1.20 Issue

hilite CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 86, NO. 6 JAN. 20, 2022

HELLO world?

With the world becoming increasingly digital, students, teachers discuss effects of virtual reality on their view on reality PAGE 28 | DARSHINI SHANKAR, SAUMYA SOMASI

table of contents just a minute 04 LET THE GAMES BEGIN With upcoming Olympic games, check out information related to past Olympics, insight on these games

perspectives 06 THREAT RESPONSE 07 STOP THE GAMES 08 FINAL WORKS 09 FUN AT SCHOOL 10 TIKTOXIC

With “that girl” trend becoming more popular on TikTok , negative impacts occur

11 DOUBLE THE FUN 12 CHAOTIC CLEANLINESS 13 NEW YEAR

news 14 NEWS BRIEFS 15 EYE ON THE MONEY 16 ADOLESCENT ART-IVISM After Carmel Clay Public Library’s Art-ivism for World Needs event, students share past Art-ivism works, describe importance of communication through art

18 TALKING POINTS 19 INTO THE NEW YEAR game on: Sophomore Sarah Xie poses with a few of their Pokémon figurines. Xie said they used to collect Pokémon cards.

“I bought a lot of Pokémon cards,” they said. “Everytime we went to the store I’d look at them...(Pokémon) was the only thing I’d buy.”

See page 44 for the full story.

ZOE TU PHOTO

entertainment 20 FASHION FORWARD Students discuss trend forecasting, combining STEM with arts

22 RING IN THE NEW YEAR 24 MUSICAL MENTORS 26 BOOKS FOR THE WIN 27 POETRY SLAM

cover 28 IMMERSED With increased popularity, advancement in virtual reality, students, teacher, consider effects of digital media on people, perception of reality

student section 34 MAGICAL MEMORIES With Winnie the Pooh Day coming up, students discuss impact of Disney on childhood

36 PUZZLE MASTER 37 CARING COMPLIMENTS

feature 38 FANTASTIC BEASTS 40 ANYONE CAN BAKE! Students explore love for baking in light of National Baking Month

44 FAD OR PROFIT?

sports 46 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 47 SPORTS BRIEFS 48 PUNCHING PROPS In light of iconic boxer Muhammad Ali’s 80th birthday on Jan. 17, athletes, coaches highlight respect in combat sports

50 NOT A BLAME GAME 52 ON THIN ICE

15 minutes 54 COMIC CONNOISSEUR Q&A with Kenneth Browner on comic book collection

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 Maryam Hafeez Addison Joyce Dariush Khurram Christian Ledbetter Kate Loper Hibba Mahmood Maggie Meyer Pallevi Pillai Arya Pinnamaneni Alivia Romaniuk Siri Surapaneni 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 Jan. 20 issue no later than Feb. 2. 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: None. The HiLite strives to correct its errors. If you notice any inaccuracies in this or past issues, please contact management2122@hilite.org.

CHLOE SUN FRONT COVER DESIGN

@hilitenews @hilitenews @hilitenews

just a minute

JAN 20, 2022

Let the Games Begin Learn about upcoming Winter Olympics taking place in Beijing from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20 DARSHINI SHANKAR GRAPHIC

NBC, OLYMPICS, TEAM USA SOURCES

on the map See where specific Olympic events will be held

Zhangjiakou Yanqing Beijing Hebei

Shandong

Central Beijing • Opening and closing ceremonies • Big air skiing • Ice events Yanqing • Alpine skiing and sliding Zhangjiakou • All other snow events

she’s on the rise Look for these two rising Team USA athletes at the Olympics

• • •

Mikaela Shiffrin

Alpine skier Became youngest slalom champion in Olympic history in 2014 Won back-to-back Olympic gold medals with slalom gold in 2014 and giant slalom gold in 2018

• •

Chloe Kim

Became youngest woman to win Olympic snowboarding medal at age 18 in 2018 Winter Oympics Reigning Olympic Champion, World Champion and X-Games Champion in the halfpipe

Scan this to view a schedule of Olympic events, including the halfpipe and slalom

HILITE.ORG

05

chosen cities Learn about the cities that will host the Olympics over the next 10 years

Beijing is the first city to host the Olympics in both winter and summer

Changes will be made for the 2024 Paris games with the removal of baseball, softball and karate from the event

For the first time, the Olympics will be hosted in two separate cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo

This will be the ninth time the Olympics have taken place in the United States., the country that has hosted the most Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has announced the location of the 2032 games but not 2030 yet

speak-up!

reigning champs

How has the Team USA women’s hockey victory in the 2018 Olympics affected your outlook on hockey?

Take a look at past Olympic performances of Team USA women’s hockey

“I loved how the women were able to negotiate better conditions for the team similar to the men’s hockey team. Also, the gold medal was very exciting, especially considering they beat Canada. I think the victory has helped advance hockey in the United States, especially Junior and Hockey Player women’s and girls’ programs.”

Carmela Campbell “It’s cool to see that so many of these people have lived the same story that I am and this is where they ended up. Some of my coaches actually grew up playing against Kendall Coyne (a Team USA hockey player) and it’s crazy to think about how similar yet different (I am) to all these people who have gone Sophomore and Hockey Player so far with their career.”

Mallorey Cheslock

2002 2010 2014

1998 2018

2006

Women’s ice hockey was added to the Olympics in 1998, when USA won the tournament and took the inaugural gold medal for the event The US Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team has placed in every Olympic appearance to date In 2018, the United States took home the gold medal after defeating Canada, 3-2, making them the reigning champions

exclusive events

52 Read a story featuring Cheslock about skating as an Olympic Sport

Some Olympic events remain exclusively for either men or women Men’s Nordic Combined Combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing • Only discipline exclusively for men as all three events exclude women • Women’s Nordic combined may be added since women’s ski jumping was added in 2014 •

• • •

Women’s Monobob New sport being added to 2022 games Athletes use bob identical to competitors’ Exclusively for women because only men compete in four-person bobsledding

perspectives

JAN. 20, 2022

Threat Response CHS administration’s response to shooting threats was timely, more precautions, transparency should be considered HILITE STAFF EDITORIAL CADY ARMSTRONG, CHLOE SUN Q&A, PHOTO

O

n dec.

2nd,

several

threats insinuating a school shooting were circulating across social media. This led students to choose not to attend school due to safety concerns.

Later that same evening, Principal Tom Harmas came out with a safety notice acknowledging the situation.

He denounced the threat after working with the Carmel Police Department to gather more clarity. Harmas also ensured additional precaution will take place the following day at school with increased police presence.

CHS admin has shown a continued effort in announcing any news regarding school safety in a quick manner. In order to establish quick responses, CHS incorporated the STOPit app for students to report any suspicious activity.

Students are also always given the chance to speak to school counselors and psychologists. When threats circulate, the school reminds students of the resources that are available. The HiLite staff commends CHS admin for its quick responses and for having available resources such as mental health services and the STOPit app.

our stance We commend CHS’s timely response and clear reporting procedure; however, administration should shut down rumors for transparency

All things considered, there are still improvements that could be done to create a better response amid school shooting threats. Trust between the administration, the student body, and the families of CHS students needs to be built.

The importance of maintaining transparency and consistency with the student body increases when threats are going around.

This can include messages during investigations even when there is not a clear understanding of the situation.

It can help students and their families feel included and at more peace with the situation. It’s crucial for the admin to shut down any rumors as quickly as possible so no further speculations form. As further speculations form, more worries tend to grow across the board.

At the same time many other schools in other states were also getting similar school shooting threats. Some schools decided to fully close down for a day or even longer to prevent a possible school shooting. This does seem to promise more safety for the students and staff and reduces any risk.

All in all, there are many ways to respond to school shooting threats.

Some ways can seem extreme and unnecessary but, the safety of the students and staff at CHS should always be the priority. The HiLite staff, as members of the student body, commend the CHS admin for having a clear procedure for dealing with situations like these and for always having student services available. As a staff we do believe there can be more transparency between the administration and the student body in the future and h more trust needs to be built.

q&a Principal Tom Harmas How did CHS determine there was no threat?

With [the first social media] post, it was on the STOPit app, so we were aware and the police were aware. The first thing we did was contact our SROs, who contacted road officers and made house visits to a few of our students to gather information to make sure there were no threats and so forth. From there, we kept monitoring what was coming out. [We found that each threat] was fictitious and made-up.

What are the consequences for making threats against the school?

Fabricating threats?

We would prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. The issue becomes that every, so far, cyber threat [concerning] CHS has been false. But every time, for some reason, people continue to say, ‘oh it is on social media, [so] it must be real’ even though the Carmel Police Department [and] our resources have come out and said ‘this is not credible.’

Anything else you want to add?

I will say that I’m very proud of our students and families who reported this on STOPit so for that I am grateful and continue to be amazed by how much our people care about our kids at CHS.

HILITE.ORG

07

Stop the Games 2022 Winter Olympic Games should be diplomatically boycotted by all nations

T

EDDIE SUN COLUMN he olympics is a premier

proving ground for athletes to showcase their abilities and hard work. According to the Olympics website, the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to the creation of a more peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport that is practiced without any form of discrimination and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.

For many years, the Olympic Games have been a big part of people’s summer or winter vacations, and they have become the center of attention for around two weeks every four years, or two years if you watch both the summer and winter Olympics.

It is the largest broadcast athletic event in the world, and several channels will offer viewers with constant updates and reviews on what transpired that day. Countries fight to be the next Olympic Games host city, despite the fact that it will cost them a lot of money to prepare for the Games.

shunned sagas HISTORY, WORLDATLAS SOURCES KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR GRAPHIC

Check out a timeline of historic times the Olympic Games were boycotted

1956

don’t go!

Scan this to see more descriptions of the historic boycotts below HISTORY SOURCE

1964

According to NBC Sports, the 2022 Winter Olympics will be hosted in three zones in China: Beijing, Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou; however, numerous nations, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, declared a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

The United States was followed by Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

“We have been quite clear about our grave concerns about human rights issues for many years,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated.

However, the diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics has sparked arguments and conflicts within society, with people debating whether or not the boycott is warranted. While some believe it violates the Olympic spirit, the majority believe it is justified, relying on the countries and athletes in the end.

A diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics by the rest

China, Indonesia, and North Korea boycott the games

Netherlands, Egypt, and more boycott due to Suez Crisis; China boycotts

1976

1980

of participating countries would be a golden opportunity for the world to express its outrage at Chinese genocide in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as its opposition to China’s violation of an international treaty and repression in Hong Kong, as well as China’s illegal activity in the South China Sea. Beijing used the 2008 Summer Olympics to present China as a legitimate world force capable of doing anything it wants. It intends to use the next Olympics to further solidify that notion. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will, without a doubt, use the Games for propaganda purposes, bolstering its credibility at home and abroad.

A major international sporting event should not be utilized to legitimize, let alone glorify, the CCP, which has clearly committed crimes against humanity. If the 2022 Winter Olympics are held, it will be a stain on the collective conscience of the globe; the gathering must be shunned. h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff.

Reach Eddie Sun at esun@hilite.org

USA leads; 60 1988 North Korea, Cuba, countries boycott the Ethiopia, Nicaragua Moscow-held games boycott Seoul Games

Tanzania leads a boycott due to conflict with New Zealand

1984

Soviet Union retaliates with a 14 nation boycott of the games held in LA

08

JAN. 20, 2022

Final Works As Chinese New Year approaches, people should reconsider the practicality of fireworks to holidays, celebrations RYAN ZHANG COLUMN

T

he sounds of fireworks

erupt as the sun sets on a special occasion. Families watch as glittering colors blast in the sky as the sky turns dark. It’s a tradition for many to participate in activities involving fireworks during the holidays. From small firecrackers to fireworks that light up the sky, nighttime fills with a BOOM. As the crackles and pops settle down, what remains are thick clouds of smoke and particles. This raises the question: Are fireworks really a necessity in celebrations?

Fireworks serve as a finale to special occasions, though they contribute to the finale of a healthy environment. As we finish up the December holidays and New Year’s celebrations, we approach other festivities like Chinese New Year.

Therefore, it is important to realize these celebrations and many others across the world often involve fireworks along with potential harms.

As someone who has resorted to environmental topics, specifically air pollution, for projects throughout

the world. Once in and while, as school, I often notice fireworks holidays roll around, I see reports having an unrecognized impact on of families grieving as a result of the ecosystem compared to other fireworks accidents. According to environmental concerns. While I a report by the Consumer Product scrolled through numerous articles, Safety Commission, in 2020, magazines and databases looking fireworks-related accidents for interesting facts pertaining to injured over 15,000 people. air pollution causes and ways to Though fireworks come with reduce it, the same information guidelines and precautions, always came up, though none they are far from the safest mentioned fireworks. activities. They are still According to a study by explosives with the potential of the International Journal of accident and injury.

Environmental Research save the planet!

Fireworks have been a and Public Health, fireworks tradition for centuries to release particles and the by the mark holidays, but they can also particle concentration found during large fireworks displays is similar number be harmful. Originally created and used to scare away evil spirits, to the concentration at major air fireworks now serve as just a light pollution events such as wildfires. show–a light show that consumes Additionally, due to the high many resources and negatively particle concentration following the DEATHS impacts those around it. Ultimately, use of fireworks, there is a risk for occur due it is important to reconsider the adverse health effects and people’s to firework h value of the fireworks we use. existing respiratory and mental misuse diseases may worsen. every year on The views in this column do not necesFurthermore, as someone who average sarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. enjoys watching the news daily, I Reach Ryan Zhang at rzhang@hilite.org get a glimpse of what goes on in FORBES SOURCE

8.5

fiery fireworks Take a look at how fireworks work, where their debris ends up after being used

Pyrotechnic stars

Fireworks contain small structures called pyrotechnic stars, which, when ignited, cause displays of different shapes, colors and sizes in the sky

Debris from fireworks such as empty shells and greenhouse gases can contribute to air and water pollution and harm the environment

ARCHIT KALRA GRAPHIC NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, POPULAR MECHANICS SOURCES

HILITE.ORG

09

Fun at School In light of Fun at Work day, teachers should teach content in more interactive, engaging ways ELISE VARHAN COLUMN

L

ast year, as a hybrid stu-

plore the topic on their own terms. dent, nearly all of my virtual During lectures, it is easy for students days involved some form of to zone out or miss a piece of inforlecture. While I didn’t mind them mation. As they write down notes, too much, as the lectures students are too focused on were informative and transcribing what they hear, helped me learn content, preventing them from fulI have to admit the toply registering and retainics I remembered ing the content. Howbest were the ones ever, fun projects and that involved inassignments allow teractive learning. students to explore In light of Fun topics at their own At Work Day appace. This way, they proaching on Jan are more likely to 28, teachers should register what they incorporate more work hard, play hard learn and are more interactive, gameattentive to its acculike assignments racy, as these assignand social-emotional learning (SEL) ments are often for a grade. into class agendas.

