The Orb - September 2021-22

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Hamilton Southeastern High School Volume 33 | Issue 2

DRESS TO IMPOSE

STUDENTS SHARE OPINIONS ON SCHOOL DRESS CODE

IN THIS ISSUE: A PASSION TO PLAY.............................................................3 OPINION: THE UNWRITTEN RULE.........................4 16 IDENTITIES.....................................................5 BEHIND THE CURTAIN...................................6 FOR CARRIE...................................................7 DRESS TO IMPOSE.......................................8 WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING....................................12 DRACONIDS METEOR SHOWER.........................13 “STANDING” STRONG....................................................14 BATTLE FOR THE BANNER..............................................................15 MEET OUR STAFF STAFF LEADS Emily Crousore Lainee Kirk Lauren Riina

ADVISER David Young

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STAFF

Jordan Daughterty Hannah Elkins Cassidy Hayes Gabriella Haynes Lauren Kopka Bailey Lincoln Ryan Luhmann Trinity Mackenzie Nicole Morris Madeline Nelsen Paityn O’Neill

STAFFER OF THE ISSUE

LAUREN KOPKA This is Lauren’s second semester on staff, but is constanly giving her best. Always willing to lend a helpful hand, our staff can rely on Lauren to get her tasks done well and on time.

@openonsundaysmusic

Photo by Lainee Kirk.

A PASSION FOR MUSIC JACK FELLMY (LEFT) EXPRESSES LOVE FOR MUSIC THROUGH BAND When did you start learning how to sing and play instruments?

I began to simultaneously sing and play guitar my freshman year in my bedroom as means of expression.

How did you find your passion for music?

I began listening to The Strokes heading into freshman year and their music inspired me to express myself through similar means. Modern Baseball heavily influenced my style even more so however, that being writing about love and high school.

When did you start a band?

I started an informal band my freshman year, although, I began playing with the people I am now with my junior year.

Would you like to pursue a career in music or continue playing in a band?

I do not plan on monetizing my hobby as I fear it may lead to me taking the whole ordeal too seriously. The very moment I try to force any music to flow I lock up. It’s as if I let what I do write, write itself.

How has starting a band effected your life?

Being in a little band has positively impacted my life in several ways, the most obvious being the connections I’ve made through my love of music. Music has made my free time that I would have otherwise spent doing consuming into a creative session. This creative session I speak of though, tends to never cease.

What is your favorite type of music to listen/play and are they the same?

Although my favorite music is dependent upon my mood, I must say I find myself listening to Modern Baseball the most. Mobo was a Midwestern Pop-Punk band from a suburb outside of Philadelphia who wrote about young love and their high school stories. Perhaps it isn’t the most objectively beautiful genre, but I find myself relating to their music to a degree I simply cannot communicate. Our band covers loads of their songs. I find myself writing originals with very similar styles to Brendan Lukens and Jake Ewald of Mobo. Q & A by Madeline Nelsen HSENEWS

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THE UNWRITTEN RULE

STAFFER DISCUSSES NEW VERSION OF INSTAGRAM It is easy for one to admit that social media has a control on the majority of teenagers’ lives. I know for me three-fourths of my screen time is usually dedicated just to Instagram and Snapchat. But its also easy to admit that with each of these apps comes unwritten rules. Specifically, Instagram.

Let’s be honest, Instagram today is 1000 times different than 10 years ago. A place once filled with silly pictures and life updates has since become a place for posed pictures that show life’s more glamourous moments. Or what I like to call “main worthy” moments. So, has this made Instagram a more toxic and competitive environment. I believe yes.

The unwritten rule that a picture must be perfect all the way from the background to the way one is smiling has been so engrained in our minds that we don’t know Instagram any other way.

But think about this idea when you’re home alone in your sweats scrolling through your Instagram feed seeing people living what seems to be a perfect life.

Perfect pictures of friends, family, or even just a place they are at. We’ve all been this person and we’ve all felt the need to fix ourselves to conform to this perfect image. But what if we didn’t have to feel like this?

