TROJAN MATTERS Volume 5, Issue 3
On the cover
Trojans recognize their blessings
Cover photos by Nathan Horlander
TROJANS
MATTER Prayers to. . .
• social studies teacher Mr. Steve Gretencord following his surgery for a return to full health. • those impacted by gun violences especially in Pittsburgh, PA and Thousand Oaks, CA. • those impacted by the wildfires in Califorina. • newly elected officials, that they make decisions that benefit all. • all those traveling to El Salvador over Thanksgiving trip for a meaningful experience.
Photo: Brooklyn Rietz
Page 14 & 15
Did you know. . . News
Opinion
Features
Sports
P. 2 -
P. 8 -
P. 17 -
P. 18 -
High school is difficult; reflecting on the reason behind the rise in teen suicide over the years
P. 4 -
The demands of being in the Armed Forces
Students and teachers debate the benefits and drawbacks of extra credit
Learn how YouTubers earn an income
P. 10 -
"No means no," is often heard in media and daily life, but what does it really mean?
Looking ahead
TROJAN MATTERS STAFF Editor-in-chief Blueprint editor News editor Opinions editor Features editor
Janie Gleaves Kacee Haslett Kacee Haslett, Claire Williams Belle deCastro Carmen Sullivan
This date in history. . . 1581: Ivan the Terrible attacks his son and heir, Ivan Ivanovich, leading to the latter's death three days later 1939: Al Capone freed from Alcatraz jail after eight years
Ethan and Grayson Dolan run the YouTube account Dolan Twins. They make challenge videos and often collaborate with other channels. Collaborations are a popular way for channels to gain subscribers by exposing their fanbases to new YouTubers.
Tonight • Football semi-state at Evansville Memorial 7:30 p.m. Fan bus leaves at 3:15 p.m. sharp
Some sports records are topped every season. Others are seemingly unbreakable.
November is National Fun with Fondue Month. The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant founded in 1975 with one location in Indianapolis. Treat yourself to some yummy fondue!
Nov. 17-24 • El Salvador Thanksgiving Trip Group leaves 4:30 a.m. Saturday Sports editor Reporting staff
Michael Mates Mary Borchers Patrick Felts
Sarah Meek Aidan Sullivan
Photo editor Photographers
Jaeden Crawford Natalie Donaldson Ashley Freiburger Katie Grote Lily Hofmeister Brooklyn Reitz
Kaylee Rulong Lainey Scroggins Miranda Stickel Gloria Vasquez Anna Wuensch
P. 21 -
Popular sports brands battle for supremacy
2017: Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi" sells for $450.3 million, setting the world record for any artwork.
Nov. 21-23 • Thanksgiving Break
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 magazine will publish letters to the editor, but may be edited for the length and clarity. Trojan Matters is the monthly news magazine produced by the Advanced publications - Magazine class. Trojan Matters is considered a public forum and the voice of the student body. In addition, daily news updates can be found online at the-BluePrint.org. Letters/ Comments can be submitted through The Blueprint or dropped off in the Publications Room (210). Mrs. Tracy Luke, MJE, serves as publication adviser.
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News
Trojan Notes
You Said It
Celebrating Thanksgiving
UNCONVENTIONALLY
S
pending Thanksgiving away from their families, seven students and three adults of the BCHS community are traveling outside of the country this holiday. This is a trip taken with campus ministry director Mrs. Carol Wagner so BCHS students have a chance to immerse themselves into a new culture for a week. The immersion trip to El Salvador is where junior Claire Otolski
will be spending the holiday. Otolski said, “I am sad that I won’t be with my family, but I am so excited to have such an amazing experience to learn about an entirely new culture.” Elsewhere, a new trend around Thanksgiving is popular with students here. The Friendsgiving celebration is when friends get together and bring all their leftovers and share another turkey dinner to-
Opinions
gether. Junior Lottie Ogorek hosted her Friendsgiving last year with her closest friends. “I am just as thankful for my friends and I think it is important that we show how grateful we really are,” Ogorek said. Some students and their families use Thanksgiving break as a chance to get away on vacation. It’s a long enough break to take time and relax instead of having the stress of a hectic family holiday. Senior Connor Dixon and his immediate family traveled to Marco Island, FL for Thanksgiving last year and will return. Dixon said, “We still have a normal thanksgiving meal, so the only thing is that none of my other family is there, but it is very relaxing." •Sarah Meek
Features
Sports
We Heard It
I accidentally took NyQuil instead of DayQuil this morning. When I get scared, I close my ears. I did it twice times. I think you can find the Bible on Sparknotes or Schmoop. Mo Bamba will be played at my wedding. Mark my words. Tootsie Rolls aren’t supposed to taste like chocolate. They are supposed to taste like Tootsie Rolls. Buckle up kiddos; it's about to get emo.
Photo Courtesy of Carmen Sulllivan
Leaves are just like dead bodies if you think about it. You're such a negative Sally. The 2017 spring break El Salvador group gathers for a meal. That trip included two seniors and ten juniors. Seven juniors will travel this Thanksgiving trip. "I hope students aquire a broader perspective of the world outside of their north side bubble," said Mrs. Carol Wagner, campus ministry director and chaperone.
How do you spend
Thanksgiving? 66% With family in town
31%
With family out of town
1 1% % W On ith f vac rien ati ds on
school-wide survey ±4% with 95% percent accuracy
Juniors Hayes Shepherd, Henry Shelley, Claire Otolski, Kellie Keating and Jack Benson celebrate "Friendsgiving" last November.
Trojan Matters asks. . .
