2.17 Issue

CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 86, NO. 7 FEB. 17, 2022

Students discuss discovery, practice of new age religions in light of upcoming celestial events PAGE 28 | JILLIAN MOORE

table of contents just a minute 04 IN THE GENES Learn about mRNA technology behind Pfizer’s COVID, flu vaccines

perspectives 06 TIME TO TRACE 07 NEVER TOO LATE 08 GUILT FREE 09 LINING POCKETS 10 SUN SAFETY 11 MY EDUCATION

With upcoming voting for state legislature bills, teachers should fight to keep important discussions in classrooms

12 ADOPT DON’T SHOP 13 COMBAT CANCER

news 14 NEWS BRIEFS 15 COMEDY CLASH 16 MOLDING THE MONON Student, staff weigh in on ongoing renovations to Monon Trail

18 DANCE IT OFF 19 SENSORY SKATE

entertainment 20 RED HOT! With Pixar’s first film with an Asian lead, Turning Red, debuting on Disney+ on March 11, learn about East Asian representation’s importance in Western animation

22 CHANGING THE STORY

24 POWER OF POC 25 TLC YOU LATER 26 EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK 27 ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS

cover 28 AGE OF AQUARIUS

In light of approaching celestial events, students talk about new-age beliefs

student section 34 BE KIND Students discuss importance, effect of random acts of kindness

36 SEASONAL SENTIMENT 37 VALENTINE’S DAY

feature 38 NOT INTERNET SLANG

With February as Black History Month, students, teachers examine implications of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) in popular culture

by the book: New age practicer and sophomore Alec Evard reads from a book about crystals.

These new age books can be found in many crystal and book shops.

RILEY LAFERRIERE PHOTO

42 NO TIME TO WASTE 44 THE NAME GAME

sports 46 SPORTS BRIEFS 47 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 48 SENIOR SENTIMENT

Seniors discuss difficult conclusions to school-sanctioned athletic experiences, effect on identity

50 RETRO BOWL 51 BEST OF BOTH WORLDS 52 MUSIC IN GAMES

15 minutes 54 DEATH-DEFYING

Q&A with freshman Josh Cale, roller coaster enthusiast

staff Editors in Chief Cady Armstrong Chloe Sun Managing Editors Aniket Biswal Sowmya Chundi Daniel Kim Emily Sandy Leah Tan Riley TerBush Front/TOC/JAM Elise Varhan Perspectives Joshika Sathyamathan Daniel Tian News Zainab Idrees Raghav Sriram Entertainment Riley Laferriere Jillian Moore Cover Maddie Misterka Student Section Saumya Somasi Feature Archit Kalra Chenyao Liu Sports Austin Guo Darshini Shankar 15 Minutes Jasmine Zhang Web Eva Glazier Social Media Olivia McKee Copy Editors Avery Carlisle Matthew Du Claire He Saahas Kandru Sumedha Kota

Rohan Mahesh Eddie Sun Photographers Marissa Finney Caroline Just Arthur Mansavage Luke Miller Gabby Saber Zoe Tu Graphic Artists Siri Byrisetty Kent Fujita Grace Guo Moody Homsi Alan Huang Nathan Huang Yichen Liu Ali Persinger Arjun Purohit Writers Royce Brown Lorna Ding Maryam Hafeez Addison Joyce Dariush Khurram Christian Ledbetter Kate Loper Hibba Mahmood Maggie Meyer Pallevi Pillai Arya Pinnamaneni Alivia Romaniuk Siri Surapaneni Kruti Subbannavar Michelle Wan Lauryn Weninger Ryan Zhang Advisor Jim Streisel Principal Thomas Harmas Superintendent Michael Beresford

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 with a press run of 1,500.

Copies are distributed to every school in the Carmel Clay district as well as the Chamber of Commerce. City Hall and the Carmel Clay Public Library. The paper serves as a public forum and two-way communication for both the school and the community. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of CHS nor 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.

Responding to the HiLite: Letters to the editor will be accepted for the Mar. 25 issue no later than Mar. 10. 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: In the Jan. 20 issue, in the story “On Thin Ice,” Nash Cheslock was incorrectly attributed as Mallorey Cheslock.The HiLite strives to correct its errors. If you notice any inaccuracies in this or past issues, please contact management2122@hilite.org.

ELISE VARHAN, CHLOE SUN FRONT COVER DESIGN

@hilitenews @hilitenews @hilitenews

just a minute

FEB. 17, 2022

In the Genes See how Pfizer used mRNA technology to develop upcoming flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine RILEY TERBUSH, SARAH ZHENG GRAPHIC

CDC, HARVARD HEALTH, MAYO CLINIC, MEDLINE PLUS, THE NEW YORK TIMES, NATURE SOURCES

a new vaccine Scientists created the mRNA vaccine by changing certain nucleotides in the sequence on the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and encasing it in a lipid nanoparticle.

1

The vaccine inserts the mRNA into the bloodstream.

Lipids surround the mRNA to send it into the body

Cells take in the viral mRNA as it passes by to code it.

2 Ribosome

mRNA

Ribosomes process the mRNA and form spike proteins.

3 Scan this to see a JAM about traditional vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine development

The spike proteins attach to cells and the body finds the correct antibody shape to destroy them.

The body stores the correct antibody shape in a memory cell, whose only purpose is to recall the antibody in case the body ever needs to fight the virus.

Memory cell that recalls the correct antibody shape

The spike proteins are what the antibody needs to attach to in order to deactivate the virus, but cannot infect the person receiving the vaccine. They are Spike proteins coded much smaller and by inserted mRNA weaker relative to the actual virus.

Antibodies sent by the body match to spike proteins

HILITE.ORG

4

05

When the virus finds its way into the body, white blood cells have the proper antibody shape ready to counteract it.

The white blood cells deploy the antibodies, which attach to spike proteins

Vaccinated individuals 12-years-old or older are eligible for their COVID-19 booster shot at least five months after their second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

see the rates See the local full vaccination rate in comparison to state and national rates as of Feb. 7, 2022

Flu virus

Hamilton Co.

70%

Indiana

53% 64%

USA 0%

25%

75%

50%

100%

dna discovery See the journey of DNA science

1953

1860s

This view of DNA under Rosalind Franklin’s microscope allowed a team of scientists to decipher DNA’s double helix shape.

Friedrich Miescher did the foundational research for DNA discovery in his investigation of white blood cells. He names DNA “nuclein.”

2020

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman discover replacing the uridine nucleotides in mRNA with pseudouridine prevents the body from attacking inserted mRNA, which was the main barrier to mRNA vaccines.

C G

T

A

The nucleotide uridine (U) is replaced with pseudouridine

1970s

Scientists begin sequencing DNA and investigating how patterns of genes relate to development and genetic disorders.

2020 2021

Pfizer and Moderna create the first mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

Their vaccines were qualified for emergency distribution by the FDA.

Pfizer begins developing the first mRNA vaccine against the flu virus, the vaccine is currently in its trial stages and distribution is planned for early 2022.

perspectives

FEB. 17, 2022

Time to Trace CCS should resume COVID-19 contact tracing, further precautions HILITE STAFF EDITORIAL

O

n Jan. 20, this district

announced it would cut back on contact tracing. In its short statement, the district reasoned that this was to limit “multiple notifications of exposure.” Additionally, the district will continue to make masks optional at after-school activities.

This announcement came after the district reached its highest number of cases in one week with it reporting 534 positive cases across all buildings during the week of January 15. In turn, according to Principal Tom Harmas, the district had a 17% absence rate. With this large increase in cases as well as the new Omicron variant, the HiLite staff recommends the district resumes notifying students and staff of their exposure as well as make masks mandatory at after-school activities.

Contact tracing is necessary because of its effectiveness at stopping the spread of the virus. For example, if a student is unknowingly exposed to the virus and contracts it but is asymptomatic, they could go in public and unknowingly spread it to someone else. However, if the student were to be made aware that they were exposed, they could get tested and find out they have it, keeping everyone safe.

We recognize that contact tracing

q&a

requires much time and effort from the administration, but there are some additional measures the district could implement to alleviate that burden.

One such solution would be to require a negative COVID test before returning to school.

According to Superintendent Michael Beresford, a negative test is not required due to the low possibility of transmission after a five day quarantine.

Beresford said, “It’s not required because what they’re saying is if you stay out five days, you usually feel much better and that most of the transmissions are done in the first five days.”

But, while the majority of the population does feel better after five days, that doesn’t mean they’re not contagious.

In turn, if the district were to require a negative test result, students would know with absolute certainty that they are not positive, meaning that they could not accidentally pass the virus on to someone else and stop the spread before it even happens.

Another solution to help alleviate the burden of contract tracing is to make masks mandatory once again during after-school activities. If students were to wear masks more at after-school activities, there would potentially be fewer cases of COVID-19, meaning

by the numbers

28.4% postive PCR and antigen tests on a given day in Indiana

131

reported deaths due to COVID-19 in Indiana from Jan. 22 to Jan. 31

42.1% of people have a positive test result for COVID-19 over a 7 day period in Indiana.

The 7 day average allows for accurate results.

IN.GOV SOURCE

there would be fewer required contact tracing efforts. While after-school activities often come with eating and drinking, wearing masks is still possible. If masks were required, the cases could potentially decrease in addition to lessening the amount of contact tracing the district would have to do.

We commend this district for its efforts so far this year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, although more and more students and teachers continue to get vaccinated, the end of the pandemic has not yet arrived. Continuing to implement small measures like contract tracing and requiring masks at after-school activities could hopefully help to limit the spread of the virus and take steps to h move us past this pandemic.

our stance CHS should prioritize contact tracing and require negative test results in order to decrease rising COVID cases

CADY ARMSTRONG Q & A, PHOTO

Superintendent Michael Beresford

What happens when a student tests positive for COVID-19?

Are masks still required in school?

“The new rules are that they have to go home and quarantine for five days. If at the end of the five days, they’re symptom free, meaning no fever without fever reducing medications, then they can come back to school. Once they return, they have to wear a mask for five more days then. However, if (they) have any symptoms at all, they have to stay home until (their) symptoms go away.”

“We don’t require them at extracurriculars after school. We highly recommend them, but we don’t require them. At a lot of our events, there’s food and drink so it’s just weird, awkward, and hard to wear it all the time. However, with the numbers currently spiking, we’ll continue to watch the numbers and we may have to tweak some things.”

HILITE.ORG

07

Never Too Late Students should consider taking up new hobbies ANIKET BISWAL COLUMN, GRAPHIC

I

see it all the time. whenever

I go play basketball at the Monon Community Center with friends, there’s almost always middle aged men and women taking basketball lessons from a personal trainer or occasionally a pickleball match occurring between senior citizens.

Or when I go to play tennis at either Creekside or CHS over the summer, there’s usually an intense match or tournament happening between grandparents.

Or when I used to swim for fun in community pools, there would always be time allocated for older adults to swim freely. And now with it being the last semester I’ll spend at CHS, it amazes me how those people were able to pick up those hobbies despite being past their “prime.”

Basketball, tennis, and swimming are almost always considered activities for the young, but it goes to show that it is never too late to pick up a hobby. Even for us high schoolers.

Back in 2020 when many of us were quarantining at home, I found it impossible to continue the activities I loved, but I soon picked up a hobby that would keep me entertained during my free time: magic tricks. I would watch YouTube videos, read articles online, and continuously practice them whenever I had the chance because I found the act exciting and fun. And to this day, I still try to practice tricks at home (don’t ask me to show you any, I’m not that good) and will likely continue to do so for a long time.

According to a study done by a team of researchers in Kansas and summarized by Tara Parker-Pope

go with it

Scan this to learn more about the importance of having a hobby HEADTOHEALTH SOURCE

from the New York Times, there are measurable benefits of picking up a hobby on overall health. Firstly, they found participants who were involved in any activity or hobby, whether it be active or not, had better physical health than those who weren’t involved. Secondly, they found people who had a hobby had less overall stress than those who didn’t have one. And thirdly, they found those same people were more happy and had more friends than people who didn’t participate in leisure activities.

While many of us participate in extracurricular activities and sports, it’s never a guarantee that we’ll continue those activities later in our lives, either due to a lack of time or lack of interest. But hobbies are different; these are activities that persist with us throughout our lives and are interests that never get old. These include sports but many hobbies are not as active, like cooking, drawing, painting, sewing, gardening, etc.

And while it may sound hard to

just pick up a hobby, it’s not as hard as you think. Find someone who shares the same interest as you, such as your mother who likes to cook or a good friend who can paint, and ask them to teach you the ropes. Or go online and find videos or articles describing the basics of the act and go from there.

Once you find that one activity that you can lose hours doing, you’ll realize how important it is to spend leisure time correctly. h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Aniket Biswal at abiswal@hilite.org

did you know?

Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from anxiety, mood swings, and depression.

Hobbies also help foster social connections through community outreach and help one find their sense of identity outside their work.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY SOURCE

try it out!

Check out 15 different hobbies to pick up

NEW YORK TIMES, INDEED SOURCES

What type of hobby would you like?

More active

Less active

Indoor

Outdoor

Either

Stationary

Some movement

Swimming Working Out Yoga

Golf

Basketball

Cooking

Running

Tennis

Soccer

Volleyball

Reading Playing an instrument Painting

Gardening Travelling

08

FEB. 17, 2022

Guilt Free Students should not give into “guilty pleasure” culture CADY ARMSTRONG COLUMN

F

or a long time, i’ve enjoyed

making videos on the social media platform TikTok, where users can post 60-second videos. However, I have rarely posted in the fear of someone I know in real life seeing one and judging me. Additionally, whenever one of my family members has walked in on me filming one, they normally roll their eyes.

At first, I would justify filming a video to have something to look back on later or because it was the “guilty pleasure” I allowed myself to have.

However, now, I realize that I don’t have to justify what I enjoy doing in my free time to anyone, for any reason.

In the past, whenever I liked something other people thought was embarrassing to enjoy, I felt guilty and internally shamed myself. In order to avoid feeling this way, I decided to stop for a while. I tried to pick up the piano instead.

However, doing this activity that society thought was “better” didn’t make me feel any “better”.

So I decided to stop and just do what made me happy to begin with, which was making TikToks. When

I really thought about it, the only bring. As a teenager, I already have thing that made me stop in the very limited free time and don’t really first place was worry that other want to spend it doing something I people would look down on don’t like just because it “holds me for filming them, and value” and what I enjoy does that really should not be not. And the same goes for reason enough to do so. liking items that are seen as So, while making TikTok “basic” or stereotypical. If you videos may not be “productive” love Starbucks, you love Staror be what society deems an acbucks. If you like your hydroceptable activity to do in one’s flask, you like your hydroflask. free time, I think it’s fun. At the Don’t let someone calling you end of the day, we should not @cadyarmstrong8 a “VSCO girl” stop you from have to justify what we do just enjoying your Carmel Frapto be accepted by other people. puccino or Eno hammock. by the Life becomes a lot more enjoyable After all, sometimes things are number considered “basic” because they’re when you simply allow yourself to like what you like instead of shamgreat. Our lives are already so dictated ing yourself and feeling guilty when by everyone else so we shouldn’t also you indulge in something you enjoy. have our free time be controlled by of Americans I hesitated for so long to start posting anyone else. At the end of the day, out of 2,000 or even download TikTok because you like what you like. It’s that simple. confess I didn’t want to be judged for it but Either way, you can catch me making they’re at now I realize that all I did was just TikTok videos and watching “The least a little h miss out on it for longer.

