Trojan Matters - March 31, 2016

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Trojan Matters What are the real effects of caffeine?

March 31, 2016 Vol. 2 | Issue 7

More online at the-blueprint.org

Defining feminism

How to be happy

In season vs. out of season for sports


TM Thursday, March 31, 2016 On the cover. . .

The effects of different types of commonly consumed caffeine is examined, revealing the benefits and the dangers of its consumption (page 2). Photo by A. Park

In this issue...

Trojans Matter. . . In our continuing prayers:

- For all those in the BCHS community and their families who are suffering from illness or who have lost a loved one. - For the wisdom of voters in the presidential election this year. -For all students and staff to have a safe and relaxing spring break. -For Brussels, Belgium, that they recover and remain safe in times of distress.

Caffeine p. 2

College admissions p. 4

Feminism p. 6

Staycation p.8

Best Advice p.10

Art appreciation p.12

How to be happy p.14

World religions p.16

Pro vs. BCHS athletes p. 18

Spring sport athletes back cover

Congratulations:

-To the BCHS track team for advancing to indoor state -To Campus Ministry for organizing a successful community service day. -To Model UN for representing the school and their respective countries well.

Do you have something to say to the Trojan Matters staff ? Send your letter to the editor at the school website, www. bishopchatard.org under Popular Links. Comments and letters can also be sent to blueprintBCHS@gmail.com.

Trojan Matters staff Editor: Anna Giudice News Editor: Jacob deCastro Opinions Editor: Emma Kinghorn Sports Editor: Cecelia Stonner Features Editors: Sian Rhodes, Victoria Toetz Reporters: Photographers: Marissa Almack Kylie Donaldson Mary Barnes Ellen Giudice Bill Nash Kelly Marsella Christine Stephenson Abby Park Kaitlin Traub Emily Smith Publications adviser: Mrs. Tracy Luke

Trojan Matters Mission Statement: We promise to bring you, the students of BCHS, the most obtainable version of the truth through courage, integrity and freedom of speech. Unsigned staff editorials reflect the opinion of at least two-thirds of the staff. Columns with bylines reflect the opinions of the writer. The newspaper will try to publish all letters to the editor within the constraints of space limitations. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for the length and clarity. Trojan Matters is the monthly news magazine produced by the Advanced Publications class. In addition, daily news updates can be found online at theBluePrint.org Letters/Comments can be submitted in Room 210 or to the online news website at blueprintBCHS@gmail.com


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News

Opinion

New chip software prevents credit card theft As an increasingly popular method of payment, credit cards have become equipped with a new 'chip' to make transactions easier and more secure. The chip itself is a small rectangle on the front of a credit card. The transition to EMV, or Europay, MasterCard and Visa, strives to "improve payment security, making it more difficult for fraudsters to successfully counterfeit cards," said Julie Conroy, research director for Aite Group, according to creditcards.com. The technology behind this is that currently, the magnetic strips on the back of one credit card contain unchanging data. So, if someone were to get a hold of that information, they would have access to duplicating a card. However, with the chip, each transaction has a new code that cannot be used again. Therefore, the hacker could only steal the information of one sale as opposed to being able to duplicate the card. This being the major attraction to the card, chips can be seen on almost all new cards. Although it may take some getting used to for the consumer and some extra money for the means to process the transaction by the companies, the chip is well worth it for the sake of preventing credit card theft. TM Anna Giudice

22 days until spring musical 30 days until walkathon 31 days until prom 50 days until graduation 57 days until summer vacation

sic s u M tter Ma

1. Higher Love- James Vincent McMorrow 2. Reeling- Corey Harper 3. Stand Up- The Cab 4. A World Alone- Lorde 5. Always in My Head- Coldplay

Have you heard a song more people should know about? Go online to the school’s website, www.bishopchatard. org, and click on the “Students” link and then on “To the Editor” to submit the song title and artist. We’ll run a Music Matters Mixtape each issue of Trojan Matters.

6. Give Me One Reason- Tracy Chapman 7. I See Fire- Ed Sheeran 8. Nothing Without Love- Nate Ruess 9. Darlin’- Houndmouth 10. Drink You Away- Justin Timberlake

Features

Sports

We heard it!

You said it!

Why does the sun that wears glasses make the moon a banana at the Jazz Club? I love chewing my finger fat. I’ll vote for my dog before I vote for Trump. I know I look like Chuck Lofton, but not all bald white people are the same. I hope you slip and fall into a pool of good vibes. “What if you need to wash your hands?” “What am I, a surgeon?” He’s just a transformer disguised as a big dumb marshmallow. This weather is confusing my Filipino skin. *Walking upstairs* Wait, I need a breather. They tried to stump me but I’m unstumpable. I have a picture of Walt Whitman in my basement. If eating bagels is wrong, then I never want to be right. I am two percent milk. I always bring a box of cereal to school. Have you heard it? Bring the funny lines to Room 210. Or, you can submit them online at the-BluePrint.org in the Letter to the Editor section.

Trojan Matters 1


TM Thursday, March 31, 2016

The hidden dangers inside caffeinated drinks S

said Mrs. Tracie Judkins, physical education teacher. Additionally, caffeine consumed during the day affects your quality of sleep at night. A National Institute of Health study found considerable sleep disruptions when caffeine is consumed up to six hours prior to bedtime. Caffeine, while widely available, is still considered a drug. Even mild, daily consumption of caffein- Mr. Bach ated drinks, “I drink coffee because it helps such as coffee, can lead to deme get up in the morning and pendence. After several consecutive days keeps me awake during classes,” of caffeine consumption, mild said Alexis Puente, junior. A Harvard study found that withdrawal symptoms might moderate amounts of caffeine, occur. These include headaches, around 150 milligrams (one fatigue, anxiety, difficulty concup of coffee), have even been centrating or irritability, acfound to reduce the risk of Type cording to WebMD. “When I was 24 or 25, I 2 diabetes and fight off diseases cut out all sugary, caffeinated including Alzheimer’s. However, there’s a darker side to caffeine. 32 milligrams “It’s dangerous because it in a 12-ounce speeds up your heart rate, your can of Coca-Cola pulse, and makes you jittery,” truggling to stay awake? Need energy in the morning? Trying to study for a test? A caffeinated drink such as coffee, soda or a Monster may have helped. According to a study published in Nutrition Digest, caffeine is proven to increase memory, reaction times, energy levels and improve mood.

drinks,” said Mr. Jeff Bach, chemistry teacher. “After about three days, I had these nasty, migraine-like headaches.” Around 170 milligrams of caffeine should be the daily maximum for teenagers, according to The Washington Post. However, just 100 milligrams a day

In an even smaller size, a 2-ounce 5-Hour Energy contains 215 milligrams of caffeine. Marketed as a quick energy boost for busy people, 5-Hour Energy does more harm than good. It can be hard to find just how much caffeine a certain drink

Mrs. Kim Shaw, biology teacher, drinks a Diet Dr. Pepper.

