1.27.17

12 student life

Recharged

Because of an influx in batteries given out by the media center, the school changes it’s laptop policy on dead batteries “After 5th period we have had a great deal of students coming down to pick up batteries every single day,” Ms. Twila Marsh, librarian, said. “This causes a problem because, number one, we run out of charged batteries, and number two, it’s the same students leaving class real often. The other problem is we have students using (laptops) during their lunch hour, during study halls, doing non-school work for example: watching YouTube and all of that which is making their battery not last for school. So that’s why it became necessary to make a change in our policy.”

Testing it out Joey Yoniles, junior, records battery use throughout the day Fully charged

93% 65 minutes of use

End of 1st hour

83% 45 minutes of use

End of 3rd hour

63% 45 minutes of use

End of 4th hour

51% 35 minutes of use

End of lunch/MRT

39% No use 8th hour

End of 7th hour

jan. 27, 2017

Full house Joseph Bermudez Copy Editor

Six students sitting elbow to elbow at a table meant to sit four. Mixture of various shades of paint on a pallet in use. Students in Painting 1 and AP Studio Art competing with each other to get the attention of the teacher.

One of the two referendums approved by the School Board, the 2018 Referendum Tax Levy Fund Resolution, involves operating projects, includes teacher salary.

Mrs. Elena Lopez, art teacher, instructs Painting 1, 2, 3 and AP Studio Art during her 6th period. An increase in funds for the staff could potentially shorten the class sizes, along with more student-teacher interactions.

“There’s been some changes as far as number of students per class minimums and some of the other art rooms are capped because of the size of the room,” Mrs. Lopez said. “Because the size of my room, they’ve increased the minimum sizes per period that are in here and to be able to run all the classes that I teach, they decided it would be best to merge additional classes together in one hour.”

To accommodate for most of the student requests, Mr. Robert Snyder, assistant principal, believes merging the classes is the better solution compared to cutting the classes altogether.

“As a school, we need to honor the course requests that kids put in,” Mr. Snyder said. “That either puts us in a position to either not run those classes not enough kids sign up for, or we have to get creative and merge classes to find a solution to satisfy all student requests.”

Despite the increase of students in certain classes, the student requests are, generally, being accomplished, according to Mr. Snyder.

“These last two school years, from the statistics readability data reports, they’ve been pretty good; high percentages of requests begin fulfilled,” Mr. Snyder said. “I wish we can put every kid in every class they want or shorten some of the class sizes, but this is what we need to do to deliver instruction here at the high school.”

For students with a busy schedule, a break is necessary, according to Aileen Wagner, junior, so requests for study hall periods have been fulfilled, “Finding a balance between AP classes, difficult classes, and regular classes so it’s not too difficult, but you’re still challenging yourself,” Aileen said. “A study hall is helpful in this case so you can work on what you learned in the class before to reinforce the material.”

With overflowing classes like study hall, students adjust to large classes

Students like A.J. Zachary, junior, believe a study hall period is the key acquiring the balance in a busy schedule.

“For me, because I do a lot of athletic activities to help me towards a scholarship, I need time off to catch up on classwork so I also have time for the sports, or times of if I don’t really know a subject too well, my study hall helps me more familiarize myself with it,” A.J. said.

A large portion of students agree. This causes the LGI to pack 80-120 students in one class period.

The large study hall periods can be distracting, but putting his head down and focusing on a task along with draining out the possible noise pays dividends, according to A.J. “At times, it could be a bit difficult to focus in a large study hall, but that’s why I usually just put my headphones and listen to music to keep me focused on what I am doing,” A.J. said.

The study hall class sizes have not rose exponentially because the number of students wanting a break in the schedule has always been high, according to Mr. Snyder.

“I don’t view it as an epidemic, a rush to the banks to get a study hall,” Mr. Snyder said. “Some students are going to have a period or two that is a little bit larger than others, but that’s just the reality of some of these other cool things we try to do in English and Math planning during the day.”

Roll call

Students chose their classes for the semester, increasing class sizes dictate schedules

67

30-35

724

1,526

number of electives at MHS average class size

Students taking a study hall Students enrolled at MHS source: Robert Snyder, assistant principal

BACK It is National Punch the Clock Day. If you could have any job, what would it be and why?

TALK “I would totally be a teacher, hands down. Teachers are really hard working individuals who can literally change peoples lives by giving them the knowledge they need to succeed.”

“Dunkin’ Donuts to live up to the family tradition.”

Ben Stiffler, senior

Anusuya Bandopadhy, junior

CRI ER

MUNSTER HIGH SCHOOL

“I would be a psychiatrist for children because I believe that they do not get enough recognition for their issues, and I like to help people.”

“If I could have any job in the world it would probably be working at Disney world so I could be working in the happiest place on earth 24/7.”

Maya Radjenovich, sophomore

Juli Nelson, freshman

Currently, regular c hairs replace th e broken swiveling chairs in the LGI. This is just one the many of things to fix on the capita l referend um’s to-do list

vol. 51/issue 7/jan. 27, 2017

Room for repairs School board approves two new referendums for operational, capital projects Chloe Wineinger Design Chief

The carpets of the hallways are peppered with stains. The fieldhouse, instead of a perfectly round dome, takes the shape of a slightly molded orange. The LGI is littered with broken 8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321 chairs. In the classrooms, the heaters blow over any sound made by the people inside.

And in the middle school, duct tape covers the miscellaneous patches of worn down carpet.

Proposed referendums will help improve the Resolution No. 750, referred to as the 20172020 Munster School Building Renewal/Resfollowing aspects of the school toration, Technology Upgrade and Safety Project, is one of the two referendums the School Board approved Jan. 12. This capital referenFix broken seats Pay debt service dum, replacing the current capital referendum, was brought into light with the goal of permaReplace worn Increase staffing nently fixing these issues currently being fixed carpet & roofs with the “band-aid approach.”

“If you’re a homeowner, basically you Increase Refresh paint job have to replace a furnace, usually in 15 to 20 teacher pay years. A water heater is anywhere from 10 to Create new special 12 years. Your roof can go up to maybe 20, Implement new 25 years. And that’s just the same way with education program technology schools,” Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix, superintendent, said. “We have roofs galore, so we have to replace sections of those every year. Well, a At what cost will this be to the taxpayers? section of our roof is a little different (from a home), we’re not spending $8,000 for a roof, of assessed home value we’re spending 40, 50, 60 thousand dollars to replace large sections of a roof, and we have Exempt Debt capital referendum operating multiple buildings.” referendum (750) Service Another referendum approved by the (751) School Board the same day was the Resolution No. 751, referred to as the 2018 Referendum Tax Levy Fund Resolution. This referendum is increase from mainly for operating projects in the general decrease current $0.20 from fund, such as teacher salary and the special edtax $0.46 to ucation program. $0.32 “lt’s important that we want to be competitive in our compensation to our teachers. We want to continue to retain our highly qualified ($0.09 increase) teachers, and we also really want to be able

To-do list:

2017 current tax rate: $1.31

+

$0.21

+

$0.02*

= 2018 tax rate: $1.40

per $100

$0.14

per $100

of assessed home value *taxpayers will be voting on $0.25, but the school town will only be paying capitalized interest

inside look Page 5: Crier and students pick this year’s Grammy Winners Page 11: Girls Basketball heads to Sectionals Tuesday at Lowell at 7 p.m.

upcoming Student Faculty basketball game is February 15. Waivers due to Mrs. LaPorte today Theatre Novice play “Get Smart” plays Feb. 9-11 at 7 p.m., Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.

to attract teachers when we do have openings that are going to be highly qualified,” Dr. Hendrix said.

