hilite
CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 86, NO. 9 APR. 22, 2022
ggRReeAAtt ppoowweerr && ggRReeAAtt rreessPPoonnSSiibbiilliittyy
As anniversary of Avengers series release approaches, students discuss everday superheroes, representation in superheroes PAGE 28 | CHENYAO LIU, DARSHINI SHANKAR
We’ve had a great run, but we’re excited to announce that the HiLite is now going completely virtual! Not to worry—your official source for CHS news can now be found exclusively at:
hilite.org
issuu.com/hilite For virtual issue packages you can flip through with a click or tap of a finger!
table of contents just a minute 04 CLEAN IT UP In spirit of spring, see components of spring cleaning, organizational culture
perspectives 06 MONEY MANAGEMENT 07 EDUCATE HATE
In lieu of upcoming remembrance holidays, teachers should incorporate more Holocaust education into courses, despite curriculum
08 TERRIBLY GIFTED 09 LIGHT IN THE DARK 10 JUST BECAUSE 11 BE INVOLVED 12 GAY GAY GAY 13 TIPS FOR TIPPING
news 14 NEWS BRIEFS 15 UNICEF FOR UKRAINE 16 PARKS & REC
entertainment 20 DRESS TO IMPRESS Seniors prepare for Prom, other festivities, consider bittersweet quality of growing up
22 PARTY OF THE YEAR 24 WOMANLY WIT 26 SHOW STOPPERS
cover 28 HEROES: REDEFINED Upcoming 10 year anniversary of Avengers series creates emphasis on diversity in media, representation in local communities
student section 34 CAPTIVATING CULTURE 36 HAVE A LAUGH Students, teachers discuss benefits of humor in light of National Humor Month
feature 38 ELECTRIFIED 40 CHARGED-UP FUTURE 42 CELEBRATING CULTURE 44 KINDER KNOWLEDGE
Students, teacher reflect on impact of being around children, lessons learned from teaching young kids
sports 46 SPORTS BRIEFS 47 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 48 BET ON IT 50 THE BATMAN 51 TACKLE IT 52 JUST A JOCK?
Students, athletes discuss importance of Scholar Athlete program, academic recognition
15 minutes 54 JEWELS FOR DAYS
Q&A with junior Sophia Yang, jewelrymaker, small business owner
In light of 51st anniversary of the Lorax, Arbor Day, environmental activists highlight importance of local parks, forests
18 A NEW SCHEDULE 19 THE BATTLEGROUND
self-starter: Junior Sophia Yang focused while working on her handmade jewelry. According to Yang, “Starting (my) jewelry business has allowed to me more financially independent since I didn’t think I would have time to be employed in an actual job during the school year. ZOE TU PHOTO
staff Editors in Chief Cady Armstrong Chloe Sun Managing Editors Aniket Biswal Sowmya Chundi Daniel Kim Emily Sandy Leah Tan Riley TerBush Front/TOC/JAM Elise Varhan Perspectives Joshika Sathyamathan Daniel Tian News Zainab Idrees Raghav Sriram Entertainment Riley Laferriere Jillian Moore Cover Maddie Misterka Student Section Saumya Somasi Feature Archit Kalra Chenyao Liu Sports Austin Guo Darshini Shankar 15 Minutes Jasmine Zhang Web Eva Glazier Social Media Olivia McKee Copy Editors Avery Carlisle Matthew Du Claire He Saahas Kandru Sumedha Kota
Rohan Mahesh Eddie Sun Photographers Marissa Finney Caroline Just Arthur Mansavage Luke Miller Gabby Saber Zoe Tu Graphic Artists Siri Byrisetty Kent Fujita Grace Guo Moody Homsi Alan Huang Nathan Huang Yichen Liu Ali Persinger Arjun Purohit Writers Royce Brown Lorna Ding Maryam Hafeez Addison Joyce Dariush Khurram Christian Ledbetter Kate Loper Hibba Mahmood Maggie Meyer Pallevi Pillai Arya Pinnamaneni Alivia Romaniuk Siri Suapaneni Kruti Subbannavar Michelle Wan Lauryn Weninger Ryan Zhang Advisor Jim Streisel Principal Thomas Harmas Superintendent Michael Beresford
Contact information: Mailing Address: 520 E. Main St. Carmel IN 46032 Phone: (317) 846 7221 Ext. 7143 Website: www.hilite.org Email: Staff members may be contacted by using their first initial and their last name appending @hilite.org The HiLite is a student publication distributed to students, faculty, and staff of Carmel High School with a press run of 1,500. 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 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/ads-info. Responding to the HiLite: Letters to the editor will be accepted for the Apr. 22 issue no later than May 9. Letters may be submitted to Room C147 placed in the mailbox of Jim Streisel, emailed to management2122@hilite. org or mailed to the school. All letters must be signed. Names will be published. (Letters sent via email will be taken to a student’s SRT for them to sign). Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited. Corrections and clarifications: On page 49 of the March Issue, Charlie Williams is addressed as a junior, not a senior in the “Another One in the Basket” caption. The HiLite strives to correct its errors. If you notice any inaccuracies in this or past issues, please contact management2122@hilite.org. CHLOE SUN, ELISE VARHAN FRONT COVER DESIGN
@hilitenews @hilitenews @hilitenews
just a minute
APRIL 22, 2022
Clean It Up In spirit of spring, see components of spring cleaning, organizational culture GRACE GUO GRAPHIC, Q&A INSIDER, KONMARI, MARTHASTEWART, STYLEBYEMILYHENDERSON, THEHOMEEDIT, TODAY SOURCES
closet tour See elements of an organized closet Drawer organizers can be used to hold small items (ex: jewelry, stationary, clutter)
Hidden storage such as this mirror door allows for additional storage hooks and shelves for smaller items
Color-coding is used for visual appeal and for color matching outfits
Wheeled storage boxes are easily movable or switched out for different clothing seasons
Hanging organizers are used to neatly store and divide clothing into categories
Vacuum bags are storage bags with the air removed, allowing for less used space
Over-the-door storage optimizes space and is easily accessible and viewable
HILITE.ORG
cleaning caddy
05
Learn about popular household cleaning products, tools
Magic Erasers™ clean stains on multiple surfaces
Microfiber cloths are absorbent and eco-friendly
Spray bottles Scrub Daddies™ made keeps products of temperature-based from contamination FlexTexture™ foam
q&a
to do:
Wipe walls and ceilings Reseal grout lines Vacuum and shampoo rugs Dust books and shelves Clean upholstered furnishings
Polish metal door and window hardware Wax wooden furniture Ensure fire safety Wash window screens Clean window treatments Wax non-wood hard floors
#organization Check out some famous cleaners, organizers
the life-changing magic of tidying up Accomplishments:
marie kondo
• Began a tidying consulting business at the age of 19 • KonMari Method: Use of category-based organization, focus on objects that “spark joy” • Books: The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up, Spark Joy, Joy at Work • Netflix Shows: “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo”
GRACE GUO PHOTO
Adult Roles and Responsibilities Teacher, Kimberly Lenzo
Take a look at a spring cleaning checklist Restock your cleaning supplies
Soap control dish wands dispense and refill soap
How is spring cleaning important in maintaining a healthy household? I personally think cleaning, especially deep cleaning, is important to maintain a healthy household. It is important to reduce issues related to allergies and asthma.
Why should cleaning be a priority for young adults entering independent living? (Spring cleaning) should be a priority for all people but it is good to start early so tasks can become habit. It is important to keep a clean and healthy enviorment, (especially) with roomates.
Get Organized WITH
THE HOME EDIT
Accomplishments: • Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin began partnership in 2015 • Goal of combining organization/interior design • Books: The Home Edit Life, The Home Edit • Netflix show: “Get Organized With the Home Edit”
perspectives
APRIL 22, 2022
Money Management CHS should require Financial Responsibilities or incorporate personal finance into other required classes HILITE STAFF EDITORIAL
A
pril is financial literacy
month, and recently there’s been a growing national movement to propose and pass bills that require high school students to take and pass a financial literacy course in order to graduate. In 2021 alone, 25 states introduced legislation that would add personal finance education to their high school curriculum. Florida just passed its Financial Literacy Act in March which will go into effect starting July 1. This bill requires high school students to take a course regarding financial literacy and money management. Florida is the largest state to do this and it has started a chain reaction of other states passing similar bills. In most states, the class would be a one-credit course that focuses on saving, budgeting, investing and more. To date, Indiana has yet to pass a financial literacy bill, but the HiLite staff believes it would be in the best interest of this school to take matters into its own hands and require a course in financial literacy—or at least incorporate a unit about personal finance—for all students. According to the Milken Institute, the United States is more financially illiterate than most other first-world countries. Having a financial literacy graduation requirement would begin to tackle the problem by educating youth about their financial choices and prepare them early for adulthood. By instituting the requirement, a financial literacy course makes financial knowledge more widespread and able to reach more people. Another reason that schools need to have financial literacy courses is because many students work part time: approximately 30%, according to Statista. Teaching financial literacy
by the numbers
17%
of U.S. high schoolers have a personal finance requirement
86% of Americans think financial education should be mandatory
52%
of Americans report having some personal financial education USNEWS SOURCE
teaches money management for those students who can already earn wages. For those not yet working, the information is still crucial and can be put to use in later years. Teaching skills such as saving, budgeting, the role of taxes, and debt are important because they allow students to be prepared for the real world. Economics is already a graduation requirement, according to the Indiana Department of Education (DOE), and teaching economics is still important. It teaches the big picture of world money markets, giving students the skills to understand current events or introducing them to economicsspecific job skills. However, it doesn’t teach students how to make better financial decisions when poor money management can cripple students for life. While economics is important, it only covers market-based trends and fails to inform students about the ins and outs of managing their own money. In other words, economics students understand money, but
they don’t understand their money. Requiring students to take a financial literacy course would immensely benefit students to make better decisions with their money. The framework is already in place. Financial Responsibilities is a one-semester class offered by the business department here. Students in this class learn to pay bills and understand assets. However, not everyone takes this course. This should change. CHS can take the next step by considering to require the class or incorporating its elements to already-required h wellness classes.
our stance
CHS should require a financial literacy course or incorporate it into other classes
the task of taxes Take a look at how Americans feel when asked how they feel about doing their taxes
5% Love it
29% Like it 26% Hate it 3% Don’t know
3% Neither like nor dislike
30% Dislike it DANIEL TIAN GRAPHIC PEW RESEARCH CENTER SOURCE
HILITE.ORG
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Educate Hate CHS should change curriculum to include more comprehensive Holocaust education, remembrance ELISE VARHAN COLUMN
I
the backside of a worksheet over with top-rated teachers and a 45-minute video. Finally, the classes where I have taken Holocaust is not even included on advantage of my opportunities. I the curriculum for APUSH, which, have taken a history class for each granted, is justified through the ideyear I have been at CHS, including ology that the Holocaust did not AP World History (APWH), AP take place in the United States. European History (AP Euro), and Thankfully, my APUSH teacher AP US History (APUSH), giving felt the importance of discussing me quite a bit of knowledge this event and added it into about the world. a lecture. She even ofHowever, while all fered to show the movie my teachers were in“Schindler’s List” as an credible and helped after-school option. me succeed, one But, the optional commonality I nature and minihave noticed each mization of such year is the lack an important topof education suric bothers me. I’m rounding the HoJewish, and I have locaust. As many attended plenty of Holocaust rememHolocaust educanot funny brance holidays tion events and approach, includseminars and talking Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Reed to numerous Holocaust survivors. membrance Day) on April 28, I beAs a person of Jewish faith, I know lieve teachers here should look into that I’m guaranteed to have a more reforming syllabi to include more personal connection to the topic, information regarding the Holobut my non-Jewish peers don’t have caust, despite guidelines presented that same luxury. by curriculums. Anti-Semitism is still widely The lack of Holocaust education present in this country, yet it is has been evident throughout my rarely discussed. Personally and loeducation. For example, in APWH, cally, I have experienced students we explore the Holocaust for one and teens making wildly inapproday through a video on YouTube. priate jokes regarding the HoloSimilarly, the only mention of the caust and the Jewish people that are Holocaust during AP Euro was beyond the pale. I don’t think these students are being mean, rather did you know? they’re trying to be funny. But, these statements are neiCurrent curriculums are still ther funny nor acceptable. Their teaching many myths, including misunderstanding comes from a an untrue rumor that Nazis lack of education and insight into used human fat from Jewish what the Holocaust entailed and prisoners to make bars of soap how it affected those parties inUSHMM SOURCE volved, especially the Jewish people. am lucky to attend a school
Scan this to read a story on curriculums
Therefore, it’s time to build more robust discussion and education about the Holocaust into the current curriculum. Education is our best way moving forward to help improve students’ empathy and kindness for h people of all backgrounds. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Elise Varhan evarhan@ hilite.org
hard history See how regions handle holocaust education Purpose of Holocaust education: Prevention of genocide: By teaching the moral wrongness of genocide, institutions hope to prevent events like the Holocaust from repeating Value of human rights: Institutions that teach the inhumane treatment of marginalized groups during the Holocaust hope to convey the importance of valuing and understanding human rights. Accurate portrayal of Jews and Israel: Institutions hope to combat anti-Semitism by providing accurate information about Jewish history and culture.
Have laws mandating Holocaust education
RILEY TERBUSH GRAPHIC ROLLING STONE SOURCE
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APRIL 22, 2022
Terribly Gifted CCS’s elementary high ability programs fail to meet needs of all students RAGHAV SRIRAM COLUMN
I
remember the first time
gifted...?
