November Final PDF

The
North
Current
NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2
halloween haters? see page 5
college-related anxiety? see page 3
table of contents
2 Table of Contents 3 Editorial 4 Stupinions 5-7 Opinion 8-9 News 10 News Briefs 11 Sports 12-13 Double Truck 14-17 Current Events 18-19 Health & Fitness 20-21 Features 22-26 Entertainment 7, 26-27 Advertisements
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
high fives
1. Karina: Bringing honor to the Gandhi clan.
2. Pumpkin pie: Yes. 3. Arabian Nights: Cant wait to see

it!
Chelsea Hammersmith | Co-Editor-in-Chief Joe Simkus | Co-Editor-in-Chief Chris Anders | Entertainment Editor Joe Simkus | Sports Editor Marisa DiPaolo | Features Editor Sydnee Gee | Opinion Editor Karina Gandhi | Health & Fitness Editor Anisha Monga | News Briefs Editor Breanna Wishnow | Current Events Editor Nirav Virani | News Editor Kiah Vanderbrink | Asst. News Editor Kyle Berry | Photo Editor Cameron Kirk | Cartoon Editor Alex Wozniak | Business Manager Stephanie Przybyla | Asst. Business Manager Rebecca Gemkow | Advisor Carolyn Rehak | Advisor
editorial board
4. Oreo Cookie Cake: Hypertenphoto credit: kyle berry, 14 sion never tasted so good.
Katie Roper, Kyle Stankoskey, Furva Rizvi, Maggie Malinowski, Paul Pleticha, Sumera Patel, Dielle Ochotorena, Ariana Hammersmith, Catherine Kim, Kiah Vanderbrink, Carla Kochis, Kristin Maglabe, Jerry James, Ateeq Syed, Anthony DiPaolo, Filasha Finley, Anand Desai, Nicole Amon, Taylor Denning, Melinda Troyka, Libby Simkus, Chris Allison, Asheena Siddiqui, Tony Jacob
staff writers
photo credits
John De Leon | Front Cover, Back Cover Bilal Rizvi | Model
EDITORIAL POLICY The North Current is an open forum with no prior review or restraint. It is produced five times a year by staff members as an extracurricular activity. The editorial board has determined an editorial policy to maintain a responsible, ethical student newspaper.The following guidelines are taken from the editorial policy. Individuals wishing to examine the complete policy may request it from an advisor or read it in the staff manual. EDITORIALS: Editorials represent a consensus of opinion among members of the editorial board and will not be signed. Editorials express the opinions of the North Current editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the advisor or administration. ADVERTISING POLICY: The North Current agrees to accept all ads meeting the guidelines of our advertising policy. No ad may be sexist, racist or poor in taste. CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES: The North Current will avoid sensational treatment of news but will never avoid a topic simply because it is controversial. The North Current reserves the right of fair interpretation on controversial stories. OBSCENITY/LIBEL: Stories or statements of a libelous or obscene nature will not be printed. Obscenity and libel are determined according to the legal guidelines. AWARDS: NISPA Golden Eagle 93, 95, 96, 97,98, 99, 02; EIHSPA Best Overall Paper in State 95,99,04; Best design paper 02; NSPA Pacemaker Finalist 94, 97; NSPA All-American 93, 94, 95, 96; NSPA 1st place; 02, 03; NSPA 1st Place Quill and Scroll 93, 94, 99, 01, 03; 1st place KEMPA,97, 02, 03; All KEMPA 94, 95, 04; Gallup Award 95, 96, 02, 04; ASPA 1st Place 99, 02; Gold medalist CSPA 04 AFFILIATIONS: JEA/NSPA, Northern Illinois Press Association, KEMPA, Quill and Scroll, Eastern Illinois High School Press Association, American Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association SPONSORS: Sharon Anderson, Nicole Bachara, Erica Bray-Parker, Andrew Burkemper, Eric Day, Don Depa, Carolyn Fitzgerald, Chris Fridlund, Joyce Fridlund, Carol Gebka, Mark Glenn, Laura Johnson, Kristin Kane, Justin Kerwin, Nathin King, Cindy Maloney, Joe McKeown, Kristen Meyers, Deb Novak, Jill ODonnell, Dorothy OMalley, Nancy Pearson, Carolyn Rehak, Kim Saxton, Paulette Sokolowski, Bev Vosicky, Miriam Walton
North Current
NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2
OR SENIORS, JUNIORS, AND any forward-thinking underclassmen, college looms large overhead. It threatens us, frightens us, demanding tribute in the form of impeccable marks and stellar test scores. For many, the fall of senior year devolves into a mad dash. Seniors scramble to get test scores, transcripts, applications, and scholarships in order, all while trying to stay afloat and graduate. College is supposed to be the culmination of efforts and studies which have been the focus of almost our entire lives. After twelve or so years through the wringer of education comes college life. Or, in other words, four more years of education. Yes, college is a big decision. It is a time of transition between adolescence and adulthood. We are finally out of the house and on our own. It is a monumental shift in course, an abrupt end to eighteen years of dependence. Thats scary. When picking a college, you want to make the right choice. Is this school big enough? Is it too big? Is this school in the city or in the middle of nowhere? Oh yeah, does this school have my major? Fraternities, sororities, financial aid, and even the racial distribution of the student body comes into play when hopeful stu-
dents browse their options. And boy, there are a lot of them. There are entire books dedicated to guiding students to the college of their dreams. Hundreds upon hundreds of pages detailing everything from admission rates to ACT scores to the average attendance of fraternity parties. All these inane details and anxieties hide the fact that college is not an extension of ourselves, but on our educational careers. The future is a long time. Whether you are an Ivy Leaguer or fresh out of trade school, your future is what youre willing to make of it. Just because you did not go to a party school does not make you a hermit any more than going to a small liberal arts school makes you any more culturally versed then the rest of us. Who you are today is the sum of many years of personal growth and sculpting. Who you want to be is going to take more of the same. The college you go to is an important part of transitioning into adulthood, no doubt. But who you will become, that is entirely on you.
will you marry us?
5. Panther football: Justin Jackson,
the
deep sixes
1. Sydnee: You asked for this. 2. College: Nuff said. 3. Kleenex: Wherefore art thou. 4. Complainers: Hypocrisy aside,
shut up.
5. Sleep: Where art thou? 6. Kids who think theyre entitled: Whats up with that?
cartoon credit: cameron kirk, 14
THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2
Stupinions
korinne nosbish staff photographer
OPINION
OPINION
(Dont worry. Its just a contraction for student opinions.)

alyssa satsatin staff photographer kyle berry photo editor
ariana hammersmith staff writer
From Stone Tablets to Apple Tablets

Log online and see an array of flashing ads and sensational headlines. In online journalism, the focus is less on text and information and more on images and blurbs. Not to mention the effect that horse-race journalism, or the competition between news stations to get news out faster and faster, has had. For example, according to the New York Times
Im thankful for my friends because they are always there for me.
-Damien Craddock Jr, 17
The ability to come to school and meet new people.

-Roshelle Rodriguez, 15
What are you most thankful for?

Im thankful for my family because they support my decisions.
-Haley Anderson, 16
Im thankful for amazing, supportive staff and teachers.

-Rudy Villareal, 14
HINK BACK TO THE COMPUTers of ten years ago: that big behemoth of a thing, the contraption that buzzed and droned and creaked, weighing on the desk in the living room, a white cube with a thick glass monitor and keys with a deafening clackand God forbid if someone dared to call when you were on the computer. Fast-forward to 2007, to the release of the first generation iPhone, a time when GN students were just awkward pre-teens (thank God Instagram didnt exist back then). Essentially, as they grew up, technology grew up. The advancement of technology is all this generation has ever known. To that end, the rapid shift of writing from print to online mediums is especially concerning when all of these developments have been so terribly recent. In a time when newspapers publish online articles and schools issue textbooks via tablets, it seems as if print media will soon cease to exist altogether. In reference to GNs implementation of iPads this year, science teacher Adam Heise says, Well, like any new technology, its going to bring a lot of advantages, but theres going to be growing pains as well. Im concerned that theres some research that shows that the brain actually processes information differently on a screen versus on a printed page and we dont really understand all the implications of that. Perhaps the change in medium from print to screen could affect how we read and learn, but there is certainly a disconnect from the quality of print media versus the quality of online media.
last May, the Chicago Sun-Times laid off its entire full-time photography staff including a Pulitzer Prize winner to shift toward more online video. Catering to the demand for more online content, the Sun-Times chose to use a more trendy medium, even though it meant a decrease in the level of quality of their publication. Consider the realm of technology and the habits of people when they use technology. Frankly, it is a business centered
on instant gratification where speed, ease, and entertainment value are the primary concerns. When people go online, they have a different mindset than when they read something in print, and they are less focused on what they are reading. As well, when people write and post things online, they generally put less thought into what they are writing. For instance, on Twitter, users rack up huge amounts of followers and have a large audience for their tweets, but Twitter is not often used to actually communicate important ideas or opinions. Yes, Twitter has been adopted by many politicians and was instrumental in the movement of people in the Arab Spring. However, these are exceptions to the rule, as many still choose to utilize the internets power by sharing memes of cats. Moreover, because of the ease in which people can access information and communicate their ideas online, they care less about what they read and write. For thousands of years, man has put his thoughts, feelings, fears, and insecurities into writing. Writing is what marks the beginning of history as we know it, what marks the advancement of a civilization; it is our past. While this technological revolution is not by nature bad, we must be careful of the way we handle this newfound power. From stone tablets to Apple tablets, the medium in which man writes certainly changes over time, we just need to be sure that the quality of the writing does not.
cartoon credit: eric nguyen, 15
sydnee gee opinion editor
Were a Culture, Not a Costume

