Issue 1 by PHS Press

P O W W O W

6450 US Highway 6, Portage Volume 78 - Issue 1 - October 2017

Donut Worry, Be Happy Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of year when the smell of apple and pumpkin donuts fills the air. County Line Orchard is open and ready to welcome visitors to its three mazes this year. Story | Page 10-11

Table of Contents - October

In this Issue... News 04 Pros and cons of cell phone ban 06 West goes under construction 07 City road blocks 08 Dual Credit rules change

Features 09 PHS welcomes new administrators

10 County Line opens for season 12 Grinds my Gears 13 Drake Bell performs at PHS

Sports 14 Dance team has new leadership 15 Maceo selected for All-Area 16 Marching Band has new uniforms 17 Scoreboard

Opinions 18 Removing statues causing conflict

19 Hold accusers accountable

P O W W O W

Editor-in-Chief Tori Henderson

Design Editor Kaylee Darnell

Managing Editor of Print Trenton Haraminac

Social Media Editor Jessica Butz

Managing Editor of Web Evan Gerike

Staff Writers Emily Extin Darius Owens Becca Rosado Jamie Valadez

Photography Editor Madison Perez

Staff Photographers Bri Fravel Gracie Hansen Hope Anderson Mackenzie Guth Staff Designers McKenzie Price Sarah Russ

News- October

Mall enforces new policy Minors must be supervised by adult during weekend Southlake Mall has recently implemented a new policy that no Editor-in-Chief longer allows teenagers @torixhenderson age 17 or younger to be left unsupervised in the building on Friday and Saturday evenings. Teenagers must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older after 4 p.m. until the mall closes on these days. The mall’s management team has been reviewing other mall programs in order to incorporate a similar practice. Shoppers will now have to show proof of age with valid identification such as driver’s licenses or state identification cards. Adults will be able to accompany up to six teenagers during supervision hours. Southlake Mall marketing director Kristi Jackson said she hopes that the new policy will help create a more welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages. “We want to thank everyone - our mayor, the Hobart Police Department and community leaders - for their time and input over the last few months as we put this program together,” Jackson said. “We’re pleased we have this policy in place so the community can enjoy a family-friendly, pleasant shopping experience at Southlake Mall.” Junior Lauren Smith said her employment at the Southlake Mall store Akira will not be affected by the new policy. “So far I haven’t been asked for I.D. when I come in. But if so, I would just also need to show proof that I work there as well as my I.D.” she said. “So now I just keep one of my check stubs in my purse just in case.” Smith said it already seems like there are fewer teenagers coming into the store. “I love the new policy as someone who works in the mall,” she said. “Typically, teenagers don’t have as much money to spend so it’d be really annoying having a bunch of girls come in and try on a bunch of dresses and leave the dressing rooms a mess for me to clean.” The policy does not apply to every hour of every day of the week. Teenagers will still be able to shop unsupervised on any day and at any time other than Friday after 4 p.m. “It does stink that if I wanted to go shopping with my friends on the weekend that I can’t, but I could always go in on Sunday or any day through the week when the policy is not in place.” Smith said.

Tori Henderson

Southlake Mall’s Youth Supervision Policy. It is being enforced as of September 8th. Photo provided by Southlake Mall.

What do you think of the new policy? @PHSPress Twitter followers responded to a poll about their thoughts on the mall’s new policy.

Love it It’s alright Hate it!

20% 33% 47%

News- October

Technology at PHS 2007

2014

2012

Teachers receive desktops

Laptop carts

2015

Teachers receive iPads

Students receive iPads

Power down Students, teachers see improvements with school’s new cell phone policy Darius Owens

Every year there are always new changes at Portage High Staff Writer School but something this year that has erupted between stu@_antwann_ dents and teachers is the new cell phone policy. The school’s Site Based Team, a group of teachers who meet on behalf of the school to make decisions, have been planning this idea since the end of last year. Students have been given a list of places where they can and cannot use them from head principal Max Gill. Our new policy entails that students can use their cell phones when they come to school until 7:25 a.m. and then at lunch and lastly after school, Gill said. Even though Portage has a cell phone ban, students still have work on Schoology and other educational websites. “In class, teachers have the discretion to let students access their devices and do work, but outside of the class they should be out of sight,” Gill said. Portage is not the only school that enforces a no-cell-phone policy, and principals from Portage as well as Merrillville have agreed that students learn better and are more productive without their phones, Gill said. English teacher and department chairperson Heidi Thibideau said that students are slowly getting used to the policy.

