The Orb: March 2024-25 | Issue 4 | Vol. 35

Abeyta, Olivia Mitschelen, Kennedy Ulmer

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Many critics of traditional journalism and media have gained more traction in recent months, with the continual development and improvement of various AI platforms seeking to eliminate the usefulness of human writers.

These critics state that there is no use for human writers in the current age, as AI can do the same job quicker, and with what appears to be more accurate information. AI can create paragraphs in a matter of seconds, where it could take a human journalist days to complete a full story. In journalism, timing is everything, and AI would seem to be a helpful replacement for traditional, slower newswriters and reporters. However, these critics do not account for the major setbacks

of using AI.

These platforms are not only prone to making major mistakes if left unchecked but also have issues with creating biased content. The knowledge base that AI uses to generate its content comes from the information it is fed by every human who uses it. This means it holds bias. Not only is the content an issue, but studies have routinely shown that people do not trust content that was created by AI. If the content can’t be trusted based on an AI label, it fails to serve the purpose of journalism, which is to hold the government and public accountable with accurate and trustworthy information. The Orb and Southeastern Media Network as a whole stands by human work and does not use AI.

Behind the Cover

The cover photo depicts an American flag up against the background of a cloudy sky. This issue’s cover story surrounds the many changes that are being made on the American government under the recent change to the Trump Administration. The flag represents the country, standing strong and immovable throughout the years, and the cloudy sky represents the unknown that surrounds the changes that will be made to the government in the next four years. Photo by

Mitschelen.

Staffer of the Issue

Southeastern Media Network is seeking advertisers and sponsors for all of our media platforms, including newspaper, yearbook, broadcasting, and sports broadcasting. For more information, click above.

This issue, the staff selected junior Kennedy Ulmer as staffer of the issue. With the Orb’s shift to being a primarily online publication, Kennedy took on a new role as Online Content Editor for this semester, beginning with the online stories that are being uploaded to the Southeastern Media Network website and helping to decide which of those stories would be in this issue of the Orb. Kennedy has stepped into her new role with ease, helping the newsroom flow for every staff member. She is quick to edit stories, provides strong constructive critique, and is always prepared with new ideas to help staffers and our publication grow in quality.

Mandy Abeyta, Olivia

Kennedy Ulmer

Meet the Staff

Charlotte Miksha

Kennedy Ulmer

Dupree Henry Lili Perez Copy Editor Online Content Editor Off-the-Ground Editor Creative Editor

Emma Hayes

Addison Ginther

Maddy Page

Omar Elsayed News Editor Features Editor Voices Editor Sports Editor

Mandy Abeyta Ash Balog Lizzie Dekker Staffer Staffer Staffer

Ava Kashani

Olivia Mitschelen

Mya Pyle Staffer Staffer Staffer

Claire Robertson Staffer

Max Johnson Staffer

Hannah VanLandingham Sydney Pinchouck Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

FEDERAL FIRINGS HIT AMERICA

Administration Changes Lead to Workforce Shifts

Story by Lizzie Dekker

Whenever a President enters office, there are changes to the way the government works. Whether small or major, every President makes their mark on the government as a whole.

When Former President Bill Clinton held office, he underwent government shrinking efforts, removing 400,000 government jobs over his term in the 1990s.

The administration of President Donald Trump has begun efforts to shrink the federal government with the help of the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly referred to as DOGE. Amy Gleason, the acting leader of DOGE, along with Elon Musk—whom President Trump appointed as a “special government employee”—has overseen many across various government agencies.

On Mar. 17 U.S District Judge James Bredar ordered 24,000 employees accross 18 agencies who were fired to be rehired. Bredar was the second judge to order the administration to rehired federal workers.

As some government agencies have been hit with these firings, many more are preparing for potential future firings. Some of the first acts of DOGE was sending out mass productivity emails to screen federal employees for whether they will stay on the job. In those emails, federal employees were asked to justify their jobs by listing their achievements for that week.

Another action the Trump Administration has taken was made on the President’s first day in office, Jan. 20 2025, President Trump signed the execuitive order ‘Return to In-Person Work’. The order tells all federal agencies to begin to remove remote work opportunities in order to bring all federal employees back into the office, with few exceptions.

“We ordered all federal workers to return to the office,” President Trump said in a Mar. 4 speech to Congress.

“They will either show up for work in person or be removed from their job.”

In late January, the White House announced a program that would give financial benefits to federal employees who choose to leave their jobs by Feb. 6. This was announced in an email sent by the Office of Personnel Management to millions of employees. The conditions were that if an employee were to leave their job by the deadline, they would recieve around eight months of salary.

According to the Office of Personal Management around 75,000 employees accepted the offer.

Another focus of the recent federal cuts made by the Trump Administration has been probationary employees. Probationary employees are government employees who do not have civil service protections, generally due to lack of time that they spend on the job. These cuts could affect hundreds of thousands of people, and many departments have already begun cutting specificly probationary employees.

The administration has promised to make many more cuts in the next four years, and is prioritizing government efficiency and cost cutting.

DOGE LAYOFF STATISTICS

HOUSING CRISIS HITS HOME

Housing Issues With L.A. Fires Reflect on Gen Z

Story by Emma Hayes | hayesemm000@hsestudents.org

Graphics by Sydney Pinchouck | pinchsyd000@hsestudents.org

The Los Angeles (L.A.) fires have finally been contained, but victims of their devastation are not out of the woods yet. Over 12,000 homes have been lost in the fires, leaving even more homeless while fleeing for survival from the fires.

The rest of this year will be marked by a massive reconstruction project, trying to rebuild the estimated over 250 billion dollars in damages. Through this time though, thousands are now searching for a place to live.

Hurdles are appearing for people seeking temporary living arrangements in L.A. Starting on social media, people began finding examples of massive increases in rent, far exceeding California’s price gouging regulations, which do not let services like gas and rentals increase their prices by over 10% from before

the emergency was declared.

In some good news for those in L.A. hurt by these fires, the state has begun cracking down on these price gougers. Suits have begun being filed against both individual landlords as well as rental companies. A vote by the L.A. Board of Supervisors recently increased the maximum penalty for price gouging fines as well.

Officials in California have warned those attempting to take advantage of the disaster,

“You cannot jack up prices and take advantage of disaster victims, plain and simple.” California Attorney General, Rob Bonta said in a statement at a Jan. 18 press conference.

While those in California are slowly picking up the pieces of their lost homes, their troubles with the housing market aren’t totally unique.

SILENCING VOICES

Fight

for Intellectual Freedom

A 2024 survey by Clever Real Estate, a St. Louis real estate company, found that 60% of Gen Z worry that they will never become a homeowner. Of prospective Gen Z buyers, only 18% believe that they could afford a home. Melanie Balog is a local realtor who has worked in the field for 11 years. She discussed the rising issues of affordability in housing.

“The issue really falls down to affordability, 100%,” Balog said. “You’ve got the issue that home prices have increased dramatically. Then you have the wage disparity, nobody’s making as much as they need to. Wages have not increased. Then we also see the cost of living going up, and with wages being stagnant, there’s just a big gap there that makes it very difficult to afford buying homes.” Story by Ash Balog |

The debate over book banning in schools has heated up in recent years, with some arguing that it is necessary to protect students from inappropriate or controversial material. However, many educators believe that banning books does more harm than good, stifling students’ critical thinking and limiting their exposure to diverse ideas.

“Books can affirm someone’s experiences by showing students their circumstances played out on the page,” English teacher Katie Timmons said. “Books also help students become aware of life experiences they might otherwise never encounter.”

By confronting challenging topics, books prepare students for the complexity of the real world. Removing these books, especially at the high school level, only prevents

students from developing empathy, understanding and critical thinking skills.

