5.17.17

MUNSTER HIGH SCHOOL

vol. 51/issue 12/may 17, 2017

upcoming

inside look Page 5: Students discuss stigma around tattoos Page 7: Girls’ track wins Sectionals

page 7

Crier will sell the Senior Issue during lunches for $1 Friday Senior superlatives, college decisions will be announced

Finals schedule: Wed. 5/24: Exams 1 & 6 Thurs. 5/25: Exams 3, 4 & 8

Girls’ Tennis got the bye in first round of Sectionals, advance to second round tomorrow

Fri. 5/26: Exams 2, 5 & 8 Remember: every exam day will start with an exam at 7:35

8808 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321

We are School earns AdvancED STEM certification

BLINDED BY SCIENCE Juniors Emma Harvath and Annacoleen Cruz take part in a gel electrophoresis lab in AP Biology.

SCIENCE

Chloe Wineinger Design Chief CLOSER LOOK Anthony Ruffalo, 11, talks with another student about his research paper in the resource room.

TECHNOLOGY

From the many regular, Honors, and AP level science courses offered at the high school to front ranking sciAs a computer science and busience-based academness teacher, Mrs. Kim Peirick has witic teams, there are nessed the change in students’ learning a multitude of opalong with the schools’ tions for students What does it mean? change in technology. to further their sciWhen the School Town AdvancED uses ence learning. first administered lapStudents who are multiple guidelines tops in 2011, she found especially interested for giving STEM the increased technolin the science field, ogy beneficial to both certification the Science Olympiteachers and students. students problem-solve ad members, proved “I believe the oneindependently and their discipline in the to-one computers deficollaboratively area by winning first nitely opened up many in State competition, students are in control of opportunities for us, beating their last first their STEM based learning because students could place win two years with educator assistance independently work on ago by 59 points. different websites that This Thursday and integrating technology to allow for collaboration Friday they will move the classroom as well,” Mrs. Peirick on to Nationals. demonstrating learning said. “But coming toOne of the points through performance-based gether as teams, workfor certification is an assessments ing on things, allows outreach for underfor a lot of communicaFocus on real-world represented students tion that can happen at applications in the STEM field, home.“ which is important Educators collaborating in a As one of the 11 edfor the females on team to implement a STEM ucators in the school the Science Olympilearning experience who lead in the process ad team such as longof becoming STEM acstudents demonstrate STEM time member Lauren credited, she saw the literacy Martin, senior. students learning and “Speaking from a STEM teachers participate research opportunities female’s perspective, in STEM training grow exponentially. it’s really nice to have “I have found that community, colleges and many different scistudents are a little businesses support and ence teachers who more empowered participate in STEM are also female, so when they have opprogram it’s kind of a reassurportunities of techsource: ance that yes, this is nology, especially Mr. Mike Wells, Principal also a women’s field your generation,” too,” Lauren said. she said.

ADDING THE PIECES Scott Kenning, 11, works on his tower project for Science Olympiad.

ENGINEERING

BRAINSTORMING TOGETHER Juniors Adam Reinsma and Katie Dodgson practice a problem together in Mrs. Val Pflum’s Honors Pre-Calculus.

During Robotics competitions, team members learn about engineering through programming robots to do activities such as launching balls into basketball hoops and climbing Along with science classes offered, ropes. Calculating tasks like this inthe high school offers an array of difvolve many problem solving skills, ferent level math classes for students such as calculating the speed a motor to learn different areas of mathematneeds to spin in order to cover a cerics, from Statistics to Geometry to tain distance.

Calculus.

Students who have a high inReal-world applications like these terest in mathematare what influence members like ics like Shreyas Iyer, Robotics head of ensophomore, who gineering Ian Merkel, How does it help? is currently in a senior, to continue attending a STEM cersenior level math into an engineering tified school creates a class, have found the career in college. stronger transcript for teaching methods have “Most of the time applying to colleges helped them reach furthat I’m learning engither in their academics. neering or doing any examination allows to “I would say that sort of engineering, find areas to improve, most of the teachers it’s during an activity, such as partnerships with that I’ve been exposed it’s not sitting down businesses and colleges to take the time to learn and doing a bunch Mr. Mike Wells, Principal about your individual of calculations, like strengths mathemati‘Okay, we have to cally, or what you need to work on, solve this problem, which really helps a lot,” Shreyas said. and so we’re going “They’re able to tailor their lesson or to have to use this in order to do when you talk to them individually, that,’” Ian said. “It’s more hands-on inthey’re able to tailor the way they stead of sitting down and just crunchspeak or the way they teach you in ing a bunch of numbers together. It’s such a way that you can understand a very good mix of both.” quickly.”

MATH

2

news

may 17, 2017

The old...

Certain school policies

And the new Altering policies for the

keep status quo

upcoming school year

Policy 3213

Laptops

Teacher evaluation

There has recently been backlash from students about School Board Policy 3213, which limits student-teacher contact on social media, and states teachers must report students with certain personal problems to guidance or other professionals, but this policy is not new.

“There is no new policy limiting the communication between students and teachers,” Mr. Steven Tripenfeldas, assistant superintendent, said. “The only policy that the School Town of Munster has regarding this is Policy 3213. It has been a policy for almost 6 years. “

Students will not be receiving new laptops or alternative technology next school year. When considering devices for the future, certain criteria must be considered, such as cost, support/maintenance, infrastructure, applications and equity, according to Mr. Jarek Pozdzal, Director of Computer Systems.

