The Voice Of Grant Community High School

Issue Number

IIThe Bark

The 2008 Presidential Election is one that will be remembered. It is the fi rst time an African American is a prime candidate for president, and a woman is the candidate for vice president. This is not an election that people will brush off, even after the president is elected. It

will be talked about for years to come, and many will pay more attention now than ever. Barack Obama is the candidate for the Democratic Party, and he chose Joe Biden to be his running mate. For the Republican Party, John McCain is the presidential candidate, and he chose Sarah Palin as vice president. With McCain having more experience in the Senate, there has been debate on whether or not he is truly more qualifi ed. T h e same can be said for the vice p res iden t i a l c a n d i d a t e s . Biden has been in the Senate for many years, whereas Palin has only been the governor of Alaska for two. “This is the fi rst election I have really paid attention to,” says junior Krystin Kantenwein. “The fact that an African American is in the running still is something I’ll defi nitely want to remember. This is the fi rst time

in American history that an African American is a major candidate. You don’t see this every four years. People are defi nitely going to remember this, no matter how much they pay attention to the election as a whole.” This year, a lot of students are defi ning themselves as members of a certain party. Junior Ashley Foreman says that because of the honors government class that she is taking, she has been paying more attention to politics, and is personally leaning more towards the Democratic side of things. “The Republicans seem as if they’re

setting themselves up too much,” she says. Foreman thinks that the choice of Palin for McCain’s running mate is just a show in order to support the women’s movement and everything that Clinton stood for when she was in the running. This is how a lot of students are perceiving McCain’s pick for Vice President. Some students feel very strongly for one certain candidate. Junior Maria Brothers says, “I feel very strongly about Obama. He wants change.” Other students are on the other side of the electoral

spectrum. “I am favoring the Republicans more than ever this year because I believe the Democrats are becoming way too liberal and chose a terrible person to run for them,” says

senior Matt Peterson. During this election both candidates

are facing extremely tough decisions. With everything going on in the economy, they need to choose if they want to focus on that or on their campaign for the election, which is only days away. Some students choose who they favor by their slogan. Obama goes around campaigning his slogan, ‘Change is coming’, while McCain is saying, ‘Reform. Prosperity.

Peace.’ Which one are you going to believe? Choosing a party, however, is more than just latching on to the catchy slogan. The slogan is saying more than you think. In every speech and debate the candidates participate in, they go more in depth about what their slogan means, and what it promises the country if they are elected. Some students are following the election at home, while others are basing their opinoins on news headlines they see online or runors they hear at school. Many teachers have been discussing the election in their classes, trying to get students to be more aware of the election, which is a huge deal for our country. Mr. Strebel often starts out his classes by discussing current news on the election, as does Mr. Van Alstine. This election is the fi rst of its kind. There is a woman up for vice president and an African American for president. This is new and will go down in the history books. People will look back on this and tell their children about it.

Presidential Election promises to be one for the history books

Katie LorisStaff Reporter

Ms. Kinney is the new school nurse at Grant Community High School.

She enjoys running and biking, but most of all helping others. She hopes to continue helping here at Grant as the new school nurse.

K i n n e y graduated from Round Lake High School and attended the University of Illinois, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She went on to volunteer in labor and delivery at Condell Medical Center.

“Right now I’ve been seeing about 15-35 students a day in my offi ce, getting called to classrooms for any injuries, and checking to make sure that all health records are up to date,” she says. “I’m happy to be at Grant. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming.”

According to Dr. Benedetti, superintendent, there were various reasons for hiring a school nurse this year.

The fi rst was the size of enrollment this year at Grant. Also, “the health clerk who served in dual roles as an attendance offi cer resigned at the end of last school year,” he says. “Her resignation forced the administration to re-examine the timeline and make change for this school year. Ms. Kinney has all the requirements and certifi cation necessary to work in a school setting. Ms. Kinney’s caring and nurturing personality as well as her desire to manage her offi ce in a professional way showed that she was the person best suited to work in that offi ce.”

Kingston WarrenStaff Reporter

Heated debate over the issue of animal rights

Page 2

Fall play promises to be full of laughter and fun on opening

night.

Turn to page 4 for more info.

Looking for an after school activity? Turn to page 5 to learn about all of the new

clubs at Grant!

Turn to page 7 for an update on all of our Bulldog fall

sports teams!

B e t w e e n parties, peer pressure, and college preparation, it’s diffi cult to decide which road to follow. With only two years left, this year’s juniors will soon need to choose their ideal college, or jump into the workers’ world. Deciding isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

For most students, the deciding factor for which college to go to are those brutal ACTs that juniors dread every year. You know, the ones that students spend months preparing for, and spend money on ACT prep classes to get as ready as possible. Should these tests be the top priority, or should students just take it easy and pretend they are no big deal?

“The ACTs are important to me, of course, but I’m not going to get in way over my head with attempting to prepare for them,” says junior Stephanie Oehrlein. “I think that when the test comes around, I will do the best that I can, and that will suffi ce.”

In 10 years, when looking back on how one spent one’s time in high school, it’s possible that a person will feel some regret on how prepared he/she was for college.

It is normal for students to start researching possible college choices early, or even visiting colleges that they are interested in. However, much of the junior population isn’t even bothering to start looking.

There is always the student whose top priority when coming home from school is to get their homework done before anything else. On the other hand, some blow it off, and procrastinate by going to parties, or hanging out with friends after classes.

It can be argued that students would be better off taking their parents’ advice on keeping their heads on straight for their last years. A lifetime to have fun awaits, so why screw around when there isn’t much time left?

Junior Becky Tokarz says, “I want to cram for college. It can get me ready more and it might look better when applying for college.”

Some students have opposing viewpoints.

Junior Matt Bellson says, “I’d rather take it easy [for the rest of high school], because I’m smart, but very lazy.”

In addition to ACTs helping you get into college, extra-curricular activities will also benefi t you in the long run.

“I participate in extra-curricular activities simply for fun; it makes committing to them so much easier,” says Oehrlein.

For some students, extra-curricular activities are primarily for entertainment. However, there are some who don’t care to be in any.

Junior John Fremaux says, “I’m not in any extra-curricular activities as of now, but I defi nitely wouldn’t be in any for college.”

It’s not negotiable that sports and clubs look better on college applications than nothing at all, but other students are relying on grades alone to get scholarships.

“I knew a while ago that my parents wouldn’t be able to pay for my college tuition, so I am doing my best in school to make as many scholarships available to me as possible,” says Oehrlein.

When looking around in the hallways, it’s clear who is serious about being here, and who is counting down the hours until they get to go home. For a lot of students, spending 50 minutes sitting in a cold desk is not their idea of a good time. The only thing left to do is misbehave to have a change of scenery. For most students, this change of scenery is from a classroom to the in-school room.

It can’t be argued, this behavior won’t help in the long run and colleges defi nitely look down on it.

Junior Taylor Moore says, “I want to do a little in between [taking it easy and cramming for college], I don’t want a full load, but I also don’t want colleges to think I took it easy for my last years.”

Colleges are getting pickier every year, and they are looking for the smartest students they can fi nd, so the decision has to be made now.

Either fi nd a cure for your future Senioritis and start preparing for college, or chill out and have fun, because after all, there are only two more years of school left.

Grant welcomes new school nurse

Hayley PallockStaff Reporter

10/31/2008

Class of 2010 should ‘fi nd cure for future Senioritis’

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The Bark October 31, 2008

Opinions & EditorialsThe Bark Staff

2

Editor-in-ChiefsMeital Caplan

Rachel Seminara

Section EditorsJordyn L. BoylesCollin BushingMeital Caplan

Lydia Wells

Chief PhotographerShayla Francisco

Staff ReportersAlex Carr

Stephanie DoganPaul Kudowski

Katie LorisMonserrat Martinez

Emily PaddockHayley PallockJeshanah Smith

Meagan StephensonEssence Tillery

Kingston Warren

AdvisorMr. Beverly

Mission StatementIt is the mission of

The Bark to give a voice to students and to pro-vide those students a

public forum for student expression. The Bark is

written with the intention to give students and faculty information fairly and impartially. We believe that only

when a student body is informed can it be happy,

safe, and given the freedom it deserves.

Submission PolicyIt is the policy of The Bark to be a student newspaper. We value

your opinions and you have a right to express them, especially in the form of writing to this newspaper. If you wish to write to The Bark,

you may drop off your signed letter and the disk

that it is saved on to Room 262 or

Mr. Beverly’s mailbox. If you prefer to remain

anonymous, we still need your signature or your

letter will not be published.

