MILL STREAM
11.01.21
NHS students share how they handle high-pressure situations... PAGE 10
Table of Contents
opinions 04 // features 18 // focus 10 // sports 20 // lifestyles 22
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THANK YOU TO THE NSEF FOR THEiR SUPPORT!
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PAJAMA PARTY
Students wearing pajamas to school is becoming more common
ABOVE AND BEYOND NHS students share how they handle high-pressure situations
MAGIC ON BRASS
Follow talented NHS trumpet player Levi Rozek on his journey to becoming a nationally recognized performer
A PATTERN OF SUCCESS Senior soccer stars stay winning
PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE Local fall activities for you
OUR STAFF editor-in-chief lauren patrick managing editors kaita gorsuch, bergan zebrauskas features editors ravneet kaur, avery lowry opinions editor analyce craft, parker mutter sports editor gabriel fryling lifestyles editor kendell simpson design editor kate draine photo editor kylee white social media manager hailey durm business managers parker mutter, nina scroggin staff writers addison bussell, maria celis, anna guinn, caitlin hall, andie harmon, maggie hoppel, olivia jackson, brenzlee johnson, heather mcquinn, ian pigors, mckenzie vitale, thomas whalen adviser joe akers
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
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olleges, parents, and schools have high expectations for students. They expect perfection in all fields: academics, sports, extracurriculars, and more. Colleges put you up against others and then pick you apart, comparing every aspect of your life to others to determine your worth. Parents compare you to your siblings and their friends’ kids. Schools monitor your GPA and grades to determine your class ranking. Everything is a competition for students these days, and the stress can be exhausting. We are constantly striving to be the best in everything, trying to be perfect in order to live up to these high expectations. But nobody is perfect. We only have so many hours in the day to perfect our lives, but it’s not sustainable to be the best in all things, as there is always a trade-off. Students have to make so many sacrifices in so many aspects of their lives that other important areas end up paying the price. If we want to be good at sports, we have to give up study time to practice. If we want a good transcript, we must take harder classes and leave practice early to study. On top of this, we have our clubs, friends, and family to worry about. We want to live our lives while we are still together with our friends, before we have to be adults and take care of ourselves. Being in high school is supposed to be an experience straight out of the movies. But “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” were not as accurate
as we hoped. Instead of romance and adventure, we are stuck pulling our hair out over a math test, and staying up till 2 a.m. to complete homework after practice or rehearsal. As we strive to live up to these expectations placed on us, we are forced to grow up much earlier than we want. This is the age we are supposed to be discovering ourselves as people and who we want to be, having fun and making lasting memories. We are so focused on our success, we aren’t getting the chance to learn and grow as a person. We have to make adult decisions before we are ready, and don’t get the time to learn from our childish mistakes. The pressure placed on us is forcing us to grow up early. Students’ mental health is heavily impacted by these expectations. It can’t be good for anybody to try to do everything at once. After a while, it starts to weigh you down. The sports and classes you once loved begin to feel like a burden as burnout settles in. We get frustrated, overwhelmed and exhausted like everyone else, but it seems like we don’t have time to recover or rest. We’re constantly juggling everything at once, and we don’t have the energy to add some time to take care of ourselves, leading to breakdowns, panic, and more stress than any of us know what to do with. We just want to have fun and be kids while we still can, and want others to understand that we simply can’t be perfect. Expecting too much is making everything worse.
The Mill Stream is published by journalism students and distributed free of charge. The staff will publish seven issues during the 2021-2022 school year. The Mill Stream is a student newspaper, for students by students. We provide a public forum to serve as an outlet for student ideas and opinions; we work as an agent for change and provide credible, objective reporting to inform, entertain, and better serve the reader. We welcome both signed letters to the editor and guest columns, which cannot exceed 350 words in length. The Mill Stream reserves the right to correct grammatical errors and ask for the author’s assistance in editing. The Mill Stream will not print letters that attack individuals or that contain obscene language. Letters may be submitted to room 3016 or via millermedianow.org. The staff reserves the right to reject advertisements that are political in nature, false, promote illegal substances to minors, misleading, harmful or not in the best interest of its readers. The Mill Stream is a member of the Indiana High School Press Association and Quill and Scroll.
MILL STREAM
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PAJAMA PARTY The latest trend to hit NHS: pajamas Avery Lowry//averylowry99@gmail.com
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so, if you choose to wear pajamas, that is perfectly fine because your style is yours — you are the one who decides if something expresses you effectively. But be aware that if you choose to wear pajamas that could be deemed inappropriate for a school setting, it is possible that outside perceptions of you may differ, for people typically associate wearing pajamas in social settings with lethargy. With this being said, it should be known that there are limits to the way in which you express yourself within a school setting. Revamping clothing into something that better allows you to express your individuality is both valid and inspiring, but the moment you wear those far-too-short pajama shorts from middle school, that is no longer an appropriate form of self-expression. There are limits, especially in an institution designed for learning; wearing outgrown or over-revealing clothes is simply not ideal for a school setting. As young adults, it is important to have the opportunity to properly express ourselves through fashion, but we must also recognize that school may not always be the appropriate place to do so.
