March 2020

ICONICGRETA MARTIN

WESTERNER

MAINE

WEST'S

STUDENT

VOICE FOR

60 YEARS

MARCH 2020

Inspired by celebrities and artists,

West Side Dance Company

takes the stage tonight, led by

the seniors and fourth-year

dancers, such as Tess Wastyn.

volume 61, issue 6

mwwesterner.com + @mwwesterner

2 news/westerner

BY CLARE OLSON AND

JENNA ROBBINS

asst. news editor

and news editor

In today’s day and age,

people are always looking

for something bigger

and better, and schools

are no exception. With

the money from the referendum

approved by District 207 voters,

Maine West will start renovation

projects in lower C-wing and D-

wing over spring break that will

ramp up into major construction

work throughout the building

this summer.

All three Maine high schools

have plans underway to make

improvements, including adding a fieldhouse to

Maine West and renovating other parts of West,

East, and South.

“Our kids deserve what the other kids in the

district get. It’s about making the building whole,”

Maine West Principal Dr. Eileen McMahon said.

She and other administrators are working with construction

company Wight & Co. to make these plans

a reality.

Some construction plans include digging into the

pit and creating a two-story cafeteria, turning B and

C-wing gyms into intervention spaces and a fine arts

area complete with art studios, and adding a field

house. “We need more space for dining, and the pit

isn’t usable space. [Students] deserve better than that,

and we’re going to give them better than that,” Mc-

Mahon said.

Even with all of the careful plans and money

from the referendum poured into the project, not everything

can realistically be done at once. “The referendums

are a limited amount of money. It’s enough

to get most of it done, but there’s always stuff you

want to do that there isn’t money for, and we just

have to add that into the budget, year after year, little

BIGPLANS

Gone for Good

by little,” McMahon said.

However, some students are wary about the effects

of construction on the school’s history and

sense of identity. “It will change the whole makeup

of Maine West. The pit and wing gyms, among other

things, are the original plan of Maine West. So many

people went here, and so much history was made,”

an anonymous respondent of a Westerner survey of

113 students said.

“We had talked about doing a wall for artifacts.

The Warrior Room is not going to survive the construction,

so what do we do with all of that memorabilia?

We try to be really intentional with preserving

the history,” McMahon said.

The district intends to keep its history alive after

the construction is completed. “We are going to

preserve our historical representation in the building

and outside the building. I’ve been talking a lot with

the guy at the historical society and we’re going to

work with him to preserve some of that,” McMahon

said. “From a historical point of view, this is how it

used to be, and I don’t think history will be lost, but I

do think it will be changed. It has to be, because you

can’t live in the past. You can have nostalgia for the

BY KATY WILCZYNSKI

reporter

Providing Des Plaines families

with everything from clothes to shampoo

to Christmas lights for 45 years,

the Kmart on Oakton Street is expected

to close its doors on April 12. The

Des Plaines location is currently the

last store in Illinois after the store in

Bridgeview closed last August.

Although the announcement may

have come as a shock to some, others

weren’t as surprised when they found

out the store was closing its doors.

“It’s been a long time coming, because

there were barely any customers,” said

junior Jenny Tello, a former employee

at the store.

However, with less than a month

left until Kmart closes, the store has

seen the number of customers jump in

recent weeks. With sales running anywhere

from 10-30% off, the shelves are

quickly becoming empty as customers

take advantage of the low prices.

“The sale has been going well, and

the store has been packed with customers,”

said junior Meghna Pillai, a

current employee.

Pillai said that while the store

wasn’t always the most popular, it did

have its regular customer base, and

that was satisfying in its own way. “It

was a great experience to get to know

people in the community,” she said.

Knowing that the store is closing,

management has worked to help customers

and employees. Management

has helped customers find the items

that they are looking for since many

things have been moved around, and

if needed, they’ve tried to help current

employees find new jobs. “Management

has been handling it very well

by being patient with customers and

employees,” Pillai said.

It’s still up in the air regarding what

will happen with the building and

land after the store closes, but there

are hopes for redevelopment.

“The site could be redeveloped

for commercial

and/or residential use,

and transit plans could

increase its appeal

to developers,”

said Des Plaines

Economic Development

Coordinator

Patrick

Ainsworth

in an interview

with the Daily

Herald.

The property,

which

MAINE WEST’S

DESIGNS FOR

CONSTRUCTION

BECOME REALITY

STARTING NEXT

WEEK

GRETA MARTIN

March 13, 2020

past and honor the past without

letting that entrap and stagnate the

present and the future.”

Students are also concerned

that what already works at West

doesn’t get lost in the sweep to

change. “I think it’s great that

they’re trying to do a more modern

outlook. However, I think that

it’s also the school’s responsibility

to focus on how it’s going to affect

the students more than how it’s

going to affect its external view on

the public in general,” sophomore

Dulf Genis said.

Although construction is starting

at West next week, it won’t be

a short-term project. “We already

know that we can’t do that center

project [for the caf and pit] all in one shot over a

summer. That one’s going to spill into the school

year,” McMahon said.

While construction won’t be completed fast

enough to benefit many current students, the designs

were created with the students in mind. “I really like

that theme of students at the center. What you guys

need and where we can all connect and build this

place of belonging is at the center, and the stuff that

you need is closest to the center,” McMahon said.

According to an informational video posted by

Maine West on Twitter, the school also plans on adding

new security measures at the school’s entrance.

“We have to be more mindful of security now than

we’ve ever had to be in schools. Having a fieldhouse

that’s separate means that we can close off the center

of the building and just have the athletic spaces available

to people,” McMahon said.

With history, money, security, and -- most importantly

-- the students at stake, the construction

plans are incredibly complex. Despite all of this, Mc-

Mahon believes that, “bigger and better things are

ahead.”

THE DES PLAINES KMART, THE LAST ONE IN ILLINOIS, IS

EXPECTED TO CLOSE SOON

spans 9.5 acres, presents multiple possibilities

for replacement options. “I

think Des Plaines needs an update,

and it could be interesting to see what

opens in place of Kmart,” Tello said.

ANGELICA GARIN

rimary

march 13, 2020 westerner/news 3

WHAT’S A CAUCUS?

ON TUESDAY, ILLINOIS VOTERS --

INCLUDING WEST STUDENTS --

WILL HELP PICK CANDIDATES

FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION

Primer

BY JAMESON BECKMAN

news editor

Two Democrats remain in the primary fight, each

vying for the chance to take on President Donald

Trump in the 2020 presidential election. The March 17

Illinois primary serves as a chance for the party to test

the electability of each candidate moving forward, as

voters decide between the policies of former Vice President

Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders of Maine.

Often, the policies a candidate champions fall to the

wayside in favor of how popular the candidate may be.

“The Democrats are trying to figure out who is best situated

to beat Donald Trump,” AP Government teacher

Dan Fouts said.

Instead of competing for the electoral votes, candidates

in a primary are fighting for convention delegates,

and the candidate who wins the majority of the 3,979

delegates available wins the nomination for that party.

That victory will allow the Democratic nominee

the chance to go against President Trump in the actual

presidential election in November.

Super Tuesday, which was March 3, is the biggest

day in primary politics. On that day, 14 states held primaries,

and since the primaries with the most delegates

at stake -- like those in Texas and California -- happen

on that day, it has the power to make or break a campaign.

This reputation has held true in 2020. Since March

3, some of the most prominent campaigns have fallen

out of the race. Senator Elizabeth Warren and former

New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg both ended

their bid for office following the Super Tuesday results,

leaving just Biden and Sanders in the race after

Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of

Minnesota dropped out hours before Super Tuesday

voting.

Biden specifically experienced a surge in popularity

and pushed into the lead for the nomination. Polls

indicate more and more that Biden may likely prevail;

current predictions made by Fivethirtyeight.com show

Biden winning a majority of delegates to be 89% likely.

Despite the candidate’s fall in numbers, Sanders’

supporters remain very optimistic of the senator’s

chances. “It’s seemingly still a long shot, but not as farfetched

as in 2016,” senior Rylan Turner said.

Many students will experience their first election

cycle in which they can actually participate in the election

process, something junior Anna Kalena believes to

be of the utmost importance. “It’s really important to

make your mark when you have the opportunity

to get involved in the

policies that are changing

our country, because

they affect us

the most,” Kalena

said.

In Illinois,

anyone who will

turn 18 by Nov. 3

is eligible to register

to vote in Tuesday’s

primary.

DARCY BUCHANIEC

The caucus, the primary’s ugly

cousin, is another way to calculate

how candidates receive delegates.

Caucuses are usually held

in school gyms, and, for simplicity’s

sake, play

out like a big

game of Four

Corners.

Each candidate’s

supporters

stand

in their own

space in the

gym. If Candidate

A doesn’t

get enough voters

in the first

round, voters

from Candidate

B’s factions can

try to convince

?

??

