Inklings dec 2017

ink L

.I .N .G .S

Crown Point High School @InklingsCPHS December 15, 2017 Vol. 82 Issue 4

Read about astronaut Colonel Jerry Ross telling students to shoot for the stars on page 6

page 10

“Day in the life”: Custodian’s routine tasks

STUDENT VIEWS

How often do students shop online?

7% 6.5% 16.3%

daily

never

weekly

31.8% 38.5% monthly PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE Senior Emma Baker shops at a local antique store on the square. She was able to find some gift ideas as well as inspiration on how to decorate her bedroom for the holiday season.

BY GRACE CLELAND ALEXIA WOJCIECHOWSKI co-editor-in-chief online editor-in-chief

They are small and local with majority of their business coming from the community, but they are not backing down from the online shopping plague.

With a rise in the usage of technology spanning from local community networks to international networks, traditional brick and mortar stores have not seen a sudden decrease in sales or overall customer traffic, but some have expanded their storefront to be online.

Online helps traditional brick and mortar stores, but for Moriarty’s Gem Art, their storefront building is doing fine in today’s technological world.

“Online has been good for us. But as far as effecting us in store, not so much. Nothing that we have noticed. We have been doing fairly well and continuing to do better each year,” marketing manager at Moriarty’s Gem Art Michael Moriarty said.

Although the overall consensus would be that smaller, local shops are not suffering, it is not true for all traditional stores. Senior Morgan McCarron works at Southlake Mall

Small shops aren’t dropped While online shopping grows, traditional brick and mortar still remain popular options and first handedly believes that the customer volume has decreased overall.

“I have noticed that there has been a general decrease in customer volume. It stepped up now that the holidays are close, but there are times where the store is completely empty,” McCarron said. “I feel that there is a decrease in customers simply because they just don’t want to come in to the mall/our store as much as they used to.”

To combat a rise in technology, some traditional stores have opened online sites which offer similar items as the store front would.

Hosting a site online allows for more advertising opportunities for stores. Moriarty’s has found their ways to advertise while still maintaining a storefront in downtown Crown Point.

“Right now, it’s a lot of social media (which) is basi-

cally the main route,” Moriarty said. “We do SEO work as well which is done off site by my brother. He specializes in SEO which is the search engine optimization so we are being found organically through Google search and other search engines and there is paid advertising in that too. So it’s pay per click, we do that kind of advertising as well.”

Like McCarron, senior Alina Wojas works at Southlake Mall. Wojas works at the Aeropostale which briefly closed their doors last year but is once again in business.

“We didn’t get as much business when we reopened but our online portal continued to succeed and even grow,” Wojas said.

Going against the increase of online business, there has been a decrease in holiday store traffic. According to Wojas, over the past few months,

Southlake Mall has seen a few closings.

“We definitely aren’t as busy as we used to be even for like the holiday times,” Wojas said. “There are like two (stores) that have shut down in the past couple months and two are shutting down right now.”

Although Wojas works at the mall, she sees the value in supporting local businesses. The shops around Crown Point can supply many of the same goods that can be bought at the mall or online.

“I buy in local stores for most things that I buy. I like supporting local businesses over corporate or online shops because I can make a closer connection with the owners of the store,” Wojas said.

Although one may wish to shop in stores, others may wish to shop through the comfort of their home. McCarron finds herself shopping online more often than purchasing goods within a store.

“I personally like shopping online because of the easiness and time saving aspect,” McCarron said. “If I am going to go into a store to shop, I enjoy shopping local because I feel like its a closer connection between seller and buyer, and it supports the community.” see shopping on page 3

rarely

When buying an item, are students more likely to buy from...

50%

10.8%

mall

39.2% online

local business

How many times has a good or gift been purchased from a local business?

10.2% 1 time

17.5%

0 times

12.7%

6-10 times

17.5%

more than 10 times

38%

2-5 times How many times has a student eaten at a local restaurant?

3.3% 3.3% 0 times 1 time 11% 6-10 times 22.2% 2-5 times

60.3%

more than 10 times Statistics based off of 400 CPHS students polled.

2

news inklings december 15, 2017

intheknow BPA students place at regional competition

The Business Professionals of America team travelled to Kankakee Valley High School for the regional competion. Students competed in different business events such as programming, presentation management and leadership. 38 students attended the event and from those 38 participants, 32 placed and thus have the opportunity of going to state. State is held in Indianapolis.

Student Council Candy Gram handouts

During the week Student Council allowed students to buy candy canes for friends. If you or your friends bought some they will get them Monday, Dec. 18.

Net Neutrality: The Facts

Its repeal leaves internet users without assurance that their data is not being manipulated by providers.

Without its protections, internet providers can use user data to make a profit.

On Dec. 14 the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality effectively ending how the previous laws allowed the internet to be open and fair to all users.

3-2 vote

Information provided by: https://www.aclu. org/issues/free-speech/internet-speech/whatnet-neutrality

Key Club puts on Christmas party for children in community

BY MORGAN COOPER reporter

The holiday season comes alive with snow on the ground, Christmas music in the air and Christmas spirit in the hearts of many. Another representation is the Key Club’s annual Christmas party for local elementary students.

“We have games, we have decorations, we have someone that’s taking care of prop set up for the Santa stuff, we have arts and crafts, we’re doing cookies they can decorate and all those things,” Key Club sponsor, Spanish teacher Angela Keaveney said.

Key Club has put on many parties in the past. Key Club president, senior Abbie Gelon, was present for the past parties and hopes this year’s Christmas party will be a big success with the children in the community.

“The goal of the Christmas party is to provide the elementary school kids in the area with a fun holiday party to go to because we also just did a Halloween one and the Christmas one is very similar just Christmas themed and we have games, crafts, face painting, we have a Wii,” Gelon said.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE Key Club and National Art Honor Society members put on the Christmas Party where one station was to paint faces with winter decorations. Key Club’s Christmas event celebrated the holiday spirit with multiple stations and crafts all for young children.

This year’s party was held on Dec. 13, at the high school from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The party was a community event held for the students at local elementary schools aimed to give high school students the opportunity to gain service hours working the party and give kids a night of fun activities.

“There are so many kids this year, so the way we’re doing it for the parties is we break off into committee groups so there’s a decoration group, a food group, a craft group, a

game group, all sorts of groups,” Gelon said.

Although the Christmas party had a main goal to give kids a night of Christmas fun, it is also an extra opportunity for Key Club members to gain service hours and build character.

“The goal of the Christmas party is to provide a fun event for kids in the community that [Key Club volunteers] put on so they get the chance to provide service for those kids and their parents,” Keaveney said. “We also have leaders, and then in terms

of character you have to represent the club and the school and yourself in a really good way, so it helps with character too.”

Not only does the Christmas party benefit our local children, but they will also be collecting donations for the St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home in East Chicago. Key Club is constantly looking for organizations to help out.

“We have all these different impact groups.

We have people that are doing some things for the homeless, we have people that are doing

things for the elderly, we have people that are doing things with kids.

We also collected things for the troops. They’re talking about doing the thirst project and raising money for that. We have a project aimed towards animals and the humane society and other charities,” Keaveney said.

Sophomore Grace Baker enjoys the service Key Club brings to the community.

“The goal of the Christmas party is to have fun and get people interested in Key Club,” Baker said.

Stray Dogs improv show represents confidence, comedy through the arts

BY JACOB JOHANNSON ERIN MULLER reporters

The chances of finding a club that’s more laid back than the Stray Dogs Improv club is slim to none, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, some Stray Dogs may argue that the low stakes, happy-go-lucky atmosphere is vital to the entire purpose of the club; to become better actors.

“I really like the atmosphere of it, there is not a lot of high stakes. It’s not like sports where you have to win your game, or theatre where you have to know your lines. Stray Dogs is very laid back but there is this level where they want you to take things seriously, but not too seriously,” sophomore Olivia Bianco said.

It’s strange to think that comedic stars like Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler started their careers in improv classes. It’s easy to forget that acting is a highly trained performance since most actors perform so naturally. What people may not know about improv is that there is a lot of quick thinking on your feet, which many may not be able to do.

The actors are taught certain skills to ensure that they are prepared with whatever is thrown at them on stage.

Think Ahead

Jan. 1

New Year’s Eve The New York City ball drop is watched across the nation. January first marks the beginning of the new year. Many other states have their own unique traditions. Make sure to stay up late!

Dec. 20Jan. 3

Winter Break Winter Break begins Dec. 20 and will end Jan. 2 with classes commencing Jan. 3.

Students should enjoy the long break from school and the two weeks off before some finals begin.

“It takes a lot of courage to come out especially when you don’t have anything,” Bianco said. “You are not really given any material until you get on stage and someone tells you what to do, so you kind of have to think on your feet, which is key to improv.”

An important part of the Stray Dogs is letting loose and getting into the role that is needed to be filled. Sophomore Kiersten Pena enjoys performing and joined the club with the hopes of coming out of her shell and becoming a better actor.

“It definitely takes a lot of courage and guts to come out and perform in front of an audience,” Pena said. “Going out and acting completely silly in front of strangers can be very scary.”

Although the club’s acting and improv is the main focus, social studies teacher and Stray Dog’s sponsor, Don Bernacky, is most impressed with the charity work they’ve accomplished.

“The important thing I like to say about Stray Dogs is that I’m also proud of all the group has done throughout the years for raising tens of thousands of dollars for charity,” Bernacky said.

The club is known for doing charity work for com-

Jan. 15

Martin Luther King Jr. Day A day for celebrating the great social rights activist, this day usually is a day off as long as there aren’t any called off days from school. This year, it is no longer off and students will be in school to make-up a previous day called off.

munity arts, the food bank, the Red Cross, and certain individuals who suffered from specific tragedies.

“That really makes it the most fulfilling for me because what our club does is it shows the kids that through their art, they can improve the world,” Bernacky said. “For me as an educator, that’s huge.”

The name is a play on the school’s mascot, but it was also inspired by the first charity they decided to help, which was the local Lake County Animal Shelter.

“The kids picked the Lake County animal shelter and so that turned into Stray Dogs, since those are the ones we help,” Bernacky said.

Despite the good they do in the community, the biggest part of Stray Dogs is having fun and not only improving acting skills, but other important life skills that students can carry with them through adulthood.

“My favorite part is watching the kids grow because the big thing about improv is it develops really strong internal structure in someone whether they just have this idea in them that they are ready for anything,” Bernacky said.

The Stray Dogs Improv Show is on Jan. 11, at 7 p.m., at the high school.

Jan. 21

National Hugging Day

Jan. 21 is a day for hugging and happiness, so make sure to grab a loved one and hug them Finals Week tight. Hugging While some classes are taking finals before break, the designated has been proven week for the typical final test of the semester happens between to help relieve Jan. 16-19. Make sure to check with your teacher for when you stress and show will be taking your final. Also, always get a good night of sleep love through a and study hard before the tests begin. small act.

