Steinmetz StarVolume 82, Number 2, October-November 2016

www.steinmetzstar.com

In this issueNews, 4-9, 12-14 Arts & Entertainment

14-16Sports, 16-20

Students protest uniformsM

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Opinion, 2-3 Spirit Week/ Homecoming, 9 -11

Biology students connect with author at U. of Chicago field trip

Hawaiian Day may be fun, but it’s still cultural appropriation

Spirit days, pep rally, Homecom-ing football game and dance

Chance the Rapper was magnificent Fall sports wrap-up

Layoff of librarian hurts students and staff

Coping with tragedy in Austin

By Ethan Miranda and Agape Alfaro

This year, Steinmetz dropped a bomb with the new uniform policy that re-quires khaki pants and the green polo.

It did not go well with students. Plain and simple, the students despise it

and wish to be able to wear whatever they choose to wear.

When 690 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors were asked their preference in a Star survey distributed in October, only four percent said they liked the uniform.

Students began protesting the new policy during the first weeks of school, gathering sig-natures on a petition and speaking at the Local School Council (LSC) meeting on Sept. 14.

As the weeks went on, they continued voic-ing their concerns directly to Principal Stephen Ngo and again at the October LSC meeting.

Finally, on Nov. 7 they organized a one-day boycott, in which more than 100 students came to school out of uniform.

They grouped on the front campus with the plan that they would all enter the school together and go about the day as a normal school day, just out of uniform.

The point of the protest was to get student voices out there loud and clear. Students felt like they weren’t being listened to.

Although Principal Stephen Ngo met with students on the day of the protest and other days, he has not backed off the policy.

Mr. Ngo had allowed LSC members the change the uniform requirements from last year’s policy, which offered more choice. Stu-dents were allowed to wear any Steinmetz-related shirt or hoodie, with more choices of pants, including jeans.

Some area high schools have never required a uniform – such as Prosser, Chicago Academy and Lane.

Other schools that had required uniforms, recently dropped them – Taft, North Grand, Roosevelt, Foreman, Schurz, and Clemente.

The Steinmetz LSC went the other direc-tion this year by requiring khakis and a polo, a standard uniform of charter and Catholic schools.

On Nov. 16, the LSC altered the policy for “spirit Fridays,” in which the green polo and khakis won’t be required, but students will need to wear some kind of Steinmetz shirt.

LSC student representative Crystal Roman announced that “spirit Fridays” will begin on Jan. 13, 2017.

Many students said they were happy to have some relief. Others, like sophomore Jo-seph Torres, asked, “Why not everyday?”

“For students, the goal was to get rid of the uniforms for good, but what we got instead was one ‘spirit day,’” sophomore Jose Sanchez said. “Wait, let me rephrase that for our fresh-men: That’s last year’s uniform.”

“We didn’t get our way,” sophomore An-gelique Ortiz said. “We settled for less.”

“The no-uniform protest really failed us,” sophomore Keyla Garcia said. “It just shows that the school doesn’t care for what we have to say. There are so many reasons why we should get rid of the uniform.”

Students are against the uniform because it’s expensive and uncomfortable, the pants get dirty easily, it takes away from self-expression, it was created without student voice and it’s distracting for staff to enforce.

The reasons for the uniform, according to parents on the LSC, are to keep students safe, to save money on clothes, to cut down on inequality, to have appropriate dress and to focus on academics.

See Pages 6-7 for more coverage, including: • Principal, LSC preseident interviews• Area high school comparison chart• Star student survey results• Testimony at the LSC meetings• More student interviews •

Isaiah Roman speaks at the Sept. 14 LSC meeting about students showing school spirit by wearing shirts other than the polo. He also spoke at the October and November LSC meetings. Ethan Miranda addresses students who took part in the Nov. 7 uniform boycott, organized on Facebook.

Christian Perez speaks to Principal Stephen Ngo and LSC members Edeau Long Oden, Vanessa Valentin, Cassandra Hernandez and Jose Quiles at the Sept. 14 LSC meeting. Christian gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition against the uniform during the first weeks of school.

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By Mauricio Huerta

After librarian Bernie Eshoo was laid off this summer when Stein-metz’ budget was cut $1.6 mil-

lion, senior Adriana Cortes started an online petition to bring her back.

Adriana said that without a librarian, the school isn’t doing all it can do for students.

“What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education,” the petition states (https://www.change.org/p/

stephen-ngo-help-bring-back-our-beloved-school-librarian).

Continued on Page 12Homicides in the past year

in neighborhoods near Steinmetzhttp://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/community, Nov. 29, 2016

Bernie Eshoo, Adriana Cortes

By Ronald Evans

Violence has had a major effect on residents of the Austin neighbor-hood, located southeast from

Steinmetz. Austin has one of the highest homicide

rates in Chicago, where there have been 714 homicides this year.

Many students from the Austin neigh-borhood have acquaintances or friends or family members that have been killed. They have to cope with tragedy as part of their daily lives.

Continued on Page 8

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2 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star News2Steinmetz

StarSteinmetz College Prep High School

3030 N. Mobile, Chicago IL 60641

773-534-3030, Star office (x) 25241

Website: www.steinmetzstar.com

Email: steinmetzstarnews@gmail.com

The Steinmetz Star is a student publication of Steinmetz College Prep High School. Our goal is to inform the Steinmetz community of news affecting the students of our school. The opin-ions expressed in our articles are not necessarily those shared by the Star editors or Steinmetz faculty and administration.

The Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act, signed into law on July 29, 2016, after the bill received the unanimous approval of the Illinois House and Senate, “gives high school journalists heightened protection against school censorship above-and-beyond the protection provided by federal law. The law gives students the ability to speak without fear about issues of social and political concern in journalistic publications, including issues involving policies and events at their own schools.” (Student Press Law Center, Washington D.C.)

Anyone in the Steinmetz community is welcome to send to the Star letters, corrections, comments, and articles for possible publication. Content decisions are made by student editors.

Co-editors-in-chief: Agape Alfaro and Ronald Evans Photo editor: Steven Nunez

Section editors and copy editors: Ryan Al-libone, Elise Guillen, David Lopez, Jamara McGarry, Ethan Miranda, Alina Qureshy

Journalism class reporters2nd period: Areli Carbajal, Jennifer Cruz, Car-los Flores, Brenda Fuentes, Marcos Gallardo, Tyrek Gates, Joseph Howard, Mauricio Huerta, Izabella Kulik, Lizeth Lopez, Yessenia Martinez, Taylor Montero, Eduardo Perea, Daysi Posadas, Vinnie Rivera, Jazmine Rodriguez, Nathalie Rojas, Lexi Rosch, Yael Gutierrez Santander, Vanessa Tamayo, Kinga Tarasiewicz, Christhian Torres, D’Angelo Wordlaw3rd period: Jade Aguilar, Evelyn Antolino, Helton Arias, Justin Baker, Aaron Borda, Eika Carrasco, Aileen Carreto, Jennifer Cloud, Fred-die Crittendon, David Delgado, Ariel Garcia, Stephanie Gonzalez, Jessica Hernandez, Javar-ius Jones, Iridian Lagunas, Marcus Lee, Fran-cisco Mauricio, Jasmine Milan, Ivan Navarrete, Andrews Navarro, Jane Nero, Ahmari Owens, Christian Perez, Jose Plaza, Yesenia Pliego, Odaliz Renteria, Antonio Sanchez, Jasmine Sanchez, Dalia Sarmiento, Brandon Williams

Newspaper Club reporters: Lara Banez, Frank Cabrera, Angel Chavez, Ezra Chavez, Jesus Cortez, Kimberly Degante, Zaida Hernandez, Luis Huerta, Everett Jennings, Anthony Morgan-Kitch, Kyiah Morris, Elizabeth Patino, Angelina Villarreal

The Newspaper Club meets on Mondays in Room 333 after school.

Faculty adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt

Membership: Scholastic Press Association of Chicago

Printing: Mr. Hugh Hefner’s November 2015 donation to the Star covers the costs of printing the paper at Topweb in Chicago. •

Movie shows hurting teens being valued and loved at school

PAPER TIGERSOne high school’s unlikely success story.

“Absolutely riveting, profoundly important.” -New York Times journalist and author, David Bornstein

A KPJR Films Production “PAPER TIGERS” Produced by JAMES REDFORD & KAREN PRITZKEREdited by JEN BRADWELL Music by TODD BOEKELHEIDE Co-Producer DANA SCHWARTZ

Line Producer SHANNON STIRONE-NORWOOD Cinematography by TYLOR NORWOOD Directed by JAMES REDFORD Executive Producer KAREN PRITZKER

Copyright © 2014 KPRJ Films LLC all rights reserved

www.papertigersmovie.com

In conjunction with PCC Wellness, Steinmetz showed the movie Paper Tigers on Oct. 20. The documentary looks at the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and trauma in teens.

“This is a growing health concern for all of us,” Principal Stephen Ngo said in an email to staff. He encouraged students to attend the screening. “More education and awareness is a first positive step in helping young people out who suffer from ACEs,” he said.

ACEs studies show that the more traumatic experiences people experience as children – physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, parental separation or divorce, and substance abuse, mental illness, and incarceration in the family – the more likely they are to develop diseases, abuse drugs and alcohol abuse, engage in unprotected sex and have a poor diet.

The movie focuses on one aspect of help for teens: a school with a caring staff. The movie website states the following:

Against the harsh reality of truancy, poor grades, emotional pain, and physical violence, answers begin to emerge. The answers do not come easily. Nor can one simply deduce a one-size-fits-all solution to a trauma-informed education. But there is no denying something both subtle and powerful at work between teacher and student alike: the quiet persistence of love. (http://kpjrfilms.co/paper-tigers/about-the-film)

Nearly 100 Steinmetz students attended the screening.In addition to receiving cousnseling and other services, the

students at Lincoln High School, featured in the movie, were encouraged to express themselves at school in art, music and in the way they dressed.•

No uniforms required at ‘trauma-informed’ school

Steinmetz Star Staff Opinion

By Elise Guillen

As a junior, I’m halfway through my high school experience. There are many factors that

have contributed to making it bad and good, but overall good. A huge factor of being a student at Steinmetz is the uniform. Steinmetz has always had a uniform since I’ve been here. But this year is much more different.

Before my junior year, students were allowed to wear the green Steinmetz polo and the grey Steinmetz gym shirt and many other Steinmetz-related shirts. For pants, there was no official rule but it was expected students would wear jeans, the Steinmetz sweatpants or shorts, which many wore with no problem.

Now, the little options that students had have been completely taken away from us. The new uniform policy only allows the green polo and khakis, which has truly been a dramatic change for all Steinmetz College Prep students.

I am now no longer required to take Physical Education, which seemed like a blessing but actually has taken away the privilege of wearing the more comfort-able grey t-shirt and sweatpants.

I never really cared for the uniform, but I dealt with it because it could be much worse. And boy, is it worse.

The new uniform was such a shock to me and many other students who really thought that there would be no uniform for the new school year. It was disap-pointing to see that the uniform would stay. But a real blow occurred when I realized what the new uniform policy was. I felt like I was being stripped of the little freedom that I had. I didn’t think it would come to the point that I would be so unhappy with what I had to wear everyday.

Spirit week is always fun and exciting

due to the lead up to the Homecoming game and Dance. I always participated in dressing up, but honestly, sports and dancing aren’t a part of my strong suits. But there was always a reason for dress-ing up for spirit week because it meant being in no uniform, which is a big deal when your school requires a uniform.

Spirit week was going to be so differ-ent this year. Each week it grew closer, the more excited my peers and I grew. I had developed such a strong dislike for my khakis, I couldn’t wait to spend a whole week without wearing them.

The first day of Spirit Week was Ha-waiian day. I went all out. I had a lei, a flower in my hair, sandals and a pretty, tropical outfit. I got so many compli-ments for the first time this school year. Compliments are kind of hard to give to someone when you’re wearing the exact same thing. As I went to class all day, the mood felt completely different than it had since school started. I really felt that that moods were lifted and everything just seemed a little brighter--.

Tuesday was Black and White day. I wore a pretty simple outfit, but I still felt very happy that day. It was a good feeling being comfortable and confident in what I was wearing. Many comments

were made by my teachers that being out of uniform was distracting, but I felt it had no effect on me and my peers. The real distractions were the excitement for the game and dance.

Wednesday was Scrabble Day. I woke up late that day. I had no outfit prepared. I was pretty upset because I had no choice but to wear my uniform. Wednesday was not a good day for me. I feel like that wearing my khakis con-tributed to my bad day.

Thursday was Green and Silver day, I wore the grey Steinmetz shirt with gray leggings. I didn’t go all out with showing my school spirit but it was bittersweet to be able to wear the old Steinmetz shirt. The day was pretty easy-going. The pep rally was a good way to end that day.

Friday was by far the best day. For the first time in many years, Steinmetz had a Pajama day. It was pretty funny and cute to see many Steinmetz students in onesies. I wore a cat onesie and earned the nickname “Kitty” from one of my friends. I wouldn’t wear a onesie every-day to school, but it was really fun to have the opportunity to wear one..

Spirit Week 2016 was my favorite one yet. Despite Wednesday, I still had a really great week. It wasn’t just because we were out of uniform, but I have truly never experienced the excitement and joy as strong as it was at Steinmetz that week. Maybe it was just me, but this week meant a lot to me as a student. School can be really stressful and this week was a great relief to me.

