Issue 2

Fall is in the air The Journal has the guide to the ultimate staycation Official newsmagazine of Southport High School

Volume 98 Issue 2 October 4, 2019

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR At last, fall break is here. Finally we can all take a breath and soak in the season, without the pressures of A.P. classes, homework, tests, extracurriculars … you get the idea. I know I can hardly wait to spend my mornings drinking apple cider and watching Halloween movies.

With the arrival of the fall season also comes the second issue of The Journal.

I can assure you that this issue is just as packed with interesting stories as the last. We have pieces looking into the “This issue is just new anti-racism workshops offered to as packed with teachers, exploring the rise of a new SHS interesting stories team sport, ultimate frisbee and offering as the last.” an opinion on mass incarceration and the justice system. It’s all right here!

I’m also excited about our cover story, in which we provide suggestions for how to make this fall break a great one without even leaving Indiana. We have recommendations ranging from the best apple orchards to fun fall recipes you can make right from home. It’s the perfect story to get you in the spirit of the season.

I hope you enjoy Issue 2 of The Journal. Remember, to keep up with our most recent stories and updates for all things SHS, follow us on social media and check out The Journal Rewired.

Haley Miller, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Bayler, Print Managing Editor Julia Brookshire, Online Managing Editor

J

The Journal

971 E. Banta Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46227 Adviser Mike Klopfenstein Principal Brian Knight Business Manager Sherlyn Garcia

Editors Jordin Baker Shelby Denny Brianna Henry Emma Herwehe Marissa Muñoz Russell Peterson-Womack Elizabeth Valadez Jacob Wiese Staff Cartoonist Trinity Trent Graphics Artist Kayla Brown

Pictured on cover: Freshman Bekah Springer laughs with friends at Anderson Orchard. Photo by Jordin Baker

Reporters Nayeli Ahuatl Thian Awi Eli Beck Kayla Brown Bridget Cagle Amanda Husselman Kelsey Jones Tanny Khun Emma Main David Masengale Phoebe Mawi Sophia McKinney La’Kenzie Parker Shelby Reeves Nathan Smith

CONTENTS News

Sports On the come up, 8 Farewell to fall sports, 10 The Hustle With Russell, 12

Foreign Language Hogar para muchos, 14 A sangtu kekar, 16

Entertainment The ultimate staycation, 20

Opinion Music ‘n Musings, 27 Early starters, 28 Locked up for life, 29 New opportunities, 30 Journal Address, 31

Features Savannah smiles, 34 Finding his niche, 36

COVER

Discussing diversity, 4 On a federal level, 6

20

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Photos Singing the night away, 38 CORRECTIONS Madysen Thacker was spelled incorrectly in the last issue.

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Follow our social media! @thesopojournal

@theSHSjournal

@sopojournal

The SHS Journal

News

Editor: Emma Herwehe

Social studies teacher David Luers and EL teacher Amy Peddie talk during a meeting of the anti-racism teachers group on Sept. 26 in Peddie's room. They are the leaders of the group. Photo by Sophia McKinney

Discussing diversity

Two SHS teachers lead an anti-racism group for their colleagues

By Sophia McKinney, Reporter

“W

ouldn’t it be great if we had antiracism workshops for teachers?” social studies teacher David Luers tweeted in April. Soon, EL teacher Amy Peddie responded to the tweet in agreement. It was then that Luers's idea began to take off. Luers and Peddie started their anti-racism workshops in May of last school year in hopes of educating teachers about their possible biases and helping their minority students receive an education that better suits their needs.

“The goal is to make ourselves more aware of the racist policies and the perceptions of policies people may see as racist and try to make sure that we’re not supporting those policies,” Luers said.

As their group grows, Luers and Peddie want to make their purposes for this group very clear.

Luers believes that being antiracist is not just being non-racist, but

4 News

actively working to undo racism.

Therefore, he and Peddie would like to educate their colleagues about being attentive to what they say in order to not accidentally offend a student who belongs to a racial minority group. The pair also hopes to encourage being open to listening to other people’s opinions and making race a more common topic to discuss with each other.

“This group is voluntary,” Luers said. “Most of the people who are in there are already sort of believers in this idea. As far as teachers who have not joined this group, a lot of it’s going to come through with one-onone discussion about what antiracism is.”

Peddie and Luers have put a lot of time and thought into this group. Luers has drawn from his reading to help shape the group discussion. Four books with the most impact have been “Stamped

“

The goal is to make ourselves more aware of the racist policies and the perceptions of policies people may see as racist, and try to make sure that we’re not supporting those policies.

Social studies teacher David Luers

”

from the Beginning” and “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi, “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo and “White Rage” by Carol Anderson. Peddie has taken her inspiration from her career.

“I’ve been an EL teacher almost all my life, so I have a lot of students that have their own cultures and their cultural identity,” Peddie said. “I want them, as their teacher, to keep those parts of themselves and not feel like those parts aren’t important.”

Currently, there are 16 teachers that have joined this group.

Science teacher Amanda Schnepp is one of them. She first attended one of their meetings a couple of weeks ago. In the meeting, the attendees read articles and related them to occurrences they have observed at SHS. She was interested in discussing racial and cultural diversity and how teachers can be more aware of it.

“I really think it’s an interesting

thing to look at the social constructs of race,” Schnepp said.

“SHS is extremely diverse, and I think it’s important, as teachers, that we recognize that diversity and look at ways to make sure that all of our students are comfortable and that the education they receive is equitable.”

The articles and discussions used during these meetings are based off of the website Barwe215.

This website encourages educators to be fair towards all, promote safe communities and support all students in every aspect of their life. It uses the hashtag #BARWE215, representing a campaign that encourages teachers to talk about anti-racism with their colleagues.

“For right now, we’re using their resources, (but) ideally we’d like to get to the point where we’re bringing in our own resources,” Luers said.

Foreign language teacher Connor McNeely, who has also recently joined the anti-racism group, is very passionate about it. He participates in social justice work outside of school and was excited to find out that he could promote and discuss racial justice with his colleagues.

“Anti-racism is very important to me in the world,” McNeely said. “When I found out that we were going to have an anti-racism

Book recs “Stamped from the Beginning” Ibram X. Kendi

“How to be an AntiRacist” Ibram X. Kendi

“White Fragility” Robin DiAngelo

“White Rage”

Carol Anderson

Check out Barwe215 for more information on antiracism by using the QR Code below.

Luers teaches one of his A.P. U.S. History classes on Sept. 26.

He hopes to start implementing anti-racism aspects into his lessons. Photo by Sophia McKinney

group at SHS of teachers, of course I wanted to join the group and work with my colleagues and work on how we can become antiracist educators.”

Future plans for the workshops are to continue meeting once a month and growing this group throughout this school year. Luers and Peddie think that it might be beneficial to introduce an antiracism group down the road for students as well.

“Ideally I would like to start taking these ideas and concepts and putting them into action in our classrooms and possibly even the school itself to ensure that we

are all aware of the possibilities of racism and we’re working to actively prevent that from happening,” Luers said.

Sophomore Modupe Awosanya says she would be eager to learn about anti-racism if it were to be introduced in the classroom setting.

“I would like to see an antiracism lesson in the classroom because it would teach students to be more open-minded towards other races and cultures, and personally I would feel more comfortable and accepted in my environment by my peers,” Awosanya said.

Teachers in the anti-racism group meet after school on Sept. 26.