-The Editors-

Walking down these halls people are constantly talking about their hopes and dreams, whether they be something big like getting into their perfect college, or something smaller such as getting that special someone to fi nally notice them.

While it is amazing that so many different students here at Grant Community High School are not afraid to dream the impossible and ‘shoot for the stars,’ it’s not hard to notice that not many people actually do anything about it.

Everyone is constantly talking about how great it would be if [blank] happened to us, but when it comes down to it, most people are leaving it up to chance rather than stepping up to the plate and really putting in an effort to accomplish their dream.

Sadly, the real world is not like all the fantasies that movies and books feed to us. In these mythical worlds it seems as if no real effort needs to be put into achieving goals because it will all ‘work out in the end.’

To put it blankly, that is not, and will never be, the case.

What is truly stopping a lot of us from completing many of our ambitions is fear.

Fear of rejection, fear of failure, and fear of disappointment.

Students should no longer let this fear control our actions. We need to realize that to get what we want out of life, we need to jump into things head fi rst and be confi dent enough to realize that we deserve everything we are willing to try and work for.

Now, some of us are getting ready to graduate soon, while others are just beginning their high school experience. Either way, the message is still the same.

Too many students have passed up life-changing opportunities all because of a moment of self doubt or hesitation. No longer should we think that we are not worthy of better or more.

Step up people! You want something? Go out and get it. Don’t rely on opportunities coming to you.

Are you tired of waiting for the kid that sits next to you in fi rst hour to ask you out? Ask him/her out yourself! You think that there is no way that you will be accepted into a school? Apply anyways, you may be surprised.

Remember, at the end of the day the only person you can blame for missing out on an opportunity is yourself.

When your high school career comes to a close, don’t allow yourself to step outside of these sheltered walls wondering ‘what if.’ To have a life fully lived you need to take chances, and take charge. As cliché as it sounds it’s true that life is too short, and these four years of high school go by fast. So rather than watching the years pass by on the outside looking in, decide to be more and prove everyone, including maybe yourself, wrong.

Be courageous. Do the impossible. Try what no one has tried before. Walk into life’s challenges knowing that there is a chance of failure and getting hurt, but also knowing that most of the time the rewards are worth so much more than the risk.

Students need to take life into their own hands

Welcome to Grant Community High School, where murder comes second best to education, where entertainment is placed next to suffering, and where rotting fl esh is dumped onto your lunch trays everyday. Grant has not done nearly enough to identify with animals or animal lovers alike. For example, donkey

ball has been taking place at Grant for decades. The baseball team uses the event as a fundraising opportunity every year. As long as these games have been taking place, there have been students who try to protest them, all within good reason too. These donkeys are often deprived of food and water 24 hours prior to the game so to see that they don’t make messes on the gym fl oor. They are then forced to run up and down the court deprived of nutrients all for mere entertainment, all in the care of students, some of which have no experience with handling animals. Junior Forrest Gordon says, “Donkey ball is really dangerous. You have to be careful around donkeys; they have sharp teeth and it’s in their nature to attack things they don’t understand and donkeys don’t understand sports so it’s no surprise that they are so confused and angry.” There are several other alternatives to this fundraising event that the baseball team could adopt. With Grant being one of the only schools in Illinois that still practices this sport it’s unreasonable to have an excuse not to get rid of the event.

Another school activity that could be done without is animal dissection. Dissecting animals has been a common practice in education at Grant for years. Grant has placed dissections into the science curriculum for the educational value behind learning the anatomy of organisms. But with the modern technology available today, we could practice different alternatives that offer the same educational value. Sophomore Mike Hayes says, “I think it’s pointless in the sense that I don’t learn anything from it. Seriously, why do I need to look inside the actual animal? I’d rather just read about it in a book; it has the same educational effect.” Dissecting also lacks one major learning component, repetition. Once an animal is dissected it cannot be reused, whereas computer programs or other alternatives allow for the “dissection” to be practiced over and over again, saving a large sum of money in the long run. Another little known fact is that the formaldehyde, which is the preservative used to keep the specimens in tact, is being linked to cancer of the lungs, throat, and nasal passageways. Perhaps Grant should be using substitutes that don’t harm their students. Another topic students at Grant feel passionate about is the lack of vegetarian/vegan options in the cafeteria. Vegetarian and vegan students alike at Grant have been suffering notoriously for years through our school’s lunch programs. Even when vegetarian/vegan students seem to seek shelter within cliché options, such as salad, meat can be found hiding in every corner. The cafeteria might

argue that celery and carrot sticks are available for students’ consumption daily, but this isn’t nearly enough to substitute a full meal. Junior Lexi Hagen says, “All we can really eat is junk food.” This point is completely valid. Vegan students can seemingly only turn to few and limited products in the cafeteria. More than half of these options hold very low nutritional value. Ms.Krocza, math teacher, says, “We need to provide vegetarian options with protein. Fruit and vegetables or potatoes are not enough for growing teenagers.” Investing in more vegan-focused foods

would not only be helping vegetarian/vegan students, these options would also appeal to students who are looking for a healthier diet. There are more than several

solutions to this problem. Grant could invest in Morning Star, Boca, or any soy based meat substitution products. Even a salad bar where students would be able to choose what and what not goes into their salads would make a huge difference. With the numerous and reasonable substitutions to these issues, it’s irrational not to pursue changes at Grant.

Grant Community High School has students and faculty members that want to change and/or eliminate some of the more controversial topics at Grant. These changes will take away entertainment, limit the learning possibilities of students, and increase

spending. One issue, in particular, that is controversial at Grant is Donkey Ball. Donkey Ball is an fundraiser for the baseball team, where people play basketball on donkeys. Some of the students at Grant believe Donkey Ball should be removed, although it is believed to be one of the most entertaining events that Grant offers to the students. Junior Desiree Dace says, “It is all in good fun. No donkeys have ever been injured during it, and I do not believe any people have been. Donkey Ball is fun for everyone.” Donkey Ball offers great fun to students, faculty, and the people that get to ride the donkeys. These people that want to eliminate Donkey Ball want to take away all of this enjoyment. In addition to Donkey Ball, dissection is a controversial topic at Grant. Some students believe dissection is immoral and should be eliminated from Grant. This does not make much sense, because dissection is a major part of the biology class. Mr. Rivette, science teacher, says, “To truly understand something in science, you must experiment. Dissections are vital to discovering the anatomy and physiology of various organisms, not only for our understanding of those animals but

also so we may understand our own.” Understanding human anatomy is very important. In college, dissection is taught in most science classes so that people that want to learn about this topic can. Imagine if doctors never performed dissections, and then never fully understood human anatomy. Rivette says, “I, personally, wouldn’t let a doctor perform surgery if they just learned from pictures and didn’t have any hands-on experimentation of dissection.” As explained above, dissection is a very important part of biology, and every person should have some sort of understanding of the human anatomy. Junior Mary Wilson says, “To take [dissection] away would be to remove the best and most exciting part of many science classes.” Another issue that brings up controversy at Grant is that there are limited vegetarian options in the lunch room. This is an issue that could be solved in one easy step. If you are a vegetarian and can’t fi nd anything to eat in the lunch room, pack your lunch. Dace says, “Vegetarian options should not be offered. The school should not have to increase funding to satisfy 100-200 students. Buying school lunches are not mandatory, so if the vegetarians are not satisfi ed with their options, they can bring their own lunches to eat.” There are only a small amount of vegetarians at Grant, and the rest of the students would have to pay more money to please these select few students. Since the prices in the lunch room have already gone up, having students who

don’t even want new options pay more money does not seem fair. Wilson says, “It’s their choice to be vegetarians, so they should bring their own food. [A new

program] isn’t the best option when people can barely afford lunch as it is.” All of these issues that cause problems at Grant have simple solutions. For Donkey Ball, don’t go to the game if you don’t support it, thus leading to a lower profi t for Grant. Dissection is not mandatory; there is the computer simulation that is offered. The vegetarian crisis is the simplest to solve; simply pack a lunch.

Entertainment or cruelty; funding or food; dissection or disaster?

Shayla FranciscoChief Photographer

Collin BushingOp/Ed Editor

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Op/Ed October 31, 2008 3

There’s one minute left at your high school’s football game, you’re down by a touchdown, you hear everyone going wild, screaming their heads off like the world is going to end. Who do you say is cheering? Well, the superfans, of course!

T h e s e people are the other half of the team. They are the kids who get the players motivated while cheering for the entire game, not sitting, and chanting their way to the victory.

