Harbinger February 2023

Note from The Editor

A few too many times, I’ve heard older journalists say that newspapers, magazines, and generally just jobs for journalists are dying off. We’re in the age of social media and TikTok videos that take mere seconds to post. How can journalists be first on the scene when the witnesses themselves have already shared their stories with the world?

While true, we journalists can never be what we were in the 20th century, that doesn’t mean that our job is any less important. I would argue that journalists are needed now more than ever.

Yes, people can post their stories much faster than it takes for us to interview, write, and publish an article. However, journalists can dive into many stories. We can try and make sense of a situation as a whole. We are the outside perspective people can rely on to tell the whole truth.

What I’m trying to say is that when we get more sources, we can understand any situation or story from a more diverse perspective. Journalists can also better maintain objectivity with the amount of information and people we can access.

So, while I still consider myself to be a baby in the journalism world, I have the last four years of experience to base my opinion off of. Previously I too had been worried about the future of journalism. However, seeing the newest Harbinger members and thinking back to some of our older ones, I have no doubt that whatever direction journalism is headed towards, it will be amazing.

Editorial

The Tough Decision

It can be difficult when deciding what content should be put into the Harbinger. We never want to publish something that could be harmful to an audience; yet, we don’t want to shy away from difficult topics. Media is the ignition for change, the flame to the already present fuel. From the muckrakers of the early 20th century to the TikTok users who post videos from important events, media raises awareness and elicits change. What we all as individuals need to decide, is what it is we want to change.

In the previous issue as well as this one, Harbinger has published some controversial articles. On pg. 18, we dig deeper into the impact of the week-long middle school health class course, Creating Positive Relations (CPR). On pg. 17, we talk about the harmful effects of fast fashion.

With these articles and others, Harbinger as a staff has to brace ourselves for any reaction. Some may be angry that these stories were published. However, if we have people talking about these topics that means that we are doing our job. We are creating a conversation about issues the writers feel are important to you.

We are an objective magazine; however, like more good journalists, we want to make a change in the world in the right direction. Our job is to ignite that change and get people to talk. Once people talk, people start doing.

Staff

Editor in Chief

Mary DeMarco

Assistant Editor

Madeline Wilson

Copy Editor

Adanna Mbanu

Art & Graphics Editor

Brooklyn Brown

Social Media Editor

Amelia Loewer

Staff:

Lauren Burch

Emma Hummer

Amelia Meyers

Georgianna Moreland

Matthew Orbaugh

Greta Reed

Lilly Steele

Ellie Vanderbur

Marissa Villarrubia

George Waller

The mission of the Harbinger is to provide timely, relevant, and interesting content, while handling topics with respect and objectively. Harbinger aims to reflect the diverse nature of the student body of ZCHS by including those of all walks of life in the publication. The Harbinger serves as a public forum and invites letters to the editor and communication from others. The Harbinger is student-run and opinions in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of ZCHS or Zionsville Community Schools.

Mary DeMarco, Editor in Chief

Design Editor

Josie Brackett

Mr. Z winner Ben DeBaltzo

Photo by Matthew Orbaugh

The HOPE at Home

Two Zionsville families linked with Ukraine share their perspective as one-year anniversary of the war approaches

By Emma Hummer, Staff

The one-year anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian War is an opportunity to look back at the war as it has drifted out of national attention.

According to Reuters, this war has resulted in 42,295 reported deaths as well as 54,132 non-fatal injuries as of Jan. 20. Aside from those there are 15,000 people documented as missing and 14 million people displaced. 140,000 buildings have been destroyed, leaving Ukraine with $350 billion worth of damage.

Wars like this affect people all across the globe, as well as those here in Zionsville. Two local families affected are the Richardsons

and the Hovyadinovs. They both share a family connection to Ukraine, although their experiences are different.

Natasha Hovyadinov, owner of Truffles and Cream located in downtown Zionsville on E Pine Street and mother to a ZCHS student, is from a small village near Kherson, Ukraine, which is in the southern part of Ukraine. She has many memories from her childhood in Ukraine.

“From my childhood and youth memories, my favorite was spending time with my grandma at her house and my student years in Kherson,” Natasha Hovyadinov said.

With this personal connection, Natasha

Hovyadinov is interested in helping Ukrainians any way that she can. Not only do some of Truffles and Cream’s profits go towards donations for Ukraine, but she has also helped several fundraising campaigns.

“Last year we ran several campaigns to raise money for some refugees and a local charity called ‘Indiana Supports Ukraine,” Natasha Hovyadinov said.

According to the Indiana Supports Ukraine website, the organization helps “by organizing peaceful rallies, participating in fundraising events, and most importantly, through the generous donations people make directly on the website. 100% of donated funds are applied towards purchasing and shipping humanitarian aid for men and women defending Ukrainian freedom and civilians affected by war.”

Not only has the Hovyadinov family been generous with giving, but they’ve allowed family of theirs from Ukraine into their home during this hard time.

Hovyadinov left Ukraine in the early 2000s with her family. Along with her, she brought her son, junior Nikita Hovyadinov.

Nikita Hovyadinov said his Ukrainian roots are important to him.

“I feel proud of my Ukrainian roots, and I also love my country and its history,” he said.

Nikita Hovyadinov moved to the United States from Ukraine in the beginning of summer 2012 because of his dad’s education at Stanford in California. The last time he visited was 2019 to visit family and relatives.

Even though he loves his country, Nikita Hovyadinov said he is happy that his relatives are safe right now in European countries and

Natasha Hovyadinov displays a Ukrainian flag in her downtown Zionsville chocolate shop, Truffles and Creams, pictured above. Photo by Mary Demarco

he hopes to visit his home country when

war is over.

Another Zionsville family with ties to Ukraine are the Richardsons.

Mark and Jody Richardson adopted their child, a current junior at ZCHS, from Ukraine.

“With Ukraine, we knew it was going to be a long time staying in the country state, as in over a month. We already had a five-year-old boy. We didn’t want to be gone from him that long,” Mark Richardson said. “In the end, it all worked out like it should have.”

The Richardsons formed strong bonds with people from Ukraine and keep in contact to this day.

