5.24 Best of May Issue

CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 85, NO. 10 BEST OF MAY 2021

INTO THE

DARKNESS HIL TE

Students, teacher remember encounters with paranormal activity, discuss personal beliefs regarding realm of paranormal activity

PAGE 22 | SAM HAWKINS, KIERSTEN RIEDFORD

TABLE OF CONTENTS JUST A MINUTE

FEATURE

4 GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL

12 UNEMPLOYMENT LINE

20 HUMANS OF CHS 21 TALK THE TALK

14 SOCIETY OF DIVERSITY

COVER

Learn about 25-year-old Pokémon franchise

NEWS 6 NEWS BRIEFS 7 CLUB SPOTLIGHT 8 DEVELOPING DIVERSITY 9 FREE FOOD 10 REC RENOVATIONS

Carmel Clay Parks to accept land donation

A year after George Floyd’s murder, students, administrator discuss progress, diversity at CHS

16 SUPERMOM

STUDENT SECTION 18 SWIMMINGLY SAFE

22 OUT OF THIS REALM

Students recall paranormal experiences, consider belief in paranormal activity

ENTERTAINMENT 28 PERFORMING LIVE

Students, staff talk about water safety

Accents members reflect on performance at Palladium, importance of live performances

19 SKY HIGH

30 PICTURE IT!

CAFETERIA COSTS Cafeteria worker Rola Al Zureikat prepares a side salad a la carte meal option. CHS will continue their free meal plan for students during the 2021-22 school year.

See page 9 for full story.

CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTO

Contact information: Mailing Address: 520 E. Main St. Carmel IN 46032 Phone: (317) 846 7221 Ext. 7143 Website: www.hilite.org Email: Staff members may be contacted by using their first initial and their last name appending @hilite.org The HiLite is a student publication distributed to students, faculty and staff of Carmel High School temporarily published online only due to COVID-19 via Issuu at issuu.com/ hilite. This issue is a collection of select content published online in May 2021, as indicated on each story. 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 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/ads-info.

Editor in Chief

Cover

Rhea Acharya

Kiersten Riedford

Tessa Collinson Josie Cruzan Calina He Lillian He Sarah Kim Gray Martens Grace Xu Wendy Zhu

Valliei Chandrakumar Shruthi Ravichandran

Edward Dong Riley TerBush

Chloe Sun

Managing Editors

Front/TOC/JAM News

Entertainment Sports

Aniket Biswal Daniel Kim

Perspectives Sowmya Chundi Leah Tan

15 Minutes Litebox Ray Mo

Cady Armstrong Christian Ledbetter

Web

Sam Hawkins Sarah Zheng

Jim Streisel

Feature

Ads Team

Maddie Kosc

Student Section

Christian Ledbetter

Adviser

Principal

Thomas Harmas

Superintendent Michael Beresford

Emily Sandy

SPORTS

40 EAT CONSCIOUSLY

32 TOUR DE FORCE

41 MASKS UP

34 SHE’S THE COACH 36 EXCEPTIONAL ACES

42 BALANCING WORK

37 MORE THAN A GAME

15 MINUTES

PERSPECTIVES

44 KENDAMA KID

Q&A with cyclist Griffin Raduchel

38 VAX TO THE MAX 39 FRIENDS...FOREVER? Growing out of high school friendships is normal

@hilitenews

43 A PERFECT EXAM? @hilitenews

Responding to the HiLite: Letters to the editor will be accepted for the Best of August issue no later than July 1. Letters may be submitted to Room C147 placed in the mailbox of Jim Streisel, emailed to management2122@hilite. org or mailed to the school. All letters must be signed. Names will be published. (Letters sent via email will be taken to a student’s SRT for them to sign). Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited.

Corrections and clarifications: None.

The HiLite strives to correct its errors. If you notice any inaccuracies in this or past issues, please contact management2122@hilite.org.

Q&A with junior Charlie Schuman on playing, doing tricks with kendama

@HiLiteOnline

CLARE DIERCKMAN, RILEY TERBUSH, ELISE VARHAN RONT COVER PHOTO, ILLUSTRATION

JUST A MINUTE

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL In honor of 2021’s year-long 25th Pokémon anniversary, learn more about franchise This graphic was originally published online on May 20, 2021

EDWARD DONG, NATHAN HUANG GRAPHIC BULBAPEDIA, GAMERANT, IGN, THE POKÉMON COMPANY, VOX SOURCES

GAME STRUCTURE

PIKACHU

All Pokémon games have a similar structure

Mouse Pokémon

#025

CATCH POKÉMON

Catch wild Pokémon with Pokéballs

BATTLE! TRAIN POKÉMON

Increase strength through battles

DEFEAT GYMS

DEFEAT VILLIANS

Battle and clear gyms to advance in the game

An organization misusing Pokémon to take over the world

Pokédex number

TYPE: Electric HEIGHT: 1’ 04” WEIGHT: 13.2 lbs ABILITY: Static (contact may cause paralysis) WEAK AGAINST: Ground type

EVOLUTION

CHALLENGE POKÉMON LEAGUE

PICHU

The hardest opponents in the game, accessible only after gyms and villians defeated

TYPE MATCHUPS Each Pokémon has one or two types

FLETCHLING

Type: FIRE

FLYING

PIKACHU

18

Pokémon types in total

Each move is assigned 1 type Ember FIRE

PP 25/25

RAICHU

Effective against BUG

STEEL

GRASS

ICE

HISTORY OF POKÉMON Learn about evolution of games, its consoles Game Boy

1996 Red and Green The first Pokémon games are released in Japan

Game Boy Color

2001 Red and Blue released in the U.S. and globally

Gold and Silver First sequel, takes place in a new Johto region

Nintendo DS

Game Boy Advance

2006

Ruby and Sapphire Adds double battles, typebased abilities

Diamond and Pearl Adds capability to battle other players over Wi-Fi

CELEBRATIONS

HILITE.ORG

See how celebrations are spread throughout the year

MCDONALD’S HAPPY MEALS

POKÉMON Scheduled for MUSICAL Oct. 16, 2021, ALBUM the album will

2021

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Brillant Diamond and Pokémon Snap Shining Pearl A sequel to the hit 1999 game that tasks players Long-awaited remakes to photograph Pokémon in to Diamond and Pearl, a safari-style adventure first released on the DS

NEW GAMES ANNOUNCED

Learn about the, real-world Pokémon game, which celebrates 5 years this summer

Pokémon GO gyms are real-world locations where opposing teams can battle. Each gym can have up to six Pokémon defending it

2022

Q1

PokéStops, typically located near buildings, allow players to gain items like Pokéballs. They also can help lure and catch Pokémon

Pokémon Legends: Arceus A new concept game based on exploration in a massive open world

Three new games were announced for release on Nintendo Switch

THE TRADING GAME Learn about the popular trading game spinoff

SETUP

PLAY

Set 6 cards aside as prize cards; draw 7 to use as active or on the bench

Players take turns attacking the active enemy Pokémon

WIN Win by taking your opponent’s prize cards or eliminating all their Pokémon

Active cards Prize cards

Bench

30.4 BILLION cards sold worldwide

$360 THOUSAND

KEY POKÉMON GO LOCATIONS NEAR CHS Legend:

highest bid for the most expensive Pokémon card, a Blastoise

9

THOUSAND different cards in circulation in America

2011

Carmel High School

Nintendo Switch

2016 X and Y Improved 3D visuals and added new Fairy type

PokéStop

E. Main St

Nintendo 3DS

Black and White Features graphics and sound improvements

Pokémon Gym

S. Range Lane

If a Pokémon is knocked out, the attacker wins a prize card

The rustling of leaves or tall grass signals the potential presence of Pokémon, where they can spawn.

N. Range Lane

Bench

Prize cards

POKÉMON GO

include artists like Post Malone, Katy Perry, and J. Balvin

Earlier this year, McDonald’s Happy Meals included three limited edition Pokémon trading cards inside

05

Sun and Moon Set in Alola, a Hawaii-inspired region

2021 Sword and Shield Adds Wild Area, an open-world region for exploration

NEWS

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

NEWS BRIEFS CADY ARMSTRONG BRIEFS

May 13 & 14

GKOM Connection Sessions

News Briefs were originally published on May 10, 2021

May 26

CCS District Last Day Of School

May 27

Graduation Day 2021

Aug. 1-8

Aug. 3 & 4

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MAY 2021

May 28

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GKOM Kick Off Sessions

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Aug. 12

Aug. 19

Aug. 5 & 6

CCS First Day of School

National Aviation Day 2021

National Events

National Memorial Day 2021

2

CCRC College Boot Camp

School Events

May 31

GradFest & Prom Event 2021

1

CHS 2021-22 Year Registration

Key

AUGUST 2021

BY THE NUMBER

88 days of instruction in the first semester for 2021-22 year

Aug. 25

CCS August Late Start 2021

PAINT THE DAY AWAY:

Nyle Nasir, tech crew member and junior, works on a set for the CHS production of Mamma Mia. The performing arts department hosted the musical from May 6-8 in the Dale E. Graham Auditorium.

OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTO

HILITE.ORG

07

CLUB SPOTLIGHT Q&A with United Education Club student leaders OLIVIA STOCK Q&AS

These Q&As were originally published online on May 20, 2021

Q&A

KATHRYN HARTUNG SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kathryn Hartung, United Education president and sophomore Why was the United Education Club started?

We started it because we saw a gap in inequalities between privileged and unprivileged kids and we wanted to try to unite it. Also, my mom is an elementary school teacher in a school in Indianapolis and she really saw the need and I became aware of it and I thought it was just a great idea to help both us and them.

What kind of students do you think would be interested in the United Education Club?

Honestly, everyone, but especially people who want to go into the educational field or work with kids in general would be interested. They can join our Remind and then also they can come in to our sessions that we offer after school every other Monday.

CHILD’S PLAY: Sophomores Florence Hargitt,

United Education president (left), Shrivardhan (Shri) Atluri (middle), and Kathryn Hartung, United Education president (right), discuss possible future ideas and plans for the United Education Club. Hartung said the club will meet on May 14 for an end-of-year celebration at Pleasant Run Elementary school.

OLIVIA STOCK PHOTO

Q&A

What events does United Education Club have planned for the rest of the year?

We (meet) virtually on Monday, every other Monday.

Currently, we have one last volunteering session that’s like our big finale so we’re going to go in and have a little party with the kids (on) May 14.

FLORENCE HARGITT SUBMITTED PHOTO

Florence Hargitt, United Education president and sophomore What is the United Education Club?

We grew up in a school system that was amazing and we were provided with everything we needed. So, I just wanted to give other kids the same resources that we had so I created United Education club with my friend.

Why do you think students get involved with United Education club?

I think students should get involved with United Education because it’s basically giving back what you received all your life. Being in the club I’ve really felt more gratitude for the life that I’ve had, especially in the Carmel Clay Schools system because I feel like I’m helping other kids have the same opportunities that I had and it’s a really great feeling to share the experiences that I had growing up...Basically, we provide a safe place for students to grow either academically (or) socially in ways that they might not have been able to without us.

08

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

DEVELOPING DIVERSITY Carmel Clay Schools offers optional diversity training for staff, parents ZAINAB IDREES STORY

T

CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTO

his district is offering

diversity training sessions for staff. These training sessions are optional and focus on different topics such as microaggressions, equity and allyship. Due to COVID-19 concerns, all of the training sessions are virtual.

Superintendent Michael Beresford said that the district aims to be more inclusive of students.

Terri Roberts-Leonard, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) officer leads these efforts. She said via email, “The series for staff is the Excellence in Equity series which is a workshop series designed for employees to provide opportunities to learn, dialogue, and develop important diversity, equity, and inclusion skills as well as to provide resources for use in everyday work.”

Zyrah Arulogun, member of Black Student Alliance, said she believes this is a step in the right direction.

She said, “It’s only the first step.

There’s more that needs to happen, but I am glad the DEI officer is there (to provide these training sessions).”

Beresford said the training was planned in response to questions in the community.

Beresford said, “We had a lot of questions in how we could better engage our kids and we circled around to equity and inclusion

SPEAK-UP!

HANDS UP: Zyrah Arulogun, junior and member of Black Student Alliance (BSA), raises her hand to ask the police officers a question at a BSA meeting on May 13. Arulogun said that while the diversity training sessions are a step in the right direction, there is still more to be done.

work, making sure (students) felt comfortable in class and felt that they had a voice in class.”

Roberts-Leonard will continue to have staff training sessions over the summer. Due to COVID-19 concerns, all of the training sessions have been virtual.

Roberts-Leonard also hosts a variety of other training sessions, some of which include caregiver listening sessions. These are sessions in which members of the community are provided the opportunity to share their firsthand experiences within the district.

