Editorial: Go-Away-Guardian Harbinger Staff
Web monitoring software used on school Chromebooks required for underclassmen
We have all read plenty of dystopian stories in our English classes. And now, Big Brother has come to our school with a new name: GoGuardian.
Freshmen and sophomores are now required to use school-provided Chromebooks equipped with GoGuardian, a software that, when enabled, can close tabs, block websites and monitor web usage. It’s extreme surveillance dressed up as “keeping students focused.”
While the software can be used for good, such as preventing cheating or in-class AI use, the negatives are longer-lasting than its short-term fixes.
Making mistakes, and the personal growth that comes from them, is a central part of being a teenager. If a student spends an entire period watching Netflix instead of studying, they’ll face the consequences of failing that test. That sting is what teaches us to change our patterns.
when we get to work or college, all distractions will be removed, we’re in for a rude awakening when we realize that isn't the case.
Not only does it stop us from learning self-control, it prevents us from building meaningful relationships with our teachers. This constant monitoring screams that our teachers don’t trust us. And when people are treated as if they’re unreliable, they often act that way. A classroom built on surveillance only creates resentment, while a classroom built on mutual respect creates a desire to learn in an authentic way.
Everyone knows you learn best from your mistakes, so why are we now prohibited from making them?
Real consequences lead to real growth while fake control only delays the inevitable.
If every distraction is erased by software, we never learn how to resist it ourselves. We’ll just get used to someone else doing the work for us. Everyone knows you learn best from your mistakes, so why are we now prohibited from making them? Real consequences lead to real growth while fake control only delays the inevitable.
High school is supposed to be a stepping stone into the real world. If we expect that
Our school has many practices that claim to prepare us for adulthood, but adulthood doesn’t come with GoGuardian. Overreliance on this surveillance may create short-term compliance, but it destroys long-term independence. We don’t need to be babysat. We need to be trusted to grow with guidance from teachers, not relentless control.
Teachers have the power to choose how and when this software is used. Use it when necessary, but don’t lean on it as a cure-all for distraction. Let us manage our own time, make our own mistakes and learn the skills that adulthood will demand. If the goal of high school is to prepare us to be capable, responsible members of society, then the lesson has to start now. Not with control but with trust.
Cover photo: Warming up during practice, Maddie Bruns (12) runs on the track alongside Delaney Schmidt (11) on Sept. 10. Photo by Lilly Steele
Demonstrators at Johnson County Park on Aug. 24 protest the potential use of Camp Atterbury as an ICE detention center. Photos by Brody Brown
Immigration
in Indiana
Indiana’s government embraces anti-immigration law and practices
By Brody Brown, Feature Editor
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 60,930 migrants are in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers as of Aug. 29.
Indiana has become a foundational state backing the Trump administration’s plans. After signing executive order 25-29, Governor Mike Braun has aligned himself with President Donald Trump in directing law enforcement to cooperate with ICE.
Executive order 25-29 authorizes state and local law enforcement to investigate and detain individuals who are under suspicion of illegal presence in the country.
“We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership,” Braun said in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release on Aug. 5.
The executive order resulted in full law enforcement cooperation with ICE and multiple locations across the state being set up to house newly detained immigrants based on the executive order. Key facilities include the Miami Correctional Facility, Clay County Jail and possibly Indiana national guard training facility Camp Atterbury.
After winning the presidential race last year, one of Trump’s main promises as president was waging a campaign against illegal immigration in America.
According to an announcement from the White House after his election, “enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public
safety of the United States.”
According to the Pew Research Center, 11 million people immigrated to the United States from 2020 to 2023, reaching a record high of residents not born in the United States.
The administration’s immigration policy has been active for months now, with ICE sweeping states and investigating communities for immigrants without documentation. But the crackdown on immigration has brought up questions over the legality and ethics of these detainings.
“Every day in the news all over this country, you hear about people being ripped out of their cars and homes by immigration enforcement officers who refuse to show their faces or badges,” immigration lawyer William Gerstein said. “Families become separated as kids born in the U.S. are allowed to stay, but how can they if their parents are detained or deported?”
Gerstein, a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, has been practicing immigration law since 1995.
“It has been very hectic this year compared to last year,” Gerstein said. “We receive calls from people all over the country who have loved ones detained.”
One of these stories of detainment was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who received national attention after he was illegally deported to the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT) without a trial and his detainment was called an “administrative error,” by ICE.
