munster high school 8808 columbia ave. munster, indiana 46321 http://mhsnews.net
CR IER
february 2, 2024 volume 58 issue 6
mhs
silence of the screens
will this be our future? crier updates on the status of the two bills
Indiana House Bill 141 and Senate Bill 185 were introduced on Jan. 9. Since then, Bill 185 passed the Indiana senate this Wednesday. For the Bill to be made law, it must now pass through the Indiana House and be signed by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
students and staff discuss possible phone ban kylee barnes
page editor
A few weeks ago, during morning announcements, Mr. Nolan announced the possibility of a law that would ban phones in school. Due to the noticeably excessive internet usage, Indiana House Bill 141 and Senate Bill 185 have been proposed which would require all schools statewide to ban cell phones within the classroom. However, since phones have been banned at MHS essentially since they became portable, it would encourage other schools to adopt policies similar to ours. The bills have not been passed yet, but according to Mr. Michael Gordon, having statewide support is not a bad thing. There are senators and representatives from Indiana who have been pushing to pass this bill in favor of future generations education. “Having the rule doesn’t get rid of all phones, but that doesn’t mean we should get rid of the rule,” Mr. Gordon said. Cell phones are constantly just out of reach; in a backpack, pocket, wherever it was last set down. This new bill is one step in the right direction towards helping teenagers learn to moderate their screen time. But what about smart-watches, airpods, and personal devices like computers? “I don’t understand the bans on A.I. or phones, because Google is A.I.” Luna Gutierrez said. “I think that the administration needs to adapt to the new world instead of trying to restrict things we already have access to, and utilize them instead.” Mr. Gordon says that cell phones pose a distraction even when students aren’t actively using them. A little buzz or vibration can pull an entire classes’ attention away and push them towards taking a quick peek at their own device. Cell phones and media are unavoidable—students and teachers use their phones whether it’s for educational or entertainment purposes. Websites like Canvas, Powerschool and Google Drive, which can be accessed from students pockets, serve to educate and inform, but just one click away is Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram reels that suck people into a never-ending cycle of doom-scrolling. During a conversation regarding the complicated perspectives surrounding the ban Mr. Nolan compared banning cell-phones in school is like putting a napkin on a lake. “It’s a simple attempt to solve a complex problem. We realize what we have done with these devices in a very short time frame and the effects it’s having on mental health for young people and adults,” Principal Morgan Nolan said. “We gave you these addictive devices that are going to cause you mental health issues, but don’t worry, for 7.5 hours of the day we’ll tell you you can’t use them.”
02 news
friday, feb. 2, 2024
the inside scoop
publications receives hoosier stars, crier named a crown finalist Crier was named a Crown Award finalist, meaning it’s one of the top 17 high school print newspapers in the nation. Crier and Paragon received best in the state Hoosier Star awards Jan. 26. The Crown Awards, run by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association of Columbia University, are designed to recognize high achievement in student journalism; each finalist will receive either a gold or silver crown award March 15. Hoosier Star awards are from the Indiana High School Press Association (IHSPA) and recognize high achievement in student press within the state. “Being a crown finalist represents all of the hard work our staff has put in, and I am proud to be recognized for our work
in producing authentic journalism,” Reena Alsakaji, last year’s editor-in-chief, said. “Crier individual ihspa awards has consistently received • Josephine Mittleberger, last this award, and each and year’s business manager and every member of the staff Dorothy Lakshmanamurthy, has contributed so much of senior, took first and second their time to this paper.” place for feature writing. Crier and Paragon are • Reena Alsakaji, Seamus completely student-run Keegan, senior and Dorothy publications. Students make Lakshmanamurthy took secall decisions; take photos, ond place for feature writing. conduct interviews, write • Josephine Zangrilli, sophstories and design pages. omore, took first place for “These awards are really single page design. nice, but they’re just the • Jalyn Brannon, senior, Lita Cleary, last year’s edicherry on top of the hard tor-in-chief and Ashely Garcia, work my students do every senior, took first place for day,” Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanyearbook theme. man, publications adviser, said. “I am incredibly proud of my students, but they should be even more proud of themselves.”
debate places third in state
munster’s got talent feb. 9
Debate took third place at state last weekend. “We did pretty well in the past, we got tenth,” Asha Patel, junior, said. “But this year we got third, so I’d say we did pretty well climbing seven places. I mean, I’m glad as a team that we could come together and it wasn’t just like one person doing well. It was like collectively as a team, we all did.”