Claire Rudolph, senior, sips her coffee.

can lead to a dangerous dependence. Despite the recommended limits, a 24-ounce can of Monster Energy Drink has 240 milligrams of caffeine, while a 12-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee has 260 milligrams.

has because drink makers aren’t required to label their products’ caffeine content. This is because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only requires nutrients to be labeled under the nutrition facts, and caffeine is considered a chemi

It just happens to be legal.”

Emily Smith | Trojan Matters

“Caffeine is a drug as much as any other drug is.

302 milligrams

in a 16-ounce cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee

25 milligrams

in an 8-ounce cup of green tea

Caffeine at BCHS 41.1 percent

have some caffeine at least once a week.

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36.5 percent

get their caffeine from soda pop.

27.8 percent

get their caffeine from coffee.

16.8 percent

get their caffeine from tea or energy drinks.


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How much is too much? cal. While caffeine will be listed as an ingredient in the product, the amount can be absent on the product’s label. The amount of caffeine can vary so broadly from drink to drink, that the lack of an amount can have adverse side-effects. A lack of transparency on caf-

levels to spike, but, when mixed with caffeine, it can create a potentially dangerous mixture. Sugary soft drinks such as Coca-Cola contain less caffeine, but have a higher level of sugar: 39 grams of sugar and 34 milligrams of caffeine. These high sugar and caffeine

Based on the 170 milligram guideline, here’s how much of any caffeinated drink fits in the limit.

McDonald’s Caramel Frappe (12 fluid ounces) 100 milligrams of caffeine + 57 grams of sugar 5-Hour Energy (Four fluid ounces) 200 milligrams of caffeine + 0 grams of sugar

Lindsey Woods, junior, drinks a Starbucks Frappuccino.

feine content from major drink makers is alarming because a National Institute of Health report even linked 5-Hour Energy to at least 13 deaths, as well as “caffeine intoxication,” which can lead to spikes in blood pressure, vomiting and seizures. While 5-Hour Energy claims to have zero grams of sugar, other energy drinks can’t say the same thing. A single serving of a Red Bull or a Monster contain 27 grams of sugar. Sugar on its own can cause blood sugar

18.8 percent

rarely or never drink anything caffeinated

Mr. Brian Shaughnessy, theology teacher, enjoys a coffee.

drinks give quick pick-me-ups to tired students, but, according to Mrs. Judkins, “There are better ways to get energy, like exercise or more sleep.” In fact, a study published in The Daily Mail found that exercise has been proven to boost cognitive performance by 12 percent (compared to 6 percent for coffee). “Caffeine is a drug as much as any other drug is,” said Mr. Bach, “It just happens to be legal.” TM Jacob deCastro

About the survey: Sent out during the week of February 29. Margin of error +/- 3 percent, with 90 percent accuracy.

Rickers coffee (16 fluid ounces) 182 milligrams of caffeine + 0 grams of sugar

Coke Zero (20 fluid ounces) 57 milligrams of caffeine + 0 grams of sugar Arizona Arnold Palmer (20 fluid ounces) 37 milligrams of caffeine + 13 grams of sugar

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TM Thursday, March 31, 2016

Colleges look at more than academics

25 %

of teenagers submitted seven or more college applications

Matters rojan ark| T

important to dedicate more time to one or two organizations than to visit many organizations. Harvard wants admission boards to consider the degree of impact an individual made, rather than just a list of organizations. Junior Grace Lundy, Go Make a Difference (Go M.A.D.) service club leader, said, “Service has made a difference in my life because it has opened my eyes to the harsh realities of the world.” That exactly is the goal of Harvard’s suggestion: Using service to make a meaningful difference in the community, not just to complete a requirement. TM Jacob deCastro

Abby P

AP classes, college essays, high GPA, ACT scores, teacher recommendations. All of these are considered when applying to college. However, a new Harvard School of Education study encourages universities to consider something else: service. According to the study, college admissions boards should place emphasis on, “meaningful, sustained community service.” Ms. Jordan Ogle, guidance counselor, noted, “I feel like BCHS students would already be at an advantage with all the service that we do here.” However, the report makes clear that not just any service would count. Emphasis would be placed on not the quantity of service performed, but whether the service made a difference in an individual’s community. This means that it’d be more

48 % of

colleges use a wait list

source: cbsnews.com

57 %

of students who submitted their applications early were accepted to the college they applied to

56 %

of college freshman are females

What colleges look for in students’ admissions

High school grades: Colleges look at the grades received throughout high school as well as GPA.

High school course selection: Colleges note how many honors, AP and dual credit classes a student takes. On top of this they look at how many years the student takes of a foreign language and science.

Extracurricular activities: colleges are able to understand the qualities a student can bring to the campus community by examining their extracurricular activities. Standardized tests: Colleges take into account SAT and ACT test scores to examine what the students have learned in the classroom and compare students based on one common test. source: collegeraptor.com

How to get more involved in community service Start your own non-profit Create a service project Organize an event for charity Create hygiene kits for homeless

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Get involved with church-related activities Volunteer at a food pantry or bank Do something for troops or veterans

Volunteer at an animal shelter Dance at BCHS Dance Marathon Join Best Buddies Club

Become a mentor for a younger kid


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Political correctness finds the good and bad of etiquette and communication T

o be politically correct is “to not intentionally insult or disadvantage any group or subset of society.” This idea of political correctness is one that is common throughout today: in social media, in the classroom, in daily lives. Rasmussen Reports conducted a series of surveys that suggests that Americans today find the use of political correctness a problem, rather than a benefit to society. One such survey states that 71 percent of Americans see political correctness (PC) as a problem in the United States. Senior Sarah Wede agrees. “I feel that when we use (PC), we prevent acknowledging the real problems,” she said. “We are more worried about people’s feelings rather than recognizing the real problems going on.” Ms. Stacy Wright, history teacher, disagrees, “(Political correctness) creates a culture of tolerance that we need and sometimes lack.” Two-thirds of Americans surveyed by Rasmussen Reports responded that hate speech is a problem in the US, but only 29 percent favored banning it. Hate speech and other forms of politically incorrect speech have recently taken effect in the presidential election, specifically with Donald Trump’s popularity. Melanie Tannenbaum, a social psychologist who has analyzed Trump’s speeches, said, “nonnormative, unexpected, and non self-serving resonate with outside observers who are more

likely to think they have a good chance of really knowing the true personality of the person saying them.” Wede agrees that Trump’s speeches add to his popularity, but aren’t appropriate. “What Trump is saying isn’t politically incorrect. He just calls people names,” she said, “I don’t like the extent to which he takes it, but I think a lot of people do because they’re tired of politicians avoiding the obvious truth.” Others see the pros and cons of political correctness and fall somewhere in the middle. Jordan Davis, sophomore, said, “(When there’s no PC), it can give you a full view of both sides.” When speaking of history, Wede thinks there is a place for the ugly truth,. “I don’t think you should intentionally insult a group of people, but I don’t think you should whitewash things either,” she said. Ms. Wright disagrees, and said that political correctness aids history. “We’ve come so far in civil rights, race, ethnicity, gender, sexism, and (political correctness) helps to preserve that.” Political correctness impacts society’s history and its future within an election year, but some still argue that it will create a problem for our country moving forward. “If you don’t acknowledge a problem because you’re trying to be politically correct then there’s no way to find a solution,” said Wede. TM Emma Kinghorn

Sports

Political Correctness in Politics Throughout the 2016 election process, candidates and Americans have sounded off on the topic of political correctness. source: rasmussenreports.com

79%

of American Adults think political correctness is a problem

16%

of American Adults do not see it as a problem

58%

of American Adults believe that the country has become too politically correct

18%

of American adults think the country is not politically correct enough

“I think the big problem Hillary Clinton, democrat, this country has is being has not addressed political politically correct. I’ve been correctness as frequently as challenged by so many people Donald Trump. Clinton has and I don’t, frankly, have time been noted for being more for total political correctness. politically correct by her And to be honest with you, refusal to say “Islamic terrorthis country doesn’t have ism.” This is due to the fact time, either,” said Donald that she believes not all forms Trump, republican presidenof Islam should be grouped as tial candidate. terrorism. source: nytimes.com and washingtonpost.

