The Orb - November 2022-23

IN THIS ISSUE...

OPINION 4 - UNSPOKEN WORLD NEWS 7 - CRISIS IN IRAN COVER 8-10 - THE COST OF BELONGING FEATURE 13 - SEASONAL SIGHTSEEING SPORTS 14 - WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

02 editorial

IN THIS ISSUE OPINION - 4

Unspoken

ENTERTAINMENT- 4

The Iconic Mariah Carey, Songs of the Season

WORLD NEWS - 7 Following the Crisis in Iran, Tragedy in Delphi

COVER - 8-10

The Cost of Belonging

FEATURE - 13

Seasonal Sightseeing

SPORTS - 14-15

Winter Sports Preview

MEET THE STAFF

Hamilton Southeastern High School

PATH-WASTE

STAFF EDITORIAL: PATHWAYS NEEDS CHANGING

There seemingly is nothing the student body dreads more than having to stay 40 minutes for a lesson each month that they could not care about. Honestly, we would understand it being unavoidable if the information were helpful towards our future. Instead, we are met with color-coded charts about our feelings or a lesson on what employability skills we need. Ironically, there are not actually any solutions to a student’s emotional problem or methods to teach the skills that our school system has determined of utmost importance. On top of that, the selection of what we learn could be better as well. We do believe that it would be important to learn skills like responsibility or time-management, but those are difficult to learn in a classroom compared to other necessary skills for life like taxes, administering first aid and how to save for retirement. Also, the good lessons we already have are poorly covered, as teachers are not given enough preparation time to effectively teach us lessons. We love and appreciate so many of the teachers here at HSE but critical lessons for our future should be taught by specialized professionals. Our students are wasting time and there are missed opportunities to teach to our future.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STAFFERS Cassidy Hayes

NEWS EDITOR Paityn O’Neill

FEATURE EDITOR Lauren Kopka

COPY EDITOR Nicole Morris

Emma Bieberich Sornavalli Chockalingam Kaiden Corliss Xavier Dokes Mackenzie Dreher Grace Duffy Mame Fall Parker Farrand Kameron Grays Avery Grunder Marley Hayes Gabriella Haynes

STAFFER OF THE ISSUE Joseph Karwowski Tatum Keaffaber Benjamin Kruer Trinity Mackenzie Trestyn Mayberry Josephine Neu Mirabella Russell Julianna Wells

ADVISER

David Young

PARKER FARRAND

Parker is a great help to everyone in the class. He is funny, welcoming and hardworking. Everyone on staff is grateful that he is part of our team.

ALUMNI

JAMAL DIXON: CLASS OF 2019

Dixon was a student at HSE, who lived a normal high school life until he relocated his senior year. His first year out of high school, COVID hit and in 2020, all our lives were affected. Quarantine was causing Dixon to lose some motivation, and in order to change his routine he decided to join the military. After a few years, he chose to join the Air Force. “It was the best decision I have ever made,” Dixon said. He is now one of the brave individuals protecting our country and is many miles away from home to serve our nation. Dixon will forever be looked up to as a Hamilton Southeastern Royal. Story by Joseph Jamal Dixon, senior portrait, 2019 Karwowski.

Sceptre.

Jamal Dixon, 2022.

Photo contributed.

Volume 34 | Issue 3 | Nov. 30, 2022

ALL-STATE CHEER TEAM 2022

SENIOR STUDENT OFFICIALLY NAMED MEMBER Senior Karly Laux was announced a member of the 2022 Indiana AllState Cheer team. Each year, senior students are eligible to submit application videos as part of the Indiana All-State Cheer Team selection process. Applicant videos are scored on a rubric and the top 12 scoring individuals are named to the All-State team.

This year, nine different schools are represented on the team. Alongside Laux on the team is fellow HSE cheerleader, senior Maci McCracken.

Laux has been a member of the HSE Varsity and Competition cheer team for all four years and is viewed by her teammates as a leader, both in the cheerleading world and outside of it.

“Effortlessly incredible,” senior Isabella Rose said. “I know that whatever she puts her mind to, she will succeed, and will not quit until she has given it her all.”

Laux auditioned earlier this year via a video submission and out of over 70 people, she was one of the 12 that were accepted.

“It was a great feeling being recognized by the IASP and knowing what a huge honor it is,” Laux said.

“After four years of varsity cheer, this was a great way to end it.”

Laux was recognized and performed a special exhibition prior to the awards ceremony at the 2022 State Cheerleading Finals Competition, where the Royals also took home the State Championship trophy.

“Being chosen for the all-state team is a huge honor.” Laux said.

“Only 12 people get it, and around 70 people tried out. For the video submission, you do a routine all by yourself and are judged from your submission. It was stressful trying to get the perfect video, but finally I got it. When my coach told me I was

student feature

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so happy and proud of myself for making it. I am most excited for being on the Wall of Fame. It was a great feeling being recognized by different people and knowing what a huge honor it is. Four years of varsity cheer and this was a great way to end it” Story by Josephine Neu.

