Spokesman Wheeling High School 900 S. Elmhurst Rd. Wheeling, Ill. 60090 <www.wheelingspokesman.com>Volume 48 Issue 4 Dec. 16, 2011

whs

Holiday Extravaganza pg 9

Orchesis helps ‘Stuff-a-Bus’pg 7

indexnews 1-2forum 3feature 4-5focus 6-7la voz 8a&e 9-10sports 11-12

onlineNews Turf affects graduation

A&E Holiday Extravaganza video

Sports Girls basketball on Friday

Wheeling plans bike paths, lanes

Frida ValdesAsst. News Editor

Perla JimenezStaff Reporter

WHS to host research contest for first time

Wheeling currently works with the Active Transportation Alliance in drafting the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan to add more sidewalks and bike lanes for bikers and pedestrians.

The Bike and Pedestrian Task Force of Wheeling formed in 2010 to update the Bike Route Map in Wheeling’s 2003 Comprehensive Plan. Consulting with the Alliance will start in January 2012.

“The village, over the last couple of years, planned to update the 2003 Comprehensive Plan, including the bike plan, which we found entirely unrealistic,” Andrew Jennings, village planner, said.

The village received a Community Planning Program grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan.

The task force also

received an Illinois T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Enhancements Program grant last fall to build a bike path on Dundee Road by the forest preserve, which will go from the Des Plaines River to the I-294 overpass.

Wheeling has worked on permit requirements for the path since they received the grant. It has worked on getting a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources because eastern massasauga rattlesnakes live in that area.

“It (the rattlesnake) hasn’t been seen out there for a number of years, but it has been recorded a few instances in the past,” Tim Merrihew, capital projects and design manager, said.

According to Mr. Jennings, the task force projects that construction for the path will start in fall 2012. The task force should finish the first draft of the plan by early fall 2012. They expect to present the plan for final review in December 2012 and approval in December 2012 or January 2013.

Starting next semester, peer tutors will receive credit for tutoring.

By offering credit, Kristen Chico, learning center coordinator, wants to increase both the number of tutors available at any given time and the hours that each student tutors per week.

“Right now, all tutors volunteer their time, but it’s very hard for them to come in consistently,” Ms. Chico said.

Ms. Chico submitted her idea of giving credit to peer tutors to Dr. Hollis Ravitz, assistant principal of student services, and Erin DeLuga, associate principal. They both approved.

“Since last year, Ms. Chico’s already doubled the number of tutors,” Ms. DeLuga said.

According to Ms. Chico, she does not plan to add to the workload, but she wants to apply a grading system to tutoring. She plans to use a system similar to the one

Rosalie ChanNews Editor

Location of Planned Side Path

Infographic by Rosalie Chan

Cook County Forest Preserve

Sanders Road

Tri-State Toll way 294

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For the first time, WHS, along with Northwestern University and other community partners, will host the Midwest Research Competition: Positive Impact (MRCPI), which will offer participants the opportunity to showcase investigation projects.

MRCPI will take place on April 13, 2012 at WHS. Besides participants, parents and non-competing students, who will need to register in advance, experts from the private sector, high school instructors and university instructors can attend this event.

In comparison to other research competitions that focus on science

related topics, students can investigate about any topic they believe will improve the world.

“It’s original through Wheeling High School, so no other high school in this area has done something exactly like this before, since it is a bit more of an evolution of what your typical science fair is,” Erin DeLuga, associate principal, said.

Up to three students in high school can work together in this competition, and students must attend the conference with a faculty supervisor.

While attending other research showcases, Barry Hanrahan, head librarian and media specialist, and Ken Indeck, math teacher, came up with the idea of

a research competition that not only encouraged students to investigate about relevant topics but also made them aware of how that particular research could positively impact the world.

“We thought this would be a learning opportunity for the whole community, this isn’t just a Wheeling-only event,” Mr. Hanrahan said. “It’s a unique opportunity for students to do original research and share with others and look at what positive impact that research could have on the students.”

According to Ms. DeLuga, WHS will invite schools in the northwest suburbs but the information will go out to other people. Coordinators of this event

hope they can get schools in other states to come and participate.

“The students who are directly involved with this competition have the opportunity to not just learn about what’s already known, they have the opportunity to add to what we already know, and that’s the kind of academic excellence that we haven’t really focused a lot on in school so far,” Mr. Indeck said.

Mr. Hanrahan noted that one of the main goals of this event is “providing a venue for students to demonstrate the impact that inquiry can have on the world, is something that they don’t get every day.”

If students want to participate, registration deadline is Feb. 24, 2012.

About Midwest Research Competition: Positive ImpactWhat do students do for MRCPI? Students do investigation projects on any topic, and they present their projects at this event on April 13, 2012.What happens at this event? This one-day event will have three sessions, but the final schedule has not yet been decided. At the first session, 25 semifinalist projects previously selected will compete while judges evaluate them. Simultaneously, a conference will be available for adult guests to learn about how they can do something similar to this inquiry competition. Also, participants will listen to a keynote speaker and a question-answer panel session, and the six finalists will be announced.What can students win? Students with winning projects and their schools will each receive scholarships of $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third.

Tutors will receive credit next term

Lindsay Figueroa and Brittany Roman, sophomores, do homework during 8th period at the TLC. Peer tutors go into the TLC during the week, and students who need tutoring can receive help there. Next term, tutors will receive credit and assignments. “They could certainly make it work, it would just have to be more specific to tutoring,” Ryan Schiltz, counselor, said.

Valerie Westin Photo Editor

used for service learning.Tutoring will be graded

pass/fail, and the students will work on a week-to-week basis. Students will have to log the amount of hours they work each week. At the end of each week, each tutor

will fill out a self-assessment worksheet like in service learning. However, since the students will only be tutoring, the weekly assessments and grading will be more specific to tutoring.

“I think that students in general will take the tutoring center more seriously than it being a place to escape the crazy cafeteria and take advantage of the tutors in there,” Kelly Echeverri, senior and peer tutor, said.

Information gathered by Frida Valdes

2NewsDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

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For more news, like Wheeling Spokesman on Facebook or follow @WHSSpokesman on Twitter.

AP environmental science students visit Air Station Prairie, Northwestern

Junior class board prepares for prom

Junior class board finalized most of their prom arrangements during their Dec. 6 meeting.

“It (prom) is entirely in their (board member’s) hands,” Jessica Maciejewski, junior class board co-sponsor and English teacher, said.

Junior class board is in charge of contacting the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) members and finalizing details for prom, which takes place in June. PTO sponsors the post-prom activities chosen by class board members.

“They want to contribute and they want to help us with activities,” Ms. Maciejewski said. “Right now, I don’t know how much they can help with, but anything they can contribute will add to our prom.”

Two years ago, PTO sponsored a cruise as the post-prom activity. This year, prom will be extended, and the class board members are thinking about providing midnight snacks for those who attend the dance. As of now, junior class board has not reached a decision on what they will do.

“We don’t know what we are going to do the whole time,” Asher Crawley, junior

and junior class board secretary said. “We’ve been trying to come up with ideas for prom since it’s extended.”

Junior class board members have thought about creating fundraisers to help with their budget.

“We’ve been trying to raise money using the holidays,” Crawley said. “We just had our Thanksgiving themed bake sale.”

According to Elizabeth Delgado, junior class board co-sponsor and social sciences teacher, the bake sale they held during Thanksgiving helped with their budget but not as much as they had hoped.

“We didn’t sell all the candy, so it (the fundraiser) didn’t help a lot,” Ms. Delgado said.

