The Orb - December 2023-24

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FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER

BY AUBREY MATASOVSKY, KENNEDY ULMER, HANNAH VANLANDINGHAM

TAKING THE BALLOT

BY AMBER RIVAS, OMAR ELSAYED, NICOLE MORRIS

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

BY CHARLOTTE MIKSHA, GENEVIEVE KNOPFMEIER

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW

BY BEN KRUER, DUPREE HENRY

EDITORIAL IN THIS ISSUE: STAFF Can Finals Get Any Worse?

4 5 6 7 9 10 12 15 17 18 20 22 24

Opinion and Editorial

- Hazardous Parking - Give Thanks to Thanksgiving

Arts and Entertainment

- A Must Watch Film: Priscilla - Walking in a Winter Wonderland

News

- Taking the Ballot - Rise of Antisemitism

Cover

- From Classroom to Career - The Minimum Voting Age- A Debate About You

Features

- It’s What’s On the Inside that Counts - Taking it to the Next Level

Sports

- College Basketball Preview - The Bulletin

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t has hardly escaped a single person’s notice at this school that the original finals schedule for semester was in a word...awful. The schedule released on October 30th of this year and the stench of detest from students has wafted in the hallways since.

No one has been silent about how much they hated the schedule, and a petition was even released around the school in popular places like the printing station in the library, which got over a thousand signatures from students begging the administration to revert back to the 4 day, 2 finals-a-day standard. This new schedule that was originally adopted started on Dec. 20, a Wednesday and had three finals as well as one extended class period and lunch. Three, in one day. The most common complaint voiced about this schedule was the fact that we would have had to take three finals in one day. It also means that unlike last year, students will not be able to sign out for Pathways in the mornings.

Right as the complaints were reaching a climax around Thanksgiving break, and three weeks before the actual finals began- administration changed the schedule once again. The kicker? It’s virtually identical to the finals schedule from semester one and two of last school year. The added stress induced by these drastic changes to the schedule is a completely unnecessary burden added on top of students’ shoulders as we prepare for the finals themselves. Couldn’t this whole situation have been avoided if the schedules for finals were posted months in advance? Having a a finalized finals schedule in August would give students more peace of mind when going into finals week and is a change that we urgently need. Ultimately it begs us to question are taking finals even worth it- Should one set of exams have this much power over our grades and ourselves?

CONNECT ONLINE

HSENews Tip Line

Bush Has YOUR Back

- Bush on Post-Secondary Options

www.hsenews.com

STAFFER OF THE ISSUE: Julianna Wells

Table of Contents | 2

www.issuu.com/hsenews

BEHIND THE COVER

The cover photo for our final issue of 2023 is of Jake Dodd and Elaina Constentine’s hands reaching out for a toy police car, tutu, toy airplane and apple in the fish bowl area of J hallway. These objects symbolize the career interests of the students featured in the cover story of the Orb. Photo and cover design by Lauren Kopka.

Lauren Kopka

Editor-in-Chief

Ben Kruer

Sports Editor

Nicole Morris

Paityn O’Neill

Managing Editor

Creative Director

Caroline Hiott

Aubrey Matasovsky

Arts and Entertainment Editor

News Editor

Avery Grunder

Copy Editor

Kennedy Ulmer

Opinion and Editorial

Editor

Lili Perez

Addison Ginther

Amber Rivas

Dupree Henry

Erin Lock

Hannah VanLandingham

Jordyn Grant

Staffer

Staffer

Staffer

Maddy Page

Omar Elsayed

Sydney Pinchouck

Katie Senseman

Jasa Triplett

Julianna Wells

Feature Editor

Staffer

Staffer

Genevieve Knopmeir

Staffer

Staffer

Staffer

Marley Hayes

Staffer

Staffer

Staffer

Staffer

M E E T

Charlotte Miksha

Staffer

Staffer

Staffer

T H E S T A F F

Meet the Staff | 3

HAZARDOUS PARKING

Students’ Parking and Driving is Becoming a Serious Problem STORY BY lili perez | perezlil000@hsestudents.org

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arking at HSE is a growing problem, especially as more students get their license.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an average of 50,000 accidents occur in parking lots and garages yearly, resulting in more than 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths. The safety of our students is in danger as the parking lots become jam-packed with newly licensed drivers. A poll of 115 HSE students reports that it takes 15 to 45 minutes to get out of the parking lots. The most treacherous parking lot at our school is the CCA, according to 75% of poll takers. What is the school doing about regulating these traffic and safety hazards?

I know multiple people who have been personally crashed and were left with damage they could not pay for as a student. Students should not have to worry about paying for hundreds of dollars of repairs on top of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Driving is scary on the roads alone. Students should not have to panic whether or not they will be hit while stationary in the parking lot.

My first time driving was nervewracking and within three days of

having my permit, I crashed two cars. Just like me, many kids are driving for the first time, and it is scary. Especially parking, it is hard the first or second time. But after you get your license, you should be able to park safely for the sake of your car and others. Yet, students here are still

A car takes up multiple slots in the CCA lot.

Photo contributed by @HSEBADPARKING

Poorly parked car in CCA parking lot. Photo contributed by @HSEBADPARKING

Op/Ed | 4

parking in hazardous ways.

The time it takes to get out of either of the parking lots is time lost from our time for homework, sports or other extracurriculars. On a normal school day, students spend six and a half hours doing work and educating themselves. I doubt anyone would want to be trapped in the parking lot

for up to 45 minutes sitting in their cars waiting for the hundreds of cars in front of them to pull out onto Olio Road.

I fully believe the parking lots are unsafe due to reckless driving and careless parking. To fix these issues, the school must organize the CCA and athletic parking lot better.

Police should stay longer until the majority of the traffic is gone so teenagers can get home safe and sound. The administrators or teachers should watch over the athletic parking lot because there is no organized manner or line, it is just pure chaos.

Not only are the parking lots a safety hazard in some cases, but students at HSE do not know how to park. Parking a car is not that difficult, yet many of our student body cannot park between two lines. Also, tons of drivers in the CCA and athletic parking lot do not look both ways before pulling out or turning a corner.

Many of the students at HSE are dangerously driving and do not know how to park a car. Due to both of these issues, the safety of many is at risk.

Van parked sideways in an HSE parking lot.

Photo Contributed by @HSEBADPARKING

SNACKING WITH SYDNEY GIVE THANKS TO THANKSGIVING

Appreciation for an Underrated Holiday

STORY BY DUPREE HENRY | HENRYDUP000@HSESTUDENTS.ORG

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ovember 1st marks the day that many families look towards the special time in December when trees are in every home with gifts underneath, wreaths are hung on the doors of the neighbors and Mariah Carey’s voice is heard throughout the house. However, many overlook the day dedicated to gratitude: Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has become an afterthought to most due to its unfortunate calendar date— sandwiched in between Halloween and Christmas, two of the most popular holidays in America. A poll from the HSENews Instagram showed that Thanksgiving is the least favored out of those three holidays, with only 7% of voters saying Thanksgiving was their favorite of the three. Of the other voters, 8% favored Halloween and 85% voted Christmas as their favorite holiday. Thanksgiving may not be people’s holiday of choice, but

given everything the holiday offers, it has a chance to be one of the best.