“We have very high connections with people in Ukraine,” Richardson said. “The guy that ran the agency in Ukraine died the

first night of the war due to Russian gunfire. As of the very first night of the war we knew casualties, so we are very close to people in Ukraine.”

The Richardsons also have strong relationships with the translators they worked with while in Ukraine. The translators gave important information to the Richardsons in case anything happened to them during the war.

“I feel wars are an unnecessary way to settle disagreements,” Natasha Hovyadinov said. “Conflicts are not the proper way to resolve them. Because of that, many people are displaced and killed. Many soldiers do not wish to fight on the Russian side but are forced to, fearing what will happen if they return home. I think overall war is a terrible thing and should be avoided at all costs.”

Dniepre River in Kiev. This photo was taken during Mark Richardson’s 40 day stay in Ukraine. Photo submitted by Mark Richardson

the

“Many people are displaced and killed. Many soldiers do not wish to fight on the Russian side but are forced to, fearing what will happen if they return home. I think overall war is a terrible thing and should be avoided at all costs.”

- Nikita Hovyadinov

Mark and Jody Richardson with friends during their stay in Ukraine. Photo submitted by Mark Richardson

Assistant Principal ADMIN ADDITIONS

Katie Willour

Reporting by Mary Demarco, Editor in Chief

Meet two new hires to the admin team

What will you be responsible for in your new role?

I know that it’ll be a mix of attendance and discipline and just supporting the team, whether it’s the teachers or the students. But I don’t 100% know what that will look like yet because I’m still in the roots of teaching right now.

When do you start?

I’m supporting the Science Department as long as they need me to, which might be for the end of the semester it might not, we’re not really quite sure there. And we’ll see what happens! To be real with you, the timing of me transitioning to that role will be very vague. We don’t know yet. But we do know that it’s been approved and at some point we’ll make that transition happen.

Did anyone inspire you to take this role?

With the Ball State program there were a bunch of classes I did online, but one of the things I had to do was an internship. So during my planning period, I would go to Boone Meadow and work with Tom Hundley. He was the principal there and Amanda Pitsley is his assistant principal filling in right now because their assistant principal is on leave. I learned so much from working with little elementary kids, but he has had amazing things to say about all of the leadership, too. I think what encouraged me was that he was amazing. Then all of the new leaders that are coming in are pretty awesome. The idea of working with a team of mentors that have literally shaped me is a humbling experience. They’ve helped me become a better teacher. And it’s like, wow, if I could make a difference like that for a teacher someday that would be so cool. Because you know, the Mr. Z award, that’s because principal;s influenced me and I’ve been able to reach kids. If I could do that with teachers, that could make a really good impact for kids. So that’s the goal with it. Tom Hundley kind of bragged a lot about the leadership, that made me really excited. Honestly though, all the principles that are already here, they’ve all mentored and evaluated me. So the fact that they would see potential in me to work beside them is very humbling.

Katherine Willour, Biology teacher, talks about her new and upcoming role as assistant principal. Photo by Mary Demarco

Athletic Director, Josh Larsh

Reporting by Marissa Villarrubia, Staff

How are you feeling as you are getting ready to start in a smaller and new district?

I enjoyed being at Avon with 3400 students and growing. I spent a lot of time at Western High School where we only had 800 students. That may matter during the passing periods or whatever, but I think, in our world, if you enjoy being around kids and you enjoy helping kids be successful, then the size of the school doesn’t really matter.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

It’s so rewarding. In our position, when you get the random text message or email or phone call, you know, that one of your student athletes who maybe just got engaged or just had their first kid, those things that they go on to do in life that makes you proud. And it’s why we do what we do. The relationships that you build and that you carry with you are the most rewarding, Also, it should be said that kids also impact us, too. I’ve had plenty of student athletes or just regular students who have had an impact on my life and the way I look at things and the way I do things.

What do you hope to achieve as a ZCHS athletic director?

Ultimately, I just hope that I can help make Zionsville reach its fullest potential. Hopefully, I can bring some good ideas or maybe some things that make things better. And at the same time, Zionsville can challenge me as a professional and help to make me better.

Why did you decide to here?

I’m very familiar with Zionsville High School since they are in the same conference as Avon. And once they posted the position, I reached out to Mr. Schellhase. We had a conversation about the position at that time, and then it just kind of went from there. Zionsville has a fantastic reputation, both academically and athletically in the state, and you have a strong community background. Personally, it is closer to where I grew up as well as closer to my parents and my family, so there was a lot to be desired about the possibility of working at Zionsville.

How are you feeling about leaving Avon?

It’s tough to leave the kids behind. But when you build relationships with them and you’re trying to help them succeed, you obviously become close in a way. I have no ill will towards Avon or Western, where I was at before that, I’m their biggest fan and I’m their biggest cheerleader. I want them to succeed. Anyway, I hope that they will succeed. And I have told many of them, just because I’m not going to be at Avon High School anymore, doesn’t mean I’m not here for them. If there’s anything I can do, you can always reach out, you know. I’ll be the biggest fan. Now, maybe when Zionsville plays Avon I want Zionsville to win, but I’ll still pay attention to what’s going on at Avon and I’ll follow those kids, not only through high school, but when they go off to college and some of them for the rest of their lives.

Staff Photo submitted by Josh Larsh

TACKLING

By Ellie Vanderbur, Staff

Recovery

Players and staff take on physical, emotional effects of injury before returning to play

Freshman running back Sam Manna has always dreamed of being a successful football player. But when he got a concussion, those dreams were put on hold.

The injuries caused by football are once again a topic of conversation, especially in light of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffering cardiac arrest during Jan. 1 game against the Bengals. However, the emotional distress resulting from such situations is talked about much less.

According to the University of Oklahoma, “It is estimated that more than one million young men play high school football in the United States each year, and at least 350,000 injuries occur annually.”

To prevent these injuries the state and school ensure the coaches are certified to train the team properly and safely.

According to the Indiana Department of Education, “Coaches need to be certified every two years or when notified that new information is available and required for certification.”

To follow these rules, Zionsville Community High school makes sure to get the highest-grade equipment and materials for

training and play.

