the JOURNAL
View photos from One Acts. Page 10
January 31, 2014
Club sports lose funding
BACI kum thum tlinnak le Program thar an tuahnak kong Page 2 ah rel khawh.
Issue 8, Volume XCII
Southport High School
See reporter shadow blind teen. Page 6
971 East Banta Road
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Transportation no longer provided to club sports participants by Lindsey Farley Reporter Sophomore Tyler Schank has been playing on the club lacrosse team since his freshman year, and with having just a learner’s permit, he says he will find it much harder to get to games. With provided transportation for club sports being cut this year, many club athletes without licenses or cars will face the same problem Schank does. Not only is getting to games a problem, but for Schank, the bonds he and his teammates have made could break without the whole team riding to and from games together. “We bonded much more when we were on the buses,” Schank said. “I think without it, we wouldn’t have become closer.” Athletic director Mr. Pete Hubert says club Tyler Schank, sports are de- Sophomore fined as sports that are not IHSAA sanctioned. According to the athletic office secretary, Mrs. Peggy Warner, club sports offered at Southport High School consist of boys and girls bowling, boys volleyball and lacrosse. Hubert says club sports were chosen to not get transportation because Southport faced a transportation budget for all sports, and because of that, Southport could only afford to provide transportation to the IHSAA recognized sports such as football and basketball. “We are going to do everything we can to hopefully get back to where we once were,” Hubert said. Hubert says waiting for the provided transportation to return to club sports will take a lot of patience and time. It won’t be an immediate process. The head varsity lacrosse coach, Mr. Chris Pottratz, says that the transportation provided a sense of camaraderie for his athletes. Like Schank, Pottratz says they were able to bond more while they were all on the same bus to a game. Now, according to Pottratz, all of the teammates will lose out on that bonding experience that comes with them riding the bus all together. “(Provided transportation) was a great help for us,” Pottratz said. “Most teams in the state don’t have buses to take them to games, so, it was great for us.” According to Pottratz, most of the team has cars which makes it possible for them to get to games without the provided transportation. Pottratz says that for those who may not have cars, like Schank, carpooling may become the best option.
Garkhor Kulia (left) and Dut Mabok (right) arrived in America on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 28. The boys, who are from South Sudan, are in America through a scholarship program called A-HOPE that provides educational opportunities to deserving African athletes. Photo by Jesse Roller.
Program gives African boys American opportunity
Students hope to help their countries with their Western education by Moira McKinney News Editor
Mr. Jody Matthews and his wife always wanted to have more children and even considered being a foster family. When the opportunity to house Dut Mabok, a student from Sudan, was presented to them, they were happy to have another member to add to their family. “When the opportunity came for us to take Dut in and be part of our lives,” Jody said, “we decided after some consideration that’s what we wanted to do and that we wanted to add to our family that way.” Mabok has struggled from being away from his native country and family. He speaks Arabic and is still learning English. Garkhor Kulia, a student from South Sudan who was supposed to go to a boarding school in Chicago, was asked by Jody’s parents if he would like to stay and go to Southport High School. Kulia, who is fluent in English and Arabic, wanted to stay in Indianapolis and go to Southport in order to help Mabok. “My wife just saw (Kulia) and there was something that she said that felt an urgency to help,” said Mr. Rick Matthews, father of Jody Matthews, “so when she found out he was going to go to the boarding school, she wanted to see if we could provide the housing for him.” Success coach Mr. Bil Duany helps with a program called A-HOPE which is a non-profit, public charity organiza-
{garkhorKULIA} {dutMABOK} FAVORITE COLOR Blue CLASS Biology THING TO DO Listen to music, watch television FOOD Anything spicy SPORT Soccer, Basketball, Track and American Football
FAVORITE COLOR White CLASS English THING TO DO Listen to African and Arabic music FOOD Pizza SPORT Basketball and watching soccer
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING IN AMERICA? School and getting to know people WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT SOUTH SUDAN? Just everything, family
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING IN AMERICA? Basketball team and interacting with teammates WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT SUDAN? Mom and dad, siblings
AUTOGRAPH
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tion that helped fund the opportunity for Mabok and Kulia. A-HOPE finds educational opportunities in the U.S. for deserving student athletes in Africa from ages 14-19 who would otherwise not have the opportunity to advance their education. Mabok was looked at because of his abilities in basketball, and Kulia won an A-HOPE provided 5K race, however, they were chosen because of their attitudes towards the challenge of the program. The two boys will stay in America until their college education is completed. They will then return to their home country to help improve the social and economic well-being of that country. The boys plan to take advantage of the help that has been given to them.
They are very dedicated to getting an education and getting done what they need to get done according to Duany. Each has a plan for how they will get an education and better themselves so they can return to their country ready to improve it. “They’re hardworking guys. They’re extremely serious about their education,” Duany said. “They understood this on-take and how difficult this could be--leaving your family and leaving a lot of stuff behind and going to try to better yourself so you can one day help your family and your country. They were guys that, after getting to know a lot of people, seemed up for the task.” Both families are extremely happy with their choices to let these boys into
their families. Jody says Mabok has taught them a lot about life in Africa and Rick says him and his family are just thrilled about having them as part of their family. “It’s been wonderful,” Jody said about Mabok living with his family. “My wife and I and him have formed those special bonds very quickly.” Mabok plans to study law. He says studying law itself would South Sudan because he could be a lawyer or a judge, and it will help him focus on the issues in the country and help him to be honest. “If I study law I will have the advantage to get employment in South Sudan or in Africa,” Mabok said through the translation of Kulia. “I can work anywhere, so I want to have that opportunity.” Kulia plans to finish college and become a doctor, then go back to South Sudan and build a hospital to help people. Kulia says lots of people in South Sudan don’t have access to good hospitals or medical care because of the gap between the rich and poor is so big. He says people who don’t have money eventually die from untreated sickness and disease. Kulia would like to become a doctor so he can treat patients regardless of their financial situation. “To me it’s not all about earning money in the field. If I become a doctor, I will deal with emergency cases, and I will treat without asking for money,” Kulia said. “If they have money, fine. If they don’t have money, it’s still fine.”
For video on the boys, check out shsnewsbureau.com To make a donation to A-HOPE, visit a-hope.org/donations.html
Severe winter weather disrupts school schedule Perry Township decides when to make up lost instructional days by Bradley Davis Reporter With snow make up days looming and with more possible, students continue to be concerned about the loss of summer vacation days, and seniors are concerned about the movement of the commencement ceremony.
The commencement ceremony will not be moved unless more snow days are accumulated during the duration of the school year, according to superintendent Dr. Thomas Little. “Moving commencement would be the extreme option,” Little said. “Families have been planning for that special day, and the waiver the district had approved is to help prevent the movement.” Principal Ms. Barbara Brouwer says that seniors are expected to be in attendance for all make up days, including those that are after graduation.
Perry Township school board took the opportunity to apply for the waiver that involves dismissing Monday, Jan. 6 and Tuesday, Jan. 7 as make up days later in the year. The most important reason the district canceled school is to keep students, teachers and other staff members safe. The district also felt that it was important to do everything in their power to keep commencement set the day it is, according to Little and Perry Township School district spokeswoman Ms. Paula Clegg. “I haven’t seen 11 inches of snow
and 40-50 degrees below zero in a long time,” Little said. “The first priority is student safety.” Since the district will not make up two of the five days, Southport’s construction plans have been forced to adjust, according to assistant principle Mr. Kirby Schott. Construction workers were not working Monday and Tuesday of the winter storm, so the opening from the main office to the grand hallway was delayed. But, the biggest adjustment will be the loss of days to work during the summer, according to
Schott. Construction workers were not in the building on Monday and Tuesday after the blizzard, and they will have to work faster during summer to make time. Students and teachers will have to adjust to missing instructional days, but Brouwer and Little say that Perry township’s staff has to the ability to work around the days missed. For the most updated information on the school calender go to shsnewsbureau.com
2
Foreign Language
January 31, 2014
Dos Mundos, Una Vida Los estudiantes luchan con ser parte de dos culturas by Cooper Davis Periodista
Board Chiarman, Pu Roding a in open house ah lawmthu sawina a nei a, Chin mi te hi lungrual tak leh chak takin hma an lak theih na turin a fuih hlawm bawk. Photo contributed by Elaisa Vahnie.