Illustrations by A. Lowry
n a world where there are bigger issues than what clothes you wear — in case you’ve forgotten, we are still in the midst of a worldwide pandemic — who cares if you wear the hole-ridden, now far-too-short red pajama shorts your grandmother gifted to you four Christmases ago? Well, we do. Look, we get it: you’re tired. This year has been nothing short of exhausting; most days I even find myself waking up and putting on the first outfit that I lay my eyes upon with a shrug of my shoulders, as I’m sure many other students do. By no means is school meant to be a fashion show, but it is also — most importantly — not the appropriate place for us as students to wear whatever we want. School is a place of socialization, but more than that, it is a place of learning, and therefore we must dress accordingly and in a way that is suitable for such an environment. Fashion is undoubtedly a form of self-expression, and everyone should explore their own style and how it aligns with how they carry themselves. And yes, sporting your favorite pair of pajamas — whether that be a simple pair of plaid pajama pants or a silk pajama dress — is a form of self-expression. However, there is a very fine line between wearing pajamas as a form of selfexpression and wearing them inappropriately. After nearly three years of abnormality, it is only natural that many have lost the motivation to do anything — let alone something like dressing to the absolute nines in a place of learning. As a lack of motivation becomes more prevalent among students around the world, students wearing pajamas, too, has become more widespread — whether that be reinventing a nightwear piece into something entirely new or simply wearing your favorite pair of pajama pants with a t-shirt. With apps such as TikTok that encourage self-expression and finding how you fit into the world rising in popularity, there has been an increase in more “unconventional” aesthetics and forms of self-expression. The creativity some people incorporate into altering traditional nightwear into a new, modern look is just one example that has not gone unnoticed at NHS. While walking the halls, it is common to see girls wearing nighttime-esque silk dresses over a turtleneck or perhaps even a silk pajama top paired with jeans. Although many have opted to revitalize their nighttime wear into something completely new and original, some have taken a different approach and decided to simply just wear their nightwear. Just as with restyling typical nightwear into new pieces, there is nothing inherently wrong with this; fashion caters to you, and
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AMXS Corperation
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Members of this year’s musical recount the importance of being able to perform this year Analyce Craft//analyce6104@gmail.com Heather McQuin//heathermcquinn31@gmail.com
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t’s a dark auditorium, the air full of anticipation. The curtain rises, the lights come up, but the stage is barren. No performers, no show, only the shell of what could be there, the whisper of a purpose, of a dream. Amidst a COVID-ridden school year, many extracurricular groups at NHS were canceled due to safety concerns, leaving the student members of these activities with gaping holes in their high school lives. But as the curtain rises on a new, fuller year, new life is breathed into the school, especially the auditorium as the teenage actors return to the stage. For those immersed in the world of NHS’s theater, the cancelation of the school’s musical last spring marked a serious loss for the school year. “It honestly crushed me,” senior Lauren Rohn, who plays Sharpay Evans in this year’s production of “High School Musical,” said. “We were going to do ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and that sounded really fun, [it] would’ve been a great way to get back into the community and start fostering new friendships. When [that] opportunity gets taken away from you, it sort of crushes your spirit a little.” Rohn isn’t the only member of the school’s theater that felt their spirit diminish from the cancelation. For her and other enthusiasts that have been doing theater for large portions of their lives, the inability to perform left something missing. “Performing has been my entire life, that’s what I love to do and I usually go from doing the fall musical to the spring play and then I usually do a show over the summer, so I’m usually always busy,” junior Maddux Morrison, who plays Troy Bolton, said. “Having nothing to do performance wise was just so weird, so getting back into it now has been a lot of fun.” Getting back into the classroom hasn’t erased all of the problems that arose from COVID, though. It’s been difficult for just about everyone to adjust to being back in action. “I think that it was really difficult and I wouldn’t say that they forgot that we had a musical, but I think that whenever you find a void, people find other things to fill it in with,” the director of the pro11.1.21
duction, John Neubauer said. “So, I wouldn’t say that interest is lower, but I do think that some people just said ‘Eh, maybe they’re just gonna cancel it again, I’ll find something else to do.’” Having the musical this year has raised a few questions among participants, mainly about safety. With the pandemic still happening, the theater organizers have had to continue with safety precautions. “This is way better because we’re here, even if we’re wearing masks, but last year with the hybrid [schedule], the bell would ring at 3:30 and it felt like a ghost town. In five minutes, there was not even anybody in the building,” Neubauer said. The ability to perform brings strong emotions for the student actors. The excitement of being back on the stage, in addition to the nostalgic choice of show, brings an important impact on the actors and the audience alike. “I appreciate the approach that the director’s taking in finding the deeper meaning. ‘High School Musical’ on the surface is [just] Troy Bolton and Zac Efron and all that fun stuff,” senior Anna Schlueter, who plays Gabriella Montez, said. “But if you look into this story it’s all about stereotypes and how everyone thinks they’re on this set path in high school that they have to follow and people freak out when anyone goes against a certain standard because it’s different.” The performers say the musical brings many important lessons to the surface, and in a story centered around high schoolers and their struggles, it’s hard for some students not to relate their current struggles to that of which is stressed in the musical. “Change is scary, I get that, but ‘High School Musical’ is showing that when people are faced with change it’s that whole aspect of that internal battle of ‘What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to react? Where am I supposed to fit into this?’” Schlueter said. “It’s also this acceptance of who you truly are and staying true to your character and not letting anyone define who you are.” The lessons extend behind the stage too. Despite the stress of getting ready for such a big show, it’s difficult not to see the improvement that’s bred
have normalcy back.”