The group has been meeting since May of last school year. Photo

by Sophia McKinney

News 5

On a federal level JROTC becomes the first school group nationwide to experience new military program

By Tanny Khun, Reporter

T

he SHS JROTC group is a test case for a program being brought into their group. A program called Military Emergency Management Special, or MEMS, is a program the Military and its Armed Forces all go through. MEMS is being introduced on a federal level to the members of JROTC at SHS, meaning that they are the only ones nationwide adopting the program.

The sponsor for JROTC at SHS is art teacher Bruce Thompson.

He has been sponsoring the group for the past four years.

According to Thompson, who is a MEMS trainer for the Indiana Guard Reserve, he contacted the national office with the idea to bring the basic MEMS to SHS, and they agreed.

SHS is the only school nationwide that is doing this program at their level. The MEMS program is first going to start off as a couple basic classes and then turn into practices. As of right now, a regular practice will incorporate drills. Drills include physical activities like 6 News

push ups, sit ups and running laps around the school. Drills also consist of training for marching and Junior Jessica Lemons (left) and sophomore perfecting marching Julionna Meade space themselves to prepare for with rifles and flags. uniform inspection. Photo by Tanny Khun All costs are paid for, Interested including the students’ For the 30 students in joining membership to the State Guard Association, awards participating, this program is JROTC? likely not to be taken lightly. After and certificates.

“They will be nationally completion, the students included When? recognized and certified,” Thomspon are all going to be certified and said. “They’re going to be the ones are able to be used by the military Wednesdays when help is needed in times of associated with the army.” from 2 to 4 p.m.

Other resources are available crisis. They’re going to be a line of to train the cadets and help them support and on their feet to give be the best versions of themselves help where it’s needed. Thompson Where? possible. For example, there is a plans for the students who finish camp in the summer where they the program to be given their Art teacher are taught how to hold and handle awards and their recognition in Bruce different types of guns. Activities front of the Indiana state governor, Thompson's such as search-and-rescue games Commanding General of the classroom, room 215 give them a sense of reality Guard Reserve and if possible the Indiana Military General.

He’d without the danger. It provides an What to experience that they need in order also like to see news coverage of the event. wear? to further their training. Also, Junior Jessica Lemons is an they are given opportunities to go Upon first visit, and volunteer their time, which officer of JROTC. As a leader of normal school the cadre, she is left in charge of can help them earn high ranks. clothes

paperwork, roll calls and roster checks. Roll call is the reading of the names on the muster roll and recording the responses to determine who is present. She has been a part of the group all throughout her years in high school. After high school, she plans to join the military or work closely with the military. In terms of experiencing the MEMS program, she loves the energy and the feeling of being a part of something much bigger.

“I think that it is so cool and a great opportunity because we’d be a leader in the other JROTC programs in the country,” Lemons said.

Lemons is honored to get a chance to be a part of the first year of MEMS being introduced to JROTC. As classes end and the real training begins, she hopes to be able to take part in leading her school in this new program.

Senior Zach Faulker, also a member of JROTC, knew exactly when he joined the program what he would want to use it for later on. As he does not always do well in school, he says he’s looking forward to graduating and actually joining the Army. Though he led a rough childhood, Faulkner found relief in the JROTC program.

“Life is not always candy coated, sometimes you’ve got to put up with the crap thrown at you,” Faulkner said.

Being the first group, JROTC has high expectations set for them. For them, simply participating in the group brings them a feeling of belonging and strong pride for their country.

“The moment that the drum beat starts on the National Anthem, you just get chills on your arm (as) you’re holding that flag or that rifle,” Lemons said.

What it takes to be in

JROTC Staying active

Marching for long durations of time is one of the main aspects of JROTC. Practicing at home and staying in shape is essential.

Being healthy

Three days before an event, JROTC members cut off caffeinated drinks.

The day of the event, they only drink water.

Having capacity for growth After each event, members go over the quality of their perfomance and see what they can improve.

Freshmen Matthew McDonald and Jai'Maury Williams in the process of getting inspected by chaplain Jack Brown. Photo by Tanny Khun

News 7

Sports

Editor: Russell Peterson-Womack

On the come up

Former club turns into school’s latest competitive sports team

A

frisbee whizzing by a defender’s face, the shouts from players as their teammate makes a grab and the frantic movements up and down the field. A SHS player typically gets a feel for all of these during one of their ultimate frisbee games. But it wasn’t always like this. A club that began with a teacher, a couple students and a frisbee has evolved into something much greater.

“It was really cool after like four or five years to see more competitiveness,” initiator and foreign language teacher Chris Sponsler said. “Kids were really getting out there.”

When the club began, Sponsler gave a couple hours of his Friday afternoon to throw a frisbee with some of his students. The afterschool club has now grown into the

8 Sports

By Eli Beck, Reporter newest sports team at SHS. According to Sponsler, he started the club in 2012 alongside former SHS student John Hawkins during his freshman year. Hawkins and his friends convinced Sponsler to start a club so they had the opportunity to do something different.

“Hawkins wanted to create something that would leave its indelible mark on the school,” Sponsler said.

Even since last year the program has shown growth.

According to senior Toby Brummett, they now have almost 20 players on the team.

“Last year we had maybe 12 regularly show up … so it’s a lot better,” Brummett said.

Hawkins certainly accomplished

his goal of leaving his mark. The ultimate frisbee club continued through all four years he attended SHS and lasted a year after he graduated.

The program didn’t die out once Hawkins was gone. In fact, it did quite the opposite: It evolved from merely a club into a sports team in 2017.

The person behind this change was former SHS student Kaden Wood. After being in the club for his freshman and sophomore years, Wood had a big influence on the decision to make it a competitive team.

“I wanted to start practicing and going to tournaments to watch skill levels grow,” Wood said. “And also allow (players) to show their skills against other teams.”

According to Brummett, Wood’s decision to come coach has helped the team

Pictured below: Sophomore Devin Ritter defends as SHS graduate Adam Barclay prepares to throw. Photo

by David Masengale

Senior eyes future in frisbee

By Nathan Smith, Reporter

Junior Jimmy Elorza cuts inward as he prepares to catch the frisbee during practice on Sept. 20. This is Elorza’s second year playing for the ultimate frisbee team. Photo by David Masengale

gain experience and helped them continue the team. It encouraged more students to try something new and begin playing frisbee.

“Our graduating seniors have come back to help coach their knowledge,” Wood said. “More people joined winter leagues and summer leagues.”

The frisbee team has seen a great amount of growth in the program, mainly over the last few years. According to Wood, their numbers have nearly doubled since the transition.

Not only does the team have

more players, they have more talent too. According to Wood, in just their second year as a competitive team they earned themselves a spot in the state championships.

The team might have gained a lot of talent since their first year of competing, but that didn’t come without hard work and dedication.

According to Wood, many people at the call out meeting struggled to even throw a frisbee, but now they are capable of longer throws and many different types.

“The growth has been just astronomical,” Wood said.

For senior Gavin Hensley, frisbee is more than just a sport.

“After leaving other sports behind, I noticed that I always had something built up that I wanted to release,” Hensley said. “This is finally something I can do to release my energy.”

Initially, ultimate frisbee was an extracurricular pastime for Hensley. But it has quickly evolved into a sport he would like to pursue at the collegiate level.

“I realized it was something I wanted to do after I initially joined the summer league,” Hensley said.

“I was able to play with people who were of much higher skill levels and was able to integrate myself with them.”

