MHS Crier | Issue 3 | 10.27.2023

munster high school 8808 columbia munster, indiana 46321 http://mhsnews.net

CR IER

october 27, 2023 volume 58 issue 3

mhs

From left to right students are shown participating in their AP Classes this semester. C THIS Writing on the board, Yousaf Khokhar, senior, works on a group discussion in AP Literature & English Composition. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER During their fifth period class, juniors Asha Patel and Risha Panigrahi, focus on completing their test in AP Physics. CONCENTRATION SENSATION Enduring their test, seniors Emily Li, Shail Patel, Aadit Raikar, and junior Claire Han, work in AP Physics. TAKING THE STAND During a AP Literature & English Composition presentation, Natalie Kindt, senior, raises her hand to answer a question. LISTEN UP In room S151, Mrs. Christine Chidichimo, math teacher, demonstrates live notes to her AP Calculus BC students. (photos by marianna young and karla aguilar)

the point of AP crier takes a look into the process and purpose behind AP and the newly added pre-AP courses lauren hoogeveen & emma starkey editor-in-chief & page editor

S

pending her sophomore year filled with early morning train rides followed by waiting at bus stops as the sun came up, Tea Dimitrijevic, senior, decided to go to Chicago Academy for the Arts to pursue piano.

For her junior year, she decided to switch back to MHS. Although perfect for arts education, her decision to return ultimately came down to choosing what Tea considers a more diverse education—which she believes lies in AP involvement.

“The arts kind of puts you in a box,” Tea said. “I’m a creative person but I also really love learning about other topics. Being able to take more AP classes allows you to become a more critical and analytical thinker which carries over not only into your career, but also into your personal life.”

The Chicago Academy for the Arts only has nine AP classes available, which freshman and sophomore students are not allowed to take. In comparison, MHS offers 21. And starting this year, pre-AP, which replaces Honors classes, is available for underclassmen who want to prepare for taking AP classes.

Now over nine weeks into the school year, students, staff and administrators reflect on its implementation.

Originally, students were placed in Honors classes based on an academic placement process derived from standardized test scores. Now, however, pre-AP classes are open to any student who wants to take one, which draws in a wider range of students. Unlike the specific units of AP classes with a focus on the AP exam, pre-AP focuses on building various skill sets for future classes.

“It’s about more equitable learning opportunities for all who are taking our AP courses,” Mrs. Colleen Bergren, assistant superintendent, said. “Are we seeing student subgroups that are excluded and who are not being successful in those classes?

And how can we ensure that we have more equitable opportunities?”

For Besiana Burrell, freshman, pre-AP is the ideal preparation for harder classes.

Now mid school year, she finds the new academic diversity between students in her three pre-AP classes makes it harder to seek help from her peers than her previous Honors classes.

“I feel like it’s honestly harder because if I need help with something, everyone has their own way of doing things,” Burrell said. “There’s been times I’ve needed help and people haven’t been able to help me.”

continue on page 5

NOTED Taking notes in AP Calculus BC, Nolan Kinsella, senior, listens to his teacher. HOCUS FOCUS From left to right, seniors Sophie Salazar and Brenna Harris listens during AP Calculus BC. BIOLOGY BUSINESS Holding up an enzyme model, Mr. Dillon Thompson, science teacher, demonstrates to his AP Biology class. BRAINSTORMING Working on an activity in AP Literature & English Composition, Anthony Ornelas, senior, talks to his group. ALL IN THIS TOGETHER Working in groups, sophomores Niko Iatrides and Jack Morton work on an assignment in Pre-AP Chemistry. ACTIVE LISTENING Listening to Mr. Thompson, Aliciana McGuire, senior, talks in her AP Biology class. WONDERING & PONDERING Focusing on the notes, Annie Fuller, junior, concentrates in her AP Calculus BC class.

ANY VOLUNTEERS Presenting a presentation in AP Literature & English Composition, Kymora Thomas, senior, points at a fellow peer to answer their question. (photos by karla aguilar and zoe clark)

02 news

friday, oct. 27, 2023

marching into state

band competes at state tomorrow gabby van horne page editor

Tomorrow, the band will march into the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, instruments in hand, for the 12th year in a row to perform their show “The Impossible Dream” at State Finals.

“We feel like this is a very strong group of students,” Mr. Adam Beaupre, assistant band director, said. “Going into the year, we felt confident in the abilities they had themselves and their capabilities of performing our show.”

The show features two dancers, Emma Potchen, freshman, who plays the monster in the dream, and Ari Vrehas, seventh grader, the main character who falls asleep and explores her dream, eventually killing the monster.

“We play a bunch of different music and styles to show how much dreams can vary,” Ben Coble, sophomore, said.

Making it to State has brought a series of emotions to band members.

