September 2023 Issue
HOCO 2023: A Night Under the Stars
By Elisabeth Skorupa
Editor
At Victor J. Andrew High School, Homecoming season begins as the last rays of summer begin to fade into fall. The preparations for the big dance begin as students gather together to participate in the annual tradition of Homecoming Olympics. This year, we had a record breaking number of 41 teams participate in the fun activities and games provided for students to enjoy. All of the proceeds from the Homecoming Olympics went to Relay for Life, and the winners had a chance to participate in assembly on Friday morning. Following the olympics, many students stayed to help decorate the school. Everyone gathered to paint the windows throughout the school in support of different clubs, sports, and activities. An afternoon full of painting, music, and pizza is always an amazing way to spend time with friends and challenge your artistic abilities.
Throughout the week, the students of Andrew participated in exciting spirit days in addition to extra attractions that led up to the dance on Saturday. On Monday, the theme was “Pajama Day” and many students as well as staff enjoyed their comfy clothes. In the evening, the “Movie on the Field" was quickly adapted to become the “Movie in the Main Gym” due to uncooperative weather. Students had the opportunity to watch Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 1 and enjoy theater snacks. On Tuesday, the spirit day theme was “Rhyme without a Reason/Twin Day.” In accordance with the recent releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer over the summer, Wednesday's spirit day was “Barbie vs. Oppenheimer.” The hallways were filled with a crowd of pink sparkles and black trench coats. Later in the evening, the annual PowderPuff game took place on the football field. It was an exciting and entertaining game to watch. On Thursday, many students came to school with obscure items holding their books and pencils for “Anything but a Backpack Day.” Many students carried baskets, pushed strollers and shopping carts, toted around a microwave, and even a Christmas tree was spotted. In order to conclude the school week and build excitement for the dance, students handed out black and gold beads on Friday morning before the school day. After, the student body gathered in the main gym for a pep assembly which was broadcasted on Fox 32 news. It was an exciting morning full of spirit and anticipation. Friday is traditionally deemed to be “Black and Gold Day,” so students arrived to school wearing our T-Bolt colors. Later that day, there was the annual Homecoming football game. The Andrew T-Bolts won against the Stagg Chargers, which created an amazing atmosphere and attitude to carry the Andrew students into their Homecoming weekend.
On Saturday, many students diligently worked to prepare for the dance. Many friends met up before the dance to take pictures together, and once students began to arrive at the school, the excitement reached an overwhelming level. The school looked completely transformed into “a night under the stars.” Everyone at the dance had an amazing time with their friends and danced the night away. Cookies and lemonade were served as refreshing snacks, and students were welcome to utilize a photo booth for photo strips from the dance. The Homecoming dance was the perfect ending to a fun and exciting Homecoming week.
Tips on Healthily Coping With Stress
By Kaitlin Smith
Staff Writer
With the 2023-2024 school year finally beginning two of the most important things you can do centers around keeping your grades up and managing your health. In this article I will be listing five healthy habits to keep up not only your physical health but your mental and social health as well. Your performance in school is extremely important, and even though it can be challenging to maintain, a little bit of commitment goes a long way.
Homework Management- Keeping up with homework and working on it to the best of your ability can be hard at times so managing when you work on it is important. Different strategies work for different people but some very helpful tricks are:
Do your homework as soon as you get home from school or
Spread out the workload during the day
Too much work at once can lead to more stress than is necessary and taking breaks is healthy!
Healthy Diet- A healthy diet is important when keeping up with school, giving enough energy throughout the day to pay attention during class and put your best effort into schoolwork. A well-balanced diet is also great for your mental health as well. It has been proven that people who consume healthier foods tend to be happier.
Sleep!- Sleep is so important to performing well anywhere! The average person should get 7-9 hours of sleep a night for an energized day. More sleep has also been proven to reduce stress, improve your mood, have a healthier heart, and a sharper brain! Getting enough sleep can make it easier to pay attention in class, less sleeping during learning, and getting more work done!
Physical Activity- Regular physical activity has been scientifically proven to help our mental, social, and physical health. Physical activity helps improve your mood and emotional health, helps keep your learning, thinking, and judgment skills sharp as you age, and helps prevent you from contracting diseases. The better your mental health is, the easier it is to do your best in school, so join a school or community sport.
