Harbinger February 2023

ALSO INSIDE

“The Hope at Home”

“Tackling Recovery”

“Are You Still Listening?”

Vol. 56, Issue 4 February 2023

HARBINGER Pg. 4

Pg. 8

Pg. 22

Learn more about Zionsville’s newly crowned king pg. 14

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.

Mary DeMarco, Editor in Chief

Staff

Editor in Chief Mary DeMarco Assistant Editor Madeline Wilson Copy Editor Adanna Mbanu Art & Graphics Editor Brooklyn Brown Social Media Editor Amelia Loewer Design Editor Josie Brackett

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Staff: Lauren Burch Emma Hummer Amelia Meyers Georgianna Moreland Matthew Orbaugh Greta Reed Lilly Steele Ellie Vanderbur Marissa Villarrubia George Waller

Follow us @zchsharb

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.

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.

Cover: Mr. Z winner Ben DeBaltzo performs his talent during the competition on Jan. 19. Read more on pg. 12.

Photo by Matthew Orbaugh

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Contents

9

14

16

10 20

News 4 6

Feature

The Hope at Home

12

The King's Journey

Admin Additions

14 16

Dancing Past Doubt

Sports 8 9 10

Tackling Recovery Reigning the Regatta Battling Gravity

Flying Solo

Student Life 17 18

From Trend to Trash Let's Talk About Sex

Opinion 19

What to See in 2023

20 22

Lift Like a Lady

23

Student Survey

24

Harb Highlights

Are You Still Listening?

3

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

T

he 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

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

News 4

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

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

he hopes to visit his home country when the first night of the war due to Russian gunfire. war is over.

As of the very first night of the war we knew Another Zionsville family with ties to casualties, so we are very close to people in Ukraine are the RichUkraine.” ardsons.

The Richardsons also “Many people are Mark and Jody have strong relationships displaced and killed.

Richardson adopted with the translators they Many soldiers do not their child, a current worked with while in junior at ZCHS, from Ukraine. The translators wish to fight on the Ukraine. gave important informaRussian side but are “With Ukraine, we tion to the Richardsons forced to, fearing knew it was going to be in case anything hapwhat will happen if a long time staying in pened to them during the country state, as in the war. they return home. I over a month. We al“I feel wars are an think overall war is ready had a five-year-old unnecessary way to settle a terrible thing and boy. We didn’t want to disagreements,” Natasha should be avoided at be gone from him that Hovyadinov said. “Conlong,” Mark Richardflicts are not the proper all costs.” son said. “In the end, way to resolve them.

- Nikita Hovyadinov it all worked out like it Because of that, many should have.” people are displaced and The Richardsons formed strong bonds killed. Many soldiers do not wish to fight on with people from Ukraine and keep in conthe Russian side but are forced to, fearing tact to this day. what will happen if they return home. I think “We have very high connections with overall war is a terrible thing and should be people in Ukraine,” Richardson said. “The avoided at all costs.” guy that ran the agency in Ukraine died the

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

News 5

ADMIN ADDITIONS

Meet two new hires to the admin team

Assistant Principal Katie Willour

What will you be responsible for in your new role?

Reporting by Mary Demarco, Editor in Chief

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

6 News

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.

Staff Photo submitted by Josh Larsh

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.

Sports 7

TACKLING Recovery

By Ellie Vanderbur, Staff

F

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

reshman 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.

Graphic by Brooklyn Brown

8 Sports

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.

ReReigning igning the Rethe gatta Regatta

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

By Georgianna Moreland, Staff

J

unior 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 “It’s a different what’s going on group of people in each other’s lives. who all have During the different interFall and Spring, The team practices drills in an early August practice. Photo submitted by Rozzi est, different the Zionsville hobbies, differ- Rowing Team in 2019. Rozzi helped found the Zionsville ent friends at repeats this effort Rowing Team. school, but then five days a week “As the founder, I now get to run the and for four they can come parade float,” Rozzi said. “Every year we together at row- more hours on get our trailer and put boats and rowing Saturdays. machines and throw some candy and it’s so ing and literally The Zionsfun. It also gets some of the kids involved.” be in the same ville Rowing Sophomore Abram Toney joined his boat and push Team is a high freshman year after being introduced to the for the same school group that club by one of his friends. thing.” is run through “[He] was commonly late because of his -Charlotte Rozzi, Indy Rowing commitment. I thought I should give rowjunior which consists of ing a shot,” Toney said. “He said it was a lot members from of fun and he was always hanging out with ZCHS and Zionsville at large. friends. There was always a kind of a level of Charlotte Rozzi, junior, is the current closeness that he had with it.” president of Zionsville Rowing and has Regattas, a series of races between been part of the club for three years. Rozzi clubs, are some of Toney’s favorite rowing first saw Indy Rowing promoted at the Fall memories, and a chance to “hang out with Festival after her family moved to Zionsville friends.”

“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.

“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.

Sports 9

Defying

Gravity

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

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

By Mary Demarco, Editor in Chief am, 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

I

“

10 Sports

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-

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

- Jonathon Fisher, junior 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.