But what is so special about Thanksgiving anyway? Although you do not exchange gifts with your family, or candy with your neighbor, Thanksgiving has the best food of any holiday. With so many options to choose from, it is difficult for someone to not enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. There’s the slow cooked turkey, smoked ham, green beans, mac and cheese, yams, cranberry sauce, bread rolls, stuffing and so much more. Not to mention the assortment of pies, cakes and other sweets for dessert.

Obviously, people show up to Thanksgiving dinner for the food, but the holiday offers so much more, such as the annual traditions many families have reserved for this day.

Whether those traditions be playing games like Pictionary, cards, football, basketball, or kickball, you get to do them with the people you’re thankful

The Cocoa Chronicles Story by Sydney Pinchouck |

pinchsyd000@HSESTUDENTS.ORG

The ever-going Winter debate: what’s the best way to make hot chocolate?

We made Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate packets four different ways to figure it out and rated them out of 5 candy canes.

Water-based, microwave heated: This tasted extremely diluted. Since the water does not stay heated very long, the chocolate did not mix in well.

Milk-based, stove heated: While the milk provided a richer flavor, being heated in the microwave made it harder for the chocolate to mix in, and its flavor was too strong. It did not have the creamy taste expected from hot chocolate.

Water-based, stove heated: By bringing the water to a boil, the chocolate mixed in perfectly. This provided a silky texture and a perfect cozy vibe for winter.

Milk-based, stove heated: This flavor is much richer than water, but does not help the flavor of the chocolate. It’s almost too overpowering, although preferable to anything heated in the microwave.

A MUST WATCH FILM: PRISCILLA Sophia Coppola’s New Film

Story by Caroline Hiott | HIOTTCAR000@HSESTUDENTS.ORG

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iopic Priscilla shows us a contrasting side of Elvis that a lot of fans and the public didn’t see. The start of the movie goes through the beginning of their relationship when she was 14 and he was 24. They met at a German military base where Elvis and Priscilla’s father were stationed. During Elvis’ time in Germany, they became drawn to each other. But Elvis had to go back to the U.S because he no longer had to serve.

During this time, Priscilla was stuck in Germany, missing Elvis. Later in the film, they are brought together again during a trip to Graceland where she truly falls in love with Elvis and doesn’t want to leave. She is shown coming home to Germany with makeup smudged, like she was crying the whole flight. Following her

visit to Graceland, Elvis persuades Priscilla’s dad to let her finish high school in Memphis, letting her move permanently to Tennessee. However, Graceland isn’t how she thought it would be. She often paced throughout an empty house because during this time Elvis was often in Hollywood doing movies. During her marriage, she was constantly alone. Priscilla is a film that honestly depicts a girl’s life that was taken from her by a man who controlled almost everything she did.

Director of Priscilla, Sophia Coppola depicted the behind the scenes of Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship, making the viewer feel a kind of sadness for Priscilla because of what she had to deal with. Throughout the biopic, the viewers can see how their relationship fell apart because of

fame, drugs, and affairs. This movie shows their relationship through Priscilla’s eyes and depicts a kind of loneliness that the viewers wouldn’t expect. The movie goes in-depth with their relationship from when they met in Germany, to moving to Graceland, all the way to her leaving their marriage. Cailee Spaeny, who played Priscilla brought so much variety and range throughout the film. Her acting truly made it seem like she was growing up between the time jumps in the film. She brought a variety of looks in the film from her being Priscilla at 14 to her being 27 at the end of the movie. This film is a truly an amazing depiction of what Priscilla went through and everyone should see this film.

“My Favorite Movie of 2023 is... ”

Astroid City.

- Drew Manges, 12

A&E | 6

Oppenheimer.

- Grayson Wade, 12

Evil Dead Rise.

- Vaughn Ehrgott, 12

Photos By Caroline Hiott.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND A Look at Indiana’s Holiday Light Displays

Story by Charlotte Miksha | mikshcha000@HSESTUDENTS.ORG and Genevieve Knopfmeier | knopfgen000@hsestudents.org

THUMBS UP OR DOWN?

Infograph by Paityn O’Neill | oneipai000@hsestudents.org and Marley Hayes | hayesmar001@hsestudents.org

Are you ready for snow?

Shayla Himmelburger, Kate Jansen, and Charlotte Miksha at Newfields’ Winterlights in Indianapolis, 2022. Photos by Shayla Himmelburger.

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ecorating buildings with Christmas holiday lights is a common practice around Indiana. An immersive and special way to enjoy this time of year is to walk through venues. Locally, A Merry Prairie Holiday is open from Nov. 24th until Dec. 22nd in Conner Prairie, located in Fishers. The event features Holiday-themed projections, thousands of lights, ice skating and shows celebrating the winter festivities. The lights are displayed in a walk-through wonderland perfect for taking pictures.

Although the Indianapolis Zoo features rides, carolers, and food during their Christmas at the Zoo event, the main attraction is the holiday light displays. Sparkling trees, decorated exhibits and dancing lights are presented throughout the venue, the zoo being first to ever feature holiday light displays. The festivities open on Nov. 18th and will remain open until Dec. 30th.

During the winter from Nov. 19th to Jan. 7th, Winterlights is presented by Bank of America at Newfields in Indianapolis. Their garden is surrounded and filled with thousands of brilliant colors. From lights on the floor to baubles hanging from tall 100-foot trees, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Music created by The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Lilly House fills the ears of visitors as they take in the wonderful display. People can sip on fresh hot chocolate with their family and friends down one of numerous winding trails. Joy fills the air during Winterlights every holiday season.

From Nov. 24th to Jan. 14th, the heart of Indianapolis is engulfed in multi-million-dollar lighting for the holidays. At Monument Circle, Circle of Lights blasts off. Different musical acts are a special touch to spread the holiday cheer. Giant nutcrackers and strings of lights are sure to catch anybody’s eyes. Monument Circle is transformed into an enormous snow globe with the help of incredible audio and visual technologies. This magical set up is an incredibly special and unique way to celebrate this holiday season.

Hamilton County and Indianapolis hold a plethora of opportunities to spend a spellbounding night with family or friends within their Christmas light displays.

Even if you are unable to attend any of the professional light shows, a car trip down a sparkling neighborhood can be more than enough to fulfill a need for winter-time magic.

62%

38%

100 total votes

Are you excited for the holiday season?

96%

4%

93 total votes

Are you going anywhere for Winter Break?

40%

60%

95 total votes

A&E | 7

SIT DOWN SPIRIT OF GIVING NHS Students Organize Adopt-a-Family WITH SIMMONS T

Support Services for Students

Story by Aubrey Matasovsky | matasaub000@hsestudents.org HSE is proud to have international students, whether they are exchange students, moving due to parental job change or those fleeing from persecution. This makes some students acutely aware of current events and conflicts in different areas of the world. For this sit down, we discussed support services for students who are from areas of conflict as well as how to address potentially triggering current events.

“One of the things we’re gonna do is provide safe spaces for students to be able to express themselves, have some meaningful conversations, and that’s going to be facilitated by an adult in the building.” Simmons said.

“We want to get that communication out there so that they know that [the] opportunity does exist for them, if they choose to address it.”