Where did the COOKIES go? The well known Chatard cookies have been removed from the cafeteria. Mrs. Brenda Henry, cafeteria director, explained why the cookies are gone. “We are a part of the National School Lunch Program, so we must follow their rules and regulations. One of those rules is that any product sold á la carte must be 51 percent
whole grain. The cookies were changed to meet that standard of 51 percent,” she said. Junior Dee Dee Caskey who bought the old cookies almost everyday is very upset. “The new cookies are just not the same. Now I don’t buy cookies because the old ones were so much better,” Caskey said.
•Sarah Meek
If you have a question, let TM look into it. Submit questions at the-blueprint.org/contact or to Room 210.
Once I found out Mr. McLain prints at school, that's when my procrastination began. Chimney sweepers need a Brita filter for their lungs. Does your dad speak Philippian? I want to be a doctor, but I have to get my meningitis shot first. "Her voice makes my ears hurt. But, like, I kinda like it." Did you hear something funny? Submit You Said It, We Heard It quotes at the-blueprint.org/ contact or to Room 210.
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
Photo: Mary Borchers
The rise in teen
T
he stigma associated with mental health and suicide is an unspoken problem all around the country. The phrase “I want to kill myself ” is something that can be heard sarcastically mentioned in conversation all of the time in the hallways of high schools. However, the problem of suicide is not always something that is readily discussed or addressed. How can something that affects so many people be talked about seriously by so few? Teen suicide rates have increased dramatically over the last couple of years. According to the Parent Resource Program, for people aged 10-24, there are 3,041 suicide attempts daily. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for this age
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group. Unintentional accidents is No. 1 and homicide is No. 3. According to a 2018 article in the Indianapolis Business Journal,
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there are 123 suicides daily for all age groups, which is almost 45,000
Teens are so connected through social media that they don’t have a chance to disconnect—to step back and process their feelings. - Mrs. Monica Helfrich
the suicide rate in Indiana has increased 31.9 percent between 1999 and 2016, equivalent to an additional suicide every eight hours.
suicides per year in the US alone. Suicide is a problem, specifically with teens today, for many reasons. Mrs. Becky Wilde, BCHS
social worker, said it is “hard to pinpoint just one reason,” but she believes that technology is a major problem. “Teens are so bombarded with negative things throughout the day,” said Mrs. Wilde, which is especially a problem because their brains are most vulnerable during adolescence. Guidance counselor Mrs. Monica Helfrich said, “Teens are so connected through social media that they don’t have a chance to disconnect—to step back and process their feelings.” The digital age has also brought forth all sorts of new distractions making it unfortunately too easy for troubled emotions to go unnoticed. Four out of five people that commit suicide give clear warn
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Every day in the United States...
123
The Jason Foundation
3,041
suicide attempts by high schoolers
suicides
12 minutes
ing signs, according to the Parent Resource Program. Mrs. Helfrich said common signs are when people stop talking about the future or start saying goodbyes. Mrs. Wilde also said withdrawing from friends or a sudden change in behavior are some giveaways. Some signs are even more subtle such as people suddenly becoming calm or wanting to change their appearance, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Mrs. Helfrich said one of the biggest problems in today’s society is helping people that seem fine, but are actually in trouble. She said the most important thing to do is con-
front it head on. She said, “It is important to ask people (in trouble) the tough questions. This creates a safe place for them, letting them know you are there to help.” While the problem grows all around the nation, it also affects those here. Mrs. Wilde said she does not have a day at work where she does not hear a student talk about suicide. She said, “It is a bigger issue overall in high school. Here at Chatard, we are not immune. ” Mrs. Wilde also said that at BCHS, everyone knows one another, so it makes the fear of judgment much higher. She said, “Everyone
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
someone dies by suicide every
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
there are
there are
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“People feel like if they say something, they’re crazy. We have to look out for each other.” -Mrs. Becky Wilde
wants that ‘Instagram perfect’ picture, but everyone’s life is not as perfect as they make it out to be.” Mrs. Wilde said many people are very good at hiding how they are actually feeling. It is important for anyone considering suicide to know where to get help. Mrs. Wilde suggests contacting any of the counselors, clergy or outside therapy. Mrs. Helfrich also suggested telling any adult or counselor. Teachers have also been getting additional training in suicide prevention to combat the growing problem. Talking to friends is also import-
ant; however, they may not always know what to do with the information. Mrs. Helfrich said that it is important for students to know that being vulnerable is okay and people will think highly of them if they ask for help. Mrs. Wilde said the most important thing is for students to know that they are not alone and that they can always speak up. She said, “People feel like if they say something, they’re crazy. They’re not.We have to look out for each other.”
•Mary Borchers
Ask for help. . .
If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, it is important to talk to an adult to get the help needed. At BCHS, everyone is willing to help; all you have to do is speak up.
Confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1(800) 273-TALK (8255) on call 24/7
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Photo courtesy of Citadel Yearbook archives November, 2017
TROJAN MATTERS
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November 16, 2018
Members of BCHS community give back to their country
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elebrating those who have served in the military on Veterans Day is a tradition dating back to 1919. Roughly 20 million U.S. Armed Forces veterans are honored and thanked throughout the year, but they are especially celebrated Nov. 11 annually. Since Nov. 11 falls on a Sunday, national holiday is Nov. 12. Many BCHS teachers, support staff, and alumni have served in the military, each with distinct experiences. Math teacher Mr. Doug Johnson served in the Navy for four years active duty and 21 years in the Reserves, including a deployment to the Suez Canal. He said, “I can step back and say while I was on active duty, I met the woman who became my wife. That for sure is one of the most long-lasting benefits, along with a lot of good friends I stay in touch with today.” Mr. Johnson advanced in the Navy to earn the title of Commander, which is equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and Marines. This high-ranking office does not come without sacrifice. Mr. Johnson said, “The men and women make a commitment that is at much personal
cost. Let’s all be thankful for the men and women who have fought for us.” BCHS graduate Jared Faul (‘18) is pursuing a spot in the Army National Guard. He leaves for basic training in January, and hopes to become an infantry officer once he completes his
“In the military, there are people from every walk of life and getting to know them is one of the best parts.” -Jared Faul
degree. He recalled one of his favorite moments of his experience thus far. “My favorite story has to be when I was at Drill in September. A bunch of us were waiting in the gym before a workout and were throwing a frisbee when suddenly one of the PFCs (Private First Class) threw the disk and it went off someone’s fingertips and hit our Sergeant in her head. Needless to say our workout got harder after that.” He added, “I wish civilians knew that
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not everyone who joins is because they’re out of options or are not smart enough from college. In the military, there are people from every walk of life and getting to know them is one of the best parts,” he said. To be in the military, you have to be 17 to 40 years old, be in good health, be a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. Some things that disqualify applicants are their medical conditions, mental health, criminal history, education, and age. Veterans Day is one single day, yet veterans deserve to be recognized everyday of the year due to the significant sacrifices they have made for us. Navy Weather Officer and current Media Assistant Mr. Bob McLain served for four years and said, “I wish that civilians realized the men and women that are serving this country are sacrificing a lot and sometimes even their lives. They are very dedicated to this country and its values.”
•Michael Mates
Current BCHS Faculty who have served Principal Mr. Joe Hansen Honorably Discharged Veteran of the United States Air Force Math teacher Mr. Doug Johnson U.S. Navy Officer 4 years Active & 21 years Reserve
Photo courtesy of Mr. Johnson
Media Assistant Mr. Bob McLain Weather Officer in the US Navy 1967-1969 Mr. Johnson poses in his U.S. Navy Officer uniform. Mr. Johnson became a math teacher in 2004 and has worked at BCHS since 2012.
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
The “family feeling” at BCHS is more than just an advertisement
BCHS students were asked to describe their school community in one word. Their responses are featured above. One student in particular couldn’t contain themself to one word. “You can’t describe BCHS in one word because there is so much to say about it.” Traditional families are connected by blood, not by choice. This strong, symbolic unification keeps these individuals bonded together no matter what. Bishop Chatard has sculpted its own family not through blood, but through a shared love for the spirit of their school. As soon as one steps foot on campus, he or she is immediately immersed into the ever growing community Bishop Chatard has fostered. The BCHS community is a network of Trojans, past and present, who all care for each other like family. But how exactly does that feel? What does it mean to be apart of this community? What makes
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BCHS any different from other schools? From the outside perspective, Bishop Chatard is a well-respected and successful center for education and faith development. The BCHS Open House is full of smiling faces and blue and white balloons all welcoming guests into their doors. But Bishop Chatard is so much more. “Our community goes beyond being welcoming and strives for this sense of belonging in all its members,” said Principal Joe Hansen. People here constantly desire to grow the BCHS family and want others to not only feel wanted, but to feel accepted. “It didn’t take long
for me to latch onto that sense of belonging and that belonging is where we feel connected. I really felt like a Trojan from day one,” Mr. Hansen said about joining the BCHS family two years ago. Just as families take years to develop and strengthen, the BCHS community has evolved drastically over the past decades. Receptionist Mrs. Barb Gaffney has been working at BCHS for 35 years and has witnessed an immense amount of progress in community involvement. She noted that when she first came to BCHS, there was little engagement outside of athletic boosters. However, 1990 marked a transformative year for the school
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as it welcomed Brother Joe Umile as the new principal. “His mission was to revitalize Bishop Chatard. As he began to have a lot of influence within the community, I saw a different look of more parents wanting to be involved and invested in the school,” Mrs. Gaffney said. Brother Joe established new programs for volunteering and encouraged involvement. “I recognized a major shift in teachers and students. As long as he was here, the community seemed to come together more,” Mrs. Gaffney said. That community has stood the test of time. “From then on, even if principals were not as involved, the community still seemed to stay together, and I see it only getting stronger and stronger,” Mrs. Gaffney said. This specific community looks different for everyone. Mr. Hansen felt instantly connected through a multitude of people. “It was everybody: students, teachers, support staff, coaches, parents, cafeteria workers, custodians and alumni,” Mr. Hansen said. Junior Mary Horlander was able to find this sense of belonging from just a few specific individuals. What sets this community apart is the deep connection and care that can be found in the relationships within the school. At BCHS, teachers become friends and classmates become brothers and sisters. Horlander experienced this sense of belonging from a unique perspective. This past year on Wednesday March 14, 2017, Horlander’s father passed away. This tragedy hit almost exactly a year after the
family had experienced a devastating house fire. The culmination of events created immense grief and need for healing in the Horlander family. “Keeping busy was a way to cope,” Horlander said. The week of her father’s death happened to fall right before Tech Week and opening night for the spring musical. Horlander attended rehearsal the very next day and even after the funeral that following Monday.
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times of pain, but all throughout Horlander’s high school career. “I can always count on Mr. Bach. I could walk in there today and know he would put everything aside to help me,” Horlander said, “His door is always open.” This type of genuine love and concern may seem rare, but BCHS has been able to provide it for so many people. As evident from the compassion Horlander received, the teachers and administrators here at BCHS play a monumental role in cultivating such a solid community. Mr. Hansen is proud to be apart of such a competitive yet selfless group of individuals. “The best teachers don’t look at it as a job; they look at it as a way of life,” he said. The teachers at BCHS invite students to truly feel what it’s like to belong to a community and to be apart of something bigger than themselves. Mrs. Gaffney has recognized this collaboration even more recently. “The community comes together even just to worship. I see a lot of parents coming in to go to mass and enjoy the reinvented music program,” she said. “From where I started to where we are now, I’ve seen us grow into a really strong, healthy community,” Mrs. Gaffney said. “In a way it has to be everyone,” Horlander said, “Everyone has to be there for each other or else there’s a hole.” While this community has developed through the efforts of countless people, it truly only takes one caring individual to spark that feeling of belonging for limitless amounts of other people.
