“Free of Bull, Full of Bulldogs”

Friday, May 27, 2011 • Volume 80 • Issue 6

• Riverside Brookfield High School • 160 Ridgewood Rd. • Riverside, IL 60546 •

A Year to Remember

Bradley WilsonEditor-in-ChiEf

I hate the Midwest. I really do. Ever since i moved here in fourth grade, I had plans to stay here until the end of high school and then leave without a second thought. And, to no surprise to those who know me, those plans haven’t changed. However, as I prepared to leave for Colorado in a couple of months, it’s been apparent to me how important a small high school in the Mid-west has been to me. It’s been at this small school that I’ve developed strong friendships with both friends and teachers alike and been prepared for my future

life. High school has been an experience, and while I may not have always been the biggest fan, my time here has been wonderful. I know throughout my years on Clarion, I’ve written several critiques on RB and I still stand behind those, as I’m a full believer that flaws need to be brought to light in order for things to be fixed. But, despite a few shortcomings, this high school provided me with a thor-ough education and earned me a spot at a school I wanted to go to. Education isn’t something to be taken for granted, and I feel blessed to be able to receive a diploma from RB. My years in the build-ing have been accentuated

by the slew of people coming alongside me. The teachers I’ve interacted with have been my favorite part about RB. One word that comes to mind for all RB teachers is supportive. something that probably isn’t true at all schools. To have teachers there when you need them is something I’ve truly appreciated. To Mr. Fuller, thank you for all the work you’ve put in with me in class, on the tennis court, and in my college application process. You’ve helped me learn how to reason, persuasde, and compete. To Mr. Bozeday, thank you for givng up one of your free periods so I could push my-self academically. My two years

with you have only increased my love for Physics. Next year, when I take E&M, I’ll ahve to come back and explain how to integrate over theta. Mr. Mancoff, thank you for the time, energy, and knowledge you’ve given me over the past four years. Clar-ion has been an integral part of my time in high school, and without your influence, I doubt I would have been involved. As graduation looms in the near future, I can’t help but look back on the past four years with a smile. And, while I don’t plan on ever returning to Riverside of the Midwest as a n adult, one thing is for certain: I won’t forget my time as a Bull-dog.

SENIOR GOODBYESRiverside Brookfield High School

May 27, 2010•Volume 80 Issue 6

2

Jason FlamWEb Editor

Honestly, I can’t believe that my four years here at RB are over. That’s not to say I’m not happy about being able to leave and go away to Missouri for another four years, because I am. It’s just weird to me that this year I’m the one walking across the stage at gradu-ation after watching my

older sister do it three years ago, and watching my step brother do it last year. Unfortunately, we don’t have the distinction of being the graduating class of the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, but we will have diplomas in hand when the NBA Finals start and, oh yes, expect the Bulls to be there. I want to give a shout out to some of my fa-vorite teachers: Mr. Mancoff,

Charlie MorrisseySportS ManagEr

I have been on the Clarion staff for three years, but I wasn’t even sure that I would join Clarion at all. My brother was on staff, so I knew about the Clarion because of him, but I didn’t really give it serious

thought when I had to set up my schedule. But then my Fresh-man English teacher Mrs. Cabaj, recommended that I write for the school news-paper the next year. I still wasn’t sure whether it was something I wanted to do, and a study hall looked

more appealing at the mo-ment. But she was insistent that it would be worth my while, and that I would have a good time on staff. So I went to my counselor and changed my schedule to include second period Clarion. And after sophomore year, it was easy to pencil in Clarion each of the next two years because it was very

enjoyable. I liked being on staff because it is a lot differ-ent than a traditional class at RB. You have the freedom to leave the class and get interviews at any point, and you can write pretty much any story that you please. Since I liked writing the stories as well, I’m glad that I joined Clarion. It was definitely better than a study hall.