Ya es demasiado difícil para los jóvenes vivir y comunicarse con sus padres, pero si los padres no hablan el mismo lenguaje es imposible. Es un problema que muchos inmigrantes deben de vencer, pero con el cual Christian Bravo luchan cada día. Senior Executive director, Elaisa Vahn- Los maestros ie sawi dan chuan, Burma atang in, ven esta situnu sawm ai tam chah chho an ni ación año tras a. Burma ah hian nau enkawl dan año, y aumenta tur te leh license neih tum in, In- más y más custitute’s Microenterprise Develop- ando nuevos ment Project hnuai ah an thawk a inmigrantes lleni. He Microenterprise hian nu te gan a los Estahi an fa leh, nu pawih mawh tak dos Unidos. tak fa dang te an enkawl bakah, in Según las chhung lam ah te pawh nu berin estadísticas del Isaac Delgado, pawisa a lakluh ve a vang in, ch- estado de Indi- Junior hungkua hlimna a thlen hle ani. ana, nuestra esElaisa Vahnie sawi dan chuan, cuela, Southport, tiene alrededor program an neih te hi an hun de 800 estudiantes de otros países hman dan hi a hlawhtling hle a, tin y un número inmensurable de faUpward College Program te pawn milias que no son bilingües. Algusikul naupang ho pui tur a ron in nos estudiantes tienen que ensehmang, College naupangte, BACI a ñarles a sus padres a hablar inglés hnathawk te leh puitur dang dang al mismo tiempo que ellos aprente a vang pawh in puitlin na lam an den el idioma, y es tan agotador. pan chho zel a ni. “Mientras yo estaba crecien“Perry Township School District do, muchas veces mis padres me leader leh Southport High school te pedían que hablara en español hnen ah lawm thu en vez de inglés ka sawi duh hle porque ellos no For the full English versions of a, an tel lo chuan entendían.” dijo these stories, check out kan hlawhtling senior Christian shsnewsbureau.com dawn lo a ni,” tiin Bravo. “En mi Vahnie in a sawi. casa o en el res-
BACI in program thar an hawng
BACI ten nu ho tana program thar a hawn chu hma a sawn zel by Janet Tluang Reporter Mizo Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) chuan naupang enkawlna lama zirchhuak te chawimawina hun an hmang a. He hunah hian Indiana senator, Brent Waltz an mipui hnenah lawmthu sawiin Chin mipui te pawh an than chhoh zel tur thu a sawi ani. Tin, BACI te hnathawh chu fakawm tiin a chawimawi hle a ni. BACI hian program pahnih a nei a, program hmasa zawk chu , The Upward College Program tih a ni, he program hi , Indiana a Chin sikul naupang ho lehkha zir na a hma an sawn zel theih na tur leh, an hma kam hun tur a an in buatsaih zel theih na tur a hawn a ni. He an program thar hawn erawh chu, nu buai tak tak ne, hnathawh
tul avanga fate enkawl hman lo ho te tan hawn sak an ni. Pawl sawm pahnih zirlai Van Tha Bawi leh Peng Thang sawi dan chuan, Upward College Program hi pawl sawm pahnih an nih a tang in an lut tan a (2012), he hmun ah hian lehkha te an zir a, SAT test tura inbuatsaihna te leh an hma lam huna an zirta tur college lam ah te poh an in ring chho zel a ni. He program ah hian, college lam a sikul kal mek ten, tlawmngai in lehkha zir an rawn pui thin a ni tiin a sawi, chumibai bakah, college ropui tak tak te tlawh in field trip ah an kal thin a ni. He program thar an hawn na a tel ve theih hi an lawm em em a. Tin he program hi, Chin nu leh faten an hlawkpui hle an beisei ani. “BACI in a, an program hawn thar hi mi tam tak tan hlawkpuina a nih ka ringa, a chhanchu nu tam tak hian hnathawh an duh thin a, fate enkawl tu an hmuh loh mai vanga thawk lo an ni tlang puia, mahse he program thar hian mi te a puih teuh theih hle ka beisei ani,” tiin Van Bawi an a sawi.
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taurante de mis padres, nosotros solamente hablamos en español. Les molesta si no lo hago, pero cuando me vaya a la escuela todo es inglés. Es difícil ser parte de ambas culturas y cambiar entre ellas, pero le hace falta.” Otro obstáculo que tienen los hijos de inmigrantes,además del barrera idioma, es la dificultad de educación. Un estudio de Princeton encontró que 23 por ciento de las madres inmigrantes no tiene un diploma de la escuela secundaria y 40 por ciento de padres no tiene diploma tampoco. Así que los padres que no estudiaron mucho en la escuela no pueden ayudarles a sus hijos con su tarea ni con su éxito en escuela, de acuerdo a junior Isaac Delgado. Él piensa que si no lo hace bien en la escuela, será más difícil para él a hacer el trabajo que quiere, pero sus padres lo quieren centrarse más en el trabajo que él tiene ahora. Es un círculo vicioso, pero muchos estudiantes lo hacen bien independientemente y con mucho trabajo. “Mi mamá me recuerda que estudie y que haga mi tarea, pero es diferente de cómo los padres de mis amigos ayudan a sus hijos con su tarea.” dijo Delgado “Todavía soy responsable para mí y mis grados, mis padres no entienden la importancia de escuela aqui, se preocupan más por mi trabajo de lo que hago en la escuela. A veces es bueno, a veces es malo.” No todo es malo, dijeron ambos estudiantes, la ética del trabajo y la disciplina que aprenden es vital para tener éxito más adelante en la vida, dijo Bravo. Él creo que todos los problemas tiene ahora se van a convertir en habilidades más tarde. Para los 800 estudiantes inmigrantes en Southport, esto podría darles una ventaja competitiva en su futuro trabajo y vida.
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Student Life
January 31, 2014
Scholarship applications require student excellence
Financial aid committees give advice about how to stand out by Delaney Bucker Reporter Four years of high school have led up to this point, when students pack their bags and head somewhere too expensive for them to pay Ms. Briana themselves. The majority of Underwood, students need fi- Guidance nancial aid, and Counselor scholarships can help with that. Knowing how to apply in a way that sparks the attention of committees can be very beneficial to students.
Mr. Brad
“In essence, Boyd, you are selling Kiwanis Executive yourself,” guid- Director ance counselor Ms. Briana Underwood said. “This is the time for you to brag about yourself, brag about your accomplish-
ments and put that out there.” The top five tips for students looking for scholarship money have been collectively brought together. Contributors believe that if students follow the advice given, they will be more successful in the process of searching for and being granted financial aid. Do the research A multitude of associations offer scholarships for all different kinds of students, Underwood says. Students just have to be willing to do some research. “There is a lot of free money out there, and it’s very easy for students because of the internet,” Underwood said. “It does take a little bit of time, but it will pay off in the end.” Underwood even says that a simple Google search could easily do the trick. Find the right fit There are all kinds of scholarships out there, and from all kinds of organizations. Students just need to find the scholarships that best fit them. “I would suggest that (students) contact their high school guidance counselor and talk to them about the scholarship and see whether they might be a good candidate,” said Brad Boyd, Executive Director of Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis, Inc. Apply early According to Mr. Brent Bockelman, vice president of the Southport High School Alumni Associa-
tion, students should apply as soon as possible for scholarships. “Apply early if you can,” Bockelman said. “This shows that you’re not just procrastinating or just waiting the night before it’s all due. That’s kind of what we look for.” Essays In order for students to have a better chance at attaining scholarship money and submitting a worthy application, Underwood advises students give their best effort on all essays. She even recommends that students have their English teachers look over them. Bockelman also says it is important that students give a lot of effort on the essays within an application. “When you apply accentuate your strengths,” Bockelman said. “If there’s a writing aspect to it, always put your best foot forward.” Apply for many Students never know how many other students may be applying to the same scholarship as they are, Underwood says. Even if the scholarship is one that the student does not think he or she will get, Underwood says he or she should go for it. The more scholarships students apply for, the more likely they are to get money for college. “It might be a scholarship that a lot of other people aren’t applying for,” Underwood said. If students want to receive money to help with college, these tips will significantly help with winning scholarships.
