Here are the winners of the 2013 senior supplement categories! Thank you to all who participated.

Best Dressed: Robert Marohn and Lily Chatman

Best Hair: Nick Michaelesko and Vera Ratner

Best Smile: Courtney McGee and Jessie Simkins

Best Selfies- Sneh Sukhadia and Dylan Lanoff

Bromance: Robert Svaia and Jack Thornton

Best Friends: Dylan Lanoff and Amanda Shafer

Most School Spirited: Dustin Dumanlang and Katie McDonagh

Best Personality: Max Collins and Evangeline Alpogianis

Best Laugh: Simon Kim and Lara Dankha

Best Sense of Humor: Michael Gonzales and Shana Nissan

Cutest Couple: Jake Glotzer and Evangeline Alpogianis

Most Talented in the Arts: Jason Lupas and Riana Vujovich

Most Athletic: Vaughn Monreal-Berner and Molly Kleppin

Most Intelligent: Patrick Liscio and Sheryl Cherian

Favorite Teachers: Mr. Wack and Mrs. Schmidt

Most Attractive: George Webb and Katherine Hornung

Most Opinionated: Cody Inglesby and Vera Ratner

Most Changed Since Freshman Year: Tarik Ceric and Sondra Vujovich

Most Likely to Be Successful: Patrick Liscio and Sheryl Cherian

Most Sarcastic: Jack Thornton and Mary Mirza

Most Likely to Be Arrested for Gotcha: Sam Conrad and Mary Mirza

Most Likely to Be Late to Graduation: Bobby Tran and Nicholle Fourkas

Most Likely to Brighten Your Day: Alex Darville and Jessie Simkins

Most Likely to End Up on a Reality TV Show: Faris Karaman, Zack Mubark and JeanneMarie Mandley

Worse Case of Senioritis: Cody Inglesby and Jackie Dalzell

Teachers’ Pet: Justin Sia and Ellie Weil

The American Cancer Society will be hosting their fifth annual Battle of the Bands Fundraiser on Sunday, May 19 at Cubby Bear North in Lincolnshire at noon. The event is open to any high school pop and rock bands with more than 30 bands competing in previous years.

The event gives bands the chance to perform for a live audience, including professional judges who will provide each band with feedback on their performances. All proceeds of the event go to The American Cancer Society.

Senior Merrill Miller will be competing in the event with his two bands, Mirage (Rock & Roll Club) and Unpaved.

“We’re playing [in the event] because we’ve never done Battle of the Bands before, so it’s a new experience,” Miller said. “We’re practicing a lot and getting ready for a hopefully successful performance.”

Mirage will be playing “China Grove” by The Doobie Brothers, “I Saw Her Standing There” by The Beatles, and “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots. Unpaved will be playing “In Bloom” by Nirvana, and “Surrender” by Cheap Trick and “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple.

Activities Director Jessica Pritzker, who sent the email on Battle of the Bands to students,said this event will give students the opportunity to showcase their and that students should attend the event.

“Watching live music is a great way to enjoy oneself,” she said. “I think there are a lot of bands that just play without showing off their talents and they should realize [from the event] how they should get better and show their talents.”

To learn more about the Battle of the Bands competition, you can visit www.bandsbattlingcancer.org for more information.

The Niles West Girls’ Track Team sent seven competitors to the IHSA Girls’ 3A Track and Field State meet.

Senior Sunshine Simon qualified for the 100 and 300 hurdle races, placing first at the Sectional meet at Loyola last Thursday, in addition to the triple jump, where she was the runner-up.  Her twin sister, senior Sunbright Simon also qualified for the 300 hurdles, coming in second place to her sister at Sectionals.

Other qualifiers included the 1600 meter relay of sophomore Katherine DeLara, freshman Jasmine Williams, and the Simon sisters, sophomore Fiona Kanam and senior Jasmine Townsend for shotput, and senior Vishna Patel for discus.

The meet’s prelims will take place in Charleston, IL on the Eastern Illinois University Track, and the finals will take place on the following day.