According to Ms. Maciejewski, prom tickets usually cover the budget, but if the class board members want to have more activities, they hope to raise money from fundraisers and have help from PTO.

“Our ticket prices rise every year due to inflation, so if the PTO can help, our ticket prices don’t have to go up by much,” Ms. Maciejewski said.

Junior board members will meet after break to finalize details for prom.

On Dec. 8, the AP environmental science classes went on a field trip to the Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie in Glenview to learn about green buildings, prairie plants and invasive species. Later, Lisa Del Muro, science teacher, and seven students went to Northwestern University to interview Kimberly Gray, professor of civil and environmental engineering, to create a video for the EcoCasting Project, a set of inquiry activities for environmental science curriculums.

Top Left: Maria Tinajero and Luis Ramirez, seniors; Harlan Rosen, junior; Bart Basara and Leah Valenti, seniors, walk through Air Station Prairie to learn about native prairie plants.Top Right: Tinajero looks at the exhibit in the Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center. The building includes solar panels and a geothermal heating and cooling system. “I learned stuff I didn’t know, like about green houses (houses with eco-friendly features),” Ramirez said. “I didn’t know green houses were even built yet...but that’s (the Tyner center) built, and it’s so close to where we live.” Bottom Left: Emma Jensen, senior, adjusts a flip camera at Northwestern University before recording Professor Gray. “It was interesting to hear her perspective about issues we talked about in class,” Jensen said. Bottom Right: Katy Darr, program staff/restoration specialist, talks to the students about prairie plants and invasive species. Photos by Rosalie Chan

Student Council hosted the annual Pixie Angels breakfast this morning.Also, Honor Pack is currently raising money for a WHS family. Pack the Place week will take place the week of Jan. 3-6. The first spirit day on Jan. 3 is pajama day.

Band Solo and Ensemble will take place Jan. 12. The Northshore Jazz Festival will take place on Jan. 21.

Orchesis received the Pepsi Refresh Challenge grant, which will go towards their trip to Pennsylvania.

CSC won first place on Dec. 10 at their competition. They will perform on Dec. 23 at 107.5 FM WGCI Big Jam 2011, a concert at the Allstate Arena. The concert will feature R. Kelly and other artists.

Orchestra performed at the winter concert on Dec. 15.

Choir performed at their winter choral concert on Dec. 13.

The annual Art Expo will take place on Jan. 7 at Forest View Educational Center.

Debate took 5th place on Dec. 10 at the meet at Rolling Meadows High School. Some of the highlights include: Emma Jensen, senior, taking third place and being named a quality speaker; Alex Linzmeier and Christina Lorey, seniors, both being named critic’s choice; and Jenny Garbarz, senior, taking first place as a speaker.

Jennie AlcantarWeb Editor

3ForumDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

Spokesman Staff 2011-2012Editor-in-Chief*Daniel Brount

Associate Editor*Gaby Najera

Web Editor*Jennie Alcantar

News Editor*Rosalie Chan

Asst. News Editor*Frida Valdes

Forum Editor*Solinna Chong

Feature Editors*Jasminne Hernandez*Karen Rodriguez

Focus Editor*Megan Jones

La Voz Editor*Jocelyn Torres

A&Editor*Krista Sanford

Asst. Sports Editor*Jessica Musto

Photo/Multimedia Editor*Valerie Westin

Asst. Photo EditorKristina Piamonte

Graphics Editors*Mikey Ciavarella*Jocelyn Torres

Advertising Manager*Megan Jones

Staff ReportersPerla JimenezJes MartinezLizz McDanielNicole NeumannRobert Perales

Staff PhotographersJessie LivingstonJessie Sanford

Staff ArtistKeira Skenandore

AdviserJohn Uhrik

This is the official student newspaper of Wheeling High School, 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling, Ill. 60090. Written, edited and distributed 8 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.

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 135 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 print any known errors here in the issue following our gaining knowledge of the error.

Advertising- For infor-mation, call (847) 718-7114 Monday-Friday 7:25 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Corrections-Katie Aguayo was misspelled on page 1.Oscar Arteaga and Maggie Arteaga were misspelled on page 4.Maryssa Peterson is a freshman, not junior on page 9.Michael Genson did not make Jazz Band IV this year but is in Jazz Band II on page 9.John Tracey was misspelled on page 10.Hannah Dobrowski was misspelled on page 10.

Tutoring center credit change must occur with cautionWhile the addition

of credit to tutoring will likely enhance productivity and quality, Spokesman feels the tutoring center must remain cautious throughout the change.

As a volunteering activity, consistency wavers in student participation. Being both optional and occurring during free periods makes it difficult to ensure tutors attend.

A large portion of tutors come from AP classes or

are highly involved, such as the National Honors Society members that participate. Many students tutor during their lunch or study hall. With classes and extracurriculars to focus on, tutors may need that period as a study hall.

If tutoring becomes a class, some students may decide to preserve their study time. While this time may still exist, the risk of losing it and receiving a lower grade

could lower commitment.Another issue

involves near removal of vo lunteer ing . Rather than vo lunteer ing , the credit may eliminate the s a t i s f a c t i o n that some tutors receive from helping. Dedicated students put so much effort towards a grade rather than living the experience. Tutors could lose their

intrinsic motivation to help. Instead, credits could move tutors’ focus to the grades.

Nonetheless, the tutoring center needs m o d e r a t i o n . With so many students that need help, the center needs to

ensure it always has tutors available. Especially with the grade, these tutors will have increased reasoning to do their best to aid students.

Spokesman recognizes that having to fit into a class for an activity can lower numbers due to it to being a hassle to fit the class into schedules. In order for this change to succeed, the tutoring center must continue to allow those students that volunteer in their free time.

Spokesman praises the tutoring center for taking this step to improve, but the staff must work to ensure it does not backfire.

Jas’s Drawings

Editorial

Traveling to Europe helps personal reflection, maturity

During my sophomore year I received a letter from People to People, an organization that gives students the opportunity to travel to places like Europe.

I hesitated for so long, thinking whether I should pass up such an opportunity. In the end, this gut feeling passed.

I remember signing up online; I felt anxious and uneasy. After minutes of staring at the computer screen, I entered to schedule an interview. Not knowing what to expect, I was so nervous, but I felt a great opportunity coming where I could grow as an individual and mature.

In my two years of being a part of People to People, I have visited France, Italy,

Monaco, Spain and England. The first time I went

to Europe was scary, since it was my first time going extremely out of my comfort zone.

In England, we met a former member of Parliament and learned how England was ruled, along with visiting palaces and museums. It was a very surreal experience because I saw many landmarks that I learned about in school.

It was also the same in France; I especially enjoyed walking up the Eiffel Tower and learning a couple French words.

The second year I traveled to Europe was this past summer. I had a home-stay in Valencia, Spain which was the best event throughout the entire program. It was a very touching experience getting to meet a family that accepted me as one of their own. I learned a lot about my home-stay family the Mateos’, traditions, city and life as they did with mine.

I also had the chance to use the Italian I learned from school while I was

in Italy. It was difficult and though I did not use it as often as I should have, it served as great practice and I just enjoyed understanding a lot of the language from signs, store names or just conversations overheard. I also learned that I really enjoy how some places in Europe have a slow paced way of living. For instance, during my home-stay our days were very slow and long compared to my summer days here.

I have grown greatly through this experience; I have matured; I have become a more open-minded individual; I have become a lot more independent. The world is not just a spinning globe; it is a world of opportunities, knowledge and culture.

I was given a great chance to go out of my comfort zone, create great friendships, learn about other cultures and become a Student Ambassador. I wish every high school student had the chance to travel to see first hand what the world has to give.