As a teenager you aren’t able to be in control in many things around you; that’s why it can be such a relief to be able to pick your outfit everyday. Spirit week was so exciting and being out of uniform was such a plus. I’ll never forget how great Spirit Week 2016 was and how positive the week was. •

Spirit Week gave us the chance to choose clothes that make us happy

Elise Guillen, Agape Alfaro, Ryan Allibone

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October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 3

Advertisements

What are you thankful for?Star Photo Opinion 3

“I am thankful for my sister Justyna because she sup-ported me and pushed me. She made me do lifeguarding, golf, ASM, and swim team, things I thought would be insignificant, but it turned out these events would become the traits with which I identify myself.”

Piotr Szczech, senior

97%BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATESfinished in four years or less

312.935.5460 • ROBERTMORRIS.EDU

Star editorial: End the unnecessary uniform requirement

Hawaiian Day is cultural appropriationTransgender relief

“I’m thankful for having a family that loves me, and having the op-portunity of an education.”

Frank Cabrera, sophomore

Steinmetz Star Staff Opinion

Steinmetz looks better without uni-forms.

We’ve heard the school’s reasons for requiring them, that they are beneficial to our future and to our security, they helps us focus on academics, eliminate hurt feelings over clothing differences and save money.

But we disagree. It’s not less expensive to wear a uniform.

We still buy clothes we like. We should wear them to school.

These years are supposed to be used to explore and find ourselves. Personal expres-sion is hindered under such rigid measures, and feeling comfortable in your own skin is a very important thing.

Uniforms don’t help us focus on academ-ics when we’re uncomfortable. Uniforms don’t prepare us for college; they just prepare us for jobs that require uniforms.

Regarding security, if you see someone being mugged on the street, shouldn’t you go help because of the goodness in your heart, and not because the person reps your com-munity’s colors?

And if someone isn’t recognized in our building, staff can look at his or her ID.

Bullying over clothes might happen if there weren’t uniforms, but probably, more often, people would appreciate differences in dress, just as we do regarding diversity of race, reli-gion and sexual orientation.

The new, stricter uniform policy hasn’t made problem students’ behavior better. In fact, the time wasted for staff enforcing the uniform policy could have been better spent dealing with real problems in the school.

The LSC’s “spirit Friday” compromise isn’t enough. It’s time to end the uniform requirement altogether and move on to more important issues. •Seniors pose after the Class of 2017 panoramic photo on Sept. 27, in which they could wear clothes

of their choice. No one chose khakis and a green Steinmetz polo.

LAST YEAR

RMU

312.935.5460 • ROBERTMORRIS.EDURobert Morris University story on Page 4

By Jade Aguilar

As a transgender person, I am so happy to be able to use the bath-room with which I self identify.

When I first came to the school, I did not want to come out as myself because most students were not friendly to the LG-

By Alina Qureshy

Non-native Hawaiians really have no business in trying to use this culture as a fun theme, considering that the

U.S. invaded Hawaii in 1893 and overthrew their constitutional monarchy.

The language of the native Hawaiians was banned in 1896 when the islands were overrun by white settlers.

Hawaiian Day is culturally insensitive be-cause natives have their own culture and tradi-tions. The hula dance, introduced in the 20th Century, is really just done for the benefit of tourists. Grass skirts are only a stereotype.

Lei are traditionally used to express love, affection, congratulation, or welcome. The earliest lei, made by early Polynesian voyagers, weren’t made exclusively of flowers. Instead, they were made from leaves, shells, and other materials. •

BTQ+ community.Things have changed. Now I am able to

use the bathroom and run for Homecoming Queen.

I feel like the school has come a long way, but we still have so much work to do. We still have a long way to go with the Trans Queer community.

Some people view a transgender woman as just a man in the bathroom who wants to look at women, but that is not the case.

When I go to the restroom I just walk in a stall that is open, go in, close the door and use the bathroom, just like any other person. I come out, wash my hands and fix my hair and makeup, if needed. •

Showing the positive side of Steinmetz

“It might sound cheesy, but I am thankful for the opportunity to come here because the students are nice. Staff and students are very friendly and always willing to help. I’m also thankful for my health.”

Michelle Podunavac, substitute teacher

“I’m thankful for the grace of God, to wake me up every morning letting me know that I will be a successful African American man. I’m thank-ful to be able to play the sport of football that I love dearly.”

Kejuan Carter, senior

“I am thankful for my mother. She’s very involved and proactive in our family.”Gabriella Sanchez, sophomore

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Homecoming King Aaron Austin and co-Queens Jade Aguilar and Catrina Kelley (a tie vote)

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By Star staff

Principal Stephen Ngo asked the Star staff to change a few articles and delete an opinion piece, originally planned for this issue. He

told the third period journalism class that it would hurt Steinmetz to be portrayed negatively.

While many students thought the Star should go ahead with the original opinion piece, author Francisco Mauricio and co-editors-in-chief, Ron-ald Evans and Agape Alafaro, agreed to spike the piece, and make some of the other changes.

“It isn’t a battle we want to have at this time,” Star adviser Sharon Schmidt said. “However, please understand this: The image of the school is not the responsibility of the student journalists. The accuracy with which they reflect it, is.” •

Principal Stephen Ngo speaks at the Sept. 21 freshman townhall.

A principal’s newsletter, distributed at report card pickup and available on the school website, was created by Ms. Schmdit for recruiting. The Star has a dif-ferent purpose.

4 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star News4

Robert Morris University field trips give taste of college life

7 10OUT OF

RMUSTUDENTSparticipate in university sports and organizations

312.935.5460 • ROBERTMORRIS.EDU

Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge pushes JROTC students

By Brenda Fuentes and Izabella Kulik

Robert Morris University and Steinmetz have developed a partnership to help promote post-secondary planning and college enrollment.

“Students will visit the Robert Morris campus to participate in sample, college-level, mini-lessons and extracurricular activities several times during the year,” said teacher Victoria Serritella, who is coordinating the program.

In addition, Robert Morris University will be of-fering Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit courses during the second semester to provide students the chance to earn college credit while still in high school.

“Recently I took a field trip to RMU and changed my mind,” senior Jessy Martinez said. “I am glad and proud to say that my school has made a partner-ship with such an amazing college. After the visit I decided to apply.”

At the field trip, Robert Morris had a whole schedule for Steinmetz. The day started at the Com-puter Technology and Media department. Students did two activities, putting a virus into a computer and looking into the computer hardware.

After that, students went to the Business de-partment where an RMU senior spoke about the program. He said he is doing a double major and how time management is key.

The last department was the Art and Visual Lib-eral Arts, where Steinmetz students made their own creations.

Finally, there was a whole campus tour. Students

liked the field trip. The RMU staff was welcoming. By taking a look at RMU’s many different academ-ics, students began to reconsider what they thought they would study.

To get into the nursing program students don’t need a certain ACT score, just grade point aver-age. Some students began to think about a degree in business.

All the academics seemed valuable and part of the mission of the college, according to www.robertmor-ris.edu: “Robert Morris University prepares students to be practitioners in their chosen fields, socially responsible to their communities, and a foundation for their families.” •

By Zaida Hernandez

Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) is a summer camp for JROTC

cadets. It’s in St.John’s Military Acade-my in Delafield, Wisconsin. It’s this huge place where every cadets from the JROTC program come together to have fun and compete to get the Honor Company award.

Cadets are randomly assigned to compa-nies. Mine was Bravo, and sadly we didn’t getHonor Company this time, but it was still fun. We placed third in sports.

We stayed there for five days, doing lots of activities everyday. It was hard waking up early in the morning at 4:30. We had to clean in the mornings, and at night, to lessen how much we would have to clean in the morning. Some cadets also had fire guard.

We were all paired up in the dorm. My roommate was Zaira Hernandez from another school. She was super cool and chill and we got along really well. We had assigned officers in charge of the company and everyday someone new would be assigned after dinner.

Everyone was nice and easy to get along with and they were very supportive. It was

really moving and motivating to know that your company had your back and was cheer-ing for you.

My favorite experience and memory will probably be of when we were waiting to go to dinner and another company came (I forgot if it was Alpha or Charlie) and we had a cadence showdown on who could be the loudest. We won, of course. It was hilarious because after our voices were hoarse from all the shouting.

Our sergeants who were in charge of us, Sergeant Brooks and Sergeant White, were extremely proud of our company and how we impressed the black hats.

I hope I can go again this year so I can experience it one last time before senior year since you can only go freshman, sophomore and junior year. •

Photos provided by Rubi Trujillo, Lisette Sandoval, Melissa Tello

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Steinmetz students were treated to a Saturday afternoon Robert Morris University football game. Students also took a field trip and spent the day at Robert Morris University, 401 S State St, Chicago, touring the campus and attending classes.

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October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 5

Star News 5

PCC Wellness open house impresses students

Arabic and Japanese classes provide cross-cultural learning

South Africa trip opens eyes to culture, history, connections

By Lexi Rosch and Areli Carbajal

PCC Wellness celebrated its new space with an open house for students and the public on Sept. 28.

“Our clinic is such a welcoming place that I recommend every student have least have one visit, but first turn in that consent form,” senior Ariel Garcia said. “I recommend the clinic to people in the community also. It’s very clean. It’s beautiful.”

PCC Wellness provides comprehensive primary care and behavioral health services to students as well as community member of all ages.

The clinic improves on health care for students from the previous years, when there was a nurse at Steinmetz who was present only a few days a week. This year school nurse Nancy Konrad is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays and Friday mornings. Nurse Cheryl Kramer is in on Thursday mornings.

Former LSC president Christopher Swan-son was one of the people who pushed to open the clinic because of his daughter Chris-tina who had epilepsy. Mr. Swanson wanted a better solution for her in case something happened.

Mr. Swanson and other LSC members had regularly asked the Chicago Public Schools to provide a full-time nurse. When CPS did not, they looked to obtaining a school-based

health clinic. It took many years for Steinmetz and

PCC Wellness to obtain funding and build the clinic. PCC Wellness opened its doors in Steinmetz in November 2015 in the nurse’s office and completed construction on the clinic in July.

“Never give up on you dreams and keep fighting for what you believe in,” Mr. Swanson said. He wanted this not for just his daughter, but for everyone. He hopes it will be a good resource

PCC Wellness has doctors and nurses,

who, if all the paperwork is in order, are able to provide anything from the simple ice pack to pain killers, as well as help the students maintain their shots and medical paperwork updated. They do blood tests, pregnancy tests, STD and STI testing. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Thursdays until 8 p.m.

The clinic includes a laboratory, five exam rooms, behavioral health office and a financial counselor room.

All the construction cost $1.3 million dol-lars. PCC has 12 other locations and has been open since 1980.

Another perk that comes along with the clinic are psychologists. High school brings stress for some. Students now have a profes-sional psychologist who can meet with them accordingly and aid them as best as they can.

Sandra Montes is a social worker as well as a counselor. She loves high school students. Students are allowed five confidential visits.

This clinic will make our neighborhood better. It’s a great addition to Steinmetz and will help the community come together i.

Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36) said, “We should be proud.” •

By Ronald Evans

This is the first year Steinmetz is of-fering Arabic and

Japanese. [The Star will feature Michelle Cross, and other new teachers next issue.]

Kirsten Gassman has been teaching high school Arabic for two years; she previously taught at Dis-ney Magnet High School.

The goal of Arabic 1 is to give the students the understanding of the culture, alphabet, and many more things that sparks an interest in learning Arabic.

“Learning Arabic is hard, but every-day with the help from my brother and Ms. Gassman I’m learning and hopefully I’ll learn a lot of words in Arabic,” junior Jazmyne Evans said.

Ms. Gassman started teaching Arabic at a summer camp for kids and teenagers aging from 8 to 18 years.

“I love teaching my students. I like see-ing my students succeeding in a different

language,” she said. Overall, she has been teaching Arabic for seven years. She also speaks Spanish.

“I learned Arabic because I always want-ed to live in Palestine and help women and children,” she said. “I thought the writing looked pretty.”

Ms. Gassman has lived in Beirut, Leba-non and Muscat, Oman and also traveled to Syria, Qatar, UAE and Egypt.

Her favorite food is freska, a circular wafer with honey in it, sold on beaches in Egypt. She said she absolutely loves to eat it any chance she gets. •

By Brandon Williams

When people think about Africa, they usually think of the nega-tive aspect of the continent. They

think of poverty, hunger and war. They don’t realize that Africa does have all those things, as every place does, but is also a very beauti-ful continent.

The trip of my lifetime began on July 28, 2016. I travelled to South Africa for 16 days. It was an eye opening experience for me.

I was able to take the trip because I’m part of The Fellowship Initiative (TFI), sponsored by J.P. Morgan & Chase.

“Originally launched in 2010 in New York City, TFI enrolls young men of color in a comprehensive, hands-on enrichment program that includes academic, social and emotional support to help them achieve

personal and professional success.” (https://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/Corporate-Responsibility/the-fellowship-initiative.htm)

On the trip, my group from Chicago joined the TFI groups from Los Angeles and New York. We toured Cape Town, learned about Nelson Mandela’s legacy over two nights in Robben Island prison and took a game drive in Kruger Park. We also had team challenges.

