THE
ORB
Hamilton Southeastern High School Volume 31 | Issue 3
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LOCKED BATHROOMS
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HAVASUE
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HONG KONG PROTESTS
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CLIMATE ACTIVISM
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perspective
No two students are exactly alike. In this issue, we sit down with students of various interests to find out what makes them unique.
THE
ORB
GUIDE TO SAT, ACT..........................................................4 HEAD 2 HEAD: MILITARY RECRUITMENT..................................5 HAVASUE THE SUPPORT DOG....................................................................6 MEDITATION ROOM..................................................................................................7 A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE........................................................................................8 PAUL FORD..........................................................................................................................9 OLIVIA LUND..................................................................................................................10 ANTHONY BLINCO..................................................................................................11 IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM: HONG KONG.................................................12 FIGHT TO SAVE THE PLANET..........................................................13 BOYS TENNIS BOUNCES BACK..................................14 GIRLS BASKETBALL RETURNS.......15
STAFF MEMBERS PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
MORALE COORDINATOR
EDITORS
STAFF MEMBERS
Hayden Sisemore
Grace Barclay Lucas Bisesi Kennedy Fisher Peyton McVeigh Sophia Tomlin
PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATORS Megan Tooman Sarah Woodward
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Elizabeth Moodispaugh Kathryn Collins Emily Crousore Vivianna Esqueda Kyra Jones Lainee Kirk Lauren Riina Jamie Whitesell
BUSINESS MANAGER Evan McDonald
ADVISERS THE ORB
Jordan Klobusnik David Young
STAFF SHOUT-OUT KATHRYN COLLINS STAFFER
Kat always does an excellent job bringing her enthusiasm and humor to the newsroom. She always uses her time in and out of class efficiently, and her work is always completed before a deadline day. She also steps up to do edits that are incomplete. Mission Statement: The Orb staff is dedicated to bringing interesting, relevant and important news to students and faculty at the school. The staff also focuses on upholding media ethics.
A MOMENT WITH...
PETER SALVADORI
SCIENCE TEACHER BRINGS SPIRIT TO SCHOOL How do you encourage students to participate in school events? Whenever we have a new philanthropic project that is going on in the school, I try to set aside class time to talk to my students to make them aware of what we are doing and the ‘why’ behind it all. A lot of times I feel that students forget that others don’t have the lives they have. How did you feel about not having a Homecoming pep rally? Students would leave before the pep rally therefore the participation wasn’t at the level we expected. We needed a way to get upwards of 3,000 kids to come to a pep rally. I like the new [tailgate] but I will miss dressing up and lip-syncing for the pep rally. Why do you feel so strongly about participating in school events? I want my students to be able to tell people that they go to school at HSE. I don’t just want them to come to school because they have to and then go home, so I do that for myself too. I sponsor clubs, coach teams and participate in other fund-raisers and events that the school puts on. Why do you participate in “No Shave November”? If the school is going to create a philanthropic event then I can get behind it. For “No Shave November” the money goes to Riley [Children’s Hospital]. We are supporting the families of the hospital and the kids, not just funding the doctors. We are helping a community of people. What impact do you wish to leave with your students? My goal is that students will learn science, but also walk out of my classroom with a new set of problem-solving and critical thinking skills. I also hope that they will be slower to judge and quicker to care. I want them to leave hopefully feeling like better people than maybe they did before they walked in my room. Why do you adopt a family for the holidays each year? I always adopt at least one family, but if [the school] is having trouble finding people to adopt I will take on another one. There have been times where I have a family for my classroom and my family at home. My family and I have bought goods for another family and spent our Christmas on that and kind of lowered the amount we give to each other.
