The Orb- February 2018-19

Hamilton Southeastern High School February 2019 | Volume 30 | Issue 5

Growing Concerns Homicide is on the rise in Indianapolis. IMPD Detective Sergent Brad Millikan and sociology teacher Nanette Wolfe discuss the broadening issue.

Contents

04 Marginalized Voices English teacher Jennifer Torres creates new class.

06 Alternative Education Various education alternatives in the district and area that offer different learning opportunities.

08 Growing Concerns Homicide rates in Indianapolis are on the rise. New solutions are coming forward to help prevent and solve murders.

12 Creating Controversy New abortion laws explained, prolife and pro-choice students explain their positions.

14 Spring Sports An overview of spring sports.

Orb Staff Editor-in-Chief Laura Stancato Section Editors Grace Barclay Laurel Black Kersti Hash Ilene Marzke Hayden Sisemore Lilyan Wray Business Manager Nicholas Bostock Advisers Jordan Klobusnik David Young

Staff Lucas Bisesi Kathryn Collins Lee Cook Carson Etheredge Kennedy Fisher Lainee Kirk Evelyn Lahr Peyton McVeigh Elizabeth Moodispaugh Yashasvi Phougat Lauren Riina Sophia Tomlin Megan Tooman Paige S. Sara Vianna Raegan Walsh Sarah Woodward

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Opinion: Preoccupied, Isolated

In today’s high schools, it is not uncommon to overhear stressful conversations between students discussing their GPA or college plans. Too often, though, it seems as if students are becoming more and more overwhelmed with their load of school work and not focusing their attention on aspects of their life that should be equally important, such as spending time with friends or practicing hobbies.

Sometimes, school can add so much extra stress to students’ lives that they feel they have no time for a social life. However, this has been deemed increasingly more emotionally and mentally exhausting by physicians.

In a study by the National Institutes of Health, a link between social relationships and depressive symptoms was observed.

After seeing the results, the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences was able to conclude that girls who had more interaction tended to have fewer depressive symptoms along with a greater self-esteem.

However, students are occupied by hours of homework and studying and there are only so many hours in a day. This is potentially very dangerous.

Personally, a day does not go by in which I feel no stress from school. I go to school every day only to go home and work on homework or work my part-time job, with little time for extra curriculars. This is extremely draining.

The way I see it, we should all take time out of our days to spend time with friends or participate in self-care activities.

Go see a movie with a couple friends, put on a face mask, or simply take a walk outside. Column by Grace Barclay.

Staffer of the Issue: Lauren Riina Lauren is new to staff this semester and is off to a great start.

She finishes her work ahead of time and offers to help others to ensure deadlines are met smoothly. Lauren is an excellent addition to staff. We are lucky to have her!

A MOMENT WITH...

Kimberly BAKLE English teacher shares experience

Describe your experience as your high school newspaper’s editor-in-chief?

I was the editor-in-chief during my senior year of high school at Avon, and I sold ad space to a company and wrote stories about teenage pregnancy.

Because of the ad, I faced harsh judgment from the community, which included a petition to have me removed from my position as editor and several meetings with administrators and the school board.

What did you learn from this experience?

I learned that we are often unfairly judged by people simply for associating with an organization. While many of the students and teachers at my school were supportive of me and my stance on this issue, some teachers, students and parents were outraged by my actions and were very vocal about it.

How was this situation handled?

The company hired an attorney to represent them at school board meetings. The lawyer stated that if the school board made me retract the ad or punished me in any way, they would sue the board for discrimination. It felt good to know that I did have rights, and so did the organization.

Why is it important for students to voice their opinions?

Students are the future of our society. As long as they are being respectful of others, they should always be encouraged to stand up for their beliefs.

How did this impact you?

It took me a long time to overcome this experience.

