already released two singles, “Believer” and “Best Day of my Life.” With fresh beats and addictive tunes, American Authors has already made quite the impression. Their defiant songs will bounce and pop in your head as their fused retro-rock vibe pushes you up to your feet. Lead singer Zachary Barnett’s smoky vocals bring a new feel to the indie genre, complemented by drummer Matt Sanchez’s catchy thumps and blows to his drums; it gives the band’s songs unique beats that carry themselves through your head. Along with the radical and jumpy

strings of lead guitarist James Shelley and smooth flowing bass slides of Dave Dublin, the band comes together surprisingly well for a band that has just sprung from nowhere. Their self named debut album has five unique songs with good

listener with personal lyrics of seeking fame, and meeting that realization with quick drum pounding and encouraging lyrics. Though the song plays along to the growing anti-fame theme, American Authors turns that way of thinking into a reason to push forward and

(Instagram)

structure, beats, and rhythm. The first single “Believer,” immediately throws you into a storm of hand claps, quick beats, and a good supportive chorus for Barnett's voice. The band naturally carries a playful mood that engages the

keep going despite the obstacles that continue to push you back in life. The band has a good way of not only keeping it positive, but even inspirational to a point. “Best Day of my Life” is currently their most well known song. It

shows off a childlike perspective of times when everything still seemed big. Opening with "I had a dream so big and loud/I jumped so high/I touched the clouds" American Authors pulls off the mainstream vibe pretty well while still keeping it original and new. Mainly due to Barnett's uniquely satisfying voice, the band keeps to their own tone of music. Though optimistic, the band is not delusional. There are almost always follies in every success story. One of their newer songs, “Luck,” shows the saddening part of the band's growing career. American Authors lets those past or maybe even current regrets, seep into a steady tempo, with smooth lyrics "I'm sorry/Mother I know I let you down/I'm sorry/Father, I didn't stick around/Please just listen cause I don't ask for much/I am my own man/I make my own luck," asking for forgiveness of problems their listeners can only imagine. Unlike other indie-bands that can sometimes play like a broken record and end up sounding the same, American Authors breaks the mainstream impression of indie pop, and connects to listeners with relatable and well versed lyrics. Barnett's appealing voice is able to pull the bands rhythm together, with the pumping beats of Sanchez, Shelley's popping strings, and Dublin's calming bass strums. For an overall out of the blue band, American Authors blends its pop-rock tune very well, making it worthwhile to have a go at some of their songs.

The new faces of SNL

After more than 30 seasons, the televison show is ready for change By Rachel Brands Staff Writer

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aturday Night Live is back for its 39th season and it has a lot to make up for this season. The show is bringing along six new cast members to fill the void that was left behind by three veterans who departed from the show last season. Said veterans include Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, and Jason Sudeikis, all of whom left the show after eight or more seasons under their belt. Fred Armisen, famous for roles such as Fericito and his Barack Obama impression in earlier season, left to focus on his new show “Portlandia”. Bill Hader, better

known as Stefon, and his wife wanted to move to L.A., and the two couldn’t achieve this if Hader was still working with SNL. Now that he and his family have moved, Hader has started writing full-time for “South Park.” Jason Sudeikis, known for characters like Male A-hole and Weekend Update Devil, didn’t have a particular reason for leaving, but simply decided it was time to leave the show and move on to other projects. Seth Meyers will stay on the show until the halfway point, and will then leave to host his own talk show. It usually takes a while for fans to warm up to the new cast

New SNL castmembers Beck Bennett, Noël Wells, Kyle Mooney, and See SNL, page 21 John Milhiser (MCT Campus).

Dolphins shut down half of their brains when they sleep.