BY THE NUMBERS

2 DEI training sessions for staff

1 DEI training sessions for community members CCS SOURCE

Do you think DEI training should be required for staff?

“I do not think that the training should be required for staff because it is sort of common sense. People should not be excluded because they are different and everyone knows that.

If a teacher discriminates against a student because of equity and diversity they should be fired.”

Freshman Josh Bruns

She said, “Overall our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives are parts of our efforts to help create inclusive and identity safe learning environments for all students.”

Beresford said, “We want our teachers and our staff to be highly trained, so that we aren’t missing something. The picture that every kid feels included, every kid is treated equally. And I think this is the pathway to get there.”

Roberts-Leonard said that despite some concerns from the community, it has been welcomed.

She said, “The concerns expressed are not in line with the things that we do and our approach to DEI work. I think if individuals were aware of that then most of their concerns would no longer be there.”

Roberts-Leonard said she believes it is important for all people to be properly informed.

She said, “It is important for people to know that they should inquire to Dr. Beresford or myself if they have questions. There is a ton of misinformation out there. We only have the best interest of our students and staff in mind. We value diversity of thought and opinion but it is best when brought forth in a respectful H and constructive manner.”

This story was originally published online on May 16, 2021 EVA GLAZIER SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

“This training should be required for staff because it is exceedingly important that staff knows how to interact respectfully and properly.

With training, there will be less room for uncomfortable situations which may leave both staff and students open to getting hurt.”

Sophomore Meggie Iyer

FREE FOOD CCS district to continue offering free lunches for 2021-2022 year These Q&As were originally published online on May 15, 2021

PREP TIME: Cafeteria Worker Debbie Brown prepares a vegetable a la carte food choice. The CCS district will continue with the free meal plan for all students for the 2021-22 school year.

CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTO

Q&A

DARSHINI SHANKAR Q&A

Holly Huepenbecker-Hull, Food Service Manager HOLLY HUEPENBECKER-HULL SUBMITTED PHOTO

How will Carmel Clay Schools continue to offer free meals for students next year?

(The free meal plan) is going to continue the same as it was this year. Since the beginning of the school year, all the meals for all students are free, as long as they take a full reimbursable lunch.

A full reimbursable lunch is (an) entree, a fruit or veggie, and they can take a milk. So they can take two fruits, two veggies and a milk if they want to, but as long as they take an entree and a fruit or veggie it’s considered a reimbursable lunch. A la carte items such as cookies, chips (and) drinks still (cost) extra.

How many students are currently using the free meal plan?

WASHIN’ AWAY: Cafeteria Worker Marcella Ford washes a cucumber. The CCS district will continue offering free meals next year due to the USDA relief project giving it the funding to keep the program going.

CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTO

Today, (on April 30), in the main cafeteria, we (gave) 572 full lunches and that doesn’t include a la carte items. So comparing (that to) the past, on a big day last year was more like about 1200. Granted we have half the kids right now because of the hybrid schedule so we’re expecting that to go up next year but it’s definitely less than it has been in the past. But with all the kids back next year we’re hoping that it really goes up.

10

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

REC RENOVATIONS Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation accepts land donation, renovates parks CHENYAO LIU STORY

plans to use this land for a new park named after Thomas Marcucilli, the late father-in-law of the land donor.

According to Klitzing, Carmel Utilities will develop two wellheads and a pipeline for the future park.

“Carmel Utilities has committed to developing the wellhead structures as observatory stations overlooking the park’s natural areas,” Klitzing said. “The route of the pipeline will be developed as a trail, providing an opportunity for the public to experience and use the park before formal development by CCPR.” CCPR is also working with the Clay Township Impact Program to improve the community with a focus on parks and public safety. According to the Clay Township Impact Program, the Clay Township Trustee and CCPR Board are working together to provide vital services to the community and serve the residents of

PARK RENOVATIONS Take a look at which parks in Carmel are undergoing renovations

BY THE NUMBERS

6 parks to be renovated CCPR Reimaginating Parks initiative

$30 MILLION

funding recieved by CCPR

15 parks managed by the CCPR CCPR SOURCE

this township. They plan on adding a large pavilion to Coxhall Gardens, constructing an indoor fieldhouse at Mark Badger Memorial Park and expanding the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden and Monon Greenway.

As part of the program, CCPR is also renovating current parks as a part of their Reimagining Parks initiative. According to Klitzing, CCPR received nearly $30 million for parkrelated improvements throughout the community. With the funding, CCPR is updating seven existing parks to make them safer, more accessible and available year-round.

“As part of our 2020 to 2024 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, we developed a life cycle asset management plan, which included condition assessments of all parks, facilities, and amenities within the park system,” Klitzing said. “The life cycle plan also projected when Key: CHS

Cool Creek Park

Undergoing renovations Recently renovated

146th St.

Upcoming renovations

RILEY TERBUSH GRAPHIC CARMEL CLAY PARKS AND RECREATION SOURCE

Cherry Tree Park

Meadowlark Park Closed until 2022

CHS

Lawrence W. Inlow Park

Flowing Well Park

Coxhall Gardens Closed until 2021 Summer

Main St.

River Road Park

126th St.

Harrison Park

West Park

No renovations

Carey Grove Park

The Waterpark

Founders Park

Central Park US 31

Westermeier Commons Playground and Splashpad

Central Dog Park

River Heritage Park

Hazel Landing Park

I 69

A

ccording to michael Klitzing, Executive Director of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR), the CCPR Board voted to accept a donation of 63 acres of land to build a park near the southwest corner of 146th Street and River Road.

“While the Park Board formally accepted (the) donation of 63 acres for the future (park) at the April meeting CCPR does not yet own the property,” said Klitzing. “Before (the) title will be transferred to CCPR, we are completing an Environmental Study to validate there are no contaminants on the property that could be harmful to future visitors. We anticipate taking title to the property before the end of October.”

The site primarily consists of open meadows and has approximately four acres of woods along its western boundary. Klitzing explained CCPR

Each of the parks, once renovated will be like (as if it was) new, creating opportunities for residents to experience (the park’s) new and improved features.

CCPR DIRECTOR MICHAEL KLITZING Carmel Parks would need to make major repairs or (replacements) of the amenities within the parks. The current renovations are based on (these) recommendations.”

Carey Grove Park was the first park to be reimagined. The park began redesign in 2019 and reopened on Jan. 8. The neighborhood park now features a redesigned playground, yearround bathrooms, permanent outdoor exercise equipment, resurfaced trails and picnic shelters.

In a press release, CCPR Assistant Director Kurtis Baumgartner said even though Carey Grove Park was the smallest park receiving updates under the Reimagining Parks initiative, it received the most feedback from Carmel residents.

“Carey Grove Park is located in the middle of several neighborhoods, so it receives a lot of traffic from surrounding families, and they’re invested in the park’s future,” Baumgartner said. “What we’re aiming to do with all of these Reimagining Parks projects is create spaces people want to continually visit to make memories that will last a lifetime.”

Flowing Well Park, located at 5100

SPEAK-UP!

E. 116th Street, also recently reopened from renovations on April 30.

The upgrades to Flowing Well Park include the restabilization of Cool Creek’s banks, accessible restrooms, expansion of the parking lot and updated signage and trails.

“One of our core values is ‘planning for the future’, and we want to invest in our land and amenities so that they are here for years to come,” Baumgartner said. “Our Reimagining Parks initiative allowed us to invest in this park to manage the land and ensure we provide quality habitat for our wildlife as well as quality experiences for our park visitors.”

According to Klitzing, one park currently undergoing development is West Park at 2700 W 116th Street. He said CCPR is anticipating renovations to be completed in December. According to the CCPR Board, the main entrance, lagoon boardwalks and original parking lot will remain closed until the project is completed. However, the Jill Perelman Pavilion entrance has been built and will remain open, providing access to the new playground and northern trail system.

“The renovations were inspired by input we received from students at West Clay and College Wood Elementary Schools, which are located adjacent to the park,” Klitzing said.

“This project will also provide (an) expanded parking lot to accommodate demand and a new connecting road between the original portion of the park and the new Groves section.”

Evelyn Evie Taller, junior and Girl Scout, said she is excited for the renovations to be completed.

“I think that the renovations are a good thing because a lot of the (park) playgrounds are starting to show some wear and tear,” Taller said. “I think it’s a good idea (CCPR is reno-

BUILDING BRIDGES:

Flowing Well Park is known for its historic artesian well and nature trail crossing Cool Creek. The park recently blocked off multiple areas after planting new greenery as part of its “habitat restoration” project. This included planting live stakes of Buttonbush, Sandbar Willow and Silky Dogwood by the banks of the Cool Creek Park.

MADDIE MISTERKA PHOTO

vating) because they’re making playgrounds safer for kids, and also some of the new ones are really cool.”

As a Girl Scout, Taller also said she believes it would be good to add more natural aspects like trees to the new donated land and current parks.

“I do wish they would put more trees in…convert some of the parks to more nature with walking trails,” Taller said. “To add on, with the Girl Scout perspective, I think it would be nice to have some more nature areas because there’s several badges that focus on nature stuff and it would be good, especially for younger girl troops, to be able to do it somewhere close to home instead of having to drive for a while with a bunch of elementary schoolers.”

Klitzing said, “Each of the parks, once renovated will be like new, creating new opportunities for resiH dents to experience.”

This story was originally published online on May 20, 2021

What do you think of the Carmel Parks renovation projects?

ZAINAB IDREES SPEAK-UPS, SUBMITTED PHOTOS

“They are doing a great thing. Many changes are because the parks are reaching their functional life span or because they’re aiming to improve the accessibility for people with disabilities.”

Junior Marianne Cadio

“I feel that the renovations in the Carmel parks will be a positive thing to make it more enjoyable for people to look at. They will be able to see the new activities and playsets, all benefiting the community.”

Junior Sophia Gilliam

FEATURE

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

UNEMPLOYMENT LINE CHS students share how pandemic has shaped views on employment RAGHAV SRIRAM STORY

A

LEAH TAN PHOTO

midst the pandemic,

junior Grace Sullivan laces up in her personal protective equipment before departing for work.

“I work at the Carmel Senior Living Center so each time I go to work I need to make sure I am wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) so I don’t happen to infect any of the elderly individuals,” Sullivan said. “It’s been challenging helping seniors with their day-to-day activities while maintaining social distancing and proper health protocols and there’s been times where a senior gets infected and you simply cannot do anything but blame yourself for it.”

Sullivan is not the only one to have noticed changes on her perceptions of work and the work en-

vironment. According to the Pew Research Center, a net 2.4 million women and 1.8 million men left the labor force between February 2020 and February 2021 in the United States, accounting for almost a 3% increase in unemployment between now and the start of the pandemic.

Patti Peaper, Student Services Administrative Assistant, said, “The pandemic has really discouraged students from actively finding places of work which is not necessarily a bad thing as it ensures their safety.

With that said, there are many students who do want a job and can’t find one as businesses have been more cautious in hiring in general.

So I find that a great disservice as it causes many students to be unable

42 Read a column on balancing work and school RE(CREW)T:

A Mike’s Crew Carwash representative waits for students to arrive at her station during the CHS job fair. The job fair was an opportunity for students to find work while in high school.

to acquire valuable work experience at a young age.”

According to senior Abby Jones, the virtual-only school plan presented her an opportunity that she could not resist.

“I chose the virtual-only plan this school year as it allowed me to work a lot more hours at my two jobs than if I had chosen the hybrid schedule,” Jones said. “By being virtual-only I can work at my jobs during normal school hours and overall my work schedule and school schedule has just become a lot more flexible which is something I really enjoy.”

Sophomore Aeneas Hoffman said that the pandemic has made him look a lot more fondly at his job.

HILITE.ORG

LOOKING FOR WORK Take a look at teen unemployment from spring 2020 to spring 2021 30 % Unemployment

He said, “It’s definitely made me a lot more thankful for the job I have (at McAlister’s Deli). I’m grateful I still have this opportunity to go to work each day because I know a lot of people don’t have the same privilege because of this pandemic.”

Jones said she agrees and added, “In some ways this pandemic has helped me out and provided me an opportunity I would definitely not have otherwise,” she said. “I can go into my first year of college confident that I will have the financial assets to support myself.”

Sullivan said, “I used to work at Carmel Senior Living as a way to earn money while doing something I find meaningful, but the pandemic has kind of changed that in the sense that money has became a lot less important to me. A lot of seniors at the center I work at don’t have anyone aside from friends residing within the center, and if they do they have had extremely limited access to them, as friends and family not residing within the center must schedule appointments and cannot stay for extended periods of time.

