3.25 Issue by HiLite News

hilite CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 86, NO. 8 MARCH 25, 2022

Muslim students observe Ramadan next month, discrimination still an issue both in CHS and Carmel community PAGE 28 | ROYCE BROWN, ZAINAB IDREES

table of contents just a minute 04 JOURNEY TO THE PAST With upcoming anniversaries, releases of period dramas, see impact of popular period dramas

perspectives 06 PARKING PRIVILEGE 07 DISPLACED WASTE

Due to anxieties surrounding recycling industry, students should reconsider reducing instead

08 GO HOOSIERS 09 DISABILITY 10 PERSONAL STYLE 11 STARLET SUCCESS 12 CITY OF LUCK 13 MATH MADNESS

news 14 NEWS BRIEFS 15 UNITED SOUND 16 SCIENCE - IT’S BEAUTIFUL With Citizens Science Day on April 16, students at this school display types of Science Olympiad activities

18 ON WAY TO ATLANTA

entertainment 20 A BALANCING ACT Students consider balance of performance, athletics in certain fields

22 SPRING TO LIFE 24 FUNNY BUSINESS 26 JUST BEING BLUNT 27 ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS

cover

sports

28 A NEW PERSPECTIVE

46 SPORTS BRIEFS

With arrival of Ramadan, students, Alhuda Islamic Center of Indiana (AICI) member discuss impacts of Islamophobia

47 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 48 MARCH MADNESS

student section

50 TRANS ATHLETES

Students evaluate gender identity in sports, emphasize co-ed sports

34 ON THE GRIND

52 REMEMBER THE WOMEN

36 NUTS FOR YOU

53 INDEPENDENT

Students discuss importance of recognizing peanut allergies

feature 38 LIVING THE DREAM 40 HAMMER TIME 42 FAR FROM HOME

15 minutes 54 PAW(SOME) PATROL

Q&A with sophomore Abby Ingersoll on training service dogs

Students experience detachment from cultural identity, address stigma

44 RUNNING ON EMPTY

preparing for patrol: Sophomore Abby Ingersoll works on training with a future service dog. According to Ingersoll, “(Training) has definitely been a learning curve. You have to figure out the right balance when you’re out and training them.” ABIGAIL INGERSOLL SUBMITTED PHOTO

staff Editors in Chief Cady Armstrong Chloe Sun Managing Editors Aniket Biswal Sowmya Chundi Daniel Kim Emily Sandy Leah Tan Riley TerBush Front/TOC/JAM Elise Varhan Perspectives Joshika Sathyamathan Daniel Tian News Zainab Idrees Raghav Sriram Entertainment Riley Laferriere Jillian Moore Cover Maddie Misterka Student Section Saumya Somasi Feature Archit Kalra Chenyao Liu Sports Austin Guo Darshini Shankar 15 Minutes Jasmine Zhang Web Eva Glazier Social Media Olivia McKee Copy Editors Avery Carlisle Matthew Du Claire He Saahas Kandru Sumedha Kota

Rohan Mahesh Eddie Sun Photographers Marissa Finney Caroline Just Arthur Mansavage Luke Miller Gabby Saber Zoe Tu Graphic Artists Siri Byrisetty Kent Fujita Grace Guo Moody Homsi Alan Huang Nathan Huang Yichen Liu Ali Persinger Arjun Purohit Writers Royce Brown Lorna Ding Maryam Hafeez Addison Joyce Dariush Khurram Christian Ledbetter Kate Loper Hibba Mahmood Maggie Meyer Pallevi Pillai Arya Pinnamaneni Alivia Romaniuk Siri 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 April 22 issue no later than April 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. MARISSA FINNEY FRONT COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

@hilitenews @hilitenews @hilitenews

just a minute

MARCH 25, 2022

Journey to the Past With release of “Bridgerton” Season 2 on March 25, see impact of period dramas, films on entertainment GRACE GUO GRAPHIC, Q&A BRITANNICA, FASHION-ERA, IMDB, INSIDER, VOGUE SOURCES

modern classics See some book-to-film adaptations of classic books

“Anne with an E” • Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery • Starring: Amybeth McNulty • Setting: Prince Edward’s Island, Canada (1896, in book 1907)

“Emma.” • Emma by Jane Austen • Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy • Setting: Highbury, England (1815)

“Little Women” • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott • Starring: Saoirse Ronan • Setting: New England, United States (around 1861 - 1876)

the u.s. through film Take a look at United States history through period shows, movies “Jamestown” (2017-2019): 1619, American colonization

“12 Years a Slave” (2013): 1840s, pre-Civil War

“The Patriot” (2000): 1770s, The American Revolution

“The Great Gatsby” (2013): 1924, The Roaring 20s and Prohibition Era

“The Gilded Age” (2022): 1882, industrialization and urbanization in New York City

“Hidden Figures” (2016): 1961, Cold War and Space Race

worthy of a duchess

the academy

Learn about style choices made by the design team of “Bridgerton” Season 1 through an iconic Daphne Bridgerton outfit

Check out some Oscar winning period movies

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“Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005): Won 3 Academy Awards Setting: 1920s Japan “Braveheart” (1995): Won 5 Academy Awards Setting: 1200s Scotland

Empire style (1800 - 1900) • high waistline near the bust • small puff sleeves • square necklines

“Shakespeare in Love” (1998): Won 7 Academy Awards Setting: 1500s - 1600s England

“Titanic” (1997): Won 11 Academy Awards Setting: April 1912 Atlantic Ocean

q&a Junior Laura Martens SUBMITTED PHOTO

elbow-length linen gloves worn by nobles

What is your favorite component of design in period dramas? My favorite component of design in period dramas is 10,000% the costumes, I love the intersection between historic fashion and the political and social climate of the period. When I see those little details it makes me very excited!

Wedgewood blue: common color in English fine china, shows upper class status

Inaccurate changes: bright, saturated colors, 1950s 1960s styles, use of feathers and diamonds instead of bonnets

What is your favorite time period depicted in period dramas? My favorite time period depends on my mood although I always find World War II and mood, ancient history of different cultures fascinating.

Do you see a different appeal to period dramas versus modern films and shows? Period dramas also tend to emphasize character and setting over action scenes. scenes However, I think that period dramas filmed today carry many of the same messages that modern films promote.

perspectives

MARCH 25, 2022

Parking Privilege Even with addition of new parking lot, CHS should increase parking pass opportunities HILITE STAFF EDITORIAL

tarting

march

the

Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) began towing cars that were parked in their parking lot without permission. This is just the latest of many punishments meted out by the city of Carmel for unwarranted parking, especially on Main Street. Carmel police regularly give tickets to those who park beyond the three hour limit on curbsides and those who park in the church or the Lion’s Club parking lot across the street from the high school are given fines. These restrictions are on the rise due to the increase in students parking in those places. Those students are typically trying to avoid the tedious walk up the trail or the traffic after school.

speak-up!

During this past summer, CHS constructed a third parking lot outside the natatorium and since then, administrators have made many of those spots available to students for specific reasons, mostly Class Awards. But while we commend the school for adding this lot, it brings one aspect that still needs fixing: the complicated and often difficult process of obtaining a parking pass to be able to park in one of the lots near the natatorium. Those spots are typically geared toward students who are in leadership positions in extracurricular activities or for Class Awards winners, but there are few opportunities beyond that for students to get a parking pass, and

MATTHEW DU SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

How do you feel about parking at the stadium? “I think it’s very fuel-inefficient, creates a lot of air pollution, and has negative externalities around the school because, if you leave the parking lot for example, there’s often a lot of traffic, so it’s often very rowdy and hectic. It causes a lot of stress. And obviously, idling vehicles in the parking lot have negative consequences on air Senior quality.” Akash Bhowmik “Personally, it’s very strenuous. I feel like I’m always in a rush just to get out of traffic since I only live ten minutes from the high school. I could be home around 4:15 p.m., but I get home around 4:45 to 5 p.m. I also have a job and siblings, and it’s just a lot of unneeded strain just to get out of Senior the school parking lot. Madelyn Wood

by the numbers

68% of students surveyed get to school by car

36% of students are driven to school

32%

of students drive themselves to school

seconds or more of idling produces emissions that contribute to smog and climate change

MILLION tons of carbon dioxide every year are generated by personal vehicles by idling ATUS, AFDC SOURCES

we offer a few suggestions as to how the school can implement them. First, many open parking spots still exist in the available lots near the natatorium that could be filled by having more Class Awards for students or even a lottery to reward exceptional students. Second, the school could continue to construct new lots in the fields next to Murray Stadium and the current lots next to the natatorium entrance. This would allow the school to have more parking spots to give out and, thus, more student parking. Allowing more students to park closer to school entrances fixes several problems. First, it decreases the usual traffic entering and exiting the stadium and creates less of a hassle for students who want to park their car at school. Second, fewer students may be inclined to park in spots not allowed by the city of Carmel. We acknowledge that students should follow the parking guidelines set by the school and park only in the allowed spots, but inevitably some students feel the need to find a shortcut. By allowing more parking passes to be available, more students will be motivated to earn a spot in a lot near the natatorium. We encourage the school to continue to add more parking near the natatorium for additional students to park to help mitigate parking issues in the football stadium and other unwarranted spots. h

our stance CHS should increase parking pass opportunities and construct more lots

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Displaced Waste Given uncertainties surrounding recycling industry, students should reconsider recycling ALIVIA ROMANIUK COLUMN

e are all aware of the According to Cheryl Katz, an implications of disposaward-winning climate journalist, the able plastic. We’ve recycling industry has some major isseen the sea turtles trapped in it, sues. In 2018, China implemented the whales who accidentally intight restrictions on the plastics gest it, the landfills that are full and other materials it would acof plastic wrappers, straws cept from other nations, which and bottles that continue reduced its importation of plasto dominate the consumer tic by 99 percent. Since China space. Yet the crisis continues had previously handled almost to escalate year after year. half of the world’s recyclable Global Recycling Day, waste, this decision had global which was introduced in 2018, repercussions on the recycling reduce > recycle occurs every March and is industry, especially for the by the dedicated to raising awareness United States, which shipped 70 about the importance of recycling and numbers percent of its plastic waste to China. protecting the earth. But while raising As a result, the United States was awareness and introducing alternatives forced to find other places to ship to plastic waste is beneficial, those acrecyclable waste, and Malaysia and tivities alone won’t solve the problem. Vietnam emerged as two major imof trash in Given how disposable plastic domporters. However, these countries are Indiana is inates the food and beverage industry, not well equipped to deal with such recycled, while it is rather difficult to reduce consumpmassive amounts of recyclable waste. tion. Plastic is durable, reliable and inAccording to a study led by Uniexpensive, making it a very convenient versity of Georgia researcher Jenna choice for both companies and conJambeck, Malaysia and Vietnam imof trash is sumers. It is easy to toss a plastic bottle properly disposed 55% and 86% of recycled in the recycling bin and feel that you’ve plastic waste, respectively. nationally done a good thing for the environment. Writers from the Columbia CliHowever, it isn’t that simple. INDYSTAR SOURCE mate School added that up to 70%

