MHS Crier | Issue 2 | 9.19.2024

CRIER

September 19, 2024 Volume 59 Issue 2

mhs

Munster High School 8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, Indiana 46321 http://mhsnews.net

Caught in the mustang spirit

Munster moments leading up to homecoming ONE POM AT A TIME On the sidelines, junior Skyler Serna stands in place along with the other cheerleaders.

(Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) POSE IT, OWN IT During halftime at the Griffith vs.

Munster football game, sophomore Gwyneth Cox performs with the dance team. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) THE CROWD GOES WILD During the Football game against Griffith High School, Munster’s student section cheers for the team. (Photo

by Josephine Zangrilli)

GRILLING AND CHILLING Posing for a picture, juniors Jan Pediangco, Jenna Krieg and Keira Allegrezza highlight their barbeque dad and soccer mom outfits on the first day of spirit week for homecoming. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE Walking in the hallway, junior Emme Diaz displays her attire for the USA/Olympics day.

This theme happened during the second day of spirit week. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)

BETTER THAN THE MOVIES During senior sunrise, senior Kiersten Sangueza was asked to homecoming by senior Carlos Wilson. (Photo by Zoe Clark) CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Arms up in the air, seniors Brooklyn Kuna and Kinga Grabowski get ready to catch the football during senior powderpuff practice. For preparation of the real game, students took the opportunity to practice at Frank H. Hammond. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) RISE AND SHINE On Centennial hill, seniors Olivia Olivares, Isaiah Brundige, Pemi Ogunjimi, and Luna Gutierrez pose for senior sunrise. The event took place on Monday, Sept. 16. (Photo by Zoe Clark)

READY, SET, GO On the football field, senior Max Lesinski prepares to run up the field as the play starts. “Senior year is a lot of fun, you’re finally the oldest and get to help guide the underclass.”

Lesinski said. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez) WATER, EARTH, FIRE, AIR For random costume day, senior Sorvino Chansiri dresses as Avatar Aang from “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” (Photo by Zoe Clark)

Find more HOCO content on pages 4 and 5

02 NEWS

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Coaching the competition

Speech and Debate kicks off the start of the season with their annual Chicken BBQ dinner Kylee Barnes Page Designer

As the start of the season kicks off, Speech and Debate has been coaching incoming members to participate in upcoming meets along with welcoming them to the team through the annual Speech and Debate Chicken BBQ dinner.

As new members trickle in, the Speech and Debate team has begun coaching novices, or new participants, in their first official tournament, kicking off the start of the season on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Club sponsor Jordan Mayer and his students are anxious and excited for what’s to come.

“It’s so much fun, they all dress up in costumes. It’s Halloween themed and you get to meet people from all over the Chicagoland area. You’re going to be meeting and networking with people that love performing arts,” Mayer said.

Sparking excitement across the room, Mayer also mentioned that the Speech and Debate kids have also sold almost 900 tickets for their upcoming annual Chicken BBQ Dinner, taking place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. before the football game. The team has gone door to door, parading tickets and doorknob hangers in order to promote their clubs funding and fun.

Senior and speech president Niah Maduakolam has been working with Mayer to coordinate events for the months to come.

“There’s a travel team, which is basically the kids who went to state last year,” she said. “They are coaching the novices right now, so we’re going to be getting them

speeches, which the majority of them are premade. They’re from commencement addresses, Ted Talks, movies, books; it’s really just excerpts.”

The students in speech have various types of speeches they learn to act out throughout the season. From demonstrative speeches, to impromptu and toasts, speech and debate novices are being trained not just to compete, but to win. Being trained by experienced speech and debate coaches like English teacher Ben Boruff, new acting coach Ryan Kelleher, and Don Fortner, who was recently awarded by the state league’s Indiana Speech and Debate Association for his 45 years of coaching the team, the team has been training for success.

“During practice, the kids that write their own speeches usually draft those for the FOCUSED AND DETERfirst two months of the season- writing them MINED Studying their and getting them really put together,” Mad- pieces, sophomores Ellie Gelarden and Vivian uakolam said. “Some people have boards so Petrozza repeat their lines they’ll be making those. Then, for the kids out loud to their peers to who already have premade speeches, it’s re- memorize their pieces.

