Monthly Archives: October 2015

School Life

School lunch review

The lunches at school have always been dreadful but now they are just plain unappetizing. The food that they are serving us students is hard to even understand what it is. The food is undercooked or it’s overcooked.

It seems like even the lunch staff is not okay with serving students this so call “food” as there are standards even for the lunch staff.

Most students complain to the school for serving this on a daily basis. There are many ways we can improve, but sadly nobody does anything to change the school food. According to students, this lunch food is just inedible, and since most students are starving at this time, they have to eat this so-called food. There is also a portion of students that don’t eat lunch due to the food.

There are many students who always try to ask for better food but nothing has ever been done to improve the food. Students such as Iveth Martinez have claimed she rather not eat school food because it is just not appetizing.

Eating something is very crucial for many students. After speaking  o some of the lunch staff, very briefly, since they are very busy, they said that the food is not the best but it is what they have to work with to feed such a big portion of kids.

I think what they are saying is true if they had better quality food to feed students, then I believe the food would be better. Some improvements that I would suggest, include: asking students what they would like to eat in school, as that way more students would want to eat school lunches. We also could improve the quality of the food, thus making the food have a better taste.

Overall, school food isn’t the most appealing but it is still OUR school food and we should improve it where possible.

Editorials/Student Voice

Editorial: Pep fest behavior

This letter was submitted to us from a HPSH student. They wanted to share their thoughts on the recent homecoming pepfest. If you’re interested in submitting an editorial to us on any topic, please send an email to: hpshplaidline@gmail.com

Dear Highland Park,

I am writing this to express how deeply I am ashamed of the caustic behavior of the majority of the school at the pep fest. Freshmen are students just like the rest of us and we should respect them as such. Almost all of us have freshman friends or siblings, so think about how it would feel to say to their face that they are not worth the school’s time.

Sophomores: You were freshmen only three months ago. The beginning of a new school year does not automatically give you greater respect. You must earn respect, including the freshmen’s, and you can not be respected through bullying someone because of their age. Next year, they will be the sophomores, so set a good example.

Juniors and seniors: It is even worse that the older kids in the school, and supposedly the more mature, would degrade another student based on his or her age. You are almost adults and treating kids two or three years younger than you as was done at the pep fest is petty, bullying, and hurtful to self-esteem. You are also setting an example and what you do is often regarded more highly by the freshmen than what the sophomores do.

Freshmen: I sincerely apologize for the caustic words said by most of your school. Though I myself am not a freshman, the chant hurt me, too. It hurt, because I can not believe that a school, my school, that celebrates it’s respectful and supportive environment could allow this. All of us were freshmen at some point, and just because we were told to “go home” by older students does not mean we have to make it a tradition. An eye for an eye does not create a stable world. Chanting such a thing tells our freshmen that their classmates do not respect them at all.

This letter was not supposed to condemn, but to make you think. I recognize that many students did not chant at the pep fest, and I greatly appreciate that. Please consider my words, and hopefully all Highland Park students will treat their peers, younger or older, with the respect they deserve.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Student at Highland Park

Advice/How To

Halloween DIY ideas

                                                       Decorations for Halloween.

Here are some great ideas to make your Halloween pumpkin different from everyone else’s this holiday. These fun and creative decoration ideas for your pumpkin will make yours stand out from all your friend this Halloween!

#1 Glitter Pumpkin

Things you’ll need  

  1. Pumpkin
  2. Glitter of choice
  3. Spray adhesive
  4. Paint brush
  5. Newspapers
  6. Spoon

Instructions for glitter pumpkin

  1. Lay out newspaper onto flat surface. (Table, floor, cement)
  2. Spray the top half of your pumpkin with spray adhesive, if you don’t want the stem of the pumpkin to be covered in glitter do not spray with adhesive.
  3. With your spoon, sprinkle glitter over the adhesive you previously sprayed onto your pumpkin.
  4. Remove unwanted glitter by carefully shaking pumpkin over newspaper.
  5. Let your pumpkin sit for at least 5 minutes.
  6. Spray the bottom of your pumpkin with adhesive.
  7. With spoon, sprinkle glitter over the adhesive you previously sprayed on your pumpkin.
  8. Let your pumpkin sit for at least 5 minutes.

#2 Glow in the Dark Pumpkin

Things you’ll need

  1. Pumpkin
  2. Glow in the dark paint of your choice
  3. Paintbrush
  4. Newspaper
  5. Paper plate

Instructions for  glow in the dark Pumpkin

  1. Lay newspaper down onto flat surface. (Table, floor, cement)
  2. Squeeze glow in the dark paint onto paper plate.
  3. With your paintbrush, design your pumpkins how ever you choose.
  4. Let the paint on your pumpkin dry.

