ZCHS Harbinger December 2020

December 2020

HARBINGER

Centuries of Santa Claus

Ten Years of Tim

Winning with Remote

Find out about the history behind the legend of Santa Claus

Principal Tim East celebrates his tenth year at ZCHS

See why many athletes have decided to go fully online

Zionsville Community High School

TABLE OF CONTENTS 12-13 Weird Things in the School

News

4-5 Ten Years of Tim

that Just Make Sense

Opinion

6 Electoral College 101

14-15 Loony Laws

Feature

15 Naughty or Nice

7 Seasons Change

Sports

8 Cube Craze 9 Centuries of Santa Claus

16-17-18 Winning with Remote 19 Saying Goodbye

Student Life

Cover photo by Rachel Shultz

10-11 Club Conversions

STAFF Print Editor

Rachel Shultz Media Editor

Riya Patel Web Editor

Logan Seiler Announcements Editor

Lauryn Moss Video Project Editor

Josh Nieman

Student Life Editor

Becka Bash News & Sports Editor

Kailey Wallenius Opinion Editor

Mary Demarco Feature Editor

Lucy Robinson Copy Editor

Henry Holloway

Staff Members

Brooklyn Brown

Gretchen Drews

John Farrar

Ella Hughes

Dax Lara

Sarah Maniscalo

Elizabeth Rexing

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EDITOR’S NOTE

C

ongratulations everyone! We have made it through our first semester. It has definitely been an interesting one. We have gone through so much this year, from schedule changes to contact tracing and everything in between. This has been one of the craziest semesters we’ve had yet.

Despite everything going on, we had some great moments this year.

Our football team played in the state finals for the first time in 20 years, and the student support at the game was amazing. All of our first semester sports teams have played through hardships that they’ve never faced before, but persevered nonetheless. Check out our final story to see how some of our athletic teams celebrated their seniors this semester. As a senior athlete myself, I know that these are not the final seasons we imagined, but we’re making the best of it. In our arts programs, we had a hugely successful musical, “Songs for a New World,” with a talented cast, and a fully-recorded virtual holiday concert from our band, orchestra, and choir programs. We have accom-

plished a lot in the year 2020, and I know that we will do the same in 2021.

Even though I’m sad that we don’t get to give you a physical copy of this issue, I am excited for you to see what we’ve been working on.

We wanted to give you a light-hearted end to 2020, so look out for stories about Santa Claus, weird Indiana laws, and events of 2020 sorted into a naughty and nice list. I am so proud of the work that the staff has put in over the last semester to produce our magazines.

I hope you all have happy holidays and a restful winter break.

See you all next year!

Rachel Shultz, Print Editor

EDITORIAL

The End of 2020 T

his year has been an absolute roller coaster and no one has any idea Finals week looks a lot what’s in store for 2021. There are a few things we still have to get different through though before the end of the fall semester and the end of the than it did year. Primarily, there are end of the semester proejcts and tests that are last year. At foremost on many of our minds; however, compared to the rest of this the end of year, exams should be a walk in the park. Final exames this year will be 2019 finals taken during the week of Dec. 14 with the regular hybrid schedule. Exweek, 2020 ams will not be worth 20% of the class final grade and will be counted graduates just like a normal test.

Nathan Sevilla, Wes “[This change was to] help relieve some of the anxiety that [the Turnbull, administration] knows [students] are feeling with all the changes that and Dylan have occurred,” principal Tim East said.

Stoltz played The Harbinger staff sees this as a welcome and very necessary Christmas change that will help all of the student body as we face greater levels music in the of exams, assignments, and stress. It should be noted, however, that hallway. phostudents should do their best in preparing for finals by studying and re- to by Rachel main academically honest while learning from home. It’s our hope that Shultz everyone can finish out the school year strong and enjoy a long-awaited winter break.

The mission of the Harbinger is to provide both the student body of Zionsville Community High School and the local community with the unbiased truth. The staff strives to handle every topic they take on with respect and objectivity, while also providing a source of entertainment and intriguing content for the reader. The Harbinger aims to reflect the true atmosphere of ZCHS by including students of all walks of life in the publication.

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TEN years of

TIM

By Becka Bash, Student Life Editor

Tim East has officially been principal of Zionsville Community High School for ten years, first starting at ZCHS in 2010.

Here is a glimpse into his view of the past, present and future of ZCHS. Q: What was your first day at ZCHS like?

A: The very first day that I started here was in the summertime, and I met with the rest of the administrative team. And we have such a strong group of leaders here. [Greg] Hall, [Matt] Walter, [Greg] McDaniel, [Greg] Schellhase, at that time, there was another person who had the title of dean, but she’s

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no longer with us, so they came together, and along with Mrs. Thornley, who was the lead secretary at the time, they quickly got me up to speed about what was happening here at the high school. Then I spent the next 20 days...all I did was meet with students, parents, and teachers, and being new here, I asked everybody the same set of questions.

‘Who are you?’ ‘What do you do here?’ Then the last two questions were ‘What is great about our school?’ and ‘What do we need to start improving immediately to keep Zionsville Community High School as one of the best schools in the nation?’ So that was kind of where I first started before students arrived. Then students got here on the first day and Zionsville Community High School has a culture like no other high school or school I’ve ever worked in. The students that are here are so responsible...I had just come from being at Zionsville West Middle School, and middle school students and high school students aren’t the same. And I was so used to….having a lot of control about students,

and even “Congratulations on 10 other high years, Mr. East! Thanks for schools everything you’ve done where all the students for the school and for all you’ll do in the future!” had to go to the -Amelia Winkelman, 12 cafeteria in the morning, and there was supervision there.

