After being eliminated in the second round of last year’s state tournament, even Lin herself is surprised by her achievement.

 “I’m actually still in a dreamlike state,” Lin said. “It was such a surprise that I’m still soaking it in. It feels amazing, I’m excited just thinking about it.”

Going into the tournament not many people knew who Lin was, and her chance of winning was small. But Lin burst through the tournament and proved she was the best by beating highly ranked opponents.

On the last play of the match it was 20-17, Lin leading by three points.

“The play happened in a blur, and [Emma] Adcock [of Hinsdale South] missed a front drop and hit it into the net,” Lin said. “I think I spun around and immediately burst into tears of joy.”

Lin’s road to victory was no cake walk. She faced the one seed in the quarterfinals, the three seed in the semi-finals, then the two seed in the finals on May 11.

“With Ailynna Chen (Hinsdale Central one seed) I had to be aggressive, but with Adcock, she was so aggressive that my style wasn’t working, and I had to go to a more strategic plan to win,” Lin said.

Badminton had not always played a prominent role in Lin’s life; in fact, it was a suggestion by her parents going into freshman year. They said that she should have some sort of physical activity. From then on, the now state champion and former amateur started training the summer before freshman year. As badminton coach Susan McClenahan first saw her play, she knew Lin had talent.

“Her skills are excellent,” McClenahan said. “The moment I saw her walk into the gym and play a few points, I knew she was something special.”

The team also showed great improvement by placing sixth in the field.  After finishing 27th in 2012, 30th in 2011 and 24th in 2010, the team has now emerged as a state contender.

The state tournament took place at Eastern Illinois University on May 10 and May 11. In company with Lin were Jamie Duncan ‘13 and Emma Thimmig ‘14 representing LT’s dynamic duo. Elizabeth Abbs ‘14 was the other singles competitor.

“I’m extremely proud of how hard [the team] worked all season,” McClenahan said. “They really put in that extra effort the two weeks before the state tournament.”

Lin, who still has two more years of LT badminton left, used her young age as an advantage to her success. Entering the season with already one season under her belt, she was eager for victories.

“I felt as if I had nothing to lose, because I still have so much time,” Lin said.

Badminton has been a gateway for Lin. She said it has helped her come out of her shell. As her career started she came in shy and not knowing anyone. But as the season rolled on, the older players became mentors and leaders, being supportive every step of the way.

“I’m always learning from them in more ways than one,” Lin said.

With the first Badminton Singles State Champion in LT history, LT again notches another state title. Lin looks forward to the years to come, but will enjoy her great accolade in the meantime.

“I think I spun around and immediately burst into tears of joy,” Lin said. “After that, I was so happy that everything blurred together.”

Freelance reporter Dante Stefanini ’15 contributed to some reporting in this article.

EIU-Eastern Illinois University

NIU-Northern Illinois University

WIU-Western Illinois University

Boulder-University of Colorado

IU-Indiana University

Mizzou-University of Missouri

COD-College of DuPage

IIT-Illinois Institute of Technology

ISU-Illinois State University

U of I-University of Illinois

NR-No Response

-A-

Sirin Abusamen-COD

Michael Accettura-Michigan St.

Peter Adams-Loyola

Rachel Adducci-Pennsylvania

Brian Adelman-ISU

Francis Adriano-COD

Mayte Aguirre-Fox College

Matthew Aikens-Boulder

Abraham Akande-Elmhurst College

Zahira Al Shujaeih-Columbia, Chicago

Luma Alamayreh-COD

Berry Allen-Clemson

Manuel Almanza-EIU

Selena Almaraz-COD

Martin Almeida-COD

Eleanor Althoff-U of I

Chantal Alvarado-COD

Madeline Andersen-Western Michigan

Christina Anderson-NR

Jane Anderson-Miami, OH

Jonathan Anderson-COD

Kieran Andreoni-COD

Audrey Anfield-ISU

Benjamin Appleby-U of I

Elder Arellano-IIT

Catherine Arevalo-DePaul

Katherine Argentati-Western Michigan

Brandon Atkins-NR

Luis Ayala-NIU

-B-

James Bailey-Columbia, Chicago

Matthew Bailey-COD

Nikolina Balac-COD

Chloe Baldwin-DePaul

Aleksandar Balla-COD

Brooke Ballagh-Iowa

Matthew Bandyk-U of I

Nicholas Banegas-COD

Rodson Barnett-NR

Taylor Bastyr-Notre Dame

Morris Beck-NR

Parker Beck-Michigan St.

Sara Beck-Roosevelt

Jessica Beckman-Macalester College

Alison Bednara-COD

Samantha Bednarik-Moraine Valley

Sarah Beglen-IU

Nicole Bell-Kentucky

Theodore Bell-Vaughn-COD

Katrina Bellocchio-Dominican

Dominica Bendyk-COD

Stephen Berg-Johnson & Wales

Ellen Berry-COD

Edvinas Berzanskis-Michigan

Aaron Best-Culinary Institute

Marian Beyer-DePaul

Danielle Biggerstaff-U of I

Michael Bink-COD

Alexandra Blaze-U of I

Jamie Blechschmidt-Bradley

Ryan Bleck-ISU

Claire Boardman-IU

Secilia Bode Cox-U of I

Annelise Boland-Carthage

Diego Bolanos-COD

Lawrence Bond-Mizzou

Peter Bornhoff-Valparaiso

Alexander Borrego-NR

Bianca Borrego-Elmhurst

Deidre Bowie-ISU

Evan Boyd-Wisconsin

Zachary Bradley-U of Chicago

Alexandra Brandt-Mizzou

Patrick Bravo-Ohio Technical

Kelley Brennan-COD

Samuel Brennan-COD

Nathan Brillisour-NR

Aaron Brown-IIT

Andrew Brown-IU

Colleen Brown-Augustana

Jaylise Brown-Wilberforce

Johanna Brown-Kentucky

Joseph Brown-Triton

Thomas Bryson-Minnesota

Eric Buchholz-NR

Jemari Burks-COD

Carson Burns-IU

Edward Burns-COD

Virginia Burtis-Boulder

Bradley Burton-COD

Annamarie Buscareno-Loras

Sarah Butler-DePauw

Meagan Byerly- South Florida

-C-

Kathryn Callahan-EIU

Liam Callahan-Loras

Angel Calleros-NR

Sabrina Calleros-COD

Nathalie Calvano-Minnesota St.

Emily Calvert-Kansas

Daniel Caplice-Bradley

Quinn Cappetta-Wisconsin

Steven Carlson-COD

Zachary Carlson-Wisconsin

Jana Carollo-WIU

Austin Caron-Colorado St.

Daniel Carroll-NR

Kyle Casillo-U of I

Thomas Cassell-COD

Fernando Castaneda-NR

Yolanda Castillo-COD

Joseph Castro-COD

Alejandro Chavez-Roosevelt

Jessica Chervinko-Loyola

Kamari Childress-Illinois Broadcasting

Emily Chlapik-Luther

Allison Cholewa-Mizzou

Andrew Chorley-COD

Alyssa Christoffer-Purdue

Maciej Chuchra-COD

Erica Cione-NR

Ronald Circelli-COD

Patrick Clancy-NR

Kristina Clark-U of I

Kaylee Cloghessy-Wisconsin

Xavier Cobbs-COD

Kimberly Collins-COD

Kristen Collins-Dayton

Marcus Collins-COD

Benjamin Conboy-COD

Lewis Concklin-Milwaukee Engineering

Colleen Condon-ISU

Victor Conforti-Boulder

Brendan Connelly-Northwestern

Christine Connors-Columbia, Chicago

Samuel Conrad-COD

Adam Conrath-Notre Dame

Alexander Contarino-UNC, Chapel Hill

Stephanie Cordero-Knox College

Andrea Corral-COD

Seamus Coughlin-COD

Maren Craig-COD

William Cramsie-Wash. U, St. Louis

Michael Cremins-US Military Academy

Angel Cruz-NR

Richard Cruz-COD

Nicole Cuba-Miami

Bret Cunningham-Saint Olaf

Heidi Cusack-Western Michigan

Thomas Cushing-DePaul

Michael Cyz-Purdue

-D-

Isabella Dalsanto-NR

Eric Danziger-COD

Morgan Darling-Northern Arizona

Daisy Davalos-COD

Ashanti Davis-Kishwaukee College

Sonja Davy-Saint Olaf

Timothy De Lacey-IU

Alejandro De Los Santos-COD

Scarlet Decker-Bradley

Shay Decker-Miami, OH

Sloane Decker-Purdue

Sam Degiacomo-Mizzou

Connor Delaney-IU

Marissa Delarosa-COD

Samantha Delgadillo-DePaul

Nicholas Demes-Pennsylvania

Marc DeMory-U of I, Chicago

Madeline Deneen-Nebraska

Shelby DePriest-Western Illinois

Stephen Desurne-COD

Josephine Deveno-COD

Michael Deveno-NR

Guston Dieter-COD

Catherine Dine-Fordham

Christine Dinh-Illinois Institute of Art

Monica Dinh-COD

Kaileen Dinnon-U of I

Alaina Dodge-ISU

Jonathan Dombro-U of I, Chicago

John Donato-DePaul

Blake Donegan-NR

Eric Donnermeyer-Tribeca Adademy

Peter Dore-IU

Benjamin Dose-NR

Amanda Dostal-COD

Michael Dow-Michigan St.

