THE
TRI NGLE April 3, 2015 Issue 8
THE FREE DEGREE pages 10-13
COVER BY LEAH HASHAGEN
Volume 94
#JOSH STRONG page 06
ARTISTIC Endeavors page 16-17
What is ITSLearning?
page 14
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CONTENTS
STUDENT LIFE
NEWS
15 TriKnowledge
Triknowledge features Stearman Athletic Complex renovations, Tablet Reconnect and a look at Debate Club BY TIM DUCKWORTH, CAYLIN EAGLEN AND LAUREN JINES
Degree
President Barack Obama has suggested making two years at community college free in his 2016 budget BY BENTE BOUTHIER, LEAH HASHAGEN AND EVA YEZERETS
BY KAROL ESPINOZA, HANNAH FREY, KARLI REYNOLDS AND SHEANA WASILEWSKI
Senior Josh Speidel suffered a car accident Feb. 1, spurring a flurry of support from students and sports fans as he battles through the recovery process BY HANNAH FREY
OUR STAFF STAFF
Follow @CNHSMedia and @CNHSMediaSports on Twitter!
Senior Brayden Raymer and freshman Morgan Smith use different art forms as creative outlets
6 #JOSHSTRONG
10-13 The Free
CNHSMEDIA.com
Expessions
SPORTS
IN DEPTH
For more, go to
16-17 Artistic
E D I TO R I A L B OAR D
Elizabeth Andrews Taylor Callaway Chris Case Allison Coffey Timothy Duckworth Caylin Eaglen Karol Espinoza Rachel Evener Hannah Frey Karli Reynolds Emily Vo Sheana Wasilewski
Maya Baker Bente Bouthier Leah Hashagen Lauren Jines Lillyanne Pham Sarah Tran Eva Yezerets
ADVISER
Kim Green, MJE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:
Caleb Lowe
THE TRIANGLE is a public forum of the students at Columbus North High School. To see the entire Triangle policy, log onto www.cnhsmedia.com
Columbus North’s The Triangle
03
EVA YEZERETS
OPINION • POLITICS
Repeal or No Deal
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act has made Indiana a laughingstock nationally, with human and civil rights groups, companies, conventions, and even other governments boycotting this policy, which, intentionally or not, legalizes discrimination
I
am Jewish, I am proud to be Jewish, and I have had the privilege of growing up in a community where I feel safe and supported in sharing my religious beliefs with others. Certainly, I do not believe I have experienced discrimination in this community based on my beliefs, nor anything but polite, intelligent interest in exploring another aspect of diversity. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, our trusty state legislature and Gov. Mike Pence did a great job of addressing this nonproblem. Senate Bill 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which was signed into law by the governor March 26, co-authored by Columbusbased Sen. Greg Walker and sponsored by Rep. Milo Smith, among others, overstepped the boundaries between church and state by allowing any person or business to deny service or employment on religious grounds, even if this may not have been the original intent of the bill. This isn’t just about refusing to make wedding cakes for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples, who are not protected from discrimination in employment or services under state law. (humanrightscampaign.org) The vague language in the law gives individuals license to oppose other laws that “substantially burden” free exercise of religion, unless the government can show that this was the “least restrictive” way to pursue a “compelling government interest.” Similar laws in 19 other states have set precedents; an Oklahoma police officer used RFRA as justification for refusing to defend a mosque during an event, and pharmacies have
refused to dispense contraceptives to certain customers under this type of law. In other instances, a nurse could refuse to serve a minority patient, or a high school counselor could cite religious reasons in refusing to help a minority student. (freedomindiana. org) It is unthinkable that, 50 years after the signing of the Civil Rights Act, Indiana could open the door to such discriminatory practices. I find it even more disappointing that three Columbus natives, who should know first-hand the value of a nondiscriminatory atmosphere for living and working, were instrumental in making this bill a reality. Not only did thousands of people protest in Indianapolis Saturday, but Columbus even had its own protest of the bill March 25, in addition to the strong opposition by local businesses such as Cummins, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co. in Indianapolis. More than 50 people rallied in front of the Bartholomew County Courthouse on a cold, gray spring day to say, as their posters proclaimed, “Discrimination is NOT a Hoosier value.” (therepublic.org) One teen put it even better: “Just let me eat.” Even if our fearless leaders disregard the rights of gender minorities to live free from discrimination, they will not be able to ignore the economic repercussions that have been directly and overtly influenced by RFRA. According to indystar.com, Gen Con, the world’s largest gaming convention, brought 56,000 people and $50 million to Indianapolis last year. The organization issued a statement prior to the signing of the bill that the
convention would be relocated out of Indiana in the event of the bill’s passage. In addition, Angie’s List will stop expansion on the Eastside of Indianapolis. That’s an opportunity for 1,000 new jobs, thrown away. Smooth move, Indiana legislators. As of Tuesday, the nation was still awaiting the Indiana General Assembly’s requested clarification of the law. Gov. Pence stated that RFRA was not supposed to enable discrimination and that he does not support such practices. However, the issue remains: LGBT individuals are not classified as a protected class in Indiana, except in certain counties and cities. Other states with RFRA laws, such as Illinois, do have these laws for the exact reason why Indiana is currently embroiled in this nationwide debate. The governor has opposed additional bills that would protect these groups, however, and Republicans will be criticized for backtracking with such clarifications when they had already been proposed by Democrats and shot down weeks ago. Hopefully, by the time this column is published, many of the issues with the law will have been resolved. Even though we, as high school students, cannot vote for our representatives (yet!), we can vote with our dollars. One helpful sign of a non-discriminatory business is a “Open for Service” sticker. We pledge it daily, but take it into your heart: America should truly be a place “with liberty and justice for all.” You never know when you will be on the wrong side of the lunch counter.
BENTE BOUTHIER
What’s Up With UPS?
