CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL 520 E. MAIN ST. CARMEL, IN 46032 WWW.HILITE.ORG
Acumen: The “Food” Issue See Insert
OCT. 20, 2010 | VOL. 56 | ISSUE 3
*CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSMAGAZINE
With soldiers returning home because of the recent troop withdrawal from Iraq, how are their families handling it? — Page 16
Be a
riend, keep in
ouch.
Page 2 | Table of contents | hilite | hilite.org | oct. 20 2010
Table of Contents 4 News
After a recent outbreak of chickenpox at Zionsville High School, CHS rushes to get students vaccinated and protected from contagious diseases.
8 Feature
WSJ study shows that corporate recruiters increasingly prefer to concentrate efforts on state schools, which can impact students’ college choices.
14 Student Section
4
8
14
16
20
24
Students showcase their variety of collections.
16 Cover Story
Junior Jacob Zieba describes the changes in his family since his father’s return from duty in Afghanistan.
20 Entertainment
Meredith Boyd and Lauren Burdick discuss how to build your own box costumes.
24 Sports
Many students choose to join recreational leagues rather than play sports competitively for the school.
28 Perspectives
Editor-in-chief Sara Rogers voices her opinion on honoring all veterans.
32 15 Minutes
A brief interview with Junior Ateev Gupta, a student pilot.
Arjuna Capulong / Cover Design and photo
Corrections and Clarifications from 9/23 In the men’s cross-country story in the 9.23 issue, Chris Walden finished 9 seconds, not 6.704 seconds behind Zeinasallassie. He also did not win county, but finished third. The new school record is 14:59
32
Oct. 20 2010| hilite.org | hilite | just a minute | page 3
What you should wear for Halloween Start here no
Going to a party?
yes
Trick or Treating?
yes
Hardcore?
CANDY!!!
no Costume party? Passing out candy? no
Are you just going to stay home and do homework?
no, just for fun
yes
Are you in the Halloween spirit?
yes
no
yes
yes Are you too cool to dress up?
no no, I am a party pooper
yes
Do you have time?
yes
no
Do you have glue, cardboard and scissors?
no no
yes
Be yourself
Wear a “costume”
Wear a costume
You’re just not in the holiday spirit. Since you won’t be going out tonight and nobody will see you, you don’t have to disguise this fact. Be yourself. However lame that may be.
If you didn’t have to dress up you wouldn’t. Put a sheet on and be a ghost. Or put some fangs in and be a vampire. Wrap a scarf around your head and be a ninja. It’s not much but it’s something.
You love Halloween. You don’t care who knows it. You made your own costume with cardboard, blood and tears. You have an actual corpse at your front door.
Daniel Li / Graphic
Page 4 | NEWS | hilite | HiLite.org | oct. 20, 2010
NEWS
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Political trivia
1) Who was the first president to win a Nobel prize? 2) What current senator had a brief career as a middleweight boxer? 3) The CIA’s central headquarters is named after which former president? For the answers, go online to the news section on www.hilite.org
Seniors plan to vote for the first time
Students prepare to cast a ballot with their newly acquired right to participate in elections BY nina underman nunderman@hilite.org On Nov. 2, Indiana citizens will head to the polls to vote in the 2010 general election. This election has special meaning for senior Kiernan McGeehan because it will be his first time casting a ballot. “I am excited to be able to participate in an actual election for the first time,” McGeehan said. He is not alone. According to a 2008 Pew Research Center study, the number of youth voters is on the rise. U.S. Census Bureau data shows youth played a crucial role in electing Barack Obama as president in 2008. In fact, the study reported President Obama would have lost the state of Indiana during the 2008 election had it not been for the support of young voters. Nationally, the youth vote made up 18 percent of total voters in 2008, up from previous years. In Indiana, youth who will be 18 by the election date are eligible to vote. AP Government teacher Joe Stuelpe said government teachers at this school encourage eligible youth to vote by providing registration forms to students. According to Stuelpe, voters must be registered 30 days before the election occurs. Registration began in May. McGeehan said he is voting because he wants to participate in the democratic process. “I will be voting
Meet the candidates Senate (replacing Evan Bayh)
because I think it’s important to have a say in who is running what in your community,” he said. “I think it’s especially important for younger people to vote because we are a huge population. Plus, it’s the first year that I am able to actually vote and I want to be involved.” However, senior Ellyn Hessong has different plans for Nov. 2. Hessong said, even though she is eligible, she does not plan to cast a vote in the general election. “I don’t think my vote will matter and I don’t even know what these people will do if they are elected, so I choose just not to vote at all,” she said. “I don’t like when people argue about politics or politics in general. Not many laws that have been made recently have impacted my life directly.” Despite sentiments like Hessong’s, Stuelpe said he believes youth voting is important. “You should want to have a say,” he said. “Even though it might not obviously affect you, it does.” “A lot of teens may think that voting, especially in the mid-term elections, is not important,” Stuelpe said. “However you could argue that mid-term elections actually have the most effect on you because you are electing representatives to serve your state and local community.” According to Stuelpe, the voter turnout for the 2010 election will be lower than in 2008, a statement also proven by research and poll data. According to a Project Vote report based off U.S. Census Bureau data, voter turnout in mid-term elections has averaged 15 percent lower than the previous presidential elections for the past seven election cycles. Additionally, there is a greater decline in voting between presidential and mid-term elections for youth voters than there is for the
Brian Ellsworth (D) -Representative for Indiana’s eighth district -Former sheriff of Vanderburgh county Dan Coats (R) -Former Indiana senator and representative of Indiana’s fourth district -Former U.S. ambassador to Germany Rebecca Sink-Burris (Libertarian) -Small business owner
Election tips Follow these suggestions to ensure the election process goes smoothly. • Check hamiltoncounty.in.gov or call the Election Offices. Make sure you have registered in the correct precint. You can also view a map of your polling place and a sample ballot. • Bring your I.D. Make sure you have your Indiana’s driver license or ID, passport or military I.D. • Vote early or vote even if you are unable to vote on election day. Go to the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center to vote. Absentee ballots must be received before Nov. 2 at noon. hamiltoncounty.in.gov / source
general population. For her part, Hessong said she does not think this election is as important as a presidential election. “I don’t think it’s as big of a deal because we’re electing representatives and senators, which to me isn’t as big as the president.” McGeehan said he agrees the mid-term election is less exciting than a presidential election, but it is still equally as important. Overall, though, he said he is merely excited to cast his ballot. “I honestly am just excited about voting for the first time,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me that this is not a presidential election. It’s important to choose your leaders, no matter what level. If you’re complaining about who’s in office and you didn’t vote, then it’s worthless. Why are you complaining?”
Election day tips
House of Representatives (District 5)
Incumbent Dan Burton (R) -Served as Congressman in district five since 1983 Tim Crawford (D) -Graduate of CHS -Senior estimator for construction company
Chard Reid (Libertarian) - Teacher at Plainfield High School Jesse Trueblood (Indepedent) -Teacher at Carmel Middle School uselections.com / source
Grayson Harbour / photo
rock the vote: Senior Kiernan McGeehan researches candidate information online. He said he plans to vote in the midterm election on Nov. 2 and is excited to cast his ballot.
oct. 20, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | NEWS | PagE 5
Department of Health issues new vaccination requirements for schools
“What we’re meaning to do is protect kids from vaccinepreventable diseases,” Gelatt said. “Indiana law requires that all students must have on file a completed record of their immunizations with the The deadline for students getting their vaccines was Aug. month, day and year of the immunizations. This must be 10, the first day of school. But nearly nine weeks into the completed and accurate on the health survey form before school year, only half of the student body has complied, the student is allowed to attend classes,” Gelatt said. “Some according to school nurse Carol Gelatt. The IDOH’s new students have already had the vaccine but have not turned guidelines are for three new vaccines this year, that children in the paperwork. Some students still need to get the in all grades six to 12 are required to have; the varicella vaccine and turn in the paperwork, and some people have (chickenpox) vaccine, the meningococcal (meningitis) done both.” conjugate vaccine, and the Tdap (pertussis) vaccine. Despite only half the student body complying with this The IDOH announced new requirements student policy, school has resumed as normal. Zionsville schools, vaccines on Jan. 26, 2010, for the 2010-2011 school year. on the other hand, have a new policy. If students do not After a chickenpox outbreak of 11 students at Zionsville comply with these guidelines by getting the vaccinations, High School, to date, all students have been vaccinated. and another student catches one of the three medical Since then, there has been growing concern over what CHS conditions, the students who were not vaccinated, and do is doing to protect its students. not have religious exemption, must leave school for 21 days. To date, CHS has not implemented this policy, but is instead giving students more time to get their vaccines. Students here have mixed reactions to the information. “I feel like (the vaccines) are a good idea, but how the school informed the students wasn’t very considerate,” junior Ari Robbins said. “It wasn’t considerate because it was really close to the beginning of the year and so everyone had to rush to get them, even though they required you to get at least two to four shots. I just remember my mom getting the notifications and freaking out because we had so little time.” Gelatt said she understands the frustration outbreaks can cause, but said it’s really important students get them as soon as possible. Chickenpox, while generally mild when caught as a child, can be more severe with older patients. According to the World Health Organization’s website, meningococcal disease and Tdap’s illnesses can be fatal as well. The Tdap vaccine protects people against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). The meningococcal vaccine protects people from meningococcal meningitis, a deadly bacterial form of meningitis that comes in four different forms (types A, C, Y and W135, all of which the current meningococcal conjugate vaccine blocks) and can likely cause side effects of meningitis, septicernia and, less likely, carditis, septic arthritis and pneumonia. “Meningococcal is horrible. Anybody who has meningococcal will say, ‘I wish I had gotten that vaccine,” Gelatt said. “Meningococcal starts off with flu-like emily puterbaugh / Photo symptoms, but then it develops very SHOT OF HEALTH: Registered Nurse Lynn Alexander gives a patient rapidly, and some people disregard it and a vaccination at the Hamilton County Health Department in Nobles- don’t get to a doctor in time. Meningococcal ville. The clinic offers vaccinations every Tuesday and Thursday from symptoms include having a severe headache, fever or a sore throat.” 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
by blaine herbst bherbst@hilite.org
By the numbers Chickenpox
This viral disease causes itchy blisters to form and can be spread from direct contact or in the air. Symptoms usually last four to five days.
4,000,000
Number of people who contract chickenpox each year in U.S.
Meningitis
The membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. The viral form is the most common and usually mild.
1,500
Number of cases of meningitis each year
Pertussis Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system. In the past few decades, the U.S. has seen a spike in the number of cases. Number of people who die each year from pertussis
30
kidshealth.org / source
Vaccinations will not be offered at the school but elsewhere. The Hamilton County Health Department will be offering vaccinations Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. until further notice, at a cost of $5 for one child and $10 dollars per family if people meet certain requirements. Students can also contact their personal physicians and doctors for the vaccinations and can go online to the State Department of Health’s website (isdh. in.gov), Hamilton County’s website (hamiltoncounty. in.gov), the Fight Meningitis website (fightmeningitis. com) or visit the health center here for more information on vaccinations. Robbins said, “I think people should be vaccinated, but I think it should be with more rationality behind it. I think the Zionsville incident is just an example of how the school has no control over anything. They can’t decide when people get certain sicknesses, but then they scramble to fix it by implementing silly rules.” Despite the frustrations this outbreak has brought students like Robbins, the Health Department still insists students get their vaccinations and paperwork done as soon as possible. Gelatt said, “I think we need to focus on what’s best for you. Let’s get it done.”
Page 6 | NEWS | hilite | HiLite.org | Oct. 20, 2010
At issue: College, grades and Testing
Advanced Placement program expands with new classes, increased enrollment by jerry xu jxu@hilite.org The Advanced Placement Program at CHS has been expanding rapidly over the past few years with the addition of new AP classes and the increase in the enrollment for AP courses. According to the College Board, which runs the Advanced Placement Program, the number of AP examinations taken has more than doubled between 2001 and 2010. Counselor Maria Cottone, while she acknowledges she didn’t have exact figures for CHS, said, “I think we have doubled in size in terms of the amount of tests given, but also the amount of students who are taking AP classes has increased.” Cottone said she attributes the increase in enrollment to a combination of two factors. “A lot of the reason behind (the increase), is probably, number one, the state of Indiana is requiring AP classes as one of the options to attain the Academic Honors Diploma, so more students are trying to do that,” Cottone said. “Plus, with the recession and the economic times, the more AP classes (students) take, if (students) can earn college credit here at the high school, an $87 test is a bargain compared to the three credits of college tuition.” Weighted grades also play a factor. According to Cottone, enrollment for AP World History, AP United States History and AP English Literature and Composition has especially increased. Freshman Edgar Hu, who is currently enrolled in AP World History, said the weighted grade was an important factor during scheduling.
At a quick glance 8%
2004
12.7%
10%
2008
19.9%
19.8%
2008
15.2%
25%
20.7%
10.4% 2009
2009
15.9% 0
5
Indiana U.S.
16.1%
2004
10
15
20
percent of high school students who earned 3+ on an AP exam
“I chose to take AP World (History) because it would bring my GPA up if I did well in it,” Hu said. “The difficulty of the class and the weighted grades would probably balance out, but getting a B+ in the class would still be better than getting an A in a regular class.” However, as a result of the influx of students taking AP courses, the number of low scores on the AP examination has also increased. “I do think that we have a larger distribution in
grayson harbour / photo
just dance: Students in AP Spanish literature perform a skit during class. The class was added this year to offer students an opportunity to study and analyze historical texts.
26.5% 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
percent of high school students who took an AP exam steven chen / graphic collegeboard.com/source
terms of lower scores,” Cottone said. “Some students are probably taking AP classes when maybe they shouldn’t be. They’re attempting to get the AP class under their belt for the Academic Honors Diploma and so I see more 1’s and 2’s (on a 5-point scale) than I have in the past.” Cottone said she thinks that the lower scores are a partially a result of students taking too many AP courses even when they are recommended for them. “I think that when looking at taking AP classes, (students) really need to consider the big picture,” Cottone said. “When students are going to schedule and they get recommendations from their teachers, the teachers will look at them individually for that one class. But if you have six teachers thinking that (the student) can handle the AP, then so what your big picture is six AP’s which would be too many for most students.” This year, AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature have been added to the curriculum. According to Crystal Brim, AP Spanish Literature teacher, the two courses specialize in two distinct areas of Spanish, which gives students new learning opportunities. There are a variety of differences between the AP Spanish courses and Spanish V, however; both classes are conducted almost entirely in Spanish and do not use the traditional system of tests and quizzes. “I would say the biggest change and sometimes challenge would be writing entire papers in Spanish,” junior Roy Chen, who is enrolled in AP Spanish Literature, said. “I have probably written more for this class than any of my other classes this year, including AP U.S. History. The vast majority of big grades are written analyses rather than the typical Scantron exams.” Despite the increase in students taking AP classes, Cottone said she still urges students to search for balance between their school work and extracurricular activities. She said, “So even though the AP classes are weighted, students need to be very careful not to get in over their heads and risk having a good transcript, and balance in their life because (students) have got activities to do.”
