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New Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Schiller

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Crier: What are your hobbies?

Schiller: I like learning new languages; I think that’s really exciting. I speak Spanish and I’m trying to learn French and Korean right now. I really should stick with one because learning two is too much. I [also] like reading a lot—science fiction books. Obviously, I’m a science teacher. Also just being outside—like camping. I love camping. There’s this place in Wisconsin called Point Beach State Park that is right on Lake Michigan, that’s my favorite.

Crier: Why did you become a physics teacher?

Schiller: When I took physics in high school, I was failing at first and I hated it. My teacher totally turned it around and she made it so interesting. After I met and talked with her, I was like “oh my gosh this is so cool!” I like being able to understand why everything happens in the world and I get a lot of joy from getting to share that with other people. It’s fun getting to do physics, but my favorite part is getting to share it with students. And then seeing when my students are like “oh my gosh, that is cool” and I’m like “isn’t it so cool?!” So it’s just the mutual excitement; it makes me so happy.

Crier: If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be? 

Schiller: I would probably like to work for—obviously I would love to work for NASA. Would I get in? Maybe not. I would try to though. [If I didn’t make it, I would want to work] for some astronautics company.

Crier: What has been one of your favorite things about teaching at Conant so far? 

Schiller: It’s going to be really cheesy, but I love the students at Conant. The students, the staff, everybody here. Physics is great, but what makes me excited to be here is all the students because they get to share things about themselves and learn about physics together, that’s my favorite part.

Crier: What’s your weird/fun lab story?

Schiller: The Millikan oil drop experiment it’s where you measure the charge of an electron. We were doing that in a class and it was a three day lab. Where we were taking data and putting it in the spreadsheet and my lab partner deleted all of the data, all of our three days worth of data. So we’re frantically making up numbers in the chart. We got our percent error within 0.1% and our professor was like “you guys did a really great job.” So that was a really scary experience, but also really funny now looking back at it. The lab was cool, but be careful with your fingers when you highlight things.

Crier: What has been your favorite non-science class? 

Schiller: I took this one class called Survey of World Music, and we got to learn about what makes music special in different parts of the world. We just got to listen to different types of music and instruments from literally every region in the world and it was so interesting also because like half the class we would just sit there and eat their breakfast, and our professor would like play a video for 10 minutes of music and we would listen [and she would] be like “do you see this instrument?” and we were like “mhm”. It was really interesting.

Crier: What is one thing you hope students will take away from your class?

Schiller: My biggest hope is that [when] leaving class, I would love everyone to know physics, but I would love everyone to not be afraid to try something difficult and fail at it. I always tell everybody that I want them to fail, not in the sense that I want everyone to leave this class with an F, but I want everyone to like fail at something to see that it’s okay and then try it differently because that’s what science is about. If there’s one thing I would want my students to know [when they leave] it’s that it’s okay if you fail; you’re supposed to, and that’s what’s gonna help you move forward in life.


Karla Modelski: Over 30 years of dedication to education

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Jessica Pfeifer | Conant Crier

For many, there could be nothing worse than having to give a presentation in front of their peers. In fact, over 25% of Americans fear public speaking according to a poll from the Washington Post. However, students at Conant have no reason to fear with the help of veteran Speech teacher and retiree Karla Modelski. 

After 33 ½ years of teaching at Conant High School, Modelski retired in December 2023. She has been a crucial part of the Conant community teaching a variety of classes, helping students prepare for the SATs, and sponsoring several clubs and activities throughout her career. 

Modelski completed her student teaching at Conant–and then never left. She attributes this in part to her commitment to finding a profession that gives her joy and aligns with her strengths.

Modelski’s favorite part of her time at Conant has been the people. She has worked alongside “amazing colleagues” who she says make her “a better teacher and person.” Her colleagues feel the same.

“Mrs. Modelski has helped me become a more confident teacher, and she has been a great friend outside of the classroom,” Katie Apperson-Skobel, a fellow Conant Speech teacher, said.

This was echoed by Susan Hess, the English Department Chair, who also recalled when she would go to Modelski for advice when parenting young children and how Modelski started a Conant Cougar Play Group in the summers.

“She organized get-togethers with other teachers and their kids and had special outings to local parks and petting zoos,” Hess said.

Along with meeting some lifelong friends in her time here, Modelski also met her husband Bill Modelski, a former head football coach who retired in 2016. 

Many current students may know Mrs. Modelski from the dual credit speech class offered at Conant, where she teaches students how to speak confidently and effectively in front of a crowd. 

She has helped so many people in our department,” Hess said.

Modelski said, “I feel like the speech classes have been even more special to me, and the fact that students earn 3 credit hours for college is very rewarding.”

