1.23 Issue

JAN. 23, 2014 | VOL. 78 | ISSUE 6

HiLite* CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL | 520 E. MAIN ST. | CARMEL, IN | WWW.HILITE.ORG

*CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSMAGAZINE

. s M m a r w v e e n l a p er er amophobia as the fir st mus lim su fiigghhttinng isl

The

h o

advent of a female

superhero in

Marvel

viewpoints about the

Muslim

heralds changing

Islamic

faith

Page 16

Insta

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the conversation.

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online.

PAGE 2 | TABLE OF CONTENTS | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

Inside this issue: News 5 Sports 24

Cover 16

Redefining Heroes

The advent of a female Muslim superhero in Marvel heralds changing viewpoints about the Islamic faith. 16 Corrections from the December issue In the last issue on page 14, we misidentified Three Kings as taking place on Jan. 16th, instead of Jan. 6th.

French teacher Lisa Carroll, who studies French culture and has witnessed the effects of race while studying abroad, said that the main effect of past racial struggles that we still see in society today is in the form of racism.

In Matt Del Busto’s column, “Playing Injured”, published on page 25 of last issue, Jack Youngblood led the Rams to a Superbowl which they actually lost to the Steelers in 1980, instead of losing to the Raiders in 1979.

DENNIS YANG / COVER GRAPHIC

Students discuss the importance of humanities compared to science 8

Student Section Senior Brandon Todd and many other CHS students choose ROTC when deciding on college options 15

Entertainment Reporter John Chen and Hector Trevino, avid gamer and junior, explain the momentous future of gaming 20

Sports Joy Huang, figure skater and junior, gives insight on the individual sport of figure skating 24

Perspectives

Feature

Flip for these stories:

Starting next school year, AP Physics B will be split into a two-year course, AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 5

Reporter Grant Smith argues for the importance of opinion writing in professional publications 29

Perspectives

News

Reporter Kyle Walker exposes injustice by examining two similar cases with vastly different outcomes 30

15 Minutes

Entertainment 20

Student Section 15

Feature 8

Junior Jessica Earnhardt runs her own jewelry and knitting business 32

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | JUST A MINUTE | PAGE 3 1440 min. = a day Diameter of Pluto = 1440 mi.

*YOU ARE HERE

IN

JUST

A MINUTE

PERSPECTIV E

A GRAPHIC BY LAUREN LU

A year seems like a terribly long time - particularly when you have resolutions to uphold. But people aren’t very good at proportions or thinking in the long term. Perhaps it’s time to put time in perspective.

[today]

period 2: SRT

Ideally, 1/3 of our lives should be spent sleeping Ironically, only 1/3 of teens report getting this much sleep

sleep > school

1/3

(8.5 hours > 7.25 hours) 6.7 hours is the average American school day

435 min. = this school day = 435 people 200

232

in 2013, schools in five states added 300 hours to the year (about 100 minutes per day)

(3 Vacancies)

average adult

average college student

300

450

back to school

ion: Resolut 10 people ’s r a e Y 4/ New ne, make o lot, a is h whic ring conside1/3 ly that on ricans of Ame es the watch Bowl Super

Martin Luther King Day Jan. 20

January didn’t come about until a Roman emperor added it to the calendar.

This month is named after Janus, the god of doorways, who had two faces.

1 Month = 100,000 words for writers of NaNoWriMo in November

you inhale

today = 24 hours = 2600 370,000 gallons 100,000 babies are born of air

18

31

18

scheduled school days for this school in January

heartbeats

a mayfly lives its whole adult life

hair grows

0.017 inches

= 12 [January]s

January (a month)

The moon looks blue only on rare occasions, such as during volcanic eruptions (notably Krakatoa).

(today the moon is 55% full)

Solar Eclipse visible from Australia, Antarctica, and some parts of the ocean Apr. 29

“In a month of Sundays” means “that will never happen.”

It might go over better than “when pigs fly” if you want to reject somebody (say, during prom season).

...and 40-100 strands fall off

A Year is...

Sky City Skyscraper complete in June Changsha, China

2.5 million people

die in America

Riddle me this: What happens in the middle of the month, once in every season (except summer), but never in a lifetime?

marry in America

the life expectancy of a

brine shrimp Americans earn $51,000 each

A: the letter N

Winter Olympics Sochi, Russia Feb. 7-23 to right: mascots Snowflake and Ray of Light

Once in a Blue Moon: a full moon twice a month or four full moons in a season instead of three (no colors involved)

world speed reading champion

4700

[January] = 31 [today]s

2014

What is a minute worth in reading words?

noon

*not drawn to scale

21st Century (so far) = 14 [2014]s A Century = 100 Years

9/11/2001 19 militants four planes 3,000 lives were lost

100 Years Ago...

Facebook Hurricane launched Katrina February 2004 1914

WWI began.

It saw 37 million die.

A Long Human Life

=1836 lives =$81.5 billion 2005

In Comparison:

(2001-2009) Costliest Tropical Storm

WWII (the deadliest war) = 60 million deaths

Last year it generated $800 million (=value of Mona Lisa)

#1 Most 2014 First ever full-face transplant: burn Pluto loses its iPhone: first Valuable (2009-present) company victim Dallas Weins on March 2011 planet status generation After a 40 year search, August 2006 June 29, 2007 “Operation Europeans prove the Higgs Osama Bin Laden Neptune Boson exists. July 2012 The prongs of the trident represent (founder of Al-Qaeda group) you’re feeling particularly Spear” SEALs: Sea, Air and Land. killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan (If smart, look this up.)

May 2, 2011 July 1914 August 1914

The Panama Canal opened

The first commercial flight

January 1914

Babe Ruth debuts with the Red Sox

The first electric traffic light

First commercial production of stainless steel products

21st Century

A Long Life = elementary middle high college work... = 90 [2014]s school school school raising kids/cats got married / grandkids/ #foreveralone grandcats A Year = 1080 [January]s The World War II = 32872 [today]s 2.5 Cold War Roaring 1939 percent of Man lands on the moon = 47 million [Just A Minute]s 1947 Twenties: the world’s 1969 Today Television women, population The first PC died jazz, and 1.16 million 1950 Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet homes today have one cultural Great Video Games come. We have only today. Let us begin. maturity Depression 1958 MOTHER TERESA YOU ARE HERE* 1929

infancy

PAGE 4 | NEWS | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

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5

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8

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SUBMITNEWS@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/NEWS

In Carmel, 12 inches of snow have fallen this year.

For more information about Say No to Snow, visit www.cmycouncil. com/say-no-to-snow.

Financial Aid Night will proceed from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Feb. 4 to Feb. 7

NHS will be selling carnations during lunch. Carnations will be $1.50 each and come in 4 colors: pink, red, white and yellow.

Feb. 7

The Gatsby Dance will take place.

Senate is looking to have a DJ and snacks at the event. Tickets will be $5. Check out hilite.org to find previous coverage about the Gatsby Dance.

Feb. 12 to Feb. 13 The Model UN competition will take place at IUPUI.

Feb. 14

Happy Valentine’s Day. NHS will deliver carnations during SRT.

Feb. 17

Presidents’ Day. No school.

Feb. 18 to Feb. 20 Spring musical auditions will take place at 3:15 p.m. in Rooms P118 and E157.

Feb. 23

ComedySportz will play its first competitive home match.

The team has practiced for several months to become more comfortable with the matches.

JASON KLEIN / PHOTO

Adam Smith, ComedySportz member and senior, warms up during one of ComedySportz’s after-school practices.

BY ANNIKA WOLFF awolff@hilite.org

S

ay No to Snow is a joint project between Carmel Mayor’s Youth Council (CMYC) and Key Club to shovel snow in the residential area around CHS after school during the winter.

CMYC president Jack Langston ‘14 said, “Originally, the project started when a couple of community members approached us and told us that they saw the roads near the high school were unsafe for students to walk on when they went to and from the school.”

“The city of Carmel has certain snow plows that plow NATALIA CHAUDHRY / PHOTO the snow from the street SNOW HAS GOT TO GO: CMYC president Jack Langston ‘14 and Matt Klineman, CMYC officer and directly onto the sidewalks,” junior, plan for the Say No to Snow project. The project involves shoveling snow off of sidewalks near the Matt Klineman, CMYC officer school which would allow for easier commute for walkers. and junior, said. These snow blowers push up to three inches shovel their own sidewalks. When it snows randomly generate names until 10 people of snow onto the sidewalks, which forces in the winter, the members of the program are able to help on the specified day. students to walk on icy roads in the dark. hope to have 10 different volunteers shovel Langston said volunteers would meet After further inquiries, CMYC the sidewalks of about 40 houses for one to in the Freshman Center before heading discovered that most of the residents in that two hours after school. Residents who want out to shovel. area were over the age of 60 and could not to participate will receive a phone call the “It’s not really for a specific amount of day before expected snow fall reminding time; usually we say it should be around an them to put their shovels outside. hour or two hours. After they do that, they Both CMYC and Key Club hope to have can be taken out of the database, or they can between 75 to 100 total volunteers signed up. be put back into the cycle,” Langston said.

Streets where the snow Volunteers can sign up Because the job is so big, the members of shovelers will be focused include: using SignUpGenius CMYC decided to reach out to Key Club. or through CMYC’s Joe Philleo, secretary of Key Club, CMYC website, cmycouncil. member and sophomore said, “This project, com. There, they can while a great idea, simply requires too 3rd St. identify how many much manpower for the 30 or so members times they would like of CMYC. Key Club, with its large pool of to participate after members, focuses on projects like Say No to school.

They will be Snow which are community-oriented so this 2nd St. put into a database, was a very natural partnership.” and one member of Key Club members will receive group CMYC will be chosen hours for their participation, and while 1st St. to monitor the weather CMYC members will not be the only for expected snowfall. volunteers, they might be required to shovel Three days before it is a certain number of times each winter. expected to snow, he Klineman said, “The beauty of the system HELENA MA / GRAPHIC H will have the database is that it is really flexible.”

JACK LANGSTON / SOURCE

Where to shovel?

4th Ave.

Today

CMYC, Key Club join forces to remove snow around school

3rd Ave.

News Briefs

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | NEWS | PAGE 5 ,

AP Physics B to split into AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2 Starting during the 2014-2015 school year, AP Physics B will be split into a two-year course. Here is what the change will entail and what students and teachers are saying.

BY CYNTHIA WU cwu@hilite.org on more handsith labs w e nc experie focus on lear objectives

Pros and Cons of a two-year course

ning

to longer time l ia er at m n lear th more in-dep ics study of phys

PROS

fewer topics the covered over ar ye a course of edit less college cr se for each cour

CONS SCOTT LIU / GRAPHIC

The Physics B course is a race. It is a lot of material to cover in a short period of time, and we don’t have time to make sure we understand the underlying concepts, so there’s a little more memorization and a lot less understanding.

Kimi Fellers

SARAH LIU / PHOTO

AP Physics B teacher

I think some benefits are that you’ll be able to focus on one topic and be able to learn everything about that topic and not just have to rush through it just to get through a lot of material.

Alexis Tews

Future AP Physics 1 student and junior SARAH LIU / PHOTO

Topics covered in...

AP Physics 1

Mechanical Waves

AP Physics 2 Fluid Mechanics

Thermodynamics

Work

Energy/Power

Sounds

Electricity

Magnetism

MORE INFO AP Physics 1 and 2 only count for one semester of college credit instead of two More inquiry-based investigations and labs AP exam will have fewer multiple-choice and free-response questions and will have an additional experimental-design question Students are not required to take AP Physics 2 after AP Physics 1 and can move on to AP Physics C

Optics

Atomic and Nuclear Physics

SCOTT LIU / GRAPHIC

Over the summer, you can forget a lot of stuff, especially with something like physics where there’s a bunch of formulas. (However), I think even having the disjoint over the summer, you can spend some time on reviewing the basic concepts and then be able to go right back in where you left off.

SARAH LIU / PHOTO

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Kimi Fellers, AP Physics B teacher, helps a student with a physics problem. Starting next year, she will be teaching AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2, two separate year-long classes.

SARAH LIU / PHOTO

Julie Puckett

Current AP Physics B student and senior

PAGE 6 | NEWS | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

Ready for Robots?

Amazon’s proposal to use drones to deliver packages ordered online latest in up-and-coming field of robotics

BY SREYA VEMURI svemuri@hilite.org

O

n March 6, the TechHOUNDs robotics team will begin its competition season (see sidebar). George Giltner, TechHOUNDs team administrator and Industrial Technology teacher, said TechHOUNDs is a valuable club because robotics could potentially change the world.

“In the medical field, I think robotics could help in a nursing home, where an elderly person needs help getting out of bed, getting dressed, feeding themselves or picking up something they dropped,” Giltner said. “If you’re thinking about manufacturing, robots are always going to be able to do much more precise types of cutting and assembly of parts.”

According to Giltner, there are many innovations in robotics that have already changed the world. He said, for example, the military uses drones to sniff out bombs or potential hazards in a room, and the manufacturing industry uses robots to mass-produce items.

However, new ideas like Amazon’s proposal to implement the use of drones to deliver packages could also have a lasting impact, Giltner said.