Patel said she is excited for the team’s prospects at state.

“We have a very talented team this year and the underclassmen have really been stepping it up, she said. “I’m excited for the future of the team after us seniors leave, and we all look forward to ending our season on a high note.”

The long-awaited “Forever Yogurt” frozen-yogurt shop has arrived! Located at 5687 W. Touhy Ave. in Village Crossing, the shop’s “Coming Soon” posters have been hung up since last summer, so I was excited to see people bustling in and out, carrying pink cups of self-serve frozen yogurt. As a yogurt lover, I had to give the new shop a try.

As I entered the shop, the hot pink, glittery walls gave off a Barbie decor feel. This would usually turn me off, but the fact that those pink walls were adorned with endless flavors of self-serve yogurts and toppings made up for the girly atmosphere quickly. If you’re in the mood for something fruity, grab a cup of “Very Strawberry,” “Blueberry Acai Tart,” or “Mango Tango.” Something  unique? Try “Mom’s Cake Batter,” “Salted Caramel Corn,” or “Euro Tart.” And of course there are the classics, like French Vanilla and Chocolate. These are just a few of the flavors offered from  the 16 dispensers running. In addition to yogurt flavors, there are 49 toppings available, including “Gummi Worms”, “Granola crisp,” fresh fruit, and various cereals.

Left: Euro Tart yogurt topped with mangos, kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Right: French Vanilla and Angel Food Cake yogurt topped with graham crackers, Oreos, and chocolate sprinkles.

The true joy of “Forever Yogurt,” however, is not the plethora of options, but the interactive experience of self-serve dispensers. As soon as you walk in, you can grab a cup and start pulling yogurt levers, scooping sliced fruits, and spilling out dry toppings. You can mix and match flavors to your taste-buds delight without waiting for a server to have all the fun creating your frozen masterpiece.

That said, don’t get too carried away! Whatever goes in your cup costs 49 cents per ounce: a reasonable price, yet it adds up fast. Plus, an ounce is so much smaller than expected, especially when filling your cup with deliciousness is so simple and not monitored by a paid professional.

That said, the  $6 you’re likely to spend on your frozen treat will be worth it. All the the toppings looked fresh (especially the fruit) and each yogurt flavor was refreshing in a unique way. Feel free to ask for a sample cup at the front, and try a few flavors before making your final decisions.

You will not regret spending the hot summer days and nights at Forever Yogurt, open every day from 11 am to midnight.

The cutest pet contest is back! Do you think your pet has what it takes? Vote now! The owner of the pet with the most votes will win a $10 Chipotle gift card and the honor of being the NWN’s cutest pet of 2013. If you do not see your pet in the gallery, it is probably because you did not submit your name and grade or the name and breed of your pet. Voting ends Wednesday, May 22, at midnight.

Tina Skukan's yorkies, Miki and Mala

Tulona Zaman's bobtail cat, Oscar

Tristin Minx's chicken, Bruce

Alex Studer's beagle mix, Nala

Czarina Landicho's turtle, Squirt

Eman Shirazi's Maltest poodle

Isha Khalil's mixed kitty, Oscar

Jackie Schmitz's bunny, Mocha

Jon Kruk's golden retriever, Buddy

Meshyl Bonjoc's toy poodle, Fluffy

Michael Chimel's huskies, Aspen and Rocky

Natalie Groshon's morkie, Charlie

Nemo Boonchoolertrat's sugar glider, Chanel

Olivia John's guinea pig, Cookie

Samantha Jahjah's Australian shepard poodle, Oscar

Ana Gherman's dog, Ollie

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On Wednesday evening the Wolves took to the diamond to face off against the Maine South Hawks.  Before the game, both teams’ seniors were recognized, with special attention paid to the fact that senior and starting pitcher Kyle Colletta would be the last person to wear the number two jersey for Niles West.  West alum and World Series champion George Kontos had worn this number, and it is to be retired at the end of the season.