A new trend on Instagram has started called #MakeInstagramCausualAgain, and its exactly how it sounds. People are beginning to go back a decade and share life’s imperfect moments.

Whether it be a photo dump filled with frivolous pictures or just a random picture that makes them happy. The idea of this is to show that Instagram isn’t meant to be a place to share just the perfect “Casual because not everyone is perfect posed pictures you and your friends took at the and you should be able to express perfect time of sunset, but instead show life as it yourself in any way you are comfortable” really is, imperfect.

Zoe Kiemeyer, 10 Story by Emily Crousore.

WHICH VERSION OF INSTAGRAM DO YOU PREFER: CASUAL OR GLAMOROUS?

“I think Instagram should be a glamorous setting where people get to post the things that make them feel confident.

Having a platform showcasing some of your best moments is great for your mental health when you are feeling down about yourself and need that reminder.”

Grace Smith, 11

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SIXTEEN IDENTITIES TRUTH BEHIND PERSONALITY TYPES Every person is different and unique in their own way, but people can be divided into different personality types. Each personality type is measured using the Myers-Briggs type indicator. Hamilton Southeastern students’ sophomore Kaelee Ricketts, junior Cayla Compton, and senior Olivia Zoi recount what they think about their personality types. The main question being, does the indicator work and does it accurately depict personality?

“I am an INFJ, which I was told makes me introverted, and more emotionally inept, which is true,” Compton said.

“I’ve taken the test three times, so I’m thinking that’s what I am.”

According to 16personalities.com, every letter has a different definition and so does every combination. All eight letters mean something in relation to a personality. For example,the first letter is either E, meaning extraversion or I meaning introversion.

The indicator was started just after World War one. Specifically, the indicator was started after research showing people that know their personalities can lead to happier and healthier lives. For example, personalityperfect.com cites this test can help better understand the personality, therefore understand the person.

As aforementioned, many traits come with different personality types.

With every personality there is a distinct set of strengths and weaknesses. For example, someone with an ENTP-A personality type can be knowledgeable as well as insensitive.

“I think personality types are pretty close to who everyone is,” Zoi said. “People are odd, and these tests show how odd they are.”

Skepticism is also a valid concern to have when testing a personality. Like astrology and zodiac signs, nothing is exact, there is not an exact scientific formula to test a personality. Some people’s personality types changes from day to day, so nothing is truly concrete. Keeping everything reliant on a personality type is misleading and “I believe some parts of my personality test and not others,” Ricketts said.

There will always be skepticisms with [phenomenons] like this.”

Overall, nothing is certain when it comes to personality, but these tests can be a helpful tool for career compatibly as well as relationships. It gives a sense of self-awareness to know what strengths and weaknesses someone possesses.

They are immensely helpful but should not be used in every circumstance.

Story by Trinity Mackenzie.

ESTS

LITY T A N O S R IEVE PE E? L E B U O YO EON D M E O T S A G R CU EFININ D T A HOW AC E AR

“I think it depends on how many you do, if you get a bunch of the same answers at once, I’d consider the test pretty accurate.”

Vincent Young, 9

“I don’t think they go deep enough. They usually stick to a surface level analysis.

They don’t get enough information to draw any conclusions that would merit any significance evidence of psychological information.”

Sean Fischer, 12

“They are ‘ok’ accurate, especially depending on how a person takes the test. If someone is trying to really be accurate, maybe the results will be something closer to their personality.

But it is not the most credible thing to personality.” someone’s pinpoint Simran Kaur, 11

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BEHIND THE CURTAIN

PUTTING SPOTLIGHT ON THOSE BEHIND HSE’S FALL PLAY When attending plays and musicals that range from high school level all the way to Broadway, audiences come to see actors perform front and center.

These actors’ talents are shown on full display for everyone to witness.

However, what is commonly missed and not appreciated as much, are the other positions within theatre. Many forget to acknowledge the talents of those who work backstage to help pull the entire performance together. There are many backstage positions that students at HSE can participate in for plays and musicals.