influences they have on the societal view of those cultures. For example, Sikh Americans face an extremely high degree of ignorance surrounding their religious practices and beliefs, and yet, just last month, Walmart, Amazon, Sears, and other retailers listed on their websites a costume which Ama-
OPINION
OPINION
ateequddin syed staff writer
Immigration
or the jobs are not ones the majority of Americans would do. Furthermore, anger has also risen as some states have extended rights of citizens to illegal immigrants. According to foxnews.com, the state of California has passed some laws that will give illegal immigrants many privileges such as driver licenses, access to higher education, and health care. These steps may get Californias leaders more support from illegal immigrants, but Californias government is not thinking about the expense that they are going to have. Britain is one country taking a harsh stance towards illegal immigrants to protect their economy. According to BBC.com Britain has proposed some laws that will deport illegal immigrants. The home secretary of Britain Teresa May said the proposals that we made will make the daily lives of illegal immigrants hard. These proposals are harsh but
7
good for the economy and their governments budget. Although, illegal immigrants cross the border or fly in illegally to make their lives better, and want to have bright future for their kids, there are negative effects. The US government needs to pass laws that are in the best interest of immigrants and citizens alike.
INALLY, AUTUMN HAS COME. IT is that beautiful time of year that brings colorful foliage, sweater weather, and an all-time favorite Halloween. However, despite the playful nature of the holiday, the sad reality of too many Halloween costumes is that they are racist caricatures of actual, existing oppressed cultures. From Native Americans to geishas, the stereotypical and often inaccurate portrayals of the people of those cultures are highly offensive. Oftentimes they completely shut down any conversation about the real issues that negatively affect these people. Resulting from ignorance and an utter lack of awareness about the prejudice faced by countless cultural communities, these seemingly innocent costumes actually promote the demonization, alienating, and denial of humanity to a broad range of ethnic groups. Because Halloween is mainly about having fun and joking around, many people do not recognize many costumes as racist. What most neglect to realize is that racism does not look the same as it did thirty years ago. Instead of open discrimination and violencealthough both do still exist in todays societymore often than not, bigotry manifests itself in jokes about racial or gender stereotypes. In fact, these inaccurate depictions of cultural communities can at times be even more damaging than the obvious counterpart when considering the subtle
zon called Fun World Adult Mens Osama Bin Laden Middle East Costume Turban + Beard, and Walmart described as Turban Beard Adult Halloween Instant Costume. According to the Huffington Post, these costumes were unveiled in the same month as the assault of a widely respected member of the American Sikh community, Dr. Prabhjot Singh, a professor at Columbia University, who was attacked by a group of people shouting terrorist, and Osama as a reaction to his beard and turban. In the wake of this brutal hate crime, the Sikh Coalition sent a letter to the retailers that said the cos-
tume perpetuates negative stereotypes about turbans and beards that have led to violence and discrimination against Sikhs and other minorities. Under pressure from the Sikh community, Walmart finally pulled the costume from its website. It may seem like a harmless joke to some, but clearly, there is something very wrong when members of a cultural group have to request for the removal of costumes that reduce their entire culture to a stereotypical, inaccurate, and truly offensive image. Stephanie Troutman, assistant professor of womens and gender studies and African and African American studies at Berea College in Kentucky, tells online magazine The Root, Many young people really are invested in a belief in a postracial society but do things that indicate a definite lack of awareness about race. They have a total disconnection between their dialogue around race and their actual performance and behavior around race. These costumes are made for people who lack awareness on the intolerance faced by countless ethnic groups, and they are detrimental to any social progress that can counteract the harmful prejudice that still plagues our society today. The easiest solution? Think before you buy your costume; be respectful this Halloween.
LLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS A TERM that is used often in political discussions in the US. Immigration, especially illegal immigration, has been a hot topic in the US since the start of the twentieth century. According to the Washington Times, both the Bush and Obama administrations had problems taking action on this issue. During his second election, Obama promised to make changes for both immigrants and illegal immigrants, but few, if any changes have been seen by the American people. Immigration, both legal and illegal, have impacted the US economy in recent decades. According to immigrantinformation.org, people from all around the world have been coming into the US illegally and are able to become citizen through the government or the help of their children. These illegal parents give birth to a child who is born as a citizen of the US and as citizens, many children seek out resources to help their illegal parents. With the US businesses like Nike, Dell, Apple and many others outsourcing their jobs to Low Developed Countries (LDCs), it creates higher unemployment. When the US has less jobs, frustration increases when illegal immigrants take jobs, even if they are paid low wages
cartoon credit: kristin maglabe, 14

Testing: A Necessary Evil

sessment of Readiness for College and Careers, These new K-12 assessments will build a pathway to college and career readiness by the end of high school, mark students progress toward this goal from 3rd grade up, and provide teachers with timely information to inform in-
NEWS
NEWS
GPS: Guiding The Youth of Today

improve the social lives of boys. Community Projects Coordinator, Gilda Ross, states, By the end of the presentation, Wiseman establishes a roadmap for parents, educators, and communities to reach boys and help them grow into the best sons, brothers, friends, students, athletes, and boyfriends they can be. A recent seminar on October 15 from Dr. Ken Ginsburg focused on building resilience in young teens so that they are better prepared for the future. Dr. Ginsburg spoke directly to parents about the importance of teaching children of their upcoming responsibilities as an adult. GPS programs within the next month include a seminar on preparing for college on October 26, motivating students for success on November 14, and study skills/ACT prep on November 16.
nirav virani news editor

lish. One part will be a performancebased assessment, which will be given at the very end of the year to measure a students final progress, and the other part will be the end of year assessment, which will take place when ninety percent of the class is complete. The PARCC assessment coincides with the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which aims to create a common curriculum in classrooms in forty-eight states throughout the United States to ensure that students are given an equal opportunity to obtain a high quality education and to better compare student performance. As Healy explains, The standards in each state vary, and therefore it is difficult to qualify a student as college ready nationally. For example, a 21 on the English section of the ACT may be passing state standards in a certain state, while a 23 may be required in another state. Thus, the PARCC test enables states to have consistent standards and requirements. GN was chosen by PARCC to administer the assessment to a focus group to root out any errors or anomalies. According to Healy, only certain Geometry and English 3 students will take part in this focus group. This formality will ensure that the assessment will be administered smoothly next year. The aspiration is that District 87 will begin using the PARCC assessment to monitor student and district progress in the future. Thus, as difficult standardized tests may be, they set a standard for education to ensure a quality educational experience for all students.
TANDARDIZED TESTING IS OFten seen by students as the bane of their existence. In the midst of often rigorous coursework and endless homework, students (especially upperclassmen), have to be cognizant of and prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT for college admission. In fact, preparation for the ACT begins as early as at the beginning of eighth grade when students take the EXPLORE Test, which determines which courses a student will take in high school. This preparation continues as the students take the PLAN Test during their freshman year and a sample ACT their sophomore year. This year, GN refreshed its testing preparation and monitoring strategy by administering the EXPLORE test again to freshmen earlier in the year. As John Healy, Assistant Principal for Instruction, explains, This new policy allows not only GN but also the feeder middle schools to monitor their academic performance as the EXPLORE is administered in October both years. The goal of the GNs new policy is therefore to ensure that both students and schools have a better way to monitor student progress. While GNs testing policies have changed slightly this year, the school will see a much more significant transformation in testing during the 2014-2015 school year. In an effort to allow for more consistency with curriculum between not only schools or districts, but entire states, GN and schools across twenty-three states will be administering the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Assessment, or PARCC. According to the Partnership for As-
kiah vandenbrink assistant news editor
ECENTLY, DISTRICT 87 INTROD -uced a new program: The Glenbard Parent Series (GPS). This program focuses on giving information to parents, such as the effects of drugs on teen minds or how to effectively prepare for college. With the guidance and knowledge received at the GPS, parents can enhance the social and emotional development of children. GPS encourages an educated teen (and parent) generation by holding seminars at the Glenbard schools. These seminars are spoken by intelligent and acclaimed individuals, such as Rosalind Wiseman, author of Mean Girls. Rosalind Wiseman spoke at Glenbard North on September 19 about how to
The GPS is free for all and welcome to anyone, including drop-ins. Free registration is required on extended seminars. For seminars on weekends, continental breakfast and babysitting is provided for free. The GPS acknowledges that not all parents speak English and therefore holds seminars in Spanish as well. Not only do these programs target the education of parents and the growth of teens, but they also encourage a proactive community. A Glenbard parent says, I was at a recent GPS program and was happy to see the audience was a nice mix of parents, teachers, psychologists, social workers and doctors. The beauty of District 87s program is that it is open to the public. Everyone wins because stronger and healthier communities benefit the world at large.
tony jacob staff writer
Bullying Prevention Month