35%

of plastic sent overseas for recycling is discarded, resulting in contaminated water, crop damage, and toxic fumes from plastic incineration. In 2016, the Harvard Business Review conducted a study on the behavioral economics of recycling and found that consumers who have access to a recycling bin are more comfortable with using a large amount of disposable products. Lead researcher Remi Trudel explained that the positive emotion associated with recycling overpowered the negative emotion associated with using disposable products. Tossing something in the recycling bin can alleviate the guilt of fueling the problem, but perhaps we need that guilt in order to reduce our consumption. While properly recycling is better than no recycling at all, the best thing you can do is make an effort to reduce consumption. Reducing plastic waste to a level that can be managed safely and effectively is a necessary step in addressing this global crisis. h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Alivia Romaniuk at aromaniuk@hilite.org

reduce, reuse Take a look at the benefits of reducing and reusing resources Reusing: use items more than once • Conserves resources • Allows products to be used to their fullest extent • Minimizes the amount of waste people produce • Saves money

Reducing: minimize the waste we create • Creates less pollution than recycling • Helps to keep the environment clean • Lowers greenhouse gas emissions AVERY CARLISLE GRAPHIC NC STATE, US EPA SOURCE

MARCH 25, 2022

Go Hoosiers Stigma around state colleges should be antiquated, students should keep an open mind CADY ARMSTRONG COLUMN

of attendance at IU was $27,201. While Dartmouth’s employment that I wanted to go to rate is 97% compared to IU’s 93%, Indiana University (IU) $50,000 per year seems a steep price or Indiana University-Purdue Univerto pay for such a small difference. sity Indianapolis (IUPUI) next year Moreover, much of the stigma for college, a lot of them didn’t surrounding state colleges understand why. Many of my comes from the wellclassmates have considered known stereotypes porIU to be their “backup” or trayed in the mass media “safety” school with the noof partying and the tion that they would be large student body. settling if they went However, as many there. With this other things, there comes the stigma of is more to college public state schools than what is most like IU being less often portrayed. distinguished or With the state many passing judgcollege’s often large ment on those gostay in school student body, there ing there. However, are more opportuthe preconceived nities and different social scenes for notion of state colleges being “less one to try out. Additionally, there are than” is outdated and everyone should also more people and therefore more instead keep an open mind about all chances to meet those you would higher education pathways. like. One’s college experience is deMany people believe they have termined by the individual. To this to attend a prestigious or private end, I encourage you to take charge university to get a high quality eduof your own college experience, apcation, but that is not true. State proaching state colleges with an open colleges offer amazing programs. In mind and heart. fact, at IU, there are over 80 majors This is also not to say that students and 90 minors to choose from. Adshouldn’t consider attending prestiditionally, 93% of IU’s class of 2018 gious, name brand colleges for their reported being employed in their higher education. Certainly, these infield of study or continuing their stitutions are well-respected because education at a graduate level within of the value in their degrees. At these 6 months of graduating. From this, colleges, you will almost definitely it is established that one can obtain get a great education. However, at its a good education and be successful core, a degree is a degree and you can attending a state college. Additionally, state colleges often offer the same quality of education did you know? at private schools at a much lower Jamie Hyneman, former cocost. At Dartmouth College, which host of MythBusters, went to has a similar employment rate as IU, Indiana University Bloomington the cost of attendance for the 2020IMDB SOURCE 2021 was $79,525 whereas the cost hen i told my friends

by the number

78%

of all first year students across the U.S. enrolled in in-state institutions STATISTA SOURCE

get a great education at most colleges. Don’t discount the value and prestige or colleges right here in our own backyard. In the end, just remember that as our classmates make their college decisions in the next couple of months to think twice before judging them for whatever and wherever they plan to do and go after May 26. h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Cady Armstrong at carmstrong@hilite.org

spring break I’m stressed and tired but there’s still a long way till Spring Break...

Zionsville kid

Carmel kid

HeeHeeHeeHaw! We got a one week break in February!

WHAT!?! This is unfair bro

KENT FUJITA GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

HILITE.ORG

Disability In light of Disability Awareness Month, everyone should work to include people with disabilities EMILY SANDY COLUMN, SUBMITTED PHOTO

those with supposedly smaller voices. Instead of pushing those with disthree siblings with a variety of abilities down, society should lift them disabilities: cerebral palsy, autism, up for all that they can add to it. ADHD, and severe anxiety. Through Our world of uniquethe many tantrums thrown ness and diversity should in the baking aisle to the be celebrated. People physical therapy waiting with disabilities can room toys I looked forteach people a variety ward to every week, I of things, includfelt this experience ing true emotions, was normal. ways of expresHowever, as I sion and varieties got older, I quickly of spectrums. I realized that this wish that everycircumstance wasn’t one had the opporat all a normal childtunity to be in my hood experience. person first shoes to see just Although I was how fruitful it is to faced with these rare be surrounded by my siblings. circumstances, my unique upbringing Everyone wants to be included has taught me the benefit of learning and loved, and rather than doing about people with disabilities. the bare minimum of accepting People with disabilities are just people with disabilities into our sothat, people. Although some may ciety, we should lift not communicate the same or show the same level of emotion, they are just the same as you and me. Through my years of sitting in waiting rooms and putting together fidget boxes, I adapted to my environment and normalized it. Now, as a 17-year-old senior, I have become an advocate for was raised in a family with

Scan this to read about Disability Awareness Month and how Indiana will celebrate it this month GCPD SOURCE

them up and give them grounds to express themselves. People with disabilities face criticism, exclusion and pure hate everyday. Due to this, everyone can make a small effort to try and include them. It will truly make a difference on their lives. I know this because of my brother James. James decided one day that his physical disability wouldn’t stop him and decided to join the football team as a manager. He went to every practice, lifting equipment and running across the field with five gallon jugs. The football team fell in love with him, and intentionally helped him and involved him to feel included. James helped me see how far a little inclusion can go, and that’s why I incorporate it in my day-to-day life. How are you going to incorporate it into your life today? h The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Emily Sandy at esandy@ hilite.org

MARCH 25, 2022

Personal Style People should avoid blindly hating on anything popular, have informed opinion AUSTIN GUO COLUMN

even at least given it a chance. Making these judgments would be akin to point: I see what’s trending and making a claim with no evidence to a part of me just scoffs at it and support it. So why do we sometimes dismisses it. I see all the buzz and the do it so much? It’s easy to fall memes about it and they quickinto this trap. When you ly grow old. see something so many It gets oversaturated times everywhere, you and then I crawl back into start to get tired of it. my bubble, isolated And obviously, evfrom the mainstream. eryone wants to be If this all sounds unique or stand really pretentious out in some way. to you, that’s bePersonally, what cause it is. With the changed my atGrammys coming titude was the reup on April 3, I’d like alization that my to encourage myself own tastes were au contraire and anyone who no better than any may share these at“mainstream” tastes. titudes to ease up a little bit and move Anyone who knows me knows I’m a away from blind contrarianism. big “Undertale” fan. When the new I will be completely honest and chapter of “Deltarune,” a sort of comsay that I have not listened to most of panion game to “Undertale,” released the music that is nominated for these last year, I became the very type of awards at the Grammys. However, person I would have scoffed at: I talkwhen I used to scoff at these songs and ed about the game everywhere and call them “shallow,” I usually withhold participated in all of the hype around judgment now. Simply, it is unjust it. The whole experience showed me to dismiss media when you’ve never T IS A FAMILIAR RITUAL AT THIS

by the numbers

Grammy awards were won by Georg Soltia HungarianBritish conductor

Grammy awards categories are present

110 MILLION

U.S. dollars was reached for TV advertising revenue at the Grammy awards STATISTA SOURCE

how silly it was a lot of the time to blindly criticize anything popular now that I was now thoroughly enjoying something popular. A work’s so-called “obscurity” had absolutely no bearing on its quality or appeal and exclusively liking less mainstream media did not automatically make someone “cooler;” taste at the end of the day is personal. This is not to say that anything mainstream is immune to criticism or that everyone who has complaints with whatever’s popular at the moment is just jaded and obstinate. Everyone has their own opinions; just make sure yours are informed. Blind contrarianism helps no one; in fact, it could stop you from finding something you might end up liking and it certainly does no good for the people around you. Ultimately, giving whatever you’re watching, listening to, or reading a chance and formulating your own opinion on h it is what’s most important. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Austin Guo at aguo@hilite.org

on the record Silk Sonic See some 2022 nominations for category “Record of the Year”

JILLIAN MOORE GRAPHIC ROLLING STONE SOURCE

drivers license

Leave the Door Open

Kiss Me More

I Still Have Faith in You

- Debut single from Rodrigo’s

- Debut single from duo

- Lead single from Doja’s

- Dual single (with “Don’t

hit album Sour (nominated for Album of the Year) - Power ballad blending bedroom and indie pop styles - Viral music video released Jan. 8, 2021

Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) for An Evening with Silk Sonic - Philadelphia soul and R&B, influenced by quiet storm - Topped the Billboard Hot 100

third studio album Planet Her (nominated for Album of the Year) - Disco-influenced pop-rap - Interpolates the chorus from “Physical” (1981)

Shut Me Down”) from the band’s ninth studio album and first in 40 years, Voyage - Stately piano ballad - ABBA’s first-ever Grammy nomination

Olivia Rodrigo

Silk Sonic

Doja Cat feat. SZA

S O U R

Silk Sonic Silk Sonic

ABBA

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Starlet Success High schoolers should recognize importance of personal successes GRACE GUO COLUMN

they could already have full-blown careers and be beloved by millions. to point out the lack of But now, while figuring out college actual teenagers in teenage plans, trying to form a somewhat shows these days, making fun of the impressive application and wondering so-called “30-year-old high schoolers.” why I’ve never had an official job— Still, it’s important to note that as cast and if anyone would even hire me— actual minors in some harsher roles. seeing these stars with towering net With that said, even though actors worths and more success than I who portray 16-year olds aren’t could ever dream of, I have always 16-years-old, the to admit my goals seem careers they’ve amassed meek in comparison. are still wildly impressive But it’s important to entertainment explores realize, just because darker themes in someone your age the lives of young is successful in people, it would ways that seem be questionable beyond you, it to for their age. doesn’t mean your With Season successes are less 2 of “Euphoria” important. I deserve flooding for-youto be proud of a test pages and fansites, no teen sensation score or a CLASS I recall looking award, even if it’s for up actor ages and something as small as my dedication finding most of the cast was around to learning polyatomic ions. Toxic 25-years-old, or younger. comparison isn’t helping anyone. It’s Beyond that, it seems that every new not fair to young celebrities, who movie or show features at least one have worked hard to earn their success, actor who got their start when they and it’s not fair to yourself, who also were barely four-feet-tall, with child worked hard for your goals. actors and performers aging up and My goals are important, and just taking on adult roles. because I don’t think I see myself Obviously it’s inspiring to see hardhosting the Met Gala or accepting working, talented individuals have their an Emmy in the near future, getting life-long goals realized at such a young through high school still deserves age, but it can also be disheartening recognition. To keep moving forward, to see a person on screen accomplish you have to start recognizing all so much more than you when they’re your accomplishments, no matter basically your age. Even as I’m writing how small, as steps towards your this and checking Instagram, I came goals. Then maybe, if it is a goal across a post about Keira Knightley— of yours, you will end up climbing who apparently filmed “Pirates of the stage to accept your own golden the Caribbean,” “Love Actually” h award one day. and “Pride and Prejudice” all before turning 20. This isn’t just a teenage phenomenon though, I remember The views in this column do not necesseeing child stars on Disney Channel sarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. in elementary school, wondering how Reach Grace Guo at gguo@hilite.org EOPLE ARE OFTEN QUICK TO

small wins CLAIRE HE GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

Got second! Proud of myself!

