The Triangle: Issue 1

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VOLUME 95 / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 11, 2015

thetriangle

COLUMBUS NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 1400 25TH ST, COLUMBUS, IND. CNHSMEDIA.COM

‘why not

PAGES 10-13

a dab of unknown:

the awareness of wax culture

THE COMMUNITY LACKS THE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO TEENAGERS’ PERSPECTIVE ON A NEW STONER CULTURE.

PAGES 16-17

i am eli PAGE 18

THE STORY OF ONE TEEN AND HIS LIFE AS TRANSGENDER.

THE LIVES OF AT-RISK ending the endings SAVING TEENS ISN’T EASY. illustration by lillyanne pham

SNAP!

our policy

SLICING HIS BACKHAND groundstroke, senior Aditya Mantri competes against the East No. 1 singles player Sept. 2. The Bull Dogs defeated the Olympians with a score of 3-2. “I think we were strong as a team and were able to secure the crucial matches. I need to do a better job at one singles and finally pull through for the team. I’m not playing intelligently right now so that needs to change. It’s tough to predict how the season will go at this point, but I think we have a chance to make it to Semi-state again,” Mantri said. written by hannah frey photo by sarah tran

our staff THE TRIANGLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Eva Yezerets

EXECUTIVE EDITORIAL BOARD

Maya Baker design

Hannah Frey Paige Grider photo Kristen Dager Lillyane Pham Tori Wilkerson indepth

Lauren Jines Maddie Marks Laura Pierson Sarah Tran content Emily Nelson Katie Prall copy Danielle Sharp unity editor

ADVISERS

Ryan Gunterman Rachel McCarver

STAFF

Madison Gaskill Alexander Kelley Elijah Peters Zachary Simo Justin Spoon Shelby Tays Karen Torres Emily Waskom Hannah Abts Katelyn Bennett Chris Case Alex Cota Rylie Day Caylin Eaglen Karol Espinoza Kyla Foley Jenna Hashagen Blake Heath

Shreya Hurli Tazwell Long Tessa McKenney Brooklynn Moore Karli Reynolds Emily Sipes Emily Vo Ruth Yezerets

THE TRIANGLE IS the designated forum for student expression at Columbus North High School. The student staff chooses all content.

Signed columns published in The Triangle express the writer’s personal opinion and not the views of The Triangle, student body, BCSC, administration, board of trustees or faculty of Columbus North.

The Triangle practices ethical journalism by providing balanced and fair coverage as determined by community standards. The Triangle strives to achieve 100 percent accuracy by checking sources, spelling and quotes and attaining multiple sources.

The Triangle encourages letters to the editor, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Triangle will not edit for content, but reserves the right to edit for grammar and length.

Letters should be submitted to edit for grammar and length. Letters should be submitted to room 1507 or sent via e-mail to administrator@ cnhsmedia.com. All letters must be signed by all persons involved in writing the letter, which the staff will check for validation. A letter sent via e-mail must be validated with a signature from the writer before the Triangle will publish it. If responding to a publication, letters must be turned in within one week of that publication’s distribution.

In the event of death, The Triangle will run a standard obituary.

Pertaining to work submitted via social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), The Triangle will only accept written submissions from the original poster and owner and will only publish entries with the permission of the original poster and owner. The Triangle will not edit submissions for content and reserves the right not to publish them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple submissions of the same topic, vulgar or incendiary content. The Triangle will not publish photographs from Facebook. Posts on The Triangle’s social media pages by readers are owned by the readers and do not necessarily express the views or opinions of the staff. The Triangle is not responsible for their content and reserves the right to delete and report any inappropriate and unnecessary posts. By posting on The Triangle’s social media pages, the poster grants The Triangle permission to publish the contents of that post.

In cases when a source’s information may bring ridicule or incrimination upon himself or herself, the editorial board reserves the right to cite the source as anonymous. The Triangle;e will never use composite sources and pass them off as anonymous sources. ∆

pain at the pump FOR UPPERCLASSMEN, A DRIVER’S LICENSE CREATES A NEW FINANCIAL BURDEN: FUEL.

What makes up the price of gasoline?

GAS PRICE INCREASE IN 17 YEARS 8/17/2015

$1.236 source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

18% Taxes 19%

$2.716 8/16/1998

13% Refining

Distribution & Marketing

49%

Crude Oil

HOW THEY PAY THE PRICE

5 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT PENCILS 1. How did people erase their mistakes before the inventions of erasers? Many writers and artists often used bread crumbs as an eraser.

2. Paper isn’t the only surface pencils can write on, did you know that pencils can also write under water also?

3. Why is the color of a pencil yellow?

Well, during the 1800s, the best graphite in the world came from China and America wanted a way to give China credit for the graphite. In China, the color is referred to royalty and respect.

4. Have you ever dreamed yourself sharpening a pencil? If you have, it shows that you need to be more flexible in your way of thinking.

5. There are many types of pencils, mechanical, wood, but also left-handed pencils. The text printed on the pencil is how you can tell if it’s a right or left handed pencil. On an ordinary pencil, the text runs from the tip to the head so you can read it when you hold sources: http://www.wima.org/FunFacts/tabid/69/Default.aspx http://pencils.com/10-little-known-pencil-facts/

what’s inside?

Rivalry Weekend page 6-7

“I use the app ‘Gas Buddy’ on my phone to find the cheapest gas.”

JUNIOR BAILEY THORPE

“My mom usually gives me $20 every week for gas because she doesn’t want me to get a job.”

SENIOR VICTORIA WEST

“I work at Kroger and I get a discount at the gas pump there so my gas is usually cheaper.”

SENIOR HARRISON KIRSCH

Falling Short page 8 A Dab of the Unknown page 10-13 Ending the Endings page 18

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Contact CNHS Media for more information mccarverr@bcsc.k12.in.us

4/5

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

sweeping changes hit home THE TRIANGLE AND CNHSMEDIA.COM ARE BACK AND COLLABORATING TO CORNER THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT STUDENTS.

1) CNHSMedia.com and The Triangle are working together to create content. We have writers, designers, and photographers working for “Tribe” on a rotating basis. However, these two media (yes, that is grammatically correct) maintain their unique purposes and perspectives.

Look to cnhsmedia.com for frequent stories and fun, informative multimedia and interactive options, while The Triangle continues to focus on the long-term, in-depth issues that affect us as students on many levels.

2) We are building our social media presence. In addition to the exclusive sports coverage, announcements, and contests that our nearly 1000 followers expect and trust, we will also post links to our awesome stories and content and reminders about distribution days so you never miss that new story about, well, you!