63%

PERCENTAGE OF

MAINE WEST

STUDENTS WHO

SAY THEY DO

NOT KNOW THE

DIFFERENCE BE-

TWEEN A PRIMARY

AND A CAUCUS,

ACCORDING TO A

WESTERNER

SURVEY OF 113

STUDENTS

Candidate A’s

supporters to

join them in

supporting Candidate B. At the

end of day, the votes are tallied,

and delegates are assigned to the

candidates who received at least

15% of voters.

This voting process allows for

delegates to be distributed to only

those with a larger base, and that

obviously has its ups and downs.

According to Fouts, one less obvious

disadvantage is that since caucuses

are typically longer ordeals,

the turnout is significantly less

than a primary’s.

fusion

of talent

BY NATALIE CASTELLANOS

reporter

Wind Ensemble will be traveling to Lake

Zurich tonight, joining the Lake Zurich High

School Wind Ensemble and the Chicago Brass

Band for a showcase of each group’s hard work.

Colin Holman, the director of the Chicago

Brass Band, has been conducting for almost 40

years. “As a director, it’s a privilege to make music

with great musicians that can be shared with our

audience,” Holman said.

What makes this band different than others is

that it is modeled on the British brass band tradition,

which includes 25 brass players and four

MAINE WEST’S WIND ENSEMBLE SELECTED FOR THE LAKE ZURICH

MUSIC FESTIVAL, TO PERFORM WITH THE CHICAGO BRASS BAND

percussionists. Instead of trumpets and French

horns, cornets and tenor horns, along with

baritones and euphoniums, are used. The three

pieces that will be performed are “Mephistopheles”

by Shipey Douglas, “Destination Moon” by

Paul Raphael, and a surprise ending piece that is

well-known by the audience in which they can

join in with voice or cell phone.

Sophomore bass clarinet player Elena Bu said

that she’s excited for the festival since it is her first

year in the Wind Ensemble. “I am so honored

to be playing with such amazing musicians and

to be directed by such an amazing teacher as Mr.

Gerstmayr,” Bu said.

Senior Ashley Carlino is most excited to hear

the extraordinary sound of the Chicago Brass

Band. “I heard they are really good, and I want to

see them in person,” Carlino said.

With performance comes challenges and Bu

believes that one of the biggest of these challenges

for everyone will be overcoming the nerves and

having confidence in what they perform.

However, Bu states that if the band is able to

calm the butterflies in their stomachs that the ensemble

will succeed. “I have full confidence that

the band will play amazingly and blow away the

festival, and all the hard work put in will pay off.”

Band director Bernie Gerstmayr shares this

sentiment. “Everybody is going to feel a little bit

out of their depth. I always think kids step it up

when they travel. especially, when they’re playing

for other people; for some reason, the band sits

up a little straighter, they play a little more attentive,

and maybe a little more focused,” he said. He

feels that it’s only under pressure that the group

can grow.

For Gerstmayr, the showcase is wholly for the

students who perform in it. He says he wants to

prove to the ensemble that they “always can bring

the good they do at West elsewhere. I can kind of

push them out of the nest and say, ‘hey, you’re a

great player -- other people should know that.’”

4 features/westerner

A

C I

Through

Life

GRETA MARTIN

BY MAHA ZAIDI

reporter

WEST SIDE DANCE COMPANY

SHOWCASES POP CULTURE-

INSPIRED DANCE SHOW THIS

WEEKEND

West Side Dance Company

launched this year’s show,

titled “ICONIC,” last night,

with performances continuing

tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m.

For the “ICONIC” theme, the dances

are focused on notable music, events, movements,

and figures who have shaped the culture

and history of this world. Junior Gianna

Pascente’s choreography in the lyrical style

helps to contribute to this theme. “We’re

dancing to ‘Liability’ by Lorde and our routine

is dedicated to women’s suffrage,” Pascente

said.

The show not only highlights the developments

that have significantly impacted

history, but also incorporates major icons

from popular culture. With everything from

an upbeat hip-hop dance using several Drake

songs to an adagio routine to Elvis’ “Jailhouse

Rock,” the group aims to show their range

of artistic skill.

The show has several performances that

give the audience a taste of many different cultures:

from classic Bollywood dances to routines

danced to Fergie and Madonna.

Behind the magic is director Lisa Jacob, who

is responsible for choosing costumes, helping

March 13, 2020

coordinate and choreograph routines, and generally

leading the group. Jacob and her dance

company have been working since Sept. in

preparation for the show. Through months of

rehearsals, dedication, and teamwork, Jacob has

built a close bond with her dancers. The dancers

“bring so much talent, brilliance, and joy to the

stage,” she said.

The countless number of hours spent together

has allowed the group to build connections

that will last a lifetime. Junior Carter Stephen’s

favorite team bonding activities have been when

the group “takes a Zumba class together and exchange

gifts to celebrate [their] hard work.”

Senior Kim Fairhead, a member since her

freshman year, holds these connections especially

close to her heart. “The few days before the

show is when your bond really strengthens with

your team. It’s so much fun because we build our

bond and we get so much closer, and that’s what

I’m going to miss the most,” Fairhead said.

Through their preparations for the show, the

West Side Dance Company has strengthened

their passion for dance and the group remains

excited to present their audiences with their hard

work. “The dancers are about to see their hard

work, blood, sweat, tears, and passion for dance

pay off,” Jacob said.

WHEN THE NCAA REVEALS ITS TOURNAMENT BRACKET THIS SUNDAY EVENING, IT’S GOING TO

HAVE TO FIGHT FOR ATTENTION AMONG 90 OTHER MARCH HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS.

WHICH ONE WILL BE THE CHAMPION OF THEM ALL?

Dumbstruck Day

Be Nasty Day

National Pig Day

Panic Day

If Pets Had Thumbs Day

Poultry Day

Be Nasty Day

March 8

March 1

National Pig Day

Be Nasty Day


March 3

Winner:

If Pets Had

Thumbs Day!

If Pets Had

Thumbs Day

National

“Joe” Day

National “Joe” Day

Pi Day

March 14

March 27


National Crayon Day

March 31

Submarine Day

Pi Day


Ear Muff Day

National Crayon Day

Pecan Day

Girls Scouts Day

Waffle Day

March 12

Girls Scouts Day


National Crayon Day

March 20

Proposal Day

Proposal Day

Dentist’s Day

National Girl Scout Day is celebrated on March

12, the day of the first Girl Scout Troop Meeting

in 1912. “It’s important because they help out the

community,” Sophie Ernst, sophomore and former

girl scout, said. “They help raise money for organizations

and at Feed My Starving Children.”

Since that meeting in 1912, the Girl Scout Organization

has grown from 18 members to around

2.5 million.

Holiday

Madness

BY ANDREW STUTHEIT

reporter

While Pi Day, March 14, occurs this year on

a Saturday, some teachers are still finding ways to

celebrate. “Ms. Harro is going to be having Pitype

competitions in her class,” Math department

chair Mike Smith said. Harro’s class will be using

M&M’s as a measurement tool and compete to see

which group can get the closest approximation of

pi by measuring circumference.

march 13, 2020

westerner/entertainment

5

FIND NEW PLACES TO EXPLORE OVER SPRING

BREAK DOWNTOWN

CITY OF CHICAGO

SIGHTS OF THE CITY

BY LILI VAUGHAN

reporter

While some students may be embarking on a

tropical vacation or a college visit road trip over

spring break, others will be here in Des Plaines,

looking to experience something new within the

boundaries of Chicagoland. If you’re planning a

“staycation” over the week-long break and looking

for a day trip with family or friends, plan a visit to

see public art displays in the city. Your best spring

break memories may be only a train ride away.

Senior Lyris Daker shared that Graceland

Cemetery, at Clark Street and Irving Park Road

in Chicago, was a favorite spot among her Literature

of Chicago classmates. “The nice thing about

visiting Graceland Cemetery is that it’s not just

tombstones. There are giant sculptures, columns,

and walk-in tombs; it’s very extravagant,” Daker

said.

Senior Amanda Byrne’s favorite spots are the

Cloud Gate (also known as “The Bean”), the Batcolumn

statue, Picasso’s untitled piece in Daley

Plaza, and Calder’s Flamingo located in Federal

Plaza. “Outdoor art in Chicago is just so cool because

you see the expressive side of artists. Some

of these murals and sculptures, specifically Picasso’s

sculpture, just put a whole new perspective

on art in a way you wouldn’t have seen before,”

Byrne said.

German and Spanish teacher Rogelio Cabrera,

a Chicago resident, shared his favorites, highlighting

the fact that many students haven’t gotten to

explore what is right in our own backyards. When

it comes to his most beloved spots in the city,

Cabrera considers Picasso’s untitled sculpture in

Daley Plaza to be essential for any sightseer, calling

it the “heart of Chicago.”