The impact of these higher skilled players had on Hensley is proven in that he has already gotten collegiate offers to be on teams from Purdue University and the University of Indianapolis.

According to Hensley ultimate frisbee has helped him improve his leadership skills and discipline.

Hensley says he puts emphasis on teamwork seeing as without his teammates, he would not be where he is today.

“In ultimate, there is no real head coach a lot of the times, and it is very player based, and you definitely have to have a higher chemistry with your fellow players,” Hensley said. “You can’t be an all-star, and everyone must work together.”

Sports 9

Farewell to fall sports As the fall season comes to an end, take a look at some pictures that highlight the season

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3 10 Sports

1. Senior Ava Pierle does push ups during soccer practice on Sept. 26. This is Pierle’s first year playing soccer, but she managed to snag the starting goalie position. Photo by Kelsey Jones 2. Senior Lauren Cullsion prepares to spike against the Beech Grove Hornets on Sept. 23. Cullison finished the game with 24 kills. Photo by Nathan Smith 3. Junior Justin Polly leads the streteches for the varsity cross country team. The Cards are preparing for their county meet on Oct. 5. Photo by Eli Beck 4. Photo contributed by senior Megan Frank 5. Senior Ryan Lezon punts the ball after SHS failed to convert after three plays during the Roncalli vs. SHS varsity football game on Aug. 23. Lezon led the entire team in rushing yards during the game with 151 yards. Photo by David Masengale 6. Senior Ootsa Marn takes a free kick to try and put the Cards up 2-0 against Franklin Central on Sept. 30. Marn’s kick sailed just over the top of the goal. Photo by Eli Beck 7. Sophomore Annika Chan swings on the third hole of the first round against Ben Davis.

Chan’s drive barely made it past the water and saved her from losing a stroke.

Chan had a career nine-hole low of 40. Photo by David Masengale

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Sports 11

The work that professional athletes do off the field is more important than the work they do on the field

By Russell Peterson-Womack, Sports Editor Growing up, I was really close with my best friend. I would spend a lot of time at his house and with his family throughout elementary school. His family was huge fans of the St Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. In 2012, after the 49ers beat my favorite team at the time, the New England Patriots, I naturally began to hate the young star quarterback Colin Kaepernick. I also grew to hate Albert Pujols, the veteran first baseman for the Cardinals and then the Los Angeles Angels, just out of spite. My resentment grew from what these men did on the field. But now, with a few more years under my belt, I look at these two athletes as two of my biggest role models because of the work they’ve done off the field.

They have taught me that work athletes do off the field is more important than the work done on the field.

I’m sure everyone that follows politics or the NFL has heard his name: Kaepernick. Yeah, he’s the one that knelt during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police

Down to the Digits

12 Sports

The Hustle With Russell brutality. Long story short: Kaepernick didn’t play the next season. Since then, Kaepernick pledged to donate $1 million to relief foundations supporting African-Americans. He reached his goal within a year but didn’t stop there and continued to keep donating according to Forbes.

Simply saying there’s an issue is one thing. Donating over $1 million, standing up for people you don’t know and sacrificing a dream job is different. Kaepernick sacrificed in order to do what he believed was right, and in my opinion, that’s much more important than the NFC championship he earned with the 49ers in 2013.

While most Americans have heard of Kaepernick and his actions, I doubt as many are familiar with Pujols and his contributions.

223

Senior Brevin Jefferson had 223 receiving yards in his first game of the season on Sept.

15.

In 2005, he and his wife started the Pujols Family Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides support for families affected by Down syndrome and impoverished families in the Dominican Republic. Pujols using his millions of dollars to contribute and create something with the purpose of making life a little easier and more enjoyable for less fortunate families is inspirational. To me, helping thousands of families every year is a greater accomplishment than hitting 600 career home runs and winning two World Series.

For much of the youth throughout the nation, it’s a dream to one day play for the NFL, or MLB, or NBA or maybe all three.

The idea of playing games and getting paid millions of dollars does seem pretty appealing.

However, it’s how athletes use their publicity and paychecks that matters. Kaepernick and Pujols use theirs to give back to the people they care about. In doing so, they have given the youth of America a deeper reason to dream about the big stage.

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Senior Vanessa Miller is 53 assists away from reaching 2,000 in her career for the girls’ volleyball team as of Sept. 29.

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The Pujols Family Foundation facts: 10,000 families helped in 2017, according to Charity Navigator.

The organization holds an annual junior prom for kids aged 5 to 17.

It also runs Homers for Hope, a campaign in which patrons can pledge a certain amount of money for every home run hit by Pujols.

The boys’ soccer team averages a little more than 4 goals per game.

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News 5

Foreign Language Editor: Marissa Muñoz

Hogar para muchos Inmigrantes latinoamericanos encuentran una nueva vida en Southport Por Nayeli Ahuatl, Reportera

J

unior Edwin Salinas es un estudiante que forma parte de la población de inmigrantes. Llegó a los Estados Unidos para encontrar nuevas oportunidades y enfrentar nuevos desafíos que otros inmigrantes han experimentado.

Salinas es una de las poblaciones de inmigrantes mexicanos de SHS. Salinas es originaria de La Ciudad de México. Llegó a América cuando solo tenía tres años. Salinas vino con su familia para encontrar una vida mejor en

350 mil inmigrantes viven en Indiana a partir de Julio de 2019.

92 mil de ellos son

indocumentados.

El 60% de los indocumentados han estado en el país por mas de 10 años.

Informacion del National Immigration Forum

los Estados Unidos. Su familia vino a buscar oportunidades, empleos, educación y libertad.

“Nos fuimos porque queríamos ser más libres,” Salinas dijo. “Queríamos ser más de nosotros mismos y obtener lo que queremos.”

Muchas personas de SHS puede relacionarse con Salinas.

Por ejemplo, nueva estudiante, junior Leximar Rivera Torres, vino recientemente de Puerto Rico con sus padres. Se fue de Puerto Rico porque su padre

encontró trabajo y sus padres tuvieron la oportunidad de llegar a los Estados Unidos para encontrar mejores trabajos y tener más dinero.

“En julio, tuvimos la oportunidad de llegar a Estados Unidos por razones económicas,” Rivera dijo.

Cuando Rivera vivía en Puerto Rico, dijo que hay más libertad allí que en los Estados Unidos.

Se sentía más segura de hablar su idioma y tenía más amigos.

Rivera también está tratando

Junior Edwin Salinas camina por el pasillo durante su día en SHS. El y su familia son inmigrantes de México. Foto por Jordin Baker 14 Foreign Language

tratando de aprender inglés y tratando de encontrar nuevos y mejores amigos.

Mudarse a otro país tiene un gran efecto en los inmigrantes y en las personas. Para la familia de Salinas, cambió sus vidas enormemente.

Sus padres pudieron tratar de encontrar trabajos que pudieran mantener a sus hijos y encontrar mejores condiciones de vida. Quieren que sus hijos tengan un mejor futuro y una mejor educación que la que tenían.

“Afectó a mi familia y cómo consiguieron una casa, un trabajo y todo eso,” Salinas dijo. “Así es como lo complicaron, pero una vez que se acostumbraron, mejoraron cada vez más.”

Cuando Salinas dejó su país, se sintió triste al saber que no podrá ver al resto de su familia que dejó atrás. Cuando su familia está al otro lado de la frontera, sus seres queridos pueden enfermarse y Salinas y su familia tienen dificultades para saber que no hay nada que puedan hacer para ayudar. Todo lo que hacen es esperar y rezar por lo mejor.