Anna Schlueter and Maddux Morrison work on refining their performance. The cast and crew are working to create a musical worth remembering for their first show since the pandemic. Actors Maddux Morrison (Troy Bolton) and Anna Schlueter (Gabriella Montez) rehearse for the upcoming school musical. Both Morrison and Schlueter have taken the spotlight after years of performing on the stage
Photo by O. Jackson
amidst such a work-heavy environment. “When you get to the end of the show and you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, that was a lot of work,’ but it was worth it because people had fun, people learned a lot, we saw people go from being maybe C-level to being incredible, witnessing people transform from high school kids to great performers,” said Neubauer. Being back in action means there’s plenty of change to be had for actors new and old, and even more, it means that students are able to get back a piece of themselves that was taken in the pandemic. “Music will always have my heart and just being able to be on stage and tell the story of high schoolers in a way that everyone overlooks. High schoolers are very overlooked in the sense that we’re dramatic or very stereotyped, and so this show allows for a lot of kids to be able to relate in ways they didn’t recognize before,” Schlueter said. “Just being able to be with people after a year of very limited interactions and very little music, it’s nice to
MILL STREAM 7
Searching for Workers
NHS students are having to pick up the slack
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Gabe Fryling//gabegoblue@icloud.com Maria celis//celismariavalentina@gmail.com
he coffee shop on the square is closed. Your meal at Panera takes 20 minutes instead of five. Menu items crossed out. Fast food restaurants closing at 7:00 instead of 11:00. “Now Hiring” signs everywhere, from pizza places to grocery stores. This is the new normal. COVID-19 changed the world more than anyone could imagine, but the vast workplace and employee shortages were unexpected. From coast to coast, consumers face a nationwide employee shortage with almost every business hiring. This shortage has caused those who are still working to pick up the slack, forcing them to be on the job for longer hours. This goes for students here at NHS, faced with employment that is much longer and much tougher than pre-COVID. “I really used to love working, I was able to personally connect with residents and coworkers there, but the staff has changed a lot in the past two years,” junior Alanna Riley said, who works at Northridge retirement home. “I only work most weekends, but my shifts can be eight to ten hours long.” It’s been tough almost everywhere according to employers, with workers moving in and out of jobs, trying to find one that is enjoyable and fits their needs. This employee shortage has caused many workers to think about whether they want to stay in their current positions. “I only work on weekends, but it’s exhausting. About six hours in, all I want to do is go home,” Riley said. “I actually have been trying to quit, but since we’re so short on staff, I keep getting raises and bonuses, and that’s really the only reason why I still work there.” Many managers have had to resort to increasing pay to keep people like Riley. These managers have also had to make tough decisions and sometimes resort to implementing hour requirements to make sure they are staffed
at all times. “I would like to work less and have more time with my friends, but they require us to work a minimum of four days a week. I’m also a leader, so I end up working more hours,” junior Leyna Yost said, who works in fast food here in Noblesville. Working so much is common these days for most high schoolers with jobs, but balancing work, school and other activities can be difficult. “I like my job, but working a full week, four nights is tough when I’m taking harder classes this year for school,” junior Amanda Sochocki said, who also works in fast food in Noblesville. . “I’m asked to pick up shifts, but I never feel obligated to. Sometimes I stay late though, but that’s also my choice.” This is the case for many high school workers, staying late or coming in early to help places that are short staffed. Workers are often asked to do more than they would’ve pre-COVID. This can range from social distancing to an entire job experience changing. “At one point we couldn’t even serve food in the dining room. We had to deliver meals to each resident,” Riley said. “Since the older people I work with are higher risk, we have taken COVID very seriously. Now we just continue to clean well and wear masks.” Many employers like Riley’s are taking necessary precautions to keep their staff and customers safe. Businesses are staying cautious, sanitizing and cleaning tables, social distancing and wearing masks. “If you think before [COVID], if someone had a cold or slight fever, sometimes we would tell them it’s ok to work, but now if they have a 100-degree fever, it’s an absolute ‘No’ or [if they] feel slightly under the weather, we don’t want them at the store,” said Josh King, the general manager at Crew Carwash in Noblesville.
A “Now Hiring” sign is placed in Marco’s pizza front window. These signs are often found in the front of many stores in Noblesville.
11.1.21
Photos By M. Celis
Freshman Ava Diamante hands a pizza to a customer. She is one of the many working NHS students.
But despite all of this, businesses are still working to create a good environment for their employees. This can be tough, but for Jessica Page, a manager at Marco’s Pizza, she is working to create the best work experience possible for her employees. “[We want to] create a fun positive environment and start to raise wages,” Page said. Increasing employee pay and adding more benefits are some of the other things businesses are adding to encourage people to work. There are also many benefits in the long run for having a job, says King. “One, to learn how to balance a work and school life, especially if you have sports. And learning how to balance all of that together is not just a part of high school, that’ll carry on into college and throughout your life,” King said. King says the lessons taught by having a job in high school can be useful in every aspect of a student’s life, from learning how to deal with money as a cashier to picking up customer service tips as a waiter. Having a job can also help you learn more
about yourself and your future, King says. “Being able to find what type of job you like will also help what you’ll want to do later in life,” King said. “For any kid, it’s a great learning experience to get out in the world.” Some NHS students have found that jobs can help build relationships with coworkers. These coworkers can become good friends that are seen multiple times a week. “I would tell [people without jobs] that working is fun, and it’s a great opportunity to meet new people as well as to get experience for future jobs,” junior Cody Bozell said. Bozell is not the only one to encourage those who don’t have a job to get one. Riley believes it’s a great opportunity to learn about the real world while making some money. “Now is a great time to get a job, everywhere is hiring and paying well too. Having a job sometime during high school is super important,” said Riley. “I have learned so much from having a couple different jobs, and it can be fun especially if you make friends wherever you work.”
MILL STREAM 9
ABOVE AND BEYOND
NHS students share how they handle high-pressure situations
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Addison Bussell//addi.buss@gmail.com Ravneet Kaur//ravneetkaur20233@gmail.com Nina Scroggin//nmscroggin@gmail.com Kendell Simpson//simpsonkl06@gmail.com
ver the summer, high-profile celebrities like Britney Spears and Simone Biles spoke out about being forced into the spotlight. Public and personal pressure caused a deterioration in the stars’ mental health, leading to Spears very publicly shaving her hair off in 2007 and Biles dropping out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Noblesville High School has a variety of students who also find themselves in high-pressure situations, pushed to excel in different areas such as performing arts, academics, sports, and more. What have their experiences been like? How do they stay calm amidst the storm?