Another one of Cabrera’s favorites is the Buckingham

Fountain, the Art Deco-style centerpiece

of Grant Park. “It’s very artistic and when you go

around the fountain, it says a lot about the cultural

and architectural richness of Chicago,” Cabrera

said. While many of Chicago’s landmarks are well

known as the background of many tourist photos,

they evolve with the city . For example, according

to Cabrera, “the two lions outside the Art

Institute are decorated during special times of the

year with scarves of our beloved Chicago sports

teams.” Additionally, along Michigan Avenue

and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile district, there are

a variety of pieces with diverse themes, ranging

from glass mosaics to bronze statues.

With so many sights to see, pictures to take,

restaurants to dine at, and memories to make,

Chicago offers a remarkable landscape of diversity

and art. For your next city trip, expand beyond

your typical spots and embark on a day of new

adventures with the city’s hidden gems.

Scan this code for more information

on public artwork

downtown

6 entertainment/westerner

march 13, 2020

From the Screen to the Courtroom

HOW ARE JURIES AND COURTROOM VERDICTS AFFECTED BY CRIME DOCUMENTARIES?

BY BLAZEJ EZLAKOWSKI

reporter

Whether it’s the long-running “Law and Order”

scripted series or crime-solving documentaries

such as “Making a Murderer” on Netflix, true

crime shows are redefining innocence and guilt in

our justice system.

Having a lasting impact on the world, the

Netflix documentary “Who Killed Malcolm X’’

explored the assassination of the civil rights leader

and the three controversial convictions that came

out of it. Thanks to the documentary, the assassination

case may be reopened, and one individual

convicted of the murder may be exonerated.

This has led many to wonder, what impact

do crime shows and documentaries have on our

world—for the better or worse? Do fictional

shows like ‘Mindhunter’ and ‘CSI’ have any semblance

to real crime proceedings?

“I think that these shows about crime have a

positive influence overall. I saw an episode of ‘Hawaii

Five-0’ about human trafficking, and at the

end of the episode, the actors raised

awareness about the issue.

So at

Get Your Irish On!

BY HANA DEMPSEY AND AILEEN

O’CONNOR

entertainment editor and asst. entertainment

editor

Honoring the death of the patron saint of Ireland,

St. Patrick’s Day is a worldwide celebration

of Irish culture and lifestyle. Though the holiday is

celebrated across the world, it’s especially important

to people in Ireland.

“It’s a big day of celebration, family getting together,”

said John O’Hara, who grew up in Ireland

and is now a Maine West electrician. “We don’t

celebrate Thanksgiving. Christmas is a big holiday,

and St. Patrick’s day is right up there.”

In celebration, each major town in Ireland has

its own festival with a parade similar to the St.

Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago. “Shops would be

primarily closed down, but of course the pubs are

open. The parade would last pretty much all day,

similar to Chicago’s but the atmosphere is a little

different,” O’Hara said.

As for Irish families who no longer live in Ireland,

St. Patrick’s Day is spent embracing their

the least, these shows are good for raising public

awareness of some issues,” junior Lethrese Rosete

said. “You can also learn some things from these

shows. For example, on ‘Magnum P.I.,’ I learned

about positive and negative reinforcement from

psychology,” Rosette continued.

Many crime shows are generating interest

because they provide a new perspective and not

just the side of the investigators. “For one, they

can shift the public opinion of law enforcement,

but also of convicts. ‘Criminal Minds’ showed

how much law enforcement does, and how much

emotional stress they go through. People don’t

usually take that into account,” senior Katy Anderson

said. “But some of these shows also humanize

the criminals; you’ll see all the things that

led up to someone’s crimes, their background and

motives, and it makes them more relatable.”

As well as having an impact on the public at

large, these crime shows can have an impact on

the justice system and the way cases are handled.

“Those shows do influence jurors, and when lawyers

choose jurors for a criminal case, they take

whether they watch these shows into account, because

those jurors could be more likely to convict

or acquit, based on the type of show they watch,”

crime science teacher Chris Quidayan

said. “Some

of these

KIRA PALMER

native culture. “I’m really proud of my heritage

and where my ancestors came from. Celebrating

[St. Patrick’s Day] brings me back to my roots and

makes me really appreciate it more,” senior Claudia

Morrison said.

There are so many ways to celebrate, whether

you’re in Ireland or anywhere else in the world.

“I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’m 98% Irish.

As my mom would say, ‘Every day is St. Patrick’s

Day,’ so to celebrate for dinner we eat corned beef

and Irish soda bread,” junior Maggie Fitzpatrick

said.

Even those who aren’t Irish at all can appreciate

St. Patrick’s Day, particularly in Chicago. “The

Irish helped, in many ways, building the structures

of Chicago and many metropolitan areas in

the United States. Everyone likes to have an Irish

connection, and there’s so many Irish here. On

St. Patrick’s day, everyone wants to come out and

celebrate the Irish for what they have done in a

good community of people,” O’Hara said. About

200,000 citizens of Chicago—and tens of thousands

more in the suburbs—have Irish ancestors,

shows have made it harder to convict criminals,

because the jury may want a ‘smoking gun’ [a

foolproof piece of evidence of guilt] like there often

is on some crime shows, but that ‘smoking

gun’ rarely exists in real life,” Quidayan said.

Lawyers understand how these shows change

the expectations of viewers, and they manipulate

those expectations when it comes to arguing in

front of a jury. “We learned in class of one case,

where there was a mountain of evidence that the

suspect murdered the victim, but the defense argued

some convoluted alternative possibility, like

what could happen in a show, and the guy was

acquitted,” Quidayan said.

Yet some shows don’t even have to be at all

related to crime to influence real legal proceedings.

One extraordinary example of this is the

story of Juan Catalan, who was exonerated of

a murder charge, thanks to his appearance in

background footage of the comedy series “Curb

Your Enthusiasm.” The show was filming during

an L.A Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium at the

same time as the alleged murder. Attending the

game that day, Catalan’s coincidental appearance

walking through the background of one of the

scenes proved that Catalan could not have been at

the murder at the time it happened. “Curb Your

Enthusiasm” managed to save an innocent

man from life in prison, and the story is

retold in the Netflix documentary “Long

Shot.”

In many ways, the media has opened

up new outlets for evidence and re-invented

the way crimes are solved. It has created an

unexpectedly large following for true crime

stories, and will likely continue to shape the

justice system for years to come.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATES IRISH CULTURE AND

ALLOWS THOSE OF IRISH DECENT TO APPRECIATE

THEIR HERITAGE

according to the most recent census data, with

their families dating back to the big waves of Irish

immigrants who came to the Chicago area in the

1830s-1850s. Like the Germans and Italians, the

Irish were integral to the rebuilding of Chicago

after the Great Chicago Fire.

While there’s no doubt that the St. Patrick’s

Day celebration spreads beyond Ireland’s borders,

the reason it is celebrated here in Chicago may

be different than the reason it is celebrated in Ireland.

“There is a more religious aspect [in Ireland]

because it’s about a saint, and it’s more similar

to Christmas in the sense that it’s religious and

celebratory,” Morrison said. While in America, “a

lot of people use St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to

drink,” Morrison said.

However, Irish culture welcomes everyone to

the celebration. “Our culture is very happy and

warm hearted so it’s the more the merrier. They

might not celebrate it for the same reasons, but it’s

still just a fun time to celebrate it,” Morrison said.

march 13, 2020 westerner/features 7

T

alent comes in many different shapes and sizes, including ones that

never appear on stage or as part of an exhibit or in a competition. Some

like to tell the world about it, while others prefer to keep it hidden.

Junior Connor Tomsic began his journey with the

Safety monitor Christina Kyriakopoulos sees students in their natural

electric bass during his freshman year in band. Tomsic

has the ability to put his own personal spin on

habitats surrounded by the people who know them best. “I see kids in the

cafeteria doing something they love, and when they explain what they are

songs by making his own arrangements and adding extra

notes. His musical background with the trombone

doing to me, they brighten up. They love to talk about what they do, play,

draw, and are talented at overall. It makes the energy so positive,” Kyriakopoulos

said.

and guitar has enabled him to quickly pick up the skills

needed for his development as a musician.

In the cafeteria, she spots students trying out their talents and talks to

Many thoughts run through Tomsic’s head while he’s

them about what they are doing. She considers herself a very open person and

learning a song. As he progresses through a song, his perspective

on the music changes. “There’s a lot that goes on,” Tomsic said.

is eager to help kids come up with new ideas.

Her hopes for these students are for them to make it “big” in life because

“When I’m first starting, it’s ‘which parts are the worst and which

they put so much energy and creativity into the things they love. “Never ever

parts are the best?’ Then, as the song gets better, I think ‘how can I

give up on your goals, and never ever listen to anyone that says you can’t take

make it my style? How can I make it sound better?’”

it to the end,” Kyriakopoulos said.

People around him are aware of his ability to play the bass, but not

many have heard him do it. Nevertheless, Tomsic’s talent has helped

him connect with those around him by allowing him to make new

friends and find other people who like the same music as him.