Wondering why we chose to highlight these specific alums? With Nov. 11 being Veteran’s Day, we thought this was the perfect time for us to shine some much deserved light on two of America’s heroes. These two HSE alums are actively serving our country.

Nicholas Heltzel, senior portrait, 2020 Sceptre.

Nicholas Heltzel, 2022. Photo contributed.

UPDATE

NICHOLAS HELTZEL: CLASS OF 2020

Heltzel was a newer student when he attended HSE as he had recently moved into Indiana. He played football and ran for the track team. After high school, Heltzel was unsure of what his future was going to hold, but something clicked in his mind when he thought of the military. Heltzel is now a part of the military as a NonCommissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps, training to be a fighter pilot. Not only is he working within the forces, but he is also working on getting his bachelor’s degree. Heltzel is planning to continue to train and represent our country. Story by Joseph Karwowski.

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UNSPOKEN

PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE HOLIDAYS NOT CELEBRATED With the official start of winter just around the corner, one always seems to think of these winter holidays that symbolize family, friends and togetherness. Another underlying theme that all these holidays have in common is that students get the day off from school, and in some cases, several days to weeks. This brings up a very interesting proposition: what holidays deserve the distinction of being acknowledged by schools? The answer, like most things, is not always black and white.

It has not gone unnoticed to many that what used to be called “Christmas Break” is now “Winter Break.” This change was one that made a lot of sense considering the many diverse backgrounds. While “Winter Break” is not necessarily a bad choice, it would have made much more sense to acknowledge the many other holidays besides Christmas going on at this time of the year. Schools should not shy away from various cultures, but rather embrace them.

Recognizing that there are holidays such as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah that also occur during these winter months is very important, as it gives students a sense of belonging and acceptance that they may not have previously

had.

A school is meant to teach its student body about various cultures and customs, it may even mean talking about student’s religions. As previously mentioned, HSE has many students from countless backgrounds.

Teaching students about scarcely mentioned holidays such as Diwali, Yom Kippur and Indigenous Peoples’ Day not only allows students to learn new things but also allows them to connect with classmates from different upbringings. “[The school] should celebrate Diwali,” freshman Alfie Pratt said.

“It helps people understand other holidays, not just their own.”

This education cannot start in high school though, it must be done at the youngest levels. Exposing kids to a medley of different traditions means that tolerance will be a value distilled in the youth from a young age.

There is also the issue of how schools should acknowledge said holidays.

Many are unsatisfied with how some school holidays are currently celebrated. One of those people is sophomore Naiomi Marshall, who has issues with Martin Luther King Day. “There are more people in the Civil Rights Movement than Martin

Luther King Junior and Rosa Parks,” Marshall said. “There were also a lot of people behind the scenes.”

There are also holidays that simply do not apply to all students.

Thanksgiving, for example, is a uniquely American holiday.

Thanksgiving, though it was originally meant to celebrate the feast that the Pilgrims and Native Americans had 400 years ago, has changed over time.

It has become a holiday about getting together with the ones that you love and many people who celebrate it are not American. Due to America’s increasing diversity, people are adapting to American holidays and evolving them.

All of this being said, what is it that schools should do and recognize?

Many public schools have started to become more inclusive with language surrounding holidays, but as HSE and the country continue to become more and more ethnically and culturally diverse, this may not be the best idea. While some logistical issues could arise, recognizing all holidays would be the most effective way to celebrate the culture and traditions of the students at HSE. Story by Benjamin Kruer and quotes compiled by Mame Fall.

“I feel like Eid is a very unknown holiday.”

- Mohammad Saadh, 9

“Halloween. Its wildy partaken in alot of people.”

- Lily Willman, 10

“Martin Luther King Day.They have us do paper about it. But that’s not really telling us about it.”

- Naiomi Marshall, 10

THE ICONIC MARIAH CAREY

entertainment

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND HER HIT SONG “Mariah Carey is virtually synonymous with Christmas,” NPR Music News said. ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ is one of the most streamed singles in music history, reaching one billion streams on Spotify last year. Carey now makes video advertisements regarding her song, captioning its promotion with “It’s time!” following Halloween.

But since ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ has already hit its peak since its release in 1994 and finally reached number one on the BillBoards top 20 in 2021, is it still time?

Senior Kendall Unger supports the decision to have a new, popular Christmas song.

“I dislike the song because of its repetitiveness,” Unger said. “I think we need a more relevant song.”

According to ScienceLine.com, what makes good music good, aside from the lyrics, is based on distortion and reverberation. Distortion is that

subtle sound in a song that can make or break it.

Tae Hong Park, a composition professor at NYU, says that people do not like perfection in songs. If there is a sound wave in a song that sounds too perfect, too put together, audio engineers chop up that sound wave to make it distorted, thus more appealing. Reverberation is when an artist sings and that sound ‘hits’ something and comes back to the listener. Famous artists nowadays like Steve Lacy, SZA and A$AP Rocky all have the common component of reverb.