#3 Starry Night Pumpkin

Things you’ll need

  1. Pumpkin
  2. Dark blue or black paint
  3. Silver paint
  4. Gold star stickers
  5. Newspaper

Instructions for starry night pumpkin

  1. Lay newspaper down onto flat surface. (Table,floor,cement)

2.Paint the entire pumpkin (including stem) either dark blue or black, depending on which color you chose to use.

  1. Let your paint dry.
  2. After the paint has dried, using the silver paint, paint a crescent moon onto your pumpkin.
  3. Let paint dry.
  4. Stick the gold stars all over your pumpkin.

                                                            Halloween Treats

These snacks are great for any upcoming Halloween event. All tasty, affordable and easy to make!

#4 Nutter Butter Ghosts

Things you’ll need.

  1. Nutter Butters. (How many packaged you need/want)
  2. 8 ounces of melted white chocolate.
  3. 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips.
  4. Plate or tray
  5. Fork
  6. Parchment paper

Instructions for Nutter Butter Ghosts

  1. Put 8 ounces of white chocolate into a microwaveable bowl and heat for 1 minute and 15 seconds.
  2. Carefully place bowl onto a flat surface.
  3. With a fork dip Nutter Butter into white chocolate, rotate until the whole cookie is covered.
  4. With fork, pick up Nutter Butter and place onto parchment paper
  5. Place two mini chocolate chips as the eyes of the ghost.
  6. Let your ghosts dry.

#5 Gummy Worms

Things you’ll need.

  1. 2 Rubber bands
  2. Bendy straws
  3. Jello (red)
  4. Water
  5. Large cup
  6. Bowl

Instructions for Gummy Worms

  1. Pack all of the bendy straws together and wrap two rubber, one on the top and one on the opposite end.
  2. Make jello.
  3. While the jello is still in a liquid form, pour into straws.
  4. Let jello sit for 2-3 hours in fridge.
  5. Carefully pour warm water over jello filled straws to release “worms” from straws into a bowl.
  6. Pour out extra water.

#6 Witch Finger

Things you’ll need

  1. White bread
  2. Red jam/jelly
  3. Peanut butter/almond butter etc.
  4. Shaved almonds
  5. Knife
  6. Rolling pin
  7. Plate

Instructions for Witch Fingers

  1. Cut the crusts of the bread off.
  2. With rolling pin flatten out bread
  3. With knife spread peanut butter or almond butter onto the bread.
  4. Roll bread vertically.
  5. Cut a V shape onto one of the ends of the bread.
  6. Put a small amount of jelly/jam onto the V shape of the bread.
  7. Push shaved almond into the jelly/jam
  8. Put sandwich onto a plate
  9. Put jelly/jam onto end of sandwich

Helpful links:

http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/diy-glow-in-dark-pumpkins.html

http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/how-to-make-glittered-pumpkins

http://thestir.cafemom.com/food_party/145588/nutter_butter_ghost_cookies_fo

http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/holidays/8-fun-new-ways-to-decorate-a-pumpkin-pictures

http://www.annabelkarmel.com/recipes/deadman-finger-sandwiches

http://www.allthingshomerelated.com/2012/10/ghost-cookies/

Getting To Know/History

Homecoming interviews

Ms.  Hedwall, Ms. Rowheller, and the student council were in charge of the Homecoming week festivities. We interviewed some of the winners of the Homecoming Court and here is what they had to say.

DSC07190
photo courtesy of Audrey Dombro

Q: What was going through your head before they mentioned the winner?

Max: I was hoping someone else would get the chance.

Emilia: I was nervous.

Sid: Nothing, there were so many people. I was so nervous I couldn’t think

Sidney: I was nervous.

Q: How long did it take you to pick an outfit?

Max: Five minutes.

Emelia: Two hours.

Sid: Thirty minutes.

Sidney: Not that much.

Q: How did your family about you winning the title?

Max: My mom was really enthusiastic.

Emelia: They were really happy. My mom took a lot of pictures.

Sid: They thought it was cool.

Sidney: Really happy.

DSC07043
photo courtesy of Audrey Dombro

Q: How are you involved in school?

Max: Theater, Link crew, and HS.

Emelia: Link crew, volleyball.

Sid: Cross country, Nordic skiing, and track and field.

Sidney: FFA, Theater.

Q: Were you excited?

Max: Yes.