Bente Bouthier shares her opinion on the rights granted to a pregnant women due to a recent court case
W
hen I first heard about the Young v. UPS Supreme Court case, it sounded like a no-brainer to me. The plaintiff in this case, Peggy Young, was a delivery and pick-up truck driver for United Parcel Service (UPS) part time for four years before she became pregnant in 2006 (HBR.org). She became pregnant due to vitro fertilization after requesting a leave of absence, which was granted to her. Once she became pregnant, the company nurse requested a doctor’s note from her. Young’s doctor recommended that during her first 20 weeks of pregnancy, she not lift more than 20 pounds and no more than ten for the remainder of the pregnancy. UPS requires that their drivers be able to lift up to 70 pounds while working. Subsequently, she was informed by UPS that she would be placed on leave without pay, as she was unable to meet their working requirements and thus lose her employee medical coverage. However, Young claims that she rarely had to deliver more than light parcels while working and co-workers were willing to help her with heavier items. After hearing all these facts, it is unsurprising to me that Young sued, given our society’s litigious nature, and unsurprising to me that she won at the Supreme Court level. She claimed that accommodations not made for her had been
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April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
made for others workers with disabilities and similar limitations to her own. Other workers who lost their license of delivery due to a disability were temporarily put on light-duty work until they regained their license to make normal deliveries. Young was treated unfavorably in comparison with other workers with disabilities and similar limitation, which is an argument she made under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (1987) and Americans with Disabilities Act. UPS argued that she could not prove that she was put on leave based on her pregnancy and that she was treated differently than other employees in her situation. But when the Supreme Court accepted Young’s case, UPS changed their policy to accommodate pregnant women more effectively. Before the Supreme Court ruled in her favor 6-3, two lower courts had ruled in favor of UPS saying she could not provide sufficient evidence and argument that she was discriminated against for being pregnant. But when I think of a pregnant woman being required to lift 70 pounds or going the duration of her pregnancy without medical coverage, the decision is still a no-brainer for me.
• THE TRIANGLE EDITORIAL •
DISILLUSIONED DREAMERS MAKING COLLEGE A REALITY IS MORE THAN MIND OVER MATTER; WE NEED A DRAMATIC CULTURAL SHIFT
W
e’ve all heard it: “When I was your age…” seems to be the favorite phrase of anyone older than 35. Our parents and grandparents love to tell us about times when things were simpler. We get it. There weren’t cell phones or HD TVs. Information wasn’t instant, and the world was a different place. Gas was a quarter to the gallon, and with a little elbow grease every ordinary Joe could achieve the American dream. But the fact is, the good ol’ days are gone. Our parents love to blame millennials for being lazy. You can’t get a job? It’s because you spend too much time on your phone. You can’t pay for college? You should have majored in something different. Somehow, access to better technology is to blame for the state of the job market, the economy and the apparent disillusionment of our generation. We struggle with an onslaught of new obstacles that our parents didn’t have to face. The cost of a four year degree at a public university beyond the rate of inflation has risen 38 percent just in the time between 2004 and 2015 (Forbes). Simply: the price for the same degree you would have received in 1970 to now has skyrocketed to almost unreachable means. Not only that, universities are overrun with competitive applications, making it more difficult to be accepted, yet the same universities manage to run millions in debt. A 2014 article on universities in debt published
by Forbes sited how the University of California is over $14.5 million dollars in debt, all while boasting campuses with some of the most competitive entrance rates in the country. More students than ever are attempting to go to college, more students than ever are dropping out, more students than ever are leaving with crushing debt and more universities than ever are falling into the same boat as the students they send out. So what has caused the American education system to come to this state? Millennials aren’t to blame. But what about our parents? They just want the best for us. They want us to go to college, get a degree and an a nice house in the suburbs. However, that push to achieve the American dream might just be what’s causing our generation to falter. Because of the influx of students into college, prices have risen, and because of the influx of those in the job market with a degree, the value of that degree has decreased substantially. We’re spending thousands upon thousands for a degree that gets us no farther ahead of the competition. Instead, we need to spend another few thousand in master’s degrees and unpaid internships. A bachelor’s degree is slowly becoming another high school diploma — a $10,000 piece of paper. Our parent’s visions for our futures don’t match the modern reality. A degree doesn’t automatically equal a job and a career like our parents make it sound. If
society values a degree so highly, if we want everyone to go to college, then society it should pay for it. That is the idea behind President Obama’s call for two years of free community college. It is a small push toward the models of free four-year university that exist in countries like Germany and Brazil. It is a noble idea to have a highly educated population. But the fact is, someone has to pay for it. Americans need to decide whether they’d like to send the country to college on public dollar, or change their mindsets back to a time when most skilled workers did not have collegiate training. It’s a tough vote to call, one that many Americans aren’t even aware needs to be made. Our parents are stuck in a different time, which is why we need to call attention to this issue. We need to raise the question: should society pay for our education or should it not? We’ve moved past the point of no return. We need to begin discussing why or why not, not “if.” The good ol’ days are gone. But we have the here and now, and we have the ability to decide our future. We want to be able to look back and tell a good story, one where we were able to change the face of education, or the mindset of the American people. We want to have a happy ending, where we don’t have to worry about our own children struggling with the same problems. We want to be able to say “When I was your age…” and say that we changed something, we fixed something, and we made it better.
THREE CHEERS It has been a great winter for sports. The Triangle wants to congratulate sophomore gymnast Ashley Holliday for capturing 1st place on the uneven bar and placing 8th overall at State. In addition, the Gymnastics team placed 3rd overall at State. We also want to congratulate the Women’s Basketball team and freshman swimmer Micheal Brinegar for being state champions (in case you missed the special state edition).