Departments range from stage manager, costume design, prop design, production, sound design, lighting, construction, and more. These students are faced with the challenges of making everything go to plan and run smoothly.

Every time there is an issue with sound, a set piece falls over, a costume malfunctions, or anything else, it is up to the backstage crew to come up with quick solutions to get the actors back on

stage

as soon as possible.

Vice president of Drama Club, Chelsea Murdock shared information on how the backstage crew comes together to plan for the productions.

“We have something called ‘mandatories,’ where all the students in the show, both tech and crew, are required to come in and start putting all of the moving pieces of the production together,” Murdock said.

“We then have “tech Saturday”, an allday rehearsal that focuses on putting on full costumes for the first time, working out all of our cues, and generally ironing out any bumps that the show may have.”

There is a reason these members are often referred to as the unsung heroes of theatre. The work of the crew allows the actors to focus more on their performance rather than issues that arise as well. Sophie Haven, one of the prop design heads shared their thoughts on how the backstage crew plays its role.

“Without the backstage crew you dont have a show,” Haven said.

“The set doesnt move on its own and props and costumes arent made by themselves.”

This year’s fall production is a play written by Qui Nguyen titled, “She Kills Monsters”. The play follows the story of the main character Agnes as she finds her late sister Tilly’s Dungeons and Dragons notebook, thus leading the audience through the imaginary world that once took up so much of her sister’s life.

Because of the fantasy element within this production, it requires unique costumes, props, sound, and more to bring it to life and incorporate that magical element.

There is so much work that goes into every piece of production here at HSE that is often not appreciated because the backstage crew isn’t reciting lines and playing a character. However, without them, the production itself would cease to exist. Story by Ryan Luhmann.

PLAYING THEIR PARTS Stage Manager: Carly Mankin, 12

Stage Managers are responsible for organizing the backstage and onstage aspects of a show. They help departments stay on track, help with set changes, and cue actors and technicians.

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Prop and Set Design: Ella Sternke, 12, Sophia Haven, 12

Prop and Set Designers create the visual aspect of a production, from the different colors and materials used in a backdrop to the items used by actors.

Costume Design: Diya Ambat, 11 (not pictured), Sarah Shanklin, 11

Costume Designers are another instrumental visual piece to a show, as they are responsible with creating time-period accurate costumes that are practical for each character and actor.

Light and Sound Design: CJ Baer, 12 (not pictured), Ella Pegg, 11

Lighting and Sound are technology behind a production that help the audience not only hear the actors but also feel different things during different scenes.

FOR CARRIE

HSE STUDENTS HONOR CARRIE COLGLAZIER The Carrie Colglazier Scholarship is a long-standing tradition at Hamilton Southeastern High School. The workday that is associated with the scholarship is important across the board for students and teachers at HSE. But who is the girl behind the name and why is there so much buzz around this random Saturday in September?

Carrie Colglazier was an HSE student and athlete that was avidly involved in multiple organizations at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

“She was killed by a drunk driver after her freshman year at Butler University,” athletic director and scholarship founder Jim Self said.

Self started the Carrie Colglazier Scholarship and workday the year after Colglazier’s car accident. Self coached Colglazier her sophomore and junior years of high school and was her athletic director her senior year.

“Carrie loved being a Royal and always made your day better when you saw her,” Self said. “One of the things I love the most about the workday is it is a service project. Students give up a day and go out and work in the community and share Carrie’s story.”

Ever since Self planted the seed of this scholarship, the goal was to have students become involved in HSE like Colglazier did.

“Carrie was all state athlete in soccer and in track, she was a member of National Honor Society and participated in our FFA program,” Self said. Therefore, those organizations are the ones that have participated in the workday for the past 18 years.

Ella Chester, a senior on the girls’ varsity soccer team, has participated in the scholarship for all four years of her high school career.

“I choose to participate in the workday because it’s an opportunity for me to give back to this amazing community,” Chester said. “I have also made numerous memories while participating in it this past 4 years.”

