12.13 Issue

CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL 520 E. MAIN ST. CARMEL, IN 46032 WWW.HILITE.ORG

Acumen: The “Travel” Issue See Insert

DEC. 13, 2010 | VOL. 56 | ISSUE 5

*CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSMAGAZINE

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Page 2 | Table of contents | hilite | hilite.org | Dec. 13, 2010

Table of Contents 4 News

Orchestra students prepare for their Jan. 7 performance at the Palladium in downtown Carmel.

8 Feature

A Pew Research study shows that while gender equality is universally supported, people recognize some inequalities still remain.

14 Student Section

4

8

14

16

20

24

The results of the “12 Polls of Christmas� are tallied from Facebook.

16 Cover Story

As the market of teenagers grows, more companies are beginning to use specific advertising strategies to target it.

20 Entertainment

Katie Walstrom interviews the band of the issue, Held by Terror.

24 Sports

This year the wrestling team implemented team quotas for the first time in the sport’s history here.

28 Perspectives

The HiLite staff comments on the materialism of the holiday season and the importance of family and charity.

32 15 Minutes

Sophomore Avery Briles talks about her modeling career and her recent signing with the Helen Wells Agency.

Arjuna Capulong / Cover Design and photo Michelle Li / model

Corrections and Clarifications for the 11.19 issue: Kinza Abbas was misidentified as Shaail Abbas in Speak Up

32

Dec. 13, 2010| hilite.org | hilite | just a minute | page 3

How a delay or cancelation is determined Many steps go into the administration’s decision of whether to have school

1

2

Members of the Carmel Clay Schools Department of Transportation start their morning early on days of predicted storm potential.

4

3 5 All observations are communicated to Director of Transportation Ron Farrand, who reports to Assistant Superintendent Roger McMichael.

They look at on-the-road observations and monitor weather forecasts and neighboring school district decisions.

McMichael then reports to Superintendent Jeff Swensson. The superintendent makes a final decision based on information from the Indiana Department of Transportation and other services.

The decision must be made before 5:30 a.m. so media and employees may be notified.

daniel li / graphic ccs Department of transportation / source

Page 4 | NEWS | hilite | HiLite.org | dec. 13, 2010

NEWS

Upcoming events

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Today: NHS Final Exam Survival Kit delivery Dec. 17 to Jan. 2: Winter break Dec. 21: First day of winter Jan. 4: NHS meeting

Go online

For Patrick Bryant’s weather forecast, check out hilite.org.

Importance of finals increases due to different semester grade calculation BY jerry xu jxu@hilite.org

grades earned, for example, could lead to a difference between grades such as a high A and a low A, which may help some students who receive solid grades.

“I think using the percentage grade is better than ue to the switch from six-week to nine-week using the 12-point scale because if I get a good grade in grading periods this year, semester grades will the first quarter and a bad grade on the second quarter, be calculated differently than they have been in it all balances out,” sophomore Bryan Duffy said. “Also, the past. Now, according to Assistant Principal Ronda if I get high A’s in both quarters, then I can slack off on Eshleman, finals are worth one-fifth of a student’s semester my final without having to run the risk of hurting my grade as opposed to one-seventh from previous years. semester grade.

“Now (the grade) is going to be percentage based, “In the 12-point system, there wasn’t a difference so (the old method of final exam weighting of) onebetween a high A and a low A, so I seventh is now going to be 20 percent,” couldn’t relax as much on the finals.”

Eshleman said.

However, the new system may The new way of calculating semester harm the students who just managed grades puts slightly more emphasis on to attain the quarter or final grade finals. Additionally, each quarter grade Go online that they wanted while on the 12essentially counts for more as well.

To view the full point scale.

“The first quarter grade is 40 schedule for this “I still like the rounding that they percent of the semester grade, the week, go to hilite. do on the grades now, but I think the second quarter grade is 40 percent, org for the latest original 12-point scale was better,” and then the final exam grade is 20 updates and sophomore Andrew Smith said. “The percent,” Eshleman said. “So when information. rounding and 12-point scale where an (students) are figuring (their) grades, A is an A definitely helps when you’re (students) are going to figure it as, on borderline grades, so the 12-point scale I felt helped out of 100 percent, it would be 40 percent, 40 percent with the semester grades.” and 20 percent. That would be how (the semester grade) Eshleman said the changes in the calculation of would be figured.” semester grades are due to the switch from six-week to The new system also uses the actual percentage nine-week grading periods. grade received on the final and quarter grades and “Well, because we moved from six-week grades to not the letter grade on a 12-point scale, which the old nine-week grades, we had to change how the grades grading scale used. were figured because now we only have two grading “It’s all percentage-based; it’s not by grade,” periods versus three grading periods, so that’s why the Eshleman said. “We’re looking at percentages now change was made,” Eshleman said. “We had to switch to versus assigning grades on a 12-point scale. (The new nine-week grades so that the whole district would be on grading scale) is going to help some students while it nine-week grades.” might hurt other students.”

Because finals have more weight this year, eligibility Using the actual percentages rather than the letter

D

Schedule

Grading at a Glance A comparison of the old and new systems Before • • • •

Finals worth 1/7 of semester grade Each nine weeks was worth 2/7 of semester Finals had more overall impact Attendance not as crucial

After • Finals worth 20 percent (1/5) of semester • Each nine weeks is worth 40 percent (2/5) of semester grade • Finals have more overall impact • Attendance more crucial due to weight of finals carmelhighschool.net / source

for the Skip-a-Final program will be increasingly important for students, which means attendance will be more vital than before.

Eshleman said, “It’s going to mean a lot to be able to skip that final, so attendance is going to be more important.”

Despite the increase in the importance of finals, many students do not plan to study differently or even more in advance. For them, the finals will be the same as they have in the past, with the usual amounts of stress and lastminute preparation.

“I feel that if I study the same as last year, I’ll still get the same grades,” Duffy said. “The new changes are going to have a marginal effect because finals are still going to be a big part of the semester grade, so I’m going to do everything the same way as last year. I’m probably going to start cramming the week before my finals, and the stress that comes with finals isn’t going to go away.”

How do I figure my semester grade?

How to calculate with the new system

× 0.4 =

A. First nine-weeks percentage

× 0.4 =

B.

A ( ) + B ( ) + C ( )

Second nine-weeks percentage

× 0.2 =

C. Final exam percentage

Semester grade

Grade comparison—old system v. new Old: First six weeks: B Second six weeks: AThird six weeks: C+ Final: B+ B =10 × 2/7 A- = 11 × 2/7 C+ = 7 × 2/7 + B+ = 10 × 1/7 Grade = 9.43 (B)

New: First nine weeks: C (77%) Second nine weeks: B (83%) Final: A- (91%)

C = 77 × .4 B = 83 × .4 + A- = 91 × .2 Grade = 82.2% (B-)

dec. 13, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | NEWS | PagE 5

Orchestra to perform at Palladium, debut CD Jan. 7 concert to serve as tune-up for new Carmel venue, CD to be available same day BY andy yang ayang@hilite.org The Palladium, Carmel’s new music hall which has cost over $150 million, plans to finally open with a week long Grand Opening in late January 2011, but before this, it is holding a preview performance for the community as part of its “Tuning the Hall” series.

According to Kyle Lin, orchestra council president and senior, the CHS symphony orchestra is one of the orchestras invited to play in this event.

“It’s really an incredible opportunity for us because it’s obviously just been built and come in, so the chance for us to play in it in the first few months is actually a really great opportunity,” Lin said.

Orchestra director Soo Han said that the event, which is scheduled for Jan. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m., is to be not only a preview performance for the community, but also a test to allow sound engineers to fix the acoustics of the hall.

“They can make adjustments that they need to the hall and sounding, so it sounds its best when it really opens in late January. The technology that’s in the hall is going to be incredible, for instance if they find that the hall rings too much, there are things they can do to adjust that.”

Tuning the hall

John Hughey, Public Relations Manager at the Center for Performing Arts, said that the hall includes a huge glass acoustical canopy and has been holding about 30 rehearsals planned over three months.

“We expect to have national music critics attend concerts and we know that they’re going to describe the acoustics of the hall and I think that’s the point in time when we’re able to assess what the sound is like and how it rivals other halls.” Hughey said.

Lin said the hall is expected to be one of the best in the Midwest, attracting some of the most sought after acts and performances.

“I got to play at (Alice) Tully Hall in New York and McCormick Place in Chicago as well as Hilbert Circle downtown in my years with the orchestra, but to have a place like this that apparently has almost as great acoustics as the rest of them just five minutes away is absolutely phenomenal,” Lin said. “It’s a dream come true for a lot of people. I’m going to relish it because as seniors, we never thought we were going to have a chance to play there, but now that we do it’s something we’re going to treasure for sure.”

year, sometime in the very near future.” very impressive.

The orchestra will be playing two pieces: John Adams’s “The acoustics of the Palladium were very advanced, Chairman Dances and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2, and the atmosphere was very intimate because the audience according to Han. was very close to the stage,” Lange said.

“It’s going to be a repeat performance of what we’re Going digital doing in December (at the winter concert), and the Han also said the orchestra will be releasing a CD on the concert that the symphony orchestra is going to be day of their performance which will feature the songs that doing is one of the most demanding repertoire that they are playing.

I’ve ever done with high school “Ever since I’ve come to Carmel, one kids. Something else that’s really of the main goals that I’ve had for the extraordinary that high schools orchestra program is to release their own groups don’t do is performing a professionally recorded CD. This is a great complete symphony, so they’re Tracks year to do it because we’ve had the time,” going to be presenting the entire • “Chairman Dances” Han said. “We’re going to be working with Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony.

John Adams sound engineers from Aire Born Studios in So the first performance is going • “Symphony No. 2” Indianapolis, and they do a lot of recording to be December, and the repeat Peter Tchaikovsky all over the world. We’re working with their is going to be in January because Release Date: Jan. 7 sound engineers, and we’re working with we don’t have much time right the auditorium manager, Tom Harvey; he’s after winter break.”

Cost: Free, $5 donation our official producer for the CD.” In addition, the symphony recommended Lin said he was proud to have been selected orchestra was not the only group Approximate Length: 1 hour to perform at the Palladium in this event. from this school to play at the “It’s a complete honor to represent Palladium. The Ambassadors SOO HAN / SOURCE Carmel High School. It’s a complete honor performed there last month as to be recognized in that way, and we hope part of the series as well. that we can continue to continue the legacy of the Carmel According to Ambassador and junior Rachel Lange, High School orchestra.” the acoustic and organizational aspects of the venue were

About the CD

The more the merrier

The performance will be featuring the symphony orchestra only, but Han said he hopes that others will have a chance to play at the Palladium as well.

“Although this invitation was extended just to the symphony orchestra, I hope that all of our orchestra students and maybe even the rest of the performing arts students have an opportunity to perform at such a tremendous hall sometime,” Han said. “I know that years in the past, we’ve taken the entire orchestra, all the orchestra students, and we performed in the Hilbert Circle theatre downtown, which is home to the Indianapolis symphony.

Maybe we can do a performance like that again. If not next

katie bourgerie / photo

tune up: Part of the symphony orchestra rehearses during school. The symphony orchestra was invited to play at the Palladium as part of the “Tuning the Hall” series.

Page 6 | NEWS | hilite | HiLite.org | dec. 13, 2010

IndyGo bus routes to discontinue Dec. 31, leaving some students stranded by eric dick edick@hilite.org

A

fter launching the Indiana Commuter Express (ICE) project, which began in 2007, Indiana will soon cancel all of its other public transportation services. According to IndyGo.net, the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation website, beginning Dec. 31, IndyGo (Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation) will close its third and final route, Carmelto-downtown Indianapolis.

Also according to the website, the three ICE routes are 80 percent funded by a one-time, non-renewable federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant that will be exhausted at the end of 2010. The fare box revenue has always paid for the final 20 percent.

In light of the cancellation, senior Caroline Inman said she is experiencing changes firsthand.

“My dad and I share a car,” Caroline said. “When he uses the IndyGo bus, I am able to take our truck and use it to get to school. But if the Carmel-to-downtown route is closed, I won’t be able to take the truck anymore because my dad won’t be able to use the bus service. It’s just been very beneficial for my family, and without it life is just going to get even more hectic.”

When it comes to feeling the negative impact of the closing, Caroline is not alone. IndyGo.net cites that there have been more than 159,000 trips on the Carmel Express Route since it was launched. If closed, those passengers will still need transportation and their options may be limited.

Gas prices also may add frustration to many passengers.

The higher the gas price, the more citizens tend to look for cheaper forms of transportation. From March to Sept.

2010, average Midwest gas prices per gallon decreased from

Cassie dugan / photo

gimme the keys: Senior Caroline Inman hands her father, Matt, the keys to his car. Due to the cancellation of IndyGo bus routes, Inman cannot drive her dad’s truck to school anymore. nearly $3 to $2.60, according Administration. Perhaps as a number of monthly Carmel from about 9,500 to 8,000.

Matt Inman, Caroline’s

to the Energy Information result of this decrease, the ICE passengers decreased dad and an analyst at

Common Bus Pick-up Locations tracy sun / graphic indygo.net / source

N

Indianapolis Power & Light Company, has worked downtown by Monument Circle for nearly six years and said he uses IndyGo because of its availability and inexpensiveness.

“To me, I appreciate the available range of departure and arrival times both in the morning and afternoon,” Mr. Inman said. “But most of all it’s just because the gas. When gas gets to the $3.50 plus range, it’s just less expensive to ride the bus.”

Mr. Inman said when the service is cancelled, he and his family will have to take a step backwards until something similar replaces it. He said he expects his family to experience the occasional inability to get downtown and occasional headache when a car is not available.

He said he believes IndyGo is a high quality, clean, safe bus service and that the metropolitan rail service is a must for a city like Indianapolis. In addition, he said it will allow everyone to deal with dynamic, shifting populations and the economic needs of the next decades of the 21st century.

However, the transition period between when the Indy Go buses stop running routes and the rail system starts could be a problem for the Inman family.

“Indianapolis must take the bold step of developing a rail system for our future,” Mr. Inman said. “Elevated railways will cause minimal property loss and will take the big buses off the roads. For now, however, a reliable bus system with spokes to suburban areas must remain.”

Lack of available transportation is just part of why

Story continued on next page > >

dec. 13, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | NEWS | PagE 7

< < Story continued from last page closing this route could be a problem.

Sarah Knight, manager of marketing and communications for IndyGo, said the ICE routes do not just take people to places that are important to them such as jobs, medical appointments, education, shopping and more, but they also help the economy, everyday society and world.

According to Knight, the IndyGo buses reduce congestion and pollution in the community and more people on the bus means less people on the road, reducing energy use and carbon footprints.