But does Mariah Carey’s hit Christmas song have these characteristics that make it good? The short answer is yes. Mason Kaniuk, an HSE graduate who now composes music gives his insight.

“The actual mix and mastery of the song is pretty good,” Kaniuk said.

“You can really hear the dynamics of

the compressor the audio engineer used. The reverb on her vocals is also very persistent as if it was recorded in a small sized venue hall.”

While the science behind the track is in favor of the songs relevancy, the track came out in 1994 and current artists are creating Christmas songs that stretch this concept further with the advancement of technology in music production.

‘Santa Tell Me’ by Ariana Grande not only follows the flow of Carey’s song, but clings to that Carey vocal range with better background vocals and instrumentals.

So yes, Mariah Carey’s hit single is worthy of being recognized as a true Christmas hit, but when it comes down to the matter of timeliness, a new song should fill her role within the upcoming years. Story by Tatum Keaffaber.

SONGS OF THE SEASON NEW WINTER 2022 MUSIC RELEASES

“Heroes & Villains” Dec. 2 Metro Boomin

This rap album being produced

by Metro Boomin, includes features. The albums feature include Travis Scott, Young Thug, A$AP Rocky, Nav, 21 Savage and possibly more.

A

“Me vs. Myself” Dec. 9 Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie returns with a new 22 song album.

This album will have features with Roddy Ricch, Tory Lanez, Kodak Black, Lil Durk, Don Q. and H.E.R. Photos and information by Kameron Grays.

“Almighty So 2” Dec. 16 Chief Keef

Chief Keef returns with his fifth studio album. The track list for this album has not been released yet.

“It’s Giving Christmas” Nov. 18 Chris Brown

Chris Brown previously released two songs to get ready for this year’s holiday season. The songs are titled “It’s Giving Christmas” and “No Time Like Christmas.”

Both songs explore Brown’s R&B skills and make you feel the Christmas cheer.

06 news

SCHOOL BOARD CHANGES

DOING GOOD OVER THE HOLIDAYS

Tiffany Pascoe, Juanita Albright, Dawn Lang and Ben Orr won the 2022 Hamilton Southeastern School Board elections for their respective districts. Four district seats were all up for election or re-election. Voting took place on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Wayne Township’s seat was previously held by Brad Boyer. Boyer was replaced in a significant majority

by Tiffany Pascoe. She strongly campaigned for fiscal conservatism and intends to put the students first.

Janet Pritchett has served as the Secretary of the School Board since 2019. As Secretary, she was involved in the policy committee, which established educational goals and policies for HSE’s district. “My main goal, in general, is to make sure that our students have the least amount of barriers possible when receiving an excellent public education,” Pritchett said. She was replaced by Juanita Albright, whose platform consisted of pro-parental rights advocacy. This focuses on passing legislation that will protect families by preserving parental rights and stopping legislation that endangers those rights.

Michelle Fullhart, who was elected in 2015, did not seek a third term and was replaced by Dawn Lang. In representing both Delaware Township and Fall Creek Township, Lang aims to implement policies that will allow all children to be academically successful. She especially wants to see Hamilton Southeastern’s standardized tests scores increase.

The current school board President, Julie Chambers of District 4, was outvoted by Ben Orr. Chambers had previously voted in favor of adding the controversial microaggressions sections in HSE Student Handbooks, which was narrowly included in a 4-3 vote. Orr plans to re-instill the values of traditional learning in schools, separate from personal ideologies that may distract from a child’s education.

With these new officials in place, things are certain to change around HSE, from changes to the Student Handbook to larger-scale transformations around our high school and school district. Story by Norah Wills.

Giving back to the community has been highly valued by HSE students. Whether it’s going to soup kitchens, feeding the homeless, or volunteering at organizations, students spend their holidays helping the community.

“Over the holidays my family runs a place called St. Vincent DePaul, where my family and I give gifts to families in need.” senior Ava Olsen said.

Many other students help around the community. There are many different places to help donate to give gifts to the kids who don’t get anything during the holiday season.

Senior Priyanka Paradkar was asked, what was your main take away from your experience helping people in need.

“I realized there are a lot of privileged people in our community,” Paradkar said. “It feels good to help the people who don’t have as much as other people.”

Finding a local food pantry, helping at a food kitchen, donate to families in need, or even donating online.

“High school students should do good over the holidays because it’s important to give back to your community and help people in need,” senior Rejesus Rosario said. “You never know the place you’re going to be in down the road.”

Story by Marley Hayes.

FOUR INCOMING SEATS HAVE NEW IDEAS STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO GOOD OF FOR SCHOOL POLICIES COMMUNITY

I VOTED.