The speech and debate ally just memorization. Then we add what is team is having their first called tech and blocking, which is like mov- official tournament, Oct. 26 at Homewood Flossmoor. ing around as if there’s a stage and a scene (Photo by Ben Schirz) happening.”

Whether at the wall or to each other, practice makes perfect. The coordination and effort displayed by teammates is not only impressive to watch, but heartwarming CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT OF FOCUS Looking through to feel. a piece, seniors Evvy Kikkert “We’re trying different practice tech- and Luna Gutierrez hunt for niques in general to improve and get more parts of it to cut. This piece members,” Vice President Claire Han said. will be the one they take to competition this season.

“Me and Niah run practices together typi- (Photo by Ben Schirz) cally. We are making activities to make it fun for people.”

PRESENTATION MODE Advocating their platform, seniors Jude Jimenez and Asha Patel present their program, “Sprout” to Leigh Ann Westland’s tutorial class. “It was a great opportunity to expand our initiative and gain outreach,” Jimenez said. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)

Turning ideas into impact

Student created website offering tips, tools & assistance financially and economically Lexi Villalobos

nomically, going to college or getting exposure to these ideas,” Patel said. “You know, prepare for your future, even if you are not going into fiWith an interest in economics and politics, nance, economics or politics, it’s just a good skill senior Asha Patel noticed not much of an ex- to have.” posure toward both subjects The website gives students, How to find out at MHS until senior year. Patel whether they have economic or realized that if she is dealing more about Sprout: financial backgrounds or not, with this kind of deficit, others access to advice from profesare too. Along with the help of Follow their instagram sionals. These professionals can senior Jude Jimenez, created a @sprout_education range from professors, accounplatform called Sprout for stutants and financial advisors. To dents in sixth to twelfth grade Visit their website better understand the videos in Northwest Indiana. sprouteceducation.com and interviews, there are cours“Education is one of the es to give overview and background. Soon, Patel easiest ways to move up whether it is socioeco- and Jimenez connected with other schools such Deadline Manager

as East Chicago Central and Hammond Central High School that mostly have Spanish speaking students.

“I wanted to translate the interviews into Spanish in order to equitably expand access to this education that is so vital,” Jimenez said.

For the younger generation, both Patel and Jimenez plan to present to the eighth grade at Wilbur Wright Middle School. By taking advantage of the resources given to the student body, Sprout is supported in positive ways.

“Remember to sprout your future, harvest your success,” Patel said.

Club Callouts Today, Sept. 19 Film club at 3 p.m. in room N150 Monday, Sept. 23 Civics at 3 p.m. in the professional development room Tuesday, Sept. 24 Art club at 3 p.m. in room S104 Fashion club at 3 p.m. in room S120 Wednesday, Sept. 25 SADD at 3 p.m. in room N179 Friday, Sept. 27 Ping pong at 3 p.m. in the professional development room Monday, Sept. 30 Christian culture club at 3 p.m. in S128 Monday. Oct. 7 Philosophy club at 3 p.m. in N150

Updates As of this year, Crier’s class period is fourth instead of fifth period.

Due to this change, newspapers will now be passed out on Thursday’s once a month during all lunches.

Be on the lookout for the upcoming issues!

SPORTS

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

03

Blitzing and blocking Football prepares for Homecoming game against East Chicago Central final clarification felt really nice, I was excited.”

Beat Manager Student sections are a big part of high school football season, they show As junior captain Jake Foerster the support the players have from the passes the ball to sophomore Sam student body.

Sudac at the game against Griffith on “I tell players this all the time,” Aug. 30, the student section cheers Saint-Louis said. “You can’t expect loudly for the team. Head football Friday nights to be packed and everycoach Romison Saint-Louis reflects body coming to support you, yet you on the pride he holds for both his don’t go to any of the other sports and football team and their supporting support them.” student body.

The team gets a different “There’s a great comperspective of the student munity and there’s The results are not section, playing on the great support and showing yet, but they field and being able to see we’re excited to build will. We ask you all to the crowd. something special,” just continue to be sup“When you have people Saint-Louis said. “We portive of us, and show to play for, it’s so nice,” understand it takes up, and we’ll bring it.”