Due to new state legislation, schools’ funding formulas have been altered; teachers must demonstrate growth in every single student in every single class through the use of pre- and post- tests.

In classes with ISTEP+ or another statewide standardized exam, those tests will be post-tests, while other teachers will create localized tests, in which every question corresponds directly to a state standard. Student growth will be used as a part of teacher evaluations next year, although the official percentage will be decided later this week.

“At this time, there is no need to replace the current units. Every summer, the laptops are evaluated and repaired, and that process will continue,” Mr. Pozdzal said.

“So a teacher has to identify: what are the mastery targets, how do you determine growth, what does growth look like in my class, how will I fairly measure it, and how will I record that data so that the state can see it?” said Spanish Teacher Ms. Jennifer Dettlo, who serves on the evaluation committee. “And that is the biggest part that’s changed, and that’s what the teacher evaluation committee has met to determine what is an equitable way to do that, that doesn’t overload teachers who are already feeling pretty constrained by new state laws.”

Making an

appearance

Upcoming changes in attendance policy Chloe Wineinger Design Chief

After sitting through 40 appeals meetings per semester for students with over eight absences, Mr. Morgan Nolan, assistant principle, decided it was time to make a change to the policy to create less gray area in the policy.

Next year, the attendance policy will change in terms of class credits after eight absences. Instead of losing credit for classes, a student will receive disciplinary actions and can no longer have excused absences after exceeding the seven day time limit. This was done to limit the issues created from appeals meetings, according to Mr. Nolan. “(Parents are) tired of fighting with the kids, getting them to school, calling off,” Mr. Nolan on the attendance said. “Now it’s kind of policy changes a hard line in the sand.

On the eighth day, “I think the new attenmom can’t call you off dance policy is good for anymore, you’ll get a the kids that are genuinely Saturday, the ninth day sick and that need the is an in-school. The parextra day off, because it’s ents like that because hard to manage all your there is a repercussion work night, especially if for it.” all your teachers have the There will also be same one day policy, but changes in terms of it makes it easier for kids makeup days allotted who abuse their absences, after an absence. Next and then come in whenevyear, students will be aler they want.”

—Genesis Tienstra, senior lowed to make up work within two days after “I think that’s a little crazy. the absence instead of I mean what’s the point if one. However, this will you miss one day and you no longer be applicable only have one worksheet, to more than two abthen you delay the class sences, as students will two full days?” then receive as many —Cody Phillips, junior makeup days as they were absent. Previously, the attendance policy stated that a student should make up work within one day “if at all possible.” Mr. Nolan found that this phrasing may create conflict, so the rule changed to create a definitive and manageable time frame for students to finish their work.

“I think the goal and the objective is to make sure that our policy is 100 percent clear cut, but also was student friendly, because we want kids to understand that there are deadlines. We wanted kids to understand that this test matters. What we don’t want to hold kids to is that unrealistic standard of ‘In the real world that doesn’t happen.’ In the real world they do give you time.”

YOUR TAKE

photos by Easan Venkat

VOTE YES Voter exits the school and talks to a volunteer after casting their vote for the referendum. Signs supporting the referendum are placed throughout Munster reading: “Strong Schools, Strong Community, Strong Future.”

A second chance

Both of the School Town of Munster’s referendums pass

As a Munster resident, MHS teacher, and the parent of a child at Elliott Elementary School, the referDanie Oberman endums affected Mr. Matt Kalwasinski, psychology Page Editor teacher, in three ways. He was pleased the referenSigns reading “Vote Yes” sat in yards all over town. dums passed to provide things like classroom aids, Dueling Facebook groups discussed taxes, housing repairs and security for schools.

“That’s very important that my values, and the merits of son is safe at school, and obviousthe school board. Teachers ly here at the high school, I want worried about their jobs, The votes are in to be safe here, my students safe students worried about Munster, East Chicago, Lake here, but I do realize things need their extracurricular activito improve,” Mr. Kalwasinski said. ties, and residents worried Station recently held voting for “Things (like ceiling tiles, lockers, about the future of their their individual referendums and carpets) are falling apart here community. and there.”

“I was wholeheartedly Munster p 23% of eligible voters voted The community agreeing to pay for it,” Mrs. Lynn Eplawy, extra taxes saved programs and on the referendums; passed mother of two STM stuclasses like theater arts that made dents, said. “I couldn’t Stephanie Patterson, senior, find imagine the ramifications Lake Station her place at MHS her freshmen if we didn’t pass it. I was p 18% of eligible voters voted year. anxious as to why people on their referendum; passed “I think the community really would vote against it and cares about our students’ educaI was 100% on board and East Chicago tion and they’re willing to pay for got my neighborhood on p 14% of eligible voters voted on (STM), because it’s very importboard, and my friends.” their referendum; did not pass ant,” Stephanie said.

These worries came to The sense of community suran end May 2, when the source: The Northwest Indiana Times rounding the school is one of the two referendums passed.

May 2, 2017 best parts about Munster, accord“This was a big vote for ing to Mrs. Eplawy. the town and the school,” “I don’t think you can live in Munster and not Mr. Robert Snyder, assistant principal, said over email.