1973

Motorola tries the first cell phone

1998

Nokia 5110

“Students have been getting used to coming into school and being on their phones and not socializing with other peers,” Thibideau said. According to Gill, students do not usually interact socially with each other, but now with this policy, he has seen a lot of changes. “The new policy has not only helped the students interact more, but it has also helped with students attendance and time management,” Gill said. Teachers have been implementing this cell phone policy more and more each day. According to Thibideau, this new policy is what’s best for the students because their cell phones became a huge distraction last year and students’ grades reflected that a lot. This policy was put in place to better scores on test and prepare students for college and future jobs. “Compared to last year, students have been more attentive and have also lessened the unnecessary arguments that students and teachers have had,” Thibideau said. Some students have agreed with the decision to ban the cell phones. “Not being able to use my phone in school has helped me do better on my work and build friendships with new people,” senior Lyric McKanders said. The overall cell phone policy will cause fewer problems with the teachers and students which will help Portage students to be united and not separated.

2005

2008

BlackBerry 5810

Apple iPhone 3G

2012

Apple iPhone 5

2015

Apple iPhone 6s

Technology throughout the years

2017

iPhone X

News- October

Cell Phones Complet e t he crossword below. Also make sure you t weet us a pict ure of your answers @phspress for a prize. 1

4 5 6

Created with TheTeac hers Co rner.net Cro s s wo rd Puz z le Generato r

Across 1. what is a pho ne thats at ho me c alled? 3. went did apple releas e the newes t. iPho ne? 4 . what is the pink c o lo r that the iPho ne c o mes in? 7. what pho ne was made after the iPho ne 5 but befo re the iPho ne 6 8 . who made the firs t c ell pho ne 10 . what is the newes t iPho ne to c o me o ut this year?

Down 2. when did cell phones become popular? 5. what was the name of the company who made the first phone 6. what month did the first cell phone come out 9. how many keys are on the cell phone

Design by: Trent Haraminac and Kenzie Guth Photo Illustration by: Madison Perez

Sports- October 1

1. Wires lay on the floor after temporary walls were moved in West. 2. Students work on assignments in their English class, which was moved to an area that was previously used for storage. 3. Notes hanging on a science cabinet serve as direction for custodial staff. 4. Science labs sit in hallway outside of the K-Lab, which is currently being used as a classroom. 5. An empty cabinet and cords are left to be thrown away. Photos by: Briann Fravel

West to receive makeover Teachers working in new classrooms to allow for construction to begin

Becca Rosado

This year PHS has made some new changes the school overall. Staff Writer However, one of the biggest @becca_rosado01 changes is the rebuilding of the west building. Portage Township Schools officials have decided to redo the west side of the building. The plan will include new science classrooms and classrooms with ceiling to floor walls. This is in contrast to the previous classrooms that had no walls or only partial walls. However, the changes have yet to start. At the beginning of the year the school board started taking bids from construction companies to see which company was best for their price. As of right now the bids are all taken in and no more bids are being accepted. But with this the school board has not yet chosen a company. The renovation is supposed to be a done by May of 2017 if construction follows the current plans and deadlines. The Renovation will be done on the south A hall wing of the west building first. This gives school officials enough space to move teachers and their classroom into while the construction is being completed. Currently, some of the science department and English department in the west building have had to relocate their classrooms because of the renovations. This means that some teachers have moved into open spaces in west, including partially-used classrooms, previous storage rooms and computer labs in the field house area. This was done in advance of beginning construction so that once construction happens the teachers do not have to move out of their rooms and clear everything out on a moment’s notice.