Certa said. “It makes your time and we’re willing games more fun. When to invest what it takes, Romison Saint-Louis you see the student section Football coach but with patience at the leaving at halftime it really same time.” brings your morale down.”

Junior linebacker Jose Lemus According to Lemus, homecoming says that the new coaching staff not spirit “gets everyone more excited in only focuses on helping the players general… We’re gonna have good enget better at their sport, but also on ergy throughout the whole week.” helping them be the best people they With a 0-3 record, the team is fucan be. Lemus says that the coaching eled up to conquer their homecoming staff displays a lot of care for their game against East Chicago Central toplayers. morrow.

This year, captains of the team are “I know it gets tough to continue seniors Henry Adams and DJ Certa, to show up when your team is strugalong with Foerster. gling, I get that, and I don’t blame one “I wanted to take a big leadership second,” Saint-Louis said. “Just know role this year, a big step up compared that we appreciate it and it’s definitely to last year,” Certa said. “Getting that an advantage.”

Gabby Van Horne

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HYPED UP Having a pre-game celebration junior Jake Foerster, and senior Anthony Cowins get excited for the first home game of the season. “I get hyped up with the team before games by listening to music in the locker room and then having a talk with everyone before we walk out,” Foerster said. (Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)

Going the distance

Cross Country is set to attend New Prairie Invite Sept. 21 Josephine Zangrilli Media Manager

On Sept. 21, Boys and Girls Cross Country will attend an invite at New Prairie. Junior and girl’s team captain Elora Bliss believes having the race on the same day as Homecoming will actually benefit her performance.

“The meet is pretty far away, around an hour and a half,” said Bliss. “That feeling of wanting to get back home quicker is definitely going to make me want to run faster.”

Putt-ing in the work Girls’ Golf looks forward in their season with an undefeated record Emma Starkey Web Designer

RUN FOR IT Running, senior Cavin McNulty participates in the Rudy Skorupa at Lake Central.

McNulty was running 5K for Varsity.

(Photo by Evelyn Koncalovic)

Undefeated this season, with a record of 8-0, the girls’ golf team keeps working forward. The team’s most recent victory, as of Sept. 16, was at the Pat Forward invitational on Sept.

13. This is just one of a string of victories that have left the girls feeling confident.

“I am really proud of the team for winning conference and being undefeated during this season,” sophomore Hannah Ingersoll said.

With sectionals and regionals approaching, the team remains optimistic of their chances, and confident in how they have been doing.

“It’s been a good season,” junior Olivia Andriessen said. “I want to see if we can make it out of regionals this year.”

Words of the unheard Preview of staffer Evelyn Koncalovic’s column Running on the track in middle school was a new experience for me. I had never ran competitively before and I was convinced that I hated running. try team in high school. ...

When the announcements would start every morning we would always hear praise about the teams that won a game the night or weekend before and about the games that were happening soon. Every single day I waited to hear if the cross country team would be announced but it never happened. I saw that on the school social media pages we were never mentioned.

Read more at mhsnews.net

04 INFOCUS

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Putting the Power in Powderpuff

Senior vs. junior girls go head-to-head in Powderpuff game on Sept. 18

EYE ON THE BALL Running, seniors Brooke Bravo and Esther Graham follow to catch the football. The senior team had their first practice on Sept. 9. “I think our team is gonna win because we have amazing team energy and we’re already bonded really well,” Bravo said. (Photo by Josephine Zangrilli) GAME PLAN On the field, junior Grace Schirz gives the football to senior and coach Henry Adams at Powderpuff practice. At the practice, two days before the game, they discussed positions and practiced plays to use against the seniors.

(Photo by Ben Schirz)

Gabby Van Horne Beat Manager

As seniors Cece Mason, Brooke Bravo and Milania Munoz complete a successful hook and ladder play at their first Powderpuff practice on Sept 9 at the Frank H. Hammond (FHH) park, the rest of the senior team cheers them on from the sidelines. As a continued addition to this year’s spirit week, student government is continuing the recent tradition of the Powderpuff game, a flag football game between the junior and senior girls.

“The seniors will win, our team is stacked,” senior Sam Bleza said.