or the fear of being bullied by others as well. This continues a seemingly perpetual cycle of bullying, and makes it hard for victims of bullying to truly trust their peers. It is unfortunate that the majority of bullies do not understand that hurting others does not make you hurt less, explained Franz. SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is a GN organization that is dedicated to preventing students from making detrimental life choices including drug use, suicide, and underage drinking. The students of SADD volunteered to help promote bully awareness and prevention using methods such as the Stomp Out Bullyings Blue T-shirt Day. On October 7, supporters of Bully Awareness Month wore blue shirts in order to send out the message for an end to bullying. The people of the organization, Stomp Out Bullying, have made it clear that they would like people to not only know about the bullying that goes on, but actually do what needs to be done to resolve this conflict. By joining together on Blue Shirt Day, students who are bullied may feel more comfortable to receive the help that they need. Another way that SADD students have raised bullying awareness was with the blue chain links. Each band represents a students commitment towards banding together to stand against bullying. This chain of pledges stretches throughout the hallway on the north side perpendicular to the cafeteria. It has gone up to about 800 links and still counting. This activism has given students a feeling of hope. Students traumatized by bullying may feel more comfortable expressing their feelings. As the community unities to support the cause, victims of bullying can know that they are not alone.
struction and provide student support. PARCCs goal is to revitalize and revolutionize the educational system in the United States to ensure that students are able to effectively compete and match the progress of other advanced nations such as Japan and Norway. This test will have two parts for both Math and Eng-
photo credit: eric nguyen, 15
T IS NO SECRET THAT BULLYING persists in schools across the country. It has shown itself through physical violence, verbal conflicts and is now spreading throughout social media at an accelerated rate. When smartphones, tablets, and computers are never more than a second away, this makes bullying even more dangerous. In order to reduce this conflict, the month of October has been named as the Bullying Prevention Awareness month. GN Social Studies teacher, Peggy Franz, describes cyber bullying as a possible cause of mental and emotional breakdowns; this can cause kids to lash out against other kids. These other kids may refer to students who may be only trying to help another student who is being bullied or students who just do not want to get involved. Students that want to help a victim of bullying may feel they are unable to due to peer pressure
FTA
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NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
catherine kim staff writer

UTURE TEACHERS OF AMERICA is a club devoted to helping develop students teaching abilities while strengthening their teambuilding skills. Some of the activities in FTA include having guest speakers share their experiences in the teaching field, playing teambuilding activities, and eating Jewel cookies during meetings. Alanna Davis, 15, says that FTA is a fun club that gives students a chance to be in a teachers shoes and it teaches great leadership skills. FTA also participates in many activities throughout the year, such as shadowing teachers, selling donuts, having ice cream days, and having pizza parties at the end of each semester. FTA meets afterschool on the second and fourth Thursday of each month in room 1105. Students should see Jed Schuldt if interested at any time of the year.
Club Interact
cartoon credit: cassandra tu, 17
Harry Potter Club
anthony dipaolo staff writer
nicole amon staff writer
ARRY POTTER CLUB IS A club that focuses on all things Harry Potter. They have general book discussions and have fun, overall. This year, Quidditch games and parties, including a variation on the Yule Ball, a formal dance from the fourth Harry Potter book, are planned. The club meets in room 1-117 every other Thursday and is always accepting new members. To join, simply contact Lauren Serritella, 14, or Amy Pokorny. Jessica Philips, 14, likes being in Harry Potter club because it is fun to talk to others and to do Harry Potter-themed activities.
LUB INTERACT, A VOLUNTEER group, is open to all students at Glenbard North. In Club Interact, there are many activities to volunteer for, including packaging food, Gratitude Day, the Giving Tree, and more. Club Interact packages food for a program called Kids Fighting Against Hunger, which sends food to places with a high starvation rate. On Gratitude day, the club gives students a chance to write letters to everyone they are thankful for. Then, in December, Club Interact meets to put together a tree filled with cards, and on each card is a gift for which a less fortunate child wishes. Member and co-president Stephanie Illarionov, 15, states, Its definitely a worthwhile experience. Everything we do is for others, and that in itself is really rewarding. For more information, contact student leaders, Lauren Allen, 14, and Stephanie Illarionov, or talk to the teacher directors, Hayley Artis and Patti Wales. Club meetings are in the red hallway in room 1-319 on the first Wednesday of every month.
November 5: Guy Fawkes Day November 6-7: Parent Teacher Confrences November 8: No School November 9: Chaos Never Dies Day November 11: Verterans Day November 13: World Kindness Day November 16: Button Day November 17: Homemade Bread Day November 19: Have A Bad Day Day November 20: Beautiful Day November 21: False Confession Day November 23: National Cashew Day November 25: National Parfait Day November 28: Thanksgiving November 29: Black Friday December 1: Eat a Red Apple Day December 4: Santas List Day December 6: Put on Your Own Shoes Day December 7: Pearl Harbor Day
filasha finley staff writer
Football
12), and West Aurora (2-0), but lost to Naperville Central (7-6). The varsity team has been unstoppable winning games
11
are off to the playoffs to fight for a spot into the state finals. As the boys grow throughout the season, so do the Super Fans, who have increased in size because of the enormous support the students have shown for Panther football. They have been at every game through all sorts of conditions cheering and chanting until their voices are nothing but a hoarse whisper. They not only cheer, but they also dress up and even cover themselves in paint according to the many themes, such as pink out, camouflage, pajama party, and blast from the past. One Super Fan, Samantha Krzeminski, 14, says, This years seniors are the best, and Im very proud to be a part of the group of Super Fans that support our football team. The boys are working hard and showing the other schools just how talented
VER HALFWAY INTO THE SEAson, Panther football is still going strong in the DuPage Valley Conference (DVC). The boys have been practicing everyday, training to become better and stronger than they were the day before. The Panthers have been playing their hardest throughout the season, but one player who stands out in every game is running back Justin Jackson, 14. During the Naperville Central game, Jackson broke his own DVC record by more than fifty yards. He ran forty-two times for 405 yards, breaking the single-game rushing record that he previously held. Jackson also scored five touchdowns, including impressive sprints from fifty-one, seventy, and seventy-seven yards out. The boys record proves that hard work and dedication can become something great. The JV team was on a winning streak beating Lake Park (6-0), Glenbard East (54-
against Lake Park (41-12), Glenbard East (40-0), West Aurora (34-13), and Naperville Central (40-34). The last varsity game was on October 25, so now the Panthers
photo credit: kyle berry, 14
paul pleticha staff writer
Boys Cross Country
cartoon credit: eric nguyen, 15
HROUGH POURING RAIN AND thick mud, the GN boys Cross Country team has persevered and logged hundreds of miles. Time and time again, they put forth all their effort and commitment to win. Their daily practices are grueling, but serve only to make them better. The boys had a lot of tough invites this season; on Saturday, September 14, the boys talent shined through, as they traveled to Joliet to compete in the Joliet Steelmen Invite. The following weekend, they competed similarly at another invite in Peoria. A few weeks later, on Saturday, October 10, they traveled to St. Charles for the St. Charles North Invite, where the boys had tough time, although they tried their best.
Finally, on October 18, the boys crosscountry team competed at the DVC Championship; here, the boys faced off against the best that the conference has to offer. They placed eighth in the DVC and then started practicing for their regionals on October 26. According to Coach Karwowski, the team had a lot of personal bests at DVC and a lot of new promising runners. According to Andrew Krohn, 14, the season has gone well. Everyones improved from when we first started. Weve all worked hard and it turned out to be a great season. The boys put in a lot of hard work and should be praised for it.
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Common Application
essays, login issues, compatibility issues with Google Chrome, and multiple charges to students paying application fees. On Saturday October 19, the sites Help Center was down for about three hours due to server issues. The following morning, the company issued a Statement of Commitment in apology, claiming that problems are a direct result of submissions this fall of record numbers. The last few days, the statement reads, have comprised the most difficult period in the Common Applications nearly forty years of service. According to the New pant selectivity that has resulted from the rise of the online application. Blame it on the bloody mouse. Dont blame us, insisted a senior admissions officer of Columbia University, commenting on their record low acceptance rate of 6.9 percent. In fact, just one year earlier, in 2010, Columbias acceptance rate was 9.2 percent, according to Forbes. Similarly, UPenns rate dropped from 14.2 percent to 12.3 percent from 2011 to 2010; Amhersts dropped from 15.3 to 12.8; Northwesterns plummeted from 27 percent to 17.9. This can probably be attributed to the general ease of the online application and the resultant rise in the amount of schools students typically apply to. And as of 2011, according to the NACAC, nearly thirty percent of high school seniors applied to at least seven schools, and seventyseven percent applied to at least three. It should be kept in perspective, though, that the vast majority of colleges accept two out of the three students (two out of three!). By and large, college is still a remarkably available and awesome institution. The whole pleasure of being a human, reminds John Green, New York Times best-selling author and Kenyon College graduate, addressing current college students, is in being stupid but learning to be less stupid together. And despite the sometimes ugly results online application can bring, it sure as hell beats sending them in the mail.
chelsea hammersmith editor-in-chief
HE NORTH CURRENT RECENtly had the opporuntiy to interview sage, guidance counselor, and Wheaton College graduate Sean Thomas about his personal experiences applying to college and his views on the matter today.
Would you say computers have streamlined the process or complicated the process?
ST: Thats a hard question to answer. Yes and no. The fact that it populates, the Common Application, all your common information, streamlines it. Instead of
ST: Im not sure its changed a whole lot. I would say the average kid maybe applies to three to five schools. But I dont think I have anybody who applied to more than four. And it was pretty much the same, that rule of three to five schools, was kind of the rule when I was in high school.
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N LIGHT OF THE REIGN OF THE college application season, it seems appropriate to analyze the marked developments of technology and the consequences it has on the application process (and on students sanity). Every phase of the admissions process, according to a study done by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), increasingly relies on a suite of tools which can improve productivity and service. Specifically, the advent of the Common Applicationand, more specifically, the online version of the Common Applicationhas been the most impactful force on college admissions in recent decades. Of the 2,000 colleges and universities that exist in the US today, over 500 are members of the Common Application. Whats more, these schools arefor the most partexclusive users of online application via the Common Application. A majority of the remaining schools, while not on the Common Application, have online applications of their own. Of course, to the delight of students, the dawn of the Internet has, in many respects, simplified the application process. The Common Application only adds to the simplicity by pooling a students basic information and required essays in one location; the College of William & Mary christens it the most humane invention of the past quarter century. Still, this fall, the Common Application has been experiencing a host of problems including issues uploading PDFs of
NC: When you were a high school senior, how many schools did you apply to?
Sean Thomas: I applied to, let me go back and count these, ASU, University of Arizona, Yale (as kind of a joke), Point Loma.
Would you say that going to college is by and large worth it?
ST: Worth it? The standard answer would be yes, but I think it depends. I think itand this is like the cop-out answerbut I think it really depends. I think it depends on a couple questions. One, and I think this is a legit question, can you afford it? Or are you willing to go into debt? Significant debt. Do you have a career in mind that requires a college education? Obviously if I want to be a lawyer, Im going to have to go to school. I think education is beneficial for any career, but there are clearly some careers that dont require a specific four-year college degree. Sois it worth it? really depends on each kid who stumbles upon it. For me it was clearly worth it. So I think it depends on what you want to do. But also think that people today, because of the cost, need to legitimately consider, Okay, can I afford it? or Am I willing to go into that much debt?
How would you characterize the college application process when you were a senior?
ST: It was simpler. I mean you filled out a paper application, and you sent in your transcripts. We took the SAT where I was in Arizona, but I dont remember physically doing that. I think that was pretty much similar, but I dont remember it being a difficult process.
How would you characterize todays college application process?