{upcomingDEADLINES} Second semester for seniors is a whirlwind of applications and deadlines to remember as they figure out their futures. Here are several important college deadlines for seniors. Information gathered by Sierra Sullivan. FAFSA Deadlines: • Federal deadlines: online applications must be submitted by midnight central time, June 30, 2014. • State deadline: March 10, 2013; midnight central time. SAT Test Dates and Deadlines: • Test date: March 8, 2014. Registration deadline: Feb. 7, 2014 • Test date: May 3, 2014. Registration deadline: April 4, 2014 • Test date: June 7, 2014. Registration deadline: May 9, 2014 ACT Test Dates and Deadlines: • Test date: Feb. 8, 2014. Registration for this test is currently closed • Test date: April 12, 2014. Registration deadline: March 7, 2014 •Test date: June 14, 2014. Registration deadline: May 9, 2014
College school spirit is a lot more prevalent than in high school. Many come out to support different events. In this IU basketball game on Jan. 14, 2014, hundreds of students gather to cheer on their basketball team. Dishman and her friends enjoy the energetic atmosphere as part of their freshman year. Photos contributed by Rachel Dishman.
Here is a sample annual college student budget. Information from college. lovetoknow.com.
College life teaches alum independence
Clothing: $500-$1,000
Dishman recounts distinctions between college and high school
Books and supplies: $400-$1,200
by Britton Whitlock Reporter
Food: $500-$1,000 Gas/Car insurance: $1,200-$3,000 Travel: $100-$1,000 Entertainment: $500 Electronics: $200-$1,200 Activities: $100-$1,000 Cell phone: $350-$600
One week before classes start, college freshmen move into their dorms before other students. They have a week of activities to help students adjust to college life. On the Rachel Dishman, first day of classes, Southport 2013 Southport graduate graduate and freshman at IU Rachel Dishman felt a wave of relief spreading over her. “Compared to high school,” Dishman said, “the first day of college makes you feel really calm. In high school, there’s a lot of pressure on little things, like what to wear on the first day, but here, no one cares about that. Plus, you feel a sense of relief. You’ve finally made it. You aren’t in high school anymore.” After having a semester to get used
to life as a college student, Dishman of Students at the University of Indiabelieves that the biggest difference be- napolis, that is a good way to help keep tween high school and college is the dif- up with studies. ficulty of adjusting. Dishman also stresses the imporAccording to Dishman, in college, tance that students take their school students have to really fowork seriously. cus on studies because the “I wish that I would have really learned how classes are a lot more difficult because of the content and to study well during high You school,” Dishman said. because students have more freedom. The leniency makes finally made “That’s something kids it harder to keep on track need to know, that you it. You can’t just procrastinate with school work. aren’t in “No one is going to tell you your studies in college.” Dishman also recomwhat to do,” Dishman said. high school “Professors aren’t going to mends getting involved anymore. remind you when things are in as many of the clubs in college as possible. due. You really have to make Rachel yourself do them.” “Schools have a ton of Dishman clubs and stuff that you Size of college classes varies, but it is important to make can join,” Dishman said. “If sure you get to know the proyou don’t involve yourself, fessor, according to Dishman. Students then you just find yourself in your room might be enrolled in a class where they all the time and you’re always bored.” According to Dishman, most schools sit in a lecture hall with 300 people or in a small classroom with 30 students. have a club for just about anything The lecture hall-sized class might you’re interested in. There are academic make students just feel like a number, ones that students can get involved in, but an easy way to solve that is by going fraternity clubs and just random clubs. “There’s a club for everything,” Dishto visit the professor during their office hours to get extra help and to establish man said. “Anything you want to do, a bond. According to both Dishman and there’s a club for it.” Kory Vitangeli, the Vice President for Most schools require freshmen to Student and Campus Affairs and Dean live on campus in dorms. According to
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“
{collegeCOSTS}
Vitangeli, it is recommended that students live on campus because it helps them get accustomed to the campus and helps motivate them to frequently attend classes. According to Dishman, living in a dorm is a great experience, even if some roommates aren’t great. “Don’t worry about roommates. Whether they are your best friends from high school or total strangers, it seriously won’t matter,” Dishman said. “Your floor will have people who become your new best friends, and even if you have a roommate you can’t stand, (living with them) won’t hurt anything.” Dishman says that the friends students make become a second family during college and make the experience memorable, despite being away from home. However, homesickness isn’t really a major problem for Dishman because of the convenience of things like FaceTime, although she does miss her family and pets, because “technology doesn’t let you pet dogs over FaceTime.” She says that her school has become her home. “The weirdest thing is when you catch yourself calling your school’s city ‘home,’” Dishman said. “When you’re on break, you realize how much you want to go back.”
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Reviews
January 31, 2014
Movie
Food
Concert
Book
Music
Game
‘Monster’ movie is a monstrosity ‘I, Frankenstein’ was terrifyingly horrible and the true abomination by Vanessa Abplanalp Entertainment Editor When battles of good and evil come to mind, gargoyles don’t exactly come to mind for the ‘good.’ In “I, Frankenstein,” released Jan. 24, the man made from many men is caught between a centuries-old war of the demonic and angelic (since ‘gargoylic’ isn’t a word). The result is a once-monster movie becoming its own abomination. It may be alive, but not for long. Beginning with a somewhat-true recount of Shelley’s original “Frankenstein,” that illusion’s soon shattered when human-appearing demons begin attacking the creation. Gargoyles also conveniently show up. Descending the demons from whence they came, the gargoyles take the created man to the sanctuary with the gargoyle queen, Lenore, who I’m sure had a pun in the works by naming Dr. Frankenstein’s creation Adam, played by Aaron Eckhart. He doesn’t even have a soul, see-
“I, Frankenstein” grossed $8.3 million within the first three days in box office. It had budget of $65 million, according to escapistmagazine.com. Photo from comicbook.com. ing as he’s man-made and not a God original. Brand names matter. Lenore offers him refuge and explains how he’s now a part of the waging war against demons. He isn’t having that. After obtaining weapons, he’s on his way for the next couple centuries. In that time, the only thing to change is Adam’s hair length and society. He continues to kill the demons who have been pursuing him for 200 years, but somehow, they never cap-
ture him. Events turn the cauldron to boil when Adam goes into a common demon-hunting hovel: a nightclub. The creation discovers the one who’s been hunting him all this time, Naberius, the demon prince, played by Bill Nighy. I’m not completely positive on the whole hierarchy involving demons and gargoyles, but he seems to be pretty high up. From there on out, Adam is paired up with a nice, normal, human-lady
Album near ‘Giant’ success
‘Mind Over Matter’ started out on the right foot, then broke it by Cooper Davis Reporter
Young the Giant’s lead singer, Sameer Gadhiais, is like a sultry Greek siren, because throughout the new album, “Mind Over Matter,” his voice lured me to slow but sure social death. What initially started out as some light foot tapping, gentle head bobbing and low humming soon turned into full on public dancing, head banging and boisterously belting out of my favorite songs in the car. Doing any of those three things probably caused some serious rubber necking or judgmental looks, but YOLO. Anyway, how could I help myself? When the stars align and this band combines all its best aspects, you end up with songs that are slices of sunny, California-radio gold. With outstanding tracks like “It’s About Time,” “Crystallized,” “Day Dreamer” and “Anagram,” you get to hear Gadhiais’ stadium-sized howl ring true and even occasionally
“Mind Over Matter” is Young the Giant’s third album, released Jan. 1. Photo from youngthegiant.com. drift skyward with his dizzying falsetto. When you pair that with some crunched out, distortion-full guitar riffs and licks, you get some solid, good rock music, but nothing actually new or noteworthy. No, what makes “Mind Over Matter” great and surpasses their debut album is all the very lovely bells and whistles that Grammy-winner Justin Meldal-Johnsen worked into the album. He puts the thumping, bumping bass line that undercuts “Camera,” and the bouncy, bubble gum synth that loops irresistibly in “Crystallized” and the chamber pop title track, “Mind Over Matter.”