The capital referendum is proposed to operate for the next seven years, with an estimated tax rate of about $0.42 per $100 for Munster homeowners, while the operating referendum will cost $0.02 per $100.

The referendums are to be voted on May 2 in a special election. In approving these referendums, administration has received negative reactions from parents and community members. One of these parents, Mr. Eric Krieg, finds issues within the transparency of the School Board at public meetings, the exemption from the new School Board members in making this decision, and the timing of this decision. He believes so strongly against the referendums that he created a Facebook page against them called Concerned Citizens Against the 2017 Munster Schools Referendum.

“I don’t think it is financially justified at this time,” Mr. Krieg said. “They are making do on the operating referendum we already have, the deficit is going down with time. They should come back in 2019 when the current referendum is set to expire, and ask for a referendum at that time. At least allow the new board to get on their feet and examine the issues.”

Other parents, like Mrs. Kathy Giannini, believe that the school system is in need of these projects for the sake of the quality of education and property taxes. She believes that the community needs to place more trust in the new School Board and to look beyond the past.

“I believe there will be an uphill battle given the past,” Mrs. Giannini said. “Part of it is that there are many people in town that cannot get over their distrust of how the past School Board and past administration used their hard earned money, and the fact that one hundred percent of them are gone is not swaying them.

The level of distrust with some people almost comes across as insurmountable. I believe it is going to take a huge communications outreach.”

page 8 Students discuss the last eight years of politics, what is to come; experiencing Women’s March, Inauguration

2

news

jan. 27, 2017

SIDE NOTE on news New Secretary What: New Student Services secretary Who: Mrs. Deb Delooff When: Started on the first day of second semester Where: Student Services MHS gained a new staff member over the holiday season, after saying goodbye to one of the school’s previous secretaries. Mrs. Deb Delooff works as a secretary, and started working at Munster High School on the first day back from break. Ms. Delooff used to work in an elementary school in Michigan and is enjoying the change.

“I answer a lot of phone calls and do a lot of paperwork, but I can’t complain.

I haven’t had two days the same yet,” Mrs. Delooff said.

After only working at MHS for a short amount of time, Ms. Delooff has taken to the student life.

“The students are my favorite part,” Ms. Delooff said.

Deca Districts What: Results of DECA districts competition Who: Munster High School DECA Team When: Jan. 14 On Jan. 14, DECA traveled to Hobart High School to compete at districts.

The team excelled, having 53 members qualify for the state competition Indianapolis in March.

“Compared to previous years, we are not sending as many people to state, but proportionally to the number of members that signed up this year we still did just as well,” Saveda Majety, senior, and DECA officer said. “Including written events, we will send around ninety kids.”.

The team is now working towards the state competition practicing tests and role plays.

“I think as of right now, we still have a lot of work to do, but we have a really smart group of people that are going to put the work in. We will definitely be prepared when we get there,” Saveda said. “We are doing a bunch of repetition.

We repeat tests and role plays because if you do them over and over again you will see repeated questions, and that will only make competing easier.”

On March 5-7, the team will travel down to Indianapolis to compete in the State competition, where Chelsea Okolacha, junior, hopes to relive their performance last year “(Last year) the team did so well. It was amazing to see how if we focus on pursuing our goals they come true,” Chelsea said. “I remember the bus ride home, so many people were happy. That was probably my favorite moment of all of DECA, and I am confident we can do it again this year.”

Corrections

In issue six of Crier, the quote on page 12, “I feel like as a society that there has been hatred spewed and there hasn’t been acceptance of each other so I wish to put all of these negative feelings behind us,” should have been attributed to Ms. Hannah Fus., American Sign Language teacher. Joseph Bermudez, copy editor, was wrongly identified as sports editor on page four. Finals dates from 2016 were incorrect, the correct dates were Dec. 20-22.

photo by Easan Venkat

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Laptops in hand, Shreyas Iyer, sophomore, and Priyana Reddy, sophomore, prepare for districts, ensuring they have researched their topics thoroughly. “I was practicing my PF (Public Forum) topic on if we should increase military spending. In this case I was taking the affirmative, meaning I was for increasing military spending.” Shreyas said. Many hours were put in preparing for State, as well as Districts.

Work the argument Debate attends state competition after districts, before nationals Carey Scott Page Editor In high spirits, Debate optimistically tackled Districts with big expectations, and is on competing at State in Kokomo, Indiana today. Sadly, Districts did not turn out as expected. Instead of performing as highly as the team had assumed, only two team members will be moving on to Nationals: Anna Whitney, senior, and Jackie Webber, sophomore.

This is Jackie’s second year on the debate team, so she feels she is prepared for what lies ahead at Nationals.

“Considering I know the prep and work it takes for Nationals from last year, it’s a lot different, because the environment is different.” Jackie said “Especially with Indiana debate there are a lot of things that make it separate and unique from national and circuit debate so I have to work with different methods,” Both Jackie and Anna have a lot of

faith in their team, regarding their skill.

“There have definitely been years where we have done worse than this;” Anna said, in regards to her hopes for state. 1994, the year that we won State, we didn’t send anyone to Nationals, but in the years that I have been on the team, this is probably the worst we’ve done at Districts. At the same time this is the closest I have ever felt to a districts and State team.”

Team members are doing their best to keep a united and positive attitude.

“There’s lot’s of mixed emotions, and coming from someone who was lucky enough to qualify,” Jackie said “We had some happy moments and happy tears, but then you go from that, being on cloud nine, and really proud and pleased, to essentially being devastated. We are a family, and we all took it hard, whether

Go for the Danie Oberman Page Editor

gold 79

AU 196.97

The T-shirts are red and white, sporting “Positively Quarky,” a science pun, on the front. On the back, nicknames like “Helios,” “Thor” and “Eclipse” announce private jokes among the team and the wearer’s personality. Science Olympiad members don their shirts proudly, even more so after winning the Northridge Invitational last Saturday.

“When it came to the awards ceremony (at Northridge), they gave out ribbons for the top eight finishers in each event, and as they began to award them, we were getting a lot of awards, Carmel High School was getting a lot of awards, and some few other schools were getting a decent number of awards,” Coach Keith Koszut, science teacher, said “We were pretty sure, when it was time to announce the top finishing teams, that it was either going to be us or Carmel. And it was us in first place.”

Both MHS and Carmel brought three teams to the competition, and MHS’s White Team beat Carmel’s top team by only three points. This number is not big enough to be comforting, according to Mr. Koszut. “(The win) is good, but that doesn’t mean we’ve reached any sort of end to our preparations yet,” Coach Koszut said.

They placed in the top eight in all but four events. The team spent the last week practicing, studying and building, and tomorrow they will attend the Wright State Invitational in

we made it or not. Anna and I probably were the ones crying the most, because they deserved it and worked really hard for it. On top of that, obviously we want to go to Nationals with them, they’re the family. Everyone’s reaction was really just in awe and shock, and we were all really saddened by it.”

Districts decide which students are going to Nationals, rather than determining which students are going to State. The outcome of Districts was shocking to a lot of members. Many were runner-ups, meaning if any other students from other teams can’t attend, the runner -up will attend in place of the winner.

“If someone drops out ahead of them, then they can go to Nationals,” Jackie said “There is still a little bit of chance but they still haven’t clenched to spot, which is kind of worrying,” Anna and Jackie are both excited to attend Nationals, but disappointed that they will not be going with the rest of the team.

“It’s so bitter-sweet, because it’s nice to have the capability to extend my debate career, but it definitely means less when I’m not going to be able to go to Nationals with all of my best friends,” Anna said.

Science Olympiad wins Northridge invitational, prepares for future competitions

Dayton, Ohio.