SCAN FOR LOCAL DONATION CENTERS AND FOOD KITCHENS.

world news

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FOLLOWING THE CRISIS IN IRAN

TRAGEDY IN DELPHI

In Iran, women’s rights have been undermined for a long time. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, rights have been restricted which has caused the mandate of veiling and specific dress codes.

Women are also facing discrimination with marriage, divorce and child custody. Even in the workforce, women are denied equal treatment and opportunities. Women are still not allowed to enter certain sports stadiums. To express their pain, on Nov. 6, a hijab was burnt by women to protest against the Islamic government and their policies.

These recent protests originated when Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old, was killed while in police custody. Amini was beaten to death due to not wearing her hijab properly, but the regime states she died of a heart attack. Over 300 individuals have been killed during these protests starting in Sept., while many more citizens have been detained and injured. The Iranian government made a statement about how they plan to “deal firmly” with anyone who protests.

Instead of listening to these women, the Iranian government relies on the morality police.

“The morality police are Iran’s law enforcement who are tasked with patrolling the streets to enforce these laws by warning or even arresting any women who may be dressed ‘improperly’,” states Deseret News.

Many people state how controlling the regime is and are done with the absurd lengths they take to control women’s sexuality.

Campaigns have been started since the Iranian government instated the hijab mandate. These campaigns include My Stealthy Freedom, White Wednesdays, The Girls of Revolution Street, and the Iranian #MeToo movement.

These movements do not seem to be ending anytime soon. Women will never stop fighting for their rights.

Story by Gabriella Haynes. Information from OpIndia, Desert, The Conversation and HRW.

Indiana residents know the pain that has gone through the Williams and German families, and for them to get justice is rejoicing. This story starts all the way back in 2017 when two teens took a hike on their day off of school.

It was a sunny Feb. 13 day as Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, woke up after a sleepover and headed for what would be their last hike. After 18 hours, William’s parents became worried and began trying to look for them, but could not find anything. That following day turned the lives of the Williams and German families as they discovered that the girls had died while on their hike. The Delphi police received multiple tips from people who said they saw the girls on the property of Ron Logan, but the information spawned no leads.

At a loss and with no leads to discover the truth, years had passed on with no news and no closure for the parents, until one video surfaced. The video, recorded on Liberty German’s phone, was presumed to show the key suspect, but it was difficult to gain clues. But one audio clip changed everything.

As German’s video came back to help the police in more ways than they thought as they heard a recording of the suspect saying “up the hill.” From there on was nothing too exciting for the family until they got word of a possible suspect, Keegan Kline, who might have lured the daughters to the bridge. This was huge news for the victims’ families, as they finally thought after five years, they found the killer. However, while the suspect’s crimes did not correlate with the deaths of the girls, the police felt they could use information from Kline to narrow down on subjects. Kline’s interview about the crime with police proved helpful, as Kline suggested the police should try and match DNA with people in the area. This is where the police finally brought justice to the case in Delphi and arrested the suspect.

Later found out to be Richard Allen, as Allen’s voice linked to the voice in the recording found which led to his arrest. For more information about this story, visit https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10829317/ New-details-Delphi-Bridge-Murders-reveal-victimsdied-bloodbath-killer-took-souvenir. Story by Trestyn Mayberry.

WOMENS RIGHTS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY

WILLIAMS, GERMAN FAMILIES GET JUSTICE

THE ¢O$T OF BELONGING 08 cover

PAYING TO PARTICIPATE

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ulling into the athletic parking lot, tailgate town to the right, fans struggled to find an open parking spot to the left, the sound of parents ringing their cowbells as students chattered in anticipation of another thrilling athletic event. Then heading towards the gates of the football field decked out in Royals gear, the aroma of parents cooking out under blue and gray pop-up tents is all around. At the gates, phones with pre-purchased tickets pulled out and scanned. The packed student section is a wave of blue constantly chanting in support of the Royals. Students cheered and socialized, having an amazing time.

It was well past 9pm when students began to exit the parking lot. Some students began to realize that their time at the game should have been spent finishing important homework and studying for upcoming tests.

The cost of belonging is not just about a price tag; it is about the toll on a student’s academics, mental health and physical health. When students participate in activities or athletic teams, athletic events, marching band or color guard, after school or in school clubs, the experience comes with various expenses. Take into consideration marching band: this year, fees added up to $1,200 per person. This covered the cost for transportation, competition fees, costs to make props and uniform but did not include the rental cost of an instrument if not personally owned, and repairs of a rental instrument if damaged.

The cost of time is also hefty; depending on the section, there are practices many days of the week that

4 out of 5

students participate in school extracurriculars

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“Students who participated [in extracurricular activities] were three times as likely to perform in the top quartile on a composite math and reading assessment compared with non-participants.” often run as late as 9 pm. That leaves band members to devote at least 15 hours a week to marching band. All home football games, all Saturdays, many Saturday nights and afterschool hours are devoted to practices and performances. Being involved in activities like athletics can help students connect to their school and find a sense of belonging: but are physical and mental tolls helping them grow or turning them away?