Originally, I planned to major in journalism at Ball State, but after this, I quit writing stories and decided to change my intended course of study. It was difficult to have the vice principal at my school walk up to me at graduation and say, “I knew there was a reason that I was smiling today. You are finally gone.” I never want any student to experience this kind of abuse, which is why I work to provide an instructional environment where students can be free to voice their opinions.

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Marginalized Voices

New English class offers differing perspective With the numerous works of literature by white, male authors featured in the majority of English classes, some students may find themselves looking at life through a specific lens.

Over the years though, changes have been made to the core English curriculum. But, for some, there was a sense that more needed to be done. As students go through their schooling career, taking time to read outside of school often becomes less of a priority, so the literature that is supplied at school has gained importance. Next year, a new English class called Marginalized Voices will begin with the goal of expanding students’ perspectives.

“By experiencing voices from other cultures, students will have a chance to walk in another’s shoes,” English teacher Asa Suriano said. “Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of other viewpoints.”

For teachers such as Suriano, the importance of this class is evident. Becoming exposed to other viewpoints is vital in present day. Through others’ words, readers can learn from their experiences and truths of society. While stories such as “To Kill a Mocking

Bird” by Harper Lee and “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen feature diversity in gender and age in the current English curriculium, there seems to be a gap in the true marginalization of the course, itself.

“I think creating a class such as Marginazlized Voices is a great idea considering we are facing issues such as racism in our society today,” sophomore Alexis Hibbert said. “I will definitely consider [taking the course] to learn new ideas and see from other points of view.”

Ultimately, English teachers hope that by giving students the chance to look at life through another person’s point of view, it will broaden their knowledge and acceptance of others. With the introduction of this class, students will be given the opprotunity to explore different types of literature from diverse authors.

“I think students should be reading different types of literature,” English teacher Jennifer Torres said. “They should read books that mirror themselves, give them a glimpse into someone else’s life and allow them to enter a new world.” Story by Sophia Tomlin and Kennedy Fisher.

Student Art Showcase Senior Courtney Broyles is currently enrolled in AP Studio Art after previously taking Drawing I, Drawing II, Drawing III and Painting I.

“I’m not really sure what made me want to start making art,” Broyles said. “It’s just something I’ve done since I was young and I really enjoyed it.”

Broyles’ work has been centered around detailed and realistic drawings created by using graphite or charcoal.

“The best advice I’ve been given was to look at [art] from a different angle,” Broyles said. “Even if your work doesn’t look right or if you’re trying to take a picture to draw from, it helps to find a different angle to look at that you don’t normally see.”

Story and photos by Kennedy Fisher.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black Student Union discuss activities, influences Since February 1976, Black History Month has been a time to celebrate the accomplishments of AfricanAmericans throughout the years. Black History Month began in 1915 with the creation of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) which was originally a week-long event to promote schools and communities around the nation to celebrate and inform about Black history.

During the month of Febuary, Black Student Union conducts several events around the school to promote Balck History Month, including hanging posters around the school, wearing black every Wednesday to spread awareness and hosting the Breakout Festival which is intended to celebrate the club’s success and hard work.

“The title [of the festival] symbolizes breaking out of the racially induced stereotypes African Americans have been given and celebrating the ‘breakout’ process,” junior Paul Ford said. “[The festival] is a fun event with music, food, crafts and speeches.”

Throughout the month the members have also been talking to administration about making school feel safe for African Americans and incorporating district wide inclusion groups.

“My goal in talking to district wide administration is to encourage them to be cautious and introspect their action towards all youth,” junior Tochi Nwachiukwu said. “Sometimes just because things have always been done that way doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way.”

Other influences that are widely discussed is the pop culture influence. In the recent year, popular Disney movie Black Panther has been nominated for several awards including the most recent Oscar nominations, Best Picture and six others. Among movie influences are influences in music, media, television and sports including Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith and Michael Jordan who have all brought awareness to black cultural issues.

“I admire a lot of [different influencers] qualities and the courage to take a stand when others choose to turn a blind eye or just deal with it,” Nwachiukwu said. “I admire the decision of knowing that you deserve better and pursing that.”