“In the case of [Garcia], he was put on notice that the government intends to deport
him to Uganda, a war torn, third world country in Africa where this man or these people have absolutely no connections, no where to go and no way to survive,” Gerstein said. “Our government is deporting people to places such as El Salvador where they are put in the maximum security CECOT prison without any trial or due process.”
The threats of deportation or detainment are having an affect on immigrants all across the country. Senior Santiago Angulo has been living in the U.S. via the permanent residency program.
“A lot of what they’re doing is harsh,” Angulo said. “I understand that immigration policies have to be put in place; you can’t just have everybody entering the country, but I feel like they could put more money into helping people get the help they need, rather than kicking everyone out.”
Angulo’s family came to United States when he was young and has grown up in the country his whole life.
“[Being an immigrant] is not too different, I mean, I have those cultural ties, I go visit El Salvador every year,” Angulo said. “[But] everything I remember is living here.”
The deciding factors of who is and isn’t eligible for deportation are being pushed for a harder operation.
“While we’ve heard threats from this administration, [they] cannot easily take away the citizenship of a naturalized person,” Gerstein said. “Certainly people who have overstayed their visas, permanent residents who are convicted of certain crimes, refugees and of course, those who entered illegally [are
susceptible to removal].”
Trump’s administration from the beginning has been making concerted efforts to strengthen their mission through cooperation with states and government programs.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson said in a directive from January.
The directive allows for ICE to conduct raids in schools, places of worship and hospitals, historically restricted locations of detainment.
According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, 70.4% of those individuals who have been detained by ICE have no criminal record.
Along with efforts to deport currently residing immigrants who are here illegally, Temporary Protected Status programs (TPS) for people in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Venezuela have all been terminated in 2025, according to the American Immigration Council.
“I would say that the largest effect has been the cancellation of many of the TPS programs,” Gernstein said. “Some of the people who lived and worked here under those programs have been here for 25 or more years. This means that they are members of the community and have laid down roots. Taking this away from them, without advance warning, has been devastating. For example, the U.S. government has cited improved
Protesters gather with hand made signs against ICE, deportation and similar causes.
such as Haiti and Venezuela, justifying their cancellation of these programs. [But], even our government’s own travel warnings for U.S. citizens to these countries cite the precise reasons why conditions have not improved.”
The question then comes of why so many people are immigrating illegally?
“I agree with [Trump] on the abuse of the asylum system, I have seen people from places like The Bahamas, not a country where people generally escape persecution, have applied for asylum and not even understanding the purpose of the application other than an easy way to get long-term employment authorization in the U.S.,” Gerstein said. Seeking asylum is the process of individuals seeking refuge from persecution they were experiencing in their previous country.
permanent resident for at least five years, and must be a person of ‘good moral character’,” Gerstein said. “During that period of time, [an immigrant] must have spent at least half of the days in the past five years in the US. There are other requirements and disqualifications, but these are the most pertinent.”
For the average person seeking asylum in America, it could take months or years before they have an interview. This leads to many immigrants applying for renewable work permits and living in the U.S. while awaiting an interview.
“The [immigration] process is really lengthy,” Angulo said. “We came here on my dad’s work visa and then from there, it was going through the process of getting [closer to citizenship].”
Angulo’s family has been getting the identification needed for citizenship for years and he plans on taking his citizenship test when he turns 18.
“It would be way more complicated for me to get it now as a minor when I’m just about to exit my household,” Angulo said.
The naturalization process operating the way it does, with interviews having to be scheduled years in advance, sometimes discourages people from seeking residency in those ways, especially while an anti-immigrant sentiment is strong in government.
“[Immigrants] are not any different from you,” Angulo said. “We are people too; there is no reason to treat us differently.”
School provided devices equipped with monitoring software required for all underclassmen
Control on Chromebooks
By Izzie Paino, Reporter and Lilly Steele, Editor-in-Chief
Anew policy regarding student technology use started this school year.
Freshmen and sophomores have been given Chromebooks to use during school. The school will continue to phase in Chromebooks for all future students until all grades use the devices.
Across the school, there are many different opinions on the new Chromebook program. However, this technology intiative is here to stay as part of a statewide program that ensures all students are provided with a computer, laptop or tablet. The goal of this program is to increase engagement and quality of learning in classrooms while teaching students how to use technology responsibly, safely and respectfully.
Chromebooks are web-based laptops, meaning students cannot download or customize any software on the laptop.
The Chromebooks utilize a program called GoGuardian that has been installed on all of them. This software is used for internet filtering and monitoring.