Oct. 20, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | NEWS | PagE 7
SAT scores show improvement The trend
Recently released scores from last year’s SAT test show the scores have increased in all areas of the test compared to the previous years’ scores. According to Assistant Principal Ronda Eshleman, the scores increased by 15 points in critical reasoning to 565, 6 points in mathematics to 582 and 4 points in writing to 550.
Reasons for change
AP enrollment as steadily increased, as well as the number of students who received a three or higher on the exams. These classes are directed toward the skills students can put into practical use on standardized tests.
Critical reasoning and writing skills are being stressed in all departments as well. These improvements are likely to be built upon in the future, as these skills are brought into middle school classes. Also, PLC late starts enable teachers to compare instructional effectiveness.
Effects on students
Students recognize the benefits and acquired skills obtained from the AP curriculum. Although many students are already seeking additional help for the SAT, administrators continue to stress the importance of earning a good score. Compiled by Kendall Harshberger kharshberger@hilite.org
Average SAT scores United States
Writing: 492 Math: 516 Critical Reading: 501
Texting in other states Indiana
Writing: 492 Math: 516 Critical Reading: 501
CHS
Writing: 550 Math: 582 Critical Reading: 565 Collegeboard.com / source
Read more Go online To view the full story and more on this school’s increasing SAT scores, go to hilite.org for more information.
Despite new policies, some students skip college by alex mackall amackall@hilite.org
P
resident Barack Obama’s American Graduation Initiative, announced in July 2009, is an attempt by the Obama administration to make the United States the country with the highest proportion of college graduates. Despite that push, senior Suzy Whited has decided that college is not for her. When she graduates, Whited will be on track to achieving her future profession without filling out a single college application. “I want to be a paramedic,” Whited said. “I’m still choosing a career path, I’m just taking a different route and going through a hospital.” Many people like Whited say a four-year college degree isn’t always the best option. Indeed, many people in the workforce have argued that some students aren’t cut out to attend college. Counselor Stephanie Payne, who has been a high school counselor for 13 years, said she believes all people are, in one form or another, cut out to further their education. “I don’t think that everyone is ready to (go on to college) at 18. There is a level of maturity that sometimes doesn’t kick in until people are in their twenties and maybe they have worked a couple of lousy jobs,” she said. “Now that doesn’t mean that they aren’t cut for college, it just means that maybe that’s not the best thing for them right at this very moment, when they are 18 and finish high school.” At this school, college has always been the majority option for students. According to the 2009-2010 profile put together by the counseling center, the class of 2009 had 85 percent of its students enroll in a four-year college and 11 percent enroll in a two-year college. This means that out of the entire graduating class, only 4 percent did not enroll in any further education. Payne said she agreed that the American Graduation Initiative wouldn’t affect this school’s numbers much. She said, “I know across the Indianapolis area, across the state and across the country, there are certainly lots of areas that are not so well educated. There is a lot of mentality out there that college isn’t a priority. So I think that probably what (Obama’s) initiative is going to do is put some efforts into those schools that are different from Carmel.” Whited said she first made the choice to not attend college when she had a first-hand experience with some paramedics. She said, “Two years ago I saw a car accident and had to stay as a witness. I saw the medics on scene and I knew from then on that that was what I wanted to do.” Whited said she has been preparing to become a paramedic by taking classes at the J. Everett Light (JEL) Center located behind North Central High School. According to Whited, the JEL program requires students training to be a paramedic must have eight hours in an ambulance and eight hours in the emergency room. Classes begin at 7:30 a.m. and last for three hours every day. Whited said after graduating she plans to volunteer at the Lapel Fire Department until she feels prepared enough to further pursue her career. When she feels she has the knowledge and experience, Whited said she will take the steps to become a paramedic. She said, “You have to find a hospital that has a good program, take a test to enter that, train for 13 months, then
Kathryn dawson / photo
Check Up: Senior Suzy Whited checks a nurse’s blood pressure. Whited said she plans to pursue a career as a paramedic rather than attending a traditional college after high school. you are required to go on a certain amount of each type of run before you can get your certification.” On the other hand, senior Tyler Hardcastle said he thinks a four-year college is the right choice for him and his future. He plans to major in psychology at Wabash College in the fall and admits that he sees both sides of the argument. “There’s a lot of pressure to make people go to college and not everyone is cut out for college,” Hardcastle said. “Some people should be going straight into work because for whatever reason school is not a good fit for them and they don’t enjoy it.” According to Whited, she thinks that this path is the better option for her rather than college because she has always learned better by physically doing things herself. “I can’t sit in a desk any longer,” she said. “I have always been a hands-on person.” However, like Hardcastle, Whited said she can also see both sides of the issue. She said when she is ready to slow down in life, she plans to go to college to learn nursing. According to Hardcastle, no matter a person’s circumstances they should not be forced into a decision one way or another. “Trying to convince people that they need to go to college is just going to mess people up,” he said. “They should be pursuing what they want to do and what they are able to do rather than what other people expect them to do.”
Page 8 | FEATURE | HiLite | hilite.org | OCT. 20, 2010
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College Representative The University of Illinois will meet today in the counseling center at 10:30 a.m.
Did you know?
The University of Notre Dame ranked as the 22nd most popular school among corporate recruiters Wall street journal / source
Want a job? State schools top list New survey shows corporate recruiters prefer one-stop shopping of state-school graduates BY tony tan ttan@hilite.org
S
enior Aaron Melemed’s high grades and standardized test scores, coupled with his involvement in extracurricular activities and volunteer programs, have given him serious potential to be accepted into an elite, highly selective school. Yet the only school Melemed said he is determined to attend is Purdue University. One specific factor in Melemed’s decision in attending Purdue rather than pursuing schools in the Ivy League is the number of job offers he’ll get after graduating. According to Melemed, corporate recruiting at Purdue will allow him to apply for jobs that Ivy League students usually only hear about. According to a survey published in the Sept. 13 issue of The Wall Street Journal, Melemed may These colleges be correct. The study, ranked as the best surveying 479 of the largest among corporate corporations, illustrates recruiters: a new trend in which recruiters for companies 1. Penn State prefer to concentrate on 2. Texas A&M large state schools instead of 3. University of more selective schools. Illinois at UrbanaDue in large part Champaign to the tough 4. Purdue University economic times, 5. Arizona State corporate recruiters University want to narrow the scope of their search to wall street journal / institutes where more source intensive partnerships can be formed. The study shows that out of the top 25 schools ranked by major companies in terms of undergraduate quality, only one name is an Ivy League school – Cornell University. The rest of the list consists of several state schools, including Purdue University at number four. This influx of corporate recruiters may result in a similar influx of applicants to state schools, including applicants like Melemed. Although Tanna Hanger, College Career Resource Center counselor, said she has not necessarily seen an increase in the number of students from CHS attending state schools because of corporate recruiters, she said she believes corporate recruiters should be considered an important factor for students’ decisions on college. According to Hanger, that corporate job the student gets upon graduation is a viable reason to choose a state college. “Students definitely want to know, when they graduate, that all (of their efforts) were worth something,” Hanger said. “Not only that, but some
Top 5
schools (such as those in the Ivy League) are competitive and hard to get into.” Specifically, Melemed said he is interested in the Professional Practice (Co-Op) Program featured at Purdue University’s engineering school – ranked second in engineering majors by the study in The Wall Street Journal. This program involves companies such as General Electric and government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Security Agency (NSA), which recruit directly from Purdue. “The student, after his first year of engineering, spends the next three or five years alternating between a semester of school and a semester of paid internship at the company. This makes Purdue students much more marketable after they graduate,” Melemed said. However, despite the numbers, state schools and corporate recruiters still might not have the same appeal
for others as they might for Melemed. Senior Ivy Yan, who also has an extensive academic history, said she does not consider state schools as important an option as those elite schools. Yan said she believes the benefits of corporate recruiters at state schools do not overshadow the reputation of the Ivy League schools. “It’s more of the people you meet at these (Ivy League) schools than the actual caliber of learning,” Yan said. “Professors everywhere are going to be very qualified, of course at the Ivy Leagues they’re going to be more so, but in general it’s more of the environment of the people you meet and the connections you get there.” According to Yan, corporate recruiters who concentrate on state schools look for students with more practically applied majors like engineering, a career path which Yan said she does not want to pursue. Instead, she said she could
Story continued on next page >>
College browsing: Senior Aaron Melemed picks a Purdue shirt off the clothes rack. Melemed said he plans to attend Purdue University even though he could qualify to attend an Ivy League school such as Harvard.
Kathleen Bertsch / Photo Illustration
OCT. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | FEATURE | PagE 9
<< Story continued from previous page make better connections at schools in the Ivy Leagues, which have more reputable programs for international relations. “I still feel that a degree from a place somewhere like Harvard still gets a lot of initial ‘wow’ factor,” Yan said. Greg Klimowicz, University of Pennsylvania student and co-founder of IvyAlly (a community which mentors college-bound students interested in the Ivy Leagues), said although it would be beneficial for one to think about what type of companies typically hire students from certain schools, he would not advise students to choose a school purely by virtue of corporate recruiters. “(Choosing a school) all comes down to what school is the right fit,” Klimowicz said via email. “I wouldn’t recommend students start their college search with where recruiters are at or based on college rankings. Start with identifying your interests and thinking about what types of things you want to study, not what you think an employer will find to be an impressive major. “I found my internship this past summer while attending a conference for Ivy League students. This company did recruit at Penn, but I was able to meet key people at a luncheon. In short, there are many ways to meet employers outside of formal recruiting programs.” Nevertheless, according to Melemed, there are many ways in which a corporate program at Purdue would benefit him and others.
“Corporate recruiters show me what corporations are out there and what companies I could potentially work for,” he said. “It gives me the opportunity to learn more about these companies and decide which ones I am interested in. Also, it gets my name out there. Through the Co-Op program, I could actually work with one of the companies. After the Co-Op program is over, I will have established myself with that company, and it will likely hire me. This gives me job security. The corporate recruiter can offer you a job interview you wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.” Klimowicz said, though, it was more important for students to study what interests them most. “My one piece of advice would be to find your ‘right fit’ school no matter what it’s ranked, study what gets you excited, and connect with many people. If you do what you love, you’ll be successful – and if you’re successful, employers will notice no matter where you go,” he said. Melemed said he agrees to this, and after factoring in the financial cost of and scholarship opportunities he can receive from Purdue, Melemed said he thinks he can justify going to Purdue rather well. “I want to go into engineering,” Melemed said. “More specifically, I am interested in aerospace engineering. I’ve loved outer space my whole life, and it’s the field that I want to go into. Plus, Purdue is one of the best in the nation (for those interested in engineering). Anyways, as long as you do well in a good school like Purdue, you can get into any graduate school.”
Jobs on the Decline In the United States, job openings in these professions are expected to decrease: Profession 1. News reporters and correspondents
Number employed currently
Predicted change in next decade
61,600
- 8%
2. Insurance underwriters
103,000
- 4%
3. Computer programmers
426,700
- 3%
4. Judges
26,900
- 3%
5. Chemical engineers
31,700
- 2% cnbc.com / source
Internet security
Facebook friends aren’t only ones checking you out by ryan zukerman rzukerman@hilite.org Ten percent of college admissions offices visit their applicants’ social networking sites during the admissions process, according to a 2008 survey of over 300 college admissions offices done by Kaplan, a test-prep company. Of the colleges that admitted to using social networking sites during admissions, 38 percent reported that what they saw had a negative impact on their views of the applicant. College representatives have also
1. Remove phone numbers and addresses from profiles.
This precaution not only improves general safety but also makes it increasingly difficult for colleges to search for you online.
ivywise / source danielle yin / graphic
reported an increase in the number of anonymous Google and Facebook tips they receive. These tips lead admissions to the content that is considered questionable or inappropriate, leading the rejection of several applicants. An April 2010 article in The New York Times also reported that teens are becoming wary of their Facebook posting, and are even changing their names to make it harder for colleges to find them on a search. Here is a list of ways for students to make sure that their social networking pages don’t swing their admissions decision in the wrong direction:
2. Use a friend filter.
By only accepting people as friends you directly know, it does not direct you to other teens. Accepting only the requests from people you know reduces the risk factor for general safety.
3. Use the ‘Grandparent Test.’
Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandparents—or college admissions officers— to see. This includes pictures, status updates, fan pages, comments and posts on other walls.
4. Untag yourself from questionable photos.
If you aren’t sure if a photo is questionable, untag to be on the safe side. Unfortunately, just untagging from a picture doesn’t remove it from the Internet. If the photo is inappropriate, ask the person who posted it to take it down.
Page 10 | FEATURE | HiLite | hilite.org | OCT. 20, 2010
Suspect: Deodorant Verdict: Acquitted
Suspect: Plastic
There is no evidence that deodorant causes cancer
Verdict: Not enough evidence to convict
Suspect: Food and Food packaging (Acrylamide)
There is not enough research to show chemicals in plastic cause cancer
Verdict: Not enough evidence to convict Although acrylamide might be a health hazard, there is no evidence it causes cancer.
Suspect: Artificial Sweeteners Verdict: Acquitted The US National Toxicology Program removed saccharin from its list of human carcinogens
Is cancer hype hazardous to health?