Social media also has had an influence on Black culture with the #blacklivesmatter movement and various images, video and pieces of text, all of which stand for some kind of cultural movement or political stance.

“My favorite would be the phrases and memes that are often found on social media,” Nwachiukwu said. “It adds humor to simple phrases.”

Black History Month is a time to reflect and celebrate the people throughout history who have raised awareness for African American culture. “[Black History Month is important to me] because although people should be celebrated and appreciated every day BHM is when people make a particular effort to do so,” Nwachiukwu said. “It’s a time to celebrate black historical individuals achievements in American society.” Story by Lilyan Wray. Photo from Legacy.com.

Did you know?

Iconic cartoon character Betty Boop was influenced by Black jazz singer Esther Jones in Harlem.

According to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal counsel and speechwriter Clarence B. Jones, his famous “I Have A Dream” speech was originally more political and less historic, and did not mention any reference to dreams.

This year marks the 110 year anniversary of the NAACP. Black History Month used to only be a week of commemoration.

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Information from Reader’s Digest and HISTORY. HSENews.com

Alternative Education

Education alternatives offered in Hamilton County Amidst the code yellow, or shelter in place, at the end of the school day on Friday, Jan. 18, many students were left wondering what exactly happened to cause the lockdown. Questions were raised about school safety and alternative education options after the incident.

In the southwest wing of Fall Creek Junior High is the FOCUS building, which only a fraction of students and their families are aware of. FOCUS provides a group of around 15 students with a different learning environment than they previously had at a more traditional school. Last year, the program included a barbed wire fence around their basketball court, which has since been removed.

“The setting provides a smaller classroom setting and a lower student-to-teacher ratios to create opportunities to increase positive social skills and coping strategies,” FOCUS Coordinator Kelli Kornas said. “FOCUS is a safe learning environment for those who may not experience success in general education.”

In addition to the FOCUS program, another facility located in Westfield is designed for a larger number of students who have different needs. This service center provides the youth with a safe environment to change behaviorally through postitive reinforcement and is viewed as a secure detention. The Options Center, specifically, can house up to 86 students.

“The Options Center is a charter school and is meant for students who have not found success in traditional public schools,” Fall Creek Junior High staff member Kristen Distler said. “FOCUS is attached to our junior high and is grades kindergarten through 12.”

Once informed of these facilities in her own backyard, sophomore Alexis Snook was suprised.

“When I asked my two sisters who go to FCJH if they knew about the program, they both had no clue,” Snook said.

“It is crazy that these centers are in both my sisters’ and my backyard.”

For students not able to attend traditional school for various reasons, the district also offers online programs.

Students enrolled in an online school program can learn at their own pace in a safe and familiar environment.

Another option available to students is the ability to take courses over the summer, instead of in the traditional time frame. Students enrolled in summer programs are able to learn through an online course and take a final exam once they have completed the program to earn credits. With only a few other in-school options available to students for other education programs, some are in search of more suitable opportunities that will be personlized to their needs.

Story by Peyton McVeigh.

What safety improvements should HSE make?

“I think we could improve on checking our cameras more often and by not letting in strangers.”

Lauren Wyatt, 10

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“I believe we could improve on access and efficiency systems for both teacher and students and a way to lock doors from coming inside more often.”

Quantae Johnson, 11

“We could improve on having more police officers around the school.”

Sydney Bowman, 12

#NeverAgain

Influence of Parkland on gun laws

How do you promote change?

Valentine’s Day, a holiday often associated with love and friendship, will forever have a different connotation for the 3,000 students who attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a shooter opened fire in the building, killing 17 people and injuring 17 more.

The massacre in Parkland, Fla. sparked a movement that radiated gun control waves throughout the country and the world. But what is the major difference between previous gun law protests and this one?

It was led by the youth.