HSENEWS
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LIMITING LAVATORIES
STUDENTS, STAFF DISCUSS ISSUES WITH LOCKED RESTROOMS Within the school there are 12 pairs of restrooms accessible to students, yet many are unusable because of the locked doors which has proven to be an inconvenience to students and staff alike. Administrators Douglas Harter and Holly Reine both confirmed that the restrooms are being purposely locked, specifically during lunch to control traffic flow and issues with vandalism. “Sometimes the restrooms are locked due to vandalism,” Reine said. “This includes clogging and overflowing toilets, writing on walls and smashed food on floors and walls.” According to Healthline.com, a healthy person uses the bathroom 6 to 7 times each day. But with an 8-hour long school day and the new issue of numerous locked restrooms throughout the school, this number is more challenging to meet than before. “It’s frustrating because it makes me late to class sometimes when I have to find a different restroom to use,” sophomore Paige Goodnight said. “Although there are not consequences from teachers, it’s just really inconvenient.” Science teacher Megan Ewing believes there is an issue with vandalism and plumbing, but also finds the humor in all of it. Ewing has restrooms right by her classroom and has continued to see students go through ranges of emotions including confusion, frustration and aggravation when encountering these locked doors. “The restrooms are being locked without signs being put on them, and I even placed a sign on the door myself once to avoid students running into locked doors,” Ewing said. “Even when
the sign was up, students not paying attention will still run into the locked door.” Not only is this affecting arrival to class and causing problems with slamming into doors, but it is also influencing students who have a full bladder, therefore it is important to always know where the closest restroom is. Though many see the negatives to this concern, some see the positive purposes for the locked restrooms. “I think this is a good decision because vaping in our school is very common,” sophomore Harrison Lakes said. “The restrooms are filled with people who vape throughout the day.” Junior McKinsey Charles agrees with Lakes and sees the issue of vaping along with the problem of vandalism and cleanliness within the school restrooms. “I believe the school bathrooms should be dealt with immediately,” Charles said. “The bathrooms smell bad and are often poorly maintained.” A challenging task would be to find a solution that would balance student needs while also protecting the school’s facility. Whether or not these restrooms continue to be locked, students should be aware of alternate restroom locations. “When students start respecting our restrooms and facilities, there will be no need to lock bathrooms throughout the day,” Reine said. Story by Elizabeth Moodispaugh.
GUIDE TO SAT, ACT ACT
SAT
1600 NATIONAL AVERAGE SCORE: 1060 AVERAGE SCORE, INDIANA: 1080 MAXIMUM SCORE:
SECTIONS INCLUDED: - READING - WRITING AND LANGUAGE - MATH WITHOUT CALCULATOR - MATH WITH CALCULATOR
MAXIMUM SCORE:
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21 AVERAGE SCORE, INDIANA: 23 NATIONAL AVERAGE SCORE:
SECTIONS INCLUDED: - ENGLISH - MATH - READING - SCIENCE
FREE PRACTICE FOR BOTH TESTS CAN BE FOUND ON KHANACADEMY.COM. INFORMATION FROM PREPSCHOLAR.COM.
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THE ORB
HEAD
2HEAD
MILITARY RECRUITMENT TABLES SHOULD MILITARY RECRUITERS BE ALLOWED TO RECRUIT STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS?