And here to watch the maturity of the student body… I was like ‘Wow, this is really a special place.’ Then I got a little dose of reality. I came into the office, I told the other office staff, I said, ‘It was amazing. Here is the first day of school and the students were running to get the class not to be tardy.’ What I didn’t know is I was seeing my first senior sprint.

Here I was complimenting them. It really is a special place. And that’s what I remember most about that first day was just how much freedom we’re allowed to have here for our student body, because of how responsible everybody is and how seriously they take their schooling.

“Congratulations Mr. East on being the principal of ZCHS for 10 years. That is a lot of Marvelous Mondays, Terrific Tuesdays, and Fantastic Fridays! The staff and students certainly appreciate your leadership.

You have impacted a lot of people with your positive disposition and overall commitment to the Zionsville school community.”

-Greg Hall, Assistant Principal Q: What is being principal at ZCHS like?

A: I’ve been an elementary school principal, a middle school principal, and a high school principal in my career. And sometimes I get asked the question, ‘Which is my favorite?’, and photo by Rachel Shultz for different reasons, every one of them has a special place. Watch those elementary kids, when ‘Mr. East, Mr. East I can read red, R-E-D, red.” They’re so excited about their first word, and their first sentences. Then when they read that first chapter book everybody swells up with pride.

And middle schoolers, as they’re trying to figure out their place in the whole social order, working with them as they learn how to interact with each other and not call each other ‘booger head’ anymore. Then what’s special about being the principal here at Zionsville Community High School is how I get to interact with the students. Most large suburban high school principals kind of have that stereotypical interaction, right? Where it’s that guy who sits in the office, and you don’t want to go talk to the principal and he’s always so serious. Here I get to go and be a part of things. It’s been wonderful to be asked by the students almost every year...to be in their skit in Mr. Zionsville and have those cameo appearances to do student announcements, to be asked to work with student council and host pep rallies when we’ve had them. And being the voice of the Eagles on

Friday night. This interview with [the Harbinger]. I just get to have so many more interactions with students here than that typical suburban principal does and that really makes this job special and unique.

Q: What is your best memory at ZCHS? A: I would say all of my best mem-

ories are about when our student body has rallied around classmates.

It has been special to see a student body that has the largest Best Buddies chapter in the entire state.

It’s been great to see when we do a philanthropic event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, how the student body is number one. Just celebrating that philanthropic spirit and working with others to lift up the whole community has been some of my most special memories and you just want to cry when you see those relationships happen, It’s so rewarding to everybody in our community.

Q: What is the greatest lesson you have learned in these past ten years?

A: At the end of your senior year, we have the senior memories day. On that day, the Fiege family comes, and we share Rachel’s first-week story with the graduates...Rachel was one of our graduates who went on to IU and passed away in a tragic alcohol accident.

And so to me... that was the greatest lesson.

That all of our students’ lives are precious, and that when tragedy strikes, our community comes together to make the most of that tragedy to support other people. That, to me, is just the greatest lesson of support and not taking any day for granted. Helping our students, that’s the best. I will cry on [senior memories day]. That’s the truth, and I cry every year. Because it’s not just Rachel, it’s countless other students who’ve lost their lives in a number of ways. Just remembering all those people who didn’t get to have the experiences that you’re going to have in life and sharing those messages to protect so that you and all your classmates will have a lifetime of memories.

Q: How do you feel about being at ZCHS for 10 years?

A: There are certain parts of us that become

Mr.East’s photo from the 2010 Harbinger article introducing him when he first came to ZCHS.

of my kids graduated from here, my wife teaches at Zionsville Middle School. This has been a defining time in my life. I’ve never been at another school as long as I’ve been here. I’ve been in other districts for as long as eight years but to be here for 10 years at the high school and create those memories...I am looking forward to when I retire saying ‘What did you retire as?’ ‘I retired as the principal of Zionsville Community High School, the best high school in the state of Indiana.

Q: What do you see the future being like for yourself and ZCHS? A: I think there are probably a couple of things I would touch on. Short term, the future holds another addition and renovations for our school. We’re in the process of designing the 35 new classrooms that will be added to our school over the next three or four years. That’s an important part. And then I think our school continuing to share what we do here with other schools around the state and the nation so that all students can have that global experience that we experience here. Whether it’s through international students coming or the exchange students, and, unfortunately, that course has been cut off this year because of Covid, but those experiences, IU honors experiences. To see all of the students of ZCHS continue to graduate and then go on to take their places as global leaders who are going to make our world a better place forever.

who we are. I am an Eagle to the core now.

It’s not just a professional life for me, both

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Electoral

by Sarah Maniscalo, staff

College 101 T

he Electoral College is a voting system based on population; it gives each state a set number of votes to determine the results of the presidential election. Electors met on Dec. 14, 2020 to make President-Elect Joe Biden’s win official.

States.

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College can be equated to a sports tournament; the points scored in each game are the popular votes and each game won is a state. The results of the sports tournament are determined by the number of games won, not the overall number of points.

“If your team loses three games by 100 runs/points each, but wins the other four games, even by 1 run/point each, you still win,” Henry Nolan, social studies teacher, said.

This system is utilized to elect the President of the United States every four years. A total of 538 electoral votes are divided among the fifty states and the District of Columbia, and the winner is determined by receiving a majority of 270 votes. “[The number of 538 is determined by] adding up the number of representatives and senators that each state has in Congress,” said Kimbra Shaner, social studies teacher.

“Each state gets a number of

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votes equal to the number of representatives they have in the House, plus their two senators in the Senate.”

For example, Indiana has eleven Electoral College votes, based on nine seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for each congressional district and two senators. The electors will meet on Dec. 14 to cast their votes and submit them to Congress.

“Most states, including Indiana, give all of their Electoral College votes to the candidate who won the most votes in their state,” Shaner said. “This year … Indiana’s electors will give … 11 votes to Donald Trump because he won the popular vote within [the] state.”