This isn’t limited to international conflict, either. With potentially triggering events happening every day as well as nearly instantaneous access to that information, the issue of how to address those events in a school setting has become increasingly relevant.

“That’s a great concern to me,” Simmons said. “That, if something happens, within the country, across the world, you have instant access to it without any time to process what’s happening.”

The faculty at HSE are “always open and happy to engage in those conversations,” Simmons said. “My only preference is that it would be prompted by students and not by teachers.”

School News | 8

Story by Charlotte Miksha | mikshcha000@hsestudents.org and Lili Perez | perezlil000@hsestudents.org he winter holidays are is a wonderful opportunity to make a approaching and while this difference.

“If you’re a National Honor Society may mean a relaxing break filled with gifts and good food for member, we go shopping for families,” some, not all in the school district Richardson said.

According to Richardson, the can fully enjoy this privilege. Some families lack the items they need, no members go out and buy toys, clothes matter the circumstance. This is what and more for children in the district.

The schools this program assists are Adopt-a-Family seeks to help.

“We will donate to thirty families,” Fall Creek Junior High, Hamilton said Kari Richardson, National Honor Southeastern Intermediate & Junior Society Sponsor said. “We help out High, Fall Creek Intermediate, families whose kids are in the district.” Brooks School Elementary, Fall Adopt-a-Family is an organization Creek Elementary, Geist Elementary, that is run through many clubs at Southeastern Elementary and Thorpe HSE, such as band, orchestra, Mock Creek Elementary.

Thousands of families nationwide Trial, We the People, FFA, winter sports teams, Drama Club, Key Club, are assisted every year through this student unions and more. Through program, and an even greater number cash or item donations, they provide can be provided for with a simple resources and necessities for these donation to Adopt-a-Family.

“The way students can get involved families. Items like clothes, household objects, cosmetics and more are is through a club,” Richardson said. given to each family involved based “Anyone in these clubs can bring on what they need. Not every child in things they want to donate and receives what they deserve during money.” the winter months and this program

A group of last-years’ National Honor Society students wraps presents for Adopt-a-Family.

The wrapped presents go to homes to fill homes with the Christmas and Royal Spirit. Photo contributed by Kari Richardson.

TAKING THE BALLOT

Overview of 2023 Municipal Election Results Story by Omar Elsayed | elsayoma000@hsestudents.org and Nicole morris | morrinic001@hsestudents.org

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he annual Municipal Elections for our district took place on Nov. 7 and resulted in many significant outcomes. Notably, City Clerk Republican Jennifer Kehl, experienced in the role since 2015, retained her position, demonstrating continuity in city administration.

Various districts appointed City Council representatives, and the long-awaited HSE Schools funding referendum also witnessed a decisive passing.

In the City Council At-Large elections, the top three winners were Republican Cecilia Coble, Republican Tiffanie Ditlevson and Republican Todd Zimmerman. Meanwhile, in specific district victories, Republican Pete Peterson triumphed in the Northeast District, Republican Selina Stoller won the Northwest District, Republican John DeLucia secured seats in the North-Central District, Republican John Weingardt claimed victory in the South-Central District, Democrat Bill Stuart emerged as the Southwest district representative,

and Republican Brad DeReamer secured the Northeast district. With this diverse array of winners, the City Council is ready to address the forthcoming concerns of the community, ranging from HSE schooling funding to various districtspecific issues.

Why should students care about these results? Picture the City Council as the mastermind behind the scenes, crafting the regulations that impact our schools, parks and community spaces. The decisions they make resonate in hallways and classrooms, influencing everything from extracurricular activities to the resources available for educational pursuits. Similarly, the City Clerk, often overlooked, orchestrates the administrative symphony that keeps the city functional. The responsibilities of these jobs weave into the fabric of our daily lives, shaping the environment in which students learn and grow. It is important to know who is in charge of these crucial decisions.

Fishers City Council District Map

ELECTION RESULTS HSE Referendum Yes - 15,751 No - 6,733

70.1%

City Clerk Jennifer Kehl (R) - 11,197 Janet Pritchett (D) - 9,549

54.0% City Council At-Large Cecilia Coble (R) - 11,482 Tiffanie Ditlevson (R) - 9,859 Todd Zimmerman (R) - 11,117 Howard Stevenson (D) - 9,560 Jocelyn Vare (D) - 9,621

22.2% 21.5% 19.1% City Council SE District 1 Pete Peterson (R) City Council NW District 2 Selina Stoller (R) - 1,785 Bill McLellan (D) - 1,651

51.9%

City Council NC District 3 John DeLucia (R) - 1,258 Crystal Neumann (D) - 1,216

50.8%

City Council SC District 4 John Weingardt (R) - 2,113 Lane Skeeters (D) - 1,559

57.5%

City Council SW District 5 Bill Stuart (D) - 1,967 David Giffel (R) - 1,907

50.8%

City Council NE District 6 Brad DeReamer (R) - 2,262 Samantha Chapman (D) -1,677

57.4%

City Council meetings are held every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. unless it falls on a holiday. They are currently being held at 12175 Visionary Way. Livestreams are available on the City of Fishers’ YouTube channel.

Voting information from larryinfishers.com and indystar.com.

District map from larryinfishers.com.

City Council meeting information from fishers.in.us.

Local News | 9

RISE OF ANTISEMITISM

Lack of Historical Awareness Continues to Foster Hatred Story by Sydney Pinchouck | pinchsyd000@hsestudents.org and Hannah VanLandingham | vanlahan000@hsestudents.org

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any of the current events relating to antisemitic attacks and hatred against the Jewish people are related to the war in Gaza, and it must also be recognized that antisemitism is no stranger in the Midwest. Acts of violence toward the Jewish people have been on the rise in Indiana and are often overlooked. Last year, a white nationalism hate group marched in downtown Indianapolis, and more recently, a synagogue in Carmel was spray painted with Nazi symbols and an undetonated explosive was left there.

Indiana is trying to combat these antisemitic acts by asking citizens to take action when they see them.

Billboards have been put up with the phrase, “Indy is no place for Jew hate.” Rachel Simon, who funded the billboards, asks people to educate themselves about antisemitism and not perpetuateing hate. To go along with the billboards, she also asked people in Indiana what they think when they hear the word “Holocaust.”

While some people knew the history of t h e events, others were not familiar, and a disappointing amount commented that they believe that Hitler was correct. Megan Maurer, a central Indiana resident and member of the Jewish community, was disheartened to receive these comments as these are the opinions of people in the city she lives in about her religion.

Simon sees social media as a breeding ground for antisemitism, where people are perpetuating their hate. She urges people to speak up against hate, prevent it from being spread, report antisemitic incidents and join the community working to

State News | 10

stop the problem.

Part of the existing issue stems from people who do not understand the reason for longstanding antisemitic beliefs.

Throughout history, the Jewish people have been continuously persecuted and often blamed for a country’s problems.

The widely believed theory for the European hatred of the Jewish people is because they were less likely to contract illness during plagues. This is because Judaism forbids the

consumption of pork and encourages cleanliness, which was e s p e c i a l l y uncommon in medieval Europe. Both practices kept them more protected from disease.

Christians were unaware of this and only saw their people suffering while the Jewish people suffered less. This perpetuated the hatred that led to the Holocaust.