The band fundraising event Munster’s Got Talent will be Feb. 9 to display a variety of middle and high school acts at the Theater at the Center. Featuring various student solo and group acts, MGT is a way to support other students. “[MGT] is a fun night for students to show off some talent that others might not have known about,” Ian Marcusiu, band director, said. “This year the event is completely free for all students, so we would love a great turnout from both MHS and WWMS students to support their classmates. I am a judge of this event for the first time ever, so I’m excited to provide some feedback to these brave performers and be wowed by the amazing talent that Munster students bring each year.”
robotics starts season With their first competition starting March 1, robotics is preparing their robot for the upcoming season. “I am excited to see what our team can imagine and build for the game this year, as well as our ability to help the community, connecting with the world outside of robots,” Anastasia Savic, junior said. “This year’s robot will be especially small, being two feet tall so it can go underneath the equipment on the field.”
corrections
In Issue 5 of Crier, on page 4 and 5, review’s page headers were written as infocus. On page 8, the photo of the 52 memory deck lettering was cut-off and was meant to say ‘queen.’ Crier regrets these errors.
POSED UP Holding up phones against the backdrop, Aaron Alvarez, sophomore, juniors Kylee Barnes and Damien Salahieh and Josephine Zangrilli, sophomore, stand still as photos for this issue’s front page are taken. Her first semester on Crier last year, Josephine won first place for single page design. “I feel proud of myself because I know it’s a highly competitive contest,” Josephine said. “It won’t be my last.” (photo by marianna young)
vijay dasari crowned turnabout king
FIT FOR A KING Reaching up, Vijay Dasari, senior, adjusts his crown after being crowned by Joey Higgason, last year’s turnabout king, while his escort Shana Shah, senior, watches. Originally planned to be announced during a pep rally on Friday Jan. 19th, it was cancelled due to the class time missed earlier in the week due to weather. Instead, turnabout king was announced during halftime at the girls’ basketball game Jan. 19. “I was happy and surprised at the same time,” Vijay said. (photo by vivianna rodriguez)
semester one scenes photographer portfolios from first semester are now on mhsnews.net
ACED IT Reaching down, Ethan Walker, senior, stops the tennis ball with his racket Sept. 13 during senior night. They won the match against Hanover Central. (photo by heidy sanchez) JAM SESSION Leaning to the left, Lucia Njakara, freshman, and Emma Burke, senior, play their flutes during band practice. During competition season in the fall and early winter, band would practice every day 6-9 p.m. “I’m sad that it’s over because I have so many great memories with all of the friends I’ve made over the years in band,” Emma said. “But it is great to finally have some free time since we had such a busy schedule.” (photo by heidy sanchez) EYE ON THE BALL Running down the field, Charlie Uidl, junior, smiles at her teammates at powderpuff practice Sept. 18 while Esther Graham, junior, watches. For the first time since pre-covid, student government planned powderpuff football with the other Homecoming activities. The game Sept. 25 ended with the juniors winning 28-6. “Being on a team is the best experience, especially with all the girls it was so fun,” Charlie said. “Being able to laugh and be competitive at the same time makes it ten times better.” (photo by marianna young)
friday, feb. 2, 2024
speak to success
news 03
speech team heads to apple valley national competition this weekend dorothy lakshmanamurthy deadline manager
Leaving for Apple Valley, Minnesota today, the speech team is on their way to their second national level competition of the season this weekend. At the last national competition Glenbrooks in November, the team had three advancing team members: • Niah Maduakolam, junior, semi-finaled in dramatic interpretation • Claire Han, junior, placed sixth in extemporaneous speaking • Addy Ellis, junior, semi-finaled in original oratory “For being earlier in our season, having advancing team members in the national competition really pushed the team to get in the right mindset for the season,” Addy said. “We have been continuing to focus on
our progress through repetition and critiques to prepare for more heated competition.” The speech team is hoping to continue their success at Apple Valley and as they prepare for their Sectionals competition at the end of the month. Sectionals will determine who on the team will qualify for State in March. “I am looking forward to finaling in many more competitions,” Richie Andrzejewski, junior, said. “It was exciting when I finaled at the Munster competition since it was my first time competing in radio speaking and I ended up getting sixth place overall out of twenty people.” The team practices each Tuesday to run mock competition rounds and get feedback from their coaches and teammates. Many members, like senior duo Delaney Craig
and Josh Decker, also schedule extra practices with their coaches to further perfect their speeches. “Our duo shares the message about emotional abuse in relationships, a very important topic in today’s social media age where relationships are fragile,” Delaney said. “For our piece, we work with Mr. O’Drobinak (speech coach) to focus on bringing out the emotion. The message of the piece is important, and speech is a good outlet to share this message.”