Oct. 18, 2013 A&E SNL, continued members. “I’m not keen on new people on the show,” said senior Gwen Bartot, a long time fan of the show. The newcomers seem promising; all six have a comedic background and could be exactly what SNL needs for a change of pace. Not that the show necessarily needs a change, but new faces will definitely shake things up and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The six new players are Michael Patrick O’Brien, John Milhiser, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, Brooks Wheelan, and Noël Wells. Michael Patrick O’Brien has been a writer for SNL since 2009 and was moved to the cast. His circumstance is the exact opposite of newbie Tim Robinson, who was part of the cast last year and moved to the writer’s room this year. John Milhiser is a member of the sketch comedy group “Serious Lunch.” “Serious Lunch” puts up sketch videos and parodies on YouTube for the average user’s enjoyment, and do a good job of making their sketches short and simple, but

funny. John Milhiser seems to have a knack for sketches, which makes him a good choice for SNL, and is funny in a very cute and awkward way. Brooks Wheelan was one of Comedy Central’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2012 and really deserves the title. Brooks isn’t afraid to ridicule or refrain from inappropriate humor in his stand up and delivers it in a way that will make the viewer laugh out loud. He has an upbeat style that should allow him to fit in quite nicely at SNL. Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett are both member of the sketch comedy group “Good Neighbor.” Beck Bennett is also the star of AT&T’s “It’s Not Complicated” commercials where he interviews children. “Good Neighbor” is similar to “Serious Lunch” in the way that they both put sketch videos up online and produce a similar kind of comedy. Kyle and Beck impressed me in how easily they could throw themselves into the characters they play, and I enjoyed their senses of humor. Noël Wells is a member of the sketch team “New Money” and the only girl to be hired this season.

21 Based on her performance in “New Money” videos, Noel is quirky and weird, but very funny and believable in everything she does. Fans of the show are suffering the losses of Hader, Armisen, and Sudeikis, as well as Andy Samberg’s and Kristen Wiig’s departure the year before that. Because of this, performers like Kenan Thompson, Cecily Strong, and Taran Killam now have a time to shine and show the newbies how it’s done. “I feel like everyone [on the show] has a fair amount of talent,” said junior Tia Morser. The six new cast members will also have a chance to prove themselves and show the world they deserve to be here, and that chance began on Sept. 28. Hopefully, America will become familiar with their faces and stick with them for many years to come.

Bill Hader, who recently left Saturday Night Live (MCT Campus).

SNL Facts

- Johnny Knoxville was asked to be on the show. in 1995. - Alec Baldwin hosted 16 times, the most in history. - Adam Sandler and Chris Farley were fired.

-source: buzzfeed.com

The crystal meth of televison dramas

“Breaking Bad,” comes to an end after a successful fifth season By: Justin Gulati Staff Writer Fans were hooked. Every week they would feel a rush similar to a dose of a certain illegal substance just from pressing play on their TV remote. However, they were devastated when they read a poster hyping the second half of the fifth season of the hit TV series, Breaking Bad. The poster read, “All bad things must come to an end.” The fifth season aired in two half seasons each consisting of eight episodes. Within these episodes, the writers managed to conclude a show revered by many as “the best show on television” in such a way that even the most critical fans approved of. It was a long ride filled with action, drama, a few light hearted comical moments, and a whole lot of money, murder, and meth. These three “M-words” seemed to define the award winning show that followed an underachieving New Mexico high school chemistry teacher’s journey to become the most notorious methamphetamine kingpins in the southwest. This seemingly too-wild-toactually-be-good idea was masterfully pulled off by director, writer, producer, and creator of “Breaking Bad”, Vince Gilligan. Gilligan fa-

The cast of Breaking Bad at the Emmy Awards in 2013. mously said his vision for his main character was to “Turn Mr. Chips into Scarface,” and oh, did he pull that one off. The show combined a number of put-together plot twists with phenomenal acting, and quote-worthy dialogue. Star actor, Bryan Cranston, played Walter White, a brilliant chemist who worked well below his peak potential as a public high school chemistry teacher. Walter was diagnosed with lung cancer. With this diagnosis came an opportunity for Walter to finally pursue activities that he would not have