“Hearing our names being called was genuinely one of the best feelings ever,” Charity Ibikunle, senior, said. “It meant that all of our hard work over the past four months was worth it. After we made it back to our buses we met with the underclassmen and all hugged and cried because we were so excited.”

Band director Ian Marcusiu wanted to make it to State, but also continues to emphasize the other important parts of the band.

“We’ve made State many years in a row now and

POSE AND PLAY Playing through this year’s show “Impossible Dream,” the marching band practices choreography. After their success at State Semifinals, the band is performing at State Finals tomorrow. “I feel very excited, this is a big moment,” Bella Parker-Flinchum, sophomore, said. “I’m glad we get to experience it (state finals) for the 12th year in a row,” (photo by zoe clark)

the last few times there’s been some disappointments in terms of maybe we expected to place higher,” Mr. Marcusiu said. “You have to understand that not all was lost. We grew tremendously as musicians, players and individuals and you just have to realize that the whole process is important and super fun too.”

The band is focused on winning short term, but also gaining long term success for the program. The directors keep the future in mind.

“At the end of the day, a year down the line, three or even five years down the line the question is how can we create a culture of excellence and success,” Mr. Beaupre said. “How can we push ourselves to grow as much as possible and set ourselves up for success down the road?”

As a senior in her last season, Emma Kavalec, drum major, has been around and understands the importance of working for the present as well as the future.

upcoming events charity volleyball tournament

new mentorship program

Student Government’s Charity Volleyball Tournament will be Nov. 7 from 6-9 p.m. It is partnered with the annual food drive, which all donations will be given to the Greater Hammond Food Pantry.

To play, each team captain must pick up paperwork from club sponsor Mrs. Kathleen LaPorte’s room, N191. Each player must donate $10 worth of donations to participate.

New this year, Mrs. Kristin LaFlech, business teacher, began a mentorship program, Start-Up Studio, with her new venture development and entrepreneurship capstone classes. Each Thursday, Mrs. LaFlech has representatives from businesses she has connections with and those who signed up through a Google Form to come into class and partner up with student groups and individuals.

dorothy lakshmanamurthy

“The uncertainty of what could happen in the future is definitely the most stressful part,” Emma said.

Marching band isn’t only related to how well the students perform their show.

“We can go out there and feel like ‘man, we had a great show’ but there are 20 other groups vying for that top ten when we get to Semi-State,” Mr. Marcusiu said. “There are objective things like if it sounds good, but it’s six judges’ opinions and they’re essentially ranking us on what they see and what they hear.”

The directors think that no matter the outcome, the band has worked hard.

“The general view of marching band is always a pep band, football game kind of thing,” Mr. Beaupre said.

“There is another whole world that people have such a limited understanding of and I cannot encourage people enough to see a show, watch the rehearsals or just get involved. It really can be quite an amazing thing.”

stay connected blessing bags accepting donations Cardboard boxes worth of commodities from knit beanies to tissue packs line the back of FACs teacher Ms. Abigail Brosseau’s classroom as students send in donations for Blessing Bags. The team will gather all their items and donate to shelters, including A Little Bit of Heaven and Primo Center For Women and Children in Chicago. All donations are heartily accepted in Ms. Brosseau’s room at S120

until next Friday.

Nadia Cortes, junior and founder of the organization, fuels other students to contribute to the cause.

“I don’t think students realize how much a little goes a long way,” Nadia said. “I can talk to as many people as possible, but at the end of the day it’s all in the way they view this situation, and the gift of giving that they have.” emily dywan

halloween halls a success

dorothy lakshmanamurthy

TRICK OR TREAT Smiling at a child, seniors Lauren Sims and Riley Jorge pass out candy during the Halloween Halls event Oct. 20. Run by Student Government, each participating club, sport or group chose a theme and decorated their designated section of the hallway to match. The event was open for families in the community to attend. (photo by viviana rodriguez)

mtc prepares one-act, nov. 10-12 READ MY LINES Memorizing character lines for their one-act “The Yellow Boat,” junior Evvy Kikkert and senior Clover Sarkady read from their pamphlet. MTC is having their performance Nov. 10-12 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The show thematically follows childhood resilience, primarily focusing on a boy named Benjamin’s point of view. Tickets can be purchased at munaud.org. (photo by john kullerstrand)

reminders

corrections

•

Staehly’s first name was spelled Demi. On page 2,

Because of election day, Nov. 7, all students will have an asynchronous elearning day, where students will join live teams meetings for each class.