VOCALIZING HISTORY Making eye contact with her audience, Niah Maduakolam, junior, recites her speech. Heading towards a competition this weekend at Apple Valley High School, she practices the speech to make sure her emotions are conveyed correctly. “Speech has really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Niah said. “I never thought I could speak in front of so many strangers without feeling nervous and it has helped me a lot. It’s also created some amazing friendships that I am so grateful to have.” (photo by karla aguilar)
change for a change students collect money for the leukemia and lymphoma lauren hoogeveen
scan to donate to team capillary action
“We hope to make life saving treatments more affordable and accessible for those that need it,” After hearing about the LeuAsha said. “My own personal goal kemia and Lymphoma Society is just to help as many people as through HOSA, juniors Asha I can, whether that be with the Patel, Suvali Giridaran and money we raise or the message we Diya Patel decided to do their spread.” own research on the organizaBoth groups, who are competing tion. Both having close family members who have passed from scan to donate to against each other alongside other blood cancers, they felt personal- team hemoglobe groups from the Chicagoland area, started collecting donations Jan. 20 ly connected to its purpose and through the LLS donation website. decided to get a group from MHS Team Capillary Action also has adinvolved: Team Hemoglobe. Anditional fundraising events; Panera other group, Team Capillary AcFeb. 14 from 4-8p.m., Sweet Frog tion, was started by juniors AnMarch 1 from 1-9p.m. and Chipotle nie Fuller and Srilaya Baskaran March 5 from 4-8p.m. The competiin their AP Biology class after being tion ends March 9. told about LLS by a friend. editor-in-chief
STAY POSTED Going down the row of restaurants on Calumet Ave, Annie-Marie Fuller, junior, and Srilaya Baskaran, sophomore, distribute fliers to promote their fundraiser at Panda Express to raise money for cancer research. “Through fundraising for LLS, I’m able to give back in a way to the wonderful community that shaped me and helped others conquer their own challenges,” Annie said. (photo by marianna young)
fresh faces
mhs welcomes three new staff members emily dywan story editor
Mrs. Megan Mann, media assistant Previously: Worked at Hammond High School for six years and Highland for one year Years being an assistant: 8 years
Mr. Josh Collier, engineering teacher Subjects taught: Civil Engineering/ Architecture, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Intro to Engineering
Mr. Nico Hernandez, non-instructional assistant Previously: Substitute teacher and non-instructional assistant at Wilbur Wright Middle School for two and a half years
College: Purdue University Fun Fact: “I have 65k followers on TikTok (@missmannreads).” If you weren’t an assistant, then what’d you want to be: “I’d love to name ice cream flavors or nail polish colors.” Previously: Taught PLTW, Computer Science, Biomed, Biology, and Chemistry at Hammond Academy of Science and Technology for one year Fun fact: “I lived on a boat for three years after high school and cruised around the Caribbean.” College: Currently enrolled at Indiana University Northwest Coaches: Middle school football, basketball and soccer If you weren’t an assistant, what would you want to be: “I’d wanna be a sports podcaster, sort of like Barstool.”
WARM WELCOME While behind the media center’s front desk, Ms. Megan Mann, media assistant, poses with the “Welcome, Miss Mann!” sign. LONG TIME NO SEE Standing in the commons, Hayden Goodwin, freshman, and Mr. Niko Hernandez, non-instructional Assistant, greet each other during lunch hour. PIECE BY PIECE Bringing in a power box to the PLTW classes, Mr. Josh Collier, engineering teacher, disassembles it to show the wiring compartments. (photos by lexi villalobos)
04 review
friday, feb. 2, 2024
SUPER BOWLS
with super bowl LVIII next sunday, crier staff reviews local bowls emily dywan
PLAYER STATS: COVO Covo, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, has just opened in the newer development on Calumet in a space that’s had Greek food & Nashville chicken. Much similar to its preceding Simple Greek, Covo allows customization at your own hand with a canvas of a pita, salad, wrap, or bowl.