13

Unemployment: percentage of people actively looking for work but unable to find it

25 20

TRADING ECONOMICS SOURCE SAM HAWKINS GRAPHIC

15

April 2020

This makes my work all the more impactful as I have the power to brighten up these seniors and make their lives easier each day,” Sullivan said. “Working at a senior living center has really made me consider a career in caregiving or nursing and I am beyond thankful to continue still working amidst the pandemic.”

According to the Carmel High School twitter page, the CHS job

Month

BY THE NUMBERS

46.7% of people aged 1624 were employed in July 2020

57.3%

WORKING FROM HOME Take a look at 3 online jobs for teens and their average pay SAM HAWKINS, KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR GRAPHIC

INDEED SOURCE

1. Merchandiser Make and sell homemade goods or sell used items you no longer want

Avg. pay: $12.78/hr

2. Creative Freelancer Complete tasks and projects such as writing and voice work

Avg. pay: $796/wk

3. Tutor Help others in subjects you’ve mastered in half-hour video sessions

Avg. pay: $21.43/hr

of people aged 16-24 were in the workforce in July 2020, down from the same time in 2019

7%

of workers in the United States could work from home prior to the COVID-19 pandemic WEFORUM, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SOURCES

March 2021

fair allowed students to meet with representatives from Dunkin’, Kona Ice, and the Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation from May 3 to 4.

Sophomore Nico Jagelka said, “I think that this was a great event Carmel High School decided to hold because for students, like myself, who are looking for places to work over the summer and maybe even during the school year, to view a gallery of potential summer employment opportunities and find and pursue the one’s that interests them the most.”

“I really hope students were able to utilize an unique opportunity like (the job fair),” Peaper said.

“Working at a job sometime during your highschool tenure is going to teach such important life skills such as communication, teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving, and responsibility which will prove extremely valuable in the long-run when they choose a defined career path. So I would tell students that although it may be difficult and that is going to take up a lot of time, working a job as a highschooler will provide experiences you would have not had otherwise and is overall a great way to invest H in your future.”

This story was originally published online on May 16, 2020

14

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

SOCIETY OF DIVERSITY A year after murder of George Floyd, student leaders, administrator discuss cultural awareness progress at CHS TSION DANIEL STORY

L

CHENYAO LIU PHOTOS

ast year, a meeting with

Dr. Harmas took place on Sept. 24 regarding diversity and equity at CHS in light of the murder of the George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Now, after about a year since the murder of George Floyd and with the recent Derek Chauvin trial guilty verdict, Brandon Anderson, co-president of African History and Culture Awareness Club acknowledges there has been greater awareness of racism.

“Like since that time last year, I think that the progress we have made is mostly evident (in) the societal awareness of racism. But, I think this can slip away because we’ve seen similar things to this in like, the 1990s, with Rodney King, and as recently as 2013, (with) Freddie Gray,” Anderson said. “And I think that this cultural awareness that we have right now, can very easily slip away. And given I feel like that’s the main progress that we’ve made, I don’t think that we’ve really done a lot legally, to change the situation. I feel like there has been progress, but that it can be undone very easily.”

Additionally, Remi Shirayanagi, president-elect of Advancement of Asians Americans in the Arts and Athletics (A5) and junior, said Car-

DID YOU KNOW? Although many different schools across the nation have had their own Black Student Alliance organizations for decades, the National Black Student Alliance group first began hosting discussions in August 2020.

NBSA SOURCE

mel should continue to raise awareness about diversity issues.

“I think that we can first raise awareness to the problem to realize that it’s happening. For example, I think there was a vigil on (April 28) to raise awareness about anti AsianAmerican hate, which I think is a great step in order to recognize those injustices,” Shirayanagi said.

“But on an individual level, we need to recognize those biases as well and recognize injustices and racism in general, in order to combat it on a smaller scale, because we can’t all have passed big pieces of legislation in order to improve the lives of people of color, and other minorities. So I think that’s the best way to do it so far.”

COMMUNITY CALLS: Elijah Choi, co-founder of Advancement of Asian Americans in Arts and Athletics (A5) and senior, speaks at a gathering by the City of Carmel on April 28.

SPEAKING TO SUPPORT: Quanbo Xiong, president of Indianapolis Chinese Community Center Inc. (ICCCI), speaks at a gathering in support of Asian Americans on April 28. The gathering was hosted by the City of Carmel.

Monday night for discussion, the list of texts that we are proposing to adopt for next school year in our English courses. So the way the school board works, they have it for discussion at one meeting and then at the next meeting, they’ll vote on it,” Piehl said. “So it would be voted on hopefully in the main meeting. And I think when that happens, we’ll see some new titles included in our curriculum next year with a wider representation of diverse authors, diverse characters and diversity, not just in terms of race, but gender, age, you know, ability, all different kinds of things.”

In addition to this plan, the school hired CCS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer Terri Roberts-Leonard this January.

However, at the school board meeting on April 26, there was a debate about the role of the DEI officer.

Shirayanagi explained the importance of this position.

“I feel like the benefits are obvious and I don’t understand why other people can’t also see the benefits as well. For example, we know that Carmel is majority white, I think about 70% of the population

When we say something is wrong, do not just shut it away... listen to them (and) create outlets for us to talk.

SELAM WACLAWIK, BSA CO-FOUNDER AND SENIOR With regards to improvements in the school environment as a whole, the administration announced at the aforementioned meeting this past fall that they were in the works of their three year plan-one of continuous improvement, with regards to social and emotional learning and diversity and equity. According to Assistant Principal Valerie Piehl, there has been significant progress in the school’s plan to embed diversity into the school’s curriculum including the English department, the world language department and the social studies department. “(The selection of texts) just went to the school board meeting

ACCOUNTABILITY Take a look at the timeline of the George Floyd case

BY THE NUMBERS

23% of people in the United States are minority populations

13%

of people in the United States are foreign-born US CENSUS BUREAU SOURCE

Scan this to read a story about racism awareness

APR. 20, 2021 Trial of Derek MAR. 30, 2O21 Chauvin begins

CNN, NEW YORK TIMES SOURCES SAM HAWKINS GRAPHIC

MAY 25, 2020

George Floyd dies after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneels on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds

APR. 21, 2O21

is white,” Shirayanagi said. “So although that’s true, I think it’s more even more of a reason that we need to encourage diversity and encourage our students or that 30% of that minority population of the students to become more included in the student body, and to be more included in the Carmel culture and the Carmel community.”

According to a 2016 Pew Research Center study, only 19% of teachers in traditional public schools are nonwhite as well as only 31% in cities.

Elizabeth “Selam” Waclawik, Black Student Alliance (BSA) cofounder and senior, one of the students who organized the meeting with Dr. Harmas on Sept. 24 of last year, said there are other ways that the school can work to make a more diverse environment.

“Definitely listening to their students of color (is an important step),” Selam said. “When we say something is wrong, do not just shut it away, hide it away or whatever, listen to them (and) create outlets for us to talk.”

Moreover, Anderson said the student body should take part in making CHS more diverse.

“I understand how it can be hard to see discrimination, when it doesn’t necessarily affect you,” Anderson said. “But that, nonetheless, you still should be open to understanding how discrimination does continue to affect certain kids in H the high school.”

This story was originally published online on May 25, 2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin convicted of all charges relating to Floyd’s death.

FBI announces investigation into Minneapolis PD

16

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

SUPERMOM In light of Mother’s Day on May 9, students, teacher consider parenting, working through pandemic KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR STORY

RUCHI PRAKASH, BRAEDEN WHITE SUBMITTED PHOTOS

F

or freshman braeden White, the morning of Mother’s Day dawned the same way it has for many years before: with breakfast of citrus pancakes for his mother in bed and a necklace as a present.

However, White also said the pandemic this year has not been forgiving to his mom, Amy White-Meadows, who works at Eli Lilly and had to take on major responsibility for childcare as well.

Many working moms seem to be in the same boat as WhiteMeadows. According to a survey by the University of Pennsylvania, women have taken the major brunt of household responsibilities as well as handling work obligations. The survey said mothers had increased their work at home by fifty-five percent, and among all of the couples that were surveyed, seventy-nine percent of the women were primarily responsible for household duties, increasing the strain on mothers throughout the pandemic.

Similarly, Allison Hargrove, Social Studies teacher and mother of two, said working through the pandemic

has been stressful for her. Hargrove said it was overwhelming to take care of her children, who had school full time, while also teaching her students to help them with their AP exams.

Hargrove said in the past, her family celebrated Mother’s Day by inviting her mother and mother-in-law to her house and having the men in the family cook for them. She said she was sad that the celebration could not happen this year due to the pandemic.

Junior Sneha Srivatsa also said times have been stressful for her mother, Sowmya Srivatsa, during the pandemic.

GENDER GAP

Freshman Braeden White (left) along with his brother, freshman Brooks White (right) and his mother, Amy White-Meadows (middle-right) went to their grandparent’s house for a family dinner on May 2.

JOSHIKA SATHYAMATHAN GRAPHIC

Check out the change in the workforce of men and women with children in 2020

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SOURCE

Men with children experienced an overall decline of -1.79%

0

Percent Points

FAMILY DINNER:

-1 -2 -3

Women with children experienced an overall decline of -3.18%

-4 Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun Months

Jul

Aug

Sep

“My mom is an extrovert, completely unlike me. For her, this past year has been difficult because she hasn’t seen many friends in a while, and her parents were supposed to visit us but couldn’t due to the pandemic,” she said.

Junior Ruchi Prakash said she agrees. She said her mother, Nila Bangalore, was very stressed out during the beginning of the pandemic as she is a doctor and worries for her relatives, many of whom live in India.

In addition to these worries, Hargrove said finding a work-life balance has been difficult to manage.

Hargrove said, “I felt very conflicted (while working from home). I wanted to help (my children) with their school work, but at the same time, knew my 120+ students needed me to continue to be entirely devoted to my job.

Thankfully, my son, Sawyer, was a major help to his younger sister. It meant a lot to me that he was so willing to assist her during this time.”

Prakash said she tried to help alleviate her mother’s stress by helping her out wherever she could, listening to her concerns and cracking jokes to make the mood feel lighter.

HILITE.ORG

I felt very conflicted (while working from home). I...knew my 120+ students needed me to...be entirely devoted to my job.

ALLISON HARGROVE Prakash, who usually celebrates Mother’s Day by giving her mother a card and taking on some extra chores, said her mother influenced a huge part of her life.

“My mother has always had confidence in me even when I didn’t and she is always encouraging me to work as hard as I can. I think without her belief in me, I would have quit so many things and never got to where I have,” Prakash said.

White also said he agrees and said his mother was always encouraging his siblings to try new activities that they could possibly take a liking to.

Hargrove said the pandemic changed her perspective of her mom as well. She said she respected her mom a lot as she was a teacher herself, and was sad that she couldn’t meet her due to fear of spreading the virus.

Prakash, Srivatsa and White all said that their mothers were amazing to have handled all that they did while having to juggle work and childcare during the pandemic.

“Frankly, (juggling work and home life is) one of the things I admire most about my mom. Her ability to adapt to a new schedule and keep the house running (with my dad’s help of course) is amazing.” Srivatsa said.

White concurred, saying, “I don’t think she believes this, but I think she’s able to balance her work-life very well, especially since she has a demanding job.”

Srivatsa also said that one-onone time with her mother during the pandemic has helped grow their relationship. She said she had a chance to really get to know her mother better during the time they spent together in quarantine.

Prakash agreed, saying that she had taken the time to bake and paint with

her mother during the early stages of the pandemic when things were not quite so serious in the vicinity.

Prakash, Srivatsa and White have all said that their mothers mean a lot to them. White said his mother is a very important person in his life and they bonded over their mutual love of art.

Srivatsa said, “My mother is one of my best friends to date. She has stood by me...through literally everything that’s happened in my life. She always knows the right thing to say, whether I go to her for advice, homework help or just to talk to her about life.”

Hargrove said although the pandemic has been stressful, it helped

BY THE NUMBERS

156 THOUSAND jobs were lost by women in December 2020, while men gained 16,000 jobs

40% of all employed women work in essential jobs

11.5 MILLION women lost their jobs from February to May in 2020

3 MILLION women have left the labor force since February 2020 PEW RESEARCH CENTER, NATIONAL WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SOURCES

to better her relationship with her kids and allowed her to catch up on TV shows and books she had missed.

Prakash said the pandemic has shown her to cherish moments with her mother and grab them whenever she could. She said she would focus on trying to spend quality time with her mother in coming times.

Srivatsa said, “(My mother) has basically guided me through nearly everything in my early childhood and has played a huge role in shaping H me into who I am today.”

