The news site of Evanston Township High School's student newspaper

The Evanstonian

The news site of Evanston Township High School's student newspaper

The Evanstonian

The news site of Evanston Township High School's student newspaper

The Evanstonian

Eden Drajpuch

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor

Hey! My name is Eden (she/her). I am a senior and an Executive Editor for the News, A&E, and Feature sections. This is my fourth year on staff, and in the past I have been a staff writer and an editor for the Feature section. This year, I am excited to build new relationships, create content that tells meaningful stories, and have a lot of fun along the way. Outside of The Evanstonian, I enjoy running, cooking meals with my family, and listening to podcasts. 

By Eden Drajpuch

I don’t know about you but I’m feeling class of 22

It feels like a perfect day  To celebrate our seniors  And enjoy our summer, uh-uh, uh-uh   It feels like a perfect day To stop all schooling  To start our partying, uh-uh, uh-uh    Yeah We’re...

A letter from the Executive Editors: a reflection on our growth and continued commitment to equity

Lauren Dain and Eden Drajpuch May 12, 2022

As we close the book on the 2021-2022 school year, the Evanstonian editors have reflected on how unique our coverage was this past year. The class of 2022’s high school experience as a whole has been...

The Evanstonian announces next Executive Editors

Eden Drajpuch and Lauren Dain May 12, 2022

The Evanstonian’s 2021-2022 Editorial Board is proud to announce the 2022-2023’s Executive Editors: Meg Houseworth, Jessica Sehgal and Ahania Soni. Meg, Jessica and Ahania have all been on staff for...

A year of journalism, lattes and memories: Rating Evanston’s coffee shops

A year of journalism, lattes and memories: Rating Evanston’s coffee shops

Eden Drajpuch and Lauren Dain May 12, 2022

Over the course of this year, we have spent many hours in various coffee shops throughout Evanston. A coffee shop can be the perfect, mood-setting location that motivates us to get work done for school...

Superintendent Witherspoon details final days at ETHS

Superintendent Witherspoon details final days at ETHS

After a memorable 16 year tenure as ETHS’ superintendent, Eric Witherspoon is retiring at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Throughout his time at ETHS, Witherspoon has made efforts to create systemic...

ETHS friends become college roommates

Eden Drajpuch, Jilian Denlow and Stella Morton May 12, 2022

As college aspirations become reality for current ETHS seniors, the process to find a potential roommate serves as yet another daunting task for several students who near this new chapter of their lives.  College...

D202 School Board names Principal Marcus Campbell as ETHS’ new superintendent

Sari Oppenheimer and Eden Drajpuch April 21, 2022

On Thursday, April 21, the District 202 School Board held a special meeting to announce ETHS’ new superintendent and principal, set to begin for the 2022-2023 school year.  Following the announcement...

Amid discussions on reading proficiency, Literacy Lab offers support

Amid discussions on reading proficiency, Literacy Lab offers support

Eden Drajpuch and Jilian Denlow April 18, 2022

ETHS’ Literacy Lab, located on the second floor of the Arts Wing, was initially opened in the 2019-2020 school year with the goal of providing an inviting space for students who needed additional reading...

Students, staff react to updated COVID-19 guidelines

Students, staff react to updated COVID-19 guidelines

Eden Drajpuch and Jilian Denlow March 4, 2022

As of Feb. 28, ETHS has moved to a “mask-recommended” model, meaning that masks are encouraged, but not required within the ETHS building. This decision comes as a result of multiple lawsuits that...

School Board meeting presentation outlines decline in Advanced Placement, reading proficiency scores, impact of COVID-19

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor February 28, 2022

At the most recent Feb. 7 school board meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Pete Bavis offered an update on student test scores, participation in Advanced Placement level classes...

ETHS set to become mask optional as of Feb. 28

ETHS set to become mask optional as of Feb. 28

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor February 22, 2022
As of Feb. 22, ETHS is set to transition to a mask-optional model on Monday, Feb. 28. Students and families were made aware of this change in an email addressed from Superintendent Eric Witherspoon. In ETHS’ mask-optional model, masks will no longer be required but will continue to be encouraged among staff and students to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Letter from the Editors | A reflection on Evanston’s past to inform the present

Lauren Dain and Eden Drajpuch January 28, 2022
For our January issue, The Evanstonian decided to stray from our normal format and look more closely at the various points of intersection related to education in Evanston history.
When Foster School oepned, it featured an all-white student body. Over the next half century, the demographics shifted entirely, with the school featuring an all-Black student population by the 1950s.

