At the beginning of the year, I was already an experienced writer; I’ve been in advanced English classes since middle school, and I write creatively on my free time. Writing is something that’s always come naturally to me. But I didn’t know how to write journalistically. I didn’t know what AP style was, how to grab someone’s attention with a headline and a lead, or how to interview people. In this class, I’ve gained experience with a journalistic style of writing, talking to people I don’t know, and working as a group to create the creative piece that was the print issue. Now I feel confident that I can write a short article that fits the template of a high school newspaper, instead of a short story, a poem, or an essay.

I haven’t decided on a career path, but writing will always be part of my life. I believe the experience I’ve gained will improve my writing. I’ve also gotten practice reaching out and talking to people I don’t know, which is an important skill in college and in life. I don’t think I’ll go into journalism, but I want to work with people, as a teacher or an owner of a bakery (or something along those lines). In every profession I’m interested in I’ll have to utilize good “people skills,” which have certainly been furthered through this class. This skill set is handy to have, and it’s something I look forward to improving upon. I’ve never been much of a reporter type – I’m more of an introvert who prefers to think and discuss topics rather than writing or blogging about them. Unfortunately for me, blogs are encouraged for beginning writers. I’ve been wanting to start one for a while, never knowing where or how to begin; this class has shown me that it doesn’t really matter. I can begin wherever I want, because now I know how to make it a good piece.

Bushra Amiwala, nineteen, runs for office

The clatter of plates and silverware and the sizzle of food on grills dies down, and deafening applause rises to greet the young woman stepping up to the microphone. Over 100 people have crowded into a local restaurant to hear her speak. The crowd is friendly and energized, excited to support their candidate for County Board. Their choice?

Bushra Amiwala, a 19-year-old Muslim woman who graduated from Niles North in 2016 and began her collegiate journey at DePaul University. Her political interests have always been a part of her character; she was a part of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and was the president of mock trial during her time as a Viking.

Amiwala is running to represent the 13th District in Cook County. If elected, she will be the first Muslim woman to serve on the Court. She will also bring female representation; currently, 15 of the 17 members are men, all over the age of 50.

Not many people expect to elect a 19-year-old to a seat on their District’s County Board, but as people listen to her, they become convinced that she is the perfect fit.

“Bushra came to me about three weeks ago….she says she’d like to do a fundraising event. I thought – she initially said maybe 20 or 30 people. I really didn’t expect the kind of turnout tonight,” Masood Ahmad, owner of Marilyn’s restaurant, stated. Around 130 people came to support Bushra at the dinner.

“I was a bit skeptical at first….I had no idea whether or not she would win – I thought she had no chance of winning. But seeing the amount of work she’s put in, and the amount of support she’s been gaining recently, it’s been amazing, and I’m really proud to call her my sister,” Mohammed Amiwala, senior, said.

“I met with (a committee who) told me that they liked my message….they said, ‘Hey, we want to donate $54,500 to your campaign.” Amiwala was told that small local businesses were putting up the money; upon more research, she discovered that the benefactors were several large soda companies. “I don’t think regressive flat taxes are the answer,” Amiwala explained. “(But) I was not in favor of large corporations getting involved in politics….to basically buy out elections.” Amiwala turned down the money.

If you’re over 18, you can help by collecting signatures and voting for Amiwala. If you’re under 18, you can still help out with donations this holiday season and making phone calls for her a little later in the campaign. With nearly 100 days until the election, every bit helps.

A dad’s life decrypted

My father can type without looking at the keyboard. And if that doesn’t convince you that he’s a technological mastermind, in this short audio clip, you’ll get the story of a man who accidentally discovered the career his life is now devoted to. This audio snapshot of his life strives to convey a story of family, persistence, and a willingness to learn.

https://soundcloud.com/user-99390994/a-dads-life-decrypted[/embed]

Racing towards the finish line: District 219 supports beneficial charity

Last Sunday, Dance Marathon hosted a lively 5k run that raised over $2000 for this year’s foundation, A Better Life For Kids. This event is just the tip of the iceberg; though it was one of the biggest events, Dance Marathon has several activities set up for the coming year.