The Vice President of the United States officially announces the results in early January as the President of the Senate, formally certifies the winner of the election. The Presidential Inauguration will be on Jan. 20.

graphic from History.com

Why do we have the Electoral College?

The Electoral College was created in 1787 when it was written into the U.S. Constitution. The Framers created this system to equalize representation in the government. “[The balance of power is not outweighed] ‘by the masses’ but rather a smaller, select group of delegates whose makeup reflected Congress,” said Danielle Wilson, social studies teacher. “It also supported the founders’ goal to balance power between both the large and small states and the slave and free states.”

Little has changed about the fundamental structure of the Electoral College, but how a few states’ votes are counted has changed. Maine changed the distribution of its four electoral votes in 1972.

“Instead of using the winner-take-all system like most other states, [Maine] split up their votes by giving two electoral votes to the winner in their state, and one vote to the winner in each of their [two] congressional districts,” said Shaner. “Nebraska also passed a state law switching to this method in 1992.”

The congressional district method reformed the way electoral votes were distributed by providing a more fair repre-

sentation The utilization of the Electoral College to determine the results of the election instead of using the total number of votes is a very bipartisan topic.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million people. However, Donald Trump won the electoral votes by obtaining the majority in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania despite a margin of under 80,000 votes.

Agreements like the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact promote a change to determining the presidency by the popular vote.

By enacting this bill, 15 states and the District of Columbia, with a total of 196 electoral votes, have already agreed to give all their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. If this were to grow more traction, the president would be determined by the popular vote, not the Electoral College.

“The National Popular Vote interstate compact will go into effect when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes—that is, enough to elect a President (270 of 538)” (nationalpopularvote. com).

Dealing with Seasonal Depression

By Gretchen Drews, Staff Member

D

uring winter months when the weather becomes colder and the days become darker, many students may settle for staying indoors. In addition, COVID-19 restrictions continue to limit time away from home with friends and family.

This unfortunate combination of circumstances may promote the usage of the phrase “seasonal depression;” however, it is important to understand the weight of these words.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is “a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer”.

Symptoms for winter pattern SAD may include, oversleeping, overeating, weight gain, and social withdrawal.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that people with a family history of SAD or people who live in very northern parts of the world where the daylight hours are shorter during winter have an increased risk of developing the illness.

Illustration by Brooklyn Brown

One senior, Kaitlin Long, deals with Seasonal Affective Disorder and is very open about her own mental health and experiences. According to Long, during this time of year, she feels lonelier and more agitated as she isn’t able to get outside the house as much as she would like and see other people.

One way Long has traditionally coped is through social interaction, so this time of year can heighten the struggles she already faces.

“I find it especially hard for me to do basic day-to-day things in the wintertime because I just kind of lose my motivation,” Long said. “It’s hard for me to just take care of myself because it’s like there’s nothing to do but just sit in the house.”

With the unprecedented restrictions of COVID-19, Long’s ability to see her friends is even more limited.

“With COVID and the season changing, it’s really hard to not self-isolate because we are kept in isolation because we’re supposed to be quarantining,” Long said. “So for people with depression it really just killed a lot of happiness and people’s outlets to make themselves feel better.”

One study commissioned by 4-H, America’s largest youth development organization, showed a recent increase in teens’ specific mental health struggles, such as feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

Another result of the pandemic is the many events that students have been looking forward have either been canceled or postponed.

People who have seasonal depression already feel out of control of the situations they are in mentally and physically so this situation

does not help those who experience it.

ZCHS Counselor Ellen Shertzer encourages students to ease into a better mindset by listing things in their life that they are able to control. She suggests writing down any goals students could set for themselves from the list and figure out in what ways they can attain those goals. Shertzer emphasized that while creating this list, it is also important to keep in mind what you are passionate about and what will bring you joy.

“Maybe it’s I want to get a 4.0 or I want to compete at this level in my sport so I’m going to train more, or I want to learn another language,” Shertzer said. “Identifying those types of personal goals and focusing our energy on what we can do versus what we can’t do is most important.”

Long believes it is essential to wellbeing to find ways to cope with everybody’s current situation both in a broad sense with this pandemic and also in what someone may be going through on a personal level.

Long added that it is important for students to find interests to get their mind off their troubles. Painting, coloring, listening to new music, being physically active, finding a new series to watch are all things she recommends.

“Just getting out of your isolation space and going out or doing anything that takes you out of your own head for a while can help you cope,” Long said.

If you feel like you may be struggling with seasonal depression or with your mental health in any regards, there are now social workers and therapists at the school that are there to help students.

Shertzer said these resources are available after school, during a study hall, or 8th period class. Students are able to reach out to their counselor’s through the Calendly link on the high school’s website under the “Counseling” section.

“Sometimes talking to the school counselor isn’t enough,” Shertzer said. “So if you feel like you need more support, you can always talk to your counselor about meeting with the school therapist or social worker.”

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cube craze

W

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first time,” Grey said One way to keep the basic cube exciting is to work on lowering the time it takes to solve.

“I’m not really a puzzle type of person, I just enjoy seeing the improvement,” Grey said. “I remember when I started it took me about a minute to solve a cube, and now I can do it in about 10 seconds, so it’s just fun to see how far I can push the time down.”

There are several types of Rubik’s cubes beyond the basic ones.

“I can solve a 2 by 2, a 3 by 3, a 4 by 4, a 5 by 5, a 6 by 6, a 7 by 7, a pyraminx, a square-1, a megaminx, and a clock,” Grey said.

Each of the number by number cubes are the same as the basic 3 by 3, but with more pieces. The pyraminx puzzle is pyramid shaped rather than cube

shaped, and the square-1 cube changes shape as it is twisted. The megaminx is a 12 sided dodecahedron puzzle, and the clock is a Rubik’s puzzle where small disks are turned on clocks to solve the puzzle.