ST: Online. I mean what youre doing and what I did are pretty similar; the difference is now, its online. It also seems like theres more kids applying to college so its maybe a little bit more competitive, you know, but beyond that, Id say its similar. Here are the two major differencesgranted this is what I remember from 1988[its] probably more competitive now and everythings online. having to run around, collecting things in sealed envelopes and getting stamps and everything, its easier. So I guess that on some level its easier.
York Times, deadlines have been pushed back at Northwestern, the University of Chicago, Barnard, Duke, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Tufts from November 1 to November 8. Earlier this fall, the Georgia Institute for Technology and UNC Chapel Hill put off their October 15 deadlines to October 21. But whats more troubling is not the slight clerical blunders that come naturally with change this radical, but the ram-
cartoon credit: kyle schultz, 14
From your personal experiences, have you noticed an increase in the amount of colleges that students typically apply to?
photo credit: kyle berry, 14

Note: Interivew has been edited for content and clarity.
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CURRENT EVENTS
CURRENT EVENTS
breanna wishnow current events editor
A New Kind of Pope

even prompted an acknowledgment from Tina Fey at the Emmys, who said, I want to thank the pope for just being cool about some stuff. Francis has not only surprised the public with his actions, but also with his many controversial and unconventional statements. Pope Francis, in his efforts to be closer to the people, has opened up on more than one occasion and given his These comments have incited much discussion with some supporting the pope and hoping for a new, more openminded direction for the Church, while others worry about the new pope going against two thousand years of doctrine. However, it is doubtful that the popes comments will incite much concrete change, or at least not yet. One consequence of the popes more open and frank nature is that many of his remarks are just simple musings or ideas not alterations to Catholic tradition or doctrine. This has been further emphasized in past weeks while, as Nicole Winfield of the Huffington Post puts it, the Vatican has gone into damage-control mode to clarify, correct or put his comments into context. It has become clear that, as of now, there are no large-scale changes or reforms anywhere near being put into effect in the Catholic Church. Although Pope Francis is not exactly revolutionizing the Church as we know it, as some would make him out to be, he is definitely breaking boundaries and making changes. Francis candid transparency, his unpretentious attitude, and his endearing witticisms all have accomplished his ultimate goal and, at least to some extent, brought him closer to the people. Pope Francis, if nothing else, is certainly a new kind of pope that the world has not often seen before.
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The US Military Strikes Again
OMAN CATHOLICISM IS ONE OF the largest religions in the world and has endured and thrived for centuries. The Catholic Church has a rich history and tradition, as well as a strong base as a theology and an institution; it is this long history and institutionalization that are the most often criticized aspects of the Church. More specifically, the lack of reform and the Churchs views that many see as antiquated and unrealistic have given the Catholic Church a notorious reputation of inflexibility and extreme conservatism. However, in March, the Catholic Church elected a new popePope Francis whose reformist attitude and more open dialogue has stirred up both controversy and optimism. Francis is proving to be quite a different kind of pope than many of his quieter and more staunchly conservative predecessors. Even just his chosen name, taken after Saint Francis of Assisi who was a poor, humble friar and preacher, is a far cry from the grand titles and extensive roman numerals of previous popes. Francis has further distanced himself from the removed character of the stereotypical, traditional pope by making real, tangible efforts to become closer to the people. He does not live in the traditional home of the pope at the grand Apostolic Palace, but in a smaller guesthouse. He gives a daily 7 AM mass broadcast to the public, he has washed the feet of prisoners, and has even given up the Popemobile in favor of a cheap 1984 Renault. Francis has strongly advocated a return to the humble faith of the Church and less emphasis on materialism. His new attitude
sumera patel staff writer

disputes and the placement of Kenyan troops within the country. Late at night, the Navy Seals began their raid in search for Ikrimah, a Kenyan-born of Somali descent. Although he is believed to be only in his late-twenties, Ikrimah is a prominent leader of Al-Shabaab. Unfortunately, the raid was not successful as the Navy SEALS were swarmed with gunfire. The team quickly ceased operations to avoid civilian deaths. When news of the raids broke on the following Monday, many critics began to speak out against the raids, especially the raid in Tripoli. Many Libyan officials have denounced the operation as it brings into question the sovereignty of the Libyan government. According to NBC News, AlLibis elder brother told the press that It was an act of piracy by a foreign force to kidnap my brother. They should have submitted a document to the Libyan government and put my brother on trial here in the country. He voices a similar sort of discontent echoed in the demonstrations that rose up throughout country to protest the raid. Moreover, on October 10, the Prime Minister of Libya was kidnapped briefly for a several hours by rebel militiamen in what seems to be a response to the raid in Tripoli. When it comes to the war on terror, the United States has abided by its own rules, angering many countries in the process. For example, the raid that caught and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan was met with great displeasure from the Pakistani government. Despite the anger in Libya, it seems unlikely that the US military will change the highly secretive method in how it carries out many counter-terrorism operations.
candid thoughts on some of the bigger issues of the Church. In the relatively few months since he has taken the papacy, Francis has condemned the focus of the Church on such political and secular issues such as abortion and contraception, saying while important, these issues cannot monopolize the attention of the Church as they do; the Church is not a political party. Still more surprisingly, Francis has made statements against condemning homosexuals or even atheists, saying, Who am I to judge?
cartoon credit: cassandra tu, 17
FEW WEEKS AFTER THE HOrrific attacks at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, where a group of militants began open firing at the crowd, the American military orchestrated two raids in Libya and Somalia during the same weekend. Each raid targeted a specific individual wanted for acts of terrorism. The first raid targeted Abu Anas al-Libi, also known as Nazih al-Ragye, a Libyan indicted for the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The architect of the attacks on the two embassies was the former leader of Al-Qaida, Osama Bin Laden. On Saturday, September 5, Abu Anas al-Libi, seated in his car at the time, found himself surrounded by the American Delta Force in the scorching heat of Tripoli, Libya. The forty-nineyear-old was quickly removed and taken into custody abroad the USS San Antonio the next day. Al-Libi is being taken to New York City where he faces criminal prosecution for his suspected crimes. The same day, after the raid in Tripoli, the elite American Navy SEAL Team Six conducted a similar operation in Baraawe, a town on the southern Somali coast, targeting a leader of Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab, which means the youth in Arabic, is the Somali miltant branch of Al-Qaida, which after being driven out of the city of Kismayo, moved their base to Baraawe. Recognized formally in 2012 as militant group, Al-Shabaab grew out of the Islamic Court Union in 2003, a collection of many Islamic groups that grew in influence during the many years of anarchy in Somalia. Although the Islamic Court Union is no longer functioning, over the past few years, Al-Shabaab has risen in power and influence. They were behind the Westgate Mall Attacks in Kenya, a country that is historically an enemy of Somalia due to border
Looking for more information?