Conner Gordon / Photo cancer council / source
Increasing media coverage, awareness of cancer-causing agents may lead to over-reaction, ‘cancer-phobia’ BY Dhruti Patel dpatel@hilite.org
C
ancer is a six-letter word with which sophomore Bradley Ridge is all too familiar. When doctors diagnosed his mother with breast cancer two years ago, Ridge was forced to cope with the dreaded word, and all the emotion attached with it, through hospital visits and in his home. “Cancer is an evil to me. It’s something that happens,
unfortunately, but not something that anyone should have to deal with,” Ridge said. Ridge’s situation is hardly new to many Americans. More than 2.6 million people have been diagnosed with breast cancer since 2007, according to the American Cancer Society. Results of the study include informational campaigns, pleas for help and high-profiled attempts to raise awareness of cancer and all forms of prevention. Now that the public has become increasingly aware of cancer and its potential causes, one side effect might be an
unnecessary hype over less-researched causes of cancer, such as diet sodas and peanut butter, and may overshadow better-researched causes, such as the sun and smoking. According to Dr. Kenneth Lazarus, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and director of Riley Hospital hematology/oncology at Clarian North Medical Center, the over-reaction to carcinogens is not something that is necessarily increasing. “There are always going to be people who have what we call ‘cancer-phobia,’” he said, “and will be scared off by information about the link between the environment and cancer. However, people are better off when they are informed of these risks and it is beneficial overall,” he said. Lazarus said there is always a possibility of misinterpretation when publishing such information, but the coverage can also lead to positive results, such as self-inspection. “Serious fears can be developed over information that has been put out about cancer. However, there are phobias for everything. People are afraid to fly, afraid of spiders…but this isn’t a reason to stop researching and informing people of these risks,” Lazarus said. Ridge said although he is aware that he is still at risk of developing cancer, it isn’t something that is often on his mind. Because he is adopted, Ridge’s family medical history doesn’t concern him, and he does not take any environmental precautions to protect himself. Lazarus said the public should be aware of the more serious causes of cancer, such as smoking, obesity, tanning and ionizing radiation, which is exposure to radiation during activities such as X-rays. He said, “The exact nature of what foods and things in our environment and how they interact with each other in terms of causing cancer is still unclear. It is important to know about this potential risk, but other factors should be the most serious concern as of now”. Teenagers especially should take caution when it comes to the factors mentioned above. Lazarus also mentioned that cancer is the “disease of aging.” “What you do now impacts you as you get older,” he said. “Often teenagers aren’t aware of the future, so they put their future in risk. They smoke and tan because now it seems fine. But then you go to the hospital and you see those same people in 30 years on a respirator and with heart disease…It just shows you need to pay attention now to the consequences because it may not effect you now, but it will later.” But even though Ridge said he has heard the same advice that Lazarus gave, it is what has happened in his past that affects his choices for his future. Ridge said, “Cancer is something that is a huge impact on society today. It’s something that happens. It happened to my mom, but it’s something that no one should ever have to go through. If it does happen to me though, I’m prepared.”
How much do you know about carcinogens? 1. Which of these things is not a potential cause of cancer? a. sun tanning b. microwaving plastic containers c. alcohol
2. Which one of these three groups is at a higher risk to develop nonHodgkins lymphoma? a. people who dyed their hair prior to 1980 b. smokers c. people who drink more than 5 Diet Cokes a day
3. Which of the following is a benign tumor? a. craniopharyngioma b. multiple schlerosis c. papillomatosis
4. Can fluorinated water cause cancer? a. yes b. no
cancer.gov/source
1. b: This is not proven to cause cancer. 2. a: Studies show that chemicals in early hair dyes increased the risk of cancers. Manufacturers changed the chemicals in hair dyes in the 1970s. 3. c: Papillomatosis is a non-malignant growth of tissues in the larynx. 4. b: Although a 1990 study by the National Toxicology Program showed that people who drank fluorinated water were more likely to develop bone tumors, a report by the Center for Disease Control in 1999 stated there was no evidence that fluorinated water increased the risk for cancer.
Answers and explanations:
OCT. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | FEATURE | PagE 11
From here to there for less
With gas prices again on the rise, students, staff find ways to save on transportation student perspective
Teacher perspective
Junior Brian McDonald fuels car with vegetable oil By Adele Zhou azhou@hilite.org
up doing it. It worked really well and it was cool. And it worked really well so I decided to try it too. The one that he did died last year, so he got a new one and converted it again.
When were you first exposed to the idea of fueling your car with vegetable oil?
How long does it take to convert your car, what do you have to do?
My brother did one when he first got a car. He thought it was a really good idea, and it was a big priority for him in which car he was going to buy, and he ended
It’s basically two weekends worth of work with me, my brother, and my dad all working on it. It’s not a complicated process; all you have get into the fuel system and the coolant system and redirect it so that it goes through the separate vegetable oil tank, and we just put that in the trunk, so it kinda just took a bit of the trunk space. There’s that area for the spare tire, and the fuel tank fits in the little space where the spare tire would go, so we just don’t have a spare tire there anymore.
How much money do you think you have saved?
I mean, not much yet, since we haven’t had it for very long. I get like 27 miles to the gallon with that car, it’s pretty good. I’m not really sure how much I’ve driven on vegetable oil to save it, but I guess for every 27 miles that I drive on vegetable oil, I’d save about three dollars or three and a half dollars.
Where do you get the vegetable oil? I collect the vegetable oil from King’s Garden, a local Chinese restaurant. It is the oil they have already used, so they would be throwing it away, so they just give it (the bike). to me instead. Then I take it home and filter it, and it’s ready to go in the car.
Want more? Go online Brandon Candis / photo
ALTERNATIVE FUEL: Junior Brian McDonald fills up his gas tank with used vegetable oil. McDonald said he uses vegetable oil for economic reasons.
to read the rest of Junior Brian McDonald’s and art teacher Kevin Daly’s interviews
www.hilite.org
Kevin Daly uses bike for transportation By Adele Zhou azhou@hilite.org For how many years have you been riding your bike to school? It’s been five or six years now.
What made you make that decision instead of driving a car?
I’ve always enjoyed cycling. I have a personal belief: we Americans are lazy. I know people that will get in the car and drive a block, and to me, it’s just like, “Are you crazy? You’re going to drive when you can just walk there?” And I don’t like being lazy. Because I enjoyed cycling and they completed the (Monon) trail, I started riding my mountain bike to work, and it’s 10 miles. After the first year, I realized that I wouldn’t stick with it because it was just too uncomfortable. That bike is made for trail riding, not leisure riding, so I bought a recumbent, it’s the best toy I’ve ever bought myself, I love that bike. You Brandon Candis / photo can ask my wife. We’re down to one car right BIKE TREK : Art teacher now. We share a car but Kevin Daly wheels his bike she pretty much has it. I through the hallway before ride it everywhere, gro- school. Daly rides his bike cery store, take the dog for everyday to school because walks. If I can get there on he enjoys cycling. a bike, I ride my bike. I just prefer to be on the bike. The first year I stopped in the winter, ‘cause that made sense. Then I had a little conversation with myself, which was “Why are you not riding in the winter?” and the obvious answer was “It’s cold.” And then I told myself, “Well, you snowboard,” and I go out in the winter and cross country ski, so I had the clothes, so I thought, “Why don’t you wear your snowboard gear while you ride?” So that second winter I did, I geared up, and… snug as a bug. People are always like, “Oh my god, you’re crazy, you must be freezing.” And I’m like, “No, I’m not, I’m wearing mittens and goggles and masks and boots.”
oct. 20, 2010 | HiLite | hilite.org | STUDENT SECTION | Page 13
STUDENT SECTION Sharing Your Collectables
Other online submissions
Anne Woerner collects Tiki mugs from Tiki Farm To see more submissions, check our Facebook!
SGOEL@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news
We asked you what you collect. Here are the most interesting submitted responses Compiled by audrey bailey abailey@hilite.org
COLLECTABLE ITEM: American History Documents COLLECTOR: Leo Steve Biette, Freshman What and why do you collect?
I collect American historical documents from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. I collect them because they interest me and they are a part of history.
How did you start collecting?
My parents got me a newspaper from the civil war and then, since that, I’ve just gone to different book dealers across the nation and started building a collection.
How long have you been collecting these items?
I have been collecting historical documents for about two years now. All of them are originals.
What do you plan on doing with your collection later in life?
I plan on keeping my collection as long as I can and then eventually admitting them to a historical society.
How does collecting make you feel? Why do you do it?
It makes me feel like I have an important part in keeping American history alive, and I just enjoy it.
Crazy for cards: Sophomore Chris Metken diplays his collection of baseball cards. He has now been collecting cards for eight years.
COLLECTABLE ITEM: Baseball Cards COLLECTOR: Chris Metken, Sophomore What and why do you collect?
I collect baseball cards and I collect them because I enjoy baseball.
How did you start collecting?
I started collecting because I got a set as a gift and I just expanded my collection from that.
How long have you been collecting these items?
I have been collecting since I was eight years old, and now I’m 16, so eight years.
What do you plan on doing with your collection later in life?
I think if the time is right I would sell them, if not, I would pass them down to one of my children.
How does collecting make you feel? Why do you do it?
I do it because I enjoy seeing the new cards they make every year, and it’s something I can do in my free time.
Katie Bourgerie / Photos
preserving history: Freshman Leo Steve Biette shows off his collection of original historical documents. He has been collecting for two years now, and he collects anything ranging from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.
Page 14 | Student section |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | oct. 20, 2010
Haunted Hall ween
Topping the charts Most popular costume predictions for 2010
1. Lady Gaga
Congratulations to sophomore SARAH GIESEL (see bottom) for winning the raffle and Sour Patch Kids. Keep checking our Facebook for new opportunities to win.
2. The cast of “Jersey Shore” 3. Mark Zukerberg
5
9.9
$6
4. “Alice in Wonderland” characters 5. “Avatar” characters
Leo Biette, 9
6. “Toy Story 3” characters
7. “Ironman 2” characters $5. pack99 for a of co 12ke
8. Michael Jackson 9. “Twilight” saga characters 10. “Harry Potter” characters www.xomba.com / source
$1
Difference in customs
3.9
5
What are some unique holidays or traditions your family celebrates? Submit your responses on our Facebook page to enter our raffle for a large pack of Reese’s.
.95
9 $3
Zijazo Denny, 12
Sarah Giesel, 10
JEnna Ruhayel / Photos www.costumekingdom.com / source
DANIELLE YIN/ GRAPHIC
Page 16 | Cover story | HiLite | hilite.org | OCT. 20, 2010
Home Swee
et Home
Oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Cover story | page 17
As troops arrive home from Afghanistan and Iraq, military families celebrate. But there is an adjustment process to the awaited return of family members. By Henry Zhu hzhu@hilite.org
P
erhaps more than other students at this school, junior Jacob Zieba looks forward to the time he can spend with his parents. This is not particularly surprising, however, as his father recently returned from a year-long tour of duty in the Middle East earlier this summer. As soldiers continue to arrive home in the upcoming months, military families will have to adjust to the return of family members. For Jacob, adapting to his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homecoming presented multiple unexpected challenges. Story continued on next page >> Emily Puterbaugh / photo
Page 18 | Cover story | HiLite | hilite.org | OCT. 20, 2010
In the community
by one parent, and then suddenly the other one’s back and yelling at me too.” “My dad was in Afghanistan from August of last year According to Jacob’s mother Sherry Zieba, there was until he came back this July,” Jacob said of his father’s a transitional period following her husband’s return. She Local resources for U.S. veterans return. “When he came home, we were all relieved that he said the family initially treated Mr. Zieba more like a guest • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: was able to get back safely.” and tried to slowly ease him back into daily activities. provides benefits ranging from health care and Readjusting to civilian life after the initial euphoria, Additionally, the family scheduled a vacation to the pensions to disability benefits however, proved to be a challenge for the Zieba family. Pacific Northwest for some family bonding time, which • Vet Center “It was kind of weird when he came back Mrs. Zieba said helped bring the family assists soldiers and family members “toward a at first because he had been gone for such a closer together. successful post-war adjustment” long time,” Jacob said. “It took us a while to For freshman Allyson Messer, her dad’s • American Legion: get used to him being around again.” return from his service in Iraq in 2008 also offers programs and activities to “strenghten You’d come With President Barack Obama’s decision proved to be more difficult than anticipated. commitment to our nation’s grass roots” back and have to end “the American combat mission in Rather than the smooth transition Allyson • Veterans of Foreign Wars: Iraq” and to withdraw “nearly 100,000 U.S. to switch gears had expected, the family had to explain to supports and advocates benefits to veterans troops” from the country, experiences similar her father all the changes that had occurred because your www.va.gov / source to that of Jacob’s family are likely to increase in his absence. civilian and as soldiers return home from overseas. “We tried to take it one day at a time when father Jay Messer said the changes in his family during military lives are According to Natasha Allen, a readjustment he first got back from Iraq,” Allyson said. his absence caught him off guard. From the obvious so different. counselor at the Indianapolis Vet Center, “We were so used to him not being there that physical and emotional developments in his daughters to the difficulties Jacob’s family faced when his we really had to make an effort to reintegrate his own familiarity with military life, Mr. Messer said the Jim Zieba father returned are common among families him into the routine. I was so glad he was adjustment was more of a challenge than he expected. Afghanistan veteran with members in the military. finally back, but a lot of things had changed. I “For me, I was so used to the highly structured system “I can see how it can be weird for the kids didn’t know how to act or what to say around of the military that I had to adjust to a family system that for a parent that has been gone a long time him at first.” wasn’t as strictly structured, which took a while to do,” Mr. to suddenly come back and discipline them,” Allen said. Allyson said she felt fortunate that her father only Messer said. “Outside and sometimes inside the family, “It’s to be expected that there are some role conflicts and served a half-year tour of duty overseas during his 20 years everybody was so busy with their own lives that I got the disputes when the veteran first returns, and that’s what the in the military. mistaken impression that nobody cared or wanted to talk Vet Center is for.” Publicly released U.S. Army records show that over with me.” 13,000 troops have spent three to four cumulative years Pete O’Hara, veteran of the Persian Gulf War and social in Iraq or Afghanistan and, by the end of 2010, the war A Hero’s Homecoming studies teacher, said his experiences of returning from Iraq in Afghanistan will have become the longest war in the After an extended absence, the return of a parent from war in 1990 were remarkably similar to those of Mr. Zieba and nation’s history. is a joyous occasion and a relief for family members. For Mr. Messer. To go from the unyielding structure of military Though his tour of duty was relatively short, Allyson’s Jacob’s father Jim Zieba, one of the greatest memories about life to a more relaxed civilian existence, O’Hara said, is coming home was seeing his family for the first time in over a year. “I’ll never forget stepping off that plane and just seeing my whole family waiting there for me,” Mr. Zieba said of his return. “Once you experience something like that, it’s not something you’d ever forget.” Mr. Zieba’s experiences are quite common in this day and age. A recent article by USA Today indicates that the current generation of soldiers has served in combat longer than any other previous generation. According to research by the U.S. Army, nearly 47 percent of the nearly 300,000 active-duty enlisted soldiers have served multiple combat tours. For Mr. Zieba, the constant switching between two different ways of life was difficult to become accustomed to. “You’d come back and have to switch gears because your civilian and military lives are so different,” Mr. Zieba said. “We didn’t have too many disagreements though. I came back to fewer changes and conflicts than even I expected.” Though the transition went well in general, Jacob said there were some difficulties at first concerning the adjustment from one to two parents and issues with discipline and each parent’s roles. Emily Puterbaugh / photo “When it comes to discipline, it’s like I get double-duty punishment,” Jacob Sharing a moment: Junior Jacob Zieba and his father Jim Zieba share a conversation and a snack at the dinner table. Jacob said the said. “I got so used to getting yelled at family tries to take advantage of the time it has with Mr. Zieba when he is home from military duty.