Using their sorrow for change, the student-led campaign, March for Our Lives, inspired youth of all ages to protest for stricter background checks, the limitation of semi-automatic rifles, regulation of safe storage and other gun restrictions. On Mar. 24, 2018, at more than 800 demonstrations across the United States and every continent except Antarctica, hundreds of thousands of students aimed their “Enough is Enough” cries at their respective country’s leaders.

Students for Change, an organization created after the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, participated in the national walkout and other protests for gun control. Noblesville High School sophomore Grace Tuesca has been heavily involved with the group.

“I can’t create legislation and bills, but I can bring awareness to the amount of innocent people who become victims way too easily,” Tuesca said. “Protesting gives me a voice and I can be heard when disrupting the silence and advocating for action.”

The shooting in Parkland was just the beginning of terror, as 2018 had the highest number of school shootings since 1970 with 37, according to BBC. Of those 37 shootings, 24 schools faced injuries or even death, bringing the total number of deaths to 35.

These tragedies have caused unnecessary loss and pain to those effected, but they have also raised many questions into the motives and causation of the shootings.

Theories are presented that show a correlation between school shootings and the frequent playing of violent video games, lack of security at schools and the simple process of buying a gun. According to Education Week and BBC, 13 of the suspects were students, nine of which attended the schools. These articles further stated that the average school shooter was 12-13 or 17-18 years old and a white male.

Despite the multitude of shootings that have occurred in America over the past few years, the event at Parkland seems to be the one that finally initiated the shift towards gun control legislation. As the New York Times reports, it was not Congress making the first moves, but the individual states who passed a record 69 gun control measures last year. In December 2018, Washington took its turn as the Trump administration passed a ban on bump stocks, devices “which make it easier to fire rounds from a semi-automatic weapon by harnessing the gun’s recoil to ‘bump’ the trigger faster,” according to CNN. This new beginning to gun legislation is creating hope for the activists [but there are no plans to stop the movement]. Most protests fade away after losing their immediate relevancy, but students are ensuring that this one does not disappear until permanent solutions are found. Story by Kathryn Collins and Raegan Walsh.

“To bring awareness, we bring the research [on shootings] to meets and use them in our speeches, poetry, pieces, debates and more.”

Alliyah Taylor, 10

“I promote meaningful and productive conversations with people of opposing viewpoints.

Sometimes you don’t get anywhere but sometimes you can reach some sort of middle ground.”

Logan Carnahan, 12

“I attended the March for Our Lives event last March and I have had conversations to spread awareness through my family who can vote.”

Ruthie Helfer, 11

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“We’re seen as the enemy.”

Growing Concerns Indianapolis murder on the rise, prompting changes Everyone loves a good mystery, and unsolved murders are one of the most captivating puzzles for detectives, law enforcement or everyday cititzens. People are fascinated by the ups and downs of these cases. For years, cold cases like the murder of the Black Dahlia or JonBenet Ramsey have grasped the attention of America. Beyond the curiousity, there are many concerns surrounding this issue. Cities around the U.S. are becoming more and more dangerous as these murders go longer without an answer.

Unsolved murders are taking a toll on Indiana and local police departments, as there are currently 92 cold cases in the state. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Indianapolis is 1 in 74.

Officials have spoken out on this crisis, but many people are wondering what the real plans are to protect the inhabitants of Indianapolis. This is a further investigation into the effects of this problem, and what’s being done to promote safety. Introduction by Lainee Kirk.

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The Indianapolis area has an emerging problem that is costing human lives. The amounts of homicides in and around Indianapolis is going up: the percentage of cases solved is going down. According to RTV6, Indianapolis has broken its record for most homicides in a year every year for3 the past four years, with 2018 setting the record of 159 murders. As of Feb. 4, 14 homicides had already been reported in 2019, meaning the record will once again be beat if the current rate continues throughout the year. While IMPD [Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department] is actively seeking and attempting a vast array of solutions, the department still faces several challenges.

“There is a big misunderstanding for a lot of people,” detective sergeant Brad Millikan said. “The homicide rate is not something we can proactively attack.”