Seniors said they joined Powderpuff for a multitude of reasons. Some did it because everyone was doing it, while others did it because it’s their senior year and they wanted to do as many activities as possible.

“I joined Powderpuff this year because a lot of my friends were doing it and I really regretted not doing it last year after I saw how fun playing the game was,” senior Niah Maduakolam said.

Each player and coach has strong opinions on which team will win, most sticking with their own team for the predicted outcome.

“Seniors [will win],” senior coach Max This year, as a new feature, Lesinski said. “We’re going for the win two the certain members of the footyears in a row. We’ve got an extremely tal- ball team partnered with the dance ented team and a phenomenal coaching team to create a halftime show for staff.” the spectators to watch.

Senior football players got the opportuni“I’m excited to see the student ty to coach the teams. Henry Adams and Lo- section, as well as the boys dancgan Efantis coached the junior ing,” junior Abby team while DJ Certa and LesMeyers said. inski coached the senior team. I’m not nervous beMeyers, along with othThey met with their players at cause I know I’ll have er junior team members, said FHH park on separate days to fun with my friends, that previous Powderpuff team practice plays and defending, but the hardest part members expressed their exalong with basic skills like is remembering all citement about the game and passing and catching. explained how fun it was. It the rules,” “I definitely liked coaching Abby Meyers wasn’t only fun to hear about for Powderpuff,” Lesinski said. Junior but also exciting to watch, “It’s a lot of fun trying to coach which ultimately swayed Mey30 high school girls how to play football.” ers to join the team this year.

The senior team’s strength is offense, ac“I went to the game last year when I was cording to Lesinski they always get the ball a sophomore and it just seemed like the to someone who is open. On the other hand, girls playing were having a ton of fun, their weakness is defending the other team. so I wanted to give it a try this year,” “I’m not nervous about the game or any- Lyles said. thing because I think the juniors are gonna “I went to the game last year do great and win,” junior Kenley Lyles said. when I was a sophomore and it just “Either way it’s gonna be fun overall so I seemed like the girls playing were don’t think there’s anything to be nervous having a ton of fun, so I wanted to about.” give it a try this year,” Lyles said.

“

READY TO THROW aiming the football, senior Lia Sotiropoulos, prepares to toss to a team mate.

(Photo by Josephine Zangrilli)

WHATS COOKING Smiling at the camera, juniors Elora Bliss, Nicole Katona and Emma Robbins pose their spirit day outfits. (Photo by Ben Schirz)

SMARTY PANTS Posing for a photo, seniors Giovanna Ferrante and Amy Mao show off their geeky attire.

(Photo by Sophia Rodriguez)

TUESDAY

MONDAY

Day by day

MEDALS ON MEDALS Standing in the parking lot before school, juniors Laila Collard and Nadia Ornelas watch others take photos. (Photo by Emma Starkey)

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE talking to each other, seniors Carlos Wilson, Natalie Minyard and Adam Pelc sport their different random costumes. (Photo by Emma Starkey)

INFOCUS

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Shake things up Student government’s plans and changes for homecoming Emily Dywan Editor-in-Chief

In spirit of the homecoming season, student government applies new protocol and event changes. Seniors Annie Fuller, student government president, and Luna Gutierrez, student government vice-president, voice their hopes to push spirit to the student body.

“We have a lot of new changes that the student body can get hyped for,” Fuller said. “We’ve been working a lot with our PR team to push out new content like spirit days and the dance theme. We really want to improve our social media outreach.”

• For spirit week, student government welcomes new theme USA/Olympics in spirit of this year’s event in France.

• Student government introduces the Munster Hype Crew,

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a student-based foundation that aims to increase student engagement at sports games.

Those interested may expect an email in the following weeks to join the crew.

Student government has organized a Spotify playlist to submit to the DJ in aims to have more student-centralized tastes. Suggestions are subject to change during the dance.

The Powderpuff tradition receives a momentous upgrade, including medals for participants and coordinated t-shirts to fuel the grade’s spirit.

As part of the homecoming’s “Tangled in the Lights” theme, student government has organized Tangled-themed decorations to decorate the gym with paper lanterns and foliage.