In the first half, you can easily discern and appreciate all that extra studio effort that makes the album ear catching and worthwhile, but the momentum and ingenuity slows down around track nine. Call it too much of a good thing, or maybe just the album reaching its climax too early, but around the 30-minute mark, the music gets bland and repetitive. It falters and sputters worse than half the cars in the Southport High School parking lot. While it does almost recover, it ultimately falls short and dies. These last couple songs just don’t have the sonic oomph to take them all the way to the alternative rock end zone, sadly. It needs the studio work and creativity that made 3/4 of the album so likeable and hypnotic. The lackluster ending leaves a bad, burnt-out taste in my mouth. It’s better to make it short and sweet and keep us wanting more, rather than a hit-and-miss ending. But, aside from those few bad apples, this album’s beginning is honestly the best thing since indoor plumbing. It’s most definitely worth $7.99 and your time to lend your ear to Young the Giant.
doctor, trying to convince her and the gargoyles what the demons have up their nefarious sleeves. The movie title does make sense in the end. The film finishes about as happily ever after as you can get for this movie. Due to unexpected transitions and awkward changes throughout the film, “that escalated quickly” was a phrase that commonly came to my mind. It was almost as if Adam thought, “Well, I guess I’ll bury the guy who created me
{releaseRADAR} Movie“That Awkward Moment,” Jan. 31.
by Katie Hinh Editor-in-Chief What if when we were born, we were allowed to see every possible future life that we could live? What if we relived our lives in every possible way until we thought we got it right? This is Kate Atkinson’s book “Life After Life.” The main character is Ursula Todd, and the book centers on her
{offTRACKS}
life. In the first chapter she dies before she can ever draw her first breath. But, in the second chapter she is saved at the last minute by a doctor who they never thought could make it through the weather. This is how Ursula Todd lives her life. She lives until she dies, then reincarnates back to the night she was born and relives her life a little bit differently each time. The novel spans the length of Ursula’s life starting in 1910 and ending somewhere in the late 1960s. Ursula’s life has the broad after effects of World War I, and she fully experiences the horrors of World War II in a number of ways. Her deaths occurs in various
GPA: 1.8
Enjoy this Netflixonly series ‘House of Cards’ offers entertaining drama and political issues
AlbumThe Fray, “Helios,” Feb. 25.
by Sarah Fowerbaugh Reporter
AlbumSchoolboy Q, “Oxymoron,” Feb. 25.
Netflix Series“House of Cards,” Season Two, Feb. 14.
GPA: 3.1
Information from wikipedia.org and movieinsider.com. Images from spillitnow.com, collider.com and nstuff.com.
way, often times when she tries to save the lives of others. Each story of Ursula’s lives feel real. Each life Ursula lives could be its own story. Ursula faces almost every situation possible for a woman of that time: an abusive husband, the loss of a family member in war, the loss of a child, the inability to have freedom or superiority in the workplace, trying to place where her loyalties lie and the looming possibility that she will die alone with nobody there left to support her. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it really did make me think. Albeit, it was confusing at first. The chapters went straight into her reincarnations, with no explanation, but it was easy to
see after some context clues. Ursula’s journey shows readers that not only the choices we make change the situation, they change our lives and the lives of others completely. The novel leaves the distinct impression of “what if?” What if we did one thing differently? What if I had taken less time or more time? We will never know since we don’t get to live “Life After Life.” The novel makes us all look at our lives and think “what could have happened?”
‘Life After Life’ will liven your reading list
The ever-present ‘what-if’ side of life is explored in 2014 novel
five minutes into the movie and- OH, MOTHER OF JOHN STAMOS, THERE ARE THINGS FLYING TOWARDS ME. Time to hide for the next 200 years.” Nighy was exceedingly evil and was excellent at what he did. While Eckhart’s performance was fitting, the raspy grumbles got older than two centuries of warring. I’m still not over the fact that he was wearing Levi’s for a majority of the film. I will admit, the plot actually came together, and the broken pieces fell into place. It was just extremely difficult to see that in the first half of the movie. Adam’s time with the human doctor led me to believe there might be a “Beauty and the Beast” situation, when an unlovable monster falls for the kind, pretty girl. Come on, at some point, the woman must’ve thought, “You know, for a soul-less guy made from like eight dead guys created during the 1800s, he’s ripped.” The two didn’t even hug. While it made for an interesting experience, “I, Frankenstein” will soon descend to the dollar theater, but you should keep your money and rent the hilariously-superior “Young Frankenstein.” Dr. Frankenstein created a monster, and “I, Frankenstein” is definitely a monstrosity.
If you’re looking for vengeance-laced politics, look no further than the Netflix original series “House of Cards.” The award-winning show is one of the newly-dubbed web-television series in its political storm. “House of Cards” is one of the tamest of the recently released. It centers around the story line of a scorned politician who spends the entirety of the season seeking revenge on his traitorous colleagues. Kevin Spacey plays the amicable U.S. Representative Frank Underwood, a Democrat with a shattered dream (who also shatters the fourth wall every now and then). Underwood was promised a hefty government position by the future president, in exchange for his help with the presidential campaign, but is denied the job when push comes to shove. Underwood then spirals into his own political game, building up enough leverage and new popularity in order to topple the president’s house of cards. For those not exactly politically driven, “House of Cards” may not be the best way to spend a Saturday night. The twisting plot and quick witty dialogue may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But, for people who enjoy light drama and don’t mind the underbelly of the U.S. government, “House of Cards” may be a new Netflix obsession. With a star-studded cast and promising future, “House of Cards” provides 13 episodes of riveting backstabbery and political monopoly.
GPA: 3.5 GPA: 3.2 Comic by Hope Randall.
6
Features
January 31, 2014
Through new eyes: seeing without sight Classes, newspaper, track all in a day’s work for blind student
Southport’s new sign language teacher began working with students for the first time at the start of the second semester. Although she hasn’t been here long, there’s a lot to know about Southport’s new addition. Interview conducted by McKenzie Witherell.
Q& A}
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by Christina Hemphill Reporter Relic wood doors, tall brick bell tower and small homey classrooms build a not-so-typical school. The only problem is most students that attend this school can’t see the beauty. The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) has been around since the late 1920s and has 158 students ranging from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Not all of the students at the school are fully blind. Most students stay on campus in dorms, and sometimes small houses all shared with roommates. The school has a traditional 7 period day with classroom sizes ranging up to 8 kids a class. Kwaku Dakwa is a senior at the ISBVI. He was not born blind, but by the age of 15 he was. “When I was born, I had glaucoma in my right eye, and my left eye was undeveloped,” Dakwa said. In seventh grade, he came to ISBVI for a program called short-coursing where students stay for a week at the school to learn things needed like how to use technology and a cane. At age 15, Dakwa had a surgery that was supposed to put tubes in his eyes to drain pressure that caused his glaucoma. His retina ended up detaching during the surgery and could not be fixed. He says he still remembers what the hallways look like in the school, and even sometimes dreams where he can see things. Dakwa has not let his blindness hold him back in life at all. He is the editor-in-chief of his school’s newspaper called “The ISBVI Rocketeer” and also participated in track last year at his school. He ran the 60 m dash and the 1200 m run as well as standing long jump and triple jump. For blind and visually impaired students, track can be a little bit different in the way that the runner holds a rope while running on the straightaway of a track and the rope gets thicker as they reach the end. For longer distances, they turn around and run back to the start, repeated if necessary. The ISBVI is much like any other school sharing similar courses, classrooms and the material learned.
Ms. Natalie Hendrix-Evans was born to a family with hearing, but she is deaf. She attended college at University of Indianapolis and graduated with a BS degree in Elementary Education. She then attended Vincennes University and got her associate degree in ASL just last month. She is married to Mr. Zachary Evans, an interpreter here at Southport.
Q: Were you born being able to hear? A: I was born not being able to hear but back then the hospitals were not required to do hearing screening on all newborns so I was undiagnosed until the age of two and a half. Kwaku Dakwa, a senior at The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, works with the “seven line dot diagram” during his braille class on Jan. 24. Dakwa is fully blind, and he is the editor of his school’s newspaper. Photo by Caitlyn Jones. Many of the same courses offered at Southport are at ISBVI. Seniors take Economics and Government, and students take typical high school classes like geometry and gym. Dakwa says one of the hardest things to do is geometry because the shapes are in braille, making it hard to visualize the angles. One class that is different from the classes a person would see at Southport is braille. Braille class is comparable to a foreign language or English class. Dakwa’s class has only two students. The other boy and he began class by talk-
ing about an event that happened last week that celebrated braille. They then practiced the many different letters and letter combinations of braille and talked about the history of it. Mr. Alan Roth is Dakwa’s chemistry teacher. He has taught at ISBVI for 13 years and taught 25 years altogether. A story that sticks out in his mind from when he first started teaching at ISBVI is when a student joked about his blindness. Before this, Roth says he was walking on eggshells because he was worried of insulting the blind students. “Ever since the day a student, who
is blind, crashed into a lab table and said ‘Gee I must be blind today,’” Roth said, “I’ve been hooked on teaching in this environment.” One important aspect of Roth’s job is modifying materials used in chemistry so that the students can still perform the same experiments that kids at other schools do. One of these materials is a graduated cylinder with a floating tab that students can read in braille. “It’s just another day at the office,” Roth said. “Science with modification, counseling and dealing with teen behaviors.”