I was told that I wasn’t smart MARISSA FINNEY GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE enough; the first time I was told that I wasn’t naturally talented at academics. It wasn’t by my parents, i just need to get through omg i love school i can’t wait to it wasn’t by my brother and it wasn’t this week... learn new things forever by a teacher or my peers; rather, it was the very educational institution that I was attending. It was first grade and I had taken a rudimentary aptitude test that supposedly would determine if I qualified for the gifted and talented program. I remember that room like it was yesterday. It was on the auditorium stage near the cafeteria. The curtains were closed and the room felt rather cold, dark and bleak. I recognized a *as a kid* *as a teen* few people—I was surprised by how few students had been invited to the testing room. It was so cold. I remember I was confused as to achieve their dream job. That they the rest of my peers in my grade. by the why I was taking the test in the first aren’t talented enough to become a We ate different lunches, went to place. I couldn’t concentrate— doctor, a horse whisperer, a numbers different recesses and rarely shared the only thing that was on marathon runner or whatclasses. I started to spend time my mind was the upcomever that dream may be around the same people every day, ing recess that was just whether it is a classical never getting introduced or pushed of public around the corner, well, job or not. It’s crushing. to make new connections or friends. school that and my need to Imagine limiting When I was thrown into middle students are go to the bathroom a student’s academic school a few years later, it was hard enrolled in which I was too potential as early for me to not be overwhelmed by gifted and scared to ask my as the age of six. A the new faces, personalities and talented proctor. It was just time in which the backgrounds I came across. programs so very cold. brain is still maI soon realized there was no such I remember turing, remodeling thing as being naturally talented, but learning more and growing–the that all talent came from work, grit STATES about the test equalize education first critical period and perseverance. I wish I was taught that I had taken of brain developthat earlier. The High Ability protrack and and the glamorous ment. Already classifying students as gram may have made me into the identify academic opportunities I would be naturally gifted or not has disastrous person that I am today, but I won’t their bestrewarded with if I passed the test. effects. It led me to question my capaperforming let it define me. I will keep on fightBut deep down I remember knowbility, capacity and my competency in students, 4 ing for my rightful spot within sociing that these opportunities would h the academic landscape. But getting of which are ety and you should too. never really become a reality (at into the high ability program in third required to The views in this column do not necleast in the next year). accommodate grade didn’t do me much better. essarily reflect the views of the HiLite Imagine telling a child that they them I remember being stripped from staff. Reach Raghav Sriram at rsriaren’t smart or capable enough to my friends, forever isolated from NAGC SOURCE ram@hilite.org
6%
35
HILITE.ORG
09
Light in the Dark Students should always consider every perspective, be more understanding of fear DANIEL TIAN COLUMN
I
am afraid of the dark. firm-
with good intentions, they warn others of the dangers they expect. These halfly clutching my flashlight, my truths proliferate; the virus spreads. 1 a.m. excursions to the pantry Take anti-Asian hate. Although downstairs were always filled with tenits origins date back to the sion. I would imagine the hor19th century, the recent rors that awaited me in the resurgence of anti-Asian shadows: monsters, murviolence can be largely derers, my mom. attributed to a certain Since prehistoric global pandemic. Aftimes, we’ve been ter the most powprogrammed to fill erful man in the in blanks. From country described an evolutionary COVID-19 as the standpoint, infer“Chinese virus,” ence can mean the many began to fear difference between Asians: I rememfinding clean and ber the heads that contaminated wa... boo! would turn whenter, from catching ever I coughed or to becoming prey. sniffled. When half-truths are seeded, But that was thousands of years paranoia blooms. Yes, COVID-19 ago. Today, lingering thoughts of horwas discovered in China. No, not all ror movies impede my snack runs, inChinese people have the virus. COtrusive ideas that alarm danger at every VID-19 isn’t the only pandemic we corner. In the age of information, nearnow face. Following close behind, ly anything is accessible everywhere, so the virus of incomplete information much so that we often drown in its can be just as deadly. excess. Contextless fragments of truth But there’s a cure. When you’re drift and attach to impressionable scared of the dark, how do you feel? If hosts. Hosts fill in the unknown— someone else tells you all about how they’re hard-wired to do so. They there AREN’T monsters in the shadbegin to fear what they imagine, and
by the numbers
70% of children aged 3-12 years old are scared of the dark, the most common fear among children
11%
of U.S. adults admit they are afraid of the dark
2:30 A.M.
is the most common time for adults to become alarmed USATODAY SOURCE
ows, do you believe them? Why should you? To you, neither of you can see. The cure? Turn on the light (shocking stuff). You’re cured when you see for yourself that those perceived threats had always been empty. As National Take a Chance Day approaches on April 23, try to listen to someone. The next time you sit down with the less politically correct side of the family or connect with an old acquaintance who just can’t trust science, consider what they fear. Take the time to see from their perspective; in other words, turn off your light. Only then can you truly understand their fear and the dangers they imagine. Ask them what would need to happen for them to change their perspective—how can you turn on their light? For those stranded in the unknown, patience and compassion go a long way. I used to be embarrassed that I was scared of the dark. But now, I realize that maybe, I’m just trying to survive; we’re all just trying to survive. After all, some fears are warranted; we all know what will happen if my mom catches h me downstairs. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Daniel Tian at dtian@hilite.org
same rules apply I’m so hungry, maybe I’ll grab a snack or some coffee
NO ONE CAN VISIT THE CAFE OR VENDING MACHINES DURING SSRT EXCEPT TCP STUDENTS
I guess I’ll just wait for lunch...
SSRT PASS SESSION ONE
SESSION TWO
*stomach grumbles*
RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE
10
APRIL 22, 2022
Just Because People should allow themselves to take chances based on whims AUSTIN GUO COLUMN
B
novelty has made some of those during my freshman year, I experiences where I took those used to have all of my future chances my most valuable. classes in high school all mapped I have often felt the need to out. I wrote in a document all the justify my own actions, feeling classes that I would take during my frustrated when I can’t really give sophomore year, then my junior any reasons other than “I felt like and senior years. This kind of it.” However, I have come to security in your future is believe that reasoning is reassuring; having some just as valid as any other idea of what you’ll do reason in most cases. in your future is People aren’t thinking always nice and it creatures who always helps you avoid take the most that “fear of the optimized action. unknown.” Thinking through Howe ve r, your actions and with National wanting to go Take a Chance on a set path is Day on April wise, but it can 23, I’d like to feel restraining. go for it encourage a bit Sometimes, it’s okay of spontaneity in to do something your decision making. simply because you felt like it or By the end of my freshman year, wanted to see how it would be. I had basically gone completely Exploration is an innate part of off the path I had outlined for human life. “I felt like it” is often myself. Nothing had derailed me a very frustrating reason to hear for from this path; I just decided to why a person did something, but take more chances and go off more that does not diminish its validity; whims and gut feelings. There are sometimes it truly is the most definitely some things I tried that powerful and accurate reason. I ended up not caring for, but I’ve This isn’t a call for impulsiveness; overall found myself pretty satisfied there are always consequences with the results. I’m a member of for your actions in some ways. the HiLite due to these impulses. However, there’s nothing wrong Ultimately, a lot of what I hold with embracing some of your dear was a result of something whims and letting yourself explore. unexpected or me deviating from Taking a chance just for the sake that path I set for myself. Prior of it could ultimately lead to knowledge can have the effect of something far more rewarding. h creating expectations, sometimes unrealistic, for a certain activity, event, etc. that can prevent me from fully enjoying the experience. The views in this column do not necWhen taking these chances, I essarily reflect the views of the HiLite obviously have little to no idea staff. Reach Austin Guo at aguo@ how things will turn out, but that hilite.org efore high school and
(prom)ptly studying
hey! are you going to prom?
MAY 2022 upcoming events
may 5: 8 a.m.- ap exam noon - ap exam may 7: prom (?) may 9: ap exam may 11: ap exam
well...i guess i’m not going
JASMINE ZHANG GRAPHIC
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Be Involved Students should be more civically active, sign up as poll workers CHENYAO LIU COLUMN
R
vote at much lower rates. According ight before the 2020 to Statista, only 55% of young people election, my parents reaged 18 to 29 voted in the ceived a flyer 2020 election, which is informing them they had higher than the 2016 a poor voting record, havelection but still lower ing only voted once out than the overall turnof the past three elecout of 66.7%. tions. While this I understand poor voting record that in Indiana was due to the fact as in most states, that my parents youth can register had only recently to vote only if they become American turn 18 before the citizens, voting for next general election, the first time in the work the polls meaning registered 2018 midterms, the 17-year-olds can flyer served as an imvote in the primary election on May portant reminder. 3. Still, most high-schoolers—like Voting is a privilege as much as it me—are unable to vote. Despite the is a right. A single person’s vote has a age limit, there are still many ways we large impact. In local elections, a single can be civically active and get involved vote counts for even more. For examin the democratic process. A teenager ple, in Hamilton County’s 2019 muas young as 16 can sign up to be a poll nicipal election, only 15% of registered worker through the Hoosier Hall Pass voters actually voted. It’s the civic duty program. There are many benefits to of every citizen to vote and choose being poll workers, especially as a teen. their representatives. But compared to For one, poll workers earn around the general population, young people
by the numbers
24% of the poll workers were 71 and older in 2016
32% of the poll worker population were between the ages of 61 and 70
14% of the poll workers were 25 and younger in each state EAVS SOURCE
$100, a quick way to make some easy cash. Working the polls counts as community service and can help fulfill volunteer hour requirements. Poll workers are crucial to ensuring a fair and democratic election. Poll workers do more than just pass out stickers. They prepare paperwork, set up ballot stations and privacy booths, check voter registration and more. Multilingual poll workers are essential in helping non-English speaking citizens to cast their ballot. But according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, twothirds of states have difficulty finding enough people to staff polling sites. One of the easiest ways to get civically active is to be a poll worker. During the next few elections, even if you’re not old enough to vote, remember you can take the day off from school and go work the polls. Hopefully, that kind of engagement will turn more teens h into lifelong voters. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Chenyao Liu at cliu@ hilite.org
path to pollworking Take a look at the steps to becoming a student pollworker on Election Day in Hamilton County 1 Check your eligibility! You must: • Be 16+ years old • Be a citizen of the United States • Be a resident of Hamilton County • Have a cumulative GPA of ≥ 3.0 4 Before Election Day: • Have a parent/guardian prearrange your absence with the school • Let your teachers know you will be absent, account for missing work
2 Fill out a student pollworker form here: • Obtain required school signature from your guidance counselor • Email your form to elections@hamiltoncounty.in.gov along with your expressed interest as a student pollworker and your name, age and address 3 Attend pollworker training • Can either be done online or at the Judicial Center • Scan here to view training information: CHLOE SUN GRAPHIC
HAMILTON COUNTY SOURCE
12
APRIL 22, 2022
Gay Gay Gay Schools should be safe space for all students, destigmatize LGBTQ topics SAM HAWKINS COLUMN
F
lorida gov. ron desantis
signed HB 1557, better known as “Don’t Say Gay,” into law on March 28. When it takes effect on July 1, the law will prohibit Florida schools from conducting “classroom instruction” on topics of gender and sexual orientation in grades K-3 or in a manner that is not “age appropriate or developmentally appropriate in accordance with state standards.” The bill has received criticism from people all over the country, from Joe Biden to Kate McKinnon, and prompted walkouts at schools and Disney. There are a wide variety of reasons for concern about the bill; it condemns the teaching of LGBTQ issues, pushes for mental and physical health services provided at schools to be detailed to parents while removing the requirement for a student’s consent to do so, and empowers dissatisfied parents to sue should they fell a school violates any of the myriad policies outlined in the bill and its predecessors. At its core, the bill addresses a “problem” that simply does not exist,
GAY
by the numbers
71%
of LGBTQ youth experienced discrimination
5%
of LGBTQ youth had conversion therapy TREVOR PROJECT SOURCE
at least not on a large scale. Most teachers do not speak on LGBTQ issues in the classroom, especially in younger grades. This is how I and my LGBTQ peers grew up, and while many of us now are living comfortably in our identities, this is unfortunately still not a reality for a large proportion of our generation. Even for me, being nonbinary and on the asexual and aromantic spectrums when I did not have the words to understand or describe what I was feeling was confusing at best. At worst, the statistics speak for themselves; young LGBTQ people are over four times as likely to commit suicide than their peers, and 42% of LGBTQ youth reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year, including over 50% of transgender and nonbinary kids according to the Trevor Project— and suicidal ideation and other mental health struggles do not occur naturally as a consequence of being LGBTQ, they arise from, marginalization, stigmatization and mistreatment. Keeping conversations about LGBTQ topics out of classrooms won’t
stop kids from learning about them. Even third-graders know how to use TikTok, YouTube, and Google Search. What it will do is increase hostility toward young LGBTQ students. Treating LGBTQ identities as taboo and inherently sexually explicit in nature just breeds the exact kind of shame and stigma that drives LGBTQ mental health struggles. We need to be moving in the opposite direction. Dismantling stigma starts with kids. We need to “say gay” in classrooms so that we can create a world that is safer for all young people, especially those who do not have support at home. We are not simply going to cease to exist, and in times like this we should exist loudly, and shamelessly, and honestly. Remind the LGBTQ people in your life that they are not alone. Just because this bill was signed in Florida does not mean that this does not involve all of us in the States. This is not the last time we will see a law like this. Talk. h Words are power. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Sam Hawkins at shawkins@ hilite.org
breakdown of the bill Learn about implications of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, similar bills in other states Florida HB 1157: • officially called “Parental Rights in Education” bill • prohibits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in grades K-3 • allows parents to deny support services offered in schools on behalf of their children • signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on Feb. 24 DARSHINI SHANKAR GRAPHIC
NPR SOURCE
“Don’t Say Gay”
Grades K-3
Ohio HB 616 • bans instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in grades K-3 • requires intruction on these topics in grades 4-12 to be age-appropriate by state standards Indiana SB 415 • bans mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling in public schools • provides that schools can not require employees to adhere to tenets relating to sex or race
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Tips For Tipping The benefits of tipping, drawbacks of tipping culture SAUMYA SOMASI COLUMN
I
work at the ice cream,
15
hours a week, making $9 an hour. One of my bosses, who works at least two other jobs that I know of, works her job at Coldstone as a way of earning extra money quickly. But at 15 hours a week, $9 an hour, she only makes $135 per week before taxes because there are only so many hours in a week, she does not have the time to find a higher-paying job to earn the cash that she needs. Since we don’t yet have a federally mandated higher minimum wage, here’s where tipping comes in. If everyone who ordered an ice cream rounded up when they paid (so they would pay a total of $10 on an $8 ice cream), that $9 an hour we make would suddenly be closer to $16. Which is a much more livable wage. Working in the industry has made me realize that I should always tip— even if the service was not perfect. It feels strange to tip computers or electronic devices, but when I have the money, I always tip at least the minimum amount. The regular people can make up for the unlivable wages the corporations give out. I’ve heard the argument that if we all just stopped tipping, then people would have to raise wages, so everyone should stop tipping. But that is just unsustainable, nor is it reliable in the short-term. The entire American culture would have to change before it, and even with this change, the customers would still end up paying
the tip there would just be a different name for it. When I lived in New Zealand, tipping was not a requirement, but there was a service charge on just about everything, so in reality, we did end up “tipping,” just not in the traditional sense. Another reason tipping is vital even when there is poor service is because of shared tips. You might not tip your server because they spoke too fast or forgot a part of your order, but in reality, you could be taking away tips from the person tip behind the counter who has been doing their job perfectly. Sharing tips means that we divide the total tips among us, and we never know who was tipped originally. So if you have the money to tip— just tip. You are not saving yourself all that by holding back the money h that is expected of you. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Saumya Somasi at ssomasi@hilite.org
did you know?
