Editors-in-Chief
Emma Hummer
Editorial Staff
Marissa Villarrubia
Print Editor
Ellie Vanderbur
Copy Editor
Brody Brown
Photo Editor
Josie Brackett
Social Media Editor
Grace Adlong
Social Media Assistant
Sammie Kulwicki
News Editor
Luke Kouns
Sports Editor
Lilly Steele
Feature Editor Ant Farrar
Perspectives Editor
Srinithya Basireddy
Staff
Lucy Bean
Jonah Hunter
Abby Keck
Jack Parr
Ariana Spence
Addy Cieciek
Gia Villarrubia
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.
Trapped in the Scroll
Our generation is used to endlessly scrolling through social media before they go to bed. Whether it's TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, those hours are influencing how we behave, what we wear, how we act, but it can also inspire, entertain, spread awareness, and learn about different perspectives. Social media has become a powerful tool that is shaping our everyday lives.
Summer starts in two weeks. How do you want to remember it? It might be your last summer in Zionsville or you may have three more. Do you want to be consumed by your phone all summer or do you want to enjoy it with your friends and family?
Social media can be a very positive aspect on our lives by allowing teenagers to connect with different people all around the world. It can help us learn about different perspectives and get inspired by others who we may have not met if it wasn’t for social media. It can help boost confidence by allowing others to comment. Think about that one Instagram post that you were scared to post, but it ended up blowing up positively by all your favorite friends, family, and maybe even strangers. That can help you feel confident and loved. However, do you also think about how it can negatively affect us? Instagram and TikTok have become platforms for teenag-
ers to compare lives, seek validation, and curate a vision for their lives.
Many teenagers follow trends too closely and begin comparing themselves to influencers with brand deals and stacks of PR packages being sent to them. Others watch endless unboxing videos and make wish list of things they don't need. Why is this? Because we are being influenced. Have you seen those TikToks that state, “Girls, what shoes are we wearing this summer?” Why are we letting social media influence us when we could express ourselves? Teenagers end up copying each other and not being original. All of this ends up making teenagers think that they have to be absolutely on trend and not think for themselves.
While the school year is winding down and summer is about to begin, don't let your phone consume you this summer. Why let others decide how you live, what you wear, or shape your summer? What if there is a beautiful sunset outside that you are missing out on? Or a funny moment with your friends? Or a great conversation with a family member? Your eyes might be so locked in on your screen that you miss what could be your new favorite memory. Don't worry about getting that perfect picture or making that trendy TikTok while watching how many likes it gets; this summer, live in the moment.
Cover: Junior Kellen Baker performs a take down on Matt Baker on April 19. Photo by Emma Hummer
Seal of Approval
New diploma provides more flexibility for different postsecondary plans, generating discussion from students, faculty
Chromebooks are implemented next school year for freshman, sophomore
The impact of sports on the mental, physical health of young athletes
Giving back to youth sports help foster a positive environment to build team working skills, friendships
Lacrosse has brought the Moore family closer together
Bushido Jiu-Jitsu growing the community, teaching self defense
What to know for next year
Life after the game as former athletes stay active
New enthusiast and seasoned professional share a passion for aviation
AP U.S. History puts preparation for the AP as first priority
With finals looming, students crave a well-earned break before the school year ends
When does a word go too far?
The cycle of passive support for controvsial creators needs to end
Chromebooks Roll Out This Fall
Chromebooks are implemented next school year for freshmen, sophomores
Guest Reporting By Avneet Johal, Written by Gia Villarrubia
Starting next year, ZCHS freshmen and sophomores will receive Chromebooks, following a recently approved school board policy. This policy aims at streamlining technology which will simplify students and teachers’ lives. This move aligns with the majority of Indiana school districts.
“Most of the other districts in the state of Indiana have already been doing this for quite some time,” Digital Learning Coach Carly Havlik said.
The decision to make the switch at the high school level has been under consideration after the success at Zionsville’s middle schools.
“It seems to be a pretty big benefit for our teachers right now,” Havlik said. ”So we’re going to try to continue that to the high school.”
Instead of spending extra time troubleshooting they can have a smoother system with less technology issues.
my classes that would work for the specific programs that we would be using,” Singleton said.
Switching to Chromebooks might sound like a simple solution. However, in practice, it’s cutting off access to professional grade software, undoing thoughtful planning, and spending by students and their families.
“Because it’s all consistent, it allows teachers to know exactly what their students are going to be able to do with the technology.”
-Carly Havlik
Before the switch was announced freshman Sarah Singleton recently bought a laptop for school that it would essentially become useless next year.
“I specifically bought a computer for
Singleton’s issue is shared by many students who rely on programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro for classes such as Digital Design, Photography, and Student Media. All of which are applications incompatible with Chromebooks. The move not only renders personal laptops like Singleton’s less useful at school, but also limits students’ access to essential tools for creative, career-focused classes.
“I think the goal is to try to help students grow into that adult thinking of how you use your devices,” ZCHS Principal Karen McDaniel said. “Just recognize that there’s going to be differences as you get older, you
have to remember that this is my personal device for my personal use, versus my work use.”
However, Singleton said she already has separated her work and her leisure. She has a laptop that stays primarily at home for herself, to play games and do other miscellaneous things, and she has a laptop she uses for school.
Despite the drawbacks for specialized classes, Chromebooks do come with some clear advantages. For starters, they’re much more accessible, which helps level the playing field for students who might not have a personal device at home. With automatic updates and storage, Chromebooks are designed to work seamlessly with Google Workspace apps like Docs, Slides, and Classroom, which are already widely used in schools for many core academic classes.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Havlik said. “If we find again that same success with the consistency of devices and all the benefits that can provide then we’ll go from there using that data to drive our instruction.”