Olivia Driscoll-COD

Emma Drogosz-San Diego St.

Lawson Drury-Purdue

Shea Dufficy-Dayton

Yuvraj Duggal-IU

Jaime Duncan-Connecticut

Malcolm Dunlop-Virgina

Everett Dunne-Columbia, Chicago

Michael Dzielski-Universal Technical

Brendan Dzwierzynski-Kansas

-E-

Robert Edinger-Bradley

Alexus Edwards-Moraine Valley

Brett Edwards-Valparaiso

Thomas Effeny-Montana St.

Katherine Egan-U of I

Madeleine Egan-Notre Dame

Jake Elliott-Memphis

Triston Ellison-COD

Madeleine Elser-Purdue

Madeleine Emrich-Drake

Michelle Escalera-COD

John Esparza-Michigan St.

Joshua Espinosa-NR

Victor Espinosa-U of I, Chicago

Asuncion Esquivel-Triton

Kevin Essig-SIU

Scott Essig-COD

Anthony Estrada-Elmhurst College

Alexis Eubanks-Brown-Moraine Valley

-F-

Margaret Farrell-Wisconsin, Madison

Aubrey Fasano-NR

Dominic Faust-Mizzou

Christian Favela-COD

Christian Feichtinger-Kansas

Jack Ferguson-Wisconsin

Thomas Ferguson-NR

Bailie Fernatt-COD

Sarah Ferrer-COD

Timothy Findley-COD

John Finnegan-Iowa

Alex Fischer-ISU

Gabriel Fisher-ISU

Steven Fiszer-COD

Catherine Flaherty-U of I

Mary Flaherty-Case Western Reserve

Mackenzie Flaws-NR

Rei-Jeen Fleming-NR

Andrew Flores-COD

Juan Flores-COD

Marcos Flores-COD

Michael Flowers-SIU

Acadia Floyd-COD

Matthew Foisy-NR

Katherine Foody-Saint Louis

Katherine Foran-Saint Louis

John Fornalsky-COD

Allison Fortuna-U of I

Andrew Fox-Moraine Valley

Luis Fragoso-NR

Robert Fraire-COD

Colin Francis-NR

Max Francis-COD

David French-Denver

Daniel Frese-Iowa St.

Melissa Frieberg-Iowa

Matthew Frisbie-ISU

Hannah Frugia-COD

Fatima Fuentes-Kendall College

Faith Fuller-Moraine Valley

Justin Fuller-IIT

Natalie Fuller-COD

-G-

Natalie Gacek-U of I

Madeleine Gagesch-SIU

Lukas Gaigalas-COD

Hannah Gajewski-IU

Peter Gajewski-Glasgow School of Art

Mattie Galgan-IIT

Joseph Galin-Minnesota

Elizabeth Gallagher-COD

Luke Gallagher-Boulder

Brendon Galliher-COD

Benito Galvan-COD

Ellen Gana-NR

Patrick Gao-COD

Anthony Garbis-Art Institute of Seattle

Angelica Garcia-COD

Carlos Garcia-COD

Dalia Garcia-NR

Gesiel Garcia Ruiz-NIU

Kelley Garrow-Iowa

Thomas Gartner-NR

Cristina Garza-Gaona-Benedictine

Brianna Gatch-Columbia, Chicago

Greg Gedzius-COD

De’Andre Gipson-COD

Sarah Glowiak-Dartmouth

Andrea Goethals-U of I

Danielle Gogolewski-COD

Timothy Goldrick-Iowa St.

Paola Gomez-COD

Ulyses Gomez-COD

Grace Gonia-Seattle

Alba Gonzalez-COD

Cristian Gonzalez-NR

Dominique Gonzalez-COD

Kiana Gonzalez-DePaul

Grace Good-College of Charleston

Olivia Gordon-Dayton

David Gosz-U of Chicago

Tyler Graf-Michigan

Jessica Green-COD

Helene Griffin-Denison

Samuel Griffin-COD

Kelly Grimes-Kansas

Thomas Grisko-NR

Benjamin Grissim-Michigan

Grace Grubisich-COD

Brandon Grzonka-NR

Amelia Guerra-NR

William Gumina-NR

Filip Gusakoski-COD

Dannielle Gutierrez-COD

Jessica Gutierrez-COD

-H-

Molly Hackbarth-Loyola

Louis Hackett-COD

Patrick Hackett-COD

Dana Hadley-U of I

Jared Hall-North Dakota

Joseph Halpin-Fordham

Ayah Hamdan-U of I, Chicago

Aidan Hamor-Dayton

Megan Hankins-Iowa

John Hannan-Evansville

Clarence Hardin-NR

John Harlow-Iowa St.

Ian Harris-Ball St.

Matthew Harris-Northwestern

Jeffrey Hart-Columbia, Chicago

Krstina Harvel-COD

Diana Hassan-Benedictine

Mallory Hasty-DePauw

Tayler Hayes-COD

Jeffrey Haymes-COD

Jarryd Heath-ISU

James Heim-Mizzou

Brett Heimerdinger-Saint Mary’s

Dana Heinz-Minnesota

Matthew Hemauer-Loras

Lindsey Herbert-School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Leslie Hernandez-North Central U

Stephanie Hernandez-COD

Dafne Hernandez-Loyola

Sandra Hernandez-North Central

 Marisela Herrera-COD

Scott Herzog-Elmhurst

Lucas Hession-COD

Amber Heydorn-COD

Katherine Hickey-EIU

Schaefer Hickey-COD

Lindsay Hill-IU

Ryan Hill-Mizzou

Megan Hilling-Mizzou

Emily Hillmann-COD

Andrew Hinds-U of I

Justin Hinshaw-UNC, Chapel Hill

Joshua Hirt-IU

Cody Hochstetler-IU

David Hoffman-NR

Kevin Hoffman-Iowa

Louisa Hoffman-Cornell

Katherine Hogan-Columbia, Chicago

Jonathan Holder-Marquette

Joseph Hollowed-DePaul

Robert Holmes-COD

Blair Hopwood-Auburn

Madeline Horan-Wisconsin

Morgan Houk-Illinois Wesleyan

Andrew House-Western Michigan

Nathaniel Howe-NR

Stephanie Hubacek-ISU

Makayla Hubbard-Augsburg

Ryan Hudson-IU

Connor Hughes-Marquette

Erin Hunt-Fordham

Mason Hunter-Trinity

-I-

Jacob Ishler-McNally Smith- Music

-J-

Abdullah Jabri-COD

Dylan Jackowiak-NR

Jordan Jackson-NR

Nicole Jackson-COD

Selena Jackson-Arteaga-GateWay

Patrycja Janeczek-ISU

Michael Janicki-Mizzou

Matas Jankunas-COD

Jacob Janowski-U of I, Chicago

Rebecca Jargstorf-COD

Victoria Jarosz-COD

Scott Jent-COD

Colin Jernberg-Iowa St.

Alexis Johnson-Colorado St.