Trojan Matters 5


TM Thursday, March 31, 2016 Definition of feminism varies widely

Lack of understanding causes confusion

F

eminists are all the same. Feminists are angry. Feminists don’t respect stay-at-home moms. Feminism is all about power. Feminists hate men. They do not want harmony; they want attention. These beliefs are the most common misconceptions that people have about feminism. However the true definition of feminism according to Webster’s Dictionary is, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” There are different types of feminists, though, that have their own beliefs on where they stand on issues and how to properly achieve gender equality. One type is liberal feminism, where its believers see the issues within politics and the law. To them, equality can only be achieved through legal means and social reform. This is more common in under-

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developed countries such as Nepal where women get banished into isolation for a normal monthly occurrence because they believe it is disrespectful. Then there is radical feminism, which is the belief that the issues are deeply rooted in society. Radical feminists believe that the best solution to inequality is to abolish the idea of gender completely. For example, they think technology should find a way where women do not carry their own children. They would argue that entire traditional family system is sexist with the men being the breadwinner and the women staying home to take care of their children. Many other forms of feminism stem from these beliefs. Senior Erika Meckauskas believes that this can be problematic in defining feminism because she sees it as equality. “Saying that they are equal does not mean they are the same,” said Meckauskas. One that develops from radical feminism is cultural feminism, even though it holds many opposing views. Cultural feminism derives a theory of difference that praises the positive aspects of women. This means that they focus more on encouraging feminine behavior rather than masculine behavior. For instance, they value the mothering of children and work to balance a culture that over values a culture of “male” values of aggression. Socialist feminism strongly believes that women are unable to be free due to their financial dependence on men in society. They argue that liberation of women can only be achieved by working to end both the economical and cultural sources of women’s oppression. In 2016,

women make 78 cents to every dollar a man makes, according to the International Business Times. Some believe that socialist and radical feminism are the louder and more aggressive types that leads to the negative publicity. However, the reason feminists get a bad rap is because people stereotype them as being socialist or radical or a mixture of both. Trey Carlyle, senior, believes that feminism is a good idea, but is horribly executed. “I think feminism is just some absurd flame of hate the media and government fuel because they want us all pitted against each other,” said Carlyle. Senior Lauren Whitlock, feminist, believes that the issue with the stereotyping of feminism is due to the loud, aggressive minority. “There are some people who do use feminism as an excuse to hate men, but there’s very few of them,” said Whitlock. “The vast majority of feminists simply want equality.” Mrs. Anne Marie Gerritsen, Spanish teacher, believes there is a problem for girls because “women with a higher level of education raise healthier families with more economic stability and will produce daughters who are more likely to do the same.” This is proven true in many studies including some by Forbes Magazine and The World Bank Group, which is an organization working for a world free of poverty. “I think most people in the twenty first century are feminists but just don’t realize it,” said Meckauskas, “ It’s not as complicated as you might think.” TM Kaitlin Traub

“The vast majority of feminists simply want equality.” - Lauren Whitlock, senior


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l il bera ism n femi

Kylie Donaldson | Trojan Matters

There are different types of feminism and with each type their beliefs and stances vary. Here are the different types of feminism and their stances on the issues of women both politically and socially. *information from womenhistory.org

What you’d most likely find these different feminism groups doing?

thin s wi ssue i e e e th ee th asiz ey s h on p Th ~ em pers and dual i s c v i i t d prac poli n in tor y of a a r n e i rim pow . disc men lter t wo to a s n i aga tices

Walking from New York City to Washington D.C. because you believe in women’s suffrage, or a woman’s right to vote.

*information from study.com

st so e be h t at lish e th abo eliev s to i b y y ly in t e lete uali ~Th p q e m n i s. r co n to text nde lutio con f ge o c i a om ide the econ and l a i soc

st i l a i soc nism femi

ralibe hat t e nly liev y be an o ~The f women c orking to o yw al tion ed b mic hiev ono c c a e f be the es o both ourc s l end a ur n. cult ssio and ppre o ’s en wom

Convincing people to abolish the idea of gender roles in a family setting due to its sexist system.

l

ra u t l u

al dic f ra ore o m e ff s o uses ne b tem d foc mini uline s s i sc fe an ~Th ism ging n ma a in ura h t m co ther fe en on ior ra . v ha avior h be

c

Fighting to achieve justice and equality for not only women but also working classes and the poor.

curvy Mattel introduces new Barbie styles:

al c i d a r nism femi

The toy company Mattel announced in late January that it will be releasing a new design for their most popular creation: the Barbie doll. The classic Barbie will not be discontinued, but new curvy, tall and petite versions will be offered as well. In addition to three new Barbie shapes, Mattel will also be selling seven different skin tones, many different hair colors, eye colors and facial features. Over the years, Barbies have been criticized for having an unproportional body that would cause her difficulty to stand up straight if she were real. This idea of the new Barbie has received a lot of praise from the teenage/early 20s generation, many of whom claim that Barbies were a big part of their childhood. This move by a toy company marks a milestone as the new Barbie steps into the era of accepting yourself as you are.

tall

petite

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TM Thursday, March 31, 2016

Staycationing: Do’s and Don’ts While many of you may find yourselves venturing off into other parts of the country or even the world, there are still some of us, including myself, who will find themselves stuck in the corn-infested state of Indiana

Do hang out with friends that

Do go outside and enjoy that

are also stuck in the same landlocked boat as you. There may not be many to choose from, but some company is better than no company. If there’s no one to keep you company, you can always make a pet rock. They’re great listeners.

wonderful, unpredictable Indiana weather that everyone loves. It could be cloudy, rainy, sunny, or maybe, if you’re lucky, snowy, so why not take the time to appreciate every weather condition. Why stay inside when you could witness the sky changing from a pleasant sunny to an eerie cloudy in a matter of minutes? There’s certainly nothing like it.

Don’t check social media on a

Don’t spend too much time

constant basis. Though it may be cool to see where everyone else is going, it’ll really only make you wish you were there too. Instead, disconnect yourself from your phone and find a new hobby, like quilting. Your friends may come home showing off their nice tans, but you can surprise them by showing off your dastardly new quilt.