Mr. Gouwens, Mr. Turk, Mr. Holt, Mrs. Gallagher, Ms. Carlson (that’s how I know her), Mr. Keefe, Mr. Forberg, Ms. Lopez, Mr. Beasley, Mr. O’Rourke, Mr. Prokes, Mrs. Sarkady, Mrs. Tod-hunter, Ms. Mynaugh, and Mr. Bonarigo. Every single one of these teachers has made an impact on my life no matter how big or small the contribution was. I am grateful to RB for allowing me to pursue opportunities

in journalism. It feels good to be done with primary schooling. There’s so much more for me to go out and do. I did develop my swag while at RB, so I have to give some props to the administration. I’m on to bigger and better things. I’ve definitely enjoyed my time at RB, but I’m ready to go. Trust me. Just ask my parents. Bet.

It’s pretty hard to believe I’m two weeks from graduation and writing my Clarion senior goodbye. Since joining staff three years ago, I’ve read the senior goodbyes every year and have always looked forward to writing mine. But now that it’s here, it’s a lot harder to write than you’d think. The whole concept is so open ended that with all the endless possibilities to write about, it’s hard to start. At this point it’s hard to tell if it’s because I really am at a loss of words or the more likely being I’ve just gotten incredibly lazy with anything school related. Freshmen year was nice for me because my older brother was a senior that year. At the time I didn’t really understand the relaxed atmosphere of senior year,

Anthony SciannaContEnt Editor

and couldn’t believe the stuff he did and got away with. I learned stuff from him that year that became useful to me a lot throughout high school, especially this year when I took a similar route with my senioritis, pushing the limits of the school’s disciplinary system to see what exactly they’d let me get away with. That’s not to say I tried to get in trouble, but I tried to get the senior experi-ence I always heard about and I think I did. And for a while I successfully went with that system, till it all caught up to me. By the end of my little run I had gotten in trouble a lot, and probably built a not so good reputation with a lot of my second semester teachers. I guess now would probably be a good time to apologize for that. It wasn’t anything more than me taking a back seat to my senioritis, but I missed a lot of class. Shout out to Mr. Sibley for personally beating that

habit out of me (figuratively of course). Clarion has also done a lot for me, and has always been a class to look forward to for the last three years. My first year on the staff was also the first year for the website, and I learned a lot from watching the senior leadership on staff from Emily Mussio, Jordan Mess-ner, Sara Skiba, and Kieran Brennan. The next year I was a lot more comfortable in class, and had really good times with Rigo Reyes, Eddie Morris-sey, George Suchy, and Mark McDonaugh. That 3rd period Clarion last year was probably the most fun class I ever had while at RB. I also had a lot of re-ally memorable teachers at RB and want to give them a shout out: Ms. Cabaj, Ms. Wilmot, Ms. Goldberg, Mrs. Gallagher, Mrs. Sarkady, Mr. Till, Todd, Mr. Forberg, and Mr. Beasley all had a lasting impression on

me for different reasons. But most of all Mr. Mancoff for being dedicated to the Clarion and being respon-sible for developing my writing skills the last three years. And since I’m going into writing as a career I owe him a lot and thank him for that. And finally I want to thank Kate Abbata-cola and Andy Jones for having major impacts on my life in and out of school for reasons known to them. I guess looking back I accomplished a lot here the last four years, and am leaving a completely different person than when I arrived. It’s funny now that I’ve started writing I could go on forever, but all of this is ending very quickly. College here I come, go Hoosiers.

Editor’s note:This goodbye has been amended for space. Please read the entire goodbye at rbclarion.com.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2011!

Other:

Augustana College Aurora University

Benedictine University

Concordia UniversityDePaul University

University of IllinoisUrbana/Champaign

University of Illinois Chicago

Columbia College

Eastern Illinois University

Western Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Elmhurst College

Dominican University

Illinois State UniversityIllinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Institute of Art

Loyola University

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Tribeca FlashpointMedia Arts Academy

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Keegan ButtimerAlex DziagwaPaul Landahl Kaitlynn Markowski Astin, Moravek Alessandra PanaskyJohn Schraidt

Kristen Schaefer

Tyler Polanski

Dan FlemingMelanie McGuireTom Vohasek

Jason PomeyAlex AmayaRicardo ArroyoCindy EsparzaKevin Prado-HerreraJayson KerberCorey Kuchynka