YO WIN UNGE NE ST R!!! O TW RS A C OS !!!!!

I’ll never be that good...

MARCH 25, 2022

City of Luck Although perceived as fortunate, people in Carmel still suffer through daily struggles ROYCE BROWN COLUMN

AST WINTER BREAK, I WENT

luck in carmel TSION DANIEL GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

outside view: Carmel is very lucky and always wins!

Yeah!

reality: LEGACY

SLE

prise that people perceive Carmel as the city of wealth. skiing in Perfect North with However, struggles, whether they my friends. There was one inare large or small, are experienced by stance where I was separated from all of everybody regardless of income. And my friends, and seeing that there was Carmel is not immune to those no point in searching for struggles. In this school, I’ve them, I went on a lift met a lot of people who have with a stranger. suffered or are currently sufThis boy was fering from mental health. about the same age For example, while CHS as me, and we offers many challengmade small talk, ing classes and a variety consisting of of clubs that look good the usual “How on college applications, are you?” and this in turn can cause “What’s your frequent burnout. Dename?” Finally, pression and sleep dehe asked which privation are also comcity I was from. oh, lucky me! mon symptoms seen in Without thinka handful of students. Are ing, I blurted out we really that lucky to be offered these that I came from Carmel. He slightly challenging courses while sacrificing squinted and said something along the our mental well-being? lines of, “Oh, wow. Isn’t that the place Additionally, contrary to popular where all the rich people live?” When I belief, quite a few people in Carmel asked where he came from, he named struggle with economic issues. In the a place in Indiana that I’ve never even same U.S Census Bureau statistic, Carheard of before. This conversation mel was reported to have a poverty rate made the atmosphere awkward, but I of 3.5%. To put this in perspective, aswas in luck since we were almost at the suming that around 5,400 students are top of the slope. We said our goodbyes, in CHS, 189 of those students live in and I never saw him after that. poverty. Therefore, it is unfair to make The weird part is, I am not the only the conclusion that every family in one who experiences the same thing. Carmel is wealthy. My dad always says he’s from NorthI wish for a day when I can proudly ern Indiana, so he wouldn’t have to wear a Carmel T-shirt in another city admit he’s from Carmel. In other areas or town, without being stared down of Indiana, Carmel is known as a city with judgemental eyes. It is time for full of wealthy, spoiled people who expeople to understand that Carmel is perience little to no struggles. In reality, not a field full of flowers and four-leaf however, this statement is completely clovers. Carmel is a city full of ordinary false. As we approach Saint Patrick’s people, who struggle with daily probDay on March 17, the themes of luck lems like any other human being. h and wealth must be addressed. Is Carmel really a pot of gold at the end of The views in this column do not necthe rainbow? With a $112,765 median essarily reflect the views of the HiLite household income in 2019 according staff. Reach Royce Brown at rbrown@ to the U.S Census Bureau, it is no surhilite.org

PRACTICE

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Math Madness Students should deconstruct academic stereotypes about Asian Americans

LORNA DING COLUMN NTER THE CLASSROOM OF

science and math or start teaching a math-related club. Most calculus to their 11-year-old child; of the students there are I never skipped a grade level or Asian. Math is their won a single math competition. favorite subject. They take Regardless, my parents care high-level math courses in the most about my math school and additional classes grade, which means math is taught by college professors the subject I prioritize the outside of school. This is most. I stress out the most the stereotypical image of when there is an upcoming Asians; we love math, we’re math test. I start cursing good at it and we don’t more when there is a math struggle with it. test. And yet no matter how not easy as pi This assumption has many practice problems I do pervaded society. The 1987 in preparation, I struggle to by the Time magazine cover is titled answer questions on the test. “Those Asian-American Whiz Kids” number As an Asian student, it is with a picture of six Asian kids. TV embarrassing when I don’t know shows portray Asian characters as the answer to a simple math smart, nerdy and antisocial, like problem. I would ask myself, was when Rajesh Koothrapalli from “The Big “You’re Asian. Aren’t you supposed Pi Day was Bang Theory” or Evan Huang from to know this?” founded by “Fresh Off The Boat.” But most of My Asian friends who excel Physicist Larry us are not like those genius Asian at math would assume I was on Shaw. Pi Day is TV characters who skip a grade, the math competition team in also observed win national math competitions elementary or middle school—I as the and get admitted into Harvard went to tryouts every year but I International University. My parents are not like never made the team. And due to Day of the stereotypical strict Asian parents the immense amount of societal Mathematics. who make their children take 10 pressure and the pressure I put on HISTORY.COM extracurricular classes all related to myself to be good at math, math SOURCE

1988

became my least favorite subject. In light of Pi Day and the International Day of Mathematics on March 14, break the stereotype that Asians don’t struggle with math, that our favorite subject is math and that Asians are only good at math. We shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed when we do worse on a test than other people. Don’t prioritize math over your other subjects just to fit the Asian model minority stereotype. There’s that phrase, “Roses are red. Violets are blue. There’s always an Asian who’s better than you.” Someone will always be better than you at math— Asian or not. So instead of forcing yourself to do hundreds of math problems and binge-watch videos from The Organic Chemistry Tutor past midnight, focus on bettering yourself and pursuing your own passions whether that involves h math or not. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Lorna Ding at lding@hilite.org

rut row I studied for my math test and I am going to do so well

13/100

phew... I know how to do this problem

Oh no!

EVA GLAZIER GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

news

MARCH 25, 2022

News Briefs MOODY HOMSI BRIEFS

Sun

March 25

Intramural Championship Game

March 26

Science Olympiad Exam

March 26

CYMC 3v3 Basketball Tournament

April 1-8

Spring Break

April 3

April 2

ACT Testing

April 15

Ramadan Begins Good Friday

April 17

Cheeseball Day

April 17 Easter Sunday

April 18

IB Diploma Program Banquet

Mon

ARJUN PUROHIT GRAPHIC

Tue

Wed

Thu

MARCH 2022 27

March 27

Mon

Sat

Wed

Thu

APRIL 2022

Fri

Sat

CYMC Dodgeball Tournament

National Events

ILEARN Testing Begins

April 22

School Events

March 30

CHS Job Fair

Tue

Key

Late Start

March 29

CMYC Culture Fair Sun

Fri

44 Read this story about students fasting during the entire month of Ramadan and the impacts on their performance

April 28

NHS Induction Ceremony

solving the wordle This is a paragraph about wordle encoded with a simple substitution cipher where each letter is replaced with a different letter, try to decode the message about wordle. Check your answers at Hilite.org

Bjm iyxw goc yzzwkdzg zj umwgg y qoxw awzzwh

------------------- ---njhe,---wyri --umwgg zwaag-bjm oq ziw umwgg rjszyosg -------------- ---------- -------yhw ziw rjhhwrz awzzwhg yse--oq ziw awzzwhg os --------- ------- --- -- --- ------- --- -ziw rjhhwrz djgozojs. --- ------- --------

Uniting Sound DARIUSH KHURRAM Q&A, PHOTOS

learning the rhythm: Senior Maddie Cardamone plays the cello at a United Sound meeting. Ishaan Singh, United Sound president and junior said, “I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn music, I don’t think there should be anything that constrains someone or limits someone from learning music if they want to.”

ARTHUR MANSAVAGE PHOTOS

q&a Ishaan Singh, United Sound president and junior What does the United Sound club do? We have about 36 peer mentors and basically four mentors and just one musician form a group every meeting, and we just play various music. Sometimes we’ll play rhythm, sometimes we’ll play actual songs.

How does this club connect groups? These kids would not really have access to music. It’s really nice during meetings to just see the smiles on their faces, and it’s just a really fun experience for both the mentors and musicians because everyone’s having fun.

Why do you think students should join?

q&a Margaret Hite, United Sound sponsor What is United Sound? It’s essentially an after-school extracurricular program where we invite new musicians, students with special needs, who might have an interest in learning how to play a stringed instrument like violin, viola or cello. We invite them to come, and, depending on the number of new musicians we have interested, we’ll pair them with orchestra students.

It’s a good community service activity if you’re looking for something to give back to the community, but also just a really fun thing you can do. It’s not very time-consuming at all; for most members, just 45 minutes once a week. It’s just a really fun environment for everyone.

Do you think music connects people? I think that it is an amazing way of including students into ensemble playing that may not have had the opportunity of being in an ensemble before. The music is a great way for people to connect with one another because it’s a universal language.

Why do you think students should join? It gives you a chance to express yourself through music, and it gives you a chance to make some friends and we have a really fun performance opportunity coming up. Our students are going to join together with our Philharmonic Orchestra and play a piece at our spring concert, which will be so fun. We’re all really excited about showcasing (our) work.

MARCH 25, 2022

Science - It’s Synthetic! With Citizen Science Day on April 16, Science Olympiad competitors display the chemical, kinesthetic side to STEM competitions RAGHAV SRIRAM PHOTO ESSAY

chemically bound: Sophomore Carolyn Jia titrates a drop of potassium permanganate using hydrogen peroxide for the lab portion of Chemistry Lab. Jia and her partner, junior Grace Yang, placed third in this event at the annual Carmel Scrimmage.

the waiting game: Sophomore Johnny Mortha patiently waits for his chemical weighting scale to output the amount of solution stored in his pipet. Mortha completed the lab portion while his partner worked on the written test.

pyro powder: Junior Bridget Bodey (right) and her partner sophomore Abbie Uche-Ejekwu (center) use a Bunsen burner to determine the flame color an unknown powder produces when it burns. According to Bodey, different flame colors indicate different powders. For example, a red flame could be indicative of lithium chloride.

the toxic test: During the Forensics event competition, freshman Kellen Gong uses litmus paper to measure the pH, the concentration of hydrogen ions, of a solution containing an unknown substance. Gong said that measuring for pH is one of the many tests he uses to identify a substance.

chemically bound: Sophomore Varun Rao (left) and his partner junior Viswa Jayasankar (right) work with each other to solve a challenging chemistry problem.

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Science - It’s Moving! helping hand: Junior Tanay Acharya (right) helps junior Vineeth Kundur (left) debug errors within the programming script on the Arduino that runs Kundur’s conductivity sensing probe.

collaborative thinking: (From left to right) sophomore Hirthik Arcot, sophomore Johnny Mortha, junior Nicolas Jagelka and junior Harry Zheng work together to solve a number theory American Mathematics Competition (AMC) contest problem during a break between exams.

easy does it: Junior Tanay Acharya (left) and his partner sophomore Hirthik Arcot (right) pour sand into their time keeeping device whose accuracy will be tested during the It’s About Time event.

science speedrun: (From left to right) sophomore Safin Khatri, freshman Aayush Singh and junior Eric Yang conduct an experiment over a short period of time in which they measure the amounts of static electricity released by a balloon by counting the number of paper circles that stick to the balloon over a certain period of time.

busy building: In Write it, Do it (WIDI) partners who build the most accurate structure according to the original structure that is presented score the most amount of points.

business casual: DECA members, senior Claire Qu and sophomore Jillian Rang work on their presentation for DECA. Qu said that the numbers of DECA members have decreased due to the requirement of taking a business class.