Science department chairperson Michelle Chipman had to move her classroom into an old computer lab. However, she is not upset about the move. “I’m excited because I know once it’s [the renovation] done I will have a new lab with new equipment for my classes.” She also said she feels lucky to have the space she’s in. “I have a sink right next to my room, compared to some teachers who do not have that,” Chipman said, “compared to teachers that got moved into classrooms, I do feel lucky.” Biology teacher Matthew Plawecki said he is also excited to see the new changes in the West building. “The real difference of being relocated is the quietness of my classroom,” Plawecki said. “It’s a closed classroom, which is nice; however, it is harder to do labs. I think they [the students] will not be receiving the full experience of being in a lab, but I think that right now we have to roll with the punches because what’s expected to come is something much better than there was before.” Both Chipman and Plawecki have classrooms right next to each other with a storage room in between them with one working sink. This is just one example of some of the classrooms teachers are in. Geology teacher Mark Harsha relocated his classroom in a small lab right outside of the library. Harsha is loving his new room and is very excited about the changes coming as well. He is very optimistic with his new class because it’s only temporary. Like Plawecki and Chipman, he can not wait to see what the reconstruction holds. There are many more teachers affected by the new changes to come. Overall,he renovations to come have the school excited and optimistic about the west building.

Sports- October

Stop and Start

Roads around Portage are still under construction, even after the summer months. See what areas to avoid.

U.S. Steel Corporation Ogden Dunes 12

249

County Line Road

Ameriplex 94 94 20

Melton Road

94 Old Porter Road

Willowcreek Road

Willowdale Road

McCool Road

Robbins Road

Swanson Road

County Line Road

Robbins Road

80 North 450 North

Central Avenue

Airport Road

149

Lenburg Road

Indiana Toll Road

Central Avenue

Stone Avenue

Portage Avenue

mstrum Road Hamstrum Road

Dombey Road

Imagination Glen Samuelson Road

Willowcreek Road

Lute Road

Portage Highschool 6

Construction Photo Illustration by: Madison Perez

News- October

Emily Extin

Dual credit changes

As of September 2022, high schools that include Dual Credit Staff Writer programs will be required to meet the new credentialing @extin_emily changes. Originally, these new rules were supposed to take action this year, yet the Higher Learning Commission, or the HLC granted Indiana schools an extension of 5 years. The HLC has recently revised their policies regarding who is qualified to teach Dual Credit. These new requirements have led to some changes in teachers and availability of Dual Credit courses, and Portage went from having five qualified English Dual Credit teachers to now one, who is English teacher James Downes. Downes now teaches four dual credit classes and one regular English class. These changes state that any teacher involved with dual credit must now have a master’s degree in the subject along with 18 credit hours. This caused some uneasiness, as approximately 71% of teachers, who are responsible for collectively teaching more than 45,000 students, would not be able to meet these requirements. The State of Indiana has a rule in place that states all high schools are required to provide dual credit classes, yet the state does not offer assistance to teachers to achieve these advanced degrees. Downes received an email on July 19 informing him about the new guidelines. He says he was not surprised, as it had been rumored one-to-two years ago. People were not happy with the changes that were rumored, resulting in nothing ever officially taking place. Downes believes that the new changes are a really good thing

for the students, yet it discounts the faculty at Portage High School who have “fantastic abilities.” He also said this is a big mistake by the state. Downes finds it a total insult and says that if he had the choice, he would keep the classes the way they were the years before. Downes has previously taught classes at Purdue Northwest and stated that he has seen more talented teachers at Portage High School than the university. Downes said he is not sure of how much his work load is going to change as a result of these changes. “It’s too early to tell,” Downes said. He said he is busy, but he has been able to successfully balance out the different responsibilities of all the classes, though he does know that as the year progresses, he is going to have a good amount of papers to grade. While Downes isn’t busy, he stated that he does now have many students with large work loads compared to last year. Downes says that he is not planning on leaving Portage anytime soon, yet when he does, the dual credit program could be gone. According to Downes, not many people try and achieve a masters degree anymore. The General Assembly had passed a bill stating that they would research easier ways for teachers to reach these new guidelines and qualifications, yet the bill did not allow enough funds to be able to do this. Downes wants the students and parents involved with Portage High School to know that we have the power to keep the Dual Credit program going, and that we have the ability to make a difference.

