10.7.16

CRI ER

vol. 51/issue 3/oct. 7, 2016

MUNSTER HIGH SCHOOL

upcoming

inside look

page 6-7

Page 5: Crier suggests different frappuccino recipes to try at home

“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” tonight at 7 p.m.

Page 9: Students participating in equestrian share stories

Ticket Prices Adults: $8 Students, Seniors: $5 Children 12 and under: $5 School Town Staff: Free

Football game at Lowell High School at 7 p.m.

Final day to register online for the Nov. 7 SAT DECA meeting today after school in the LGI; membership fees are also due

With October as LGBT History Month, students discuss personal experiences identifying as LGBTQ+

8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321

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Finances

At all

costs?

Mariah Villaroman Editor-in-Chief

W

hen the first financial meeting at Frank H. Hammond ended, communi-

ty members filled the small cafeteria with loud, frustrated voices. They demanded explanations to unanswered questions and held side conversations as the noise grew.

However, when the second financial meeting at WWMS ended, silence filled the room as people quietly shuffled out, flipping notebooks shut and politely saying goodbye.

Mrs. Betsy Anton, WWMS parent, attended both meetings and saw how administration and the School Board took suggestions to reorganize the meeting.

“I just think this meeting was

Meetings prompt discussion between town, administration, School Board

much better. I’m very proud of the School Board for being very candid and honest with us,” Mrs. Anton said.

These financial meetings discussed inefficient capital projects at the schools, explained the impending fiscal cliff in 2020, and introduced an Operating Referendum proposal for 2018.

But the one topic audiences wanted to hear did not appear in the original script at Frank H. Hammond.

They wanted to know what happened to the near $851,000 in over payments that former superintendents Mr. Richard Sopko and Mr. William Pfister received. “(Community members) were upset about some of the things that had taken place before I got here.

There’s a lot of frustration,” Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix, superintendent, said. “This time around (at WWMS), we felt

Continue reading on pg. 3

DEMANDING ANSWERS (left) Yelling back at administration, Mr. Miguel Campos, resident, voices his concerns at the Frank H. Hammond meeting. “I’ve lived here for 48 years, this is the worst I’ve ever seen,” Mr. Campos said. BACK AND FORTH (below) With a community member challenging financial decisions Mr. Ron Ostojic, School Board Vice President, keeps up with multiple questions near the end of the Frank H. Hammond meeting.

photos by Easan Venkat

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Finances

Bringing fairness to the table

Mariah Villaroman Editor-in-Chief A master’s degree that shows educational achievement, yet yields no extra pay. An evaluation dependent on test scores from outside the classroom. A negotiation meeting that allows one topic of discussion: salary.

The state of Indiana makes its attitude toward teacher wage, and overall rights, clear, according to Mrs. Kathleen LaPorte, FACS teacher.

“We don’t know what the future holds. If the state changes, things could become way better,” Mrs. LaPorte said. “If the state does not and the train of thought is that teachers don’t deserve raises and we don’t deserve the respect that we feel like we should receive, I could imagine that a lot of older teachers with more experi-

ence will move not even to a different district but to a different career altogether.”

On Sept. 28, Munster Teachers’ Association (MTA) ratified their contract. MTA agreed to a $1,500 stipend, separate from salary, and for administration to their best to increase starting salary from $34,500 to $38,000. Teachers can also expect to receive two additional $1,500 stipends from the Teacher of Merit fund and pass-through funds, which give stipends for passing evaluations.

“Teachers want to improve their situation as far as salary goes, while administration is trying to do the same thing for teachers but keeping in mind school finances,” MTA Vice President Mr. Thomas Barnes, English teacher, said. “Teachers and administration aren’t always going to see eye to eye on what could or should be done.”

Since 2009, there has been no raise to the base sala-

Teaching contract ratified

ries for teachers.

“I don’t know how someone making what I make could support a family or could really afford some good things in life,” Mrs. LaPorte said. “I think it would be tough to have a house and a car and a kid and a dog or any of those things that make life worth living.”

At other school districts, teachers have expressed their frustration towards unfair teacher wage by agreeing to work only contracted hours.

“Teachers are not allowed to strike, so there’s very few things that you can legally do,” MTA Lead Negotiator Mr. Larry Hautzinger, science teacher, said. “It’s basically just work the contract, which is working exactly the hours and taking nothing home, which is not good for anybody. It’s not good for the teachers, it’s not good for the kids, it’s not good for the administration.“

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news

oct. 7, 2016

Eric Talbot Background

• • • • •

Attended the school system Worked in sales management for 14 years Coached many sports such as soccer, little league and basketball On the board for the Munster Swim Club involved in PTO

Platform

• •

Who will be

With three members leaving the School Board, school board elections held Nov. 8 will determine which three candidates of seven will win

next?

archive photo by Rachel Bishop; photo illustration by Weronika Bilek

FILL IN THE BLANKS Three of five positions for the School Board will open for the upcoming elections due to the retirement of current board members (shaded in gray from left) Judith Florczak, John Friend and Paula Nellans. Dr. Jeffery Hendrix, superintendent, Mrs. Melissa Higgason, School Board President and Mr. Ron Ostojic, School Board Vice President who will remain on the board.

John Doherty

Chloe Wineinger Design Chief

Kevin Cappo Background

• •

• •

Vice President at Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana Serves on three state boards and two advisory boards for the Department of Education, one regulatory board for the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, on Athletic Training Licensing Board Child went through the school system

•

Platform

•

Make decisions with community input

“The kids are the future. The product of a school corporation is a well-rounded student, and the students will do well if their parents are involved, their parents are interested, their parents help. But good teachers and great programs help.

We don’t have the parent input, so you have to have a good school system to draw the parents that care in, and then we develop the students that will succeed.” — Kevin Cappo

John Castro Background 1 of 5 community members who served on the Community Financial Accounting Committee (CFAC) for the school town Institutional stockbroker with 15 years of financial experience Has two children in the school system

Platform

•

•

Has had five children in the school system Continue the actions taken to combat the financial deficit

•

Athletic Trainer at Munster High School for 30 years

•

•

•

•

Ran his own business Works in environmental health and safety Has a degree in teaching

Platform

•

Background

Transparency and communication between the school board and the community

“Munster’s always had pride in their schools and their community and I think the reason why we’ve been able to weather the storm a little bit and really be successful in spite of all the negativity is because the people in this community care so much. The parents get involved, the neighbors get involved, I mean everywhere you look people are working hard for this community, so I think that’s why (our school system doing well is) important.”— John Castro

• •

Restore gifted student program Maintain relationship with Westlakes Special Education Cooperative Restore physical appearance of • schools • Better teacher pay “We could be an average school district, if that’s what people want, that’s what we’ll get. We’ll be average, and average isn’t all bad; if you’re average in Indiana, you’re better than 200 school districts in the state, but unfortunately 200 school districts are better than you. Do we want average? Do we want good? Or do we want to be excellent?

We’ve always been excellent. I take pride in that, and whether it’s today or 20 years from now I want to be able to tell people I was part of the excellent Munster school system, and that it is still excellent.”—John Doherty

Thomas Ghrist Background

• • • •

Former student of the school system Has work experience at Munster High School Former bank auditor at local and national bank Currently a special education teacher at Morton High School

Platform

• • • •

Cut wasteful use of finances Give more respect to support staff Analyze relationships with vendors to see if the school system is getting the best value

Re-hire support staff and cut down administration “During the recession, I had the honor of substitute teaching at MHS, as

well as working alongside the hardworking custodians— setting up for sports events and spending a summer deep cleaning every cafeteria kitchen at every school. It gave me a unique look at the district from the ground up. I got to see how much hard work goes into supporting daily operations. The people in these positions deserve the respect that is presently lacking.”— Thomas Ghrist

Ingrid Schwarz-Wolf Background

•

Volunteered/worked in the school system for 12 years; served on PTO

•

Attended the Indiana School Board Association Candidate Forum

•

Educated on global education systems Four children in the school system

•

Platform

•

Continuing the current performance of the School Board • Trust and transparency between school board and community “There’s a bigger picture that we need to look at in our state, country, world,.

