Welcome, Jinx and Melodie Weatherred!

By Violet Hannen, Production Editor

During the past month, you have most likely seen a black Labrador retriever along with her handler, Melodie Weatherred, scanning the halls throughout your free period, while you are at lunch, between classes, or at various entrances. Jinx is a highly trained K9 who has been implemented into our school’s security system. While their presence is new, their purpose is simple: to keep Deerfield a safe and secure environment for all students. 

Jinx and Weatherred show off her detection skills

Deerprints had the chance to sit down with Ms. Weatherred, Jinx’s handler, to learn more about their role in school security. When asked about the significance of introducing safety measures like K9 dogs, Weatherred states, “There's more and more threats to schools, or kids that are bringing things they shouldn’t be, and if we have the opportunity to catch that before it grows into something more during the school day that's important.” 

The K9 dogs that have been added to District 113’s protective measures have gone through intensive training programs. Jinx is trained to detect firearms and explosives. This is done with a conditioning process using boxes. Weatherred explains that if a dog approaches a box, it will receive its ball as a reward. Over time, as the dog associates the box with its ball, trainers introduce scents such as gunpowder or ammunition into the boxes. When the dog detects these scents, it is rewarded with a ball. This gradual process helps the dog learn to identify weaponry on a person or in an area. Weatherred refers to this method as “commitment to odor”.

Weatherred and Jinx are at school every day promoting the safety of our community. Weatherred mentioned that the most crucial part of her and Jinx’s day is regulating the entrances as students arrive throughout the morning. This allows them to detect any potential threats early on. The rest of their day is spent monitoring the hallways, ensuring the safety of all students and staff. 

While having such serious security measures like K9 dogs can strike feelings of fear and nervousness, it’s important to remember that Jinx is here to enhance safety throughout the school and prevent these feelings of concern. Although it may be unsettling and dystopian that school districts have to implement such extreme measures of protection, it is important that Deerfield does. District 113 has established the use of K9 dogs to ensure the well-being of each student. 

While Deerfield has emphasized the importance of school security through the use of metal detectors and K9 dogs, students can also help to maintain a safe environment. Weatherred states that “as a community we all need to have each others' back and if you see something, say something.”

It is impossible to deny that safety has become a growing concern in schools nationwide. As cases of gun violence continue to rise, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty do as well.

By implementing the use of K9 dogs, District 113 ensures that students can focus on learning without worry. Jinx's presence not only strengthens security, but also fosters a sense of comfort and protection within our school community.

Chinese: A Language Worth Learning at DHS

By Eila Arkin & Lola Kolton, Staff Reporters

At Deerfield High School students have a unique opportunity to learn one of the world’s oldest and most widely spoken languages: Chinese. Yet, fewer students choose to enroll in the class compared to other languages such as Spanish and Hebrew. To understand why this is, Deerprints spoke with our school’s Chinese teacher, Athena Sawyer, who is passionate and dedicated to sharing the language with students.

Mrs. Sawyer explained that Chinese is a difficult language to learn because there isn't a set alphabet. Each word has its own character, meaning that students must memorize each of these specific characters. This requires incredible dedication and persistence, naturally forcing students to work harder for their grades. She acknowledged that she has a reputation for being a tough teacher, but emphasized, "I care deeply about my students and will do anything to help them succeed. Since you must work hard to get an A in Chinese, some students may feel other languages are easier." 

However, for those who attempt this challenge, taking Chinese can be immensely rewarding. “My students keep me going,” Sawyer says. “Watching them speak Chinese and strive to learn makes it all worth it. Chinese teaches you to be responsible, to be your own advocate, and to appreciate the opportunities that DHS provides.”

Chinese is more than just a language. The class is an opportunity to understand the rich history and culture behind the language. Recalling her own journey to loving the language, Mrs. Sawyer explained, “I went to law school in Taiwan. Chinese was only the language that we spoke and we used, but the more I teach in the US, the more I learn about the beauty of the Chinese language and the language's history and background.” Mrs. Sawyer feels like the lessons that she teaches the students are reciprocated in the lessons that she learns from them; in teaching her students Chinese, she came to appreciate the culture and history behind the language even more.

Chinese Honor Society 2025

For those worried that Chinese would be too hard for them, Mrs. Sawyer has one message: “Yes, Chinese is quite challenging, but it's worth all the hard work because Chinese is one of the most advantageous and useful languages to learn now and in the future. There are now, and in the foreseeable future, two global superpowers, and understanding Chinese language and culture can be a big plus.” DHS offers this rare opportunity, she acknowledges, so why not take advantage of it?

These benefits don't end in our high school. Former students of the Chinese language have seen firsthand how useful Chinese can be. In fact, Mrs. Sawyer’s husband, who studied Chinese, is now an international trade lawyer representing U.S. companies working in China. The Chinese language offers various opportunities for students in the future, especially in the business world. 

So why choose Chinese over other languages? “It’s a fascinating and useful skill that sets you apart. Plus, if you struggle with grammar, Chinese might actually be easier—no verb conjugation, no gendered adjectives. And if you love art, Chinese characters and calligraphy are beautiful.” 

At DHS, the Chinese program is more than just a class. It’s a community of people coming together to appreciate the beautiful Chinese culture and language. Students form lasting friendships and support each other on their journey from Chinese 1 to Chinese 4. “I feel so lucky to see my students grow over four years. Our classes are like families, and the friendships last beyond high school. DHS students are the best and brightest—you can do this! And I’m here to help.”

Give yourself a challenge! The opportunities and depth of Chinese culture can make it worth the extra effort. It’s a way to connect with the world, build friendships, and gain a lifelong appreciation for a beautiful culture that you may have otherwise brushed past. Sign up for Chinese and see where it takes you! Zài jiàn!