Extensive program available for deaf Students with hearing disabilities thrive within program by Alle Musser Reporter In 2005, one in 20 Americans were currently deaf or hard of hearing, according to alldeaf.com. In rounded numbers, that means nearly ten million people were hard of hearing and 1 million were functionally deaf in the U.S. Less than 4 percent of those being under the age of 18. “When a child is identified, usually at birth, as having some form of hearing loss,” interpreter Mr. Zachary Evans said, “they are evaluated and a determination is made.” There are four students at Southport who are deaf or hard of hearing. Southport has a unique program, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program. This allows interpreters to help deaf or hard of hearing students learn, socialize and make the most out of their high school career. According to Evans, when a child is evaluated, the determination is made as to what accommodation is needed for this student. Sometimes, only a set of hearing aids is all that is needed, and then the rest of their school career they only need a quick checkup every six weeks. If the hearing loss is severe, how-
Getting to know Southport’s new ASL teacher
ever, Evans says a cochlear implant and/or interpreters are required. If the child needs an interpreter, they are usually placed in the Perry Township school where the interpreters are based. Sophomore Austin Isaac, a hearing impaired student at Southport, was born completely deaf. He couldn’t hear until he got a cochlear implant. Isaac began going to Southport his Freshman year and wouldn’t want to attend any other school. “[Other schools] don’t have an extensive hearing program that Southport does,” Isaac said. “They have a microphone where deaf people can use with cochlears, but not interpreters.” The DHH program is one branch of the services provided by Southside Special Services of Marion County. RISE Learning Center, a school on the Southside designed for students with high support needs, used to be a part of Perry Township and served all the surrounding townships on the south side of Indianapolis until they became their own school system a couple years ago. For the four students in DHH at Southport, there are two interpreters, Evans and Ms. Jill Maude. Depending on the interpreter and student’s relationship and the interpreter’s strengths, it is decided which interpreter works with a student and what class. “Some interpreters work well with
{listenUP} About 20 percent of adults in the U.S. report some degree of hearing loss. Of these 48 million, approximately 1 million are considered functionally deaf and are unable hear at all. Keep reading for more facts about hearing disabilities in the U.S. PROGRESSION At age 65, one out of three people has a hearing loss. WORK 60 percent of the people with hearing loss are either in the work force or in educational settings. CHILDREN About 2-3 of every 1,000 children are hard of hearing or deaf SCHOOLS Estimated that 30 school children per 1,000 have a hearing loss. Information contributed by Georgetown National Academy on Aging
one student and not so well with another,” Evans said. “Conflict isn’t always imminent, it’s just a question of developing a cohesive working relationship.” Maude says this program is extremely helpful for younger, elementary students. It allows kids to go to the school in their township instead of RISE, allowing them to go to school with their friends. Also, a student who isn’t completely deaf or needs an interpreter might not require as much help as the students who do at RISE. However, at the high school level, Maude says the program ben-
efitted everyone at the school, even branching out to teachers and students outside of the program. “The diversity of having different abilities and different ways to communicate, like sign language,” Maude said, “is great for kids in the program and kids outside of the program.” Adding the American Sign Language course is a unique way Southport has helped all students and staff. Evans says that there are only five or six ASL teachers in Indiana, which limits the number of schools that offer an ASL class.
Q: Was it difficult learning how to sign? A: It was not difficult to learn to sign as I use my eyes more than my sense of hearing. Q: What is a normal day for you? A: My normal day is crazy right now with all the jobs I work. I wake up my students in the dorm and have them get ready. I usually have breakfast with the deaf students and drop them off at school when they are ready. Then I come here to teach three classes. I report to Indiana School for the Deaf about midnight Sunday night through Thursday and work until 8 a.m. Q: When did you start to learn Sign language? A: I was exposed to sign language when I was young, but didn’t officially learn to use it until I was in high school even though I had an interpreter. I didn’t become fluent until my college years when I finally has sign language interpreter who could sign. Q: How is it teaching with this language barrier? A: I am one of the fortunate ones. On occasion I will get by with lipreading and speaking vocally. Q: What has it been like teaching here at Southport? A: It is an honor to teach here at Southport. I feel very welcomed by the students and staff. I will be right at home here in no time.
Sports
January 31, 2014
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{scoreTICKER} Boys Basketball Jan. 22 W vs. Franklin Central, 6054 Jan. 25 W @ Mooresville, 58-55 Upcoming: Jan. 31 vs. Columbus North Feb. 1 @ Franklin Community Feb. 7 @ Perry Meridian Boys Swimming Jan. 14 L vs. Greenwood Jan. 16 L vs. Perry Meridian Upcoming: Feb. 1 Conference @ CN Feb. 4 @ Columbus North Girls Swimming Jan. 16 L vs. Perry Meridian Jan. 18 8th place at conference meet Upcoming: Feb. 6-8 Sectionals @ Franklin Comm. Girls Basketball Jan. 21 L vs. Greenwood Jan. 24 L vs. Perry Meridian Upcoming: Jan. 31 vs. Columbus North Feb. 1 vs. Decatur Central Feb. 6 vs. Mooresville Wrestling Jan. 18 8th place at conference meet Jan. 23 W vs. Speedway Upcoming: Feb. 1 Sectionals @ Northwest Bowling Jan. 13 L vs. Franklin Community Jan. 16 W vs. Whiteland Final: Finished 5th in regular season and finished 4th in sectionals and did not advance
The Answer with Nick Holland
The 1980 girls basketball team poses after winning the state championship by beating the Columbus East Olympians, 64-60. Senior Amy Metheny was the team’s leading scorer that season. Photo contributed by the Athletic office.
Historic team to be honored tonight 1980 girls state finals champs to be recognized with ceremony by Derrick Gray Reporter In the history of Southport High School athletics, there are few moments that top that of the 1980 girls basketball state championship game. The venue: a young Market Square Arena that will for the very first time host a Girls’ Basketball State Championship. The competitors: a Southport Cardinals team comprised of two of the best female basketball players to set foot on the glorified field house floor. A combined force of Linda Mallender and Amy Metheny. Metheny, to this day, still holds the most points in a season record, with 490 and the most assists in one season with 130. Meanwhile, Mallender led the team to an 82-11 record in her four years and never lost a game on her home court. “We felt like it was our game to lose. We had the pieces needed to succeed,” Metheny said. “All we had to do is go out and make it happen.” On that night, the Cardinals faced a 22-3 Columbus East team. While the Cardinals had Mallender and Metheny, the Olympians had a force of their own. There was Maria Stack, a senior at Columbus East who averaged 28.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in her last year of high school basketball. Stack would later become the state tournament MVP and 1980 Miss Basketball. According to former varsity player for the Cardinals, Jane Fletcher, the girls had always had their eyes’ set on the state championship. Fletcher con-
tinues to explain how every players’ and coaches’ goal from the very beginning was to walk away with the title. Fletcher describes the girls as being nervous and excited before Amy Metheny, the big game. But, Former player a feeling that overwhelmed them all was one of pride. “We were the first girls high school state championship game to play in Market Square, and to us, that Jane Fletcher, was huge,” Former player Fletcher said. After defeating the Columbus East in overtime 67 to 63, the team was overwhelmed with excitement. According to Fletcher, the girls were in shock, and the Southport community was very supportive in the girls’ victory. Fletcher recalls the entire community, students, teachers, parents and all meeting back at the Southport High School Field House to celebrate at 2 a.m. Now, 34 years later, Southport still looks back to this moment of triumph and celebrates the team’s miraculous accomplishments. After the state championship game came to a close in the following weeks, the girls of the 1980 team were rightfully memorialized in a variety of ways. For Mallender, Metheny and Head coach Marilyn Ramsey, the stories of their basketball prowess is immortalized in the halls of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
After their success at the high school level, Mallender and Metheny went on to play college basketball. Mallender chose to attend Miami University, where she became the player of the year in 1983 and finished her career, attempting to make it onto the 1984 Olympic team. Metheny continued her career at Indiana University, where she led the team to a Big Ten championship appearance. As for Ramsey, she continued coaching girls basketball here at Southport until 1984. After 11 seasons of coaching, Ramsey finished her career with a record of 232-80. The sheer quantity of these women’s accomplishments is worth celebrating. Athletic director Mr. Pete Hubert expresses how important ceremonies like this are to not only school pride, but to the pride that radiates from the entire Southport community. According to Hubert, the 1980 team serves to be role models for the young students here at Southport. It sets the bar high for athletic teams for years to come, and it just goes to show what the people of this community are capable of. “It is an honor to be recognized,” Fletcher said. “I am so excited to see everyone again: my teammates, coaches, and friends from back then.” Tonight, between the Southport vs. Columbus North basketball games, the female athletes and coaches of the 1980 championship team are scheduled to be recognized for their past accomplishments. For $5, students can come out and watch both the varsity girls and varsity boys play. Show some school pride, Southport. Come out and celebrate the past, present and future of Southport Athletics.