For a lot of people, the workday is not just about community, but also about sharing the joy Colglazier displayed. ”Carrie embodied the spirit of a saint and it is only right to keep her memory alive through the workday,” Chester said.

As Self mentioned, Colglazier made an impact on the FFA program. FFA students have participated in the workday since the beginning. Sophia Wolfgang, a junior that participates in the HSE FFA chapter, did the workday her freshman year.

“I chose to do this workday again this year because of the meaning behind it,” Wolfgang said. “This scholarship has the ability to help many kids while shining the light of Carrie.”

Many kids like Wolfgang get excited each year to make a difference with this workday.

This workday is important to HSE as a whole and the organizations that are involved in it. Jenna Iglio, a senior on the girls’ track team, feels this workday is important to HSE as well as the community.

“This workday is important, of course, to honor Carrie Colglazier and the impact she had on our community,” Iglio said.

“It is also important to our community today because it provides opportunities for HSE students to give back.”

Students learn to give back as well as honoring a past HSE alumni.

On September 25, fellow students come out to join each other in helping the community. Students from NHS, FFA, the girls soccer team and the girls track team come to the workday inspired

by Colglazier to honor her legacy at HSE and keep her hardworking spirit alive.

Story by Jordan Daugherty and Paityn O’Neill.

WHAT’S THE SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU? “As a scholarship recipient, you become a part of the Colglazier family. Bud and Karen are two of the kindest people I have ever met and have become a very important part of my life. I am thankful to be part of such a great group of recipients to continue Carrie’s legacy.”

Carly Count, 2018 Graduate

“I have been close with the Colglazier family ever since I was little, so winning the scholarship is such an honor. To be able to be apart of the legacy that Carrier left behind is incredible and I am extremely thankful to jon an amazing group of people, along with the previous winners. It is truly a family and I am so excited to be welcomed into it.” Lydia Self, 2021 Graduate

HSENEWS

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DR

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8 THE ORB

School rules help keep the learning environment safe and appropriate for all students, and the school dress code is included in that. Often times dress codes are justified with the rationale of “clothing is distracting”, but many people have found that being pulled out of class for a bare shoulder is more detrimental to their learning than their peers’ reactions. This year, HSE revised their dress code to make it more “gender inclusive” to all students. However, their main eight points included in the student handbook can still appear biased towards females. Spaghetti straps, strapless tops, and crop tops are all more commonly found in the closets of femal students instead of males. The restricting of those three shirts is roughly 25% of the dress code policies, meaning that a quarter is targeted almost directly to female students.

But someone in support of the dress code could also arue women’s clothes are tailored to be more revealing or that more masculine clothing is also regulated throughout the halls. But the question remains to what extent should the dress code affect every student at HSE.

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CONTROVERSY WITHIN THE DRESS CODE Students also notice the unfair implication that the dress code puts on boys. According to the dress code, boys need regulation of females’ clothing or else they will not be able to focus on their schoolwork. This implication also is sexualizing to females, as they are reprimanded for showing their normal body.

“If a teenage boy cannot stop staring at a girl’s exposed shoulder, that is a problem that needs to be addressed with him,” Siddiqui said. “It is not like boys that go to HSE schools- or any school, for that matter- do not see girls wearing crop tops and tank tops or shorts outside of school or on social media.”

Students have taken to social media to express their opinions on the dress code.

Two female students, in particular, have created an account on Instagram under the username @_stopthedresscode.

This account, which has amassed approximately 670 followers, aims to share student-submitted stories in the HSE district about the dress code.

“We think the dress code is needed, but not quite as aggressive as it is right now,” an anonymous owner of the @_stopthedresscode account said.

“We understand that there needs to be guidelines, but, those guidelines should be up to us as we are the ones who deal with the effects of it, not our administraion, not our teachers, the students.”

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High school is a time for adolescents to discover their aspirations and develop interests that set them apart. Eager to stand out, many students find different ways to express themselves. For many students, expression comes from the way they dress and their outward appearance.

However, dress code regulations in schools can restrict some adolescents from dressing how they would like to.