(MCT Campus)

dreamed of partaking in unless he was eye-to-empty-eye-socket with death himself. When Walt found himself dealing with cold-hearted criminals, he was forced to take on a new persona. He named this alter-ego “Heisenberg,” the surname of a famous german physicist. This “Heisenberg” was a complete opposite of Walter White, the reserved, conservative, family man that the show had begun with. Walter became an expert at lying, stealing from, and manipulating those around him to do his dirty work. As

he delved deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld, Walter dragged anyone who strayed too close to him down with him. This constant battle between Walter White and Heisenberg also added a fourth topic to those series defining “M-Words”; Morality. The two personas were split inside of his head, but, in the show, the outside of his head was also a big deal. The writers cleverly implemented Walt’s pork pie hat as a symbol of Walt’s switch to his alter ego. Many of these clever symbols exist throughout the show and add another layer of depth. One writer, Thomas Schnauz, wrote in an article for Time Magazine, “...when I wrote scenes for Walt, I believed he was Scarface (or in our world, Heisenberg) pretending to be the man society expected him to be. Cancer gave him an excuse not to pretend anymore. And I think, for all the ‘evil’ Walt has done, that’s why we watch and identify with him. All of us, in some aspects of our lives, pretend to be something we’re not.” The complete 180 degree spin in mentality occurred with many of the other main characters on the show as well. The gradual change in the personality and thinking of

see Breaking, page 22

President James Garfield could write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other at the same time.

Oct. 18, 2013 A&E

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Xbox One vs. Playstation 4

What’s the solution to the endless arguing over which console is best? By Kyle Sommerfield Content Editor on non-gaming applications,

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attered and bruised he looks on. He pushes and pushes, but it’s no use. They broke him, took him and left him in a world of shame and doubt. That was long ago, but it still stings. He still feels their mocking faces staring at him, judging him. Now his heart is beating faster; their voices are growing louder. Time is running out; he has to do something. He tries to retaliate, but they respond with one last knockout blow. It hurts, but he manages to utter a few words before giving in: “But…but…voice control.” This boy is one of the many people caught up in the whirlwind of arguments over the next generation of gaming consoles. After uttering one last argument for the Xbox One, he realizes that there is little chance he can win the argument. With all the excitement and opportunity that came with the announcement of the Xbox One and Playstation 4, an equal amount of chaos has ensued. Perhaps the idea that video games promote violence has some credence to it after all. Xbox fans call the PS4 a disgrace; Playstation fans call the Xbox One an embarrassment. “It never occurs to the fanatic that not everyone is slavishly enthralled to winning an illusory and meaningless war,” writes Erik Kain of Forbes. It seems like a balanced war of words, but clearly the developers at Sony have the tactical advantage. If you listen in the hallways and on the streets, you will surely find that a vast majority of gamers appears to have a preference for the PS4. Citing the console’s capability for more advanced graphics and the Xbox One’s focus

gamers everywhere are praising Sony for creating the “perfect” console. But the gaming war is far from over. After being relentlessly shamed for eliminating game sharing, Microsoft’s gaming future looked uncertain and the Xbox One looked like a lost cause. But the attacks weren’t taken lightly by Microsoft. They adjusted their policies on game sharing, breathing life into a system that appeared to be doomed. The Xbox One has voice control, better access to television, and several other novelties that make a “good” game system. But the most important advantage held by Microsoft is the company’s abundance of exclusive games. Boasting “Titanfall,” “Ryse,” and several other blockbuster titles, the Xbox One has a lineup to which the PS4 can’t be compared. Although the PS4 only has “Killzone,” “Knack,” and few other exclusive titles, it certainly has several features that give it huge advantages over the Xbox One. Perhaps its best asset is its price of $399, compared to the Xbox One’s $499. Not only will the PS4’s price likely boost its sales, but it also hits the market on Nov. 15, a week before the Xbox One. This makes the PS4 much more accessible and convenient for consumers. But by no means am I endorsing the PS4. And by no means am I endorsing the Xbox One. What I am trying to say is that the mindless debate over gaming consoles is annoying, produces no results, and frankly is idiotic. “This tiresome, incessant noise and nonsense comes from a subset of gamers so totally lacking in selfawareness that at times it’s almost

Breaking, continued the characters is what kept viewers hooked every season. With the 10.3 million television sets that tuned in to watch the final episode, it’s safe to say that Gilligan and his team of six show writers did their job quite well. The show is regarded as one of the more artsy dramas of the decade. It is filmed with a unique style. Gilligan directed many of the episodes himself, but also had other top TV and film directors come on set to help him, including Schnauz and Cranston. The directing is done with such finesse. All the attention detail that goes into the creation of each episode is astounding.

