Issue 1 by CHS Clarion

Clarion The

“A Clear Call Summons All”

InsideNow

September 30, 2013

Feature

Opinion

Sports

p4 Student Government

p2 3rd lunch: less food

p6 Cross-country

p5 Sleep deprivation

p8 Increasing student fees

p7 Boys tennis

p6 Football

p2 Teacher turnover rate

p4 Exchange student

Connersville High School • 1100 Spartan Drive • Connersville, IN 47331 • www.chsclarion.com • Volume 100 • Issue 1

Renovations improve campus “

The locker rooms [and other additions] are beautiful and the students are going to enjoy that. Randy Judd, principal

”

Keely Gill

Staff Writer

dditions over the summer have given the school a fresher look and made the campus more convenient, safe and secure for students and staff. Staff and contractors made renovations throughout the entire campus like paving the courtyard, adding campus-wide Wi-fi, installing new windows and doors and updating the locker rooms. “For the courtyard project, we milled the old surface down so we could repave it,” Principal Randy Judd said. Another summer project involved the locker rooms, which were completely renovated and painted, and new lockers were put in. He added that these renovations would not only improve the experience for the athletes here but for

visiting athletes as well. “It will be something nice for visiting teams to come into when they have football, volleyball or wrestling. They can look at our facility and say, ‘Wow! This is pretty nice,’ rather than saying, ‘This is not very nice,’” Judd said. It takes time and planning ahead to create the budget needed for renovations. “The money for these projects is planned for in advance,” Judd said. “We have what we call a capital projects fund for each building, and the fund is planned out three to five years in advance.” The new renovations not only make the school nicer, but will promote a positive outlook for staff and students coming to school each day. “It’s definitely going to be a positive effect,” Judd said. “The locker rooms [and other additions] are beau-

Over the summer, physical improvements were made to the school. Not only was the courtyard re-paved, Wi-fi was added campus-wide, several new doors and windows were installed and the locker rooms were renovated. Stephanie Lane photo

tiful, and the students and staff are going to enjoy that,” Judd said. The entire campus can now access a strong Wi-Fi connection but the privilege eventually bring new student usage policies.

“Having wireless is going to open up all kinds of possibilities for our building; we will probably have to come up with some new policies for our wireless because the students will have their wireless phones

New administration takes charge

Position added, duties shifted Becca Seeley

 New Administration Front row: Principal Randy Judd, Assistant Principal Rickie Rose. Back row: Assistant Principal Scott West, Athletic Director Brent Duncan, Dean of Students Shane Russell. Kathleen Marschand photo

Vending machine prices rise John Isaacs

Copy Editor

Dehydration can be a real pain, but when someone’s thirsty, there is nothing better than a well-placed pop machine. The school has four active pop machines, but the prices of their contents may have some students thinking twice about purchases. At the beginning of the school year, pop machine prices raised from $1.25 to $1.50. The prices raised again Sept. 16. Instead of being $1.50, pop is now $2. Around Connersville, the average price of a two-liter is in the range of $.70 to $1.50, so it’s understandable why people are questioning the increase. Spending $2 on a 16-ounce bottle of pop may turn some heads, but the school isn’t to blame. “The prices are determined because we are in

a contract with Coca-Cola,” bookkeeper Beth Bishop-Murphy said. “They sell to us by supermarket price and then, of course, we have to make a little bit of a profit.” Unfortunately for the school, those prices don’t really add up. “We’re really not making much of a profit,” Murphy said. “But in the contract, Coca-Cola is allowed to raise their prices five percent each year. It was really just time to raise.” Besides covering the expenses of the vending merchandise, profits also go toward benefiting the school. “Part of it goes into teaching expenses,” Murphy said. “We [also] had to raise money for the R.I.C.H.E.R program.” Money put towards the R.I.C.H.E.R program funds semester and yearly prizes, and other things meant to help students and faculty such as supplies and equipment.

and be connected to it,” Judd said. “Every change made this summer will help make our buildings just that much better for students, teachers and community members,” Judd said

Editor in Chief

New changes have been happening all around the school’s campus, but a main change is in the administration department. With a new head principal, some other positions had to be altered as well. “As you have probably noticed we have two assistant principals, like we have always had,” Principal Randy Judd said. The different positions were given to dif-

ferent staff members. “One Assistant Principal is Mr. West, his duties have changed to where he is only in charge of discipline for junior and senior boys,” Judd said. “He will be doing a lot of teacher evaluations.” Some staff were added to the administration. “Dr. Rose has moved from our alternative schools to be the other assistant principal; she took my place,” he said. “Her discipline area will be junior and senior girls.” There were also new jobs and classifications created.

Administration continued on page 8

Balanced schedule Start date, vacations altered in new plan Ali Hostetler Staff Writer

The school’s schedule is not balanced nor is it going year round. It’s just altered a little bit for convenience, according to Principal Randy Judd. “We don’t have a balanced calendar because we

For more information Pop machine prices have been raised

by 75 cents since the beginning of the year. Coca-Cola increased the price they were charging the school for pop, and the school still needed to make a small profit so increased were passed on to students. Katie Bailey photo

still have a very long summer,” Judd said. “We added three days to fall break, and this year we did build in some snow days, so if we have a snow day we lose those in our calendar,” Judd said.

