Issuu

Vol. 54, Issue 4 December 2021

HARBINGER Siblings on Ice (pg. 8)

Zionsville Community High School 1000 Mulberry St. Zionsville, Indiana

Note from the editor

Elizabeth Rexing, Print Editor

Staff

The beginning of the holiday season and the arrival of winter break always brings family to mind. Whether it be a family made of relatives, friends, or teammates, the connection we have with others is emphasized around this time of year. Family heritages are often honored with special holiday traditions and some student traditions are featured on pg. 20. My family and I love to play White Elephant, a game my grandma has always played on Christmas Eve. In this issue, we also take the time to highlight the special camaraderie on several sports teams and the bonds between the teammates that make them seem like families. The Zionsville Hockey Club has a unique dynamic between real family members, brother and sister Reice and Bostyn Leffler (pg. 8). The wrestling team’s family legacy has

Print Editor Elizabeth Rexing Digital Media Editor Logan Seiler Social Media Editor Riya Patel Feature Editor Kailey Wallenius Student Life Editor Lucy Robinson News & Sports Editor Mary Demarco 2

spanned generations and continues to unite the team today (pg. 10). And, we feature the cheer teams that rely heavily on teamwork and solid relationships (pg. 7). Finally, featured within these pages is all the information you need for a Zionsville community-sponsored winter event: Winterfest (pg. 4). There’s no better way to spend time with the ones you love this season than enjoying the local ice-skating rink and hot cocoa! Family isn’t limited to relatives; it extends to those we choose as family: our friends, our teammates. So no matter who you chose to enjoy the season with, from my Harbinger family, to yours, I wish you a wonderful and relaxing winter break!

Elizabeth Rexing, Print Editor

Opinion Editor Gretchen Drews Photo Editor Sarah Maniscalo Art Director Brooklyn Brown Podcast Director Josh Nieman Staff Daysun Brown Jack Farrar Dax Lara Jake Young

Editorial It’s fairly obvious that the bell schedule has gone awry. School magically starts at 8:27— 8:28 on good days— now, class times have shifted, and the bells distinguishing between “on-time” and “tardy” are anything but correct. They say a broken clock is still right two times a day but unfortunately, our system is only right once a day; somehow, the last bell of the day still rings on time at 3:40. As administration has said, this screwed-up schedule is a result of a very old bell system that is soon to be replaced following construction completion, and we understand. Most students are willing to be flexible, adjusting morning commute times and carefully planning out bathroom breaks. However, there are students who don’t have the flexibility in the mornings like Cadet teachers and J. Everett Light (JEL) students. Coming from other schools and unable to leave early, they often arrive “late” and are considered tardy. Of course, tardiness is determined on a caseby-case basis by each teacher which is why we kindly ask that teachers recognize these constraints and be more flexible. There are always exceptions, but the majority of students don’t want to arrive to class late and try their best to get into the classroom before the bell. Students: be aware of the inconsistent schedule and do attempt to be in class before the bell rings. And teachers: please be flexible to students arriving after the bell, especially those who come from places where 8:30 still means 8:30.

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

Contents News

4 Winterfest is Coming 6 Shipping Shortage

Sports

7 In Sync 8 Siblings on Ice 10 Living Legacy

7 Student Life

11 The Finals Countdown 12 Puzzle Page 14 The Great Escape

14 Opinion

Feature

16 Pawsitive Pups 17 Home Alone 18 A Guide to Gifts 19 ConGRADulations 20 Traditions with a Twist Cover photo by Elizabeth Rexing

21 Once Upon a Time 22 Real vs. Fake 23 Detention Diaries

24 Harb Highlights 3

Winterfest is

COMING

By Elizabeth Rexing, Print Editor, with additional reporting by Sarah Maniscalo, Photography Editor

interfest will take place from Dec. 10 to Jan. 2 at Mulberry Fields Park, a central location close to the classic Zionsville sledding hill. The event will feature an ice-skating rink, food vendors, live reindeer, and more. According to Jarod Logsdon, Superintendent of Zionsville’s Parks and Recreation, Winterfest will feature guest appearances and events for all ages. Logsdon is excited for the Halloween skate, where festival goers are encouraged to dress in their best costume. A silent disco is planned for Dec. 16. Each participant will receive a pair of headphones that play music

4 News

“synced” with everyone else. “Winterfest is going to transform into a silent dance party, complete with glow sticks, lights, and your choice to skate to the music or bust a move on solid ground,” Logsdon said. Skating rink admission is $12 and skate rental is $2. Tickets will be sold on site. There will also be a limited number of season passes that will include unlimited access to the skating rink and skate rentals. More information can be found at zionsville-in.gov under the “Community” tab labeled “Winterfest.” Winterfest came about as a result of a survey that polled Zionsville residents on how the Parks Department could better engage the community. According to Logsdon, the most common answer was “the creation and addition of more large community events.” “We chose this as our inaugural community event to both celebrate the holidays and provide recreational opportunities when the weather limits what we can do outside,”

“Zionsville’s Winterfest will be a unique experience in town, and complement the other activities and celebrations in the area.” - Jarod Logsdon Logsdon said. “Zionsville’s Winterfest will be a unique experience in town, and complement the other activities and celebrations in the area.” Logsdon said Winterfest will be paid for by cash reserves from Zionsville’s Park and Rec Department. The money brought in from the festival will go to replace those reserves and will be used to fund other community events throughout the year. Logsdon also said community sponsors also “contributed to making the event possible.” Zionsville residents may be familiar with a similar event hosted in Carmel, the Christkindlmarkt. Many have skated and enjoyed the holiday atmosphere at the European-inspired market. Hailey McAtee, senior, has been to the Christkindlmarkt several times to skate and enjoy hot chocolate with friends. “The vibes were immaculate,” McAtee said. “It really embodied the feeling of Christmas.” McAtee plans on visiting Winterfest and is

graphics provided by Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department

“With the pandemic during the last couple of years, I think this will be a great opportunity for kids to get back to having fun and socializing with their friends.” - Carrie Sailer “excited to see what Zionsville’s Winterfest will offer.” Community member and mother of three, Carrie Sailer, is excited for the “Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and music.” Additional-

ly, Sailer sees the festival as a way for her kids to enjoy the holiday season. “I especially think the middle and high schoolers will enjoy the time away from a school setting to really enjoy hanging out with their friends, especially when most people are inside during this time of year,” Sailer said. “With the pandemic during the last couple of years, I think this will be a great opportunity for kids to get back to having fun and socializing with their friends.” While also providing holiday cheer to individuals, Sailer sees Winterfest as an opportunity to build relationships among residents. “I think it’s important for Zionsville to host community events because it keeps us connected like a small town, even as we are growing,” Sailer said. “It’s always fun to see

people getting together and having a great time while supporting the community and helping out local business owners.” Logsdon is ready for the community to see the month-long spectacle Zionsville has prepared. The event really grew from a “dream into a reality,” he said. Sailer is hopeful the event will be a success and become an annual staple in Zionsville’s winter season. “I think the event will be a great way to connect as a family and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays,” Sailer said. “I think it will be a way to relax and enjoy some time together without the stress of the endless to-do lists, and to remind us that the best gift is spending time with loved ones.”