Fast facts $399.99

$499.99

Release date

11/15/13

11/22/13

Game installs

No

Yes

Req Net Connect

No

Only day one

Price

Controllers

PS4 dual shock (1)

Motion control

PS4 Eye, Move (Not inc.)

Netflix

Free access

Xbox One (1) Kinect 2 Paid access -source: ign.com

laughable,” writes Kain. Now, it seems that discussing game systems is an affair that will inevitably produce some sort of conflict. Let’s go back to the boy at the beginning of the article. No, he’s not a real person. No, people aren’t enduring physical pain while debating consoles. But he represents something bigger: the pointlessness of arguing over game systems. If there’s one thing I can recommend to you, it’s to buy whatever system you want. Neither console is going to be measurably better than the other. In the end, they’ll end up being practically the same. In fact, most people probably won’t buy either system. They’re expensive, you will have to buy new games, and games will still be developed for the current consoles. The point is that the new

Fans of the series are mourning the loss of their favorite show. Some were outraged when Gilligan announced the series would be coming to a close, including the show’s broadcast station, AMC. With all the critical acclaim the show has received, Breaking Bad by all means did not have to end. However, Gilligan and the rest of the writing staff believe that by the underlying principle of the show, it was necessary to end it. Breaking Bad did not go out with a whimper though, and Walt’s last master scheme will always replay in the memories of fans and on their TVs after they purchase the entire series on DVD.

consoles aren’t for everybody. And it shouldn’t matter. With all the pressure from the arguments over the two gaming systems, we often forget that we don’t need new consoles. It’s okay to have a favorite console and it’s okay to tell people why you prefer that console. It’s only natural to like one of them more than the other. But problems occur when we become overzealous about our preference. I dream of a world where all gamers live in peace, where it doesn’t matter who has an Xbox One, PS4, or a Wii U. Then, and only then, will the best gaming experience truly come to fruition. So, don’t fall prey to the incessant squabbling that seemingly occurs on a daily basis. Be the change you want to see in the gaming world.

The cast of “Breaking Bad” (MCT Campus).

“Typewriter” is the longest English word that can be made by using only one row of a keyboard.

Oct. 18, 2013 Advertisements

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Downtown Dogs ‘n’ More 107 S. Main Street (Rt. 31) Algonquin, IL 60102 847-915-4946

$2.50

Gyros every Sunday!

The bigger your dinner group, the more likely you are to eat.

Oct. 18, 2013 Sports

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Sophomore duo leading the pack

Keagan Smith and Seth Conroy run during the Wauconda meet. Smith and Conroy are two of the top runners for cross country team. (J.Bednarczyk) By Kyle Torp Staff Writer

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eth Conroy and Keagan Smith are two sophomores that aren’t backing down. They are two people you always hear about when they announce the prior days Cross Country stats. Smith is the leader of the charge who always pushes himself to win every meet he can and Conroy is always right behind him, finishing just mere steps behind his teammate...and his friend. Smith is a smart kid who is always running even when the races get tough. For as long as he can remember, Smith was always running. “My parents got me into running with early Saturday runs and even some 5ks,” said Smith Smith runs cross country to get in shape and to shape his future. Smith hopes to go to college on a scholarship and possibly run in the Olympics. “Everyone has those dreams to go to college and the Olympics, but I don’t jump ahead of myself. I just take it one meet at a time because if you don’t; then that is how you can lose the focus that drives you to win,” said Smith. Smith attributes his success to his parents, coach, and training. But most importantly to his teammate, Conroy. “Seth is a great teammate who is always there to push me during races but also in practice,” said Smith. “Even though Seth is a teammate he is always another runner who I want to beat.” Smith also wants Conroy to finish close behind him, so that both of them improve their times to help the team win the meet. Smith and Conroy did not just start running in high school; he began in middle school. Smith went to state all three years in middle school and Conroy wasn’t far behind, making it to state three times as well. Both held their own as Smith won a state championship and Conroy

finished close behind. Conroy and Smith have now become two of the area’s top runners while helping the Huntley cross country team become one of the best in the area. But Conroy shouldn’t be forgotten. He

