Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017

Stevenson Taking on Depression, Suicide

Stevenson is taking on two topics that have become a major challenge to American teenagers: depression and suicide.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 10-24 (and the 10th-leading cause of death among adults), and the country’s suicide rate increased 24% from 1999 to 2014. Meanwhile, a major uptick in depression rates among teenagers also has been reported, with girls especially at risk. Depression is a major risk factor for suicide.

To combat these challenges, all ninth-graders will participate in a depression-awareness and suicide-prevention program called Signs of Suicide (SOS) this fall. The SOS program, which started Tuesday, has been shown to cut suicide attempts dramatically among its participants. Stevenson has five goals in participating in the program:

To help students understand that depression is a treatable illness
To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that may occur as a result of untreated depression
To provide students with information about the symptoms of serious depression and potential suicide risk
To encourage students to seek the help of adults when concerned about themselves or a peer
To help students know the resources available for support at SHS

The SOS Program is being brought to Stevenson by Elyssa’s Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention. More information on suicide prevention, as well as a video designed specifically for parents, may be found on their website at www.elyssasmission.org.

Freshmen will be taught by their counselors during a lunch period on selected Tuesdays over the next four weeks. (Parents were emailed the schedule last week.) As part of the program, students will complete a brief depression-screening survey to assess their risk of depression. They also will have the opportunity to fill out a response card indicating whether they want to speak to an SHS counselor, social worker or psychologist about themselves or a friend. Any student identified as potentially needing more support will meet with a school counselor, social worker, or psychologist, and parents will be contacted regarding any needed next steps.

No School, No Digest on Thursday

Stevenson will not be in session Thursday in observance of the Rosh Hashanah holiday. Classes will resume Friday at the normal time. The Daily Digest will not be published on Thursday.

Students Helping Soldiers Selling Camo Gear

Students Helping Soldiers is selling camouflage gear for Patriot football fans to wear at the fifth annual “Touchdowns for Troops” Military Appreciation Night game against Lake Zurich next month. Proceeds from gear sales will support a McHenry County organization seeking to prevent suicides among veterans, and to provide equine therapy to active duty military veterans and their families. Gear orders must be placed by noon Friday. The game will be played Friday, Oct. 6. Check out the available gear, or to make a donation.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

Tuesday’s Varsity Results

Girls Golf

Stevenson 162, Warren 189: The Patriots (12-0, 6-0) completed the second perfect dual-match season in program history, joining the 2008 team that went 11-0. Sophomore Joyce Bai led SHS with a 3-over-par 39 at Bittersweet Golf Club, one stroke behind the medalist from Warren. Freshman Kelly Dong and sophomore Julia Yoo each shot a 40, and senior Olivia Stomberg rounded out the scoring with a 43. Stevenson’s other golfers were senior Katie Hannahs (44) and freshman Sophia Zhuang (45). Next up for Coach Emma Degen’s squad is the North Suburban Conference tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

Boys Ice Hockey

Stevenson 6, Buffalo Grove-Hersey-Wheeling 2: The Patriots (7-1) erupted for four goals in the first period at Twin Rinks Ice Arena, extending their winning streak to six games. Seniors Jake Camp and Jackson Leptich scored the first two goals of the contest, and they were followed by sophomore Carter Devlin and junior Sam Shellist. After the Stampede (2-2-1) closed the gap to 4-2 with a pair of goals, senior Trevor Hilt gave SHS some breathing room with an unassisted score. Senior Zach Wesley added a third-period goal for Stevenson. Junior Billy Kopka recorded two assists, while Hilt, fellow senior Roey Kleiman, and juniors Adam Offenbach and Daniel Romm each had one. Senior goalie Elias Sandholm made 21 saves.