Balanced continued on page 8

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Opinion

page 2 ‹ Clarion

September 30, 2013

New year brings new faces, again School should reduce faculty departures Staff Editorial

Nikk Lainhart illustration

ach year there will always be a change in teachers, but over the past few years, the number of new teachers has been increasing. This year, a record number of new teachers came into the school. With a teaching staff of 65, adding 18 teachers means nearly 28% of the staff is new. With new teachers comes many new positive things. They bring a new energy and youthfulness to the school along with new perspectives and ideas on their subjects. These new, fresh teaching styles can enhance the learning of individual students. However, dramatic changes in the teaching staff can also bring problems. When experienced teach-

ers leave, students lose teachers who knew their fields very well. This is important in all areas, but in upper level classes and dual credit classes it can be crucial. Additionally, some positions can be very difficult to fill. Fields like English, science and business were especially hard to fill, according to Principal Randy Judd. When so many positions are being filled, it becomes difficult to find enough people fully-licensed in each area. Because of that, teachers are sometimes being asked to teach outside their licensed area, which is hard for both teachers and students. Along with these problems, another issue is continuity. Many students have a favorite teacher who they create connections and bonds with. When that teacher decides to leave, for various reasons, those relationships are lost and changed drastically. If the teachers keep feeling the

Food shortage sparks opinion Nikk Lainhart

Copy Editor

he last lunch of the day has always been a source of complaint for its students. The famine-esque lack of food has left the student body feeling depleted. But as always, there are two sides to every coin. Director of Dining Services Siobhan Carey has the delicate task of satisfying every student in the school. “We have two main goals,” Carey said. “Our first goal is to feed students a high quality nutritious meal. Our rule in the kitchen is that third lunch needs to be exactly the same as first lunch. The kids in third lunch should have the same options that the students have in first lunch. Sometimes we may fall short of that goal, but not very often.” The strict Health Department rules make food difficult to keep in rotation. “Our second goal is ‘Do Not Waste Food,’” Carey said. “This is a balancing act….because if we make an abundance of food at the very end of third lunch with the anticipation

of what we think the students are going to eat, then we have to throw all of that food away. Once it has been served to the public, it cannot be reused again per the Health Department.” The quicker students arrive to lunch, the more likely they are to get the food they want. “If you arrive during the first part of third lunch, you should have every option available to you, but if you arrive with 10 minutes left for lunch, you may not always have all options available,” Carey said. In the end, the amount of food relies on the students’ taste that day. “We do our very best to stay ahead; however, we can’t always determine what students will take on that day,” Carey said. “Every day is different depending on what is menued. We give the cooks a production record with portion amounts, and we base those portion amounts on what we did the last time that item was menued, but again, sometimes we cannot control what students are going to gravitate to on that day,” Carey said. So how can this issue be fixed?

Out of a teaching staff of 65, nearly 28% of the staff is new this year. pressure, then the staff changes will keep escalating. Without good teachers, education test scores will start to decrease. If the scores decrease, students will lose opportunities for scholarships, getting into good colleges and chances at jobs in the future. Teachers can influence more than school work, they can alter a student’s life. This escalating staff turnover needs to stop. The school system works very hard to keep its students educated and happy. To solve this problem, the Fayette County Schools administration and the high school administration should work to make the schools as comfortable for the teachers as they do for the students.

Waiting to pay for food during third lunch on Sept. 5, juniors Chandler Blackley and Javaun Upchurch get their money ready to pay. Katie Bailey photo

“If a student sees a repeated issue, please ask for me or the kitchen manager at that very moment. The only way to improve is if it is addressed immediately,” Carey said.

Clarion newspaper sets yearly editorial policies Additional content available at www. chsclarion. com

Clarion seeks to inform, educate and serve as a forum for student expression at CHS. Working as responsible journalists, the Clarion staff strives to print a journalistically sound publication. The following policies express the rights, responsibilities and philosophies of the student staff. The paper is published under the direction of the Editor in Chief.

Clarion The

Connersville High School 1100 Spartan Drive Connersville, IN 47331 www.chsclarion.com

The staff will decide by majority vote the opinions expressed in editorials. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the entire Clarion staff, the student body, the faculty or the school board. Signed columns and Letters to the Editor represent the opinions of the writers only. The Editor reserves the right to postpone, edit or withhold from letters and articles submitted

for publication. The purpose of the paper is to inform students about activities, events and issues pertaining to teens. Accurate reporting of facts is a primary staff goal. Opinions will be marked clearly, and news stories will present all sides of the issues. If one side refuses to comment, their refusal will be reported.

“A Clear Call Summons All” The Clarion is a student publication serving as open forum for student expression at Connersville High School, where it is distributed to all students, faculty and staff. While the staff aims to provide a balanced account of news, opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of faculty, staff, administration or school board. The editor is solely responsible for the content.

Corrections will be printed, but errors must be submitted in writing and verified. Clarion will not print or distribute articles which qualify as unprotected speech as defined by the Student Press Law Center. Unprotected speech is that which contains obscenity, or libel, directs readers towards inciting or producing imminent, lawless action, or invades

Editor in Chief Becca Seeley Managing Editor

Seth Winstead

Online Editor

Katie Bailey

Design Editor

Riley Masters

Staff

the rights of others as defined by the U.S. Constitution. The newspaper also will not publish material that will cause “a material substantial disruption of school activities.” Staff members will conduct themselves in a professional manner and those not doing so are subject to dismissal from the newspaper staff. Staff behavior and duties are outlines in the staff manual.

Sierra Briner Keely Gill Jordan Harris Ali Hostetler Stephanie Lane Megan McNally Emmett Sandoval

Copy Editors

John Isaacs Nikk Lainhart

Principal

Randy Judd

Adviser

Lisa Morris

News

September 30, 2013

Clarion › page 3

18 teachers added to staff Seth Winstead & Journalism 1 class

Every school year brings changes, but 2013-2014 has brought more than usual. According to Fayette County School Corporation

Director of Human Resources Dr. Stephen Bayer, corporation wide, the new staff count is at 41, which, he said, may be a new record. Principal Randy Judd and department chairpersons worked most of the summer conducting in-

terviews to bring 18 new teachers to CHS. Some of those are first year teachers, while others bring years of teaching experience. Here is some information about the new staff members who are now at the high school.