“I love that I was able to run for a good cause,” Conor Perreault, senior, said. “It’s also always fun to race with people that are just there to have a good time and do a good thing: it makes for a great atmosphere.” Snacks were served and music was played as runners bustled around the track, but the running wasn’t the only activity there; face-painting was also a popular activity at the 5k.

Over 100 people attended the race, including alumni, adults, and kids from the community. The race is one of the most well-attended events of the year, partly due to the fact that it’s a consistent occasion; the run is held every year. This year it took place on Niles West’s track, with contestants running nearly 13 laps around the field.

“Over $2000 was raised that day,” Rachael Xavier, Dance Marathon committee member, stated. But this is just a fraction of what will be raised this year. Every year since 2003, District 219 students nominate and elect an organization to raise money towards, with donations averaging around eighty thousand dollars for the chosen foundation.

A Better Life For Kids is an organization founded by Shelley Nizynski, former Middleton teacher, that helps disabled children in Ghana get love and care that they wouldn’t otherwise receive. “She taught these kids sign language and gave them an education,” Tahlia Altgold, Dance Marathon executive, said. Due to the stigma in Ghana against those with disabilities, most of the kids they work with wouldn’t receive any type of care otherwise; in fact, most of the children are abused or neglected.

Usually, the money raised by A Better Life For Kids would go towards an orphanage there, but ever since the government in Ghana shut down the orphanage, the money now goes towards a program geared towards schooling and feeding the kids. One of the programs included is called Eggs for Kids. They have an arrangement with a local farm to provide eggs for the children. “(This is) so that they get protein,” Altgold explains. “They also provide schooling, you can sponsor a kids to go to school, they raise money for baby formula.”

A Better Life For Kids is focused mainly on the well-being of the kids it can reach, including providing a good education for them. That’s why they have a sponsorship program. An education for a child in Ghana would cost us an average of $250, and an education for a deaf or otherwise disabled child would be the equivalent of around $750.

If you missed out on the 5k, don’t worry; you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to help out. Dance Marathon has a wide variety of fundraising activities, including trivia nights, karaoke nights, North’s Got Talent, and a multitude of bake sales.

Time to face the music: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame nominees announced

Voting for this year’s set of nominees opened on Oct. 5, and this time, we’ve got some mixed feelings on the lineup. There are nineteen contenders in all, nine of them first-time nominees. A few of them should have been inducted long ago, while a few others shouldn’t be on the ballot at all. But how bad is the lineup really? Let’s take a closer look.

This Hall of Fame has inducted legends in musical history, among them David Bowie, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and several other icons. Are they keeping up the tradition this year? I have my doubts. The full list is as follows: Bon Jovi, Kate Bush, The Cars, Depeche Mode, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, J. Geils Band, Judas Priest, Link Wray, LL Cool J, MC5, The Meters, Moody Blues, Nina Simone, and Rage Against The Machine.

Let’s start with The Zombies. They’ve been nominated three times – maybe this year they’ll finally get in. They should, with their history and accomplishments; they landed a spot in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Albums of All Time with their album Odyssey and Oracle. A few of their greatest hits include “She’s Not There” and “Gotta Get a Hold of Myself.” They were a consistent rock band who dedicated their lives to their music. The three original members, Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, and Hugh Grundy, are all included in the nomination despite Atkinson’s death in 2004.

Moving on, we were sadly unsurprised by Bon Jovi’s nomination. To be clear, it would be the entire band, not just Jon Bon Jovi. There have been heated debates over this one – should they get in because they were a musical influence, or should they be shut out because they’re largely not rock and roll? Both sides have valid points and interesting arguments, but what it boils down to is this: Are they a rock band worthy of a place in the Hall of Fame? And for Bon Jovi, the answer to that question is no. They’re not a rock band. Yes, they have rock hits, and I wouldn’t disqualify them as a band worthy of some recognition. They have “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “You Give Love A Bad Name,” and “It’s My Life” in their favor. But three songs just isn’t enough to earn you a spot.

Along those lines comes Dire Straits. This one was a struggle – their lyrics demand a nomination; their musical style doesn’t. Take their song Sultans of Swing, for instance – or really anything off of Brothers In Arms. The words capture the idea that music is more important than anything, which is a very rock and roll attitude. But the sound could be described almost as jazzy; it’s not something I’d expect to hear from someone in the Hall of Fame. I’m a fan of Dire Straits, and of course Mark Knopfler. But will I be voting for them? Probably not.