Covo’s buildyourownbowl: Lamb, Mediterranean salad, banana peppers, greens, feta cheese and signature Covo
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photographer
TASTE
The taste differs depending on which style you go for, but has an overall tropical theme which is refreshing. Their bowls would be great on a hot day to cool down.
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ENVIRONMENT
PRICE
TASTE
The sizzling aroma from the grill combined with an ambiance of Mediterranean music makes for a top-choice spot for a casual outing.
If you’re looking for sweet deals for a solid lunch? Hit Covo. Monday through Wednesday, take advantage of their $8 bowls.
Their unparalleled product, from shawarma off the spitroast to fresh greens, is top-of-the-line. You’ll be walking out both full and pleased.
PLAYER STATS: NAUTICAL BOWLS
zoe clark
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8 9 10 story editor
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PRICE
ENVIRONMENT
The shop’s bright colors, beachy music, and kind workers add to a very warm summer feel, but the space overall is small. It’s less friendly for larger crowds.
The downside to ordering here is the price, $12 for a medium, which I would say was a little too expensive for the product given. It’s worth it on the occasion.
Opened at the start of January next door to Parlor Doughnuts, this beachy smoothie shop is perfect for a cold and fresh sweet treat. There are many options to choose from bowl-wise with set options including an oatmeal and protein bowl, or mix and match to your liking with a build-yourown.
Nautical Bowl’s Sunrise Bowl: banana, strawberry and granola over pitaya and blue majik açaí
PLAYER STATS: TOP TIER NUTRITION You’ve probably passed by this hidden treasure dozens of times in the past month without knowing it: Top Tier Nutrition. Situated on Ridge Road near the state line for over seven years, Top Tier sits on that perfect line between low sugars, high protein and that perfect post-workout treat.
Top Tier’s Marble Cake smoothie bowl: granola and chocolate syrup on a chocolate blend
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ENVIRONMENT High-top barstools with their overcast flat-screen make for a golden bowl-over-football hangout spot. With a friendly staff, you’ll never walk in without a warm greeting.
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emily dywan
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story editor
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TASTE
PRICE
A smoothie bowl under 300 calories? An iced latte under 100? Up against these other players, we’re staying healthy awhile still keeping that sweet taste.
Sitting at a lower steep than it’s sweet counterpart Nautical Bowls, a smoothie bowl costs around $10. Regardless, Top Tier’s variety in flavors makes every cent worth your pick.
photos by zoe clark and emily dywan
snacking the bracket crier staff decides the best football snack deviled eggs
wings with a vote 8-2, wings advances to the next round.
pigs in a blanket nachos with a vote 7-3, nacho advances to the next round.
buffalo chicken dip
wings
with a vote 6-4, wings advances to the next round.
nachos
wings
V S
chex mix
chips & salsa
winner: wings with a vote 6-4, wings took home the Lombardi Trophy for our staff. sure, it may be a little less finger-friendly than its counterpart competitor, but face it: this saucy snack is an unbeatable classic.
with a vote 9-1, chips & salsa advances to the next round.
chips & salsa
with a vote 8-2, chex mix advances to the next round.
chex mix chips & salsa with a vote 9-1, chips & salsa advances to the next round.
vegetable tray photos by aaron alvarez
infocus 05
friday, feb. 2, 2024
side-effects of scrolling crier analyzes the affect social media has left on the generations
. photo by josephine zangrilli INTERTWINED IN INFLUENCE Posed, Josephine Zangrilli’s 10-year-old sister surfs between makeup store websites and images of trending skincare products. Stores such as Sephora have seen a 25% increase in sales in 2023 according to The Street. Social media apps like TikTok and Instagram have helped certain stores reach audiences of all ages from Gen Alpha to Baby Boomers.
