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The Feb. 16, 2010 Issue of Spokesman
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February 26, 2010Volume 46 Issue 6
I NS
IDE
New Orchestra Director p 10 Burke competes at State p 11
TPSC raises money for Post- Promp 2
Latino Club presents Sueños Latinosp 8
Thirteen students to visit six Italian cities in March
John Remaly, senior, takes a break from his singing during the Italian dinner and snacks on some of the Italian cuisine. Remaly and Daniela Trejo, senior, sang multiple songs the entire night for the benefit dinner while the members of Italian Club helped serve food that local restaurants donated. “I’m so proud of this group of students. They have done a great job fund raising and I believe we will have a great time,” Angela Hawkins, Italian Club sponsor, said. The dinner raised over $1000 for the club’s trip to Italy on March 18.
After months of planning and fund raisers, 13 students will leave on March 18 to explore six different cities in Italy.
Students paid $3200 to visit Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Capri and Pompeii and pay for their tour guide. While there, the Italian club plans to visit different sites such as the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel as well as to take a gondola ride. “I love to see the students’ expressions when they see the Vatican or the Sistine Chapel. It’s very beautiful, and I just love hearing their comments and looking at their expressions,” Angela Hawkins, Italian Club sponsor, said.
According to Ms. Hawkins students must pay attention to all of the “artistic and time period references” during the trip because when they return, those students will present what they learned to the rest of their class.
On the trip, Ms. Hawkins requires all of the students to speak Italian as well. “It’s going to be difficult, but I have a pocket dictionary,” Trisha Wickland, junior, said.
Of the six cities, Wickland looks forward to visiting Rome and Venice.
“I look forward to experiencing the Italian culture and being able to eat real Italian food,” Kylie Fischer, junior, said.
There is also some anxiety over the trip.“I am occasionally petrified to sit next to
strangers, and I can't normally sleep while in motion, so I am really hoping that I will be
too exhausted to stay awake during the 14 hour flight. Otherwise, it will be quite a long plane ride,” Brenna Merill, junior, said. “I am most definitely worried, but I feel if I wasn't, something would have to be wrong. I am more than an ocean away from home, so it's expected I figure.”
In order to have daily spending cash, students sold candy, leftover desserts at lunch and Lia Sophia jewelry.
On Feb. 12, the club hosted an Italian Dinner in the school’s cafeteria.
Students consume high sugar drinks, impact healthy lifestyle
On the Webwww.wheelingspokesman.com
Importance of SleepThe effects of not getting enough sleep
Texting Tip LineAdministrators create new addition to tip hotline
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Katie Anderson, senior, sits in the cafeteria with her friends Anna MacQueen and Erin Schanaberger, seniors, as she eats her Panda Express rice bowl. In front of her, an Ohana Lemon Iced Tea sits.
“(I usually buy) Ohana because I like it. They’re not that expensive for how big they are,” Anderson said.
An eight ounce serving of Ohana contains 90 calories and 24 grams of sugar. However, the bottles sold at school contain 24 ounces. An eight ounce serving of Coca-Cola Classic contains 97 calories and 27 grams of sugar. According to Anderson, she doesn’t mind how much sugar Ohana contains, and she usually doesn’t pay attention to the serving size.
“Sometimes I’ll save it (the Ohana drink) for later (in the day), but usually I’ll drink it all,” Anderson said.
Ohana, not a soda product of Coca-Cola, Pepsi or Cadbury Schweppes, survived
the cut when WHS removed all regular sodas at the start of the 2007-2008 school year.
According to Maureen Mullane, Food Services Manager, ex-President Bill Clinton’s foundation (whose partnership with the American Heart Association create the Alliance for a Healthier G e n e r a t i o n ) had a role in the removal of the sodas. The Alliance for a Healtheir G e n e r a t i o n promotes a healtheir lifestyle for students by providing schools with healthier choices.
WHS had two to three years to remove the full calorie sodas, but they decided to cut the sodas right away.
Despite WHS not having any full calorie sodas in the school, in a recent survey, 34 out of 100 students said that they drink soda daily.
One of the most significant causes of increased cavities and
obesity of today’s teenagers relates to the high amount of carbonated beverages consumed on a regular basis, according to the Academy of General Dentistry’s website, <www.agd.org>. They also found that phosphoric acid in most regular and diet sodas limits calcium absorption
and has direct impact on bone density.
“Wheeling has a large variety (of beverages and food), and at this age, students start to make these decisions (of what’s healthy
to eat),” Ms. Mullane said. Students like Karen
Ocampo, senior, agree with Ms. Mullane. Ocampo stopped drinking soda about three years ago.
“My mom told me how bad pop was , and I also learned in school. I wanted to be healthier, and it was easier than I thought to let it go,” Ocampo said.
“I feel each student is...educated to make smart (healthy eating) choices.”
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Oscar NajeraEditor-in-Chief
Brianna BitoutAsst. Web Editor
Healthy options at WHS
Infographic by Jocelyn Torres
* Bottled water*Propel*Sobe Life Water*G2*100 percent orange, apple juice*Milk
Information from Maureen Mullane,food services manager
News2 Febuary 26, 2010
Seniors join honors society Nineteen WHS students
were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) on Feb. 16 at Forest View Educational Center in recognition of accomplishments in technical career education.
NTHS is a society in which students obtain nomination and recommendation by their respective teachers for demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in their departments as well as exceptional character and good citizenship.
Nineteen seniors were honored in various departments such as Life Studies, Business and Technology. Once NTHS inducts students, they become lifetime members.
“Having the parents, students, teachers all able to share in their child’s accomplishments is extremely rewarding and reenforces why you entered the profession,” Kevin Muck, career technical division education head, said.
Students received a letter through the mail asking whether they would like to form part of NTHS. According to Enrique Garcia, senior, each nominee had the opportunity to decline, but the membership includes many benefits.
Benefits the society offers include different scholarships for attending college. They also receive personal letters of recommendation for employment and college admission. Only a maximum of 20 students per school in District 214 have the privilege to receive membership.
Trisha Anderson,
entrepreneurship teacher, nominated Garcia in the field of business after he made profit from an entrepreneurship project where he sold soccer T-shirts .
NTHS promotes and lifts up outstanding career and technical students according to the society itself.
Matthew Levine, senior, never heard about it before getting nominated. Levine earned the induction in the Technology department for his chair assignment in woods. According to Levine, another benefit of NTHS is that it “looks real good on a college application.”
“I’m going into engineering and just to see that you’re part of the Technical Honor Society, it’s like, ‘this kid knows something, he knows how to work with his hands,’”Levine said.
Bill Dussling, Board of Education president, speaks during the National Techinical Honor Society induction ceremony on Feb. 16 at Forest View Educational Center. A maximum of 20 students from each school in the district are given the opportunity to join the society.
Classes accomodate large number of students
As the third term began, several teachers such as Bob Kupon, history teacher, agreed to increase their class sizes in order to accommodate the large number of students needing to take certain classes.
Instead of capping his Block A U.S. History class at 25 students, Mr. Kupon allowed 27 to enroll in the course. Only having 25 desks in the classroom, Mr. Kupon adopted the “first come, first serve” strategy. The first 25 students
to arrive to class receive a desk, the last two students to arrive have to sit at one of the five additional chairs in the back of the classroom.
“It is a good learning lesson to encourage students to come to class on time. If you don’t have enough desks, students want to come to class earlier so that if we take notes that day it is easier for them to take notes on a desk than in a chair with a writing board on their laps,” Mr. Kupon said.
Junior Class Board raises money to support prom
Vidal Flores, freshman, and Lupe Flores, junior, discuss what to write in a Valentine’s Day card. V. Flores bought a red card and flower during sixth period lunch on Feb 11.