PHOTO BY PAIGE GRIDER
Columbus North’s The Triangle
05
SPORTS • #JOSHSTRONG DESIGNED BY ALLISON COFFEY
#JOSHSTRONG After Senior Josh Speidel’s car accident Feb. 1, support poured out from the community to benefit the Speidel family
Right: Focusing on the basket, senior Josh Speidel prepares to shoot a free throw during the Dec. 6 game against Martinsville. PHOTO BY PAIGE GRIDER Middle: At the Feb. 3 pasta dinner in honor of senior Josh Speidel, basketball cheerleaders serve the hundreds of community members and students that came to show their support. The dinner was prior to a game against Hamilton Southeastern . PHOTO BY MAYA BAKER Left: Sporting a #joshstrong wristband, freshman Kelsey Patberg shoots a free throw during the Feb. 7 game against Hauser. The game was played as a charity game for the #joshstrong fund. PHOTO BY PAIGE GRIDER
A
tragic event occurred in the Columbus community when senior Josh Speidel was in a serious car accident Feb. 1. Support poured in from the school, the community, and people across and beyond Indiana. Fundraisers varied from the selling of decals, a pasta dinner, basketball games to help with his medical costs. Senior Keirsten White drew inspiration for action from another tragedy when she set up the #JoshStrong account within the same day of accident to help the Speidel family with Josh’s medical costs. Currently this account has raised over $60,000. “I had a friend pass away in May and there had been one for her funeral costs and I knew how hard it was for her family going through all of that, so I wanted to help out with the Speidels as much as I could. So I decided to start an account to raise money for them,” White said. The sudden success of the account surprised White when, in a just matter of days, the Josh Speidel GoFundMe account smashed its initial goal. “I set the initial goal at $5,000 and I never expected it to even reach over 1,000 and obviously it’s gotten a lot more than that,” she said. Across Indiana, people responded to assist the Speidel family. Dan Dakich, a former Indiana University basketball player and current basketball television sports announcer and radio host, helped the cause by encouraging his radio listeners to donate to Josh’s account. He declared the first week of February “Josh Strong Week,” ultimately raising more than $24,000. “This never would have happened without Dan Dakich,” White said. ”He just jumped right on it. That’s another thing I think is cool, so many people just jumped right on it and supported it, and I think that why it has gotten so big.” Even individuals from different parts of the country have contributed. “We’ve had three different 500-dollar donations that were anonymous and I think we’ve had one 1,000-dollar one that was anonymous. We had someone give 10,000
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April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
dollars. It’s awesome to see people reach out from all over Indiana. I just read one, there was someone from Columbus, Ind. who lives in Florida now who gave 25 dollars, I thought that was really cool,” White said. After coaching Speidel for four years, men’s basketball coach teacher Jason Speer was heartbroken when heard the news. “It’s the one phone call you that you don’t want to get as a parent or as a coach, when one of your student athletes or children is seriously injured.” Although crushed by the news, the amount of aid for Josh and his family filled Mr. Speer with hope. “I don’t know if surprised was the right word, but I would say I found it to be overwhelming and was amazed by the kindness and love for Josh,” Mr. Speer said. Both White and Mr. Speer agree that the support for Speidel and his family during this time from the community has greatly impacted their view of Columbus. “It (the public’s reaction to this cause) makes me really thankful that I live in Columbus. I don’t think that you would’ve had as big of an impact if we hadn’t lived in Columbus and it hadn’t started in Columbus. I also love being able to see so many anonymous donations, it shows how many people really just like to dive just to give rather than to receive credit, which I love,” White said. “I think it’s been amazing, with all of the emotional support, the prayers, the money, the foundation that was set up for Josh has been overwhelming,” Mr. Speer said. In response to this support, Mr. Speer thanks those in the community who supported this cause. “I can speak for Josh and his family and the basketball players and the school, to say a real big ‘thank you.’ The community support was one of those things that got us through a very difficult time,” Mr. Speer said. He encouraged the North community to continue to pray for Speidel’s healing.
BY HANNAH FREY
GIVING THANKS
Some of Josh Speidel’s friends express their gratitude of the love and support shown by the community “I think all of us would like to thank them (the supporters) a lot, because without anyones help this could’ve been a lot harder of a situation. The family has enough to stress about right now, so financially I don’t think they need to stress, especially since their son is in such critical care.”
SENIOR JADE REEVES “I knew everyone would react because everyone loves Josh because he is such an outgoing, happy person. How much people reacted was surprising. It was overwhelming but in a good way.”
SENIOR KALEY BLANKENHORN “I am sure when he wakes up and he can talk he will want be appreciative for how everyone has come around him and given him that support. I know if it happened to someone else he would be doing the exact same thing.”
SENIOR DEVIN MANN
SN P! Gripping the ball after retrieving a rebound for the students, senior Weston Moore prepares to shoot against a teacher in the student-faculty basketball March 10. The students fell to the
teachers in one of the closest studentfaculty basketball games in the past few years with the score of 55-53. With the clock running down and the students down by two points Moore reflects on the last shot of the game “I missed the game-tying shot which wasn’t fun,” Moore said. Moore explained the possible reasons that this years game was so close
compared to past years. “Most of the students who played have played together growing up, we had pretty good chemistry, but the teachers are always good,” Moore said. The students put up a good fight against the teachers, but just fell short. “We could’ve passed a little better and ran an actual offense but it’s just the student-faculty basketball team so it was
just for fun,” Moore said. Moore elaborated on his personal experience participating in this game. “It was a lot of fun. The teachers were pretty aggressive and fouled a lot. We didn’t get the win which was disappointing, but I had a great time.”
BY HANNAH FREY PHOTO BY HANNAH FREY
Columbus North’s The Triangle
07
SPORTS • SPRING PREVIEW DESIGNED BY ALLISON COFFEY
SPRINGING INTO ACTION With winter sports coming to a close, spring sports are beginning to practice and even compete. The Bull Dogs are getting into full swing and there are many opportunities to cheer on various sports teams. Read on to see how teams are shaping up
WHAT’S
NEXT?
Spring sports are beginning their seasons. Check out the upcoming events for an opportunity to cheer on fellow Bull Dogs WOMEN’S TENNIS April 13 vs. East at 4 p.m. April 23 vs. Southport at 5:30 p.m. April 29 vs. Greensburg 5 p.m. April 30 vs. Franklin Central 6 p.m.