“It becomes a way to inspire others,” Tomsic

said. “People can develop their creativity and

who they really are - not just who they say

they are.”

Hidden

Potential

BY LUCY ELLSWORTH AND

KHUSHI PATEL

reporters

For the past nine

years, sophomore

Devin Cardona

has been designing

Rubik’s Cubes. His love

of mechanics and math,

along with a lot of practice,

helped him accomplish his goal. “I always wanted to

learn how to solve Rubik’s,” Cardona said. Trying to

learn more about Rubik’s cubes since the second

grade, he began trying to make his own. “It has

helped me find myself as a mathematician.”

Making each cube takes Cardona anywhere

from three hours to a day, depending on how

complicated each design is. Cardona makes

them in his basement using different molds and

screwing parts together.

Originally, Cardona was reluctant to share this talent

with the world. “I only want the people I can really

trust to know because anyone else I tell doesn’t believe

me,” Cardona said.

Sophomore Armend Ujkashi has been singing since he was five years

old, but he discovered his talent after participating in musical

theatre productions at Prairie Lakes when he was ten. “I did

‘The King and I’ and ‘The Music Man’. We would practice singing at

rehearsals, and it just felt good,” Ujkashi said.

Although he no longer does musical theatre, he still loves to sing.

“It made me more confident,” Ujkashi said. He enjoys singing hip hop

and country music.

It can still be nerve-wracking to reveal your talents to the world. Echoing

the feelings of many performers: “When nobody is watching me, I feel

comfortable, but when it comes down to people watching me, I get nervous.” Ujkashi said.

However, Ujkashi is ready to conquer his nerves. “I’d like to sing the Star Spangled

Banner at the next assembly.”

Senior Yolianette Royal found her natural

ability to play the guitar after taking a

class during her junior year. After being

introduced to it in class, she asked for a guitar

for her birthday and continued to practice and

cultivate her talent. Now, she plays both the electric

and acoustic guitar.

Family members, friends, and classmates are aware of her

talent on the guitar and she has showcased it through school events,

including the 2019 guitar class rock concert and in the 2018 and 2019

recitals.

After one year of playing, she is now able to learn a song within two

days. She uses her time while playing the guitar to express her feelings

and build her confidence. “It makes me feel amazing that I am able to

play an instrument that I love. It helps with my emotions and when

I’m playing I feel calm, confident, and focused,” Royal said.

At the start of basketball

practice, senior Dylan

Van Fleet has had her

talent shine after singing the National

Anthem in front of her teammates.

She began singing in choir

during grade school, but recently this

talent was showcased during practices. “It’s a

great way to start practice, everyone always

cheers and now whenever I sing I think about

my teammates. I sing in my own style and I

do what I want,” Van Fleet said.

She is able to use music to express herself

and ease her mind. “It just adds to your personality,

what you do, and who you hang out

with too,” Van Fleet said. “It’s a part of what

makes you, you.”

PHOTOS BY GRETA MARTIN

8 IN-DEPTH/westerner

March 13

typical toppings

BY ABIGAIL

MILOVANCEVIC

in-depth editor

MAINE WEST’S VIEWS ON THE BEST THING ITALY GAVE TO THE WORLD meal t

Layered with tomato slices and mozzarella cheese

or piled high with pepperoni, pizza as we know it is

an Italian-American classic. Originating in Naples,

Italy, as street food for the working class, the dish

has evolved into a staple of both American and Italian

diets.

Although it is a uniquely flexible dish that can

be made to suit almost any taste or diet, 62% of

Maine West students prefer pepperoni above all

else, according to a Westerner survey of 89

students.

What is Maine West’s ideal pizza

overall? West’s favorite toppings are

pepperoni, sausage, and pineapple,

and they like regular crust more than

anything else. The ideal Maine West

pizza would be 41% regular crust,

12% stuffed crust, 31% thin crust,

and 16% deep dish. Assuming you

can only add five toppings to the pizza,

there would be pepperoni, sausage,

pineapple, Canadian bacon, and

mushrooms.

Even though the survey question

asked students to pick their favorite

toppings, “my favorite kind of pizza

is cheese,” senior Sydney Schroeder said.

While viewed as an indulgent treat, pizza can be

healthier than you might have thought.

The main components of a pizza are dough, tomato

sauce, and cheese. Despite dough containing

gluten and cheese containing dairy, there are still

plenty of pizza options for people who follow a vegan

diet or are gluten-free. “My favorite pizza place

is MOD pizza. I like to get a gluten-free pizza with

cheese, pineapple, ham, and barbeque sauce,” senior

Lauren Sobjack, who is gluten-free, said. MOD is

located at Randhurst in Mount Prospect.

“Blaze and MOD Pizza both have vegan cheese,

and Blaze even has vegan chorizo, and both of their

crusts are vegan. My go-to pizza toppings are any

vegan cheese—and lots of it but preferably smoked

mozzarella—spinach, olive oil, and caramelized

onions,” junior Lili Vaughn, a

vegan, said. Blaze Pizza is located at

Old Orchard mall in Skokie.

Pizza’s ability to be modified is

unique in that you can still enjoy your

favorite dish, even if you decide to

change your diet. “It’s so exciting

when restaurants and brands announce

their new vegan options

because it makes the lifestyle way

more accessible, which is one of the

biggest obstacles for people who

want to try veganism,” Vaughn

said.

For full control over what’s

in your pizza, try making it

yourself.

“If you’re going to make a pizza

from scratch it’s a great idea. It's all about fresh ingredients,

from the yeast to the flour in the dough.

Have fresh sauce and veggies as best you can. Pizza

dough you can make ahead and put in the freezer.

Try making it on the weekends to use during the

week. You can even assemble your pizza then freeze

it to bake later, there are many options with it! It’s

already healthier because there are no preservatives if

you make it. You know exactly what you’re getting,”

culinary teacher Theresa Hardin said.

LILY CHEN

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION

MONTH, GIVING US A REASON TO

CONSIDER WHY WE EAT WHAT WE D

fast food

BY SARIFF ALVISO

reporter

CONVENIE

UNHEALTH

DAYS WHE

Breakfast may be the most important meal of th

but according to a Westerner survey of 115 student

say that they do not eat breakfast in the morning.

According to a study done by Virginia Tech, for

students, the main reason is the lack of time in the

ing to sit down and eat a proper meal. Because o

many tend to opt for something quick, relative

healthy, or both. Unfortunately, breaking the habit

ing a quick Pop-Tart or sugary cereal can be hard

they are quick and convenient.

A sugary breakfast can cause a temporary rise in

sugar and leave one even hungrier than before. Acc

to studies done by Harvard Medical School, eggs ar

sidered a healthier choice because they are a good

of protein and low in calories. Excluding the yolk,

eating the whites of an egg can also help reduce chol

intake.

“When I make eggs, I add vegetables. Spinach i

because it doesn’t add much flavor, but it’s still he

junior Genevieve Bellot said. Using a microwave, y

hometown hamburger

FIND OUT WHAT MAKES AMERICAN

WILDBURGER SPECIAL, ALONG

WITH SOME MENU ITEMS THE

STAFF INSIST YOU TRY

BY JACOB

repor

Fast food is great and all, but let’s be honest, Mc-

Donald’s and Taco Bell get old pretty fast. Luckily in

Des Plaines, we’ve got plenty of local, non-chain restaurants

to choose from. You don’t need to go far to find a

great burger, American Wildburger has plenty of tasty

options to choose from.

American Wildburger has some of the best burgers

around, and according to 115 Maine West students surveyed

by the Westerner, they are far better quality than

anything you would get at a chain restaurant. In fact, 25

percent of Maine West students picked American Wildburger

as their favorite place to get a burger, making it

Maine West's top choice, followed by close behind by

Brandy's and Charcoal Delights.

The Westerner decided to find out why.

Wildburger serves everything from burgers to wings

to tacos. They even have vegan and gluten-free options.

With a multitude of different toppings, such as salsa,

fried egg, and mango BBQ sauce, the only real problem

is deciding what to get.“My favorite item on the

menu is the Cali Classic burger,” senior and American

Wildburger employee Zaid Usman said. “It’s a chicken

burger on an egg bun with chipotle mayo, pico de gallo,

jalapenos, avocado, and cheddar cheese. It’s unique; you

can’t really find anything like it at other restaurants.”

Although going to local restaurants can cost a little

bit more money, you will be paying for much better

food. “American Wildburger can be a little pricey

depending on what you get,” senior George Espinoza

said. “But you are definitely getting your money’s worth.

These burgers are some of the best in the area.”

A nice thing about eating at a local restaurant like

American Wildburger is that you are supporting a business

where the owners actually care about the food they

are putting out, unlike a corporate machine just trying

to make as much money as possible.

“I really like the restaurant because it is family owned

and everything there is made fresh daily,” Usman said.

A common issue with going out to eat is the

options for various diets. American Wildburger, t

offers food options for all different people and th

ferent tastes.