Another effective form of learnI am not trying to undermine the ing that should be incorporated into efficiency of lectures, but I believe class time is social-emotional learnthere are more effective ways to teach ing (SEL). SEL encourages students content. In a study done at Harvard, to exercise their social skills and emlectures were labeled as a “transfer of pathy. While these two skills alone information,” as they lack engagemight not help students pass their ment and retention between the stuAP exams in the spring, they are dents and the professors. Interactive two essential life skills that will help learning, which demands student parthem succeed in life. ticipation, is much more beneficial.

Not to mention, SEL is often fun Interactive learning typically inand interactive. The activities we do volves student-led discoveries and typically involve games, which is apdiscussions. This type of learning repreciated by the students, as it gives quires the student’s initiative to find them a brain break and allows them their own information. Project-based to improve skills when they don’t even learning and problem-based learning realize it. They are just playing a game, present students with base guidelines but their social and emotional skills are and an end goal, giving them much benefiting from it greatly. However it more freedom and motivation to exis done, teachers should make their classes more interactive and fun to indid you know? crease engagement and retention. h

A 1995 book by New York Times reporter Daniel Goleman ignited the SEL movement EDUTOPIA SOURCE

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Elise Varhan at evarhan@hilite.org

hands-on learning

Today we will be reviewing for the test next week.

We’re going to play Kahoot to review.

JASMINE ZHANG GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

10

JAN 20, 2022

TikToxic ‘That Girl’ trend promotes unrealistic, unhealthy habits, misrepresents productivity LEAH TAN COLUMN

S

feelings of inadequacy rather than at 5 a.m. to the sounds of motivation. When one consistently birds chirping. She immedisees the same image, it conveys the ately heads to the gym in her monomessage that there’s only one way chrome outfit. She’s back by 7 a.m. to be productive. This can pose an where she makes a green smoothie. extreme burden, especially finanShe slowly sips on it as she writes daicially. In many of the “That girl” ly affirmations in her journal. By the videos, girls indulge in 10-step time she’s done, it’s only 8 skincare routines and expena.m.—she has an ensive brands. This does two tire day in front of her. things: it excludes those This is the routine of who are financially una “That Girl,” the able to buy such items ideal self as popand it promotes ularized by Tikthe toxic mentality Tok. This ideal that consumerism stereotype came is a necessary facabout sometime tor for productivity in April 2021, and success. No one in which people needs the newest iPad sought out to to be successful, yet this or that better themthe messaging withselves by focusing in “That girl” videos on their wellness and achieving their seems to convey just that. lifelong goals.

Moreover, “That girl” videos In doing so, they produced Tiktend to promote unhealthy habits, Toks to provide tips to others on such as under-eating and lack of how to achieve a lifestyle like theirs. sleep. With such girls only eating a Seems harmless, right? It was, unsmoothie for breakfast, it presents til the trend started focusing on extremely low-calorie, carb-lacking the wrong things. No longer was it meals as aesthetically beautiful, igfocused on providing tips to other noring its impacts on health. people seeking to build healthy habFurthermore, by promoting the its; instead the trend focused on how idea that one must wake up at 5 to best present their life in the most a.m. to be productive, it only further visually appealing way. As a result, contributes to the existing sleep epi“That girl” videos became extremely demic that exists. The trend is counhomogeneous; rich, skinny, predomterproductive—something meant to inantly-white women seemed to be promote wellness is only promoting the only girls who could achieve such unhealthy habits that are essential to a lifestyle, in turn putting down othone’s well being. At the end of the ers who didn’t fit the archetype. day, there’s nothing wrong with tryIn an article published by CBC ing to better yourself, but stop trying News, Jennifer Mills, a registered to be “THAT girl,” and prioritize beclinical psychologist and an associh ing “YOUR self.” ate professor of psychology at York The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff.

University in Toronto, found in her Reach Leah Tan at ltan@hilite.org study that such content triggers he starts her morning

snoozed scrolling through tik tok and seeing that girl aesthetic

How does she do that?!

I am going to wake up at 5 a.m. and workout

11 a.m. the next morning

EVA GLAZIER GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

HILITE.ORG

11

Double The Fun Learning new languages is beneficial despite challenges KAROLENA ZHOU COLUMN

L

earning

your

name

in

Morse Code Day just occurred on January 11. It was a day devoted to learning a new language.

For me, learning a second language was pretty difficult.

Despite growing up in a household that mostly speaks Chinese, I’m not fluent in the language. In fact, my writing and reading skills are a bit lacking, and my tones are a bit off. This is because when I was younger, I didn’t really understand the point of learning a second language, especially since all my friends and classmates only spoke English, so I didn’t try to learn it.

As I’ve grown up, however, I’ve realized the importance of learning Chinese, but it has become harder to learn. According to Dr. Richard Shuster, a clinical psychologist and the host of “The Daily Helping Podcast,” learning a new language as children is easier as children’s brains haven’t formed a cerebral preference over their learning style. In face of this challenge, I have found a few helpful tricks and tips to learn a new language.

First, you should start small, like learning the alphabet and basic vocabulary words. For many languages such as Chinese and Spanish, the letters are pronounced differently.

Another trick is to use good study tools and methods. One tool is the Duolingo software program and app.

Duolingo helps with pronunciation, understanding, reading and writing.

Flashcards are another good tool to use. The more you see a word and the more you use a word, the easier it is to memorize the word.

Additionally, watching movies and TV shows in a different language is also a great way to learn the language. Watching shows you are

learn!

familiar with is a good idea. For example, I watched Harry Potter in Chinese. This way you can get more familiar with the phrases and inflections. Furthermore, the only bulletproof way to learn a language is to practice every day, all day long. According to a study by News In Health, processing new information before sleeping is the most effective way to memorize something. Additionally, you should immerse yourself into the culture. It is easier to learn

a language when you understand the culture connected with it.

The last and most important tip is to never give up. It is hard to learn a new language, especially the older you get. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. The harder you study and the more time and energy you put into it, the easier learning the language will get. And h don’t forget, have fun.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Karolena Zhou at kzhou@hilite.org

polyglot See the difficulty scoring of different languages, how long they take to learn for English speakers according to the Foreign Services Institute Category I: 23 to 24 Weeks Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish

Category II: 30 Weeks German

Category III: 36 Weeks

Bolded languages are taught at CHS

Indonesian, Malaysian, Swahili

Category IV: 44 Weeks Indonesian, Amharic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Estonian, Finnish, Georgian, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Khmer, Lao, Persian (Dari, Farsi, Tajik), Polish, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbeck, Vietnamese, Xhosa, Zulu

Category V: 88 Weeks Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Japanese, Korean

Less difficult: More cognates with English language, Latin alphabet RILEY TERBUSH GRAPHIC STATISTA SOURCE

More difficult: Different grammar systems, little to no cognates, different alphabets

12

JAN 20, 2022

Chaotic Cleanliness Disorganized lifestyles often receive unfair representation RAGHAV SRIRAM COLUMN

MICHELLE WAN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

A

messy desk. possessions my brother to outline my course everywhere in every place work for the next four years. possible. In one corner After hours of discussion and is a tissue box, in another a debate, we finalized my high pencil cup holder holding school schedule on a piece of anything but pencils. To one paper, but it felt like it was side you will find a water written in stone. I genuinely bottle and to the other is a believed that I was going to lonely mouse pad without follow this schedule down its mouse.

Textbooks, to each and every individual notebooks and papers galore course; I couldn’t have been cause the true color of the any more wrong. desk (black) to only appear Like many other aspects my little mess in certain pockets of space. of my life, my high school To many, circumnavigating schedule changed throughout did you a desk of this nature is a difficult the years as my passions shifted and know? transformed. If you were to look to near-impossible task with the desk holding no other qualities back at the schedule I created three A study by than being messy, but for me I see years ago and compare it with my the University this desk as an opportunity. An schedule today, you would think you of Minnesota opportunity to thrive amid chaos. were looking at the schedule of two suggests Before entering high school completely different people (which the geniuses I would have found this hard to is true). The person I was three years believe. I thought success was ago is not the person that I am today, who have a correlated to preparedness–that but this simple enough fact took more messy desk the more amount of time I spent than enough time to manifest. is actually planning out my life, the more I This might be due to how linked to their would be able to achieve. Because disorganization was unfairly presented intelligence. of this, on one Saturday evening to me. According to a 2013 study during my eighth-grade year, I INDEPENDENT published in Psychological Science, sat down with my parents and SOURCE a messy, disorganized environment

(like a desk) encourages out-of-thebox thinking. While it is difficult to quantify and measure ‘out-of-the-box thinking, not confining myself to an idealistic mold, schedule or desk has allowed me to explore various interests and passions and given myself time to grow and develop.

While I have yet to find my one true inner-calling, by letting myself explore and not restricting myself to a particular mindset or a schedule I have realized I can achieve all I want and more while maintaining a disorganized lifestyle. h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Raghav Sriram at rsriram@hilite.org

my system

What do you need to find?

The history textbook I can’t find anything

raghav’s stance There is beauty in the undecipherable.

There is elegance in the unknowing.

And there is grace amidst the chaos.

I found it!

HILITE.ORG

13

New Year senioritis: round two CHLOE SUN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

Ahh.

—I have to be here for another semester.

I’m done with my college applications, I finished my first semester of senior year, now all I have to do is keep a passing grade for another semester—

graduation

overwhelmed The next week

RILEY TERBUSH GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

The weekend

Me

new me?

ZOE TU GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE to oing ew i’m g n y lm w al ns follo esolutio sr 22! r a 0 e 2 y out h g u thro

01/01/2022

it’s too difficult i giv e up...

2022 Resolu tions!!

- exerc ise da ily -eat h ealthy - play guitar - get s traigh t A’s

One week later

news

JAN. 20, 2022

News Briefs RAGHAV SRIRAM BRIEFS

GKOM Connections Session

Mon

Carmel High School Senate Winter Formal

23

24

30

31

Sun

Feb. 1

Mon

First Day of Black Lunar New Year History Month

Feb. 17

College & Career Planning Night

25

26

Thu

Fri

Sat

20

21

22

School Events

27

28

29

National Events

Jan. 29

Basketball Tailgate for Riley

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

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4

5

6

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Valentine’s Day

13

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Feb. 21

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Feb. 14

Presidents Day Baseball Camp

Feb. 21

FEBRUARY 2022

Feb. 26

Presidents Day

Key

Late Start

SSRT CCRC Military Academy Day

TEDxCHS Conference

UNICEF Charity Ball

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Jan. 28

Jan. 22

Feb. 11

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JANUARY 2022

Jan. 21

Feb. 1

DARIUSH KHURRAM, RAGHAV SRIRAM PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

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Jan. 20

hands up for the holidays: Carmel High School Choirs perform in their annual Holiday Spectacular show on Dec. 10, 2021. The show was held at St. Luke’s Methodist Church this year due to the Dale E. Graham auditorium renovations.

National History Day Open House

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Take a look at TEDxCHS speaker list for their annual conference to learn more about each speaker and their TED talks

Feb. 26

FTK Riley Dance Marathon

an artist’s advancements Watch as senior Sage Mehta develops a new piece of artwork titled Consciousness 1

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Flip to the next page to see other works of art created by Mehta and other youth artists that embody the national youth Art-ivism movement

club spotlight

Eye On The Money ZAINAB IDREES Q&A financial fortitude: William Kurlander, stock market club co-president and junior, hosts a presentation for stock market club’s weekly speaker financial advisor Margaret Gooley. This week she introduced various retirement plan options that ensure financial stability and security.

adolescent investment Take a look at how many students have joined the Young Investors Society since 2016.

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RAGHAV SRIRAM PHOTO

q&a ZAINAB IDREES PHOTO

Robert Browning, stock market club sponsor What do students do in this club?

They play a simulated stock market game where they compete with each other (to see) who can make the most pretend money in the stock market. We also have speakers come in once every month to talk about buying and selling stock, investments—those kinds of things.

When does the club meet?

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Monday afternoons, usually after school. It’s a little flexible, but probably two to four times a month in room F102.

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Do you think more people are investing in the stock market, after previous years?

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ARJUN PUROHIT GRAPHIC YOUNG INVESTORS SOCIETY SOURCES

q&a SHRI ATLURI SUBMITTED PHOTO

Shri Atluri, stock market club co-president and junior What is stock market club?

We meet bi-weekly, so every other Monday, and I’d say there are around 15 to 20 people (that) show up. But there are around 35-40 people that are actually in the club. We have two kinds of areas that we focus on. We have one area where we have guest speakers come in and talk to us, helping students overall and developing our skills of trading stocks. (Then) to implement what we learned, we have a stock market simulator.

I think that’s a close call. After that 2007-2008 crash, a lot of people didn’t get back in. But I think the younger generation is starting to invest, and they’re investing in different kinds of ways.

What do you think makes people want to invest in stocks?

I think that everyone wants to make money, and I think students are familiar with the stock market. (Some) may be not as familiar as they should be. But then it’s kind of interesting, and it’s real life because this is a real way to have your money work for you.

How is your club different from last year?

Last year, the speakers were all virtual because of COVID. Now we have in-person speakers. We have speakers scheduled that are from investment, investment firms, financial advisors (and) people who are experienced in the whole financial aspect of things.

Would you like to add anything else?

If you want to learn more about the market in general, or if you’re interested in meeting new people, I feel like this is a great club, because even if your intention is not to learn more about the market, you’ll end up learning something new. And I feel like even if you can take away the smallest thing from the club, it’ll help you in your future.

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JAN. 20, 2022

Adolescent Art-ivism With the conclusion of Carmel Clay Public Library’s Art-ivism (Art Activism) for World Needs event, take a look at students past Art-ivism DARIUSH KHURRAM Q&AS, PHOTOS

q&a How do you think that art can serve as a Katie Blackthorn, Young pathway for activism?

Adult Department at Carmel Clay Public Library I think art can be a really engaging way for students to get Could you describe the Art-ivism event?

Every year, Students Rebuild will issue a challenge. All of them are typically art-based projects that students around the world can participate in, and then they submit their creations, and then donations are made for every piece of artwork they receive. This year the challenge is the World Needs Challenge, and it focuses on five different themes instead of just one.