“I think the way people dress is how they express themselves,” junior Mikiah Johnson said. “I should be able to walk into school feeling confident in an outfit without being scared to walk by a teacher or walk in front of another student.”

According to HSE’s Student Handbook, the purpose of the dress code is for students “to maintain an appearance that is appropriate for school and conducive to the educational atmosphere.” The dress code functions to eliminate distractions in school and create the best learning environment for all students. However, the disproportionate punishment of female students for dress code violations is becoming increasingly prevalent, raising the question: is the dress code at HSE creating the ideal education environment?

“The school system focuses on promoting the over-sexualization of female bodies,” junior Julianne Mcclean said. “The system should instead educate males to respect their peers.”

The dress code works to create a professional-like atmosphere in which all students are dressed appropriately.

Some parts of the dress code provide zero gray area, such as the rules on masks.

“I feel that the dress code is pretty fair for the most part, there are some instances where disciplinary action can conflict with different genders,” junior Brianna Tappendorf said. “It is a bit different now, in my opinion, because masks take dress code priority which can distract from rule-breaking outfits.”

Many students express the anxiety that the dress code creates for them. The fear of getting punished for a shirt lifting up and exposing midriff or shorts riding up too high can make walking through the hallways a nerve-wracking task.

“I was walking with one of my best friends a few days ago, she forgot to wear a belt, so her pants were slipping down just an inch or two- still above her waistbut that was enough for the shirt she was wearing to expose her midriff,” junior Maha Siddiqui said. “She was terrified of getting dress coded while walking the halls and I had to step in front and behind her a few times to make sure she felt okay.”

THE WAY PEOPLE DRESS IS HOW THEY EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

To demonstrate their protest, the account held a district-wide “break the dress code day” on September 9th. Students were encouraged to either break the dress code or wear the color green to show support.

“I would say the participation was pretty good for the ‘break the dress code day’” an anonymous owner of the @_stopthedresscode account said. “We cannot expect everyone to do it, but I think enough did so that it was successful.”

Story continued on page 10...

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With over 140 posts and counting, this account is working to emphasize the issues with the dress code within the HSE district. The amount of student support that has amounted from this account is revealing. Students stories of girls being reprimanded in front of classmates or told their clothes are too distracting make up most of the account.

“The second day of school, I walked in the school and was immediately taken to the side by the dean and was told to either change or pull my shirt down. I was showing less than an inch of skin,” an anonymous student submission on the @_stopthedresscode account said.

“People should care more about my education rather than what I wear.”

Whether there truly is an issue with the current dress code or not, the amount of students speaking out against out sends a message of its own. The message that students are upset and want change in HSE schools. Story

by Lainee Kirk and Gabby Haynes.

55.9% of public high schools in the U.S. enforce a strict dress code

10 THE ORB

65.2% of public high schools conduct random sweeps for contraband Information

from

National Center For Education Statistics.

DO THE

YOU FIND DRESS CODE EFFECTIVE?

“There are distractions in the classroom, regardless of dress code. It’s not hard to just not look at people like that.” David Trotter, 9

“I would say so. I feel as though if people were wearing anything they wanted, others might get distracted by sexual desires.” Noah Hunter, 10

“I don’t think there are any distractions because of how people dress.” Abby Bolling, 11

“The dress code has nothing to do with anyone being distracted [in class] unless you, personally, are distracted by what that person’s wearing. I would say there are no distractions [in class] because of the dress code.” Jayda Nedjasky, 12 HSENEWS

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WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING? HIGH SCHOOL TEENS ARE BEING OVERWORKED IN RESULT OF LABOR SHORTAGE Fifty-four-and-a-half percent of teenagers were employed this summer according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In today’s society it’s normalized for high schoolers to have jobs.

Whether they were pressured by parents, wanted to bring in some extra money, or wanted an extracurricular activity, many teens have spent their days working.

However, the because of the effects of a labor shortage and employed teens are being pushed to their limits more than ever.