While the administration is implementing this new policy with incoming freshmen and sophomores, they will be monitoring its effectiveness and keeping tabs on if it’s truly working.
Time for a Time Out
The impact of sports on the mental, physical health of young athletes
By Jack Parr, Staff
Sports can be a special experience for young athletes, but the mental and physical challenges that go along with the experience often go unnoticed. From injuries to burnout, sports take an unseen toll on athletes.
Joel Janak, Zionsville Varsity Football Defensive Coordinator, has observed significant injuries with the athletes he has coached and has even experienced them himself.
Janak had two significant knee injuries that caused significant psychological damage and took a heavy hit to his physical confidence for several years. Since becoming a coach, Janak said he has observed very similar experiences with other athletes.
Janak feels for those athletes who go through these experiences, as he knows
what they have to go through mentally and physically.
“There is no way to sugarcoat a significant injury,” Janak said. “It is going to be hard; the rehab is going to be miserable, and you are going to have setbacks during the process.”
Sophomore Roman Barth has faced multiple injuries throughout his high school career playing football, including a torn labrum, a torn bicep tendon, and a damaged humerus bone, all in just his right arm this year. Barth also said that he tore his front and back labrum during his freshman year. And as Janak said, rehab is no easy task.
“After my shoulder surgery, when I get to rehab, you basically relearn how to use your shoulder,” Barth said.
The recovery process for injuries can last for long periods of time, from just a few weeks to several months, deeply impacting the athletes.
“The first time was definitely bad,” Barth said. “I was never used to being away from the sport I love, especially for about seven months.”
Senior Matthew Grathwohl has been facing setbacks throughout the journey of his injury. Grathwohl said he tried playing soccer again after his first surgery, but tore his ACL again. Grathwohl tries to play casually, but his leg ends up hurting after, so it’s hard to get minutes in.
“It’s definitely taken a mental toll on me because I can no longer play the game I love at a high level,” Grathwohl said.
Many athletes like Grathwohl and Barth struggle with injuries. According to the U.S. News & World Report, high school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries each year.
Although, as Grathwohl and Barth continue to navigate their way back onto the field, some injuries can take athletes out of their sport forever. Michelle Witt, a Zionsville Athletic Trainer, has seen this happen multiple times during her career.
One such experience Witt had with an athlete, she said, “Was still experiencing some pain and difficulty post-surgery, and
both the doctor and the athlete decided that they needed to stop playing sports.”
Janak said that this can be challenging for any athlete who has put years of their life into the sport.
“This causes the athlete to feel very upset because their entire existence and potentially personality revolves around that sport. They often feel purposeless,” Janak said.
Not only do injuries take you away from the sport itself, but also your team, which can cause some severe mental health issues.
“I have seen athletes experience loss of athletic identity, depression, anxiety, and frustration due to being isolated from the team,” Witt said.
Though sometimes it’s not an injury that causes such mental health issues, but the sport itself. Becca Kolman, a junior, played both high school and club soccer. Kolman had played and enjoyed soccer for 14 years of her life, that was until the time leading up to her quitting sophomore year.
“I experienced a lot of stress,” Kolman said. “I didn’t really find joy in it anymore. I kind of just been playing more out of obligation.”
While sports offer many athletes valuable lessons and friendships as well as memories to cherish, they can come at a price. The pressures that athletes endure run deeper than what is seen on the field.
According to the National Institutes of Health, a study they had done, “Prevalence of stress amongst high school athletes,” revealed that around 60% of all high school athletes experienced a moderate to an extreme level of stress due to their sport.
So, whether it be the pains of surgery or the stress from the sport itself, athletes’ struggles both mentally and physically weigh on them. And, in a culture of toughness like sports, it is important for athletes to know that it is ok to seek help.
“As athletic trainers, we always try to be there for our athletes and help them find the support that they need in order to navigate their recovery,” Witt said. “Providing emotional support is just as vital for athletes.”
Graphic by Marissa Villarrubia
Mentorship in Motion
Giving back to youth sports help foster a positive environment to build team working skills, friendships
By Ellie Vanderbur, Print Editor
With over 20 school-sanctioned sports being offered at ZCHS, sports play an integral role in many students’ high school experience. Some of these students take their involvement a step further by helping with youth programs in the area.
These opportunities allow young children chances to make valuable, lasting friendships, improve physical fitness and boost their mental health. For junior Aubree Mitchel, starting soccer at four years old and continuing through high school inspired her to foster similar experiences for others by coaching the 11- and 12- year-old girls’ team at the Zionsville Youth Soccer Association (ZYSA).
“My stepmom is very involved in the club; she manages my little sister’s team and got me involved in a volunteer opportunity with them,” Mitchel said. “I help with practice twice a week and I go to most of their games.”
As a coach, Mitchel is able to take the skills she has learned from her many years in the sport and teach young girls those important lessons.
“Their coach will create the drills that they’re doing for practice and send them to me and the other assistant coach, and we’ll set them up,” Mitchel said. “We’ll walk the girls through the drills [then] pull girls off to the side and give them critiques if needed.”
Junior rower C.J. Ulmer had a similar experience with his desire to further his athletic involvement by helping run a summer camp at the Indianapolis Rowing Center (IRC).
“I enjoyed the camp so much when I was a camper, and I wanted to help others get
interested in my sport,” Ulmer said.