We need to educate our youth, not only just in books, but life skills, extracurriculars, make them well-rounded people.

And I kind of have a sense of the bigger picture. I want to make an impact on a bigger part.” — Ingrid Schwarz-Wolf

George Shinkan Background

•

• •

Has a business degree and has run businesses Account manager for about 18 years in the corporate world He and his two children have been through the school system

Platform

• •

Focus on education in the classroom Have a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on the School Board “(The Munster school system has shaped me) by preparing me for life, for giving me the educational background to succeed in college. My teachers being a little bit tougher and preparing me for it so when I did go to college, it was a little bit easier than some other students coming in from other school systems. They couldn’t adapt as quickly as I did.” — George Shinkan

balancing the budget improvement in the quality of education “Mr. Tripenfeldas, when he was my baseball coach and my math teacher, I remember having him for trig and geometry. I’m still mad at him; I got an 89.4% in his class and he wouldn’t give me an A-. I mean, I’m still salty about that, and that’s kind of taught me that nothing is just given to you, you have to work for it.” — Eric Talbot

SIDE NOTE on news Crier

What: CSPA Crown and Pacemaker Finalist Where: New York City and Indianapolis When: March and November On Wednesday Crier won the Silver Crown award from Columbia University/ Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The CSPA will announce whether Crier has won a Gold Crown award in March at the CSPA ceremonies in New York City. Twenty-four print newspapers and 56 hybrid newspapers from the 2015-2016 school year were selected out of 1,190 newspapers for this award.

Earlier this year Crier also became a finalist for the Pacemaker award issued by the National Scholastic Press Association. 50 out of 266 entries were selected for this nomination. The winners of the Pacemaker awards will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention Nov. 10-13.

Band

What: ISSMA Invitational Where: Elkhart Memorial High School When: Tomorrow Drum Major Luciano Medina, senior, feels confident due to their success in past years and their rank in the top five of their ISSMA class. He also thinks that the band’s performance this year has been a success.

“First of all (our success so far) comes from a desire to be here. People actually want to be here and want to do this and find the enjoyment in it. If you’re not in (band) then you’re not gonna understand where people are coming from at all,” Luciano said. “Another thing about people wanting to be here, that leads to working hard and also practicing outside of our own rehearsals and being respectful to one another and to what authority figures say to you. Having the ability to listen effectively and do what they tell you to do.”

Corrections

In issue 1 of Crier, Mara DiCarlo, junior, was incorrectly identified on page 1. In Issue 2 of Crier, Citlali Munoz’s name was misspelled on page 1, Megan Suoranta’s name was misspelled on page 2 and Calvin Christiansen’s name was misspelled on page 12. Additionally, “Taking a Seat” on page 3 should indicate that Philando Castile was shot and killed; Jeronimo Yanez was the police officer involved in the shooting. On page 6, the photo “God Bless America” should credit Lauren Kozy as photographer. Crier regrets these errors.

oct. 7, 2016

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Finances

photo by Weronika Bilek

HAD ENOUGH Demonstrating his discontent for possible higher taxes, Chris Baltages, senior, attends the Monday night financial meeting at WWMS. “Though I’m not even one who pays property tax, I still feel that more taxation is not the answer,” Chris said. “I don’t feel that taking more of people’s money and not solving the problem is a proper solution.”

‘At all

like we needed to address it upfront. Just of the suspect issues that were going on let people understand what the School in the district, and that was something Board has done in terms of that situa- the Board did as a united front.” tion and the steps they have taken. That Other community members simply probably helped people realize we are want clearer explanations before makstaying on top of it.” ing economic decisions that will affect Many questioned how the School both their property and schools.

Town could request for more money “At the moment it’s a no to the referenwith a low trust level in the community. dum because we need more information.

“I think with getting the public trust Based on the information, we can’t say set up, (we will be more receptive) once yes,” said Mr. Michael Pacurar, WWMS the public trust is back to what we need and elementary parent. it to be,” said Mr. DaYet even with the vid Kusiak, resident and Final financial meeting: School Town’s effort, business owner. “With the community has just 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at MHS the poor fiscal situation, been “too scarred” to people are pessimistic about the future of trust it, according to Mrs. Kris Loos, elethe schools. The referendum will not go mentary parent. passed until these issues are addressed.”

“I am really sorry this administration Currently, community members’ big- is paying for the sins of their forefathers. gest request is transparency, which can And they’re gonna keep paying because therefore rebuild trust. this community is really not all that ex“I think trust is not something that’s cited about giving them more money,” given, it’s earned. And I think for even Mrs. Loos said. “It’s too fresh, all the longer than two years, the Board and ad- crap that has happened. But if they keep ministration have tried to be as transpar- holding meetings and if they keep being ent as possible,” said Mrs. Melissa Hig- transparent, and if they keep making gason, School Board President. “We’ve it about the kids, I do think they’ll win also tried to the right things in terms of more people over. It sucks though that reporting to appropriate agencies some there’s just no trust.”

Wait, what is a fiscal cliff?

And why does it happen?

Breaking down Frequently asked questions provide a summary of financial meetings

In the second half of the meeting, there was a proposal for an Operating Referendum. This referendum is meant to budget for the fiscal cliff in 2020.

What did they talk about?

Different tax rates:

In the first half of the financial meetings, The School Town discussed needed changes to capital projects Capital projects refer to the School Town’s facilities and renovation or replacement needed for them Capital projects has its separate fund for the School Town

$0.20 $0.13 $0.33

current tax rate from the General Funds Referendum approval in 2013 proposed tax rate for Operating Referendum, starting 2018 through 2024 total tax rate with General Funds Referendum and Operating Referendum

This proposed referendum will not fund capital projects changes in the School Town. Either a separate referendum or other methods will fund needed changes for capital projects.

Changing up the menu Danie Oberman Page Editor

Walking into the cafeteria on the first day of school, many students realized the lunch lines no longer resembled last year’s setup. A la carte items are no longer found by the yogurt machines. Instead, they were moved into the center lines, lines three and four. Daily entrées are only in lines one and two, closest to the entrance, and lines five and six only contained grab and go options.

“We were just trying to make it more convenient for the students,” Ms. Kathryn Feezel, Food Service Director, said. “You guys only have a certain amount of time to eat every day. This way you kind of get in, you get out, and you’re not backed up.”

This year, the USDA granted Indiana schools $372,000 to improve nutrition both inside and outside of school by teaching students healthy eating habits. While MHS students may not directly feel the impact of the grant due to its aim toward areas where communities members lack adequate

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costs?’ Continued from front

Are taxes going to be higher in Munster?

FINANCES

news

A fiscal cliff is a situation where different financial factors could cause major economic decline

Special tax exemptions expire in 2020; this means the town will need to pay remaining debt

Do the names Mr. Sopko and Mr. Pfister matter?