Let’s drop Dire Straits for now and turn our sights to the Moody Blues.

The Moody Blues. Finally, a nomination. They were formed in 1964, and quickly rose from a regular band to an iconic one. Within six months they were touring, and in their first year their song “Go Now” had risen to be a hit. Like The Zombies, they were a part of the British Invasion. Unlike The Zombies, the Moody Blues are considered one of the original progressive rock bands. That’s one part of our joint criteria – are they a rock band? The answer, definitively, is yes. They are. Inarguably. And now for the second crucial question; were they influential? And in the case of the Moody Blues, another resounding “yes” is shouted from the rooftops. One of my favorite bands, Genesis, took heavy influence from The Moody Blues. Of course that’s just one among several, but it’s one of the bigger examples.

As excited as I am for their nomination, I am equally irritated. Only five original members are included in this nomination. Don’t get me wrong, I love the five. But where oh where is Denny Laine? He was there at the beginning. He helped form this band. He was also in Wings, Paul McCartney’s band, for ten years. He’s an amazing singer, guitarist, and songwriter, and he deserves to be up there with the rest of them.

All in all, I’ll still vote for them. They fit my criteria and I like their music. They produced over fifty years of it.

But enough about my votes. What about yours? Who do you deem worthy of placement in the Hall of Fame this year? Go vote on the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame’s official <a href=”https://www.rockhall.com/fan-vote/2018-fan-vote?_ga=2.14251127.1537794535.1508269955-848227617.1508269955″>site</a> before Dec. 5!

Cut the cost of college

As college draws closer, many seniors wonder how they’re going to afford it. Money shouldn’t be a factor in this decision. That’s why Niles North is hosting a financial aid night tomorrow, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m.

The most widely-used way of receiving financial aid is by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s required by all colleges that accept and award federal aid – in essence, all colleges. This is because it provides financial aid officers the information they need to create your financial aid package. It’s a long process, but it provides a sizeable money break to all incoming college freshmen.

The main topic of the night will be the FAFSA. “Experts in the field will walk parents and students through setting up the account and filling out the forms. (They will) explain when to expect the results and how to read them,” Larissa Petrakis, counselor, explained. “There is a specific financial aid vocabulary – (the experts) define the terms.” The jargon can seem confusing at first, which is why there will be people there to walk the students through it.

The keynote speaker will be Jerry Cebrzynski, Vice President for Financial Aid at Lake Forest College. “He is a nationally recognized expert on financial assistance and scholarships,” Jerry Pope, Dean of College Counselling, remarked. Cebrzynski will be giving a presentation which will be followed by a question and answer session. “He will also be giving tips on filling out the FAFSA and discussing new changes to the financial aid form. We encourage all senior students and the parents from Niles North and Niles West to attend.” This college event is a collaboration between the two schools, and it is not the only one. Several other informative events, such as Coffee with the Counselors, are planned throughout the year.

One of the changes in the FAFSA is that students are required to report income information from earlier years – this year, we’ll fill out information from as far back as 2015. Another is that the FAFSA can be submitted as early as October, instead of January like earlier years.

But FAFSA isn’t the only way to get financial assistance. “(The experts) will talk about other types of aid besides federal aid,” Petrakis added. There are scholarships of every kind – you don’t have to be a stellar student or a sports star to get one. There are also fellowships and grants, which can be awarded to any kind of student. You can apply to as many as you want, and there are many online scholarships that don’t require essays of any kind.

Federal aid isn’t exclusively for the lower-middle class, although that’s who it’ll help the most. Middle class and upper-middle class families are still eligible for federal financial assistance. But it is first-come, first-serve, and the state has run out of money before. Make sure you know how to fill out the FAFSA so you can finish it quickly and submit it.

Our Niles North professionals work hard to help students get into the college that’s best for them. That’s why this event is being held; it’s one of many resources available to us.

Banned books are required reading

We all read books for English class. But did you know that some of the books we read are banned in the state of Illinois? You may be wondering, if they’re restricted by the state, how are we still reading them in school?