On Way to Atlanta DECA awaits international competition on April 23 SAAHAS KANDRU STORY SIRI SURAPANENI PHOTO RYAN ZHANG GRAPHIC

eca, known as distribu-

tive Education Clubs of America, is a non-profit career and technical student organization with more than 225,000 members in all 50 U.S. states. Its goal is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Carmel DECA has three phases of competition: at the district level, state level, and international level. Lots of competitors have advanced to the international DECA competition. Leo Connell, president of DECA and senior, said this year will be very unique compared to other years. “This year is very special because it presents us with a return to normalcy. Last year even though DECA did happen, all of the events were virtual,” he said. This year, state and internationals will be in-person which gives all of the members something to actually

work towards and look forward to. These competitions not only help students learn more about business but also allow them to have a great time and meet more DECA members,” he said. Connell thinks that as time progresses, more and more DECA related events will be held in-person. “COVID-19 has definitely limited the number of in-person events we have been able to have including executive team meetings, club events, practice events, and more,” he said. According to Claire Qu, Chief Marketing Officer and senior, the executive meets early Oct. to discuss changes regarding DECA members. Sponsor Laura Cardamon said she is excited for the changes this year because going virtual last year took away some of the excitement for DECA. Cardamon said, “We are really really busy. We are getting all the kids registered. They have picked their events, and are doing their packets to study their vocab.”

by the numbers

3,200 high school DECA chapters in the U.S

78% of DECA members typically take more business classes than other business students

170

THOUSAND high school members are in DECA DECA SOURCE

Qu said they started competitions in late December and early January. “The number of DECA members has decreased due to the new requirement of taking a business class. In my opinion, there are pros and cons to this,” she said. “The pro is that members are more aware of what’s going on since business teachers can give all of their classes updates. The con is that many students who aren’t able to take a business class lose out on an amazing opportunity.” Alongside Cardamon, Rob Holman is also a sponsor of DECA at this school. Holman hopes students are ready for high-level in-person competition and said COVID-19 greatly affected competitions. Holman said, “Last spring it affected us to a great extent. ICDC (International Career Development Conference) in Nashville had to be canceled. This year our district, state, and international competitions will all be held in-

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person. So the students will have the normal experience of competing live in a high pressure situation in front of judges.” Qu also said that lots of protocols have been put into account to ensure the safety of all students in this club. “We have been trying to split into smaller and smaller groups to lessen the spread of COVID-19 this year. Since most of our events were virtual last year, the planning process is much different than how it is normally,” she said. We are definitely relying more on social media and remind than inperson meetings this year.” “Each year, Carmel is responsible for planning the District (school level) competition. District has been a full day of competition, with students coming in and out. We’d usually have about 2000 people at the school throughout the day, which the administration is not letting happen anymore,” she said. “This year, we are still unsure about how in-person competition will go, so we are just focusing on making sure students are ready for anything. The state and international conferences are planned by the DECA organization, so we are still awaiting to hear the decision of how those conferences will be held.” Holman said that there were no benefits from switching to virtual last year rather than in-person regarding competition in DECA. “It’s usually very fast paced and very exciting but last year it was all

The best way to get over this is to just practice a lot. In the past, I have done a substantial amount of presentations. SOPHOMORE SRIKRISHNA GANESHAN

entrepreneur events Take a look at a couple DECA high school competition events Principles of Business Administration

10 15 1 Person Participates

10 Business Operations Research

Participants have 10 minutes to prepare for a 10-minute presentation

virtual, so we all won a free virtual trip downtown,” he said. “This was really challenging for students to overcome because we usually have a really exciting trip out of state or to the JW Marriott hotel.” He also said the DECA executive team has been working through lots of challenges that are related to going online. “From a communication standpoint it has been challenging. The executive team is doing their best to get information out to students” he said. They have been outstanding in resolving any issues that have occurred through the process of switching to mostly online communication.” Srikrishna Ganeshan, DECA state competitor and sophomore, said he has put in a lot of time to do well in the competition. “I’m preparing for the state competition by primarily practicing the cluster-finance exams and role plays that are provided. As well as just making sure I have enough content memorized that I can present and show to the judges,” Ganeshan said. Ganeshan also mentioned in these high level competitions, your emotions and nerves have a big impact on how you perform. “In general, I try not to get too nervous whenever I have a presentation. But sometimes whenever you go up to present your nerves kick in and you forget everything,” he said.

Participants conduct research studies and present for 15 minutes

1 to 3 People Participate

Scan this to see all of DECA’s events

The best way to get over this is to just practice a lot, in the past I have done a substantial amount of presentations so I don’t believe I’ll get nervous during competition,” he said. ruptur autestrum doloribus presentation piece: DECA member and senior Claire Qu points out the goals of the project to fellow DECA member and sophomore Jillian Rang. The Interntional Career Development Conference will be on April 23 for those who qualified for the international level.

entertainment

MARCH 25, 2022

A Balancing Act Student athletes consider balance of performance, artistry in their sports AVERY CARLISLE STORY

ccording

gym-

nast and junior Kendall Powell, many people watch gymnastics for the entertainment aspect but fail to realize the type of athleticism needed for the activity. “Even if I didn’t do gymnastics, I would know how hard they work and seeing it on the Olympics and just on TV, you can see how much strength (gymnasts) need. It’s just amazing watching it as well, like what they’re capable of and making it look so easy,” Powell said. Powell has been a part of both the competitive and the non-competitive side of gymnastics. She recently quit competing and now only does gymnastics for fun, but she said she still considers the entertaining activity a true sport. Like gymnastics, figure skating also has an entertainment aspect that makes its definition as a sport more complex. Marie Millikan, née Víchová, is a figure skating coach and analyst for the Associated Press, and has covered eight Winter Olympics for the agency. She is also a former Olympian who represented Czechoslovakia in the 1968 Winter Olympics. She said she has no doubt that the entertaining activity is a sport but it does have its unique challenges and differences compared to more mainstream activities.

did you know? Rhythmic and artistic gymnasts are awarded scores for difficulty (D) and execution (E). Each move receives a point score between 0.1 and one; the top eight scores for women and top ten scores for men make up the D score. Each gymnast starts with a 10 point E score, with points deducted for mistakes. Whoever has the highest combined D and E scores wins. OLYMPICS SOURCE

CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTOS

split second: Gymnast and junior Kendall Powell holds a side handstand on the beam. Powell said they were a good way to warm up and prepare to practice.

“Let’s say you are a weightlifter or football player, you need to have the strength so you can lift the weights and do whatever you need, so you can bulk up and get lots of muscles,” Millikan said. “Unfortunately, figure skaters cannot do that because if you bulk up and get big shoulders, you will be tipping in the air or you would look fat in their dress. You have to be as strong as a bull and as skinny as spaghetti to be able to rotate that fast in the air. You have to be very, very slim, but you have to have super strength.” Ballet and acrobatics also straddle the line between sports and entertainment. For her part, ballet dancer and junior Lucy Devenney said she only sees what she does as entertainment. “I’d say I wouldn’t necessarily call (ballet) a sport, especially the kind of dance that I do since I don’t compete. It’s purely entertainment with the sort of stuff we’re doing, like Nutcracker and Cinderella and fairy tale stuff basically,” Devenney said. Competition aspects of activities commonly play a role into whether or not people watch it as entertainment or sports. For example, The Peking Acrobats are a non-competitive group from China that perform daring tumbling acts and more as they travel with the sole purpose to entertain people. They will perform tomorrow at the Palladium. Powell said activities like acrobatics and gymnastics are not only entertaining for the crowd, but also for the athlete. “It can be more entertaining because of the freedom of making your own routines and being able to add in your own flare to make it your own, also making it a lot more entertaining to watch,” she said.

Millikan said it’s this requirement to engage crowds that makes figure skating so special. “Even if you have musicality and choreography and all that, it still doesn’t mean you are entertaining people,” she said. “You’ve got to be able to connect with the audience and so forth.” Another difference is that although having an engaged crowd is important with performance sports, the loud screaming and cheering that is common at more mainstream sporting events can throw off the perform-

Do not criticize people if you haven’t tried it. You hear a lot of times, ‘Oh, that’s so easy, what’s the big deal?’ Put the skates on or go on that balance beam, whatever it may be and try and figure out if it’s as easy as you think it is.” MARIE MILLIKAN, FORMER OLYMPIAN AND FIGURE SKATING COACH er’s level of success in activities like gymnastics. Powell said a gymnast’s need to perform to the best of their ability during competitions, whether it be skill wise or entertainment wise, is extremely important due to the fact that there are judges watching their every move, unlike sports including football and basketball where there are no judges, just set points. “Mentally it can be scary because when you’re competing in gymnastics, you have judges that are right in front of you, whereas in football, you don’t have judges, there are just people, Powell said. “Whereas in gymnas-

chalk it up: Gymnast and junior Kendall Powell puts on her grips. She said gymnasts use grips to reduce blistering or other injuries when performing on bars.

by the numbers

57.8% of ice-skating participants are female

1908 when figure skating, the oldest sport in the Olympic Winter Games, was introduced in London

51 total Olympic medals the U.S. has won in figure skating OLYMPICS SOURCE

tics, you have both people and judges watching you. So I guess it could be a little more nerve-wracking that way.” Devenney said she agrees with Powell about the nervousness caused by performing but also said she loves the audience’s support when it comes to the non-competitive activity she participates in. “I get nervous, but it’s also a lot more exciting because you know that the audience is on your side. I guess they want you to do well, whereas in a competitive environment sometimes that’s not the case,” she said. As a coach, Millikan said she knows firsthand how nerve-wracking these performance sports are compared to the more mainstream sports. She said, “Do not criticize people if you haven’t tried it. You hear a lot of times people say, ‘Oh, that’s so easy, what’s the big deal?’ Put the skates on or go on that balance beam, whatever it may be and try it and figure it h out if it’s as easy as you think it is.”

making moves See some performance and flexibility-based acrobatic sports

Ice Dancing Pairs ice skating includes partner unison and acrobatic movements

Circus Acrobatics Acro-balancing: uses body counter- weight, balances, dance movements, and lifts

GRACE GUO GRAPHIC AFTERDARKTHEATRE, MASTERCLASS, US FIGURE SKATING SOURCES

Contemporary Dance Ideas and storytelling reflected in movements combining multiple dance genres

MARCH 25, 2022

Spring to Life Students, families celebrate Nowruz, welcome start of spring with loved traditions SOPHIA ZHANG STORY

utside, crowds stand

in the cold to wait for the ball to drop in Times Square. Inside, glasses clink together while people strike up conversations about their resolutions for the coming year. New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest celebrations of the year and it’s also America’s fourth favorite holiday, according to a statistic provided by FiveThirtyEight. But for freshman Aksi Adilet-Sultan, she would have to put off her New Year’s celebration until the spring month of April. She celebrates Nowruz, a holiday celebrated by many cultures in the Middle East and Asia. It’s a way to welcome the start of spring and an opportunity for a fresh start. It is on or around March 21, or in some areas on April 7. The celebration can last up to seven days depending on the country. It is also known as the

an apple a day:

After placing green apples on a table covered in traditional decor for Nowruz, often called a haft-seen, junior Parisa Shirani and her mother laugh and converse. Although it varies among cultures, each item on the haftseen (literally translated to mean “seven S’s”) represents a different hope for the new year. Apples (“sib”), for example, symbolize beauty and health.