This story was originally published online on May 9, 2021

MEXICO TRIP:

17

Junior Ruchi Prakash poses with her mother, Nila Bangalore, on a trip to Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Prakash said the pandemic has shown her to cherish moments with her mother, and she wants to try and spend more quality time together.

STUDENT SECTION

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

SWIMMINGLY SAFE Students discuss dangers, safety hazards, precautions of swimming in beach, pool in honor of Water Safety Month DANIEL TIAN STORY

J

unior dhillon parikshak

is an avid beach-goer. He said he goes around five times a year, spending time with his family at beaches like Lake Michigan and in the Turks and Caicos. Although Parikshak said he loves to relax at the beach, he said to always take care of safety precautions before doing so.

“Bringing sunscreen and water is really important to protect your skin and stay hydrated,” Parikshak said. “Also, I never go to the beach alone, and I never go to the beach at night. At night, it’s more dangerous because you can’t really see out as far. I never go to the beach alone in case of something like a riptide or a wave, where I would need help getting back on shore.”

Public pools have their fair share of safety hazards as well. Junior Emily Hu, a lifeguard at her neighborhood pool, said she has to deal with many hazards every shift.

“So many times, I see kids trying to hold their breath in the pool.

They want to see how long they hold their breath, and they do it to the point where they almost suffocate.

Don’t do that. Also, don’t bring glass to the pool because if the glass breaks, we have to drain the whole pool just for the little shard of glass since it’s clear and nobody can see it.

It’ll sink, and it’ll be really painful if you swallow it. Also, don’t change diapers near the pool, for obvious reasons,” she said.

Lifeguarding for Hu came naturally. She said many of the procedures she learned were intuitive and involved rescuing the person in distress as swiftly and safely as possible.

“First, we had to learn to jump in properly since you can’t

dive. We learned ways to use our buoy and used it to learn how to do front saves, back saves, etc. If someone was flat on the surface facing down, we learned how to pull them back on their back, or if they were down in the deep end, we learned to use your feet to grab them up.”

Being able to swim is an important skill for both beach-goers and pool-goers. Parikshak said he believes everyone should get swimming lessons before entering the water at the beach.

“I think that swimming lessons are definitely necessary if you’re going to go to the beach because even if you’re just planning on wading in shallow areas, there’s always a chance you get caught by a riptide or get caught in a big wave and get pulled out. If you get stuck in deeper waters and you don’t know how to swim, that can be very dangerous—especially in the ocean.”

Nicole Bills, Carmel Swim Academy aquatics director, said she believes learning how to swim is a

BY THE NUMBERS

10

fatal drownings per day around the U.S.

23% of child drownings happen at family gatherings

3rd leading cause of unintentional deaths is drowning NDPA, WHO SOURCES

life-changing opportunity for students at a young age.

She said, “I truly believe everyone should learn/have the opportunity to learn to swim. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children. Regardless if you turn into a competitive swimmer or not, you should have respect for the water and know how to help yourself.

Swimming is a lifesaving skill and everyone should learn.”

Bills said she loves her job. She said she feels most fulfilled watching her students improve in the water.

“When a swimmer finally passes a level or completes a skill that they have been working on for a long time is truly rewarding. It is also nice to hear from the parents that because of our swim lessons, they have a little piece of mind that their child can help themselves should they fall into the water. Kids truly touch your soul and it’s a great feeling when you help H them be successful.”

This story was originally published online on May 25, 2021

LIFESAVING TOOLS See how lifeguards use equipment to rescue people RILEY TERBUSH GRAPHIC AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SOURCE

Ring Buoy: A flotation device thrown to a person struggling to stay afloat; can be towed to the edge of the pool with a tow line by the lifeguard.

Rescue Tube: A foam-filled tube with an attached tow line. Lifeguards may jump in to carry the victim, or throw the tube to the victim and pull them to safety.

Rescue Buoy: A plastic handhold thrown out to swimmers at a beach or waterfront by lifeguards.

The swimmer is towed to the shore.

WHAT IS SKYBOXES? SkyBoxes is a small company owned by Steve and Sky Simpson.

SkyBoxes repairs and installs mailboxes that are sturdy. The company was created to provide employment opportunities for Sky, who has a disability, as well as homeless shelter inhabitants who assemble the supplies. To contact the company, email Steve at skyboxes@yahoo.com.

EXPRESS MAIL: Senior Sky Simpson poses with a mailbox that he’s helped repair.

His father, Steve Simpson, says he wears the same outfit to every site as his uniform for practice of consistency.

SKY HIGH

EMILY SANDY Q&A

SKY SIMPSON SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Senior Sky Simpson, father, Steve, run mailbox repair business

What’s a typical scenario of your job?

Typically, a person calls us and says, “Our mailbox needs to be replaced, can you do it?” Once the materials are ready and the underground utilities are marked, we go out and we pull out the old one and put in the new post, we attach the new box to the new post. Sky is huge about pulling out old posts, he wants to be the guy who shows off his muscles.

Pulling one of those out is pulling almost 100 pounds, and he just goes and rocks it back and forth many times to pull it right out of the ground. He’s perfect for that part of the job. He loves to talk to the customers as well, he really does a great job at it too.

What advice would you give to others who want to start a small business?

The hardest part of starting a small business is getting the idea, the actual idea generation is the very hardest part. The way we did it, I can tell you, is we saw the person across the street get their mailbox replaced. I saw them, I was looking out the window and for some reason it just hit me that (Sky) could do most of those tasks associated with that. To find something that you think you can succeed at and still have fun while doing it.

POWER DUO: Senior Sky Simpson and his father, Steve Simpson pose for a photo. Steve Simpson said he is proud of the advocate that Sky has made for himself.

How do you think SkyBoxes will impact Sky in the future?

I think that he is learning self-discipline, I think that he is learning communication skills, he’s learning occupation and physical therapy goals, he’s using fine motor skills and gross motor skills, so he can manipulate fine and little screws and he can manipulate large machines like digging with shovels, so he is learning job skills. He’s learning to communicate with customers as well as appropriate behaviors, so it’s just astounding all the way around.

This story was originally published online on May 18, 2021

20

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

HUMANS OF CHS Students share their proudest moments of school year ELISE VARHAN Q&A, PHOTOS

This story was originally published online on May 21, 2021

SOPHOMORE ELYSE WIENER

JUNIOR EJ SHEMESH

My sleep schedule has both gotten back on track, and improved, not only because of the hybrid schedule, but also because of the later start times. I think that was one of the biggest positives this past school year, because sleep is very important to me, as the more sleep I get directly correlates to my mental health strength.

This year has been pretty interesting, especially with COVID. The virtual days have both helped and hurt, because sometimes it’s hard to keep up with schoolwork, but at the same time the virtual days are an opportunity to catch up, ask friends for help, and whatnot. I think I kind of prefer the hybrid schedule over the normal schedule, just because I felt like it made the year pass by really quickly.

ELYSE WIENER SUBMITTED PHOTO

SENIOR LENNY PEREL

This year, I’m most proud of getting into a good college that I like, picking a major that suits me, finding a roommate, preparing myself to leave.

I’m proud to finally be getting out of the state! I’m going to Miami University, which isn’t very far, but it’s still a new state!

FRESHMAN JORDAN MINTZ

I’m really proud of my grades this year, because I’ve been able to keep them up through the pandemic, which obviously caused everyone to struggle a little bit, so I’m happy that I was able to not let that stop me from

SENIOR TRISTEN WEST

I’m proud of getting into college, as I am the first male on my dad’s side to attend college, which is pretty impressive.

I’m also proud that I was able to find an affordable and educational post-high school route to follow.

SOPHOMORE CADEN SUNSDAHL

Over this past year, I’m really proud of passing my classes. COVID kind of made everything more independent and harder, so I’m proud that I didn’t totally fail because of the pandemic.

HILITE.ORG

21

TALK THE TALK Students, teachers discuss benefits, experiences with speech classes SAUMYA SOMASI STORY

J

unior jenna lindeman said

speech has always seemed like a good career option for her to learn and grow. She said she recently decided to pursue speech pathology as a major when she realized how it can be used to help people.

“I’ve always known I wanted to help people in some way so I looked at occupational therapy programs at first, but I realized I wanted to go into speech pathology.”

In honor of Better Speech month, speech teacher Dylan Gentilcore said even if students don’t pursue a career in it like Lindeman, speech is a great way for all people to gain more confidence and even improve their own listening.

Gentilcore said via email, “The (speech) course challenges our students to not only tackle speech anxiety and performance but also become more empathetic and understanding of their fellow citizens.”

Gentilcore said he initially became a speech teacher because he was offered the job and had not had a lot of experience with speech other than college courses. However, he said speech quickly became one of his favorite classes because of the growth it gave to the students.

“It’s been so fun doing everything from comedy improv games to rhetorical analysis with my speech classes,” he said.

Speech teacher Jacleen Joiner said learning to speak and being able to present are vital skills in everyone’s lives. Joiner teaches the speech class at Carmel and said she has noticed her students gain confidence over the semester course.

Joiner said, “I think that understanding how to present ideas verbally is such an important skill to

have, not only as a student, but in life. Oftentimes, people have great ideas, thoughts, etc., but failure to communicate those ideas appropriately can impact future success.”

Gentilcore added his recommendation for everyone to take a speech course. He said the school offered both an unweighted and weighted P155 course, both of which he said were informative classes.

He said, “Public speaking and the way that we communicate with one another is the backbone of society. I hope all students will take a semester becoming better speakers and listeners.”

BY THE NUMBERS

3

Lindeman said she had seen how speech therapy had positively impacted her family and the people around her, and she said she hoped she could do the same by going into a speech field.

She said, “A family member of mine grew up with setbacks in his speech and I knew how difficult that was for him and I think that gave me the motivation to help other people with the same struggle.” H

ASHA SOURCE

This story was originally published online on May 18, 2021

7%

Americans have a language impairment

MILLION Americans have a stutter

ASHA SOURCE

TONGUE TWISTER

Take a look at causes of common speech impediments, body systems contributing to speech MADDIE MISTERKA GRAPHIC

Phonatory System: - Larynx (voice box) - Glottis (vocal chords)

Nervous System Phonatory System Respiratory System Resonatory System

Apraxia:

Apraxia is a speech impediment caused by the disruption of neuropathways in the premotor cortex. It causes the disability to physically form words despite one’s brain knowing what to say.

Stutter:

Respiratory System: -Lungs -Esophagus (windpipe)

Stutters can be caused by a variety of different factors, including genetics, heightened emotions, dysfunction in Broca’s area, the part of the brain that controls motor speech and more. Stutters are one of the most common speech impediments

Resonatory System: -Nasal Passage -Oral Cavity (mouth) -Trachea (throat)

Lisp:

A lisp is a speech impediment caused by poor jaw alignment or tongue placement and movement. It causes the substitution of sounds such as “s” to “th.”

TEMPLE HEALTH, NATIONAL STUTTERING ASSOCIATION, MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY SOURCES

22

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

OUT OF TH

HILITE.ORG

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HIS REALM In retelling paranormal experiences, students, teacher debate importance of age, persona, role models regarding paranormal beliefs

SAM HAWKINS, KIERSTEN RIEDFORD STORY CLARE DIERCKMAN PHOTOS KIERSTEN RIEDFORD PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

24

T

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

iny shells strung on a

thin thread, the ends fastened together by a metal clasp. This necklace, while seemingly brand-new, was the first and last object senior Grace Comerford, then a third grader in Chicago, said she received from her friend Hannah.

Comerford has vivid memories of Hannah. She said, “She had just moved (to Oak Lawn, Illinois) apparently. She was really sweet, but the one thing (I noticed) about her was she was pale. I’m pale—you can see my veins—but she was worse than me. But she also had this pale bleach blonde, almost white, hair. If you dyed your hair bleach white, that’s what it looked like. She had really big blue eyes, ginormous blue eyes, like they were Photoshopped but in real life.”

Comerford said she remembered Hannah making up stories about

Scan this to read a story about students who practice Wicca and Paganism as their primary religions

PSYCHED OUT Learn more about psychological theories surrounding paranormal activity RHEA ACHARYA GRAPHIC

BBC SOURCE

PARANORMAL BELIEVER PERSONALITY TRAITS Have less “cognitive inhibition,” so don’t brush away atypical thoughts easily Have greater decision-making confidence because more likely to stick with beliefs

ASSOCIATED DISORDERS EPILEPTIC SEIZURES During specific types, some distinctly sense a shadowy person behind them or other hallucinations due to brain changes

RIGHT HEMISPHERE Damage to this brain area that processes visual information may result in hazy vision, associated with paranormal activity

ghosts in the girls bathroom and it became a school issue because she told these stories and freaked people out. Comerford said, “But I was the only person who wasn’t scared of her... She liked me for that. She always said, ‘Thanks for not being angry at me’ because everyone hated her for (telling the stories).