<< Story continued from previous page
‘‘
”
Oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Cover story | page 19 difficult no matter what time period it is. O’Hara said the soldier often still thinks in military mode for the first few weeks after he or she returns. Despite all the difficulties, Jacob said the family appreciates Mr. Zieba’s return. While others may be used to the absence of a parent, Jacob said it is important to his family for everybody to be together. “My dad’s absences have led me to really appreciate it when everybody’s together again,” Jacob said. “We try to take advantage of the time he’s home and do a lot more things as a family to make up for the things he misses.”
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
For Jacob’s family, all the changes that occurred in Mr. Zieba’s absence exacerbated the difficulties upon his return. The most prominent of these, according to Jacob, concerned the family’s structure. “It’s a lot more hectic when Dad’s not around because we have a lot more chores and responsibilities,” Jacob said. “As oldest in the family, I had to drive my younger siblings around and take care of them when my mom was busy with the daily stuff around the house.” Mrs. Zieba said the sheer quantity of tasks during Mrs. Zieba’s absence often meant she needed help from other. It was hardest during Mr. Zieba’s earlier absences, according to Mrs. Zieba, because she had to balance being a single mother with her work. This often meant that Mrs. Zieba needed help from relatives in watching the children, but she said the early experiences helped prepare her for Mr. Zieba’s longer absences. For Allyson, she said the absence of a parent took an emotional toll on her. In addition to the increased responsibilities, she said she found it difficult to understand why her father had left and was frustrated by his absence. Allen said the more personal and emotional challenges of having a parent away, while different for each child, are hardly unexpected. “When a parent’s deployed, the child may act out because he or she doesn’t understand why their mom or dad is away,” Allen said. “It can sometimes be very difficult to explain the scenario to a child and help them understand.” According to a 2009 Seattle Times article, research has shown that the children of soldiers can also suffer from the effects of war. The number of so-called “military children” seeking outpatient mental health care doubled from 1 million to 2 million in the first five years of the war. In addition there was a 50 percent increase in the number seeking inpatient
By the numbers
It will take more than
6 months for
17
percent of veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan to land a job in the United States and
1 year to hire 10 percent of all veterans
society for human resource management / Source
emily puterbaugh / photo
Home at Last: Jacob and Mr. Zieba exchange a few words as the two watch television together. Jim said the transition from military life to civilian life was relatively smooth. help as well as a 20 percent increase in hospitalizations for mental health reasons. Alarming as these numbers are, the increasing ease of intercontinental communication has helped many, including the Zieba family, to stay in touch with faraway family members. “We talked to my dad more when he was in Afghanistan than when he was in Bosnia in 2004 because of the new technology,” Jacob said. “When he was (in Bosnia), we only called him every month or so, and this time we were able to Skype with him almost every weekend.”
The Times They Are a-Changin’
programs throughout the nation. Other than the improved support system, the biggest changes the Messers said they noticed were in the area of public opinion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Messer said much of the public is more respectful and appreciative of all the military does in comparison to the late 1980s when Mr. Messer began his service. Tom Blandford, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 100003 in Carmel and veteran of the Vietnam War, mentioned the differences in the reception of today’s soldiers and his own experiences returning from Vietnam. “Today’s soldiers come back to a far more positive environment—they’re treated as heroes and actually welcomed back,” Today’s Blandford said. “Back when we returned soldiers come from Vietnam, it wasn’t ‘hate the war, not the back to a far veterans’ but rather ‘hate the war, hate the more positive veterans’. I even ended up not acknowledging environment. that I was a veteran for many years.”
‘‘
New technologies are not the only changes that have taken place in the years that Mr. Zieba and Mr. Messer have been serving the United States. According to the two families, many of these changes have been positive. For Mr. Zieba, the most notable changes have revolved around the support system for veterans returning from war. He said the Tom Blandford military has been playing a more active role Consequences of Conflict Commander of the Veterans in assisting the soldiers and their families, Whether in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq of Foreign Wars Post 100003 which have largely been because of changes or Afghanistan, Blandford said wars leave a in society. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, lasting impact on the veterans who fight in Mr. Zieba said, raised awareness among the them and the families they leave behind. public of the sacrifices veterans make. “The experience of war leaves a mark on a person and “(The military) has done more to help people deal with his or her family that can last a long time if not forever,” the whole gamut of things,” Mr. Zieba said. “A lot of it’s Blandford said. “It’s really the soldiers and veterans that because people now know more about veterans’ issues due hate war the most because they personally know how to the wars and there are higher expectations among the horrible it can be.” public to care for the veterans. Before, there really wasn’t Despite all the hardships her family faced as a result of much support for veterans or their families.” her dad’s service in the war, Allyson said she is still thankful O’Hara said many of these changes may have been that everything turned out as it did. because of the change in how wars are fought. O’Hara, “My dad’s absence led me to mature a lot faster because who fought in the Persian Gulf War, said the more lengthy I had been through so much emotionally,” Allyson said. form of war has taken a psychological and physical toll on “Even though it was hard, I’m grateful it turned out as well as the soldiers and led to the development of stronger support it did and I wouldn’t change any part of that experience.”
”
Page 20 | Entertainment | HiLite | hilite.org |Oct. 20, 2010
Entertainment submitentertainment@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news
Boxed In
Upcoming Concerts:
• Ben Folds: Sat. at Clowes Memorial Hall • 3oh!3: Nov. 1 at the Egyptian Room at the Old National Center
Opening This Weekend:
• “Red” • “Paranormal Activity 2” • “The Prisoners”
This Halloween, say goodbye to expensive costume store choices and get hip with these square ideas
COMPILED BY MEREDITH BOYD AND LAUREN BURDICK mboyd@hilite.org, lburdick@hilite.org
Roll the die What you’ll need • • • • • •
A box A box cutter White tempera paint Black tempera paint Two medium-sized paint brushes Clear packing tape
What you’ll need:
How-to: • • • • •
Wrap it up
Paint box completely white Paint black dots on each side of the die Cut off bottom of box Cut hole in top for head and on opposite sides for arms near the top of the box Reinforce top of box with clear packing tape
• • • • • • •
How-to: • • • • •
emily puterbaugh / photos
A box A box cutter Strong tape Two rolls of wrapping paper Scissors The top of a gift box Bow
Cut off bottom of box Cut hole in top for head on opposite sides for arms Wrap box, cutting out areas with holes Wrap box top to wear as hat Attach bow to box top
oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Entertainment | PagE 21
Feeling boxy? Take this quiz to discover your true box identity. 1. When you get home from school, the first thing you do is?
a. Check your Twitter, Facebook, and any texts you missed in the last five minutes. b. Pick your wallet and head straight to the mall-Anthropologie just got new merchandise! c. Sit down with your iPod and start playing solitaire.
2. What is your favorite TV show?
a. The static can entertain you for hours. b. Anything showing home shopping; thank goodness for credit cards! c. Old reruns of the “Price is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune.”
3. What is your favorite song?
a. “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts (“Friends” theme) b. “Birthday” by The Beatles c. “Poker Face” by Lady GaGa
4. What is your favorite food?
a. Kid Cuisine, got to love those TV dinners b. Cake, especially of the birthday variety c. Domino’s Pizza
5. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
a. Hollywood, can’t get enough of those movie stars Wich should b. Minnesota,you Mall of be? America here you come c. Vegas, the ultimate game night
Mostly A’s? You’re ready to trick-or-treat in your TV costume Mostly B’s? Be a present for Halloween Mostly C’s? Break out the dice this October
Tune In! What you’ll need: • • • • • • • •
A large box A box cutter Black tempera paint Gray tempera paint Two wrapping paper rolls Painter’s tape Two large paintbrushes Silver Duct Tape
How-to: • • • • • • •
Paint box completely black Cut off bottom of box Cut hole in top for head and on opposite sides for arms Place painter’s tape in a square shape on front middle of box Paint gray square to represent TV screen Cover wrapping paper rolls with silver duct tape for “rabbit ears” Using duct tape, attach “rabbit ears” to both sides of the top of box
Page 22 | Entertainment | HiLite | hilite.org | OCT. 20, 2010
Feeling Frightened? Audrey Bailey categorizes and reviews her favorite haunting flicks for Halloween this year.
Suspense
Comedy
“Paranormal Activity”
“Young Frankenstein”
With the tagline, “What happens when you sleep?” “Paranormal Activity” gets screams for its plausibility. Filmed as if it were a creepy homemade documentary, this movie about a haunted house easily frightens viewers and makes them feel that they too are in the home of Katie and Micah. Even creepier is the fact that the main actors, Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, respectively, chose to use their own names in the film, as to become a veritable part of the haunted tract house. By utilizing mostly night vision, “Paranormal Activity” continues to leave its viewers with the perennial fear of turning out the lights at night. Here’s to sweet dreams.
Unlike the popular, scare-youto-death movies, this Halloween classic is ironically, a comedy. Featuring actors like Gene Wilder (Dr. Frankenstein), Peter Boyle (The Monster) and Marty Feldman (Igor), this film is guaranteed off the bat to be hysterical. “Young Frankenstein” is a parody of the well known novel and movie “Frankenstein.” However this time, Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) is trying to reconstruct his grandfather’s creation of life.
Sci-Fi
Gore
“Alien”
“Saw”
This extraterrestrial movie features Sigourney Weaver as the main character Ripley. Venturing into an unknown world, Ripley and a team of astronauts travel to space in a small mining ship after they are assigned to investigate a supposed SOS. However, they soon realize that there is more to fear than the vastness of space. When a supposed alien attaches itself to one of the crew members, all on board attempt to stay calm. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg for the perils of the crew, as all panicking parties try to stay alive while a vicious alien is on board and claiming victims by the minute.
In this case, all of the “Saw” movies are a great pair with the atmosphere of Halloween. Although most who watch this movie do not focus great attention on the plot or acting ability, there is still a story behind the madness. “Saw” is about a psychopathic killer called “Jigsaw” who kidnaps civilians and makes them play his agonizing game. In this case, every move counts and determines whether or not the victims get out alive.
Classic
Thriller
“Halloween”
“Disturbia”
This 1978 classic is a must-see for Halloween. Featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, “Halloween” is the perfect combination of suspense, thrill and most importantly, absolute horror. Michael Myers (Tony Moran), a psychotic killer since murdering his sister at age 6, strikes every Halloween. This time, an unsuspecting babysitter (Jamie Lee Curtis) is the next target. Only Myers’s psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasense), knows exactly what to expect from Myers that dreadful night. A must-see for anyone looking for an old-school scare this October.
“Disturbia” combines all the facets of a great teenage horror movie: high school students bored with school, troublemakers and a creepy neighbor. It’s the plot of the movie, however, that makes it so spine-tingling; just as the movie’s tagline reads, every killer lives next door to someone. In that case, it may make sense to close and lock all doors and windows next time you’re home alone.
Oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | Entertainment | PagE 23
Want to see your band in the HiLite? Contact us at submitentertainment@hilite.org. Watch for All Things Past in the next issue.
No Vacancy of Talent Each issue, the Entertainment section will profile one student band. This time, it’s Midnight Vacancy.
compiled by kush joseph kjoseph@hilite.org
Midnight Vacancy Band members
• Jack Andrews, lead guitarist and vocalist, Brian
Collings: supporting vocalist, guitarist, Peter Horton: bassist, Drew Cottrell: drums
Sounds like
• Manchester Orchestra, Against Me!
Go with the flow
• Andrews and Collings play both of their
guitars to the same melody, which, according to the band members, gives their music a distinctive flair.
What’s in the name
• “Peter and I were sleeping in the woods when a
golden phoenix delivered the name to us on a burning scroll,” Andrews said.
Venues
• Jewish Community Center, Clay Terrace, Es Jungle in Broad Ripple
Feeling the beat? To see more of our photos of Midnight Vacancy, visit www.hilite.org.
arjuna capulong / photos
NO VACANCY: Members of student band Midnight Vacancy play a set at the Global Giving Benefit Concert in May while their fans cheer them on. The band, which consists entirely of juniors, has been playing together since the summer before their freshman years.
Page 24 | SPORTS |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | Oct. 20, 2O1O
SPORTS Enough is Enough Go online
For sports scores, updates, additional photos and more.
submitsports@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news
www.hilite.org
Football
• Carmel v. McCutcheon, 7p.m. Friday
Indiana Pacers
• Begin regular season Oct. 27
Did you know?
The men’s tennis team won the State championship, finishing the season 21-0.
Jack Wright said goodbye to competitive high school athletics for recreational sports, joining a growing number of young student-athletes By Charlie Browning cbrowning@hilite.org
high school and hopefully college, too.” However, all of this changed for Jack during his sophomore year. Basketball was no longer something Jack enjoyed; instead, he said he saw it more as a chore. unior John “Jack” Wright received a Little Tikes “It was like a job for me,” Jack said. “Basketball felt like basketball hoop from his mom at age 3. For the next 12 something I had to do instead of something that I wanted years, his life was dedicated to playing basketball. to do. (Basketball) was so serious all the time and just “I’ve loved basketball ever since,” Jack said. “During wasn’t fun anymore.” elementary school and middle school, basketball was fun, Jack’s experience isn’t unusual. According to the and I always thought that I wanted to keep playing through National Alliance for Youth Sports, over 70 percent of kids who begin playing sports competitively at a young age quit by the time they are 16 years old, despite their years of preparation of hard work. Scott Heady, this year’s new head basketball coach, said he empathizes with kids, like Jack, who decide to quit playing competitively after being involved with that sport for the majority of their life. “The demands on kids as they move up to higher levels of competition are much greater from the standpoint of general expectations and time commitment,” Heady said. “But at some point, kids still have to be kids.” Jack remained on the team for the rest of his sophomore year because of his parents’ encouragement to stick it out one more year. This year, though, will be different. For the first time in seven years, Jack will not put on a Carmel basketball uniform. “(Jack) had told us during the season that he was not having any fun at all and didn’t think he wanted to go out his Junior year,” Susan Wright, Jack’s mother said. “Our first reaction was sadness because we saw that he wasn’t happy.” “My parents were really supportive of me, and they understood that I just wasn’t having fun playing basketball anymore,” Jack said. Mrs. Wright, the woman responsible for getting her son interested in basketball, said she has always encouraged her son to play, but only as Mary Brooke Johnson / photo long as he was happy doing it. PASSIONATE PLAYER: Kicking a corner kick, junior Jack Wright attempts “(My husband and I) would have loved for Jack to continue playing to create a scoring opportunity for his teammates. Wright’s team lost in basketball on the high school team, but the quarterfinals of the “Gold Cup” tournament.