Emelia: Yes

Sid: I was pretty excited I didn’t think I would win.

Sidney: Yes.

Q: Did you think you were going win?

Max: No.

Emelia: No.

Sid: No.

Sidney: No.

Q: Did you do anything or celebrate?

Max: No.

Emelia: No, I just went to the dance.

Sid: I just went to the dance.

Sidney: Yes, I went out to dinner with my mom.

Max has won last year and Sidney was nominated.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Nike releases

First, we have the Lebron XIII ID. It is coming out October 10 at 10:00 for  $200 dollars a pair. The colors are mulberry/black pure platnium-vivid puple. for Lebron there are no such things as luck. Hard work, perserverence  and the abillity to conquer any challenge has led him to victory.

Now we have the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG in powder blue. It’s white and dark powder blue. The day it is coming out is October 10, and the cost is $160 dollars. It was inspired by Jordan’s collegiate alma mater.  The new Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG will feature a white premium on the upper along with dark powder blue accents. Get yours October 10 at nike.com.

Now we have the Nike Flyknit Racer Tranquil. It comes out October 9 at 10:00. The cost is $150 dollars. They are the most lightweight running shoes, and they look great. They also have great Nike zoom air cushioning. The colors are white/black-game with a royal-green strike.

News, World

Sharks vs. Selfies

It sounds like a joke, but unfortunately it isn’t: The deaths are a tragic reminder to travelers that focusing on their phone screens instead of paying attention to potentially dangerous surroundings. The BBC reported that a Japanese tourist reportedly died of a heart attack after falling down a staircase at the Taj Mahal’s Royal Gate while attempting to take a selfie. Another man recently shot himself while posing for a selfie, and in 2014, a couple fell off a cliff while trying to snap a picture of themselves. It got to the point where Russia had so many people being injured or killed while taking selfies, that the Russian police published a guide on how to take selfies without killing yourself.

A trend in selfie deaths was noticed, and it was found by the website ‘Mashable’ that more people died while trying to take a selfie this year than were killed by sharks. In 2015, 12 people died while attempting to take a selfie and eight people died from shark attacks. This is a scary fact because being afraid of sharks is a very common and widespread fear, but the reality is that being distracted by something as everyday as a phone is more of threat to us in this technologically advanced age. The bottom line is that your life is more important than some daredevil selfie in front of a train to post on Instagram.

School Life

The iPad roll out

The iPads are here at Highland Park High School to help students learn better and teachers teach easier. Here is some information about the iPads and when they will be coming to other schools.

Boys Totem Town, October 12

Farnsworth Upper, October 7

Gordon Parks HS, October 14

Highland Park Middle, October 14

Humboldt, October 5-7

Journeys, October 13

LEAP HS, October 12

Linwood Monroe Lower, October 7

Linwood Monroe Upper, October 8

Murray Middle, October 13

Open World Learning, October 8

Parkway, October 12

With an iPad comes responsibility here are some rule that come along with the iPad

  • Do not leave or store the iPad in a vehicle.
  • Do not lend the iPad to another person. You are solely responsible for the care and security of your iPad.
  • Do not use the iPad or allow it to be visible when waiting at a bus stop or train station; riding public transportation, such as a Metro Transit bus or light rail train; or when walking in the community.
  • Carry the iPad to and from school in a school bag or backpack so that it is not visible.

A passcode will be required to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information on the

  • Do not share your password with anyone else.

Each iPad has a unique identification number and district property control tag.

  • Do not remove the tags or modify the numbers.
School Life, Sports

Powderpuff Power

A powderpuff game is a flag football game formed by a group of junior and senior girls, to determine which class is better at football. The same rules apply as regular football, just no tackling.

The females that joined the powderpuff football team this year were: Dominic Estrada, Titania Thao, Marine Nystrom, Jennifer Ibarra, Carli Webber, Daisy Lor, and Allison Kavanagh.

Screen Shot 2015-10-05 at 10.38.09 AM

Juniors chose to be a part of the game because they wanted to be a part of an activity that involved team work, and to show that juniors are better than seniors.

The reason the seniors joined this activity is because this is their last year to prove that seniors will always have the win, and that they are the strongest class.

Before the game we asked each player on the junior and senior team a few questions about the game and how they felt about it. We asked them their name, grade, position they wanted to be, what their thoughts were about the game, and why they chose to participate in the game. For example, Allison Kavanagh, a fellow 12th grade student, wanted to be a receiver and was pretty pumped about the powderpuff game. Allison said: “The reason I joined the powderpuff football game is because it’s senior year. Go hard or go home.”