“Drones work off of batteries that might pollute the environment because of the chemicals in the batteries, but not like (how) a semi-truck pollutes the environment. It might be a different type of pollution, but it might be more energy-efficient to have rechargeable batteries flying things out,” Giltner said.

Sophomore Ashley Melcho, who said she frequently orders from Amazon, thinks Amazon’s drones will likely change the world by sparking a new interest in the ways the world works.

“The drones would probably change technology more than anything,” Melcho said. “I think the drones will be more effective than (Amazon’s) current system, because as long as there are no major problems, it will be much quicker than their current system.

I would be more likely to use Amazon because of the speedy service.”

Despite the benefits of Amazon’s drones, Melcho MILES DAI / PHOTO said there are also potential BUILDING A BOT: Jacob Swiezy, TechHOUNDs member and junior, builds parts for a consequences that come robot. He and the rest of the TechHOUNDs team will spend the next few weeks preparing for with their implementation, various competitions including the Crossroads Regional on March 6. such as less human contact and a more technologybased world.

Giltner said he disagrees with this sentiment.

He said, “I know some people find (robotics) could be TechHOUNDs prepare potentially dangerous because it might make people lazy for Crossroads Regional because of the things it does, but it doesn’t have to be like that. If I had a robot at home to help my grandmother get TechHOUNDs will have its first competition, the up in the morning because I can’t be there, that would be Crossroads Regional, at the Rose-Hulman Institute an awesome tool to me and her. I don’t see that as anything of Technology on March 6. According to Jacob lazy at all; I think that’s helping someone that needs help.”

Swiezy, TechHOUNDs Electrical Division Lead and Although there are benefits and consequences of using junior, this will be the first chance team members drones to deliver packages, Melcho said the benefits will have to see other teams’ robots. outweigh the consequences.

“It’s where we see what everybody else did, and She said, “I think at first people might make a big deal about it’s kind of our first time to show what our robot the drones, but I think people will get used to it. Amazon’s can do and see if our robot is competitive,” Swiezy drones might be very useful if everything goes well.”

H

Anatomy of a Drone In the near future, Amazon will deliver items using small drones like this

The drone flies using several spinning blades

A black metallic device clamps the box to secure it

A small, yellow plastic box holds the item to be shipped

AMAZON.COM / SOURCE CHRISHAN FERNANDO / GRAPHIC

said. “You definitely learn new things from other teams who have come up with creative ideas.”

Swiezy said this year’s competition will be different from past competitions in that TechHOUNDs has 90 members, compared to approximately 60 members last year, so the team will have the challenge of incorporating all of its members into building one robot.

According to George Giltner, TechHOUNDs team administrator and Industrial Technology teacher, there is also an increased understanding of technology on the team this year due to members having taken either Introduction to Engineering Design or Digital Electronics.

Giltner said TechHOUNDs teaches valuable skills members can use in the future.

“TechHOUNDs definitely prepares students that are interested in going into engineering,” he said. “It’s solving problems using math, science and technology, and that’s all engineering really is. I also tell students, even if you don’t want to go into engineering, there’s a whole business side to (TechHOUNDs). You have to be able to raise money, meet deadlines and be professional with all of our sponsors and make presentations to our sponsors.” By Sreya Vemuri

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | NEWS | PAGE 7

Community leaders work with federal government to address environmental concerns

format of the roundtable throughout the country, Graphing the Temperature and it will eventually come back to the federal level Surface temperatures on the Earth have varied significantly since 1963 Having served as co-chair of the Energy Independence and with recommendations.

Climate Protection Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Eventually, the Task 57 Global average surface temperatures Mayors and having signed the conference’s Climate Protection Force will prepare a Agreement, Mayor Jim Brainard now is also one of 26 written report, which is members of the White House State, Local and Tribal Leaders due on Nov. 1, providing Task Force on Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience. recommendations about The Task Force, which President Obama established how the federal government 52 on Nov. 1, 2013, is a group of leaders that will provide can better help state, local recommendations on how the federal government can and tribal governments help local communities fight climate change and become in order to become more Central Indiana average surface temperatures more resilient. prepared for and resilient to “The short-term goal is to come up with ways for the climate change. federal government to streamline regulations,” Brainard “Hopefully, that report 47 said. “I think the long-term goals are to combat climate will then be a blueprint change — in other words, to mitigate some of the changes for the federal government going on with the climate by doing things that are more about how they can work Year NDCD.NOAA.GOV / SOURCE environmentally friendly: more solar roofs, more solar with local cities, counties CHRISHAN FERNANDO / GRAPHIC electricity, less carbon emissions (and) so on.” and states better in the area The first meeting of the Task Force, which was of climate change,” Brainard said. conducted on Dec. 10, 2013, focused on resiliency and initiatives and sustainability, it will continue to make the Not only may the Task Force’s future plans, including homeland security issues. The Task Force will meet at least city of Carmel blossom and Carmel Clay Schools as well.” the report, and Brainard’s membership in the Task Force three more times.

Katie Gao, president of the Sustainable Living Club combat climate change, but they may also affect the city of On Dec. 19, 2013, Brainard held a roundtable discussion and senior, said the Task Force’s future plans will affect Carmel and CHS. at the Monon Community Center. Superintendent CHS students. Gao said, “Students will have to learn to Wahl said, “Hopefully, by Mayor Brainard being Dr. Nicholas Wahl, who was a panel member of the become leaders amongst students in making responsible appointed, and the city of Carmel getting the positive roundtable, said he was told the Task Force will take the choices to proactively become the change they wish to attention that it is getting and well deserved for its green see. They say that change arises from youth, and in this case, I agree. As the next generation of citizens, we should What Can I Do? strive to make responsible choices by aiming to limit our environmental impact, and the Task Force may be just the Here are a few tips on how you can help fight climate change push we need.”

Students can also be involved in helping the Task Force Work to produce less waste reach its goals.

Purchase and use Use public transportation or Brainard said students can become involved in the ENERGY STARcarpool when possible Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grant Program, the Carmel quality products, Mayor’s Youth Council and the Carmel Green Initiative. which are certified Gao, who shares similar views with Brainard, said students by the EPA to be can recycle, carpool and join the Sustainable Living Club. environmentally Wahl said, “Students can and do make a difference friendly.

Recycle and should never underestimate their potential as they go EPA.GOV / SOURCE forward leading with green and sustainable initiatives.” H CHRISHAN FERNANDO, SCOTT LIU / GRAPHIC du

20 10

20 00

19 90

19 80

e

Re

us Re

ce

19 70

Average Surface Temperature (° F)

BY CYNTHIA YUE cyue@hilite.org

Senate changes date of Gatsby party to Feb. 7

BY HAFSA RAZI hrazi@hilite.org

ALLY RUSSELL / PHOTO

PARTY PLANNING: Student body president George Gemelas speaks during a Senate meeting. Gemelas works with Senate to plan school events like the Gatsby Party.

Senate members will host the Great Gatsby-themed winter dance on Feb. 7, according to Senate sponsor Michelle Foutz. The event, which was originally scheduled for Jan. 24, was moved to avoid conflict with a tailgate hosted by Cabinet, which is scheduled for the same night.

“It just makes things easier not to have all the events on the same day,” Foutz said.

The party will take place in the fieldhouse, and tickets will be $3 at the door, student body president George Gemelas said. The event will begin after the men’s

basketball home game against Lawrence North High School and end at 11 p.m.

Gemelas said he encourages students to dress up in the fashion of the novel The Great Gatsby. The theme should be especially appealing to seniors, he said, most of whom read the book in English class as juniors. Wild Bunch and Big Game will also promote the Gatsby theme, so Gemelas said he expects a lot of students to participate. Students will wear their costumes to the basketball game beforehand, he said, and then move straight to the fieldhouse.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said.

According to Foutz, Senate members are also preparing for counselor appreciation week, which begins Feb. 3, and Brain Game, which will begin sometime in February. H

PAGE 8 | FEATURE | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

[feature]

Did You Know?

Indiana is projected to have 123,000 new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs, ranking in the top 40 percent in the nation STEMCONNECTOR / SOURCE RUSHI PATEL / GRAPHIC

SUBMITFEATURE@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/FEATURE

Wrong to Be Right-Brained?

Students, educators notice declining interest in humanities subjects

BY CLAUDIA HUANG chuang@hilite.org

F

rom a young age, senior Shelby Hiter has been captivated by the humanities, especially English and history.

“I love humanities. I definitely have more of a gift for those than math and science subjects; that’s not entirely how my brain works,” Hiter said. “I think they are all important, but I’ve just always loved words and word structure, and I’ve always had a really strong interest in our nation’s history, particularly.”

In fact, Hiter said she is planning to major in secondary education at Lipscomb University next year and to become a social studies or English teacher in the near future.

But students like Hiter are becoming rare nowadays.

Universities around the United States are seeing student interest for the humanities diminish. According to the New York Times, federal data shows that while 14 percent of college students majored in the humanities in 1970, only 7 percent of college students in 2013 followed that path.

Melanie Conroy, assistant professor of French at the University of Memphis who specializes in humanities education, said, “The percentage of Americans who pursue a liberal arts or humanities degree has remained about the same since the 1970s. What has changed is that a larger percentage of the American population is going to college.

The humanities has not been able to attract more students to study. This has led to a decline in the proportion of humanities students.”

Conroy attributes this nationwide trend to the focus on job preparation in society. While colleges emphasize developing a well-rounded student body through the Core Curriculum, students are focused on preparing themselves for the competitive job market.

“Over the long term, it is because students are looking for practical skills that will lead to a job. Professors of the humanities have not done a very good job showing how

Map it out

Harvard:

Many students who

The popularity of humanities has declined across the nation Stanford:

No humanities

FOUNDED

programs in the top 5 majors at the school OF

Why are humanities important?

I guess I would say there is something powerful in exploring the abstract and the subjective because there are things in life that you can’t always define, and there are times in life when there is more than one

I N 1857 P E N N S YLVA NI A

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania:

Closed its degree programs in German, philosophy and culture due to lack of interest

U-Penn:

Funding for humanities is decreasing due to pressure from administration to develop stronger science programs

Princeton:

Created summer programs for students showing interest in humanities to recruit more students

NYTIMES / SOURCE ANTHONY KO / GRAPHIC

important literacy and skills of analysis are to success in the work place,” Conroy said. “This was, in part, because humanities professors resisted the idea that university should prepare students for jobs as they exist right now, preferring to help students develop skills that would be useful in the long term. Over the past 10 years, students have been focused on getting degrees that they think will lead to a job immediately upon graduation.”

However, Conroy said she sees this as an ineffective approach as the job market undergoes transitions rapidly.

Conroy said, “Jobs change quickly. None of us has a good idea of what skills will be required in 10 years’ time. More general skills, like reasoning, literacy and scientific thinking, are more likely to be transferable than skills that are more narrow.”

Q&A with AP Literature and Composition teacher Cristen Cassler. Compiled by Rushi Patel Why would you recommend doing humanities subjects?

I think always if you have a passion for something, then that should be your first criteria for deciding on a future career. Obviously, there is always the downfall of “will it provide a steady and competitive job in the future?”

That’s always probably the downfall of it, but I would say if you are passionate about humanities, if you have talent in that area, then that is something you should go for.

plan to major in the humanities are switching to other majors

right answer, and I think the humanities lends itself more to exploring that route and those areas of life, whereas science and those kinds of fields are black and white many times. So I think it’s important to also look at the things that are a little bit gray.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to major in humanities?

Try to choose something that has some future options for a career that will at least provide enough money for you to live. So just look at a field or an area that may have a couple different ways that you could use your talent.

Russell Berman, Walter A. Haas professor in the humanities at Stanford University, said he also does not see college for job preparation but as an opportunity for students to develop their minds.

Berman said, “College should not be primarily about job training. Most of the job-specific tasks one needs one learns, or can learn, on the job. College should be about developing deeper abilities and a general thoughtfulness, or good judgment.”

However, Hiter said it is realistic for students to realize that college is about career training.

“The idealistic part in me thinks that college should be about being an educated and welllearned person because education is so important to develop and cultivate your mind and who you are. But in the modern world, a lot of the times, it’s just about finding a job and finding a job that will help you support your family,” Hiter said. “So I think in some ways it’s essential for colleges to focus on things that are just based on learning to get to the test and pass and get a job, which is sad but in a lot of ways necessary.”

Additionally, Congress has recently embarked on many initiatives promoting the sciences. President Barack Obama said that science education is a “priority” at the 2013 annual White RUSHI PATEL / PHOTO House Science Fair.

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | FEATURE | PAGE 9

RIGHT-BRAINED: Senior Shelby Hiter

leans on a stack of books about World War I and World War II. She has always had a strong interest in history, particularly the history of our nation.

By the Numbers Check out these various facts about humanities across the nation

SWETHA NAKSHATRI / PHOTO

45 percent of Stanford University’s

undergraduate faculty members are in the humanities, but only 15 percent of Stanford’s students are majoring in the humanities.

but had 394 English majors last year in 2013.

University of Virginia had 501 English majors in 1984,

However, the focus on science has led to a lack of government support for humanities education, according to Berman.