‘It was a pillar’: Examining legacy of Evanston’s former Fifth Ward school

Evanstonians remember Foster School, a site of communal strength, and later, desegregation hardships has recently become a focus for discussions regarding race relations in Evanston.

Administration outlines semester two changes

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor January 14, 2022

In an email sent earlier this week to students and families, the ETHS administration outlined changes that started at the beginning of semester two.. These changes came after a tumultuous end to first...

ETHS outlines return to school following winter break

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor January 9, 2022

Despite staggeringly high COVID-19 cases across Illinois and Cook County throughout the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, on Jan. 7, ETHS announced that students and staff would return to a full in-person...

ETHS implements in-school COVID testing for students

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor December 23, 2021

On Dec. 21, ETHS sent an email informing students and staff that COVID-19 testing of students would be implemented on Jan. 11 and 12 following winter break, an action meant to halt any virus spread as...

Teachers, staff respond to administrative changes

Eden Drajpuch and Jojo Wertheimer December 23, 2021

As of November, the administrative changes announced in mid-October took effect, changing the operations of the Deans, Student Services and Human Resources offices. After these changes were made public,...

Students reflect on conclusion of first semester with adaptive pause

Lauren Dain and Eden Drajpuch December 23, 2021

After ETHS saw the highest surge in COVID-19 cases the institution has seen this year, jumping from 21 the week of Dec. 3 to 129 the week of Dec. 10, the school moved to an adaptive learning plan for the...

Illinois releases 2021 report cards

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor December 23, 2021

On Dec. 2, Illinois state education officials released the first school report cards since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report cards, which include information about academic performance and school...

After semester of tumult, ETHS students call for change

Eden Drajpuch and Jojo Wertheimer December 23, 2021

As the 2021-22 school year resumed with complete in-person learning, many students found themselves questioning how to move forward after such a traumatic pandemic experience, especially as COVID-19 cases...

ETHS reports highest number of COVID cases seen all semester

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor December 23, 2021

As of Dec. 16, ETHS has implemented an “adaptive pause,” an extended period of remote learning with the goal of mitigating spiking COVID-19 cases. The adaptive pause became effective on Dec. 17 and...

Color Guard captains recount culture of abuse, intensity under head coach

Eden Drajpuch and Sari Oppenheimer November 19, 2021

*We have changed the names of some students to protect their privacy.  Lorenzo Medrano, a Color Guard coach at ETHS, was placed on leave on Sept. 16 following his arrest on child seduction charges...

ETHS announces changes to Deans, Human Resources, Student Services

ETHS announces changes to Deans, Human Resources, Student Services

Lauren Dain and Eden Drajpuch November 19, 2021

There have been numerous administrative and staffing changes that have occurred within the last month. The primary changes occurred within the Deans’ offices, Human Resource offices, and the Student...

“A New Era” – Liana Wallace competes on SURVIVOR, when the Emmy Award-winning series returns for its 41st season, with a special 2-hour premiere, Wednesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.  Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment  2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

‘This is my dream’: ETHS alum, Evanston native on “Survivor”

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor October 15, 2021

Twenty-year-old Liana Wallace, an Evanston native, ETHS alum and current student at Georgetown University, is on the 41st season of CBS’s “Survivor” as a cast member. The show, which is filmed...

Image courtesy of Eric Brown

ETHS science teacher Eric Brown recognized by White House, President Biden

Eden Drajpuch September 17, 2021

On Aug. 27, biology teacher Eric Brown was recognized by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for his commitment to both his students and equity initiatives in the school.  Brown is a member...

Teachers, staff respond to COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor September 17, 2021

While many aspects of this school year thus far have been characterized by student experiences, important changes that also impact ETHS staff have occurred throughout the last few months.  Despite...

Photo courtesy of Lia Kelly

Witherspoon set to retire at end of school year

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor September 14, 2021
On Sept. 13, Superintendent Eric Witherspoon announced his retirement at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  Witherspoon has served as the District 202 Superintendent since 2006 and has served as a superintendent at large for over 30 years.