Following $851,000 in over payments former superintendents received, the administration and the School Board have reported all known information to the Lake County Prosecutor and Indiana attorney General. Charges have yet to be pressed. sources: Mr. Todd Samuelson, Umbaugh executive partner; Mrs. Melissa Higgason, School Board President

Student, faculty discuss new lunch options, changes

access to healthy food, many students have felt the and so far, so good,” Ms. Lewis said.

The new flavor stations also offer students the impact of the many changes in the cafeteria.

While Maya Radjenovich, sophomore, gets option to season their food with flavors such as fithrough the lunch line quicker now, she doesn’t esta lime, chili cheese, and garlic and herb. believe that having lines three and four serving the “We have to watch the sodium levels, we have to watch sugar, everything, so same options every day will work this flavor station is seasoning,” as students begin to miss variety. Adding more Ms. Feezel said. “It’s low sodium, “(Last year) there were never New oven will arrive likely after winter break two days in a row, or three days so if we have oven fries and you in a row, or a whole week that want to shake on ranch seasonWill allow for more choices ing, you’ve just created a better was the same thing, and I feel like All food can be served hot flavor for your fries.” if people are in the same routine Located in lines three and four all the time then less people will Ms. Feezel welcomes students source: Ms. Kathryn Feezel, Food Serwant to eat lunch,” Maya said. with suggestions for bettering vice Director Aside from the redistribution the menu to talk to her or send of lines, the cafeteria has introduced new food op- her an email. Her ultimate goal is to create a menu tions, such as new wraps and calzones. Ms. Genise that students enjoy.

Lewis, Cafeteria Supervisor, has received an overall “We’re always looking for new ideas, and the positive response from students. goal is to get the students to eat,” Ms. Feezel said.

“I haven’t had any complaints as of yet, and I go “So I want to make a menu that follows my guideout sometimes and I talk to the students, just walk lines, that the students will like so the students will around and ask them do they like it or whatever, come and eat.”

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speakout

oct.7, 2016

Art of the crime column Ian Brundige Graphics Editor

cartoon by Gavin Hamilton HANG IN THERE Teachers with already heavy work loads and constant added responsibilities have the additional bonus of not recieving fair wages. But that won’t affect the state or administration: just students and their test scores.

editorial

Students pay the price

There are professions in America that often have a price tag attached to them. A doctor is accompanied by a hefty salary because saving lives has no reconcilable value. A lawyer expects six figures because justice comes with a price. But what about a child’s education: how much is that worth? And more importantly, how much is a profession worth that directly influences it?

We know that in today’s society expensive private institutions, boarding schools and universities are no rarity. Education often comes with the assumption of spending a large OUR Teachers amount of money in order to enan TAKE are sure a child succeeds. While paressential part of education, ents and guardians understand and if underpaid the correlation between spending students and test money and receiving a decent scores suffer education, we question why our society, our state, and in turn our school district, ignore this practice when discussing teacher salary negotiations.

As recent as the 2014-15 school year, a first year teacher with no work experience makes roughly $34,500 a year with a gradual increase in pay happening as the number of years they work increase.

The teachers have taken a pay freeze since 2009, which has limited any increase in salary to an increase in experience, but that no longer is the case.

As of Sept.30, here has been a change in the base

CRI ER

Crier, Munster High School’s official student newspaper, may be reached at 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321, phone 219-836-3200, Ext. 3443; Fax: 219-836-3202. Crier is published through the Honors Newspaper Advanced Writing and Editing classes and extra-curricular involvement.

•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 in the newspaper 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 given

salary: entry level teachers will now make roughly $38,000 a year and a teacher’s current salary will remain what they make regardless of experience increases.

The starting salary for our teachers is a display of underappreciation for the work they do. Also compared to districts in the Region like Crown Point, who has a starting salary of $41,000 a year, it is mildly insulting. Especially since we are a grade A learning institution that is grossly underpaying its instruments of learning.

And by underpaying teachers, administration forgets exactly what is sacrificed in the process. By underpaying the teachers, the failure of the state and administration trickles all the way down to directly influence the student and therefore the education.

So who pays the price for low teacher salaries?

It is the teachers working with tighter restrictions, higher expectations, and decreasing salaries. It is the students denied one-on-one help because of restrictive seven hour work days or denied expert level instructors because entry level positions are most affordable for the district. It is the decreasing test scores. The national dropping college attendance rate. It is the mountain of responsibility tied to the profession of teaching that pays the steep price for underpayment. So we ask again, what is the price of education? After all, every doctor or lawyer needed a teacher at one point, too.

directly to any staff member or delivered to the Publications room, N155, one week prior to publication. 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 @munstermedia.

Mailed subscriptions cost $25 per year. Ad rates and policies are available to anyone upon request. Crier is published 13 times a school year.

George Washington. Commander of the Continental army, founding father of this nation, first president, slave owner.

We are okay with this.

There are no protest of people ripping up dollar bills and rejecting the work he did to found this nation, because—of course not. That would not make any sense. It was a different time, the future of this nation is more important than erasing the memory of George Washington.

But what about a movie? Modern controversy surrounding a film and its creator have sparked conversation over just that topic: Is the art more important than the artist.

In 1999, a college student Nate Parker was tried and acquitted for the rape of a female classmate. People are talking about this 17 years later because Parker’s most anticipated movie to date, “The Birth of a Nation” is opening today. The film tells the important story of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion in 1831.

Nate Parker. College football star, actor, director, producer, civil activist, accused rapist.

This is not the 1700s. We are an increasingly politically correct and sensitive society, and that is not a bad thing. These situations are serious and should not just be ignored because of fame. Yes, people in the public eye are being held to a higher stand because they should be—they are role models.

Innocent until proven guilty is not a flawed system but more and more we see it trying to be used as a backdoor to escape blame from the court of public opinion.

A precautionary model is the reality, in which the responsibility to clear any blame that is present falls on the individual being accused, and an appropriate reality when multimillion dollar deals are being made, as they often are in the entertainment business.

Parker needs to prove that he is innocent because the public still has different opinions, sometimes its not enough to just say “Well the federal government said I’m innocent so you need to trust me now.” The public is still allowed to have different opinions Large productions studios like Fox Searchlight also play an important role and have a responsibility to do their research and check the ethics and history of a filmmaker before a $17.5 million deal is made. But this will only happen if you, the consumer, demand it with your money.

For the sake of the art’s message and everyone else involved in the final product, the art may have to be separated from one artist.

The movie “The Birth of a Nation,” if worthy, should receive acclaim and even be nominated for an award or a worthy cast member nominated for best actor or actress. Just not Nate Parker. Unfortunately the film will always be tainted by Parker’s ethics.

Graphics Editor Ian Brundige Graphics Assistant Gavin Hamilton Page Editors Mimi Brody, Josh Kim, Carey Scott, Sofía Navarro, Danie Oberman,Joseph Bermudez Business Manager Nathalie De La Torre Head Photographer Weronika Bilek Chief Photographer Danijela Kaurin

The Staff Editors-in-Chief Jordan Szymanski, Mariah Villaroman Design Chief Chloe Wineinger

Photographers Joseph Bellahcen, Olivia Hesterman, Lauren Kozy, Vrusti Patel, Melanie Powers, Austin Skeens, Kess Vaitkus, Easan Venkat, Summer Witvoet Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

oct. 7, 2016

Holy

Frappé

* Simple syrup recipe: 1. Mix ¼ cup of water with ¼ cup of sugar 2. Put in microwave till sugar dissolves 3. Let cool before adding to Frappe

Pumpkin Pie Frap Makes 2 drinks

2. Top with 1. Mix all the ingredients whipped cream together in blender and pumpkin pie spice Ingredients: 1 cup milk ½ cup strong coffee ¾ cup canned pumpkin ¼ cup simple syrup * 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 cup crushed ice whipped cream

For the Health-Nut Low-Fat Vanilla Bean Frap Makes 2 drinks I was not very excited to make this drink because I thought Vanilla Bean was a bland flavor. I was also skeptical about all the ice cream that was used to make it. However, when I took a sip I was immediately surprised at how much I liked it. It has a sweet flavor that is not overpowering, and it has a perfect consistency due to the ice cream. I definitely recommend making this frappe, especially if you don’t like chocolate.