“There is a wide variety of burgers, buns, a

pings to choose from,” senior and American Wild

employee Jovani Delao said. “We have vegan a

ten-free options as well so there’s really somethin

for everyone.”

The only real way to understand how amazing

ican Wildburger is to go and try it for yourself.

nately for Maine West students, American Wildb

only a couple of minutes away, it is located at 15

Oakton Street in Des Plaines.

“American Wildburger has a lot of options fo

ers,” senior Michael Framke said. “It’s a nice plac

with friends, especially because I know a lot of

who work there. It’s really convenient that it is

to school.”

, 2020 westerner/in-depth

ime!

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LILY CHEN

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Another healthy and convenient option is yogurt. The

health site Greatist recommends blending in a mix of berries,

coconut water, and a spoonful of honey, to can make

a quick smoothie filled with antioxidants and fiber. Also,

because yogurt is protein-heavy, it is filling and will keep

you satiated until lunchtime arrives.

If you feel too rushed to pack a decent lunch in the

morning, planning ahead makes a big difference. “I pack

a salad and leave it in the fridge overnight,” junior Anna

Kalena said. Bringing healthy snacks such as celery can

be beneficial, but unpalatable to many. To solve this, try

adding another side; “sometimes I also bring peanut or

almond butter,” Kalena said.

If choosing to eat a school lunch instead of bringing

one from home, there are still choices one can make to

keep a healthy diet. For example, excluding chips, a panini

with turkey is healthier than a cheeseburger and french

fries. One of the most popular items, tacos can also be

altered to be more nutritious: “instead of adding chips to

Concerning Calories

BY SAROSH KHAN

asst. in-depth editor

In chemistry and physics, one calorie is the amount of energy needed to change the

temperature of one gram of water by 1° Celsius. For reference, by eating just one calorie,

we should produce enough energy to change the temperature of one liter of water by 1.8°

Fahrenheit. Scientists actually use this idea to measure how many calories something has

by using a tool called a Bomb Calorimeter. By taking a burning object, putting it inside a

calorimeter and measuring the temperature change of the water, they are able to measure

changes in energy. “In Bomb Calorimeters used at universities, they have vessels to burn

food and they make sure that all the heat energy from the burning is transferred to the

water,” AP Chemistry teacher Stefan Panzilius said. If scientists aren’t careful, some of the

energy can be transferred to the surroundings and the temperature of the water won’t get

raised as much as it should. A Bomb Calorimeter is a complex apparatus but there is a

simpler, less accurate version: a coffee cup calorimeter. These can easily be made using a

thermometer, some plastic cups, and a couple of other easy-to-find tools. The illustration

below can get you started. By Sarosh Khan, asst. in-depth editor

their tacos, [students] can just add the meat, lettuce, and

the cheese,” culinary arts teacher Theresa Hardin said.

It’s important to keep in mind that pre-packaged

snacks, such as protein bars, are marketed as good-for-you,

but they don’t always hold up. “Many granola bars seem

healthy, but you have to look for one that has low sugar,”

Bellot said. Furthermore, plain salads are nutritious,

but excess calories can quickly add up with unhealthy

additions such as loads of cheese, dressing, or croutons.

Croutons made from white bread add unnecessary carbohydrates

and calories when they are toasted or baked

in butter or another unhealthy fat. Further, salad dressing

can inflate the calorie count with added sugar and sodium.

If opting for a salad, it’s best to stick with leafy greens,

vegetables, and a splash of olive oil.

In the end, eating a healthy lunch or breakfast can be

achievable by planning ahead and making small choices.

“When someone talks about eating healthy, people automatically

think about the extremes, but it’s all about making

small choices,” Hardin said.

HOW MUCH DO WE

REALLY UNDERSTAND

ABOUT HOW WE GET

ENERGY FROM FOOD?

We’ve all been in this scenario: you’re strolling

through the grocery store when you come across

the snack aisle. You timidly pick up a bag of your

favorite chips, flipping it around to examine the

most dominant number: the calorie count.

This single number often determines whether

or not you happily place the bag in your cart or

dejectedly back on the shelf. Many of us choose

what we eat based on that all-important calorie

number but, do we really understand what it

means? Are calories really that important after

all? What is a calorie, and why should we only be

getting 2,000 of them?

First, some myth-busting. The number of

2,000 calories wasn’t determined by any scientific

study. That number was actually based on a

loosely rounded figure from a survey conducted

by the United States Department of Agriculture.

In actuality, according to the USDA and the National

Health Service, active teenage boys should

be consuming around 3,000 calories while active

girls should be consuming about 2,400 calories.

Unfortunately, it’s not entirely that simple.

There is much more to eating healthy than

just the calorie number. Our bodies are able to

harness the potential energy within the food

through several complex processes called cellular

respiration. In essence, the foods we eat contain

molecules that our bodies break down with the

help of enzymes. “Physically, carbohydrates are

the closest to glucose which is our body’s main

source of energy. That’s why we get the quickest

energy from them,” Health teacher Joan Hare

said.

The sugars flow in the bloodstream to be

available for use by every single cell in your body.

Your cells absorb these sugars and convert them

into a molecule commonly named ATP. Rather

XIAO LIN HE

9

than just the

calorie number,

at this point,

the types of carbohydrates,

lipids, and proteins you consume become

important too. For example, “eating simple carbohydrates

and not burning them immediately

will make them turn into fat. On the other hand,

complex carbohydrates are burned over time and

are a much better source of energy,” Hare said.

Based on how your body is able to digest your

food, eating the right types of things ends up being

just as important as counting your calories.

In order to truly lead a healthy lifestyle, it takes

a little more effort than just turning the bag

around and looking at the biggest number on

the food label.

10 features/westerner

March 13, 2020

HIT THE ROAD

WHETHER FOR CLASS, WORK, OR A HOBBY, STUDENTS EXPRESS

THEMSELVES AND FIND THEIR FUTURES IN THEIR CARS

Hudson’s 1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT

GRETA MARTIN

Senior Riley Griffin gets handson

experience working in automotive

class.

In the autos lab,

students work

on lab cars and

car components

--learning skills

they can use on

their own cars or

in future careers

in auto repair.

Cangelosi’s 1990

Chevrolet Sportvan

BY MALAIKA ZAIDI

editor-in-chief

In 1913, Henry Ford introduced the first

moving assembly line for the mass production

of a car, reducing the time it took

to build a car from 12 hours to two and

a half hours. The reduction in time inevitably

brought on a reduction of price and

mass purchasing of cars. As more people

bought cars, more people found ways

to customize them—including current

Maine West drivers.

Automotive teacher Tim Heim appreciates

the correlation between modern cars

and technology but also misses the creative

vision that went into designing cars

in the past. “Automotive is always pushing

the boundaries of technology. We’re

always trying to go faster, be safer, more

efficient, and more comfortable. You need

to constantly move forward, but also be

able to work on the past,” Heim said. “As a

consumer, this modernization is not what

I would like. I’m into old school muscle

cars, but I can still appreciate the technology

and innovation that goes into a modern

automobile.”

Junior Dominick Lipinski holds a similar

interest in the history behind cars. “The

federal regulations in the 1970s required

that cars burn fuel without lead, meaning

lower compression engines and less power.

Because of this, as time grew, cars began to

lose their personality,” Lipinski said. “The

end of the muscle car era really put a nail

in the coffin for cars. Now, you see no personality

in cars. If you look at cars prior to

the 1970s, you can tell the

difference.”

Lipinski’s interest

in cars was sparked in

his childhood as he

admired the car collection

of his uncles.

“Those cars had a soul

to them. My uncle and

grandfather were known

for their cars. Newer cars

don’t have that unique aspect.

Cars used to show your personality.

I don’t think they do anymore.” Lipinski

said.

Senior Katie Hudson, the owner of a

1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT, holds a

DARCY BUCHANIEC

similar viewpoint about cars from earlier

times. She purchased the car by herself after

seeing a dark green version of it near

school. “It is such a unique car. Everyone

knows it’s me. That’s what went around

in my head as I purchased it, I just love

the way it looks. You can’t find that everywhere,”

Hudson said.

With a 22-year-old car, however, comes

problems. “There’s a lot of issues with it.

It’s an old car, and I am the eighth owner.

But, my car is my baby. This car holds so

much value in my eyes, so I don’t mind

investing in it. I appreciate it more because

I pay for it,” Husdon said.

Senior Joe Cangelosi purchased his car

after he spotted his 1990 Chevrolet Sportvan

on the side of a road and left a post-it

note for the owner with his phone number.

“The whole thing was the right place

at the right time,” Cangelosi said. “It was

such a good find because the whole interior

was done in the 90s.” Cangelosi’s car

is customized with ceiling lights, wood accents,

comfortable velvet seats, back seats

that fold, new side markers, a new exhaust

system, and a reverse camera.