English teacher Katie Morario uses GoGuardian in her English 9 and English 10 classes.
“This feature allows teachers and admin to control the device without any physical contact,” Morario said.
Having the same device for all students can allow for technology problems to be solved quicker and easier.
“Teachers can focus more on teaching and less on troubleshooting. Common issues, like connecting to Wi-Fi or printing, become easier to manage, ensuring that all students have equal access to instructional time and resources,” ZCHS administration said in a parent newsletter explaining the new policy.
While many teachers approve of the new system, some students have run into issues.
“[Chromebooks] take a while to load, and the mousepad doesn’t always click and move smoothly,” sophomore Annmarie Jovanovich said. “I think they’re really slow, and I’ve already had problems in class with them.”
Zionsville chose Chromebooks due to their durability and ability to handle the wear and tear of student use.
“If something does go wrong, the affordable insurance plan covers the cost of repairs or replacement, giving peace of mind without breaking the budget,” administration said.
Students like Jovanovich faced having to quickly adjust to the new technology after using personal computers in the past.
“I’ve been using a Mac for the past five years, so I’m used to it,” Jovanovich said. “Being forced to switch to a Chromebook makes it really difficult.”
The school allows students to use their own devices for personal purposes such as gaming and social media when given free time to do so.
“This distinction between school-owned and personal devices provides an excellent opportunity to teach students an important life skill: how to separate work from leisure. This lesson will not only help them stay focused at school, but also prepare them for managing technology in their future careers,” administration said.
Each teacher has their own way of implementing this technology with varying levels of use of GoGuardian.
“I’ve heard some horror stories about teachers closing out homework tabs for other classes,” Jovonovich said.
Through the Chromebooks and GoGuardian, teachers can control technology use in the classroom.
“I like that I can see what the students are doing, keep them on track,” Morario said. “You can block websites [and] you can allow websites.”
This technology also ensures that students do their classwork without distractions. One month in, Morario is already noticing a positive change.
“I’ve noticed more focus,” Morario said. “It seems like students are less likely to try to sneak and play a game. Students, at least over the past few weeks, have been turning things in. I’ve had a higher success rate.”
Building the Future
Construction to reshape athletics, drop off/pick up
By Dhani Miller, Reporter
The parking lots look quite a bit different than before summer break. The ticket building near Door Three has completely disappeared, and a good amount of the parking lot is fenced off and has been overtaken by construction equipment. Many Zionsville students are left wondering, what is happening out there? And how long until it goes back to normal?
The fenced off area is the start of construction on a two-story addition to the front of the school, near the swimming pool entrance and the south side of the Varsity gym. This addition will include a new training room and an auxiliary gym. The current pool entrance will also be renovated.
According to assistant principal Matt Walter, there was not enough space in these areas to accommodate everyone, especially when indoor sports are in full swing.
“We have games and teams come into our school and they need locker room space for the game, but our teams in various sports are practicing,” Walter said. “There are just not enough places for everybody.”
This addition also adds a layer of safety
and security for individuals and their belongings.
Instead of piles of bags lining the walls in the Wedge, athletes will now have space in the new locker rooms to put their belongings.
“Have you ever walked through the Wedge at the end of the day?” Walter asked. “There are book bags everywhere, and they’re not locked up, and people can lose things.”
Another notable change will be the addition of a turnaround area similar to a roundabout near Door Three. It will make drop-off and pick-up more convenient, faster and safer, Walter said. This will help avoid pedestrians and vehicles mixing, which is currently a safety concern.
“I would call it a cul-de-sac,” Walter said. “There will be a lane coming up to Door Three that a car can pull in and turn around and leave. If you’re dropping a kid off, you’re not going to be waiting on the curb where other cars are trying to drive, or where there are rows of parking along that same lane. It will be exclusively a drop off loop.”
The entire project is split into two phases, the first phase is building the new structures, and the second phase focuses on renovating the outdated areas that will not be completely removed.
Walter currently estimates that it will take about 18 months until everything is
completed. Fortunately, students will not have to wait that long before the parking situation improves.
Once marching band season wraps up in October, the parking lot they practice in will open for parking, adding approximately 120 parking spaces that are relatively close to the school.
In the meantime, Walter offered some advice on utilizing different entrances to help make entering and exiting campus easier.
“My advice to students, particularly right now, is if you’re parking or getting dropped off, come to the east campus,” Walter said. “[Enter] Door 42. You can come in off Mulberry Street, zip in, park back there, get right into the school. If you want to park on the west end, I’d park behind the football stadium and walk in. If I were [a student], I would just avoid Door Three.”