“I like that we have (the two invitationals) back-to-back, because that immediate feedback is going to be nice,” Coach Samantha Ebert, science teacher, said. “If somebody doesn’t perform the way they think they’re going to perform at Northridge, there’s a very quick turnaround. And sometimes improvement takes time, but other times the short turnaround can really focus a student to do it.”

Wright State features teams from all over the country. MHS placed second when they last attended two years ago, but that offers no givens for this year, according to Coach Ebert.

“It’s not bad pressure, it’s goal-setting pressure, like get-yourbutt-in-gear pressure,” Mrs. Ebert said.

Science Olympiad captain Mackinzie Farnell, senior, did not attend Wright State two years ago, but she is excited to attend.

Competition will be tough, but she remains optimistic.

“There will also probably be a bit more pressure to do well because I think there’s going to be about 60 teams, so it’ll be more competitive than Northridge, which will have something less than 60,” Mackinzie said. “And if we’re able to make the national tournament, which is also at Wright State, being at this invitational will help us get a lay of the campus. And we are definitely contenders for the state title, and we are hoping we can work hard enough to make Nationals this year.”

news

jan. 27, 2017

Friendly

3

competition First annual Best Buddies Bowl brings students together Gavin Hamilton Graphics Editor Imagine this: a football game, but instead of two teams playing against each other for victory, two teams are playing together for inclusion. This is the first year of the Best Buddies Bowl, which was planned to raise funds and to help to work towards inclusion of students with disabilities in clubs outside of Best Buddies “Our main proponent of Best Buddies is inclusion,“ President Lily Warren said. “and I was kind of thinking about the fact that we would love our buddies, the people with disabilities in Best Buddies, to get more involved in other clubs and teams and sports and such at our school, rather than just being in Best Buddies, because inclusion is really more than that.

Robotics, Art Club, DECA, Project X, a representative from French club, and the football players were all there to take part in the event Feb 17. Although this is the first year of the Best Buddies Bowl, Lily hopes that it will become a yearly event for Best Buddies to host.

“It was an opportunity for our buddies to be like,

photo by Elizabeth Fonseca

TACKLING STIGMA Attempting to stop the play, Noah Montoya, junior, lunges at Nick Franczak, senior. The Best Buddies Bowl was an opportunity for Best Buddies members to befriend students outside of the club. “(I) definitely made new friends, but it was different because we did not get to hit.” Noah said. “I’m not going to lie, Nick got a good shot on me”

‘These are some other clubs at our school’ and to see if they interest them. It was kind of us having the school also involved in the Best Buddies mission, “ Lily said. “We hope to continue the Best Buddies Bowl to make it an annual event and each year it will gain more traction and more people would come, more clubs will participate in it.”

The $3 charged for admissions was used to fund to a future Best Buddies leader’s attendance at the Best Buddies international conference in the summer. The event raised $318, enough to send an additional leader to this year’s conference.

“I thought of (the Best Buddies Bowl) when I was at the Best Buddies leadership conference in Head-to-head the summer because one of the major proponents Best Buddies Bowl shares similarities, differences in Best Buddies is inclusion and obviously that is with high school football games something we talked about a lot when we were at the conference,” Lily said. “Which is also why I pushed so hard for it because it was a Best Buddies funding opportunity for us to send someFootball Bowl one else to go, because going to that pCompetitive pFor fun conference was so beneficial.” pFlag Football p Traditional Football pGeneral Although this was the first Best BudpIn Fieldhouse p On Football Field Rules dies Bowl, everything went smoothly pFour five pAthletes pFour 12 in planning of the event, according minute on both minute to Mr. Brent Barton, West Lake quarters quarters teams teacher. pHalf “I think it went well, espetime cially for the first year we’ve shows ever done it,” Mr. Barton said. “We had about 120 people there and raised about $318 for our organization. I sources: Mr. Brent Barton, West Lake teacher; Lily Warren, senior

Questions, answers, grades School Grade

As the first grades of the new semester trickle into Powerschool, the school grades from last year are just being released from the Department of Education, (DOE).

While MHS received an ‘A,’ the school district as a whole received a ‘B,’ the lowest for the School Town since 2010-11.

However it’s the highest letter grade given among schools in Northwest Indiana.

“Students can affect the school grade by graduating on time, participating in dual-credit AP classes, and those are things that benefit them,” Mr. Rob Snyder, Assist. Principal said. “So as far as that goes I think both schools and students are mutually benefited.”

An administrators’ perspective as school grade is released, new legislators enter state Capital, ISTEP+ test considered

How

much total funding does Munster receive from the state?

2016 2017

2015

$21,882,253 $22,587,266 $22,595,417

Why

does Munster receive that amount?

A major factor for the delay in the release of school grades is their reliance on ISTEP+ scores calling into question for the DOE whether or not ISTEP+ is the best standardized test for Indiana.

The DOE is also discussing whether they will continue to work with Pearson, the developers of the ISTEP+, or work with a different company to create a new test within the state’s parameters.

“The fact that it took so long to release

schools. Based on the amount of students who receive free and reduced lunch or amount of government assistance.

the ISTEP scores actually is a hindrance to releasing letter grades for schools because if you’re going to say that the ISTEP+ score are what are going to factor into the report card then that whole report card process is held up by the ISTEP,” Mr. Snyder said. “So if there’s a way to score the test faster or to have a different assessment so that there isn’t as much of a delay I’m sure the folks who do the accountability (grading) would appreciate that too.”

Ian Brundige Managing Editor

What Performance

determines a school grade?

Mathematic and English/Language Arts ISTEP+ scores.

88.3% passed English. 63.5% passed Math.

Growth Domain

Student improvement. Unavailable because of complications in grading of past ISTEPs

Multiple Measures

Determined by multiple factors regarding graduating class Graduation rate 96.5% within 4 years

MHS’s ISTEP+ 2015-16 score

18.98 0.00 75.08

College & Career Readiness (CCR)

Complexity Index This category varies the most between

School Testing

feel like everybody had fun. The games themselves seemed to be exciting and all the football players were positive about it and everybody who was there, that we had talked to, said that they enjoyed themselves and would come again. So overall, I think it was a very successful event.”

The Best Buddies Bowl had a half time show in which Robotics showed off some of their robots, which went over well with the audience, according to Anna Slosser, senior.

“I think (the show) was cool,” Anna said. “They didn’t have just one robot, but they used mostly one robot because the little kids really liked it. So it was really entertaining for them.”

The Bowl game included both players from the football team and players from Best Buddies, who signed up to play before the game, with a limit of five players on both teams.

“In my weight training class, I had Nicholas Franczak (senior) in it, and I always used to play basketball with him during open gym, and a couple other kids in the Best Buddies program,” Andrew Jumonville, senior, said. “I knew them, so when the Best Buddies Bowl came about, Nick asked me to play in it, he said that he wanted to beat us. He challenged me to it, so I couldn’t turn down a challenge.”

The Best Buddies Bowl was more fun than a regular football game, according to Jumonville.

“My favorite part (of the Best Buddies Bowl) was the connection between the Best Buddies program and the students and how we got to interact and play each other in a football game,” Jumonville said. “It made it easier for us to connect. It was just something special.”

School Funding

AP, dual credit, or Industry Certification.

77% Achieved CCR

Overall points

In a report released at the beginning of the month by Indiana’s new governor, Eric Holcomb, a 3 percent increase in funding over the next two years has been proposed; however Mr. Snyder is weary to believe the proposal because of the allocation of the money.