Junior Hannah Young decided to join the marching band this year.

“Everyone there is working towards the same goal, and we spend so much time together that finding a sense of belonging is not difficult at all,” Young said. “It is a big-time commitment, and hard to give up my time, however it has helped me learn how to better manage homework and I am way more efficient with my schoolwork.”

Students who participate in afterschool or in-school activities gain leadership skills, and statistics show many benefits, including learning teamwork and responsibility skills and finding a sense of culture and

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community.

The National Center for Educational Statistics reports, “Students who participated [in extracurricular activities] were three times as likely to perform in the top quartile on a composite math and reading assessment compared with nonparticipants.”

Participation, attendance and success in academics are also directly linked to student involvement with extracurriculars.

The University of North Carolina Press, The Role of Extracurricular Activities in Education reported, “In the extracurricular setting [students] may also develop and practice artistic, musical, and psychomotor talents; leadership skills; and future career and occupational skills.”

The ability to integrate and flourish in the real world outside of school is very important for young adults working towards college or other post-secondary endeavors. The article also states, “These organized school activities (freely chosen by the student rather than imposed by well-meaning adults) may provide a critical setting for the task of developing social literacy or the ability to communicate through many forms, and through communication, learn essential social and civic responsibilities.”

Overall, studies show there are many different advantages to partaking in extracurricular activities. Do these benefits outweigh the costs?

Extracurricular engagement is favorable for finding friendships and making a big school seem small, yet it is at a lot of expense to students.

Extracurricular activities often cost money to participate in some type of

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arranged “pay-to-play” fee. If families cannot pay this, then opportunities to participate in these activities dwindle. This may affect a student’s connection to his or her school, as without the ability to participate, they may feel left out or isolated. Financial challenges are not limited to lowerincome families.

According to the University of Michigan C.S Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, 12 percent of parents making more than $60,000 — about 1 in 10 — also cite price as the reason for their child’s decline in activities. Almost everything has a price associated with it, these statistics demonstrate that money is a factor for all families.

Expenses like team uniforms, gas for travel, club dues and renting or buying an instrument can add up and be a challenge for many. To put it in perspective, if a student wanted to play an instrument and be on a school athletic team, the cost of both may force the student to choose between

them.

“I believe the school shouldn’t be able to make us pay over $100 for tennis uniforms,” Junior Sasha Gukasyan’Baykova said, “To be more inclusive, I feel like they should provide reusable uniforms or reevaluate the pricing.”

All of this is true with after-school

“I believe the school shouldn’t be able to make us pay over $100 for tennis uniforms” activities as well as with social events. Football games are a big deal for many students. Themes to show school support are common at athletic events, purchasing tickets and spirit wear for these events can be costly. Homecoming is a great way to be involved and socialize with friends,

Do you find that the cost of participating in extracurriculars (clubs, sports, etc.) is a big ratio of your participation?

Data from @hsenews Instagram poll.

but think about the cost of a ticket, the attire worn and the gas to get there.

All these costs add up and affect every person of any income, and it is especially hard for students who are either low-income, too young, not able to devote the time or have a very low paying job.

“I think it is taking away experiences for students who can’t participate because of finances, especially when society makes it an expectation for us to look forward to,” freshman Grey Ginder said. “Things like homecoming, prom and football games are just a few examples of those expectations.”

Every situation is different and every student is different, but the costs of belonging that are placed on students for all activities are very similar.

What cost are you paying?

Story by Julianna Wells and Avery Grunder. Photos by Paityn O’Neill and Cassidy Hayes.

NO YES

perspective

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HOLIDAY CHEER, BANK ACCOUNT FEAR FINANCIAL SPENDING DURING THE HOLIDAYS Cha-ching. Registers never seem to catch a break in the winter months.

From the Thanksgiving spread to the gifts under the tree, spending money is a part of holiday cheer. At this time food is pricier then ever.

“We spend at least $200 on thanksgiving dinner each year.” junior Meghan Haws said.

According to Reuters.com, Target alone made up to 2 billion in revenue around the holidays. Turkeys are not getting cheaper. “[How much I spend] depends on the person,” senior Meredith Pippenger said. “But probably [no more than] $75.”

Stores are getting bombarded with the holiday crowd and getting prepared for even heavier business.

With the average teenager making $18.84 an hour, according to Ziprecruiter.com, saving up or working extra around the holidays is a given.

Many people find their gift ideas on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.

‘Trending’ items are a huge selling point for stores, but can take a big hit on students’ paychecks.

Finding the perfect gift within a good price range is a challenge. The holidays are a time of joy, but not so much for the bank account.

With the holidays among us, look for deals and be cautious about how much is being spent.

Story and photo by Mackenzie Dreher.

MERRY HAPPY CHRISTMAS WHICH ONE DO YOU SAY?