Legislation was passed in the 1970s to offer fairer wages for restaurant workers. Today, the federal minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13. Only seven states mandate that all workers, must be paid the full state minimum wage before tips. TIME SOURCE
here’s a tip DANIEL TIAN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE
wow the service here is great! i’ll definitely leave a tip!
no don’t that’s culturally insensitive
well someone told me earlier not to tip and the service wasn’t great...
nope you have to tip >15%
news
APRIL 22, 2022
News Briefs DARIUSH KHURRAM, RAGHAV SRIRAM BRIEFS
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CMYC Dodgeball Tournament
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Planetarium Show
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Earth Day
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2022 Performing Arts Spring Concert
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Start of Asian Pacific Start of AP Exams Heritage Month
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Teacher Appreciation Day
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CHS Prom 2022
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Q Z D T X L B O L D W R F E A T U R E B AAONHQNYCMCEEUNAOWOY C X L E S T U D E N T S E C T I O N D N P I S W P E R S P E C T I V E S F X L Q C E S S L H A V K A Y B S T K N Q A D H O I F I F T E E N M I N U T E S V D N I V T D B J E D G O H V M Z Y K I B Y I L E R J M H R X G D D K U K Z K V J N L I R G P E P A L K L H S P O R T S I A B T B Y N K E N T E R T A I N M E N T K M E W Q H G P A J S D Y X O L R K Q L E D G
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Take some time to complete a HiLite-inspired connect-the -dots and word search as you read the April issue
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Late Start
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Spring Musical Showings
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JAM PERSPECTIVES NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT COVER STUDENT SECTION
FEATURE SPORTS 15 MINUTES
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club spotlight
UNICEF For Ukraine DARIUSH KHURRAM Q&A
ARTHUR MANSAVAGE PHOTO
stuffed with love: Junior Parisa Shirani collects stuffed animals from a donation box at door 4 during a Carmel UNICEF club meeting on Tuesday, April 12th. Carmel UNICEF started a donation drive for Ukranian children displaced by the war in Ukraine from March 23rd to April 22nd.
q&a Jill Noel, UNICEF club sponsor What is the club doing currently doing?
We’re doing a donation drive for the Ukrainian children that have been affected by the war. We are accepting new and used stuffed animals and blankets. We are going to end this around April 22, (however) we can continue to accept stuffed animals if more students want to bring them in. Around the first week of May, I’m going to load all the items with my helpers. We are going to rent a big truck and take it to Grace Church, and then it’s all going to be shipped to Hungary, Poland or Ukraine.
What inspired this stuffed animal drive?
I was sitting on the couch right after the war had started, and I was watching the news. I kept seeing these little children that were literally being taken out of their houses because they had to evacuate, and they didn’t have anything. It just broke my heart, and I sat there and cried. I talked to the UNICEF officers, and we just decided that this would be a good thing to do for those kids because, like I said, they have nothing.
How can students participate and contribute?
q&a
There’s blue boxes throughout the building (to put donations in.) There’s one at the entrance to the freshman center, one at Door 4 and two at the natatorium entrance.
Why are UNICEF events important?
Parisa Shirani, Educate Officer Can you give me an overview of UNICEF? UNICEF is a branch of the United Nations that’s focused on delivering resources to children in less fortunate circumstances around the world. Whether that means educational resources, disaster relief or anything else, it’s focused on getting necessary items to children in less developed areas.
What are some of your future events? We’re having Rep. Victoria Spartz come down and talk, and we might have Channel Four air a segment on us (for our donation drive). That’s definitely the biggest thing we have going on. But in addition to that, we also want to stick to what we normally do and have another Give-Back Night and a Kid Power event.
Scan this QR code to stay updated on the latest UNICEF events
We are in a community that provides us with so much, and we should use this circumstance to help children who are not in the best climate. With so much going on right now, it is very important to stay focused and realize that, while you may get in disagreements about things that are happening, it’s really important to take a step back and see that there are children and innocent bystanders that are affected by this. There is always going to be someone in need, and we should strive to help those in not the best situation.
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APRIL 22, 2022
Parks In light of Arbor Day, 10th anniversary of the Lorax movie, student, Biology teacher, Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation member highlight importance of local parks
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TSION DANIEL STORY
NICK BECKMAN PHOTO
or ella yates, leader of the green action
Club’s (GAC) tree planting initiative and senior, parks are not just a place to enjoy nature; they are a place to maintain it. “The parks are very important for a couple different reasons. Obviously, they are a habitat for animals, plants and trees which are really good for sucking carbon out of the air,” Yates said. “I know it doesn’t seem like just one tree is super effective, but throughout its lifetime it can take a couple cars’ emissions out of the sky, which is pretty cool.” Yates is not alone in this sentiment. In fact, according to the National Recreation and Park Association, trees in urban areas eliminate over 90 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year. To put this in perspective, this is equivalent to getting rid of over 19 million cars. It is important to note that the federal government utilizes the National Park Service (NPS), an agency of the Department of the Interior established in 1916, to manage hundreds of national parks including the famous Yellowstone National Park. But despite such efforts, around 54% of Americans still say the federal government is not doing enough to protect national parks, according to a 2020 Pew Research Center study. Many environmentally-conscious people in this community said they believe the government could do more and that efforts should not be limited to just national parks but rather should apply to the conservation of local parks and state parks as well. Further exemplifying this importance, Svitlana Ramer, volunteer coordinator for Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation (CCPR), said such maintenance is necessary due to the benefits these parks provide for the community. Ramer said these include storm water control. “Carmel is a pretty built-up community; there’s a lot of roads, there’s a lot of parking lots, there’s a lot of residential developments—when the rain comes, it has nowhere to go,” Ramer said. “It needs to run off somewhere and get into the ground. It can get through concrete or pavement and so parks provide really valua-
Scan this QR code to take a look at a Q&A with Carmel Parks and Rec Directors on the building of Bear Creek Park
did you know? Indiana is ranked 41st out of all U.S. states in total tree cover loss between 2001 and 2020 GLOBAL FOREST WATCH SOURCE
c e R & MOODY HOMSI GRAPHICS
ble areas for the water to go into the ground or into ‘bioswales’ so that the rest of the town doesn’t get flooded. So we need these areas of open earth with plants and trees that will take up all of that water.” According to National Geographic, there are several human-induced phenomena that can damage parks such as climate change and littering, as well as water and air pollution. However, according to Biology teacher Fran Rushing, one issue that people may often overlook are invasive species. “(When) there’s no control over (the) growth of the invasive species, there’s nothing that’s preying on it or controlling and minimizing its growth. So it just has a population explosion,” Rushing said. “And when it does that, it can crowd out and take the place of the natural species that were there and had evolved to be there. And by changing that whole system, it could potentially cause some pretty serious damage.” According to the NPS, community members can reduce the amount of invasive species through simple tasks such as planting native plants and cleaning shoes before walking in the parks. However, with regards to the development of local parks, Ramer said, there is a fine line between making environmentally-friendly decisions while also adhering to community desires as seen in Bear Creek Park. “That’s the dance, that’s the magic, that’s making sure that all of that can happen because we can’t...So we try to strike that fine balance the best we can while staying within the budget,” Ramer said. “And while also keeping in mind that we don’t do things that are unreasonable when it comes to natural resource management because that’s what the backbone of the park system is. We need to do good, do good by nature and do good by the people.” Additionally, Ramer said the public can also play a role in maintaining this backbone of a healthy environment. This can be done through avoiding planting invasive species that can, in turn, harm the local parks by entering them and drive out native plant species.
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under construction: Walking into the children’s playground at Coxhall Gardens, the public is greeted by this construction sign. This is just one of the many different work sites around these public parks.
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“(The) Citizen Science programs allow non-scientists to collect scientific-grade data as volunteers,” Ramer said. “And so we currently have five tracks of citizen science. We have bird monitoring, bluebird monitoring— specifically because bluebirds are such an important indicator species—Hoosier Riverwatch stream monitoring, native plant monitoring and invasive plant monitoring. “So these people have to volunteer three hours a month. And they go out and they have special applications. And they collect data about the types of plants and animals that we have in our parks. And so at the end of the month, our natural resources coordinator (Nicole Ledwith) pulls all of this data. She’s able to tell if our bird monitors found this many of these different types of birds in our habitats are doing pretty well, or if our bluebird monitors said that this many bluebirds laid eggs, and that many little blue birds hatched this summer.” Furthermore, Yates said she regularly volunteers with the CCPR and encourages others to do the same in order to gain an enlightening and educational experience. “Last Saturday, I actually picked up trash off the Monon (Trail) with this group. It didn’t seem like there was a lot but after walking around for like an hour or so I had like a full trash bag full of just litter so that was interesting. I’ve also helped with stream monitoring and so I’ve been able to learn why these things are important,” Yates said. “It’s different than just going to the park on the weekends—getting behind the scenes and helping out is really important.” h
number of tree species native to Indiana
decrease in tree cover in Indiana 1.4% since 2000. This equates to 115
square miles and an increase in carbon dioxide emissions by 9,410,000 tons
19.4%
of Indiana is forested
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age of the oldest tree in Indiana
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APRIL 22, 2022
A New Schedule New finals schedule will consist of preparational periods, A.C.E RYAN ZHANG STORY, GRAPHIC
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s the final semester of
the 2021-2022 school year approaches its final weeks, administrators adjusted the schedule for the last four days of this school year. Including May 20 and May 23 to 25, periods of Assessments & Culminating Experiences (A.C.E) will be incorporated into the school day. May 23 to 25 will be half-days where periods of optional Preparation & Intervention Time (P&I) will replace the first two periods, including lunchtime followed by two mandatory A.C.E periods. According to Associate Principal Karen McDaniel, who manages the A.C.E schedule, A.C.E’s intention is to help students and further develop a system that moves away from traditional final exams and puts more emphasis on creative learning. “An A.C.E is anything that a teacher wants to engage you with. It can be an assessment, maybe it’s a lab practical, maybe it’s an actual unit test. Maybe it’s a cumulative test across the semester, but it cannot weigh any more than any other test you’ve taken,” she said. McDaniel said teachers and administrators implemented these changes to resolve issues that arose during this school year’s first semester.
An A.C.E is anything that a teacher wants you to engage with. It can be an assessment, maybe it’s a lab practical, maybe it’s an actual unit test. ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL KAREN MCDANIEL
Scan this to see a graphic that includes A.C.E. lunch details, transportation information and more on our Instagram @hilite.org
“We saw teachers engage in a lot of projects and in a lot of presentations and a lot of things that required students to work together, but we didn’t give (students) the time to do that,” she said. So what we’re going to do is we’re going to create an end-of-the-year schedule with three half-days at the very end that will allow you collaboration time with one another and time to meet your teachers if you need it.” Nancy Spencer, business and family and consumer sciences Chairperson, was involved in the planning and developing of the A.C.E schedule changes. Spencer said she agreed with McDaniel. “(Last semester), a lot of students needed time to go see a teacher to make sure that all their work is turned in or (were) redoing something,” she said. “So we left for winter break and came back in January then started a new semester and everyone was kind of still trying to catch up from December.”
For senior Claire Qu, the changes by the A.C.E schedule are not major and seem unnecessary. She said she feels as though teachers make sure schoolwork is finished on time. “I can see how it would be beneficial, but I still don’t think (unfinished work at the end of semesters) was a huge problem, at least in my classes during these past few years. We usually wouldn’t leave assignments unfinished or run out of time,” she said. Normally the teacher would pace it so that it would be fine and we would finish everything before break,” she said. Spencer said that while the change may not be permanent, she said she feels it provides the best experience for students. “I think it’s unique. I think it’s different and I think it just serves CHS. It’s a great way to end this semester, so we’re all anticipating this is going to be successful, which means that it should h move forward,” she said.
A.C.E the last week
Cut this out and save it!
Take a look at the changes to the end of this school year MONDAY MAY 23
TUESDAY MAY 24
WEDNESDAY MAY 25
PREPARATION & INTERVENTION TIME
PREPARATION & INTERVENTION TIME
PREPARATION & INTERVENTION TIME
9:05 - 12:05
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B1 - ACE 12:50 - 2:20
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G4 - ACE 2:35 - 4:05
B2 - ACE 2:35 - 4:05
G3 - ACE 2:35 - 4:05
B4 - ACE 2:35 - 4:05
FRIDAY MAY 20 G1 9:05 - 10:35 G2 10:45 - 12:15
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The Battleground CHS eSports prepares for upcoming tournament, Greyhound Battlegrounds EDDIE SUN STORY
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xtracurricular activities
are crucial for any high school student, especially at CHS. This school provides many unique opportunities and clubs for all students, and Carmel eSports is no exception. The eSports team is preparing for its next competition, Greyhound Battlegrounds. Beginning on April 22, Greyhound Battlegrounds provides a unique opportunity for students to get involved and will feature games like “Valorant,” “Rocket League” and “League of Legends.” ESports requires teamwork, communication, critical and strategic thinking, creativity, sportsmanship and leadership—much like traditional sports.
92%
of high schoolers already play video games, participating in eSports allows the chance the win large amounts of money in prize pools Greyhound Battlegrounds is held one to three times annually depending on the scope of the event. Dylan Gentilcore, founder and director of Carmel eSports, talked about the general idea on how the tournament works. “Battlegrounds is a three-day online national tournament run by Carmel students. It usually is a three-title event, so we run one game on Friday, two games on Saturday, and grand finals for all three on Sunday.” Gentilcore said. Gentilcore said Greyhound Battlegrounds is one of the biggest tournaments we host and compete in and the tournament will be highly competitive since there are teams spanning across the country preparing and competing in this tournament. Nyle Nasir, captain of the League of Legends team and senior, said
MOODY HOMSI, ARJUN PUROHIT GRAPHIC
CHS hosts and prepares for this event by reaching out. “To prepare, I personally am in charge of reaching out to local and national companies in order to find potential partnerships that can help fund the tournament, alongside negotiating agreements with these companies. I expect to have lots of growth in this next tournament, as since our last one we have largely increased our personal connections,” Nasir said. “Historically, we’ve spent one to two months acquiring sponsors, making promotional content, creating the tournament site, and getting registrants for the event. We then spend about 50 hours on the weekend streaming and running the tournament. This year, we hope to spread out that preparation phase over the course of several months to improve the quality of the product we’re providing in terms of both structure and prizing,” Gentilcore said. Gentilcore expressed his expectations for this upcoming tournament. “I think it’s going to be our biggest and best Battlegrounds ever. We really want this to stand out as one of the best high school tournaments
by the numbers
8600 high school eSports teams in the country
$40 MILLION
largest prize pool awarded in the International DOTA 2 Championships 2021
$1.08 BILLION market revenue worldwide
$20 MILLION offered annually by colleges offering varsity eSports
in the entire nation this school year,” Gentilcore said. Srikrishna Ganeshan, sophomore and captain of the Varsity Valorant team, said he is very excited to see his team’s performance in this tournament. “CHS prepares for this tournament primarily through practices and scrimmages where we can go over strategies, and even play other teams that are around our same skill level or better so that our teams can improve as a whole,” Ganeshan said. “My expectations for this tournament are high because CHS holds one of the best eSports programs in the nation,” he said. Ganeshan said he is eager to see his team’s progression throughout the season with this tournament. “Regarding my experience with Greyhound Battlegrounds last year, I was very excited considering that it was one of my first experiences with my team in a tournament. Overall it was a very fun experience, and despite losing in the semifinals, it is generally very enjoyable,” Gah neshan said.