Books such as “Looking for Alaska” by John Green, “1984” by George Orwell and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky challenge societal norms or address uncomfortable truths.

Under President Trump’s administration, this trend accelerated. With his administration’s encouragement, conservative lawmakers pushed to start limiting what books are allowed in schools, particularly those discussing race, LGBTQ+ issues, and systemic inequality. Trump’s influence has encouraged efforts to remove these kinds of books from school curricula, framing it as a protective measure for students.

“People do not like to face their shortcomings, real or imagined,” Timmons said. “At the same time though, books commonly found on banned lists tend to be bestsellers…I think students are curious by nature.” In today’s digital age, students can easily access restricted material online. Instead of protecting students, banning books simply heightens their desire to explore what’s been censored.

“If the goal is to protect students from sensitive or harmful material, banning social media and internet access would have far more success,” Timmons said. Banning books fails to address the larger issue of how students engage with media today. Ultimately, educators have a duty to advocate for free access to literature.

FISHERS STATE OF THE CITY

LUNCHEON

Mayor Fadness Addresses City About 2025 Vision

Story and Photos by Lili Perez | perezlil000@hsestudents.org

Mayor Scott Fadness addressed Fishers about his vision for the city on Feb. 5, 2025, at the Fishers Event Center. Business leaders, community members and local officials all attended to hear Fadness speak. Attendees included Indy Fuel, City of Fishers and Capitol Construction Services. Indiana University Health was the present sponsor of the Fishers State of the City Luncheon.

Previous addresses have emphasized crucial aspects like public safety, advancements in technology and initiatives for community development. This year, Fadness spoke on economics, projects and job statistics.

Roughly 200 people were in attendance, with floor seating completely sold out. The general public all sat in section 102, while members who reserved sat at tables on the floor.

The mayor observed the audience as they trickled into the stadium and began socializing with others. The audience included the HSE School Board of Trustees Suzanne Thomas, Ben Orr, Tiffany Pascoe and Dr. Juanita Albright. AW Constructions invited Ben Orr to this event. Tiffanie Ditlevson, City Council District at large, and Hamilton Southeastern Superintendent Patrick Mapes were also in attendance.

and being able to look at what they are doing in their life and trying to build off of what they are doing in order to be successful ... is really motivating.”

Jack Russel, President and CEO of One Zone Chamber of Commerce, started the morning by giving an overview of Fishers’ history and present advancements. Russel acknowledged the City of Fishers as a place of growth and opportunities.

“I see a lot of people here who are very successful in life and being able to look at what they are doing in their life and trying to build off of what they are doing in order to be successful ... is really motivating”

“Today, we continue to build on that foundation,” Russel said. “Driving progress and business, technology and community development. Fishers is not just a place on the map. It’s a destination of doers and differencemakers. We are a city that embraces bold ideas, fosters entrepreneurial spirit, and invests and transformative projects that shape the future. Whether it’s launching cutting-edge businesses or creating vibrant public spaces for enhancing quality of life of residents, Fishers leads with vision and action.”

-Grace Gutwein

Several Mayor’s Youth Academy students attended thaddress. Junior Grace Gutwein and her father, Anthony Gutwein, who was a part of the premier table, Edward Jones Anthony Gutwein, attended.

“I think it’s really exciting,” Grace Gutwein said. “I see a lot of people here who are very successful in life

The Chief Operating Officer of IU Health North Hospital, Soula Banich, followed Russel to speak on IU Health. With affirmations of Fishers and active partnership, Banich is excited about the growth and changes happening in the community. The hospital expansion of IU Health Saxony Campus is one of the main projects she mentioned, called IU Health Fishers’ Community Project. The project includes the expansion of the hospital by nearly 50%, the renaming of IU Health Saxony to IU Health Fishers and 50 new inpatient beds.

“I committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities that reserve, supporting events like this one that brings together business

leaders, community members, and local officials, all united by sharing the goal of improving our community,” Banich said. “Fishers is one of the greatest, fastest growing communities in the state, and as we continue to grow on side fishers, we’re excited to be an active partner in shaping the future of this great city.

Following Banich, Fadness discussed the future affairs of Fishers and the changes to come. Fadness began by recognizing his team member, Eric Pethtel. When the topic of teacher cuts arose due to costs, he made it his mission to find ways to keep the teachers at work. By taking over snow removal and grounds maintenance, Pethtel changed the cost. Pethtel was the Director of Public Works and retired after 34 years of employment at the City of Fishers. He was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Fadness, in honor of Pethtel, renamed the Public Sports Complex to Eric B. Pethtel Sports Complex.

“Recently ... we were talking about his concerns about retirement,” Fadness said. “And one of his main concerns ... is that he was afraid people would forget all the work that he did over the last 34 years ago. So, Eric ... I wanted to let you know that I’m going to rename the Fishers Public Works Complex the Eric B. Pethtel Public Works.”

Fadness discussed his pride in his city as a father and seeing the world-class school systems. He spoke of the physical transformation of Fishers just over the past 10 years. Specifically, he wanted to peel back the layers and speak on the performance of Fishers. First, Fadness addressed the state of the economy over the past ten

years. The gross assessed value has seen an 84% increase from 2015 to 2024. The tax rate of Fishers is the lowest out of Indiana. The tax rate is low and Fadness said this is due to the efficient government. The population growth has seen a 35.56% increase since 2010. Starting at 76,794 citizens to 104,094. Median Household income has increased 38%. The total job growth since 2015 included 10,576 new jobs.

Operational Excellence was the second topic Fadness addressed. Since 2015, the City of Fishers has maintained employing five full-time employees per 1,000 residents. Healthcare plans have reduced the cost each year since 2022. Fishers’ healthcare costs have decreased, compared to a national cost that has increased.

Several road projects were discussed including the 19 new roundabouts, 106th St. Interchange and State Road 37. From these road infrastructure projects, the cost was $2.2 million.

Several parks have been opened and have affected Fishers greatly like Flat Fort Creek and Makers Playground. The total investment in our parks system was $135 million, while still keeping the tax rate relatively flat. Fishers was recognized as Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live in 2017, showing that all these things make Fishers a safe and cost-effective place to live.

Cory Lewis, founder of INCOG Biopharma Services was invited on stage to speak on life sciences. Lewis started his company by taking a yearlong break to figure out what was next. He decided to start his own organization. Lewis looked at several states like Colorado and Tennessee, then met Fadness and saw potential in Fishers. Life Sciences in Fishers is an industry that essentially serves one’s unique drug production requirements, fosters innovation and strives

to do things differently by taking a flexible approach to every project they take on.

“We do have folks in lab coats,” Lewis said. “We have individuals doing inspections of the syringes just to make sure that every product that goes out the door meets the quality ... that [is] required.”

INCOG is doing amazing things, but this is not the only incredible thing happening in Fishers. Projects in progress right now include the City View, the Union, and Formula 1. The Union is a hotel, office space, and several restaurants to add more dynamic space to the district. Formula 1 is a project in progress relating to a racing shop where they build cars and everything racing-related. This will change the trajectory for 96th Street. Fadness hopes to open it in the Summer of 2025.

*********************

Fadness answered the question, “Where do we go from here?” by pursuing a smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial community. Fadness worked on several cases to lower call volume to Public Safety. Also, the trend of corporate landlords was a serious topic. Investors outside of the state are beating investors who want to live in Fishers to buy houses. Fadness wants to try to cap no more than 10% of homes in any given neighborhood that could be for rent.

“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked to who are desperately trying to live in Fishers,” Fadness said. “Young and educated people who

want to be a part of this community, who want to own a home, and they’re getting beat out left to the right, cash offers, by outside investors ... I don’t think that’s good for the long term. ... And so, we’re going to endeavor to try to implement a smart approach that will allow us to ensure that no neighborhood tips scales into 40, 50% rental.”