The rest of the program is creative work time for the participants to create posters to support one of the five causes that this challenge is supporting.

into activism. A lot of people have a creative side, and, by using that creativity, people can find new ways to spread the message about the things that are important to them.

How can someone without an artistic skill set raise awareness for world issues?

Art doesn’t have any rules, so you don’t need to be specifically talented at drawing or calligraphy or anything fancy. There are no limitations. It can be whatever the person wants it to be. It’s a very low-stress way of participating and speaking up for organization. All (art) has to do is spell out what you care about. symbolic showroom: Senior Caroline Hammonds said she uses a variety of styles art to communicate and create symbolic messages that address modern issues of race, class, power and gender.

CAROLINE HAMMONDS SUBMITTED PHOTOS

art advocacy: Senior Sage Mehta created this charcoal piece with a blurred background in 2018. She said she was inspired after attending a March for Our Lives protest and took a picture of a young boy holding a sign.

q&a Sage Mehta, senior

SAGE MEHTA SUBMITTED PHOTO

How would you describe your style of art?

I would say it’s pretty. I like doing realism and a lot of things I do are kind of hyperrealistic, but with a lot of the concepts and stuff I do, I usually put a spin so it’s not just drawing something as I would like take a picture. It’s something that might not exist in real life but still looks realistic.

How can art communicate and create messages?

I think art is very universal with the fact that everyone can kind of see it and appreciate it. Just reading words is something we do all the time. An image that really strikes and resounds with people can move them to do things that I don’t think words can.

How has art affected the development of social issues in the past year or two?

I think it has done a lot. Even just on social media, I’ll sometimes see a piece of art that’s circulating and drawing attention to a cause. Even with a lot of the events I participate in, having the signature art piece or design is really important to draw the entire movement or event together.

How can someone not as artistically talented contribute to Art-ivism I think there’s different forms of art. I also think that appreciating art and accepting it more into our culture and spreading it can help propogate the same messages even if you’re not the one creating it.

q&a Caroline Hammonds, senior When did you first start getting into art?

I’ve basically been doing (art) my entire life. I’ve always liked (art), but I really started focusing on my (art) skills once I got a little bit older just because I have more teachers that challenge me and motivate me to do better.

You mentioned a mural that you did in downtown Carmel. Can you elaborate on that?

I’m part of National Art Honor Society at Carmel High School.

We all submitted mural designs, and I was selected for that. I went through the design process with some professionals, and we were able to get that installed over by the Palladium.

How would you describe your style of art?

Honestly, I do a lot of different things. There’s some real aspects of it, but it’s often a really odd twist. I like my art to be something that’s visually interesting and that can be for everyone, but also inflicts a thought, something that has to make you think.

art angel: Senior Caroline Hammonds created this piece of digital artwork in 2020 of 2021. She said, “My art is a big way that I see things. It’s my way of communicating how I see the world, my thoughts on things and what I’m going through.

Often my art does represent where I am in life.

CAROLINE HAMMONDS SUBMITTED PHOTO

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JAN. 20, 2022

Talking Points TEDx Carmel club to have conference on Jan. 22, students, sponsor discuss speaking RYAN ZHANG STORY

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will have a conference on Jan. 22 in the freshman cafeteria. At this conference, students and adults will present speeches. According to Maddie Wilson, a speaker at this conference and senior, presenters give speeches pertaining to a theme.

“This year’s theme is Through the Looking-Glass. It’s up for interpretation depending on who’s speaking.

(My speech) specifically is to spread awareness, but it can be about learning something insightful and changing people’s perspectives,” she said.

According to Annabelle Carpenter, TEDx Carmel officer and sophomore, conferences are open to anyone who is interested. She said the purpose of this conference and other conferences hosted by TEDx Carmel is to give an opportunity to share perspectives.

“TEDx is an organization that’s about getting people from different backgrounds up on that stage to spread their experience, to spread their ideas and to let others enjoy them, marinate on those (ideas),” Carpenter said.

TEDx Carmel sponsor Allison Hargrove said TEDx Carmel is open to all students. She said it’s a club

speak-up!

SIRI SURAPANENI Q&A

SIRI SURAPANENI PHOTO

that hosts speeches, so members aren’t required to speak.

“Student speaking allows us to hear from the often overlooked, but incredibly important youth demographic,” Hargrove said via email. “It allows students to have a voice to tell their own thoughts, stories, and ideas.”

Carpenter said the club is in the planning process for this conference and members are working with speakers and setting up a location. However, she said this conference has come with unprecedented challenges.

“We need to find a place that’s open and organized. We need to find food, and we need to find speakers. It is a challenge,” Carpenter said.

“The adult speakers, this year were a challenge. So we are still trying to find a few of those. And finding the right people, especially students to speak (is a challenge).”

Carpenter said TEDx Carmel aims to give those who don’t necessarily see themselves giving speeches to speak. She said those aspects are what make a good TEDx speaker.

“It’s usually the people who don’t want to speak up on stage as much that have the better talks because they’re not trying to self-promote at all. They’re just trying to get up there

planning in progress: Naomi Fields and Elizabeth Palmer, club members and sophomores, plan the Tedx conference.

The TEDx conference will be held on Jan. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the freshman cafeteria, and student presenters will use this platform to talk about various personal topics.

and share what their knowledge is of any certain topic,” Carpenter said.

Wilson said she relates to this.

“I’m kind of afraid of giving speeches as well. I think the more opportunities that you take to give speeches, that’s how you get better. That’s what I’m trying to do with this.”

Carpenter said besides learning new perspectives, youth speaking is important to help students reach towards necessary skills for their future.

“I can’t think of anything where you don’t have to talk to anyone,” she said.

You can’t get a job, and you can’t order food without talking to someone.

It gives you practice, and it gives you practice communicating with other people, problem-solving, negotiating.

(Speaking) is really helpful.” h

What topic are you speaking about in the Tedx conference?

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Senior Maddie Wilson

My topic is the personification of my eating disorder. I treat it like a person I’m stuck in an abusive relationship with. It’s like when you have the flu, your personality isn’t consumed by the flu. With eating disorders, it feels like that’s all you are. By separating yourself from it, you can start to find yourself again.

My topic is “who we should surround ourselves with”. The main focus is to discuss the various types of people in our lives and how they can impact us. I’m hoping the audience takes away they should be cognizant of the individuals they are close to and should remember that those bonds should always be as Senior positive as possible.

Daniyal Sher

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Into the New Year National Chinese Honors Society members plan for celebration KATE LOPER STORY

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Honor Society (NCHS) will host a celebration event for Chinese New Year. This cultural holiday will happen on Feb. 1 and also marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year.

This event will provide traditional Chinese foods often eaten in the new year, such as jiaozi (dumplings) and baozi (steamed buns).

These foods are steamed and both contain a variety of vegetables and meats filled inside of them. Alongside this, traditional Chinese music will play at the event.

Tungfen Lee, NCHS sponsor and Chinese teacher, said in previous years, NCHS celebrated Chinese New Year differently.

“We used to host Chinese New Year events at the Carmel Clay Public Library and invited people in the community to celebrate. All students and family (everyone in the community) are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the cultural events sponsored by NCHS,” she said via email.

Junior Alleson Gao said she has been celebrating Chinese New Year for most of her life.

“Chinese New Year is a day that brings the family together- for my fam-

This can cause some stereotypes that Chinese New Year seems very superstitious when in reality, it’s just like how all cultures have their own beliefs.

JUNIOR TERESA YU

MOODY HOMSI GRAPHIC

ily we always make dumplings together and eat them for dinner,” she said.

She said a memorable moment when celebrating Chinese New Year was when she would go to church.

“At church we would dress up wearing a traditional Chinese dress and sing songs and also eat food.

We would also receive red envelopes and they would place a $2 bill inside.” Gao said.

Lee said this is an extremely memorable holiday.

She said, “When I was in Taiwan, I enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year with my immediate and extended families-we have more than thirty people altogether.”

Alongside these familial celebrations, people observe some superstitions or taboos with the tradition.

Teresa Yu, member of NCHS and junior said, taking medicine, sweeping the floor, washing clothes and cutting hair are all cultural ta-

by the numbers

20% of the global population celebrates Chinese New Year

2022 is the year of the Tiger

15

DAYS are spent celebrating the Chinese New Year TRAVEL NATION SOURCE

new year, same cuisine

boos that are usually followed during Chinese New Year.

She said, “I would say that some people might not understand and find the superstitions of Chinese New Year to be odd. This can cause some stereotypes that Chinese New Year seems very superstitious when, in reality, it’s just like how all cultures have their own beliefs.”

Yu also said many times when a family moves to the United States after living in China, they will stop celebrating certain traditions to assimilate. This, she said leads to an overall underrepresentation of what Chinese New Year is.

But Gao said Chinese New Year presents an opportunity for others to learn about Chinese culture.

“By learning about Asian American culture and Asian American History, we also are learning about American history and the Asian American community,” she said. h

Take a look at some popular traditional Chinese New Year dishes

Chinese Dumpling Dumpings are a popular food that consist of a flour wrap around a filling that may include pork, shrimp, or various vegetables.

Peking Duck Peking duck is a dish that consists of roast duck. It is then mixed with hoisin sauce, a side of sliced onions, scallions and cucumbers.

FORK N PLATE, FOOD NETWORK SOURCES

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JAN 20, 2022

Fashion Forward STEM, arts collide as students observe impact of trend forecasting on fashion industry with New York Fashion Week approaching JILLIAN MOORE STORY

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rend forecasting is the intersection of

statistics and economics; one of the most noticeable fields in which trend forecasting is increasing is the fashion industry. Feb. 11 to Feb. 16 will mark New York Fashion Week (NYFW) 2022, in which designers and brands will showcase designs for their fall/winter collections. Popular both in social media and locally at CHS, students plan to utilize trend forecasting when observing the runways of NYFW. Junior Inia Narayanan said while trend forecasting is difficult because of the random, unpredictable nature of the fashion industry, one can foresee trends based on the cyclical nature of fashion through the years.

“A lot of trends grow on things that have already happened in the past. Although sometimes it can be randomized, analyzing trends that have happened in the past can really help with analyzing ones that will happen in the future,” she said.

AP Statistics teacher Matthew Wernke said while some trends will not repeat because they directly relate to the

did you know?

Experts analyze trending searches on popular fashion apps like DePop and Pinterest, along with cyclical fashion trend patterns. They predict certain trends such as catsuits, cutouts, pearls, fringe and mini-skirts will dominate in 2022, along with bold and bright colors.

THE LIST SOURCE

by the numbers

6%

the amount expected to grow in the fashion industry, as opposed to 5% in 2021

$41

BILLION predicted value of the secondhand clothing industry by 2022

39% of fashion editors think the luxury sector will decline

GO REMOTELY SOURCE

socioeconomic climate of that time period, experts could use statistics to predict the more quantitative trends.

“Say you identify from the 1950s to the 2000s, each trend in each decade, and then you figure out when each trend recycles again,” he said. “You could say that on average each trend is repeating every 32 years and then have an idea of when today’s trends will be popular again. Well, maybe 32 years. So statistics can look at the numbers side of that.”

Dev Mathur, AP Statistics student and junior, said even without a knowledge of fashion history, it is possible to predict trends using statistical analysis.

He said, “Using specific statistical analysis you can definitely predict trends in any area of study that you want. I think fashion is definitely one example of that.”

Famously, a small group of young people in Soho saved Hush Puppies, classic American brushed-suede shoes with a lightweight sole, from extinction by starting a trend. The brand sold 30,000 pairs in 1994, but when designers Anna Sui and John Bartlett featured the shoe in their fall/winter 1995 collections, it sold 430,000 pairs the following year.

Narayanan said one can predict certain micro trends, like Hush Puppies, based on how aesthetics are generally changing in fashion.

“Do your research because the more information you have on call, you can kind of start to see what kinds of things have started to gain popularity,” she said. “I think even with chunky rings, you could have noticed that with things just being bigger as a whole. In terms of shoes, especially with Fila starting to popularize, I think the whole chunky trend in general could have been predicted.”

Wernke said predicting micro trends is highly subjective, and while students can research statistics to learn more and guess increasingly accurately, they most likely already use trend forecasting in their daily lives.

He said, “Forecasting, obviously, is a statistics idea.

We do statistics everyday. The idea that when you pull fashion intuition: Junior Inia Narayanan wears an outfit she put together. She said she enjoys researching fashion trends, but has her own personal style and encourages others to find theirs.

INIA NARAYANAN SUBMITTED PHOTO

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in the forecast See how world of trend forecasting is growing Trendsetting terms: Micro trends are seasonal forecasting predictions of consumer desires within a six- to 12-month period Macro trends reflect larger, more general changes in society seen in long-term forecasting

Cutting-edge fashion brands on social media: Chanel: 48.3 million followers Gucci: 46.9 million followers Prada: 28.2 million followers Versace: 25.8 million followers Balenciaga: 12.4 million followers Dior: 39.0 million followers

up to a stop light and you’re in a rush somewhere and there’s two lanes, sometimes you switch to the left lane because you think it’s going to go faster. You forecasted something, you forecasted traffic patterns in that case.”

However, Mathur said it’s dangerous to make predictions and guesses based solely on correlation and observations. He said learning statistics has taught him to carefully examine how other factors, which might be hidden, could affect trend forecasts.

“There are other variables in place. If there are two variables associating with one another in regards to fashion, and because of that these trends are thought to be one variable causing another, that causes you to see false trends,” he said. “The addition of some lurking variable in the background could affect the trends we see in the fashion industry.”

Narayanan said she predicts several trends in the 2022 fashion industry, including more intricate hairstyles and puff sleeves. However, she said the everchanging trends can be unsustainable.

“Although materialism does have its benefits and cons, small things like this definitely play into it. Almost for everyone, it is a form of expression,” she said.

“Although their specific micro trends might not be as popular as others, I feel those who follow trends more regularly do play more into a materialistic culture, while micro trends as a whole aren’t really harmful to anyone.”

Wernke said people usually don’t consider statistics while making fashion choices, but that could change

Although sometimes it can be randomized, analyzing trends that have happened in the past can really help with analyzing ones that will happen in the future.

JUNIOR INIA NARAYANAN

Career growth: Market research analyst jobs (including trend forecasting) are projected to rise 22% from 2020 - 2030 GRACE GUO GRAPHIC HEURITECH, BLS, FLAUNTER SOURCES

in the future with society’s increased emphasis on short-lived trends.

