The Oracle 2016-17: Issue 4

holiday hype | stories throughout pgs 4-7, 11, 19-20, 29

homework woes | weighing in on no homework policies pgs 12-17

monumental mystery | the Oracle investigates the origins of the HI sign pgs 23-24

State

Southside Elementary School Saturday, December 17 8-11 p.m.

Tickets $7 in the bookstore or $9 at the door Formal attire required

Ga

Performing

m e

Christmas Extravaganza (concert Band) Tuesday, Dec. 20 @ 6 p.m. in Columbus East cafeteria East Holiday Choir Concert (Olympian Choir and Show Choir) Monday, Dec. 19 @ 7 p.m. in Columbus East auditorium

Arts staff Opinion | Lauren Schumacher

Editor in Chief | Kennedi Satterfield

Contributing Writers | Shelby Gordon, Courtney Schnur, Thomas Voils

Students | Abigail Larken

Content | Natalie Ryan Copy Editors | Cam Key, Nicole Knechtel, Abigale Smith

Contributing Writers | Karlee Dowd, Delaney Jackson, Erin Louden

Design | Reilly Jones Cover | Karli Reynolds Contributing Writer | Grace Staggs

Ads & Recreation | Julie Connor General Organization | Amanda Heideman

Feature | Natalie Glaid Contributing Writers | Alex Hahn, Alayna Leonard, Katherine Richardson

Sports | Natalie Ryan Contributing Writers | Klayton Brummett, Caleb Davidson, Soren Fox

Contributing Designers | Emily Hales, Graham Johnson Kayla Jones, Reagan Perkins, Aliza Presto Leo Saldivar, Audrey Tian, Brooke Williams

Photography | Brooke Williams Contributing Photographers | Kenzie Hempstead Camden Newell, Julia Claire Randle, Zoe Rangel Dustin Rodgers, Kim Schneckenberger

Adviser | Scott Duncan cehsnews.com | Maggie Lewis

A & E | Corbin Parmer Contributing Writers | Julie Connor, Natalie Glaid, Delaney Jackson, Alex Schumacher

find us on social media | cehsnews

cover photo by Reilly Jones • Olympians News photo by Kennedi Satterfield • back cover photos by Karlee Dowd, Reilly Jones, Kennedi Satterfield

East football lost the state championship game 16-13 to the Westfield Shamrocks on Nov. 26, finishing with a very successful 13-2 season.

The consistently positive season was accredited to a strong defensive line, a constantly improving offense and a strong sense of family within the team.

Though the Olympians faced emotional hardships after falling to Westfield’s strong defense and early field goal advantage from kicker Will Harrison, no player or coach failed to mention the deep bonds formed over the season.

See the full post-game story on cehsnews.com.

Stu d

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the underlying reasons for

when does

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CHRISTMAS

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11

start?

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8

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10 CADET TEACHERS

what’s the issue: no homework policy pages 12-17

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athletics abandoned

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technology dependence

fe a t ur

color by number comic word search

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songs and movies of the

HOLIDAYS

ROGUE ONE

29

aesthetic foods

31

OPINION

When the Sleigh Bells Ring

Taking a Deeper Look Into Holiday Giving culture

by Courtney Schnur

D

4

valued over genuine kindness.

The two terms are used interchangeably to describe something as likeable or agreeable; however the distinction between the two, while subtle at first glance, is quite profound and should not be glossed over. To be nice is to use words and actions that are considered satisfactory or pleasant

a sense of integrity, which allows honesty and morality to be valued over vain or self-satisfying motives. In the context of the holiday season, this sense of integrity is diminished due to the influence of the season.

While, in retrospect, the gains of those receiving a service, whether that be an individual or an

entire

from a cultural standpoint. In the context of the extra effort put into the holiday season, the niceness displayed fulfills a social obligation to represent oneself as aware of the social etiquette expected of a situation.

To be kind is to use words and actions to communicate an honest expression of compassion deriving from a place of simple and sincere intention. Kindness demonstrates

community, will have a positive effect on said beneficiaries, the intentions behind these acts are meaningful because a poor one has proven to confine charitability and contentedness to an allotted amount of time.

The perception of the surge in giving or doing acts of service is typically a positive one with little to no questions posed or objections raised as to why kindness

is not a virtue that is promoted and implemented throughout the entire duration of a year. In a general sense, acts of service or giving should not be deemed insignificant, however the concept prevalent in society that being nice is equivalent to being kind is a misconception that should be considered insignificant because the maintenance of a reputation or an ego prove to be greater than giving without expectation.

To clarify, the expectation that is held through doing an action out of niceness is that a person will have “good feelings” regarding their deeds or will become or continue to be “a good person”.

This expectation of status or personal satisfaction is a vain effort to maintain a false and pretentious position that distracts from a better purpose and outcome. Typically, the feeling of pride of giving back around the holiday season is never given a second thought. The behavior is even endorsed and given praise in certain instances.

While the onset of fall and winter results in cooler temperatures and the necessity of accommodating those who are without proper clothing or housing raises greater need, the sole need of the season should not transpire into something that is self-fulfilling.

Within the tangle of this busy holiday season the importance of recognizing that doing service or work for others should be seen in a larger scope that is inclusive to assessing the reasoning behind actions needs to be as strongly enforced as the state of euphoria is around this time of year.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Oracle, Columbus East High School, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

December 16, 2016

photo by Brooke Williams • graphic by Brooke Williams

uring the holiday season, the festive spirit of the occasion slowly begins to permeate American culture around the start of mid-November. This spirit is so absolutely infectious that the term “holiday magic” is used to describe the dramatic shift from a generally gloomy and pessimistic perspective of day-to-day life to an atmosphere buzzing with intense hyper-cheerfulness.

These happy or flighty feelings that accompany the rapid succession of the most prominent celebrations around this time of year (Thanksgiving, Christmas and the arrival of the New Year) are virtually impossible to avoid.

The surfeit of excited sentiments are immensely externalized during the celebration of these holidays.

From uptempo, bubble gum pop Christmas hits blaring through the speakers of local grocery stores, to decorations and lights dawning every other front porch of suburbia, to grand and small parades alike filling city streets across the entire nation, displays of enthusiasm for the holidays are overwhelmingly abundant.

As a consequence of this fluctuation in tone, individuals become more aware of their fortune or privilege, causing them to contribute more to those who are less fortunate than themselves in society through means of finance, time or talent. On the surface, this “season of giving” appears to have a positive connotation; however, the sudden spur of pleasantry among people reflects that in American culture, niceness is

OPINION

All I want for Christmas...

by Thomas Voils

A

re you struggling with ideas for Christmas presents? Are your family members driving you crazy with the constant questioning about presents? If so, refer to this chart for what to ask for from whom. While this chart does not give specific presents, it will tell you the size and amount you should be asking for from those special people always in your ear about Christmas gift ideas.

How close are you to this person?

This person is very close to me.

They’re either in my family, or not,but act like they are.

photo by Brooke Williams • graphic by Brooke Williams

Do they have money to spend?

Absolutely loaded

This is the perfect opportunity to ask for something bigger than you want to ask your parents for, but not too big to where you sound like a jerk.

“I promise I’ll pay you back eventually”

Ask for a simple gift.

You know they don’t have a lot, and really, it’s the thought that counts, and a meaningful gift with sentimental value will always be worth more than money.

They’re just a friend, I would not be comfortable sharing all my food and clothes with them.