“We are always making sure that our players get the best that we can provide to them,” head football coach Scott Turnquist said.

If trainers, coaches, and managers did not work alongside the players to help them get back on the field better than ever, then the sport would be much more dangerous.

“Football right now is as safe and well taught and well coached as it’s ever been,” Turnquist said.

Even though the sport has become safer, injuries still happen and recovering from injuries take a lot of time and effort. It can be frustrating for players to lose some of the skills they had previously.

“You fall behind on progress for lifting and speed,” Manna said.

In between getting hurt and getting back on the field, a lot happens in an athlete’s world. They go to hospitals, physical therapy, and trainers during their recovery journey.

But injuries can also impact a player’s mentality. This is often from being separated from an integral part of themselves.

“You always want to be out there helping your teammates and [being injured] stops you from doing that,” varsity wide receiver and sophomore Eugene Hilton said.

Because the players have been suddenly removed from the sport and the teammates they love, they maingy be focused on return to practice like normal.

“[Being injured] makes you want to get back quicker,” Turnquist said.

To motivate players through the difficult steps to recovery, the coaches use tough love.

“We don’t allow them to have self-pity or self-doubt,” Turnquist said.

This encouragement also leads the athletes to strive to be better than they were, especially in the area that they were hurt.

“They want that body part to be stronger than it was before,” athletic trainer Tiffany McKinley said.

Before the players can get back, several standards have to be met to ensure no further complications will occur.

“There are some basic standards that they have to pass and do pain free to be able to return to play,” McKinley said.

Depending on the type and severity of the injury, the recovery process can take months.

Athletes with one common injury, the ACL tear, can take “six to nine months” to recover, according to Cleveland Clinic. An ankle injury can take anywhere from one week to three months.

When injured players are finally allowed to return to the field, they have learned many lessons about the ups and downs of life and how to persevere through them.

“Sometimes you have to learn through doing, learn through experience,” Turnquist said.

An athlete returning to the game after a long absence is a joyful experience for people on the team and athletic staff.

“When the athletes get back on the field that’s when I feel like I’ve succeeded in what I’m doing,” McKinley said.

When the players resume play, they are reconnected with a part of themselves that they weren’t allowed to have contact with for a long time.

“It felt good to being back to play with the team because when you’re out the only thing you can think about is playing,” Manna said.

Graphic by Brooklyn Brown

Reigning the Regatta Reigning the Regatta

By Georgianna Moreland, Staff

Junior Charlotte Rozzi arrives at Eagle Creek after school with several other students in her car. They set up boats, oars and other equipment. The team breathes heavily through their warm-ups and then pushes the boats into the water to begin their two hour training. After more vigorous workouts and drills, they pack up and catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives.

“It’s a different group of people who all have different interest, different hobbies, different friends at school, but then they can come together at rowing and literally be in the same boat and push for the same thing.”

During the Fall and Spring, the Zionsville Rowing Team repeats this effort five days a week and for four more hours on Saturdays.

in 2019. Rozzi helped found the Zionsville Rowing Team.

“During the regattas, we’d go out to an obscure place like Ohio or something,” Toney said. “We’d go out at night and we’d just hang out at a restaurant and talk and just goof around.”

However, like most sports, rowing has its hardships as well as its competitions. Although the group is close-knit and supportive, the rowing team takes competitions seriously.

“There are two types of competitions: Scholastic and club. If ZCHS were to sponsor a rowing club, then they could compete in scholastic nationals. But since we all row at a club, it is mainly just competing against different clubs.”Rozzi said.

Rozzi said rowing is a good entry way to scholarships.

The Zionsville Rowing Team is a high school group that is run through Indy Rowing which consists of members from ZCHS and Zionsville at large.

“As the founder, I now get to run the parade float,” Rozzi said. “Every year we get our trailer and put boats and rowing machines and throw some candy and it’s so fun. It also gets some of the kids involved.”

Sophomore Abram Toney joined his freshman year after being introduced to the club by one of his friends.

-Charlotte Rozzi, junior

Charlotte Rozzi, junior, is the current president of Zionsville Rowing and has been part of the club for three years. Rozzi first saw Indy Rowing promoted at the Fall Festival after her family moved to Zionsville

“[He] was commonly late because of his commitment. I thought I should give rowing a shot,” Toney said. “He said it was a lot of fun and he was always hanging out with friends. There was always a kind of a level of closeness that he had with it.”

Regattas, a series of races between clubs, are some of Toney’s favorite rowing memories, and a chance to “hang out with friends.”

“On the collegiate scholarship level, football takes up a majority of their scholarships,” Rozzi said. “The sport that gets the second most is rowing. So, if you like rowing in high school, one in three people who compete in rowing get a collegiate level scholarship.”

The club aspect of the sport allows a wide variety of people to be drawn to the sport.

“It’s a different group of people who all have different interests, different hobbies, different friends at school, but then they can come together at rowing and literally be in the same boat and push for the same thing,” Rozzi said.

The Women’s Varsity practices on an early Saturday morning. Photo submitted by Rozzi

The team practices drills in an early August practice. Photo submitted by Rozzi

Defying Gravity

With a fear of heights, these students chose a most confusing sport to participate in.... rock climbing

By Mary Demarco, Editor in Chief

Iam, I would say, almost deathly afraid of heights,” rock climber and junior Mika Tomandl, said. “It’s crazy.”

Many of the ZCHS rock climbers are afraid of heights.

But if heights are what these students hope to avoid, why have they chosen rock climbing as their sport?

“I can confirm,” junior Jonathan Fisher said. “A lot of the climbers I climb with are afraid of heights.”

Roughly ten Zionsville students rock climb for sport at Hoosier Heights tucked into a small corner of Zionsville a few streets away from Bub’s Burgers. A few others have even chosen to join the rock climbing club at school, supervised by English teacher Katie Marario.

“You can just go with your friends and you just climb,” senior club president Audrey Dorsey said.

According to Dorsey, the club meets

twice a month and anyone who attends is able to just “do your thing.”

But even the President of Rock Climbing Club, has a fear of heights.