Bachelor” every Monday. ashamed of A lot of people look down on certheir guilty The views in this column do not nectain activities or pastimes because they pleasures essarily reflect the views of the HiLite do not hold a ton of value. However, I NEW YORK staff. Reach Cady Armstrong at carmdisagree because the value comes from POST SOURCE strong@hilite.org the happiness that these activities can

38%

bachelorette SIRI BYRISETTY GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

whatever Valentine’s Day is overrated anyway

*episode of the bachelor on Valentine’s Day*

HILITE.ORG

09

Lining Pockets True support of Asian community should be examined during Lunar Year CHLOE SUN COLUMN

E

very year, asian families

of meaningless campaigning happen with other holidays like Ramadan and and friends around the world the Mid-Autumn Festival as well. This come together to celebrate has also been observed during Pride Lunar New Year with time-honored month as brands carry out empty acts traditions like parties, gift-giving, prayers of supposed solidarity on social media and red pockets as we ring in another while privately donating to causes year of prosperity and good fortune. harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.

However, with these meaningful At the same time, it could celebrations come an onslaught be argued that this of performativity, as acknowledgment of Asian Western-centric brands culture is an opportunity decide to “celebrate” by for positive Asian plastering the New representation— Year’s corresponding but is it done zodiac animal on a right? What are product or giving these companies their merchandise doing for Asian a red design and communities calling it a day. The beyond advertising commodification a holiday of this meaningful collection?

(For holiday continues gong xi fa cai the record, empty to grow every # St o p A s i a n H a t e year, often post on social media doesn’t count.) In misinterpreting and minimizing the larger sense, are these brands doing these distinct cultural practices anything to truly uplift and tell the into opportunities for profit and stories of the cultures they monetize? highlighting how these brands As Asian Americans are continually do little to support the Asian targeted in hate crimes to this day, community elsewhere. these blatant profit grabs play out in As an Asian American, these a time where the Asian community campaigns often read as a lazy would rather see true efforts by these attempt at profiting off of a culture brands to amplify our voices instead. while disregarding who it came Luckily, consumers readily call out from. Recent contenders include brands for their empty gestures online, Apple’s tiger emoji AirPod Pro cases, and with time, the pressure to pay Nike’s Chinese character-adorned tribute to Asian cultures correctly and sneakers that, put together, spell examine biases overall will hopefully set out “fat” instead of sentiments these large brands straight. Remember expressing new year blessings, and to support Asian-owned businesses Fenty Beauty’s red contour sticks in and think twice about a brand’s level only two pale shades—as if changing of intention and accuracy in its Asian the packaging on an old product and h representation. not acknowledging the diversity of the Asian community garners any true meaning. Kate Spade, Aritzia, The views in this column do not necesHuda Beauty, Burberry—the list goes sarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. on. Consumers have seen this kind Reach Chloe Sun at csun@hilite.org

double standard “I’m not really into horoscopes or zodiacs or whatever, so I didn’t check my fortune for the year of the Tiger...”

“Well, for your zodiac it says that it’ll be a year full of love and prosperity!”

“Just kidding it can predict the future!”

LEAH TAN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

10

FEB. 17, 2022

Sun Safety With its benefits, ease of use, everyone should consider wearing sunscreen during winter months DANIEL KIM COLUMN

E

up to 80% of all UV light onto your since elementary skin, which only adds to the UV rays school, my mother would hitting you directly from the sun. It’s always apply a layer of suneasy to think that during the cloudy screen before any task involving a trip winter months, sunscreen isn’t necesto the outdoors, whether it be a short sary. In reality, it’s the exact oppogrocery run or driving me to school. site. In the winter, sun damEven during winter, this habit age is even more dangerous, of hers continued. unexpectedly so.

When I asked her As an annual skier at about it out of curiosPerfect North Slopes, ity, she would provide I’ve experienced all sorts of reasons, this firsthand. Alexplaining how though most parts it helps with the of my body are appearance of agcovered, I typiing, skin health cally don’t wear and preventing hooded clothes or cancers, especially scarves for better during snowy and use at all times! dexterity, which cloudless days. would often cause As a 10-yearirritated skin around my exposed old at the time, aging and health neck. Fortunately, applying sunwere distant concepts to me, and screen every time I go has helped I naively dismissed the benefits of me avert this discomfort. the protective ointment. However, Furthermore, sunscreen not only eight years later, I’ve become more prevents skin cancers but the apconscious about taking care of my well-being. And when it comes to skin, sunscreen could not be a better option.

According to the Centers for Valentine’s Day: Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most Me common type of cancer in the United States with more than 4.3 million Americans being treated for the disease each year. Skin cancers are mostly caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, which, surprisingly, can have the most adverse effects during the winter.

In a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), winter can actually be the most potent season for UV ray exposure due to one reason: snow. Despite shorter periods of sunlight, snow can reflect ver

by the numbers

20%

of Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70

5

or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma

9.5

THOUSAND Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day SCF SOURCE

pearance of aging as well. Unlike my mother, my father doesn’t habitually apply sunscreen every day. His skin is free of any skincare products, and after many years I can definitely tell the difference between his and my mother’s skin. This, according to Yale Medicine, is because UV rays have been known to cause DNA changes and damage to the collagen and elastin fibers of your skin, which can accelerate the appearance of aging as well as cause age spots.

Whether you’re strolling on a beach or shoveling snow off your driveway, applying sunscreen can slow the appearance of aging, prevent skin cancers, improve skin quality and so much more.

With its irrefutable benefits, applying sunscreen will ensure a bright future for your health, reh gardless of the season.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff.

Reach Daniel Kim at dkim@hilite.org

maybe next time Aw, thanks!

Oh...

DANIEL KIM GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

HILITE.ORG

11

My Education Despite Bill 1134’s recent approval by Indiana House, lawmakers, students, teachers should voice concerns to keep discussions in classrooms SOWMYA CHUNDI COLUMN

A

few weeks ago, i was

Unfortunately, the bill fails to achieve what it’s meant to do—maxiwalking into the girl’s restmize and improve students’ learning. room when I noticed the In fact, it’s clear the authors are atwall lined with black and white tempting to enforce their own posters reading “Your Educapolitical agendas upon stution Matters” and “Vote dents while claiming they No to House Bill 1134!” want to keep others from in large letters. While I doing the same. had heard about a conThe bill itself has troversial education a dark past. House bill being passed in Bill 1134 is a copythe Indiana House, cat bill of Senate reading its details Bill 167, which on a poster above became the subject the sink immediof national outrage ately alarmed me. when the bill’s auHouse Bill 1134, vote no! thor, Senator Scott titled “Education Baldwin, suggested Matters,” is not the teachers should be “neutral on Nazism” first of its kind; many politicians have and only teach objective information. shifted their playing field to educaThis baffles me; every instructor should tion, spurring a nationwide debate condemn all acts of discrimination surrounding critical race theory, social from our past and explain to students emotional learning and history curriwhy we can make these mistakes again. cula in public schools.

Baldwin later walked back on his comThe bill is complex, but it all boils ments, but only after public outcry. down to limiting what teachers can say As a student, I’ve always loved the about race, history and politics in Indisocial studies teachers and classes here ana classrooms. Specifically, if the bill at Carmel. Learning about everything passed, it bans a list of “divisive confrom segregation in schools in 1954 cepts” from discussion in classrooms, to finally achieving marriage equality including that any sex, race or ethnicin 2015 has attuned my understandity is inherently superior or inferior to ing of other communities. Similarly, another or that any individual should while topics like racism, sexism and feel discomfort, guilt or responsibility homophobia can initially make somewhen learning about others’ hardships. one uncomfortable, it’s only when we The bill would take power out of discuss them among diverse audiences the hands of teachers and school leadthat we can come together and build ers and put it into the hands of parents empathy for each other. and lawmakers—people who aren’t Because of this, students and teacheven present in the classroom. Under ers at this school must voice their conthe bill, parents could potentially sue cerns to prevent this bill from erasing schools for thousands of dollars, revoke the diverse education we’ve built at this licenses of teachers or administrators school. At least according to the girl’s and require teachers to post classroom restroom, we have enough reason to materials online for parents to inspect speak out against House Bill 1134. h at the beginning of the school year.

16 Read a story about another lawmaker decision, the Monon Trail renovations

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Sowmya Chundi at schundi@hilite.org Editor’s note: As of press deadline on Feb. 11, the Indiana Senate had not yet debated this bill.

understanding the bills Take a look at three education bills that are being voted on in Indiana Senate Bill 167

Details: Teachers cannot educate about controversial topics or condemn discrimination. Teachers must be transparent with parents about all curricula.

Status: Bill was scheduled to be voted on Jan. 13, but was pulled because the author was isolating after a COVID-19 exposure.

House Bill 1134 Details: Contains the same language that would prohibit divisive content as SB 167.

Was amended so teachers could condemn some concepts in the classroom.

Status: House voted 60-37 in favor of the bill, despite opposition from the teachers.

Now, the Senate must vote on the bill.

House Bill 1040 Details: Allows students and parents to opt out of face masks or quarantining due to COVID-19.

History education condemn NOTBUZZFEED, PEW RESEARCHmust CENTER SOURCES communism and socialism. Gives parents more say in student education.

Status: To be voted on in General Assembly SOWMYA CHUNDI GRAPHIC INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY SOURCE

12

FEB. 17, 2022

Adopt Don’t Shop People should adopt from shelters, refrain from adopting from breeders solely for purebreds LEAH TAN COLUMN

I

t's national love your pet

day on Feb. 20, and as I cuddle next to my dog, Emma, I can’t help but be reminded of when it all began. Ten years ago, I entered the shelter hoping to get the dog of my dreams: an American Eskimo.

Yet, as I walked around, I couldn’t find that breed; in fact, I couldn’t find any recognizable breed. The shelter was filled with different mixed breeds, and up until then I only knew of purebred dogs. But, I still found the love of my life: a German Shepherd-Boxer mix who would become my best friend.

The history behind why purebreds are favored in comparison to mixed breeds is dark. In fact, when competitive dog shows started gaining popularity in the 19th century, dog breeds were used to stratify social classes. According to Michael Worboys, a specialist on the social history of pedigree dog breeding in Victorian Britain, women weren’t allowed to show their dogs, and most competitions made workingclass pet owners show their dogs after their richer counterparts. It’s because of this that some breeds were bred solely for aesthetics and maintaining the “purity” of their

by the numbers

65%

of owners adopt a rescue dog for free

51%

of American animal owners have mixedbreed dogs

35%

of Americans say they have adopted a stray animal off the street

4.1 MILLION animals are adopted from shelters each year ASPCA SOURCE

bloodline, which came at the expense of their health.

In fact, because of dog breeding we’ve drastically decreased the gene pool of dogs. A 2008 study from the Imperial College discovered that although there are around 10,000 pugs in the United Kingdom, the gene pool is so small that it is the equivalent of just 50 distinct pugs. These large-scale “in-breeding” tactics have led to the development of major genetic disorders such as deafness or even health complications like respiratory disorders.

Yet despite this dark history, we still promote such a system through different breeders who aim to maintain the purity of certain breeds. Such a market blooms because of the huge demand to own a dog we think is “aesthetically” cute and recognizable.

It’s a different kind of prejudice; we ignore dogs that don’t have the cute characteristics we so desire. So as a result, dogs in need are often ignored— mixed-breeds constitute 80% of all dogs in shelters. But mixed-breeds aren’t any less special than purebreds.

Rather, they tend to be healthier, better behaved, and live-longer due to their genetic diversity.

It’s time we stop endorsing this inhumane, outdated system and start cherishing dogs simply for being our loyal companions. Stop searching for the “perfect breed” and start searching for those in need. Dogs aren’t objects to show off; they are amazing animals that can save lives, find food or simply put a smile on our face. So let’s give back to our furry friends and adopt, not h shop. dog days: Senior Leah Tan poses with her adopted dog, Emma. She said, “Emma is a German Shepherd, a Boxer and my life-long best friend.“

doggies <3 The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff.

Reach Leah Tan at ltan@hilite.org

ruff stuff Take a look at some of the attributes of purebred, mixed dogs Shih Tzu, purebred

DANIEL TIAN GRAPHIC OAKLAND VETERINARY SOURCE

- Bred for specific tasks, such as hunting, herding, or guarding.

- At higher risk of genetic conditions and health conditions - Tend to be more expensive

- Shelter dogs are naturally exposed to more infectious illnesses - Considered “sturdier” - Generally more laidback, easier to train, adaptable Mixed

HILITE.ORG

13

Combat Cancer Prevent cancer by regularly scheduling check up appointments, performing self exams EMILY SANDY COLUMN

W

Well, I am highly at risk to have the hen i was getting BRCA-2 gene, which is basically a ready for a choir congene that makes you have the poscert in my freshman sibility of having ovarian or breast year of high school, I saw my mom cancer. I will get tested when I am run to her back room because she 18 years old. was getting a phone call. I saw that After that, I’ll have regular docshe wanted privacy, but I waited tor’s appointments to check up patiently outside of her door, and do at home exams waiting to see her when frequently.

Personshe got the news. ally, I don’t want to I heard a gasp and put my friends and I immediately knew family through what she heard on what I had to go the other side of through with the line. She my mom. I just got her think that test results if my mom back from her were to go biopsy, and back and do the tumor in things over, her breast was she would have malignant. gotten tested for In honor of cancer hater the gene sooner National Cancer and conducted Prevention Month, more regular exams.

I think it’s important to address My advice? Schedule yourself the importance of regularly getting out and set reminders. If you have tested for cancer. I had a first hand appointments on the books, then experience with someone that went you won’t forget. I think that the through two surgeries and chemoword “cancer” is thrown around therapy, and I can tell you that you so much that we almost become don’t want to go through that. numb to it.

I know that getting tested can Cancer is a vicious disease that sometimes get swept under the rug should not be taken lightly. If it goes because of how busy life is. But, it ignored or unnoticed, it can spread can turn your life upside down if throughout the entire body. I say all you don’t prevent it and you’ll look of these things to urge you to get testback and say, “Wow. All of that beed if you have any risk of having genes cause I told myself that (fill in the that put you at risk and to regularly blank) was more important than examine yourself. It’s something that taking care of myself.” It even has takes 5 minutes that could save you a chance of ending your life. My h and your family years of pain. grandmother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2003, and I never had the pleasure to meet her.

The views in this column do not necesNow, you may ask, what are you sarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. doing to prevent it for yourself?

Reach Emily Sandy at esandy@hilite.org

overgrown See characteristics of cancer cells Cancer cells result from mutated genes, caused by one of the following: 1. Errors during cell division 2. Inheritance from parents 3. Damage to cells from the environment (sun damage, smoking, etc.)