“Extraño la parte de la familia de mi padre,” Salinas dijo. “Mi abuela está realmente enferma y no hay nada que podamos hacer para ayudarla.”

Una de las principales razones

por las que Salinas no puede regresar a su país es porque si regresa a su país, no podrá regresar a los Estados Unidos.

Salinas incluso mencionó que preferiría quedarse en los Estados Unidos y estar con la otra parte de su familia. Salinas espera que algún día pueda volver a visitar a su familia en México.

La población de inmigrantes que huyen a los EE. UU. Ha aumentado rápidamente en el transcurso de los años. En 2017, al menos el 57% de los inmigrantes nativos fueron recibidos como ciudadanos estadounidenses.

La mitad de este porcentaje está compuesto por mexicanos.

Solo en 2017, 11.3 millones de inmigrantes no autorizados ingresaron al país. Cada año continúa creciendo a medida que llegan nuevos inmigrantes a los EE. UU. Para Salinas, está agradecido de ser parte de este grupo. Sus padres recorrieron un largo camino y una larga lucha para llegar a donde están ahora. Él apoya y ama a su familia desde su hogar. Salinas desea que los nuevos inmigrantes entrantes hagan lo mejor que puedan y quieran ser lo que quieran.

“Solo haz tu mejor esfuerzo,” Salinas dijo. “Sé lo que quieres ser y hazlo.”

¿Por qué inmigra la gente?

Trabajo Salario y tratamiento de los trabajadores traen inmigrantes a E.E.U.U.

Libertad Miedo de persecucion en su país original puede mover personas a buscar asilo en E.E.U.U.

Familia To read an English version of this story, scan the QR code

Muchos inmigrantes ya tiene familia en E.E.U.U. y son reunidos cuando llegan al país

Foreign Language 15

A sangtu kekar Laimi tlawngta pawl in phunsaang kai ding ah harsatnak an tong Ngan tu Thian Awi, Reporter

P

aul Zam tuikum SHS ihsin a tteh hnuah Taylor University ah kumkhatnak a thok.

Phunsaang a thlen ah high school hnak in caa lamah a har deuh ding ti cu a thei nan, a tlawngih traditions nuammi pawl ah ruatban lo. Thla khat sung university a kai hnuah, a har ding nan, a nuam ding a zum.

Zam cu scholarships le a dang bawmnak thawn tlawng ah kai nan high school a thok ah college luh daan ding a thei lo.

“Phunkua ka si lai ah phunsaang kai daan ding thu tamtuk ka thei lo,” Zam in a ti. “Ka theifiang thei dingah in zirhtu le BACI in in bawm tak.”

Tu khalah SHS ah college kai dan ding thei lo tlawngta an um lai.

Himi hi Laimi le EL tlawngta pawl hrangah a harsa sawn ziangahtile college kai thei dingih thil an tuah ttulmi le bawmnak tuah daan an theih lemlo.

Phunhra kaimi Run Tha Par tla phunsaang a kai duh nan kai daan ding a theifiang lo.

“Phunsaang ka kai duhnak cu hna ttha neih ka duh cule ka innsang tla ka cawm duh,” Par in ati, “Asinain, college kai dingin ziang ka tuah ttul ti ka thei ngaingai hrih lo ih ruangah bawm ka ttul.”

EL le Laimi tlawngta pawl hrangah a har deuhnak cu American tlawngta pawl vekin thil tuahdaan bawmtu an nei lo.

“American tlawngta pawl cu an nu le pa tivek in an bawm thei,” EL

department chair Amy Peddie in a ti. “(Laimi le EL tlawngta) pawl cu khangvek bawmtu ding an nei lo ziangahtile an nu le pa tam sawn cu college an kai dah lo, an kai khal asile America ih thil tuah daan an thei lo cule mirang ttong tla an thiam lo.”

Cumi tlunah, Peddie in college hrang thil ngan daan ding, ngan ttul mi le ttongfang college application ih an hman mi an thei lo maithei tiah a sim.

“Ka khan ka zirh ah khami ka zirh,” Peddie in a ti. “College hrangih caa an ngan ttul mi le an ngan daan ding tivek hi ka zirh tum ringring. Cule, college application ah ttongfang an hman mihi nitin ih hman mi asilo tik ah theih a har thei, cu ruangah an tuah lai ah an El sayama Amy Peddie in tlawngta Hla Lai Thang tlawng tteh hnu ah a bawm. Hivek in ah iPass khan pawl ah mi a bawm ve. Zukzuk tu Thian Awi

16 Foreign Language

To read an English version of this story, scan the QR code.

duhsanmi na zir vivo a ttul.”

Peddie in a iPass khan ah SHS ih phun hleihnih kai pawl college application tuah daan a bawm.

Powerpoint kha a tuah ih cumi a powerpoint sungah college application tuah daan a sim. Thil malte in a thok ih a hmaisabik ih a sim mi cu ziangtik ah thil pawl pek an ttul ti a sim. Cumi hnuah, academic rusume tuah daan a zirh ih, essay ngan daan le tlawng hril daan tla a zirh.

College application lawng si loin, tlawngta pawl in college luh theinak ding ah tuah ttul tivek tla an buaipi a ttul. College luh dingah thil tampi tuahsuak ttul mi a um. College pawl ih an zohmi thil pawl cu an GPA, khawsa tlang bawm, le tlawng pawlkom ih telnak.

“College pawl in caa na thiam maw thiam lo an zoh thupi bik,” tlawng counselor Tricia Bender in a ti. “Asinain, na hmat pawl lawng an zoh nawn lo. Tu cu mi na kaihruai daan le pawlkom tivek ih na telnak pawl an zoh ve thlang.”

Peddie in ruahnak a pek duhmi cu SAT pawl hrangah thinphang ding hi a silo ati. A thupi cu a thupi ko nan, a dang thil pawl hrangah caan pektam a thupi ziangahtile college pawl in an zoh ve.

Cule, Peddie in tlawngta pawl kha high school ong dingin tuah ttulmi pawl le ziangvek cammibuai onnak caa an ngah duh theih dingin mi a

forhfial duh. Phunsaang kai ding pawl ih an tuah ttulmi hmaisabik cu high school onnak caa lak asi.

A dang harsatnak Laimi le EL tlawngta pawl ih an ton theimi cu an caa a si. An caa an theih theilo asile an saya/sayama le an rualpi tivek an sut thei.

“Tlawngca na hrangih a har asile na saya/sayama sim aw,” Bender in a ti. “Caa na theih thiam lo asile a tam sawn cu na saya/sayama ih zirh daan na thei thiam lo ruangah a si thei.

Curuangah, na saya/sayama ttha ten sut awla na thei thiam sawn ding.”

Bender in tlawngta pawl kha tlawng pelh lo ding in forhfial duh.

“Tlawngta caa thiam thei lo pawl hi a tampi cu tlawng an kai lo ruangah a si,” Bender in a ti. “An tlawng caa an taan tam tuk ruangah an caa tuah ding a tamtuk. An pelh caan ih an caa le tu an khan ih an tuahmi caa an tuah ttul ruangah an thin a har thei.”

Tlawngta pawl ih an buaipi ttul mi dang pakhat cu college hrang peisa pek daan a si. Hna tampi ttuan le peisa bak ih tlawngkai ttul lo in college kai a theih.