How do you know this person?

Family friend that I see more than rarely

Ask for something medium sized, keep in mind you aren’t super close to this person but if they are willing to get you something, hey, don’t question it.

I met this person briefly and rarely hang out

Honestly, you shouldn’t ask for much. If they want to get you something, go with something very simple and not expensive. This person isn’t family and you aren’t too familiar, so don’t push it.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Oracle, Columbus East High School, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

5

OPINION

For Goodness Sake

by Lauren Schumacher and Shelby Gordon he day after Halloween, spooky decorations are already being replaced by candy canes and Christmas trees.

Houses are decked out in lights and yard ornaments are put in place all while people are still planning Thanksgiving dinner.

While it is “scientifically” proven that October, November and December are the best months of the year, there is some debate as to when the holidays that fall during these months should begin.

While Halloween is confined to October, Christmas tends to leak into November due to its commer-

Dec. 5 St. Nicholas Day

cial popularity. Additionally, while Christmas is the busiest of the three holidays, there is not much time in the season to buy gifts, wrap presents, bake and decorate, causing stores and individuals to begin Christmas prep as early as possible. While many believe that November should remain strictly

Dec. 12 Day of the Virgin Guadalupe

6

Dec. 26 Start of Kwanzaa

Dec. 25 Christmas Day

favorites are always playing on T.V; classics like Home Alone and 1983’s A Christmas Story are on a constant loop throughout the house. During this time, an abundance of baking is done, from gingerbread cookies to fudge and the house constantly smells like Christmas.

According to Lawrence Journal World, a poll site, 56% of people believe that the Christmas season should begin after Thanksgiving leading into the New Year. That should also be the most suitable time for everything Christmas to come out, like decorations, store santas, Christmas trees, festive music and holiday commercials.

Every holiday should have its time to shine and not be overpowered by Christmas. Everything Christmas should only be dedicated towards the weekend after Thanksgiving through the beginning of the New Year.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Oracle, Columbus East High School, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

photo by Brooke Williams • graphic by Brooke Williams

The jolliest part of the year falls under the cold month of December.

From Christmas trees, to candy canes and mall santas, Christmas has become a largely popular holiday celebrated amongst people in the U.S. and around the world. Although the day of Christmas is on December 25, people start preparing for it days, even months, before the Christmas season is even here.

For many, Christmas starts as soon as Halloween ends due to the fact that Christmas decorations are already being sold to consumers at local grocery stores and the infamous Hershey Kisses Jingle Bells commercial is on TV. Escaping the Christmas hype is almost impossible.

However, for me, Christmas starts when the Christian season of Advent begins. This normally begins the weekend right after Thanksgiving.

That weekend, we put up our tree and decorate it with homemade ornaments and cheap tinsel. Christmas movie

Dec. 24 Start of Hanukkah

Dec. 21 Start of Yule

Dec. 6 Epiphany

under the domain of Thanksgiving, some begin the holiday season as soon as possible, even if it means overriding Thanksgiving. The Oracle’s opinion staff decided to tackle this feud of the conflicting holiday timeline.

December 16, 2016

OPINION I admit that Christmas is my favorite holiday. While my motivations for skipping Thanksgiving and extending the holiday season into November are largely personal, I believe there are some wider reaching benefits as well.

There is simply not enough time in the current holiday calendar. If Christmas starts the week after Thanksgiving, that leaves four weeks to get shopping done, make food, decorate the house, watch Christmas movies and study for finals as the semester comes to a close.

Extending the season would not only give people the chance to enjoy more holiday movies than the 25 Days of Christmas, but it would add more weekends to the season, creating more free time to achieve the perfect holiday

and making gatherings more convenient and less rushed.

This prolonged season would also benefit retail workers by reducing the rush of consumers during the month of December.

Additionally, according to the Blackbaud Index, an organization that tracks charities, about 18% of total charitable donations are given during the month of December. By extending the holiday season, it will be more acceptable to make earlier donations and people will feel more obligated to do so. Charities would receive more donations over a longer period of time, reducing the stress of receiving tons of supplies at once while still increasing the overall number of donations.

I would like to rest my case with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”. This song alone can restore broken friendships, grow your crops and clear your skin. Extending the season in turn prolongs the socially appropriate time one can blast this Christmas classic.

photos by Zoe Rangel and Brooke Williams • graphic by Brooke Williams

check out cehsnews.com for every friday!

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Oracle, Columbus East High School, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

7

STUDENTS

Caffeine Scene

The Effects of caffeine Consumption on east students

by Erin Louden

W

ith more than 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed each day, coffee is found to be the world’s most consumed drink. Coffee is made from a bean-like seed from a tropical shrub. Drinking coffee in moderation can be beneficial, and can act as a

About

stimulant to reorganize the body.

Some also believe coffee may even lower risk of diseases and cut the chances of having a stroke. Despite the positive outcomes of drinking this popular hot beverage, there are negative

the world’s coffee is in Brazil.

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$1,100 annually.

cups of coffee are consumed every the leading second in America, consumer making America of coffee in the world.

you even more tired than before.

Also, caffeine may cause insomnia, the inability to sleep, when exceeding over the normal intake, which is 250 milligrams per day.

Caffeine can cause side effects throughout the day such as increased tiredness, enhanced ability to focus and an abundance

of energy.

Junior Taylor Martinez drinks coffee regularly, whenever she gets the chance but at most once a day.

“I do drink coffee a lot because I’m a busy person and it makes me feel more energized to get through my day,” Martinez said.

“Sometimes I drink it before school or sometimes before I go into work after school. It helps me stay a little more awake rather than me being tired and sluggish all day. I don’t usually get any bad side effects from it during school or work, unless I’ve had too much or something, then I start to feel shaky and stuff.”

Sophomore Guadalupe Chavez also drinks coffee.

“I only drink coffee like once every two weeks in the mornings and I like it,” Chavez said.

To Chavez, coffee does not necessarily affect her energy.

“I drink it because it wakes me up, but it doesn’t affect my energy in the day,” Chavez said. “I also drink it because I like it in general, even though I’m picky about how the coffee tastes.”

“I like the idea of it but I don’t drink it too much because I know it can probably become a habit.”

Whether or not you like to drink coffee, the benefits and risks are still there. Like Martinez, the caffeine does not bother her, unless she has too much.

Despite the pros and cons of coffee, the United States is still the world’s largest consumer of the hot drink, a fact made evident here at East.

December 16, 2016

graphic by Aliza Presto

m .co nce cie ves w.li : ww

8

repercussions as well.

The caffeine in coffee works by stimulating the central nervous system and suppresses a neurotransmitter called adenosine.

Adenosine acts as a depressant in the central nervous system, promoting sleepiness and exhaustion. When caffeine hits the brain it blocks the adenosine and acts as an antagonist to the neurotransmitter, causing alertness and awakeness.

Coffee can work as an energizer, which is the primary reason why people drink it.

However, if you do not hydrate with water throughout the day, your blood will eventually flow slower which can make

STUDENTS

Chilling with Sydnie McCammon

by Karlee Dowd

C

hili is a common family favorite meal for dinner, especially as the winter season approaches. Senior Sydnie McCammon is a huge chili advocate, and she channels her love for cooking chili by bringing her government class chili from a homemade recipe.

McCammon has always had a passion for cooking and has a vast amount of experience in the kitchen.

“I have been cooking since I was three or four with my dad.