The game started at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning, before the homecoming football game. The teams were set and ready to go in 3…2…1 game time. Due to the number of participants, it turned into a 3 on 3 football game. The coach gave each team three possessions.

After two possessions each, they were tied with one touchdown and they each had one more possession. So the seniors were up first and the juniors had a chance to get up first. The juniors needed the score to tie and the seniors intercepted it to secure their victory. Seniors had their last possession, they scored, and the seniors won! So, even with only having 3-4 people it was a lot of fun.

News, World

To Infinity and Beyond

A new and rising company Celestis offers the chance to honor the deceased in a new and unique way. Celestis gives families a chance to send the cremated remains of their loved ones into space. Celestis offers multiple services ranging in prices from $1,295 to $32,500. Celestis has an “Earth Rise” service, an “Earth Orbit” service, a “Luna” service, and the “Voyager” service.

The “Earth Rise” service gives families the opportunity a chance to launch a symbolic portion of their cremated deceased into space, which will then return back home to the family.

“Earth Orbit” offers families the option to send the cremated remains of the deceased into orbit where it is estimated to stay anywhere from 10 to 240 years, after which it will reenter the atmosphere where it will harmlessly vaporize like a shooting star.

The “Luna” service will be sending cremated remains to the surface of the moon.

Lastly the “Voyager” service will send cremated remains out of Earths orbit and onward and outward to the depths of space.

Like Celestis, a company called Elysium Space offered more affordable plans for the same concept. Elysium Space sends the created remains into orbit for months or years, and like Celestis’s “Earth Orbit” service, the remains will eventually reenter the atmosphere, and vaporize. Elysium Space’s service is a low price of $2,000, where as Celestis offers the same service for $4,995. $2,000 is a great deal compared to the average $6,000 it cost to host a funeral, according to the National Funeral Director’s Association.

Elysium is working closely with commercial space flight companies, and soon hopes to widen their variety of services, much like Celestis. Much like Celestis, Elysium hopes to allow families the choice to send their deceased family to the moon, deep space, and even the sun.

As space funerals are gaining more popularity, other creative forms of spreading cremated remains are surfacing. Entrepreneur Steven Mitchell is developing a service to launch the cremated remains into the sky, using mini rockets, which it will then explode, scattering the ashes. Mitchell is working on developing a “do it yourself” version, along with a more advanced version that should travel the speed of sound.

School Life

Showing Highland Spirit

Near the end of September, trees have already begun to change into varied hues of red, orange, and yellow. Speaking of red, remember seeing the sea of red during pep fest? Fall is the season of high school homecomings, corination, and senior class elections, but this is also the opportunity for students to show their school spirit.

Highland had been reserving Friday of the spirit week for the class color day, up until 2013-14 school year when they changed it to red out. As you all know, red and white are our school colors, therefore it is perfect way to be true to our school. The purpose of this is to create the sense of community and unification of our student body, instead of the typical division of class bodies to encourage rivalry.

This year’s Homecoming week began on the third week of September. The following were the themes for this year’s spirit week: pajama day, tie dye day, wacky hair, class colors, and red out day.

We recently created a survey revolving around the theme of homecoming spirit days, sharing it through Twitter, Facebook, and text messages. As of Friday September 25, 2015, about 83% of the 59 students who took the survey had said that they did not like this year’s spirit theme days. However, 63% of the surveyors admitted that they stilled participated in the spirit week events despite not liking the spirit days.

Why don’t people like these spirit days? Several people complained that student council continues to repeat the same themes every year and should think more creatively. Many commented on how much they despised the wacky hair day. Below are some of responses received:

“The spirit days would be way more interesting and things that even the annoying people that occupy this school would actually want to participate in.”

“Teenagers thrive on incentive, give them something worth being embarrassed over.”

“Things that are a little easier to wear…..crazy hair day is not something that’s fun and easy for me to do….nobody does it really because it takes too much effort and is too uncomfortable.”

Themes that students suggested for the future:

  • Togo Tuesday
  • USA
  • Disney
  • Throwback
  • Hawaiian/ Tourist
  • Jersey
  • Cultural dress
  • Cartoon
  • Superhero
  • Camo

While most people continue to rant about how much they hated the spirit days or what theme day they should have, a few people have provided helpful feedback to add more activities to spirit week. Such advice included things like, giving out awards for the individual who portrays the best outfit for that particular spirit day, or play music during passing time. 

What do you think about spirit week? Feel free to take this survey and provide your insights on the themes!

Survey Link