Marisa Johnson-NIU

Michael Johnson-COD

Rachael Johnson-COD

Lisa Jonas-U of I

Heather Jones-IU

Shaknequa Jones-Moraine Valley

Natalia Josipovic-COD

Elyse Jost-NR

Maureen Joyce-Augustana

John Jozwiak-COD

Cynthia Juarez-COD

-K-

Alaina Kafkes-Northwestern

Sarah Kalis-ISU

Claire Kaminski-Dayton

Nikola Kaplarevic-DePaul

Zachary Kapugi-COD

Matthew Karasek-COD

Erin Karl-NR

Lia Kass-Mizzou

Abigail Keane-COD

Alyssa Keeve-Coastal Georgia

Tylor Keller-Morton

Patrick Kelley-IU

Brendan Kelly-Michigan St.

Chasteney Kelly-NR

Daniel Kelly-Mizzou

Grace Kelly-Tulane

Louis Kelly-Illinois Broadcasting

T’Amber Kendrick-NR

Kristin Kennedy-Virginia

Shafin Khan-Kansas St.

Alexander Kiessling-Columbia, Chicago

Christian Kiessling-Columbia, Chicago

Jessica Kimble-U of I

Erin King-COD

Marit Kirklys-Mizzou

Lisa Kleidon-COD

Elizabeth Klein-St. Ambrose

Katie Klemp-ISU

Jessica Klima-COD

Meghan Klima-COD

Emma Klitchman-Western Michigan

Jeremy Kloess-COD

Hayley Koch-COD

Mark Koehler-NR

Adam Kogucki-COD

Stephen Kohley-COD

Marta Konopka-DePaul

Samantha Kopping-Valparaiso

Thomas Kouba-COD

Ari Kowalski-IU

Mackenzie Koziarz-Tribeca Medial

Daniel Kram-ISU

Brandon Krcivoy-COD

Sarah Kreikemeier-Virginia

Connor Kriha-Milwaukee Art

Laura Krivicich-Boston College

Ana Krkic-North Central

Michael Krol-Loras

Brian Krueger-Florida St.

Michael Krunis-U of I, Chicago

Samantha Kubil-ISU

Scott Kundid-COD

Emily Kunkle-Valparaiso

Elaine Kurr-Tampa

-L-

Ian La Belle-COD

Brayanna LaConte-NR

Nicole Lafeber-Lewis & Clark

Conor Lamb-NR

Rafael Lameter-NR

Laura Lannan-Georgetown

Vincent Larocca-COD

Benjamin Larson-Ithaca College

Jessica Laskowska-COD

Marco Lazo-COD

Rachel Lazzarotto-COD

Daniel Le-COD

Carl Leake-Embry-Riddle U

Spencer Lebegue-COD

Michael Ledin-COD

Esther Lee-U of I

Keith Lehmann-Michigan

Jacob Lenihan-COD

Samantha Lenz-McKendree

Anne Lepper-Valparaiso

Jack Lewandowski-NIU

Jasmine Lewis-NIU

Jennifer Lillie-Concordia

Alex Lillquist-COD

Bradley Linden-U of I

Patrick Link-Iowa St.

Stephen Longo-Butler

Carly Loomis-Carroll

Jordan Lopez-NR

Oscar Lopez-Serna-COD

Michael Lorenz-Saint Joseph’s

Katherine Lorenzen-COD

Danielle Lucio-ISU

Danae Luetkehans-Wisconsin

Peter Lukaszewicz-Saint Louis

Danijel Lulic-NR

-M-

Jeffrey MacDonald-Iowa St.

Stephanie MacDonald-Tribeca Media

Julia Machnyk-COD

Taryn MacLean-ISU

Tess Madden-Marquette

Brianna Madison-COD

Brittney Mahoney-COD

Zachary Mahoney-COD

Michael Maicke-Kansas

Harleigh Mair-COD

Marko Maksimovich-Wisconsin

Charles Malay-St. Norbert

Nicholas Maldonado-COD

Andrew Malikowski-Iowa

Jacob Malkinson-NR

Collin Malkmus-NR

Mary Katherine Maney-St. Olaf

Alexis Marasco-Columbia, Chicago

Brittany Marasco-NR

Matthew Mardiks-NR

Michael Marek-NR

Katelyn Marino-DePaul

Marvin Marshall-Hawkeye

Cassidy Marston-Michigan St.

Jaleesa Martinez-COD

Miriam Martinez-COD

Michael Martino-DePaul

Michaela Martino-Marquette

Anthony Martusciello-NR

Francesca Martusciello-NR

Sara Marus-DePaul

Samantha Masella-Iowa

Megan Masterson-Marquette

Tyler Matijevich-U of I

Claire Mattingly-American

Michael Matusiak-Grand Valley St.

Brigid McCormack-U of I

Parker McCoy-Stephens-Columbia, Chicago

Justice McCullough-COD

Abigail McDermott-Creighton

Brian McDonagh-Loyola

Molly McDonnell-Butler

Bridget McDowell-IU

Elise McGill-Dayton

Elyse McGloin-Knox

Lisa McGovern-U of I

James McGrath-United States Naval Academy

Kelly McGuinn-IU

Taylor McLain-NR

Sean McMahon-Saint Louis

Emmett McNulty-U of I

Andino Medina-COD

Jonathan Medina-Lawrence Technological

Patrick Meingast-Florida St.

Andrew Mejia-COD

Kelly Meksto-Mississippi

Charles Melody-NR

Gharette Melton-James-COD

Clarissa Meneses-NR

Mihaela Menicanin-COD

Madeline Merker-DePaul

Joseph Merrion-North Dakota

True Merritt-Memphis

Louis Mesick-NR

Amanda Messino-Kansas

Alex Messmore-NR

Liesel Metz-Elmhurst College

Nina Metzger-Augustana

Nicholas Meyer-COD

John Meyering-U of I

Stuart Mezera-U of I, Chicago

Marko Micovic-COD

Karis Middleton- Michigan St.

Ana Mihajlovic- Loyola

Daniel Miklosz-U of I, Chicago

Jia Mikuls-Minnesota

Douglas Miller-North Central College

Jessica Miller-U of I, Chicago

Samantha Miller-Mizzou

Zakary Miller-NR

Brian Millette-COD

Alexis Mindock-Moraine Valley

Nicole Mirabile-Hope College

Liborio Miranda-COD

Andrea Mireles-COD

James Mitchell-Lehigh

Joylynn Mitchell-Tulsa

Erin Modzelewski-Wheaton College

Mark Moeller-IU

Lino Mogorovic-Tribeca Media

Ruth Molina-NR

Erik Monarrez-U of I, Chicago

Mario Monrroy-ISU

Viviana Montano-COD

Mariel Montoya-COD

Madeline Moore-COD

Tegan Moore-Carthage

Wendy Mora-Triton

Colin Moran-IU

Margaret Moran-Notre Dame

Amanda Morris-COD

Bruce Morris-NR

Cassandra Morris-IU

Michael Morris-NR

Paige Morrow-Hope College

MaryCatherine Most-U of I

Kathleen Mota-Marquette

Cory Moulder-COD

Kevin Mulcrone-Xavier

Lucy Mullane-ISU

Quin Mulligan-COD

Sergio Munoz Montes De Oca-NR

John Murillo-NR

Robert Murphy-Iowa

Sarah Murphy-Hope College

Sean Murphy-COD

Julia Murray-Kentucky

Christopher Myslicki-DePaul

John Mysz-Grand Valley St.

-N-

Unita Nadarevic-COD

Catherine Nash-Carthage

Madeline Naughton-Savannah Design

Margaret Naughton-Dayton

Alfonso Navarro-NR

Mariano Navarro-COD

Quincie Neale-Denver

Lucas Nelson-COD

Stewart Nelson-Evansville

Raymonj Nesbitt-NR

John Netzel-Michigan St.

Caroline Newman-Marquette

Kyle Newman-COD

Samuel Newton-Wisconsin, Whitewater

Nicole Nicasio-COD

John Nicholson-U of I

Christopher Nicoletti-NR

Robert Nikchevich-NR

Lawrence Nisivaco-ISU

Connor Nolan-Western Michigan

Katherine Norton-Williams- St. Andrews

Emily Novakowski-U of I, Chicago

Alexandra Nuccio-Mizzou

Sara Nutley-Lindenwood

Daniel Nutt-Drake

-B-

Alyssa O’Brenski-Iowa

Kristen O’Brien-Columbia, Chicago

Margaret O’Brien-U of I

Madeline O’Connell-COD

Matthew O’Connor-Illinois Wesleyan

Nicole O’Connor-Kansas

Haylee O’Donnell-Augustana

Sarah O’Heron-COD

Margaret O’Malley-COD

Matthew O’Malley-Mizzou

Patrick O’Malley-IU

Christopher O’Reilly-Michigan

Naomi O’Reilly-New York

Natalia Ogurkiewicz-U of I, Chicago

Shane Olinger-NR

Ciprian Oltean-COD

Connor Onion-Ball St.