MAKING THE GRADE
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P. SAT. ACT. GPA. These letters define a student’s high school years. Alone, maybe they seem insignificant. Accumulated, they can create one’s future. The stress to do well in academics, so that the vision’s for one’s life can be achieved, may occupy the thoughts of most high school students. Some may decide to do it all, maybe even too much, in order to see those A’s in the grade book. Others may let the stress take hold, and fall short of their goals. High-achieving students often fit the former description rather than the latter, but the reasons and perspectives behind doing so can vary. Senior Tyler Nguyen is currently in five AP classes and has a GPA of a whopping 4.51. Though Nguyen may seem like the pinnacle of all high-achievers, he defines this term a bit differently. “High achievers want to be the best at their discipline or achieve a better understanding while low achievers are fine with just being good,” Nguyen said. Nguyen agrees that he fits the bill of being highachieving in some aspects of his life. He credits this title to his thorough and strict study regimen. “Some techniques that have helped me do well in classes are doing assignments and homework for comprehension rather than rushing through them for completion,” Nguyen said. Junior Cooper Conrad seems to agree that digging deeper into the classes’ content leads to better understanding. He considers using the resources available to students of the utmost importance. “A lot of times I try to find a YouTube video with a tutorial if I’m struggling a bit,” Conrad said. Though it can be difficult for some, Conrad believes the power of asking for help should never be underestimated. “It sounds stupid, but there really aren’t dumb questions, you just need clarification,” Conrad said. And even when those hard concepts don’t click and those A’s can’t be reached, Conrad says even straight A students have moments where trying their best doesn’t amount to the grade they had hoped, and he encourages 11.1.21
students to just keep going. “I’m usually a little disappointed in myself, I wish I could have done better, but I use that experience to try to prepare for next time and not to let it happen again,” Conrad said. Another academic high-achiever, senior Tyler Sivertsen, sometimes feels the weight of the world on his shoulders while trying to balance a successful senior year and a bustling personal life. He has set the bar considerably higher than the average high school student, and says that he expects nothing short of all A’s in every class and a score of five on every AP exam. “I think saying it can be hard would be an understatement,” Sivertsen said. “The expectations I have for myself have led me down a path of rarely ever feeling successful or that I have been able to accomplish something.” Even so, he values time for himself after the day’s work is done. “Reserve a day for yourself to relax and allow your mind to calm,” Sivertsen said. “I was not very successful in doing that and it has taken a very strong toll on my mental health and emotional well-being. Academics will come far easier if you are always well-rested and happy.” Junior Lily Henning has accumulated a 4.05 GPA through her three years of high school, and has taken a total of five AP classes. However, her beliefs about high academic achievement distinguishes her from many of her peers. “In my opinion, if you’re still trying and pressing on despite your failures, you’re a high achiever,” Henning said. She recognizes that certain circumstances and situations may prevent some students from achieving their full potential, and Henning acknowledges that her strongly rooted support system has helped her achieve all that she has. She explained that her pastor has encouraged her to reach further and further for her goals because of certain privileges she has that others do not. “I can’t just stop at getting my masters in college, I have to go further, because if he can do that as somebody
who wasn’t born in the US, what can I do?” Henning said. As a first generation American, with parents who immigrated from Kenya, Henning considers this a factor in why academics have become her life’s greatest passion. This idea takes precedence over other aspects of her life. “You need to understand your priorities,” Henning said. “For example, mental health should definitely be a big priority. It’s so important.” Though academics are a major part of Henning’s life, she understands that they may not be everyone’s greatest priority. She encourages students to not give into the stresses and pressures of high school, but to keep doing things that bring them joy. “What matters most is doing things you’re happy with or passionate about,” Henning said.
GOT GAME?
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ody next to body and scream after scream, Noblesville fans often find themselves cheering student athletes to victory. Fans get the privilege of seeing athletes lead the Millers to victory and experience the high gained from watching them perform. But what spectators might not see are the hard work, and even failures, that individual players put into their beloved sports in order to earn a Miller win. Aidan Biddle is a high-performing swimmer for the Millers. As a junior, Biddle spends a majority of his time in the pool. Working to improve his individual times, Biddle says, can be stressful. “I hold myself to a pretty high standard. I push myself every single day and I like to see my results show that as well,” Biddle said. Biddle uses a variety of tactics in order to maintain his mental health and ultimately perform well on race day, but he ultimately relies on having the right mindset. “You gotta have the right mindset, you gotta want to get better, and then you gotta have that translate to actually working hard and pushing yourself when you can,” Biddle said. Mental health can be more of a factor in an athlete’s performance than many may realize, as it can make or break the way the performer is seen by others and by themselves. Biddle reminds himself of his motivations for pursuing his sport, allowing for little pressure to negatively affect his performance. “To be honest with you, I don’t feel a lot of pressure. I feel like I’m doing this for me. So I’m not worried about what other people think. If I am able to do this in college, great, if I’m not, great.” Biddle said.
On the other hand, junior Drew Page, a varsity football player for NHS, has found himself in many high-stress situations that have put him in a state of doubt and selfconsciousness. “The pressure can be immense if you have a lot of people telling you how good you are. Messing up can mess with your brain and make you feel like you’re not allowed to make mistakes,” Page said. Though football can create stress for Page, he is able to find comfort and reassurance through prayer. This allows Page to overcome his worries and recognize his self worth. “I like to pray before every football camp and game with my mom. Praying over me, and feeling like I have God on my back, makes me feel ten-times better every time I go out and do something,” Page said. High expectations are often found to be a common trend among student athletes. Especially with screaming fans watching your every move. And when you add college into the mix, the stakes can be high. With dreams of playing one day at Ohio State, Purdue, or Nebraska, Page expects a lot from himself, giving 100 percent on and off the field. “I expect myself to perform to the best of my ability, every day, every week, every month, every year. There’s no reason for me not to. I was gifted this skill, and to not use it to the best of my ability feels almost blasphemous.” Page said. And to others gifted with a skill they may not be sure how to utilize, Page offers this bit of advice. “If you’re dedicated to the sport, no matter the hardships, you will always be more successful than those who aren’t. Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. When you dedicate yourself to work as hard as you can, it will show,” Page said. Paying attention to what your body needs can be crucial for any athlete. Taking care of yourself is the first step towards success and one heck of a winning streak.
Photos by N. Scroggin & K. Graham
“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. When you dedicate yourself to work as hard as you can, it will show.”—Drew Page MILL STREAM 11
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Photo by A.Bussell, L.Patrick Ilustrations by K. Draine
any easy to see high-achievers in academics or athletics, but another set of stars of the show are the high-achieving students in performing arts. On a typical day at Noblesville High School, many students will sit in the back of class with their focusing drifting in and out. Junior Mason Cannady eagerly awaits orchestra class, a place where he excels. “I’d say my highest achievements would be being accepted into an international orchestra to tour Europe, which was sadly cancelled due to COVID. Also, this summer I will be playing at the world renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City,” Cannady said. When dealing with stress, Cannady has a few tricks to balance his commitments to both school and music. “You really have to be disciplined to yourself and take it a week at a time, even just one day at a time sometimes. Everyone has 24 hours a day, it’s how you spend those 24 hours that makes a difference,” Cannady said. When he has to overcome stress, Cannady follows a consistent philosophy. “Why do I practice my violin all the time? So I can win a competition or have a great performance. Remind yourself what you are doing really helps find the motivation. M&Ms also don’t hurt as small incentives to reward yourself,” Cannady said. While Cannady is playing his violin, junior Maddux Morrison is sweeping the audience off their feet with his show-stopping performances on the theater stage. “Last year my friend and I did a Thespis [duet performance]. We got best in show, which was best in state. I also received best soloist in a show choir performance and won a singing competition at the state fair,” Morrison said. With show choir season approaching, and a role as a lead in the musical which is set to premiere in this fall, Morrison also feels the pressure. “Right now being the lead in the musical has a lot to
Mason Cannady is rehearses on his violin. Cannady is first chair in advanced orchestra.