“Seth and Keagan are both role models for the cross country team. They show you how good you can be if you put in the work and effort.” -Sophomore Tyler Watkins started running all the way back in elementary school. “When we ran the mile I just ran it fast. So when sixth grade came around I just decided to try cross and I fell in love with it and have been since,” remembers Seth. When the two got to high school, they used their competitive nature to help lead Huntley. Both Conroy and Smith feel like they help each other to make each other better and they both have noticed hard work in one another to make them the best runners they can be. “Keagan is a great teammate and can always be counted on to push me and the rest of our teammates to do the best we can. He is always there running with us to motivate us.” said Conroy. “Seth is a great teammate who is always right there with me to push me no matter what, whether it is practice or a race,” said Smith. Sophomore Tyler Watkins gives both Conroy and Smith credit for helping mentor him in practice to help him become a better runner.

“Seth and Keagan are both role models for the cross country team. They show you how good you can be if you put in the work and effort,” said Watkins. “Both Seth and Keagan are great teammates. They work well as a unit. They only want what is best for the entire team,” said cross country coach Matt Kaplan. Both Conroy and Smith are leaders for the cross country team. “They are out there to start the scoring for our team,” said Kaplan. The future is bright for the young duo as they get stronger and move on in the sport. Everyone associated with the team has seen both Seth and Keagan improve over the last two years, but no one more than their coach. “They are a lot stronger and each year they are going to get faster and bigger. We were looking at their stats this time last year and we all have noticed an improvement. They are further ahead than they were last year,” said Kaplan. Their improvement can be contributed to the extra work they have put in. Both have put in extra miles during summer and during the season. Both have ran before school to get extra miles in to help them improve. Conroy took up doing double runs during the summer while Smith began to do long road runs and other distance running. “They are increasing their miles and putting in more and more work as they age,” said Kaplan. “We have a lot to look forward to. Next year we have Seth and Keagan returning but also all of our top five runners. The future for the Cross Country team looks very bright.,” said Coach Kaplan. The cross country team is ready and rearing to go and they deserve all the attention they are getting and more. The boys cross country team is leading the Fox Valley Conference and Seth and Keagan are right there at the front, leading the pack.

There are more TV sets in the average American household than there are people.

Oct. 18, 2013 Sports

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Volleyball is in Dion’s blood

Freshman Ally Dion serves during a volleyball game versus Cary Grove. Dion is currently the only freshman on the varsity team. (E.Vitacco) by Adam Reckamp sports editor

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n June of 2013 during a national volleyball tournament on Navy Pier in Chicago, Ally Dion’s travel volleyball team, Sky High Volleyball, is playing in the championship game. The team is very excited to be in the finals because the tournament is very difficult and top teams from all around the country attend. The set count is 1-1 and in the third set Dion’s team is down 1514. The opposing team needs one more point to defeat Dion’s team and win the national championship. Sky High Volleyball takes a timeout and their coach tells them to take deep breaths and to play like the game was tied at zero. On the next play, Dion’s team gets a kill to tie the game at 15 all. On the next play, one of Dion’s teammates gets an ace and puts Dion’s team into a position to win on the next serve. As Dion’s team celebrates, the other team calls a timeout. After the timeout, the tension in the air is the highest of the game as Dion’s teammate serves the ball. After a perfect set from her teammate, Dion’s spikes the ball right down the line for the national championship-winning kill. Plays like this are common from varsity volleyball standout Dion. Dion is part of a volleyball dynasty. Her older sister Amy was one of the best volleyball play-

ers to ever play at Huntley High School. Amy now plays volleyball at the University of Maryland. Amy also played for Sky High Volleyball and was a two time AAU All-American while at the club. Amy won many other awards at Huntley including being named to First-Team All-State her senior year and Fox Valley All-Conference team for all four years she was at Huntley. Amy is not the only other Dion to be a volleyball stand-out, though. Dion’s mother, Sandy, played at the University of IllinoisChicago and Dion’s aunt, Wendy Chauncey, played at Northern Illinois. “Growing up I always watched my sister play and learned a lot from her. I look up to her a lot in volleyball because of how far she’s gone with her career,” said Dion. “Even though it is very tough to do, my goal is to play division one volleyball like my sister.” She says that her mom gives her tips after every game. She went to many Huntley High School volleyball camps growing up and also went to camps held by Sky High Volleyball. At the age of 10, Dion tried out for Sky High Volleyball club team and made it. She has been playing volleyball ever since. Even though Amy is away at college in Maryland, she and Dion still keep in touch. Dion says that