MHS Face the music

Student government shares their DJ playlist

Queen’s backtalk Maddy Clousing

If you could choose a theme for Homecoming, what would it be?

“Rock and roll like the movie “Almost Famous,” it would be fun and the girls could wear big furry jackets and dress like hippies.”

THE CLASSICS. Expect many of your classic homecoming traditions including songs such as Cupid’s “Cupid Shuffle”, Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How to Dougie”, or Mr. C’s “Cha Cha Slide.”

RAP AND HIP-HOP. Rap and hip-hop clears the floor with many fan favorite hits such as Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock”, Travis Scott and Playboi Carti’s “FE!N”, or Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” THE 2000’s.

This genre includes rewinds such as Justin Bieber’s “Beauty And A Beat”, Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The U.S.A.”, Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten”, or Rihanna’s “SOS”.

05

What three songs would you want to see on the homecoming playlist? “‘Get Me Bodied’

by Beyonce, ‘Hey Ya!’ by OutKast, and ‘Big Pimpin’ by Jay-Z.”

Ava Adam

Kiersten Sangueza What’s your favorite spirit day and why?

“My favorite spirit day is random costume day because it’s like a second Halloween!”

What song would you choose for your football field entrance and why? “‘All The Stars (With SZA)’ by Kendrick Lamar, It’s the perfect song for the nighttime setting.”

SMILE BRIGHT Posing for a photo, seniors Grace Peters, Savannah Neutzel and Jiselle Ruiz hold up a sign. Neutzel made the sign for fun photo options for seniors at senior sunrise “I am not creative, but I thought if I would use it then other people would too,” Neutzel said. (Photo by Zoe Clark)

Suvali Giridaran

A new dawn

What was your reaction when you found out you’d be on Homecoming Court?

“I was literally jumping up and down. I was so excited and so happy.”

Student government introduces senior sunrise Emily Dywan Editor-in-Chief

On Monday, 5:45 a.m., a wave of the senior class stands atop the Centennial hill swaddled in blankets and pajamas, awaiting the dawn of the sunrise to stretch over the horizon. Senior and student government member Mia Bozic, among many of the other awaiting students, felt a harmony of connection between all seniors alike.

“A favorite memory of mine was definitely seeing the three homecoming proposals all within an hour,” she said. “It was not only funny, but super thoughtful. I was so happy for them.”

Taking inspiration from other neighboring schools such as Lake Central High School, student government had brought

Diya Patel

the idea to the bay of MHS as a new tradition for seniors.

“We thought the timing is perfect if we’re able to start the year with a sunrise and end the year with a sunset,” student body president Annie Fuller said.

For the first year with hopefully many to follow, the turnout of MHS’ Senior Sunrise was a major success.

Bozic reflects on the event’s impact, fostering unity among the senior class.

“It brought together so many people that typically wouldn’t be seen together,” she said. “It really allowed seniors to enjoy their last year of high school and make new memories.”

SELFIE TIME Posing in front of the sunrise, seniors Claire Han and Isabella Shin take a selfie together. The sun rose over the horizon at 6:33 a.m.

IF THE RING FITS Getting their photo taken, seniors Suvali Giridaran and Langston Jasper pose together.

Jasper asked Giridaran to homecoming during the senior sunrise, where she then accepted.

(Photos by Zoe Clark)

Nina Garner

What would you do if you were queen of the world for a day?

“If I was queen for the day I would force all of the fast food chains to let me have free food for the rest of eternity.”

06 REVIEW

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Dare to dance?

Reviewing high school movie dance scenes Kylee Barnes Page Editor

Greasy hair, but she does care

Grease (1978)

Sandy Olsson, a student from Australia, attends high school in America after having a summer fling with a greaser, Danny Zuko. Sandy becomes friends with some preppy peers who re-introduce her to her summer lover, who is seemingly uninterested. The two spend time attempting to conform to their school personas, but ultimately can’t fight their attraction toward each other.