“Come to the end of the year… she looks at me and she’s like, ‘Hey, I’m leaving.’ I figured she was moving so I (asked for her number) so I could call her new house phone and she said, ‘No, I’m not moving.’ I was like, ‘Then why are you leaving?’—because you wouldn’t leave a school without moving. She said, ‘You don’t have to worry about that, but I’m leaving. I just want to thank you for being around.

You’re a good person. I hope people recognize that, but I’ll be watching.’

And I have this necklace—I still have it—it’s a little shell necklace and she said, ‘Take this. Just remember me, don’t forget me.’ I asked, ‘Will I ever see you?’ and she said, ‘No, you’ll never see me again.’ And then after that day I never saw her again.”

But there was one problem with Hannah. When Comerford recently spoke with her childhood friends over the phone, none remembered the girl.

CLAIMED: Senior Grace Comerford holds her hair as senior Amelia Dickson clasps a necklace around her neck.

Comerford said the necklace was a gift from a girl she met that did not actually exist.

I wasn’t scared of her. My mom said one night I said ‘she used to live in my room’ as if I knew her or she told me that.

SENIOR HALLE COLE At all. Family friends, too. None had any recollections of this pale childhood friend who told ghost stories about the girls bathroom. With years between third grade and now, Comerford said she is convinced Hannah was a ghost— that she didn’t really exist at all.

Comerford’s experience is not as unique as it seems. According to LiveScience, 71% of Americans said at some point in their lives they witnessed a paranormal experience.

It is commonly hypothesized that most people witness their first paranormal experience in their childhood due to an overactive imagination, according to a study of the University of New Hampshire.

However, contrary to the hypothesis, the study findings “support past

research that age is not positively correlated with paranormal beliefs.”

Like Comerford, senior Halle Cole said she experienced her first p aranormal experiences during her childhood.

It, too, involved a little girl who did not exist, but in Cole’s case, she was the only one able to see this girl.

Cole said, “(My first paranormal experience) was (with) a little ghost girl and we just would play together.

She was harmless and I wasn’t scared of her, but I don’t remember talking to her ever. My mom said one night I said, ‘She used to live in my room,’ as if I knew her or she told me that.”

According to Durham University psychologist Charles Fernyhough, two-thirds of children have imaginary companions, but Cole and Comerford both insisted the experiences they had were not with imaginary friends but genuine spirits. For her part, Comerford said she attributes her early paranormal experiences to the environment of the neighborhood she lived in during her childhood.

“I blame the paranormal (experiences) on the fact that there were very

(few) kids in my neighborhood and people constantly (died),” she said.

“Not to sound morbid, but there were plenty of old people (living in the neighborhood) and the houses had been there even before those old people had moved in with their families- some (buildings) were even from the 1920s.”

FICTION OR REALITY? Paranormal experiences are not limited to kids telling ghost stories.

WHJE radio adviser Dominic James said he is certain he has seen a UFO. “It sounds ridiculous,” he said.

“They did not take me up into the spaceship, they did not strip me naked and do weird things with me and take me to Venus. But I was in Spain on holiday with my family. So, my wife, my daughter and her best friend —my daughter would have been 15 at the time, so this was about 10 years ago—we were having a barbecue on the beach, and it was dusk.

“And it was on the south coast of Spain. Not directly next to an airport, about 50 miles away from Málaga airport, which is quite a busy airport, but

PARANOIA PARK:

Seniors Grace Comerford and Amelia Dickson walk around a park trail as Comerford tells Dickson her childhood paranormal experiences, like the story about a girl she met in third grade who didn’t actually exist. Unlike Comerford, her family friends and former classmates didn’t remember Hannah, but Comerford has tangible proof of Hannah’s existence in the necklace Hannah gave her in the third grade.

the planes didn’t fly close to where we were. As it got dark, our attention— not just mine (but) all of us, all four of us—our attention was drawn to a bright light in the sky. And it was suddenly moving across the sky at an incredible speed—(a) warp-speed kind of thing, much faster than any domestic airline and much faster, I think, than any jet fighter I’ve ever seen. It was completely silent. And it moved right across the sky. It was a bright light, (and it) just went ‘bam’ across the stars, really, really fast. Then it just suddenly stopped and it hung in the air for a couple of seconds, and then it went off in completely the opposite direction. So it definitely was not a meteor or a shooting star or something like that. It was mechanical, and it was many, many miles away.

It couldn’t have been an insect.

“Again, I have no explanation of it at all. We did actually go online to see if anybody else had seen it… but we didn’t find anything.”

James said he’s normally skeptical about paranormal events, though he said he does think it likely that

extraterrestrial life exists. He’s not alone. According to a 2017 survey conducted by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, about half of adult Americans believe in the existence of alien life, with about 16% to 17% of respondents saying they have actually seen a UFO. “I think there must be the opportunity for further life forms to exist in the universe,” James said. “I am not of the belief that God created earth and men and that was the only thing that has been created, or (that) created itself.

We know there are millions and millions of stars out there, so it seems extraordinarily arrogant of us to suggest that there’s no other life form out there.”

A much smaller percentage of American adults—about 18%—say they have seen or felt a ghost, according to a Pew Research survey from 2015. 29% of Americans surveyed said they have felt at least in touch with the dead. According to Gallup, about 47% of Americans, 28% of Canadians and 40% of Britons believe in the existence of haunted houses.

So why do some people believe or not believe in the paranormal?

James said, “I suppose we were brought up on (it). Most people in our culture—well in fact most cultures—(are) brought up believing there’s more to life than this existence we currently are in. In America, a majority of people are part of some church. And even if you aren’t now, you were probably brought up to believe that either by your parents or you feel very influenced by school as well. Whether you’re an atheist or not, people still stand up in the high schools and talk about the pledge and all this kind of stuff so you can’t HELLO?: Senior Grace Comerford looks into a mirror to recreate one of her paranormal experiences. She said when she was younger she had an incident where she had a bloody nose and looked up from the sink to the mirror. She said she saw a tall figure above her and when she looked back down, then up again, the figure was no longer there.

KIERSTEN RIEDFORD PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

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DEADLY DISTRICT Check out a few claimed haunted places in Hamilton County

1 Atlanta 38 19

Westfield Carmel Zionsville

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Noblesville

escape. Whatever you might actually believe. I actually think (this is) affected by the fact that people believe there’s more to existence and justice.”

Comerford said she agreed, saying her recent adoption of Buddhist ideology as opposed to her parents who believe in Christianity allowed her to believe in the paranormal more than those who don’t. She said contrary to the Catholic teachings of it being one versus the malevolent spirits, her ideology allows her relationship to be co-existing with spirits rather than fighting with them.

She said, “(Buddhist ideologists) not only have the mindset of having peace and tranquility and having a calmer mind, but also that you co-

2 Fox Hollow Farm

1 The Roads Hotel Built in 1893 Reports of apparitions of people, sounds of footsteps, booming voices and slamming doors

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EMILY SANDY GRAPHIC NYDAILY, CURRENT IN CARMEL SOURCES

150 E Main St., Atlanta, IN 46031

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Fishers

exist with everything. Through their yoga practices, they say that there is no such thing as a negative thought, it just exists. And for me that kind of transferred over. To me (spirits) just exist. (Spirits are) just another thing that exists and you can’t be angry at (them) for doing that.”

ACCEPT OR FEAR? While an individual’s belief in the paranormal depends on various aspects of their background, those that do believe in the paranormal are left with the question of whether they should accept that spirits are interacting with them, or if they should fear it and try to rid it from their lives. Cole and Comerford

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3 969 Keystone Way

(formerly Illusions)

Former owner killed himself upstairs Witnesses hear footsteps receding, crashes, and lights turning off and on Sightings of a woman

Scan this to view a guide on haunted attractions in Hamilton County TERRIFYING TALES:

Seniors Grace Comerford and Amelia Dickson sit on swings at a local park.

Comerford said she likes to share her paranormal experiences with her friends but mainly as ghost stories.

Murders featured in “The Haunting of Fox Hollow Farm” (2011) Paranormal researchers report hearing voices, footsteps, pinching and chokings

4 Woody’s Library Restaurant

40 E Main St., Carmel, IN 46032 Old Carnegie library built in 1913 Former janitor Isiac Bales seen by customers and workers

both said their family members had a large influence in their decision.

Cole said her mother helped in overcoming the fear of the paranormal in her life. Colle said because her mother also had experiences with the paranormal, “it was easier to deal with because it seemed common and made it less scary.”

For Comerford, she said her grandparents played a big part in helping her overcome her fears of the paranormal because she said they too had their own paranormal experiences. Both Cole and Comerford agreed having someone to talk to about their experiences not only made it easier for them to accept that the paranormal exists, but also allowed them to set aside their fear of it.

Comerford said, “Don’t be scared of things all the time. The u nknown is commonly intimidating, but it shouldn’t be because it doesn’t matter; ultimately, (whatever is going to happen) is going to happen. I like these ghost stories because as much as they were creepy, they were essential for me to be comfortable with things happening and changing all the time because H that’s how (life) went for me.”

ENTERTAINMENT

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

PERFORMING LIVE Accents members perform at Palladium, reflect on importance of live performances PALLEVI PILLAI STORY

O

MARISSA FINNEY PHOTOS

n april 25, the accents

choir group performed at the Palladium, the group’s first live performance this school year. Accents, along with the rest of carmel choirs, has been recording their concert pieces as opposed to performing for audiences due to social distancing precautions.

Alexa Walquist, member of Accents and junior, said some of the setbacks for the group this school year.

“The choir department has been working extremely hard to make this year as normal as possible for everyone,” Walquist said. “For the choirs that are able to hold rehearsals outside of school, we have just been learning our material in cohorts and then cleaning it when we all come together. For choirs that aren’t practicing outside of class, the first time they sing with their other cohort is usually the day of recording, which is definitely a challenge.”

Kathrine Kouns, lead director of Accents and co-director of Car-

My biggest hopes for next year would definitely be to be able to do all of the activities we had to miss out on this year, such as competitions and our retreat.

SOPHOMORE PAIGE WALKER mel Choirs, said she is proud of the students’ attitudes despite having an abnormal year in choir.

“The students have actually done a really remarkable job. Under the circumstances, they would have every right to be discouraged and unmotivated, but they have truly risen to the occasion and have rolled with the very harsh punches that they have been dealt,” she said.

Paige Walker, sophomore and Accents member, said missing out on competition season was the biggest loss for choir this year, but there were still silver linings to be found.

“A lot of us were disappointed to not be able to compete, but we recognized that not competing doesn’t make us any less of a team,” Walker said. “One way we definitely adjusted was not going through the usual hectic nature of preparing for a competition season and instead preparing for our show in April.”

TRIPLE THREAT: Senior Mollie

Mathison, junior Alexa Walquist and sophomore Ava Roan sing in front of the audience while the rest of the choir looks on. The choir department gave these kinds of performances virtually for the majority of this year.

STEPPING IT UP: Accents members wait and take a break

on the steps of the Palladium while several members sing to the audience (see bottom left photo). This is the group’s first outdoor performance this year.

BY THE NUMBERS

11 total choirs form the Carmel Choirs program

55 choir members are in Accents during this school year

4 Accents performances at CHS have been done during this school year CARMEL CHOIRS SOURCE

Kouns added that there were a few upsides to having smaller class sizes and doing recordings.

“With smaller classes, some of the students have been able to develop relationships with people that they may otherwise not have even known were in their class. We have also had the opportunity to record our performances and therefore reach a wider audience making it possible for friends and family out of town to see the shows in an easier way,” she said.

Walquist said she has a different take on the matter.

“This is my first year in Accents, but I would imagine the group isn’t as tight knit as most years simply due to not having as many rehearsals or events that everyone is at at the same time, but we still look forward to seeing each other every Monday night rehearsal, it’s unfortunately just not as often as normal,” Walquist said.

With this year with cohorts, Kouns said she wanted to have at least one chance for the group to perform live for an audience.

“I really just wanted them to be able to get the chance to perform for a live audience,” Kouns said. “We knew that based upon COVID re-

SHOW ON THE ROAD: Accents members perform live for the first time this year at the Palladium on April 25. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on auditorium capacity, the Accents choir held this event outdoors.

strictions that would likely be only able to happen outdoors. Here in Indiana, that meant waiting until the weather warmed up. I have a good partnership with the great American Songbook Foundation and the Songbook Academy so I reached out to find out if we could collaborate.

It seems like the perfect year to do something that really was unlike any other year. If we had tried to duplicate our typical competition here, they would have likely been disappointed. I just thought that maybe getting a completely different direction was my best bet.”