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not at the expense of his happiness,” she said. After his sophomore season ended, Jack entered former Head Coach Mark Galloway’s office for one of the many times during his career. This time, though, was his last. “The day I quit was one of the better days of my life,” Jack said. “I walked out of the basketball office with both of my hands in the air. It was like a huge weight that had just been lifted off of my shoulders.” Heady said he believes coaches play a major role in how much kids enjoy their sport, and they can do a lot to help keep the kids from burning out. “I try to be conscious about keeping guys fresh,” he said. “We start preseason conditioning nine weeks before our first practice, so you have to be conscious of making sure guys get a break. The goal for any coach is to have their team fresh when their postseason arrives.” Mrs. Wright said she agrees with Heady that the coach plays a crucial role in the athlete’s enjoyment of the game. “Coaches spend a lot of time with the kids on a team,” she said. “Coaches’ comments are heard day after day by the players. If you have a coach who is very encouraging, very positive, up-beat, treats you with respect, then that kid will have a positive experience. On the other hand, if you have a coach who is not encouraging and negative, then that kid will not have a positive experience. Every child on a team, whether a starter or on second string, deserves encouragement and respect.” This fall, Jack has not attended any basketball workouts or prepared for tryouts. Instead, he said he spent most of his time playing Carmel Dads’ Club soccer. “(CDC) is a lot more fun for me,” he said. “It’s less competitive, there are less practices and you get to pick your teams, so the entire experience is less stressful than playing for a school team.” Seth Dobberstein, CDC recreational athletic director, said he thinks CDC is a good alternative to competitive high school sports.
Story continued on next page >>
Keep playing Carmel Dad’s Club Soccer • Open to grades 9-12 • Spring and Fall seasons • Co-ed teams
Carmel Dad’s Club Basketball
• Open to grades 9-12 • Special option for freshmen boys to participate in a freshmen-only league • Separate boys and girls leagues • First game is Dec. 4 Carmeldadsclub.org / source
Oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | SPORTS | PagE 25
FROM THE staff
Matt
Barnthouse
Tough Love. Support the Pacers before it is too late, with unthinkable consequences
The Indiana Pacers are rebuilding, that should be a surprise to no one, they’ve been doing it for a while now. However, that does not mean we need to stop going to games. If the people of Indiana continue to ignore Pacers games, we may suffer a similar fate to the citizens of Seattle when their Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City (team name is now Thunder). Seattle is still hurting from the loss of their NBA franchise. According to noted economist Lon Hatamiya, the Seattle Supersonics gave Seattle 1,300 full and parttime jobs a year. Hatamiya also found that the Supersonics generated an average of $187,842,290 into the Puget Sound (Parts of Washington and Canada) area. Hatamiya estimates that Seattle loses, and Oklahoma City gains $171,737,588 annually. This staggering amount of income may be deadly for Indiana if the city is to lose the Pacers. Rumors of a possible Pacers move to Kansas City, MO floated up in the spring of 2009 due to the dwindling fan base and financial troubles of the Pacers. The possible move has since been delayed due to the Capital Improvement Board paying $33.5 million over three years to keep the Pacers in Indianapolis. Fans from Indiana have been proven through the years to be fair-weather fans time and time again. Before the
Peyton Manning era, when the Colts were a losing team, locker room vanished, and recurring incidents with the people were on their hands and knees begging people to law with players like Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson took go to games, but now that they are winning, it costs an arm hold of the team. Still, though these players constantly got and a leg to even get seats in the nosebleed section. in trouble with the law, fans still came to Pacers games The Pacers have been going into similar because they were winning. turmoil ever since the infamous 2004 PacersThe Pacers have since attempted to Pistons brawl that left the team in shambles. rectify the situation. In 2007, Pacers Citizens in central Indiana had the opportunity president of basketball operations Larry This staggering to redeem themselves and continue going to Bird, sick of his players’ constant brushes amount of games through the losing seasons, but once with the law, had shipped all of their income may again, they failed. talented but poor-character players to prove deadly if The Reggie Miller era of the Pacers was different teams for high character but the city loses that team’s golden age. Fans expected annual mediocre talent players. Even though trips to the playoffs, and sold-out games the Pacers had cleaned up their image, the Pacers. were nothing out of the ordinary. When they started losing games left and right. Matt Barnthouse Miller played for Indy, the team had five When they started losing, fans stopped trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and coming to games. The Pacers financial one trip to the NBA Finals. With all these crisis began. victories, money poured into the Pacers The bailout gives fans three years to bank and enjoyed an economic boom that would last show the support of the Pacers before a final decision is for 18 years. made. We need to keep the Pacers in Indiana in order to Fans seemed very loyal during those 18 years, and it save the city’s blossoming economy. We need to make the seemed the Pacers would have dedicated fans for life. most to keep the Pacers in Indianapolis, as we won’t know However, just before Miller retired, the leadership in the how important they are until they are gone.
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<< Story continued from previous page “We try to make our high school leagues as enjoyable as possible,” Dobberstein said. “We try to meet most requests at this age group. Requests are mostly to play with friends and that is why I think someone would want The demands to quit a CHS team and play on kids as they for CDC. They want it to be move up to enjoyable.” higher levels Just because he is not of competition playing basketball for the school anymore does not are much mean Jack has quit altogether. greater from “I’m looking forward to the standpoint playing CDC basketball and of general intramurals during the winter,” expectations Jack said. “I know I’ll probably and time get a little worse because I won’t commitment. be practicing as much, but that But at some doesn’t really matter to me as long as I’m having fun.” point, kids still In a few weeks, the basketball have to be kids. team will conduct tryouts. This Scott Heady year, though, there will be one Men’s head basketball coach less returning player. Instead of preparing for tryouts, Jack said he is getting ready for what he hopes to be a fun and relaxed basketball season. “It’s going to be really different,” Jack said. “But I’m looking forward to playing with my friends and just having fun.”
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TOTAL DOMINATION: Getting in position to trap the ball, junior Jack Wright attempts to lead his Carmel Dad’s Club soccer team to victory. Wright said he has decided to play Carmel Dad’s Club sports this year instead of playing on the high school team in order to have more fun.
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By the numbers High School Men’s Basketball Players • 546, 335
Senior High School Men’s Basketball Players • 156,096
NCAA Basketball Players • 16,571
NCAA Freshman Basketball Players • 4,735
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High School-NCAA • 3.0%
NCAA- Professional • 1.2%
High school- Professional • 0.03% Mary Brooke Johnson / photo
NCAA / source
Page 26 | SPORTS |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | oct. 20, 2010
Concussions on rise here
Like their professional counterparts, athletes at this school risk head injuries. New procedures help to evaluate severity of damage.
By James benedict jbenedict@hilite.org
J
onathan Prather, varsity football player and senior, hits the ground, Hard. His world goes dark around him as he hears the muffled sounds of the referees’ whistles blowing. “It was scary. It all just went black,” Prather said describing the concussions he received during the Homecoming game against North Central. Administrators and coaches have said they recognize the risk involved in playing contact sports, but that doesn’t mean they are responsible for the injury. The athletic handbook states, “Due to the nature of athletic activity… injury may occur. While the school provides the opportunity for such participation, the parent retains the right of denial of such participation and must carry the responsibility for When to see a doctor Signs and symptoms providing medical care and insurance • Prolonged headache or • Confusion coverage for their son or daughter.” dizziness • Amnesia Athletics Director Jim Inskeep • Vision or eye • Headache said even though Carmel does not disturbances • Dizziness assume liability for injury, it does • Nausea or vomiting • Ringing in the ears provide certified athletic trainers • Prolonged memory loss • Nausea or vomiting to help keep players healthy or help • Ringing in the ears • Slurred speech them recover from an injury. • Loss of smell or taste • Fatigue Due to increased information over the long-term damage of concussions, The IHSAA has changed its policy. James Benedict, tim lu / photo illustration For its part, CHS has brought in mayo clinic / source Todd Arnold, a physician with the INELIGIBLE LINEMAN: Standing on the sideline, senior football player Jonathan Prather is ruled unable to practice for an indefinite St. Vincent’s sports medicine team; amount of time due to concussion he suffered in the Homecoming game. Prather is a first-year starting offensive lineman. to clear any player that has received a concussion while competing in a Carmel sponsored sport. Inskeep said minutes) all the way up to full contact (full practice).” been here.” club sports do not receive any help from CHS training staff. Prather said he went to visit Arnold the day following his Prather said he received his concussion while trying to He later said Carmel would not hold back when it comes injury and was told he had a concussion. Prather’s test after tackle a defensive back returning an intercepted pass. “He to helping student athletes, who participate in sponsored caught a interception before the half. As I started to break sports, with their safety. Story continued on next page >> down (for the tackle), I was blindsided. My chinstrap “Our students’ health is of the top priority, we are snapped off (but stayed on my head) and I hit my head. I fortunate to have great professionals in the 11 years I’ve got back up but didn’t remember anything.” Prather said he couldn’t remember anything 15 minutes after the hit. According to the Mayo Clinic temporal memory loss is a common side effect of a concussion and Current rates of concussions a sudden blow to the head is the most common cause of a per 100,000 games or practices concussion because it shakes the brain against the skull, Initial symptoms causing the temporal loss. • Confusion • 47 for football If left untreated, a concussion can lead to long-term • Disorientation • 36 for girl’s soccer memory loss and decreased brain function. Prather said • Dizziness • 22 for boy’s soccer he would not have any long term side effects from his • Nausea • 21 for girl’s basketball concussion. • 18 for wrestling Athletics trainer Skilled Dawn Ellington said via e-mail, Post-concussion symptoms Playmaker: Pushing • 10-21 for girl’s lacrosse “Athletes are given the imPACT pre-concussion screening • Difficulty with memory or concentration past his defender in an attempt • 7 for softball prior to participation. If they receive a concussion, they • Depression • 7 for boy’s basketball to reach the ball, senior Nate are sent to see a physician to be evaluated,” she said. “The • Impaired judgment • 5 for boy’s and girls’ volleyball Snyder an offensive threat. physician will order follow upisimPACT tests to assess their • Behavioral issues or personality changes • 5 for baseball Snyder helped a progress. Once the physician clearsthe theHounds athlete, post we (the victory over Lawrence training staff) begin 6-0 a functional progression forNorth. return kessler Institute/ Source Sports Concussion Institute/ Source to sport. This begins with mild activity (bike riding for 20
Signs of a concussion
By the numbers
oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | SPORTS | PagE 27 feel fine, pass two physical tests and pass a mental test. Prather returned to practice on Oct. 12. He was gradually the hit showed a decrease in brain function compared to his reintroduced into practice to prevent any further injury. benchmark tests given in the preseason, Prather said he thinks he will and further test were ordered. be OK but understands there will Ellington said that a certified be consequences as a result of his medical doctor must clear the athlete concussion. He said, “I think it Once (athletes) have… before he can practice again. Ellington was detrimental to me both as a passed a function said it is up to the doctor and player on player and as a student…not only progression, I feel they when that happens. did I miss two weeks as a player my are safe to play. “Once they have been cleared by senior year, which is precious time the physician and passed a functional and memories, but also I missed Dawn Ellington progression, I feel that they are safe to two weeks as a student because I Athletic trainer play,” she said. was to rest my brain which means Before he is allowed to participate in minimal studying.” practice again Prather said the doctors told him he must
<< Story continued from previous page
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Concussion treatment Past • • • •
Five to 15 minutes of rest Basic vision test Memory test Ultimately player’s discretion
Present • Test of cognitive functions • Immediately removed from game and cannot return until cleared by a health-care professional • ImPACT Test (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) NCAA / source
football
Tournament time the Wright way As the football team enters Sectional play, players adjust to new coach, new style By Olivia Walker owalker@hilite.org As the football team enters this year’s tournament trying to reach the State Final for the fifth year in a row, it comes with a big change in leadership. Kevin Wright took the position of head coach this year after the previous head coach, Mo Moriartity, left to take a job at IU. And while the Greyhounds record is the same as it was last season, Wright’s manner of coaching, according to his assistants and players, is drastically different. Corey Diehl, varsity football player and senior, was on the team last year. He compared the philosophies of the two coaches. “Coach Wright’s probably more subtle,” he said. “Coach Mo got more fired up. He definitely got into your face more when you made a mistake, while Wright talks to you about it. But both of them are great coaches, and both of them may have had different techniques but they got the job done on the football field.” According to Diehl, Wright works on improving the team’s weaknesses. However, in addition to changing and improving the team’s playing style, Diehl said Wright also strengthens his team outside of the playing field. “We have some new traditions that help the team out a lot,” Diehl said. New traditions include activities such as the walk down the trail to the stadium after dinner and presentations from motivational speakers that Wright will occasionally bring in. In addition to bringing in speakers to motivate the players, Wright also does his best to motivate and connect to the players himself. According to Wright, the coach-player relationship is very important. “I think that it is important to develop great
relationships between players and coaches, which…I believe was already in place here at Carmel,” he said. “The tough part for me was getting to know all the kids, so I gave them my cell number our first meeting and told them if they ever needed anything to give me a call. I really wish I had more time with this group of seniors because they are an outstanding group of kids, and whenever there is a coaching change it is usually toughest on seniors. When I was hired in May, I sat down with each senior and at least tried to get to know a little about each of them personally.” According to players like Diehl, it is actions like these that help players feel close to Wright. “He’s a very approachable guy,” Diehl said. “Coach Wright has talked to me several times about things not related to football. This strengthens the relationship between player and coach.” According to Assistant Coach John Hebert, although the personalities and styles of the two coaches are different, both methods are successful. “They are really different in the way they interact with the assistant coaches and the players, their personalities are different,” Hebert said. “Coach Wright is probably more outgoing, but they both have a real strong connection with the players, in a different way. Coach Wright really enjoys dialogue, so he encourages kids to approach him with concerns that they have. I think that makes a lot of people more comfortable. Coach Mo, I think he had a different way of interacting with the kids. I think he joked around a lot, but then people knew when he was serious too. So, different dynamics, but obviously by the results they are both effective.”
lizzy grubbs / photo
WRIGHT ON TRACK: Head Coach Kevin Wright yells out instructions to his team during the Homecoming game on Sept. 24. He said he aims to continue the string of success that the football team has come to expect.