“I feel like on the big walls it’s more of a mental thing because I’m scared of heights and I’ll be happy if I get to the top but part of me wants to let go and have the harness carry me down,” Dorsey said. “So that’s a mental challenge.”

While many think rock climbing consists solely of scaling tall walls with colorful rocks sticking out to support your feet, it’s much more.

According to Fisher, there are three ways in which one can rock climb: bouldering, toprope, and audible climbing.

Fisher describes audible climbing as “the one where you do it yourself. If you fall, you fall all the way down.”

With toprope, the climber has a partner at the bottom holding a rope for bal-

ance. If the climber falls off the wall, they simply hang mid-air by rope as their partner holds them up.

This is why, according to all three climbers, most rock climbers at ZCHS choose bouldering; a form of “rock climbing stripped down to the essentials,” according to BoulderBrighton.com.

Junior Mika Tomandl pre-workout on Dec. 30, decides what he wants to climb first. Tomandl went to Hoosier Heights almost every day over break. Photo by Mary Demarco

“It’s almost like we don’t want the heights to get in the way of us working.”

- Jonathon Fisher, junior

To put it simply, it’s climbing a short distance without the aid of the colorful rocks that both audible and toprope climbing are given.

“The bouldering wall is a lot shorter,” Dorsey said. “So when you boulder the walls there, it’s from a distance where you can just jump down and you’ll land on your feet and be fine. I don’t find it that scary.”

As a climber, Fisher looks at a fear of heights a little differently.

“It’s almost like we don’t want the heights to get in the way of us working,” Fisher said. And for me, that involves the snake. (roughly a 20-meter tall wall one has to climb before getting to the other side of it and falling into a foam pit)” because I could do the snake or I could do something equally as difficult without that distraction of the height.”

Tomandl is also very familiar with “Hoosier Height’s main attraction,” the snake.

“The first time I completed [the snake], that was my all-time goal,” Tomandl said. After feeling “full of myself” at the success, Tomandl went to boulder and promptly fell on his arm sideways. “I had a huge success and then I broke my elbow,”Tomandl said.

Tomandl’s story is an example of the dangers of rock climbing. And while many would hesitate to return to rock climbing after an injury like his, Tomandl credits this

experience for actually increasing his passion for the sport.

“My parents were also confused why I became obsessed [with rock climbing] after that,” Tomandl said. “I was in there with one arm, just looking around trying to climb, it was crazy. I fell in love with it.”

For each of these rock climbers, the sport has enhanced their lives.

“It [rock climbing] used to be my drive, my goal,” Fisher said. “And over time I’ve realized that it’s ok for it not to be that and it’s become a relief from show choir, which is now my goal.”

But for those not wanting to commit, rock climbing is an activity anyone can participate in.

It’s a sport accessible to anyone who is able to make the drive down to Hoosier Heights, which is about ten minutes from the high school. And many of the rock climbers there want to help beginners. Fischer’s advice is “to be open to failure.”

“One of the things about climbing is that, unlike any other sport, you’re going to fail more than you succeed.” Fischer said. “It’s very power-inducing. You feel very, I would say at least, I feel very powerful on the wall.”

Q&A with an up and coming rock climbers: Aiden Guerrero (9) and Max Leman (9)

What type of climbing do you both do?

We compete in three different disciplines. They are Bouldering, Lead Climbing, and Speed Climbing

How did you get started rock climbing?

We started rock climbing about 5 years ago. We joined the team in February 2018 and have been on the team ever since. We’ve progressed greatly over the last 5 years, practicing 4 times a week, every week with no off season

Favorite memories on the team?

Some of our best memories come from this team. We enjoy hanging out with the team while we are at events that everyone travels to. One fun story is when we were playing hide and seek in a hotel, like most teams do, and I bumped into a chair and set off the alarm, so I had to run downstairs to make sure the fire department didn’t show up. What do people say when you tell them you rock climb?

“We immediately get associated with the famous free solo climber Alex Honnold. We always get ‘Ooh, are you like that one guy who climbs without a rope?’ or to those who have climbed at our Hoosier Heights we also get asked, ‘Can you climb the snake?’ We always respond with ‘What do you think?’”

Freshman Aiden Guerrero timing himself scaling a wall. Photo taken by Mary Demarco

Hoosier Heights member Connor Luster climbing the snake on December 28th, 2022. The snake, as junior MikaTomandl claims, is Hoosier Height’s, “main attraction.” Photo by Mary Demarco

The King’s Journey

Reporting by Lauren Burch, Staff

MR. Z: Ben DeBaltzo

Why did you choose to be a contestant in Mr. Z?

“I thought that a lot of different people from a bunch of different backgrounds were going to do it. Usually when I perform, I perform with kids that are in show choir or people that I’ve become friends with through performing for the past three years. Because everyone was auditioning, it was fun to get really close with a bunch of guys that I otherwise wouldn’t be friends with.”

What was your experience like in Mr. Z?

“It was really fun. The first couple of months we would only meet only once a week and we would learn the dance late at night, and it was fun afterwards to talk and hangout. And then as it started to ramp up near the show time. It was fun to spend a lot of time with everyone involved and become friends.”

What was the most fun part?

“Personally my favorite part was not actually Mr. Z itself but the people in Mr. Z. So talking with everyone, hanging out with everyone, getting food, that was my favorite part. Annie Davidson … was also there.”

What was most difficult part?

“I think the most difficult part was going to those late night rehearsals. If I already had something that day, sometimes I would have Royalaires or I would be studying for a test and I would have to go to the late night rehearsal and it would be drag. But the people there made it worth it.”

What was your best memory from rehearsals?

“The day we were filming the entrance videos and we were all stuck in the PAC waiting to be called on for our turn to film. So we all sat in the very, very back of the PAC and George Waller did the opening dance to no music while we sang the words to him. It was really funny.”

What were you most excited for during the performance?

“I was really excited to be in front of the crowd. And I was excited to be in front of a crowd with a bunch of other people. I was excited for them as well because they had never been in front of a crowd. There were three or four of us that had already performed in there and a lot of people hadn’t. I was really excited to share this thing that everyone else had been doing for so long with them.”