Andrew Orosz-COD

Priscillais Ortiz-COD

Ryann Overstreet-COD

Kailey Owens-U of Denver

-P-

Emily Pabon-ISU

Craig Pace-Boulder

Gerardo Padilla-NR

Michael Pajkos-Butler

Madeline Palermo-Michigan

Brenda Palma-COD

Daniella Palmer-NR

Robert Palmer-Dayton

Michael Paloucek-COD

Robert Paloucek-COD

Alejandro Pantoja-DePaul

Alexander Papadakis-Minnesota

Nicholas Paprocki-NR

Cristian Paredes-NR

Victoria Paredes-Augustana

Davion Parks-Kendall College

Abigail Pasquinelli-Boulder

Sarah Patterson-COD

James Pavlik-Wisconsin, Platteville

Emily Pavone-EIU

Thomas Payne-Boulder

Lauren Pelletier-Wisconsin

Caroline Pernai-U of I

Nicole Pervan-COD

Matthew Pesch-IU

Claire Peters-U of I

Ryan Petrukovich-NR

Daniel Pett-COD

Jeanine Pettrone-Ball St.

Brandon Phan-Minnesota

John Phillipp-ISU

David Phillips-COD

Jazmin Phillips-SIU

Jeremy Phillips-COD

Ronald Phipps Jr-NIU

Melissa Pierson-Mizzou

Kevin Pikul-Iowa St.

Jacklyn Pina-COD

Anna Pinta-ISU

Lauren Pirc-ISU

Natalie Pirc-IU

John Pirtle-COD

Dylante Pleasant-Phoenix College

Samantha Plotke-NIU

Maeve Plunkett-U of I

Anthony Polerecky-COD

Alisel Ponce-NR

Christine Pond-ISU

Deja Porter-COD

Jennifer Posluszny-COD

Sinead Potter-Miami, OH

Paiton Powell-COD

Joseph Power-Colorado St.

Thomas Prescott-U of Chicago

Sage Preston-Western Illinois

Anton Price-COD

Alexander Prieto-COD

Michael Prikazsky-Western Illinois

Jorie Pristo-Lewis

Matthew Proctor-COD

Haley Prokaski-American Art

Christine Promisel-U of I

Jenna Przybylowski-Kentucky

Jaclyn Puccini-COD

Joseph Pudlo-Creighton

-Q-

Lauren Quinlan-DePaul

Michaella Quinn-Marquette

-R-

Hanigan Racelis-Marquette

Hannah Rademaker-Knox College

John Radville-DePaul

Caroline Rafferty-Michigan

Carlo Rallo-COD

Daniel Ramirez-COD

Emiliano Ramirez- U of I, Chicago

Juanita Ramirez-COD

Adolfo Ramos-COD

Caroline Rankin-Findlay

Alyssa Rediehs-Texas

Tyler Reineke-NR

Eric Rende-Iowa

Adem Rexhepi-COD

Matthew Reynolds-Columbia, Chicago

Shane Rhoads-U of I

John Riccione-Purdue

Brianna Rice-COD

Elizabeth Richmond-St. Andrews 

Andrea Rick-Carthage

Samuel Ridge-DePaul

Cody Riesterer-Wisconsin, Stevens Pt.

Alexandra Rigley-Villanova

Alyse Ritchey-NR

Alexander Ritter-Jenkins-Kenyon

John Rivera-Monmouth College

Tanya Rivera-COD

Lauren Roberts-Kansas

Megan Roberts-Tulane

Sean Robertson-Butler

Amanda Robinson-NR

Kyle Robinson-Truman St.

Meriano Robles-COD

Charles Rocco-Kansas

Joseph Rocco-IU, South Bend

Nora Roche-U of I

Taylor Rodemoyer-IU

Alicia Rodriguez-St. Louis U

Eduardo Rodriguez-NR

Florentina Rodriguez-Moraine Valley

Mariali Rodriguez-COD

Mayra Rodriguez-COD

Samuel Rodriguez-North Central U

Yanessa Rodriguez-DePaul

Kevin Roggensack-U of I

Mary Katherine Rohaly-IU

Ellen Rohan-U of I

Matthew Rohan-Iowa St.

Oscar Romero-NR

Kristine Rosenberger-Emory

Ellen Rowley-Mizzou

Thomas Ruggiero-COD

John Russo-U of I

Morgan Russo-NR

Suzanne Rychlik-IU

Rebecca Ryckman-ISU

Adam Rykal-COD

Rebecca Rymsza-Northwestern

-S-

Hallie Sabers-South Carolina

Noor Saffarini-COD

Hannah Saggau-UNC, Chapel Hill

Brandi Sala-Chamberlain Nursing

Theodora Salazar-Transylvania U

Senay Salievski-NR

Jason Sandberg-COD

Jose Santana-NR

Brittany Saucedo-COD

Jacob Saulters-COD

Georgia Saunders-Art Institute

Daria Sawicki-COD

Benjamin Schaefer-Northwestern

Hillary Schaeffer-Dayton

Michael Scheer-Oregon

Hannah Schewe-COD

Sarah Schmitz-Bradley

Robert Schulenberg-COD

Bradford Schuler-Iowa St.

Gretchen Schultz-Arizona

Matthew Schultz-Wisconsin, Whitewater

Melissa Schwartz-IU

Marisa Schwerin-COD

Gavin Scott-NR

Kali Sebastian-Kentucky

Sandra Sebastian-Iowa St.

Kole Sedlack-Miami, OH

Christopher Sekula-Redlands

Alexus Serrano- Kansas

Rachel Shafer-Stephens College

Jacob Shamrock-SIU

Joseph Shannon-Miami, OH

Kaley Shannon-IU

Meghan Sharkey-U of I

Ryan Sheehan-Ball St.

Samantha Sheehan-Miami

Emily Sheehy-Loyola, Chicago

Jacqueline Sher-Mizzou

Serena Sheth-U of I

Tara Shinall-California, Santa Cruz

Blake Shockley-COD

Victoria Shorette-COD

Jason Siil-U of I

James Sikes-NR

Autumn Sills-UNC, Asheville

Natalia Sitailo-Wisconsin

Maxim Sklodowski-COD

William Slinkman-Parkland College

Eric Slivovsky-Grand Valley St.

Arthur Smejkal-Grand Valley St.

Clayton Smentek-EIU

Samuel Smetko-NR

Carmen Smith-U of I

Dakota Smith-IU

Dionte Smith-COD

Dominique Smith-Saint Xavier

Dylan Smith-Boulder

Molly Smith-William and Mary

Collin Smothers-Iowa St.

Kyle Smuda-Purdue

Mary Smyers-ISU

Brianna Sneed-SIU

Jacob Soehlke-Boulder

Carolyn Sotos-COD

Aidan Spangler-Dominican

Danielle Spanski-EIU

Sara Sparks-COD

Miranda Speir-Texas Christian

Ryan Speir-U.S. Naval Academy

Laura Spiegel-DePaul

Meredith Spiegel-Iowa

Charles Sprague-Grinnell College

Milan Stancic-NR

Benjamin Stebbins-NR

Anthony Stefanovic-COD

Maxwell Stegner-IU

Emilija Steigvillaite-COD

Ashley Stelmack-COD

Brendan Stepuszek-Saint Louis

De Vantae Stewart-COD

Kara Stewart-NR

Michael Stewart-Dayton

Pamela Stiefel-NR

Kyle Stone-Bradley

Carly Strass-Carthage College

Talia Strnad-Trinity Christian College

Benjamin Strohl-Universal Technical

Emily Strohl-COD

Emma Stuba-Western Michigan

Katherine Stuit-COD

Ellen Sudeikis-Western Michgan

Camille Suknovich-Ball St.

