INKLINGS Jan. 29, 2010
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Volume 74 Issue 5 • Crown Point High School • 1500 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 • inklings@cps.k12.in.us
CADET TEACHING: Class offers real teaching experience page 2 CHEATING IN RELATIONSHIPS: The effect of infidelity page 7 “BANNED” WORDS LIST: Overused words from 2009
News Changes to security at airports Terrorist threat causes airports to implement new procedures
pg. 3
I-on-Life Name brand items vs. look-a-likes Is the name on the label worth the higher cost?
pg. 6
Feature Staff member resolutions See how long their New Year’s resolutions last
pg. 8
Feature Scholarship opportunities Find out how to apply for FAFSA and where to look for specific scholarships.
pg. 9
Check it Out! Inklings has a music blog!
With a wide range of music updated regularly, you’re sure to find something you like at...
http://inklings music.blog spot.com
page 10
Healthcare reform bill passes
Controversial bill could mean major changes for high school students
By Haajar Shaaban staff reporter Although the health care debate appears to only pertain to those dealing with health care, it is vital for students to be aware of such governmental decisions. The long-time debated health care reform bill was passed early Dec. 24. The Senate voted 60-39 in favor of the bill, ending the extensive debate, for now. Health care reform in the United States has been a significant political issue for many years. The bill passed on that cold winter morning wasn’t just another political decision that stays in Washington – it affects the entire nation. “Health care affects everyone. I believe that all Americans deserve access to affordable, quality care,” House Representative Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) said. Since everyone deals with injury and illness, it is important that the American people understand government health care decisions; including high school students. “Students tend to not pay attention to governmental issues because they aren’t faced with those decisions now,” sophomore Deborah Maxwell said. However, the health care bill affects high school students more than they would think. “Your generation will be impacted by the policy decisions made today for much longer than those of us writing the laws,” Visclosky said. For one, the bill will extend the age under which children can stay on their parents’ insurance policies. “In the near term (the health care bill) will allow (students) to remain on parents’ insurance policies until you are 27, helping you complete your studies and launch your careers knowing
photo by M. K Lemon
Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) addresses a packed room at the Crown Point Civic Center. He fielded many questions from constituents about the health care bill.
that you have coverage,” Visclosky said. This means that students will be able to go to school longer, if they wish, and not have to worry about health insurance costs. This could help more students be able to pay for college. The most obvious way the bill affects students as well as all citizens is in coverage. The new health care bill is expected to extend health insurance coverage to an estimated 30 million more Americans. “(The bill is planned to extend coverage by) the inclusion of the public option, the repeal of antitrust exemptions for the insurance industry, and limits on annual and lifetime out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for individuals and families,” Visclosky said. The House Bill contains the Stupak-Pitts
Amendment, which prohibits the use of Federal funds “to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion.” This has caused controversy among prochoice groups, such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, who believe that the amendment will prohibit private insurance coverage of abortion. “Abortion has been a controversial topic for a long time in this country, so having people pay for something they don’t necessarily believe in could heighten anger on the original topic,” science teacher Chris Gloff said. “It is important for us to first come to terms (on the topic of abortion) as a society.”
story continued on pg. 3
Indiana document requirements change Additional documents needed at BMV for permits, licenses By Donny Casillas photographer While driving is a benefit for teens, the requirement to actually obtain one’s license or permit has changed. Bringing in documents such as a birth certificate, social security, and proof of residency in Indiana are only three necessities to the new list of proper documents that are needed, with the intention to keep identities of drivers safe. As of Jan. 1, 2010, Indiana changed the document requirements that must be present when getting a new learner’s permit,
driver’s license, or ID card. This new program, called SecureID, was built to fully meet with federal regulations and is expected to be a requirement in the future for anyone that is getting a permit, license, or ID. Citizens must bring the following to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (otherwise known as BMV): one document to prove your identity, one document to prove your Social Security number, one document prove to your “lawful status” in the United States, and two documents to prove that you live in Indiana.
In all, a person needs to bring in six documents to ensure that SecureID is provided. If a person is under 18, he or she would need to bring his parents along with him. Examples of acceptable documentation include birth certificates, social security numbers, bank statement, US passports, and health insurance. Also, instead of receiving the license, permit, or ID right then and there, the card is sent in the mail from a secure, governmentrun location to the address of the customer, which should be received within 10 busi-
ness days. This makes sure identities are safe within the government. “I really like that Indiana is making our identities so much more secure, but having to look for a lot of documents that we might not have seems too much,” sophomore Cortney Grove said. “The wait only makes it even bigger of a hassle.” Senior Tabby Gonsowski thinks differently. “It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s great that the state made a good program to protect us and our identities,” she said.
Citizens who have had their licenses or IDs before 2010 do not have to renew them, but the SecureID policy will still be in affect on normal renewal dates, and proper documents will still be needed. “If I don’t need to renew my license now, then I don’t see the point of rushing to the BMV,” junior Neil Hamilton said. If problems with gathering documents occur, then applying for a non-SecureID will still give the privilege of driving. Additionally, if the person is over 18, he or she can also vote with this form of identification.
New program “Secure ID” requires these documents • Document to prove your identity, like birth certificate • Social security number • Document showing lawful status in United States, like a passport • Two documents proving Indiana residency, like a bank statement
2
IN the know
2.2
Groundhog Day
2.6
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble
2.14
Valentine’s Day
2.15
Presidents’ Day; No School
2.20
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble State
Improv group raises money for animal shelter The Crown Point High School improv group “The Stray Dogs” raised enough money to buy over 2,000 pounds of dog food for the Lake County Animal Shelter on their Jan. 15 show. There are 14 students in “The Stray Dogs.” Sponsor is history teacher Don Bernacky.
Students display unique talents at annual show Participants in the talent show performed to a full auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 21. Senior Alex Horst was named Best Stage Presence for her karate board breaking presentation, rock band “The Sunshine Killaz” was named the Crowd Pleaser, and junior Israel Mercado and sophomore Capone Shannon received the Most Original award for their dance number.
Speech team members awarded at tournament Senior Ryan Farrell took first in the discussion event as the speech team competed at the Chesterton High School tournament on Saturday, Jan. 16. Senior Adam Tinsley took fourth place in discussion and juniors Bekah Maddack and Taylor Cantrell earned an eighth place ribbon in the scripted duo event. The team received an overall fifth place sweepstakes. On Sat., Feb. 15, speech team members will compete at Plymouth High School.
BPA qualifies for state The Business Professionals of America chapter at Crown Point High School has qualified to compete in the state leadership conference to be held in Indianapolis on March 7 through 9. On Sat., Jan. 16, BPA Bull Dogs participated in a leadership conference held at Chesterton High School where they competed in numerous events. “I am so proud of our team, and I am especially excited for them to experience the State Leadership Conference. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” BPA sponsor Mary Bachnak said.
News
Budget cuts affect CP schools By M. Bates and A. Easto associate editor and staff reporter Indiana public colleges are not the only institutions facing budget cuts. As mentioned in the last issue, Governor Mitch Daniels announced that $298 million would be reduced from public schools (K-12). The cuts officially began this month and school corporations across the state will face a 3.5 percent decrease by the end of this year. “The cuts were made because of a severe decline in state revenues due to the economic downturn. The state has had to make cuts in every area to maintain a balanced budget,” Indiana Department of Education’s Chief of Staff Todd Huston said. According to Huston, the Indiana General Assembly formulates how much money will be reduced from each school corporation. Crown Point Community School Corporation superintendent Teresa A. Eineman said about $2 million will be cut in the year 2010. “(Crown Point Community School Corporation) was forewarned months ago, but we were told that (the cut) would be about half of what it is. We’re in shock because of the magnitude of the cut. It is extremely frightening to me as a learning leader in the Crown Point Community School Corporation,” Eineman said. The Indiana State Board of Education gave each school corporation a checklist on what they could reduce from their budget. To manage money, Eineman said that the Crown Point Community School Corporation changed health insurance carriers and implemented voluntary, energy efficiency suggestions, among other efficiency measures. Some suggestions ask employees to turn off lights, remove personal appliances, and turn off computers at night. “The administration has not asked me to turn off my computers, but I always turn them off before leaving. I think that turning off the computers will save money,” business technology teacher Maryann Buczkowski said. Surrounding school corpora-
January 29, 2010
School clubs raise money for Haiti By Brittany Curtis managing editor
photo by m.k Lemon
Crown Point Community School Corporation superintendent Teresa Eineman and director of curriculum and instruction James Hardman review budget cuts during a school board meeting. tions such as Lake Central and Chesterton are looking at alternatives such as transportation charges according to The Times. Franklin Township Schools in Franklin, Indiana are even considering a pay-to-play athletic program. However, Eineman ensures that athletics is not being singled out. “Athletics is one of the many extracurricular activities we will maintain. Nothing is on the list to be cancelled. We’re using our operating balance for reductions, so we can plan appropriately,” Eineman said. Crown Point Community School Corporation employs about 1000 teachers, support staff, and substitutes. Eineman said that if an employee decides to retire or relocate, schools would look at alternative ways of replacing them. “We will be looking at every position to ask if it is a critical position or if it can be left open until
the economy improves in Indiana,” Eineman said. Eineman insisted that teacher salaries for the Crown Point Community School Corporation are not on the list for things to be cut. Nor are extra-curricular activities such as performing arts, sports, or clubs. “Cheerleading competitions are paid for by the school. We enjoy attending the competitions and we would pay for them if we had to,” freshmen Alexa Grady and Sam Angel said. History teacher Michael Bazin said that students and teachers are vulnerable during these poor economic times. “Being a younger teacher I am always concerned about my job status, but I think the school corporation and teacher’s association are putting an emphasis on not cutting positions. (The concern) gives me more incentive to do my best,” Bazin said.
The world watched in horror on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 as a literally earth-shattering earthquake left the destroyed country of Haiti in its wake. The earthquake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale and is the worst that the country has seen in almost 200 years. The earthquake’s epicenter was the city of Léogâne, which is 15 kilometers, or about 10 miles, from the country’s capital or Portau-Prince, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. Although the damage may seem like it could have no consequence on America, the U.S. is still doing its part to help. A “Hope for Haiti” telethon was shown on Jan. 22 airing on and featured an allstar series of performers. Students at CPHS have tried to do their part as well. Junior Rebecca Reed and freshman Sarah Reed sold candy bars for $1 with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross. “My family and I all agreed that we should do something, so I thought that it would be a good idea to sell candy. We raised about $200,” junior Rebecca Reed said. Student Council tried to do its part as well to raise money for the tragedy-ridden country. Proceeds from the concessions at the talent show also went to the American Red Cross. SPLAT club will also be selling personalized buttons and mirrors for $1 and $1.50, respectively. They will be sold during all lunch hours Feb. 16-19. Students can customize the text of the buttons and choose from an array of designs. Proceeds will be going to American Red Cross for Haiti relief.
Cadet teaching offers students to explore career By Michele Bates associate editor Students looking for a future career in teaching are now are able to get experience in a Crown Point High School classroom. “Introduction to Teaching,” also known as Cadet Teaching, is a new dual credit course that is offered by Indiana University Northwest and Crown Point High School. According to Cadet Teaching supervisor and special needs teacher Liz Hanlon, the idea for Cadet Teaching originated after principal Dr. Eric Ban was trying to get more students interested in exploring their future careers in high school. Ban also wanted students to be able to receive college credit at a low cost. “Dr. Ban recognized that many of the former peer tutors were enrolled in college to become teachers because of their peer tutoring experience at the high school. He came to me because I have the peer tutors and
photo by A. Parrish
Seniors Tori Welker and Dan Julius work on a Cadet Teaching assignment during classroom instruction time. Students are required to complete five projects during the course. asked me if I would be willing to participate in Cadet Teaching,” Hanlon said. In order to be enrolled in the course, a student must meet certain qualifications. The student has to be a junior or senior and should be considering teaching
as a career. According to Hanlon, the Cadet Teaching program is designed to help a student make a career decision. “Students take the class and they get some experience in the classroom and find out more about (teaching),” Hanlon said.