SAAHAS KANDRU PHOTOS

Persian New Year or, in Adilet-Sultan’s case, the Kyrgyz New Year. “I love this holiday. It’s like a fresh start to the year and [it] also makes me feel connected to Kyrgyzstan [and] Kyrgyz culture because, growing up in America, I didn’t have the opportunity to be connected to my culture,” Adilet-Sultan said. Adilet-Sultan is not the only one who celebrates Nowruz at this school. She is among the few who knows about Nowruz and why it’s such an important holiday for many. For Persian-American Max Banan, Nowruz celebrations are no different now than when he was a child. Banan has been celebrating this holiday for almost 70 years, but the historical traditions and lessons still reside with him. “The Nowruz celebration started over 2,600 years ago before the Persian Empire became strong. The Persians

by the numbers

hours required to make the traditional dish somolok, also known as sumalak

3,000 years Nowruz has been celebrated worldwide, originating in and around Persia HARVARD SOURCE

believed in the Zerashtin concept of honesty, friendship and care…” he said via email. “There is a sense of renewed goodwill and feeling for everybody.” Junior Parisa Shirani said her family celebrates Nowrux in many ways, including grand parties for their relatives and friends. She said along with decorating a haft-seen, the Chaharshanbe Suri is one of these valued traditions. “You jump over fire and then that symbolizes all the negativity in your life, it falls in the fire, it burns, it goes away,” she said. For Adilet-Sultan, she said her favorite part about her Nowruz celebration is eating “somolok”, a traditional Kyrgyz wheat soup. Somolok also has its own history. People made it at the start of spring to fight off hunger, as there was no central government in Kyrgyzstan at the time to help the people. Adilet-Sultan said somolok became the

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cooking craze Take a look at traditional foods served during Nowruz

Ash Reshteh Persian noodle soup with herbs like spinach, parsley, cilantro, beans, and more

Kuku Sabzi Persian dish that includes whipped eggs with various vegetables folded and cooked

Sabzi Polo Persian herbed rice, usually served with stuffed fish or walnuts KENT FUJITA GRAPHIC THE NEW YORK TIMES SOURCE

traditional Nowruz food for Kyrgyz people and she thinks of it as a symbol of perseverance through tough times. Banan said as a child, he loved receiving candy and money from relatives as well as the parties that went on for seven days. He said he enjoyed spending time with family who otherwise lived out of town and he said it was an exciting part about Nowruz. Like Banan, many families get together and connect with one another during the time of Nowruz. For people like freshman Sofia Molavi, Nowruz became a time for gratitude and commemoration as she got older. “When I was younger, I used to have a lot of Persian family here. Then a lot of them went back to Iran or they passed away,” Molavi said. “It became a day to think about my loved ones and appreciate a lot more things. So it’s also a holiday of gratitude…” Shirani said the weekend before Nowruz, there is a party in Indianapolis which hundreds of people attend.

I love this holiday. It’s like a fresh start to the year and [it] also makes me feel connected to Kyrgyzstan [and] Kyrgyz culture. FRESHMAN AKSI ADILET-SULTAN

She said it was a way for the Irani community to celebrate together and shows the holiday’s importance. Despite all the cherished memories and special holiday traditions that Nowruz has to offer, it is a holiday that is otherwise often overlooked when talking about celebrations. Molavi said this school is exclusive to a point where few people know what goes on in other peoples’ lives. Adilet-Sultan said in her experience, most people who were not of Middle Eastern or Central Asian descent did not know what Nowruz was. “Cultural connection has a huge impact on people’s behavior. By having contact with other people, [it] will pro-

haft-seen: Junior Parisa Shirani’s family’s haft-seen is decorated with many symbolic items. She said, “It’s a spring altar. Every item on the table represents something, whether that be good fortune, nature, happiness, and so on...”

JILLIAN MOORE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION IRAN FRONT PAGE SOURCE

Candles

Often accompanied by a mirror, candles can represent looking into the future new year with clarity

Wheatgrass

The “sabzeh” will continue to grow in the weeks approaching the holiday, representing rebirth and renewal

Goldfish Bowl

Many celebrators choose to include a goldfish as a symbol of new life

duce friendships which could be helpful at times of crisis,” Banan said. “It’s important to learn about other cultures because it opens our eyes to different peoples and their individual practices,” Adilet-Sultan said. “Celebrating these holidays makes me feel like I really am Kyrgyz and h that part of me is here.”

Flowers

The “sonobul,” especially fresh cut hyacinths and tulips, mark the coming of spring

entertainment

MARCH 25, 2022

Funny Business With upcoming competitions, learn more about CHS’ Comedy Sportz League CHENYAO LIU GRAPHICS, Q&A

Senior Evan Sanders

meet the team Learn more about the members of the team and their favorite part of Comedy Sportz

Asher: “My favorite part of being a part of Comedy Sportz is, to put it simply, laughing. This team (is) so stellar, and getting to be apart of hilarious bits and have a blast in a competitive setting is so incredibly rad.”

Sanders: “Without a doubt, my favorite part of Comedy Sportz is the opportunity to participate in improv games. Whether it’s going to other schools for a workshop, or sitting in front of a computer for an online match, it’s always a great time!”

Sanders: “My favorite part of practice, simple as it sounds, is having a laugh...Especially since going back to school full time has put a lot of pressure on students, the time to unwind with friends is a blessing that I look forward to every practice.”

Asher: “My favorite part of CSZ (Comedy Sportz) practices have got to be the amazing people I’m surrounded by. From our kick-butt team to good ol’ Pete to the referees that come in to help train us. Each experience in improv is so incredibly unique and so are the people.”

Junior Ella Asher

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q&a

save the date

Ari Honig, member of Comedy Sportz and junior Why did you join Comedy Sportz? I joined Comedy Sportz because I love making people laugh. I also just love being on stage and performing.

What’s fun about practice? My favorite part of practice is learning about my teammates and learning their sense of comedy so I can learn to better bounce off of them and set them up.

What’s your favorite part? My personal favorite part of Comedy Sportz is how rewarding it feels when you make a really good joke or get a good laugh out of the audience.

Scan this QR code to view the CHS Comedy Sportz Instagram page

Check out some info on Comedy Sportz home matches Matches are in the Studio Theater

MARCH

APRIL

Friday

Matches start at 7 p.m.

22 Wednesday

APRIL

27 Friday

Tickets are $5

“he’s a friend from work!”

IMDB SOURCE

Discover some successful TV producers who competed in Comedy Sportz Dan Harmon Harmon is an American writer, producer, actor and comedian. He is best known as the creator and producer of the sitcom “Community” and the cocreator of the animated sitcom “Rick and Morty” Kay Cannon

ready, set, improvise! Learn more about the rules of Comedy Sportz matches

Cannon is an American screenwriter, producer, director and actress. She is best known for writing and producing the Pitch Perfect film series, the comedy series’ 30 Rock and New Girl

CCS SOURCE

A Brown Bag Foul is called when a player uses explicit language or is inappropriate. The format of a Comedy Sportz match features two teams of performers A referee monitors the action: calling fouls, and keeping the game moving at a quick pace.

A Groaner Foul is called when a player says a pun that makes the audience groan. They must either apologize or lose a point. An average of seven to 12 games are played during a match, drawn from a list of over 100 improv games The fans judge the games and ultimately decide the winners and losers. An average match lasts about 90 minutes.

MARCH 25, 2022

Just Being Blunt As media continues to romanticize drug use, we need to remember negative effects of addiction HIBBA MAHMOOD COLUMN

eason

of the popular

HBO series, “Euphoria,” premiered in January and continued into last month. The show follows a group of students through their normal high school life and sometimes shows how the use of drugs makes them feel euphoric. Emmy Award winner Zendaya plays the character Rue Bennett, a 17-year-old drug addict who goes into rehab and struggles with her sobriety. But while this show is popular among teens, there are mixed reviews when it comes to how drugs in the show have an influence on those who watch it. This issue can be problematic. The series often demonstrates how SAY drugs can make someone feel good without talking about the different negative effects drug use really has. To be fair it’s a difficult path for the show to take. Some, like the members of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program, argue the show glorifies the drug use. Other groups say the show is doing a service by portraying the realities of what it’s like to be addicted to drugs and how to deal with addicts. Featuring drugs in shows can have both pros and cons. Regardless of whether the show does a good job, some teens who watch shows depicting drugs can easily be influenced. Seeing how the characters act on TV and being portrayed as “feeling good” could make teens want to experiment. Many teens are curi-

ous about drugs, and the shows can heavily exacerbate that feeling. On the other hand, actors in Euphoria have tried to discourage viewers from following in their characters’ footsteps. Zendaya herself issued a trigger warning via social media before the Season 2 premiere. Additionally, actors’ portrayals aren’t always rosy. They show the raw reality of what it can be like dealing with an addiction and how it can be for someone who deals with a loved one’s addiction. According to an article on the pop culture website Complex, “there is plenty that the drama is getting right about addiction and recovery…” In an article on Turn Bridge— an organization which NO! works with teens who struggle with mental health abuse and substance abuse— the author said the truth about drug addiction is very accurately portrayed in “Euphoria.” That being said, it isn’t enough. As a teen myself, watching different shows with portrayals of drug use is like a constant reminder on why doing drugs is never the option. But to other teens, especially younger audiences, the portrayals may have a different effect depending on their situation. Different viewers digest these shows in different ways which is why providing a disclaimer about such shows is so important. But other measures can be taken. Shows like “Euphoria” could add an informative video at the beginning of each season with the actors and talk about why the portrayal of heavy

did you know? Zendaya and Hunter Schafer play two main roles in Euphoria: Rue and Jules. Season 2 was released on Jan. 9, 2022. DIGITALSPY SOURCE

drug use in the show is dangerous. The popular TV show, 13 Reasons Why did this as well as it covers the topic of suicide. They could also provide disclaimers at the end of each episode to share drug addiction help numbers for people who really may be struggling. Doing things like this can really help even a small amount. Drug use, drug addiction and substance abuse has been displayed in shows for ages. But we have so many more outlets now to help combat the dangers of drug use. For that reason, while we can enjoy the show, it’s important to realize the negative effects media can have on drug perception. h

bad habits Take a look at popular media which have romanticized drug usage

HBO’s “Euphoria” follows the story of Rue, a teenager who becomes a drug addict. Some critics argue the show portrays drugs in an intriguing way to teenage viewers with its aesthetic, glittery lighting during drug scenes The Weeknd’s hit song “Can’t Feel My Face” describes cocaine addiction as a love interest. Fans and critics claim the artist glorifies drugs in mainstream music, which may have negative effects on listeners

STARBOY

The TV show “Breaking Bad” normalizes the meth crisis in the U.S., but the show also depicts the fatal consequences of meth addiction

PALLEVI PILLAI GRAPHIC BILLBOARD, FORBES SOURCE

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Entertainment Briefs CHRISTIAN LEDBETTER PHOTOS

comedic relief: Carmel High School Comedy Sportz members junior Theo Curtis (right) and senior Sarah Warf (left) perform at University High School against students including Piece Garino-Heisey (center). Performers enacted a skit during which a lion attacked a hyperactive daughter during a politician’s visit to the zoo.

community events Wait Until Dark: Play march

12-26

Times Vary 3 Carter Green Carmel, IN

Exodus: Performance april

7-9

7-9 p.m. 3 Carter Green, IN 46032

performing arts Comedy Sportz Match march 7 p.m. Studio Theater, Carmel High School

Choir Showcase march 9 p.m.

keeping it choral: Julia Peng, Expressions choir member and freshman, performs a solo during the choral showcase performance on March 3. A variety of choirs performed in order to showcase their abilities.

music on the brain: Gavin Stahly, band member and senior, performs during the choral showcase performance on March 3. The concert was attended by many choir and audience members as well. Stahly performed the french horn during select songs to accompany the Carmel chorus.