Despite the inconveniences that the construction has created, it is paving the way to make ZCHS a safer, more efficient and more welcoming place for athletes, parents and Eagles alike.
Renderings by architect Fanning & Howey. Construction by the Skillman Corporation.
Construction on the area around door three on Sept. 5. Photo by Dhani Miller
Rendering of the new locker room.
Rendering of the new gym.
Mrs. Worldwide
Teacher Danielle Wilson spent a year traveling the world, finding lessons outside the classroom
By Ant Farrar, Sports Editor
Instead of spending the last year buried in school work and lesson plans, social studies teacher Danielle Wilson spent 12 months trading her classroom for a year-long journey around the globe with her husband.
She walked through India, volunteered in Tanzania, discovered new cultures from Hawaii to Jordan and much more.
The idea came to Wilson and her husband after their daughter took most of 2024 to back pack around Central America and Europe.
“We looked at each other and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, we should do this’,” Wilson said.
After 18 months of planning, the couple sold their
house and began their journey with a one-way ticket to Hawaii. From there, they moved west, going through Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
In India, Wilson stayed behind after her husband left to go back to the U.S., and spent two weeks at a meditation and yoga retreat.
Maasai community, helping at a school and a
“Both times I was by myself, traveling in a completely unfamiliar place,”
small in a good way.”
In preparation for their trip, Wilson and her husband listened to a podcast about a couple who quit their jobs to travel around the world, giving her the idea to document their journey as well. They named the podcast “The Wandering Wilsons,” where they shared stories every week on the places they visited. They even continued the podcast after returning home.
Wilson said. “It wasdating at first, but it turned out to be an amazing experience. I met incredible people. It showed me how capable I really am, just because I traveled solo in a place where I was
Her life-changing experience also reshaped her teaching back home.
“This is the first year I’ve slept every night before school starts,” Wilson said. “I’m less stressed because I’ve realized not to sweat the small stuff. Seeing the world makes you feel
“We just started season two,” Wilson said. “We thought we should do an episode on life back here and how it’s different.”
Wilson had traveled to many places before this trip, but one place in particular sticks out to her the most.
“I recommend Jordan,” Wilson said. “It wasn’t on our original plan, but we spent three weeks there and loved it. It’s beautiful and so different from what we know here. The people were some of the kindest we’ve ever met.”
Wilson wasn’t able to travel the world when she was younger, so she emphasized the importance of taking the opportunity sooner rather than later.
“Don’t wait until you’re in your 50s to do it,” Wilson said. “It’s much harder to do it when you’re older.”
Wilson’s year abroad proved that traveling doesn’t have to be overly expensive or only be for a certain demographic of people, its for everyone.
“Go out and do it,” Wilson said. “Make it happen.”
Photos submitted by Wilson
Map of everywhere Wilson visited on her trip
Best Of Fall
From pumpkin patches to baking pies, fall is about making
By Gia Villarrubia, Reporter
Baking
Baking is a fall favorite activity for lots of reasons. It brings warmth and comfort to the season. For lots of people baking in the fall means reconnecting with family and friends, celebrating the season, and enjoying a sweet treat together.
“My favorite thing to bake in the fall is sugar cream pie, freshman Bella Hooper said. “It’s special to me because my grandma makes it every year for our family reunion, and it’s a family recipe.”
Traditions like this make baking more than just a hobby; they turn it into a way to be with loved ones.
cozy memories
Hiking
Hiking in the fall is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and take in all the beauty the season has to offer. The cooler weather makes long walks more comfortable and the colorful leaves make a picture perfect trail, stunning backdrops for photos and make each hike feel unique.
“Hiking in any park with a river or creek is one of my favorite things to do,” senior hiking club co-president Steven Aung said. “Turkey Run and Starkey [Park] are two that have that.”
Beyond the scenery, hiking in the fall is a great way to connect with friends and family. Many people enjoy packing snacks, tak ing breaks at overlooks or talking along a trail.
“Being by the water is also a huge plus, it’s just the calmness of a body of water, flowing or not, that affects how you feel,” Aung said. “But most importantly, the people you hike with is where the fun comes from.”
Pumpkin Patches
umpkin patches are more than just a place to pick pumpkins; they are a fun fall favorite where you can enjoy hayrides, corn mazes, apple cider, fall treats and pick out your favorite pumpkin to carve or decorate.