Page 28 | perspectives | HiLite | hilite.org | Oct. 20, 2010
PERSPECTIVES submitperspectives@hilite.org | twitter.com /Hilite_news
Check out the blogs: For blogs and more, visit the HiLite website at www.hilite.org.
Have an opinion?
To be featured as a guest writer in the next issue, send your own column to perspectives@
hilite.org.
Staff Perspective
Students should appreciate in-state colleges
As college application deadlines approach, deciding on which colleges to apply to. talk among seniors focuses almost excluFirst, Indiana’s public universities have sevsively on colleges to which they are applying. eral nationally-recognized programs. IU’s Kelley Even underclassmen join in on this discusSchool of Business consistently ranks among sion of colleges, conversing about which the top business schools in the U.S. For the universities they’d like to 2010 school year, Businessattend. A large number of Week ranked IU’s undergraduate students will look for out-ofbusiness program as 19th in state colleges in order to gain the nation. Additionally, Purdue new experiences and fresh University’s engineering school starts; however, students ranks ninth nationally, according With college should not overlook in-state to U.S. News and World Report, public universities. Although and Ball State’s journalism and application perhaps lacking the perceived architecture schools have been deadlines coming prestige that the some of the nationally ranked at the top as best Ivy League schools offer, up soon, students well. These universities have proIndiana’s in-state universities comparable to top private should not discount grams are still great institutes of schools that are virtually right the many benefits higher learning that students next door to students. should consider. Furthermore, Indiana’s and opportunities State schools have often schools have also seen a rise in available at in-state, National Merit Scholars in their been fall-back choices for many here--afterthoughts bodies. In 2009, IU had public universities. student that aren’t really given much an increase of 37 percent in Nacredence by students. But tional Merit Scholar attendees, students should take note that in-state public meaning more academically strong students are universities are actually much better than they going to public universities. Public colleges also think. In fact, in-state universities offer many have one big advantage: the large student body. benefits over their out-of-state private counterHaving a large student body allows universities parts that students should be aware of when to provide a more varied selection of academic
Our Stand
programs. IU alone offers around 180 majors and 330 degree programs. For students who are still unsure of what career direction they want to pursue, these colleges may be much better choices for them to explore. On top of the great education that is available, public in-state colleges are better financially. The average cost of tuition and fees for in-state public colleges is $7,020. For private universities, the cost is $26,273, over triple the in-state amount. And as always, public universities offer large amounts of money in scholarships and financial aid to students who need it. Of course, this is not new information, but the financial benefits after graduating from college is. According to a 2009 study conducted by the Wall Street Journal, companies prefer to recruit from large state universities rather than smaller Ivy League schools in order to obtain people with more practical skills to fill entry-level jobs. For these reasons, students should understand that colleges in Indiana are much better options for them than many people suggest. They provide top-quality education and make more sense financially. While students search for colleges, they should appreciate what is available in their own backyard and accept these schools to be as legitimate choices as their out-of state private counterparts.
Speak Up
If money wasn’t an issue, which college would be your dream school? “Stanford because it has great weather and it has a good child psychology program.”
“Oxford University. You have the opportunity to participate in things that aren’t really available in the United States.”
“Anywhere in New York because I love being in big cities. It has a cool atmosphere and it’d be a nice place to be educated.”
compiled by dhruti patel
Sophomore Ethan Coombes
Senior David atkinson
Junior Amy Whittle
Oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | perspectives | Page 29
Graphic Perspective
From the Editor
Sara
Rogers Believing in allegiance: Why to honor every veteran this year citizens to serve, including Canada, Britain and Israel. With 12 years of public schooling under my belt, I have a Britain’s Ministry of Defense reported to the New certain 31-word oath permanently etched into my brain. York Times in 2007, saying they had not experienced Turned toward the flag with right hand over my heart, I major incidents of “harassment, discord, blackmail or have mindlessly recited the Pledge of Allegiance well over bullying, nor any erosion of unit cohesion or military 2,000 times in my life. Without much thought, I obediently effectiveness” since allowing homosexuals to serve in stood next to my peers in honor of the United States. This the armed forces in 2000. year, however, I feel differently. In fact, according to a 2010 report by the Palm It is difficult for me to salute a country that falsely asserts Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, itself as providing “liberty and justice for all.” allowing openly homosexual As of last month, that phrase is soldiers may actually improve clearly invalid. On Sept. 21, the Senate efficiency by limiting tension failed to pass the Defense Authorization and secrecy. After consulting Bill, which included a repeal to the the armed forces of various outdated “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. countries, the Palm Center The law, signed in November 1993, The Bill of Rights reported “increased focus on requires the discharge of all openly grants equal protection behavior and mission rather homosexual servicemen and women in to all citizens, male than identity and difference” the military. or female. Black or as well as “an enhanced respect Since 1997, the first year the white. Heterosexual for privacy” and “an improved Pentagon recorded data, the policy has command climate.” The evidence or homosexual. So on led to the release of over 11,000 service for lifting the “don’t ask, don’t members. Activists groups, estimating Veteran’s Day, when I stand tell” policy is overwhelming. from 1993 to the present, set the in recognition of all those Only the United States and number at around 14,000. So in the past who defended this country, Turkey have retained bans on 17 years, 14,000 men and women, ready I will do so in gratitude for homosexuals in their military. and willing to defend the United States, all veterans. Surely, the “leaders of the free became veterans unwillingly because of world” should follow suit and outright bigotry. I struggle to find the adapt to a changing culture. “liberty and justice” in this practice. In fact, as a nation built upon Any American citizen, man or acceptance, haven’t we fallen behind? woman, should be allowed to serve and protect the country This year, the Servicemembers Legal Defense without discrimination or persecution based on sexual Network (SLDN) will encourage citizens to participate orientation. How homosexuality firmly relates to effective in the “Honor Every Veteran” campaign in order service is apparently beyond me. As a journalist, I am to promote acknowledgement of those veterans challenged to analyze every source or bit of information discharged through “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” for relevance. This ultimately leads me to question the I hope everyone, especially members of my pertinence of the policy. generation, will choose to follow the lead of the If estimates by The Williams Institute, a legal group SLDN. All those who put their lives of on the line to focused on the advancement of sexual orientation law and defend Americans and American freedom deserve policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, are recognition on Veterans Day. If America is the free correct, then approximately 13,000 homosexual soldiers and just country it claims to be, acceptance would not are currently serving. For every one of these troops be an option; it would be a standard. discharged, the military spends an additional $22,000 to The Bill of Rights grants equal protection to all $43,000 for a replacement. By practicing such an ignorant citizens, male or female. Black or white. Heterosexual policy, America is increasing its already insurmountable or homosexual. So on Veteran’s Day, when I stand in debt. Again, I fail to see the validation for such a costly, recognition of all those who defended this country, I literally and figuratively, practice. will do so in gratitude for all veterans. With my hand The original press release by the Department of Defense, over my heart, I will recite that familiar pledge in published after the policy’s enactment, stated, “sexual hopes that soon that last line will reign true. orientation is considered a personal and private matter…” Maybe, just maybe, I will believe that America can If that is so, I fail to see why it was ever regarded as such a be a place full of “liberty and justice for all.” prominent issue. In a country that prides itself on tolerance, there is certainly room for improvement. Sara Rogers is the editor-in-chief for the HiLite. Contact As a progressive nation, we must repeal this outdated her at srogers@hilite.org. policy. Today, 25 countries allow openly homosexual
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DANIEL LI / Art
Page 30 | perspectives | HiLite | hilite.org |Oct. 20, 2010
from the STAFF
Marianna
Cooper Seniors: Avoid bias to in-state versus out-of-state universities I am applying to 12 universities, only two of which are instate schools. Each time I share this information with a fellow senior, I hear the same response: “But those schools are so expensive!” Well, thank you, everyone, for your concern; I am fully aware of the tuition fees at out-of-state schools. Yet outof-state schools should not be written off due to their tuition. Although the sticker price of a school can be intimidating, students should avoid partiality to either in-state or out-ofstate universities. When broken down, tuitions of the two types of schools can actually be compared. A common misconception labels colleges that do not offer merit-based scholarships as unaffordable. However, schools can still be affordable without merit-based aid or private scholarships. To compare the cost of in-state and out-of-state colleges, I will use Indiana University as a benchmark for instate tuition. According to IU’s website, the cost of tuition and fees along with room and board range from $16,298 to $18,901, without automatic scholarship. First, universities have been offering more need-based grants, according to the U.S. News & World Report (2011). Schools that range widely from location to prestige are offering need-based aid to a larger percentage of applicants. At Northwestern University, for example, 41 percent of students received grants based on need in the 2009 to 2010 school year. These grants lowered the average annual cost of tuition 50 percent to about $27,000. Although this twenty-
some-thousand dollar price tag is still far larger than the nor college loans are the favorable form of payment. When in-state cost of IU, 50% off the cost of college is nothing to my older brother went through the college admissions and overlook. Furthermore, grants like these are not limited to financial aid process two years ago, he was offered more aid one type of university. Pepperdine University, the University from schools where he was qualified just over the average of Southern California, Vanderbilt University and the applicant to stand out. The universities wanted him at their University of Miami, to name a few, school and communicated with my have offered need-based financial aid family to find a financial aid package to more than 40 percent of applicants. that worked. To make up for the remaining From this experience, I would advise $10,000 difference between the cost students to take the chance and apply. Although the sticker of IU and most out-of-state schools, Undoubtedly, the many applications price of a school the Free Application for Federal and steps to maximizing financial aid can be intimidating, Student Aid (FAFSA), also offers aid contribute to a complicated process. based solely on financial need. Any Work through tedious financial aid students should avoid U.S. citizen enrolled in college will applications. Communicate with partiality to either automatically qualify for a low-cost financial aid advisers from your topin-state or out-of-state Stafford Student loan of at least $5,500 choice schools. The result may be a universities. upon filing a FAFSA. price that your family finds affordable. For those students at the top of Finally, I would urge that seniors and their graduating class, Ivy League their families would be neither partial universities have cut their costs. In to in-state nor out-of-state universities. 2007, Harvard University capped family contribution to The best financial fit for your education could lie in either only 10 percent of the annual tuition for those households category. with income less than $180,000. Other Ivys, including Yale, Brown and Columbia soon followed suit. Marianna Cooper is a videographer for the HiLite. Contact her For most families, though, neither Ivy League schools at mcooper@hilite.org.
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Graphic Perspective
Alex Mackall / Art
Oct. 20, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | perspectives | Page 31
From the STAFF
Contact information
Lauren
Burdick Student success hinges on teachers’ passion On Sept. 24, Oak Forest Elementary School in Jackson, over what students learn. The abolition of tenure pay will MS became the only school in its school system to take bring with it the opportunity for the concerns of parents to part in a performance-based compensation pilot program. be heard by the leaders of schools, and ideas about teachers Along with nine other schools in eight Mississippi school can be implemented more easily. districts, Oak Forest will evaluate its educators on their Additionally, merit-based pay, all teachers will work level of teaching, rather than the number of years they in toward the greatest success in their classrooms in order which they have served. This pilot program represents the to increase their paychecks. As the number of students necessity that is the end to tenure, as apathetic teachers only achieving above average grades in a teacher’s classroom hurt their students by striving for less than their best ability. increases, their pocketbooks will inflate proportionally. The same day, the Davis Guggenheim documentary Waiting While the National Education Association and American for Superman premiered in theaters, describing America’s Federation of Teachers strongly oppose switching to a meritpublic school system as an “academic based pay system, it should be at the sinkhole,” in no small part due to the hands of the school administrators to tenure system. distribute pay according to talent. MeritWhile this is certainly not to based pay makes sense on principle: disparage the fundamental education a teacher with 50 percent of students I have received in the Carmel-Clay Tenure surely holds some failing does not deserve the same size School system, it is the few “less-thanpaycheck as a teacher with 90 percent of amount of job security motivated” teachers that have afforded students receiving a passing grade. In a for all educators, but its me the greatest amount of stress in my time when education is at the forefront cases of abuse occur years as a student. Tenure surely holds of many midterm political debates, the often, leading to a lack some amount of job security for all focus should be kept on the students of instruction and stress educators, but its cases of abuse occur and their ultimate success. for students expected to often, leading to a lack of instruction I hold no false precedents; I master material without a realize just how lucky I am to attend one and stress for students expected to master material without a guide. of the best school systems in the state, if guide. As a strictly type-A personality, I not the nation. My years in Carmel have have spent countless nights, after going afforded me countless opportunities that to work and finishing dance practice, I would not be privy to had I attended sitting at my kitchen table, struggling any other school. That being said, many over a seemingly impossible problem or questioning vague of those opportunities have been ones I have made for instructions on an assignment. Rarely do references to notes myself. Without my inherent motivation, I would not have help in my plight, and while I have made many a hurried been as successful. In few instances was my success in school phone call to a fellow classmate, the majority of the time, the product of teachers holding my hands and leading me he is just as confused as I. It is in these panicked moments through the way; I have accomplished most of my schooling when I realize my confusion may not always be the fault of through my own intellect and drive. For others, education is my shoddy note taking or frequent in-class daydreams; I different. It requires more hands-on teaching and guidance know I should be able to master the task at hand. The root from educators. Teachers unwilling to do so should be of the problem lies in unmotivated teachers who choose accordingly paid. Merit-based pay maximizes opportunities to live from one passing period to the next rather than for all students, giving them equal chances to excel. taking an active interest in the ultimate well being of their Throughout my schooling, I have taken the most students. Tenure only promotes laziness. Nearly complete challenging and interesting classes, and, with a few notable job security makes the effects of complaints by parents and exceptions, I have been privy to the most motivated and eager tearful kids visiting their counselors become negligible. teachers. I only wish that my friends and classmates had the Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not solely the product same opportunities I had. Through tenure, many of those of this school; rather, it is in action across the board. While who are not passionate about their job and are subsequently comments and complaints are surely welcome at all schools inefficient are left in their positions to watch their students in the system looking to strive for the greatest success of their drown in unexplained notes and questionable exams. As the teachers and students, there is little the administrators in benefits of merit-based pay are exposed in the Mississippi this system can do about inefficient given the tenure system. schools, one can only hope that the century-old system of While administrators can conference with instructors about tenured pay is doctored to fit the changing complexion and teaching styles and ways to connect with their respective abilities of students. students, it is in the teachers’ hands to ultimately decide what goes on in their classrooms. Tenure leaves principals and Lauren Burdick is an entertainment editor for the HiLite. other administrators with an extremely limited jurisdiction Contact her at lburdick@hilite.org.