3) As always, we are YOUR forum. If you know about an important issue, no matter how big, that affects even one student in our school, we want to tell that story, so maintain the conversation. Keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even (gasp!) through letters and conversations. We are a diverse staff and we care about serving you and telling the stories that inform, entertain, and inspire.

This issue, we reach for the stories that are simmering just under the surface of our blue and white facade. We’re pulling back the curtains on drug addiction, and suicide prevention. Because while you were lifeguarding, running a gazillion miles a day, babysitting 10-yearolds who should be able to take care of themselves, binge-watching “Orange is the New Black” and watching the clouds go by, the world moved and hiccuped and warped and shattered and laughed and cried and changed. Our worlds changed. Now, we are starting what we hope will be many long-term conversations. We hope to help you better understand those changes, so you can change the world.

EVA YEZERETS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sincerely, Eva Yezerets

FOLLOWERS CAN PARTICIPATE IN CONTESTS AND GET UP-TO-DATE NEWS FOLLOW US OUR @CNHSMEDIA

@CNHSMEDIA

@CNHSMEDIA SPORTS

CALLING ALL READERS This publication is your forum.

Do you have something to say to the student body?

Do you have an opinion to share?

Do you want students to learn about something that hasn’t been covered in The Triangle?

This is your space to talk about what you want.

Send a letter to the editors to room 1507.

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WHILE YOU WERE lifeguarding, running a gazillion miles a day, babysitting 10-yearolds who should be able to take care of themselves, binge-watching “Orange is the New Black” and watching the clouds go by, the staffs of The Triangle and cnhsmedia.com were at nerd camp, specifically Ball State University Journalism Workshops. We made some major changes to the way we run our publications, and we are so excited for this year.

Just a few highlights:

1.

6/7

rivalry weekend BULL DOGS VS. OLYMPIANS, WHITEOUT VS. TIE DYE, AND NORTH VS. EAST. HERE ARE THE RESULTS FROM THE FOOTBALL AND SOCCER RIVALRY WEEKEND GAMES AUG. 28 AND 29.

1.

Challenging an East player for the ball Aug. 29, senior Kevin Morales fights through the rain to contribute to a Bull Dog victory. “I had never played in a varsity match, so it was my first time, and I was really excited when coach said ‘start warming up.’ I got a chance to almost score a goal, so it was good,” Morales said. photo by tessa madigan

2.

2.

Standing out against the North-East monochromatic student section, senior Tyler Wang roars with excitement as the Bull Dogs complete a first down play. “This was my first North-East game I’ve ever been to since being a freshman and [my favorite part] was really just the atmosphere and being around all my peers and being so psyched along with them, and watching my friends on the field play and make big plays,” Wang said. photo by hannah frey

3.

Juking around an the East defense, junior Harley Huzer heads toward the endzone Aug. 28.

“It was really emotional because we were trying to do it for our seniors and get them a win, and we knew that we were good enough to do that, but we pulled up a little short. I guess that was the hard part for us,” Huzer said. photo by tessa madigan

4.

Powering past the East defender, junior Natalie Teo dribbles downfield Aug. 29 at the Richard Wigh Soccer Complex. “My favorite part was the atmosphere, all the people I got to play in front of,” Teo said. photo by paige grider

5.

4.

5.

FOOTBALL Freshman: 42-14 North Junior Varsity: 34-21 North Varsity: 28-21 East MEN’S SOCCER JV: 0-1 East Varsity: 1-0 North WOMEN’S SOCCER JV: 1-0 North Varsity: 0-0 Tie

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / SPORTS

3.

THE SCOREBOARD

Motivating the North fans, freshman Isabella Liliac cheers on the varsity football team to a close game against East. “My favorite part would probably be just getting the crowd ready and excited and helping them stay active and into the game,” Liliac said. photo by hannah frey design by jenna hashagen

falling short “I would (still want to be a teacher), that (the current situation) doesn’t matter to me.”

SENIOR SIERRA BURTON DRAWING A DIAGRAM in educations Professions 2, juniors Grace Triplett and Lillian Edwards work on a project. Students in this class do many hands on projects to prepare them for field experience. photo by paige grider

THE NUMBER OF high school graduates going into teaching has declined drastically over the past five years. Meanwhile, the number of teachers quitting their jobs has increased.

The question is: Why? Teachers who have left say there is a lack of respect for the teachers, as well as very low pay. People who have resigned from their positions have stated the public education system cares more about money than the children receiving a valuable education, and that they cannot work in such conditions.

Also, the test to obtain a teaching license is becoming more and more difficult. Over the span of the last five years, the number of people seeking initial licensure has gone down roughly 18 percent.

Seniors Hannah Kelley and Sierra Burton had almost no concerns. Burton still wants to be a teacher, despite the current climate in Indiana.

“I would (still want to be a teacher), that (the current situation) doesn’t matter to me,” Burton said.

Although the number of teachers in Indiana is on the decline, the number of students taking the Education Professions class increasing according to teacher Amanda Godwin.

“Class enrollment is on the rise. Last year, Mrs. Eagleman had about 10 students. This year we have 28 students,” Ms. Godwin said.

The class’ popularity is due to its unique opportunity for students: a chance to work in the field during school.

INDIANA IS EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS DUE TO A DECREASED INTEREST IN EDUCATION AS A PROFESSION FROM STUDENTS

“Field Experience. This is the reason students take this class.

They get placed with a teacher and start experiencing working with children,” Ms. Godwin said.

“Then the education professions (students) create lesson plans, teach students, assist the teacher, create bulletin boards, go on field trips, etc. Field experience placement starts in November for the first year students and September for second-year students.”

A major cause of the lack of teachers cited by most sources is that there are not enough teachers “in the pipeline,” meaning that there is a shortage of people going into school for education professions.

Students at North do not seem to be discouraged. story by rylie day and lauren jines

upcoming movie nights TONIGHT

“THE PRINCESS BRIDE” Rain date: Sept. 17 Action, Romance, Fantasy, Comedy

8/9

classics under the stars YES! CINEMA OFFERS A NEW OUTDOOR EVENT FEATURING NOT-SO-NEW MOVIES AT THE IRWIN INN’S GARDENS TO SUPPORT THE LINCOLN CENTRAL FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER’S 30 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.. compiled by eva yezerets

FRIDAY, OCT. 2

“THE BIRDS” Rain date: Oct. 8 Horror

FRIDAY, OCT. 23

“DIAL M FOR MURDER” Rain date: Oct. 29 Mystery, Suspense

TICKETS ARE $12

ATTENDEES SHOULD BRING THEIR CHAIRS OWN FOLDING CHAIRS

AS THE SKY darkens, patrons gather in the garden of the Inn at Irwin Gardens Aug. 22 to enjoy 1958 film “The Long Hot Summer.” photo by jenna hashagen

a change in history AP US HISTORY TEACHER CHAD RUSSELL TALKS ABOUT HOW CURRENT EVENTS AFFECT THE CLASS CURRICULUM AS THE COLLEGE BOARD IMPLEMENTS REVISIONS ONCE AGAIN.

