Welcome Home, Lee

American Idol's Lee DeWyze took the time to speak to Forest View students and stress the message "follow your dreams" during his special Homecoming visit! Vanguard students got the opportunity to welcome DeWyze outside the Forest View Educational Center after school on Friday. The mayor of Mt. Propect declared Friday Lee DeWyze Day.

Photos by RJ Chambers

Cooking Club:a beloved sequel

The title gives it away.

After almost a year-long lapse, math/English teacher Megan McCann is bringing Cooking Club back to Vanguard. Tomorrow, students that plan to stay after for Super-Stay-Late-Tuesday can give testament to the new and improved Cooking Club. Lemme tell you, it's going to be awesome. For those that either weren't here last year, or for those that just didn't feel cool enough to go to Cooking Club, you could probably still guess what the club happened to be about : food.

At a glance, it seems that you get points just for eating. That's actually pretty accurate, and you learn how to cook in the process. "I like cooking, and I really like eating, so it's nice, " TJ Kleinschmidt said. That's the gist of it, to be honest. You really just have to go, to REALLY understand it. It's perfect, to say the least.

Well, the Cooking Club's schedule is undoubtedly ALL over the school by this point, so if you're interested, definitely tell McCann.

Story by Kevin Bazarek

Indiana, here we come!

Normally, the trip to Kentucky is amazing. This year, the Kentucky camping trip is a no go, unfortunately. Thanks to obnoxiously extensive floods in Kentucky and Tennesse, the staff members had to call a last minute meeting to change the trip location. The trip is now heading to Sugarcreek, Indiana. The trip at this time of the year is primarily known as the “Senior Camping Trip”, and it still gives students a perfect opportunity to experience kayaking and the great outdoors. Enjoy beautiful wildlife and scenery, all while hanging with the coolest people. Vipers left today at around 11:30 and should get back at around 3 P.M on Friday, May 7th.

“It’s a memorable experience, especially when I dropped my glasses in the creek, “ Almir Dekanovic said. These camping trips are designed for students to participate in safe, supervised activities to enhance self confidence, build relationships, and have fun. While students still must abide by school rules, this is the perfect chance to get away from stress while earning major credit. We’ll be getting there by way of the short bus and school vans, as always. Food and transportation is provided with the camping cost and teacher supervision is a constant.

“Why should you go? It’s something you can’t do around here, and it’s things that maybe you’ve never done before and won’t do again,” Joe Impastato said.

Vanguard's Water Crisis

Students are currently going through a drought, desert-wasteland style. Thanks to a cracked water main, drinking water has been put on a month long hiatus. The problem? The water main has been around since the 60’s. Not only that, but gradual corrosion finished the job of killing the water-main. Drinking fountains don’t work, and the staff bathroom is incredibly out-of-order. “We shouldn’t have to buy water, people DO get thirsty,” Valerie Carley said.

Though this water-free environment is a perfect opportunity for the coffee cart, students are tired of paying for water. Fifty cents per water bottle can add up real quick, ESPECIALLY after any physical activities. “Kids need water, you know? Some kids just can’t afford water,” Kelby Pruchnik said.

“It was supposed to be fixed by today,” staff member Scott Gustafson informed. With the water network down, and the fountains occasionally spewing the colorful yellow and brown water, there’s talk of no water until summertime, in which case that’s really ridiculous. Check back soon for further news on this tragedy.

Story by Kevin Bazarek