News 5

Shipping Shortage Holiday shopping may be more stressful than previous years

By Kailey Wallenius, Feature Editor

rdering on Amazon is traditionally one of the quickest and easiest ways to buy and receive gifts, but that may not be the best option this holiday season. The shortage of shipping containers will continue to affect the amount of product available to consumers. The shortage has caused the cost of products to rise and the time for the product to get to the buyer to increase, according to Economics teacher Robert Brennan. “When you go back a year ago or so when we were all in lockdown, and then when the restrictions began to be easing, you saw a huge increase in demand for buildings, supplies, and gas prices,” Brennan said. Even outside the holiday season, Amazon is a widely used service. “I get Amazon packages usually once every two weeks,” freshman Bailey Newell said. Different items from Amazon could take longer to ship because of shortages. “I’ll probably order my Christmas presents early, I might actually start now,” Newell said. “It could take a while to arrive.” Brennan has tried different ways to shop for Christmas gifts. “Last year my family opted to just go very small and buy only things locally and that was pretty nice,” Brennan said.

Supporting local businesses can help the supply chain as well. “I’m trying to find other ways to shop and to interact in the economy,” Brennan said. “The ease of Amazon is nice, but I’m trying to not fund Jeff Bezos’ space dream.” Finding unique ways to celebrate can help make the holidays special despite the shortage. “Just the experience of helping others and things that you do as a family can lend to a lot more spirit in the season, no matter which holiday you celebrate,” Brennan said. The supply chain issues can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of people took the opportunity to take that money and paid off credit cards or debt and savings went up,” Brennan said. “It’s been a real change in how we get things. DoorDash was definitely big, and Amazon was as well.” One of the specific causes is a shortage in shipping containers and backlog at ports. “When you look at the news, you see these giant cargo ships with all these containers, and wonder why they aren’t getting unloaded,” Brennan said. The effort to unload cargo ships is affected by the worker shortage. “When you go through a period where you have all this awful stuff going on with the pandemic, it makes a lot of workers reevaluate their career choices. And so you

Interested in seeing a demonstration of the Bullwhip effect? Check out The Beer Game, created by MIT students. 6 News

have a lot of workers leaving, especially service industry jobs,” Brennan said. “I think all these factors are contributing to this supply chain issue.” Trying to order early might not help the problem. “They’re telling everybody to order their stuff early, which people are doing and that’s actually contributing to the supply chain,” Brennan said. However, Brennan said Zionsville students can try to worry less about getting the perfect gifts delivered to their doorsteps. “The holidays are about spending time with your family, the gifts are nice, but spend time with your family,” Brennan said. “Rest, relax, enjoy the opportunity to be together, and maybe not stress so much about whether your present will show up on time.”

graphic by Brooklyn Brown

In In Sync Sync

By Daysun Brown, Staff t is pretty easy to write off cheerleading because of the sparkly uniforms and hair bows, but cheerleading has its fair share of challenges,” senior Brooklyn Brown said. Competitive cheer is a year-round sport that involves skills that take years to master. Zionsville students cheer at two main gyms, Interactive Academy in Zionsville and ICE Allstars Gym in Westfield. Each team prepares a 2 minute and 30 second routine which includes stunts, pyramids, jumps, dance, and tumbling. The Allstars get their routine in August and work on perfecting it until their first showcase at the end of October before their competition season officially starts. They keep the same routine until May. The routines can change slightly after competition scores or after judging, but mainly stay the same for the entire season. Teams compete against other teams in their age range and skill level, known as divisions. “Preparing for competitions is a lot of work,” senior cheerleader at Interactive Academy, Megan Dawson said. “We have to work so hard at practice so we can have the outcome we want at our competition. Practices are very difficult but eventually get easier with more repetition.” The routines are repeated so many times that they become second nature. “It goes back to muscle memory,” Brown, a Division 6 ICE Allstar cheerleader, said. “Since we’re training the same routine for eight months the way we practice typically ends up the way we compete.” Teams are formed based on skill and age so most girls have grown up and advanced together. “I have met some of my best friends from being in cheer,” Dawson said. “I have known most of them since we were in elementary school which has made us really close.” Both Brown and Dawson have been cheering for over 10 years. The girls who have been cheering this long and at their level have a special bond with the team-

“I

Ice Allstars perform a stunt at their competition. photo submitted by Brooklyn Brown

mates at their gyms and with their coaches. “I have learned a lot about working with a team,” Dawson said. “I have also learned a lot about helping someone when they are struggling.” Being on a team is the biggest theme in cheer. Working together to help their teammates is important for everyone’s success. “In a lot of sports, you have a lot more time to make changes,” Brown said. “When it is a running set of plays there is more time to fix your mistakes. Cheer is solely based on your team; you’re not directly interacting with another team.” According to Brown, in cheer, the pressure to perform well and with your team is greater than in other sports. Teammates don’t want to let the team down so it’s important for them to be the best in each competition. “Individually it’s important to stay as healthy as you can,” Brown said. Cheer is a very demanding sport that causes a lot of injuries and sometimes athletes will risk their safety for the sake of their team. “When people hurt themselves badly we

have to shift around or make changes to the routine and bring in a new person,” Brown said. “I hurt my ankle right before our last competition but kept tumbling on it.” Brown was cheering at Worlds, the biggest competition of the year. Working together to keep their teammates safe is important. Breaking a finger is a common injury in cheer according to Brown, but some injuries can be more severe and could even end a cheerleader’s career. “Competitive cheer is not easy at all,” Dawson said. “There is so much work that goes into it and is a lot about working with your team.” The teams travel all over the country to take part in competitions. The ICE Allstars, have to travel as far as Atlanta, Dallas, and Louisville because they have limited competitors in Indiana. “To get where I am has been really tough. With injuries and mental blocks, it’s difficult to keep getting better,” Dawson said. “But the great coaches and teammates motivate me to keep going and have helped me to get to where I am today.”