Cancer cells can trick body cells into protecting tumors rather than destroying cancer cells Tumor Cancer cells ignore signals for programmed death, causing indefinite growth and tumors

Normal body cells stay in place, but cancer cells move throughout the body

Cancer cells accumulate duplications and deletions in chromosomes

Cancer cells can direct blood vessels to tumors

RILEY TERBUSH GRAPHIC NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE SOURCE

news

FEB. 17, 2022

News Briefs RAGHAV SRIRAM BRIEFS, GRAPHIC

Feb. 17

Sun

CCRC 9th and 10th Grade College & Career Planning

Feb. 21

Presidents’ Day

Feb. 26

Dance Marathon

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Sun

March 4

Orchestra Council Variety Show

March 16 Spring Musical

Sat

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School Events

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National Events

Key

Late Start

Feb.24

Spring Musical Dance Audtions

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Choir Concert

Start of Daylight Saving Time

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March 3

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Choir Dance Auditions

Start of Women’s History Month

SAT Testing

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Feb. 24

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FEBRUARY 2022

Feb. 23

National History Day Open House

Mon

March 17

St. Patrick’s Day

18 Flip two pages to see how the House of Representatives has been preparing for Riley Dance Marathon after last year

March 19

CMYC 3v3 Basketball Tournament

trivia night Submit your answers to this quiz for a chance to be featured in a future HiLite issue

When was the Monon Trail first constructed?

How long is the Monon Trail currently?

A) 1853 B) 1842 C) 1879

A) 30

B) 22

C) 35

D) 1812 E) 1847 F) 1855

D) 25

E) 20

F) 28

Scan here and fill out the form to submit your answers

HILITE.ORG

15

club spotlight

Comedy Clash DARIUSH KHURRAM Q&A, PHOTO

q&a Jim Peterson, ComedySportz sponsor Can you give me a brief overview of what ComedySportz is?

It’s a performance of improvisation between two competing teams. We have a school team from our school. A visiting team will come to Carmel, or we can travel there, and they will compete with us using a variety of games. The audience decides which one they think is funnier.

What would you say the atmosphere of the club is like?

It’s crazy, especially home matches at Carmel. We run about a half-hour longer than other matches because of the audience’s reaction. The matches run about an hour and a half; ours typically run almost two hours because the audience is just so engaged and is just having a really good time. So I love the matches here at Carmel because it is a party atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun, and people are having a good time.

Do you have any upcoming plans, competitions or events?

We have three matches at home. The first one is going to be on February 25, one on March 25, and our last one is April 22.

How can interested students participate?

We have auditions in September, usually the first week in September. We’ll do some training sessions during SSRT, and then we’ll have the auditions on Friday. Usually the Friday right before Labor Day. It is a small team, so competition is a little stiff with that, but there are always chances to come to an audience and participate that way. We’ll get your suggestions in, and have a lot of fun. Just watching what these guys can do is pretty amazing.

What do you think makes ComedySportz unique from other clubs extracurriculars?

It’s new and different every single game. We talk about theater being a live audience that makes the performance different, but it’s the same script. This is never the same script. It might be the same game, but you get different suggestions, so it’s unique and always different and changing.

That’s what I think keeps it fresh and alive and fun.

comedy contaminated Similar to other sports, ComedySportz has a referee and its own fouls.

Take a look at some of the most notable fouls and their associated penalties

-1 The Brown Bag Foul

Also known as the “potty mouth” foul, this foul is handed out when a player uses inappropriate language. This foul forces the player to wear a brown paper bag over their head or wear a toilet seat; the foul also loses the team a point

Terrible Pun!

The Groaner Foul

This foul is handed out when a player makes a particularly bad pun. The player must then apologize to the audience for their bad joke, and if the apology is accepted by the audience the team will not lose a point

ARJUN PUROHIT GRAPHIC IMPROVENCYCLOPEDIA SOURCE

16

FEB 17, 2022

Molding A New Monon With The Monon Trail closed for renovations, student, staff weigh in on implications and effects ZAINAB IDREES STORY

A

ccording to dan mcfeely , development

and community relations consultant for the city of Carmel, a portion of the Monon Greenway Trail will be closing due to renovations. The closure began on Jan. 17 and will continue for the next 10 months. The Monon Trail will be closed to the public from Monon Green Boulevard to the tunnel at City Center Drive.

In some parts of the Monon Trail, pedestrian counters were previously installed to help the city collect data on how frequently the Monon Trail is used.

McFeely said via email, “The Monon and Main counter (our busiest counter) shows that it has a daily average of 1,960 trips since it was installed in 2019, which would equate to an average of 715,400 trips per year. Last year, the Monon and Main counter counted 809,231 trips.”

Derek Moser, health teacher at this school, said the Monon Trail is important to him.

“I love the Monon; I run on it every morning. I walk on it whenever I have a chance and ride my bike as well in the summer. I actually bought my house specifically because it was close to the Monon so I could still use it every day. Besides running on it, some of my favorite memories are walking on (the Monon) on Saturday mornings to the Farmers Market in the summer.”

speak-up!

ARTHUR MANSAVAGE PHOTOS

construction kickoff: A construction fence with a “Monon Trail Closed” sign blocks access to the Monon Trail just adjacent to the Carter Green, and The Palladium.

On Monday, Jan. 17th the Monon Trail between City Center Drive and Carmel Drive closed to undergo renovations.

The renovations will take approximately 10 months, and include new landscaping, seating areas, and pathways to buildings

Similarly, sophomore Leanne Daniels said the Monon is important as a form of transportation.

Daniels said, “Mostly in the summer, that‘s my primary source of transportation, especially when it comes to work. So I bike a lot on it to get to work. I also longboard a lot on it. I‘ve created a lot of memories with friends. I am always on that trail in the summer. And I also use it as my source of exercise, I run on it a lot as well. So I‘ve spent a lot of my time on it and I live right next to it. I‘m also very close to it so it‘s easy access.”

According to McFeely, the city of Carmel is doing these renovations/construction in conjunction with Clay Township.

“The Township has partnered with the City on a number of important projects over the past few years, many of them related to parks. The Monon Greenway is a linear park and as such, the township felt it was important to support the City‘s plans to widen the greenway at one of its most congested points.”

Due to the traffic on the Monon, the city plans to widen the trails in some points, upkeep the landscaping and to add seating to more areas of the trail.

Moser said this closure will take some getting used to.

“I think the biggest effect it will have are those who use it regularly and have to detour around the closure, as well as the individuals who like to walk to the

How do you feel about the Monon Trail closing for renovation?

EVA GLAZIER SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

Freshman Connor Sweeney

“I feel that the closing of the Monon Trail is not timed correctly. However, I know that eventually when the trail is finally opened, everyone will be happy that they are making upgrades to create a more positive environment to work out and for other recreational use.”

Sophomore Tamir Halevi

“The Monon Trail closing is good timing because I like to go on the monon during the summer.

If it was closed later on in the year then it would cause greater annoyance because people cannot use the recreations. So if they finish renovations before summer starts that would be really good.”

paving the way to the future A segment of the well-known Monon Trail is being closed for renovations.

Take a look at some of the planned changes and information about the closing

WHEN?

Monon Trail Closed Segment Alternative Route

W Carmel Dr

City Center Dr

S Rangleline Rd

3rd Avenue

WHAT NOW?

The recommended alternative route is to go off the trail onto S Rangeline Rd until you are past the closed segment.

Farmers Market. I’m not sure exactly how that will work with the renovations not being completed for 10 months, but I am sure that they thought of the possible implications it would have had before they started. It will be an adjustment for sure, but everyone will figure out what those are and make them,” he said.

However, Daniels said this renovation will have a positive impact on the city as a whole.

“I would say that is very beneficial, especially from my past experiences, a dog attacked my board when I was trying to pass them because there wasn‘t enough space. And my board got damaged. So I feel as though adding more space on the trails gives enough room to where people and pets will be more comfortable and we won‘t be getting as close. It is a safer way for people to be able to exercise and not get too close to one another.”

McFeely said this will have an extremely positive impact on the Carmel community.

“This project will include widening and beautifying the Monon corridor in the City Center, which is our new downtown,” he said. “Widening the Monon itself will allow people travel through City Center and avoid conflicts with other Monon users where it is currently congested during busy times of the day/year (because of the Monon’s popularity). The beautification will provide another attraction along the Monon for community members and visitors to gather and enjoy central Carmel.”

“The Monon is one of the City of Carmel’s most popular amenities,” he added. “Investing in the Monon has helped increase the quality of life in Carmel, which is why people move here and why major companies choose to establish their businesses here. We don‘t have mountains or oceans, so we rely on the landscape of a built environment to give Carmel the unique flair that served us so well. The Monon attracts new residents who want to be on or near the trail, it attracts visitors from all over the Midwest and it has become a desirable

trailblazing the monon: A construction vehicle is parked on the section of Monon trail from Carmel Drive to City Center Drive that was closed to the public on Jan. 17. This section of the Monon Trail will undergo renovations and upgrades as part of the project.

Construction started on Jan. 17 and will end in October or November.

WHY?

The trail will have new seating areas, more landscaping, and connections to new buildings in the area.

MOODY HOMSI GRAPHIC CBS SOURCE

place to work as well. This section of the Monon is in need of repair after years of use. The popularity of the Monon has brought a lot of bike and pedestrian traffic through City Center so widening this section of the Monon will create a more enjoyable experience for all Monon users and visitors to the City Center area.”

While construction is going on, all businesses will be open and detour signs will be posted in the area for all upcoming events.

Daniels said, “(The Monon Trail is) a way for people to get to places, it’s a way for people to work out, it’s a way people come together. I see families there a lot. I see friends there a lot. It‘s a way for people (to be together) during COVID especially. I‘ve seen double the amount of people on there. I just feel like it‘s made a huge diffeh rence in the community.”

Dance It Off

making bank: Juniors Allison “Allie” Wolf and Brinn Shaller sell tickets for a basketball tailgate to support Riley Children’s Hospital. Dance Marathon will take place on Feb. 26 from 5 to 9 p.m in the freshman cafeteria.

Cabinet plans Dance Marathon to be on Feb. 26 SIRI SURAPANENI STORY

C

abinet

members

will

host Dance Marathon, its annual fundraising event, on Feb. 26. The event which will occur in the freshmen cafeteria, will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

Cabinet members are currently preparing this event to return back to normal amid the pandemic.

Cabinet sponsor Sarah Wolff said there are many changes this year to the event. One of those changes is that Dance Marathon will be shorter.

Wolff said, “Based on our feedback from last year, our students like the four-hour event more than the six-hour event. They didn’t feel like they lost anything by doing it two hours shorter. We were just spending longer times doing things and we kind of consolidated and removed some things that (we) weren’t getting much good student feedback about.”

fundraising fares

RILEY LAFERRIERE PHOTO

Matthew “Matt” Cardinal, Cabinet member and sophomore, detailed some other differences to this year’s event.

“To start off, instead of having (the event) on the football field, we’ll be back in our normal location, inside the school,” he said “Also, as of right now, masks will not be required(as of print date). It has also been scheduled back to its normal time this year, late February, as opposed to the middle of May like last year. Things can always change, but those are the main differences people will see as of right now.”

Julia Muller, Speaker of the House and senior said anyone is welcome to attend, with some stipulations.

“You are able to attend Dance Marathon without raising any money, but the minimum amount required to receive a dancer shirt is $120. This has not changed in a couple of years,” Muller said.

Take a look at how much money CHS students have raised for Riley Children’s Hospital in the past 5 years $473,394 $454,395 $424,116

2017

$436,481 $400,025

2018

2019

2020

2021

MOODY HOMSI GRAPHIC CARMEL DANCE MARATHON INSTAGRAM SOURCE

Scan this to register or donate to Dance Marathon

by the numbers

35,411 DOLLARS

the school raised in their first year of fundraising for Riley Children’s HospitaL

2,022 DOLLARS the minimum goal of each Cabinet members individual fundraising goal

CARMEL DANCE MARATHON SOURCE

Throughout the years, Cabinet members have used various different fundraising tactics.

Specifically, Wolff said Covid-19 has changed fundraising for Cabinet.

“I’d say the number-one change I’ve seen is Venmo,” she said.

“We’re still doing a lot of the things we have been doing (previously). A lot of our consignment has been online. We’ve gone to more electronic platforms rather than traditional platforms.

“We started a Venmo account a couple years ago and now , I would say that’s our primary fundraising besides our online link that (participants) send to (their) relatives. I think kids are still being innovative with how they’re fundraising but I think that way is causing them to fundraise more.”

Due to the considerable changes between last year’s event and this year’s, Cardinal urged students to show out.

“Last year was my first year with Dance Marathon. Everything about school last year was different, including Dance Marathon” he said.

“With that being said, this year we are working our hardest to return as much about it as we can to normal,” he said.

If last year was your first year with Dance Marathon like it was mine, and you are debating whether or not to come to this year’s, I strongly suggest you give it another chance.” h

d

n

HILITE.ORG

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Sensory Skate Event offers sensory-friendly opportunity for people, families to skate KATE LOPER STORY

N

ext tuesday from

5

to

7 p.m. at the Ice at Carter Green the Sensory Skate will take place. Sensory Skate is a sensory-friendly event for families with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder or any type of special need. Admission and ice skates for the whole family are also free of charge. Along with this, all ages are able to attend this event.

During the event, the ice rink will be closed to the general public. No lights or music will be on in order to lessen stimulants.

Wheelchairs will be able to be on the ice rink and ice walker supports are available for attendees to use.

According to Transition Coordinator Kellie Freeman, the first year the Sensory Skate took place five years ago, in 2017.

“We have had these Sensory Skate nights since 2017 and they have grown in attendance each year…depending on the weather conditions. But we have had up to 50 to 60 people,” she said.

Some members of inclusive clubs here, Best Buddies and Unified Sports, said they plan to participate in the Sensory Skate event.

Sarah Larkin, captain of Unified Sports and junior, said the Sensory

speak-up!

by the numbers

5 TO 7 p.m. at the Ice at Carter Green. All ages are welcome.

Admission is free.

1% of the world’s population is on the autism spectrum.

That is about 7,500,000 people.

2017 was the first year the Ice at Carter Green held a sensory friendly skating event.

THE ICE AT CARTER GREEN, CDC SOURCES

It’s important because nowadays we are so in our little world, I think perspective is a key to understand people. You learn so much.

JUNIOR KAILEY SCHULZ Skate event will have a positive impact on those who will attend.

“It’ll get the kids excited, a lot of things overwhelm them and they get overwhelmed easily and I think it’s a really nice thing because they’ll be able to enjoy themselves skating,” she said.

According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), around 5 to 16% of people have a sensory disorder. The Sensory Skate itself allows the Carmel community to bring awareness to individuals who may have different needs in order to participate in certain events.

Along with this, it allows these individuals who have these different needs able to participate in events they may not be able to.

Freeman said, “I think an event like this helps everyone see that modifications can be made so that everyone can have access to an event.”

Carmel has started to incorporate more sensory-friendly events. For example last October, Carmel Parks and Recreation hosted a sensoryfriendly trick-or-treat walk. This was the first stepping stone to more sensory friendly events for all.

Kailey Schulz, Best Buddies club president and junior, talked about the importance of these events.

“It’s important because nowadays we are so in our own little world, I think perspective is a key to understanding people in general and you learn so much about yourself and others by interacting with these kids,”she said.

Through events like Sensory Skate, Freeman said individuals can learn more about themselves and others and get a deeper understanding of others. The event will highlight those who typically do not have access to certain activities due to their disabilities. Freeman said it is very important to have a support community.

