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

Sari Oppenheimer

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor

Hi! My name is Sari (she/her). I am a senior and the editor for the News section. This is my fourth year on staff and I am excited to continue writing and editing stories this year. I first joined The Evanstonian because of the welcoming community and my passion for telling stories. This year I am looking forward to help foster a welcoming space for writers. Outside of The Evanstonian, I play varsity badminton, I am a member of Student Union, and I am a hub coordinator for Etown Sunrise. Beyond school I enjoy spending time with my friends and exploring nature. 

By Sari Oppenheimer
Jenny Neal

Jenny Neal

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor May 12, 2022

After 17 years as an educator, ETHS teacher Jenny Neal is retiring at the end of the 2022 school year. Throughout her professional career, Neal has worn many hats, including teaching Spanish and bilingual...

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...

Thank you, Evanstonian

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor May 12, 2022

Dear Evanstonian,  Thank you for the last four years. At the start of high school, it felt daunting to find a space where I felt completely free. It was not until a few months into freshman year that...

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...

Latinx Summit aims to offer healing spaces, joyful experiences to participants

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor April 18, 2022

Every spring, ETHS hosts a series of summits centered around identity as part of the ETHS Social Consciousness series. This spring, the Latinx Student Summit will be held on Wednesday, April 27. Keeping...

Black Joy: Students reflect on 2022 Black Student Summit

Aryeh Lesch and Sari Oppenheimer February 28, 2022

Despite a water main break that forced last-minute changes, the ETHS Black Student Summit was held as part of the school’s Social Consciousness Series on Thursday Feb. 10. Starting in 2014, the Social...

Evanstonian Ben Wolf recalls impactful years at ETHS

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor February 28, 2022

Every year, ETHS honors alums who have made an impact on their communities, both while at ETHS and later in their lives. The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to members of different graduating classes,...

In wake of December lockdown, safety concerns, ETHS partners with outside organization to assess schools security practices

In wake of December lockdown, safety concerns, ETHS partners with outside organization to assess school’s security practices

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor February 28, 2022

As part of ETHS’ efforts to improve campus safety, the school contracted with Facility Engineering Associates (FEA), an independent consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive security analysis. The review...

School board approves formal resignation of Chief, Assistant Human Resource Officers following four-mouth, paid administrative leave

School board approves formal resignation of Chief, Assistant Human Resource Officers following four-mouth, paid administrative leave

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor February 28, 2022

At a District 202 school board meeting on Feb. 7, the resignation of the Chief Human Resource Officer Toya Campbell and Assistant Chief Human Resource Officer Yolanda Hardy was approved. The resignations...

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.

ETHS administration talks substitute teacher shortage

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor December 23, 2021

For the current 2021-2022 school year, ETHS employs 38 substitute teachers, all of whom fill both long and short-term positions. However, due to the high demand for substitute teachers, ETHS is continually...

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 begins weekly COVID-19 testing for some students

ETHS begins weekly COVID-19 testing for some students

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor October 15, 2021

On Sep. 14, ETHS released an announcement outlining new COVID-19 testing requirements and procedures for students. Although the targeted group of students being tested weekly is those who are either unvaccinated...

Evanston resident set to become Lincoln Park Zoo CEO, President

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor October 15, 2021

For the first time in the Lincoln Park Zoo’s history, a female scientist will serve as the next President and CEO. Megan Ross, who has a doctorate in animal behavior and psychology is set to take over...

COVID-19 FAQ with Superintendent Eric Witherspoon

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor September 17, 2021

Prior to students reentering the building for the school year, ETHS staff created new protocols in an effort to ensure student safety and mitigate COVID-19 cases.  The new COVID-19 protocols focus...

Illinois amendment provides excused mental health absences for students

Sari Oppenheimer, News Editor September 17, 2021

With students heading back to school for in-person learning across the state, the Illinois State Senate spent the summer creating a bill that focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of students. On...

In Review: A look back at the moments that shaped the ’21 senior class

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor May 21, 2021

The last four years featured events—both local and global—that shaped the experiences of the Class of '21. Let's look back: Fall 2017- Summer 2018 Aug. 28, 2017 - Dress code changes ETHS rewrites...

Evanstonian names 2021-22 Executive Editors

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor May 21, 2021

The Evanstonian is excited to welcome the executive editors for the 2021-22 school year: Eden Drajpuch and Lauren Dain. Eden and Lauren have been Evanstonian staff members since their freshman year and...

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.
Restrictions under a hybrid model create a far cry from a standard school experience.

Predominantly white advocacy group for reopening sees success

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor March 22, 2021

As the summer of 2020 began to wind down, both District 65 and District 202 had yet to announce their plans for the coming school year. The uncertainty over remote versus in-person learning left some parents...

Evanston’s municipal primary results: Biss wins, incumbents lose

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor February 25, 2021

Shortly after polls closed for Evanston’s consolidated primary election on Feb. 23, the results for mayor, city clerk, 4th Ward alderman and 8th Ward alderman were counted. The races for mayor and city...