Auditorium Clay Middle School

cover

MARCH 25, 2022

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Muslim students observe Ramadan next month, discrimination still an issue both in CHS and in Carmel community ROYCE BROWN, ZAINAB IDREES STORY MARISSA FINNEY PHOTOS MADDIE MISTERKA PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS

MARCH 25, 2022

reshman mariam morad

adjusts her hijab during class. The hijab is a head covering that is worn by some Muslim women and is typically worn in public. For Morad, it reminds her of who she is: a Muslim. According to the Pew Research Center, Morad is one of 3.85 million Muslim Americans in the United States in 2020, making up just 1.1% of the U.S. population. Morad said she has felt discrimination against her because of her religion before. “So I started wearing the scarf on July 30 of 2021, and I was friends with people in middle school and some people actually don’t talk to me anymore because I wear the scarf.” Morad is not alone. According to a 2017 Pew Research Center, study, 48% of Muslim American adults said they had personally experienced some form of discrimination because of their religion in the previous year. In addition to people’s reaction to her hijab in middle school, Morad said she has had some negative experiences at this school in conjunction with her religious identity as well. “Whenever someone gives me a dirty stare, or like, a teacher isn’t helping me, I’m like, ‘Why aren’t they helping,’ you know? And obviously, I don’t want to assume that it’s because (I’m Muslim) and because of the scarf, but at the same time it’s still a thought in the back of my head because I’m different from everyone else in my class and its happening to me.” Sophomore Asim Syed said his father has experienced Islamophobia.

did you know? There are five pillars, or basic requirements, in Islam. These include Sahahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (giving), Sawn (fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage). These pillars are considered the most important practices in the Islamic religion. ISLAMIC RELIEF SOURCE

comfort food: Sophomore Sara Syed’s family makes traditional cultural food during Ramadan. Islam has requirements on what food Muslims can and cannot eat, marking some foods as haram, or forbidden. SARA SYED SUBMITTED PHOTO

“One time, my dad was going to Canada to visit some family. It said on his passport that he went to Turkey, so he was stopped for 10 hours and interrogated for a long time,” he said. “He was being asked why he kept on going to Turkey and Pakistan. For one, he has family in Pakistan because we’re Pakistani, and Turkey because he had business trips. But they refused to listen to him because of his name, and how he looks.” However, sophomore Mikael Aqeel said he has had a different experience, with more positive experiences as a Muslim in Carmel and has not experienced Islamophobia. “The people I’ve been around have been great to me,” he said. “I know when I have to fast for Ramadan, my coaches are very nice and understanding about what I have to do, and they help me get through it efficiently while helping me become better.” Dr. Nasser Karimian, Imam, resident scholar and youth director of the Alhuda Islamic Center of Indiana (AICI), said he thinks people have become more Islamophobic after 9/11.

Read a story about the building of a new Islamic Life Center in Carmel and learn about the construction process and social opposition to the mosque

“Muslims were way more front and center in the media after 9/11. They were much more vilified (then).” Morad said like many more prominent religions in the United States, Islam is monotheistic. “We believe in one God. There are foundations, the five pillars of Islam, that make up the basis of the religion,” she said. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the five pillars of Islam are profession of faith, prayer, alms giving, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to the city of Mecca if finances and health permit it. Asim’s sister, freshman Sara Syed said the school is contributing to Islamophobia by associating Islam with 9/11. “I’m in AP World History. When they talked about Islam, it was during the week of 9/11. And all we did was watch terrorist

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and pose!: Freshman Sara Syed adjusts her hijab. She said she does not typically wear traditional clothing or head coverings, but has purchased some while in Saudi Arabia.

attack videos,” she said. “And it’s so stupid, because they’re just putting that image into everyone’s head that we’re terrorists.” Sara too, said 9/11 gives Islam a negative connotation. “Whenever we talk about Islam, we need to not direct (the discussion) to 9/11,” Sara said, “because every single year we talk about Islam, it’s always during the week of 9/11; its always related to 9/11, and it’s always so weird and uncomfortable.” Morad said one of the struggles of being Muslim is finding a place to pray during the school day. She said, “(A Muslim friend of mine) has tried to get me to pray (at school), but I can’t. I just don’t want to go to the nurse to pray, but I do pray. I just pray at home. It’s weird to pray in the nurse’s office.” Sara shared the same concerns, saying the school does not provide a proper space for Muslims students to pray in. “We have to pray— it’s mandatory to pray— but we can’t because we are in the middle of school,” she said. “[The school] doesn’t provide that safe space for Muslims to pray at

school, which is really annoying because there are so many Muslims and they don’t accommodate us. I have to pray in a small little supply room. It’s a closet basically.” Prayer is important, especially for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan, a month where Muslims fast to become close to God, will begin on the night of April 2. The first fast will begin on April 3. According to Britannica, Muslims fast for several hours a day and refrain from food, water and immoral behavior. Morad said she loves this month and is looking forward to it. “I love Ramadan, even though everybody’s like, ‘Oh my god, you fast?’ We usually have people over every day when we break our fast or when eating (in the morning). It’s so fun when we’re together. I guess fasting at school isn’t the most fun, but I love the month of Ramadan.” Morad said there is a lot of misinformation among nonMuslims about the Islamic faith. “When people see me, they automatically

it’s a celebration Check out this graphic to learn more about some different Islamic holidays RILEY LAFERRIERE GRAPHIC NATIONAL TODAY SOURCE

Eid al-Fitr: What is it?: celebration at the end of Ramadan, a holy month in Islam how to celebrate?: eat food, gather with family and give gifts

Day of Arafah: What is it?: a sacred day of the Hajj, a pilgrimage made yearly; considered a day of gratitude how to celebrate?: join the pilgrimage, donate funds, fast

Ramadan: What is it?: A holy month within the Islamic faith, 9th month in Islamic calendar how to celebrate?: read the Quran, fast, donate

The Al Huda Mosque in Fishers, IN is one of the closest and largest mosques to Carmel. This, however, is supposed to change, as a new Islamic Life Center is supposed to start being built later this spring.

know I’m Muslim. When they see me wearing a scarf, they’re like, ‘Oh my god, that must be so hard for you. I can’t imagine that. Why are you doing that to yourself?’ They think that it’s forced upon me, that I have to be so serious, that (the religion) is so strict and I can’t bend the rules or anything,” Morad said. “Most people don’t know that I choose to put the hijab on,” she added. “They’re like ‘You chose to do that?’ Yeah, because I know the reward in the end and honestly I don’t really care what people think about me.” With the Al Salam Foundation working with city officials to build a mosque in Carmel, Sara said she thinks the mosque would be beneficial to the community. “A lot of (Muslims) live in Carmel. But since the mosque that we have is so far

MARCH 25, 2022

terror timeline AUSTIN GUO GRAPHIC INFOPLEASE SOURCES

Take a look at some events leading up to the War on Terror 1979: Al-Qaeda begins as a mujahideen group resisting the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. The US backed these groups during the war. 1989: USSR withdraws from Afghanistan.

>> which we’re supposed to.”

away, it’s hard to go to every day,

However, Sara also said the mosque plans are facing a lot of opposition. “In the hearings, a lot of people were opposed to the mosque being built,” he said. “I don’t really see a reason why they should be opposed (to the mosque)” she said. “It’s not like we are doing anything bad, we are literally just praying. And we have a ton of churches, so I don’t see why it’s bad. I feel like [the opposers] are just racist.” Asim said the opposition toward the

1991: Osama bin Laden grows outraged at the presence of American soldiers in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, beginning his hostility towards the US 1998: Al Qaeda captures international attention with US embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, killing over 200

covered up: Freshman Mariam Morad fixes her hijab. Many women who practice Islam wear hijabs, but people choose to practice their religion in different ways.

2001: The War on Terror begins in response to the September 11 attacks

mosque comes from misinformation surrounding the mosque. “I was actually at the hearing when (officials) were trying to get the (construction of the) mosque approved,” he said. “One person said they don’t want the mosque because during Ramadan, (Muslims) do loud dances and chants. But in reality, our prayers are silent. The Imam, or pastor who leads it,

(My friends are) like ‘You choose to (wear a headscarf)?’ Yeah, because I know the reward in the end and honestly I don’t really care what people think about me. FRESHMAN MIRIAM MORAD has a microphone that is only heard inside. But [the opposer] thought it was all dancing and partying, which is nothing at all like that. He just wasn’t educated.” Research suggests that many people in America are uninformed when it comes to Islam. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 52% of Americans said that they knew ‘not much’ or ‘nothing at all’ about Islam. Morad said people should ask more questions asked about Islam in order to educate themselves about the religion. “I think people just don’t talk to me about (my religion very much). They don’t ask questions, so they just have their own opinions and thoughts,” she said. Karimian said he agreed with Morad’s statement.

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sallah/salat: Freshman Sara Syed lays down a prayer rug, or sajjadat salat, in the catwalk hallway. Under the second pillar of Islam, Muslims are required to pray five times a day, but according to Syed, there’s not a space in the school designated for Muslim students to pray. She said while she is at school, she typically prays in a small room in the counseling department, which she compared to the size of a closet.

“I would suggest that (people) go to their local mosque and meet some Muslims there,” he said. “Maybe come to our lectures, more particularly the Friday prayer to see what Islam is about.” Aqeel said the best way to stop Islamophobia is to educate oneself. “Educate yourself about what Muslims and the faith truly (are). It’s a peaceful religion, and none of the violence around the world is directly linked to Islam,” he said. “(The violence) doesn’t speak for the majority of the people. Also, be more understanding. Misconceptions of each faith is what divides people.” However, Karimian said she feels Islamophobia has decreased over the last couple of years. “Nowadays, (Islamophobia) has really calmed down. Now, there are many other issues that are the focus,

44 Read a story about how the act of fasting during Ramadan affects students and their academic performances and learn about ways non-Muslim students and the Carmel community can support those who are fasting during Ramadan

islamic past 1924

1893

whether it (is), Republican versus Democrat, that’s a big thing,” he said. “And also, now the big thing is about Russia and Ukraine. Muslims are not in the forefront of the media (anymore).” Morad agreed there are people who are helping to break down the problem of Islamophobia. “Recently, in social media posts, I’ve seen a lot of people standing for and with Muslims in certain situations and that’s good.” Aqeel said he thinks one of the best parts of his Islamic faith is the community it has fostered. “The greatest aspect of Islam is the closeness that all of the people in the community have with each other,” he said. “Muslims refer to others as brothers and sisters. All of us are like one big family, always welcoming people with open arms. (Other Muslims) are always there when someone needs help. I just think that close bond that everyone

has (within Islam) is a great thing to have in your life.” Asim also said from his experience, he thinks the Muslim community is supportive of one another. “It’s a really tight-knit community. It’s a safe space, where if you need anything, you can reach out to anybody,” he said. “If there’s ever a family who lost a loved one, they would get so much support and whatever they need, anyone will be there for you. So it’s really nice to be in that community.” Even in the face of experiencing Islamophobia in Carmel and in the world, Morad said she is still proud to be a Muslim. “Overall I love Islam,” she said. “I love being a Muslim.” Karimian said, “It’s time for us to really just get out there and let the world know who we are, what we believe and make them familiar with (our community) and make them h feel good about (Islam).”