Potato or Po-tah-toh, Tomato or To-mah-to, Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas.

While some people say either without hesitation, there are a few factors for others to think about. Greeting someone with “Merry Christmas” suggests that they might be Christian or at the very least familiar with Christianity, while wishing everyone a “Happy Holiday” can imply inclusivity or a lack of adherence to Christianity.

There are other religions that have holidays that go on during the winter.

Kwanzaa for example, is a seven-day African American celebration that

honors culture and family, or even Hanukkah, a Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the regaining of the Second Temple of Jerusalem.

Throughout this season, try to be more inclusive to the other holidays of different religions. By no means can hearing “Happy Holidays” make someone exclusive to Christmas and Christians. Story and infograph

by Xavier Dokes. Poll results from @hsenews Instagram.

Merry Christmas 82%

Happy Holidays 18%

12 club features

CALLIGRAPHY CLUB

SPREADING KINDNESS THROUGH WRITING

Calligraphy club meets during Pathways and involves students. They create art, as well as cards with quotes and meaningful words for students who need them.

Staff sponsor Melinda Baker said, “Our main goal is to spread positivity.” Some main activities that they do are making cards for residents and health care workers, making posters for students during homecoming or prom and much more. Students can also participate in an upcoming event. From Dec. 1-7, the club will be making cards for nursing homes. On Dec. 7 after school, they will be handing out the cards to the residents at the nursing home. The limit is 14 students. Contact Mrs. Baker if you would like to attend the trip. Visit their Instagram page @hsecalligraphyclub. Story by Mame Fall.

CULINARY CLUB

LEARNING YOUR WAY IN THE KITCHEN

This year, Culinary Club was started by senior Samantha Jones and freshman Abigail Blackburn. They hope to teach students how to safely prepare a meal that is nutritious yet delicious. They believe that as students head to college, cooking is an essential skill that all students should have. “I wanted to start the Culinary Club so other students and I have a chance to learn about cooking,” said club president Samantha Jones. “I also want to promote staying safe in the kitchen.”

They plan on meeting once a month to create a fun recipe while also learning safety precautions in the kitchen.

Their next meeting will be Nov. 28 during Pathways A in Mrs. Self’s room, A122. They are planning on having a fun activity and a small lesson about safety in this meeting. For more information, be sure to follow their Instagram @hse.culinary.club or email their sponsor lself@hse.k12.in.us. Story by Sornavalli Chockalingam.

ROYAL STUDENTS FOR LIFE RECENT PAJAMA DRIVE FOR STAND SUNDAY

Royal Students for Life has the primary goal to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting students at HSE. They work to connect students in the school who experience unplanned pregnancies with resources outside of the school itself. The second goal of the club is to educate students on abortion. “Abortion education is really important because many people support abortion without a complete understanding of what it is and what its lasting effects are,” said senior Ava Smith. “Our club is a place to start asking questions about abortion, which is often falsely marketed as a quick fix to a negative circumstance.”

The club recently held a pajama drive in correlation with Harvest Church with support for Stand Sunday. Stand Sunday is described as a national movement of churches across America taking action to help foster children. These pajamas will be distributed to foster children in Central Indiana. The club’s Instagram, @royalstudentsforlife has detailed reminders about all meetings during pathways and includes their schedule. Another way to be a part of the club is to text @hseprolife to 810-10. Story by Gabriella Haynes.

Seasonal Sightseeing UPCOMING WINTER EVENTS IN FISHERS The leaves are falling from trees, people are starting to realize that shorts are not a good idea and holiday music will be blaring for the foreseeable future. Some view this as a time to snuggle up next to a fireplace, grab a steaming cup of cocoa and seclude themselves from the rest of the world. For others, it is an opportunity to get out and enjoy the various holiday activities that the winter season brings. Whether it be sledding to gingerbread house making, the Fishers area continues to provide a variety of activities for the community to enjoy.

One holiday gathering is the Merry Prairie Holiday hosted at Conner Prairie. Events start Nov. 25 and carry on every Friday to Sunday throughout Dec. 18. December 21 and 22 are the last days to catch these many fun filled events. Listed below are some of these events that are hosted at Merry Prairie.

Those who enjoy looking at beautiful holiday light displays can check out the new Winter Wonderland Stroll or the Reynold Light which shows where one can walk the grounds of Conner Prairie and be awed by the beautiful display. Also new and noteworthy to explore is the light tunnel that illuminates the way to the tubing hill that guests can slide down.

Another event showcased is a showing of “Twas The Night Before Christmas”, which will be a returning event being held at the William Conner House. This is a modern 3D projection that will make one feel in the story rather than just hearing it.

For those who want more physical activity, a trip to Frosty’s Skating Rink might be an option to enjoy a fun time skating around. While this is not an actual ice rink with skates and rather skating on socks, it is still entertaining to glide around and feel the holiday cheer in the air.