Hiter said while promoting science education is crucial, humanities programs should not be overlooked.

“I think it’s a very noble effort to increase math and science awareness and programs in the country because we are falling behind in some ways, and it’s nice to keep us in line with the rest of the industrialized nations,” Hiter said.

“But in a lot of ways, it’s made people care less about other topics that are really important in learning and education, in general, and it makes people focus on getting the highpaid job, rather than (doing) something they love or that fascinates them.”

In order to increase student interest in humanities, both Conroy and Berman said they see a need for humanities programs in schools to adapt and be open to change.

Berman said, “Humanities departments are trying to reach out to students more effectively and to develop courses that address core humanities issues in ways that might appeal to today’s undergraduates. For example, many students are interested in questions of the environment, so there are new literature courses on environmental topics.”

At this school, the English department is facing change through the introduction of the AP Capstone program for the 2014-2015 school year. The program consists of a seminar class junior year and research project senior year.

Left vs. Right Hiter said, “It’s refreshing to hear that they are adding a program that includes English-based A chart representing future job growth of science, technology, concepts but in a different sense that engineering and math (STEM) and humanities subjects might interest more kids because, in a Math 2% way, the most important thing is to get Language 8% Science 11% people interested in this subject if it’s going to proliferate in any way.”

World Lit. 19% Engineering 16% However, Hiter said it is imperative for the school to emphasize traditional English 32% English classes, such as AP English Literature and Composition and AP English Language and Composition, due to their importance from a literary and language standpoint.

Computing 71% Despite making these adaptations, Other 41% Conroy said she is optimistic for the future of humanities programs across the nation.

Left Brain: Right Brain: Conroy said, “Humanities Focus of STEM Focus of Humanities departments will change, but the need for STEMCONNECTOR / SOURCE H job growth job growth the humanities will never go away.”

AKSHAR PATEL / GRAPHIC

Fewer than 18 percent of undergraduate applicants at Stanford University have a primary interest in the humanities.

Harvard University has seen a 20 percent decline in humanities majors in the past decade.

1970

14 percent of college students were majoring in the humanities nationwide.

2013

Only 7 percent of college students were majoring in the humanities nationwide.

AMACAD / SOURCE RACHEL CHEN / GRAPHIC

PAGE 10 | FEATURE | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

Losing My Religion Recent report indicates fewer Jewish Americans identify with their religion, still connect to culture

BY SRIYA RAVI sravi1@hilite.org

E

very Sunday from first grade to 10th grade, junior Courtney Glait attended her Jewish Sunday school, and every Wednesday from third grade until sixth grade, she went to Hebrew school. These were just two of the many activities Glait participated in to keep in touch with her religion and culture. She also participated in a Klezmer band at her synagogue, was in the choir at her Sunday school, read the haftarah at Yom Kippur and attended service during the major holidays.

“I know that most people who say they’re Jewish as a religion don’t even go to the services every week because people are just getting so busy and becoming more concerned with other stuff,” Glait said.

“I guess a lot of people just don’t want to make the religious commitment to Judaism because it involves a lot of other activities.”

In a report conducted by the Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project, Glait proves an exception to a recent trend in Jewish Americans. According to the Oct. 1, 2013 report, an increasing number of Jewish Americans, when asked what religion they are, say they don’t have a religion, but at the same time call themselves Jewish. Today, less than 2 percent of Jewish adults in the United States say they are Jewish by religion.

is more about culture and ancestry than religion, but she does not understand how a person can call himself Jewish but affiliate himself with no religion.

“A lot about being Jewish is just tradition, so you’re just following the traditions of the Jewish people that lasted for who knows how long. It’s just the sense of participating in service,” Glait said. “You’re in a community, and everyone is very welcoming to everyone.

I just don’t understand what someone means when they call themselves Jewish, but also

Public Reflection

say they don’t have a religion.

Judaism is a religion, so it’s kind of contradictory.”

On the other hand, junior Divya Udayan said she uses Hinduism as a way to connect to God. If someone were to ask her what religion she is, she would say “technically Hindu.” Udayan says she’s found over the past years that it isn’t her religion that defines her, and instead, she just simply believes in God.

The recent shift in Jewish self-identifcation reflects wider changes in the U.S. public as a whole

20% of Americans identify themselves as having no religion

22% of Jewish adults in America identify themselves as having no religion

32% of both U.S. adults and Jewish Millenials (ages 18-29) have no religious affiliation

Religion is more about culture

The study also shows that the Jewish Americans who call themselves Jewish but do not practice the religion do so because they feel that being Jewish is more about the culture and ancestry than it is about religion.

Glait said she understands why many Jewish Americans think Judaism

PEWRESEARCH.ORG / SOURCE SCOTT LIU / GRAPHIC

RELIGIOUS READING: Junior Courtney Glait reads the Torah. Glait said she personally does not understand how someone can identify as a Jew without following Judaism.

COURTNEY GLAIT / SUBMITTED PHOTO

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | FEATURE | PAGE 11

Through the Years Over recent decades, fewer Jews have identified themselves with Judaism 35

% of Jews of no religion

30 25 20 15 10 5 27 19 14 19

45 19 28 19

64 19 46 19

0 98 1 65 19

80 rd 19 wa on

Generation (year born) PEWRESEARCH.ORG / SOURCE SCOTT LIU / GRAPHIC

Udayan said, “I would say I’m technically Hindu; however, over the past few years, I’ve kind of found that the religion isn’t quite what defines me, and I don’t feel like I need the religion so much to believe in God. I do believe in God, but the religion doesn’t really play a huge part in that. I don’t know who that God is, or it could be all of them from all religions, so the religion doesn’t really matter to me.”

Role of Parents

Like the Jewish Americans who only call themselves Jewish because they had direct Jewish ancestors, Udayan said she calls herself Hindu because that is the religion her parents practice, and it is the religion she has grown up with.

Chad Bauman, department chairperson of philosophy and religion and associate professor of religion at Butler University, said,

“This pattern is somewhat similar because there are religious people who see their religion and culture as very much intimately related.

The two best examples of this are Judaism and Hinduism. In both of those cases, there are people who would consider themselves atheist, and nonreligious, who might call themselves Jewish or Hindu. What they mean is that they feel Jewish or Hindu culturally or ancestrally, but they might not believe religiously in the things that some Jewish people and some Hindu people believe.”

According to the Pew Research Center, most of the Jewish Americans who say they don’t have a religion say so because they lose touch with their religion, but Glait said it hasn’t been hard for her to maintain a connection with her religion.

Glait said her parents played a big role in how she perceives her religion today. Because her parents emphasized practicing the religious and cultural aspects of the religion, she still makes sure to go to temple at least on the major holidays and to partake in the Jewish holidays.

Bauman said, “I think one’s childhood is a very important part in framing the child’s view on religion because most people end up following the lead of their parents on religious matters, particularly until they are 20 or 30 years old, and often college is a bit of a transition time for that.”

She said, “The fact that I was raised going to Sunday school, lighting candles for Hanukkah, not eating lemon bread during

Passover and becoming Bat Mitzvah helps me keep in touch with my religion. I think, again, it just depends on how you were raised.

I have a strong influence from my parents.”

For Udayan, when she was growing up in Michigan, she had a small temple near her house, so she went to it frequently, and she was also part of a religious group. Even today, she is part of a religious group where she continues to find ways to connect to God. “My parents are Hindu, and I just always saw that they just prayed, and that’s kind of how I’ve just developed my view of just praying to God. My childhood and growing up with the religious group I’m a part of has definitely played a huge role, too,” Udayan said.

Although the Pew Research Center suggests that moving to the United States makes people lose touch with their religion, both Glait and Udayan said moving to the United States has not hindered them from trying to maintain a connection with their religion.

“Some research actually suggests that when people migrate to the United States, they actually become more religious because they see their religion as one way of remaining tied to their homeland.

Everyone basically has their own definition of what religion is,” Bauman said. “I think making the distinction between who’s sort of the real or true religious person is up to the person themselves. From an external scholarly perspective, I have no basis on which to make. It’s just a distinction that religious people can make if they want.” H

Self-identification The changing nature of Jewish identity reflects a growing shift from religion Being Jewish is mainly a matter of...

83%

6%

11%

17%

55%

Jews by religion

Jews of no religion

Ancestry/ Culture Religion, Ancestry/Culture

26%

Religion

62% Not Jewish COURTNEY GLAIT / SUBMITTED PHOTO

B’NOT MITZVAH: Junior Courtney Glait (right) and her sister, sophomore Rachel Glait (left), read their speeches while rehearsing for their B’not Mitzvah. Glait said one reason why she is an exception to the recent trend of losing faith is because her parents always emphasized both religious and cultural aspects of being Jewish.

23%

15% PEWRESEARCH.ORG / SOURCE SCOTT LIU / GRAPHIC

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PAGE 14 | STUDENT SECTION | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

[student section] SUBMITSTUDENTSECTION@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/STUDENTSECTION

Check out Through the Lens HiLite reporters aim to capture the daily lives of all types of people, specifically CHS students, in the Carmel area at facebook.com/through.the.lens.hilite.

95%

Students of CHS Through the Lens aims to imitate famous project

BY DANNY GOLDBERG dgoldberg@hilite.org We are CHS students who aim to see a new perspective of the community in which we live by asking questions and getting photos of the diverse people that live in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Students with a new view are able to escape the bubble we inhabit in Carmel and see various thoughts from different type of people. HiLite’s goal

for Through the Lens is to prove why the mean streets are in fact, not truly mean. The goal is to accomplish this by reaching all corners of society in the Circle City, from the urban mazes of downtown Indy to the laid back cafes of Broad Ripple, all the way to students’ desks at school. Seeing a quote from a person you may have never spoken to in your life allows you to see a snapshot of their life, which reminds students that while countless varieties of people live in our H community, we are united as human beings.

Senior Isabel Schlebecker “Being part of a community was always important to me. Growing up with an artist as a mother, I was always surrounded by art, and I was always at the forefront of the art scene in Indianapolis. I remember I would always go to the art galleries in Indianapolis with my mother, and every time the feeling was euphoric. I felt, and I still do feel like I was a part of something special.”

Sophomore Josh Meiners What’s the most annoying thing that has happened to you?

“One time in the eighth grade, I was working on a worksheet, and my friend right next to me was looking at my paper, and I had no LUCUS CHENG / PHOTO idea. I did all my work, but my friend had all the same work as me. So the student teacher said, ‘You guys have the same answer, and I’m going to give you detentions.’ I called my friend that night and asked him if he cheated on me and he apologized and said he would talk to the teacher, but he just does nothing. I was forced to talk to the teacher, and I still got a detention.”

Who is your biggest artistic inspiration?

OMEED MALEK / PHOTO

“Frida Khalo, hence the heart I’m drawing.”

Senior Jessica Chiang “Well, I just came back form the Camerata orchestra trip, and I was talking in class with someone about it, and I just realized that in less than year I’d be leaving the program.

I’ve been playing violin since third grade, I’ve been in orchestra since sixth grade, and I’ve been in Camerata during most of high school. In that moment it just hit me — I’d be leaving it all behind and starting with a clean slate.

It’s bittersweet. It’s just that I’ve poured so much of myself into this school, and I just ultimately hope that people remember me well.”

OMEED MALEK / PHOTO

Want to be featured?

Through the Lens features anyone in Carmel with an interesting story. If interested, contact Lucus Cheng at lcheng@hilite.org or Danny Goldberg at dgoldberg@hilite.org.

OMEED MALEK / PHOTO

Junior Brian Lee “When my grandpa died, it was really hard on me because we were really close. When he died, my family and I flew to Taiwan to be with our extended family. Here in the United States, it’s just my immediate family. Besides them, there’s no one; everyone else is in Taiwan.”

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | STUDENT SECTION | PAGE 15

ROTC provides benefits without full Army enlistment

BY TAYLOR ACTON tacton@hilite.org

S

enior Brandon Todd chose to enlist in the Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at IU for the upcoming school year.

He said he switched his original decision to join the National Guard to join ROTC instead based on the benefits of the program.

“I was going to join the military, but I always thought that college was a key in getting a job after my military career,” Todd said. “I joined National Guard then ROTC came up, and I thought it was a great way to get a job after college.

It gives me an opportunity to be an officer after college which is a second lieutenant in the Army so I also get paid as an officer and get a civilian job, which in the end, gives me more job opportunities in the future.”

Offered on more than 1,200 campuses nationwide, ROTC is a program in which cadets gain practical experience in management and problem-solving while training to become Army officers. According to lieutenant colonel Wesley Russell, the scholarship and enrollment officer for the military science department at Ball State University, it is the best leadership opportunity there is in regards to the Army.

“What ROTC means is that we train students to become and prepare themselves to be military officers,” Russell said. “Either on the active component in the active Army or in the reserved component as the National Guard or Army Reserves.”

Russell agreed that there are many benefits of choosing to enroll in ROTC during a student’s four years in college rather than enlisting in the Army afterwards.