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PRO
I think the military recruitment stands are good to have in the CCA because they are a good way for students to know more information quickly. It’s beneficial for people like myself who do not always have time to go to multiple recruitment offices. Traveling takes up a lot of time, money and energy, so having them at school makes my life easier. They have definitely influenced my decision by opening up new possibilites that could have a better outcome. I think the military stands are good for showing off different branches of the military you can join, and they tell you all of the benefits they have. Also, some people learn better about a subject when they are seeing everything visually and they make a decision better in person.” Logan Sheerwood, 12
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CON
I think the military recruitment tables in the CCA can be a distraction to students sometimes. From personal experience, I get distracted when I am studying in the CCA during study hall, and they are talking to possible recruits. It can also make people who are in the CCA during lunch or who are studying uncomfortable for different reasons. Also, it might be a waste of someone’s day when no one shows up to ask questions throughout all of the time that they are sitting there. The stands have not influenced me to join the military, but I know the strong effects that they have had on people.” Gweneth Kennedy, 12
HSENEWS
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AS GOOD AS GOLDEN
A LOOK INTO EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS DEPARTMENT’S FAVORITE MEMBER Seeing a golden retriever walk the halls of a school is not a common part of every high school. Throughout history, dogs have shown companionship in many ways, one of which being of service to those who are physically or mentally impaired. Enter Havasue, a 9-year-old golden retriever who visits HSE every Friday to benefit the Adult Roles and Exceptional Learners department. “Therapy dogs are very beneficial to our program and we are so happy she can be a part of our room,” Adult Roles teacher Amanda Myers said. “Havasue brings so much joy and a whole new sense of calmness to our room. Some of her favorite fans are the peers who come help in our room.” Havasue is not just any dog brought into the school, though. She started out as the service dog of senior Will Smith, but it was not until a couple years ago when Shannon Smith, a school employee and Will’s mother, began bringing Havasue in once a week to assist the Exceptional Learners department after she saw the potential Havasue could bring to the department and the benefits she could bring to the kids. Havasue’s days mostly consist of walking between the various Adult Roles classrooms around the school and visiting some classes with her owner, Will Smith. “We waited about two and a half or three years for [Havasue] after we applied for her and for a long time she was just at home and would go out in public with us,” Shannon Smith said. “But after a certain time, I talked with my son’s teacher and she
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expressed interest in having Havasue come to the school once a week.” The students in the department work to care for Havasue in return to the generous favors she has brought the department and school. “[Havasue] is such a sweet dog and she really does sense who needs her attention at certain times,” Myers said. “Some of the benefits of having a therapy dog for students and staff include decreasing anxiety, increasing positive moods, helping with social skills, helping gain confidence and even helping some students overcome their fear of dogs.” Though Havasue has been trained to be of service to those around her and less energetic than most household dogs, she still comes with the physical needs of a regular dog. Exceptional Learners students get an opportunity to take this responsibility into their own hands. “Having a pet teaches responsibility no matter who it is,” junior and peer tutor MJ Johnson said. “The exceptional learners walk the dog, give her water and food, and take her outside to use the bathroom.” Though people will not always see Havasue around the halls or the effect she has on the students, the people who have the chance to come in contact with her are able to see how much of an impact she has on the school. Story and Photo by Lauren Riina. Information from Purdue Veterinary School.
THE ORB
MINDFUL MENTALITY
STUDENTS UTILIZE ROOM FOR STRESS-RELIEF For students, the feeling of being overwhelmed is often a common stressor due to frequent assignments, important tests and extracurriculars. According to the American Psychological Association, 31 percent of teenagers reported feeling overwhelmed and 36 percent of students reported feeling tired as an outcome of the stress of schoolwork. Resulting from this problem, library staff took action by introducing a room to the school known as the mindful room, which is located near the library reception desk and is open to students who are already in the library or have a pass from their teacher to visit. The mindful room serves as a safe space for students who need a break from the responsibilities of being a student. “Some students visit regularly and others on an occasional basis,” librarian Karin Foster said. “Kids use it to relax by doing things like coloring, sitting quietly or listening to music.” The room has a multitude of purposes for its users. Students can use the provided equipment, like yoga mats and soft seating, to meditate, or even just use the space to serve as a quiet place for relaxation. The use of the mindful room has a prevalent effect on the students who use it. “When kids come out of the room, they seem a lot more relaxed than they were when they entered,” Foster said. “It is really helpful to use the room for relieving stress, and I wish more students knew about how beneficial it really is.”
“The purpose of the room is to let everyone know that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and to help students with those feelings.” For the group of people who use the room on a normal basis, the positive aspects of having a clear mental state are distinct. “I think students can benefit from being able to calm down at school because there are various things that can happen during the day which can be stressful and distract you from learning,” junior Abigail Groom said. “Being able to relieve stress during the school day helps you to focus and feel better mentally.” Many students need some way to relax in order continue with the responsibilities of being a student. According to a poll reported by the LA Times, the average high school student is presented with three and a half hours of homework nightly. With this workload, a feeling of pressure from assignments is inevitable. “When I’m having a stressful day because of schoolwork, it’s nice to be able to have a calm and quiet room to go to,” Groom said. “I believe more people should use it because it has many great benefits besides just stress relief. It can bring you back to a focused state and helps you feel energized.” Story and photos by Lucas Bisesi.