Zuzana Sulcova-ISU

Aleah Sullivan-COD

Stephen Sullivan-U of I

Jonathan Suominen-Grace College

Alan Sussman-WIU

Justina Sventnickaite-COD

Antwan Swan-NIU

Ellen Swanson-Mizzou

Emily Swanson-Loyola

Margaret Swinehart-Saint Mary’s College

Jordan Szala-Grand Valley St.

-T-

Nicholas Tantillo-SIU

Anastasia Tanzer-North Central College

Kaitlyn Tedeschi-Indiana Wesleyan

Jeremy Tennison-Hampshire College

Zachary Tentinger-Iowa

Brittany Thomas-IU

Collin Thomas-IU

John Thomas-Marquette

Michael Thomas-Butler

Tabitha Thomasino-NR

Francis Thometz-Loras

Kelsey Thompson-COD

Elizabeth Thomson-Elon

Michael Tierney-SIU

Anne Timyan-Auburn

Maria Tito-NR

Katelyn Titzer-COD

Douglas Toops-NR

Brieann Tosti-U of I, Chicago

Dominic Trankina-NR

Caroline Tritt-Ohio St.

Wendell Truax-Montana

Spencer Tuggle-Miama, OH

Andrew Turner-WIU

-U-

Emma Uhrick-U of Iowa

Cody Urbashich-NR

Hannah Urbashich-NIU

-V-

Cristian Valdez-COD

Adam Van Beveren-NR

Mitchell Van Koevering-Kalamazoo

Mary Van Spankeren-IU

Jonathan Vankeulen-Universal Technical

Alex Vannucci-North Park

Michael Varga-U of I

Vivian Venegas-Temple

Eulises Verdin-COD

Michael Vertovec-Lawrence

Madison Vickery-UCLA

Claire Victorine-DePaul

Alicia Vidales-COD

Max Vielma-COD

Alyssa Villasenor-COD

Adeliah Viramontes-COD

Egle Visgintas-DePaul

Ellyn Vitek-Brown

George Vlahos-Michigan St.

Kayla Von Drasek-COD

Lauren Von Drasek-COD

Stevan Vukanic-U of Kansas

Natalie Vock-COD

Mia Volpe-ISU

Alexandra Voltz-ISU

Nicole Voltz-ISU

John Von Drasek-COD

-W-

Maximilian Walczyk-Wisconsin, Madison

Veronica Walinski-U of I, Chicago

Jeremy Walleck-Minnesota

Caitlyn Walsh-Mizzou

Katherine Walsh-Saint Mary’s, California

Michael Walsh-SIU, Carbondale

Rachel Walsh-Iowa St.

Rachel Walton-U of Michigan

Stephanie Wanderling-COD

Evan Ward-COD

Brian Warner-NR

Darvell Washington-COD

Steven Watka-Augustana

Na-On Weeraklaew-ISU

Alexander Weiss-Bradley

Matthew Weiss-Bradley

Matthew Wennerstrum-IU

Emma Wille-Knox College

Austin Williams-COD

Melody Williams-Roosevelt

Noah Willis-COD

Kelsey Wilp-Michigan St.

Benjamin Wilson-Kansas

Emily Wilson-Kentucky

Gregory Wilson-NR

Kirby Wilson-NR

Earl Wimberly-NR

Nickolas Wink-Holy Cross College

Nicholas Winner-Idaho

Tess Wisher-Illinois Wesleyan

Jacob Wittenberg-Notre Dame

Matthew Wohlwend-NR

Johnathan Wojciak-Elmhurt College

Meghan Wonderling-COD

James Woulfe-Carthage College

Alyssa Wurtzinger-EIU

Samuel Wenstrup-Mizzou

Michael Wesley-NR

Samuel Wesley-Mizzou

Laura Westhoff-Villanova

Amy Westrick-Iowa St.

Calvin Westrick-Iowa St.

Carly White-NR

Daniel White-Western Illinois

Mara Wieringa-COD

Anna Wiesemann-Marquette

Megan Wilczak-COD

-X-

Helena Xeros-Washington, St. Louis

-Y-

Sara Yeager-Florida College

Siri Yelamanchili-Vanderbilt

Christina Yelnick-U of Arizona

Jameson Yong-U of I

Gabrielle Yore-Minnesota

Justin Young-COD

Christian Youssef-COD

Jane Yu-COD

-Z-

Veronica Zaremba-COD

Brandon Zavaleta-COD

Estephanie Zavaleta-Columbia, Chicago

Kathryn Zebus-U of Michigan

Jacqueline Zeisloft-Belmont

Frank Zimmerman-Marquette

Luke Ziolkowski-Washington, St. Louis

Zachary Zlevor-U of I

Johan Zuleta-NR

My favorite LION memory is when a highly supportive LION staff congratulated Tim Goldrick for winning a “Gold-Standard” award for his basketball shoe story. Instead of just clapping for him, we celebrated by removing one of our own shoes and waving it above our heads while an assortment of judgmental (and obviously jealous) local newspaper and yearbook staffs looked on as we collectively made fools of ourselves.

Aly Buffett

Looking back at the year and selecting one moment is nearly impossible: you have the water fight, some babygirl-in’, Golden Eagle bragging rights and other typical shenanigans that no staffer would want published. But my favorite moment is one that, at first, was overlooked. It was my first layout night and our favorite Korean song came on, “Gangnum Style”. Stopping their pages, Brian McDonagh and Adam Conrath strutted into the middle of the room and broke into a dance-off. Although it might not have been the funniest or the craziest thing that happened this year, it was the first time I truly witnessed just how weird the staff was; it was the moment I knew I was in the right place.

Steven Campbell

For those of you who do not know what the LION newsroom is like, everything radiates from the back room. The most coveted workspace in the room is where every incoming LION staffer hopes to end up their senior year. While I’m still not sure how it all worked out, I ended up as a permanent member of this elite group as a junior. My year was made by multiple noteworthy moments with my boss Tim Goldrick, Brian McDonagh and Joseph Halpin. Being a part of this back room was by far the greatest gift I could ask for this year and has left me with countless memories, mostly tragic, thanks to Tim.

Mikaela Coleman

After our first NISPA seminar speaker failed to show up, forcing LION to step up to the plate and share our wisdom and knowledge with the other newspaper staffs, Aly Buffett, Mia Mologousis and I were looking for a seminar where we might be able to learn something new. We headed to a social media seminar, where we split into pairs and were assigned an article that we were supposed to tweet about. Aly and I were reading about how Stephenie Meyer inspired “50 Shades of Grey,” when we noticed Mia staring longingly at her partner, “The Prowler” [the title of his newspaper, which was printed on the front of his T-shirt]. We proceeded to snap a photo of the new “jerd” couple and tweeted it, the perfect application of our newly-acquired social media skills.

Adam Conrath

Now my memory isn’t just one single moment that stuck out to me like the rest of these scrubs. So let me set the scene: Tim, both Bens and I were just granted entrance to our hotel room in San Antonio and, of course, we decided to completely redesign the room to our Chitown standards. That meant morphing the two queen beds into one giant megabed. Pretty much every night before bed, we’d rough house and play for a little and then gather around the edges of the bed to decide where our sleeping positions would be for the night. The process was very systematic; it entailed jumping and fighting mid-air until you hit the bed. It is there where we would sleep, no argument. I guess it was just fate that Ben Larson and I ended up in each others’ arms each and every night .

Malcolm Dunlop

Like most of the LION seniors, my year was defined by the trip to San Antonio, and the hallmark moment of that trip occurred on the last day. We were all standing outside the Menger Hotel waiting for the airport shuttle, when without warning, web editor Lia Kass burst into tears. “Lia! Stop crying, what’s wrong?” we all asked. As it turns out, Lia had promised to watch three little boys back home that afternoon, and her now ex-employers were not pleased. “It’s 2:50 and I’m in Texas!” Lia screamed, while an adorably confused Mr. Scales did not understand that Lia had already promised to babysit, and begged her to “just say no.” For as long as I live, I will never forget the look on Tim Goldrick’s face as he sadistically repeated “YEAH LIA, JUST SAY NO,” every day for the rest of LION.