HISTORY TEACHER CHAD RUSSELL Q: Based on what has been happening in the U.S lately, how has it affected teaching in the AP U.S History class?

A: Today’s current events is tomorrow’s history. I want students to be politically engaged and aware of what is going on in America.

Q: Have any events that have happened in America this year change the way the textbook is viewed?

A: I try looking at the textbook through different perspectives. Some classes don’t rely on textbooks and instead rely on articles.

But it is required for AP U.S History to use their textbooks.

A: I think that textbooks teach different versions of history, because it changes due to current and political values. Some talk about a certain event and make it bigger than other events.

For example, the Founding Fathers. There are textbooks that talk too much about their flaws and only their flaws. I like to teach students about all the Founding Fathers flaws, the hypocrisy, and recognize their great contributions.

Q: Based on how the way teaching has been changed in the past, how has it affected the way you teach?

A: I just try to engage and spend more time on what I like. I don’t want to be that teacher that is boring and the one that people don’t like. I enjoy teaching about something, but I also remember to maintain a

balance of teaching styles because there are people who learn differently than others.

Q: Do you make time to talk about current events in America and ask for students opinions about them?

A: Yes, I do ask students about their opinions. We discuss about political events. We discuss about things that are in the news today, funding, taxes, race relations, etc.. I try to make the discussions about current events relevant to historical topics.

“History does repeat itself.”

Q: How do you teach controversial things? For example, the way Native Americans were treated.

A: I am a bias person. I’m red, white, and blue. I don’t diminish what happened.

I don’t ignore the fact (by saying) that history isn’t important.

Q: Why do you think some people drop out of AP classes?

A: I think some people drop out of AP classes, because they are scared of the workload. There is a difference between getting scared of something and it being a legit fear.

“There is a difference between getting scared of something and it being a legit fear.”

Q: Do you change your way of teaching every year?

A: Sometimes I change the way I teach. I respond to students feedback to see what they enjoyed learning. I recognize my mistakes. Sometimes I get rid of the requirements and definitely make changes.

I change my tactics frequently. compiled by laura palamino

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / NEWS

Q: Why do you think that textbooks teach different versions of history?

a dab of unknown:

the awareness on wax culture WAX IS MADE, SOLD AND USED BY LOCAL STUDENTS.THE COMMUNITY LACKS THE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO TEENAGERS’ PERSPECTIVE ON A NEW STONER CULTURE.

NOTE FROM PRINCIPAL CLARK “I can’t confirm or deny that (Sherman selling in school). The federal law is called FERPA (Federal Right of Privacy Act). I can’t confirm whether they were kicked out of school or not. It is to their right of privacy, so we have to protect that.

You’re talking to a self-professed drug user/dealer, how reliable or integrity that person has, I don’t know. For us, I can’t confirm if it did or didn’t happen because we didn’t see it happen. It is a safe place here at Columbus North High School. I would hope you would agree with that. Obviously, like many high schools across the country things can happened. Things do happened, kids do take things they shouldn’t. The bottom line is you’re going to be as safe at school than you’re gonna be anywhere else. The administration cares. We always are on the look out.

If something does happens at school, we are very quick to respond or at home you may not have that same advantage. I can’t deny things don’t happen with the high school – that things aren’t always the best. But, I can tell you that we care and we do love our kids. We will treat them like they’re like our own kids. We will try to do what’s best for them as quickly as we can.”

MEET TYLER SHERMAN

“I WAS STILL smoking while on proba-

tion,” CN’15 Tyler Sherman said. “They should have drug tested me more. I was on probation for four months. I only got drug tested one time and it was the initial drug test.”

During his senior year, Sherman was expelled and had his second arrest. He entered class while high on THC (the psychoactive chemical in marijuana). His backpack carried a herbal grinder and a distinct smell of weed.

“I was really confident that I didn’t have anything on me. I was like, ‘Look in my pockets. I don’t have anything.’ Then they checked my back pocket and they found $1,870 in cash.”

The arrest was for drug paraphernalia, which is any object or material intended for the production, use or processing of a controlled substance.

“That was still in my trapt days. I was still dealing. I remember this day very clearly,” Sherman said. “Those were the days you go to bed stoned and you wake up stoned. It was like you’re never not stoned. It was just a haze waking up.”

His clientele consisted of local high school students who constantly wanted marijuana.

“I would work two hours, then go on break and check my phone. There would be like 18 messages from different people.

Or two messages from the same person.”

His part-time job was not enough for Sherman. Both of his parents had recently lost their jobs. He needed money fast and his solution was dealing marijuana.

“They (the school administration) used to leave the doors unlocked and I used to go between periods. I’d sell to kids at school,” Sherman said. “Then the locking of the doors, I made it past that. The school did everything they could. I was so determined to keep getting the money and money and money.”

His wealth was made of illegal money that had to be cautiously spent. The plan was to spend it on expensive drugs.

“I would binge on something for week, then I’d move on. MDMA. Meth for a week.

I wouldn’t be full-on addicted.”

One night, he was strung on meth and then took Xanax and two hits of acid.

His parents called the police and Sherman was hospitalized for five days. After regaining consciousness, he learned news about a close friend.

“My mom told me Nick died. That was the first thing I heard after I came out of a coma.”

CN’14 Nick Zacharias died at 2:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 at his home.

“Whenever I did that week of meth I did a lot of it with Nick. I smoked meth with Nick.”

Sherman stopped the weeks of abusing artificial, illegal substances, but the level of his drug usage was difficult to overcome. He believes recovery happens under specific circumstances.

“It took Nick to die for me to realize that there was no justifiable reason for me to be doing any of that stuff. You have to lose something big to snap you out of the honeymoon phase of trying a drug.”

He explained his transition from the “honeymoon” phase into the “just don’t care” phase that includes lack of self-awareness of smoking too much.

“What you have to start doing to support that weed habit is to start stealing or dealing. I started to deal. Then you start meeting new people. What do new people have? They have new drugs,” Sherman said. “They’re doing cocaine in the bathroom and having a good time and you’re wanting to buy it. Then you start doing those drugs and sell those drugs.