The work put into this frappe doesn’t pay off at the end. The consistency of the drink is very liquid, and I think the simple syrup step is unnecessary. If I made it again, I would skip that step and instead just add some more sugar. Despite this frappe’s problems, the flavor at least has a strong, authentic pumpkin taste.

1. Mix all ingredients together in a blender 2. (optional) Top with whipped cream Ingredients:

2 cups of ice ¾ cup milk 1 cup french vanilla coffee creamer 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 scoops low-fat Vanilla Bean Ice Cream whipped cream

For the chocoholic Double Chocolate-Chip Frap Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients: 1 cup of milk 2 tablespoons of sugar ⅓ cup of chocolate chips 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup 2 cups of ice ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract Whipped cream

1. Mix all the ingredients together in blender

Not only does this recipe taste like the original Starbucks frappé, but it was fun to decorate it too. The flavor is sweet but not overpowering, and it has a consistency that isn’t too liquid or solid. If you like chocolate, I strongly suggest giving this recipe a try.

2. Top fraps with whipped cream and extra chocolate syrup

Sources: virtuallyhomemade.com, asparkofcreativity.com, simplethrifty.com

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Celebrate National Frappacino Day with homemade frappés

photos by Olivia Hesterman

For a fall fix

spotlight

Mimi Brody Page Editor

PSA: Pumpkin Spice is back Tips on where and where not to satisfy the pumpkin spice cravings Place: Grindhouse Cafe (Griffith) Cost (12oz): $4.01 I loved this latte. Not only was it my favorite by a mile, but I was impressed that the flavor was homemade. I was not surprised that this was my favorite of the three I tried because as a semiregular at the small coffee-shop in Griffith, I learned that everything they have there is good. The pumpkin taste was authentic but not overpowering. If you haven’t been to Grindhouse yet, let this be your excuse to check it out.

Place: Starbucks (Calumet Avenue) Cost (12oz): $4.30 I was expecting to be pleased by this latte, and Starbucks did not disappoint.

The latte was a little sweeter than I would have liked, but it was very tasty.

It did not match Grindhouse’s latte, but it was much better than McDonalds. I recommend this drink if you hit a drivethrough in the morning or want to get a quick Pumpkin Spice fix.

Place: McDonalds (Ridge Road) Cost (12oz): $2.89 This was easily the worst of the three lattes. It tasted like bad coffee with a bunch of artificial sweetener in it. It lacked a distinguishable pumpkin taste, and I could not bring myself to finish the drink. I didn’t expect it to be great because it’s from McDonalds, but it was worse than expected.

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infocus

oct. 7, 2016

LGBTQ+ Community has had a long history of progressive movements toward equality.

1926 NEW YORK TIMES is the first major publication to use the word “homosexuality.”

1958 The Homosexuality Law Reform Society rules in favor of the First Amendment rights of a gay and lesbian magazine, marking the first time the supreme court rules on a case involving homosexuality.

California legalizes homosexuality due to the Consenting Adult Sex Bill.

Pansexual

Queer

1979

The First PRIDE parade held in New York.

The first national homosexual rights march on Washington DC is held. As many as 1,000 individuals attend.

October is LGBT History month; students discuss sexuality, coming out

The first bisexual pride flag is unveiled in December

2000

Civil Union Registered Partnership Laws passed and came into effect in California.

First transgender pride flag was shown at a pride parade in Phoenix, Arizona.

2001 The Simpsons became the first cartoon series to dedicate an entire episode to the topic of same sex marriage.

Massachusetts became the first state to legalize and issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.

Jordan Szymanski Editor-in-Chief

H

er hands are sweating. As she leaves Connecticut and travels to a new town, she has

City council of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passes an ordinance which adds sexual orientation to its municipal anti-discrimination law.

2014

MUNSTER forms GSA club and allows same sex couples to bring dance dates from other schools Supreme court legalizes gay marriage under federal law for all 50 states.

source: LGBTHistory.org

decided who she is. She debates if now should be the time. Her nephew sleeps in the back seat and a pop song blares through the radio. She makes the decision to tell her biggest secret and reaches to turn down the dial: “Mom, I think I’m gay,” she says quickly, all at once.

Taniya Jones, sophomore, recalls the moment she came out to her mother with a wide grin on her face.

“We were just talking about this the other day,” Taniya said. “I told her in the car and I remember she said ‘Oh, that’s okay,’ and she turned the music back up. She really didn’t care, and that was comforting that she didn’t freak out like I thought she would.”

The month of October is LGBT History month and as students find themselves traveling through their own history as members of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus) community, they embrace the experiences they have identifying as LGBTQ+.

Entering the LGBTQ+ community is commonly referred to as “coming out,” and can be one of the most difficult decisions to make; however, Taniya felt the support of her mom and in return was more open about her sexuality.

“I came out a long time ago, when I was in sixth grade maybe,” Taniya said. “They didn’t care (at my old school), but when I came here everyone was if-y about it.”

Some students may think they will not experience the same acceptance from their families, affecting their willingness to come out.

“I was scared to come out to my family,” Ronnie Rivera, sophomore, said. “I thought they would be sad or mad. The

first person I told was my best friend who became my girlfriend. I never considered myself bisexual, I thought it only applied to her but after we broke up, I realized I still find both genders attractive.”

Ronnie’s struggle with identifying her sexuality as bisexual began when explaining it to her mother.

“My mom doesn’t really talk about me being gay. She accepted me, but she thought it was just a phase,” Ronnie said. “I think she still does. I don’t think she takes it seriously.”

For Ronnie, identifying as bisexual was not a quick decision. It was gradual and had many trials along the way.

“Sometimes I wish I wasn’t gay because of the way people look at me when I’m out in public with a girl,” Ronnie said. “But I’m more accepting of myself now. If someone would ask me if I was gay in the past, I would lie and just say I’m straight. But now I would tell them the truth.”

Ronnie’s choice to come out is a deeply personal one, yet it is a choice she felt she had to make.

“I feel like once people know you are different, they treat you a different way,” Ronnie said. “But it is harder to deny it (who I am). It is easier just to accept it. I feel better about myself that way. I identify as bisexual, and to me it doesn’t matter what people think because maybe they only know who I’ve been with, they don’t know anything more than that.”

infocus

7

Love

The rapid-growing progressiveness in the school can be credited to the similar environment outside of the school, and in turn this positive environment benefits the students.

“I would call Munster very progressive,” Tim said.

“We have a STAND club and a GSA club. To me, that shows that Munster is a fostering environment for different groups of different people. Knowing that people are supportive makes going to school everyday a little bit easier. Not having to worry about how I am going to be treated or anything. But I would say that by me being out, in general it makes me feel more relaxed knowing that I don’t have to keep a secret anymore.”

Living with a secret can be a heavy burden to bear, especially if the secret deals with a topic as personal as sexuality. This is why one junior wishes to remain anonymous because he is not ready to come out to the world about his sexuality.

“I never came out,” the junior said. “I went to Catholic school for ten years and that is a pretty big factor. I think if a lot of people from my past found out that I am gay, they would dislike me or at the very least, it would be a lot different.”