Along with this, public transportation creates and retains jobs, revitalizes business districts, lets employers tap into a larger workforce, stimulates commerce as well as increases property values and reduces our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Overall, public transportation equals a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy

independence, which add up to a better quality of life for a community,” Knight said.

She said she fears that a lack of transportation will add more congestion and pollution on the roads between Hamilton and Marion County during the work week. She also said Carmel parents will have to go back to fighting traffic and spending more money on gas, vehicle upkeep and downtown parking.

According to IndyGo.net, this closing is not without alternatives. The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is looking at other grants and funding mechanisms in hopes of keeping the ICE Routes running.

Indy Connect, which is Central Indiana’s Transportation Initiative, is working to develop a long-range transportation plan based on public outreach. If adopted, this will significantly improve transit in the region. The Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS) is a rideshare program that also is an example of an alternative to the closing of the route.

“I just wish there was some way that we could figure out how to keep the IndyGo open,” Caroline said. “Or even just create another way to get downtown other than driving.”

Budget Breakdown Total: $53,974,475 Services and Charges: 31% Wages: 37% Supplies: 18% Employee Benefits: 18%

indygo.net / source Tracy Sun / graphic

Students choose to bypass prerequisite classes BY henry zhu hzhu@hilite.org Though most students take a prerequisite class before becoming a part of the Pinnacle Yearbook, junior Nimisha Kumar never did. Instead, Kumar directly entered onto the Pinnacle staff her freshman year.

“I was on yearbook as a freshman even though I

grayson harbour / photo

hard at work: Junior Nimisha Kumar works at a computer during yearbook class. Kumar waived the prerequisite class students usually take to gain entrance onto yearbook staff.

obviously didn’t take any of the beginning classes,” Kumar said. “My older sister was an editor then and she asked the teacher if I could be an SRT-only member of yearbook for my freshman year.”

Kumar’s situation may be unusual, but it is hardly a unique case. The 2011-2012 Carmel High School Program of Studies states that students here are allowed to bypass certain classes provided they have “teacher approval.”

While she can permit students to skip prerequisite classes like Kumar did, yearbook adviser Nicole Wilson said it was not something she would recommend for the large majority of students.

“Though there will always be exceptions, in general I believe that the prerequisite serves an important role and that students should not skip those classes,” Wilson said. “(Kumar) has done really well in her years on staff, but I think it would be best for the yearbook staff in general if everyone came through with at least some background knowledge of how a journalism staff works.”

According to freshman counselor Rachel Cole, the school-wide policy is for students to take the prerequisite before going on to more advanced classes. Cole said she generally believes it is a good idea for freshmen especially to take prerequisites.

“Students can contact department chairs if they are interested in skipping out of particular classes, but as the school in general follows the prerequisite guidelines,” Cole said. “Classes that have a prerequisite have it for a reason, and I really don’t know when it would be a good idea for freshmen to waive past prerequisite classes.”

Kumar said she understands why some teachers follow the prerequisite guidelines, as many of the challenges she faced during her first year on staff were due to her lack of experience. She said that, even though she had taken journalism in middle school, she initially felt overwhelmed by the workload of being on yearbook staff.

“Eventually I managed to get the hang of writing stories and reporting for the Pinnacle after a while, but there were a lot of things I wasn’t familiar with at first,” Kumar said.

“I had to stay after school every once in a while because of the time crunch, and it put a lot more stress on me as a freshman than I had expected.”

Freshman Hyesoo Chae, who, like Kumar, waived past

a prerequisite class for orchestra, said she had similar troubles adjusting to her advanced-level class at first.

She said, “I was a little nervous about what high school orchestra would be like at first and the tests have been really stressful, but I think I’m getting used to it now and I feel more comfortable in the class.” (See side story.)

As for Kumar, she said she doesn’t regret not taking the prerequisite despite the difficulties she faced.

“Being on yearbook was difficult at first, but I don’t regret not taking the beginning class,” Kumar said. “I feel like that first year where had to learn everything while doing it helped me learn more than I would’ve in a regular class.”

More freshmen join higher-level orchestras Beyond the Norm

Instead of being in freshman-only Concert Orchestra like many of her peers, freshman Hyesoo Chae is the co-concertmaster of Philharmonic Orchestra, a class usually reserved for upperclassmen.

Not the Only One

However, Chae is not the only freshman in an advanced orchestra class this year. According to orchestra director Rachel Tookolo, the orchestra department has adopted a new policy allowing more

freshmen to bypass Concert Orchestra.

The reasons for the change, Tookolo said, are largely based on the expansion of Philharmonic Orchestra this year.

Worth the Work

Chae said, though Philharmonic Orchestra has challenged her more than previous orchestra classes, she still finds the class to be one of her favorites.

Compiled by Henry Zhu For the full story, go to www.hilite.org

Page 8 | FEATURE | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

FEATURE A more balanced equation Go Online

For interactive soundslides on female students participating in male-dominated classes.

SUBMITFEATURE@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news

www.hilite.org

Fact: The lifetime cost of cosmetic maintenance for women:

$7,170 $65,865 $158,160 $217,932

Tweens Teenage/20s 30s/40s 50+

$449,127

Life Total

Students choose careers in fields breaking traditional gender stereotypes, reflecting a wider movement toward gender equality

Where Inequalities Are In some areas, such as movie making, gender equality has fallen a little short 20

29.2

17

Women in G-rated movies wear clothing as revealing as women in R-rated movies

17

7

13

Percent of producers who are female

Percent of narrators who are female

Percent of family film characters who are female

Percent of directors who are female

Percent of animators who are female

Percent of writers who are female Newsweek / Source

Conner Gordon / Photo

A more balanced equation: Seniors Stephanie Pitman and Matthew Ong both plan to pursue careers breaking the stereotypes for their gender. Their interests reflect a movement towards increased gender equality.

By Victor Xu vxu@hilite.org

S

enior Stephanie Pitman’s interest in science began in middle school, her favorite classes tended to be based in the subject. By her sophomore year of high school, her chemistry teacher nominated her to take the American Chemical Society’s standardized exam, a test given nationwide to top chemistry students. This past spring, Pitman participated in the prestigious U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad, a competition between the 900 best chemistry students in the country. She said she has aspirations to work in pharmacy or chemistry in the future, two fields that are currently dominated by males.

“Science and math have been traditionally considered as men’s occupations, but that isn’t necessarily true anymore,” she said. “Women have historically had limited options, but these options have really opened up in the past half-century.”

The success Pitman has enjoyed in chemistry follows a steady trend toward gender equality. A report issued in October by the National Economic Council (NEC) showed women make up 47 percent of the workforce, up from 33 percent in 1960. Forty years ago, women owned 5 percent of small businesses, and now they own 30 percent, according

to the same report. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the number of female Congress members grew from 51 in 1995 to 73 in 2008.

“Society’s view that science and math was a male thing is changing,” Pitman said. “A lot of women in the ‘50s were either just moms, teachers or nurses, and there were just not as many opportunities to be as successful in math and science.”

Junior Cleo Hernandez said she hopes to become a lawyer to fight for gender equality and describes herself as a staunch supporter of equality to people of any gender, race or social status. She acknowledges the strides women have taken toward equality with men and attributed these to a shift in social attitudes. “(In the past) men needed manly jobs and women needed feminine jobs,” Hernandez said. “These stereotypes were created by men to keep the jobs that make more money.

Now the times have changed and are still changing so that being prejudiced to one or another gender is considered socially unacceptable.” She added that job inclinations of men and women respectively are caused by stereotypes which polarize gender roles; women are disadvantaged by the traditional roles of child rearing, whereas men are seen as breadwinners and are “at a disadvantage if they want to pursue a career that isn’t manly enough, something like

fashion design.”

The stereotypes Hernandez cites can certainly be seen in previously male-dominated fields. The U.S. Department of Labor released a report in June titled Highlights of Women’s Earnings in 2009 which showed 265,000 men were employed in civil engineering, compared to the 24,000 women employed. Around 29,000 women were chemical or materials scientists while 79,000 were men.

Although science fields are still a newer frontier for women, Pitman said chemistry and pharmaceuticals hold few limitations to what she and other woman scientists can achieve. “There aren’t really any limits,” Pitman said. “I think it’s pretty much an open field for us.”

In contrast, 479,000 women work in preschool and kindergarten education, and only 9,000 men work in the same field. Yet even here women and men are moving toward a point closer to equality in that there are more men teaching young children today.

Matthew Ong, member of Kids’ Corner and senior, counts himself among the growing minority of men pursuing careers in elementary teaching. He said he joined Kids’ Corner, a class in which students observe and work with pre-school children, in order to come closer to his future career. According to Ong, he has wanted to be an elementary school teacher since his freshman year, when he volunteered as a camp counselor working with young kids.

Story continued on next page >>

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | FEATURE | PagE 9

Gender Equality Over the Years First Barbies with a career, nursing, are produced.

1961

Female tennis player Billie Jean King defeats men’s singles champion Bobby Riggs at a match in Houston

1963

1973

Passage of the Equal Pay Act

American Airlines is forced to remove weight restrictions for its flight attendants

1982 More women than men earn college degrees

1990

1993

Madeline Albright becomes the first female secretary of state

1997

The fourth Thursday of April becomes Take Your Daughter to Work Day

2007

US government begins to use female dummies in crash tests

2010

Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female Speaker of the House Newsweek and ABC News / source

<< Story continued from previous page “I have fun, and it’s something I’ve really liked. I like to see how they changed in just half a semester,” he said. “We only have them for 10 or 11 weeks but they changed a lot in that time because they’re still growing.”

Ong added that traditional societal views of gender roles did not affect his career choice or his decision to join Kids’ Corner “I figured I would be the only guy in the class, or there would be one or two guys at most, and there would be mostly girls, but that didn’t affect my decision to enter elementary teaching,” he said.

Letitia “Tish” Li, a Multivariable Calculus student and senior, was the only female qualifier at CHS last year for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination, a test given to the top 1 percent of scorers on another math test, the American Mathematics Competition. Li said she also agrees that being a woman interested in male-dominated fields no longer holds any negative connotations.

“I just think girls weren’t given as much opportunity back then to get into higher education,” Li said. “But I think now we all have lots of opportunities and lots of schools want girls in engineering and math. Sometimes it’s almost an advantage to be interested in math and be a girl …Hopefully that translates to something good for our society.”

Women’s Wages While women still earn less than men, their wages have become more equal to their male counterparts over the years 1961 Women made 59

cents for each dollar a man earned

1973

57 cents for each male dollar

1983

64 cents on the male dollar

1996 74 cents on the male dollar 2008

Newsweek / source Caroline Zhang / 77 cents on Graphic the male dollar

Li added that education today is far more accessible as compared to that of previous decades. In fact, women now make up the majority of undergraduate, graduate and PhD candidates, according to the report by the NEC. The document showed 57 percent of undergraduates, 60 percent of graduate students and 50.4 percent of PhD candidates were women.

According to Laura Harrison, Indiana University Department of Gender Studies graduate student and women’s studies major, the current dominance of college education by women may translate into a greater role in the work force and more involvement in traditionally maledominated fields in the future. However, she emphasized the barriers that still need to be overcome.

Harrison said, “I do think it is significant that women make up the majority of undergrad, grad and PhD candidates, but, to answer your next question, I think it is also important to note that women are still a minority in what are known as the ‘hard sciences.’ In order for this to change, girls’ achievement in math and science must be encouraged and rewarded from a young age. Institutions of higher learning must work to increase the participation of women in science and to make scientific training and technology available to women.”

The fact that inequality continues to exist between the sexes, whether in job dispersion or family life, is not in dispute. A study released on July 1 by Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing to statistics on current issues, showed 97 percent of U.S. citizens said women should have equal rights with men.

Sixty-four percent of those who support equality said more changes needed to be made. Additionally, the same study showed 39 percent of those polled said men had the better life, compared to the 23 percent who answered women had the better life and the 24 percent who said men and women enjoyed the same quality of life.

Hernandez is among those who believe women still have some substantial hurdles to overcome, especially in regards to social opinion. She said that by overcoming popular social pressures that encourage women to join customary fields like nursing and teaching, advancement toward gender equality could be made.

“The barriers that women need to overcome are the stereotypes,” Hernandez said. “How? Do whatever (profession) you want. Ignore public opinion. Men should do that, too. There are consequences to all actions, of course, but if you think about something, and what you want to do is different than what society wants you to do, do what you want, not what society wants.”

Harrison said, “I would argue that while women continue to make significant progress in the United States, women still face systemic barriers to equality.” She later cited the fact that women still make only 81 cents for every dollar men make, and women make up only 3 percent of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Interestingly, Harrison called attention to a statistic from NPR that stated the United States was ranked 90th in the world by number of

women in elected office, behind Cuba and Afghanistan.

Despite the limitations women still face in politics and in the workforce, Pitman said she had high hopes for her career opportunities. She said she hoped to research and develop new drugs at a company like Eli Lilly in Indianapolis.

“Don’t be afraid to compete, even if it is mostly against boys,” Pitman said. “Study hard and get involved in science clubs so that you can learn more.”

Conner Gordon / Photo

A Delicate experiment: Senior Stephanie Pitman performs a science experiment in class. Pitman said she plans to pursue a career in pharmacy or chemistry, fields in which women still remain minorities.

Relevant Coverage An increasing number of females join stereotypically male clubs Groups like Comics Club reflect a trend seen across the nation. Females are becoming accepted in more places than ever before, even in roles that are stereotypically male.

Go online

To read more on female participation in stereotypically male activities. www.hilite.org

Page 10 | FEATURE | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

I’m so not that

Students who use online personality tests to gauge character traits find inaccurate results, experts say assessments should be used solely for entertainment

? d e t r e v ro

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the test in order to make sure that the person is answering them truthfully, and that’s hard to do with a quiz with ten questions.”

Sophomore Olivia Ross has taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which is a personality test that is both longer and more in-depth than the Keirsey Temperament Sorter.

She said the Facebook quizzes were not only inaccurate but also not as helpful as the other, more professional personality tests.

“Since I had an extroverted personality, it said I would work well by working with people, so that’s something I’m considering. The Myers-Briggs personality test has kind of given me a better understanding of how I learn and what environments I work well in,” Ross said. “I don’t think Facebook things are accurate because they don’t give enough options. The range of questions isn’t large enough, and the questions aren’t specific enough either. It’s suited for maybe four basic types, whereas a test like the MyersBriggs has 16 personality codes.”

Even though Ross took the MyersBriggs, she acknowledged some error Kathleen Bertsch / Photo illustration in the results. Pletcher said tests may end with inaccurate results not only The Wrong Color: Although sophomore Erika Stith has taken several personality tests, she said she does not take them seriously and does not feel they reflect her personality. According to psychology teacher Robin Pletcher, many personality tests on websites such because of a generally bad test, like those on Facebook, but also because of as Facebook are inaccurate. something the test taker did.