HSENEWS
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a different
perspective “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” -Bill Nye Similar to snowflakes, out of approximately 3,400 students within the school, it is impossible for two students to be exactly the same or even too much alike. Every person in the school has their own qualities and lifestyles they live, and when put together, they create the unique student body seen in the building today. Although the large student population may seem overwhelming to some, this wide range of student lifestyles enables a chance for students to grow and learn from the differences between one another. But even in such a large school, the feeling of repetitiveness or being surrounded by like-minded people can occur. Student Publications decided to interview three students about their daily schedules before, during and after school to gain a glimpse into their minds and their daily lives: senior Paul Ford, the president of Black Student Union, GRADE Olivia Lung, a student athlete and Director of Funds for the Class of 2021 and Anthony Blinco, a member of a rock band. These glimpses include more than just each person’s daily schedule, but why they do the things they do and how they do them to reveal their character, aspirations and goals. These stories should serve as a reminder to students that everybody may be completely different than what is seen on the surface level. It is important to try to get to know one another at a deeper level on a daily basis, to create meaningful relationships and help support each other during this time period in their lives. And through getting to know others better, it can give one an opportunity to improve their own lifestyle and learn more about oneself. Intro by Sarah Woodward.
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THE ORB
be adventurous. SENIOR PAUL FORD DISCUSSES EXTRACURRICULAR PASSIONS As soon as he wakes up, Paul Ford mentally makes a schedule for his day. Usually, this includes a brainstorm where he asks himself how he can work with other people, which then leads to a pile of emails and to-do lists. Along with a busy school agenda, Ford is also involved in the school’s Black Student Union, youth council and his church. “I am the liaison for the youth ministry at my church,” Ford said. “This involves communicating with different ministries and basically making sure each ministry knows what is going on with the teen ministry.” To Ford, being immersed in multiple activities is only possible with regulation and time management skills. “I manage my time with BSU, youth council, my church and schoolwork by being organized,” Ford said. “I make a schedule for my week so I can plan ahead of time and prepare myself to be flexible.” Although his time is fractioned, Ford remains in these activities because they provide him with opportunities to meet new people. “I love working with and meeting new people,” Ford said. “I have always been super involved in BSU. I joined because I thought it would give me the perfect opportunity to make a difference.” Not only does his involvement within his community allow him to make new friends, but Ford is also motivated by his future and ambition. “I want to make change in my community,” Ford said. “Being involved gives me the skills and experience to do that in the future.” Creating new things is one of Ford’s main passions. For example, he loves to create new opportunities for people to take a step back from reality and follow their dreams. “A lot of us get tied down to reality and what we already know,” Ford said. “We are in the perfect position to create new technologies and ideas.”
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The decision to increase the amount of activities he participates in did not only benefit Ford, but also his peers. “I think I have helped create more personal communities that allow for better relationships and interactions,” Ford said. “This has made these groups more enjoyable and has made the people involved in these activities more receptive to what we are sharing.” Ford’s passions and involvement will not end in high school, though. He plans on using abilities he learned throughout the years to make a difference. His dream is to have a positive impact on the lives of other people. “I plan on being very involved even after high school,” Ford said. “I will do this by learning and participating in more minority programs to increase my knowledge of them and help these movements.” When asked to describe himself in one word, Paul chooses ‘adventurous.’ “I like change,” Ford said. “I love to experience and create new things and I always think things can be better. Perfection is always the goal, but I think things develop and grow the more you put work into them.” Story and photo by Grace Barclay.
I love to experience and create new things, and I always think things can be better.