On the raids: -CNN: http://www.
cnncom/2013/10/06/world/africa/usforces-africa-terrorist-raids/
-New York Times: http://www. nytimes.com/2013/10/06/world/africa/Al-Qaeda-Suspect-Wanted-in-USSaid-to-Be-Taken-in-Libya.html?_r=0
-The Guardian: http://www.the-
guardian.com/world/2013/oct/09/usraid-al-shabaab-somalia-navy-seals
world-africa-15336689
On Al-Shabaab: -BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
-Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/28/kenyaat-war-with-al-shabab_n_4008695. html
On Abu Anas Al-Libi: -CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.
com/8301-202_162-57607598/ abu-anas-al-liby-al-qaeda-suspectnabbed-in-libya-pleads-not-guilty-toterrorism-charges/
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dielle ochotorena staff writer
N ANKANG, SHAANXI PROVINCE, China, forty-two people have been killed in the last couple of months due to a hornet species called Vespa Mandarinia, more commonly known as the Asian Giant Hornet. These hornets have taken the lives of forty-two people and severely injured more than 1,000 so far. These giant hornets can range in size from 3.5 to 3.9 centimeters in length (1.4 to 1.5 inches), roughly the size of a human thumb. The outbreak started in July in the northwestern region of China, partly because autumn is their mating season, causing them to become more aggressive. Another theory as to why they are attacking humans is explained by Huang Rong Yao, an insect expert with the Forestry Bureau of An-
CURRENT EVENTS
CURRENT EVENTS
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Chinese Hornets Attack
Flood of Indecision Grips Government
kang City, local vegetation growth has increased hornet habitat, and that two months of hot weather have made the insects much more active. Other scientists speculate the sudden growth is due to the decrease in predators of the hornets Since the hornets usually reside in highly populated areas such as towns and farms, it is quite difficult to tell where and if they are present, and merely passing them can provoke an attack. The sting from the Asian Hornet carries a venom that destroys red blood cells and can possibly lead to kidney failure and death. In addition, the toxicity of the venom can bring up an unknown allergy to stinging insects and can trigger anaphylactic shock with chances of the airway closing or cardiac arrest.
The Chinese government has sent out workers to attempt to rid the country of these pests by any means necessary. Wearing safety gear, they scout out for nests during the day and at night come equipped with fire and gas to kill them. While the Chinese government is working to diminish the amount of hornets, provisional governments have taken the incentive to care for stung patients. The town leaders have mobilized medical teams to aid people living in rural areas who have been stung by these winged beasts. With both national and provincial governments working together to stop this outbreak, positive steps are being taken to prevent this epidemic from spreading, but only time will tell exactly how effective methods such as these will prove.
anand desai staff writer

down of multiple weeks would do significant economic damage, economist Mark Zandi of Moodys Analytics said. Up until this point, Republicans were getting hammered in public polls regarding the shutdown, and Senate GOP leaders urged Speaker of the House John Boehner to join them in supporting a measure that would open the government and raise the debt limit. House Republican leaders presented a plan to avoid a default on US debt, the first real sign of compromise since the government shutdown began. The compromise, ending the shutdown after 16 days, extended U.S. borrowing authority until February 7, although the Treasury Department would have tools to temporarily extend its borrowing capacity beyond that date if Congress failed to act early next year. Unfortunately, this only delays the inevitable. The governments state of default would occur as soon as it is unable to pay off either its Social Security payments, debt interest, or any foreign payments. As a result, the USs stellar credit rating could be jeopardized, immediately threatening the reduction and even recall of many foreign investments in our nation. For the average American, there was not much to do but wait as the congressional talks dragged on. While the looming possibility of default has been pushed off, the workers who have been furloughed have lost several days of pay as the government shutdown finally came to an end. But after all, government shutdowns and defaults have occurred in the past, and hopefully this scare will kindle further collaboration between both parties.
asheena siddiqui staff writer

BAMACARE, OR THE PAtient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), more commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has given rise to many issues. Small businesses and companies are refusing to provide their employees with health insurance because of the rise in cost to companies. The act has also caused instability in the House of Representatives and the Senate. On October 1, 2013, the inability to agree on the budget for the Obamacare act led to a shutdown of the government. The main issue many have with Obamacare is that although it will make healthcare more available to more people, it would increase the price of healthcare for some. In addition, many across the nation will fall into a coverage gap,
Obamacare
as many insurance companies have decided to pull their coverage from some states in order to make sure their companies remain profitable. Companies refuse to continue providing people with coverage under the complex regulations of the act. Insurance companies cannot sell cheap plans with minimum benefits, but must provide a wide variety of benefits. These policies require that factors such as pre-existing conditions, health status, claims history, duration of coverage, gender, occupation, and small employer size can no longer be used in order to increase insurance premiums. Obamacare also prohibits companies from cutting those who get sick and require a renewable coverage. The ACA requires that insurance companies provide the ten essential health benefits, including emergency services, prescription drugs, hospitalization and pediatric services. Recently, more grievances have risen towards the act, as the Obamacare website does not function due to the recent government shutdown and due to problems on the website. Therefore, many of those who have tried using it have not been able to apply. President Barack Obama stated, there will still be, you know, glitches and bumps, referring to the system. However, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people receiving health insurance since the act passed in 2010 by Congress and was declared constitutional by the Supreme Court. Although there are many issues that still need to be solved, in 2014, Obamacare will come into full effect, requiring all citizens to have health insurance.
FEW WEEKS AGO, AMERICANS never imagined that our government could really be forced to shut down. After all, this is a land of democracy and compromise, yet the nonstop news regarding the shutdown reveals a harsh reality of the stagnant process and general congestion in our nations capital. The Constitution states that if Congress cannot agree on a budget, or if the president vetoes it, the government does not have the authority to spend money on any services it deems unnecessary, even those Americans may feel are essential. The Republican-controlled House has passed a spending bill that maintained spending levels, but did not include funding for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). The Democratic Senate was stubborn and would not accept anything that did not fully fund this program, resulting in a gridlock that jeopardized the jobs of workers across the nation. If a government job was considered non-essential, its workers were furloughed, or dismissed without pay, until Congress could pass a spending bill and pull the federal government out of its paralyzed state. Other eventual effects of the government shutdown included the inability to send out Social Security payments to the elderly, compensate veterans for their service, and the termination of passport-related services by the Department of State. Economists said even a short shutdown would produce noticeable effects regarding our economic growth. A longer shut-
raise the debt ceiling high enough so the US could continue to borrow money for six weeks and restore the government. Then the President agreed to work with Republicans to find ways to lower the debt. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, said the talks were productive, telling CBS News that they had a very useful meeting. It was clarifying, to both sides. Fortunately, the White House and Republicans of the House of Representatives collaborated to discuss ways to
cartoon credit: john calaunan, 17
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karina gandhi health & fitness editor
HEALTH & FITNESS
HEALTH & FITNESS
Favorable Foods
ELICIOUS FOOD IS USUALLY associated with fatty greasy foods that are bad for the body, but super foods, on the other hand, are nutritious foods that have amazing effects for the body. Acai berries, quinoa, kale, and honey are foods that taste amazing and have great natural benefits as well. Acai berries contain the most antioxidants in comparison to other berries such as raspberries, cranberries, blueberries and strawberries. Acai berries also decrease the chance of cardiovascular issues (heart attacks) and lower the risk of high cholesterol. Some benefits of acai berries are helping in detoxifying the body and overall digestive health, providing increase in concentration, regulating sleeping patterns, and helping depression. Another super food is quinoa (keenwah), a pseudo cereal. It has impressive anti-inflammatory nutrients and is a great source of fiber. Foods, like quinoa, are rich in fiber, which makes them number one for going number two. In comparison to common whole grains, such as wheat or barley, quinoa has an incredible amount of protein; for every one-fourth cup of dry quinoa, there are only about 172 calories. Quinoa is a good source of riboflavin, which helps lessen migraine attacks. So, when finals come around, instead of suffering with a terrible headache, take a quinoa break! An additional super food is kale, a leafy green. The amount of iron in kale is higher than in beef (who says veg-heads miss out?) and has great detoxifying properties. It is high in Vitamin A (protects skin and eyes, and prevents oral and lung cancers), and Vitamin C (helps immune system, metabolism and hydration). Kale has more Vitamin C than an orange. One more super food that is available in almost everyones pantry is honey.
This sticky substance has great medical benefits. The minerals, vitamins and enzymes it contains help reduce cough and any throat irritation. The old remedy of drinking warm water with lemon juice and honey may not be as bizarre it seems; it actually helps to lose weight and detoxify the body if consumed first thing in the morning. All teenagers, at some point, have a pimple or two, and honeys anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties help clear up skin. Dab some raw honey (not the artificial stuff) onto the pimples at night, wash it off in the morning, and after a few days, skin will be all clear! Of course, everyones skin is different, so test a small area before covering the entire face to make sure the skin doesnt have a reaction, creating a face full of (bee)hives. If it doesnt clear up the acne, and there was not a reaction, then the anti-inflammatory and anti-dryness properties will surely help the skin. Finally, a great super food, or super drink, is tea. Green, black, white and oolong are the real teas, but all kinds of infusions of different plants exist to suit everyones personal tastes. Douglas Adams declared, A cup of tea would restore my normality. The calming benefits of tea can soothe even the most anxious man. Tea is hydrating to the body, as well as great for keeping a persons waist line in check. Green tea is known to be beneficial to people with Type 2 Diabetes; the compounds in it can help diabetics to better process sugars. Delicious foods do not just have to be sugary treats that are bad for the insides; satisfying foods can also have fabulous benefits.
Healthy Recipe of the Month: Quinoa Porridge with Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients: 1 c red quinoa, rinsed and drained 2 c water tbsp butter 1 apple - peeled, cored, and diced 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 2 tbsp maple syrup 1/3 c sliced almonds 1 1/2 c almond milk 1 tbsp half and half cream (optional) Directions: 1. Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. 2. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed for about fifteen to twenty minutes. 3. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and add the apple, salt, cinnamon, maple syrup, and almonds. 4. Cook and stir until the apple is hot and beginning to soften, for two to three minutes. 5. Pour in the almond milk and halfand-half cream; continue cooking until hot. 6. Stir in the hot quinoa, and cook a few minutes before serving. Recipe from Allrecipes.com
katie roper staff writer
Silver and Blue