NEA ,ESPORTS EARNINGS, PEW RESEARCH CENTER SOURCES
League of Legends (2009) $89,528,581 given out Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) created by Riot Games
Scan this to see the full graphic
VALORANT (2020) $7,455,483 given out First person tactical shooter (FPS) created by Riot Games
entertainment
APRIL 22, 2022
Dress to Impress Seniors describe bittersweet feeling, self-expression at prom
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CADY ARMSTRONG STORY CCORDING
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Jenna Oustoiny, she has looked forward to prom for many years. “Ever since I was little I always looked at all the dresses and couldn’t wait to go to prom. It is surreal that it is already here and a little bit bittersweet but I think we’re definitely ready for it,” Oustoiny said. “These four years have gone by so quickly and slowly at the same time, and I think we have all matured so much from when we first were freshman.”
CHS will host prom on May 7 from 8 to 11 p.m. at 502 East Event Centre. Juniors and seniors can purchase tickets for $40 each until May 6 at 4:05 p.m. through the CHS website or bookstore. Additionally, students must have a student ID to buy them. Also, according to prom sponsor Jennifer Joiner, juniors and seniors can bring other guests. She said, “If a student would like to bring an outside guest, guest forms are located in Student Services. The deadline for guest forms is May
dresses through the decades
See how popular prom dresses have changed over time 1960s Characteristics included lace, bow details, satin waist bands, brocade, ruffles, 1970s ‘70s dresses often included lace insets, ruffle trim and long bell sleeves. In the late ‘70s, disco dresses with metallic colors and Gracian draping were all the rage 1980s The ideal ‘80s dress would have included an off the shoulder silhouette, big bow on the hips, a sweetheart neckline and an asymmetrical bottom hem 1990s Popular in this decade were the iconic slip dress, tailored skirts and pantsuits, bright or metallic colors, vinyl fabrics and loud prints JILLIAN MOORE, HIBBA MAHMOOD GRAPHIC NEW YORK TIMES, CENTRAL SCENE SOURCES
4. Once all paperwork has been approved, guest tickets can be purchased online as well as the bookstore.” Oustoiny said prom will be even more memorable this year for the class of 2022. Oustoiny said, “Not having it last year makes it feel even more special this year. Senior prom is already important as it is, and because we didn’t have it last year I have much more gratitude and excitement for it because we didn’t get that real prom experience as juniors.” Senior Katerina Folkin said she agrees and encouraged seniors to consider attending. “I do not feel like prom has been built up too much for us. Prom is a long-standing tradition that everyone should get to experience at least once in their life.” This year, the prom theme is Hollywood Nights: A Red Carpet Affair. According to Joiner, this theme gives students a wide range of attire to choose from. Joiner said, “Since our theme is Hollywood Nights, if you look at the fashion from this awards season, you can see that there is such a wide range: sleek and classic, sequins, princess dresses, etc. and there is more of a focus on menswear. I guess the question is ‘how do you want to remember yourself on the red carpet?’ Students should be able to look back at this moment and say, ‘I look good. Yes, I did that.’” Furthermore, Folkin said this theme allowed her the variety of attire she needed to find to express herself. “Red carpet attire keeps the options of what to wear open. For me, it was definitely a long process trying to find the ‘perfect’ dress, but I am glad to say that I have finally
dancing queen: (BELOW) Senior Alexa Walquist (left) and senior Katerina Folkin (right) dance together in downtown Carmel while dressed up for prom. Folkin said she felt excited to choose the pictured dress. KATERINA FOLKIN SUBMITTED PHOTO
HILITE.ORG
did you know?
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While there is no official dress code at CHS, prom is traditionally a black tie event. For women, this means simple costume jewelry, a full length or knee-length dress (but no shorter) or trousers in a palazzo cut. Men should wear a white evening shirt, a single or double-breasted dinner jacket with covered buttons, black trousers, cufflinks and, obviously, a black tie.
While prom may be bittersweet, I think it’s important to make it unforgettable, especially now. It is one of the last opportunities for seniors to celebrate with their class (and) have fun.
EVENING STANDARD SOURCE
SPONSOR JENNIFER JOINER
found the one. What someone should wear is up to the individual and allows them to show their individual personality,” Folkin said. “In addition to helping seniors close out their high school years, prom and this specific theme also lets everyone show their individual sense of self.” Oustoiny agreed and said prom allows students to express themselves through what they wear.
“For me, I’m really excited about the opportunity to dress up and also see everyone else dressed up. This is the only time I will see some of my classmates outside of school and I think that dynamic as well as what everyone will wear allows us to get to see another side of who they are.” Additionally, Joiner said that she hopes prom will be a way for seniors to celebrate with their classmates.
mirror mirror: While looking at her reflection, senior Jenna Oustoiny beautifies for prom. JENNA OUSTOINY SUBMITTED PHOTO
“I believe prom is one of those lasting memories that many people tend to reflect on when discussing their high school years. To be honest, due to COVID, the Class of 2022 may feel as if they have not been able to enjoy traditional events that are a part of the high school experience,” she said. “While prom may be bittersweet, I think it’s important to make it unforgettable, especially now. It is one of the last opportunities for seniors to celebrate with their class, have fun and look good doing it.” According to Oustoiny, prom is what you make of it. Oustoiny said, “Although prom is something we’ve all talked about for years, I feel like there are definitely other ways to form those memorable experiences in high school. Prom just might not be everyone’s thing and that is OK, but for me personally I know it will be an important experience that I look forward to.” However, Folkin said she is personally excited for prom specifically. “Prom is an important part of the high school culture that has shaped our experiences. I am looking forward to spending time with my friends, dancing, going to a nice dinner, taking pictures and getting dressed up for this occasion. It’s one of our last nights as a class,” she said. “In the end, I’m going to miss all the experiences and opportunities that high school has given me and I’m really looking h forward to this last event.”
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APRIL 22, 2022
Party of The Year With upcoming Met Gala (officially named Costume Institute Gala) occurring on May 2, see some elements of this iconic event GRACE GUO, CLAIRE HE GRAPHICS ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, METMUSEUM, NEWSWEEK, NEW YORK TIMES, VOGUE, WASHINGTON POST SOURCES
red carpet glam
“The Met” Take a look at some of the elements of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s architecture Architects Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates created the initial plans for the museum that were approved in 1971
Includes the Robert Lehman Wing, the Sackler Wing, the American Wing, the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing, and the Henry R. Kravis Wing
See some Met Gala looks from the last decade
Two-millionsquare-foot building
Jennifer Hudson wore Vera Wang to “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” (2011) Met Gala
partying since 1948 Check out the history of the Met Gala 1948
Fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert leads the first Costume Institute Benefit
1946 Costume Institute joins the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1973 Costume Institute consultant Diana Vreeland creates first Met Gala theme “The World of Balenciaga”
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cashing in
2017
The Met Gala has been called “the ATM of the Metropolitan Musuem of Art” bringing in millions of dollars per year. See the money raised from recent galas in USD
12 Million
2019
15 Million 16.75 Million
2021 10 Million
12 Million
Lady Gaga wore Brandon Maxwell to “Camp: Notes on Fashion” (2019) Met Gala dress with an extravagent entrance based on camp fashion and culture
14 Million
18 Million
16 Million
did you know? The 2021 Met Gala, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” was hosted by Amanda Gorman, Timothée Chalamet, Naomi and Billie Eilish. NEW YORK TIMES SOURCE
by the numbers
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THOUSAND
Beyoncé wore Givenchy to “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” (2016) Met Gala
dollar tickets to attend the Met Gala
700
THOUSAND people visited the 2015 and 2016 Costume Institute exhibits NEW YORK TIMES SOURCE
20 Read a story on local fashion and self-expression at the CHS prom on May 7
Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour begins leading the Met Gala
1995
2002
Andrew Bolton of the Victoria & Albert Museum joins The Met, exhibits become more elaborate
“About Time: Fashion and Duration” Met Gala canceled due to COVID-19 2020
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APRIL 22, 2022
Womanly Wit With threequel of “Legally Blonde” being released in May, female students discuss female stereotyping ALIVIA ROMANIUK STORY
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RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC
ften junior amna mallick,
like other teenagers, likes to sit down and watch movies in her free time, including the hit movie “Legally Blonde,” which came out in 2001. Though Mallick was not yet alive at the release of the movie, she said she has grown to enjoy both the messages and the comedy displayed through the film. In June 2018, Reese Witherspoon, who starred as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde,” announced that the threequel, “Legally Blonde 3,” would be coming out in May 2020. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie is now set to come out next month. Though it has been more than 20 years since the franchise’s launch date, several individuals say the messages within the movie still hold true today, especially regarding the the “dumbblonde” stereotype and other stereotypes regarding women in law. The American Bar Association reported that 49.4% of law students in 2001-2002 were women, showing that they were not a minority at the time. However, a multi-year study on Harvard Law students in 2004 revealed that women participated less in class and were on average less confident than men. “(The movie is) for sure ahead of its time,” Mallick said. “Obviously, like the whole blonde stereotype that
pretty in pink: Throughout the “Legally Blonde” films, Reese Witherspoon, or Elle Woods, appears in multiple pink outfits and demonstrates understanding in law. blondes or dumb and everything– (the movie) totally breaks away from that but it also leans into it... like (Woods) can kind of be a ditzy blonde but she leaned into it and didn’t meet people’s expectations, she exceeded them.” In the original movie, Woods, a stereotypical Beverly Hills blonde, endures a break-up and decides to win her ex-boyfriend back by attending Harvard Law School. Though her classmates saw Woods as a “dumb
Scan this to read summary of “Legally Blonde”
blonde” who didn’t belong at Harvard, Elle remained confident in her role at the school. Sophomore Lani Samms, a fan of the Legally Blonde franchise, said she admires Woods’ character traits and the other barriers which she breaks throughout the whole movie. “There’s still a lot of sexism against women (pursuing different careers) but especially in the early 2000s,” Samms said. “Even now, we’ve had so much growth so I can’t even imagine how much harder it was back then so I feel like (the movie is a) jump in advance to show that.” Assistant Principal Maureen Borto said she has seen a greater presence of working women since the movie’s release date. “I think you see more women in leadership roles in various fields and occupations, which I think trickles down to women who join the workforce: what they see, what they are able to achieve, they see those things changing,” Borto said. “This is the work world I know, and I’ve seen (women) be more recognized, so I think there’s a respect there for the work women did in my capacity.” While other blonde characters in hit movies in the early 2000s such as “Bring it On” and “Mean Girls” were in many ways similar to “Legally Blonde,” Woods navigated a completely different world. She wasn’t the popular girl or the sorority queen bee anymore; she was a law student
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trying to fit in a place where people insisted she didn’t belong. “(Woods) shows that women in general can be into multiple things and it’s not just like, ‘Oh there’s girls stuff and guys stuff.’ Even if you look this way, or act this way you can be super smart,” Samms said. Mallick said she agreed with Samms. “(The movie) kind of ties in (feminism) and (professionalism) because in a lot of movies they’re kind of showing the character has to choose either/or and it’s kind of like the whole plot of the movie, whereas in (‘Legally Blonde’) they don’t take away any of (Woods’) personality or any of the things that she does,” Mallick said. “They keep who she is throughout the movie and make her better, instead of trying to change her in the end.” Both Samms and Mallick said “Legally Blonde” is a fun and radi-
ant movie that evokes confidence and sends an important message to women that they don’t have to choose between being femimine and being professional. “I enjoy Reese Witherspoon’s character,” Borto said. “I think she’s smart, so I like that they make that a focal point of the story...It’s a smart story with intelligent humor.” Mallick said, “Elle Woods is constantly making other people feel like they are also Elle Woods, even if they’re not the ideal, perfect blonde, rich and everything. She kind of gives them a lot of confidence, so I really like that. Samms said, “I think it’s a funny movie, first of all, but second of all it kind of shows if you work hard enough you can get where you want. It shows how one person can look like one thing but they can change h into something else.”
hardworking hurdler: Junior Julia Dong (left) and sophomore Lani Samms (right) practice running hurdles in preparation for their next track meet. According to Samms, seeing other girls on the team succeed has built female empowerment and made her feel more confident. LANI SAMMS SUBMITTED PHOTO
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sisters in supremacy Take a look at two female Supreme Court Justices, history they made Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court - 2nd female law professor at Rutgers Law school -First Jewish female Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson -First black woman on the Supreme Court -First and only Justice who Served as a Public Defender -Awarded Constance Baker Motley Award AVERY CARLISLE GRAPHIC READER’S DIGEST, THE HARVARD GAZETTE, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS SOURCES
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APRIL 22, 2022
Show Stoppers Students reflect on importance of technical theatre PALLEVI PILLAI STORY
J
unior
Olivia Sumner, along with the rest of the technical theater (tech crew) members, spend hours meticulously crafting sets, adjusting the pitches of sounds and lighting in order to create the best ambience for performers to take the stage. These are just some of the many responsibilities of a member of tech theater. According to Sumner, third-year tech crew member and stage manager, tech crew works on every production which takes place at the high school. Tech theatre classes teach basic skills in lighting, sound, scenic construction and theater management. This year tech crew worked on production for “Because Their Hearts Were Pure”, “Studio One Acts”, “Our Town”, and supported every band, orchestra and choir concert. They are currently working on the spring musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, which begins on May 17th. Tech crew is in charge of all aspects
ARTHUR MANSAVAGE, CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTOS
of behind-the-scenes production; this demands a wide skill set from crew members. Efficient collaboration among the crew is crucial in order to have a successful production, according to Andrew Okerson, tech theatre instructor and auditorium director. “Depending on the production, we have between three and 50 people on a crew,” Okerson said. “There will always be a stage manager, a light board operator and a sound board operator, but we often add video, rigging, make up costumes, props and house management crews, too.” With so many hands on deck working behind the scenes during a production, there is always a chance for error. With that chance for error, Sumner said, comes a sense of pressure for tech crew to constantly adapt in the background while performers are onstage. “Things go wrong a lot. That’s just natural in a performance because we are constantly moving lights,” Sumner said. “As stage manager, I definitely feel the pressure because I call all the cues on stage. Sometimes a person in charge of lights could turn them off at the wrong time, and since I’m in charge of the show, I have to be ready to think on my feet.” Claire Bartley, first-year tech crew member and sophomore, said she agreed with Sumner, and added that time constraints on stage exacerbate the pressure of production. “During “Because Our Hearts Were Pure”, we did not have a lot of space backstage because we were in the Studio Theatre and we had a ton of big set pieces,” Bartley said. “We had to get our scene changes in under
setting the stage: Junior Olivia Sumner pushes part of a stage outside of CHS. Tech Theater members must prepare aspects of the stage for performances at the school. Sumner said she enjoys the work she does for tech theater, though said she wishes they got more credit.
