As I finish my junior year on the staff at North Star News, I have a multitude of thoughts reflecting on my year while also looking forward to the future and my role next year in room 1335. This was a year with many ups and downs in both my personal life and North Star, but I persevered and ended up with work that I am proud of. The making of the senior issue was a grueling and stressful experience that was beyond satisfying to partake in, and the reward of seeing the publication in its entirety was completely worth it. I have learned so much about myself throughout the process, and I also gained so many new perspectives. Even though I had worked on the senior issue before, this year I was much more involved in the process and had more responsibilities. The process was not always smooth, but the issue was finished and I hope the staff feels the same fulfillment that I did. I would like to thank Kate Aanerud, the edior-in-chief, for pushing me to progress this year and holding me to a higher standard than I even held myself. Without her guidance and motivation, as well as her indesign skills, I would never been able to complete my portion of the issue, and the rest of the issue would surely be incomplete. I hope that as I take a leadership role in North Star next year, I will be able to do half as much as Kate did for the staff this year.

The part of North Star that has affected me the most has not been the academic part however, but the fact that I have been exposed to so many different and equally brilliant people. It really is a special atmosphere at North Star, and I think my interaction with people here will continue to effect my worldview and perspective far into the future. Journalism is a valuable skill, but an even more valuable skill is being a good person, and North Star News has helped me progress in both areas. I think that’s what I will take the most from this class.

Spotlight Piece:

Pain through a different lense: Gordon Hayward and the way we look at injuries

You’ve probably seen the video.

When Gordon Hayward, all-star forward for the Boston Celtics of the NBA went down with a severe injury in his team’s first game of the season, the replay of the incident was all over social media and the rest of the internet in an instant. As Hayward laid motionless under the basket after a collision with LeBron James, TV cameras focused in on Hayward and his injured left leg. Hayward’s leg and ankle were in a position that appeared so unnatural that it was enough to elicit gasps from commentators and fans in the stadium alike. Hayward was stretchered out of the building quickly, but the image of one of the game’s star players going down with a gruesome injury completely killed the mood of the joyous NBA opening night.

Hayward’s injury was diagnosed shortly after as a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg, ending his season 5 minutes after it had started. He is slated to make a full recovery and is expected back next season.

Hayward is beginning a long road to recovery right now, a process all too familiar to athletes. The coming months will be for crucial for him and his NBA career, and hopefully he will be able to return to the all-star level he once was at. However, the fact that the injury was so disturbing and the images associated with it will follow Hayward for the rest of his athletic life. Just ask Kevin Ware.

Ware sustained an infamous injury as a sophomore playing in the Elite 8 of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament for the Louisville University Cardinals. After he jumped up to contest a jump shot, Ware landed awkwardly and suffered a fracture of the tibia, the same injury sustained by Hayward. Ware’s bone protruded from his right leg, and the replays of the incident were so disturbing that CBS warned viewers of the extremely graphic nature. Similarly to Hayward, the video of Ware’s injury was shared incessantly on social media and was a focal point of discussion as Louisville went on the win the NCAA title.

If you type the name Kevin Ware into a search engine, the first results are purely related to his injury. Ware’s basketball career has continued in Europe, but he is still mostly remembered for his tibial fracture.

It remains to be seen if Hayward’s career will be defined by his injury in the same way that Ware’s was, but it appears unlikely. The way the media treats major injuries seems to be influenced by a variety of factors unrelated to the actual event itself. Ware’s career, and most likely his life outside of basketball, has been effected enormously since the injury. Ware was an unknown role player on a college basketball team who shot into fame for a unfortunate reason. The widespread media coverage and inevitable association of the player to the injury has had a much longer impact on Ware’s life than the eight months it took for him to physically recover from his injury.

