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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

Sophia Sherman

Sophia Sherman, Executive Editor

Hi! My name is Sophia Sherman (she/her), I am a senior, and this is my fourth (and final) year on staff for the Evanstonian. I am the Executive Editor of In-Depth, Opinion, and Digital Content, and I have previously been the Opinion Editor, Assistant Sports Editor, and a Staff Writer. Being a part of the Evanstonian’s welcoming community has allowed me to improve my leadership and communication skills, while also providing me with an outlet to publish articles on topics I am passionate about. Outside of The Evanstonian, I am involved with a few other student organizations, I work part-time at Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.), and I play the drums and piano.  

By Sophia Sherman
3: First repair

3: First repair

Sophia Sherman and Izabella Paracuelles May 21, 2024

159 years ago, Gen. William T Sherman proposed the Special Field Order No. 15 that 400,000 acres of abandoned Confederate land be seized and granted to the thousands of newly free Black families. Those...

The Evanstonian announces ’24-’25 executive staff

The outgoing Evanstonian Executive Editors are proud to announce the 108th Editorial Board: Ethan Ravi, Ryan Wambo, Sam Froum, Izzy Paracuelles and Naomi Alemayehu. United in their love for journalism,...

'Where students belong'

‘Where students belong’

Sophia Sherman, Executive Editor April 30, 2024

Thirteen years ago, ETHS introduced the first iteration of its now comprehensive advisory program—a freshman advisory study hall. As a newly-appointed committee began to explore what it could look like...

Founded in 2007 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, Soundcloud has seen the rise of artists such as XXXTentacion, Juice Wrld and Playboi Carti, distinguishing itself as a platform for rappers to jump-start their career.

Head in the clouds

Sophia Sherman, Jilian Denlow and Clara Gustafson December 21, 2023

Situated in the depths of the arts wing on the first floor of ETHS lies a collection of recording spaces with a shared purpose: to offer the student body an opportunity to produce their own music. In the...

Eatin’ With Ethan Episode 3 – Soul & Smoke

Come along with our resident food critic Ethan Ravi to Soul & Smoke Evanston!

This month's In-Depth explores the nuances surrounding safety in ETHS and the broader Evanston community.

Eyes on safety

Sophia Sherman and Isaac Suarez Flint October 20, 2023
Since 2020, there has been a significant push to reevaluate the role of policing and the methods of which people are kept safe both at the national and local level. Making their way through day-to-day life, ETHS students are forced to constantly be aware of the intersection between their identity and safety—at the school, in the community and during any interaction with authority figures.
GANAS Algebra 2 is just one of the six racial affinity classes that ETHS offers for Black and Latinx students.

Seeking Affinity

2,580 miles away from her home in Medellin, Colombia, Maria Gomez stepped into ETHS for the first time in 2021, a junior in high school. As Gomez made her way through the unfamiliar, winding hallways of...

Journalism can be one of the most powerful tools in a community. We need to use it wisely.

[Photo] Editorial | The power of journalism

Editorial Board August 15, 2023

Journalism can be one of the most powerful tools in a community. We need to use it wisely.

Summer construction around ETHS.

[Photo] Roof renovation completed over summer break

Hannah Donnelly, Staff Writer August 15, 2023

Summer construction around ETHS.

On March 12, 2020, ETHS closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: a shutdown that was originally supposed to be two weeks. Two weeks became two months, which became almost two years of quarantine.

Four years in replay: the moments that shaped the Class of 2023

As graduation caps fly into the air on May 21, four years accumulate into a single moment. 902 students gather on stage, diplomas in hand, ready to take the next step. Throughout its time at ETHS, the...

Opinion | 'NIMBY' in Evanston

Opinion | ‘NIMBY’ in Evanston

Sophia Sherman, Opinion Editor March 15, 2023

Nestled in the heart of downtown Evanston, near popular landmarks such as Five & Dime and Bennison’s Bakery, lies the Margarita Inn: a long-term homeless shelter emblematic of everything this city...

Art by Ahania Soni

Governmental action on Sand Creek in recent years

After 149 years of oppression and ignorance from the government, Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the first Native American to ever serve in Congress, created a bill in hopes of preserving the site and Sand Creek.
Photo courtesy of Sadie Dowhan

Third Place: Le Peep

Sophia Sherman, Opinion Editor January 27, 2023

When reminiscing upon my childhood in Evanston, few things bring back as many happy memories as the bright lights and warm smiles of Le Peep. Years later, I can still remember the Sunday brunches I spent...