“The big advantage is you don’t have to go off to the military to get college benefits,” Russell said. “Let’s say that you’re a very good student with a 2.5 or better GPA, you score a 1,200 or better on your SAT. You can come

to Ball State University, Purdue University or IU and receive benefits. They will pay for your schooling so you are training to become a military officer, if that’s your desire, and you’re getting your schooling paid for at the same time. The other thing is, your time of service actually starts while you’re in college.”

One major benefit of doing ROTC is that most schools in Indiana offer this program, and a majority of the universities offer scholarships and make the price of paying for college much cheaper than it would be for the average college student. The high school four-year scholarship is for students planning on attending a four-year college program. The idea is to help students focus on their studies, not how they will pay for them.

Cason Elkin, current freshman at Ball State University and an officer-in-training, chose to do ROTC because he said he was happiest with being able to get his schooling paid for by choosing a certain route.

“You make a lot more money and most of your college is paid for by the Brandon Todd end of your four years,” Elkin said. “A Senior lot more doors are opened right after college, definitely. You have to meet a few requirements to do ROTC, such as having decent grades, being in good physical condition and being between the ages of 17 and 26. We get to go to college fulltime and experience what it’s like to be in the Army. It’s an awesome program with tons of benefits.”

Russell has been involved in Ball State University’s ROTC program for a long enough time to see his cadets go through the entire four years and enjoy their time at school.

“They get a taste of what it’s like to be in the military. You get to enjoy the college atmosphere, and then you get to experience the physical fitness training,” Russell said. “The students really enjoy it because they get the taste while they still enjoy college.

And they get the leadership experience so whether or not they go into the military, they’ll have that for their resumes, no matter H what their major is.”

I was going to join the military but I always thought that college was a key in getting a job after my military career.

READY TO SERVE: Senior Brandon Todd wears his uniform to school on recruitment days. He will attend Indiana University in the fall and participate in ROTC. MILES DAI / PHOTO

lifications and Benefits a u Q C T O R BENEFITS

QUALIFICATIONS • • • •

Must be at least 17 years of age and a U.S. citizen High school graduate with GPA of 2.5 or above SAT score of 920 or above ACT score of 19 or above

• Meet physical standards • Accepted to a university that is offering a ROTC scholarship GOARMY.COM / SOURCE

• Two-, three- and four-year scholarships based on amount of time remaining to complete a degree • Full tuition options • Option for room and board instead of tuition • Additional options for books and other fees

• Average active duty service member receives army benefits and pay compensations worth up to $99,000 ANTHONY KO / GRAPHIC

PAGE 16 | COVER STORY | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | COVER STORY | PAGE 17

By Jessica Tao jtao@hilite.org

In February, Marvel will release the first ever Muslim superhero: Kamala Khan. How will the advent of this superhero affect readers?

LAUREN LU AND NIVEDHA MEYYAPPAN / PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

PAGE 18 | COVER STORY | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

T

he word “superhero” brings to mind manly muscles, masks and elaborate bodysuits. For Marvel Comics writer Willow Wilson, the definition is not restricted to those commonalities: Her superhero is a female Muslim teen, Kamala Khan.

Khan is a 16-year-old PakistaniAmerican girl residing in New Jersey.

She lives in two cultural worlds — that of her Pakistani background and that of modern day Jersey. She’s a typical American teenager who plays video games, writes FanFiction, shops at thrift stores­— and practices Islam. According to Wilson, the comic will entail classic superhero fights, along with the real-life tensions Khan faces as a Muslim girl.

The attempted diversification taking place in the comic book world is “risky” in the words of Wilson, who is herself a Muslim. However, she acknowledged the need for a Muslim role model to rise above and change stereotypes.

“It’s a good time for comics to start opening up and becoming more inclusive with more diverse characters,” Wilson said.

The addition of Khan’s character comes at an interesting time. A 2013 poll by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan organization that collects information on current issues, showed 45 percent of Americans say that Muslim Americans face “a lot” of discrimination, and 28 percent say they are subject to “some” discrimination. More than a decade past the 9/11 attacks, Islamophobia is not nearly as rampant as it previously was.

Nevertheless, it is inarguably still present.

Parmida Mostafavi, president of the Muslim Student Association and senior, is excited for Khan’s release.

“The introduction of (a) Muslim female superhero is a great role model for the younger generation because it teaches you that you don’t have to conform,” she said.

Sabrina Kaba, member of the Nur-

Allah Islamic Center of Indianapolis, said she is in full support of a Muslim superhero because she never had positive media exposure to powerful Islamic women.

“I was raised in Christianity, and after choosing Islam, there (was) a lack of role models in my faith,” she said. “I don’t want other young girls to feel lost and unrepresented like I did. Kamala (Khan) represents a way out of that mind set.”

Diversification: Why It Matters

Khan will be the first ever female Muslim superhero. While there have been other, smaller Muslim superheroes, such as Simon Baz in DC Comics, Kamala will be the most prominent new figure. According to Kaba, there is a lack of accurate representation of the average Muslim woman.

She said, “It’s fully necessary to have a Muslim role model (or superhero) in the mainstream media so young Muslim girls have someone to look up to.”

Discrimination is nothing new, with it being a constant dark spot of accepted culture.

According to Mostafavi, discrimination has changed its face.

“First it was blacks, then it was gays, then, after 9/11, it’s Muslims,” Mostafavi said. “You have to separate the extremists from the normal people.”

She said although her personal experience in Carmel as a Muslim teen has been positive, some of her friends have not been as fortunate.

She attributes the lack of discrimination to her appearance, because she does not outwardly display her religion.

“When you look at me, you don’t think I’m Muslim,” she said. “I don’t show any outward signs, and I don’t always cover up all parts of my body, and I don’t wear the hijab. I feel like that may be the reason I don’t face discrimination.”

She said she prefers watching the Marvel

movies to reading their comics. In addition to a minimal number of Muslim characters, Mostafavi also observed that there are generally more male than female superheroes in the mainstream industry. Khan defies both of those trends.

“One reason there might not be as many female superheroes is that they’re kind of catering to a male audience,” she said. “I mean, that’s definitely changing. But (in) media, books and movies, female characters are put under more scrutiny than male characters. Khan might change this thinking.”

According to Kaba, there is still a lot of educating to do about Islam and its followers before the public will welcome more Islamic role models.

“We don’t see strong Muslim figures in today’s media, and definitely not in today’s comics,” Kaba said. “The role models of our younger generation are typically white, conventional American figures. If the kids

only see one kind of ‘hero,’ then it leads to a narrow-minded view of the world.

It’s our responsibility to open their eyes to the diversity and opportunity everyone possesses.”

Redefinition: What It Means

The classic hero, beneath brawn and bright costumes, is usually a white male.

Wilson acknowledged that Kamala is an unconventional hero because of her gender, race and religion.

However, Wilson emphasized that people cannot follow tradition forever.

“Any time you take a risk like this and you put a character out there who is not typical, there is going to be some criticism,” Wilson said. “So far it’s been only some racism, things like, ‘Why can’t she be white?’ or, ‘Why isn’t she a normal American?’

But I don’t think people really realize that what it means to be an American is becoming

The number of mosques in the US has increased from:

to

Captain America (Steve Rogers) Weakened by polio as a child, he joined the army and gained supernatural strength and agility to become a so-called “super soldier.”

during the past decade.

Men Behind the Masks Superheroes through the ages have been role models for many children, and they share some traits:

Spiderman (Peter Parker)

Batman (Bruce Wayne)

He struggled against social problems such as bullying. A radioactive spider bit him, which gave him supernatural, spider-like powers.

Orphaned at a young age, he dedicated his life to fighting crimes, such as the one he lost his parents to. He has no supernatural powers.

ALICE ZHU / PHOTO CONNIE CHU / GRAPHICS

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | COVER STORY | PAGE 19 broader and changing. Now, when you have a different background or have foreign parents, it doesn’t make you un-American.”

Mostafavi shares Wilson’s views. She said she believes teens will receive a Muslim superhero well.

“We live in a time of such strong social justice that if anyone says something that might have been acceptable 20 years ago, someone will react and tell you it’s not okay,” Mostafavi said.

Mostafavi added the comic is necessary to touch on the social issues of being a Muslim girl in America, while at the same time, not only focusing on the issues that come with being Muslim.

“I hope (the comic will) touch on Muslim American issues, but doesn’t make that the center of her character.,” Mostafavi said. “Religion is definitely an important part of someone, and it’s okay to use it as a plot device, but we’re just normal people, and we have other problems too.

I hope they don’t make her too caught up in her religion. We’re normal people with other normal problems.”

An issue she stressed that should be addressed is the misconceptions that come with female oppression in Islam.

“Having a Muslim Ms. Marvel is a great way to change the image that the West has that women are oppressed.”

Mostafavi said. “I mean, in some places, they do take Islam to the extreme and pass laws to oppress women, but the normal Muslim woman is not.

“Another thing I’ve noticed is that in Western media, it’s like, ‘People force Muslim women to wear the veil. But the veil is a choice. I don’t wear it, and it’s my choice, but I have friends who wear the veil, and it’s their choice.”

These misconceptions are paired with negative stereotypes that some Muslims fear will override reality.

Wilson said, “Some Muslims in the United States are scared that things won’t be represented properly.

I share that fear, too. The thing about new Muslim characters is that you’re always waiting for that character to be used as a prop, like a terrorist, or fear their role might not be positive, and I sympathize with that. But I think that fear will be addressed when the comic is released.

“Kamala’s a real person, not a stereotype or a minority. She’s something very fully realized that we put a lot of love and hard work into,” she said.

With a Muslim role model in the mainstream media, young and old people alike could become more educated and alter their views of Islamic women.

Wilson said she has high hopes for the release of the first Muslim Ms. Marvel.

She said, “I want people to see that heroes come in all shapes, sizes and colors—that we don’t have to stick to the kind of heroes we usually see on TV or in comics. Anyone from any background H can be a hero.”

By the way: here are some facts you might not have known about the Muslim community in America.

COMPILED BY LAXMI PALDE CONNIE CHU / GRAPHICS PEW RESEARCH / SOURCE

Negative views about Muslims A 2011 Pew Research survey explored the biggest problems Muslim Americans say they face. The four with the largest amount of votes:

Discrimination or prejudice No problems

Ignorance about Islam According to Pew Research Center, the Americas have the lowest population of Muslims globally but also have one of the most diverse Muslim communities.

Since the US Census does not compile information about religion, the estimates of the number of Muslims in America ranges from:

Representing an estimated

to

Out of the Muslims in the US:

are immigrants

are US citizens DENNIS YANG / BACKGROUND

Wolverine (James Howelette)

Captain Marvel (Billy Batson)

Superman (Kal-El)

The Hulk (Bruce Banner)

Iron Man (Tony Stark)

Green Arrow (Oliver Queen)

He was born in Canada to farmers, and his powers include animal senses, various physical capabilities and the ability to heal quickly.

Orphaned during youth, he met the ancient wizard, Shazam, who gave him the power to fly, invulnerability, strength and stamina.

Originally from the dying planet Krypton, he realized that Earth’s yellow sun gave him multiple superhuman powers (like flight).

He tried to save someone’s life and was caught in a blast of gamma radiation. He has powers of strength and regeneration.

While in the hands of enemies, he built an armor suit with the ability to fly, augmented strength and various built-in weapons.

Marooned on a desert isle after a shipwreck, he had to find ways to survive. He uses his archery and fighting abilities to help others.

PAGE 20 | ENTERTAINMENT | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

[entertainment] SUBMITENTERTAINMENT@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/ENTERTAINMENT

Did you know?

Unlike the Playstation 4 and Xbox One, Nintendo’s Wii U is backwards compatible, meaning the Wii U can play Wii and Gamecube games.

As the game industry advances, student gamer predicts potential innovations

BY JOHN CHEN jchen@hilite.org

game industry. What isn’t already revealed are up to the thoughts one cooks up. Hector Trevino Amaro, avid gamer and junior, has some thoughts of his own regarding these potential innovations.

“I’m looking forward to 2014 more than I was to “We’ve set this up so there are no limits ... We could, 2013 mostly because of the excitement of the next if we wanted, simulate the entire world, different (generation),” he said. “The different games all look pretty countries, whatever.” and play really smooth.”

No, these aren’t the words of an all-powerful sentient being The next generation of consoles, the PlayStation 4 (PS4), or one of the aliens in “The Matrix,” rather, they are the words the Xbox One and the Wii U, set the groundwork for future of Leslie Benzies, president of game company Rockstar North, innovations in console gaming. The improved specifications who is describing the endless possibilities a player has when of all of the systems, along with their individual quirks (the playing the video game “Grand Theft Auto V.” Many game raw power of the PS4, the versatility and convenience of the developers are already fulfilling these promises previously Xbox One’s Kinect, the innovative design of the Wii U) will outside the boundaries of imagination thanks to technological hopefully offer new clay for the hands of video advances and are redefining the game developers to mold into bigger and better capabilities of video games. games.