Limit Screen Time- The use of electronic devices is through the roof; my screen time is higher than ever, I do have to admit. Though, limiting the time you spend scrolling through social media has amazing benefits. It can improve sleep quality (important!), reduce eye strain, enhance mental health, and allow you to focus to really see what’s happening around you. So ditch the phone and I’m sure you’ll see amazing results!
Andrew Clubs: What We Offer and Why to Get Involved
By Elena Aviles
Staff Writer
As the first month of the school year passes, clubs are getting started. Though many clubs began to meet at the end of last month, with only a handful of each club’s meetings having been completed so far, it may not be too late to join a new club and become involved at our school. With over 70 different clubs offered at Andrew, there is a high chance you can find one that you are interested in. Here are just a few of the many opportunities offered for you to get involved with:
ROBOTICS
Robotics is great for aspiring engineers. You work together with club members to create robots to compete in events, like sumo robots, pathfinders, collections, catapults, and more! This is a great way to make friends, and building a robot is way more fun than it sounds! Meetings are held every other Thursday, and while the 3-6:30 duration seems long, it’s highly flexible and you can come in or leave whenever you feel the need to!
STUDENT COUNCIL
Student Council is an exciting club that gives you the opportunity to be involved in our school’s volunteer projects, leadership activities, and school dances, including Homecoming. It is a great way to get to know more people and be a huge part of our Andrew Community.
LATINX STUDENT UNION
In this club you can help plan Latino and Hispanic enrichments. The club sets up an ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos which you are welcome to add to. The club also has delicious potlucks and is for anyone who is interested in connecting with hispanic culture and heritage.
SPORTS MEDICINE
Sports Medicine Club is a hands-on experience that gives you the opportunity to work with our Athletic Trainer. If you are looking to learn about injury prevention and treatment for our athletes and have fun with volunteering for football games and after school sports, then this club is for you!
ART CLUB
MATHLETES
NEWSPAPER
YEARBOOK
In this club members spend time making a mural for the school and other fun crafts. This club is for people who are interested in or enjoy art and would like to spend time doing various artistic activities.
In this club you get the opportunity to learn new math skills to compete in competitions. You don’t have to be an expert at math to join the club and compete, all you need is the desire to learn new things and practice math!
Newspaper club is a way to connect with the school through information. You can write articles about anything: current school events, upcoming affairs, sports, entertainment, etc. Anything you are interested in can be an article! You should join cause it’s a creative outlet to write whatever you’d like, with a time commitment allows you to be part of other clubs.
Yearbook is a fun and inclusive experience. You get to enjoy creating the yearbook, spending time with friends, and eating snacks. You learn to use technology to create your own pages in the yearbook, and see the printed at the end of the process.
GREEK CLUB
Greek club is all about embracing the Greek culture and having a good time. Whether you are Greek or not Greek, you will for sure have a great time! - Thano
BOOK CLUB
In this club, we read and discuss books as a group monthly, and we eat snacks. People who are looking for a welcoming book community should think about joining.
So why do these clubs matter? Why should you join them in the first place? Not only can joining a club help introduce you to a lifelong passion that you can enjoy and participate in for the rest of your life, but it also helps you become more passionate about school. Research shows that participating in a school club or activity can increase a student’s attachment to their school and school community.
This increased attachment can encourage students to give more effort to their schoolwork and decrease their likelihood of dropping out. Participating in school extracurriculars also creates a more well rounded student and individual, and may also provide exposure to leadership roles. This also increases chances of being accepted to college, as extracurriculars can greatly assist your college applications. A study found that 87% of students who participated in extracurricular activities in high school attended college, while only 71% of students who do not participate in extracurriculars attend college. Participation in other activities than just school will be extremely beneficial on college applications!
This information shows how beneficial participating in clubs at school can be, not only for your future, but also to enjoy your time at school and become more dedicated to your grades and wellbeing. Now is the perfect opportunity to find new interests that may not only help you live a better life in school, but could introduce you to some new career paths! Take some time this year to branch out by joining a club and trying something new- you may just enjoy it!