In Issue 2 of Crier, on page 1, freshman Deni Delaney Craig’s role “Mistress Paige” should be “Mistress Page.” On page 4-5, junior Charisse Hagerman’s name did not include her last name in the EXCUSE ME caption. On page 6, Damien Salahieh’s staff title should be cartoonist. Crier regrets these errors.

opinion 03

friday, oct. 27, 2023

young at heart lexi villalobos

page editor

illustration by damien salahieh

staff opinion

an unrealistic standard AP classes are a way for students it comes to the standards they to take college level classes to chalhold themselves to, these thoughts lenge themselves academically and seep into the minds of others and potentially save time and money in spread throughout the school. the future—but MHS academic culWhat used to be considered overture has altered the meaning. achieving slowly became a baseIt’s not uncommon to walk in line for success, but that isn’t apthe halls and pick up complaints plicable to every student. The goal about an A- not being an A, whisof education at MHS, proven by the pers of SAT and AP exam scores or introduction of pre-AP classes, censomeone attempting to convince a ters around equitable learning for peer that their score on a test isn’t every student. Not every student as bad as they think—just has the same goals, so our take to reveal that they scored students shouldn’t make higher.

Students should be it harder on themselves But the competiby creating and enforcmore accepting of tive environment does others’ learning goals ing these inequitable not stem from a factor standards. and needs. within the school enviAllowing these ideals ronment or pressure from teachto take control creates an environers—it comes from the students ment where students are afraid to themselves. ask for help out of fear of judgment.

Although many students may be This counterintuitive behavior of influenced by their parents when students putting unnecessary pres-

sure on others while the others struggle as a result, may seem silly and unreasonable from an outside perspective. But, students feed off of each other’s energy when it comes to academic expectations, which creates this cycle.

Peer pressure to excel is great to encourage students to strive for their best, but when it becomes demeaning, it creates a negative impact.

If students focused on their own learning experience and path to success, then there would be significantly less judgment at MHS when it comes to academics. Finding what works best individually when it comes to the balance of difficult classes, extracurricular choices and future planning is more useful than worrying about what other student’s are doing in comparison.

opinion backtalk

what do you think of mhs academic culture?

“

It can be stressful at times, but as the school year goes on, I think that I will be able to handle my classes better.” kate huang

freshman

“

I think if you have a lot of smart friends, there’s a lot of flexing on grades and stuff, and that can lead to pressure.” emilia larson

sophomore

“

Munster’s academic culture is very good. I feel like it pushes me to my limits and to do my best with every class that I take.” savannah nuetzel

junior

“

I think AP classes open a lot of learning and college opportunities that can help later in life.” david mena

senior

“You are too old” or “trick-or-treating is for kids.”

Those words are mostly heard by teens when talking about wanting to trick-ortreat during Halloween. Even though there is no rule for a teen to stop, we tend to continue to hear this. Really, there is not any harm with still trick-or-treating when in high school. We are young and soon enough will be off into the adult world, dealing with college, jobs, and being on our own.

There is no lie in saying that growing up can be intimidating. We wonder how the future will play out or what path we will take. Will it go North or South? Then soon enough, we wonder where all the time went during the younger years in our life. The nostalgic tradition keeps that youthfulness for us. The thought of getting older escapes our mind while laughing and enjoying the night with friends or a younger sibling.

My younger sister absolutely loves Halloween, the candy most of all. Around the end of elementary and middle school years, I helped take her to the door and receive candy together. Those times were very enjoyable, seeing how thrilled she was to walk around the neighborhood, get candy and see others’ costumes. Not only does trickor-treating with a sibling bring them happiness, but it can create a core memory for them when with an older sibling. The bond can flourish, too. There is no shame at all with being with siblings on Halloween, if you have one.

Sometimes we don’t want to let go of our childhood selves. The excited feeling we get when Halloween is around the corner sticks to us. It is definitely better than staying in all night doing nothing and laying around at home. We are able to be in the spirit—figuring out costume ideas weeks before, dressing up and heading out to get candy.

And even if you plan to trick-or-treat till graduation, there is nothing wrong with it.

There is not a reason to feel that you are too old while in high school. Like said, we are still young. Then when our lives start to take a different direction, we will not be so young anymore. Keep the trick-or-treating going until it is time to let go of it. Cherish the moments left before heading off to the adult world.

CR IER 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

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.

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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, Heidy Sanchez, Lexi Villalobos

Our Staff

Cartoonist and Photographer Damien Salahieh

Editor-in-Chief Lauren Hoogeveen

Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

04 review

friday, oct. 27, 2023

surviving the horrors

karla aguilar photographer

“Five Nights at Freddy’s” sets the player as a security guard with the objective of surviving the first of five night shifts with very vague instructions. The guard is in an office and is limited to the cameras, closing the door and turning the lights in the hallways to ward off the animatronics.

Game Play: It got harder to survive each one with the introduction of a new animatronic that joins every few nights.

Some of the characters would stay outside of the door for the longest time when the power was at 15%, I barely survived some nights.