She said, “We are very fortunate to live in a community where they reach out and make a difference for everyone.” h

Why do you think sensory friendly events are important?

ZAINAB IDREES SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

“I believe that sensory friendly events are important because I have seen how they can affect enjoyment at an event if the event is over stimulating. Overall, sensory friendly events are important because Senior it makes it easier for Zendalin Hibbardeveryone to enjoy.

Hernandez

“Sensory friendly events are important to help those with sensory disorders. Everyone has things that they need help, (and) sensory friendly events are designed to not be overwhelming and this approach is more Sophomore beneficial.

Anshika Saxena

entertainment

FEB 17, 2022

RED HOT! With Pixar’s first-ever film with an Asian lead hitting Disney+ March 11, East Asian representation’s significance in Western animation comes to light CHLOE SUN GRAPHICS, Q&A, PHOTO

THE GUARDIAN, NERDS OF COLOR, PIXAR, SCMP, STUDYCLI, THOUGHTCO SOURCES

Scan this to watch the official trailer for Turning Red on YouTube

q&a Junior Justine Wang, AP Studio Art student and Animation Club founder What do you hope to see from Turning Red and East Asian representation in the future?

(Current media is) all very aggressively Asian. There aren’t very many stories about just living in the West where (Asians) exist like everyone else. I just want a very casual (character) that just happens to be Asian. Maybe you see them eating Asian food but they aren’t constantly talking about how Asian they are—they’re not over-orientalized.

What do you think is important about sharing more East Asian stories in Western animation?

Representation is obviously important. Asian Americans do exist and they deserve to see themselves represented in media, especially children’s media. I remember in Winx, Musa was my favorite character just because she looked like me and she isn’t aggressively Chinese.

(Instead,) she speaks regular English and acts like everybody else but just happens to be Chinese.

the little things Take a look at the subtle details found in Turning Red honoring Mei’s heritage Congee for breakfast This Chinese rice porridge Mei’s mother makes for her is a staple dish often paired with eggs, pickled vegetables, or meat Upside-down good fortune sign Hung in Mei’s living room, it is a tradition in Chinese households to hang these popular good fortune signs upside-down, symbolizing having your blessing poured on your home Mei’s mother’s jade earrings Jade is considered a lucky stone and is very popular in Chinese jewelry, with many given jade bracelets as children as a symbol of their mother’s love and protection

Chinatown lanterns Chinatowns being historical safe havens for Chinese immigrants and full of cultural prosperity, red lanterns can often be found in Chinatowns all over the world, representing wealth, fame and prosperity Chinese takeout menu on refrigerator Chinese restaurants have a significant history in America and Canada, with many early Chinese immigrants establishing them as a way to support their families Mei’s house slippers In nearly all Asian homes, wearing outdoor shoes inside is believed to introduce bad luck into the home, so it is traditional to wear slippers to cover bare feet indoors

HILITE.ORG

21

cast of color Meet the Asian women behind the voices, direction of Turning Red

Domee Shi (Director) Chinese-born Canadian storyboard artist and director for Pixar, won an Oscar for directing short film Bao and worked on Inside Out and The Incredibles

Rosalie Chiang (voices Mei) Asian American actress born to parents from Taiwan and Singapore, stars in Turning Red

Sandra Oh (voices Mei’s mother, Ming) Korean-American actress, producer and writer; best known for playing Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy and Eve Polastri in Killing Eve

make it turning red themed— doodles, paper, etc

did you know?

Turning Red also features other underrepresented groups through characters like a Sikh security guard, a diabetic student wearing a continuous glucose monitor, a South Asian friend named Priya, a transgender character, and a Muslim woman.

AAAAA

the stereotype of assuming Asians are more successful than other minorities is criticized as ignoring the discrimination and diversity Asians experience

• foster a community for Asian Americans while welcoming students of all backgrounds

26

27

FEB.

10

Mentorship Program with IU

18.64 MILLION Asian people live in the US

STUDENTS

2021-2022 Events Timeline sept. Shang-Chi OCT. Q&A with Stop Asian Hate Movie Trip founder, Manju Kulkarni

12% of students at CHS are Asian

130

Learn more about Advancement of Asian Americans in Arts and Athletics (A5), a CHS club that honors Asian American heritage Mission Statement: • encourage Asian American students to pursue their passions in stereotypically unconventional routes • challenge the model minority myth

by the numbers

may

01

are currently part of CHS’ A5 club

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mural campaign in commons and AsiaFest unveiling

22

FEB. 17, 2022

Changing the Story With “Tell a Fairy Tale Day” on Feb. 26, students, teacher discuss diversity in classic fairy tales, Disney culture SAAHAS KANDRU STORY

F

AIRY TALES OFTEN CONTAIN

magical and imaginary beings and lands, and they are often geared toward children.

But fairy tales can also help break boundaries of time and culture, and that includes how they portray people of color (POC).

For Kristen Dawson, member of Black Student Alliance (BSA) and junior, fairy tales are able to give people a sense of freedom when talking about certain issues, especially in terms of how they portray people of color like her. “(Fairy Tales) allow us to talk about dark and scary things through metaphors,” she said. “These kinds of stories offer unexpected solutions to the oldest problems. They remind us that strangers can offer kindness when we are kind in return. They teach us that we do not need to be alone.”

Over the years, Disney has been criticized for its stereotypical portrayals of certain characters. Disney fairy tales have been tracked for the type of people and genders that are featured in them and different themes that have emerged from their stories. It has been found out that Disney fairy tales have included an exercising power for men against women as well as maintaining a gender inequality trend.

James Ziegler, sponsor of BSA and social studies teacher, said the mission of BSA is to bring people together and discuss race related issues at the school or anywhere else they may come up in their lives. He also said members of BSA like to

the cinderella stories See multiple iterations of the Grimms fairy tale “Cinderella” throughout pop culture Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997) Starring: Brandy Norwood

GRACE GUO GRAPHIC IMDB SOURCE

A Cinderella Story (2004) Starring: Hilary Duff

Cinderella (2015) Starring: Lily James

Cinderella (1950) Starring: Ilene Woods

focus on community enrichment events such as attending racial equity meetings with our neighboring high schools, planning and being part of protests and celebrations of racial equality and playing games that center on Black culture.

Ziegler said that fairy tales have definitely centered less around people of color in the past few years because of the rising stereotypes that people assume about them.

“Fairy tales help us understand that the values of once upon a time aren’t so different from our values now,” he said. They help us teach lessons and provide entertainment through understanding them; we can learn a lot from their meaning.

These stories are older than even spoken words, but this does not lessen

Scan this QR code to recieve diverse fairy tale recommendations from New York Public Library

their importance. Since these stories are old they change over time and since many people are stereotyping people in today’s society the types of characters in these fairy tales are getting changed up just because how they look or what they act like which shouldn’t be allowed.

Along with Ziegler, Tomiwa “Vanessa” Rasaki, BSA leader and junior, said discussions about altering classic fairy tales doesn’t come without conflict.

“For the first time in about 20 years or so, there’s mere talk of black actresses playing one of the princesses (Zendaya as Ariel) and lots of people are against it. They say things like ‘Dark skin wouldn’t naturally occur under water, away from sunlight.’

There is no reason why a Black

HILITE.ORG

person shouldn’t be able to play the main character of a fairy tale, but there are still people out there that think differently,” Rasaki added.

Dawson, who said she has been reading and watching fairy tales since she was a kid, said the Alice in Wonderland story is one of her favorite fairy tales because of the message it portrays, but she also said the story could be better if people of color were incorporated in it because it would change the story fundamentally. She said those changes would help Black culture moving forward.

“I think that fairy tales influence our culture and storytelling significantly, and this is due to the fact that people read these stories as children which has an impact on how they grow up,” she said. I think the reason that these have such a big impact is due to the writers loading a great amount of symbolism that puts a sense of deep awareness on oneself. This symbolism has also impacted the way today’s character, plot and setting has led to today’s stories being even more exciting. Overall fairy tales have really had a huge significance on today’s culture and the way storytelling is told in today’s world.” h

did you know?

Some of the most influencial fairy tale writers were the Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm. Their stories influenced many other tales and adaptions, especially into present day Disney movies. Their stories lacked some of the diversity of today, but incorporated many aspects of German culture. Many of their works, including Repunzel, were made more child friendly by Disney.

NEH SOURCE

“Encanto” (2021): Set in Colombia, “Encanto” is the story of a girl facing struggles of being the only ordinary member of her magical family. The movie features multiple songs and recieved a 90% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website.

Family and unity are core values in the film and important to Colombian culture. The character Mirabel Madrigal commits to protecting her family’s abilities throughout the movie.

23

enchanted tales Check out information about the 2021 movie “Encanto” MARISSA FINNEY GRAPHIC ROTTEN TOMATOES, SCREENRANT SOURCE

In Encanto, Colombian culture is truly celebrated.

Previous media typically representing Columbia emphasizes violence, a harmful stereotype that affects Latinx communities.

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FEB. 17, 2022

Power of POC With February being Black History Month, take time to reflect on POC authors HIBBA MAHMOOD STORY

W

background. This diversity can give readers a better understanding of grade, a friend recompeople around the world. mended I read the book In our English classes, we have The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas. various stories to read that offer Later made into a movie, the story characters with diverse cultural inshares the heart wrenching tale of puts and backgrounds. These viewthe main character Starr Carter who points are important for schools witnesses the shooting of her best around the world to have because it friend. Starr is Black, and as a perteaches lessons which students will son of color (POC) myself, the story remember for the rest of their acamade me aware of how other people demic career. Being knowledgeable of color are treated. and aware is something important Today the literature by POC aufor students to have. thors creates a sense of diverThe stories can also give sity around the world. Direaders a different view verse stories we read are or feel of other people’s important because they struggles and create a give readers an opporsense of care and comtunity to hear differpassion. POC literaent voices and hear ture has the ability different experito allow readers to ences rather than consider different the same tales opinions on many with generic plots different topics and or texts. POC ausubjects, and gives thors give readers (LIT)ERATURE readers an underan understandstanding of how ing and view of diverse the world is. life for people of a February is Black History Month, different race, ethnicity, or cultural HEN I WAS IN SEVENTH

speak-up!

by the numbers

79.4% of authors in the United States are Caucasian

100 thousand copies of “The Hate U Give” were sold in the first month of its release

1970 the year Black History Month became an observed U.S. holiday ZIPPIA, TEEN VOGUE SOURCES

and students should use this time as an opportunitity to read these diverse stories to learn more about the importance and impact of this month and topic.

It is important for students to start reading these stories so they are more knowledgeable as they grow up. By reading these stories, students can gain a better understanding of how different people with different races or a different cultural background grow up, and then they can better understand how other people’s stories may difh fer from their own.

did you know?

Author Alex Haley’s book Roots sold over 5 million copies from its release in 1976. This story about Haley’s ancestors depicted the horrors of slavery and oppression in early America.

This book was also turned into a television series.

BIOGRAPHY SOURCE

What is your favorite book by a POC author?

PALLEVI PILLAI SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

Junior Gauri Srinath

“One of my favorite authors is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

I really love her book Half of a Yellow Sun. It’s an emotional story about colonialism in Nigeria during the 1960s.”

“I like ‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Smith. It’s really relevant to issues of police brutality today; and I love how it humanizes the topic.”

Junior Ramani Satishkumar

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TLC you later In honor of popular girl group TLC’s reunion shows starting Feb. 17, read about career statistics, modern girl groups MADDIE MISTERKA GRAPHIC, Q&A IMDB, BLACKPINK, KPOPPING, SPOTIFY SOURCE

q&a Hilary Ma, Sophomore SUBMITTED PHOTO

Do you see a different appeal to boy bands and girl groups?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins -founder of the group -lead vocals -spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas -replaced founding member Crystal Jones -secondary vocals and lead dancer -started an anti-cyber bullying campaign Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes -primary song co-writer -rapper and backup vocals -two US top 10 singles during solo career -killed in a 2002 car crash

girl power

In singing, (different groups) have different tones and vocal ranges, but also (their) dancing styles differ a lot- boy groups are heavier while girl groups tend to have a “cuter” style.

How is the appeal for KPOP different than more popular Western music?

In Western music, I think the focus is a lot more centered around the music itself, and based on beauty standards, the U.S. is a lot easier. In Korea, it’s (mainly) the company (that) cares- who they debut, their looks and their music.

Is there anything you’d like to add for readers to know?

I think KPOP is wonderful in the sense that it’s different (than Western music),and while it’s more acceptable to be a fan of Harry Styles, for example, I’m happy KPOP groups are getting more public eye and less 'stuck in a bubble’ in the industry.

Check out some current popular girl groups BLACKPINK: a KPOP group under YG entertainment formed in 2016 which has won 84 awards since its creation TWICE: a nine member KPOP girl group under JYP entertainment formed on the reality show SIXTEEN

Little Mix: a UK girl group

put together on the singing competition “X Factor” in 2011

Check out TLC’s top hits on Spotify No Scrubs 649 Million Streams Waterfalls

253 Million Streams

Creep

130 Million Streams

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FEB. 17, 2022

entertainment spotlight

EveryTrick in the Book

Q&A with junior Nadiah Swalley on writing, self-publishing process AVERY CARLISLE Q&A

How did you decide you were going to self publish your books?

I had been writing a book for the past two years, and once I finished it, I (thought) ‘I really want to publish this,’ but then I didn’t want to pay the big fees that most publishers make you pay. So then I (thought) ‘What’s another place that I can print it off myself?’

Where and how do you find inspiration for your books and writing?

Sometimes I talk to myself a lot, so sometimes I’ll just start talking and then I (think), ‘Wait, that’s actually a very good idea!’ Then, I’ll sit down, I’ll write everything down, as much as I can. Or, I’ll hear a song and I’ll (think), ‘that’s fantastic.’ Or, I’ll read something off of Pinterest and I’ll (think), ‘Oh wait, good idea, nice.’

did you know?

Once an author has decided to self-publish, they still have to design a book cover, typeset pages and write a description. In order for their book to be distributed, they must purchase an ISBN, a product identifier used by retailers.

Many self-published authors create a website, host events and print advanced reader copies in order to market their book.

INGRAMSPARK SOURCE

CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTOS

off the shelf: (RIGHT) Junior Nadiah Swalley shelves one of her self-published novels. Her books Beyond the Stars and Hero Games are available to purchase on lulu. com. She said, “(My family and friends) were very supportive since they knew finding a publisher was a very expensive avenue.”

meet the author

Junior Nadiah Swalley has self-published two books, Beyond the Stars and Hero Games. She is currently a member of the Creative Writing Club at CHS and plans to continue writing and rewriting stories.

bookworm: (BELOW) While in the CHS library, junior Nadiah Swalley reads her novel.

She said she is in the process of rewriting two of her books and enjoys writing “romance, fantasy or dystopian romance.”

Do you see yourself using big name publishers in the future?

Yes. This is because even though my books are published they aren’t quite known and truthfully, a publisher could help me get publicity.

What would you say to anyone who wants to self-publish their own books?

I would tell them that having 20 rough drafts is okay, and even when you think you’re done editing you’re going to find another problem or plot hole to fix.

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Read a column on diversity in literature and the increased number of POC authors in the field.