Each week, Cadet Teaching students are required to have three days of classroom instruction and two days of field/teaching experience at the high school. Classroom instruction includes self assessment from the chapter textbook and five major projects to complete over the remainder of the course. Some of the projects include interviewing a teacher and attending a school board meeting. “The five projects are to help the students become familiar with the work of teachers, begin to develop their educational philosophies, examine the nature and purpose of schools, and to critically evaluate teaching as their chosen profession,” Hanlon said. Senior Dan Julius is one of the 17 students enrolled in the class. He said that the class has been learning about the basic abilities of being a teacher. “The best part of the class is getting a head start on becoming a teacher,” Julius said.
News
January 29, 2010
Airports taking extra security measures New threats to security force airports to take precautions
By Garret Hogan staff writer If you are missing winter vacation and already planning your Spring break trip to Cancun, you may want to take into consideration the new airport security measures implemented by the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA. As of Jan. 4, 2010 the TSA issued new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound and outbound flights to the U.S. Most of us are under the impression that removing our shoes at the airport and limiting ourselves to those tiny, trial-size containers of toothpaste, shaving cream, and lotion are enough to ensure a safe flight. For passengers on Northwest Flight 253, this was not the case. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was the reason behind the abrupt changes in airport security around the nation. On a flight leaving Amsterdam heading to Detroit, Abdulmutallab made the decision to have powerful explosives sewn into his underwear. He was charged Sat., Dec. 26 with trying to blow up Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day. His alleged attempts to blow up and place a destructive device on a U.S. civil aircraft confounded not only airport security, but also authorities. “The terrorist was (unwise) for trying to harm innocent people, but it does make me upset to know that it’s possible to get past security with deadly weapons,” junior Katie Myers said. Either a “whole-body
imaging” scanner, which gives a much more detailed picture than a regular metal detector, or a “sniffer” machine, which analyzes trace chemicals, were among the choices for new international airport security. The TSA chose the “whole body imaging” scanner, so if you are planning on taking an international flight; take into consideration that the new security measures consist of X-rays of the entire body. The TSA mandate explains how some of the metal detectors will be taken out of place and replaced by new devices that when walked through take pictures of the body exposing areas where items could be hidden where metal detector could possibly miss them. This way, the people working security can easily notice any weapons or other items of suspicion and handle the situation. Many people feel this is an invasion of privacy. “I’m not entirely comfortable with the fact of people, even if they are workers, looking at my body. Even though it’s an X-ray, this will definitely have me worried if I ever choose to fly out of the country,” senior Tyler Bowman said. In addition to the new security changes, the TSA is now mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world that is an area of interest in terrorism will be required to go through even more enhanced screening. The directive also increases random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights. “I think we should simply scan everyone, then there would
By Kelly Rostin opinion editor
photo by
B. Iddings
Math teacher Keith Iddings places his personal items into the proper bins to go through security at Midway International Airport in Chicago. Since the terrorist threat on Dec. 25, security measures have increased. be no risk. I am sure that people won’t mind the extra time it takes to go through security to make
sure that their flight will be a safe one,” sophomore Ryan Maluchnik said.
my experience On Christmas day, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tested our country’s airport security system by passing through with a bomb sewn to his undergarments. Following the incident, President Obama addressed that there would be an increase in security throughout our airports. Less than a month later, my family and I flew out of Midway International Airport to Orlando for a vacation to Universal Studios. Prior to this trip, I expected there to be a greater intensity in airport security due to the recent
healthcare reform, continued from pg. 1 Another major change in health care will be that insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage because of preexisting conditions. They will also be required to cover routine checkups and preventive care to ensure that serious diseases are caught before they get worse. In the House version of the bill, there is a requirement for retail food chains with 20 or more locations to list calorie counts on the menu board, including a drive-through board. Vending machines will also be required to have similar information available “in close proximity to each article
terrorist scare. I was surprisingly wrong. Approaching the security belt, I felt as if security was the same since my previous flight in late November. The usual procedures took place; nothing had changed. Yes, my family and I had to take off our shoes, coats, and bags, but there were no extra precautions made. I was sure that they would have some sort of new body screening device or maybe would have slowed the belt down to check bags more thoroughly, but this was not the case at Midway. Yet while our Chicago airport didn’t change, Orlando’s TSA’s
security was more attentive. The standard rule for not allowing any container of liquid over three ounces still pertained to all airports. Little did I know how poor the judgment in which a TSA member would have regarding how much three ounces of liquid looks like. On my family’s passing through security in Orlando’s airport, my mother was asked by the TSA man if he could look further into her bag. She allowed him to do so and he removed my Maggie Simpson cup I got from Univ ersal Studios. This cup had never been used, but it did have a thin layer of water contain-
of food or the selection button.” “(The requirement) could make people more aware of the health choices they’re making,” Maxwell said. The requirement was proposed to help reduce obesity, hypertension, and diabetes rates in the country. “This country suffers from many ramifications: poor dieting, low physical activity, and lack of education about health risks lead to obesity, kidney failure, and cancer. (Requiring vending machines and fast food chains to display calorie counts) will be expensive, but ultimately will lead to reform and new ways to get different results,” Gloff said. The final health care reform bill that will go to Congress and
We are on the verge of making history and, as I already asserted, I believe the conference to resolve differences will be successful and that we will enact a law that improves the healthcare system for all Americans.
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By Becca Iddings advertising editor
CPHS to host ISSMA competition
3
House representative Pete Visclosky
ing floating sparkles between the inner and outer layer of the cup. Apparently, the cup, even though it contained less than three ounces of water, was somehow a danger to the passengers on the plane. Guess who didn’t get to keep her souvenir? Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe we should be searched for the safety of the other fliers and the people of our country, but I think they need to focus a bit more on the more important things. I easily could have walked through the metal detector with a metal-free explosive in my pocket, but Maggie Simpson is on the no fly list. be signed by the president will be a combination of the House bill that was approved in early November and the Senate bill passed late December. So now the current struggle is to peacefully merge the House bill and Senate bill together to form one appeasing health care bill. “Conference committees are often contentious and difficult. In fact, my experience has been that the greatest fights in Congress are not between Democrats and Republicans, but rather between the House and the Senate. That said, we are on the verge of making history and, as I already asserted, I believe the conference to resolve differences will be successful and that we will enact a law that improves the health care system for
Every year, students from the area who are musically inclined have an opportunity to showcase their talents and participate in a music competition called ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association). ISSMA hosts both instrumental and vocal competitions. For the second year in a row, Crown Point High School was chosen to host the solo and ensemble vocal portion of the competition on Jan. 30, 2010. Many students from our own school volunteer to take part in ISSMA. One of these students is sophomore Joe Favia, who is performing a solo in Italian. “I choose to do ISSMA because it’s a fantastic feeling to know that you’ve worked really hard to accomplish something” Favia said. Students perform their piece in front of a panel of judges, who then evaluate the performance. Students receive gold, silver, or bronze medals, or participation ribbons depending on the judge’s evaluation of their performance. Those who perform in the Group I class can advance to the state competition if they receive a gold medal. “It’s sometimes nervewracking to perform a song for a judge, but it’s definitely rewarding in the end,” junior ISSMA participant Ethan Gresham said. Gresham, like Favia, is performing a solo as well as singing in an ensemble. “I always participate in ISSMA because performing is enjoyable for me,” Gresham said. Favia feels that our school is a prime location for the competition site. “I think it’s nice that we host ISSMA because it gives everybody a chance to come see a lot of talented singers from our school as well as from the district,” Favia said. “It’s also easy for students from our school to participate this year because they all live relatively close to CPHS.”
all Americans,” Visclosky said. The House bill is more liberal, while the Senate bill is more conservative, so it will no doubt be a challenge, but this country has been able overcome more difficult challenges before this. “We are now finally poised to deliver on the promise of real, meaningful health insurance reform that will bring additional security and stability to the American people,” President Barack Obama said in his statement shortly after the Senate passed the bill on Christmas Eve. “Our challenge, then, is to finish the job. For the sake of our citizens, our economy, and our future, let’s make 2010 the year we finally reform health care in the United States of America.”
Opinion
4
January 29, 2010
Over-the-top PDA in hallways should be kept to a minimum
Inklings Inklings is a student publication distributed to students, faculty, and staff of Crown Point High School. It is published monthly by the newspaper and advanced journalism students. Opinions expressed in Inklings do not reflect those of the CPHS faculty, staff, or the administration. Inklings welcomes and encourages signed lettersto-the-editor. Letters may be edited for space or clarity. Letters must be signed and turned in to room E107 one week prior to publications and must not contain personal attacks. Letters may also be sent via e-mail at inklings@cps.k12. in.us. Not all letters may be printed. Such decisions are the sole discretion of the Inklings editors and staff. Advertising is subject to the applicable rate, copies of which are available from Inklings advertising department or by contacting 663-4885 ext. 11349. Inklings is a member of the Indiana High School Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll. Inklings may be contacted at 1500 S. Main, Crown Point, IN, 46307; 219-663-4885 ext. 11349; fax 219-662-5663; or inklings@ cps.k12.in.us. Editors Cori Novelli Deanna Sheafer editors-in-chief Michele Bates associate editor Brittany Curtis managing editor Lauren Cain Matt Smith copy editors Becca Duggan entertainment editor Kelly Rostin opinion editor Hunter McKee sports editor Milan Savich Colin Likas sports assistants Anna Ortiz graphics editor Becca Iddings advertising editor Alyssa Blahunka advertising assistant Georgia Otte chief photographer Joe Nejman Alex Parrish Vinnie Needham Mary-Katherine Lemon Donnella Casillas photographers Staff Ammy Easto Arley Gomez Garret Hogan Lauren McCarroll Danielle McCuan Marwa Nour Haajar Shaaban Adviser Julie Elston
By Ammy Easto staff writer
V
cartoon by
Anna Ortiz
Awareness of news important for teens
iew:
These days teenagers seem to be very involved in pop culture and tend to ignore the news. Awareness of current events is what will influence and change the world. editorial
Who just recently underwent masses of plastic surgeries? What celebrity couple just broke up? Most teens can answer these questions with ease. But which country just experienced a major earthquake? Or, what is the healthcare bill all about? If you are struggling to answer these, you are not alone. Teenagers tend to spend hours per week scouring websites like TMZ or PerezHilton. When the T.V. is on, channels are immediately flipped from the nightly news to Snooki and the rest of the Jersey Shore cast. Thanks to technology, information is constantly at our fingertips. But if we’re only using it to soak up even more irrelevant pop culture tidbits, we won’t make any progress. While it may be tempting to set your homepage to Facebook, try visiting CNN and skimming the headlines. There are countless news sites with significant information, but since there are just as many “fun” sites, important topics can still easily be avoided. Students have to take it upon themselves and choose to find out what’s going on in the world. Although we are young, current events do impact us—even if we can’t vote on issues quite yet. All of the state budget cuts to education directly touch our lives, yet teenagers hear the words “budget,” or “economy” and tune out because they seem like boring, adult matters. The healthcare bill and other recent decisions made by the government have a major impact on everyone’s future, but again we don’t pay attention because it’s a political matter. There is no doubt this and other changes like it will affect us; if we don’t try to understand politics now, the outlook for our generation looks rather bleak. Teenagers need to become involved as young adults instead of skirting around the issues until they’re older. If teens are remaining unaware of our real world now, they’re not going to abruptly find a sudden interest in the world’s affairs later. Yes, it is okay to tune in to celebrity gossip and indulge once in a while, but staying up to date with what is going on around us is much more important. Funny celebrity photos aren’t going to affect us or the world at large. A general awareness of current events is vital to teens maturing. Armed with this knowledge, we can influence the world.