Some of the other English classes she has taught over the years are Speech 2, Rhetoric of Cinema, and several non-departmental classes like AP Seminar, Leadership for Life, and Leadership and Efficacy.

In the English Department, Modelski has made a tremendous impact. Apperson-Skobel said, “Mrs. Modelski is considerate of co-workers and has brought so much laughter and creativity to the department over the course of her career.”

In addition to her impact on her students and co-workers through teaching, Modelski has also made crucial contributions to the community at large. Students may also know Modelski for her help with the English portion of the SAT or from one of the many other clubs, sports, or activities that Modelski has sponsored over the years including Speech Team, Cheerleading, Senior Class (assistant), Student Council (assistant), Girls Track (assistant), and the New Teacher Program.

Modelski also enjoys hearing about what her former students are doing after high school. Now, students will fill these same shoes, wondering what she will be up to after such a fulfilling career. 

In her retirement, Modelski said she looks forward to “spending more time traveling with family and friends, volunteering at several nonprofit organizations, teaching speech at Harper College, taking guitar lessons, and reading!”

Beyond high school, Modelski advises students not to worry about picking the “perfect” job right away. “I worked in advertising after college for a few years before I realized that being an educator was my passion in life,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to take risks and don’t ‘settle’ if you don’t find joy in your career.”

Through Modelski’s commitment to education, Conant has been made a more vibrant community. The Crier wishes her luck in her retirement.

Locker convos: what is chess?

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Crier sits down with key Chess Team members, Samantha Arnold, Ochiroo Lkhagvajamts, and Pauline Yang, who talk about the rules of the game and the most notable moves on the board. The Crier is rooting for the chess team as they head to the IHSA State Competition on February 9-10. Best of luck to our expert players. Check some mate out there, folks.

What it takes to be a Variety Show performer, and why we should appreciate them more

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The Variety Show is one of Conant’s most favored and honored traditions. From musicians, to dancers, to comedians, the two-day event is a great opportunity to showcase all the talent our students have to offer. The Variety Show happened a couple weeks ago, and many at Conant knows how impressive the performances were, but what does it take to put yourself out there and perform?

What goes into a variety show act?

Although the Variety Show may look effortless by the time we see it, the reality is that tons of preparation, planning, and work are involved before showtime. According to Variety host and performer Maya Cronfel, ‘25, “Preparation for the Variety [Show] only officially starts within the few weeks before the show. We have virtual auditions that are due about two weeks before the show, and we have rehearsals those two weeks where we plan…Performers are practicing their song, dance routine, etc. at home before the shows, but the MC’s [hosts] meet every day after school for two weeks to come up with skits or introductions for each act.”

In addition to the short time window the performers and hosts are given, they also have to balance schoolwork, clubs, and sports on top of Variety preparation. Since the main production of the show is mostly student-driven, that’s basically the equivalent of working three jobs at once.

Adriana Buchanan | Conant Crier

Maya Cronfel, ‘25, singing “Quiet” by Natalie Weiss at the Variety Show

Why should we appreciate Variety performers’ talent?

Since Variety Show participants have such jam-packed schedules, they don’t have a very wide time window to prepare the show. Considering this, it’s impressive that they find the time and dedication to put such a large production together. Cronfel also mentioned that a big part of the Variety Show is pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Upon exiting the show, audience members make comments like, “I could never do that,” or even, “I would never do that.” The next time you leave a show or event like the Variety, take a moment to appreciate the people who went out of their comfort zone and performed. That takes a lot of guts on its own. Being in a position that many people wouldn’t even think to put themselves in, and still showcasing your talent flawlessly, is a very challenging skill to master.

Adriana Buchanan | Conant Crier

Maddy Quigley, ‘26, performing original choreography to “All I Ask” by Adele at the Variety Show

In addition, events like the Variety Show help make our lives as students a little more colorful. As it is, there aren’t many other opportunities at Conant for students to showcase their talent so broadly to their peers. Many other clubs, while still showcasing equal and incredible talent, may not be as heavily publicized or accessible for the general public to see. The Variety Show provides that opportunity, letting performers share their talents with their peers, and allowing not just the people who attend to gain a bigger appreciation for them, but the entire school as well.

Adriana Buchanan | Conant Crier

BLiTZER (Fatima Praja, ‘25, Milo Kehl, ‘25, Anthony Macino, ‘26, Madison Kehl, ‘25) performing “Hysteria” by Muse at the Variety Show

How can students support the Variety Show?