“My greatest Rubik’s cube accomplishment has probably been solving the 9 by 9 cube,” Webb said.

Solving Rubik’s cubes allows for improvement of the mind, but it can also be a connection point with others.

“It’s a great conversation starter,” Carter said. “People love mixing it up for you to solve.”

Getting involved in Rubik’s cubes can be as easy and buying a cube and watching YouTube.

“I would say you should start by trying to solve a 3 by 3,” Webb said.

“A good understanding of how the cube turns is necessary whether you look up solutions on YouTube or solve it on your own.” by 3 s his 3 z er solve n Cart Rachel Shult McLea y Junior ube. photo b c Rubik’s

By Rachel Shultz, Print Editor ith one final satisfying twist, sophomore Caden Grey finishes his Rubik’s cube and stops the clock. Glancing down, he notices he’s beat his personal best, solving the cube in only 6.94 seconds.

Rubik’s cubes were first created in the 1970s, and have continued to be a popular and timeless puzzle, even to students today.

“I have always been fascinated with how difficult it can be to solve what seems like an easy puzzle,” senior Megan Webb said. “I solved a Rubik’s cube for the first time over a weekend two years ago. I spent five hours learning patterns and strategies, and it was rewarding to see the cube solved for the first time.”

The first solve is a memorable time for many.

“The satisfaction you get from that last turn on your first solve is magical,” junior McLean Carter said.

There are many ways to solve a Rubik’s cube, and learning all of the ways to do so can be time consuming.

“I use the CFOP method to solve a cube,” Grey said.

In this method, the user makes a cross shape on one side of the cube, solves an edge and a corner to solve two layers of the cube, and then uses memorized algorithms to solve the rest of the cube.

Even after mastering the basic cube, there is still more to learn.

“My favorite cube is probably the basic 3 by 3 because that has been the cube that I have worked the most with. As a result, I always find learning new tricks on the basic 3 by 3 the most exciting,” Webb said.

After solving so many cubes, recognizing patterns and then solving them can become second nature.

“My greatest accomplishment is probably being able to solve it blindfolded. It was super exciting to successfully do it for the

Centuries of Santa Claus

By Henry Holloway, Staff e all know the legend. The bright red suit and a beard as white as snow. The eight reindeer. The pipe hanging out of his mouth.

Traveling the world within 24 hours, plopping down soot filled chimneys with a sack of toys to leave under the Christmas tree while taking time to indulge himself in freshly baked cookies and milk. As the legend remains a tradition of the season, many don’t know the whole story or even its origins.

The legend of Santa Claus originated with Saint Nicholas, a monk born in the year 280 in the Lycian village of Myra.

He served as Bishop of Myra and fought back against the Great Persecution in 303 by the Romans, as they burned scripture and executed church members. Imprisoned for years, he was released with the Edict of Milan imposed by Emperor Constantine in 313, which permitted Christianity. Known for spreading wealth throughout the countryside on a donkey and dropping gold coins down chimneys, he was said to have performed many miracles, including the legend in which he brought three deceased boys back to life who had been murdered by a butcher.

Having died on Dec. 6, 343 and canonized in 1446, St Nicholas is credited with 300 miracles, and became known as the patron saint of children. His feast day, Dec. 6, was celebrated with the exchange of presents, but after the protestant reformation, the veneration of saints was discouraged. Christianity’s baby Jesus became the gift giver, and the date of gift giving was moved to Christmas.

“The infant’s carrying capacity is very limited, and he’s not very scary either,” University of Manitoba Historian and author of “Santa Claus: A biography,” Gerry Bowler, said.“So the Christ child was often given a scary helper to do the lugging of presents and the threatening of kids that doesn’t seem appropriate coming from the baby Jesus.”

Thus, figures based on Saint Nicholas were used to enforce that children obey.

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Figures included of Ru-Klaus, Ashenklas, and Pelznickel.

Meanwhile, the traditional version of St. Nicholas remained throughout the Netherlands, where he is referred to as Sinterklass, even to this day.

Sinterklass is even referenced in Washington Irving’s “A Knickerbocker’s History of New York” as the patron saint of New York, in which he was depicted flying a wagon delivering presents to good children and switches to naughty ones.

This depiction was drawn in an anonymous poem titled “The Children’s Friend,” which depicted St. Nick piloting a wagon with one reindeer. It also depicted him carrying a birch rod, which “directs a parent’s hand to use when virtue’s path his sons refuse.”

It was in 1822 that the minister and scholar Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem entitled “a Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “Twas The Night before Christmas,” which formed the modern day image of Santa. Upon publication in 1823, the modern day appearance of St. Nick was embedded with his sleigh with eight reindeer, portly appearance, and his ability to fly up the chimney.

In the late 19th century, political cartoonist Thomas Nast introduced Santa’s north pole residence. He illustrated a village in one cartoon with the description “Santa Claussville, N.P,” as interest in the mostly unexplored arctic was heightened by expeditions. By 1940, Coca-Cola used Santa for advertising, even to advertise

Santa Claus greets children during Christmas in the Village in downtown Zionsville. photo by Rachel Shultz

war bonds and salute the troops during World War II. Other versions of Saint Nicholas include Ded Moroz, the Russian Santa Claus, as well as Pere Noel in France and Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, both rooted in the origins of Thomas Nast’s American version.

As Santa and his North Pole residence have remained to this day, Google created a Santa Tracker in 2005 to track his circumnavigation of the globe. With traditional Christmas classics including “Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer,” “The Santa Clause,” “Fred Claus,” and many more, Santa has been a main character in film.

