Social workers and counselors may be the most helpful, yet unnoticed part of Neuqua Valley. Although they stand outside of the class house every day, they are easily ignored when packs of students are shoving their way to class. The men and women of the Guidance Office have committed themselves to helping students out in every aspect of their life, no matter how big or small the problem may be. They make it their duty to be available to every student who comes knocking at their door.

On top of the typical responsibilities of counselors and social workers, they participate in many other activities students may be unaware of.

Beth Packer, social worker for the class of 2011, facilitates groups for students who have been in rehab and mental hospitals, and also teaches a Social Skills Class to help kids better manage their emotions. She is a large contributor to the Special Education program, taking care of students who have mental, social, or emotional disabilities. Anyone who walks into her office can tell that she is a wonderful asset to the school, not only from her inviting personality, but her walls, which are adorned with memos, scrapbook pages, and pictures from students and faculty members who love her.

In addition to all of the assistance they provide to the students of Neuqua Valley, counselor for the class of 2012, Tom Daugherty, said that the Guidance Office must also treat teachers and faculty members’ problems. “Behind the scenes, we help teachers deal with the death of students,” said Daugherty “What some students don’t realize is that teachers are just as affected by the death of their students as classmates of that student are.”

Packer and Daugherty agree that the most difficult part of their job is not having enough time. Both admit that they cannot help feeling saddened by students’ problems.

“I’m a caring person,” said Daugherty “I can listen, but I can’t change what happened to the students.”

Clearly, work can get stressful for counselors and social workers, but Daugherty insists “I love my job. I love working with students and I love the variety of work. I’m never not busy, and every day brings something different.”

The best thing students can do to improve their relationship with their guidance counselor and social worker is to simply walk into their office. “I encourage kids to be proactive and ask questions” said Daugherty. “If I know a student better, I’m better able to help them.”

Anna Miller, Staff Writer

Students who come to school early for either a sport or zero hour Physical Education. have had to deal with some new rules. Students who are caught parking in the staff parking lot will punished with losing a full letter grade, because when they are getting out of P.E., teachers are arriving and have nowhere to park. It becomes a hindrance for teachers, especially since there is an entire lot dedicated to students about ten feet away.

Drivers can no longer drive from the auditorium parking lot to the student parking lot. One must turn right on the auditorium side. The school changed the rules because there have been too many accidents and near accidents at that busy intersection. Also, it would back up and parents and students would have long waits to be able to leave the parking lot.

Safety and efficiency caused the changes. Neuqua administration wants to keep all drivers safe and help people get out of the parking lot on time. They do not want parents to be waiting a long time to pick up their child and then have to wait even longer to be able to get out of the lot.

Rachel Vaca, Opinions Editor

With the help of Care Highway, a non-profit charity organization, Neuqua Valley students were able to raise enough money in order to successfully constitute a school building for the children of Kibera, Kenya. The school that was built was later on used as a central location to provide the community of Kibera with free healthcare. “If you involve the community, they’re going to protect it,” says Tom McManamen, social studies department chair and advocate of Care Highway.

One of the first items that these children reflected on was the idea of the functioning bathroom. In all of Kibera, this bathroom was one of the only functioning bathrooms that people could use. Therefore, because of the level of poverty, basic practices of hygiene cannot be ensured, leaving these children prone to many viruses and diseases. Love and support is diminished and children as young as two years old can be seen walking on the streets with a loss of hope and no place to stay.

Thanks to the support of Neuqua Valley, these children were enlightened with the hope of a better day and a stronger future. The school not only served as a place of education, but also served as a local sanctuary. These children can now dream like all other children and have the support of volunteers from Care Highway. Mr. Polanski, a social studies teacher, and Mr. McManamen are offering the students of NeuquaValley a chance to make a difference in Kibera again this year. Anyone, whether it be student or staff, can donate towards this cause. This year, Care Highway will focus on adding to the school and making it a better learning environment for the community of Kibera. The children in the slums of Kibera have nothing left, and making a difference is as easy as donating any leftover change that you may have.

To these children, every penny counts, and together as a school, with the help of Care Highway, Neuqua can reshape the learning environment for the children of Kibera and slowly redirect the community towards the path of hope.

Shamil Shafi, Staff Writer

The time capsule, being buried in 1939, the 100th anniversary of Dupage County, was thought to have been designed to be removed on the 100th anniversary of its burial. For those who can do the math, this year is exactly 30 years before the planned revealing of the capsule. If the purpose of a time capsule is to preserve a specific time period so that a future generation could experience a taste of that time period, then it might seem that opening a time capsule could be slightly counterproductive.