Another project near and dear to Fadness’ heart is the Agriculture Park where they will build a country store for farmers to sell their food year around and a place for classrooms for visiting schools. Another Agriculture Park will be built near the west side of Fishers.

Continuing in the trend of new developments, a 148,000-square-foot Target store is coming to 136th Street, south of Southeastern Parkway at Exit 210. The new Target will help spread the crowd, especially near the holidays or “really any Saturday” as Fadness said.

“As I reflect on ten years, I think about all the good times, the exciting projects, the big capital projects, the ribbon cuttings, the groundbreakings and all the big press releases,” Fadness said. “I can’t tell you there’s ever been a minute that I haven’t been anything other than completely grateful, for having had the opportunity to share, in this Fishers story... I do believe to my core that collectively, we can seize any opportunity before us, and we could tackle any challenge that confronts us as long as we do it collectively together.”

Citizens of Fishers attend the Mayors Luncheon on Feb. 5, 2025. Photo by Lili Perez

A BIG DILL!

Pickleball Club Steps Onto the Court at 24/7 Dink

Story by Max Johnson | johnsmax002@hsestudents.org

Pickleball is a sport that has grown rapidly in Fishers over the past few years. With the multiple public courts such as the ones in Cyntheanne Park and Holland Park, as well as clubs like The Picklr and lessons available at The Pickleball Lab, it’s no surprise that yet another competitor has stepped onto the court.

24/7 Dink, located on 116th Street, is the largest pickleball facility in Central Indiana, featuring 20 courts all equipped with acrylic cushioning to achieve the best guest experience possible.

“Philosophically what we are is pickleball for all,” Vice President of Player Experience, Chris Bangis, said. “What that really means is regardless of your experience or playing level, we got the court for you.”

24/7 Dink opened their doors on Feb. 15, 2025. The business has already seen a favorable response from the community according to Bangis, with their beginner course being very popular.

“One of the first programs we put together was introduction to pickleball,” Bangis said. “Over our first weekend we had about 70 people go through that program.”

The business uses a mobile app to reserve courts. Pricing varies depending on what time a court is reserved for, with times late at night being the least expensive and the afternoon being the most expensive. To pay for a reservation, players buy “Dink Dollars”, a digital currency that gifts additional bonus dollars the more money that is spent. This system also saves the business the cost of transaction fees.

“Almost all the other facilities in town have a membership,” Bangis said. “Ours is different in that, say you are only playing a couple times a week, which a lot of people do,

you are probably not going to want to part with $139 a month. Rather, you would like to pay as you go.”

Bangis, who has worked at three other facilities and has been a pickleball coach for three years, recommends anyone with an interest in pickleball to come to 24/7 Dink.

“If you have even an inkling of an interest in playing the game, come here,” Bangis said. “We truly welcome the beginners. We welcome the people who want to learn about the sport, and we do it in a very friendly atmosphere.”

Six days after the grand opening of 24/7 Dink, the newly formed Pickleball Club had a callout meeting. The club was co-founded by students Tyler Damson and Ben Wyrick with Ms. Roberts as the sponsor of the club.

“The idea just started out as an idea my friend and I thought of while playing pickleball,” club Co-founder Tyler Damson said. “We would play a few times a week and we knew others play as well. We then had the idea of

making it an official HSE club.”

The club meets once a week from 6-8 P.M. at 24/7 Dink, with each specific date available on the club’s Instagram. Players of all skill levels are welcome with paddles and balls provided.

“Our goal for the club is to bring all students at HSE that share the passion of pickleball together and play once a week,” Damson said.

While the club had their first meeting on Mar. 7, students can still join by filling out a permission form located in the guidance office and paying the $50 club fee.

“We hope to grow the club, and have more and more students come to play,” Damson said. “We also hope to host tournaments at school during pathways to bring a competitive aspect.”

Any students interested in joining the club can get involved by following @official_hse_pickleballclub on Instagram or by sending an email to the club sponsor Ms. Roberts at kroberts@hse.k12.in.us.

Exterior of 24/7 Dink. Photo by Max Johnson.

SHAPING FUTURE HEALTHCARE LEADERS

What Hosa Has To Offer

Story by Addison Ginther | ginthadd000@hsestudents.org

The Health Occupations

Students of America club, also known as HOSA, is a studentled international organization for middle school, high school and post-secondary students that are interested in going into the healthcare field after college. The club empowers future health professionals to become leaders in the medical field and prepare students for a future career in healthcare. Starting in 1976, the club now has over 291,000 members across 55 chartered associations worldwide.

“At HSE’s HOSA chapter, we host a variety of competitive events aimed at educating and preparing students for careers in healthcare,” Indiana HOSA President-Elect Yonathan Bezza said. “We regularly invite guest speakers from different medical fields to help members explore potential career paths. Additionally, we conduct informational sessions to assist students in preparing for the Indiana HOSA State Leadership Conference held every April. Through these

competitive events, members gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills that will be directly applicable to their future careers.”

HOSA gives students who are interested in a healthcare field a better understanding of what their various potential jobs actually entail and the different steps that a student will need in order to fulfill their respective careers. Along with the educational benefits of this club, it also provides the students with an opportunity to connect with other students in the area that share the same interests and passion for the health field.

“[HOSA] fosters a strong sense of community among students who share similar interests,” Bezza said. “Whether it’s through teamwork in competitive events, rooming together at conferences, or attending educational symposiums, HOSA helps members build lasting friendships while growing academically and professionally.”

HOSA is one of the most worldrenowned competitive clubs. All of the club’s members work hard to prove their love and excitement for the healthcare community along with prioritizing relationships between all club members.

“HOSA has created an environment where students can actively engage, work hard, and feel a sense of belonging,” Bezza said. “Seeing our members grow—whether through volunteering, networking, or preparing for competitions—has been an incredibly rewarding experience.”

If students are interested in joining HOSA, they can send an email to the club sponsor, Mrs. Manchess, at pmanchess@hse.k12.in.us,or stop by her room in F137 for more information.

In the center, club member Priya Singh observing something with other club members. Photo by Mahib Siddiqui.

Club members telling the incoming freshman about joing HOSA next year at the 8th Grade Club fair. Photo by Mahib Siddiqui.

EXPLORING UNIQUE ELECTIVES

Lesser-Known Classes to Add to a Typical Schedule

Story by Lizzie Dekker | dekkeeli000@hsestudents.org, Charlotte Miksha | mikshcha000@hsestudents.org

Comparative Religions

Comparative Religions is a semester-long elective in which students will look at the history, holidays, and practices of the 12 major religions in the world. This discussion and project-based class is an unbiased investigation into the similarities and differences of religions for students to develop knowledge and familiarity with different beliefs and faiths. This award-winning class is available for juniors and seniors who have an interest in religion, history, or politics.

Comparative Religions teacher, Jeremiah Follis describes what the class means to him. “If you are very religious or not religious at all, religion is still a very interesting and powerful topic,” Follis said. “Students enjoy having a safe space to talk and discuss religions in forum where there is not agenda or bias.” When asked what his favorite part of teaching the class was, Follis responded, “The students are my favorite part. Each day is unscripted [...] the students ask questions that send us off in all directions.”

“[Comparative Religions] is unlike any other class I’ve taken,” senior and past student Telia Gansman said. “My favorite part of the class was creating my two nine-weeks projects. In Comparative Religions, there is no actual homework. Instead, there are two projects you complete through the nine weeks, each about a different religion[...]they are a great way to express your creativity!”

“I get Minecraft builds, cooking shows, movies, interior design, comic books, embroidery, art, crochet, music, and more,” Follis said of the projects.