Maine South wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.  With a man on third and two outs, the Hawks were able to steal home on a wild third strike that rolled all the way to the on deck circle.  In the bottom half of the inning West was unable to return the favor.  The second inning went much better for the Wolves defense as they retired all three batters they faced.  Unfortunately, Maine South did the same and the score still stood 1-0 Hawks through two.

After a scoreless third and a three up, three down top of the fourth, the Wolves’ bats began to heat up.  Junior Matt De La Vega hit a leadoff single before reaching second on a sacrifice bunt by Colletta, and junior Cody Pazik followed that up with a double.  De La Vega attempted to score on Pazik’s double, but collided with Maine South’s catcher at the plate, causing South’s catcher to lose his mitt.  De La Vega was called out, sparking a short protest from Wolves head coach Gary Gustafson.  The call stood, and the score remained 1-0 in favor of the team from Park Ridge.  Next up to bat was senior Seth Rosenberg, who fired a shot through the infield gap in right.  Pazik scored from second, tying the contest at one.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, the bottom half of the fourth proved to be their best inning of the day, as Maine South added two more runs in the top of the fifth.  An error on what would have been a single allowed the Hawks’ leadoff man to advance to second.  A single off the next at bat moved the man to third, and a subsequent double scored him.  South’s next batter laid down a solid bunt, allowing a man on third to get home.  The inning ended on a pop fly and a runner called out for tagging up too soon.

The Wolves again went 1-2-3 up and down, and the Hawks added another run in the top of the sixth.

The rest of the game went scoreless, securing a 4-1 victory for the Hawks.

Throughout the game, it was evident that the Wolves were outmatched, specifically on offense.

“It’s tough to win when you only put up one run.  We tried our best but they out played us, out ran us, and out hit us, so there wasn’t much more we could do,” Colletta said.

On having his number retired at the end of the year, Colletta said it was an honor to wear Kontos’ number.

“It’s really cool.  George Kontos is my neighbor and I think it’s a real honor to be the last person to wear that jersey after all the people who have worn it before me,” he said.

Considering the fact that the school year is finally coming to a close, yearbooks will be available for pick-up in the Student Commons on Friday, May 17 after eighth period till the end of the school day.

Students must bring their IDs in order to pick-up their yearbooks. It is advised that students cannot skip their study hall to pick up the books.

“The yearbook is a memoir of all of the [important pictures] of the year. This is the best yearbook so far,” English teacher and yearbook sponsor  Sharon Swanson said.

If there are extras, the leftover yearbooks will be available for purchase for $60 in cash only by the ticket window next to the Student Commons starting Monday, May 20.

Students said they were excited for the yearbooks.

“I’m psyched to receive mine because it will be refreshing looking back at the memories in a couple of years, ” freshman Faith Geraghty said.

Junior Miranda Kang was relieved that there were alternative yearbook pick-up days because the AP testing this week made it difficult for her to find time on Friday to pick it up.

“I am more comfortable with the alternative pick-up days because it makes it easier for me to find time within my week to pick-up my yearbook,” Kang said.

If for some reason students aren’t able to pick-up yearbooks on Friday (field trip, etc), they can still pick it up on the following Monday or Tuesday.

Put down the book and just enjoy. That’s the best advice I can give movie goers about Baz Luhrmann‘s “The Great Gatsby.” In this stunning and sparkling display of the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Luhrmann and his brilliant cast take you back in time to New York City in 1922.

For those of you who haven’t gone through American Literature your junior year or have read and forgotten the story-line (although I don’t know how you could), here is a brief synopsis. Following the end of the Great War in 1919 and the rise of the Roaring Twenties, full of flappers, speakeasies, jazz music, and loose morals, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moves from the Midwest to New York City.

Carraway, the narrator of our film, takes you along for his journey in the Eggs of New York, two peninsulas separated by a bay that hold the elitist of elite. Carraway meets up with his distant cousin Daisy Buchanan (Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan) and her brute of a All-American husband Tom (Joel Edgerton). Throughout this summer, secrets are revealed, relationships tested and ….. parties thrown. Nick’s neighbor, the mysterious Jay Gatsby, played by Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio, throws wild extravaganzas described by Nick as an “amusement park”. The illegal booze are flowing and the skirts are short. It is the epitome of a 1920′s good time.