“Well, on some of those questions where you weren’t be able to judge something like personality mostly because

By John Du necessarily so sure how to answer it so you kind of went of the incredibly short length they tend to have. jdu@hilite.org back and forth,” Pletcher said. “So if there were like five or “I would think that it would be hard to determine six questions that you were unsure of, then it would have somebody’s personality on just ten questions,” Pletcher ophomore Erika Stith, like many other students, changed the results.” said. “I would think that there are so many different checks her Facebook account often. Although she Both Stith and Ross said they usually take the quizzes on aspects to a person that ten questions would seem like it’s uses the social networking website Facebook to Facebook for fun anyway. pretty limited. Some of these personality tests are around chat with friends and to keep in touch with her Stith said, “There are a few good things about having 500 questions. That’s really getting into the person’s real more distant friends, Stith also takes a good number of the short quizzes. You can do the Facebook quizzes really personality. Increasing the number of questions would quizzes available on the site for fun. However, she said she quickly, and sometimes they’re funny. I think that they’re increase the reliability of the test or the scientific basis of finds some of the personality quizzes that she has taken are just generally fun to take.” the test. A lot of times they will reword questions later in wrong about her.

Stith is not the only one having issues with Facebook quizzes. Because it is so easy to create a quiz on Facebook, there are many personality quizzes and tests that may not be as accurate as they could be. Still, that does not prevent In animal shelters: On the job: In the military: people from taking the quizzes. For example, one quiz Over 150 animal shelters used Around 30 percent of employIn 2008 soldiers were given named “What Color Is Your Soul?” gained over 500,000 personality tests in 2007 to ers, including the government, personality surveys on their comactive monthly users over the course of ten days, according match pets with possible owners. law firms and corporations use manding officers results showed: to Facebook. personality tests to: Psychology teacher Robin Pletcher gives the Keirsey Shelter workers assess 53 percent of the Army and 33 Temperament Sorter, a personality quiz, to her students animals for their per• Test for substance abuse percent of the Marine Corps after going over different aspects of personality and sonality, then give their (Minnesota Multiphasic believe their service should assessment during class. That test, as opposed to many of personalities labels Personality Inventory) the quizzes found on Facebook, is actually based on the assign better to officers to advisuch as “Busy Bee,” • Measure leadership skills theories of psychologist David Keirsey. sory duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“Couch Potato,” and (Myers-Briggs Assessment) Pletcher said part of the reason Facebook quizzes do not “Free Spirit.” assess personality well is that Facebook quizzes would not

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Time Magazine / Source

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | FEATURE | PagE 11

The Myth About Religion Contrary to perception, study finds today’s youth just as religious as their parents Heather’s mother Nancy Cunningham said the family’s beliefs are largely similar, with any differences because of age rather than doctrinal agreements.

“We believe in the same God and we go to the same Though today’s teens are generally perceived as less church, so we have the same views on a lot of spiritual religious than previous generations, junior Heather matters,” Mrs. Cunningham said. “We discuss our faith Cunningham said she believes herself to be just as religious from time to time and try to answer any question the kids as her parents. might have, so I would say we as a family are very similar.

“Religion is really important in our family, and I feel Of course, there may be differences because the kids are at like I am just as strong in my faith as my parents are,” different stages in their faith than my husband and I are, Heather said. but we are very open about discussing any differences in According to a recent report by the Pew Forum on our family. I would say any differences Religion and Public Life, Cunningham is part are probably more knowledge-based than of a growing number of teens who follow the anything else.” religious beliefs and practices of their parents.

Heather’s youth pastor Josh Reidy The study noted that, though a quarter of all My parents are said he has found many of the teens youth describe themselves as irreligious and older so they and pre-teens he has worked with are few consider religion as “very important” in know more as religious as their parents, if only in a their lives, those who are religious have very about our faith, different manner. similar beliefs to their parents. but religion is as “I would disagree with the common Though the Cunningham family is not important to me perception that youth today are less affiliated with a particular denomination religious than those before them, it’s as it is to them. according to Heather, she said her family more that they might look at things from has always been Christian as far as she can Heather Cunnigham a different perspective,” Reidy said. “A lot remember and attends church on a regular Junior of students now don’t necessarily want basis. Heather said she feels there are few to believe in a religion just because their religious differences between generations in parents do, they want to explore their her family. faith and learn about it rather than blindly “My parents and I are pretty much identical committing. Students today are asking more questions in what we believe,” Heather said. “Since they were the ones than previous generations, and they’re not afraid to ask the who raised me in my faith and we do religious things as a really tough questions.” family, we all believe in the same things concerning doctrine For Mrs. Cunningham, she said her children are just and everything. They know a lot more about the Bible and as religious as her husband was in his youth and more are more solid in their beliefs, but we all consider our religion religious than she was at that age. The differences, she to be a central part of our lives.” said, were largely because of each generation’s distinct upbringing.

“In comparison to me at their age, I would say my children are definitely more religious,” Mrs. Cunningham said. “I wasn’t really raised to go to church and didn’t come into my faith until after my marriage, whereas the kids have grown up with God their entire lives. Compared to my husband, who grew up going to church, I would say that they are about the same as when he was young.”

The situation of the Cunningham family, according to the Pew study, Mary Brooke Johnson / Photos has become increasingly common Millennial Religion: Junior Heather Cunningham (in red sweatshirt) meets in recent years. Findings from the study show that similar numbers with her youth group at Bible study. Cunningham said there is no difference in of teens believe in the existence of a

By Henry Zhu hzhu@hilite.org

‘‘

”

religion between herself and her parents.

Millennial Religion Regular religious service attendance varies among age groups Ages 18 to 29: 33 percent Ages 30 to 49: 36 percent Ages 50 to 64: 40 percent Ages 65+: 53 percent Switching from one faith or tradition to another within various age groups Ages 18 to 29: 20 percent Ages 30 to 49: 29 percent Ages 50 to 64: 30 percent Ages 65+: 30 percent Pew Research center / source

god and read religious texts as their parents did at a similar age. On other issues, like life after death and the existence of heaven and hell, youth today demonstrate similar if not higher levels of faith than previous generations.

In contrast to Heather’s situation and the study’s findings, sophomore Leslie Noe said she identifies herself as atheist and believes in no God or anything supernatural.

“I don’t believe in any kind of god or supernatural or afterlife as an atheist,” Noe said. “I used to believe in some form of a God, but over time I just rationally excluded the supernatural and felt it was too much of a stretch for me to commit to.”

Though she said she is an atheist, Noe said her parents do believe in some form of a god. However, any religious differences between Noe and her parents were resolved a long time ago and religion (or the lack thereof) has never played a large role in the life of the Noe family.

“When I first told my parents about my beliefs, they kind of just blew it off and thought I was just going through a phase,” Noe said. “We eventually talked about it and, when I told them that it was really what I believed in they learned to understand my beliefs and were okay with it. They just try to help me be more open-minded to the religious point of view, and we have a really close relationship despite any religious differences. I wished I could believe in something because it would be a lot more optimistic, but it’s too far out there for me to comprehend or understand.”

As for Heather, she said her faith is one of the most important parts of her life.

“My religion is really the foundation of my life and everything else is based off of that,” Heather said. “It’s my faith that keeps me going on a daily basis despite any challenges I face.”

Page 12 | FEATURE | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

Number 2,937 of 4,464...

…still gives during hard times Despite the recent economic downturn, the number of volunteers, especially among young people, is steadily increasing

and consumer science department, for example, incorporated volunteering into the curriculum of some classes.

Brittany Wiseman, family and consumer sciences department chairperson, said, “You have to have eight There are nearly 4,500 students at this school; unior Caroline Paige has taken time out of her life to to 10 (volunteer) hours each semester for interpersonal volunteer in her community and help others. During each one has a story to tell. The HiLite has relations as part of the stewardship unit. And in freshman her freshman year, she began to commute downtown randomly picked some of those students. This year, AVID requires 25 hours.” with her church to tutor kids with fewer opportunities story features junior Caroline Paige, #2,937.

For her part, Paige sad she took life skills, a class for than an average student in the Carmel Clay Schools District students at this school with learning disabilities.

She acted or other suburban areas.

Go online as a peer tutor and gave assistance “I helped them with basic math For more Everybody Has a Story stories. to the students of the class. homework that they didn’t get from According to Gray, this increase www.hilite.org school. A lot of them didn’t have family in volunteering is happening even or parents to help them,” Paige said. as charities report significant “They were underprivileged and slower $307.75 billion decreases in donations. at learning and catching on to things.”

She said, “I work with the Paige is not alone in her volunteering. amount Americans donated in 2009 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society According to recent statistics by the U.S. 3.6 percent as a volunteer and they’ve noticed Department of Labor, 2010 experienced a sharp drop-off in donations. But, a growth of 1.6 million volunteers, the decrease from 2008 in charitabl I do think, even with the sharp highest increase since 2003. donations drop-off of donations, charitable CHS is a prime example of this organizations are still benefitting 23.9 percent national trend. According to Key from the increased numbers of Club co-sponsor Katie Gray, Key Club decrease in charitable bequests people who want to volunteer.” has seen a steady increase of members Paige said, “Students over the last two years, from 200 to 300 American Association of should be realizing that members in 2007 to over 450 today.

Fundraising Counsel / Source they should get involved “Students in Carmel particularly and volunteer more. The realize how fortunate we are and that large amount of clubs and opportunities that it is our responsibility to give back to others,” Gray said.

CHS provides are influencing students and “Service is free. Students don’t have to pay to participate, helping increase the amount of volunteers.” just their $20 dues to participate.”

The recent recession and economic trouble has not hindered the rise of volunteers. In fact, it has only benefited the community by increasing the amount of service being provided. More than 8.1 billion hours of Volunteers have increased by 1.6 million people over the community service was provided in the United States last year, according to the Corporation of National and past year, the highest increase since 2003 Community Service.

Gray said, “In general, during the economic downturn, people who are fortunate or have enough and are hurting 63.4 million for money or food feel the obligation to give back a little Americans volunteered more than before because the realization is there that not everyone has enough right now.”

61.8 million Another reason for this spike in volunteers is that Americans volunteered students are more aware of academic success and achievement according to Paige.

Paige said, “Doing community service or helping (the) underprivileged definitely gives students a better chance of getting into college.”

The switch to the distinguished graduate program from the former procedure of recognizing Giving time: Junior the valedictorian has also been an impact because Key Caroline Paige said she Club is one of the few organizations for which students chooses to donate her time can accumulate points for that program. and efforts to help those in need.

“Students are thinking more long-term and how they Paige said she enjoys volunteering want to portray themselves when they apply to colleges,” because it makes her feel good.

Gray said. “Doing service work is one of those positive things that makes students look well-rounded.”

U.S. Department of Labor / Source Also at this school there are many new volunteer Caroline Zhang / Graphic opportunities for students to take advantage of. The family connEr Gordon / photo illustration

By Claudia Huang chuang@hilite.org

Everybody Has a Story

J

By the numbers

Volunteer Time

2009

2008

Page 14 | Student section |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | dec. 13, 2010

STUDENT SECTION

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Danielle Yin and Andy Yang / Graphic

Page 16 | Cover story | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

It All ‘Ads’ Technological innovations contribute to prevalence of ads but reduce ability to truly connect to consumers

By Melinda Song

A

mong the top three on Time magazine’s list of best advertisements from Super Bowl XLIV is Snickers’ “Game.” This 30-second clip features Betty White, an 88-year-old actress, playing a game of tackle football.

For Kyle Lin, DECA team member and senior, this ad appeals to him because it uses a celebrity’s prominence to showcase a product in an original manner.

“First of all, one of the biggest appeals (in an ad) is somebody that I know, somebody that’s well-known, somebody that’s popular, somebody that comes out and would attract attention. Like if you see Obama on there, you’re going to pay attention to the ad whether or not you like it,” he said. “The second thing I look for in an ad, what makes it effective, is if they can find a way for a product, no matter what it is, to make it better than it actually seems, like to shed a new light on it.”

Experts have concluded that teens like Lin form an attractive audience to companies because they typically have more money available for leisurely spending compared to adults.

According to a 2007 CBS report, minors influenced

$150 billion in parental purchases. The report also cited that U.S. companies are willing to spend a collective $17 billion annually to advertise to this age group.

In the midst of the holiday season, companies boost their efforts to reach out to teenagers looking to shop for others, especially as the country emerges from the Great Recession.

According to the National Retail Federation, this past Black Friday raked in 212 million consumers, up from 195 million last year. Additionally, shoppers this year spent on average an additional $22.03 with 24 percent of these shoppers already outside stores before 4 a.m. Friday morning.

Younger consumers potentially contributed to this statistic. According to Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the North American market research firm NPD Group, teens this year are spending approximately 6 percent to 8 percent more than they did last year.

However, the way companies attract teenage consumers and how students decide what to purchase are changing as well.

Story continued on next page >>

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Cover story | page 17

Up

cassie dugan / photo

Page 18 | Cover story | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

<< Story continued from previous page According to Brad Bierwagen, who works for MediaSauce, a Carmel-based company that collaborates with businesses wishing to package and promote their product onto forms of popular media, the faster pace of technology, including heightened online and social-media activity, is the primary cause for this change.

Research based on activity from this year’s Thanksgiving weekend expresses this change. A report by Infegy, a social-media monitoring firm, cited that buzz surrounding Cyber Monday, known as the Monday following Black Friday, increased 2.5 times compared to 2009. President of Infegy Adam Coomes attributed this increase, in part, to heightened use of the Internet in advertising, namely through social-media activity.

“The technological advancements have provided an environment where it’s easier than ever to reach someone, but harder than ever to truly connect,” Bierwagen said via e-mail. “In other words, with all of the new forums, it’s easy to have a voice. But that means that more people are jockeying for the attention of the consumer.”

The Advertising Process

Lin said he realizes companies find it harder to “truly connect” to students in his age group.

“Advertising is so important now that it’s almost become, in my opinion, a little bit cliché,” Lin said. “So many people are doing advertising, so many people are focusing on it that cassie dugan / photos people don’t pay attention to it so much anymore. NinetyTest run: (Clockwise from top left) Senior Kyle Lin visits Best Buy to examine the discounted price of a Blu-Ray five percent of people who watch a TV show, including player; test out a TV with 3-D features; speak with an associate about an Xbox game; and compare the TVs that it myself. (By) commercial time? Next channel. Radio? Go somewhere else. Internet? Click ‘X’ on the browser.” offers. Lin said he takes time to research the quality and prices of products in order to make informed purchases.