Finally, for those who want to see

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus there is an opportunity to do so. The North Pole Village will be open to take a photo with Santa and watch his helpers prepare for Christmas night.

Conner Prairie is not the only place that one can enjoy winter activities in the Fishers area. Another popular event that is available from Nov. 11 to Jan. 1 is the light show being held at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds. This will be an interactive drive-thru display full of beautiful lights and music that the lights go to. Reservations are important because a limited number of spots are available and there will be no gate admissions.

Letting creativity flow by creating cheerful art for a festive season is another great event residents of Fishers can attend. Fishers City Hall will be hosting an art gallery for all to see on Dec. 4. At this event, one can either look at the many art pieces on display and purchase some to decorate the home in the holiday spirit or create a personalized masterpiece providing fun for the whole family.

For more information check out the QR code below.

While the fall season comes to an end and the weather is getting colder, this is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the winter season. These places are perfect examples of the many events put on by local businesses around the Fishers area that are aimed at community entertainment. This holiday season consider leaving the warmth of the fire and the home and visit some of these activities that are available.

Check out the QR codes below to get more information on all these festive events. Story by Kaiden Corliss.

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Stress or No Stress?

PRESSURE OF FINALS

As the end of first semester approaches, many students have mixed feelings about final exams.

While some students are overwhelmed with stress, others do not understand the big deal about the finals season.

In fact, many seniors have started to develop a well-known condition called senioritis: when a final year student is not motivated to do their work knowing they are leaving the high school arena in a matter of months.

“I have already gotten accepted into college,” senior Anika Rastogi said. “I don’t see the point of getting stressed for finals”.

In response, math teacher Kirk Webber would like students to be aware that colleges check grades occasionally even if you have already received acceptance to a college, so “it is important to maintain your grades.”

Underclassmen perspectives for finals differ.

“I am worried for finals since my entire GPA relies on these tests,” junior Adam Gerstner said.

“Especially considering this is the final year before colleges check my grades.”

To counteract this fear, instructional assistant Elisabeth Schmitt responds explaining that “though 20 percent may seem like a lot, if you review even a week ahead of time, slow and steady can win the race”.

Overall, the process of finals can put immense pressure on many students, as it is an examination that impacts your entire class grade, but as Principal Reginald Simmons quotes from Robert Collier, “Success is the sum of all small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out”. Story by Sornavalli Chockalingam.

For more information on Merry Prairie, the Fairgrounds and the Arts Council, scan these QR codes.

14 sports

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

AN OVERVIEW OF THE UPCOMING SPORTS DURING THIS BRISK SEASON With frosty weather right around the corner, athletes participating in winter sports are beginning to practice with their teams and get used to busy schedules. Many athletes have been participating in excessive training and conditioning to prepare for their exciting season ahead. Many sports, including basketball, swimming and wrestling, begin in late November, while winter cheerleading begins near the middle of the month. With these games beginning soon, the talented athletes on these teams are ready to compete against other strong organizations across the state this winter.

The girls’ basketball team started off their season strong, with a dominating win over Columbus North, 65-49.

Senior Charity Beal, at Hamilton Southeastern, is a major point contributor, and adds aspects of both leadership and encouragement. Beal explains that this will be a successful upcoming season. “[I aspire] to be the best teammate and leader possible,” Beal said. “Obviously, our team’s goal is to win the sectional championship and we have preached the motto of toughness and togetherness, which is very important to all of us.”

Girls’ basketball is not the only sport that has big goals

for next season. The boys swimming and diving team is also prepared to make a run for state this year, after placing second in the team sectional in 2021. They are not only working hard to compete physically, but to compete well as a team. According to sophomore Caleb Green, he is excited for the upcoming season.

“I am looking forward to meeting new swimmers this season,” Green said. “[I am also looking forward] to improving the technicalities of my swimming.”

All other winter sports, like boys’ basketball, cheerleading, girls swimming and boys’ wrestling will begin in due course. With all teams engaging in pre-season activities, they will be prepared to battle in front of their peers in approaching games, while fostering Royal pride. See the sports pages linked below to learn more about the approaching games on these exciting schedules. Story by Emma Bieberich and Grace Duffy. Photos by Trinity Mackenzie.

SCAN TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPCOMING WINTER SPORTS HERE ON THE HSE ATHLETIC WEBSITE.

BRINGING BACK THE RED TEAMS PUT RED BACK IN THEIR UNIFORMS

HSE High School athletics reintegrates the red back into the school’s athletic uniforms and spirit wear. The change was inspired by head football coach, Michael Kelly, as he decided to get new football jerseys for the team in red, white, and blue. Different sports have followed Kelly’s decision, with the change in their jerseys and the spirit wear at the school is seen with more red than prior years.

The red at HSE is not something new. It is a standard look that has always been a part of the vintage school spirit.

“It is a classic look,” said varsity basketball head coach John Ashworth. “It is something our community has been complimentary of when they see them.”