Sound off . . . If you could be a part of any video game, what game would it be? 8

this spring break. I consider myself to be an expert at staycationing, having done it every year since I was in kindergarten, and as an expert I have some do’s and don’ts that every staycationer should follow.

simply catching up on sleep. The buildup of sleep deprivation from spending hours stressing over school is only minor compared to the fun things you could do while you’re awake. For example, you could spend time catching up on your own personal Zen with meditation. In fact, Guided Meditations: For Calmness, Awareness, and Love is available on Amazon for a little over $10,

“I would be in Sims because it used to be my favorite game as a kid.” - Christine Byers, senior

which is a bargain for the inner reward of peace and tranquility.

Do

take the time away from school to spend time with your family. With all the busyness of school keeping you occupied, family time is probably something that could use a good refresher. Well, unless they went on a vacation without you. Then that’d be awkward.

Don’t

spend entire days bingewatching a TV show. Always make sure to take breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with stretch breaks in between every few episodes. Otherwise it could be considered unhealthy. To all those staycationers out there, remember these essential tips. And if an opportunity to spend your spring break elsewhere comes up, don’t hesitate to take it. TM Bill Nash

“I would be in NFL Street because its the coolest game ever.” - Collin Noll, senior.


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Fun places to visit while stuck in Indiana

Schoolbelles - Want to find the latest trends in school uniforms? Curious to see what’s trending in plaid skirts? Then Schoolbelles might just be the place for you.

Panera Bread - Because you haven’t already been there enough.

Opinion

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Try Matters Trojan Staff Opinion Disconnecting

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Bokay Florist - We’ve all seen it on our way to school, but has anyone actually been inside? Maybe you could be the first to see what’s inside the mysterious, interestingly-placed flower shop.

News

veryday we are constantly surrounded by technology and the world has become available at the touch of our fingers. iPads, computers, televisions and cellphones are all at our disposal. It’s incredible to have information, pictures, videos and everything in between so easily accessible that it is hard to remember what it was like to not rely on technology. The beauty of disconnecting from our phones and social media has been lost. Nowadays, the constant need to check our phones, social media and email can control many people’s lives. But why do we have a fear to disconnect when most of our best memories and moments have happened when we aren’t staring at a screen? Disconnecting is sometimes necessary in order to fully be present in the moment. Whether at a concert, on vacation or in class, experiencing these moments with technology can be more distracting than we realize. Experiencing something in person rather than through a screen will be more memorable and meaningful than having a picture to look back on. Taking a few pictures to remember a vacation or a good time with friends is fun and good to do but when done in excess, it can take away from the time that was really spent. Even in the classroom, technology can take away from our experiences. It can be-

“I would be in Super Mario Bros because Peach is bae and you gotta save her.” - Margaret Nickerson, junior

come a distraction and take away from the content taught in class. Taking notes on paper and reading paper copies of books might benefit us more. Studies reveal that handwriting notes keeps facts in our heads better than typing. Being able to put the iPads down for class instruction should sometimes be enforced in order to cut out the distractions that technology can create. Trojan Matters would like to challenge teachers to have a week off from technology and see how things go “old school.” Social media has created the ‘fear of missing out’ in many people. As checking social media has become more impulsive, so has the feeling of jealousy and loneliness. Comparing lives with the ones displayed on social media can leave some feeling dissatisfied with their own lives. Social media is a great way to connect with people but it can be easy to become envious when we usually see only the good moments in one’s life that they display on social media. The solution is simple: disconnect. Enjoy the ocean rather than making sure your Snap story has the most views. Take in the sunset. Enjoy the conversation with friends. Enjoy the quiet. By putting the technology down from time to time, it’s easy to remember moments by the memories made and not by the pictures shared.

“I would be in Legend of Zelda: Ocarani of Time because the games are adventurous.” - Patrick Haimbaugh, sophomore.

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TM Thursday, March 31, 2016

“Whenever you get the opportunity to dress up, take it.” - Alice Joson, senior

“Chance favors the prepared mind.” - Alyssa Linehan, sophomore “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” - Sophie Sergi, sophomore

“Love yourself.” - Kenzie Thompson, senior

“Stay in school.” - Sam Christmann, freshman “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” - Donovan Smith, sophomore

“Be a better version of yourself every day.” Sam Luke, senior 10

“On test e does defin n’t your e life.” Alex Barn es, “Fame is overrated. Success is not.” - Vincent Victery, junior “Hard work always pays off. Sometimes it takes a very long time and others not so much. Always believe in the darkest of times.” - Emily Sands, sophomore

n a man o y l e r r “Neve

for”

- Jess Tyler, sophomore


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Trojans share their best advice

Who’s your role model? Henry Semler, senior Q: Who is your role model? A: Walt Disney

Q: How does he influence you to be the best person you can be?

A: “(Walt) Disney influences me because he had learning disabilities, just like I do, and he was able to do the impossible many times. He did so much even though people didn’t believe in him.

Q: What is the best advice you learned from him?

A: “Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long. . . We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious. . . and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Ms. Beth Jacobs, business teacher

Q: Who is your role model? A: My father

Q: How does he influence you to be the best person you can be?

A: “I thought he was the smartest person. He had such a great sense of humor and knew everything. I thought he could do anything. When I was little, I would always volunteer my dad to fix or build things in or around the classroom. One day, my friend accidentally popped my balloon and I said to her, ‘Don’t worry. My dad can fix it.’”

Advice can come from anyone and anywhere whether you are expecting it or not. It comes in ways one does not expect or from people they never knew. . .

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times you are having problems and need advice from someone you trust. Advice is given when you feel like all hope is gone or need a pick-me-up. Students at BCHS reflect on the best advice they’ve ever gotten.

here are cliché quotes that students may roll their eyes at or think are overrated, but in reality, trite phrases may give good information to consider. Sometimes you need advice to just get through the day and other

TM

Cecelia Stonner

“Don’t be shy,” -Lainey Scroggins, freshman

“You have to do what you can, the best that you can, knowing that it won’t satisfy everyone. But if you feel you’re making good for some people, then you can be at peace,” - Mr. Doug Johnson, math teacher

“Stay focused because there are a lot of distractions. . .in life. You have to make sure you are doing what is right for you and the people in your life.” - Camron Brown, senior

“Live in the moment,” -Katie Meek, sophomore

Q: What is the best advice he gave you?

A: “Be sure to always check your oil, tire pressure, and make sure your headlights and taillights are working.”

All photos by Emily Smith | Trojan Matters

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TM Thursday, March 31, 2016

Abby Park| Trojan Matters

Kylie Donaldson | Trojan Matters

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sophomore Sammi Blanford listens to hers.