In order to combat the negative effects of advertising’s boost in popularity, Bierwagen said advertisers must first about the group of people they wish to attract, Bierwagen However, the advertising study also concluded that the come up with clear messaging that “cuts through the said the next step is to package the product for consumers acceptance of online ads among teens is low, despite the clutter” and accomplishes two goals. to view. fact that 45 percent of teens characterize themselves as “An ad needs two things to be effective—to understand In 2009, Fuse Marketing and the University of “heavy users” of the Internet. the core pains or motivations of your audience and to Massachusetts Amherst conducted an advertising study on While Roddy said he acknowledges that certain ads quickly and clearly state the value of the product or service the most effective ways to reach teens. The top reasons they online are effective, one of the main reasons he said he in a way that will help to solve a core pain or motivation of gave for appealing ads included “people like me enjoying doesn’t like them is because they interrupt him while he the group you’re talking to,” he said. the product” and “humor.” surfs the web.

According to Bierwagen, companies attempt to connect Roddy said he falls into this statistic.

“As far as getting your product across, I think the most to their audience by conducting an “I like funny ads, actually. I like kind effective would be the ones before the YouTube videos, extensive amount of background of amusing ads, but they don’t have to but to me, I hate those,” Roddy said. “So I think the best research on that demographic. be really intricate. They can be simple, kinds of advertisements would be the ones like off to the “Marketers and advertisers spend a like the Apple ads. I like those a lot,” he side of the video, maybe, or the ones kind of down below great deal of energy trying to segment said. “I like ads that make you kind of the video. Something that does not interrupt what you’re The technological and understand different groups laugh ‘cause I think they leave a lasting trying to do.” advancements have of people,” Bierwagen said. “Once impression on you.” they have achieved some level of provided an environment The study also cited that the least The Purchasing Process segmentation, the hope is that they can effective ads were ones that attempted Yet effective ads alone do not solely spur an individual to where it’s easier than use messaging and content that is more to build a “personal connection” with make a purchase. According to Bierwagen, students in this ever to reach someone likely to appeal to an individual within the viewer.

For example, Focus on the generation are more sophisticated and sensitive in their but harder than ever a certain segment.”

Family’s “Celebrate Family, Celebrate understanding of advertising and marketing. to truly connect.

For example, if marketers were Life” from Super Bowl XLIV tries to do “Your generation understands and is more perceptive to target students in the high school so with a personal anti-abortion appeal of traditional advertising techniques than any before and Brad Bierwagen segment, Bierwagen said they could from the mother of Tim Tebow, football is more sensitive to advertisement. You understand the Business Department at MediaSauce do so by looking at conclusions that player and Heisman trophy winner. difference between an organization that makes wild claims have been made about “Millennials”— Lin, however, said he disagrees with it can’t back up and organizations that live who they say young adults and adults born between the generalization from this study. For they are,” he said. “You are enabled to do so more than 1980 and 2000. him, forming this personal connection previous generations because of the Internet.”

“Millennials tend to be visual processors more than with a salesperson is the most effective way he is swayed to In order to ensure that he is buying a product at its best other generations (are), so media that can take advantage purchase a product. value, Lin said he doesn’t rely on advertisements to give him of this can deliver a good message that is successful as “If you’re a salesperson, one of the biggest things you a comprehensive overview. Instead, he said he researches a well,” he said. need to know how to do is to have a personal connection product extensively before making a purchase.

Sophomore Brendan Roddy said he has been affected by with your clients, to have your clients get to know you,” Lin “Pretend I’m going to buy a computer or something. I this visual appeal. said. “You can’t just be like, ‘Hey, buy this product.’” mean, the first thing I have to do is look it up,” he said.

“You see Nike ads all the time, and those always get me Producers try to reach teens like Roddy and Lin in a “What is good about it? What kind of program do I want? thinking about any new tennis shoes that I want,” he said. variety of ways. According to Bierwagen, one medium that What kind of thing would work best? What would fit well?

Once companies have accumulated enough research has become increasingly popular is the Internet.

We have to think of space, we have to think of setup, we

‘‘

”

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Cover story | page 19 have to think of all that kind of stuff before we go out.

“Then we have to look at what stores provide the best prices,” Lin said. “Do you want to do it online? Do you want to do it in the stores? Then we go into the stores, wherever that may be, and then we look for the best prices, maybe we ask around the sales guys: What do you think is the best deal? What do you think most people have liked in the past? What fits our needs?

“Because the needs that fit us may not fit the general public because we may want to do different things, like on a computer, if you want to upload a certain system onto that—some computers may work better than others.”

According to Bierwagen, the fact that Millennials have grown up in the midst of economic recession will forever affect their behavior and mindset when it comes to making purchases. For Lin, he said one purpose he conducts so much research is for financial reasons.

“Because our family is the type of family that doesn’t spend wastefully, in my opinion, and my parents have always been really pushy about that, we spend a lot of time focusing before we make any purchase that’s, like, over a hundred bucks.”

Roddy, however, said research played a limited role when he decided to purchase his iPhone.

“I think probably word-of-mouth and the ads were really cool for (the iPhone), and it was revolutionary at the time, so all those things combined just kind of drove me,” he said. “And no other phone is kind of like it or is even being marketed like it was.”

Both Roddy and Lin said word-of-mouth is important in spreading the word about an item and being driven to purchase it. Bierwagen shares this opinion.

“Word-of-mouth is king. It was most important 50 and 10 years ago and is most important today,” he said.

According to Bierwagen, personal recommendations carry importance on three levels.

He said while word-of-mouth from friends or personal acquaintances is the most effective, testimony from celebrities or other well-known figures follows. Even word-of-mouth from a stranger is more trusted than an

organization’s own claims.

As for Lin, he said he has seen a personal element, especially in the form of well-known sports figures, in the ads that attract him.

“There has to be some kind of person there or some big attention-grabber, just like you have in a speech,” he said.

“If the ad starts off really boring, then, guess what? Nobody’s going to bother listening to it.”

Changes in advertisement spending Advertisement spending differences from 2009 to 2010 Television

Magazine

Newspaper

Internet

Radio

Outdoor

+10.0%

+1.6%

-3.0%

+5.3%

+6.3%

+2.8%

The Future of Advertising

Despite the fact that word-of-mouth still remains an important constant in marketing, advertising is guaranteed to undergo additional changes within the next decade.

“My guess is advertisements are going to be found in a new medium,” Lin said.

“They’re going to find a much more effective way to have advertisements (on the Internet) other than all of those pop-up ads because, honestly, we had a study in marketing; one percent of people open pop-up ads.”

In addition to finding more effective mediums, Bierwagen said advertising technology will undergo some interesting changes as well.

“We are already living in a world of screens. The lines between computers, TVs, and car GPS units will continue to blur,” he said. “The smartest people in technology are thinking less about how to make a faster processor and more about how we can interact with technology in simpler and easier ways. As that evolves, there will always be new tools for marketers to use or misuse.”

Even with the transformations anticipated to come, Bierwagen said one aspect of effective advertising will always remain unchanged.

“What will stay the same is the power of the core message,” he said. “The power of telling a good story, or providing great value.”

kantar media / source Danielle yin / Graphic

The Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials of 2010 The Best

The Worst

Bud Light

Snickers ‘Game’

‘Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life’

Denny’s

GoDaddy

E*Trade

‘Bud House’

‘Chicken Birthday’

‘News’

Focus on the Family

‘Tears’

Time.com / source

Tim Lu / Graphics

Page 20 | Entertainment | HiLite | hilite.org |dec. 13, 2010

Entertainment

Opening this weekend: • TRON: Legacy • How Do You Know • Yogi Bear

Upcoming concerts: • Dec. 19: NEEDTOBREATHE at the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

submitentertainment@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news

Purely Ornamental Deck the halls and keep little siblings and cousins entertained by creating these fun holiday decorations.

Compiled by Meredith Boyd and Lauren Burdick

All Aglow What you’ll need: • • • •

Burnt out light bulb Acrylic paints Rubbing alcohol Paint brushes

How-to: •

•

• •

Use the rubbing alcohol to clean off the light bulb so the paint will adhere to the surface of the bulb.

Paint the entire light bulb green and allow to dry; two coats may be necessary.

Sketch out details of the face lightly with a pencil.

Go over the sketch with paint.

Red-Nosed Fun What you’ll need: • • • • •

Three popsicle sticks Two googly eyes Glue Two brown pipe cleaners Small red pom-pom

How-to: •

•

• •

Place a dab of glue on the end of each popsicle stick and glue together in a triangle.

Glue the pom-pom on one of the corners of the triangle for the reindeer’s nose.

Glue on googly eyes.

Twist pipe cleaners on one side of the triangle for

antlers.

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Entertainment | PagE 21

Frosty Friend What you’ll need: • • • • • • •

Large popsicle stick Black and white paint Black pipe cleaner Scrap of fabric Two buttons Orange puffy paint Glue

How-to:

• Paint one third of the popsicle stick black for the snowman’s hat and the

rest white.

• Glue on the pipe cleaner

for the brim of the hat.

• Cut a strip of fabric and glue around center of the

popsicle stick for the scarf.

• Use the black paint for the snowman’s eyes and orange puffy paint for the nose.

• Glue on buttons.

A Twist on A Classic What you’ll need:

• A clear glass ornament • Two different acrylic paint colors

How-to: • •

•

Remove the top of the ornament.

Drip small amounts of paint into the ornament and twist the ornament to produce a swirling effect.

Continue this process, alternating between colors until the entire inside of the ornament is covered in paint.

Magical Holiday Memories What you’ll need: • • • • • • • •

No bake green clay Red puffy paint Glitter Piece of poster board Family photo Glue Red pipe cleaner Jewelry wire

How-to: •

• •

• •

Form a circle with a piece of green clay and insert wire loop, allow to dry.

Add red puffy paint and glitter.

Trace the shape of the wreath on a piece of paper, cut out and glue to the back.

Glue photo in the middle of the wreath.

Form a bow with the pipe cleaner and tie around wire loop. emily puterbaugh / photo Illustrations

Page 22 | Entertainment | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

Enjoy some rockin’ music this holiday season Henry Zhu reviews some classic and unusual holiday albums to get in the winter spirit

Pop

New Age

Folk

Mariah Carey’s ‘Merry Christmas’

Enya’s ‘And Winter Came...’

Beth Nielsen Chapman’s ‘Prism: The Human Family Songbook’

Perhaps the one modern holiday album that can be considered a classic is Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas,” which combines pop music with Christmas time classics. The popularity of “All I Want for Christmas is You” during the winter months is a testament to the diva’s knack for a catchy hook, but the other songs on the album aren’t too shabby. In the end, it is Mariah’s five-octave voice that breathes a bit of life to overdone classics. Anybody who looks back to the times when pop singers could actually sing without using auto-tune will appreciate “Merry Christmas.”

The content of most holiday CDs may not be the artist’s own compositions, but listeners expect a level of consistency between an artist’s regular and holiday albums. In this aspect, Enya’s “And Winter Came…” fits the bill perfectly—there is little else than the lyrics that are different from Enya’s previous albums. The Irish singer brings the same sense of otherworldliness to this CD as she does to her others. Those who are bored with the commercialized versions of Christmas carols that are everywhere these days will breathe a sigh of relief once they hear “And Winter Came…”

Rock

Classic

Jazz

Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s ‘The Christmas Attic’

Vince Guarauldi’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

Kenny G’s ‘Wishes: A Holiday Album’

With holiday CDs often considered a crass commercial move by much of the music world, few genuine rock artists even consider releasing such albums. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, in contrast, has recorded three best-selling Christmas discs. The secret to the band’s success lies in its reinterpretations of familiar old tunes and invention of new ones. All in all, one listen to “The Christmas Attic” and it may be hard ever adjusting back to the traditional carols.

No holiday is complete without a little nostalgia, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is bound to remind any listener of his childhood memories. Vince Guaraldi does a stunning job incorporating snippets of the iconic Peanuts’ melodies into classic Christmas hymns.

Even those who know nothing of Charlie Brown will be pleasantly surprised by the smooth yet jazzy feel to the instrumental pieces. The songs like “Linus and Lucy” and “Greensleeves” remind listeners why this album is cherished even 45 years after its release.

Beth Nielsen Chapman’s “Prism,” while not exactly a holiday album, is an intimate collection of songs from religious traditions all over the world. The album includes Chapman’s versions of everything from Tibetan chants to Puritan devotionals alongside some of her original compositions.

Chapman’s artistic ambitions and the CD’s remarkable diversity ultimately far outweigh its weaker spots—after all, how many artists have ever covered a Hebrew hymn and an African-American spiritual in the same album?

While the typical Christmas album involves the singer performing vocal gymnastics to wring every last ounce of emotion out of an overdone song, Kenny G’s ‘Wishes’ manages to convey the Christmas spirit without a single word. The man expresses more emotion in one note of his alto sax than many singers do in their entire careers, and one listen to “O Come All Ye Faithful” will explain how. Some things are better expressed without words, and “Wishes” is a perfect case in point.

Nothing to Fear

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Entertainment | PagE 23

Held

by Terror This issue, Katie Walstrom takes a look at Held by Terror Band members

Making Money

screaming vocals, Tyler Graf: drums, Ian Stewart: guitar, Drew Auscherman: bass

Genre

pay up from with my own money ($50 by the hour and $100 security deposit) I break even and pay the bands,” Graf said.

Sounds like

• “Andy writes lyrics and everyone writes

Prada, Amarna Reign

Follow them

•Ben Teter: guitar and vocals, Andy Martich:

• Progressive hard core

• “I find a venue, try to make them trust me,

Roles in the Band

• August Burns Red, Of Mice and Men, Devil wears

music for their own part,” Graf said.

Venues Played

• www.myspace.com/heldbyterror

• Houndstock, Smokey Row Poolhouse, Jewish

Community Center

Jenna Ruhayel / photos

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: (clockwise from the left) Graf, Stewart and Martich practice their set. According to Stewart, Held by Terror usually practices once a week in Stewart’s basement. The band plays once every one or two months.

Want to see your band here?

Each issue we profile a student band.

To nominate your band contact us at submitentertainment@hilite.org.

Featured next month: The Council

Page 24 | SPORTS |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | Dec. 13, 2O1O

SPORTS

submitsports@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news

Go online

For sports scores, updates, additional photos and more.

www.hilite.org

Women’s Varsity Basketball

• v. Kokomo tomorrow at 7:30 at home.

Men’s Varsity Basketball

• v. Fishers, 7:30 away on Fri.

Did you know?

Two girls tried out for the wrestling team this year, the first time ever in the history of the program.

With increase in try-out participation, wrestling team makes cuts for first time Coaches and players hope increased competition will lead to postseason success

By Charlie Browning cbrowning@hilite.org

T

his year members of the wrestling team won’t have to deal with the problem of bumping into one another throughout practice. This year, for the first time, the coaching staff was forced to make cuts in a sport that has traditionally been no-cut.