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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, Sara Rogers will receive mail sent to srogers@hilite.org.
Responding to the HiLite
Letters to the editor will be accepted for the Nov. 19 issue no later than Nov. 1. Letters may be submitted in Room C147, placed in the mailbox of Jim Streisel, e-mailed to letters@hilite. org or mailed to school. All letters must be signed. Names will be published. (Letters sent via e-mail 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.
Staff Editor-in-Chief Sara Rogers Managing Editors Steven Chen Mackenzie Madison Rebecca Xu David Zheng Accountant Pat O’Neill Acumen Monica Cheng Ellie Seta 15 Minutes of Fame Yameen Hameed Artist Meredith Boyd Alex Mackall Rebecca Xu Business Manager Patrick Bryant Beats/Calendar Rachel Boyd Melinda Song Victor Xu Sarah Yun Ryan Zukerman Cover Story Laura Peng Entertainment Lauren Burdick Meredith Boyd Feature Afra Hussain Caroline Zhang Front Page Arjuna Capulong Daniel Li Graphics Daniel Li Tim Lu Danielle Yin News Tracy Sun Nina Underman Perspectives Emma Neukam Jade Schwarting Photography Arjuna Capulong Lizzy Grubbs Special Projects Katie Norman Darlene Pham Jackson Whiteker
Sports
Stuart Jackson
Reuben Warshawsky
Student Section Shokhi Goel Web Steven Chen Yusheng Zhu Reporters/Photographers/Web Team Shayan Ahmad Nick Andrews Audrey Bailey Matt Barnthouse Kathleen Bertsch James Benedict Katie Bourgerie Gabrielle Bowers Rachel Boyd Hope Boyer Charlie Browning Brandon Candis Marianna Cooper Audrey Courter Kathryn Dawson Eric Dick John Du Ryan Duffy Cassie Dugan Conner Gordon Grayson Harbour Kendall Harshberger Blaine Herbst
Mary Brooke Johnson
Kush Joseph Julie Kippenbrock Lindsay Lehman Chris Li Ben Lu Natalie Maier Alex Mackall Amira Malcom Lauren Mugavin Dhruti Patel Emily Puterbaugh Thalib Razi Erum Rizvi Jenna Ruhayel Tony Tan Olivia Walker Katie Walstrom Jerry Xu Andy Yang Adele Zhou Henry Zhu
Adviser Jim Streisel Principal John Williams Superintendent Jeff Swensson
Page 32 | 15 MINUTES | HiLite | hilite.org | OCT. 20, 2010
15 MINUTES OF FAME 15minutes@hilite.org | twitter.com/Hilite_news
Sky High
By Chris li cli@hilite.org When did you first begin flying?
Somewhere between eighth grade and ninth grade, I took a demo flight. And then, probably a few months later, I started going more regularly.
What prompted you to start flying?
I’ve always had an interest in flying. I guess in middle school, Mr. Davis had a tech-ed class. We did an assignment over planes, and that really got me interested and gave me my overall interest in planes, pushing me further in my interests.
How often do you fly? Where do you go?
I fly at Montgomery Aviation, otherwise known as Indiana Executive Airport. I used to fly every two weeks, but recently, since money’s been a bit short, I haven’t been flying for the past couple months.
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Junior Ateev Gupta flies as a student pilot at Montgomery Aviation
Does your family support you in this?
Oh yeah. My mom would come with me on almost all the flights. My dad is kindly paying for my flights. My brother sometimes goes, but he doesn’t have the time. I mean, they’re all for the idea of flying. It’s something they want me to do.
Besides hours, are there any other requirements? You also have to pass a test. When you do all those hours, you go through all the training, allowing you to go through cross country, navigation (and) safety (training).
Do you ever find flying overlaps with your regular schedule?
Not really. I’ve tried to keep it on weekends only, and since it’s only two hours of my day, it’s not that big of a deal. I do say that some of the research and learning that you have to do does take up some time.
Do you plan on continuing flying? I plan on flying for the rest of my life.
Conner gordon / photo
More Online Can’t get enough? To see the rest of Ateev’s interview, check out the HiLite website at hilite.org
(acumen*) *the food issue
t o p c h e f... p a g e 2 o rg a n i c fo o d... p a ge 3 c a fe t e r i a 2 .0... p a g e 4&5 e a t t h i s , n o t t h a t... pa ge 6 fo o d fi l m s... p a g e 7 s c r a p s & fa c t s... p a ge 8
Page 2 | acumen |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | oct. 20, 2O1O
(acumen*) 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, Sara Rogers will receive mail sent to srogers@hilite.org.
Purpose Acumen is an occasional publication serving to supplement the HiLite. Acumen is distributed to the students, faculty and staff of Carmel High School. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily representative of those held by CHS, the Carmel Clay system faculty, staff or administration.
Staff Editors
Reporters/Photographers HiLite Editor in Chief HiLite Managing Editors
Principal Superintendent
Monica Cheng Ellie Seta Brandon Candis Conner Gordon Dhruti Patel Emily Puterbaugh Thalib Razi Melinda Song Katie Walstrom Andy Yang Henry Zhu Sara Rogers Steven Chen Mackenzie Madison Rebecca Xu David Zheng John Williams Jeff Swensson
Top Chef Junior Sara Towle aspires to be a professional chef By Henry Zhu hzhu@hilite.org
Get cooking
While many students may not put much thought into what they eat, food is such a passion for junior Sara Towle that she said she wants to pursue a career in it. “I have been cooking since I could walk,” Towle said. “I’ve always loved cooking and would love to do that for a living.” Towle is not alone in her decision to look into a culinary career. According to Kim Lenzo, Towle’s Regional and American Foods teacher, there have been many students in her classes that have similar career goals. “I have had a lot of students who take foods classes because they want to become chefs,” Lenzo said. “I’ve also had students who realize that cooking is something they are interested in pursuing further while taking the class.” According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the increased interest in culinary careers that Lenzo has seen in her classes is not limited to the high school level. The Center’s recent “Digest of Education Statistics” reported that the number of Americans getting Bachelor’s degrees in the culinary field has skyrocketed in recent years. For Towle, however, she said culinary school is not currently part of her plans, though she still wants to pursue the career. “I don’t really think I want to go to culinary school or anything like that,” Towle said. “I have a solid background
In This Issue Dear readers, In high school, we start to define ourselves as unique and different individuals by pursuing our interests in various subjects, sports and hobbies. Along the way, we’ve also developed our own perceptions of food and what it means to us. Food is one of the few things that impacts everyone’s lives. What we choose to eat right now as teenagers--maybe grabbing a Pop Tart for a quick breakfast every now and then--will inevitably affect our lives in the future. Some think of food as merely a small nuisance--something to consume in order to keep alive. Others take more care and pleasure in deciding what they eat. In the following pages of Acumen’s food issue, we take a closer look at how food is impacting the lives of all CHS students. Bon apetit! Acumen Editors Monica Cheng Ellie Seta
Brandon candis / photo ARJUNA CAPULONG / COVER DESIGN AND PHOTO
JUST BEAT IT: Junior Sara Towle works to bake a pineapple upsidedown cake. She aspires to be a professional chef in the future.
Kiss Z Cook Kiss Z Cook offers classes teaching basic cooking skills, baking techniques, quick recipes and specialty skills such as Italian, vegetarian and candy making. Prices: ranging from $45 to $75 for a single class Skill level: classes for all levels 890 E. 116th St. Suite 125 Carmel 46032 KISSZCOOK.COM / SOURCE
in cooking and have taken foods classes outside of school, too, and I’m more interested in getting some first-hand experience.” While she has been cooking for a long time and now plans to work in the culinary field, Towle said it was not until recently that she realized she wanted to be a chef. “I had always loved cooking, but it wasn’t really until freshman year that I thought of it as something I could do for a living,” Towle said. “I actually want to do two things— cook and teach. I know it’s a bit out there, but I would like to see if I could work as a high school history teacher and then work as a chef when I’m not teaching.” Towle said the reasoning behind her desire to pursue two different career choices stems from a variety of personal and economic reasons. “Food and teaching are really my two greatest interests,” Towle said. “I find history really interesting and would love to teach it, while food has just been such a big part of my life. Additionally, I wouldn’t really be able to sustain the lifestyle I want with just one of the jobs, so I think it will be necessary for me to try and work something out between the two.” According to Lenzo, there are plenty of options at this school for those interested in the culinary arts. “We have a Culinary Foundations class here in the family and consumer sciences department that really focuses on those students seriously interested in pursuing becoming a chef,” Lenzo said. “In addition to that, the (J. Everett Light Career Center) offers a variety of courses relating to food, so there are plenty of opportunities for interested students.” As for Towle, she said she has not only taken most of the foods classes here but has also worked at various restaurants. “I used to work at the A2Z Café as a server,” Towle said. “I dealt more with the customers, but they did let me watch the cooks prepare the food, and that was a good learning experience.” Through all her experiences in the culinary arts, Towle said it is her love of food and her family that inspires her to cook. “Cooking was just something my mom, grandma and I would always do,” Towle said. “It’s really something we do to bond, and that’s what makes me love cooking so much. The most amazing thing about cooking is how somebody can just throw ingredients together and make something special. “Everybody needs to eat,” Towle said, “and making other people happy and full with what I make is my favorite part of cooking.”
oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | acumen | PagE 3
Organic food sales continue upward trend By Andy Yang ayang@hilite.org For the past decade, the ongoing argument concerning food has been whether to buy organic or conventional food. The idea that organic food is better for people has spread from a small niche of people to the mainstream public. Junior Gabrielle “Brii” Robbins is one such person who purchases and grows organic foods in order to live a healthier lifestyle. “We don’t like supporting people who put chemicals in food, and we just think that organic food is better for you,” Robbins said. Robbins is not alone in this aspect. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic foods have seen an increase in sales from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.6 billion in 2009. However, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in a 2009 study, found no evidence to support the claims that organic foods have greater nutritional benefits than conventional foods, which leads to the question as to why people are partaking in this movement. But despite this, sales for organic foods have continued to climb, increasing 5.3 percent in the last year, despite the economic situation. According to Nancy Spencer, a family and consumer science teacher, the trend is a media driven one. “The media is where everybody hears about it and gets information, but I would be interested to know what percentage of people actually do research before they make the decision.” Spencer also said there are many people who buy organic Conner Gordon / photo foods without understanding the implications involved. “Some people will buy organic simply because it says HEALTHY DECISIONS: Junior Gabrielle “Brii” Robbins shops for organic supplies at Whole Foods. Instead of purorganic,” Spencer said. “They may not know truly what chasing foods from conventional stores, Robbins is one of the many who believe organic foods is better. that means. Then you have other people who do it and are informed. They know what buying organic (means), whether its 100 percent or not, that they’re not using not putting chemicals in our bodies. They’re better for the pesticides. When someone sees a food stamped as organic, environment because if you buy food without pesticides… they’re probably going to think that it’s better for them.” there’s no run-off into streams and rivers that kill fish. It’s Robbins said she believes the media has a huge role in just a better cycle of use.” this trend as well. However, the chemicals used in conventional foods help 2008 “I think organic food is marketed as healthier, so people prevent disease, pests and weeds. This trade-off between 24 are more likely to buy it so that they can adhere to real chemicals and food growth is what causes the controversy or perceived notions about health. It’s a toss-up between for the issue according to Spencer. whether they’re actually aware of the benefits or not. “I think people are thinking that (pesticides) are worse 22 2007 However, I think that a lot more people are becoming more than what they’re trying to prevent, and that’s where the and more aware of the benefits of informed the decision comes in,” 20 organic food, and thus less likely to Spencer said. “There are so many buy it in order to follow the trend,” sides to the story as far as whether 2006 18 Robbins said. what benefits outweigh the other. In reality, pesticides make little Everybody has their own opinion 16 Go online to hilite.org difference in the quality of food. about this.” According to Spencer, the real Senior Zenas Shi is one person 14 For more information about organic food who disagrees with the fact that benefits aren’t related to nutrition and where you can buy it. at all. organic foods are significantly “There are different levels that 12 better. you can call certain things organic, Shi said, “My parents are the 2003 as far as how much pesticide or what pesticides are used,” ones who buy the groceries and they just feel that the 10 Spencer said. “It’s simply that people do not want pesticides organic foods that they buy at the store aren’t any better 2000 in their foods. It’s not necessarily a nutritional benefit, than the other food they buy. There really are little to no 8 as much as they don’t want the actual chemicals in their benefits that we found eating organic.” foods. There are so many studies telling people to go one As for the environmental effects, Shi believes that 6 way or another. It’s personal preference really. It’s kind of chemicals in food make little difference. “Well although like processed foods. I think you’ll find that if a person likes organic foods don’t use pesticides which might run off into 1997 4 organic foods, they probably don’t like processed foods. It’s streams or rivers, I think that the amount of pesticides used the same concept because of the types of chemicals that are is minimal, so yes, there are differences and there might be 1994 2 added to the foods.” problems, but the effects are minimal.” Robbins does believe that there is a major difference But Robbins will continue to eat organic food despite between organic and conventional food however. this. “I would only switch over to conventional foods if “(Organic foods) are healthier in general, because we’re Monica Cheng and Ellie Seta / Graphic they somehow became healthier for you.”
Food 101
Organic Food Sales in Billions of Dollars
Organic growth
Page 4 | Acumen| HiLite | hilite.org | Oct. 20, 2010
Want fries with that? (Too bad.)
School implements new dietary regulations, but some question their necessity here By Thalib Razi trazi@hilite.org
S
enior Dan Du said he always heads straight for the pizza line of the cafeteria during lunch. In previous years, Du tried various dishes from different lines, but according to him, cheese pizza is the tastiest – and the safest for his health. “I heard rumors about the meat in the spaghetti, the meat is overly processed,” Du said. “And the Asian chicken (in the Rice Bowl entrée) doesn’t really seem real.” Du isn’t a vegetarian, doesn’t shop organic and doesn’t always eat healthy at home, according to him, but he is wary of school food. He said the school should have more options, of better quality and nutrition, for students to choose at lunch. Recently, this school has addressed such concerns about its lunch program by posting nutritional information in the cafeteria, restricting the sale of unhealthy foods and switching to healthier, higher quality options that students can turn to instead. But in New York City, the Bloomberg administration has applied similar strategies over the past few years, and it has yet to dent the city’s 40 percent child obesity rate, according to an article in the New York Times. While there’s not a major obesity problem at this school, this finding may indicate that, ultimately, students have the
final say in whether they will eat healthy or not. And that raises questions about what impact the new dietary regulations will have here – and whether this school is justified in implementing them.