Forensic Science

Forensics is a yearlong science course aimed at juniors and seniors interested in the application of the methods of science to legal

matters. Students will acquire skills and experience in the application of basic forensic science concepts and techniques to problem solving and the practice of forensic science. Topics like crime scene investigation, toxicology, ballistics, prints and marks, and death investigation will be studied. Students can expect this lab-heavy and hands- on class to provide an overview on general forensic science, considering history, current methods, and case studies. This course requires the completion of Biology and Chemistry. “Teaching Forensics forced me to learn something new and fresh,” Forensics teacher Sarah Chattin said. “It’s been the best thing I’ve done in a long time!”

“One of my favorite parts was doing the chicken wing decomposition lab,” past Forensics student senior Kossi Ossi said. As class scheduling quickly approaches, Ossi is excited to see the growth of student numbers taking this unique class.

“During first semester, [students] follow the decomposition of a chicken part over three weeks to learn about the stages of decay,” Chattin said. “They figure out how they want to ‘bury’ or store the chicken part, and then draw, photograph and describe it every class for those weeks.” Ossi recommends this class to students “interested in true crime or considering [forensic science] as a career path.”

Advanced Life Science: Animals

Advanced Life Science: Animals is a dual credit course with Ivy Tech available to rising sophomores to seniors. The class educates students on topics related to the agricultural industry and animal science and focuses on hands-on projects and instruction. It also counts as a science credit and requires two of these three prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry or Intergrated Chemistry and Physics.

Caroline Mills is the teacher of all Advanced Life Science: Animals courses. “My goal is that after kids take the class, they have a bigger appreciation for livestock and understand the important role they play in our world,” Mills said. “Our last dissection is pretty cool […] we are able to see how lambs, calves, or piglets grow in utero.”

“I love the community aspect of all the [agriculture] classes,” former Advanced Life Science: Animals student junior Lauren Raiford said. “All the teachers are amazing and well versed in all the topics we cover in the class.” Callen Johnson is a junior and is also a previous student of the Advanced Life Science: Animals course. “I would recommend this class to basically everyone,” Johnson said. “If you have any interest in animals, if you want to work with animals when you graduate, or even if you just have a dog or a cat, I think it is a great class to take.”

Introduction to Fashion and Textiles

Introduction to Fashion and Textiles teaches the basics necessary to enter the world of clothing shopping and creation. Much of this semester-long course is spent doing project-based, hands-on work like articles of clothing, blankets, home goods and more. The class fulfills a fine arts credit on a Core 40 and Academic Honors diploma. Leah Ann Self is the instructor for Introduction to Fashion and Textiles.

“We make things!” Self said of what the class entails. “Potholders, sewing kits, pajamas, bags, upcycle project, design project another article of clothing, quilts and learn about fashion through the decades of history.” Introduction to Fashion and Textiles is important to her because “fashion is art and there are many ways to express yourself and learn what works best for you,” Self said. “It is a creative outlet that many need and it is a skill you will have the rest of your life!”

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

New Film Studio Class Empowers Creativity for Media, Journalism Passions

Story by Lili Perez | perezlil000@hsestudents.org, Max Johnson | johnsmax002@hsestudents.org

As students begin to select classes to take in the 20252026 school year, there are several unique and interesting classes to check out. One of the classes students can find in the new course catalog is taught by Social Studies teacher and Olio Road Productions club sponsor Jeremiah Follis. Follis has taken the role of adviser for the new media class, Film Studio. Students can take this class to dive into learning filmmaking, create short films, and continue to take it for several semesters.

Follis dreamed of a space for students who share his passion for films for a long time. His vision started with a club and grew immensely. As a Social Studies teacher, trying to teach students about film seemed unique to the outside perspective. This fact, however, did not stop Follis from jumping on an opportunity when it arose.

“I used to make films in high school and college,” Follis said. When I came to HSE, I used to coach sports and do Student Council. Then I decided I’d rather just do what I love, and I decided to make a club for kids that is like the club I wish I would have had. With how some things have changed with the diploma and the way the schools are changing how they’re doing classes [...] the stars kind of aligned, allowing me to teach this class. With what the Southeastern Media Network is doing and how [they] are growing down there, it just seems like a perfect time to grow it.”

Originally, Follis created a club called Olio Road Productions. All grade levels participate and work hard for hours into creating a film every year. With the help of photographers, musicians, marketing, actors and more student-led groups, the film is produced for an audience every year

possible. “Olio Road Productions is like no other high school club in the country that we’re aware of,” Follis said. “We’ve looked and looked, and nobody does a feature-length film every year. Indiana University came up, and they asked us, how do you get high school kids to do this, we can’t get college kids to do a feature. They will spend a thousand hours outside the school.”

For those who cannot commit to many hours outside of school, Film Studio is a perfect way to still enjoy the creation of short films. The class is not limited to just editing and filming. Follis is working to incorporate other classes into the process, like writing, acting, music, business and public relations.

“With Film Studio, we are going to do lots of shorts,” Follis said. “I think it is going to be much easier, more manageable, timewise, filming-wise, getting actors to show up on set. Another thing is, there are no film festivals [specifically] for studentmade features films. So, if we enter a film into a competition, we are going up against million-dollar films. For example, we [entered] our film last year in the Hartland Film Festival, which is an Oscar-qualifying competition. The ability to enter all the films we make in Film Studio in student festivals that are geared to be short films is super exciting because it is going to give the kids more experience and more accolades.”

There are skills for everyone to learn in this class. With the combination of imagination and access to equipment and beyond, these students have the opportunity of a lifetime. Students begin the process and end the process.

“The class stood out to me because I have not really heard of anything like it being offered,” freshman Ellia

Becker said. “The class seems like a great opportunity to learn about short film production, which will be fun to explore next semester.”

Freshman Teagan Schetzsle, another member of Olio Road Productions who will be joining Becker in Film Studio, hopes to continue growing her skills in filmmaking and share her passion for filmmaking with other students.

“I hope to learn skills that will assist in my work through Olio Road Productions,” Schetzsle said. “As well as collaborate with peers who are as enthusiastic about this topic and I am.”

Whether it is writing, photography, videography or editing, there is a place for everyone interested in a professional, creative setting. Follis is both passionate and ready for the full launch of Film Studios in August 2025.

“These kids are going to come up with an idea, ... write the script, and find locations,” Follis said. “Filmmaking is writing, it is photography, it is acting, it is music, it is art, it is all that together. And to bring all those kids together with their various interests was the idea for Film Studio. You will never have as many resources as you have in this building.”

Students interested in joining Film Studio next academic year must first the pre-requisite classes Digital Media and Film Studies.

TRUMP PUTS PLANS IN ACTION

New President Brings Continuous Changes

Story by Mandy Abeyta | abeytman000@hsestudents.org, Olivia Mitschelen | mitscoli000@hsestudents.org, Kennedy Ulmer | ulmerken000@hsestudents.org

With a new administration, the United States is undergoing significant policy shifts across multiple sectors, reflecting an effort to reshape government priorities. Recent changes have affected everything from diversity,

equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to immigration enforcement and environmental commitments. Efforts to downsize government programs have led to restrictions on DEI policies, while shifts in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

signal a new approach to immigration. Meanwhile, the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement shows a new stance on domestic and global priorities. As these policies take effect, they bring both support and controversy.

Environmental Policy Changes

In a significant shift from longstanding environmental commitments, the current administration has set a new course for U.S. environmental policy. Central to this change is the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a global treaty aimed at limiting global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The decision to withdraw was driven by a clash of values and economic priorities.

In recent years, the United States has joined agreements that “do not reflect our country’s values or our contributions to the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives. Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people,” according to Executive Order 14162 signed by President Trump.