Evolution of school traditions spoils future generations

I sat at the table overwhelmed by the amount of books that lay before me. One more document analysis essay to write, and my hand begins to tense up. “Why do I have so much homework?”

My dad laughs at my frustration: “When I was a kid...” He began to tell

the usual story of how schools back then were harder than those today.

Then I realized how different education is now than before.

According to the article “With Blocks, Educators Go Back to Basics,” people learn better through child-like methods; for example, building blocks can help a person comprehend math or geometry.

Also, in this high-speed, high-technological generation, some may ask if the excessive use of technology is helping or spoiling students. It does not give students the chance

to think for themselves. “You kids are so spoiled

with your iPads and eReaders now,” my dad said to me.

In a way, he is right. Schools in the late 1900s usually had eight to 10 computers per school, according to the article “Promoting Technology Use in Schools”-- now schools have multiple labs with more than 20 computers in each one.

Another big change between schools then and now is transportation. The number of students who walk or bike to school since 1916 has dropped nearly by half.

As more students

everyday are getting their driver’s license, the number of students who walk are few. I walk to and from school on a daily basis; but I must admit, these days I have been reluctant to walk about five minutes in the cold weather.

The way students and people in general see schools has changed from years before. The fantastic country called America has spoiled her children rotten. Instead of doing math problems for themselves, students have become lazy and just copy answers from the back of the book.

Students should accept

the fact that homework takes more than two hours and appreciate a teacher when she says, “Take your textbooks out.”

Instead of seeing a school as a privilege, school has become a burden. Back then, children went to school more excited and ready to learn. Now, students have officially put Mondays on their hate lists.

Overall, school then and now should be looked and presented in similar ways. Schools should sometimes stick to the “old-school” textbooks and lectures, and students should appreciate taking classes more.

Thumbs Up...

Thumbs Down...

Solinna Chong

Jas Hernandez

To CSC for another first place win; way to step up the standards, girls.

To the freshmen class board for making snowflakes to hang in the foyer. A great way to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

To Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys for becoming Rock Hall of Fame inductees-- rock on!

To the girls’ varsity bowling team for starting their season with early victories.

To the Daily Herald newspaper limiting the viewable content on their website to subscribers only.

To the recent shootings at Virgina Tech. The easy access to guns and weapons these days should be taken to precautions by authorities.

To the excessive promotions on Christmas shopping. There are other holidays that should be recognized in the media as well, such as Hanukkah.

Out of 14 members in the editorial board, 10 agreed and four disagreed.

Spokesman also accepts all cartoon submissions. Those who are chosen to be published in the newspaper will be credited in the staff box as Guest Staff Cartoonist.

Staff members with asterisks are on the editorial board.

4FeatureDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

Seniors use opportunity to look into teaching careers

Seniors took over classrooms and became the teachers on Dec. 9. Senior Teach Day provides students with the ability to see what teachers do in one day.

Adriana Aburto and Jessica Martinez, seniors, taught in the day care.

Aburto is thinking about going into Early Childhood Education and used Senior Teach Day as an opportunity to experience

firsthand being a teacher.“It was a great experience because I got

to spend more time with them (day care children), instead of 45 minutes,” Aburto said.

In order to participate, students needed to observe and complete a teaching plan for the day with the staff member they would teach for.

“They (Aburto and Martinez) did all the teaching, and they evaluated the other high

school students from blocks A and B,” Diane Boldt, afternoon preschool assistant, said.

Some students, like Yogesh Karwal, senior, found the teaching experience different than what he expected when he taught with Dan Weidner, physics teacher.

“I was a little discouraged because there is a lot to teaching,” Karwal said. “But teaching is a possible outcome for my future.”

Although all seniors were given the

opportunity to teach, not all of those that wished to participate were able to experience teaching their peers, due to a shortage in forms.

“As a senior I look forward to the opportunities we are given,” Christina Lorey, senior, said. “I wanted to do Senior Teach Day and I was told to go to Ms. (Mendi) Dunbar (Technology Assistant).”

While Lorey was unable to teach, she saw the value of having senior teachers.

Dani Bitout, senior, teaches the fourth period class of Diane Rawlinson, dance teacher, on Friday, Dec. 9. Bitout chose to senior teach because she will major in dance in college. Seniors all around WHS became teachers for a day as part of Senior Teach Day. “Teaching the dance classes was hard because they weren’t as focused, but when I got to Orchesis, it was a lot better because they know me better,” Bitout said.

Jennie Alcantar Web Editor

Jennie AlcantarWeb Editor

5FeatureDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

Welcome Back Specials!

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David Tuber, director and ‘00 graduate, draws “all the time.” When he attended WHS, he would draw Fun Run T-shirts, student council posters and band program covers. Now, he works in Hollywood on various productions, including stop motion animation shows.

“We just wrapped up production for ‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole’ (a stop motion animation show on Adult Swim),” Tuber said. “We direct the entire process from writing to post-effects at the very end, but we sometimes help with writing and directing voice actors.”

Tuber graduated from Columbia College in Chicago, majoring in film and television with a concentration in traditional animation. He now lives in Los Angeles.

Tuber’s career

Six years ago, Tuber moved to California and

started working as an intern for “Robot Chicken,” a stop motion animated TV series.

“I guess I impressed teachers, so they helped me get a good reel together and get in touch with people in Hollywood,” Tuber said. “I worked my butt off intensely. I mean, I worked really hard, long hours for free. It was all worth it.”

Then, Tuber received a temporary storyboarding job at Shadowmachine Films, which was supposed to last two months, but lasted five years.

Tuber first directed animation in 2008 when he directed and co-wrote the season finale of “Moral Orel,” a stop motion TV series.

While working for “Moral Orel,” Tuber and a friend once spent two and a half months constructing an unreleased episode with clay and cardboard just for fun.

“For an episode in ‘Moral Orel,’ we had to stop basically halfway. It was supposed to be left for dead,” Tuber said. “It took two and a half months of

intense work, and no one’s ever seen it. It was a true labor of love. We made it unofficially without help. The network still doesn’t know about it.”

In 2009, Dino Stamatopoulos, writer and producer, gave Tuber the job of directing “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole.”

“Sometimes I storyboard... sometimes I help in the live shoot...I always have to keep busy with different things,” Tuber said. “It’s always good to keep busy and try on as many hats as you can. You may surprise yourself and find out you have a knack for something.”

Working in Hollywood

Tuber has also worked in “Titan Maximum” and “Community.”

“It’s a small community, especially stop motion. You can meet anyone you want, and if you’re good enough, they can work for you. Then, it’s totally up to you to become a success,” Tuber said.

According to Tuber, working in Hollywood “has its ups and downs.”

“Hollywood is a lot like a theme park. It doesn’t seem real,” Tuber said. “The theme of this park is film, and everyone knows the lingo. It’s kind of like Las Vegas...it’s hard to take this place seriously.”

Andrew Racho, freelance artist and Tuber’s co-worker, has known Tuber since they worked on “Robot Chicken.” They recently worked together on “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole,” where Racho worked as the visual effects supervisor.

“It’s kind of funny since in the industry we’re in, a lot of times we work on each other’s projects. David helped me on an animated short. This time David directed me,” Racho said. “We both have ambitions in 2-D animation. Dave’s a good guy to work for and work with.”

Alumni works as director in Hollywood

Top: Titled “Sunstruck” this digital image is a concept for a pilot that Tuber has been developing. Below: “K. ‘Anger’ Roo.” “One of many characters in a feature I’m writing with a friend of mine about the boxing phenomenon in Australia featuring an all animal cast. Think ‘The Wind in the Willows’ meets ‘Far and Away,’ Tuber said.