EMILY SANDY GRAPHIC
10 seconds, which was very hard considering we did not have a lot of room to store pieces and move quickly.” Sumner said auditorium renovations have made productions particularly difficult this year for tech crew. Plus, due to renovations, many school productions took place at offsite locations. “Because of the renovations, we lost the auditorium workshop,” Sumner said. “During the first few weeks of summer, a group of five of us would move all of our equipment from the old space to an old dance studio in E rooms in order to have a workshop space this year.”
>>
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a fresh coat: Tech Theater students, senior Allison “Alice” Amburgey (left) and junior Kylie Lethen (right) paint and build a desk for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Students at the preparation were told to paint the desk both black and white throughout the block.
Okerson said this shift in location created a short window for set design and production. “We only have three weeks to build, rehearse and produce the winter play, and this year it was at another building. Being efficient with our time and making sure everything is ready when the audience arrives has been the biggest challenge,” Okerson said. The spring musical, one the most popular school programs of the year, will take place at the varsity gym due to the renovations. Sumner said, “We’re going to every musical rehearsal for blocking notes. We’ve also been doing marketing to fund the show. We don’t know what the setup is for the gym, and it’s unclear right now how costume changes will work as of now.” Okerson said tech crew has been diligently planning and adapting to create a production in the new space. “We have been planning this show since September,” Okerson said. “We are bringing in several large trucks of professional sound, lighting and staging equipment. All of those pressing issues are in addition to building sets, gathering props, measuring for costumes and the hundreds of other jobs that have to get done. It really is going to be a great show.” Despite the fact that tech crew works behind the scenes, Okerson said that he does not feel that they are overshadowed by the performers. He said, “Our performers at CHS are incredibly kind and appreciative of our work, it makes it a pleasure to come to a show. Also, without us, everyone would be in the dark, so we are just as essential as the on-stage talent.”
Bartley and Sumner, however, expressed different views on the topic. Bartley said, “ I feel like people just don’t know how much work we put into the performances. The audience doesn’t see us perform but they see the actors. And that is what they care about. I wish people knew how much work we put in.”
Sumner said she agreed with Bartley, but said she was proud of the work they put in. “In the ‘Evening of Show Choir’ program, [the members] weren’t listed, even though we did the whole set up for twelve hours straight,” Sumner said. “But our work shows through, and that’s what matters the most.” h
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APRIL 22, 2022
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Heroes: Redefined With 10th anniversary of “The Avengers” series, significance of hero diversity, community hero representation increasingly important CHENYAO LIU, DARSHINI SHANKAR STORY
MADDIE MISTERKA PHOTOS
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APRIL 22, 2022
M
ay
4
marks the
10-
year anniversary of the release of “The Avengers,” the first Marvel movie to include a team of superheroes with diverse backgrounds. In those 10 years, the Marvel franchise has reached a wide audience, with the most recent Avengers movie, “Avengers: Endgame” having grossed a total of $858 million. Junior Kenna Sura said she is a Marvel fan and has grown to love Marvel movies because of the company’s intricacy in casting of characters and ability to establish multiple storylines. “I think what I love most about Marvel movies is the characters,” Sura said. “The casting of each character’s actor (or) actress is very exact and accurate, and the way that Marvel is able to establish separate story lines for each ( individual character) is amazing. All of the characters are developed very well with their own styles, personalities (and) sense of humor.” In particular, Sura said her favorite Marvel characters are those she can relate to, choosing them as her favorite for their personality instead of superpowers. “My favorite character in Marvel is probably Yelena Belova. She is played by Florence Pugh and she is Natasha Romanoff’s younger sister. While she was not in ‘Infinity War,’ she made her first appearance in ‘Black Widow,’ and then again in the ‘Hawkeye’ show,” she said. “I think she is my favorite character not only because I love Florence
gender barrier Take a look at some gender statistics, popular female superhero
53%
53% of women consider themselves superhero movie fans
30.9% of Marvel characters are women
61%
61% of men consider themselves superhero movie fans
30.6% of DC characters are women
*Though the Marvel and DC Universes are expanding to include more women, there isn’t too much progress on these fronts still
Wonder Woman -First appearance in comics: December 1941 -Alternative Name: Princess Diana of Themyscira - Gal Gadot stars in three Wonder Woman movies -Diana was named after a Female Heroine
RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC STATISTA, DCCOMICS SOURCES
Pugh’s portrayal of her, but also because she is really easy to relate to, as a younger sister who appreciates family and loves her sister. I also really love her because she is super funny and not afraid to be herself.” Beyond their attempts to make Marvel characters more relatable, to viewers, the franchise has grown to include increasingly more diverse superheroes in recent years. In 2018, Forbes revealed that 61% of Marvel
42 Check out a series of student Q&As about celebrating cultures and cultural representation in the Carmel community
characters were white. However, recent efforts of Phase 4 movies have been to increase racial diversity with new superheroes such as Black Panther and Shang-Chi. Ridhi Dondetti, Marvel fan and sophomore, said she thinks Marvel has done a good job incorporating diversity in recent years, but she said she would like to see more cultural representation. Dondetti said, “It would be great to see different cultures incorporated into future Marvel projects rather than just including different races to add diversity (such as clothing, daily practices, etc), but I think overall Marvel is doing a good job with slowly starting to add more diversity and representation in their projects and characters.” Aubree Empie, IB film student and junior, said she liked recent Marvel movies like “Eternals” for their increased focus on cinematography and newfound portrayal of various cultures. Empie said, “I would say for Eternals basically, it is cultural. I mean, they started from very early on and the Earth ages, and basically they went to now. But it’s just very pretty heavy (on) show(ing) the (world’s development) through the camera lens (with) all the colors, plants, nature and humans.” A new Marvel series, “Ms. Marvel,” is scheduled to release in June. This show will feature Kamala Khan, a teenage fan of superheroes who gains superpowers and becomes Marvel’s first Muslim superhero. Dondetti said she is looking
did you know? Marvel identifies four powers and abilities Spider-man has to define his superpowers. These are agility, awareness, webshooters and pincers. Two of these, the web-shooters and pinchers, were technological additions to his suit, not technical superpowers MARVEL SOURCE
Scan this to visit Marvel’s character profile for Spiderman to see a full breakdown of his character
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forward to the South Asian representation in this series. “Being South Asian, I’m really excited for the series and both the Muslim and South Asian representation we’re going to get from the series. I liked how (Marvel is) potentially adding some (South Asian) cultural aspects to the show, such as cultural buildings, practices, and clothes,” Dondetti said. Aside from racial diversity, these recent efforts have also increased female representation in Marvel movies. Empie said she appreciates Marvel’s initiatives to have females play lead roles, but would still like to see more female heroes. “In the early years, the females (in Marvel films) in my opinion only played the love interest. In recent years, you can see that females are having more lead roles, like in Captain Marvel,” Empie said. “I would definitely love to see more female representation in the future and I think the (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is setting up for that.” With these recent efforts to re-establish the image of a superhero, Empie said Marvel has helped her form her own definition of what makes a
hero. Empie said a hero is defined by personality, not appearance and the one trait she considered to be encompassing of all heroes was putting the well-being of others first. Empie said, “I probably used to think a hero was someone who just saved the world. Like, they were strong and powerful and stuff like that. But I mean, probably now it’s more I do think their personality, like they do things for the better of the world and not for themselves.” Though most take their idea of a hero from popular media, everyday heroes can also serve as role models. In their daily life, students here says they have many everyday heroes to look up. One such example are police officers. The Carmel Police Department (CPD) provides 13 School Resource Officers (SRO) for all schools in the Carmel Clay Schools district. SROs are tasked with teaching, informal counseling and enforcing the law within schools. Major Patrol Officer and SRO Ashley Williams said the SROs also interact with students and families outside of
Scan this to visit Marvel’s official website to view information about their comics, movies, merchandise and upcoming news surrounding their superhero media
my spidey senses are tingling: Junior Aubree Empie pretends to shoot webs from her hands in the same way Spider-man does in his movies and shows. Empie says she thinks a hero is someone who always puts others above themselves.
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school during community events. “We try to get out in the hallways and interact and talk to students,” she said. “(We) also try to go to many events. I’ve attended Mr. Carmel; (I) try to go to class awards.” Major Patrol Officer and SRO Matthew Broadnax said he agreed the SROs try to interact with all students. Broadnax also organizes the Teen Academy, a week-long summer program to teach middleand high-school students about what it means to be a police officer. Senior Sneha Srivatsa said she attended the CPD Teen Academy a few summers ago. “We got to simulate almost every aspect
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APRIL 22, 2022
of a police officer’s life,” Srivatsa said. “(The program) was a really interactive experience, and immersive, too. I found that to be very helpful and—especially as someone who hasn’t grown up in the U.S., at least not until I was in sixth grade—I guess I wasn’t as aware of how things work, so, to be able to see from the perspective of a police officer how they conduct their jobs, was really interesting.” Broadnax said he believed the Teen Academy could inspire students to pursue a career in the police force. “I think (the Teen Academy) encourages students,” he said. “(At least), it will definitely motivate them more to consider (the police force) as an option. We’ve seen that in practice, and it’s kind of cool to see. Even if they don’t, they get an idea of what police officers do.” Srivatsa agreed and said the Teen Academy was encouraging. She said after she completed it, she joined the CPD Cadet Program. However, at the Teen Academy and the Cadet Program, Srivatsa said she saw a male-dominated program, but females who served as leaders gave her encouragement to continue. “Our sergeant was another (woman)...so there were women in leadership positions when I was (in the program),” Srivatsa said. “I don’t think I felt as lost in it as I probably would have had she not been there. But overall, I do think there were fewer females, I only
super (fan) girl: Junior Aubree Empie talks to her sister, sophomomre Adisyn “Addie” Empie about her favorite superheros. She said Spider-man is her favorite, but recently has been liking Batman too.
remember there being four, maybe five, which was a bit of a record. It was a bit, I wouldn’t say surprising, but it was a glaring difference between the (number of ) boys and girls in the group.” When she was undergoing basic training, Williams said she also saw a disproportionate number of women in the police force. “(I) was definitely in the minority,” Williams said. “Typically, if there would be two (women), that was, you know...It’s not uncommon to, if you sign up for training, to be one of two women there.” In recent years, many police departments have begun to take notice of the lack of women in the police force. To counter this, the CPD pledged to the 30x30 initiative, which aims to increase the representation of women to 30%. “We’re actively trying to recruit more female officers, and we probably have one of the more diverse
by the numbers
39% of superhero movie fans claimed to prefer Marvel to DC, with 56% having no preference
54% of adults ages 18 to 34 have seen one or more of Marvels “The Avengers” movies or related media STATISTA SOURCE
departments in surrounding Hamilton County,” Broadnax said. “But Carmel always wants to strive to be as diverse as possible.” Despite current initiatives to increase the number of female officers, Srivatsa said she still noticed a lack of racial diversity in the youth programs she attended. “There were five girls (in the Cadet Program) and two of us were people of color,” she said. “There were a few people who were prejudiced against us. They weren’t openly racist or sexist. We had open discussions about each of our beliefs, and we each respected the other’s beliefs, but it was obvious that at some point there was an irreconcilable difference between some of the other (cadet’s) beliefs and my own beliefs as a person of color.” Broadnax said he believes the CPD does not bring about or support a racist environment. “(Racism) is not the culture of the Carmel Police Department,”
superpowers Learn about the 5 phases in Marvel Phase 1 2008-2012 main characters... - Iron Man - Black Widow - Thor
Phase 2 2013-2015 main characters... - Captain America - Ant Man - Ultron
Phase 3 2016-2019 main characters... - Thanos - Black Panther - Doctor Strange
Phase 4 2021-2023 main characters... - Spider-man Phase 5 - Shang-Chi TBD - Loki
DIGITALSPY SOURCE SIRI BYRISETTY, LORNA DING GRAPHIC
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what a marvel Learn about upcoming Marvel movies, release dates The only time a Marvel superhero,Thor, has had four solo movies.
July 8, 2022
May 6, 2022
Nov. 11, 2022
The second Doctor Strange movie continuing the concept of the multiverse. The film’s teaser trailer originally debuted after the credits for “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Few details are known about the plot of this upcoming film due to the death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman.
MARISSA FINNEY GRAPHIC CINEMA BLEND SOURCE
he said. “No place is perfect. But that’s not the code. The culture of the current police department is to be inclusive, diverse, and serve the community. That’s the mandate from the mayor down and that’s something that’s emphasized and it’s something that’s valued.” Ultimately, Srivatsa said she believed more representation in media and in local environments would be helpful. However, she
said she believed it would be difficult to achieve, made even more difficult by the current lack of diversity in such jobs. “I certainly do think that more representation would be a good thing, but at the same time, I realize that we’re also divided in our beliefs as people,” Srivatsa said. “Often I’ve seen and read that people who have certain beliefs are more attracted to certain kinds of
Scan to watch the Multiverse of Madness trailer
jobs, certain roles, and I think that would make it harder for there to be diversity in a lot of fields, not just in the police force but even in medicine, law, any job really...That, more than anything, would create a divide. And I think diversity—you know, having to hear other people’s stories, other perspectives—it’s a great thing, but I don’t know how feasible it would be in the future. But, there’s always hope.” h
meet the officers! Read to learn more about the Student Resource Officers (SROs) featured in the story, job of SROs Master Patrol Officer Ashley Williams has worked for the Carmel Police Department since 2008, and as a patrol officer since she began. As an SRO, she is stationed at CHS and can be found in the student services office, along with CHS’s four other SROs Master Patrol Officer working on maintaining Ashley Williams security and safety at CHS.