Kylie Donaldson | Trojan Matters

Appreciation for two medias differ although they go hand in hand Larry Rosin, a researcher in Walking down the halls or this study, said that music is streets, people are in their “the hottest space in the world own world with headphones of media.” It is easily accessible in, tuned out from their surroundings and tuned into their and there are many genres for all different listeners. Rosin favorite songs. Cars are filled also explained that on averwith music on a favorite radio age, every American listens to station or from a loved playlist more than four hours of music and weekend plans consist of everyday. going to concerts with friends. Mrs. Angela Peterson, music But why is it that the appreteacher, also thinks we are exciation for music, whether by listening to it or performing it, posed to music more than art. “As babies, we have nursery seems more prevalent in our society today than appreciating rhymes sung to us, Sesame Street teaches with music and visual art does? Barney songs can get stuck in Ethan Manuszak, junior, your head for sure,” she said. thinks that music is a more readily available medium. Un- Mrs. Peterson was taught like art, music can be easily music and wasn’t as good of an taken around with you, wheth- artist, which is why she thinks er on the radio or your phone. In a study done by Edison Research, 92 percent of Americans were shown to Some argue that music is more accessible listen to the than visual art, especially with radios in cars as radio daily.

any studio or art history class should be a good start,” she said. Going to an art museum and asking a docent to explain a piece of art can also help someone understand the deeper meaning. While music can seem more accessible today, art can be just as prevalent and well received. “A piece of graffiti might be better received than a piece of classical music,” Mrs. O’Donoghue said. Music has different genres and time periods that appeal to every person, no matter their taste. There is a genre for everyone. Similar to this, art takes many forms and also changes with the times. Mrs. Carson said, “Appreciating art is seeing the changes in the human race from the beginning of time.” She explained that if you looked at art in the 1950s and music in the same decade, you would see that they coincide with each other, and that they have both changed since then. Appreciating art may be foreign to some, but Mrs. Peterson suggests to go out and try it; go to a museum, explore the different forms of art and see what calls out to you. While many people think museums are the only way to experience the different forms of art, Mrs. Carson thinks there is more to it than that. She said, “It is appreciating the creativity and originality of each day, each year in the history of the If students don’t know how to appreciate art, world.” the first step is to take an art class here like LauTM Sian Rhodes ren Neely, junior, works on a ceramics project.

she doesn’t appreciate art as much as she could. She said, “Maybe if I had been taught art, I would have a greater appreciation for it.” People have a different sense of appreciation for the different types of art. Audrey Kelly, junior, thinks that although art and music are both forms of expression, they are appreciated differently. “They appeal to different senses, sight and hearing, so they are seen in completely different ways,” Kelly explained. However, similar to music, art takes many forms. Mrs. Elaine Carson, art teacher, said that appreciating art is not just going to museums. “It is appreciating the visual history of the world,” she said. She thinks that although to them it may not seem like it, young people follow art trends in the world, as seen in business logos, graffiti, graphics and video games. It is not uncommon to walk down the street and see graffiti art on old buildings or walls, or see a poster and think it has a cool design. Art comes in all different forms and our generation just appreciates it differently than other generations. If a student is lacking in knowing how to appreciate art, Mrs. Jaydene O’Donoghue, art teacher, suggested taking any of the art classes here, “At BCHS,


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News

Opinion

Features

Sports

Slang terms prove vital for culture communication

With endless options of words and phrases that can be created from the 26-letter alphabet of English speakers, slang words and terms can be misleading in what they truly mean. Many of the old slang terms would now have no meaning to students, but the knowledge of terms like “it’s raining cats and dogs” seems commonplace. Senior Susie Liu came from China to the United States for school her sophomore year and has been learning English since she was 5 years old. “When we learned English (in China), we usually didn’t learn the slang terms,” said Liu. She said that she learned most slang terms after she arrived here and from American TV shows. Languages are always evolving, and it can be reflected through the slang terms at the time. In the 18th century, language differences between the English spoken in England and the English spoken in the United States were determined by slang terms, according to yourdictionary.com. Ever since, many different connotations

for words have evolved over the decades. For example, the definition of garbage added ‘nonsense’ as another meaning in the 1950s. The 1980s brought about a ‘wannabe’ being someone who wants to be something. If someone were to say the word ‘bae’ in the 18th century, it would not have been understood at all. Slang terms are helpful to those who know them, but can be greatly misleading for those who don’t. Because language is always changing, it can make it difficult for people to learn. Liu found that she learned most of the slang words by asking questions when she arrived to the United States. She understands the importance of these terms because Chinese also has many slang terms that would be hard to understand for a foreigner. Casual speak and slang makes the language unique, and they are apparent everywhere. Liu researched online some of the popular slang terms before arriving, but she said, “(It’s best to learn) when you’re in the environment.” TM Anna Giudice

Think you know the regional lingo? Test your knowledge of other country’s slang terms. Answers are at the bottom.

1.

Timbit Canada

2.

What’s the craic?

England, Ireland

5.

4.

3.

Tee up

Acting the maggot

Australia

Ireland

Evolution of slang terms 1870s ‘dude’ means guy

1897 ‘bad’ means good

1950s ‘boo boo’ means mistake or injury ‘cool it’ means slow down

1960s ‘crib’ means where you live ‘chill’ means take it easy

1980s ‘wicked’ means cool or excellent ‘wannabe’ means someone who wants to be something

Baltic Scotland

3. Flyer Australia

1. donut hole; 2. what’s the plan; 3. very cold; 4. to set up an appointment; 5. being rambunctious; 6. female kangaroo

Information from mentalfloss.

1990s ‘loot’ means money ‘po-po’ refers to the police ‘bling’ means glitter

2000s ‘buzz’ means a shaved head ‘peep’ means a person ‘holla’ means to call on a phone

according to yourdictionary.com

Trojan Matters 13


T

Thursday, March 31, 2016

“The Pursuit of Happiness,” self-help books, Pinterest boards and more talk about what makes people happy. Clergy, teachers, counselors address it, so just what makes people happy?

It’s an often thought, often asked, often answered question, but a new study by Harvard University may reveal new answers. Starting in 1938, Dr. Robert Waldinger began one of the longest studies of adult lives ever completed, to study the psychological and physical influences of happiness. For 75 years, his team followed two groups of men: 268 sophomores at Harvard, and 456 boys aging 12-16 years old from inner-city Boston. Every five years both groups were physically evaluated: taking X-rays, echocardiograms, and blood and urine tests. In addition, every two years the participants were interviewed about social elements of their lives, like marriage quality, job satisfaction and social activities. “There’s a positive correlation between happiness and health,” said Mrs. Renae Stoudt, psychology teacher, “The more happy you are, the more likely you are to stay healthy. It helps the immune system.” The overwhelming finding was that men who had good relationships were happier and physically healthier. Freshman Audrey Jaeger agrees. “(Relationships) help me stop thinking about the struggles and stress that come with high school,” she said. Audrey Jaeger, sophomore, talks with her friend Sarah Scheidler, freshman at her locker.

Eight tips to being happy

TED Talk compiled a list of the eight things that help people be their happiest. Here’s what you need to know:

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1

Don’t expect happiness to be one-size-fits-all. In a fascinating bit of product history, Gladwell recounts how the food industry discovered to its astonishment that some people like chunky tomato sauce. And what that discovery means in a broader context-that what makes one person happy won’t necessarily do it for another, and vice versa.