When he would be making dinner I would always ask how I could help. That is the way that we

created the bond I have with him and cooking today,” McCammon said.

This semester, McCammon has Troy Buntin’s government class during mod 4. McCammon and her classmates arranged a deal earlier in the year, where everyone in the class pitches in a few dollars and McCammon will make her beloved chili over the weekend for the class on Monday.

“I try to bring chili once a week for my government class. The reason I bring it is because I really enjoy seeing how much everyone likes the food, plus they give really good feedback on what I can

Sydnie’s Chili

change to make it even better,” McCammon said.

So far this year, McCammon has brought in her chili twice for her government class. McCammon created a foolproof system that allows her to make her chili Sunday evening and keep it warm all day Monday, until mod 4. To do this, she cooks her chili in a crockpot and stores this in Karen Nading’s kitchen throughout the day. Having 2nd and 3rd mod with Nading makes it easier to bring her chili up from the kitchen to Buntin’s classroom afterwards.

McCammon applauds Nading for allowing her to keep her chili in

time: 3 hours

Ingredients:

Instructions:

graphic by Aliza Presto • photo by Dustin Rodgers

Serves: 17

her room for half the day, and also gives credit to Nading for helping her find the chili recipe in the first place.

“I found my favorite chili recipe one day in my Sports Nutrition class due to Mrs. Nading. I really enjoy the recipe, but sometimes my class thinks it’s a little spicy.

They give me their suggestions and I try to implement them the next time,” McCammon said.

Overall, McCammon enjoys pursuing her passions of cooking and plans to continue making chili for her classmates and friends.

9

STUDENTS

Not just a filler

Why students schedule cadet teaching

by Abigail Larken

F

10

December 16, 2016

photos by Julia Claire Randle

rom teaching the class, is the head of the Social Studies considering going into pre-mediever, between cadet teaching for grading tests, and department, Sensanbaugher has cine in college. To keep refreshed different subjects. For exampreparing for the next the opportunity to assist other on chemistry and to fill time in her ple, Klopfenstein has to assist day’s lesson, teachers have a lot teachers in the department with schedule, Klopfenstein decided to Chastain with lab preparation or on their plates from day to day. their daily tasks as well. assist Chastain. cleanup, while senior Austin Riley But with the help of interested “He has me make copies, but Similarly, Gracie Hatton, a helps his teacher run the engistudents, teachers are able to since he is head of the Social senior at East, helps out Chris neering copy machine. have assistance with their busy Studies department, I run around Cooper in his AP AB Calculus During eighth mod, Riley preparation schedules. and do things for the Social class during mod 4. Hatton wantassists engineering teacher Sa Through cadet teaching, Studies department. I really enjoy ed to help Cooper because of the mantha Olmstead with community students with open mods are able it. It’s a lot of fun,” Sensanbaugher empty space in her schedule for service for her class. On the other to help teach a class or complete said. this year. end of the spectrum from other community service.

However, when senior Maddie “I wanted to cadet teach cadet teachers, Riley volunteered Though commonly called Klopfenstein originally began because I needed another class in to help Olmstead because she cadet teaching, some students are community service, she had no my schedule, but I didn’t want to was asking for assistance. actually signed up for community intention of ever being a teacher. take something that would be nec- Even though Riley never plans service. Cadet teaching is for After helping Derek Chastain essarily difficult or time consuming on becoming a teacher, he wants classes that primarily consist of in his mod 6 AP Biology class, because I was already taking to study electrical or mechanical freshmen, but community service Klopfenstein recognizes teaching difficult classes,” Hatton said. engineering in college, so the subis for any class with upperclassas a possible career choice.

Cooper typically has Hatject he assists with is linked to his men students. No matter the age “Cadet teaching made teaching ton grade mastery exams and future, but it does not necessarily of the class, the cadet teachers not seem that bad, and after homework assignments or make help him achieve his goal. have various reasons for signing cadet teaching, teaching is more copies. Likewise, Chastain also Still, Riley has a fun time up to help a teacher out. of an option in mind than before,” has Klopfenstein grade tests for cadet teaching and strongly For senior Josh Sensanbaugh- Klopfenstein said. his Biology 1 class or his IUPUC recommends it for future students er, community service is preparing Klopfenstein definitely wants class that he teaches. wanting to fill their schedule or him for his future as a Social to major in biochemistry and is There are differences, howprepare for their future. KlopfenStudies teachstein, Sensaner. Planning baugher and on studying Hatton also at Hanover believe that College or cadet teaching Brigham and commuYoung Univernity service is sity, Sendefinitely worth sanbaugher the time. wants to either Klopfenstein be a history, said, “It is economics or interesting psychology seeing the teacher, which other side of it. is why he I didn’t realize helps out Greg how much Lewis with his grading teachthird mod ACP ers have to do.

US History class. Josh Sensanbaugher assisting Greg Lewis’s I would definitely Gracie Hatton helping students with their class Since Lewis recommend it.” mod 3 history class with in-class homework. work in Chris Cooper’s mod 4 AP Calculus class.

STUDENTS

by Delaney Jackson

W

ith this guide to romantic holiday spots, there are plenty of options to get into the Christmas spirit with any amount of money or time.

Whether it is raining, snowing, just cold or the ideal day, one of these festive date ideas is sure to fit the bill.

The movie marathon This date is completely free which makes it ideal for Christmas in high school. Each person can pick one or two favorite Christmas movies to show the other on a cold, dreary day. This is an easy way to spend plenty of time together without getting dressed up, spending too much money or dealing with the crowds of the holiday season.

When? Any time Where? The house of either

Holiday at the Farm Right here in Columbus, the Shireman Homestead provides the perfect date filled with holiday cheer. This cozy attraction offers a tractor ride through the farm, a walk through ‘winter wonderland’, snacks, small souvenir gifts and plenty of other activities to promote the Christmas spirit. A great part of this date is the ability to spend time together without huge crowds while still being able to experience something new and exciting together.

graphics by Aliza Presto

When?

Any weekend in December and every day in the week leading up to Christmas

The

Sh person works for this date as long Homireman 7060 W as there is a TV and DVD player este 200 N ad available How much? Free Extra tip: Before you settle down to enjoy some Christmas classics, bake cookies Extra tip: to decorate with your date When?

Volunteer to help out at Love

How

Extra tip: During the Christmas season, Indianapolis displays the Circle of Lights Tree which is presented on the downtown monument.

The IRT is only a few blocks away making it simple to observe the tree and catch a fantastic production.

much?

Adult tickets range from $35-$75 depending on seating preferences

INDIANA REPERTORY Theater 140 W Washington St

December 17 and 18 from 5-7 pm

How much?

Chapel or the Salvation Army before heading to this holiday Small costs escape. Serving is always a way to get closer to whoever you are for tickets with and will combine this fun Christmas event with the true at the door spirit of the season.

The Twelve Months of Christmas

When? The store is open from

A bit farther away in Bedford, there is a store where Christmas celebration does not merely last a day, but is a lifestyle. This store is packed to the brim with ornaments, jewelry, nutcrackers and gifts. Though this may not sound like a ‘perfect date’, it can be turned into a great way to spend time together while seeing just how festive one place can be!

Explore this unique store together and finish up with some snack in the Bedford Square.

Where? The Twelve Months

11am-5pm on Monday-Saturday of Christmas Store (915 15th Street Bedford, IN 47421) How much? You pick.