TPSC struggles financially
After last year’s post-prom, the Teacher Parent Student Council struggles financially to try to raise money to pay for this year’s post-prom.
The TPSC sponsors post-prom every year, and they fund the cost for students. About 350 students attended post-prom last year.
Post-prom takes place on a Lake Michigan Kanan cruise boat out of Navy Pier.
The charter bus transportation, the two hour cruise and hoodies cost $83 dollars per student, but the TPSC only charged $20 last year.
“We want to be able to provide a safe and fun and exciting event after prom,” Ms. McClellan said.
According to Lazaro Lopez, principal, the TPSC expected only 150 students to attend. Because of the extra students that attended, the TPSC had to pay more for the event and are now low on funds.
“We plan to get more parents involved and get greater exposure to the communities Wheeling High School serves,” Ed Zaretsky, secretary of TPSC, said.
Rosalie ChanStaff Reporter
Luke SokolowskiNews Editor
Karen RodriguezStaff Reporter
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The Junior Class Board held a Valentine’s day fundraiser to raise money.
The Junior Class Board sold Valentine’s Day cards and flowers together for $2. From Feb. 8 to Feb. 11 they tried to raise money for prom. The money raised contributes to decorations, the DJ and photo booth at Prom.
The Junior Class Board chose random Valentine cards and placed lucky
pennies in them. Anyone who received a Valentine with the lucky penny went to the office of Janet Mercer, junior class co-sponsor, and redeemed it for a prize. Prizes ranged from gift certificates to candy bars.
Sixteen students received a penny with their card.
Adry Sotelo, junior, thought of this idea as a way to drive up the sales.
“I saw a commercial on the announcements so I knew what the penny meant when I got it, but I was still really surprised that
I was one to receive it. I got homemade cookies as my prize. Random people came up to me thinking it was my birthday when really I was just a winner of the lucky pennies. It was funny,” Nick Westin, freshman, said.
Cards and flowers were delivered to classrooms on Feb 12.
Various students such as Luke Sokolowski, Matt Stoklosa, juniors, and Sotelo dressed up as cupid and went around the school to pass out Valentines. The junior class board sold $297 worth of cards and flowers.
Megan JonesStaff Reporter
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2009-2010 Spokesman StaffEditors-in-ChiefDan MalsomOscar Najera
Web EditorKatie Kalmes
Asst. Web EditorBrianna Bitout
News EditorLuke Sokolowski
Asst. News EditorKrista Sanford
Forum EditorJon Tracey
Feature EditorStevi Anderson
Asst. Feature EditorMallorie Bromer
Focus EditorDaniel Brount
La Voz EditorGaby Najera
A&E/Photo EditorsJennie AlcantarBety Camino
Sports EditorRyan Griesmeyer
Graphics ReporterJocelyn Torres
Staff ReportersRosalie ChanMegan JonesJami KahnJes MartinezJess MustoKaren RodriguezChris Schwarz
Staff ArtistDavid Kajmowicz
AdviserKaren Barrett, MJE
3Forum February 26, 2010
This is the official student newspaper of Wheeling High School, 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling, Ill. 60090. Written, edited and distributed 9 times a year by advanced journalism classes, independent studies and other interested and qualified students. Produced by using desktop publishing and is printed by Son’s Enterprises, Inc., Skokie Ill. Mailed subscription $15 per year.
Advertising- For information call (847) 718-7114 Monday-Friday 7:25 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
Letters- Spokesman is a limited public forum and welcomes a free exchange of ideas from all readers. Readers are encouraged to contribute letters to the staff in room 137 or mail them in care of WHS. All letters must be signed. Letters may be edited for length, style, possible libel, clarity, and adherence to our publication policies. Spokesman’s mission is to report the news objectively and truthfully. We will not print any errors knowingly. Editors will print corrections of printed errors here in the issue following our gaining knowledge of the error.
Corrections- Kirstin Snelten’s name was misspelled on page 3.
Carolina Carrillo’s name was misspelled on page 9.
Editorial
Dave’s Doodles
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Home remedies provide quick fix to stop cold symptoms
Every year, I wind up getting sick to the
point where I have no choice but to heavily drug myself with Tylenol to make the cold go away or at least get rid of my symptoms.
I always thought mothers used remedies on children because they did not believe in normal medication. So, I set out to see if something like this would actually work. I asked Sam Mozdzynski, freshman, a friend of mine whose mother seemed to be a guru at home remedies, to help me cure Brianna Bitout, junior, or at least stop her symptoms.
The first remedy was one of Mozdzynski’s. Mozdzynski prepared the drink by mixing warm milk with honey and garlic.
It looked like milk with the exception of the floating garlic slices, but it smelled like an Italian kitchen. It took me a second to gain the courage to drink some. The taste was revolting, as if there was more honey than milk. After that taste left my mouth I could feel the force of the garlic cloves invading every taste bud.
To get rid of the taste from the garlic drink we agreed a cup of tea was needed. It had the same effect as the milk drink but didn’t give me the urge to puke.
Up next was a shot of pure lemon juice,
not lemonade, lemon juice. This remedy was another one of Mozdzynski’s mom’s. It tasted like lemonade, but just the little sour part amplified 100 times. It was not pleasant.
We moved on to stuffy noses, we started with a nasal drop. It was 1/4 of a teaspoon of salt for every five millimeters of lukewarm water. This was to be applied by adding two drops of this to each nostril.
Bitout offered to go first. We applied the drops one at a time into her nostril. The reaction of the drops hurt so much that she began to cry.
I was up next. I tilted my head back, waiting to feel the warm water trickle into my nose. When Mozdzynski finally dropped a trickle down my nose, it took a minute for the salt to start painfully attacking the inside of my nostril.
Out of all the remedies we tried that day, this worked the best. It cleared our noses in a matter of seconds. For it to work fully, one would have to withstand some pain and a little salty aftertaste in his mouth.
The last thing on the list was another nose-clearing remedy. It consisted of pouring warm water into one nostril and coming out the other. I had high hopes for this one mostly because I got it from Oprah. Out of all the remedies, this one was by far the least painful, but it didn’t work as well as I hoped. It only made me feel as if I were drowning.
After an entire afternoon of trying different home remedies, I came to the conclusion that not all remedies work, only a select few ended up with a good out come. It was not a waste of time though if you are looking for a quick fix to last for a special occasion this would actually work.
The WHS Teacher Parent Student Council (TPSC) chose a new venue, the late-night Kanan cruise on Lake Michigan, for last year’s post-prom and students responded with resounding approval.
Now, in the wake of the event that took in 150 students more than originally planned, the TPSC has run low on funding. According to Val Meier, TPSC treasurer, this year’s cost for post-prom will increase.
Spokesman believes that every student should have the ability to afford post-prom for any given year. Therefore, for the cost of post-prom to remain low, both the TPSC and WHS families must help fund-raise.
According to Ed Zaretsky, TPSC secretary, parent involvement in the organization has dwindled. In order to raise enough money to keep post-prom costs low, Mr. Zaretsky said, the TPSC will need to adopt an aggressive fund-raising plan. Increased parent involvement would make that daunting task more manageable for the TPSC.
Students also must support the cause that will benefit them. TPSC volunteers sell cookies after school in the main hallway weekly. The organization also arranged dine-in fundraisers at Wa-Pa-Ghetti’s Pizza over Halloween weekend and - the Continental Restaurant over holiday break. While parents and community families might have gotten word of these fund-raisers, WHS made no mention of them to its students.
If students knew of these fundraisers, they would be the first to attend. Spokesman wonders why the TPSC has not yet made an appeal to WHS students for help in fund-raising efforts. Of all the people that could help raise money, the students of WHS have the most to gain or lose from the TPSC’s fund-raising efforts.