While the secular and religious origins of Santa Claus will remain embedded in history books and folklore, the legend will always persist in the wonder of children who listen for sleigh bells late into Christmas Eve Night.

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Club

ZCHS offers clubs to broaden one’s knowledge and skill

Conversions

The Argumentative Debate Club Debate Club is all about defeating the other team.

“Debate is a club in which you do your level best to tear down your opponents’ arguments and defend your own in an all-out battle. Debaters research given topics, sometimes about American political or economic policy, sometimes about global affairs and war,” Sophie Quick, debate captain, said.

“You pull together cases based on logic and fact, backed up with stats and quotes. It takes a great deal of research, arguing skills, and on-the-fly speeches - which is where both clubs are similar.”

The club meetings are generally the same this year with speaking exercises and case building. However, they now have to deal with teams on Zoom.

“With the Hybrid schedule that means our club time is also hybrid,” Justin Coffey, debate club sponsor, said. “That has posed some issues for how to organize the meeting and ensure that our time is well spent and beneficial for everyone.”

The tournaments have also been affected this year in multiple ways.

“Competitions this year have been, mostly, virtual. That has certainly changed how the competitions go and has changed how the debaters need to prepare for the competitions,” Coffey said. “This does, however, have some advantages as we are able to consider competitions that are further away, giving us more tournaments to participate in.”

There have been various rules put in place during these tournaments because of COVID, but it hasn’t changed the overall experience.

“Debaters can’t stand at podiums, or motion with their hands effectively, or make eye contact with the judge easily, but the intense,

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adrenaline-filled rush of a good debate is still there,” Quick said.

Despite the obstacles the debate team has had many successes in their tournaments and plan to have more.

“As a debate team, we have attended two tournaments and have three more lined up before the end of the semester! So far, tournaments have been different and more difficult to navigate, but that hasn’t detracted from success,” Quick said.

Preparing for these tournaments requires a lot of research for both sides.

“To prepare for debate tournaments you must write cases for both sides of the given debate. Debate topics are changed bimonthly so typically you write about 3-4 cases a year (at least in a normal season),” Mia Brake, senior, said. “Preparing for a case varies depending on what type of debate you do.”

By Lucy Robinson, Feature Editor

The different debates mainly offered at ZCHS are Public Forum (PF) and Lincoln Douglas (LD). PF debate is done with a partner, while LD is done individually.

“Public Forum is a type of debate that focuses almost entirely on statistics, facts, and logic,” Brake said. “They have done topics related to cyber security, law of the sea, Medicare for all, national debt, and nuclear disarmament. LD on the other hand is more of an ethics and morals debate, however it does use facts and logic to back it up. Some of the topics for LD have been about confidential reporters, federal job guarantees, providing aid to authoritarian regimes, fossil fuel subsidies, and civil disobedience.”

Last year’s debate team on school picture day. photo provided by Sophie Quick

The ZMUN Crisis Committee works at a conference last year. photo provided by Sophie Quick

The Worldly Model United Nations With a focus on research, quick thinking, and formal speaking Model UN members are able to expand their skills, such as Zoe Slatkin, senior and Model UN President.

“I initially joined Model UN hoping to improve public speaking, which is one of the great benefits of Model UN,” Slatkin said. “You go into committee and there’s anywhere from 30 to 150 people in your committee, and so you’ve got to be good at being confident and speaking with clarity and conciseness.”

Model UN is a club built on learning and teaching formal debate structure and applying that to current topics. It is a simulation experience modeled after the United Nations. The club meets weekly to learn about Parliamentary Procedure, global politics, and presenting country’s policies.

“We run simulations and mock committees where delegates [the students] can practice interacting with others,” Sophie Quick, senior and Model UN Vice-President, said.

The delegates are given varying topics or countries to research and prepare to share at conferences. One such conference is ZMUN [Zionsville Model United Nations], a

conference hosted at ZCHS with some other schools. Due to COVID most conferences have been canceled or gone virtual, including ZMUN. But the Model UN plans to move it to the spring instead.

“ZMUN this year are two GA, General Assembly, they were going to be the effects of COVID on the global economy, and civil tensions in Venezuela,” Slatkin said. “So, they’re very different. One focuses more on economics, and how different countries have been affected by COVID and how that’s affected their economy and the global economy. And then civil tensions in Venezuela. It’s a humanitarian crisis. So, giving supplies, resources, and just helping the people in need there and how the UN can do that.”

Conferences would typically be a weekend long commitment.

“There’s multiple committee sessions and in the committee sessions, you’ll get to debate with other delegates,” Slatkin said. “There’s the formal debate structure and we’ll write papers with solutions, and then close the debate at the end of the weekend.”

The Model UN has been preparing their skills in the General Assembly. The General

The ZMUN crisis committee from last year.

Provided by Sophie Quick Assembly, or GA, is the traditional United Nations speaking chamber, where countries discuss current topics and issues.

“We are learning how to use the UN’s official Parliamentary Procedure, a special formal language used to keep order and decorum,” Quick said. “We are also learning how to speak in front of lots of people and come up with speeches on the fly - a hard thing to learn if you don’t practice!”

Starting in December and January, Quick will start teaching the other delegates the topic of Crisis training. Crisis is a high-speed, intense and multi-focused type of simulation.

“You take all the skills you learned in the GA and put them to use here while juggling writing crisis notes to the back room, which is working to throw you off your political track, and navigating shark-infested waters (the sharks being the other delegates, who are all out to get you),” Quick said. “It’s a very exciting version of Model UN that only experienced and skilled members can do effectively, and I’m excited to get back to teaching it!”

student life 11

Weird School in the

things

that just make sense

By Mary Demarco, Opinion Editor f you have ever felt the need to start a podcast, well you’re in luck. In the library, there’s a room that allows students to record their own podcasts complete with soundproofing foam walls and recording equipment (although, thanks to Covid-19 it can’t currently be accessed). It’s a great room students may not know about.