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it. Also because I’m a junior, not a senior, I have to work harder. I am a perfectionist, so I definitely try to make everything I do perfect, and obviously that’s not always going to happen,” Morrison said. As Morrison stuns the audience, people behind the curtain quietly work to make the magic happen. GRADE? Cass Henson manages the musical with help from GRADE? Trevor Greenlee. “I was a freshman inductee into the school’s thespian troupe. I did over a hundred hours of work behind the scenes. I was also one of the stage managers last year, I took care of COVID precautions, making sure everyone was safe. And currently I am the stage manager for Highschool Musical,” Henson said. Henson holds herself to high standards for her personal life and her role in production. “I expect myself to be very patient. I also expect myself to be very organized. The reason I am so patient is that stage managers that I’ve worked with before weren’t. I was a freshman, and it wasn’t encouraging for them to get frustrated with me for being new,” Henson said. Greenlee is co-stage manager with Henson, who shares the pressure of the workload. “I’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into this musical. Luckily it isn’t just me, and I can ask for help and a break when I need it,” Greenlee said. Despite the high amounts of pressure, Henson refers to performing arts as her saving grace. “I have built real friendships out of theater. I’m so glad that I became a part of this because I don’t know what I’d do without them,” Henson said. “I would definitely be in a completely different place, theater saved me.”
“You really have to be disciplined to yourself and take it a week at a time, even just one day at a time sometimes. Everyone has 24 hours a day, it’s how you spend those 24 hours that makes a difference.” —Mason Cannady
DOING IT ALL
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ou’ve probably seen these people before. They’re the ones who wake up at 4 AM and stay in school until 6 PM. They’ve got textbooks in one hand, sports equipment in the other, and can be seen frantically rushing through the school halls. We all want to be them because it seems like they’ve got everything together. But are they just faking it or have they really cracked the code? One student who’s involved in almost everything is Noblesville High School senior Nathaniel Cook. He’s Student Body President, manages the girl’s basketball team, takes five advanced classes, and is the lead saxophone player with NHS’s Jazz Band. “I’ve been told that I’m high achieving. I don’t want to say that I am, but I’m certainly proud of the work that I’ve put into school,” Cook said. With participation in so many activities, things can get difficult, but Cook has found a way to get through it. “I think that I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I realized I don’t have to see high school as this abstract concept,” Cook said. “Having that frame of reality helped me understand that it’s all gonna be alright.” But even for a student like Cook, there’s a limit to what extent students should push or challenge themselves. “When it begins to have a toll on your mental health, it’s probably negative and it’s okay to take a step back,” Cook said. Like Cook, another student at Noblesville High School who by many is considered a high-achiever is senior Connor Meinerding. He is involved in band, plays football, and has a GPA above 4.00. He participates in so many activities because they help him develop important skills. “Finding success in my activities, after putting in hard work, is the best feeling in the world,” Meinerding said. “These activities are so important because they’ve given
me everything. Ninety percent of my friends are from my classes or teams, and it’s given me a sense of self identity.” Meinerding believes that the best way to manage your personal life with school is different for everyone. “Just find what works best for you. Personally, blocking out my time and visualizing the day ahead of me keeps me on pace in all of my activities,” Meinerding said. “And if you’re passionate about something, I’m a firm believer that you’ll find time to do it. Find your passion, and you’ll be set.” Meinerding sees other factors which he believes set high-achievers apart. “I think the difference [between high achieving students and their peers] is two things. First, there are the things you can’t control. I’ve been lucky enough to have an extremely supportive family and friend group that pushes me to be a high achiever. Some may have circumstances outside of their control,” Meinerding said. “But also, I think most high achievers are willing to sacrifice their time to achieve success.” Like Meinerding, senior Jada Propst at Noblesville High takes part in many activities. She is a swimmer, part of the school’s New Dimension choit, and has a GPA over 4.00. “All the activities that I do, I enjoy. I just expect myself to work hard and put in the effort, as long as I do that, I am happy,” Propst said. Propst has been able to figure out what she can do to help balance her life. “I’ve made it somewhat of a rule that I don’t do any work in my bedroom and I make sure to put up any work by 9 p.m.,” Propst said. “Those habits have definitely lessened the pressure and anxieties that come with being busy.”
Nate Cook and Connor Meinerding at Mini Olympics. Both were up for homecoming court.
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Comfort on The Corner The owner of Uptown Cafe is geting ready to expand their buisness McKenzie Vitale//mckenzievitale@icloud.com Kylee White//kyleewhite03@gmail.com
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lthough the weather outside was grim and cold, the atmosphere inside Uptown Cafe resembled a sunny day, and visitors to the restaurant could watch the owner, John Smith, talking to customers as if they were long-term friends. Uptown Cafe stands tall on the corner of downtown Noblesville, where many NHS students can often be found enjoying a leisurly breakfast. Starting in high school, Smith has been working in Uptown for more than 20 years, making this place a home for patrons of the business. “I just want people to feel comfortable, I want them to enjoy themselves,” Smith said. At age 16, Smith found himself looking to buy a car, and like most teeenagers, he got a job. And soon enough, he fell in love with the industry: working at a restaurant. “I guess it’s always been a goal of mine coming
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out of highschool, even college as well, to run one,” Smith said. Smith originally went to school to be a Physical Education teacher and a football coach, but he soon found teaching just wasn’t right for him, and the restaurant business called his name. Starting at Sunrise Cafe in Fishers, Uptown Cafe’s former name, Smith has traveled all over the state of Indiana serving breakfast and smiles to each customer he meets. “This is a lifetime job for me, everything I’ve applied in some way or another to what we do,” Smith said. Uptown Cafe has been open for many years, pulling in customers for not just the food, but the atmosphere. “It’s just a little town cafe,” Mike, a long-time Uptown Cafe customer said, on a gloomy sunday. “It’s like a little family.”
through the door, to homemade food, freshly made and ready to serve, Uptown Cafe doors are open from six in the morning to two in the afternoon ready to welcome guests from all over. After all the work that goes into running a business, Smith finds joy from the people. “I’m excited to meet new people. That’s why I love the whole diner concept, especially here at the corner in Noblesville, just the people you meet coming in,” Smith said. Now, with the new Carmel location about to open, customers from farther out can enjoy the atmosphere made here in Noblesville.