Social studies teacher Rita Lickliter was also inspired by her enjoyment and passion for sports that was born when she was personally involved in youth sports. She now coaches kindergarten through third grade soccer at ZYSA as well as the ZCHS JV girls soccer team.
“My best friends played with me and we became good friends because we had to do hard things together which really encouraged me to stay involved,” Lickliter said.
Mitchel often sees her younger self in the players she coaches when they are “able to build those relationships.”
Seeing the positive impact they are making motivates the coaches to stay involved and continue fostering a positive environment.
“[Coaching] reminded me why I love the sport so much because of the friends in the community that I have gained,” Ulmer said. “I believe they will also be able to gain the sense of community that I feel at IRC.”
This sense of community leads 73% of parents with children involved in sports to believe those athletics opportunites are benefiting their child’s mental health, according to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition (PCSFN).
“Sports give kids a really healthy outlet that’s off screens and outside of the house that can be beneficial long term in terms for their mental
and physical health,” Lickliter said.
Lickliter said youth sports provided her with, “discipline, responsibility and teamwork as well as how to listen in a group environment.”
80% of parents also feel their children are learning these important skills, according to PCSFN. This led Lickliter to involve her own children in sports at a young age.
“They’ve tried a lot of different sports but it’s not because we want them to be world class athletes, we want them to learn lessons and have fun,” Lickliter said.
These athletic and team-building activities during developmental years allow children to have a positive outlet outside of school and family life.
“It can help some kids really find success in other places of their life,” Lickliter said. “Maybe academically a kid will struggle if their family life is not ideal, but when they go to basketball or lacrosse or track, they can find a place where they can have fun and create strong relationships and bonds through that sport.”
Walking across a ZYSA field, junior Aubree Mitchel, talks with a youth soccer player before practice on April 14. Photo-illustration by Ellie Vanderbur
Preparing for practice, junior Aubree Mitchel explains drills to a youth soccer player on April 14. Photo by Ellie Vanderbur
Zionsville lacrosse bringing the Moore family closer together
By Lillian Steele, Sports Editor
Zionsville’s lacrosse team has allowed Nick Moore to coach his children, Senior Alex Moore and Sophmore James Moore, throughout the past few years.
Zionsville business owner and chiropractor N. Moore was asked to join Zionsville Lacrosse’s conditioning program after building connections with many players through his job. Despite not having played himself, he became an official coach with the team.
N. Moore said he first asked his wife, Amber, then his children if they thought this would be a good idea.
“They know my rule,” N. Moore said. “I’m harder on my kids than the rest of the team because I want to make sure that there’s no preconceived notion that there is favoritism towards my own children.”
N. Moore’s coaching goal is to teach all of the players life lessons that will carry on.
“I say a lot of cheesy, corny motivational quotes and speeches,” N. Moore said. “But that’s because I mean it. I try and get them all, not just my boys, but the whole team to believe in it.”
J. Moore is the younger of two brothers and has played lacrosse for three years. Throughout his high school career so far, his dad has been his coach, role model and inspiration throughout the seasons.
“It makes me play better, but playing better also has more stress,” J. Moore said.
J. Moore said he likes being able to have his dad’s support and feedback from the sidelines, especially when he’s playing well.
A. Moore is the older of the brothers and currently plays on the varsity team. With his dad on the sidelines he is able to get specific advice to help his performance.
“He’s known me for a long time,” A. Moore said. “He knows my mental aspect of the game and he knows how to encourage me during the game.”
However, having his dad on the field comes with some challenges.
“When people are in the stands, they’re [out] of my head, but I feel like it brings more pressure because when I go off to the sidelines I see my dad right away,” A. Moore said. N. Moore said he has gotten to know all of the players on a deeper level.
“Now knowing the way a lot of the players work, I can have more individual pep talks telling them what they need to focus on to
take their game to the next level,”he said. Teammate and senior Charlie Chloe plays alongside the brothers on the varsity lacrosse team and sees N. Moore’s coaching in action.
“[Coach Moore] is this perfect blend between a coach, but also a friend at the same time because he’s very intense, but he’s also very personable,” Chloe said. “He‘s very real.”
However, separating dad from coach and finding a good balance between the two can be difficult.
“You want him to separate the dad aspect and the coaching aspect. At the same time, you don’t because it’s nice to have your dad on the sideline,” A. Moore said.
And after difficult games and losses, A. Moore has to go home with his coach.
“I like receiving some criticism,” A. Moore said. “When we drive home, we kind of just talk about the game and how it went and we usually have very similar opinions. Then when I get home and see my dad he’ll give his opinions and I give my opinions and we just try to leave it at that.”
Separating his parental side with his coaching side can be difficult for N. Moore.
“Most difficult, without question, is separating when coaching stops and parenting starts. Because they might do something on the field or at practice, that beyond upsets me as a coach. But it’s learning to hit that stop button,” N. Moore said. ”I need to let the coaching stuff go until practice starts again, and that is sometimes difficult because I don’t always know how to hit that stop button so easily. “
Both of the Moore brothers play on the varsity team, allowing them to grow closer through the sport. A. Moore describes this as both positive and negative.
“Being brothers, we practice outside in the backyard a lot, so we have a lot of one-on-one chemistry and stuff like that. It makes the mental connection [easier],” A. Moore said.
A. Moore serves as a leader and role model on the team, especially for J. Moore.
“I like that he’s someone everyone looks up to. He’s a really good role model for everyone, but it adds a lot of stress for me to have to live up to that,” J. Moore said.