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 Hoosier Heights member Connor Luster climbing the snake drive down to Hoosier Heights, on December 28th, 2022. The snake, as junior MikaTomandl which is about ten minutes from claims, is Hoosier Height’s, “main attraction.” Photo by Mary the high school.

Demarco And many of the rock climbers there want to help beginners.

To put it simply, it’s climbing a short disFischer’s advice is “to be open to failure.” tance without the aid of the colorful rocks “One of the things about climbing is that both audible and toprope climbing are that, unlike any other sport, you’re going to given. fail more than you succeed.”

Fischer said.

“The bouldering wall is a lot shorter,” “It’s very power-inducing.

You feel very, I Dorsey said. “So when you boulder the would say at least, I feel very powerful on walls there, it’s from a distance where you the wall.” 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 Freshman Aiden Guerrero timing himself scaling a would hesitate to return to rock climbing wall. Photo taken by Mary Demarco after an injury like his, Tomandl credits this

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?’”

Sports 11

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.”

12 Feature

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?

Why did you choose to be a contestant?

“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.”

“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 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.”

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?

What was your experience in Mr. Z like?

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

Feature 13

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

by Madeline Wilson

Dancing past Doubt

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

By Madeline Wilson, Assistant Editor

14 Feature

F

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

The same goes for [the freshmen] a lot more than others have guard, Porter said. The issue of body image in the past years,” Daugherty said. “Through is less common at the high school level, but practicing and talking and helping them with prevalent in higher levels of guard. the show for marching band, we’ve just gotten “There’s so many different people out to know each other.” there of different sizes and shapes that are Despite the guard members’ close relationfantastic dancers,” Porter said. “I know a ships, having such a small team creates addicouple of friends who tional challenges, according to Daugherty. are fantastic at color “We can’t afford to have someone not guard, but they don’t know the work,” Daugherty said. “The entire have the ‘ideal’ body team has to be good, so we have to make sure type to do it. And that everyone is on top of it and make sure it’s not fair, because they’re performing to their best.” they’re fantastic at A small guard also doesn’t have the same what they’re doing.” effect as bigger groups.

For the Zionsville “We’re kind of limited to what we can do Winter Guard, howevwith our show,” Daugherty said. “We can’t do er, this season seems this big, amazing, cool show because we don’t filled with positivity. have that many people.”

“I feel like the older Plus, doubts and insecurities are a part of girls are really helpful almost everyone’s lives, including those of the to the younger girls guard members. and it’s made a huge “Sometimes when people are insecure, difference for them,” Porter said. “When the they joke about it,” Clark said. “I’m there freshmen started, they seemed uncomfortable sometimes, because I’m insecure about and unsure. And as the school year has gone things.” on, they show up, they’re excited to be here, But whenever negativity arises, Clark said they talk to each other, and they’ve kind of the whole team has been quick to reassure come out of their shells.” and lift each other up.

Senior Reagan Daugherty said that she The encouragement extends beyond pracand Clark, as the team’s only seniors, have tice, too—the guard room is decorated with focused on making sure everyone knows they photos from past seasons, goals, and notes of are welcome. As a result, Daugherty feels that encouragement. the team is closer this season than in previous “Do amazing!” says one note. “Do your years. best!

You got this!”

“We’ve really made sure to try and include

“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

Feature 15

Photos submitted by Mitchell

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

By Josie Brackett, Design Editor

M

ost 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

“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

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.”

Feature 16

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

From TREND to Trash

The dark side of fast fashion

By Lilly Steele, Staff

R

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

Photo

by Mary DeMarco

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.

Student Life 17

Let’s Talk About

SEX

Students, educators share thoughts on sex-ed curriculum

By Adanna Mbanu, Copy Editor

T

he 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 curriculum.

During fifth grade, Zionsville teachers teach a one day session of the curriculum, then as students progress into the rest of middle school, a CPR certified instructor teaches the standard for a week, according to Assistant Superintendent Kris Devereaux. This curriculum becomes optional to students once they enter high school; only in-person health students are taught.

According to Devereaux, Creating Positive Relationships is a company that Zionsville has used for 15 years. When the time comes to teach the curriculum, instructors come into the classroom and teach it.

According to Indiana Code 20-30-5-13, if teachers or any educator choose to teach a course on human sexuality or STIs, they must include that “abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems.” They’re also required to include that “the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems is to establish a mutually faithful

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.”

The stress on abstinence that the curriculum teaches has caused students like senior Grace Noble to believe that emphasizing abstinence isn’t the most effective way to teach teenagers about sexual health.

“They say abstinence is 100% effective but it’s actually not, like if you’re sexually assaulted,” Noble said. “You could be the most abstinent person ever and still be assaulted and get pregnant. Saying just don’t have sex is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound; it’s not going to do anything.”

One way that advocates outside of the school system have found to further educate teens on sexual health is through nonprofit groups that spread awareness.