Collette LucasGabby MagallonDiana Petrenko Maria SanchezPhil StepnowskiHaley St. Paul

Becca DurecRachel KunkelMelissa Ramirez

Brittany Kosik Lauren BaiocchiBrittany Koerner

Jacob CurtinJessica P. Padilla

Cameron KetchmarkBridget AntosJim CifaldiLisa Donovan Ethan GonzalezAllison HornungMike HudecekHannah Langosch

Erin MckennaNick MorenoMollie Quealy Danielle RyanKaty ShamrockGerda TamosiunasMegan WelchMaggie Zeleny

Lewis UniversityRyan Jackson

Kendall CollegeRebecca Pendola Michael Bellavia

Lauren GestesDaisy MarquezRachel Rodriquez

Vito DeRangoJackie Sprague Rachel Denneny

Tre EdwardsChris Schomer

Veronica PerezDesiree Starks

Dianna Dumas Bryan Doyle, Ben Drake

Melanie ViscarielloJoseph Wilkinson

Joe CrawfordMike DomresePatrikas GladsteinShawnn HwangRima Lintakas

Karen LopezMegan Pignato Dominick RaubaClarissa ShawSamantha Velez

Keith BrauerJenny BraunTori BurrisRyan ConsidineKevin Dinh

Nate HanleyJake Johnson Joanna Keen

Charlie MorrisseyDennis PotamianosDavid TomacekEmily Waas

University of IllinoisUrbana/Champaign Cont.

Mikyel GordonJorie LimaEva Perez

Doug RobertsonKyle Scherek

Out of State Students

Located on Next Two Pages

College of DuPageLouisa ParzykCJ Patchett Andrew ScafidiGeorge SmithMichelle WilferdCasey Willoughby

Brigitte CollazoRicky DahmsJoan DodaroMarty GrossSamantha LarsonBill Nebren

Triton CollegeAngelica BeresheimKristen BerscheidAlyssa BlandoRobert BocchiereSean BrennanKayla CannizzoNicanor De La TorreBrendan DeweeseAllison HanniganAlex GolubokLuis GonzalezRafael GonzalezTony GonzalezYasmin GonzalezLindsay GriebleEleanor HunterAdam KubeczkoJoanna KummerBrandon MitchellFabian RamirezZack SawyerSara SignoreJames SmithFabian RamirezBryan ValenciaKelsie ZdarskyHrvoje Zolo

Morton CollegeSam Hansen

Cosmetology School: Angelica Garcia

Ice Hockey: Jon Stevanovich-Rochester Ice Hawks (Minnesota), Eric Zeitlin-Dells Ducks (Wisconsin)

Marine Corp: Howard Brundage, Jonathon Schereck, Joe Witkowski

Military:Brianna Adkins, Andrew Ropo

Navy: Nathan Berg, Justin Lynch, Durk McDonald

U.S. Army Ranger/Special Forces: Michael Cardenas

Boise State:Steve McCroary

University of Utah:

Claire Schraidt

Tulane University:

Brenna Mossman, Kate Walsh

Colorado School of Mines:

Bradley Wilson

Colorado State University:Emily Cain, Stephanie Sarussi

Hawaii Pacific University:

Alex Gonzalez

Mesa Community College:

Jason Biegel, David Tortorici

University of Minnesota:Ben Bergstrom

Carleton College:Nick Rohm

Carroll University:Kelsey Egger, Chris James

Lakeland College:Eduardo Orihuela

Marquette University:T.J. Bongiorno, Ali Connelly, Cesar Duarte,

Max Recht, Anna Reyes

University of Wisconsin - Madison:Erik Kramer, Katherine Scheffer

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee:Joe Correa

University of Wisconsin - Platteville:Mike Buckley

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater:Cassie Cook, Zack Sollinger

Wisconsin Lutheran College:Andrew Brondos

University of Iowa:

Jimmy Capone, Bianca Favela, Louise Gangware, Jacob Kintner, Mike Lebeau, Ben

Mitchell, Tyler Radek, Lauren Shake

Iowa State:Matt Riedl, Tyler Siebert

University of Missouri:Jason Flam, Drew Kohler, Brendan McGuire,

Kayla Muldoon, Nick Patitucci

St. Louis University:Chris Buh, Mack Fieseler, Liz Kartje, Haley McCarthy,

Rachel Powell, Brian Robertson, Louis Robling

Washington University:Elliot Louthen

St. Mary’s College:

J.T. Evans

University of Florida:

Thomas Linehan

Miami University: Carly Anderson

University of Tampa:

Eleanore Waszak

Boston College:

Robin Jensen

Vassar College:Taylor Dalton

Culinary Institute of Ameica:

Lisa Stephan

University of Pittsburgh:Jacki Grisafe, Gabby Ulloa

Central State University:

Brittany Caldwell

Miami University:Emily Arp

University of Dayton:Anne Sventy

Bethel College:Ellie Hutcheson

Earlham College:Caitlin Clark

Indiana State University:Brianna Griggs

Indiana University:Maeve Cloherty, Anthony Scianna,

Kelley Tokarski

IUPUI:Kyle Miller

Tennessee State University:

Paris Lewis

Centre College:

Molly Ely

University of Kentucky:Ben Cox, Sam Cox

Culinary Institute of Michigan:

Rebecca Deeds

Ferris State University:Thomas Holocek

Grand Valley State University:Kati Payne, Staci Sherman

Hillsdale College:Trent Baer

Hope College:Natasha Alvarez, Joey Zyck

Laurence Technological University:Austin McKain

Michigan State University:Jackie LaManna

Western Michigan University:Amanda Biro, Geordie Ebright, Julie

Minella, Lana Simigliano

Purdue University:

Ellie Hutcheson

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology:

Kathleen Boyce

Southern Indiana University:Christien West

St. Joseph’s College:David Skowronski, Watoris

Slater

Valparaiso University:Kris Strnad

International:

Luke Soldano - McGillMontreal, Quebec

SEE PAGE

3

SENIOR GOODBYERiverside Brookfield High School

May 27, 2010•Volume 80 Issue 6

6

Four years ago I came to RB as an innocent freshman. Since then I, as well as the school, changed. The room where I took freshman Biol-ogy no longer exists, and I no longer take science classes. I no longer totally hate English; thank you, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Harsy. Mr. Gouwens, Mr. Fields, and Mr. Beasley only strengthened my enjoyment of the social sciences. I grew a few inches, had a relationship here and there (including the one I’m in now with my beautiful girl friend Nicole Turczak), and found out that kids from Brookfield are actually friendly.

High school, like it does for everyone, had its ups and

downs. I never got to witness a legitimate fight, but at the same time I will never forget the feeling I had when I qualified for state and broke the school record. My experience was not perfect. I didn’t get straight A’s, and I was never considered a really popular kid, but at the end of the day, those things didn’t matter to me. In high school I wanted to do decently well in class, make state in swimming, and meet new people. I’m happy to say that I was able to accomplish these goals and so much more. To say that I was able to accomplish everything on my own would be unfair. The fact is that there were dozens of people from the administra-tion to the teaching staff to

my guidance counselor who helped me succeed. Without their help and support I would not be in the position that I am now. I would like to say thank you to all of those who helped make high school a better experience. I would like to give a special thanks to my parents. Thank you so much for dealing with relaxed attitude for four years, and helping me become the person that I am today. I could not have done it without you. Thank you. Throughout my four years at RB, I was able to strengthen my friendship with those that I already knew, while at the same time meet new friends. Thanks for stick-ing with me for all these years. It’s been a fun time, and I’ll see

you guys in the summer: Chris Buh, Elliot Louthen, Trent Baer, Bradley Wilson, Luke Jebb, Christien West, and last but not least Andrew Brondos. Lastly I would like to give my parting advice to those that will still call RB home for the next few years. What I realize now looking back on high school, is that I spent too much time looking to get out of high school, rather than finding ways to enjoy it. Now that I’m leaving for college, I’m begin-ning to realize just how much this place meant to me. At the end of the day, you should be looking for reasons to enjoy high school because it’s the end of your child hood, and once it’s over you will never be able to get it back.