According to a study done Some of these games, such as “Killzone: by the Gartner research firm in Shadow Fall,” have already hit store shelves. Yet October of last year, the video another addition to the Killzone franchise, it can game industry is doing better be all too easy for developers to write off this effort than ever. It made $93 billion as a generic first person shooter whose only real in 2013 — up from $79 billion purpose is to add credence to the PS4’s starting in 2012 — reflecting an all-star Hector Trevino Amaro lineup. However, according to Trevino Amaro, lineup of games and excitement Avid gamer and junior this was not the case. He said he cites it as superior for the next generation of compared to its predecessor, “Killzone 3.” consoles. However, another Improvement, Trevino Amaro said, is present in core possibly more important fact has yet to be addressed. The facets of the game, such as in the increased variety of same study has indicated that the industry will possibly hit gameplay and environment. This variety is made possible $111 billion by 2015. This newfound potential for growth in part through the capabilities of the next generation of reflects the possible changes and evolutions that are likely to consoles. The processing power of the PS4 allows for more take place in the video game industry. elements to appear on screen, such as the amount and Notice the inclusion of the word “likely.” Like the selection of enemies or the increased destructibility of the chances of the New York Stock Exchange to have a good surrounding environment, thus giving the player more day or the odds of the Colts actually scoring a gameplay opportunities to pursue. touchdown before halftime, However, according to Trevino Amaro, just improving on there is always an element an old formula will not be enough. of uncertainty to any Xbox One conjecture about Kinect 2 Voice what might Recognition Software is h app e n a vast improvement on in the its predecessor. In fact,

They have to innovate, come up with new things, not just new graphics.

you might actually find yourself using the voice commands for once.

Media Connection: you have access to a variety of activities besides games, including Netflix, social media websites and more.

Microsoft Corporation’s SmartGlass software allows you to connect your phones, laptops and tablets to the Xbox One. This will allow for unprecedented multimedia connectivity. For example, your TV could display the action in a strategy game while your smartphone could display the mini-map or the health of your units.

“They have to innovate, come up with new things, not just new graphics,” Trevino Amaro said. “They need to make games more interesting.”

Notable in this regard, according to Trevino Amaro, is “The Last of Us.” This game follows the arduous and heartbreaking tale of Joel, a middle-aged, rough-andtumble Texan, and Ellie, a child who is as equally sassy as she is deadly, in a post-apocalyptic United States. By crafting a strong, compelling narrative revolving around these two characters, the game establishes an emotional connection between the player and the protagonists on a level unprecedented among previous games.

However, despite its storytelling and visual beauty, the game is still confined to the boundaries of the PlayStation 3 (PS3). Perhaps in the future, games not only on the PS4, but also on the Xbox One and the Wii U, can break the storytelling bar that “The Last of Us” set, as developers learn to use the advantages of the next generation of consoles to make games more immersive and impactful. Perhaps the player will be able to forge a personal connection with the characters by talking to them, thanks to the Xbox’s Kinect’s two-voice recognition features, further engrossing themselves in the people as well as the story. Perhaps the internal beliefs or feelings of a character can be sneaked in on the Wii U controller’s touchpad while a cutscene or event is taking

PlayStation 4

The controller has a touchpad and you can route all of your game’s audio through its headphone jack to any pair of earbuds.

“Remote Play” feature allows people to play PS4 games on the portable PlayStation Vita console. .

You will now be able to stream gameplay footage straight from your game to social media networks.

ARSTECHNICA.COM / SOURCE

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | ENTERTAINMENT | PAGE 21 place, thus giving a gamer a greater grasp of the essence of a character’s thought rather than be confined to seeing what’s on-screen. The possibilities are endless.

Or so they seem. But for the moment, Trevino Amaro said he predicts developers will be limited during 2014 by one disturbing fact: “You still have games that are both platforms, next and previous gen,” Trevino Amaro said. “They’re not truly next-gen.”

Trevino Amaro said that in the initial stages of the introduction of next-generation consoles, developers will be faced with a new system, untested and initially uncomfortable to work with. On the other hand, they will deal with a comfortable, familiar platform that is the previous

2013

generation, on which they have spent thousands of hours refining and perfecting. It may be hard for developers to adjust to the change, and the quality of games will reflect that.

For example, Trevino Amaro points to the tough transition Sony Corporation experienced from the PlayStation 2 to the PS3. Due to the complicated hardware of the PS3, third-party developers found it hard to cope with the new system, and both the quantity and quality of games dipped downwards.

However, the next generation still offers endless possibilities for developers and gamers everywhere.

Developers now have greater freedom to pursue grand, new visions utilizing the processing power of the new consoles — once they learn how to handle those new consoles, that is — and gamers now have increased opportunities to experience games outside the living room and in their daily lives.

“You can now stream games live, share gameplay, basically making it more of a community,” Trevino Amaro said.

While some may expect complications with this new technology, many, including Trevino Amaro, remain optimistic about not only next year, but also years beyond.

“Past (2014), I think (games) will get more accepted,” Trevino Amaro said.

“Less controversy over games.

It’ll just be a part of life. Just like reading books or watching movies, it’ll incorporate into life. Gradually, more people will start to accept it.”

JOHN CHEN / PHOTO With new innovations, GAME ON: Hector Trevino Amaro, avid gamer and junior, choses something to play from features and ideas just around his wide collection of PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation 4 (PS4) games. Next-gen consoles the corner, that acceptance exhibit life-like graphics and fluid game mechanics. Along with playing games with realistic H may not be so far away. graphics, the PS4 and Xbox One play high definition Blu-ray movies and shows.

OPINION

Is PC gaming really dead?

W

ith the releases of Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4, it might be hard to imagine where games for the personal computer (PC) might fit in still, but despite the popularity of the aforementioned consoles to the gaming website DualShockers, 63 percent of gamers still use PC; that number suggests that PC gaming is not truly gone.

Many PC games are free-to-play, meaning that no payment is necessary in order to play the game. Usually, these games are multiplayer, games such as Nexon’s “Maplestory,” Jagex’s “RuneScape” and “Neopets.”

However, there are also games that are not multiplayer and instead focus on the player himself. Such games include Artix Entertainment’s “AdventureQuest” and “Dragon Fable.” Unfortunately, one downside to these games is that some of them require a paid membership in order to access special privileges, but this downside is dwarfed by the amount of content already available to players. On the other hand, new console games often have prices that skyrocket to $50, which is an appealing factor that PC games do not have.

While popular games such as Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed” series and Activision’s “Call of Duty” series are still available for it, there are no shortages of games that are made exclusively for the PC. Blizzard’s “StarCraft” series, “League of Legends” and “World of Warcraft” are all examples of games that were made just for PC gamers. With a wide variety of games to pick from, those who play on the computer can pick the exact kind of game to fit their needs.

PC games are here to stay, but then again, why would H they ever need to leave? By Lucus Cheng

Hector Trevino Amaro’s picks for best and worst games of 2013

BEST

& WORST

COMPILED BY / JOHN CHEN AINING WANG / GRAPHIC

The Last of Us Reason: “Because of its story, characters, gameplay and gorgeous visuals.”-Trevino Amaro “(Joel and Ellie) aren’t your average characters. They’re dynamic. Joel isn’t a hero and Ellie is interesting because she doesn’t know what the world was like before the infected.”- Trevino Amaro “Naughty Dog has delivered the most riveting , emotionally resonant story-driven epic of this console generation.”- Edge, a gaming publication Rating: “10/10” - Trevino Amaro

Rogue Warrior Reason: “The AI (artificial intelligence) doesn’t know what they’re doing.”- Trevino Amaro “Every time you kill someone there’s a one liner. That one liner repeats over and over and over and over.”- Trevino Amaro “Hannah Montana: The Movie The Game was better than Rogue Warrior because you could at least customize your outfits and your tour van.”- Trevino Amaro “You can finish it in just over two hours, and the stripped multiplayer consists only of deathmatch and team deathmatch, yet publisher Bethesda Softworks is asking full price.

Don’t be a sucker: Steer clear of this garbage.” - Gamespot “Simply put -- players should stay far away from this title at all cost.”- IGN Rating: “1.5/10” - Trevino Amaro

PAGE 22 | ENTERTAINMENT | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

Take a Ticket, Old Sport Similarities to past adaptations, beautiful costumes, dance numbers to be expected in winter production of ‘The Great Gatsby’

BY ELLEN PENG epeng@hilite.org

ALICE ZHU / PHOTOS

S

ince the auditions several months ago, members in the upcoming production of “The Great Gatsby” have been working hard to prepare for the show, which opens on Feb. 13, according to Maggie Cassidy, director of “The Great Gatsby” and performing arts teacher.

Cassidy, who selected the cast, said, “We have been rehearsing four days a week since the middle of November. (At the end of January), we will then rehearse five to six times a week for three to four hours.”

According to Eric Stockholm, actor portraying Tom Buchanan and senior, most of the play’s rehearsals consist of going over several pages of the script.

GUIDE ME: Theatre teacher Maggie Cassidy corrects stage “We’ve also spent some time working directions for members of the background ensemble. These on developing our characters and making actors were background dancers for the first scene of the winter sure that we understand exactly what is theatre production “The Great Gatsby.” happening in the script,” Stockholm said.

According to Kristin Barnes, actress portraying Myrtle Wilson and junior, audience members will be able to see several important characters in this production including Daisy Buchanan, Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby, portrayed by senior Laura Ellsworth, senior Gus Leagre and junior Duncan Moran, respectively.

Barnes said some of the more THE GREAT REHEARSAL: Seniors Eric Stockholm and Laura challenging parts are portraying the Ellsworth act out the first scene of the winter theatre production “The characters’ personalities and making them Great Gatsby.” The two play the roles of Tom Buchanan and Daisy appear real to the audience.

Buchanan respectively.

She said, “Each character has so many layers to (him), and if you try to fit (him) into some specific niche, you won’t juniors are required to read the book in AP He said, “It really capture all of the layers. They have to be English Literature and Composition and does represent the realistic, and real people don’t normally fit IB English. classic in a way stereotypes perfectly.”

HISTORY DISCUSSION: At the end of a rehearsal, members The play is based that would make From Feb. 13 to of the winter theatre production “The Great Gatsby” gather closely on the book of Fitzgerald proud.”

15, students will be to discuss the scene they just practiced. They talked about the the same title written by Although there are able to watch “The historical significance of the scene in order to get a better idea of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Both many similarities to Great Gatsby” and how to present it in the final performance.

Barnes and Stockholm earlier adaptations, will see how each said a few lines in the play according to Barnes, member developed are taken directly from there are a number of his or her character. the book. unique elements that audiences can expect, Stockholm said the which transitions with various visual and Though there are several including costumes and dance numbers. play should be little sound effects. movie adaptations of the Barnes said, “The music is great, and less than two hours Cassidy also said, “We will have a live book as well, Cassidy said there’s even a couple big dances in some of long, but exact length saxophone player on stage mingling with the Eric Stockholm she has not watched any the parties. The costumes will be fantastic. It’s is still tentative. actors and (moving with the) scene changes.”

Actor portraying Tom of them since she does not such an interesting period of fashion.”

Barnes said With so many expectations, Barnes Buchanan and senior want her vision of the book “The show will include beautiful the play should be said she feels intimidated; however, both to be influenced by the ideas costumes, put together by the wonderful exciting and fun for she and Stockholm said they look forward presented in the movies.

Cindra Venturella,” Stockholm added. the audience because to performing for audiences in February.

Stockholm said this adaptation is the In addition, Barnes mentioned the show’s The Great Gatsby has become “a pop “We’re trying to make the show our best one so far, especially because of the layout is something to look forward to, culture icon.” It should also be relatable to own without disappointing the public,” H cast and crew’s hard work. saying the play “blends into one long scene” many members of the audience since some Barnes said.

It really does represent the classic in a way that would make Fitzgerald proud.

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | ENTERTAINMENT | PAGE 23

Futuristic Frankenstein adaptation to reach local theaters tomorrow

BY MIRIAM HU mhu@hilite.org

Like every junior in AP English Literature and Composition knows, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley takes place in the past—the 17th century, to be exact. The movie “I, Frankenstein,” which comes out tomorrow, takes a twist on the old story. Frankenstein’s monster, named Adam, has outlived his creator by centuries and now lives in a futuristic dystopian world, where he finds himself caught in a war that will decide the fate of humanity.

The movie is based on a graphic novel by the same name.

It’s pretty obvious that the screenwriter, Kevin Grevioux (“Underworld”), who also wrote the comic book, has never read Shelley’s novel. After all, he refers to the monster as “Frankenstein” even though Victor Frankenstein was the name of the creator, not the creature. He’s taken several creative liberties, too: The war includes supernatural elements like demons and gargoyles that definitely weren’t there in the original. While it’s an interesting spin, the movie seems to have deviated so far from the book that it needs to be considered a new movie in its own right rather than an adaptation.

This movie’s saving grace might be its solid cast, with Aaron Eckhart (“The Dark Knight”) as the lead role and Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Jai Courtney and Aden Young as supporting actors. Eckhart, a talented actor, was excellent as Harvey Dent in “The Dark Knight,” and Miranda Otto won critical acclaim for her roles in “The Lord of the Rings” movies. The way the cast interacts should be fascinating to watch.