they talk regularly and exchange tweets. Amy also came back to Huntley during the summer to help at Huntley’s volleyball camp. While there, she faced off against her sister. Dion described the game as “a lot of fun” and Huntley volleyball coach Karen Liss laughed that “Amy couldn’t handle Ally’s hit.” Dion has been highly regarded and respected by all of the people around her during her time playing volleyball. “She is a great kid, works extremely hard, and wants to be a top player,” said Liss. “The great thing is that she is only a freshman and to have that work ethic and dedication to carry through for another three years. She is definitely going to be an impact player.” Michelle Jakubowski coached volleyball at Huntley for 17 years before she became athletic director in 2012. She coached Amy while she played at Huntley and has watched many of Dion’s matches this year. “Coaching Amy was amazing; she was one of the best players I have coached in all my years,” said Jakubowski. “She was hardworking and passionate. She started every match as a varsity player during her four years here.” Just like Amy, Jakubowski had many great things to say about Dion. “I’ve watched Ally kind of grow

The longest human beard ever recorded was over 17 feet long.

up and play club; Ally is a very strong player. She is a little different than Amy; she plays outside and plays all the way around. Ally is just as passionate though, just as hard-working as Amy,” said Jakubowski. Dion has had a lot of success on the varsity volleyball team this year but admitted the transition was tough at first. “At first it was definitely tough to fit in because all of the girls had been playing together for years and I was the youngest on the team, but they made me feel comfortable and really made me feel like a part of the team. They welcomed me really well and now we consider the team a family,” said Dion. The transition was also hard because Dion went from being an all-star on her club team to just a freshman on a varsity volleyball team filled with other all-stars. “Coming in as a freshman on varsity, I don't expect to play all the time, having all these talented players on the team. But when I get a chance, I do my best to take advantage of it,” said Dion. “I've had good games here and there, some where I played a lot more than others. But getting a chance to play with the teammates that I have is amazing and I love every second of it because we go through wins and losses as a team.”

Oct. 18, 2013 Sports

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Head to Head

The Future of the Huntley Defense I

with Chris and Kyle

n high school, there are boy sports, and girl sports. Girls play softball and volleyball. Guys play baseball and football. But aren’t girls allowed to join the football team? Why aren’t guys allowed to play a girl sport such as volleyball? In this edition of Head to Head, we will be discussing this issue.

Zach Peter works hits a lineman during a drill in at football practice

(M.Urban)

Ryan Ford. Everyone at Huntley is looking forward to see what these young players can offer n July 23, 2013, at 5:30 a.m., the car is gone, the cereal bowl is left on the table, on the gridiron. Day in and day out, they are out at practice bashing helmets and running and the house is silent. High school footwind sprints. Every day the older players go ball players all around Huntley are on their way to school to run, lift weights, and bash helmets. their hardest and are shocked by the skill level and the effort given by the sophomores, and At 6 a.m., practice starts. There is not a instead of being upset about not having the single player that has to be there, but every starting position, they do as much as they can last one wants to. They sprint, they fight, they to help the underclassmen improve. yell, they hit, and they run some more for the “The [upperclassmen] are great, they push chance at a State Championship. Football coach us to be the best we can be for the school John Hart is barking out orders, and he sees and ourselves,” said Peter. “Without them, we new, fresh faces that were not there before. would not be nearly as The team is changing good as we are, they realong with the pro“The [upperclassmen] are great, they push ally are a family to me.” gram. us to be the best we can be for the school The Homecoming Harder workers and hitters playing and ourselves,” said Peter. “Without them, game was a great game, varsity are getting we would not be nearly as good as we are, the defensive players were out of breath and younger and younger. they really are a family to me.” in dire need of water in Standing among the their 34-7 romp over juniors and seniors Prairie Ridge. Tim Ryan are sophomores Zach Sophomore Zach Peter could only talk about Peter, Tim McCloyn, how great the coaches and Tim Ryan. These and older players have been since he has arthree, along with many others, have worked rived to the varsity level. their whole lives for what they hope will be “The only reason why we are where we are their future, bringing the State Championship is because the coaches spend so much extra to Huntley High School. time working with us and making us better for “Gains,” said sophomore linebacker Peter, the future, and now,” said Ryan. “it’s all about gains in the weight room and on The defense is filled with powerhouses from the field.” the D-line to the D-backs. Some notable players All you can ask of kids is to strive to be are lineman Zach Peter, linebackers Tim Mctheir best, and with the players that are coming through the ranks, Huntley can be the best. Cloyn and Daniel Dennis, cornerbacks Tim Ryan and Ryan Ford. The future of the Huntley defense isn’t just All of these players are starting on varup to the players. Their coaches demand a lot sity or well on their way and hope to be there from them, but the players are more than hapnext year as juniors. According to Coach Hart, py to give them all they have and then some. “After standing on the sidelines of a varsity the defense is all about “discipline.” When the sophomores are disciplined, they are a steel football game, every other game I’ve played is wall; no offense can penetrate this defense. All not like the intensity of varsity. You feel [like] a part of something bigger and learn to respect they need is consistency and experience, and the Huntley defense will be unstoppable. the game,” said sophomore defensive back They will get there, and it will be soon.