English teacher James Downs talks to one of his dual credit courses mod 10. Photo by Hope Anderson

Feature- October

Teacher’s first day

t s abou lk a t ls as l Stil Michae iously worked l a ip c r in prin rev sistant r tage. Stills p and a teache s a w e o N ion job at P ke Stat his new istrator in La in an adm . ille Merrillv

Every year on the first day of school, the first bell rings, and students file into their Managing Editor of Web homerooms to begin the year. @evangerike Each student has to adapt to new classes, teachers and rooms, but students are not always the only ones facing changes. As new students adjust to a new school, there are often new staff members facing changes, too. Some are adjusting to new roles in the school, while some are entirely new to the school system. Tim Kunstek is one of those teachers adjusting to a new role, transitioning from home-school advisor to Dean of Students. “It’s been exciting because it’s new,” Kunstek said. For Kunstek, the job has not been too much of a role change from last year. “I’m still working with students, and that’s the key, just in a different realm,” he said. According to Kunstek, the biggest change comes from the discipline aspect of the job. Kunstek said this role is more of a principal’s role, and he does a lot more disciplining. New assistant principal Michael Stills is also disciplining students, but that might be the easiest part of the transition for him. “I was assistant principal at another location already, but I was looking for other opportunities at a bigger school,” Stills said.

Evan Gerike

Tim Kuns tek discus se a Home/ School Ad s his transition fro mb v is of Studen ts in Wes or in East to the ne eing t. He w Dean freshmen make goo said he wants to h d transitio e ns to high lp school.

Stills was an assistant principal in Lake Station at Edison Jr./ Sr. School last year. Even though he came from a smaller school, a large school like Portage isn’t unfamiliar to him. “I came from Merrillville originally, which isn’t much smaller than [Portage],” he said. Stills used to teach biology at Merrillville. Now at Portage, his role is similar to the one he held last year. “Discipline is probably the main thing we do, and we obviously do a lot of supervision,” Stills said. Stills also said he enjoyed supervising sports and will continue to supervise them throughout the year. For Kunstek, another big change revolves around where he is in the school and the grades he works with. With an office in the West building, Kunstek has been adjusting to working outside of his previous location in the East office. “[My job] focuses on getting the freshmen and sophomores, mostly the freshmen, ready for high school,” Kunstek said. “We focus on freshman, but we work with all grades. [Assistant principal Ann Marie] Caballero and I work with everyone in West, doesn’t matter what grade.” Although he is enjoying West, Kunstek added that he misses the East building. “I miss some of the East people, I miss some of the kids, and that was probably the hardest thing about moving,” he said.

Photos by: Kenzie Guth Design by: Madison Perez

Feature- October

All about them apples

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of year again. Leaves start falling, the weather gets colder, sweaters are starting to get brought out, but, most importantly, County Line Apple Orchard is open. The orchard opened its doors on Aug. 30. The apple orchard is located on County Line Road in Hobart is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The orchard is place for kids of all ages, including adults, and has various activities such as a kids fun zone with a miniature petting farm, interactive games and a ride in the MooChoo, which is essentially a miniature hayride for younger children. Not only is there a kid zone, there are three mazes, a pumpkin patch, sunflower field, and, what they are most famous for, multiple apple orchards. The orchards includes over 25 varieties of apples.

Becca Rosado Staff Writer @becca_rosado01

The orchard is not only known for their large apple fields but they are also famously known for their donuts. The orchard has two types of donuts; apple and pumpkin. These donuts are made fresh everyday with produce from the surrounding areas and there own apples. The donuts are a staple of the orchard and are what many people go to the orchard for. When the orchard is not in season there are other activities going on. Their large red barn in the front can be used as a wedding venue, open house space, and much more. The orchard is a great place for some fall time fun in Northwest Indiana. Along with all the great activities going on at the orchard, there are also great job opportunities from the orchard itself. Many student from PHS work at the orchard for experience. The job is only for a few short months, however it can be experience for teenagers just starting out.

Feature- October

Apple Maze

How about them apples?

Start Here!

Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patch

open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Apples-1.79$/lbs Pumpkins- .40$/lbs

Admission

U-Pick General Admission- $1 All-Access Pass- $10 Includes: U-Pick, Tractor Rides, Kids Farm, Maze, Moo-Choo Train

Explorer Pass- $7

Includes : U-Pick, Tractor Rides, Maze

Lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Farmer Pass- $5 Includes : U-Pick, Tractor Rides, Kids Farm (Children 2 and under are free)

Donut Derby

@PHSPress ran a 24 hour poll asking the students if they preferred Apple Cinnamon or Pumpkin Donuts. Out of 107 votes, these are the results...