Mary Clare Flaherty

As a two-year veteran of the LION newspaper, I have acquired many little bits of information that are not only useful to creating a newspaper, but can be applied to almost every situation. First of all, DO NOT take a chance on Chance, no matter how overly friendly he might seem. Second, late night bonding is the best kind of bonding. From seemingly endless layout sessions mid-year, to heart-to-hearts along the river walk, to Elmo prank calls to former staffers after midnight, everyone just seems to grow closer in the face of exhaustion. Third, whenever possible, be outlandish, whether it’s ninja crawling to the bathroom, writing cryptic Tina Fey related messages on the bottom of desks, or leaving anonymous sassy notes for the school to find. Finally, love your fellow LIONers, because time with this crazy crew passes so much faster than you want it to. Thanks LION, it’s been a real slice.

Tim Goldrick

If you are familiar with Steven Campbell you know that he loves to write everything down. So as you can imagine, Campbell’s assignment notebook is as necessary as water to him. Well, one late layout night I decided to take his assignment notebook home to see the reaction he would make the next day. Instead, I shockingly showed up to witness Campbell peeking into another assignment book. He had already purchased his new friend. It hadn’t even been 12 hours. Classic Campbell.

Gabbie Gresge

It’s no surprise that my favorite LION memory concerns cookies and Brian McDonagh. One layout night, we were slowly growing frustrated with how late we would be up doing homework. During what we lovingly call a “LION family dinner,” Brian announced that as the finale to our Jimmy John’s dinner, he would award each of us (for no apparent reason) a cookie and a compliment. I can’t for the life of me remember exactly what his compliment to me was, but I’ll never forget the precedent he set for compliments that we occasionally give out along with desserts. The fact that even Steven Campbell played along on his turn was especially satisfying.

Katie Grier

Unless you attended St. Cletus, you have probably never heard of “This Side Up,” a garage band composed of eighth graders and freshmen who reached their peak in 2010. Luckily, this year’s LION staff was blessed with three of its past members: John Balch, Kristen Wuerl, and its leader, Adam Conrath. After discovering the band at the beginning of this year, I decided to stalk their Facebook group and then print out a picture of Adam rocking the bass next to some mom and posted it to his locker. He had no idea who posted the picture or why they did it, until he caught me composing an email from his LT account with the subject “we’re getting the band back together” that I intended to send out to the remaining members of the band. It’s safe to say I sufficiently creeped him out, and it was only Issue 1.

Olivia Griffin

It was Friday, tenth period, and a substitute was at Scales’ desk: the conditions were perfect for teenage chaos and, if you know the LION staff, of course some ensued. There I was sitting perfectly perched on the computer table engaging in a seemingly harmless conversation with my fellow staffers when my archnemesis on staff swaggered over to me to share some of his ruthless opinions. As I rolled my eyes and casually took a sip of water from my newly refilled bottle, I tried to ignore the goon that is Malcolm Dunlop. Upset that his comments couldn’t ruin the perfect Friday afternoon I was having, he took a swat at my water bottle as I finished my sip. Water rained over my face and I filled with rage. “He is not getting away with this,” I thought to myself, fed up with the Malcolm-Griffin relationship that I played a subservient role in. So in a split second I committed a crime of passion: I dumped the rest of the three-quarter-filled water bottle over the head of Ralph Lauren-wearing Malcolm, completely drenching him and his favorite dress shirt.

Joseph Halpin

As you can imagine, being asked to pick a single greatest LION memory is quite a daunting task; with a staff of 26 people, all with extremely interesting personalities, there is never a dull moment in the LION newsroom. From meeting some fellow jerds from Stevenson along the San Antonio Riverwalk to having my fellow staffer Lia Kass ferociously explain the time and our location, I have made countless memories this year which I will never forget. Although it is nearly impossible to pick a favorite, there is one memory I will never forget—the senior trip to San Antonio this past November, specifically our Saturday night out on the town. From making friends and dancing in a T-shirt store, to bargaining with the cashier for discounts at the haunted house, to ultimately joining a wedding reception parading through the streets of San Antonio, spending that night out on the town with some of my closest friends was a highlight of my LION experience.

Lia Kass

Whether it be describing my day to Maggie through facial expressions, dancing in T-shirt shops, listening to Tim speak to Muffy the duck in a voice that resembles that of an adolescent woman, crashing a wedding parade through the Alamo, enjoying a third best-in-show ribeye steak, nailing the “academically-stressed” hair style for a Pulse page photo shoot, discovering MaryCate’s vicious side (teehee), getting threatened by a smelly hobo after asking for an interview, rescuing Ben Schaefer from the basement of a dormitory building during a visit to a Lion alum, posing for a family portrait alongside other staff members for the benefit of San Antonio babies, forcing Elaine to swear or celebrating an epiphany of an idea for a sports page, joining Lion staff was the best decision I’ve ever made and it’ll be the fondest memory of high school for the rest of my life.

Ben Larson

On LION’s annual trip to the journalism convention in San Antonio, Lia Kass and I were assigned to make a video about people’s political views. We proceeded to head to the nearest food court. Our first mistake. We looked around the cafeteria, set to find the most interesting person. We approached a man who had the beard of Santa Claus, but the mind of a person who was not all there. Lia turned the camera on and I asked the first political question. He didn’t answer. I repeated the question again, then he said to us “Hey lady, you want me to break your camera? Turn that thing off!” in a Southern twang. We immediately fled the scene confused. As we were leaving we noticed the belongings he had with him… we had just tried to interview a senile homeless man.

Dayna Larson

While clenching Gabbie Gresge and Joe Halpin’s hands at the NISPA convention, waiting to see if we won the Golden Eagle trophy, I was praying that we would not be the first staff in 17 years to not secure the award. Luckily, our name was called and we all cheered wildly. As other Golden Eagle-receiving staffs gave congratulatory hugs to each other, LION celebrated in a different way: by licking our newly earned piece of hardware. Watching Ms. G become more and more disgusted as the trophy was passed around was unbeatable, and although sharing germs with the 20 other LION staffers at the convention may seem disgusting, it made me proud to call myself a member of the 2012-2013 LION staff.

Brian McDonagh

As a journalist and occasional photographer for the paper, one of my priorities was to always be respectful of sporting events that I was taking photos at. Nothing annoys me more than photographers who become a distraction to the event more than anything else. So when it was time for the first home football game of the season, I assured myself that I would not become my own pet peeve. As the team lined up inside the massive inflatable lion, I stood behind a wall of kids standing at the lines, thinking, and this is verbatim, “Don’t get in the way.” Assuming the 220-pound linemen would turn left on their way out, I stood to their right, anxious to get great action photos. However, this was not the case and the team took a hard right, quite literally trampling me and shoving me over as 25 starters ran me over. I managed to jump out of the herd, to land on my stomach directly in front of Mr. Franson and Dr. Kilrea. I looked at them, and could think of nothing else to do but laugh.

Mia Mologousis

Mikaela Coleman, Aly Buffett and I walked into the Social Media seminar at the NISPA journalism conference and took our seats next to another group of students proudly advertising the title of their school’s newspaper, “The Prowler.” When our instructor told us each to pair up with a student of the opposite gender, I naturally was put into a partnership with a Prowler staffer, while Mikaela and Aly were able to work together as the class was short on males. My partner and I (I never did learn his name) worked on the assignment we had been given and, meanwhile, Mikaela and Aly decided it would be funny to take pictures of the two of us and not only to send it to almost all of the LION staffers, but also to tweet about it. I will never forget my jerd hubby “The Prowler,” as we now refer to him, or live down that reputation-damaging photo.

MaryCate Most

Forget about what your parents say. Everything good always happens after 2 a.m. During our trip to the NSPA convention in San Antonio this past November, the moment that stands out in my mind the most took place in a Menger Hotel room at around 2 a.m. where the LION seniors had congregated after a long day of roaming the streets and Riverwalk of San Antonio. Naturally, (because what else can you possibly do at 2 a.m.?) we were spending our time listening to Ben Larson do impersonations of Lion staffers, when someone came up with the fantastic idea to call all of the junior LION ladies as Steven Campbell. Ben proceeded to call six different junior girls, including Dayna Larson, asking for love-life advice or just a friend to chat with all night. The moral of the story: Ben Larson has some pretty sick impersonation skills, so if you need someone to call you in sick for a day, hit him up.