Our community goes “beyond being welcoming and strives for this sense of belonging in all its members. ~Mr. Joe Hansen
”
•Claire Williams
Photos courtesy of archives
“Once you’re not busy and it’s all silent, everything starts flooding back. It was in those times I found myself thinking ‘I cannot handle life right now’,” Horlander said. In those times of silence, Horlander was able to turn to her teachers for help when she needed it most. “Mr. (Jeff) Bach (chemistry teacher) was the most amazing person for me in that whole process. He would just be there to listen and to provide great insight on anything and everything,” she said. Horlander also found comfort from biology teacher Mrs. Kim Shaw and director of campus ministry Mrs. Carol Wagner. “They reached out to me and were very understanding. I was able to be honest,” she said. This care was not only present in
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
Photo: Lily Hofmeister
Extra credit impacts students
Junior Sofia Riffel hands her iPad to Mr. Mark Jones to check her eligibility for extra credit. Extra credit plays a vital role in forming the final grades of the students.
Commonly described as the make-or-break factor in someone’s grade, extra credit has been awarded to students since the beginning of their high school careers. And just as long is the debate over whether extra credit is necessary or helpful. It is easy to view the benefits of extra credit from the lens of a student. However, from the lens of a teacher, the perspective changes. Social studies teacher Mr. Joe Milharcic believes that extra credit is a positive opportunity. “Life happens for kids. Extra credit gives them a chance to redeem some of their mistakes,” he said. “I want to try and accommodate some of their needs through extra credit.” While Mr. Milharcic allows the benefits of extra credit to his AP Government classes, science teacher Mrs. Stephanie Tebbe does not offer extra credit opportunities to her AP Biology class. She explained that she adjusts her grading scale to accommodate the College Board recommended scale and gives bo-
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nus point questions on tests, but does not explicitly offer extra credit. “Without this extra credit opportunity, I am able to set the class more in line with collegiate expectations,” said Mrs. Tebbe. While Mrs. Tebbe withholds extra credit opportunities from her AP classes, she does offer extra credit for her freshmen and anatomy classes. Mrs. Tebbe described this extra credit opportunity as “grade insurance.” Like Mr. Milharcic, she understands that students will forget about assignments and quizzes. She offers extra credit to help balance out the behavioral side of the students. Teachers debate the pros and cons of extra credit, but most would agree that if extra credit is offered, all students deserve the chance to receive it. Mr. Milharcic believes that even though he sees some students not even try to engage in his class, he has to be consistent in offering the chance for extra points to everyone. Likewise, math teacher Mr. Mark Jones offers extra credit
to everyone who completes a packet of math problems on time and accurately. Though students display different levels of work ethic and effort, most teachers agree that all students deserve an equal opportunity to receive it if offered. Sophomore Ellen Keefe said, “Extra credit lets the student know that the teacher is working for them and not against them.”
Would you still donate cans if you didn’t receive extra credit? 60.3%
26.1% 13.6% school-wide survey ±4% with 95% percent accuracy
Yes, but not as many.
Yes
No
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Photo Courtesy of Citadel Archives, November, 2017
Photo Courtesy of Citadel Archives, November, 2017
BCHS collects canned goods; donates to help others
Sophomore Joe Mees helps unload cans during the annual BCHS canned food drive. Students donate nearly 30, 000 items.
Who do our cans help?
Sophomore Mason Fellwock carries canned goods to a truck to be transported. The drive ran five days. Trucks were loaded yesterday.
St. Vincent de Paul Christ’s Store House Pantry
St. Augustine’s International Gateway Pantry
Officer David S. Moore Pantry Catholic Charities Crisis Office
At the close of the annual canned food drive, BCHS students have donated their cans to help those in need, with the added incentive of receiving extra credit in return. This has been a tradition since before theology teacher Mr. Matt Hilton can remember. He said that ever since he was a student at BCHS, there has always been a canned food drive. Mr. Hilton has chaired the annual drive for the last seven years. Since he has been in charge, the drive has continued to offer the extra credit incentive for students, despite Mr. Hilton’s belief that students should not have to be rewarded in order to donate. Mr. Hilton said, “I want to believe that students donate out of the goodness of their hearts and not solely for extra credit, but I do not know the inner workings of all
our students’ hearts.” In contrast to Mr. Hilton’s perspective on this judgment decision, junior Anna Wuensch thinks that donating cans for extra credit is acceptable. Wuensch agrees with Mr. Hilton that receiving the extra credit will result in more cans. However, Wuensch added, “The canned food drive gets students in the habit to donate. The incentive behind it does not really matter when you think about all the good that comes out of it.” Last school year, BCHS raised approximately 26,000 cans . The cans benefit the following organizations: St. Vincent de Paul, St. Augustine’s Home, Catholic Charities Crisis Office, Officer David S. Moore Pantry, International Gateway Pantry and Christ’s Storehouse Pantry. Mr. Hilton said students are al-
ways open to donating to more organizations, but with the six the school is already committed to, the resources are maximized. “It would be great to reach out to more organizations, but at this point it would not be effective to spread the donations too thin.” Mr. Hilton explained how, about a week and a half before the drive, staff members hand out bags to BCHS neighbors. “We hand out the bags to different surrounding neighborhoods, and then we collect them during the official canned food drive week. Their donations contribute to our overall total.” This year’s canned food drive was just as successful as previous drives. All of the student donations will assist hundreds of families in need this fall. •Belle deCastro
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November 16, 2018
TROJAN MATTERS Staff Opinion
CONSENT. No means no. Coercing or manipulating your date/friend/ partner into agreeing to something against their will is not consensual. Waiting until your partner cannot make a decision on their own is not consensual. Taking advantage of your partner while they are under the influence is not consensual. Non-verbal agreement is not consensual. Blaming a decision on someone’s clothing choices or reputation is not consensual.