Fitz RoblingStaff rEportEr

Trent BaerStaff rEportEr

I guess it’s time to write this Senior Goodbye. To be completely honest, I never really saw myself as one to be sad to leave highs chool. I sort of figured I would have “senioritis” by mid-February, but I have come to find this last May of high school to be bitter-sweet. Call me a dork, but I actually felt a bit of sadness as I put the last period in the free response section on my last AP test. But all chapters need to end, and a new one needs to begin. College has always loomed in the distance dur-ing my high school career, influencing a lot of my deci-sions over these last four years. “Does that look good on a college app?” was a question I frequently asked my mom. A lot of things

that I grew to love started as things I forced myself to do. I honestly didn’t think I would end up loving Model UN or actually wanting to become the Club Presi-dent. I didn’t really think Choir would be my thing either, but after two years of Madrigals and an amazing All-State experience, I can (almost) say without shud-dering, “I am a choir kid.” It seems odd to say, but most of my favorite memo-ries of high school are from clubs and classes that I took to “look good on a college app.” Mr. Beasley, Ms. Carlson (yeah, I know she got married, but she is still Carlson to me), you are still the best teachers I have ever had. I have never understood a subject as well as I understood Micro/Macro. The two of you are the reason I am going into economics. I hope I make

you proud. Bono, although I never had you as a teacher, you are a great coach. You lead by example and demand the best out of every players on your team, starter or not. Those are two things that I have found to be very rare in coaches. Gorny, you’re the best. As a coach, mentor, leader, and friend, you have been incredible. Thank you. Ms. Czajka, thank you for looking out for me. You put in a lot of extra time and effort into me, so I will try my best to make sure it wasn’t a waste. Mrs. Marelli, there’s a reason we all call you Mom. You were patient with me when I was ar-rogant, instructive to me when I was wrong, and a friend to me on my good days. You are the reason I still sing. Bradley Wilson,

Chris Buh, Eliot Louthen, Luke Jebb, Fitz Robling, you have kept me on track. You took me back when I disappeared into the LT crowd and accepted my many flaws and pushed me to apply to a school I never would have on my own. The very best moments of my life have taken place in front of you. Here’s to our twelve years of friendship and decades more. P-p-pound it. Mom, you have always been there for me. You gave me the founda-tion of education I have been building on to this day. Without you I would have been lost in a sea of college applications and unsolved math equations. You in-stilled in me a fear of God and a desire to better myself for Him. I love you, Mom. So long, RB. You’ve been great to me.

SENIOR GOODBYERiverside Brookfield High School

May 27, 2010•Volume 80 Issue 6

7

Shawnn Hwang

Now that I’m familiar with all my fellow seniors (I think), I can tell you my childhood as a young Asian. It will also tell you how Riverside-Brookfield has transformed my evil ways… Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I was ambitious. I attended a pri-vate school in Chinatown and my parents worked countless hours to pay the tuition for 5 years (Preschool –3rd grade). At a young age, I developed a sophisticated hierarchy of friends. Also, these were tight friends, friends that could be trusted (Since the private school was 99% Asian). Every one respected me as the T0P DAWG of the hierarchy. This title acquired from play tug of war. My future two

henchmen were losing to six girls who were tugging viciously. I came in and gave an effortless tug resulting in our victory. Ever since that day I was known as the T0P DAWG and the strongest kid in pre-school. (Probably from curling one gallon milk cartons daily) Every afternoon during art time, our class artist would draw & cut out replicates of jewelry for me to wear- which fortified my T0P DAWG looks (Learned from watching mafia movies with my grandfather). At recess, I would order my disciples to collect all the newest and best toy bricks for me. I also asserted my place by blowing out others’ birthday candles or stuffing their jackets with cupcake filling. October 5, 1998, a new student appeared in our