The growing amount of homicides is not the only problem faced by the police and the community; the amount of cleared homicides (homicides where an arrest is made, not necessarily a conviction) is also decreasing.

As reported in the Indianapolis Star, only 40 percent of homicides in 2017 were cleared. A unit specializing in cold cases was started to target these uncleared cases, with numerous cases being solved as a result.

“We have a cold case unit that’s been around for about 10 years now, and it started with a federal grant, “ Millikan said. “We’ve had some good luck where they go back to old cold cases that couldn’t be solved, and we’ve actually had a few cases as old as 25 years that have been solved. Some of it has to do with DNA, some of it has to

do with karma catching up to the suspect.”

Ergo, the IMPD is making changes in order to address this growing issue. These changes include bringing in outside help, such as state and federal murder investigation units, and hiring more officers. Still, IMPD is expecting to see reduced numbers as more officers are set to retire in 2019 than are expected to be hired. In addition, the IndyStar reported that 110 officers were hired in 2018, while another 110 retired, leaving the size of the department the same at the end of the year.

Regardless, Millikan views manpower as a key way for the department to become more effective.

“There is a direct correlation between the manpower and the amount of work we can put into a case, and the results,” Millikan said. “[We’ve] increased the manpower in the homicide office by 20 percent, and we’ve had a 20 percent increase in clearance rate.”

One solution Indianapolis is pursuing is providing more funding to the police department, hoping the increased budget could allow the department to hire more cops (detectives specifically) and purchase new equipment that could help catch criminals. Under Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett, the IMPD has received more than $13 million dollars in additional funding.

Story continues on the next page...

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Additionally, IMPD is actively developing programs that will help to detect possible candidates for homicide.

These programs can be used both to help prevent murders, and to solve them if they are committed.

“We have programs that we’re trying to implement where we target people who have a lot of characteristics of people who commit murders, and come from the same areas, the same backgrounds,” Millikan said. “A lot of the people we deal with have been involved in certain types of instances over and over and over until they finally get to the point where they have committed a homicide.”

Previous criminal offenses have been closely linked to murder, with the Bureau of Justice Statistics reporting that 67 percent of people who commit homicides have a previous arrest or criminal record. Sociology teacher Nanette Wolfe explained the connection and how prior offenses can eventually lead to homicide.

“In many of the cases, the criminals have a long history of arrests and long criminal records,” Wolfe said. “These cycles are created when deviant behavior, bred by poverty, poor parenting and broken families are accepted as a way of life, and once established it is a destructive force.”

Location can also play a role in the types of crimes committed, and rather the police are successful when it comes to making an arrest.

“The differences between high crime and low crime areas have a great deal to do with the types of crimes committed,” Wolfe said. “High crime areas where murder takes place frequently is usually due to gang activity, drug activity or crime passed down through generations. Low crime areas can experience crime, too, such as vandalism, drunkenness, sex offenses, stealing and more. Even [neighborhoods considered to be safe] experience crime.”

Wolfe also commented on the role media representation plays in transforming the public’s perception of criminal activity, whether the representation is accurate or not.

“The media puts out images of crime through the news, movies, radio and TV,” Wolfe said. “We are literally bombarded on a daily basis, so much so that many consider crime a serious social problem.”

To Millikan, the media involvement in homicide is seen as a negative force. He sees the media as blaming the police department for the rising rates of crime.

“One of the huge things involved with unsolved homicides, aggravated assault and crimes of that nature is this horrible backlash with the false information that’s out there, and the things passed around social media,” Millikan said. “The actual media is getting involved, misrepresenting us and the facts. So we don’t have people who are as cooperative as they should be, especially in the lowincome parts of town. We have a lot of people now who just won’t cooperate with us. We’re seen as the enemy.”

Millikan emphasized the problem created from a lack of public cooperation, as the police often rely on community information to solve the majority of murder cases.

“The number one thing is to cooperate with us and get the information to us,” Millikan said when asked how the community could help address the problem.