“If you’re worried about what people think about your fashion, you might start thinking ahead, ‘What is it I could wear that will be the next trendy thing?” he said. “I think people do that all the time, they just don’t do it quantitatively. They’re not punching numbers in a calculator trying to figure out what’s going to occur next.”

Overall, Narayanan said while she enjoys forecasting trends and researching fashion, students should work to discover their personal style first.

She said, “Although trends are important, I think adapting them to what you think is best for you is just as important for self h expression.”

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JAN. 20, 2022

Ring in the New Year Students challenge, walk away from traditions in favor of new ones CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER STORY

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JUSTINE WANG SUBMITTED PHOTOS

We just skip the parts we don’t like; we made it a tradition, like I am the person who will get mooncakes and eat them during Chinese New Year, if I can find them since they are delicious.

chinese

teacher Tungfen Lee, Chinese New Year is a centuries-old celebration held on the first day of the lunar calendar, which for this year lies on Feb. 1. According to Columbia University, the celebration originates from the lunar calendar, a calendar system using the shapes of the moon to measure periods of time for agricultural purposes. Families celebrate through various traditions, such as junior Justine Wang, who usually goes to a Chinese New Year Party.

“We had a family who lived here who threw a pretty big one every year but they recently moved away, so we’re doing the party this year, which is cool,” she said.

Like many things, COVID-19 has changed the way her family celebrates with an absence of a party in 2021 and masks possibly required for guests.

In the past, party hosts would put on a puppet show for the children to celebrate and explain the new year zodiac signs of which there are 12 named after animals, 2022, for instance, is the year of the tiger.

Wang wasn’t a fan. “(The show) was kind of stupid. I didn’t really like it. Yeah, they just had the kids run around and they had everyone bring some food and you just eat and talk.”

However, Lee said there are many traditions that remain to this day, including putting up decorations, giving red envelopes, fireworks and watching dragon or lion dances.

“The festival was traditionally a time to honor deities as well as ancestors and now it is also a time to feast and to visit family members,” Lee said through email.

SENIOR ZOEY FOLEY

Senior Zoey Foley considers the way her family celebrates more unconventional.

“We don’t make our own Chinese food, we get takeout,” Foley said. “Or we make, embarrassingly enough, Korean dumplings because they’re easier. They’re just wonton wrappers that you wet down with your fingers and they’re really quick and fun to make, so that’s kinda how my family celebrates.”

Foley said that her family at times excludes traditions. “We try to stick to authentic Chinese New Year but we don’t clean the house, I am the most messy person you will ever meet but I should start using that as an excuse to clean but I’m too lazy. We

more than a dance: At a Chinese New Year celebration, dancers wear traditional clothing during their performance.

They also use umbrellas with designs throughout the dance. Junior Justine Wang said her family usually attends local celebrations like this one, but COVID-19 has made in-person gatherings difficult.

don’t travel either, since my family lives a bit far and we don’t celebrate it for 14 days either, we just chose one day in the duration of the 14 day period.”

Foley’s family also does things not traditionally associated with Chinese New Year, such as eating mooncakes, a treat traditionally associated with the Mid-Autumn festival.

She said, “We just skip the parts we don’t like; we made it a tradition, like I am the person who will get mooncakes and eat them during Chinese new year, if I can find them since they are delicious (and) I am so hungry.”

Wang also said her family also doesn’t clean the house for the new year, saying that there are so many traditions that celebrations can differ between families.

“I know it’s traditional to eat fish for Chinese New Year because that’s sugar and spice: (RIGHT) To prepare for her family’s Chinese New Year party, junior Justine Wang helps to cook and present traditional dishes.

Wang said celebratory meals often vary among families.

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a thing, but I don’t really know why it’s lucky. And you’re supposed to clean your house before Chinese New Year to get rid of bad spirits or whatever, we don’t do that because we don’t clean our house,” she said.

“I don’t know there’s just a lot of stuff that a lot of families do to the point where you don’t even know why you do them anymore you just do, because you have to do them.”

Another way that Foley’s celebration may differ from Wang’s is the reason her family celebrates. Foley is the only Chinese member of her family, with a Korean brother and European parents. As such, for her family, Chinese New Year isn’t merely the celebration of a new year, but a celebration of her as well.

“Because I’m adopted from China and I never got the experience of living with a Chinese family so my parents, for as long as I remember, felt bad because they could give me almost everything I could ever ask for except what it’s like to be raised in a Chinese family,” she said.

by the numbers

20% of the global population will celebrate Chinese New Year

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total days of celebration will ensue, including the Laba Festival

2.1 BILLION

people will celebrate Chinese New Year internationally NATIONAL TODAY SOURCE

She also said it allowed her to connect more with her Chinese identity.

“It’s more of a way to celebrate the fact (that I am Chinese). One of the reasons I joined the National Chinese Honor Society is because I’ve always been interested in Chinese culture all my life, but I was raised in a European household so I’ve always celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter and Christmas,” Foley said. “There are a lot of (Chinese) holidays, but Chinese New Year is the one that I celebrate. It’s just a celebration of me and my brother, since it’s also the Lunar New Year so we also celebrate the fact that my brother is with us as well, since he’s also Asian American.”

COVID-19 has also impacted the way she celebrates Chinese New Year, as she would typically celebrate it with her Girl Scout troop, one made specifically for Chinese females adopted from China, but COVID-19 canceled plans in 2020 and led to a disbandment of the troop.

The fish within sushi symbolizes prosperity

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did you know?

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring festival, has an animal associated with each new year. 2022 is the year of the Tiger; this year is special as it’s specifically the year of the Water Tiger. This Chinese zodiac sign is known for exorcising evils, power, boldness and predilection.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOURCE

Though Foley and Wang celebrate for different reasons and in different ways, they are both excited for celebrating the new year. Wang said despite the fact traditions change, she always enjoys celebrating.

Wang said, “ You just catch up with the other Chinese, or sometimes people who aren’t Chinese are invited, families in the area and eat a lot of food and it’s a good time.” h

White rice is a staple dish that pairs with many foods

Bok Choy represents long life for parents Stir fry is the Chinese method of cooking meat and vegetables

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JAN. 20, 2022

Musical Mentors As Half Notes workshop approaches, choir members reflect on leadership roles within performing arts community AVERY CARLISLE STORY

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RIN GORDON, AMBASSADORS member and senior, said she grew up surrounded by choir because her older brother was involved with it throughout his high school years.

She said, “When I was little, I was not the biggest fan of the choir. I did general music for most of middle school. My older brother was in Ambassadors when I was little, so I got (interested) when I saw him performing his show choir sets and then I was

(half) noteworthy: Choir members sing in the annual Holiday Spectacular show.

In addition to performances, Carmel Choirs hold many workshops for individuals who are considering joining choir.

ERIN GORDON, NATE KOSS SUBMITTED PHOTOS

like, ‘Oh, this seems like something that I would want to do too.’”

Now, Gordon is becoming that role model to other young children through the Half Notes workshop hosted by the Ambassadors choir.

According to director of choirs Kathrine Kouns, the Half Notes workshop is an important part of exposing children to the performing arts program at this school.

She said, “(The children) work side-by-side with some of the Am-

bassadors students and they learn a song and dance just for fun and they have a pizza party for dinner. Then we’ve arranged it with the athletics department so that they all get into the (basketball) game for free.”

Nate Koss, Ambassadors member and senior, said he enjoys working with the younger children and recognizes the importance of mentoring.

“I think it is really important to expose kids to the performing arts because there are a bunch of other

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sense of community (right): Select Sound members (left to right) senior Nate Koss, senior Anne Conway and junior Allie Rosenfeld perform the song “This is My Wish” during Holiday Spectacular. According to Kouns, Carmel Choirs has a reputation for providing a sense of community. The choir offers a wide variety of performances, workshops and camps for members.

activities that you’re exposed to at a young age and I think that music is just such a cool thing and a way to connect with a bunch of people,” he said. “Especially at Carmel with our program, I think there’s just a really good sense of community.”

Gordon said she agreed these events are a good way to introduce children into the choir community.

“Giving (the children) these miniature day-long experiences can give a view into the community choir. (That’s) because you get to meet friends that you might see at the high school,” she said.

For years, the choir program has made sure to involve younger children with many events including Princess Academy, which is an Accents-led event for children from ages four to eight. In the summer, they host Summer Spectacular Show Choir Camp, a week-long camp for children in grades five to eight. In January, they host the Half Notes workshop.

“We’ve started (these) events over the last couple of years that are specifically targeting younger kids to make sure they feel included and that they start to get the idea of not just what we do in Carmel Choirs, but just the love of singing and making music from a young age,” Kouns said. “We try to rotate through the program of which choir ensemble is going to be the main leader or mentor for each event so that no one ensemble is completely exhausted but also so

that the students that are coming in are working with other kids.”

Gordon said the summer camp helped her decide if she was going to do show choir in high school and said she believes it does impact children who are going through the consideration process.

She said, “I think our show choir camp really helps kids get involved. I know that’s what I did when I was little and it definitely helped me not only get familiar with the directors, (but) I was also able to meet them and also meet other people from other schools. That helped me launch into it. And especially as someone

inspiring notes: Choir members pose during the Accents’ Princess Academy 2019.

These members often inspire others to join the performing arts. Senior Erin Gordon (center) said she enjoys the choir community and participates in some of the choir workshops.

that was not a good dancer, being in those camps and having those opportunities really helped me a lot.”

Koss said that students should encourage any younger children they know to get involved in the performing arts program even if they don’t seem as interested as others.

Koss said, “I’ve seen from the previous workshops that I’ve done with Half Notes that even though (some children) come in with this negative mindset of being like, ‘Oh, performing arts, it’s really weird,’ by the end, they’re just loving it and most of the time they just decide to h just continue on that path.”

SOWMYA CHUNDI PHOTO

h

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JAN. 20, 2022

Books for the Win As National Book Lovers Month approaches, take a look at impact of technology on reading CADY ARMSTRONG STORY

I

writing ability at the same time. I reader. At the start of 2021, read 41 books in 2021, blowing my the only time I was reading original goal out of the water and was when I had to for my English plan to read even more this year. class. I spent the majority of my If you’re anything like me, it’s refree time watching TV. However, ally easy for you to turn on the TV last January, I set a goal to read 10 and numb your mind after a long books for the year. Once I started, I day of using your brain. But, after couldn’t stop. I quickly became doing this, you likely just feel completely consumed the same as you did before with the worlds created you started with the TV from the books and just temporarily disenthralled with the tracting you. characters in them.

I encourage you Getting lost in the to break out of this books instantly toxic cycle, read a made me feel betbook one time and ter and improved see how you feel. my mood.

There are looks of In addition books to choose books>tv to just being from, too. From enjoyable, unfiction novels to beknownst to me, reading was poetry to science fiction, there’s also helping me sharpen my mind. something for everyone. It’s easy to While I was watching Percy Jackwrite books off as boring, but most son go toe-to-toe with Zeus in my books are nothing like the ones you head, according to several credible have to read for your classes, and sources, I also improved vocabuwhen you find one you like, it’s fun. lary, reading comprehension, and Reading is meant to be enjoyable USED TO BE A RELUCTANT

by the numbers

23%

American adults hadn’t read a book in the past year

44.2 THOUSAND authors and writers were working in the U.S. in 2020

10.8 THOUSAND bookstores are located within the U.S. PEWRESEARCH, STATISTA SOURCE

and a way to relax, you just have to find what you’re into.

Additionally, reading is a really cheap habit. We are lucky to have thousands of books available right here in our library and even more available on Libby, the virtual book selection at the public library. It’s super easy and is much cheaper than all of the streaming services available to us now.

With February being National Book Lover’s Month, I highly encourage everyone to take a break from TV and pick up a book. Afterwards, you’ll have bettered yourself and likely feel much happier than you would have after watching TV h or going on social media.

did you know?

The world’s earliest known library originated in modern day Iraq in the seventh century B.C. The library contained over 30,000 pieces written on cuneiform tablets.

HISTORY SOURCE

hooked on books Take a look at the most sold books of 2021 *As of November 8, 2021 Big Shot: Diary of A Wimpy Kid Copies Sold*: 211,350 Release Date: October 26, 2021 Author: Jeff Kinney

RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC STATISTA SOURCE

The Judge‘s List Copies Sold*: 54,970 Release Date: October 19, 2021 Author: John Grisham

The Pioneer Woman Cooks-Super Easy!

Copies Sold*: 45,140 Release Date: October 19, 2021 Author: Ree Drummond

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Q&A with

Poetry Slam

poet, senior Alex Rushinsky

27

on poetry, inspiration

MADDIE MISTERKA Q&A, PHOTO

Is there any specific poet whose work you enjoy?

I generally just stumble upon poems I enjoy or I have friends recommend them to me. I obviously would have a hard time labeling what genres I read. It’s poems– generally with some degree of existentialism and that’s where it ends up. That’s the fun of it for me: thinking.

What medium do you usually use to write poetry?

It’s both (physical and digital). (Typically), I prefer writing it down just because I think there’s a more intimate, human component to it… actually putting your emotions onto the page, which I think can be lost in typing. So it kind of just depends on what I have available at the moment. But if I can, I would prefer to write it down.

Have you ever considered making your poetry public?

I’ve considered making an Instagram account (for poetry). But somewhere in my head, it feels awkward, sort of publicizing almost (in) a self gloating way, because that isn’t my poetry. It’s not a ‘look at me’. It’s just, ‘this is happening in my head.’ It’s almost like for me or for my friend. It’s not for the world.

Do you have a specific topic or genre that you typically write about?

I guess (I critique) some world events and politics, but I stick mostly to (things like) adolescent struggles, struggles of self discovery, mental health, how to address mental health, toxic masculinity, and hidden problems– the sort of the thing of you see (on) everyone’s highlight reel compared to behind the scenes.

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JAN 20, 2022

IMMERSED

With increase in virtual reality usage, students, teachers define effects of living in a digital world on an individual, view on reality

DARSHINI SHANKAR, SAUMYA SOMASI STORY MADDIE MISTERKA PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS

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W

e live in a world where

where almost everyone plays video games, creating connections virtually and immersing themselves in an alternate version of our reality.

According to a 2018 Pew Research study, 90% of teens play video games on a computer, game console or cell phone.

For a large number of people, video games serve the purpose of recreation.

However, for some students such as senior Nicolas “Nico” Zimmowitch, video games serve a greater purpose.