This can cost as much or little as you choose.

Extra tip: Go on a hunt to find the most ridiculous, cheesy or cheerful ornament for your boyfriend or girlfriend and buy it for them as a way to remember this one-of-a-kind date.

Theater in Downtown Indianapolis Indianapolis is filled with plenty of fun and romantic date ideas during the holiday season. Each year, the IRT performs a production of A Christmas Carol providing a more lavish event for a couple. The theater provides an exciting escape during the bustle of the holidays and since the show is only 90 minutes long, there is plenty of time for dinner before or after the play. Though the drive up to Indianapolis may be long, this date is worth it.

11

HOMEWOR

RK:

A THING OF THE PAST?

By Grace Staggs

COVER

HOMEWORK:

14

Cooper’s.

In Kohn’s article Rethinking Homework, Kohn states that, “At the high school level, the correlation [between homework and academic performance] is weak and tends to disappear when more sophisticated statistical measures are applied.”

In fact, a number of studies, including one done by Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, even show negative relationships between homework and its effects on students. Again, there is never a big and convincingly consistent result.

“Taken as a whole, the available research might be summarized as inconclusive,” wrote Kohn.

One component that is difficult for researchers who conduct these studies to take into account is that some people are simply bad test takers, with or without knowledge of the content. Most studies use tests to show how much a student has learned, but that is not an accurate representation of growth or knowledge in all cases.

As of right now, there is not an entirely accurate way to tell if homework is having a positive or negative effect on students.

However, everyone has an opinion on how homework is affecting students in today’s world.

Most students would agree that homework has a negative impact on their lives in some way.

Freshman Lola Reed says that homework is stressful and often

useless. Many of her teachers take completion grades for homework as opposed to accuracy points. When the homework is not being graded, it can become difficult for students to find a reason to do their best work on assignments.

“I don’t think I try as hard as I should on homework...there just isn’t very much motivation,” Reed said.

Like many other students, Reed does not believe that very much of her homework helps her score better on tests.

“There would be less stress without homework,” Reed said.

Homework is considered to be a very prominent stressor in a student’s life. School related stress is recognized as one of the top

“there would be less stress without homework”

LOLA REED

December 16, 2016

all cover story graphics by Emily Hales • all cover story photos by Kim Schneckenberger

When a second grade teacher in Texas announced her no homework policy, the idea spread throughout the country, inspiring teachers at all levels to ban homework in their classrooms. As with any controversial issue, people have varying opinions depending on their perspectives and knowledge of the topic.

Extensive research has been done on homework by Alfie Kohn, an expert on human behavior and education. In his book The Homework Myth, Kohn explores studies done on homework and their results.

One notable study that Kohn references was executed by Harris Cooper, psychology and neuroscience professor at Trinity College of Arts and Science and one of the nation’s most notable homework researchers.

Cooper’s study showed a total of 48 comparisons surrounding homework and its effects on students. Cooper claimed his results proved that homework was helping students at a higher grade level in big ways based on positive correlations he found between homework and student performance. However, in Kohn’s book, a different view is taken on what the results from the study ultimately mean.

“43 of 50 correlations were positive, although the overall effect was not particularly large: Homework accounted for less than four percent of the differences in students’ scores,” Kohn wrote.

Many studies that test student performance with and without homework show little or no correlation between homework and test scores. When there is a correlation between homework and academic performance, it is often small and insignificant, similar to what has been seen in studies like

A THING OF THE PAST?

COVER five stressors on teenagers today according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Students’ view on homework varies greatly from that of teachers. Andrew Alvarez, science teacher at East, is an advocate for homework in high schooler lives.

“The way I see homework is you shouldn’t really have to do it at home because you have resource time. So in higher classes, like your AP classes, you might take it home, but you should be able to come to resource and ask questions,” Alvarez said.

Teachers across the board agree that students need as much practice as they can get before taking a test. “[Homework] should be a source for you to figure out what you don’t know. So if the first time you see a problem is when you’re taking a test, that’s going to be awful,” Alvarez said.

Homework is also used by

teachers to find out what they need to work on more.

“As a teacher, I can’t read your mind and know what you don’t know, so we try to kind of figure that out using homework,” Alvarez said.

Homework may look one way from the classroom, but at home, homework is seen as a different thing entirely.

Michele Wager, mother of freshman Caitlin Wager, elaborates on the struggles in her daughter’s life as Caitlin Wager is a freshman starting on one of the most difficult high school curriculum paths while also being involved in dance, softball and rodeo. Students are not the only ones who feel homework takes up an unnecessarily large portion of their lives.

“It somewhat affects her social life and time with friends, she has to pick and choose her extracurricular activities and she isn’t

usually available to help around the house,” Michele Wager said.

In the Wager household, homework is generally considered unnecessary. According to Michele Wager, Caitlin spends anywhere from four to six hours doing homework every night on top of her extracurriculars. Wager is not convinced that Caitlin is benefitting from the homework. “[Homework is] mostly busywork for her. She picks up on things very quickly and then when she does, she doesn’t need the homework to reinforce it,”Michele Wager said.

Caitlin may not need her homework to understand the class and it may not benefit her very much, but keeping good grades is an important aspect in any student-athlete’s life. Because of this, Caitlin is always striving to do and be her best.

“She is very much a perfectionist and her homework has to be

“[Homework] should be a source for you to figure out what you don’t know”

andrew alvarez

correctly and perfectly done,” said Michele Wager.

Adam Maltese, Associate Professor of Science Education at IU, believes that homework can be a positive thing, but it is often used in an ineffective way.

Maltese argues that when students receive the same type of problems time after time, they are no longer benefiting from the work.

Homework may be more beneficial if a larger variety of types of problems were available, however that is not usually the case.

Most teachers have a specific type of homework that they give out a majority of the time, whether that be worksheets, problems from a textbook, writing some sort of extended response or reading.

When students only see one type of problem, they do not have to think as much and they therefore do not learn. Doing this teaches students how to apply an idea to only one type of problem.

Additionally, students can now set their own schedule. This results in most students making their sophomore and junior years packed full so that they can have a fairly easy senior year. In many cases, juniors will have one to two hours more homework than seniors.

The National Education Association has expressed a solution to the constant fight on how much homework is the “right” amount; 10 minutes per grade. This means first graders have 10 minutes of homework, sixth graders have an hour and juniors have an hour and 50 minutes. This is not easily implemented because students have so much control over their own schedules.

Each student has a different set of classes they take daily. This makes it very difficult to use methods such as the 10-minute rule once students get to high school because the amount of communication necessary between teachers is impossible to get the

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students are being set in place at schools at all levels. Now more than ever, it seems that this may be a step in the right direction.

Many people are avidly pro-homework, however it seems that the majority of people are against homework as it is today.

Some believe homework is not being utilized or there is the wrong amount of homework and some believe that homework is unnecessary altogether. When homework has been removed from a classroom, the results have been generally positive. Still, there

is no real agreed upon way to determine if homework is helping students academically. Homework as it is today is a largely disputed subject, but a majority of people would agree it is doing more harm than good.

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homework amount to that perfect 10-minute place. “It is probably a good place to start, but would be hard to coordinate between all the classes taken. It might also be harder for some seniors and juniors to have a job with that level of work,�

Michele Wager said when informed on this expert-recommended method.

It has also been suggested that homework discourages some students from joining extra-curricular activities because of the time commitment already given to school.