Occasionally, the Moore brothers get to play together.
“When I was able to take a face-off with my brother, [it] was exciting,” A. Moore said.
Playing to together is a perk for the family.
“It was the first game of this season and my dad wasn’t there because it was a faraway game. But one of the coaches knew that we hadn’t played together, he put me and my brother in together,” J. Moore said. “I was pretty happy because my mom got to see us play.”
This is the last year all of the Moore’s will be a part of Zionsville lacrosse, with A. Moore graduating.
“I love spending the extra time with them, I love getting those extra moments that I wouldn’t have anymore,” N. Moore said.
N. Moore loves getting to be on the sidelines and give support to his children instantly.
“It’s always a better celebration when you get to hug them in the moment. As compared to hugging them after the game from the stands,” N. Moore said. “When James and Alex do something amazing on the field, we get to lock eyes and either giving that quick hug or that high five or that chest bump and it’s that cheesy feeling that, as a dad, makes everything worth it.”
Coach Nick more stands near the lacrosse field during a home game against Guerin on April 23. Photo by Josie Brackett.
Jiu Jitsu’s Path to Protection
Bushido Jiu Jitsu growing the community, teaching self defense
By Noah Lawrence and Lyle Patten, Guest Reporters
Grit, persistence, focus, intensity, fortitude; these are some of the major traits that a Jiu-Jitsu fighter must have. Zionsville father, Bushido instructor, and role model, Matt Baker has a passion to share Jiu Jitsu with his community.
Bushido Jiu-Jitsu, located on 106th Street, offers after-school classes for students who are interested in learning the art of self-defense. Bushido owner and black belt, John Parson has a deep connection with the community and a heart to share jiu jitsu.
Jiu-Jitsu is not targeted toward the powerful, large and strong. Inside the mats are ready for hard work. In no time, they are covered in sweat, and when you stop for a second you can hear the panting and heavy breathing coming from people young and old.
Bushido in Zionsville, which opened in April 2023, offers different martial arts styles such as Brazilian Jiujitsu, a specific martial arts style focused on ground fighting and submissions holds. Grappling specifically, you are trying to control your opponent
with holds and throws without striking. Muay Thai/Kickboxing, a striking martial art focused on using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. They train people from the newest beginners to seasoned athletes.
The website for Essential Jiu-Jitsu, a martial arts school in New York, says “regardless of age, size, gender or physical limitation, any person can utilize the techniques and principles of jiu-jitsu and reap the benefits of its practice.”
M. Baker’s son, junior Kellen Baker, is a Bushido student. K. Baker said a strong attitude is vital for the students, as the sport constantly pushes their limits.
“People always want to be a lion until they have to do lion things,” K. Baker said.
According to M. Baker, the training sessions help develop many important attributes for teenagers, including a new sense of “discipline” and the ability to “exhibit self-control.”
The Essential Jiu-Jitsu website describes Jiu-Jitsu as a “mental workout” that builds on
Matt Baker practices a cross collar choke on junior Kellen Baker on April 19. Photos by Emma Hummer
“reasoning skills” and quick thinking. The sport requires its trainees to have a strong understanding of the basic skills and moves that are practiced consistently. These skills can become very useful during close contact fighting, known as rolling, which occurs often in this specific martial art.
According to K. Baker, even if a move is retaught, the fighters are always “learning something new, a new detail you didn’t know before, or a new way to do it.”
As one of the Zionsville Rugby Club high school coaches, Todd Butler looks for training methods that will get his players in the top shape for their sport. He is a strong supporter of Bushido and sees both the athletic and resilient benefits that stem from it. “This is our second season utilizing the resources at the Bushido Jiu Jitsu gym,” Butler said. “The owner John is a fantastic friend and partner of the Club.” K. Baker said not only is Bushido something that the rugby team uses as a training facility, they also align themselves very much with the same mentality of Bushido. Butler has found Jiu Jitsu to be beneficial for his athletes, not only on the physical side but the mental side as well.
“If you get knocked down seven times, you stand up the eighth,” Butler said. “I mean, it’s going to happen a lot more than seven or eight times in the rugby game and the game of life, too.”
According to Butler, Jiu-Jitsu dwells on perseverance.
“One of the biggest things that we’ve gained from partnering with them and using our training is they’ve prepared our players for the mental aspect of the game,” Butler said. “If we could do that all the time, we’re going to be the most mentally prepared team.”
Since Bushido opened one year ago, they have participated in eight martial arts tournaments.
M. Baker sees the success coming from their dedication, as they recently won the FUJI Indiana State Championship, which is a “big accomplishment for a brand-new gym.”
While they compete in local tournaments, the studio has its eyes on other competitions.
“We will probably go to worlds eventually, but we just stick with the state tournaments,” K. Baker said.
Although medals and awards are good for business, M. Baker said their main goal is to teach people the art of self-defense.
“For the smaller, weaker person, it allows them to disengage and get away from a bad situation with technique and structure versus strength,” M. Baker said.
According to M. Baker, teenagers should join Bushido to protect themselves from danger.
“If anything ever happened to them that they would never want to happen to them in the first place, they have the skills to get themselves out of a jam,” M. Baker said.
The sport is challenging, but persistence and determination can create the opportunity for success.
“I love going over [to Bushido] and seeing them work with the kids because it directly aligns to what their culture is and it complements our culture,” Butler said. “They all have the same mentaxlity: we’re here to have fun, we’re here to learn, we’re here to work, and we’re here to get better.”