Overall, “I, Frankenstein” looks like another slightly cheesy bookto-movie adaptation with a lot of inaccuracies (Does anyone else remember how awful “Eragon” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” were?), and it reminds me of a

not-so-wonderful version of “Pacific Rim” with gargoyles (honestly, why gargoyles?) instead of robots. This won’t be a movie to write home about, but it could turn out to be an uplifting story about a monster who tries to redeem his humanity by saving the world— as long as viewers turn off their brains and enjoy the special effects.

H THE MONSTER REBORN: Aaron Eckhart, who played Harvey Dent in “The Dark Knight,” will take the title role as Frankenstein’s monster Adam in “I, Frankenstein.”

CRAVEONLINE.COM / PHOTO

New Year, New You

Only 8 percent of Americans achieve their New Year’s resolutions, according to the University of Scranton. Here’s how you can beat the odds and meet your goals.

BY LIANNE YU lyu@hilite.org With the beginning of a new year comes the beginning of new resolutions. While some of the resolutions of 2013 may have gone unresolved, this year presents new

Resolution Revolution How many people maintain their resolutions over time?

Maintained through first week:

opportunities to accomplish those goals that were once set aside. However, many individuals may find that enduring through a year-long process of self-improvement is an obstacle in itself. According to a recent study conducted by the University of Scranton, of the 40 percent of Americans who do create resolutions, only 8 percent of them actually achieve their goals. So why does following through with resolutions seem to be so challenging? In order to make carrying out goals less difficult, there are several measures one can take:

1. Be realistic

Through second week: = 10 percent Through one month:

Through six months: UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON / SOURCE MIRIAM HU / GRAPHIC

The common problem people often encounter is the excessive idealism of their resolutions. Instead of setting realistic shortterm goals, individuals tend to create long-term goals that are often too difficult to achieve immediately.

Rather than working toward becoming the CEO of a

mega-corporation or breaking the world record of a superstar athlete, people should focus on smaller steps that will eventually lead up to their ultimate goal.

2. Be focused

In this age, many distractions, most notably technological ones, can keep people from reaching their objectives. If Twitter, Instagram or some other social networking distraction continues to be an obstacle in following through with resolutions, it is essential that the obstacle must be eliminated. On another note, eliminating a distraction is not equivalent to an individual simply promising himself that he will stay away from it. Procrastinators might find programs like Cold Turkey for Windows (getcoldturkey.com) and SelfControl for Mac (selfcontrolapp.com) helpful, since they can block distracting websites for a certain period of time and can’t be turned off. If smartphones are the problem, there is always the option of surrendering them to parents.

3. Be motivated

Even if a person sets realistic goals and remains focused, it is often difficult to accomplish those resolutions if he or she is

unmotivated. The key factor in making 2014 a promising year is to find something that one can work for. Whether the motivation may be for family and friends, a feeling of accomplishment or even earning enough money to buy the latest technology, finding an incentive can increase an individual’s chances of achieving success.

4. Be persistent

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

It is not abnormal for one to fail at his first attempt. For instance, Michael Jordan, a legend in basketball, was first rejected when he tried out for his high school varsity basketball team, as he was deemed too short. However, after training vigorously and displaying high performance on the junior varsity team, Jordan later earned himself a spot on the varsity team roster. Jordan is among a number of public figures who initially failed at achieving their resolutions but later found success. Giving up will H ultimately lead a person nowhere.

WANT MORE?

To read staff reporter Michelle Dai’s take on New Year’s resolutions, turn to Page 30.

PAGE 24 | SPORTS | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

[sports]

SUBMITSPORTS@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/SPORTS

Breaking the Ice

DID YOU KNOW? In 1896, World Figure Skating Championship took place in St. Petersburg, Russia and was only open to men.

ISU.ORG / SOURCE ALEX YU / GRAPHIC

Upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia draw attention to individual sports often not represented through traditional high school programs

BY EMMA LOVE elove@hilite.org

T

he Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, beginning on Feb. 7, feature many sports not necessarily represented at the high school. One of these events, figure skating, is of particular interest to figure skaters Manda Wang and Joy Huang, senior and junior respectively, who spend much of their time outside the realm of CHS. In terms of choosing to play an individual sport, Wang said that she tried soccer when she was younger, but said she likes being part of an individual sport more.

“You don’t have to rely on anybody else.

It’s whatever you do that matters. You rely on yourself, and it’s easy to rely on yourself, because you know how hard you practice, you know how much time you spend, and you know if you can do it or not,” Wang said.

Huang said that she used to participate in ballet, which is also more team-focused, but she prefers skating.

“I felt with more individual sports that I had more time to focus on and improve myself on a more personal level, and focus more on what I need, rather than what the team needs, which I like,” Huang said.

ALEX YOM / PHOTO Wang said that it is not hard to meet new people and make friends of all ages HAPPY SKATES: Figure skaters bond during a club practice. Joy Huang (right,) figure skater and junior, said that despite competing an through an individual sport, because they individual sport, she is satisfied with her friendships made from skating and that she has developed strong bonds with other skaters. all share a similar interest.

Huang said that there are other benefits to an individual sport.

“The motivation usually comes from within,” Millikan “We motivate each other to do better. A lot of my “It feels really good when you accomplish a new trick or said, “We set certain goals, and they go after them to achieve best friends I got from skating. Or, I had friends and we a spin because you worked for it yourself, so you know that them. We set up a goal usually once or twice a year. Such as, started skating together, so we got even closer. It really it was all of the effort that you spent, and in the end it paid ‘I want to be a certain level at this point, or learn so many helps people bond because it’s something you have in off,” Wang said. different elements at this point.’ And then of course, long term common,” Wang said.

With a similar perspective, Huang said, “I’m really glad goals can be as ambitious as they like.”

Huang agrees and said that she is completely satisfied with that I can be on an individual sport because it allows me to Although these individual athletes do not have a her friendships from an individual sport. focus on myself. I can discover my own weaknesses and my school-sponsored team to support them, there are “Even though we’re not a team, necessarily, we’re still own strengths, and I can work on it. It’s a lot self discovery, benefits to being on their own. a group of individuals that have the same passion for and I really like that “It’s your own achievement, so you don’t really need to skating. We develop a lot of strong bonds worry about a team behind you. You get what you put in. If because we share the same problems, I’m really glad that I can be on about figure skating.”

Some people may you strive toward your perfection and work hard, you will be we stress over the same jumps, the same an individual sport... It’s a lot of believe that motivation successful, and nobody that may not have a good day and can spins. We share the same socks, we drink out of each others waters, and we have self discovery, and I really like in sports comes from the ruin it for you,” Millikan said. team or school support.

Wang said she feels the same way. “I like being on my own. this extreme bond even though we’re not that about figure skating. However, skating coach You improve for yourself. If someone messes up, it won’t affect necessarily a team sport,” Huang said.

Marie Millikan said most how you do,” She said. “Everything that you do, the score you Aside from the fact that they are Joy Huang of her skaters are very get, the place you get, depends on how you do yourself and completely responsible for their performance how hard you practice.”

H Figure skater and junior self-motivated. without help from a team, both Wang and

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | SPORTS | PAGE 25

OPINION

Photographer Alex Yom

Olympic Controversy. Homosexual discrimination remains a major concern as Sochi Olympics approach.

While the world turns their eyes to Sochi, Russia this February for the Winter Olympics, many will see some of the most daring and gifted athletes in the world compete in a variety of events that will test their minds, bodies and souls. They will witness the beautiful resort city of Sochi, nestled in southwestern Russia, lying on the shores of the Black Sea with the frigid Caucasus Mountains in the city’s backdrop.

This will be the first time that Russia will host the Winter Olympic Games. While the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow by the former Soviet Union were mired by the Cold War and political boycotts, the Winter Olympic bid for Sochi 2014 was supposed to symbolize “glasnost,” or openness, for the democratic Russian Federation. Ironically, it is Russia itself that is hindering the glasnost image of openness and in turn is preventing its goal to improve its image within the international community.

In June 2013, Russia’s lower house passed

an anti-gay law preventing propaganda from “the gays.” The law prevents people from talking about homosexuality to minors, holding gay-pride events or merely defending the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in public. Fines can go up to $31,000 for these encounters and apply not only to Russian citizens but also to foreigners and media organizations alike.

The Russian government is taking away our right as members of an international community, which is greatly affecting the Winter Olympic Games.

It is clear the Russian government is using anti-gay propaganda to influence its citizens before the upcoming Olympic Games. On Nov. 13, during the TV show “Special Correspondent,” the host justified the blatantly discriminatory law, saying that it is “essential to protect our children from perverts.” During the broadcast, the TV channel displayed the Olympic Rings under its logo. Interestingly enough, Rossiya 1 will

Things to watch for in

Beyond the games

be the exclusive broadcaster of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia.

The growing disparity between the United States’s and Russia’s government was evident in 2013. Edward Snowden’s NSA scandal, the controversial use of chemical weapons in Syria (Russia’s ally) and the passing of the antigay law all add to the tension as the Winter Olympics approach. In response, President Barack Obama’s Olympic delegation will include an openly gay athlete, Billie Jean King. It will also be the first time since 2000

that a US president, vice-president or first lady will not be a member of the delegation.

It is a strong message against the Russian government, and it is one I applaud. Russia has to be more cooperative.

As the late Nelson Mandela said during a social dilemma of apartheid similar to the anti-gay laws in Russia today, “Sport has the power to change the world.” The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi indeed serve as a great opportunity for Russia to change the international community’s opinion of it.

And while the public may be focused on the beauty and marvel that is the Winter Olympic Games this February, these past months have uncovered an eerie prospect, a prospect that the Russian Federation may not be all that different from the Soviet H Union that preceded it.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Alex Yom at ayom@hilite.org.

LGBT Controversy The Sochi Olympics Blake Skjellerup is an Olympic will highlight short track speed skater who the challenges competed for New Zealand that the lesbian, in Vancouver 2010 and gay, bisexual and will be competing at Sochi transgender (LGBT) 2014. Skjellerup was community faces in named by the Federation Russia. Athletes such of Gay Games as an SKJELLERUP as Blake Skjellerup, ambassador to the Gay PROUD 2014 who came out as Games 2014 in Cleveland, gay in 2010, have decided to speak up OH. He also advocated Pink Shirt Day in New against the Russian government. Zealand, a nationwide campaign to stop bullying.

BLAKE

Corruption Costs eventually rose to over $51 billion

The costs were estimated at $10 billion

Russia has poured over $51 billion into this year’s Winter Olympics making it the most expensive ever. When Beijing hosted the much larger 2008 Summer Olympics, the total cost was $40 billion. Most of the money has been lost due to the corruption of the local system.

YAHOO! SPORTS, ESPN / SOURCE AKSHAR PATEL / GRAPHIC

Medal Count

Domestic Violence An Islamist militant leader by the name of Doku Umarov has called on Muslim fighters to attack the Olympics. This paired with recent terrorist bombings has caused athletes and visitors to be concerned about their safety.

Russian forces have gone on combat alert this week in Sochi and about 37,000 personnel are now in place to provide security at the Games.

United States 13

Germany 7

15

13

9

10

Canada 5 7 14

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Medal Count

The 2010 U.S. Olympic Team won the most medals of any country in Vancouver with 37 (9 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze). This year there will be six new events meaning Team USA will be able to top last time’s total.

PAGE 26 | SPORTS | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

Administration implements student-athlete SRT to ensure students’ academic eligibility

BY SHAKEEL ZIA szia@hilite.org

“The NCAA eligibility requirements have changed quite a bit the last three to five years and they are kind of complex,” Wolf said. “They have become significantly tougher, most would say, including some requirements his year, a new special SRT for student-athletes that affect kids’ curricular choices as freshmen or has been introduced to ensure that they are sophomores, where a lot of kids in freshmen or academically eligible for competing at the sophomore (years) aren’t even thinking about being next level. Briana “Bri” Arnold, softball player college athletes or not. In an effort to try and help kids and senior, who wants to play softball in college, takes make good choices in the hopes that they advantage of this SRT with might become NCAA athletes, we thought help from English teacher it might make sense that kids could go Kimberly Walker.

How many people are in into, and that was the purpose of the SRT “Mrs. Walker makes sure the student-athlete SRT? to keep track of those requirements.” our grades are always up and Because of this SRT, Arnold said she is in we’re eligible to play every Football: 10 a prime position to play softball in college. year,” Arnold said. “It helps Track and Field: 4 “My grades are so much higher this me a lot because last year Men’s cross-country: 3 year. Everything’s looking good for me to nobody was there to really Men’s basketball: 1 play sports in college,” Arnold said. support me and I wasn’t Women’s basketball: 1 Even though Arnold has increased her allowed to play the first few Women’s soccer: 1 GPA, the SRT isn’t all about improving games of the season.”

Wrestling: 1 grades, according to Walker. It is more Walker was previously a Softball: 1 about keeping grades consistent. coach and assistant athletics According to Walker, the students are in director. She volunteered to KIMBERLY WALKER / SOURCE the special SRT for numerous reasons. oversee the SRT. “These are hand picked athletes “During my time as an (selected) by their coaches and/or the assistant athletics director, athletic department that are students who are in here my focus was on academics. I directed and founded a for a variety of reasons,” Walker said. “Some (are program when I was an athletics director and I worked here because) they need that extra push to help them with athletes strictly to improve their grades, so that’s maintain their grades in order to become academically just where my passion is,” Walker said. eligible. Some are in here because they are academically The SRT was approved by Principal John Williams eligible and maintain very high grades but they just and Athletics director Jim Inskeep. According to need a sheltered environment where someone is able to Assistant Athletics director Bruce Wolf, this has been monitor their grades.” a concept that has been talked about for quite a while.