Photo courtesy of Country Living
Fall Activities
By Elena Aviles
Staff Writer
As homecoming season draws to a close, fall sports come to an end, and a crisp breeze invades the area, you stand with the rest of your peers contemplating the universal question: what now? Although Homecoming Olympics and spirit week is wrapped up until next year, there’s still a plethora of activities to participate in this fall. Illinois happens to have tons of easily accessible fall events to keep the fun moving mid-semester.
Bengston’s Pumpkin Patch and Fall Fest
13341 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491
A south suburbs classic, Bengston’s remains a safe option for some fall fun. Although some might say a pumpkin patch seems childish, it’s a super cute place to take pictures, pick pumpkins, and spend some time with friends!
Pumpkin Painting Contest
At home activity
Photo courtesy of Real Simple
At home activity
Photo courtesy of Real Simple
Pumpkin painting can be a super adorable, low budget way to spend your time during the fall. Invite some friends over, make some apple cider, listen to some Halloween songs, and have a pumpkin painting contest! Set a timer for about 45 minutes, and let your creative juices flow.
County Line Orchard
200 S County Line Rd, Hobart, IN 46342
200 S County Line Rd, Hobart, IN 46342
My favorite thing about fall is going apple picking, and if there’s one place to do it, it’s County Line Orchard. Spend your time picking apples, drinking cider, and tasting the most delicious fall donuts you’ll ever indulge in. Store bought donuts will never be the same again after tasting these. Even though it’s in Indiana, County Line is relatively close to get to, and a guaranteed exciting experience.
Fall Artisan Market- Orland Park
14750 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462
14750 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462
Shopping starts at 9 am and ends at 3, with a $4 entry fee. Enjoy 80+ vendors and local crafters. This event is a great spot to support the local businesses and merchants.
Friendsgiving
At home activity
Photo courtesy of Food Network
At home activity
Photo courtesy of Food Network
Above all, Friendsgiving is the ultimate fall activity. Invite a group of friends over and have everyone make/buy a designated dish. Each person could bring desserts, fruit/veggie trays, drinks (apple cider!), or any of your favorite foods to share and try. It’s so refreshing to eat dishes from other cultures and households, and Friendsgiving is the perfect place to do it. After your delicious meal, board games and a movie are a relaxing way to end off your fall evening.
Between the versatile weather, delicious seasonal drinks, and adorable fall decorations, you can’t go wrong with plans in the fall. Hopefully some of these ideas inspired you to relax and enjoy yourself a little more this fall!
Marching Band Invitational
By James Abraham
Staff Writer
On September 23rd, our school hosted the annual Marching Band Invitational. There was a free entry for students with IDs, and a $3 admission cost to anyone else. The VJA Marching Band has been working on their piece “Far Side” since early summer. This year’s show centers around space, the moon, and the unknown. Outside of the euphonious, lyrical melodies and dynamic choreography, there are 6 soloists. Firstly, there are two flute soloists, Sophia Cescato and Callie Panozzo, a brass trio, consisting of Ashton Zopf on baritone, Emily O’Connor on mellophone, and Lucas Cordova on trumpet, and Alexis Fornero on the clarinet, along with a percussion feature. Along with this, many other schools had their marching bands perform. In the end, the Andrew band was scored but not counted for participation, due to them hosting. If they were to participate however, they would get 3rd place out of the 21 participating teams. The whole event lasted around 7 hours, and left everyone, spectators and participants, with a grin on their face!
Working the Spooky Season
By Shelby Oliver
Staff Writer
Fall is filled with many decorations, foods, and events to attend. Why not work to supply yourself with enough money to enjoy the season at its fullest? Here is a list of festive jobs to apply for this upcoming fall:
Sales Associate at
Spirit Halloween
Description: “...setup, merchandising, pack-up and teardown of a seasonal store… The Sales Associate will support the Store Management Team by generating sales, sign waving, general housekeeping, merchandising, signing, pricing, POS operations and loss prevention.”
Location: 1 Orland Park Place, Orland Park, US, IL, 60462
Hours: Flexible & Seasonal
Minimum Age: 16
Link for more information and to apply: https://apply.jobappnetwork.com/clients/10129/posting/8735978/en?utm_source=careerbuilder
Barista at Starbucks
Perfect for Pumpkin Spice Season!
Description: “You’ll be in an energetic store environment where you’ll have the ability to master your food & beverage craft, work alongside friends and meet new people every day. A cup of coffee and smile can go a long way, and we believe our baristas have the power to be the best moment in each customer’s day.”