Students must acquire political knowledge
In my time at WHS, I have noticed that few people know even the basics about American government or even the Illinois state government. I conducted a politics survey and encountered some unfortunate results - more than half of those surveyed could not accurately name the vice president, both Illinois state senators, the three most recent presidents or the two main parties.
More importantly, the fact that very few people took the surveys seriously completely shocked me. Several students answered things like “Sarah Palin” or “Stalin” for the question “who is the vice-president,”. Everyone, students included, need to take politics seriously because the government influences our every day lives in countless ways.
For example, the government determines the taxes that our parents pay, and that we will one
day pay. The government partially determines how much funding WHS gets, the government sets up laws that shape our lives, the government decides when we go to war and the government makes decisions about healthcare, abortion and countless other issues that Americans face every day. No matter how boring WHS students may find politics, the government will continue to influence their lives.
The beauty of democracy lays in the fact that the people take charge of the government. Every one of us will have the ability to vote one day, and all of us have the ability right now to write to our senators or representatives expressing our concerns with our nation. Americans cannot ignore this cornerstone of American democracy.
Many people would push this fact off and say that politics don’t matter or that learning about the government bores them. The fact remains that politics influence our lives every single day.
I hear people complain about our country nearly every day – taxes are too high, the government doesn’t do anything to help anyone,
this new healthcare system won’t work. If America is ever going to change, the people need to make it happen.
Americans cannot sit and complain. Everyone must get involved and learn about politics, learn about who our senators are and learn who locally represents us. That way when the next election rolls around, people can make educated decisions and actually make a change.
This government of the people, by the people and for the people only exists because of the people. But if the people take no interest in the government, if the people do nothing to create change, if the people do nothing to improve America, nothing will change and nothing will get better for any of us. I challenge each WHS students to try to learn more about our government. It doesn’t take that much effort to log on to www.cnn.com and read the news for five minutes, nor does it take much effort to ask one of your history teachers about how the government works. Get involved; only when the people are involved in government will America truly be the democracy that our founding fathers envisioned.
TPSC needs help from students and parents
Jess MustoStaff Reporter
Chris SchwarzStaff Reporter
Dave’s Doodles
Infographic by Jocelyn Torres
Feature4 February 26, 2010
CSC prepares for first IDTA state competition
The Crucial Step Clique step team will compete at the IDTA (Illinois Drill Team Association) State Step Competition on Saturday, March 13. CSC has never competed in a state competition before, and they have been preparing with extra practice and new routines, according to Maritza Garcia, junior. “We’ve really been upping the hours and intensity of our practices. This is something we really want,” Garcia said.
Kim E-White, senior, is currently in her first year with CSC. “I never really got to be a part of groups or activities at school since I moved a lot, and since this is one thing I love and the one thing I wanted to learn, I joined,” E-White said. According to E-White, CSC’s strengths this year include being able to learn their routines, remember them easily, working together as a group, precision and creativity. Their weaknesses include staying in character. “I’ve got to make sure I don’t look mean while I’m stepping,” E-White said.
CSC has also used the feedback from their show in January to make improvements.
“We have a great group dynamic. They’re energetic and commited to the steps. I’m excited to put a more polished routine on the floor and get that first place trophy,” Ms. Ellis-Abdullah, CSC coach, said.
According to E-White, the team has gained endurance this year, because they’ve been able to have the power to keep going. “We won Regionals, no one else (did), and we get to show people who we are and why we won. Plus, we get a road trip,” E-White said.
Maritza Arteaga, junior, Rachel Fabian and Rosemary Hanna, seniors, perform their routine during the Ebony Club show “Dance, Dance, Evolution” on Sat., Feb. 13. This is the group’s second time performing in a show this year. Along with CSC performances featuring the current Ebony Club ensemble, former members, dating back to 2005 steppers, were asked to come back and perform to show the “History of CSC.” The show included other performances by the Dance 3 class, Jose Felix, Janelle Samuels, Kimina E-White, seniors, and Kevina Ward, sophomore, Hip Hop Connixion, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Havoc Footwork Crew and Footworkingz also came to perform, and the show closed with a dance off.
Jami KahnStaff Reporter
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Valentine’s Day: How did you spread the love?
Step team implements vigorous practices, feedback from previous performances to ‘polish’ routine
Information by Stevi Anderson and Mallorie BromerInfographic by Jocelyn Torres
*50 people surveyed
--18 of 50 students polled said that they celebrate Valentine’s Day with a boyfriend or girlfriend. However, only nine said that they had a tradition to celebrate the holiday.--19 of 50 people said that they celebrate Valentine’s Day with their friends if they are single.--19 of 50 people said that they give Valentine’s Day flowers, candy, or cards to friends and family. Thirty-five said that they receive such things from family or friends.
Romantic/Sweet Don’t Care Cheesy Fake Hallmark Holiday
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What do you think of Valentine’s Day?
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5Feature February 26, 2010
Library provides more than computers, quiet study area
Walking into the library, a display of popular new books sits at the entrance, available for check out.
However, some students usually don’t check out books, instead, they go to the library for the computers and for the quiet study environment.
“I mostly come here to do homework, every day,” Julissa Carrasco, junior, said.
The library has four labs; only two, however, are available for individual student use: the Blue Lab and the lab in the Learning Center.
Students may also go to The Learning Center, or TLC, during their free periods to receive extra help on any subject.
The Gold lab and the Production Lab are not available for individual student use. In the production Lab, students can watch DVDs, edit movies and create voice overs.
“Most kids like the Production Lab better,” Terry Mensching, librarian, said.
Inside the library is also a small room, the Quiet Study room, which contains fiction books. There are also tables for the students to come in and study quietly.
“(I come to the library) to get out of class and to hang out sometimes,” Sergio Gomez, freshman, said. Magazines, DVDs, yearbooks from 1987 until current, and Spokesman issues from 1987 until current are available.
The library also has board games that students can use. The library got the board games just before winter break and according to Dr. Carrie Jackson, head librarian, the games have not been advertised much, so not a lot of
people know about them. The games available include Uno,
Mastermind, Chess/Checkers/Backgammon, Yahtzee, Mancala, Skip Bo, Boggle, Dominos and Rummikub. The games are located behind the check out desk. An ID is required to use the games, which are only allowed to be played in the library.
Students can also check out laptops, flash drives and cameras. All of these items can be taken home.
“It's surprising how much they're (resources) checked out. Students check them out more at the end of the term and less at the beginning (of the term),” Dr. Jackson said.
The library offers most resources needed in school, and students always have the chance to use them. Little Wildcats Day Care also has their own library within the library.
“The kids love it. They know it's their special carpet time, and it makes them feel special,” Bonnie Panicko, preschool assistant, said.
The pre-schoolers go to the library every Tuesday, where Dr. Jackson reads to them.
“(I like to go to the library) because I get lots of books,” Nora Dolson, preschooler, said.
The library is open from Monday to Thursday, from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. ;on Fridays, the Library is open from 7 a.m. untill 2:50 p.m.
Students may use the Tutoring Center every day during all periods, as well as on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school until 4 p.m.
Games, books, and other resources are available for check out during all library hours.
Jes MartinezStaff ReporterMost popular, useful
library resources**66 percent of surveyed students use available rescources, shown on the right
*100 students surveyed
35
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Ochoa volunteers in school , community
As the senior citizens at Addolorata Villa, a retirement home on McHenry Road, sit in the dining hall; Kevin Ochoa, senior, writes down what they want for dinner.
Due to Ochoa’s community service and participation in clubs such as DECA where he serves as co-president, John Kritek, business teacher and DECA sponsor, nominated Ochoa to be part of Daily Herald’s Northwest Suburban Leadership Team.
“He is very dedicated to DECA, and I know that he does other community service such as he works at a senior citizen home,” Mr. Kritek said.