SEPT. 11, 2001

US Congress passes the National Origin Act which restricts immigration from regions that have many Muslims. This halted the flow of new Muslim arrivals in America

America’s first mosque is built in Chicago. It was meant to be a specific replica of the Mosque of Sultan Qayt Bey 1965 in Cairo to support Muslim Americans

Immigration and Naturalization Act is passed and as a result, an estimated 1.1 million Muslims arrived in the United States before the end of the 20th century

The terrorist attacks of this day changes the nature of Muslim relation in America

2007

Keith Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to the US Congress EMILY SANDY GRAPHIC PBS, VOX SOURCES

student section

MARCH 25, 2022

On the Grind Students discuss support from teachers, learning skills vital to success MARYAM HAFEEZ, EDDIE SUN STORY, PHOTO

he international day for-

Achievers, March 24th, is an annual holiday for celebrating achievers and their strong sense of purpose and confidence. It honors any major or minute achievement someone might accomplish before or during that day, meaning anyone can participate. On this day a common achievement for many is to further their education, easily quantifying their hard work and dedication. Maryanne Cimasko, a supported study hall teacher, said she enjoys helping students grow and becoming their best selves. Cimasko described how her class works, having the goal of helping students achieve their goals. “Supported study hall’s supposed to cap at 15, so that would give me more one-on-one time with the student. The first time students and I meet every week, be it a Monday or a Tuesday, we get on PowerSchool and we go through the grades, we look at all the assignments—whatever’s missing,” she said. According to The74, students with mentors gained between .06 and .48 points of grade point average, were between 18 to 35 percent less likely to fail a course, and were 10 to 25 percentage points more likely to attend college. Cimasko said class benefits students significantly, allowing them to be productive, finish their work, and keep up with specific curriculum, no matter what type of student. “They’re just a lot more comfortable because by being in here, you’ve bought yourself an extra 90 minutes of time. And for some, all (they) need is that extra 90 minutes. We have a secret magic equation of life to get through high school. You gotta do three things: you turn stuff

in, you get points, you pass the class,” she said. “When you look at it that way, it’s not so hard to get out of here. But sometimes you have to step back when you’re overwhelmed and just look at that and say if I turn stuff in, and I get some points, I’m gonna pass the class, and I’m done.” She said she experiences all types of students, ranging from many different class difficulties and work ethics. “I have a range that you would never believe in a million years. When I tell people the range of students that I have, they’re like, that could not possibly happen in Carmel Indiana. I’ll have kids GPA wise from a 1.4 to people in here

knowledge is power: Maryanne Cimasko, a supported study hall teacher, watches over her students during her supported study hall in SRT. She said she engages with them to get to know what is holding them back in school and how to best help them in the courses they are in.

with a 5.0 gpa. Again, whatever it takes,” Cimasko said. Junior Tanay Acharya, who takes seven weighted classes along with being on the tennis team, Quizbowl, Science Olympiad, Math Club, debate and possibly other clubs just for fun, said he believes that he has achieved a lot this year. He also said that because of the virtual to in-person transition, his work ethic and goals have changed drastically. “The transition from hybrid learning was initially difficult because last year, I got into a bad procrastinating habit that was hard to break. But as my classes ramped up this year, I got back into the groove of a regular school year and have no such issues,” he said. “I think that this year, I have started to achieve more, both with my grades and my extracurriculars.” He said he reaches his goals in many ways, making sure he is consistent with a schedule everyday. “To reach my goals, I have to put in a little bit of effort every day so that whatever I am doing doesn’t become too overwhelming and I am still able to put my best work and effort forward,” he said. Similarily, Cimasko varies how she keeps students engaged during SRT. “There really is no typical day in an educational support study hall. On any given day, it depends on where the students are. (Some)times everybody’s got English papers due, or it’s a day where the whole math department is testing. There’s days we’ll be memorizing amendments for Government—it just depends on the day. Then there are days if we have to do a project, let’s say for U.S. history, we might watch a movie that has to do with the project we’re working on. So, I get to do things

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that the teachers don’t necessarily have time to do in class.” Acharya said his accomplishments bring him satisfaction and happiness. He feels relieved when completing time-consuming assignments and feels accomplished when he does well on assessments in school. “After I accomplish a goal, I always feel good about myself, regardless of the size of the achievement. Obviously, I am sometimes more happy with meeting specific goals than others, but on the whole, I am elated with my performance when things go my way,” Acharya said. “Depending on the size of the achievement, I celebrate it in different ways: if it is something small like a good test grade, then I don’t really do much except feel good about myself, but if it something more substantial like competition performances, then I my mom and I will get some takeout h food to celebrate.”

q&a

by the numbers

Maryanne Cimasko, supported study hall teacher

32%

of highschool students have used a tutor for their classes

1-3 HOURS are spent with mentors a month

DOLLARS is the average cost of a tutor WEBER, NAIS SOURCE

EMILY SANDY Q & A

Are there any common trends you see across all your students? “What I like to find out on day two is how they learn. Is this the most scientific test on the planet? Absolutely not—but I do it every year just to give me an idea of where they are. I will do the most out-of-date learning styles quiz with them to see if in fact you’re a visual learner or you’re an auditory learner, or if you’re a kinesthetic learner. According to science, five percent of the population are tactile or kinesthetic learners. The very first year I gave that quiz, (in) my fourth period class, 87% of them were tactile learners. By the time you hit that junior year, that’s your toughest year, they’ve been able to compensate up until then. But when you hit that year it’s like somebody pulled the rug out from under you.

history of education Learn about the father of education and the mother of the “Montessori Theory” CAROLINE JUST GRAPHIC

He was elected as Secretary of the newly-created Massachusetts Board of Education in 1837 “The Father of the Common School” began his career as a lawyer and legislator He lead the Common School Movement, ensuring that every child could recieve a basic education

PBS ONLINE AND MONTESSORI-AMI SOURCES

Horace Mann (1796-1859)

Maria Montessori (1870-1952)

Montessori focused on the notion of a social reform through education to help disabled children “The Montessori Theory” focuses on the key principles of independence, observation, and following the child In 1890 she enrolled at the University of Rome to study physics, mathematics, and natural sciences

MARCH 25, 2022

Nuts For You Students discuss experiences, precautions with peanut allergies in honor of National Peanut Month LORNA DING STORY & PHOTO

wafting

scent

peanut butter cookies fills the air as sophomore Kevin Hu walks down the crowded hallway with a closed cookie box in his hands. He hands the box to his friend, sophomore Roohi Sanka, who smiles at the sight of the cookie she had wanted all week. But Hu has been careful handling the treat because while Sanka said she is a peanut butter enthusiast, Hu is part of the 0.03% of students at this school who have a peanut allergy. “During an allergic reaction, first, my throat starts to get itchy, and then I’ll start throwing up. Even if I’ve thrown up everything that I’ve eaten already, I’ll still throw up and try to get it out of my system. I might get hives on my face, but that’s usually the extent of it,” Hu said. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), the number of children with peanut allergies in the United States has increased 21% since 2010. The severity of allergic reactions can range from Hu’s symptoms, like hives and vomiting, to ana-

humans of CHS

may contain peanuts Take a look at some of the most common ingredients that go in peanut butter, as well as what they are used for

crushed peanuts the most abundant ingredient in peanut butter

vegetable oil

most commonly cottonseed or soybean oil, added to prevent separation

ALAN HUANG GRAPHIC SPOONUNI SOURCE

sugar

second common ingredient found in peanut butter

salt

often added for taste

phylaxis, a life-threatening condition that can lead to unconsciousness. Still, despite Hu’s allergy and Sanka’s love for peanuts, Hu said it has not been an obstacle in their friendship. He said his allergic reactions stem from direct contact with peanuts rather than cross-contact or inhalation, which allows him to handle packaged peanut goods. “There are definitely times where there’s something she would want me to try but I can’t because of my allergy. (However,) I think peanuts have actually benefited our friendship,”

by the numbers

6.4 BILLION pounds of peanuts produced yearly

selling candy in the world are Reese’s PEANUT SOURCE

Hu said. “I’m aware that she likes peanuts so much and my peanut allergy has become less severe as I’ve gotten older, so it makes a really easy gift when I want to give her Reese’s or something packaged in a box. She usually appreciates it a little more.” Regardless of the severity of Hu’s allergy, Sanka said she hopes he would be more careful. “I was definitely really happy (that he got me) a peanut butter cookie, but I also thought that he was being a little careless with his allergy. Another time, he got me Reese’s and he put

For St. Patrick’s Day, students share luckiest experiences

Senior Akash Bhowmik “So I think it was when I met this guy, and he had a mullet, so I felt he was a very curious person. I went to meet him, and apparently, he was a grandmaster at chess, and so I found out that he was the first grandmaster I’ve ever met. He signed my chessboard, which is very cool.”

Junior Adare Haas “One time, my cousin, he was playing at a soccer game, and there was a storm, and a lightning bolt struck, which was a few feet from where he was standing, but he was fine. It was pretty crazy, but he was completely okay so it was really lucky.”

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it in his pocket but it melted. That’s stupid of him because he (could’ve got an allergic) reaction,” Sanka said. Amy Fletchall, registered nurse (RN) at this school, said friends like Hu and Sanka should take necessary precautions to prevent accidental contact with peanuts and understand how severe someone’s allergy is. “There’s nothing that should keep people with peanut allergies from being friends with people without peanut allergies. It’s

peanut butter time: Sophomore Roohi Sanka and sophomore Kevin Hu pose with Sanka’s favorite peanut candies. Hu said he is allergic to the candy which makes his relationship with her differ from the norm.

just a matter of taking precautions,” Fletchall said. “If students have problems with even contact with somebody who’s eaten peanuts, then they just need to make sure that that person has washed their hands.” Sanka said she agreed with Fletchall and said she makes sure to be wary of when she has peanut products around Hu. Ultimately, in light of National Peanut Month in March, Hu said other people don’t need to act dif-

ferently around him but should be cautious around those with more severe peanut allergies. “If you’re around someone with a really bad peanut allergy, be respectful towards their allergy. If you want to have peanuts, wait until they’re gone or go to another room to have them,” Hu said. “But otherwise, if your allergy isn’t that bad, it can be sort of like a bonding tool like it is with me h and Roohi.”

MATTHEW DU Q&AS, PHOTOS

Sophomore Samuel Birany “A couple years ago I went on vacation to Hilton Head Island, and they have a little bike area that a lot of people go to ride their bikes around. Me and my family went there for two straight days, and both days we found one hundred dollar bills that we picked up since no one was around.”