Atmosphere: 4/5 While featured in a national dance contest hosted at their own prom, Sandra and Danny pair up and absolutely rock the dance floor to “Hound Dog” and “Born to Hand Jive” by Johnny Casino and the Gamblers. The couple is flaw-

lessly engaged, until Cha-Cha, Danny’s ex lover, interrupts their perfect picture and schemingly steals Danny from the floor. It’s obvious that Danny and ChaCha are intimately close in their final dance scene, which drives Sandy out of the dance in tears, leaving both Sandy, and I, heartbroken.

The Dance: 5/5 The film, also directed on Broadway, is a musically composed masterpiece, perfectly capturing the spirit and energy of teenage adolescence through late 70s raunchy rock and roll style dancing. The explicitness not only reflects the teen era, but exposes the raw emotion behind it, leaving a desperate craving for more.

Loosening the law After losing his single mother, Ren McCormack picks up his life and moves to Bomont, Georgia, with his uncle for his senior year of high school. Ironically, McCormack enters the film as an outsider, parading a strong Boston accent among the country folk’s redneck holler and enraging conservative residents with his loud city music.

After stirring up a fair amount of trouble, Ren meets his match

Footloose (2011)

in the town Reverend’s daugh- brawl it out, leaving the couple ter; Ariel Moore, who is coping free to enjoy the groove for the with her brother’s fatal car acci- rest of the night. dent and its consequences.

The Dance: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Kicked off to the beat of Hosted in a jazzed up indus- “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins, trial building on the outskirts the energy of their disco, rumof town, the prom itself is a ba, and rock combination had truce between the “rebellious, the building buzzing the whole and frisky,” teenagers, and their night, concluding with a careoverbearing parents. The dance fully choreographed dance really steps into place once Ren from Ren and his new country and Ariel’s scummy ex-boyfriend BFF, Willard.

Campaigning a date After becoming friends with Atmosphere: 3/5 Pedro, a Spanish-speaking With a classic hit, Alphaville’s transfer student, awkwardly “Forever Young” playing in the framed Napoleon Dynamite, background, Napoleon and Deb’s and his new best friend set out dance scene couldn’t get any on a mission to secure the seat more stereotypically awkward. of class president. During the With dim fairy lights and quirky movie, Pedro secures a date and 80’s decorations surrounding urges Napoleon to do the same. them like a snow globe, the After one failed attempt with dancing couldn’t matter in the the wrong woman, Napoleon slightest. The two are nothing invites Deb, who gladly agrees special, but that’s exactly what to attend the prom with him. makes them so special. They per-

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

10 Things I Hate About You (1990)

fectly encapsulate the absurdity of high school romance.

The Dance: 2/5 Watching the two sway side to side along with the soft, heartfelt tune is a reminder of the present, feeling as if nothing but this moment matters. The scene is nothing extravagant, but it captures the emotion within the characters as they gaze into each other’s eyes.

Bribes for my beloved In this iconic high school the two surprisingly fall for each rom-com, Kat Stratford, a mod- other. ern woman who doubles as Atmosphere: 3/5 man-repellent, refuses to atAfter convincing a reluctant tend her senior prom, which Kat to attend, Patrick calls in a prevents her younger sister, Bi- favor to one of her favorite artanca from attending as well. In ists, Hanley and Eisenstien, who an attempt to convince Kat to covered Nick Lowe’s “Cruel to attend the dance, Bianca’s orig- be Kind.” Joey exposes Patrick’s inal date, Joey, bribes walking role in his elaborate scheme to ashtray, Patrick Verona, to get get Bianca to the prom and into Kat to attend as his date. After the sheets, leaving both Kat and an absolutely devastating po- I feeling hurt and betrayed. Bietry scene that will leave that anca makes quick work of the burning feeling in your chest, scene with a carefully coordi-

nated clock of the fist to Joey’s nose. Leaving a sliver of satisfaction witnessing Joey’s pain after the pain he caused to everyone else.

The Dance: 5/5 Kicked off to the beat of “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins, the energy of their disco, rumba, and rock combination had the building buzzing the whole night, concluding with a carefully choreographed dance from Ren and his new country BFF, Willard.

Illustrations by Damien Salahieh

OPINION

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

07

Timeless or lost?

