Lake Zurich High School Student Media

Bear Facts
Lake Zurich High School Student Media

Bear Facts
Lake Zurich High School Student Media

Bear Facts
Max Feldman

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief

As a senior, this is Max’s third year on staff and first year as magazine editor in chief for the Bear Facts program. He aspires to study environmental science at the University of Michigan and become a stereotypical college kid. Max is involved with the NHS program and volunteers inside and outside of school. Along with being part of NHS, Max is also a FAME leader and participates in the school’s REACT club and tennis teams. He has also taken an interest in gardening as a former member of the Illinois Orchid Society (Max had to quit because his two cats destroyed his orchid garden).

All content by Max Feldman
The home page of a typical Netflix account. "I really like using Netflix to watch my shows because, in my opinion, it's much easier to use and there’s a lot of variety in the shows and movies they put out," Rose Alam, senior said.

Battle of the Streaming Services

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
May 24, 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the past year, it has also created uncertainty about the futures of our seniors. Looking into the future, we must prepare for a new reality and make bold new strides.

We must look past the pandemic

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
May 21, 2021
Matthew Shaw, junior, in his favorite thrifted item: his jean jacket. Shaw says thrifting is something everyone should try "at least once."

Trash to Treasure

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
May 21, 2021
When students get a grade back, it has an impact on their motivation and confidence, according to Alexandra Shutkas, senior. While this usually only applies to students, Shutkas says there may be benefits to extending this kind of feedback to teachers, too.

Student voice

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
May 19, 2021
Ryan Rubenstein, assistant principal, (right) points out the new construction updates that have been in progress beginning on March 1.

[Photo] Construction adds new innovative spaces

Jane Yu, Staff Writer
May 21, 2021
Katie and Madelyn Zolneirek, seniors, prepare for the next year apart. “When I was younger, part of me was like, shaping my personality off of being different from [Katie] so we could be different,” Madelyn said. “But now looking back, not seeing Katie everyday is going to be the hardest part about leaving.”

[Photo] A friend for life

Kyra Keena, Bear Facts Contributor
May 21, 2021
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[Photo] Dreams to decisions, art student’s path

Emma Harper, Bear Facts Contributor
May 21, 2021
The Girls Track and Field team after their first meet and win against Lakes, Grayslake Central and Grayslake North. Despite the unconventional season, girls track and field, among other sports are finding ways to have a great season.

Summer Sports Preview 2021

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
April 21, 2021
Nikko Gajowniczek, junior, entertains himself by playing piano in his AP Chemistry class. However, Gajowniczek says this distraction pales in comparison to the distractions at home that in-person school has helped him get away from.

A new reality?

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
April 19, 2021
Tiffany Pham, senior, says poses with friends in hybrid school. Pham says the year has been chaotic, but that hybrid learning has restored a semblance of normality.

Looking back at the year that changed it all

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2021
Brittany Rogus, senior, (far left) and her friends before a choir audition. Rogus says that extracurriculars such as choir and theater are so much more meaningful as a five-day senior.

Seniors reflect on five-day in-person weeks

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
March 10, 2021
A student sits in a classroom that is led by a teacher. Although teachers are the ones who educate the youth, students often offer valuable learning experiences and new perspectives for teachers.

Role Reversal

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
March 8, 2021
Last year, part of the Scholastic Journalism Week celebration was raffling off baskets. The Bear Facts staff has decided to discontinue this tradition for safety reasons, but still plans to hold a fundraiser and create more social media content.

Altered events, steadfast values

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2021
Bob and Kaye, who help raise the cattle, are part of the program as well. Addison's class made connections with both the cows and people on the cattle farm.

Social Studies teacher uses unherd of tactics to create connections

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
January 18, 2021
The four hot chocolate mixes reviewed. Each mix had its own strengths, but only one came out on top.

Turning up the heat: a hot chocolate taste test

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
January 4, 2021
REACT club members spread seeds for native grasses with the guidance of Ancient Oaks, a community environmental group. Spreading seeds was just one part of the project, however, as it also included cutting buckthorn and clearing other invasive species, Paige Orals, 2020 graduate, says.

Leaving a legacy

Max Feldman and Ruby Lueras
December 14, 2020
Dan Strickler, drivers education teacher, says adjusting to technology was a challenge at first, especially because he was unsure if the technology would change. "That's part of why remote learning is so difficult."

Digital Drawbacks

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
December 14, 2020
During a tumultuous summer, hundreds gathered at Breezewald Park to honor the memory of George Floyd and show support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Rallies like this one, honoring the movement and educating people on the importance of the movement, are only the first step towards greater equality.

We must strive to be anti-racist

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
December 14, 2020
Tori Medina, senior, holds up her National Hispanic Scholarship award certificate. Medina says the award was especially significant to her because it allowed her to connect to her Hispanic heritage.

Fusing heritage and test scores

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
December 9, 2020
A manager offers hand sanitizer to his employee before work. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague the community and the nation, one way businesses are keeping employees safe by keeping sanitizer in stock at all times.