“We all have to kind of wait and see,” Mr. Snyder said. “I think in a school system like Munster we always want to be optimistic that we are going to get more

A 94.1

source: doe.org; Indiana University, ceep. indinana.edu Mr. Rob. Snyder, Assist. Principal

funding or that funding will return back to where it was before it was cut. But we’re also not going to do anything based off that hope or that conversation that might happen. We want to see it to believe it in a lot of way just because school funding has been something that has affected the School Town of Munster considerably over the last few years. ”

4 speakout

jan. 27, 2017

cartoon by Gavin Hamilton

WORD STATIC In politics, sometimes there is much to say and never time to listen. Ignore all of the political noise and listen to what others are saying; you may surprise yourself with what you hear.

editorial

Divided between two “you’s”

Last Friday, America watched Donald J. Trump get sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America. Many citizens speculated that his inaugural address failed to provide details or specifics on his plan for the country, adding to their apprehension of his administration. Many other citizens see his administration as a beacon of hope and change. Throughout the first half of his speech, President Trump made a point of differentiating between a “you,” the American people and “them,” the American Government.

He told the American people that “everyone is listening to you now.” Now, a week since his inauguration, the nation finds itself split into two separate “you’s.”

“You” may be anyone who supports President Trump. Yes, you are victorious. Your candidate

has won the election and is the President of the United States of America; that is a fact with which no one will disagree. However, understand that many people did not support your candidate, which is not unlike other elections. But be mindful of his rhetoric. Maybe the individuals he offended do not look like you, have the same God as you or love the same gender as you. Regardless, they have reservations about the president that you may not understand because you were not offended throughout his campaign. Listen to these concerns.

They are voicing these concerns, putting them on your time line, marching them through the streets. These are valid fears and thoughts. People have reasons not to support the President of the United States of America because he has given them reason not to. Many people have felt threatened and targeted throughout his campaign and fear this threat transferred to his presidency.

If you were not offended by President Trump, acknowledging the privilege of your situation may put in per-

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

spective the fears of the other individuals. You may not understand things you have not directly experienced, but be empathetic toward these concerns.

There is another “you” the president may be addressing. You are individuals offended, fright-

has created a bigger divide for in this country. These are real concerns. These are valid concerns. To all of the you’s: stay strong in your convictions, but understand America is not built on radicalists. Instead it is founded and sustained on pioneers who found their situation to be undesirable and rose to make a change.

ened or apprehensive because of our president. This And to either side, do not fear the other you was not victorious, and 24 hours after the nation celebrated President Trump, this you took to the streets “you.” Instead, lend an ear. So, to all of you: everyone of cities around the world in protest. Women’s marches is listening, but are you listening to anyone else? Politics stirred Saturday in D.C., Chicago and New York; Wom- is a two-sided game and sometimes compromise seems en are this you. This you is members of the LGBTQ+ impossible. However, if you do not listen to the other community which feel unheard side of the argument, you may not and underrepresented. This you learn on which side of the arguThis election opened a may be Americans with origins ment you truly stand. long-standing divide in in other countries. These men In his inaugural address, Presthe country. The two sides and women of color find them- differ in many ways, but in the end, ident Trump spoke plenty about selves on the outside, looking we need to come together to make giving the country back to the in. You are fighting an uphill bat- one country Americans. His tone shifted to an tle against many people who do inclusive “we.” not denounce the offense rhetoric the president used He said, “We are one nation. Their pain is our pain. throughout his campaign; instead you encounter indi- Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be viduals who support and maybe even repeat this rhet- our success. We share one heart, one home, and one oric in your direction. This you is Muslims, followers of glorious destiny.” Each one of you are the new genera religion unfamiliar to many Americans, despite being ation. The youth of America. And you may find yourthe largest religion in the world. A religion targeted self on differing sides of the argument when it comes since 9/11 and a religion President Trump, in their eyes, to the fate of this nation. But if you listen to each other’s dreams, successes and desired destiny, you may find some of you want the same things. And maybe you will always disagree on how to obtain those things, but you Students reflect on this year’s past election will learn that you all come from a home in this country–— your foundation does not differ that greatly. students believe their So a week after the inauguration, everyone is listenvote matters ing to both of you. But more importantly, what do all of you hear? source: survey on Google forms of 501 responses from Jan. 19-25

OUR TAKE

One last vote

81.4 %

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.

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Copy Editor Joseph Bermudez Graphics Editor Gavin Hamilton Page Editors Mimi Brody, Josh Kim, Sofía Navarro, Danie Oberman, Carey Scott Business Manager Joseph Bellahcen Head Photographer Weronika Bilek

The Staff Editor-in-Chief Jordan Szymanski

Chief Photographer Danijela Kaurin

Design Chief Chloe Wineinger

Photographers Joseph Bellahcen, Lauren Kozy, Vrusti Patel, Melanie Powers, Austin Skeens, Kess Vaitkus, Easan Venkat, Summer Witvoet

Managing Editor Ian Brundige

Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

jan. 27, 2017

speakout

5

Crier music expert reviews Grammy nominees; airing Feb. 12 Josh Kim Page Editor

Personally, I’ve never really liked Justin Bieber’s songs all that much until his “Purpose” album. These songs were different from the rest of his other songs. I enjoyed them. “Purpose” has the highest chance to win Album of the Year. It’s not only entertaining for the fans, it also had the “non-beliebers”, like me, caught up on the songs.

illustrations by Josh Kim

I conclude that The Chainsmokers are the Best New Artist. It seems like they haven’t left Spotify’s “Today’s Top Hits” since July 29. The way I see it, if a new artist creates songs that stick to the Top Charts seemingly forever, they deserve to win.

Once I was 15 years old, my brother told me, go listen to 7 years or you’ll be lonely. I said no.

But I eventually listened to this song, and fell in love with the old tape recorder playing a simple piano melody in the beginning of “7 years.” Simple, but it seemed to have a deeper meaning, and Lukas Graham’s lyrics were about something that everyone can relate to: life. For me, it created a deeper meaning of life as time goes by. A song with meaning is a song I want to become the Song of the Year.

Chance the Rapper makes a great appearance with “Coloring Book.” I love rap, but there are parts where I feel like a verse drags on, making it hard to listen to. But Chance’s verses have that fire doesn’t let you down. I got zero problems with Chance winning the Grammy.

Predicted winners picked by students Best New Artist Chance the Rapper

If you haven’t watched that music video, you probably should. OK Go’s “Upside Down & Inside Out” is one of the most creative and well performed music videos I have ever seen. While watching it, you wonder, ”What is so fantastic about the music video?” Well they only recorded their music video on board a plane, in zero gravity, and perform spectacularly. This has to win because of it’s creativity using zero gravity.

No objections.

I don’t want to be biased, but I usually don’t listen to R&B I am an absolute fan of Flume’s songs, but when I do I have requiresongs, and the other albums soundments. One of my requirements for ed insignificant after listening to a good R&B album is unique vocals the “Skin” album. The songs had and BJ The Chicago Kid has that all the requirements that people voice. I loved to listen to his voice who listened to EDM need to enjoy during his entire R&B performance. in a EDM song: great beats, great drops, great feature singers. Let’s see Flume’s achievements. Great beats?

Check. Great songs? Check. Win a Grammy? Check.

Sia’s “This Is Acting” has great confidence-boost-

Best Album of the Year Song of the Year Views - Drake Formation - Beyoncé

source: survey on Google forms of 467 responses from Jan. 23-25

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Examples: “Happy Birthday to my best friend, Joe!” “Congrats on getting into Harvard, Michael.

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ing songs. No one can listen to one of Sia’s songs and feel sad after it. I can’t stop loving Sia’s unique, slightly crazed voice. She’s got my vote.

Rihanna created sweet vibes in her “Anti” album. Songs like “Work” make you want to dance to the beat, and others like “Needed Me” just make you feel good about yourself— at least for me it did. I enjoyed her songs and I say it deserves to win Best Urban Contemporary Album.