“The school system needed the town’s support to en- be proud of the school system we’ve created,” Mrs. sure that we have a solid foundation moving forward.” Eplawy said.

may 17, 2017

speakout

3

Another hoop to jump column

through

Gavin Hamilton Graphics Editor

cartoon by Gavin Hamilton

PLUGGED IN The metaphorical to do list given to teachers by the state has taken all their emotion out of their teaching and has instead changed them into robots occupied with checking items off of the to do list instead of teaching with emotion and passion.

editorial

System overloaded

Summer is so close, the students can almost taste it. With one week left of school, finals sit on the sidelines of our to-do lists, next to beach days and college plans. Our teachers, however, have a state mandated to-do list that is growing. New evaluation standards, rewriting curricula, focusing on the students while maintaining a distant-enough professionalism: our teachers are not getting a break.

A little over five years ago, signs propped up in yards that read: save our teachers. The town passed a referendum that would go toward ending the six-year pay freeze Teachers Munster teachers had taken OUR are to alleviate budget stress.

TAKE resources Except just because salaries for our school who need to be appreciated both froze, that did not mean any inside and outside of the growth was stunted. classroom Over the next four years, Munster schools soared. The high school racked in award after award for nearly every extracurricular—Science Olympiad, Robotics, Publications, Speech and Debate, and not to mention sports.

Our teachers were the ones rehearsing our speeches with us until perfection. Our teachers were the ones staying late with us to copy edit our articles.

And the ones running laps with us. And the ones who cheer us on to keep us going. Our teachers were the people there for us inside and outside of

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

the classrooms. Not to mention our success on the inside—nearing seventh best high school in the state, according to U.S. News and World Report and this year, becoming the first school in the midwest to become STEM certified.

So when the town was again asked to save our schools, it was easy to think of saving our teachers.

The town agreed and voted to pass the referendums on May 2. But now with this new to-do list, it seems our teachers are once again carrying more with less reward given.

Our success is because of the trust we put into our teachers to lead us, mentor us, push us, and make us into the students we are today. And all of our prestige is because of the teachers we have.

Not the standards that need to be created. Or the policies being reinforced. Or the evaluations that will be revamped. None of this will drastically change the quality of our schools, it will instead deplete and exhaust our teachers.

Think of how exhausting it is to study for that precalc final or the last government test or prepare for summer school. Imagine passing it all with flying colors and being told: this isn’t enough, do better.

How much more are we willing to push our teachers without giving them a break? Maybe appreciating our teachers need to be on top of all of our to-do lists.

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.

As an avid supporter of women’s rights, I feel that the passing of a new bill regarding abortions in Indiana by Governor Eric Holcomb is detrimental to young women’s rights over their bodies. The bill allows a judge to notify a minor’s parents of their abortion, if they are seeking to do so without parental consent. The bill also requires the doctor doing the abortion to send a pregnancy termination report to the state within 30 days of the abortion, unless the teen receiving the abortion is under 16; then the time is cut to three days.

This life-changing decision should not have to be reported to parents. If reported to parents, it allows them to have a say in whether or not the teen keeps the child, a decision they should not have a say in, considering their lives would not be affected as much as the mother’s. If the parents are given a say and are pro-life, they could pressure their daughter out of an abortion.

Although this bill is terrible, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill struck down the requirement for an ultrasound to be administered to women 19 hours before an abortion, which is a good change because, unlike the bill Governor Holcomb passed, it helps to take away a factor in the abortion process which could have easily swayed a scared, pregnant teenager into doing exactly what the state of Indiana wanted: not going through with having an abortion even though it may not be in her best interest.

The Indiana government sees themselves as saving babies by making abortions harder to get for pregnant teens, they are actually causing harm to a teenager’s future by weighing the well-being of an unformed “baby” over that of a teen with hopes and aspirations.

Holcomb describes the decision as “a parental rights issue and responsibility and common sense” which on the surface seems like a logical argument to make. However, it stops being a parental rights issue when parents have a say in whether or not teens should have an abortion because it is not something related to the upbringing of their child, but instead a decision that, no matter what, the teen will have to live with for the rest of her life, something that will affect her beyond just her teen years.

In Indiana, a mostly conservative state, this bill could lead to parents coaxing teens into going through with the pregnancy, instead of teens making their own choices based on their own values and whether they want to have a child. Although the bill is disguised to help a “parental rights issue,” at its core it is just another hoop for scared, pregnant, teens to jump through.

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

The Staff Editor-in-Chief Jordan Szymanski

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

Design Chief Chloe Wineinger

Adviser Ms. Sarah-Anne Lanman

Managing Editor Ian Brundige

4 infocus

may 17, 2017

Summer Plans Students participating in programs, working jobs this summer Joseph Bermudez Copy Editor

Maddy Foreit

Guatemala

Justin Singh

teaching swim lessons

Coming back for his second year in teaching swim lessons, Justin Singh, sophomore, is looking forward to helping the kids again.

“It’s a good summer job to help kids learn how to swim and to help them develop their skills further on so it’s pretty fun,” Justin said. “I’m looking forward to it. It should be a good experience again this year. Overall a good summer job to have and help the kids.”