“A awl bik cu FAFSA pawl hnen ihsin bawmnak dil a si,” Peddie in a ti. “FAFSA cu cozah hnen ihsin bawmnak a si ih na pek sal ttul nawn lo mi peisa tla an lo pe thei.”

Scholarships le peisa cawi tla ngah.

Peisa cawi tak cu na college kainak hrangih peisa na saan theimi a si ih

na pek ttul sal mi a si. Scholarships cu cozah lo le organizations pawl ih pek mi peisa a si cule himi vek bawmnak cu na pek ttul sal nawn lo.

“Scholarships pawl cu phun hleihnih ah tlawngta pawl in an apply tambik asinain ‘the big four’ tiih ka kawhmi thusuhnak pawl cu tuan deuh ih tuah a ttha,” Peddie in a ti.

Peddie ih “the big four” thusuhnak pawl cu college pawl ih an suh tambik mi pawl an si. Cumi thusuhnak pawl cu: hmailam ah ziangvek saw na tuah duh? Ziangvek harsatnak saw na tawn dah ih na harsatnak kha neh dingin ziangsaw na tuah? Ziangvek bawmnak saw na hrangah thupi? Hmalam caan ah ziangvek bawmnak saw na tuah duh?

A netabik ih Peddie a caah duhmi cu zianghman last minute ah tuah hla. Ziangahtile, last minute ih na tuahmi cu last minute ih na tuah lomi thawn an tthatnak an bang awlo.

Par cu tu ah college kai dingin ziangvek thil a tuah ttul ti a fiang hri lo nan, mi ih an bawmnak in a fiang leh ko ding ti zumnak a nei. Cule mi ih bawmnak in college tla a hrangah luh a har lo ding ti ah zum.

“Mi ih in bawm ruangah a hartuk awm lo,” Par in a ti. “College kai zo pawl in in bawm ih cule zirhtu tla ka nei.”

Foreign Language 17

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Discover the treasures of Indiana for fall break

By Kayla Brown, Reporter

W

ith the satisfying crunch of the ever color-changing fall leaves and the dwindling summer heat, fall break has arrived.

However, fall break is not limited to those with gas money. There are plenty of options for students who wish to remain inside the state of Indiana and perfect the art of the staycation.

A fall favorite Nashville, Indiana. With many places to stay and tons to eat and do, it has quite a bit to explore. The area can provide many different places to dine like Artists Colony Restaurant, offering a variety of different entrées made fresh. On the menu, there are hot ham and cheese sandwiches, Lucie’s pot pies and country fried steak.

Not too far from Nashville, Brown County State Park is full of wildlife. Hiking trails are scattered around the park, showing the trees, occasional animals, flowing creeks and an inn called the Abe Martin Lodge, where people can spend the night in the state park. People can walk the hiking trails and see the changing colors of the leaves and wildlife of the park.

20 Entertainment

English teacher Sam Hanley has gone hiking in Brown County with his friends and recommends it as a good destination to hike.

“It’s crisp fall air…,” Hanley said. “It’s that nice temperature between warm and cold, and it’s awesome.

You see the squirrels, and you hear the leaves fall around you, and it’s beautiful.”

For those stuck in town, the Indianapolis area has many unique destinations to offer, even for locals. The Eiteljorg Museum, Newfields and Circle Centre Mall are all popular locations.

Other locations, like the Monon Train in Broad Ripple, can offer fall scenery and interesting hiking spots while walking across bridges For students interested in indoor activities, Escape Indy has many different challenges

Times and distances estimated from SHS

throughout escape rooms including a James Bond Mission, an activity where people will try

Landon Jiminez buys a pumpkin he picked out.

Photo by Brianna Henry Sophomore Audrey Heaton picks apples at Anderson Orchard. Photo by Jordin Baker

to disarm a bomb before time runs out.

Free to students of SHS if working on a school project, Newfields, formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, also has a lot to offer. The museum can provide students with exposure to internationally-famous artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe and Pablo Picasso. In addition, the property is situated on 100 Acre Woods, which is a local park of sorts, and doubles as a fall hiking destination and an outdoor art exhibit, containing multiple well-known sculptures like Funky Bones.

Getting into the Halloween spirit is another way for students to spend their fall break.

The season’s Spirit Halloween stores are starting to pop up. Apple orchards, like the Adrian Orchard and their pumpkin patches and bakeries, are open for visitors.

The Indianapolis Zoo is another example with their “Zooboo” experience, which lets children dress up in their Halloween

costumes and stroll through Pumpkin Town.

Senior cross country runner Lee Ellyson, enjoys staying in Indiana for fall break. He likes spending time with friends and family during his staycations.

“What makes Indiana home sweet home is the people here as I plan on spending my time here with my friends, with my teammates,” Ellyson said.

According to Ellyson, there are many car shows, fish fries and many other outdoor activities that seem to rise in popularity during the fall.

He also suggested Fountain Square as an interesting place students could visit during break.

In the Internet age, bingewatching has also become a fall break activity. Some students from the freshman study hall suggested “The Vampire Diaries,” “The Fosters,” “Jane the Virgin,” “Riverdale,” “The Office,” “Friends,” “Naruto” and “Grey’s Anatomy” as their preferred bingewatching shows.

Those staying in Indiana for

Anderson Orchard features pumpkins, apples and many fall activities. Photo by Jordin Baker

fall break aren’t alone. Assistant Principal Andrew Ashcraft has spent breaks in Indiana and enjoys traveling. He believes students can find lots of activities to enjoy in state.

“Enjoy the mix of weather, it can be warm, it can be cool, it can be a roller coaster...,” Ashcraft said. “And I recommend people, students especially, to be of service to someone else for a day. You have ten days off, go serve someone.”

Entertainment 21

What halloween house should you go to based on your personality?

Fall Recipes

Entertainment 23

Find unique shows and movies to bingewatch

T

creative movie with vibrant colors filling the screen. The twisted plot leaves the watchers with just enough suspense and mystery to keep them watching, especially when transportation into the parallel universe is involved. A rain of purple and blue is exceptionally beautiful compared to bland colors used in the real universe. With the movie’s aesthetically pleasing look,

one can only wonder if this is how the director saw the real world versus dreams. As the adventure unravels, so does the depth of the background and origin of the other world Coraline enters. The movie is truly an interesting concept and can be interpreted in so many different ways that every rewatch can spark different theories about its subject.

This movie is aimed at most students with the goal for the tedious school years ahead of them, also known as just surviving the school year. In “Edge of Seventeen” the relatable situations are both hilarious and a little painful. The relatable problems of the main character can even bring back nostalgia to students. Better yet, relief that fall break is in session and students get a break from high school.

With strange creatures and an in-depth storyline, the show “Stranger Things” is a binge-worthy show bound to give your break a bit of mystery. The show has a telekinetic girl referred to as Eleven, as well as a group of friends saving their friend, Will, from the alternate world known as the upside down.

Yet another movie about high school. However, this is about sabotaging the queen bee, Regina George.

“Mean Girls” is relatable and most importantly used to educate the student population on high school society rules such as cliques, unspoken friend codes and how to and how not to deal with drama.

“Grey’s Anatomy”: a drama about doctors, the hospital they all work at, mystery diagnosis and love. It’s interesting to watching Meredith Grey, the main character, blossom into a confident doctor. In addition, the medical show presents exciting cases, thrilling love triangles, sob-your-heart-out sweet moments and tragic character deaths. What more could you ask for from your fall break?

24 Entertainment

All images used are sourced from IMBD.