Suzanne Brown: English

Michelle Rexing: Agriculture

Kelsey Browne: Spanish

Managing Editor

College(s): Ball State University/IUPUI Previously taught at: first year teaching What you enjoy about your subject: the critical thinking and the relationship that ties English, speech and drama together Something interesting: was born in England Film: V for Vendetta Music: The Beatles, classic rock Professional football/basketball team(s): Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers Brown College football and basketball team(s): Indiana University, Notre Dame

College: Purdue University Previously taught at: first year teaching What you enjoy about your subject: her passion for farming and sharing where people get their food Something interesting: die-hard sports fan and love the St. Louis Cardinals Film: Romantic comedies Band: Josh Abbott Band Professional football teams(s): Denver Broncos, St. Louis Cardinals Rexing College football and basketball team: Purdue

Marisa Buccieri: English

College: Purdue University Previous job: personal trainer at Anytime Fitness What you enjoy about your subject: I enjoy all of it Something interesting: got engaged and played in a mud volleyball tournament in the same day Film: The Chronicles of Riddick Music: everything--Skrillex, Linkin Park, Jay-Z Professional football team: Indianapolis Colts College football and basketball team: Purdue Baker

College(s): Purdue University/IUPUI Previously taught at: Purdue What you enjoy about your subject: helping students connect to literature to expand their knowledge Something interesting: very good sense of humor Film: Period Peace - interested in the historical aspect Band: Green Day Buccieri Professional football team: Indianapolis Colts College football and basketball team: Purdue

Raymond Engle: English

College: Wright State University Previously taught at: Indianapolis, Pike Township What you enjoy about your subject: reading, writing and teaching others Something interesting: huge fan of the Cleveland Browns Film: horror movies Band: Pearl Jam Professional football team: Cleveland Browns Engle College football & basketball team: Wright State

Lisa Morris: Journalism/English

College(s): Ball State University, Miami University Previously taught at: Miami, BSU,Westfield, Lincoln, Knightstown, Carmel and seven years at Connersville What you enjoy about your subject: there is always something brand new everyday Something interesting: raised baby parrots Film: classics (pre-1945) Music: Folk Professional football team: Green Bay Packers Morris College football and basketball team: University of Michigan

Aaron Chester: English

College(s): Indiana University East, IUPUI Previously taught at: Turkey Run, Hagerstown, Batesville What you enjoy about English: making people think about ideas and the ideas they already have Something interesting: I’m in the middle of writing a novel Film: suspense Music: Christian, classical Professional football/basketball teams: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bulls Chester

Shantel Cartwright: Business

College: Indiana University Previously taught at: Union County What you enjoy about your subject: sharing her love for business Something interesting: studied in Spain; went to Hong Kong Film: Elf Music: country, 1980’s hair bands Professional football team(s): Indianapolis Colts, Cartwright Denver Broncos

Stephanie Baker: Family & Consumer Science

Chris Dierks: Social Studies

College: Indiana University Previously taught at: first year What you enjoy about your subject: teaching kids new things Something interesting: is the new girls tennis coach Film: comedies Singer: Tom Petty Professional football: Indianapolis Colts College football and basketball team: Indiana Dierks University What you do in your free time: play tennis

College: Miami University Previously taught at: Cincinnati What you enjoy about your subject: being able to speak to different people Something interesting: been to five different continents Film: superhero movies Singer: Gavin Degraw Professional football team: Cincinnati Bengals Browne

Andrea Fudge: Science

College: Indiana University East Previously taught at: Connersville Middle School, private school What you enjoy about your subject: there is something new to learn every day Something interesting: her daughters were named after car companies: Mercedes, Alexis Film: mystery/suspense Music : country music Professional football team(s): Indianapolis Colts/New England Patriots Fudge College football and basketball team: Indiana University

Tom Battista: Family & Consumer Science

College: Indiana University Previously taught at: Las Vegas, Nevada What you enjoy about your subject: everyone has to eat because we all have nutrition in common Something interesting: loves the outdoors Film: comedy Music : AC/DC Professional football/basketball team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bulls College football & basketball team: Ohio State Battista

Carmen Butron: Spanish

Janet Cain: Art

College(s): Indiana University East, Ball State University Previously taught at: Connersville Middle School What you enjoy about your subject: the passion for art, and passing it on Something interesting: cliff- jumped in Mexico, swam with large tropical fish Film: any movie with Johnny Depp Professional football team: Indianapolis Colts College football and basketball team: Indiana University Cain

College: Granada University, Granada, Spain Previously taught at: Marcelo Spinel High School, Seville, Spain What you enjoy about your subject: teaching her own language Something interesting: loves the United States and being in America Film: Pretty Woman Music : Spanish pop Favorite food: Paello Favorite thing about the United States: Butron the culture; everything is different

Kim Carroll: Math

Sara Hiers-Rowe: Science

College(s): Indiana University, Miami University Previously taught at: Connersville Middle School What you enjoy about your subject: the love of math, which is helpful in business Something interesting: graduated from CHS, was a State-qualifying gymnast Film: Inception Band: Journey Professional football team: Indianapolis Colts College football and basketball team: Indiana Carroll University