In fact, there are so many rooms and other cool features about the school Zionsville students may not be aware of.

One of these appliances are the washing machines located near the varsity gyms. Although many athletes are aware of their presence, others would be surprised to find out they are constantly used. The washing machines are there for washing sports jerseys and other sports equipment. They are frequently used throughout the school year for all sports seasons.

Continuing on with sports features at the school, there are several small gyms located above the large varsity gym.

Students such as the color guard team and the rugby team use these gyms frequently for practice, yet many would be surprised to discover that they are even there. They include a mini basketball court and even a mini set of bleachers.

On the other side of the school, in art room 53, photography students have access to the dark room.

“It is so dark when you don’t have the amber light on. It is pitch black, your eyes have to adjust. But it is so fun,” Art

I

12 student life

teacher Melisssa Glass said.

The dark room is a small space with a curtain that allows students to develop both their photos and photography skills.

“It’s super cool,” Glass said. “The set up is cool because there’s a table in the middle where there are chemicals, then all around there are tools for developing and transferring pictures onto paper.”

Photography Three and Four students are able to use this room and work with film.

Finally, as you enter the PAC many don’t know of the access to the cat walk up above. The catwalk gives an amazing view of the stage most people never get to see.

Right near the PAC is the Zionsville mural painted by art students over the summer. It features the different musicals put on every year and it stretches all the way across an entire wall.

In addition, Principal Tim East is excited for new upcoming features to be added on in the next few years.

“Our students will also benefit from another opportunity for an outdoor dining space. It’s more secure than before and will allow us to be able to get outside during the day and enjoy a little more fresh air as a school.”

This dining space is estimated to be built and finished in the 2022-2023 school year.

The Zionsville Wrestling Room is located in the upstairs of the wedge. Also up here is the rec room, commonly used by the baseball and softball teams. photo by Logan Seiler

Photograpy students use the dark room to develop photos taken using film. photo provided by Melissa Glass

Catwalk above the wedge. photo by Logan Seiler The mural outside the performing arts center pays homage to past shows, including “Newsies,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Les Mis.” photo by Logan Seiler

student life 13

Loony Laws A look into some of Indiana’s quirkiest regulations

By Brooklyn Brown, Staff

Shave the Stache More romantic Hoosiers might want to stop growing out their mustaches if they wish to remain law abiding citizens. According to istudentmedia.com, mustaches are illegal if the bearer has a tendency to habitually kiss other humans. Either pick up the shaver or keep your lips to yourself in Indy.

Killing Two Birds With One Stone...

Or Not Indiana law seems to favor winged animals however, making it illegal to throw a stone at a bird in the city of Indianapolis [unless in self defense] according to valpo.life. Whoever throws rocks at birds in their free time might just need to be evaluated by the law anyways. illustrations by Josh Nieman

14 opinion

Fishy Criminal Activity

Watermelon Mischief

You’re taking a stroll near one of Indiana’s many beautiful rivers. For some absurd reason you spontaneously decide you want to go and catch a fish...with your bare hands. You probably should just grab a fishing pole if you want to maintain a clean criminal record. You read that right; catching a fish with your bare hands is illegal in Indiana, according to forestgrove.pgusd.org. Now, considering that catching a fish with one’s bare hands isn’t a common pastime for most, it likely won’t be putting people behind bars anytime soon.

According to Forest Grove, it is illegal for anyone to eat watermelon in Beech Grove, Indiana’s parks. Trashed watermelon rinds punctured the plastic garbage bags one too many times and made a mess according to Indianapolis Monthly. It’s safe to say that if you’re planning a trip to Beech Grove, you should probably leave your watermelons at home.

Garlic Breath Unless you’re a vampire or allergic, you’ve probably eaten garlic before going out once or twice in your life. If you do that in Indy though, it could technically get you in trouble with the law. According to anvari.org, citizens of Gary, Indiana cannot go to a movie house, theatre, nor ride in a public streetcar within four hours of eating garlic. The origins behind this bizarre law are pretty uncertain, but it can be assumed it simply stemmed from courtesy of bad breath, according to delish.com.

Gossiping Grannies Going to Jail A law commonly broken by high schoolers and grannies alike is Indiana’s ban against gossiping. According to forestgrove.pgsud.org, “Spiteful Gossip” and “talking behind a person’s back” are illegal. So you might have to tone it down on the sleepover hearsay and tell your grandma not to talk so much about Sandy down the street.

Scrub-a-dub-don’t

No Monkey Business

Old Indiana lawmakers must not have cared too much about hygiene though, and outlawed taking baths from the months of October through March, according to valpo.life. Not bathing for 6 months would most likely leave people much smellier than eating garlic before a movie night or taxi ride. Luckily, the average modern day Hoosier has a shower in their home, and showering has yet to be banned under Indiana law.

Monkeys are inclined to follow Indiana laws as well. It’s hard to believe, but according to valpo.life, it’s illegal to give a monkey a cigarette in South Bend, Indiana. In 1924, a monkey was even convicted of the crime of smoking and had to pay a $25 fee for trial costs according to forestgrove.pgsud.org.

Naughty OR Nice The best and worst things that happened in 2020

By Kailey Wallenius, News and Sports Editor

Wildfires

Not only did Australia declare a national state of emergency due to the raging wildfires, but the west coast also experiences billows of smoke, as almost 40 different wildfires burned through the wild and caused smoky air that was dangerous to breathe in.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Starting on March 13, 2020, Zionsville students have begun to feel the impacts of the Coronavirus directly, and still continue to be affected. After going from the hybrid schedule, to normal school, and then back to the hybrid schedule, it’s safe to stay that Covid keeps us on our toes.