Teachers also nominated 10 more students from different schools for the team.
“I know them (Addolorata Villa residents) really well since I see them when I’m at work. Plus their families come to eat some of the
time so I feel like I’m part of their family,” Ochoa said.
This led to further commitment at the retirement home.
“After working there, I figured out they play bingo, and I figured playing bingo with them would be a good way to help out and give the residents a good time,” Ochoa said.
Ochoa also participates in the Senior Olympics at the Senior Center, which occurs once a year and has high school seniors and senior citizens compete in games like Connect Four and Baggos.
“You get to see the senior citizens’ competitive side come out and they have a really fun time with the young kids coming to compete with them,” Ochoa said.
Daniel BrountFocus Editor
Information by Jes MartinezInfographic by Stevi Anderson
Kevin Ochoa, senior, takes the order of a resident at Addolorata Villa retirement home. Ochoa has been working at Addolorata Villa since he first applied with his brother in August 2008. “(I love) feeling like I’m making a difference in the community,” Ochoa said.
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Other library resources: games, magazines, DVDs, laptops, flash drives and cameras
“No one ever (checks out books). I usu-ally come in here to tutor because I am a tutor.”Ju
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6 February 26, 2010 FocusBumagat immigrates from Phillipines
Wanilyn Bumagat, freshman, sits in her written and oral communication class while reading the play, “Twelve Angry Men.” Her eyes scan across the page as students read their parts. The word “abstain” comes onto the page, as her forehead wrinkles and her eyes squint.
On Sept. 3, 2006 Bumagat had to leave her friends behind as she embarked on a journey to America when she moved from the San Pablo Laguna City, Philippines. Bumagat’s family left to join her aunts and uncles who had already made the trip to America.
When they arrived in America, they settled down in Orland Park, Ill. Bumagat attended Jerling Junior High School.
“I was excited when I stepped off the airplane and saw my uncle standing there and American people. But a couple of weeks later I got homesick and couldn’t stop crying. The worst was not understanding most of the language, the people talk so fast with high vocabulary,” Bumagat said.
Bumagat speaks Tagalog, an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 22 million people. Although her family can speak English, she speaks Tagalog as her dominant language with her family at home.
“The language is uncommon here in America, so my friends will look at me weird when I start speaking it in front of my parents,” Bumagat said.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, out of 11,547,505 in Illinois, only 387,847 people over the age of five speak English “not well.”
“I was terrified going to school, not being that good in English and having no friends made it hard and didn’t lead me up to success,” Bumagat said.
It is now Bumagat’s turn to read her part in the play. She keeps a consistent pace while reading, without mispronouncing any of the words. She looks up to her classmates when finished and smiles.
In sixth grade, Bumagat began English Second Language (E.S.L.) classes and made her first American friend, Angela Bithos, freshman
at Carl Sandburg High School, who helped her find her classes on the first day of school.
“Before I moved here I wondered what was the difference between American people and Filipino people, now I realize there is not much of a difference,” Bumagat said.
Bithos said she saw a huge improvement in Bumagat’s English during the year she knew her and was amazed at how well Bumagat adapted.
“I find it awesome that even though Wanilyn is a different ethnicity than I am, we still share similar interests and have things in common, like the Jonas Brothers,” Bithos said.
Bumagat had to say goodbye to more friends when her family moved from Orland Park, Ill. to Wheeling, Ill. in July 2009. They moved because her brother found a better job in Wheeling.
Compared to the schools Bumagat attended before the move, she said WHS is “much more diverse.”
“I absolutely think that having many kids with different cultures helps our school. Experiences that people have being either well traveled or born in different countries helps them become who they are. Your background is a part of history and it could be geographically to government or even to food. Wheeling is a great place for different cultures,” Eileen Hart, division head of the English Language Learners and Social Science departments at WHS, said.
Bumagat thinks she still has lots more to learn and would like to take another E.S.L. class at WHS. According to Bumagat, her counselor does not want her to take the class because English is high on her Explore test.
“I wish I took classes about Tagalog, but I keep up with it well because I talk to my relatives in that language,” Bumagat said.
Bumagat also said she tries her hardest to keep in touch with her friends from middle school.
“I still miss the old friends that I’ve made and I will never forget them. I like being at Wheeling though. I think it’s a good place for me. Someday I will go back to the Philippines and share the stories I have experienced in America with them,” Bumagat said.
Mendez stays fluent in two languages
At a young age, when Kelly Mendez, sophomore, moved back to the U.S., her parents decided to teach her English since it was the language of the country in which she would be living. Although her mother taught her basic English, she did not speak it fluently.
Once Mendez learned to speak English fluently, which was in fifth grade, her mother implied the rule of only speaking Spanish at home, in fear that her daughter would forget her Spanish.
“Since she was small, I told her about Mexican festivals, Mexico’s history and the heroes from Mexico so she would know about her culture and so she would be proud of being Mexican,” Elsa Mendez, mother of K. Mendez, said.
Mendez started her school career by enrolling in bilingual classes so she never practiced her English speaking skills fully.
“English was really easy for me to learn, so by the third month or so they started to switch me to regular English classes,” Mendez said.
When Mendez’s fluency in English began to expand, it became difficult for her speak Spanish at home.
“It was hard for me to talk in all Spanish because I would substitute some words in English,” Mendez said.
According to Mendez, the change in languages wasn’t as difficult as the change in cultures.
“A language is something you can easily learn but a culture, it’s like you have to have it in your blood. Putting the two together and knowing when to use them was the hard part,” Mendez said.
“(Once) I grew older and I got used to the pattern it’s like my brain automatically knows when to switch languages without thinking about it,” she added.
Mendez says she has now grown used to balancing the languages at the same time.
“(If ) I’m doing my homework in English, I can also hear the TV in Spanish or my parents saying something,” Mendez said.
Ms. Mendez believes that staying fluent in both languages is important for her daughter’s future.
“There’s better job opportunities (if one speaks two languages),” Ms. Mendez said.
How does texting affect your communication with others?“It helps me stay in touch with my friends, especially when you don’t want to call them all the time,”
Alfonso Figueroa, freshman
“It doesn’t give you a clear view of what the other person is thinking or their tone. It’s confusing,”
Andrew Jensen, sophomore
Gaby NajeraLa Voz Editor
Megan JonesStaff Reporter
Survey exposes language diversity, texting preference
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Knowing multiple languages provides benefits in careers
Knowing another language demonstrates an ability to learn
Gives you the ability to communicate with customers who speak different languages
Foreign or international jobs require multiple languages
When applying for a job, it helps make the resume stand out
Allows you to learn more about their culture while learning the language, and if you are given an opportunity to work outside the country
Infographic by Daniel Brount and Jocelyn Torres
Information from Ted Jackowski
1 2 3654
7 8 9#0*
Top languages spoken at WHS excluding English1) Spanish: 55/122 people
2) Italian: 8/122 people
3) Polish: 7/122 people
4) French: 6/122 people
5) Russian: 3/122 people
Other languages:Arabic, Serbian, Khmer, Tagalog, Korean, Chinese, German
7Focus
When his son was born in 1992 at Good Shepard Hospital in Barrington, Ill., doctors told Darren Llewellyn, social studies and history teacher, that his son only had a 3 percent chance of survival.
“I believe he is a miracle baby - I believe God was with him and brought about miracles on his behalf because of the things that happened throughout his early months that no one could explain scientifically or medically,” Mr. Llewellyn said in an e-mail interview.
Darren Llewellyn Jr., Mr. Llewellyn’s son, doesn’t think of himself as a miracle.
“I consider myself a normal boy. My dad tells me there were miracles but I really just see myself as one in a million. Just another person who is trying to do my best to overcome the adversity I face and make a good life,” Llewellyn Jr. said in an e-mail interview.