Germany was in shambles after their

loss in World War 1, which lead to the Allies putting the Treaty of Versailles into effect, destroying their economy.

It changed the German government structure, making it difficult for the country to recover. This made it easy for Adolf Hitler to rise to power.

Hitler needed a way to unify his people, so he unified them in blaming the Jewish people for their economic collapse. He began creating a series of laws to restrict Jewish rights with the severity of the laws escalating, eventually relocating them to concentration camps. By the time the world realized what he was doing, it was too late.

Millions of Jewish people, along with other groups, were forced into camps where they were tortured, and a majority were killed.

After the war was over, the world recognized the history of the Jewish people, having their homeland taken from them, and not having a country to identify with.

The Zionist movement began and a plan to give the Jewish people their homeland was set in motion. The only problem was that t h e Jewish homeland was occupied by Palestine. Despite this, the United Nations declared that the country would now be called Israel and it would be the country of the Jewish people. This created a lot of tension between the Palestinians and the Israelis, as both groups claimed the country, specifically Jerusalem, as their homeland, and neither group was too keen on sharing. This sowed the seeds for the conflict in Gaza, and many people’s current antisemitic views.

CONGRESSIONAL STALEMATE U.S. Temporarily Funded, Again

Story by Avery Grunder | grundave000@hsestudents.org

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n 1974, Congress passed a Congressional Budget Act that gave Congress themselves deadlines to pass federal budgets.

Since then, 21 government shutdowns have left the country unfunded for various spans of time between 1976 and 2019. Currently, Congress is temporarily avoiding an 11th shutdown.

A government shutdown, according to the Brookings Institution, occurs “when Congress fails to enact the 12 annual appropriations bills.” This causes all non-essential functions of federal agencies to cease immediately until Congress can fund the agencies.

Appropriation bills are funding bills that must go through House and Senate appropriations committees as well as subcommittees before the bill has a chance to be passed.

Generally, the House is supposed to pass its appropriations bills by June 30 with plenty of time for Congress to submit the final budget to the president prior to the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1. The fiscal year starts on Oct. 1 regardless of whether Congress has submitted the final budget and the President has signed it or not.

Sept. 30th represented the first deadline to a government shutdown for Congress this year. President Biden signed a 45-day funding bill just 3 hours prior to the deadline that allowed the government to remain open until a new deadline of Nov. 17.

Facing the Nov. 17 deadline, President Biden signed another temporary funding bill on Thursday, Nov. 16 just a day before the looming

deadline. The latest funding bill, termed as a continuing resolution, provides funding for the Departments of Veteran Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Energy and Transportation until Jan. 19. The resolution also provides funding for other government agencies and entities through Feb. 2.

Down the road, Congress faces a budget conundrum in finding bipartisan agreement on not only homegrown funding concerns but worldwide concerns for aid in Ukraine and Israel.

According to the New York Times, “Speaker Mike Johnson… has said he will not support any more stopgap funding plans and framed the temporary spending measure as laying the groundwork for a ‘fight’ with the Senate in 2024.”

If a government shutdown does occur, many aspects of American life would be impacted. For law enforcement and U.S. military personnel, a shutdown would likely force personnel to continue working without pay and certain training programs to be cut back considerably.

The ability for the military to recruit and retain prospects would diminish quickly and certain civilian personnel would likely be furloughed. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air traffic controllers would work without pay and Americans could see delays as well as long wait times for transportation services. Some passport and government document services could be delayed or even

shutdown during such a time. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits would still be available to recipients, but around 15% of the Social Security Administration’s employees would be furloughed leading to delays in processing and verification for some.

The U.S. Postal Service would operate as usual because it operates as its own independent entity funded by its own services and products sales.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would experience some closures and operations slowdowns, but VA health care services, benefits to veterans and burials would continue. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would no longer be able to process farm loans to help farmers start up and maintain their farms. With Indiana being over 80% farmland according to the Indiana Government, this could mean less profits and more foreclosures as well as shutdowns of many farms throughout the state.

The fate of funding for federal agencies and for the United States lies with Congress for the time being.

With immense unknowns about the coming year, the country is left clueless of how the government will operate come Feb. 3. It is up to Congress to weather the partisan gap that has grown ever-wider with each passing day. Congress must come together and deliver a bipartisan budget that can successfully fund our government and avoid a looming government shutdown.

International News | 11

FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER Students Strive Towards Their Passions

Story by Aubrey Matasovsky | matasaub000@hsestudents.org, Kennedy Ulmer | ulmerken000@hsestudents.org and Hannah VanLandingham | vanlahan000@hsestudents.org

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igh school is a time for teens to plan for the future and explore many different career pathways, to find the job that they intend to pursue. At HSE, many classes are career-oriented, such as welding, Biomedical Services, Agricultural Science and more. HSE also offers other career-readiness programs, such as internships and apprenticeships during school.

There are additional opportunities to be found outside of school as well, with many people finding career paths through hobbies or interests of family members.

Many high school students have already gotten a head

Cover | 12

start on career preparation.

Senior Kaylee Wilson is an aspiring pilot, Senior Meghan Voelker cadet-teaches at Thorpe Creek Elementary to practice for her future in elementary education, Senior Percy Elfriech plans on becoming a choreographer and Sophomore Grace Gutwein joined the Fishers Cadet Police Academy to learn more about a career in law enforcement.

Get to know these students and learn how they found programs that are helping prepare them for their future careers.

MEGHAN VOELKER, 12: TEACHER

S Wilson and their grandfather mid-flight. Photo contributed.

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KAYLEE WILSON, 12: PILOT

enior Kaylee Wilson has loved flying since they were very young, and they are making their childhood dreams come true with every step they take towards becoming an airline pilot.

“My grandpa got me into flying,” Wilson said. “He bought his Piper Cub when I was one, and the first time I went up in it I was four years old.” Wilson started flying planes for themself in July 2022, and got to fly solo for the first time in the summer of 2023.

“I fly a small two-seater cub.” Wilson said. “It’s a J3 Piper Cub,” “I currently have about 29 hours [flying], and I’m working towards my private pilot’s license.” The requirement for a private pilot’s license is 40 hours, and they are quickly coming up on their goal. Wilson doesn’t get to fly as often as they would like, typically only flying during breaks, since their airport and plane are in Hartford, Wisconsin. Wilson has plans to continue flying in the future, and they hope to turn it into a career.

“I hope to further expand on that license and get things like my certified instructor’s license,” Wilson said. “I’d basically be able to teach people how to fly and I hope to move on to fly for an airline.” For college, they also have specific plans.

“Indiana State has a flight program there which I’m hoping to get into,” Wilson said. “If I don’t go that route, there are other routes that I could take where I could go up to Wisconsin and I can get my hours and readings up there with my in-flight instructor. It might take like a couple years longer... but it’s less expensive than going to college because it takes a while to get your private pilots [license] in college.”

Wilson gave some advice on how to get involved with flying, and how to turn a hobby into a career.

“There are a few ways that people can get involved in flying.,” WIlson said, “Most airports do these things called [discovery flights] where you can go up with an instructor and kind of learn how to fly. I know a lot of people that fly with instructors. They say that they wish they started earlier.