“My favorite was picking out a pumpkin because it felt special to find one that was just right,” sophomore Emma Solano said. “It made me feel like I was really part of the fall season, and it’s something I’ll always
One fun pumpkin patch to visit is Stuckeys Farm, located in nearby Sheridan, Indiana. Visitors can enjoy activities like
Stuckey’s store selling fresh produce on Sept. 4. Photos by Gia Villarubia
Starkey Nature Park on Sept. 10. Photo by Gia Villarubia
Photo by Ellie Vanderbur
Crown with a Cause
By Addi Smith, Photo Editor
Q: When did you start doing pageants?
From comforting and providing entertainment to seniors in nursing homes to speaking about real-world issues, senior Eva Branam is making changes, one pageant at a time. Branam shares her inspiration, biggest supporters, tips, challenges, and goals, explaining that pageantry isn’t just voluminous evening gowns and sashes, but something that amplifies the bigger picture by bringing positive change to the community.
A: “I started in 2023. I was in Lions Park, and there was a flyer, and I was sitting there thinking that would be really fun. So, I decided to go to this local pageant. I had absolutely zero clue what pageants even were.”
Q: Which win has meant the most to you?
A: “Definitely the current title I hold, which is Miss Spirit of Indiana’s Teen. It is so special to me, because it’s my first local pageant title that I’ve held and I won with my sister. Every pageant has a Miss and a Teen title, and we actually got crowned together. She is the Miss, and I am the Teen, and I think it’s the first time sisters have won together.”
Q: Who inspires you the most?
A: “My sister, both inside and outside of the pageant world. Her story behind her pageant is One in Four, and she talks about how one in four women are sexually abused, and she, unfortunately, was a victim of this. She had never been on stage, like doing performing arts, but she changed this narrative of being a victim into being a victor. . . Her voice amplifies because of her titles, and she speaks so confidently. It just inspires me so much, and I’m sure it inspires many other women out there who may be facing the same struggles as her.”
Q: How does pageantry enact change and attract attention from the community?
A: “The crown and sash amplify people’s voices. I feel like even though we do wear crowns and sashes, it truly isn’t all that. There is so much more behind it and I’ve made some of the best friends ever because of that.”
Q: What is one thing people misunderstand about pageants?
A: “We have a community service initiative behind our titles, which has helped that stereotype kind of flip. My community service is Heartstrings, and I go to nursing homes to share music and also just spend quality time with the senior citizens, because there are a lot of people out there with no family around them, and they can get scared because they don’t have people.”
Q: Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to succeed in pageants?
A: “Be yourself. The pageant world is so much more casual than people think it is. We have 10-minute interviews with judges at every single competition, and people usually freak out about this and think of all the things they need to say. The judges love to see your realistic side, your funny side, and audiences do too.”
Q: What is the hardest part about participating in pageants?
A: “I definitely struggled with speaking. We have on-stage questions, which everyone usually freaks out about. You have no idea what they’re gonna ask you, and that’s something I really struggled with.”
Designed by Brody Brown
Q: Are there opportunities to win scholarships?
A: “The Miss America Organization is actually the biggest scholarship program in America and it’s beautiful to see the opportunities that come out of that. Through my local title, I have won many scholarships; it’s a fund that goes straight to your college.”
Volleyball D1 Duo
Josie Imes, Elli Strecker balance national recognition, college commitments and friendship as they push each other toward success
By Addy Cieciek, Reporter
At just 17 years old, Josie Imes and Elli Strecker are nationally ranked and D1 committed athletes, with Imes set to attend the University of Alabama and Strecker the University of Louisville. Their skills on the court have earned them both many achievements, media attention and opportunities to meet players across the country. With each practice and game these girls feel their bond and connection grow.
“My teammates are my best friends and my biggest supporters,” Imes said. Both athletes dedicate hours daily to refining their skills, practicing and competing in games.
“We practice every Monday through Saturday from five to seven and we typically have two games a week,” Imes said.
Even though they are going to play for different colleges, Imes and Strecker still maintain the friendship they have built through their many years playing together and continue to help each other grow.
“My biggest lesson in life that I’ve learned is to focus on the relationships in my life because my teammates are my best friends,” Imes said. “Vol-
leyball has brought me my best friends and has taught me that the people I surround myself with are going to be my biggest advocates”.
Despite playing different positions they are able to support and push one another.
“I think Josie and I are such good friends because we’re both very competitive but we want the best for each other,” Strecker said.
Their friendship wasn’t the only thing that brought them to where they are today. Finding her talent at a young age was a big breakthrough for Strecker.