Libby Adams: Math

College: Indiana University Previously taught at: first year teaching; student taught in Columbus What you enjoy about your subject: being able to solve problems and figure things out Something interesting: has a twin brother Film: disaster Free time activity: reading books and watching movies College football and basketball team: Indiana University

Adams

College(s): Purdue university, Indiana University East Previous job: Connersville Veterinary Clinic What you enjoy about your subject: I love the content and enjoy seeing student interest Something interesting: has two daughters Film: Pride and Prejudice Band : Mumford & Sons College football and basketball team: Purdue Favorite food: Mexican What you do in your free time: be a mother, Hiers-Rowe garden

Sara Franklin: Business

College(s): Indiana University East, Liberty University Previously taught at: Ivy Tech What you enjoy about your subject: getting to know the students Something interesting: she’s four feet, 10.5 inches tall. Film: Dead Poet’s Society Band : Fun College football and basketball team: Indiana University Franklin Favorite food: salads What you do in your free time: go to the gym, spinning class

Feature

page 4 ‹ Clarion

September 30, 2013

Student Government Addressing the pressing issues of CHS one meeting at a time

Nikk Lainhart

At the Sept. 17 Student Government meeting, senior Jacob Guttman places his vote. Meranda Moore photo

Copy Editor

ast year when the Homecoming dance was going to be held on a Friday night after the game, there was student uproar. The students collectively started a petition and were successful in moving the dance to Saturday night. To avoid that issue this year, the administration chose to leave the decision as to what night the dance takes place up to the students. The Student Government, which is made up of SRT representatives

“

Student Government is a student organization that handles issues in the school such as spirit, technology, recycling, etc.

”

Emma Ross, senior picked by the students, had a vote to decide what night the dance would be held, they voted 42-1 to have Homecoming on a Saturday as opposed to a Friday.

Some students are still unaware as to what exactly Student Government is. “Student Government is a student organization that handles issues in the school such as spirit, technology, recycling, etc.,” Student Government Speaker Emma Ross said. In the real world, governments are the basis for every civilization. Student Government on the other hand, not so much. “It depends on the issue,” Student Government advisor Shawn Curtis said. “But we usually have an advisory role in almost every policy.”

Members have a specific set of goals they would like to accomplish. “This year’s main goal is to put together a Mr. CHS pageant for senior guys,” Ross said. “It would be a huge fundraiser for us if we get it worked out.”

Projects •Address student complaints • Recycle more • Serve cake on MLK Day • Hang up stars on Veteran’s Day • Address school spirit • Address technology • Address attendance issues

Exchange student adjusts to Indiana Question &Answer

What were your thoughts entering CHS?

Question&Answer

Lucas Zarate, junior

Stephanie Lane

Staff Writer

After arriving in the U.S. on July 4, junior Lucas Zarate has spent time getting to know his host family and the town he will call home for the school year. Name: Lucas Zarate Grade: 11th Hometown: Asuncion, Paraguay Staying with: junior Kayla Cornthwaite and family Have you ever been to the U.S. before? If so, when? “No, [this is] my first time.” What made you want to come to America? “My brother came here when he was 16, and I wanted to do the same.” What is your favorite thing about American culture? “[My favorite thing is] the people.” What do you hope to see or do while in the U.S.? “[I would like to see] a baseball game.” How is Connersville different from your hometown? “[Connersville] is smaller. Asuncion is two times bigger than Connersville.” What’s one thing you enjoy about Connersville, and why?

“[I enjoy] the tennis team because of the people there. They are funny.” Do you plan on coming back to Connersville after your time is over? “I [plan on] maybe [coming back].” Was it hard adjusting to new people? “Yes, [it was hard].” Where did you attend school? “[I went to] Cristo Ray; it is half as big [as CHS].” How has it been adjusting to a new home and new school? “[It’s been] pretty hard. You don’t know anyone and have to make new friends.” What where you thinking the night before your first day? “[I was thinking] everything would be new. I feel like a freshman.” What’s different about CHS than your school? “[It is] bigger and there are more subjects to choose from.” What’s the dress code at your old school? “[It was] uniforms: grey pants and white shirts.” Are you planning on playing any sports? “[I’m playing] tennis.” What are your hobbies? “[I like] reading.” Do you speak any other languages? “Yes, [I speak] Guarani.”

Is it hard speaking in English all the time? “No, it’s not. I’ve been speaking English for six years.” What food changes have you noticed? “Here you have burgers for lunch, and you never have burgers for lunch in Paraguay.” What do you find weird about American high school? “Here there’s a lot of freedom. Here if you were gay, it’s okay, but at my high school there would be a lot of bullying. There’s also all kinds of colored hair.” What fashion trends are similar and different? “Here we dress nicer for school. [Clothes like] Hollister, Abercrombie, and American Eagle are what we wear to parties [in Paraguay].” What have you seen in the U.S. so far? “Indianapolis. [I went] to the hospital for an asthma problem.” What do you want to see/do while you are here? “[I would like to] see a Pacers game.” When did you get here? When do you leave? “[I got here on] July 4. [I leave on] May 24.” What do you miss most from home? “[I miss my] best friends, Jose Rojas and Paulo Cosetti.” What are you favorite foods in Paraguay? “[My favorite foods are] vori vori, a kind of soup, and sopa paraguaya, a kind of cake.”