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Entertainment Briefs JILLIAN MOORE BRIEFS

KENT FUJITA PHOTOS

orchestral events ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble - Winds, Percussion and Strings feb.

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Times vary North Central High School - Winds, Percussion Northview Middle School - Strings

accompaniment: (BELOW) On Feb. 1, senior Sydney Lenski plays the violin at a rehearsal in preparation for her upcoming performances.

state of the art: (RIGHT) Senior Joshua Boone (right) and freshman Jackson Henry (left), play the bass.

Orchestra Concerts Creekside Middle School feb.

Festival, Sinfonia

feb.

Philharmonic, Symphony

16 17

other performances ISSMA State Show Choir Finals Times Vary feb.

Chesterton High School

19 feb.

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Times Vary Franklin Central High School

ISSMA State Jazz Finals march Times Vary Pike High School - Instrumental Franklin Central High School - Vocal ComedySportz Performances 7:00 PM every saturday Feb. 26 to Mar. 19 Red Curb Theatre in Avon

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set the stage: (BELOW) Cellist and senior Brenna White, front row in the left, plays her instrument at a rehearsal while Margaret Hite, Advanced Festival Orchestra and Intermediate Sinfonia Orchestra teacher, conducts.

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FEB 17, 2022

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With major celestial events approaching, students increasingly practice new age beliefs

JILLIAN MOORE STORY RILEY LAFERRIERE PHOTOS, GRAPHICS

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30

N

FEB 17, 2022

ew age beliefs, including

tarot, crystals, “shifting” and manifesting, have become increasingly popular. Astrology is extremely important to many practitioners of these beliefs, as they believe the positions of the moon, sun and stars can affect individuals on Earth, both directly and spiritually. With some of these upcoming events, including the Snow Moon on Feb. 18 and the Moon Perigee on Feb. 26, students who have new age beliefs share what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown and how other students can become spiritual, if interested.

According to junior Grace Schiller, who is pagan and specializes in reading tarot, many students who grew up with strict traditional religions can find unorthodox new age beliefs more accepting and beneficial to inner peace.

“There aren’t really any dead set rules with (new age beliefs). So growing up, for such a long time living under such strict rules, you can’t do this and this and this,” she said. “Well, with tarot and crystals, I can do whatever I want and no one’s going to tell me I’m going to hell for it. It’s really diverse, too. It can be whatever you want it to be, which is really nice.”

Schiller is not alone; many other students and adults worldwide practice new age beliefs. Rosie Ray, employee of New Age People, a popular shop for resources, classes and research materials pertaining to new age beliefs, said she specializes in knowledge on essential oils, although she is also a self-described “variety practitioner.” She said the increase in popularity of these beliefs is because

did you know?

One of the most commonly practiced new age beliefs is the belief in crystal healing. Crystals can form out of almost any solid material, even DNA. However, believers tend to focus on natural stone crystals.

PUBMED SOURCE

crystal clear Take a look at some commonly used crystals, usage, origin Rose Quartz Origin: Ancient Rome, Greece Helps with: relationships, calming, love Chakra: Heart Tiger’s Eye Origin: Egypt Helps with: clearing negative energy, harmony Chakra: Sacral or Solar Plexus Adventurine Origin: India Helps with: prosperity, preventing addiction Chakra: Heart RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC HEALTHLINE, MYCRYSTALS, CRYSTALS SOURCE

quarantine gave people time to learn about themselves, and as a result society is changing as a whole.

“I believe in the Age of Aquarius. I kind of think it’s with the times, that the thinking patterns people have been going through are changing and I just think times are changing, really. The youthful group, who are more into social media, they’re seeing a wider range of different things you can practice or believe in, or just enjoy,” she said.

Sophomore Alec Evard said he holds many new age beliefs, especially regarding crystals and their properties, although he also does manifestation techniques and is learning tarot. He agreed with Ray and said exploring beliefs is important for young people today, as it leads to increased tolerance and understanding.

He said, “I feel like exploring beliefs, whether they’re new age or reli-

Scan this to read about what the “Age of Aquarius” means, when it occurs and its signigicance in astrological spheres

gious, any of them, just so you can at least respect them is really important.”

skepticism According to a study by the Pew Research Center from October 2018, 60% of adults who selfidentify as Christians also held at least one new age belief, which for the sake of the study include reincarnation, astrology, psychics and the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects. 29% believed in astrology and the importance of astrological events similar to the ones approaching this February.

Schiller said part of the explanation for this data comes from the non-exclusivity of new age beliefs; she said no matter what religion someone practices, there is a space for these beliefs because of their roots in nature and the supernatural.

“It’s so inclusive to everyone; anyone can do it. I have Christian friends who do tarot, I have atheist friends who do tarot, I have friends who don’t identify with religion who do tarot. It’s just for everyone,” she said.

Evard said he agreed with the results of the study, as many students at Carmel hold new age beliefs or feel intrigued by the ideas. However, he said some can have doubts. “(New age beliefs) are like any belief. A lot of people are very accepting but some people could be skeptical about it. But otherwise (CHS) is a really accepting environment,” he said.

However, Schiller said the study doesn’t necessarily reflect her experiences and observations. She said as new age beliefs become more popular, debate with others will also become more prevalent and not always in a negative manner.

“I think a lot of people are becoming more accepting of (new age beliefs) and are getting more into it, especially because other people are and then they’ll talk about it,” she said. “I do think there are some people who are kind of skeptical,

HILITE.ORG

charming collectables: Sophomore Alec Evard moves and prepares items associated with new age beliefs including incense, a selenite tower, and tarot cards.

Evard said he enjoys burning incense and likes going to crystal shops.

and to me that’s okay. I’m skeptical about stuff, too.”

According to Ray, while there is a stigma around practicing new age beliefs, students should not feel discouraged and should view it as a personal journey.

She said, “If you’re nervous about (researching beliefs) or if you don’t really know how to look into it, go in with an open, educational mind and try to learn from an unbiased view because I think sometimes (beliefs) seem scary or hard to (learn), but it’s really not.”

astrology and social media Schiller said astrology is a good entry point into these beliefs, even

for those still learning, as many of the more niche practices relate back to astrological events.

“The different moon phases, I mean it ties in with astrology. Tarot and crystals are all separate things, but they all work together in their different energies. Then, with the moon phases, the moon is probably one of the most powerful planets in the whole of astrology, so based on how the moon is it means different things,” she said. “There’s certain times where it’s best to ask certain things and you can charge your crystals in the full moon.”

Evard agreed and said he had researched the zodiac signs, which connect to the time and position of the stars and planets at one’s birth. He said learning about astrological events

by the numbers

65% of US adult Christians state they believe in at least one new age belief

14% more women believe in new age beliefs than men PEW RESEARCH CENTER SOURCE

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is educational and he personally felt very interested in the topic.

He’s certainly not alone. On Nov. 12, 2020, Snapchat added an optional astrological profile feature which allowed users to view analysis of their star (zodiac) signs and in-depth information about their sun, moon and rising signs’ relationship with their moods and personality traits. Star signs became public domain and a standard part of users’ profiles, along with their names and avatars.

Ray said this contributed to her observations that social media is becoming a safe place for young people to learn and share, as well as feel supported by a community who is more accepting of non-traditional beliefs.

“There’s such unique subgroups on TikTok, per se, where you can really get to know people that are interested in the same things as you,” she said. “So for me, I think it’s just been really nice knowing that there’s other people (who practice new age beliefs) out there and they kind of have a little homespace to talk to others.”

Schiller said she agreed, and added social media cultivated her experiences with new age beliefs. She said her aesthetician recommended social media as a great source of in-

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FEB 17, 2021

formation to learn about tarot, and Schiller said she felt impressed by the large amount of international knowledge available.

“I think (social media encourages practicing new age beliefs) the same way it fosters a community for all other beliefs, groups and communities of people,” she said. “I think it’s awesome because so many people from so many different parts of the world, who have different perspectives, can share their knowledge. Then, you can kind of piece together how you feel based on all these other people talking about it, which is cool.”

Evard said he thinks social media has also increased the accessibil-

ity of new age beliefs to the point where anyone can learn if they would like to. However, he also said students must double-check sources and not solely rely on social media for information.

“I feel like (the community of people who practice new age beliefs) is partially because of social media and how it has allowed a lot of people to get more access to it,” he said. “I’d probably say (to) do your research and check multiple sources because if you are looking at different properties and stuff like that of crystals and different tarot card meanings, it can vary depending on sources. So just make sure you check the credibility of that source.”

pursuit of religion Take a look at the timeline of new age beliefs, roots

1840s

exploration

Scan this to visit New Age People’s store website and see the store hours and location

Introduced to the U.S. as the more scientific spiritual system

1970s-80s Transformed to spirtituality; growth of books, metaphysics shops, etc.

Spiritualism

New Age Spirituality New Age Era

Age of Enlightenment

1700s

Favored secular thought over religious ideas

WIKIPEDIA, ENCYCLOPEDIA SOURCE RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC

However, Ray said education on new age beliefs is extremely valuable and added students can learn about many different categories of beliefs. For example, Ray said while she felt most intrigued by and knowledgeable about essential oils and aromatherapy, students can find opportunities in psychic development, tarot, past life regression and even yoga.

“I think that a lot of these beliefs are more just connecting with yourself, and it’s very educational.

You can learn a lot about the Earth, you can learn a lot about how to take better care of your mental

1960s

Associated with counterculture and revised Asian beliefs

Decline/ Change

Present

New Age ideas present but changing; practices, shops still seen

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written in the cards Take a true/false quiz on truths, misconceptions about tarot cards RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC BICYCLECARDS, EXEMPLORE SOURCES

Did you Know?

Tarot cards were introduced in Europe in the 15th century and were originally hand painted

health and all around I think it’s helpful,” she said.

Schiller said she agreed and said she enjoyed learning about new age beliefs, especially tarot and astral projection in dreamscapes.

“I do encourage other people to explore (new beliefs) because there’s a lot that it can offer you. I think that if you don’t want to dabble in it, that’s okay, too, but it’s good to be respectful of other people who do it,” Schiller said.

Evard said it is worth it to explore new age beliefs, especially as they increase in popularity. He said he agreed with Schiller that researching crystals is a great way to find a community of others who practice new age beliefs, as it is a popular topic here.

I feel like exploring beliefs, whether they’re new age religious or any of them, just so you can at least respect them, is really important.

SOPHOMORE ALEC EVARD

spirit shelf: (above) Books on spirituality are quite common in the new age world. They are not only found in crystal shops, but in bookstores like Barnes and Noble as well.

Decorations, books and symbols of spirituality are common in many religions and beliefs, including new age spirituality.

However, many spiritual individuals would agree that spiritual decorations shouldn’t be just “aesthetical.”

22 Read a story on how fairytales and fictional media influence culture and beliefs, as well as whether or not popular media properly displays the diversity of fairytales

1. T/F

2. T/F

3. T/F

You must be a professional to do tarot readings

Tarot was originally created to be used as a card game

There are multiple ways to interpret the cards

4. T/F

5.T/F

Ta cards are used only for readings, nothing else

These cards aren’t magic, they just contain the user’s energy

Ray said what she has learned from incorporating new age beliefs, including morning rituals, manifestations and affirmations into her daily routine is it is beneficial for her to practice these beliefs in a way that’s personal and helps her mental health.

“Don’t put pressure on yourself,” Ray said. “(Personal beliefs are) kind of a process for you to learn on your own and there’s no expectations. You really just have to follow what makes you feel good, and don’t put pressure to make it a certain way.

It’s your journey.” h

Answers: 1. False, anyone can do tarot 2. True!

3. True!

4. False, they can be used for meditation, cleansing, etc.

5. True!

culture carved in stone: (left) Pieces of carved stone, or totems, are sorted at New Age People’s shop.

Native American beliefs include the idea of connection to totems, which are spirits of animals, people and living things. The pieces in the photo are said to contain the spirit of these animals, and using them in meditation or practice may be beneficial to one’s spiritual life.

did you know?

Amethyst has coined the label of the “world’s most popular purple gem” and is the original form for other crystals, such as citrine and prasiolite. It is associated with the crown chakra and physical healing GEOLOGY SOURCE

student section

FEB 17, 2022

Be Kind Students share random acts of kindness, impact on them, others in honor of National Random Acts of Kindness Day on Feb. 17 CAROLINE JUST Q&AS PHOTOS

math help: Senior Charitha Anamala pursues her love for teaching by tutoring High School students in a program called Math Tutoring. “I’ve always loved helping my friends when they are struggling at school. This was an opportunity to expand on that. I have also always found the ‘aha, that’s how that works’ moment to be gratifying to witness” she said.

“I’ve definitely learned to communicate better, and be the first one to reach out. As often people that come in for tutoring don’t feel comfortable asking questions. I’ve also learned to accept that not everyone will like math, regardless of if they understand or not.

To some it will always be a chore, and it’s not my responsibility to make them like it,” Anamala said.

“I think it has made me appreciate my teachers a lot more. Getting the information inside your head out of your mouth in a way that makes sense is hard. It has also made me think about perspective, and just how differently various people see and interpret the same information,” she said.

Sophomore Sophia Malerbi improve together: “I practice a lot (for choir) outside of school and it makes me happy that I can help others improve.

A lot of people come up to me after class and thank me for helping them when we’re practicing during class. It means a lot to me that I can help my friends and so that we can improve as a choir.

It also helps that I enjoy dancing.

Dancing is an activity that I found recently that really makes me happy and I’m grateful that it’s something I get to do for school as well. As a person, choir is constantly helping me to become more myself.

Not only do I enjoy choir as a class period and have fun, but it challenges me and pushes me to my limits. I’ll always be thankful for having this opportunity be part of a highschool with one of the top high school show choir programs in America.”

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Sophomore Anshika Saxena showing up for choir: “I’ve learned that there is a difference in being a leader and being bossy. I try not to be overly controlling or bossy during class because this is my first year and I do not have as much experience as most of the people in my group. I try to just help when people ask for it and try my hardest.”

“I love dancing and I already dance most nights just for fun, and I have made it a priority.

Not everyone has the time to practice, so I just want to help people out as much as I can so that our performance can be amazing! I love feeling part of a group and being able to do the things I really love (dancing and singing) with friends! Choir has showed me that if I work hard and do my best I can do a lot of things I want. when I saw what show choir was I knew I wanted to be a part of that. Choir has also boosted my confidence in myself by a lot. I am in (the Allegro choir). I have been singing for ages and when I moved to Carmel I saw how amazing the choir was and I wanted to be apart of such an amazing group.”

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ample assistance: Sophomore Jack Van Horn directs his focus and time into helping others and assisting kids with special needs in classes. Horn said he is in a Peer Skills class, where it helps him understand people with disabilities. He said helping his peer, Paula, has been beneficial for both of them.

”Me helping Paula allows her to work and move on her own and have a specific person she goes to help her when she needs it and someone to guide her. My favorite part about helping her is seeing her succeed in a class when most people would think she couldn’t,” Horn said.

“I joined the class because I wanted to help people in school and understand how to teach and help others more,” he said, “Me helping Paula allows her to work and move on her own and have a specific person she goes to help her when she needs it and someone to guide her. I walk her to class and then I help her complete the projects and work assigned then I walk her back to her original classroom” he said.