“I started playing volleyball in seventh grade because my friends were playing and I made JV as a freshman and that really inspired me,” Strecker said.
Imes credits her mom to getting her started with volleyball.
“I started in the beginning of seventh grade because my mom played volleyball in college and because I knew my friends were playing,” Imes said.
These early starts led them to their recent college decision process where they had to decide what meant the most for them in a potential school.
“I wanted to be close to home and when I went to camp there I really liked the coaches and the players,” Stecker said.
Imes also went through the same process in her commitment.
“What led me to choosing Alabama was the coaching staff that I had an instant
connection with and for me Alabama has every resource I need to be successful,” Imes said.
For these girls balancing school and volleyball can be a struggle but they both have their ways of finding balance.
“My main focus during the week is getting my homework done in class and the weekends I focus on volleyball,” Strecker said.
There are many methods they use to stay organized with both school and practices.
“My time management skills have gotten very good and I schedule all my weeks out,” Imes said.
To stay focused they have to forget the success and prioritize the team.
“The way I handle the pressure is to push it all to the side, and that the titles and the awards aren’t on my mind when playing, and when I’m playing I throw myself into a team setting,” Imes said.
Even though they sometimes have to push their success and expectations to the side, being nationally ranked, recognized by different colleges and earning titles and rewards motivates them to keep working hard.
“I like to think pressure is a privilege, and it’s a privilege to be known,” Strecker said.
Designed by Srinithya Basireddy
Imes bumps the ball to her partner during practice on Sept. 5. Photos by Izzie Paino
Strecker prepares to pass the ball to her partner during warm ups at practice on Sept. 5
Chasing One Goal
Girls and boys cross country teams combine for first time
in 20 years
By Ari Spence, News Editor
This season, the girls and boys cross country teams have combined, forming a co-ed program for the first time in 20 years.
Gabe Porras, a Spanish teacher who has been coaching the boys’ team for 24 years is now the combined team’s head coach.
“Originally, the onset of girls cross country was in the early 1980s, and it was a co-ed program until about 2004,” Porras said. “But for the last 20 years, as the school’s gotten larger, there’s been a different head coach [for either team].”
In the past, the co-ed program functioned efficiently, but was separated as the team grew. The teams’ combination this year was due to the resignation of the former girls’ head coach last season, causing a renewed
interest in combining the teams, Porras explained.
This isn’t the first time Porras has coached a co-ed team, as when he started as an assistant cross country coach in 2001, the team was co-ed. Porras explained how in 2004 two separate head coaches were hired, and the co-ed team split.
“I think [the cross country team is] definitely better with the boys team now, because we all interact more,” senior cross country runner Katy Green said. “But the teams haven’t changed that much. The team culture is the same.”
Green said practices run similarly to last year when the teams were separate and under a different coaching staff.
“Porras has been really great with letting
us keep a lot of our team traditions, which has been nice and helped things run smoothly,” Green said. “The biggest change has been that we’re all doing mileage. Last year the girls would have one cross train day where we would bike or something separate from the team, but this year we’re running six days a week, so it’s a lot more.”
As the cross country competition season starts up, coaches and athletes alike have been anticipating what’s next for the team.
“We have talent on both teams and we want to continue to improve,” Porras said. “Change is always scary. I feel like the kids have adapted well and they’re training real hard.”
The team warms up together on the track on Sept. 5. Photo by Luke Kouns
Another Swing for State
Girls golf continues their strong season and winning streak
By Srinithya Basireddy, Print Editor
Zionsville girls golf made history last year by winning the IHSAA state championship, their first since 2017. With strong performances from the players and support from their coach, the team competed against its opponents and secured the state title.
“We all knew that we’d have to play really good if we wanted to be in contention and have a chance at winning, and so everyone did their part,” sophomore and individual 2024 state champion Taylor Snively said. “We struggled a little bit, but we all came back, and I think just our friendship helped that a lot, and all being there for each other.”
Snively shot an even-par 144 to become the third freshman to ever win the individual championship, while also helping Zionsville become the first program since 1999 to win both the individual and team titles in the same season.
Though last year marked one of the best seasons in Zionsville’s history, Snively said the success didn’t come easy.
“There’s a lot of pressure going to a state
championship: first tee jitters, bad holes, playing for your team,” Snively said. “I think there are a lot of things you have to overcome that day, and mentally it’s a grind.”
According to senior Miriam Villavicencio, much of that success comes down to how players handle the mental side of the game.