Ah, yes. We’ve all witnessed the blockade of “kissy kissy smoochie smoochie” teenagers embracing their inner passion in the open. The big googly eyed display of affection. But when is enough, enough? Where do teens draw their relationship line? I understand just as much as the next that we want to show off our significant others. So what happened to interlocked hands meaning interlocked emotions? Hand holding was and still is A-okay. I don’t mind this gesture. The world appreciates this. Plus, it’s cute on most occasions. And along with hand holding, hugs are also socially acceptable. However, if you believe a five minute embrace in a crowded hallway is okay, it’s not. We get the idea after the first few seconds. So hug and release fellow students. Hug and release. Here comes what not to do. Kiss. I am not saying a peck is inappropriate; however, I don’t appreciate seeing the same couples everyday, in the same location, display their affection. I get it and I don’t have to witness this every day to remember either. I’m sure I’m not alone. And please, neglect anything more than a peck. One word: Gross. Tell me, wasn’t hallway walking more enjoyable when the only thing publicizing relationships was the linking hands and the occasional hug or kiss? Oh, yes the innocent middle school days. But innocent is not terrible and, quite frankly, the world welcomes innocence. It keeps the peace and the cuteness on the rise. So fellow students, keep it clean in the school. The hallways and locker bays are made for storing books and getting to class. Detours directing you toward the lips of your significant other is not the route others want to see. We would rather have the old days of cooties back, or at least I do.
heard in the
halls
New Year’s Resolutions “My resolution this year was to make a difference, so I’m volunteering at a retirement home because I want to make their lives better.” Junior Ashley Kolet
Banned Words “I hate when people say “J.K.” It annoys me that they don’t just say what they mean.” Sophomore Dillan Cope
Harlem Globetrotters “There were so many people there and I didn’t know what to expect at first, but the tricks were really fun to watch. They put on a good show.” Senior Katrina Kuiper
Opinion
January 29, 2010
5
Staying driven until the end By Alex Parrish photographer
Cartoon by Anna Ortiz
Jay Leno or Conan O’Brien? By Matt Smith co-copy editor
Upon hearing NBC’s proposal to move “The Tonight Show” to a later time, host Conan O’Brien immediately refused this proposal and announced that he would not continue with the show if it was moved. “I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is (the show’s) destruction,” O’Brien said in a written statement regarding the move. After Leno retired from the show, O’Brien spent a mere 7 months hosting “The Tonight Show.” And now Leno is taking the show back, forcing O’Brien to leave the network. “I just wanted to tell all the kids and everyone that you can do whatever you want in life,” O’Brien half-joked in one of his recent monologues, “that is, unless Jay Leno wants to do it too.” NBC re-hired Leno after they realized he might move to a different network. During his switch to “The Tonight Show,” O’Brien and his entire crew and their families had to relocate across the country to Los Angeles. Now they will be forced to relocate once again. Due to its irrational fear of losing Leno to another network, NBC has now lost O’Brien, a loss which—as shown by the immense support O’Brien has gained in recent weeks—will eventually prove to be irreparable. O’Brien closed his last show with a heart felt sentiment. “All I ask is one thing,” he said, “particularly of our young people that watch. Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism. For the record, it’s my least favorite quality. It doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen. I’m telling you, amazing things will happen.”
Kiana Hodnett “Look-a-likes, because sometimes people can’t afford (name brands).”
Junior
Freshman
speak up Which do you prefer, name brand products or look-a-likes?
I
NBC officials announced Jan. 10 that due to low ratings they would move “The Jay Leno Show” out of primetime starting Feb. 12, bumping O’Brien’s “The Tonight Show” to a less popular 12:05 a.m. Which late night host deserved the more popular time slot?
By Haajar Shaaban staff reporter
Sophomore
Corporate America is out to make money, and television stations such as NBC are no exception to this. Ratings rise and fall, and these stations are forced to make changes. Unfortunately for Conan O’Brien, his were the ratings that fell. Consequently, Jay Leno will soon be returning to his role as host of The Tonight Show after his recent shift to an earlier time slot, while O’Brien will be leaving the network altogether. Some may criticize NBC’s decision, but to a network, ratings are everything. To the executives, watching ratings drop is like watching as money slowly burns away into nothingness. While Leno’s new time slot didn’t do quite as well as expected, this drop is partly due to competition with primetime television on other networks. The fact is, on his old show, Leno performed better than O’Brien. As far as the hosts’ comedy goes—O’Brien just doesn’t measure up to Leno. He relies too heavily on skits and slapstick humor to entertain his audience, which doesn’t always appeal to the late night crowd. His comedic timing is faulty, and he never knows when to end a joke. Leno, on the other hand, is a well-rounded comedian who can appeal to the audience he needs to. O’Brien needs a bit more experience before he is ready for a show with such high expectations as The Tonight Show. Leno’s move back to his old spot on The Tonight Show has raised controversy in late night watchers around the country. However, O’Brien’s plummeting ratings are proof that it is the best idea for both the viewers and the network. Leno is funnier, more experienced, and has better luck with the audience. Without a doubt, this decision will prove to be a good one.
ssue:
Team Conan: Leno gave him the show then forced him out
Senior
Team Leno: O’Brien’s comedic skills just don’t measure up
Kaylie Slosson “Name brands, because they are better quality.”
Each year it really seems that as the very first semester comes to an absolute end, so does the students’ intense drive and focus. This contagious plague affects an extremely large amount of the school, but the senior class in particular seems to have an infectious case of this bug. Somehow being late and forgetting to do multiple assignments seems to become excusable because of what is known as “senioritis.” This, however, should not be the case at hand. All students should keep in mind that they need to continue persevering through for the remainder of the year, and seniors again in particular really need to stay motivated, especially if they plan on attending college. Colleges look for students who remained focused throughout their entire high school career and challenged themselves in more difficult classes. Also colleges view that category of student as the most promising future attendants of their university. This translates into the colleges being more favorable towards the more focused students, and thus them getting a better shot at financial aid and even admission. Colleges also look for students who succeeded at rigorous courses, so all the seniors who just wanted “an easy senior year” and took a lot of elective classes may want to revise their schedules. Colleges have even been known to go as far as to revoke a student’s admission if they see their grades seriously falling. But with all this said, I still will be among the first to admit that as school settles, it is much more difficult to keep your drive and stay on track. But I along with other students need to keep pushing through till the end of the year. The thought that gets me through is the fact that I have worked so hard to get where I am for three years, and I don’t want to waste away my last year here. So, until school gets out in June, students have to remember that they still need to keep up their grades.
Mariah Rodriguez
Justin Flanery
“Name brands, because they last longer.”
“Look-a-likes; spending a lot of money on clothes is ridiculous.”
I
Performing
on
life
The Lady Steppaz were back at the talent show, displaying their dance moves in a style known as “stepping.” Their newest routine was well-received.
Ask Laugh Explore Wonder Inspire
January 29, 2010
Building
6
Sophomore Carl Wendt works with supplies as he builds machinery in the club Robodogs.
Live
Stop sacrificing loot for the label By Cori Novelli co-editor-in-chief
For some, looking fashionable in high school is a must, but affording such an expensive wardrobe can be difficult. Fortunately, sporting a “name brand” style doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Look-a-like products are designed to capture the same essence as the designer items but are sold at half the price. Even actual name brand products can be found at unbelievably low prices. Stores like T.J. Maxx buy top-brand clothes from their retailers and sell them at costs ranging from 25 percent to even 75 percent off the department store prices. So check out these name brand products and their look-a-likes, and see if you can tell the difference—maybe a little more obvious is the difference in their prices.
3) A.
B.
1) A.
B.
4) A.
B.
2) A.
B.
5) A.
B.
1 2 3 4 5
by the numbers
A. B.
Columbia
$60
the Northface
$100
Without sacrificing warmth or style, students can spend $40 less just by purchasing a Columbia jacket instead of the Northface. Even though the Northfaces are more expensive, not all students think they are a better value. “I like the Columbias better. Even though they’re cheaper, I really like the quality. Plus, they match my shoes and they’re where I get all my fishing gear,” sophomore Michael Kukurugya said.
A. B.
A. B.
True Religion Jeans $330 Wet Seal Jeans
Starter Tee
$27
$180 Fake Uggs $60
Three times less expensive, “fuggs” blow away the competition in affordability. Save $120 dollars just by replacing the label “Ugg” at the heel. Plus, because fake Uggs have to work harder to win over buyers, their looks encompass a broader range of styles. “Uggs get dirty, especially when walking through the snow and salt. It makes more sense to buy cheaper boots more often and keep up with the styles than splurge on real Uggs,” senior Xia Meng Howey said.
$10
Under Armour
Why even bother considering the real version when you can buy similar jeans for almost 12 times less? Save $300 and buy another 12 pairs of jeans, or something a little more practical. “The [look-a-likes] are so much cheaper and they look basically the same. You might as well buy a whole new wardrobe with the money you’re saving,” junior Cassie Marshall said.
Ugg Boots
A. B.
A. B.
$50
Stay warm, absorb sweat and save money with a Starter Tee for $40 less. Found at WalMart, these “Under Armour” knock-offs provide the same benefits as Under Armour Tees, but give you more money to spend towards something else—maybe some better running shoes? According to junior Marcus Trybula, “I’d much rather spend less money on the cheaper ones. I like having money in my pocket,” he said.
Nicole Miller Luggage
$300
Nicole Miller Luggage
$50
Look the same? Well, these two are the same product! Traditionally, this Nicole Miller (20” x 14” x 7.5”) luggage bag costs $300 or more online, but I got mine for just 50 dollars just by shopping at T.J. Maxx. A local store can be found in the strip mall on US 30 & Interstate 65, and at other locations across Northwest Indiana and Chicago-land. It’s easy to flaunt the name brands without the name brand prices.
7
Feature
January 29, 2010
Tainted Love
Two-timing teen romance takes its toll on love-struck students By Anna Ortiz graphics/ feature editor You did it as a kid while playing an intense game of Monopoly. You do it during the occasional test by stealthily peeking over at someone else’s paper. But when you hear about it in relationships ,it takes on a whole new meaning. Cheating is an issue in high school that seems to be exhibited just as freely in relationships as it is on homework assignments.