How do you become a Superfan? Well, you might fi rst want to get decked out in our school spirit colors. This is not the time to look your best, it’s the chance to act crazy and look silly.

Also, never miss a game, even if the game is far away. If you need to, hitch a ride just to cheer on the team.

I’ve attended this school for almost four years now, and I have seen some crazy superfans. Some people get pretty intense by body painting, which from experience is a little rough, but if you have it in you, then go for it. Typically, there’s a group of body painters at each game that go all out from head to toe. These people sure know how to show the fans a good time by getting them all rallied up.

Senior Matt Peterson, I would have

to say, is one of the main leaders in body painting.

Peterson says, “We body paint because we like getting everyone involved and it’s spirited.”

This is a good effort, because by getting people together he is getting everyone in with the action.

Peterson says, “I feel like a powerful leader and ready to support our team. The people who stand in the student section and don’t cheer,should just go home. It’s disappointing to

see them not try.” It’s a saddening thing when you

realize that the people who attend the school don’t even care.

Also, when you know that your school

is going to have a specifi c idea for a game like “Black Out Shut Out” for the Lakes game, you should most likely try to wear all black. To see Peterson and senior Dominique Holmegren hang fl yers around the school shows that they care a lot. So thank you superfans.

It’s tradition when you’re a senior,

you are a “true superfan.” Even though you’re not considered a “superfan” if you’re an underclassman, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cheer for the team and get all decked out.

I think this is especially a good time for all the grades and cliques to come together, because for one night everyone has something in common.

Junior Kyle Crowe says, “Games are especially fun because you can express your school spirit.”

While cheering, you’re not only supporting the team, you’re showing the community and the families of the players that you care for their dedication and taking our team to victory.

Even if the team is like the Bears, and they lose, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still act like we’re the best.

Yes, this might sound conceited, but it just shows that our opponents can’t break us down mentally; it shows confi dence.

So when all is said and done, every sport has two things into it: the

players who do the work and provide the fans something to look forward to, and then

the fans who provide the players something to look forward to by giving the players more adrenaline for the game.

So all you fans out there, come to all the games and support the Bulldogs in rain or shine.

Stephanie DoganStaff Reporter

Only students willing to go the extra mile can truly consider themselves Superfans

Witches, ghosts, goblins, and an occasional Playboy bunny or two always come wandering around the hallways of Grant Community High School every year for Halloween.

Halloween is defi nitely the highlight of October

for most people, especially younger kids. I have also come to fi nd that most teenagers get pretty excited over the wacky holiday as well.

“I dress up every year, I love it when I can feel like a little kid again,” said junior Antonio Brown. It is great when people of all ages take one day out of the year to have fun and let their imaginations run wild. In high school, however, the things that run wild are hormones as some students stroll down the hallways in skimpy outfi ts. Halloween has turned more into a day used as an excuse to acceptably dress provocatively. “I think [students] do [use Halloween

as an excuse], but if that’s how they want to be looked at, I guess it’s up to them,” said junior Nika Gigliotti. On the other hand, some students don’t view slutty costumes as much of a problem. “That’s like half of Halloween; dressing up a way you can’t during the year,” said sophomore Cody Colbert. That is true to an extent, but why is there the need of dressing up like that during school? Dressing up is all the fun and love of Halloween, but some students should make wiser decisions when it comes to picking out costumes to wear to school. All costumes should have to follow the dress codes already established at Grant to prevent any type of controversy. Besides, not everyone wants to come to

school and have to be forced to see some unpleasant outfi ts all day.

There is no need to come to school dressed as a French maid or Playboy bunny. If that is truly what you want to be seen in, then you should dress like so at home. During school you should have some sense of maturity, don’t you think so? “I think Halloween shouldn’t be turned into an excuse to wear nasty, distasteful ‘costumes’,” said junior Kimmy Wodrich.

We are not too old to dress up, but I think we are old enough to realize when we look ridiculous and unpleasant.

When you are outside the school environment and are hanging out with some friends, I think it is perfectly

fi ne to dress up however you want. During school, on the other hand, you are representing Grant and the whole community. I don’t know about you, but I would not like to be seen as a school full of distasteful imagination and creativity.

Students should just keep in mind that the school administration doesn’t have to permit dressing up. Just imagine what it would be like if teachers and staff got fed up with sending students to the deans for inappropriate costumes.

“It would ruin Halloween if we didn’t [get to dress up]. And plus it is kinda a way of showing everyone your amazing new costume,” said Brown. High schoolers are defi nitely never too old to take part in Halloween celebrations. This holiday should be used more as a day to be artistic and fi nd the little kid in you than anything else. What little kid do you know that has any idea of what a Playboy bunny is or represents? “Halloween is a great time to show off creativity and spirit,” said Brown.

So use Halloween as a time to think outside the box and show off your creativity, not to just show some skin.

Witches, ghosts, goblins, vampires and...Playboy bunnies?

Monserrat MartinezStaff Reporter

Studies show that over 60 percent of teenagers are bullied during their high school careers.

A s surprising as it may seem, students at Grant contributes to this increasing

number. But why is this number so high? Most bullying seems to derive from

the increasing number of cliques formed in school.

Many students may beg to differ about the idea of Grant having a clique problem.

Sophomore Emily Tarver says, “In high school there are cheerleaders who hang

out with art students, jocks who are best friends with marching band members, and drama students who enjoy the company of environmental club members.”

However, people such as junior Shannen Cashman acknowledge there is a problem. “Everyone belongs to [a clique] whether they want to admit it or not.” Consequently, with everyone part of a group, there is no wonder

why people feel left out. By feeling left out, people strive for acceptance by other groups, leading to discrimination.

There are many people who like to think that they are friendly to everyone. However, it is known that at some time or another everyone has dismissed someone for their own selfish purposes.

But the true question here is, Why does this happen?

Many times the reason discrimination takes place is because these people looking for acceptance don’t fit in to these so called ‘cliques.’

Not only have cliques caused discrimination and loss of self confidence, but recent studies suggest that it contributes to the uprising in teen suicides across the nation.

This clique problem has become somewhat of an epidemic and needs to be

Many high school teens face issues of cliques and bullyingresolved.

Junior Kaitlyn Kenney says, “People should grow up and step outside of their comfort zone to meet new people.”

If people were to be bolder and decide to be more courteous, it would almost guarantee a better atmosphere for everyone. Along with a positive atmosphere, it would help reduce discrimination, and other things such as the increasing suicide rate.

Kenney says, “Popularity is overrated, especially when most people don’t like you because you are too stuck up to give people a chance.”

The understanding of why cliques form is unknown. However, Cashman says, “It is human nature to want to be accepted and understood, yet we tend to limit ourselves to one type of people. It’s all rooted in the fear of something different and the sense of security in numbers.”

The bottom line is, everyone needs to step outside of their normal group of friends, and experience life. You will never know who is out there unless you take that extra attempt.

Emily PaddockStaff Reporter

Dedicated superfans get revved up for the game by painting their bodies dispite the cold weather.

Guest Photographer/The Bark

Massive amounts of costumes at K-Mart give kids a choice of characters.

S. Francisco/ The Bark

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Features October 31, 2008

Features

I m a g i n e this: you work a dead end job on a salary that can only get you a hotel room-sized apartment, and for transportation you use the train. After the funeral of your dead naval brother, you head to your local ATM

and to your surprise you have $751,000 in your account. When you get home you also fi nd that your house is full of guns, drugs and poison. In the midst of trying to fi gure out how all this stuff got into your home you get a call from a mysterious female voice telling you the F.B.I is coming to your apartment in 30 seconds.

Well, that’s exactly what happens to Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) in the recently released fi lm Eagle Eye. You would think LaBeouf would know how to handle surprises, seeing as how he tackled roles such as Transformers and Disturbia, and he doesn’t disappoint. Also joining LaBeouf in this “I-can-see-you-but-you-can’t-see-me” thriller is Michelle Monaghan who plays Rachel Holloman. Rachel is a single mom who is raising a child on her own with barely any help from the father. Her son is going to Washington D.C. where he’s to play the trumpet with his school band at the Kennedy Center for the President of the United States.

Rachel is pulled into the mix while out for a night with her friends when she receives an informing call telling her that her son’s train will be derailed if she doesn’t cooperate. We meet back up with Jerry after he is carried off by the F.B.I after they pleasantly break and enter his home. He is interrogated by an F.B.I agent named Thomas Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton). Thomas calls Jerry a failure and

Kingston’s “Korner”Eagle Eye: Edge-of-your-seat action thriller

tells him that he should have stayed at Stanford instead of dropping out, and that he could have been something in life instead of getting odd jobs across the country.