Entering his second year in teaching the lessons, Justin recalls what drew him to teaching them last year and compares it to what drew him back.

“Last summer, the fact to have a summer job and get some money drew me but I also had a great time last year,” Justin said. “So this year I came back because I liked the kids I worked with and I wanted to do it again.

It’s also a good summer job to have and gain some experience is nice to do and again to earn a little money.”

Nicki Biestek

León, Spain through IU Honors

Apart of the IU Honors program, Nicki Biestek, sophomore, For about two weeks, Maddy Foreit, sophomore, will travel to will go to Leon, Spain this summer and is excited to witness the Guatemala to work with elementary school children and teach culture first hand. In order to understand the culture from their point of view, he will immerse himself in the culture. them English, along with assisting the “I hope over a period of time I’ll become more culconstruction of a school for fifth grad- Packing list Things Maddy Foreit will need turally immersed and understanding of their people ers. though their languages and culture,” Nicki said. “It gives “I’ve been wanting to go on a trip for her trip to Guatemala you a more open view of people and where they come and work with children,” Maddy said.

“I had finally heard about this pro- “I need boots because there’ll be from.”

When she found out she was going to Leon, Nicki gram and I did research and there a lot of hiking and working. It’s were a lot of program types, but I the rainy season there in Guate- was ecstatic and could not wait for the trip.

“I was very excited because it’s a part of Spain I’ve decided that working with children is mala so I’ll be bring a few raincoats and lightweight jackets. never been to and I’m really excited to see what it’s like. what I wanted to do.”

Along with teaching the children, Running shorts. They want you I’ve been to Oviedo, which is also one of the IU Honors Maddy is excited to meet new people bringing pants past your knees cities. I was there approximately three days but I got to when working with the children. see a little bit of the region and it made me really excited who share the same interests as her. to travel there for the whole summer this year,” she said.

“I’ll be making new friends, people Sunglasses and hats.” who are like minded and wanting to teaching swim lessons help which is really nice,” Maddy said. “I’m really looking forward Megan Larson and lifeguarding to working with the kids and having a life changing experience.”

Since her sophomore year, Megan Larson, senior, has taught swim lessons during the summer, and is excited to do it again Priyana Reddy program at Brown University this year.

“There’s this one girl who comes After being accepted to a summer program at Brown and works with me during the lessons University, Priyana Reddy, sophomore, had to enroll in Lifesaving 101 a course. She decided to chose a course about the ag- Things Megan Larson, senior, because she likes the way I teach,” Megan said. “And every time she learns a ing of cells, microbiology and how technology is being will need when lifeguarding new concept or builds off one it’s really improved to reverse the aging effect. cool to see her face and her reaction.

“A lot of people in my family are dentists and I didn’t and teaching lessons want to follow the dentist path, I wanted to be a differ- “For lifeguarding, I’ll have a That’s the most fun I have.”

To go along with her swim lessons ent kind of doctor,” Priyana said. “I also really like help- whistle, a lifeguard rescue tube, job, Megan also looks forward to a lifeing people and I think humanitarian aid is important.” and a pack which includes Spending her summer at Brown University, Priyana is small first aid things like ban- guarding job.

“The lifeguarding job, I would be looking forward to living on campus for daids and CPR masks. For swim “It’s mainly to give you exposure to what a college lessons we’ll have kick boards overseeing the different community events, especially Sundays when we life is like,” Priyana said. “Taking high level courses to and noodles and stuff like that.” have open swims,” Megan said. “And give you a sort of college experience. It’s also a sumthe swim meets over the summer. This mer program to meet people and have fun. There’s a lot of international students going so I’ll met some of them and will be my first time because I’ll be getting my lifeguarding certification at the end of the school year. It’ll be something different make new friends around the world.” and fun so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Additional reporting by Mimi Brody SMILING FACES (top) During swim lessons, Megan Larson, senior, holds up a young swimmer. LAP TIME (left) In the pool, Justin Singh, sophomore, and Kyle Adams, freshman, help young swimmer with his lesson. CPR CERTIFIED Justin Singh, sophomore, practices he compressions on a life like doll in lifesavings class.

photos by Joseph Bellahcen

photo by Kess Vaitkus

SIDE NOTE Saying Goodbye The 2016-2017 school year retirees have all worked in STM for several years Mrs. Donna Cieslak 15 years

Elliott Elementary School teacher Mrs. Karen Demitroulas 25 years director of support services Mrs. Nancy Ellis 19.5 years Frank Hammond Elementary School principal Dr. Phyllis Gilworth 10 years assistant superintendent Mrs. Christine Jeftich 28.5 years WWMS teacher Mrs. Mary Ellen Kaegebein 22.5 years WWMS food service supervisor Mrs. Susan Kearney 16.5 years Elliot Elementary School food service cashier Mrs. Charlene Kuhn 23.5 years MHS student services secretary Mrs. Betty Lukoshus 34.5 years Frank Hammond Elementary School teacher 18 years Mrs. Karen Markovich Frank Hammond Elementary School assistant secretary Mr. Angel Mercado 10 years bus driver 15.5 years Mrs. Anastasia Pantazis Frank Hammond Elementary School food service supervisor 15.5 years Mrs. Patricia Tserbes Frank Hammond Elementary School food service server/cashier Mrs. Judith Vega 29 years Frank Hammond Elementary School teacher.