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FEB 17, 2022

Seasonal Sentiment Students, teacher reflect on changes of seasonal depression in their lives

S

EDDIE SUN STORY

 , 

known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily activities. Freshman Gaby Kim said she’s had her own experiences with negative mental health effects that have affected her life.

“Since middle school started, my academic burnout turned to anxiety, then social anxiety, then depression and things continued to escalate,” she said. “I used to be a 5.0 GPA student, but as the fall and winter months came about, my burnout definitely made an impact on my grades; however, quarantine and virtual learning was exactly what I needed at the time, I wanted to be isolated as a break from everyone and everything else.”

Kim, based on her experiences, said people should become more aware of their own and others’ mental health, since it can occur in anyone from any age.

Health Teacher Adam Havice agreed with Kim. He said he recommends people dealing with mental health affects, such as depression, to contact trusted adults and close friends.

“First, I would advise them to please tell their parents and a trusted adult,” he said. “Also, it would be a good idea for them to reach out to a school counselor, or a counselor of some kind because I think a lot of the time, especially with children, they have a hard time understanding that it’s ok to go to counseling. Keeping things bottled up inside is not a good idea.”

Havice said there are many ways to cope with mental health issues; however, it depends on the person and what works best for them.

seasonal depression What is seasonal depression?

Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that is tied to changes in seasons and the amount of sunlight throughout the year. Symptoms typically start in the fall, persist throughout winter, and end by the spring or summer months.

When sunlight enters through the eyes, it regulates one’s circadian rhythm through the hypothalamus. This has benefits for both physical and mental health, including more energy, improved mood, and better sleep at night.

How to deal with seasonal depression: Light therapy 15-30 minutes of sunlight in the morning can help to alleviate symptoms

Exercise A daily 30-minute walk can help to prevent depression

Get enough sleep Getting 7-9 hours of sleep will help improve mood

ALAN HUANG GRAPHIC JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY, JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE SOURCES

by the numbers

5%

of all adults have seasonal depression

10

MILLION Americans are affected by SAD annually WEBMD SOURCE

“I think everybody copes differently. Some people like to exercise, some people like to write, other people like to listen to music, but I think the best way is to be open and share how you are feeling so that people around you can actually help you” Havice said.

Sophomore Hrithik Arcot said he’s also struggled with mental health issues, especially during the winter. Arcot said he copes with negative mental health effects by listening to music. He enjoys the vibes and said it brightens his mood whenever he is feeling sad.

“I think listening to music just makes me feel good and helps me

focus. Other things that help me are talking to friends or watching shows,” he said. “Overall I think just thinking about reasons not to be sad, listening to music, and talking to friends help me deal with negative emotions/ health effects.”

Arcot said seasonal depression is an important mental health issue that people should pay more attention to.

Arcot said, “If you have negative mental health, I think the biggest thing to remember is that there is always something to look forward to. In addition to this, I think also letting people know that there is always someh one to talk to is really helpful.”

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humans of CHS

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Valentine’s Day Students share their plans for Valentine’s Day MATTHEW DU Q&AS, PHOTOS

Junior Kenneth Bruntlett “Currently I’m going to go to dinner with my girlfriend and we’re going to celebrate, then I’ll go home.

We’re going to go to Texas Roadhouse and we’re both going to get steaks, and then I’ll bring her a big box of chocolates and a big teddy bear. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, nothing crazy.”

Sophomore Flora McMullen “I’d probably go on a date with my boyfriend, like, we might go to the mall and have lunch together and go around and shop. Not really any (specific restaurants or shops.) Maybe we’d go to the movies, not any specific one.

Junior Sydney Perez “I’ll probably just hang out with friends, I think we’re having a sleepover and we’re just going to bake stuff, we’d probably go take some Instagram pictures and then go to my house (to) bake, talk, watch movies.

(We’d bake) cakes, cookies, sweet rolls, like Valentine’s sweet rolls. We’d also go out to eat, where, I don’t know, (but) probably Chick-Fil-A.”

Senior Dhillon Parikshak “I don’t really have any plans yet, but hopefully that changes soon. I’ll probably do something with my girlfriend. I’ll probably take my girlfriend out to dinner or something like that, get her flowers, chocolate maybe.

I don’t know (any specific restaurant) yet, probably sushi.”

Senior Grace Miller “It’s my sister’s birthday, so we’re celebrating her birthday and for romantic things, nothing. We’ll go out to dinner, open presents, the usual, like anything about celebrating birthdays, like cake.

(As for restaurants,) wherever she wants to go. It’s never the same.

(If my sister’s birthday wasn’t on Valentine’s Day,) I’d probably hang out with friends.“

Freshman Briggs Griffin “I don’t have any plans yet, but I’d probably go to dinner with some of my friends. I might go to Bru Burger with three of my closest friends. (After that,) we’d probably just hang out. Back at my house, we can just watch a movie or something. Not sure (which exact movie) we’d watch yet, whatever we find on Netflix.”

feature

FEB. 17, 2022

Not Internet Slang Students, teachers confront stigma, reflect on perception of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) ROYCE BROWN, CHENYAO LIU STORY

V

anessa rasaki, president

of the Black Student Alliance (BSA) and junior, has spent the past couple of months planning for Black History Month. “(The BSA) met with the school administrators so that we could tell them how they can better amplify the school for Black History Month,” Rasaki said. “Usually (during) Black History Month, people talk about the bad things that happen, but we want this month to just show Black success and excellence.”

One important aspect of Black culture, Rasaki said, is AfricanAmerican Vernacular English, also known as AAVE. “I think (AAVE) is a way for Black people to really connect with each other because it is our own way of talking,” she said. “And I think it is something special to us culturally...

Togetherness is what it means to me.”

Although AAVE has no exact definition, it is commonly considered to be the dialect of English that African-Americans speak. Stuart Davis, professor of linguistics at Indiana University, taught a class on AAVE, commonly known as Ebonics.

to be or not to be

complexity “From a linguistic perspective, Ebonics would be considered a dialect of English,” Davis said. “It would be called a social dialect as opposed to a geographical dialect...

As a dialect of English, of course, it shares many of the same characteristics that other varieties of English

celebrate history: Juniors Vanessa Rasaki (left) and Kiah Jackson (right) discuss plans for Black History Month.

KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR PHOTO

Take a look at the use of “be” in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and Mainstream United States English (MUSE) The verb “be” can be omitted, usually before “gonna,” adjectives, -ing verbs, expressions of locations , and nouns.

MUSE: She is at work (right now).

They are alright.

AAVE: She working.

They alright.

An unconjugated “be” is often used to indicate something habitual or recurring MUSE: She works all the time.

They are often sick.

SAM HAWKINS GRAPHIC

AAVE: She be working (all the time).

They be sick.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, JACK SIDNELL SOURCES

and mainstream English (use), but like any dialect, it has its own sort of characteristics.”

CCS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer Terri RobertsLeonard said AAVE is an integral part of African-American culture.

“I think it’s important to talk about in-group (and) out-group language,” Roberts-Leonard said.

“There are certain words, phrases, ways of speaking that originated within groups (and) they kind of hold ownership of (it).”

Davis said AAVE has linguistic complexity that sets it apart from other dialects of English. One example, he said, is the use of the word “be.”

“One of the patterns that you find in (AAVE) that you tend not to find in other varieties of English is the use of the word ‘be’ to mean something that’s regular or habitual,” Davis said.

“So in AAVE, you can say something like, ‘They be going to the store.’ That does not mean, “They are going to the store,” it means, “They go to the store regularly.” So you can’t say something

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African-American English should not be stigmatized.

It is a legitimate dialect and it has grammatical complexity. That’s underappreciated.

PROFESSOR STUART DAVIS like, ‘They be going to the store just this one time;’ it doesn’t make sense...

The use of what is called the habitual ‘be’ is a characteristic that’s pretty unique to African-American English.”

He also said some words differ in meaning, compared to standard English.

“People are aware that there’s a lot of slang, but there’s also a lot of words in African-American English, of course a lot of it’s just English, but usages that are not slang,” he said. “One interesting example is the use of the word ‘kitchen’ to mean the nape of the neck...And it’s not recognized by most speakers who are not African-American. But it’s a common term among AfricanAmericans. It’s not slang; it’s never crossed over. (This) just shows the complexity of the language.”

stigma Despite the linguistic intricacies of AAVE, there is stigma against the dialect. Brandon Anderson, coPresident of the African History and Culture Club (AHCC) and junior, said many people view AAVE as unprofessional or uneducated.

“It seems like those phrases (in AAVE), when they’re said exclusively

by Black people, are seen as unintelligent,” Anderson said. “But then, when it becomes appropriated into the rest of English, suddenly that’s normal. It’s how people talk.

It’s like, when Black people do it, there’s something wrong about it.

But when other people start to do it, that’s when it becomes okay.”

Davis said he agreed with Anderson, and said AAVE should not be scorned.

“African-American English should not be stigmatized,” Davis said. “It is a legitimate dialect and it has grammatical complexity. That’s underappreciated.”

Roberts-Leonard said people often subconsciously judge others based on their way of speaking.

trivia night: Members of the Black Student Alliance (BSA) play a trivia game during a meeting.

Vanessa Rasaki, junior and president of the BSA, said, “Trying to get people educated is a big thing for us this (Black History Month).”

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

39

“I think it’s important to remember that people shouldn’t judge people by language, and oftentimes they do,” she said. “That happens a whole lot so we have to really stop and ask ourselves: ‘Where do I get that from? Where along the lines did it come into my head that a person with a certain accent is less intelligent or less educated?’”

code-switching To combat this stigma, many African-Americans have developed a subconscious way of adjusting their speech around different groups of people, commonly referred to as “code-switching.” Anderson said he has experience with code-switching.

“I sometimes, maybe, (codeswitch),” he said, “but it’s lighter than I think other people (do).

I think my entire family kind of talks ‘white,’ like my parents used to get made fun of when they were little for talking properly. And I think it’s weird that we say that it is talking ‘properly,’ but that’s my opinion.”

Rasaki said she believes everybody codeswitches to a certain extent.

>>

lots to learn: Brandon Anderson, coPresident of the African History and Culture Club (AHCC) and junior, gives a presentation on Martin Luther King Jr. Anderson said Ebonics is the unique dialect of English that Black people come up with and speak.

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

I think there’s a fine line between celebrating and admiring something, and culturally appropriating...

Ensure that you give that credit where credit is due.

DEI OFFICER TERRI ROBERTS-LEONARD “When my mom is on the phone with one of my friends, she would be like ‘Oh my gosh, hi.’ and I’m like ‘Mom you don’t talk that way,’” she said. “I think (code-switching is) only negative when it starts to affect your personality or your actual self.”

Roberts-Leonard said AfricanAmerican professionals often codeswitch when they’re in the workplace.

“I think you would be hard pressed to find a whole lot of AfricanAmerican professionals who don’t do some level of code-switching,” Roberts-Leonard said.

Roberts-Leonard said she does not actively code-switch, though she knows many African-American employees who do.

“I have a really good relationship with my supervisor, the Assistant Superintendent Tom Oestreich, so I’m able to bring a level of authenticity to work that some people don’t necessarily feel comfortable doing at other places or in other professions,” she said. “I have plenty of friends who have to majorly code-switch in order to maintain their employment just because, oftentimes, cultural differences are viewed negatively.”

Roberts-Leonard said she has often seen the atmosphere change based on a person’s ethnicity. Her own experience, she said, has shown her Black women are treated differently due to stereotypes in the workplace.

“I’ve been in situations where I’ve worked a lot with white women

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poster planning: Sophomore Jayden Drew participates in a Black Student Alliance (BSA) meeting.

The BSA met with adminstrators to discuss actions for Black History Month.

who are a lot more passionate or amped than I am but they’re never called aggressive, they’re never called sassy, they’re never accused of being upset when they’re not,” she said, referring to the “angry Black woman” stereotype. “All other things being equal with coworkers, they don’t get the same response.”

KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR PHOTO

internet slang Although African-Americans face stigma due to AAVE, many words and phrases such as “You go, girl” and “Periodt” have crossed over into mainstream English.

Rasaki said she often sees people that aren’t African-American use AAVE. “As long as (people of other ethnicities) are respectful and know the meaning behind it, (it’s fine),” Rasaki said. “Because sometimes people can say something and mean it in a different way. But if it’s just regular slang, I think it’s okay. Just be respectful about it and don’t be a jerk.”

Davis said he has also seen how the slang components of AAVE move into standard English.

“The slang component of (AAVE) often crosses over into the wider society,” Davis said. “Even adults will say something like, ‘What’s up,’ (which is) originally an African-American expression. ‘You go, girl,’ that’s another expression that comes from the African-American community that’s crossed over so even mainstream Americans will say ‘You go, girl.’”

Roberts-Leonard said she believes AAVE faces cultural appropriation, which is the unacknowledged adoption of customs and practices.

“I think there’s a fine line between celebrating and admiring (something), and culturally appropriating,” she said.

“A distinction within that is ensuring that you give that credit where credit is due. You’re not claiming something as something that you made up, or you brought to light...There’s nothing new under the sun. Many times what current pop culture thinks is new, is something that originated way, way

language v. dialect Learn about progression of Ebonics controversy in the U.S.

1974 SIRI BYRISETTY GRAPHIC PBS SOURCE

Robert Williams coins the term Ebonics at the “Cognitive and Language Development of the Black Child” conference

1973

41

Scan this QR code to read a story about the Natural Hair Movement

Lau v. Nichols implies that students for whom English is not native receive funding for language programs from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act The Oakland, CA school board passes a resolution defining Ebonics as the native language of African-American students

back (from) people who they didn’t think it originated with.”

Anderson said he has complicated ideas about appropriation. He said although he appreciates a certain level of cultural appreciation, he sometimes feels the uniqueness of AAVE fades away as it becomes more integrated into modern slang.

“On the one hand, it definitely is nice to see how a lot of other people will take on your culture...(and) try to use (language) in the way that you use it,” Anderson said. “But I also sometimes feel it almost takes something away, where (the words) are no longer a unique thing, and it’s something that everyone does.”

Rasaki said there are certain words from AAVE she believes should never be adopted by non-Black people.

“Like if a white boy uses the n-word, that’s a big no,” she said. “I’ve been called the n-word by so many people at school. So I believe there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed.”

Roberts-Leonard said although many words and phrases from AAVE may be unknown or not used in mainstream English, different dialects encourage cultural diversity.

“I think it’s important to remember that groups have in-group language,” h she said, “and that’s okay.”

1997

1996

An outcry leads to national attention on the definition of Ebonics as a language or dialect, federal legislators hold hearings in the Senate

42

FEB. 17, 2022

No Time to Waste Students, psychologist discuss time management, unstructured time

L

SAFIN KHATRI, ARYA PINNAMANENI STORY ast year , millions of

students transitioned into virtual and hybrid classroom settings because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as students transition back into full-time inperson learning, many students’ perspectives on time management and unstructured time have changed.

Freshman Eesha Singh, who experienced both virtual and hybrid schooling, was one of those students.

“I never experienced what it was like to have unstructured and independent learning time before remote and hybrid schools,” Singh said. “During hybrid (school), I had more time for other activities, and I feel like it helped me academically and also created a schooland personal-life balance.”