As president of the Carmel eSports club, Zimmowitch said through eSports, he has found opportunities to coach and create content in the field of video games. Resultantly, Zimmowitch said video games have become a significant part of his life, with him playing “Rocket League” almost everyday. From playing video games often, Zimmowitch said that he observed many social and psychological benefits, particularly as he created connections with others virtually.

“Socially, video games allow people to find social circles, whether online or in their local community.

Finding people that have something in common with you can be difficult, especially for (people) that may be moving to a new city, switching schools or getting a different job. Through video games, people can stay connected over long distances no matter where they live,” Zimmowitch said.

Despite debate among psychologists and other health professionals regarding the effects of violent media on youth, American Psychological Association studies in 2013 and 2014 found that children engaged in video games had improved cognitive skills and problem-solving skills, along with social connections they developed by playing with other individuals they meet in this “virtual world.”

Similar to Zimmowitch, junior eSports member Logan O’Connell said he plays video games daily for one to two hours. O’Connell said he thinks video games benefit him

by allowing him to connect with others as well as offering relaxation.

“Video games can have many benefits, such as offering relaxation and balance to life and can help (form connections between) people socially,” O’Connell said. “As a former professional video game player, I was signed to a professional team, (a position which) gave me an incredible online community and connections with new friends all over the country.”

Similarly, eSports coach Dylan Gentilcore said he’s noticed people getting involved in video games to balance their lives in a fun way. He said he has specifically noticed people using video games as a form of escapism, which the Oxford dictionary defines as “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.”

“I think the reason people get involved with video games is because they are a really interactive form of escapism. We all want something to take our minds off of the daily hubbub that we are so caught up in all the challenges that we face, and a lot of times how little we can affect in our lives, so

out of your league: Sean Gao, eSports member and senior, plays ‘League of Legends’ at an eSports practice.

Nicolas “Nico” Zimmowitch, eSports president and senior said he sees multiple benefits to playing v NICOLAS ZIMMOWITCH SUBMITTED PHOTO

predicting the future

Take a look at job predictions, salaries for tech jobs 2.5 MIL 2020 pay

2 MIL

projected 2030 pay

1.5 MIL

1 MIL

0.5 MIL 0

Software Web Developers, Quality Developers Assurance Analysts, and Digital and Testers Designers

Network/ Computer Systems Administrators

Yearly Salary:

Yearly Salary:

Yearly Salary:

$110,140

$77,200

$84,810

RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SOURCES

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we find ways to take ourselves to other places and do other things,” Gentilcore said.“Our hobbies are ways for us to invest and spend time in stuff that we have more control of and fill us in some ways. When it comes to video games, you can get involved in (types of) video games that tell stories really well, so instead of just reading a book or watching a show you feel like you’re playing a hand in making the story come out. It opens up doors to escapism and hobbyism that really didn’t exist before (video games).”

However, as society begins to rely on digital media and people increasingly use video games as an escape mechanism, they can become obsessed with the games, reaching a point where they find it difficult to stop playing and return to reality. Zimmowitch said he advises people to be cautious because playing video games can become addictive and harmful. “(Playing video games) can be a great way to relax, but it shouldn’t be something people rely on purely for escaping from reality because then it becomes more of an addiction and may no longer provide you the same support (it would have when used in moderation,)” he said.

The addiction referenced by Zimmowitch has become problematic to many video game users, now being recognized as “internet gaming disorder” by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO added internet gaming disorder to the International Classification of Diseases, acknowledging it as a disease that could result in impaired “per-

>>

30

JAN 20, 2022

reality works Take a look at examples of alternate reality in movies INVERSE, MEDIUM, SCREEN RANT SOURCES

Inception (2010) Dom Cobb and his team move through different levels of dreams and reality, using “totems” to show whether they are in dreams or reality Ready Player One (2018) Follows orphaned teenager Wade Watts in a dystopian future where much of human life is spent in a virtual simulation called The OASIS The Matrix (1999) Protaganist Neo discovers that “reality” is actually an artificial world created by machines to trap humans

>> or

sonal, family, social, educational, occupational functioning.”

While using sources such as video games can be beneficial in moderation, allowing video game usage to develop into an addiction or internet gaming disorder can lead users down an unhealthy path if other coping mechanisms are not also present.

In his experience, Gentilcore said there are ways to combat addictions like these and find some other way to cope with real world problems.

“Whenever I talk to adults, (especially ones) who have children or look after children about video games, they are very concerned about (possible) detrimental effects (on their kids.) Everyone thinks about video game addiction, for instance. I think the ‘why?’ is a very crucial question,” he said. “If anyone in your life is spending eight hours a day playing video games on a regular basis, they are probably going through something and they need someone or something to intervene and help them focus on the issue.”

Realizing the extent to which playing video games too much can affect her, sophomore Rosalyn Chu said she is mindful of the time she spends playing them.

She said, “For me, video games

did you know?

The main difference between Augemented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) is that AR inserts digital aspects and animations into real-world settings, seen in games such as “Pokemon Go,” while VR creates a unique and immersive 3-D environment for users to experience as their reality.

SOFTWARE TESTING HELP SOURCE

GRACE GUO GRAPHIC

are a way to unwind if I’m tired or bored or (if I) want something to do with my friends. There are definitely times I’ve spent way too long playing video games, but generally I keep it in control and (my playing habits are) pretty harmless. I like having video games present as an escape, but whenever I feel like I’m

relying on the games (I play), I have to tell myself to slow down and look at my other priorities first.”

Gentilcore said he agreed that control was necessary in all forms of entertainment because he said he thinks spending too much time on media such as video games can be harmful or concerning. “(Too) much of anything is terrible and too much distracting yourself from the challenges and struggles that you’re going through with a fun activity whether that’s video games or shows or music,” he said. “it’s going to do you harm in the short and the long run. If you’re seeing them spend copious amounts of hours on these endeavors that’s the key concern. Otherwise I think it’s totally fine.”

Despite the danger of addiction video games could impose, many students still find themselves immersed in the alternate reality created by these games. O’Connell said he thinks video games create an alternate version of reality where people can recreate themselves however they would choose to appear.

“The limits of what we can do or be in the real world are all torn away in video games and they offer us a world

virtual reality deep dive Take a look at a break down illustrating the technologies found within virtual reality (VR) headsets

Lens mount

Needed in VR HMDs to bend light, making it easier for our eyes to accomodate for incoming rays

Connection interface

Many VR headsets contain a raft of connectors, including HDMI, DVI, and miniUSB to ensure HD images from a computer are delivered to the VR screen with minimal lag at an optimal performance

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to recreate ourselves, from what we do in-game to what outfits and styles our characters have,” O’Connell said.

Similar to O’Connell, Chu said she thinks video games present users with a world with endless possibilities and a lack of the pressure people feel in the real world.

“Playing video games lets me immerse myself in a world I can relax in without much (external) stress or pressure. I can choose from infinite possibilities basically and do it with all my friends in a fun, calm way,” Chu said.

Going beyond graphics displayed on a screen, virtual reality (VR) also allows people to immerse themselves in an alternate reality.

The UK Virtual Reality Society defines VR as a computer-generated three-dimensional environment that can be interacted with.

Senior Nolan Jones said he owns an Oculus Quest 2, which is a virtual reality system. Jones said using virtual reality is more immersive than video games.

“Using virtual reality is really immersive compared to the traditional experience of playing video games and such,” Jones said. “I haven’t had a true experience of detachment from the

world, but that’s more to do with the limitations I have in terms of free space rather than the technology itself.”

Jones added that it could eventually become difficult to differentiate between VR and reality due to the potential of VR’s capability to recreate real-world environments.

“I believe that the point where VR’s audiovisual and physical touch replicating capabilities be-

theory man: English teacher Chad Andrews talks to students during SSRT. He said he believes in the simulation conspiracy theory among others.

MADDIE MISTERKA PHOTO

31

come indistinguishable from regular, real life stimuli would be the point where differentiating the two would be difficult, although graphics and hardware technology is not really there yet. Overall, I’m not worried about a quasi-Matrix (or) Terminator takeover happening right now with VR,” Jones said.

Due to the newfound possibility of VR eventually becoming indistinguishable from reality, people have begun to question if the world we currently live in could already be a simulation or an alternate form of reality, controlled by a larger form of technology.

This theory, known as the “matrix” or “simulation” theory, has been brought to the light by The Matrix movie series, in which the main character breaks out of the “matrix” simulation. It has been presented multiple times over the past 20 years since the first movie was released in 1999, with the fourth and most recent film, “The Matrix Resurrections,” being released on Dec. 21, 2021.

With these movies and conspiracy theories becoming more widely known, students such as

>>

HMD

A head-mounted display (HMD) is a display device, worn on the head of a user, that has a small display optic. The HMD is typically fully customizable allowing users to comfortably fit the device on their heads

Headset

The majority of VR programs are developed through the use of a headset program. Most of the programs are included in the headset technology, but some models (such as the Oculus) also utilize handheld controllers to make the experience more userfriendly and enjoyable

LCD screen LCD panels are known for their quick response time with high refresh rates and power efficiency ARCHIT KALRA, RAGHAV SRIRAM GRAPHIC HOWITWORKSDAILY, REALNEWWORLD, XINREALITY SOURCES

32

JAN 20, 2022

>> have begun to develop their senior Krish Jayarapu said they

own definition of living in a simulation.

“I interpret, ‘living in a simulation,’ similar to a video game: a person is controlling a character that interacts with their environment except for a lot more complex,” Jayarapu said via email.

English teacher Chad Andrews said he believed the conspiracy has arisen as a means to explain the complexity of occurrences in the world. Andrews also said that the theory rests on the idea that a computer program or simulation controls the universe because it is currently the highest form of technology humans can comprehend.

“Throughout human history, we’ve always tried to understand our world, our reality and our universe in terms of the highest form of technology we had in the industrial age. (People have) tried to define and describe the universe in terms of a great clock or mechanism and because clockwork and machinery and mechanical machinery in specific was the greatest innovation of the time it was considered the best metaphor for understanding the complexity of the universe,” Andrews said, “Likewise, when we look at the universe now, the greatest and best metaphor we have for

by the numbers

31%

of all STEAM program users have logged using an Oculus headset to play video games

1.87 BILLION dollars predicted to increase in the Virtual Reality industry by the end of 2022

6

MILLION Virtual Reality headsets were sold in 2021 STATISTA SOURCE

(how the universe works) is that of a computer program or simulation because it is, by far as far as what we’ve created as human beings, the most advanced form of technology (we have developed thus far).”

Similarly, junior Noah Kim said he thinks it is highly likely that we are living in a simulation due to the high complexity of technology that humans have discovered.

“I believe it is more likely than not that we live in a simulation. As technology advances, we find that more and more is possible within the realm of quantum computing, and simulations are able to be more and more complex. If we get to a point where we can create a simulation so advanced that the minds inside can think for themselves, why shouldn’t we?,” Kim said. “Following this line, it can be reasonably inferred that some form of intelligent life may have gotten to this point of technology before, and therefore the probability is high that we could be in one of these simulations.”

Despite the belief our world is being controlled by an all-knowing outside source held by people like Andrews and Kim, some still oppose the idea that our world is the product of a high stress: Sophomore Rosalyn Chu looks down at a calculus textbook.

Chu said she is careful with the amount of time she spends playing video games so it will not interfere with her daily life.

Many gamers claim to use video games to cope with life’s stress, but it has been proposed to spiral into a flawed sense of reality.

MADDIE MISTERKA PHOTO

If we get to a point where we can create a simulation so advanced that the minds inside can think for themselves, why shouldn’t we?

JUNIOR NOAH KIM simulation. Jayarapu said he considers the universe to be too complex for it to be controlled by a simulation.

“I do not believe we live in a simulation,” Jayarapu said. “The simulation conspiracy can be considered as the highest order conspiracy because of its idea that everything is fake. Our current understanding of the (the function of the universe) deems it too complex and wasteful for it to be a simulation.”

Similar to Jayarapu, junior James Yang said he believes even if we live in a simulation, the simulation does not have complete control over people and their fate. Rather, he said he thinks people still have control over their choices, similar to characters in a video game.

Yang said, “I don’t think that the simulation controls our fate. That belief is somewhat like predestination… I believe everyone has the ability to control and make their future.”

Nonetheless, various theories exist to explain the complexity of the world, (ranging from those that claim we have complete control over ourselves to those that believe we are controlled by a simulation,) uncertainty remains as none of these theories have been proven.

Andrews said, “We’re using (the simulation theory) to explain reality, which to this point is still beyond our grasp of understanding. It’s just another metaphor, another sign or symbol that humanity is using in order to understand something but as far as the idea that we’re actually living in us in a simulation, like it’s, it’s an interesting proposition, but it’s a completely unh provable concept.”

student section

JAN. 20, 2022

Magical Memories Students, teacher reminisce about favorite Disney memories, impact on lives EDDIE SUN STORY

N

NICK STITLE SUBMITTED PHOTO

ational winnie the pooh

Day, which was on Tuesday, Jan. 18, has been around since 1882. Its purpose, according to the National Heritage Academies, is to honor Pooh’s creator, A.A. Milne, on his birthday. Winnie the Pooh first appeared in Disney’s 1966 short film, “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree,” and National Winnie the Pooh Day is an opportunity for students like sophomore Hrithik Arcot to enjoy, not just Pooh, but the larger world of Walt Disney.

Arcot, an avid watcher of Disney movies, said he enjoys spending his free time watching Disney movies to brighten his overall mood.

“Walt Disney has changed the world by creating a whole new world for people to live in,” he said. “I think he’s inspired a lot of people which has led to a rise in creativity across the world. Overall Walt Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry by re-inventing animation and changing the lives of many kids around the world.”

Apart from watching Disney movies, Arcot said he supports Walt Disney as a person and producer of cartoons.

“Walt Disney has changed the world by creating a whole new world for people to live in,” he said.

Sophomore Nick Stitle, supporter and avid visiter of Disney World, said he enjoys each time he visits Disney World.

“I visit Disney World about three to four times a year. I visit as much as I do because I grew up with Disney and sort of view it as a second home. I really like the positive vibe of it and the whole style of the vacation,” Stitle said. “When visiting we go to all of the parks and get up early (and) stay out late. (My family and I)

spend time at the pool relaxing in the middle of the day while leaving the parks late at night and early morning.

It is a very cool experience and it is something that everyone should get to see at least once in their life.”

Arcot said he agreed, and added Disney World is a wonderful place for Disney fans to visit and immerse themselves in the aura of Disney itself. He said it allows for people to visit their favorite characters, movie settings, and cartoons all in one place.