John Smith started in the resturant buisness when he was 16. Since then he has worked in several different resurants, with several different job titles, until he bacame the owner of Uptown Cafe.
Smith often finds himself talking with long-time customers as though they’ve been friends for years. His favorite part about the industry he works in is meeting new people everyday.
Photos by K. White and M. Vitale
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THE ONE THiNG THAT KEEPS ME GOiNG EVERYDAY iS THAT iT DOESN’T FEEL LiKE WORK, iT FEELS LiKE A HOBBY...
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And that “little family” is finding its way to a new Carmel location. Along with the responsibilities that come with owning a business, Smith is focusing on branching into new territories for Uptown cafe. Now, Smith is taking what he created here at noblesville and bringing it to the new Carmel location. “I’m most looking forward to the growth, with the staff that’s going there. I’m excited to see how they handle that. Back here we are splitting the staff up, so I’m still going to have to be here at Noblesville,” Smith said. Since rebranding in 2013, Uptown has continued to adapt and grow over the past few years, even attempting to open a bar before COVID shut many restaurants down. Almost two years later, the cafe continues to thrive because of the loyal customers that walk through the doors. Smith also makes it a priority to focus on making sure each location provides the same experience and service for guests in all cities. “I want you to be able to go to all three locations and have the same experience. To me, it all starts with the menu,” Smith said. “Keep it basic and simple. That’s what we’ve been doing for years, why change it now?” From staff that greet you as you’re walking
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A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW
Hospitals are shutting their doors to NHS interns this year, eliminating most traditional medical internships Hailey Durm//haileydurm14@gmail.com Maggie Hoppel//maggiehoppel@me.com
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enior year and eight science credits down: the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to enter an internship, to dip your toes into a field of your choice and experience what it might be like to be a part of it someday. But the possibilities aren’t as endless as you’ve been expecting. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the limited medical internships have been snatched up or eliminated, leaving future neurosurgeons with ill-fitting pharmaceutical placements. Medical internship slots are already difficult to come by due to high demand within the program, but throw a worldwide pandemic into the mix and you’re left with even less opportunities than you started with. With intern11.1.21
ships at certain hospitals and nursing homes now out of the question, it can be stressful knowing that the chances are pretty good that you won’t end up with your desired placement. Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has haunted Noblesville High School with countless missed opportunities. As in-person programs began to come at the expense of human safety, internships at hospitals and nursing homes were among the first to go. However, there are still plenty of students clambering for the medical internship experience, making it extra difficult for internship coordinators to find a place for them all. “The hospitals right now have not been allowing medical placements, at least the ones that we work with, simply because of their COVID restrictions,” said Daniel Nicholson, an internship coordinator at Noblesville High School. “They want to limit the number of people coming from the outside into the hospital.” Despite the change in hospital participation, the internship directors have ensured that there are other, safer opportunities for these students to pursue. “This year, we had to move many students who were interested in medical placements into non-medical placements or placements that maybe were only peripherally related to the medical field,” said Mark Wilkinson, another NHS internship coordinator. The CVS pharmacy technician training program is one of many alternative placements for students desiring medical internships. In it, students learn customer service
and inventory skills essential to operating a pharmacy. “The CVS plan is to create more pharmacy techs,” Wilkinson said. “Most of our students who enter the pharmacy tech and training program have an interest in being pharmacists someday, but being a pharmacy tech can be a part time job.” However, the pharmaceutical internships aren’t a perfect fit for everyone. While pharmacy interns learn a lot about medication, they sometimes miss out on interpersonal experiences that only the medical field can provide. “The pharmacy tech and training program is going to get them experienced with medications and how a pharmacy works in a drug store, but not necessarily the interaction between patient and nurse or patient and doctor,” Nicholson said. Another closely related field is the veterinary field, where interns can participate in the treatments of animal patients. Interns are also placed in more specialized fields of medicine not always located in a hospital. “We have a few in dental [facilities], we have a few in chiropractors’ [offices],” Nicholson said. Additionally, the internship coordinators are constantly working to find new businesses for NHS students to explore. “Part of our job is to go out and network with people in our community and try to find companies that want to be a part of our
Due to the shortage of medical internships in hospital settings, many NHS interns are instead working at pharmacies.
program,” Nicholson said. Ultimately, every student’s internship journey will be different, with or without the effects of a global pandemic. Wherever this year’s interns find themselves, the experience will teach them more about who they are. “We hope that the internships give students an opportunity to see a potential career before they go and get training or further education in that field,” Nicholson said. “Some of our students find out that they are on the right path and they like what they’re hoping to go into. We have some students that find out that their career they’re wanting to go into isn’t a good fit, and we’re happy with that too.”