Katie Norton-Williams

My favorite memory stars LION’s own Editor in Chief, MaryCate Most. During our senior staff trip to San Antonio for the NSPA convention, the entire staff went to a haunted house, and I had the pleasure of being directly in front of MaryCate. The haunted house itself was nothing special, just the usual scarily costumed employees popping out of hiding. There was one employee that was hidden behind a “window” with a blind, that she would pull up and yell at people to scare them. However, when MaryCate came around the corner, she was very disappointed that she was skipped, and decided to take revenge. Our dignified leader pulled up the blind of the curtain and yelled “AHHHHHH” at the person who was supposed to be scaring her. A very confused employee jumped back in surprise, and quickly shut the blind, and MaryCate calmly went through the haunted house like nothing had happened. I, on the other hand, struggled to stand as I laughed hysterically for the rest of the tour.

Sara Nutley

In and out of the newsroom, my fellow LION staffers never fail to make every day better. Throughout the year, the only thing that would complete each school day is sitting down at computer nine and talking to my best friend Sam Ridge. The only experience with my staffers that could top the excitement of the LION room, was the amazing experience of traveling to San Antonio for the NSPA journalism conference. Going to the food trucks to try beignets for the first time and watching all the jerds cut the rug (V-Dog shout out) at the journalism dance were some other highlights. Of course, I can’t forget the staff’s late-night chats at the Menger Hotel, until which I have never seen MaryCate Most more angry with her “crap” stamp and InDesign page of complaints. I will miss my LION staffers so much. Thank you for two amazing years of laughs and endless memories.

Maggie O’Brien

One of the highlights of this year’s journalism conference being in San Antonio was definitely the location. We had warm weather, the Alamo and a Mexican flea market. While looking at all the fine items for sale, Ben Schaefer, Malcolm and I came across a booth offering free photos in front of a fall back drop. With our good looks, we just could not say no. However, in order to get the picture, we had to sign an oath with a group called “Someday Starts Now” that was promoting prenatal health. I vowed to live a healthy lifestyle, plan for any future pregnancy, and take 400 mg of folic acid a day. The picture looked so good we brought more LIONers back to take a pledge they would never fulfill, so we could get a “family portrait.” If you’d like to see the original photos, stop by room 220 for a peak at our attractive staff.

Sam Ridge

The Menger Hotel, reportedly one of the Southwest’s most haunted hotels, hosted LION seniors last November when we traveled to San Antonio to participate in an annual journalism conference. While at the hotel, I constantly ran into an elderly man sporting two weeks’ worth of gray stubble and shorts that didn’t cover enough of his tan, wrinkled thighs. Every time I encountered him he said, “Here comes Bieber again,” in a sarcastic, loathsome tone. While I was embarrassed (OK, and flattered) by his remark, I was mostly impressed that this old man was so in-the-know that he knew who Biebs was and could accurately identify my hair as resembling his. Given that I saw the old man almost every time I got in the elevator, one can only assume he was a ghost of musicians past on a mission to prevent potential Beliebers from infesting San Antonio.

Ben Schaefer

San Antonio was a long trip. There were a lot of good laughs and a lot of great meals, but by the last day when lunch rolled around our group had had enough of each other. Never has there been more animosity between our normally close staff, and watching tensions reach boiling point for each of us was worth all the bacon-wrapped shrimp in Texas. The girls refused to eat seafood, Tim demanded Hard Rock and the only thing we could agree on was that we all wanted to hit each other. And at the end of this journey was Chance, the “prairie boy” waiter who didn’t want to bring our food, but instead wanted to constantly refill our drinks between stories about his unemployment and his fiancé dumping him. The worst thing? He kept making up puns with his own name. We could all finally agree that we wanted a second chance at that meal.

Elaine Smith

At the NISPA convention at COD, we had been waiting for over 30 minutes for Chicago Tribune Associate Managing Editor Joe Knowles to give his seminar on Smart Design Made Easy. So after a while, MaryCate and I decided to take matters into our own hands and teach the seminar ourselves. MaryCate and I walked to the front of the room where she introduced herself as Joanna Josephine Knowles and me as her assistant Yolinda, and promptly started lecturing 20 students on how to design a front page. It took every ounce of my effort to stop giggling, but luckily I was only drawing our ingenious design on the board while MaryCate was doing the talking. Knowles never showed up, but our seminar was so informative and inspirational that most of people in the room walked out within the first two minutes. We did receive thunderous applause from the remaining five kids in the room at the end of our lecture.

Kristen Wuerl

Although I’ve had numerous bizarre, hilarious and sometimes just downright where-did-that-come-from moments with the LION staff, none compare to the first day we all came together for some annual LION barbeque bonding. That was where the LION/Snowball war began. Although the war ended in a stalemate—just kidding, LION won (don’t pretend you don’t agree, Snowball)—it began with a bang at the BBQ. Snowball members pelted the LION staff with fully filled water balloons, yet we did not quake in fear! After calculating our plan of attack—involving cramming staffers into Mary Clare Flaherty’s car and dashing to Walgreen’s to purchase some shaving cream—we took the Snowball staff by surprise and won the battle. Snowball put up a good fight, though, we can’t deny that. Maybe the war will begin again next year…who knows?

Siri Yelamanchili

Each cycle of the newspaper ends in two late Monday and Tuesday nights, during which gracious parents of the staff provide dinner. Recently a new tradition has begun during dessert time: cookie compliments. Whoever provided dinner for the night goes around to each staffer and gives them a genuine compliment before giving them their cookie. It’s funny when someone who is generally really sarcastic or a total jokester gives out super sweet and unexpected compliments. At the same time, it’s a cool, unique bonding moment. I’ll never forget the day when Malcolm Dunlop was nice for a whole 10 minutes. (Just kidding, Malcolm, you’re a sweet kid!) The newspaper has been a significant part of my life for the past two years, and I know that I’ll miss everything about it, but I have complete confidence that next year’s staff will produce a paper that us seniors will be proud to say that we were once part of.

by Malcolm Dunlop

In an unexpected turn of events Thursday afternoon, Assistant Principal Dave Adams received a Speak Up Line tip concerning the behavior of Assistant Principal Dave Adams.

“I was in the middle of a meeting when my Blackberry went off,” Adams said. “In keeping with LT policy I immediately left and prepared myself to interrogate the accused.”

According to Adams, Adams stands accused of a wide range of crimes against Lyons Township ranging from spray painting “LT sux” across the North Campus front doors, to clogging all of the second floor toilets with paper and subsequently causing weeks of bathroom closures (closures which, as Assistant Principle, Davis authorized).

As per LT policy, Adams was required to call Adams’ parents (John 63 and Melinda 61) to inform them of the allegations. 

“Personally, I had some doubts about the guilt of the accused,” Adams said.  “He had no prior offenses, but I did make the decision to refer him to the Board of Education anyway.  After all, rules are rules.”

Speak Up Line tips have often been used in the past as evidence when punishing students for rule breaking, and if he is found guilty, Adams could face consequences that include being suspended from the soccer team for upwards of two weeks, and losing his position in student council (the 43-year-old principle is and advisor on both).

“Even though none of the offenses are drug or alcohol related per se, I’m still going to order a search of the suspect’s car,” Adams said, which prompted the immediate seizure of his 1998 Ford Corolla from the North Campus parking lot. “We don’t take chances with potential criminals at Lyons Township.”

At press time, Adams’ fate does seem to have taken a turn for the worse, as the now disgraced Assistant Principal has been unable to find a single LT student that is willing to testify favorably on his behalf.

“We are always looking for ways to link students to modern aeronautics,” Sauders said. “With the constant threats against the U.S. from North Korea, we figured there was no better time to get the kids involved with real world situations involving flight.  The process is slow-going, especially with breaks for AP tests and senior spring break, but we are confident we can complete our missile devices long before North Korea ever carries out their threats.”

After receiving extra funding from the school board, students began contacting various organizations for scrap metal, rubber and paint for the missile.  Falli and Sauders also began work contacting NASA and the US Military to get a sense of certain regulations and procedures, as well as where to obtain the reactants and fuels necessary for a long-range missile.  Though there were several weeks of meetings and negotiations with LT administrators, the organization was able to gain full support for their project.

“The school was really behind us the whole time,” aviation student Jimmy McGrath ’13 said. “Now we are just trying to keep steady work going.  It’s really just about teamwork now.  You know, people are really working toward their strengths. Some of us are measuring the nuclear reactants, others are painting the launch pad, it’s really just a good collaborative, patriotic effort, and great real-world experience in aviation.”

