Madison Powers

Madison Powers has been on the Clarion staff for three years. She started out as a staff reporter and worked her way up to being the Web Editor.

She is a senior this year and plans on attending college in the Fall. She enjoys watching the Toy Story trilogy and playing tennis in her free time. Madison enjoys watching Alleigh stress out due to her hard school load, makes the day a little easier. (:

Madison can be reached by emailing powersm@rbclarion.org.

Four places that’ll scare the “be-jeebers” out of you

It’s the time of year when places are gearing up for the Halloween season. Stores are starting to get Halloween costumes in stock, apple cider is available in grocery stores, and Starbucks has officially brought back the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Your weekends are now going to be a little more interesting because many haunted houses in the Chicagoland area are opening on September 30th. Here is a list of the top four one should visit this Halloween season.

Seniors reflect on 2011-2012′s changes

After the failure of last year’s operating fund referendum, RB has undergone many changes. In a series of video interviews, Clarion had a chance to talk to some of this year’s seniors to get their thoughts.

Clarion Guide: Prom

The big day of Prom is nearly upon us. Check out our guide to getting ready.

Boys tennis taking it one swing at a time

The boys tennis team has been making progress this season. On April 5^th, the boys played Fenton and came out strong with a four to three victory. Seniors Bradley Wilson and Jake Dluhy played strong at first doubles along with junior Jack Kemper and senior Luke Jebb at second. Sophomores Ryan Gradishire and Jimmy Rock held strong at third doubles and senior Nate Hanley and junior Jeremy Rolewicz held up at fourth doubles.

On April 9th, the boys had a tough time at the Leyden Quad finishing in fourth place. They came back with another four to three victory against Addison Trail and Elmwood Park.

Kemper said, “The season has been the same if not better than last year. We have a really strong team and I think the rest of the season will only get better.”

The Bulldogs defeated Shepard with a four to one victory, but fell short playing conference competitor Timothy Christian. Kemper said, “Timothy Christian and Glenbard South are going to be tough to beat.”

Junior Aron Perfect said, “The team has bonded really well, which makes practice very fun. It’s been a good season and we’re improving every day.”

The team will play eight more matches against conference and non-conference teams. On Wednesday May 11, the seeding will be chosen for the sectional matches. Those matches will be held on May 20^th.

New incentives for juniors taking the PSAE

On Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28 the juniors will be taking the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE). During these two days the students will be taking two tests: the ACT and the Workplace Skills exam. The ACT tests a student’s knowledge in English, Reading, Math and Science, while the Work Keys test focuses on essential workplace skills.

 Principal Pam Bylsma has sent out a letter to all juniors and their parents explaining the final exam policies for the following school year. The School Board has approved a one year pilot program that will be added to the final exam policy. A senior will be exempt from final exams if he or she:

• Meets or exceeds standards on the PSAE English and Reading test.
(-Exempt from the final exams 1st and 2nd semesters of one senior English course)

 • Meets or exceeds standards on the PSAE Math test
(-Exempt from the final exams 1st and 2nd semesters of one senior Math course)

• Meets or exceeds standards on the PSAE science test
(-Exempt from the final exams 1st and 2nd semesters of one senior Science course)

The school will be enacting the policy on a trial basis due to last year’s PSAE test scores. Last year was the first time RB did not meet state standards and the board and administration do not want that to happen again. They want to stress how important both tests are, not just the ACT.

Bylsma noted in the letter that there are multiple reasons for the lower test scores : “test fatigue” on Day 2 as a result of investing so much energy and concentration on the Day 1 ACT exam; a lack of understanding of the importance of workplace skills leading students to take Day 2 less seriously, and disconnect between the workplace skills exam and what it means on a personal level.

Bylsma feels that if the administration gives students an incentive, test scores will go up. These tests are not only important for the school’s future, but the students as well. The PSAE results appear on a student’s transcript for colleges. It will show universities whether or not a student met state standards. By meeting or exceeding state standards, students will receive state recognition. It will also help the state assess RB’s “overall academic achievement level.”

RB celebrates National Library Week April 11-15

April eleventh marks the start of National Library Week. It is a week sponsored by the American Library Association in which public and school libraries are shown appreciation for all the things that have been accomplished throughout the year. RB has been an active participant in National Library Week for at least fifteen years and plans on continuing the tradition this year with the theme of “Character Counts in the Library”.

The entire week is focused on bringing students and teachers into the library and showing them how important it is. The librarians have set up a variety of activities that will be going on during the week. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday popcorn will be in the library and available to all. Students are allowed to take some during their study hall and teachers are also able to bring their classes down during the day. Thursday is “Read a Latte” and mini muffins and coffee will be provided. A teacher appreciation day will also be in place. They will again provide coffee and cake, while showering the teachers with the gratitude they deserve.