The Mayoral Election

Zachary Bahar and Sari Oppenheimer February 17, 2021

Daniel Biss For those familiar with local politics, Daniel Biss’ name probably rings a bell. Serving as a state representative from 2011 to 2013 and then as a state senator from 2013 to 2019, Biss...

Third Ward

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor February 17, 2021

Nick Korzeniowski Nick Korzeniowski is one of the candidates on the ballot for 3rd Ward alderman. He is a longtime Evanston resident who has previously run in the District 65 school board election....

photo by Madison McGuire

Evanstonians react amidst COVID-19 third wave

Sari Oppenheimer, Elise Goulding and Gabi Karlan December 14, 2020

America’s third nation-wide surge of COVID-19 cases, dubbed the “third wave,” started in mid-November and has led to the reimplementation of statewide Tier 3 mitigation strategies, such as limiting...

Courtesy of Lori Keenan.

Lori Keenan: Evanston advocate runs for mayor

Sari Oppenheimer December 14, 2020

With the conclusion of the general election cycle, Evanston residents are shifting their focus to the upcoming municipal election. This election will enable Evanstonians to vote for different city elected...

ETHS Mock Election results

ETHS Mock Election results

Zachary Bahar and Sari Oppenheimer November 16, 2020

As The Evanstonian began to think about how to cover a historic election, an idea emerged: conduct a mock election. While the idea is far from an original one, it ultimately offered some insight into the...

High Schoolers For Biden take action beyond ETHS

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor October 20, 2020

Students For Biden is a nationwide organization for students seeking involvement in the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris presidential campaign.  High school students interested in the campaign can join High Schoolers...

New wave of students takes to the poll [workers]

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor October 20, 2020

For the first time, Nov. 3 is a non-attendance day for ETHS students, providing students with an opportunity to volunteer as election judges without having to worry about missing any class time. In suburban...

Closer look at student political action

Closer look at student political action

Louise Bond and Sari Oppenheimer October 20, 2020

Although most ETHS students will not be eligible to vote in the general election, many are finding other ways to be politically involved leading up to Nov. 3. There are plenty of opportunities to become...

Chalk-out at a Reclaim the Block party.

2021 City Budget Talks Place Focus on ‌Evanston‌ ‌Police‌ ‌Department‌

Sari Oppenheimer, Assistant News Editor September 24, 2020

The day after George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, protesters began flooding the streets across the country, including in Evanston, calling for justice and a defunding of the police.  Since...

Evanstonians return to Lighthouse Beach after its reopening.

Evanston reopens amid COVID-19 uncertainty

Sari Oppenheimer and Sofia Williams August 17, 2020

After months that have felt like years, Evanston is beginning the slow journey back to normalcy. On Friday, June 26, Illinois moved into phase four—Revitalization—of the five-phase Illinois reopening...

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Bumbry.

Remembering ETHS: Cynthia Bumbry

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer May 14, 2020

Cynthia Bumbry began working at ETHS in 1985, and in her 35 years as a staff member, she has become an integral part of the ETHS community. During her time at ETHS, Bumbry has filled many roles across...

Photo courtesy of Mary Theresa Reed.

Remembering ETHS: Mary Theresa Reed

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer May 14, 2020

After 36 years of teaching in both District 65 and at ETHS, director of choirs, Mary Theresa Reed is retiring from her long career as a teacher.  “It's been kind of cool to be able to say that I...

NorthShore University HealthSystem in Skokie on April 2.

Evanston health care professionals weigh in on COVID-19 prevention

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer April 3, 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has tallied 6,980 cases in Illinois, including 89 cases in Evanston as of Thursday morning, according to the City of Evanston website. Evanston has experienced the impacts...

ETHS students explore Japanese culture.

Students explore Japanese language, culture through school trip

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer February 28, 2020

On Jan. 25, the ETHS Japanese class departed on a two week trip to Japan to explore the language, culture of the country and to have a once in a life-time experience. The 2020 Japan trip included 20 students,...

Shifted finals schedule prompts student and staff response

Shifted finals schedule prompts student and staff response

Louise Bond and Sari Oppenheimer January 31, 2020

A monumental change. For the first time in recent history, ETHS held its first semester finals before winter break, a move intended to improve student well-being The school board voted to approve this...

Different times, same topics. Why are student newspapers still writing about the same issues in 2019?

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer December 13, 2019

Since its creation in 1916, The Evanstonian has been ETHS’s student led newspaper, highlighting issues that matter to students and the community at large. In addition to The Evanstonian, there was also...

ETHS emphasizes college over other post-secondary options

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer April 26, 2019

During the first month of freshman year, when meeting with my counselor, I got the impression that the only option after high school was going to college. However this is not true; there are many options...

Making all classes earned honors gives equal opportunity in the classroom.

Making all classes earned honors gives equal opportunity in the classroom.

Sari Oppenheimer, Staff Writer March 22, 2019

Going from a small, private school to a large, public high school was a very different experience. Being able to have multi-level discussions with peers was a benefit of a small classroom setting and  was...

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