I warn you to precede with caution. I’ll admit it; I’m extraordinarily biased. “The Great Gatsby” has been my favorite book for some time and I knew that no matter what they did to the movie, there would be something I would love.

The acting is what stuck out of me most in this movie, also available in 3-D. I was worried about this A-List cast being able to adopt to my beloved characters and I was not disappointed. DiCaprio is the perfect Gatsby, alluring, cunning, charming, and hopelessly in love with the green light at the end of the Buchanan’s dock and all it represents. Mulligan is wistful, intelligent, graceful and a little snobby, the perfect attributes to Mrs. Buchanan. Everyone was spot on.

The special effects, however, weren’t. I knew that since it was a Baz Luhrmann film it would be dramatic; just look at his portfolio of his remake of “Romeo + Juliet” (also staring DiCaprio) and “Moulin Rouge.” I knew there would be color, epic cinematography and, from what I heard of the soundtrack, an interesting mix of old -school jazz, new-age hip-hop, and indie music. It was too “green-screeny,” in my opinion. The effects looked over-done and fact. It would give more to the film if they had rented out a mansion in Long-Island and filled it full of extras instead of hosting almost the entire film in a movie set. I didn’t like how fake it looked.

Separate the film from the book in your mind. Create two separate entities. I thought the movie was glamorous and on-point, but I did find flaws and things I didn’t like of a movie-adaption of the novel. It is still a definite must see that will have you wishing you had been born in a different era.

In an effort to recognize students for their excellence and their accomplishments, students will be given awards at Niles West’s annual Accolades ceremony  Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

Winners of National Honor Awards, Memorial Awards and scholarships, Principal’s Medallion,  Gold, Silver, and Bronze Keys, and other miscellaneous will also be recognized at the ceremony.

The following department award winners will be acknowledged at the event:

Eric Nordin – Applied Science and Technology

Man Ying Vivian Wong – ELL

Jeanette Habash – Fine Arts- Art

Kaylin Moy – Fine Arts- Orchestra

Max Greene – Fine Arts- Band

Vanja Selak – Family and Consumer Science

Robert Urosev – Business Education

Sheryl Cherian – English and Science

Michael Kim – Fine Arts- Choir

Aria Caldwell – Fine Arts- Theatre

Cedrick Calalay – Physical Education (Males)

Jennifer Magdaleno – Phyiscal Education (Females)

Patrick Liscio – Math

Rachel Bender – Social Studies

Alison Stangel – World Languages

Niles West and Niles North fashion students are scheduled to host the annual fashion show at Holiday Inn hotel tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Fashion classes at both schools have been working on their projects this whole year. The students have created outfits inspired by 2013 fashion with a twist of their own taste.

“I’ve been working on my outfits for a very long time,” senior Selina Montero said. “It was very hard work, and hopefully people will like the outcome.”

Some students that will participate in today’s show have focused on two pieces while others have created multiple of outfits.

“I decided to focus on my two outfits,” Montero said. “I’ve had previous experience, and I know I do a better job when I focus most of my effort on just a couple of outfits.”

There are more than 100 outfits in the show this year, and more than 200 students participating in the show.

“I’ve been in every fashion show, and there are always so many pieces,” senior Mary Mando said. “They’re amazing, and I can’t wait to see them this year.”

The show will include the “Trashy Fashion” theme, which are outfits completely made out of recycled and biodegradability products.

“I used pop cans for my Trashy Fashion outfit,” Montero said. “It was one of the funnest outfits to create.”

Designers said they are hoping for a big crowd and are confident that they’ll impress the audience.

“We’ve all been working really hard, and we’re hoping that it’ll show in the show,” Montero said. “All of us have done a great job. Everyone should come watch.”