283

total years of commitment

Corrections In issue 11 of Crier, Danie Oberman should have been recognized for additional reporting on page eight, and page two should indicate that ISSMA was April 22. On page nine, sophomore Maddy Foreit’s name was misspelled.

Also, math teacher Mr. Nicholas Gron’s quote should read, “To me, the White Sox embody the Chicago ethos of hard work, broad shoulders, pride, and concern and care for our community. The White Sox have a great volunteer/ charity organization that goes out and does real work in the community. The Sox work hard with the MLB to bring baseball to kids in neighborhoods that have been left behind in the recent era of high-priced youth sports and travel leagues. Sox fans have a tradition of being on the ‘working’ side of the city, and of being true baseball fans that follow the game and the team - instead of going to a game as a social event. People like to point out the fan attendance numbers between the two teams in the city, but I never understood the logic – how does that make one team or organization better than the other? Maybe Sox fans can’t go to as many games because we are too busy working hard to build a better city, but trust me, we’re following the games.” Finally, on page 12, the names of Alyssa Nahnsen, freshman; Danny Zuccarelli, senior; and Mr. Jordan Mayer, English teacher, were misspelled. Crier regrets these errors.

may 17, 2017

Permanent

ink, temporary stigma

Students, tattoo artist discuss the stigma around tattoos

“I mean, we were the rebels,” Mr. Truett said. “We were highly discriminated against in my younger days. It was taboo, people looked down on it. Now She remembers petting Roy Boy Cooper’s tigers at everybody and there brother has got a tattoo. It his tattoo shop, Bandlands, and seeing velvet ropes wasn’t a fad, it developed then it cultured and now throughout the shop. While those memories may its a part of everyday life, you know.”

While for now the group only researches tattoos, eventually fade, the ink on junior Olivia Truett’s arm is permanent. She grew up surrounded by tattoo cul- they speculate on the possibility of getting one.

Saveda: “If I were to get a tattoo, I’d want get one ture with a personal look into the history of tattoos in of the ohm sign—it’s a symbol in Hinduism. It’s kind Northwest Indiana.

“My dad is a tattoo artist, he invented glycerin of like ‘peace.’ It’s kind of what you say when all the based inks and him and Roy Boy Cooper opened prayers are over.”

Isabel: “Honestly, I don’t have a tattoo (idea) that one of the first tattoo shops in the area,” Olivia said.

Olivia’s dad, Mr. William “Wild Bill” Truett, grew would be really symbolic, I kind of just want a flower up with Roy Boy, an iconic tattoo artist native to Gary. in a low-key spot.”

Kyra: “I would probably get a sister tattoo with my “I have been a tattoo artist for many years, one of two sisters.” the first in the area. (I first got into This permanent choice does have tattoos) in the 90s,” Mr. Truett Ink through the ages limitations; in fact, tattoos for minors said. “I was pretty much steeped Olivia Truett, junior, are illegal without parental consent. in knowledge. Before I started do- comments on the “I understand there are age restricing them, I was around (them) all beginning of tattoo history tions and there should be because the time,” in America In the AP Language and Com- “In America (tattoos) started people shouldn’t be able to make these permanent choices without the position, modern tattoo culture as a Navy thing. When guys help of a parent,” Olivia said. “I think has caught the attention of Savein the Navy would come that you should be incredibly set on da Majety, Isabel Nieves and Kyra Marriott, a group of senior stu- back to the dock they would the tattoo you want to get because I dents working on a documentary get these tattoos and it’d be know so many people that regret the light houses and sparrows tattoos they have.” project.

Regardless of the law, the number They decided the topic based and ships and that’s just of teenagers and millennials with taton the relevance of tattoos in to- awesome.” toos is increasing. The same Harris poll day’s society. In fact, a Harris Poll found that one in five American adults have a tattoo. study found that nearly 43 percent of millennials (18 The group found a personal interest in social stigma 29 year-olds) have one or more tattoos.

“Honestly, I think that the negative connotation surrounding this trend.

“We wanted to choose something that was unique against tattoos and the stigma is definitely going to and interesting that hit on a key social issue that is rel- lesson in the future and people are going to become evant to today, that we would enjoy making, which more accepting of it,” Isabel said. “Because again like the statistic stated a lot more of the emerging workwe have,” Kyra said.

Although the group’s assignment was only to force and these younger generations, they’re probamake a 20-minute long informative documentary on bly going to have a tattoo, get more than one tattoo. a topic of their choice, throughout the process, they So people are going to have be, like professionals, were able to learn about themselves that their per- are going to have to be a little more accepting of that and change the way they view it since a lot of people sonal negative feelings towards tattoos.

“For me (the underlying stigma) was definitely are going to have (tattoos).”

Baring a sun tattoo on her arm proudly, Olivia has (from) my parents because my parents are very anti tattoos and piercings and anything like that,” Saveda heard a number of comments: ‘Why would you do said. “My mom is like, ‘One thing will lead to other. this to your body? Your body’s a temple and you’re not supposed to screw it up.’

You’re never getting one of those.’”

Her response is always simple and direct.

