Cristina Murillo - Socials Editor
Icy threats in IL: Raids in Chicagoland impact area residents
The most recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the Chicago area, called “Operation Midway Blitz,” started this fall on Sept. 6, and enforcement of current government mandates continue now into 2026. According to the nonprofit journalism group The Marshall Project, around 1,600 people have been taken during these raids so far. The impact is felt here in Oswego, far beyond Chicago city limits. “We are not safe," said OH senior Sidney Blanco simply. "Especially because there is so much that is not being said in the news, or out in the media that people know. Not that long ago, I found out that... Renee [[Good]] got killed [[from the raids]],” referencing the Jan 7 death of Renee Nicole Good who was shot in Minneapolis, in her car, by an ICE agent. “[[In]] Oswego specifically, I know that we have a lot of scared people and a lot of scared citizens... a lot of scared friends and family," said an OH anonymous resident. "They are afraid to live their daily lives. They [[are]] afraid to go to the store. They're afraid to go home at night.” Residents are impacted in different ways by the enforcement of the current ICE mandates, and each person sees the situation through a different lens.
When revenge bedtime procrastination strikes: Students chasing time, escaping sleep
Revenge bedtime procrastination, or RBP, is defined as intentionally putting aside sleep in order to reclaim personal time for oneself. This often involves doom scrolling on social media or watching television. “You know, there are so many things that can happen to a body when you don't have enough sleep," said OH psychology and social studies teacher Gregorey Verdino. "Things like too much cortisol in the bloodstream [[can happen with RBP]].” Many students, including myself, have fallen victim to this phenomenon. When a student's schedule consists of school, a sport, and a part-time job, the day is no longer theirs. They aim to make up for that at night.
News: Updated gym rules implemented at OH
OH implemented new gym rules that reduce locker room changing time from five minutes to four minutes and relocated equipment rentals into the locker rooms. This change, made by the Kinetic Wellness Department, aims to improve efficiency, reduce tardiness, and limit hallway loitering during PE periods. The updated rules apply to all students enrolled in OH PE classes and change how students prepare for class before activities begin. School leaders say the changes are intended to increase instructional time and improve transitions between class periods. “We have gone from five minutes to four minutes in the locker room before the period,” said Nicholas Oraham, boys basketball coach, PE, and driver's ed teacher at OH. “Rentals are now being done in the locker room and not at the rental closet.”
Christmas walk: The holiday season kick-off
As the festive lights twinkle around us, and we enter the prime of the holiday season, the Christmas Walk gets Oswegoians into the holiday spirit. The annual Christmas Walk was back in downtown Oswego on Dec. 5, a tradition many look forward to in anticipation of the holidays. OH senior Thomas Martinez said, “I've attended the Christmas Walk about two times, and every time I went it was a blast. And I've enjoyed the scenery and the decorations.”
‘Wicked Pt. 2’: Oz changed ‘for good’
Wicked is a magical Broadway musical that was later adapted for the big screen. This production is both exhilarating and heartbreaking simultaneously, with different elements used for the visuals, dance production, and music. Part Two of the film was released Nov. 21, and according to OH junior Delaney Segarra, “If you haven't seen the first one, go see the first one and get caught up.”