CCS SOURCE
Master Patrol Officer Matthew Broadnax has been working with the Carmel Police Department (CPD) for the past 11 years following a short period of working in the Indianapolis Public Schools Police Department. He has held mutliple different positions Master Patrol Officer at CPD and is a SRO for Matthew Broadnax Carmel Middle School.
student section
APRIL 22, 2022
Captivating Culture Students, teachers use world languages to connect with cultures LORNA DING Q&AS
q&a
q&a
Why did you decide to take Chinese?
Junior Josh Baxter
“I decided to take Chinese because of my heritage. I consider myself an American, but I can’t ignore my heritage on my mother’s side. I can’t say that I like the current state of China as a country, but as a people, I have nothing but adoration for the Chinese way of life.”
Can you think of a experience or story related to you taking Chinese? “I can give you a great story about why you should learn Chinese even if you have no heritage ties. Pre-pandemic when I was volunteering as an educator in China, the organization gave us each translators to help us communicate with our kids. I lucked out and got a very pretty girl. She called me cute when talking to her friend, but she didn’t know I could understand her.”
humans of CHS
As someone who had little exposure to Chinese growing up, what challenges do you face? “Sometimes, I can do well with testing and class exercises, but outside of school I don’t think I Junior Makayla Phillips would find it easy to converse in Chinese. It’s not too hard in class because I can just memorize the characters, sentence patterns and the grammar. Conversing (in Chinese) is definitely harder.”
Should other people without exposure to Chinese take the class? “I’ve been interested in Chinese ever since I was little, so I would definitely recommend (taking) Chinese to people who aren’t taking it. It’s a very pretty and interesting language.”
For Superhero Day, students share favorite superheroes
Freshman Ella Odom My favorite superhero is Black Panther, as he kind of reminds me of the Lion King but more modernized, as he was one of the main black superheros that were in the Avengers, and it is a turning point nowadays as Marvel characters were not African. I think the main thing is that he’s so calm and not as energetic so he’s more chill about things.
Sophomore Saipranav Senthil If I was going to say who my favorite superhero was, I would say the Flash. Mostly because he’s fast enough to stop time and maybe save a lot of people in that short amount of time, but it’s also because he uses that power wisely enough to know there are boundaries.
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culture calendar: National Chinese Honors Society (NCHS) sponsor Tungfen Lee looks at the NCHS flyer for this year’s events. According to Lee, NCHS is trying to appeal to middle schoolers and are trying to have a more prominent role in CHS by “appearing (and being) heard more” in CHS culture. NATHAN HUANG PHOTO
q&a Why did you decide to take Chinese and what challenges did you face without having previous Chinese knowledge?
Sophomore Mizuki Yoshimura
“My sister took it, and she said it was fun and enjoyable and that the teacher was really nice. She told me there were food projects before COVID, which she said was fun to cook and eat. Sadly, we can’t do it now, but I am looking forward to it if we get the chance to. I also have a lot of friends in my class, and I also have more choices for movies and dramas to watch that are in different languages now. ”
“Pronunication and listening are really challenging. It’s really hard to differentiate different tones. I also feel like grammar is challenging for me because it is different from Japanese, which is my first language. Although it has similar characteristics to Japanese, it’s still totally different like the pronunciation and the grammar are both different. Learning the language from a fresh start is really challenging, so I feel like more practice is needed.”
Junior Hyrum Humiston I like the old Batman, the original TV series Batman, because he was comical, it was old, and it was also funny because of the old setting and the CGI wasn’t very good, so it made it more funny because you could definitely tell it wasn’t real, and the family was more funny and I like the manor. He has good skills, and he didn’t have any powers which made him cooler, and the plots were very interesting.
Senior Chris Carmichael My favorite superhero is Black Widow. I’ve loved her since I was a little kid, I think she stands for a really cool message of female empowerment and I love that she carries her own really well. I really resonate with her relationship with her sister, as I have an older sister that I’m very close with so it’s cool to see that relationship..
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APRIL 22, 2022
Have a Laugh Students, teachers discuss benefits of humor in light of National Humor Month EDDIE SUN, HELENA WANG STORY
N
ational
humor
month
was conceived as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter and joy, the benchmarks of humor, lead to improved well-being, boosted morale, increased communication skills, and an enriched quality of life. Celebrating National Humor Month in April, humor is a tool to relieve debilitating stress and burnout. For junior Abby Bontrager, humor helps relieve stress from schoolwork. “I would say that my stress at school is mostly formed by the amount of work and notes that we do in class. For example, one of my hardest classes would have to be precalculus because the content of that class is very difficult,” Bontrager said. “The stress and tension build up for me and the way that I relieve that (stress) is by laughing at something I find genuinely funny.” Bontrager is not the only one who associates humor with relieving stress. According to the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
humans of CHS
study and application of humor to affect positive change, about 39% of people decrease in stress by associating with humor. Similarly, according to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, laughter is a natural medicine that can improve your mood, strengthen your immune system and even combat stress, helping people’s well-being in tough and nerve-racking situations. This school provides numerous ways for students to generate humor and relieve stress. One class is Themes of Literature: Humor. Bontrager decided this was a great chance to relieve stress during the day at school. “Humor class helps me relax a bit; it lets my mind wander. Because my other classes that day are pretty difficult, it helps me de-stress and get ready for my next class of the day,” Bontrager said. According to senior Will Atteberry, humor class is not a difficult class. He said it is a class to enjoy and brighten his overall mood throughout the school day. “It’s a nice break between your classes. This class is fun and it’s something you look forward to during
by the numbers
17.5 laughs per day by an average adult
300
laughs per day by an average child
63
decibels is the average noise level of a laugh
10
different types of laughs, including: belly laugh, chortle, cachinnation, chuckle, bray and giggle HOWSTUFFWORKS SOURCE
school. It’s not like a regular English class where you sit down and write papers,” Atteberry said. For senior Sarah Warf, humor class does not carry as much stress compared to other classes. She said it is a nice break to have between her other stressful classes. “Humor class is not the full weight of a regular English class. Part of the aspect of humor is relieving stress and entertainment. Being able to break that (stress) down and watching some entertaining videos in your English class can definitely be stress relieving,” Warf said. This new class can also help understand how the world around us is using humor. According to humor class teacher Grant Benefiel, this class focuses on forms of humor and how people use it to communicate with others. “In this class, we look at humor in a variety of different perspectives. We look at how effective humor is and how we use it to make an impact on the world. It’s an interesting class, not only can you learn English, but you can also learn some history and the science behind laughter,” Benefiel said.
National Superhero Day takes place on April 28
Sophomore Aila McKeown
Freshman Ian Slate
My favorite superhero is probably Black Widow since she’s a strong female character and I think in this day and age it’s really cool to see strong female characters documented in television. She’s just strong, she’s able to hold her own and that’s super cool. She fits in very well and I think her solo movie made her story really cool about how she overcame all the past trauma and turned it into strength.
My favorite superhero is Ghost Rider, by far, because he just looks so cool and he’s also been my favorite superhero as a kid, and as a teenager now. First off, it’s the character design, and I like how he rides in a bicycle, sometimes, a Hellcat Charger, and he’s just a really cool character. His backstory is really cool because he starts out losing a lot.
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Bontrager said humor class helps her perceive the different forms of humor people use, helping her out in social interactions. “This class helps me recognize the different ways people are funny. I won’t just be like, ‘Oh, that person is funny,’ I would analyze why they were funny and different strategies they use to generate humor,” Bontrager said. Another way to have fun and provoke laughter is ComedySportz. ComedySportz is a club that does improvisational comedy performances in which two teams of “actletes” compete against each other in a variety of games to help make the audience laugh. According to ComedySportz sponsor James Peterson, it is fun for the players to challenge themselves to find new ways to make people laugh. He said the goal of this club is for students to enjoy themselves, along with the audience. “There are different games that students play in matches, like headto-head, scenic or gimmick games,” Peterson said. “These different performances help the audience participate and enjoy the show.” ComedySportz is only one of the many different ways students can reduce stress and provoke laughter. Unfortunately, stress has been a theme at this school. Social Worker Sara Knoop sees students who deal with stress on a regular basis and are trying to figure out how to deal with it.
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the best medicine Learn about the positive effects humor has on the human body. Laughter enhances you intake of oxygen-rich air. The oxygen goes through the left and right bronchi and then is divided amoung the three lobes of each lung. (Yellow circle identifies the right bronchi).
When induced in laughter, your circulation is stimulated and you are aiding muscle relaxation. Both of these things help reduce physical symptoms of stress. (Yellow circles left to right: tendon, epimysium, and the fascicle).
17 Read a story on page 17 about superheroes and their evolution and importance in today’s society and how they are present in real-life.
Junior Isabella Galka My favorite superhero is Batman, because the new Batman film was played really well by the character, and the costumes were dope, and the same way with the movie was filmed and the direction was amazing, and I really enjoyed the effects and the editing of the movie and it just made the character more special to me. Also, Batman is attractive.
“There are many students who come to see me about stress. Usually, I talk a lot about hanging out with friends and family because there’s usually laughter involved, which can relieve stress… There are also many studies saying that humor naturally combats stress. When you’re laughing or in a good mood, those endorphins go up and that helps with coping and relieving (stress). That’s why humor can be such an important way you deal with stress,” Knoop said.
Laughing can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. Your blood cells will flow faster through your system. All of this movement causes you to be more relaxed and calm. You blood cells will thank you for laughing so hard. CAROLINE JUST GRAPHIC MAYO CLINIC SOURCE
However, people have their own type of humor. Bontrager said there are different ways people perceive humor and how they use it, making everyone unique. “Each person has their own preferred humor genre and a lot of times when you encounter someone who has a very different sense of humor, you can’t always cater to that,” Bontrager said. “Humor class not only helps me find ways to make almost anyone laugh, but also sprinkles a little bit of joy in their day.” h
Senior Jacob Wiener I would have to say my favorite superhero has to be Superman, because he’s just a classic and you can’t go wrong with the classics, and he inspired so many young children and really changed the name of the superhero scene. I love his powers, his suit, his colors are amazing as well, very strong man, something to look up to. (He’s) inspiring in so many ways.
feature
APRIL 22, 2021
In light of Earth Day, take a look at recent advancements in electric vehicles ARCHIT KALRA, DANIEL TIAN GRAPHIC
EVIATION, LUCID, POLESTAR, RIVIAN, ROCKET LAB, ROLLS ROYCE, STATISTA SOURCES
cheap electricity
Average battery pack price ($/kWh)
Take a look at changes in battery pack prices for electric vehicles (EVs) over time 1100 900 700 500 300 100 2010
2012
2014
2016
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Prices for battery packs are at an all-time low and are projected to cost less than $100 per kilowatthour by 2024
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Advances in battery technology have helped lower these prices
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Alice, a prototype electric airplane model by the Israel-based aviation company Eviation
Scan this to visit an interactive webpage linked to this page that contains more info about electric vehicles
electric planes • • •
road to renewables View some significant moments in the electric fuels industry CNBC, DOE, FAI, NASA, NATURE SOURCES
1906
1964
Aviation is responsible for over 3% of fossil fuel emissions into the atmosphere Companies like Eviation and RollsRoyce have joined the race to develop a viable electric plane In November 2021, Rolls-Royce’s “Spirit of Innovation” became the fastest electric airplane, reaching 387.4 mph
First demonstration of electric propulsion using an ion engine on a Space Electric Rocket Test
Robert H. Goddard proposes ion propulsion, a method where propellants are ionized using electron bombardment, which creates the most thrust
1973
First electric aircraft constructed by Fred Militky and Heino Brditschka, the Militky MB-E1
y
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electric rockets Take a look at Rocket Lab, a company that makes battery-powered rocket engines
Wing tip motors help balance the aircraft and prevent it from spinning
The company’s Electron rocket is electric-pump-fed, which means it uses an electric motor to power the pumps that pressurize the fuel
CEO Peter Beck founded the company in 2006
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electric trucks Look at auto company Rivian’s electric truck
Rivian, an American automaker, makes electric vehicles and automotive technology. Its mission is to “keep the world adventurous” with its emissionsfree vehicles
1990
New Department of Energy regulations boost demand for electric cars
1997
Flip the page to read about Amazon’s electric truck deals with Rivian and Stellantis and how they are impacting students and staff
2003–2009
Toyota releases the Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle
industry giants Founded in 2003, Tesla was created to prove that electric vehicles can be better, quicker and more fun to drive than gasoline cars A Swedish brand founded in 1996, Polestar boasts their design-focused, cutting-edge and refined electric vehicles Lucid aims to create sustainable mobility in intuitive and liberating modes of transportation. The company was founded in 2007
Tesla (2003), Rocket Lab (2006) and Rivian (2009) are founded
2022
Earth Day 2022
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APRIL 22, 2022
Charged-up Future Amazon’s electric vehicle promise extends far-reaching implications, hopes for students, businesses, environmental policy ARCHIT KALRA STORY
ROYCE BROWN PHOTOS
supply chain: IB Business Management teacher John Albers teaches his class. Albers said Amazon’s plan to have netzero carbon emissions by 2040 may encourage other businesses to pursue similar goals due to Amazon’s power and influence over the economy.
S
enior
shrithan
sandadi
said his family often uses Amazon to purchase everyday items. “We use Amazon a lot,” he said. “It’s really convenient because it gives you all the different options and it’s pretty accessible; it has many different varieties (of products) on there, and it’s a one-stop shop, so you can get anything you really want, and it’s there.” However, Sandadi said he often faces a compromise between purchasing what he needs from online retailers like Amazon and their sustainability. “I realize how much of our current world is invested in fossil fuels and how much time and resources is needed to move toward a green-energy world,” Sandadi said. “I feel like as a whole, people would see it as a favorable initiative (if Amazon implemented more green energy plans).” Amazon is implementing a plan to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, which includes a goal to get 100,000 electric delivery vans by 2030. In September of 2020, Amazon announced it would partner with Rivian, a Michigan-based sustainable automobile company, to create its custom electric vehicles in a $700 million deal. This January, Amazon announced another deal with car company Stellantis to use its electric vehicles starting 2023. According to IB Business Management teacher John Albers, Amazon’s strong influence on the economy is largely responsible for some of the recent plans. “I do use Amazon and I think it is great that they are taking the lead into this change-over in supply chain logistics,” Albers said via email. “As Amazon continues to grow astronomically, their contribution to helping the environment becomes a bigger force for change…Therefore, as a giant in retail and logistics, all
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eyes are on them to lead the way. As Amazon leaps into this territory, and shows success, then others will follow and begin to make changes and/or learn from their issues and mistakes.” Sandadi said he thinks Amazon may have considered both public relations (PR) as well as genuine desire for climate reform when making their decision to purchase electric vans. “I definitely think there’s a PR aspect where if you convey this image of a company that’s using green tech, then it’s more favorable toward younger consumers and people as a whole, because you’re developing (means of) change that’s good for the world,” he said. “They can talk (about these promises) for so long, but they actually have to go on their word and perform on their actions. Until we see them actually doing these things that they say they’re going to do, then we can only say that it’s a pledge.”