As a musician, Cangelosi was in search

of a van to hold his instruments and

named his car “Bertha” after a song by the

Grateful Dead. “I’ve always wanted to buy

one of those 60s Volkswagen vans, but I realized

I couldn’t afford that. I will be honest,

it costs quite a bit to maintain this,”

Cangelosi said. “However, why would I

not put so much money into trying to preserve

this car? There’s not a lot of cars like

this. I enjoy vintage things and my vintage

car makes me seem like an old soul.”

Students here at West have the opportunity

to pursue Automotive Fundamentals

and Automotive Service class.

Fundamentals focuses on maintenance for

a car, whereas Service goes more in depth,

targeted towards students who are interested

in an automotive career. Students

have seven lab cars available to them, as

well as a system of virtual reality to practice

upon. “We are very fortunate to have the

resources that we do and I am so glad my

students are utilizing them. In the bigger

picture, I am glad they are learning how

to fix cars themselves, so in the future they

can maintain their own cars,” Heim said.

March 13, 2020 westerner/opinions 11

EDITORIAL POLICY

The student-produced newspaper of

Maine West High School, the Westerner,

is dedicated to maintaining the

values of truth, integrity, and courage

in reporting. The Westerner provides an

open public forum for free and responsible

expression of student opinion, as

well as balanced coverage of issues of

student interest. The staff encourages

discussion and free expression between

all members of the school and community

and maintains its responsibility to

inform and educate the student body.

Unsigned editorials represent the majority

viewpoint of the editorial board.

Letters to the editor, which are subject

to editing for length and clarity, must

be signed by name and may be published

upon approval from the editorial

board. Opinions in letters are not

necessarily those of the Westerner, nor

should any opinion expressed in the

Westerner be construed as the opinion

or policy of the adviser, the Westerner

staff as a whole, the school staff, the

school administration, or District 207

school board.

EDITORIAL BOARD:

Editors-in-Chief:

Sarah Smail, Malaika Zaidi

Associate Chief Editor:

Suzy Linek

Chief of Digital Media

and Graphics Editor:

Abigail Milovancevic

News Editors:

Jameson Beckman, Jenna Robbins

Features Editor:

Malaika Zaidi

In-Depth Editor:

Abigail Milovancevic

Sports Editors:

Suzy Linek, Monyca Grimmer,

Daniel Vicens

Opinions Editor:

Sarah Smail

Entertainment Editor:

Hana Dempsey

Photo Editor: Greta Martin

Art Editor: Xiao Lin He

Digital Content Chief:

Nitin Nair

Assistant Editors:

Clare Olson, Jenna Daube, Alexis

Huerta, Aileen O’Connor, Sarosh

Khan, Monisa Yusra

STAFF MEMBERS

Maha Zaidi, Katy Wilczynski, Natalie

Castellanos, Andrew Stutheit, Lucy

Ellsworth, Khushi Patel, Blazej Ezlakowski,

Lili Vaughan, Jake Thvedt, Sariff

Alviso, Niki Vujcic, Joanna Vogt, Tej

Parmar, Marc Rizkalla, Karim Usman,

Kevin Schill, Anahi Sosa, Dominika

Szal, Johnny Nguyen, Zaid Usman,

Pratiksha Bhattacharyya, Angelica

Garin, Kira Palmer, Lily Chen, Mia

Reyes, Miguel Patino, Darcy Buchaniec

ADVISER:Laurie McGowan

LOCATION

The Real World

JOB TITLE

Functional Adult

VIEW FROM THE BOARD OF STUDENT EDITORS

In Search of a Functional Adult

Update: Job Position Available

JOB DESCRIPTION

General responsibilities for all positions include, but are

not limited to:

• Exhibiting excellent communication skills.

• Having a solid foundation of taxes and how to file them

• Demonstrating the ability to effectively read a tax form and W-2

• Understand what a loan entails and the different varieties

• Have the ability to budget properly and in different situations/ways of life

• How to make payments in various ways.

• Examples: installments, checks, credit/debit cards, etc

• Know the difference types of interest: variable, simple, and compound, etc

• Filling out a job application with no outside help

• Teaching others, like friends or family, these skills

• Securing health insurance

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to compromise with classes and electives

• Four years of a D207 education

As a school body of about 2,300 students, Maine

West does its best to provide a curriculum that

benefits everyone. Because high school is supposed

to prepare students for an independent

and adult life upon completion, Maine West needs to

rethink some of the necessary life skills students learn.

Despite the current efforts, students continue to feel unprepared

as they pave their paths for their own futures.

According to a Westerner survey of 110 students, 56%

of students believe that high school does not adequately

prepare them for adult life. That is 56% too many. Students

in the survey wrote that they need to learn “how to

file taxes,” “how to buy/rent a house/apartment,” “what a

mortgage is,” “how to buy insurance,” “what the importance

of Social Security is,” “how to avoid identity theft,”

and “how to deal with financial debt.”

Now

hiring

We want to fix that, so all students feel as though they

will be capable of tackling the future. While we are provided

with Consumer Education and Communication

Arts, these quarter classes currently are simply not enough

for us to gain a solid foundation on such vital life skills.

We wish Consumer Education could be more hands-on

and realistic for students. Instead of gaining a large budget

to work with and a lecture on how to file for taxes, we

should be getting realistic budgets--ones that reflect the

average family in Des Plaines--and visits from experienced

accountants to speak to classes and demonstrate how to

file taxes. Students, of course, need to do their part too, to

take these practical lessons seriously. As great as it is that

sophomores are going to be taught how to create resumes

and more financial aid workshops are being held by the

CCRC, West could do more to craft capable adults.

12 opinions/westerner

march 13, 2020

‘

STANDING IN THE

SPOTLIGHT

XIAO LIN HE

How did I get here?’ we wonder at certain moments in our lives.

This feeling tends to come after a whirlwind season --

when we’ve been squashed by hectic schedules of athletics,

work, or even family life. In my case, my whirlwind was being

part of the musical. From November to February, as a cast member of “Shrek

The Musical,” my after school time, along with the rest of the cast, was spent

perfecting lines, lyrics, and choreography. After these four months, I find

myself exhausted, but at the same time awestruck. Awestruck at the fact that

our musical was one of the most successful productions at Maine West in

years. Awestruck by the fact that despite injuries and illness, we helped each

other to power through. Awestruck by the fact that I did something I never

anticipated being able to do.

I distinctly remember the first day of audition clinics. I remember writing

my name in an audition slot, walking into auditions, and running around

throughout callbacks. I remember waiting on the Maine West Drama web

page for the cast list to be posted, clicking refresh every 10 seconds till 9:59

in the evening. When we received our parts, we began committing ourselves

to knowing our characters inside and out. Every detail, from the bend of the

knee to the smiles on our faces was carefully orchestrated.

Soon, we found ourselves bathed in the spotlights of the stage. While we

adjusted to our new surroundings, we began looking at other elements of our

show. How could we build this bridge? How high did this wall need to be?

What props and costumes would we need to help us showcase our months

of hard work? Several weeks were spent in this way, with frantic Saturday rehearsals

and many afternoons spent running up and down the stairs between

the stage and the costume shop. We were pretty busy, to say the least.

In the last two weeks, we all felt the time crunch pressing down on us.

There were days where we all shared equal amounts of stress over the smallest

details. There were days when it seemed that everybody was either sick or

catching someone else’s sickness. There were days where all we wanted to do

was sleep. Despite these setbacks, we managed to reach our first show dates.

While each moment of our production has a special place in my mind, I

will never forget the anticipation of waiting backstage before the show. The

glow of green stage lights, the smell of the fog pouring into the wings, and

the roar of the audience awaiting us behind the curtain. I remember hearing

the auditorium fall silent as the lights dimmed, and the show’s overture

began. I thought to myself, “Here we go.”

And here we are. We made it. We came

through the other side. There is a clear reason

for our success. For one, we had fantastic

directors. Mr. Harmon, Mr.

Schiffer, Mrs. Stoss, and Mr.

Gerstmayr all put so much

of their time and energy into

helping us perform at our

best. We had the amazing

Mr. McManus and tech

crew working behind the

scenes to hold our production

together. We had the support

of our friends, family and so

many others, but most of all, we had

each other. We had people willing to

take risks together. People who were willing to simply

be kind to one

another. In fact, I would venture to say that the cast of “Shrek” is one of the

kindest, most welcoming groups of people that I have ever had the opportunity

to work with. Above all, it was this supportive environment that gave

us all the confidence to put meaning behind every step we took and every

line we spoke.

When I look back on this time years from now, I’ll think to myself,

“Wow, that was me. I learned all those dances, I

knew the harmonies to that song. I did that.”

I believe many members of our cast are in the

same place. It wasn’t that the show was perfect, or that

everything went as planned, but the fact that we did

it together and supported each other every step of the

way made it truly special. Despite the fact that so many

of our cast had never been in a production before, including

myself, we tackled this unknown territory, and

I believe we conquered it.

BY JENNA

DAUBE

asst. opinions

editor

PATRICK BARNETT

March 13, 2020 westerner/Opinions 13

First comes shock, then comes

the flood of criticism.