” HSENEWS
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be driven. SOPHOMORE OLIVIA LUND DISCUSSES LIFE AS STUDENT-ATHLETE Olivia Lund’s day starts by catching the bus and heading to school. Lund tackles many tasks each day whether its multiple sports, managing funds for the class of 2022 or classwork. Her day consists of various courses, including honors and AP curriculum and among these, her favorite parts of the day are spent doing hands-on science labs or complicated math problems. “Math and science classes are the ones I put most of my effort into when making sure I understand and know the material, I enjoy these the most,” Lund said. “I greatly value school and my grades. I’m grateful to be able to come to HSE, a lot of people don’t like school but I find that trying to enjoy it makes it easier.” Although not sure of her exact career path, Lund’s classes reflect her interests of becoming a scientist, nurse or government employee in the future. After school, Lund goes to cross country practice. Most of her time is spent running around campus, or the sidewalks of nearby Fishers streets. Face flushed and legs sore, Lund goes home and gets ready to go to the soccer fields where she will practice with her club teammates until the sun sets. Along with those two sports, she participated in lacrosse and basketball last year. Practice is a way for her to take her mind
away from the stresses of school. Lund aims to be the best athlete she can be at practice even when she knows how tired she will feel later. “Playing multiple sports along with my workload from school is challenging but rewarding at the same time,” Lund said. “The time I spend at practice is my favorite part of my day so I always try to work hard and improve.” Lund finds relaxation during meets by thinking about her favorite music. “I use music during races or time trials to take my mind off of the pressure,” Lund said. “I pick a song to focus on the whole time and sing it in my head, it helps with stress.” Lund enjoys time with friends, and often makes plans to hang out after school when she has free time. Making and building connections with other people is considerably meaningful to her. “When I don’t have soccer I try to make plans with other people,” Lund said. “I enjoy having friends come over and hang out, I also like going to Panera to study with others.” Following soccer practice, once a week Lund tutors a fellow student. When Lund gets home, she works on her own homework and strives to get good grades. Since she could get pulled off the team if she gets behind on her school work and her grades slip, sports are a big motivation. Lund values her mental health and takes steps to achieve the best mindset. She prioritizes her mental state. “If I’m doing homework and it’s really late, I’ll go to bed and find time to finish my work tomorrow,” Lund said. “It’s more important to go to school energized and ready to learn rather than sleep-deprived.” At the end of the day, Lund is left feeling accomplished by the abundance of her routine. Lund hopes to continue fulfilling goals in each aspect of her day and life. Story and photo by Lainee Kirk.
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The time I spend at practice is my favorite part of the day so I always try to work hard and improve.
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THE ORB
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be lighthearted. JUNIOR ANTHONY BLINCO BALANCES HOBBIES, EXTRA-CURRICULERS Anthony Blinco starts his day like any other student at HSE. He wakes up, gets ready and goes to school. However, after the bell rings at 2:55p.m., Blinco does not stop. Whether its for tennis practice for the school or rehearsal for his band, Blinco stays busy. “Until the [tennis] season ended I would go to practice every day,” Blinco said. “Then I’ll go home and practice guitar or sometimes I’ll have rehearsal.” Rehearsal with his band is Blinco’s favorite part of the day, since most of his bandmates attend different schools. Rehearsals with his band happen Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at School of Rock, a school that teaches music to aspiring musicians. “We’re the school of rock band,” Blinco said. “We’re the top of the school population.” As well as meeting life-long friends and building trust, being a part of this band has given Blinco many incredible opportunities for his music career. It has also created many memories that Blinco will carry with him forever, including the opportunities to play at local events. “Every year we will play at the Fishers Freedom Festival,” Blinco said. “One time we got to hook up to a trailer and went around the parade and played, which was really cool.” Blinco plans to keep music in his life as long as possible, and plans to minor in music in college, as well as continue doing side projects. Outside of his musical interests, Blinco also spends his time as a member of the school’s tennis team. He began playing tennis when he was in fourth grade, and remembers most from when he began was a specific instructor that made him fall in love with the sport of tennis. Blinco ended up dropping tennis for a few years until finally getting back into it after finding out about the tennis team at his middle school. Blinco now plays tennis for the school, and absolutely loves it.