Entering high school brings out expectations, fears Sierra Briner & Ali Hostetler Staff Writers

The upperclassmen all remember their first day of high school, the horror stories they were told, the looks they got from the upperclassmen, and of course the predetermined ideas they had walking into these buildings for the first time. The freshmen now are walking into the same hallways, getting the same “I though I would get lost all the time.” Christopher Redd, freshman

looks, probably thinking the same ideas about what their high school lives are going to be like. While some freshmen wished to be back in bed, others are glad to be in high school. “I don’t feel so intimidated anymore. I do enjoy coming [to high school],” freshman Olivia Ryckman said. Some people may be dreading their next class, but others are looking forward to their classes. “I

like my classes. I really like choir and [high school] is really fun,” freshman Kennedy Crisp said. While most freshmen adjusted to high school within a couple of weeks, many were worried over the summer. “[I thought that] fights would happen all the time,” freshman Alexis Jennings said. Fighting wasn’t the only thing that freshmen were worried about. “[I heard] a kid got some kind of chem-

“I thought I would be pushed around in the hallway and stuff.” Taylor Epperson, freshman

istry set and lit the principal’s office on fire,” freshman Michael Steele said. Other freshmen were worried about their P.E. class. “[I heard] that you would have to take showers with others,” Steele said. Others were concerned about harder classes. “I heard that I was going to fail all my classes,” freshman Madison Miller said. Others heard high school would be a breeze. “I heard that [high school] would

“I thought I was going to get shoved in a locker.” Sam Griffin, freshman

“

I heard a kid got some kind of chemistry set and lit the principal’s office on fire. Michael Steele, freshman

”

be a lot easier than middle school,” freshman Jordan Carsey said. “I didn’t really expect anything scary. I’m fearless.” Hunter Johns, freshman

Feature

September 30, 2013

ZZ Z Z

Sleep deprivation affects students Keely Gill

NapTime Only 15% of teens sleep 8.5 hours on school nights. When you are sleep deprived, you are as impaired as driving with a blood alcohol content of .08%, which is illegal for drivers in many states. Drowsy driving causes over 100,000 crashes each year. -National Sleep Foundation

43.7% of people ages 18-25 unintentionally fell asleep at least once in the past month.

4.5% of people ages 18-25 nodded off while driving in the past month.

23% of people under age 20 reported that lack of sleep cause last of concentration.

18% of people under age 20 reported that it is harder to remember things when they had a lack of sleep -Center for Disease Control

“Sleep-deprived subjects in studies are not only more likely to perform poorly on tests requiring concentration, but also, they’re more likely to overestimate their performance. -Discovery Health

Staff Writer

eople go to school, work and required places every day of the week, some so sleep deprived they can barely function. According to lifehacker. com, the average eight hours of sleep that an average human needs to be completely focused and awake throughout the day is a myth. But the thing is, this may be for the average person but different for a typical student. Overall, getting enough sleep can be a problem for anyone with a tight schedule. People have different ways they catch up on

sleep. Weekends are the time teenagers generally try to catch up on sleep. But on week nights when there is studying to be done for the next day, sleep is an important part of life. The human body needs sleep to retain the studied material and put it to its full use. For some students the process of getting the hours in is more simple. “[I] try to go to bed early and sleep in as late as possible,” junior Kyla Russell said. For others, getting to bed at a decent time is a little more difficult, depending on the things that need to be done that night. “To get plenty of sleep on school nights, I try to go to bed at

Clarion › page 5

a decent hour. Sometimes I succeed at it; other times I don’t,” junior Montana Bennington said. According to sleep researcher Daniel Kripke from Discovery Health, the average eight hours isn’t always ideal. Between six and a half to seven and a half hours of sleep every night makes the difference between sleep-deprivation and normal functioning. Students have their own routines for keeping a general sleeping schedule and getting those hours to keep them going, but tips from others may help. “Don’t make the decision to stay up until the crack of dawn in weekends; it only mess-

es your schedule up and makes you even more tired Monday morning,” Bennington said. For others, keeping more of a routine helps. “[It helps to] have a set schedule to go by for each day,” Russell said. The transition from late nights and late mornings is a typical adjustment for any teenager or student, but there are some things that can be done to help them adjust as they make the return to school. “[Before school starts] I spend about a week or two going to bed earlier every few days which makes 6 a.m. easier when school gets here,” Bennington said.

Marching band looks to the future Taylor Fudge

Staff Writer

Marching band members practice their pre-game performance for football games. Band members including sophomore Taylor Fudge, freshman Makayla Ailes and sophomore Brayton Sizemore are in proper block formation. Keely Gill photo

In addition to preparing for shows and contests, the marching band hopes to incorporate many new elements to help them succeed, including color guard, a group of individuals who work with flags to create a more visual appeal to a marching band show, and a full percussion pit. While these additions may not be fully implemented this season, this band is looking to the future. Drum major senior Brayton Taylor is excited about the new color guard, but he knows it will be a challenge. “[The color guard]

Pacific friends come to visit Sierra Briner

Staff Writer

ix Japanese exchange students and two teachers will be arriving at CHS Oct. 29 and will stay until Nov. 6. These students are part of an ongoing yearly exchange program that Japanese teacher Sachiko Kawakubo helped set up. “This is the Earlham Morioka - Indiana Exchange Program, and they started planning this in 2000,” Kawakubo said, “So this will be their 13th year.” While they are here, the five girls and one boy, as well and their teachers, will stay with local host families. The two teachers will stay with the Giestings and the Klemmes. Host families

“

I want to give the visitors as many opportunities as possible. Sachiko Kawakubo, Japanese teacher

”

will be chosen soon for the students. The group will take part in a variety of activities. Japanese Club will host a Halloween picnic, and Japanese Club and their visitors will take part in the community trick-or-treat and visit Earlham College. They’ll take a trip to Indianapolis to visit the Children’s Museum and the Indianapolis Motor Speed-

way. They will also visit Everton Elementary and the middle school. In first year Japanese classes the visitors will give culture presentations. “I want to give them as many opportunities as possible. So they are going to be at the high school, visit the middle school, participate in Halloween activities, and have a one-day field trip to Indianapolis,” Kawakubo said. The CHS staff will help with hosting these six guest for the nine days that the exchange students are here. “The [Japanese] students will visit individual classes with the host students. So the entire staff [at Connersville] is helping us host them,” Kawakubo said.

