The student news site of Downers Grove North High School

DGN Omega
The student news site of Downers Grove North High School

DGN Omega
The student news site of Downers Grove North High School

DGN Omega
Nicholas Hanscom

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Nicholas Hanscom is excited to be an Editor-in-Chief for his second and final year on the Omega staff. Journalist duties aside, Nicholas takes pride in drawing at DGN’s Art Club, learning about the secrets of the human mind at Psychology Club and evaluating student writing and art for the Northwind Literary Magazine. In his free time, you’ll find him taking a run, playing tennis with friends and rewatching the Halloween movie series for the hundredth time. An aspiring human interest journalist and fantasy writer, Nicholas seeks inspiration from both nature and Pinterest. You can reach him at [email protected]. 

All content by Nicholas Hanscom
Be the dove in the cyclone

Be the dove in the cyclone

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
May 16, 2022
According to an Omega survey taken by 279 students, 88.9 percent rate their experience this year during the revival of standard, fully in-person learning as “fair” or “excellent.” On the other hand, only 4.3 percent of students described their experience as “poor” or “not good at all.”

Students, staff reflect, share mixed opinions returning to traditional school year as 2021-2022 term ends

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
May 12, 2022
Filled with warmth, love, family and chaos, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” combines several themes and ideas relevant to contemporary society while also providing an entertaining experience for any audience.

Review: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
May 10, 2022
UNINSPIRED UNDERTAKING: While comical and entertaining, the love story of romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) and her cover model, Alan (Channing Tatum), is not one that audiences haven’t already seen.

Review: The Lost City

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
April 24, 2022
Empowerment Club sponsor Karen Spahr-Thomas and members Jennifer Lucina and Stephanie Baker prepare items from the Ukrainian Donation Drive at the DGN loading dock. According to Spahr-Thomas, the items went to separate locations in Naperville and Bradley, where they were then transported to Ukraine.

Students, staff come together amid Russia-Ukraine conflict to support Ukrainians

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
March 25, 2022
RIPOFF REBOOT: The infamous serial killer Leatherface returns in 2022’s “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” a film that draws the line between horror movies and copycat films and in which gore is a mere distraction from its numerous internal flaws.

Review: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
March 13, 2022
CONCENTRATION COMPLICATION: Whether it be COVID-19, technology or the winter blues, students and staff linked an array of different factors to the rise in student distraction this year. Social studies teacher Amy Wlodek-Holland (whose class is pictured above) believes COVID-19 and the 2020-2021 school year made students more dependent on technology, which she feels contributes to their lower level of concentration this year.

Students, staff notice higher levels of student distraction this school year, reflect on potential causes

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
March 9, 2022
Digital SAT will prove more advantageous for high school students

Digital SAT will prove more advantageous for high school students

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
February 18, 2022
COVER YOUR NOSE: English teacher John Waite plays a video for his AP English Literature and Composition class about the importance of proper mask-wearing.

Students, staff collaborate to sustain in-person learning

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
February 9, 2022
IT’S AN HONOR: Masked murderer Ghostface glares down at a helpless victim in the hallway of a hospital, nearing in for a ruthless kill.

Review: Scream

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
January 30, 2022
OFFICIAL OBLIVION: Astronomy grad student Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), unsuccessfully explain the discovery of a massive comet approaching earth to President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep), who remains interested in other affairs.

Review: Don’t Look Up

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
January 12, 2022
STUDYING ANEW: Madeline Antonio (12) and Ella Knickerbocker (11) review their notes for their final exams, which will take place under an updated schedule beginning this semester.

Students, staff reflect on final exam changes

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
December 12, 2021
New COVID-19 ‘Omicron’ variant: The facts

New COVID-19 ‘Omicron’ variant: The facts

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
November 29, 2021
YOU CAN’T KILL THE BOOGEYMAN: Masked maniac Michael Myers (portrayed by James Jude Courtney, Nick Castle and Airon Armstrong) emerges from the blazing compound of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), in which Strode unsuccessfully burned him to death at the end of 2018’s Halloween.

Review: Halloween Kills

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
November 7, 2021
Hanscom’s Top Five: Latest horror movies to watch this Halloween season

Hanscom’s Top Five: Latest horror movies to watch this Halloween season

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
November 7, 2021
SPOOKY SPIRIT: Despite the DGN community’s mixed plans this Halloween, a level of anticipation and enthusiasm for the approaching holiday has arisen. As a result, a number of Downers Grove residents have decorated their homes with lights, and blow-up ghouls galore.

Returning Festivities: Community revives Halloween traditions, remains ambivalent about holiday

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
November 6, 2021
TWISTED TRANSCENDENCE: Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) undergoes a grisly transformation as he becomes increasingly obsessed with the murderous Candyman’s tale.

Review: Candyman

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
October 5, 2021
A DIFFERENT SCENE: Students socialize during a lunch period in the Learning Commons. The new area stands in contrast to the old cafeteria, with students now having more diverse seating options and a full 50-minute period to eat lunch.