However, negativity does not always come from “It’s my body,” Olivia said. “It’s my choice. It has just parental figures. For many, tattoos are looked nothing to do with you. It doesn’t affect you.” down upon as rebellious and taboo.

infocus

Pen it in

5

Students, faculty discuss the reasoning behind their tattoos

Ian Brundige Managing Editor

First tattoo was a swallow on back of her neck for her seventeenth birthday.

tattoos

3

Swallow | Back of neck Peony | Shoulder Flower | Side “Traditionally throughout history sailors would get two swallow tattoos one before they started a long dangerous ship journey and then one when they came back. So, as my first tattoo and sort of me entering my own life and finding out what I want to do I thought it would be a good first tattoo.

And then I want that tattoo to be my last.” —Lexi Chipules, senior

10

tattoos

most of his tattoos are Irish or patriotic

“I have basically the same tattoo on both my arms. One’s a shamrock with a breast cancer ribbon, one’s a shamrock with a leukemia ribbon and they’re just for two of my family members (who) had leukemia and breast cancer. They’re fine now. I’m all about symmetry so, I figure since they are now symmetrical now no one else in my family is going to get sick because (my tattoos) are now symmetrical.”

—Micheal Dempsey, study hall supervisor

First tattoo was the outline of a sun that her dad did on her.

“I got a tattoo of the outline of the sun on my shoulder because that was my dad’s first tattoo. I got it in the same (place) and everything and I didn’t get it colored in because his isn’t colored in. My uncle did that tattoo on him because they had just opened a shop together and they felt they needed tattoos to be tattoo artists. And my dad did this on me because he wanted me to be a real tattoo artist.” —Olivia Truett, junior photos by Weronika Bilek

6

sports

may 17, 2017

Right side of the track Boys’, Girls’ track progress into postseason; discuss sectional competitions Josh Kim Page Editor

Gavin Hamilton Graphics Editor

Girls’ track and field

progress in the following years, according to Coach Richard Sluder, social studies teacher.

“Well, for us we always look at younger kids, it’s a constant learning experience and our seniors bring them along so it’s kind of one group comes out one group comes in,” Coach Sluder said. “We really rely on our seniors to kind of train those younger kids and what we expect and what it takes to be good and that sets us up to keep getting better all year. Then it keeps us kind of getting better from 2017, to 2018, to 2019, that constant progression down the road.”

After an undefeated season, Girls’ Track and Field headed to Sectionals last night at Highland. The team won Sectionals with over 160 points, with the second place team just above 100, according to Melanie Mooney, senior.

“It went pretty well overall. Know Your Opponent Boys’ track and field We won, so that was a good team accomplishment,” Mooney Boys’ and Girls’ Track discuss Every year two athletes in each event said. “We sent a lot of people competition in postseason and one relay race from Boys’ Track go to Regionals, which was pretty to compete at Sectionals. It’s what they “(Lake Central) is always a exciting too.” do ever year. So what’s so important good competition but I feel like we can After their success at Section- take them.” -Corin Erwin, senior about this year? They’ve won the past als, the team will head to the two years and are looking for a threeregional competition which is peat. happening next Tuesday in Ches- “Highland has a few good runners “(The team) used to win it and they and field guys, but we’re confident that want to win. Winning doesn’t come auterton.

“There’s some really good we’ll come out on top in the end of the tomatically. It’s not like we accidentally meet”- Nick Dorai, sophomore competition in Regionals, but I won,” Coach Johnathan Stamper, elethink we have a good shot at permentary PE teacher, said. “We won on forming really well,” Corin Erwin, senior, said. “As long purpose because we worked, we earned it. So we have as everyone focuses and wins their races then I think to earn it every year.” we have a good shot.”

Being back-to-back champions puts pressure to the Although this year’s track season will soon be over, team, but Michael Jonelis, senior, has confidence that due to the seniors’ leadership this year, the team will he and his teammates can do well.

“It’s all the pressure you put on yourself because you just have to go out and run,” Jonelis said. “And if you make something more of it, that’s putting pressure

photo by Melana Djuraskovic

PASS OFF At the track, Rashaun Flanagan-Seels, junior, and Michael Jonelis, senior, practice four-by-one exchanges. “Practice is a lot of hard work but my friends and couches help me push through it,” Flanagan-Seels said. “I feel like we have lots of talent, and we’ll end the season off strong.”

on yourself. To me it’s all the same, I’ve been doing it for four years, It’s just another a race.”

Having a strong mentality is important during a meet, but a strong team bond also helps athletes during their track events.

“I think that it (team bond) actually really has helped us because when you see someone else doing really good you’re going to want to do good as well,” Nick Szala, junior, said. “It just inspires you to be the best you can be when you see someone work hard, even if they’re not a varsity athlete just seeing them work hard makes you want to work hard.”

Now as Boys’ Track is heading to Sectionals, Jonelis is more excited than nervous for the upcoming meet.

“I’m really excited for it, the last three years I’ve been right on the edge of being on the Sectionals team, or I have been an alternate and having to run,” Jonelis said.

“So now I’m running and competing, I feel like it’s my time, it’s my turn to do something.”