Jan. 16-19

Jan. 29

Think Again

Make sure to get some bubble wrap and pop away!

On this day in 1917, an armistice was reached between the new Russian Bolshevik government and the Central Powers.

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Jan. 31

Backwards Day

Everything should be backwards this day where we celebrate being silly.

World War I Armistice

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Snapchat @CPHSinklings

Website

www2.cps.k12.in.us/ Inklings

news inklings december 15, 2017

3

ISSMA competitions moved from Crown Point to Munster High School in 2018

BY TABITHA BEISHUIZEN EMMA FRANK assistant editor reporter

Each year students are put under the pressure of competing for the gold at the Indiana State School Music Association competition (ISSMA). ISSMA is the stepping stone to be able to advance to the state level competition. All band, choir, and orchestra students are able to compete, but this year there is a difference in location.

ISSMA was previously only held at CPHS, but for the first time in seven years it will be held at Munster High School. This change was due to many factors but it will not change how the competition is run. Choir teacher William Woods has hosted solo and ensemble at both Munster and Crown Point High School.

“It’s a lot of work and headaches, getting parent volunteers

and students to work positions,” Woods said. “Usually the week before is a sleepless week for me and since the band gave it up I thought it was probably a good time, since ISSMA likes to have both competitions in the same place. I’ve done it for a little over a decade so I figured this would be a nice time to give it up, that way I can actually accompany some of my students.”

The new change has made some students feel the pressure of going to a new location that they have never competed at before.

For junior Clarence Sanders, he has competed in ISSMA for many years and has never not competed at CPHS. “I mean, one I’m kind of mad because I don’t get my community service hours anymore, and then I’m a lot more nervous because we’re going into another location that is not as comfortable and is really just everything new,” Sand-

ers said.

Since Crown Point students are no longer competing on ‘home turf’, there is no longer a guarantee that they will be able to run into their friends or know where to go.

“Now if we go and see someone from Crown Point you say ‘Yeah we go to the same school’ and it’s like you’re at home base and now when you go to Munster you’re just like I don’t know what is going to happen and how everything is going to work out,” Sanders said. “Fundamentally nothing will be different but is just a new feeling.”

Not being in a familiar setting is not the only thing for participants to worry about. To new contestants, like sophomore Mara Manowski, they want to make sure that they are at their personal best for the contest.

“I have never competed in ISSMA before, but I’ve wanted to

PHOTO BY TABITHA BEISHUIZEN Junior Clarence Sanders practices his trombone for ISSMA. Sanders has played the trombone for eight years and will compete at Munster High School in 2018.

for quite a while now,” Manowski said. “Most people don’t compete unless they have a vocal teacher. I just started lessons last year so I am competing this year.”

ISSMA is not focused on awards. It concentrates on improving personal musicianship. Students can not hide behind their

classmates or their instructor, it is on themselves.

“Use it as a learning experience,” Woods said. “A little medal is nice, but it’s a chance to get comments from a judge that doesn’t know you and gives you things to work on that your instructor might not hear.”

Final exams to take place before, after winter break based on teachers’ preference

BY JESSI ALCORTA-ROBLES advertisement editor

Finals week. For some students, this is the most dreaded week of the year. They spend one class period studying for a final, and take another the next.

“Finals week is one of the most stressful weeks,” sophomore Chris Garmon said. “You have a lot of pressure on you because if you mess up on one of the tests, you risk failing your class after all the hard work you put in throughout the semester.”

In the final few weeks of school before winter break, students tend to be more stressed out due to finals. Each year teachers have to make the decision if they want to give their finals before or after break. If they are before (break), there could be rushed information, but if they are after break there is the possibility information will not be as fresh.

“I believe that I am able to retain information that will help me on my finals better before break because it’s all fresh in my mind,” junior Chloe Dorsey said.

“During winter break I’m not really focusing on formulas and sentence structures, so taking them after would just cause me to forget a good chunk of the material I would have had prior to the break.”

Finals can be intimidating and stressful on both students and teachers. Many classes, especially those that are advanced placement, have their finals before break in order to stay in a good pace for the year.

“It is a lot easier to meet up if you have nothing to do on a

Tuesday as opposed to trying to squeeze it in with other finals and this, that and another,” English teacher Vincent Bauters said.

Having finals before break can cause the class to go at a faster pace in order to fit everything that is supposed to take nine weeks into seven weeks. Losing the times causes some students to feel the pressure of doing all their studying before the test.

“I don’t like having finals before break because all I’m thinking about are the plans I have during the break, and I end up not study-

ing,” junior Rayne Schilling said.

If there are finals after break, being off for winter break for two weeks can cause students to forget all the information they learned.

However, sophomore Zach Kaminsky likes having finals after break. He takes advantage of the time span that the break provides.

“I like having finals after the break because it gives me a chance to study over the large time span, which helps a lot,” Kaminsky said.

“You don’t have to worry about stressing over finals the week before our break.”

Shopping continued from page 1

PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE Senior Emma Baker searches through the nooks and crannies of an antique store as she shops and reflects on Crown Point history.

Baker found some old Crown Point things as she searched.

‘‘

Honestly it’s not really a good idea, like maybe it would be a good option to have classes available but I don’t think everyone should have to do it.

Alycia Pappenheim senior

A Colorado baker refused to sell a birthday cake to same-sex couple, citing religious beliefs. Supreme Court is split on how to rule, as the deciding vote is a vocal proponent of free speech and gay rights.

‘‘

I think that the baker should have sold them the cake in Colorado because it’s not his right to keep things from them at a public business and gay Dylan Gross rights are legal. junior

Russia is banned from Winter Olympics by the IOC due to a widespread doping scandal. Russian athletes can compete by themselves under the Olympic flag.

World

Area

‘‘

It’s really ridiculous that she plead not guilty when there is literally a video showing her doing it, and I can’t believe that someone would do that.

Delaney Adams freshman

Indiana Chamber of Commerce is pushing lawmakers to make computer science classes a graduation requirement for all Indiana students. Gov. Eric Holcomb said it is on his agenda to require schools to offer computer classes by 2021.

Nation

Lake Central teacher Samantha Cox pleads not guilty to charge of cocaine possession in classroom. Cox faces a penalty of six months to two and a half years in jail and/or up to a $10,000 fine.

on the square,” Moriarty said. “It seems like the square has been doing good.”

Since technology has become increasingly accessible, many have turned to online sites to complete their shopping.

“Technology has taken over our social lives, and it’s beginning to take over our shopping/economic lives as well with online shopping, especially websites like Amazon and Ebay,” McCarron said.

Some may find shopping local beneficial, but they also see online as being more convenient with their busy schedules. Senior Emma Baker appreciates both types of shopping.

“Shopping local makes me feel good because I am contributing to our community,” Baker said. “Shopping online is much more convenient and faster than going shopping in stores. Stores may not have everything you’re looking for and instead of searching through numerous stores, I would prefer to just search what I want online in one click.”

Student reaction to events in our world

State

views on news

Many local shops may not have online sites, but some do, which allows them to bring in support from all over whether it be national or international. Owner of Nordikreations in the Courthouse, Phyllis Kalajian, stated her liking for Etsy. Kalajian believes Etsy gives smaller shops the ability to sell their things to not only those in town, but all over. Within Kalajian’s career of owning her store, she has not seen a looming threat or decrease in sales.

“It’s only been a year and a half. I have a niche; I make jewelry and my jewelry has been on the Vikings show on the History Channel,” Kalajian said. “I appreciate Etsy because it gives a bunch of talented people the ability to showcase their wares.”

Whereas Kalajian’s store centers around Nordic life, Moriarty’s Gem Art specializes in jewelry and the designs and jewels that come with it, which is common among the larger jewelry stores in the area, but that doesn’t drain the store front from customer traffic for many reasons.

“I think there are a lot of people that still like to be hands on especially with jewelry. I also see a lot more people coming back to local businesses now like shopping

‘‘

I think it isn’t right to ban (Russia). It might be a better idea to ban those who have been doping, but it’s unfair to everyone else who didn’t participate.

Cordell Sylvie sophomore

4

opinion inklings december 15, 2017

column

BY AUDREY GACSY co-editor-in-chief

Use public image to promote beneficial actions, causes in need This world, generation, society is driven by the visual.

That’s clear in the common sighting of a person sitting in a group of people, scrolling through posts on their cell phone or going into any convenience store just to see an entire rack full of magazines, all with a high fashion model on the cover. We thrive off of what we see. It’s what we desperately try to emulate.

Yet, public image has been devalued. Celebrity charity events headline who was dressed the best and the worst. They make the cause of the event secondary in importance. It isn’t about why someone is in a certain place anymore or the work that they are doing but instead about how they “rocked a sporty look” while doing it.

We applaud celebrities for being nice to the homeless, like it isn’t something they should do as decent human beings. Our feeds are flooded with pictures of our peers donating their time to charities, yet the messaging behind the post is more about how wonderful that person wants to sound. It’s a guilt of mine, too. But it seems like if there isn’t a picture proving someone did a good thing, that person

won’t feel the satisfaction.

As a whole, I don’t hate our visually-obsessed world, because I too love the breaks I take in between homework assignments to see what my friends, family members and favorite celebrities are doing. The problem is that one’s public image seems to have simply become how they make themselves look rather than their actions and intentions. How others look at us should be based on what we do and how we do it instead of what we’re wearing when we do it.

Doing the right thing isn’t a reason to get on social media and post a selfie. It is, however, a chance to use your social media to promote a good cause.

By the same token, it is the responsibility of celebrities to use their platform for good uses, without needing a pat on the back for it.

Moving forward, I challenge myself to use the comparable minute public image I have to promote the things I do rather than how I think I look in the picture. It’s something I think we can all try. Reinventing the definition of public image is a task for those alive today to tackle. With each post, the definition can change.

CARTOON BY MADELYN WHITAKER

Balance spending between online stores and local small businesses editorial

column

BY ALEXIA WOJCIECHOWSKI online editor-in-chief

Age gap among siblings allows for new perspectives and growth The typical siblings are a few years apart, not seventeen. My mom told me she was expecting my baby brother the summer going into junior year. This news sent my head spinning since my only other brother was four years younger than me.

At first, I was very closeminded to the idea of having a new sibling. I felt having such a large age gap was too untraditional and going to take away from my everyday life. I dreaded the idea of a crying baby infiltrating my house while I tried to orchestrate my everyday life. While he does cry every once in awhile, the entrance of baby Henry into my life has been one of the best things that has happened to me in seventeen years.

Having a brother so much younger than myself has allowed me to see how us humans experience growing up a new way. Things like watching my brother try to crawl and succeeding have educated me in the cognitive growth of babies.

As someone who loves science,

this makes the subject matter even more fascinating. Henry is always watching what my family and I do and trying to mimic everything we say.