This trip taught me that every country has unique qualities. It taught me that not only are there other cultures that separate us, but people can connect in ways that we often don’t think of.

Going into another country you don’t know what to expect. Going into South Africa, I only knew so little about Nelson Mandela. I did not know the sacrifices in

prison he made and such a commitment and impact he made for South Africa.

Staying at the prison for a few nights made me feel a lot of different emotions. To see the conditions that the prisoners were in was shock-

ing. The fight that they pursued in the prison for their rights was a shock as well. We learned about other leaders in the prison that are not as well known today as Nelson Mandela. •

Brandon Williams (far right) travelled to South Africa with The Fellowship Initiative in July

Kirsten Gassman Michelle Cross

As part of his two-week trip, Brandon met activists in Cape Town Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned Kruger Park

Alderman Gilbert Villegas Star reporters cover the PCC Wellness open house Former LSC president Christopher Swanson

PCC Wellness administrator Toni Bush

Social worker Sandra Montes

Photo by Christhian Torres Photo by Frank Cabrera

Photos by Steven Nunez and Jessy Martinez,

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Past LSC student representatives and teachers brought up concerns

In both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years, students and teachers raised the issue of ending the school uniform with the principal and at the LSC meetings.

After Taft, Foreman, Clemente, Roosevelt and North Grand High Schools dropped their uniform requirement in 2014, LSC student representative Emily Santiago reported the story for the Star. She also analyzed uniform requirements along with school ratings and found that the best schools (at that time rated Level 1 or 2 on a 3 point scale) did not require uniforms.

Although the story laid out the facts, she said that the LSC was upset at the idea that there was a correlation. In addition, she said that when LSC parent members saw the story they were upset that their views weren’t presented. She invited them to write letters to the editor or to make comments on the online story.

In March 2016, student LSC representa-tive Emony Tate shared student opinions about the uniform policy in her student re-port, which she published in the March-April 2016 Star.

“Get rid of them,” she said. “Uniforms do not decrease violence. They do not lower the suspension rate.”

Teachers on the Professional Personnel Leadership Committee (PPLC) members discussed abolishing uniforms and just hav-ing a dress code policy when they met in the March and April of 2016.

6 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star News 6

Uniforms are rarity in areaBy Star staff

Unlike Steinmetz students, most students on the north side of Chicago who attend public high schools are not required to wear school uniforms.

The Star researched all the non-charter, non-military public high schools in Chicago located north of the Eisenhower Expressway, I 290.

No uniforms requiredAlcott, 2957 N. HoyneAmundsen, 5110 N. DamenCrane Medical, 2245 W. JacksonChicago Academy, 3400 N. AustinChicago Arts, 2714 W. AugustaClemente, 1147 N. WesternDeVry, 3300 N. CampbellDisney II, 3900 N. LawndaleForeman, 3235 N. LeClaireJones, 700 S. StateLake View, 4015 N. AshlandLane, 2501 W. AddisonLincoln Park, 2001 N. OrchardMather, 5835 N. LincolnNorth-Grand, 4338 W. WabansiaNorthside Learning Center, 3730 W. Bryn MawrNorthside College Prep, 5501 N. KedzieOgden, 1250 W. Erie, neighborhoodPayton, 1034 N. WellsProsser, 2148 N. LongRoosevelt, 3436 W. WilsonSchurz, 3601 N. MilwaukeeSenn, 5900 N. GlenwoodSullivan, 6631 N. BosworthTaft, 6530 W. Bryn MawrUplift, 900 W. WilsonVaughn, 4355 N. LinderVon Steuben, 5039 N. KimballWestinghouse, 3223 W. FranklinWells, 936 N. AshlandWhitney Young, 211 S. Laflin

The Taft High School principal and an LSC representative are quoted in the Nadig news-paper, Aug. 26 article below, giving the following reasons for Taft not requiring a uniform:

• Less restrictive policies bring a more college-like atmosphere to school• Gang problems no longer exist• No uniforms have improved school culture• Time is no longer spent on enforcing unnecessary rules• A uniform requirement is a deterrent to students choosing to attend the school• Taft encourages individuality and self-expression

Uniforms requiredAustin, 231 N. PineKelvyn Park, 4343 W. WrightwoodMarshall, 3250 W. AdamsOrr, 730 N. PulaskiAl Raby, 3545 W. FultonSteinmetz, 3030 N. Mobile •

Official reasons for uniformBy Agape Alfaro, Elise Guillen, Alina Qureshy, Jade Aguilar and Erika Carrasco

The Star interviewed the Steinmetz College Prep (SCP) princi-

pal, current Local School Council (LSC) president and teachers on the Profes-sional Personnel Leadership Committee (PPLC) in order to report the school’s reasons for the uniform.

Interview with Principal Stephen Ngo on Sept. 26

Star: Why did the uniform policy change?

Mr. Ngo: Because there was a feeling that old policy had become too lax and students weren’t adhering to it and adults weren’t en-forcing it.

Star: Why was the uniform policy imple-mented in the first place?

Mr. Ngo: The old uniform policy was a topic among LSC members and they wanted a more stringent and clear cut policy, because the old one was confusing.

Star: Why not drop it?Mr. Ngo: You shouldn’t just drop it be-

cause it’s not working. An overwhelming number of students are complying with the new policy. There are no complaints from teachers. Numerous teachers told me that they like the policy.

Star: What is your feeling?Mr. Ngo: There’s a higher level of attention

among the students.Star: Why is Santana the vendor selling

the shirts?Mr. Ngo: I don’t want to be in the shirt

selling business, I want to be in the education businesses. We lost $1.6 million from the school budget this year.

Star: What if a girl is on her period and stains her khakis?

Mr. Ngo: We’ve been taking it by a case by case basis so students can come to us about concerns.

Interview with LSC president The Star interviewed Vanessa Valentin a

few weeks after the September LSC meeting, where she had responded to students who spoke during public participation about the uniform.

She told the Star that the decision to change the uniform was made by previous LSC during the 2015-16 school year. She said she doesn’t know why they decided on khaki pants. Ms. Valentin’s father, Jose Quiles, was the LSC president last year.

Ms. Valentin said that the uniform feels safer because of the identification with other students. She said it saves money because it’s cheaper than buying designer clothes. It makes no fashion statement and there are no arguments with her son, she said.

“As a parent I support the uniform,” Ms. Valentin said.

She said having a uniform policy is not a big deal because other schools have uniforms. She said students’ voices matter and that the LSC needs connection with students. She said that she sees “students owning the uniform policy.” She said that students look great.

Ms. Valentin said that it hurts that stu-dents are so upset about uniform. A student called her a name one morning, she said.

“I’m supporting it to be a mom, not a bad person,” she said.

The Star asked Ms. Valentin about the Belmont Cragin business Santana selling the shirts.

Ms. Valentin said that it costs the school no money to require a uniform because Stein-metz is using a third party. She said she didn’t

know how much money Santana makes sell-ing the uniforms.

“After 13 shirts are bought, Santana gives back one to the school,” she said.

Ms. Valentin talked with reporter Jade Aguilar again on Oct. 20. At that time she gave Jade a long-sleeved uniform polo, a regu-lar short sleeve polo, a sweater and joggers, which Jade felt was very kind.

Ms. Valentin said she is here to work for the students, that students are her first prior-ity. She said she wanted to meet with students who had responded to the Star survey that they did not like the uniform. She said she was willing to meet with students in Room 122.

“I am not the uniform Nazi,” Ms. Valentin said. “I want to hear kids.”

Interview with vendor Joe SantanaThe owner of Santana’s, Joe Santana, told

the Star that he doesn’t make that much profit.He didn’t say how much money he made

on each shirt.“Last week I lost money,” he said. “I don’t

always make a profit.”

http://nadignewspapers.com/2016/08/26/sandals-sleeveless-shirts-allowed-as-taft-dress-code-gets-more-casual/.

LSC president Vanessa Valentin

Star editors with Principal Ngo

Continued from Page 7Students who need the Steinmetz polo buy it from Santana’s for $13.

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October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 7

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Overwhelming majority dislikes the polo/khakis uniform

Continued from Page 6 Teachers said that having no uniforms

would save money, free up discipline team resources, support a positive student climateand lead to better community perception.The group noted that most top rated schools do not have uniforms and uniforms are now perceived to be for the “bad” schools.

Discussion led to the suggestion of a sur-vey. Of 46 responses (teaching, counseling, PSRP, security) 61 percent were in favor of abolishing the uniform requirement.

Concerns secondary to contractAt the April 14 LSC meeting teacher

Michelle Mottram presented the PPLC in-formation. Ms. Valentin suggested the Par-ent Advisory Council could survey parents.

Mr. Quiles said that the uniforms do not have to come out of the school budget because they are working with a vendor that would supply uniforms on “consignment”. The vendor would sell uniforms directly to the students at orientation.

Mr. Quiles said a contract has already been signed with this vendor.

There was a discussion about who would pay for uniforms for students who could not afford them, forget to wear them, or transferred in.

Another parent on the council, Ms. Garcia, said there should be a zero toler-ance policy towards uniform; if you aren’t in uniform at the door you don’t come in.

There was much discussion about why the policy was enacted 16 years ago – gangs, bullying and security issues.

Mr. Quiles said the newly elected LSC could revisit the issue. •

Steinmetz LSC’s reasons for uniform, cont.

By Star staff

Of 690 students surveyed by the Steinmetz Star, only 25 said that the green polo and khaki

pants uniform is their preference (four percent of those surveyed). Ninety-six percent would prefer last year’s policy or no uniform requirement at all.

Star reporters distributed the Star uniform survey in dozens of English classes during the months of October. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and se-niors were asked their opinion.

The survey asked students which op-tion they preferred from three choices:

• The current uniform of green polo and khakis

• Last year’s uniform of any Stein-metz-themed shirt with a variety of pants

• No uniform requirementMore than half of Steinmetz’ 1,361

students were surveyed. (Source for en-rollment: CPS’ “find a school” website – http://cps.edu/schools/find_a_school/Pages/findaschool.aspx). •

The uniform policy is ‘absurd,’ students say Star reportercompelled to speak to LSCBy Jessy Martinez

I went to the Local School Council (LSC) meeting on September 14, 2016, as a photographer. I wasn’t

planning on speaking, but after I heard the other students and the council members speaking, I decided to speak up and express what I was feeling inside.

I had wanted to stay quiet for I was only a photographer covering that meet-ing for my journalism class. I tried to pay attention and understand the reasons why the school would change the uniform in the first place. I thought the LSC would prove me wrong; unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Before the meeting was over I had to speak up. I said, “Before the meeting ends I would like to talk for the people who have concerns and who couldn’t make it to today’s meeting.”

Principal Stephen Ngo said, “Go ahead. There was a time limit, but go on, we’ll hear you out.”

I said the following:If I can be honest, I feel that you guys

are just making decisions without thinking about the students.

I had trouble getting the uniform togeth-er. Some of us support ourselves. We don’t have mommy and daddy buying stuff for us.

I also know a lot of people who wanted to come to Steinmetz, but heard about the new policy and decided not to. They wanted a school with more freedom and apparently Steinmetz doesn’t offer that and it’s an issue. I heard that our school is missing students and that is an effect of this policy.

I do not agree with the uniform. We aren’t able to wear our club or program shirts. We should be able to express our-selves. It’s high school. We aren’t in middle school and we aren’t a charter school. Many schools around the neighborhood don’t have uniforms.

Then I honestly got mad and walked out.•

By Jessica Hernandez, Jasmine Milan, Iridian Lagunas, D’Angelo Wordlaw, Daysi Posadas, Erika Carrasco, Kinga Tarasiewicz, Aaron Borda

The uniform policy is the major topic students have been talking about since the

beginning of the year, and most of the talk has been negative.

After last year’s less demanding requirement, in which students could wear any Steinmetz-related shirt and pants of their choosing, the stricter policy came as a surprise. This year’s policy – khaki pants and a green uniform polo only – was announced on July 22 by robo-call and told to students at registration.

After nearly 10 weeks of school, students are still talking about it.“Forcing students to wear this uniform is absurd,” senior Ethan

Miranda said. Students don’t like the uniforms for the following reasons: • It’s costly to buy new shirts and pants.• Students prefer wearing clothes of their choice.• The pants get dirty easily; girls feel uncomfortable wearing

them on their period.• The pants and shirts are uncomfortable and difficult to fit right.• Uniforms take away from self-expression and team/club pride.• Most public high schools no longer require uniforms.• Students had no say in the new policy.• It’s a distraction for teachers and staff to have to enforce it.

ExpensiveMost students needed to spend money buying the uniform,

especially the pants.“Why make us buy pants when we already have some in our

closet?” senior Leinaliz Miranda said.

Most students already owned several pairs of other pants.

“I only owned one pair of khakis before the change, and also I had gone jean shopping in the beginning of the sum-mer for the sole purpose to have new pairs of jeans to wear around school, just to get the news a couple weeks later that we are unable to wear jeans,” senior Vanessa Tamayo said. “My friends and I were really annoyed, for we had to go shop-ping once again to buy khakis. I found that khakis were almost $10 more than a pair of jeans.”

Many sophomores, juniors and seniors had spent money on gray Steinmetz shirts and joggers in the past that now they are unable to wear.