Sports 7

Reice Leffler quickly changes direction in pursuit of the puck during the Oct. 29 game against the Carmel Gold team. photo by Sarah Maniscalo

8 Sports

Siblings

Ice

Brother and sister, Reice Leffler, senior, and Bostyn Leffler, junior, team up on ice to play for the Zionsville Hockey Club

By Elizabeth Rexing, Print Editor

kating blades flash as players race to the puck and fight for control. Crowding students cheer and bang on the only barrier keeping them from being out competing on the ice. A late-night, fast-paced game for the Zionsville Hockey Club (ZHC), is underway against Bloomington on Oct. 3, ending in a ZHC victory, 4-1. The club, founded in 2009, is a varsity team that competes in the Hoosier League of the Indiana High School Association. Reice Leffler, senior, has been on skates since four and is starting his third season on the ZHC team. He plays several positions, depending on the play, and is one of the assistant captains. Fellow teammate, and sister, Bostyn Leffler, junior, has also played hockey for “as long as she can remember” and has been a defender at ZHC for two years. While not officially associated with ZCHS, in the past the team has been mostly composed of Zionsville students, said Reice. This season, only about six of the almost 20 players are Zionsville students. “We still ‘fly the Eagle—’ have an eagle as our mascot— and represent Zionsville,” Reice said. “Our success and failures still reflect back on the school.” The team is “young” this year, Bostyn said. Twelve of the players are new to ZHC and many had never played on a high school level team. This has brought several challenges. Reice notes that because the team is still getting to know one another, their main obstacle is their communication. “We can’t

really get things going on the ice,” Reice said. However, Reice is optimistic that the team has “it all there” to be one of the “best teams in the state.” “We aren’t as close as a more seasoned team, so we’re still learning to trust each other and ironing out the details,” Bostyn said. “We have a ton of talent and potential as individuals and together.” Head coach and former Indiana Checkers AAA player Ben Highsmith also recognizes these struggles but notes that “development, belief, and work ethic has pushed this team to back on track.” Being co-ed and consisting of freshmen through seniors, the team has “always been open to anyone who wants to try out,” Highsmith said. “A term that’s thrown around the bench is ‘you earn your playing time.’” Reice explained. “How well you play determines how much you play. There’s equal opportunity for everyone.” Bostyn is the only female player on the team this season. She said that this has its “positives and negatives.” For example, in the beginning, she said “it could get lonely sometimes” but now she rarely notices it as she’s “gotten to know the boys.” “There’s a mutual respect that stems from hard work and dedication to the team with the boys,” Bostyn said. “They don’t treat me any differently than the other boys and probably hit me harder.” There is also a unique dynamic between the siblings, one Reice says adds “another

level of competition.” “There are several times when my sister will bring up something that happened on the ice and I’ll bring up things that happened on the ice and we’ll bicker about it,” Reice said. Being related allows the two to have “better communication” Reice said, because he can already anticipate how his sibling will react. Bostyn adds that the two share advice and help each other get caught up after a missed game or practice. “Reice always keeps me involved,” she said. Describing Bostyn as “vital” and her sibling Reice as a natural leader and competitor, Highsmith has said the sibling duo has grown closer from being on the same team. “They are a close family and are very protective of each other,” Highsmith said. Their next game at Carmel IceSkadium will be on Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. They also play on Jan. 8 at 8:15 p.m. Entrance is free and students are encouraged to attend. The team looks ahead to February a.k.a. “tournament time,” according to Highsmith. As runners up of 4A state championship in 2018-2019 season and runners up in 3A state championship in the 2020-2021 season, they aim to return to state again on March 5. “We want to get there,” Reice said.

Sports 9

Living Legacy

More to Zionsville wrestling than what meets the eye By Mary Demarco, News and Sports Editor

hile Zionsville wrestling may seem as intense and tough as the physique of the wrestlers, it’s more than just rigorous workouts and winning matches. “Our number one priority is creating good people,” Coach David Welch said. Assistant Athletic Director Jared Williams was the head wrestling coach for four years. ”One of the things that was really refreshing for me when I came here was just the family atmosphere in the program,” Williams said. One big factor that plays into the family atmosphere is the long history of wrestling coaches that have remained connected to the program over the years. “Coach [Bob] Brennan is still a teacher here and has been here since the late 80s, and really has established a culture of strong relationships between the coaching staff and the kids and the families,” Williams said. In addition to the coaches, there has been a long history of Zionsville families involved in the program; particularly the family of sophomore Chase Wagner. “Wrestling is definitely a big, big part of my family,” Wagner said. “My dad actually wrestled for Zionsville and he’s been assisting coaching for I believe 26 years now. My grandpa coached, and then I have two uncles that also wrestled. And then once my dad graduated, he put a lot of time and effort into helping his little brothers so that

A Quick Guide to Wrestling

they could make it as far as they could.” Three out of four brothers in Chase’s family have wrestled for ZCHS, with another brother currently in elementary school. Last year Logan Wagner, Chase’s older brother, was Zionsville’s first ever state champion. “They are a very close knit family and wrestling is something that they can share,” Welch said. Wrestlers also share the mental and physical strength it takes to succeed in wrestling, one of its most difficult aspects. Unlike other sports where you’re either Austin Parker, senior, about to begin his match against a Brownsburg opponent. offense or defense, photo by Ruth Cronin wrestlers take on both at the same time. There are tactics and techniques wrestlers “Your goal is to gain control of that perneed to know to help prevent injury and son and put them on their back,” Williams allow them to have the upper hand. said. “And once you become in a disadvan“The hardest part is the mentality, or taged position, your goal is to defend and the mental approach,” Welch said. “You get away.” really have to trust the process.”

1.) There are three two-minute periods. Whoever has the most points at the end wins 2.) To earn points, players execute certain moves 3.) If one person gets over a 15 point lead or one opponent is pinned it’s an automatic win 4.) For any rules violated, your opponent earns points

10 Sports

The Finals

Countdown

By Brooklyn Brown, Art Director inal exams will return for the first time since 2019. ZCHS students will be participating in final exams beginning Dec. 14. Even with the promise of extra study time at home granted by an alternative schedule, finals week may still provoke anxiety in students as it draws nearer. Because of the varying and unique learning experiences last year due to COVID-19, many students have limited to no experience with a traditional final exam week. “I did [final exams] in 7th and 8th grade, freshman year, and then one in sophomore year,” senior Claire Mitalski said. Mitalski recalls feeling “very stressed” the times she participated in end-of-semester exams. “It was a lot and very overwhelming,” Mitalski said. “It’s kind of hard to recall things that you learned at the beginning of

In a poll of 99 students 57% have taken final exams in high school and 42% have not.