It just kind of helps you build a community or a network, because that’s what aviation is about.”

enior Meghan Voelker knew she wanted to be a teacher ever since elementary school.

“I really admired my teachers,” Voelker said. “I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to be just like my teachers.”

Voelker was presented with the opportunity to pursue her passion when she started as a cadet teacher at Thorpe Creek Elementary in September 2023. Voelker cadet-teaches in a first grade class, and every day is an adventure. “[From being a cadet teacher], I [have] learned that not every lesson goes exactly to plan, but that can be okay,” Voelker said. “I also learned many different teaching strategies that help the students stay engaged.”

Voelker is not sure where she wants to attend college, but she knows she wants to major in elementary education. Voelker believes that her training as a cadet teacher is setting her up for success in college and her future career. “[Cadet teaching] is preparing me for my future career

Voelker sits, posing for her senior photo. Photo contributed.

because I get lots of experience observing elementary classrooms and learning classroom management skills,” Voelker said. “I get to work with small groups and interact with kids during lessons.”

Voelker has learned a lot from her experience as a cadet teacher, learning the most from her students.

“The first graders I teach are so curious and eager to learn. I love getting to see the students because their smiles always make my day.”

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S

GRACE GUTWEIN, 10: LAW ENFORCEMENT

ophomore Grace Gutwein has a passion for justice.

In 2022, Gutwein attended the Fishers Police Department Teen Academy, a summer camp that is meant to introduce high school students to lawenforcement training. The camp sparked an interest in Gutwein to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Gutwein knew the next step in her journey was to apply for the Fishers Police Department Cadet Academy. The Academy offers several different programs dealing with law enforcement careers, such as Crime Scene Investigation, SWAT, Cybersecurity, and more. Gutwein is currently enrolled in the FBI Internet Crimes Against Children.

“I joined this program because I think it’s super important to protect kids from harm on the internet,” Gutwein said.

S

PERCY ELFREICH, 12: CHOREOGRAPHER

enior Percy Elfreich has danced nearly their entire life, training at Wishes dance studio in Fishers for 10 years before switching to a competitive studio, Nostalgia, located in Noblesville. Recently, Elfreich began to choreograph and create their own pieces. Using traditional techniques with their own unique twist, Elfreich creates a piece unique to them.

“I like to express the emotion and to tell a story,” Elfreich said. “Even if it’s like an upbeat jazz number, there’s still something there.” Elfreich’s career began simply.

“Dance is something I’ve done my entire life,” Elfreich said. “I was the child we didn’t know what to do with, so my mom threw me into every single sport. And then we found dance.” After roughly 10 years of experience, Elfriech grew to appreciate the art form in a different way.

“Choreography, I don’t even fully remember,” Elfreich said. “I learned that I can make something like this.”

Elfreich also encourages new people to join the art form, even if they are beginners.

“Don’t compare yourself to others and their experience because it is so different from your own,” Elfreich said.

“Focus on your own personal strengths.”

Physical capability does not limit the possibility of becoming a dancer or choreographer, either. You simply need to “Figure out what your body can do in that moment,” Elfreich said. “And then don’t stay in the box.”

The 2022-23 FPD Cadet Academy. Photo contributed.

The FBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force outlines the main mission of the program: to prevent and report the online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement of children. This is an issue that Gutwein is very passionate about. Gutwein has made many valuable connections at the Cadet Police Academy.

“I have met some of my best friends there,” Gutwein said. “I am also so grateful for having the chance to meet with the police officers who run the Academy.” From being in the Academy, Gutwein has gotten an inside look into the duties of a police officer.

“I learned a lot about how the police serve the community,” Gutwein said. “The officers leading the Academy have taught me so much about leadership and responsibility.”

Although she is a sophomore, Gutwein already has plans for college. She wants to attend Arizona State University or Notre Dame, two colleges that have amazing criminal justice programs.

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Elfreich shows off their choreography skills. Photo by Aubrey Matasovsky.

THE MINIMUM VOTING AGE A DEBATE ABOUT YOU

As A New Presidental Term Comes To An End, A Debate On Who Should Vote Comes To Light

Story by Erin Lock | erilock000@hsestudents.org and julianna Wells | wellsjul000@hsestudents.org

E

arlier this year, Republican

presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy proposed changing the minimum voting age from 18 to 25. He argued that this move would, “make it more desirable to vote,” by “adding more meaning to the act of voting rather than just emotion that people go through or are accustomed to going through.”

In his proposal the only exemption would be if someone 18-24 met one of the following requirements; either took The Naturalization Interview, served at least six months in the military or served as a first responder.

Although the decision was met with backlash, including from Ramaswamy’s own team, the discussion on raising the voting age is not new. The voting age was originally changed from 21 to 18 in 1971 after the military draft was lowered to 18 with the argument that if one could die for this country, then they should have a say in it, too.

One of the common arguments for raising the voting age is that according to The National Institute for Mental Health, “the brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid-to-late 20s.

The part of the brain behind the forehead, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last parts to mature.

This area is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and making good decisions.”

Considering brain maturity also opens the floodgates to discussion of other key activities such as the driving age or drinking age as, if a person’s brain is not fully developed, should they be able to operate heavy machinery or consume altering substances?

In opposition, lowering the voting age is also in discussion. A common argument favoring this side is that;

the younger the voter, the more civically engaged they become earlier on.

In addition, Ava Mateo, Executive Director of 18 by Vote, an organization dedicated to civic engagement, states “As countries around the world have extended voting rights to 16-yearolds, research has found that lowering the voting age increases youth voter participation. Furthermore, studies have found that 16-year-olds hold equivalent levels of civic competence to 18-year-olds.”

The CIRCLE, Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, conducted research in 2022 that estimates youth voter turnout (ages 18-29) in the past three midterm elections. Turnout is the percentage of eligible voters, who cast a ballot. In this, they found that young people’s electoral participation in recent elections has been higher than in the previous decades with 23% participation in 2022 compared to 13% in 2014.

However, the question arises: would lowering the voting age encourage outside influences? The CIRCLE’s research also found “Students who had not received encouragement to vote from teachers in high school were more than twice as likely to agree with the statement ‘Voting is a waste of time’ compared with those who had been encouraged: 26% vs. 12%.” This indicates that, when it comes to voting, any influence, positive or negative, from parents, teachers, peers, celebrities or others may be more impactful to those at a younger age than those who have had more time to develop.

Despite all the debate, it’s unlikely that the voting age will be changed at all due to the arguments of both sides and the disinterest of younger voters.

“

As society is right now, the voting age does not need to be lowered yet. Even if those younger than 18 should not yet have the right to vote, this should never discourage them from making a change in their society

”

- Junaid Hasan, 11

Yes, it should be lowered 20%

No, it should stay the same 60%

Yes, it should be raised 20%

Poll taken of 99 students

Cover | 15

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

An Inside Look at the Preparation for the HSE Choir Holiday Show Story by Addison Ginther | ginthadd000@hsestudents.org and Jordyn Grant | grantjor000@hsestudents.org

T

he choir holiday show is one of the biggest and most anticipated shows at HSE. It is filled with memorable singing and exciting choreography. Behind the various songs and dances performed, come hours of preparation behind the scenes. Long hours of dance practice and added stress can get to most students, but not to junior Kate Jansen.