Mayor Biss creates ‘Reimagining Safety Committee’

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor August 16, 2021

When Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss took office on May 10, 2021, one of his first actions was his creation of the Reimagining Public Safety Committee. The committee, which is comprised of 17 individuals, functions...

Evanston mayor Daniel Biss talks first 100 days in office

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor August 16, 2021

Q: Can you introduce yourself, your role, and your career history for anyone who may not be aware?  My name is Daniel Biss, and I am Evanston’s mayor. For the last several years, I’ve been doing...

Macyn Hoeveler

Evanston Pride celebrates inclusivity

Eden Drajpuch, Executive Editor August 16, 2021

Following the postponement of Evanston’s Pride celebration due to inclement weather, the event was rescheduled for July 17. The rescheduled event consisted of a community picnic and a candle lighting...

Painting, ceramics and drawing teacher Marla Seibold retires after 33 years

Painting, ceramics and drawing teacher Marla Seibold retires after 33 years

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor May 21, 2021

At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, painting, ceramics and drawing teacher Marla Seibold will be retiring but will continue to look back fondly at her 32 years of teaching at ETHS. When asked about...

English as a Second Language teacher and instructional coach Patricia Payne retires from ETHS after three decades.

Teacher and instructional coach Patricia Payne bids farewell to ETHS

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor May 21, 2021

After nearly 31 years of teaching, ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and Instructional Coach Patricia Payne is retiring. With her upcoming retirement, Payne recalled her best memory from ETHS. “I...

Junior Foster Ellen sits in a hybrid classroom.

Teachers reflect on hybrid challenges, accommodations

Eden Drajpuch, Sari Oppenheimer and Avi Shapira April 26, 2021
While returning for hybrid instruction was optional for students, most staff members, unless afforded accommodations, returned to in-person instruction.

COVID-19 Dashboard aims to offer community transparency

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor April 26, 2021

The recent start of hybrid learning at ETHS brought the District 202 COVID Dashboard, a page dedicated to tracking the number of students and staff members who have either tested positive for COVID-19...

What gender means to me

and Eden Drajpuch March 22, 2021
This story describes how the complexities and nuances of gender have shown up in some of the members of the Evanston and ETHS communities.

Amid COVID-19, badminton builds community, skills

Eden Drajpuch, Features Editor March 22, 2021

Without a definite state competition in sight due to COVID-19, ETHS’ badminton team has had to ground themselves in the matches they are able to have and set their sights further into the future. Most...

Seventh Ward

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor February 17, 2021

Eleanor Revelle 7th ward alderwoman Eleanor Revelle is currently looking towards a second term on City Council.  Revelle, who has been an Evanston resident for 42 years and a 7th Ward resident for...

Illustration by Nora Miller

Evanston’s first-annual Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience takes place

Eden Drajpuch, Features Editor November 30, 2020

On Friday, Nov, 20, the Evanston Public Library hosted their first-annual event in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance/Resilience. The event was designed to bring trans and gender non-conforming POC...

Illustration by Nora Miller

Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience in Evanston

Nora Miller and Eden Drajpuch November 20, 2020

Dustin Parker. Neulisa Luciano Ruiz. Yampi Méndez Arocho. Scott/ Scottlynn Devore. Monika Diamond. Lexi. Johanna Metzger. Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos. Layla Pelaez Sánchez. Penélope Díaz Ramírez....

Culture of disinformation confuses teen voters

Culture of disinformation confuses teen voters

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor November 16, 2020

In the lead up to the 2020 election and in the days since, perhaps more than ever before, a culture of false information has been present online. Despite both misinformation and disinformation leading...

Behind the screens of e-learning: safety, mental health supports

Eden Drajpuch, Ingrid Halverson and Lila Portis October 20, 2020

Now that e-learning at ETHS is well underway, The Evanstonian wanted to extend gratitude to some of the incredibly talented and hardworking staff members that students and staff don’t often see. Each...

Behind the screens of e-learning

Eden Drajpuch and Eli Marshall September 24, 2020

Now that e-learning at ETHS is well underway, The Evanstonian wanted to extend gratitude to some of the incredibly talented and hardworking staff members that students and staff don’t often see. Each...

Behind the political curtain: BLM, COVID-19

Eden Drajpuch and Ahania Soni August 17, 2020

As the Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction nationally, Evanston residents and ETHS students have continued to engage in conversations surrounding race and what it means to be an anti-racist...