48%

52% Design and photo illustration by Sarah Russ and Madison Perez

Feature- October

Grinds my gears What’s been bugging you? Six PHS students tell us what really grinds their gears Nate @nateisacomputer

#3 @knelson1423

When people clump up in the middle of hallways blocking traffic

When I sneeze and nobody blesses me

Lizzy @paytonboooley

Emily @924_emily

Senioritis

When people complain about INN

Candidate Hendron @paul_hendron

Stephen @stephenkapalko

When people don’t participate but complain about the outcome of something

When you can’t use your phones for work that’s on Schoology Photos by: Gracie Hancen Graphic by: McKenzie Price

Feature- October

‘Hug me, brotha!’

PHS students stand along the gates at the main stage during the High School Nation Concert featuring Drake Bell. Bell was preforming his song“I Found a Way” from his Nickelodeon show “Drake and Josh.” The festival, which helped PHS gain $30,000 to put toward a new recording studio, was held on the practice soccer fields from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Sept.18. Photo by Madison Perez

“The crowd was today was great! This is just awesome, and it was honestly just a great kick off.” - Drake Bell, on performing at the High School Nation concert.

Bell performs some of his more recent music during the High School Nation concert at PHS. In addition to listening to music from a variety of new artists, students were also able to compete in a dance contest, create t-shirts, and participate in other activities from 12:30 until 2:30 that 13 day. Photos by Madison Perez

Sports- October

English teacher O’Dell steps in as new Dance Team coach

Dance Team members Maddie Aldrich, Amber Henderson and Emily Stanish perform at the Portage vs Lowell football game. English teacher Ryan O’Dell decided to step in as the team’s coach this school year. Photo by Hope Anderson Ending the 2016-2017 school year, the dancers questioned whether or not there would be Staff Writer a dance team for the following school year. After weeks of @jswagggiee questions, there was an official answer for the hopeful dancers. In their luck, there indeed is a dance team, coached by English teacher Ryan O’Dell. The main difference from previous seasons to the current season is the amount of games they are able to perform at. The dancers perform at every halftime of every home football game. The team is not sure if they will perform for basketball halftimes yet. Freshman Holly Heldt is excited to even be given the opportunity to dance for the high school team, and she enjoys every second she gets while performing. Heldt has been dancing for 11 years competitively and has a passion for performing. So far, Heldt says she really enjoys dancing with the high school team. “It’s very fun because it’s not what I’m used to. I also love how it’s easier to get to know everyone on the team because we’re not super big,” Heldt says. The dance team is comprised of nine girls from freshman to seniors. Performing for the crowd under the Friday night lights has been a

Jamie Valadez

thrilling experience for senior Emily Stanish, who is very excited to be a part of the dance team this year. “I was very nervous, but I got a really calm feeling when we went to walk out. Once the music started, it went by so fast. When it was all over I was ready to do it more,” Stanish said. Stanish said the team is very grateful to have the opportunity to be together again this year. “I know that every girl on this team is extremely passionate about dance, and we are not taking this for granted. We all feel very blessed that the team is still a part of the activities at PHS,” Stanish said. This is Stanish’s first year on the team and enjoys all of the components of being a senior on the dance team. From getting prepared for games and the pep rally, to choreographing and teaching the senior dance, Stanish has loved every second. Stanish is looking forward to senior night and says how emotional it will be for everyone involved. Stanish feels that the connection on the team is an unforgettable one, and talks about how positive the environment is this year. “A lot of playful teasing goes on, yet we are constantly motivating each other to be the best we can be,” Stanish said. The dancers are having practice every week and having two-a-days on occasion. They continue to work hard on their routines and are hoping to perform during basketball season as well.