My brother’s first word was “hi”. Henry will say “hi” in just about any circumstance. One of his best friends is our cat who doesn’t exactly reciprocate the love, but nevertheless, he always gets a “Hi!”. Additionally, the cashiers at any store get a giant greeting and fall in love.

Henry has taught me to not take life too seriously. Seeing the way he carelessly plays with his Thomas Trains and bounces to the beat of any song, has made me reflect on my own childhood.

I have realized that in this day in age there is such pressure on grades and being right that people forget to have fun.

Best of all, my brother looks up to me as a role model. Seeing his face light up when I get home from school and hearing him try to say my name warms my heart. He may only be 10 months old, but Henry is one of my best friends.

In a world so technologically advanced, it can be hard to balance our lives, let alone balance where we shop. We get caught up in the busy days that lead into each other that we don’t focus on the minor details. It is as though the local businesses are forgotten about when in reality, they are still just as present as the online stores and the stand alone chains.

It is not an issue with where to shop as much as it is balancing the places that get our business. Even though some get caught up in doing all their shopping at a chain store, it is important to support and shop at the local businesses within the town. They count on our business. It is up to us to show our support and shop there. Although not all items we need can be purchased there, it is still important to have a balance. Check the local candy store for the small candies you need before actually making a drive out to the larger candy store.

You will find the chances of a local shop having what you want to be greater than what you thought. Just because they may not have connections to a larger corporation that supplies their goods, they can still be just as effective as the chains.

Having a downtown square area offers our town a unique offering of businesses. In one centrally located area we house many shops, restaurants, law offices, antique and jewelry stores.

With one trip down to the square, you can leave with bags upon bags all containing different items.

Since we have so many shops, it is important to recognize these local businesses over commercial or online options.

The mall is an expansive, over-glorified square with triple the amount of offerings. Since there are so many options at the mall, it would be easy to spend all your money in one spot. It is more important to save and balance your spending rather than regretting impulsive purchases.

While supporting local businesses is beneficial to local economies, it is still important to balance your shopping and pursue online providers as well. Many independent companies use online stores to share their goods. Websites like Etsy, eBay and Craigslist host individuals looking to participate in the shopping economy, making online shopping invaluable to those business people.

speakup

Why do you think online shopping has gained popularity over time?

Jack Philbin

Karly LaTurner

“There are many great deals to find there, and it’s so much more convenient than going all the way to the store when you can do it from home.”

“It’s incredibly easy and works well for our lazy generation.

It’s also easier to get deals because of coupons.”

freshman

sophomore

Nikolas Meadows junior

“It’s an easier way to access stuff that you can’t get in stores.

You don’t want to waste money on gas to go to the store.”

Dani Fletes senior

“I think it’s more convenient for people to make purchases and there’s a lot more variety. You have more access to different sizes.”

opinion inklings december 15, 2017

Intheir View

5

ink

Should educators and staff members be subject to random drug testing?

LL

. II . NN . GG . SS

Crown Point High School, IN

Vol. 82 Issue 4 - December 15, 2017 1500 S. Main St. Crown Point, IN 46307 219-663-4885 ex. 11349 fax 219-662-5663 inklings@cps.k12.in.us online: www2.cps.k12.in.us/inklings

Sokhna Kelly junior

Pro: “The whole

reason that students are subject to random drug testing is to keep the Crown Point school environment as safe and drug free as possible.”

CARTOON BY MARIA JEFFIRS

you Con: “When first look at

the teacher to be hired, you should trust them not to do drugs.”

Chloe Hoffman teacher “Sure, I don’t see why it would be an issue as students get drug tested.”

Pro:

Jacob Adams teacher

testing educators helps maintain a safe, Pro: Drug productive school environment for students

BY ASHLEY REKITZKE assistant editor

Educators have as much of an effect on students as celebrities do. Though drug testing occurs with students, educators aren’t getting drug tested, and recent events show that they should be. Random drug testing is beneficial for students and educators because without these drug tests, life-changing events could happen.

Educators interact with students everyday, and while being an adult has some advantages, it also comes with making choices that may lead to mistakes as well. If you have a job that gives you the power to make a difference to others, you should be making decisions that will benefit others in a promising way. Some of these mistakes can be making the wrong choices without thinking of the consequences of your doing.

Students actions reflect on their parents, their peers and their educators. While being a teacher comes with the responsibility of a lasting impression to many students each day, they should be able to communicate and show the correct and responsible way of enjoying life in high school in a smart way. Drug testing provides a secure way in keeping teachers professional and honest

drug testing unnecessary, costly move Con: Faculty that overreacts to rare instances it might catch

BY LINDSEY BAEZA

Con: “I don’t really

What we Think Pro: 24 Inklings Staffers

Con: 5 Inklings Staffers

Flip the FOCUS

assistant editor

Making educators a subject to random drug testing is an unnecessary infringement of their rights. Drug testing not only indicates which illegal substances a person is using but also which prescription medications a person is taking and whether or not a person is pregnant. Drug testing reveals medical information that people deserve to keep private. Forcing educators to participate in such a test would be invasive and, under some circumstances, such as if someone has a medical disease or disorder-cruel.

Furthermore, if an educator’s performance is exemplary then there should be no need for that educator to participate. Schools, however, should have the right to test educators that exhibit suspicious or inappropriate behavior that could be harmful to students. This gives the school probable cause and is not a violation of one’s rights. An educator’s private life is none of a school’s concern and it should only be considered if it is interfering

Pros

see the purpose of drug testing staff because there’s really no reason not to trust someone who has already been hired.”

about their private life. The school has the right to know what teachers are doing in their private life if it effects the students and people around them. If a teacher was doing drugs and coming to school while on drugs, students could feel that drugs are a positive thing and that it is fine to do them, when in reality, it isn’t. Instead of helping steer kids into the right way in life, they would direct them into the wrong path. They wouldn’t be able to give students the proper help if they were struggling themselves. Also, if a teacher is doing these drugs, it makes students feel unsafe and uncomfortable in a place that students should feel the opposite in.

Educators getting caught with drugs would create a reputation of the community. It is an overview of what the community is like; your students as well as the educators represent the school. If a teacher gets caught doing anything illegal, the school is going to have a negative light shone on itself and on the community.

Overall, in order to make students and other educators feel safe and comfortable in their everyday environment, educators should be drug tested to keep them honest and professional. They have a huge influence on students and on the reputation of the community.

+ Winter activities are in season + Festive holiday displays + End-of-year sales

with their work. Extensive background checks must also be performed on an educator by the police before they are hired. It is very unlikely that they would surpass this rigorous investigation of one’s records. Making educators undergo another round of examination would be extreme.

In Indiana the law does not encourage drug testing meaning it is not required by employers to perform. If it does not need to be in place in a work environment, then it should not be forced by or on people who do not want to participate.

Also, drug testing is obviously not free which is why it should only be performed if the school has a justifiable reason for doing so. Schools would be spending money on unnecessary drug tests when they could have spent it on other important things. This could include things like structural improvements, funding arts or sports programs or even improving how satisfactory a school lunch is.

Some schools may not even have adequate funding for minimal necessities, causing required drug testing to be even more of a burden.

Cons

Jacob Lopez freshman

Inklings is a student publication created by the newspaper and advanced journalism students and distributed monthly to students, faculty and staff of Crown Point High School. Opinions do not necessarily reflect those of CPHS faculty, staff or administration.

Letters-to-the-editor are welcomed provided they are signed and submitted one week prior to publication and do not contain personal attacks. Inklings reserves the right to edit for space, clarity and legal and ethical concerns.

Advertising is subject to applicable rates available by contacting Inklings.

Inklings has been recognized as an Indiana High School Press Association Hoosier Star, National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker, Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown, and Quill and Scroll George H. Gallup publication.

co-editors-in-chief Grace Cleland Audrey Gacsy Andrea John online editor-in-chief Alexia Wojciechowski associate editor Kira Schuelka assistant editors Lindsey Baeza Tabitha Beishuizen Ashley Rekitzke Morgan Taylor advertising editor Jessi Alcorta-Robles sports editor Henry Withrow assistant sports editors Timmy Abbott Jake McCallister staff Asmaa Abdeldaiem Olivia Budzevski Morgan Cooper Emma Frank Elizabeth Gonzalez Gwyn Isaacs Maria Jeffirs Jacob Johansson Steven Kvachkoff Emmie McConnell Erin Muller Cat Padilla Ari Setlak Alexandra Sulewski Will VanHorssen Madelyn Whitaker adviser Julie Elston

- School on Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Extremely cold temperatures - Icy roads and sidewalks

6

feature inklings december 15, 2017

i on Iife

experiencing life beyond the building PHOTO BY AUDREY GACSY During a visit to Jerry Ross Elementary School on Dec. 5, Colonel Jerry Ross spoke to students about his experiences in the U.S. Space Program. He also encourages students to remain motivated and persistent.

‘‘

BY AUDREY GACSY co-editor-in-chief

Dreams can come true.

It’s what all of the fairytales say. However, it isn’t everyday that a young boy’s dream turns into a gravitydefying career. Colonel Jerry Ross, a 1966 graduate of Crown Point High School, started out with simple beginnings, playing outside with his numerous cousins.

“I grew up out in the country between Crown Point and Leroy, and so I was totally out in the country. I really enjoyed that,” Ross said. “I had 30 first cousins, and a fairly large number of them lived close, we could go out and ride bikes together, play baseball and football. We had a lot of fun together.”

With the support of his parents, Ross gained interest in space as a young child.

The timeline of his childhood paralleled the beginnings of an American space program.

“I started making scrapbooks about launching satellites and rockets into space when I was in about the first or second grade, so I was really fascinated by that from the very beginning,” Ross said. “I was in the fourth grade when the first satellites were launched into space, and I decided then and there in the fourth grade that I was going to go to Purdue, I was going to become an en-

Life isn’t going to be a straight line. Things aren’t going to happen very easily, you’re going to be rejected from certain opportunities, and you’re going to not do so well on some tests in school. But you’re going to continue to do everything you can to pursue those dreams if that’s what you really want to do.

Jerry Ross retired NASA astronaut gineer, and I wanted to become involved in our country’s space program.”

However, Ross couldn’t fathom the dream of becoming an astronaut from the beginning, as the first astronauts weren’t chosen until a few years later. He recalls viewing the first moon landing on television, citing it a time he could never forget.

“I was at home at my folk’s house, I was between my junior and senior year in college at Purdue and I was working at US Steel in the summer. I remember sitting there with the whole family wrapped around the black and white TV screen and watching Neil Armstrong descend from the lunar module and walk on the surface of the moon. It was an exciting and historic time,” Ross said. “Now, I’ve been able to meet each of the men who have walked on the moon.”

The race to space was initially not a successful one for Ross. He was denied admittance into the space

program the first time he applied.

“During the first round, I got very close. It was hard.