As of now, Walker only has 18 students in her SRT all The reason for implying such an SRT, according to from different sports and grades.

Wolf, was because of the NCAA eligibility requirements.

“Right now it’s completely manageable during SRT, but in the future I definitely see it growing and continuing to be successful for the students and that’s why I’m doing it, to make sure the kids are succeeding,” Walker said.

Walker also stated she’s seen improvement, and this SRT is proving to be helpful.

“It’s usually not overnight improvements,” Walker said, “but quarter one, when we did our first grade check, to the end of quarter two, I had some students with significant improvements.”

If the students in the SRT continue to improve KARTHIK THADASINA / PHOTO academically, , the school ON THE RIGHT TRACK: English teacher Kimberly Walker and Briana “Bri” Arnold, may add more studentsoftball player and senior, are looking at Arnold’s grades. Arnold says that the athlete SRTs. student-athlete SRT helps her stay eligible for college softball.

T

“As it grows, the possibilities are endless,” Wolf said.

It can grow into after school study tables. It can grow into a sheltered study hall or supported study hall, but right now it’s manageable and we’re seeing success and I can only hope it can grow and builds itself into getting bigger and having student-athletes benefit from (it).” H

College Bound Below are eligibility rules for incoming freshmen that are playing Division I sports.

Full Qualifier

A college-bound student-athlete that may receive athletic aid, practice and compete in the first year of enrollment at the Division I college or university

Complete 16 core courses with 2.3 GPA 10 of the 16 core courses must be complete before the senior year 7 of the 10 must be in Science, English and Math Must meet the Competition sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT score Graduate from high school

Academic Redshirt A college-bound student-athlete that may receive athletics aid in the first year of enrollment and may ONLY practice in the first regular academic term. To continue, the student-athlete must be academically successful at his/her university

Complete 16 core courses with 2.0 GPA

Must meet the Academic Redshirt sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/ SAT score Graduate from high school

AKSHAR PATEL / GRAPHIC NCAA.ORG / SOURCE

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PAGE 28 | PERSPECTIVES | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

[perspectives]

Scan this QR code to view the Program of Studies and see the points earned for participation in different activities.

SUBMITPERSPECTIVES@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/PERSPECTIVES

HTTP://GOO.GL/WKJFV8 / SOURCE

Distinguished Grad selection process should take into account time, effort

S

ince its introduction to CHS in 2008, the Distinguished Graduate program has either distinguished or commended over 400 graduates. The program was originally set in place to distinguish seniors at graduation who had served in leadership, volunteer and extracurricular activities throughout their years at CHS. In addition to identifying a group of students for recognition, it also replaces the honor of “valedictorian,” instead allowing the student with the greatest amount of allotted points to serve as the “distinguished graduate” for his or her specific class.

In taking into account factors of service outside of academics, the Distinguished Grad program was a step in the right direction toward a holistic evaluation of a student’s high school achievement. However the administration has yet to find a balance between the points allotted to various activities over others.

In the editorial titled “Administration should reconsider Distinguished Grad” released in the March issue of 2011, the HiLite editorial board suggested that the program encouraged breadth over depth. We as a staff felt as if the point system encouraged students’ participation in a multitude of activities rather than commitment and exploration in one or two activities. In addition the editorial argued that the point value for an activity should be based off of the number of hours dedicated to that activity.

This draws to attention a new question that is especially important given the upcoming deadlines for the Distinguished Grad applications in February. With activities such as the

Speak Up!

performing arts receiving up to 50 points for students who participate in advanced performing arts groups for at least three years and athletes who can earn up to 30 points for participating in a sport for three years, why is it that others such as industrial technology, visual arts students and communications, just to name a few, who put in an equal amount of time into their work, be “valued” with a lesser point value? While the excellence of both athletics and performing arts at this school warrants such value, what happens to those students who invest their time in other community enriching activities?

Another issue with the current point system is the lack of diversity in the section labeled “club officers.” Most club officers of the over 100 clubs at this school are not recognized for their valid efforts through this point system.

As we mentioned in the past editorial, one method through which these issues could be solved is that of a review of all activities that are deemed to require the amount of time and effort put into those activities that are currently recognized such as athletics and performing arts. The administration itself could evaluate the outreach of the activity in the community and school. The administration took a step in the right direction by qualifying clubs in which “students... complete 40 competition hours or community service hours each year...” for points; however as we mentioned earlier

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iv this does not include other activities in e the school that require a similar amount of time commitment as the ones listed under the “Extra-curricular and co-curricular category” of the Distinguished Graduate program.

One avenue through which students may voice their opinions is through that of the Principal’s Advisory Committee. Directly contacting representatives on the committee is one way to voice student concerns directly to the administration. Students who have ideas for change may also post to the “CHS PAC 2013-14” group on Facebook. Students must take an active role in advocating for their respective activities or groups if they hope to see change in the Distinguished Grad program.

In the current system, students who are not involved in activities such as performing arts or athletics may not be recognized for the other ways in which they promote the community of this school. In short, students are discouraged from pursuing the activities they find to match their passions and interests. While the Performing Arts and athletic students deserve recognition for all their hard work and accomplishments, it only seems fair to include other students who participate in activities with similar time and effort requirements. It is up to both the students and the administration to evaluate and create this balanced system. H

Students are discouraged from pursuing the activities that they find to match their passions and interests.

COMPILED BY NIVEDHA MEYYAPPAN

Do you agree with the Distinguished Grad selection process? Why?

Freshman Mitchell Adzema

Sophomore Patrick Fallon

Junior Ari Roberts

Senior Vinnie Anderson

Counselor David Mikesell

Assistant Principal Bradley Sever

Yes, I would say I do agree. It seems like a good way for students to be able to choose and decide to get points ... It seems fair to me from what I understand.

I think it seems pretty fair because if they do more activities, then they’re more busy sometimes, and if they can still do all the activities and get good grades, then they did pretty well.

I think it definitely has some merit because there’s so many things people can be involved in at this school, and it’s got to be hard to put all of them together and figure out who is the best student.

It’s probably really difficult.

It seems like if they’re trying to distinguish one person, then that’s all they’re going to get—one person.

If they are going to have distinguished graduates, they do have to have a format. Teachers and administrators have worked hard creating a fair and equitable format.

It’s a really good process. I think there’s a lot of thought that goes into that process.

It’s been refined, so I think we do a good job of being fair in acknowledging student accomplishments.

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | PERSPECTIVES | PAGE 29

OPINION

Reporter Grant Smith

Cutting Opinions. Professional publications need to remember the importance of opinion writing Some of my earliest and most cherished memories of my hate to think about what would happen if the Internet father were of Sunday mornings, when we would sit at the became the only source of intelligent debate in our society. kitchen table together and read the Sunday newspaper. The However, columnists in professional publications are editorial page in particular would spark discussions between held accountable by their editors as well as their readers. us and would always give me something to ponder for the As a new journalist, I know that it is nearly impossible to rest of the day, whether it was a new idea, get away with publishing blatant lies new information or just something I had or complete nonsense. While you may not considered before. I realized the best disagree with an argument you read way to challenge our own beliefs and in print, you can trust that at least the learn something new about the world was argument has a factual basis that may through reading opinion pieces and seeing not be contained in comment sections the world through the eyes of someone on the Web. with a different view than our own.

Not only are professional publications So of course I was taken aback by a more reliable than the average Internet It’s my way ’til recent Pew Research study that revealed surfer, but also, they can offer a dialogue payday the growing number of professional news between the columnist and readers in publications that are cutting back on letters to the editor that is missing in the amount of newsprint they devote to other common forms of media, such editorial pieces. as television news. I can recall reading Since 2006, membership in the letters from readers in print media that Association of Opinion Journalism (AOJ) were as poignant and intelligent as the has decreased by 55 percent, a telling sign columns themselves. Think of the letters that newspapers are slowly eliminating to the editor page as comment sections, their opinion staffs, according to Pew. but without all of the absurd entries by Many professional publications, such as unintelligent Internet users. But if these The Seattle Times, The Kansas City Star editorial pages are eliminated, reader and the Sun Sentinel have eliminated, responses will be lost as well, and the attempted to eliminate or reduced the size discussion will be gone. of their opinion pages. This cannot go on.

Many young people today may not Intelligent discussion is an extremely important part of take issue with this downsizing of opinion in print media, our democracy. What is even more important is that we but this is an issue for every citizen of the community. I know have as many professional mediums as we can where these that even students with little or no interest in politics can find discussions and debates can take place. It is understood that themselves arguing passionately for something they hold a opinion can never die in today’s world; our government strong belief in. Imagine a world where we have fewer options does not censor us and any person with a computer has the for raising awareness for these important issues. We cannot means to incite discussions around the globe. But whether distance ourselves from these debates. We must continue to or not these discussions are intelligent, helpful or contain recognize the importance of our ideas and fight for their space H reliable information is uncertain, depending on the in the public domain. particular instance. It is even more frightening to consider that there is no one to keep these people in check. They are The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views held accountable only to themselves, or their god. I would of the HiLite staff. Reach Grant Smith at gsmith@hilite.org.

We must continue to recognize the importance of our ideas and fight for their space in the public domain.

Professional Opinion See what professional publications cut down their opinion pages Cut in half the number of pages alloted to opinions and editorials Dropped one of its two opinion pages to save money Cut all but reinstated half a page due to outcries from readers Eliminated one weekday and one weekend opinion pages

Membership plunged 55% as of last year

Cut one opinion page per week ASTER SAMUEL / GRAPHIC PEWRESEARCH.COM / SOURCE

Graphic Perspective

JIVA CAPULONG / GRAPHIC

PAGE 30 | PERSPECTIVES | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

OPINION

Reporter Kyle Walker

A Tale of Two Cases. How an extraordinary judge ruled differently in two similar legal cases.

On June 15, 2013, 16-year-old Ethan Couch drove his father’s Ford pickup truck to a Walmart near Fort Worth, TX, where surveillance cameras captured him stealing two cases of beer.

With seven passengers in the vehicle, Couch had a blood alcohol content triple the legal limit for adults and was driving almost twice the speed limit when he struck a broken-down SUV and a few pedestrians near it, killing four You’ll of the people and injuring nine. Couch, thank whose family is affluent and well-known in owning the business Cleburne Metal me later Works, is reported to have said at the scene to one of his passengers, “I’m Ethan Couch; I’ll get you out of this.”

On Oct. 6, 2011, a then-14-year-old African American boy jumped out of a Cadillac he had been riding with two friends and punched Mark Gregory, who stood 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighed 106 pounds, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

Gregory fell, hitting his head on his way down, and died two days later from the injury sustained in the incident.

Although the teenager admitted to the act, prosecutors say he did not express remorse for the murder of Gregory.

There exists a period of almost two years separating the times of these crimes, and their perpetrators are a world apart in terms of their upbringings and lifestyles. The primary link between these two boys is that

they were both handed sentences by Judge Jean Boyd of Fort Worth, TX, making a wide disparity in their punishments a cause of outrage among many Americans. While the unnamed boy is currently serving a 10-year sentence in the state prison, the sentence of Ethan Couch, delivered Dec. 12, 2013, consists of 10 years’ probation, some of which he will spend in expensive therapy in California.

The unnamed teenager and Couch committed similarly reprehensible crimes and received different sentences from the same judge. Why is it, then, that the former faces 10 years of incarceration, while the latter can look forward to equine therapy and yoga at a rehabilitation home in ritzy Newport Beach, CA? “In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread,” wrote French poet and journalist Anatole France. But statistics suggest otherwise.

According to a factsheet by Political Research Associates, more than half of all state prison inmates in 1991 reported an annual income of less than $10,000 prior to their arrest. Eighty percent of working male Americans are employed full-time, compared to 55 percent of state prisoners reportedly working full-time at the time of arrest. Somewhat ironically, in 2001, the United

We do not live in an ideal world, so perhaps it’s time to stop accepting a broken justice system and strive for a better reality.

OPINION

States spent $167 billion dollars on policing, corrections, judicial and legal services and $29.7 billion on Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

It is easy to point to the prevalence of white-collar crime rather than blue-collar crime among the wealthy class as a reason. The tendency to dismiss white-collar crime as “victimless” is disturbing enough, but more disturbing is the fact that seeming special treatment for the rich extends beyond that to violent crime. We see this in O.J. Simpson’s infamous murder trial, from which he walked free to inspire national outrage. We see this in atrocities committed by the U.S. government at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, where acts have gone unpunished because of their proximity to the government and thus to the wealthy and powerful. We see this in the punishment of Ethan Couch, who took four lives and destroyed several more, whose destructive and self-centered tendencies—allegedly due to his family’s wealth—are to be treated through still more privilege and luxury.