“
It changed everything... I just wasn’t myself
“
Junior Taylor O’Brien “(The guidance office) sees students on a regular basis that are dealing with cheating, whether they are being cheated on or know someone that is involved in an unfaithful relationship,” guidance counselor Brenda Wolski said. However it’s not only a problem in high school, the issue also carries on into adulthood. Statistics from love-sessions.com say that about 41 percent of men and women have admitted to have cheated at some point on their spouse or significant other. About 68 percent of them have been cheated on. “Cheating is a problem everywhere. I think we’ve lost a bit of our loyalty, people don’t seem to be held to their morals as much these days,” Wolski said. If anything, today’s media can attest to that. Golf pro Tiger
Graphic by Anna Ortiz
Woods has made the news recently not for his athletic skill, but his infidelity. The after-Thanksgiving car crash and following scandal led the man known as the world’s richest athlete and most famous golfer to confess to having affairs with ten women while married. “Media plays a major role in cheating in our culture. We see actors and actresses or sports figures on news and entertainment shows that are having affairs and being unfaithful. The media hype definitely minimizes the impact of cheating in relationships,” Wolski said. Students realize that cheating isn’t an issue affecting only celebrities. “It changed everything. I felt really self-conscious and it affect-
ed my self-esteem, like I thought she was prettier than me so I felt like I had to worry about my appearance a lot. I just wasn’t myself,” O’ Brien said. Senior Jen Burke agrees that cheating can take its toll on a relationship. “It hurt so bad. Nothing hurts worse than being cheated on,” Burke said. Many times there are different reasons why infidelity becomes an issue in teen dating. “A lot of times it’s just boredom, payback or jealousy of friends that are guys that they are close to,” junior Vincent Westgate said, “Everyone I’ve known has been tempted to cheat at one point.” Burke agrees that often bore-
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dom is a factor as well as the longtime relationship issue of “falling out of love.” However self esteem and the want for companionship also plays a part in this high school concern, O’ Brien adds. Often, according to Wolski, cheating occurs because of lack of communication as well as issues with motives and maturity. “Sometimes serious relationships can be overwhelming and at this age dating should be fun, it’s not necessary to always be attached to someone,” Wolski said. But often in teen relationships that have had a fatally unfaithful past, it seems that often the couple get back together again for a period of time. “(I think people get back together because) you believe that they can change and be a better person. Sometimes the feelings for that person are just that strong and you don’t want to leave them,” Burke said. And as wrenching and troubling cheating may be at the present, it has its long term effects, too. “Cheating is immature and can ruin your reputation with other possible relationships in the future,” Westgate said. The truth is, high school will always hold the burden of young heartbreak, but it also has the reminiscence of teen sweethearts and new beginnings. “It all definitely makes me appreciate the person I’m with now more and I’m willing to like a guy for who he is. I never want what happened to happen to anyone else again,” O’ Brien said, “Cheating is a problem because people can take everything too seriously. In the end there are so many other fish in the sea, and it took what had happened to be able to see that.”
They might be cheating
WHEN... “They just become really distant or take up activities at random.” Senior Jennifer Burke
“They start suspecting that you are cheating.” Freshman Kyle Lowry
“They don’t text you back and sound really distant in conversations.” Senior Mike Miller
“They start making up really strange excuses to cancel plans last minute.” Senior Tiffany Drasich
Feature
8
Keeping it up in 2010
January 29, 2010
Stay healthy by following Students record the ups and downs of their resolutions these steps
As January comes to a close, new year’s resolutions are already being put to the test on whether they’ll be kept throughout the year. Three of our Inklings’ staffers will be tracking their own resolu-
tions, describing their past experiences both throughout the past month of January in addition to the weeks coming up. Each month, follow their successes and setbacks as they post updates on how their resolutions are coming along. Plus, see if you can track a resolution with us! Breaking Bad Habits Brittany Curtis managing editor
Staying Fit Anna Ortiz graphics editor
Keeping Grades Up Dani McCuan staff reporter
WEEK 1 An avid nail biter for almost all of my life, I finally decided to bite the bullet (pun intended) and try to quit biting my nails. I know that it’s unsanitary and bad for my nails; this New Year’s resolution may be exactly what I need to try and quit. For the first week, I tried to stay aware of my nail biting and keep it to a minimum.
Brick wall seems an apt description for “week one.” I planned to join a gym with a friend and visit the school weight room 3-4 times a week during either zero hour or lunch. Unfortunately, my gym buddy bailed on me while the high school weight room proved to be not as accessible as I thought. Basically, I bummed week one.
I realized that week one stayed as a continuation of my old habits from the year before. I did my homework in Algebra II, of course, but any extra effort that I could have put in the raise my grade wasn’t accomplished. I know that I need to work harder; colleges are going to see that my math grades haven’t been up to par.
WEEK 2 Week two of not biting my nails actually wasn’t too hard. Because of turnabout, my mom allowed me to get fake nails, which disabled me from biting them. I’ll have to take them off soon, though, so I guess we’ll see how it goes then. At least it was fun pretending that I had nice, long nails for a week!
I picked up the speed as I took up boxing again. And if anyone knows the exercise of shadow-boxing (which is kind of like boxing with an invisible opponent sans punching bag) it can be strenuous the first few times. I went into it for three times throughout the week in 40 minute intervals. I deemed week two a success.
I stepped up my ‘math game’ just a little bit. I studied for the dreaded semester exam coming up the following week by doing homework that consisted entirely of review problems. However, I still couldn’t remember how to do most of the problems. Defeated, I decided that I would go in during zero hour for help.
WEEK 3 Saying that it’s been hard not biting my nails is an understatement. I find myself having to put gum and food in my bag to disable me from nail biting. I have also had to carry hand lotion (and believe me, I’ve been using it vigorously) for something my hands can use when I’m not writing. Basically, this has been tough.
Exam week threw me off course as far as boxing went, but I did find time to still stay active. While studying, I did sit-ups as I memorized facts for my upcoming tests. Unfortunately, I was super hungry all the time so I think it all balanced out in the end. Next week will hopefully go better as my schedule gets back on track.
The semester exams were finally here, and I was better prepared than I had been the week before. I studied harder, so I thought I had a better idea of what I was doing. Although I didn’t score as highly as I’d have liked, I know I would have done worse without the studying. I just need to make use of better studying techniques.
WEEK 4 Week four, and I am sad to say that I have finally slipped up. I did it unconsciously, though. During AP Government when we were watching a PowerPoint presentation, I started to bite my nails without thinking. I am still going to try to stop biting my nails, despite the fact that I may have slipped up. We’ll see how February goes.
I have decided to take on another approach to exercise and do more research. I tore out sections of “Seventeen” magazine and “Teen Vogue” that featured exercise ideas and picked my favorites. From there, I created a day by day routine of what I will do and when. Hopefully it will go smoother next month!
My situation in Algebra II hasn’t improved entirely; there was a quiz that I took on rational functions and I didn’t do great. But on my homework, I’ve found that I’ve really been getting it. Hopefully our next test won’t go as badly. Next on my “Grade Improving To Do List” is memorizing the formulas.
By Lauren McCarroll staff reporter We all have our weaknesses and cravings throughout the day, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t prevent them. You can be on your way to a much healthier and happier self in just a few easy steps. It is said that one of the healthiest ways to eat is to: Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar. Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. If you skip it, you will only feel hungrier later, resulting in overeating. In the morning, grab a banana or any other type of fruit. Its a great way to start the day. For a snack after school, try a large glass of water and some low fat cheese and crackers. The water will help fill your stomach and make you feel less hungry, and the cheese and crackers will give you a boost of energy but also the nutrition to make you feel better inside and out. As far as exercising goes, you just have to do it. If you skip it today, you most likely won’t feel like doing double the next day. The opposite isn’t healthy either, if you go all super mega workout crazy you could end up damaging your muscles, which will prevent you from working out efficiently in the days after. Simple ways to keep up an average amount of fitness are: If you’re watching TV or just vegging out, try a couple sets of abdominal workouts and maybe some pushups. It won’t take long and you can do it without missing the game, or “Glee.” Run. Yes run. Running is an extremely efficient way to tone your body and get your cardio in shape. Start out with short easy runs, just enough to get you huffing and puffing a bit, but don’t stop no matter how slow you have to go. It will be harder to get your pulse back up to where it was before you stopped. If you can’t force yourself to go out for a run, try biking. Not only will it tone your legs, but it will burn fat, as well as excess calories. If the weather can’t permit you to exercise outside, then try swimming, it’s easier on the body, and won’t prevent you from not being able to work out. These are just small steps to a big change. Don’t just think about it, do it for yourself.
Avoid future diseases by choices made now Diseases common in older adults can be prevented as a teenager By Marwa Nour staff reporter High school, a place filled with young people making young people decisions and living young people lives. The high school years are generally a time to feel unstoppable, untouchable and without the worries of disease. For now anyway. Studies show that millions of people die each year from diseases that might have been prevented by making healthier decisions when they were younger. Exercise. Of course that is an overstated, known suggestion that is constantly drilled into the minds of teens by nurses, doctors and parents but as redundant as it may seem, it’s true. “Daily exercise can greatly reduce the risk of disease later on in life,” Substitute Nurse Sherri South said. “Being aware of your family history (and choosing healthier lifestyles accordingly) can also take part in
reducing your risk of getting a disease later on in your life,” South said. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) states that 30 minutes of exercising per day reduces the risk of heart disease by about 45 percent. That percentage can be bumped up if you incorporate foods containing omega 3 and fiber in your diet. “I eat foods that are known to help lower risks, like pistachios and flax seed,” junior Kathleen Gutierrez said. “I also do crunches everyday and run a mile or more every other day,” she said. Staying healthy doesn’t mean ruling out fun and flavor. According to the World Health Organization, capsaicin, which is responsible for the burning sensation when we eat chilies, can kill cancer cells. This research indicates that people could reduce the chance of getting cancer by eating spicy food. “I didn’t know that chili peppers re-
duce the risk of cancer but that’s cool, it’s like a random food, that does so much,” Gutierrez said. As well as reducing the risk of cancer, researchers have also noticed that people who consume large amounts of chili peppers experienced a lower incidence of potentially dangerous blood clots. Chilies are also anti inflammatory, so they have been proven to prevent and relieve arthritis. This basically means don’t be afraid to spice it up, it will pay off later on in life. To lower the chance of having a stroke, lung disease, or diabetes in the coming years, stay active and stay away from alcohol and drugs. “I stay away from tobacco and drugs, I don’t smoke cigarettes, and I try to watch what I eat,” sophomore Nick Edwards said. The MFMER states that by eating right, exercising and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol the risk of getting diabetes
is reduced by about 35 percent. The risk of getting lung disease, strokes and other heart problems are also reduced by following those steps to a healthier lifestyle. “I’m aware that diet and exercise can prevent diabetes and I try my hardest to stay healthy especially with my family history of diabetes,” sophomore Samantha Wrecsics said. “I don’t think teens are aware of what effects junk food alone can have on your health,” Wrecsics said. Many diseases stem from high cholesterol such as: diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, clogged arteries and many others. Many factors affect your health. Some are uncontrollable, such as your genetic makeup or your age. Making changes to your lifestyle and taking steps toward healthy living can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and other serious diseases. Also, it’s never a bad idea to discuss your health with your doctor.