Llewellyn Jr. was born with a Diaphragmatic Hernia. Diaphragmatic Hernia results in a hole in the sack that holds all the internal organs in. As a result, his intestines were pushed up inside his chest. This forced his heart to move over to the right side of his chest and prevented his lungs from fully developing.
As a baby, Llewellyn Jr. went through a number of surgeries due to his condition. Additionally, he had a lymph node in surgery which was leaking and a staph infection developing. The doctors gave him some heavy antibiotics which destroyed Llewellyn Jr.’s hearing nerve.
“Because of my birth problems I have had a lot of trouble with my circulation when it is cold out. My lips get blue and I get cold real quick,” Llewellyn Jr. said in an e-mail interview. “We haven’t really gone to the doctor for it, we just watch and try to be wise about it.”
The antibiotics also affected his hearing.“At about one in a half years old, we (wife
Karen and Llewellyn Sr.) noticed that he was not hearing us,” Llewellyn Sr. said in an e-mail interview. “We then learned about the relationship between drugs being used and the degeneration of the hearing nerve.”
At age two, Llewellyn Jr. began attending the John Powers Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing until high school.
“That was another blessing as they prepared him educationally, socially and emotionally to deal with life,” Llewellyn Sr. said in an e-mail interview. “I again feel blessed by God that he had that resource. The people who worked with my son at John Powers were amazing.”
The Llewellyn family learned sign language to communicate with Llewellyn Jr. Though
Llewellyn Jr. speaks in sign language fluently, he can also read lips and with a hearing aid, he can have conversations with people, but once he takes the aid out, he is completely deaf.
“The technology today is crazy. His hearing aid (he only wears one) takes sounds he can’t hear and turns them into sounds he can hear,” Llewellyn Sr. said in an e-mail interview. “When he got these hearing aids he heard a bird chirp for the first time at age 15. He couldn’t believe it.”
Llewellyn Jr. prefers signs to lip reading due to the difficulty and lack of consistency.
“It was harder to learn how to read lips,” Llewellyn Jr. said in an e-mail interview. “I learned how to read lips just by talking with people and interacting. People’s lips don’t always move the same way or speed and I might not get a good look so it’s more difficult.”
The hearing aid does help him, but he still needs an interpreter’s help at times in school. Sign language allows him to communicate with his deaf and hard of hearing friends.
“There are many other people who have other problems that are much more severe than mine. My deafness is something to be overcome. We all face adversity in life all the time in different forms and this is a big one for me, it is a part of me and I own it,” Llewellyn Jr. said in an e-mail interview.
As Manuel Valdespino, Spanish teacher, asks a question in class, students give each other quizzical and confused looks. Kristine Brikmane, sophomore, raises her hand and answers the question with ease, adding a Hispanic accent to her response. Her classmates give her a look of awe, but she shrugs it off. Languages come easy to her.
Brikmane, who moved from Latvia has only been living in the U.S. for three months. She speaks Latvian, German, English, Russian and is now learning Spanish.
“It’s quite a challenge to keep them (all of the languages) straight in my head sometimes, especially the ones I’m not as good with,” Brikmane said.
Miley Abdukarimwa, sophomore and Brikmane’s best friend, speaks Russian with Brikmane. She said that it’s been interesting to watch her friend move from language to language.
“One second I’ll be having a conversation with her in Russian, and she’ll turn and mutter something to herself in Latvian, then she’ll answer a question in Spanish class and say something to a classmate in English. It’s mind-blowing, and sometimes I get confused. It takes me a second to figure out exactly who she’s talking to,” Abdukarimwa said.
Brikmane said she likes to find similarities between each of the languages she speaks because it helps her keep them organized in her head.
“So far I have not found a word that is the same in all five languages, though,” Brikmane said.
Photo OpinionHow does texting affect your communication with others?“Texting makes communication worse because it absolves you from the responsibility of comunicating with others face to face,”
Sami Zuba, junior
“It depends on who you are talking to. If it’s your family it can sometimes be bad, but with your friends it does not matter,”
Amanda Humphrey, senior
Photo Opinion by Megan Jones
Brikmane learns her fifth language
Llewellyn’s ‘miracle baby’ adapts to birth defects
Ryan GriesmeyerSports Editor
Survey exposes language diversity, texting preference
Jami KahnStaff Reporter
None One Four or more
ThreeTwo
How many language classes have you taken? (one level = one class)
10
40
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Do you speak a different language at home than you do at school?
No: 81 people
Yes: 41 people
Survey designs by Katie Kalmes and Daniel Brount
122 people were surveyed
What does that mean?idr
TBC
idc
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I don’t remember
to be continued
I don’t care
I love you
never
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Infographic by Jocelyn Torres
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La Voz8 26 de febrero, 2009
ueños atinosIzquierda: Genesis Juarez, senior, intepreto la canción “Andar Conmigo” por Julieta Venegas. Originalmente, Juarez íba a cantar la canción en la forma del estilo “a capella.”Izquierda Abajo: Shadenn López, senior, pinta una cara de payaso en una miembra del acto “El Payaso de Rodeo.” Alan Hernandez, junior, se disfraso de un pollo causando la audiencia que aplaudiera. Abajo: Jessica Arellano, sophomore y Nick Gauss, junior, bailan una mezcla de ritmos, incluyendo merengue, bachata y cumbia. Gauss participó en otros actos, como el baile folkórico, que fue el último acto de la función. Gauss también participó con el grupo, “Los Soñadores,” quienes bailaron bachata. Derecha: Jessica Arellano, sophomore, intepreta la canción “Si Yo Fuera Tu Amor” por Alacranes Musicales. Fue su primer acto enfrente de una audiencia.
Cuando escuche a Belanova por primera vez, estaba viendo la pelicula, “High School Musical” en español. La canción “What I've been looking for” fue traducido al español y cantada por una voz femenina. “Eres tu” rapidamente subio a mi lista de reproducción de canciones más escuchadas. Denisse Guerrero, Ricardo Arreola y Édgar Huerta son los integrantes de este grupo.
Originalmente de Guadalajara, con una voz distinta femenina y ritmos peculares, Belanova trae un nuevo sentido de electropop al mundo de la música.
Cuando los escuché por primera vez, no pense mucho en ellos. Pero no pasó mucho tiempo cuando los escuché de nuevo.
Yo estaba escuchando el radio un día en mi camino a la escuela cuando escuché una canción muy fácil de recordar. En la canción “Baila Mi Corazón” la letra era casual y en realidad no tenia mucho sentido. Hablaba de bailar al corazón y si lo hacian, sólo se
necesitaban un al otro para el amor. No voy a mentir, pero yo creía que era muy extraño. El ritmo fue lo que realmente llamó mi atención. La canción es para levantarse y bailar, pero también es buena para simplemente escuchar una y otra vez. Inmediatamente, me aseguré de buscar en el Internet, principalmente en YouTube, por esta canción.
Cuando encontre el video, estuve un poco decepcionada y con un poco de miedo. Los cantantes eran muy diferentes a lo que esperaba. Cuando escuché la primera canción, me imaginaba ver un grupo que compartiera el mismo estilo de nuestra generación. Y después de la segunda vez que los escuche, me enteré que estaba equivocada.
El grupo resultó en un grupo con el estilo completamente diferente al de electropop. Los chavos resultaron ser un grupo completamente nuevo de estilo de electropop.
Al seguir escuchando Belanova, me di cuenta que tienen buen sonido, pero su estilo de vestir puede ser un poco mejor.
Los chicos complementan a Guerrero. La mayoria del tiempo estan vestidos de traje y ella usa ropa que ella misma diseña.
Aunque su estilo no es el que yo prefiero, me gusta su musica.
Tienen buen ritmo y aunque a veces la letra no suena como algo normal, eso es lo que los aparta de la demas musica.