Years go by and you’re not conscious.

That’s what I’ve seen happen to so many other people.”

Despite his self-analysis, Sherman continues to be involved in illegal drugs, specifically non-artificial substances.

“I am a firm believer in natural stuff like mushrooms and marijuana,” he said.

To reach the highest level of THC, Sherman smokes wax.

“The wax I buy are specifically for medical patients. The stuff I am buying is crafted, like made professionally. There’s no corners cut.”

Wax is made from a solvent, hash oil and pressurized heat. Hash oil is extracted from a marijuana leaf. It is also known as butane hash oil (BHO), dabs, budder and numerous other nicknames. One student remembered being surprised by the level of potency.

“I tried it (wax) sometime last year. It was definitely a huge difference from like the regular weed,” an anonymous senior boy said.

The oil has concentrated THC, which can exceed 80 percent. In comparison, normal weed has THC levels of roughly 20 percent. Specific community individuals like Foundation for Youth’s Director of Communities That Care, Harry Cooper, have been informed about the drug.

“It’s been trending probably since 2012-2013. The science is out there because that’s how they extract

the nicotine to make the nicotine gum,” Cooper said.

“Then they started applying that science to marijuana to extract the THC from it, making it more potent.”

Two years ago, Cooper attended a conference that informed him on the drug’s effects and characteristics. His active role in the community allowed him to stay updated on teen substance abuse.

“That conference was the catalyst for the other information. Now I am alert and aware. When I hear it, when I see it, when I come back to Columbus, I’m like, ‘OK, this is what’s going on.’”

Other community leaders like Cooper catch up with the culture, especially the Columbus Police Department (CPD). Public relations officer Sgt. Matt Harris said the CPD started seeing wax in the community within the last year, but sightings of it are far more infrequent than common weed.

10 / 11

WHAT IS WAX?

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EMPLOYEE OF WAX CHANNING HENSON, A STORE MANAGER AT A CANNABIS DISPENSARY IN COLORADO CALLED THE GRASS STATION. +concentrated marijuana +people with a higher tolerance want something stronger, so they try wax +very popular

+gained the last 2 years in popularity +mostly younger generations who are interested, teens to early 20’s +retail sell a lot

+more carbon than regular marijuana +more plant, less amount (substance) +more of a demand now +more expensive compiled bykarli reynolds

VISIT CNHSMEDIA.COM FOR...

PART OF A CULTURE

“When (I first bought wax) I was 14, I’m only 16 right now. I paid for it with the money my mom gave me,” an anonymous junior boy said. “I’ve gotten high with my parents since I was 12. My dad doesn’t smoke because of his job, but my mom does smoke.”

After the student tried wax, he now smokes it on a daily basis.

“I haven’t bought weed in months. All I smoke is wax.”

The drug’s additional qualities keep the student satisfied. It comes in different physical forms by manipulating the hash oil during production. Moreover, the drug has a variety of flavors that root from a specific strain of marijuana. The stoner culture relies on this system to base their preferences on strains. Each has its own effects. Within the category, marijuana farmers breed their own unique strain. The student buys from a specific brand of wax much in the same manner.

These brands are sold by a local adult who has made this drug available in the community.

“There’s this big wax connect in Columbus where all the people basically get it from.”

A local store reportedly supports the supplier by

+ an interactive human body diagram about the physical effects of teen’s most abused drugs

displaying his accessories that facilitate the wax experience.

“He has products at Karma like wax stuff; like mats that are nonstick. There are some they sell at Karma that have his name on it.”

Another anonymous 19-year-old male claimed that he buys “budder boxes” from the same store. Expensive brands keep their product in personalized glass containers. However, dealers usually put wax in plastic bags.

“I bought mine for four bucks at Karma. I don’t want to ruin their reputation, but, if you use the lingo, they’ll know.”

Stores can provide goods that are legal, but are not responsible for the consumer’s usage of the product.

“I think they advertise them as earring containers, but they are definitely not for earrings. Why would an earring container say ‘sky high’ on it?”

Karma Records declined to comment about customers using the products sold in store for wax usage.

During Cooper’s attendance at the conference, he gained skills to spot locations that involved activities related to the drug.

“One way I would know is to go by Karma ‘record store.’ Whenever you see a large concentration of butane lighters, it is an indication that this is here,” Cooper said. “Anybody with good sense would say, ‘They are a record store, but they don’t sell that many records.’”

Although the culture is growing, a student who also uses wax feels more detached from the trend.

“I just feel like I hear more about it. I feel like it is becoming easier to buy. I don’t buy it. I just do it when my friends have it,” anonymous senior boy said.

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / INDEPTH

+ an interview on search dogs + an opinion on pop culture’s affect on teens

MINDS ON WAX THE TRIANGLE

SURVEYED 196 STUDENTS ON AUG. 24 ABOUT THEIR STATUS IN THE CULTURE.

TRUTH TEST BCSC STUDENT ASSISTANCE CORDINATOR LARRY PERKINSON EXPLAINS THE REASONING AND PROCESS BEHIND RANDOM DRUG TESTING. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE DRUG TESTS? The drug testing policy is a proactive measure that sends a clear message of our expectations and one that also helps undermine the effects of peer pressure. During the first year of testing, our schools saw a 25 percent drop in the number of substance abuse violations, and we have continued to see fewer violations despite the availability of substances in our community.

What are the rates of actually finding a student positive for drugs?

When the random testing was initiated, the national data said that five percent of the participants might fail.

In the random process 270 students a year are tested, but three percent is the highest we have seen and that occurred the past three years.

How are students selected for drug testing?

Students involved in extra- and co-curricular activities are required to sign a consent form. A student is in the testing pool for the semester the form is turned in and also for the following semester if still enrolled. The testing company places the student name and the student ID number in a program that is designed to meet legal requirements for a random selection process. Fifteen ID numbers are selected each month at each high school, and those students are tested.

What happens with the information you get from the drug tests?

Parents and guardians are informed of the results either by a letter or a phone call. If there is a positive result, a school administrator is informed and the consequences put in place. interview by chris case

state your grade level. freshman 30% sophomore 31% junior 19%

have you used illegal substances? yes no

senior 20%

27%

73%

rate your knowledge on wax.

127 out of 196 heard from source 26 out of 196 seen it being used 4 out of 196 zero

DANGER OF IGNORANCE

Even states like Washington and Colorado, where hash oil is legal, have banned the amateur production of wax because their explosion rates have increased due to the oil extraction. The product is cheap to make and expensive to buy. In these situations, the required solvent is butane fuel, which can leak into the air and ignite with the smallest spark like gas.