Librarian Alicia Duell said, “We have also created a new Facebook page to kick off the unit. By ‘liking the page’ a person will be entered into a raffle for a prize.” The Facebook raffle is not the only new aspect the librarians have added onto National Library Week. They are also accepting random acts of kindness reporting to go along with the theme of Character Counts. If a student is caught doing a random act of kindness, they will receive some sort of prize.

Duell has explained that every year the usage of the library increases during National Library Week.  She said, “A lot of teachers rely on it and make sure to bring their classes down.”

Prom to be held at Mickey D’s

It’s the time of year when people all around the nation spend hundreds of dollars on dresses, shoes and tuxedos, all for a silly dance: prom. This year the junior class officers have decided to go the simple route. They announced Friday, March 25 that prom will be held at the McDonalds on Cermak in Broadview.

Some may say this venue is not accommodating to the hundreds of students who are planning on attending prom. Others may argue that it is unfair that previous proms have been held at such fun environments, but Student Association begs to differ.

The class officers have said that McDonald’s seemed liked a logical choice of location for many reasons. The restaurant has a lot of space for all the students. They can go anywhere from the play place (which will be open the whole time!) to the parking lot, which will have a special place put aside where no cars will be able to go.

 McDonalds also has a huge variety of food. Hungry for a burger? No problem. Vegetarian? They have salads. Craving dessert? Go purchase a McFlurry. The officers also thought that because of the rough economic situation we’ve been in, McDonalds would be very cheap. Tickets are only [$55 as opposed to last year’s $60 tickets].

In another attempt to save money, student has decided to cut the shuttle bus that takes kids to pro. Instead, they are planning a group walk to the location. Make sure to bring sensible walking shoes.

Music will not be a huge concern this year because McDonalds has kindly offered to keep the soundtrack they play on throughout the entire dance. The songs range from the newest pop sensations to smooth jazz. SA is sure there won’t be any complaints this year.

The last surprise student association is throwing at the student body is a special appearance by Ronald himself. For a low price of $20, students will be able to take group shots with Ronald and his trusty pal Mayor McCheese.

Student association is very excited for this dance and knows it will be one that goes down in RB history. Their only worry is how to top it for next year.

Boys tennis: New season, new team

On Monday, February 28 the boys’ tennis team officially began their season. Boys’ tennis is a no cut sport, so practices began right away. The team will have their first match on April 5^th. They will have a jam-packed season with 25 matches in 35 days.

Captains have not been picked, but the team has concluded that seniors Bradley Wilson and Luke Jebb are leading the team. This year’s team is younger than most, being made up of only four seniors, when in years past, the majority of the team were seniors.

 Coach Tom Fuller said, “It’s a rebuilding year because it’s not a senior led team.”

The team is hoping for twenty three participants, but the musical and other sports are interfering with the total number. Eleven will be playing for Varsity, while the remaining members will be playing for the JV team. Fuller also says that three sophomores will be playing with the varsity, which is unique for the program.

Junior Jack Kemper said, “Compared to last season we lost a lot of depth and this season will be a lot different from previous ones.”

The team is expecting it to be a tough year with all the new competition. Glenbard South, the newest competitor, will give RB a good fight because Fuller believes they have a good program. He said, “They have a good chance to compete well, but they will just have to see what the season brings.”

 Returning junior Aron Perfect said, “I’m excited for the season because I know RB will step up to the new competition. We have strong players and hopefully we’ll be able to adapt to any difficulties the season may bring.”

Do you still want to go to college?

It’s the second semester of the school year and many seniors are looking forward to attending a university in the fall. Movie director Christian E. Christiansen decided to take this excitement and turn it into a fear that will have many seniors shaking in their boots.

The movie “The Roommate” was about a girl who moves into her college dorm. Her experience starts off like a normal college freshman’s life would be. She attends frat parties, meets new friends, and tries bonding with her new roommate.

As time progresses, Sara (Minka Kelly), begins to feel suffocated by her roommate Rebecca (Leighton Meester).  Every time Sara leaves the dorm room, Rebecca becomes a nervous wreck. She is always calling to check up on Sara and trying to makes plans with her. “She just wants to be [Sara’s] friend!”

The movie was very suspenseful, but avoid the trailers, which give the ending away. Seeing them, you realized what was going to happen between the two roommates. It left nothing up to the imagination.

Other than the ending being ruined, the movie was better than most thriller movies. There was no corny acting and it wasn’t all just about a girl feeling scared. It had depth and a legitimate plot. Some parts were very exciting and flew by, while other scenes were very long and drawn out.

“2000 colleges. 8 million roommates. Which one will you get?”

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