In Pope’s study, students with homework performed decently on tests, but in the long run they had more stress and minor health problems.

When looking at the data collected in studies on the effects of homework, it is important to note that these studies for the most part are testing only the educational effects homework has on students.

However, there is much more involved than just test scores.

Homework is proven to cause more stress and anxiety.

Students experiencing these symptoms are more prone to sickness. In the long run, when students miss school they are missing out on opportunities for their education. Homework alone is not the cause for students missing school, but it is a major contributor.

It is important to note that in many studies across the board, there is no correlation between homework and academic success, negative or positive. This in itself shows that, although homework is not actually hurting students academically, it is not helping them.

Homework is being removed from many classrooms at the elementary school level and restrictions regarding the amount of work given to

perform ed better i n school Source:

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A suggested amount of homework method developed by experts: Homework time should increase by 10 minutes for each grade level source: NEA (National Education Association)

of students identified homework as a primary source of stress source: The Atlantic

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December 16, 2016

FEATURE

Tech-Free Vacations Disengaging from the dependence of technology positively impacts lives

graphic by Graham Johnson

C

by Alayna Leonard ell phones and laptops connect us to the world but disengage us from

living life.

Our society is dominated by technology. From the presence of cellphones in the classroom to late nights watching Netflix, technology has proven to be a big distraction among teens.

A USA Today study shows that about one fourth of students’ texts are sent during class. This poses major problems for schools, such as higher cheating risks and lower test scores due to phone interruptions which inhibit information from being consciously processed.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, over fifty million Americans experience poor sleep due to disturbances and negative effects that may include, but are not limited to, the increase in technological use.

Notifications are not the only disturbance keeping people up at night; the production of melatonin is inhibited by the blue light emitted by devices.

These kinds of disturbances can negatively impact one’s school work and personal life.

A potential solution to both of these problems is tech-free vacations. A tech-free vacation is where one disengages from electronic devices.

Even though technological innovation has produced more ways

to globalize our world and connect on a more mainstream level, it has also plagued the community with an inability to prioritize.

Going to a remote place, such as camping deep in the woods, caving or even simply shutting off your devices and locking them in a safe place for the weekend at

home would enable one to realize how much they can accomplish without the distraction.

Turn off your phone and write up the essay that was due a week ago, clean out the closet or turn off the television and sleep a few more hours.

There will be a short period of

withdrawal as the thoughts of what one could miss by not checking their phone accumulate, but in the end the detoxification will put responsibilities into perspective.

One way to make the transition easier is to distract yourself from boredom with friends, board games or making dinner for the family. The conversation may dwindle into awkward silence, but this will only strengthen everyone’s conversation skills.

If these options do not work, then there are some apps that will disable the phone for any period of time. Android users can download the app Digital Detox, which is inspired by a retreat group based out of San Francisco, California. IOS users are not out of luck, as there is an app called Sabbath Manifesto, similar to Digital Detox sponsored by the Koret Foundation.

Parallel to the apps that can disable one’s phone for days or just a few hours, there is a physical option. The Kitchen Safe is a clear container that can house phones and iPods, even though it was originally marketed towards dieters for junk food. Spin the timer dial to a prefered setting that ranges anywhere from an hour to a month.

In the end, the detoxification is really about relearning what living in the moment feels like.

21

FEATURE

Entrance Intrigue:

Investigating East’s Ambiguous Entryway

by Katherine Richardson

F

22

That statement is truly baffling to consider - no one knows what the enormous, brick monument sitting outside of our school means? Does it legitimately serve no known purpose other than to just sit there in a lonely existence at the front of the building, just another piece of architecture you look at once and dismiss every time after that?

Surely, there is someone inside of East who knows its purpose, its meaning. We did not simply place a random stack of bricks in front of the building for no reason.

Refusing to accept this halfbaked answer and determined to figure out the truth, I began the seemingly simple task of investigating the background and inspiration behind the bricks.

My journey began with the primary source of gossip and conspiracy theories within East: the students.

“I think, isn’t it Hi? It’s welcoming you, like ‘Hi, welcome to East.’

Just to welcome people, make us seem like a warm and good environment,” sophomore Keeleigh Kikendall said.

This is one of the more common opinions among students: coining the bricks as “The Hi sign.”

However, to me, the idea of arranging a large stack of bricks to simply say “Hi” seemed insane.

Students do not need a daily welcome to a building they come

to five days a week, 180 days a year.

On the other hand, the second most popular student theory of the bricks being a senior class gift to East, did not make much sense to me either.

“I think it is a graduation present of one of the classes, the Class of ‘81. Like a gift to the school, to remember them,” sophomore Jacob Sitterding said.

“When we graduate we are going to put something really awesome up and nobody’s ever going to forget it.”

However, it seems awfully conceited to place your graduation year outside of the school building for everyone to see. It would be more understandable if something incredibly important had occurred that year (nothing did), or if it was the year the school was established, but it was not. East opened in 1972.

Personally, I was told as freshman, and believed, that the bricks possibly held the four letters of East in a jumbled, tetris-like manner. Or maybe it is just another vague sculpture in Columbus, open to the viewer’s interpretation.

The unknown eventually got under my skin, so I started to ask any and everyone if they had ideas or were aware of useful reliable sources. I questioned my friends and fellow peers. And after giving answers that fell under these three categories, they real-

ized that the unknown meaning actually bothered them, too.

Over time, it has become a “Do you see a duck or a bunny?”-type optical illusion. “Do you see “Hi”, the number, or the letters?”

And within that: “Which number do you see? In what way are the letters positioned? To whom is it saying ‘Hi’ to?”

I eventually discovered that not even our principal, Mark Newell, is completely sure of what the brick sculpture means. The one source I was certain knew the answer to my question, did not, thus the dilemma continued.

This uncertainty emphasized the caliber of the mystery behind something seen by students every day. I was starting to understand that I would not be able to find the answer to my question within the walls of East.

Instead, through the power of the internet, I moved on to the information that was still available to me. The countless years of researching topics and looking through various online sources for papers and projects had prepared me for thorough Internet investigation; I finally began to find the facts.

The brick monument, as well as the East building itself, was designed in 1970 by Mitchell-Giurgola Architects, a company started by architects Ehrman B. Mitchell and Romaldo Giurgola.

There was a possibility that December 16, 2016

graphic by Audrey Tian

or a small city, Columbus maintains a seemingly large amount of complex architecture and art pieces. Some pieces have been here for decades; others have been here for only a year.

With the excess, art tends to fade into the background, blinders are put up in response to their cries for attention, observation and personal interpretation. The same holds true for the “monumental” brick structure that stands by the Columbus East main office doors, one you probably dismiss or allow to fade into the back of your mind.

The odd shape suggests that there is a story behind it, a story that, thus far, lacks a definite conclusion - therefore leading students to ask the questions: “What is that supposed to be?

What does it mean?”

These are ongoing questions you ask a friend when entering school in the morning or when walking to your car at the start of the lunch mod. These questions are typically answered with a less than satisfactory answer: “I don’t really know, I’m not sure if anyone does. Maybe X, Y or Z.” However, this unsatisfactory answer always lingered in the back of my head for a few minutes after the conversation was brushed away and the topic changed.

“I’m not sure if anyone does.”

FEATURE they could be contacted and interviewed on their thoughts behind the creation of the specific brick structure or East in it’s entirety.

However, Mitchell died in 2005, and I learned that Giurgola died in May 2016.