“The process can be flammable, there are incidents. We’ve not had any that we’ve been informed of in Columbus,” Sgt. Harris said. “Elsewhere there’s been explosions that are similar to the manufacturing of methamphetamine.”

In a May 23 USA Today report, Kevin Wong of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Area said that Colorado had 32 confirmed hash oil extraction explosions and 30 injuries during last year. The damages are similar in other states. The Seattle Times reported Feb. 8, 2014 that 17 victims landed in Southern California burn centers and another 27 victims were treated by a burn unit in northern California. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent out an alert in 2013 noting that many explosions were misidentified as meth-lab mishaps. Wax production differs from meth’s because the components are easier to locate. However, both productions have similar characteristics in damages. A student explains his first and last attempt of extracting hash oil and the ease in which he found information on the process.

“I learned how to make it by watching a YouTube video. It was 10 minutes long,” an anonymous junior boy said.

With first-hand experience, Sherman states that dealers selling homemade wax want money and do not care if users “cough up a lung.” He has even dealt with the side-effects, such as hallucinations.

“The dabs you get in Indiana, made here, it’s gross. It looks like literal poopie or maple syrup mixed with snot. It’s so impure,” Sherman said. “I’ve dabbed out before and I’ve seen colors.”

Professional facilities that legally extract hash oil prefer to use carbon dioxide or ethanol as a solvent rather than butane, which is explosive and

used it...

knowing what it was 19 out of 196

not knowing what it was 20 out of 196

toxic.

From a professional view, Dr. David Porter, a family physician, said there are multiple negative impacts of wax usage.

“First, I would be concerned that the butane wasn’t totally evaporated from the THC ‘paste’ and would either be a fire hazard when used or another potential health hazard when ingested into the lungs,” Dr. Porter said. “Second, the THC itself is in a ‘highly concentrated form’, which would enhance the effects of the THC on your system, especially your brain.”

He said recent news reports found wax can produce “almost schizophrenic symptoms (paranoia/delusions/hallucinations).”

“Pot has become more powerful with higher levels of THC over the years, which is likely the goal of producers/ users, but the negatives of the drug are becoming more pronounced.”

Dr. Porter states that marijuana is extremely demotivating, but the longterm effects on the human brain continues to be an unknown. He believes that doctors will find out by monitoring over time.

“You can decide if you want to be a guinea pig in this experiment about the long term effects of THC on the brain,” Dr. Porter said.

Currently, North’s health educators have not reached the unit on drugs.

They have yet to prepare for the unit’s syllabus.

“In the Health curriculum, we try to stay current with trends for teen abuse with drugs, alcohol and tobacco,” health teacher Jennifer Hester said.

“One of the ways we do this is having guest speakers. For example, we usually have an officer come in and talk about what he sees currently as problems.”

One student athlete said his lack of knowledge led to his first experience using wax.

“I went over to one of my friends’ house for a party and a guy just came up to me with a blowtorch and a bong and told me to take a hit. I’ve only done it once and it was out of curiosity,” the anonymous senior said. “I had never done it before and just thought ‘why not?’”∆ by lillyanne pham

decision to commit to saying “I will not use alcohol, BARTHOLOMEW CIRCUIT COURT Judge Stephen tobacco, or other drugs before my eighteenth birthday.”

Heimann states that thousands of dollars were spent to Once they make that pledge, now they get a card. That send juveniles to George Junior Republic, which is a rescard offers them discounts at different businesses.” idential facility in Pennsylvania. They would gain skills Out of their 29 partners, Orange Leaf, Yatz and Subto recover. But, they returned home and returned back way joined the program. into bad habits. Judge Heimann’s solution was starting “Thats when the community says when you, the a program called Day Treatment. young person, makes a good choice. We are there to “They go to their same school during the day. Then support that choice,” Cooper said. “Now every time you they go to our Youth Services Center which a lot of you pull out your party safe card, its a reminder that you did call detention center,” Judge Heimann said. “We have make a pledge.” a Day Treatment center, so those kids go there after Not all of those who obtain the card school and work on their homework and behave followed the pledge. havior modification.”

“We may not eliminate it. But, if we This program utilized methods to prevent can minimize it then that’s what we’ll future juveniles; such as involvement in family do” structure. Parents take parenting classes for Cooper explains his perspective on skills on how to deal with a misbehaving child. *each box of color represents one teen’s reason of arrest the community’s weakness.

“Not only does it help the kid who is in day *others were not mentioned “There’s not really a self-referral treatment, but also their younger siblings. Besystem, so u have to be bottoming out cause the parents are using the skills that they and becoming a nuisance to society misbehavior learned from the parenting classes to help not at which times suddenly there is real just with that child, but with the other children.” illegal consumption interest in your healing and health,” Moreover, Judge Heimann said keeping marijuana usage Cooper said. “I believe it’d be helpful to the child in their own environment is beneficontrolled substance have a self-referral system in Columbus, cial rather than a foreign environment. The but the challenge is cost.” program helps them accomplish face-to-face age # reason On the other hand, Party S.A.F.E and problem solving. Currently, eight are enrolled Day Treatment were invented by locals through court admittance. and for locals.

“I have any number of individuals that I see “The community works to put as who are adults who come in front of me with many resources in their hand as possia substance abuse issue, who started smoking ble. That may be where Columbus has marijuana with their parents.” Judge Heimann a growing edge.” said.

A Licensed Mental Health CounselHis ideals are focused on advancing their or (LMHC) at Centerstone, Beth Gruelives. newald, explains about their services.

“Community service is not going to help “A community mental health censomeone get off marijuana. That is just pure ter exists for purposes of making sure punishment. For youths, we are not looking for people who have lower income can get punishment. We are looking for treatment.” treatment,” Gruenewald, LMHC said.

In court, his reasoning process is based on the Centerstone is one of the few mental given facts. health facilities in town.

“I look at the law. What should be done “Some will come in and ask for an under the law. My job is to judge, but not be appointment because they want help. judgmental.” source: Columbus Sheriff’s My clients are a vast majority of court He believes in giving aid and responsibility Department ordered.” for juveniles to control their lives.

Gruenewald specializes in adult “Whether they take the opportunity that’s goaddiction. She states that about 98 percent of her clients ing to be their choice. But, I am going to give them that started using drugs in their teen years. Once adulthood opportunity,” Judge Heimann said. “If they don’t take it hits, they faced more serious issues. then you move from rehabilitation up to punishment.”