“My secret [to remembering all the choreography] is to practice it over and over again,” Jansen said. Jansen’s outlook on the most stressful show is to keep the positivity. When there are deadlines, hard choreography, and lyrics to songs to keep track of, Jansen thinks of it as exciting instead of nerve-wracking.

“I was very stressed about the solo auditions,” Jansen said. “I am a little stressed, just because I love the [Winter Holiday Show]. It’s my favorite concert of them all.”

Jansen’s confidence about the Winter show radiates readiness and it is captivating and fun to watch.

A repeated schedule has kept the choir students in shape for their favorite concert. “Every day in class we run through as many of our vocals as we can and we usually run our dance numbers a few times,” senior Edition officer, Lauren Nolan said. “We have had five or six choreography days for

each choir... [to learn the dances for the performance].”

What some students at HSE might not know is the amount of preparation and dedication that goes into the concert. Hours upon hours of practice to prepare for the concert, as no one wants to “mess it up.” With more songs and difficult dances to learn, they have to manage their other classes on top of the choir. Senior Madi Troutman gives credit to the choir directors.

“It’s sometimes [stressful] but our choir teachers help a lot with that.”

Troutman said.

Kelsey Maxwell, one of the choir directors, next to Danielle Mullen has a lot of responsibility as they plan the songs the students sing, bring in the choreographers, and facilitate the rehearsals to accommodate the students and their learning together.

The Holiday Show has been worked on since September, beginning right after the Fall Preview. Their dedication to this show will bring HSE into the holiday spirit. “[The students] have done pretty well this year,” Maxwell said. “I feel like we are fairly prepared for what’s coming up.”

One of the many traditions of the Holiday Performance is inviting the eigth graders from Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and

Junior High and Fall Creek to join the high school students on stage. The junior high students put a lot of class time into learning their part in Jingle Bell Rock. They rehearse the number multiple times just the same as the high school choir would.

“We love having them come [and] think it’s a great experience for them because eventually they are going to be here on our stage with us hopefully singing in our choir,” Maxwell said.

“Our students’ love to be able to perform with them too, and Jingle Bell Rock is one of their favorite numbers to be able to come on stage and sing with the junior high kids.”

The student’s favorite parts of choir help manage the pressure and anxiety.

“My favorite part about learning all the different [songs and choreography] is learning it with the people I like and [people] that are my friends,” junior Enzo Martinez said. “It’s just fun to do it because you’re with people you like [and it’s enjoyable].

Though sometimes it does get to the choir students, some try to manage their stress by getting into the holiday spirit.

The Winter Concert is a perfect way to lead into the season and help others get into the festive spirit. The choir Holiday Show is on December 7 and 8 at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased on PurplePass.

Bethany Champley, Madeline Frey and Claire Huntzinger laugh with each other during singing rehersals. Photo by Jordyn Grant.

Lauren Nolan, Josh Batuyong and Ashley Chisler practice their choerography for the upcoming choir holiday show. Photo by Jordyn Grant.

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IT’S WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS New Sweet Treat Spots Around Fishers

Story by addison ginther | ginthadd000@hsestudents.org, Maddy page | pagemad000@hsestudents.org, and kennedy ulmer | ulmerken000@hsestudents.org Life gets messy. It’s better much of the cookie, and overall it did with cookies,” is the slogan not taste good. However, the jam on for Dirty Dough, a sweet shop the inside was the perfect ratio to the located at 13180 Market Square Drive entire cookie and the cookie itself was here in Fishers. Dirty Dough is a new soft. business that opened in 2018 that The Reverse primarily sells delicious cookies and “Experience a chocolate peanut has a menu that changes every week. butter explosion,” is one way to They have what they call ‘The describe this cookie. Drizzled with Classics”, including Stuffed Chocolate chocolate and peanut butter on top, the cookie is also filled with fudge Chip, the Brookie, Raspberry Toaster which was quite intense. Overall, the Tart, the Reverse, Cookies ‘n Crème cookie was tasty, but the fudge took and the Muscle, which has 25 grams away some flavor from the rest. of protein. While there, we ordered a Stuffed Chocolate Chip box of four cookies to taste test.

On display, the Stuffed Choclate chip, the This cookie was by far our favorite Cookies ‘n Crème, and the Reverse sit side by from the tasting and was loaded with side in a cookie box. Photo by Maddy Page. delicious milk chocolate chips. While Cookies ‘n Crème the outside was crisp, the inside was If you love Oreos, you will enjoy soft and delicious, filled with “melt in this cookie. Stuffed with Oreos and your mouth chocolatey goodness.” a crème feeling, this vanilla cookie Dirty Dough also sells drinks such tasted delicious and was one of the as Starbucks frappuccinos, milk, best we tasted. lemonade, sweet tea, and milkshakes.

Raspberry Toaster Tart If you want to learn more about Dirty A picture of a bright blue Dirty Dough cookie While this cookie resembled a PopDough, check out dirtydoughcookies. box. Photo by Maddy Page.

Tart, the icing on top overpowered com.

“

M

ilky Scoops, located at 11393 Olio Road, is a brandnew ice cream shop. Just a mile away from campus, Milky Scoops is the perfect place to grab a frozen treat after school or during Pathways release time. Milky Scoops serves ice cream from Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream in Indianapolis. Milky Scoops serves all of the classic Sundae’s flavors, like Graham Central Station and Sticky Chewy Chocolate, along with some original twists, like Jurassic Krunch—vanilla with NERDS candies—and Butterscotch.

Any flavor can be blended into a milkshake. While there is an extensive menu of unique flavors offered at Milky Scoops, the restaurant’s signature dishes are the sundaes. The most popular sundaes are the S’mores Supreme and Reese’s Mountain.

Inside the Ice Cream shop, a logo hangs on the wall. Photo by Kennedy Ulmer.

For $7.29, customers receive a heaping bowl of their ice cream of choice, covered in flavored syrups and delicious toppings. Milky Scoops is not just ice cream. The restaurant also offers fresh, made-to-order juices made with quality fruits and vegetables.

Customers can customize their juices by adding “immunity shots” made from beets or ginger, and “fuel shots” made with superfoods. The freshly pressed juices are loved by many at Milky Scoops, with some of the most popular flavor being Great Greens, a blend of lemon, cucumber, apple, kale, and spinach.

Milky Scoops is open from 11AM10PM daily, and customers can order from the restaurant on DoorDash from 11AM-9:40PM. Milky Scoops has a rewards program, where every dollar spent is rewarded with two points.

The decorted wall inside of Milky Scoops.

Photo by Kennedy Ulmer.

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READING RESTLESSNESS AWAY Book Club Creates Stress Reliever For Students STORY BY Sydney Pinchouck | pinchsyd000@hsestudents.org

B

ook Club, which is sponsored by Librarian Karin Foster, has been a large community of readers for ten years.

Book Club selects books to read and discuss and is open to all students.

Foster’s love for books and her students is what led her to start the club. She wants to instill that love for reading into teens.

“I love that Book Club promotes recreational reading,” Foster said.

“And helps students connect with others who enjoy reading.”