Head Coach John Kopnisky said he thought cutting kids was necessary but not necessarily something he was thrilled about.

“It wasn’t exactly something I wanted to do, but more something that I needed to do,” Kopnisky said. “If we had another wrestling room, I would be more than happy to keep it a no-cut sport.”

The reason for the cuts, according to Kopnisky, was a matter of logistics. This year there were about 80 kids who wanted to be part of the team, but the wrestling room cannot accommodate that many athletes.

“The room we have here is a pretty standard size,” Kopnisky said. “I’ve seen bigger and smaller rooms, but it’s a pretty adequate size for a typical high We will be able school. I think you see this to get more type of thing happening experience in with athletics in general at Carmel. Like the track practice. We team, for example, you will have more see the same thing. Their space, and coaches are pondering what we won’t be to do next about all the kids bumping into just like we were.” each other and The process of cutting wasting time. kids was a new idea for There just won’t everyone involved. The team went through about a be as many week and a half of practice distractions. before the coaching staff decided who to cut.

John Kopnisky Wrestling Head Coach “We basically just looked at their performance in the room, like how quickly they were picking up technique,” Kopnisky said. “It was just based on attendance and seeing if they were moving along how they needed to be moving along.”

Wrestler and senior Kevin Vanneman said he agrees with the need for cuts. Vanneman has been on the team for four years and said he has the seen the number of wrestlers coming out for the team increase, making cuts

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Audrey Courter / photo

Coaching time: Wrestling assistant coach Jeremy Stacy instructs a wrestler during the JV meet on Nov. 22 against Anderson, which was the team’s first match. The team won, and it hopes to build off of the victory. necessary this year. “(When it was no-cut), we would have too many people in the room at once, and it was too hard to practice,” Vanneman said. “It was kind of dangerous because we were always bumping into each other and stuff.”

Vanneman said that, although cutting kids was different this year, he thinks the decrease in numbers of kids could help them become a better team.

“I think (the smaller number of kids) could definitely help us be a better team,” he said.

“We will be able to get more experience in practice.

We will have more space, and we won’t be bumping into each other and wasting time. There just won’t be as many distractions.”

Wrestler and senior Ben Sommer, who has also wrestled for all four years of his high school career, said he agrees

Story continued on next page >>

Varsity Wrestlers By weight class • • • • • • • • • • • •

119: Sophomore Jake Leech 125: Senior Ben Sommer 130: Senior Patrick Parham 135: Senior Zack Rokop 140: Junior Cody Donahue 145: Senior Grant Scurria 152: Senior Kevin Vanneman 160: Senior Curtis Anderson 171: Senior James Frascella 189: Senior Brad Ellis 215: Senior Alex Corbin 285 (Heavyweight class): Senior Brock Hallet Kevin Vanneman / source

Dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | SPORTS | PagE 25

<< Story continued from previous page

team this year that is very experienced.

“We have a lot of good seniors and just a good with Vanneman that making cuts will help them become Senior Class in general,” Vanneman said. “Hopefully a better team. that will translate into us being a dominant force in the “Although it’s an individual sport, you wrestle with the (Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference).” same guys every day and how hard This Senior Class is Kopnisky’s they push you affects how much you first class that he has coached all the improve,” Sommer said. “Then you way through high school, and he said make cuts and all the kids who don’t he hopes that proves to be beneficial work hard and don’t make you better to the team.

We have 10 seniors on are kicked off.”

“There has been a long history of varsity this year out of 14 With the cuts out of the way, good wrestling coaches at Carmel spots which is amazing...

Sommer said he expects the High School,” Kopnisky said. “This a bunch of them either Senior Class to lead the team to an is my first Senior Class to go all the made it to State or Semioutstanding year. way through, and hopefully that State last year.

“We have 10 seniors on varsity continuity will prove to be beneficial this year out of 14 spots which is to them.”

Ben Sommer amazing,” Sommer said. “And a Vanneman said he agrees that Wrestler and Senior bunch of them either made it to State having the same coach for four or Semistate last year, which gives us straight years will help the team raise a ton of experience. We hope this their performance. experience turns into a good postseason run.”

“We have a good connection with him, and he The team finished second in its Sectional last year and knows how we work,” Vanneman said. “It makes us had a 16-4 record in dual meets. It also finished second in more comfortable and more likely to live up to his the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference. Vanneman, standards. This year we expect to make a good, deep though, said he expects bigger and better things from a run in the postseason.”

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Wrestling Schedule The varsity wrestling team will try to build on last year’s 11-4 record Regular Season •

•

•

•

•

•

•

Dec. 18 County Tournament begins at 8:30 a.m.

Dec. 28 Montgomery Invitational begins at 10 a.m. at North Montgomery Dec. 29 Montgomery Invitational begins at 9 a.m. at North Montgomery Jan. 5 match at North Central begins at 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 match at Avon begins at 9 a.m.

Jan. 11 v. Westfield at home begins at 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 at Ben Davis begins at 6:30 p.m.

Post Season

• Jan. 22 MIC Championship at Lawrence North begins at 8:30 a.m.

Carmelhighschool.net / source

FROM STAFF FromTHE the staff

James

Benedict

The fun of recreational sports. Belonging to teams that are coached for fun relieves stress and makes participation more enjoyable

non-competitive version of the sport for athletes to play.

I’ve never been a big fan of the NHL. I respect hockey Every Thursday night I play indoor lacrosse, and it as a sport but the NHL has never really done it for me. is some of the most fun I have all year. Both teams try However, there is one game that I make sure to watch: the their hardest and competition is certainly in the game, Winter Classic. Each New Years Day the NHL gives its fans but when all is said and done we shake hands and walk something special, an outdoor game, and each year the away knowing that the game did not game is better than the last. really matter.

While the games aren’t necessarily When I’m playing these games I’m not played better, the players definitely play playing for a spot on the team and I’m differently. They play like they did ten years not going blow the entire season if I mess earlier, just kids out on a frozen lake. up. I’m just playing lacrosse. This stress This is a lesson we can often forget The simple pleafree play has led to some of my favorite at Carmel: sports are just games. The sure of playing a moments in any sport I’ve played. prevailing attitude at Carmel is a pick-up game can If athletes want to get the most out of competitive one, where teams always push be missed in their sport they need to realize the value to be first. This attitude leads to Carmel Carmel. Sports of just playing. Baseball, one of America’s being one of the best schools in the country catch on for kids greatest pastimes, came to be by kids in which by no means is a bad thing, but it because they are alleys hitting a stick with a ball. can leave heavy stress on students.

Baseball spread out quickly to kids who Players need to make time to play a just plain fun. played a “sandlot” style of the game. In less constructed version of their sport. the movie Sandlot Benny Rodriguez tells Whether it is playing H.O.R.S.E. or Smalls, “Man, this is baseball. You gotta backyard football, pickup games can offer stop thinking. Just have fun.” some of the best experiences.

Athletes can spend too much time We started playing sports as kids thinking and worrying about their competition in their because they are just plain fun. Whether it’s playing or sport and not actually playing it. This sandlot style of watching them, sports are an interesting way for people baseball is quickly disappearing to a more rigid style in to spend their time. little league.

Of course one reason they’re so interesting is because Today it is not entirely uncommon to hear stories of of the competition and by no means should that aspect be coaches rigging their rosters with older kids just for the removed from athletics. However, there should also be a

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extra edge, when they should be more worried about making sure their legitimate kids learn the game.

It is inevitable that people will cheat to win. This unethical practice ruins the experience for many young athletes around the world. One of the most infamous story of all included Little League phenom pitcher Danny Almonte.

In 2001, Almonte led his team from the Bronx nicknamed the “Baby Bombers” to the Little League World Series. Almonte was the star of the team and seemed to be destined for great things, but it was later revealed that he was two years older than the rest of the players. This made him ineligible and forced the team to vacate all of its wins for that season.

When the coach from the “Baby Bombers” choose to play Almonte, not only did he wrong any team his team beat, he also wronged any pitcher behind Almonte. By cheating the pitchers behind Almonte did not gain the full experience they could of. They may of not been as dominating as Almonte but at least they would of played fairly.

Making everything a do or die situation is not the correct way of handling athletics. If the pressure to win is high enough you could find yourself compromising your ethics for a win. Competitive and constructive sports are in their rightful spot at the top of most athletes’ priority but sometimes you just gotta have some fun.

James Benedict is a reporter at the Hilite. Contact him at jbenedict@hilite.org

PAGE 26 | SPORTS |HILITE | HILITE.ORG | Dec. 13, 2010

Fueling the Fire

Swim team members adjust eating habits to enhance performance and supplies energy and nutrients for workouts.

Kim TenBrink, physical education department chairperson, said, “(What sorts of foods an athlete s they prepare for what they hope will be another should eat) depends on the athlete, but they need to successful season, the women’s swim team is make sure they get the right amounts of protein, fats and looking at different aspects of their game to work carbohydrates. They also need to hydrate themselves.” on in the upcoming season. In November, Head Coach TenBrink said a good example of how proper nutrition Chris Plumb had a nutritionist come in and talk to the is unique to each athlete is Olympic swimmer Michael team about healthy food choices and proper portion sizes.

Phelps. Phelps, who has collected 17 Olympic medals Alicia Deogracias, swim team member and senior, said thus far, consumes approximately 12,000 calories per day she thinks having the nutritionist come in was beneficial while he is in training. to having a healthy and successful team this year.

This is not because he simply loves to eat, but because “I think it is something we all should be educated he needs the energy since he burns so many calories on just because, with the amount during his workouts. According of physical activity that we put to NIFS, during an average swim ourselves through, it could be really practice that lasts an hour and 45 damaging, I guess, if you don’t eat minutes, an athlete would burn I think it is something we right,” Deogracias said. “You have to around 1,100 calories. all should be educated take care of yourself, and I think that TenBrink said it is important to knowing what’s better for you to be choose the right foods. She said, on just because, with the eating and what’s going to make you “The stuff that tastes good is usually amount of physical activity go faster is a good thing.” not that good for us. You just have that we put ourselves According to the National to eat a healthy balanced diet and through, it could really be Institute for Fitness and Sport that’s really hard to do. You just have damaging if you don’t eat (NIFS), although nutrition is to plan for it and I think in such a right. important for everyone, it plays a fast food society we just grab and we more significant role in sports. An don’t plan.”

Alicia Deogracias athlete without a proper diet or She also emphasized how eating the Swimmer and Senior a good body composition cannot wrong foods can affect performance. perform at the same level as another “(An effect of not making healthy who eats a healthy diet. Many student athletes today choices is) poor performance,” she said, “and you know it overlook elements such as body composition, healthy may not be poor performance right away, but eventually it’s ways to gain or lose weight and the ideal amount of going to catch up with them. If they don’t eat well and don’t calories needed. sleep well, it’s going to affect them.”

Plumb said, “I think proper nutrition plays a large role Deogracias said, “(On) the days that I don’t eat a whole in an athlete’s success and just their overall health and lot or don’t eat anything that has a lot of nutrients in it, it well-being. Eating a proper diet can help athletes recover definitely hurts a lot more after practice. But, also I’ll have faster, prevent illness and give them more energy.” days where I eat ice cream in the middle of the day and According to the NIFS, eating a nutritious diet also then go back and swim finals that night and still score a helps athletes decreases recovery time between workouts best time.”

Plumb said, “Swimmers have challenging and difficult schedules to manage, particularly on days with multiple and demanding practices on it. With this in mind, having proper nutrition is a must for a successful swimmer.”

Deogracias said she tends to drink water at practices Registered dietician Jeannie Gazzanigaand Gatorade during meets.

“During a meet there’s a lot more time when you’re Moloo describes an ideal meal plan for a sitting around waiting so Gatorade helps keeps sugar in swimmer on the day of a meet. you and helps keep you hydrated,” she said.

However, TenBrink said, “I would always suggest Eat this before an event water over anything. One thing that you really need to • Hot or cold whole grain cereal with fruit be concerned about when drinking an energy drink is and milk the amount of energy it has in it. My daughter (who is a • Toast with peanut butter and jam professional soccer player), for instance, can’t drink that.

• Smoothie made with yogurt, milk and fruit She drinks water. The sugar in those give her too much of • Whole grain bagel with light cream cheese a sugar spike.”

Plumb said although the coaches often talk to the team Eat this during an event about nutrition, it was nice to have a professional come in • Fresh fruit sliced, wedged, or whole and speak to the athletes.

• Crackers, pretzels, rice cakes When speaking about whether they would ask someone • Non-fat yogurt to come back in future years, Plumb said, “We will have to • Bagels and energy bars wait and see, but I am encouraged so far.”

By Alex Mackall amackall@hilite.org

A

The Swimmer’s Diet Four hours before meet...

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Eat Right

TeamUNify.Com / source

Two hours before meet...

One hour before meet...

Tim lu / graphic

Dec. 13, 2010 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | SPORTS | PAGE 27

FROM THE staff

Matt

Barnthouse

Major League Mess-up. Although Felix Hernandez won the AL Cy Young award, other pitchers were much more deserving

On Nov. 18, Major League Baseball announced that Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hérnandez had won the American League Cy Young award, the award that goes to the best pitcher in each league. I was furious. How could a player who only went 13-12 win the Cy Young award?

Hérnandez earned a run average was a league leading 2.27 ERA, but you can’t give a player a Cy Young award to someone who only won half the time. He may have played for the worst team in the American League, but that is no excuse for going 13-12. Take a look at the 2009 AL Cy Young winner, Zack Greinke. He played for the Kansas City Royals, one of the worst teams in the AL, and despite playing for an awful team, not only did he go 16-8, he also had a 2.16 earned run average. That right there justifies a Cy Young winner on a losing team.

The relatively new statistics system called Sabermetrics may have played a factor into the voters decision. The system is supposed to show how valuable a player is to their team.

Hérnandez led all pitchers in all the categories. Though Sabermetric statistics may prove valuable to a team, they should not factor into voting. The system is nothing more

than a novelty. The only things that should factor the votes deserving candidate for the award. He posted a remarkable are wins, earned run average, walks plus hits per inning 2.72 earned run average, while going 19-6 in the AL East, pitched (WHIP), strikeouts, and batting average. arguably the toughest division in baseball. Winning in the Giving the 2009 AL Cy Young award to Hérnandez is AL East is a remarkable accomplishment in itself. Going like giving the NFL MVP award to 19-6 is outright remarkable. David Tennessee Titans’ running back Chris Price should have won the Cy Young Johnson; although he may have run for award hands down.