I had a lot of friends that got in, so it was difficult to see them move on,” Ross said.

“I didn’t stop, and I applied a second time. That’s when I got in.”

Ross recalls the feeling of leaving Earth as being beyond what words can describe.

Seven NASA Space Shuttle missions later, the joint world record holder for most spaceflights is travelling the world seeing sights and giving motivational speeches.

“It is so great to come to Jerry Ross Elementary, and it has been a wonderful experience travelling around to each of our states. My wife and I recently got back from trips to Egypt and Jordan,” Ross said.

Jerry Ross Elementary School principal Jennifer Stolarz notes Ross as being an inspiration to not only

the students, but community members as well. His presence in the lives of Crown Point residents has greatly impacted her career.

“I have the opportunity to meet with the person who our school is named after, which none of the other Crown Point principals can say. It’s really a part of my job here to instill the values he has into our school and students,” Stolarz said.

“The whole school gets very excited to see him visit. His visits are something I would drop anything for in the schedule.”

Similarly to Stolarz, former Jerry Ross Elementary School student senior Michael Blachut can remember hearing Ross speak at his school, and recalls feeling motivated to achieve.

“I had the opportunity to hear Ross speak once during my time as a student at Jerry Ross Elementary School. I remember him discussing the importance of finding the thing that mo-

Jerry L. Ross / Astronaut and Air Force Colonel “If I wasn’t an astronaut, I would probably be a farmer here in Lake County.”

“My favorite mission is my first. I got to do two spacewalks, and it was a smooth flight.”

“I have been able to meet all 12 men who landed on the moon.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NASA

Has spent approximately

58

days in space

37

years old during first mission

54

years old during final mission

tivates you as a person,” Blachut said. “Years later, I’ve realized that my interest in science, and the medical field in particular, motivates me to work hard in school so I can later achieve my goal of becoming a doctor.”

Even through his setbacks, Ross has continued to keep his mind set on success. His new task is to instill those same values into those he speaks to.

“Life isn’t going to be a straight line. Things aren’t going to happen very easily, you’re going to be rejected from certain opportunities, and you’re going to not do so well on some tests in school. But you’re going to continue to do everything you can to pursue those dreams if that’s what you really want to do,” Ross said.

“That’s part of life and it’s kind of hard to learn it upfront, you have to learn it as you go. But you have to understand that as you’re going so you don’t give up too easily. You can work hard to achieve your goals.”

Even though he has led a life outside of NASA and its space program, his work in space still impacts his life today. During his space missions, Ross helped build the International Space Station.

“There are some clear nights when I can see it fly past in the sky,” Ross said. “I have to smile at that, because I can say that I helped build it. It is a great feeling.”

By

The

#

Astonaut applicants must have completed

1000

hours of flying time in a jet aircraft.

Russian Lt. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth.

April 12, 1961

Ross recalls life in Crown Point, persisting through obstacles

men have landed on the moon, all of them being American.

184 4.5

Each space feet tall shuttle is: million pounds

99%

of the solar system’s mass is the sun.

There are

2

Ross has younger sisters, Judy and Janet

1966 CPHS Graduate

Purdue Alumni

Currently lives in Texas

stars in the universe.

Information provided by: http://collections.lib. purdue.edu/ross/index. php?page=exhibit

Q

feature inklings december 15, 2017

What is there to do around here in the winter? Bright Lights

BY OLIVIA BUDZEVSKI STEVEN KVACHKOFF

Bake Cookies

reporters

There are many kinds of cookies to bake from snickerdoodle to gingerbread. They all taste delicious in their own different ways. Baking cookies is a good way to bring family together and celebrate the holidays. In the end, you can even add frosting or sprinkles to make them more delicious.

Make Christmas Ornament Take out some colored paper and old coloring materials and you’ll be ready to begin. This activity takes a lot of thought and consideration, but in the end it’s entirely worth it to make others happy.

You can decorate ornaments in all kinds of ways, from memorable moments to silly jokes.

Have you been feeling cold? Icy, even? If so, it is time for you to open up that old fireplace and set its embers alight.

That way, you can warm up easily and find comfort with family among friends. This can be very calming and relaxing.

Light A Fire

Indoor C H R I S T M A S A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

Hundreds of beautiful trees displaying the decorations of multiple countries marking the beginning of the holiday season at Christmas Around the World.

Along with the unique trees, those who visit can explore the other science exhibits for only $2.

Our City

Read a Book

Play Board Games

Travel into the unknown with this activity. From giant castles and dragons to peaceful cottages in Venice, you can explore almost anything.

Discover more with the calm, lighthearted that will expand your mind in the process.

Not only do board games allow for friendly competition between family and friends, but also allow for entertainment on those long, cold winter days. Grab some hot chocolate and your Monopoly board and enjoy the laughs while you and the ones you love compete by the cozy fire.

Work on Puzzles Complexities have never been more fun in this activity of strategy and thought. Puzzles offer a huge amount of problem-solving skills and critical thinking, in the best type of fun. The best part is the ability to take part in it in all kinds of settings and atmospheres. It is virtually fun for everyone.

Outdoor

Go to See Macy’s Window Displays It is a holiday tradition to travel to Chicago and see the magnificent windows that Macy’s has put together. People from near and far look forward to seeing what theme they unvail every year. The windows are always fun to look at and never disappoint.

Zoolights Twinkling lights are strung all around the Lincoln Park Zoo in their display, Zoolights. Free of charge, this event amazes all who see the millions of lights that fill the zoo and illuminate the beautiful animals that are there as well.

To see more about these stories, go to www2.cps.k12.in.us/inklings.

I C E S K A T I N G

Want to build an igloo, a castle, or a cabin? Then, you may enjoy this activity. With plenty of outdoor material such as snow, sticks, and rocks, you have lots of opportunity to create your own kind of home away from home.

Prepare yourself with a durable sled, warm clothes and enough excitement to last a whole day. The sledding hill of the Lake County Fair is located on the South Side of Crown Point between Court Street and Lake Street.

SNOWFORTS

Building snowmen is a fun way to get outside in the winter. The best part about it is the finished product and the warm feeling it makes you feel afterwards. You can feel truly complete knowing you made something so heartwarming and sweet.

The thrills of ice skating and its ever persistent chills present big opportunities for fun amongst family and friends. Just imagine the excitement of slicing across ice and the satisfaction of drinking hot chocolate or coffee afterwards.

There are ice skating facilities located in Crown Point and neighboring Dyer.

BUILD

Build Snowmen

Prepare to battle for domination above all else. It is time for a snowball fight. Snowball fights are best carried out after a large snowfall and cold weather. It is a lot of fun when you’re surrounded by the ones you love.

The houses in this neighborhood have been keeping up with the tradition for over 50 years. It’s reminiscent of the lyric,“Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again/ With candy canes and silver lanes aglow,” from the familiar song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

3290 Windyhill Rd

Visitors can tune in to 103.1 FM in order to view the 30,000 lights that dance to each song.

The display will be open to the public until Jan. 6. This year, the familiar face of Santa will be projected onto the house.

Monetary donations or food items will be accepted and put forth to support the Holy Spirit Food Pantry. It should also be noted that it is a gated community, but individuals are allowed to enter after giving the address of the home.

7746 W 96th Place

Sledding

Have Snowball Fights

Holton Ridge “Candy Cane Lane”

Also known as Stella’s Winter Wonderland, guests can take a walk under an arch of over 1,000 bright lights or experience the sight of 7,500 Christmas lights. This winter wonderland will be available until New Year’s Eve.

2901 W 54th Pl., Merrillville This light show will be present until Jan. 7. The music being played on the 100.1 radio station will be in sync with the flashing lights.

9824 McKinley Street This display has been recurring for 7 years now. It returns each year just in time for the holidays. Those who take a trip to see it can expect to observe over 20,000 lights. The music that will sync up to the twinkling lights can be heard by tuning in to 99.1 FM.

7

2017

feature inklings december 15, 2017

Selena Gomez receives a kidney transplant

Russian involvement in 2016 election

Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi commercial backlash

Temporary ban of transgender military personnel First transgender legislator elected in Virginia JFK assassination files released Opioid crisis declared a Public Health Emergency

“The Great American Eclipse”

History

lost

Tom Petty, Musician Hugh Heffner, Businessman Glen Campbell, Singer Jerry Lewis, Comedian Chester Bennington, Singer David Cassidy, Actor Mary Tyler Moore, Actress Chuck Berry, Singer

Princess Kate expecting third child in 2018 OJ Simpson released from prison Prince Harry engaged to American actress Meghan Markle Ariana Grande Manchester concert bombing

Women’s March on Washington

Gun Violence

Sexual Assault

Political Divide

Natural Disasters

-Texas Church Shooting

-#MeToo movement

-Gun Rights issues

-Las Vegas Country Festival Shooting

-Sexual misconduct in Hollywood

-Hurricanes in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico

-Discussion about male sexual assault

-Transgender people in the military -Immigration debate

Entertainment highlights -“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

Year of the Rooster “2017” is a prime number Pantone “Greenery” color of the year

-Mexican Earthquake -Monsoon flooding in Bangladesh

Moments

Federal Communications Commission repeals Net Neutrality United Airlines, officers dragging doctor off of plane Wrong “Best Picture” announcement at Academy Awards Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer sexual misconduct allegations Trump declares Jerusalem capital of Israel Protesting of the National Anthem

Bill Paxton, Actor

-“Wonder Woman”

of the year

Controversial

Issues of the Era

-Congressional baseball shooting

Fast Facts

Most

in the making

Jackie Robinson Museum opens

Those we’ve

The 2016-2017 Varsity Softball team won the state championship against Avon.

Then senior Alexis Holloway, who was also named the Post-Tribune 2017 Softball Player of the Year, cites her last season at Crown Point as her most memorable.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better time at Crown Point.

The state run was amazing for everyone involved,” Holloway said. “It was a really special season for me because of the amazing group of girls we had too.”

Holloway is looking forward to seeing her past teammates succeed in the upcoming season.

“I’ve spoken with a lot of the girls that returned from last season and they are working hard,” Holloway said. “I’m excited to see what else they can accomplish.”

A Year in Review

Alabama elects Doug Jones, state’s first Democratic senator in 25 years

Pop Culture

Politics

feature inklings december 15, 2017

-“Bodak Yellow”

-“Shape of You”

-“Get Out”

-“Wild Thoughts”

-“Sign of the Times”

-“It”

-“Despacito”

-“Havana”

of shoppers conduct online research before making large purchases

81% 1

2

of online searches are four words or more

Google gets over

1,000,000,000 searches every month

PHOTO BY JEREMY DEBOLD

How did 2017

feel

Some reactions and feelings

“

Information provided by: http://www.lifebuzz.com/ tech-facts/

2017

“

What we think should have happened

It was kind of bad. In general, it wasn’t great.