Consider these questions:
Assuming is not consensual. No means no, regardless. In any given situation, boundaries are important. As written in Loveisrespect.org, everyone deserves to be comfortable with the boundaries they set and what they want to participate in. Today’s society has recently shined a light on sexual assault and violence, especially with numerous cases on university campuses and within United States politics.
“Is everything okay?” “Would you like to do something else?” “Is this uncomfortable?” “Do I want this to go on?” “Are you okay?” “Do you want to keep going?”
These questions are valuable in any situation where there is peer pressure, but especially so in the incidence of physical involvement. If you are saying “no” or even thinking “no” to any of these questions, these are red flags to not giving consent. In the moment, this can be scary and uncomfortable, but it is imperative to stand up for yourself. 10
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NO ONE CAN FORCE OTHERS INTO DOING THINGS THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO OR ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH.
Rape allegations and trials, much like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s hearing, have cultivated a national conversation surrounding sexual assault. Regardless of political or religious stance, at the root of the problem lies consent. No one can force others into doing things they do not want to do or are uncomfortable with. The key is to choose affection that is safe, nonviolent and agreed upon. Not only is sexual assault considered a crime, it is upheld within our own morals to treat other humans with dignity and respect. Many try and pin the blame in other places: being under the influences of alcohol, claiming what took place was consensual, or even saying that the event didn’t happen or that they do not remember. The issue does not solely surround “irrespon-
sible” teenage boys, which many are quick to blame assault cases on. Abuse and violence can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, or background. Body Talk, an Australian nonprofit family planning service, reported on their website that “one of the best ways to determine if someone is uncomfortable with any situation, especially a sexual one, is to simply to ask them.” It is important to familiarize yourself with the vital pieces of what consent means. In relationships, we can have meaningful conversations with our dates/partners about what we are and are not comfortable with before engaging in any activities, whether they are sexual or not. This maintains a baseline to begin with, showing that each person in a relationship is respected in all of their personal choices.
it is essential. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Indiana Coalition to end Sexual Assualt 317-624-2370 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Awareness is an additional key—without informing ourselves of the necessary knowledge, we will not know how to ask for consent or know that we are giving consent correctly. Rape is not okay. Sexual assault is not okay. Verbal consent and conversations with those who you trust beforehand are the best ways to know for sure that you are within respectable boundaries of someone and their choices. Editor’s note: If you believe you are experiencing sexual harassment, tell a trusted adult immediately or BCHS social worker Mrs. Becky Wilde. It is important to get help. See phone numbers below for other information. Additionally, abstinence before marriage is practiced in the Catholic Church. “No means no” is necessary in all circumstances and choices in our lives.
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
Accents from
around the world
Dialects develop based on geography, family and time At its core, everyone has an accent. Although a person never realizes they have an accent, it is only perceived when someone else is listening. It is easy to believe that we are the ones speaking normally, and everyone else has an accent. In reality, there is no standard or baseline for linguistic traits, rather it is completely dependent on the individual and where they are raised and what their native language is. Accents are not inherent. They are generally formed when a person is between the ages of two and five years old. For example, an American born in China would develop Chinese-accented English due to the accents of the people speaking around them. Humans learn language and pronunciation through essentially what is, “monkey see monkey do,” where they will hear others pronounce certain letters in certain ways and adopt those same mannerisms. There are two types of accents: foreign accents and dialects. A foreign accent is most commonly noticed when someone tries to speak an unfamiliar language while using the sounds and pronunciations from their first language. American linguist Betty J. Birner uses German as an example of this phenomenon. “German speakers learning English are likely to have trouble with the sounds found at the be-
ginning of the words “wish,” and “this,” because those sounds don’t exist in German. So they may pronounce them instead as v and z - similar sounds that do occur in German,” Birner said. A dialect comes into play when different cultures intercommunicate. Dialects can be formed through any type of barrier, whether that be physical or geographical, such as a river between cities cutting off communication. When these two towns evolve and their shared language takes different characteristics and styles, they develop pronunciations of words that differ from one another. These “dialects,” or differences in pronunciation of the same language, continue to evolve and take their own forms and sounds of the same language. Junior Jack McGillicuddy recognizes these challenges through his own experience. McGillicuddy’s grandfather is of Polish descent, and speaks with a thick Polish accent. “Every time my grandpa tries to talk about Fortnite with me, he pronounces it fart-nite and I just can’t keep myself together,” said McGillicuddy. However, McGillicuddy still appreciates the diversity accents have to offer. “Accents are cool to hear because it’s like adding a little bit of culture to your conversation,” said McGillicuddy. War, immigration, isolation, and cultural linguistic differences all contribute to the formation of a person’s accent. •Aidan Sullivan
“Accents are cool to hear because it’s like adding a little bit of culture to your conversation.” -Jack McGillicuddy
Regional speech differences in the United States: Soda Pop
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tennis shoes
You guys
Y’all
sneakers
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To edit or not to edit With the rise of social media, teenagers post, tweet and Snapchat about anything and everything that happens in their lives. Behind the screen, the use of edits and filters on images is a pattern that is widely seen. That being said, the use of these filters and edits are beginning to portray a certain image of the user to the rest of the media. “Growing up in this new world of social media is so stressful,” said academic resource teacher Ms. Ellen Schroeder. Social media can either alleviate stress or increase it. A trend people see all over social media today is the added pressure of using edits and filters to enhance people’s pictures and posts. At BCHS, 90.8 percent of students admitted to using apps to edit their pictures. Editing photos is common in social media today. Junior Caroline Machala said she likes to edit her photos using the app VSCO because it increases the aesthetic and because it is fun. “I like to edit my photos I post on social media because it shows people the best version of myself or of an experience I had,” said Machala. Unlike Machala, sophomore Bella Duray does not even use social media or any editing apps for her pictures. Duray said that not having social media enables her to enjoy the world around
Sophomore Meritt Jaeger poses with senior sister Audrey Jaeger with the black and white edited filter.