2,000 yards last season, the Titans were Oakland Athletics pitcher Trevor How could a player who still a losing team. Peyton Manning Cahill had a much better season than only went 13-12 win the received the award because he not Hérnandez. He had an 18-8 record, Cy Young Award? only had amazing stats, but he also led and an earned run average of 2.97. He his team to a 14-2 record. I can name dominated batters in 2010, holding three pitchers more deserving of the those who faced him to a measly prestigious award. .220 batting average. His energy led a New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia deserves it for below average and losing Athletics to victory whenever he not only for having a 21-7 record, but also for only having took the mound, something Hérnandez failed to do. a 3.18 earned run average while pitching in the home Overall, I cannot blame the voters for voting for run haven of Yankee Stadium. Sabathia dominated the Hérnandez, as he was the underdog pick, but he in no way American League with great stats and an amazing record. played well enough to sport this prestigious award.

Hérnandez cannot say the same for himself.

Matt Barnthouse is a reporter for the HiLite. Contact Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price is also a far more him at mbarnthouse@hilite.org.

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Page 28 | perspectives | HiLite | hilite.org |DEC. 13, 2010

PERSPECTIVES submitperspectives@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news

Check out the blogs: For blogs and more, visit the HiLite website at www.hilite.org.

Staff Perspective

Students should re-evaluate personal meaning behind holiday season As the holiday season has progressed over most. As the weather outside becomes steadithe years, the way we view this time of year ly colder, and as it begins to snow, life for the has become increasingly materialistic. Though homeless and the impoverished becomes this is not a new occurrence, the National harder than it already is. With no shelter and Retail Federation (NRF) has predicted that food to help brave the cold, shelters and soup 2010 holiday sales will reach $447.1 billion kitchens become their only option. Donations this year, a $10 billion increase in spending to these institutions can save lives. from last year.

But perhaps more important than donatIn today’s world, it seems we have lost all ing to charity is spending time with family. sense of what the holidays are even about.

With winter break and no school, the holidays Christmas, for example, commemorates the provide the perfect opportunity to spend time birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of with family and friends. By focusing on family Christianity, and Hanukkah, The Holiday of traditions and doing activities together rather Lights, celebrates the victory by the Macabthan merely spending money on gifts, stubis over the Syrians and the rededication of dents can create not only a more enjoyable the Jerusalem Temple. So how have traditions holiday season, but also a closer family. that remember important Materialism tends to take times in religious history away from these aspects of turned into nothing more than the holiday season, but this opening stacks of presents? can change. By remembering The fact is that the holiwhat the holidays are truly days have become more and about, it is possible to leave Although during more commercialized. Instead the materialistic obsession the holidays of going to church, temple behind while still enjoying materialism often or synagogue to pray, many gifts. For example, students people now spend their time might consider giving gifts like overshadows the stripping various sized packtickets to a show or a sporttrue spirit of the ages of their wrappings to find ing event or even a motherwhat gifts they will enjoy in the daughter/father-son day. season, students coming year. Even ThanksgivThese options are enjoyable should take time ing has lost its true meaning; and they can also create lastwe think more about “Black ing memories. to reflect on Friday” and finding great barAnother option is to donate the traditions gains than being thankful for a percentage of what you how fortunate we are. buy to a certain charity, as that make their The holidays aren’t meant some stores like Borders and holiday memories to be only about presents Build-A-Bear Workshop allow and gifts. Rather, they should customers to do. Even better meaningful. be about the real values and than that option, however, traditions that make a difference in our lives, is donating time, as this contribution can not and students have the responsibility of carryonly satisfy the charitable aspect of the holiing these traditions on in the future. days, but also the family aspect as charitable Especially around Thanksgiving, giving back participation provides the opportunity to work to the community and donating to those less as a family. fortunate is a major aspect of the holidays.

So this holiday season, students should Unfortunately, charity and donations have sufremember the true meaning behind the holifered as a result of materialism as well as a days. Students can and should enjoy the mabad economy. While spending for holiday gifts terialistic aspects of the holidays, but, more has increased, the total charitable donation in than that, students should take time to apthe United States has decreased to $303.75 preciate the meaning behind those holidays. billion in 2009 from $315.08 billion in 2008, Spending time with loved ones and sharing according to the Giving USA Foundation. time and money with those in need are purIt is necessary to remember that this is suits that are far more lasting and far more in the time of year when needy people need the keeping with the spirit of the holiday season.

Our Stand

Have an opinion?

To be featured as a guest writer in the next issue, send your column to perspectives@hilite.org.

Speak Up

compiled by melinda song

What do you think is the true meaning of the holidays?

“I think it’s being with family, being around friends and getting to realize to not take anything for granted.”

Freshman Allyson Messer

“Where you get together with your family and you celebrate the holiday.”

Sophomore Nathalia Melo

“To get together with the family and hang out, Grandma and Grandpa. Eat some turkey, maybe some fruitcake.”

junior Blake Meyer

DEC. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | perspectives | Page 29

Graphic Perspective

From the Editor

Sara

Rogers So much stress. Money alone can’t fix American education. retaining it, rather than cramming everything in the night After more than twelve years in the school system, I can before a test only to forget it 48 hours later. Can I have that safely say that American education is a far cry from making education back? the grade.

As stress placed upon students escalates, educational As paradoxical as it may seem, the emphasis schools reform seems like a necessity. The problem, however, is far place on learning has decreased more and more the further from a simple fix. The academic system in America is built I’ve progressed in those schools. Instead of stressing the upon fostering competition and encouraging students importance of learning for students’ betterment, teachers, to push just a little harder or study just a little longer to parents and administrators instead drive home the one-up their classmates. I seriously doubt I am the only importance of getting a good education as a means of one who finds it difficult to function at top efficiency getting into college. when everyone else around me is frantically memorizing This is not to declare I have learned less throughout formulas, notes and vocabulary words. high school; my stacks of worksheets, notes, essays and With more emphasis placed on grades, cheating has multiple-choice tests suggest otherwise. As finals and escalated as well. According to a 2009 Rutgers study college application deadlines creep nearer, however, I have of 24,000 high school students, 95 become more aware of and concerned percent admitted to cheating, ranging with the overwhelming pressure placed from copying homework to copying on today’s students to earn high grade tests. The same study also declared that point averages rather than actually After over twelve when grades are on the line, students learning something for enjoyment. years in the system are more likely to perceive cheating as On Dec. 6, theaters began screening I can safely say that “acceptable and justifiable.”

“Race to Nowhere,” a documentary Another poll, conducted in 2004 focusing on the anxiety facing students American education is

by Gallup, asked students to describe in an increasingly fast-paced and a far cry from making how they felt in school in three words. competitive academia. The film’s the grade.

The most common word reported was main claim is that standards today “bored.” The second word was “tired.” encourage students to cram as much A boring and tiring environment is far into their brains as possible, stretching from motivating. themselves impossibly thin to appeal to those “higherHowever, as troubling as the poll result is, it doesn’t beings” who set the bar impossibly high. The taxing, really shock me. Of course, not every class at CHS is high-achieving precedent ends up eliminating almost all monotonous and tiresome. In fact, most of my classes in enjoyment from learning. the last three years have not been that way. While these I can attest to that claim. Just last month, CHS freshmen, classes are beneficial, the pressure, especially in more sophomores and juniors began planning and scheduling for challenging courses, is still very much present in the next year. During one of my classes, a student contemplated classroom. discontinuing two courses solely based on the fact that they Having said that, no single group is to blame. Teachers were worth only the non-weighted maximum of 4.0 rather stress knowing information for a test. Administrators than the full-weight 5.0. That reasoning is ludicrous. stress challenging oneself academically through a rigorous Students should take AP and honors classes because schedule. Colleges stress earning high marks through they are interested in the subject or want a challenge, not standardized testing and grades. Students stress competing to inflate their GPAs. While I disagree with this reasoning, against one another. Pressure pinpoints students from I understand this plight. every part of the spectrum, making it impossible to reverse The pressure to succeed and go to an esteemed university the deep-rooted tension among students in high school. follows me far beyond the constraints of the CHS building.

What “Race to Nowhere” tried to communicate is that At a football game this year, my friend introduced me to money can only do so much to reform schooling in the her friends from the opposing school.

United States. More so than a change in funding, a change While discussing our plans for next year, another girl in mind-set is imperative. To truly improve education, the mentioned that her top school choice was the same as mine. focus must shift back to learning.

Immediately, I was on edge. I started comparing myself to Every student should receive an education. Likewise, her, sizing up my competition in every way possible. every student should enjoy doing so. As a country we must That is not normal behavior. I’m sure many students don’t bring American education back to the forefront. While we automatically go on guard at the first sight of a challenger. are at it, let’s bring back recess, too.

But I’m also sure I’m not alone. I reminisce about those days when the fiercest school-related competition involved Sara Rogers is the editor-in-chief of the HiLite. Contact her foam dodgeballs in gym class. I remember when a student at srogers@hilite.org. could earn an “A” through learning the material and

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ALEx mackall / Art

From the staff

Read more of Adele’s column online at www.hilite.org

Adele

Zhou

What’s so bad about going digital? Technology is a step toward progress.

“People around the world interact in ways that would have been unthinkable in earlier years. Technology has made communication easier, faster and more reliable, which means there is more of it. What’s so bad about that?”

Page 30 | perspectives | HiLite | hilite.org |dec. 13, 2010

from the Staff

Lauren

Burdick

Beyond education. This school offers much more than classroom learning.

On Thursday, Dec. 2, I attended Holiday Spectacular, during which I saw the 10 choirs at this school surround the audience with talent and holiday cheer. The friends I went with smiled and laughed during the show, eagerly anticipating what Christmas carol or holiday anthem would be performed next. In fact, upon leaving the auditorium, I said to my friends, “That was really fun.” This sentence, no matter how simple it may be, held a lot of weight behind it.

I, like most students here, dread my alarm clock in the morning. I trudge from one class to another, counting down the minutes until that lovely bell at 3:05 p.m., whereupon I am thrust out into the real world of friends and “fun.” Upon closer inspection, however, my complaints are seemingly contradictory. Although the student body may go to school each day only begrudgingly, school is frequently where we choose to spend our free time, just as I did on Dec. 2.

Whether it is for a dance, sporting event, play or activity, I return at least once a weekend. During football season, many rarely leave, preferring the comfort of the stadium’s parking lot to the comfort of home. This sense of school pride should be embraced by all, rather than the current “get me out of here as soon as possible” mentality of most students. Those who attended both the Homecoming football game and the

dance spent over 12 hours at school between Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 this year.

Kids participating in Dance Marathon next semester will give up six hours of their Saturday night to come back to school, the place that we incessantly moan about. I am just as guilty of griping as others; most Blue Days seem like the longest seven hours and 15 minutes of my life and Fridays can never come soon enough. On the contrary, once that Friday bell rings, it is rarely the last time I set foot in the school door until Monday. It is only logical that students here welcome the countless opportunities that our administration, teachers and P.T.O. make available to us throughout the year.

Next year, as I enter college, everything will be different.

With the absence of bells indicating when school life ends and “regular life” resumes, school will be virtually inescapable.

I will live and breathe my school. My years in high school have been great preparation for those days, as school is as omnipresent in my life now as it will be in a year.

In college, everything will be focused around the school, from sporting events to charity programs and housing, my school will be unavoidable. These opportunities in college, however, are easily accepted by the student body. The same should be done here. Without spending our time in classes

that we deem dull and unnecessary, we would be unable to cheer on our Greyhounds every Friday night or go see a musical put on in our auditorium that rivals shows on Broadway. We cannot have it only one way. It would behoove all of us to walk into school each morning with a smile on our faces, knowing that without the time spent in the classroom, our lives would be much less exciting and fulfilling.

This isn’t to say students need to be 100 percent enthusiastic about every math class, because doing so would be nearly impossible. However, we must learn to accept all aspects of our school, not only the events we enjoy participating in on the weekends. Throughout my three and a half years as a Greyhound, I have been privy to great experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, all under the realm of “school activities.” As my senior year draws to a close, I look back on my time here and see that I have enjoyed all parts of my school. For those with time left to benefit from the countless opportunities at this school, put a smile on and walk through the halls knowing that your school does much more than teach.

Lauren Burdick is an entertainment editor for the HiLite.

Contact her at lburdick@hilite.org.

Graphic Perspective

daniel li / Art

dec. 13, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | perspectives | Page 31

From the editor

David

Zheng Legalization of marijuana should be higher on policy agenda nonviolent means underground, such as lobbying or I’ll admit. I used to be hesitant when it came to the topic of lawsuits, but usually have to be settled through violence. As legalizing marijuana.

Rosenthal predicts, prohibition of marijuana will eventually I knew only the traditional arguments against marijuana: be repealed, and policy makers will realize the only logical it served as a gateway to harder drugs; it led to ethical decline conclusion is to tax the potentially lucrative crop. in children; it might have even resulted in physical damage “Potentially lucrative” might even be an understatement. to its users. With the debate over marijuana legalization once Possible estimates for the cost of America’s annual again sparked (California’s Proposition 19 in the midterm marijuana crop range anywhere from $4 billion to elections and Time Magazine’s recent article “The United $25 billion. To summarize the many States of Amerijuana”), I realized how marijuana statistics, legalizing marijuana necessary the legalization of marijuana would save the government $7.7 billion truly is. a year on prohibition enforcement With the debate Our former editor in chief, Michelle expenditures. Prohibition also prevents Hu ’10, wrote a column about marijuana, over marijuana the government from taxing marijuana in which she lamented that our current legalization once in the first place, which would add society considered its legalization a again sparked billions to federal coffers for a variety of laughing matter. Without a doubt, we (California’s policy initiatives. have made much progress. In the recent Proposition 19 in the For example, Social Security payouts midterm elections, California voted on midterm elections will eventually exceed income, and the its Proposition 19, which would legalize and Time Magazine’s system will therefore become bankrupt. the recreational use of marijuana. And Taxing marijuana could be a potential California was not the only state to recent article “The remedy to this unfortunate dilemma. In deal with marijuana-related questions United States of the context of California alone, taxing – voters in South Dakota rejected the Amerijuana”), marijuana could have resulted in $1.4 legalization of medicinal marijuana, I realized how billion, which would have been beneficial although 14 other states have legalized necessary the to the state’s current financial crisis. it over the past 15 years. The majority of legalization of Although marijuana legalization voters in California rejected Proposition marijuana truly is. shows promise, it would be foolish 19, but it is still noteworthy that the to suggest that there are no negative idea of legalizing marijuana, not only ramifications. Despite marijuana’s for medicinal purposes, even surfaced relative lack of addictive qualities compared to alcohol and in the first place. This demonstrates the fact that a growing tobacco, it is still known to cause cognitive impairment and number of Americans are now realizing the war on drugs is it is linked to the arrival of schizophrenia and depression. essentially flawed.