What is your advice to people who want to be in Mr. Z next year?

“I think two things: enjoy it, because a lot of the time I would be so worried about my act that I lost focus on the main thing being to have fun. And then even if you’re uncomfortable on stage, if you’re afraid, or you’re nervous, it’s all about faking it until you make it on stage.

Photos by Matthew Orbaugh

Mr. Spirit AND Mr. Talent

Kyle Lehman

What was your experience in Mr. Z like?

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s very enjoyable being able to practice the dances. I’d say everybody is very inclusive in Mr. Z. It’s kind of like one big family.”

What was the most difficult part?

“The dances. We’re obviously practicing our talents but that’s the main thing we focus on during our rehearsals is getting the dances done. Actually, the funny answer would be filling out the forms, probably turning in assignments when they’re due. A lot of people tend to forget that.”

Why did you choose to be a contestant?

“I thought it would be really fun. I like performing a lot. I’m in show choir so I like to present in front of people.”

What was the most fun part leading up to the performance?

“Interacting with people and being able to practice the dances with everybody together because a lot of the dances involve us working together to make one big image or one big picture. So, working together and being able to create that fun image together.”

People’s Choice

Laur Cawi

Why did you choose to be a contestant?

“It was something that would push me out of my comfort zone. We’d be doing something new, which is good, and it sets me up for college.”

What was the most fun part leading up to the performance?

“The practices as well. You interact and can just be yourself and no one really cares. You can have fun with it and just let free of anything going on.”

What was your experience in Mr. Z like?

“It’s been amazing. It’s been fun to interact and meet a whole new group of people. Going into it I only knew one or two of them, and that was just from classes. So hanging out with them and doing things outside of school as well as our practices has been a lot of fun, and meeting new people is always lot of fun.”

Dancing past Doubt Dancing past Doubt

Winter Guard team faces body image concerns, fewer team members this season

By Madeline Wilson, Assistant Editor

Senior Reagan Daugherty tosses a flag as she dances at the parent preview performance on Jan. 27.

Photo by Madeline Wilson

Flags of purple and pink whirl through the air, sweeping up and around dancers to the counts of “five, six, seven, eight.”

Wooden rifles spin upward in dizzying circles then snap back into gloved hands, timed to the music of Florence and the Machine’s rendition of “Tiny Dancer.”

The ten girls on the Winter Guard team can be found four days a week in the freshman gym, practicing for this season’s ballet-themed show “Setting the Barre.” The guard shrunk last season after several team members quit, creating new challenges for this year’s performers.

The issue of body image arose for the Zionsville Winter Guard last season, according to senior guard member Averie Clark. Clark said much of the issue revolved around comments made by the former director.

“There were a couple of teammates who felt uncomfortable with some comments that he said when we were taking measurements,” Clark said.

Jackie Porter, the new guard director and a dance teacher, said that both guard and dance are body-focused activities, which can lead to body image concerns.

Many studies indicate that body image concerns are greater among dancers than the general population. For example, dancers have more than twice the risk of developing an eating disorder as non-dancers, according to a study led by Jon Arcelus, a professor in Mental Health and Wellbeing.

“It’s kind of hard not to focus on yourself,” Porter said. “It’s a really controlling activity. You have to look the same, you have to dance the same, and you have to move the same.”

Clark remembers feeling confused by the former director’s comments and her teammates’ reactions, but she understood how they felt.

“I probably would have [taken it that way] if I was in that situation, but it was just kind of shocking.”

Since then, however, Clark said the issue has not come up again.

“We’re all about positivity and lifting each other up, not bringing anyone down,” Clark said.

According to Porter, body image concerns have not been a factor in the groups she has

directed, possibly because she leaves it out of the conversation entirely by using language that does not focus on body type at all.

“I really try to be careful because you never know if somebody has body issues or an eating disorder or body dysmorphia,” Porter said. “Knowing that it’s a thing that happens in the dance community, it’s really important for me to make sure that I don’t comment on things that someone can misconstrue the wrong way.”

The same goes for guard, Porter said. The issue of body image is less common at the high school level, but prevalent in higher levels of guard.

“There’s so many different people out there of different sizes and shapes that are fantastic dancers,” Porter said. “I know a couple of friends who are fantastic at color guard, but they don’t have the ‘ideal’ body type to do it. And it’s not fair, because they’re fantastic at what they’re doing.”

For the Zionsville Winter Guard, however, this season seems filled with positivity.

“I feel like the older girls are really helpful to the younger girls and it’s made a huge difference for them,” Porter said. “When the freshmen started, they seemed uncomfortable and unsure. And as the school year has gone on, they show up, they’re excited to be here, they talk to each other, and they’ve kind of come out of their shells.”

Senior Reagan Daugherty said that she and Clark, as the team’s only seniors, have focused on making sure everyone knows they are welcome. As a result, Daugherty feels that the team is closer this season than in previous years.

“We’ve really made sure to try and include

[the freshmen] a lot more than others have in the past years,” Daugherty said. “Through practicing and talking and helping them with the show for marching band, we’ve just gotten to know each other.”

Despite the guard members’ close relationships, having such a small team creates additional challenges, according to Daugherty.

“We can’t afford to have someone not know the work,” Daugherty said. “The entire team has to be good, so we have to make sure that everyone is on top of it and make sure they’re performing to their best.”

A small guard also doesn’t have the same effect as bigger groups.

“We’re kind of limited to what we can do with our show,” Daugherty said. “We can’t do this big, amazing, cool show because we don’t have that many people.”

Plus, doubts and insecurities are a part of almost everyone’s lives, including those of the guard members.

“Sometimes when people are insecure, they joke about it,” Clark said. “I’m there sometimes, because I’m insecure about things.”

But whenever negativity arises, Clark said the whole team has been quick to reassure and lift each other up.

The encouragement extends beyond practice, too—the guard room is decorated with photos from past seasons, goals, and notes of encouragement.

“Do amazing!” says one note. “Do your best! You got this!”

“It’s kind of hard not to focus on yourself. It’s a really controlling activity. You have to look the same, you have to dance the same, and you have to move the same.”