“The old Steinmetz shirts are no longer any use to us and we spent a lot of money for them,” senior Jose Sevilla said.

“We are going to be out of school and all that money that we wasted on the uniform will not come back when we graduate,” senior Odaliz Renteria said. “If we use clothes that we have we could use them every day. It is a waste of money and hard for those who don’t have enough money.”

Clothes don’t fit or feel rightFor many people, the uniform doesn’t fit right. It’s a challenge

to find pants that fit and look as good as jeans.“People struggle to find khakis that they can actually fit, such

as me,” senior Ahmari Owens said.Some people also don’t like the size and feel of the polo shirts,

preferring t-shirts: “The polos are too big and uncomfy,” junior Jane Nero said.

Continued on Page 9

Students buy green polos at the beginning of the year from Santana’s.

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Many students spoke at the September and October Local School Council meetings about disliking the school uniform, espeially about the annoyance of wearing khakis everyday.

Christian Perez, Ivan Rico

Student LSC representative Crystal Roman

Emily Mercado

Jessy Martinez

8 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star News8

Small lunches lack flavor and variety

By Tyrek Gates and Lizeth Lopez

One of the biggest concerns of the presiden-tial election of Nov. 8, 2016, is what Don-ald Trump will do with undocumented

Americans.Many students were upset that Mr. Trump won

the election. In Chicago, 84 percent of voters chose Hilary Clinton; only 13 percent voted for Trump.

While many students saw Ms. Clinton’s flaws, they thought she was fit for the presidency because she is a hardworking and experienced, people per-son.

Many see Donald Trump as a racist, disrespect-ful, childish person, who is against people who are not the same as him. Undocumented students and those in families of immigrants are particularly worried.

For the past four years, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) had helped undocumented students.

DACA provides people who were brought to the United States as children with a work permit, eligibility for a Social Security number and protection from deportation. More than 700,000 people have obtained DACA, which needs to be re-

newed after two years. Not everyone is able to apply – because of all the requirements, and the cost of it, at $465, is a little high – but at least it was there for some people.

President Barak Obama began DACA in 2012. President-elect Trump has said he will end the program as part of his immigration plan.

See https://www.donaldjtrump.com/policies/immigration.“Since the election of Donald Trump, service providers and

community-based organizations report that immigrant com-munities are in a panic,” states the Immigrant Legal Resource

Center, www.ilrc.org. “President-elect Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric throughout the campaign has immigrant families worrying that they could be targeted, detained, deported.”

The ILRC encourages families to find out about their rights and options:

Many immigrant families are “mixed status” meaning there may be U.S. citizens, lawful perma-nent residents (green card holders) and undocu-mented family members all in the same family. The protections available and options to obtain immigration status will vary among families and among family members. Every undocumented immigrant should get an immigration “checkup”

at this point to find out what protections and options they may benefit from.

Students looking for immigration legal help could try Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, nijfon.org. The organization offers free legal help Humboldt Park United Methodist Church, 2120 N. Mozart St. Call 773-609-4401 to make an appointment or go to www.nijfon.org under “Need Help?” However, there is a six-nine month wait time for appointments.•

By Yael Gutierrez Santander and Ivan Navarrete

Alot of students criticize the food be-cause the lunchroom always has the same basic stuff on the menu.

Senior Johan Gonzalez said that he doesn’t enjoy lunch because he eats the same food ev-ery day -- pizza, burritos, chicken sandwiches and burgers.

“I’m always starving, so I eat it,” Johan said. “But I don’t like it.”

Other students bring their own food from home, but it’s hard for those who have to eat the school food.

“I was served a chicken patty that was really pink,” senior Jasmine Sanchez said. “I bit into it and gagged. I brought it back to the lunch line and said, ‘This isn’t cooked. This is prison food.’ The server said, “I don’t know what to do about it; bring your own food.”

Students want a good, healthy and filling lunch, but food portions are small, some say tiny when they are really hungry. For example, students get five chicken nuggets, if they’re lucky they get six, and that just simply isn’t enough.

“I wish the lunch portions would be big-ger,” lunchroom worker Stephanie Toney said. She said if her son came and got a piece of chicken and a biscuit it just wouldn’t be enough.

One thing many people don’t really know is that students can get two fruits or two veg-etables.

When asked to rate the food on a scale from 1-10, Ms. Toney said she would give it a 6. She feels that they should offer more seasoning.

”I’m for the kids,” she said. “My job is you.” A Star investigation in 2014 showed that

the Steinmetz food service staff does not have much choice about the food because of two main reasons:

• Federal guidelines, which limit salt, sugar and fat

• CPS’s contract with Aramark, which cre-ates the menus and provides the food. •

Lexi Rosch contributed to this story

Undocumented and new voters dismayed by Trump’s win

Coping with violence in the Austin neighborhoodContinued from Page 1

The freshman murdered on Sept. 17 was from Austin. His body was found in the 5500 block of West Cortez St.

An 18-year-old former Steinmetz stu-dent was killed on Feb. 4, 2016. He was shot in Austin, on the 5900 block of West LeMoyne St.

Senior Xavier Williamson spoke out about how his friend’s death changed him as an individual.

“It made me realize how real the streets is,” Xavier said. “How fast you can be with someone and the next day they gone. Makes you really appreciate life and cherish every moment when you’re with someone. Never be mad because you can wake up the next and they’re gone and you’re regretting the last conversation you had with the person.”

It’s hard losing friends, growing up in a tough city. It gives people a serious perspec-tive on life at a young age, being aware of the harsh reality of living in Chicago. Some endure the pain without showing their feel-ings or complaining.

Like many students from the Austin neighborhood, I have also lost friends. A friend I knew since the fourth grade, Jorge, was murdered on Feb. 10, 2015.

My close friend, who I considered a cousin, was murdered on July 3, 2013. He was shot in the head and back, murdered in the streets. I have kept a photograph of the crime scene where he died.

Shyiem Wesley, his cousin, said the mur-der has changed his life.

“His death had a big impact on me grow-ing up. I have to be more careful and watch out for myself,” Shyiem said. “His death made me want to take life more serious and get stuff done because I can die anytime soon.”

“Gun violence in Chicago is crazy, “ he added. “People think it’s cool to kill, but when one of the homies die, it’s a problem. I don’t know. Chicago is crazy – that’s why I moved [to Maywood], so I can have some type of peace.”

Why is Austin so dangerous?Politicians in Chicago spoke out about

the link between poverty and violent crime at a press conference on Nov. 28, after Con-gressman Danny Davis’ grandson was mur-dered in Englewood.

“Poverty is the worst form of weapon of mass destruction,” County Commissioner Richard Boykin said.

He said “unemployment levels not seen since the Great Depression” are the reason behind the murders in Chicago.

The poverty level is Austin is 27 percent,

higher than the Chicago average of 18.7. There are also higher rates of unemployment and people without high school diplomas in Austin than in most neighborhoods. The politicians demanded more federal, state, city and county funding for Austin and 10 other neighborhoods in Chicago with the highest crime rates.

At the press conference, however, politi-cians did not address what some consider the main reason for homicides – drug gangs.

Several Austin organizations are trying to work against gang activity.

Community organizations work to make a difference

Rev. John Crawford runs an organization in the Austin neighborhood, Faith INC. He has been running the organization for 20 years. Faith INC helps ex-felons obtain state IDs and other vital needs when they get out of jail.

“They need assistance,” Crawford said. He believes in equality for felons because it’s hard getting a job with a criminal back-ground.

“A person comes out of jail and he can’t get any type of job service. Not being able to have a job gives them a violent thought. They commit violent acts to survive,” he said.

Like all Austin residents, Crawford’s life has been touched by gun violence. He has a grandson named Malcolm, 16, who has a little crew of his own. Crawford explained how his grandson and his friends couldn’t walk down certain streets because the people who reside there don’t like them.

“We are living in a homemade casket. Police identifies black men as young thugs with sagging pants. What is the psychology of sagging? Because everyone does it. It’s a shame that these young brothers need to get out of this state of mind of killing each other,” he said.

The Peace Corner Youth Center, 5022 W Madison St., which attempts to create a sense of community for young people in

Austin as an alternative to gangs. “The number one impact we have on our

kids in the community is that we provide a safe place for our kids to learn and grow,” executive director Seth El-Jamal said.

The organization has a summer program, which takes up to 50 kids from 10 to 18 years of age, and also has a program during the school year that takes up to 100.

Program members participate in com-munity service projects in partnership with Austin Coming Together (ACT).

According to its website, the program’s mission is “to collaborate to improve educa-tion and economic development outcomes in Austin and build trust through effective communication, transparent operations and commitment to action.”

El-Jamal said community involvement is essential to a program’s success. “When you start, you need a community buy-in. In any community, investing time and holding meetings with all the stakeholders allow you to develop common goals and have an effect on the community,” he said.

He knows the program is having an effect on the neighborhood. To illustrate the pro-gram’s success, El-Jamal explained that one of his faculty who participated in The Peace Corner Youth Center program when he was 10 graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in finance in May 2016.

To live in a neighborhood filled with vio-lence and fear of death is seen as tragic but that’s just one part of Austin. What makes up the community are the activists, programs and the people living there.

Residents are tired of hearing about daily violence and the death toll rising in their neighborhoods. The Austin community has invested in its youth to make change and bring peace to the area.

Maybe one day, the gang members will put their guns down and strive to make change for their families and their commu-nities with the help of these organizations and many more out there. •

Senior Xavier Williamson’s friend, a former Steinmetz student, was shot and died in the Austin neighbor-hood. “It made me realize how real the streets are,” he said. Rev. John Crawford works with felons in getting their lives back on track. “We are living in a ‘homemade casket,’” he said.

Before the November election, teacher Debra Kern registered eligle voters, including senior Jasmine Milan.

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October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 9

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Continued from Page 7

Most people would prefer to wear clothes they like and that fit better.

“We as students need to feel comfortable to learn,” senior Izabella Kulik

“It is all about the look and image of the school,” senior Sylvia Madej said. “No one seems to care how the students actually feel in the uniforms, compared to how they look.”

When students only own a few pairs of pants and shirts, they have to do a lot of laundry,

“The uniform is stupid and ugly,” Jane Nero said. “Khakis cost a lot so some students can’t afford multiple pairs.”

Light colored pants are problematicKhaki pants are a light material, which can

be dirtied easier and can be a hassle, especially when you are a girl and have to deal with a menstrual cycle.

It is hard to get a stain off something as light such as khakis.

“We all have lunch and sometimes we just can’t avoid some stains of ketchup or any sauce, also chocolate milk,” Vanessa said. “Yes, it does leave a permanent stain and I have my khakis to prove it.”

Other students said ink stains show up more on khakis than on jeans.

Another reason girls don’t like wearing khakis is the possibility of bloodstains.

“We get our menstrual flow every month and if it’s heavy we have to be worried the whole entire day, checking if we aren’t stained,” senior Jennifer Cruz said. “It’s really frustrating and embarrassing for us.”

Many female students mentioned this worry.

“It has even lead me to think I’m better off not going to school for a few days each month to avoid this predicament,” Vanessa said.

Students are not allowed to express them-selves

Many students told the Star that they wish they had more self-expression.

“The uniform policy eliminates my free-dom of being able to express my personality,” sophomore Jay Ann Perez said. “I like wearing vibrant or neutral colors like bright yellow or maroon instead of boring green and beige khakis.”

While there was a requirement last year to wear a Steinmetz shirt, there was variety.

“The school lost its sense of originality,” Vanessa said.

“Though before we had to wear uniform shirts, we were more free. Not everyone had the exact same clothes. It just feels like we are being held by the neck with this uniform thing and I like to be free; everyone likes to be free to express themselves.”

This year Steinmetz does not allow athletes and club members to wear their shirts.

“I was proud to be a student at Steinmetz,” senior Evelyn Antolino said. “I play soccer. When we got our shirts and jackets, I wore them all the time. I was happy to show my shirt and say I’m from Steinmetz.”

While some school officials have asserted that students look good in the uniform, many students disagree.

“I feel it looks unappealing,” Izabella said. “I feel uncomfortable, like I’m in a prison. In prison everyone dresses the same; they com-mitted a crime so they have a punishment.”

Students have only been allowed out of uniform a few times during the first quarter – for the senior panoramic photo, spirit week and two special Friday celebrations of the Cubs and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Students were happy to wear clothing of their choice.

“Spirit Week was the first time I could breathe,” sophomore Jesus Cortez said.

Students had no say in thisThe new uniform policy change surprised

and angered many students. Over the summer students posted their reactions on Facebook.

“I got a call yesterday on my home phone saying that students are only allowed to wear polo shirts and khaki pants,” a junior wrote on July 22. “I was fine with last year’s uniform policy, but the fact that they’re making it more strict, along with no explanation, is what’s getting under my skin.”

Another student posted a GIF of one per-son attacking another. She wrote: “This will happen to every security and faculty member when they come at me enforcing the new school uniform policy.”

Uniform enforcement is unequal and a waste of time and effort for staff

Students don’t like being told what to do all the time. It’s also distraction for teachers and staff to have to enforce it.

In addition, teachers can’t enforce the pol-icy equally because it’s impossible to achieve 100 percent compliance.