Also, legalization will undoubtedly lead to an overall Policy makers should consider at least the decriminalization increase in marijuana use. of marijuana. Many Americans are unaware that marijuana Yet, the benefits still outweigh the costs. It seems, offenses result in prison terms. The truth is, however, that however, that politicians are the most unwilling to budge more people are incarcerated today for marijuana-related on the issue. Congressman Dan Burton once even said that crimes than ever before, and many such offenders are serving “we must educate our children about drugs and impose life sentences without a possibility of parole. It is completely tough new penalties on dealers,” shortly before his son was absurd to consider the fact that the society that we live in arrested while bringing eight pounds of marijuana from punishes someone who sells marijuana more severely than Texas to Indiana. someone who beats, rapes, or even murders another human But with the recent defeat of Proposition 19, advocates being. If marijuana were legalized, or even decriminalized, of marijuana legalization are stronger than ever. The police and court resources could be better directed toward campaign has a much wider base of supporters compared more dangerous crimes. with only two years ago, the media and the electorate In Eric Schlosser’s book, Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs, and are fiercely debating the issue and legalization advocates Cheap Labor in the American Black Market, marijuana guru in California are already working on Proposition 19’s Ed Rosenthal is quoted for saying “they’ve made (marijuana comeback plan for 2012. laws) so brittle and one day they’re going to break.” No matter We have already seen the repeal of prohibition once how many new prison cells are added to the system, people with the legalization of alcohol. are not going to stop growing, smoking or selling marijuana.

It’s about time for history to repeat itself.

Instead, the massive marijuana black market is only going to be fueled further, and the criminals behind this black market David Zheng is a managing editor for the HiLite. Contact will only gain more power. him at dzheng@hilite.org.

Disputes over marijuana cannot be resolved through

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Contact information Mailing Address: 520 E. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: (317) 846-7721, Ext. 7143 Website: www.hilite.org E-mail: Staff members of the HiLite may be contacted by using their first initial and their last name appending @hilite.org. For example, Sara Rogers will receive mail sent to srogers@hilite.org.

Responding to the HiLite Letters to the editor will be accepted for the Jan. 27 issue no later than Jan. 5. Letters may be submitted in Room C147, placed in the mailbox of Jim Streisel, e-mailed to letters@hilite.org or mailed to school.

All letters must be signed. Names will be published. (Letters sent via e-mail will be taken to a student’s SRT for him to sign.) Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited.

Purpose

The HiLite is a student publication distributed to students, faculty and staff of Carmel High School, with a press run of 4,500. Copies are distributed to every school in the Carmel Clay district as well as the Chamber of Commerce, city hall and the Carmel Clay Public Library. The paper serves as a public forum and two-way communication for both the school and the community. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of CHS nor the Carmel Clay system faculty, staff or administration.

Credentials

The HiLite belongs to the Indiana High School Press Association, Quill & Scroll and the National Scholastic Press Association.

Advertising

Businesses may advertise in the HiLite if their ads adhere to guidelines. The advertising policy is available in Room C147 or at www.hilite.org.

Staff Editor-in-Chief Sara Rogers Managing Editors Steven Chen

Mackenzie Madison

Rebecca Xu

David Zheng Accountant Pat O’Neill Acumen Monica Cheng

Ellie Seta 15 Minutes of Fame Yameen Hameed Artists Meredith Boyd

Daniel Li

Alex Mackall

Rebecca Xu Business Manager Patrick Bryant Beats/Calendar Rachel Boyd

Melinda Song

Victor Xu

Sarah Yun

Ryan Zukerman Cover Story Laura Peng Entertainment Lauren Burdick

Meredith Boyd Feature Afra Hussain

Caroline Zhang Front Page Arjuna Capulong

Daniel Li Graphics Daniel Li

Tim Lu

Danielle Yin News Tracy Sun

Nina Underman Perspectives Emma Neukam

Jade Schwarting Photography Arjuna Capulong

Lizzy Grubbs Special Projects Katie Norman

Darlene Pham

Jackson Whiteker

Sports

Stuart Jackson Reuben Warshawsky Student Section Shokhi Goel Web Steven Chen

Yusheng Zhu

Reporters Shayan Ahmad Nick Andrews Audrey Bailey Matt Barnthouse James Benedict Katie Bourgerie Rachel Boyd Hope Boyer Charlie Browning Marianna Cooper Audrey Courter Kathryn Dawson Eric Dick John Du Ryan Duffy Cassie Dugan Grayson Harbour Kendall Harshberger Blaine Herbst

Kush Joseph Julie Kippenbrock Lindsay Lehman Chris Li Ben Lu Natalie Maier Alex Mackall Amira Malcom Lauren Mugavin Dhruti Patel Thalib Razi Erum Rizvi Tony Tan Olivia Walker Katie Walstrom Jerry Xu Andy Yang Adele Zhou Henry Zhu

Photographers Kathleen Bertsch Katie Bougerie Gabrielle Bowers Brandon Candis

Conner Gordon Mary Brooke Johnson Emily Puterbaugh Jenna Ruhayel

Adviser Jim Streisel Principal John Williams Superintendent Jeff Swensson

Page 32 | 15 MINUTES | HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

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Model Student Sophomore Avery Briles is a signed model for the Helen Wells Agency

By TONY tan ttan@hilite.org What does a signed model do?

We sign a contract with the agency, which lasts one year, and you have to get pictures taken; (the contract) is called a comp card. You can be in commercials or ads, or people just pick you from the agency to do work for them.

Why did you start modeling?

I chose to start modeling because I love the fashion world, and I love everything it involves, especially just being part of the process of being in an ad. To be a good model, you have to be a good actress, too. You have to be able to convey emotions appropriately, so I’ve always thought that was really fun to do.

How much time does modeling take?

It depends – sometimes it will take all day. I was in the Art Institute (of Indianapolis) fashion show a few weeks ago, and I had to miss a whole day of school because we had two shows.

How do you prepare for fashion shows?

You always have to be practicing your walk. Different runways require different walks, like more of a steady, slow walk or a fast, upbeat walk.

What are the rewards that arise from those challenges?

Modeling pays really well. Once you get into it, you can get paid, like, $80 an hour just to be in an ad or something. And besides modeling, you meet a lot of interesting people. You meet make-up artists, hairstylists and beyond that, it’s just that the whole experience is amazing. Just the people you meet and being a part of the creative process.

arjuna capulong / photo

c a r m e l h i g h s c h o o l â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s n e w s m a g a z i n e s p e c i a l e d i t i o n | v o l . 7 | i s s u e 2 | D e c . 1 3 , 2 0 1 0

(acumen*) *the travel issue

fo re i g n exch an ge... pa ge 2 i n t e r n a t i on al tou r ism... pa ge 3 w o r l d tr avels... pa ge 4&5 l a s t m i n u te excu r sion s... pa ge 6 ro a d tr ip reel... pa ge 7 a s k t h e con tr ibu tor s... pa ge 8

Page 2 | acumen |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | DEC. 13, 2O1O

(acumen*) Contact information Mailing Address: 520 E. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: (317) 846-7721, Ext. 7143 Website: www.hilite.org E-mail: Staff members of the HiLite may be contacted by using their first initial and their last name appending @hilite.org. For example, Sara Rogers will receive mail sent to srogers@hilite.org.

Purpose Acumen is an occasional publication serving to supplement the HiLite.

Acumen is distributed to the students, faculty and staff of Carmel High School. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily representative of those held by CHS, the Carmel Clay system faculty, staff or administration.

Staff Editors

Reporters/Photographers

HiLite Editor in Chief HiLite Managing Editors

Principal Superintendent

Monica Cheng Ellie Seta Kathleen Bertsch Rachel Boyd Brandon Candis Shokhi Goel Conner Gordon Yameen Hameed Kendall Harshberger Chris Li Emily Puterbaugh Tony Tan Katie Walstrom Victor Xu Danielle Yin Henry Zhu Sara Rogers Steven Chen Mackenzie Madison Rebecca Xu David Zheng John Williams Jeff Swensson

In This Issue Dear readers, With winter break just around the corner, many students are planning to embark on a trip that will take them to various destinations around the country or even the world. But whether you are planning to visit the Eiffel Tower or intending to enjoy the winter season at home with family and friends, the next two weeks present great opportunities to travel, even if it is only a short, lastminute road trip.

In this issue, we take a look at how travel has impacted students’ lives and behavior. We hope that this issue will inspire you to venture outside of Carmel and broaden your horizons. Bon voyage!

Acumen editors Ellie Seta Monica Cheng

ARJUNA CAPULONG / COVER DESIGN AND PHOTO

Travel Spotlight Junior Casey Vaughn is selected to study in a South American country for next school year

Travel 101

By Rachel boyd rboyd@hilite.org

Go online to hilite.org While on a campus visit to Kenyon College, junior Casey Vaughn received news that she, along with junior Jackson For more information about exchange Whiteker, had been selected to study in a South American programs sponsored by Rotary Interact country next school year, as an ambassador with the Rotary and how you can start on your own Interact Exchange program. international experiences today.

“I was in this little building waiting to go on the campus tour when I got my email (from the program). I started freaking out and jumping up and down; I was so ecstatic. I safe. I found out that grown-ups I know went on exchange think I smiled for a week straight,” Vaughn said. when they were kids so that helped a lot in making us feel Although Vaughn does not find out which country in safe and secure about sending her. Then we talked with the South America she will be traveling to until late January, Rotary people and that made us feel even better. We’re very she said her top three choices are Argentina, Brazil and supportive of it now.”

Chile. During her exchange, she said, she will be attending As a first-time traveler to a foreign country, Vaughn school and learning about her chosen country’s culture, has prepared herself by talking to others that have among other things. participated in the Rotary Exchange, “You have three different host such as junior Olivia “Morgan” Duca, families, each one for about three to who went on exchange to Germany four months, and then you attend I started freaking out and last year, as well as foreign exchange regular school there,” Vaughn said. students who are studying in the jumping up and down; I “You can do any activities you want so if United States this year. was so ecstatic. I think I you like play a sport, you can play your “I feel like the only thing I’m worried smiled for a week straight. sport there, but you also meet the locals about is being homesick just because and do local cultural things. A lot of the you’re gone for so long and you don’t Casey Vaughn stuff is organized by the Rotary Club.” speak the language,” Vaughn said.

Junior After making the decision to be an “That’s probably the biggest challenge, exchange student in South America, but I feel like talking to other people Vaughn had to undergo an application process. that have been through it helps me to know that it’s going “You have to find a club to sponsor you, like I’m being to be okay. You also have a counselor there to help you get sponsored by the Carmel Rotary, and that means they’ll back through that stuff.” you up and sign papers for you and things like that, so that’s Although she has concerns, Vaughn said her one major step,” Vaughn said. “Then the rest is an interview excitement outweighs them. She said, “From every that’s an hour long so they can get a feel for you and see if they person I’ve talked to that has gone on exchange, I haven’t think you can handle an exchange and represent the rotary heard a single bad thing about it, so I’m really excited to well. That’s the main thing, and then the actual application have this amazing experience.” is just information like your name and address and things like that.”

Vaughn also had to write a detailed introductory letter in which she discussed information such as the activities she is involved in and the people she is friends with. Along with the letter, she had to send a letter of recommendation and pictures of herself.

Applying was not the only challenge Vaughn initially faced once she decided to pursue a foreign exchange program.

She said that by taking the initiative of looking up the program and filling out the application, she convinced her parents to consider the exchange.

Vaughn’s mother, Jamie Campbell said, “When she said she wanted to do it I was unsure because I didn’t really know about the program or anything like that. emily puterbaugh / photo We were taking it one step at a time, but the more we learned about the Rotary SIGNING IT OFF: Junior Casey Vaughn consults her mother as she fills out program, the more we saw that it was the Rotary Youth Exchange application. She will be living in a Spanishvery organized and she would be very speaking country next school year in a trip sponsored by Rotary Interact.

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DEC. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | acumen | PagE 3

Amount of travel to United States decreases while tourism in foreign countries continues to grow

By Chris Li and Yameen Hameed cli@hilite.org, yhameed@hilite.org

L

ike many other students here, junior Amy Whittle has family overseas. Ever since Whittle moved to the United States, her relatives have come to this country to visit her. Recently, however, the situation has changed “When we first moved to the United States, my grandparents, cousin and my godparents visited us, but no one has done so in about three years,” Whittle said.

Junior Jake Robinson shares a similar story. Most of his relatives live in Canada, but they only visit every so often. Robinson said they visit not only to see him and his nuclear family, but also because of the United States’ destinations for travel.

“There’s a lot to do with New York City and Disney World,” Robinson said. “A lot of world icons.”

This decrease of Robinson’s and Whittle’s extended family visits may be part of a trend. According to the U.S. Travel Association’s website, the number of foreign visits to the United States has been decreasing recently. Business teacher Jill Noel said that although people remain interested in America’s tourism aspects, money plays a large role in this shift.

“International prices have been rising,” Noel said. “The decrease in the number of airlines and seats available leads to

the airline ticket prices increasing.”

According to Noel, the global recession is also leading to a lower value for the American dollar, creating high expenses for those in foreign nations wishing to travel internationally.

Whittle said the money is one reason why her family doesn’t visit as often.

“It’s really expensive for (foreigners) to get here,” Whittle said. “For example, the airplane tickets can be about 500 pounds. And then for them to get here from the airport, it can be another couple hundred (pounds).”

Robinson shares a similar viewpoint.

“The world economy is down, and politically the United States may be getting a bad rap because of its presence in the Middle East,” Robinson said.

Furthermore, the fact that security measures have been increased may also play a role in this trend. According to Noel, body scanners are being used more frequently now than before. Some people are satisfied with the increased security measures, she said, but others regard them as undesirable.

“Drastically, there has been increased security for those coming into the U.S. There are a lot of pros and cons on body scanners,” Noel said. “For example, some say there are risks of radiation involved with the body scanners. In addition, foreign visitors may be uncomfortable with the patting down procedures that airports have adopted.”

When Whittle moved to the United States, she said she, too, experienced the hassles of going through airports.

“We originally had to (go through multiple procedures), but now we are green card holders so we can just go through what normal citizens do,” Whittle said.

Although a combination of all these factors may have led to the recent decline in international travel to the United States, conversely, international travel from the United States remains one of the nation’s leading exports. Robinson said he travels outside the United States every three or four years.

The immersion in foreign cultures and the multitude of experiences have been some of Robinson’s favorite aspects of international traveling.

“Just going to different countries where they speak a different language and eat different food (is) a change of pace from American culture,” Robinson said.

Robinson has been to Italy, France, England, Australia and Canada. Although he regularly goes to Canada to visit family, he went to the other countries primarily for sightseeing purposes.

“My mom wanted me to see Italy,” Robinson said. “She lived in England for two years and saw other parts of Europe while she was there.”