“The treatment is focused on learning coping skills Outside the law, influences like Cooper have indethat they couldn’t learn when they were teens because pendently launched their own programs. of substance use,” Gruenewald, LMHC said. “Also, learn “My task has been primarily to build resilience within how to cope with regular stressors. Some cases, it’s learnyouth, so with Party S.A.F.E. If there is no demand the ing how to pay bills, keep their jobs, health relationships supply will dry up,” Cooper said. “You don’t necessarily or taking care of themselves physically.” blame the supplier for providing a supply for which Drug dependency can affect the individual’s ability there is a demand.” to progress into improvement.

Cooper launched Party S.A.F.E (Substance abuse free “We don’t treat addiction as a bad habit or lack of entertainment), which is an initiative of Communities willpower. It is an illness.”

That Care and Foundation For Youth, specifically in For teenagers seeking help, Judge Heimann has Columbus. started planning a system called Safe Places. Founda“The task, mine is not to tell young people that drugs tions for Youth and Youth Services Center will join local are bad, but to say that the person is good, not the drug.

Once you recognize the greatness within you, the things businesses, who are open 24/7, to help teenagers find a you say ‘yes’ to are the things that are going to enhance secure environment.

“The people working in those businesses will be your life, not the things that are going to take away.” trained and will put that child in touch with family serThe program identifies the risk factors like early initivices,” Judge Heimann said. “Then they will deal with ation of drug abuse or poverty. Then focuses on building the issue the child is having which may include taking protective factors preventing long-term damage. them to the youth services center for a place to sleep at “What do we do, we ask young people to make a night.”∆

12 / 13

HERE ARE LOCAL INDIVIDUALS WHO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE HELPING OTHERS FIND A SUCCESSFUL PATH.

2015 LOCAL

TEEN ARRESTS

13 3 14 3 15 7 16 9

17 11

photos and design by lillyanne pham

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / INDEPTH

COMMUNITY EFFORTS

prison consciousness JUNIOR ALEX COTA DISCUSSES SENTENCING LAWS, WHICH CAN SHATTER THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

THERE ARE COLOSSAL variations of shocking statistics that show the sublimity of the prison overpopulation issue in America. But there’s one that stands particularly astonishing — 25 percent of the world’s prison population lives in America.

According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, during the last four decades the rate of imprisonment in the U.S. has more than quadrupled. This is the result following the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which was a outcome of the War on Drugs.

Since then, Congress has enacted various mandatory minimum sentences that vary dependent on the incarceration charges. This mandatory minimums are the origin of the whole prison overpopulation problem; they sentence people for a prolonged, unnecessary amount of time.

And, although the prison population has slightly declined since 2011, the numbers prevail high with almost half of incarcerations being for drug offenses. An example of this is the case of Weldon Angelos.

Mr. Angelos was incarcerated under the charges of a minor offense: selling marijuana, an activity that is no secret to happen between our own fellow students. He had a gun with him, just as a possession. The fact that he was charged for his actions cannot be excused; he acted against the law.

However, nothing can justify the

JUNIOR ALEX COTA harshness and injustice of the mandatory minimum of his sentence. Mr. Angelos was sentenced for 55 years in prison, with no allowance of pardon.

His children: 5 and 7 years old.

Ever since Mr. Angelos’ incarceration, his family has lived without any economic support and without a father.

Even his judge, like many other judges around the nation, disagrees with the harsh punishment he was forced to impose.

“If he’d been a terrorist, he would have gotten 20 years in prison. And, if he was a child rapist he would have gotten 11 years in prison. And now I’m supposed to give him a 55 year sentence?” Judge Paul G. Cassell said.

Many efforts have been made to obtain justice for Mr. Angelos. Still, Weldon Angelos will be kept in prison until he is 80.

Thanks to this issue’s exposure by the media, attempts to change this are being done. President Obama, the Koch

LOG

THE

100th volume

brothers, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Newt Gingrich have united to enact criminal justice reform, which aims to cut the numbers of inmates nationwide by more than 25 percent by the year 2021 and to protect the human rights of the prisoners.

The reduction will be handled by scaling down the mandatory sentences for nonviolent drug crimes. However, this goal cannot be achieved; Congress and the President can only impact the federal prisons of the nation, which is one-seventh of all prisons. State prisons and privatized prisons remain intact.

The change will be minimal.

The media has given countless hours of attention to this issue, looking for a solution, telling the stories of the 2.2 million American convicts whose lives have been affected in and out their prison cells.

These articles and debates have reach the public’s attention; however, at North, most students are unaware of this reality. But we do have a chance to contribute for the solution of this problem.

Many interactive discussion websites are trying to find a solution to this problem. Sharing stories that have impacted your life, while staying conscious of privacy, can help others to better understand the impact of unduly harsh mandatory sentencing and can inspire empathy and political action.

MAKE SURE TO BUY before time runs out

on sale $55 until sept.

30 return forms to room 1507 or order online at yearbookordercenter.com

ORANGE CANISTERS AND a multicolor coat of pills are arranged on the table, with alcohol available nearby. Teens pluck some pills from the conglomeration, inattentive to their specific effects, in hopes of getting high. These drugs are prescribed by doctors, so the teens don’t fear the risks- after all, it’s not meth, they say.

Marijuana and marijuana wax also have the completely invalid aura of relative harmlessness about them, but there is a major difference between tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - marijuana’s active ingredient- and prescription drugs: prescription drugs are legal.

As a result, they can be even easier to access and abuse, leading to “pharm” or “Skittles’ parties” (the name arises due to the colors of the pills), or even individual cases of overdoses, like those that occurred at North last week via sleeping medications.

Two students were taken to Columbus Regional Hospital by ambulance

Sept. 4 after having symptoms of nausea and dizziness, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. officials said.

Larry Perkinson, BCSC student assistance coordinator, said that school officials believe that the two students took a generic form of a sleeping pill. (therepublic.com) The abuse of prescription drugs can lead to stroke, heart attack and brain damage. Under federal law it is illegal to possess controlled substances without a prescription.

The purpose of prescription drugs is to treat illness and disease. The idea that these drugs help, not harm, induces teens into abusing such drugs. NIDA conducted a survey of high school seniors in the U.S. in 2014 and found that the stimulants Adderall and Ritalin, often prescribed for ADHD, were used at 6.8 percent and 1.8 percent respectively. Students were most likely to obtain these medicines from friends and relatives. The

STAFF EDITORIAL

rates of regular consumption of prescription amphetamines among high school seniors has declined: from 69 percent in 2009 to 55 percent in 2014.