Feature
January 29, 2010
9
Scholarship opportunities available By Deanna Sheafer co-editor-in-chief In uncertain economic times like today, job security and availability are even more imperative than ever before. So, adults stress the importance of receiving a secondary education after completing high school. However, with family budget crunches, college and other post-secondary schools become harder to finance. How does one break the cycle? Scholarships are an easy way to take some of the burden off of paying for college. “Scholarship money is very important for students who can’t pay for college. It often determines if and where a student will attend college,” guidance counselor Kim Swan said. Scholarships are broken down into two main categories: meritbased and need-based. Merit scholarships often require certain skills or areas of interest to be eligible. Needbased scholarships are awarded to students whose families lie within a certain income bracket. “There are many scholarships out there and students need to take advantage of them. Although it can be tedious, many times general essays and information can be used on many scholarship applications,” Swan said. In fact, so many scholarships exist that finding them may become the main obstacle. “It is said that many scholarship dollars go unused. If only a few students apply for a particular scholarship, chances of getting a scholarship are very good,” Swan said. A highly recommended source for finding scholarships is FastWeb. com. It is a free web site that matches available scholarships on an individual basis. FastWeb is an acronym for Financial Aid Search through the Web. Students create an account and answer simple questions about themselves in regards to academic achievement, activities, and other
skills. Based on this profile, the site then picks scholarships from a database of over 1.5 million awards that could be suitable for that student. The database is updated daily and offers a basic breakdown of each scholarship with a link for more information. Some scholarships are won simply by explaining your school involvement and providing statistics like your GPA and standardized tests scores. Another popular type of scholarship is the essay contest. A single topic is picked, and anyone can submit their writing to be judged. Often times, there are multiple winners. If writing isn’t your strong suit, other scholarships exist that are won by designing an album cover or taking pictures. Having athletic abilities or being a part of a minority race also can provide students with financial aid opportunities. “Some scholarships are very general, while others are very specific—examples include athletic or minority scholarships,” Swan said. Many public state schools such as Indiana University and Purdue University offer automatic scholarships to students who meet certain requirements, usually based on SAT or ACT scores and GPA. When applying to the school, you are automatically evaluated to see if you qualify for one of the scholarships. At IU, values of the potential awards range from $2,000 per year to $9,000 per year. After you receive the scholarship, the requirement to have it renewed for the next year is a minimum GPA of 3.0 at college. At Purdue, the automatic scholarships range from $2,000 to $8,000 over four years. Again, a college GPA of at least 3.0 must be maintained for the scholarship to be renewed. Senior Megan Tobias received the $8,000 per year automatic scholarship from Purdue University, and it took some of the financial burden off of paying for college. “It will basically pay for my tu-
FAFSA Free
Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA is a form that should be annually filled out by students to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. Forms were accepted starting Jan. 1st. The application consists of questions that determine your family’s financial status.
photo by M. K Lemon
Senior Keith Nichols checks out the scholarships posted in the guidance office. These are only some of the many scholarships available to students. ition for all four years, so I just have to pay for books and other things,” Tobias said. If you aren’t attending one of these schools, or are looking for further financial aid, there are countless other scholarships available for high school students of all ages, not just seniors. Locally speaking, the Crown Point Community Foundation gives out
around 70 scholarships each year. The application is simple, and you only fill it out once to be eligible for all of the scholarships they offer. Each of the elementary schools has a scholarship worth $500 for any student who attended said school from 4th until 6th grade. For more information about scholarships, Swan urges students to talk to their guidance counselor.
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It’s a Strack & Van Til Thing. Crown Point
A number of factors are used to determine this, including income, number of children, household size, and assets. Nearly every student is eligible for some sort of financial aid. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to fill out the application. You can also check the status of your application on this site, and find out additional information.
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Feature
10
January 29, 2010
Students suggest banned words list Inklings staff’s
Banned words list top 10 of
2010
#1 Like know #2 You what I mean? #3 Legit #4 No biggie had to be #5 You there. #6 Hot mess #7 ESWAS #8 Swine flu #9 Recession #10 Bieber Fever
(pronounced ‘e-swahz’)
By B. Duggan and A. Blahunka entertainment editor and staff reporter Just like swear words, some people feel that certain words are too inappropriate for existence. “Tweets” and “sexting” round the top of Lake Superior State University’s 35th annual banned words list. After thousands of nominations sent in by the general public, the University picked fifteen of the most overused words throughout the world today. Also making the list, “unfriended” came from the social networking site, Facebook. When people are friends on Facebook and a problem arises between the two, the term “unfriended” is used to delete the person from viewing his or her page. Despite the strong feelings against many of the words on the list, some maintain that they will continue using them. “I don’t see the harm in saying a few fun, harmless words even though they’re not in the dictionary,” senior Victoria Vingua said. “We’re not destroying the English language.” This past year has been one of much change, and many events have contributed to the altering of students’ daily vocabularies. From the outbreak of the H1N1 virus to the success of the show Jersey Shore, different changes brought different terms to students’ daily speech. Some of these terms, however, should be left behind along with 2009. We created our own banned words list of 2009, and it proceeds as follows: 1. Like - Said most often by teenage girls, this bothersome interjection interupts an otherwise coherent, eloquent sentence. It is inherently useless
and only implemented when someone feels that their speech is lacking substance or emphasis. However, in the end, it makes a person seem less intelligent, and its excessive use has more than deserved its place on our list.
2. You know what I mean? - This phrase is often
used for stories that the speaker cannot clearly explain, or when the speaker cannot think of the correct word so this phrase is put in its place. However, the listener often does not understand what the speaker means, and thus this phrase merely becomes annoying and meaningless. 3. Legit Highly popularized in 2009, this word is an abbreviated form of the word ‘legitimately.’ It is often used when the speaker is referring to a happening or statement that is obviously true or holds impressive influence. Unnecessarily abbreviated and used to a ridiculous extent, this word is long overdue for a ban. 4. No biggie - “No big deal” has now been shortened (like many of the other words used by teenagers of this generation) to “no biggie”. The shortening is pointless and merely makes it easier for the phrase to be abused constantly.
5. You had to be there
- When sitting through a endless story that was humorous to the speaker and you get to the end to find that, in fact, the story wasn’t as funny as the speaker made it out to be, you will most likely hear, “Well, I guess you had to be there.” A dreaded phrase that just proved that your time had been wasted, it deserves to be banned so people learn to not tell a story that is genuinely not humorous to anyone else.
6. Hot mess - A term used to mock a person or situation that is incredibly unfortunate or unappealing. It has often been used when celebrities make dreadful fashion mistakes or when their life seems particularly chaotic and scandalous. 7. ESWAs - Taking the place of UbDs were the ESWAs, standing for “end of the six weeks assessments.” What started out as an acronym that was somewhat entertaining to pronounce is now a word that some students have come to hate. 8. Swine flu - This sickness has been blown way out of proportion. When anyone gets sick, most people assume that swine flu is the answer, even though it hasn’t been a very large problem at Crown Point High School. The illness is serious, but not serious enough to warrant constant usage in everyday speech. 9. Recession - We know as teenagers of the economic crisis that the United States has been in a recession in recent years. The term has almost everyone scared stiff. Whether it was the threat of losing a job or the worry of a close family friend, it has been a hard time for many people and now as we approach the end of the recession, we believe it is time to end the use of the word as well. 10. Bieber Fever Justin Bieber, the newest teenage heart-throb, has topped the Top 10 for weeks. He has a very strong fan group that claim to have the “Bieber Fever,” or an obsession to the rising star. Overuse by excitable adolescent girls makes this term highly irritating and deserving a ban. 11. Sexting - This word was popularly used at some schools as they dealt with students sending
inappropriate pictures via texts. It has now become a household term that is also used in the media. Because of its excessive use in today’s vocabulary and lack of actual legitimacy in the English language (one cannot look it up in a dictionary), this word made the list. 12. Gleeks - The name for fans of the popular show “Glee,” this nonsensical word has already been used to a point of abuse. We would not lament its absence from our lives. 13. Jersey Shore - This show has not been in existence for too long, but its popularity has soared and so has its references in nearly every conversation to
the
point
of agitation. 14. Totally - California surfers have been stereotyped to use this word, but its use has extended far beyond sandy beaches. It infects the speech of many students even though it adds little to the conversation. 15. Whatever - Often used when a person doesn’t care anymore, “whatever” is often used as a answer to simple questions. The word has a negative connotation to it and implies that the speaker does not wish to participate in the conversation anymore. By adults, “whatever” is considered rude and disrespectful. The nature of the public’s vocabulary depends on the happenings and social habits of the year as a whole. However, some words don’t need to carry on to the next year. Some students understand the natural changes in language. “Annoying words won’t last forever,” Vingua said. “They will eventually be phased out by better terms.”
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Arts & Entertainment
January 29, 2010
myview “Teen Mom” shows unglamorous side of teen parenthood By Lauren Cain co-copy editor It’s safe to say that the reality of being a teen mother is one that can only be truly understood by a teen mother herself. With shows like “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and movies like Juno, teenagers are offered insight into the difficulties of being a teen mother. The problem with these aforementioned examples, however, is the fact that they are simply fictional. This makes “Teen Mom,” a spin-off of MTV’s “Sixteen and Pregnant” following the real stories of four girls, a not only entertaining, but also insightful, television show. I was a self proclaimed addict to “Sixteen and Pregnant” when it first aired last year. Each week, audiences followed the real pregnancies of several girls around high school age. It was easy for viewers to become addicted and gain the feeling that they personally knew these girls, but once the episode was over, one was left to wonder what happened after the birth. By producing “Teen Mom,” audiences were permitted to further follow the surprising, humorous and sometimes heart wrenching lives of these girls. Two of these teen mothers, Amber and Maci are shown struggling to keep their babies’ fathers in the picture. Both girls are also attempting to complete schooling despite the difficulties they face. Farrah is the only mom on the show attempting to take care of her daughter with only the help of her parents. A story that differs from the others’ is that of Caitlynn. When Caitlynn became pregnant, she and her boyfriend Tyler defied their parents’ wishes to keep the child and instead decided on adoption. In “Teen Mom,” instead of seeing them try to take care of their child, we see them struggling with the decision they made and Caitlynn’s difficulty in forgiving herself. As a teenager, it’s easy to find someone to relate to in this show. I can say that since watching this show, I know that being a teen mother can’t possibly be as easy as it’s made out to be in shows like “The Secret Life.” Teen Mom shouldn’t only be watched for its entertainment value, but also for the education about a life most of us won’t know.
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More than just animal rights read “Eating Animals” proves to be thought-provoking, inspired novel By Brittany Curtis managing editor “We can’t plead ignorance, only indifference. Those alive today are the generations that came to know better. We have the burden and the opportunity of living in the moment when the critique of factory farming broke into the popular consciousness. We are the ones of whom it will be fairly asked, ‘What did you do when you learned the truth about eating animals?’” Jonathan Safran Foer writes this in his book “Eating Animals,” a novel which exposes the truth about the United States’ meat industry. I want to be clear, though; this book is not trying to convince people to become a vegetarian or a vegan. The aim is simply to raise awareness about exactly we Review where get our meat and make sure those consumers who do choose to eat meat get it from somewhere where the animals are humanely treated. Foer explains that throughout high school and college, he had tried to convert to vegetarianism many different times, yet always found himself eventually eating meat. However, after he got married and his wife had become pregnant, he decided to do more research on where and how our meat was produced. Foer tells many stories, yet all have the same horrific ending. One in particular struck me as exceptionally disturbing. Crowded into “concentrated animal feeding operations,” or CAFOs, animals can produce entire cities’ worth of
excrement. CAFOs, however, have no waste management system; the excrement is simply dumped into holding ponds. Not surprisingly, the excrement in the ponds tends to migrate to nearby streams and rivers, causing algae blooms that kill fish and leave behind aquatic “dead zones.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some 35,000 miles of American waterways have been contaminated by animal excrement. This book was truly profound, really making me think about the meat that I eat and where it comes from. But I would recommend that anyone who reads this book do his or her own research, because I sometimes found myself doubting the author’s sources, even though they were written right there in black and white. I don’t know if I was too astounded or horrified to believe them, but either way, while I was reading “Eating Animals” I made sure I had my computer handy to look up facts. The only problem with Foer’s novel, however, is how much he played into the stereotypical role of “the annoying vegetarian.” Whenever Foer approaches a point that may be controversial, he retreats behind a wall of what seems like 20,000 rhetorical questions. He may be doing this as to not insult the reader by directly telling them that what they are doing is wrong, instead just making them feel guilty. Part of me wanted him to outright state a position instead of just providing incriminating information. While reading the book, it seemed that there could be no logical, ethical, or moral
opposition to the facts that Foer presents, but I couldn’t help but wonder if this was yet another case of only one side of the story being told. Again, I had to do research on my own to try to objectively assess the information My advice to anyone who
may want to read this novel or is interested in animal rights is to go ahead and read it, but do your own research in the process. Either way, I can almost guarantee that the reader will never look at a turkey sandwich the same way again.