Girls Tennis

Stevenson 7, Waukegan 0: The visiting Patriots (14-0, 5-0) won their 30th consecutive dual match dating back to October 2015. A different lineup produced similar results for SHS, which won all of its contested matches in straight sets. Sophomore Ellen Ma earned a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 1 singles, while senior Carly Lefar and sophomore Sneha Yellapantula blanked their opponent at No. 1 doubles, 6-0, 6-0. Freshman Abby Schueneman recorded a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles, and the No. 2 doubles team of sophomores Alexis Lee and Maggie Gong won by the same score. Senior Hannah Neubauer and freshman Emily Hu won their first game at No. 3 doubles, 6-1, before their opponent defaulted in the second. Stevenson also won by default at No. 3 singles and No. 4 doubles. The last time SHS lost a dual match was Oct. 5, 2015 to New Trier. The Patriots will play in Saturday’s Prospect Invitational before continuing their quest next week for a second straight unbeaten dual season.

Boys Soccer

Libertyville 5, Stevenson 0: The visiting Patriots fell to 5-7 on the year. Senior goalies Ethan Kalis and Kyle Swanson made 12 and eight saves, respectively. Libertyville (8-0-1) scored all of its goals in the first half. – Daily Herald

Girls Volleyball

Zion-Benton d. Stevenson, 25-14, 17-25, 25-17: The host Zee-Bees snapped the Patriots’ four-match win streak. Sophomore Lily Cozzi led SHS (10-8, 2-1) with 10 kills and two solo blocks. Senior Chloe Robinson served a team-best five aces. Senior Alex Cuc passed out 13 assists on 39-of-40 setting. Sophomore Grace Tully was 13-of-16 setting with five assists, and also led the squad with eight digs. Junior Sophie Sorenson recorded five kills and senior Sara Bufe had four.

Football Alum Causes Safety Dance for Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin linebacker Mike Maskalunas (Class of 2016) recorded a safety for the 10th-ranked Badgers during their 40-6 win at Brigham Young University on Saturday. Maskalunas tackled BYU’s quarterback in the end zone for the final points in the rout. He also recovered a fumble in Wisconsin’s season-opening win over Utah State. Maskalunas has played on special teams in all three of the Badgers’ games. He was a redshirt last fall.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Student Parking Cut Back at Metra Station

As of today, parking at the Prairie View Metra Station is limited to those students with an existing parking pass that was purchased from Vernon Township. No additional passes for Metra Station parking will be available at this time. Daily parking for students is no longer permitted.

Additionally, student parking in the Vernon Township parking lots is not permitted. Violators will risk having vehicles ticketed or towed. Vernon Township is offering a limited number of parking passes at Peterson Park on Buffalo Grove Road. For further information, contact Vernon Township at 847-634-4600.

Students who choose to park in the Port Clinton parking lot on campus must purchase spots 24 hours in advance in Room 2400.

Parking Stickers for the Next Grading Period

The first six-week grading period ends today, and the second starts on Friday. Anyone who hasn’t picked up their parking sticker should do so Friday morning in Lot D before school. Look for the black pickup truck marked “Security.” Remember: Students may only park in lots D and E, “the Strip” and the Port Clinton lot.

Yearbook Photo Make-Ups in October

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors who didn’t have their yearbook photo taken during orientation, or who want to have it taken again, will have another chance next month. Yearbook photo make-ups will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 19-20 in the Recital Hall. For questions, contact shs_yearbook@d125.org. Are you a senior? Don’t forget that time is running out to have your yearbook photo taken.

In a World Languages Class? Speak More Than English?

Students in World Languages classes, and students who already speak a language other than English, have the option to take an exam that can help them be recognized by the State of Illinois in its Seal of Biliteracy program. The Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) exam will be offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Students interested in Latin can take the Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment (ALIRA) test. The cost is $20 for the AAPPL and $10 for the ALIRA. Students need to sign up by Tuesday, Oct. 3. The tests will be administered after school on Thursday, Oct. 5. For more information about any of these exams and to register, please stop by Room 2434 and ask for Ms. Munch.

Improv Troupe Audition Monday Night

Auditions for the Failed Presidential Candidates, Stevenson’s improv troupe, will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday in the Little Theater portion (Room 4200) of the Performing Arts Center. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Fritz at wfritz@d125.org.