We jump into the action again after the interrogation when Jerry gets a phone call from that same “she who must not be named” telling him he should have heeded her warning at the apartment.

Jerry, who is still far from convinced that this is really happening, freaks out on the phone. Next thing you know there’s a crane

coming through the window to bust him out. Jerry is now on the edge of a building being shot at. He looks up and to his surprise he sees ‘Jump Jerry Shaw’ on a billboard. If that wasn’t enough, after that it says ‘Yes Jerry, Jump’.

He fi nally meets up with Rachel and while talking in the car the GPS system comes to life and says ‘go’. They have to race through the streets of Chicago being shot at by the cops. The race ends with about 20 cop cars demolished and Jerry and Rachel garbage sailing to a cataclysmic ending. I was not surprised, but content from what I got from Eagle Eye. I felt as though D.J. Caruso directed the movie as best as he could, taking the place of Steven Spielberg, who was originally supposed to direct it but had a change of plans because of Indiana Jones IV.

Acting was never a fault in this movie. Both actors kept your attention without them using their dashing looks. Special effects weren’t put to the test as much as I thought they would be. I guess the amount of humor was supposed to make you forget that, as well as the cinematography.

I myself love Shia LaBeouf, so I enjoyed this movie. If you like action, car crashes, and explosions, this is the movie for you.

I give it 3 out of 5 crowns.

Kingston WarrenStaff Reporter

www.eagleeyemovie.com

Jordyn L. BoylesNews Editor

Seeing highly trained actors give mesmerizing performances night after night on a brightly lit stage in front of many adoring fans can be an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Their talent for this

art is evident; their perfection impeccable; the endless hours of rehearsals paid off. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of these carefully constructed facades? This year’s fall play, Noises Off, gives the audience an insight into the lives of professional actors that they have never had before. This fast-paced comedy, with its racy dialogue and unorthodox content, should prove to be a laugh a minute for all of those in attendance. “For many years now I have wanted to produce Noises Off,” says Mr. Erickson, play director. “The hilarious qualities about the show and the characters in [it] are the main reason I wanted to do it. By far it is the funniest show I have ever seen and read before.” A lot of work has gone into this production, and the actors cannot wait to give their performances. “The content in Noises Off is a lot more mature than last year’s show and I think we’ll get bigger laughs because of it,” says junior Ashley Foreman. Senior Vince A z z a n o says that, if e v e r y t h i n g goes smoothly, the audience will be “laughing themselves to tears.” Many of the actors in this year’s production feel inspired by its comedic tone, and this element has played a big role in some of the actors’ participation. “I love the experience,” says Azzano. “I wouldn’t have settled for anything other than a comedy. I love making people laugh.” Foreman agrees, noting that in comedies she always knows that when the audience is laughing, she has done her job of entertaining them. Noises Off, however epic in content and delivery, has a relatively small cast list. Although this has meant that some veteran actors were unable to participate in this fall’s production, the smaller casting has proved to be more of a positive than a negative.

“As a director, casting is the hardest part about the job,” says Erickson. “Going into this show I knew it would be diffi cult because there are only nine characters, [so] some of our veteran actors would be left out. But, when you cast a show you are looking for who fi ts each character and what they are going to bring to the table.” Some of the actors feel more comfortable in this smaller setting. “I love the smaller casting in a play,” says Foreman. “There’s more opportunity to really get to know the rest of the [actors].” The variety of experience of the actors also adds to its appeal. “There is one senior who was in a show his freshman year and that was Vince Azzano,” says Erickson. “Vince has had a role in every show at Grant thus far. All but one of the actors has been in previous shows. [Freshman]Dylan Clark will make his debut on stage in this production.” One of the biggest contributors to this play’s success is, surprisingly, not one of the actors. It is the set. “The set is amazing,” says senior Dakota Clark. He says that this year’s set is the coolest one that he has seen since he has been involved in the Grant theater program. “So far it’s just wood and folding

chairs, but, you know, we’ll get there,” says Clark. “We give it all our ‘sweet stuff’ and get it ready for opening night.” Not only is the set expected to be spectacular-looking, but it holds in store some big surprises for the audience. “There’s a big sneaky trick about the set, but I don’t think I should tell you,” says Clark. Erickson as well is keeping the set a surprise. “The set plays a major role in the show,” he says, “but I don’t want to give the surprise away. You need to come see the show.” Noises Off opens on Nov. 14 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Nov. 1 for $5 each.

Random Facts...There are 18 different

animal shapes in the Animal Crackers cookie zoo.

strangefacts.com

In space, astronauts cannot cry properly, because

there is no gravity, so the tears can’t fl ow down their

faces.

Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

Porcupines fl oat in water.

Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills

in Ireland.

It’s against the law to pawn your dentures in

Las Vegas.

Pinocchio is Italian for “pine eye”.

About 3000 years ago, most Egyptians died by the time they

were 30.

Erickson and cast excited about Noises Off debut

Junior Ashley Foreman, Senior Vince Azzano, and Freshman Jackie Schupple put their heart and soul into a practice for the play ‘Noises Off.’

S. Francisco/The Bark

4

Open Halloween and Nov. 1 Open Halloween and Nov. 1 7pm to ???7pm to ???

WARNING: If you have a heart condition Xtreme Hauntings is not for you.

Located onSayton Rd. & Honing Rd.

Fox Lake, IL

FeaturesOctober 31, 2008

The art of strategy, fi lm, debate, and working with numbers manifest themselves at Grant Community High School in the form of four new clubs: Chess Club, Film Club, Debate Club, and Math Club. These clubs

look at these four arts in a different light than they would normally be portrayed, but for the same basic reason: to instill in people how to look at things from an analytical perspective and how to break things down, whether it’s tearing up a seemingly powerful argument, working a highly complicated problem down to basic math, getting at the real meaning of a groundbreaking fi lm, or looking at life through the window of a game of chess. The one man who calls the shots in Chess, Film, and Debate Club is none other than Mr. Schmadeke, social science/English teacher. But wait a minute, just one guy managing three clubs? That’s ludicrous! Has the man gone mad with his “vast” amounts of free time?

Not in the least.Schmadeke’s mission statement was

simple: “I wanted to give Grant an opportunity to try a variety of non-athletic clubs.”

The variety starts with Chess Club, the newest club at Grant. Schmadeke believes that “the game teaches an interesting outlook on life. The game teaches how to patiently move towards a goal.”

Senior Lucas Gonzalez agrees. “It teaches you to look at the repercussions for each course you could possibly take and then fi nd the one that will have the greatest outcome. This logic can be applied to any situation.”

During Chess Club, yes, you do get to learn the basics of the game, but also you get to learn strategies. If all goes right (meaning dealings with the IHSA and regional play), Grant may be able to play against other schools, or even go down to state.

“I’m not sure that we’re ready to [go to state] but I wouldn’t dismiss it either. I’m sure [that] going to state would be enjoyable,” said Gonzalez.

If you fi nd chess enjoyable, the club meets Mondays after school in room 169.

Part two of Schmadeke’s variety fi esta is Film Club. Film Club is fairly new and in fact is in its second year of being a club. What separates the Film Club of this year from

Essence TilleryStaff Reporter

Chess Club, Film Club, Debate Club, Math Club...Oh My!the Film Club of last year is the fact that it now meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays and it focuses more on the analytical aspect of fi lm without sacrifi cing fun.

“[The movies that we watch,] are very infl uential movies and afterward we discuss the signifi cance of the fi lm,” said junior Derrek Gillespie, a veteran member of Film Club.

The types of movies that Film Club watches aren’t movies that you would normally go to see. These fi lms are the movies that make you think, the movies that grabbed the world and shook it to its very core. They were movies that made sure that the world remembered its signifi cance.

Last year in Film Club, such movies were viewed. The original version of The Manchurian Candidate, Donnie Darko, American History X, and Stand By Me are just the tip of the ice berg.

The wide spectrum of movie genres is in direct proportion to the different movie tastes of Film Club’s members. Sophomore Brittany Chebny, a veteran member of Film Club, does enjoy watching the scary movies, but doesn’t always agree with the movies that Schmadeke shows.

“Donnie Darko was not a good one,” said Chebny.

But whether or not someone actually enjoys the content of the story, Schmadeke says that “everyone goes to see a movie, but what do you see when you see a movie? Do you see a refl ection of society or a two hour escape? The purpose of Film Club is to watch movies from an analytical perspective and break them down to know what the movie is trying to tell us.”

The movies that Film Club is going to watch are posted on the door of room 169.