The fear of judgment can affect members of the LGBTQ+ community’s willingness to express their sexuality; however, a fear of change can be the central reason for remaining in the closet.

“With my family, I don’t think my mom would care,” the junior said. “My dad has made a few comments and mentions what he would want to see in a future wife. I don’t see a reason to come out. Things would change, and that isn’t really necessary right now. The few people I have told, I had a reason to tell them. But for most people, including my family, I don’t see a reason for them to know.”

When harboring such a monumental secret, the select times sharing, if any, often are the most memorable photo illustration by Danijela Kaurin moments.

“I remember the first person I told was my friend,” the junior said. “We were in school and I remember telling As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Tim Derolf, senior her I wasn’t normal. Those were my exact words: I am not and president of GSA Club, had a starkly different self image normal.

I guess I do still feel not normal sometimes, but that in the past compared to now. doesn’t mean I am ashamed of it. If I were to come out, the “The fear of having to come out was difficult,” Tim said. whole shock of it would be hard. Everyone I have known for “Being in middle school, going through puberty, plus I was my entire life, especially my parents, will completely change very overweight, all added up and didn’t make it seem like a how they see me.

Everything they have thought about me good environment to come out in.” would be wrong and everything they have planned for me Tim admits a successful transition would be different, at least.

I would be treated differently at from “in the closet” to happily out school.

Even if they don’t hate you or they don’t care if you did not happen overnight. are gay or not, it would still be different.

I’m afraid of that in “I never really came out, came some ways, of being different and of change.” out,” Tim said. “But I would say I No matter the support from family, the accepting enviwas in seventh grade when I realronment in school or the positive responses from friends, ized I wasn’t straight. Eighth grade being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is different. Except was like ‘Oh, I guess this is how sometimes, being different makes people exactly who they things are gonna be’ and freshman are, and when a person finds out who they are and they are year was really coming to terms ready, they should share, according to Tim. with it. I would say in middle school “Whenever you feel the time is right to say something, go people were just a little more judgahead and say it,” Tim said.

“I feel like when the time is right, mental about the whole idea of hogo ahead and tell it.

Don’t pressure yourself or anything.” mosexuality, but that is typical midTaniya will remember the day she told her mom she was dle school. Getting into high school gay for the rest of her life, and she will always wear her sexuthough I realized it really wasn’t that ality on her sleeve in hopes that she inspires others to do the big of an issue.” same.

The school has been a support “I feel like people shouldn’t care if I’m gay or not. It’s my system for Tim and has never prechoice and it’s my life,” Taniya said. “There are always going sented him with any serious bias for to be people that look at you weird or different, but I still being who he is. always come out to everyone. I’ll walk down the hall and be “You are always gonna have kids like ‘I’m gay, too.’

I’m very open about it and I think that is who are against (being homosexual),” Tim said. “But the because of my mom.

She was always there with me to say school itself is very supportive of the community and most of nothing is wrong with that.

But if you don’t feel that way, just the students are too. And if they are not supportive of it, they don’t care.

Don’t care what people say because it is your life, are at least tolerant of it. I have never been fully targeted just not theirs.

These people here don’t matter: just be yourself.” for being gay at Munster.”

Straight

The first gay liberation day march is held in New York City.

1999

2004

Bisexual

Asexual

2015

1998

Homosexual

1970

1975

Robin Tyler becomes first out lesbian on US national television appearing in a Showtime comedy special.

Loveis

Coming Out

Transsexual Transgender

Time tells all

oct. 7, 2016

”Those were my

exact words: I am not normal.”

-the junior

8

infocus

oct. 7, 2016

Update available The seventh installment in the iPhone series was released last month. The device comes with a number of new features. Students own a variety of phones.

iPhone 7 first water resistant iPhone

*liquid damage is still not covered by AppleCare 

No headphone jack

*headphones can be connecting using lighting port 



New AirPods

New matte and jet black finishes

Wireless headphones (not sold with phone)  Uses sensors to know when AirPods are in your ear 

Wide angle camera and telephoto camera

photo illustration by Joseph Bellahcen

YOUR TAKE on phones “No, I do not want to upgrade (to the 7) because there is not a headphone jack and I can’t plug it into the car, I cannot use the headphones I already have, it’s kind of just a -Mikell Wright, junior, has waste of money.” an Alcatel One Touch -Lily Leslie, sophomore, has an iPhone 5c

“(My dad) is biased against Apple because he is a computer programmer and he doesn’t like that they make you buy some license to program on there things.”

“I would get the iPhone 6 if I could because I think its popular, easier to work with and easy to download (apps onto).”

-Mary Anne O’Brien, freshman, has no phone

Munster Theatre Company performs their novice show Carey Scott Page Editor

Quick Changes 

Hitting the Stage

“Honestly the only thing different (about the iPhone 7) is (that) my dad sends me more emojis.”

-Paige Mecyssine, senior, has an iPhone 7

Backstage before opening night, cast members stood around an old piano, singing “You’ll Be Back” from the musical Hamilton. It started out with only a few students, but eventually, a medium-sized chorus stood laughing, hitting each note of the song.

This situation perfectly describes “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” according to Chloe Jancosek, junior.

“Each little story conveys a main message in the end, but at the same time each little story has it’s own little meaning it’s trying to convey. That’s what makes this show different to one’s like ‘Cinderella’ last year,” Chloe said. “There’s always work, there’s always improving, and all-in-all together it conveys what we want it to convey to the audience.”

The play by Ernest Zulia, adapted from the book by Robert Fulghum, is very different from any other play Munster Theatre Company has done because of the transition from the former theater director to new. “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten” is Auditorium Director Mr. Ray Palasz’s first time directing at Munster.

“When I found out it was this show, ‘All I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten,’ I wasn’t sure what to think because I’d never heard of it,” Kaitlyn McHale, senior, said. “Once everyone opened up to it and had a read-through and knew what it was all about, I was excited to do it.”

The show had a successful opening last night with

photo by Kess Vaitkus

BIG VOICE LITTLE BODY During the first dress rehearsal of the year, Chloe Jancosek, junior, practices singing for a number.

“It’s hard to manage my time, but I’m trying my best to give my 110 percent at each rehearsal and each show,” Chloe said.

about 100 people in the house. He noticed the opening performance showed improvements even from the Wednesday night parent preview. “(One of my favorite parts is) this really big group number led by Chloe Jancosek, and the biggest thing that we’ve been working with the entire cast on is to really be singing out and creating this big wall of sound to really punch the end of Act One with,” Mr. Palasz said.

“That’s something they’ve struggled with and struggled with and struggled with, , but they’re finally hitting their stride with it tonight, so I was really happy that they did that.”

In the spotlight

Local theater vs. MHS theatre, what’s the difference?

Munster Theatre Company

Towle Theater cost: $10 per person where: 5205 Hohman Ave, Hammond when: The Musical of Musicals plays Oct. 14 and 15 at 8:00, and Oct. 16 at 2:00

more professional environment  performers  passion for from other theater schools.  talented cast  more experiences and opportunities 

not affiliated with any school

close cast cost: $8 for adults larger possibility of $5 for children performing popular where: Munster shows High School  closer to home auditorium  more relaxed when: Friday, environment Saturday at 7:00, and Sunday at 2:00 



sources: Kelly Collins, sophomore, Chloe Jancosek, junior, and Ally Shinkan, junior

source: apple.com

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Only pay $60!