Standout Features: The setting brought from the audio, especially the scary sound effects.

An interesting part is that all of the animatronics have different habits, such as Foxy sprinting down the hallways or Chica’s frequent visits to the kitchen.

in honor of the five nights at freddy’s movie releasing tonight, crier staff reviews three fnaf games

loose screws

john kullerstrand photographer

illustration by damien salahieh

breaching chaos

karla aguilar photographer

“Security Breach,” released in 2021, is the newest addition to the game series. It follows a child named Gregory and his adventures throughout his overnight stay at the mall. His goal is to find a way out of the locked down Pizza Plex without being caught by anyone with the help of a malfunctioning Glamrock Freddy Fazbear.

Game Play: The game offers a variety of characters in this game, from the new versions of Freddy’s band to patrol dummies who would catch me off guard at the most inconvenient times. I was absolutely

terrified when I saw DJ Music Man crawling around the mall, even more so seeing his mini version chasing down Gregory in the vents.

Standout Features: There are several Easter eggs in the game referencing the old entertainment centers from the past games. At first, the game started off more vibrant and had a more juvenile tone, but the further you progressed, the scarier it got. The character’s purposes were very calculated and intricate. The animatronics also got more aggressive the more you played which made it more suspenseful and fun to play overall.

In “Help Wanted”, you spend most of your time playing through renditions of the first 3 FNAF games. Even though Help Wanted is over 4 years old, it still packs a major punch. That said, this game is incredibly hard, and is definitely in my top 10 when it comes to horror games in general, and it is one of the best installments in the FNAF series.

Standout Features: Help Wanted’s biggest selling point, and the thing some people are not able to truly experience, is its VR compatibility. The fact that this is made for VR means that it’s mechanics are fundamentally changed. Instead of pressing a few keys to turn your head or activate cameras, you actually have to make real life movements, which make everything much more immersive.

Game Play: Help Wanted starts out being deceptively simple, and becomes exponentially harder as you continue. Fast paced and nerve racking at the later stages, quite quickly the player is constantly having to look behind their backs and solve numerous puzzles in order to get through all 40 different levels.

second verse

comparing taylor swift albums to their rerecordings

gabby van horne

emma starkey

page editor

While the raw emotion in the original recordings is relatable and welcome, Swift’s mature voice in the rerecording is outstanding.

The usage of the banjo combined with the clearness of the instruments in the rerecording are what exceed expectations. The album still holds strong as one of her best because of the storytelling she was able to do as a teenager.

page editor

Top Three: “You Belong With Me,” “The Other Side of the Door” and “The Way I Loved You.”

Red, when first recorded, is great when Swift dives into the more pop/EDM style of instrumentation. The slower songs tended to feel more like filler. The rerecording gives an overall improvement, adding some emotion but loosing some of the pop and EDM elements that made the original shine.

image source: spotify

gabby van horne page editor

Top Three: “Stay A lot was lost in the rerecording Stay Stay,” “Sad of Speak Now, especially emotion.

Beautiful Tragic,” The songs still hold their own and and “Starlight.” the vocals and instrumentals are top tier, but the lack of emotion as well as familiarities like the shaky breath in “Last Kiss,” or the lyric change in “Better Than Revenge” set the rerecording back. The vault tracks make up for it though, some are the best songs on the album.

Top Three: “Long Live,” “Back to December” and “Electric Touch.”

infocus 05

friday, oct. 27, 2023

the point of AP continued from front Since the English 10 classes are not smaller than they were previously despite the introduction of pre-AP English, Ms. Leigh Ann Westland, who teaches both classes, sees it just as a redistribution.

“I think it’s hard if you take a student who’s never been in, say, Honors or AP, and they’re used to getting an A, and now they might not get an A in a pre AP class, and they have to be okay with that,” Mrs. Westland said.

For teachers, this range means creating a new way to accommodate students who may be at different levels when it comes to the learning process.

Students who were in Honors classes previously were taught on the track for AP courses, while other students may not have focused on AP specific skills as thoroughly.

“If you’re getting taught a lot of information but you don’t understand any of it, then it’s just not gonna be useful to you,” Burrell said.

Just as AP has brought pre-AP, pre-AP classes can also bring the start of new AP classes offered. For example, since pre-AP World History and Geography was just started this year, administration may consider having conversations about starting AP World History

in a few years once more students have taken the course. If students wanted recently created AP African American Studies to be introduced at MHS, then, according to Mrs. Tammy Daugherty, instructional coach, it would have to go through these steps and conversations: • Student interest in taking the course • Potential pre-existing prerequisite options • Staff interest in teaching the course • How implementing the course would change class sizes and scheduling After all of that, an AP class can be added to the class schedule options.

But reflecting on administration’s goals when it comes to pre-AP, they wonder how this impacts students’ mindsets.