Zoe Clark Head Photographer

Illustration by Damien Salahieh

Staff opinion

Ninety or nothing While this year’s presentation of Indiana states, emphasizing that the rules of the school came with school funding will be determined significantly less booing than the by the school’s attendance rates. It year before, one change left the is a valid concern, considering how auditorium in an uproar: the new funding is needed to improve the attendance policy for school and pay its teachour take school dances. ers. But there is a line The new attendance The new attendance where the cost to the policy raises the stip- policies are too strict students becomes too of a punishment for ulation that students much, and this new rule absences that are out of with below a 90% atis toeing it. students’ control. tendance rate, whethStudents fall unwell. er excused or unexcused, will be Students have family emergenunable to attend any of the high cies. And, of course, between the school dances. Namely, if a student strain of schoolwork and the value is to miss three days of school before of mental health, students want to September 21, they are barred from take days off for their own well-beattending their Homecoming dance. ing.

Administration has grappled the As we near Homecoming season, reins due to new policies across the main dilemma comes to light.

How is a policy that prioritizes funding over a student’s well-being worth the sacrifice of sacramental traditions to their high school experience? The question poses if the prioritization of students in the classroom is more important than the condition of its students.

As it stands, punishing students for things out of their control only presents the school as a place that is not safe for students and their needs. And during a season meant to display school spirit and pride, that rift is only more evident. It is understandable that the school wants to use incentives to keep attendance up. But punishing students in this regard is not the way to do it.

how are we supposed to feel when we don’t? Realistically, going to a school dance without a date does not matter. At all. Going in a group of friends can even end up being more fun- less pressure, less money, and less stress trying to find a date. Even though this is true, students, including myself, still feel pressure to find a date in order to go to a dance.

All throughout my childhood, I watched TV shows and movies that ended with the couple together, going to the dance and having gotten there with some sort of elaborate proposal, whether that’s singing a song in front of the whole soccer team or asking with a sign. The goal of the whole

movie was to get the two people together and at the dance, and it happened, along with everyone else in the movie magically finding a date.

Social media shows dance proposals with cute signs at sports games or during school, but there generally isn’t anything on people who go without dates. It pushes the idea that having a date is necessary to have fun into our minds and disregards those who choose to do otherwise. Personally I would never judge someone for going alone or in a group of friends, and I know most of my peers wouldn’t either, but, even though this is true we still feel the pressure to find a date for the night.

Going solo

Gabby Van Horne Beat Manager

If the media shows us couples going together in dances, and whether we may say so or not, school culture tells us that we should have a date,

mhs

CRIER

What do you think of when you hear the word party? Food and drinks, music, socializing, dancing? These are all correct answers, but I would say one of these has been lost over the years: party music.

Songs make or break the atmosphere at parties, especially at school dances. So, at events like homecoming and prom, the songs they play are highly anticipated. There’s always the classics that have a dance attached, and the ones that make you excited to jump up and down to, or lyrics that you can’t help but sing to.

The only problem I have is that there are no new songs to be played at events like these. They just don’t have the same pull as songs like Party Rock Anthem or Party In The U.S.A, or entirely miss the genre.

But why is this? It might be the nostalgia aspect where I want back what we’ve had before, but also I think it’s the art of the work being lost. They have the inspiration from many years before and even better equipment to use, but the same vibe hasn’t been able to be recreated. It’s not even that the songs being made are bad— I personally prefer newer songs over the ones I’ve mentioned— artists just don’t make staples that we are able to dance to anymore.

Reflect back at the songs they played at homecoming and prom in previous years: “Timber,” “Cupid Shuffle,” “Teach me how to Dougie.” You will notice how the songs we are dancing to are all from 2014 and earlier, simply because there aren’t new options. Though there are songs they play from recent years, it’s songs that are popular at the time but have no real purpose but to sing.

With the countdown to the homecoming dance nearing the end, I encourage you to look into the songs that are played, and challenge you to find songs made recently with the same feeling as classics. Times like these are important to bring new artists to light, and bring back the age of party music.

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 extra-curricular involvement.