Mrs. Stoudt explained, “Psychologically speaking, there is a need to belong that is a basic need for everyone.” She added, “Some people need more people than other people; others only need one really good person.” Close relationships were found to be a major factor in the quality of happiness, and the subjects that reported having close ties to their families, friends and communities lived longer and happier. Jaeger said being close with her family makes her happy. “They are always making me laugh and lifting me up when I’m down,” she said. Similarly, test subjects that reported feeling lonely were less happy and were prone to worse mental health and physical ailments. Contrary to popular belief, a 2009 Harvard study found that while there is a link between having your basic needs met and being content, people overestimate the effect of wealth on their happiness. It was shown that increasing wealth little affected happiness once one’s major needs were met. “Experience last a lifetime whereas things break, things wear out,” said Mrs. Stoudt regarding how material items don’t necessarily provide happiness. But, if one does have wealth, spending it on experiences rather than possessions can bring them more happiness. A San Francisco State University study asked participants to reflect on their most recent purchases, and found that regardless of how much excess money they had, all the subjects found an increase in their well-being when it was spent on experiences or others that helped them satisfy a more complex urge: to feel alive. “You forget about things a lot more than you forget about going on a vacation or helping people,” said Mrs. Stoudt, “Experiences last a lifetime.” There’s no one key to living a happy life, but relationships and experiences are crucial to most people’s happiness, and for Jaeger it came down to three things, “family, friends and God.” TM Emma Kinghorn

3

2

Stop chasing things like success, fame, and money. Our brains have a defense mechanism that causes us to be happy with the lives we have, explains Dan Gilbert, psychologist. While we can chase things like success, fame and money, it is important to know that they won’t make you any happier than the way you are now.

Courtesy of Mr. Doug Johnson | Trojan Matters

Abby Park | Trojan Matters

Harvard study finds the keys to happiness

Keep challenging yourself. According to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, we can sometimes get stuck in the “flow” of things and become bored with our daily routine. By challenging ourselves, we are trying something new and stepping into the state of flow where true happiness lies.


Cover

News

The happiest countries in the world Switzerland #2

In an article on usatoday. Usatoday.com said, “Seven com, Denmark was named factors were examined to the happiness country in measure happiness includthe world, according to the ing a healthy life expectancy, most recent World Happihaving someone to count on, ness Report perceived freereleased. dom to make life Following choices, freedom Denmark for from corrupthe happiest tion, generosity country was and higher gross United States #13 domestic product Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. The per capita.” United States ranked 13th The lowest ranking counout of all 156 countries that tries were Benin, Afghaniwere surveyed. stan, Togo, Syria and Burundi.

Iceland #3

Norway #4

5

Courtesy of Cecelia Stonner | Trojan Matters

4

Be generous. Contrary to popular belief, money can buy happiness when spent correctly. Michael Norton, a social scientist, conducted an experiment proving that spending money on others and being generous makes yourself happy too.

Be grateful. Being grateful helps remind ourselves of all of the gifts we have in our lives and to be thankful for them. Doing this will make us happy and be thankful for all of the blessing we have in our lives. A Benedictine monk, David Steindl-Rast says that gratitude is a choice and by choosing to be gracious, we are choosing to be happy.

Sports

Disney World is known as the “happiest place on Earth”, with its many attractions, it reaches out to a variety of people. Senior Victoria Toetz said, “It’s time that I get to spend with my family and every time we are there, the people there make you feel really special. It really is the happiest place on Earth.” While Disney can instantly cheer someone up with its many animated characters, Senior Victoria Toetz and her workers and adventures, they family pose in front of Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World. have recently increased their prices. Here are some of the prices for going to the “happiest place on Earth.”

Courtesy of Victoria Toetz | Trojan Matters

Denmark #1

Features

Opinion

Transportation: take a road trip, driving straight

there without any overnight stops ($200 for gas) Lodging: 4 nights onsite at Pop Century during Value Season ($111 x 4 = $444) Park tickets: 4-day base tickets through the YES program. (around $300/adult and $200/child = $1000 for all 4 tickets) Food: get groceries for most meals, maybe eat at an inexpensive restaurant 1-2 times ($200) Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves just over $150 for spending money for the entire trip Information from wdwprepschool.com

6

Train your mind. According to a Buddhist monk, Matthieu Ricard, meditating, or taking time for yourself, can increase how happy you are. Brain scans even prove that people who meditate like this have a higher happiness level in their brain. Smile! Research shows that smiling more improves your health, your friendships and relationships with your family, and it increases your life expectancy

7

8

Tell the truth. Telling the truth can take away the stress of holding in what you know to be true. Happiness exists in action and by telling the truth, we become happier and relieved to get things off our chest. TM Sian Rhodes

15 Trojan Matters 14


Kelly Marsella | Troja

n Matters

TM Thursday, March 31, 2016

World religions break down differently in the world than here

I

n a world with billions of people, hundreds of countries and thousands of religious denominations, the breakdown of world religions is vastly different to the religious breakdown

here. While 86 percent of students at BCHS are Catholic, this number is vastly different from the percentages of Catholics in the United States (20.8 percent), Indiana (18 percent) and in Indianapolis (10.81 percent). The majority of students here have gone to Catholic schools for more than just their high school careers, perhaps providing a false view that the majority of Indianapolis is Catholic. Even though the religious breakdown of Indianapolis varies differently than the religious breakdown of BCHS, the break down across Indiana is similar to the national average. The US is made up of 70.6 percent Christians and 1.9 percent Jews while Indiana is 72 percent Christian and 1 percent Jewish. Indianapolis is 10.81 percent Catholic. This was not surprising to senior, Sam Kennedy. “I’m not surprised because like any urban area, religion will be diverse. With more diverse area, there is more diverse religion,” Kennedy said. Junior Maddie Wann thought that the percentage of Catholics

in Indianapolis would have been higher. “I thought it would be larger because when you live in a Catholic community it is hard to see the other religions around you,” said Wann. While Christianity is the largest religious group in the world, it is not the fastest growing, according to a study done by Pew Research in 2014. By 2050, Islam will be the largest religious group in the world with a 73 percent increase. Islam is the only religion in the world that is projected to grow faster than the world population. Kennedy added, “Islam is going through now what Christianity did in the 13th through 15th century. During that time Christianity was spreading like Islam is now; there were big movements to evangelize Christians like Islam is doing today.” Sophomore Will Delaney also was not shocked that Islam was the fastest growing religion in the world. “Islam seems common in places other than America,” said Delaney. The world has many different people with many different religious affiliations. “Religious diversity is important because it means people have been given the right to be a part of whatever religion they want. Diversity is a byproduct of the goal of achieving religious freedom,” said Kennedy. TM Victoria Toetz

Break down of world religions .2 percent Jewish

16 percent in the world are Catholic

World

7.1 percent Buddhist

20.8 percent of people in the US are Catholic

23.2 percent Muslim

31.5 percent Christian

United States

Indiana 72 percent Christian

10.81 percent of people in Indianapolis are Catholic

Indianapolis 41.35 percent Christian

84 percent of students at BCHS are Catholic

26 percent unaffiliated

57.8 percent unaffiliated

BCHS

100 percent reported as Christian

16.3 percent 15 percent Hindu unaffiliated

22.8 percent unaffiliated

70.6 percent Christian

18 percent of people in Indiana are Catholic

16

6.7 percent other religions

reseach from pewresearch.org and bestplaces.net

The US is: .9 percent Muslim, 1.9 percent Jewish, 1.5 percent other world religions .7 percent Hindu, .7 percent Buddhist