Olympics

Every four years, the world brings their best athletes together to compete in the summer olympics. They were scheduled to take place in Tokyo this past summer, but because of the Coronavirus they were postponed until next year. Not only will this take chances away from athletes who have been waiting to compete, but it will now land on weird years which is truly upsetting.

What events did you miss because of the pandemic?

“All of our marching band competions.”

- Blake Benner, 11

“A summer.”

-Alli Domogalik, 11

“A vacation to Gatlinburg Tennesse during sprink break.”

- Ryan Smiley, 11

Adopted Pets Animal shelters and pounds are known for being filled with tons of dogs, but that changed due to everyone’s free time at home. Almost 10,000 Americans adopted dogs and cats during quarantine, not only receiving a new member of the family but giving the little animal a new home.

Some Good News Known from “The Office” and “Jack Ryan”, John Krasinski started a show called “Some Good News,” highlighting all the good things that are going on when people only focus on the bad. He has celebrities on, like the entire Hamilton cast, and shares heartfelt stories from families all over the U.S.

Quarantine Songs While being stuck at home might have been boring at times, it gave everyone free time to work on themselves. Many artists released new albums that were a long time coming. Some students told us their favorite albums that were released in 2020.

I Don’t Know How But They Found Me’s “Razzmatazz” -Coci Price, 9

The Weekend’s “Afterhours” -McLean Carter, 11

Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” -Brit Dalberg, 11

15 opinion

Winning with Remote Fall and Winter athletes opt for remote learning to help preserve their seasons

By Elizabeth Rexing, Staff

C

ontract tracing is on the forefront of everyone’s minds and nothing has proved more unsettling than seeing Mr. East in the classroom with his tape measure. But for athletes, the possibility of contact tracing is an even larger threat.

Basketball, football, and hockey players, as well as numerous other athletes, have opted for online schooling with the hopes of avoiding quarantine and being able to continue their seasons without disruption.

These athletes understand that being quarantined means no games, no practices, and no interaction with their team for weeks.

“The big issue with getting contact traced for basketball is that there is a two week quarantine and then you have to have five practices before you can play again so it’s kind of like three weeks that you’re out,” Katey Richason, senior on the Girl’s Varsity Basketball team, said.

“You’re missing six or seven games if you’re out for three weeks; that’s one-third of the season.” continued on next page

16 sports

Senior, Luke Nolan, celebrates football win in thier semi-state game. photo by Gillian Louiso

Recently, Greg Schellhase, Athletics Director, noticed a trend towards online learning.

“Once we went back to full capacity and the contact tracing became increasingly present in the classroom, I think that you saw more of the athletes make the choice to go remote,” Schellhase said. “This also happened in conjunction with the timing of the postseason for fall sports which made the decision even easier for many of the student-athletes.”

To enhance their chances of continuing their season and playing in the postseason championships, many chose to avoid contact tracing by opting for online school.

“The majority of us agreed that we would go online just to make sure we can play as long as we can,” Emma Haan, freshman on the Girl’s Varsity Basketball team said.

Others, like football player Adam Longmire, junior, also chose to learn from home.

“A lot of people who get a significant amount of playing time or who wanted to be there at practice went online because it’s not worth the risk for us,” Longmire said. “I’m at home by choice because I don’t want to take the risk.”

While the choice to choose online schooling was easy, disadvantages came with staying home.

“For me, I definitely learn better when I’m in school … sometimes it’s hard for me to keep up with what we’re doing in the actual classroom,” CJ Davidson, sophomore on the hockey team, said.

Remote athletes also miss out on face to face interaction with their friends.

“You don’t get to socialize with people outside of the team,” Rylee Turner, freshman on the Girl’s C Basketball team, said. “ It’s harder to talk to [my friends] because I don’t see them in my classes.”

But no matter the cons, most athletes agreed that their sports trumped in-person learning.

“For me, playing basketball is something I’d rather do than walk the hallways of the high school,” Allie Caldwell, Freshman on the Girl’s Varsity basketball team, said.

Coaches have also stressed the importance of staying healthy.

“Coach [Andy] Maguire has been saying a lot about how he wants us to be very careful in what we’re choosing to do outside of school,” Turner said, “He wants us to make

Coach Andy Maguire talks to his team following their practice. photo by Elizabeth Rexing

sure that we’re being safe and that we’re social distancing so that we do still have a team and so that we can play throughout the season.”

Coaches agree that staying home is the preferred choice for athletes. “[Remote learning] is the best thing to do if you want to keep your season and you want to keep everybody healthy and safe,” Jaylen Cushenberry, defensive ends football coach, said.

To further help limit the spread, teams have established additional precautions, like masks, social distancing, and increased sanitation. And while the athletes know that these safety measures are to keep their team healthy, they also realize that they add additional challenges.

“We have to take those precautions; it may hurt right now, but in the long run, it will be a lot better for us,” Cushenberry said.

But even with the proper safety practices, teams still face the possibility of their season ending prematurely.

“There’s definitely worries about the season not continuing especially with all these teams dropping out,” Davidson said.

As the number of nationwide cases continue to rise, cancellation becomes more and more threatening.

“I’m worried because it’s crazy how everything is going up and I know sports are something that can get shut down easily,” Haan said. “One kid can ruin it for everyone else because that’s how easily it spreads.”

Andy Maguire, Girls Varsity Basketball coach, also recognizes the threat of cancellation.

“The biggest worry would be that the Coronavirus cases would get to the point that the IHSAA or the State Board of Health would decide to shut down winter sports in Indiana,” Maguire said.

With cancellation looming, players have realized that they shouldn’t assume their season will continue.