One of the biggest and simplest things you can do to support the Variety Show is to go see it. Admission is free, and it’s a great opportunity to support your friends and peers in doing what they love. Attending will also give you a larger glimpse into the diverse talent we have at Conant, and best of all, it’s only an hour of your time.

If you’re feeling extra generous, monetary donations are also accepted. All donations go to Cougars In Need, a fund that aids financially unstable students with necessities, such as food or clothes. So, by attending and donating, you are not only supporting your peers, but also benefiting your local community.

GALLERY: Winter Sports Recognition Assembly 2024

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The end of the winter sports season was marked by the annual recognition assembly, with multiple accolades earned by many of Conant’s teams, most notably the three pieces of silverware earned by the Coed Cheer team. The recognition was followed by a performance by Conant’s Orchesis team, concluding their season as well. To add excitement and energy, Conant Wellness staff and other students and teachers performed a short glimpse of the pacer test, which students thoroughly enjoyed.

Security Spotlight: Mr. Gerlach

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Mr. Gerlach holding two walleye from a fishing trip.

Kurt Gerlach’s dream job when he was young was to become a police officer, which he accomplished. He was an officer in the Hoffman Estates area for 26 years, and the SRO at Conant around 15 years ago. This is his first year on Conant’s security team. Crier staff got the chance to talk to Mr. Gerlach and get a better understanding of who he is and what he does here at Conant.

Crier: What is your best memory at Conant?

Gerlach: The most vivid moments I’ve had here—and I’ve just been here since the school year started this year—is just meeting new people and helping people. I see students and parents and teachers that have questions as far as they’re not sure where things are or they just need help, and I like to help them out. I like to help everyone, but I’d say I like to help students the most.

Crier: What measures are taken here at Conant to make sure the students and teachers are safe?

Gerlach: One of the main measures we take is making sure all the doors are locked and secured. We also make sure that everybody at Conant is supposed to be here, so nobody at Conant isn’t authorized to be here. We also all have strong communication among the security personnel and administrators.

Crier: How do you prioritize tasks that you need to do throughout the day?

Gerlach: Before each day starts, I have a game plan. I check what’s happening at Conant today, and what’s most important is what I do first. I make a priority list and deal with the most important things first.

Crier: What are some of the most necessary qualities to go into the security field?

Gerlach: One important thing is that someone is observant. They need to be able to get along well with people, and like to help people. Helping people is very important, because a lot of our work is helping people around the school. 

Crier: If you had one piece of advice for the students of Conant, what would it be?

Gerlach: Enjoy each and every day. Conant is a great school, so enjoy your time here.

Emerging Artists: Rina Satsutani

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It is no secret that Conant has many incredible artists. “Emerging Artists” is a series that aims to recognize them and their art.  This month, we talked to Rina Satsutani, ’27, about her work, “Light of wave.” This is a watercolor piece that is inspired by Satsutani’s love for sea animals, and how she wanted to emphasize “how lights are necessary to beauty.”.

The Twin Sisters who have redefined Conant Coed Cheer

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When students see a set of identical twin sisters walking around Conant, they know it is Amanda Schweinbraten, the Wellness teacher, and Christina Schweinbraten-Melone, the math teacher. But to the coed cheer team, they are Coach A and Coach C, the most dedicated cheer coaches they’ve ever had.

With a strong sense of creativity and a powerful team bond, they are also arguably the best Coed Cheer coaches in Conant history.

Coach A (left), and Coach C smile proudly with their 2nd place trophy at IHSA State.

Coach A and Coach C have been drawn to cheer since they were three years old, and they haven’t stopped since their days of the Schaumburg Athletic Association. “Cheerleading… is like in our DNA,” Coach A says, with a beaming smile.

During their time as Conant students from 2005 to 2008, they were flyers for the All-Girls Varsity Cheer Team all four years. They were even voted as the high school stereotype, “The Cheerleader,” in a past issue of the Crier.

Beyond Conant, they cheered at Illinois State University and ran cheer camps after graduating. Because of their love for cheer and teaching, it was clear to them that becoming high school teachers and cheer coaches was the way to go. Coach A said, “Knowing you can make a difference in someone’s life and have a positive impact is why I always wanted to be a teacher.”

The 2024 Co-ed Cheer Team at IHSA State

As a full circle moment, they returned to Conant to coach and teach straight out of college. For the past 11 years, they have seen hundreds of athletes come and go as a member of their cheer family. Coed cheer captain Olivia Wzorek, ‘24, described her coaches as her “second moms” and said, “You can see how much they do for the team.”

Assistant Coach and English teacher Kathryn Sall described a similar experience from a coaching perspective, explaining how the Schweinbraten sisters have become some of her closest friends at this school. “I feel so lucky that I get to be a part of what they have made here… it makes my job so much better,” Sall said.