Unique pre-game rituals help Southport athletes prepare for games Routines fire up competitors to do their best in contests by Brooklyn Raines Reporter With the number six stitched into the back of his jersey, he walks over to the scores table after warm ups and picks up a small bottle of chalk. This ritual is done before every game. Most eyes are drawn to the table by now. LeBron James places the chalk into his hands, just for it to escape into midair seconds later. Many Southport High School athletes also participate in pregame rituals, none involving chalk, but special to each athlete, nonetheless. This ranges from eating cinnamon rolls every game day morning to eating nothing at all before each meet. School lunch is the last meal junior swimmer Anthony Buckers eats before his swim meets. This season, he decided not eat anything after lunch on the days of his meet. “When I don’t eat before meets it makes me feel better,” Bueckers said. “In the previous years, I
would eat right before meets, and my stomach would feel full to the point it held me back.” According to Bueckers, his decision not to eat before meets has been a success, and he plans on sticking with it throughout his swimming career. On the other hand, senior Bailey Brothers eats cinnamon rolls before each game. She started this ritual after her older sister ate one before her first high school game and played really well. “Ever since I was in sixth grade and my sister was in high school, my mom would have cinnamon rolls ready in the morning on every game day,” Brothers said. Head varsity boys basketball coach Mr. Kyle Simpson even has a pre-game ritual. He got into doing pre-game routines as a high school basketball player and has continued having a ritual as a coach. “When I was a player during my junior and senior years, my mother would take me to a little restaurant on the outside of town,” Simpson said. “I would have a grilled chicken breast dinner before every game, or if it was an away game, my mom would get it to go, and I would eat it after school.” As a coach before every game,
The boys basketball team huddles up prior to the Franklin Central game on Jan. 22. The Cards won the game, 60-54. Photo by Lindsey Farley. Simpson drinks a Mountain Dew or a Coke and has to eat something to keep his mind relaxed. “I’ve had rituals in the past where we have won a lot of games, and I had a hot dog and a Coke before the game,” Simpson said. “If we win a game, I wear the same outfit the next game. I have my wife wash it, and I wear it again. I keep wearing the same outfit until we lose.” Joey Brunk’s freshman year, he
began taking hour-long naps before each game. According to Brunk, he began this routine in order to feel rested before each game. He also has his own specific dish to eat. “During halftime of the junior varsity games, I eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so I will have energy for the game,” Brunk said. Despite the outcomes of the game, win or lose, athletes continue to stick with their own personal pre-game rituals.
Super Bowl won’t be the same this year Regardless of the outcome of either of the games during “Championship Weekend” in the NFL, everyone knew this Super Bowl was going to be different. Two second-year QBs vs. longtime veteran QBs with well-established legacies. With the winners now decided and the stage set, it’s looking to be a scenario which the new-school QB can make a big statement against one of the greatest QBs of all time. This new-school type QB in Russell Wilson will be what keeps Peyton Manning from solidifying his legacy and taking home his second Super Bowl ring. Dual-threat QBs are looking like the future of the NFL. You have Cam Newton taking the league by storm and Colin Kaepernick, and now, Wilson are right there behind him. We saw how well Kaepernick did last year with that West Coast offense and his legs. It was exciting. I don’t know if it was more exciting than watching Manning rip apart every defense, most recently the Patriots. But, that level of excitement Kaepernick brought to the game last year will be a permanent thing for years to come. Football is changing. The game was becoming more and more of a pass-first kind of thing. But, now with the newer style of play becoming more prominent, defensive coordinators have to prepare for another battle. Kaepernick and Wilson combined to run for more than 1060 yards, whereas Manning and Brady combined for negative-13. NEGATIVE 13 YARDS. Obviously, the way that quarterbacks create offense for their team is a lot different now than it has been in the past. I see the game as more exciting now than before. I mean, I liked watching pocket passers make fools of cornerbacks just as much as the next guy, but most people consider quarterbacks as the softest players on the field. They are the ones too scared to take or give out hits. Well, they and kickers, and we all know how the world feels about kickers. But, the idea of the frailest guy on the field maneuvering his way around 300-lb linemen and linebackers just brings more suspense to the game. And, I think that is why this Super Bowl will be the most unique of any of the 47 Super Bowls so far. Also, this Super Bowl features the largest age difference between QBs ever at 12 years. But, this time, the student will be victorious. History isn’t on Wilson’s side though. No true dual-threat QB has ever won a super bowl, you only hear about the Tom Bradys, Mannings and Joe Montanas of the world. You always hear it from those old time coaches who say that offense wins games but defense wins championships. And, that will hold true in this game as well. Not to mention that the two of the top three records in the NFL were held by teams led by dual-threat QBs. Newton set records for most passing yards and rushing yards by QB in their second season. He had over 800 yards rushing by himself. Dual-threat QBs were far and away a big factor this year and it will only continue to carry over to the Super Bowl. And I would take a ball-hawking, Richard Sherman-led defense over a highpowered Peyton Manning-led offense any day of the week. Plus, Wilson will step up in the big moment and shock the world and finally earn respect for all the dualthreat QBs out there. I see this game being tightly fought, but I see Manning making too many mistakes, and the Seahawks defense ultimately will be the difference maker in the game. Seahawks 20, Broncos 13. Peyton falls to 1-2 in Super Bowls, and Wilson solidifies the Seahawks decision to bump Matt Flynn and take a chance on an undersized kid from Wisconsin.
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Opinion
January 31, 2014
Students need to understand closing procedure journal ADDRESS
five in the morning, the school will consider a The superintendent has the authority to detertwo hour delay. Sometimes, decisions on closing mine if school should be canceled or delayed. or delaying schools due to cold temperatures However, there is a guideline that the township can be made the previous evening. must follow in regards to closing school. When weather Decisions to leave school open ares not advisories are posted, Transportation, based on personal refStudents need to erence. The township Maintenance and Central Office adadministrators careunderstand that even though fully reviews the conministration begin they might want a delay, the ditions of the weather monitoring local weather conditions. and wouldn’t send stutownship will know if we dents to school if they Roads are driven absolutely need it. and tested and conthought it was dangerous. Student safety is ditions are reviewed beginning at 4 a.m. a main concern, and that’s why they close The final decision is completed around 5 a.m., and notifications are and delay school if they feel it is necessary. sent out through voicemail, Facebook, Twitter It’s important to only close or delay school if we actually need it, because none of the time and local news. Closings and delays are only made when ab- we take off is wasted. We have to make up evsolutely necessary. Students need to understand ery day that we miss. The more school days we that even though they might want a delay, the miss, the shorter our summer will be, so rememtownship will know if we absolutely need it. ber that next time you wish for a snow day.