By Chris Sawalski Staff Writer

O

W

omen are allowed to play football, right? There is no rule saying that they can’t, most girls just don’t. What about those guys who don’t play football and are looking for an alternative. I feel that guys should be able to join a girl sport like volleyball. I don’t see any reason why they can’t. Sure there are a lot of things that would be different, but nothing more different than a girl playing football. I really believe that there would be guys who would love the opportunity to play a girls sport like volleyball.

B

-Chris Sawalski

oys should not be allowed to play girls sports because they are girl sports. GIRL sports. Just like girls have their own sports guys have their own sports. We all have our own version of the sport because it would be unfair to have boys go against girls. Football is not called boys football because it is open to everyone boys and girls. If there are certains ports that guys or girls want but don’t have there may be a reason into why they don’t have it. Boys volleyball is not a sport because no one in the entire Fox Valley Conference has it because they don’t want to have to start a new sport. But we are allowed to start clubs if we want to as long as we have the required students and a teacher that will watch you. So boys can start a volleyball team but it has to be a club and not a IHSA sport.

Broccoli contains more Vitamin C than oranges.

-Kyle Torp

Oct. 18, 2013 Sports

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Soccer, success, & schnitzel Senior Niko Mihalopoulos spends summer playing for elite soccer academy in Germany By Megan Wilson Community Editor

H

e walks onto the AstroTurf soccer field as the rubbery, wet smell fills his nose. The rain has just stopped and now it is time to get serious about the game. Dressed in his black Nike cleats, high bright red socks with protective shin guards underneath, white mesh shorts, and his red #10 jersey, there is no way for him to predict how this game will turn out. Well, not until the very end at least. Senior and four-year varsity soccer player Niko Mihalopoulos is one of the best players that Huntley High School has ever seen. With his skills as a center forward, Mihalopoulos can easily help his team on to victory. But it is hard to say that Mihalopoulos gets all of his talent from pure luck. His grandfather, uncle, and father all played soccer, or football, back in Greece, making Niko a firstgeneration GreekAmerican. George Mihalopoulos, his father, started playing collegiate football when he moved to the United States at 18. He then attended college at Roosevelt University. When he was a only 5 years old, Niko’s parents put him in Huntleys Park District’s travel soccer team despite the fact he had asthma. After spending some time on that team, he joined a Barrington travel soccer team. As time went on, Mihalopoulos got better, faster, and stronger. When freshman year arrived, he tried out for Huntley’s soccer team. During try-outs, he would never have thought he would make the varsity team, but he did. And for the next four years, he continued to be on varsity even without trying out. He was also recently nominated for the All-State Team, an honor to a single soccer player for each regional in the state. “He’s about as electric as I’ve ever seen,” said varsity soccer coach Kris Grabner. “After 11 years of coaching, the other coaches and I agree that he is the best as they come.” With a school record of 23 total goals this season, it is not hard to see the massive impact that Mihalopoulos has had on the team. That impact led to him being recruited by the VfR Aalen. His agent got in contact with VfR and relayed information about Mihalopoulos. They wanted to see him play. Once in August before junior year and again last spring break, Mihalopoulos traveled overseas to try-out for European teams.