Jennie Dice: Ritmo traído por ‘Belanova’ resulta atrayente
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Club latino presentó su primera función de talentos con un ‘sazon’ latino el 6 de febrero
9A& E February 26, 2010
Fisher, Tracey bring relationship to stage
Jon Tracey, senior, and Libby Fisher, junior, will star as the couple Bobby and Polly in the upcoming school musical “Crazy for You.”
Not only do Bobby and Polly have a r e l a t i o n s h i p , Fisher and Tracey do as well.
“It’s very u n c o m m o n ,” Jennifer Zorn, director, said. “I’ve had relationships in shows before, but not the two leads.”
Fisher said she anticipates that acting alongside Tracey will promote competition between the two of them.
“A lot of the dancing I have to do is just with Jon and I’m afraid he’s going to be a lot
better than I am,” Fisher said.
Tracey said he doesn’t believe that there should be any competition between the two of them.
“ L i b b y always thinks there is c o m p e t i t i o n
between us. I don’t think it’s a competition. Thinking that it is a competition is dumb,”
Tracey said.Ms. Zorn said that she
had to consider Tracey and Fisher’s relationship when she was casting parts and decided that the benefits of having them as lead roles outweigh the detriments.
“I’m pretty sure the reason that they cast it that way was for stage chemistry because that’s one of the hardest parts of acting,” Tracey said.
With Fisher and Tracey as leads, Ms. Zorn said she feels certain that the musical will be a success.
“What Libby and Jon have going for them is that they are very professional, and I trust that if anything does happen between them that they will work through it,” Zorn said.
Nevershoutnever releases first album
As I sat down to listen to Nevershoutnever’s new CD, “What is Love?” I was hoping the songs would be soft, sweet and mellow, just like previous songs. Nevershoutnever’s older songs were mostly acoustic, with rarely any percussion. I looked forward to songs like “Happy” and “On the Brightside,” which only contained a guitar and the singer, Nevershoutnever did not disappoint.
Christofer Drew created Nevershoutnever, a one man band, in September 2007. Born in Joplin, Mo., 19 year old Drew grew popular MySpace and has made five EP’s. “What is Love?” became his first CD.
Drew’s 10 songs all center around love. The song, “Jane Doe,” talks about Drew’s search for an unknown girl he only saw at a glance. Before this CD came out, I heard the acoustic version of “Jane Doe.” In the acoustic version, there was only the faint sound of a guitar playing, but in the CD version of “Jane Doe” Drew’s singing, as well as the guitar, grew louder. There is also a ukulele solo in the middle of the song. I was disappointed when I heard “Jane Doe” because I thought the acoustic version was a lot better. It was much slower and sounded mellower. But the ukulele solo, which does not show up in the acoustic version, adds to the song.
The cutest song in the entire album is “I
Love You 5.” Drew expresses his love for a girl in this upbeat song. “I Love You 5” is one of the rare songs by Drew with percussion and backup singers. The ever present guitar started the song off. Towards the end, the percussion, singers and ukulele were added.
The track “What is Love,” titled after the album, asks the obvious question: what is love? When I first listened to this song, I thought of it as any other love song. Upon further listening, I found out it is actually dedicated to his father, as Drew asks him what love was. At one part he says, “What is Love…Is it giving up? ‘Cause that’s not how you raised me.” I really liked how it enabled me to get a look at his family. In previous songs, he only ever talked about his family once. In this song, Drew uses shakers, a steady drum beat and clapping, but it starts out with only a guitar. The instruments give the song a more upbeat tune, although the song is about him not knowing what love is.
“The Past” is the most sorrowful song on the album. When I first heard the song, it almost made me cry. This song really shines a light on his family. Before I heard this song I did not know his life was as hard as he explained it to be in “The Past.” Drew talks about how
he started doing drugs “just to find an escape from this town that was so mean.”
The guitar and violin that play in the song makes “The Past” slow, soft and sad. The conclusion brought tears to my eyes with the single line, “All I ever wanted was love.”
After listening to every song on “What is Love?” I could tell that Drew really stuck to the theme of love.
Normally, artists who only sing about love really annoy me. But Drew talked about love in more ways than one, making the songs mix together.
It made me question love and what it is all about.
Orchesis members work to develop talents
Orchesis members use the Orchesis show to showcase the different dances they learned throughout the year. This year’s show, Footnotes, takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 through Feb. 27 in the Sang theater.
“Every year the show highlights what the kids have worked on and how much work they have put into it. Every year the group of students has something unique about them. This year’s group works well together and I think that it will really show in the performance,” D i a n e R a w l i n s o n , O r c h e s i s director, said.
C r y s t a l E l l i s -A b d u l l a h , O r c h e s i s assistant, said that this show has a more modern feel to it.
“ E v e r y show is unique, but this one includes more theatrics and modern concepts. The proceeds from this show will benefit the overall
Orchesis program which includes helping to pay for guest artists, costumes, special events and other production costs,” Ms. Ellis-Abdullah said.
According to Ms. Rawlinson, students have been working on the pieces since November.
Libby Fisher, junior, choreographed the dance “Wind rains alone: Locate me.”
“Although it is fun to be in other people’s dances, I like coming up with my own movements and teaching it to others. I choreograph a lot to the music. The dance isn’t based on the lyrics but on how the music speaks to me,” Fisher said.
Fisher said that out of all the shows that Orchesis performs in, this show happens to be just about W h e e l i n g Orchesis.
“We have the winter s h o w c a s e and the main show. We also p a r t i c i p a t e in a lot of d i f f e r e n t
shows throughout the district. This show is different. We are showcasing everything we have worked
on this year. So the stories behind the dance are supposed to teach instead of just being for enjoyment,” Fisher said.
Chloe Huebner, junior, said she looks forward to the show because the hard work makes the show better.
“Being a choreographer, I see the pieces as an initial idea, so it is interesting to see it all pulled together. We spend almost three hours a day rehearsing and planning so its a really student involved show,” Huebner said.
Ms. Ellis-Abdullah said that her favorite part of the show includes seeing how the new orchesis members have developed since the beginning of the year.
“Also, I always enjoy seeing the dances on stage with the dramatic lights and in costume,” Ms Ellis-Abdullah said.
In addition to performing in the Orchesis show, Orchesis members will perform on March 19 at the National High School Dance Festival in Miami.
“I’m excited for the show. The kids will have a phenomenal experience. Most of the schools there are dance schools, so it is really nice to make a statement that shows what a public school can accomplish,” Ms. Rawlinson said.
YouTopia Dan MalsomEditor-In-Chief
Jon TraceyForum Editor
With the growing popularity of “Jersey Shore,” this video provides even more fist-pumping fun as all the actors are replaced with children, alcohol with juice boxes and, well, you get the point.
Imagine a world where Finnish rock stars with futuristic hairstyles sing alongside a Russian choir of middle-aged men to the tune of Lynard Skynard’s Sweet Home Alabama. Think Alabama = Motherland.
Even though the Super Bowl has come and gone, these NFL greats still want to show what they’ve got. Sure, what they do may not score them points in a game, but style still has to count for something.
This video dares to wonder; what if every urban legend ever created turned out true. Pop rocks with coke? Watch out. Sneezing seven times in a row? Impossible. Penny on the railroad tracks derailing a train? The Emergency Room picks it up from there.
Top Pick
Runners Up
Jersey Shore as Kids
Leningrad Cowboys & Red Army Choir - SWEET HOME ALABAMA
NFL Fantasy Files: The Best PlayersUrban Legend ER
Diane Rawlinson, dance teacher, leads the dance portion of the musical auditions on Feb. 9. Rawlinson taught students a tap combination that included moves such as flaps, shuffles and basic turns. The primary dance throughout the musical is tap. “Crazy for You” premieres April 22.