dorothy lakshmanamurthy, josephine zangrilli & lauren hoogeveen, deadline manager, photographer & editor-in-chief
Situated at her desk, senior Adeline West’s 13-year-old sister, Gwen, fiddles with the makeup and skincare products adorning her revolving compartment organizer set on her vanity. Despite partially influencing her as her older sister, Adeline recalls the cheap, minimal products she used at her age, which makes her believe it lies in the content she consumes online. “My little sister has even more skincare and expensive makeup than I do,” Adeline said. “For Christmas, she got more Sephora gift cards than me and asked for the trending Glow Recipe and Saie skincare. While it could very well be me influencing her, it also is the content that she watches that causes a more mature and expensive fashion and makeup taste. She sees all these older influencers with high end products and wants them too. This is the case with most tweens nowadays.” Gen Z’s infatuation with social media and technology has been a focal point for older generations when judging the
behavior of 15-25 year olds. With Gen Alpha entering high school, it offers us the question: how has our social media driven world affected all of us, especially incoming freshmen? “I think that social media causes kids to grow up too fast these days,” Adeline said. “Trends are bound to happen, but I think that social media has evolved with our generation to make them more mature. Younger kids on social media are getting influenced by things that are popular with older people. Justice and Claire’s were all the rage when I was a tween, but now kids that age much prefer places like Lululemon and Sephora.” On the earlier end of the Gen Z range, Lauren Holden, math teacher, was first introduced to Facebook 10 years ago. Although she got a phone earlier than most her age, 9th grade, she didn’t join social media until later. “I was late to the trend,” Ms. Holden said. “I didn’t join Facebook until Instagram and Snapchat were emerging.” Even though she and her classmates had phones and social media in high school, Ms. Holden and her classmates found ways in class to entertain themselves aside from their screens. “We made our own entertainment
without our screens, ” Ms. Holden said. “We would talk to each other and do pranks. We made our own entertainment without our screens. Now, I have noticed kids closing themselves off socially while they are so active online.” When Mr. Ben Boruff, English teacher, got Facebook at the end of his senior year of high school, many other social media platforms, like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, quickly emerged soon after. Although social media was growing, Mr. Boruff found a point of his own social media limitations. “Once I got Instagram, that is where I have plateaued social media wise,” Mr. Boruff said. “I had Snapchat for a little bit, but I felt weird about it. And I have never been on Tiktok. As these platforms have evolved, I somewhat stagnated from it.” As younger generations become sooner exposed to social media, Mr. Boruff has observed that kids are growing up quicker. It disappoints him that kids are losing the sense that “the world is a happy place” at an earlier age. “Once you get internet access and have social media, it is a loss of inno-
through the generations Baby Boomers 1946-1964
Mr. Leroy Marsh, health teacher, did not have social media until his 40s
Gen X
1965-1979
Those born during this time did not have social media until ages 18 to 32
Millenials
cence,” Mr. Boruff said. “It is not even at the fault of your own. It is just that the world can be a harsh, dangerous place, and especially online.” In a time period where phones and computers were not yet created, those born during the years 1946 and 1964 did not have social media in their lives until ages 33 to 51. Mr. Leroy Marsh, health teacher, got his first computer, the Apple II, at 28-years-old. “I am from the dinosaurs of computers,” Mr. Marsh said. “In high school, there was no such thing as social media and the only electronic choices I had were an electric typewriter or the home phone.” Now, Marsh is only on one social media platform: Facebook. He joined for the sole purpose of staying connected with former football players and their families, although he tries to stay off of social media as much as possible. “I am not a big fan of TikTok and all those things,” Mr. Marsh said. “It’s going in the direction that social media is all people listen to, and we always have it in our hands, instead of reading, listening, thinking, and doing things on our own. I think we use it way too much.”
a timeline of generational experiences with social media
1980-1995
Mr. Ben Boruff, English teacher, joined social media during the end of his senior year of high school
Gen Z
1996-2009
Ms. Lauren Holden, math teacher, joined social media 10 years ago in 9th grade
Gen Alpha 2010-2025
Senior Adeline West’s 13 year old sister, Gwen, joined social media at 8 years old
opinion 06
friday, feb. 2, 2024 staff opinion
a mirrored message With TikToks flooding our nothing else, while we have “For You Pages” of Sephora experienced its evolution. We sample products littered with may poke fun as the older gengunk and 10 year-olds placing eration, but it is actually hypotheir $110 retinol on the checkcritical—we are the ones creatout counter, it is clear that soing and supporting the ideas of cial media influencers has a “influencers,” microtrends and continuous effect on the generoverconsumption that encourations below us. Although ages this behavior. This our take these children receive is not a new concept: a lot of criticism and Despite criticizing how teenagers and young backlash, it mirrors younger generations adults deem cerinteract with social our relationship with tain things cool and media, we created this the internet as well. trendy, and pre-teens phenomenon and should The internet used be more conscious of want to meet those to be a place—a physstandards. Introducwhat we post. ical place where a ing younger children person could sit down at their to social media earlier has just computer and leave as they made the cycle become quicker pleased. With phones, it has and more intense. become an entity that follows Social media has become people throughout their lives. inescapable, but that doesn’t Using your phone as you’re mean the problems are unfixwalking down the street is seen able. As the generations creatas its own way of connecting ing online environments, we with the world, when it used to need to be conscious of the be an escape. audience and what exactly is This transition has not been being promoted. We, as Gen Z, fully illustrated within a genshould realize and prioritize eration until now. Children face to face communication have spent their entire childand realize it is more essential hoods interacting with the and meaningful than our oninternet this way and know line lives.