I had a lot of family members pass away, so it just didn’t go well for me.

Sports Highlights Superbowl

Reduction in Gun Violence

I feel like the year went by really fast. Some months felt way shorter and others felt longer. But 2017 flew by.

Senior Aaliyah White

“

It was kind of fun because I started playing hockey, and everything was new at the high school. It’s been pretty great.

Junior Kyle Hubbell

NBA Finals

A Cure for Cancer

“

College & Career Counselor Johanna Hess

World Cup

Stop to 2016 Election slurs

NEWS

I-65 shooter scare

Germany national team

Discontinued hostility with North Korea

Russia to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Increased consequences for sexual misconduct

Year of the Dog Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea Saudi Arabia will allow all women to drive

President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20 after nearly a year and a half campaign.

He won with 306 electoral votes, but lost the popular vote by approximately 3 million votes.

CP

Pittsburgh Penguins

A Year in Preview

Freshman Ryan Edgren

Jerome Flewelling, 2018 Indiana Teacher of the Year

Houston Astros

Golden State Warriors

Stanley Cup

Ended Global Warming controversy

2017 was a very busy year.

Everything related to the high school like planning the events and making sure our seniors have postsecondary placements used my time.

New England Patriots

World Series

Landed on Mars

Return of the statues

-“Dunkirk”

9

Technologytrends

U.S. Midterm Elections Pantone “Ultra Violet” 2018 color of the year

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: https:// www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/27762993435

Crown Point

8

By

The #

2.42

persons per household

21.2%

1,892

residents under age 18

approximately

$63,754

median household income

Most recent information provided by: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/crownpointcityindiana/PST045216

veterans

29,176 residents

10

feature inklings december 15, 2017

Custodians detail daily tasks that keep school running

PHOTO BY WILL VANHORSSEN Custodian Gwenn Stevenson stands next to her cart after mopping the freshman locker bay. Stevenson is one of many custodians which works at the school during the day. Her jobs range from cleaning up messes in the locker bays to tidying bathrooms.

“In the summer we clean everything that we wouldn’t be able to do when the students are in school,” Stevenson said. “We strip the classrooms of their furniture and shampoo the carpets. We strip the floors and re-wax them.

If there’s a new teacher we get their classroom ready for them.”

As winter approaches, Stevenson prepares for slippery floors that are wet from the snowfall along with managing the hallways, locker bays and bathrooms.

“Overall, being a custodian during the school year is about working on a time crunch,” Stevenson said. “You’re just trying to get everything done before the bell rings.”

take care of the more strenuous areas of the school. The night shift workers clean in-depth in the classrooms and the overnight shift workers clean the athletic and fine arts wing.

Stevenson has been working as a custodian at CPHS for nine years, and she has noticed that as the seasons change, her day-to-day routine has changed as different seasons bring different challenges.

As winter break comes closer, Stevenson’s day is filled with more major tasks that allow a more indepth cleaning in preparation for the next semester. Similarly, as the school year nears to the end, the staff prepares for a deep cleaning of the entirety of the school.

Noticing how her actions affect the day of a custodian, Risteska acknowledges how the habits that students have may add to the custodial staff. Although some of students’ actions may seem harmless at the time, they can add to the stress and workload that custodians have.

“There’s definitely some things that students can do to help them out,” Risteska said.

“We all can do the little things for them like pick up the bits of trash that we see around school like in the hallways, and we could clean up after ourselves because I see people making messes all the time and not cleaning up after themselves.”

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They are there before the students come to school and they stay after to prepare again for the next day. These silent heroes tend to go unnoticed when they are present but would be greatly missed when they are not there: custodians.

“It can be hard to weave in and out of students when you’re doing your job,” custodial staff member Gwenn Stevenson said.

“We have to get our job done in between classes and push to finish before they swarm into the hallways.”

Custodial staff can be overlooked and may not come to mind when students are putting gum under desks and throwing paper about to celebrate the end of a tiresome school year. While students are creating a mess, they are not thinking about how that mess may affect those that have to clean up after them.

“The hardest part about being a custodian is time allotment,” Stevenson said. “You only have so long before the students come into passing periods after the bells ring to get what you need to do done so trying to be as quick and as thorough as possible gets hard sometimes.”

Sophomore Marjana Risteska believes that the custodial staff is an important part of CPHS and realizes the effect that their absence would have on the school’s appearance and cleanliness.

“The school would definitely be a lot dirtier if the custodians didn’t work as hard as they do now,” Risteska said. “I don’t think people would realize how

much the custodians do even though they are so important to the school.”

The custodial staff is divided among three different shifts, all taking care of different areas and duties around the school. Constantly, there are custodians working to keep the school safe and clean for the arrival of students.

“The day shift is from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the after school shift is from 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the overnight shift is from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson explained that the custodial staff members on the day shift work on cleaning the bathrooms and locker bays while students are in class. She is also prepared to clean spills and if a student happens gets sick on the spot.

“I am on the day shift with one other person,” Stevenson said. “We usually split the jobs by floors. Downstairs does the bathrooms, locker bays and athletic wing, while the upstairs takes care of the bathrooms, lockers and hallways. This also includes the fine arts wing and gym.”

Although Stevenson’s shift length is not determined by the messiness, she likes to be efficient as she works through the locker bays and bathrooms but sometimes find it hard to work around the students.

“The boys like to hang out in the bathroom and go on their phones, and I need all of them to be out when I clean so that can be hard. I can work around the girls’ pretty well, but the boys’ bathroom can be hard sometimes,” Stevenson said.

While Stevenson works on the day shift, the two other shifts

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BY MADELYN WHITAKER reporter

sports inklings december 15, 2017

11

extra points

EARNING THEIR STRIPES

‘‘ I do think that this first half of the season has given us a lot of insight to win the sectional in the end and get the end result we want.

Caitlyn Phillips junior

over break wrestling Spartan Classic at Connerville boys basketball Noblesville Holiday Invite girls basketball Twin Lakes Invite

PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE

CP staff members participate as referees to stay close to game

BY JAKE MCCALLISTER

POLL

Who will win the College Football Playoff?

Clemson

16

Oklahoma

14

Georgia

18

Alabama

52 OUT OF 100 STUDENTS POLLED

My moment of the month ... “...was scoring 21 points against East Chicago. I tried driving to the lane a lot and getting to the line for free throws.”

Junior Elias Gerodemos Boys Basketball

‘‘

Referee Scott Vlink watches two wrestlers square off and prepare to commense their match. Vlink has coached for over 40 years and officiated for over a year.

assistant sports editor

When you go to a high school athletic event, you always seem to point out one thing: officiating. If it is good, you tend to not say anything about it, but if there’s a tough call to make that doesn’t go your way, you blame the officials. It is arguably the hardest job on the court. Yet, officials that work here at Crown Point look past the difficulties and do it for their love of the game.

Academic graduation coach, Scott Vlink, who taught and coached wrestling for over 40 years, began officiating wrestling last year. He did not do it for extra money, he did it to stay close to the game.

“I had thought about it for a while- actually while I was in college and I didn’t have any eligibility left to compete after I got licensed.

I didn’t get any jobs, but I got licensed and I always had somewhat of an interest to officiate,” Vlink said.

After he was considering retiring from coaching and teaching, Vlink felt as though the time seemed right. He chose to take the next step and start refereeing.

“As I grew further along as a teacher and a coach and when it was coming to an end, I thought it would be a good way to stay involved

and a good way to make a little extra money, which is really inconsequential. It was just a way to stay involved in the sport. I didn’t know if I would like it or not, but it turned out that I did and I thought that I was fairly good at it. Most of the people that I work with thought I was fairly good at it for it being my first year.”

Vlink credits his successful first year to his experience as a PE teacher. As a teacher, he had to ref games and make calls that students always agreed with.

“I credit my first year of this not only to my experience as a coach for nearly 40 years and helping the officials make the correct calls, but also to being a PE teacher and having to ref those games,” Vlink said.

Vlink admits that since becoming a referee, he has become more confident.

“I learned how to be assertive and take control of a group of people, so I was already used to officiating and hearing them complain about calls, but you have to make it anyway. I think those experiences have helped me become a proficient official,” Vlink said.

Despite expectations from athletes, fans and parents of being perfect, it doesn’t phase Vlink. Vlink expects perfection out of himself.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s

difficult because that’s what you expect out of yourself is perfection, but what is perfection? Does that mean making every call 100 percent correct or doing the absolute best you can do in all situations I don’t think it’s reasonable to think that every official who officiates every contest will make every call perfectly,” Vlink said.

“I don’t think it’s reasonable that the umpire will always be correct on his ball and strike calls. But, I believe it’s reasonable to think that no matter the sport, whether it’s football, basketball, baseball or wrestling or whatever it may be, those referees will be as diligent as they can be in order to call things correctly so they provide a fair contest for the two teams involved.”

Study hall teacher James Shrader has been officiating volleyball and softball for 18 years. Like Vlink, he officiates for the love of the game.

“I’ve always enjoyed volleyball and softball and I just wanted to be around the game. I enjoy being around the parents and kids and I enjoy watching athletes develop over the season,” Shrader said.

Senior Jake DeFries is an official for Pups Youth Basketball League. He usually referees younger kids games. DeFries played bas-

ketball all the way up until eighth grade, so he is credible to teach 6-10-year-olds how to play the game.

“My favorite part of being a referee is teaching kids how to play and working with them throughout the year,” DeFries said. “It’s fun to see kids at that age get better over the season.

At this age there is usually noticeable improvement.”

Officiating runs in DeFries’ family; his dad, mom and brother all officiate from time to time.

“Most of my family refs and I started doing it and I’ve actually had a lot of fun doing it. They inspired me to do it, and I’m glad they did because I’ve had a pretty good time working with the kids.”

Officiating comes with its difficulties. It is very hard to make the correct call every time. When athletes and fans are upset they sometimes lose their composure.

“The hardest part would be occasionally dealing with fans, sometimes they lose sight of what’s really important, but for the most part I enjoy everything about officiating,” Shrader said. “Sometimes coaches and players argue, but it’s not that bad. The fact of the matter is you have to make calls that some people won’t always agree with, but that’s part of the job.”

I believe it’s reasonable to think that no matter the sport, whether it’s football, basketball, baseball or wrestling or whatever it may be, those referees will be as diligent as they can be in order to call things correctly so they provide a fair contest for the two teams involved.

Scott Vlink referee

PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE

12

sports inklings december 15, 2017

Young talent to carry boys basketball season

Wrestlers take first and third at recent tournaments

BY HENRY WITHROW sports editor

Young leadership, young talent, and great potential. The 2017-18 boys basketball team has been following the large footsteps left behind by the previous year’s team and hasn’t looked back.

Without last year’s stars, the team has been a lot more intense in order to get ready for tough matchups to overcome. The hours of hard work can be a handful for the players, but when it comes game time, it pays off.