The withdrawal has raised concerns among many Americans, especially given that the United States is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to data from Climate Watch, trailing only behind China. Critics of the decision argue that leaving this agreement will only undermine the global effort to combat climate change, a crisis that requires collective action from all nations.

Additionally, withdrawing could harm the nation’s reputation and reduce its influence in shaping international environmental policies. However, proponents argue that the

Paris Agreement imposes unrealistic burdens on the nation’s economy, as the strict emission reduction targets could lead to job losses in industries such as coal or oil.

As mentioned by the cited executive order, the financial commitments could divert taxpayer money away from domestic priorities. Ultimately, this decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement reflects a shift toward prioritizing national economic interests over global climate cooperation, with long-term consequences the country has yet to see.

According to Climate Watch, the United States emitted

5.56 gigatons of greenhouse gases in

2021.

Leaving the Paris Agreement was not the only environmental policy change that has been established by new administration. Another executive order impacting environmental policies, “Unleashing

American History,” disbanded the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. According to the American Institute of Physics, this group “produced estimates of the social cost of greenhouse gases, including human health effects, property damage and disruption of energy systems, for use in cost-benefit policy analyses.” By eliminating this group, the administration has removed a key tool for evaluating the broader economic and societal impacts of climaterelated regulations. In addition to disbanding this group, this executive order cancelled various strategies focused on fighting climate change. A few other actions President Trump took pertaining to environmental policies include revoking the scientific memorandum Biden established in 2021, revoking several climate-related executive orders from the Biden administration, withdrawing wind energy leasing from the Offshore Continental Shelf and declaring an “energy emergency” for the nation. These policy changes reflect a shift away from prioritizing climate initiatives to instead prioritizing domestic energy production and economic growth. While proponents of reducing these climate initiatives will argue that these actions will strengthen energy independence for the country, critics say that this will further damage the environment. Either way, reducing these policies yield both pros and cons, but the effects will only be seen with time.

Immigration Policy Changes ICE, Trump Administration

In his first week back in office, President Donald J. Trump signed 10 executive orders on immigration, establishing it as a top priority. The Trump administration also terminated a policy barring arrests of undocumented residents at locations such as schools, churches and hospitals. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are now allowed to make arrests at such “sensitive locations” to carry out the President’s promise of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

During Biden’s presidency, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app was launched to organize the entry of migrants to the United States. The Trump Administration did away with the app and following an executive order, and “border patrol agents have been instructed to turn people away without granting them asylum hearings,” according to BBC News. This has led to an expected increase in migrants staying temporarily in Mexico, prompting them to build migrant shelters along border cities.

The Trump Administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement comes amid heightened debates over crime and border security. According to a White House Fact Sheet from Jan. 22, one case that fueled this shift was the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley, whose killing by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant sparked national outrage. In response, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on January 29, his first bill of the new term, allowing ICE to detain undocumented individuals with criminal records for deportation.

This law specifically targets nonU.S. citizens currently incarcerated in both state jails and federal prisons. Riley’s case raised concerns over how undocumented immigrants with criminal histories are handled by federal authorities, especially after reports surfaced that her killer, José Antonio Ibarra, had been allowed into the U.S. despite previous offenses. While 263 Congress representatives voted to pass the Laken Riley Act, 156 voted against the bill. Opponents point out how the bill lacks Due Process

protections, which are essential in ensuring fair legal proceedings, and congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan spoke up about that being the reason she voted against the bill.

“The Laken Riley Act is one of six high-priority GOP bills written to address the deportation of those here illegally who have committed crimes,” Houlahan said in her opinion article for The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I voted ‘yes’ on the other five, but ‘no’ on this one. The big difference is that the Laken Riley Act, as written, is unconstitutional while the rest are not.”

Houlahan emphasizes that the five bills she supported include due process protections and require a conviction for deportation. The Due Process Clause, found in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, states that no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” According to critics, the Laken Riley Act fails to uphold this constitutional safeguard.

“The Laken Riley Act alone allows states to sue the federal government over immigration policies they don’t like,” Houlahan said. “The U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 ruled this was unconstitutional.”

Houlahan’s concerns highlight the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement and due process protections. While federal lawmakers grapple with the balance between security and constitutional rights, local governments are beginning to implement new enforcement measures in response to the administration’s policies.

Hamilton County has also taken steps to jump-start these newly issued laws that impact undocumented, incarcerated individuals. The Hamilton County’s Immigration Commission was established to strengthen the partnership between law enforcement and ICE. Particular law enforcement staff will receive specialized training in identifying and detaining illegal residents. The status of the immigration commission is currently pending but once approved, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will be Indiana’s first enforcement

Border

Security

The Armed Forces will be deployed to the border to assist law enforcement already present.

Among other things, a death penalty will be used for illegal migrants who maim and murder Americans.

The process of using the Alien Enemies Act to remove cartels will begin.

Refugee resettlement is being suspended after the community resources were strained.

Death Penalty Removing Cartels Refugee Deportation Operation

This operation will address the border crossings of criminal migrants.

Screening of Migrants

Trump plans to enhance the vetting and screening of aliens.

whitehouse.gov

collaboration with ICE. In an interview with FOX59, Hamilton County Chief Deputy John Lowes reassured the community that this commission specifically focuses on illegal residents who are currently incarcerated at the Hamilton County Jail. The status of the immigration commission is currently pending, but once approved, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will be Indiana’s first agency to partake in this collaboration with ICE. In an interview with FOX59, Hamilton County Chief Deputy John Lowes reassured the community that this commission specifically focuses on illegal residents who are currently incarcerated at the Hamilton County Jail.

Despite these enforcement measures, superintendent Pat Mapes thinks that, realistically, Hamilton County will not see a lot of change. He believes that ICE’s focus is elsewhere, remaining on large cities rather than suburban communities like Fishers, and residents are not going to see a sudden influx of ICE officials.

“I think this is a bigger metropolitan issue rather than a Fishers issue,” Mapes said. “[There are not many] undocumented or illegal people who have committed crimes in other countries [living] in our community. We’re a long way down the food chain

before they’re going to be coming into Hamilton County.”

Families raised concerns about ICE’s new ability to enter “sensitive locations,” including schools. To address these concerns, HSE Schools released a statement on January 31 reaffirming its commitment to student safety and outlining how the district will handle any potential ICE operations on school grounds.

View HSE’s Statement by Clicking Here:

Additionally, school counselors are not mandated to report if a student is or knows someone who is undocumented.

Noblesville Schools have not released a public statement regarding this terminated order and have simply “shared communications with [their] staff and parents as questions have come up,” as Marnie Cooke, the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, said. Though, they are handling the dilemma in a similar way to HSE, meaning that their safety procedures remain the same.

“No individual, including law enforcement officials, can interact with or take a student out of school without proper authorization,” Cooke said via email.

When Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20th, one of his first orders of business as the 47th President of the United States was signing an executive order that “ended radical and wasteful government DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs,” according to whitehouse.gov. Radical Republican politicians have publicly tried to villainize DEI initiatives set in place during the Biden Administration, perpetuating the idea that DEI “puts white Americans at a disadvantage by giving more opportunities to people of other races, even though they are not the most qualified candidates,” according to CNN.

While this may be a popular viewpoint today, it cannot be further from the truth. DEI is not just about race, and it was created to help

“We still consider our school a safe haven. Our first and primary duty every day is the safety of the students,” Mapes said after being asked about how ICE can conduct operations on school grounds. To even enter a school, an ICE official will need a judge-signed warrant. Obtaining a judge-signed warrant to access a school would be extremely difficult.

DEI Policy Changes

everyone instead of harming specific groups of people.