Walquist said that the set for the performance strayed from a normal Accents performance.

SPEAK-UP!

“Our set wasn’t a traditional competition set where we are all on stage for five songs without stopping for 15-20 minutes. Mrs. Kouns created a 45 minute show where the Accents performed a group number, and then other Accents had the opportunity to perform a duet or small group number that they practice on their own. All of the music is based from the 40s, and the dancing was inspired by the ‘swing dancing’ (that was popular during the time),” Walquist said.

Kouns said she was more than thrilled about seeing the group perform live for the first time this year.

“It was exhilarating. It was so much fun to finally see the reactions

Scan this to read about the Accents’ competition season and COVID-19 modifications.

on the faces of an audience and such a great opportunity for the girls to share their gifts and talents with our Carmel community,” she said.

According to Walker, this year has been unorthodox for the choir department, but she said she remains hopeful that groups will have more experiences next school year.

“My biggest hopes for next year would definitely be to be able to do all of the activities we had to miss out on this year, such as competitions and our retreat. However, my biggest hope is that I’ll be able to safely be with our entire choir next year,” Walker said. H This story was originally published online on May 20, 2021.

How do you feel about performances for community members resuming?

VALLIEI CHANDRAKUMAR SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

“I’m really excited for (the Ambassadors’ first live performance) just because it’s going to be the first time that we’ve ever performed in front of a live audience... I’ve just been dying to be back in the auditorium and actually perform(ing) for everyone else.”

Junior Nate Koss

“It’s really fun to finally have an actual, live audience and to be able to kind of see people’s reactions when you’re performing because when you’re just performing for a video camera, you don’t necessarily get that support and excitement that kind of makes you want to perform.”

Junior Erin Gordon

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B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

PICTURE IT! With May as National Photography Month, students discuss different types of photography EMILY CARLISLE Q&AS This story was originally published online on May 20, 2021

Q&A senior elizabeth “liz” winders LIZ WINDERS SUBMITTED PHOTO

What type of photography do you do?

I do mainly portrait and disposable camera photography, then add digital art and editing to enhance the pictures.

What was your inspiration to begin taking photos?

I’ve been doing photography as a hobby for a while but with the rise of digital artist and photographers on social media, it’s made me get more into photography.

What advice would you give to people who are interested in photography?

You don’t need a fancy camera to start learning photography.

All you need is your phone or a disposable camera and you can start learning how to take pictures.

BRAINWASHED: Senior Isabella “Izzy” Topp poses as senior Lindsey Thole takes a picture of her. Thole said this photo was inspired by the idea of being “brainwashed” by social media.

STRIKE A POSE: Junior Daniel Tanner poses for a photo for senior Liz Winders to take. Winders said she loves to take photos of her friends and she edits and enhances many of her photos.

LINDSEY THOLE SUBMITTED PHOTO

LIZ WINDERS SUBMITTED PHOTO

Q&A senior lindsey thole LINDSEY THOLE SUBMITTED PHOTO

What kind of photography do you do?

I gravitate toward digital photography because it allows me to use Photoshop to alter my photos in any way I want.

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Q&A senior sophia sinder SOPHIA SINDER SUBMITTED PHOTO

What type of photography do you do?

I do film photography. I chose this style because I really connected with the way the images turned out more than any other style I tried. There is something really timeless about film that I just loved and could not bear to not practice.

What is your favorite thing to take photographs of and why?

I really like genuine moments. I’ll never plan a shoot ahead of time, but rather just bring my camera around with me so I can capture the moments I’m in, rather than make them up for the sole purpose of photographing. There is something really beautiful about looking at a photo I took and being able to articulate the exact emotions I was feeling in that moment.

FLOWER POWER: Senior Sophia Sinder poses for her senior pictures taken by one of her friends.

Sinder said she loved how film photography looks compared to other forms.

SOPHIE SINDER SUBMITTED PHOTOS

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How has doing photography impacted you in day-to-day life?

I am super analytical and lack a lot of creativity in my life with just how involved in school I am, so film has provided me with an outlet in which I can wholeheartedly express myself and what I like to do.

Is there a photographer who has influenced you?

I really do my own thing, but my personal favorites are Sam Dameshek and Tyler Kohlhoff. Both (are) incredible guys who really work to capture culture and authenticity, while producing some really cool images.

What does photography mean to you?

It kind of means nothing to me, but that is exactly why I love it. I do not put a huge amount of emphasis or thought into the photos I take, which is why I love them so much—they are so genuine and in the moment. I do it only for fun.

WORK OF COLORFUL ART: Sinder photographed artwork at Holsteins at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. Sinder said Sam Dameshek and Tyler Kohlhoff’s photography styles have influenced the direction of her own photography.

BLACK LIVES MATTER: Sinder brought her camera to a Black Lives Matter protest in July 2020 and took a picture of her dad. She said her favorite part of photography is capturing genuine moments.

What was your inspiration to start photography?

What is the most frustrating and/or rewarding aspect of photography?

My dad inspired me to try photography because ever since I was younger, he’s always liked to take lots of pictures. When I was around eight, he bought me my first camera, which was a pink Olympus FE370, and I took all sorts of pictures with that camera. Since then I have tended to look at the world through the lens of a camera so to speak, always analyzing my environment for a new photo opportunity.

There’s so many things to think about when taking the photo (and) all sorts of things need to line up just right in order to get the perfect photo. And sometimes that takes hours of trial and error. All of the work that goes into it though immediately becomes worth it when I get to pull up the photos on my computer and see the idea that originated in my mind made into something real.

SPORTS

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

TOUR DE FORCE Q&A with junior, competitive cyclist Griffin Raduchel HANNAH BAER Q&A

GRIFFIN RADUCHEL SUBMITTED PHOTO

When did you begin competitive cycling?

I began in 2019, although (I) only had one race that year. I really started last year and this year but the number of races is way lower than normal because of COVID.

What is one of the major challenges of competitive cycling?

It’s very expensive. I can only really afford to do it because I work at a bike shop and get things discounted, as well as putting lots of other things temporarily aside.

The main expense is the bike but race entries are a consistent factor if you don’t have a team, and getting wiped out in a bad crash can leave you out a lot of money in the form of medical bills and bike repairs.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,200

WATTS power generated by a Tour de France cyclist while sprinting

28 MPH top speed of a Tour de France cyclist on flat terrain BICYCLING MAGAZINE SOURCE

How is competitive biking different from just recreationally biking?

Well one could make the argument that the only difference is that you race your bike. There are people who race and do very well on cheap bikes, and people who ride just for fun on the best stuff money can buy. There’s also people who ride recreationally who still train constantly to be faster. It’s just that in competitive cycling the equipment is a bit better and the people spend a lot more time training and are faster than their recreational counterparts. That’s certainly not a rile though, any recreational rider can go sign up for their local novice race whenever they want.

CYCLING CATEGORIES Take a look at four types of cycling, their equipment, difficulty, and rules

What are some of the benefits of competitive cycling?

BMX racing

Road racing

General life is just easy. It makes you incredibly aerobically fit so daily tasks are just easier. The rest are both benefits and detriments, in that my tan lines are razor sharp. My upper body is also spider-like while my legs are pretty bulked up.

Difficulty: Equipment: safety equipment Rules: 8 riders per race; no direct contact between riders allowed

Difficulty: Equipment: Helmet, racing suit Rules: Races only held on open roads with a time trial format

Mountain biking

Cyclo-cross

How has being a competitive cyclist affected your daily life?

It’s made it so I’ve had to put lots of my life aside. Having to schedule training and racing around work, school and social life is a constant struggle and leaves me exhausted often.

NATHAN HUANG GRAPHIC BICYCLING, USAC SOURCES

Difficulty: Equipment: Mountain essentials Rules: Ride open trails, control your bicycle, yield appropriately

Difficulty: Equipment: Thermal clothes Rules: 1 to 3 km courses with harsh weather conditions

How often do you train for competitions?

Training lasts all year. The time depends on (the) time of year and what I’m going for. Normally it’s 10 hours per week but sometimes more, sometimes less. For example, if I’ve got a big race coming up I’ll do less so my body can fully recover, whereas in the winter I’ll sometimes do 15 hour weeks just to get as much build up as possible while there’s no races to be rested for. Intensity also changes a lot. A 10 hour week of hard interval workouts is far different than 10 hours if it’s just easy endurance cruising.

What lessons have you learned from being a competitive cyclist?

I think one of the main things is a better ability to push myself. Being able to just grit your teeth and pull a little bit more of yourself out and go that little bit harder to do what you need to do is a very important ability in my life. Also similar to that, is knowing that when you’re hurting or struggling in a race, everyone else is struggling just as bad if not worse.

What is your favorite part of being a competitive cyclist?

The adrenaline. There’s little more hair raising than riding with a pack of 40+ people, all on the edge of their physical limit and doing everything they can to get the best results possible.

This Q&A was originally published online on May 16, 2021

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B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

SHE’S THE COACH While female coaches are still minority in high school, college athletics, CHS softball team boasts all-female coaching staff ALIVIA ROMANIUK STORY

T

LUKE MILLER PHOTOS

he passage of title ix in

1972 was one of the most monumental breakthroughs for gender equality. The law prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded activities, most notably school sports. However, as a 2019 New York Times opinion piece titled “Where Are All the Women Coaches?” pointed out, the law had adverse effects, decreasing the number of female coaches.

Before Title IX was passed, over 90% of women’s college teams were coached by women. After it was passed, female athletics grew exponentially, creating more jobs that end-

ed up going to men. As of 2019, only 40% of women’s college teams were coached by women, according to the New York Times opinion piece.

However, Ginger Britton, head coach of the CHS women’s softball team, said the benefits of Title IX far outweighed the costs.

“I was lucky enough to when I first started coaching to be an assistant in a program that was known in the state of Indiana for pushing through Title IX improvements with girls sports,” she said. “Because of that, I was really able to see how far and how hard those that played and

TEAM HUDDLE: Ginger Britton (second from left), head coach of the CHS women’s softball team, talks strategy with players during a game.

Britton said female to female communication encourages players to talk about their struggles.

coached before me were really able to pave the way for the opportunities we have in girls programs now.”

Britton also said her first coaching program did an excellent job with enforcing Title IX, balancing game schedules, coaching staff and sports offered to ensure equality between male and female athletics.

However, gender inequalities in sports are by no means eliminated.

During March Madness, a viral TikTok post revealed that facilities for women’s basketball were inferior to those for the men, sparking discussions about the existing gender inequalities in athletics.

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“The March Madness tournament brought a light to an issue that should have been recognized years and years ago as gender inequality,” Sophie Esposito, varsity softball player and sophomore, said. “The women who played in the tournament deserved so much better, and they fought for equal equipment.”

Megan Nichols, varsity softball player and senior, said she agreed.

Nichols said, “I think it’s clear that women have received a lot of unfair treatment throughout NCAA basketball.”

As for the underrepresentation of female coaches, Britton said it had much to do with time and familial constraints.

“Female coaches are very difficult to find and to hire and once hired to keep in a program. I feel this is because the pressures females face in several areas,” she said. “Number one would be in having a family.

Coaching salaries are severely lacking in comparison to what you would have to pay to find adequate day care if you have young children at home.”

“My first year coaching with children I almost paid more for two hours of child care each evening during the two month season than I brought in after taxes with my coaching salary. I basically was coaching for free. Women have expectations that pull them in multiple directions and sadly can’t continue to do everything, (so) coaching is usually the first thing that goes,” Britton said.

Esposito said she agreed that female coaches are a minority in athletics.

“I feel like there are not many female coaches in softball. I play both travel

and high school softball and you don’t see female coaches that often,” she said.

Despite the underrepresentation of women in coaching, the softball team at this school has an entirely female coaching staff. According to Nichols and Britton, having female coaches allows for deeper connections between coaches and athletes.

“I really like having a female coaching staff because they are understanding and relatable,” Nichols said. “They promote the player as a whole, integrating team cohesion, resiliency, and confidence.”

“I do think having a female coach that can relate to the pressures that young females face both on and off the court (or) field is especially important,” Britton said. “To have someone who has once been where you are can make a real difference. I also think a female to female communication can (provide) a safer environment to share struggles that are outside of the physical aspect of the sport.”

In addition, Nichols said that her coaches inspired her to consider becoming a softball coach in the future.

“I absolutely love the game and from personal experience I know how big of

TOUGH CATCH: Senior Megan Nichols prepares to catch the ball. Nichols said having a female coaching staff has helped her team’s performance as a whole by establishing cohesion and confidence.