However, according to Kate Houlihan, Naperville’s Community Relations Specialist, “There were no instructions indicating the time capsule needed to be opened in 2039 or any other specific time.” The personnel at Naper Settlement are considered to be responsible for making the decision to open the time capsule at this time.

In addition, the Naper Settlement personnel are being praised for having the forethought to open the time capsule now instead of waiting until the centennial. Many of the items in the time capsule have been damaged due to the natural elements, and could possibly have become destroyed if the time capsule were to have been sealed for much longer.

However, not every item in the time capsule could be saved. The capsule specifically contained photographs of what Houlihan considers to be “unknown images…degraded beyond recognition.” Because this time capsule has been at the mercy of the elements for 70 years, the city is grateful that the rest of the items were decently preserved.

The items concealed in the time capsule are primarily various types of newspapers such as The Downers Grove Reporter and The Daily Journal. In addition various coins and letters were discovered.

A complete list of the contents can be found on the official website for the City of Naperville. Also, for those who want firsthand experience, several items are going to be added to the collection of artifacts at Naper Settlement.

Lucas Giolas, Photo Editor

The Jukebox required too much work; maintenance, repairs, and buying new CDs would cost too much time and money. The administration was not willing to resume responsibility for it, and so it stays unusable and without maintenance. As of now, the jukebox has better chance of ending up on Craigslist then being fixed up and used.

Yet, it seems a shame to let such a fun gift go unused. Student Council President of the Junior Class, Mia Akers, agrees. “With a student council as strong and as large as Neuqua’s, it would be a tangible task to take over,” Akers said, “It would be a great idea and something that would make Neuqua more fun.”

Molly Leger, News Editor

That two little words can cause such uproar seems ridiculous. If you were in a country where Hanukkah was the cultural norm it would be normal to hear “Have a good Hanukkah” so it should be fine to hear teachers say “Merry Christmas.” It should be acceptable to say Merry Christmas because it does fall on winter break and teachers usually follow it up with “Have a good New year.” If another holiday fell on winter break, teachers would probably acknowledge that holiday too. But, to be fair, maybe teachers should say “Have a Merry Christmahanakwanzika” to include all religions celebrated in winter. So, Neuqua have a Merry Christmahanakwanzika or if you don’t celebrate a holiday enjoy two weeks of no school.

Rachel Vaca, Opinions Editor

Here at Neuqua, students see the school slogan every day. They complete one aspect of the motto by simply attending the school, its slogan stating, “We value the opportunities and challenges Neuqua Valley has to offer.” Neuqua Valley’s slogan also represents involvement in the school, shown by the dedicated athletic programs, and the fifty plus clubs and intramurals that dominate the halls of Neuqua Valley with both posters and announcements. Life at Neuqua is all about what is happening right now.

At Waubonsie, the standards are set differently. This high school believes learning is a life-long process, and their slogan also includes a long list of reasons to support their opinion. Waubonsie wants every student to be prepared to, “adapt to change, think independently, practice roles as participating citizens in society,” and more. Essentially, they are focused on the future of their students, trying to create well-rounded, independent people who can have control over their futures.

Metea has a completely different approach. Their slogan, an acronym by the name of L.I.F.E., is all about supporting positive and appropriate behavior, and equality for all. They have a reward system for those who, “live with integrity, inspire passion for learning, foster positive relationships, and expect equality for all.” This system is all about the cash. Mustang Bucks, which are given to students who are active in their Positive Behavior Intervention System, are similar to the value of Springbrook Elementary’s Paws Applause and such items given out in elementary schools. The better students behave, the more they earn, and the cash can turn into bigger and better possessions. Although they have only two grade levels, Metea wants to improve on behavior, and make students understand equality is important to everyone.

As it turns out, slogans do change the learning methods of each high school, so there is something else comparable within the district. All of these programs differ in goals, but each one has provided the world with bright, knowledgeable students, so it is hard to say one is truly greater than any other.

Michelle Schubert, Staff Writer

For the 12 years that Neuqua has been open, the chocolate chip cafeteria cookie has been faithfully made every day for lunch in the Neuqua kitchens. It is one of the most popular food items among students and is known for its addicting nature.

This year many students were worried about the fate of their beloved cookie. There were rumors that the new food company, Chartwells, which took over Sodexho, was going to do away with the chocolate chip cookie. However, that is not the case. Nothing will stop Neuqua’s chocolate chip cookie from being in the cafeteria this year or any other year to come.