Curt Hart, a communications manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, said he agreed both PR and internal desire for change are often driving factors in companies’ decisions to enact more climate-aware policies. “It may be a combination of ‘it’s the right thing to do’ from a public relations standpoint, but it’s also going to be the right thing to do from an economic standpoint,” he said. “It’s a smart thing to make the investment now because it’s an investment you’re either going to do now or it’ll be an investment down the road that you have to do, and it could be more expensive if you’re a company that doesn’t make these investments now. We would hope that these companies are making these investments knowing two things: it’s good for the environment and it makes good economic sense to get away from fossil fuels.”
rivian’s rides Take a look at the models electric automaker Rivian is making, offering prime
Delivery vans Customdesigned for Amazon
R1T All-wheel drive electric pickup truck
R1S All-terrain Electric SUV
YICHEN LIU GRAPHIC RIVIAN, AMAZON SOURCES
Albers said from a business perspective, wide-scale change often begins with a leader in the industry. “Climate change is an ongoing issue, and if larger companies ignore it and refuse to take any initiatives to contribute, they will be looked upon in a negative light,” Albers said. “So, I think there (are) a lot of external forces driving this change for companies to comply, especially for giants like Amazon to lead the way. This may then drive other giants to follow and then we may see more trickle-down effect from it.” In the end, Sandadi said he commends Amazon for taking the steps toward sustainability. “Even if it doesn’t really go that well,” he said, “the fact that they’re putting themselves out there and willing to make a change from the status quo is also really good, because there aren’t many people who are willing to take h away from (their own security).”
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add to cart: Senior Shrithan Sandadi searches for headsets and AirPods on Amazon. Sandadi said the ease of finding items he needs on Amazon quickly is important because “we only have so much time in the day, so if we have a place that’s pretty convenient for us to go to, and a place where we don’t have to spend much time to find what we want, then it’s convenient for consumers.”
Celebrating Culture With National Diversity Month in April, students reflect on culture identity, experiences shaped by it SOWMYA CHUNDI, LEAH TAN Q&A, PHOTOS, GRAPHICS BRITANNICA, CENTRAL ASIA GUIDE SOURCES
practicing prayer: Senior Shrithan Sandadi performs a puja. Sandadi said having a shrine at home allows him to connect with his heritage.
SENIOR SHRITHAN SANDADI “It’s hard to be Indian-American because I’m trying to connect with two separate parts of the world. I speak the language a little bit and frequently attend the temple. I also have a home temple so we can conduct pujas, which are prayers, so it helps me make an active effort to connect to my culture. However, since there are not many people like me, it’s harder to find people I can relate to. All in all, I think it’s always important to encourage diversity. It’s much better to be hated for who you are than loved as someone else, so definitely embrace who you truly are and your cultural identity.”
SENIOR SOPE KOYA
headscarf heritage: Senior Sope Koya wraps a headscarf. Koya said the headwrap is a sign of wealth and status and is usually worn during celebrations.
“I’m a secondgeneration Nigerian. Growing up, being the only person of color created a sense of loneliness for me. It was hard for me to connect to my culture because I was so inclined to assimilate to the people I was around. I’ve always looked up to the Black Student Alliance because I’ve loved the idea of creating a community to make Black students in Carmel feel welcome. I didn’t have a chance to talk to others about Black issues prior to the club, so I joined and eventually became the leader of the alliance as I had a close and personal connection to it.”
FRESHMAN AKSI ADILET-SULTAN FRESHMAN AKSI ADILET-SULTAN
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“Being Kyrgyz-American is a really big part of my identity. I lived with my family in a one bedroom apartment in the center of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. We walked to school ourselves, took care of ourselves; it was all really independent. It’s a pretty difficult life I’d say. I had the privilege of being wealthy for a Kyrgyz person and had connections to America, but most people don’t have that. Coming back really puts into perspective to me how privileged we are to have access to education and access to homes. I’ve never thought of myself as fully Kyrgyz or fully American, but both parts of my heritage have shaped who I am. The biggest takeaway is that our lineage isn’t black or white. The vast majority of us have struggled with their own identity and talking about our struggles as people of color living in America allows us to progress and grow together as a nation that becomes more accepting of all these diverse cultures.”
cultur al k
family musician: Freshman Aksi Adilet-Sultan plays a komuz, the national instrument of Kyrgyzstan. Adilet-Sultan said most Kyrgyz families own a komuz.
yr ents gyz garm
A CLOSER LOOK AT CULTURE Coral bracelets were jewelry worn
by Nigerian chiefs to symbolnige ria and status. The n a ize wealth dashiki is a garment worn cc among the wealthy and e ss has become the ve popular dic among Blackpu The Sanskrit Americans to ja term puja is used s show Black excel-
or
ies
In traditional Kyrgyz culture, women wear a vest called a chyptama. Although the chyptama has become less popular, it was commonly worn to keep warm in cold areas in the past. Climatic conditions had a great influence on clothes, as Kyrgyz women made clothing from cotton or the fur of wild animals. Women also wore long flowy dresses as they were originally nomadic cattle breeders.
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in Hinduism to refer to the worship of a deity through observance of rituals including daily prayer offerings of flowers or fruit to an image of a god. A puja is an enthralling experience for many Hindus with colorful flowers and fruits, smells of incense and fragrances and sounds of bells, sacred hymns and songs.
lence and pride.
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APRIL 22, 2022
Kinder Knowledge With Teachers’ Day on May 3, students, teacher reflect on impact of being around children, lessons learned from teaching young kids CADY ARMSTRONG STORY
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enior
zendalin
hibbard-
Hernandez spends half of every school day assisting in the Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) room for students with disabilities at Carmel Middle School. “Every day, I help middle (school) students with different disabilities,” she said. “The class ranges from high functioning with high social skills (to) high functioning with low social skills but high comprehension skills.” Hibbard-Hernandez participates in the classroom as part of the Education Professions class offered at CHS. This is a fully-weighted course offered to seniors for Butler University credit first semester and ACP credit second semester at this school. In order to take it, students must first complete the prerequisite class, Principles of Early Childhood Education, which can be taken through the family consumer science department. Kimberly Lenzo, Education Professions teacher, said she encourages junior students to consider taking Education Professions during their senior year as it gives them a unique opportunity to see what teaching looks like and experience it for themselves. “This class really gives students a chance to discover what teaching is really like firsthand,” she said, “and see if it is something they want to pursue as a career in the future. You can get so much out of this class so I urge students curious or interested in teaching to definitely sign up for it.” Hibbard-Hernandez said she believes students should take this class
student teacher: Senior Sophia Gilliam presents the pages of a book she’s reading to the class she’s student teaching. Gilliam said she hopes to pursue a career in elementary education.
ARYA PINNAMANENI PHOTOS
regardless of whether or not they want to pursue education as a career. “It is an invaluable experience to not only see if you want to go into teaching, but also a true test to see if you have the patience and skill set to work with children all day” Hibbard-Hernandez said. “Not everyone can and that is OK, but it is incredibly amazing if you can figure that out before you spend money in college only to not like it later on.” Sophia Gilliam, Education Professions student and senior, said she has learned many lessons from leading the third grade class she helps with at Mohawk Trails Elementary School. “Every student is so sweet and special to me and has impacted
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the way I see everything in my life,” Gilliam said. “Working with them helps me get to see a young child’s point of view on things and see how curious and interesting everything in life really is. Their excitement towards even the small things also reminds me to enjoy small moments more often. What I’ve learned from this class goes so much further than just how to teach young kids third grade math.” According to Lenzo, seeing her students lead and connect with their elementary school students is why she has continued to teach the Education Professions class. “I love the opportunity to see my students go and really immerse themselves in the classroom,” Lenzo said. “When I go and visit them in their rooms, it makes me the happiest when they wave at me but continue on helping one of their kids because it means they understand their role in the classroom and I get to see them help a child grow. Seeing the impact they have on young children brings tears to my eyes.” Hibbard-Hernandez said she agreed this experience allows the student teacher to connect with their students and get to know each and every one of them on a personal level. “Working with kids has made me realize that children are far more capable than we give them credit for,” she said. “They are intelligent and are willing to learn, you just have to be patient and help them get there.”
Every student is so sweet and special to me and has impacted the way I see everything... Their excitement towards even the small things also reminds me to enjoy small moments more. SENIOR SOPHIA GILLIAM
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an educator’s education Take a look at the pathway to education courses offered at CHS Early Childhood Education Principles of Early Childhood Education Open to: 10, 11, 12 CHS Credit: 2 4.0 Dual Credit: 6 Ivy Tech Credits
Education Professions Principles of Education Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12 CHS Credit: 2 4.0 Dual Credit: No
Early Childhood Education Capstone
Early Childhood Education A/B Open to: 11, 12 CHS Credit: 2 4.0 Dual Credit: 3 Ivy Tech Credits each
Open to: 12 CHS Credit: 2 4.0 Dual Credit: 3 Ivy Tech Credits
Education Professions A/B Open to: 11, 12 CHS Credit: 2 5.0 Dual Credit: 2 Butler Credits
Education Professions Capstone Open to: 12 CHS Credit: 2 4.0 Dual Credit: No Activity: Internship
MADDIE MISTERKA GRAPHIC
Additionally, Gilliam said this experience has helped confirm her passion for young kids and her career aspiration of teaching. “Going into this class, I really wasn’t sure if I would be able to handle it,” Gilliam said. “I honestly thought it might be too hard for me, and some days still are difficult. But, through this class, I’ve been able to experience those hard days and persevere through them and still wake up excited to see my kids the next day. It has really just demonstrated to me that while there will inevitably be (bad) days, I can handle those, and still enjoy teaching overall.” Gilliam is not the only one who recently decided she wants to go into education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, teaching as a profession will grow 8% from 2020 to 2030. Lenzo said she believes the field is growing because of the joy that being around children can bring. She said, “In not every profession do you get to help a child develop and form into their own person. Seeing them grow into their personalities, that is what really makes teaching so satisfying and why so many are now going into education.” Overall, according to HibbardHernandez, she is grateful for being able to be around children so much.
preparing to prepare: Senior Sophia Gilliam reads to elementary school students. Gilliam said teaching children has taught her many lessons.
CCS SOURCE
“I’ve changed so much from this experience and have such a different outlook on everything now,” Hibbard-Hernandez said. “Truly, I am so thankful for these kids and the opportunity to not only help them develop into great people, but also undergo (my own) personal growth as well.” h
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APRIL 22, 2022
athlete spotlight
Lauren Littell Varsity tennis player, senior returning to team after year off MAGGIE MEYER Q&A
volley return: Lauren Littell, varsity tennis player and senior, prepares to return a serve during practice. Littell said she hopes to win both the State Championship as a team and individual this year.
LUKE MILLER PHOTO
What are your goals for your final season in high school? My main goal is to win at the State Championship as a team, but I really think that I have a great chance at winning individual State in singles this year. That is a big goal of mine because my freshman year I won the state doubles and no one has ever won state doubles and singles, so I am hoping to be the first to do that.
How do you help lead your teammates? We always start by using the senior leadership (doing) the dynamic (stretches) and leading the warm up. And this year we are really trying to incorporate everyone who’s a part of the teams so we spend a lot of time trying to get to know each other. We are doing a big sister, little sister thing this year so that everyone gets to know someone and everyone gets to feel like they are a part of a team.
What is it like coming back from a break from high school tennis?
What does a typical day of training look like?
I was super excited to come back this year; I had great memories from my freshman year and I was really excited to see what our team can do this year. I’m excited to be back playing with all my friends in a great atmosphere.
I usually do off-court training in the morning before school and then I only go to school for my first two periods. Then once I get out of school I go to a private lesson and then I go to high school practice. Then after that I go to my offcourt trainer after high school practice.
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Sports Briefs AUSTIN GUO BRIEFS
women’s tennis
track and field
Carmel Invitational
Charlie Riley Invitational
apr.
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9 AM Todd Witsken Tennis Center
curveball (BELOW): Pitcher and junior Cameron Heaney unleashes a pitch during a game. The varsity baseball team will play Whitehead at Hartman Field on April 22, while the junior varsity (JV) Blue and Gold teams will play Westfield and Noblesville respectively.
apr.
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LUKE MILLER PHOTOS
5:30 PM North Central HS Indianapolis, IN
3200 Showcase apr.
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6 PM CHS Stadium baton pass (RIGHT): From left to right, junior Charlie Stuelpe, senior Neil Fairman, junior Everett Carlisle, and senior Charlie Pickett round the curve while running the 4x800 meter relay. The track and field teams will compete at the Charlie Riley Invitational at North Central on April 22 and also participate in the 3200 Showcase at the CHS Stadium at 6 p.m.
men’s lacrosse Varsity vs. Desmet Jesuit apr.
22
7:30 PM Murray Stadium
Varsity vs. Chesterton apr.
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2 PM Murray Stadium
baseball Varsity vs. Whiteland apr.
22
6 PM Hartman Field
JV Blue vs. Westfield apr.
22
6 PM Clay Middle School
JV Gold vs. Noblesville apr.
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5:30 PM Noblesville HS Noblesville, IN
Varsity vs. Avon apr.
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6 PM VBB Field Avon, IN
softball Varsity Carmel Invitational 6 PM Fri. friday to saturday 9 AM Sat. Cherry Tree Softball Complex JV vs. Roncalli apr.
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2 PM Roncalli HS Indianapolis, IN
Varsity vs. Zionsville apr.
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5:30 PM Zionsville HS Zionsville, IN
women’s lacrosse Varsity vs. Assumption apr.
22
5:30 PM Murray Stadium
Varsity vs. Westfield apr.
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11:30 AM Westfield HS Westfield, IN
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APRIL 22, 2022
Bet on It In light of upcoming Kentucky Derby, ethicality of sports betting examined ADDISON JOYCE STORY
T
he kentucky derby, an
annual horse race that occurs on the first Saturday of May in Louisville, Ky. is upcoming, and while some fans at this school enjoy the racing, others said they watch to bet on winners. Sage Moore, horseback rider and senior, said the Kentucky Derby, which first took place in 1875, is like a culture for some people. “Not only do these events create jobs and support charities, but it also gives advertisement to the equine industry as a whole,” she said, “People, especially in the Midwest, I think, are attracted because it’s just been something we’ve watched as we grow up.”