Letter from the Editors | Acknowledging education's origins is key to moving forward

Letter from the Editors | Acknowledging education’s origins is key to moving forward

Meg Houseworth, Maddie Molotla and Sophia Sherman December 16, 2022

When Mayra Bazan Gonzalez was suspended for ten days and recommended for expulsion for carrying pepper spray, the conversations in The Evanstonian office that followed compelled us to investigate the various...

Nurses sign

Opinion | Nutrition curriculum promotes diet culture, unhealthy eating

Sophia Sherman, Opinion Editor October 14, 2022

Whether the result of an injury or to drop off a doctor's note, no student wants to find themselves sitting in the nurse’s office. However, one element makes the trip at ETHS particularly distressing—a...

Opinion | ETHS ‘cares’ about you: New policies harm, not help, students

Sophia Sherman, Opinion Editor September 23, 2022

Each day for the first few weeks of the school, at 11:25 a.m., students have been met with the blaring of the school bell and the familiar sentiment that, “ETHS cares about you.” Then, just five minutes...

Opinion | Phone-use bans have little benefit, invite new challenges

Opinion | Phone-use bans have little benefit, invite new challenges

Sophia Sherman, Opinion Editor September 23, 2022

Whether it’s spent watching Netflix from the comfort of a bedroom or working on calculus problems, 85 minutes is a long time to focus on anything. For ETHS students, this inability to focus is exacerbated,...

Opinion | Student resource officers jeopardize students’ safety

Sophia Sherman, Opinion Editor August 15, 2022

Sixteen years ago, ETHS took a step backwards. What was once an environment to learn became an environment ruled by stringent punishment and prison-like circumstances. That year, Evanston introduced the...

Courtesy of Lily Mason

Lily Mason

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

Between navigating ever-changing relationships and being asked to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life, high school can be a challenging time for students. But, for Kenyon College committed...

Grace Johnson

Grace Johnson

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

After playing lacrosse for four years, in eighth grade, senior Grace Johnson decided to join her teammates in a new sport: field hockey. Now, four years into playing with ETHS, Johnson has watched the...

Nahla Dominguez

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

Senior Nahla Dominguez was just three when she started playing soccer for a team in Rogers Park. Now, nearly 15 years later, with a commitment to Chicago State and four years on ETHS’ varsity team under...

Madison Hardamon

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign committed track athlete Madison Hardamon didn’t always run for Evanston. At the beginning of her senior year, Hardamon transferred from Lincoln Park High School,...

Madilynn Clark

Madilynn Clark

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

When senior Maddilyn Clark became one of the first students to take the reins of Evanston’s field hockey program, she did so following in the footsteps of her mom—a collegiate field hockey player herself....

Sophia Cosma

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

Having grown up in New Jersey, Haverford College lacrosse commit Sophia Cosma developed her skills from an early age—putting her in the best position to succeed at ETHS. “On the East Coast, lacrosse...

Averylin Cummins

Averylin Cummins

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

Although now committed to Occidental College and one of ETHS’ strongest players, when senior Averylin Cummins first tried water polo, she hated everything about the sport. “I've always just loved...

Jenna Wild

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor May 12, 2022

When senior Jenna Wild went to her friend’s swim lesson in third grade, she didn’t expect that nearly ten years later she would be one of ETHS’ strongest swimmers and committed to play at Brandeis...

Illustration by Leah Brieva

Opinion | Teachers need to implement 504 plans better

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor April 18, 2022

On Dec. 6, 2022, an ETHS sophomore was stressed. COVID-19 cases were at their peak, school was more challenging than ever, and it felt like there was nothing they could do to elevate this anxiety. As the...

Boys gymnastics aims to continue string of successes, focus on growth

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor March 18, 2022

“The [2019-20] COVID season, we had a really good team—one of our best. We opened with our highest score ever. Then, boom, no season. We just had one meet and that was it,” head coach Frank Erwin...

Boys track transitions outdoor, finishing indoor season strong

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor March 18, 2022

Following an early end to the 2020 season, the Kits haven’t had a full indoor track season in nearly three years, but, through the team’s collective efforts, these first months have shaped out to be...

Boys swimming overcomes adversity, triumphs at sectionals

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor February 28, 2022

Look at practically any freshman or sophomore on the ETHS boys swimming team, and you’ll notice one thing missing: their hair. With the return of a full season, the Kits have reinstated their most prized...

Illustration by Kupu Sumi

Opinion | Athletics need to balance academic, athletic obligations

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor February 28, 2022

Across Illinois, the ETHS athletic department is accredited with being one of the most supportive, enriching resources out there for student-athletes. In fact, its own mission statement reads, “All student-athletes...