The coaches show they care in a number of ways. For example, Coed Cheer athlete Kacper Paruniak, ‘25, said he was supported during his lower points. “It is a really amazing environment, like a family in a way. The coaches really supported me throughout my injuries as well.”

The team has earned its spot in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Series every single year of the program’s existence. They also have 16 MSL Championships and 10 IHSA Sectional Championships under their record. Just this year, the 28 athletes have won the MSL Championship, IHSA Sectional Championship, and came 2nd in the State.

So, what is the coaches’ secret to their victory?

Pride.

Pride for their team, pride for Conant, and most importantly, pride for each athlete. “You just love your kids so much,” Coach C says, tearing up. “You are putting your all into this job…” Selflessness and sacrifice from the entire team has created an unbreakable bond.

The coaches tried something new this season–their “Victory Era,” represented by two fingers with several meanings: A ‘V’ for victory, a ‘2’ for 2nd place at Sectionals last season, a peace sign, and 11 years of coaching.

The iconic “Victory Era” logo

“We are big Taylor Swift fans,” Coach C says, laughing, referring to the “Era” aspect of the name. The two went to the Eras tour in Las Vegas to see Taylor Swift in person.

The coaches are also gifted when it comes to planning routines. “The amount of mental effort it takes for your coach to envision this story and performance,” Sall said, “it’s really like an art. Every year, their routine is really creative–it’s actually incredible.”

While some schools may get by on playing it “safe” or recycling pieces of old routines, Conant provides new choreography for both their JV and Varsity teams every year. This isn’t an accident. It’s something that they fight to protect. “Not every school does that,” Sall said.

Having twin sisters who coach Coed Cheer is rare, making this team so unique. Coach A and Coach C’s compassion for their athletes stems from their compassion for each other, as more than just colleagues–but as sisters.


Ramadan Diaries: A Blog

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This year, Ramadan started March 11 and ends April 10. Crier Staff members Anum Saif, Leyla Yurtsever, and Zehra Ozcan will blog about how they observe this month-long holiday. Updated weekly!

Week 1: March 11 through March 17

ANUM: Spiritual growth, quality time with family, and reflection are just a few of the highlights of Ramadan. But balancing school can be really difficult. Tuesday night I went to bed at 12am and woke up at 4am to eat suhoor (meal before sunrise). Luckily, I went through the day without feeling too tired, but the schoolwork continues to pile up. I have been taking advantage of my lunch period to sit in the media center and catch up on any assignments I didn’t do the night before.

Despite school getting in the way, I have been able to work on gratitude and self-discipline. I have noticed whenever Ramadan always comes around when I am at a spiritual low and it is like the perfect pick-me-up or reset. I look forward to the rest of the month to see what is to come.

LEYLA: Ramadan is my favorite time of the year! It’s when I feel more connected to my community, my religion, my family, and myself more than ever. But, sometimes my schoolwork gets neglected with all of the additional activities that come along with Ramadan. On Monday, the first day of fasting, my friend and I went to one of our friends’ lacrosse games, and then we all had iftar (dinner to break our fast at sundown) altogether. When I came home, my family and I prayed taraweeh (a special additional prayer for Ramadan that takes nearly an hour). Wiped out, I went straight to bed once we finished the prayer.

Throughout the week, my family and I have been invited to and hosted iftars with family friends. This is one of my favorite parts about Ramadan because not only am I able to spend time with my friends and family, but we also grow together spiritually. Thankfully, fasting this past week hasn’t been too bad for me, and I think my stomach has only growled in class once or twice.

ZEHRA: I look forward to Ramadan each year – even though it can be difficult to balance with school, especially during March. Ramadan is a time of opportunity for not only spiritual but also mental and physical growth. For me, fasting allows my body to rest, allows my mind to focus better, and gives me more time to learn more about my religion and worship.

However, I haven’t been able to focus on that so much this month because of a debate meet (IDC State) I had in the middle of March, which was even harder to prepare for while fasting. After a long day of school, I met the rest of the debate team in the library the day before the meet so we could prepare, but it was so hard to do since I had been up even earlier that morning and hadn’t drank any water that day. But even on difficult days like this, I am always glad I have fasted at the end of the day when I break my fast at Iftar. I have been able to focus more on gratitude and Islam during this month, and I look forward to the rest of it, and especially to Eid!

 

Locker Convos: What is Wrestling?

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Are the stereotypes about wrestlers true? What do the lines on the wrestling mat mean? Crier sits down with IHSA Girls Wrestling Regionals Champion Jasmine Zavaleta to find out.





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