Junior Kellen Baker practices a stand up on Matt Baker on April 19.
Junior Kellen Baker performs a back take with a rear naked choke on Matt Baker on April 19.
Grade Guide
What to know for next year
By Lucy Bean, Staff
Sophomore
Advice
How do you manage your schedule with extracurriculars and academic classes?
“I have to prioritize certain classes over others, or even show choir over swimming or vice versa. You can make time for anything, but it might mean sacrificing scrolling for an hour after school or watching a movie every night.” -Aubrey Sauder, 10
How do you get all of your homework done for each class while balancing outside activities?
“I tend to get as much done as possible when I am in class. Then take a small break when I get home, do some homework, go to my extra curricular activity and then come back and finish in.”
-Juan Valverde, 10
What do you think is important to remember while scheduling your courses?
“Include classes that interest you over what you think will boost your GPA because you will enjoy school and those classes way more than if you were to do the opposite.”
-Juan Valverde, 10
Senior Wisdom
What is some advice for balancing senior activities with college preparation?
“One of my biggest pieces of advice is to get your college applications done in the summer. I know no one wants to work over summer but you will be thanking yourself later. Setting time apart for yourself is super important as well, I would recommend going to school events. It’s such a good way to hang out with your friends while also being involved.” -Libby Barron, 12
Junior Hustle
How were you able to be successful on the SAT?
“One of the key factors that contributed to my success on the SAT was my time management on the test itself. It’s really easy to get caught up on a question and waste time so you want to make sure you watch the clock and move past it if it’s taking too long. This way you can answer all of the easy questions first and have plenty of time to think about the harder ones without too much stress.”
-Luke Steele, 11
How do you focus on both school and sports during the season?
“It’s harder to focus in school on game days. I get really excited to play and just think about how close it is. But I try to keep in mind that the game is going to happen at a set time, and worrying about it won’t make it happen faster.”
-Ellie Frobig, 11
What do you use to study for the AP exams and when would be a good
time to start preparing?
“My strategy for studying for AP exams is to start about 2 months out from exam day. I really like the Princeton review books so I always get one for each of my AP classes. They’re helpful because you’re able to review the whole course in a single book that also includes full length practice tests.”
-Luke Steele, 11
What should seniors focus on throughout their senior year of high school?
“I think senior year is when you should celebrate and be proud of what you have accomplished. Of course, stay focused in the classroom, but try to join clubs that are just for fun. Maybe try out for a sport you’ve never played before. Don’t be afraid to expand your circle. You might end up meeting someone cool and wondering why you never talked to them until now.” -Andy Qin, 12
What’s your biggest piece of advice for incoming seniors?
“You do not need to have your life figured out at 17-18 years old! Do not stress yourself out about it.”
-Libby Barron, 12
Moving On, Moving Still
Life after the game as former athletes stay active
By Ant Farrar, Feature Editor
For high school students, quitting your sport means the end of an era that was filled with early morning practices, hours of workouts, tireless running and years of friendships. But once the team group chat goes quiet, what comes next?
Senior Megan Miller quit volleyball after 12 years playing, and also recently stepped away from cross country. She said the biggest transition was in the amount of free time and also missing the regular interactions with teammates.
“The transition was really hard because I spent the entire summer training with the team every day,” Miller said. “So, without the team and practice, I didn’t have anything to do. For a while, I struggled to stay motivated.”
Like a lot of different athletes, Miller found herself unsure of how to fill that sports void left behind. Eventually, she found that rhythm she was looking for.
“I joined a workout class that I go to three times a week,” Miller said. “I also still enjoy running and run on the days I don’t work out. Working with a large group replicates that team aspect, and that helps.”
For Miller, staying active isn’t just about physical health, it’s tied to her mental health and well-being.
“I know for me, my mental health is better when I’m active. When I wasn’t, I didn’t feel like myself and wasn’t confident in myself,” Miller said. “It’s important to me to replicate the kind of workouts I used to do for cross country, so I feel healthy and confident.”
Senior Cole Cecil showed a similar experience after stepping away from soccer.
“The transition from soccer to life without it was hard,” Cecil said. “At first it was just so hard to not have soccer being a part of my life.”
But over time, Cecil found alternatives and more time to do things he liked and enjoyed.
“I got a lot more free time, and much more time to spend with friends and family, ” Cecil said.
Even though Cecil wasn’t on the soccer field anymore, staying active and physically healthy remained a priority in his life.
“I didn’t really struggle to find motivation to be active after quitting soccer,” Cecil said. “I’d always been working out and lifting weights, that part of my routine never left.”
He also mentions how his new routine helped him stay active, both physically and socially.
“A lot of my friends work with me at Smoothie King, so it’s fun to still have that team environment,” Cecil said.
The added flexibility was a major benefit for both athletes. Where at one point every day revolved around practice and competitions, now they’re learning to move on their own terms, and discovering new ways to stay connected to the person they were on the field or court.
Even if Miller doesn’t play volleyball competitively anymore, she still misses it. But she’s found that consistency and community, even outside of a sport, are key.
For athletes who’ve walked away from their sport, being active again isn’t really about staying in your top shape, it’s more about feeling like yourself. When your whole life has been built around a sport, letting it go can leave you feeling a little off. That’s why continuing to work out matters, even after all the games and meets are over and done with. Regular exercise and physical activity provides structure, and keeps former athletes in routines they’re familiar with. It can also help maintain confidence and a sense of self-discipline, which are qualities that stem from sports.
“It’s all about finding what works for you,” Miller said. “And realizing that just because you’re done competing, doesn’t mean you’re done being an athlete.”