“In fourth grade, I was in that phase where and I wanted to try every sport,” Blinco said. “I had an instructor who was really supportive back in Arizona.” Managing school, tennis and his band, Blinco is left with little to no free time. To avoid late nights, he tries his best to use his class time wisely and get his homework done. This also includes utilizing his time in study hall. Although his free time is minimum and late nights still do happen, Blinco enjoys everything he is in and would not change a thing. Story by Emily Crousore. Photo by Sophie Tomlin.
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Until the tennis season ended I would go to practice every day. Then I’ll go home and practice guitar or sometimes I’ll have rehearsal.
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HSENEWS
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IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM
PROTESTING IN HONG KONG OVER LEGAL DISAGREEMENTS WITH CHINA Throughout human history, situations have occurred where established regions will fight vehemently to preserve their valued ways of life. In Hong Kong, protests have been affecting the sovereign region for several months over an extradition bill issued in April that stated those accused of criminal offenses in Hong Kong would be tried under the mainland Chinese government as stated by BBC. As a result, Hong Kong disagreed with their citizens being held under trial in a different justice system, including the possibility of unfair treatment by Chinese authorities. These protests have inflicted serious damage, including vandalism of several commercial and government establishments according to BBC. Clashes have become increasingly violent, including masked mobs with sticks and petrol bombs being fired against police. In the most severe cases, shootings and stabbings have occurred in retaliation by police and vigilantes, resulting in reports of police brutality as stated by The Denver Post. After these protests, Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, agreed to have the bill “suspended indefinitely”. However, protestors were not satisfied as they saw this situation as a threat of China trying to obtain further control and extended the purpose of their cause to address further goals such as obtaining universal voting rights. The account of one protestor, under the pseudonym Alexa, describes experiences and motivations for participating in the protests, even with significant risk. Currently, the amount of female protestors has declined due to the reports of sexual assault, although the police has denied these allegations. “I know that what I am doing is technically illegal,” Alexa said. “But, I don’t want our future generation to spend their youth, like us, fighting for their freedoms.”
During the campaigns, Alexa participated by throwing petrol bombs and aiding other protestors. However, she was shot in the collarbone with a rubber bullet and in the leg with a beanbag round. Despite her injuries, she is still passionate on continuing in the protests. “I want to fight again,” Alexa said. “I don’t want to leave for the rest of my life. If the city dies, I will die with the city. This is my home.” Historically, Hong Kong was part of the Republic of China before becoming a colony under British rule in 1841 according to BBC. After being returned to China in 1997, this region has continued to maintain its established democratic system. However, the ties between these two regions have conflicted under their opposing political systems. The people of Hong Kong have enjoyed more freedoms because of their democracy, while the rest of China operates under communism as a one-party state. Over time, China has experienced an attitude of connectivity between the two states, but the people of Hong Kong have been vigilant against China’s actions and want to maintain the “one country, two systems” policy according to The Denver Post. “I think that the government should keep their word on allowing Hong Kong to keep their way of life,” junior Nanami Bryant said. “Freedom is a right that we’re born with, not something that should be taken away. We’ve seen with different circumstances, such as slavery, where we’ve had to fight for these values and what is morally right.” Currently, the Basic Law has protected Hong Kong’s legal system and political rights. As it expires in 2047, the status of Hong Kong will be unclear. However, Hong Kong has received support across the globe for the future of where it stands in the defense of its freedom. Story by Megan Tooman.
SIGNS OF PROTEST The following phrases have been used on signs by Hong Kong protesters throughout the dispute. As seen on npr.org, dw.com and cbc. ca.