“Golf is such a mental game,” Villavicencio said. “You can have one bad hole, and it’s easy to let that spiral.”
Head coach Maggie Nobbe agrees that individual effort drives team success and that personal improvements influence the other players.
“The girls push the team forward by working on their individual games,” Nobbe said. “When one player improves, it inspires the rest of the group, and that blend of individual drive and shared encouragement makes us stronger as a team.”
Even in a sport as mentally challenging as golf, Nobbe said the players consistently prioritize the team over individual results.
This season is no different in both success and support. The team set another school record at the Zionsville Invite on August 4th, shooting 273 to top the old score of 284. They finished first overall and added five individual medals to their win.
“When one player improves, it inspires the rest of the group, and that blend of individual drive and shared encouragement makes us stronger as a team.”
- Head coach Maggie Nobbe
Nobbe was a senior on the state champion team back in 2017 and loves being back, this time as a coach.
“This season’s culture has been really supportive,” Nobbe said. “It’s a nice balance of experience and excitement. It’s easy to get caught up in your own game in golf, but these girls constantly put the team first.”
According to Nobbe, even when faced with challenging conditions or setbacks, the players focused on supporting one another.
“No matter the conditions, whether that’s weather, competition or their own struggles, they’ve shown a lot of mental toughness and an ability to bounce back quickly,” Nobbe said. “These girls are also an incredibly close-knit group of girls. They have each other’s backs on and off the course.”
As the postseason begins, the team continues to train and prepare for upcoming competitions, and the players are excited and hopeful about what the season could bring.
“This team is never satisfied,” Nobbe said. “They’re always striving to get a little bit better each day, which makes the sky the limit. Being around their drive for excellence is rewarding in itself.”
According to Nobbe, the focus on getting better every day is exactly how the team approaches practice and prepares for the season.
“We’re intentionally putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations now, so when postseason comes, we’ll have already been there,” Nobbe said. “That way, we can stay loose and play with no fear.”
From playing the song “No Sabo” by Miko Palacios before matches to bonding during drives to practice, the players, including Villavicencio, are excited for the future of the team.
Nobbe said she hopes that golf teaches girls patience, not just with the game and players, but overall in life, and helps the golfers make new and strong friendships with different people.
“This program will always recognize and remember these girls, years down the road,” Nobbe said. “It’s about more than golf, it’s about creating lifelong relationships, with strong alumni support that keeps the family going well beyond their time here.”
Walking to the hole, sophomore Taylor Snivley competes in a match at the Golf Club of Indiana on Aug. 15. Photo by Avery Krieble
Overworked, Under Stress
Extracurriculars
can be an extra source of stress
By Colin Adam, Reporter
ZCHS has over 90 unique extracurricular activities, but why do people participate in these clubs? For college acceptance? To fit in? To gain knowledge? Or just for fun? In reality, it’s a mixture of all of the above.
However, no matter your reasons, finding a balance between school, classes and extracurriculars is the most important.
Making the change from being a freshman with almost 10 extracurriculars to a sophomore with half that, I can say that it’s more important to participate fewer activities that you enjoy over the ones you’re doing just because you feel you have to.
Sophomore Srijan Basireddy understands the consequences and rewards of picking his schedule. Basireddy has a full schedule of AP and honors classes and participates in multiple clubs. Some students like him can handle the amount of work required after school but does that mean everyone should do the same? No. We all enjoy and excel in different areas so why stress yourself over something you don’t really care about?
to come and go,” Basireddy said. “It’s just about what you do and how you perform for yourself and your own needs and goals.”
There’s a reason why the school has so many extracurricular activities, it’s because each and every student has a different set of interests and goals. Everybody enjoys different things; some like volunteering, and some enjoy competition. This is why school and extracurriculars can be a great way to find like-minded people to help boost mental health when you create a good balance.
“Other people do not define you,” Bender said. “Challenge yourself to the point where you feel good about the challenge but not overwhelmed by the challenge.”
“There are people that I compare myself to, but at the end of the day they are going to come and go. It’s just about what you do and how you perform for yourself and your own needs and goals.”
- sophomore Srijan
Basireddy
At the end of the day, homework and extracurriculars aren’t everything, but why make yourself stressed at school by adding to the burden? Even worse, why make that stress something you don’t feel passionate about.
National Honor Society sponsor and English teacher Ann Bender said this balance is different for everybody and one reason why comparing one person to another isn’t fair.
So why do students still constantly overbook themselves? It’s because of the idea of comparison and desire to be better than one another. This comes from students comparing test scores, GPAs, or lists of activities with each other.