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Cold weather and snow are just a part of winter in Indiana. Due to this, schools across the state always have a plan for when these winter months come around. When closing or delaying school, Perry Township makes these decisions based on multiple variables. There is a guideline that the township must follow. According to Perry Township Schools Inclement Weather and School Closing document, when deciding to close or delay school due to snowfall, most decisions are made in the morning. The decision regarding school status is delayed until the snow accumulation indicates a need for action. However, when snowfall is extreme and roads are unlikely to be passable, the decision is made the previous evening. If the air temperature is predicted to be negative 10 degrees or below at
{head SCRATCHER} Who do you think will win the SuperBowl?
“Broncos.”
Josh Salyers Freshman
“Denver Broncos.” Brooke Lightfoot Sophomore
“Seattle Seahawks.”
Comic by Hope Randall.
Southport can survive anything “Mr. K, it’s Wednesday.”
“Our past may shape us, but it doesn’t define who we become.” This quote from Alyson Noel, a young adult author makes me think of Southport High School and everything that we have been through these past two years. Since I have attended Southport, there are three dates that stand out to me the most. I feel as if these dates really have shaped who Southport, as a whole, has become. Not only as a school or community, but as a family. Nov. 10, 2012 was probably the most traumatic experience Southport, as a community has ever had to go through. I remember it being all over the news as soon as the explosion was known. Although it was a harrowing experience for our community, it was also an eye opener. Seeing families take other families in and seeing Mary Bryan open up to the victims of the explosion was so heartwarming.
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{cardinalQUESTION} Who do you look up to the most, and why?
George Ferris Senior
by Tevin Fulton Senior
“I look up to tall people, because they are taller than me. I look down at short people. Also, if people stand on something tall, like a hill, I look up to them too.” “The person I look up to the most is one of my friends, Dylan Cox because he is intelligent, thoughtful, reasonable, and in my opinion, has a great out look on life. He tries his best at any given moment and lives life to the fullest.”
“The person I look up to the most is my mom. I look up to her because she provides for me and my family. She keeps me safe. My mom wants the best for me. She has taught me what is right and what is wrong. I am so happy that she is in my life.”
Want to see more Cardinal Question entries? Check out shsnewsbureau.com.
“Seattle Seahawks.”
Tyres Par Senior
“Denver Broncos.” Mr. Nathan Fishel
Social Studies Department Chair
Challenges in new country by Emily Sung Foreign Language Editor
“I love raccoons.”
by Elle Van Baale Freshman
Junior
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by Caitlyn Jones Opinion Editor
Those people didn’t have to open up their as if every student and staff member were there for each other, regardless of their homes for complete strangers, but they differences. Everyone seemed to put their did. And, Mary Bryan didn’t have to help as differences aside and focus on their one much as it did, but it did anyway. similarity, they lost someone that they About 2 billion people die each year, according to cdc.gov. And, also from that knew, loved and cared about. Despite the difficult times Southport website, of those 2 billion, only about has had, we have always had each others’ 16,000 of those deaths are teenagers and backs and always kept of those 16,000 kids, our heads held high. 300 of them comWe really should be mit suicide. Sixteen We have amazing proud of who we are thousands seems students, staff and because of our past. like a lot, but when Our past, as a that is compared to 2 community that will family, has made us billion, it seems very support us through stronger than ever. tiny. But, when you If it was true, that think about that, two anything, and I thank our past defines of those teenagers all of you for that. who we are, then were from Southport. we wouldn’t be near Feb. 11 and Nov. 22, 2013 are both where we are today. Our school wouldn’t even be this emotiondays that we lost fellow Southport students. ally strong, but we are. We are stronger This was a hard time for everyone because than any school that I know. So, when in my eyes, it seemed as if Darrell and BroNoel says that our past shapes us, it is die were loved by many. very true. The deaths that we have had Regardless of how they passed away, and the explosion really have shaped how death is a very difficult part of life that people have to accept whether they want to strong we are. Personally, I know for a fact that Southor not. For some people, death can be a very traumatic part of life especially ones who port can accomplish anything life throws were close with that individual that had at it. We have amazing students, staff and community that will support us through passed. It’s just a part of life that is, someanything, and I thank all of you for that. times, very hard to understand. It seemed
Kevin Woods
Five years have passed since I left my hometown. The struggle I used to have, the food I used to eat and the clothes I used to wear were just like a long lost dream. Many people used to tell me that I might not make it. Through ups and downs, I keep cherishing what my cousin used to tell me, “Never ever give up.” With courage, I took every step in front of me. There’s this saying that says, “after every cloud is a silver lining.” Here I am. I’m starting to cherish every day of my life and do my best to pursue my goals. It was Thursday morning. The sun shined brightly in the sky and birds sang their same old song. That day was no ordinary day. It was the day when we got a call from the UN Refugee Agency telling us that we could go to the U.S. after a week. I knew that life would be a lot better for our family. We would be safe. I woke up with a smile knowing that I would be able to resume my educations and my goals in a country known as “The Land of Opportunity and Freedom.”
It was my assumption that life in the U.S. would be very convenient and very entertaining like I have seen on like High School Musical movie from Disney channel. However, as soon as I started my freshman year at Southport High school, I instantly figured out that it would be very challenging for me to succeed because of my language barrier, different school system and cultural and traditional differences. I was puzzled and confused by almost everything. I remember there were times when people asked me stuff that had nothing to do with me, such as “Is Bruce Lee your uncle?” or “Why do you guys get married so soon?” I can do nothing but just stay calm and keep working hard on my classes. I was so lost and so afraid of everything that I almost give up my dream goal, which is to become a singer. However, the night of Coffee House my freshman year changed everything. When I heard the cheering of the crowd, who are also my peers and classmates, I knew that I have a place in this school. After that night at Coffee House, my perception about high school has changed completely. I began to connect with other people throughout the schools as well as outside of the school. I knew that I have to push myself to be brave so that I can live up to my goal. I began to join clubs and start making new friends. The one thing that drives me daily is that in order to succeed in life, you have to rely on your own, and stand up for your own no matter what comes up in your way.
Opinion
January 31, 2014
Indiana cannot continue to oppress the human rights movement of our time by Rachael Samm Managing Editor-of-Content Allow me to take you on a little trip through the past oppression in America. Women were expected to stay at home and basically be maids who had no rights up. They could not vote or own a home of their own. It wasn’t until women finally took a stand and demanded women’s rights that things began to change for them. In the year 1920, women were given the right to vote. African Americans were slaves who were shipped from Africa to do the work of plantation owners. Slavery was abolished in 1865, but African Americans were still treated differently until 1954 when the Supreme Court outlawed segregation in schools. It still took years for them to stop being abused and be treated equally. Homosexuals are being denied the right to marry in Indiana and several other states. Unlike women and African Americans, they have yet to win their rights. Something they’ve been trying to do for decades. But, it’s different from the ‘70s and ‘80s. States are beginning to legalize same-sex marriage. Parts of the Defense of Marriage Act were even declared unconstitutional last summer. America is making progress. On Jan. 28, Indiana House passed HJR-3 with changes to the Senate to decide whether or not it will appear on the ballot in November. HJR-3 is the bill that will ban same-sex marriage in Indiana if Hoosiers vote yes for it. If the Senate decides to deny the changes from the House, Hoosiers will vote on HJR-3 in November. My hope is that Hoosiers will vote no to banning same-sex marriage in Indiana if they are given the chance to. I’m not a same-sex activist, but I don’t see why America won’t give these people their rights already. It would be nice to see some of my friends happily married to the love of their life who happens to be the same sex. You see, the biggest problem with legalizing same-sex marriage is with religion. Let
me remind you that I’m a Christian. I’m a religious person who grew up being taught that homosexuality isn’t right. Our country was built on Christianity, and Christians against same-sex marriage want to protect the sanctity of marriage. Not only does it state in the Bible that a marriage is between a man and a woman, but Faithfacts.org argues that marriage is not about adults being happy at all. “(Marriage is) an institution for culture to sustain itself through having and nurturing children.” Marriage is to be between a man and a woman so they can procreate according to Greek, Roman and religious thought. Since samesex couples can’t procreate themselves, it’s denied by several people. That’s where I see the flaws. Marriage is not an institution for procreation. Marriage is about two people who love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together, and if they want to procreate or adopt, then they can. If marriage was just about procreating, we’d be back to my dad selling me to a stranger for 2 goats and a chicken. We’re past that, thank you. It says in the Bible “‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable”(Leviticus 20:13), which basically means that being gay is wrong. However, it also says in Luke 15:16 that remarrying after divorce is a sin, and 50 percent of marriages ended in divorce in the year 2013, according to the CDC website. Divorce is legal in the U.S. As a Christian, I think it’s completely hypocritical to say that homosexuals can’t get married because the Bible says so when we legalize divorce even though it’s a sin to
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remarry after divorce because it’s considered adultery. My boyfriend’s mom brought more light to the situation for me. She brought up the fact that we let all these yahoos, who have only known each other for a week, get married and procreate, but we won’t let homosexuals, who have put more time and thought into their relationship, get married legally. What’s up with that? If Hoosiers vote to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana, what do they think will come out of it? Do they think samesex couples are just going to say “oh well, it was worth a shot” and become straight? The only thing that will come out of the ban against same-sex marriage is 10 more years of fighting for their rights. Ten more years of asking the same questions. Ten more years that couples will be without legal rights. Indiana needs to allow samesex marriage. It’s time we finally stop the oppression against samesex couples and give them the rights they deserve. This human rights movement is moving to more than just disputes. During the Grammys, actress/rapper/talk show host Queen Latifah officiated 34 gay and straight couples while Ryan Lewis and Macklemore performed their hit song “Same Love.” The wedding ceremony struck up emotion and debate across America. From Keith Urban crying to outraged tweets, the ceremony definitely brought up several opinions on same-sex marriage. Though it was a quite a show-stopper, I’m glad the Grammys embraced LBGT couples in front of the whole entire country. It shows that Americans can’t continue to oppress same-sex marriage and neither can Indiana.