with an ipad kid, comes an ipad parent
During December, AP Comp students were tasked with writing an editorial about a topic they were passionate about, following the rules established by The New York Times editorial contest. Students had the opportunity to put their editorial up to an in-class competition, where each editorial was read and each person voted for five of the best. This was the most voted editorial across Mr. Steve Stepnoski’s four class periods.
CR IER
aaryan patel
ap comp student
Look outside. Do you see any kids? You probably don’t. We’re used to seeing kids cruising down the street on their bikes, playing catch with dad in the yard, and yelling crab at the park. Unfortunately, those days are in the past. Those kids you’re looking for are locked away in their rooms wiping Cheeto dust all over their new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. I will always be grateful that I experienced being an outdoor kid. From waking up to my friends at the door begging to come out to coming home and hearing my sister complain that I smelled like grass; it was perfect. In witnessing kids miss out on these outdoor experiences, I became agitated. However, I can’t blame the kids. An Axios article, “The Digital Babysitter Generation,” states that parents today rely on technology to “babysit” and entertain their kids more than ever. Technology doesn’t require any emotional investment, therefore parents
Crier, Munster High School’s official student newspaper, may be reached via mail at 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321; via phone at 219-836-3200, ext. 3443. Crier is published through the Student Media: Newspaper 1-4 classes and extracurricular involvement. Crier’s website is mhsnews.net. •The newspaper serves as a public forum and two-way communication for the school and community. •Crier is a source of information, entertainment, advertising and opinion for the student body, faculty, administration and community. •Published material will stress objective reporting except on the editorial page where opinion writing will be featured. All published material will stress accuracy, integrity, honesty, responsibility, objectivity, fairness and independence. Corrections, when necessary, will be published on page 2. •Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the School Town of Munster, faculty or administration. •Letters to the editor and reader suggestions are welcomed, but should be limited to 250 words. All letters must be signed
illustration by damien salahieh
utilize it. With a screen, a misbehaved child can behave effortlessly. Parenting is the hardest job in the world and technology can make it ten times easier. Well, ten times easier at the moment, but a hundred times harder down the road, as parents realize they created a war with a screen-addicted child. A war they can not win. Developing children learn crucial behavioral skills within a family environment such as communication skills, self-control, and emotional regulation. Technology creates a barrier that blocks the ability to learn these skills. According to The New York Times, 70 percent of parents assert that screens and technology now distract from family time. A lack of family time causes improper communication skills and behavioral problems. According to a recent survey in an EducationWeek article, a majority of parents say children today don’t treat others with respect, are dishonest, and overall lazy. Nearly 90 percent of those parents acknowledged that they are an
and should be either emailed to the editor (laurenhoogeveen@ outlook.com), given directly to any staff member or delivered to the Publications room, N155. Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual. Editors reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and grammatical errors. Crier will accept letters from anyone, provided that the content pertains to school or school issues. Feedback may also be submitted on Twitter or Instagram @munstermedia. •Mailed subscriptions cost $25 per year. Archived digital issues can be found on issuu.com/mhscrier/. Crier is published 10 times a school year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request.
Our Staff Editor-in-Chief Lauren Hoogeveen
influence. The dishonesty, laziness and incapability to respect others can all be correlated to the lack of children discovering themselves. And, like many wouldn’t expect, a suggestion to handle this issue is boredom. Without realizing, boredom allowed me to discover myself and especially discover the people around me. My boredom cost my parents emotional investments that they barely had at the time, but that’s a part of parenting. Maybe that’s all these tantrum-throwing “sticky iPad” kids need. Technological advancements are inevitable. As generations go on, the human race continues to increase in productivity and efficiency. Therefore, as a population, we need to learn how to morally adapt to the world of innovation. Even though technology can make parenting easier, parents depend on technology to distract or “babysit” their children, diminishing core memories, critical social skills, and essential bonding.