Illustration by Lila Portis

The foundation of Northwestern and Evanston’s bond: a history of partnerships and conflict

Lauren Dain, Sophia Sherman and Jared Tucker January 28, 2022
Since the founding of Northwestern, the North Shore has established itself as a community built on moral values associated with the religious and intellectual influences of the university. 

Girls wrestling makes debut with team of 11

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor December 23, 2021

Making its debut as a separate, all-girls team this year, ETHS girls’ wrestling has been able to grow rapidly in size—inspiring young, capable female athletes to excel at the sport. “It shows...

Boys bowling starts season 7-2

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor December 23, 2021

Last year, amid COVID-19 restrictions, ETHS boys’ bowling meets were strictly virtual— athletes literally competed in different rooms from their opponents. Although a less than ideal situation, many...

Strong senior class provides fencing leadership

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor December 23, 2021

With a year of virtual practices, prolonged seasons and little opportunity for team bonding behind them, ETHS fencing has achieved early success in the first month of its season.  Starting off strong...

Opinion | Students needed support adjusting to in-person school

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor December 23, 2021

After nearly two years of virtual classes, modified curriculums and little-to-no homework, I fully expected to start this semester with a rigorous, more “normal” course load. I expected that this year...

Girls XC overcomes sectionals loss, end season collectively

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor November 19, 2021

Despite finishing 14th out of 18 teams at sectionals, girls cross country was able to close the season out with top placements at meets from individuals and long-lasting memories.  Earlier in the season,...

Image courtesy of Kali Burrell

Michigan soccer commit Burrell wants ‘to be fearless’

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor November 19, 2021

Senior soccer player Kali Burrell has had one goal embedded in her mind for as long as she can remember: play at the collegiate level. Now, committed to the University of Michigan, Burrell has soared far...

Photo courtesy of Jordin Kadiri.

New talent for girls swimming

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor October 15, 2021

Evanston girls swimming’s biggest success of the season came early on, when it beat Barrington 103-83: a win not seen in more than five years.  That day, first-place finishes were logged by senior...

Pomkits let school spirit shine

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor October 15, 2021

Fridays at ETHS look like something straight out of a high school movie. The football players wear their jerseys, the cheerleaders wear their bows and then, of course, there’s ETHS’ dance troop, the...

Senior Lily Consiglio has committed to Emory, the best collegiate fit for her as a swimmer and student.

Dedicated and driven: Lily Consiglio in, out of the pool

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor October 15, 2021

Many words come to mind when describing ETHS varsity swimmer and recently committed Emory University athlete Lily Consiglio. There’s talented, hard-working, ambitious, smart. Yet, above all, there’s...

Illustration by Kupu Sumi.

Opinion | IHSA has an obligation to mandate vaccinations for student athletes

Sophia Sherman and Marin Ubersox September 17, 2021

From day one of the pandemic, the IHSA has attempted to put the health and safety of students before athletic performance. Between mask mandates and canceling seasons all together, its efforts have likely...

Girls tennis traditions return as team comes together

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor September 17, 2021

After a season of losses and missed opportunities last year, girls varsity tennis is working hard to ensure it serves up one of its best seasons yet. Although its first contest of the year resulted...

Boys XC captains stir team’s commitment to excellence

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor September 17, 2021

With a stellar set of team captains and a more normal looking season this year, boys cross country is ready to do everything they can to make their runs count.  At the first meet of the year against...

Photo courtesy of Will Coutre.

Boys lacrosse pushes “lax to the max

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor August 16, 2021

With their last season canceled by COVID-19, the ETHS boys lacrosse team was ready to get back on the field and “lax to the max.” The Kits’ season had a rocky start after back-to-back non-conference...

Opinion | Cut sports create inequities in ETHS athletics

Sophia Sherman, Assistant Sports Editor August 16, 2021

ETHS is an institution dedicated to providing equitable opportunities for the entirety of its diverse student body. From providing extra support outside of class to eliminating policies that perpetuate...

The evolution of comedy shows from 2010 to 2020

The evolution of comedy shows from 2010 to 2020

Sophia Sherman and Anika Radhakrishnan December 14, 2020

The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Glee are all well known for their character development, drama and an array of witty humor. However, offensive jokes that were once deemed comical and “okay” for...

Opinion | MLB's July return set dangerous precedent for high school sports

Opinion | MLB’s July return set dangerous precedent for high school sports

Sophia Sherman, Staff Writer November 16, 2020

Since games began on July 23, Major League Baseball's premature reopening led to 146 named cases of COVID-19 within the league. They have been at full liberty to keep the health status of any player out...

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