“

I think that were gradually growing. The freshmen players have a strong work ethic and are contributing positively to our environment Stephen McKean, Band Director

”

could be either really good or really bad,” Taylor said. “It’s going to be difficult to put the band and the guard together at first because [the color guard members] don’t know how we work.” The addition of a color guard could considerably

improve the score a marching band receives for their show, and so can a full pit of percussionists, according to band director Stephen McKean. “A full pit would be awesome,” drummer junior Charles Precht said. “I feel like having more than just one pit member, or a full pit at that, would improve the band an immense amount.” Although the band is small, McKean is convinced “size doesn’t matter.” “I think that were gradually growing. The freshman players have a strong work ethic and are contributing positively to our environment,” McKean said.

Japanese students visit every year and attend classes with their host during their stay to experience the every day life of an American student. This year’s students will arrive Oct. 29. Sachiko Kawakubo photo

Sports

page 6 ‹ Clarion

September 30, 2013

Touching down for the team “

I think it showed them that with the right attitude Connersville football can be successful... Adam Kelly, Head Coach

”

Team hopes for continued success

Emmett Sandoval

Staff Writer

ast year the football team ended their season with a 7-4 record. While that winning season motivates them, they are now focused on this season. The winning season has not just brought them together as a team but also helped them to believe in the game and the community. Last season changed all of the past opinions of the team, and it opened people’s eyes to the effort behind the team and the community. “I think it showed

them that with the right attitude that Connersville football can be successful, and that kids can be successful coming from this community,” Head Coach Adam Kelly said. “Last season brought us closer as a team and will help us work together better this season,” junior Mitchell Jordan said. With a new season also comes expectations to be a better team. “[My] expectations for this season are for our players to do things the right way, to work hard, do well in the classroom, and win football games, and to compete in every game they play,” Kelly said. Players also want

to better themselves as individuals on the field. “[My expectations would be] being a starter, giving my all [during] all four quarters and improving my attitude in a game if we are losing. I need to stay positive,” Jordan said. No team is perfect; improvements are always necessary, both individually and on the team level. “I want to improve on this as a team because a team is so near and dear and you’re out after you graduate players. So a personal goal for me, as far as improvement from last year to this year, would be being more consistent with how I deal with players,” Kelly said.

Megan McNally

As a captain, senior Emma Ross is back and ready for a great season. A three-year member of the team, she was unable to participate last year due to injury. “My goals are to fix my shins for good,” Ross said. “Also, I’d like to drop at least another minute off my 5k time.” Three-year runner senior Kelsey Crawford hopes for a winning season, too. “My goal for the season is to beat my personal best and run a sub-22 min,” she said. With a few new meets and new runners, the team is excited for what the season will hold. “I’m excited for this season because I feel we have a great team this year, and I think we’re going to go far,” Crawford said. With second place at Sectional last year, the boys cross-country team is work-

sophomore Storm Farley head towards the finish. Emmett Sandoval photo

Finishing strong, senior Austin Gill and freshman Hunter Sullenbarger complete one of the 400 loops during practice. Emmett Sandoval photo

a tackle. Kathleen Marschand photo

Runners aim for their goals

W Running a 400 workout during practice junior Kyla Russell and

Running to score a touchdown against Indianapolis Northwest, sophomore Ian Hunter avoids

Staff Writer

ith a Sectional win last year, the girls cross-country team looks forward to another successful season. With all but one runner returning and a few new faces, the team expects to come back even stronger. With many summer workouts, a practice meet and a new dynamic stretching warm-up, the team hopes the hard work will pay off. Runners and their coach have high expectations for the season. “I would like for us to win Conference,” Head Coach Kelly House said. “I expect the girls to win the Sectional.” With two seniors among the 11 girls there’s a variety of goals on the team.

ing to pull off the win this year. Six returning runners, along with four new runners will make up the team.

“

I would like to see the team win Sectional and make it to Semi-state because we haven’t been able to since I’ve been here, as a part of this team. Mathew Hill, senior

”

Three senior captains: Austin Gill, Matt Hill and Sam Gragg will help lead the team on the grass, as well as off the grass. According to Head Coach Kelly House, Gill is a fouryear runner, who has come far over the course of his high school running career.

Hill is also a four-year runner, and a two-year captain, who sets high expectations and works hard to accomplish goals. Gragg is a fouryear runner, and a secondyear captain, who can be seen wearing a cape for team morale. The boys’ expectations for the season are high. “I hope the boys can pull off the Sectional win,” Coach said, “We were two points off last year so the win would be great this year.” The team is hoping to exceed last year by advancing to Semi-state as a team this year. “I would like to see the team win the Sectional and make it to Semi-state because we haven’t been able to do that since I’ve been here,” Hill said. A new runner’s goal “is to set a new personal best time,” freshman Hunter Sullenbarger said.