Bob Scarpino, counselor at WHS and basketball coach at John Hersey High School, has a great love for sports, which brought him great success as a basketball coach for a total of 40 years.

“I’ve always loved sports. I played sports in high school, I’ve played sports in college and I’ve always felt that it was something that would be a good career,” Mr. Scarpino said.

Mr. Scarpino received a letter informing him of his induction into the Illinois

Basketball Hall of Fame on behalf of the Board of the Illinois Basketball Association.

Taylor Gayles, senior, was glad her counselor Mr. Scarpino was recognized for his coaching in basketball.

“I’m so proud of him, he’s awesome. I think he’s providing students, coaches and teachers a positive influence,” Gayles said.

For Mr. Scarpino putting in 40 years of both teaching and coaching basketball helped him receive such recognition from the Illinois Basketball Association.

According to Mr.

Scarpino, teachers today who retire at full benefit and are coaches or have coached throughout their career do not coach more than 10 years.

“Doing anything for 40 years is a significant accomplishment whether that’s teaching or being a coach. He’s been inducted as a career coach and that certainly makes me very proud,” Dr. Lazaro Lopez, principal said.

Mr. Scarpino has coached boys’ basketball for 35 years and girls’ basketball for the past five years.

“All the teams that I’ve

coached have been very enjoyable. R e c o r d s have been a little bit d i f f e r e n t with each team and each team comes with its own

personality,” Mr. Scarpino said.

This year in Mr. Scarpino’s category of career coaching, six coaches were selected out of a possibility of a 8,000 current

boys and girls coaches. “I

feel very honored that my f e l l o w coaches as well as the referees h a v e thought e n o u g h

of me to put me up for this honor,” Mr. Scarpino said.

According to Dr. Lopez, whenever someone is recognized it highlights that particular aspect of the school.

“It certainly lets our young coaches know that it’s something that they can continue to do long into their teaching career and that it’s possible to coach for 20, 30, 40 years and do so successfully,” Dr. Lopez said.

The Illinois basketball Hall of Fame will be at Danville, Ill. and will be located in the Palmer Convention Center.

Mr. Scarpino will also be attending the 40th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at Illinois State University on April 28, 2012.

Scarpino inducted into basketball Hall of FameI’ve always loved

sports. I played sports in high school, I’ve played sports in college and I’ve always felt that it was something that would be a good career.

“Bob ScarpinoWHS Counselor ”

For the full story<www.

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Cartoons courtesy of David Tuber

Rosalie ChanNews Editor

Jasminne HernandezFeature Editor

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6FocusDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

He lp ing for Holiday s What do you think is an easy way to help out the community during the holidays?

“Snow blow people’s driveways and donate.”

“Make homemade food and then give it to them. Buy clothes and blankets to keep warm.”

Billy Broms, freshman

Katherine Swiech, sophomore

Photo Opinion by Jessie Sanford

“Donate things you don’t use so people can have them. Be nice.”

Nicole Tinetti, junior

“Give gifts to the community center and the needy.”

Nick Modlin, senior

“Help put together meals for the food bank. Anybody can drop it off in many places like religious organizations.”Master Chief Petty

Officer Richard Freitag, NJROTC instructor

Fashion classes help African girls

Around this time each year, the fashion classes try to find a way to give back in the community, according to Toni Holt, fashion teacher.

When Ms. Holt and Jess Musto, junior, came across the “Dress a Girl Around the World” project, they decided to have Fashion II participate.

The Hope 4 Kids International organization leads the “Dress a Girl Around the World” program. The program strives to “help girls all around the world who are suffering from poverty, disease and low self-worth.” A portion of that effort involves creating dresses and bringing them to girls who lack them.

“I think it’s cool being able to use the trade that I’m good at to help kids in needy places,” Musto said.

After receiving donated fabric, Ms. Holt wanted to use it toward a worthwhile project.

“We love it (giving back). It was so wonderful that someone gave our school so much fabric,” Ms. Holt said. “This just seemed to fit this year because all the fabric is just adorable.”

Her Fashion II class spent the beginning of Term 2 creating the dresses. After they finished their project, they ended up with 15 dresses.

“I enjoyed the fact that I can make something and give it to someone who needs it, and I could be creative and play around with the details to add to my dress,” Jackie Munoz, sophomore, said.

While the fashion classes normally work from layouts or make things for themselves, Samantha Hoffman, sophomore, said this project differed.

“It’s different because the dresses are a lot smaller, and you pick something out that a little girl would like. You make something for someone else,” Hoffman said.

After Musto contacted Mariola Sobol,

Participation in ‘Dress a Girl Around the World’ gives back to needy

These are three of the 15 dresses that the Fashion II classes made for the “Dress a Girl Around the World” program.

Snowball project gives to WHS

“Historically, certain WHS staff always had ‘adopted’ needy WHS families during the holidays. This had gone on for years before I officially took over and organized the project so it could reach more families,” Marilyn Medina-Perez, social worker for Vanguard High School, said in an e-mail interview.

According to Raymundo Galarza, social worker, the Snowball Project has run for seven years, and originally only staff members participated.

“This year with so many gifts to fill, we reached out to the PTO and local community businesses to assist or

either donate financially to support the effort or to pick a snowball to buy a gift for a student,” M r . Ga larza said in an e-mail

interview.Staff members pick out

“snowballs,” which list the gender and age of the gift receiver in the staff lounge room, and then they buy a gift for that snowball.

“We pick a ‘snowball’ and we go out shopping with the idea that we will provide a gift for a student/family member this holiday season that at

some point later in the week, they will open it up and be

filled with joy as they receive a nice surprise this year,” Mr. Galarza said.

S t a f f members are

recommended to spend about 30 dollars per snowball, but some choose to go beyond that recommended amount.

Gift collection ended on Dec. 7, and the pick-up and delivery of gifts took place on Dec. 12 at WHS.

According to Ms. Medina-Perez, the program started with approximately 50

families and then expanded to 150 families in 2010, when Ms. Medina-Perez left WHS. This year, with Mr. Galarza in charge, there are over 330 snowballs, according to Dr. Laz Lopez, principal.

SHADES and other clubs also picked out snowballs to help the project. Along with WHS groups, a Chicago company sponsored over 50 families.

“This in itself makes that person (who bought the present) also feel good as they received that warm feeling of the holiday spirit as they complete that entire task for someone else but received the joy that they made a difference in the life of someone else this year,” Mr. Galarza said.

Interact With Africa sponsor, they chose to have Lynn Cole, Rise International director, deliver the dresses when she visits Angola, Africa in February.

“Rise International is the organization we (Interact With Africa) donate money to in order to build schools, so the dresses would hopefully go to some of the girls in one of our schools,” Ms. Sobol said.

They also plan to take pictures of the Fashion II students and the girls who receive the dresses so each side can exchange and see each other.

“I thought it was really cool we get to do a dress for someone else in the other side of the world. I never thought I’d do something like that, especially in fashion,” Jennifer Rivera, junior, said.

Daniel Brount Editor-in-Chief

Gaby NajeraAssociate Editor

Daniel BrountEditor-in-Chief

The goal of the project is to ensure that no WHS student/family goes with out a gift this holiday season.

“Raymundo Galarza

social worker”

7FocusDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

Rushing around Christmas Eve, most families would be cleaning their houses, preparing for guests or heading over to church. My dad, Tim Jones, and I, along with other firemen and police, are loading the ambulance filled with gifts for our Christmas project, “Secret Santa.” The saying, “to give is better than to receive,” models the purpose of our project. “Secret Santa” allows us to bond together, give back to the community and help us be thankful for the things we have.