Deadline Manager Dorothy Lakshmanamurthy Head Photographers Zoe Clark, Marianna Young Story Editor Emily Dywan Page Editors Kylee Barnes, Emma Starkey, Gabby Van Horne Photographer Karla Aguilar, Aaron Alvarez, John Kullerstand, Lexi Villalobos, Josephine Zangrilli Cartoonist and Photographer Damien Salahieh Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman
sports 07
friday, feb. 2, 2024
in it to win it boys’ basketball prepares for post season with hopes to reign strong gabriella van horne page editor
overs we try to score and that gives After stealing the ball, Jermaine us an advantage. We try to achieve Coney, senior, takes it into the at least one turkey each quarter.” paint and dunks for two points, Sometimes the problem is a leading to their 72-52 win against mental thing, one that has differLowell last Friday. ent strategies to combat it. With hopes to continue the sev“One game you’ll be on and the en year Conference champ streak, next game you’ll be off and it’s the basketball team is training hard not to fight yourself in your hard and progressing each game. head,” Trilli said. “Staying consisThe team has a 4-0 Conference retent is pretty hard. (The team) is cord, making the goal of winning very supportive. Obviously, if we Conference not far out of reach. lose there’s bad vibes in the lock“I’d like to win Sectionals and er room, but win Conference they’ll still be again,” Tyler Fullthere for you. er, junior said. players describe playing for munster They’ll be sup“That’d be nice if Josh Malloy, freshman: “TURKEY TURportive.” we did.” KEY TURKEY” They have The team agrees Blake Trilli, junior: “Grit” also worked that winning ConDavid Cundiff, senior: “Determination” on playing for ference would be Daniel Queroz, senior: “Competition” each other. a big boost that “In the first could propel them game everyinto another goal, one played selfishly, it wasn’t like which is to “win a Sectional chama team thing,” Fuller said. “That’s pionship,” Ethan Walker, senior one of the bigger things (that the said. “At the very least, feel like we team struggled with early on).” left everything out on the court.” Along with playing for each othSectionals, a round of single er, they can only get better if they elimination games, comes after stay focused, according to Walker. regular season ends. “As a whole, I’d say the thing we “I think we can go far,” Blake struggle with is sometimes we lack Trilli, junior said. “If we win Secfocus,” Walker said. “We need to tionals I definitely think Regionals make sure we’re staying focused will come our way.” 100% throughout the whole game.” Reaching those goals comes with Improving their weaknesses can lots of practice and reducing their only go so far to gain success, acweaknesses. cording to the team. “We have this one drill we’ve “I think part of what helps us been working on recently, it’s play like we do is our connectedcalled the turkey drill,” Fuller said. ness,” Walker said. “I think our “In bowling, turkey is three strikes, team is very together, we are very and for us we try to get three turnin it together.” overs in a row. After those turn-
to sum it up
JUMP, JUMP Jumping into the air, Jermaine Coney, senior, made a layup with Caden Atkins, senior, following at Munster’s game versus Highland on Jan. 11, winning 69-43. “It was a regular game for us, we just came in and had to handle business,” Coney said. (photo by john kullerstrand)
that’s a wrap winter sports approach the end of season josephine zangrilli
photographer
girls’ basketball Girls Basketball finished their season 18-3. The team advanced to Sectionals by winning 57-34 against Highland and being crowned NCC Conference champions. Their season ended with a loss against Lake Central on Tuesday night. Although there are no seniors on the roster, Eleanor Wendlinger, sophomore, believes this lack of experience has forced the team to strengthen their bond. “This season we’ve had to connect more as a team, especially on the court,” said Wendlinger. “Last year, we relied on our seniors and now we are all playing our part a bit more.” After a season of playing well and adapting, winning 85 percent of games, the Mustangs fell short against Lake Central on the 30th, losing 59-53.
boys’ swim & dive
Claiming the Conference title, Boys’ Swim and Dive have been victorious. Charlie Olmstead, senior, attributes the team’s success to their new coaches, Matt Lee, Eric Wallace Jr, and Russel Rommelfanger. “Having new coaches has really put our program and training into a strong direction,” said Olmstead.