ry can occur for several reasons, but the most common one is when the baby is too large and has a difficult time getting out during delivery. I was one out of the 500. I was one of the babies injured during delivery, as my left shoulder got caught on the way out, and as a result, the doctor tugged on my neck and tore a network of nerves. Due to that one moment, I will never have an average working left arm. At first, no one knew what was wrong with me, the doctors were confused and the nurses puzzled. At six months, I had a surgery to clean out scar tissues and reattach a few nerves, mixing and matching a few. Since then, I have had two surgeries to try and help the mobility of my arm. Even though Ive only had three surgeries, there are some that have had up to fifteen, seeing as the severity of the injury varies. These surgeries hope to give as
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much range and mobility as possible in order to get as much movement as possible, since therapy can only provide limited assistance to help BPI. I have gone to therapy at least once a week, if not more, since I was born. This injury cannot be healed and those affected with it will never have a normal working arm. In my case, I have limited feeling and mobility in my injured arm. Although people with Erbs Palsy will never have full mobility or feeling in the arm affected, the good news is that the injury can be prevented; all it takes is knowledge. With the technology of ultrasounds, doctors can take extra precautions and they can easily choose a C-section delivery to steer clear of the life interfering injury. So while almost one baby is injured with BPI out of 500 births, education can prevent another baby from being affected by it.
CTOBER 2O MARKS THE first day of Brachial Plexus Awareness (also known as Erbs Palsy) week. It is one week during the year when families and individuals, who are aware of this condition, dedicate themselves to passing out blue and silver ribbons and giving out information cards. This injury is not widely known and this holiday attempts to shed light on it. Brachial relates to the arm, and Plexus is a network of nerves that control muscles of the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers. Brachial Plexus usually occurs as a result of complications during childbirth and affects the mobility of a childs arm. Although a Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI) can occur to an adult through an accident, or interference, such as cancer, it commonly affects approximately one baby per 500 pregnancies. The inju-
libby simkus staff writer
Allergies on the Rise

free lunch tables in order to prevent the students from having an allergic reaction, which includes difficulty breathing and swelling of the face. Parents believe that if more places ban peanuts, their child can actually live a longer and healthier life because then they will not have as many allergic reactions. There is not a specific cause why the children have severe peanut allergies. Scott H. Sicherer, MD, of the Jaffe Food Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine says, We dont know why this is happening, but there are many theories. Some believe that it is because parents are not exposing children to peanuts at an earlier age; another theory is that if the child has several other allergies, then they have a greater chance of getting the peanut allergy as well. Another theory why children are getting more allergies today is because they are generally not coming in contact with enough bacteria, germs, and viruses. Studies have shown that younger children who have been exposed to the germs earlier in life have a lower chance of getting hay fever because their immune systems can depict whether or not they are dangerous pathogens. It all depends on whether or not the people have come in contact with specific pathogens before. Being in an unhygienic environment might make a child less likely to get allergies; however, this still does not include air pollution from cars or chemicals. In reality, there is no one reason as to why children have more allergies today compared to years prior the 1980s. The most important thing to do now is to learn different ways to keep children with allergies from having allergic reactions by keeping them away from certain food products, such as peanuts. Doctors and scientists are continuously researching ways to prevent people from getting allergies in the future. Ultimately, the goal is to decrease the amount of allergies in order to keep adults and children safe and healthy.
S THE YEARS PROGRESS, PArents are becoming more concerned about their childrens health, and more specifically, their allergies. Many adults have stated that allergies were never an issue when they were kids, so why the sudden rise? Scientists do not fully understand the reason for this, but they have come up with several theories to help prove why it is more common for a child to have allergies today as opposed to back in the 1970s. Today, the most severe allergy is the peanut allergy. Before the 1980s, this was not as much of a concern. Then, in the 1990s, a peanut allergy epidemic swept across the country, and many children nearly died to the seemingly harmless food. The number of people with peanut allergies has increased since then. In 2008, 2.1 percent of children had peanut allergies compared to 0.6 percent in 1997. Now, schools are creating peanut-
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FEATURES
FEATURES
Joe McKeown, English Teacher The massive push for AP classes. There has been a huge push to put kids in AP that arent at that level. This leads to these kids struggling under pressure and eventually doubting themselves. It is simply too much. Anonymous GN Staff Member It concerns me that so much emphasis is placed on data and test scores. I believe that the quaility of an education shouldnt be so dependent on test scores. I realize that this is the culture of education today, but we need to be careful about placing too much emphasis on assessment numbers. Janice Clark, English Teacher I have three student-athletes in honors and AP classes here and their workload is very taxing. Theyre not just busy, it goes way beyond that. Our ability to have time together as a family is impacted by the workload that they have on a daily basis. I wish that they had more time to be kids. John Chaimberlain, Science Teacher need to improve their grades. Rushi Amin, 14 There is more diversity of students and people are more accepting of everyone. Parth Patel, 14 School spirit in general has improved. The student section at the football games has grown tremendously because a lot
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The new extended lunch lets me do homework and catch up with friends. I also think that the new technology is a new step towards a more modern classroom. --Shailja Padai, 14
The Evolution of Glenbard North