Arcot said, “When I went to Disney World for the first time I was truly shocked at how amazing it was, it was a lot better than I expected. I think my favorite parts of Disney World are Epcot and

the most magical place on earth: Sophomore Nick Stitle poses in front of Cinderella’s castle at Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

Stitle said he visits Disney more often than most people and it has become a prominent part of his life. He said on average he goes three to four times yearly.

Disney’s Magical Kingdom. These parts are really fun and interesting, and what makes these the most interesting is that they stand out and they really aren’t like anything else.

Overall, I think Disney World is great and is really cool, as it also spans across the globe.”

To illustrate the significance of Walt Disney’s Disney World, according to MagicGuides, with an average annual attendance of over 58 million visitors, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world. In 2018, Disney earned $7.183 billion in admission revenue and drew 157.311 million visitors worldwide that same year.

That brings an average of $19.68 million per day.

Sophomore Keshav Singh, who said he is also an avid watcher of Disney movies, said that Disney has affected most people’s childhoods.

“Disney movies allowed me to experience many fantasy worlds and allowed me to enjoy different types of stories that wouldn’t have been told to me otherwise. It also allowed me to be introduced to many different characters often from different cultures,” Singh said.

“Disney movies allow many children to escape their normal lives and experience a fantastical world.

Additionally, it can introduce kids to new topics and different types of stories which can broaden their overall view on life.”

Stitle agreed, and said that Disney has had a major impact in developing a person’s childhood and personality.

Stitle said, “I have been affected

by Disney movies during my childhood because they really sparked my imagination, and being that I write a lot I credit a lot of my love for magic and creativity to Disney.”

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Tony Dunham, AP Seminar and AP Literature teacher who said he enjoys watching Disney movies said Disney has affected himself and others drastically.

“Growing up, there were a lot of fairytale type cartoons, with happy endings, disney magic and when you’re a kid that stuff feels magical,” Dunham said, “As a kid, it was my favorite form of entertainment. I think Disney in general as a company has capitalized on that magic, as they were the leading firm for animations back in the day, and I believe they have kept that alive by fostering creativity with Pixar especially.

Dunham outlines several ways that Disney has shaped young children in our society.

“One way Disney movies have an impact on young children is again

by the numbers

1923 was the year Disney was created

20.4 MILLION people visit the Disney parks annually

119

feature-films have been created by Disney STATISTICA SOURCE

by igniting imagination and a sense of creativity,” he said. “I believe that Disney movies can have a huge impact on the minds of children as it can allow them to think more freely and truly maximize their imaginative capabilities.”

Arcot said he knows the world has changed through Disney and is surprised by how long Disney has been affecting the lives of children, adults, and families.

Arcot said, “Walt Disney has changed the world by creating a whole new world for people to live in.

I think he’s inspired a lot of people which has led to a rise in creativity across the world. Overall Walt Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry by re-inventing animation and changing the lives of many kids around the world.” h

star wars selfie: Sophomore Nick Stitle poses with stormtroopers from Disney with his mom. Stitle said everytime that he and his mom visit the parks, they have been amazed at the elegance and spirit of it.

oh, bother!

View some of the most well-known Disney characters, learn fun facts about them CAROLINE JUST, SAUMYA SOMASI GRAPHIC THETHINGS, DISNEYFANDOM CENTER SOURCES

Donald Duck’s middle name is a reference to a sailor hat that he was seen wearing in 1942 in a short. His full name is “Donald Fauntleroy Duck”

Many characters in Winnie the Pooh do not know how to spell, hence “Hunny” Winnie-the-Pooh bear is based on an actual stuffed animal bear that Christopher Robin had as a child (author, A. A. Milne’s son)

His iconic gloves were not always part of his design. Originally, he had solid black hands to match his body

35

Over 50 million copies of the Winnie-thePooh series have been sold worldwide

Mickey’s ears are always facing the same way, regardless of which way the character actually faces

Mickey Mouse is 93 years old today and will turn 94 on Nov. 18, becoming one of the oldest characters prominent today Look around at Disney and you’ll find hidden Mickeys all around. Walt added these Mickeys as a fun scavenger hunt

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JAN 20, 2022

Puzzle Master Student, teacher share bonding over puzzles in the library for Puzzle Day on Jan. 29 MARYAM HAFEEZ STORY, PHOTO

L

ibrarian terri ramos said she was first

introduced to puzzles at a very young age by her sister. She said, “My sister got me into it. We did a polar bear puzzle when I was young around Christmas time. It was hard. It was a lot of white and blue. Now every Christmas pretty much I do a puzzle.”

Ramos said she believes puzzles have many benefits. “I think it’s stress relieving, it’s a nice hobby, it’s a thing to do, it brings people together, it gives the mind something to focus on, it’s a break in the school day.”

In order to extend these benefits to more people, Ramos brought in puzzles to the library. “I’ve been putting puzzles out in my libraries since about 2004. It’s good library policy. It’s a good way to create inviting space in a library in which all people feel welcome and invited.

Because clearly we’re here for books and research and free reading and all those kinds of things, but we’re here for so many things. That’s why I let people come in at lunch. Some people aren’t comfortable in other parts of the building and they’re comfortable here, so the puzzles kind of go along with that.”

Senior Ian Mahoney, who has been working on the puzzles in the library with his friends, said the experience is helpful for him and has taught him important lessons. “It helps with stress. It

puzzling times Four tips to keep in mind when solving jigsaw puzzles

1

Start with the edges. By starting with the edges, puzzles become easier to identify and solve Skip the corners. Finding the four corners takes time that could be better spent on the puzzle

2

1 4 2 3

Be patient. Harder puzzles take hours to complete, so taking a break and refreshing your eyes greatly helps

4

NATHAN HUANG GRAPHIC READERSDIGEST, PUZZLEWAREHOUSE SOURCES

last piece: Senior Ian Mahoney works on a puzzle in the school library.

He said he has learned to love the challenges of puzzles and found it to be a fun activity to bond with his friends. He said he does puzzles frequently with his friends in the library as a way to pass time.

3 Develop a sorting system.

Sort by zones, textures or colors to keep organized

provides a temporary escape because I relate puzzles to my life. There’s a deeper meaning because, as I’ve learned from Mrs. Ramos, with the puzzles, I need to start on the edges and then solve the middle, as I should with my life. It really shows me that I should start with the edges and then work my way into the middle.”

Although Mahoney said he initially wasn’t interested in puzzles, he gradually came to enjoy them. “At first we would be like, puzzles, that’s for nerds, but it’s actually pretty fun. One day Ms. Ramos suggested a puzzle, we completed the puzzle, let her put in the last piece, got the picture, and she was all proud of us, and now I would say that we consider Mrs. Ramos a friend.”

Ramos suggested that other people try to start making puzzles as well. “I would say go out and take a look at the countless options and they’re all so fun and pretty. There’s something for everybody out there. Start with something like a 500 [piece] which are pretty easy. So give it a try.

And if you don’t like it, you don’t like it.” h

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humans of CHS

Caring Compliments Students share their best compliments in honor of Compliment Day on Jan. 24 MATTHEW DU Q&AS, PHOTOS

Senior Reva Patil “Someone once told me that I was really relatable and I just felt happy that they said that since it wasn’t about my physical appearance or anything and it was how I was as a person, and the fact that I could relate and bond with other people kind of made my day.”

Senior Andrew Caito “[The best compliment that I’ve ever received] was that I helped someone out and they were really nice about it, and said ‘you have a really good and helpful personality.’”

Junior Lemuel Williams “[The best compliment that I’ve ever received] was that I have a nice mustache.”

Sophomore Wali Mirza “[The best compliment that I’ve ever received was that] somebody called me a cool person.”

Sophomore Ruby Sell Freshman Henry Boyd “I don’t really know [about a best compliment], I get compliments about my hair a lot and that makes me happy, so probably that type of compliment is my favorite.”

“[The best compliment that I’ve ever received was] probably I smell good, since nobody wants to smell bad and it means you’re a clean person.”

feature

JAN 20, 2022

Fantastic Beasts Students, cryptozoologist discuss existence of mythical creatures

J

ROYCE BROWN STORY unior chloe jones wears

her hat with Mothman, one of her favorite cryptids, on it.

For Jones, cryptids have been a longtime interest. She said she has done extensive research on them, especially Mothman. According to her, the human interest in cryptids stems from the curiosities of the unknown and the chance that mythical creatures actually exist on Earth.

“I think people still look for cryptids because it’s just something cool to believe in, ike if there’s something else on this Earth,” Jones said. “Not just humans and [ordinary] animals, but cryptids like Mothman.”

Cryptids, or mythical creatures that are said not to exist by mainstream science, have

SIRI BYRISETTY, ARCHIT KALRA ILLUSTRATIONS

sparked the interest for many over centuries. This human interest in mythical creatures has evolved, even creating a new field of study called cryptozoology. Bigfoot, Mothman, Yetis and the Loch Ness Monster are examples of the many known cryptids in the world.

Yet, many people do not believe in these mythical creatures. Various researchers have debunked sightings and claims of seeing these cryptids. However, cryptozoologists continue to search for them, despite the disagreements with mainstream science. According

by the numbers

300 POUNDS

is the average weight for the Yeti

79

reported sightings of Bigfoot in Indiana since July, 1973 KIDS KIDDLE SOURCE

to Jeff Wamsley, cryptozoologist and owner of the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, W. Va., people still search for these mythical beasts because of the chance that they truly exist.

“It’s the thrill of the hunt I guess,” Wamsley said via email, “being the first to make a discovery on something that many do not believe exists.”

As an author of various books on Mothman, and even appearing in documentaries, Wamsley said he has interviewed some of the witnesses of Mothman. According to him, there is persuasive evidence that Mothman exists.

“I have interviewed and known many witnesses (who say they saw Mothman),” Wamsley said. “There are many photos and eyewitness accounts (of ) encounters.”

Jones said zoologists have pointed out various flying animals that would have explained the Mothman sightings. One of them, according to Jones, is the sandhill crane.

“There’s a species of bird [called the sandhill crane] that is almost tall as a person, has a six-foot wingspan and it has red markings around its eyes,” Jones said. “And one of the

did you know?

The Yeti, also known as the Abominable Snowman, is said to inhabit the Himalayas. Many believe the Yeti is a humanlike creature from Nepal.

Reporter Henry Newman first introduced the Yeti to the western world in 1921.

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WBZ NEWS, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, NEW WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA, BBC, MEDIUM SOURCES

did you know?

The Mothman is an inhabitant of the U.S. and many people around the country have reported sightings. The first sighting was in a small town in West Virginia in the 1960s. Recent sightings are mostly in Chicago and near Lake Michigan.

beliefs of Mothman is that he has red eyes. So many zoologists believe that Mothman was just a (sandhill crane) flying over people.”

However, Jones said she felt doubtful of the zoologist’s claims.

“Well, I’m not sure about Mothman because the people who have spotted him said that it looked like a man with a muscular body, but with the head of a moth and wings of a moth,” she said.

“I don’t really think you could mistake it with an animal.”

Celeste Morow, a senior who said she enjoys learning about cryptids, said her love for horror contributed to her interest in cryptids.

“I like fun ones like Mothman, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. Skinwalkers, I guess, could also be put in,” she said. “I just think they’re kind of spooky, and I’m all into that horror stuff.”

Morow had a different opinion from Jones on the mythical creatures.

She said although cryptids are interesting, she doubts their existence.

“I feel like a giant moth flying around West Virginia doesn’t seem (real),” Morow said. “And for Bigfoot, people have been looking for him for so long. And all the evidence (consist of ) blurry photos, so there’s nothing concrete.”

But while she doubted the existence of cryptids, Morow said she did believe that there are creatures humans have not discovered yet. She said the ocean, being a vast ecosystem, could have animals not known to man.

“As a joke, (I believe in cryptids).

But seriously, I think there’s only a small chance. Like maybe the Loch Ness Monster (exists) in the ocean since we don’t know what’s down there,” she said.

Despite being a cryptid enthusiast, Jones also said she has had some hesitation in her belief of cryptids.

“I think there could be a possibility,

we believe

but I’m more of a person of science,” she said. “Like, I would believe it if there was actual physical proof. But, I mean, having the idea that Mothman and other cryptids are out there is something cool to think about.”

Nonetheless, Jones said the opposition to cryptids from mainstream science does not discourage her.

“It’s just fun to believe in things that don’t seem realistic,” she said. “I guess it’s kind of like a hobby. Just researching these cryptids and seeing all the stories that people have told about them. It’s just something I’ve found to be entertaining.”

People interested in cryptids, whether a cryptozoologist like Wamsley or an ordinary student like Jones, will always have one goal in mind, and Morow summed it up in her own words.

“There’s a possibility that it could be real,” she said. “People want to be h amazed by new discoveries.”

Character

Based on a poll of 54 CHS students, check out the types of creatures students believe in Bigfoot 30%

Chupacabra 11%

Loch Ness Monster 28%

Werewolves 9%

Dragons 26% Other (Ghosts, Vampires, Aliens, etc.) 17% 0

10

20 Percent

30

Mothman 9% None 22%

Yeti 17%

ARCHIT KALRA, CHENYAO LIU, KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR GRAPHIC

did you know?

The Beast of Busco story started in Churubusco, Indiana in 1898, when farmer Oscar Fulk claimed to see a giant alligator snapping turtle in his lake.

Anyone Can Bake !

With January being National Baking Month, students share stories about their love for baking

SOWMYA CHUNDI, KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR, LEAH TAN Q&A, PHOTOS

SENIOR ABIGAIL “ABBY” PELTZ “I’ve been baking with my mom ever since I was little, but it wasn’t until quarantine that I started to avidly bake and focus on bettering my skills. I tend to bake when I’m stressed; sometimes I’ll realize that I have a paper due the next day and instead of doing it, I tend to procrastinate by baking instead. Even worse, sometimes at 2 a.m. in the morning I’ll just be like ‘I’m bored, I’m going to go make brownies now,’ so baking is definitely a huge coping mechanism for me. Considering how stressful everything has gotten recently with finals and just school in general, I’ve been baking a lot more often, sometimes up to two to three times a week. My crazy future plan that probably won’t happen is that I want to go into a computer science job and once I became stable enough, quit and then just open my own bakery. It sounds crazy, but one of my favorite things about baking is being able to share it with others and it makes me so happy to see people come up and ask me what I made. That’s what’s really inspired me to keep going in the first place and I have loved it every step of the way.” baking me crazy: Senior Abby Peltz measures the ingredients for her chocolate cupcakes. She said most of her inspiration for recipes comes from Pinterest. Although she recommends following the recipes precisely, she said that after baking for a while, she likes to change up the recipe.