- Jackie Porter, director

Freshman Maddie Mckinzie spins a flag during the parent preview performance of “Setting the Barre” on Jan. 27. Photo by Madeline Wilson

Flyin’ Solo Flyin’ Solo

By Josie Brackett, Design Editor

Most teens can’t wait to get their license, but for sophomore Maddox Mitchell, turning sixteen meant a license to fly.

Mitchell has aspirations to be a pilot and has already flown solo at the age of 16.

Mitchell’s interest in flight started during his family’s flights back and forth to their Florida home, around eight times a year.

“I’ve been on a bunch of planes, and I knew that’s what I wanted to be. I started to download a bunch of plane flying games and my mom decided to set me up for flight lessons,” Mitchell said.

That on screen experience has now become a reality for Mitchell.

“[Flying the plane] felt very weird. I’m

used to flying in the cabin of an airline; I thought that’s how it would feel. But in a small plane, it’s very different, very bumpy,” Mitchell said. “You’re not focused on looking out the window, you’re focused on all your instruments. There’s no room for mistakes.”

Flight lessons have helped Mitchell eliminate those mistakes.

“Sometimes [flying] can get really confusing, especially because it’s a big workload. As you do it more and more, it becomes easier and easier.”

On his first solo flight Mitchell said he felt nervous.

“Once I got up there it was like what I’ve been doing with my instructor,” he added.

Mitchell is getting used to flying without

an instructor.

“The entire time, it felt very different with someone not being up there with me. I was a little scared just in case there was a mistake that happened and I didn’t know what to do, but the mistakes that happened I was able to cover so it ended up being very fun,” Mitchell said.

Since earning his pilot’s license, Mitchell has flown solo several times, including with a friend to Cedar Point in Ohio.

“We flew over the lake that’s there that looks like a friggin’ ocean,” Mitchell said. Mitchell recommends those interested in flying to “start at an early age.”.

“When I was young, and I started, I didn’t know if I wanted to be an airline pilot. But as I grew and learned to fly a plane, I can’t wait to become an airline pilot.”

Being “teachable” is the most important quality for a new pilot, Mitchell said.

“If you aren’t dedicated and teachable,” he added, “there’s no room for you to be in it.”

“I didn’t know if I wanted to be an airline pilot. But as I grew and learned to fly a plane, I can’t wait to become one.”

- Maddox Mitchell, sophomore

Sophomore earns his pilot’s license and is flying solo at sixteen

Photos submitted by Mitchell

From TREND to Trash

The dark side of fast fashion

By Lilly Steele,

Racks and racks of donated clothes lie untouched on their hangers. Donations are piling up. Fast fashion has created an excess of waste as trends come and go faster than ever.

Goodwill and other thrift stores are seeing a change in customers and sales. Goodwill’s sales have increased throughout the growth in popularity of TikTok and other social media platforms.

Goodwill employee Eli Brownlee loves shopping there because he says they have a little bit of everything, including pieces that influence his vintage and hippy style.

“I feel like it’s bringing in a lot of teens now, and I see a lot of people buying just different types of clothes for themselves,” Brownlee said.

Earth.org is a non-profit organization that brings together environmentalists from around the world to spread information about environmental world issues.

An increase in the frequency of trend changes has resulted in past fast fashion items being donated and up-cycled. This also creates a surplus of waste production

and pollution, according to Earth.org. According to Earth.org. more than $500 billion is lost every year due to a lack of recycling and the increased speed at which clothing trends are losing their popularity.

Freshman Eva Branam follows fashion trends and loves to express herself through fashion.

“People will buy clothes from like Shein and those cheaper brands and then in about less than a year, will throw them away and we have all this wasted fabric and clothing.” Branam said.

Earth.org said that the fast fashion industry and changing social media trends contribute to climate change and air pollution, which directly affects many ecosystems and species.

According to Earth.org, the number of times a garment is being worn has decreased by about 36% in the last 15 years. They also said that in the U.S. alone, 2.6 million tons of returned clothes ended up in landfills in 2020. Fashion fads don’t last long periods of time, which also contributes to the amount of waste created.

Mia Schmidt is a junior who says she sticks to her style and keeps things unique. She follows makeup trends and loves to take influencers’

advice on products.

“I think trends can create unnecessary waste because TikTok can easily influence you to buy certain things just because your favorite influencer uses them,” Schmidt said.

Buying a product which you may end up not wanting or liking, even if it doesn’t cost a lot, can create unnecessary waste.

Schmidt says that people can reduce waste from trends by staying true to their interests.

Branam said that a good way to reuse trend items is simply to start a new trend out of them, up-cycling is a great way to reuse products while being creative and expressing yourself. This can help items be used for longer and in turn reduce waste.

Other than reusing trends, there are also ways to get rid of past-trend products without harming the environment.

Thrifting, giving away old clothes, as well as bringing back and reusing old trends are all things Branam said people can do to lessen the waste from fast fashion trends.

Selling can also be a great way to make money off of things you’re no longer using.

According to Schmidt, selling clothes at a discounted price can be a great way to make your money back on products you aren’t going to use. Apart from donating, selling can be a great way to keep using products after a trend has ended.

Trends keep things new and help the fashion world evolve.

Branam says a lot of people like to see what’s new in fashion and really fit in with the biggest trends as a way of self-expression. Waste is created by how fast trends change as well as how many people follow trends which creates an increased demand for certain products. This also creates product supply issues.

“I think it is way cooler to be different than fit in,” Schmidt said.

Staff

Donated clothes sit on racks on January 10 at Goodwill due to an increased donations.

Photo by Mary DeMarco

An uptake in Goodwill donations has left clothes sitting on racks on January 10. Photo by Mary DeMarco

Let’s Talk About SEX Let’s Talk About

Students, educators share thoughts on sex-ed curriculum

By Adanna Mbanu, Copy Editor

The steps of affection. Those words conjure up images of a frog falling into a jacuzzi for many former Zionsville middle school health students. Whether or not this allegory was successful is debatable, but the mark that it left on some students is undeniable.