On New Years Eve, the strangled

body of Myra Rivera, a 24-year-old

woman, was found near a dumpster near

Oakton and River Roads in Des Plaines.

Many were shocked by the violent murder of someone so

young, even if she wasn’t from Des Plaines. As details sprang up about the

case, specifically about the fact that Rivera was strangled by her killer after an

argument during a meet-up--through an escort service website-- the typical

condolences turned to scathing criticism. Many pointed out her history of

legal trouble and her line of work as a way to downplay the fact that Rivera

was a person who unfortunately found herself facing a sadistic murderer,

leaving behind a grieving family and a three year old son. Somehow, her past

actions became a sick type of justification for her untimely murder and, just

as sudden as her death, words of “she deserved it” erupted.

Demonstrating the disregard people quickly show about a victim, this

specific example is far from an isolated case. Throughout history itself, many

have tried to grasp excuses to discredit the trauma and woes of the victims

of a crime. Whether it’s the age-old what-was-she-wearing clothing question

about a rape victim or jabs at any kind of “controversial” background of a

victim, it appears that we simply love to pick at the imperfections of victims

Pointing Fingers

in an effort to build our own moral superiority.

It’s easy to stand from a podium of privilege

and claim that a person somehow “asked” for

this punishment; that it was a result of their

actions. In the case of Ramirez, she made the

“mistake” of being in an unpopular line of

work, work that she relied on to make a living

for herself and her child.

This problem, as many other problems,

come from a place of ignorance. This ignorance

gives people the confidence and the illusion of

a “right” to preach their critiques, despite not

understanding the effects a crime could have on a victim. For example, a

person who hasn’t been sexually assaulted simply cannot relate to someone

who has. The shame that victims feel about themselves only gets amplified by

these ignorant critics who don’t understand the emotional turmoil that these

events have on the victims. By constantly victim-blaming, we perpetuate this

toxic narrative where the wrong-doings of others are easily shushed away or

even accepted.

By doing so, we aren’t a society that believes in justice. Instead, we only

want to be judgemental. So much for morality.

Show

some

BY DOMINIKA SZAL

colunnist

BY KEVIN SCHILL

columnist

What does respect really mean?

We are no strangers to the “respect” decree. A

poster reading “RESPECT” is now the first thing

we see upon entering most classrooms, once they

on others. The first step to looking beyond ourselves

is simply knowing those in charge.

We must be able to relate to those in charge of

Whether it be

an all-out brawl

in the caf or some

arrived throughout the school last month. The us. If we see those around us as unique individuals foul language

word “respect” has been pounded into the heads

of millions of kids our age, going far beyond

the confines of Maine West. Back in the days of

middle and elementary school, respect felt like the

most used word in the dictionary.

Though we hear and see this word on a daily

basis, one has to wonder if we even understand

it. Webster’s Dictionary defines respect as “a feeling

of deep admiration for someone or something

elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.”

Is this honestly what it means today?

Interestingly, our definition of respect at Maine

West pertains more to basic human treatment

instead of merely authority figures, it might go a

long way towards improving student compliance

when they ask us to follow the rules. A way to

build the “respect” that Maine West wants would

be to have a feature video showcasing the security

guards and safety monitors that all students

see in the first month of school. This would show

the students who they are, their story, what they

enjoy. If everyone sees who those in authority are

and has a chance to understand their character,

students would behave in a more humane way.

The student body of Maine West has serious

issues when it comes to showing basic human

hurled at staff, it

just isn’t right.

Respect is so

much more than

what students understand

it to be.

If we ever want

to reach a level of

maturity where we

can meet the stan-

rather than respect itself. And, beyond this, most

of the so-called “expectations,” are (seemingly)

logical guidelines.

Throughout the day, I see students talking

back and having no regard for authority. However,

respect for authority and genuine respect are

very different things.

You see, we respect people with authority because

we know that they can reprimand us, but by

contrast, pure respect is something that is earned.

Earned through actions, words, and qualities. The

blind respect that we are expected to give to authority

isn’t actual respect, rather a way to avoid

getting in trouble or seeming rude. That being

said, there are other ways to get students to show

more respect towards authority.

In order to make improvements, we must

identify the underlying character flaw among students.

In our present society, we are told to think

for ourselves, to advocate for the things we need.

Society essentially pressures us to be selfish, so it’s

not often that we stop and think about our impact

decency to students as well as staff.

dards of true respect, we have to first establish

what basic human decency is. Once we do this,

Maine West may have a shot at improving its behavior.

KIRA PALMER

14 sports/westerner

On the Right Track

March 13, 2020

GIRLS AND BOYS TRACK REFLECT BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL INDOOR SEASON

BY NIKOLINA VUJCIC

reporter

In the James Garvey Invite tonight, the girls track and field

team will have one of their last indoor meets of the season, held

at Maine East, before capping off the indoor competitions with

the CSL Invite next Thursday at Niles North.

In recent meets, junior Krysta Block has pushed to break personal

records. She intends on making it to state, with getting a

time of 7.7 in high hurdles to earn a first place title.

Continuing with their indoor success, Block, sophomore

Yssa Freino, senior Maribel Rodriguez, and sophomore Mackada

Mitchel placed first in the four lap relay with a time of 1:21.6

while senior Cara Niewinski placed first in pole vault with a

height of 8.6” at the Maine South meet.

As the girls prepare to decrease their times, they have been

facing new challenges alongside a new structure for the team. “As

of right now we have a really small distance team. This is making

it so that roughly 10 girls are having to run more events. There

are obviously risks with having the girls running more events, but

it has made us all work harder,” senior Alexis Mitchell said. Going

into the new season with fewer girls has served as motivation

for the girls to push their limits of training in hopes of coming

out as a top team.

For many years, head coach Greg Regalado has led the program

with the help of coach Ray Pettenuzzo, who retired last

year. To fill his role, coach Alyiah Reams has stepped in as the

new assistant coach for the sprinters. “Reams is training us to our

best ability and always knows how to welcome us with her fresh

attitude,” senior Aaja Bass said.

BY KARIM USMAN

reporter

After intense work in the indoor season, the boys track and field team

looks to find success at the final indoor meet: the CSL conference matchup

next Friday at Maine East. That will launch the team into the outdoor

season, starting with a home meet against Elmwood Park and Northridge

Prep on March 24 at 11 a.m. in the West stadium.

“It has been a great season due to the growth our athletes have demonstrated,”

coach Nate Hassman said.

At the Elk Grove meet that started the season, the runners were able to

test out events and get a better feel for what they want to do. “I always like

racing, especially with the 4x1 team. I feel like we have a solid group that

can be really good when we go to the outdoor season,” senior David Jackson

said. At the Maine East Invite on March 5, Jackson showed the speed he’s

going to bring for the Warriors this year. He broke his personal record and

finished a 5.92 on the 50-yard dash.

Throughout the indoor season, the boys have been working rigorously

together, and they have formed a brotherhood as they train in the cold or

race through the pit. “It’s like a little family especially when you’re working

out. It shows you that you’re not alone. Everyone is doing the work and getting

better all together,” Jackson said.

The underclassmen seem to be learning from watching the seniors, and

they know that those low times can be the final product for them if they

work for it and develop over the years. “The first meet I went to was really

fun. They get more exciting as you watch older athletes compete and see

how good they are,” first-year sophomore Sayf Taher said.

Hassman sees the team as a place where students can push themselves

and feel a sense of achievement -- even if they’ve never seen themselves as

runners or athletes before. “Track and field is sacred to me. It’s a simple

sport. Absolutely any athlete can make a substantial contribution to the

team as long as they work hard,” Hassman said. “If you have ever considered

developing yourself as an athlete, we have an event for you, a home, on the

track and field team.”

“On a snowy Saturday evening,

we were on our way to Lake Zurich High

School a couple of years ago. On our way up there, we

noticed that there was a car off in a ditch flipped around.

We later found out that one of the player’s grandparents was

the one who flipped their car over. Not only did they unbuackle

and get out of the car, but they also got up and walked to the school

and watched the game, which truly shows how loyal our fans

are,” girls basketball coach Kim De Marigny said.

“I had a freshman come in and try

out a couple of years ago. She quit and

stopped showing up very early on in the

season. In the fall, during one of the practices,

her mom comes in saying, ‘There is

a family emergency, do you know where

my daughter is?’ and so I responded saying,

‘I haven’t seen your daughter since

June and I have no idea where she is.’

Later, I find out that this daughter had

been saying there were “late practices”

and that she was coming home late

from the football games,” cheerleadingcoach

Jay Funches

said.

“We were at a Friday night confrence

meet against Maine East, and we like to

dim the lights and put the spotlight on.