Never have I thought I would listen to a country album and enjoy it. But Sturgill Simpson’s “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” proved me wrong.

It deserves a Grammy for having people like me who are not fans of country gain an enjoyable experience.

6

infocus

jan. 27, 2017

Community

serving Personal experiences with Officer Pacheco from Officers’ Explorer program member Ian Brundige Managing Editor Two children play Legos in a cozy home in Cedar Lake when the doorbell rings. Officer Joseph Pacheco’s opens the door to find, Michael Edington, junior, Shane Gomez and Anna Slosser, seniors, bringing food and positive thoughts reminding him that he is not alone in this fight.

Two weeks earlier, they learned the police officer, devoted husband and father, and involved community member Officer Joseph Pacheco was diagnosed with a stage four inoperable malignant brain tumor.

Throughout the school, people—from administrators, to teacher, to students to members of the police Explorer Program like Michael—have revered Officer Pacheco for his dedication to the community and school, noting the daily work he does behind the scenes to keep students safe.

“He does his part. There are certain things that he has to do during the day that people don’t know about, that has to deal with the school security,” Michael said. “He does a lot for the school that people don’t realize or that he’s not always acknowledged for. Students should for feel for him. Keep him in your thoughts and prays.”

During first semester finals, the Explorers knew there was something they were going to be told, but they never expected Officer Pacheo’s diagnosis. The moment Michael heard the news, his mind flooded with concern.

“The first thing we thought was, ‘Wow, what’s gonna happen?” Michael said. “There wasn’t all the information about what treatments he was going to do and all that, so we were kind of scared about that. And also thinking about who’s going to take his position.”

As a member of the Explorer Program since his freshman year, Michael sees Officer Pacheco as family. He has often heard Officer Pacheco speak about the danger of complacency. Through the Explorer Program, which introduces students to careers in law enforcement, Michael has learned to actively play a role in staying safe and keeping those around him safe; like his mentor says, never taking life’s events for granted.

Michael treasures lessons like this more now than ever as a man who lived his life in the line of danger is affected by such an unanticipated disease.

“At every Explorer meeting that we have, at the end of every presentation or lesson, he always talks about how complacency kills, that’s probably my favorite thing about him,” Michael said. “Nobody thought that something like this could happen to such a great guy.”

Officer Pacheco began treatment last week and maintains the positive attitude he is known for. “(You have to take it) a day at a time and hope for the best, trust the doctors and keep a good attitude,” Officer Pacheco said.

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SENDING LOVE Stopping for a moment John Groer, junior, signs the sixth hour posters for Officer Pacheco. Student Government made three signs featuring different messages (“MHS supports Pacheco,” “We love officer Pacheco,” “Sending love to Officer Pacheco,”) which were signed by students and staff. “I’m very sad about it,” John said. “People in my family have had cancer too.

It’s a very hard thing to go through.”

Local Support A gofundme was made for Officer Pacheco last Tuesday and has raised $17,259 towards its $25,000 goal as of yesterday at 9:30 p.m. Students, faculty and other community members have donated towards the fund organized by Mrs. Kim Peirick, business teacher.

“We felt it was important because as soon as he found out he’s unable to work,” Mrs. Peirick said.

“So we wanted to make sure there is some financial support as well as moral support from the school, as well as the community, because that probably the hardest thing to think about just how ‘Am I going to pay bills?’ Just regular bills now, in addition to the medical cost.”

To bring awareness to Officer Pacheco’s story and begin fundraising Student Government made banners that were signed by any students and staff during lunch throughout the week the show the school’s support.

“From what I have heard of him, he really supported the community and every student well, here at Munster High School, so everyone needs to band together and help Officer Pacheco,” Grace Gozdecki, freshman, Student Government member.

Community members, organizations rally behind Officer Pacheco

Student Government is donating the money raised from the student facility basketball game, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m., directly to Officer Pacheco and his family to help offset his medical bills for treatment.

“You hear about statistics everyday and everyone is kind of aware of statistics but not until something really hits you at home and happens in our own community, especially Munster, are you able to feel the weight of such a problem, like brain cancer,” Jake Ingoglia, senior, Student Body President, said.

Scheduled relief

In the coming months there are a number of event scheduled for Officer Pacheco Jan. 17 Gofundme opened

Jan. 23-26 Student government posters signed during lunch

Feb. 6-17 “Pennies for

Pacheco” collected in MRTs

Feb. 15 Student faculty basketball game at 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 Police Dept. will be at McDonalds on Ridge Road from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

March11-12 Explorers collecting money outside Stack and Van Til on Ridge Road

source: Michael Edington, junior

The officers of Project X have also made the decision to adjust their yearly “Pennies for Patients” fund-raiser to focus on this local and immediate issue collecting “Pennies for Pacheco” between Feb. 6-17 in MRT. “It was important to switch causes to show that here at Munster we have a sense of unity so that whenever someone is in need of that support they know a big club, like Project X with like hundred members can come and support them,” Obie Oniah, senior, Vice President of Project X, said.

Maintaining a good attitude, within the school, Jake wants the students to remember the positive work they are doing makes a difference.

“What I want (students) to take away (from everything they are doing to support Officer Pacheco) is to know what you’re doing, you’re doing it for a good cause, and your efforts are actually helping,” Jake said. “Especially in this case.

When it affects someone in the community you’re able to see how (your) efforts actually affect things.

When something hits home it’s just so much more meaningful. So just show support for the family, show support for the community and for the cause.”

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infocus

jan. 27, 2017

7

photo illustration by Weronika Bilek

LIKE A MAN (Left to right) David Dafiaghor, sophomore, and seniors Nicolas Arredondo, Jordan Wright, Nicholas Eliopoulos, Brendan Ristenpart, Ian Merkel and Vincent Ramos-Niaves prove masculinity comes in all shapes, sizes, outfits, and hairstyles. There is

A new

Men-tality Danie Oberman Page Editor

Demetri Fotopoulos, senior What kinds of things are “manly?”

Kind of being a breadwinner in a household (with a family). And then, I don’t know, stuff like taking out the trash.

Is there one thing you would do if it wasn’t stereotyped as “feminine?”

Go shopping more.

Brendan Bleza, sophomore How would you define “masculinity” or “being a man”?

In my words, I believe it’s just sticking up for yourself, but not letting your masculinity control your emotions, because a lot of people think being a man means hiding your emotions and stuff, but I don’t think that’s true. I just think it’s just believing in what you want to believe in and just doing everything for yourself, basically.

That’s really cool. What made you

no one way to “be a man,” and gender roles are changing or disappearing all together. “As society evolves, I think the (stereotypical definition of masculinity is) going to kind of fade away and it’s going to just be equal between man and woman,” David said.

It hit headlines Jan. 3: Maybelline’s newest face, male beauty vlogger Manny Gutierrez. The introduction sparked debate about masculinity and gender, and Crier continues the discussion about what it means to be a man

come to that definition?

Just the way I was raised, I guess. My mom always said, “It’s okay to cry.” But my dad was more old fashioned, like, “Be strong, do sports and stuff, don’t cry, it’s not okay to cry.” But I always thought that was kind of dumb because you should be free to show your emotions because you’re human. Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you can’t be human.

Mr. David Dausch, social studies teacher How would you like to see gender roles change from now to the world your kids grow up in?

I think that something that, especially as a history teacher, someone who’s seen through history how gender roles have changed, (it’s) something that is definitely changing, but I just hope that it continues to improve. I mean, I know that there’s a lot of equality out there between genders, but there are still areas, like pay in the workforce, where women are not given the same opportunities.