Some students will not change when they are told, in spite of calls home and detentions and being yelled at. •

Students on uniforms: ‘Spirit Week was the first time I could breathe’

New choice of Scrabble Day adds to classic Spirit Week picks of pajama, black and white, green and silver, Hawaiian days

In addition to Spirit Week, students had two additional Fridays out of uni-form –as part of the volleyball team’s Think Pink fund raiser for breast can-cer and during the Chicago Cubs playoff run. The day after the Cubs won the World Series though, students were sent to 118 for wearing Cubs shirts.Photos by Jesus Cortez, Angel Chavez, Antonio Sanchez, Lexi Rosch, Christhian Torres, Ivan Navarrete and Jose Plaza

10 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star Homecoming10

October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 11

Star Homecoming 11On behalf of the Students of

Steinmetz College Prep. H.S.,

To the Steinmetz Alumni Association for sponsoring the Homecoming DJ!

THANK YOUSubmitted by AP Jaime Jaramillo

12 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star News12

Continued from Page 1Adriana started the petition on Friday,

Sept. 23. On Monday, Sept. 26, Principal Stephen

Ngo called her and junior Weronika Rybarska, one of the students who commented on the petition, out of class to talk to them. He told them that they don’t see the issue as a whole. To illustrate that, he took the two students to the roof of the school to show them that he is the only one to see all the issues.

Mr. Ngo said that when CPS cut the budget at Steinmetz, he had to layoff many teachers and others. In addition to closing the library position, he made cuts in the follow-ing departments: administration, counseling, special education and social studies.

Mr. Ngo told the Star that he misses Ms. Eshoo. He said that the library is open to students, the same as last year. He said that teachers also still have access to use the library for their classes.

“Nothing is better than having Ms. Eshoo back,” he said, “But many CPS high schools have closed these positions as well because of financial limitations.”

Adriana and other students said Ms. Eshoo was important; she gave the time and effort to help students with any help they needed in their classes and with their plans for the future.

“When future students come to Steinmetz, a school that is supposed to help you prepare for college and have ready college students, they will not find the help they need because Steinmetz no longer has the appropriate re-sources to help students be college ready,” Adriana said.

Testimony at LSC meetingsMs. Eshoo advocated for the students at the

Sept. 14 Local School Council (LSC) meet-ing. “Our students deserve a library,” she said.

Adriana’s petition noted how important Ms. Eshoo is to the staffing of the library:

“Having the library open without a librar-ian is like having a hospital without doctors,” the petition states.

Mr. Ngo responded at the September LSC meeting that he is “losing sleep” over his layoff of Ms. Eshoo.

Adriana shared her petition and spoke up at the Oct. 14 Local School Council (LSC) meeting about the bad effects of not having librarian Ms. Eshoo.

Several other students spoke, too.

“Ms. Eshoo was the heart of the school, and without a heart you can’t live,” sophomore Luis Huerta said.

In addition to students Adriana, Luis, this reporter and Delanie Preston’s testimony, teacher Sharon Schmidt also spoke.

“Bernie Eshoo should not have been cut,” Ms. Schmidt said. “She served every single stu-dent in the building by providing expertise in the library, coordinating service learning and working closely with the MYP/IB students.

“She also served all the teachers at Stein-metz as our union delegate. She serves active union members and retirees throughout Chi-cago as a trustee to both the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.

“Laying off Bernie was the wrong decision. Mr. Ngo can find other places in the budget to cut and hire her back. She is too important to cut.”

Appeal to networkAdriana followed up the October LSC

meeting with the following letter to the Net-work 3 Chief of Schools, Randal Josserand, on Nov. 7:

Dear Mr. Josserand,My name is Adriana Cortes. I am currently

a senior at Steinmetz College Prep High School. You attended our last Local School Council meet-ing to inform us about our school rating and the need for improvement in several metrics that determine our score. I am following up with you regarding our concerns about the closing of our library and subsequent loss of our beloved librarian, Ms. Bernie Eshoo, because I feel that these two issues are one and the same.

I am writing to submit a formal request for you to assist us in our urgent efforts to reinstate Ms. Bernie Eshoo as librarian at Steinmetz Col-lege Prep High School. At the LSC meeting, you informed us that the network has the final approval in our school’s budget as well as provid-ing us with intensive support to meet our SQRP goals to achieve a 2+ or better school rating. We strongly believe that a college prep high school should have all the basic resources available to its students, and as you probably agree, there really is nothing more fundamental and necessary than to have a fully functioning library with librarian to assist all students in their academic endeavors.

Although this is an emotional issue for so many of us, setting that aside, please allow me to articulate the practical and logical reasons for you to join our important educational cause.

If we were to break down the reasons for which Steinmetz did not achieve the number of points needed to move from a school rating of 2, it can be argued that the library and librarian play an essential role in giving the students and staff the tools needed in order to gain the grounds needed for improvement.

1. My Voice, My School Survey. Ms. Eshoo provided services to both faculty and student body that go far beyond her normal duties. The below is an incomplete list of the many things of which she is an integral part.

• Morale (both student and staff)• Loss of mentor, advisor, colleague, resource, • Safe haven• Academic resource• Chaperone, volunteer• School spirit• Field trip organizer• MIKVA• Service learning• CAS• Grants• QuestiaMany elements of this survey can be directly

addressed and influenced by the presence of our amazing, dedicated librarian. Among staff mem-bers, morale has been negatively affected by the loss of Ms. Eshoo. Among students, Ms. Eshoo provided a safe haven for many students who had no one or no place to turn to for refuge.

1. Test scores and post-secondary (helped IB students meet that metric)

2. Recruiting purposes (Library was one of the sites on display for all visitors in addition to the availability of carefully selected academic resources.)

3. Graduation requirements4. College application assistance5. The intangibles ... Unlike other staff

members, Ms. Eshoo has the ability to impact every student at SCP. She makes herself and the library available before and after school and rarely closes for lunch. For many of our students lacking computers and printers at home, the library is a place for them to have equal access to technology and resources.

I understand that there are budget constraints to be considered, however, we must also consider the costs to benefits ratio. As you can see, Ms. Eshoo brings so much to Steinmetz. She does the work of several people and she also represents the heart of our school. You already may know that Ms. Eshoo had volunteered to reduce her salary to work in a part-time position. The school can

also bring her back as a reassigned teacher or a cadre. It did not take much for me to find out that there are ways to bring her back.

Lastly, please take a closer look at the peti-tion I started on change.org. We collected 724 signatures from current and former students, teachers, staff, etc. Even some aldermen signed in support of our cause. The comments say it all. Here is the link to the petition: https://www.change.org/p/stephen-ngo-help-bring-back-our-beloved-school-librarian

I hope you will seriously consider this request and help us reopen our library with our librarian back where she belongs. As our network chief, you have the power to assist us in this endeavor. I am only asking for that which will only benefit this school. With Ms. Eshoo’s return, our school rating has great potential for improvement. Without her, I fear for next year’s scores. This is my last year at Steinmetz. I have great pride and love for my school. I deserve all that a college prep school has to offer. And so do all the students that will follow after me. Please reinstate Ms. Eshoo.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Network responseMr. Josserand’s reply of Nov. 17 follows:Dear Ms. Cortes, Thank you for your e-mail, and the letter I

received Tuesday. I’m sorry for the delay in my response, but I am waiting for a meeting with the LSC Chair and PrincipalNgo to gather back-ground information into the rational behind the original decisions in the current budget. Making budget and investment decisions are among the most difficult for school leaders to make. This is especially true in an environment of limited and declining resources. The financial situation in the district is unquestionably a challenge, but it is considerably compounded at Steinmetz by our declining enrollment. I say that not to make an excuse, but to underscore how challenging the decisions are to make for school leaders. Everyone wants to ensure we have the very best educational environment possible, and I hear you simply reinforcing that desire on behalf of your peers as a leader in the school. Right now, the priorities have been set in the budget through a process that involved school community input and approval by the elected LSC. It’s not impossible to change those, but moving something up as a priority will necessitate moving something else down.

I did want to respond so you know I have received your correspondence, and do hear you. I’m looking into it, and will respond. •

Adriana Cortes shares her petition with the LSC on Oct. 14. Principal Stephen Ngo, senior Delanie PrestonLibrarian Bernie Eshoo

Students campaign to bring back librarian Bernie Eshoo

Take note of this band teacherBy Ryan Allibone

Joshua Hasken wanted to be a band teacher since he was in the 6th grade. He also had more inspiration to become a band teacher from his own high school band teacher whom he saw

as a mentor and role model. Most times in class you’ll see him playing the trumpet with his

students but he also enjoys playing guitar. He’s a part of a Spanish rock band where he plays the bass.

”It’s really fun, anew experience for me,” he said. “It’s pretty easy to sit back there and play bass and just chill, so it’s a good way for me to relax during the week.”

He has taught here since March of 2014, and he was quite lucky to receive this job since he was looking for a job mid-semester, which isn’t the most opportune time to be job hunting.

Although he has stress on the job, because in the Chicago public schools teachers have to worry about cuts, especially in a subject like music, he enjoys the environment.

“My job is really fun and I get to coach,” Mr. Hasken said. “I like the kids.”

Mr. Hasken originally started coaching because he has played sports his whole life and Principal Stephen Ngo was in need of coaches.

“It’s a good way to meet kids outside of the classroom so they don’t just see you as a mean, old teacher,” he said.

Mr. Hasken coaches soccer and basketball. He has hosted talent shows. He said he’d be interested in working with the Gaming Club or offering a Guitar Club.

When asked if there was anything else, Mr. Hasken said, “Just that I’m the best, greatest, coolest teacher ever, but you knew that already,” a statement with which many students agree. •Josh Hasken, Karena Childs

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October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 13

Star News 13

By Elise Guillen

Juniors in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program went on a field trip to the University of Chicago on Nov. 17 to experience a college campus and learn from Neil

Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish, a book they’ve studied in their biology class with teacher Dorota Ochwat.

The students first become familiar with Your Inner Fish when Ms. Ochwat assigned it to read over summer. The class continued to study the book as it went hand-and-hand with lessons on evolution.

Dr. Shubin is a paleontologist who became famous due to his discovery of a fossil named Tiktaalik. His book discusses human origins and how humans have evolved from fish, hence the title, Your Inner Fish.

In Your Inner Fish, Dr. Shubin writes about his life as a student and the many expeditions he has gone on to find the fossil that shows the transition of fish to land-living animals. The fossil Tiktaalik was so important because it would be able to show a similar arm structure that humans have.

The book uses branches of biology like paleontology and embryology to explain human origins. Dr. Shubin’s explains this by using scientific discoveries and his own personal learn-ing and experiences to help the reader understand evolution better and develop a genuine interest on the material. Many IB students enjoyed the book and recommend it for people to get a better understanding and a new perspective on the origin of humans.

Your Inner Fish has become a big part of the IB juniors learning this new school year, so when Ms. Ochwat announced that they would be able to see and talk to Neil Shubin in his laboratory in the University of Chicago, it was a big deal. When asked by some students how this was even possible Ms. Ochwat said, “Oh, I am a horrible person. I wouldn’t stop bothering him with my e-mails about if it was possible to see him.”

Students disagreed with Ms. Ochwat’s statement that she was awful; she is dedicated for making it happen. Anyone who knows her knows how hard-working and loving she is.

On the day of the field trip, many students were very ex-cited. The field trip meant seeing the University of Chicago, which is a very prestigious school with only a 7.6 percent acceptance rate.

Upon arrival, students were in awe of the beautiful campus. The students were then able to go on a tour and see a large part of the campus while learning what the school offers and the history of University of Chicago. It was the perfect day to tour a campus due to the 70° weather in the middle of November.

The tour guides were students attending University of Chicago and they gave an insight to the IB juniors on what it’s like to be a college student. The tour guides were very helpful by answering some questions and by reminding students that

college is not that far away for the juniors and it should, hope-fully, be on their minds. Many students felt inspired and some even felt like University of Chicago was the school for them.

“Wow, I can really see myself here,” junior Alina Qureshy said

After the tour, the class went to Dr. Shubin’s laboratory. It was a surreal moment for some students when he appeared suddenly from around the corner of the campus. The students all said “hello” and then a few students offered him some gifts from the class. Junior Marcos Estrada gave him framed artwork that he created, then the whole IB class took a few pictures with him. He proceeded to take the first group to the lab since it wasn’t big enough to take the whole class.

The students were able to see the lab and get the experience of what goes on there. Two people from the lab explained to students of what goes on in the lab and what they’re currently working on. The laboratory was small, but there is big stuff going on there. The people explained that mostly scientists were working there but there was a few college and even high-school students working there and the opportunity is open for anyone who is seriously interested.

Dr. Shubin showed the students into his room where there was a cast of the fossil Tiktaalik. While students passed around the cast carefully, Shubin spoke about Tiktaalik and what it’s like being a paleontologist. The students could really see his passion for what he does for a living.

A big moment of the discussion came when he took out a part of the actual fossil of Tiktaalik, one that was carefully sealed in a small box due to it being 375- million -years- old. Dr. Shubin warned the students to be extremely careful while handling it and to use both hands while holding it.

It was truly bizarre to the students who were mostly 16 or 17- years- old to hold on to something that existed long before them, something that was once alive, something that required hard work to acquire, something that was just so important and special to many scientists.