Cole Cecil working out in the ZCHS weight room on April 21. Photo by Josie Brackett
Cleared for Takeoff
New enthusiast, seasoned professional share a passion for aviation
By Colin Adam, Guest Reporter
As Parthiv Nadikattu lines up with the runway, he focuses on the two red and white lights he sees through the dark sky, he receives the clear to land his Boeing 747-8 in Sydney Australia. He comes to an abrupt stop as the bell rings. Nadikattu closes his laptop to head to his next class of the day. Nadikattu, a current freshman, has the dream of taking his skills out of flight simulators and to the sky.
Nadikattu has set his sights on the aviation industry and has been working towards it since he first gained interest as a child from flights with Emirates. Despite the recent negative media exposure, he believes this is the right path for him.
Professional air traffic controller Jarod Martin currently works in Indianapolis and has almost 23 years of experience. He understands the different perspectives on aviation and how it impacts our lives.
“Incidents right now with the crash out in D.C., and some of the other stuff is more reported now,” Martin said. “So, there’s public fear out there, of flying. But I think it’s still the safest way to travel.”
The aviation industry has seen major changes, especially in technology.
“When I started the equipment was very basic,” Martin said.
He has also seen changes in staffing, mentioning how over the years aviation workers retire, creating smaller staffs, which is problematic when combined with increased air travel. Airlines For America in 2023 found that “nearly 90% of Americans have flown commercially.”
“If there was no aviation and it suddenly stopped, there would be major chaos,” Nadikattu said. “Traveling would be very hard, especially when you want to go from one side of the country to the other side of
the country.”
The ICAO states “the industry is expected to grow a little over 4% each year for the next 20 years.” Aerospace company Boeing predicts that over 2.5 million aviation jobs will be needed in the next 20 years to maintain the current growth of the industry projected.
“Right now, I’m working six day weeks because of the lack of staffing. That’s a big challenge, people aren’t really willing to do that,” Martin said. “Holidays, weekends, a lot of overtime was just putting a strain on all the controllers themselves or seeing a high increase in burnout factor.”
Nadikattu, although heavily interested in being a pilot, has kept his doors open to other jobs in the field such as a website manager or a technician “to remain part of the aviation industry.”
Nadikattu just wants to learn new things about the stuff he loves.
When Nadikattu gets time to play games or just wants to relax he usually picks flight simulator because of the calm feeling he gets from it.
“Relaxing at least gives me the experience of flight,” he said.
Nadikattu has been playing flight simulator for years, practicing multiple different weather types, planes, and flight routes, gaining experience and knowledge he can use to help him in the future.
With inspired students like Nadikattu
and a dedicated workforce like Martin, the aviation industry will continue to grow, despite challenges.
“Incidents happen every day, that’s what we’re here for,” Martin said. “I would fly every day of the week if I had to. I wouldn’t be scared of it at all.”
Freshman Parthiv Nadikattu practices on a flight simulator on April 22. Photos by Josie Brackett
A PUSH Towards Success
AP U.S. History puts preparation for the AP as first priority
By Luke Kouns, News Editor
It is the main goal of an AP class to prepare its students for the AP exam in May, a goal that ZCHS typically does very well. Many classes such as AP Psychology and AP Calculus BC help prepare students through AP-style practice tests, while others classes such as AP World History dedicate a unit to getting comfortable with the unique AP-style free response formats.
But there is one class that puts preparation for May’s exam not just at the forefront, but as the foundation of the entire class curriculum. And through its cumulative AP-style tests and organized binder of accumulated resources, it has left me more prepared than I have ever felt.
“The entire [APUSH] curriculum is based on the AP rubric,” APUSH teacher Brandon Mooradian said. “We focus both on content and on writing skills throughout the entire year.”
Like many at Zionsville, my first AP class, and therefore first AP exam, was AP World History, which followed the more common unit by unit testing structure. This meant that at the end of the year, we had to
refresh on topics not seen since the beginning of the year. And by the end of that studying, I felt more stressed than prepared.
APUSH tackles this problem through cumulative testing. Every test taken in APUSH includes subjects from the whole year, encouraging students to refresh on past topics many times a semester.
“The final exam that you’re going to take in May, the AP exam, is a whole summary [of U.S. History], 1491 to present,” Mooradian said. “So we wanted to get going and just continue to stack information on top of each other [throughout the year].”
Having AP-style tests throughout the year also allows students to become comfortable with the AP question styles, which may be new to first-time AP students. Having these formats on the class tests allows students to receive feedback on their work, guiding students towards better practices. As Mooradian says, “I think long-term practice is a successful route.”
There is further advantage to having these types of questions in every test as opposed to the easier-graded multiple choice practice tests presented in classes such as AP Psychology. Beyond students being more inclined to take the tests seriously, the AP format and tight block period time restraint allow students to experience what the AP exam may feel like before taking the actual exam.
“I do think getting used to the pressure cooker that is the AP exam makes the actual exam not as stressful when you walk in there,” Mooradian said. “So my students, when they walk in May 9, they’ll already have felt the pressure, felt the clock, they’ll have felt all the things that are components of the AP exam. And they’ll be used to it.”
I’ll be the first to admit, however, that no matter how logical or preparatory the curriculum is, its arduous and taxing structure feels really overwhelming. Luckily, the APUSH teachers have found ways to keep these benefits while easing the pressure on students’ GPAs.