“We get cases that we have nothing to begin with, until we get a little bit of cooperation from people. We can’t do anything without the cooperation of the victim and witnesses.”

“In many of the cases, the criminals have a long history of arrests and long criminal records.” -Nanette Wolfe

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Both Millikan and Wolfe believe that changing and getting the community involved in preventing crimes could yield results. Millikan hopes promoting a positive image of the police will lead to better cooperation in the future.

“As a community, raise your children and help them understand that [police officers are] the good guys,” Millikan said. “We’re out here for the community, and they need to cooperate with us and step forward with what they have.”

To Wolfe, the key behind lasting change is to break up the patterns that lead to criminal behavior, as well as giving back to the community overall.

“As a society, we have to break criminal patterns and the way to address that, most experts say, is attacking the root of the problem: poverty,” Wolfe said. “Until we, as a society, are willing to work together and acknowledge the socioeconomic disparities of inner cities, and the circumstances that fester there, crime will continue to be a major social problem. Crime affects everyone in the US. Some people are victims, some criminals, some both.” Story by Paige S. and Hayden Sisemore.

“Crime affects everyone in the US. Some people are victims, some criminals, some both.”

-Nanette Wolfe

Ind. Cases

2015

In the spring of 2015, the bodies of Davon Whitlock, 18, Tiara Turner, 32, and Terri Betties, 41, were found inside their home on the 3100 block of North Harding Street. Each had multiple gunshot wounds and due to lack of evidence found in the days following the discovery of their bodies, no leads were made up until recently. Jan. 23, 2019, almost four years later, a suspect was arrested.

1978

In Nov 1978, four bodies were discovered in a remote Johnson County field. The bodies were identified as four local Burger Chef employees, Jayne Friedt, Mark Flemmonds, Ruth Ellen Shelton and Daniel Davis. To this day, they are considered one of the most well-known Indiana cold cases.

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Creating Controversy

New legislative proposals revive abortion debate On the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, which confirmed a woman’s right to an abortion, the New York state Senate passed the Reproductive Health Act by a vote of 38-24. This New York law states that a health care practitioner may perform an abortion “according to his or her reasonable and good faith professional judgment,” until the patient is within 24 weeks from the commencement of the pregnancy or “there is an absence of fetal viablity, or the abortion is necessary to protect the patient’s life or health.” Additionally, it altered the state’s definition of homicide by changing the definition of a “person” to “a human being who has been born and is alive.”

Lawmakers cheered for the bill, and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signing of the bill into law was followed by lighting the Empire State Building pink in celebration. While pro-choice Americans saw it as a victory for women’s reproductive healthcare, New York’s law sparked heated reactions from the pro-life community across the country.

In the annual State of the Union given to Congress, President Trump said, “to defend the dignity of every person, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to prohibit late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb. Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life.”

Across the country, many states have been following New York’s lead with new abortion laws. For example, Virginia delegate Kathy Tran introduced a bill in the state general assembly that would removed restrictions for having a legal third-trimester abortion. The “substantial and irremediable” damage to the mother’s health would no longer have to be certified by multiple physicians in order for the procedure to take place. After going viral on social media, the bill sparked a national controversy. In defense of the bill, Tran said, “I’ve had women in my family, women in my district and women across Virginia who’ve told me that they’ve really had to grapple with the very personal, private decision as to whether or not they’re going to have an abortion. This bill would have repealed these barriers for them to access safely this medical service in consultation with their doctor.” Nevertheless, the Virginia bill was blasted by the pro-life community, with many going as far as calling the bill advocating for infanticide.

Despite the bill’s failure to pass, it is evident that the nation’s views on abortion are changing. According to a Gallup poll, 83 percent of Americans believe that abortion should be legal during the first trimester of the pregnancy.

However, as the fetus becomes more viable, the support for abortion wanes. Only 13 percent of Americans support third-trimester abortion. With New York and Virginia taking the lead, other states may soon follow in changing their abortion laws. Story by Yashasvi Phougat.

Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice “ I’m Pro-Choice because I believe in a woman’s right to choose. In some circumstances a girl may want or need an abortion.

Having a child in a poor situation affects the value of life for the child and the mother. The only exception is if it’s a late term abortion where the child is already developed in the mother, and if I could say something to Pro-Life supporters, I would remind them that religious beliefs have no place in government. You have a right to follow your beliefs, but women everywhere should have the right to choose.” Emily Randall, 11

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“I am Pro-Life because I truly believe every life is special, not an accident and made by God. Every single person has a purpose on this earth and that ability to fufill that purpose should not be taken away.

At the third trimester the baby will open their eyes, gain weight, have hair and can breathe. The baby is independent of the mom. Everyone who is alive right now had parents who decided not to abort them, and they have the ability to fight.

Meanwhile, the children who are being aborted will never have the ability to speak, let alone fight for what they want. Lucy Martin, 12

International Women’s Day The importance of gender equality in today’s world International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day celebrated annually on March 8 that unites women worldwide to advocate for the importance of women’s rights and gender equality. Also, it encourages women to live as empowered individuals and for communities to provide the freedom of all to prosper in their lives, regardless of their gender.

According to the European Commission, “gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favored.”

Negligence of gender equality has been a significant issue in societies worldwide because of power-based hierarchies.

Furthermore, women’s lives have been imposed by limitations and injustices due to perceptions of women being different and inferior in their desires, abilities and overall worth when gender is just one characteristic of every individual.

Peace Corps, a government philanthropy organization, states that “women globally have fewer opportunities for economic participation than men, less access to basic and higher education, greater health and safety risk, and less political representation.”

In the U.S., gender inequality still has an impact on

modern life. According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Fortune, a woman is around twice as likely to be a minimum wage worker (62.7 percent) than a man (37.2 percent). Women also accumulate more debt for college degrees, as stated by the American Association of University Women. In high school, these issues concern female students as they decide what careers they will pursue and how they will succeed in their lives.

“I think that stereotypes between both genders are still certainly an issue, even from my personal experience,” freshman Juliana Piercy said. “There are people who still believe that women belong in certain areas, when in reality they capable human beings, too.”

As hosted through collaborations between several organizations, the theme for International Women’s Day 2019 is “Balace for Better,” which endorses equal opportunity and balanced responsibility between both genders in their communities. Ultimately, this campaign strives to reduce the gap between men and women in all aspects of life.

International Women’s Day is explained by activist Gloria Steinen stating, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

To learn more and become involved in the event, visit www.internationalwomensday.com. Story by Megan Tooman.

Why are you proud to be a woman?

“I’m proud to be a woman because I have the ability to cheer other women on while knowing their struggles.”

Emma Glazer, 10

“I’m proud to be a woman because of all the things I have achieved.”

Asia Hampton, 9

“I am proud to be a woman because of the powerful women who came before me.”

Nicole Hite, 11

“I’m proud to be a woman because, like Beyonce said, we run the world.”

Alexa Bray, 12

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Spring Sports Preview Boys Golf

The boys golf team finished fourth in the Championships in the 2017-18 season. Their first match is April 9.

Boys Baseball

The varsity baseball team finished its 2017-18 season losing in the IHSAA Sectionals. This year’s tryouts are March 11. The first game is a scrimmage March 20.

Boys Lacrosse

Varsity boys lacrosse team finished first in the IHSLA State finals in the 2017-18 season. This year’s tryouts are Feb. 4. The first match is March

Girls Softball Girls Tennis

The girls tennis team finished second in the finals for the 2017-18 season.

Their first match is later this Spring.

Boys Volleyball

The boys volleyball team finished with a record of 5-17 last season.

Their first game is mid-March.

The girls softball team fell to Fishers in the IHSAA Sectionals during the 2017-18 season. Their first match is March 19.