Zionsville middle school health students are required to be taught a session known as CPR (Creating Positive Relationships), which provides information to students about the importance of healthy relationships and the benefits of delaying any sort of sexual activity, according to the CPR

monogamous relationship in the context of marriage.”

Because of this code, senior Henry Walker said some students feel unprepared on what to expect in the real world.

“A lot of rumors are spread about what can happen,” Walker said, because of the lack of in-depth education.

“Honestly for a week they just told us to be abstinent and then it was just like that’s your sexual education and move on,” Walker said. “I honestly didn’t learn about STIs or anything until this year when I decided to take health class.”

that information with their peers in the form of informal conversations.

Although these programs are an opportunity for teens to learn more about sexual health, H. Walker still believes that these concepts should be taught in more depth in schools so they’re available and known to everyone.

“I feel like they should teach it, even if it’s not something that they’re comfortable teaching or society isn’t comfortable teaching,” H. Walker said. “It’s going to keep all of their students safe no matter what. And it’s going to educate other students

What to See in 2023

Spring, summer trends are coming in hot with new styles and old trends carrying over

By Greta Reed, Staff

Simple and practical fashion trends surprised many by gaining traction quickly in 2022. And this year, 2023 spring and summer trends will be wide leg pants and shorts, loose and light fitting clothing, and simple jeans.

After doing research on the upcoming spring and summer fashions trends, the simple practical styles will continue to be popular among brands.

A mix of soft neutrals and bright colors have covered spring collections and these styles will trickle down into the brands that we love.

and activity. I predict that these new trends will cater to teenager’s wants and become popular among young adults.

Electric

In upcoming spring and summer fashion Brady Cochran, junior, suspects that fashion will gain popularity bringing in a beachy vibe with silky and light materials. He sees monotone and cream colors being favored in the 2023 spring and summer collections.

Cochran expects that “lots of unique designing and stitching” will be seen on new pieces in the seasons to come.

Vogue has displayed the 2023 collections and runway images of almost every designer brand. Baggy jeans are continuing to make a comeback with many different style variations available. Christian Dior, Versace, and Fendi are bringing more laid-back styles to the runaway, setting a different tone for the trends to come.

This year’s Fashion Color Trend Report displays fifteen colors that will be exhibited in collections across the industry. Laurie Pressman with the Pantone Color Institute presented an array of dynamic shades and quiet tones that compliment each other in the design process. More simply, you can just add pops of bright colors to a more neutral palette with colors like Electric Blue Lemonade, Pink Cosmos, and Tender Peach.

Today’s teenagers are always on the go and want to look stylish and put together while also dressing practically for the season

In short, this will look like basic pieces of clothing that have pops of design with the style of stitching and design. This new style consisting of simply unique pieces and monotone colors has been seen amongst many and I anticipate that this will carry on throughout this year and blossom into more trends.

Looking at the designer spring and summer collections you can see that even big brands are taking hold of this simplistic idea and running with it.

While the high fashion trends set the tone for the styles to come, they aren’t always readily available or practical for teens.

With a neutral color palette and simplistic designs, the appeal offered in the new year will look elevated and chic and match more with European styles, like simple tops with jeans. Most of the upcoming trends will stem from already existing trends that have gained traction over the last few months.

Lucy Hoffman, sophomore, foresees “jumpsuits and simple jeans” continuing to be popular among youth styles along with “flared leggings and pants”. Hoffman also sees “Platform Converse”, becoming even more popular this spring and summer because of their practicality and simple look.

As 2023 continues we will see styles like this and many more throughout the fashion industry.

Graphic byBrooklynBrown

Blue Lemonade , Pink Cosmos , and Tender Peach

Lift Like

a Lady

By Brooklyn Brown, Art and Print Director

The upbeat music playing in my headphones isn’t enough to ease my anxiety when I enter the gym. I expect to be one of the only girls in the free weight section per usual. No matter how hard I try to push the thoughts away, they get louder in my mind with the pounding of my heart: “ I don’t belong here. They’re all watching me. They’re all judging me.”.

Weight lifting has not been an easy journey. For me, the weight of insecurities is often much heavier than any plate I put on the bar. However, I am far from alone in my experiences as a teenage girl who lifts.

“I want to look strong,” senior Anna Anderson said. “I don’t want to look like a little girl. I don’t want to seem weak.”

Anderson started going to the gym when she was 15. She started out weight training and eventually took on boxing. Anderson said the gym is more often than not full of men.

“I feel like I have to prove myself,” Anderson said.

The imbalance between men and women in weight lifting often deters girls from even starting. Strength and conditioning coach David Williams noticed girls seem to have more anxiety about slipping and falling leading to failure during movement drills in his Advanced Physical Conditioning class.

“Sometimes I’ll notice females not trying as hard just because they’re more confident that if they don’t go full effort, then failing is less of a chance,” Williams said.

A fear of failure is something I too have experienced at the gym. Some nights I hover my finger over the “delete” button for all of my social media apps. Pop culture and media can have a huge negative effect on girls’ perception of themselves. From “heroine chic” thin, to “BBL” thick, society’s preference for the ideal body changes as quickly as TikTok trends.

“I think girls can easily be convinced that they don’t look good, or they’re not smart

enough,” P.E. and Health teacher Julie Speer said.

I often find myself trying to fit a mold of feminine perfection despite feeling that it’s unfair for there to be a mold in the first place. When going to work out I fear I’ll become too bulky or thin, even though my goal is to ultimately make my natural body stronger and healthier.

Women are expected to perform for the male gaze, an idea that everything we do is for the approval of men around us. Because of this,it can make a place as masculine as the weight room unnerving. There is a daunting worry that if I make a mistake, all eyes will be on me.

Luckily male chauvinist ideas of previous centuries are beginning to change.

Williams said that becoming stronger is something that has become cool for girls to do whereas “maybe being strong as a female wasn’t viewed as something that was strived for.”

Pop culture can also have a healthier effect as it helps girls unlearn internalized misogyny and face the free weights more often. Speer thinks that body positive commercials created for companies like Dove and popular artists who are confident in their bodies are bringing on a new wave of female weightlifters.

“Based on the trends and the way things are going, women have become so much more involved in speaking for themselves and taking into account their own workouts,” Speer said. “Now women have the opportunity to strength train and not be embarrassed about having muscle.”