her without being too focused on taking pictures all the time. Although she does not have a social media image, Duray said, “I don’t think it has an effect on what people think of me, but I also don’t think I would be much different if I had it.” Even though Duray does not use social media, she admitted that if she had such access, she would edit her pictures. “Using edits or filters would make my pictures look more fun and interesting once I posted them, and people might like looking at them better that way.” Similarly to Duray, Ms. Schroeder explained her experience with social media and all the images produced from it. “I found people editing their photos to a point where they tried to make themselves look as flawless as possible,” Ms. Schroeder said. “I stopped using social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat because it was just too overwhelming to keep up with and some of the really edited posts just made me feel bad about myself.” According to the #StatusOfMind survey published by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society for Public Health, one anonymous person out of the 1,479 people aging from 14 to 24 responded, “Instagram easily makes girls and women feel as if their bodies aren’t good enough as people add filters and edit their pictures in order for them to look ‘perfect’.”
Senior Cierra Lander uses the popular edit app Huji for her Instagram post with senior Lucy Park.
While some people find the edited posts all over social media to be fake and overwhelming, freshman Kaitlyn Stehlik said that she loves editing. “Editing is a way for me to use my creativity to make something I am proud of,” Stehlik said. “My goal in editing is to portray how artsy and fun editing can be.” Though Stehlik admitted that she uses editing to also make the picture look better, she mainly edits her pictures to show her creativity. A lot more goes into people’s posts than what just meets the eye. Despite the amount of time and effort some people take to edit their pictures before posting, their followers often do not even realize the hard work put into it. Junior Ethan Clapacs said that he usually does not notice any edits. “On the off chance I do notice edits, it is usually because the picture looks more fake rather than better.” A person’s social media image has become a key part to how some people identify themselves. On one hand, some people find individual’s portrayed social media image to be too manufactured and too overwhelming. On the other hand, people similar to Stehlik and Machala put forth a lot of time and effort into what they post. The reasons behind the edits and filters may differ depending on the person, but the overall goal is uniformly the same: to enhance their picture or, simply put, to “make it better.”
•Belle deCastro
Junior Rachel Burns uses an app to edit the background of her post with a friend.
Senior Desirae Fuller uses the app Aviary to edit her photo to make some of the picture black and white.
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
TROJ
OF 14
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JANS HAVE AN
atitude
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attitude
Often times we fail to appreciate the blessings that surround our everyday lives. Bursts of happiness go unrecognized leading to a more pessimistic way of life. “We learn to say please and thank you to give a sense of maturity and respect others,” said junior Braden Thatcher. But it goes beyond that. Showing
gratitude is scientifically proven to improve your mental and physical health, relationships and sleep. Acknowledging gratitude once a day can increase your optimism by 15 percent. Students and faculty were asked to acknowledge the little things in their lives that make them smile. •Carmen Sullivan
All photos by Katie Grote and Brooklyn Reitz
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
Teens receive income Photo illustration by: Gloria Vazquez
from
Published on Nov. 16, 2018
YouTube launched Feb. 14, 2005, meaning “YouTuber” wasn’t even a word when students here were growing up. Yet now, especially among teens, YouTuber is widely accepted as a legitimate job title. However, because YouTube videos are free to watch, how these video-makers generate an income still puzzles many. First and foremost, money is made from contracted sponsorships and brand deals. YouTubers partner with businesses to advertise a product or service in their videos. For example, a beauty account may partner with a makeup company and talk up their products in a video. The brand gets exposure, and in return the YouTuber gets the amount agreed upon in the contract. This is the largest lump sum way YouTubers make money. Similar to sponsorships are affiliate links. In
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YouTube videos, you often hear the person on camera refer to a product and say “the link is in the description below; go check it out,” or somet h i n g s i m i l a r. Often,
“YouTube videos lift people up and don’t make them feel so ”
alone.