“The question about AP is because if

through each thread

we wanted to continue to push, push, push and offer more and more and more, what are we doing as an institution?” Mrs. Bergren said. “Are we sending the message that ‘oh, you’re not worthy.’?”

UP FOR DISCUSSION Discussing “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka in AP English Literature and Composition, seniors Campbell Gideon, Victoria Rasala and Evan Bognar talk about quotes for their chosen theme. They later used the quotes for an activity. (photo by zoe clark)

student designers share their halloween diys

gwen davies

kylee barnes

out with the old

page editor

Madalyn rocked this costume in 3rd grade as book character, Fancy Nancy.

“I loved that she was extra,” she said. “I was a dress-up kid through and through.”

Dating back to 2016, this was the harness part of Gwen’s Halloween costume of a fire dragon.

These wings were dissected from pieces of wreaths, red duct-tape and orange mesh.

Gwen Davies, senior, has never worn a store bought costume. Taking inspiration from her theater director mother’s handiwork, she has a huge history of fantastic, detail-filled costumes.

“My mom always had me do the easy parts when I was a kid,” Gwen said. “It was as simple as ‘oh, hold this down as the glue dries.’ As I got older, I got a hold of my own glue gun.”

Bowls. Vases. Plungers. Gwen expresses how she recycles old products to utilize for her costumes and props.

“You walk around in a place full of material ask yourself if you can use any of these shapes,” she said. “Five Below, Dollar Store, thrift stores—it’s just a matter of thinking creatively.”

closet costume

Gwen’s take on an easy DIY costume is a take on an easy gothic style. She sported her own take on a modern gothic look for Halloween Halls.

“What’s great about a costume like this is that you don’t need glue for anything,” she said.

“Throw on some black shirt and pants, or a black dress and some fishnets. It’s perfect.”

Senior Madalyn Martin first discovered her passion for fashion with simple childhood toys like paper dress-up dolls and mini sewing kits gifted to her by family members.

“My grandma bought me this little mannequin for doll clothes when I was in first grade where you could make their outfits,” she said. “I loved it so much.”

A hobby held dear to her heart, Madalyn expressed that she’ll continue to pave her own way in the world of style, leading her to become a costume designer for the Munster Theatre Company.

closet costumes With a few simple stitches and a lot of imagination, any costume can come to life. Madalyn suggests one of the easiest “closet costumes,” or pull-out pieces you could afford to find as simple as your dresser or crafts-bin, to be a dog.

“Any kind of animal is pretty easy,” she said.

“You just have to buy or make animal ears. I was Snoopy and I just cut two pieces of fabric out for the ears and drew the little nose in.”

out with the old

in with the new

about gwen

about madalyn

Posed as the “queen of Tejano music,” Selena Quintanilla-Perez, Madalyn was inspired by her iconic outfit worn at the 1995 Houston Astrodome Livestock Show & Rodeo.

madalyn martin

Gwen flared up character Black Pearl Cookie from the game Cookie Run last Halloween with her own fun twist. She crafted the tail from foam and painted a galactic pattern.

in with the new

photos by lexi villalobos

06 sports

wrapping up

friday, oct. 27 , 2023

recap of fall sports’ seasons and remaining games lauren hoogeveen & dorothy lakshmanamurthy

editor-in-chief & deadline manager

football

TEAR YOU DOWN At the Sept. 22 senior night game against Hanover Central, the football team brings a stop to the play after a succesful tackle against one of Hanovers’ running backs. This game resulted in a final score of 21-56. (photo by heidy sanchez)

girls’ cross country Highlights: “I was proud of our sophomore, Elora Bliss, when she won Sectionals,” Riley Jorge, senior, said. “She has been trying to beat the Lake Central girls, and she finally did it. Our team also got 5th overall that day.”

Remaining Meets: Placing 13th at Regionals last weekend, Elora Bliss, sophomore, is competing Saturday at LaVern Gibson State Championship in Terre Haute.

boys’ soccer

FAST FOWARD Speeding up, Giana Bartusiak, sophomore, gives it her all at the Highland High School meet Oct. 21. as she makes the final straight to the finish line. (photo by aaron alvarez)

volleyball Record: 17-16 Highlights: “The week before we took the Sectional title, we had just been pushing ourselves in practice,” Ella Woltman, senior, said. “We worked so hard for that moment we all ran out onto the court jumping and yelling and it was amazing.”

The team won Sectionals Oct. 14 with a 3-0 win against Hammond.

They came up short in Regionals on Oct. 21 against Crown Point.