marisa dipaolo features editor melinda troyka staff writer taylor denning staff writer
hand-written progress reports home. Teresa Alvarado, former GN teacher More is being done to help students who are struggling. There really is a sincere effort to make sure that failure is not an option. Janice Clark, English Teacher The administration has given more support to school spirit and the super fans. I remember when the super fan club was started; in fact, I had the student who started it. It was much smaller and less widely popular back then. Kimberly Saxton, Science Teacher
What has been the most significant change in education in general since you first started teaching?
When I started, society was more trusting that teachers knew what they were doing and although there was a set curriculum, we had more freedom to implement our own teaching style. Now, there is more respect from students, but less from society. Margaret Franz, Social Studies Teacher Technology has made things both easier and harder. Students can easily look up information, but never truly learn it. The skill of memorization has been lost. Carolyn Fitzgerald, Foreign Language Teacher The intensity and demands on students and teachers is on the rise. Lawmakers want accountability, so students take tests and teachers have to document everything that they are doing to meet standards. John Chamberlain, Science Teacher
Is there anything you miss about how GN used to be when you were an underclassmen?
Im all for the new healthy vending machines, but taking the gummy worms away was a little too far. Marisa Savegnago, 14 I actually miss not being able to use technology because we were forced to talk to each other face to face. Janki Patel, 14 The thing I missed a lot this year was the massive participation of students in the spirit days during homecoming week. Im not sure if there was poor communication of if people just did not want to participate. Amanda Moy, 14 I miss passing periods on even five minutes! I am always running late and get lots of tardies so I need to know what time it is! Dani Kfoury, 14
HE EDUCATION SYSTEM AS A whole has undergone massive changes in the past few decades, and Glenbard North has borne witness to many of them. From blackboards to Smart Boards, grass to AstroTurf, it is no secret that GN is not the same place that it used to be, both in and out of the classroom. The North Current caught up with some veteran teacher as well as current GN seniors to get their perspectives on the changes that have taken place over the years.
What do you remember most about your first year teaching at GN?
I saw a beautiful, young Spanish teacher strolling across the cafeteria that was most definitely not here when I was a student here. I married her. John Chamberlain, Science Teacher I remember being nervous and thinking I would get lost. I taught at a small, private school before, so I was not used to a big school environment. Carolyn Fitzgerald, Foreign Language Teacher the clocks ran on different times. I had a clock in my classroom that stayed on the same time for six years. It wasnt until 2001 that Mr. Johansen finally had them fixed! Brian Loynachen, Science Teacher My first year of teaching, the classrooms were packed and there was not a lot of collaboration among teachers. Margaret Franz, Social Studies Teacher
What is the most significant difference between your first year teaching at Glenbard North and GN this year?
Because of the increase in graduation requirements and the national focus on math and reading, elective courses take a hit. Of course I find classes like History and English important, but I want my own kids to be able to participate in things like theater or woodshop. These cuts in elective courses are a shame, it downplays the creative side of America. Kevin Coon, Social Studies Department Chair When I first started teaching, the only technology we had was overhead projectors. We didnt have things like PowerSchool to record grades; we would send
Are there any things in education in general, or GN in particular, that you wish had not changed over your time as a When I first started teaching, all of teacher here?
Now learning is all about intense data collection. They want everything to be consistent among all classes, but English is different. It cant be measured the way that math and science can be. Were not teaching kids how to read in English classes, they become better readers with experience. We dont push understanding of the literature, because each student has their own interpretation.
more students are involved with the super fans. Plus, the band sits in the stands next to the superfans now, instead of being outcast by the endzone. Sienna Crosby, 14 The schools appearance with the new bathrooms and murals. --Carina Medina, 14 Using cell phones is no longer treated as a criminal activity. Kevin Huang, 14
What is the most positive change you have seen in your time as a student at GN?
Longer lunch periods so that people who are failing can get the help they
cartoon credit: salwa sadiq, 17
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christopher anders entertainment editor
Bangerz
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ILEY CYRUS NEW ALBUM, Bangerz, was realeased on October 4. After months of anticipation, anxious fans can finally get their hands on a copy of Cyrus fourth studio album. Bangerz comes with thirteen new songs, including the already smash hits We Cant Stop and Wrecking Ball. Featuring artists such as Britney Spears and Nelly, Bangerz is packed full of great new material. Debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 Charts, Bangerz became the best selling debut week for a female artist in 2013. In its first week alone, the album managed to sell a whopping 270,000 copies, surpassing its expected sales figures. Moreover, Cyrus obtained her fifth number one album in the United States, following albums such as Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus (2007), Breakout (2008), Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009), and Cant Be Tamed (2010). However, Bangerz has also painted
a vastly different image of Miley Cyrus. When the television series, Hannah Montana, began in 2006, Cyrus was viewed as a sweet, innocent teenager, and a positive role model for children and teenagers. However, after the end of the popular series, Cyrus image began to rapidly evolve. Recently, she has been criticized for her increasingly risqu wardrobe and more openly sexual attitude. For instance, MSNBCs Mika Brzezinski proclaimed that Cyrus was disgusting and pathetic after viewing her performance with Robin Thicke on the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. Moreover, many parents were up in arms about their children being exposed to Cyrus in such a different manner. While she had once been a role model to millions of children, countless parents and children now took a negative stance towards her new image. While Miley Cyrus new image has been extremely controversial, she is more popular than ever. Bangerz, in its first week alone, managed to outsell
Cyrus previous album, Cant Be Tamed, by 168,000 copies. She has also appeared and performed on my television programs such as Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. Moreover, the album has received generally positive reviews. Bangerz has been particularly popular among teenagers and young adults. It also managed to receive a 3.5 out of 5 star rating by Rolling Stone Magazine. Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone remarks, Its strange but its also traditional: Her Disney steeping vocal never takes a back seat to the wide ranging production...Theres as much terror as there is production, and thats what makes it stick. As seen in her days as Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus is massively popular. Her new album, Bangerz, not only brings along with it a new image for Cyrus, but an entirely new sound. Fans will be very pleased with Miley Cyrus new album, and it will continue on in its success.
kyle stankoskey staff writer
Apples New iPhone