Scan this to read a New York Times opinion piece on women coaches and the gender gap in sports

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES sex-based discrimination in school sports

1973

Billie Jean King won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against Bobby Riggs

1984

an impact coaches can have on younger kids lives. My high school softball journey has taught me how to love the game and in the future I would like to teach others the same,” she said.

Nichols also said this school has done a great job of promoting gender equality and inclusion in sports.

“I think Carmel is taking steps towards involving women in typical male dominated sports. For example, we have women helping coach our football team which I think shows younger men and women what a more gender diverse coaching staff can bring to the game,” she said.

Britton said she agreed. “I feel very lucky to be working within Carmel athletics,” she said. “This athletic environment does an excellent job of creating an equal opportunity environment.”

Moving forward, Britton and Nichols said they would like to see a greater representation of women in coaching and athletic administration.

“In the future, I hope to see continued effort placed in finding more female coaches for female sports, more females working as athletic directors and assistant athletic directors, and female freshman sports continuing to get attention to grow and strength the entire female program,” Britton said.

“I feel like now more than ever females are pushing to be more involved in a variety of sports,” Nichols said. “As a society, if we can keep an open mind and start giving women the chance to coach we can see all H that they have in store.”

This story was originally published online on May 15, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, ESPN SOURCES DARSHINI SHANKAR GRAPHIC

Take a look at some developments in the history of female athletics

1972 President Nixon signed Title IX, prohibiting

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1991 FIFA staged the first Women’s World Cup.

The event was largely ignored by the world

Women were allowed to run the Olympic marathon. American Joan Benoit won the gold medal

Katie Sowers became the first female coach to take her team to the Super Bowl

2020

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EXCEPTIONAL ACES Q&A with Leila Antony national tennis tournament qualifier, senior ANDREW CAITO Q&A FIST BUMP: Senior Leila Antony (right) celebrates with one of her teammates during a tennis match.

Antony and several others from Carmel qualified for the national tennis tournament run by the United States Tennis Association. She said working with a team has taught her how to build friendships and learn life skills.

LEILA ANTONY SUBMITTED PHOTO

This column was originally published online on May 14, 2021

What has led up to now in your career?

Was this a group or single effort?

High school tennis has been a huge part of my high school experience, as I’ve been a part of the varsity team for the past four years. Over these four years, I’ve been placed into many high pressure situations that have developed me into a strong player and person.

This was very much a group effort because we all were counting on each other to win games so our team could thrive.

How did it feel to qualify for nationals?

The feeling of qualifying for nationals was an amazing feeling. (My team) felt super accomplished and felt like we really deserved it, considering we’ve competed in this for the past four years and fallen short every time.

Has your team qualified before?

Our team has played in this tournament for the past four years, and we’ve never won until this year. Now that most of us are seniors when we won, it feels extra special to go out with a bang.

Why is being a part of team important?

Being part of a team is so important because it gives you a sense of purpose, and that you’re working for something bigger than yourself.

I’ve learned that being on a team is much more rewarding than playing alone because you build lifelong friendships and learn life skills.

What is your advice for younger players?

My advice for younger players is to work hard, keep a positive mindset when things aren’t going well and always try your best and give your best effort. Attitude and effort are super important to enjoying the sport and continuing to grow and improve.

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MORE THAN A GAME American sports can learn from European models, not other way around CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER COLUMN

P

eople protesting in the

streets, politicians threatening to take “whatever action necessary” in order to stop proposals, major institutional heads referring others to be “snakes” and “liars”, is the sort of serious reaction that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

When I saw that this was all a reaction to a sports decision, I was a little confused.

This three-day-long chaos was Europe’s reaction to proposals of a new soccer Super League, a league consisting of the 12 most prominent and wealthy soccer clubs in all of Europe, referred to as the “dirty dozen.” What made this league so “super” was that it would bypass the “pro/rel” traditions baked into the European sports model. In this model the lowest three teams in a high league are relocated to lower ones, while high performing teams in lower leagues are promoted.

This assures that teams have to give games their all, for if they lose too much, they lose not only social prestige, but also their spot in the high leagues as well. Assuring that, theoretically, teams can rise and sink through their own merit, or lack thereof, rather than money alone.

SPEAK-UP!

NOT AGAIN

BY THE NUMBERS

20

maximum number of Super League soccer clubs

$4.2 BILLION would have been given to clubs solely for commitment EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE COMPANY SOURCE

The most interesting thing to me, as an American, is the accusation that this Super League platform as an extension of the “American system” of athletics. An accusation with weight when you consider that the owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Boston Red Sox and La Rams owners were also presidents of English teams that helped form the breakaway league, which itself was backed by JP Morgan Chase, but there must be something else going on here.

Most of the important clubs in Europe today were formed by immigrants or workers. A priest was responsible for the forming of the Celtics, hoping that the team could help lift Irish immigrants from poverty. Because of this history, there is an almost mythical reverence for these clubs. When your favorite club is founded by average people rather than businessmen, like most NFL teams, it’s easier to feel a deeper connection to them.

They don’t only represent your city, they represent you. They’re not fighting for their team, they’re fighting for you. So when American businessmen come in, funded by American banks to eliminate that unique competition

with press releases calling you a thing of the past, a “legacy fan,” they’re insulting not only your sport, but an arena of ideas, where any team could rise to the top leagues. Why wouldn’t you be upset?

European sports aren’t this purified world of athletics though, there are still plenty of ads, team names adorned with Red Bull logos like Red Bull Salzburg, and high performing clubs often dominate their country’s respective league, but there is still the idea that these clubs are by the people, for the people.

Hopefully, if anything, the Super League fiasco has helped us to understand just how powerful and universal sports can be and how much they can represent. With cricket, former colonies can beat Britain at their own game. With the Olympics, the world can come together. With soccer, anyone can take the field. Perhaps we shouldn’t be pushing our businessoriented system on others, but sit H back and learn a thing or two.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Christian Ledbetter at cledbetter@hilite.org This column was originally published online on May 13, 2021

What do you think of the Super League?

ANIKET BISWAL, DANIEL KIM SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

“Obviously the new concept of this league is the ability to have top teams from across Europe play every week. Although appealing at face value, I’m extremely against the Super League as it removes all of the excitement of two large European teams playing each other that we see today.”

Junior Pol Berger Romeu

“I think the new Super League is a horrible idea for the sport. Although the games may be more competitive because it is a league with Europe’s top teams, it takes away from the excitement of the Champions League, Europe’s biggest soccer tournament.”

Senior Eric Lee

PERSPECTIVES

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

VAX TO THE MAX As COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, CHS should require vaccinations for eligible students next school year HILITE STAFF EDITORIAL

O

n march 31, gov. eric

Holcomb announced that all individuals ages 16 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana. From now on, many students at CHS are able to have access to the vaccine. The availability of the long-awaited vaccine poses many different questions, such as whether or not vaccines will be required to attend in-person school next year.

Already, more than 200 colleges and universities have announced that COVID-19 will be added to the list of required immunizations for students returning to campus in the fall of 2021.

With many students at CHS becoming eligible for the vaccine, this change means the school has the opportunity to push for students to get vaccinated in order to build a safer community.

Therefore, we suggest that COVID-19 vaccinations should be mandated next school year and recommended for everyone, specifically for those that can get the vaccine safely to accommodate the student body and faculty at CHS. This school should make its best efforts to encourage vaccinations to all eligible students.

Requiring vaccines for eligible students will help ease several issues at hand. Recently, the FDA approved

SPEAK-UP! JASMINE ZHANG SPEAK-UPS

BY THE NUMBERS

72%

of adults in America say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine

58%

of adults have received one dose

65+

YEAR OLDS have highest percentages of intent to vaccinate

72%

of those who aren’t getting vaccinated are worried about side effects PEW RESEARCH SOURCE

the Pfizer vaccine for 12-15 year olds.

Because this age group covers all students at CHS, the whole student body can be protected and safer if they are vaccinated and safe from COVID-19.

Although this may seem like a drastic step, it is not unusual; many high schools and college campuses across the country are requiring vaccinations to ensure the safety of their students and staff.

In fact, for students already enrolled in school, there are many existing vaccination requirements in place to prevent the spread of diseases such as polio, diphtheria and tetanus. With similar mandates already in place, requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as well should not come as much of a shock.

However, if there are concerns, the administration should take a facilitating role by holding Q&A sessions for concerned families. If a family does not feel safe or feel comfortable getting vaccine since it is so new, it would be unethical for the school to require or mandate it.

Thus, we advise administration to work individually with these families to ensure their child is safe.

By spending time to educate students and parents on the benefits of vaccinations, many of these

OUR STANCE We commend the wider availability of vaccines and suggest the school mandate them for the next school year—but only for those who are able to get it safely. families may be more willing to get vaccinated to keep their children safe.

People who are allergic or have a medical condition that prevents them from getting vaccinated should not have receive the vaccine due to any life-threatening factors.

To be clear, the HiLite staff strongly supports the decision to get vaccinated as it is a step forward to reopening the community and allowing everyone to spend time with their loved ones. If the school were to mandate it for everyone, and work with students and families who may have concerns, CHS could H be a safer and healthier school.

This editorial was originally published online on May 15, 2021

Do you think the COVID-19 vaccine should be mandated?

VIRGINIA KUNDRAT, ANABELLE YANG SUBMITTED PHOTOS

“I feel like vaccines should be encouraged especially toward the upperclassmen and those who are eligible for the vaccine, but there definitely are students whose guardians may not want their child to get a vaccine.”

Sophomore Anabelle Yang

“I think vaccines should be strongly encouraged, but I wouldn’t go so far as to require them. People who are afraid may be hesitant to get vaccinated.

While I don’t understand their avoidance, I do recognize their rights to their own personal choices.”

Chemistry teacher Virginia Kundrat

HILITE.ORG

39

FRIENDS...FOREVER? Growing out of high school friendships is healthy as people change, grow, move on to college WENDY ZHU COLUMN

A

SOWMYA CHUNDI GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

t the time of me writing

friends, but my point is it’s normal if this column, I’ll be graduatfriendships you once thought would ing in about four weeks. In last forever don’t end up being that way. about four months, I’ll be away at After all, each friendship serves a differcollege in a new city almost ent purpose, and not all of them 200 miles away from are meant to be lifelong ones. home. As I’m nearing In an ideal world, I’d the end of my high remain close with my high school career, I’d school friends all the be lying if I said I way through adultwasn’t scared or hood, but realistically anxious or unspeaking I’m probcertain about ably not going to next year, givstay in touch with en that none of each and every one my close friends of them. That’s not to will be going to say I don’t love them the same school BESTIE VIBES ONLY all dearly—because with me.

I do—but rather to I’ve spent many nights wonderacknowledge the fact that people will ing how I’ll manage to maintain come and go. People will grow and meaningful relationships when all change, and that’s just a part of life. my current friends are hundreds At the end of the day, however, my or even thousands of miles away. high school friends will always hold a However, as tempting as it is to special place in my heart, regardless desperately cling to old friendships of how long our friendships last. I am for comfort over the next four years, so incredibly grateful to have had an it’s important to remember that it’s amazing high school experience (COperfectly normal for friendships to VID-19 pandemic and all), and I will fade, especially in the transition forever cherish the wonderful memofrom high school to college (and ries I’ve made with those around me. ultimately, to adulthood).

For now, I’ll make the most of my Graduating from high school and senior year and relish every moment moving on is certainly a bittersweet I have with my friends. And even experience, but it doesn’t have to be though I have no idea where I’ll be 10 a completely negative one. When I years down the road or what my social look back on my old elementary or circles will look like by then, that’s OK. middle school friends, for instance, I After all, high school is only four years feel a sense of nostalgia, not sadness. of our lives, and I know my friends will In that exact point and time in my life, accomplish great things in life, with or H those friends were the people I chose without me by their side. to surround myself with, the people I The views in this column do not necesneeded. But as my life changed, so did sarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. my social circles. Maybe geographical Reach Wendy Zhu at wzhu@hilite.org distance got the better of us, or maybe we just naturally drifted apart. GrantThis column was originally published ed, I’m still close with some of those online on May 19, 2021

MATERNALLY GRATEFUL SARAH ZHENG GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE 20 years ago

Happy Mother’s Day!

10 years ago Happy Mother’s Day!

TODAY...

Happy Mother’s Day!

40

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

EAT CONSCIOUSLY With May being National Salad Month, meat should be treated as dietary luxury, plant-based diets should become more normalized GRACE XU COLUMN

B

efore junior year, i in-

terviewed several sources for a HiLite story about veganism, and the more I researched about plant-based diets, the more I realized the existence of a popular misconception—that meat is essential to a healthy diet.

A very thoughtprovoking comment from one of my interviews was we can eat raw plants, raw fruit, TRY raw fish, even raw eggs, but raw meat?