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MAGIC ON BRASS
Follow talented NHS’ Trumpet player Levi Rozek on his journey to becoming a nationally recognized performer Brenzlee Johnson//jbree1433@gmail.com Ian Pigors//ianpigors19@gmail.com
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ED llights coupled with silence and stillness. The crowd of parents and spectators wait in silence as the band director climbs up a flimsy ladder. Levi Rozek, a junior at NHS, watches for the conductor’s hand to drop; his solo awaits. Many in the audience may not know they’re about to watch one of the top five high school trumpet players in the country. For Rozek, the thought doesn’t cross his mind. Playing the trumpet is merely second nature. As his fingers tighten around the valves of his trusty golden horn, he sees the swoop of the hand all soloists wait for. It’s time to put on a show. The interest of music can bond someone to it forever, drastically changing their outlook on life because of it. The same thing could be said for Rozek, who has been entrenched in the life of music since he was in elementary school. “John Coltrane was actually playing while I was coming out of the womb,” Rozek said jokingly. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by music my whole life.” Rozek mentions that his love of music came from
his dad, and that the trumpet wasn’t even his primary interest. In fact, his first musical desire was to play the saxophone like his father. “I really wanted to play saxophone like my dad,” Rozek admitted. Through experience, he says, he realized that the trumpet was the right instrument for him. “I happened to try the trumpet and I fell in love. I’ve never looked back,” Rozek said. Since trying out the trumpet in the fifth grade, playing the golden instrument has been Rozek’s primary love. He quickly rose to the top of the NHS band program thanks to his dedication to make music, and it shows in all of his performances, according to his teachers and fellow bandmates. Take it from Eric Thornbury, the band director at NHS who’s not only been playing trumpet for more than 40 years, but has been teaching Rozek during his time at NHS. “Levi is one of the most talented high school jazz musicians I have ever come across in my teaching career,” Thornbury says. “His ear, tone, and ability to transcribe
bition. It’s hard to believe that he’s the same seventh grader I met five years ago.” Rozek’s talent is not only recognized by his teachers and friends, but by the competitions and performances he has given as well. He’s participated in multiple contests including The National Jazz Festival, where NHS placed second in 2021 in the Large School Ensemble Category, and the Essentially Ellington contest in New York City, and according to his teachers and spectators, Rozek performed tremendously at both. After participating in multiple competitions, his hope is to continue to rise up the ranks of music excellence. “I want to play at Newport Jazz Fest and win a couple of Grammys,” Rozek said. While some could say shooting for the Grammys is ambitious, for Levi and his closest supporters, like Robinson, the sky is the limit. “It’s a privilege to be able to have a front row seat to witness the beginning of what will certainly be a life-long journey of jazz music for this incredible student,” Robinson said.
Levi Rozek performs a solo at a jazz concert at Noblesville High School. He’s been a part of the jazz band at NHS for three years.
Photo provided by Bethany Robinson
and then create solos is phenomenal.” Rozek’s musical excellence doesn’t stop there though. According to Bethany Robinson, the Jazz Band Director at NHS, Rozek’s passion and drive for making music has only grown as the years go by, and his love for his peers and the band itself has only evolved. “It’s really remarkable to see, and is already taking him on a national stage, and elevating our jazz program along the way—not just because of his musicianship, but his love of the people in the band,” Robinson says. “It’s one thing to work hard and devote yourself to the music, it’s another thing entirely to treat all of the other students around you with the amount of love and respect he has for his peers of all walks of life and all skill levels.” Erick Murillo, a friend of Levi’s since eighth grade, feels the same way. “He has an unparalleled desire to be great, and I truly believe he will be,” says Murillo. “I’ve seen Levi grow so much over the years, his favorite albums and artists have changed, his style has changed but what’s remained constant is his am-
A Pattern of Success
Noblesville Soccer Seniors find success in togetherness
Parker Mutter// parkermutter@ gmail.com
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ou can play the best team in your conference. You can play the best team in your division. You could even play the best team in your state. Or, you could play the best boys soccer team in the country. On September 11th this year, the Noblesville Millers played St.Ignatius, the number one team in the country. Noblesville did lose. Even so, the Millers are otherwise undefeated, and MaxPreps, a nationally used high school sports website, currently ranks them as the second best team in the entire country. Two years ago, Noblesville fell in a semi-state loss, and one year ago, the Millers finished the regular season undefeated before a heartbreaking playoff loss. With another strong campaign this year, the Millers have established a pattern of success. Led by 13 senior athletes, the Noblesville boys soccer team has kept its recent strength through this season. The senior boys hold a unique position at this Senior Palmer Ault competes for the ball against Fishers. Ault will conpoint in their careers; most of them have been playing tinue his soccer career at Butler after he graduates together far longer than high school and their past experience culminates in their current success. Beyond success however, this team has a familial bond beyond the game. Ault was recently named an All-American by the “Our team’s biggest strengths are the chemistry that United Soccer Coaches. Both Ault and fellow senior Spenour boys have,” head coach Kenneth Dollaske said. “We cer Holland were listed on the first team all-state by the have thirteen seniors on the team, and most of them have Indiana Soccer Coaches Association. been playing together since elementary school. Yeah, “I’ve practiced and practiced to do what I do today,” they’re all talented individually, but they’re able to work says Holland, “I’ve never really had a day off and I’ve together on the field. They’re in sync, they’ve really just gotten really lucky with who I can train with to improve grown up together.” myself.” Most of the senior players started playing club soccer, Through their season, the soccer team practiced Monthrough independent teams like Indy Premier or Indy day, Wednesday, and Friday, playing games on Tuesdays Fire, long before their high school careers began. and Thursdays to fill out the week. “We have a certain chemistry with each other. We’ve “Over time I’ve been able to train individual skills like been playing together, so we understand each player spetechnical ability and shooting,” explains Ault, “I’ve started cifically, which makes us strong,” senior Cole Bramblett to play at a higher pace which forces me to play faster.” said. After years playing together on club teams, high Bramblett has played the sport for 12 years, beginning school presented a different dynamic for most of this at the YMCA, transitioning to NUSC- Noblesville United year’s seniors. Soccer Club, and eventually finding his way to Indy Premier. Many of his teammates share similar paths like senior Palmer Ault, playing for NUSC, Indy Premier and, The Millers played against Carmel in most recently, Indy Fire. the state championship game Satur“I think having known almost all of my teammates for so long helps build chemistry,” Ault says, “We oftentimes day, October 30th. To find the results, are able to play a ball where we know someone is going visit Millermedianow.org to be just from playing together for so long.”