Teen Council is a leadership program offered in five different states that focuses on teaching teens about sex-education. LaShea’ Walker (no relation to Henry) helps run the Indianapolis chapter of the program.

“The one goal for them [Teen Council] is to learn more about sexual health, healthy relationships, all kinds of things like that,” L. Walker said. “The other larger goal is for them to then go and share

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 on things that they don’t know about, and maybe it will make them less prototyped or stereotypical towards those kinds of things.”

The use of CPR in Zionsville will not be reviewed again for a while.

“Every six years, we review a different content area,” Devereaux said. “So we review our instructional material and the standards to make sure what we’re using helps meet the needs of those standards and our students’ needs. And if they don’t, what changes we need to make.

Even if teens feel they don’t have an educational outlet for comprehensive sexual-health information, Walker said it’s extremely important to turn to a trusted individual if need be.

“Talking to the people in your life that you trust, especially the adults in your life that you trust, that’s number one,” L. Walker said. “You know them, you’ve got a personal relationship and connection to them. If you know there’s somebody in your life who’s going to give you honest answers to questions you have, start with them.”

What to See in 2023 Spring, summer trends are coming in hot with new styles and old trends carrying over

By Greta Reed, Staff

S

imple 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.

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

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

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.

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.

Electric Blue Lemonade, Pink Cosmos, and Tender Peach

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.

n row

phic Gra

by

nB okly o r B

Opinion 19

Lift Like

a Lady

By Brooklyn Brown, Art and Print Director

T

he 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

20 Feature

For females, weight lifting is one path to empowerment

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 Anna Anderson (12) poses with her UFC boxing male gaze, an idea that everything we do is for the approval of men around us. Because gloves. Photo by Brooklyn Brown of this,it can make a place as masculine 30 guys and 4 girls… [coaches] kind of make as the weight room unnerving. There is a the football players do APC but none of the daunting worry that if I make a mistake, all girls’ sports are forcing you to,” Beyers said. eyes will be on me.

“I think that for girls it has gotten so much Luckily male chauvinist ideas of previous better, it’s not as stigmatized as it used to be.” centuries are beginning to change.

Closing the gap between the number of Williams said that becoming stronger is male and female lifters has allowed girls to something that has become cool for girls to flourish. do whereas “maybe being strong as a female “They’ve got good role models,” Speer wasn’t viewed as something that was strived said.

“We’ve got girls right now breaking for.” school records that have not been broken in Pop culture can also have a healthier effect years.” as it helps girls unlearn internalized misogBeyers is one role model breaking records yny and face the free weights more often. this year. Her goal to make the all time Speer thinks that body positive commercials record board was something that felt far away created for companies like Dove and popular to her as a freshman, who was only able to artists who are confident in their bodies are bench 100 lbs compared to the 190 lbs she bringing on a new wave of female weightliftcan bench now. ers.

“Bench was the first lift that got me on “Based on the trends and the way things the all time record board and they all kind of are going, women have become so much more followed after that,” Beyer said. involved in speaking for themselves and takShe now places third all time for her ing into account their own workouts,” Speer squat at 305 lbs, second for her bench at 190 said. “Now women have the opportunity to lbs, and all time for her power clean at 190 strength train and not be embarrassed about lbs.

Her mind is made up about taking the having muscle.” first place spot for the girl’s bench press as This change can also be credited to teen well.

The leading lady’s best advice to girls girls seeing the success of their female peers. starting out in lifting is to “ just do your According to Speer, female numbers in the thing.” weight room at ZCHS have increased about “You might think that people are judging you twice fold in the past few years. Senior Bridget Beyer has observed this change during her or think that you don’t know what you’re doing, but everyone at the gym is worried about time in the weight room. themselves,” Beyers said.

“When I first got into APC there were like Beyers thinks that the gym is the most intim-

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

Feature 21

Are You Still Listening?

Continue Listening

OR

Graphics by Brooklyn Brown

Find someone new

By George Waller, Staff

I

s 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

22 Opinion

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

accusations against him ruin his name?

“I don’t know all the details of what happened, but all I know is I enjoy his music and people should still listen to the king of 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.

“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

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

Survey of 405 students

Opinion 23

Harb Highlights 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

Sectionals When: Feb. 16 and 18 Where: Aquatic Center

10

Girls Swim & Dive

17

Wrestling

State Finals When: Feb. 10 and 11 Where: IUPUI

State Finals When: Feb. 17 and 18 Where: ZCHS

Feb.

locations are subject to change.

Mar.

17

Boys Swim & Dive

JV and Varsity Games against Lebanon When: 6:00/7:30 p.m.

Where: Varsity Gym

Feb.

10

Boys Basketball

Feb.

Feb.

Feb.

What’s What’s next? next?

Check the schedule below to find dates, times, and locations for upcoming ZCHS events. Dates, times, and

11

Winter Guard

6

Track and Field

WGI Indy Regional When: Feb. 11 and 12 Where: Avon High School

Early Bird Meet When: 5:30 p.m.

Where: ZCHS