Another returning young club is Mock Trial in the form of Debate Club. The name has been changed due to the fact that there will be more focus on debate this year rather than reenacting major court cases (although that doesn’t mean that that won’t happen). Mock Trial got off to a rough start last year due to the fact that it started late in the school year. With the dawn of the new school year, Debate Club hopes to be more organized than Mock Trial.

“Despite the fact that there weren’t a lot of people, we still had a lot of fun because we had a lot of freedom with what debates we were going to do and how we were going to debate them,” said senior Ben Ranes, a veteran member.

Debate Club meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays in room 169 when Film Club is not in session. Debate Club participants break off into teams and either defend or attack a topic that is assigned to them. Participants get two weeks to build arguments and counter

arguments and work with their team.“[The purpose of Debate Club] is

simply to learn how to structure a proper argument. A lot of people are going into the world not knowing how to defend an argument. The purpose of this club is to get people to think outside the box, think analytically and structure arguments,” said Schmadeke.

Of course, the best part, according to Schmadeke, is “you get to pound your fi sts on podiums. You get to raise your fi sts in fi ts of rage and say ‘you are wrong, sir!’”

The question of whether or not Debate Club will compete with other schools resides on Schmadeke’s shoulders.

“It’d be pretty interesting [competing agaist others], and I hope it happens this year because it’d be good to expand the horizons of the school,” said senior Andrew Noffke, veteran member of Debate Club. In respect to Grant’s horizons, the sun will shine once again on the dormant club that was and now is the Math Club. Mr. Weinmann, math teacher, is trying to revive this club after years of inactivity. “[I’m] just trying to raise an interest in math and trying to turn it into a fun competition with other schools [and have] state competitions, both team and individual based,” said Weinmann.

The competitions start with Oral Competition, which is a competition based on a person explaining a math related topic, such as Graph theory or Conic Sections, to a panel of judges.

Other competitions include the Relay competition, which is where a team of about fi ve people have to answer a series of questions correctly. It would seem simple, but the problem, however, is that if they get the fi rst question wrong, the entire set of problems will be wrong because the answer to the fi rst question is used to solve the next question and so on.

Calculator Team Competition is similar to the other competitions, except that the math in calculator team competition is so diffi cult, they can’t be solved by hand and the only way they can be solved is with a calculator (yes, such math does exist).

In preparation for the rigorous competitions ahead, Weinmann makes sure to properly instruct his Math Club members.

“To train for Math Club, we do practice problems and then we’ll talk about how to solve them. Each grade level will have their own math level they’re responsible for. Freshmen do Algebra 1, sophomores do Geometry, juniors do Algebra 2 and seniors do Pre-Calc. The

problems are vigorous, in-depth, and basically math on steroids,” said Weinmann.

Common misconceptions about Math Club probably start with the fact that all one does in this club is receive a batch of problems and solve them like any run of the mill math packet. Not so. There is an art to solving math problems. “With a diffi cult problem you have to see the problem a certain way and it’s not always obvious. We work on different ways to solve complex problems,” said Weinmann. Scary and boring as this may be to some, Weinmann spices it up and makes sure that club members don’t get burnt out after solving so many of the same problems. He makes sure that there is almost a constant variety of problems so people in Math Club will be able to test their skills and have fun with math. “One of the reasons I’m starting this is because there are a lot of smart people who are good at math and this would give them a chance to use math in a different context than they normally would and to show off their skills,” said Weinmann. Sophomore Alyssa Black fi nds that Math Club is a great club to test out her math skills, which she fi nds easy and enjoyable.

All the mentioned activities are clubs that will make you think outside the box and take a different look at life through uncommon venues of chess, fi lm, debate, and math.

Lydia WellsFeatures Editor

Going green “is a great new thing” In recent years, it

seems that everything and everyone has ‘gone green’.

Whether we’re driving hybrid cars or bagging our own groceries in recyclable bags, it seems that it’s the new, hip thing to do.

But will it last? Junior Chaula Patel hopes so, because “it’s a good thing to do. With this ‘green trend’ people are becoming more conscious, and are fi nding new ways to help out.” Ms. Krocza, math teacher, has been head of the Environmental Club for nine years, but was interested in keeping our surroundings safe long before she started the group. “Hopefully it will become a new way of thinking and a new way of life,” she says. Ms. Richards, science teacher, says that this tidal wave of change in a greener direction is a great thing because “people can get their voices heard and get some change. [Also], it is becoming easier and cheaper to do, so more people are participating.” The environmental problem has grown to such epic proportions that now we can’t ignore it. “Many still refuse to think of it as a problem, so they ignore it [with a] ‘It’ll never happen to us’ way of thinking,” says Krocza. Thankfully, there are many new, innovative ways for the average person to help the environment without exerting a large amount of time, money, or energy.

“ R e c y c l i n g cell phones, b a t t e r i e s , e l ec t ron i c s , using reusable bags when s h o p p i n g , the new light bulbs, more choices of hybrid cars, solar energy, wind power, more organic foods and c l o t h e s , turning off the water when brushing teeth, turning off the lights when not in a room, c a r p o o l i n g with friends…What can’t we do?!” says Krocza. All of these are inventive ways to help the world stay clean. Many also think that education is the way to a greener world. “I don’t think there is much more that needs to be done as far as raising awareness,”

says Richards. Junior Ami Shishodia also thinks that informing the public would be valuable. “I don’t think a lot of people really know they can help. More people need to get involved and help our community be more eco-friendly.” First of all, recycling may be the most important aspect of helping the environment. Many people don’t know that an aluminum can that is thrown away can still be a can 500 years from now. However, many people also aren’t aware that there is no limit to the amount of times it can be recycled. Furthermore, recycling affects more than just the land and air. One million sea creatures are killed each year by plastic bags and products. Many of these are the plastic rings around pop cans. In just a few seconds you can snip the rings with scissors and throw them away, knowing that they won’t be harmful. In addition, hybrid cars are becoming the new craze. With gas prices topping $4.00 a gallon, who wouldn’t want 20 to

30 extra miles per gallon? Hybrid cars work very simply: the car has both a gas engine and an electric motor that assists the engine. The electric motor is

powered by batteries that charge when you drive. As you accelerate or drive, the car uses gasoline. However, when the car is slowing down or stopped in traffi c, the engine is temporarily shut off, and the car runs on the batteries. Last of all, there are many ways for the average person to help out at home. Low-fl ow showerheads use less water for showers, as do low-fl ow toilets. Compost piles, recycling, and turning the lights off when you leave a room also help. So, what exactly caused this ‘green trend’? “More items can be recycled—more companies are taking initiatives to make their products recyclable and it is talked about much more,” says Richards. “[Also,] I think young people are beginning to understand it better. [It] happens more at schools now and stores than in the past.” An important thing to remember is that helping the environment doesn’t just help the land, air, and sea—it helps a person’s conscience as well. “[Recycling] makes us feel like we’re doing the right thing. We’re doing our part to help and give back to the earth,” says Krocza. All in all, going green is a great new thing. However, there is no limit to how much people can help. Shishodia says, “There are always more things to do to help. There will never be a day where our world is perfect. If we do reach that point, it would be a huge achievement!”

Freshman Derek Hansen sports a bag promoting environmental awareness.

S. Francisco/The Bark

5

More News 6News October 31, 2008

This year the Performing Arts Society (PAS) at Grant Community High School has a lot going on.

PAS includes the choir, band, theatre, and dance team. There are new events being planned, and new

students participating in them. For the first time ever, Grant’s PAS students will be attending the Theatre Festival in Champaign, IL. It is a three day festival consisting of different theatre workshops. Several shows will be put on for the students to attend, and they can see what a real show should look like. Ms. Koske, choir director, says, “We’re all hoping to have the most exciting, e n t e r t a i n i n g , and educational year yet.” As far as the choir goes, this year they are doing s o m e t h i n g new. In April 2009 the Concert Choir will be competing in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Music Contest. The choir is also being run a little bit differently this year. Junior Ashley Foreman says, “The choirs are divided by levels now, and each level has its own class.” Students who have been in choir longer are in a higher level class, and newer students are in lower level classes. There is also an all girls class, and an all boys class. That is not all that the choir is doing this year, though. Along with other PAS members, they will be taking a trip to Disney World. They will be there for four days, participating in workshops and the New Years Eve Parade. As for activities at the school, the

Katie LorisStaff Reporter

S i n c e the beginning of time, man has always had an uncontrollable attraction to violence. Now, it seeps into our daily lives through the media and has dramatically changed from a prehistoric type of survival to an everyday form of entertainment.