Students and staff share positive feedback about DGN’s new Learning Commons, reflect on its completion

Nicholas Hanscom, Editor-in-Chief
September 28, 2021
Hanscom's Top Five: Ways for students to prepare for a "back-to-normal" school year

Hanscom’s Top Five: Ways for students to prepare for a “back-to-normal” school year

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
July 17, 2021
SLY STYLE: Cruella (Emma stone) assumes a mischievous glance at the camera as she formulates her vengeful plan to overthrow her rival, the Baroness (Emma Thompson).

Review: Cruella

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
June 20, 2021
A HOPEFUL HORIZON: From packed restaurants to crowded streets, Downers Grove is beginning to show signs of normalcy this summer after a year of desolate roads and silent shops.

DGN community expresses both excitements, concerns about summer 2021

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
June 13, 2021
Hanscom’s Top Five: The ultimate summer 2021 checklist

Hanscom’s Top Five: The ultimate summer 2021 checklist

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
June 7, 2021
QUIETLY DISQUIETED: Evelyn, Regan and Marcus Abbott (played by Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe, respectively) commence their search for any other living humans after the film’s infamous creatures wreaked havoc on their home.

Review: A Quiet Place Part II

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
June 2, 2021
BITTERSWEET BEGINNING: As more students return to in-person classes, the DGN community holds equivocal views toward transitioning back to pre-pandemic life.

Community recognizes both pros, cons to transition back to normalcy

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
April 24, 2021
RAPTUROUS ROLE SWAP: Elation infuses the Torres children as they dominate the day—and their parents, too.

Review: Yes Day

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
March 20, 2021
FREEDOM AND FRIENDSHIP: Fern (Frances McDormand) enjoys the unfettered beauty of nature and life with her nomad confidant, David (David Strathairn).

Review: Nomadland

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
March 2, 2021
COLORFULLY CONGESTED: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar fills up winter’s dreary days with brilliant warmth, color and humor.

Review: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
February 22, 2021
HOME SWEET HOME: Junior Mia Chen prefers learning at home, which she says greatly reduces her stress

Remote learning advantages, hybrid detriments sway DGN students to attend school virtually

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
January 26, 2021
Linda Thurman (left) and Paxton Riggs (right), portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor respectively

Review: Locked Down

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
January 26, 2021
Students, staff express mixed views toward online course registration process

Students, staff express mixed views toward online course registration process

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
January 20, 2021
New COVID-19 variants: The facts

New COVID-19 variants: The facts

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
January 13, 2021
Hanscom's Top Five: Ways to fight winter woes, distress this cold season

Hanscom’s Top Five: Ways to fight winter woes, distress this cold season

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
January 9, 2021
Diana Prince (a.k.a. Wonder Woman), portrayed by award-winning actress, producer and model Gal Gadot.

Review: Wonder Woman 1984

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
January 7, 2021
“This is not just the worst public health event. This is the worst event that this country will face, not just from a public health side….We cannot go into the holiday season with the same kind of attitude….You cannot gather with your mask off; you cannot hug and kiss people outside,” Coronavirus Response Coordinator Deborah Birx said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Refashioned Festivities: DGN community revises, amends holiday plans, traditions

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
December 10, 2020
Abby Holland (left) and Harper Caldwell (right), portrayed by Melissa Stewart and Mackenzie Davis respectively

Review: Happiest Season

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
December 7, 2020
Diane Sherman, portrayed by Sarah Paulson

Review: Run

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
November 26, 2020
“That is, unfortunately, a risk when you have people coming from out of town, gathering together in an indoor setting. It is unfortunate because that’s such a sacred part of American tradition—the family gathering around Thanksgiving. But that is a risk,” Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said.

Refashioned Festivities: DGN community expresses thanks, anticipates fun Thanksgiving despite tradition alterations

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
November 18, 2020
Hanscom’s Top Five: Food delivery platforms you can use to support local restaurants

Hanscom’s Top Five: Food delivery platforms you can use to support local restaurants

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
November 9, 2020
LIT UP: Downers Grove Resident Kay Pappineau’s home captures Halloween spirit despite the year’s contrastive circumstances.

Refashioned Festivities: DGN community modifies, rethinks Halloween traditions

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
October 29, 2020

Remote learning enhances academic performance, ensures student safety

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
October 28, 2020
Face the facts, wear a mask

Face the facts, wear a mask

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
September 30, 2020
An array of common class materials for remote physical education classes

Overcoming Online: Physical education classes face obstacles, prioritize safety amid remote learning

Nicholas Hanscom, In-Depth Editor
September 18, 2020
Reality about Covid-19 still exists despite our misperceptions

Reality about Covid-19 still exists despite our misperceptions

Nicholas Hanscom, Staff Writer
May 19, 2020
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