Indiana is: 1 percent other religions 1 percent Jewish less than 1 percent Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu Indianapolis is: .37 percent Jewish and .23 percent Muslim

Key: (by color)

Christian Hindu Muslim Other world religions Buddhist Unaffiliated Jewish


When the word prodigy is mentioned, traits including extraordinary, amazing, and talented come to mind. People consider Mozart a child prodigy for his skill of picking up musical skills so quickly that at the age of five, he was already playing at international venues and composing music. According to research done by popsci. com, a child prodigy is defined as a person under 10 who produces meaningful output on some domain to the level of an adult expert. As mentioned above, a famous example of a child prodigy is the composer Mozart, and according to popsci.com, these kinds of extraordinary minds are quite rare. According to Joanne Ruthsatz from Ohio University, “Coming across a true prodigy is one in million.” Ruthsatz studied and examined 30 child prodigies and discovered that four things set them apart from others: An exceptional memory, attention to detail, IQs of about 128, and lastly, an altruistic and kind disposition. Mrs. Angela Peterson, music teacher, believes that sometimes a “prodigy” can be someone who is simply gifted with a natural talent for doing something. She said, “Sometimes, it’s their environment; other times it’s just aptitude. There are some people who are just blessed and can pick up and learn music easily.” She gave John O’Brien, sophomore, as an example. He decided to play piano his freshman year and was able to pick up on it with ease. “I just enjoyed playing the piano and listening to the songs I was playing. I didn’t feel any pressure to do amazing (work),” O’Brien said. These kinds of people may not be

“prodigies” per se, but they do show a remarkable natural talent. Senior Anna Farmer has been singing since kindergarten and has always been surrounded by music. “I think my voice and vocal abilities came naturally to me,” Farmer explained, “I could pick up on notes quickly but I still had to practice everyday to keep my voice sharp.” Farmer had grown up in an environment of music, but there are some at BCHS who had never been around music and still possessed a natural gift. Evan Behringer, senior, started playing piano his freshman year and after realizing his talent for it started to take it more seriously. “I really just enjoyed playing. I didn’t think I was good until someone told me. I practiced a lot my freshman and sophomore year and that’s how I was able to be where I am now,” Behringer said. Not only is this kind of talent found in music, but it can be found in sports as well. Jack Kellison, senior, just started swimming this year. Although difficult at first, Kellison was able to pick up on the strokes quickly and drop time remarkably fast. He said, ”I just wanted to try out the sport. The stroke came very naturally to me. I had practiced a few times in my pool, but nothing competitive.” Prodigies can be found in more than just sports; activities such as Comedy Sportz posses them as well. Mr. Tyler Mayer, Comedy Sportz coach, stated that, “Elizabeth Siler (junior) is a prodigy at the Comedy Sportz game of 5 things.” “Prodigies can be found anywhere there are those who are willing to try new things and work hard on them,” said Mrs. Peterson. TM Mary Barnes

Features

Sports

Kelly Marsella | Trojan Matters

Students discover hidden talents while in high school

Opinion

Evan Behringer, senior, started playing piano his freshmen year and practiced a lot his freshmen and sophomore year to further develop his talent.

Kelly Marsella | Trojan Matters

News

Jack Kellison, senior, began swimming this year and thought that the strokes came naturally to him, allowing him to drop time quickly.

Kelly Marsella | Trojan Matters

Cover

John O’Brien, sophomore, plays the piano in the Piano Lab. O’Brien started playing piano his freshman year and was able to learn to play easily. He enjoys playing the piano and listening to the songs he plays.

Mr. Tyler Mayer, coach of Comedy Sportz, thinks that Elizabeth Siler, junior, is a prodigy at the Comedy Sportz game 5 Things.

Kelly Marsella | Trojan Matters

Alice Joson| Citadel

Senior Anna Farmer has been singing since she was in kindergarten and thinks that her vocal abilities have come naturally to her.

Trojan Matters 17


TM Thursday, March 31 2016

Athletes’ work comparable to the pros A

s classes end each day, the BCHS athletic fields and courts are flooded with student athletes. From laid back and just looking for a hobby to intensely training year-round, the training regiment and specific motivations of student athletes vary signifi-

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Year-round training (about 82 games in 10 months) Practices 6 days a week when in season, strict summer workout regiment when our of season “As much as you’re trying to build and gain strength, you’re also trying to stay healthy and prevent injuries as best as

Crosby was the only player under the age of 18 to play for Team Canada in the 2003 World Junior Championships.

Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer

Year-round training, 5-6 hours a day (30-36 hours a week), 6 days a week, dryland workouts 3 days a week Daily caloric intake: 12,000 calories (1 Michael Phelps breakfast = 2 days worth of meals for the average person) 18 gold medals “If you want to be the best, you have to do things other people aren’t willing to do.”

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian, with 22 medals from three Olympics.

18

cantly. As students find and pursue their passions, many dream of playing in college or even going pro. But many don’t realize how much work and dedication it really takes to make it to the professional level. TM Christine Stephenson

Matthew Adkins, senior 7-month season (about 55 games) 2 on-ice practices a week and 1 skating treadmill practice per week “Practices are very challenging and we already have so many games that we are always working and don’t have a lot of time to do other work outside the rink.”

Adkins has skated on the CHS/BCHS team for two years. photo by L. Bardol, Citadel

Austin Scheer, senior

Year-round training, 6 days a week, 18-19 hours a week “During the main season, I stay away from too many sweets and high fat foods, but really the key is to eat a ton of calories (in carbs and protein). But when it gets close to my big meets like state and sectionals, my diet gets much more strict.”

Scheer began swimming when he was 8 at Lawrence because his older sister swam there also. Photo by A. Park


Cover

Denise Johns, Olympic beach volleyball player

Trains 32 hours a week, 4-5 days of practicing and 3 days of strength conditioning Healthy but reasonable diet “(It’s important to) find a good fitness group that depends on each other, pushes you, and makes sure you follow through with your routine.” Johns grew up in the U.S., and graduated from the University of Cincinnati where she rowed.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Trains 7-12 hours a week in off season, 60-90 minutes a day Healthy but reasonable diet “Today you need every advantage you can get, and fitness is key to performance and injury prevention.” Trout is nicknamed the ‘Millville Meteor” due to his power behind the plate.

News

Opinion

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Sports

Donna Riner, senior Year-round training, 2.5 hours of practice every day after school during BCHS season, 3 hours of practice 3 days a week for club, 6-7 games per weekend (during tournaments) Fresh, balanced diet, frequently practices yoga “My motivation for playing in college is inspiring others to go accomplish whatever they want, no matter how long it takes.” Riner plays club volleyball at Riptide,

and began playing beach this past summer for the first time. Photo courtesy of Riner.