Sports- October

Anthony Maceo brings in awards Senior selected for All-Area Team and Top 25 Griddy Award Kaylee Darnell Design Editor @_kayleedarnell

Senior Anthony Maceo fires up the team before charging the field for a home game earlier this season. Photo by Gracie Hansen

5. LEFT: Senior Anthony Maceo runs in the ball for a touchdown against Lake Central as junior Daegan Spiller goes for a block. Portage beat LC 40-14. Photo by Bri Fravel TOP: Maceo attemps to escape a sack at the first home game against Lowell, which the Indians lost 20-7. Photo by Bri Fravel

Senior, Anthony Maceo has been one of the quarterbacks on the varsity football team since he was a freshman. Maceo was selected to be on the Pre-Season All-Area Team and was also in the top 25 Griddy Award. The Griddy awards is known as “The Oscars of Indiana Football” and was made in 2007 and has been giving out awards to Indiana football teams and their players since then. “The Griddy Award that I won is an award for being selected as one of the best football players in the state of Indiana. There were 25 of us and we got selected and got to be on the cover of the newest addition of the Indiana Digest for Football, which came out in the beginning of this football season. I also got a trophy that says ‘The Griddy’s 2017 Prime Time 25’”, Maceo said. “When I found out i felt proud of myself because football is something that I stride to be the best I can be at. So I was proud and grateful for receiving that award,” Maceo said. Maceo was also on the Pre-Season All-Area Team, which is a team of the best football players in the area that were voted before the season started. “I was happy that my teammates helped me get to that point because I couldn’t have done it without them, and my coaches said they are proud of me for achieving it because I worked hard, but to make sure I keep working hard,” Maceo said.

News- October

Pride of portage marching band performs at halftime at the portage vs. Lowell foot ball game. Photo by: Gracie Hansen

Marching to Florida in style The Pride of Portage Marching Band will head to Florida later this year to perform in concerts with their new uniforms

Darius Owens

This year with all the new changes in the school comes Staff Writer a big change for the march@_antwann_ ing band. Students have received brand new uniforms and also have a chance to go to Disney World in Florida to perform and record music. This is the first time in 25 years that the team has received new uniforms to perform in. Head drum major and senior Isabella Paglicci believes that these new uniforms have boosted the team’s confidence and have made the team perform better. The older uniforms were very banal and uncomfortable, so being able to fit in the new uniforms has helped, Walker said. According to senior Xander Walker, each person in the band was able to be fitted to size before putting the uniforms on. The uniforms before usually were too big and too small on

students. Getting brand new uniforms was just one of the three special things for the bad this year. “We were given the opportunity to be able to fly down to Florida over Thanksgiving break and perform in some of the parades that they will be presenting and we will get the chance to record songs,” Paglicci said. Performers have been practicing and anticipating this competition season for two weeks over the summer. Walker believes that with the band being bigger than it has ever been in the past five years that he has been on the team will help the band win more competitions. Performers have been putting in countless numbers of practices for the qualifying performance. “Our big performance that we have been learning this year is called ‘Canyon,’ which has led to the band and the thespians to have to collaborate together to create a canyon us to use as a prop,” Walker said.

News- October

2017 fall sports update PHS fall sports records as of 9/14/17 All information from goportageindians.com

BOYS XC

4 ,

VOLLEYBALL

WINS

LOSSES

6 WINS

GIRLS XC

WINS

LOSSES

WINS

BOYS TENNIS

LOSSES

GIRLS SOCCER

LOSSES

BOYS SOCCER

4 LOSSES

6 WINS

5 LOSSES

Photo Illustration by: Kenzie Price

News- October

The removal of confederate statues is wrong The tearing down and violence that surrounds the confederate statues needs to stop

Trenton Haraminac Managing Editor of Print @haraminac

Since the election in November of last year when Donald Trump became president there has been much controversy. One of the biggest and most publicized of these has been the flying of the confederate flag and displaying confederate statues. People have argued over whether they should stand as is or be removed. Multiple statues have been removed violently, like in North Carolina following the violence that happened in Charlottesville. Protesters spat at and kicked the statue that