Krista SanfordAsst. News Editor
Luke Sokolowski News Editor
Chris SchwarzStaff Reporter
Jess
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“The dances take on a different personality the night of the show. It’s cool to see the transforma-tion from practice to the stage.”C
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“I’ve known both of them since they were fresh-men...they’re both very hard work-ers..”Je
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A& E10 February 26, 2010
During orchestra, the students practice their music, and at the end of each song Sara Yun, new certified orchestra teacher, gives the students helpful tidbits that will make their performance better. Tobin Langridge, former orchestra teacher, resigned a week prior to their winter concert.
Only two weeks into her new teaching position, Yun is able to speak comfortably with the students.
“They (the orchestra
students) have a very high level of musicianship,” Ms. Yun said.
Ms. Yun had her first day at WHS on Feb. 3. and will be the new permanent substitute teacher.
Graduating from U of I, Ms. Yun is also a cellist. She began playing the piano at the age of four and the cello at 10 though no one else in her family plays an instrument.
“They all (Ms. Yun’s family) like music. They’re just not trained,” Yun said.
Ms. Yun last taught at Maine East High School.
“I had a good experience at Maine East. I taught guitar
and orchestra, like I do here, so the classes were similar,” Yun said.
Láz López, principal, said that he felt bad when he told the students that Mr. Langridge would not be returning.
“A relationship develops (between the teacher and students) and so it’s always difficult,” Mr. López said.
Since Mr. Langridge was absent long periods of time, according to Valerie Westin, sophomore, the students were hardly able to productively use their class period to play and practice their music.
Within Ms. Yun’s first two
weeks the orchestra has had three pieces of music in the works in addition to the four that Langridge chose while he was teaching.
“It’s nice that the teacher’s here all the time now, and now we actually have concerts and practice. Right now, we’re doing well but we need a little more time to practice before we’re set for the concert. I think we’ll pull it together by then though.” Alex Lazarov, senior, said.
Orchestra students are currently preparing for two approaching concerts. They will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 16 in the theater.
Orchestra teacher resigns, Yun takes over directing position
Sara Yun, new orchestra director, conducts the chamber orchestra as they practice “Sentimental Saraband” during fifth period. Ms. Yun started in February after Tobin Langridge, former orchestra director, resigned one week prior to the scheduled concert.
“The Wolfman”Released Feb. 12, 2010
Screentest
Bety CaminoPhoto Editor
save your $ $1 theater-worthy
see it twice!friday night-worthy
$To view or not to view?
A werewolf movie, how original.
With all the hype still lingering from vampire and werewolf movies, I found myself wondering if “The Wolfman” would try to stick to its horror movie roots or if it, too, would destroy all remaining traces of true werewolf lore from pop culture.
Unfortunately, the movie conforms to the latter by creating a fragmented storyline which has zero relevance to folklore aside from the classic “when the moon is full” evolution from man to wolf. At least the remarkably awing scenery distracts from the storyline.
“The Wolfman” begins as Ben Talbot, played by English actor Simon Merrells, randomly walks around the Blackmoor woods. As he wanders the woods, he’s viciously attacked and killed. Here, Ben’s brother, the main character, Lawrence Talbot, played by Academy Award winning Benicio del Toro, comes home to find out what happened that night in the woods.
Curt Siodmak wrote the original screenplay for “The Wolf Man” after
his flee from Europe to Hollywood due to religious persecution. The parallels between Siodmak’s struggles and “the wolf man” are evident.
Due to several unexplained events in the new version, I gave up in looking for a deeper meaning in the plot. Dense dialogue results in vague characters empty of personality. There isn’t a single truly memorable scene that “had it all.”
The original 1941 classic wrapped up in a whopping 70 minutes compared to Joe Johnston’s 102 minutes, but in the original the overall storyline flows. Perhaps the classically trained actors enhanced the scenes, but their skills were able to shine due to a well-developed screenplay with character development.
For entertainment purposes the new film succeeds. The remarkably breathtaking setting can be appreciated by any artistic eye.
Director Joe Johnston may have an eye for surreal beauty, but he may want to invest in better screenwriters or try his hand in reviving the silent film business.
Jes MartinezStaff Reporter
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11Sports February 26, 2010
Winter Sports Wrap-upGymnastics“Our best meet was when we scored 124 and since most of the team is made up of seniors, it was a really good way to end the season.”
Amy Burke, senior
Girls Basketball“Over winter break we went to Missouri to compete in a tournament, and we played two top teams from Missouri and Wisconsin.”
Kellie Kuzmanic, sophomore
Bowling“Personally my average went up 20 pins from last year, and as a team well, just the overall team spirit was a lot better than before.”
Gabi Fuentes, junior
Burke places third on vault at Finals Bowling team finishes season ninth place at Sectionals
The Wildcat girls bowling season ended on Feb. 6 when the team finished ninth out of 18 schools at Sectionals. None of the bowlers qualified for State.
“Jennifer Schmitt (senior) had the best chance. She’d been averaging 195 a game,” Beth Anderson, head coach, said.
During Sectionals, Schmitt averaged a score of 189.7, but needed an average approximately of 217.8 to qualify for State.
“I cried my eyes out for, like, two hours, and I was really disappointed in myself. I was just really sad because this is my senior year. I got ninth place, and I feel like I let everyone down,” Schmitt said.
According to Ms. Anderson, nervousness and
realization the State might be the last chance for some of the girls on the team, influenced the outcome of the team’s performance.
The team finished ninth place, it remains still one of the better finishes for the team, according to Schmitt, because of the high level of competitions at the league.
The top five teams from the sectional meet included Elk Grove, Schaumburg, Conant, Prospect and Hoffman Estates.
“It was better just because I increased my average over the years. I didn’t place as high as I wanted, but the competitions was much harder,” Schmitt said. “I think we did well as a team, but I think we could have done better if we were dedicated as a team.”
Other varsity bowlers, Kim Spasari, senior bowled an average of 170.667, and Gabi Fuentes, junior, averaged 167 at Sectionals.
Over 20 years have passed since anyone from the WHS gymnastics team made it to State. Amy Burke, senior and varsity gymnast, went even further by placing third on the vault at finals.
“My main goal was to make it to State so I’m trying to do a harder vault. It’s all or nothing now,” Burke said before both her State and Finals competitions.
Burke had to compete at State first in order to then go to Finals the next day.
By doing a vault that had higher difficulty, Burke earned extra points in the event, giving her a score of 9.725 at State on Feb. 19.
“As soon as I did it (the vault at State), I ran over and picked up and gave my coach (Bridget Erickson, varsity gymnastics coach) a big hug,” Burke said.
Placing second in the preliminaries in the vault event allowed Burke to
compete at finals the following day. Both preliminaries and finals took place at Palatine High School.
“There were spotlights and the whole gymnasium is watching you, so if you screw up everyone is going to see,” Burke said.
Burke won third place with a score of 9.7. During both prelims and finals, Burke had the support of Coach Erickson and Colleen Creech-Woolcott, sophomore and fellow varsity gymnastics team member.
“She (Creech-Woolcott) went with me all day Friday and Saturday. She was the comic relief and she made me less stressed out and worried and helped me stay focused,” Burke said.
Despite Burke being the only one who moved on after Regionals, Coach Erickson said that Burke acted as a leader to the rest of the team throughout the normal season.
“She works hard and she did very well for us this season,” Coach Erickson said.
Amy Burke, senior, performs a yurchenko pike on the vault at Regionals. “The vault that I did at Regionals was the same one I did all year so it was almost by habit, but at State I had only worked on it for two weeks and it required a lot more attention to detail and adrenaline,” Burke said.