the year and apply it 18 weeks later.” Freshmen and sophomores’ final exam experience is restricted to middle school tests, which differ from high school finals. “Since COVID-19, I feel like I haven’t had a real final for so long,” sophomore Nick Hipsky said. “I’m a bit nervous just because last year didn’t prepare me for finals so I don’t really know what to expect.” Remote learning also affected student readiness for final exams, as many students adapted their normal study habits for tests. “I’m not used to taking a test without notes,” Mitalski said. “It’s been a few years since we’ve taken a true final exam and now there’s not going to be notes on the tests and it’s just kind of hard to prepare for them.” Preparation is key, according to Principal Tim East. “It’s never too early to start,” East said, “If we learn stuff along the way, when it comes time for the final exam we just know, we’ve learned it and so it’s part of our knowledge base and our skills base when we get there.” Although the knowledge that final exams can change the overall semester grades for classes by 20% looms malevolently; it’s more important to remember there’s a Lillian Collins, sophomore, studies in the Media Center. photo by Daysun Brown

bigger picture. “Don’t stress out about them too much, even though they are a big deal,” Mitalksi said. “They’re going to be over in 90 minutes and you get to go home halfway through the day.” Students can also use the half days to their advantage, being strategic about their study time. “Most of the teachers will have review time built in,” East said. “If there’s a study guide provided make sure that we don’t wait until the last minute to fill it out.” Even underclassmen have a significant amount of study-skills obtained over the years, even if they aren’t from taking semester finals specifically. “I plan on just studying like it was a standard test,” Hipsky said. So, don’t stress over the tests even though they look a little different than what you have grown accustomed to. “If I am in theater and I know my lines; I’m not nervous about going on stage. If I am an athlete and I know the play; I’m not nervous about running the play,” East said. “The more we can prepare in advance, the less stress we feel when it comes time to actually perform.”

Finals Schedule Monday 12/13: Normal 7 period schedule

Tuesday 12/14: All 7 periods meet, with a 90 minute 5th period for final

Wednesday 12/15: 1 8:30-10:05 2 10:15-11:50

Thursday Friday 12/17: 12/16: 6 8:30-10:05 3 8:30-10:05 7 10:15-11:50 4 10:15-11:50 Student Life 11

Puzzle

Page

Word Search

Dots & Boxes

12 Student Life

Mad Lib Fill in the blanks: 1) Holiday 2 Building 3) Animal 4) Plural object 5) Celebrity 6) Grade ie. juniors, ect. 7) Plural candy 8) Verb ending in -ing

9) Name 10) Past tense verb 11) Past tense verb 12) Number 13) Adjective 14) Plural Animal 15) Same celebrity 16) A greeting 17) Adjective

‘Twas the night before 1)_______________ and all through the 2)_______________ not a creature was stirring, not even a(n) 3)_______________. The 4)_______________ were hung by the chimney with care with hopes that 5)__________________ would soon be there. The 6)_______________ were nestled all snug in their bed with visions of 7)_______________ 8)_______________ in their head, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, 9)_______________ 10)_______________ from their bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window they 11)_______________ like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. They were able to see 12)_______ 13)_______________ 14)_______________, flying up in the sky. It must be 15)__________________! And as they flew out of sight, they shouted from the sky, “16)_______________ to all, and to all a 17)_______________ night!”

Seek & Find There are 20 ‘Z’s hidden in the picture. Can you find them all?

graphics by Brooklyn Brown

Student Life 13

The Great Escape graphic by Brooklyn Brown

By Audrey Eskonen, Guest Reporter

n the battlefield of Troy, familiar Greek gods and goddesses like Athena and Apollo play roles in the most significant events of the Trojan War. You turn the page but are interrupted before you can read the next line as your mom calls you downstairs for dinner. You get up from your bed and set the book, “The Song of Achilles,” down on your nightstand. “I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of kids who are telling us ‘oh this is the first time I’ve checked out a book in years and things like that, and some people who have told us that they are sort of former-readers, and now they’re wanting to get back into it,” ZCHS Media Specialist, Liz Overberg, said. “The Song of Achilles” is a young-adult fantasy novel written by Madeline Miller that

“I think that for a lot of people, they have found comfort in escapism during the pandemic.” - Liz Overberg

14 Student Life

has received a spike in recognition due to its popularity on social media. Earlier in the semester, Book Club read “The Song of Achilles,” prompting a large discussion among its members about why these fantasy and sci-fi novels are so popular among teens. The answer is escapism in fiction. “I love ‘The Song of Achilles’ because Greek mythology is just so fascinating and every bit of new knowledge I can get about it is super cool to me,” junior Mary Demarco said. Overberg said because of the popularity of escapist novels like Harry Potter, that there must be a reason people love them so much. “If you think of all the books that have been the most popular, I think a lot of times it’s one of those with an escapist plot,” Overberg said. In recent years, many are finding more of an interest in reading books for pleasure, not just the required novels in English class. ZCHS students have also gained more of an interest in reading-based clubs like Book Club. In a survey among Book Club members

about their favorite read in 2021, five out of six responses mentioned a fantasy or sci-fi novel. For example, sophomore Jaina Bencze loved “The Lunar Chronicles,” a novel she read this year. “I really liked it because [author] Marissa Meyer combined sci-fi, fantasy, subtle romance, advanced technology, and a dystopian world with classic fairy tale,” Bencze said. Many of these fictional stories encompass aspects of romance, dystopia, and some even tie into historical events like the Trojan War and the Medieval Times. It begs the question, why are students interested in reading novels that aren’t at all correlated to what is going on in the world around them? “I think that it’s probably similar all over, not just here,” Overberg said. “I think that for a lot of people, they have found comfort in escapism during the pandemic.” Escapism is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.” Escaping your current reality may seem

like a daunting task, one only for the “real” readers. However, Overberg said that it doesn’t have to be, if you’re willing to make it a part of your routine. “A lot of times [reading] is a time management thing, no, a time shortage thing because we are all strapped for time,” Overberg said. Whether it be returning to your childhood favorite novels like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief,” coming back to something you once loved can bring some sort of comfort. For example, Demarco often returns to “Little Women” as a comfort book because of the heartwarming characters. “Especially when people are anxious and stressed, it’s kind of cool to sort of return to books that you have read a million times when you were a kid,” Overberg said. While some students are getting back into

it, many never had an interest in reading outside of school. Overberg suggests starting with short stories or graphic novels. “Just get something light and fluffy and fun,” Overberg said. Overberg said readers should be reading whatever it is that makes them happy and that it doesn’t need to be fine literature particularly. Another example of escapism in fiction that students are reading is “The Brother Cadfael” series, as suggested by junior Samantha Gallagher. “It is a fascinating series of mysteries set in medieval times during the overarching conflict of the fight for succession between Maud and Stephen in England,” Gallagher said. Escapism has taken teens by storm in the months following the peak point of

lockdown. While travel bans are lifted and checking out a library book is easier than ever before, anyone can pick up a book with a compelling plotline. “It’s important to not feel like it’s all or nothing,” Overberg said. “If you are stressed and busy and not reading a lot right now, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t a reader or that you’ll never be a reader again. It’s always something you can come back to.” Reading can help bring someone back to reality, or even take them away from it. Overberg stressed that everyone is welcome at the library, emphasizing that “the books will always be there, and the library staff will always have something for you.”