The pictures of Ware’s injury that can be seen with a simple google search are disheartening, and not just for their graphic nature. The pictures do not even show Ware’s face, they are enhanced so that only Ware’s leg is shown. Whether intentional or not, the media’s portrayal of Ware’s injury was dehumanizing. Focusing only on the injury and not the person that it happened is not fair. In comparison to Gordon Hayward, Ware’s treatment by the sports world was criminal. Hayward’s injury has not been nearly as sensationalized in the media and when it has been covered much of the focus has been on Hayward’s personality and previous accomplishments in his basketball career.

The reasons for this difference in coverage between Hayward and Ware are not simple, with complex issues such as race at play. The different coverage by the media of these two injuries mirrors other situations in our country in which the media undeniably casts black people in a more a negative light than white people. Whether our country’s mass media publications intentionally do this can be debated, but there can be no doubt that a bias exists in the way we portray individuals in the news, as demonstrated by the opposing treatment that two athletes in similar situations received.

Hayward’s injury is more than just a tibial fracture. The recovery process that Hayward must undergo to play basketball again will test him physically and mentally, and he and others are unlikely to ever forget the graphic nature of his injury. There’s still more to it though. This unfortunate event demonstrated the way a person’s race influences our country’s perception of things completely unrelated to the issue of race, in this case two athletes who suffered debilitating injuries.

This piece was special to write and research. I have a passion for sports, but there is so much more to sports than just the actual games. Writing something that connected sports to the outside world in a tangible way was a challenging and rewarding experience.

https://www.northstarnews.org/uncategorized/clemson-stuns-alabama-in-instant-classic-2017-cfp-recap/

In a National Championship Game that pitted two of the powerhouse programs against each other for the second time in a row, it was Clemson who emerged victorious and avenged the loss they suffered at the hands of Alabama in the 2016 National Championship Game.

Filled with twists and turns, there are very few college football games that have surpassed the drama created by the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.

After starting slow and being down 14-0 to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half, Clemson exploded offensively in the second half, led by the standout play of their quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Tigers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter alone, completing the upset in a game in which Alabama were seven point favorites.

The most drama came from the game’s ending, in which Clemson marched to the Alabama 2-yard line down 31-28 with six seconds left on the game clock. Coach Dabo Swinney of Clemson decided there was enough time to run one more play as opposed to kicking a field goal to tie the game, a decision that paid off big in the end.

Watson received the snap, rolled to his right, and threw a touchdown pass to a wide open Hunter Renfrow, who had seven catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

After kicking the extra point to up 35-31, there was still one second left on the clock, and Clemson was forced to kick off and potentially put the game in the hands of their special teams, a unit Swinney appeared to have no confidence in through out the night.

Instead, Swinney elected to perform an onside kick, and once again, his boldness paid off for the Tigers. Clemson recovered, and then Watson took a knee to complete one of the most exhilarating and impressive performances in recent college football history.

In an exuberant post game press conference, Swinney showed the passion and humility that has made him one of the most respected coaches in college football.

“That has to be one of the greatest games of all time, just absolutely incredible, to have to take the field and go down the field to win the game, that’s what it’s made of. That’s what I told ’em when it was over. This is what it’s all about right here, boys. They fought. They fought for every play, and I just – I said it out on the field, and I’ll say it again: For me personally, only God can do this.” Swinney said.

The victory for Clemson ended Alabama’s dominant 26 game winning streak, one of the longest of all time.

Reactions to the game were immediate, with many on social media proclaimed it to be the best National Championship Game since 2006, in which an underdog Texas Longhorns squad led by Vince Young upset a USC team with two Heisman Trophy winners.

“I definitely thought Alabama was gonna win when they were up 14-0, but Clemson pulled off that crazy comeback and took the W.” Tristan Eason, sophomore, said.

It was a game that was so dramatic it seemed too good to be true, and it may be a long time before we see a game of this caliber again.

Featured image by USA Today

GAWAPUSH Field Trip Photo Collection

https://www.northstarnews.org/uncategorized/2017-grammys-adele-and-beyonce-shine-brightest-at-star-studded-awards/

In a night with many stars performing and accepting awards for their work in music over the past year, it was Adele and Beyonce who stood out from the rest.