Meghan Koers
these links are not just generous resources, but an effort to gain money. If the viewer goes to the aforementioned link and buys the
aforementioned product, the YouTuber gets a percentage of the sales they drove to the site. The easiest way that videos can yield earnings is through AdSense. These are surveys and ads at the beginning of videos that must be responded to or watched before the viewer can proceed. For every thousand impressions the ad makes, the YouTuber makes a certain amount of money, usually only somewhere between $1 and $5. However, for big names, like James Charles, Liza Koshy and Ninja, that are receiving millions of views, this adds up quickly. YouTubers also capitalize on money-making opportunities outside the site; popular ways to do this include meet and greets, tours and merchandise. Senior Molly Katra loves beauty YouTuber James Charles and bought one of his merchandise sweatshirts, despite it being $45. “I
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Trojan favorites: James Charles 9.9M subscribers Dolan Twins 7.3M subscribers Emma Chamberlain 5.4M subscribers
Shane Dawson 19M subscribers Logan Paul 18.6M subscribers Jake Paul 17.5M subscribers
want more sweatshirts! They’re just so expensive,” said Katra. YouTubers continue to draw people into their videos with fandom names, weekly uploading habits and often even second channels that provide a more intimate, real look into their day-today lives. This allows a more intimate connection between celebrities and fans compared to those offered by many other avenues. Junior Meghan Koers said, “YouTube videos lift people up and don’t make them feel so alone. I think kids can tend to feel alone in high school; which is why YouTube has gotten a lot more popular recently with high schoolers.” Senior Emily Mees agrees that YouTube has risen in popularity among high schoolers. “It’s such an easy way for people to bond over things,” said Mees. She also cited the accessibil-
ity and speed compared to television as another reason for the surge in popularity. Senior Thomas Catalano watches science and engineering YouTubers, his favorite being Mark Rober. Rober has 3.8 million subscribers; popular videos include how to survive a grenade blast, lemon powered supercar, and the science of the perfect rock skip robot. Sports videos are also popular. Senior David Whittemore said that he watches biggest football hits videos on YouTube to get excited on game days. Whittemore also watches YouTubers like Ninjas and Nickmercs who record themselves playing video games. With 400 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, and an endless number of video genres, there is something on YouTube for everyone. •Janie Gleaves
12.9% said
no
87.1% said yes
Do you watch YouTube? statistics and youTube choices based on school-wide survey ±4% with 95% percent accuracy
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TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
E
Unbreakable
very athlete or team has heard that “records are meant to be broken.” While the aspiration to break a record is great motivation to succeed, sometimes, records are set and become virtually unbreakable. •Patrick Felts
College Football
Georgia Tech vs Cumberland University
Most points scored in a college football game (222) Largest margin of victory (222 points) In 1916, Georgia Tech University’s football team, coached by John Heisman (the trophy’s namesake), beat Cumberland University 2220. This score happened in part due to the huge gap in skill between the teams, but also because Coach Heisman held a grudge against Cumberland for an incident during the previous baseball
season. Cumberland allegedly used professional players in a baseball game against Georgia Tech which they won 22-0, and given that Heisman coached baseball at Georgia Tech as well, he was not going to forget that result. Some people thought that Tech’s 222 points was an intentional reference to his 22 to 0 defeat in baseball.
Professional Hockey
Wayne Gretzky, known by his nickname, “The Great One,” is unanimously considered to be the best hockey player ever, and he has the records to show for it. Among his 61 NHL records, Gretzky most notably has the most goals, assists, and points (combined goals and assists) of any player in history. He is to only player to amass over 3,000 career points. The next closest in the record book is Mark Messier with 2,182 career points. Gretzky is also the only player with over 2,000 career points in the regular season, with the nearest competitor being the recently retired Jaromir Jagr with 1,921. Gretzky played for more than 20 years at a higher scoring and assist rate than any player in history, and authorities consider those marks unbreakable.
Wayne Gretzky
Most career goals (1,016) Most career assists (2,223) Most career points (3,239)
High School Swimming
Carmel High School Girls Swimming (IN) Most consecutive state championships (32)
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Heisman refused to take his foot off of the gas pedal, and Cumberland’s team of less than 20 players stood no chance against a Tech team playing at full force. A whopping 97 percent of all plays took place in Cumberland territory. No other team in the history of college football has scored 200 points in a game.
The girls swim team at CHS has built a dynasty for more than the last three decades. The Greyhounds have won the IHSAA team state championship in girls swimming every year since 1986. No other high school team, regardless of sport or state, has ever topped Carmel’s record, but the boys swimming team at Bolles High School in Jacksonville, Florida has won 30 consecutive state titles. At a national level, Carmel’s streak could be beaten, but at a statewide level, the streak is likely to stand the test of time.
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Professional Baseball Cal Ripken Jr.
Most consecutive games played (2,632) Ripken did the unimaginable in 1995, when he toppled Lou Gehrig’s “Iron Horse” record of 2,130 games played in a row. His streak continued for a few more years before ending the run in 1998 by his own request. His streak is so unimaginably long, given that almost all players will commonly miss games due to injury, rest or poor play. The major league baseball season lasts
162 games, and playing each and every one of them for as many years as Ripken did is mind boggling. None of the top 25 longest consecutive games played streaks in baseball history are currently active, and it is extremely unlikely that a streak lasting for more than 16 years like Ripken’s will ever happen again because of the rest days taken by most current MLB players.
Professional Basketball Wilt Chamberlain
Most points per game in a season (50.4) Most points scored in a single game (100) In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors scored 100 points in a single game against the New York Knicks, making 36 shots from the field and 28 free throws. Chamberlain played for the entire game that night, and took nearly 55 percent of his team’s shots. That same season, Wilt set an NBA record for the highest points per game average at 50.4, and both are records that nobody has come close to topping ever since. The closest to Wilt’s 100 point game came in 2006 when Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scored 81 points in a victory over the Toronto Raptors. Chamberlain holds the four highest scoring seasons in NBA history in terms of points per game, and the next closest on the list is Michael Jordan in fifth place who averaged 37.1 points per game in the 1987 season. His nickname is “The Record Book” for a reason, and odds are that Chamberlain’s records will never be broken.