Book Recommendations Reporting by Arianna Gimona, Guest Reporter

Science Fiction “The Martian” by Andy Weir

“The Martian” is about a U.S. Mars mission. A sand storm results in the isolation of the main character, Mark Watney. The entire book is told through Mark Watney’s space logs and presents unique humor written throughout. “[Mark] goes through trials and tribulations that really define what it is like to be a human in isolation and gives a really cool take on science fiction that is almost completely rooted in real-world science and application,” Mckensie Keener, senior, said.

Fiction

“A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving

“A Prayer for Owen Meany” is about two friends that are growing up in New Hampshire in the 1950s and 1960s. Owen Meany believes he’s an instrument of God and that he has a great purpose that he has to fulfill with his life. “It is the best story about a sacrificial friendship that you could ever read. [This book] shows that friends are what make your life more complete,” Mica Wilson, English teacher, said.

Historical Fiction “The Red Umbrella” by Cristina Diaz Gonzales

Set during the communist revolution in Cuba, main character, Lucia, and her brother are sent away from their parents to the United States. They have to learn to adjust to the culture and face the possibility of never returning to Cuba. “One thing that struck me about this book is that the author found a bunch of relevant newspapers from the time period, and starts each chapter off with an actual newspaper headline from Nebraska in the 1960s,” Alyson Maple, junior, said.

Student Life 15

Pawsitive Pups An inside look at the role of service dogs and their handlers

By Claire Weesies, Guest Reporter

dog that does laundry. A dog that goes through obstacle courses. A dog that can handle all the hugs from a third-grade class. Facility and service dogs are specially trained to help people in all kinds of ways. ZCS physical therapist Bree Pittman received her golden retriever, Franklin, from the Canine Companions non-profit. Franklin is specially trained as a facility dog to work with people with disabilities and came to Pittman fully trained. “My job was pretty much not to mess him up,” Pittman said. Facility dogs need to have a calm personality because they are around a lot of people. Franklin and Pittman go to four different school environments. They work with preschoolers through high schoolers, so Franklin always needs to be ready to adapt to different situations. “He has energy when I need him to,” Pittman said. “But he can be pretty cool and chill and relaxed.” Franklin is often used as a demonstrator or a motivator in school environments. Pittman uses him to demonstrate going over hurdles, around cones, and going through obstacle courses. Senior Carter Stepleton works with Franklin and for Halloween they did an obstacle course with spider webs. Franklin went through it holding a spider on a spoon in his mouth! “I’m thinking he’s really proud of himself,” Stepleton said. Franklin is also used as a motivator for students. Student can shake his paw, give him a hug, or play fetch with him if they complete their tasks. When Pittman asks her students to do things that are hard for them to do, Franklin can also be used as a distraction and a way to help students refocus. “He makes me feel happy,” Stepleton said. During the COVID-19 school year, Franklin was not being used the same as

16 Feature

Bree Pittman poses with her service dog, Franklin. photo submitted by Pittman

years prior. However, the teachers at the schools were able to love on him a lot more. Franklin was able to give the teachers comfort during a long, hard day. “I didn’t predict the effect that he would have on so many different people,” Pittman said. While facility dogs and service dogs are used in different ways, they both help people with disabilities. Service dogs are trained to do specific tasks for an individual. According to Jon Ellegood, a volunteer for Indiana Canine Assistance Network (ICAN), people ask a lot from service dogs, for example to not bark at people or squirrels. Asking them to ignore everything except the needs of their person is a lot for a dog to do and only a few dogs can figure it out. “To be a service dog, you have to always be ready to respond appropriately,” Ellegood said. Dogs begin training to be a service dog at only a few days old. At four months the ICAN dogs go to the men’s prison facilities

in Pendleton and begin learning specific cues like sit, stay, and heel. After a year working at the men’s prison, the dogs go to the women’s prison on the west side of Indianapolis to finish their training. The service dogs at ICAN go through up to two and half years of intense training. “They’re very smart, lovable dogs who do incredible things.” Ellegood said. Service dogs help people with many different disabilities. A service dog can be a diabetic alert dog, they can help someone get around places, or they could help relieve anxiety in someone who has PTSD. Ellegood worked with a dog who was taught to open a refrigerator with a rope and grab a water bottle. This dog was also taught to drag a laundry basket by a rope to the washing machine and put the laundry in and take it out to better help her owner. Another dog named Charlie was paired with a man who used a motorized scooter. The man loved to work in his garage and get on the floor and work, but he had a hard time getting back up. Charlie was taught “brace” which means he stood rock solid to allow the man to use the dog to stand up. Ellegood said the best part of working with a service dog is “knowing that they’re going to change somebody’s life.” While facility and service dogs are highly trained dogs, they are also still man’s best friend. “If I sit on the couch, [Franklin] will come up and sit with me,” Stepleton said. Service and facility dogs do much more than helping people with disabilities. They open up new conversations and help people find their confidence again. They learn to love their owners and their job. “He’s loved unconditionally by the students, but he also loves them unconditionally,” Pittman said.

Home Alone By Elizabeth Rexing, Print Editor, and Gretchen Drews, Opinion Editor

It wouldn’t be December without a viewing of the classic “Home Alone.” The innovative traps developed by mastermind Kevin live in holiday infamy. While these students may have never had to face off against Marv and Harry, they did have some unfortunate mishaps from their own time home alone. “My parents were gone and me and my sister were home alone. I don’t remember what exactly we were watching but it was “High School Musical” or something with danceable music. We had decorations up on the ceiling and they fell so I got on the counter to fix them...and just never got down. I started performing, singing and dancing. The next day my parents bring it up and ask me about it. Of course, I lie and say it wasn’t me. But we have cameras around our house [for safety] and so they caught me.” - Kennedy Merrell, senior “My little brother spilled blue paint all over a pretty expensive carpet. I was able to clean it before my parents got home and they still don’t know.” - Abigail Deaton, freshman

graphic by Brooklyn Brown

“In 8th grade, I left my toast in the toaster and started a mini fire. I ended up grabbing two towels, picking it up and throwing the entire thing outside. My mom never found out. Another time in 8th grade, I left my patio door open to air out the house and a bird flew in. I ended up breaking a shelf in the pantry but put it together before she got back home.” - Anonymous “I put M&Ms in a glass bowl to melt them and the glass bowl exploded in the microwave… oops.” - Taylor Dorler, freshman “I was home alone on a stormy night and I heard a big boom. It terrified me. I jumped out of my bed, grabbed a blanket and hid in my closet until my mom came home.” - Anonymous