ABOVE: Intensely focusing on her form, junior Emma Ballard warms up with hurdles during practice March 25.
BASEBALL April 3 vs. East Central at 6 p.m. April 4 vs. Whiteland at 10 p.m. April 9 vs. Shelbyville at 5:30 p.m. April 14 vs. Seymour at 5:30 p.m.
PHOTO BY SARAH TRAN
BELOW: Practicing for the upcoming baseball game Sophomore Austin Gassaway hurls a pitch to the catcher on homeplate March 30. PHOTO BY PAIGE GRIDER
MEN’S GOLF April 7 vs. Brownstown at 5 p.m. April 16 vs. Franklin Central at 4:30 p.m. April 29 vs. Hauser at 4 p.m. May 4 vs. Bloomington North at 4 p.m. TRACK AND FIELD April 11 Columbus North Invite at 11 a.m. April 14 vs. Seymour at 5:30 p.m. April 23 vs. East at 5 p.m.
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April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
ABOVE: Aiming for a hole in one, junior Zachary Whisman gets ready to hit the golf ball during practice March 30. PHOTO BY LEAH PAWLUS BELOW: Focusing on hitting the tennis ball, freshman Yijiang Zhao practices her backhand groundstroke in preparation for the tennis season March 25. PHOTO BY
SARAH TRAN
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PICTURED (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT): Senior Kyle Whitis, President Barack Obama, senior Mendan Bob, Members of the Class of 2014, junior Margy Force, sophomore Emmy Hammond ANNA
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April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
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THE FREE DEGREE
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In two years, students may have the opportunity to attend a two-year community college, paid by the government. The effects on students’ futures and the value of college are, so far, unknown
BY OTO PH HANNAH FREY
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TRAN
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ver the past 35 years, the cost of college in the U.S., even adjusted for inflation, has increased by 140 percent, according to the 2012 data, which averaged $23,066 per year for all types of four-year colleges. At the same time, the educational requirements for job applicants have steadily increased; going to college has become a necessity rather than a luxury. “Here is the bottom line, in Indiana specifically,” Chris Lowery, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus and Southeast Region said. “Think tanks and policy leaders for the state of Indiana agree that to continue to grow and thrive by 2025, 60 percent of our adult population from 25 to 65 years of age has
to have some form of education beyond high school. Today it’s about 40 percent. That’s a steep curve.” For those who cannot afford to attend college, this can become a factor that inhibits social mobility. Even an associate degree can add $325,000 to a person’s lifetime earnings. (usnews.com). 2016 may bring change to this situation. If Congress approves President Obama’s proposed budget, community college will be free for all students who have adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of less than $200,000 and 2.5 GPAs on a 4.0 scale. President Obama visited Ivy Tech’s Indianapolis campus Feb. 6 to speak about the proposed budget. “Here in America, it shouldn’t matter
how much money your folks make; if you’re willing to work hard, you should be able to get that opportunity,” President Obama said. “And you shouldn’t necessarily have $100,000 worth of debt when you leave, especially if you’re going to go into a profession like teaching.” President Obama focused on allowing students to have post-secondary opportunities without having to worry about the continuously rising price of tuition. He stressed that his proposal is a push toward allowing everyone, regardless of his or her financial situation, the opportunity to receive a degree. Ivy Tech-Columbus President Steven Holmes explained how Ivy Tech makes community college accessible. “Ivy Tech doesn’t require SAT or ACT
Columbus North’s The Triangle
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it frees up your ability to use Pell grants or other and partner with businesses to help provide programs for books,” President Obama apprenticeships and other pathways to careers said. “So it would relieve some of that pay well in fields like construction and those costs and living expenses and technology.” transportation and all that stuff. The president said he wished for colleges So school still wouldn’t be to continue using partnerships with local perfectly free, but you would businesses and apprenticeships. now have the budget to “Ivy Tech does a great job also with manage that.” apprenticeships in partnership with labor Around nine million councils. That’s another example of smart students would education,” President Obama said. “It turns out be eligible for the the average apprentice gets a $50,000 starting proposed program. salary once they get out of apprenticeship. So However, the silver we’re doing a lot to encourage schools to expand bullet for social apprenticeships and partnerships.” mobility will come at Liz Durden, a former student of Ivy Techa hefty and increasing Indianapolis who attended President Obama’s cost: in 2016, the remarks, said that she was excited about the College Promise proposed budget. program will “It is a great thing for individuals, specifically cost the federal for teenagers. Their parents wouldn’t have to President Barack Obama made government worry about paying for college. They can save remarks at Ivy Tech-Indianapolis $1.365 billion, the money for something else,” Ms. Durden Feb. 6 about his proposed 2014 and state said. “It’s also great for those who need to go budget plan, which includes governments back [to school], or change their career. It’s an offering certain students two years will cover the excellent program for them.” of tuition-free community college. remaining Ms. Durden stressed that she felt like Ivy quarter of the Tech offered her a quality education. PHOTO BY SARAH TRAN scores,” cost. According “[Ivy Tech offers] a lot of support. They Holmes to an estimate by have tutoring and other instructors who take said. the International their time to help you. They want you succeed,” “We’re what’s Business Times, in 2023, Ms. Durden said. “They actually want you to called an open-access the program’s cost would graduate.” college. Anyone can walk in the door, take the rise to $13 billion. The source of this Concerns have also been raised over the Accuplacer test and be accepted. It’s a little funding is still unclear. possible loss to four-year public and private different from a lot of schools but that’s the role Opponents of the plan worry that the worth schools, many of whom are facing millions in of community college.” of an associate degree would deteriorate on debt. The initiative is tied to programs such as the job market. They also worry that declining “There’s always going to be a market for the Hoosier Link program through Indiana enrollment nationwide in community college Indiana University or Notre Dame,” President University, that would require community means that the value of these two year programs Obama said. “It’s not like suddenly people are colleges to offer classes that are transferable to do not compare to programs at private career going to stop wanting to go there.” four-year institutions or that lead to degrees colleges. According to the National Center for in high-demand vocations. Students will also Holmes disagrees with these doubts. Education Statistics, enrollment at degreebenefit from a simplified FAFSA