Last year’s pandemic greatly effected the world’s labor force. The World Economic Forum states that 114 million people had lost their jobs in 2020. The pandemic resulted in many businesses closing their doors anywhere between a couple months and indefinitely. Several workplaces were forced to lay people off in order to keep their businesses afloat. Several families have had to make the decision to quit their jobs, because of the lack of childcare facilities.

According to Pew Research, 28.6 million people between the ages of 57 and 75 retired last year. Businesses have tried to accommodate employees’ needs when finding new hires.

“I love the pay and easy to get a raise and working a good amount. I don’t like the management and uncooperative and don’t communicate well.”

Aman Sarai, 11 Shake Shack

12 THE ORB

Associated Press News has found that the average hourly wage has jumped 6.4% higher than they were last year in businesses like restaurants, hotels and amusement parks. Although many have returned to work, whether it’s remotely at home or on-site, the employment rate is not looking to go down greatly any time soon.

Indiana laws state that teenagers aged 16 and 17 are restricted to working 8 hours on a school day and 30 hours per week unless they have an agreement and permission between parents and employer. A survey of HSE students showed that most worked 4-6 hours a day with a total of 20 hours a week.

Students commented that while they may not be working a whole lot, when they are at work they are constantly running around, doing multiple things at once.

Students noticed they were not able to spend a whole lot of time with friends and family while balancing academics, their jobs, and extracurricular activities.

“I worked every day this summer, so I didn’t have much time to spend with family and friends.” Senior Jake Jerman, who owns his own businesses at Jerman Lawn Care said.

“Work inhibits my ability to get homework done at times. I end up staying up late to complete assignments” Kenzie Lytle, 12 Smoothie King

Some students have commented on how COVID has played a part in their job. One student shared that some people would get hired, work for a bit to get their first paycheck, and then put in their two weeks’ notice, a situation that’s been happening around the world. Several students noted that people would get sick, or have symptoms, leaving many open shifts for people to cover, meaning they’ve been working more.

“A lot fewer people are wanting to work, and being contact traced can make shifts more stressed with people not being able to work,” senior Sophie Haven said.

“Finding people to cover shifts is more difficult in times of absence and any kind of cold symptoms can get you sent home.”

Although in response to these busy teenagers, many pose the idea to quit their job. For some, it’s not all that easy. “it’s frustrating, as teenagers are regarded for having all the time in the world to do whatever they please, when that couldn’t be farther from true,” junior, Chelsea Murdock said.

Pressure on teens to build skills needed for college and beyond. Jobs teach teenagers such as responsibility, communication, and independence.

Besides, stepping down from a position unless really needed would not be solving the overarching issue.

Story by Hannah Elkins

“I love the community and my coworkers are all very kind and hardworking, sometimes the customers at Starbucks are crazy and put a lot of pressure on the staff Ryan Haag, 12 Starbucks and Crumbl Cookie

“I have nonstop wrok school or practice all day. It takes away my time with friends” Ryan Cast, 12 Hawthorns Golf & Country Club

DRACONIDS METEOR SHOWER UPCOMING METEOR SHOWER EXPLAINED

TEMPERATURES REACH ABOUT 3,000 DEGREES FARENHAIT

MILLIONS OF METEOROIDS TRAVEL THROUGH EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE EVERYDAY

ABOUT 30 METEOR SHOWERS HAPPEN EVERY YEAR

prominent viewing period is late evening despite most showers being best viewed predawn this year, and is predicted to have six meteors per hour.

Story by Cassidy Hayes

A METEOR TRAVELS AROUND 30,000 MPH

A meteor is defined by Oxford Language as a small body of matter from outer space that enters the earth’s atmosphere, becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a streak of light.

If you have ever seen a shooting star, that was actually a meteor breaking through the atmosphere.

“The most surprising thing people don’t know is that shooting stars are just rocks burning up in the atmosphere,” Astronomy teacher Megan Ewing said.”

On October 8th, you will be able to see the meteor shower from Draconids.