It was me, my brother, and my friend at my house alone. My brother didn’t know how our rotary phone worked in the basement and he jokingly called 911. He actually did end up calling them and when he realized he did he instantly hung up. This made 911 call us a couple times, but he was on the phone with my mom and told me to pick it up. Two cop cars ended up coming to my house while my brother was still on the phone with my mom, so when they came to our door they asked what happened and he handed the phone to them. The officers took my brother outside to talk to him about how calling 911 was not a joke. I was inside kind of scared but laughing a lot with my friend because my older brother looked like an idiot.” - Colton Mullis, sophomore

Feature 17

A Guide to Gifts By Gretchen Drews, Opinion Editor

he struggle to buy gifts for people is real, especially this year. That item in your Amazon wishlist is out of stock, a package is missing or lost in transit. We run into many problems during the holiday season and finding the perfect gift for someone is already hard enough. DIY gifts may be the answer to your gift-giving needs. For senior Maggie McCullough, making her own jewelry has been a hobby since she was little. “My grandpa would collect crystals so then I’d wrap the wire around them to make necklaces,” McCullough said. If you’re lost on what to make as a gift for somebody, first identify your own talents and interests and brainstorm what you can make well for someone. “I always tell students to pick a material that they want to do,” ceramics and fiber arts teacher, Grace Fletcher said. “Then search for tutorials that way because it can be very overwhelming trying to figure out what you want to make, how you want to do it.” Sophomore Raymond Nault chose his medium is by thinking about the things

Gifts by Maggie McCullough

18 Feature

Artists offer inspiration for both unique and functional DIY gifts that would make anyone happy this holiday season. he’d like to improve on. “I started by taking Intro to 3-D,” Nault said. “Ceramics is actually one of my worst things in art, so I wanted to get better at it to make stuff for my family.” Once you have the medium of your choice for your gift making, it’s important to research the material before you even begin. McCullough talks from personal experience with polymer clay that it’s important to read any instructions or warnings. “After you find something, I would say don’t immediately start it,” McCullough said. “Go through the process of researching how to use it, what not to use, what not to do for it.” Of course, no gift would be complete without a card. McCullough also learned how to hand-make cards through YouTube tutorials with recycled paper. Handwritten cards are an appealing way to communicate with others and is perfect for any holiday you may be celebrating. “I felt like I wasted so much paper, I wanted to do something with it,” McCullough said, “I thought that’d be cool to make a card or paper with something I

could write a letter on.” Once you’re done putting your finishing touches on your gift or card, it’s rewarding to see how people react once you give it to them. “I think it’s fun to surprise people and just give them things and see their reactions,” Nault said. “My mom really liked [my gifts].” If you’re reluctant to give your gift to someone else, Fletcher offers reassurance to people who might worry about their own abilities. A benefit of giving out handmade gifts, specifically art that you’ve made as a gift, is that people are more likely to appreciate it. Fletcher believes we are all our own biggest critics, but others are less likely to be judgmental. “Even though a student might really think harshly about their artwork the people they give it to have no idea what their expectations were or what their goals are,” Fletcher said, “So, they’re just going to think it’s a beautiful piece of art.”

photos by Gretchen Drews

Several seniors will be graduating early at the end of this semester. Featured below are some of these students sharing their favorite memories from high school, their plans for after graduation, and more.

Chloe Gall Why did you decide to graduate early? My mom said it to me as a joke. Because there was just one day I was so exhausted after school, and she was just like, ‘Oh, you should just graduate early.’ Then that idea kind of stuck in my head. What are you planning on doing in your extra semester? I’m currently a manager at Chick-Fil-A in Whitestown, so I’m currently working towards a promotion there when I graduate. I’ll be working there through college, but I’m basically going to take the extra semester to work there, make extra money, save up for college, and then also develop myself so I can be ready for that promotion. What was your favorite high school memory? I’ve had a lot of personal transformation throughout high school. I have chronic pain and so I’ve actually been able to work my way through that and develop myself and actually grow from that experience. I think having the COVID-19 experience altered the typical high school experience, but personally, if it hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t be graduating early and I probably wouldn’t be in the place that I am at with Chick-Fil-A. Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Nelson helped me through the entire college application process. She’s been great and has provided such a good support system for me through all of high school. Also, Mrs. Bender. I had her in sophomore year, and I accidentally called her old. We got off to a rough start but she’s been such a great influence for me. She’s also helped me with my college application process and has been a light for me.

Con

GRAD

ulations Reporting by Lucy Robinson, Student Life Editor photos by Logan Seiler and Riya Patel

Forest LaPlante Why did you decide to graduate early? Well, I had a bad COVID year. I had a lot of struggles with mental health and a lot of mental health issues. Getting out of high school kind of just seemed to be the best option, and it’s opened up a lot of opportunities. What are you planning on doing in your extra semester: For next semester, I applied to IUPUI and I am starting courses next semester. Me and my friend, who’s also graduating early, are moving into a house with his older brother, and we’re going to start IUPUI classes there. What was your favorite class and who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Neal for Algebra one and Algebra two. I only had two semesters with her but those were definitely the highest points. I really liked the way her class was structured. What is your favorite high school memory? I don’t have any specific high school memories, but I liked hanging out with my friends on the weekends. That’s probably always my best memories.

Adelyn Hughes What are you planning on doing in your extra semester? After I graduate I am going to be working during the day in order to save up money for college while also completing some online GenEd classes to get a jumpstart with college. What was your favorite class and who was your favorite teacher? My favorite class this year would have to be AP Lang and my favorite teacher would either have to be Mrs. Wilzbacher or Mrs. Wilson because they have helped me so much both in the classroom and outside of it. Those two are my

favorite teachers because they push their students to be the best that they can be but also genuinely care about their students and their mental health. They also make an effort to go to our extracurricular activities such as sporting events. What is your favorite high school memory? My favorite high school memory would have to be in soccer when our coach was trying to show us how to kick a soccer ball out of the air but missed it completely and Grace Myers and Grace Weisenbach got it all on video. What do you aim to get out of graduating early? I am aiming to get a jumpstart in the real world while I am still at home so I can transition myself smoothly into the college experience!

Feature 19

with a

Traditions twist By Josie Brackett, Guest Reporter

enior Audrey Eskonen will wake up early in the morning on Dec 21. It is no ordinary day for Eskonen, it is the day of the Winter Solstice. She will rush downstairs to open presents with her family. December and January are months that have many holidays, which means many different and unique traditions. Eskonen celebrates the Winter Solstice with her family every Dec. 21. “I used to hate celebrating it and I felt really ostracized for it,” Eskonen said. “I’m sure a lot of people do love their family traditions, but I hated it. I didn’t like that I was different from everyone. But now it’s really special for me and I love it a lot.” Last year, Eskonen invited a friend to the family traditions and celebration. “We had a celebration because it was not only the solstice, but it was the start of the Age of Aquarius. It was when the lunar cycle changed,” Eskonen said. “It was special for us because there were some planets that came into view on that night.” For Eskonen, both the food and the fun are important. “Usually, we just do a dinner that is like the traditional Christmas dinner,” Eskonen said. “I usually have a vegan turkey.” Eskonen’s Solstice tradition with her family is similar to typical traditions of Christmas. They celebrate by opening gifts in the morning and then they have a Solstice dinner. “We make little cinnamon logs with a candle in it and when you burn the candle it smells like cinnamon and orange.” Eskonen said. “We also make kolaches. That is fun and we use a family recipe.” Sophomore Macey Franciskovich is both Polish and Italian and she celebrates Christmas with her family. “We have this really yummy Polish bread, called Koshka, which you eat during Christmas,” Franciskovich said. “It’s rolled bread with strawberry stuff. You have to get it from a specific vendor.”