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Photos J. Crawford, B. Reitz, N. Horlander
TROJAN MATTERS
November 16, 2018
Athletes take advantage of home field
W
hile it would be hard to find someone in the Trojan community who hasn’t enjoyed having home football games this season, there is some real science to home field advantage. All professional sports teams win the majority of their home games. The MLB teams win 53.9 percent of home games, NHL wins 55.7 percent, NFL wins 57.3 percent and NBA 60.5 percent. The football team’s home field record is 4-1, but the home field offers more than just wins and loses to the football players. “The home games are definitely better because they are just more relaxed,” said senior football player Will Meyer. There is more free time to focus on the game and less stress of forgetting any necessary equipment. Home games are a lot less “hectic” for the football team said teammate senior Jackson Sherby. Home fields are where you practice and get used to the surroundings while you are playing. “Just being on the court you practice on is a huge advantage” said junior volleyball and basketball player Erika Pemberton. This year was the first opportunity for the football team to experience home field advantage, but many other BCHS sports have been appreciating it for years. “I prefer
Not an advantage 20
home games because you don’t have to go anywhere and you have lots of time to get excited and listen to the playlist over the speakers,” said Pemberton. The volleyball team had more success at home this year with a 7-2 record at home and 7-17 record away. Pemberton said, “Home games are so much more fun for me.” Being at home also allows more of the BCHS community to attend the games, which results in a louder crowd, specifically a louder student section. “We always have more energy on the sideline when we have everyone behind us cheering,” said Meyer. Most athletes agree that the student section helps make the team more excited and stimulates more
"I feel more comfortable at home because I have a sense of my surroundings." ~Sydney Sorensen energy to play well for the school. “When the student section is loud, it helps me play better,” said Pemberton. The spirited atmosphere is contagious, “especially because the field is new a lot of people come and you can just feel it,” said Sherby. This year's football game vs. Cathedral was one of the best nights for the student section believes Sherby, “I
How much do you consider home field advantage an advantage? 40.7%
30.4% 22.3%
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couldn’t even hear the coaches calling the play.” BCHS was considered the home team for this game even though it was not played at BCHS. However, many fans still came to support the Trojans because of the huge rivalry and the accessible location of Arsenal Tech. Not all BCHS sports teams have the luxury of the home field advantage, including tennis. Although the tennis team normally practices at Broad Ripple park near BCHS it is still difficult to adapt to their playing environment. “I feel more comfortable at home because I have a sense of my surroundings,” said junior tennis player Sydney Sorensen. However it has been a big motivator for other sports and helps athletes grow the love for their sport more. Sherby said, “It (home field advantage) is definitely not something you believe in but something you feel when you are playing.”
•Carmen Sullivan
Significant advantage
School-wide survey ± 4% with 95% accuracy
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Major Sports Leagues Make Big $$$ From Nike and Adidas There are two major sports brands that truly dominate the world of professional athletics, Nike and Adidas. The NFL and NBA’s official sponsor is Nike, while the NHL is sponsored by Adidas. Sponsorship is the financial backing of an individual or a company from another company, corporation, or individual. The purpose of sponsoring a company by financially supporting them is to give the companies a chance to advertise. Both parties profit because one company is given a chance to advertise while the other is being financially supported through the purchase of warm ups, shoes, uniforms, etc. In the most recent statistics, CNN reports that Nike paid the NFL a significant sum of money, that was not released, to be their sponsor. Companies negotiate for money and length of contract. Nike is an international corporation that was founded in 1964 that is now worth about 30 billion dollars and is considered the most valuable sports brand according to The New York Times. It was founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight who was a University of Oregon track coach and athlete. It started with Bowerman and Knight selling track shoes at meets in the back of their car because they had designed a shoe that was designed well for an athlete. This past March, Nike extended Nike is sponsoring the NBA for the second year in a row. They also have an endorsement deal that will be worth around $1 billion dollars with NBA superstar Lebron James. James has a lifetime contract that will help Nike expand their reach even more. 73,100 employees work for Nike worldwide. They have a net worth of over $30 billion. Along with Lebron James, Nike has many other sponsored athletes. Golfer, Rory Mcllory, has an apparel deal worth around $25 million a year.
its contract with the NFL for another eight years, until 2028. In the 2017-18 season, the NBA switched from Adidas to Nike. This resulted in about a $1 billion deal that Nike paid to the NFL. The NBA saw a 245 percent annual increase from what Adidas had paid them. Junior Maggie Schaffer said, “That is a ridiculous amount of money. I don’t think anything really is worth that much. It’s crazy to think about where all that money goes.” When such large corporations like the NBA switch from one major brand to another, it is strictly a business deal driven by money. When the NBA was sponsored by Adidas, the famous 3-stripe logo was not shown on uniforms, but with the change to Nike, their swish logo will be visible on each and every jersey. Adidas was established in 1949 in Herzogenaurach, Germany by Adolf “Adi” Dassler after his return from World War I. He started selling cleats from his mother’s wash shop. The company grew from there and is now the proud sponsor of the NHL. At the beginning of the 2017-18 season, Adidas and the NHL made a seven year sponsorship deal. The NHL switched from Reebok, who was paying the league $35 million annually. With the change, the NHL will increase its revenue $120 million. BCHS has become an all Adidas school in the past two years. Discounts are given to BCHS athletics, but nothing is completely paid for like it is in professional sports. •Sarah Meek Adidas is worth about $6.8 billion and is the sponsor for the NHL. Last year, they had an estimated $5.3 billion dollars in sales. The famous three stripe logo was first introduced in the 1972 Olympics in Munich which elevated the company. James Harden is one of the most famous Adidas athletes. His deal with the company is worth just over $200 million. Broncos player, Von Miller, is also an Adidas athlete that has helped bring exposure to the new market for Adidas. The company ultimately wants to take over the sports industry, but they are still a good distance behind Nike.
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