Warm up As the season comes to a close, Girls’ Track warms up for postseason practice. “(During post season) the team should be very strong,” Maddy Lakomek, sophomore, (second from right) said. “We have a lot of good talent and hope to get far.” photo by Melana Djuraskovic

may 17, 2017

sports

7

Taking the advantage Girls’ Tennis begins Sectional tournament with bye first round, plays second round tomorrow we are very confident going into (the post-season). We are also confident in Regionals. Hopefully, Semi-State will As of tomorrow, Girls’ Tennis will em- go good and we will get a chance at bark on their own odyssey to get back to State.”

Semi-State like the previous season. But The team relies on the skill of seatheir journey will have to wait until the soned players and rookies alike, having second round of Secfreshman in key positionals, tomorrow, as Getting around the wind tions such number one they achieved a bye for Karolina Sroka, sophomore, singles and number two the first round. doubles. explains how to play the “I think it’s good “(The freshman) will ball when it is windy that we have this bye,” do fine in Sectionals,” Maria Delis, freshman, Sroka said. “In the besaid. “We can use it to ginning of the season , get to know our oppo- “If the wind is against me, I can they had to gain expenents for the second hit a little harder, but I need to rience and know the round a little bit bet- make sure it’s not too short and Munster Varsity Tennis ter. We’re going to get flies into the net.” feel, and so I think they good practice and treat have gotten used to it it as another practice know and will do good. day before round two.

(To them), I would say, It’ll help us prepare, but “If the wind is with me, I can’t don’t get frustrated and I think no matter who really lob anything over so I do your best.” we play we’ll be ready.” need to put a lot of topspin on Hazel Wolf, freshWhile they predict it. You need to brush up on the man, one the members the bye of the first ball instead of hitting it straight of the rookie doubles on. The stroke is low to high.” round will help them team, is excited to play sail smoothly though in her first sectional Sectionals, they are match. anticipating tough competition farther “I am excited but also I think I am lucky down the road. enough to play in the first place,” Wolf “We have won like, 40 sectionals in a said. “I just hope that we feel strong comrow, so we are very confident in getting ing in and I hope that we win and go far this win,” Karolina Sroka, sophomore, but I don’t know how it will go because it said. “We already won Conference, so is my first time.”

Mimi Brody Page Editor

photos by HR Imaging

EYES ON THE PRIZE (top) In the meet against Crown Point, Monica Fronczek, sophomore, rallies the ball during a match. CENTRAL FOCUS (left) During warm ups against Crown Point, Maeve Riley, junior, returns the ball. “We as a team have a cheer,” Riley said. “It’s called ‘beat ‘em, bust ‘em’ and it really just gets us all hyped to play the match.” EYE ON THE BALL (right) Karolina Sroka, sophomore, prepares to rally the ball.

The h me stretch Baseball plays Bellmont Invite Saturday; Softball travels to Boone Grove today

Baseball Gavin Hamilton Graphics Editor Two games to go until a crucial part of the season begins: the postseason.

Baseball will play the Bellmont Invitational games against Bellmont and Fort Wayne Concordia this Saturday. These games give them one last chance to face stiff competition before Sectionals begin next week, according to Coach Robert Shinkan, math teacher.

“Its definitely a long drive to get out there, but it’s definitely worth it,” Mike Madura, senior, said.

“There’s some good competition out there and it’s the week before Sectionals so we really have to get those games in and get ready for Sectionals.”

In their regular season, the team has been playing well, which Coach Shinkan attributes to their attitudes while playing.

“We have a team of players that play until the last out,” Coach Shinkan said. “There’s been a lot of times that we’ve been behind in a ball game late, but we have that attitude that photo by Kess Vaitkus we know that we can come back and STEP FORWARD During the 5-7 loss to Andrean, we’ve been doing that. Our motto is Mike Madura, senior, begins his swing as he play the full 21 outs and we have been awaits the pitch that has been thrown to him. adhering to it.”

Softball Joseph Bermudez Copy Editor With Softball playing a “pretty tough schedule” this season, Coach Beth Thornburg, math teacher, believes Boone Grove will be another opportunity to be well prepared for the post-season “We’ve played a number of good teams and we’ve played them consecutively,” Coach Thornburg said. “I believe we are as prepared as possible (for Sectionals).”

Beyond Boone Grove, the team is excited to play against the strong competition the Sectional tournament will bring, according to Coach Thornburg.

“We look at it as an opportunity to do something special,” Coach Thornburg said. “We play the three best teams and we’ll have to play really well to advance.”

Because of her thumb injury, Sara Mavity, junior, has been sidelined. Despite this, she is comfortable in the new role she has taken.

“I’ve taken the role of helping my teammates by acting as sort of another coach,” Mavity said.

“At first I felt like I let my team down, I tried to play through it but I couldn’t. I’ve gotten used to this role, but I can’t wait until I can play again.”

photo by Elizabeth Fonseca

HEAD IN THE GAME Before the 6-2 win against Lowell, Meagan Thornburg, junior, warm ups up with the infield. “Throwing around the bases before the game is the most essential part of our warm ups,” Thornburg said. “It gets everyone involved and gets us pumped. It’s pretty fast moving, if you’ve ever saw us warm up.”

8

student life

may 17, 2017

Mental health awareness, consideration conflicts with demand of school year. Preparing for AP testing left her groggy, cranky, and anxious. The sleep paradox, feeling exhausted but too anxious to sleep, makes it hard for Natalia to ever take a break.