I don’t have any girls. I have two boys,

but all I would hope is that when they get older, they have the same kind of mentality as I do, that female or male, we’re all on the same team here.

She spent her childhood beading bracelets, swimming and listening to music. Ashley Breger, senior, was just like all of her friends, except for one thing. “(Growing up, I was) very energetic but also kind of afraid to try new things because of the blindness,” Ashley said.

Due to a tumor on her optic nerve, Ashley was born visually impaired and could only see things that were large, dark and close. At age nine, she went totally blind.

Ashley began learning Braille at four years old. However, this month, Braille Literacy Month, marks a year since the Braille Authority of North America began shifting Braille code to Unified English Braille (UEB), a more universal form of Braille. Ashley is learning parts of UEB, but will not be learning all of the new code.

Students tell Crier their responses to a tweet about gender roles

David Dafiaghor, sophomore Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like your masculinity was questioned?

Yeah. I joined choir, and then (people said), “Oh, girls sing, guys don’t sing.

Why are you in choir?”

How did you respond to that?

I was confident with it, and I stayed in choir. There’s other boys in choir too, so I felt comfortable, so it’s basically just me going against the adversity.

That’s awesome. What is something you and other men can do to change the definition of masculinity to how you want it to look?

Just be free with yourself and do what you want. When others ask, “Oh, why are you doing that?” you just respond with a smile on your face, like, “I like doing this” and I feel like others will follow.

Just keep doing what you’re doing.

Finding her own way Danie Oberman Page Editor

Let’s talk about gender

Jacob Fitch

Junior I agree with this because even with being a little kid, boy/girl colors with blue and pink and also the types of toys they would play with, like action figures or dolls, (enforced gender roles).

Garrett Glover Senior

I don’t think every person has it thrust upon them.

I think a lot of people have dealt with it or have seen it, but I don’t think it’s forced upon anybody. I haven’t experienced it personally, but that’s not to say I won’t experience it.

In honor of Braille Literacy Month, Ashley Breger, senior, discusses experiences growing up blind

“(My Braille teacher and I) decided that we weren’t day tasks mostly independently. She picks out her own about to switch to the new Braille code because I’m this clothes using an electronic color-reader, navigates her close to being out of high school,” Ashley said. way to places using her Trekker Breeze GPS, listens to Instead, Ashley will continue with the code that she audio books and gets to class using landmarks. and her family have mastered, along with the many othTo ensure she gets the accommodations she deer skills they have learned that have allowed Ashley to serves, Ashley acts as her own advocate. grow up successfully, despite being blind. “(I am my own advocate for) the feeling of being in“I think the hardest part was not dependent,” Ashley said. knowing what to do with a child who’s She was able to demonstrate her blind to try to teach them to attain their independence when she went to I don’t let my hopes and dreams and goals,” Ashley’s limitations stop me summer camp this year, and had sevmother Mrs. Linda Breger, said. from doing what I eral new experiences, including drivHowever, Ashley has never let being ing a golf cart, working with guide want to do.” blind get in her way. dogs and rock climbing.

-Ashley Breger, senior “I don’t let my limitations stop me “(I never really felt different) befrom doing what I want to do,” Ashley cause I knew that I may need to work said. harder at things, but I can do the same things other kids Just like her sighted friends, Ashley completes day-todo,” Ashley said.

“

8

infocus

jan. 27, 2017

Living through history In elementary school the Obama administration was elected; now, Americans elect a new president

photos by Sidney Milne, Lauren Kozy

TUNED IN Last Friday, students streamed the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States. Students like Hunter Zukley, senior, watched in study hall as the president prepared to take the stage for his inaugural address later that morning.

Jordan Szymanski Editor-in-Chief

2008

Barack Obama is elected on Nov. 4, 2008. Mr. Gordon compares it to the Bush election.

“I saw a greater excitement in 2008, but a solid group of students that felt very left out. A feeling we see today,” Mr. Gordon said.

2010

President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. Alex heard the controversy in the news.

“As a kid, I thought: ‘well everyone should have a doctor.’ And Obamacare opened my eyes to that other people have that. It showed me how lucky I was,“ Alex said.

2016 Election year begins for candidates, Hilary Clinton stood to be the possible first woman president but loses to President Trump.

I

t is Nov. 4, 2008. A little girl in fourth grade plays with her cousins in her living room. In the midst

of board games and dolls, they hear history being made. The TV shows the possibility of an unprecedented presidential election. As the night gets later and later, Alex Raycroft, senior, witnesses the election of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

“During the campaign my family really disliked the Republican candidate (John McCain), so I was cheering for Obama,” Alex said. “I mean, we were kids and we didn’t know what was going on, but that night (election night,) watching it on the TV and seeing all the diversity—they would show all kinds of people who were happy for him.”

Throughout former President Obama’s administration, race has been a defining aspect that the president and citizens have embraced and discussed.

“Even as a 4th grader, I was amazed that we had had all white presidents, and then we finally had a president that represents diversity in America,” Alex said.

“It painted a better picture of America, not perfect, but better.”

Despite its prominence, former President Obama’s race was not the most influential part of his presidency. In his farewell speech Jan. 10, President Obama highlighted his presidency before the country. Whether it was discussing Health Care reforms or ending the Iraq War, the President spoke of a united nation—one which accomplished these achievements together.

It is Nov. 8th, 2016. Alex sits with emotions different from eight years ago.

“As I watched Michigan fall and Wisconsin too, I was like: ‘Oh, my god, it isn’t going to happen. But, you can’t be sad,” Alex said. “This is what the people wanted and our government is built to reflect and refine the people. It was a solemn moment, but he will be our president and we have to accept it.”

The peaceful exchange of powers is normal and regular, and as Mr. Michael Gordon, social studies teacher, teaches the changing subject of American Government, he keeps in mind teaching with an exchanging presidential power.

“After teaching for two decades, I have seen as evolution in how government can be taught,” Mr. Gordon said. We have to go beyond mere facts, we have to develop skills and embrace a civic disposition that seeks out shared discussion

and not combative debate. Not short of evidence, persons with greater civic education are more tolerant, more engaged, more moderate and willing to join their polity.”

It is Jan. 20, 2017. Full of excitement and curiosity, Abby Resch, junior, experiences both the Women’s March and the Inauguration in Washington D.C. “It was a very historical moment,” Abby said. “I went to the inauguration and the Women’s March—they are two very different events. We had the tickets before the election, so we were going to go no matter who won. We went for the experience. For most of the trip, I was around people who did not like him and I heard a lot of negative things about him. But then the day of the Inauguration, I heard a lot of positive things about him. It’s nice to hear all of the opinions to develop my own opinion, which I don’t really have yet.

Abby witnessed two vastly different opinions within 24 hours, it has shaped her view of democracy.

“To me, it is nice to have the freedom to express if we don’t like him—the freedom to have the march. In other countries, they would have been arrested, but here it is normal. That’s what we are.”

“I thought Hilary Clinton was going to win. I was so excited to see the first woman president,” Alex said.

2017

Students witness an exchange of powers to President Trump. Abby Resch, junior, experiences two vastly different sides attending both the march and inauguration in Washington D.C..

“The crowds were so different from each other on the day of the Inauguration and the March,” Abby said.

Column

Front and center Former publications editor, Elena Piech, ‘15, shares first-hand experience of attending Inauguration Day

photo by Weronika Bilek

STAND UP, CHICAGO (Above and right) At the Women’s March in Chicago, signs advocating for human rights, the environment and Black Lives Matter lined the streets.

President Trump’s proposed policies might not always benefit members of the white working class, but during Inauguration Day, I met and spoke with the Trump supporters who are not nearly as worried about mobility. In fact, I sat next to these people.