When kids are wrestling you can hear all

the voices from the crowd, and right in the

middle of an intense match it goes quiet for

a second, and all I can hear is a parent start

yelling ‘gridlock!’ repeatedly. It catches my

attention, so I turn around. All I see is this

parent who has themselves twisted like a

pretzel on the ground, and it looked as if

he was wrestling a ghost because he was so

pationate about going out and wrestling,”

boys wrestling coach Chris

Brassell said.

Gone

Wild

SOMETIMES THE

STORIES THAT HAPPEN

BEYOND THE GAMES

ARE THE MOST

MEMORABLE OF ALL

We all love our families, but sometimes

they do crazy things. From funny to

shocking, Maine West coaches tell some

of their craziest experiences with Maine

West families in their coaching careers.

BY DANIEL VICENS

sports editor

March 13, 2020 westerner/sports 15

BY MONYCA GRIMMER

sports editor

The news hit hard: head football coach Jason

Kradman -- the most successful coach in

West history -- is leaving Maine West. After

six years with the Warriors, Kradman has

decided his time is up; he will continue his coaching

career at Lake Park High School in Roselle.

Kradman initially came to Maine West in hard

times. In the eight seasons before he started at West, the

Warriors were 12-60; throughout Kradman’s six years

here, he flipped that record upside down, ending with

a record of 33-25.

Throughout his six years here, Kradman made

memories that he will forever remember. “One of my

unforgettable memories here is seeing players who never

thought they would play college football sign scholarships

and commitment letters,” Kradman said.

The impact made on his players is indescribable.

For junior Alex Peguero, “it wasn’t just about playing

Kradman’s LEGACY

football and winning, he always emphasized the idea

of coming together as a family and doing things greater

than just football.” Junior Josh Schacke also showed his

connection with Kradman when saying, “I always know

DION MARTORANO + JOURNAL & TOPICS/DES PLAINES JOURNAL he is there for me, and he knows I am here for him too.

Any time I ever needed help, I could and still will go to

Coach Kradman confers with the refs during West’s win over 27-13 Mundelein.

2,273

rushing yards

in 2018 season

423

points scored in

the 2018 season

29

wins over his

last three

season

15

Maine West

grads playing

college

football

him. I honestly love that man.”

9

wins in one

season, a

school record

1

playoff win in

2018 season,

the first in

West history

march has never been madder

COLLEGE BASKETBALL FANS PICK THEIR FAVORITES FOR THIS YEAR’S NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

BY TEJ PARMAR

reporter

March may be the beginning of spring, but for

most avid sports fans it’s time to tune into college

basketball and the 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball

Tournament.

Unlike other sporting events, March Madness

brings out the best in sports fans. Spectators root

for their team, while they become eager to fill out

their bracket and try to predict this year’s winner.

Ranking first in the Associated Press (AP) top

25 poll, Kansas has star players such as Udoka Azubuike,

a 7’ center averaging 13.4 points per game,

10.4 rebounds per game, and shooting a stellar

74.4% for field goals. Kansas is led by head coach

Bill Self; Kansas is great at crashing the boards with

an average of 28.14 rebounds per game. “Kansas

is the team to beat at the moment; they have great

inside and outside presence with some great guards

and forwards. Although, if Kansas were to lose, I

wouldn’t be surprised if they lose early on because

this year might be one of the most wide open tournaments

we see in a long time,” English teacher

Seth MacLowry said.

Another team to keep an eye out for is San

Diego State, most known for past players such as

NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Ranked fifth in

the AP poll, the Aztecs have topped teams such as

Duke, Butler, and Maryland in many statistics such

as least turnovers and overall field goal percentage.

Also teams such as Baylor, Gonzaga, and Dayton

have had a great showing as well, ranking nationally

second, third, and fourth respectively. “Gonzaga,

Dayton -- with Obadiah Toppin who is a phenomenal

player -- are looking very good. I think a dark

horse is BYU. I would not overlook Baylor. Teams

like this and San Diego State aren’t your traditional

powerhouses so I think this year’s brackets are going

to be hard to pick, but it will be exciting to watch,”

math teacher John Butterfield said.

Nonetheless, this year will be a toss up between

great teams with specific strengths and weaknesses.

Regardless of stats for many years, Duke is a favorite

among many. Led by coach Mike Krzyzewski,

known famously as just “Coach K,” the Duke

Bluedevils are always tournament favorites for a lot

of fans, having won five NCAA titles with one of

the best winning percentages in history: 77%. They

also have a large number of fans rooting against

them, hoping for an underdog to take down this

legendary program.

Senior Danny Kentgen, who happens to be

Coach K’s nephew, has spent his life following the

Blue Devils and catching their games in person.

“Duke’s definitely are going to be a little nervous

considering a lot of their players are freshmen, so

this will be their first March Madness,” Kentgen

said. When it comes to getting deep into the tournament,

“Duke’s key players will be Vernon Carey,

Jr., and Tre Jones.”

For March Madness, many teachers here at

Maine West love to tune in and have had a long

history following college basketball. “It’s been a really

weird year because the top teams have been flip

flopping. There hasn’t been a consistent number

overall team,” Butterfield said.

Along with this year being vulnerable to many

upsets, everyone still has their favorites that they

always root for. “Maryland is my favorite team. I

grew up in Maryland, so it’s great that Maryland

is in the Big Ten now because I can watch all their

games on the Big Ten networks,” MacLowry said.

The history of the tournament has created some

great memories for many.

“My high school friends and I bought tickets

for the 2002 final four in Atlanta and that was the

year that Maryland won the national championship;

that was a great moment since we got to witness

their only championship,” MacLowry said.

16 sports/westerner

Knowing their worth

WITH RECORDS IN THE BOOKS,

GIRLS BASKETBALL ENDS SEASON 30-4

BY SUZANNA LINEK

sports editor

Finishing the season with the sectional

title, regional title, and conference title,

the girls basketball team made their final

plays of the season last Monday in an attempt

to make it to state for the third year

in a row. Hosted by Conant, the stands

overflowed with West fans in their 49-57

loss to Fremd.

Earlier in February, the girls had a

dominating win over Fremd, 59-42. The

Warriors came to super-sectionals confident

they could do it again, especially

with such a strong winning streak propelling

them forward. Within the first quarter

of the super-sectionals, though, the

Warriors found themselves down 19-9,

and they continued to be behind through

the third quarter, which ended 41-30.

The Warriors roared back, though,

going on a 17-2 run led by senior All-

American Angela Dugalic, with the Warrior

fans electrifying the stands.

In the end, Fremd held the Warriors

off, winning 57-49. On Saturday, Fremd

went on to win the state 4A title game in

Bloomington.

On their path to the elite eight -- the

top eight schools in Illinois -- the Warriors

went up against Loyola Academy on

Feb. 24 for the sectional semifinals where

they took the win, 31-21. That led them

to face their rivals, Evanston, head-tohead

for the sectional finals on Feb. 27.

After Dugalic took the jump ball, the

scoreboard was an ongoing strobe light

of each team scoring alternating points.

Last year, the Warriors and Wildkits went

into overtime battling for the sectional

championship, and this year was just as

intense. The Wildkits had a two-point

lead at the end of the first and just a onepoint

lead over the Warriors at the end of

the second quarter, 19-18.

The fourth quarter ended 40-40 before

the Warriors sealed the sectional

win, 43-42, in overtime again.

“The highlight of my season was playing

Evanston at home and being able

to beat them once again and winning

sectionals,” senior Melissa Gomez said.

“The support from the school was amazing.

The whole gym was packed, and my

teammates and I enjoyed playing for a

very hyped crowd.”

Watching the team and the fans from

the sidelines, athletic director Jarett Kirshner

said the Evanston game was one of

his favorites, too. “That amazing overtime

win in the IHSA sectional championship

game was so special, and to have

the game here in our own gym, it was incredible,”

he said. The three seniors who

were part of the starting lineup won four

sectional titles during their four years at

West.

“Head coach Kim DeMarigny is the

only head coach in the state to coach four

seasons and to win an IHSA sectional

championship each season,” Kirshner

said. For DeMarigny and this group of

seniors, their four-year record was 124-

10, going 40-0 in the CSL North.

Over the last four years, the team has

earned four consecutive conference, regional,

and sectional titles. “This season

was incredible as it made for the type of

four-year run that will always be remembered

and may never be duplicated by

any sport,” Kirshner said.

march 13, 2020

GRETA MARTIN

Top right: At the super-sectional game vs. Fremd, senior Angela Dugalic

helped lead the Warriors on a 17-2 run. At right: West fans showed up

energized to pack the Conant gym and cheer for the Warriors against

Fremd. Below: Junior Briana Hernandez

sets up to pass the ball

during the super-sectional

game.

CLASS OF 2020 LEGACY

124-10

record in the CSL

4 YEARS

Zero conference losses

Four CSL North Championships

Four IHSA Regional Championships

Four IHSA Sectional Titles

35-0

2018-19 undefeated season

STATE

GRETA MARTIN

2017-18 3rd place (31-2 overall)

2018-19 IHSA Class 4A State Champions

March 2020

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