JUNIOR HALEY HUNT “I really love baking mostly because of what I can do for other people. Whenever I bake, I get to share with others and it’s how I show my love and appreciation for them. At the core of it, baking allows me to express myself through food, whether that is by experimenting with new ingredients or adding little decorations to what I make. During quarantine, my family sent out care packages to our cousins who live in other states and we included desserts like lemon bars and candy-stuffed brownies. It was our way of connecting with each other when a lot of the world felt different. Since I was at home most of the time, I also got into breadmaking and made my first ever sourdough loaves. Being able to spend hours in the kitchen definitely helped me relieve stress over quarantine and find a way to pass time.”

luscious lemon bars: Junior Haley Hunt cracks an egg open into a bowl to make the batter for her lemon bars. Hunt said her favorite part of baking is getting to share the final product.

JUNIOR KIRA ZOLNER “My mom has always really loved to bake and cook. I remember when I was little, we would always make Christmas cookies and cupcakes from the boxed mixes, and then finally when I was in sixth grade, I discovered recipes on Pinterest and I was like, ‘Oh, I can actually make this stuff by myself.’ Obviously, I (really like) the whole process of (baking) and it all combines to be a really delicious food and, obviously, eating it is my favorite part. (I normally make) a lot of cookies, especially (chocolate chip cookies) because whenever my friends were sad or...were having a rough time, I would show up the next day at school and be like, ‘Here’s some cookies!’ I think it would brighten up their day a bit, and I like seeing how food makes people happy.” batch made in heaven: Junior Kira Zolner scoops chocolate chip cookie dough onto a tray.

Zolner said she became more comfortable with adjusting recipes as she learned how ingredients interact with each other.

SENIOR ETHAN STOEHR “I really love the handson process of baking and getting to be really involved and focused on the activity.

I remember the first time I ever baked sourdough bread, the starter didn’t work. I had a lump of unrisen dough that came out of the oven tasting like a lemon. I kept practicing baking and I would go on bread science websites and baking forums to learn how to improve each recipe. Eventually, my freshman year, I got to sell some of my bread to kids at school and I ended up making a lot of money.”

rolling in the dough: Senior Ethan Stoehr spreads flour on the countertop as he rolls out a ball of dough.

Stoehr said he has been baking bread since he was a kid and loves trying out new recipes from different parts of the world. Stoehr specializes in baking whole wheat bread, rosemary focaccia and baguettes, all of which he shares with his family.

SENIOR ALLISON WALAWENDER “My babysitters used to bake with me a lot when I was younger, so that’s been a fond memory of mine that I think made me love baking so much.

But my main inspiration has been cooking and baking TV shows, which is a funny thing to think about. Sometimes I’ll be on a binge of those shows and I’ll just go on a baking spree.

I’ve also taken some baking or cooking classes which taught me new things and made me want to bake more. In general, I bake a lot, but recently it’s been more of a stress reliever than before with the pandemic. I’ve noticed that when I bake it’s like meditation: I get to bake for a while and just zone in on doing whatever I’m doing, and then after I finish the process, I get something good to eat, which is always an added bonus. One thing I’ve definitely had to learn over the process of baking, however, is that it’s okay if the end result turns out ugly. After all, if all of us could be amazing bakers the first time we did it, baking wouldn’t be as fun.” easy as pie: Senior Allison Walawender rolls out the dough for her fruit tart. She said this was the first time she tried the recipe out, which gave her an opportunity to broaden her skill.

catch ‘em all: Sophomore Sarah Xie looks at their Pokémon card binder. Xie said they have some rare cards in their collection.

Fad Or Profit?

Collectible culture sparks conversation on past popular trends among students, staff SUMEDHA KOTA, ARYA PINNAMANENI STORY ZOE TU PHOTOS

C

ollectible trading cards

have seen a recent surge in popularity. In a recent article on Spirits Collectors Daily, a sports collectibles website, Bob Means, eBay’s general manager of trading cards, said he’s seen unprecedented numbers of buyers.

Sales of trading cards grew 142% from 2019 to 2020.

The numbers don’t just include sports cards. Just last month, popular YouTuber Logan Paul spent over $3 million on first-edition Pokémon cards. Niranjan Bobba, father of Dhiraj Bobba, a longtime Pokémon card trader, said he has an interest in Pokémon and analyzing the cultural trend of collecting.

“I really got into Pokémon,” Bobba said. “Some kids that I worked with got me into it. It was a

nice way to bond (and) I gained a lot of interesting knowledge, especially with how the cards are sold. Many of the kids used sites like eBay to sell their Pokémon cards.”

He said some cards were akin to prizes, and were obsessed over by many.

“The biggest rage was definitely the rarest Pokémon cards. (Kids) would usually build up a knack for trading valuable cards from a young age, with those big laminated binders that they kept their cards in,” Bobba said. “It was crazy and equally impressive, with how much time these people spent working to make (a) profit on these cards. After all that time they spent trading when they were younger, they advanced into selling the cards for money (to) groups of people who all really enjoyed Pokémon.”

by the numbers

9

the number of original Beanie Babies

$375 THOUSAND the price of the Pikachu illustrator card, one of the rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards ABOUT BEANIES, DEXERTO SOURCES

Sophomore Sarah Xie, a Pokémon card collector, echoed this statement. “(Collecting Pokémon cards) were almost trendy at the time,” they said.

“The binder, oh my gosh, there’s a bunch of them at my house now, still.”

Xie said they recall people buying cards whenever it was possible.

“I bought a lot of Pokémon cards,” Xie said. “Every time we went to the store I’d look at them and my mom was kind of annoyed by it because that was the only thing I’d buy.”

Moreover, Bobba said there were many personalized online platforms which grew during the Pokémon fad.

“It was so big that people were able to sell on sites that specifically look for Pokémon cards. Especially when Pokémon was going super strong, businesses definitely saw this as a way to capitalize,” he said.

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pokémon payout Take a look at the value of certain Pokémon card sets over time Price in thousands of dollars

However, Bobba said despite the recent surge in popularity, there is a shift in collecting Pokémon cards.

“It’s still going pretty strong,” he said, “but I don’t see it as being as much of a huge phenomenon for so many people as it was before. But Pokémon has definitely kept its own niche and created an avid base, which is necessary for a fad to turn into something with longevity.”

Along the lines of Pokémon cards, another similar phenomenon are Beanie Babies. The stuffed animal line, according to Business Insider, “were once one of the most sought-after toys in the world.”

Food Service provider Heidi Babcock said she witnessed the Beanie Baby craze firsthand.

“I remember in the early 2000s I would buy so many Beanie Boos for my nieces, nephews, and any of the little kids around,” Babcock said. “I used to think they were so cute too, until I saw how people went wild over them in just a short time. Production of these Beanie Boos really ramped up, and I thought it was weird how many parents would literally crowd the aisles for Christmas to buy Beanie Boos.”

According to Business Insider, Ty Warner, the inventor of the Beanie Babies, would purposely stop production of certain stuffed animals to encourage a buying frenzy.

“I hadn’t seen such a craze over stuffed animals,” Babcock said. “It was pretty foreign to me. My nieces and nephews would tell me about all these rare collectibles, and when I looked them up they were worth thousands (of dollars).”

When the fad began to die down, Babcock said her younger family

300 200

Price of all cards in set (PSA 10) over time

Base set Jungle Fossil Team Rocket

100

Gym Heroes

0 October October 2016 2017

October 2018

October 2019

Time

October 2020

October 2021

Fusion Strike

YICHEN LIU GRAPHIC POKEMON PRICE, BULBAGARDEN SOURCES

members told her the same Beanie Babies which were once worth thousands were now not even a hundredth of their old price.

Xie said they believe fads such as Pokémon have had a resurgence due to nostalgia.

“I think it’s not just the (Pokémon) cards but the whole brand that’s really popular right now, like the figurines and stuffed animals from before,” Xie said. “I think now (Pokémon is) really popular again because the older cards aren’t made anymore and people want to revisit their childhood.”

Overall, Bobba said the culture of collectibles didn’t necessarily correspond to success.

“There are some phenomena which establish themselves in the market forever,” he said, “and some h which just don’t.” big hobby: Sophomore Sarah Xie holds up a large Lunala-GX Pokémon card, released in 2016. “I got into Pokémon from my sister who introduced me to the show,” Xie said.

beanie biography Find out when some of the most valuable Beanie Babies of all time were first released

WEALTHY GORILLA SOURCE ARCHIT KALRA GRAPHIC

Bubbles was released; the ones with errors such as incorrect tags now cost upwards of $129,000

45

1996

1997

Princess the Bear was released in memory of Princess Diana; estimated cost: $500,000

Large Wallace and his Squad, a collection of 5 bears, was released. It can cost $600,000 to obtain today

1999

sports

JAN. 20, 2022

athlete spotlight

Andrew Caito Varsity men’s soccer player, senior selected to All-American team ANIKET BISWAL Q&A

LUKE MILLER PHOTO

What does it mean to be an All-American Athlete?

An All-American athlete means that you have been nominated by the coaches in your area as one of the top performing players for your sport. For soccer there can be one to five depending on the year for the state of Indiana.

How do you feel about this achievement?

I’m extremely proud of this achievement; this is something that a young me would have dreamed of in the past. You hear about all this as a little kid and you say that’s what you want to be. Now, looking back at it, yes, it’s an amazing achievement but I always want to grasp more such as furthering my soccer career.

How will this affect your future?

Being an All American can put your name out there more for college coaches in the recruiting process. It’s also a big award just in general. You get invited to an All-American Conference in Kansas City where you can earn more awards and connections for the future.

Emily Roper Varsity women’s soccer player, senior selected to the All-American team LUKE MILLER PHOTO

MAGGIE MEYER Q&A

Does (being an All-American) change your perspective on soccer at all? How? It boosts my confidence to show that I can compete with so many other good athletes. To be named on that list of 60 or so girls means that I am (capable of) competing at a high level with them.

How do you stay motivated to play your best every game?

To stay motivated I try to think of people who are better than me and push myself to be just as good as them.

What has soccer taught you?

Even if people count you out of things—I was never supposed to be an AllAmerican and I didn’t get the game bid—things can work out in the end. If you are not in the running from the get-go, you can still work and get there.

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47

Sports Briefs AUSTIN GUO BRIEFS

OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTOS

women’s basketball

men’s basketball Varsity vs. Pike jan.

7:30 PM CHS Varsity Gym

Varsity vs. Pike jan. 7:30 PM Pike HS Indianapolis, IN

Varsity vs. Brownsburg

Varsity vs. Cathedral

21

21 jan.

22

7:30 PM Brownsburg HS Brownsburg, IN

jan.

25

wrestling

swimming

Edgewood JV Invitational jan.

22

7:30 PM CHS Varsity Gym

Warrior Diving Invitational

9 AM Edgewood HS Ellettsville, IN

jan.

21

ballgame: Peter Suder (right), varsity basketball player and senior, lays the ball into the basket in a game against Noblesville. The varsity team will play Pike at home on Jan. 21, then play Brownsburg for an away game the next day.

6 PM Warren Central HS Indianapolis, IN

Greyhound JV Classic jan.

22

back and better: Swimmer and freshman Luke Pugh prepares to begin his backstroke race.

The JV swimming team will compete in the Greyhound JV Classic on Jan. 22.

h

12 PM CHS Natatorium

48

JAN 20, 2022

Punching Props Athletes, coaches showcase respect in combat sports ahead of iconic boxer Muhammad Ali’s 80th birthday on Jan. 17 AUSTIN GUO STORY

B

oxer and junior aastha

Sharma begins every match and sparring session she participates in by bumping gloves with her opponent or partner as a sign of respect.

“What I love is before a match or sparring session begins, what you do to start is tapping the other person’s fist,” Sharma said. “You tap their fist to let your partner know you’re ready to begin and they let you know they’re ready to begin.”

This gesture of respect with an opponent may seem slightly out of place, especially in combat sports, where many of the most popular athletes have cultivated their image and popularity through brashness and trash-talk. Fighters like Conor McGregor and Muhammad Ali, whose 80th birthday was on Monday, have both become icons of their sports through not only their

exceptional skill, but also the withering trash-talk they’ve directed at opponents throughout their careers.

However, according to Alex Zavaleta, taekwondo teacher and senior, there is actually much more respect in combat sports than many see.

Zavaleta said, “A lot of people think it’s just anger-based where people are just beasts and savages on the inside, but (fighting) is more of a display of respect for one another because you’re putting yourself in that position to allow yourself to be hurt and allow yourself to hurt someone else. It’s a very big showing of mutual respect.

Although both of you will be hurt, it will only be to benefit you as an experience to build camaraderie.”

In fact, Zavaleta said trash-talk is completely absent from taekwondo competitions.

corner convo: Boxing trainer Suzana RodriguezGriffin (right) speaks to a boxer between rounds at a boxing match.

RodriguezGriffin said she personally does not trash talk when boxing others, as to her, trash talk is besides the point of boxing.

SUZANA RODRIGUEZGRIFFIN SUBMITTED PHOTO

Zavaleta said, “There is no disrespect. That’s just something that’s predetermined.

It’s completely frowned upon to do that because there is that mutual respect. You’re putting your body through that and the other person is putting their body through that. So why trash talk?”

Because of the risk posed by fighting in boxing, Sharma said respect also exists between sparring partners in a gym, with each fighter considering and respecting the other’s skill level and goals.

“Normally, my coach finds someone who is at an upper level and I spar with them once in a while. It’s good for them to learn their defense and of course they go easier on me because I’m a beginner,” Sharma said. “There’s definitely some respect between you and your combat partner. Whenever we’re sparring,

There is no disrespect. That’s just something that’s predetermined. It’s completely frowned upon to do that because there is that mutual respect.

ALEX ZAVALETA, TAEKWONDO TEACHER AND SENIOR my partner always takes into consideration what level I’m at and how much I know. I take into consideration what they’re looking for as my sparring partner.”

Zavaleta said he reinforces respect among his students during taekwondo classes through polite gestures.

“With respect, I have them bow to each other and call each other ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am.’ These kids are in third grade and they’re saying ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘Yes, ma’am’ to each other and that’s not something you see much,” Zavaleta said.

Even in professional boxing, where boxers often publicly exchange disrespectful remarks before, during and sometimes after fights, that mutual respect exists. Suzana Rodriguez-Griffin, boxing coach at SRG Boxing n Personal Training, said boxers often acknowledge the

jab job: Boxer and junior Aastha Sharma wraps her fists to prepare to box. Sharma said she and her boxing partner take into account each other’s skills when sparring.