Volleyball “sets” new season expectations Jordan Harris

Staff Writer

olleyball players worked throughout the summer in conditioning and practices to prepare for a winning season. The team has many expectations for this season. Coach Penny Pfeiffer hopes the team will compete for the conference championship. Pfeiffer hopes the team will benefit from summer workouts. “[The team] played in two different leagues each week and had one day of open gym a week to work on skills,” Pfeiffer said. “[They’ve] been playing since June, so I hope all of their hard work will pay off during the season.” The team members all have hopes for

the team this year. “I hope to win a lot of games and have a fun year,” freshman Emily Reese said. “I expect our team to go further in the Sectional because we work really well together,” junior Olivia McMillan said. A conference title is in the hopes of some. Senior Megan Robbins wants to win a conference title and have a winning season. Changes also increased expectations. There’s a new EIAC conference the team is competing in. The team is also trying to create more all-around players. New players with different strong points can add something to the team. The team also has “many experienced players returning. Many of our players have valuable playing time from last year’s season,” Pfeiffer said. “Our team

“

I expect our team to go further at sectionals because we work really well together. Olivia McMillan, junior

”

really prides our success on our defense. Strong servers is another strength. We are getting more points off our aggressive serving, which keeps other teams off balance,” Pfeiffer said. Robbins is excited “because this is the most defensively strong team [they’ve] had in awhile,” and she says she hopes “to kick butt.” McMillan is excited for the new conference and “to show people what [the team] can do.”

Serving

to the Batesville Bulldogs, senior Halley Crum tries to score a point for the team. Kathleen Marschand photo

Sports

September 30, 2013

Clarion › page 7

New coach, new year Jordan Harris

Number-one doubles player senior Devin Bailey swings his forehand to return a serve during his match. Kathleen Marschand photo

Staff Writer

he boys tennis team adjusted to changes made to their coaching staff, but overall the team is excited for the season, and they have set individual goals for themselves as well as some they would like to see the team accomplish. The new head varsity coach is John Kitlinski. “My goal for the team is, first and foremost, to win as many matches as [they] can, but overall to have everyone on the team end the season a more confident and skilled tennis player than they were when the

Shooting for the “W”

season began,” he said. He noted the team has a “good work ethic at practice, [and] they are also very teachable.” “The biggest thing the team is working to improve is being able to transfer their level of performance during practice to the level that they play at during a match,” Coach Kitlinski said. Because this is his first year as coach, he said his biggest goal was to get to know all of the players and other coaches, as well as how things operated in the past and if there is anything he’d like to change or add. Individual goals for the

team differ. Senior Devin Bailey wants to get as many wins under his belt for his senior year as possible. Sophomore Carter Jackson hopes to have no losses, and sophomore Cooper McCann hopes to win the Sectional at his position. Senior Kayden Mathews hopes to have a lot of fun and come out with a win this season. Jackson said he was excited for the season to begin because “a new year means a new outcome.” While Bailey was excited to play just because he loves the sport, Mathews was interested to see how the season would play out.

Boys tennis team adjusts to changes, sets goals

Girls soccer team members practice, plan for a winning season Ali Hostetler Staff Writer

The girls soccer team has high expectations for the season. While working to improve their game, they practiced in the off-season. Coach Ann Shannon set the standards high for the girls. “I think it’s going to be a really good season now that we’ve worked together for over a year,” she said. Shannon also has high expectations for her team. “Last year we struggled with communication and winning balls in the air, and we’ve been working on that a lot during practices,” she said. She said one goal for the season was “to utilize our outside midfielders in order to create more scoring opportunities.”

Golf comes out swinging

Varsity’s not the only team Shannon’s talking about. “We’ll actually be able to field an entire junior varsity team, so we’re very excited about that,” Shannon said, “Last year we were kind of a mix with JV and varsity, and this year we’ll be able to to have an entire separate JV team.” She’s also excited about the team’s strengths. “We have a positive group of girls, we move the ball well, we’re aggressive and we have good sportsmanship,” she said. Players have individual goals as well. “My individual goals are to better myself, better my footwork and to help better the team,” senior Olivia Miracle said. Four year player and senior Morgan McCreery’s individual goals are more team oriented. “[My individual goals] are to score goals and win games,” she said.

Dominating the field against South Dearborn, junior Riley Stegner handles the ball. Kathleen Marschand photo

Megan McNally

Riley Masters

Boys soccer sets season goals Staff Writer

Design Editor

hile students were thinking about friends, teachers, classes and fitting in, the nine players on the girls golf team were thinking about their golf swing. Junior Morgan Geise is one of many returning to the greens. “Everyone on the team has prior experience, unlike the year before [where] there were only a couple people with experience,” Geise said. Six returning players add depth to the team. “Our strength is having a team mainly of juniors because we won’t lose anyone [next year],” junior Hettie Dalrymple said. When seniors leave, it can make the next year’s season more difficult for the returning players. “It doesn’t affect us because we’ve all improved and have taken a step up from last year,” Geise said. According to the coach, the team has improved and is ready for a good year with three incoming freshmen. “This year should be our best year [because] we have all gotten better with our games and some incoming freshmen are good and will help out,” Dalrymple said.