Fox Lake, in particular, has seen an increase of fi ghting as a sport as more and more students host their own versions of ‘Ultimate Fighting Championship’ (UFC) fi ghts right in their own back yards. “I fi nd it very entertaining,” says senior Ynez Rivera. “It’s intense and a rush to watch. It almost makes you want to go in and have your own match.” Rivera’s response is not an uncommon one around Grant Community High School, but it is just as likely to fi nd the opposite reaction. “I think they’re a bit ridiculous,” says junior Stephanie Oehrlein. “You’d think that people would have something more constructive and benefi cial to do with their spare time.”

Although it may be seen as a barbaric activity to some, the students participating say

that they take the necessary precautions to remain safe. “[The fi ghters] play by the offi cial rules,” says Rivera. “They also have the option as to what safety gear they want to wear.” Those safety measures are not enough as Mike Behan, Fox Lake Police Chief, sees a drastic difference between the real UFC fi ghts and the ones students hold. “UFC is an entertainment that some high school students idolize, but an untrained person is very, very dangerous,” he says. “UFC men have legitimate years of training that an average high school student does not.” Even with the added safety, students agree that the UFC matches are not in any way harmless. Although senior Shane Fiene agrees that the matches are not exactly safe, he still states that “no one has died yet so it’s all good.” Behan would strongly disagree with the idea that these matches are not dangerous. According to Behan, a student was permanently paralyzed in 1998 when given a head drop during one of these fi ghts.

Even so, several students state that the worst outcomes that usually occur due to the matches include black eyes, bruises, cuts, bloody noses, and blows to a person’s pride. Because the activity is usually performed outside of school, the administrators at

Meital CaplanEditor-in-Chief

Grant cannot directly get involved. However, with its rapid increase in popularity, the school now plans to take more action. However, this is still very limited due to the fact that the fi ghts do not occur during school hours. “The school [plans to] inform the proper authorities when we become aware of this type of situation,” says Mr. Smith, dean of students. If a student were to get caught fi ghting after school, planned or not, the consequences could be as drastic as being arrested for disorderly conduct. Besides allowing the authorities to get involved, some faculty are also taking more action to prevent students from partaking in these fi ghts. According to Mr. Rous, varsity football coach, members of the football team can expect nothing less than expulsion from the team if they participate in a fi ght in any way, even by just watching. This decision was made after Rous was contacted by the police that some of his football players were found witnessing a fi ght. Several students don’t believe that the school should get concerned in any way. “It’s not [the school’s] place to get involved with events outside of school,” says senior Dan Paquette. Rivera agrees with Paquette, saying that the school “has no right to be barging into [students’] personal business and what we do out

of school.” Although Fox Lake is not experiencing any important issue due to the fi ghting, in other places it takes a much darker twist. Videos have been springing up all over the internet of people aggressively jumping and fi ghting random people to the point of permanent damage. These videos are even being collected and put together into collages to be sold to the public. “People who support that are sick,” says senior Myriam Ferre. “People just shouldn’t randomly attack someone. Fighting isn’t just a sport; it’s sick humor for those involved.” While it is rare to believe that this kind of extreme activity of jumping random people will ever invade the city of Fox Lake, many fi ghts are being recorded to be watched over and over again. Still, the fi ghting has not had any apparent negative infl uence and continues to thrive in our community. Behan, however, has reservations of how tolerant people have become to the violence.

“UFC has minimal rules, such as no groin hitting, and no eye gouging. If this is acceptable to us, then what is next to outdo UFC? ‘fi ghting to the death’? Having people signing contracts that it is okay to die? Our standards have been lowered for our amusement. It is sad that in today’s age and time we are focused on violence so much and that the younger generation is moving in that direction,” says Behan.

Violence as entertainment a growing trend in Fox Lake

choir will, again, be putting on the annual Barbershop Festival. Each year different groups that sing acapella and barbershop come and perform on the same stage as our own school choirs. When it comes to organizing these events, each director does his or her own thing for their program. For the spring musical, however, Ms. Skolar, band director, Ms. Koske, choir director, and Mr. Erickson, theatre director, join up to work together. Other than that production, they don’t really do much work in any other aspect but their own. The musical is the event of the year with students from every aspect of PAS working together to put on a show. Sophomore Jackie Schupple says,

“I’m really l o o k i n g forward to the musical. E v e r y o n e gets so close and it’s like a big family. It’s always super fun, e s p e c i a l l y product ion weekends!” E r i c k s o n hopes to get more s t u d e n t s involved in all aspects of the play and

musical this year. There is always something you can do in PAS, no matter who you are. He’s hoping that more people will come out for the musical this year, even if they don’t come to act. PAS isn’t all about performing. The people who are not on stage are just as important as those who are. The Performing Arts Society is all a group effort. The dance team put together a routine to put on at the Homecoming game half-time show that went along with the theme. The team will continue forming new creative routines all year that they will also use to compete. Every aspect of the Performing Arts Society at Grant is important, and they all put in huge efforts to make the year’s events everything they can be.

Grant’s PAS ready for a busy year

The mixed-choir class reherses for its fall concert

K. Loris/The Bark

Making a difference in the community always leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment. Joining clubs that suit your personality and your interests are a great way to get involved and make a difference. You are doing something you love to

do and being productive at the same time. Who wouldn’t want to have fun and be around the people who share the same interest? There is defi nitely a lot of work involved, but it is for a good cause. T h e Grant Community High School Environmental Club is an example of one of those groups of dedicated individuals who strive to make a difference. A b o u t 50 students attended the fi rst club meeting in September. Many students are interested this year, especially with the popular saying, “Go Green,” and the stylish peace sign logo. “Environmental club is so much fun! There’s a warm fuzzy feeling one gets when they know they’ve done something good,” said sophomore Emily Tarver. Although those things are very important to think about and be a part of, the Environmental Club is meant to better the community, not just to

be a popular thing to do. “We help people, [the] environment, [and] we educate,” said Ms. Krocza, environmental club leader. “It’s life lessons that stay with us all our lives. We do projects for others, not for us or the recognition.” After their fi rst fi eld trip and group meeting, they have some good insights on the future projects. They plan to promote animal rights, healthier food choices in the cafeteria, highway cleanup, and more recycling bins for the classrooms and the cafeterias. “I believe that the Environmental Club is a positive extra curricular activity by making us more aware on how we can help,” sophomore

Taylor Zarr said. Joining the Environmental Club is only a small start that can turn into something big, if everyone contributes to it.

“We get to help inform the community about important events and happenings such as global

warming. It feels like we are making a small but positive change,” said Tarver. The Environmental Club is about bettering the environment. It is the responsibility of the students to get involved, clean up the community, and be a part of something that is not only fun, but is good for the environment.

Environmental Club dedicated to making a difference

Jeshanah SmithStaff Reporter

G r a n t Community High School will be hosting the 14th annual Gala Dinner dance on Nov. 8 at Maravela’s Banquet Hall. This event is sponsored by the Partnership for Academic Excellence.

P r o c e e d s from the Gala go

towards scholarships, incentives to students participating in the ACT prep class, and the

district’s technology plan. The black tie Gala Dinner/Dance is

also a culmination of the Gala committee from the staff, community, and parents of Grant and surrounding communities. To date, the Gala has over 250 participants.

Students will serve hors d’ oeuvres, distribute programs, and seat Gala guests at their tables. Dinner will be provided by Maravela’s Banquet Hall. A fi let and chicken breast with marinara sauce will be served. Music will be provided by Absolute Entertainment.

For more information, please contact Ms. Hellios in the Career Center.

14th annual Grant Gala to be held in November

Kingston WarrenStaff Reporter

Members of the Environmental Club get ‘down in the dirt’ on their fi rst fi eld trip

Guest Photographer/The Bark

Sports October 31, 2008

G r a n t Community High School’s girls tennis team is not the team they were last month. The girls proved that they are a formidable force with their improved record of 4-6. A memorable day came on Oct. 4 when the team took second place

at the Johnsburg Invite. “That was an outstanding tournament for us. In that tournament we took second place overall and lost to Johnsburg by eight points. At number one singles, [junior] Taryn Doherty took fi rst place. At number two singles, [sophomore] Jessica Ring took fi rst place and at number one doubles [seniors] Cassie Menke and Kristen Sircher also took fi rst place. I’m really excited because our players are playing their best tennis right now,” said Mr. Sheets, head coach. The girls were also excited to taste the sweet draught of victory. “The Johnsburg Invite was really exciting. The whole team played amazing. I

won all of the matches and tied one [match] which gave me 22 points for fi rst place. The rest of the team totaled enough points to get us to Johnsburg. We lost [against Johnsburg], but only by eight points,” said Ring.