retina display. Sophomore class president, Seth Baligod, 16, remarks, I like that Apple made the 5C to compete with Android phones and especially the Motorola X, which is very customizable. Overall, the iPhone 5C mimics the iPhone 5 with the exception of its newly designed face. Apple has improved the iPhone to compete with other leading opponents. On the same note, the iPhone 5S tops the list for the most technologically advanced iPhone yet. First, the iPhone 5S also has different color choices, including gold, silver, and gray. The sixteen gigabyte model costs $199, thirty-two gigabyte model $299, followed by the sixty-four gigabyte model for $399. The price increases because of the new technological advances that the 5S has and obviously the bigger memory. Furthermore, the major change in the iPhone is the advanced fingerprint ID sensor.
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VER THE YEARS, APPLE HAS been known for its unique phones. About a month ago, Apple released the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. These two phones originate from the previous phone, the iPhone 5, but with many new enhancements. Apple has put forth these two differently priced phones to increase appeal and revenue. First off, the iPhone 5C offers a new colorful look and is affordable. The sixteen gigabyte model sells for $99, and the thirty-two gigabyte model sells for $199. This is cheaper compared to Apples previous models of the iPhone that cost $199 for sixteen gigabytes. Moreover, the iPhone 5C has many vibrant colors to choose from, white, watermelon pink, bright yellow, electric blue, and lime green. Additionally, the iPhone 5C is made of a hard coated polycarbonate backing with steel reinforcement inside the body. It still has the same A6 processor that the iPhone 5 has, as well as a four-inch
Instead of typing a password dozens of times each day, the finger print senor reads the owners fingerprint and unlocks the phone faster. Moreover, the iPhone 5S has a faster processor and delivers superior graphics only possible on a desktop computer, called the A7 chip. It makes graphics seem more realistic on the phone, and increases the speed of browsing. This new chip also greatly benefits the iPhones camera. It gives the camera up to two times faster autofocus and higher video frame rates without draining the battery. To summarize, Apple has ultimately redesigned its latest phone to appear contemporary and futuristic. Many people enjoy using Apple products, so this is a better step in creating more sales and appealing to people all over the world.
maggie malinowski staff writer
Sleepy Hollow
in the future has certainly been executed before, and TV is no stranger to folk tales and urban legends being integrated into modern times, Sleepy Hollow strays far enough away from the clich to be enjoyable. However, it does not stray so radically that it alienates viewers. Having a black woman as a protagonist is certainly welcomed, and Misons Crane is so perpetually confused with modern culture, but willing to help that he becomes both endearing and amusing. The main characters and backstory are developed well enough in the pilot that viewers are excited to know what happens next. This development could have been done more tactfully, though. There ended up being about fifteen minutes of concentrated backstory in the first episode that greatly slowed the well-paced action. The action itself was rather gory, consisting of multiple decapitations, stab wounds, and pools of blood, but was not excessive or violent just for the sake of violence. Sleepy Hollow is, in short, a modernized twist on both a household folk tale and a familiar plotline. Though it follows a rather worn down story line, Sleepy Hollow is interesting enough to hold attention and even surprise viewers at points. The characters are different from what is on television right now, but still follow familiar and relatable patterns. Ana Thompson, 16, shares, It looks interesting with good characters, and a cool twist on an old fairy tale. Sleepy Hollow can be seen Mondays at 8 PM central on Fox.
LEEPY HOLLOW FOLLOWS THE newly awoken Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), who had previously fought the Revolutionary War and is presently in modern day Sleepy Hollow. However, Crane is not the only one resurrected. A man he beheaded in his last battle also returned from the dead. Ichabod is brought to the police station where he meets Lieutenant Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie), the sheriffs partner. No one believes his story, but Abbie feels unnervingly connected to the case from something in her past she has been attempting to escape. Having been brought together by the strange circumstances, the two set out and discover that what they had perceived to be strange was actually something much bigger than imagined. While the premise of a person awaking
furva rizvi staff writer
Origin
perspective, giving his already intense character new depths and bringing never before seen qualities to light Although Katys lighthearted personality always entertains the reader, Daemons distinct voice adds a new outlook to the story. Meanwhile, Katy must adjust to her new life. The realities she discovers cause her and Daemon to question the validity of what they previously considered to be the truth. Since Obsidian, Onyx, and Opal, the preceding books in the series, were well-received, expectations for Origin were sky high. Once again, she did not disappoint in the least. Lauren White, 16, described it best, Origin has everything to make it the perfect story, and then some. When I finished, all I could think was, more, more, more! Although the first three books of this series were fun and light reads that had fans up all night, Origin was stupendous. Filled with more action and an intricate plot line, Armentrout retains all of the witty language, strong characters, and adorable romance that hooked so many readers to the series in the first place. Furthermore, the characters that readers vehemently love (and some they desperately hate) return as strong as ever. A new character, Archer, is also introduced, who brings a whole new dimension to the plot. Not only were the characters present, but they also all played a major role in the story. The book is beyond impressive. The fast-moving pace and witty diction will keep readers at the edge of their seats from start to finish. In addition, the cliffhanger ending will keep readers begging for more. All they will be able to do is pray for the patience to wait until the final book of the series, Opposition, comes out in summer 2014.
ATY SWARTZ KNEW FROM THE second she laid eyes on them that her new neighbors, Daemon and Dee Black, were not normal. She never would have guessed, though, that they were literally from out of this world. Katys perception of fact and myth is thrown into many shades of grey when she discovers that the Black family is aliens and that many of their kind are posing as humans on Earth. There are only a select few who know about the existence of these extraterrestrial beings, and now that Katy is one of them, she must guard the secret for her own safety. This still does not save her from getting kidnapped by Daedalus, a government faction dedicated to studying non-human life forms. Told from two points of view, alternating between Daemon and Katy, author Jennifer L. Armentrout starts Origin, the fourth book in the Lux series, where the previous book, Opal, left off. Daemon will do anything to get Katy back, including exposing his race to the world. The plotline is made even more interesting because it is told from his
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25
Great Modern Artists
chris allison staff writer
Andy Warhol
Warhol is considered to be The Father of Pop Art. He is one of the worlds most popular and famous modern artists, with an estimated net worth of over six hundred million dollars. His works include Campbells Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe. Warhol was not only a painter, but also a Polaroid photographer. His Polaroid photographs were recently found and a collection of them were taken to many art museums around the world. He died in 1987 from an unknown cause, but is still celebrated today. His personal mu-
VERY DAY WE ARE BOMBARDed with different forms of art; whether it is a meme on Facebook, a filtered photograph on Instagram, graffiti on a stationary train car, or a poster in a classroom. We do not really put too much thought into what really went into creating that piece of art or about the people who may have influenced the artist, but the following artists continue to shape todays artists who put just as much pride and passion into their craft that these artists did. The following people have created a style, began a cultural movement, and left their mark in the field of art, and have some of the most recognizable and distinguishable pieces of art of the last century, and are still being celebrated today in museums, classrooms, and publications worldwide.
floral paintings. She has a museum in her name in her last place of residence, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Salvador Dali
Dali is the creator of one of the most famous surrealist works of art to ever be created: The Persistence of Memory. This masterpiece has a beach-like setting with melted clocks draped over different objects like trees, tables, and animals. It was completed in 1939, and has been seen around the world ever since. Some of his other pieces are lesser-known, but this one piece launched his entire career. He has experimented with many different types of media including filmmaking and photography, and even had a career in the field of science.
Piet Mondrian
Mondrian was a neoplastic artist who was a heavy contributor to this Dutch movement. Neoplasticism is a style of art in which the artist uses vertical and horizontal lines, geometric shapes, and neutral and primary colors to create abstract pieces of art that are clean and sometimes symmetrical. His most famous piece is simply titled Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow. It features all of the above Neoplastic elements and is favorite by art gurus worldwide.
Keith Haring
Haring was a pioneer in street art that started in the 1980s. Keith was a gay man who was not afraid to create art dealing with AIDS, homosexuality, and the government. His studio was the New York subway stations underground. Even after many arrests by the New York Police Department, he continued to express himself through his artwork. His street art was not gang-affiliated or just a bunch of colorful bubble letters, it was Pop-Art at its best. His art can still be seen around New York City, in the Best Buddies International logo, and in his Pop Shop located in Manhattan. seum is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Georgia OKeeffe
OKeeffe has been recognized for her enlarged watercolor paintings of flowers and foliage of all kinds. She uses vibrant colors, and has a distinctive style of painting. She has even been named The Mother of American Modernism. Her work started off as charcoal drawings of New York City, but when she moved to New Mexico, she started creating watercolor landscape, and then watercolor
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jerry james staff writer

HE NEW FILM, GRAVITY, FROM critically acclaimed director, Alfonzo Cuarn, left audiences and critics star struck as it beat out competitors Capitan Phillips and Machete Kills, reaping $190 million dollars in sales worldwide. The film chronicles the story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) as they are both servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. However, during a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster hits. Now, the shuttle is destroyed and Stone and Kowalski are left abandoned, tethered to nothing but each other and are left to fight to survive as they continue to spiral deeper into space. The movie is praised for its eye-popping CGI and 3D effects that makes critic Gary Susman of the Rolling Stones proclaim Gravity is the rare movie thats really worth splurging extra to see in 3D, on a giant screen. These comments come from the importance that Cuarn put on SFX in the film. He artfully uses state of the art technology to immerse
Gravity
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the audience in the universe that he created. In addition, he also took advantage of the fact that sound doesnt travel in space in order to show the human effect on the characters, amidst the chaos and destruction that surrounds them. This combination explains why such a high percentage of ticket sales came from 3D and IMAX showings. A survey conducted by Rolling Stone states, its really the first film since Avatar four years ago where 3D is essential to the storytelling and not just a superfluous bell-and-whistle meant to sell higher-priced tickets. This sentiment rings true as well; reports show that almost 82 percent of the films gross comes from 3D ticket sales alone. However, that doesnt mean that the narrative itself lacks in any way. Cuarn draws in the audience by presenting characters with major flaws and likeable characteristics that causes them to establish a connection with both Dr. Stone and Kowalski. With every twist and turn he succeeds in keeping the audience on the edge of their seat.
While James Cameron, the director of box office hits such as Avatar and Titanic, had his initial doubts about the sci-fi thriller, he eventually came to love the movie. He proclaims I was stunned, absolutely floored its the best space photography ever done, I think its the best space film ever done, and its the movie Ive been hungry to see for an awful long time. Also, Guillermo Del Toro, director of cult classics such as Pans Labyrinth and Hellboy also described the film as completely mind blowing. The film also has much Oscar buzz surrounding it as well. Many critics and fans alike speculate that Gravity is a strong contender to take home Oscars for Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and Best Film. Gravity has succeeded in not only becoming a box office success for Warner Brothers, it has also succeeded in captivating both Critics and audiences alike and has put director Alfonso Cuarn back on top.
-Stephen Colbert
And if you love only yourself, you will serve only yourself. And you will have only yourself.

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The

NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

halloween haters? see page 5

college-related anxiety? see page 3

1. Karina: Bringing honor to the Gandhi clan.

2. Pumpkin pie: Yes. 3. Arabian Nights: Cant wait to see

NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

will you marry us?

5. Panther football: Justin Jackson,

cartoon credit: cameron kirk, 14

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

(Dont worry. Its just a contraction for student opinions.)

ariana hammersmith staff writer

From Stone Tablets to Apple Tablets

The ability to come to school and meet new people.

What are you most thankful for?

Im thankful for amazing, supportive staff and teachers.

cartoon credit: eric nguyen, 15

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

sydnee gee opinion editor

Were a Culture, Not a Costume

cartoon credit: kristin maglabe, 14

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

Testing: A Necessary Evil

GPS: Guiding The Youth of Today

nirav virani news editor

kiah vandenbrink assistant news editor

tony jacob staff writer

Bullying Prevention Month

photo credit: eric nguyen, 15

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

catherine kim staff writer

cartoon credit: cassandra tu, 17

Harry Potter Club

anthony dipaolo staff writer

nicole amon staff writer

filasha finley staff writer

photo credit: kyle berry, 14

paul pleticha staff writer

Boys Cross Country

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THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

chelsea hammersmith editor-in-chief

How would you characterize todays college application process?

cartoon credit: kyle schultz, 14

photo credit: kyle berry, 14

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

THE NORTH CURRENT | NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 55 | ISSUE 2

breanna wishnow current events editor

A New Kind of Pope

The US Military Strikes Again

sumera patel staff writer

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