When the club was in its beginning stages, everyone knew it would be ambitious, said Falli.  However, the logistics of managing the large number of students necessary and the highly dangerous materials has proved the biggest hassle.  Since the construction is taking place completely behind SC, all materials and documentation are being stored there.  Yet, between the nesting geese and wayward balls from the girls freshman and sophomore lacrosse teams, the operation has had to relocate several times.  However, despite the hassles, the project is coming along much better than expected, said McGrath.  Through fundraising such as puppy chow sales during lunch periods and door-to-door gold card sales, the club quickly gained all the necessary funding, as well as overwhelming community support.

“These are the kind of clubs I like to see kids getting involved with,” said community member and Korean War veteran Garth McHenney. “There’s nothing more American than a group of smart, able-bodied kids working together to protect our rights.”

But for the students involved, Operation Nuke ‘Em is just a fun way to gain real world experience and meet LT students passionate about aviation.  Not only is the project a practical application of skills, but the students really seem to embrace the camaraderie of global warfare, Falli said.  Indeed, many underclassmen participants found they were quickly welcomed by upperclassmen to get involved with the testing and nuclear physics aspects of the project. 

“The best part is, I have three more years of this,” said Kaylee Brunson ’15. “I can’t wait to see what other kinds of weapons I’ll get to make.  I guess we all just hope the threats keep on coming from North Korea, because I really feel like I belong here.”

            “This is really a remarkable time for all of LT,” principal Dave Franson said. “This sort of celebration is unprecedented in LT history, but it is certainly something to be proud of.  We just can’t wait to hear the little tyke roar his first ‘We are . . . LT!’”

            The pregnancy was first noticed by community member Barbara Kiffers, who walks by the statue daily on her commute to and from the train station.  After a few months of eyeing the changes in the statue, she phoned in to the main office at LT to notify the school.  It wasn’t long before the administrative office called in a team of veterinary specialists, sculptors and midwives to determine the best plan moving forward.

            “Ultimately, we are most concerned with the care of the Nessie statue and her baby” zoo veterinarian Dr. Carly Ashlock said. “Though we haven’t quite determined how this pregnancy happened, we have a very skilled team of workers here willing to provide the bronze lioness with all the close attention, expert care, and pickles and ice cream she needs.”

            However, despite the surprise, LT officials and community members across the area have responded with an outcry of support and parental advice.  The women staffers have organized a baby shower for the expecting mother during the month of May, and many have offered to provide her with equipment such as yarn, toy mice and stuffed zebras for the baby lion statue to play with.

            “She’s just glowing, and not just because she’s made of bronze,” said math teacher Kristine Blachinski.

“His presentation was the deciding factor in or decision,” one Board of Education member said. “He was chill and clear; he simmered it down to the most basic facts and made a clear, concise argument and illustrated just how the policy is a hindrance to the social lives of our students.”

The Code of Conduct require students participating in extracurricular to abstain from using any and all illegal substances (alcohol, marijuana, etc.)  and not attend parties where any of these substances are present seven days a week, 365 days a year, regardless of whether or not school is in session.

“The purpose of [the code] is to aide students in creating healthy habits,” one assistant principal said. “We want to encourage all our students to make healthy life choices and surround themselves with people who make similar healthy decisions.”

According to the stoner, however, that is hardly the purpose. In an exclusive LiOnion interview, the stoner explained the code’s real purpose, that it is aimed at “preventing teenagers from being teenagers.”

“They just try to harsh our mellow, dude,” the stoner said. “We have our groove and they try and stop us from grooving. They make this partying lifestyle out to be bad and destructive when in reality, the only bad part of it is going home and being out of nacho cheese. It’s really not that bad for you, man.”

After arguing his point that “it’s not that bad for you, man,” the stoner led school officials on a weekend-long, munchie-filled field trip to show off his self-proclaimed harmless lifestyle.

“After the first night, I saw exactly what he meant,” one board member said. “They are all just trying to have fun and experience life. I don’t see a reason to prevent that.”

After taking the town, exploring the forest and having ordered 47 extra large meatlover pizzas from Sodexo, school officials returned donning Baja hoodies and a greater understanding of the stoner, his perspective and his lifestyle.

According to the stoner, the weekend was “totally chill” and he is feeling as though school officials will at least make an informed decision.

“After experiencing the lifestyle, there is no way we could keep our students from living such experienced lives,” the school official said. “And after all, it’s not that bad for you, man.”

The LT area is surrounded by numerous recreational trails, such as the Bemis Woods trail, which extends from Brookfield to Hinsdale, as well as the Waterfall Glenn nature trails, which are slightly farther from the LT area, in Lemont.

The Bemis Woods trail not only allows room for recreation, but provides a scenic and relaxing throughfare for people traveling to Brookfield Zoo, the Village Field Club or Graue Mill. The trail winds alongside Salt Creek through the Bemis Woods forest preserve, with periodic outlets in nearly every neighborhood.  Farther away, in Darrien, Waterfall Glen Bike Trail offers somewhat of a sampler platter of Midwestern landscapes, and is extremely well-maintained by park rangers. The crushed-limestone path takes riders across prairies, through deciduous forests, among pine groves, and along riverbeds. Though not terribly strenuous, the path is far hillier than Bemis, and rider should highly consider bringing a bike that can shift gears.

Traditionally, biking trails are thought of as a summer commodity, only accessible to runners, bikers and roller bladers when the sky is sunny and the leaves are green. However, these trails are available no matter what the weather is, and often see a lot of traffic in the winter. When enough snow falls, bike paths become home to snowshoers, cross country skiers, and winter runners. Fall too, is an underrated season for bike trails and is arguably the best time of the year to use them, due to the slightly cooler temperatures and magnificent views of the changing leaves.

Bottom Line: The numerous bike trails surrounding the LT area provide beautiful views every day of the year, as well as safe and fun transportation around the LT area and exciting exercise opportunities for avid runner, roller bladers or bikers.

The Grapevine

9 West Hillgrove Avenue, LaGrange

(708) 482-4774

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Sat

Delivery: No

Catering: Yes

Kids Menu available

The Grapevine, a LaGrange Mediterranean café, offers a modern twist on a rustic environment- with exposed wooden rafters, antiqued floor tiles, modern track.  Although the exposed brick walls needed a thorough washing down, they added a pastoral sense of charm.

The 9-inch, brick oven gourmet pizzas are thin-crusted, but retain fluffiness that could only be accomplished by a homemade dough.  The Roma Pizza was an interesting spin of the traditional cheese pizza. Each slice of the Roma Pizza is baked with a thick tomato slice instead of sauce. Fresh basil, romano and fresh mozzarella cheese efficiently cover the entire pizza. The final product was an average, but satisfying pizza. The Greek Anti-Pasto Salad- bearing an oxymoron of a name- was a very fresh mixture of lettuce, unpitted kalamata olives, marinated artichoke hearts, cucumbers, mushrooms and feta cheese. The flavors and textures of all the ingredients blended perfectly together, but was unfortunately overpowered by a light, salty vinaigrette. The salad was an overall parching experience.

Supposedly Greek, this restaurant seems altogether very Italian: with a large variety of brick oven pizzas, pastas and even a few Italian named dishes, such as the “Caprese Panini”. The casual dining service entails ordering at the front desk and food, including complimentary warm bread. Drinks, excluding their large selection of wine and beer, are self-served. Carry-out food seems to be a specialty of theirs- a large soda fridge stands awkwardly against a mural of Greek mountain scenery on the back wall and slices of cakes and pies are pre-wrapped in saran wrap, displayed in a glass case. Greek specialty goods are sold as well. Jars of olives, honey and olive oil line the shelves of a bookcase in the back. Mid-priced salads, soups, and sandwiches make up the majority of the menu, making the restaurant a great stop for lunch.

But, hidden on the back page of their extensive menu, a list of ill-fitting Entrees, costing up to 16 dollars, leaves the costumer wondering exactly what type of restaurant The Grapevine is trying to be. The Grapevine, though not at all new to the LaGrange area, resembles an awkward adolescent; making haphazard fumbles toward the restaurant it’s expected to be. So far they have decided upon foreign, and not much else.

3 out of 4 stars

Rating Key:  4 stars, exceptional; 3 stars, very good; 2 stars, good; 1 star, poor