This raises the question of whether humans were meant to eat meat in the first place, especially given our lack of carnassial teeth and the health risks.

Moreover, while vitamin B-12 is one of the only necessary nutrients unique to animal products, it can be found in other foods, not to mention the option of supplementary vitamins; Fish, eggs,

and dairy are excellent sources of B-12, and many who eat plant-based diets actually have better and more balanced nutrient intake overall.

It is important to note that, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), human consumption of meat has increased inordinately over the years, correlated with increased economic development. Meat is a dietary luxury rather IT than a necessity.

However, personal health is only one of the many benefits. There is the issue of animal cruelty; the deplorable treatment of livestock animals is well-documented.

Agriculture is also an extensive contributor of greenhouse gases due to the release of methane gases from cattle and increased consumer interest in plant-based diets can encourage cor-

PLANT-POWERED Learn how eating a plant-based diet affects the body

May put you at higher risk for bone fractures

Limits saturated fat from meat, lowering cholesterol in your blood but also potentially making you feel tired

Can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke & diabetes CHLOE SUN GRAPHIC HEALTHLINE, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, WEBMD SOURCES

BY THE NUMBERS

34%

porate trends to move toward more sustainable options. Even so, starting a stricter plant-based diet such as veganism, vegetarianism, or pescetarianism may seem daunting, but there is no need for an all-or-nothing mindset.

I’ve been eating a flexible plantbased rather than imposing allergy-like restrictions on myself, I treat meat as junk food—a luxury. Just as I rarely eat ice cream but will occasionally indulge, I do the same with meat. Having an adaptable approach can also be helpful.

Whether it be a disciplined vegan diet or a more flexible plant-based diet, it’s ideal to find a plan that fits you best.

Regardless, consider phasing out meat from your meals this “Meatless May,” H given the many benefits.

decrease in breast cancer rates for vegan women

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Grace Xu at gxu@hilite.org

THEBEET, WTVOX SOURCES

This column was originally published online on May 5, 2021

9.7 million Americans are following plant-based diets

2.7% of the world population is vegan

Foods rich in vitamin E such as nuts, seeds, leafy greens & whole grains, protect brain health Phytochemicals & antioxidants in plants keep cells healthy, supporting your immune system and reducing inflammation

HILITE.ORG

41

MASK UP Wearing a mask when sick prevents spread of disease, should be normalized after COVID-19 pandemic CADY ARMSTRONG COLUMN

E

ver since kindergarten,

once a year I have caught either the flu or a bad virus from school or some other public place. However, this year I haven’t been sick once, due in large part to everyone wearing a mask in public consistently.

With this in mind, even once the COVID-19 pandemic is in the past, it’s time to normalize wearing masks in order to prevent the spread of disease.

MASKS <3

MASKS STIGMA DANIEL TIAN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

WESTERN COUNTRIES (PRE-COVID)

Stay away from him, he’s probably sick

ALL COUNTRIES (POST-COVID)

Hey look, he and I have the same mask

I’m not the only one who escaped the flu this year. According to the CDC, in a typical year at the height of flu season between December and February, the flu brings an average of 45 million cases.

During the 2019-20 flu season, the CDC estimated 38 million people were sick with the flu. However, this year there have only been 2,038 reported cases of the flu in the United States between Sept.

27, 2020 and April 24, 2021.

Health officials attribute much of this dramatic decrease to constant sanitation and mask-wearing in public. Further, these measures have saved up to 61,000 lives, the average amount of deaths due to the flu.

Wearing a mask is also not a completely new concept. At most doctors’ offices, they ask you to wear a mask if you have a cough or are sneezing a lot. Furthermore, in many parts of Asia wearing a mask in public to prevent disease was common even before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, making the transition in the United States to wearing masks in public while sick would not be that drastic. Also, with June right around the corner, it has been nearly 15 months since everyone started wearing masks, so it is something that people are accustomed to at this point. There are other benefits of wearing a mask too: they keep your face warm, keep bugs off you and discourage public displays of affection in the hallway, in turn helping the mask-wearing individual avoid everyday inconveniences.

Before March of 2020, many students would attend school even if they had a virus, potentially exposing several others to harmful diseases. However, all of this could be avoided if potentially sick individuals were to wear

DID YOU KNOW? The World Health Organization advises that your mask should be a minimum of three layers, and four layers can be up to seven times more effective than a single bit of fabric. Masks with vents or exhalation valves are not advised.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SOURCE

masks. As a society over the last year, we’ve all learned how disease spreads and how masks can help to stop them.

As a result, going in public when sick, with COVID-19 or any other virus, without a mask in 2021 means that you’re willingly spreading disease to the people around you. I am not saying that we should wear masks every day after the pandemic either. They’re bad for the environment and make my skin break out really bad. Rather, I simply encourage you to wear a mask in public when you’re sick to help prevent the spread of disease. If we had worn masks before the COVID-19 pandemic, who knows how many lives could have been saved? Though there’s nothing we can do about that now, we can help save others from getting sick by normalizing wearing a H mask in public when ill.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Cady Armstrong at carmstrong@hilite.org This column was originally published online on May 15, 2020

Scan this for a guide on how to wear a mask

42

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

BALANCING WORK Students should consider applying for part-time jobs MICHELLE WAN COLUMN

F

or this upcoming summer

I decided to apply for a parttime job at Bub’s Burgers. I have already been through the interview process and my training for the position of ice cream server will begin later this month. Though this was the first time I’ve been through the process of applying for a part-time job, I already can see the experience has given me a new perspective and confidence I can use in the future.

With this in mind, I encourage other students at this school to consider applying for a part-time job not only to gain helpful experience for the future but also for fun.

Luckily, this school has made the process of applying for jobs pretty easy. Students who are interested in finding a part-time job can attend the job fair hosted in the main cafeteria from April 22 through May 18.

NO LOSS

12 Read a story about how the pandemic impacted students’ perceptions on having a job

Different businesses such as Lowe’s, Kona Ice, Conner Prairie and Wendy’s will be here for both Carmel and Greyhound cohort days.

Having a job leads to a lot of benefits. According to Youth First, an Indiana-based organization that serves Indiana youth and their families, working can give teens an opportunity to establish contacts with adult employers that can serve as a future reference. Additionally, the organization states that as teens work a part-time job they learn how capable they are, which in turn builds confidence and self-reliance.

This can help teens feel more independent and have the confidence to further their development with a sense of responsibility.

To be fair, part-time jobs can also present challenges. Many new workers need to learn to balance their jobs with school work and

extracurricular activities. Some students may find it difficult to prioritize their time between school, social activities and their part-time job. Additionally, mental health is another consideration when deciding to apply for a part-time job.

Depending on the student, stress levels can vary based not only on the school work he or she has but also on the number of hours that student is asked to work.

But those drawbacks can be overcome, and they don’t have to be the reason for not working as a part-time employee. Overall, applying for a parttime job has proven beneficial results in teens, and it’s worth it for students to H give getting a job a shot.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Michelle Wan at mwan@ hilite.com This column was originally published online on May 11, 2021

LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS

NOW HIRING!

“WOW! I might be able to finally get a job that fits my skill set!

This will look great on my résumé and be great experience.”

specifically high schoolers

REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to dedicate 40 hours a week, have 10 years of experience, and a PhD PAY: 10 cents? maybe 15 if we are feeling generous :)

“And this is supposed to be a job for high schoolers?!”

LEAH TAN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

HILITE.ORG

43

A PERFECT EXAM? With different versions of AP exams, this year’s exam works out best KAROLENA ZHOU COLUMN

B

y the time this column is

version the most. I like traditional tests more because it showcases my published I will have taken knowledge and understanding of a my first AP exam as a junior. topic more than a short test. I can This year, I will be taking a total miss more questions without worryof 7 AP exams, which means for ing that if I missed one question, I the next few weeks, I will be very might not receive college credit. sleep-deprived from studying for However, something I am happy my exams. Throughout my high about is that the College school career, every year, I Board changed from the have taken a different traditional exams this version of the AP exam. year is that for the AP In my freshman year, exams that require me I had one AP exam, to write long essays, which I took tradiI will be able to tionally at school type it instead of with a multiple writing. I also like choice section how the College and a free-reBoard gave differsponse section. ent options; they In my sophomore had many differyear, due to COVent dates students ID-19, the AP exNOT AGAIN could take their ams were changed. exam and even had Instead of taka digital option for all the exams. ing the exams at school, I took the This was especially helpful for exams at home digitally, the test me as some of my teachers decided also only had one or two questions to push my AP exams to the second for each test.This year, in my junior date, which gave me more time to year, with COVID-19 still spreadstudy. With all the different vering but not as badly as last year, the sions of the AP exam, I think this AP exams kind of returned back to year’s version is the best. the traditional versions with only Honestly, I can’t find anything some exams being changed. wrong with the way that the exam Most of my exams have reis organized. I feel like the College turned to normal with a multiple Board was able to accommodate evchoice section and a free-response H eryone’s needs this year. section, but some of my exams have changed such as my AP Seminar exam, which is now going to be taken at home digitally, and my AP U.S. History exam, which now The views in this column do not necno longer has a long essay question, essarily reflect the views of the Hibut more short answer questions Lite staff. Reach Karolena Zhou at and will be taken at school digitally. kzhou@hilite.com With all the different versions of AP exams I have taken and goThis column was originally published ing to take, I think I like this year’s online on May 10, 2021

WHEN IS IT OVER? Maybe I can go outside today...

TO-DO LIST AP VIDEOS 2.1-2.5 AP PRACTICE MCQ GRADE PRACTICE FRQ STUDY FOR AP FINAL

*ON DESK

Nevermind

CALINA HE GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

15 MINUTES OF FAME

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

Chu-zara (base cup) Ken (stick) Ozara (big cup) Ko-zara (small cup) Ken-saki (spike)

Dama (ball)

Ito (string)

KEY TO KENDAMA: While staying focused,

Schuman practices a variety of tricks with his kendama. He said tricks may take anywhere from a day to a couple weeks to learn depending on the difficulty, and the best way to improve is to just keep practicing.

Scan this to watch Schuman demonstrate kendama tricks

HILITE.ORG

KENDAMA KID Q&A with junior Charlie Schuman on playing, doing tricks with kendama MADDIE MISTERKA Q&A

RILEY LAFERRIERE PHOTO

Could you explain what kendama is?

It’s basically a Japanese ball and stick game. There’s a “ken,” which has three cups on it—a bottom cup, and then two side cups, and then a spike. And then a “tama,” which is the ball, and then there is a hole so you can put it on the spike.

How did you get into kendama?

It was at my Bar Mitzvah.

I went to Colorado and I met the kendama world champion, Bonz Atron.

He worked for my cousin at a hotel and his leaving party was at the same time as my Bar Mitzvah. He had an extra kendama, so he decided to give it to me, which made me more interested in kendama.

Do you have any advice for someone who is getting into kendama or just wants to practice?

There (are) tutorials all over YouTube if you have a specific trick in mind, but learning the basics first is super helpful. I’d say the main thing is just getting the basics down, (like) being able to get it in a cup every time and being able to spike it all the time.

This Q&A was originally published online on May 17, 2021

CHLOE SUN, JASMINE ZHANG PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

What is it about kendama that makes it enjoyable to you?

It’s kind of a relaxing thing (to me).

I feel like a lot of people enjoy kendama because it’s a freedom of expression.

There’s so much that hasn’t been done and there’s so many different styles to it. It just frees your mind of everything else and you can do it with friends or by yourself.

Do you think kendama is something you want more people to do?

Yeah, when more people are involved, more people are going to like it. There are definitely times where I just kind of stopped playing for a couple months because nobody else is doing it. More people should definitely try it. It’s super fun. There’s just so much you can do with it.

Are there any specific skills that you need for kendama?

For the most part, it is a lot of practice. I think (some) people can go into it and be better than other people just from having some previous hand eye coordination. The best people always practice the most.

Have you ever created tricks?

Or do you want to at some point?

My favorite types of tricks are stall tricks, which is getting the ball or getting the dama to just stop somewhere on the ken that’s not on the spike, and just like in the middle of the sequence. I’m pretty good at a lot of different types of stall tricks, so what I’ll do is incorporate different types of tricks that are not stall and then throw that in. That’s kind of my thing.

45

LITEBOX

B E S T O F M AY 2 0 2 1

FANCY FOOTWORK Junior Michael Geary (left) dances with senior Ellie Sanchez (right) during a dress rehearsal for “Mamma Mia.” Geary and Sanchez played the two love interests, Sky and Sophie, in the show. The cast performed the musical live on May 6 to 8 in the Dale E. Graham Auditorium.

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

This photo was originally published online on May 18, 2021