“What is the likelihood if this was an African-American, inner-city kid that grew up in a violent neighborhood to a single mother who is addicted to crack and he was caught two or three times…what is the likelihood that the judge would excuse his behavior and let him off because of how he was raised?” asked psychologist Suniya S. Luther of the verdict in Couch’s case. In an ideal world, her question would not be raised, but to be fair, criminal justice would not be a necessity in such a society. We do not live in an ideal world, so perhaps it’s time to stop accepting a broken justice system and strive H for a better reality.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Kyle Walker at kwalker2@hilite.org.

Reporter Michelle Dai

Realistic resolutions. Lessons I learned from last year’s resolutions.

Regarding the new year, peace activist Edith Lovejoy Pierce once said, “We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” Many people use the new year as an opportunity to become a better person, whether by getting healthier, becoming more organized, or helping others. In fact, 45 percent of Americans make New We all Year’s resolutions every year, according start as to a 2013 study published in the Journal strangers of Clinical Psychology by the University of Scranton. Seventy-five percent of people are able to keep their resolution through the first week. However, they backslide as time progresses, and only 8 percent achieve their goal by the end of the year. This small success rate of New Year’s resolutions sheds light on their current effectiveness and calls for a better way to leverage the opportunity of a new year.

Many studies indicate that specific goals are easier to attain than abstract ones. While looking closely at many common New Year’s resolution, it is clear that they lean

more towards the abstruse side. The top three resolutions for 2014 are losing weight, getting organized and spending less money. It’s hard to reach a goal when one doesn’t have specific steps to reaching that goal.

Last year, my own resolution was to get better grades, but instead it should have been starting my homework at 4 p.m. every day or turning off all electronics when doing homework.

If I had focused on these specific areas, rather than have a general concept in the back of my head, I would have been more productive and able to spend more time studying; better grades would just come naturally. Likewise, if my resolution this year was to be healthier, I should make it more specific, like going on the elliptical for 30 minutes a day or substituting an apple for a cookie every day. My dad’s resolution last year was to lose weight, and he would just occasionally go on the elliptical for a few minutes once a month wearing his house slippers because his goal was so abstract.

In addition, people are generally susceptible to caving in to their desires, so it’s a good idea to have an “accountability

Many studies indicate that specific goals are easier to attain.

buddy”: someone who can help make sure they are on the right track towards their goal. For example, if I make turning off all electronics when doing homework my resolution this year, I could tell my mom and ask her to check up on me. And since I know I have little self control, I could even have her keep my electronics until I’m done with all my homework. When working alone at a resolution, it’s very easy to fall back.

Lastly, people need to celebrate successes between milestones, instead of waiting for the goal to be finally completed. This confirms the fact that everything they have sacrificed thus far to reach their goal is worth it. If my goal was to spend 10 minutes organizing my room every day, I could reward myself every month with something small, like a Starbucks drink, assuming I was still on track with my resolution.

I’m not trying to say that if you follow all of my tips, you will reach your resolution this year. However, by making resolutions more specific, celebrating small successes and using an accountability buddy, your chances of reaching your New Year’s resolution will greatly increase. Depending on what the resolution is, these small changes could potentially H be life-changing—in a good way, of course.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Michelle Dai at mdai@hilite.org.

JAN. 23, 2014 | HILITE.ORG | HILITE | PERSPECTIVES | PAGE 31

OPINION

Reporter Michael Zhao

Team Edward (Snowden). Why 2013 was the year of government whistleblowers.

Looking back, 2013 was an exciting year, wasn’t it? Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a cardinal who snuck out of the Vatican to personally feed the homeless, was elected pope in March. Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, shocked the world by introducing Amazon Air, a new type of shipping that could potentially incorporate unmanned aerial drones instead of mail carriers to deliver packages. Even Vampire Weekend made the headlines by releasing “Modern Vampires of the City,” (possibly the greatest album ever) pleasing our ears with the melodic and soothing sounds of East Coast indie rock.

However, while there were many events that stirred up the media in 2013, none was perhaps as prominent as the uproar generated by Edward Snowden, a 30-year-old American whistleblower who revealed the extent of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) spying of America’s own citizens. 2013 was the year of the whistleblowers, a year in which we finally realized what was really happening in the shady offices of a government building in Baltimore.

On June 5, Snowden began leaking and handing information off to news organizations such as the Washington Post and the Guardian. Thanks to his leaks, we now know that the NSA forces major companies like Microsoft, Facebook and Google (just to name a few) to hand over the private data of their consumers and that the NSA is currently tracking over hundreds of millions of cellphones. That amounts to billions of records per day.

Sounds like something from 1984, doesn’t it?

Despite these newfound revelations, some still label Snowden as a traitor. And in some ways, maybe he is. He did leak classified documents that contained data of phone and online surveillance records. Revealing these spying programs could possibly give terrorists a heads up when it comes to avoiding detection.

But as Thomas Jefferson once said, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism,” a quote that still holds true today. No

matter what the government does to combat terrorism (in this case, snooping on its citizens), the most shocking fact is the extent of the government surveillance.

Snowden lifted the curtain and, despite the 14 times General Keith Alexander, head of the NSA, claimed that the government didn’t go through the call records, web history and other forms of electronic communication Once more of its citizens, Snowden revealed what was really taking place. Thanks to into the Snowden, Big Brother and his cronies breach, have been forced to be a little more dear open to the public. New questions friends have been raised as well. How far can our government go in the surveillance of its citizens? What if this information wasn’t leaked? How far would the government have gone?

It wasn’t just the information that was surprising; it’s way more than that. The amount of information that Snowden has revealed also says a lot about how easily the government is able to snoop on otherwise private communications whenever they want.

It’s unfortunate to see tax dollars being squandered by a country spying on a countless number of its citizens, most of which encompasses just bulk data instead of aiming at specifiwwc targets.

It’s even more unfortunate that formerly personal information can suddenly be intercepted by the NSA; information that can be easily corrupted if fallen into the wrong hands.

Snowden shed light on these activities, sacrificing his $200,000 income, his citizenship and even his family in the process. In many ways, Snowden called our democracy into question. Land of the free? Maybe once. Even now, the NSA is in the process of developing a quantum computer that would be able to crack most types of encryption. It’ll be interesting to H see how Snowden’s leaks will play out in 2014.

Thanks to Snowden, Big Brother and his cronies have been forced to be a little more open to the public. New questions have been raised as well.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Michael Zhao at mzhao@hilite.org.

Contact information

Mailing Address: 520 E. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: (317) 846-7721, Ext. 7143 Website: www.hilite.org E-mail: Staff members of the HiLite may be contacted by using their first initial and their last name appending @hilite.org. For example, Claudia Huang will receive mail sent to chuang@hilite.org.

Responding to the HiLite

Letters to the editor will be accepted for the Feb. 14 issue no later than Feb. 4. Letters may be submitted in Room C147, placed in the mailbox of Jim Streisel, emailed to letters@hilite.org or mailed to school. All letters must be signed. Names will be published (Letters sent via email will be taken to a student’s SRT for him to sign). Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited.

Purpose

The HiLite is a student publication distributed to students, faculty and staff of Carmel High School, with a press run of 4,500. Copies are distributed to every school in the Carmel Clay district as well as the Chamber of Commerce, city hall and the Carmel Clay Public Library.

The paper serves as a public forum and two-way communication for both the school and the community. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of CHS nor the Carmel Clay system faculty, staff or administration.

Credentials

The HiLite belongs to the Indiana High School Press Association, Quill & Scroll and the National Scholastic Press Association.

Advertising

Businesses may advertise in the HiLite if their ads adhere to guidelines. The advertising policy is available in Room C147 or at www.hilite.org.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Claudia Huang MANAGING EDITORS Taylor Acton Eric He Hafsa Razi Andrew Wang ACCOUNTANT Mitch Lindgren ACUMEN Jason Klein Julie Xu ADS TEAM Case Pasanen Molly Surette 15 MINUTES Naomi Reibold

Graphic Perspective

BEATS/ CALENDAR Michelle Dai Christine Fernando Sarah Liu Maham Nadeem Laxmi Palde Deepthi Thadasina Christine Yang Cynthia Yue COVER STORY Lauren Lu

POLAR VORTEX

POLAR (BEAR) VORTEX

POEHLER VORTEX CONNIE CHU / GRAPHIC

ENTERTAINMENT Miriam Hu Joseph Lee

FEATURE Crystal Chen Rushi Patel FRONT PAGE Connie Chu Dennis Yang GRAPHICS Jiva Capulong Rachel Chen Anthony Ko GMN LIAISON Isaac Warshawsky NEWS Chrishan Fernando Helena Ma PERSPECTIVES David Choe Aster Samuel PHOTO Mikaela George Nivedha Meyyappan SPORTS Matthew Del Busto Arsalan Siddiqui SOCIAL MEDIA Elyse Goldberg Caitlin Muller STUDENT SECTION Madison Adzema

WEB Adit Chandra Kevin Fei Patrick Tan Willie Zhu WRITING COACHES Kyle Walker Cynthia Wu REPORTERS Tyler Baumann Haley Bracken Bobby Browning Natalia Chaudhry John Chen Michael Cheng Lucus Cheng Michelle Dai Christine Fernando Danny Goldberg Nida Khan Jasmine Lam Joyce Lam Sarah Liu Emma Love Jill Massengill Maham Nadeem Laxmi Palde Akshar Patel Ellen Peng Sreeti Ravi Sriya Ravi Sarah Seo Aaron Shi Grant Smith Jessica Tao Deepthi Thadasina Kari Truax Sreya Vemuri Ai-ning Wang

Annika Wolff Ryan Woock Jacob Worrell Angela Wu Christine Yang Alex Yu Lianne Yu Cynthia Yue Anni Zhang Stephanie Zhang Michael Zhao Shakeel Zia PHOTOGRAPHERS Sophia Brewer Kyle Crawford Miles Dai Scott Liu Omeed Malek Swetha Nakshatri Ally Russell Jaymee Stout Karthik Thadasina Alex Yom Alice Zhu ADVISER Jim Streisel PRINCIPAL John Williams SUPERINTENDENT Nicholas D. Wahl

PAGE 32 | 15 MINUTES OF FAME | HILITE | HILITE.ORG | JAN. 23, 2014

[15 minutes of fame]

See more of Earnhardt’s jewelry at her website, www. prettyshinyware. com on Etsy.

SUBMIT15MINUTESOFFAME@HILITE.ORG | HILITE.ORG/15MINUTESOFFAME

A Good Yarn*

being a long strand of natural * Besides fibers used for needlework, yarn also means an exciting or interesting story; especially a story that is so surprising, that it is difficult to believe.

Junior Jessica Earnhardt shares the story of her jewelry and crochet business

MERRIAM-WEBSTER.COM / SOURCE

How do you find the time to make all your items?

I am crocheting almost all the time. Any single person in any one of my classes can tell you that. I tend to go through phases of activity in my jewelry making, though.

NAOMI REIBOLD nreibold@hilite.org Why did you start Pretty Shiny Ware?

I really like working with my hands and making things like jewelry and various crocheted items. I don’t need 50 million hats and necklaces floating around, no matter how shiny (or) soft they are.

How did you start?

I started out making sheet metal jewelry in jewelry class during freshman year and I’ve gotten into beading as well. Most of the stuff I have for sale so far is beaded and crocheted. I taught myself how to crochet at the beginning of my sophomore year. The internet— YouTube—has lots of good beginner’s crochet videos, and they’re the perfect place for people trying to learn.

Yarn Bombing

Do you prefer crocheting or knitting more? Why? In my opinion and experience, crocheting allows you to do so much more with what you’re making and it’s easier to fix mistakes. If you decide you don’t like a part, you can undo it and then start again, while in knitting it’s very difficult to go back and undo a part.

Yarn bombing is a new fad that is taking over the graffiti market. The bombing is a new, softer act of vandalism that consists of knitting or crocheting a slip to place on anything in the streets from trees to lamp posts to fire hydrants.

In major cities all over the world, yarn can be found keeping some inanimate objects cozy.

NEW YORK TIMES / SOURCE KARENQUILT.BLOGSPOT.COM/ / PHOTO

Y(e) arning for a record

KYLE CRAWFORD / PHOTO

World records involving knitting and yarn Largest Ball of Yarn 13 feet 5 feet 7 inches

Who: J.C. Payne When: Between 1989 and 1992 Size: 13 feet 2.5 inches in diameter, 41 feet 6 inches in circumference Where: Valley View, TX What: Payne started making the ball to get extra twine out of the way of his cows.

11 feet, 6 inches

5 feet 2 inches

Largest Knitting Needles Who: Ingrid Wagner When: March 10, 2008 Size: 11 feet 5.8 inches long, 8 cm in diameter Where: Tyne, UK What: Wagner knitted a square of 10 stitches using the needles in order to authenticate them.

Longest Scarf Knitted While Running a Marathon Who: David Babcock When: Oct. 19, 2013 Size: 12 feet 1.75 inches Where: Kansas City, MO What: Babcock finished the marathon in 5 hours, 48 minutes and 27 seconds.

GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS / SOURCE NAOMI REIBOLD / GRAPHICS