READY FOR IT Watching for the ball, Taylor Schroer and Ella Woltman, seniors, get in to a recieving position at Sectionals against Hammond on Oct. 14. The team sweeped a 3-0 win and the Sectional title. (photo by zoe clark)

TAKE CHARGE Charging toward the ball, Ryan Giba, senior, tries to beat Lake Central for possesion at Sectionals Oct. 4 at Highland High School. (photo by vivianna rodriguez)

Highlights: “At the Harrison Invite in West Lafayette, I had a huge personal best there that gave me an outlook on how great my senior season could be,” Ian Smith, senior, said.

“I enjoyed going with the team to get smoothies to improve team bonding,” Dominic Dicarlo, senior, said.

Seniors Ian Smith, Josh Serrano, and Dominic Dicarlo advanced from Sectionals Oct. 14.

MID SPRINT From left to right, Sebastian Kozy, senior, and Lukas Stewart, junior, pace themselves on their second mile at Sectionals.

“The weather was rainy and cold that day, so it pushed me to go faster to the finish,” Kozy said. (photo by karla aguilar)

boys’ tennis SECONDS TO GO Turning the ball around, Maya Maldonando, sophomore, saves the ball before it goes out of bounds at the Sept. 16 home game against South Bend. (photo by john kullerstand)

girls’ golf Record: 8-1 Highlights: “Winning Conference and Sectionals Tournaments, LC and Pat Ford Invites, along with my team was a lot of fun,” Hannah Ingersoll, freshman, said.

The team won Sectionals by 25 strokes on Sept. 15 at Sherwood.

Awards: Coach Bill Smitka was named 2023 NCC Coach of the Year for girls’ golf.

Record: 16-2 Highlights: “Beating Hobart 4-3 to win Conference was a great experience and an amazing win,” Niki Dimitrijevic, junior, said. “It was a strong team effort, and we stepped up when it mattered most.”

Records Broken: At their Sept. 28 home game against Boone Grove, Nolan Kinsella, senior, set a new single season goal record of 39 goals. The previous record of 37 goals was held by Ryan McMahen in 2000.

boys’ cross country

girls’ soccer

Record: 10-6-1 Highlights: “My favorite moment was when we won against Valpo 2-1 in a competitive, intense game,” Natalie Kindt, senior, said.

“We hadn’t beaten them in a long time.”

The team earned the Conference Championship title on Sept. 30 with a 5-3 win against Hanover Central.

Record: 3-7 Highlights: “Our defense stopped KV from scoring in order to win our first conference game since 2018,” Daniel Elias, senior said.

Records Broken: Daniel Asgedom, senior, rushed for 247 yards and 4 touchdowns at the Oct. 13 away game against Kankakee Valley. He broke the single season rushing record of 1,493 yards, held by Brian Eldridge in 1993, with 1,684 yards.

Also at the KV game, Owen Burns, junior, broke the previous consecutive extra points record of 28, held by Tom Royal in 2000, with 32 points.

Next Game: Away game at 7 p.m. tonight against Merrillville

TEE UP Warming up for the Aug. 27 match against Kankankee Valley, Natalia Jeknic, senior, prepares for a chip shot. (photo by josephine zangrilli)

Record: 14-5 Highlights: “At Culver Academy Invite, we went 2-1 using one of our new lineups,” Adam Muntean, senior, said. “It matched up well that day.”

Seniors Ethan Walker and Jose Foster came up short to state runner-ups in a 7-6, 6-1 doubles match at Park Tudor Oct. 21.

Awards: Coach Patrick Spohr was named 2023 NCC Coach of the Year for boys’ tennis.

1st Team All State Recognition: Seniors Ethan Walker, Jose Foster, Yousaf Khokhar, Jack Morton, Adam Muntean, Michael Fesko, and junior Joey Conner.

WINDING UP During Sectionals, Adam Muntean, senior, serves the ball to the opposing Valparaiso team. “It was a very fun but challenging season, especially because I was injured for all of it,” Muntean said. “The team had a bond this year that was awesome.” (photo by marianna young)

friday, oct. 27, 2023

new game plan

sports 07

swim welcomes new coaching staff gabby van horne

page editor Coach Rommelfanger, an aide at MHS, said. “They all give so much effort, and From waking up at 5 am to jump in it’s unfair not to support them at all a cold pool, the seahorses have transitimes regardless of results.” tioned to weights in the morning and The addition of weight training Coach swimming in the afternoon with the help of new coaches Matt Lee, assis- Riley Edgerton has helped the swimtant coaches Eric Wallace Jr., Russell mers’ transition this season, with their Rommelfanger, and returning assistant first meet being on Nov. 20 against coach Anna Nasinska. Most of the team Crown Point.

“Thanks to Coach Edgerton the swimhas had Lee as a coach previously in mers are in a better spot physically due swim club.