We originally both got involved in the project which grew to become an annual Christmas project for his

work, the Prospect Heights Fire Association. This has expanded with the help of city leaders, residents and local business owners. My dad is the most helpful person I have met, and he knew he wanted to find a way to help out people less fortunate than us.

Christmas is my favorite holiday, so knowing that I can help other families have the best possible Christmas is a goal we had. We began by helping a single family five years ago. Since then the list has grown bigger and bigger as we contacted the police station to find families who were in need.

This year, we plan on helping nine to ten families. The police station informs the families of how we want to help them, and then we receive Christmas lists that the families created. We raise money every year through donations to afford buying for the families and through selling raffle tickets. Also, people can drop gifts or donations off

at the Prospect Heights Fire Department that we will send to the families as well.

Each family receives a hot dinner that includes ham, potatoes and vegetables. We also give each family gift certificates to grocery and department stores that can be necessities for their family.

O n c e we receive the lists, it takes us three days of const ant shopping to gather all of the items. We end up s i t t i n g in the c o n f e r e n c e room annoyed, when we realize we bought one of the coats in a wrong size. That becomes our third trip to Kohl’s in one day. Then after all the shopping, I sit and spend hours wrapping gifts.

A long conference table stands before me filled with gifts in rows under every child’s name. Police and firemen occasionally wrap gifts as well. Thirty-year- old men attempt to wrap footballs and stuffed animals with no structure before the

fire alarms b e g i n b u z z i n g and they are off on a call.

O n Christmas Eve, we head to the fire s t a t i o n and load all the g i f t s into the

ambulance. Then we head

from house to house delivering gifts. We don’t support dozens of families, but the families we do support, we go all the way for. We once gave a mother a vacuum cleaner. As she

tore apart the paper off the long box, she looked at my dad with a surprised look on her face and asked what the item was.

What stands out to me the most is that the families ask for practical things they actually need during the holidays. The children do not ask for the latest iPod (even though we once splurged and gave one to a very deserving kid), but they ask for coats, clothes and even school supplies.

With the snowflakes coming down Christmas Eve morning, a child ran out of his apartment complex and kicked off his kick stand to the new bicycle we gave him. He tried riding his bike through the snow when his brother came outside gasping at the new bike. I could imagine the fun memories this would bring the child and his brother once the snow melted.

The families we help are deserving of everything they receive.

This year, we are

expanding our program by selling raffle tickets at Prospect Heights restaurants such as Rocky Vanders Café and Runways Grill. So if you’re feeling generous and want to stop by, all money from the raffle goes directly to the families in need. It is our goal to not turn away any family in need. An iPad (first prize), 32-inch television (second prize), and Sony camera (third prize) will be raffled off Sunday Dec. 18.

We are still in the process of selling the tickets and will soon find out how sales went to see how many families we can support. Then we begin shopping. Stores, here I come.

My mom always says that after she leaves Church she always feels like a better person. On that ride home in the empty ambulance, which was once filled with toys containing gifts and hopes for these families, that’s the best I can feel about myself.

He lp ing for Holiday s Giving rather than receiving proves meaningful

Megan Jones

Wanilyn Bumagat, Sarah Rabin, juniors; Nisha Karwal, sophomore; Chelsie Coren, junior; Erika Schatz, sophomore; and Dani Bitout, senior, perform “Sugar Rush”, a piece choreographed by Coren. On Dec. 11 they performed at the AT&T Innovation Center for “Stuff-a-Bus” and donated the props used in the piece.

Freshman Class Board gave...100 X

which were delivered to nursing homes on Dec. 5.

bags of candy

125 X

lap blanketsfor local food pantries.

Valerie Westin Photo Editor

Cesar Valenzuela, senior, and Michael Burke, English teacher both donated blood for Life Source on Dec. 8. Senior board sponsored the blood drive. Seniors who participated were entered in a raffle for a $500 scholarship. Also, the first 40 people to give blood were offered gift cards. “I don’t look at giving blood as being something special, altruistic or philanthropic, giving blood is simply a responsibility,” Mr. Burke said. The next blood drive will take place in March 2012.

Senior class organizes blood drive on Dec. 8

Jessie Sanford Staff Photographer

Orchesis helps ‘Stuff a Bus’Through the connection

with Special K, WHS alumni and 103.5 KISS FM on-air host, Orchesis became involved in “Stuff-a-Bus.”

“Stuff-a-Bus” sponsored by 103.5 KISS FM, AT&T, Taco Bell and the Salvation Army, consists of filling a bus from Dec. 8 until Dec. 13 with toys, blankets, coats, clothing and canned goods to help those less fortunate during the holiday season. The bus is located at the AT&T Innovation Center on Palatine and Rand Road.

“We do so much to give back and this is just a new fun way. The connection to

Special K makes helping out really cool. He has been supporting Orchesis (he tweeted to help Orchesis in winning the Pepsi Grant Project), so it is cool to be able to support him,” Diane Rawlinson, Orchesis sponsor, said.

Orchesis performed two pieces on Dec. 11 which was live-streamed through KISS F.M.

They performed “Sugar Rush” choreographed by Chelsie Coren, junior, and “Cotton Candy Canonade” choreographed by Leah Valenti, senior.

“The performance was cold but worth it. It was exciting to have people watching us (dance in the

parking lot) and we got to meet Special K and take photos with him,” Wanilyn Bumagat, junior, said.

In Coren’s piece, the dancers used stuffed animals and pillows as props, which were later donated.

Dance classes were also encouraged to participate in “Stuff a Bus” by donating items. People that donated received free candy from Ms. Rawlinson.

“We get so much during the holidays so it feels good to give back. It was short and sweet,” Coren said.

Media of Orchesis with Special K can be seen online at <www.1035kissfm.com/pages/StuffABus2011/>.

Megan JonesFocus Editor

My heart practically melted when one child asked for a present to give to his mother for Christmas. Out of all the things he could have wanted, to him the opportunity to be able to give his mother a gift proved most important.

“

”

8La Voz16 de diciembre 2011Spokesman

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ild lamesGrill and Café

El nuevo restaurante de familia, Wild Flames Grill and Café, abrió sus puertas el 12 de noviembre.

Al entrar, el restaurante me parecio demasiado vacío, por su mínima cantidad de color y sólo unas pocas mesas. Sin embargo, las palomitas de cortesía que me saludaron cambiaron mi perspecitiva inmediatemente e incluso la cajera fue amable e informativa.

Lo que más me sorprendió es que ella fue paciente conmigo. Soy el tipo de persona que se toma su tiempo cuando voy a ordenar algo. Me gustaría poder estar 100% contenta con lo que he pedido y no tener nada que lamentar. Por lo tanto, cuando entro en un restaurante, siempre tomo mi tiempo y hago algunas preguntas para aclarar cuáles son

los ingredientes que el determinado elemento en el menú tiene. En esta ocasión en particular, me sorprendió el menú, ya que la mayoría de las cosas que requieren una explicación tenía una bajo el nombre de la comida.

Algo que me encantó de este lugar, y estoy seguro que muchas otras personas les encantará también, es que el menú era muy variado. Contenía todo, desde las costillas a las hamburguesas, batidos e incluso frutas. Sí, incluso frutas.

Yo pedí el plato de frutas de inmediato, y pagué $ 1.99 por él. Permíteme decir, los $1.99 dólares valían la pena gastar. La fruta estaba muy bien presentada. El plato contienía fresas, melón, sandía y piña. Cada vez que pusía un pedazo de fruta en mi boca, me quedé impresionada. La fruta no estaba nada de seca, al contrario, fue muy jugosa y dulce, este postre saludable perfecto fue increíble. Era acompañada con el especial del día: una hamburguesa y papas fritas.