Anxiety (panic) attack sweating|fidgeting|hot and cold flashes|shaking

“Anything over a five is an anxiety attack. So if I have a six, I get very nervous. It’s like the moment before you have to do something that’s scary, it’s like that but minutes of it.”

-Ruth

Jordan Szymanski Editor-in-Chief

A

t 2 a.m., an iPhone rings. Not once. Not Twice.

But three times. Olivia Foley, junior, groggily unlocks

her phone to tell her friends: “Thanks. I’m up.”

This is no odd exchange for Olivia, who has made a pact with her friends in order to survive junior year. If anyone in the group is up late studying and needs a quick power nap, the others will text and call them to wake them up-—sometimes multiple times a night.

While pressures to perform at higher and higher calibers mount for high school students, mental health may be taking a back seat.

“School does make me anxious,” Olivia said. “It’s a lot of classes and colleges are going to be looking at everything, including extracurriculars, so everything is kind of important.”

Another form of anxiety Follow Ruth Kurowski, senior, who has been medically diagnosed with anxiety, through her explanation of a panic attack. She labels the intensity with a number scale Constant “normal” anxiety

“With generalized anxiety disorder, I’m at a two, at any given time. Always.” -Ruth The weeks before AP testing were difficult for Olivia, one week, she found herself getting one hour of sleep a night for three nights in a row.

“On those days, I go to school. Then after school I go to track practice until like 5:30 p.m., and then I go home for an hour—I basically just eat and change,” Olivia said. “And then I go to soccer practice. I probably get home around 9 p.m., and then I eat and shower. Then I do homework. If I do get that hour of sleep, it’s normally in the middle of the night. Like 2 to 3 a.m., and then I wake up to do more homework until school starts.”

Natalia Salazar, junior, also experiences the stress of junior

“I’m upset and get more irritated and annoyed,” Natalia said. “I have a low tolerance, I yell at people. And I don’t think as well—I can feel myself getting tired. Like that happened during one of my AP tests, I was crashing. (the stress) messes up so many other things.”

With her exams over, Natalia truly sees the effects high levels of stress have on her.

“You don’t realize how bad it is until it’s gone, you’re like ‘Oh my god.’ But once it’s over, you’re like: ‘Life is great, I can breathe.’

Because before it’s just so much anxiety. It’s always there, just poking at you whenever.”

Despite the stress of junior year, some seniors, like Brendan Ristenpart, find solace in remaining calm and collected under pressure.

Full scale meltdown crying|zero focus

BACK TALK What gives you anxiety?

“Knowing I’m going “Not knowing the tone someone has to receive big when texting.” news, but I don’t know how it’s going to end out. If it’s positive news or negative news.”

Layna Kounelis, freshman

“Definitely final exams because it (they) could be what could make or break my grade, and I want to look good for colleges.”

Cali Grzybowski, sophomore

Israel Melendez, freshman

“Probably being put under pressure for presentations because I get a really red face through everything, so I just get nervous.”

Kara Bryant, sophomore

“When I have an 89 at the end of the (semester)…right before the final! Or a 90! That makes me anxious!”

“Homework makes me anxious because I hate failing at life.”

Jaycee Helmer, junior

Logan Hoskins, junior

“Probably how fast things go when you are a senior getting ready for college. I don’t know just like time moving pretty fast makes you anxious because you want things to slow down and appreciate what you have right now.”

“The future makes me anxious because you don’t know what the outcome is and you don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

“If I am at nine or 10, then it’s very disorientating. It’s like if you’ve ever gotten out of anesthesia, it’s like that. You can’t make sense of what’s going on and your mind is in constant state of chaos.”-Ruth “I know that as long as I put forth effort, I’ll be okay,” Brendan said. “I don’t need to stress about it. (If I feel stressed), I’ll stop what I’m doing and do something I find enjoyable. Like take a nap, play video games, drive around. I’ll go grab food with friends—I’ll do something else that’s not work. Cause then I can come back and I got everything out of my system, I can come do whatever I have to do and I don’t have to worry about it.

With avenues to relieve stress, it seems the demand of school can sometimes be self-inflicted.

“I think some kids do it to themselves,” Brendan said. “They take too many hard classes and things they are not interested in so it becomes work—I think that’s what causes a lot of the stress.

Others find the institution to blame for high pressures.

“I think the school system puts too much pressure on the school and academics and as you get older, it’s not just focusing on grades, extracurriculars become important,” Olivia said. “ So now, that’s not even a stress reliever because you have to be in all of these clubs. Also myself, I definitely over schedule myself.’

In order to cope with stress and anxiety, students must put situations into perspective for themselves.

“But in reality the grades and school things aren’t that important—obviously, they’re important but not as much as we put pressure on them,” Olivia said. “But then you hear stories of people who are super smart who don’t get into the college they want, so everyone gets scared. But I don’t think I’ve ever had somewhere in the back of my mind, I always know I’m going to be fine—that I’ll get through it.”

Jesis Ghimire, senior

“All these people who talk about ‘The Walking Dead’ and I don’t watch ‘The Walking Dead,’ so it makes me anxious.”

Mr. Morgan Nolan, assistant principal

Priscilla Carvajal, senior

“I guess just in general the future because of my two young children.”

Mr. Jason McCauley, social studies teacher