20 Feature

graphic by Brooklyn Brown

Franciskovich mentioned many different kinds of Polish and Italian pastries and sweets, including Koshka (kosh-ka), roshky (roo-ski), potica (poch-ka), and cuccidati (cochi-dadi). Family recipes are very loved and cherished by Franciskovich but not as important as the family who the recipes came from. “I’m a very small percent Italian, and very small percent Polish,” Franciskovich said. “These are traditions from my greatgreat grandma and the people who immigrated here from Italy. It just reminds me of my humble beginnings.” Franciskovich said that she loves to feel connected to her heritage and those around her during this time, much like freshman Scout Duffy-Broderick. Duffy-Broderick celebrates Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day. Epiphany is a day of feast for Christians that celebrates the revelation in which God had come down to the Earth as Jesus Christ. “My stepmom is Spanish,” Duffy-Broderick said. “We celebrate [Three Kings Day] because we want to honor my stepmom and celebrate her beliefs.” Duffy-Broderick has become a huge fan of the tradition of Three Kings Day and another tradition, setting out shoes the night before Three Kings Day. When they wake up in the morning, there are gifts waiting for them in the shoes. “For breakfast we eat churros, it’s my favorite,” Duffy-Broderick said. “Then for

dinner, [my stepmom] makes a whole bunch of Spanish foods and we even have churros for dessert, too.” But to Duffy-Broderick, the joy of Three Kings Day is not all about the gifts or the food. “I feel so honored to be celebrating Three Kings Day and feeling more connected to my stepmom,” Duffy-Broderick said. “It’s so nice to be able to understand her and be a part of her heritage and to know about her traditions and heritage and how she spent her childhood.” Sophomore Fin Essley celebrates Hanukkah with his family every year. This year the holiday is from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6. “I like celebrating with my family,” Essley said. “Not many of my friends are Jewish, but every few years, we have a Hanukkah party. Sometimes I’ll invite friends and other family members to let them experience it as well.” For Essley, celebrating with loved ones is the biggest part of Hanukkah. “I like getting gifts for my parents and my brother because I feel like I don’t do that very often, so it shows that I appreciate them,” Essley said. To Essley, the most fascinating thing about Hanukkah is knowing where the holiday originated from. “The most unique thing about Hanukkah is that it’s eight nights long,” Essley said. “It comes from when the Jewish temple was being destroyed, and they lit a candle for light when they were trying to rebuild it. It was supposed to last for one day but ended up lasting for eight. That’s why it’s eight nights long.” Having the holidays to relax and reflect is a significant part of the joy for Essley. “Usually, my family will have dinner together then we’ll light the candles for Hanukkah and then we’ll go down to open presents,” Essley said. “It’s a special time to be together with my family.”

Once Upon

A TIME...

As we grow up, we have to remember to hold on to our imagination.

By Josh Nieman, Podcast Editor

ow did we let it get this bad? I remember a time when we all filled our days with lands of make believe. Remember back then? The toys? The forts? Back when the woods felt like another world, and staying up late was an occasion? Somewhere along the line, we lost the wonder and the fascination with life, which is something that we cannot allow. The two biggest threats to our imagination are the process of growing older and progressively becoming mindless consumers of media. As our generation takes the reigns from those that came before, these two aspects of life have been working hand in hand to make our generation sadder, and more cynical than past ones. If we let it, the stresses, and anxieties of growing up can kick our child-like imagination to the curb. At some point, we’re going to start having to ask ourselves when the world became not enough for us. The very process of growing up too often involves boxing up the kid you used to be. But what happens as a result? The world becomes bland and things cease to satisfy. I’m not suggesting you dust off the Legos and play with imaginary friends through adulthood, but that sense of ‘what if’ is something you should fight to keep drawings by because it is precious Josh Nieman and sacred. It keeps even the most mundane aspects

of life special and intriguing. When the cycles of life become grey, and soulless, we won’t have anything to fall back on to help protect us against it. Hence, the importance of imagination, and the heartbreak at how often we lose it. You might think that imagination-death is a necessary part of the growth process. Stepping into adulthood, many of you might feel it start to happen and deem it as natural and expected. Often, we are so eager to leave our childhoods behind that we lose them for good and carry no part of them with us. Human beings have always functioned by internally building off of what was already there. Don’t let yourself lose that foundation of wonder and fascination. The advantages of keeping it with you are irreplaceable. We can wield it as a weapon against this seemingly boring world, but we can also use it as a tool to think outside the box. You see, imagination is not only something that comforted us as kids, but it’s the very thing that pushes the modern world out of comfort. Imagination drives the charge into uncharted waters, innovation, and ideas that no one had dreamt up before. This is where technology becomes a key asset when used for creation. When we lose imagination, the world stops evolving, and there would be nothing new to spark imagination in the youth of the next generation. Without imagination, we might get to a point where it feels like there is nothing else to learn or experience in this world. And without imagination, this hypothetical world comprised of old ideas actually grabs a foothold in possibility. The worst news of all is that the window of childhood is closing. Today’s kids will have less time to enjoy their youth; decreasing the likelihood that they’ll carry it with them as technology finds its way into younger and younger hands. Friends already tell me about how their

8-year-old siblings have denounced toys in favor of phones and tablets. I mean, I can say with complete certainty that I was not 8 years old when I stopped playing with toys, were you? Nowadays kids have the whole world at their fingertips. They are surrounded by screens and answers to every question they will ever have, but remember back to when that wasn’t the case? Remember when you couldn’t search something and you’d just sit back and let your imagination fill in the blanks? Technology can be a wonderful tool, but more often than not it’s primarily used for consumption. An unholy number of hours are posted to YouTube every single day, which simultaneously proves to be a paradise for consumers and creators. Use technology as a way to channel your imagination, and the next time you have a question about the world around you, don’t type it into your phone. Go out into the world and discover the answer for yourself.