Adele swept the top honors, including song of the year, record of the year, and best pop solo performance for “Hello” and album of the year and best pop vocal album for her album “25.”

Adele opened the awards by performing “Hello” and also performed a tribute to deceased musician George Michael, in which she sang his song “Fastlove.” Midway through her tribute, Adele stopped the performance saying “I can’t mess this up for him” and then restarted her song.

And although Adele took home the biggest awards, Beyonce still had some of the spotlight on her, even being mentioned by Adele in two of her speeches. The expecting mother performed two of the lesser known songs from her hit album “Lemondade,” “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles” and her nine minute performance was well received. Beyonce also took home two awards, best music video for “Formation” and best urban contemporary album for “Lemonade.”

Though she was one of the favorites for the bigger awards of the night, Beyonce couldn’t come away with one, continuing her quest for the elusive album of the year. In Adele’s speech after winning the award, she claimed that she herself had wanted Beyonce to win and even voted for her over herself, and then split her award in half, whether this was intentional or not was not mentioned. During Adele’s speech, Beyonce could be seen visibly mouthing the words “I love you” a touching show of support and love between two of the biggest pop superstars of our generation.

The other big winners of the night were David Bowie, who received his awards posthumously for his album “Blackstar” and Chance the Rapper, who took home three awards including “Best New Artist.”

Chance the Rapper, who is a Chicago native, was the first independent artist to ever win a grammy. The rules were changed, largely because of Chance’s popularity, to allow independent artists to be eligible for consideration. A personal favorite of mine, Chance’s award and performance were highlights in a night filled with them.

Another highlight of the night was the politically charged performance of A Tribe Called Quest and Anderson .PAAK, which ended with frequent Tribe collaborator Busta Rhymes shouting “President Agent Orange” and Q-Tip saying “Resist! Resist! Resist!” Besides this performance, the Grammys remained largely apolitic, with most artists choosing not to comment on Donald Trump and his administration, a rarity in this award show season.

Late night comedy show host James Corden hosted, and infused a bit of humor into an otherwise serious night. Corden largely succeeded in his efforts as host, and was a better choice than previous CBS host LL Cool J.

With a variety of performances and awards, the 2017 Grammy’s proved to be captivating, and a worthy celebration of the musical talent that our generation has to offer.

Audio Story: Negotiations and neglected responsibilities

Other pieces: https://www.northstarnews.org/uncategorized/a-triumphant-return-for-atcq-we-got-it-from-here-thank-you-4-your-service-album-review/

A Tribe Called Quest, the seminal New York hip-hop group, has released an album for the first time in 18 years. This is not just an album however, it is a statement, a declaration that hip-hop is not dead, and is in fact stronger than ever.

With all the events surrounding 2016, there have been few beacons of light in a year that has been so bizarre that few could see it coming. But in a time filled with change and upheaval,  A Tribe Called Quest’s “We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” serves as a link to simpler times, a past in which New York was a playground and the possibilities in music seemed endless.

If you are not familiar with A Tribe Called Quest or their work, I’ll inform you.

Formed in 1985 by members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi, A Tribe Called Quest came to fame in 1990 with the release of their debut album “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” an album filled with hip-hop songs with a conscious message and impressive lyrics.

Lauded for the message of their music and the joy that was evident in their beats, A Tribe Called Quest soon came to the forefront of the New York hip-hop scene, and represented their home borough of Queens like no other. More albums followed, including “The Low End Theory” and “Midnight Marauders” Both of these albums are crowning musical achievements, and are regarded as some of the best albums of the 1990’s. Standout songs from this period include “Bonita Applebum” “Can I Kick It” and “Electric Relaxation”

But all good things must come to an end, and A Tribe Called Quest was no different. After the release of their fifth studio album, “The Love Movement” the group announced that it would be their last album amid turmoil among the group. This left the group to pursue other works and solo projects, and as time passed A Tribe Called Quest became regarded as a classic hip-hip group.