Every semester of APUSH has three tests and two chances to make up to five multiple
choice questions and one free response question up by demonstrating your understanding and correcting your mistakes. Along with this, Mooradian said that APUSH teachers usually, “cushion before and after unit tests with projects that anybody who’s willing to put in an effort can access.”
APUSH isn’t the only class to utilize AP-style tests as a standard, however. AP Literature, for example, tests students using the same in-class essay writing structure that is used in the AP exam, simplified because of time constraints.
This is a practice I urge all AP classes to adopt to some level. Forcing students to adapt to the AP structure throughout the year enables students to excel at new structures and difficult exams in ways practice tests and last minute studying simply can’t.
“The proof is in the pudding. [APUSH] has traditionally been one of the hardest AP exams there is, and year after year, we continue to score an average far above [other APUSH classes] in the United States,” Mooradian said. “So I think the benefit is we are making you prepared on day one, rather than the last two weeks.”
Robert Fisher (11) participates in the Crisis of Confidence Speed Dating activity on April 18.
Photo by Joise Brackett
Brandon Mooradian teaches his AP U.S. History on dress up day on April 18.
Photo by Josie Brackett
Staying Connected
By Gia Villarrubia, Staff
Imagine scrolling on your phone and coming across a post that completely changes the way you think about politics. Maybe it’s an idea you never considered before, from a perspective from someone halfway across the world. That’s the huge influence of social media; it can open your eyes to new ideas and opinions.
Social media connects us to people. When you follow different people or join groups online, you see a wide range of thoughts and opinions on every topic, from politics to hobbies and many more.
Social media plays a big role in teenagers’ lives. It helps them express themselves through photos, videos, writing and art. Social media has also started lots of teens careers like Demetra Dias. She had a chance to make clothes, model and collaborate with huge brands such as Beginning Boutique
The bad, good of social media
and Hollister. By sharing their talents and staying consistent, young creators can turn their hobbies into careers whether through brand partnerships, launching their own businesses, or becoming influencers. According to the National Library of Medicine, 71% of teenagers use social media to express themselves creatively.
Influencers like Kayla Malec, who shares signs of domestic abuse in an effort to help viewers see signs of unsafe situations. Through her videos, Kayla not only helps viewers recognize subtle signs of abuse but also encourages and empowers individuals to seek help or support others who may be at risk.
Social media has played a huge role in spreading awareness about important social movements such as, #MeToo, climate change action and animal rights move-
Hidden Costs
By Addy Cieciek, Staff
Social media algorithms play a big role in how we see different opinions. These algorithms are made to show us content that matches our interests and what we’ve liked before. Social media has a chokehold on the pre-teens, teens and adolescents of today. Being one of the first things teenagers check when they wake up in the morning and the last thing they look at before they go to bed leaves no doubt about the powerful impact of social media.
According to Yellow Bus ABA, 210 million people are believed to be struggling with social media addiction. What this addiction can consist of is hours on TikTok or Instagram reels, mainly consisting of people on vacation, buying something, or working out, leaving viewers to be influenced to over consume
on clothes or food.
What people post on social media can make their lives appear “perfect,” so what effect does that have on us? Feeling pressured by people and their content to only post things that are pretty and perfect can be mentally draining to people, especially those who are influencers.
The honest truth is, almost nobody wants to show the imperfect side of their life. Opening up your life for the world to see can entail cyberbullying, pressure and mental health struggles. These negative comments and online hate can seriously affect a teen’s self esteem.
When looking at social media a large percentage of engagers will see the same videos that are most liked, social media makes it harder to create original ideas and encourages managers to follow the ideas of others, which takes away from personality or self expression but to follow others ideas that are trending. Opinions can also shift quickly based on what an influencer says is “in” or “out”. Influencers and users often spread biased or misleading information that shapes your own opinion based on their opinion.
Why do teenagers trust influencers so much? Because they think they know them
ments. These movements have opened the eyes of millions to issues that might have been ignored or misunderstood before.
When you see videos or read posts from real people, it’s easier to connect with their struggles and realize how these issues affect the world. What you once may have thought of as a distant or unimportant issue can suddenly feel personal and urgent.
based on how much they watch their content but that can lead to false claims about health, political and social issues. Influencers can use their emotional connection and appeal to appear more persuasive to whoever is watching.
Influencers like Embreigh Courtlyn, Demetra Dias and Michelle Autumn that give weekly “get ready with me” videos, vlogs, and hauls that flood our feeds with weekly showings of products and clothes that they insist we need. Behind the trendy outfits and aesthetic packaging is a lie and a strategy.
Influencers also get PR packages from companies to promote their products and then those influencers give QR codes to give you 10% off if you purchase from that clothing brand. What the influencers actually “need” from you is your money, using their QR code, and liking and following their videos makes them money.
In the end influencers don’t just sell you on products they sell you on their opinion to benefit themselves. So next time when you’re scrolling through social media, question the intention behind the content you consume because not everything is worth your trust or your money.
With finals
looming, students crave a well-earned break before the school year ends
By Srinithya Basireddy, Perspectives Editor and Ari Spence, Staff
With the anticipation of summer just around the corner, students are eager to be done with school. However, the week in between AP exams and finals seems like an endless buffer. These days are usually the most stressful times, with students just wanting a little time to unwind and recharge. So why don’t we have any fun during this time?
This year, some of the much-anticipated field trips were postponed or are uncertain, leaving students frustrated. For students, these trips were more than just a break; they were a way to bring learning into real life.
“Field trips provide a way for the students to apply their in-class thinking on outside world topics,” junior Andrew Shonalou said. “So, doing a field trip is a lot more engaging for students.”