“Man, I feel great,” junior Ezra Chavez said. “I just held a 375-million-year-old fossil!”

Dr. Shubin then answered questions that the students had like, “What did you want to be when you were growing up?” He said he always wanted to discover the world and learn much about it.

He inspired the students to continue having curious minds when he announced that he was going on yet another expedi-tion the following week.

Many of the students reported to have loved the field trip. It was cool for them to see a college campus, a laboratory and a 375- million-year-old fossil. The IB juniors left University of Chicago feeling very content and inspired, many reported that they will always remember this field trip as one of their best educational experiences. •

Paleontologist and author Neil Shubin inspires IB students

Hard work and friends in MYP/IB

From the November 2016 Principal’s newsletter

Because of teach-er Gina

Szulkowski’s impressive “personal qualities, teaching methods, collaboration with colleagues and art advocacy,” the Illinois Art Edu-cation Association chose her to be the Secondary Art Educator of the Year.

“My journey as an educator is about assessing the needs of my students and school community and finding ways to fill those needs, from murals to mosaics, from dances to graduations,” Ms. Szulkowski said. “My students are special people and deserve for me to do the best job I can possibly do.”

Ms. Szulkowski is a National Board Certified Educator. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts and Art Education Degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chi-cago, and has taught visual arts at Stein-metz since 1993. Her artwork has been featured in local galleries and art walks. •

Information shared by IB Coordinator Nancyanne Ferrarini

One hundred per-cent of the IB Diploma Class

of 2016 hit the metric on the performance plicy of passing one or more IB exam.

Nine students earned the IB Diploma in May 2016, which was nearly half the class.

Earning the IB Di-ploma is a great accomplishment. It acknowledges that the student has excelled in seven college-level courses including Theory of Knowledge, which is similar to a college level philosophy course.

The students sit for examina-tions over a three week period in May. Some subjects have as many as three different exams that are required.

On a practical sense, the IB Diploma acknowledges that a student has perseverance to com-plete a rigorous program that re-

quires him or her to take advanced classes even in those subjects that are difficult, and that the student has good reading, writing, time management and study skills too.

In addition, the Diploma rec-ognizes that the student in an in-dependent learner and is naturally curious and inquisitive.

The IB Diploma recipients are Stephanie Alonso, Alejandro Alonzo, Karen Bahena, Javier Del-gado, Magda Hernandez, Zaneta Marcinik, Jose Padilla, Alec Reyes, Yesenia Urquiza.. •

Ms. S, Illinois Art Teacher of the Year

By Aaron Borda

When people hear about the Middle Years and In-ternational Baccalaureate program (MYP/IB), they think of bright kids, hard work and a serious lack

of fun. That’s not entirely wrong, but it also doesn’t do the program justice.

From my time in IB, I can promise you there are definitely lengthy essays in need of typing and mountains of homework that need finishing, but there are also a plethora of laughs to be had, friends to be made and wonderful moments to be experienced

One going on right now is the MYP Personal Projects. As the name would suggest, the goal of the endeavour is to pursue a passion or interest you have and eventually demonstrate your growth in it.

MYP sophomore Erika Carrasco is doing makeup, with the intention of showing off five different styles in a portfolio at the end of it all. Other sophomores are doing sewing, weight loss and language study, as well as much more.

Everyone gets a mentor to check in with and guide them through the process. teacher Molly Zinchuk is helping Erika.

Just out of curiosity, I asked what the experience in MYP was like compared to when I was in. Erika said the workload is really big. They’re reading The Crucible in English with teacher Neha Jotwani and everyone’s time management is awful.

Nothing different there than when I was in. It’s interesting to see how rigid and rigorous the classes are between the years. Still, what you get out of it is totally worth it. •

IB diplomas awarded

Photo by Steven Nunez

IB juniors meet author Neil Shubin at the University of Chicago

Zaneta Marcinik was one of nine students who earned an IB Diploma last year. She also graduated third in the Class of 2016 and was a Star co-editor-in-chief. Zaneta is enrolled in an honors engineering program at Wright College, after which she’ll transfer to the U. of Illinois.

Gina Szulkowski

14 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

14

Extra curricular activities available for fun, food and learningStar News

By Millie Martinez

Cubing Club recently started and is looking for anyone with any

knowledge on how to solve complex cubes or anyone will-ing to learn how to solve one.

The club meets on Mon-days in the library and is sponsored by teacher Nancy-anne Ferririni.

Junior Jonathan Ogden started the club.

He is always competing with his friends on who can

solve a cube with the fastest time.

“Just cubing with friends became very dull for me, and I noticed most of my friends started to lose interest as well, which is why with the club. I really think I could bring the interest of cubing back,” he said.

The cubing club is in its start-up stage looking for peo-ple who are willing to learn. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends and develop a new interest.•

By Jesus Cortez

Anime club meets on Thurs-days in the library. Come to enjoy your favorite

shows and meet other members.Anime club was a really great

time for me last year. That’s why as the club’s new vice president, I hope to make the anime club great this year.

Learn more by talking to fac-ulty sponsor Renato Roldan.•

Medical Careers Club meets the first Wednesday of every month at 4:30 in the PCC Community Wellness Center.

Students wondering what it’s like to work as a doctor, physician assistant, nurse, ultrasound or lab technician, pharmacist, speech language, occupational or physical therapist, social worker, or Emergency Medical Technician will have the opportunity to hear from these professionals.

The next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 7. Dentist Carla DeLaFuente Moreno will be speaking. Snacks will be provided. •

By Ryan Allibone

When looking upon our school from the outside, it seems as though Stein-

metz has very few things going for it academically. We do have the In-ternational Baccualarette (IB), Ad-vanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes, but despite that, Steinmetz is seen as a school that does very poorly in academic respects.

However, we have the oppor-tunity to change that perception through Academic Decathlon.

Students who participate in Aca-demic Decathlon have the chance to learn about a multitude of sub-jects – science, social science, eco-nomics, math, literature, art and music – in a certain time period or place. Past subjects have included Cuba, India and WWI. This year’s focus is WWII.

Students in Academic Decathlon choose to learn as much as possible. They study after school and before school to prepare for competition in January. Teacher Davoud Davoud Chitsaztehrani sponsors the club and many other teachers help out.

Unfortunately, new members are no longer able to join this year’s team, but freshmen, sophomores and juniors can think about it for next year. •

By Jose Plaza

Gaming club was a very fun and peaceful place to go after school on Mondays. This year, because teacher James Solomon got

laid off, we’re down one teacher.The club was a place to go when you needed to

have fun, but it seems we might not have it this year if we don’t get another teacher to help out.

“We need someone to help out with the club,” teacher David Gonzalez said. “If any teachers are interested, please notify me right away.”

He wants to change things up this year and do themed months, for example “retro month.”

We need your help, teachers. Please contact Mr. Gonzalez if interested in helping out. Stu-dents, please spread the word to help out also. We need this club to come back.•

By Jamara McGarry

Poetry Club has been an ongoing club for many years. Hip-Hop art-ists, songwriters and, of course, poets

are always welcome. Every year our team competes in a po-

etry slam called Louder Than A Bomb. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 203 while our new room is underway.

Teachers James Sloan and Jon Hood sponsor the club.•

By Jessica Hernandez

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) meets every other Friday in room 400. Everyone is

welcome to come to a meeting. Our next meeting is Friday,

Dec. 9 with sponsors Marie Chap-arro and Beth Zaluba.

We discuss many things includ-ing issues in the LGBTQ commu-nity and our own personal stories. Everything we discuss stays be-tween us and no one will judge. •

By Elise Guillen

National Honor Society (NHS) is an elite organization for recognizing students who represent character-

istics of service, leadership, scholarship and character.

Teacher Elizabeth Perez is the sponsor of National Honor Society and is a part of the selection NHS members, which occurs in the spring.

NHS members voted in October for new officers for this school year.

President: Delanie Preston Vice President: Adriana Cortes Service: Alex Paszkowski, Sylvia Madej Secretary: Ryan Allibone Ten NHS members led the Freshman

Town Hall on Nov. 17, giving advice.“I thought it was a success in showing

how students really find their home at Steinmetz,” Ms. Perez said.

The next meeting for NHS members is Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. •

Anime Club Poetry Club

Medical Careers Club

(NHS) National Honors Society

Cubing Club GSA Academic Decathlon

Gaming Club needs a sponsor

Recycling Club:Next issue

GSA celebrated national Spirit Day on Oct. 20, a day to stand against LGBTQ bullying.

Junior Julissa Tello (at the June induction reception with her mom and sister) was part of the Nov. 17, NHS-led freshman townhall.

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Anime Club meets on Thursdays

Medical Careers Club will meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Millie Martinez, Jonathan Ogden

October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 15

Star Arts & Entertainment 1 5

Academic Decathlon

By Stephanie Gonzalez

The graduating Class of 2017 had their first senior event on Oct. 8 at Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois.

It took two hours from the school to Richardson Farm. The seniors arrived at 7 p.m. ready to begin the maze. They got wristbands and separated in groups to begin the maze.

Richchardson Farm was a change of scenery from the city, with no skyscrapers or street lights. Instead, the maze was dark and filled with corn stocks, as if it was something out of a horror movie. The only thing that would lighten the area was the moonlight.

The seniors were given a map of the maze with checkpoints that could be found throughout. Sadly,

my group only got five checkpoints out of many more.

If students did not want to participate in the maze, there were other options including zip lining, slides, trampolines, pumpkin patches, pig races and a mini petting zoo.

The event ended with a bonfire. The night was perfect and the fire warmed everyone up. Seniors cooked hotdogs and s’mores.

The corn maze event was a great way to bring everyone together and have one more amazing memory out of many more to come. •

By Vinnie Rivera

For the past year I’ve had the best luck

ever. So far, I’ve won tickets on the radio over 15 times.

I’ve seen Ari-ana Grande, Selena Gomez, Meghan Trainor, Fifth Harmony, Mike Posner, DNCE and many more. I even got to meet some of them.

You can win tickets from B96 or 103.5 Kiss FM or just any radio station you like. What I do is call call and call. I never give up, even if it’s exhausting or I’m feeling hopeless.

I keep calling. I’ve called over 200 times before in five minutes.

When I get the caller number, I go insane and scream my lungs out on the phone in excitement because it’s free, and who doesn’t love free things? •

By Ryan Allibone

Stranger Things is a Netflix

original series that premiered over the summer and instantly became a big hit. It’s an eight episode season about three kids searching for their kidnapped friend with the help of a strange girl who seems to know more than she lets on.

Each episode is only about 45 minutes in length so you could definitely binge watch the whole season within a day. The show was recommended to me by some of my

close friends and I have zero regrets about watching it.

I would most definitely recommend you guys to watch it and make sure to watch season two which is coming out sometime next year. •

By Ivan Navarrete

The Walking Dead is an amazing show. If you haven’t watched it I sug-

gest you do. I used to think it was lame

and I didn’t like hearing about it all over the place, but I was bored one day and had nothing else to watch so I gave it a shot. I was hooked right from the start and I needed to know what was going to happen next.

I watched all six seasons in three weeks and I wasn’t disappointed. The beginning of the 7th season was one, if not the most, intense episode of the series. It was brutal,

heartbreaking, and just a rollercoaster of emotions.

If you like to be on the edge of your seat, but also love to be relaxed and hopeful, this is a show for you. •

Senior events, like the corn maze, bring Class of ‘17 together

By Evelyn Antolino

I saw the most amazing con-cert by Blink-182 at Tin-ley Park Hollywood Am-

phitheater on Sept. 9. A Day To Remember and DJ Spider opened.

I waited for about two hours. From the moment I stood in line I heard fans going crazy, singing and screaming their love for them. As soon as we heard the intro, fans were on their feet never sitting down. I was there with one of my friends Javier and just like me he shares the same amount of love for this band.

They sang their most famous songs like “All The Small Things,” “Drown” and “She’s Out Of Her Mind.”

I loved every second, from when Travis

had an amazing drum solo to Matt’s guitar riffs and vocals.

It got my blood pumping and adrena-line going. Blink-182 is an old pop, punk band, yet they never disappoint with their music and instrumental skills. Overall, I had a blast and would definitely recommend seeing them.•

By Jennifer Cloud

In all my years of watching American Horror Story I missed only two shows: The first, “In the House,” and the fourth, “The Freak Show.”I’ve come to love the show. In my opinion, Season Six

started off pretty strange and over time continued to be, but that’s always been expected when we watch it over the seasons.

American Horror Story features a married couple looking to start their life over after losing their unborn baby. They move to North Carolina and buy a creepy house surrounded by trees and strange pig noises all night long.

They continue to be terrorized by a butcher lady, strange animals and a mob. And through the kidnapping of the hus-

band’s sister’s daughter, we now know about a little girl named Priscilla who influences the kidnapping.

The new season has many returning cast members such as Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Wes Bentley and the dreamy Evan Peters finally making his debut in the sixth episode.

As each week goes on, they had the actors all come back to the house and relive everything they’ve gone through and everyone who ever died in the house starts showing up and terrorizing them, from the crazed Polks, the butcher, the nurses, everyone starts to die except one person in the end survives.•

Winning concert tickets is great Amazing concert by Blink-182

Highly recommended show You’ll be hooked

Season 6 of American Horror Story is worth the wait

The next senior event is Friday, Dec. 2. Seniors will decorating the front foyer and

Christmas tree, and watching a holiday movie. See Ms. Russo with questions.