Singh is not alone. According to a survey conducted by Education Week, 9 million teenagers in the United States

MARISSA FINNEY PHOTOS

experienced some form of remote learning during the 2020–2021 school year, much which was asynchronous.

For her part, Singh said she and other students appreciated the independence of remote learning.

At this school, students still have unstructured time through Student Sustained Resource Time (SSRT).

However, Singh said she believes SSRT is still too structured and has too many restrictions on students.

“SSRT has a lot of restrictions, as the first couple to 20 minutes are utilized by a lesson, which wouldn’t be utilized during flex time. Unstructured time can also make it so that passes aren’t really required and you can do a lot more things, like practice an instrument, study in the library or hang out in the Carmel Café,” Singh said.

Singh said she believes unstructured time should give students the

Scan this to read a story about how students structured their time during e-learning and hybrid schedules in 2021

eesha’s typical day Take a look at Eesha Singh’s typical school day schedule

Thursday

Friday

up 5:30 a.m.: wake work time 6:00 a.m.: home e 7.:00 a.m.: exercis

7:00 a.m.: wake up 8:20 a.m.: bus ride

e 8:20 a.m.: bus rid .: school time p.m 05 4: 9:05 a.m.me 4:50 p.m.: get ho mework ho rt sta 5:50 p.m.: g class 7:00 p.m.: singin ner 8:30 p.m.: eat din .: finishing p.m 0 1:3 9:30 p.m.-1 homework 11:45 p.m.: sleep

ool

9:05 a.m.- 4:05 p.m.: sch time

4:50 p.m.: get home ork 5:50 p.m.: start homew 7:30 p.m.: eat dinner 8:00 p.m.: go to tennis 11:00 p.m.: try to finish nd homework for the weeke 11:30 p.m.: sleep

SIRI BYRISETTY GRAPHIC

ability to do almost anything, with complete independence. She said SSRT is a time usually used for homework and teacher resource time, while looser unstructured time could allow for more socialization.

Singh isn’t the only student seeing the benefits that unstructured time has for students. Katerina Folkin, Transition to College Program (TCP) student and senior, said she agreed that unstructured time had its merits.

“I believe that it is important for each student to have time on their own where they can be productive in their own ways,” she said. “For example, being outside of school or even working in the library on my own is sometimes a lot more productive sometimes than sitting in class and not being productive or not being able to utilize all the time that I’d like.”

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland, the University of Alabama and Concordia University Montreal found teenagers use their background and interests to define their social identity. Folkin said she believed implementing more unstructured time would allow students to pursue more extracurriculars and would not interfere with other activities outside of school.

“I think that having a (release period or unstructured time) could help students have extra time to do homework, study for their tests or work on outside things like internships, jobs or studying, especially if they have a lot of extracurriculars,” Folkin said.

CCS psychologist Kymberle Roberts said she agreed. She said extracurricular activities were beneficial to a student’s independence.

“Youth groups, sports teams, clubs, musical casts, volunteer activities, etc. do more than fill a teen’s calendar,” she said via email. “These activities

give students freedom and the chance to practice being independent.”

Folkin said these activities can be implemented into unstructured time, allowing students to pursue their passions while building skills that can be beneficial for future careers. Folkin said she believes it would be beneficial for underclassmen to have the option of a release period.

“Underclassmen could have a max of one or two release periods. For example, if they are taking a lot of honors classes and harder classes, and they need that extra hour and a half to catch up on homework or even sleep, I think that would be beneficial for underclassmen,” Folkin said.

While Singh said she agreed lessrestricted unstructured time was beneficial, she also said it required maturity.

“Unstructured time requires a lot of maturity because it is indepen-

dent time,” Singh said. “When the school offers flex time, (students) are automatically enabled to finish homework and do other things, like practice their instrument and do social activities, which both benefit the school, their grades and their overall well-being.”

Junior Nico Jagelka said he saw the benefits of SSRT but disagreed with the idea that more unstructured time was beneficial.

“I think we do need some amount of flex time, but I think adding more wouldn’t be beneficial for all students,” Jagelka said. “I know that some students use SSRT to contact teachers, but a lot of students don’t.

They use it more to mess around and some people don’t get a lot of work done during that time.”

For her part, Folkin said her release period gives her flexibility.

“Being a TCP student allows me to structure the time how I like it,” Folkin said. “So if I would like to work on something specific rather than spend time on class, it gives me the time to kind focus my energy on what’s important for the day because every single day is different for a student, so some days I want to work on homework, other days I need to study for something, and I think TCP allows and gives me the flexibility to do that.”

Singh said more unstructured time would be beneficial, allowing for a greater use of time and meaning for school.

“I think unstructured time could really benefit students in ways people don’t really think about,” she said. “Unstructured time can create a more meaningful school experience, and I really hope it will be h considered in the future.”

work talk: Freshman Eesha Singh (right) speaks with freshman Nicole Awabdy about a school project. Singh said she believes unstructured time helps students spend their time more meainingfully while at school.

writing and doing: Freshman Eesha Singh completes her math homework. Singh said having unstructured time blocks throughout the school day, a bit more relaxed than SSRT, could allow students to be more efficient in their day-today schoolwork and activities.

44

FEB. 17, 2022

The Name Game Students with mispronounced names share experiences in light of Celebrate Your Name Week LORNA DING STORY

S

ophomore tejasvi tadikonda

cannot count how many names she has. Her name is pronounced THAY-jahs-vee, but people also call her T.J., TEE-jahs-vee and teh-JAWS-vee. On the first day of school, Tadikonda said she knows when teachers are about to read her name off the roster because they pause before attempting to pronounce it.

Because of the mispronunciations, Tadikonda said she hated her name.

She said no one tried hard enough to say it right, and her name became a source of unease.

“When people would be like ‘Oh, what’s your name?’ I always have a sense of insecurity and panic,” Tadikonda said. “I’m like, ‘Oh my god, what do I

ZOE TU PHOTO

say?’ Because I have so many different names at this point, I don’t have one name true to myself.”

Many students share the same feelings as Tadikonda. In fact, scientists have determined a phenomenon known as the “namepronunciation effect;” people prefer names that are easier to pronounce over those difficult to pronounce.

Enter Jerry Hill, an American onomatology hobbyist who studies etymology, history and use of proper names. To draw attention to this issue, in 1997, he designated the first week of March as Celebrate Your Name Week, a time for everyone worldwide to embrace and celebrate their names.

say it right: Sophomore Tejasvi Tadikonda (left) speaks with some friends, including sophomore Maahi Wason (right).

Tadikonda said people should make an effort to learn the correct pronunciation of someone’s name.

“When you say my name wrong multiple times it just looks like you really just don’t care, and that’s a big red flag,” she said.

Additionally, to bring awareness to the importance of pronouncing students’ names, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and the National Association for Bilingual Education launched the “My Name, My Identity” campaign in 2016. Yee Wan, director of the school climate, leadership and instructional services at the SCCOE, said schools should dedicate themselves to learning students’ names. Names, she said, are important.

“Students thrive in a place where they build relationships with each other and feel that they belong,” Wan said via email. “When you take the time to learn the proper enunciation,

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it lets the student know that you see them, that you respect who they are and that you value them.”

Junior Larine (pronounced LOR-en-ay) Casso said none of her teachers pronounced her name right on the first day of school.

“I’ve never had someone actually say my name right. I get LorING a lot (and) LARE-en,” Casso said. “After the first time (a teacher mispronounces my name), I don’t really correct them. I’m so used to it right now that I just kind of ignore it.”

However, English teacher Linka (LINK-ah) Pace said she hopes students will correct teachers when they mispronounce a name.

“I hate it (when students don’t correct me),” Pace said. “I mean, I think your name is part of your identity and I want to make sure I know who all my kids are.”

According to a study led by Rita Kohli, associate professor in the education, society and culture department at the University of California, Riverside, when teachers mispronounce a student’s name multiple times, it influences that student’s sense of identity.

Along those lines, Tadikonda said the way people mispronounced her name made her feel disconnected from her Indian culture.

“Calling myself not my real name— like my nicknames like T.J., teh-JAWSvee or whatever—it kind of washed away part of my culture,” Tadikonda said. “I did not want to be Indian at some point because (my name) affected me so much, (and) people made fun of me that much.”

Some of my coaches could never get my name, so they would just make a nickname for me. They would not even ask me (for permission).

SOPHOMORE TEJASVI TADIKONDA

45

they call me...

Take a look at the days of International Celebrate Your Name Week, March 6-12

Namesake Day: Explore the historical origins of your first and last name

Fun Facts About Names Day: Learn details about interesting names

Unique Names Day: Understand and appreciate less common names

On the other hand, freshman Savneet Dulay (pronounced savNEET du-LAY) said she does not let other people influence her identity.

Dulay said, “(Other people) are not me. They don’t know who I am, so I’m not going to take in their judgement (of my name.)

Regardless, Pace said she tries to pronounce her students’ names correctly to show she cares about their identity and culture. But, she said, it’s not always easy.

“I’m always intimidated (when reading the roster). So when I get to a name that I don’t know, instead of mispronouncing it, I create my own pronunciation key,” Pace said. ”For (the name Vaishu, for example), I would’ve written ‘V’, ‘i’ with a long ‘i’ (mark), and I would write the word ‘shoe.’”

But not all teachers do the same.

Tadikonda said she has encountered many challenges with teachers mispronouncing her name.

“Some of my coaches could never get my name, so they would just make a nickname for me.

They would not even ask me (for permission). They would be like, ‘I’m just going to call you this so it’s easier for me,’” Tadikonda said. “I feel like I’m being given a number, and I am that number. Like, I’m not my name.”

For Dulay, she said she feels curious about how teachers will

Discover What Your Name Means Day: Learn your name’s meaning

CLAIRE HE, ARCHIT KALRA GRAPHIC SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER SOURCE

Nametag Day: Display your name through a nametag

by the numbers

1486 school districts in the U.S. have pledged to pronounce students’ names correctly

74%

of workers said their names are mispronounced at work

28% of applicants with Asian names are less likely to get an interview than candidates with “Anglo” names

350 languages are spoken in the U.S. RESEARCHSCAPE, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SCCOE SOURCES

Middle Name Pride Day: Share your middle name, if you have one, with others

Descendants Day: Become more aware about your family history through names and genealogy

mispronounce her name on the first day of school.

“I really find it funny to hear how people pronounce my name,” Dulay said. “Like I don’t know how people can mess (my name) up, so I just sometimes get excited to see what (teachers) are going to do with it.”

Casso said problems with mispronunciation occur outside of school as well.

“I was at Starbucks and I said my name three times to the person who was serving me, and they said Lord-AY every single time,” Casso said. “(In the end), I just kind of accepted it. I was like, ‘okay, it’s close enough.’”

Ultimately, Tadikonda said people should make an effort to learn the correct pronunciation of someone’s name.

“When you say my name wrong multiple times it just looks like you really just don’t care (enough about me), and that’s a big red flag,” she said.

Ultimately, Wan said schools can be a space for students and teachers to learn and celebrate one another’s names.

“When an entire school community engages in learning about each other’s names and celebrating the diversity reflected in our names,” she said, “it sends a strong message that the school community values and embraces the rich language and cultural diversity that students bring h to our schools.”

sports

FEB. 17, 2022

Sports Briefs Information up to date as of Feb. 10, 2022 AUSTIN GUO BRIEFS

hockey Gold Class 4A State Playdowns feb.

25

Opponent TBD Fort Wayne, IN

Blue Class 1A State Playdowns feb.

25

Opponent TBD Carmel Ice Skadium

Scan this to see the Carmel Icehounds schedule

u turn: (RIGHT): The student section at a basketball game cheers on the team. The men’s basketball will play their sectional on March 1.

OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTO

men’s basketball Varsity vs. Warren Central feb.

18

7:30 PM Warren Central HS Indianapolis, IN

Sectional vs. TBD mar. 7:30 PM Noblesville HS Noblesville, IN

1

wrestling

Scan this to see updates and scores for all Carmel sports schedules

State Championship 6 PM Fri. friday to saturday 9:30 AM Sun. Gainbridge Fieldhouse

iced out: Hockey player and junior Matthew Wagner prepares for a faceoff during a game. Both the Blue and Gold Hockey teams will begin their postseason with State Playdowns on Feb. 25.

OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTO

locked in: Wrestlers engage during a meet.

If they advance, the men’s wrestling team will compete in the State Championship starting Feb. 18.

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

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athlete spotlight

47

Aaronson Mansberger Gymnast, sophomore who placed 40th overall at 2021 Men’s Development Program Nationals MAGGIE MEYER Q&A

AARONSON MANSBERGER SUBMITTED PHOTO

When did you start gymnastics?

I started it when I was really young, probably before elementary school.

What is it like being a male in gymnastics?

It is a smaller group of people, but it makes it better in some ways because I know everyone I am competing against in the state and I know pretty much everyone around the country. It is a nice small community.

What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?

It is hard to balance school and gymnastics because I have lots of practice and I get home really late. I also dealt with mental blocks when I was younger on some skills that were really scary for me so it was a challenge to get over those.

How long do you plan on pursuing gymnastics?

I plan on pursuing it as long as I can. So until college, and then if possible, however long after that.

I do not know if I see it as a career but I want to do other stuff along with it.

48

FEB. 17, 2022

Senior Sentiment Seniors reevaluate identity during final sports season ADDISON JOYCE STORY

A

s winter sports seasons

are finishing up, many seniors at this school are finishing the last sports seasons of their careers. For those who do not choose to play sports in college, adjusting to a life without practices and games can be a challenge.

Dhillon Parikshak, men’s swimmer and senior, is facing these challenges as the swim season progresses. He said facing the end of his swimming career is bittersweet.

“It’s amazing to feel like this is my year to be leading my team after I’ve kind of been learning from the upperclassmen as I’ve done for years,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s a little sad to know that this is the final time that I’ll be competing in a championship season.”

Parikshak is not alone. According to the NCAA, only about 7.2% of high school swimmers in the country move on to swim at the NCAA collegiate level. Those numbers are even lower among sports like track and field and wrestling.

Emily Slade, women’s cross country, track and field athlete and senior said she has a similar perspective to Parikshak’s on her last season.

“I’ve been running since fourth grade, for nine track seasons, so it feels odd to not have any more to look forward to,” she said.

While in different sports, both Parikshak and Slade said their sports have shaped who they were, and those values would help them later in life. Parikshak said lessons from swimming stemmed from the Carmel swimming motto “courage and perseverance.” “(Courage and perseverance is) something that has really helped me define who I am over the past couple years because it’s difficult

to attend eight practices a week (at five) in the morning for four years straight,” he said. “(I have) been swimming for so long, so it really is a rewarding experience despite all the practice and I feel like it’s made me a better person today.”

Slade said running helped her gain confidence, and find a sense of identity that helped her socially.

“Running has helped me get out of my comfort zone and (it) helped me form strong bonds with people I otherwise would not have spoken to,” she said.

Athletes’ experience in their sports also correlates to their relationships with coaches. Aaron

Scan this QR to see more statistics on the amount of high school athletes that continue to play their sports in college.

continuing in college See the percentage of high school athletes that continue in college for each winter sport Basketball Ice Hockey Swimming Men’s Women’s

Wrestling Basketball

Ice Hockey Swimming 05

10

15

20

25

30

Percent of High School Athletes that Continue Playing in College DARSHINI SHANKAR GRAPHIC NCAA SOURCES

McRill, women’s track and field coach, said he tries to incorporate certain values into his coaching to instill in the team. These are life skills that will last even after the time for competing is over.