Recently, A Tribe Called Quest was brought back to the public eye with the tragic death of founding member and lauded MC Phife Dawg from complications of Type 2 Diabetes at the young age of 44. Phife’s death came in the middle of the recording of this new album, so it features limited contributions from him.

“We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” goes back to the golden age of hip-hop while staying relevant and insightful to the present day. Q-Tip makes rhymes and words interact with the beat in a way that few rapper’s can, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s production and DJing still is fresh while remaining true to group’s original sounds.

Songs like “The Donald” and “Dis Generation” are a commentary on modern life and how different things are from the era in which A Tribe Called Quest’s members grew up in. Other tracks like “We The People” have messages of unity and love in a time that seems like the country is growing more and more divided.

Each song on this album has something to offer, and even my least favorite track, “Mobius” is still a pretty good song. When each song is an intelligent riff on life, there truly are no bad tracks.

Overall, this is an album that is a truly brilliant statement, not just in its lyrics, but in its old school and joyous production.

With all this being said, I’m just happy the group could put aside their differences and put out an album that will be remembered.

Score: 9.5/10

https://www.northstarnews.org/features/homecoming-dance-2016-not-with-a-bang-but-with-a-boom/

Lights are flashing, people are jumping up and down, the sound of loud bass fills the room. You might think this is a rave, but no, this is Niles North’s 2016 Homecoming Dance taking place in the gymnasium.

The Homecoming Dance is the culmination of an exciting week at the school, a week filled with school spirit and pride. And what better way to celebrate this pride than to dance your heart out surrounded by the rest of the student body?

With an Olympic theme and music and entertainment provided by myBOOMtour, a Chicago-based production and entertainment company, the 2016 Homecoming Dance was a night to remember, and a huge hit with students who attended.

“I think the best part of tonight was how involved everyone got. The DJ’s did a great job of hyping everyone up by playing good music and constantly getting the crowd into it. I’m glad this was my last homecoming dance” Isaac Lee, senior, said.

The dance began at 7 p.m. and ended 10:30 p.m. but many students wanted the night to continue, a sign of how many people enjoyed the dance. All grades were well represented, and everyone got in on the dancing during songs such as “Juju On That Beat” and “Me, Myself & I.”

Students had high praise for the dance, with many compliments focused on the music and production that myBOOMtour put on.

“I had such a great time at the dance this year. Last year, my freshman year was fun, but this year was definitely better.” Sonia Cruz, sophomore, said.

With such acclaim for the event, the 2017 Homecoming Dance has a lot to live up to. However, with Nile’s North dedication to giving the students a good time it would surprise no one if it topped this year’s.

Photo taken by Ihab Hachimi

There’s no place like home for victorious Vikings football team

Things appear to be looking up for the Niles North varsity football team. After a year in which they went 1-9, with their lone victory coming against rivals Niles West, the Vikings have already equaled their win total from last year in a thrilling home opener against Leo Catholic High School.

In what was surely one of the longest games ever played at Niles North’s Chuck Pos Stadium, the Vikings prevailed 38-26 over their opponents Leo. After jumping out to an early 17-0 lead, Niles North never took its foot off the gas and continued to put up points throughout the game. An incredible punt return touchdown was scored by Sayvon Davis, and Bruno Prosper-Kanam followed with two rushing touchdowns to then put the Vikings up 24-6.

“The punt return was crazy. I knew Davis was going all the way as soon as he picked up the ball and the whole team was downfield blocking for him. We all believe in one another and that’s what happens,” Daniel Zietek, a junior lineman on the team, said.

The game slowed down after this, but the offense didn’t stop scoring, ending the game with 38 points. The Viking’s offense looked impressive all night, with quarterback Nick Mathee and receivers Tyson Coles and Chris Geans making a difference.