Every year the comet 21P/GiacobiniZimmer passes Earth and the debris left behind falls into the Earth’s upper atmosphere to burn up as Draconids meteors. Astronomers in the early 20th century theorized that meteors and comets were related so they attempted to link comets and showers. With that in mind, this shower is sometimes referred to as Giacobinids due to the name of the comet’s discoverer, Michel Giacobini. This comet was discovered on December 20th, 1900 by Giacobini and Erns Zimmer’s name was added with the recovering of the comet in 1913. The comet is fairly small with a diameter of 1.24 miles and takes about 6.6 years to orbit the Sun once.

During the peak of the shower in 1933 observer were able to see 500 Draconid meteors per minute in Europe. The foremost viewed Draconid shower so far in the U.S. was in 1946 with about 50-100 meteors per minute. The most popular way to view this shower is in the Northern Hemisphere with the constellation Draco the Dragon. Draco is the head star in the constellation ‘Draco the dragon’. To find Draco to see the dragon spitting fire you can find them by star hopping from the Big Dipper or the Summer Triangle. This particular shower is short lasting from October 6-10, but the main night to watch is the 8th, while possibly being able to see it the night before or after.

“Viewing a meteor shower is definitely something everyone should do once in their lifetime. Here in Indiana it is hard because the blue light prevents a good view but in many other places around the world it can be a spectacular sight to see.”

Megan Ewing The thin waxing crescent moon will set just before nightfall right in time to watch.

Observing this shower is as easy as looking up in the sky to the northwest. The most

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“STANDING” STRONG LAUREN HARDEN KNEELS FOR ANTHEM As students grow into young adults, they are given the opportunity to change the world. However, as students remain labeled as children, the world can sometimes be reluctant to take student protests seriously. One of the few students to engage in a national protest at HSE, sophomore Lauren Harden kneels during the National Anthem at her volleyball games.

“I kneel against an Anthem that was written about justice for all and not giving it,” Harden said. “I am not doing it out of disrespect, I do it because I do not want to show that I love a country that does not love me back” Harden has chosen to kneel for the National Anthem since her freshman year, in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement and defy racial inequality that remains in the United States.

“I am not going to stand for a flag that oppresses black people or anyone of color,” Harden said. “I do it not just for me, but for other people of color that have to be worried whether or not they are going to make it home every single day of their lives.”

But Harden’s protest, though it speaks loudly on her determination, has not come without self-doubt and scrutiny.

Most of her doubts originated from protecting her family’s name. Trying not to hurt her family if her choice were to receive backlash. Harden additionally was accused of being forced to kneel by her parents, in which she became vocal in saying it was her own decision to protest.

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I AM NOT DOING IT OUT OF DISRESEPCT, I DO IT BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO SHOW THAT I LOVE A COUNTRY THAT DOESN’T LOVE ME BACK.

14 THE ORB

“One of the biggest doubts I had, when I chose to kneel, was how it was going to affect my family,” Harden said. “I did not want people to think poorly of my family as a whole because they want to name-call and say these lies when again they never took the time to ask me personally or do their research into why a person of color would kneel.”

Fearful of those who would judge her without understanding why Harden would kneel, Harden understood the stigma surrounding her protest, but it was a risk she wanted to take.

“I knew I was going to get hate for kneeling, it comes with the territory sadly,” Harden said. “But I did have doubts about how much hate I was going to get.”

Harden’s greatest doubts came from the name calling and online discrimination that followed her decision to kneel.

Seeping into her school and athletic careers, she battled through the onslaught of opposing opinions.

“I understood I would get online and verbal hate, but I was worried about physical issues,” Harden said. “A big doubt I had was how it was going to affect me.”

Though this is Harden’s second volleyball season where she decided to kneel, last year’s Covid restrictions were able to lessen the criticism Harden received as fewer people were attending sporting events. However, the school’s newfound school spirit has given more sporting fans an outlet to voice their opinions to the young volleyball player.

Some question if the backlash is precedented as all protests receive such opposition, but others will argue if she should be scrutinized by fansconsidering her age.

