Inklings
Volume 73 Issue 4 • Crown Point High School • 1500 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 • inklings@cps.k12.in.us
• Friday December 19, 2008
Tomorrow’s forecast High 32° Low 19°
More clouds than sun. 10 percent chance of precipitation.
Robo Dogs get $4700 grant from foundation By Anna Ortiz / graphics editor The Crown Point Community Foundation recently awarded the Robo Dogs with a monetary grant of $4,700. The money will go toward the Robo Dogs many expenses of keeping the club running and operating. “I like to fund things that connect kids and their community, as well as help further their education. That’s what [the Crown Point Community Foundation] does, we find a worthwhile project and then we provide them a grant to fund it,” director Pat Huber said. Robo Dogs, an organization that builds robots for high school robotics competitions, was founded two years ago by industrial technology teacher Mark Querry. While students and mentors make up the team, funding is necessity of the club. “It takes $30,000 in order to put the team through two regional competitions and one national competition,” Querry said. Other organizations have also given funding in the past. In the first year the Robo Dogs received $5,000 from the Indiana Program of Workforce Development and a second donation of $7,500 the next year; and NASA donated $6,000 two years in a row through the NASA Robotics Alliance Program. “Being recognized by NASA is an honor. It’s amazing that something small like a high school club would be recognized by a company known worldwide,” freshman Robo Dogs member Brandon Jaworski said. Sponsors also give their time, materials, and services. “Local businesses and auto supply stores supply small parts as well as materials such as aluminum tubing for making pieces we need, and machine shops donate their time to make different parts for us. Mechanical and electrical engineers mentor the team too. In addition, we get several donated tools and equipment, as well as food for our workdays,” Querry said. Expenses for the Robo Dogs can get weighty with ranges in the thousands with competion entry fees between $4,000 and $5,000 and $2000 for a kit to build a robot. “Without [the sponsors’] donations we couldn’t run Robo Dogs. Whether it’s the little guys donating nuts and bolts to the big guys giving grants, they are all very valuable to us. We always make sure we thank each and everyone of them for their donations,” Querry said. Yet hard economic times present some future troubles for the organization’s funds. “The economy might make us get smaller grants, but I’m sure we can make up for it through fundraisers,” sophomore Brandon Steve said.
Teenage Wasteland
Best of 2008
Teens find alternative ways to waste less and reuse more.
A look back at the best moments of the news, television, and music.
pg. 6
pg. 7
S
Shh...it’s a secret Post Secret.com piques curiosity about secrets.
afekeeping
pg. 10
From the high school halls to holiday sales at the malls, protect yourself from theft this season
A
s shoppers rush to secure the last minute items on their lists, they should take steps to keep those purchases secure. During the shopping season and due to the economic hard times, incidences of theft are projected to increase. A recent large-scale survey of the ethical standards of U.S. high school students showed that 30 percent of teenagers have stolen before, and onefifth has stolen from a friend. While these statistics may seem surprising, theft occurs frequently within our own school. “On an average, theft happens three times a week. But there has been some weeks where it is one or two per day,” School Resource Officer Chuck Noonan said. “My iPod got stolen about a month ago during first hour by another student,” junior Thomas Vanderplough said. According to Noonan, iPods are the most commonly stolen items. Many students think their electronic devices are safe, but every time one is used in class, people notice and can take it later. “I keep my electronic devices with me at all times so they don’t get stolen,” junior Katrina Klingberg said. “We look in to it as much as possible [to get the item back],” Noonan said. Teachers are also affected by thieving, from smaller items like calculators to more expensive items like laptops. Some teachers have thought of unconventional methods to ensure their property isn’t taken. “One thing that I started last year that worked extremely well is gluing scientific calculators on wood blocks. There is always an unprepared student in class in need of a calculator the day of a test or quiz. The blocks were used merely as
a reminder that the calculator is mine and not theirs,” science teacher Andrew Shih said. Though theft in school is common, stealing also frequently occurs in malls and stores. With the holiday season in full swing and the current state of the economy, crimes like purse snatching or theft from vehicles increase. Busy holiday shoppers can become easy targets for thieves. However, there are some preventative measures to take. For example, making several trips back to your car SAFETY prevents carrying around too many shopping bags and losing track of some of them. It also makes the shopper less of a target for theft. When putting the packages in the trunk, for instance, cover them with a blanket to 1. Never set anyconceal them. thing down and Another thing to keep in mind when shopping, walk away. especially in larger cities such as Chicago or Indianapolis, is being wary of strangers trying to sell 2. Be aware of items. At this time of year, con artists distract passeryour surroundbys with a fake sales pitch while taking money or ings. belongings from them. 3. Travel in pairs, Whether in school or shopping, the key to especially at night. preventing thieving is being aware of surroundings and not forgetting any personal items. 4. Drive de“[The experience] taught me not to leave my things fensively. The around,” Vanderplough said. parking spot isn’t Noonan said that there are some simple steps that worth it. can keep shoppers safer, both from theft and other 5. Tensions run threats to their person. He says to always be aware of high this time one’s surroundings and never leave a package or purse of year. Be the unattended, even in a shopping cart. When a shopper bigger person and gets distracted it is easier for a thief to steal items. don’t aggravate Although the loss of material items can be costly, situations. nothing is worth risking one’s personal safety. Noonan said to always trust one’s instincts and walk away from 6. If you sense potential conflicts. something is not right near your car “People can get cranky this time of year. No parking don’t get in--go spot or place in line is worth it--be the bigger person get help. and avoid arguments. It will be better in the long run,” Noonan said. *from Officer Chuck Noonan
TIPS
Story by Deanna Sheafer / copy editor
Dual class credits available next school year By Kelly Rostin / reporter Imagine doing work in high school, but getting credit for a similar college class. Instead of taking pre-calculus in high school and having to retake it in college, the work counts the same as if the student had taken it on a college campus. This means that students can have the opportunity to have college offered to them at a cheaper cost. These are some incentives that will come about from the new dual credit classes plan. Starting next year, students can get both high school and college credit for some classes they take. While this incentive will only be available for certain classes, principal Dr. Eric Ban feels that it will be a good plan to implement. “This will offer college at a smaller cost
to students. It will also make a student feel good to receive a college transcript while they are still in high school,” Ban said. Right now, Purdue Calumet is one of the colleges that will work in conjunction with the high school for the dual credit courses. Other colleges that may be in on the plan next school year include Indiana University Northwest and Ivy Tech. “The big picture is that students are able to perform at college level, so we shouldn’t make them wait,” Ban said. English teacher Deb Ciochina says that the dual credit opportunity will bring about positive incentives to the students who take part in it. “Anytime you can bank college credit before going to college its like putting money in your pocket,” Ciochina said. “This could make college more affordable for students.”
Ban also believes that the plan will inspire and encourage students to get a college diploma. “The state of Indiana ranks 44 out of 50 in the percent of people over 25 years old with a bachelor’s degree; we’re behind, and we need to find a way to motivate students to get their diplomas,” he said. Ciochina agrees. “This is an exciting opportunity for students,” Ciochina said. “It puts them in the driver’s seat for their future education.” Although earning the early credit is a plus, students recognize the more immediate benefit to their pocketbook. “I like the idea of high schools offering dual-credit courses for free because you earn credit for college in a free class rather than paying for it in the future,” sophomore Andy VandenBerg said.