Girls Lacrosse

The girls lacrosse team finished second in the Sectional Finals in the 2017-18 season. Their first game is March 16.

Unified Track Boys Track & Field

The boys varsity track team finished third in the IHSAA State finals in the 2017-18 season. This years tryouts are Feb 11. The first match is the HCC Invitational March 9.

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This will be the fifth year of Co-Ed Track. They had an incredible season last year and hope to continue.

Girls Track & Field The girls varsity track team finished first in the IHSAA State Finals in the 2017-18 season. This years tryouts are Feb. 11. The first match is the HCC Invitational March 9.

Coaching for America

Former swim coach discusses Olympics coaching Coaching diving since 1986, former faculty member John Wingfield has made a successful career of teaching and coaching the sport. However, Wingfield has grown a relationship with the sport for much longer. He started as a diver in high school and later moved onto the college level, diving for Indiana University Pennsylvania, an NCAA Division II school.

He started coaching at the University while earning his second bachelor’s degree and master’s. During late 1997, Wingfield interviewed for a position of director and head coach at USA Diving, which earned him the experience of coaching the USA diving team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

“I was the Olympic head coach for diving in Beijing in 2008,” Wingfield said. “I coached three divers — David Boudia, Thomas Finchum, and MaryBeth Dunnichay — who made the Olympic finals in four events. Three additional divers from the National Training Center who I directed also made Olympic finals in two events.”

While coaching at the Olympic level was a rewarding experience, Wingfield still shares the Royal pride that came with years of coaching HSE athletes when he was a member of the high school athletic department.

“Coaching the HSE divers at the state meets back in the day was quite intense,” Wingfield said. “Phil Jones broke the 27-year-old record after his tenth of 11 dives.

When the score came up on the scoreboard, the entire audience in the natatorium, well over 2500 people, gave him a standing ovation which stopped the meet for a couple minutes. Phil came over to me and said: What do I do? I said step out there on the diving stand and take a bow and he did. It was a very exciting moment for him, me and the Royal fans at the meet. The Royal swimming and diving teams are truly an amazing microcosm of a family and Phil wore that on his sleeve.”

Although he is no longer an HSE coach, Wingfield still appreciates and celebrates the success of Royal divers. He expresses admiration and congratulates the effort and support that is nurtured in the HSE Athletic Department.

“I would like to tell current and future Royal divers that you are a part of a great legacy established by and continued by the best coaches, athletic administration, families and fans. Southeastern Swimming and Diving: “Respect All and Fear None”. Story by Sara Vianna.

Athlete of the Issue

Kennedy Drish Trait: Perserverance Kennedy Drish is a senior on the girls track and field team. She is planning to attend Virginia Tech next Fall.

“I’ve spent the better part of the past 24 months as Kennedy’s coach. Her drive and detirmination still exudes through her quiet, but friendly, personality as she won her second State meet. Halfway into her senior year now and I can confidently say this young lady has never taken a rep off, regardless of the discomfort, pain or dislike of the exercise(s).”

Collin Gayde, Assistant Track Coach “Perseverance dosen’t come in times of success, it comes in times of hardship.”

Kennedy Drish, 12 HSENews.com

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In This Issue: Growing Concerns - 8

For four years in a row, Indianapolis has beaten its previous record for most homicides, and the current amount of homicides in 2019 puts this year on pace to set the new record. In this issue of the Orb, the staff wanted to research this topic in depth, identifying causes and possible solutions.

Black History Month - 4 February is Black History Month, so the staff decided to take a look back on the history of the month and to shed light on some lesser-known achievements of African Americans.

#NeverAgain - 6

One year after the Parkland school shooting, the Orb staff wanted to reflect on the effects of the tragedy, research new safety initiatives in and around the school and have students discuss how they can inact change.

International Women’s Day - 13 With International Women’s Day quickly approaching, the staff wanted to write about modern issues women face, fighting stereotypes and have female students discuss why they are proud to be a woman.