Sorting store sanitizers

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
November 19, 2020
Fall festivities: students find ways to enjoy the season

Fall festivities: students find ways to enjoy the season

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
November 2, 2020
Students are preparing to vote both by mail and in person. As the election nears, some students say they plan to vote to represent their generation’s interests, while others are choosing to opt out.

Of votes and voices

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2020
Napping can be an effective way to relax, improve wellness, and catch up on some sleep. There are two kinds of naps: the "accidental nap" (displayed here) and the "intentional nap", Elizabeth Garcia, health teacher says.

Turning off the lights

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
October 7, 2020
What a typical set-up may look like for someone who is remote learning. Teachers, in particular, have found Zoom to be exhausting at times.

Zoom Zzz’s

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
October 6, 2020
A representation on the differences of a teen texting their parent. Teens often respond with shorter texts, or sometimes don't even respond at all.

Reflecting on texting

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
September 30, 2020
As the covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, many students say they still feel pressured to take standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. Even though colleges have gone test optional, testing companies continue to promote testing dates and put pressure onto students.

The crucial testing policy you are not appreciating enough

Max Feldman, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
September 8, 2020
Girls on the cross country team are assigned their own squares that they must stay in when not running in order to effectively stay six feet apart from each other. According to Jeremy Kauffman, Head Girls Cross Country Coach, these regulations are important as they allow the girls to have a season at all.

Competitors v. COVID-19

Ruby Lueras, LZ Life Editor
September 1, 2020
Due to Covid-19, the class of 2020's graduation was not a traditional one. Nevertheless, graduates received their diploma on stage, along with applause and picture opportunities.

An unconventional end: class of ’20 graduates via drive-through

Caroline Sun and Max Feldman
July 24, 2020
One way students are staying connected through the quarantine is through video calling their friends. This is especially true for Abby DeGustino, junior, who enjoys facetiming or zooming her friends.

Staying connected: students find new ways to interact despite quarantine

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
May 22, 2020
With the school year coming to an end, Stephan Bild, interim principal, is coordinating with administration to tackle the rest of the year with a solid plan.

[Photo] Two Phase Plan: how Bild prepares to deal with the rest of the year

Parul Pari, Magazine Editor-in-Chief
April 30, 2020
As panic buying becomes an ongoing problem in Lake Zurich, empty shelves have become a common scene in grocery stores. Karlie Schwichtenberg, junior whose family has struggled getting items at stores, says this hoarding is ridiculous and dangerous.

Adjusting to new realities

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
April 21, 2020
Nowadays over 65.8 percent of teenagers feel they are overexposed to the news around them, according to a Bear Facts survey of 351 students. With all of the tabs open on their phones, teenagers are struggling to close all the tabs in their mind.

Inundated with information

Sreelikhi Vangavolu, Max Feldman, Kaitlin Geisler, and Hannah Etienne
March 13, 2020
Reflecting on younger times

Reflecting on younger times

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
March 13, 2020
Volunteers saw down buckthorn at the woodland restoration. According to Thode, this buckthorn is an invasive species which prevents native oaks from living up to their potential.

Saved by the axe

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
March 9, 2020
Seth Paine is not the only place that has been impacted by the rise of vandalism. Across the country, anti-Semitic vandalism has struck schools, businesses, and homes.

A dangerous trend

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
February 11, 2020
After retirement, Lori Bonefas, former MRC tutor, plans to travel more like she has in the past. According to Bonefas, some of the places she has visited include Portage Glacier, Alaska; Kenai Fjords, Alaska; Oklahoma.

A new phase: former MRC tutor discusses her plans after retirement

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
January 29, 2020
Varsity Freshmen: Winter 2019

Varsity Freshmen: Winter 2019

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
January 5, 2020
Jawad Alam, leader of Hack club, helping members of the club. Hack club is a very laid back club, where members are expected to learn at their own pace.

New Hack Club to encourage students to step outside the box

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
December 15, 2019
Tied up in caution tape: overprotective parenting causes students to feel restricted.

Bound by distrust

Sreelikhi Vangavolu, Max Feldman, Hannah Etienne, and Kaitlin Geisler
December 13, 2019
Jordan Addison surrounds his students with calming lighting. By making his classroom as comfortable as possible his students moods are improved.

More than just a mood

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
December 13, 2019
Baylie Parks, member of the girls varsity basketball team, defending the ball.

Sports Recap: November 22-December 8

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
December 11, 2019
ACT to implement test-taking changes

ACT to implement test-taking changes

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
November 11, 2019
The Harlem wizards are dropping by LZ! This year, rather than the annual color run, District 95 decided to switch things up with a basketball game between the Wizards and the LZ staff.

Dribbling for the district

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
October 20, 2019
All girls and coaches who participated in the Powderpuff game. The game was a great way to have fun right before homecoming.

Sports Recap: September 28- October 5

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
October 8, 2019
YouTuber Alex Kiesel, senior, in front of his video filming set up. Kiesel has been making videos throughout his high school career and does not plan on stopping anytime soon.

