Students share their doubts about college
by Alida Pecanin
“Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed.”
The quote from Michael Pritchard, nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, communicates that fear is just a breeding ground for other negative feelings, and it seems that one of these breeding grounds is set deep within Northside’s borders. As students in a college preparatory high school, Northsiders are expected to go to college, but the idea of college comes with more baggage than one thinks.
“Everything about college scares me and overwhelms me,” Gannon Brzoska, Adv. 107, said.
Specifically, …

International night creates a global perspective
by Bjanka Mujicic
This year, I participated in only one performance. That left me with ample room for observation, so I watched as students frantically changed into their outfits for belly-dancing and tango, and switch to a costume for Pandanggo or Korean Fan dance.
Similarly, I took on the culture of another by performing in a dance from India, a country that could not be farther from my own. Participating in International Night – the frequent practices, bonding, and of course, the last minute hectic panic all …

Students experience stress during the final days of school
by Pooja Agarwal
The long awaited summer weather is an indication that the final stretch of the school year has arrived. With only a few weeks of school remaining, students impatiently anticipate the summer of 2010, but realize that they must first overcome one thing to reach it: the dreaded finals week.
Finals week is supposed to be the time of year where teachers evaluate how much students have actually learned throughout the entire year, however, students often question whether finals are really as …

Seniors’ plans after graduation and how Northside has helped them get there
by Sam Presto
Every year, the last few weeks of school seem to stretch on and on for students as they count down the days until summer vacation starts. For students graduating high school, this excitement is also paired with the sentimental and surreal process of preparing for graduation and saying goodbye to friends they may not see again.
With the tension of previous months relieved as the college application process ended, most Northside seniors have cemented their post-graduation plans. Of …

by Zobia Chunara

Becky Duffy, Adv. 109, woke up one day, got dressed, and jumped in the car to drive to school with AJ Tran, Adv. 201, and Lizzie Tran, Adv. 303. As she stepped out of the car and into the school parking lot, she knew that her day would consist of going to school, practicing two hours of basketball, rushing home to complete homework, and getting in some sleep.
It seems that a continuation of these typical weekdays in the life of Becky Duffy has paid off. …

Juniors-
Now that the year is coming to an end and the ACT scores are finally in, the reality of the college application process is probably starting to kick in. Applying to college is a lot like adding an extra class to your schedule, especially when you’re applying to multiple schools. Getting a good chunk of the work done during the summer will save you a lot of time and stress senior year. Here are some things you can do when you have free time this summer.
1) Finalize your list of …

Kevin Steele talks about his history with debate team
by John Gonzalez
Kevin Steele, Adv. 018, is living the life of an average Northside senior: he takes Advanced Placement (AP) classes, he is currently deciding which college he is going to, and he is a human. Though one might argue that Steele is just like any other normal college bound high school student, what sets him apart is his extracurricular activity – Debate.
Steele joined the debate team his freshman year and has remained with it since. While his oratory skills have been …

Visiting Italy sheds some light on cultural differences
by Diana Obracaj
Taking a trip with the France and Italy Colloquium shed a lot of light on life in a different country. One might notice immediately that there are subtle, but noticeable, differences between the United States and Italy in terms of life for teenagers and lifestyles in general. Italy is a lot more lenient with its rules and restrictions and more trusting with its teenage population.
Going on an overseas trip offers students the chance to see how other cultures differ and visit …

Northsiders share winter break experiences as they adjust to a new year                                     
by Nelson Ogbuagu
After four long months of hard work, hurting hands, heavy hearts and endless homework, essays, and assignments, Northside students and faculty are rewarded with a snow-drenched and holiday filled time of year that gives them hope. That hope comes during winter break.
“Right when you’ve given up all hope and you start to think that all the pressure is overwhelming, that last Friday comes,” Javier Rodriguez, Adv. 202, said. “The one with early dismissal colloquium, and you’re free.”
Many, …

Boycotting Valentine’s Day
by Zobia Chunara

Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated annually on February 14, is a day when people express their love for one another. Any issues are supposed to be set aside, and the day is all lovey-dovey: everything is just perfect. However, the moment that one crosses off February 1 on the school calendar, one realizes that they are under pressure to get something for that special someone.
“I don’t really believe in Valentine’s Day, so it’s not a big deal,” AJ Tran, Adv. 201, said. “It’s cool if you …