application. “In Indiana the students pay right after granting institutions, specifically at four-year Emily Arth, former associate director in graduating are Ivy Tech students,” Holmes said. schools, between 2001 and 2011 increased 32 the First Year Experience Office of Indiana “A lot of that is because the skills our students percent. The increased number of applications University, explains the transitional program. leave with are in really high demand.” at post-secondary schools means that the “Hoosier Link is for students in the state of Critics of the plan cite the fact that total competitiveness of entrance to these schools is Indiana who were not admissible to Indiana enrollment at community colleges declined also on the rise. Those who do secure entrance University so instead they took a different path 6 percent during 2014, according to research face exponentially increasing costs. for an IU degree and still came to IU freshman conducted by the National Student “Part of the reason that the cost of higher year, lived in residence halls, had access to the Clearinghouse Research Center. education has gone up so rapidly resources IU students have, but they went to Ivy But according to Chancellor is that state support for those Tech their first semester.” Lowery the education institutions has gone down or Junior Emily Combs is already planning to Ivy Tech is providing is not kept up with inflation,” attend Ivy Tech as a cost-saving measure. EVEN AN getting better. President Obama said. “So “I am going to Ivy Tech because they offer “I think quality what happens is then school ASSOCIATE a program to get a two-year degree faster of education is administrators have to and cheaper. And I will be able to live there. improving make up for it with higher DEGREE CAN Afterward I’m planning to transfer to maybe each year, tuition.” IU,” Combs said. ADD $325,000 no doubt,” The result is that the Critics of the community college plan say he said. “At average student from the that the most cash-strapped students already TO A PERSON’S Ivy Tech Class of 2013 has $30,000 have tuition covered by federal Pell Grants, I look at in student loan debt, LIFETIME especially since community college is a credentials according to the Institute relatively cost-effective pathway at $14,523 in of professors for College Access and EARNINGS overall expenses per year. (ivytech.edu) on campus and Success. “We take tuition very seriously,” Randy it’s impressive. President Obama hopes that Proffitt, Executive Director of Marketing and It’s impressive what offering the opportunity to gain Recruitment of Ivy Tech-Columbus, said. their credentials an associate degree will help relieve “There were a few years some time ago where are and the research the costs of college. we froze tuition for a couple years.” they have done and the “So the point is, is that we have this very President Obama addressed the fact that awards they have won.” rigid system. We have this image in our heads: though tuition is the main expense for most However, there is always room for OK, you go through high school, and then right community college students, they also face improvement, President Obama acknowledged. away, you go to a four-year university. And challenges in purchasing books and materials “We want to make our community colleges instead, what we should be thinking about is for class as well as the costs of transportation even better and more responsive, and more how do we create from the time you are in ninth and childcare. attuned to what’s going in the marketplace. grade all the way until the time that you’ve got a “One of the advantages of the two year of free Right here, at this school — one of the best in job, how do we make sure you’re able to get the college tuition plan, that doesn’t include room the country, not just in the state of Indiana — best skills possible at the cheapest cost.” and board and books, but what that does then is you’re finding ways to raise graduation rates, BY BENTE BOUTHIER, LEAH HASHAGEN
AND EVA YEZERETS DESIGNED BY MAYA BAKER
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April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
WHAT DO STUDENTS REALLY THINK ABOUT
COMMUNITY COLLEGE? THE TRIANGLE SURVEYED 96 STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR COLLEGE CHOICES
60
are planning to attend college after graduating high school
TYPE OF SCHOOL EACH PLANS TO ATTEND four-year state college 72 private college 7
other 2
80 students said their MOTIVATION to pursue higher education was for a BETTER JOB
HOW ARE THEY PLANNING TO PAY FOR COLLEGE?
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
¢
67
37
3
59
45
5
plan to use the 529 Savings Plan
plan to use money from parents or family trusts
1
1 Early Action deadline & deadline to be eligible for merit-based scholarships– Indiana University & Purdue University
JAN.
15
Regular decision deadline– Purdue
Of the 7 students planning to attend a community college, all plan to attend IVY TECH
plan to use student loans
NOV.
1
unknown 5
plan to use scholarships and/or grants
AUG.
JAN.
community college 7
28 STUDENTS have already received both Ivy Tech and ACP credits during high school
DATES & DEADLINES
Common Application opens–apply early due to competitive rolling admission
vocational/trade school 3
50 students rated the importance of college a 10 on a scale of one to 10
• COLLEGE •
plan to use money from working
did not answer
Guaranteed reply to Early Action applications– Indiana
FEB.
MARCH
1
1
Regular Decision deadline– Indiana University
FAFSA deadline– Purdue Priority application deadline– Indiana
MARCH
MARCH
10
15
Guaranteed reply to Regular Decision applications– Indiana University
FAFSA deadline– Ball State
MAY
1
Deadline to accept offer and pay deposit
Columbus North’s The Triangle
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NEWS • ITSLEARNING.COM DESIGNED BY LEAH HASHAGEN
IT’S LEARNING
Mobile learning is growing at a rate of 18.2 percent per year
NEW
AGE A study in Auburn, Maine showed that kindergarteners who used iPads in the classroom scored better on literacy tests then their classmates who received traditional instruction
BCSC will be using a new program in all classroom at the beginning of next year. The program, called ItsLearning, in an online instruction tool that allows teachers to post assignments and for students to open and reply to discussion threads. Science teacher Nick Williams helped pilot the program, and will be instructing teachers on its use If administration adopts ITSLearning, it could mean changes for both classroom dynamics and snow makeup days
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n the next few years, North will implementing a new program called ITSlearning. The program is an online management system that would allow students to complete classwork and homework virtually. Science teacher Mr. Williams, who was apart of the trial for the program, talks about its uses. “It’s called an LMS, which is a learning management system, so it’s just an online resource area for students and you can upload lessons or even just put general resources there for kids,” Mr. Williams said. “There’s discussion boards and things like that. Any online school has an LMS to use as their platform.” Mr. Williams said that ITSlearning may be implemented as early as next year. “The goal is next year so teachers are working with it this year to get comfortable with it and hopefully next year everyone will have something in it.” If this system is enacted in the next few years, then freshmen and sophomores may no longer have snow makeup days.