Junior Shelby Bryan joined Book Club because of her love for reading.

Bryan wanted to surround herself with a community that loved to discuss books as much as she does.

“The best part of Book Club is the people,” Bryan said. “The people are the ones that decide the books and

frame the discussions.”

Book Club meets once a month and gives you the entire month to read the chosen book. They are currently reading Lovely War by Julie Berry.

This book will be discussed at the December meeting. They hope that more people will join the welcoming and friendly environment the club has created. They encourage students with a love for reading to join the club to spend time with people who have similar interests.

“You don’t have to feel stressed at Book Club,” Bryan said. “People should join book club so that they can be a part of a reading community.”

Talk to Foster in the library for more information.

LEARNING THROUGH COMPETITION Robotics Club Fosters Community of Learners

STORY BY Ben Kruer | kruerben000@hsestudents.org

F

or Royals who love to compete or have an interest in STEM at an introductory or experienced level, Robotics Club may be a club worth joining. Founded in 2005, Robotics Club has a heavy focus on learning, teamwork and competition.

These competitions only include members of the club, often having seven to eight teams that each have around 4 people. Club members are given a task to complete and must build a robot that completes the task in the most efficient way possible. “[Our last competition] was a minefield,” senior and a club leader Jason Cowburn said. “The minefield

Feature | 18

had about a dozen obstacles and if you hit the obstacles it would add to your total time.”

After a task and challenges are decided and robots are built, the teams are pitted against one another during the competition.

“This is really what sets Robotics Club apart from other clubs,” senior and a club leader Siran Ganesh said.

“There are not many other [clubs] where you get to compete with your friends and other members of the club all the time.”

Competition among peers is what makes the Robotics Club so appealing to so many people. Even those who may be new to robotics may still enjoy

Students working during a Robotics Club meeting. Photo by Ben Kruer.

the club because of the elements of competition. However, it is not just the contests that the club’s members find to be a unique part of the club. “[Robotics Club] provides a lot of opportunities to learn,” Cowburn said. “While other clubs focus a lot on community, which we do too, [Robotics Club] spends a lot on time on learning.”

The club meets on Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 in room B165 and anyone with an interest is encouraged to join.

NEXT LEVEL

TAKING IT TO THE

2022 Graduate Charles Irish on Budding Welding Career Story By Lauren Kopka I kopkalau000@hsestudents.org Q: What is your current job, and how did you gain an interest in welding as a career?

A: I am currently a tungston inert gas (TIG) Welder for PWR North America. I gained an interest in my senior year welding class where I first started to weld, fell in love with it and knew that I wanted to be a welder.

Q: What was the best part of welding classes at HSE? A: The best part of welding classes at HSE was the ability to constantly learn new things and knowledge from Mr. John McAlister and there is lots of time to grow in welding skills throughout the whole year giving plenty of opportunity for success and new skills.

Q: What other experiences did you take advantage of in high school to prepare you for your future career? (shop classes, internships, jobs, work experiences, etc.)

A: Before the welding class I never took any previous shop classes or internships in that area that would have prepared me for my career, the single class I did take sparked all my interest for this career. I would definitely contribute my time on the football and wrestling teams to how I work now, they taught me good work ethic, mental toughness and the ability to push through difficult or challenging tasks that are needed for welding everyday.

Q: What advice would you have for other high schoolers looking to get started in their future career?

A: Keep an open mind to all your options and look into more than one future because you never may know what career is best for you.

I had never welded before senior year and I would not have had this career if I hadn’t taken this class with an open mind to learning new skills.

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Iowa’s Caitlin Clark being guarded by Indiana’s Nicole Cardaño-Hillary on March 6 2022. Photo Contributed by Jenna Watson.

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW Infographic by Ben Kruer and Dupree Henry | kruerben000@hsestudents.org and henrydup000@hsestudents.org

MENS TOP FIVE 1 PURDUE

TOP FIVE PLAYERS

1 CAITLIN CLARK

Redemption will be on the mind of the Boilermakers, and National Player of the Year favorite Zach Edey, going into this season as they look to break the perception that Purdue can’t beat low-seeded teams in the tournament.

It isn’t often that an athlete, regardless of sport, can change a game the way that Clark does. Her ability to do all the “little things” on the court has only made that much more impressive when she can also explode for 30-plus points any given night.

2 UCONN

2

The defending National Champs are looking to repeat and should be in a good position with legit seven-footer Donovan Clingan and do-it-all Tristen Newton.

3 MARQUETTE Led by preseason All-American Tyler Kolek, the Golden Eagles and coach Shaka Smart are primed to avenge an early exit from a year ago.

4 ARIZONA A strong start combined with talented returning players and incoming transfers just might allow the Wildcats to separate themselves from the rest of the Pac-12.

5 KANSAS Bill Self and the rest of the Jayhawks will be looking to avenge an early exit from a year ago. Led by transfer Hunter Dickinson and Dajuan Harris Jr., these two should provide a steady foundation for what looks to be a great season.

ZACH EDEY

A massive presence when on the court, Edey utilizes his height to great success with a flurry of drop steps and hooks. Add to that his slepton passing game and intimidating defense and you have a player who can easily control the outcome of almost any given game.

HUNTER 3 DICKINSON Already fashioning himself as a villain, Dickinson is a double-double machine that boasts a devastating low-post game that perfectly complements his sneaky-good outside shot.

4 PAIGE BUECKERS Bueckers has battled injuries for much of her collegiate career, Bueckers is clearly ready to rebound. Remember, as a freshman Bueckers was already one of the best players in college basketball, averaging 20 points per game.

5 KYLE FILIPOWSKI

WOMENS TOP FIVE 1

SOUTH CAROLINA

Sometimes a program deserves the benefit of the doubt. South Carolina would qualify as one of those programs with Dawn Staley at the helm. Even with the departure of Aliyah Boston the Gamecocks figure to be dangerous again.

2 IOWA Led by the excellent Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes look like they may repeat their success from last season when they made it all the way to the national championship.

3 STANFORD One of the big surprises early, Cameron Brink has the Cardinals looking fully capable of a tournament run.

4 LSU While the Tigers have had some issues early this season, the defending champs have so much talent and will likely be in the mix late into the season.

5 UCONN Geno Auriemma just might be the best coach in all of college basketball.

One of the last remaining stalwarts from a bygone era, he once again leads another stellar team, that figures to be in the thick of things despite a slow start.

Everyone was surprised when Filipowski withdrew his name from the NBA draft to return to Duke.

Filipowski is a versatile big man whose inside-outside game is already operating near an NBA level.

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THE BULLETIN

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Story by Ben Kruer | kruerben000@hsestudents.org

An Inside Look At the Start of Winter Sports

A longer version of this column can be found on hsenews.com or by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the page.

STORY BY ADDISON GINTHER | GINTHADD000@HSESTUDENTS.ORG

Honoring Bob Knight

N

o one looms larger over Indiana basketball than Bob Knight. As of this story being released, it will have been around a month since his passing.

Knight oversaw many great teams but his contributions to the program far exceeded the basketball court.