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“TYRANNY IS NEVER INVINCIBLE”
“SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM”
“HONG KONG IS
“NO CHINA
“DEMOCRACY
NOT CHINA”
EXTRADITION”
DELAY NO MORE”
THE ORB
FIGHT TO SAVE THE PLANET
WORLDWIDE PROTESTS OVER CLIMATE CHANGE LED BY STUDENTS Rising temperatures have lead to rising concerns about the Earth and what climate changes will do to its future, a future of islands lost to rising sea levels and rainforests becoming deserts. National Geographic defines climate change as “a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns,” which has been caused by not only greenhouse gases, but human interaction with the planet and the destruction being caused by them. The dangerous impact created by climate change is found in a multitude of different environmental and atmospheric appearances. An increase in man-made emissions being pushed into the atmosphere has caused more damage than just a global temperature rise, but an increased surface ocean waters acidity as well, changing the fundamental chemistry of Earth’s once blue seas into waves of carbonic acid where humanity regularly bathes. One of the most influential environmental activists fighting these changes is a 16 year-old Swedish girl named Greta Thunberg. What started as a global warming strike in front of Swedish Parliament in August 2018 has exponentially grown into the international movement Fridays for Future consisting of 100,000 children and teens alike. Thunberg’s organization has led to rallies in Europe and the United States, all with the same message “If they won’t do it, we will,” Thunberg said at a climate change rally in Denver, Colorado Oct. 11, 2019. “The world is waking up and we are the change. The change is coming whether you like it or not.”
It appears the world has turned their backs to the reality of the situation, avoiding the 11-year deadline until climate change is irreversible, forcing the younger generation to take charge in the fight to save the planet. Global, national and local protests for climate change have taken place in Indiana. Due to the efforts and organization of Carmel student Isabella Fallahi, more than 250 Indiana students protested on March 15 against climate change outside the Indiana Statehouse, joining thousands of students from at least 112 countries around the world. “We have been told our whole lives that we need to go to school to create a future for ourselves that is economically supported, but if we don’t have a planet, none of that will even matter,” Fallahi said. “This has become a recurring factor in U.S. politics, people are picking money over their constituents. It is un-American, it is immoral and it is inhumane.” The persistent ignorance of climate change will do nothing except continue destroying the planet. “Would it be the worst deal in history to trade our future for the fossil fuel lobby?” Fallahi asked. “I don’t think so!” Fighting global warming seems to be the last thing on the minds of older generations across the world procrastinating their involvement to save the planet, but the future generations refuse to allow that to happen. Climate change is a real problem affecting everyone on Earth, and bringing attention to the damage it’s caused is the only way for humanity to survive. Story by Kathryn Collins. Photo by Hayden Sisemore. HSENEWS
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FINDING THEIR RHYTHM
BOYS TENNIS TEAM BOUNCES BACK AFTER LOSING STREAK After losing three of their first four games to Westfield, Carmel and Zionsville, the boys tennis team had an uphill battle to get a winning season. The players had to put these losses in the back of their minds as they prepared to take on Fishers for the Mudsock trophy. “We knew Fishers had a fairly young team and we knew that they were good,” head coach Kirk Webber said. “We just went in as the underdogs and knew that [Mudsock] was going to be tough.” Even with the amount of preparation that came with Mudsock, the Royals fell short to the Tigers, losing two to three. The wins came from the number one and number two doubles teams. “We had some good battles and had some good wins at our doubles spots,” Webber said. “It’s always disheartening to lose the Mudsock, but we knew that everyone on the team was going to get better.” After their defeat to Fishers, the boys tennis team came back and started winning multiple matches in a row. Their first win since losing the Mudsock match was a sweep against Brownsburg on Sept. 4. After that, the boys team never looked back and kept pushing forward. “The mentality was looking towards the next match and to continue to work hard,” Webber said. “That loss motivated us [to get better].” They won six out of eight games to improve their record to 7-6 throughout the season to move up in the state rankings as the thirteenth ranked team in the state. With a
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THE ORB
better record, the team was able to turn their fate around and began to prepare for Sectionals. “We knew that in order to win the sectional against Fishers that we needed to win in the singles spots,” Webber said. The Royals beat Hamilton Heights, winning in both doubles matches and the singles matches, which propelled them to the Sectional final against Fishers. With another Mudsock match looming, this time with a Sectional championship on the line, the Royals had to strategize. Regardless of their defeat towards Fishers earlier in the season, the Royals were able to beat the Tigers three to two to win the Sectional championship. “It was a surreal feeling [winning sectionals] after freshman Rohan Golla was down 2-5 in the third set,” Webber said. “He was one point away from losing that match and losing Sectionals, but he continued to fight to win the match. It was a huge win for us and the team was excited to get the Sectional championship trophy back.” With their heads held high, the team prepared for Regionals. The team could not win Regionals but they did have their number one doubles team move on to the state tournament. Now that the season has closed, the team is working hard in preparation for next year. “The future is bright, but those guys know that the competition is going to be tough,” Webber said. “Fishers has a young team too, so it’s not going to get any easier next year.” Story by Jamie Whitesell. Photo by Peyton McVeigh.