“I would say our preparation has been more intense this year because we don’t have guys like Ken or Sasha to bail us out of a bad offensive possession in practice by making tough shots. We now focus more on getting good shots to prepare, because we must take good shots to win games,” junior Matt Hanlon said.

Though the ideal goal for this potential-filled basketball team is to compete at the same level they typically do, it will be tough to fill the void left behind by last year’s class. It will be a demanding task to pick up where last year’s team left off.

“These guys know we can’t fill the void that last year’s seniors left. That is something that those guys took with them when they graduated and this year’s team brings their own skillset to the table,” head coach Clint Swan said.

“Everyone understands that we have to find a way to improve each day and they have been doing a great job of that so far.”

In order to beat teams such as South Bend (Riley) and Valpo, the Bulldogs have a few more reps for guys in practices and different preparations to make.

“We definitely need more experience. We need guys to get more reps too. It really is just little things that only experience can bring,” Swan said. “We need to be able to deal with pressure, pressure defense, and things of that nature. There really isn’t anything that the guys are neglecting, we just need to keep getting better.”

Though the Bulldogs have begun their season 1-2, they know they can bounce back and get on pace for a positive record.

“Our two losses were very close games against good teams. Very few of us have been in a position where we need to close out games, so we will begin to close out these games later in the season,” Hanlon said.

The Bulldogs square off against Munster tonight at 8 p.m.

BY ELIZABETH GONZALEZ reporter

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KATYA HALSTEAD Sophomore Kat Kostouros performs a back-walkover on a balance beam during her recent performance.

Gymnastics team tumbles into upcoming season

BY TIMMY ABBOTT

assistant sports editor

The gymnasts are finally gearing up to embark on a new season after spending hours upon hours in training. The team is thrilled about finally getting a chance to showcase their skills.

“I’m really excited for our first meet because we get to show the audience and the other teams how hard we’ve been working,” junior Kaleigh Stack said. “It’s coming up really fast, but I know that we’re all prepared.”

Head coach Ami Pysh is sharing the excitement for their first meet and is very optimistic about their chances going forward.

“I’m always excited to see what the season has instore for us. We have such good gymnasts here at CPHS,” Pysh said. “We need to pace ourselves to stay successful and focus on the end goal of making it out of sectionals.”

Making it deep into the postseason is a common goal throughout the entire team.

Stack believes that to do so, the team must

keep their mistakes behind them and continue to work hard each day.

“We all have to focus on not getting too stressed out. Everyone has a bad practice once in awhile, but we have to focus on all the good practices and on our goals,” Stack said. “Making it to state is always challenging since we’re up against some pretty tough teams. If we put in the work, though, I think we can make it.”

Practice is important in every sport, but is especially crucial in gymnastics. One small mishap can instantly crush a gymnast’s hopes of having a good performance.

For that reason, the team has emphasized consistency in hopes of preventing failures.

“We’ve been making our routines on each event repetitive, sticking all skills on beam, getting through bar routines without stopping and whatnot. On floor, our main focus is to be clean with our jumps and tumbling passes,” Stack said.

The girls will find out if they’ve had enough preparation to get the job done tomorrow morning against LaPorte.

The wrestlers traveled to Lake Central last night with a 1-1 record against Duneland opponents. Results of the Lake Central contest were unavailable at press time.

The Dogs defeated LaPorte and lost to Chesterton.

“We should have a great season. They have a lot of veterans back. They usually do well,” athletic director Bill Dorulla said.

In addition to regular season meets, the team placed first at the Stagg Invite.

At Calumet’s Chris Traicoff Memorial wrestling tournament, the Dogs went 3-2, losing to Portage and Cathedral, but finishing third overall.

“Wrestling is usually a sport that is overlooked, but this year, that does not seem to be the case,” senior Oszkar Kasch said.

Boasting an impressive history of postseason success throughout the years, junior Caden Rice feels as if the Bulldogs have set the bar for the rest of the conference.

“The stakes this year are not too different from last year. However, we do have a target on our back as always because of our sectional and regional title streak,” Rice said. “Teams are going to try and take that away from us, but I think we have what it takes to keep that streak alive.”

For every wrestler, something that is essential to success is pregame planning.

The wrestlers need to know what they are going to do before they step foot onto the mat. A big part of doing that is maintaining a stronger mentality than your opponent.

“Before I step onto the mat, I think about how much harder I have worked than the guy I am wrestling. I know I have worked harder, and this is my time to prove that,” sophomore Collin Taylor said.

The team attributes their consistent success to their coaching and unrivaled determination. The relationships the coaches have developed with the wrestlers are great examples for any team.

“Coach Lorek, along with the other coaches, want nothing other than the best for us. They push us so hard because they want to see us succeed not only on the mat, but in life,” Rice said.

Excalibur Yearbook Order the 2017-18 yearbook for $65 now through January 1, 2018 on the CPHS website shortcut.

Checks made out to CPHS Excalibur can be brought to the main office or journalism lab, E109.

sports inklings december 15, 2017

13

column

BY HENRY WITHROW sports editor

Oladipo’s back home again in Indiana to fans’ approval Recently, Victor Oladipo has been lighting the NBA up. From ending the Cavs’ 13 game win streak to scoring 47 against the Denver Nuggets; he has shifted into a higher gear and hasn’t looked back since.

During the offseason, Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis were traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for superstar Paul George. Doubts from Pacers fans rose up and they lost the faith they had for their beloved team and the expectations were set very low, being ranked 29th on the CBS Sports power rankings. Oladipo has always had incredible potential though, dating back to his days playing as a Hoosier.

Now that Oladipo is back to playing in Indiana, he is showing his true capabilities.

Throughout his career, he averages 16.6 points, 43.9 FG%, and 35.8 3PT FG% a game.

While playing in Indiana, his shooting averages have

skyrocketed. He now averages 24.5 points on almost 50 percent shooting.

Oladipo is leading his Pacers to 5th in the Eastern Conference and 17th overall in the NBA. Defeating matchups such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs; the Indiana Pacers have a ton of potential being led by Victor Oladipo.

After Oladipo’s incredible start to the season, he has been being compared to former Pacer, Paul George.

Though it is an astonishing compliment to receive, Oladipo does not appreciate the comparisons to the former Pacer. Oladipo claims he has moved on from the situation and wants to continue his great season.

As the quarter way mark hits, Oladipo and his Pacers have completely exceeded the low expectations set for them.

Though Paul George is a consistent threat to the league, it is safe to say the Hoosier Victor Oladipo is catching up.

Highland invitational next up for boys swimming

BY GWYN ISAACS reporter

Gliding through the 201718 season with a 3-1 record, the boys swim team is preparing for the Highland Invite tournament on Dec. 29. The boys aim to continue to work hard and place at the top of the DAC conference.

The team has used last season as motivation for this year and are making revisions to hopefully go even further than their previous season.

“Since last season, we’ve gained a lot of depth, so we’ve been improving our speed and we’re not just trying to get first place in our events but we’re trying to get a few people that place 4th and 5th

up to 2nd and 3rd places to score more points,” junior Evan Holland said.

The boys have been putting in hard work and are looking for their goals to be accomplished.

“We have a big group of guys, so we’re hoping they can continue working hard in the weight room and in the pool area to get ready for conference,” head coach Bryon Angerman said.

“Our first meet was against Chesterton who got second at State last year and they’ve always been one of the fastest teams in the state, so it was an eye opener to see what we’ll be up against in the championship season,” Holland said.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE Junior Caitlyn Phillips leads fastbreak for the Lady Bulldogs alongside teammates senior Taylor Tyndall and sophomore Gabby Vania.

Girls basketball striving to reach full potential; travel to Lake Central tonight

BY TIMMY ABBOTT

assistant sports editor

With 12 games now in the books after a 59-54 win against Highland last night, the Bulldogs’ season is in full swing. The girls are currently 6-6 as they prepare for their last few games leading up to winter break.

In addition to focusing on individual games, junior Caitlyn Phillips already has her eyes set on next month’s postseason.

“Our biggest goal is to win the sectional championship on our home court,” Phillips said.

Head coach Chris Seibert has the same goal and is trying his hardest to get the Bulldogs to where they’ll need to be in time for the playoffs.

“Obviously our number one goal is to win sectionals. Everything we do going forward from here on is in preparation for the sectional and trying to put ourselves in the best possible position to be playing our best basketball by the end of the year,” Seibert said.

To do so, the Bulldogs will have to begin performing better in clutch time. Four of their losses have been decided by less than only 10 points.

The same problem plagued last season’s Bulldogs as well, as they lost in the sectional semifinals by only two points. Seibert believes that executing better late in games will help them make it all the way to the finals this time around.

“We just have not been able to finish out games and get wins for a

PHOTO BY ASHLEY REKITZKE Junior Ellie VanDeel moves up the court during a Bulldog fast break.

variety of reasons,” Seibert said. “If we can start closing out games and playing all four quarters, we’ll be in good shape going forward.”

Losing multiple games by such close margins will usually take a toll on a team’s confidence, but the team knows that if they can start winning the close games, their aspirations will seem much more achievable.

“As a team we work really hard everyday at practice which is why it’s so hard to see how we’ve been so competitive in every game and just haven’t been able to finish. At the same time, there is so much room to keep improving and playing at the level we all know we are capable of,” Phillips said.

Putting aside their disappoint-

ing losses, the Bulldogs have plenty to be encouraged about. Five of their wins have been decided by over 20 points, including a 39-point route earlier this month vs. Hobart.

In Seibert’s opinion, a great deal of their success derives from their impressive determination.

“I think they work hard every day and we always get their maximum effort,” Seibert said. “The best trait about this group is its work ethic. They are all extremely dedicated to the game of basketball and they put a lot a time in.”

Junior Ellie VanDeel sees the team’s big wins as flashes of how great the team could be if they put all the pieces together.

“I don’t think we’ve truly reached our full potential yet, but in many of our early games it felt like we were approaching it,” VanDeel said.

With six sophomores and a freshman on the team, Phillips believes that the team still has a while to go in terms of reaching its potential.

“We’re really young, which isn’t necessarily an excuse, but I think most of the younger girls are just learning the level and speed of the game as a varsity player,” Phillips said. “The older players are still learning to play with them. With that being said, I don’t think we’ve reached our full potential.”

The Bulldogs still have plenty of time to mesh together as a group, and they will continue that pursuit tonight when they travel to Lake Central to take on the Indians.

High hopes for individuals, team for girls swimming as season progresses

BY EMMIE MCCONNELL reporter

Initially tough waters have not stopped the CPHS girls swim team from reaching their goals. After losing to the Valparaiso Vikings in their season opener the girls know it’s time to step up and push forward.

The team looks to regroup after the first meet and start to make a big impact on the rest of their regular season.

Senior captain Kaitlin Gardner is taking the loss and using it to lead the rest of team. The upperclassmen believe in order

to get to be a threat, they must continue training hard.