“We could potentially have snow makeup days virtually so, we don’t have to make them up and students could log on them at home and do a virtual school day, and if you’re sick for extended period of time, or any day, you have instant access to materials online,” Mr. Williams said. Sophomore Emily Verwers lists some of her concerns for this new system. “I’m excited, but I’m also nervous because I’m not very good with technology,” Verwers said. But Verwers also believes that the program offers great opportunities and will help many students. “This program seems like it would offer really good resources,” Verwers said. Several school corporations have seen a huge improvement with students grades and with teacher performances with this program, but with advantages there are also concerns about what this new system. “Yes, it’s not personal, so there are somethings that are on there that are kind of like worksheets that are cut and dry, or videos,” Mr. Williams said. “But the whole purpose is to put up resources and not necessarily teach through it, but use it as a tool to teach with.”
BY TAYLOR CALLAWAY
35%
of teachers used a tablet or an e-reader in class during 2013
80%
of the US population will have a smartphone by 2016
According it ITSLearning, middle schoolers have increasingly been using their mobile devices for school work
78 69 56 64 percent use devices to check grades
percent to take notes
percent to access text books
percent to write papers
SOURCE: ITSLEARNING.NET
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April 3, 2014 • Issue 8
knowledge
TRI
RECONNECTING THE COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION OBSTRUCTION New athletic department construction brings short term problems for North students and long-term improvements
C
onstruction continues for Columbus North. Renovations began March 9 for the athletic department. “The pool is being worked on. There are some mechanical issues, and the filter system is being updated,” athletic director Jeff Hester said. The pool area itself is seeing improvements too, with new lighting being installed. Among other things, many of the locker rooms are being updated with new lockers and flooring. “The main gym floor is being replaced after over fifty years, and there will be new lower level bleachers. Gym 2 is having the floor sanded and painted to match the new floor in the main gym, and it will have new bleachers as well,” Mr. Hester said. Work is also being done on the exterior wall on the north side of the building by the athletic department. “The wall has been taking on moisture and is deteriorating. They have to repair the wall to stop the moisture; if not, it will eventually collapse,” Mr. Hester said. The completion date for the construction is not certain. “I know that the main gym will be completed in time for graduation this year, but aside from that, I don’t know,” Mr. Hester said. He added that the athletic parking lot on the north side of the building has been closed. “It’s been zoned off because of all the equipment and materials that they have to move in on that side of the building.” PHOTOS BY SARAH TRAN BY TIM DUCKWORTH
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nstagram, Snapchat and Facebook are all common uses for smartphone and tablet users, but these devices can do so much more than we use them for. Everyone learns differently, and this is especially true for those with developmental disabilities that can make communicating and learning in a traditional school setting very difficult. David McArdle is a leader of Tablet Reconnect, an organization that refurbishes gently used iPads and gives them to children with disabilities in the community. “Everyone needs to know that kids with various developmental disabilities think and learn differently. While we all love playing with these tablets and the apps on them, these kids have a hard time learning in a traditional environment and these tablets provide another outlet for them to learn and engage,” McArdle said. Tablets are great tools for these children, but they are not always readily available to those who need them the most. “While many of us take our iPhone and our iPads for granted, these devices are usually too expensive for families that are already paying thousands of dollars in medical expenses every year for their kids. That is why receiving a donated device free of charge is
“EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT KIDS WITH VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THINK AND LEARN DIFFERENTLY.” DAVID MCARDLE
A local program is giving old devices a new life with meaning
such a big deal to these families,” he said. The program started after a personal experience with Mr. McArdle’s own son. “My former boss gave me an old iPad 1 that our department had replaced with an new iPad 2 (new at the time). He asked if my son Brady could use the old iPad and if it would be of any benefit to him. I told him that I am sure he could use it and that we would load some good apps for him on it,” McArdle said. “After a few months, we learned that my son knew all of his letters, numbers, shapes, colors and many other things. We never knew this because he was nonverbal and rarely participated with traditional flashcard programs. After that, I wanted to create a way for more families to have this same experience and put this technology into the hands of these kids that need it.” Planning for this program began in 2013 while 2014 was the first year that devices were given out. “During 2014, we distributed over 40 devices to kids. My goal for 2015 is to get a device to everyone that applies within 60 days. So, my goal is not necessarily a number, but to not keep kids on a waiting list for very long,” McArdle said. If you do not have an old tablet or device to donate but would still like to help, they also accept money that is used to buy devices for the program.