Unas palabra para describir la hamburguesa y papas fritas? Hechas en casa. El sabor de la carne fue maravilloso, la carne era espesa y sabrosa, a diferencia de la carne que puede llegar de otros restaurantes con

comida rápida. Y hasta incluso se puede escoger el queso de la hamburguesa. Yo personalmente no me gusta el queso mucho, así que no hubo en la mía, sin embargo, Michael, mi novio, escogió la suya con queso provolone, y honestamente, era realmente bueno. Las papas fritas eran crujientes, dandome exactamente lo que imaginaba.

Si usted está buscando un lugar que no es caro, ya que la economía en que estamos no es la mejor, este es el lugar perfecto para usted. Pedimos dos hamburguesas, cada una con papas fritas, una bebida y un plato de frutas, todo por menos de 15 dólares.

Lo que realmente hizo este restaurante sobresaliente fue su presentación. La cajera entregó la comida, amablemente, agradablemente y hermosamente. Los platos contenían la cantidad perfecta de alimento y se veía elegante, a pesar de que pedí un plato muy relajado.

En general, mi experiencia en el restaurante era excelente. Recomendaría Wild Falmes a cualquier persona que quiere comida casera a un precio razonable. Resultó ser mejor que pensé que sería.

Colombia: Samy Echtaya Ríos, señalado como el lugarteniente de Daniel “El Loco” Barrera y narcotraficante, fue arrestado el 11 de diciembre. Ríos era encargado de coordinar los envíos de droga para que llegaran a América del Norte.

Venezuela: La organización alemana Transparencia Internacional (TI) ha nombrado a Venezuela como el país más corrupto de América Latina. La escala para calificar empieza con 0 como lo más corrupto, Venezuela saco un 1.9.

Nicaragua: Después de la reeleción de Daniel Ortega el 6 de noviembre, Nicaraguenses marcharon para denunciar

“el fraude electoral.” Ortega fue reelegido con 62 porciento para otro mandado de cinco años. Los Nicaraguenses piden unas nuevas elecciones.

Estados Unidos: Como un deseo de fin de año, más de cinco mil niños escribieron cartas al presidente Barack Obama y al Congreso. El deseo fue que mantenieran sus familiias unidas y que suspenden la deportacíon de sus padres indocumentados. Las cartas fueron enviadas como parte de la campaña “A Wish for the Holidays” qué forma parte de una organización que lucha por los derechos de los inmigrantes.

Información derrivada por: <www.univision.com>

Gaby NajeraAssociate Editor

Perenigración recibe miles de seguidores fieles

“¡Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! ¡Que viva!” Desde comienzo a fin, la peregrinación desde Wheeling hasta El Santuario de Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe gritaba y cantaba hacía la Virgen.

Este domingo pasado, una procesión se puso en marcha a las siete y media de la tarde. La marcha fue guiada por una imagen de la Virgen de Guadalupe adornada de flores y seguida por un grupo vestido de indios bailando, y luego seguía la procesión inmensa de peregrinos.

Protegidos del frío con capas y capas

de abrigos, sueteres y pantalones, todos cantaban a la Virgen hasta llegar al Santuario después de las once de la noche.

Anaisis Garcia, senior, asistió a la peregrinación. Siendo muy involucrada en la Iglesia, tenia la esperanza de asistir. Llegó al fin de la marcha muy animada, pero los peregrinos eran tantos que no había espacio para llegar hasta el altar.

Garcia era solamente una de los varios estudiantes de Wheeling qe asistieron. Ellos, juntos con otros miembros de la comunidad, llenaron El Santurio hasta reventar.

El Cerrito estaba completamente lleno de peregrinos aunque habían tres locales donde se podía congregar. La celebración duró desde el 10 al 11 de este mes.

Perla JimenezStaff Reporter

Fruta: fresas, melón, sandía y piña

Hamburgesa con papas fritas

Jes Martinez

9A&EDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

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Holiday Extravaganza brings in holiday season

Top: Wind Symphony and Symphony Band play “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson with the eight graders from Holmes Middle School and London Middle School at the Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 8. On the Dec. 9 showing, MacArthur Middle School played. The middle school players also played the ending song, “Jingle Bells Forever” by J. Pierpont and John Philip Sousa. Dave Dunbar, math teacher, conduced the band on the last piece. Above: Chelsie Coren, junior, dances to the song “Holiday Lullaby” by John Rutter. Both Coren and Kaitlyn Nielsen, junior, danced to “Holiday Lullaby” as well as “Away in a Manger,” arranged by Tom Wallace. Left: The ghost of Holiday’s future, played by Jimmy Williams, senior, yells at Mike Taylor, senior, for never changing his bad ways. Throughout the Holiday Extravaganza, three ghosts, all played by Williams, appeared to Taylor and told him to stop being a bad person and get into the Holiday spirit. Each ghost that appears shows the crowd a video of Taylor at different stages of his life.Photos by Valerie Westin

In preparation of the holiday season, band held their eleventh annual Holiday Extravaganza.

The holiday extravaganza occurred on Dec. 8 and 9 in the Robert E. Sang theater. The concert attracted an audience of around 800 people collectively on both nights.

Along with music, the concert focuses on skits.

According to Mike Taylor and Jimmy Williams, seniors, a constant motif throughout all the Holiday Extravaganza’s is the scrooge-like character turning them good.

Taylor played a guy who hates Christmas and band. Throughout the concert, Williams came to Taylor as three ghosts: past, present and future.

“I got to play a character that was interesting and got to be part of the show (in a way that I had never been able to). We were able to make this character appropriate for the setting,” Taylor said.

For the ghost of holiday’s past, Williams dressed up as Michael Jackson; and despite its obstacles, Williams was able to please the crowd.

“I can tell you that Michael Jackson’s character was the hardest to play off. The interesting thing about Michael Jackson was that everyone knew who I was. I could say anything and the crowd would laugh,” Williams said.

Along with the music and the skits, the concert promotes the program by inviting eighth grade students to perform with the band.

“By bringing the kids and the parents into the building, they get more aware of the band program. I think the eighth graders really like it. It’s a very popular event,” Brian Logan, band director, said.

The eighth grade students played the last two songs with band. Mr. Logan invited Dave Dunbar, math teacher, to conduct the last song with the band.

According to Mr. Logan, he wanted to say thanks to Mr. Dunbar, Dr. Laz Lopez, principal, and Brian Litchenburger, previous associate prinicipal, for the new football field.

Infographic by Jocelyn Torres

Ghosts of Holiday’s

Past

Present

Future

Mike Taylor, senior, receives a sax from his grandpa and promises to play it forever. After a horrible sax lesson, Taylor vows never to play with anyone else again.

Taylor sabotages the band by breaking reeds and putting peanut butter into mouthpieces.

Taylor foresees his future and realizes that he’s going to loose the sax that his grandpa gave him. After that, he decides to change his ways.

Robert PeralesStaff Reporter

10A&EDec. 16, 2011Spokesman

“‘I Would Do Anything for You’ by Foster the People”Jaron Urban, freshman

What’s your favorite song?

“‘Headlines’ by Drake”Keara Myatt, junior

“‘Harry Potter Dubstep’”Noah Idhe, sophomore

...<www.

wheelingspokesman.com>

For Gaby’s Review of these songs

Obsession takes fans out of reality

As I walked into AMC theater on the premiere of “Breaking Dawn: Part One,” the fourth movie of the Twilight series, I braced myself for what crazy fans I would run into.