“I told Katey [Richason] the other day, before our game, to play this game like it’s our last because we literally have no idea if it’s our last high school game or not,” Katie Wright, senior on the Girl’s Varsity Basketball team, said. “I don’t take these games for granted at all.” continued on pg. 18

CJ Davidson, gets into position to take on his opponent on the hockey rink. photo provided by CJ Davidson

sports 17

continued from pg. 17 Coaches and athletes have decided not to let these fears control their seasons and affect their playing; they’ve decided to just take one game at a time. “[Cancellation] is always a worry, but most of the time it’s out of our control,” Maguire said. “It’s part of our 2020 reality and we have been quite lucky to this point to have a season that has not been interrupted in some way.”

Along with determination to keep optimistic, flexibility has also proved to be essential for athletes playing in the midst of the pandemic.

“We’ve had a good amount [of players] contact traced,” Longmire explained. “We’ve had to move some guys around and put them in new spots where they’ve never been.

You just got to adapt.”

And adapt these athletes and coaches have. The resilience shown by these teams displays their dedication to their sports. No amount of extra work caused by Covid has been able to defer them.

“Every surface we’ve wiped down, every single social distanced practice we’ve done,

it’s all worth it, every bit of this,” Cushenberry said.

Despite having seasons riddled with obstacles and filled with contact tracing, masks, social distancing, and doubt, athletes and coaches continue to work hard and play as a team.

“Having a year like this, with a lot of uncertainty, a lot of craziness going on in the world… how they’ve responded to this, as a family, has been huge,” Cushenberry said. “They play hard, they play fast, and they play for the man next to them.”

Looking toward the winter, Schellhase remains hopeful that the teams will get to continue their season as normal as they can.

“I am optimistic that they will continue as long as we continue to follow the established safety protocols and procedures,” Schellhase said. “We have an entire new set of challenges with all of the sports being played indoors which will limit the number of spectators at events. I think we just need to continue to be diligent in mitigating as many of the risks as possible and we Allie Caldwell prepares to make a basket during the Varsity team’s practice. photo by Elizabeth Rexing should be in good shape.”

Staying Home for the Endzone opponents had to forfeit A year like no The Eagle’s defense poses after a victory during their post-season. photo provided by Adam Longmire due to Covid. other ended with Like the dedication a season like no they showed on the field, other for the the team remained faithVarsity Football ful to the safety measures. team. Playing in “Proper Covid prethe IHSAA state cautions were taken very finals at Lucas Oil seriously by the coaches, proved to be an and us players did a great unreal experience. job of sticking to them Aiden Krein, and it allowed us to stay junior and outsafe and healthy and side linebacker, continue playing all year,” played with his Eagles worked to master the game and Stone said. team in the chamtheir opponents. The only other thing No matter the obstacles, no matter the pionship on Nov 28. The Eagles, facing they had to master was perhaps their results, the football team stayed strong Cathedral High School, lost 46-28. biggest threat, Covid. and optimistic and worked to make their “The experience at playing in Lucas “This season was definitely different coaches, school, and community proud. oil stadium was truly life changing, as it than last season with all of the Covid “This season was unlike anything gave us an opportunity to see what it’s I’ve ever been a part of. It was difficult like to play on the biggest stage in front of regulations affecting us during games and practices all year long,” Stone said. having to comply with Covid, but I feel the entire state,” Krein said. “I will never The team had a few positive cases and like it only made the bonds us players and forget it.” numerous players put into quarantine. coaches had, stronger,” Krein said. “We Josh Stone, senior and quarterback for They didn’t have any games during their were able to play really well all year and the state finalist team, agreed, “playing at regular season canceled, but they received achieve many of our goals which is really Lucas Oil was a dream come true.” a pass in their sectional game after their special.”

Since the beginning of the season, the

18 sports

Saying Goodbye

Senior Alyx Johnson walks with sister Aaliyah Johnson, senior, at football senior night. photo

by Ruth Cronin

Seniors in fall sports celebrate their senior nights Senior Jaelin Lunato is accompanied by her father during dance team senior night. photo

by Laurel Masterson Senior Katie Krug and her family pass through the balloon arch during cheer senior night. photo by Ruth Cronin

Senior Griffin Wright stands with his mother on the soccer field on senior night. photo by Kailee Rockers

Senior Madi Barrientos walks hand in hand with her family at soccer senior night. photo by Ruth Cronin

Senior Ryan Carr walks with his mom after receiving gifts at tennis senior night. photo by Claire Schellhase

Senior Grace Ribolzi and her mom smile together during marching band sports 19Cronin senior night. photo

by Ruth

ZCHS Moments

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Social studies teachers Danielle Wilson and Henry Nolan sponsored a Thanksgiving food drive to sustain food insecure families in Boone County for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Thanks to help from junior Lexi Hipsky, sophomore Natalee Fanning, junior Suwad Fall, and others, the 2000 food items were transported to local food pantries. photo provided by Danielle Wilson

Football 5A State Finals

The ZCHS Eagles made it to the state finals for the first time in 20 years. The ZCHS football team went 7-5 this season and were the runner-ups in the 2020 state championship. “The atmosphere was amazing with our whole community there to support us as we played and traveled to the stadium,” senior quarterback Josh Stone said. photo by Ruth Cronin

Songs for a New World

Freshman Izzy Casciani performs in the 2020 ZCHS Musical Production that premiered virtually Nov. 20. The recording of the musical can still be purchased on the PAC Website. photo by Logan Seiler

Holiday Concert

On Dec. 3, senior Ben Weber and junior Allison Soards perform at a recording session for the holiday concert performances. photo by Kailee Rockers

Hallway Karaoke

Since the start of the school year, teachers Danielle Wilson and Kimbra Shaner have been singing their favorite songs on Fridays in the 400 hallway. photo by Logan Seiler