By Bridget Cagle, Reporter he movie “Coraline” can be described in a few simple words. With button eyes and a parallel universe, things can only go one way for a girl like Coraline. Known as the new girl at her housing complex, Coraline has a sour attitude. Her neglectful parents don’t help the matter. The motion picture is not only great quality but all in all a

Explore The Journal’s favorite local orchard

I

t has come to that time of year when the leaves start to fall and the smell of pies fills the air. For students, the fall season officially starts when fall break starts. Apple orchards are the perfect way to spend time and enjoy the smell of apples coming from all around.

I recently went with my family to Pleasant View Orchard in Shelby County. It was a beautiful evening with a clear sky and a cool breeze.

The orchard was quiet with a small crowd at the barn store. It was smaller than some orchards I have been to and felt homier. The barn store had a rustic, southern vibe to it. They sold apple-themed foods, as well as other food items and souvenirs. We decided to buy one of their homemade fudge, maple nut flavored, and their popular apple cider slushie. The fudge had a sweet, delicate texture and rich flavor to it. The slushie blew our minds and immediately proved to us why it was the drink the orchard was known for. It was sweet but tart with a strong apple flavor.

There was something rewarding about the idea of picking our own apples. We got a one-peck apple bag and were very excited to walk

By Phoebe Mawi, Reporter around the orchard and explore the many types of apples. Since the orchard was small, we got to see where the orchard ended on all sides. One side was bordered with a large, peaceful cornfield that filled us with a calming sense.

When we bought our bag, the worker gave us a paper showing the rows that were ripe enough to pick.

It was a struggle trying to find trees with apples on them. Every row we went to that was marked ripe was lacking in the abundance of apples. However, as soon as we finally found a tree bearing fruit, that’s when the fun really started.

The serenity of the orchard with the lack of people picking apples made our experience a genuine and pleasant one. It is a satisfying experience to pick an apple off a tree and being able to bite into it. I was very delighted in picking apples and being able to see where it came from. Soon, apples started filling our bag, and it was full before we knew it. The apples we picked had a sweet and tart flavor and all had a crunch to them.

Pleasant View Orchard had a lot to offer to the customers. After we finished picking, we decided

to head back to the barn and explore what else they were selling.

There was a small playground with a haystack for the kids to play near the barn. There were pumpkin patches and newly planted fruits as well.

Every customer I saw was Pleasant View Orchard offers lots of with someone types of apples to chose from. Photo by else, and there Phoebe Mawi were a lot of families with kids. It was a friendly environment with respectable staff members and lovely people who seemed to be enjoying their evenings at the orchard.

Many little things, such as the environment and area, made our experience all the more delightful.

We had a really great time there and enjoyed each other’s company.

I strongly believe that going to any apple orchard, including Pleasant View Orchard, with loved ones is a fun, worthwhile activity to do over fall break.

Honorable mentions Adrian Orchard, Inc. is an orchard in Perry Township and is the closest to the school. They have a lot of variety of fruits including peaches and pumpkins. However, this orchard only sells pre-picked apples to ensure the ripest and best quality of the apples.

Anderson Orchard offers pumpkins at a reasonable price. Photo by Brianna Henry

Anderson Orchard is about 30 minutes away and is a larger orchard than Adrian. The orchard hosts many events every fall season and has a much larger variety of fruits and vegetables. They have hayrides, an apple barn and barn tours. There are many different types of apples to pick from and many more attractions to explore.

Entertainment 25

Spooky Sopo Sudoku

TipTop Trinity By Trinity Trent, Artist

26 Entertainment

Opinion

Editor: Jacob Wiese

Create time for relaxation in the midst of stress Column by Rachel Bayler, Print Managing Editor It’s finally fall break, and I couldn’t be more excited. The last 10 weeks have flown by, and while I’ve enjoyed some moments in this first quarter of the school year, I’m ready for a break.

When I think of my fall breaks over the years, a common theme is traveling. My family and I have almost always taken a week-long vacation during the break and traveled to places like Williamsburg, Virginia, Chattanooga, Tennessee or even Disney World. I think fall break is the best time to travel because the weather is usually pretty cool and fair, the trees on the side of the highways are vibrantly beautiful and a lot of vacation spots aren’t as busy since it’s not peak vacation season.

A song that really reminds me of traveling is “Ventura Highway”

by America. With its driving beat, listening to this song makes me feel like I am literally traveling down the highway. It’s my go-to song for when the rubber hits the road.

The premise of the song is that it is about a wandering traveler, someone who arrives in a town one day and is on to another one the next. Its fast, driving beat evokes a feeling of restlessness and makes one feel

Music ‘n Musings like they are in the midst of their own endless journey.

I think “Ventura Highway” really hits the mark as a metaphor for life.

We are all hurtling at high speeds down the highway of life, “chewin’ on a piece of grace,” along for the ride. As we hit life’s major stopping points and landmarks, we often are forced to ask ourselves “how long you gonna stay here, Joe?” and decide whether to move forward or stay where we are.

How appropriate for where we are in the school year. For some seniors like myself, college applications are upon us and making life pretty stressful.

Weighing the odds between different schools, deciding whether to go private or public, in-state or out-of-state or which school makes the most financial sense is a really hard task to manage, especially for

17 and 18 year old kids.

When life starts to take a turn for the worse, I try to remind myself that everything in my life has brought me here. The long, winding highway that is life has brought or will bring each of us to this fork in the road where we decide what we want to do after high school. It’s a big decision, but life up until this point has given us all the preparation we need to make the right decision for each of us as individuals.

Leaning into this belief is what can help ease the hard and stressful moments ahead. Instead of constantly worrying and adding more pressure, everyone should allow themselves to sit back and breathe. Soak in “Ventura Highway in the sunshine,” leave room to enjoy the small, happy moments even in the midst of such a big decision and with “the free wind blowin’ through your hair,” create room to breathe and make the best, most-informed decision possible.

Even at this turning point, remember “the days surround you daylight there, seasons crying no despair,” and know that no matter what, everything will be ok.

Scan here to listen to America’s “Ventura Highway”

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Midterms

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Early starters

In the realm of sports, nurture can beat nature

By Eli Beck, Reporter

One of the biggest arguments throughout the sports world is the idea of nature versus nurture. Many believe that in order to be a successful athlete, someone has to be gifted with athletic prowess from the day they come into this world. LeBron James is a good example for nature as arguably the most athletically gifted professional athlete.

On the other hand, nurture is innumerable hours of work to gain a specific talent. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “Outliers,” he discusses the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. That begs the question, can the lack of a so called “LeBron like”

28 Opinion

genetic makeup be overcome with hours of dedication and practice?

Is there hope for me at 5’ 10” and 170 pounds?

In an attempt to answer this question, I actually sat down and did the math. At two hours of practice each day it would take between 13 and 14 years to achieve 10,000 hours of practice. But what if someone was immersed into the skill at a young age, such as the Manning brothers?

These three brothers learned to love the game of football at a young age. In the Mannings’ book, “Family Huddle,” they talk about football as their livelihood from birth. Imagine this, if someone were to soak up all

“

Always remember, hard work can beat talent.

”

the information they could about a sport starting at age four, they could technically become an expert by the time they graduated high school.

If they counted watching, talking about, playing and evaluating the sport towards the hours of practice, 10,000 hours certainly feels like a much more reasonable goal.

The Mannings are a prime example of why athletic gifts are not a necessity for professional athletes.