In fact, DEI is present in many aspects of daily life: just look at wheelchair ramps for students and staff with physical disabilities or the multilingual education classes to make school more inclusive for international students. Regardless of where you stand in your political beliefs, it is indisputable that removing federal funding for DEI will seriously impact the lives of American students.

At Hamilton Southeastern, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives have fostered an environment where students and staff from various backgrounds can thrive. While DEI efforts may not always be visible, their influence has been instrumental in shaping an inclusive school culture,

As immigration policies continue to evolve under the Trump Administration, local schools and law enforcement agencies are adapting to new and changing federal mandates. While some communities may see immediate effects, others, including Hamilton County, are preparing for potential changes while maintaining their existing safety protocols. These adjustments are continually subject to change, however, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest changes, in both federal and local government.

supporting students academically, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented.

Lainey King is the vice president of the Royals for Women’s Rights (RWR) Club, one of the many student organizations created for the purpose of encouraging inclusivity at school. She uses her leadership position to educate and advocate for a society that is more inclusive for women.

“Contrary to popular belief, women still struggle to get basic respect,” King said. “Especially after the recent election, it’s important to maintain a safe space for women at HSE. While our club is centered around women, we welcome EVERYONE to join—he’s, she’s, they’s, whatever. We started last semester and have already created a strong community.”

After President Trump signed

Executive Order 14151 into action, many public, federally funded universities have cut financial support for inclusive gender-, sexual orientation- and cultural- based groups, such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, which ordered the shutdown of all “student affinity organizations” (Congressional Research Service).

If this precedent is set, it could put the clubs at HSE at risk, therefore hindering the students’ abilities to freely express their identities.

Cutting federal funding for DEI will also impact students who are applying to college. President Trump classifies affirmative action, which is defined by Encyclopedia Britannica as “an active effort to improve employment and education opportunities for minority groups”, as “racial discrimination” that should be terminated (New York Post).This is a harmful narrative that implies that the people who receive academic opportunities through affirmative action are not qualified or deserving.

ACP Speech and AP Language and Composition teacher Kim Bakle, who has helped several students revise

their scholarship essays during her time at HSE,0 has had firsthand experience with seeing a student lose a scholarship because University of Cincinnati has discontinued their affirmative action policies.

“I have a student who was an excellent candidate for a scholarship that falls under DEI,” Bakle said. “Her parents are immigrants who already work six to seven days a week to support their family, and they were hoping that she would receive this scholarship to relieve some of that financial pressure. They are now left scrambling to afford tuition to the university that she committed to several weeks ago.”

As DEI continues to be a topic of debate nationwide, the students and staff at HSE remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives. The discussion surrounding DEI is more than just a policy debate—it directly affects students’ opportunities, representation, and future success. Without these initiatives, many fear that innovation, progress, and access to education will suffer.

DEI IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Executive Order 14151 will terminate “DEI-based discrimination” in the federal workplace, federal contracting, and federal spending. as of Jan. 20, 2025.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 14151

President Trump classifies affirmative action as “racial discrimination,” and all public universities that still offer affirmative action programs will lose federal funding.

EMPOWERING VOICES, CREATING CHANGE Creating a Safe Space for Women

Story by Claire Robertson | robercla001@hsestudents.org

Vice President of Royals for Women’s Rights (RFWR) club

Elaina King and the President Julia Castiglione, re-established RFWR this school year with the goal of creating a “safe space” for women at the school.

“I think it’s really important even in school environments to have a place where people can feel safe,” King said. The club primarily serves to educate young women at the school. For instance the agenda from their last meeting was as follows.

“We did a Women’s History Month meeting, we had a presentation over 10 influential women throughout the entire human existence,” King said.

“She was passionate about the world she was passing to her daughters,” Castiglione said. “As well as wanting those daughters to know they deserve just as much as anyone else.”

“Then we played a couple of games and had an open discussion.”

The club aims to cover things such as influential women, violence against women, and reproductive rights. The officers have said that they cover this content in an “engaging but professional manner.”

King expressed that it was important to her to be a part of a club such as this one because she’s always been passionate about women’s rights.

On the other hand, Castiglione shared that her passion for women’s rights came from her mom.

“She was passionate about the world she was passing to her two daughters,” Castiglione said. “As well as wanting those daughters to know they deserve just as much as anyone else.”

Castiglione said the word inclusive

sums up the club. She wants everyone to get involved and share her passion. Castiglione made it clear that this involves male figures.

“This is something we are trying to market as a group for everyone,” Castiglione said. “[we want to get] male students in the door because we want them to be passionate about these issues.”

While small, the club has been known to draw in some male presence, however the presidents always encourage more.

Castilione shared that since men tend to make decisions about women’s rights, it only seems right to have more of a male presence in the room. Walking into one of these meetings, you can immediately feel the energy shift and feel the suport of people around you.

Royals for Women’s Rights in their meeting on Mar. 18, 2025. Photo by Elaina King.

WISDOM THROUGH WORKING

High School Internships Provide Clarity for the Future

Story By Ash Balog | Balogaud000@hsestudents.org

Many students know of the internship program, but what does it really entail?

Students interested in a specific field can take on jobs in that field under a professional, providing them with experience their junior or senior year. There are many different internship opportunities, such as construction or cosmetology.

There are various reasons someone would want to take on an internship. For some, they may want to see if they really enjoy the job they want to go into, they could be trying out something new to explore thier many different career options, and others may simply want the work experience to put on their resume.

“I took this internship because of my passions. Having a job I enjoy is very important to me, and I love making people feel confident and I enjoy doing

hair, so being a cosmetologist was right up my alley,” Angel Batsuuri, a senior with a cosmetology internship said.

With as many upsides as there are, there’s bound to be downsides as well. The internships, while offering valuable skills, also take up a lot of time, which is very valuable to busy students.

“What could be a downside is that it takes time, and you need to stay productive. If you’re working only during the time of your internship class, you will fall behind. You have to stay longer and get things done if you want to be on track with your progress,” Batsuuri said.

Despite this, the upsides and benefits are what made her stay, and are what makes her recommend taking an internship to others.

“I would recommend students to

SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH

have an internship because people can learn so much about the careers they want to have and connect with people with similar interests,” Batsuuri said.

Interested students can contact their counselor for more information.

Senior Students Struggle To Solidify Their Future with Finances

Story By Hannah VanLandingham | vanlahan000@hsestudents.org

As the deadline for seniors to commit to college rapidly approaches, many students find themselves stuck deciding between two or more schools, finding it difficult to make a final decision. A major part of the decisionmaking process is the financial factor. Students that plan to go to a state school, like Purdue University or Indiana University can expect to pay roughly $30,000 a year without scholarships or financial aid, and students planning to go to private schools or schools in other states could be paying tens of thousands more than that.

But while those numbers can seem daunting, there are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of college, the most

common way being scholarships.

Searching for scholarships is not the easiest task in the world, and the tediousness of combing through so many websites can be exhausting. However, there are many helpful tools and resources available to students that can make the process much smoother.

One such resource is the “Class of...” and “College and Career” pages on Canvas. These faculty run pages post frequent announcements with details of major and minor scholarships with both local and national applicant pools. This is one of the best ways to find scholarships with smaller local applicant pools, which increases the likelihood of winning.

Another tool of note is Naviance. This is also run by school faculty, but the user has the ability to search and filter the scholarships in the database and see what will work for them. Naviance also has links to many external scholarship websites, like Niche or ScholarshipOwl. Naviance also has a search feature for specific schools, limiting results to available scholarships offered by the user’s college of choice.

These resources are easily and automatically available to all students, and for many who continue to worry about their financial future, these platforms can be one the best ways for students to help themselves secure their futures.

Graphic by Ash Balog.