that doesn’t give you the right to damage or abuse something. If you truly feel that a statute of a confederate person is insulting or hurtful to others there are proper ways to go about getting the city to remove it. The people who took down that statue were not trying to help anybody or make a stand for what they thought was right. They were there strictly to cause violence and create chaos. Confederate statues are a part of AMERICAN HISTORY. It doesn’t show the best side of America, but when you look at it you remember the soldiers who died for this country to live on. You look at these statues and think of it as a reminder of what we should not be as a nation and strive to be better as Americans. You don’t go to the Vietnam Memorial or the Korean Memorial to get excited about these wars; you go to remember what was lost and what was fought over to help better the lives of people. The confederate states had a lot to do with the framework of America. Without them, we are not the country we are today. Those statues are a symbol to the south of there sacrifice to this country. You don’t have to think these guys were the greatest examples of humans possible, but you should respect people’s opinions who think they stand for something and not destroy them. Most of the violence we see today over this topic is because both sides take it to the extreme. We should learn to respect others, respect property, and respect people’s opinions even if they differ from yours. Just because you think your opinion is the correct one doesn’t give you the right to make that decision for everyone else. If we allow this violence to continue and allow for statues that are a part of American history to be taken down, what will happen next? George Washington being taken off the one dollar bill because he was a slave owner?

“Without them, we are not the country we are today.”

they had just torn down. Less violently, like at the University of Texas at Austin, four statues honoring confederate figures were removed overnight from it’s main mall and relocated elsewhere on campus. These are two examples, one good and one bad, of what is happening all over our country. I do not believe that any statue should be taken down whether confederate or non confederate. It is a piece of our history and people need to learn to respect that. Although I do not agree with the university taking the statues down, at least they had the respect to remove them without damage and are truly trying to avoid conflict by putting the statues at a different point on campus. However, the protesters who violently destroyed property should face consequences. Although you may not agree with something,

Cities that have removed confederate statues:

Los Angeles, San Diego, Kansas City, St. Louis, Madison, Austin, New Orleans, Orlando, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Annapolis, etc. 18

News- October

False rape accusations are a serious problem

Incident in Bachelor In Paradise causes controversy When the words “shut it down” were said on the second episode of Bachelor In Paradise, all I wanted was to see what happened next. I was a nervous viewer wanting to see everything unfold, especially the truth. Cast member DeMario Jackson was accused of sexual misconduct against another cast member, Corinne Olympios. The whole production was suspended Jessica Butz for several weeks, and Warner Social Media Editor Bros investigated the situation and found no evidence of any @jessicabutzz misconduct. Initially, Olympios never came forward with any allegations. I understand it is scary for girls to come forward in situations like these, but the problem is that she wasn’t in distress. Instead, she was reportedly laughing and having a good time while filming. During an after show, she told the host, Chris Harrison, that Jackson did nothing wrong and called the situation annoying. I know this is reality TV and this could have been scripted, but the bigger picture is that it affected Jackson’s life. Women need to stop falsely accusing men of rape. I understand that the producer put these allegations forward first, but Olympios kept it going. If she felt like nothing was wrong with went on she should have said something. She had a boyfriend back at home and knew she could live her life and receive backlash because she is portrayed as the victim. It was reported, but not confirmed by Olym-

pios, that she just wanted attention to promote her new clothing line. In reality, Jackson is the victim after the way he was treated by the media and fans of the show. When Warner Bros finished their investigation, the cast agreed that Jackson was treated unfairly. When instances like this happen, they ruin that person’s reputation and lifestyle. Reports of rape need to be thoroughly investigated. There is no anger between DeMario and Olympios. She wrapped her legs around him when she saw him for the first time out in public and said she texted him when she got home. I don’t understand how she can behave like this toward Jackson after he “sexually assaulted” her and after she said, “I am a victim.” Then again, I don’t understand how Jackson can still be friends with Olympios after she implied she is a victim and the allegations are true. I don’t believe this was scripted because it made too much of an impact on Jackson’s life in the real world. If it was for some reason scripted, the producer with the idea should face jail time for faking something so serious. If the man faced jail time, she took a portion of his life away and should have to face consequences. What if a woman has consensual sex, and then regrets it the next day? What if a woman gets dumped by her boyfriend and decides to accuse him of rape as revenge? What if she’s just doing it for attention? These are all the endless possibilities we have to think about if the man is found innocent. We have think about why she did what she did. In every academic study, the most common reason to accuse a man of rape is to avoid getting in trouble by others. Half of false rape complaints are told by someone other than the alleged victim, usually a friend or family member. Women need to be held accountable for false rape accusation. It shouldn’t have to go on any longer.

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