“After a close loss to Valpo we knew we needed to keep doing what we were doing, but work just a little harder,” Gardner said.

Head coach Bryon Angerman has high hopes for his girls and is preparing his swimmers to make them happen.

“As an overall start to a season goes, this one has been pretty good. I am hoping we can get the girls to place either second or third in the conference. Currently, my main goal is just to get everybody ready for

the season as best as I can,” Angerman said.

The new look of the team has continued to play a major role for the girls. Changes in the lines up have been made, however the girls are driven to power through.

“This year is going to be all about rebuilding as a team,” Artim said. “We lost a lot of girls last year that scored points for us at every meet.”

The season’s need to rebuild has led to younger swimmers stepping up their game.

Angerman looks to his underclassmen to help support his varsity girls.

“We are really looking for some of the underclassmen to step it up and be an addition to our varsity line ups. We are looking for them to work hard this season,” Angerman said.

The team believes positive recognition and individual work ethic is the key for this team’s success story. They are working on being positive and building up each individual scores as well as their confidence.

“I think we are going to look more at the personal best for each person rather than a team,” Artim said.

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arts & entertainment inklings december 15, 2017

OVER rated UNDER

inreview “Everyday is Christmas”

by Sia

A Christmas Prince A Netflix original that fulfills your cheesy holiday movie mood and brings joy that makes you smile from ear to ear. Although it seems predictable, it isn’t what you expect it to be, but comes together in the end to be a perfect fairytale.

OVER

Kevin McCallister may have gotten away from the Scroogelike robbers, but viewers definitely did not get away from the consistent replay of “Home Alone.” This movie is played dozens of times during the holidays, and overpraises the idea of kids being alone during Christmas, not to mention the unrealistic plot of the movie.

Glorifying an unrealistic situation isn’t funny.

RATED

Forget the days of screaming show hosts and judges, and instead binge the friendly competitive baking show, The Great British Baking Show. With seasoned bakers Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry as judges, the challenges are unique and force each individual to do their best and test their overall baking knowledge and techniques.

“Home Alone”

UNDER

The Great British Baking Show

reporters

perfectly

Sia recently released an odd Christmas album, “Everyday is Christmas,” featuring 10 original Christmas songs that do not exactly sound much like Christmas music.

The most listenable track, “Puppies are Forever,” still doesn’t even resemble the holiday spirit.

BY MARIA JEFFIRS ARI SETLAK

Dr. Pepper As soon as it’s consumed, the stereotypical “ahh” emerges. Dr. Pepper makes any day a better one. The light cherry taste puts a fruity twist on cola.

Are You the One? As the season comes to a wrap up, this MTV series will make you view love differently. It will make you think, if my person was in front of me, would I even know? Although the show is enjoyable to watch it can get raunchy.

Starbucks Holiday Tumblr Cups These cups are super durable and last for an obscene amount of time as well as showing the holiday spirit.

Pick your size of choice to fill up with your favorite holiday drink of choice.

The cups are a great way to reuse and be eco-friendly.

HOLIDAY eats

“It’s a Wonderful Life” The Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a movie that seems to not stand out among the more modern movies. The movie is in black and white, which really makes you feel like you are in the movie during that time period. Though it may be older, this movie captures everything Christmas is supposed to encompass. The characters are lovable and relatable, which makes the movie so much better.

Various winter favorites judged for enjoyment, dissatisfaction by staff The holiday season is a time for friends and families to get together and celebrate all they are thankful for. There are great movies and songs to watch and listen to during this season. Although some may be overplayed, all that matters is that everyone is gathered and enjoying their time together.

“All I Want for Christmas is You”

Spending Lots of Money on Gifts

Mariah Carey is known to own the holiday season with her hit song, “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Although the song has been out for 23 years, it continues to takeover the radio stations and the charts. Everyone can admit to leaving the song playing when it comes on, but when it is constantly playing, how much can someone love that song?

Celebration in the company of loved ones during the holidays is priceless, so there should not be pressure to spend a great deal of money on gifts for them. The holidays are supposed to be focused on enjoying time with family, not the gifts. Relatives are not going to pay attention to how much spent on them, they are going to care about the thought that was behind the gift.

• Candy Canes: the tastiest form of • Potatoes: delicious in all forms. peppermint.

• Christmas Cookies: a fun and festive • Holiday Coffee: get your energy way to cure your sweet tooth. from a great-tasting gulp of the • Ham: the obvious successor to season. turkey.

• Pierogis: tiny little dumplings filled • Hot Chocolate: warms you from the inside out. with deliciousness.

Seeing a Christmas Play or Musical Watching Christmas movies is a great part of the holiday season, but seeing a real theatrical performance that exhibits great music, lights, costumes, and sets can be a much better experience than a movie on the TV. When seeing a Christmas play or musical you become apart of the story, allowing yourself to feel pure joy and happiness while watching.

Getting a Real Christmas Tree Surrounded of rows of big beautiful Christmas trees, with a saw in hand there endless possibilities for picking the perfect one. Many families have made picking a real tree a yearly tradition. Going to pick out a real tree is an unforgettable experience. Picking and bringing home a real Christmas tree can add the missing touch to the already festive house, not to mention the magnificent smell that lingers in the house.

“The Disaster Artist” tells compelling story about worst movie ever made

BY MORGAN TAYLOR assistant editor

Being the director of what is deemed to be the worst movie ever made would be thought to make one upset. Director Tommy Wiseau is making the most of his catastrophe by keeping his movie playing in theaters after 14 years, allowing it to become a cult classic. “The Disaster Artist” tells the compelling, yet tragic tale behind the making of the worst movie ever made.

“The Room,” released in 2003, was written, directed and produced by the star of the movie, Wiseau. The film follows the story of a love triangle between the main character, Johnny, his fiance and his best friend. It’s full of terrible acting, loose ends on plot lines and is filled with numerous plot holes and odd acting choices. Although it is deemed as the world’s worst movie, the movie was rumoured to have a $6 million budget but, Wiseau will not confirm how he got his money or how much he spent on the film. This goes along with other widespread unknown facts about

Wiseau due to his secrecy like his place of birth and age.

“The Disaster Artist” tells the true story of the making of “The Room” with a strong focus on Wiseau, played by James Franco, and his best friend and partner Greg Sestero, played by Dave Franco.

Sestero approached Wiseau after an acting class about how much confidence Wiseau portrayed in his acting and Sestero wanted help building his. A friendship quickly sparked between the odd duo and they decided to move to Los An-

geles to start their real acting careers. After disappointment upon disappointment for both of them, Wiseau has a grand idea to make their own movie.

James’ impression of Wiseau is as spot on as one could be. He nailed everything from Wiseau’s iconic laugh to his mysterious accent. Although James does a fantastic impression of Wiseau, the two barely know each other, making his impression all the more impressive. Along with that, the casting was sensational. The new

cast looked similar and every mannerism was spot on. After the end of the movie played a side by side comparison of recreations from the original movie and they were practically identical.

Another smashing detail of the film was the costuming. They had the exact outfits, hairstyles and props from the original film.

Every single article of clothing was indistinguishable from the original costume.

Despite the fact that there were a lot of comedic moments throughout the film, there were also some very depressing undertones, giving the film an extremely mature feel. Viewers found themselves feeling extremely sympathetic towards Wiseau, a tortured and mysterious man who no one really seems to understand. After seeing Wiseau get constantly rejected, screamed at or made fun of, viewers felt terrible for all of the trauma he endured. At his premiere of his life’s work everyone made fun of his movie but thanks to the help of Sestero, Wiseau was able to see how many people enjoyed his movie and learned to make the most of it.

arts & entertainment inklings december 15, 2017

‘Just Like Fate’ is teen love story with unique style

BY KIRA SCHUELKA associate editor

A story typically only tells one side. There is the set up, the problem then the solution. What if a book tackled a problem by offering two different solutions? The book’s protagonist would have different outcomes from their choice.

Caroline Cabot is facing the toughest decision of her life. While her family wants her to stay by her Gram’s side as she is dying due to a stroke, her friend, Simone, insists she has stayed by her side enough and nothing bad could happen if Caroline leaves for a couple hours to attend a party. Caroline is forced to make a decision that may change her life.

Cat Patrick, the book’s author, allows Caroline’s decision to take two paths, in alternating chapters titled “Stay” and “Go”, the aftermath of each decision unfolds. On one side Caroline decides to stay with her grandmother and be with her in her last moments. The other side shows Caroline going to the party with her sister calling her selfish for leaving. By showing how

a small action can change one’s life, “Just Like Fate” takes a young girl’s split choice into a reality.

Patrick writes a legitimate story not holding back when showing family drama and the fights in a relationship.

When Caroline and the boy she meets argue, it is heartbreaking but true. If Caroline’s sister calls her names, the reader feels as though they are being yelled at. Since the book is easy to connect to, these instances make it more personal. Everything Caroline goes through is realistic to what a teen may face, which is respectable.

The book is a simple teen romance with plenty of storyline turns. What makes it special is the ever-changing story. By splitting it into ‘stay’ and ‘go’, Patrick delivers two

stories in one. The book starts with Caroline realizing her Grandmother’s situation and after the first chapters it switches into ‘stay’ or ‘go’ by alternating chapters. By doing this, it truly brings the question ‘How can one path lead you down two different roads?’ into light.

First, is ‘stay’. Caroline tells Simone that she will stay with her family and help them grieve when her grandmother eventually passes. Over the next chapters, Caroline grows closer to her family members since they are all struggling to get over their loss. She also talks to the boy she has had a crush on for years. These two events alone cause readers to believe that her decision to stay must be right, but then there is ‘go’ causing that theory to crumble.

In ‘go’ Caroline has the night of her life. She bumps into an intriguing college student who flirts and jokes with her throughout the night.

Unfortunately, Caroline gets a call regarding her grandmothers condition and feels as though her whole family is upset she left. Caroline decides her

home life may need to change but her personal life thrives when she sees the humorous college boy again.

Each person Caroline meets has a profound effect on her life whether they come to her when she stays or goes. In each side, there is a boy who readers fall in love with but they are so different it is hard to say who is perfect for her. Can it be the one who she has known her whole life but pressures her to be someone she isn’t or the one that makes her so happy but who has a shady past.

Also raised into question between the two stories is her relationship with Simone and sister or one with her brother and father. Since Patrick presents both sides, “Just Like Fate” shows every positive and negative to one decision.

Full of feel good moments showing the envious love two teens can share to the heartbreaking fights, “Just Like Fate” is worth the read. By choosing to stay with her ailing grandmother or going out for the night, Caroline shows how two differing options may still lead to the same ending.