Defined by the play button

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
September 27, 2019
Laura Kustra, world history teacher is seen pointing at Europe. The curriculum was Eurocentric but the school is moving towards a more inclusive curriculum, according to Kustra.

Magnifying the west

Sreelikhi Vangavolu, Max Feldman, and Hannah Etienne
September 27, 2019
Caramel lattes at Pepper Park in Lake Barrington. These lattes were solid but lacked authenticity.

A coffee conundrum

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
September 23, 2019
Mckenna Serowka working at her desk at the high school. This school year she is taking on the workload of science department chair.

Shaking up the sciences: new science department chair

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
September 10, 2019

New School Year, New Me

Max Feldman, Business Manager & Spotlight Editor
August 25, 2019
My meal I ordered at Bacchus Nibbles which consisted of: coconut shrimp, fries, and vegetables. Of all three meals I consumed for this review, this one was my favorite due to how well all the flavors paired with each other.

Saving money in the suburbs

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
August 20, 2019
David PaBello is enrolled in ELL classes to help with his mastery of English. The class provides a lot more than just learning however. “You meet a lot of different people from other countries,” Pabello said. “It’s sort of like a small family”

Two languages and an (almost) new country

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
May 27, 2019

Two languages and a (kinda) new country

Ruby Lueras, Secretary
May 24, 2019
Members of Kalideoscope perform a finale together at the end of the show. "Everyone spends a different amount of time practicing their songs," Matthew Shaw, freshman, said. "It just depends on what you need."

A kaleidoscope of talent

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
May 23, 2019
Yusra Zakria holds an old photo. Zakria says that reflecting on her negative experiences has helped her make decisions for the future.

[Photo] #WeWereLZ

Sreelikhi Vangavolu and Max Feldman, Staff Writers
May 24, 2019
For most students taking AP classes, studying takes up a lot of time during the day as the test approaches. However, all of this hard work may not lead to the best results when applying to colleges.

Not the end all be all

Max Feldman, Co-Business Manager
May 19, 2019
Gender issues do not only apply to Lake Zurich. Here are some global statistics on the issue.

Gender in the 21st century: LZ students speak about their perspective

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
May 2, 2019
The superintendent speaks in front of a community audience. Osburn is always active in discussing district wide policies with parents and community members regularly.

Moving out

Max Feldman, Co-Business Manager
April 25, 2019
The cast of Spamalot during rehearsal. Countless hours have been put into the musical by cast and crew.

Laugh a lot with Spamalot

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
April 23, 2019
An overview on the growing field of STEM. Seniors, Lauren Babb, Elana Kraversky, and Tiffany Yen are all planning on contributing their time to the ever growing STEM field.

A passion for STEAM: three girls and their aspiring career paths

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
April 10, 2019
Andrew Koppel, transition student, posts a Stall Street Journal above the hand dryers. The students usually post the stall streets near the sinks as well as the stalls to promote good hygiene.

The story behind the stalls

Max Feldman, Co-Business Manager
April 3, 2019
A mural in the school that is just one example of the symbol of the bear being everywhere around the school. Despite its vast appearance around the school, it still dos not have a name, "for all he years we've had the bear it's never had a name," Christopher Bennett , student council sponsor, said. I do know there was an idea to have a naming contest in the past."

Blue white and bear all over

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
April 2, 2019
Senior fever: the privilege of senior opens

Senior fever: the privilege of senior opens

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
March 18, 2019
Our community influences the way we make decisions from a young age yet the decision making process during teenage years is purely a neurological science.

The grey matter

Parul Pari, Max Feldman, and Sreelikhi Vangavolu
March 18, 2019
Dan Ellis, math teacher, mentors his multivariable calculus students. The dual credit class offers a different teaching approach, shifting from a lecture style class to one that is more collaborative.

Dual credit classes: a new opportunity

Max Feldman, Staff Writer
February 20, 2019
LZ highschool symbol.

New “We Are LZ” award presented to extraordinary people in the community

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
February 12, 2019
The outside of the new McAlisters restaurant in Lake Zurich. The inside of the restaurant was even more welcoming than the outside.

New Mcalister’s: Is it just another sandwich shop?

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
February 8, 2019
Students wait for their specialized coffee drinks in the morning. Many students say that these complex drink orders can hold up the line and cause irritation among Jazzman's customers.

Running for coffee

Max Feldman, Staff Writer
February 1, 2019
The schools upstairs water fountain. According to Kasey Ledinsky, sophomore, this water fountain has the best tasting water.

Weird Water

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
January 10, 2019
Student athletes are able to take pictures with their families as they commit to certain colleges. Students say they get a special feeling from these photos by showing their accomplishments.

Athletes on the red carpet

Max Feldman, Staff Writer
January 8, 2019
A record player spins a vinyl in front of Christmas presents. With these top 5 Christmas songs, any holiday occasion will feel special.

Holiday music yule love

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
December 17, 2018
Dan Strickler with Laurel Carvers, math teacher, children. It’s moments like these that keep Strickler doing what he does year after year.

Motorcycle Rider is Schools Santa

Ruby Lueras, Staff Writer
December 14, 2018
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