Prosper-Kanam was the star of the show however, and he looks to be one of the keys to the Viking’s season. The electric running back is coming off a season in which he rushed for 970 yards and 13 touchdowns. Keep an eye on him throughout the season as he attempts to lead the Vikings back to the playoffs.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Garcia

https://www.northstarnews.org/uncategorized/niles-north-theatre-presents-neighborhood-3-requisition-of-doom/

At Niles North, we are fortunate to have incredible fine arts and music programs. One of the most respected and acclaimed of these programs is the Niles North Theatre, run by esteemed director Timothy Ortmann.  Niles North Theatre will once again be putting on their annual fall play this October, with this year’s production being Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom.

Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom is the story of suburban youth who become addicted to a new shooter video game in which you must kill hordes of zombies to win. It’s all fun and games until the two worlds merge, and reality is blurred.

Niles North’s fall play kicks off the theatre season which also includes a winter play and a spring play, as well as various other smaller productions through out the year. The fall play is important to the theatre program as it sets the tone for the rest of the year, though there has already been one production this year, Deathtrap, which was performed at the beginning of the school semester.

The actors and actresses in this year’s fall production include a diverse cast, and seniors such as Jacob Bernstein, Tommy Montgomery, and Uche Nwansi are sure to play a big part in making Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom a success.

Not only is being involved in the play a fun and interesting extracurricular, it also has benefits outside of the stage, as actors and actresses get a perspective that a non-theatre participant simply does not have.

“My favorite thing about being in the play is getting to see how your character contributes to the plot, and how your actions really affect how the play unfolds. It makes you think about how your actions shape your future and how you really have to think about what you do in life. Besides that, Neighborhood 3 is something that I think everyone can enjoy, and it’s a lot darker than a lot of the plays I’ve been in.” Stephen Decker, sophomore, who plays Tobias in Niles North’s performance of Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, said.

Decker, an honor roll student who also plays baseball, also says that being involved with Niles North Theatre has made him more “well-rounded” and has allowed him to be friends with people he would not have met had it not been for participation in acting.

But not only does the play benefit the students that are involved, but also the teachers that give their valuable time to assist in putting on the play.

“Connecting my classes and their work to the work that we do here in theatre and on the play has made me a better teacher and theatre instructor.” Megan Baskin, a teacher in both the English and Theatre departments here at Niles North, said.

It seems that everyone involved with Niles North Theatre has nothing but positive things to say about the program and each member of the program, whether they be actors, crew members, or teachers, work diligently to ensure the that Niles North Theatre maintains its stellar reputation. With this reputaion, there is no doubt that Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom will be another success production.

Niles North Theatre will present Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom on October 13, 14, 15. There will be a free community performance at 10:00 a.m. on October 13. 

https://www.northstarnews.org/bulletin/nsn-audio-story-thrown-into-the-deep-end/

Inspired by NPR’s StoryCorps and to capture the spirit of Thanksgiving, the North Star News staff created several audio stories framed around this question: “What was a moment or event in your life that at the time seemed small, but ended up having a large impact or effect on you later in your life?” The staff sought people of different generations and crafted these pieces.

Growing up in an average American middle-class upbringing, my mom was taught early on the values and importance of dedication and perseverance. These values appear in a story told to me about my mom’s first experience with swimming, a sport that would be a large part of her life all the way through college and into today. 

https://www.northstarnews.org/opinion/a-not-so-sweet-surprise-cook-county-approves-tax-on-sugary-drinks/

As you walk into your local convenience or grocery store, it’s hard not to notice the huge variety of drink options that are available. If you are thirsty, it must seem like a paradise to have such cheap, readily available drinks all located in one place. For years, soft drinks and other artificially sweetened drinks have been extremely cheap in the state of Illinois, often being cheaper than water and other more healthy options.

But now the affordability of these drinks will be going down, as the Cook County Board voted on November 10 to introduce a new tax that will tax artificially sweetened drinks an extra penny per ounce contained in the drink. The vote was tightly contested, with the tax prevailing in a 9-8 vote. The deciding vote was none other than Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who had originally introduced the tax last year.

Preckwinkle says the tax will increase revenue for the county while also promoting better health and welfare of the public. Similar taxes exist in other large cities such as Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver.