16 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star Arts & Entertainment16

By Aileen Carreto

Insane is one of the many words to describe the music festival organized

by Chicago native, Chance the Rapper. His “Magnifi-cent Coloring Day” on Sep-tember 24, was filled with so much emotion and posi-tive vibes all around. It was a good way to forget about your problems and reality for a day.

The lineup was amazing: Francis and the Lights, Lil Uzi Vert, Kanye West, Ty-ler the

Creator, John Legend, ColleGrove, Alicia Keys, Chance the rapper, and Skrillex were all full of en-ergy.

Chance gave back to our community, to our beloved city in an incredible way. The fact that Chicago had more murders in eight months of 2016 than all of last year is upsetting and terrifying. This festival brought love to Chicago and all its natives; it showed something positive coming from our city. It shakes off that bad image our city has.

The rapper Common performed his song “Glory” featuring John Legend and had everybody in the crowd raise their hands up to form a fist. The song “Glory” appears on the movie “Selma” and talks about the civil rights movement and the struggles from it.

While the crowd had their firsts up in the air Common said something along the lines of “Justice for Laquan McDonald and Rekia Boyd!” both young African-Americans and were shot by an officer and

an off-duty detective from the Chicago Police. ColleGrove, the duo group involving rappers Lil

Wayne and 2 Chainz, also mentioned how it was a good feeling to be in there having a great time instead of out where all the violence was occurring. They were getting out to the crowd how the festival was positive all around. Magnificent Coloring Day was a day to forget about all the violence the city has: it was an eye-opening event.

My experience in this festival was phenomenal and I would love to go to another festival organized by Chance because he has such a creative mind. Chance is leading our city into better things and his attitude is so uplifting.

I couldn’t stay still for most of the event because I felt so care-free and full of energy, especially once Kanye West came out as a special guest.

My best friend and I were just waiting for Young Thug to come out since he was next and then we hear “Father Stretch My Hands Pt.1” and I thought it was just the song playing, but then Kanye comes out and I’ve never gotten up and out of my seat so fast.

Before the festival started I was thinking how crazy it was that Kanye wasn’t listed there because why wouldn’t he show up to the first music festival taking place on the southside of Chicago, especially one that Chance organized?

The whole day I forgot about all my worries and was just living it up. This was definitely

one the highlights of the year. Magnificent Color-ing Day was everything people were saying it would be. It was a big moment for Chicago.•

By Taylor Montero

Chance The Rap-per, a 23 year old artist from the

south side of Chicago, made Magnificent Col-oring Day possible. He hosted the concert at the U.S Cellular Field on Sept. 24..

Although it was a bummer that Young Thug was late for his 2:40 p.m. performance, resulting in him being bumped out of the lineup, Chance saved the show by making a surprise entrance with Kanye West performing “Ultralight Beam.”

Considering my love for Chance and his mu-sic, MCD (Magnificent Coloring Day) has by far been the best concert I’ve attended.

The lineup included Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, John Legend, 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, Skrillex and Young Thug, and it couldn’t have gotten any better. It was a perfect mixture of heartfelt and ‘turn up’ music.•

By Antonio Sanchez

If you take a quick look at movies from 2016, and exclude sequels, adaptations, remakes, reboots or based on a true story, you don’t get much. I’m not saying that some of the non-originals aren’t good. Look

at Deadpool, a smash hit with audiences and critics. But the ques-tion I’m trying to dive into is – are we at fault for no more original films? As the viewers, we seem to prefer adaptations, whether it be from comic books or novels.

This trend has been developing since the early 2000s. In 2000 through 2003, a lot of Hollywood big franchises just started out, like Harry Potter. Harry Potter has gained a massive audience with eight movies and a spin off that just came out.

Now whose fault is it? The answer is, well, us the viewers. Box office is what makes or breaks a movie. It’s the number of

tickets sold for the public commonly associated with movies. If the movie is absolutely horrible, but makes more than it spends on making the film, then it’s a success.

If you take a quick peek at highest grossing movies for 2015 and 2016 almost all of them aren’t original screenplays. Nowadays, it’s hard to sell something that is competing with a movie that has a big ol Pixar Logo slap on there.

It’s hard to establish a new story to audience where in the next movie theater its premiering one with characters that we already know about and want to hear more about.

With every new generation there comes one that hasn’t heard of Magnificent Seven so Hollywood comes out with a remake with familiar cast and a more modern take on the film. Take note that I don’t hate these new films that aren’t original. I’m only concerned with upcoming screenwriters who have innovating ideas only to be overshadowed by the new Spider Man movie. •

Chance the Rapper hosts magnificient music festival

Remakes overshadow original films

Photo by Aileen Carreto

Star editors Ashley Komperda and Alejandro Hernandez brought fa-mous graduate Hannibal Buress back to Steinmetz. Since the June 15 event, Mr. Buress speaks of the event in some of his stand-up routines.

Transcription of Hannibal Burress’ June 15, 2016, commencement address

Thanks a lot. Excited to be here, even though you took some

of my material. That’s what I was going to say: “Do anything if you get passionate. I had a 1.9 GPA.”

It’s good to be here. The school is way nicer than it was when I was here. It’s very nice. Way more people got scholarships. This is a better, this is a smarter class than my class. In my class there were two scholarships and both of them were to Wright College.

I remember the first day that I walked into this build-ing. It was the day after I got kicked out of Whitney Young. They say, “You live in this area, you go to Stein-metz.” They sent a letter saying, “You go to Steinmetz.” I didn’t pick it. It’s a nice place. I enjoyed my time here.

I was honored when the students asked me and Mr. Ngo reached out about me doing the speech. And one of the first things he said was, “You know the situation with the Chicago Public Schools, so we won’t be able to pay you.” I said, “Don’t worry about it. I don’t want to be paid.” Even if I was paid, Rahm Emanuel would probably figure out a way to put it on my parents’ property taxes.

Side note: How’d he get a second term? How’d he get a second term? You know why he got a second term. Here’s my theory. (I’ll get back to the speech.) I think it’s cause the other guy’s name was Chuy. Chicago wasn’t ready to have a mayor named Chuy. You could go to Waukegan with a name Chuy. But I think Chicago wasn’t ready for a Chuy. I think he should have run on his real name, Jesus. His real name is Jesus. He should have been Jesus. I’d be Jesus over Chuy. Second term you say, “Hey guys, I’m gonna tell you something. My name is Chuy.” “Alright, cool, Chuy. You did a good job.”

All right. Listen. I’m not here to give like a – I’ll be sort of motivational and sort of real. I’m not gonna be like “You can do anything you want to do.” Ah. You can do most of the things you want to do. Keep it sort of realistic. Most of us aren’t gonna be in the NBA, you

know. None of us are playing for the Bulls next season. So, keep it reasonable. You can start your own company, stuff like that. You can do most of the things. That “anything stuff” that’s unrealistic and I’m not here for that at all.

As he said, I had a 1.9 GPA, which I didn’t even know you could graduate with. What is that? What is a 1.9? I think I was whatever the opposite of a valedictorian was, but a solid ACT score and we went from there, man.

But yeah. What do I want to say? Congratulations. Good luck with stuff. Just cause, I know some of you were probably horrible students like I was, doesn’t mean you’ll be horrible in life. Definitely find something you’re passionate about and have fun with it and try to work hard at it and enjoy life. I’ve been doing comedy for 14 years. When I first started some people said, “You are horrible at comedy. You shouldn’t do this.” And I was like “I’m still gonna do it,” and I had a lot of fun of doing it.

And so, go forth with whatever you’re gonna do, going to college or working at Whole Foods. Some of us are gonna work at Whole Foods. Some people have to work at Whole Foods. I don’t wanna go to an empty Whole Foods. Just do it and be passionate and have fun. Listen: Donald Trump is almost president. So, really anything is possible in this world.

Good luck and congratulations on this. There’s a lot of work to do. It’s gonna be weird; you’re gonna be kind of upset when you have to pay taxes and grown up stuff like that. So, enjoy this time and enjoy this moment.

And thanks a lot for having me.•

Comedian Hannibal Buress addresses the Class of 2016

October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 17

Star Sports 17

By Helton Arias, Erika Carrasco and Lexi Rosch

In a tough season, the soccer team had one big win – beating Foreman 2-1.

Another highlight for the Streaks was

participating in the Pepsico High School Soc-cer Challenge, a tournament where the best teams in Chicago play.

The team’s best game of the season was played there against Fenwick, although Stein-metz lost 0-1.

Varsity coach Niko Kotcherha pointed to

junior Michael Mako, a midfielder, senior Gabriel Castaneda, the goalie, and Julian Reyes as his top players.

Coach Kotcherha expressed a lot of love and happiness for his entire team.

“They’re a great bunch of guys,” he said.Joshua Hasken is the coach for the junior

varsity soccer team; Erin Guidara is the as-sistant coach for both JV and varsity soccer.

Even though they may not have won a lot of games, the players enjoyed this season that began in early August. They all worked hard and put everything they had into every game. •

By Taylor Montero

On Sept. 11, eight students ran the Naperville Trails Half Marathon: Pawel Worwa, Henry Munoz, Taylor Mon-tero, Marcos Gallardo, Amare Smith, Luis Fernandez,

Cameron Florent and Hope Pierce.The Marathon Team requires dedication and motivation. Dedication is the hard part, but with the help of the mentors

and the Steinmetz Marathon Team page, the team was able to stay in contact and stay strong through 13.1 miles.

The Star interviewed teacher Rachel Rezny and former mem-ber, senior Ethan Miranda.

What’s it like as a mentor on the marathon team?Ms. Rezny: Being a mentor on the marathon team is one of

the best things I have been a part of at Steinmetz. I love running on team with new and experienced runners.

Together we learn how to achieve a difficult goal, get healthy, cheer each other and becoming a summer running family. We had such a great summer. All the runners received new running shoes because of all the generous donations. We had a great pasta meal the night before the race.

The day of the half marathon brings so much happiness. I love seeing everyone cross the finish line.

Do you think the marathon team deserves more recogni-tion?

Ethan: Yes, I believe the marathon team deserves a lot more recognition. It allows students to complete a feat that not many people will do in their lifetime. Running a marathon, be it half or full, is an experience.

What did you take from being on the marathon team? Ethan: Running a marathon is a grueling experience, but it

pays off beyond belief in the end. The benefits that I received were weight loss, better conditioning and knowing my mile time. I could pace myself and gradually try to get faster.

Why didn’t you choose to join this year?I did not return for the marathon team this past summer as I

was working a big personal project of mine. I was trying extremely hard to make another short film, but it went under. I took the time off to focus all my attention on my movie, but I will be returning for the marathon team this upcoming summer. •

Soccer team played well against elite teams

Marathon Team deserves recognition

Streaks volleyball players worked together for improved season

Coming next issue, Streaks basketball

Photos by Steven Nunez

Varsity captain Lluvicia Gomez said she really enjoyed the season. “We tried our best. Even though we had new girls, we did better this year because we all learned to help each other. Even though I’m the captain I make mistakes, too, but it’s okay because I know all the other girls have my back.” • Interview by David Delgado

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Star Sports18

By Jasmine Milan

The girls swim team celebrated senior night on Oct. 19, when they had a home meet against Prosser.

The seniors included Adriana Cortez, Sandra Castrejon and Delanie Preston. All three ladies did a magnificent job and were incredibly fast and were referred to as “fishes” and “sharks” by the spectators that went to support.

Although both schools did a fantastic job, Steinmetz took the W with the score of 45-41. Being a student and senior here at Steinmetz has given me the opportunity to go to many games, but this game was my favorite not just because our school beat Prosser, but because of the true sportsman-ship that was present during the swim meet.

Both schools cheered for each other and motivated each other, which made me feel really proud. There was many greeting and hugs exchanged from both schools. It showed great teamwork. •

By Ronald Evans

The golf team improved this year.

“As a team, we im-proved on our stroke count, swing and our patience,” Coach Claudio Mendrano said.

They made the playoffs, playing against schools such as Lane Tech, Northside College Prep, Whitney Young, Von Steuben, and Lincoln Park.

“In just a few short years of having revived the golf program, Coach Claudio Mendrano and his boys’ golf team have made the playoffs,” athletic director Robin Russo said. “This is a pretty big deal.”

The team was made up of two freshmen, Giovanni Ian-

Senior swimmers will miss the challenge and team support

Boys golf makes playoffs; girls form team, find new interest

By Luis Huerta

The Star interviewed senior Delanie Preston, captain of the swim team.

What did you enjoy the most in your four years in the swim team?

I enjoyed swimming with my teammates and all the good memories we made in and out of the pool.

What makes a person a good swimmer?Finishing. It may sound easy, but it takes

a lot of strength and motivation to make yourself finish a race, whether you win or lose, and I’m proud of my girls for always finishing.

What kept you swimming? Improving. Seeing my times decrease

and the rest of my teammates’ improving really had me coming back for more. I always looked forward to the next season. •

nolo and Eduardo Delgado, sophomore Enrique Robles, ju-nior Vinnie Rivera, and three seniors, Abraham Portillo, Luis Fernandez and Piotr Szczech

“Not only do I like the sport, golf has taught me valuable life lessons,” Luis said. He also said that he is proud of the progress he and the team made this year.