Did You Miss the NYC Fashion Trip Meeting?

Are you interested in going on the Fashion Industry student travel experience to New York City, but couldn’t attend the meeting last week? It’s not too late to get the information! You can stop by the Applied Arts office (Room 1410) to pick up a packet or follow this link. All paperwork is due to Room 2400 by Dec. 1. Questions? Contact the trip coordinator, Mrs. Erickson, at cerickson@d125.org.

ATHLETICS

The fencing team informational meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Monday in the Recital Hall (Room 4100). If you cannot attend, please contact Coach Delgado at fdelgado@d125.org.

ESPPA award nominations for the fall season are now being accepted through Oct. 30. To make a nomination, fill out the form at this link. Any questions can be directed to Mr. Hodge at mhodge@d125.org.

COLLEGE NEWS

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship applications are available for seniors in the College Career Center. This scholarship is for a full-time high school senior with a minimum 2.8 GPA who plans to attend a college, university, vocational or technical school in the U.S. In addition, you must be committed to community service and have demonstrated leadership abilities. The deadline to return a completed application is Tuesday.

Considering the University of North Carolina? The Morehead-Cain Award, the oldest and one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the country, recognizes well-rounded student leaders who demonstrate outstanding potential for leadership in high school, in college and beyond. The Morehead-Cain Scholar is expected to be, in conduct and achievement, a superior citizen. This merit-based award includes four years of tuition and expenses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as fully funded summer enrichment programs that supplement academic study with off-campus travel and experience. Stevenson is allowed to nominate two students from the Class of 2018. Interested seniors may pick up nomination materials in the College Career Center (Room 1123). The deadline to return nomination forms is Tuesday. If selected, the nominee will need to complete and submit the Morehead-Cain application by Sunday, Oct. 15.

Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State, Colorado State and Marquette are just some of the colleges coming to visit Stevenson next week. To see the complete list of college rep visits, and to find out how to sign up for one, visit www.d125.org/RepVisits.

CAREER EXPLORATION

Interested in a career in a STEM field? The College of Lake County’s STEM Speaker Series hosts evening presentations focusing on different careers. On Thursday, Sept. 28, there will be a free event for students interested in engineering and computer science careers. The event will take place at the Grayslake campus and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Find out more by visiting clcillinois.edu/stem.

We have an excellent opportunity for students to participate in a career shadow on Columbus Day, Oct. 9, for those interested in careers in finance and business. Please send an email to Mrs. Willock in the CCC at dwillock@d125.org if you are interested. Spots are limited.

Applications are still being accepted for students wishing to participate in a career shadow during the first semester. Please visit the Career Exploration web page or come to the College Career Center for an application. If you have general career questions or would like to schedule an appointment to meet about career planning, please send Mrs. Willock an email at dwillock@d125.org.

CLUB NEWS

StageCrafters is meeting after school today and Friday from 3:30-6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. For more information, please contact Ms. Evans at aevans@d125.org.

Superhero Club meets after school today in Room 1414. Join us for your favorite Superhero movies!

Breakfast with Books is meeting Tuesday morning from 7:45-8:20 a.m. in the upper ILC. All students are welcome! The only requirement is a love for reading.

The Scholastic Bowl teams will have their informational meeting and first practice on Wednesday, Sept, 27. If you’re a fan of trivia games, “Jeopardy!” or just want to know more about the team, please come to Room 8036! New players are always welcome.

ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES

Rumored shooting threat prompts police presence at Geneva High School

Report: Second player was hazed by Wheaton College teammates

Naperville parents question District 203 school board following student suicide

Oak Park District 97 may drop Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples Day

Attorney General: Waukegan District 60 violated law by denying FOIA request

College of Lake County board member resigns for personal reasons

Andrew High student charged with releasing pepper spray into hallway

EIU advisory group discusses name change for Douglas Hall

Student found carrying gun at Cahokia High School

Unloaded gun found at Springfield high school

Five more colleges to provide scholarships to Chicago Star Scholars