Standing on the green, freshman golfer Laiken Pflum prepares to drive the ball. Kathleen Marschand photo

After a winning season last year, the boys soccer team is looking to come back just as strong. With the loss of seven starters, the team conditioned and played scrimmages against other schools to prepare for the season. “It’s a lot easier to determine their strengths and weaknesses when they are competing at a high level,” Head Coach Mike Bottomley said. Offensively, Logan Neukam, Jake Hackleman, Andrew Stine, Jade Knight, Jack Reed and Alec Metcalfe are key, according to the coach. “They all have been playing together for years, they know their roles, and are dedicated to winning as a team.” Defensively, Cory Ruf-

in, Hunter Shelton, Terry Flowers and Andrew Bernzott are able to help each other and recover from mistakes quickly. All four defenders and the keeper graduated, leaving new faces on the back line. Bottomley said. Bottomley expects the team to dramatically improve defensively throughout the season. “They are very athletic and they work very hard to get better,” Bottomley said. Seniors Hackleman and Neukam hope to have a repeat season and help lead the team. Also seniors Rufin and Bernzott will be on the back line contributing to a successful season. The team has their hopes set high. “[Our team goal] is to win Sectional and our Conference,” Stine said. “My goal is to make our team better and score 15 goals.”

page 8 ‹ Clarion

Increased fees questioned Fees seem to rise, but cost of benefits increases, too

Katie Bailey

Online Editor

very year students are forced to pay fees for things such as textbooks and lab use. These fees can be seen as an unnecessary cost to students in a county that has one of the highest unemployment rates in Indiana at 11.3 percent . There are preconceived notions about where this money is really going. These notions are just plain wrong: textbook money doesn’t pay for anything other than textbooks. “Textbooks is a separate account. It is strictly for textbooks,” book-keeper Beth Bishop-Murphy said.

Opinion

“All it is, is money going in for textbooks and money going out for textbooks.” Another common misconception is that fees that students pay in the beginning of the year go for clubs; that is also just not true. “If Spanish Club wants to buy t-shirts, they do the fund-raiser and turn in the money and buy the shirts,” Bishop-Murphy said. These fees are really needed or we wouldn’t be able to have what we have. Students tend to oppose paying these fees, but without that money, it becomes difficult for the school to have the same accommodations that we are used to.

Question&Answer How are student fees used & how would you rather use them?

The school charges $5 for parking stickers and they have raised the prices

on the vending machine items. Students gave their opinion on what they think the money is being used for and what they would hope the school could do with the money.

“[The money is used for] bettering the school. [The money should be used for] better food. “ Calvin Caplinger, junior

“I think they use the money for [the new] lockers. They should use the money for a better cafeteria and better food.” James LayPoole, freshman

“I would hope [the money is] used to help the school with textbooks and things like that. I would say to get stuff for decorations for dances.” Hannah Slagle, senior

“[The money is used] to benefit extra curricular activities. [The money should be used] for sports and stuff people do after school.” Darian Harmon, sophomore

Katie Bailey Online Editor

Writers’Corner

Alice of Ice

September 30, 2013

by Alexis Jennings

The Walls

by Megan Watts

I sleep, to the sounds of the night, the whispers in this darkness.

Alice sank to the bottom As the water started to rise She let the water take her And she slowly closed her eyes

The truth was her parents weren’t really nice They were never home She didn’t think anyone would realize Because she wasn’t one to be known

Alice had a few friends she thought But they couldn’t care Even if they noticed Poor Alice wasn’t there

The snow was starting to fall So Alice went out Down to her favorite lake She shrugged off her doubt

It was sometime in winter Around the time when schools close Alice had a secret But no one will know

She smiled when her skin was blue She smiled when her last breath was gone (She thought it was nice) She smiled when she died She smiled when she was one with the ice

Confined, trapped in a room, with only what I’m feeling.

Alice sank to the bottom As the water finally froze ‘Cause Alice had a secret But nobody knows

Becoming, the demons and monsters that haunt my life.

Alice was always quiet Even when she wanted to complain The teachers never asked her But she knew she was in pain

Administration with it,” Judd said. “Cyberbullying and bullying that occur outside of school can now be considered a disruption to education and can be punished in school,” he said. “School officials have to follow strict guidelines on reporting and dealing with bullying,” he said.

Balanced schedule

To no one, these powers they contain should only be of the great. Shifting, in my bed, awaiting the rise of the mornings.

Beneath, the covers and sheets, how I shall stay and be. Waiting, for the evil to reveal itself, so that I can see.

The causes, of all the arguments with others as strife. I awake, to the dawning day, the sun is now back.

for their family.” There are more benefits than just vacation time. “It might provide a good break, and everyone needs a little break: Students do, teachers do, parents do,” he said. This minor change was settled a while ago. “It was decided second semester last spring, and I think part of the reason that there was a change is that a lot of schools were going to the

I walk, these streets of this town of nobodies. Stretching the long miles away from here, overseas Safeness, is it real, or am I being stalked to my room again? Away, as my soul now returns, frightened and scared as I have been. Will they come back, in this darkness that I am trapped? They reach into my body, as my mind has snapped. My soul is stolen, pulled out of my mind, into the air

Continued from page 1

“We’ve had those many times before, but we’ve never had a fall break that had a whole week in it,” Judd said This modified schedule does have benefits. “It will benefit parents who want to take a trip in the fall,” Judd said. “Some parents can only take their vacations a certain time in the year. They might be able to plan a longer vacation

It’s us they stalk, following the footsteps in which we create.

The spirits, arise from the walls, now covered in black.

Continued from page 1

“Shane Russell is the new Dean. He will be in charge of all referrals for attendance, and freshman and sophomore boys and girls referrals,” Judd said. Other than staff alterations, some rules have been added as well due to new state laws. “One law in particular deals with bullying and how schools have to deal

As it shifts through the wind, creeping in the stillness.

real balanced schedule,” he said. “Our corporation wasn’t ready to [take on the balanced schedule] because we’d have to consider our career center,” he said. “Our career center has six schools that send students there that have to be on the same schedule we’re on, and I don’t think the corporations are ready to agree on that yet,” Judd said.

Emotions are gone, I am pulled through, do I care? No more, I am gone, sucked through the walls. They no longer say my name, I have ceased their calls.

To submit to Writer’s Corner students should

attend Writers’ Club meetings in Paula Shouse’s room in W165.

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