“This year since more people have been able to attend games more people have seen it,” Harden said. “I have had adults online talk about me and say what I am doing is ‘shameful’, ‘entitled’, ‘a sign of weakness’. I have been called a ‘douche’, ‘brat’, ‘attention seeker’, and more. I had someone call me ‘disgusting’ and posted online saying to ‘speak out against this garbage’ with a picture of me kneeling.”

Harden’s courage can be seen as she proceeds to protests despite the social commentary, but Harden also deals with the knowledge that people are whispering about her in the stands.

“Since I kneel, I cannot see people in the stands,” Harden said. “My dad will tell me how people will make comments and question what I am doing. Then there will always be people giving me dirty looks or saying out loud to other people that they do not like what I am doing with stronger language knowing I can hear.”

Throughout all of the hate speech that has been directed at Harden, the support that goes out to her and her cause speaks louder than any verbal abuse, receiving the most support from her family.

“My biggest supporters are my parents,” Harden said. “They have been by my side through the whole thing and I cannot thank them enough.”

The support that Harden receives resonates throughout those who know Harden best. Harden’s coaches, peers, and mentors all know her story. They have become allies for Harden after seeing her passion. Afriad of dividng her volleyball team, Harden was skeptical of their support, but to her dismay Harden was supported by her coaches and teammates.

“My coaches, the Athletic Department, and the teachers in the school have verbally told me multiple times that they support my choice to kneel, and if I ever have any problems to come and talk to any of them if I need it which I appreciate tremendously,” Harden said. “Many of my friends also support my decision and tell me all the time how they are proud of what I am choosing to do and have my back. The people who do not support me are people choosing not to listen to the reasons I am kneeling or never once asked me personally why I am kneeling.”

Harden may kneel alone during the National Anthem, but she has a community supporting her and a cause she is serving.

Harden shows all HSE students that they are not too young to speak out for their beliefs and bring attention to their cause.

Story by Lauren Riina.

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BATTLE FOR THE BANNER

SPIRIT TEAM LEADERS WORK TO WIN COVETED “BANNER” Many Hamilton Southeastern students as well as many students around the state, have probably heard the term “The Banner” at high school football games. As the student body becomes more familiar with this new term, the buildup to earn “The Banner” has only increased.

In short, “The Banner” holds symbolism for a school’s level of school spirit displayed at football games or similar sporting events.

“The banner is the spirit award for the football student section in Indiana,” Blue Crew Member/ Spirit Team Leader Holden Malone said. “Wish TV awards it to the high school they feel deserves it.”

Many question why they should put in so much effort to get a little piece of fabric. Why is this banner so important to the school and student body as a whole?

“For the senior class, it is something that has unified us and it is something we want to use to bring our whole school together,” Malone said. “It is an award for the student body, not just one team.”

In a world where your school year could be cut short at any moment, it is important to make the most of the school year, and in this case, maybe win an award.

While the banner’s popularity has grown this year in the school’s efforts to earn it, spirit team leaders have been going out for all the games to show Wish TV Hamilton Southeastern is the best candidate to receive the banner. Blue Crew Leaders have been dedicating every football game to its own theme, encouraging students to attend more than just football games, and everything in between. Story by Bailey Lincoln

FAN VAN “When I joined blue crew I was looking for new ideas and I realized I have a van that we could use,” senior Jack Gerstner said. “I was thinking we could paint the van and bring it to every game and that is how the idea of the fan van was born.”

John Gerstner, 12

R E G A N ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE A M

ADYSON KLIEN

TRAIT: VALUABLE Senior Adyson Klein is one of 8 football managers. This is her second season managing the football team. Klein’s combined passion for football and organization has made her a great asset to the Varsity Football team.

“Adyson serves many roles as a HSE Royal football manager.

She organizes our film recording for practice and games. She makes sure that our football jerseys are washed, sorted, and put away each week. She aids in making sure helmets and practice equipment are in working order. Finally, she helps signal in our offensive plays each week on game night. She is a tremendous assist to our program, and we are thankful to have her.”

Michael Kelly, Head Varsity Football Coach

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