Despite my disappointment (maybe I should’ve felt worse about them being dead because they were dead, not because I couldn’t interview them), I continued to search through what was left of them in articles on the Internet and their company’s website.

Originally, two of these brick mysteries were made, standing parallel to one another, to serve as “monumental gateways” according to CultureNOW, an art and architectural history site. They were located at the front and back ends of the school with a courtyard in between.

In 2011, during a round of renovations to the building, the courtyard was replaced with the current main offices; a choice explained to me by former principal Gary Goshorn.

Goshorn was the principal from 1990 to 2008 and was at “ground zero” of the decision to fill in the former courtyard with the new main office area.

The new area connected the two previous East buildings, creating a safer learning environment for students, while also providing a new, desperately needed art space for the school.

Goshorn stated that they chose to keep the structure and moved it 20 feet over, explaining that “it was art, but it was also kind of the focal point or branding for East.”

Of course, the structure was created to be an art piece; the architects were simply following the trend of Columbus.

“That was a theme of modernism design and that Columbus feeling of if you have good architecture you need to include art, if you can,” Goshorn said.

The same year East was

created, the Henry Moore Arch was dedicated to the Bartholomew County Public Library, and East followed suit, creating a plaza with a focal art piece, or in this case, two.

I came into contact with Goshorn through a long chain of incredibly helpful individuals.

It began when I contacted CSO Architects, which connected me with a multitude of employees beginning with Laura Schellinger, who connected me to Sarah Moore and Danielle Stecher. All of whom provided me with beneficial monographs and architecture awards submissions.

After sifting through all of the given information, I was finally able to connect with James Funk, the architect that led the design of the remodel in 2011.

“The entrance was relocated to the east side of the building to increase its visual presence and to allow a direct, accessible route into the building,” Funk said.

Funk was the first person to tell me that the current structure is actually a replica, not an original at all.

“The ‘signs’ were masonry structures, so they could not simply be relocated. They also had some structural issues and were not in very good condition,” Funk said.

Although it is not an original, the current structure has the same dimensions as the originals, ensuring a component of authenticity and maintaining the original identity of the building.

Regardless of all the new information, my original question still remained: What does it mean?

Funk was not sure of the original meaning either.

“We have heard it represented ‘Hi’ or was to be a welcoming gateway,” Funk said.

He did, however, suggest I contact former principal William Jensen who, despite being unable to confirm or deny any of the

theories, proposed that I contact another former principal, Gary Goshorn, who Jenson described as “quite the historian”. I was perplexed and full of unanswered questions and minimal hope, so I decided to contact him next.

Goshorn would come to be the last link of the chain.

After months and months of endless contemplation, Goshorn was able to answer my ongoing question within the first minute of our conversation, but that is for later.

Goshorn proceeded to share anecdotes of his own experiences, along with other “urban legends” surrounding East that he had heard throughout the years.

“It was that the contractor that built East built it backwards and read the blueprints wrong, and what was supposed to be the backdoor became the front door and what was supposed to be the front door became the backdoor,” Goshorn said.

This would explain the 42 doors on the now front side of the building that do not really open up to anything besides the bus lot. Then again, I cannot imagine a bigger mistake than building a building backwards, besides maybe building it upside down.

Regardless of the history, renovations and changing faces of school leadership, one thing at East has remained the same, the meaning of the structure, the sign.

So here is the long awaited answer given to me by Goshorn:

Yeah, that is his answer.

Anticlimactic, disappointing, and while I’m not going to go as far as heartbreaking, in that minute it felt like it.

After he said those words in a blunt, light-hearted manner, I was in a state of shock. After all this

time, the answer seemed to be in the common name that it has been lightly referred to, “The Hi Sign.”

I eventually accepted this answer, finished writing this story and moved onto other things until I received yet another opinion (a day before deadline at that), from Assistant Principal Charles Edwards.

Edwards revealed to me that, although he doesn’t believe that “anyone can know for sure”, it was expressed to him by a group of trusted alumni that the structure does in fact hold the four letters of East, my original theory.

I gained this knowledge from Edwards after I had accepted the conclusion that the meaning of the sign was as simple as a “Welcome to East”. This information sent me spiraling, in my mind the story had been finalized, case closed. This was a new level of complexity to wrap my head around.

I believed the “Hi” answer to be the definite truth, but with the addition of this opinion backed with reportedly credible sources, I have realized that you cannot always determine the precise ‘truth’, especially not in regards to art.

Art is created with the basis of personal interpretation, and there is no way to know the exact answer unless you speak to the creator - an impossible feat in this case.

Now, I am not here to dictate your interpretation of the bricks, there are multiple scenarios to choose from, and always an opportunity to create your own. I want to encourage you to perceive art in your own way, because when it comes down to it, there is rarely a definite answer.

There is no good way to end a story that you have been writing for three months, so instead I offer the prospect of future mysteries and tales to be told. Who knows what questions are left to answer at East?

23

FEATURE

The furry faces of east r

“i just really like it”

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by Alex Hahn

“It covers my baby face and it’s soft, so soft.”

“i just hate shaving”

“It just grew on me”

December 16, 2016

graphics by Audrey Tian

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“It keeps my face warm”

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With November now in the rearview, there has been a sharp drop off in fuzzy faces. Several Olympians, however, have chosen to keep the remnants of their “No-Shave November” and transform this challenge into a bold form of self-expression or into a no-fuss cold-weather accessory.

SPORTS

Athletics Abandoned Athletes make the decision to quit a sport

by Soren Fox

T

graphics by Leo Saldivar

he hard work and constant grind of being an athlete is a lot of pressure for a high school student, and sometimes the abundance of games and practices cause too much stress for student athletes.

Whether it be to focus on another sport, allow more time for school or due to a general desire for more free time, deciding to withdraw from a sport is always a weighty decision.

Whatever the reason may be, it always has a big impact on the person. Football player Ethan Summa decided to not play basketball as he has in previous years; he believes it is a beneficial choice so he can get better in football during the off-season.

“I decided not play basketball this year because I need to focus on football. If I want to play in college I need to get stronger ... and I want to play football in college, so basketball would just take up time,” Summa said.

At the time of basketball tryouts, Summa was still playing football and that made it hard for him to participate in basketball tryouts, and it is generally hard

for athletes to start a new season directly after finishing a sport in another.

Taking a year off a sport is not an easy decision, Summa is not sure how he feels about not playing basketball because it was a personal decision to better himself for football. He also is not sure yet if he is going to play next year. “[Playing] depends on how my off season goes. If I reach my goals in the off season for football then I might play next year. I don’t know it just depends,” Summa said.

School places a lot of stress on not only students, but teachers as well. Social Studies teacher Cassie Gonsior is very familiar to this; she has been an assistant coach for women’s soccer at East for two years and played soccer as a student, but decided to take some time off coaching for personal reasons.

“I helped with the team for four years, but I was officially an assistant coach for two”, Gonsior said.

Gonsior went to Columbus East for her high school years, she played for the women’s soccer team and even participated in coaching soccer as a high school student.

“I have always played soccer from the time I was a little kid, and I started coaching when I was in high school.

It was a way for me to still be part of soccer when there

isn’t a lot of opportunity to still play when you are my age, and I still wanted to be involved and help coach kids,” Gonsior said.

The decision to take some time off from coaching was not an easy one, and took her a lot of time to think about, but being a teacher is very important to Gonsior and always comes first. Balancing late nights coaching, creating lesson plans and maintaining a personal life was beginning to become to stressful.