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S P O RT S
Photos by Parker Mutter
“It’s a little interesting with the seniors. Palmer and Spencer were on varsity their freshman year. There were four or five of them that made the JV team, and a couple of them made the freshman team,” Dollaske says, “They were all split among the program, so it’s interesting seeing them unable to play together for a bit. So when they got to freshman year, it was developing chemistry with other players in the program, but sophomore year they got to come back together. They’ve got to come back to this idea of being a unit, being a team.” Holland knows why the team succeeds and plays the way that they do. “Our overall success is from us all doing our part in our success and playing as one, rather than individuals,” says Holland. Of course, state championships are valuable, but the program has more goals than that. “Our main goal, we knew we had a talented team. Last year we were ranked number one, and we had our season ended heartbreakingly- so it’s been state championship, that’s our goal. Our main goal is to win a state title,” says Dollaske, “The second goal is to really put the Millers soccer program on the map. We got to play the number one team in the country and we played really well. We ended
Senior Braden Doll prepares to take a corner. The Miller graduating class battled all the way to the state finals.
up losing but we played really well.” As his seniors finish their high school careers this fall, Dollaske must prepare for the future. “This senior class has left a lasting mark at whic heights Noblesville soccer can get to, but at the same time, they’ve left groundwork for future success,” Dollaske said “Their legacy is that the benchmark is so high that future classes are gonna want to replicate the success. Our junior class is just as eager. Our sophomore class is small but talented. Our freshmen are just as talented. Every [class] wants to be better than the year before.” Thirteen senior soccer players finish their high school careers this fall, some of them finishing their entire soccer careers this year. “High school soccer has been like a second family,” says Ault, “being able to play everyday with my best friends is something you aren’t able to get anywhere else.”
CHEERiNG ON THE MiLLERS “I BRiNG INTENSiTY AND PASSiON TO THE GAMES” - NHS SENiOR BRYCE MURRAY
“IT BRiNGS A HUGE ADVANTAGE TO OUR TEAM WHEN WE HAVE FRiENDS AND CLASSMATES CHEERiNG THEM ON” - NHS SENiOR CARLY OAKS
“THE VALUE iN THE STUDENT SECTiON REALLY LiES iN THAT iT iS ABLE TO BRiNG EVERYONE TOGETHER” NHS SENiOR MiCHAEL BERTAUX MILL STREAM 21
WHAT DO NHS STAFF MEMBERS LOVE ABOUT FALL?
“WE ALSO GO APPLE PiCKiNG AND TO A PUMPKiN PATCH TO PiCK OUT OUR PUMPKiNS, AND WE CARVE OUR JACK-O-LANTERNS.” -VALERiE PHiLLiPS, NHS GERMAN DEPT. “GETTiNG THE LiViNG BEJESUS SCARED OUT OF ME AT INDY SCREAM PARK; I REALLY HATE CLOWNS!” -STEPHANiE FOTiADES, NHS ENGLiSH DEPT “FALL iS MY FAVORiTE TiME OF THE YEAR. AS A FAMiLY, WE LiKE DECORATiNG THE iNSiDE AND OUTSiDE OF THE HOUSE AND CARViNG PUMPKiNS FOR HALLOWEEN.” -CRAiG MCCAFFREY, NHS PRiNCiPAL
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PUMPKIN SPICE & EVERYTHING NICE Fun, fall activities that should be on your bucket list Anna Guinn//Annayguinn@gmail.com Caitlin Hall//hallc7544@gmail.com
Apple Picking Rows and rows of trees surrounded by big open fields and the crisp autumn air against your warm skin are just a few of the joys of getting to pick your own apples. At Stuckey’s Farm, right outside of Noblesville in Sheridan, you can enjoy their fun, delicious apple picking and all the other activities they have to offer. During their harvest festival season you can enjoy a eight acre corn maze, wagon rides, huge 60 and 160-foot slides, and throughout the day pig races. Along with picking your own apples, there are tons of apple treats you can enjoy including apple cider donuts and slushies.
“I ALSO LOVE GOiNG TO PiCK MY OWN APPLES AND EVEN BUY AND EAT CARAMEL DiPPED APPLES!” - HANNA DWYER, NHS TEACHER
Spooky Movies It was a dark cold and stormy night when— boo! A poll regarding NHS students suggests that a majority prefer classic horror films but there is a slight preference towards movies such as “Conjuring,” “IT,” and “Insidious.” If those don’t get you into the fall spirit? No worries! Here’s the top fall movie picks to get you in a spooky mood.
MOViE GENRES
MOViE PREFERENCES
Pumpkin Patches Pumpkin pie, pumpkin pots, and decorating pumpkins. There’s so many possibilities with pumpkins. Enjoy a day picking out your favorite pumpkin, getting lost in a corn maze, or petting animals at the petting zoo. Fall is calling and so is Russell Farms where all these activities are available.
Horseback Riding As the leaves change colors and temperatures drop, fall approaches and the perfect horse riding season appears. If you’re one for enjoying scenery and living life in the moment, horseback riding is perfect for you. At K-Trails Equestrian Adventure in Strawtown, take life (and your horse) on a journey to be remembered. Whether participating in guided trails with your family or sunset rides with a significant other, you’re sure to be satisfied.
Fall Drinks
photos by C. Hall and A. Guinn
Nothing tastes more like fall than, well, fall-themed drinks. From chain shops like Starbucks to local gems like Noble Coffee and Tea, there’s definitely no shortage of fall specialty lattes anywhere. These drinks are sure to fit your needs and get you in a spooky mood.
Speedway- Speedy Cafe Noble Coffee- Cinnamon Crunch Starbucks- Apple Crisp Frappuccino
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BATHROOM PASSES
Teachers provide fun hallpasses for thier students Olivia Jackson//olivia.jack107@gmail.com
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f you happen to see a mythical woodland creature or a Hollywood movie star roaming the halls, rest assured that they have a purpose. They are being used as bathroom passes. Teachers at NHS are required to provide their students with a pass allowing them to leave the room. Teachers’ creativity in this area is not going unrecognized. Check out these examples of what you might run into on a random day in the hallways of NHS. Providing an absurd pass to your students is a fun addition to any classroom...
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Leonardo DiCaprio (above) escorts students to the restroom from Allison Haley’s English classroom, while a rubber chicken (middle right) does the job in Allyssya Gossett Resource class. Allison Delp (right) gives her Spanish students a Dora the Explorer flag to take with them on their journey. Brock Morrison (top left) keeps it classic with a fun lanyard pass, and Samantha Deane has a gnome (top right), loved dearly by her yearbook kids.
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