Binge-worthy titles on Netflix nice for long break

BY ASMAA ABDELDAIEM From the T.V. reporter Grey’s Anatomy

Arrow

Jane the Virgin

The Defenders

column

BY KIRA SCHUELKA associate editor

The Bachelor does not reflect realities of falling in love Falling in love should be an intimate connection between two people, not a televised event tweeted and ‘liked’ from viewers.

The Bachelor is not the way two people fall in love. Firstly, it is all scripted drama. When there are girls all falling for one man, they are obviously going to fight.

These arguments are severely exaggerated to make it more entertaining. This would be okay if they did not claim it as a reality show because it is not an accurate display of reality. Also, the whole thought of girls falling at the feet of some man they do not know is silly. When the guy they are all pursuing says he loves three different women while kissing many more, he loses all credibility. What woman wants to be with a man who doesn’t even choose until he is forced to pick between two?

Dating should be nights in with pizza and a movie where nothing elaborate is panned. On the Bachelor, they are dressed up for a five-star-restaurant planning to spend more money than needed. First though, they will fly out to a country, get a boat ride and have personal

chefs serve them. This is not how every ‘date’ they go on should be. How can you truly get to know someone when you don’t know how they are with finances or family?

Contestants don’t even have to do their own laundry, cook food or wash the dishes.

As if the rose ceremony wasn’t silly enough, what about the fact that most of the engagements don’t last.

When the Bachelor first started, the winners seemed in love. Now, two months after the show ends the engagement is broken off. The amount of money put into finding the right person is wasted when they almost never last.

For some reason though, the Bachelor still has devoted fans and ABC, the network that displays the Bachelor, is shoveling in the cash. The Bachelor has many break off shows like the Bachelorette and Bachelor: In Paradise.

The Bachelor is not a successful way to fall in love, the contestants on the show just want to be on the television for fame.

This is not dating. This is not falling in love. This is not your soulmate. This is exaggerated T.V.

FAVORITE THINGS Kettle Popcorn Deliciously sweet that will please your taste buds in any setting. Popcorn comes in many flavors and are even a perfect gift.

Various Grocers $3-7

Crocs If you haven’t already fallen in love with the hit hospital show craze, winter break is a great time to start.

13 seasons are on Netflix already with a 14th coming. Main character Meredith Grey followed her mother’s footsteps in working in the medical field and now she faces the craze of a hospital everyday. Watch as Grey and her friends work their way up at the hospital with plenty of flings and romances causing drama.

Oliver Queen was stranded on an island that changed his life.

As he returned to his home city he decides he wants to fight evil. Using the skills he learned on the island, Queen fights those who have failed ‘his’ city. Throughout the show, flashbacks from the island appear that help you better understand why Queen can now fight villains. ‘Arrow’ is five seasons of action and drama that you won’t want to miss with crossover to other shows.

‘Jane the Virgin’ has three seasons already on Netflix with a fourth coming. Jane Villanueva’s life is turned upside down when she finds out she had been artificially inseminated with wealthy hotel owner Rafael Solano’s sperm.

Solano is a married man while Jane has just gotten engaged to the man of her dreams. Watch as she makes the tough decision as to whether or not it’s a good idea to start a relationship with two different men.

‘Marvel’s The Defenders’, a crime-fighting show, compiles four stories from the Marvel universe, ‘Jessica Jones’, ‘Luke Cage’, ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Iron Fist’. In each separate story, these vigilantes fight crime in New York City. ‘The Defenders’ is perfect to watch over a long break because each breakoff show has a few seasons of their own.

There is action packed into every episode and the fight scenes are a masterpiece of creator Stan Lee’s imagination.

A comfortable and waterproof alternative to sandals. Crocs can be put on in a hurry and the online store offers a variety of colors.

Crocs Store $25

Puffer Vests A stylish way to keep your torso warm in CPHS’s frigid classrooms. Vests can be added to most clothes to add a little extra to each outfit.

Old Navy $30

Air Bud The Air Bud series has been around since 1997. The following year another Air Bud movie was released, Air bud: Golden Receiver. The newer Air Bud movies started in 2000. Netflix currently holds three of the movies in the Air Bud series, Air Bud: World Pup, Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch and Air Bud: Spikes Back. They also have three other movies related to the series, Air Buddies, Spooky Buddies and Space Buddies. Air Bud is about a golden retriever who is extremely athletic. He performs really well in volleyball, basketball and baseball. The movies are cute and worth binging.

WE’RE SO OVER Spotify music blocked Who doesn’t love listening to music while walking through the hallways?

Listening to music has proven to be relaxing and help retention of information; with Christmas and finals coming up music would be perfect. Yes, it may slow the wifi for streaming but music is a must and Spotify is worth slow wifi.

best app

#TRENDING

A section devoted to social media

best tweets Feeling confident in your own skin has got to be one of the best feelings :) @CatarinaLee26 junior Catarina Birkenfeld Good things come to those who wait

senior Bradley Corns

Made of Movies

15

@bradcornss

i dressed my dog up like sushi and it was the best decision i’ve ever made

sophomore Jane Georgas

@janegeorgas

Sand Box A great way to get creative without having to break out the crayon box and coloring book.

Fill in each pixel to create a colorful picture. There are so many creations to be made.

best follow

best game Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp A game involving doing favors for your animals and building furniture to get people to come to your camp. It’s a fun way to relax while you play.

@OhMyCorgi Dog lovers will enjoy these fuzzy corgis that will brighten your day with their small gestures. Who wouldn’t want to be shown an adorable dog on their timeline.

16

people inklings december 15, 2017

Construction of Production Dailey expresses musical creativity through song writing, producing

BY ANDREA JOHN CAT PADILLA co-editor-in-chief reporter

The strumming of a guitar, the thrum of a bass, and the clanging of drums are the foundational layer that compose a band.

It’s one thing to be a part of a band, but another to write and produce each piece. For junior Dugan Dailey, it all started with friends, smartphones, and an idea in his garage.

“My band was originally formed by previous Crown Point graduate, Nick Stockton, and myself,” Dailey said. “I would play bass and he would play guitar.

Eventually, in need of a drummer, we asked Mike O’Brien to join, another previous Crown Point graduate. We play a wide variety of rock music, and have named ourselves The Stolen Goods.”

Dailey and Stockton first tried producing music on their smartphones after they came across a song idea. It was time consuming and did not give them a great final product, according to Dailey. The band saved up money to purchase an upgrade from a smartphone app.

“From this point on, we began researching how recording works, and saving up to buy amatuer recording equipment,” Dailey said.

“Now, when we record, we start by recording the drum track using 4 microphones. Then, we lay over the bass both by recording it via microphone and running a direct input line. Finally, we then record

guitar and vocals, both via microphone. This process is all done in my basement and garage.”

Aside from The Stolen Goods, Dailey is involved in orchestra, chamber orchestra, jazz band, and the Latin Club president. He has played the bass for four years and recently started learning the guitar and drums.

“My interest in music was formed when my older brother began taking violin lessons,” Dailey said. “Because of him, I also wanted to learn how to play musical instruments.”

Dailey and his band rehearse for hours to practice old music or to try writing new music. This process can take a long time due to practicing the same music continuously. ‘’If we are recording, we will try to convene at 10 a.m., and record as much as possible,” Dailey said. “Which can become very tedious due to the repetitiveness of everything, and we can end sometimes at around 8 p.m.”

To produce music, Dailey uses a digital audio workstation software (DAW) called Studio One. “You will need an interface, which is essentially the bay that sends the audio signals to the computer for recording,” Dailey said. “You will need sound monitors. These are mono speakers that play back the music, and are essential for mixing and mastering.”

A microphone or instrument will likely be needed to plug into the interface, according to Dailey.

“After you have these 4 barebone essentials, you can begin recording,” Dailey said. “Although it helps to have equipment like preamps, studio headphones and good amplifiers.”

Dailey’s band tries to combine all of their favorite music and use them to help create their own songs. ‘’My band and I do write our own music. We are inspired primarily by the music we like to listen to, such as Rush, The Foo Fighters and Tom Petty,’’ Dailey said. “I’m usually happy with the outcome and enjoy listening, however there is always a little bit of insecurity because I know where I could have played better.”

Who

Club Culture VEX Robotics

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AVA DAILEY Junior Dugan Dailey works on his digital audio workstation (DAW) computer software to produce music. Dailey and his bandmates saved up to buy all of their own production equipment and record themselves in Dailey’s garage and basement.

“VEX Robotics is a hands on club where you’re forced to design a robot based off of certain curriculums and a specific game,” Turner said.

What

After a song has been written and rehearsed, the recording process can begin. Each instrument and vocals are recorded individually in Dailey’s garage to isolate external sounds.

“Then, we mix the tracks by adjusting volumes, equalization, compressing the tracks, setting gates, or adding any other effect until we have a product that we really enjoy,” Dailey said. “After that, we pan the recording, which is setting each track to the left or right speaker. Finally, we master the recording by extracting the WAV file, setting it in the software as its own track, and doing some final compressing and volume adjustments to the track as a whole.”

“We do combinations of building a robot and designing a program,” Turner said. “We program the robot, we build it, and we work to make it look better.”

When

The Stolen Goods are currently working on releasing a demo EP on a website named Bandcamp, and are unsure when they will produce an album due to scheduling conflicts. Dailey anticipates that their album will take about a month to produce.

Dailey is does not know what he would like to do for a career, but said if the opportunity to pursue something music related arose he would consider it.

“If you want to pursue something music related as a hobby or career, just do it,” Dailey said. “It seems intimidating with so much information to learn and equipment to buy, but if you work at it, it becomes easier everyday.”

“VEX Robotics meets every Monday and Wednesday of every week, even in the summer. We go to tournaments almost every weekend,” Turner said.

Fast five

VEX leader senior Danielle Turner works on one of the team’s numerous robots.

Adriana Garcia “I’m graduating high school. It’s my last year.

I’ve been stuck in this school for four years now. It’s refreshing to think about.”

“I’m looking forward to sophomore year, and sports for sure. And the new Fortnite update.”

-Senior Haleigh Scheller -Senior Shannon Burkes “I’m looking forward to graduating high school this year and getting ready for next year and setting up my future and just enjoying what life has to offer.”

?

-Freshman Jayden Phillips

What Do You

Think

What are you most looking forward to in 2018?

Senior “My junior year because it’s the hardest I’ve heard from others and I’m trying to get it over with so I can go on to senior year and go on from there.”

-Sophomore Christian Mojica

-Junior Kirsten Macintyre

Inspirational People My mom and some of my teachers because I hold myself to a certain standard and also to their standards.

Later On

I definitely don’t want to have a bunch of huge regrets when I’m older.

Ponder and Wonder

I just regret not being more spontaneous at different times. I overthink things a lot.

The Best Feeling

“My trip to Florida for spring break and then track season. I’m going to Marco Island and I run the 400 and 4x4.”

Being not stressed and just being completely, unconditionally happy with no added stresses.

Career To Come

Right now, I want to become a dermatologist.