“In some ways I think it’s easier to to his intense weight room sessions,” adjust because now there is a bridge be- Coach Wallace said. “The high schoolers tween club and high school, and it’s gon- also have a new energy to them and they na be a good transition,” Coach Lee said. are looking forward to workouts, which makes the practices more intense than “I don’t think it was difficult in previous seasons of before, but I think it might me coaching them.” be a little easier now.”

All in all, the coachAssistant coach Anna Nahow long each coach has es want what is best for sinska has also had some of been coaching swim & their athletes. the team previously, at the additional sports “As a staff, we’re lookmiddle school or as a stuing to implement a new dent on the swim team.

Coach Matt Lee: 17 years culture around the pool “I coached high school Coach Anna Nasinska: 6 in order to rejuvenate swimming for six years and years, middle school track what has been a very then took the last two years for 4 years long and storied prooff,” Coach Nasinska said. “I Coach Eric Wallace Jr.: 5 gram on both the local think the adjustment will be years and state level,” Coach smooth because we’ve been Coach Russell Rommelfanger said. “I’m meeting a lot.”

Rommelfanger: 10 years, a ‘what have you done The familiarity of the new baseball & soccer for 10 for me lately’ kind of coaches has helped the team coach: I respect your past adjust.

“We already know most of them and and your accomplishments, but we live what to expect,” Lauren Dumaresq, ju- in the here and now, with that being the nior, said. “There will be new expecta- area in which we need to focus.”

The athletes agree with wanting the tions that we will have to get used to once the season starts, but I’m sure we’ll best.

“I’m really hoping for a strong and adjust quickly.”

But, coaching can also come with unified team throughout the season,” Jasmine Wegman, senior, said. “I believe challenges.

“Seeing athletes work hard and just what makes a team great is the environnot get the support or recognition they ment, because the culture around us need either from coaches or teammates, is going to be a huge motivating factor but mostly from those at home is hard,” during the season.”

time flies

TIME’S TICKING During practice, Varsity Coach Matt Lee times the swimmers as they swim laps. “I think growing the numbers and getting a JV squad back is important for the school,” Coach Lee said. “Winning Conference and Sectionals, as well as sending both swimmers and divers to State for both boys and girls is important.” (photo by marianna young) HEAR ME OUT After swimmer Jennifer Barajas, junior, finished her lap at practice, Coach Matt Lee talks to her about the technique she can use to excel in the exercise.

“My goals are to be a finalist at state and win sectionals as a team this year,” Barajas said. (photo by marianna young)

strength in change

a look into how coach riley edgerton has changed weight room routines for all sports kylee barnes page editor

TREAT GYM DAY LIKE GAME DAY Cheering on sophomore Aidan Prado, sophomores Jake Greiner and Carter Moore watch as he lifts. In the weight room after school, the boys’ basketball team works on physical fitness in preparation for the start of their season. “Teamwork is important because it’s a good way to motivate each other to get stronger and work harder,” Greiner said. (photo by aaron alvarez)

Attempting to reconstruct the dynamic of the weight room, the athletic department has hired a fresh mind who is working to implement a variety of changes to the schedule and surroundings of the weight room. New strength Coach Riley Edgerton has big goals for his student athletes.

“The vision of the athletic department and the school was that we could train a lot of student athletes, or students, at the same time in this room during the school day,” Coach Edgerton said. “That opens up our students day after school so they can have extracurricular activities like sports, clubs or they can go see their teachers.”

The class is marketed toward student athletes, excluding the requirement of PE I and II for incoming and current freshmen. You can take it up to six times, which means that the student athlete can train their entire high school career year round.

“For our general population students, I want them to experience the different fitness things they do in PE, then when they get in here, we’ll start from ground zero and from there we can grow,” Coach Edgerton said.

As well as expanding the exclusivity of the class, the athletic department has pro-

vided funds for new equipment, including platforms, bumper plates, bars, bands and plyo-boxes. Coach Edgerton has also adjusted the layout of the weight room, grouping machines together in the most sensible fashion to promote organization and reduce hazards. The new layout makes it much easier for a beginner to understand what’s what.

“Every athlete can benefit from learning how to vertical jump, land, absorb force, and produce force,” Coach Edgerton said.

“When you’re training 80 athletes you have to have a little bit more space. You have to be more organized.”

As the founder of “Mustang Mentality,” a new phrase aimed to encourage students to personally excel, Coach Edgerton is looking for the best of the best. The wristband given to athletes who demonstrate qualities of mustang mentality may be small, but the idea it stands for is much bigger.

“I can tell who you are as a person as soon as you walk in this room,” Coach Edgerton said. “At the end of the day when you go to get a job, that’s what your employer is gonna look for. It’s all about your character, discipline, effort and who you are as a person.”

08 student life

friday, oct. 27, 2023

backtalk it’s almost Halloween, what is a superstition you believe in?

“When a certain number of crows that you see has different meanings.”