The food companies ironically do not make the Neuqua cookie, Neuqua does itself. The Neuqua cookie this year has not changed at all from last year. It is still made with the same delectable ingredients, and although it is 25 cents more expensive, that is because it is bigger.

The Neuqua kitchen decided to increase the size of the cookie to 2.5 ounces instead of 2 ounces. Now the cookie will be larger, allowing the students to experience more happiness from the extra half an ounce while eating the cookie.

The kitchen also made an executive decision that the famed Neuqua cookie should be taken out of the oven a bit earlier this year so the cookie is not as burnt as some were last year. Taking the cookies out of the oven a few minutes earlier will reduce the burnt, crispy look and turn it into the perfect, flawless Neuqua cookie.

So this year and the years to come at Neuqua Valley, have no fear: the Neuqua cookie will always be around.

Gretchen Andsager, Staff Writer

Christine Federico is recognized for her impressive accomplishments in volleyball, a sport that she has gained expertise in both by playing and coaching. She played on the prestigious Sports Performance Volleyball Club in high school, was a starting outside hitter at Illinois State University, and played Pro-Beach Volleyball. As an adult, she returned to Sports Performance Volleyball Club as a coach and volunteered her time to help out with Neuqua’s volleyball team, where her daughter Nikki has been a varsity player since her freshman year.

With such an incredible devotion to the volleyball, the sport is giving back at Neuqua Valley with the volleyball team’s C-Fed fundraiser. Because MDS currently does not have a cure, the hope that is currently instilled in Christine Federico’s army of supporters is for a bone marrow transplant that will lead to remission. The problem is that funds must be raised in order for that procedure to occur. The official C-Fed goal is $5,000 towards the bone marrow transplant, and the volleyball program has taken the community by storm with their enthusiasm for the cause.

There has been such an overwhelming reaction from the fundraisers that outside sources have started to get in on the action. A fundraiser held on some familiar ground for Federico took place on October 11th, where a volleyball tournament took donations and had a raffle for those contributing to the Federico’s procedure. Jersey Mike’s Subs on 75th Street offered 10% of their proceeds on October 7th to go towards the ultimate goal of $5,000. “Jersey Mikes was packed not only with Neuqua staff and students, but also members of the community who just wanted to help out,” Senior Erin Meehan said after dining at Jersey Mike’s during the C-Fed event. A tournament on October 11th at Sports Performance was also held to raise money for pr

Even though this deal is over, Neuqua Valley is not stopping until that $5,000 mark is reached. Members of the volleyball team are still selling C-Fed t-shirts for $10 along with any additional donations that people may wish to make.

As for Christine Federico’s family, the genetic athletic strength is translated to emotional strength when it comes to coping with such an unfortunate situation. Nikki Federico attributes her mother’s strength to “being as tough as she was as an athlete and dealing with all of the things that she has dealt with.” When describing the affect that her mother’s MDS has had on the family, Nikki’s own strength and leadership shine through when she says that “The situation has brought everyone in the family closer. [My mom] can’t really go out, so it’s like me being a second mom for my sister.”

In a time where it would be easy to give in, the entire Federico family continues to power through tough times like champions. Fueled by the moral and financial support of friends, family, and the community, Christine Federico is making significant progress towards the right direction, away from negativity and closer to to getting back in the game.

Allie Hermann, Staff Writer

Halloween is one of the best holidays for little kids, because they get to dress up as a hero, wear a disguise, and get candy. It’s a triple threat: both parents and their children get to wander around and trick-or-treat, not to mention decorate outside and turn their homes into haunted abodes, to scare other kids away and eat all the extra candy. However, no every kid feels the same way.

Last year, many people woke up on November first to find their pumpkins smashed and decorations ruined, shocking many families. Although having fun is important, ruining someone else’s is not worth anyone’s while. Halloween pranks and crimes can turn into disasters for those who have been punked, and cause more harm than good, because the high of committing the crime will not last. Halloween is a fun, exciting holiday and one of its benefits is being able to carve pumpkins or spread fake cobwebs out along bushes, but if people are going to ruin others’ artwork and decorations, why make the effort to excite people? Homes, cars, and even kid’s bicycles not only with body damage, but covered in eggs, spray paint, and silly string have been vandalized on Halloween night, only to be discovered with dismay the next morning.

Suffice to say, Halloween crimes are completely inappropriate and immature. There is no reason to screw up someone else’s Halloween with a small prank that can turn into a big hassle. Joking about the uselessness of Halloween sure, but it is not worth messing up others’ hard work. Halloween is a holiday for fun, and ruining it for some is an ineffective and petty way of showing a hatred for the holiday itself.

Michelle Schubert, Staff Writer