AASTHA SHARMA SUBMITTED PHOTO

heart and skill of their opponents after fights, using the example of the Nov. 6, 2021 boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant.

“In the prelude to the fight in the press conference when Plant said something about his mom, that’s when you see the shoving. That’s where that hype before a fight is good for ticket sales. That’s the business side of the thing,” RodriguezGriffin said. “But at the end of the fight, when Canelo won, he gave props to his opponent Caleb Plant and said ‘I have a lot of respect for him as a fighter,’ … (Alvarez) gave him props because he did acknowledge the fact that Caleb Plant had skills. He went 11 rounds with him.”

Rodriguez-Griffin said the role of respect vs. trash-talk in combat often depends on the personal beliefs, goals, and culture of the fighter, contrasting Alvarez with Jake Paul, a YouTube personality and boxer. “(Alvarez) did not put a semicolon to that and tell Plant, ‘But you’re crazy thinking you’re going to whoop my butt because you knew better than that.’ He could have added that jerk action to it but he did not. I think it really depends on how you were raised,” Rodriguez-Griffin said. “(Jake Paul) would have put that semicolon in there and he would have added

Scan this to read a past story about female participation in martial arts and how martial arts have helped women’s health

before the battle Take a look at how opponents show respect, even in combat sports Mixed Martial Arts - Both opponents decide if they want to touch gloves or not - Fighters often bump gloves before the fight - Seen as disrespectful if an opponent rejects a glove touch during a fight and attacks instead

Taekwondo - Bow to teachers and seniors - First, keep fingers and heels together with hands at your side - Keep body straight while bending at a 30 to 40 degree angle - Break eye contact with other person ALI PERSINGER GRAPHIC TAEKWONDO NATION, COMBAT MUSEUM SOURCES

more fuel to the flame than what was necessary. But they’re also different ages and have different intentions. Jake Paul is looking for more attention on social media, so for him, that semicolon is absolutely what he’s going to throw out because he wants more followers.”

Personally, Rodriguez-Griffin said she in general avoids disrespecting her opponents through trash-talk simply because she sees it as unnecessary.

“I am 37 years old and for me, talk is just talk. I have no plans to trash-talk my opponent because at the end of the day, none of those words mean anything except for what happens inside of those ropes.

You could be somebody completely different the day before your fight, but what happens in those moments of your fight is all that matters the most.”

Overall, Zavaleta said he regards trash-talk as not only unnecessary, but ultimately counterproductive in combat sports compared to respect.

Zavaleta said, “If you are putting down someone else for their abilities, that’s the line (between confidence and arrogance). You can be confident all you want. You can exude this confidence however you like. But as soon as you start harming others’ self-esteem or others’ self-perception, that’s when it becomes an issue. Not only are you harming their selfworth, but you’re also preventing them from building a relationship h with the martial art.”

50

JAN 20, 2022

Not a Blame Game Coaches, athletes work together to lead teams to success ADDISON JOYCE, ALIVIA ROMANIUK STORY

T

o date, carmel athletic

teams have earned 157 team state championships.

That kind of success often puts coaching staff in the public eye. It is inevitable for high school coaches at this school to experience some form of pressure. This is reflected in a popular 2020 Netflix show “The Playbook: A Coach’s Rules For Life” a docuseries about some of the most legendary coaches in athletics. In each episode, a highly respected coach outlines his or her basic principles of coaching and the responsibilities that come with it. Those coaches give perspectives on how they deal with the pressure and burdens of being a well-rounded coach.

Locally, Ed Pendoski, head coach of the wrestling team, said he always feels responsible when his team performs poorly, but accountability within the team is also important.

“If bad things happen, who’s at fault? If everybody holds themselves accountable, that’s going to make things easier to fix,” he said.

Jamie Elliott, women’s basketball player and sophomore, said she also feels that coaches take accountability for the team’s performance but the players should also share the burden.

“If a team performs poorly, the responsibility should not be placed on a specific person,” she said. “Everyone on the team, including coaches, should be held account-

sideline watching: Wrestling coach Ed Pendoski (center) stands amidst wrestlers as he watches a wrestling match. Pendoski said that along with building connections with athletes, an important part of his job as a coach is to provide athletes with experiences that help them grow.

CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

able for that, definitely not one or two people or the coach.”

Feeling pressure as coach isn’t just prevalent in high school, but on a collegiate level as well. According to ESPN, following the COVID-19 pandemic, many college football coaches like Will Muschamp and Derek Mason, were in “the hot seat” or the public eye, with pressures to have successful teams following time off football.

Additionally, Pendoski said coaching has a lot to do with the environment of the team, and that in wrestling, team chemistry is especially important.

“One unique thing about wrestling is that the team is usually very

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decorated for leadership Learn about John Wooden, NCAA basketball coach who led his team to success

• •

John Wooden led the UCLA Bruins to win 10 NCAA national championships within a 12-year period and maintain a 664-162 record Wooden was named NCAA College Basketball Coach of the Year 6 times

ROHAN MAHESH GRAPHIC

close,” he said. “Last week when we went to Mooresville, we took 13 athletes and three coaches. Between the two days we spent 20 hours in the gym together, so in between there’s a lot of time to interact.”

This attitude was not only represented in the coaches eyes, but through athletes as well. Matthew Paraboschi, member of the men’s wrestling team and sophomore, also said the environment surrounding the team is crucial to its success. “(Coaches) try very hard to create culture within the team to foster chemistry between all of us,” he said.

The relationships that the coaches build with players is very important. With communication and respect, trust is built and both the players and coaches feel comfortable working together.

SOPHOMORE JAMIE ELLIOTT

THE WOODEN EFFECT SOURCES

Pendoski agreed with this sentiment and said building a relationship with athletes and preparing them for the real world is a crucial part of being a coach.

“When (wrestlers) go through the difficulties that you have to go through in a wrestling practice and the coaches are there and doing it with them—you know wrestling and competing and doing all these things—there’s a connection (that forms),” Pendoski said.

Paraboschi said he feels his coach motivates him by pushing him to be his best and recognize his growth.

“Our coaches hope we win our matches, but they want to see us showing perseverance and growth,” Paraboschi said. “For example, at the Yorktown wrestling tournament I got beat up on by my opponent and lost, but because I fought until the end Coach Pendoski told me he loved the match.”

Pendoski said he wants his athletes to learn life lessons as they compete in sports.

“Student athletes want to compete and want to win and that’s a really good goal that we have but the most important job we have as a coaching staff is to put these kids in an athletic playing field and let them go through some experiences that will benefit them later in life,” Pendoski said.

Elliot said she has learned life lessons including the idea that a strong bond between players and coaches is rooted in trust.

“The relationships that the coaches build with players is very important.

With communication and respect, trust is built and both the players and coaches feel comfortable working together,” Elliott said. “When my coaches have shown that they truly care about my success and development on and off the court, our relationship strengthens and I am able to trust them and buy in more.”

Ultimately, Pendoski said he believes a coach’s success is measured, not by wins and losses, but by how many former athletes remain in touch.

“I read a quote once from another coach that was ‘You can tell how successful a coach was by how many athletes talk to them after they’re gone,’” he said. “I think you measure the quality of a good coach by how many h athletes stick around.”

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watch out: Jamie Elliott, varsity basketball player and sophomore, looks to her right during a game.

Elliott said she considers the relationship between coaches and athletes to be important, with the coaches caring about the team’s success and athletes trusting them because of it.

Elliott added that everyone on a team should be held accountable for their performance and blame should not fall on coaches.

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JAN 20, 2022

On Thin Ice Hockey player, figure skater, coach, discuss skating as a sport, in Winter Olympics KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR STORY

S

ophomore mallorey ches-

lock does her homework in the car on the way to the ice rink. As a hockey player, figure skater and lacrosse player, Cheslock said she spends a lot of time in the car, either on the way to practice or for a hockey game.

“I usually have practice every single day, and if not, I have a game. So I usually do my school work on Mondays and Thursdays; I have one practice so I don’t have a lot going on (those days) or the weekends,” she said.

Similarly, Grace Nie, figure skater and freshman, also said her

here it comes: Sophomore Mallorey Cheslock looks down and prepares to swing her stick as the puck comes towards her during a hockey game.

Cheslock said she started ice skating lessons when she was four and playing hockey shortly after.

OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTOS

schedule was packed due to various practices and games.

“Since I’m a freshman, I have a lot more work compared to eighth grade and I’m skating more than ever…I also play violin so I have to find time for that as well,” she said.

With the upcoming Winter Olympics, Nie said she would like to see her sport be more represented locally and at school.

“It would be nice if (figure skating) was more hyped up, because figure skating is not as popular as football and other sports and I would really love to see my sport get more popularity,” she said.

She said it took a lot of time and effort to make sure that one masters the sport, and especially if they want to make the national team and skate at the Olympics.

Nie said she first got into figure skating when she met her coach in the United States. She said she started by skating at a local rink and later met her coach and began to train for figure skating at a competition level.

Cheslock, on the other hand, said she first started skating at 4

years old, when she lived in Canada.

She said she was put into skate lessons initially with her brother and only started hockey lessons when her parents bought her a pink helmet. Cheslock said although she did not plan on pursuing hockey professionally, she said she wants to play men’s club hockey in college, which she said was something that has not been done before.

Andrea Yovanovich, former U.S. Figure Skating judge, said she started skating when her family visited the Rockefeller Center to skate under the giant Christmas tree when she was little.

“I can still picture my first time skating at Rockefeller Center down to the blue jacket with a fuzzy white trimmed hood. When we returned to Indiana, my mom team celebration: Sophomore Mallorey Cheslock (right) huddles with teammates after her team scored a goal. Cheslock said the friends she made at hockey were part of the reason why she continued to play the sport despite challenges she faced such as time management between school and hockey practice.

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did you know?

Figure skating was first introduced into the sporting community by the Dutch in the 13th century. It is also the oldest sport in the Winter Olympics programme, being first contested at the 1908 London games.

OLYMPICS SOURCE

asked if I had interest in taking skating lessons. Of course I said ‘yes.’ That off-handed skate in New York has led to a 41-yearlong career in ice skating,” Yovanovich said via email.

However, Yovanovich, who is rated as Master by the Professional Skater’s Association, also said it takes a lot of commitment to succeed at any sport, and figure skating was one of them. Beyond at least 30 hours on ice and countless hours in weight training, cardio and dance, it can take at least 10 to 25 years for a figure skater to reach a level where they can compete in the Olympics, Yovanovich said.

As for a source of motivation to continue with the sport, Cheslock said the friends she had made at hockey were the reason she skated as much as she did.

“The people there and the energy, it brings me and my friends (together). My entire life is basically based around hockey now, what I do with my free time, where my friends are, everything I do,” Cheslock said.

Yovanovich agreed, saying although the accolades and medals gave her motivation to continue to pursue skating, she said her biggest motivation was the friends she had made through skating, as they all shared and understood her passion for the sport.

Cheslock also said there was a time when she wanted to give up hockey when she was in seventh grade and did not make any of the teams she tried out for. She said, even with the option of playing girls’ hockey, which she did for

that season, she would rather play men’s hockey as it allowed for tackling during the game.

Cheslock said she considered playing for the high school hockey team and said she decided to stay with hockey. Cheslock also said she now dreams of playing with a men’s hockey team on a collegiate level.

Yovanovich said overcoming hurdles was part of being an athlete. She said she faced a hard time in her skating career when her father passed away when she was 17.

“My mom was also diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly before my father passed. Needless to say, I had to take a hard look at my commitment to skating. I did continue; however, I did not return to the intensity and level as before,” she said.

in the zone: Sophomore Mallorey Cheslock looks ahead during a hockey game.

Cheslock said she currently plays for the Carmel Icehounds and Indy Fusion. She said although she did not initially plan on pursuing hockey, she would like to play men’s club hockey in college, something that has not been done before by a woman.

Yovanovich said dedicating time to a sport can help improve performance. Yovanovich added that an important part of playing any sport is to start and consistently practice to get better at it.

“It’s an amazing experience (to skate for the national team), but our Olympic journeys are not always what brings the greatest joy,” she said. “All winter sports are fun and h unique (so), give them a try.”

04 Learn about the upcoming Winter Olympics and how the success of the Team USA women’s hockey team has impacted female hockey players at this school on page 4

15 minutes of fame

JAN 20, 2022

COMIC CONNOISSEUR Q&A with history teacher Kenneth Browner on passion for collecting comic books MICHELLE WAN Q&A JASMINE ZHANG PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

How do you go about collecting comic books?

How did you get inspired to start a comic book collection?

(I started) in about 1974. I had friends in the neighborhood that were collecting comic books so I just joined in. I’m (kind of) the last one that still does it.

Wednesday was known as new comic book day, so every Wednesday I would go to the comic book shop and pick up all of the new books and look through everything that I may have missed. There’s a group of us that show up at the same time, so I have called them my “geek squad”. We all show up and talk about comic books.

What type of characters are you trying to focus on?

How many comic books have you already collected?

(I had collected) over ten thousand (comic books) at one point. I’ve been reducing my collection because I want to focus on just a few different types of characters.

I am an Incredible Hulk fan. He’s my favorite character so I’m going to try to complete the Hulk collection.

I’m going to try and complete the Avengers collection and I also want to complete the X-Men collection and a couple other titles but that’s kind of my focus now.

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Were there any challenges when you first started collecting comic books?

My dad did not like it if I left my comic books around the house. If I had left them sitting on the floor he would throw them away. I would have to go dig through the trash and pull my books out. That’s why I have gotten hermetically sealed in the boxes so that my books are always put away.

Do you plan on continuing collecting comic books?

Eventually I’m going to retire and collecting is what’s going to be my main thing.

(I’m going to) really work hard on completing those collections. I still have a few more comic events I still need to attend, kind of the holy grail of events like the San Diego Comic Com. Those are some of the last ones. I’ve done New York and some of the other ones, but I’ve got to get that one off my checklist.

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nothing but net William “Spencer” White, shooting guard and junior, takes a jump shot against Center Grove on Jan. 7. This was the first varsity home game of 2022. The CHS varsity men’s basketball team won the game by a score of 44-20. The Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) voted to remove both Carmel and Center Grove from the MIC on Dec. 13. Last week, on Jan. 13, the Hoosier Crossroads Conference denied entrance to both teams. Check out www.hilite.org for more information on this developing story.

ARTHUR MANSAVAGE PHOTO