By immediately surrounding themselves with the game of football, they were able to outwork those who may have been born with greater athletic abilities.

So how about a call to action.

Many people believe that if they aren’t blessed with a six and a half foot frame then they wouldn’t have a chance as a successful athlete, but I strongly disagree. The head baseball coach at SHS, Phil Webster, always says “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” To me, this is an essential concept for athletes to understand.

Athletes should not lose hope just because there are others that may have more talent than them. If they surround themselves with those who have similar interests and they do everything in their power to learn as much about the sport as possible, they always have the opportunity to surpass another who may be ahead of them in athletic abilities. Always remember, hard work can beat talent. So, let’s do this Cards!

Locked up for life Mass incarceration is a problem in America

By Julia Brookshire, Online Managing Editor

Marion County has a total of three jails. In all, the jails hold up to 2,507 inmates. According to Marion County Re-entry Coalition at least 85% of the people are being held pre-trial. That’s about 2,131 people being held while not yet convicted.

Mass incarceration refers to the high rate of imprisonment in the United States -- that includes those convicted of a crime and those being held pre-trial. According to World Prison Brief, America accounts for 2.2 million of the 10.35 million prisoners across the world. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed across the country.

Mass incarceration is not something that I had given much thought to until my trip to Washington D.C. this past summer for an internship that I participated in through Bank of America. At the summit, student leaders were introduced to the Bard Prison Initiative, an opportunity for those in prison to earn a college degree while they serve time. We were even introduced to a graduate of the program who had recently gotten out of prison. It was his story that made me more aware of issues concerning imprisonment and made me want to know more about how it is being handled in my home city.

After meeting with a representative from the Marion County Re-entry Coalition, I learned that one of the biggest factors in being rearrested is mental health, not race, age, gender or the severity of the offense. According to the re-entry coalition, criminals that were referred to the mental health team were 1.4 times more likely to

be arrested again within six months of their release.

During his fourth State of the City address, Mayor Joe Hogsett said that when officers respond to a disturbance that is related to mental illness or substance abuse they are either taken to jail or the emergency room. Most of the time the incarcerated are held until they calm down or someone can come get them. It’s not only costly but ineffective.

Indianapolis is taking a step towards helping with this issue through a grant of $1.3 million dollars from The State of Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction. The grant will go towards expanding the Mobile Crisis Assistance Teams program.

The program was started in 2017 and according to Inside Indiana Business 96% of interactions with the members resulted in no arrests which led to a 67% increase in referrals to the program rather than incarceration.

The grant will help expand the services of the Mobile Crisis Assistance Teams program.

I hope that Indianapolis can become a model for other cities that struggle with mass incarceration. Marion County jails are a small snapshot of what

happens across the country and without the voices of those who are willing to take a stand against mass incarceration, nothing will ever be changed. Marion County jails have room for improvement but have taken a step in helping to reduce the risk of reincarceration.

Scan this to watch a trailer for the upcoming documentary “College Behind Bars”

Opinion 29

New opportunities Joining the army offers many benefits

By Jordin Baker, Photos Editor

Did you know?

The Army is the second largest employer in the U.S. Info from Business Insider

30 Opinion

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 was the best and yet most terrifying day of my life. I woke up in a hotel at 4 in the morning then proceeded to head out to the rest of my life. My day consisted of running around, signing documents, getting med checks, talking with different people over and over again. I waited around for hours until finally they called me back and I confirmed everything and got ready. A little while later two other guys and I went in a room for our swearing in and signing our contracts in front of our individual families. Now, I have only months till I leave for basic training for the U.S. Army.

I am going into the Army to become a joint fire support specialist airborne ranger, which is going to take a lot of hard work and commitment. Yet, there’s so much more I get out of joining the Army.

Most people know that a benefit to joining the Army is free college tuition. However, what most people don’t know is, what else one can do when in the Army and what the Army can provide.

Education, money and opportunity are just some of the few things the Army provides. When in the Army, one can go to college full time, take classes online or not even go at all. I don’t plan on going

to college, but it’s great to have the opportunity to go if I end up wanting to go in the future. Another set of benefits one receives are guaranteed paychecks, cash bonuses and 30 days of paid vacation. When I start I will be an E2, making the second lowest pay, but I also get a bonus for the job I selected. I also get the opportunity to travel the world, meet new people, see other cities, experience different cultures and try new things. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to join the Army was the opportunity to travel the world with no cost to me.

The Army also provides a type of education other than the ones people normally pursue. They teach you basic skills during basic training and how to specialize in something at the specialty schools. You learn trades and things you can take back to the civilian world. For example, one can learn to be a construction worker, a plumber, a doctor, a veterinarian and many other things. Respect, discipline, leadership and a sense of duty are also things you learn in the Army.

I am very confident in my decision to join the Army, and I’m happy with all that I will get from it, all it will teach me and all that I will accomplish. Now, all I have to do is wait till I ship out on June 15, 2020.

Cartoon by Trinity Trent

Journal Address

JOURNAL ADDRESS

This is the opinion of the editorial board of The Journal

Climate change should not be a partisan issue Tears swell in the eyes of 16-year-old Greta Thunberg as she addresses the U.N. on Sept. 23 in New York City. Thunberg, a young climate change activist, traveled from Sweden to speak at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. Her speech is short, but it is far from sweet. Thunberg is full of emotion, and she does not hold back. She rips into the world leaders for doing far too little about the crisis at hand: the Earth is quickly spiraling into a path of death and decay while political figures deflect the issue.

“We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth,” Thunberg said. “How dare you!”

Our government seems to have forgotten that climate change is rapidly becoming more relevant and serious. In order to take care of the issue before it’s too late, we, The Journal believe political parties must stop making climate change a partisan issue.

According to NASA, 18 of the 19 warmest years in recorded history have occured since 2001,

sea levels also rise by nearly three and a half millimeters each year and oceans have warmed by nearly half a degree over the last 50 years. According to NASA, global warming over the past 50 years can largely be attributed to human activity. However, there may still be time to prevent even more irreversible damage from taking place but not without change.

The current Trump Administration has shown little care to the matter at hand. In recent rollbacks, President Donald Trump has actually taken away policies from Barack Obama’s presidency that limited greenhouse emissions.

According to The New York Times, Trump has eliminated or is in the process of elimination over 80 rules and regulations designed to cut back on fossil fuel consumption. This harmful action can’t continue.

It’s clear that humans can’t continue at the current rate of fossil fuel usage. In a documentary with the BBC, renowned theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author Stephen Hawking predicted a mere 100 years until the Earth is no longer salvageable if we continue

Did you know?

The concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, as of 2018, is the highest it has been in 3 million years.

Info from Conversation

at our pace, so what can be done?

Recently, democratic representative Alexandria OcasioCortez laid out her solution to the issue. In a proposed legislation titled the Green New Deal, Ocasio-Cortez and senator Ed Markey have provided the framework for what would remake the economy and hopefully cut out all U.S. carbon emissions, according to them. To accomplish this, Ocasio-Cortez and Markey have emphasized principles like investing in renewable power sources, supporting family farms, restoring the already damaged environment, investing in zeroemission public transportation systems, going carbon-neutral in the next 10 years and more. However, the senate voted down the bill 57-0.

Senate Majority Leader for the Republicans Mitch McConell called the Green New Deal “radical” in a tweet after the vote. According to NPR, some aspects of the Green New Deal are indeed aggressive, but many climate activists advocate that aggressive action is required.