Parking Lot Debate

By Romi Sarbagil, Staff Reporter

Over the past few years, both juniors and seniors at Deerfield High School have thought that the parking lot has been lacking spots for each class. Juniors have felt that there’s never enough parking spots given out in the lottery, or that the lottery system is rigged, while Seniors feel that there are too many juniors taking up their spots. While both beliefs hold some truth, it's important to take a closer look at each side of the issue before jumping to conclusions.

Juniors have a lottery system where very few members of the class get a spot in the lot. Some students have suggested that there should be some type of criteria for getting a spot, rather than it just being random. Some ideas were that each student who enters the lottery must have a 3.5 or higher GPA, 10 or less absences in their attendance sheet, no run-ins with the deans, or some form of extracurricular involvement with the school. Having to reach these expectations sets apart the students that are serious about their education versus the ones who just show up on occasion and barely put the work in. Harry Weiss, a junior here at DHS said, “I agree with the idea that students who work hard should be rewarded for their work rather than those who only put minimal effort in.” Overall, juniors do want to have a more equitable opportunity to get into the parking lot and by rewarding the hard working ones, it sets a goal for others to strive for. 

On the other hand, seniors would most likely disagree with, or not care for what happens with the juniors as long as it does not interfere with their parking. Many seniors at Deerfield feel that juniors are entering the lot “illegally” and that the school needs to be taking stronger measures to make sure this happens less often. Jack Burger, a senior with a parking spot, claims that “the security department needs to be as strict as they used to be when it comes to juniors parking in the lot.” Some also believe that there needs to be less juniors allowed in the lot, or none at all. They feel that this is a certain privilege that only seniors are entitled to: like standing at the bottom of the bleachers at football games. Burger believes that juniors can wait until they are seniors to park in the lot. Burger said, “If I could wait until my senior year to park, why can’t everyone else wait their turn?” Overall, seniors do not see a reason as to why juniors should be allowed to park in a space that has been designated for them for years, and do not wish for any change as they already have all that they need. 

Another group of people that are needed to consider when talking about this subject is the staff at Deerfield High School. Deerprints got the opportunity to speak with George Grubb, the head of security at DHS, who offered some key points about the parking lot situation. Since parking in the lot is a senior privilege, seniors get first pick. Many emails are sent way in advance of the beginning of the school year so that the senior class will have their opportunity to get a spot in the parking lot. Only then, once all the seniors have taken advantage of this opportunity, the junior class gets sent an email regarding the lottery. When asked about how juniors get picked for the lottery he said, “the winners of the lottery are picked at random through a number generator” and then proceeded to show how the number generator works proving that the system is not swayed in anyone's favor. 

When asked about maybe having some requirements to enter the lottery, Grubb said, “This sounds like a great way to make sure people who deserve it get their spots, but I would have to take up with other people at the school.” He agrees with many juniors that those who work hard should be rewarded. The “junior lot” is a section of the parking lot near the football field that the student body sees as a designated spot for juniors to park. When asking about the “junior lot,” Grubb made it very clear that there is no such thing as a designated spot for juniors to park. “The only restrictions are that students must park in the white lined spots - this applies to juniors and seniors,” he said. All of these spots are available, first come first serve. 

When talking about how the security staff surveillances the lot for cars that should not be parking there, he said “it hasn’t been as rigid recently due to lack of manpower to monitor it as much as they would like to." They are currently in the process of going out to the lot more often and to issue tickets to those who do not have a pass. Currently the punishment for parking in the lot without a pass is a warning from the deans, and if it happens again, a detention for the student. Grubb said, “a new step will be added for repeat offenders: their car getting towed.” This would not only help get rid of cars that don’t belong in the lot, but would also keep them out in the first place. Overall, Mr. Grubb and the rest of the security department are doing their very best to maintain the orderly fashion of the parking lot intact and trying to ensure the security of everyone inside the building. 

This has been a much talked about subject for many years at Deerfield. Both juniors and seniors feel passionate about their side of the issue, but at the end of the day, safety is the school's number one priority. Maybe in the future we'll see an expansion of the lot or a change in how the lottery system works, but for now, juniors with a spot have the same privileges as seniors do. 

Record Breaker

By Lexi Spector, Staff Reporter

Some wait their whole lives to break records - few do it their first year of high school. Eve Engler is one of the few talented and hardworking Deerfield High School basketball players to have accomplished this. 

As an eighth grader, Eve made the 15u 3SSB, the highest-level team in the travel basketball program she attends. Now, as a freshman on the varsity team, she has made over 100 3-point shots in one season, breaking the school record. In a post-season interview, she was asked how she thought the season went, to which she replied, “It has been very difficult and challenging, but we get better each game, and everyone has improved so much this season.” She also describes her team as kind and supportive, which made the dynamic fun and positive.

When asked about how basketball has affected her as a person, she states, “I have a lot more confidence in everything I do. Being good at one thing makes me realize I can accomplish so much in life.” She then continues to offer other students a piece of advice: “Work hard, stay disciplined, and always keep learning”.

To showcase Women in Sports Day, Deerprints asked Engler what struggles she faces as a woman. The first thing she brings up is the difference in men’s vs women's sports. She reflected that, “Men’s sports are focused on more than women’s sports,” which can be seen in the stands, “packed at the men’s games whereas there are significant gaps in attendance in women’s games.” Students can help close this gap by attending some women's sports that are hosted in Deerfield.

While she is extremely successful on the court, we dove deeper to shine a light on how she is off the court. 

Engler helps her community by “coaching [her] younger sister's basketball team,” which she enjoys.



Engler, along with being a basketball player, is also on varsity golf, is a saxophonist in the school band, and is a good student who maintains a high GPA. Described as a caring friend, she is an amazingly well-rounded person who will go on to do great things.