Misuse and non-medical abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs continues to decline among the nation’s youth. Past-year use of the opioid pain reliever Vicodin has dropped significantly over the past 5 years; 4.8 percent of 12th graders used Vicodin for non-medical reasons in 2014, compared to 9.7 percent in 2009. Pastyear use of narcotics other than heroin (which includes all opioid pain relievers) among high school seniors dropped from 7.1 percent in 2013 to 6.1 percent in 2014; 9.5 percent of seniors had reported past-year use of these drugs in 2004.

Staying drug-free is achievable through strong, positive relationships with parents, other family members, friends, school and religion. Reduced access to illegal

substances at home can also prevent students from engaging in any type of drug abuse, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported.

Although prescription drugs may not seem physically dangerous, abusing them can elicit serious side effects. “Pharm” or “Skittles parties” can sound like harmless, especially under group influence. It may be tempting to try something new or get a “harmless high,” but prescription drugs that aren’t specifically prescribed can be harmful. Educate yourself on the resources available in order to be able to spot and address someone who has overdosed, but most of all, to avoid dangerous side effects, stay drug-free.

TRUMPING

ISIS

THE NEW YORKER REPORTED AUG. 11 THAT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP CLAIMED HE WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED ISLAMIC STATE VIA TWITTER. cartoon by Shreya Hurli

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / OPINION

AT THE SAME TIME AS THE MARIJUANA WAX TREND INVADES OUR SCHOOL, SEEMINGLY BENIGN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TAKE THEIR TOLL

14/ 15

but the doctor said…

16 / 17

eli

i am

THE STORY OF ONE TEEN AND HIS LIFE AS TRANSGENDER. story by emily waskom design by karen torres

SOPHOMORE ELI MCCORD wakes up and starts to get ready for school. He looks in the mirror and is reminded of his daily struggle: being in the wrong body.

McCord is an FTM (female to male) transgender.

“It was something I knew for most of my life,” McCord said. “It hit me in August of last year when puberty started to hit. I knew something wasn’t right.”

McCord first came out to his parents in early September of 2014.

“I was eager to come out,” McCord said. “When everything started making sense I wanted to tell someone.”

Although McCord’s dad doesn’t agree with his decision, his mom is now very accepting of McCord’s new lifestyle.

“While Eli and I have differing recollections, I would like to think that I handled the news as best I could. I may have seemed dismissive at first, and I do regret that, but it is very difficult to know when your child is serious about something so drastic.,” Burton said.

“The idea that your child does not cherish themselves as nature intended can be a bitter pill to swallow, and the unrelenting fears of possible mental illness, complicated surgical procedures, life-long hormone therapy, and the prejudice of the rather cruel world we live in is quite overwhelming.”

After telling his parents and immediate family, McCord told his friends. Although they are still a little rocky with using the correct pronouns, they are all very accepting.

“I can’t expect everyone to get it at first.”

To transition from female to male, or male to female, there are multiple steps to be taken and changes to occur. One step that can be important in any transition, whether it be MTF (male to female) or FTM, is hormone therapy. An FTM transgender would most likely take testosterone (while an MTF might take estrogen) tablets to counterbalance the estrogen/testosterone hormones that are already in their body. It is also common to take puberty blockers. Puberty blockers stop the hormone changes and bodily changes that would normally occur for the dominant hormone, whether it be estrogen or testosterone.

One problem that McCord has come to realize is that insurance does not cover transgender medicine fees.

Without help from insurance companies, T (testosterone) is $150 a month, which McCord cannot cover by himself. He hopes by the time he is seventeen, insurance coverage will have changed and he will be able to afford it.

Since McCord isn’t old enough to undergo surgery, he has made simpler changes such as cutting his hair, changing his clothes and wearing binders (nylon covers that constrict breasts into a flat-chested appearance).

One of the first friends McCord came out to, and who’s been by his side throughout all his transformations, is sophomore Kate Matney.

“I was a little confused, I asked him to explain a little bit,” Matney said. “It was hard to transition and to get out of my mind that he is a boy instead of a girl, but he is my friend and it doesn’t matter to me too much [whether he is a boy or a girl].”

The two friends met in fourth grade and have been best friends ever since. They plan to live in apartment together at Ball State after McCord graduates in 2018at which time McCord wants to get a bilateral mastectomy (removal of breast tissue).

“There’s not much I can do to physically pass as a male right now,” McCord said. “It’s hard waking up every day and being in the wrong body — when I have to shower or just walking down the hallway, I usually have an arm in front of me to cover myself up”.

The recovery process for a bilateral mastectomy is about a month, so McCord plans to take a year off after graduating to recover and have a chance to be fully transitioned before, hopefully, attending Ball State in the fall of 2019.

Although McCord is still trying to find himself and figure out what he wants and needs, he is a long way from being where he wants to be.

“I want change, but this — I don’t want this. I don’t want to be Trans; I don’t think anyone wants to be Trans. I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone. It’s long and it’s painful.” ∆

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / STUDENT LIFE

photo by tazwell long

ending the endings SAVING THE LIVES OF AT-RISK TEENS ISN’T EASY. WE SURVEYED 80 STUDENTS AUG. 18 TO 21 ON THEIR AWARENESS OF PERSONAL STRESSORS. What stresses you out?

Homework and tests Situation at Home Lack of support Fear of the unknown

35 8 6 17

photo illustration by Hannah Frey

THE EVIDENCE IS EVERYWHERE, and it sends chills through our bodies.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

And in the aftermath of a recent wave of local suicides, more lives are at stake than ever. Kathy Gentry, a counselor at Family Services, Inc., said, “‘It’s not at all odd to think about suicide,” especially after a traumatic experience.

A study done by the National Institutes of Health (Shireen, 2014) found that repeated instances of bullying severely increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation in teens. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) stated that people who have experienced trauma during childhood are 15 times more likely to commit suicide than those who have never experienced trauma (2012).

Suicide is unquestionably a serious issue, and one that is compounded by stress. Both familial and social stressors, including depression, anxiety and selfharm, can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Among the most important influences in a person’s decision to commit suicide are a history of trauma, hopelessness and a lack of support (Indiana Youth Institute, 2014).

Suicidal teens may display any of these warning signs when contemplat-

ing suicide: threatening to commit selfharm, seeking access to weapons or drugs, expressing hopelessness, demonstrating extreme rage, feeling trapped, withdrawing from others or giving away prized possessions.

These warning signs can be clues as to how to prevent future cases. Ambassadors of prevention aim to identify such warning signs and react proactively to meet the needs of those most at risk.

“I usually talk them [friends] out of it and tell them things will get better,” an anonymous source said. An action plan like the one detailed below can outline how to provide first aid to friends, family members, or anyone considering suicide.