Broadly speaking, Knight is part of the reason basketball is tied so closely to Indiana’s state identity, yet Knight’s off-the-court (and sometimes on-court) tantrums led to his eventual firing. From there, a fission formed between Knight and IU that was not mended until Feb. 2020 when an aging Knight made his way back onto the court at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It was during halftime, and he was flanked by his former players as that afternoon the 1980 Big 10 Championship team was being honored. In that moment it felt as if the nearly two decades of spite and pettiness between coach and university had dwindled.

Knight’s passing only means that this ice will continue to thaw, and hopefully IU takes the proper steps in honoring him. The team is already wearing patches with Knight’s initials, RMK, stitched onto their jerseys, but perhaps the University should shoot higher. “Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall” is one of the most iconic venues in all of college sports and is named after the philanthropist Cindy Simon Skjodt. While I mean no disrespect to Mrs. Simon Skjodt, perhaps the most prominent figure in IU’s athletic history should take precedent. Given her blessing of course, IU would be foolish not to enshrine “The General” permanently with “Knight Assembly Hall”.

Continued...

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T Basketball

he Winter Sports teams have gotten off to a quick start, kicking off the next season.

Boys basketball has started this season very quickly. They fell to Brebeuf with a score of 66-42. The Royals made up for their loss when they went up against Pike, beating the Red Devis with a score of 68-54. At the time of this writing, the Royals are 1-1 and, in a position to improve from last season.

Girls Basketball has spent the last several months preparing for this season. Along with training, they have also made sure they make time for team bonding activities.

“My favorite part of this season so far is the various team bonding activities that we have done,” said junior Abi Clayton. “My favorite one is when we held a ‘Halloween practice’ that included costume contests and a 4v4 tournament. That day the gym was full of jokes that brought the team even closer together.” As of this writing, the team has a current record of 8-1, with their lone loss coming against undefeated Columbia City.

Swim and Dive

The Boys Swiming and Diving team has used multiple different methods of preparation. One such method is setting different goals and targets for themselves to achieve by the end of the season.

“I have been practicing nonstop to prepare” said sophomore Tristan Stivers. “[I] have also met with a coach for my season goals.”

As of this writing the team currently

sits at 2-0 with wins over Noblesville and Avon.

Girls Swiming and Diving team have been working in the pool and in the weight room to get stronger and better for this season. Like the boys team, the girls competed in their first meet on Nov. 21 against Noblesville, winning decidedly by a score of 12065. They followed up this win with another against Avon, pushing their record to 2-0 at the time of this writing.

Wrestling

The Boys Wrestling team had their first match on Nov. 29 against Avon.

They lost with a score of 39-36. At the time of this writing the team stands at 0-1 and a promising season ahead of them despite the slow start.

The Girls Wrestling team is one of the smallest teams at HSE. Thus far, the Royals have only match against Avon. The team won against Avon, beating them with a score of 18-3.

With a solid start, the Royals will look to carry this throughout the rest of the season.

Cheer

The HSE cheerleading team is ready and excited to cheer for the HSE basketball team this year. “As this is my first year on a varsity team,” said sophomore Kiersten Alvarado.

“I am excited to cheer at the games along with having a new challenge to incorporate everyone’s skills on the team.

You can learn more about this year’s winter sports at: hseroyalsathletics. com

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE Maya Makalusky’s Superb Skill and Success Story by Charlotte Miksha | mikshcha000@hsestudents.org

M

aya Makalusky has been sending shockwaves through Hamilton Southeastern athletics since her arrival at the school and plans to extend her impact to the collegiate level in the coming years. Averaging 16.7 points per game throughout her high school career, Makalusky has been a standout varsity player since her freshman season where she averaged 13.4 points per game. She is committed to the Indiana Hoosiers women’s basketball team after high school, a team that was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament last year.

However, Makalusky has other goals as well.

“I hope to achieve Miss Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year,” Makalusky said. Miss Basketball is a statewide, poll-based contest that awards one outstanding women’s basketball player annually and Gatorade Player of the Year is a title given to amazing high school

athletes at the state and national level. Makalusky has been on the varsity basketball team since she was a freshman and has loved basketball for years before then.

“I got into basketball because my mom played, and I just fell in love with it,” Makalusky said. “I still have fun with the sport because of the relationships and places that basketball has gifted me with.”

Makalusky’s support derives from the same place the passion for basketball was sparked: her parents.

“My parents [have] always been someone that has helped me through the game,” Makalusky said.

To accomplish so much, one must persevere and make it through the rough spots that inevitably arise.

“I’ve had plenty of hard times in the game of basketball, but I’ve always been able to communicate with people that love me,” Makalusky said.

“Making sure that you’re mentally okay is really important for the game

of basketball.”

Makalusky has already reached great heights as a junior and is on pace to accomplish even more as her career unfolds.

The varsity Royals’ basketball team, filled with many talented players, will enter their new season ready to succeed with Makalusky on their side.

Junior Maya Makalusky attempts a shot in the game against Noblesville High School Nov. 29. Photo by Omar Elsayed.

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE

The hockey schedule can be found at hsehockey.com Royals junior Duncan Farrell goes in for the puck on Oct.14 during a game against Caroll at the Fishers Fuel Tank. Photo by Katherine Senseman.

Sports | 23

BUSH HAS YOUR BACK Bush on Post-Secondary Options

Q&A by Paityn O’Neill | oneipai000@hsestudents.org and Lauren Kopka I kopkalau000@hsestudents.org

Q: What is your process when students come to you and ask, “I don’t know what I want to do post-secondary.”?

A: A lot of times, students think that they’re going to come and I am just going

to wave my magic wand and they will magically know what they want. It’s not that simple. The first thing that I ask every student to do is to go on Naviance

and take the Career Interest Profiler. It’s a 15–20-minute assessment that helps them to understand what their interests are, based on their personality.

Then, I have them go back and pick which 5 or 6 jump out to you that you could see yourself doing and then I ask them to tell me why. It helps to get students to identify things that they are interested in, which then we can start talking about next steps. Once I can see who these students are and what they potentially want to do, I take their Interest Inventory and colleges that I know that have their specific interests that I think would be a good match for them. I look at the research (cost, environment, social life, education, etc.) to see if it matches the student. Then, I give the list back to them and have them look through it all to see if any of it seems at all enticing to them. I then want to ask them why they chose the ones that they did and plan what their next steps are whether that be a visit or planning to talk to advisors. If somewhere only has your major, it may not have the right setting for you or activities, so it is really important to match all of that to the student.

My main goal is to get students to really figure out the root of why they want to do something. I want them to find their “why.” It’s hard, but it’s the most important.

There are so many options out there, you don’t just have to settle for one.

Q: How do you go about helping kids whose biggest obstacle is the money factor?

A: I ask them one question, “If I gave you 20 million dollars

just for you, but you have to get up and do something every day, what would you do?” You don’t have to go make money;

you just have to do what you want to do. If you were to ask my 17-year-old self, I would’ve said, “I want to talk and I want to shop, make a career.” No one told me that an option would be to be a Retail Buyer where I could do exactly that. No one informed me that I even had options. I am here to show students that there are so many options and how important it is to do what you love and want and make that your first priority.

GET IN TOUCH College and Career Office, F104 across from the Guidance Office Karen Bush, College and Career Director kbush@hse.k12.in.us Jen Holle, College and Career Assistant jholle@hse.k12.in.us