Order online at YearbookOrderCenter.com using code 3357

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oct. 7, 2016

Along for the

Ride Danie Oberman Page Editor

sports

9

Student equestrians discuss riding competitively, recreationally

“This is everything that I love. I’m so passionate about this sport. I live, eat, sleep, breathe this stuff,” Johns said.

To new heights: competitive

Joy ride: recreation

While nobody knows how Hailey Johns, freshman, got the idea, she can pinpoint the exact moment she found her passion that would become her life.

“Just before I turned four, I woke up from a nap and I told my mom that I was born for horses, and that they were born for me, and I demanded to ride,” Johns said.

Eleven years later, Johns now competes in the highest national circuits, A and AA, in a division named “Big Equitation Now.” Equitation is a style of riding judged primarily on the rider and their communication with and control over the horse.

“The way that I like to describe it is that I’m like the C-lister who rides with the A-listers,” Johns said. “I’m at all the big shows, I know all the big people, but I don’t show as much as them, and I don’t have as many horses as them, so I’m trying to catch up to that point still. ” However, Johns does own one horse: Conaro, whom she bought from Germany about a year ago.

“He was a bit of a risk,” Johns said.

“I’m on more of a budget in comparison to the rest of the riding world, so I kind of had to choose between the young horse with talent or the okay horse who’s been doing it, so I figured, ‘I have some time, I’ll take the risk.’ And it’s paid off. He’s been wonderful.”

Johns spent two weeks showing Conaro in Florida last winter in the Winter Equestrian Festival where they moved up to their current division. They placed in the top five in several of their classes.

“Our very first round (of the new division) was really great actually, except for one jump,” Johns said. “There’s always that one mistake for us, but we’re working it out.”

In order to improve, Hailey rides six days a week in the summer and three days a week during the school year.

Riding runs in the family for Anna Gambetta, senior.

“My mom actually used to ride when I was really little, so I was always like ‘Oh, I want to be like my mom and be cool and ride horses,’” Gambetta said.

While her mother no longer rides, Gambetta still heads to Hannaberry Farms weekly. She competed when she was younger, but now only rides for fun. “(Showing dressage, the style I ride, has) been a lot more energy than I’ve been physically able to put into it for a while, just because I’ve gotten so busy with six AP courses—just my life in general has gotten a bit too hectic. It’s unfortunate, I kind of regret it, but I have to do what I have to do,” Gambetta said.

While she no longer shows, Gambetta still works to improve her jumping skills.

At her previous barn, she was instructed to jump improperly, which often resulted in her falling and made her fearful of jumping. Now, she jumps on horses often, including jumping without a saddle.

“Since I’ve come to this new barn a couple years ago, part of my challenge has been overcoming that year of jumping. I’ve been getting better with that, slowly but surely,” Gambetta said. “I did some jumping bareback recently, which I think is a good sign because if I was able to do that, then it shows that I’m not only comfortable with my seat, but also with jumping as a discipline.”

However, these successes are not what keeps Gambetta returning to the barn week after week. “(What I love about riding is the) moments when you ride and you’re completely in sync with the horse,” Gambetta said. “It’s like you don’t even have to cue the horse, almost. The horse just knows exactly what you’re doing, and it’s those moments of being in complete harmony (that) I chase after, and a lot of riders chase after.”

Book us for your event in 2016 and receive 1 hour of balloon twisting for $50 (reg. $85) 929-322-3768

photo by Weronika Bilek

SADDLE UP To ensure the saddle stays in place for the student she instructs, Anna Gambetta, senior, tightens the girth around the horse. Gambetta teaches lessons at her barn when necessary.

“I like getting to positively shape a child’s riding experience,” Gambetta said.

Off to the races Equestrians have their own terminology for their sport

Equitation

Signals the rider uses to communicate his/her wishes to the horse

Dressage

Three-beated gait of the horse in which one hind leg strides first (the leading leg), followed by the opposite diagonal pair and finally the opposite foreleg

The art of horse riding

Canter Cues

The art of training the horse so that he or she is totally obedient and responsive to the rider and performs well

Adjustable short wooden jumps used in the schooling of horse and rider

Cavelletti

source: www.equisearch.com

10

sports

oct. 7, 2016

Calling in

Reinforcements Joseph Bermudez Page Editor Their stunting: elite. Their jumping: elite. Their tossing: elite. Their tumbling: not quite elite.

With the competition season continuing Oct. 29 at Brownsburg High School, Cheerleading Coach LaToya Tyson believes the team overall is strong, but there is one aspect they must improve in to advance to State.

“Our stunting is a huge strength of ours,” Coach Tyson said. “The girls learned it quickly and execute it safely. That’s an area where we usually score nine or ten in.

Our main focus has been increasing our tumbling. We’ve been scoring between five and six on our tumbling, so we need to step up there to compete at a higher level.”

To help the team improve, Coach Tyson has hired a private tumbling coach to strengthen the aspect of their game they feel is the weakest.

“Tumbling, for us, is an area that needs major improvement for us to become more competitive,” Coach Tyson

ing. Everyone has been so nice and helpful to me and the other JV girls.”

Last week, rumors spread about a cheerleader possibly being cut from the competition team. These rumors prove to be false. Ellis will be added to the team and will said. “We spend a lot of time in practice working our tum- not replace a cheerleader, according to Coach Tyson. bling. A lot of the girls also attend private (coaches) to “She’s being pulled up from JV to be added,” Coach strengthen up.”

Tyson said. “Half (of the team), plus one of our cheerBesides the private tumbling leaders, must score elite (nine to coach, Coach Tyson has added a Earned perfection 10). Right now, we rank Advanced JV cheerleader to the competition What judges look for in a 10 out of because of our poor tumbling. But team to move from competition lev- 10 cheer routine adding Zaria would put us at that el Advance to Elite. half, plus one who tumble at the Stunts: Full extension, single based toss “(Zaria Ellis, sophomore,) tried to two-legged extended stunts Elite level, so our overall score will out for the team about a month be boosted to Elite.”

Running Tumbling: Specialty passes, ago,” Coach Tyson said. “We gave Though the team is unfamiliar may include twisting, single full twisting her a trial. We didn’t have any more with Ellis, Hannah Zaremba, senior, spots on varsity, so we put her in JV. Tosses: Switch kick full, hitch kick full, hopes the addition will significantly If we did, she would be on the Var- other specialty kick full tosses improve the team. sity team.” “(Before adding Zaria,) Coach source: iasp.org After getting called up to the talked to us about stepping up in competition team, Ellis has been observing the Varsity certain aspects,” Zaremba said. “The conversation she practices and preparing for the competition season. had with us seemed to be like a threat to get us to step “My teammates say I’m a really good cheerleader,” El- up. It was sort of like encouragement for us. Now with lis said. “They also complimented my tumbling and stunt- Zaria, our scores should definitely improve.”

Cheerleading adds JV member to competition team for State qualifier

On to the next one

Boys’ Soccer plays Sectionals against Hammond tomorrow, Girls’ Soccer plays Sectionals against Clark tomorrow Gavin Hamilton Graphics Assistant

photo by Weronika Bilek

STAYIN’ ALIVE In the Conference championship game at Andrean High School, defenders Kayleigh Yaeger (35), senior, and Jaycee Helmer (18), junior, push the ball up field and begin an attack.

Helmer, with experience in postseason games, has more confidence as the season continues.

“Sometimes just the consequences of losing or the outcome if you lose is really nerve wracking,” Helmer said. “I’m a little more confident now on the field now that I’m a upperclassman.”