Nick Casey, senior Year-round training, 20 hours a week Fresh, balanced diet, limits carbs and uses high protein, cuts out fast food “I just want to be successful, so I have to work hard off the field for it to reflect on the field.” Casey will continue his baseball career next year at Depauw University. Photo by K. Marsella

Trojan Matters 19


TM Thursday, March 31, 2016 Coaches and players have differing views on the value and purpose of discipline

W

hether it’s running suicides, having to do pushups or taking an extra lap, athletes see discipline in different forms throughout their athletic careers. Regardless if athletes like it or not, discipline is not something that can simply be ignored. Though athletes may groan to participate in these drills, discipline in sports has its benefits. Hannah Cooke, junior girls lacrosse player, sees the value of coaches disciplining their athletes. “I think (discipline) builds character,” she said, “and it shows that you aren’t as great as you think you are.” Carson Fischer, junior football and lacrosse player, thinks that there are obvious cases where players should be disciplined. “If the athletes in question have hurt the team in some way, like skipping practice without being excused, getting in trouble with the police or giving bad or no effort,

they should be punished,” he said. Cooke also thinks that coaches should use discipline when they deem fit. “If a kid has a bad attitude, is acting up or has bad sportsmanship, the coaches need to discipline them,” she said. Furthermore, discipline also helps to build the endurance and strength of the player. “One of the best ways to get conditioned is to run and do cardio,” said Fischer, “I believe there is a lot of value in running because it helps athletes to become well-adjusted to game situations.” Coaches can see the value of discipline and implement forms of discipline that they see fit. Mrs. Katie Fisher, girls basketball coach, uses discipline in her practices with scrimmages, by having the losing team do some sort of punishment. “It’s an extra incentive,” she said, “They know they didn’t hit their goal and this is what they have to do

because of that.” According to examiner.com, coaches who effectively use discipline have the opportunity to positively influence their player’s behavior along with other aspects of their lives. In fact, the discipline in sports can transition to the classroom, especially at a young age. According to PsychCentral, kids who played structural sports were better at following instructions and remaining focused in the classroom. However, there also should be a fine line between disciplining athletes and overworking them. According to youthletic. com, pushing athletes past their limits can result in injuries, physical stress and even decrease in athletic performance. However, if used right, discipline can be an important tool for coaches to use in order to better their athletes as well as their team. TM Bill Nash

After bear crawling, Andrew Penry, sophomore and Charlie Steadham, freshman, catch their breath and listen for what they will be doing next.

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

Bear crawling, the boys volleyball team crawls from base line to base line in the auxiliary gym.

They then jump down to the other end of the auxiliary gym and back.

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

After running the drill, the boys volleyball team members catch their breath and 20 then prepare to bear crawl.

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

Players from the boys volleyball team get ready to run a ‘suicide’ drill in the auxiliary gym.

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

Breaking down the drills of boys volleyball

After running, bear crawling and jumping, sophomores Patrick Haimbaugh and Sam Klineman rest after the drills.


Out of season

VS.

Opinion

Athletes find sports seasons bring benefits and challenges s spring sports at BCHS kick into full gear, many athletes are getting back into shape and preparing for the season. At the same time, many fall and winter athletes are out of season until the summer or next school year. While finding motivation to stay fit in the off season can be difficult, some athletes find themselves stronger during down time rather than while they’re in season. Senior Matt Ernst, football and lacrosse player, is one of many who find it easier to stay fit while he is not in a sport. “I feel like I’m more in shape in the off-season because I’m able to lift weights and run more often,” he said. While practicing after school every day will thoroughly prepare athletes for competition, training on a more relaxed schedule can allow for sufficient recovery time and a more well-rounded workout routine that is not tailored to a specific sport.

Working out day after day without enough recovery time often causes injuries in athletes from continual stress on the muscles and bones, according to active.com. Maya Overett, sophomore, overstretched her medial collateral ligament (MCL) from lacrosse. “I didn’t play a sport last year and we ran so much that my legs weren’t used to it,” Overett

explained. An injury like this can hinder an athlete’s progression, causing him or her to be set aside in training. “I stretch with (Ms. Kayla Keller, athletic trainer) every day before practice and I can’t run right now,” said Overett. Athletes can use this vital recovery time to do other, less strenuous activities including pilates, yoga or swimming any activity that reduces strain.

Changes in diet can also affect how fit an athlete stays in the off season. With little time to choose healthy options over on-the-go options, many athletes find that their in-season diets are lacking in nutrition. “[I’m trying to eat] much less junk food, but it’s really hard to do just because I’m so busy,” said Nathan Kolbus, sophomore. Kolbus runs cross country and track and trains year round. “I definitely am in better physical condition by the end of the season because the training adds up,” said Kolbus. Out-of-season work is vital for Trojan athletes. According to active. com, “[Off season training sessions] should be focused on preparing your body for next year’s volume, preventing injuries, and increasing your performance from the previous year.” TM Christine Stephenson

Sports

Common injuries by sport Running: Stress Fracture

Appy Park| Trojan Matters

A

Features

In season Abby Teed, sophomore, originally injured herself tripping at BCXC camp. When she kept running on it, the stress gave her a fracture. Continuing to run made it “a lot worse,” said Teed.

Tennis: Labrum Tears

Kelly Marsella | Trojan Matters

Ellen Giudice | Trojan Matters

weight room

News

Junior John Sokol partially tore his labrum at the beginning of his summer season. “I just tweaked it on one serve,” he said. Continuing to play bothered him at first, but he had to adjust his match strategies. Part of these changes was switching to doubles, “If you have a partner you can incorporate spin rather than speed,” said Sokol.

Trojan Matters 21

Emily Smith | Trojan Matters

Cover


Players to watch this spring season

As spring sports seasons approach, Trojans have prepared off season to make an impact for and with their teams. V

TM ictoria Toetz

Abby Park| Trojan Matters

freshman tennis player said, “I play tennis year round, so I have prepared for this season by playing at an indoor facility about three times a week and by attending conditioning sessions.”

Grant Hakanson, junior rugby player said, “I

Abby Park| Trojan Matters

Alysa Guffey,

“I prepared in the off-season by practicing with my lacrosse team every day for two hours. I also have been cycling as much as possible to build endurance, lifting weights, running and practicing passing and catching on my own whenever I get the chance,” said Parker Hopkins, junior boys lacrosse player.

have been trying to eat as [healthy] as possible, workout as much as I can and show up for as many pre-season practices as I can.”

Sydney Ragsdale,

Abby Park| Trojan Matters

freshman track and field runner said, “I try to workout as much as possible, practice as much as I can and have a good mind set for how I want the season to go.”

said, “I lifted weights, ran and increased my overall fitness. I want to improve and be a good teammate for my team. I also watched club men’s volleyball teams from Europe so I could see how to improve on my skills.”

“I went to offseason practices. We were in the gym working on fielding skills and hitting. We were also in the weight room every week which helped me improve on my skills and strength,” said

Christine Oppold,

sophomore softball player.

Abby Park| Trojan Matters

Abby Park| Trojan Matters

photo courtesy of Hakanson | Trojan Matters

Ethan Manuszak, junior boys volleyball player


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