Illustration by Madison McGuire

COVID-19 affects students’ home lives, access to resources

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor May 5, 2020

Contributors: staff writers Cheyenne Edwards & Tamara Guy, feature facilitator Eli Marshall For some students at ETHS, the outbreak of COVID-19 has shifted both family dynamics and stability at...

Holocaust Remembrance Week resources moved online amidst school closure

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor May 1, 2020

Contributor: Zachary Bahar As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ETHS’s school closure, previously scheduled Holocaust Remembrance Week activities were moved online.  “Planning the event...

Seniors Lily Blackburn and Eli Medack speak to Summit participants at the start of the Summit.

LGBTQ+ Summit, March 11, 2020

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor April 6, 2020

“My experience at the Summit was definitely something I could never recreate. This was my first Summit ever and I had a blast. I went as an ally and one of the workshops I was in was for allies....

Students adjust to social isolation, e-learning

Students adjust to social isolation, e-learning

Contributor: Tamara Guy  Reactions to social distancing In the wake of COVID-19 and ETHS’ recent announcement about extending the district-wide closure to April 30, many ETHS students have turned...

Junior Valery Jean Jaques reflects on what has brought him joy during the shelter-in-place and locates this selfie of “my sister and my mother who I love so dearly.”

Wildkits find joy during unprecendented time

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor April 3, 2020

In this historic time period, The Evanstonian found it important to document the ways in which the ETHS community continue to find joy and take care of themselves. Whether that is through spending...

Illustration By Sabrina Barnes

“No one was listening”: District 65 community fights for transgender, non-binary inclusive policies in response to harassment, inaction

Callie Grober, Eden Drajpuch and Jude Hollenbeck January 31, 2020

Special education teacher Ren Heckathorne started working at the District 65 (D65) Park School in 2014. Having grown up in Evanston and participated in the PALS program as a middle schooler (a non-profit...

Illustration by Micaela Ehrlich

Teachers, schools provide emotional support for students

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Editor December 13, 2019

Recently, the Chicago Teachers’ Strike put nearly 300,000 Chicago Public School (CPS) students out of school for 11 days. CPS teachers were striking for reduced class sizes, salary increases and an increase...

Complexities of Jewish identity spur political feelings, responses

Complexities of Jewish identity spur political feelings, responses

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Facilitator September 27, 2019

Judaism has played an integral role in my life and my family’s lives for nearly as long as I can remember. It started for me when I was just six years old, attending a public elementary school. Still...

Chicago’s history of redlining and what it means for POC neighborhoods today

Eden Drajpuch, Feature Facilitator August 21, 2019

As Chicago grapples with its environmental future, Evanston’s geographic proximity to the city forces Evanstonians to reckon with how a history of racist housing practices has led to environmental discrimination...

Photo courtesy of the ETHS Key.

Moving on after 24 years

Eden Drajpuch, Staff Writer May 23, 2019

After four years of high school and 24 years at ETHS, Robin Harkness has chosen to retire and move onto new opportunities. A diligent worker in Student Activities, the Registrar’s Office and both...

English teacher seeks future in counseling

English teacher seeks future in counseling

Eden Drajpuch, Staff Writer May 23, 2019

Although some may know him as the English teacher who wore an orange pantsuit every Friday, Fred Schenck is better known for loving his students. “Having taught here for 25 years, I can tell you that...

Students and teachers reflect on RAD self defense program

Jojo Wertheimer and Eden Drajpuch April 26, 2019

The RAD self defense program used in female P.E. classes results in a variety of different experiences for everyone participating in the course. RAD [Rape Aggression Defense] includes a packet, as...

Students present at the Grandchildren of Survivors panel.

Holocaust Remembrance Week focuses on anti-semitism

Eden Drajpuch, Mira Littman and Rebecca Lustig April 18, 2019

ETHS Holocaust Remembrance Week occurred the week of April 1 with the theme of Anti-Semitism: There is Nothing New Under the Sun. “Everyone was pretty much in agreement that [the theme] should be...

Designed by Trinity Collins

Trump administration changes immigration policies, ETHS provides support

Eden Drajpuch and Anna Skey February 17, 2019

In December of 2018, the Trump Administration passed a bill that changed the necessary qualifications for employment and citizenship provided to immigrants and asylum seekers. This change targets public...

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