This change can also be credited to teen girls seeing the success of their female peers. According to Speer, female numbers in the weight room at ZCHS have increased about twice fold in the past few years. Senior Bridget Beyer has observed this change during her time in the weight room.

“When I first got into APC there were like

30 guys and 4 girls… [coaches] kind of make the football players do APC but none of the girls’ sports are forcing you to,” Beyers said. “I think that for girls it has gotten so much better, it’s not as stigmatized as it used to be.” Closing the gap between the number of male and female lifters has allowed girls to flourish.

“They’ve got good role models,” Speer said. “We’ve got girls right now breaking school records that have not been broken in years.”

Beyers is one role model breaking records this year. Her goal to make the all time record board was something that felt far away to her as a freshman, who was only able to bench 100 lbs compared to the 190 lbs she can bench now.

“Bench was the first lift that got me on the all time record board and they all kind of followed after that,” Beyer said.

She now places third all time for her squat at 305 lbs, second for her bench at 190 lbs, and all time for her power clean at 190 lbs. Her mind is made up about taking the first place spot for the girl’s bench press as well. The leading lady’s best advice to girls starting out in lifting is to “ just do your thing.”

“You might think that people are judging you or think that you don’t know what you’re doing, but everyone at the gym is worried about themselves,” Beyers said.

Beyers thinks that the gym is the most intim-

For females, weight lifting is one path to empowerment

Anna Anderson (12) poses with her UFC boxing gloves. Photo by Brooklyn Brown

idating if you’re a beginner. She urges girls to not be dispirited to join physical education classes like APC that are overtaken by male athletes. Starting out, I felt so much smaller than the people around me. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, but I didn’t even know where to begin. Realizing that every single person who appeared to be knowledgeable at the gym originally started from the same naive spot I was in helped me grow my confidence.

If you’re a girl reading this with an interest in weightlifting, you aren’t alone in your journey. The female experience in the weight room is quite different from the experience of boys, but it is rapidly improving.

“Don’t be scared,” Anderson said. “You’re all there for the same reason: to improve yourself.”

It isn’t a big deal to fail a rep or make a mistake during your workout as long as you’re safe. The anxiety I used to feel walking

into the gym becomes weaker as I become physically stronger. Girls like Anderson and Beyer remind me that I’m not alone in my experience weight lifting. Teenage girls are a powerful force, and if we work together we can continue to be good role models for the teens after us.

“It’s you .vs. the gym, not you .vs. everybody else in the gym.” Anderson said.

Bridget Beyer (12) warms up before brealing the girl’s power clean school record. Photo by Brooklyn Brown

Are You Still Listening?

By George Waller, Staff

Is it ok to continue listening to artists’ work even though the artist might be controversial?

Recently, 24-time Grammy winning artist Kanye West made antisemitic comments on social media platforms that are irreversibly bad. With Kanye being arguably one of the most popular rappers of his time, fans are now deciding whether to continue to listen to his work even though he is disgraced.

Many Zionsville students found Kanye at the top of their Spotify Wrapped at the end of 2022. Senior Skyler Cole was one such student who had Kanye as his most listened to artist of the year.

“I definitely feel ashamed,” Cole said. “If you asked me a few months ago who my favorite artist was, I would probably say Kanye, but it’s impossible to support him or call yourself a fan anymore.”

Kanye’s fan base has been practically erased in just a short period of time.

“When he tweeted that he was going to go Deathcon 3 on Jewish people was the moment when I thought ‘no more’,” freshman Eli Demarco said.

In addition to supporting the artist by listening to their music, fans purchase merchandise or go to their concerts. Demarco bought all of Kanye’s vinyl albums and

freshman Akagha Mbanu purchased two pairs of Kanye’s shoes.

“I wasn’t a super fan, but I was a large fan,” Mbanu said.

How far should you go into cutting this artist out of your life? Is it ok to still listen to them or wear their merchandise?

“I don’t wear the shoes anymore,” Mbanu said, “This is a question that has been discussed a lot recently, especially regarding Rex Orange County, Kanye and even Michael Jackson.

I’d love to say that you can separate the art from the artist, but it’s very difficult to listen to his music now because I know that I am directly supporting the artist, not just the music,” Cole said.

Recently Kanye has been in the news due to his controversial views, but music fans have had to face other artist controversies as well.

Another artist whose popular music has lasted beyond his own lifetime, Michael Jackson, also has had controversy.

“I started listening to his music when I was a little kid in my parents’ car because my mom would always play a CD from one of his albums,” senior Edward Thomas said.

Michael Jackson’s reputation has been hurt by sexual assault allegations by people who were minors at the time. Should these

pop,” Thomas said.

Michael Jacksons’ popularity seems to have lived on, despite the allegations.

“I think his popularity is still there, probably not as much as it used to be. But I think he’s still one of the greatest of all time,” Thomas said.

Country music singer Morgan Wallen had his share of issues after using a racial slur. What makes his case different from Kanye’s is that Wallen issued an apology. These two examples show why one artist may be able to make it out of controversy and why some don’t.

In the end it is up to the listener to decide if the knowledge of the artist’s actions and opinions takes away from enjoying the music they make.

Do you have a hot take on a controversial artist? DM @zchsharb to be featured on our Instagram!

“I’d love to say that you can separate the art from the artist, but it’s very difficult to listen to his music now because I know that I am directly supporting the artist, not just the music.”

-Skyler Cole, senior

Graphics by Brooklyn Brown

Survey of 405 students

When:

When:

When:

Top Left: Dr. Scott Robison greets a former school board member at his retirement ceremony on Jan. 26. Robison is retiring after 17 years as ZCS superintendent. Photo by Lauren Burch

Bottom Left: Senior Laila Hull shoots a two-pointer in the varsity basketball game on Jan. 10. The Lady Eagles remain undefeated with a 55-44 win against North Central. Photo by Madeline Wilson

Right: Junior Isabel Casciani sings a solo during “Atom Bomb” with the Royalaires at the Chorallaboration performance on Jan. 11. Photo by Georgianna Moreland