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm • Listen nonjudgmentally • Give reassurance and information • Encourage appropriate professional help • Encourage self-help and other support strategies All thoughts of suicide must be taken seriously. “I have considered suicide and it is nothing to joke about,” another anonymous source said. At-risk teens seek out non-judgmental people with whom they can reveal their stories.

“If you have a friend who is thinking about committing suicide, don’t hesitate to act. You could save a life,” Gentry said. ∆ by emily nelson designed by jenna hashagen

suicide hotlines TOLL FREE, 24/7 • 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) • 1-800-273-TALK (8255) • 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) for hearing and speech impaired NATIONAL SERVICES: • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Alliance (SAMHSA) • Inspire USA Foundation • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) LOCAL SERVICES: • Family Services, Inc. • Centerstone • Milestones Clinical and Health Resources • Columbus Regional Hospital

18 / 19

“playing house” makes the grade by lauren jines

THIS COMEDY IN ITS SECOND SEASON DELIVERS A MUCH-NEEDED BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO THE GENRE MODERN-DAY COMEDY has two major camps: dirty, locker-room jokes and nerdy, heady quips, but there is one show, specifically, that perfectly blends the two: “Playing House” (USA Network).

There are many things that make this show so special, chiefly the relationship between the main characters. Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair, real-life best friends, write and star in this weekly comedy. Many shows attempt and fail to accurately portray the dynamics of a female friendship. This show fully displays the borderline romantic and often neurotic affair that is a real friendship.

The show follows childhood best friends Emma (St. Clair), a high-powered business woman who moved to China many years ago, and Maggie (Parham), her

pregnant best friend who was living the “American Dream,” who move in together after Maggie and her husband, Bruce (Brad Morris), get divorced.

The show is in its second season, but at this time last year no one could have known whether or not the show would come back. The first season aired in the spring, but there was still no word on whether the show had been picked up or not. It was in television limbo. But, the fans wanted more. A grassroots Internet campaign began attempting to save the beloved show. The fans spoke and the network listened.

The second season is definitely not falling into the dreaded sophomore slump. Maggie and Emma are still getting into trouble as they navigate raising Maggie’s baby together. The show perfectly navigates the highs and lows of

friendship, effortlessly crossing from comedy to drama in a matter of minutes.

While Parham and St. Clair are definitely the stars, the supporting cast shines through. Keegan Michael Key and Lindsay Sloane bring major laughs (and tears) as troubled couple Mark and Bird Bones.

This show is one of the most underrated sitcoms out there. The writing is spectacular, mostly due to Parham and St. Clair’s improv background, and the acting is so natural that seems like they might not even be acting. “Playing House” is the gold standard of TV comedy.

You can catch this show on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on USA Network.

This season you can also catch the next week’s episode on video on demand directly after the previous episode airs. ∆

teacher

talk

NEW TEACHERS SHARE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THEIR FIRST YEARS AT NORTH

compiled by karol espinoza

For more information, go to cnhsmedia.com

[My favorite part of North] is the atmosphere. I think that there seems to be a really positive air in the building, that you really do notice when you come from the outside; it’s different from a lot of schools.

US HISTORY AND ECONOMICS TEACHER NATALIE PERRY

[I’ve wanted to go into to teaching] since I was 16. I did intervention and intermediation English. [My favorite part about North] is the culture and everything is already kinda built in, so when students come in there are already all these programs they can jump right in to.

ENGLISH TEACHER DAVID SPENCER

I taught for two years at Ball State and this is my first high school English job. I think [North] is a really beautiful school and I like getting to know all of the students, I hope [this year] turns out very well, I hope my student learn a lot and I hope I learn from them as well.

ENGLISH TEACHER JERRICA DOWLING design by ruthie yezerets

THE TRIANGLE / ISSUE 1 / SEPT. 2015 / STUDENT LIFE

courtesy of USA Network

(her)itage

INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE OFFERS JUNIOR RIYA PATEL AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS HERSELF AND THE STORIES OF HER CULTURE

AFTER TWO HOURS of costuming, junior Riya Patel demonstrates some key aesthetic aspects of her dance form, Kathak, including extensive eye makeup to emphasize facial expressions and the sleeve of bells adorning her feet. Kathak originated with the Kathakar storytellers of northern India. (ccrtindia. gov.in) Patel explained the purpose of the dance. “It’s a form. It’s a story of a god in India which they show in a dance form with expressions and effects. But it’s not always like that. It’s just some storytelling parts.” photos courtesy of Riya Patel

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT DANCING? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DANCE STYLE OR MOVEMENT?

I just love dancing. It’s just a lot of fun. It’s like meditation for me. If I’m sad or if I’m not having a good day, I’ll just dance and it just makes my day. I have to dance in a day, at least for an hour or so. Well, professionally, I’m trained in Kathak, because I’ve been doing it for around nine years. It’s one of the Indian classical forms. There are a lot of forms. There are, like, 7 forms of Indian classical, but it’s one of those.

WHAT DISTINGUISHES IT FROM THE OTHER FORMS?

Like, what’s the difference?

It’s related to Indian culture. … It has a little chain of bells that we wear on our feet,

and we dance with those.

It has to be on rhythm. The most important thing is expressions, face expressions.

That’s the most important thing. It’s very hard because it takes years to get better and better. It’s never-ending.

It takes years and years. And to be proficient, it takes three years or so to get perfect.

members in front of me.’ If that’s the case then I would probably freak out, so I just forget about everything and I just dance.

WHEN YOU DANCE, IS THERE SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU THINK ABOUT OR WHEN YOU STEP UP ON STAGE FOR A PERFORMANCE?

Well, of course, I’d like to learn more in Kathak, but when I was little, I would always tell my mom I wanted to learn all types of dance forms, which is not possible, each and every single form of dance in this world. But yeah, I would like to learn as much as I can, not just Kathak, but hip-hop, ballet, salsa, whatever. I just love [general] dancing.

I just give my best. I don’t think about when people are sitting in front of me. I just think about anything. I just think that I’m practicing, I’m the only person in the hall, and I’m dancing. But I don’t think that, ‘Oh my God, there are thousands of audience

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN IN THE UPCOMING YEARS, OR ANY MILESTONES THAT YOU’RE REACHING?

compiled by Eva Yezerets

BY THE NUMBERS 6 years old when she started Indian classical dance 3 years for proficiency 3 to 4 performances per year 1 to 2 practices per week 1..5 months to learn a dance 2 hours to put on the whole outfit 45 minutes for makeup 5 to 6 layers of base makeup