While the team did not place in the Antioch-NSC tournament on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11, it would be the last time that the whole team didn’t have standout performances across the board. “The team did not play to its potential,” said Menke. “Homecoming week had been packed, so many players, myself included, felt exhausted and overwhelmed.” The girls may have lost that time, but with their fi erce, tenacious desire to win, they redeemed themselves in the ‘Spirit of the Northwest’ tournament on Oct 14. “The team played its best,” said Menke. “[Seniors] Mindy Jurinak and Valerie Brzezinski placed 3rd in the tournament and there was tough competition at all levels.”

The team now hopes to continue their spectacular performances as they head into the playoff games. Sheets has already thought of ways to prepare the team for the games ahead.

“We’re working on court strategy. I

feel like we have the physical part of the game down, now we have to work on the mental part. We’ll set up a match between players. We start with one of the players losing by four games and the goal [is] to try and teach the player how to control the tempo of the game when the pressure is on,” said Sheets.

In addition to what the coach has in store, the players have their own preparations in mind. “I plan on improving my tennis skills by practicing harder and acing some girls at practice during practice matches,” said Brzezinski.

With all the extra hard work that the team is putting in, it is no surprise how confi dent the girls feel.

“I believe we will play the best teams in our division but we will overall do well and play hard,” said Sircher.

Some players even believe that the playoffs will not be the end to this season. “Many girls on the team this year have the skills to make it to state,” said Menke. No matter what the outcome might be for the team, the players have a positive season to look back on.

“It was a fun season and a great learning experience,” said Brzezinski. Another important factor of the season was the constant improvement in the team. “Our volleys are getting better,” said Menke. “We are now able to place them where our opponents aren’t.” The tennis players also personally saw themselves grow as athletes. “My biggest improvement was when I was playing 2nd doubles for the fi rst half of the year and moved back to 1st doubles,” said Sircher. The team could not have gotten as far as it did without the aid of Sheets. “I like the fact that coach Sheets pays attention to every single player and makes an effort to make them better,” said senior Jeremy David. Menke couldn’t agree more, saying that Sheets “has always positively encouraged the team to never give up.” With the intense dedication from the players and coach it would be no surprise to see players annihilate the competitions and make it very far into the playoffs.

Essence TilleryStaff Reporter

The varsity volleyball team got off to a bumpy start this season, but the hard work has paid off and they are starting to put things together this season.

“[We got] off to a rocky start, but it’s starting to turn around,” says senior Amber

Potts.Early in the season the team had

one major weakness that hampered them from winning a couple games.

“[The team’s greatest weakness is] fi nishing games,” says senior Rachel Behm. “We always get to 20 or 23, then we play timid and we can’t get to 25.”

The team has another disadvantage, but the girls have to fi nd ways to get around it.

“[Our weakest area is] the lack of height,” says Ms. Thompson, head coach. “We are a very small team, so we struggle offensively against bigger teams.”

Players also understand that they will need to work hard to play with the taller competitors.

“We aren’t a very big team so the front row players have to step up their game to compete,” says senior Sarah Scurto.

Besides the challenges the girls face, Thompson knows the success of the team revolves around one key thing.

“Our success as a team really depends on how well our defense plays,” says Thompson.

The skills that the girls need to become the best are learned in practice. The team is paying a great deal of attention to passing and defense at practice, and it’s starting to pay off.

“In practice we really focus on those

two things and it shows. It’s defi nitely a big jump from last year,” says Behm. The team is improving this season. It is evident from all the players that the team is getting better each and every day. “I think we’re improving each game we play,” says Scurto.

The Bulldogs have become better and have fought hard in a lot of games this season, but the record sometimes does not prove it.

“Our record isn’t all that good, but we play harder than our record shows,” says Behm.

By the end of the season the team came together to pull off a respectable record of 6-22. The team’s fi nal match was played a t the Crosstown Classic on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. “As long as we play as a team we will win,” says junior Hannah Couch. “We are playing all teams that are beatable.” Whether the Bulldogs win their last game or not, it can be a guarantee that the team will walk out with a satisfactory feeling of the season. “The overall season has been a good experience,” says Scurto. “Our teammates get along very well and we’ve had fun playing at home games for our fans.” Although this season has come to a close, already there are high hopes for next year’s season. “We are a very young team for a lot of potential,” says Couch. “It’s looking up for next year when we have more experience on the team.” It can be counted on that the team will be walking out with lasting memories. “The best moment was at the Grayslake tournament,” says Couch. “[Sophomore] Becca McMullin had two incredible saves that she did from her knees. Coach Thompson could not get enough of it!”

Looking back, Ms. Thompson believes that the Sept. 26 match against Antioch was the best match they played all year. That day the Bulldogs pulled off an impressive comeback from being down 1-0. The team rallied and won two games in a row winning 25-22, and 25-23.

“[The] offense and defense played well. The defense frustrated their hitters by picking up everything they hit.”

The team knew that Antioch would put up a challenge. They did not lose focus being down 1-0 and they were determined to come back with a victory.

The team owes the Antioch win and many of its other wins to the coaches that helped achieve them.

“The coaches were tough all year round but they encouraged us and were really patient with us,” says Couch.

Likewise, several players stood out to make the team great.

“The one who has had the biggest impact on our team is C.J. Hill. She has stepped up as a senior and played well in all positions that we have needed her. She has led this team in kills since day one,” says Couch. Whether it was the hard work of the players or the dedication from the coaches, the team has defi nitely worked through the tough games to end the season on a positive note.

Alex CarrStaff Reporter

G r a n t Community High School’s boys varsity soccer team has not had the best results for the 2008 season. With the season almost coming to a close, the team has a record of 2-18-1 but the team is still working hard to improve their overall game and teamwork as they head into the playoffs.

“We’re working on eliminating mental mistakes and playing focused for an entire game,” says Mr. Rivette, head coach.

This year’s team’s main focus was on overall improvement and teamwork. “Well we’re a young team, but we improved a lot,” says junior John Kramer. He also says the most important aspect of this year is “that we play as a team and use everyone on the paper.” The players put their skills to use in a game against Lake Forest on Oct. 14. The boys played hard but still lost 5-0. However, the team walked out happy with their performance. “The passing we had was good,” says senior Jeff Szelewicki. “We just couldn’t fi nish.”

Playing on astroturf was certainly a different experience. “The blame is on us for the loss, but I also think that they really knew how to work their home fi eld while it was new to us,” says senior Adrian Trujillo. Practice is one of the most important things for a team in order to be successful.

“We’re working on scoring more and pass pretty good but we can’t put the ball in the back of the net,” says Kramer. To enhance the team, some new additions came to the team later in the season from JV in junior Alex Kupinski and junior Luis Zhagui. The team is now preparing to put their all into the playoff games. “We will go far in the playoffs,” says Trujillo. Whether the team advances or not, the players have positive words about the overall season. “From the start of the season until now our team has improved drastically,” says Szelewicki. “Our ball possession has grown to be outrageously good.” As the team has developed and improved thoughtout the season, certain players stood out. “I think Jeff is going to be MVP this

year because he is a great leader and a huge part of the team this year,” says senior David Kevkhishvili. Rivette doesn’t believe that a single player can be the most important saying that

“on the team, no player is more valuable than any other player; all players are equal and valuable.” No matter what, the players of this soccer season will have memorable moments that they will always remember whether it is being able to play after a surgery, or Rivette having a ‘turtle in his throat’. Besides being remembered for his quirky ways, Rivette can be counted on leaving an impact many of the players. “Rivette is the best coach I’ve ever had,” says Trujillo. “I played in teams where they supposedly had top coaches, but I still believe that Rivette helped me the most.”

Regardless of what the record may show, the team knows how far it has come.

“As a senior I couldn’t wait for the season to start and now

it’s post season,” says Szelewicki. “The end came so fast and now all I

want is to restart the season because I know that our record will improve enormously.”

Tennis team rises above the rubble, stands atop the hill of victory

Volleyball team’s determination leaves the players at their best

Senior Jessica Nusbaum prepares to send the ball back to the other team.

S. Francisco/ The Bark

Boys soccer record does not refl ect their intense dedication to the game

Paul KudowskiStaff Reporter

Junior midfi elder, Jack Kramer, defends his position to help win the game.

P. Kudowski/ The Bark

7

The BarkOctober 31, 2008

SportsG r a n t

Community High School’s varsity football team has not disappointed spectators this year as it has come a long way and with each victory gives players and fans more hope for another successful season. The Bulldogs are going strong with a record of 6-2.