People screamed when the previous viewers walked out of the theater and as workers walked in. It’s okay to be excited for a movie, but screaming and clapping just when the doors open takes the obsession too far.

In a survey that 150 students took, 21 students admitted being an obsessive fan while the highest category was an average fan at 70 students.

Going to the premiere of “Breaking Dawn” reminded me of the premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two.” AMC had to control the line with

ropes, and workers checked each of our tickets to make sure that we had the right movie.

Tori Caringella, senior, has seen at least one Harry Potter movie more than six times. She also went to see a midnight premiere.

“I love Harry Potter so much! I dressed up as Dumbledore for the premiere,” Caringella said.

While Harry Potter fans were crazy, Twilight fans took it over the top.

My showing of Breaking Dawn: Part One was at 10:40 p.m. Twilight fans started lining up at the door for that showing at around nine.

As I waited in line, we couldn’t help but notice how many little kids were running around waiting for the doors to open. I was shocked at how many parents would take their kids to a movie at 10:40 p.m. when they could wait until the next day and see an earlier showing. Also, the movie was just shy of being rated R.

When the movie finally started, fans cheered as each famous actor came on the screen. I get that people

like the actors, but cheering as they come on the screen makes them seem desperate and obsessive.

Fans take their love for the movies way too far. Creating t-shirts in response to the movie shows your appreciation for the movies, but trying to make the movies come to life crosses the line.

There’s a website called <www.mylifeistwilight.com> where people post how their life is “just like” Twilight.

As I started to read what the posts said, I hoped that the people who posted things didn’t actually believe what they wrote.

Obsessing about a book to the point where it affects their relationships with other people brings in some concern. It’s fun to joke around with friends about marrying a celebrity, but it should stick to just being a joke. By spilling favorite movies into real life, people can miss out on creating relationships with people.

Sharing a love for a movie series is fun, but obsessive fans need to realize that there is a fine line between a normal fan and a crazy fan.

Krista Sanford

HarryPotter

Twilight

Star WarsPirates of the Caribbean

Lord of the Rings

Transformers

Spider Man

Other

Infographic by Michael Ciavarella

6

34

345

17

11

28

158 surveyed

23

18 percent

4 percent

22 percent

15 percent

22 percent

3 percent11 percent

7 percent

Artist: The Black Keys Album: El Camino No. of Songs: 11Release Date: Dec. 2Genre: RockRating: 5/5Favorite Songs: Dead

And Gone, Little Black Submarines, Nova Baby

Sounds Like: White Stripes, Cold War Kids

As I expected from The Black Keys (TBK), “El Camino” was brilliantly created: the classic rock beats blended with heartfelt lyrics. Unlike the other albums, “El Camino” had me wanting to listen and sing along with it all the time.

Starting the album with “Lonely Boy” was a decision well-made. TBK gave “El Camino” a fun start that makes listeners want to

dance around. Even though “Lonely Boy” did not make the cut of my favorites, I still applaud the combination of a simple rhythm that included the same beat on the drums and strings, and heart wrenching lyrics.

My absolute favorite song comes up second in the album. “Dead And Gone,” shows the pain of being rejected and still obeying the demands of an unsuccessful love. With assertions like “I’ll go anywhere you go” and “Don’t call me, I’ll call you,” TBK plays with the interchange of dialogue of the interested and the uninterested sides of a relationship. The beauty between the ranges of tones and the lingering of words at the end of a line allows the song to fully grasp the emotion behind the words.

“Little Black Submarines” offers a contrast to the first songs, with a soft acoustic melody. TBK make the listener feel the sadness of being separated from that significant other with the soft notes. In the lines “Told my girl I’d be back/Operator please/This is wrecking my

mind,” the fear of not being reunited shines through the shortness of the lines. TBK does a wonderful job of demonstrating growing frustration. Towards the end of the song, the guitarists and bassists become brutal with their strings, making the lyrics sound louder; showing that the man has reached full desperation.

Starting with a more upbeat tune, “Nova Baby” dresses up the sadness of not being wanted. “That party dress is such a mess/You’ll need me one day,” shows how the guy knows that when he leaves the girl, she’ll regret not knowing what she had. The lines “I’m falling hard for every odd/Of the dream you sold me,” show how even though the guy knows there is no changing the girl’s mind, he still hangs on to any hope he has.

After listening to the album every day on repeat for a week, I’m still not tired of it. Since TBK doesn’t have “El Camino” available for free-streaming, I recommend buying it, or at least buying the highlighted songs above.

Artist: Amy Winehouse Album: Hidden TreasuresNo. of Songs: 12Release Date: Dec. 6Genre: PopRating: 5/5Favorite Songs: Body

and Soul, Halftime, A Song For You

Sounds Like: Adele, Lily Allen

Waiting for the album release, I anticipated Amy Winehouse’s new album, “Hidden Treasures,” but I didn’t want to get too excited in case it didn’t live up to her old work; I was wrong. “Hidden Treasures” just amplifies her strong voice more, calms me and allows me to focus on her voice and not the instruments playing.

“Body and Soul,” mixes Winehouse’s and Tony Bennett’s voices, creating a soothing duet.

Bennett’s brittle voice starts off the song, drawing in my attention. Towards the middle of the song, Winehouse starts to sing. Her raspy voice creates a distinction between both of their voices. Because of the differences in both of their voices, the singers were able to piece together a nice, flowing song.

“Halftime,” recorded in August 2002 as one of her first songs, focuses only on her voice and a constant drum beat. The easy-going and smooth beat creates a calming feel. As the song goes on, the drums start to pick up, emphasizing her whiny voice.

Throughout the whole album, her slow voice connects all the songs together, helping to keep my attention only on the album.

While her voice stays consistent, the tone of it changes depending on the mood and speed of the song. Because of the amazing talent and hard work that was put into “Hidden Treasures,” I had the album on repeat.

Her songs represent timeless pieces of work that will never get old.

The Black Keys produce expected results in new album, ‘El Camino’

Winehouse exceeds questionable predictions of ‘Hidden Treasures’

Michael CiavarellaGaby Najera

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Wrestling places sixth at Wildcat Memorial Invitational

At the Wildcat Memorial Invitational on Dec. 10, varsity wrestling placed sixth out of nine teams.

Carl Sandburg High School won over all the schools. At the tournament, the Wildcats scored 85 points.

“We could’ve done a lot better than we did. School-wise, we started off strong, and we kind of fell apart as a team,” Sal Dominguez, junior, said. “Overall, we’ve seen how strong the other teams were.”

Four Wildcat wrestlers made finals. Igor Romanowski, senior, placed first in his weight class, 285 pounds. Brandon Jagielski, senior, placed second in the weight class of 195 pounds. Dominguez placed third in the weight class of 220 pounds. Leo Giordano, senior, placed fourth in the weight class of 160 pounds.

“My coaches have been pushing me to

work hard. This is my first time placing,” Dominguez said. “I feel good that I can compete with bigger guys, and my skills have gotten a lot better.”

Romanowski wrestled 39 seconds in the whole tournament.

“He dominated like nobody,” Neal Weiner, varsity wrestling coach, said. “I can’t be happier for him.”

According to Coach Weiner, the Wildcats normally finish in the top 3, but some wrestlers have been sick, including Eddie Scanlon, senior, who did not compete at that meet due to sickness.

According to David Gonzalez, freshman, one of the better meets was the meet on Dec. 2 against John Hersey High School. The Wildcats beat Hersey 36-30.

The varsity record is currently 5-3.“We have a lot of first year wrestlers.