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International adoption brings new life by Jesse Roller Photo Editor
“I love you, dad!”
It’s strange to think that I’m from a country as far away as the Philippines, yet the dark skin, black hair and deep-brown eyes I possess are evidence of this life that I can see every time that I look in the mirror. As far as I can remember, my parents, who look nothing like me, have always been my parents, and the town that I live in has always been my home. Still, it’s strange to think that my life could have been much different. I could’ve lived halfway around the world had it not been for the loving act of a woman named Ophelia, my birth mother that I never knew. It’s funny to think that my name, Jesse, means that “God is real.” Even though my parents gave me this name just because it sounded nice, it means so much more to me than they would have ever predicted. I am living proof that God exists because He has blessed me with a new life that I never deserved, and this life is awesome. A few weeks ago, while I was preparing for college, I was caught off-guard by a simple thought: this new chapter that I was starting never would have existed had it not been for my adoption. It was a simple thought. But, it hit me. It hit me hard. I dwelled on all of the things my life wouldn’t have been had I stayed in the Philippines. My mind drowned in the memories of my
childhood, of my father holding me in his arms when I was small and hurt, of my mom reading me stories when I was in bed. I thought about a lot of things, and all of those things that I thought about would have never been. Honestly, I know near to nothing about the Philippines or my past life there. I know that it is considered a poorer country with one in four of its population Jesse Roller (right) with his new family in 1997. Before Jesse was adopted, living in poverty. his name was Cyril Dean Ronquillo. Photo contributed from Jesse Roller. I probably had a the Philippines, just from a different family. good chance of being in that 25 percent, since my mother Nothing really out of the ordinary, right? I was was single and already had a 15-year-old son. normal, my family was normal and the love I The idea that I could have lived like this in a had from them was extraordinary. But, looking back, I realize that my life is not country on the other side of the world merely feels like a distant possibility. I can’t imagine normal at all. I live a great life because one woman decided that giving her beloved child new life it, and I probably never will. In the States, my parents were never was more important than a spending a lifetime afraid to tell me that I was adopted. I guess it with him. I’ll never be able to repay her sacrifice, wouldn’t have taken too long for an Asian kid but I know it is my duty to live the life that she to realize that his white parents weren’t his gave me to my fullest potential. As I prepare for natural parents, yet I never struggled accept- one of the biggest turning points in my life, I can’t ing the fact. I had loving parents like all of help but stop and thank God for giving me everymy friends did, just with different skin. I even thing that I have now, especially my loving family, had a brother, who was adopted like me, from and for the future that He has planned for me.
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The mission of the Southport High School Journal is to inform the student body of timely events and issues that affect their lives while being a voice for the faculty, staff and community. Journal staff members will observe the same legal responsibilities as those imposed on all news media, thus will refrain from production of material that: 1. Is obscene, according to community standards; 2. Is libelous, according to the legal definition; 3. Creates a clear and present danger or an immediate material and substantial physical disruption of the school. The Editor-in-Chief is solely responsible for all content. Views found in the Journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions the Journal staff as a whole, or of the staff or administration of Southport High School or the Metropolitan District of Perry Township.
STAFF LIST Editor-in-Chief KATIE HINH ‘14 Managing Editor-of-Content RACHAEL SAMM ‘14 News Editor MOIRA MCKINNEY ‘14 Foreign Language Editor EMILY SUNG ‘15 Student Life Editor TORI UPDIKE ‘15 Entertainment Editor VANESSA ABPLANALP ‘15 Features Editor CASEY SMITH ‘14 Opinion Editor CAITLYN JONES ‘15 Sports Editor NICK HOLLAND ‘15 Photo Editor JESSE ROLLER ‘14 Staff Artist HOPE RANDALL ‘14 Business Manager BAILEY JULIAN ‘15 Staff DERRICK GRAY ‘14 MCKENZIE WITHERELL ‘14 BRADLEY DAVIS ‘15 LINDSEY FARLEY ‘15 SARAH FOWERBAUGH ‘15 CHRISTINA HEMPHILL ‘15 ALEXANDRIA MUSSER ‘15 BROOKLYN RAINES ‘15 SIERRA SULLIVAN ‘15 JANET TLUANG ‘15 ABIGAIL BARRETT ‘16 DELANEY BUCKER ‘16 COOPER DAVIS ‘16 NICK MEACHAM ‘16 BRITTON WHITLOCK ‘16 Adviser MR. MIKE KLOPFENSTEIN Principal MS. BARBARA BROUWER
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Correction(s) The Journal staff strives to make sure that the information in the newspaper is accurate. If you see a mistake that you feel needs to be corrected, talk to Mr. Klopfenstein in room 400 or any member of the Journal staff.
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January 31, 2014
MYTHICAL
Photos
MAGICAL ONE ACTS (Cutout) Senior Emily Bradley as Noah in the One Act “The World Needs Unicorns.” Photo by Nick Meacham.
See even more pictures, videos and bios on shsnewbureau.com!
(Above) In the One Act “Harry’s Hotter at Twilight,” senior Tyler Buckles and junior Trisha Whitehair embrace in a bite while junior Paul Crumpacker cradles their newborn baby. (Below) A heated argument over pants and skirts ensues between junior Jake Rose and senior Thomas Barr in the One Act “If Boys Wore the Skirts.” Photos by Jesse Roller.
(Cutout) Senior Lindsay Curran as a Unicorn in the One Act “The World Needs Unicorns.” Photo by Nick Meacham.
(Above) Holding a girl’s phone number, senior Stephen Averitt (right) fights over his spilled popcorn with a drunken man, junior Jake Rose (left), in the One Act “Pick a Seat; Pick a Pocket; Pick a Flower and Pick up a Girl.” Photo by Jesse Roller. (Below) With a long list of chores, senior Jessica Bledsoe multitasks in order to get finished in time for the ball in the One Act “Cinderella.” Photo by Alicia Jones.
(Above) During the One Act “Take Five,” senior Madison Hensley allows senior Billy Cross to name their unborn child only if he persuades her sister-inlaw’s boyfriend to propose. Hensley wore a pregnancy suit, which weighed as much as a real baby. Photo by Jesse Roller. (Bottom left) After becoming attached to senior Nicole Johnson during a speed date, senior Ty Johnson refuses to move on to the next table in the One Act “A Modern Romance.” Photo by Alicia Jones. (Bottom right) In the One Act, “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” Good, senior Dalton Clouse, listens to Evil, junior Sarah Fowerbaugh, during The Fating Games TV show. Clouse and Fowerbaugh will play the lead roles in the upcoming spring play, “The Great Gatsby.” Photo by Jesse Roller.