While it remains to be see how this tax will affect Niles North and its cafeteria and vending machines, students are already viewing this act as unnecessary and ridiculous.

“I think it’s stupid. I don’t think politicians should just be able to decide that something suddenly costs more whenever they want. Let alone something like soda, which I drink all the time.” Brandon Lukose, sophomore, said.

While this tax has not gone into effect yet, it is already polarizing citizens of Cook County, and surely more people will have opinions once the tax is in place.

Featured Image credits to Sam and Samm Eats

Neymar switches sides in record-breaking transfer deal

Neymar, the star forward and talisman of the Brazilian National Team, completed a shocking transfer from the club FC Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain this summer for 222 million euros, the largest fee of all time. The transfer, which occurred after months of speculation, smashed the previous record of 106 million euros that was set last year by the transfer of midfielder Paul Pogba to Manchester United.

Neymar leaves an FC Barcelona team that has succeeded immensely over the three years in which the mercurial forwards, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar himself played for Barcelona. In their first season together, 2014-15, the team won all competitions they competed in and were talked about as among the best teams of all time. Though they have struggled somewhat recently, finishing second in their domestic league, they still advanced to the quarter-finals of the famous UEFA Champions League after completing one of the greatest comebacks in history against Paris Saint Germain (PSG), the very team Neymar left to join.

Neymar now joins a team that finished second in Ligue 1, the French national league, and will be expected to compete for titles both domestically and internationally. PSG is newly rich after being bought by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman, and they have spent a total of over 600 million euros in the transfer market over the past year.

Reaction to the transfer has been mixed, with many Barcelona fans upset with Neymar. Barcelona is the second most supported club in the United States after their arch-rival Real Madrid, so many American and European fans have an opinion.

“Being an FC Barcelona fan, I was pretty upset when I heard Neymar was leaving, he was supposed to be the future of the club and now he just left for the money,” Amcy Odicho, senior and member of the soccer team, said.

In soccer, acquiring players does not work like American sports. Instead of trading players in exchange for one another, soccer clubs pay money directly to the club from whom they buy the player. This allows financially successful clubs to buy players and assemble an all-star like team. There have been complaints about parity in European leagues, and financial regulations have been but into place by UEFA, Europe’s governing body of soccer, to stop clubs from dominating the sport.

However there are many ways to work around the regulations, as evidenced by Neymar’s quarter billion dollar transfer to PSG. Other clubs, including FC Barcelona, have started to complain about the regulations, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu saying, “Qatar and Abu Dhabi, two countries that have two clubs. If Bayern [Munich], [Manchester] United, [Real] Madrid or Arsenal buy a player, you know [the money] comes from football. But these two clubs distort the market.” This is in reference to the supposed support that PSG receives from the Qatari government, as Al-Khelaifi has close ties with figures including the Prime Minister of Qatar. Bartomeu has alleged that the Qatari government put up the funds necessary for the transfer, which is a violation of UEFA regulation.

As sports have become an increasingly profitable and lucrative business in America and the world, the contracts and fees given to some of the athletes have risen exponentially. In the NBA, Stephen Curry was awarded with a 5 year, 200 million dollar contract for his efforts with the Golden State Warriors, and in soccer, the the world record fee paid by a club to obtain a player has more than tripled over the last 15 years. With so much money in the game, many fans are left wondering how far this can go.

“I don’t even know if Neymar is worth 20 million, let alone 200 million. I think it’s ridiculous that players are so expensive, but I don’t really mind Neymar’s decision.” Isaac Batio, junior, said.

Whether you are a fan of FC Barcelona or Paris Saint Germain, there is no doubt the world of soccer has been changed by this incredible transfer.

Photo credit: Sports Illustrated

Continuing onto junior year, the largest lesson I learned from being a member of the Northstar News staff has been the value of accountability. Though there have been times where I failed my fellow ataff, simply being around very responsible and mature people when it comes to school work has been a good influence on me, an often irresponsible kid. Continuing my aspirations towards a career in a journalistic field, I am sure Northstar News is a great place to be.