CLOSING DOORS, OPENING OTHERS

New Graduation Requirements Strike Concern, Promise

Story by Dupree Henry | henrydup000@hsestudents.org

Every student in the school has something in common; they are all required to take curtain classes to graduate. However, after adjustments were made to the graduation requirements in the state this year, beginning application with the Class of 2029, students will have much more flexibility with the classes they choose to take. With some classes, like Geometry, Algebra II, and World History no longer being required for graduation, students and teachers alike have expressed both concern and optimism over the possible loss of a complete education and a more flexible curriculum respectively.

Geometry is often praised for its application to engineering and the real-world. However, now that it is no longer a class requirement, students may miss the opportunity to ignite an interest in this field.

“Being the study of shapes and measurements,” Geometry teacher Keaton Squires said, “geometry is one of the more applicable math classes high schoolers can take. Whether you are building something or not, it’s usual to understand the possibilities in measurements of your environment.”

Students also seem to recognize the class’s application outside of school.

“Future students that want to go into the heavier geometry-based professions would be missing out if they chose not to take geometry because it would help introduce them to what they want to do later in life,” sophomore Aislin James, who has taken Honors Geometry, said.

However, for students who are not interested in a career in engineering, not being required to take Geometry could give them an opportunity to take a different class that they are

more interested in.

“I didn’t really see the point in taking geometry because I knew it wouldn’t be useful to me in the future,” James said, “I would only really recommend this class to someone who has an interest in it.”

Algebra II is different from Geometry, in the sense that it is a necessary class to take if a student looks to take higher level math classes or attend college.

“Students planning to attend college will still take Algebra II,” Algebra II teacher Mary Carson said “as most college degrees require some form of math. For instance, both IU and Purdue require students to have completed Pre-Calculus.”

Additionally, students who have taken the class seem to appreciate the class as an indication of what they may want to do after high school.

“If a student goes into [Algebra II], does great and the learning goes smoothly,” junior Jack Borzymowski, who has taken Algebra II, said “then I would judge a math related future is in store for them. On the contrary if a student starts struggling like never before, then it might be a sign that the student has reached the cutoff for math classes.”

Although many fields require some sort of mathematics, there are some who may choose a different post-secondary avenue, which is why some teachers view these new requirements as beneficial for the flexibility of the school’s curriculum.

“In the last decade,” Carson said “we’ve recognized that the job market is evolving, and schools need to prepare students for more than just college. This approach specifically addresses students who do not intend to pursue a four-year college degree. It allows them to tailor their

high school curriculum with the best set of classes to prepare for their future careers.”

World History, unlike the other two classes, is not directly applicable to a career field other than a history teacher or historian. Due to this fact, the class could see the largest drop in enrollment. However, it still trains various skills that can be applied outside of the class.

“Here at HSE,” world history teacher Annie Pucillo said “the Social Studies department has worked hard to use the content of World History to teach students valuable skills, such as understanding primary and secondary documents, making connections across time periods and regions, analyzing political cartoons, evidencebased writing, critical thinking, and more.”

Students express similar satisfaction with the class and what it teaches you.

“I think students will be missing out on a simple introduction to modern history,” junior Jonah Ragsdale, who has taken AP World History, said “which could hurt if you don’t know what has failed in the past.”

Although World History is no longer required for students to take, that does not mean the class will be cut from the school’s curriculum, just like every other class removed from the graduation requirement. These classes have shown to enrich their students with knowledge within their subject area, and student will more than likely continue to seek out that knowledge.

“I do believe that most of the students at HSE will continue to take World History because that class has proven to be successful,” Pucillo said, “HSE students are some of the best because of the classes HSE offers.”

BALANCING BRUSHES

Behind the Scenes of NAHS Mural

Story by Ash Balog | balogaud000@hsestudents.org, Hannah VanLandingham | vanlahan000@hsestudents.org

At the end of the 2023-24 school year, the Science Department requested a mural to brighten up the upstairs F hallway. After asking the Art Department to help, art teacher Angela Fritz decided to involve the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). Students participating in NAHS have helped to paint a mural of many different items relating to different subjects in science, such as trees and planets. These students work tirelessly on this art, and the permanence of their hard work is unique to this project. The Orb had an opportunity to speak to a member of NAHS, junior Nico Suriano, for some behind the scenes information about the project.

Q: How easy/difficult is it to manage working on the mural alongside school?

A: I have found it to be pretty difficult to balance my time working on the mural. In the beginning of the

year, it was easy to use my time in Pathways but as classes bumped up their course work, I no longer had time to work in Pathways. I have spent the majority of my time working on the mural in the mornings before school.

Q: How rewarding is it to know that your work is so permanent in the school?

A: It is a great motivation and honestly an honor to be able to work on a permanent piece in the school.

PHOTOS OF THE ISSUE

These photos of the issue are from photographer Lili Perez. At the musical Chicago: Teen Edition presented by HSE Drama, Perez captured behind the scenes action shots before the musical began on Mar. 12, 2025. Chicago is a musical that takes place during the roaring twenties era, involvoing murder, scandals and love.

I’ve had my work displayed from my previous art classes but painting directly on the walls is so different. It is really cool to paint on the walls and it is fun to answer people’s questions while I am working on the mural!

Q: What is the thing you most enjoy about creating this mural?

A: My favorite thing about creating the mural is being a part of a lasting impact. I am working on something that will be immortalized in the school for years in the future. Even if people don’t know my name, they will be able to see something I was a part of. I also just love creating art, especially painting. It has been very relaxing and fun to work on.

Q: Any other comments/ statements?

A: Shout out to Mrs. Fritz, she is the sponsor of our National Art Honors Society, and she is an incredible person and teacher. We could not have had this opportunity without her.

To the far left is a photograph of junior Madeline Frey, talking to her other cast members before the musical began. In the middle is a posed action shot of several of the main female cast behind bars, and directly above going from left to right is senior Serena Zentz, juniors Abby Kepler and Allie Harder.

Junior Nico Suriano paints his section of the mural during Pathways. Photo by Hannah VanLandingham.

OMAR’S OPINION

STARS FOR SALE

Story by Omar Elayed | elsayoma000@hsestudents.org

At 11 p.m. on a quiet Saturday, NBA insider Shams Charania dropped a bombshell: Luka Dončić was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Dončić, the Mavericks’ franchise player, was gone with no warning. The 25-year-old generational talent, drafted in 2018, had turned the team around and led them to playoff runs, making him vital for the future. Yet, Dallas let him go for a package that barely seems fair.

To put it in perspective, Paul George was traded for five firstround picks and Rudy Gobert for five picks and multiple players. But Dončić, a top-five player, went for Anthony Davis, an injury-prone 31-year-old, a rookie, and one pick. The trade was a panic move based on concerns over Dončić’s conditioning, though other players with worse fitness issues, like Zion Williamson, remain with their teams. The Mavericks immediately felt the loss, suffering a 43-point blowout to the Cavaliers in their first game post-Dončić.

The Lakers, looking toward life after LeBron James, may have found their future star, but the trade seemed more about stacking superstars than fairness. Other trades, like Jimmy Butler to the Warriors and De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs, flew under the radar. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton’s trade from the Bucks to the Wizards was lost in the shuffle. Loyalty is rare in the NBA, and this chaotic deadline showed how easily core players can be betrayed.

TURNING CAMERAS

Women’s Sports Finds Surge of Recognition

Story By Dupree Henry | henrydup000@hsestudents.org, Ava Kashani | kashaava000@hsestudents.org

In the past, many critics claimed that women’s sports were considered boring or less entertaining compared to men’s sports. However, over the past few years, sports fans have shifted their perspectives by describing women’s sports as loud, skillful and exciting.

This surge of recognition has not come without a cause. In the professional sector of sports, rising women stars such as Caitlin Clark, Hannah Hidalgo, and Alex Morgan have brought excitement and viewership to their respective sports. Clark and Hidalgo especially have contributed to the rise in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship viewership from 0.67 million in 2019 to 2.2 million in 2024.