Since I reported on the inauguration with PBS Newshour, I acquired one of the best seats for the event: Teal Tickets Marked for Section One. This section

photo provided by Elena Piech

that put seat holders less than twenty feet away from The Donald. A section so elite, so private, it’s not even marked on some of the inauguration maps passed out to regular attendees. I sat among members of the press, who whispered, snickered and rolled their eyes while talking about the man who would become the nation’s 45th President. I sat with individuals who either knew someone in politics or had written to their Congress(wo)man in order to attain their precious spot.

And in a complete surprise of what the Trump Campaign claimed to stand for, I sat among the wealthy, the 0.01 percenters. The ones who not only had the ability to brag about how much they donated to the Republican National Committee, but they could also share their family lineage if asked.

Faces of

the

game

jan. 27, 2017

T

he best way to observe a fan is in their natural habitat: on the couch.

The Super Bowl tends to bring out the best in fans, whether they are there for the game or not. In the light of the television, one can see all four fans sitting together on the couch, each celebrating this unofficial holiday differently. While attending a Super Bowl party, one will encounter these four types of people.

3.

1.

4. The Foodie

2. The Socialite

For this fan, the Super Bowl is more of a social event than just a game. This person can be seen mingling with all of the At every Super Bowl party, one can identify the fan that guests and always talking to someone. They are charismatic is glued to the couch, spoutand always seem to be laughing off statistics. They spend their time looking at the odds, ing, surrounded by people. and have not missed a game all They pay minimal attention to the television, watching only season. They live for football, evidenced by their stained jer- crucial moments. Whether they sey on their back for good-luck. are on the couch watching the As the Quarterback hurls long game, or in the kitchen getting food, one thing is for sure: they spiraled pass, one might hear are talking.

“Go, Go, GO, GO, TOUCHDOWN,” as the receiver dives They might say: into the end zone.

“My favorite part of the Super They might say: Bowl is being with my friends.

“My favorite part about the I am more into enjoying the Super Bowl is the game itself. social environment than watchUsually, it is a really good game ing the game. I follow football and the teams play all out. a little bit, but I am not heavily I usually know a lot about invested in who will win.”all of the players because Jesis Ghimire, senior I watch throughout the season. I can get pretty excited.”- Michael Svolos, freshman.

2.

9

Super Bowl aires Feb. 6, different people to encounter at Super Bowl party

1. The Fanatic

Mimi Brody Page Editor

sports/spotlight

3. The Sideliner Down the couch, this fan can be seen periodically checking their phone or flipping through a magazine. They seem to stare at anything but the television. That is, of course, until a timeout and the real show begins. They laugh as they watch the commercials, however cheesy they may be. Generally, they break into smile as any ad plays across the screen containing an animal or baby, preferably both. The next day, they might be talking about the latest Progressive commercial and/or rating their favorites from best to worst.

They might say: “I like the commercials because they are funny or really cute.

My dad worked on a McDonald’s commercial and I got to suggest which actors to put in it. Because he worked on the commercial, I previewed it, so it was really cool when I got to see it on the screen.“Nikki Katalinic, senior

4.

Somehow throughout the party, a bag of Lays has disappeared but no one can remember opening them.

Glancing down at the end of the couch, a fan has their hands stuffed in the half-empty bag.

This person is obviously only there for the food, and shows little interest in anything on the television screen. Instead of sitting and watching the game, they have their hands deep in the Doritos bowl. It seems whenever they leave the couch they always come back with a new snack in hand.

They might say: “I don’t pay attention to the football, I only go to super-bowl parties for the food. Especially White Castle, I love when people bring crave cases.”Casey Meldgin, sophomore

Bet on It Freddy Jumonville, sophomore, explains how to play Super Bowl Squares

0,3,7

“To win in Super Bowl squares, you need to match your squares with the last digit of the score. It usually goes by quarters, so if your square matches after first quarter, you will win money.”

2,5,9

“Because football scores come in 7, 3, and sometimes 2, it makes it really unlikely that the score will end in a 2, 5 or 9.”

most valuable Super Bowl Squares

least valuable Super Bowl squares

“When it comes to betting, don’t over-do it with the money, its all for fun at the end.” source: Freddy Jumonville, sophomore

photo illustration by Danijela Kaurin

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10

sports

jan. 27, 2017

‘It’s not about you anymore.’

With National Signing Day Feb. 1, athletes discuss pressures, experiences from being involved in sports Chloe Wineinger Design Chief This is an edited transcript of a conversation between four athletes and the interviewer.

What sports are you in this year?

Genesis Tienstra, senior: This year, just soccer and softball.

Cade Howard, sophomore: I just play baseball.

Zeke Clark, senior: Football and wrestling.

Rebecca Radtke, junior: Softball.

Do you ever feel pressured as an athlete?

Tienstra: Oh, absolutely.

Howard: Oh yeah, all the time.

Why? Howard: Don’t wanna fail.

And why is that?

Howard: Pride? Just something personal…

Tienstra: Well, I feel the most of the pressure comes from grades, because if you can’t perform well in school you’re not going to get the opportunity to play on the field anyways. I feel like student athletes are held to a higher standard than normal students because you’re expected to and you’re not being cut slack and you’re given work.

Radtke: Definitely when people who are important are coming to watch. It’s definitely knowing that they’re in the background, I need to try to do well as much as I can. But I just need to realize that I need to relax.

What else can stress you?

Clark: I would say that I don’t have any stress from it. I would say I would have zero honestly because I just play to have fun. I’ve been playing Football for so long that I’ve been used to it.

What good or bad things could come from feeling pressure?

Radtke: The good thing is that it definitely gives you a rush, and a drive to do well and be successful, and sometimes it can overwhelm you. It can definitely make you exhausted.

What good or bad things come from being really involved in your sport?

Clark: You build a lot of relationships with a lot of people. That’s probably the biggest part. Making new friends and spending a lot of time together at

practice. And it’s a nice way to try to affect your life? challenge yourself.

Tienstra: Well, your life, you have to Tienstra: I think kind of the worst schedule it around your sport. You don’t get control, it’s not thing from playing a sport while you’re in about you anymore, I’ve missed so school is when you it’s based on the get injured. I think time that you’re off many birthday it’s ten times worse. practice or you parties, sleepovers, of don’t have games When you have a and stuff because concussion, it affects or a tournament, or you have other your playing time even outside of that and your attention when you have to put things that are span, like I have zero in extra work or lift prioritized in weights. I’ve missed attention span now. sports.” so many birthdays, Or like now I can’t focus on school work -Genesis Tienstra, senior parties, sleepovers and stuff because I or sleep schedules get so messed up. You just randomly fall had other things that are prioritized in asleep and you can’t help it any more. sports, even if it’s just like a run that’s (Tienstra suffered multiple concussions, scheduled with your team outside the latest being last year, due running into of practice, you can’t say no. Even if other players and getting hit in the face it’s considered optional, it means it’s mandatory and you have to go. with the ball.)

Clark: Yeah, I would agree with that.

Howard: It takes up a lot of time too.

How does being involved in a sport You sacrifice a lot of time. This Saturday

“

was my first Saturday off in two and a half months and I won’t have one off in another month now, so a lot of time is spent there and you don’t have a lot of free time.

Does it make it more stressful that you committed to a college? (Directed at Radtke, who committed to University of Wisconsin at Green Bay) Radtke: At first, after playing a couple games after I just committed, I had to be good, I had to be successful, but as I’ve gone on, it’s just more about having fun and just focusing.

Who do you receive the most pressure from?

Howard and Clark: Coaches.

What do you wish they would understand about your situation?

Howard: I’d tell them to keep pushing me harder and harder, because that’s the only way you’re going to get better.