Coach Mendrano encourages anybody to join golf. “I try to make golf fun and comfortable for all the players,

especially beginners,” he said. “It’s a rigorous sport.” •

By Yesenia Pliego

Just the word “golf” gives people an instant ticket to daydream. Most people will tell you how boring it

looks, how boring it might be. One thing to always keep in mind

is that you will never know unless you try. Personally, I hadn’t thought about joining golf until my friend and I met

with three of our friends. Our friends lured us into one of their practice days and because of the lack of girls from one day to another somehow we ended on the team.

Thus, the girl’s golf team was born. We had practice (almost) every day after school. Practice usually ended within an hour and the length of a game typically runs for four hours.

To many this may sound boring, but you get to meet many new faces, and you get to experience the outside awesomeness.

This was a new experience as I did not have prior experience to this sport or interest, but it became something exciting that I would look forward in the future.•

By Nathalie Rojas

The game of softball began on Thanksgiving Day 1887 in Chi-cago by George

Hancock. At first, it had more to do with football than baseball.

When fans of the Yale and Har-vard football teams were waiting to hear results of a game “a Yale alumnus play-fully threw a boxing glove at a Harvard supporter. The Harvard fan swung at the balled-up glove with a stick, and the rest of the group looked on with interest.

“George Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board of Trade, jokingly called out, ‘Play ball!’ and the first softball game commenced with the football fans using the boxing glove as a ball and a broom handle in place of a bat.” (http://

www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-softball.htmThe 16” ball was made by Frederick DeBeer. Both men and

women played the game since it was a less dangerous baseball. According to ehow “Official Rules of 16-inch Softball”A new 16-inch softball will be used every start of the game.

No gloves are allowed by the fielders, who must retrieve the ball with their bare hands.

For men, the dimensions of the field are 60 feet in between each base.

The pitching mound is 38 feet from home plate.

It is slow pitch.Ten players will be allowed to play, with

four fielders in the outfield.The fourth outfielder is considered a “rov-

er” and they are allowed to move around the outfield at will.

Runners cannot steal a base, but they will be allowed to take a lead as soon as the ball

leaves the pitcher’s hand toward the plate.If the lead is too long, catcher can throw the ball toward

the base the runners are at to tag them out.Full swing must be taken at the plate. No one is to blunt.Games last seven innings.•

Chicago’s 16-inch softball – a less dangerous ball game

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October - November 2016 Steinmetz Star 19

Coach’s Corner

Star Sports 19

Courtesy Abel Pereyra, from his webpage at steinmetzcp.org

Hokum Karem Relays, Aug. 27Just like last year, this one

started early in the morning on a rain-soaked and muddy Riis Park course. And, just like last year, our athletes were definitely up for the challenge.

Our girls’ relay teams of Karla Colula/Leticia Perez, Diana Levko/Maria Figueroa, Jasmine Flores/Jas-mine Damian, Rubi Trujillo/Jahira Damian and boys’ teams including Ezra Chavez/Marcos Estrada, Mau-ricio Huerta/Sebastian Nunez, and Steffin Kurian/Steven Nunez tore through the brutal course like war-riors. They ended up dirty and tired, but full of smiles.

Steinmetz Fall Frolic, Sept. 14Our meet on our turf! Best Frolic

ever. Our girls’ team took the serious competition at the meet in stride . On a beautiful, sunny day our lead pack of Leticia Perez, Diana Levko, Maria Figueroa, Rubi Trujillo, and Lissette Sandoval took their jobs very seriously and pushed a tough pace.

Our chasers of Jasmine Damian, Jahira Damian, Areion Smith, and Jasmine Flores did not let the race get away from them and it is a good thing as the pulled up close at the finish and help us secure second place in a field of 14 teams.

Also pitching in on our crazy Riis Park course were Jocelyn Garcia and Leslie Sequeira. The team really worked the race as a group and that made all the difference.

In the boys’ race, led by Ezra Chavez, we fought our way to 4th place on sheer guts. Filling out the top five finishers were Mauricio Huerta, Luis Huerta, Marcos Estra-da, and Steffin Kurian. The broth-ers Nunez, Sebastian and Stephen, followed close behind. And Alvaro Blanca and Jorge Garcia finished right after them. Our boys’ team is not large, but they are very tough.

Our athletes were gracious hosts and great competitors. What else could we wish for?

CPS North Regional, Oct. 8We swept the first six places in

this meet. Our lead pack of Maria Figueroa, Diana Levko, Rubi Tru-jillo, and Leticia Perez established an early lead and stretched it out as the race unfolded.

Back in the pack, Jahira Damian, Lissette Sandoval, Karla Colula and Leslie Sequeira all gradually worked their way toward the front as well. Jahira and Lissette eventually filled out that top six. •

By Kinga Tarasiewicz

The Star interviewed senior Karla Colula.

How is the season going so far?

The season is going great so far. It’s almost coming to an end but it has been an incredible experience. We’ve accomplished so much with-in this season.

What do you love and hate about cross country?

My team. Every single person in the team, both girls and boys. all contrib-ute something unique and special. Thanks to them, this team is what it is.

The main thing I love is my coaches, Coach P. and Coach Reyes; they are the most wonderful and amaz-ing coaches. Without them cross country would’ve been so different.

I really don’t dislike any- thing about cross country besides the fact that sometimes I get sore from all the hard workouts that we do, but then again, it’s good because that shows we take our practices seriously.

What made you start? I joined cross country because my sister

was in it. She encourage me to try it out and I’m glad I did because cross country has be-come an important part in my life. Also my friends from track all convinced me to join.

How did you do in your most recent meet?

We ran at Horner Park on Oct 8. Although it was a small meet, it was very challenging and fun. The top six places were taken by Steinmetz girls, so we took home 1st place overall. Both the girls and boys did very good and gave it their all. •

By Vanessa Tamayo

The Star interviewed seniors Rubi Trujillo and Jesus Barraza.

What motivated you to do your best?

Rubi: The fact that it is my senior year and I want to make the best out of it so I can have great memories.

Jesus: The drive I have to be the best and to take my team to a completely new level in order for the team to be the best.

What are you going to miss the most about being on the team?

Rubi: Running with my teammates and the feeling of always motivating each other to never give up during our meets. Also, I will really

miss Coach P. because he is always there for his athletes.

Jesus: Making sure that my team starts off strong and finishes even stronger. Acknowledg-ing how much farther they’ve come since the first practice.

What is your advice for others?Rubi: Always go to practice because it will

make you better.Jesus: Things will be extremely hard for the

first week. Commitment is the greatest part about being on the team like this and if it is a characteristic that you lack then this is an amaz-ing way to build on that. Always set goals for yourself and make sure that you give everything to reach them. •

By Luis Huerta

Steinmetz College Prep is full of some great run-ners. These boys and girls

show the dedication it takes to be great. They finish each race with the ferocity to do the best they can.

The boys and girls aren’t the only ones that make up the teams but the coaches that work hard to make these students the best they can be. Coach Abel Pereyra and Coach Mercedes Reyes have worked hard to get these students in shape and ready to run. They have done a great job and are hard working coaches.

Juniors Steven Nunez and Marcos Estrada are captains for the boys team. Seniors Karla Colula and Diana Levco are captains for the girls team.

These four individuals showed their dedication for the sport and proved they had the ability to captain team.

They showed up to practices and ran the highest number of miles. Karla running up to 269 miles. Diana running 200 miles. Steven run-ning 192 miles and Marcos running 200 miles.

Another great runner is junior Ezra Chavez who led the boys team in most races and being

the fastest runner on the team. A lot of pressure was put on his shoulders being the fastest, but he was always ready to lead the team in races. He is a great runner that tries his best for his team.

Overall, both teams had a great season. Many seniors will graduate and hopefully new runners will come and take their places. There is much hope for this team to grow and become a faster and stronger team. •

Runners enjoy team, coaches and ‘incredible experience’

Striving for new level

Great runners

From the November 2016 Principal’s newsletter

We have raised a grand total of $175,000 toward the Steinmetz Field of Dreams Project.

We will be awarded $75,000 to fix up our front campus through the Ward 36 Participa-tory Funding project. In addition, the Lo-cal Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) / Cubs Charities awarded us a Diamond Project

grant for $50,000 – thanks to the work of many in the Steinmetz community.

LSC president and Northwest Housing Center (NWSHC) organizer Vanessa Valentin had sent administration information about the grant in the spring. The grants support capital improvement projects that enhance local baseball fields.

Baseball coaches Renato Roldan and Angel DeJesus, assistant principal Jaime Jaramilo and Ms. Valentin attended a meeting to learn

about the project and how to fill out the ap-plication. Athletic director Robin Russo also gave input. The NWSHA grant writers sub-mitted the 40-page grant application to LISC/Cubs Charities.

Our dream to update the baseball fields grew and we are now looking to upgrade the entire field, including the track and football field. Over the summer Ms. Valentin informed us of an opportunity to apply for an NFL Bears grant (Bears Care). Coaches Tim Mc-

Nulty and Miguel Ochoa, Ms. Russo and Mr. Jaramilo met in August to review the application and gather information to submit to NWSHC, which submitted the grant. We are currently waiting to hear back.

After applying for the NFL Grant, we se-cured a commitment from Alderman Villegas (36th) and Alderman Reboyras (30th) for $25,000 each for the field project. •

Steinmetz ‘field of dreams’ becoming reality

Photo by Christian Perez

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20 Steinmetz Star October - November 2016

Star Sports20

By Eduardo Perea

This year, the 16-inch softball team had a “phenomenal, awesome” sea-son, according to Coach Renalto

Roldan. The Streaks won conference, the Chi-

cago consolation championship and the Humboldt Tournament. The team fin-ished an overall record of 20-4.

“What I most liked about this year is that we never gave up and that we mostly beat the crap out of every team we faced,” he said.

The best player of the season without a doubt was senior Zachary Marrero, with great hitting numbers and shutout defense.

Steinmetz will move up a conference next year and hopes to win it all. •

By Daysi Posadas

Football. It’s what gets the school riled up for a good part of the year. The sea-

son starts in August, but the preseason begins in June before the end of the school year, ac-cording to team captain Kejaun Carter.

Throughout the year, the team goes through a lot of practicing, reviewing films of professional games in order to build a good and sturdy game plan.

“The hardest game of the season has to go to either Taft or Lincoln Park simply because these were games where it really sounded for us as a team,” said Kejuan. They were difficult due to them being back to back, having little time to prep and get a new game plan to capital-ize on the opponent.

The record for the 2016 season was 5-4.

Carter was proud of his team saying the team was com-ing together and “building up the team chemistry that we needed.” •

16-inch softball team’s ‘phenomenal, awesome’ season

Silver Streaks dominate Chicago Academy at HomecomingBy Christian Perez, Marcos Gallardo and Jennifer Cloud

For the first time in three years, Steinmetz won the Homecom-ing game. The Silver Streaks

destroyed Chicago Academy 61-0 on Oct. 6.

Hanson Stadium was packed with many students.

Before the second quarter ended, rain began to pour. Fans were stuck under cover for at least 30 minutes waiting for the storm to pass.

Everyone was excited and cheer-ing, despite how bad the weather was. Seniors were enjoying their last game, making it worth it for the last time.

It was the best Homecoming Game students had watched.

“I saw that the player were talking to each other and working harder as a team than they used to,” senior Lizeth Lopez said.

When the game ended it was sad because for the seniors in the football team it was their last time playing for this team. But the players looked happy, enjoying the time with their family or friends.•

The varsity softball team included freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Zachary Marrero (above) was one of the top play-ers.

Highlights of the season include beating Schurz

Team came together forwinning season

By Joe Howard

The Star interviewed Josh Honorable.Do you like the football team?Yes, I do, because my bros TB

(Taesean Brownlee) and Joseph Howard are doing great for the football team this year.

Who is to blame for the losses? Everybody, because they’re not putting

in a hundred percent.Do you have faith for Homecoming?Yes, because the people of Steinmetz will

be there to support our Streaks.Who will be this years MVP?The top three players most likely tre Ro-

berto, Taesean or Kevon.•

By Carlos Flores and Tyrek Gates

Coming into the season, players were confident games would go their

way after posting a 6-3 record last year in their stellar cam-paign. The Streaks had their eyes on the playoffs and had all the talent on the team.

Star interviewed Joe How-ard, who played inside line-backer, in which he enjoyed hitting players and forcing fumbles.

He said he enjoyed his teammates and the atmosphere, but he is disappointed how the season went.

What do you think went wrong in during the season?

We all lacked confidence in game time. At first, the team-work and confidence wasn’t there.”

Who do you believe takes the fault here, if there is any?

The players, at the end of the game, it falls on us. At the end, though, we stuck with each other and made it through.

What went your way?As the season progressed, we

became closer. We are playing for this team. As a family.

What was the best game?Beating Schurz at their

homecoming. It felt like a col-lege game. We stopped them with two minutes to go. •

2016 Varsity Football

L Morgan Park (forfeit)W Manley (forfeit)L Mather (12-6)L Taft (42-6)W Foreman (40-26)W Chicago Ac. (61-0)W Schurz (28-21)W Lake View (30-6)

The differences between softball and baseball, p. 18

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