BACK-TO-BACK GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM PREPARES TO RETURN AT STATE Last year, the varsity girls basketball team defeated Lawrence North at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse. Finishing the season undefeated against in-state opponents and winning its first 4A State championship. Now, the team has begun to prepare for the upcoming basketball season in hopes of repeating their previous success. Now that the team has tryouts completed, members have started daily practices after school and extra conditioning with weights twice a weak. “We have really intense and aggressive practices,” senior Sydney Parrish said. “We also hold each other to standards to make each other better.” At the beginning of the season, the team was faced with a challenge: replacing three starters from the previous season who had graduated. As a result, numerous team members are being asked to step into new positions. “All of the girls are playing bigger roles this season,” senior Jackie Maulucci said. “It’s exciting to watch them step up after we lost a lot of seniors last year.” The girls are also continuing to work hard towards their goals for this season. In addition to beginning the season as the
top projected team in Indiana. The girls also hope to become the first 4A team to repeat as champions since Bedford Narll Lawrence in 2013 and 2014. “It’s a new challenge that we have never faced before,” Parrish said. “It gives us another reason to prove people wrong and that we can win [State] again.” Even considering the new title of State champions and the readjustments made to address the shift in team positions, the girls feel no more pressure to perform than they did the following season. “We are a new team and it’s a new year,” Maulucci said. “[But,] we have the same goals like we do each year.” In fact, the team is even excited to face the changes made to the team and see how they will handle the season overall. “We are excited for the new challenges that are going to be thrown at us,” Parrish said. “We feel and are looking great.” Many eyes are looking at them to see how they perform this season. However, the team is still very excited to see what comes next for them during this season. They are working hard and are seeing what each athlete is capable of on the court. Story by Kyra Jones.
ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE
HALLE HILL TRAIT: HARD WORK Junior Halle Hill is a member of the girls cross country team. Hill got first place at the Delta Regional, running 3.1 miles in 18 minutes and 30.1 seconds. She advanced to Semi-State and competed Oct. 26. “Halle Hill just won the Regional title and has trained exceptionally hard this summer and fall to prepare for this season. She is also doing a nice job as a team leader.” Joe Golden, Cross Country Head Coach “Running has really shaped me into the person I am now. It’s showed me that I can race for something bigger than myself, like my team. It has also prepared me to be mentally ready for any obstacles I face.” Halle Hill, 11
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A CLOSER LOOK... Page 4: Students may have noticed bathrooms being periodically locked around the school. In this story, the staff explains why this occurs. Page 5: Military recruiters periodically set up tables in the CCA, promoting their branch to students. Two students of differing opinions weigh in on this topic. Page 6: Havasue, a golden retriever, helps students in the Adult Roles and Exceptional Learners department stay engaged and at ease in the classroom. This story explains Havasue’s importance to the department and her impact on those around her. Page 7: The Mindful Room in the Media Center helps students destress throughout the school day by offering coloring supplies, yoga mats and a quiet space to unwind. Page 12: After months, protests continue in the Chinese providence of Hong Kong. This story breaks down how the conflict originated, and students weigh in on their thoughts about the issue. Page 13: As a new wave of climate activism begins to spread, the staff wanted to describe the role teenagers play in the fight for environmental protection. Page 14: Following last season’s victory at state, the varsity girls basketball team is returning to practice. Members weigh in on the pressure, but also the hopes they have for the upcoming season. Page 15: After a series of defeats, including losing to Fishers at the Mudsock match, the boys tennis team was able to defeat Fishers at Sectionals.