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Polaris Week of 09/11

Here are this week's local stories:

First, Waubonsie Valley embraces Potawatomi culture

Last week, Waubonsie Valley High School revealed a 46-by-14 foot mural depicting Chief Waubonsie and the Potawatomi tribe. This mural is the first step in the school’s plan to replace inaccurate or offensive imagery depicting Native Amercians, while retaining their Warrior pride. When WVHS opened 50 years ago, District 204’s intention was to honor the Potawatomi tribe. But, as time went on, images began inaccurately depicting Native Americans. Principal Jason Stipp says, “We weren't portraying the First People or native woodland experience.”

In order to depict the Potawatomi tribe in the most accurate way possible, Stipp and the school board consulted the Potawatomi Historical Center in Oklahoma and the Schaumburg-based Trickster Cultural Center. Ryan Loft of Digicom Imaging designed and installed the mural. At the bottom of the mural, there is a QR code linked to the Potawatomi Historical Center’s website for students and visitors to learn more about the tribe’s history.

Moving forward, the next step in the plan is to completely redesign Waubonsie Valley’s school crest by the next academic year. The school plans to redesign all such imagery by 2025.

Next, The Naperville City Council approves police ordinance

Last week, the Naperville City Council unanimously approved a proposal for a new ordinance that will fine drivers $900 in administrative fines should they flee the police. The proposal was passed in response to a growing trend of similar incidents in the past few years. The ordinance will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

According to Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres, the ordinance is not designed to prevent instances of police evasion, but to recover the increasing costs associated with investigating these types of incidents.

Under the ordinance, drivers will be notified of the fine through mail, which can be transferable if the driver submits an affidavit claiming that someone else was driving the vehicle.

According to the Naperville Police Department, there have been 68 cases of fleeing in the first half of 2022, more than half recorded in 2021 at 101 cases. This coincides with a general increase in these incidents, which ranged from 15 to 25 cases from 2016 to 2019 before roughly doubling in 2020.

Weekend Update: Your one-stop guide to a great weekend

  • Learn more about Hispanic culture and heritage at Naperville’s 2nd annual Hispanic Heritage Festival. The festival will be held on Sept. 17 from 5-9 p.m. in Central Park.
  • Looking to purchase some fine art? This weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, the 2022 Riverwalk Fine Art Fair will feature artists and their work along the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville. All patrons are allowed to enter free of cost.
  • Need more tips on planting during the fall season? Garden pros at The Growing Place are giving advice on growing trees, shrubs and more during this time of year on Sept. 17 from 11-2 p.m.
  • Looking to find some fresh and local produce or try some new foods? Check out the Naperville Farmer’s Market on Saturday from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. near Naperville’s 5th Avenue Train Station.

In NNHS news

  • Last week, Naperville North Theatre put on the Freshman-Sophomore play, “Bethel Park Falls.” Read the feature here.
  • Want to improve your school lunches? Read this writer’s advice for quick, easy, elevated lunches here.
  • Homecoming week is next week! For all details about the dance, theme days and tickets, see the Homecoming website here.

Spotlight: Color Guard

Naperville North is home to a variety of clubs, classes, students and teachers. Every other week, Polaris will be featuring one of these activities or individuals that make North unique. This week: NNHS’s “Northern Lights” Color Guard.

Color Guard is a group of performers who use flags, rifles and sabers to accompany a marching band, such as the Marching Huskies here at North, or compete in the winter as a separate group for Winter Guard. In addition to focusing on improving skills with flags and rifles, Color Guard also focuses on forming a unique connection with other members of the team.

This fall, NNHS’s guard team saw an influx of freshmen with 10 of the 19 members being new to color guard. This showcases a strong appeal of Color Guard: It has a welcoming and fun atmosphere. Sophomore Elsie Mezo explains why she loves the camaraderie that exists within the team..

“It’s been really fun getting to know these new people,” Mezo said.

Color Guard also has its own set of traditions that make the team a strong part of school spirit. Some are less traditional, such as performing special flag work alongside the fight song and participating in the drumline on home game days. Senior captain Jenna Giehler explains why she loves supporting the school.

“I do guard because it’s fun and you get to support the school in a unique way,” Giehler said.

Color Guard holds clinics for the fall season in May, and for the Winter season in the late fall. For more information, visit the NNHS Color Guard site.

Here's what's going on nationally:

The new suicide hotline has been proven effective

The recently introduced 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is reaching more Americans and at a faster rate than the previous national suicide hotline. On July 16, the new line officially went live with the intention to function like a 911 call, quickly connecting callers or texters to mental health professionals.

According to new data, the lifeline saw a 45% increase in overall calls and texts in Aug. compared to last year. The number of calls answered by mental health counselors has also increased by more than 50%.

With this new crisis line, $35 million in grant funding is being awarded to Native American and Alaskan tribes to ensure these callers receive support and follow-up care if needed. COVID-19 also exacerbated deaths in New Mexico, a state that already experiences high death rates due to substance abuse, high crime and suicide.

While this funding is only part of the $150 million bill signed by President Joe Biden addressing mental health, the federal government has provided over $432 million in expanding the network of crisis counselors and educating the public on the 988 line.

Overall, the numbers and data that have been released are encouraging according to psychologist and mental health policy advocate Ben Miller, who stated that it's going to “help save lives, which is what we want.”

This week's Polaris was written by Kayla, Ian, Avery, and Ryan

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Suggestions? Email: geainger@stu.naperville203.org

Photo credits to DJK Custom Homes, Chicago Tribune, NCTV17, and NNHS Color Guard

Credits:

Created with an image by NotjungCG - "Night sky with stars sparkling on black background" DJK Custom Homes, Chicago Tribune, NCTV17, and NNHS Color Guard