The AP Statistics class had planned a trip to a baseball game, while the Physics students were set to visit Kings Island. These trips gave students the opportunity to apply their coursework beyond the classroom.
“Field trips are an educational yet fun reward at the end of the year,” junior Akshansh Nandan said. “We can see our in-school education put to use in the real world.”
learned knowledge in real-world experienc es is crucial for a deeper understanding of classroom material. According to a 2023 study by the American Institutes for Research, students who participate in experi ential learning, including field trips, show better retention of knowledge and reduced stress, especially around high-pressure times like exams. But despite this, many trips were called off due to concerns about timing.
“AP testing takes the first two weeks of May, and then our teachers are saying that it’s hard for us to connect to students that we need to see right before the end of the school year, especially seniors,” ZCHS Principal Karen McDaniel said. “So when they go on field trips, teachers have a hard time scheduling anything. So our suggestion those [field trips] and move them to a different time.”
Trips like these can be beneficial to certain classes’ curriculum, and using
Graphics by Srinithya Basireddy
While seniors get to enjoy traditions like Senior Sunrise and Senior Assassins, there aren’t many fun activities for the younger students. These events are big milestones for seniors, but they also show how little is offered to underclassmen.
It’s easy to feel left out when most of the attention is on the graduating class, leaving those still working towards that moment with fewer ways to celebrate.
While it’s true that study time is essential as exams approach, alternative fun activities could serve as a well-timed break, offering students a mental reset before jumping into finals prep. Especially after two grueling weeks of AP exams, a brief shift in environment can be refreshing. A change in environment, especially after two intense weeks of AP exams, may be exactly what students need to prevent burnout.
Additionally, pep rallies are an exciting event, but we’ve only had one. These rallies are meant to bring the school together,
Field day is another tradition that we are deprived of in high school. In middle school, tt was something students looked forward to, a chance to take a break from academics, be outside, and just have fun with friends at the end of the year.
While high school is more demanding than middle school, which usually has a regular tradition of hosting field days, the more rigorous schedules don’t mean there shouldn’t be time to enjoy the last days of school before summer.
High school is stressful enough with AP classes, college applications, and extracurriculars, so when do students have the time to enjoy their last years of being kids? The last weeks of school should not just be an empty gap of time waiting for finals and aching for summer.
Cancelled
The cycle of passive support for controversial creators needs to end
By Marissa Villarrubia, Co-Editor in Chief
Cancel culture has become one of the most effective ways to publicly shame others for their wrongdoings; whether that is for lying, cheating or tweeting inside thoughts. Despite the original dismay and shame put upon influencers for their actions, their platform often stays intact, reeling in millions of views per video.
Even if we don’t realize it, each time we stream “Heartless,” by Kanye West on Spotify, according to Ditto Music 70% of the profits go towards the self-proclaimed Nazi, Kanye West. After his most recent outburst on social media platform X (formally known as Twitter) in early February, it has become clear that people still don’t understand that separating the art from the artist is impossible.
Each time the famous artist has an outburst spewing hateful, antisemitic comments, a new round of people on social media defend keeping his music in their playlist rotation. Rarely do I see people saying they no longer support someone who has so much hate in their heart. This goes beyond West, spilling over into social media influencers who have been exposed for a multitude of misconduct and inappropriately apologizing to the void of unresponsive followers they’ve accumulated. This behavior is continuously positively rewarded as the unaffected leave comments under influencer crying videos accepting the apology each month.
Having a viral scandal seems to be a cannon event for most influencers. So why are we even making an effort to shame them if the result is a three-month hiatus and a better than ever comeback? After reading and digesting what has been revealed, viewers still consume the content of people with viewpoints such as Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield, both of whom have a multitude of cancellations and racist tweets under their belts.
Iconically, the two run their own podcast titled “Cancelled,” in which they discuss recent influencer drama and other taboo topics. After Schofield’s most recent
scandal, she left the internet for a couple of months before rejoining Tana as if nothing had happened. Her address to her audience offered only excuses. Their disregard for the severity of their actions is what makes cancel culture so momentary.
James Charles, who was canceled in 2019 after groom ing accusations inside the beauty community, cur rently has 40.6 million followers on TikTok and recovered his platform within months of the orig inal allegations and a single 45-minute apology video that has since been deleted. The apologies being offered aren’t of real sincerity; they are merely meant to placate audiences into continuing to consume their content and give them money.
In cases outside of content creators, such as J.K Rowling’s Twitter scandals, the conversation grows in complexity as the almost three-decade-old fanbase of Potterheads debates the moral implications of continuing to support her work. She recently took to X on International Asexuality Day to express her distaste for the day with a complete lack of decorum. As one of the wizarding world’s fans, I no longer support Rowling’s work or platform by ceasing any purchases that could give her commission. In situations such as these, I don’t discredit the quality of her writing but I also won’t continue to give her money or influence seeing as she is far from reflecting my morals.
would be easier for us to disregard all their issues than have an open discussion about the impact of supporting them.
There’s a reason artists like Kanye West have a handful of Grammys. Their work is objectively good in their given field. It
By consuming their content you are indirectly supporting the ideals of artists and influencers, giving them a platform to spread these ideals. While one view or like on a video can seem like nothing, the weight of what you are supporting is much heavier than you might think. Who we support is similar to donating to a cause or foundation, despite not directly depositing money into their accounts we still fund their lives. As the consumers of media we choose who to support and give a platform to, so let’s amplify the voices that reflect our values.
Graphic by Marissa Villarrubia