One of the hardest parts of the decision was that she had to tell the soccer team goodbye.

Many girls went to see her and ask about why she made the choice, for she truly cared for the team and grew really close to the girls.

Gonsior still talks to them at school whenever she sees them in the hallways, and some of them come up to her classroom during school to talk.

“I grew really close to the girls on the team and it was fun to get to know them on a different way outside of school and it made me sad to feel like I was kind of abandoning them,” Gonsior said.

The soccer team was very sad to hear about Gonsior’s

departure during winter conditioning last year and were very shocked, for they really looked up to Gonsior.

Though the decision to cease involvement in a once loved sport can be an emotional decision for students and coaches the personal choice should not be ridiculed and athletes should try to remember the positive memories from their experience.

EAST

25

SPORTS

Olympian Super Fans East students stand out in the crowd

by Caleb Davidson and Klayton Brummett

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Our fans keep us going because whenever we are worn out or tired, they are able to give us the motivation to keep playing. The student section stands out the most to me because of the different themes and outfits they wear.

I like the chants they do as well, because it always gets our team more ready to play,” Pettit said.

The basic requirement of being a Super Fan is a student section member that takes it to a new level. These are the students you see doing pushups after a touchdown or leading the other students in numerous chants throughout the game. A few of the standout Super Fans in our student section are juniors Natalie Knorr and Kolby Mitchell. Mitchell is a member of the track team but also attends other sporting events regularly, and Knorr is a member of the unified track team and shows her support for other sports teams at East. Both are also involved in multiple service organizations

around the school.

Students are not the only Super Fans involved with the school.

Here at East, we are lucky enough to have teachers who qualify as Super Fans as well. One teacher who many athletes consider to be a Super Fan is Sue Romine, who supports the athletic teams from school by wearing sports jerseys during her day as a teacher assistant in science resource.

The fan base at East goes far beyond the people who are involved with the school. The parents involved with East Athletics truly show how being a Super Fan has no boundaries. Parents tailgate before games, have postgame celebrations and support other sports that their kids do not participate in. Larry Summa, father of Junior Ethan Summa, is a parent who goes above and beyond.

He helps run the tailgates and host the post-game celebrations, and he also supports the basketball, baseball and volleyball teams

throughout their seasons.

“The best moment so far was being able to see my son Ethan and the rest of the football team compete for the state championship,” Summa said.

Each of these Super Fans bring their own unique twist to the way they impact our school. With some of them being students and others being adults, they have to express their support in different ways. This goes even further when it is someone who is unable to go to the game, such as Mrs. Romine due to her schedule and lack of free time, as they must learn to cheer for their team in other ways.

These four Super Fans go above and beyond in the spirit department and help pave the path for East’s very successful fan base, so let us take a more indepth appreciation at these stand out Super Fans.

December 16, 2016

photo by Kennedi Satterfield

rom an athlete’s perspective, the crowd can play a huge role in a team’s success. Athletes fuel off of the constant screaming and yells of encouragement going on in the background and there are usually a few voices that really stand out to them. These voices tend to come from people known as Super Fans.

On any given game-night at Columbus East High School, you can look up into the stands and find these Super Fans. Some of them come decked out in their orange and brown, while others come dressed for the student section theme for that game. Regardless of the attire worn, they always bring their best chants and cheers to the game. Junior Caleb Pettit, a member of the football team, was asked about his thoughts on the impact of the crowd and Super Fans.

“The crowd is one of the main reasons we are so successful.

SPORTS

Natalie Knorr

“I think the main reason I like it so much is because I’m not all that athletic, so getting to watch the games and support the team makes me feel like I’m a part of something.”

Natalie Knorr is a junior who is a member of the Dance Marathon Committee as well as a member of the National Honors Society at East. Knorr also enjoys being able to see all of the different athletes at East compete against other schools.

Knorr’s favorite sporting events to attend are football, basketball and soccer games. Knorr believes there is no better feeling than being able to go out and hang out with some friends while cheering on all of your classmates.

photos by Zoe Rangel and Brooke Williams

an inside look at two super fans Sue Romine Sue Romine is special education teacher as well as a teacher’s assistant at East. She does her best to try to attend multiple football games, basketball games and wrestling matches. During baseball season, she often wears different vintage baseball jerseys. Her son, before he passed away, really enjoyed being around all of the other students and just being able to see the game of baseball be played.

I really like to try and go to some of the different sports events going on because I really like to be able to see the students play, especially the students that I know and have gotten to know better.”

27

A&E

Rogue one is number one star wars franchise is back with another holiday hit

by Alex Schumacher

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for the original trilogy, episodes four, five and six. Because of the significance of this event, a full film explaining the details would clear up unanswered questions for fans.

Return of Since Disney bought the rights the Jedi (1983) to Lucasarts in 2012, the company has made efforts to take the franchise in a new direction. The obvious differences in style for the latest Star Wars movie, “The Force Awakens”, shows signs of an evolving company. The unique- A New Hope (1977) ness of Rogue One emphasizes the diversity in content that Star Wars possesses. The potential that Rogue One and Star Wars as a whole has is incredible.

Whether you loved or hated The Force Awakens, the undeniable Revenge of the Sith (2005) amount of revenue and attention that the film garnered was record breaking. Rogue One will have to live up to all the things that The Force Awakens accomplished, which could be a challenge that may surface after its release this The Phantom December.

Menace (1999) Star Wars has created a fanbase that possesses one of the most diverse groups of people.

Spanning multiple generations, people young and old care deeply about these stories which contributes greatly to the success of the franchise. Rogue One will premiere on December 16, 2016.

The Force Awakens (2015)

Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Rogue One (2016)

Attack of the Clones (2002)

The Star Wars Universe in chronological order with movie release dates

December 16, 2016

graphic by Reagan Perkins

he Star Wars hype train has left the station once again and has its fans excited for the latest installment, “Rogue One”. This iconic series has defined decades of film and influenced millions with its brilliant storytelling. With that in mind, the decision to produce a side film apart from the full “episodes” of the series comes with controversy for the franchise.

While many fans are excited for the new film, some skeptics have a differing opinion. Some have complained that this new title is unnecessary and Star Wars should not be putting out movies at the current rate of nearly one movie per year. With the release of Rogue One being so close to the premiere of episode eight, many are upset that the franchise is focusing so much on these filler movies rather than focusing on the saga.

While the primary seven movies contribute to a large portion of the Star Wars universe, sub plots such as Rogue One helps create the vast complexity that defines Star Wars culture.

The film is set between the 2005 prequel “Revenge of the Sith” and the original 1977 movie, “A New Hope”. The film’s main plot focus is on capturing the plans for the Death Star, the empire’s super weapon. This key event in the Star Wars timeline lays the foundation

Episode eight, no title (2017)

A&E

N

early the moment Thanksgiving ends, halls, homes and cities are filled with the unmistakable ring of Christmas music. Almost immediately, chestnuts are roasting, halls are decked and little boys are drumming, forming this iconic holiday atmosphere that sparks all sorts

What Kind of Christmas Music Do You prefer?

graphic by Reagan Perkins

Traditional

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of feelings, from reminiscence to annoyance.

The soundtrack of the season seems to absorb nearly every moment of December and relentlessly plays until January.

This music makes one want to rip their hair out and makes another fill with excitement and the question is, ‘why?’