While Moore does not bet on horses, she said she still makes predictions within her family on winners. However, betting is still a popular activity within all sports. According to the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby, before the first races of the Derby, Derby handicappers establish “betting odds,” which are determined by how much money is wagered o n
giddy up: Sydney Lenski, horseback rider and junior, rides a horse. Lenski said unethical practices exist in horse riding, such as breeding many horses that never race. SYDNEY LENSKI SUBMITTED PHOTO
each horse. For example, if a horse has a 4-to-1 shot, that would mean that 20% of the money after takeout was wagered on that horse. Betting odds give viewers an idea of which horses are statistically favored in betting and can help guide them toward educated bets. Even with the provided betting statistics, people like Moore said they just make predictions with friends for fun. Sydney Lenski, horseback rider and senior, said she was not very familiar with the horses and the jockeys, so she just picked winners for fun based on appearance. “I think it can be fun to bet on horses, as long as you’re okay with losing anything you put down and don’t take it too seriously,” she said. All horse betting supports the horse racing industry and provides mass amounts of money. This money can go toward many different components of the business, both positive and negative. Lenski, among other horseback riders, said she thinks horse betting is positive and ethical. “The immense amount of money in the industry which is largely brought in by though betting and large racing events like the Triple Crown races, does ensure that
the horses who are successful receive great care, which is arguably good from an ethical standpoint,” she said. However, Lenski did say many horses that are bred for racing never even make it to the starting gate, and she is not the only one to shed light on this point. Horseback riding coach Claire Fuller, also said that too many horses are bred just to race for a short time or not at all. “The majority of race horses only have a racing career between the ages of 2 to 3 years old, so it is an industry that breeds an overabundance of horses,” she said. “It does not give horses the best chance for a long term career, as many thoroughbreds move into other disciplines of riding or may even end up in a slaughterhouse.” Moore also said that some corporations promote mistreatment of horses. She said the ethical considerations depend on what races are being bet on and who runs them. “Some horse racing is extremely unethical and doesn’t take the proper steps to make sure the safety of everyone and all the animals is secure,” she said, “but I think some horse betting is ethical as long as you’ve done your research about
hearts for horses: Sage Moore, horseback rider and senior, cares for her horse after riding. Moore said that although she thinks some horse betting is unethical, most horse betting is ethical as long as individuals involved in betting complete their research on the race and are aware of the rules involved to ensure safety. GABBY SABER PHOTO
the race and how those businesses or sponsors run the specific race.” While some horse racing sponsors ensure proper safety precautions, the Kentucky Derby is one of the more controversial races. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an organization focused on the ethical treatment of animals, last year’s winner, Medina Spirit, test-
in it to win it Taking a look at different bets and understanding odds ALI PERSINGER GRAPHIC ONTARIO RACING, KENTUCKY DERBY SOURCES
Win bet: If your horse wins the race, you win the bet
Place bet: If your horse wins the race or places second, you win a wager
Show bet: If your horse wins the race, places second, or places third, you win a wager
by the numbers
1973 is the last time the Derby record was set with Secretariat in a time of 1:59.40.
2 lanes have historically had more wins than others: lanes #5 and #10.
3
YEARS OLD
Odds
5:1
• Minimum $2 bet with each bet • A horse with a 5:1 odd, if you place the minimum $2, your payoff will be $10 (5 X $2) plus your original bet, for a total of $12 return • Win, place, show bets will win you a different percentage of money however, since you have better chances with a show bet, you will earn less
is the only age at which horses can compete in the Kentucky Derby. TOWN AND COUNTRY MAGAZINE SOURCE
ed positive for an illegal drug. This is not the only occurrence of horses being given illegal drugs; however, there have been efforts to stop this. “Doping horses for races is also a very controversial subject,’ Fuller said. “The (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act) does a good job of regulating and banning individuals involved with the illegal drugging of horses for performance enhancement.” In addition to concerns about drugging, Fuller said because horses’ prime performance is at such a young age, they are also more prone to injuries where parts of their bodies are not fully developed yet. Even with controversial treatment of horses, the Kentucky Derby is a popular event, with around 150,000 attendees a year. “Overall, I think (the Kentucky Derby) is an event that is just able to attract so many different types of people,” said Moore. Fuller agreed and said there is good that comes out of the Derby with the people it brings together. “It is an opportunity for friends and family to celebrate a historic sporting event,” she said, “It is also an opportunity for non-horse people to see a glimpse of the horse world in h person or on television.”
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APRIL 22, 2022
The Batman Check out differences between baseball, cricket ANIKET BISWAL, ROHAN MAHESH GRAPHICS
The gear that baseball players wear depends on their position. Batters typically wear helmets to protect themselves from the oncoming pitch and they are the ones who use the bat. The catcher, who stands behind the batter, wears a lot of padding, a helmet and glove. Outfielders only use gloves as they are the ones catching the ball once it’s hit.
CRICKETMASTERY, ROOKIEROAD SOURCE
Baseball is played on a diamond. The field is in the shape of a quarter circle and the batters run around a diamond shape with four bases. In contrast, cricket is played on an ovular field with a rectangular pitch. Batsmen run back and forth between the wickets, rather than around the bases.
In cricket, a rectangular bat is used to hit the ball. The back of the bat is curved so the batsman can smoothly hit the ball. Also, this bat is heavier than a baseball bat. In baseball, a lighter bat is used in which it gradually gets bigger towards the end for big force. The only positions in cricket that require any sort of gear are the batsmen and wicketkeepers. Batsmen wear heavy protective gear. Helmets are used to protect the head from the oncoming ball. Various pads, like forearm, elbow, shin, and chets pads, are used to lessen the impact from any blows from the ball. Wicketkeepers use gloves as they frequently have to catch fast balls.
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ALI PERSINGER SPEAK-UPS, PHOTO
What is it like playing cricket, which is uncommon? Although cricket is not very well known in the USA, it is a very popular sport around the world. In fact, it is the second-mostpopular sport after soccer in the world. However, in the USA it can get a bit difficult trying to get representation for cricket ... No one knows much about it and you are constantly getting asked questions. You almost feel as if your sport isn’t as important. You hear people talking about all other sports but Sophomore cricket never comes up, but I have always wanted more Yash Kukreja recognition for cricket in the USA and we are getting there.
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Tackle It Check out differences between football, rugby ANIKET BISWAL, ROHAN MAHESH GRAPHICS
DREXEL UNIVERSITY, ROOKIEROAD SOURCE
In rugby, the ball that is used is more curved than a football. This ball is passed around between teammates and scooped off of the ground and so the curves allow for a more predictable bounce. In contrast, a football needs to be more aerodynamic which is why it has sharper points. In football, every player wears the same protective gear. Arguably the most important part is the helmet which protects the players from oncoming tackles and hits. Along with this, players wear padding all over their body, including the chest, back and thighs. Despite these, injuries are very common in football as hard physical contact between players is the nature of the game.
16.7 MILLION total attendance of NFL games during the 2019 season
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did you know?
THOUSAND total attendance of Major League Rugby (MLR) games in 2019
The first rugby balls were plum shaped because they were made from pig bladders. Then they evolved into a more egg shaped look in the late 1800s from the use of rubber tubes. Despite rugby being a popular sport around the world, it has only been played in the Olympics four times.
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teams in the MLR
SOFTSCHOOLS SOURCE
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by the numbers
WSN SOURCE ALI PERSINGER SPEAK-UPS, PHOTO
Why did you decide to play rugby? In rugby, players wear very few protective gear. Like football, cleats are worn and so some players opt to wear thin shin guards. Also, because rugby is a high contact sport, many players wear mouthguards to protect their teeth and jaw. Some players even wear thin shoulder pads for added protection. However, these options are mostly optional, making it much more injury prone.
I decided to play rugby because I previously played football and wanted to play a contact sport. Also, the team is so inclusive and fun to be around which encouraged me to join the team. Since it’s not a very common sport in the U.S., there is always learning, so newcomers don’t Junior need to feel intimidated. I came Carmela Campbell in knowing nothing.
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APRIL 22, 2022
Just a Jock? Athletes, assistant athletics director address stereotypes in sports, effect of Scholar Athlete program
D
RILEY LAFERRIERE STORY uring
the
football
season, senior Solomon Williams was on the field throwing passes to friends or making plays under the Friday night lights. However, Williams, who plans to attend Princeton University in the fall, said he also needed to find a balance between his athletic and academic goals. This balance is showcased with the Scholar Athlete Award Program which is celebrated every spring at this school. Since 1993, athletes like Williams have strived to receive the Scholar Athlete Award which is geared toward celebrating the academics of athletes within this school. According to Williams, the program provides athletes with a standard for excellence. “I think it provides a guideline and a good goal for a lot of athletes as I know a lot of athletes strive to end up on the list. So I think it encourages the right tendencies and the right focuses,” Williams said.
touchdown: Solomon Williams, varsity football player and senior, celebrates a touchdown. Williams said he is often stereotyped as less intelligent because he plays football, but he does not let it affect his academic performance. LUKE MILLER PHOTO
Assistant Athletics Director Jeff Hester said the program helps place a focus on the academic achievements of athletes, which are often overlooked. “The majority of our athletes do not receive awards or recognition for their individual athletic prowess,” Hester said via email. “An athlete who may not be a ‘star’ for
steroTYPICAL Take a look at common misconceptions among different sports Football players have the third lowest ranked GPA and have the stereotype of not being smart
Tennis players have the highest GPA and are known for being smart EVA GLAZIER GRAPHIC CARMEL GREYHOUNDS SOURCE
their team can obtain this award by excelling in the classroom.” As of April 2022, all athletic teams within the school have an average GPA of 3.3. The Scholar Athlete Program aims to recognize both teams that average above a 3.2 GPA and individuals who average at least a 3.7 GPA. Emma Montarce, tennis player and sophomore, said athletes often strengthen academic skills through their athletics, which may explain the patterns found within the program. “In tennis you have to be really focused 24/7,” Montarce said. “There’s not a time where you aren’t focused (in a game), and I think it plays into school because you obviously have to be focused in school.” Williams contributed to Montarce’s statement, saying athletes on athletic teams also obtain skills which are beneficial in school, and though usually stereotyped as “less intelligent” than peers in other sports, Williams said many athletes in sports like football and wrestling still receive awards for academic excellence.
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According to Montarce, while most student athletes are involved in school and might take rigorous classes, often their academic achievements are overshadowed by their athletics. For that reason, the award is important in regard to the debunking “jock” stereotypes about the intelligence of athletes. “Many people think athletes are kind of dumb, but what people don’t see is all of the work we put in off the court or off the field. Most of us still do all of our homework and study, we just have to manage our time well and we have to stay up late some nights and push through,” Montarce said. Though Hester said he had not recognized this type of stereotyping occurring at CHS, Williams said he, and many other football players, are often regarded as “less intelligent” simply because of the sport they play. “Sometimes you’ll get people who assume you’re not very smart or you take school less seriously than someone whose primary focus is academics in the classroom; especially knowing that you are a football player,” Williams said. Despite these presumptions, Williams and Montarce both said they don’t allow their own intelligence and academics to be affected by other perceptions. “But I think my academics and success in the classroom kind of speak for themselves. I don’t really need to go around and flaunt any academic skill,” Williams said. “ I don’t
There’s not a time when you aren’t focused (in a game), and I think it plays into school because you obviously have to be focused in school. SOPHOMORE EMMA MONTARCE
think (the stereotyping) is detrimental to who you are in the classroom.” Montarce agreed with Williams and added that the Scholar Athlete Program deters students from looking down on the academics of athletes. Additionally, she said the program and her teammates allow her to be more driven in the classroom and on the field. Hester agreed and said student athletes gain “extra motivation to excel academically.”
on-court focus: Emma Montarce, tennis player and sophomore, warms up before a match. Montarce said focus is essential to playing well in tennis. DARSHINI SHANKAR PHOTO
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Williams said scholar athletes need to be self-motivated and all possess unique qualities, including time management, motivation and excellence on and off the field. “Focus and dedication both (on and) off the field (are key), placing just as much focus on academics as you do athletics,” Williams said. “Sometimes scholar athletes are a scholar first and an athlete after, so I think that’s a good representation of the characteristics needed.” h
15 minutes of fame
APRIL 22, 2022
Jewels for Days Q&A with junior Sophia Yang on jewelry-making, running small business MICHELLE WAN Q&A
ALAN HUANG, JASMINE ZHANG PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
What inspired you to start your jewelry business?
What does the process of making jewelry look like?
I was inspired to start it because I just wanted to be more financially independent and I also didn’t think I had the time to be employed in an actual job during the school year, so I just decided to create my own thing where I could work at my own pace.
It’s actually pretty straight forward. When I’m watching anime I’ll be like “I’ll make something” and make it whenever I feel like. But one thing to keep in mind is that I do typically try to think of people who would typically buy (the jewelry).
What kind of jewelry do you like to focus on?
What is the hardest part of running a jewelry business?
It really depends on what I am going for, honestly. Typically I usually just try to go for stuff that isn’t too extravagant. Therefore, people could wear every day without feeling weird and it’s easier to sell that way. Sometimes I look at my friends’ styles or styles from other people I know. Then it creates something kind of specific.
I think the hardest part is starting it and getting recognition and getting people to really want to buy from you. I think a big challenge again, is just marketing (and) making sure that I have a specific target customer group. Otherwise, I would be making things without any profit.
open for business: Junior Sophia Yang works on a jewelry piece. Yang sells her handmade jewelry on Instagram by posting pictures. “When selling things you want to keep in mind the variety of specific groups of people or customers who you think will be interested; this is a good way to kind of guarantee profit,” Yang said. ZOE TU PHOTO
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lune.xcessories SOPHIA YANG SUBMITTED PHOTOS
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Do you have specific materials that you prefer to use than others?
What are your favorite memories of jewelry making?
It really depends on what I am going for. Sometimes I use some crystal that I found from Michaels. Sometimes I use the glass drop beads I like, and other times I use pearl beads. Those are typically the go to’s, but it really depends.
I think my favorite thing is when I give it to them and they really like it, it makes me really happy, especially when I see them wearing it. I think it’s gotten me to be more independent. I really don’t like relying on my parents for their money for things I want to get. So now I can really work towards a certain goal that I want and then buy it then, and it‘s pretty rewarding.
Scan this to check out Sophia’s instagram page
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