“Personally I try to be as positive as possible. I’m always trying to instill confidence in our team,” he said. “It’s our job as coaches to try to be positive and confident, even if the athlete is not.”

All of the qualities athletes gain through sports become part of who they are, or their identity. That drives athletes like Parikshak and Slade to continue participating in their sports, even if not at a collegiate level.

But even without the prospect of competing at the university level, many athletes’ still find that sense of connection on club teams. The National Federation of State High School Associations said that collegiate club leagues allow athletes to continue their sports on a recreational level and still be able to devote time to other aspects of their lives.

Parikshak said that option may work for him.

“I definitely feel like I found a sense of identity within swimming.

The swim team is really just like a brotherhood, we are all super close and it’s a great team environment,” he said. “Transitioning to college, although I’m not going to have swimming as much of a prominent role in my life, I’m still going to possibly compete on a club swim team during college or swim on my own because it’s definitely still part of who I am today.”

When it comes to the transition to college, many students focus on the academic aspect when choosing a school over athletics. Slade

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last lap: Senior Dhillon Parikshak swims backstroke in his last season at this school. He said he will try to participate in the club swim team in college.

DHILLON PARIKSHAK SUBMITTED PHOTO

said she would run in college if given the chance, but she said she wants to leave her options open when it comes to academics.

“I didn’t want to limit my university choices to only Division III schools, so I decided not to entertain the thought of running,” she said. “If I end up attending a DIII school and feel like running, I

I definitely feel like I found a sense of identity within swimming.

The swim team is really just like a brotherhood, we are all super close and it’s a great team environment.

SENIOR AND SWIMMER DHILLON PARIKSHAK

could likely join the team.”

Parikshak said his thoughts aligned with Slade’s.

“I had considered swimming at a DIII school and had been in communication with a few DIII schools, but ultimately I decided to prioritize my education and I am hoping to possibly attend a highly selective academic university next year,” he said.

Overall, Slade said running has taught her how to get through difficult moments and introduced her to lifelong friendships.

She said, “(Running) has provided me with friends who are such driven, bright souls that I’m grateful to have spent hours with daily.” h senior stretch: Senior Emily Slade accepts a rose as she runs the final stretch of CHS’ home cross-country course at Northview Church one last time for senior night festivities. Slade said she hopes to continue running throughout her life, but is open to trying new activities to stay in shape as well.

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

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50

FEB. 17, 2021

Retro Bowl NFL should revert back to its regular season, playoffs schedule ANIKET BISWAL COLUMN

A

But those changes don’t come S AN AVID FOOTBALL FAN, without concerns. For one, having I can tell you that this past a 17-game season disrupts the pariNational Football Season ty that was there previously. Instead (NFL) postseason was one of the of every team having eight home most interesting ones I’ve seen, with and eight away games, now half the many games decided on the final play league has nine home games or drive. And with Super Bowl while the other half only LVI last week, the long has eight. Because of the NFL off-season has startadvantage of playing on ed. So, what a better time your home field, this than this to reflect on unevenness now the season that was. poses an unfair leOf all the events verage toward the that happened this teams who have year, one of them nine home games. was a change from Not only that, a traditional 16because the regular game regular season season is now lonto a 17-game one. change it back! ger, the NFL deThe main reason? cided to shorten More money and the preseason from four to three more viewership for the NFL around weeks. This gives players less time the world. A change that occurred to warm up for the regular season in 2020 and continued to this past and therefore we have seen more season was a shift from 12 teams in injuries this year than average. the playoffs to 14. The reason here?

While the 2021 season didn’t have More money and more viewership as many injuries as the 2020 season of the playoff games. Economically, did, it certainly racked up plenty, it makes sense. Why would the NFL which could be attributed to the not want to get more money and exshortened preseason. pand its “business?”

ruling on the field

Take a look at changes to NFL season length over the years

1961-1977

Seasons consisted of 14 regular season games NFL OPERATIONS SOURCE

by the numbers

2

CONFERENCES of NFL teams: American Football Conference and National Football Conference

12

GAMES played against teams in the same conference

5

GAMES played against teams from the other conference due to the 17th game added in 2021 NFL SOURCE

1993

Season consisted of 16 regular season games over 18 weeks.

1978-1989

Seasons consisted of 16 regular season games over 16 weeks.

ALI PERSINGER GRAPHIC

2021 Season consisted of 17 regular season games over 18 weeks.

With these problems in mind, the NFL should revert back to a 16-game season to restore evenness to the league, to add importance to the regular season games and to give players more time to warm up for the season in the preseason.

The other major rule change I think should be reverted or fixed in some way is the transition from 12 to 14 teams in the playoffs. By now having seven teams in each conference make the playoffs, there are indeed more games during the first week of action and so more entertainment.

However, in the past two years, not only have the seventh seeds not won, three of the four games they played in were blowouts. Thus, their presence isn’t felt in the playoffs and now the second seeds are forced to play another week of football where in the past they would’ve received a bye. Although the NFL is trying to add spice to the traditional playoff schedule, they aren’t adding any true value to the postseason and should revert back to only having six teams make it. h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the Hilite staff. Reach Aniket Biswal at abiswal@hilite.org

aniket’s stance The NFL should revert to its rules from prior to the 2020 season with a 16-game season and only 6 teams from each conference advancing to playoffs.

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51

Best of Both Worlds she shoots, she scores: Sophie Shepherd, basketball player and junior, shoots for a basket.

Shepherd said she faces challenges as she has to balance time between basketball and soccer.

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SOPHIE SHEPHERD, BASKETBALL, SOCCER PLAYER AND JUNIOR “Being a multi-sport athlete doesn’t come easy but I make sure to balance each out by putting the work in both sports equally even if that means getting home late or waking up at 5 a.m. everyday. Basketball and soccer relate only by athleticism. Coordination is very important for both as well and they might seem like total opposites but they help each other out in different ways that makes you even better at each sport. Soccer is more enjoyable for me because I can have more freedom with the things I do and use my strengths more in that sport and will continue to play soccer in college. I’ve been playing both sports since I could walk and I will finish my high school career playing both but will continue with soccer in the future.” love to lift: Wrestler and sophomore Mila Bonewitz lifts weights.

Bonewitz said weight lifting helps her feel powerful in both wrestling and running.

LUKE MILLER PHOTO

Athletes adjust training, develop different skills by playing multiple sports LUKE MILLER Q&AS

heads up (above): Sophie Shepherd, soccer player and junior, jumps for a header during a game. Shepherd said soccer is enjoyable for her because she can use her strengths more when playing.

LUKE MILLER PHOTO

MILA BONEWITZ, WRESTLER, CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK RUNNER AND SOPHOMORE “Training is a little hard to balance out because I do a fall, winter, and spring sport.

When I first started wrestling I was conflicted on whether I should go to running or wrestling practices. I ended up doing both some days, with track practice after school until 6, and wrestling from 6 to 8. I would come home and then have to balance my school and family life which was difficult. I have gotten into weight lifting, which is very helpful for wrestling and running. I feel powerful in both sports now because of weight lifting. I plan to do all three sports again next year. I want to continue an athletic career in college, and I’m thinking of doing cross country, but that may change.” looking ahead (right): Mila Bonewitz, cross-country runner and sophomore, looks ahead during a race. Bonewitz also participates in wrestling and track.

OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTO

52

FEB. 17, 2022

Music in Games Pep band member, basketball player celebrate impact of live music on game atmosphere

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DARSHINI SHANKAR STORY LUKE MILLER PHOTOS he super bowl lvi’s half-

time performance featured five different artists—Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary L. Blige and Kendrick Lamar—each contributing to the show to engage the live audience. Halftime shows and the live performance they provide increase the viewership of many games, which is evident as Billboard News reported 118.5 million viewers for Katy Perry’s performance at Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.

With the impact of live music considered, Guerin Whitcomb, flutist in the pep band and marching band and freshman, said she thinks the pep band adds to the energy of the atmosphere when they play at basketball games.

“I think that as a whole, the band does (have an impact) because the music hypes everyone up so it’s not just dead silence,” Whitcomb said.

“When we play, the crowd gets into it. And the cheerleaders get very

building the energy: Freshman Guerin Whitcomb (center) plays the flute during a varsity women’s basketball game.

Whitcomb said the pep band creates more excitement in games.

hype. It’s kind of like a group effort and everyone gets into it. It builds the energy in the room.”

Mackenzie “Mack” Thomas, member of the varsity women’s basketball team and junior, said the energy of the crowd and band are reflected in her team’s performance as the basketball players tend to get hyped up when the crowd does.

“The presence of a larger crowd definitely brings more energy to how I individually (play) and my

team plays. When the crowd is bigger and more engaged then we tend to get more hype when things go well and stay focused when things don’t go our way. When there is more energy, we can usually also see a better performance from our team, so enthusiastic crowds help with that… The band playing music also adds more of that energy to the atmosphere,” Thomas said.

Whitcomb said the pep band plays music when the basketball team is not actively playing. Whitcomb added that by doing so, the band tries to get everyone in the school spirit by playing familiar songs such as the school song and the national anthem.

“Every timeout or break, we play a short excerpt,” Whitcomb said. “It usually depends on what the lineup is—sometimes the choir sings—(but) we play the national anthem (and) the school song.”

Thomas said the music mostly affects her performance prior to the game because during halftimes and timeouts, the players are more focused on their performance.

Thomas said, “Listening to music before games or while warming up can be a good way to get yourself hyped up or focused for game time.

The music that is played during the games at halftimes and timeouts don’t really affect our team because we’re more focused on the game.”

Although the basketball players may not be able to engage with the pep band’s music during a game, pep band director Andy Cook said the crowd often begins singing moving music (right): The pep band performs at a women’s basketball game to motivate the players. Pep band director Andy Cook said the band helps engage the crowd and keep everyone entertained.

The presence of a larger crowd definitely brings more energy to how I individually (play) and my team plays. When the crowd is bigger and more engaged then we tend to get more hype when things go well.

VARSITY BASKETBALL PLAYER AND JUNIOR MACK THOMAS along when they recognize familiar tunes. Cook also said the band plays a mixture of older and newer rock tunes to keep the crowd entertained. “(We play some) older tunes like ‘Thriller.’ We try to do a mix (with) a few modern tunes like ‘Old Town Road,’ which we haven’t gotten to work out yet,” Cook said. “(We also play) ‘Sweet Caroline’ that they can sing along to.”

However, in order to put out a strong performance and get the crowd engaged, Whitcomb said it’s not just about playing loudly.

Whitcomb said, “(You have) to play with people around you and not stick out. You have to blend together and make (the music) sound good. You can’t just play an instrument—you have to sound in tune and play at the right time.”

two-pointer (above): Mack Thomas, varsity basketball player and junior, shoots for a basket during a game against Ben Davis on Jan. 28 as the pep band performs.

Thomas said the pep band helps create a better atmosphere for the team.

With the effort that the pep band puts in to have a good performance, Cook said the group’s ultimate goal is to fill up the gym with live music. “(We try to) just fill up the gym with the school song and energy. It’s not recorded music so it’s fun just to have that live music,” Cook said.

Cook’s sentiment is backed by research. A study published by the National Institute of Health in 2019 found that live music engages an audience to a greater extent than recorded music does.

In the atmosphere of these games with the crowds, music and team playing, Whitcomb said she also becomes engaged and feels like she’s part of a larger cause. “(In pep band), you feel involved but you don’t feel like everyone’s watching just you—it’s like a whole group of people,” Whitcomb said.

“So you’re involved in a team.” h

27 Find upcoming band and musical performance dates on page 27.

15 minutes of fame

FEB. 17, 2022

Death-Defying Q&A with freshman Josh Cale, self-proclaimed “roller coaster enthusiast” LORNA DING Q&A, PHOTO

ALAN HUANG PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

What sparked your interest in roller coasters?

How has the pandemic impacted your roller coaster experiences?

I just remember growing up, my family would take me to Kings Island every year. Leading up to the park visit, I would look back on past maps and that sparked an inspiration to me.

With the whole pandemic, they were changing up operations, so they had us wear masks the entire time throughout the park. That proved some challenges having to wear a mask the entire day outside while (you’re) sweaty and hot.

Why do you like roller coasters?

I think it’s a really fun experience. There’s a lot of technical things that go into the construction and the operation of roller coasters, so I find joy in learning about that, as well as obviously attending the parks and riding the coasters themselves.

Would you consider going into a career related to roller coasters?

Yeah, I think over the past six years that I’ve actually really enjoyed roller coasters, I’ve always kind of had that in the back of my mind. I’ve always wanted to be an engineer. I’ve actually really considered going to Purdue and possibly pursuing a career in designing or developing new roller coasters.

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What type of roller coaster do you like the most?

My favorite type of roller coaster is probably a RMC (Rocky Mountain Construction) Ibox Hybrid coaster. Essentially, it is a hybrid coaster, (made of) wood and steel and the track is an I-beam in buildings. (The beams) twist and turn with the coaster, so, you’re running on top of two I-beams that go with the coaster, and that is the track on top of a wood structure.

Do you ever feel like your stomach drops on a roller coaster?

I definitely do get that (feeling). There are definitely a couple rides that really make your stomach turn. One of (them) being Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.

(For) that one, you’re going 120 miles an hour, so your stomach just essentially drops.

I think it’s still exciting and fun, (and) there’s that fear factor of roller coasters, but after a while, you get used to it.

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by the numbers

750 the approximate number of roller coasters in the United States

8,113 FEET is the length of the longest roller coaster in the world, the Steel Dragon

456

FEET is the height of the tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, at Six Flags

How do you deal with that feeling of your stomach dropping?

Honestly, if you are struggling to ride roller coasters, I’d just say to close your eyes for a little bit, and eventually when you work up the courage to open your eyes again, you should be feeling better.

Other than that, I think (you) should be careful with eating beforehand; you don’t want to eat too much and throw up.

Do you have any tips for people who are scared of roller coasters?

There’s nothing really to be scared of.

Obviously, there’s that fun and joy and experience of actually riding a roller coaster. Take it from me: I’ve done a lot of research, and I’ve interviewed a lot of people, (and) there’s nothing to be scared of. There hasn’t been a severe accident on a roller coaster in the past 20 years that has caused major deaths. (There’s) nothing to be scared of, especially if you go to a well-run park. The people they have working the operations are very smart and take very good care of all the rides.

coaster crazy: Freshman Josh Cale (middle) poses with Freshman Cole Gosser (left) and their friend at Kings Island.

According to Cale, “This year, I’m aiming to go (to Kings Island) six times because a couple of my friends are going to go with me now so it should be more fun to go with friends, and I should have more opportunities this year.”

JOSH CALE SUBMITTED PHOTO

lend a hand Katie Neglia, Accents member and sophomore, performs at Carmel Middle School on Feb. 9 during a dress rehearsal. The Accents will perform their set “Show of Hands” at five competitions around Indiana and in Orlando, Florida. Neglia said, “I’m excited to experience an in-person season and see other choirs perform.” Their second competition is this weekend at Chesterton High School on Feb. 18-20.

MARISSA FINNEY PHOTO