A FRIENDLY DEBATE
BY LAUREN JINES
Debate Club member Sophomore Rebecca Stanton explains how to join the discussion
What is your favorite part of debate club? I enjoy learning about current events and being more informed about today’s issues. I feel that that’s an important part of being an active citizen. What is the meaning of the Bugs Bunny posters for the debate club? The Bugs Bunny posters! A friend of mine made them. Her take was that Bugs Bunny could talk himself out of any situation, so she felt that he
represented a good debater. I’m glad they got around and that people are noticing them, even if they are a bit confused How long has debate club around? Debate club was officially formed around Christmas break, but it had been in the workings some time before that. What do you guys do in debate club? So far, we have practiced debating techniques and have held a few minidebates. We want to compete next
year. When does debate club meet? Normally, we meet Mondays at 7:10 in room 2309. How many members? We have about 15 to 20 members, but we’re still growing. You might see us in some of your classes, because occasionally we will go to certain classes to reach out to interested students. How often do you compete? We have not officially competed yet. PHOTOS BYCAYLIN EAGLEN
Columbus North’s The Triangle
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STUDENT LIFE • BALLET
MEETING MORGAN Freshman Morgan Smith spends three days a week on the tips of her toes When did you start ballet? I began when I was three or four but quit after a year, then got back into it around seventh grade. But in between that break I danced assorted types of dance. What got you into dance? The first time it was my mom. But the second time it was my friends. What studio do you dance for? Dancer’s Studio Inc. Do you recommend this to peers? Yes! Even if you don’t want to go pro (such as me). But it’s a good way to get and stay in shape. What makes you passionate about it? I am passionate about it because I can be myself. I’m not the best by far in my classes, but I try and my classmates don’t care when I mess up. I can be myself and have fun while improving my technique. I like dance because I have a lot of friends that dance with me, and it gets me into a different group of friends. And also I find it -it sounds really cliche- but it gives me a way to get away from the rest of the world. It’s just a fun way to exercise and to stay in shape, that also allows you to express yourself and escape from other people. It’s really fun to do with your friends, and you get to experience a lot of new things. What do you like about performing? I love performing because I love to entertain people. I mean, I’m not always good at entertaining people, but I just love the whole extravagance of it. I love the costumes and I love the hair and makeup- and the odd looks that people give you when you go out in public with your stage makeup afterwards to eat. But I just love entertaining other people and seeing the joy in little kids’ faces when they get to meet you after the performance in your costume, how excited people are to see a form of an art put in front of them BY REAGAN WARD AND LEAH HASHAGEN PHOTO BY LEAH HASHAGEN
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April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
ESCAPING THROUGH
ART
Senior Braden Raymer shares how art has shaped his childhood and will continue to inpsire his future
What is your art specialty? My specialty would have to be graphite pencil or pen and ink. What makes art special? Art is not only a way to express yourself, to me it’s like a place where I can go to just get away from it all. Turn on some music or something and just work. Forget about homework, forget about whatever is stressing me out and just work. I love the solitude of it. It gives me time to think. And then when I’m finished I have something really cool to show. How did you get involved in art? I’ve been drawing since I learned how to hold a pencil, I think. I just loved putting ideas on paper. I made little comics in my free time and I always carried a notebook around with me. I still have some of my old notebooks and it’s fun to go through them sometimes. Even back then it was obvious to me that people liked my art and it made me keep improving. What inspires your artwork? I guess there’s a lot of stuff that inspires me, really. I spend hours looking at art online, that gives me a lot of ideas. You could probably look at any of my social media feeds and see how much art stuff I have on there. It’s hard to say what really inspires a piece, a lot of times I just get an idea for something that would look cool and then start putting it together. How long have you been doing art? Really early on. Even when I felt that my art was bad, people still were impressed and encouraged me to keep working. Still today, seeing other artists’ work can make me feel inferior, but it also inspires me to keep improving. What college are you going to? I will be attending Ball State. BY KAROL ESPINOZA AND CHRIS CASE PHOTO BY BETSY KIEL
Columbus North’s The Triangle
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STUDENT LIFE • CUMMINS DESIGNED BY ALLISON COFFEY
APPLES TO ALTERNATORS C4 offers many opportunities for students to learn specific skills that could be used in future careers and helps students get a jump start on their future
E
PHOTO BY SARAH TRAN
PHOTO BY SARAH TRAN
BY THE NUMBERS
There are many options besides Cummins for students interested in the school to work program. Check out some statistics about the program
250 8 15+ 18
students get placed in community based learning environments students get placed working for Cummins other school to work programs available for community based learning
April 3, 2015 • Issue 8
very year around 250 students are sent out into the community to work for various companies. These positions vary from unpaid veterinary positions for a few periods a day, to being a part-time paid Cummins employee taking half days. Currently, North has about 8 students placed at Cummins in the C4 School to Work program. C4 Advisor Teresa Weichman helps in the process of making sure students are eligible for School-to-Work and helps to set up all the necessary provisions for C4 school to work students. “Back in the 80s we met with Cummins. They wanted to utilize our students that had been trained in areas where they needed extra help,” Mrs. Weichman said. “At that time we had to work through a lot of issues with students being younger and students being part time.” At Cummins, students could be placed in any job ranging from culinary to drafting, automotive placements and even nursing. “They call us or they email me and say ‘OK, we have a manager that wants to fill a position with a work based learning student in this area.’ An example was they told us they wanted somebody in environmental health,” Mrs. Weichman said. “So that would be a health sciences nursing student in a factory type setting. It depends on what their openings are and then, when they make a request, we try to match a student. Really, we try to give them two or three students so they can have a choice of which on they want to choose that best matches their personality and needs.” When deciding which students to place in School-to-Work, teachers that specialize in the field where the position is needed will meet together and discuss which students they believe would best be able to fill that position. Drafting teacher Jordan West speaks about part of the process by which students are chosen for school to work. “The general process has to do with the fact that I have those [students] for a couple of years. That essentially is my interview process of them, because I can see how they behave, see what skills they have, see where they’re lacking and where they’re doing well,” Mr.West said. “As far as the next part, getting them into Cummins, I usually am the one that recommends them to Cummins, at that point they will start talking with the C4 Advisor.” “I think that a lot of students want to [participate] in School-to-Work and the message that I want to convey to them is that the ticket to being able to do school to work is through C4 [...] Kids will come in as junior going to be seniors or [as] seniors and they will want to do a placement and they don’t have the training. When we place kids out we’re giving them high school credit for doing it so, it has to be
that we’ve trained them and they are ready for that next step.’’ Mrs. Weichman said. “I would want students to know that they have to be on target to graduate, have good attendance, good behavior no grade below a C- in any class and that they do need to be in C4 to do School-toWork so, as soon as they can think about what career they are interested in and if it matches with a C4 class, then that’s a great opportunity for them to get that training in and get a jump start on that career.” Many seniors in the School-to-Work program at Cummins got a jump start by taking classes like Project Lead the Way, Mechanical Drafting, Engineering, Automotive classes and other C4 classes early in their high school career. “Freshman year I took an intro class to multiple C4 classes and decided I wanted to go into drafting because I like designing cars,” Cummins drafter and drafting student senior Austin Miller said. “Taking classes early on helped me to build up a résumé and build up knowledge that has helped me in my future career. I think it’s really cool because it gives C4 students the opportunity to learn in a real life working environment.” Students have various reasons for going into School-to-Work. Some go into the workforce to make money and save for college, while others do it to get a jumpstart on their career. Senior Justin Huser, a Work Technician at Cummins, explains why he chose to go into the School-toWork program. “I’ve always liked working with my hands and I always had an interest in the diesel industry, and my dad worked there. He was a mechanic there when he was younger and that really got me intrested to do it,” Huser said. “I like that it’s what I want to do when I graduate from high school and eventually, I want to become a mechanical engineer and I’ll already have a good mechanical background.” While C4 school to work mainly affects students attending high school, the benefits of going into the program can follow students after high school. “The nice thing about school to work is that it allows students to even do School-to-Work after high school, if they happen to graduate and have plans to go to IUPUC or the Purdue College of Technology in Columbus, Cummins will let them do the school to work,” Mr. West said. “The nice thing is as well that Cummins often times will use that to lead them into the Apprenticeship Program which is like their full time verison of School-to-Work.”