Not only have they brought in more views, but Hidalgo and Clark have gained respect for their play as well. For example, Hidalgo has gained recognition for her fierce, exciting and enthralling style of play, earning titles such as Gatorade Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, as well as ranking 10th in the nation for women’s college basketball. Additionally, Clark, widely regarded as one of the greatest collegiate basketball players, has paved the way for female athletes to gain recognition for their hard work and talent. She has also made a substantial impact on younger

athletes who aspire to follow in her footsteps, achieving milestones like breaking scoring records, competing in the Final Four, receiving NIL partnerships and earning Player of the Year multiple times.

“Caitlin Clark really made the biggest impact in terms of the breakthrough of female sports,” senior basketball player Kayla Brinley said. “Since Caitlin’s time at Iowa, there has been so much more spotlight shined on amazing female athletes from all different sports, and it’s really amazing to watch.”

A similar trend of influence holds

true in other women’s sports as well. In soccer, Alex Morgan has served as a catalyst for recognition. Winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, two FIFA Women’s World Cup Championships and being the first woman to appear of the U.S. cover of the FIFA video game series, Morgan has a wall of achievements that serve as inspiration to other female soccer players.

“Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and many others have impacted me by the way they have positively impacted women’s sports,” senior soccer goalie Addy Ash said.

Although professional sports have led the way, the school’s girls’ teams have shown to follow suit in compiling a selection of awards and improving their skillsets.

“I think we’re blessed that [HSE] athletics in general are really good,” Athletic Director Jim Self said. “I think on the female side of sports, we are extremely competitive, not only in our conference, but also in the state of Indiana. We are a school of high expectations… and I think we have all the things to be successful in all sports, but especially in female sports.”

It seems those expectations have been met, with girls’ teams winning five state championships across all sports in the last seven years. Alumni Lauren Harden was named Max Preps Player of the Year in 2024 for her performance in that year’s volleyball season. These accomplishments serve as a testament to how women’s sports have developed over the past decade, especially at the school.

“I’ve seen growth in talent,” Self said. “I’ve seen growth in ability and I’ve seen growth in interest.”

The development of skill could be attributed to that in opportunities.

“Growing up I played on a co-ed basketball team because there were no all-girls teams where I lived,” Brinley said. “Now, there are tons of all female organizations encouraging young girls to come out and give sports a go.”

With improved skillsets and opportunities, women athletes are beginning to gain traction for the work they put in to reach a high standard.

“People are finally starting to respect

ADDY ASH

KENNEDY HOLMAN

10.1

[women’s sports] and appreciate the sacrifices and hard work put in by women,” junior basketball player Kennedy Holman said.

Although the current state of women’s sports is better than it was a few years ago, women athletes still notice a gap between that of themselves and male athletes.

“Women in sports still don’t receive the same level of recognition as men,” Ash said. “While progress has been made, issues such as media coverage, sponsorship opportunities and overall investment lag behind.”

Although the historical stagnation plays a substantial role in causing

KAYLA BRINLEY

PER GAME: 0.8

these aspects of women’s sports to fall behind, the great rate of progression on the athletes’ end have alleviated the gap. However, sports fans determine viewership, which in turn influences all the opportunities Ash discusses. Because of this, Ash recognizes the importance of fans in growing recognition to all of women’s sports, saying “Fans play a big role [in increasing recognition], as buying tickets, watching games, and engaging on social media all help boost visibility for women’s sports.”

Photo By Omar Elsayed.

Photo By Omar Elsayed.

Photo By Carson Trotter.

Defending State Champions Navigate Pressure of Titles

Story by Omar Elsayed | elsayoma000@hsestudents.org

On June 1 and 7, 2024, two Hamilton Southeastern teams stood atop their respective sports and were crowned as state champions. The boys’ lacrosse team claimed their title with a 10-6 victory over Carmel, while the softball team edged out New Palestine 2-1 for the Class 4A State Championship. The celebrations have long since quieted, but as this new season begins, the impact of those victories remains. This poses the question: How does a team handle the pressure of defending a title while balancing the desire to build something new?

The softball team had an impressive 25-4 record, dominating their way through Sectionals, Regionals and Semi-Stae. Alex Kiemeyer’s gamewinning double in the championship solidified the Royals’ hard-fought state title. For the lacrosse team, their victory over Carmel was the culmination of a tough season. Prior to last year, the program had already established itself as a powerhouse, winning state titles in 2019 and 2020 before falling short in 2021. The 2023 championship marked their third title in five seasons.

Now, as a new chapter begins, the question is not just whether these teams can replicate their success— it’s whether the expectation to do so is a burden or a motivator. The lacrosse team has already started their season, dominating Fishers 25-1, Brebeuf 16-2, and South Oldham 2211. Meanwhile, the softball team has yet to play its first game but recently held their first official practice on March 17.

For lacrosse, junior defensive player, Dalton Fertig, acknowledges the pressure that comes with defending a title.

“[Winning state] impacted my mindset because this year, I’m just

thinking I have to work harder and asking myself if I’m doing enough as I was last year.” Fertig said.

He also recognizes the challenge of staying hungry for success after reaching the top.

“Everybody always wins one and then they think they could do it again automatically, so I’m just trying not to get there.”

Despite the pressure, Fertig and his teammates have embraced high expectations and set goals for the coming season.

“Our top priority is definitely repeating as state champions. We don’t want to be the team that turns the lights off,” Fertig said. “But we’ve also set really high goals for ourselves, like going undefeated.”

So far, the Royals have lived up to that standard.

On the softball side, head coach Emily Pusti acknowledges that with success comes pressure, but she does not view it as a burden. Instead, she sees it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

“Naturally, anytime one goes into an environment where eyes are on them, there will be pressure felt,” Pusti said.

However, she embraces this challenge by recognizing that it pushes the team to adapt and evolve.

“We have new tools and players,” Pusti said. “So we have to figure out the new game plan and be willing to make the adjustments necessary throughout the season to sharpen all aspects of the game.”

To avoid complacency, Pusti emphasizes the importance of constant communication and adaptability.

“Coaches and players, especially our seniors, will have to be, and already have been, on the same page of the same book, while having fun doing so,” she said. “This is a different battle and a new season. We don’t grow as players, people, or as a team in complacency.”

As for the team’s goals, Pusti wants her players to focus on the process rather than just the end result.

“Obviously, competing for a state title is the ultimate goal for any team,” Pusti said. “But the little goals and the little wins along the way have to come first, and those are what I look forward to.”

As the season progresses, these athletes and coaches will face the challenge of honoring the legacy of their championships while embracing a new season. The weight of the crown could become a burden, but it also serves as a reminder of what they are capable of achieving again.

Photos by Anthony Abud (Top), Omar Elsayed (Bottom)

WINTER SPORTS RECAP

Story by Mya Pyle | pylemya000@hsestudents.org

Girls Basketball: 27-1

Girls

Swim and Dive: Fourth in State

Wrestling:

Semi State

Boys

Swim and Dive: 10th at State

Boys Basketball: 13-12

Competition Cheer: 25th in the Country

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE ISSUE

This issue’s photography spotlight comes from senior sports photographer Catherine Lederman. Lederman has been in Southeastern Media Network since her sophomore year and this past winter was on the sports media and public relation campaign for the 2024-2025 girl’s basketball Team. This season, she mainly specialized in action shots and was able to not only capture the emtions seen throughout this season, but also the lasting memories.

Left: Mudsock basketball game after the girls’ team beat the Fishers Tigers at the Fishers Events Center. Above: tipoff at the Center Grove game on Jan. 25, 2025. Right: Lederman.