If you like this, you might also like... Food, Inc. Karl Weber
“Contra” by Vampire Weekend You may know them from their singles “Oxford Comma” or “A-Punk,” but Vampire Weekend is back with their sophomore album “Contra,” which released Jan. 12, 2010. The indie-pop favorite has had entertainment blogs buzzing ever since the release of their first self-titled album. “Contra” provides 10 totally new tracks that definitely live up to the hype. Make sure that you check out “White Sky,” “Cousins,” and “Horchata,” which will be sure to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
The Kind Diet Alicia Silverstone
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal Eric Schlosser
a few of our
favorite things Jelly Pancake House Located off of Route 30 in Merrillville by Panera, Jelly Pancake House opened its doors in June 2009 and hasn’t stopped serving us since. With its quaint atmosphere, good music, and even better food, Jelly is the perfect destination for your next breakfast. Jelly shines when it comes to their pancakes, of course, but other notables are their crepes, French toast, and Belgian waffles.
“The Buried Life” “The Buried Life” originally started out in February 2006 with four guys (Duncan, Ben, Jonnie, and Dave) asking the ultimate question: “What do you want to do before you die?” This caused them to write 100 things that they want to do in their life. Their mission is to complete their lists, and along the way help others complete theirs as well. MTV decided to create a series documenting the four boys’ mission, conveniently named “The Buried Life” as well. “The Buried Life” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on MTV and you can also visit their web site at www.theburiedlife. com.
Information compiled by Inklings Editors
Arts & Entertainment
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Gaga at Chicago concert Fans enjoyed Lady Gaga’s original style and knack for shock value By Becca Duggan entertainment editor There were ample reasons to go “gaga” at Lady Gaga’s concert on Jan. 10 at Rosemount Theatre. Before the concert even started, the audience was thoroughly entertained. Fans were dancing and singing in the aisles of the theater with complete strangers, unified by their love for the star musician. Their excitement increased when the opening bands entered the stage. An eccentric-yetintriguing band by the name of Semi Precious Weapons played first. They said that they had opened for Lady Gaga years ago at venues where Review only 12 people attended, but playing with Gaga still made them feel like rockstars. Their intense sound and attitude perfectly accented Lady Gaga’s own image and helped set the mood. After them, Jason Derulo danced his way onstage, delighting the audience with such hits as “Whatcha Say” and “In My Head.” However, the audience was well aware who they paid to see and showed it by erupting into cheers when Lady Gaga made her
entrance. Lady Gaga rose from the smoky depths of the stage, having donned an outfit covered in bright lights. Her first song was “Dance in the Dark,” which she performed from behind a holographic image of a green grid- a technological feat that impressed the audience. She proceeded to perform her
famous songs such as “Just Dance” and “Lovegame,” bringing forth unique and awe-inspiring outfits, choreography, and atmospheres with each new hit. Songs from her most recent album were featured, such as the sultry “Alejandro” and fierce “Teeth.” Each song’s presentation was memorable and a masterpiece all in itself. However, the music was not
the only thing to enjoy. “Besides enjoying the whole concert, my favorite part was when she spoke to the audience because everything she says has meaning and passion behind it,” senior Thomas Vanderplough said, having attended the concert the final day it was in Chicago. The only criticism that can be offered is hardly a criticism at all and is instead a warning- the concert was not suitable for younger children. There was much swearing and many sexual themes were referenced throughout the concert. Several children, many of them no older than the age of ten, were seen wildly dancing to the music that is geared towards a more mature audience. However, without a doubt, the concert was a success in every sense. Lady Gaga earned her fame through her talent and originality, and her Monster Ball concert exemplifies just that. Truly, it is something that will be unforgettable, as will Lady Gaga’s music career itself. “She is one of the few true artists in the music industry.” Vanderplough said. “She is able to create unique music through passion and innovation that sends an effective message to listeners.”
“Uncharted” sequel finds success By Matt Smith co-copy editor The new generation of gaming has arrived. Nathan Drake is back on the Playstation 3, returning to an excitementfilled life of treasure hunting in “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves”. Another worldwide adventure has started. Drake and his group of thieves have their eyes set on a new prize: Marco Polo’s lost fleet. However, what seems to be Review a straightforward operation quickly transforms into a race around the world. The adventurers embark on a journey, finding clues, solving problems, and fighting for survival. Naughty Dog, the developer of “Uncharted,” took this idea and brought it to its fullest potential. They created dynamic characters, hiring voice actors who fit the parts perfectly. Naughty Dog made “Uncharted” as much about
What’s on your iPod?
the story and the characters as the gameplay. The story may make the game interesting, but what truly marks the game as extraordinary is the quality of graphics. “Uncharted“ uses the latest motion sensor technology to make the visual experience flawless throughout the entirety of the game. According to Naughty Dog’s copresident Christophe Balestra, it takes advantage of 100 percent of the PS3’s Blu-ray and gaming capacity. From the stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains to the subtlest changes in facial expression, the game’s graphics are unmatched. Stunning graphics carry over from the cut scenes to the gameplay as well. The method used for graphics while the gamer has control creates the most realistic character movement on any system and in any game. Hundreds of hours went into making sure that every step is fluid, every turn is exact. It’s like
Casey Kitchen freshman
controlling a real person. In the midst of all the hard work and technology that went into the story and visuals, the gaming itself was not forgotten. “Uncharted” produces the feeling of playing an action movie, where the gamer is the star. The controls are natural, and the fighting is like nothing anyone has ever seen. The gameplay incorporates everything that anyone could ask for—stealth, action, strategy, and excitement.
Nicole Davis sophomore
Overall, “Uncharted” will not leave anyone disappointed— whether you’re a causal gamer or you’ve acquired carpal tunnel from button mashing. The only complaint I can foster is that the game left me hungry for more. Unfortunately, I’ll just have to wait until Naughty Dog’s next masterpiece surfaces. I would suggest this game to anyone, but be cautious—it may cause addiction. And maybe some carpal tunnel.
Nick Grubnich junior
January 29, 2010
Old style reaps benefits By Anna Ortiz graphics editor While most students came back from winter break showing off their “compact-astechnologically-possible” iPods and MP3 players, I had my attention elsewhere. Normally I would feel envious at the gleam of these futuristic, touchscreen miniatures if not for the record player swaddled in wrapping paper I had received a week previous. The audiophile in me craved to hear the popping and crackling sound waves that had begun the music recording empire over fifty years ago. And I’m not the only one to be entranced by the vinyl craze; current bands like Weezer, The Killers, and Green Day all have a hand in releasing their albums on vinyl LP’s. In fact, vinyl record sales have increased from 1.9 million to 2.8 million since 2009, which can only mean one thing: the turntable isn’t dead. As a Weezer fan, their latest release “Raditude” on vinyl took on a whole new sound from the CD synthesized norm. And while a turntable isn’t exactly as updated or pocket sized as an Apple product, it has something that isn’t replaceable with aspects like convenience or a shiny chrome finish. Let’s just leave it to an audiophile to rush in the science of sound. When you listen to a digital recording (i.e. a CD or digital music file) you aren’t actually listening to the sound itself, just the mathematical version of sound. A vinyl record is actually sound waves physically carved into a surface, readable by the needle of a record player. This means that the sound is much more accurate and gives a much richer, warmer resonance. Not to mention the chance to make an art collection out of a music fetish. For example, Andy Warhol had designed one of Rolling Stone’s top rated albums, “Sticky Fingers” and also premiered his work on Madonna’s 1987 release, “Who’s Blonde?” Indie-rock band Vampire Weekend’s new “Contra” album comes with a poster of the cover when bought exclusively on LP. And while it’s not recommended for preservation of record or turntable, no one can possibly resist the urge to play DJ and scratch it up a bit.
Liz Palmer senior
Banana Pancakes Jack Johnson
Drop the World Lil Wayne
Fifteen Taylor Swift
Pantomime Incubus
1973 James Blunt
I Want You Kings of Leon
Heartbreak Warfare John Mayer
Kings and Queens 30 Seconds to Mars
A Boy Brushed in Red Underoath
Gingerbread Man Gucci Mane
Bubble Toes Jack Johnson
Geek in the Pink Jason Mraz
Sports
January 29, 2010
Girls swimming eyes sectional meet
Team takes second in conference championship, looks towards sectional
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scoreboard Boys Basketball CP-47 Michigan City-53 (Dec. 18) Griffith-62 CP-68 (Dec. 22) CP-55 Merrillville-61 (Dec. 29) CP-56 Portage-44 (Jan. 2) Chesterton-49 CP-57 (Jan. 9) CP-47 Lake Central-57 (Jan. 15) Michigan City-39 CP-49 (Jan. 22)
Photo
by
Joe Nejman
Freshman Kara Click swims the breastroke during a meet against LaPorte. The girls recently placed second in the conference championship, and will be competing in the sectional meet on February 4 and 6. By Hunter McKee sports editor The Lady Bulldogs swim team closed out their season with eight consecutive dual meet wins. At the girls’ most recent meet, the Lady ‘Dogs raced against Lowell. The meet was expected to be highly competitive, but in the end the Lady Bulldogs were victorious 109-76. Sophomore Hannah Raspopovich finished first in the 50 freestyle. Senior Ashley Gose placed first in the 100 freestyle with a time of 58.06, and sophomore Hannah Schuster won the 500 freestyle 5:33.57. In arguably, the meet of the year, the Lady ‘Dogs faced off against Lake Central. The girls barely surpassed the Indians 9591. At the Lake Central meet, seniors Gose and Angela Roberts won the events of the 200 freestyle and the 200 IM respectively. Raspopovich took first in the 50 freestyle. The Lady Bulldogs also re-
ceived a huge boost from senior diver Amanda Nisle. Through six dives Nisle was able to defeat the defending DAC champion and place first in diving . After the diving break the Lady Bulldogs finished first in four out of seven events to help secure their victory. “What the meet came down to was depth, it’s the number two and three swimmers that you rely on during tight meets like Lake Central,” Assistant head coach Bryon Trippeer said. On Jan. 16, the Lady ‘Dogs hosted the DAC swim meet. At the DAC meet the girls placed second behind Chesterton with a score of 344. The girl’s 200 freestyle relay, consisting of Raspopovich, Gose, junior Caitlyn Lowry, and Schuster placed first at the DAC meet with a time of 1:42.68. At the Highland Invite, the Lady ‘Dogs finished at third place. Sophomore Haley Balko placed fourth in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 1:01.52.
For the girls’ senior night on Jan. 5, the Lady Bulldogs were victorious over the Portage Indians 113-72. The girls’ 200 yard medley relay consisting of Roberts, Raspopovich, Balko, and senior Nicky Way swam a time of 1:56.29. Nisle also won the diving portion of the meet with 213.8 points. The next meet the girls have circled on their season is the sectional preliminaries and finals. The preliminaries are set to take place on Feb. 4, and the finals on Feb. 6. The Lady ‘Dogs will look forward to tough competition from Munster, Lake Central, and Lowell, which are all ranked higher than Crown Point in the IHSSCA rankings. Though the girls do not expect to beat Munster, they hope to finish second. “We need to swim our season best times at the sectional meet,” Trippeer said. “If we swim our season best times, there is no doubt in my mind will we beat Lake Central and Lowell.”
