The New Teacher On The Block

Megan McCann is 24 years old and looks no older than most of her high school students. Her laugh is infectious, her smile contagious, and her love of teaching is unfaltering. She is a breath of fresh air that has been long awaited.

Ms. Megan McCann was born on December 18, 1983 and raised in Indiana. Megan graduated from West Field High School and than went on to the University of Dayton. She received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education in both Math and English. Ms. McCann just recently joined the Vanguard staff. She currently resides in Arlington Heights with her boyfriend Tim and her dog Bella.

Ms. McCann enjoys kicking back while reading a good book. She knits blankets, she cooks, she eats like there’s no tomorrow, and “there’s nothing better than good wine, good food, and good people,” she said.

Her family is a major part of her life and she loves being around them as much as she can. One of the main reasons she chose Vanguard for employment was to be closer to her parents who live in Indiana. Another big part of her family is her dog. Her dog Bella has her own blog due to the fact that Ms. McCann has an "unhealthy obsession" with her.

The new teacher on the block is young but it hasn’t seemed to affect her teaching skills. Erik Hernandez said, “Ms. McCann is so awesome she helped me finish my math class. ”

Cassandra Kossick, a member of Team McCann, said, “She is my favorite teacher.” She is well liked and very much appreciated by many students.

Not just another pretty face, Ms. McCann is considering getting her master's degree soon. She admires Dr. Robert Koralik and says that he is a mentor to her. She’s excited for the upcoming election, but would not reveal which candidate she wants to cast her vote for, though she thinks Barack Obama will win the election. She said she gets upset with “Unmotivated, lazy, grumpy, students that think they can graduate high school when they do nothing to help themselves,” she said.

Ms. McCann is not just a teacher. Students say she is someone you can confide in, a friend, a shoulder to lean on, and a big kid at heart. She sings along to “Don’t stop Believing” by Journey, she rocks to Bon Jovi, she heckles to The Wedding Crashers, and she religiously watches The Office. For the short time she has been here so far, according to staff and student alike, she has made an impact.
"Megan has a better understanding of education than many teachers with many more years of experience. She is the best thing happened to Vanguard in along time and we have to do whatever it takes for her to stay here," said Dr. Koralik.

Story By: Jackie Cimarusti

Music Makes the People Come Together

You know life's a beautiful place when you can actually feel the music. The Music Club at our one and only Vanguard radiates an aura of peacefulness, despite the crushing sound of all combined instruments, not to mention the joking, the laughing, the food, the drinks, and the general craziness of it all.

Who's the man behind the scenes? Meet Joe Impastato, a man who is slowly but surely regaining his touch on the guitar. An avid fan of music, he would once practice whenever he had free time. When asked about Music Club this year, he simply responded, "It's the most enthusiastic anyone has ever been about music club during my career at Vanguard. If you are going to attend music club, bring earplugs."

"Numerous complaints about the noise factor have been issued. Pasta's so proud," said Elizabeth Meister.

"If there was no audience, there would be no band." These words uttered by Chris Carter, senior, hold much meaning for all the people that don't play instruments.

Robert Struggles, does fit the average teenage stereotype. Long hair, peace bracelet, and of course a music fan. As surprising as it is, he doesn't play any instruments. "Even though I don't play anything, I find it to be the perfect outlet for music creativity".

Music Club is held every Tuesday after school. Whether you sing, play instruments, or just enjoy being around music, come join the madness.


By: Kevin Bazarek

Rat Dissection Is A Skill

What's frozen, hairy, and reeks of embalming fluid? Rattus Norvegicus, the common Norwegian rat. They are currently being dissected by a team of professional nobodies, currently headed by the one and only Tom Heldmann.

Mr. Heldmann said "In a comparative sense, the anatomy of the rat and yourself are quite similar, considering that both of you are partially related, being mammals." What most people don't realize is that it was actually somewhat of a final."

Not in Biology? Some people have already stomached the rat dissections, but everyone should have their chance. Good or bad idea? You decide.

By: Kevin Bazarek

Camping is Intense

When we were young the world as we knew it was so simple. As years progressed and time went on we learned that situations weren’t always black and white. With so much on everyone’s mind camping was a home away from home that gave us all a little bit of clarity. Camping is not only about the crap hole they call a toilet, or the inconspicuous bugs that found there way into our tents its about letting your guard down.

We felt invincible together, if anyone needed help all of us were there. When things got tough we stuck it out no matter how upset we were. Whether it was our goofy nicknames, the water war in the canoes, or bringing back the nineties by the camp fire, the camping trip opened us up to a part of ourselves we thought was gone. The part of ourselves that lets us be who we are no judgment. Kelsey Costello said it best in the most simplest of terms "NO DRAMA".

Some of us found ourselves along the way while others rediscovered themselves. We want to run from reality but when we get back to civilization it’s there waiting for us, if anything this trip taught us to face problems head on, no matter how difficult they may seem. Branden Martinez said "Even though we don't have our cell phones, our video games, our comfort zone's, the one thing we do have is each others company".

We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We are the youth, the future, the beginning of a new chapter; sometimes we forget we are also kids who are still growing up.

By: Jaclyn Cimarusti

No chairs, no ketchup, bad service

You're hungry. Hot dog stands sound mighty delicious, eh? Delicate beef with all the wonderful condiments, including the sweet, succulent ketchup. Mmm. Oh, just thinking about it now, you'll really enjoy digesting this wondrous supplement.
Believe it or not, we live in a world where this is not always the case.
Welcome to Gene and Jude's Hot Dog Stand, where the assumed must certainly not be expected.
Located on River Road in River Grove, Gene and Jude's was opened in 1950 by Gene Mormino and his partner.
Today, many students attended the joint for a quick bite to eat as a part of Integrated Studies Class.
From a quick glance, it'll most definitely look like a regular hot dog stand. Go inside, however, you might think that it's only a bad joke.
"They had no chairs," said Pattie Sanchez, a senior, who informed me briefly of the ups, downs, dos and don'ts. "The closest thing they had to eat on was a few misplaced counters, which you'd stand next to to munch upon the goodness."
And that isn't the half of it;
No ketchup?
"Not even, man," said Bryan Thompson. "The smart thing to do, what I do is bring a few packets with you; if you ask for ketchup, they'll declare you 'you gone.'"
Thompson's smuggled ketchup earned him an extra point for the day. "He's pretty resourceful and I was so grateful for the ketchup," said Ms. O'Neill.
Gone is "No shoes, no shirts, no service." Here is "no chairs, no ketchup, BAD service."
Do I recommend it? I hear it has good food, yet terrible service. I don't suggest Gene and Jude's but it wouldn't be too bad to go.
A review by Kevin Bazarek