What is it about Christmas music that creates such strong feelings when this season comes about?

It could be the association between the soundtrack of the holidays and the feelings of the season as a whole. Typically, Christmas suggests a time of family and festivity which could explain the eagerness to hear the music specific to the season.

These memories can create a longing for the season and bring about excitement when it comes around. Holiday music is notorious for its bright and joyous sound which is a hook for most listeners.

“Christmas music is so cheery that it puts people in a better mood,” Junior Kaylee Stott said.

She alludes to the fact that most people hope to be generally happy and music with a positive vibe does not hurt in this search for happiness.

Stott herself enjoys the music greatly and mentions that along with the joyous sound to the music, she enjoys the holiday spirit that goes along with it.

Senior Jared Clark said, “Christmas music makes people feel festive, that’s how it stays so popular.”

The history of Christmas derives from the Christian religion and focuses on the arrival of Jesus Christ which was known as a joyous event. It only makes sense for a holiday of celebration to elicit music of celebration.

When this music plays, listeners are subconsciously reminded of the reason for the season which, in turn, gives out that feeling of ‘festivity.’

Clark and Stott both mentioned this ‘Christmas spirit’ idea as a motivation for their love of the music and suggested that another factor of the popularity could be rooted in the utter catchiness of the songs.

With modern carols originating in the 1400’s, according to James Cooper of whychristmas. com, some songs truly have been passed from generation to generation. This goes to explain the common complaint that holiday music is ‘overplayed’ and ‘boring.’

“I don’t like the music because it never changes,” Sophomore Ryan Singer said.

Many agree with Singer’s view and abstain from the holiday soundtrack due to the repetitive nature. Though for some this quality is a downfall, others see the familiar music as a portal to older memories which feels like a

What Is Your Favorite Christmas Song?

All I Want For Christmas is You

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Walking in a Winter Wonderland Blue Mistletoe Christmas

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staple of the season.

This season, however, is not to be categorized by Christmas alone which has left many people of non-Christian religions feeling resentment towards holiday music.

The celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa elicit music all their own with significantly less press.

For example Matisyahu, the Jewish American reggae and alternative artist, has released several Hanukkah celebration songs with a modern and unique vibe. Other artists, including Debbie Friedman and Julie Silver, have released music to parallel the Jewish traditions yet these songs are rarely blared through department store speakers.

This lopsided publicity has created a form of annoyance in those of religions which do not believe in the nativity story yet Christian melodies live on.

Forever, the mixed views on Christmas music will persist; but, will it ever disappear? Most agree that it will not.

Whether the primary reason for this is the historical background, the general attitude of the music or the catchiness of the tunes nobody can be sure. Even around East, it does not take much to find one who loves holiday music and one who hates it.

No matter these opinions, bells will be ringing and carols will be sung from generation to generation.

do you listen to christmas Music?

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A&E

aesethic Eats Photo-Friendly foods occupy social Media

T

he endless scroll through various social media sites typically provides the viewer with a pleasant experience - an experience filled with warm photos of family, friends and nature. However, this experience is occasionally interrupted by stupid jokes, pointless memes or a trend becoming more

by Natalie Glaid

and more popular: artistic food presentations.

While some people consider social media posts about food to be annoying, most believe them to be part of a larger concept known as “aesthetic.” The word aesthetic varies from person to person, but it can be generalized to the definition of a concern for

beauty in relation to emotion and intelligence.

To be aesthetic, the featured food must be presented in a simple way, for the main goal of taking an aesthetic food picture is to make the food look appealing.

It is essential for the filter used on the image to be light and the background to be plain. The image

must be crisp, clear and focused, and the color of the food bright.

Most food has been labeled as aesthetic at one point or another, but a few specific foods have come to be known as aesthetic staples due to their repetitiveness on social media.

The following foods are popular aesthetic staples.

Pizza

Burgers

Most aesthetic foods are deemed to be unhealthy, but fruit definitely contradicts this stereotype. It proves that food does not always need to be loaded with artificial substances in order to be pleasurable. Fruit generates some of the best images due to its bright and fresh appearance.

More often than not, it will be arranged in some sort of display, whether it be a bouquet, in a bowl or on a platter. Fruit is also considered an aesthetic staple because of its international relevance and importance. Finally, fruit is an essential factor in many diets, for it provides needed, and craved, sugars in a healthy, satisfying way.

Pancakes

The world’s universal love for pizza makes it one of the best foods to photograph and post. The combination of golden-brown crust with gooey, stringy cheese and colorful toppings is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Pizza toppings range from pepperoni and sausage to peppers and pineapple; the color provided by the toppings makes for an appetizing image. No matter the setting, pizza is seen as a worldwide luxury that brings people together and creates good times.

Consequently, it generates lots of success as an aesthetic staple.

Burgers are iconic in America, for they can be found on almost any menu at any restaurant. The basic burger ingredients of bun, meat, lettuce and cheese provide nutrients from all the food groups. By uniting the food groups, burgers are able to incorporate an abundance of color into one single food item. All burgers are styled and presented with a unique twist, and burger style is typically dependent upon the restaurant at which the burger is offered.

These burger features never fail to produce a pleasant, vivid image for viewers.

Fruit 30

December 16, 2016

graphics by Reagan Perkins

While the debate of superiority between pancakes and waffles may never cease, most people can agree that pancakes are one of the most attractive breakfast foods to ever exist. A stack of white, fluffy pancakes drizzled with syrup and topped by a square of melting butter is an image hard to beat. Pancakes are not only delightful to consume plain, but can be enhanced by the additions of powdered sugar and various fruit toppings.

A&E

Oodles of Noodles

Farfalle

by Julie Connor

Also known as angel hair, capellini is a very thin, long noodle that is paired best with seafood dishes.

alphabet

The most well known pasta, spaghetti is a pasta that is slightly larger than angel hair. Spaghetti is most commonly topped with marinara sauce and meatballs.

An egg based noodle that is wide and flat is most often followed by Alfredo sauce and can be eaten with a fork or a spoon.

Ravioli are wonderful square filled dumplings that contain meat, cheese or other delicious ingredients.

Ravioli

graphic by Reilly Jones • photo by Dustin Rodgers

Manicotti Longer rigid tubes that are stuffed and baked most commonly with cheese.

Noodles shaped like letters and numbers. What could be more fun? Nothing.

These rounded small pasta are most commonly found in Mac and Cheese and are very delicious.

Tortellini Tortellini has similar fillings to ravioli but has the shape of a croissant roll and is much smaller in size.

Penne is a short and tubular pasta with diagonally cut edges.

This noodle can come in smooth or rigid variety.

NEW! check it out on cehsnews.com

Often called “bowtie,” these little creations are small and are created in the colors of the Italian flagred, green and white.

PEnne

Elbow

A fun-filled pasta is about the size of tortellini but is supposed to look like an ear.

Orecchiette Rigatoni ZITI

This unique pasta is shorter in length but Slightly thicker than has horizontal ridges rigatoni this hollow and is often noodle is smooth and compared to ziti. is often baked.

the cheese is back and it’s never looked so good!

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On Nov. 8, senior Cortney VanLiew was honored for being the state winner for the Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heisman Award. She was also recongized for being one of 10 national finalists for the award

Senior and IU football committ Harry Crider recieved the IHSAA Class 5A Eskew Mental Attitude Award on Nov. 26 after the 5A State Championship see inside for more coverage