On the right path A bracket shows how soccer playoffs will continue Sectionals Oct. 8

Munster

Regionals Oct. 15

Sectional Winner Semi-State Oct. 22 Regional Winner

Opponent Other Sectional winner from Region

State finals

Oct. 29

Semi-state Winner Other Regional winner from the semi-state area

State finals Winner

Regional Winner Sectional Winner

Other Sectional winner from Region

Semi-state Winner Other Regional winner from the semi-state area source: Coach Valerie Pflum, math teacher

Boys’ Soccer

Girls’ Soccer

Currently ranking 15th in the state, Boys’ Soccer won sectional games against Morton 6-0 on Monday and 1-0 against Clark on Wednesday.

Preparing for Hammond in the Sectional championship tomorrow, the team has been focused on improving in certain aspects and their formation on the field.

“We’ve been working on a lot of different things, but we’ve fixed them up.”

Eric Salzeider, senior, said. “We’re looking forward to showing the accomplishments we’ve made in Sectionals.”

Although the team has a history of doing well at Sectionals, Salzeider does not see it as a sure thing.

“I do not expect it to be easy,” Salzeider said. “It’s never been an easy task to win Sectionals, although we’ve done it 14 years in a row. We’ve always done our best to advance to Regionals” Last year, the team reached Regionals, but lost to Lake Central. J.R. Bales, senior, hopes to make it back to that point in the competition for his last year.

“It’s a good team. No one’s selfish,” Bales said. “We don’t care about ourselves. At least, the way I view it, no one really cares who scores or anything, its more so just we want to win games. We don’t really care who takes the credit for anything, and that’s definitely the mentality you have to have, especially going into Sectionals, because in Sectionals, anything can happen. I mean any rank can beat any rank. We definitely have the potential to go far, I mean the ultimate goal is, we of course want to keep this streak alive, that’s the most important thing in my eyes but I definitely want to go farther, regional championship, that would definitely be something great to achieve as a senior.”

With breaking the “curse” of losing Sectionals every other year on the line, Girls’ Soccer beat Morton 12-1 in round two of Sectionals yesterday and looks to advance to Regionals with a victory against Clark tomorrow.

If they beat Clark, it will be their third consecutive sectional championship victory breaking the curse of not winning more than one or two years.

During their season, the team lost to two teams: Highland and Valparaiso.

Though the team finished with two losses, Jaycee Helmer, junior, believes that they could have finished the season undefeated.

“I believe no team is perfect, and we all have bad games.” Helmer said. “I think we could’ve beat them, and I’m really excited to see them again in Regionals if they make it to Regionals.”

Sectional matches have a higher risk, with a loss meaning elimination. Despite this, Helmer feels ready for the challenge.

“I think we are ready for Sectionals, but we can always improve, especially for Regionals and up,” Helmer said. “I think our team could do some big things this year. If we keep working hard at it, I think we could make it to Semi-state and we could potentially win State if we play our best, but that obviously comes with a lot of practice and hard work.”

Once Sectionals arrive, the competition becomes sudden death. If they lose a game, they would be out of the competition and have to wait another year for another chance at State.

“Obviously we want to play forever, or at least until the first significant snowfall,” Coach Valerie Pflum, math teacher, said.

“But usually that finality of it is a good boost for them and for their work ethic.”

SIDE NOTE on sports Dig Pink What: Dig Pink event to spread awareness of breast cancer Where: home When: Tomorrow Volleyball will wear pink jerseys in tomorrow’s Dig Pink match. Money raised will be donated to fund research for breast cancer. Players will also honor friends and family who’ve battled cancer “I hope many people can come and support and put money towards this event,” Brooke Dills, junior, said. “It means something to everyone and is a really good community event. It would be nice to spread awareness for this disease and see a lot of people show their support.”

Aim upset for the

Boys’ Tennis beats Lowell at Regionals, will advance to Semistate against Carmel tomorrow

Volleyball What: Volleyball against Kankakee Where: home When: Tuesday, October 11 Record: 18-5 Saving themselves from a three hour round-trip, Volleyball hosts Kankakee at home on Tuesday. This game determines their conference title.

“We’ve been challenged with a lot of adversity this year,” Alyssa Chronowski, senior said. “Our conference isn’t the strongest, so we try to work on our low points for the tougher teams, and Kankakee is one of those. If we lose it will determine were we stand in conference, but if we stay on task we will end up in first.”

&

11

Josh Kim Page Editor From doing the Tony Horton P90X3 workouts for an hour in the middle school wrestling room, to repetition of practice games, to running on the Indiana Dunes, Boys’ Tennis’ training has proven to be worth it as they beat Lowell at Regionals (5-0) and will advance to Semistate tomorrow against Carmel High School.

After beating Lowell 5-0 at Regionals, they are prepared for the match against Carmel at Semi-state, according to Adam Richter, senior.

“Everyone won so no one’s down on themselves, so it helped with the morale,” Richter said. “We’re just going to go out there and do our best.“ Playing against the best team in state, Coach Steve Lopez, social studies teacher, emphasizes key skills on how to play against Carmel.

“You try to prepare for Carmel by not giving them any kind of extra advantage,” Coach Lopez said. “You don’t want to put that team on this pedestal or make that team No place like home approach them as if they’re Boys’ Tennis records invincible.”

Conditioning and prac- show their success in tice every day may help the the season body for tennis, but Henry Wolf, senior, believes an imOverall portant part is mentality.

“It’s all mental. I feel like Home now being a senior and being on Varsity for three Away years, I’m pretty calm, and I don’t get really nervous Coach Steve Lopez, social before matches,” Wolf said. source: studies teacher “I think about having fun because if you focus on doing something in particular, you kind of stretch yourself out.”

His partner, Matt Marcus, senior, agrees with him.

“Tennis is a huge mental game. A lot of it is in your head, so if you psych yourself out it’s going to eat you alive,” Marcus said, “If you hit a bad shot and you keep telling yourself ‘That was awful, why did I do that,’ then the next point will be affected by it.”

But handling pressure isn’t as easy as it sounds. Richter shares his experience dealing with pressure. “(Pressure in games) definitely affects me a little bit. I might hit a shot too soft and it’ll go into the net,” Richter said. “If that ever happens though, I try to make sure that next time I’m hitting the shot completely.”

Even when facing Carmel at Semi-state, Marcus knows their winning mindset will not change.

“We just go out there, it doesn’t really matter how good or bad, our team is. We treat it like the same thing,” Marcus said. “Every match is a match, anyone can win at any given day.”

13-3 6-0 7-3

Girls’ Golf What: Girl’s golf state When: Last weekend Ranked: 30 Last Thursday, Nicole Howard, senior, went to the golf State tournament as the only girl to qualify.

“I didn’t score as well as I wanted to.

I had higher expectations than that, but I was very happy with how the season ended and how my team did.” Howard said. “I loved state, I loved going, I loved all of it. Coach (Bill) Smitka (social studies teacher) was definitely a big part of that, and I’m glad he was there.”

sports

oct. 7, 2016

photo by Easan Venkat

BEST MEMORIES Playing with the Boys’ Tennis team at Smash Cancer night, Henry Wolf, senior, warms up with Zach Schmidt, sophomore, before playing and winning his doubles matches (6)-2,(6)-0. “I think the Smash Cancer (Event) was our biggest night of our season so far. We had the biggest crowds,” Wolf said.

“The match just had so much meaning to all of us.”