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Editor-in-Chief Emily Dywan Deadline Manager Lexi Villalobos Head Photographer Zoe Clark Cartoonist and Design Chief Damien Salahieh Story Editor Emma Starkey Photography Trainer John Kullerstrand Page Editor Kylee Barnes Photographers Evelyn Koncalovic, Sophia Rodriguez, Ben Schirz Social Media Manager Josephine Zangrilli Beat Manager Gabby Van Horne Adviser Ms. Alexandra Sulewski

08 STUDENT LIFE

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Hold your horses

backtalk

In spirit of homecoming, what would you change the mascot to and why?

Reflecting on the history and renewal of Mighty the Mustang Emily Dywan Editor-in-Chief

When senior Grace Peters exited the football locker rooms, raring to perform for the dance team’s 2024 senior night dance with the honors of wearing the Mighty uniform, she hadn’t expected how the school would react. The dance team had prepared their half-time routine in secret, sneaking the team up to the wrestling room— but as Peters reins her fifteen minutes of fame, she understood the spirit that comes with the uniform.

“When I came out, there were a bunch of little kids by the concession stand that got so excited when they saw Mighty,” Peters said. “I got to hype everyone waiting along the fence by the dance team as well. It was a surprising amount of positive feedback.”

Since the mascot’s resurgence during the 2023-2024 school year, Mighty the Mustang has regained traction as the student body’s hype man. After witnessing a lull in mascot spirit, wrestling coach Zachary Slosser and athletics assistant Olimpia Tienstra re-

introduced mascot show out at spirit events from pep rallies to stampedes.

Slosser recognizes Mighty’s ability to fuel generations of all ages to spirit our school.

“Kids and even sometimes parents come up to us and ask if they could take a picture with Mighty,” Slosser said. “That mascot represents everyone here at the high school. If we’re able to get the youth to show out to games to see Mighty, then we’re doing it right.”

Mighty’s spirit is completed by the efforts of multiple students rather than one individual. Traditionally represented by a team of athletes, Assistant athletic director Beth Raspopovich hopes to expand the Munster spirit to a wider demographic of students.

“Something we wanted to do, and the reason why I pushed it out to the entire student body this year, was that we know kids from other clubs can rep the Mighty spirit just as well as our athletes,” Raspopovich said.

“Someone that’s in speech and debate or someone that’s an actor in theater would be just as great at it too. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you have the right spirit.”

“We shoudn’t change the mascot because “A mongoose it maintains because it goes tradition.” with Munster.”

Elizabeth Irvin,

Freshman

Ethan Grinstead, Freshman

“A lion becaue they’re loud and it reminds me of the student section.”

Brook Urbaniak, Sophomore

“A cardinal bird because they’re popular here in Indiana.”

Amalia Alvarez, Sophomore

“Unicorns because it’d be a better color scheme and original.”

Marija Pavlic, Junior

“A penguin so we can freeze the competition while we take first in swimmimg.”

Juliana Munda, Junior

1999

Student Government had raised enough funds and donated money to bring the first ever mascot uniform, Mighty the Mustang, to the Munster scene. In the next year to follow, a selection of athletes such as Eric Yttri, class of 2000, was first to wear the suit. “I liked being involved instead of just being a spectator,” Yttri said. (1999 Paragon)

The evolution of Mighty through the years The mascot had been under a lull until Flynn LeMonnier, class of 2014, had picked back up the uniform.

LeMonnier had taken up the position of the mascot in honor of his late father, who had similarly taken the role as Benny the Bull for the Chicago Bulls from 1985 to 2014. “I’d try to come up with silly routines to get a rile out of people. I had a mini bicycle, I built a T-shirt slingshot, and I pretended to wax a bald teacher’s head,” he said. (Submitted

by Flynn LeMonnier)

2014 1968 Face paint and a cape was all sophomore Donny Williams needed to encapsulate the school spirit of a mascot. In 1968, nearly thirty years before Munster would get their iconic Mighty uniform, Donny Williams took up the honors of Capt. Mustang. (1986 Paragon)

“A minotaur because it’s menacing.”

Nico Sanchez, Senior

“Monkeys, because monkey’s are smart and our school is smart”

Mateo Shafer, Senior

“Munster Marauders. It goes with the M in Munster and we could rip stuff up. We might be good at that.”

Joshua Herold, History teacher

“Munster Monsters because it rhymes and you guys are a bunch of monsters.”

Michael Bakker, Science teacher