“There’s people that I compare myself to, but at the end of the day they are going
On top of schoolwork, Basireddy expects “over six hours of extracurriculars a week” from volunteer groups like Red Cross to competition groups like Business Professionals of America. This can cause problems such as stress or anxiety because of the amount of work required. Too many extracurriculars can take a toll on your time management even if you are passionate about them.
“I’m focusing on school but at the end of the day, my school work and what I do at school isn’t my entire life, “ Basireddy said. “Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the big picture.”
Balancing classes and extracurriculars is a challenge for everyone but it’s what makes the school experience unique and meaningful.
“Students are driven by a desire to be involved, a desire to be passionate, and to share their passion with others,” Bender said.
Students, find your balance by trying new activities out and seeing what and how much you like. This will allow you to enjoy extracurriculars without the extra burden of stress. Additionally, don’t compare your classes or activities to others, as it can affect your mental health when you should be focusing on what is best for you.
Previously on The Harbinger
The primary purpose of The Harbinger is to provide information for the student body, but how well have we accomplished this goal? Let’s look back through 10 years of Harbingers and see how it compares to modern standards.
By Luke Kouns, Perspectives Editor
Most Out of Date: “Smart Phone Wars”
When reading through many years of Harbinger magazines I would sometimes stumble upon articles that made me remember they were from the early 2010’s. Out of all of those articles, the one that felt the most dated was April 2011, Volume 13, Issue 7 “Smart Phone Wars.”
“Smart Phone Wars” is a comprehensive review on some of the top cell phones of the time: the iPhone 4, the Blackberry Bold and the HTC Evo Shift. But as relevant as they were in 2011, I’m willing to bet you haven’t even heard of the last two.
All articles in the Harbinger are selected by the students on staff and “all of that thinking happening from the students is what keeps it relevant and fresh,” Harbinger adviser Lauren Wagner said. It is this timeliness inherent to student input that results in “Smart Phone Wars” feeling so old, because what was highly relevant in 2011 is nowhere near relevant today. That and the inclusion of
AMost Impactful:
“The High Life”
pril 2011, Volume 13, Issue 7 “The High Life” by Abby Llorico demonstrates what can happen when a student gives it their all. “The High Life” is a two page exposé on the use of marijuana among Zionsville high schoolers through the lens of five anonymous interviewees.
Weirdest:
“Santa v. The Easter Bunny”
There is a certain level of sophistication that is expected of a newspaper, even a student publication. But there is nothing sophisticated about Volume 11, Issue 4 “Santa vs. The Easter Bunny.”
Llorico’s article focuses almost entirely on the anonymous students’ interviews, having them answer a diverse range of questions relating to their use of and view on marijuana. This was a very taboo topic in 2011, a year before the first states would start to legalize recreational use of the drug.
While Llorico did bring in supplemental quotes from other sources, such as the police chief and a middle school health and physical education teacher, the focus is always the high school perspective, keeping the story relevant to the Harbingers target audience. This focus on unique student perspectives is exactly why “The High Life” should serve as a goal for the
Beyond its ridiculous concept, the article has no journalistic merit. According to Wagner, the goal of the Harbinger is “to be the student source of information about the school, the community and issues that matter to the students of the school.” Yet, I struggle to see how anyone might consider a fan fiction about two holiday mascots fighting important information about the school, community or students.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with articles that are meant to be fun or comical, and this article was seemingly meant to be light hearted fun. But there is nothing fun about a poorly written, irrelevant, idiotic article with graphics that obscure a fourth of the content.
If we can learn anything from this article, it’s that in a world where a fictional boxing match between holiday icons might be seriously suggested, “sometimes the topic choice is not the right one,” Wagner said.
Designed by Luke Kouns
Photo by Addi Smith
Left:
Unscramble the headlines, follow and DM the @zchsharb Instagram with your answers to win a prize, winner announced on 9/26!
Top Right: Rushing the ball, Isaac Liddicoat (12) advances on the fieldw.
Bottom: Running, Grace Hamilton (12) plays offense against Westfield in Unified Flag Football on Sept. 3. Photos by Lilly Steele Come support the Unified Flag Football team on Sept. 24 at home against HSE!
“My favorite part about flag football is being with my friends [because] I love being social and I love being kind. [People should come to our games] to cheer us on and be supportive.”
Top
Patting Brady McAdrle’s (11) shoulder, Sasha Ruth (11) supports her teammates.