Even though some might think otherwise, there is nothing that can stop the team from being hungry for triumph. The cure: defeat everyone.

Although having two starting athletes unavailable to play is a setback which no one can deny, it gives other players something to look forward to.

“Injuries are a part of football,” says Mr. Rous, head coach. “When somebody gets hurt and goes down, the next guy has to step in and step-up his game.”

Bringing up sophomore Leo Minne might just be what the team needs.

“Being on varsity is crazy and pretty exciting,” says Minne. “Most of the guys are nice, but they like to joke a lot.”

Do not start to think, however, that the players don’t take playing seriously as Minne has “full confi dence in his team and himself.”

Not only is Minne confi dent in his team but Rous shares the feeling as well.

“We are lucky in that we have excellent depth at most of our positions,” says Rous.

In fact, the football team has one of the best defensive lines in the Prairie Division by allowing just 15.375 points per game.

There is no doubt that these players will be giving it their all to crush their opponents,

but don’t expect Rous to look for the same performances as in previous years.

“I don’t want to compare this team to last year or any other year,” says Rous. “We strive to improve week after week.”

Improving is exactly what they are doing. With only the playoff games left, each one is going to be a challenge. That is not to say that the previous games were not tough.

The Bulldogs received their fi rst defeat of the season in the game against Antioch on Oct. 3. The teams were neck and neck the entire game, but the game resulted with Antioch being victorious with a score of 28-14. “We just didn’t bring our ‘A’ game and Antioch did,” says senior Gunther Rosentreter. Rous also realizes that the outcome of the game was due to “too many mistakes.” There were also many other reasons why Grant didn’t come out strong during the Antioch game. “[Antioch] did a nice job of fi lling their stadium and making it tough to play there,” says Mr. Ogryzek, assistant coach.

In the following week the Bulldogs came back with a strong victory against Wauconda in Grant’s homecoming game on Oct. 11. The defense came up strong with forceful stops led by seniors Chris Staton, Tyler Becker, and John King. Senior James Cokefair also assisted in the cause with a fumble recovery,

providing a 2 point conversion on offense. “The team played much better with fewer penalties,” says senior George McKenzie. “The defense fl ew around and the offense controlled the ball.”

Besides the excitement of winning another game, this victory brought on another set of good news. “We were proud of the team for fi nishing and clinching a playoff spot,” says Ogryzek. The upcoming playoffs will be the time when the team really proves to everyone

what the Bulldogs are all about. Already hopes are high for the outcome. “We expect to go deep into the playoffs,” says Ogryzek. Teammates as well feel like they

could go far into the playoffs. “I think we could go all the way to the fi nals,” says junior Peter Laubenstein. “It depends on how well we stay focused and how hard we play.” Fans can go see the fi rst of the several anticipated playoff games on Oct. 31 or Nov. 1.

Stephanie DoganStaff Reporter

The Grant Community High School varsity golf team started off rough in the beginning of the season, but walked out with a satisfactory record of 6-9.

Oct. 7 proved to be an important day as the boys played their hardest at the Prairie Ridge IHSA

regional competition.“We did alright,” says Mr. Eiduke,

head coach. “We did not have anyone advance. However, our young golfers gained valuable experience for next year.”

Although the regional competition may not have ended as hoped, the team found a way to redeem itself when it went against Antioch on Oct. 17.

“We won and our leading scorers were [sophomore] Sean Thandupurakal with 37

points and [senior] Daniel Tromotola with 40 points,” says Eiduke.

Both scores stood out for being below the par of the game. Now, as the season comes to a close the team refl ects on their experience. “It was fun,” says Eiduke. “We had great kids and played a lot of golf.”

Senior Nick Guenther also believes that the season ended on a good note. “Our team is young but I think we played the best of our ability, even though the scorecard didn’t show it sometimes.” Development seemed to be the key aspect with this year’s team.

“I saw improvements nearly everyday,” says junior Dillon Peterson.

Guenther agrees saying that the team “made big strides.”

Progress throughout the season was found in many different factors.

“Our biggest improvement was that our scores dropped and we became more consistent by the end of the season,” says Eiduke.

Through the long season, certain players were bound to stand out in their athletic abilities.

“Our two leading scorers were Thandupurakal and [junior] Brandon Magnuson,” says Eiduke. “Our leading 18 hole tournament average was Guenther.”

As for a most valuable player, Eiduke says that “they are all candidates for MVP at this moment.”

While this season has fi nished, the future of Grant golf is optimistic.

“We were so young; the next two seasons will be good for Grant golf,” says Guenther.

Eiduke is also relying on golfers coming back next year with confi dence in their familiarity with playing. “[This year] we were young but fi ve of our golfers will be returning next season with gained experience.”

Now that the newer players have had some time on the green of the golf course, it can be a guarantee that next year’s season will be a successful one.

Paul KudowskiStaff Reporter

Bang, the gun has sounded and the run for the Prairie Division title has fi nished. The girls cross country team fi nished with an impressive 5-1 record while the boys ended with a 3-3 record in the Prairie Division.

The girls team is continuing the success from the 2007 season’s 5-1 record in the Prairie

Division. The team is right where they want to be this season.

Mr. Durlak, head coach, has set his own goals for the team this season. “Both teams are aiming to win the NSC Prairie. The girls control their own destiny. I am satisfi ed with how we are running.”

Winning the division was a goal stressed by all the runners this season.

“We want to do good at conference and win our division,” says senior Alyssa Pasiewicz.

The teams’ goal is to win conference, but they also have aspirations for events after the regular season.

“Down the road, we will try to qualify both teams for sectionals, and hopefully get some runners to state,” says Durlak.

While the teams have had success this season, the teams still know they have to keep plugging along as the season continues.

“We can keep working hard and try to get better everyday, whether it’s a practice or a meet,” says Durlak.

The team would not be where it’s at without the work at practice this season. The teams’ records are refl ecting on how they are working at practice.

“[The girls team’s] main reason for accomplishing [so much] this season is hard work, team effort, and the girls pushing each other to their full potential,” says senior Maureen Cook.

The Bulldogs won their fi nal home meet of the season against Vernon Hills on Oct. 1. Six girls fi nished in the top ten at the invite, and that lead to a 24-33 win. That win moved the Bulldogs to a 4-0 record at the time, and in sole possession of the division lead.

The team avenged their loss from last

season against Vernon Hills and it was a meet the Bulldogs desperately wanted to win.

“This year we wanted to get back and take what was ours,” says Pasiewicz. “All the girls were ready to do what we had to do.”

The boys cross country team fi nished with a 3-3 record and fi nished in 4th place in the Prairie Division. The boys ended the season on a high note beating Round Lake 21-38, in the fi nal division meet.

The work wasn’t over, however, as both teams were put to the test on Oct. 11 in the Wheeling Invite. Although both teams were nearing the end of their seasons, the meet did not refl ect their improvement throughout the year.

“We didn’t do our best,” says Pasiewicz of the girls team’s performance.

Likewise, the boys team failed to show what they are truly capable of. They boys got 18th place out of 22 teams while the girls walked out with 11th place out of 20 teams.

In the North Suburban Conference meet on Oct. 18 the girls team fi nished 7th out of 13 teams while the boys fi nished 9th out of 12 teams. Sophomore Ryan Mamerow, junior Alexis Capps, and senior Kendra Kennedy were named All Conference in the meet.

With the season meets out of the way, the teams hope for a chance to compete at state.

“The girls team has a chance,” says senior Alex Maskevich. “It’s hard to predict how they will do. Because of the adrenaline and course, everyone runs their fastest at state.”

Another possibility is having individuals representing Grant Community High School in the state competition.

“I think Ryan Mamerow could make it to state,” says Maskevich. “He could do really well.”

Whether state is in their future or not, the girls can look back on an excellent season fi nishing 5-1 in the Prairie Division and tied for 1st place with Lakes, and Antioch.

The boys, as well, have a positive season fi lled with several memories.

“Cross country is a very hard sport, but it was defi nitely worth doing,” says Maskevich.

The teams and athletes made a running for a chance to compete at state on Oct. 25 at the regional competition.

Alex CarrStaff Reporter

Two losses cannot defeat the varsity football team’s spirt

Grant’s varsity defense prepares itself to face Wauconda during the Homecoming football game.

S. Francisco/ The Bark

Girls cross country team bolt to the top with their determined attitude and practice

Golf team ends season on a high note; expects an even better season next year

P.Kudowski/ The Bark

Senior Daniel Tromotola hits the ball, watches it fl y and hopes it goes far

8