Robinson said he saw the Tower Bridge and Big Ben when he was in London. However, his favorite trip was to Australia, where he watched his sister compete in the Deaf Olympics for swimming. He also saw the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney and various areas along the eastern coast. But Robinson said he does not believe the famous landmarks themselves are the only reason to travel. “(Tourist sites) are a major motivation, but going out of the country is a different experience,” Robinson said. “It’s cool to say you’ve been to places and it gives you a unique cultural experience.”

According to Noel, money once again may play a role in why more Americans travel abroad.

“With the global recession, it would probably be cheaper to fly internationally than domestically,” Noel said. “A lot of places are lowering their costs to fly internationally and to stay in hotels.”

However, Noel said, many still believe the benefits of traveling outweigh the disadvantages.

“Although money can be an issue, people still want to experience what it’s like to travel internationally,” Noel said.

Travel by the numbers

$852

billion spent on international travel

#1

fastest growing economic sector in the world

1.6 7% billion expected tourists arrivals to the United States by 2020

Conne

r Gord

on / p

hoto

increase in international travel

unwto.org / source

Page 4 | Acumen| HiLite | hilite.org | dec. 13, 2010

Students travel world, o

Well-traveled teens share t with different cultures, languages a North America, junior Sahil Sanghani Junior Sahil Sanghani drove to Missisauga, Ontario to visit his family on his birthday and attend a party.

“It was small and with family, so it felt quaint.” Sanghani said.

“The travel was enjoyable: I read books, played my Game Boy, listened to music and watched the scenery on the way up, so I didn’t get bored.”

Since Sanghani was visiting part of his family, he said he didn’t really have the opportunity to notice any cultural differences. But from what he already knew about Canada, Sanghani said there wasn’t any aspects of culture that were significantly different from the United States.

“The urban areas are just like those in the United States. They have malls and normal stores, albeit with different names,” Sanghani said.

South America, senior Jeremy Weprich Senior Jeremy Weprich traveled to Argentina in the summer before his eighth grade year to visit his relatives in Buenos Aires. Weprich said he enjoyed immersing himself in the diverse cultures of the continent.

According to Weprich, some interesting aspects of Argentine culture were the kissing greetings, food, inclusive environment and flexible schedule.

“I surrendered myself to the culture and I really enjoyed it,” Weprich said. “Everyone down there is one big family; it’s one big party, that’s not an exaggeration at all.”

Weprich said he stayed with his uncle in the “Times Square” of Buenos Aires and was right in the vicinity of major attractions. However, he said he preferred just living as an average person in the city.

“I get a lot more out of staying at a different country just by living the way normal people there live, and eating at the restaurants where the neighbors actually eat, and going to the parks where people actually go with their families,” Weprich said.

Africa, sophomore Alexandra Lasbury

Sophomore Alexandra Lasbur to climb Mount Kilimanjaro i winter break. Lasbury said she for two weeks, and she would the first week of school back fro “(Climbing Mount Kilim always been a dream of my dad else in my family was up for cool, like an once-in-a-lifetime Lasbury said. “Once we finish (climbing the mou go on a three-day safari on the surrounding area.”

According to Lasbury, the plane ride to Af as long as 24 hours. “First, there’s a stop in Am another stop in Africa before we reach Arusha, Tanzania.” Lasbury said.

Extensive preparation is required for clim mountain, said Lasbury. “(I’ve done) a ton of running, to build up my c endurance and training to get powerful lungs,” La worry bit about altitude sickness, which is what get if they don’t prepare, so I want to make sure I w breathing problems.”

dec. 13, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | acumen | Page 5

one continent at a time

their firsthand experiences and sites while exploring the globe Europe, senior Kristin Sheetz Last summer, senior Kristin Sheetz traveled to Europe through the school’s annually sponsored Europe trip. She said the most interesting places she visited were London, Rome and Zermatt.

“My favorite activity there (was zip-lining on) the challenge course on the side of one of the Swiss Alps. It was really neat zip lining over the run off from the Swiss Alps, and it was a really unique experience,” Sheetz said.

“Overall, I was really surprised about how well-maintained the place was,” Sheetz said. “(The Swiss seem to) take pride in being clean.”

ry is planning in Africa over e will be there d have to miss om break. manjaro) has d’s, but no one it. It sounded e opportunity,” untain), we will .” frica could be msterdam, then the capital of

mbing such a

cardiovascular asbury said. “I t some people won’t have any

South Asia, freshman Kinza Abbas Freshman Kinza Abbas travels to Pakistan frequently with her family. She last visited the country two years ago to attend her uncle’s wedding, and she traveled to Karachi , Islamabad and Lahore.

She said the most interesting part of her stay was experiencing the culture. Vendors and stores lined the dirt streets of Karachi.

“I got to see a lot of different clothing styles,” Abbas said. “I got to hear a lot of different languages.”

In the capital Islamabad, Abbas toured the Parliament House. She said, “In Islamabad, everything is lush, clean and expensive. They want tourists, when they come here, to see this as Pakistan.”

East Asia, junior Chao Ji Over the past summer, junior Chao Ji traveled to China, her home country. The cities she visited were Beijing, Tianjin and Shanxi. She said the main purpose of the trip was just to have fun during summer vacation and to see relatives.

“The most interesting part of the trip (was) probably when we went and saw the Bird’s Nest, where the Olympics were held, and when we climbed a mountain,” Ji said.

Among the cultural differences between China and the United States, the food and method of transportation were most defined to Ji. “A lot of people (in China) walk to places, instead of driving, because the places are so close.”

Ji said. “People there also honk a lot. The food is very different than from the United States.”

Australia, sophomore Aaron Clark In middle school, sophomore Aaron Clark and his family visited Sydney, Australia, for two weeks. He said the visit was expensive but well worth its price.

“My dad had a doctor’s convention there, so he decided to bring the entire family with (him),” Clark said.

As part of his visit, Clark said he traveled to several areas in Sydney, including a nearby beach, the scenic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Zoo. He said he and his siblings were intrigued by the indigenous animals at the zoo. Clark said the highlight of his trip was a tour of the Sydney Opera House.

“We basically toured the entire opera house,” Clark said. “We didn’t actually go inside to the place where they held the plays themselves because they were preparing for the Pirates of Penzance or something, which my parents went to see later on. (The tour guides) told us interesting facts about the architecture, the steps and its history.”

Compiled by Tony Tan and Victor Xu Danielle Yin / graphic

Page 6 | Acumen | hilite | HiLite.org | DEC. 13, 2010

Local excursions offer holiday fun

A

lthough family vacations are traditionally planned far in advance, it does not always have to be that way. According to a survey conducted by the YPartnership/Harrison group, a marketing research organization, about three in 10 Americans took lastminute trips last year, a statistic that is rising. Even more, one out of every four of these Americans took trips to nearby destinations, avoiding extensive travel. If your family doesn’t have the time or money to plan a large trip this winter break, or if you’re just lazy procrastinators, try some of these nearby holiday excursions. Compiled

by Kendall Harshberger

Santa Claus, IN With a name itself a tribute to the big guy, this town in southern Indiana is a popular holiday destination, especially for those with younger siblings.

According to the website of Roadside America, an online guide to sightseeing in the United States, one of the attractions these tourists often visit includes the Santa Claus Museum, where visitors can learn the history of this town.

One of the more famous items in this museum is the typewriter used to answer countless letters to Santa in the early 1900s. Another place to take a look at is Santa’s Candy Castle, the oldest attraction in the town. It closed in the 1970s but was restored and reopened in 2006. The castle includes a museum, a candy shop with the world’s largest selection of candy canes, over two dozen flavors of hot chocolate and, of course, Santa Claus himself. Other attractions to note include the Drippy Snowman mini-golf course and the oldest Santa Claus statue, built in 1935. Santa Claus is the best choice for those who have younger siblings in town and would like a more leisurely day-trip.

Where to go: Santa Claus Museum Where to eat: Santa’s Candy Castle Time: about three hours Distance: about 200 miles

Chicago, IL For those families seeking some out-of-state holiday fun, Chicago is a viable option, as there are numerous activities that would satisfy a tourist’s every holiday need. The traditional German Christkindland market, Chicago’s largest open-air market and full of holiday foods and activities, is open in Daley’s Plaza until Dec. 24. Also, the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier is open through Jan. 2. This indoor holiday festival, containing over 170,000 square feet, provides a plethora of holiday attractions such as rides, live entertainment and ice skating. For those who aren’t the festival type, many plays such as the classic “A Christmas Carol” are going on throughout the city at both the amateur and professional level for the duration of the season. Other traditional activities are available, also, like ice skating in Millennium Park, going to Santa’s House in Daley’s Plaza or just perusing the holiday sales downtown. Chicago is a day-trip away, with many options for families with a variety of interests.

Where to go: Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier Where to eat: German Christkinland market Time: about three hours Distance: about 180 miles

Paoli, IN Paoli Peaks is the place to go in Paoli for the more adventurous families. The resort offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding hills in Indiana, with difficulty levels ranging from the easiest (mainly family and beginner trails) to the most challenging (for those more experienced rider).

Also, there are lessons offered in both skiing and snowboarding in Paoli’s Ski/Board School. For those who aren’t exactly in touch with their sense of balance, the resort also offers Arctic Blast Snow Tubing. Paoli’s website boasts slopes over 700-feet long with 400-foot long Wonder-Carpet strips to ease your climb back up the hill. Paoli Peaks does have a ski lodge for daytime needs only and does not have night accommodations available; however, there are over 1,000 hotel rooms within a halfhour drive. Overall, Paoli is a great place for families interested in an active, sport-driven trip.

Where to go: Paoli’s Ski Resort Time: about two hours Winter activities: Skiing, snow boarding Distance: about 100 miles and snow tubing

Ft. Wayne, IN For those looking for a way to literally brighten up the holiday season the best place to visit is Ft. Wayne. With several light displays throughout the city, it is not hard to get into the holiday spirit. From Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, you can view the wonderful light displays at the Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park. This holiday attraction has over 75 light displays and plenty of holiday activities.

The cost for admission is $5 per car or $25 for the bus or trolley. While in Ft. Wayne you should also check out the Festival of Trees at the Embassy Theatre. The cost for admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under.

Where to go: Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park While in town: Drive through downtown Ft. Wayne for various holiday activities and events Time: about two hours Distance: about 120 miles

Brandon Candis / photo ILLUSTRATION

DEC. 13, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | acumen | PagE 7

Best road trip movies

These cinematic adventures provide viewer amusement without the cost of travel By katie walstrom kwalstrom@hilite.org

‘Rain Man’

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This film is a heartfelt story about a young man, Charlie Babbit (Tom Cruise), who finds out he has an autistic older brother Raymond, (Dustin Hoffman) who was sent to an institution when he was only a boy. Their fathers’ will left everything to Raymond.

Out of anger and jealousy, Charlie kidnaps Raymond as a threat to get the $3 million inheritance, arguing that Raymond wouldn’t know the difference. But during their long journey, Charlie connects with Raymond and changes from a selfish, angry man to an understanding and loving brother. The plot of this film is original and entertaining, and full of life and energy. I found myself laughing out loud from Raymond’s quirks and Charlie’s irritation toward them. The ending was very moving and shows viewers a different side of both Charlie and Raymond. However, the reason for Charlie kidnapping Raymond in the first place wasn’t quite clear the first time I watched it. There should’ve been more emphasis on why Charlie was taking him back to Los Angeles with him. This movie is rated R for a sexual scene and for language, but because it exhibits learning patience, understanding and love, it has a great moral story within it.

‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’

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The Griswolds, a family of four, travel cross-country to reach the Wally World theme park for a family vacation.

Their journey is filled with hilariously unfortunate events and obstacles that drive father Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) insane. His wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and two teenage kids Audrey (Dana Barron) and Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) put up with their father’s scarily upbeat attitude for three days until they finally reach Wally World, where Clark really loses his mind. This film is filled with classic, comedic actors such as Eugene Levy, John Candy, Randy Quaid, Brian Doyle-Murray and Jane Krakowski. This is a timeless comedy; even if the up-and-coming generations don’t know who any of these famous comedy actors are, this film will always be funny. People can relate to a long, irritating car ride with their family. Hopefully, though, their road trips don’t consists of Clark’s constant blunders and brushes with the law. This movie is rated R for brief nudity, language, and one scene with drugs. So even though this movie is about family, it’s not exactly a familyfriendly film. It is definitely worth seeing, nevertheless. I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen this movie; it truly is a classic.

‘Little Miss Sunshine’

Another family film, “Little Miss Sunshine” will tug at the hearts of every viewer. This dysfunctional family consists of the mother, Sheryl Hoover (Toni Collette), father, Richard Hoover (Greg Kinnear), their teenage son, Dwayne (Paul Dano), their young daughter, Olive (Abigail Breslin), Sheryl’s brother, Frank (Steve Carell) and Grandpa (Alan Arkin). Grandpa is a heroin addict. Frank is a homosexual who recently tried to commit suicide after his boyfriend left him. Dwayne has committed to a vow of silence as a follower of the philosopher Nietzsche and won’t speak until he’s an Air Force pilot. Richard is an over-critical father and the head of a self-help program and Sheryl is just trying to keep her family from falling apart. Little Olive, the somewhat forgotten member of the family, has the opportunity to compete in a children’s beauty pageant called Little Miss Sunshine, and her mother rounds up the whole family to drive her cross-country in their yellow Volkswagen bus so she can compete. Their journey is filled with hilarious obstacles and run-ins with the law. This film has the perfect balance of comedy and drama. However, the language, drug use and the raunchy dance Olive performs for the talent portion of the competition (choreographed by her Grandpa) don’t allow this movie to be a familyfriendly film, which is really unfortunate because it has a great message of self-worth and originality.

impawards.com / photos

Page 8 | acumen |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | DEC. 13, 2O1O

Ask the Contributors Acumen staff members of this issue share the most shocking thing they’ve learned from their travels within the country and abroad

“Wal-Mart is everywhere! It doesn’t matter what part of the country or even what country you’re in; Wal-Mart is almost always within reasonable distance.”

Junior Rachel Boyd, reporter

“Hailstones are unusually bouncy. If you’re caught in a hailstorm, it isn’t wise to keep your face close to the ground.”

Sophomore Tony Tan, reporter

“There are crazy tourists everywhere you go in the world. It’s as though they follow you from place to place. It’s weird.”

“Travelers are crazy! Was it really necessary for the lady in Rome to push me over just to be first in line at the gelato stand? Really?”

Senior Brandon Candis, photographer

Sophomore Kathleen Bertsch, photographer

“Nothing in my travels has shocked me more than seeing old men in inappropriate beach attire. Please, make the world a better place.

Trade in the Speedo for some trunks.”

Junior Kendall Harshberger, reporter

“Godzilla has stopped destroying Tokyo.”

Junior Yameen Hameed, 15 Minutes of Fame editor Shokhi Goel and Henry Zhu / photos