Girls’ individual state rankings Hannah Raspopovich
#23 50 Freestyle : 24.47
#27
100 Breaststroke : 1:09.49
Angela Roberts Hannah Raspopovich Hayley Balko Ashley Gose
#20 200 Medley Relay : 1:54.01
Ashley Gose Hannah Raspopovich Angela Roberts Caitlyn Lowery
#26 400 Free Relay : 3:50.75
Wrestling picks up DAC title, prepares for post-season By Colin Likas asst. sports editor Consistency is one of the keys to success in any sport. The wrestling team has figured that out and continues to roll along. The boys have impressively overcome their early-season loss to Mishawaka. The ‘Dogs have completed a perfect season in the DAC and are in the midst of a winning streak. The only meet for the team during winter break was the Carnahan Invitational, which was held at Crown Point. The contest is in honor of Carl Carnahan, the man who originated wrestling at CPHS. The boys took down seven individual titles en route to a victory over second place Hanover Central, among other teams. Senior Tommy Renn (152 lbs) and sophomore Josh Swope (heavyweight) claimed two of the
seven titles for the ‘Dogs. Other champions for the boys were earned by sophomores Jason Tsirtsis (130 lbs) and Tyler Kral (189 lbs), juniors Josh Flamme (140 lbs) and Eric Roach (145 lbs), and senior Dallas Schurg (135 lbs). “It was especially nice to win [the Carnahan Invite],” head coach Scott Vlink said. “It’s not the toughest meet on the schedule, but it’s dedicated to the man who started wrestling here.” In its toughest dual meet of the season, the boys defeated another state ranked team in the Merrillville Pirates on Jan. 6. The score was 35-26. “We figured it would be our toughest dual meet of the season,” Schurg said. “We proved to be better than what people thought we were. It came down to usss showing up and them not showing up.” Another conference victory
three days later all but assured that the ‘Dogs are the top team in the DAC this season. The boys defeated a good Portage squad by a 35-26 margin. Before the DAC championship meet, the team had one more conference match-up, this time against Michigan City. They easily overcame the Wolves, defeating them by a 72-6 score. The DAC championship was held at Chesterton on Jan. 16. The ‘Dogs were looking to repeat as conference champs, with Merrillville and Portage being their toughest competition for the title. The boys made it look easy though, putting up 245.5 points and defeating the second place team, Merrillville, by 35 points. “It felt good to win the meet,” Renn said. “It showed that all the hard work is paying off.” Individual titles were earned by Hawkins, Tsirtsis, Flamme,
Roach, Renn, and Kral. “The most important matches in the meet were against Merrillville and Portage,” Vlink said. A 63-7 victory over Valparaiso on Jan. 20 secured a perfect conference record for the ‘Dogs this season. The final meet of the regular season for the team was against non-conference opponent River Forest. The final score was 704, with the boys picking up the win. With the post-season quickly approaching, Vlink believes there are several keys to the team’s possible success. “We’ll have to get through Merrillville and Portage, and maybe Munster,” Vlink said. “We need to get healthy and stay focused, but we also have to hope for good match-ups.” The team will open sectionals tomorrow at home against seven other teams.
CP-56 EC Central-61 (Jan. 23)
Girls Basketball Michigan City-65 CP-43 (Dec. 18) CP-51 Merrillville-68 (Dec. 29) CP-39 Portage-58 (Jan. 2) CP-57 Chesterton-45 (Jan. 9) Lake Central-63 CP-44 (Jan. 16) Michigan City-68 CP-52 (Jan. 22) CP-42 LaPorte-28 (Jan. 26)
Boys Swimming 2nd @ LaPorte Invitational (Dec. 19) 3rd @ Highland Invitational (Dec. 26) CP-112 LaPorte-81 (Jan. 12) CP-103 Lake Central-83 (Jan. 19) CP-128 Lowell-53 (Jan. 25)
Girls Swimming 3rd @ Highland Invitational (Jan. 9) Win @ LaPorte (Jan. 12) 2nd @ DAC Championship (Jan. 16) CP-95 Lake Central-91 (Jan. 19) CP-109 Lowell-76 (Jan. 21)
Wrestling 1st @ Carnahan Invitational (Dec. 19) CP-35 Merrillville-26 (Jan. 6) CP-35 Portage-26 (Jan. 9) Michigan City-6 CP-72 (Jan. 13) 1st @ DAC Championship (Jan. 16) CP-63 Valparaiso-7 (Jan. 20) CP-70 Lake Forest-4 (Jan. 23)
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Sports
Boys’ swimming on a wave
Swim team captures eighth straight dual meet, DAC tomorrow By Hunter McKee sports editor Winning for the boys’ swim team has been fairly easy so far this season. After losing their opening meet against Chesterton, the boys have tallied up eight consecutive dual meet wins. On Jan. 19, the Bulldogs faced off against Lake Central, in what would be a highly competitive meet, in which the ‘Dogs were victorious 103-83. The turning point of the meet came about when the boys placed first, second, and third in the 100 butterfly. Freshman Joel Gintzler and juniors Jordan McRae and Joe Nejman placed respectively in the event. “I thought that I had finished last, but in the final moments of the race I out touched three people,” Nejman said. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal until coach Norris told me that I was seeded at fifth but ended up in third place,” Also at the Lake Central meet the ‘Dogs placed first in the 200 medley relay consisting of sophomores Michael Kukurugya and Danny Kvachkoff, junior Jordan McRae, and freshman Johnny Link placed first with a time of 1:42.14. Last Monday, the Bulldogs traveled to Lowell where they found success for the sixth consecutive time, beating the Red Devils 128-53. During the Lowell meet, the 200 yard medley relay consisting of Gintzler, senior Matt Smith, McRae, and junior Nate Ellingsen, placed first with a time of 1:47.44. Also significant, senior Jeremy Kaiser placed first in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 6:00.75. Junior diver Tyler Croell helped the cause scoring 252 points on the night. On Jan. 5, which was senior night, the boys placed first in nine out of twelve events, giving the Bulldogs a 113-72 victory over Portage. Throughout the season, the Bulldogs have found great success in their distance swimming. Excluding the Chesterton meet, the Bulldogs are undefeated in the events of the 500 yard freestyle and 200 yard freestyle. Junior distance swimmer, Blake Yeager, is ranked ninth in the state for the 200 yard freestyle as well as sixteenth in the state for the 500 yard freestyle by IHSSCA. “I would like to go into sectionals feel-
Photo
by
Larry Titak
Junior diver Nick Irak dives during a recent meet. The boys’ swim and dive team is currently 8-1 on the regular season and 6-1 in the DAC. They will compete in the conference meet tomorrow in LaPorte. ing ready for the state meet,” Yeager said. I would also like to win both the 200 yard freestyle and the 500 yard freestyle at the sectional meet.” The distance group, as of now, swims about 10,000 yards at practice per day. “Coach Norris wants to keep the yardage up until the week before state and then the taper will start for state.” Yeager said. On Dec. 26, the Bulldogs participated in
the Highland Invite. The Bulldogs finished in third place and were barely eclipsed by Lake Central. In the 100 yard freestyle, junior Marcus Trybula finished with a time of 49.19. Also in the 500 yard freestyle Yeager placed first with a time of 4:50.74. The next meet of the regular season the boys are looking forward to swimming is the DAC meet, held in LaPorte tomorrow.
January 29, 2010
Girls basketball looks forward to post-season play By Milan Savich asst. sports editor With two games left to go in the regular season, the girls basketball team is looking forward to the post-season. After all, this isn’t the first time this group of girls has been there. “We’re going to need a lot of confidence to play well during sectionals,” junior Kelly Gross said. The Lady Bulldogs, who hold a record of 9-9 overall, have only won three of twelve Duneland Athletic Conference games. However, the team is keeping its sights on the future. Tonight the Lady Bulldogs will take on Valparaiso at home at 7:30 pm. “Our team needs to compete as hard as we can at home and on the road because we will be seeing a lot of these teams during sectionals,” Gross said. In their latest competition, the Lady Bulldogs traveled to LaPorte and won 4228. This victory put the team at an even .500 record and the Lady Bulldogs now have an opportunity to win out two more DAC games and move to fifth or sixth place in the Duneland. In their recent match-up with Chesterton, the Lady Bulldogs were victorious by a score 57-45. Sophomore Michaela Prough lead the team in scoring, finishing with 22 points while junior Kendall Brown and sophomore Courtney Kvachkoff each contributed 10 points. “We need to keep playing really hard on the road,” Gross said. “Winning is a big confidence builder but even when we lose we learn from our mistakes and continue to get better.” On Jan. 16, the Lady Bulldogs met Lake Central, hoping to improve their DAC record. However, they lost 63-44. Brown scored a game high 10 points. Last Friday, the Lady Bulldogs lost to Michigan City 68-52. Brown lead the team with 13 points sinking three behind the three point line. Junior Lisa Kurth finished with 12 points. Kvachkoff earned a double-double managing 10 points and 10 rebounds. Prough ended the game with 16 rebounds. The Lady Bulldogs will finish their regular season when they take on Merrillville at home on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30.
Sports Medicine Institute helps athletes through various methods The first thing that probably comes to mind for most people when they hear someone mention St. Anthony’s is hospital. However, the Sports Medicine Institute at Franciscan Point has made a big splash and is also saving CPHS athletes a lot of time and trouble. SMI’s director, Frank Eksten, is the main man behind much of what is happening at the institute. Eksten has been a strength and conditioning coach for 25 years. His job took him to Indiana University from 1986-1998, where he helped student-athletes to recover from and prevent injuries. Eksten has also helped Olympic athletes condition. “I was an athlete in school, too,” Eksten said. “I was interested in improving the performance of others, and it was just starting to become a profession.” Among those that Eksten works with include Jennifer Bradsky, the main therapist at SMI, Tracy Hall, an athletic trainer who makes appearances at the high school, and Dr. Tim Mullally, who specializes in sports medicine. The staff also includes two trainers. “We try to integrate all of the aspects of SMI,” Eksten said. “We’re attempting to get the athlete’s time with the doctor and his or her therapy to overlap.” Looking at the student-athletes and others who are involved in programs at SMI, Eksten says about 90 percent of them sign up to train, improve performance, and reduce the potential for injury. Some of the keys for this group are maintaining flexibility and mobility.
The other 10 percent of SMI’s participants are there because they’ve suffered an injury and are looking to recover. This is where SMI’s structure is very helpful. With doctors, trainers, therapists, and a diagnostic center all in the same building, it is easy for patients to get whatever they need in a timely manner. “One of our goals here is to make everything easily accessible for the patients,” Eksten said. Proof of this accessibility is former CP student-athlete Steven Albrecht. Albrecht has been looking to get back in shape so he can compete in basketball at the collegiate level. “I got injured a while back, so I called Frank,” Albrecht said “He’s been helping me with rehabilitation and strength, while at the same time doing it safely.” Other CP athletes also train and recover with Eksten and his group. The equipment available for these athletes at SMI is expansive and useful to athletes of any sport. “We’d like to think that most sports could train here,” Brudsky said. The main facility of SMI contains much of the equipment that would be found in the school’s workout room and cardio room. Weight lifting machines, used for barbell workouts, are the first machines seen when entering the facility. An array of dumbbels also sits just beyond these machines. One aspect of the building that is relatively unique is the short track-like area it contains. The approximately 100 meter long strip is made of material similar to that of the indoor track at CPHS. The strip is useful for sprinting exercises, fast feet conditioning exercises, and other non-machine related types of conditioning.
Also in the main room are some cardiovascular machines called “Runners.” The machines hold up the body in a straight line and keep the feet strapped onto pedals. The machines offer an alternative to treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical mahcines. “You can either march or run on the Runner,” Anna Garduno, one of the trainers, said. “Someone using this would push hard while trying to keep a tight core.”
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One of our goals here is to make everything easily accessible for the patients.