We cannot allow partisanship to prevent us from taking the steps necessary to save our planet.

Opinion 31

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Savannah smiles Impact of Homecroft student continues after her passing

By Elizabeth Valadez

“I’ll never forget her smile,” said Jody Matthews, the principal of Homecroft Elementary.

The smile he refers to is that of Savannah McHale, a Homecroft Elementary graduate who passed away a little over a month ago due to Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, an aggressive cancerous tumor on her brain stem. Although Matthews can no longer physically see her smile, he knows he will always carry the lasting impact of positivity that she made on him and the rest of the Southport community.

This positive, happy side of her, according to Matthews, changed the way he now views his life. He says that it has absolutely changed the way he looks at his relationship with his kids, too. If a young girl like Savannah can have such everlasting strength, then he can, too, and live his life out fully with his family every single day.

“She recalibrated my idea of what strength is,” Matthews said.

According to her fifth grade teacher Jessica Goddard, the song “Hakuna Matata” stuck with Savannah through her diagnosis.

Goddard says that although this is the song Savannah used to get through the tougher times, the song was really Savannah’s message to everyone else: life gives everyone worries, but the focus has to be on positivity.

“Savannah could have easily been angry,” Goddard said, “but she made the choice to continue that positive spirit, which is kind

of like ‘Hakuna Matata.’”

Her positive spirit also impacted members of RDM at SHS and Southport Middle School, according to RDM Director of Riley Development senior Meghan Mendel. She says Savannah told her story and just let everyone know who she was at the SMS RDM. Mendel says that being a part of RDM can sometimes get difficult knowing that many of the Riley kids they raise money for do not survive.

And even though this was the case for Savannah, Mendel feels that the time Savannah spent with RDM members raised their spirits because of her bright smile and personality.

The Southport Police Department also felt her impact through a dine-and-donate they organized at Uno Pizzeria & Grill, according to Public Information Officer John Benton. Benton says the community was able to dine at the restaurant and a percentage of their check went back to Savannah’s family to cover significant costs, including traveling to and from Cincinnati and staying at hotels during treatment. Benton says on top of the necessary fundraisers and treatments, she was always a bright girl and taught him to look at the bright side.

“She chose to be as happy as possible…,” Benton said. “So I think that kind of bled through to (the police department) as well.”

According to Goddard, Savannah’s impact also reached

Did you know?

Quick facts about DIPG - The median survival rate after DIPG diagnosis is eight to 11 months - Around 150 to 300 children are diagnosed in the U.S. every year - The median age range is 6 to 7 years According to DIPG.org

Interested in donating to Savannah’s family?

Scan the QR code below to go to the GoFundMe

her classmates. Last year, when Savannah took it upon herself to tell her fifth grade class of her diagnosis, she told them not to worry if she glowed in the dark because she was going to get radiation. After Savannah’s passing, Goddard visited former Homecroft students at the Southport Sixth Grade Academy, and one student asked if Savannah ever glowed because he never got to see it. Goddard says although it sounded like a funny joke, her positive outlook was able to stick with the kids and remind them that their classmate was going to fight through whatever challenge she faced.

And Savannah’s mom, Kimberly McHale, could not agree more. She feels that Savannah brought the Southport community together. Along with Goddard and Matthews, she says that the endless fundraisers and support for her daughter made everyone want to help each other and unified all kinds of people.

More than anything, though, Savannah’s lasting impact of positivity will forever live on with her mom. She says that because she was her only daughter, they were so close and did everything together.

Savannah was her world, and she’s proud that her daughter made such an impact on the community around her and let everyone know that it was going to be okay.

“She was my everything,” Kimberly said.

Features 35

Finding his niche Junior from Canada excels at SHS

By Amanda Husselman, Reporter, and Elizabeth Valadez, Features Editor

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Junior Jatin Kulal is excelling in math. He moved to the U.S. just before the beginning of the school year. Photo by Brianna Henry

36 Features

ecause his father works here in the U.S., junior Jatin Kulal decided to move his life here all the way from Canada for better educational opportunities.

He found an opportunity like this when he came to SHS and found himself in math teacher Ethan Coffman’s classroom.

When Kulal started attending SHS this year, he started in Coffman’s Algebra II prep class. Coffman says he quickly realized that his skill level had potential beyond that course, so he switched Kulal to his Honors Algebra II class.

“He’s one of the top guys in my class,” Coffman said. “So it’s been great.”

According to Coffman, Kulal had about a week of struggling when he first switched classes, but now he is just “running with it.”

Coffman says that jumping from a regular to honors course is hard in math, especially at a new school and in a one-month period, but despite this, Coffman says that Kulal remains optimistic.

Kulal says that Coffman has been extremely helpful in aiding him with time management, especially in preparation for quizzes and tests. Kulal says that Coffman pushes him enough to allow him to grow and practice on his own.

Kulal feels that there have been some hard points, but he expects that he will get better with practice and Coffman’s constant aid.

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There’s a really deep story that I’m just starting to unravel. He’s like an onion.

Math teacher Ethan Coffman

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Coffman is excited to see how the year goes with Kulal and their developing friendship because he feels there is so much more to him than what he’s seen so far.

“There’s a really deep story that I’m just starting to unravel,” Coffman said. “He’s like an onion.”

Kulal says that there is not much that he misses about Canada because he can stay connected to his family and

friends. He is unsure about whether he will stay in the U.S. permanently or if he will go back to Canada after this school year, depending on his visa and how the rest of his year at SHS plays out.

Kulal says there are not many apparent differences between his Canadian school and SHS, aside from a lack of study hall in Canada and the addition of another class here. Besides these differences, Kulal is starting to feel comfortable at SHS. “The people are nice here,” Kulal said.

“There’s many activities to do, so I’m pretty much finding my place here.”

What’s different between schools in your home country and SHS? Junior Maximillian Geich-Gimbel From Germany

Junior Rodrigo Romero From Spain

Senior Kalenga Juma From Tanzania

“The school is like 700 people and has less money...”

“The teachers hate us.

Here, all of the teachers have a good realtionship with their students.”

“We don’t ride buses to school, (so) we have to walk. (There are) no computers or phones.”

Kulal does classwork in his Honors Algebra II class. Photo by Brianna Henry

Features 37

Photos

Editor: Jordin Baker

Choirs Ladies First and Premium Blend performed along with orchestra on Thursday, Sept. 26 at their fall concert

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1. Senior Elijah Loby sings to the closing song “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?” The other songs performed

by Premium Blend included “Hymn of Acxiom” and “Trashin’ the Camp.” Photo by Kelsey Jones 2. Senior Marsela Riddle dances during the show choir concert. Riddle has been singing and dancing in show choir for two years. Photo by Kelsey Jones 3. Junior Grace Blume sings her solo during “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” The other songs performed

by Ladies First included “Footloose” and “Feel It Still.” Photo by Jordin Baker 4. Junior Ah’Maiya Martin dances and sings. Photo

by Jordin Baker 5. Senior Sam Hansell sings “Trashin’ the Camp.”

Photo by Kelsey Jones 6. Senior Lydia Springer sings “Trashin’ the Camp.”

This is Springer’s first year in Premium Blend. Photo by Kelsey Jones

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Meet some Journal staff members!

Senior David Masengale Sports writer Photographer

Senior Shelby Reeves News writer

Junior Kelsey Jones

Photographer

Sophomore La’Kenzie Parker

Features writer Photographer

Check out all of their work on thejournalrewired.com!