next meet- feb. 15 sectional prelims & feb 17. sectionals
girls’ swim & dive
With their season coming to an end, Girls’ Swim and Dive are keeping their winning streak alive in 2024. Coming out on top, they won the Conference title over teams such as Highland and Portage. Girls’ Swim and Dive has a current record of 4-7.
next meet- tomorrow, feb.3 sectional finals at home
boys’ wrestling
Approaching the end of their season, Boys’ Wrestling has been succesful winning multiple meets. Chris Bohn, Joey Bartusiak, Brandon Petrovski and Christain Leyva Cortes, seniors, and more, are advancing to Regionals tomorrow.
next meet- feb. 15 sectional prelims & feb 17. section a ls
girls’ wrestling
This school year marks the first season of MHS’ Girls’ Wrestling team. With a small team of only seven girls, they have improved their technique tremendously “I think our season as a team has been very good and everyone has learned so much,” said Sophia Jorge, freshman, “I think my season could have gone better than what it did but I’m not to upset on how I did, just wish I did better.”
next meet- tomorrow, feb 3. regionals at hobart
08 student life
friday, feb. 2, 2024
the things that --------with me
backtalk
students showcase their what is your favorite day of the week and why? decorated reusable water bottles as the Stanley cup grows in popularity
marianna young & lexi villalobos photographers
“Saturday. It’s the most relaxing of the week, I don’t have school or go anywhere.”
Meghan Mulcahy, junior, received her Yeti for her 16th birthday. She ordered the stickers off of Amazon. She wanted to keep the theme of pink stickers because that is her favorite color. Peter Pipik, sophomore, started decorating his water bottle when his dad had mentioned he should. “My dad does this to his water bottles and he just said ‘Hey, you should,’” Peter said. Some of the stickers faded, though he will add more when needed. Matea Savic, junior, had her water bottle for over two years. She got the Serbian sticker over the summer from her friend. It translates to “everything looks like summer” and the evil eye to keep bad vibes away.
Elena Poposki, freshman
Alex Brar, freshman
stanleys
Walking into the cafeteria, you can’t help but notice the row of Stanleys lined up on various tables. Is there a reason for this newfound epidemic of Stanleys? What exactly is recent hype over the Stanley water bottles about? Flooding many TikTok “For you” pages, Stanley collectors show off the many colors they own. This intrigued many who watched. As someone who has switched from a Yeti to a Stanley, Liz Rodriguez, junior said, “I prefer the Stanley rather than my Yeti because of the handle, which is comfortable to hold and there are two different ways to drink out of it which is nice.”
58% of students have stickers on their water bottles 86% of students have a reusable water bottle
students favorite stickers
“Friday because when school is done, I basically have two days and a half to relax and do whatever.”
source: google form survey of 112 students from Jan. 18-29
“Thursday. After that, there’s not much else to worry about.” Alexis Milroy, sophomore
“Monday because it is a fresh start to the new week and makes me focus on what is ahead for that week.” Jeremy Kaim, sophomore
“My favorite day of the week is Sunday because I have nothing to do that day. It’s a mental reset day.” Liz Rodriguez, junior
“I like Wednesday because it’s an intermediary between all the other days and it’s the only day I have off from all my activities. ” Jack Sklar, junior
“Wednesdays because I get to see Coach Edgerton on my block day for weights. ” Addison Dzurovcik, senior
“Wednesday because I love hump day.” Jasmine Wegman, senior
Reese Erlain, freshman
Keira Allegrezza, sophomore
Adrian Chavez, junior
Lily Hestjean, senior
Surrounded by other stickers Reese’s BTS sticker sticks out the most to her and is her favorite because “they are all together.”
On a pink water bottle, this sticker from her recent trip to Montana is Keira’s favorite because she got it from her family and likes the outdoors.
Adrian’s favorite sticker is his “chug jug” sticker. It references his favorite game Fortnite in which the chug jug is a reviving beverage.
With two stickers, this one is Lily’s favorite because she got it at an environmental event and it shows that she cares about the topic.
additional reporting by emma starkey and gabriella van horne
“I like Thursdays because it is still in the heat of the week but you just have one more day so it’s all the anticipation for the weekend.” Mr. Ben Boruff, english teacher
“Wednesday because that’s an odd block day and it is a little easier than Thursday block.” Mr. Keith Koszut, science Teacher