Mystery meat
But although Du likes to eat healthy because he doesn’t want to get fat or die sooner, he said, he and his fellow students also tend to be much pickier about the taste and quality of food than its nutrition facts, especially with meat. Personally, he said he preferred the menu at What’s changed Hamilton Southeastern High School (HSE), the school he According to Amy Anderson, the school district’s food and attended his freshman year. nutrition services director, the cafeteria no longer offers “They just had more variety of food, and I thought their French fries at lunch, due to their high fat and sodium food tasted better,” Du said. content. In addition, she said, the school has switched to However, Anderson said she would be surprised if HSE whole grain products and increased the quantity of fresh had any lunch option that didn’t have its equivalent at this fruit and vegetable sides. Milk comes in more low-fat school, as many schools in the Indianapolis area order varieties; potato chips are through a co-op program baked and half of the a la from the same company. carte options have been cut For example, Anderson from the menu. said the school’s chicken Many years ago, President providers are Tyson and Bill Clinton’s Alliance for a Go online to find Gold Kist, and the turkey is Healthy Generation, along • Pictures from the Carmel Farmer’s bought from Jennie-O, wellwith the voices of concerned Market known companies whose parents, provided the • Food quiz: How much do you really products students may bring impetus for schools to make know about food? in their lunch boxes anyway. their lunch menus healthier, “If you’re buying lunch according to Anderson. www.hilite.org meat from the grocery store, Over the last five years, she it might be of a slightly said, the school has made better quality, but it can’t get much healthier or safer (than gradual reductions in the number of unhealthy snacks school meat). The school meat (in the chicken nuggets or it sells and in the fat content of the entrées. burgers) might not seem real because it’s been ground; it’s “Nobody likes to have their world turned upside not whole-muscle like in a steak, but it’s the same meat.” down,” Anderson said. In any case, according to Anderson, it’s impossible to Still, Anderson said she doesn’t think these reductions please the unique preferences of every student through a will eliminate child obesity. structured menu of any kind. “(Clinton) threatened to sue companies like Pepsi-Cola “That’s just the nature of being a kid,” Anderson said. and Frito-Lay for ‘making kids obese,’ but I happen to “But when I was in school, you had no clue what was in believe that the only people that can make high schoolers your hamburger patty…whereas now we’ve posted up the eat healthy are, well, you guys yourselves,” Anderson said. nutrition facts, and I see more kids looking at them and
Hungry for more?
Oct. 20, 2010 | hilite.org | HiLite | acumen | PagE 5
making a conscious decision about what they’re going to eat, which is what we want.” For example, Du said he chooses not to eat pork, not on religious grounds but instead because of its fat and cholesterol content. On the other hand, senior Nick Bognanno said he felt that worrying about nutrition facts and percentages is unimportant when life is short, and health-conscious people aren’t guaranteed to live much longer than others. “I really don’t think about that stuff when I’m eating, I’m just interested in how it tastes. But if you’re into that whole health foods thing, you’re not going to enjoy, like, a chimichanga (a deep-fried Mexican dish) as much as I do,” Bognanno said. “Of course, (a chimichanga)’s so much better than a school taco salad.” However uninteresting or unappetizing such students may consider cafeteria food, Anderson said they should know that it is quite nutritious. “We pick what we want. We decide the percentage of fat in the cheese on the pizza and what goes into our hamburger patties, and U.S. Food Service just provides it,” Anderson said. “Personally, I don’t mind the small stuff,” Bognanno said. “I mean, I’ll eat whole wheat over white bread because they taste pretty much the same. But, like, those French fries, they weren’t good for you, but they were really good...We only eat one meal here, anyway.” Indeed, Anderson acknowledged that, at most, 20 percent of a student’s weekly diet comes from the cafeteria. However, she said this fact makes school lunch an opportunity for students trying to eat healthy to have their choices greatly improved for one meal a day, while those who aren’t trying to eat healthy will have their choices only slightly restricted. “You can eat as healthy a meal as you choose to eat here,” Anderson said. But Bognanno said students should be allowed to choose
unhealthy foods, too, if they taste good. The school should conduct a survey to find out what students enjoy, he said, or it could overprice fatty or salty foods rather than remove them from the menu, so that students would have an incentive to only buy them sparingly. “It should be like, if you want to eat something, eat it, but if you don’t, then don’t,” Bognanno said.
Anderson’s decisions
Anderson said the cafeteria doesn’t have the space to provide for every unhealthy choice students may want if it also wants to provide for their needs and their healthier choices. For example, she is looking into a low-fat hummus recipe and a spicy black bean dish, because vegetarians and health-conscious students want such options. BRANDON CANDIS / PHOTO At the same time, she said, many EAT UP: Senior Dan Du (right) enjoys lunch with friends. He said the students here are athletes, so she provides for their higher-calorie and changes to the cafeteria food have not affected him. -fat needs through the pizzas, burgers, the lunch menu changes will help the student body make potato sides and a la carte options, healthier choices and feel better about what they are eating. which fulfill any benefit French fries have. But even after learning that the school has made all of “You can get fries at McDonalds,” Anderson said. “And these changes towards better nutrition and quality, Du said knowing high school students today, half of them probably he’d probably still stick with cheese pizza for lunch, every hit McDonalds after school anyway.” day, even in his final year at this school. Still, according to Anderson, the school is always open to “It does get tiring,” Du said, “but the other lines are so long suggestions about what it should offer on the lunch menu. that sometimes, it’s just convenient. And at school, you don’t In fact, once a year, she meets with a group of students in the really get to see how they make the food. (Pizza)’s just safer.” Community Room, where they taste and compare potential cafeteria dishes to the existing ones. This way, she said,
Page 6 | Acumen | hilite | HiLite.org | oct. 20, 2010
Eat (a little less of) this to make a big difference Panera Bread T he popular Eat This, Not That books make it pretty clear what foods you should and shouldn’t ingest. And those choices are obvious: Don’t eat the full rack of ribs; eat the salad instead. But what if you really want a certain item? Within restaurants, you can still make better choices without sacrificing taste and satisfaction. Granted, the calorie and fat differences aren’t as pronounced, but a little bit can go a long way. Here are a few of our findings. Compiled by Melinda Song with photos by Emily Puterbaugh
Eat this >>
Panera’s French Onion Soup with Croutons s 240 calories g n i v Sa 12g fat, 5g saturated fat
130 13 7 calories
f fat
grams o
Taco Bell << Eat this Fresco Style Crunchy Taco 150 calories 7g fat, 2.5g saturated fat
<< Not that
f grams o fat d e t a r satu
PAnerabread.com / source
Panera’s Creamy Tomato Soup with Croutons 370 calories 23g fat, 12g saturated fat
Pizza Hut << Eat this
Savi Savin ngs gs
Thin n’ Crispy Pineapple and Ham 200 calories 6g fat, 3g saturated fat
20 3 1 calor
ies
Not that >>
gram
Savin
60 6 2
s of f
Crunchy Taco 170 calories 10g fat, 3.5g saturated fat tacobell.com / source
at
gra satur m of ated fat
Subway
calor
ies
gram
Not that >>
s of f
Thin n’ Crispy Supreme Pizza 260 calories 12g fat, 5g saturated fat Pizzahut.com / source
<< Eat this 6” Subway Club 320 calories 5g fat, 1.5g saturated fat
210 25 4.5
Not that >>
grams of fat grams of saturated fat
subway.com / source
gr satur ams of ated fat
Savings
Ultimate Chicken Grill 370 calories 7g fat, 1.5g saturated fat
90 gram9 s of fat 1. o grams5 f sat calories
calories
6” Subway Tuna 530 calories 30g fat, 6g saturated fat
at
Wendy’s Eat this >>
Savings
gs
<< Not that Spicy Chicken Sandwich 460 calories 16g fat, 3g saturated fat
urated fa
t
Wendys.com / source
Oct. 20, 2010 | HiLite.org | hilite | acumen | PagE 7
Most Delicious Food Movies “Food, Inc.”
By Katie Walstrom kwalstrom@hilite.org
A
“Julie & Julia”
lthough this film is interesting and informative, if you enjoy eating meat, I don’t suggest seeing how it is made. Due to grotesquely graphic scenes, I wouldn’t say this film is child-friendly. It did, however, open my eyes to the horrors of how fast food is made. The film touches on subjects such as the appalling conditions in which farm animals are kept and the way they are treated, which is one subject that upsets me quite a bit. I now see the false advertising that meat and dairy products use thanks to the information given to me through this film. I believe this film will change the way people eat and the way they shop for groceries, if it hasn’t already. The film promotes organic alternatives, which I see more and more people switching to. The effect of films like this on society is already becoming prevalent, so I can safely say that director and writer Robert Kenner was successful in spreading his message of the unsanitary, current methods of food production. “Food Inc.” is incredibly thoughtprovoking and has the power to change how people view the food they eat.
t ry s e B enta
m u c Do
“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”
T
his animated film is loaded with celebrity voices such as SNL stars Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Andy Sandberg and Will Forte, along with other famous stars Neil Patrick Harris, Lauren Graham, Mr. T and Al Roker. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were able to create a children’s film that not only held the attention of kids but adults as well. I watched this while baby sitting a three-year-old, and we were both laughing and were continuously entertained. The film ties morals with entertainment and is subtle about it. Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), the nerdy underdog you can’t help but love, shows kids never to give up on your dreams and that anything is possible. Sam Sparks (Anna Faris), the pretty news reporter in a field of all men, gives girls a sense that women can accomplish anything and that they are beautiful no matter how people judge their outer appearance. “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” is hilariously entertaining as well as heart-warming, and it’s appropriate for all ages.
Ani Best ma Mo ted vie
t y s e B inar Cul ovie M
Imgawards.com / photos
N
ora Ephron’s 2009 hit based on a true story is filled with familiar faces. Starring in the film are Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. The film switches back and forth between Amy Adams’ character, Julie, in present day, and Meryl Streeps’ character, Julia, in 1949. I enjoyed how blogging, the modern diary, was incorporated through Julie as she embarks on her cooking adventure. Ephron did an excellent job on capturing the similarities between Julie and Julia with the sequencing of scenes where Julia experiences something, and then the film moves to present-day Julie dealing with something similar. Meryl Streep captured the personality (and voice) of the real Julia Child perfectly. Although at times I found her character overly-flamboyant and exhaustingly excited about food, she was overall delightfully humorous. Although I found this film entertaining overall, it seemed to lose its momentum near the end. At one point, the movie veered away from the story line with a short excerpt with Julie and her husband, and there were some slightly awkward, unnecessary sexual references. But all in all, it was a worthwhile film with phenomenal acting and an original, entertaining plot.
Page 8 | acumen |HILITE | HiLite.ORG | oct. 20, 2O1O
Food Scraps Some final facts, tidbits and crumbs that tell more of the story of what we eat
Top 10 food facts 1. The average food product travels about 1,500 miles to get to your grocery store, and food transportation accounts for 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. 2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 million Americans are sickened, 325,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 die each year from foodborne illnesses. 3. Approximately one billion people worldwide do not have secure access to food, including 36 million in the United States. 4. The color of a chilli is no indication of its spiciness, but size usually is: The smaller the pepper, the hotter it is. 5. Yelling for eight years, seven months and six days produces enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. 6. When Pepsi-Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham in 1898, it was first marketed as a digestive aid and energy booster. 7. The pineapple is known as the international symbol of hospitality. 8. The popsicle was invented by 11-year-old Frank Epperson when he left his soda water drink with a stirring stick overnight on his porch. 9. Wheaties were discovered by accident when in 1921, a health clinician in Minneapolis was mixing a batch of bran gruel for his patients when he spilled some of the mix on a hot stove. The gruel crackled and sizzled into a crisp flake, the very first Wheaties prototype. 10. White chocolate is not a true chocolate because it contains no chocolate liquor. Instead it’s made of sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids, lecithin and vanilla. foodincmovie.com, arrowscientific.com / source
Hungry? Tired? These foods can help Often, especially for teenagers, emotions can cloud the mind and leave them feeling miserable. Whether it’s the stress of having three AP tests in a row or the fatigue after a hard day or sports practice, feelings and emotions can be difficult to deal with. Here are some foods that experts say can make a difference. Compiled by Dhruti Patel
Energy Don’t eat the following: • Caffeine High levels of caffeine can make a person nervous and irritable.
Attitude Don’t eat the following: • Bagels White grains cause a spike in blood sugar levels and leave the body feeling lethargic. • Hot dogs (or other mass-produced packaged meats) They contain a preservative called nitrate, which can cause migraines and tension headaches. • Cupcakes, white chocolate and any type of fast food Teenagers should control their mood, instead of letting their food control it. nutritionist Samantha Heller / source
Stress Do eat the following: • Papaya It contains a large amount of Vitamin C, which has been proven to lower the flow of stress hormones in rats, which have a similar anatomy to humans. • Almonds They have Vitamin E, which is known to be a stress-reducer. • Avocados, pumpkin seeds, salmon and oatmeal These are more foods that can help fight stress.
Do eat the following: • Whole grains They have high levels of carbohydrates and fibers that help keep energy levels up. • Eggs They contain superior amino acids and energizing proteins. • Green, leafy vegetables and raw foods such as fruit, nuts and seeds They can keep people going all day. WebMD, Associated content by yahoo / source
Happiness Do eat the following: • Milk It contains whey protein, which reduces the body’s physical reaction to stress. • Strawberries They have soluble fiber, which slows the digestion process and thus helps maintain blood-pressure levels. It helps the body stay calm and less irritable. • Oily fish, spinach, sweet potatoes, turkey, Brazil nuts, low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese All of these can help improve a person’s mood.
yahoo! health writer David Zinczenko / source
Dietician susan kleiner / source
A century of food 1900 Milton S. Hershey introduces the first Hershey milk chocolate bar.
1924 Caesar salad is created.
1937 Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is introduced.
1955 The first McDonald’s opens.
1971 Starbucks Coffee opens in Seattle.
1964 Pop Tart and Buffalo Wings introduced.
1984 The original idea for the Red Bull energy drink is created.
2006 First Deep Fried Coca-Cola is served.
2010 Specialized Food Truck food service is seen in cities across the country. foodtimeline.org / source GABRIELLE BOWERS / PHOTOS