They’re not used to the competing level they need to be at. That will come with experience and training,” Coach Weiner said.

Kellie Kuzmanic, senior, and Deanna Kuzmanic, freshman, both play on the girls’ varsity basketball team this year.

According to K. Kuzmanic, she was excited to find out her sister would play on the same team and she credited their success to their parents since they have helped coach and motivate them.

“We practiced during the summer, and we found out then. I was excited,” K. Kuzmanic said.

K. Kuzmanic also played for the varsity team her freshman year while Stephanie Kuzmanic, ‘09 graduate and sister of K. and D. Kuzmanic, also played on the varsity team.

Teresa Kuzmanic, K. and D. Kuzmanic’s mom, feels her daughters proved they had talent.

“I feel proud of their work ethic and proud that they were good enough,” Ms. Kuzmanic said.

While D. Kuzmanic is not the only freshman on the team, she is the only point guard. The girls’ basketball team did not have an official point guard last year, but K. Kuzmanic did assume that role.

“Deanna has played point guard all her life, but there are new things for her. She’s learning how physical the game is and how fast the game is,” Julissa Hernandez, girls’ basketball head coach, said.

According to D. Kuzman ic , she used to get n e r vo u s at first, but now she has g o t t e n used to it.

“ ( I p r e p a r e by) listening to music and (I) get in the zone,” D. Kuzmanic said.

The two sisters have played together at home, so they take that chemistry with them while on the

court in a school game.“It’s cool (to play in an

actual game). She helps out a lot. Last year, we did not see that (chemistry) on

the floor,” K. Kuzmanic said.

T h e i r teammates have also n o t i c e d t h e i r chemistry on the

court. Even as sisters, the

Kuzmanics maintain their professional attitude inside the court.

“They have better chemistry. She’s the point guard. She’s the one that

starts the offense,” Deanna Hanna, senior, said. “It’s cool seeing a freshman do that on the court.”

According to Coach Hernandez, the Kuzmanic sisters work “very well together.”

“This is the last year for Kellie, and Deanna is learning as much as she can from her as well as Kellie’s leadership,” Coach Hernandez said.

D. Kuzmanic said the team boosted her confidence and that “when I messed up, they helped me.”

Her goal is to “get more wins and place well in conference and the playoffs.”

Kuzmanic sisters play together on varsity basketball team

Kellie Kuzmanic, senior, runs toward the ball during the girls’ varsity basketball game against Prospect on Dec. 9. The Wildcats lost 75-70 after playing in overtime.

Daniel Brount Editor-in-Chief

Leo Giordano, senior, pins his opponent down during the Wildcat Memorial Invitational on Dec. 10. He placed fourth in his weight class of 160 pounds; he usually wrestles at 152 pounds. “His weight was really tough...He was a little disappointed,” Neal Weiner, wrestling coach, said.

Rosalie Chan News Editor

When they’re on the court, they look at each other as teammates and off the court, they’re sisters.

“Julissa Hernandez

Girl’s basketball coach”

Karen RodriguezFeature Editor

Rosalie ChanNews Editor

Girls’ Basketball 7:30 p.m. tonight at home

Gymnastics 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Maine East

Boys’ Basketball 7:30 p.m. tonight at BG Sportswhs

upcoming events Volume 48 Issue 4 Dec. 16, 2011

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Boys’ swimming beats Elk Grove in second meet

With being only two meets into the season, the boys varsity swim team beat Elk Grove on Friday, Dec. 9 at a home meet.

“We’ve been working hard and focusing on strokes and distances,” Tod Schwager,

varsity coach, said.The boys started the meet with some

early wins: in the 200 individual medley race, Ben Reiff, senior and swim captain, placed in second with a time of 2.25.73 seconds.

Along with Reiff, Lukasz Szczepaniec, junior, placed second in the 50 freestyle, and Michael Boom, senior, and David Modlin, sophomore, placed second and third in the 100 butterfly.

“I wanted to beat 1.05 for the 100 fly and

I did. We got a lot of good times,” Modlin said.

The team had also placed in all of their relays as well.

“Winning all of our relays really boosted us up to win the meet,” Bryce Maczko, sophomore, said.

Throughout the rest of the meet, the team continued to place in almost all the races. In total, the boys placed in nine out of the 11 races.

“Elk Grove was good competition,” Austin Ihde, senior, said. “I’m glad that we beat them.”

After the Elk Grove meet, the varsity team had a 1-1 record. Their last meet took place on Tuesday, Dec. 13 against Maine West. Results of that meet were unavailable by press time.

At 4:30 p.m. tonight, they will compete at Prospect.

Gymnastics team defeats Elk Grove in ‘best meet so far’

In what Becca Mangino, sophomore, labeled varsity gymnastics’ “best meet so far,” the Wildcats beat Elk Grove on Dec. 8 with a final all-around score of 121.15 to 117.6.

“(The season has gone) just super. We have five girls on varsity, and so far they’ve been working great together,” Bob Esposito, varsity gymnastics coach, said. “We’ve got some talented kids this year.”

Of the five varsity girls, Mangino scored the highest in the meet with a 32.050 all-around.

“We’ve only gotten better so far, so I assume we’ll keep getting better because we’ve been working hard,” Mangino said.

Colleen Creech-Woolcott, senior, scored a 30.900 all-around, and she hopes to grow even beyond how they did at this meet.

“We’re more concentrated and determined, and we all help each other grow,” Creech-Woolcott said. “We’ll learn new tricks and work on what we need to.”

Creech-Woolcott and Mangino agreed that as a team they did best on the beam.

“Two words: team beam. We did great on the beam,” Creech-Woolcott said.

However, they also

agreed that they struggled a bit on the bar. According to Mangino, “bars is the hardest event to get back into.”

Despite that, Ally Pink, junior, felt she did well overall at the meet. She scored 27.250 all-around.

“I felt I did very good because I hit all my turning passes, didn’t have slip ups on the bars and my vault was pretty decent,” Pink said. “We’ve definitely improved. We’re better than last year.”

Looking toward the future, Coach Esposito set a goal to improve even more.

“The biggest goal is we started off with 116 points, and I’d like to shoot for the 130’s. For this team, that would be a big deal,” Coach Esposito said. “The best part about the girls is they’re all having fun, and they work hard.”

On Dec. 10, the Wildcats also competed at the Glenbrook North Invite.

“We got eighth place with about 118 points, which isn’t bad for us, but we didn’t do as strongly on the beam as we usually do,” Creech-Woolcott said.

They also competed against Hersey and Palatine on Dec. 13, but the results were not available by press time.

Their next competition, the Palatine Invite, will take place at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Becca Mangino, sophomore, competes during the floor portion of the Elk Grove meet. She scored an 8.700 with her floor routine. “We did really good. It was our best meet so far,” Mangino said. “(In the next meet) I hope to get new tricks and get better scores and improve.”

Daniel BrountEditor-in-Chief

Daniel Brount Editor-in-Chief

Solinna ChongForum Editor

Daniel Brount Editor-in-Chief

During the Elk Grove meet, Annah Meintzer, sophomore, takes part in the beam portion of the competition. She earned a 27.700 all-around at the meet.

Valerie Westin Photo Editor

Khadeeja SalehbhaiStaff Reporter

Austin Ihde, senior, swims the 500 yard freestyle race during the boys varsity swim meet against Elk Grove on Dec. 9. Along with Ihde, Ben Reiff, senior, and Bryce Maczko, sophomore, swam and placed in the race. Maczko placed first, Reiff placed third and Ihde placed fourth. “I was really happy when I beat my 500 time,” Ihde said.