This classic look was brought back when the varsity football head coach, Michael Kelly, decided to bring back the old, but not new, look to the school.

“I started adding it back last year,” Kelly said, my firstyear coaching here I was on the bus after we just beat Lawrence Central, our first game of the season and our team has a tradition to sing the school fight song as soon as you turn on 126th off Olio. I am listening to the song and hear red, white and blue yet I did not see anything red anywhere,” said Kelly. “I thought then this is our school color. Let us make it part of what we do and who we are.”

The red, white, and blue at HSE represented the school since its opening in 1964 and defines who the students and staff are, representing Royal pride, “It is who we are,” said Kelly. “We take pride in being the best in every way. We are not going to allow anyone or anything to take away who we are or what we are about.”

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The change to add the red back was followed by many, including the boys’ basketball program this school year.

“When we got the new away blue jerseys for basketball, we wanted to make sure to have some red in there as a call back to the teams that came before us,” Ashworth said.

“It’s a great look and something we hope our students, players, parents, and community take pride in.”

This idea is already seen by some of the players at the school.

“To me the red, white and blue means a connection to our past,” said varsity football player junior Jaren Bush.

Athletes at HSE are highlighting their pride in the school as well with the addition to the red.

“To me the red, white, and blue represent us taking back what we gave to the red school down the street,” said varsity basketball player Michael Griffith.

Kelly bringing the red back was something that changed the school this year. The red will continue to represent HSE and allow every student, teacher, athlete, musician, artists, and person to be a Royal.

“People love the added red and the representation that we are who we are no matter what,” Kelly said. “We are not going to change who we are because of another school.

We are HSE.” Due to Coach Kelly’s contributions with the uniforms, many athletes have continued to represent their school with all of the school colors and cheer on the Royals.

Story by Lauren Harden.

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE: EMILY ANDERSON

TRAIT: RESILIENCE

Since moving to Indiana in 8th grade, senior Emily Anderson has struggled to find her niche. From flag football to lacrosse, she felt like she had not tried everything and still hadn’t found her sport. When Coach Brobst told Anderson she could join the wrestling team sophomore year, everything changed for her. Since beginning wrestling, she has experienced many firsts. She was the first girl at HSE to Varsity letter in wrestling, the first girl from HSE to place at regionals, and the first girl to advocate for a girl’s wrestling team at her school.

“I could go on to list more firsts that came after my first step into the wrestling room,” said Anderson. “But the most important thing to takeaway is that when faced with adversity, be bold and confident in yourself. I learned and experienced this first hand over the past three years. When you are beyond terrified to take a step out of your comfort zone, that is exactly when you take the leap.” Story by Josephine Neu. Photo contributed.

ON THE FLIPSIDE SEASONAL SPOTLIGHTS Quotables Here is a sneak peek at some of this issues stories!

“Our students are wasting time and there are missed opportunities to teach to our future. ” Page 2 “This brings up a very interesting proposition: What holidays deserve the distinction of being acknowledged by schools?” Page 4 “This was huge news for the victims’ families, as they finally thought after five years, they found the killer.” Page 7 “The cost of belonging is not just about a price tag; it is about the toll on a student’s academics, mental health, and physical health.” Page 8-10 “Whether it be sledding to gingerbread house making, the Fishers area continues to provide a variety of activities for the community to enjoy.”

Page 13 “The Boy’s Swimming and Diving team is also prepared to make a run for state this year, after placing second in the team sectional in 2021.”

Page 14

Decorate Your Own Gingerbread Cookie

Snap a photo of your design and send it to @hsenews on Instagram by Dec. 9. One design will have their cookie created by the staff and delivered to them!

www.hsenews.com

Not an artist? Don’t worry!

Follow the QR code and ingredients list provided to see a recipe for gingerbread cookies with icing. @hsetv @SoutheasternSN

Page by Parker Farrand and Benjamin Kruer. @hsenews @SoutheasternSN_

Gingerbread Cookies

3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon fine salt ¼ teaspoon ground allspice ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening, melted 2/3 cup light brown sugar ¾ cup molasses 1 large egg 1 pound confectionary sugar 2 tablespoons meringue powder 6 tablespoons water

Seasons Disagreements

www.issuu.com/hsenews

Seasons greetings to those who love enjoying the glow of a burning fireplace while they catch up on their dearly missed sitcoms and dramedies. But for those who would rather bask in the sun as they get in a good workout, welcome back to the dreadful chills and chatters you had all but forgotten about. In a place like Indiana where weather is especially random and extremely varied, each person is bound to have a season that stands above the rest.

Whether you are the type to get excited when showers bring spring flowers or an afficionado of all things pumpkin, we have all experienced the sheer difference in opinions over the superior season. I had never seen some of my family so up in arms before I brought up my preferred season, and you can too for the low low price of a plate at the dinner table! Then go out and find someone who does agree with you.

As we know, those are true friends.

@hsenews