BY SHEANA WASILEWSKI
How do you approach someone with the intention to confess your attraction?
GR Y M TTER.
23% Nothing. Zip. Zero. Stand idle. 29% A blunt, “Hey, you are cute.” 48% Subtle hints like showing your winner smile.
Spring fever is in season and love is in the air. Heighten confidence by mastering the science behind flirting and attraction. Eighty students were surveyed on Feb. 11
BY LILLYANNE PHAM
10th of a
FACTORS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS what we say
SECOND the brain decides a person’s attractiveness
body language
voice
55%
38%
7%
Which characteristic is most important in finding someone attractive: facial feature, body feature, or personality?
58% MALE 42%FEMALE
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HORMONE:
TESTOSTERONE
+ Larger Lower Face + Defined and Noticeable Jawline + Increase of Facial and Body Hair + Wide Shoulders + Big Adam’s Apple and Deep Voice ESTROGEN
22%
24%
54%
19%
16%
65%
+ Smaller Face and Chin than a man’s + Limts Brow Growth which Emphasizes Eyes + Development of Breasts + May Migrate Waist Fat to Lower Body + Increase Storage of Fat LOOKS DO MATTER.
31%
8
%
OVER ONE YEAR
ONE YEAR
ONE MONTH
What was your longest emotional/ physical relationship with a significant other?
NO ANWSER
Facial features are a window to your hormonal levels.
27% 34%
THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS
Overactive in people THE VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA Works with craving and obsession who are lovestruck
Works with addiction
OXYTOCIN
+ +
A chemical that plays a role in attachment which helps build a long term relationship. It is released during child birth, breastfeeding and intercourse
sources: www.bbc.co.uk and bg3.nationalgeographic.com
Columbus North’s The Triangle
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THE THING
Senior Rachel Evener discusses battling inner demons with the help of family and friends
M
arch 23rd - Home There’s this Thing that has followed me my whole life. It makes me go into this cave sometimes where it’s all wet and dark. He makes me stay there for days. I get so scared that I can’t eat anything. The longest I’ve ever stayed there was three months. That was a terrible time. Every time I try to leave, he lets me walk about 15 feet outside the cave then pushes back. I learned that it’s easier not to try. The Thing sometimes comes into the cave with me and talks with me. He wants to be my friend. He says he’s the only one I can trust and that, if I want, I can go with him to where he is from. He says it’s better there. There is delicious food and I will never have to go into a cave ever again. I really want to go to this place with him. But I’m scared. I’m scared to leave my family and friends. They get so worried when the thing drags me to the cave. I tell people about the cave and the Thing and they always tell me to fight back. They tell me that I don’t have to let the thing drag me away. They don’t understand. The Thing is big and strong and covers my mouth when I scream. He holds on to me tight and throws me into the cave walls. I can’t escape. I can’t. I wish they would understand that this situation was hopeless. I wish I would understand. April 2nd - Cave The Thing *brought* me here last night. My parents were fighting, so I don’t
think they noticed. I cried for a few hours when he first threw me in here. Now, I’m just cold and I can’t stop shaking. Sometimes, I think I can hear my parents calling for me outside the cave, but I don’t try to leave. The Thing is standing guard. He came to talk to me a few minutes ago. He told me to go with him again. I think I might do it. I think this is the time that I leave forever. I’m tired of this cave and everyone asking me why I don’t fight back. I’m simply tired. Wait, I hear something. It’s my name. My parents are calling my name again. And my brothers. Wait. More voices. My friends! I hear my friends! And, my teachers! They are calling for and telling me to come out. I’m going to run! April 25th - Home They saved me. My friends, family, and teachers showed up at the cave. They faced the monster and told me to run. I sprinted to them. The Thing grabbed me and started to drag me back but they reached for me. They held my hands and pulled me behind them. The Thing didn’t know what to do. He look terrified and went into the cave himself! I will never forget about that day. I will never forget that they saved me. Sometimes, I still see the Thing outside my window, threatening to take me back. Some days he’s closer than others but now all I have to do is get a friend or my parents and he runs away. I will always live knowing the Thing could come back. I will struggle to stay brave enough to call for help, but I will be alright. I’m finally free.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255 The Trevor Project Hotline (LGBTQ): 1 (800) 850-8078 National Hopeline Network: 1 (800) SUICIDE (784-2433)
MARCH
MADNESS From Pi Day to the new religious freedom bill, March has been a jam-packed month Columbus North’s The Triangle
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