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By Colin Likas asst. sports editor
- SMI director Frank Eksten Attached to the main room of SMI is something not often seen in training facilities: a separate fieldhouse. The fieldhouse contains half of a basketball court and half of a soccer pitch. The basketball court is useful for athletes who play basketball, such as Albrecht. These athletes can easily go from conditioning and weightlifting to shooting some hoops. The halved soccer pitch has fake grass in its base, which aids running conditioning as well as gives athletes the feel of actually being on a soccer pitch. In the non-winter months, an outdoor sand pit is in use. The sand pit is intended for use by track athletes, such as long jumpers. Another building, which is connected
to the main SMI building, contains all of the devices necessary for various types of therapy. This includes treadmills, stationary bikes, and massage tables. “We offer not only physical therapy here, but also speech and occupational therapies,” Brudsky said. While the Runner was unique to the other room of the facility, the Whole Body Vibration machine is something not often seen in therapy settings. Someone using the machine can put a single body part or more on the base of this machine. Upon turning it on, the base begins to vibrate, stimulating nerves and muscles in the body part(s) that are resting on the base. It is an alternative way to go about physical therapy, and can be used by almost anyone who is going through the process. Certain aspects of this facility are relatively new to the area. Eksten modeled the program at SMI from his experiences at IU. The reason for Eksten bringing his program to Crown Point lies mostly with his wife. “My wife [Nancy Cowan] was on the girls basketball team at CPHS,” Eksten said. “That’s what brought us here today, but we’re happy to be here.” Also happy that Eksten and his program are here is athletic trainer Trent Trump. Trent works under Eksten and enjoys being associated with the group. “Having them as an additional resource is very valuable to me,” Trump said. SMI has proved to be a valuable resource for CP athletes over the past year and a half. The aid in conditioning and recovery offered will hopefully help athletes to stay in shape and be prepared to compete at their highest level.
Sports
January 29, 2010
Colin’s Corner How hockey was saved in Chicago By Colin Likas asst. sports editor In case you haven’t noticed, the Chicago Blackhawks are back to prominence and are a force in the NHL. It’s unfortunate that it took most of the most recent decade to get them there, but Chicagoans are finally watching Blackhawks hockey again instead of always tuning in to see the minor league Wolves. Looking back, it’s easy to characterize the ‘Hawks from 2000-2006: bad. The players were (mostly) bad. The management was about as good at its job as Ryan Leaf was as a quarterback. Everything about the team was awful. The list of negatives associated with the team at that time is all linked to owner Bill Wirtz. Let’s be honest, anyone known as the “Dollar Bill” probably isn’t a good fit for a sports organization. Good old Bill blacked out home games in the Chicago area, raised ticket prices to amounts even Donald Trump wouldn’t pay, and got the team named “The Worst Franchise in Pro Sports” in 2004 by ESPN. However, an untimely death was the most timely happening ever for the ‘Hawks. Bill died in 2007, and his son, Rocky, took the reins. He proceeded to take the NHL by storm. Olympic star Patrick Kane was drafted in 2007 to play with another star draftee, Jonathan Toews. Games were now able to be seen on CSN and WGN. Former ‘Hawks stars were brought back as “hockey ambassadors.” Genius trades were made to acquire current players such as Cristobal Huet and Marian Hossa. The biggest event for this reformed organization was an outdoor game against rival Detroit, which was played at Wrigley Field. The ‘Hawks currently hold one of the top records in the league. If that continues, there’s no telling how far this team can go.
QuickHits Achievements
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Boys assistant cross country and track coach Lafey Armontrout recently had the Merrillville track complex renamed in his honor. The most recent athletes of the week are senior Amanda Nisle and junior Joe Nejman. Nisle is a diver on the girls swim team, while Nejman is a member of the boys swim team. Senior Zach Breuckman recently committed to Wabash University. He will play football for the Little Giants, a Division III team.
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Boys basketball playing breakeven at season’s halfway point By Milan Savich asst. sports editor With seven games left to go in the regular season, the boys basketball team holds a record of 6-7. After getting off to a rough start in the Duneland Athletic Conference, the Bulldogs are now standing at 3-6 in conference play. “We’re hitting a tough stretch and we can’t base our upcoming games on past wins or losses,” head coach Clint Swan said. Tonight, the Bulldogs will take on the DAC’s first place team, Valparaiso, for the second time this year at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs traveled to East Chicago on Jan. 23 and lost 61-56. Juniors Jordan Jurasevich, Jared Smoot, and Evan Langbehn all fouled out during the game, leaving the Bulldogs three men short. However, Juniors Michael Albrecht and Sean Crary sophomore Dejan Stefanovic all scored in double figures, scoring 19, 14 and 13 points respectively. “We can’t see ourselves as inexperienced anymore,” Swan said. “We have half of a season under our belt.” “We just need to keep practicing and going at it the way we’ve been,” Langbehn said. “We need to compete really hard if we want to improve and do well in the post-season.” Heading back into DAC play, the Bulldogs won two out of three games. In a 61-55 loss to Merrillville, Albrecht, Langbehn and Crary all
Photo
by
Cat Fleszewski
Junior Sean Crary tries to get around an opponent in a game against Lake Central. The boys currently sit at a 6-7 mark overall, and will face off against Valparaiso tonight in Valparaiso. scored in double-figures, earning 16, 15 and 11 points, respectively. After the loss to Merrillville, the Bulldogs traveled to Portage, beating them by a score of 56-44. Albrecht finished the game with 20 points, while Langbehn managed 16. “Langbehn has really stepped up for us,” Swan said. “He’s really starting to develop as a player and make things happen for us.” Due to the bad weather, the
Jan. 8 match-up against Chesterton was postponed until Jan. 9. When the game was played, the ‘Dogs won their second in a row, with a final score of 57-49. Albrecht provided 25 of the Bulldogs 57 points, while Crary added 12 and Smoot brought down 10 rebounds. “We are improving everyday,” Smoot said “We need to continue to practice hard so we are ready by the time sectionals
come around.” In their second match-up with Lake Central, the boys lost 57-47. Despite Albrecht’s season high 32 points, the ‘Dogs’ offensive efforts could not shut down Lake Central’s defense. Following the Lake Central game, the team saw Michigan City. In this match-up, the boys were victorious, 49-39. Sophomore Dejan Stefanovic scored a game high 13 points.
Gymnastics off to good start, competitive within conference By Sam Beishuizen and Alex McLean guest writers The gymnastics season has begun, with the girls facing multiple teams within the conference so far. The season started with the girls travelling to LaPorte for the Pairs Invitational. The team finished in fourth place overall. The girls scored ten points, which was seven behind the eventual winner, LaPorte. Both sophomore Carly Kiran and senior Lindsey Warga performed well, finishing in a tie for third place on the balance beam with scores of 8.7. Head coach Amy Pish was very proud of her team’s performance at the invite. “They did a great job,” Pish said of the girls. “They really surprised me.”
The girls then hosted LaPorte. The Lady ‘Dogs fell by a 105.525100.4 margin. Kiran and Warga continued to impress on the balance beam with scores of 8.85 and 8.8, respectively. The scores put both girls in the top three. Kiran and Warga have been leading the team throughout the season thus far, and Pish has been pleased with their performances. “They have been doing very well,” Pish said. “Lindsey has been a great leader, and Carly is naturally talented.” After the close loss to LaPorte, the team traveled to Chesterton. Warga finished first on the beam, and Kiran placed third in the all around. However, it wasn’t enough, as the girls fell by a score of 106.9-99.7. Warga was very happy with her performance on the balance beam. “It was amazing winning against Chesterton,” Warga said.
Coaches vs. Cancer game On Friday, January 29, the Crown Point girls’ basketball team, along with the Valparaiso girls’ basketball team, will be taking part in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association’s Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. The event is being sponsored by Blythe’s Athletics in Valparaiso. Both varsity basketball teams will be wearing either special white / pink (Crown Point), or pink / green (Valparaiso) uniforms that will be silent auctioned off leading up to the event. All proceeds from the auction will go to the American Cancer Society. If you would like to make a bid on the silent auction, please contact girls head basketball coach Mike Cronkhite (Crown Point) or coach Jeanette Gray (Valparaiso). Updates on the highest bids will be recorded on each team’s web site.
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Vinnie Needham
Senior Lindsey Warga trains for the balance beam during a recent practice.
“I love [the balance beam] and I’ve been trying to focus on it more.” The girls got their first team win when they beat conference rival Portage 100.4-98.925. The team had many great performances in the dual meet. Kiran led the way for the Lady ‘Dogs with a second place in the all around, a second on the bars, a first on the balance beam, and a second on the floor. Freshman Megan Supan was also impressive, finishing third in the all around. Other strong performances were turned in by Warga, fellow senior Missy Monix, and junior Nicole Quint. Warga had a top three finish on the balance beam, Monix placed top three on the floor, and Quint put up a top three showing in the vault. The girls will look to pick up another victory when they travel to Chesterton to compete in an invitational on Jan. 30.
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Personalities
16 Getting to know... Junior Elizabeth Rettig
January 29, 2010
Not just horsing around By Kelly Rostin opinion editor
Walk into junior Gracie Argenta’s house and you’ll soon come across a wall filled with blue first place ribbons. These ribbons represent only a few of Argenta’s accomplishments from her ten years of horseback riding. Argenta got into this hobby simply by interest. “When I was seven I had a friend who rode horses. After I saw her ride I wanted to do that, and I begged my mom for months to let me take riding lessons,” Argenta said. Argenta usually competes with Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, but never passes up a chance to participate in one of her favorite hobbies. “I’ll ride any horse that I’m offered to ride because I love to ride so much,” she said.
“ photo by Georgia Otte
Never be scared, but don’t expect it to be easy. A horse always senses a rider’s fear or inattentiveness, but it’s really a lot of fun, and I think it’s something different that a lot of people could enjoy.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Spain. Spain is a gorgeous country and I have relatives there whom I would like to meet.
Who are three people you would love to spend the day with and why? Harrison Ford, because he’s simply amazing actor and person, Alton Brown, because I love his scientific approach to cooking and food, and Julius Caesar because I admire how he ruled his empire.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be? I wish people would be more genuine human beings, and that people would be more kind to each other.
Name a major issue you believe teens deal with everyday.
The choice between working hard and doing your best, also being lazy and careless.
What is one of your biggest fears? Why?
I fear quicksand and tar pits. They are sneaky and unforgiving and it would be horrible to die by sinking in one.
- junior Gracie Argenta
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Over the past few years, Argenta has participated in over 60 competitions. “I go to about five to ten competitions per season,” she said. “The riding season starts in late March and goes through late October.” Argenta has earned many awards in competitions including a top five award at regionals for all three years that she has attended, along with other championships at qualifying shows. “Competitions are very stressful. I wake up around 5 a.m. in order to get to the show grounds, and I’m usually there past midnight. But I love the thrill of being in the arena,” she said. “It’s a huge adrenaline rush.” When riding horses, Argenta advises that it’s very important to feel in control of the animal throughout the entire process. “If you don’t have confidence as a rider, it’s definitely an intimidating feeling because you’re on a 1,200 pound animal that has a mind of its own,” she said. Argenta is also involved in CPHS choir and show choir, and balances these activities, along with school and her part-time job at Dairy Queen. Regardless of her busy schedule, Argenta never lets it interfere with her riding, and always finds time to go and ride. “When I’m not working or at school I usually like to
photo PROVIDED BY GRACIE ARGENTA
Junior Gracie Argenta poses on her horse Kate after a competition, displaying her many awards. go ride horses in my free time. If my friends are there we’ll play polo just for fun. Some of my best friends ride horses,” she said. Argenta has several places where she rides and keeps her horses. “I ride my horses at Shargi-la in Hebron and I also have another horse at a training facility in McHenry, Illinois.” Argenta has advice for anyone who has ever wanted to ride horses. “Never be scared, but don’t expect it to be easy. A horse always senses a rider’s fear or inattentiveness, but it’s really a lot of fun, and I think it’s something different that a lot of people could enjoy.”
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