Staff rEportEr

Hrvoje ZoloStaff rEportEr

Coming in to high school I kept hear-ing, “These four years are going to fly by.” Everyone who said that was right, I can’t believe I’m just weeks away from graduating high school. ’m happy for that fact, but I don’t want to grow up yet. If I had a chance to go back to fresh-man year and go another four years again, I would do it. I love living care free and that’s what it was like freshman year. The things I looked forward to most every year was soccer and volleyball. My junior year we won regionals for soc-

Jon Stevonvich

Before I start going into my thoughts and rants, I’d like to thank those who all are readers of the Clarion through this year, and if this is your first time reading, here is my wel-come and good-bye. This school has been a great place to be part of; I will never forget the football games, pizza parties, and everything else that has happened. It was a lot of fun and everyday was a new experience. I have a few thought for those underclassmen should consider enhancing their high school. Join a sport or a club. Everyone always says to be involved and be a part of something, and you should do it. I have met a lot of people and friends through being part of the sports teams here at RB. Plus it keeps you fit and active

class. He was the only white kid in the school and tough looking. Everyone stared with awe and curiosity, for his face formation was alien to us, but that didn’t stop me from running the usual biz. One day, during recess, he took my bricks (one of my henchmen was ill). I told him to fork over the brick, but he refused. I reminded myself that this was my turf and NO minority was going to take it from me. The next thing I knew, blood streamed down my face (from him chucking the brick at my head). I tried to hold in my tears but it was inevitable. From that tear drop on, I knew that I had lost my power and position as T0p dawg. Moving after 3rd grade, I attended 4th -8th in an all white school. Fearful of the memories from 3rd grade,

I was really shy and nervous. However after the four years of high school, I evolved and emerged from my cocoon. Ultimately RB taught me that diversity is an important factor in society. RB also taught me to accept who I am with the assistance of the community. I realized that you don’t need to as-sert yourself to a position in society. But all one needs is support and love! I’m really appreciative for everyone’s support for these four years; staff, students and friends. The school has transformed me from by evil ways to an angelic, youthful, and re-spectable teen and I thank RB for that.

Editor’s note:This goodbye has been amended for space. Please read the entire goodbye at rbclarion.com.

cer and now as a senior my volleyball team was seeded first for regionals and sectionals. This oppor-tunity is rare, so the team is trying hard to win RBHS some titles. My four years were amazing to say the least. Everything was great; I met new friends, the teachers were awe-some and I always had fun. I’m going to miss high school, but I get to move on to new things, so I guess it evens out. But I still would, if I could, go back to freshman year and have another four years of high school. Good luck class of 2011!

Staff rEportEr

Bryan J. DoyleStaff rEportEr

To all my friends, teachers, and fans, this is my farewell to you. It has been real. Throughout high school, I learned a lot about myself, thanks to everyone here. It was quite the run here and I would have had it anyway else. I’d especially like to thank the teachers and administration for putting up with my shenanigans for four years. Thanks. If there was one person to thank for the posi-tive memories, it would be me. Thanks, Bryan J, you’re the best. Seriously, Riverside-Brookfield High School, keep it classy. Swag.

MULTIMEDIARiverside Brookfield High School

May 27, 2010•Volume 80 Issue 6

8

Nobody thought the Bulls would make it this farCHARLIE MORRISEYSportS ManagEr

Look back at the Bulls’ surprising playoff run in an online, interactive collage. Review the Pacers and Hawks’ series and preview the Heat.

The official Clarion guide to LollapaloozaKELLY KRAMERStaff rEportEr

Getting ready to see the biggest concert of the Summer? Look no further than our exclusive concert guide, including lineups, reviews, links, images, videos, and more.

More Multimedia Highlights

Online college mapElectioneering lawsuit wordleReferendum Timeline

2010-2011 Retirees’ spotlightInteractive summer activity mapSEE Team retrospective

Clarion is moving forward into the digital age at rbclarion.com. Come take a look at all of our new INTERACTIVE multimedia features. There’s something here for everyone.