Off running Joseph Bermudez Page Editor

Girls’ Cross Country With Girls’ Cross Country Sectionals tomorrow at Riverside, Coach Brianne Rubesha, science teacher, expects the team to advance to Regionals, despite the injuries and sickness the team has endured this season “I feel good going into Sectionals. Our team has been very strong,” Coach Rubesha said. “Assuming everyone is healthy - we’ve had problems staying healthy this year we’ll have a great race. We’ll be going up against Lake Central, one of the top teams in the state. It’ll be us against them. How many of their runners we can chase down will determine whether or not we advance to Regionals.”

In an attempt to extend the season further, the upperclassmen have been teaching the underclassmen how to properly prepare for the postseason.

“The captains have been motivating (the underclassmen) in practices during the season,” Melanie Mooney, senior, said.

“We also try to help them improve their time every meet we run, which is something we’ve been pretty successful in this season. Now the main challenge is to not have any injuries heading into Regionals. We’ve been focusing on helping the underclassmen with how to stretch and prepare for the meet, as they should.”

Cross Country runs in Sectionals tomorrow

High five

Boys’ Cross Country

Brisa Bohling

19:47

Kaylee Galvan

20:08

Though Boys’ Cross Country remains confident headed into Sectionals at Riverside tomorrow, Coach Richard Sluder, social studies teacher, knows the team must redeem their losses from the regular season and not underestimate their competition.

“Sectionals will be three good teams: Lake Central, us and Highland,” Coach Sluder, said. “We have to close the gap against Lake Central who’ve beaten us a couple times this year.

And we need to make sure we’re still ahead of the conference teams, including Highland and especially Lake Central.”

With their involvement in the meet against Culver Military Academy, Matt Georgas, senior, expects the experience the underclassmen gained will prove to be an advantage.

“Against Culver, we ran a lot of the underclassmen because we had a few open spots,” Georgas said. “They were able to get the taste of what it’s like to go up against Varsity level competition. Going into Sectionals, they have a little bit more experience, so they’ll be ready.

With the combination of advice on how to properly condition for the postseason and the experience the team has gained, Coach Sluder is focused on one final aspect.

“We need to prepare mentally,” Coach Sluder said. “Preparing physically shouldn’t be any different that any other race.

Our new preparation has been just mental. If they have the right mindset going into Sectionals and beyond, they should know exactly what to do once that gun goes off.”

Top five runners’ time from Conference last Saturday

Girls

sophomore junior

Melanie Mooney senior

Sam Buffano freshman

Maddie Steapleton sophomore

20:40 21:06 21:11

Boys

John Mateja senior

17:02

Isaac Gutierrez

17:27

Matt Nahnsen

17:33

Mitch Buffano

17:34

Matt Georgas

18:04

senior

sophomore

sophomore senior

source: Coach Brianne Rubesha, science teacher; Coach Richard Sluder, social studies teacher

12

student life

oct. 7, 2016

What is

Cuffing season?

35%

of students have heard of cuffing season, according to a survey conducted by Crier

30%

of students have started a romantic relationship in fall

Beginning

‘Tis the season, students are ‘cuffing up;’ as fall months arrive, romantic relationships begin

BACK TALK With fall season TV premieres, what has been your latest TV obsession?

“‘Atlanta’ (on) FX because (Donald Glover) was my favorite rapper and now he has his own show.”

“Probably ‘The Office’ I watched all nine seasons in two months.”

Josh Foreit, freshman

Diana Ayala, freshman

“I’ll binge watch ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’

I’ll just sit on my bed and watch it all day with a giant tub of ice cream.”

“Probably ‘Gotham’ because its one of those police investigation type of things like Castle, and its based around Batman.”

Bella Buono, sophomore

Matt Nahnsen, sophomore

Mimi Brody Page Editor

Fall

45%

of the romantic student relationships that started in fall ended within six months during cuffing season

According a survey conducted

by Facebook, the most popular day to breakup is

April 2 Spring

End

Science behind

cuffing season

There are a number of chemicals affecting love

cuffing timeline.

In an interview with MTV news about As the temperature drops in the cold- the cuffing phenomenon, Dr. Wendy er fall months, students look for a spe- Walsh, a clinical psychologist, explains cial someone to keep them warm in the that it relates to our evolution as a spewinter. Whether it’s the start of a real cies. In long cold winters, survival rates romance or just the desire to take cute were much higher when teams compumpkin patch pictures together with posed of hunters and gatherers teamed someone, cuffing season is on its way, up in search for food. This was then and here is some background on the passed down to the next generation, while singles were killed off in the winphenomenon.

“I know tons of couples that are in ter months.

In the same article, Isadora Alman, a long-term relationships that started dating during cuffing season,” Megan Wols- psychologist from California explained ki, junior, said. “My boyfriend and I start- that the occurrence often happens in the fall because that is when school ed dating during cuffing season.”

This social phenomenon known as starts. This makes sense because the cuffing season has found popularity on new school year not only brings fresh social media. faces, but it symbolizes a fresh start. This Started by Fabulous’ song “Cuffin’ then connects to a fresh romance. The Season,” this song expressure of having a date Cuff•ing Sea•son n for social events such as plains how when summer relationships end, the season in fall and school dances and holiday people find a serious winter months where parties may also factor in partner for the fall and people who would nor- the increase in relationwinter seasons. mally rather be single ships. Liv Rivich, junior, “I haven’t heard of find themselves desir- who recently started a (cuffing season) until ing to be “cuffed” or relationship after going now, but I do believe tied down by a serious to Homecoming with her in it,” Megan said. “Af- relationship boyfriend agrees. ter students return from “During Homecoming summer break, they tend to reconnect you see lots of couples together, so with people they lost touch with, or even that might trigger something in you to meet new people at the beginning of the want to be with someone,” Liv said. “I year.” think taking pictures, going out to dinCuffing season is thought to begin in ner,and hanging out after Homecoming the fall, in late September or early Octo- is a pretty romantic setting. So, it makes ber, and it is thought to end after March. sense that people get into relationships Craving romance is common as it gets afterwards.” colder, according to a 2012 study in The As cuffing season approaches, postJournal of Consumer Reasearch. This ing cute pumpkin-carving and snowcan be seen in data showing people are man-building pictures with a beau, after more likely to rent romance movies as all its human nature, according to Liv. the temperature dips. Also, according “I honestly blame it on the weather. to a study done by Facebook, the most Cold weather makes you want to snugcommon day to break up with a signif- gle up with someone and just watch icant other is April 2nd, which fits the movies together,” Liv said.

“‘Big Brother’ because it is funny and I like how people act dumb on the show. There are also a lot of cute guys on it.”

Jasmine Toor, junior

“My favorite show is ‘Black-ish,’ I just find it hilarious its kind of like ‘Atlanta’ but not dealing with the rap stuff” Justin Reba, junior

“‘Trailer Park Boys.’

It teaches you how to kick it with the boys.”

“Boy, you think I have time for TV senior year?“

“I can’t wait for ‘Walking Dead’ because I want to find out who this Neegan guy is.”

“The Chicago Trilogy (PD, Fire, Med.) I like watching a show where you see familiar places you’ve been to and it’s very exciting and entertaining.”

Brent Galambos, senior

Jake Yalowitz, senior

H N

Oxytocin

Released during cuddling Alleviates headaches  Can make you a more trusting





H2CO

Dopamine, oxytocin, Melatonin increased production in adrenaline 

Hormones associated with love  These hormones are released just .2 seconds after initial visual contant 

winter months  Makes people sadder in the winter which might contribute to wanting a relationship

HN

CH2 O

source: Crier survey of 599 students on GoogleForms from Nov. 29-Oct.4; Medicaldaily.com

Mrs. Amanda Holloway, English teacher

Mrs. Kim Peirick, business teacher