Niles North celebrates banned book week on Sept. 23-28 with events in the library. Books are banned for any number of reasons; language, in the case of Beloved; violence, in books such as The Lord of the Flies; and racial stereotypes, for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. All of these books continue to be in the curriculum here because the teachers have weighed the pros and cons of the contents, and decided that each of the books they teach lead to a deeper understanding or questioning of the world, and that impact outweighs the reasons they were banned.

Barbara Hoff, teacher, explains why she continues to teach such books. “Banned books are seen as something students can’t handle, because it’s too dark or violent. Sometimes…we underestimate what students already have been exposed to, and so we think they can’t handle that kind of stuff.” Hoff added, “But if it’s a book that handles things in ways that educate us about important things, that’s a way of helping us understand how to make the world a better place. If we don’t learn about things that are dark and sad, and why those things exist, how do we fix that?”

Teacher Nils Peterson agrees and sheds some light on his reasoning. “As an educator, I should look at the content of a book and determine why it would have been banned, and what is there to learn from it, and I should make a responsible and educated choice about whether or not it should be presented.” Peterson teaches a number of banned books in his sophomore English class, including 1984 by George Orwell and The Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Peterson goes on to explain why he specifically teaches The Lord of the Flies, a book banned for its violent content. “I asked myself, does the value of the ideas and the artistry of the book, and the thinking it would advance, outweigh the violence that the book contains? And for Lord of the Flies, it does.”

“Both (Lord of the Flies and Beloved) teach us important lessons about ourselves and our history,” John McCreary, senior, added. “Just because people swear or (there is) disturbing imagery, that doesn’t mean…we should stop reading about it.” McCreary read Lord of the Flies in his sophomore year and Beloved in his junior year. He feels that both teachers were justified in teaching the books in class.

Generally, the teachers look at the potential impact of the book on students when deciding to use it in school or not. “Reading (these books in school)…is a way of thinking about these things in a meaningful way, in an educational context, and that’s really beneficial.” Hoff commented. When students are exposed to the content in books like Beloved, which is about slavery, it’s easier to understand in a classroom context.

Book these events: Upcoming activities at the Skokie Public Library

The Skokie Public Library always has fun activities going on, and the next few weeks sound especially interesting.

Starting it all off at 6:30 Wednesday night, Sept. 13, is a Meet-the-Author event starring Jason Reynolds, the author of one of our Summer Reading Books, All American Boys. But it’s not all books. Movie nights are a weekly event, as well as knitting club, Photoshop classes, and other technology courses.

One of the more special events is a College Consultations workshop this Tuesday at 4 p.m. Library staff will be available to review applications and help with financial aid. “I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity,” Yukta Parikh, senior, said. “College apps are a struggle. I could use some help.”

Zoe Figert-Kerl, senior, agreed. “The more resources, the better. I could use an extra pair of eyes on my college essay.”

October kicks off with a showing of Get Out in light of the spooky theme of the month. The scariness is interrupted later in the month by a Library Boogie Dance Party, but the Halloween spirit thrives on the 31st with a Halloween parade.

Also on Halloween, staff will be available to do zombie and gore makeup, so if you’re ready to spook your friends, this is the way to go! “I really want to see Get Out,” Syed Shah, senior, commented. “I love Halloween. I can’t wait to see the makeup they do.”

Halloween also marks the end of scheduled library events, but that doesn’t mean they stop happening! Make sure to check their calendar on the website or pick up a flyer at the Youth Center.

The piece I chose was my print issue piece, the article on Bushra. The main struggle I had with this article was placing the initial focus – I couldn’t decide where to put the emphasis in the article. Do I highlight her age? The position she’s running for? The existing board and what they’re doing? I ended up focusing mainly on the things she was excited about – the morality of her campaign, the difference between her and the others on the board, and who she was. It was not a simple article to write, but it taught me how to center an article around a person instead of an event. I don’t think I’m quite qualified to give wisdom, as I’ve only been here for one semester, but the most important thing for me to remember in this class is to be patient with myself. To keep writing, even if I don’t like what’s coming out of my keyboard, because it’s a lot easier to edit and rephrase than it is to start from scratch.