“The tryouts for were for me to find which team to stay with and start my career from there,” said Mihalopoulos. Based in Aalen, Germany, the football academy offers several programs for its youth in gymnastics, table tennis, cheerleading, and of course, football. On July 11, Mihalopoulos packed his bags and hopped on a plane to Germany to join his second division team at VfR. After an almost 13-hour flight, he landed in Stuttgart. He went to gather his luggage and then was greeted by his agent. For the next few days, Mihalopoulos stayed with his agent and explored Germany. When it was time to meet his host family, they got into the car and drove about an hour to Aalen. Each morning, he would wake up around 9 a.m. and head downstairs to the Greek family restaurant called Dionysos. There, he would help the restaurant by setting up tables and chairs, folding and placing the table cloths, opening up the umbrellas, and meticulously placing plastic covers on the chairs. “Everything was such a culture shock,” said Mihalopoulos. “I mostly just stayed to myself since I didn’t know much German. The trainers and some of the players would try to make an effort to speak English, but not many did. My only form of communication was when I spoke Greek to my host family.” After helping open the restaurant, Mihalopoulos walked two miles to where VfR’s practice fields were. Every day for a month, he walked up a steady hill, passed the local school, which then connected to a forest preserve. Just beyond that was the practice fields. At VfR, he would spend hours with the team’s youth group for those under 19 years of age. He would run drills, practice his skills, and play football games. For over a month, Mihalopoulos stayed in Germany building up his endurance, making connections, and getting scouted for other teams in Europe. “He’s strong, smart about the game, and fast; he’s got legs like tree trunks,” said coach Grabner. In his free time, he would walk around downtown and go into little shops around the town. On the weekends, he would go to a local café with a few of the friends he had made at the restaurant. Since he was fluent in Greek, he was able to communicate with them. While living there, he became extra fond of the food. “My favorite food there would have to be the schnitzel,” said Mihalopoulos. Everything was fun and games, until he got the bad news. In regulations with the German Football Association, he could not stay in Germany forever without having his pass to be able to play internationally. According to Mihalopoulos, one of his parents needed to live

and work in Germany for over a year for him to stay since he is not of legal age. “If it wasn’t for that regulation, I wouldn’t be here right now,” said Mihalopoulos. “I’d still be playing over in Germany.” He would not have gone to Germany if he knew this. In all of his time there, he never played a single game. Most of the games were on the weekends, but before a game that he could have played in, the coach told him why he could not play. Before Mihalopoulos decides if he wants to go back to Germany or any other part of Europe, he stays here at Huntley High to finish his senior year. Until then, he plays on the varsity boys soccer team racking up goal after goal as he leads his team to victory. “Nothing can be compared to the feeling I get after scoring a goal,” said Mihalopoulos. “It is such an adrenal rush, especially in overtime.” With college not much more than a blink away, Mihalopoulos still is not quite sure about what he wants to do with his future, but he does have one option in mind. “My ultimate dream is to go pro,” said Mihalopoulos. And to achieve his dream, he aspires to be just like his favorite football players such as Lionel Messi from Barcelona, Mesut Ozil from Arsenal, and Gareth Bale from Real Madrid. Mihalopoulos wants to improve his endurance and increase his heading accuracy. “He has so much potential after high school,” said varsity co-captain Jakub Rys. “He’s a very good leader,” said Grabner. “He lifts his teammates up without even trying. It’s almost missed with athletes with that kind of leadership. He inspires others to be better by his sheer enthusiasm.”

Niko Mihalopoulos shows off his dribbling skills (K. Gallegos).

Cereal commercials use Elmer’s Glue instead of milk.

SPORTS Soccer, success, & schnitzel

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Senior Niko Mihalopoulos has lived in Germany to play soccer, and has just made the Illinois all-state team K. Gallegos