Location: 17111 LaGrange Road, Tinley Park, Illinois, United States
Hours: Minimum 12 hours per week
Minimum Age: 16
Link for more information and to apply: https://apply.starbucks.com/careers/job/481053206329?domain=starbucks.com&utm_campaign=Appcastµsite=Retail&utm_source=appcast_indeedo&_ccid=1693436762396hk79cwyit&ittk=8ISCOSQGGD
Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm
Description: “Work with and meet fun and exciting new people. The fun filled environment is a great place to meet new friends and help visitors continue their Fall traditions.”
Location: 13341 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491
Hours: Flexible & Seasonal
Minimum Age: 16
Link for more information and to apply: https://pumpkinfarm.com/jobs-near-me/
Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm
Description: “We are looking for friendly individuals with a great attitude to join our farm family at Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm... Not only does this seasonal job provide a little extra cash, it is also a fun and rewarding way to help other harvest family fall memories.”
Location: 17250 Weber Rd Lockport IL 60441
Hours: Flexible & Seasonal
Minimum Age: 15
Link for more information and to apply:https://ourpumpkinfarm.com/jobs/
Be sure to also check the VJA Job Board as well for more job opportunities! What are you waiting for T-Bolts? Apply for a job today!
Barbie Review
By James Abraham
Staff Writer
The Barbie movie is an absolute wonder, bringing the dolls to life in an engaging two hour classic. I watched it the day of release and have been thinking about it since. From perfect casting choices, memorable songs, and an appealing story, everything about this movie was absolutely amazing. Greta Gerwig took all we’ve ever known about the Barbie franchise, and let it soar to new heights.
The statistics don’t lie; Barbie is the number one highest grossing film in 2023. It generated 1.36 billion dollars, edging out The Super Mario Bros. Movie and ranking as the 14th highest grossing movie of all time. This, of course, comes to no surprise as almost no other movie has put in the time and effort like Barbie has. Whether Oppenheimer or Barbie was a better movie is up to the viewer’s opinion, but from my standpoint, and a monetary one, Barbie wiped the floor with the competition. The plot is based around Barbie discovering malfunctions within herself and, with Ken, going to the real world to find the root of it. While the story seems shallow on paper, the overtures of messages like patriarchy and feminism, with subtle undertones like the everlasting wonder of childhood, allow the story to form into a heart-soaring feature. It has the perfect balance of lighthearted humor with sophisticated profoundness.
The producer of the movie, Margot Robbie, cast herself for the film after the first choice, Gal Gadot, couldn’t make it, and dare I say I’m glad she didn’t. Margot captured Barbie in a way I couldn’t imagine, rejuvenating the timeless toy in a stunning way. Ryan Gosling, after his circulating Barbie dancing video taken when he was 12 years old, was cast as the lovable Ken. Besides the main characters, the representation of the casts and Barbies were immensely expansive, and all of them had a purpose rather than being out there simply for diversity. From President Barbie being a black woman to Doctor Barbie being played by a transgender woman, the movie and casting’s fluid nature allowed diversity unheard of and even feared by popular mainstream culture.
Now on to my favorite part, the music. All of the music, given to many different artists with many different styles, fit the Barbie aesthetic perfectly and gave each of their scenes so much more depth and immersion. Some of my favorite songs, which I promptly added to my playlists, include “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, and Aqua, “Barbie Dreams” by Fifty Fifty ft. Kaliii, “Speed Drive” by Charlixcx, and “Angel” by Pink Pantheress. Even as an avid movie watcher, I’ve never seen any movie soundtrack make as much of an impact as Barbie’s. These songs instantly circulated the internet, and grew amazingly popular at breakneck speed. The ability of the movie to use many different artists to encapsulate the magic of Barbie through all the emotional ups and downs is simply astounding.
My final verdict is a strong 10/10; it fulfilled all of my Barbie Dreams. I honestly wish I could forget about it so I could watch and experience it for the first time again. Watching this movie would, to put it frankly, be an act of self care that everyone should partake in. No matter your age or gender, this movie is a must watch. The only possible negative I could think of about this movie is my expectations of movies will never be the same again. I and many others will dutifully follow Greta Gerwig in hopes of seeking another beauty.