Gianna Brazzale,

freshman

ANONYMOUS BUSINESS Immitating anonymous online presences, students are active on their phone to control their accounts. (photo by marianna young)

sent anonymously diving into the digital lives of mhs students

truly know them. @mhsconfessionals emphasizes how it’s easier to show the story editor & page editor world who you are without actually showing them who you are.

It could take one press of a submis“I liked the idea of people being able sion button or a text message to ento see what’s on their peers’ minds tirely change the trajectory of another without face-to-face judgment,” they student’s life—and you might never said. “Knowing that you aren’t going know who’s behind the other side of the to get ridiculed or judged for what you screen. Living in a post-pandemic world say makes it easier to tell the whole has left an everlasting impression of intruth.” securities within the classroom, leaving Of course, with the aspect of anoa lot of kids resorting to a safer, less atnymity, comes the few people who tached outlet for expression: anonymity abuse it. @mhs.confess.ional clarion social media. fied that their Anonymity is not unjudgment is common to the face of not mysteriour school. According to ously better 72% of students have Crier’s survey sent earthan everyone anonymous personal social lier this month, Accordelse’s by takresults from a Crier survey media accounts. ing to Crier’s survey ing down posts about social media sent earlier this month, at the request 72.1% of students said of who they they have social media address. Anon29% of students have accounts that are not ymously voicanonymously shared associated with their ing struggles information on social media identity within school. can be destrucrelated to the school.

Shua Serrano, senior, tive, but it can falls under this broad also be benefimargin of students. cial.

Shua has been mak“At first, 44% of students ing content through reading confrequently adjust public YouTube since his fessions about posts for social approval. freshman year. He’s things like gained a following of depression renearly 7k subscribers ally got to me Source: email survey of 247 students from Oct. 10-18 through his content, because I unbased around review derstand a lot and argumentative vidof what they’re eos on trending media. count via message, who requested to going through. I felt like I couldn’t help “It’s almost as if I play a whole new stay anonymous. They believe that it them due to the anonymity,” @mhs. character in my videos,” Shua said. “I helps students feel more open in their confess.ional. said. “But being able to just think I’m a lot more open with what submissions if they don’t know the per- see how many of my peers are going I like to talk about on YouTube than son behind the other side of the screen. through some of the same stuff as me with school. It’s just a change of envi“As much as people want to say they makes me feel less alone in those feelronment over what’s socially accept- don’t care what people think, I believe ings.” able and what isn’t.”

Whether it means being considerthat social pressure affects everyone 72% of students said they’ve never and how they act, whether they notice ate of others feelings or your own resubmitted information related to school it or not,” @mhs.confess.ional. said. “I actions, the words that might make it through social media accounts. Fresh- think that’s also why people have pri- onto the Internet can linger online for man Cash Sturges falls under this wide vate socials for close friends; they can eternity. percentile of the student body. From be more authentic.”

“Those posts can be sent in from the commonplace perspective of a byThe account was designed to be an any one of the people I see in the halls stander, he relays his own thoughts on outlet for students to authentically ex- everyday, and I think that just being this growing trend of invisibility on the press themselves without the harsh more aware of that helped make me a Internet. criticism received from peers who don’t more considerate person overall.”

emily dywan & kylee barnes

“Anonymity is both a blessing and a curse,” Cash said. “On one hand, it allows for the most reserved of people to bully others, but also allows for people to openly critique the school without being then targeted.”

Behind the scenes, a social media platform that captivates students’ attention on the daily: @mhs.confess.ional. The anonymous Instagram account, started in Sept. 2022, receives dozens of anonymous “confessions,” or rather Google survey submissions, every day.

Crier interviewed the owner of the ac-

social secrets

“A superstition I believe in is beginner’s luck because the first time I do something, it always goes well.”

Esteban Lopez, freshman

“I believe I get good luck from finding a penny on the street. I always yell when I find one in the hallway.”

Kayley Williams, sophomore

“Definitely karma. It just has to exist. You see it all the time, someone does something, they get karma later on.”

John Twohy, sophomore

“I used to believe in if you step on a crack you break your mom’s back.”

“I believe in kar ma. I’ve seen it Luna Gutierrez, happen to people junior numerous times.”

Sofia Messina,

junior

“Opening umbrellas inside, because why are you opening an umbrella inside?”

Charity Ibikunle, senior

“If you lose an eyelash you’re supposed to make a wish, and if you don’t you’ll have bad luck.”

Julianna Kisel, senior

“Never say the name of the play title ‘Macbeth.’

I’ve experienced some crazy stuff around that curse.”

Mr. Ray Palasz, Theatre Director

“My mom used to say it’s bad luck to whistle in a Jewish household.”

Mrs. Elena Lopez, Art Teacher