Tienstra: I think schools outside of high school like colleges have an extra pressure and they understand that they want to have athletes who can handle it the best. But a lot of times the outside stuff to you is more important to you than practice and I wish they could see the extra hours you put in school-wise and all the sleepless nights you go through, and everything you’ve got to endure to get to the point, and some schools aren’t even considering that kind of stuff.

photo by Vrusti Patel

TIME OUT Sitting in the conference room in the Athletic Office, (left to right) Genesis Tienstra, senior, Cade Howard, sophomore, and Zeke Clark, senior, discuss the positives and negatives of being an involved athlete. Despite the stress sports might cause, Tienstra finds some benefits. “The bond (between teammates) is absolutely incredible,” Tienstra said. “You can’t find that anywhere else because when you see someone work as hard as they do on the field and then you can mess around and relax outside, it’s just way stronger than just being friends.”

sports

jan. 27, 2017

Giving it another shot

Girls’ Basketball plays Morton at Lowell in Sectional game on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Just any

photo by Easan Venkat

AT THE LINE During a game against Highland last Friday, which they lost 36-52, Jaycee Helmer, junior, steps to the line to sink a free throw. “I usually try to concentrate and not get distracted by other things that can be super distracting,” Helmer said. “I just try to focus on the free throw because it is repetition. I practice for it, we do free throws all the time in practice.”

was dealt with through team bonding sessions, such as pizza parties and a team lock-in at the school in order to strengthen the team’s bonds, according to Giannini.

“Every team has different types of people that make it up. So you have to bring people together, who, outside of the team wouldn’t really be talking or hanging out,” Giannini said. “So building that friendship and being able to trust one another on the court is why we do (team bonding sessions). If you can’t trust each other, you don’t know if anybody is gonna pass to you or you have to trust the other person to make the shot or to make the right decision.”

other

meet

Mimi Brody Page Editor

They treat it like it is any other meet. When they step into the locker room, they put on the same suits. In the pool, they swim with the same intensity. If the audience did not know better, they might even mistake it for any other ordinary meet.

That is because Boys’ Swimming does not feel threatened by any opponent in their conference, and instead they treat Conference as just a stop on the path to Sectionals. Saturday, Boys’ Swimming will compete in their Conference swim meet at home, the first stop on the path to Sectionals.

“I think we will do really well,” Coach Matthew Pavlovich, P.E. teacher, said. “I think it is going to go really well, the kids are definitely ready. It is our last meet of the year before we get ready for Sectionals and State.

Married to the mat

Coach Crary discusses coaching wrestling, end of season Josh Kim Page Editor

Gavin Hamilton Graphics Editor Working hard at every practice to improve, with a record of 9-14, the end of the season is in sight for the Girls’ Basketball team. The first game of Sectionals takes place at Lowell on Tuesday against Morton High School.

Although they lost to Morton earlier in the season, Coach Jim Davidson, PLTW teacher, speaks confidently about their chances of winning when they face the team in Sectionals.

“I expect us to win. Especially our first ball game,” Coach Davidson said. “Even though they beat us earlier in the season, I fully expect to go in there and beat them, and then if we beat them, then we play Friday night against Highland, who we just played. They beat us by 16 but we still feel like we have a reasonable shot at them. We are obviously going to have to do some things better, obviously make a few changes, but we feel like we have a legitimate shot against them.”

Morton has strengths for which the team has specifically prepared for in order to prove that the team has improved since their last game with Morton, according to Kim Giannini, junior.

“I just think we have to be prepared to come out with 110 percent effort because we need to get ourselves up in that game early, we need to prove that we can stop (Morton’s) one decent player who gave us problems in the regular season,” Giannini said. “But if we can prove that we can stop her early and we can work on our confidence early, I think that as a team, we are going to play very well.”

Earlier in the season, the team had to overcome tough challenges, such as injured players and frustration among team members. Younger players had to step up earlier in the season in order to make up for the players that were injured.

Frustration and negativity on the court

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Road to primetime Schedule of a day leading up to game time for Tony Daniels, junior, Boys’ Basketball hosts Lowell tonight 6:45 - Wake up 7:15 - Leave for school

2:55 - School ends, go home

3:30 - Eat waffles, watch ESPN talk shows 4:40 - Leave home to get to game

5:00 - Warm ups, shoot-around 5:15 - Finish warm ups, JV game begins

7:00 - Game time source: Tony Daniels, junior

Boys’ Swimming prepares for Conference meet Saturday, look to make deep post-season run It is a last-chance meet in a lot of ways for some of our kids.”

In previous years, the team has consistently won their Conference. Because of this, Coach Pavlovich is not concerned for the sake of his team. Instead, he views Conference as a way for the team to get ready for more important meets later in the year such as Sectionals and State.

“We usually win,” Coach Pavlovich said. “I just want us to swim fast. Typically, we do win our Conference.

The meet itself is not a super stressful meet. We see better competition when we face other schools such as Chesterton, who is a top rated team in the state.”

Keen to not rest on his laurels, Coach Pavlovich notes that the team will face some stiff competition.

“Lowell has a pretty good sprint-freestyle guy in the 50-yard freestyle. Highland also has a pretty good sprint-freestyle guy. I think that their races will be the

For the past two years, Coach Mike Crary leaves work at the East Chicago school system as a network engineer. He drives all the way to MHS in a rush not to be late so he can coach the Wrestling team.

“I’ve been coaching (my sons) Jason and Cody since they were five years old, and I’ve been to wrestling practice as a spectator here ever day since Jason started two years ago,” Coach Crary said. “So when Coach (Dan) Gelarden (WWMS teacher) stepped down, I threw my name in there and it just ended up going that way.”

Coach Crary decided to coach wrestling mainly because his two sons are part of the team, but he decided to continue coaching after his kids graduate.

“I’ve known Mr. Brian Clark, the athletic director, for quite some time. I told him I liked to start out with a five year commitment, just to try to build something here, where we want to get a good youth program in Munster,” Coach Crary said.

Mr. Clark supports for Coach Crary’s decision to continue coaching the wrestling team. “(Coach Crary) is doing fine,” Mr. Clark said. “He’s enthusiastic and encouraging to the kids (in the wrestling team).”

Although he was the new wrestling coach, and he could have new ways of coaching, Coach Crary decided to continue training as it was done in the past.

“I think consistency in a really physical sport like this, that’s so demanding mentally and physically,” Coach Crary said. “I think consistency in everybody is really important.”

As their Sectionals is this weekend.

Coach Crary has high hopes for his wrestlers.

“I think we have to go with an open mind right now based on our experience.

We have a real good chance of getting six (wrestlers) out in Sectionals this weekend, which would be the best we’ve done in the last four five years,” Coach Crary said. “So if we get five or six out, we’re going to be really pleased.”

highlight of the meet. With those two guys racing our sprinters, it will be interesting,” Coach Pavlovich said.

Joey Baeza, junior, is also confident the team will do well, mainly because of the work they put in to prepare for the post-season.

“We worked really hard over winter break. Our workouts were a lot harder than usual and we swam more yardage,” Baeza said. “We always do really well at conference. It will just be like any other year.”

Years in the making

Swimmers talk of first swimming competitively Holden Raffin, freshman Matt Dempsey, senior Joey Baeza, junior

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“I fell in love with the sport after the 2008 Olympics, and thats actually why I started swimming.”

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“When I was first learning how to swim, I was in a meet at LC. When I dove into the water my goggles feel off. At the flip, I pushed off into Joey Baeza’s lane, and unknowingly finished in his lane.”

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“All my older cousins swam before me, so it was just natural for me to get in the pool too.”

years

years

years