Opinion 21

Real VS Fake By Lucy Robinson, Student Life Editor

Environmental Advantages

Though the disposal of real trees may be problematic if not recycled, Christmas tree farms can actually be quite sustainable. Christmas trees are not cut down from a forest, they are grown with the express purpose of cutting down. The growing period for pine trees of about a decade allows a natural habitat to develop and in that period of time they intake carbon and clean the air. After being cut down a new tree is grown in its place continuing the positive effects. Even though, according to the American Christmas Tree Association, Christmas trees only make up 0.1% of a person’s carbon footprint, it is important to do your part and help the environment. You should always recycle Christmas trees after the holiday season to help make real trees even more sustainable.

Finding A Tree The aesthetics of plastic trees and the convenience of keeping it every year can’t beat the fun of picking the perfect tree. The tree cutting experience is much more enjoyable than going to the basement to excavate the tree from piles of boxes labeled “Christmas”, and makes the tree feel even more personal. Having a different tree each year makes the holiday feel special and makes each year unique. Trying to calculate how tall the tree can be to not scrape the ceiling is all part of the fun.

Christmas tree disposal sites in Boone County:

22 Opinion

photo by Elizabeth Rexing

- Boone County Resource Recovery, 985 South US Highway 421, Zionsville. - Earth and Turf Partners, LLC, 5095 West 106th Street, Zionsville. - GreenCycle, 4227 Perry Worth Road, Whitestown.

The age old holiday debate has one real winner.

Eco-Friendly?

The biggest draw for many towards fake trees is the reusability, making them seem more eco-friendly than real trees. This, however, may not be entirely true. The sustainability of artificial trees has been argued in both directions, the main positive being their reusability and the lack of waste produced each year. According to a study conducted in 2017 by WAP Sustainability Consulting on behalf of the American Christmas Tree Association, “The study demonstrated that if a customer purchases an artificial tree and used it for at least 4.7 years, vs. purchasing the equivalent (4.7) real Christmas trees, the environmental burden shifts and the artificial tree would generate fewer environmental impacts.” These artificial trees are typically made with PVC along with other plastics and metals and shipped to the US after manufacturing. In the short-term artificial trees may have more environmental negatives, if disposed of before 4.7 years. Even if disposed of after this point they cannot be recycled like a real tree. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, “The average family uses a fake tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill indefinitely.” Considering the environmental toll of PVC, whether or not a tree is used for many years or few, the inability to recycle artificial trees gives real trees a significant advantage.

The Smell Nothing says Christmas quite like the pine tree smell. The smell of a real tree is unmatched by the artificial options to make fake trees smell similar. The smell isn’t the only bonus of having a real tree in the house. Studies conducted by NASA have shown that having live plants in the house can remove toxins from the air, though in most households this isn’t a large concern, and help with focus and reducing stress. Being around nature can improve a person’s mood and increase their energy levels. The positive environment promoted by having a real tree in the house makes the holiday season feel even more comforting.

Detention Diaries A look into what really goes on in detention at our school

By Daysun Brown, Staff

t finally happened. 2,216 days into my education career, I got a detention. What did I do to be put in this situation? I was simply late to first period three times in the first quarter. Will it happen again? Possibly. Yes, detention is supposed to be a place of punishment and a time to reflect on the choices that got you there. But instead, it inspired me to write this piece. As I sat across from Vice Principal Greg Hall after my third tardy, I was presented with options of when I wanted to serve my time. What a privilege. I missed nothing after school except a bunch of high school traffic, so if anything this was a reward. If you know me you know that I am typically referred to as a “good kid” and I would never be in a situation that would cause me to get a detention. You wouldn’t be surprised to know “I originally that I started out very upset, and thought that maybe even cried detention a little. But after would be one a few hours, I saw the opporof the worst tunity that was hours of my presented to me. senior year but I got to the detention room it turned out to at 3:41 p.m., but be one of my the hour didn’t most inspiring start until 3:50 moments.” p.m. Mrs. Platt, the teacher, - Daysun seemed surprised Brown, senior that someone was there that early but I was unaware of the “appropriate” detention etiquette— arriving late. As I sat down I noticed a colorful

photo by Gretchen Drews

welcome banner draped across the front board and the two floor-length windows in the corner, a pleasant surprise that my other classes don’t have. The bright room was decorated with posters and a butterfly mobile with an inspirational quote floating in one corner. The final touch was some very comfortable swivel chairs and even two bean bags. I chose a swivel chair and settled in to serve my hour of subordination. I came prepared with all of my notes and homework printed out on paper because I expected this time to be a punishment and I would be restricted from using any electronics. However, I noticed that every other person in the room was on their computer or phone with headphones in. So what are my opinions on detention? Well, it’s simply a study hall, but it smells good, has natural lighting, and is quiet. Honestly, one of the best rooms in the building. A hidden gem in the school. I personally loved detention, but there is a problem with that statement. Detention

should be a little more punishment and a little less luxury. Phones, laptops, and headphones all seem like items that shouldn’t be allowed to be used in this time. That might be an unpopular opinion, but having your phone makes it the same as sitting in your room or any study hall. This time allows for you to scroll through Tik Tok for a complete hour with no interruptions from parents, teachers, or friends. You can leave and go to the bathroom whenever you like and I even observed a student walk in 20 minutes late. Privilege is even present in our punishments at Zionsville. I originally thought that detention would be one of the worst hours of my senior year but it turned out to be one of my most inspiring moments. I didn’t form a band like in Disney’s Lemonade Mouth or make any unusual friendships like in The Breakfast Club, but I did enjoy my time in Room 203. Detention was perfect, but also nothing like what it should be.

Opinion 23

Harb Highlights Senior Nyla Hall-Feldhaus sits among AP Language students on their field trip to the Lume exhibit at Newfields on Nov. 5. “The experience at the Lume was so peaceful but thought provoking at the same time,” Hall-Feldhaus said. “The music was so calming and helped us to understand the art as a whole.” photo by Elizabeth Rexing

Varsity game vs Westfield When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Varsity Gym

Bottom: Senior Ben Carr pitches the ball during a Wiffle ball game. Carr founded the Wiffle Ball Club this year. He said it was a “fun way to bring kids together from all grade levels.” photo by Claire Schellhase

Diving

Boys Basketball

Eagle Swimming Invite When: 6 p.m. Where: Zionsville

Varsity game vs Franklin Central When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Varsity Gym

Dec.

Check the schedule below to find dates, times, and locations for upcoming ZCHS events Subject to change

Jan.

Girls Basketball

vs Hamilton Southeastern When: 6 p.m. Where: Varsity Gym

Dec.

Wrestling Match

Dec.

What’s What’s next? next?

Left: Senior Chris Spillman sets the ball in his Intramural volleyball game on Nov. 8. photo by Mary Demarco

Swim Meet

Robotics

vs Center Grove When: 5:30 p.m. Where: Zionsville

Tournament hosted by Robotics Club When: 9 a.m. Where: Fieldhouse