Swim team crushes 25-year-old relay record
On Saturday Feb. 20 at Glenbrook North High School, the boys swim team broke two school records: the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.
The medley relay team placed seventh, while replacing the previous record time of 1:46.00 which stood for 25 years, with the new time of 1:45.42. The medley relay team consisted of Tim McDaniel, Dmitry Peresada, seniors, Scott Lunardini and Shane McDade, juniors, all of whom dropped their times setting personal bests.
The Wildcats shattered the previous record of 1:35.19 by more than two seconds in the 200 freestyle relay event, making the new record 1:33.05. The 200 free relay team consisted of McDade, Lunardini, Mike Boom, sophomore, and McDaniel.
“The two record breaking relays were special because every year we look at the board to see what we can improve on and many times they seem in reach but you just cannot grasp them...” Tod Schwager, varsity coach, said. “This year we were able to grab hold of one of those records and really smash another. That does not happen unless the guys really dedicate themselves to improving.”
Jaron Witt, junior, who swam in the 200 freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, and the 400 free style relay, was unable to taper properly due to a leg injury that resulted in 22 total stitches, eight on the inside and 14 on the outside.
“I was jumping into the pool and my leg caught onto the hook of the lane line,” Witt said. “I started to swim and then looked an saw a two inch gash down my leg.”
Unable to be in the water due to his stitches, Witt had to do dry land workouts consisting of ab workouts and
bungee cords to keep his body from getting out of shape.
“Jaron did well (due to his injury), 1:59.89 in his 200 free which cut off five seconds from his best time prior,” Coach Schwager said. “For someone who was out of the water as long as he was, it was good to see him drop about a second off his times from last year.”
This year’s boys swim team finished with one of the top five win/loss records in Wheeling history.
“This season was an overwhelming success...The team increased our point totals from last year at Conference and Sectionals,” Coach Schwager said. “All these things do not happen unless the kids are working hard and becoming more competitive in the meets.”
Other teams at Sectionals were Maine South, Loyola, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South, Maine West, Maine East, Prospect, Hersey, Notre Dame and St. Viator.
Swimming“It would have to be the 200 meter relay team at Sectionals beating the previous Wheeling school records.”
Joe McGuire, senior
Wrestling“For me it would be winning Regionals, becoming regional champ. The team was really supportive of me.”
Timmy Schalz, senior
Cheerleading“Going to State with the team was fun and it was just a good experience.”
Ethan Gonzalez, senior
Boys Basketball“All the charity events that we did like reading to kids at Tarkington. It was nice helping out as a team.”
Riley Harvey, junior
2010 Winter Highlights
CheerleadingCoed varsity squad placed 24th in State
Boys SwimmingBroke the 200 medley relay recordBroke the 200 freestyle relay record
WrestlingMike Smith, Luke Smith and Chris Johnson all qualified for state.Luke Smith placed second and Chris Johnson placed third at Sectionals
Girls BasketballMSL Champions
GymnasticsAmy Burke placed third in state on vault
Daniel BrountFocus Editor
Ryan GriesmeyerSports Editor
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Mallorie BromerAsst. Feature Editor
What was the highlight of the season?
Photos by Bety CaminoInformation by Ryan Griesmeyer
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February 26, 2010Volume 46 Issue 6
Qu
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nColleen Creech-Woolcott,sophomore, gymnastics
Steve Majkowski,senior, basketball
UpcomingEventsGirls Track 9:30 a.m., Feb. 27Home
Boys Volleyball5 p.m, March 2St. Viator
Boys Track5:30 p.m., March 5Mundelein
Girls Water Polo5 p.m., March 9Home
Boys Water Polo4:30 p.m., March 11Home
Girls cannot handle Barrington offense
The top-seeded girls basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 55-51 loss to Barrington in the second round of the IHSA state playoffs on Feb. 18.
Both Bianca Szafarowicz and Stephanie Kuzmanic, seniors, fouled out late in the fourth quarter. Janelle Cannon, the team’s leading scorer who did not play in the Feb. 16 match against Palatine because of a case of strep throat, finished with 16 points and three rebounds.
“We went to the locker room and nobody said anything,” Ellie Grinter, sophomore varsity player, said. “We were completely silent. Then (Shelly Wiegel, head coach) came and talked to us.”
Kuzmanic finished with six points and four steals.
“I thought that (Barrington) played incredibly well,” Coach Wiegel said. “They made big shots. We needed to make those big shots, but we couldn’t.”
A week before the playoffs began, the Wildcats faced Fremd in the Mid-Suburban League championship game. The girls won their third straight championship game 51-36.
Top: Janelle Cannon, senior, fights fa rebound against Fremd in the Mid-Suburban League championship game against Fremd on Feb. 10. WHS won 51-36. Bottom left: Samie Spinabella, senior, dives to the ground for a loose ball. Bottom middle: The Superfans read the business section of local newspapers while a Fremd player shoots free throws. Bottom right: Stephanie Kuzmanic, senior, dribbles the ball around a Fremd defender during the third quarter of the game.
Cheerleaders make State, fail to reach Saturday final
Two wrestlers place at State
Wrestling counted down the days until the season end with having three wrestlers make it to state. State was Feb. 19 and 20 in Champaign, Ill.
Chris Johnson, Luke Smith and Mike Smith, juniors, all placed second at Sectionals. According to Johnson, in order to make State, wrestlers must place in the top four.
Johnson placed sixth in State while M. Smith was out in the first round. L. Smith can in second. L. Smith said he was disappointed that he was not the State champion. But Coach Weiner said it is a huge honor to place second.
“It (making State) wasn’t my main goal. Making it to state was just a step in the ladder. My goal was to make state champion,” Luke Smith, junior, said.
According to, Neal Weiner, varsity coach, he was confident Johnson, L. Smith, and M. Smith would make it to state.
“If you’re a junior, disappointment is good. When you’re a senior, it (the disappointment) lasts forever,” Coach Weiner said.
The co-ed varsity cheerleading team qualified for State and placed 24th out of 25 teams at the competition on Feb. 5 and 6 at Illinois State University.
The team qualified by placing in the top five at the cheerleading sectional meet, which took place on Jan. 30 at Grayslake North High School. Seven other Mid-Suburban League teams qualified.
“Going to state was amazing,” Tonya Leu, senior, said. “For my senior year, it was a good way to top it (cheerleading) off.”
The team’s goal was to make it to the state competition on Saturday. To get to the Saturday competition, they had to place in the top 10 on Friday, which they did not do.
“Our skills as a team have improved over the whole season,” Erin Ejnik, cheerleading coach and counselor, said. “We made it farther than anyone expected us to make. I’m not disappointed in anything.”
Each routine had to be no longer than three
minutes total. The routine could have no more than one minute and 30 seconds of music.
WHS’ routine included tumbling passes throughout, a dance section at the end, a cheer section, stunts in the beginning and end, pyramids and jumps. The stunts were both quad, featuring four people, and two-man, featuring one base and one flyer.
“It (the competition) was a different kind of environment,” Jenna Schwartz, sophomore, said. “It was nerve racking. No one really knew what to expect. Next year we’ll be prepared and have more experience.”
According to Rachel Albrecht, sophomore, the tumbling and pyramid fell.
“We did OK. It wasn’t the best we’ve ever done,” Rachel Albrecht, sophomore, said. “I’m proud we made it there. Most of the squads were really good.”
The team said they hoped to make it to State next year and place in the top 10 to qualify for the Saturday competition.
“We got so much better from the first competition,” Felicia McGuinn, sophomore, said. “We really deserved it and really worked hard for it.”
Jon TraceyForum Editor
Rosalie ChanStaff Reporter
What’s the m
ost important
thing you learned this season?
“Technique and improving in it.”
“How to react in bad situations when you’re having a tough season.”
Krista SanfordAsst. News Editor
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