Freshman Sofia Dagvadorj “One time I was shopping at World Market, and they had this ‘Find a golden sleigh, and you can get a free coupon for World Market,’ and my dad said ‘let’s leave, we’re never going to find this golden sleigh thing,’ and finally, when we were right about to leave we found the golden sleigh, and we took it up to the cashier, and it was 50 dollars of just free stuff. “

feature

MARCH 25, 2022

Living the Dream Students practice controlling their own dreams CLAIRE HE, KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR STORY

enior jenna griffin was in fifth grade, lying

in bed asleep, when she wanted to go back and experience being on the cruise trip she had sailed on during a holiday vacation. “I wanted to be there again, so I just manifested being in this particular area of the ship that (I) was on, and about five to ten minutes later I was there and roaming around, free,” she said, describing her dream that night. This phenomenon of having awareness of or control over one’s dreams is known as “lucid dreaming,” according to psychology teacher Mickey O’Toole. “Essentially it’s a dream that you are aware you are dreaming, and in some instances, because you’re aware, you can control it to some degree,” O’Toole said. “(It’s) a dream where you’re aware you’re in the dream or currently dreaming.” Sophomore Lillian Zaharako said she heard of lucid dreaming on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok a few years ago and was immediately interested to try it out. “I researched (lucid dreaming) a little more, and (I thought), ‘that’s attainable.’ It was actually hard (to learn how to do it) because I can’t sit still, and it’s hard for me to concentrate,” Zaharako said. O’Toole said as a relatively less-researched subject, sleep studies about lucid dreaming were few and far in between. The studies that do exist show a strong correlation between lucid dreaming and dreaming which normally takes place during the REM portion of one’s sleep cycle. He said some studies have tried to put participants

in your dreams: Senior Jenna Griffin lies down on a couch (below). Griffin said learning to control and be aware of your dreams, known as lucid dreaming, was a complex task at first but got easier to do over time. “I can be like, ‘I want to lucid dream’ and I do that falling sensation and I’m where I need to be,” Griffin said. “If it was a stressful day, I could go to the beach or something, and just dream about the ocean.”

KRUTI SUBBANNAVAR PHOTOS

back into REM sleep quicker when they wake up to see if it would induce lucid dreaming. O’Toole said there are several methods to start lucid dreaming. He said one such method used by researchers to prompt lucid dreaming in studies is to have participants perform a mundane task, which will then likely be repeated in the dream. Performing the task in the dream may alert the person that they are in a dream. “If you’re trying to read in your dream, it may not be in a language you understand, the words may fall off the pages,” O’Toole said. “Or with jumping, you don’t feel yourself being pulled back down by gravity; you kind of either float down, or you don’t even feel impact with the earth when you hit it, and at that moment you may now realize you’re dreaming.” Zaharako said her process of learning how to lucid dream was complicated. “I told myself I would practice (lu-

cid dreaming) every single night, but that obviously didn’t work,” she said. “I think the hardest part was that it was really time consuming, because you’re just laying there and trying to concentrate… and I’m pretty impatient with stuff like that.” Griffin said while it was initially a complex task, she can now lucid dream without investing too much effort into the process. “I can be like, ‘I want to lucid dream’ and I do that falling sensation and I’m where I need to be,” she said. Zaharako said she followed instructions that can be frequently seen in blog posts that instruct one on how to lucid dream, and the key point she said she noticed was to concentrate and focus on the details of the dream, which is how she said she tries to go into lucid dreaming. The benefits of lucid dreaming, though, are minimal if they do exist at all. Griffin and Zaharako both said they did not notice any marked improvements in their performance in either school or work due to lucid dreaming. Griffin said although it helped her when she had a bad day, lucid dreaming did not increase her productivity in any way. “If it was a stressful day, I could go to the beach or something, and just dream about the ocean,” Griffin said. Griffin also said lucid dreaming is good for overcoming fears by confronting them in dreams and desensitizing oneself to them to decrease any adverse reactions. Zaharako said beyond improving her mood and making her feel better, she also did not notice any improvements in her work but said if she looked into them, she could most likely see an improvement. “If I logged (data about my work) for a while and took research into it, I’d be willing to bet on (lucid

immerse yourself: Sophomore Lillian Zaharako poses for a photo (left). Zaharako said she can control and be aware of what she dreams, known as lucid dreaming, by focusing on where she wants to be or what she wants to experience and then immerse herself in it. This could include experiences as diverse as being on a ship or doing some homework (above). “I think the hardest part (of learning how to lucid dream) was that it was really time consuming, because you’re just laying there and trying to concentrate,” she said.

dreaming increasing productivity levels. (But) from what I can see currently, I don’t see a ton of correlation,” she said. Due to the time-consuming nature of lucid dreaming, Zaharako said she lucid dreamed once every two to three weeks, but Griffin said she had a different take on the frequency of lucid dreaming. “Obviously, I rarely do it because it can lead to some negative mental health effects, and I don’t want that to happen to me, so I rarely do it anymore,” she said. According to research from NCBI, frequent lucid dreaming can cause a loss of sleep and blur the lines between reality and dreams. The paper says lucid dreaming is dangerous for people already dealing with hallucinatory symptoms as they may see an increase in their psychosis and hallucinations due to frequent lucid dreaming. Zaharako said she sometimes off-handedly wonders if everything she is looking at is a lucid dream. Griffin and Zaharako also said they felt a little disappointment each time they woke up from lucid dreaming at the thought of having to leave behind a world of their own making and control. “I wake up and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, it’s time for another regular day’… just waking and being up like, none of that was reality,” Griffin said. Zaharako said although she is disappointed when she wakes up, she comforts herself by thinking about being able to dream her dreams once more and relive the experience. Griffin said overall although lucid dreaming can have positive effects on one’s mood and help in confronting fears, it is best practice to not make lucid dreaming a habit to ensure that the line between reality and dreams does not get blurred. O’Toole agreed, saying, “You (can) lose a sense of reality because you might think you’re back in the dream.” h

MARCH 25, 2022

Hammer Time Students, teachers challenge gender stereotypes in construction, automotive industries

LORNA DING, CLAIRE HE STORY enior

sophia

ZOE TU PHOTOS raise the roof: Senior Sophia Hanna nails a panel into the roof of the “Tiny Home” a construction project offered at the school. Hanna said she was originally intimidated by the male-dominated classes, but decided to continue her passion. “I think it’s kind of cool (being one of the only girls),” Hanna said, “because every time that is the situation, I always end up being really good friends with the girls that are in the classes with me, just because we’re the only girls so we get to bond a little bit more.”

hanna

climbs a ladder to work on the roof of the “Tiny Home,” a house which will have running water, electricity and gas when it is completed. Hanna is one of two girls out of the 27 students in her class. “At first, I didn’t know that advanced construction trades (Construction Trades A) was a class that was offered here. So when I heard about it, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I want to be in that class and maybe pursue a career in construction management (technology) (CMT),’” Hanna said. “And then I toured the Purdue Polytechnic (Institute) and I was the only girl. I was sitting there and I was like, ‘This is all boys. Is this how my classes are going to be for the next four years?’” Hanna’s experience isn’t an anomaly. Larry Griggs, Construction Trades A teacher, said 14% of students in construction at this school are women. “I’d say the (number of female students) has gotten better but it’s not good. I mean, two out of 27, that’s not good. We need to have more females represented in the construction industry,” Griggs said. Tejasvi Tadikonda, automotive student and sophomore, said she felt a need to prove herself as a female in the automotive class. “It was very intimidating to be in a predominately-male class because I felt like I had to prove my worth when there was nothing I really had to prove to them,” Tadikonda said. “People always talk about their female hero stories like, ‘Yeah, I did this and there were a lot of male people there and everyone looked up to me,’ and it really does not feel like that at all.” Hanna said while she also feels a need to prove herself as a woman in construction, everyone else also has to prove themselves.

“Right when I joined the class, I had a lot of boys try to take things out of my hands or tell me how to do something even though I already knew how to do it,” Hanna said. “But I think regardless of gender or race, you need to prove yourself either way.” As a female assistant professor of CMT at Purdue University, Luciana Debs said she believes her students often doubt her expertise. “I believe (students) evaluate women and male professors very differently. (The bias) becomes very clear on the evaluations and the ratings, and there’s research about it showing

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that it’s usually lower for us,” Debs said. “Sometimes, they don’t think I have as much experience as some male faculty when it’s just about the same.” Tadikonda said she thinks women tend to be looked down upon due to society’s expectation that women are not as strong as men. “I get that, biologically, women aren’t as strong as men. But to take apart a simple bolt or unscrew a simple thing—we can do that,” she said. “Whenever I had trouble unscrewing a bolt or something, immediately a guy would just take it over for me rather than letting me try it on my own.”

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up on the rooftop: Senior Sophia Hanna works on the roof of the “Tiny Home” during construction class. Hanna said she believes more women should take construction classes. “I think you need both a man’s view and a woman’s view in order for things to function properly and to make changes that will be the most beneficial for us,” she said.

With advancements in technology, Griggs said construction jobs have become less physically demanding. “There are very tough jobs in construction. There are a lot of boys that couldn’t handle it. There are a lot of girls who wouldn’t be able to handle the physical part of it but there are a lot that can,” Griggs said. “One thing that I see happening now is that we have more equipment to make it easier for anybody to use heavy equipment.” Griggs also said his best students are typically female students. “Sometimes, we get boys (in) the construction field who think they know everything about construction,” Griggs said, “whereas a lady may come in and not know as much, but they spend more time learning how to do things the correct way.” Tadikonda said she agreed and said women tend to underestimate their abilities. She said more people, regardless of gender, should take automotive classes. “(Girls) think (automotive class is) too hard but it’s really not. And I think everyone should have

basic automotive knowledge. It’s appalling how many people want a car but don’t want to know anything about a car,” she said. Likewise, Hanna said more female students should take construction classes and consider CMT as a career. “We will always be living in buildings and all of that, and I think you need both a man’s view and a woman’s view in order for things to function properly and to make changes that will be the most beneficial for us,” Hanna said. Ultimately, Griggs said he believes society should break the stereotypes surrounding women in construction and automotive industries. “For a girl to take construction, they get seen differently,” Griggs said. “If you think about it, your wife is going to come home and she’s going to have dirty clothes and cuts on her hands and her hair is going to be all sweaty and stuff. That’s not a look that some people perceive (of a woman) and that’s the thing that we have to break. It is okay for anybody who’s capable of doing (construction) to do it if they want to.” h

work it, girl Check out some statistics on women in construction jobs 43% of construction organizations do not monitor gender pay gaps despite 60% of women reporting gender discrimination Gender diverse companies are 25% more likely to achieve “above average” profits

400 THOUSAND

new construction jobs will be available over the next 10 years

Only 5.9% of construction managers are women

MADDIE MISTERKA GRAPHIC NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SOURCE

MARCH 25, 2022

Far From Home Students, staff discuss cultural detachment, stigma within CCS ARYA PINNAMANENI STORY

hen sophomore adama

Barry had a conversation with her friends, she was surprised to find they also occasionally felt stuck between two worlds and didn’t feel understood in either. “I’m Guinean, I’m from West Africa. We have a really deep culture and it’s way different from American culture here,” she said. “I feel like when I was younger there was a disconnect (between these cultures). It can really affect how you see yourself. Like, once your self-perception is warped, you don’t really know who you are, or (you) are trying to be something else you’re not.” Barry is not alone. Freshman Paulina Arana Cervoni, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, echoes these sentiments. “I feel like my two worlds are kind of mixed together as one,” she said, “but it can be really hard sometimes. Like, I can speak Spanish (but) I’ll forget words, I can feel kind of guilty about that. I feel really lucky though because I have a lot of Puerto Rican friends here but sometimes I still feel like there’s a disconnect between my friends and me, as well as my family and I.” Arana Cervoni and Barry experience something called cultural detachment. Terri Roberts-Leonard, CCS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, defined cultural identity via email. “Cultural identity refers to identification with, or sense of belonging to, a particular group based on various cultural categories, including nationality, ethnicity, race, gender and religion,” Roberts-Leonard said. “Cultural identity is constructed and maintained through the process of sharing collective knowledge such as traditions, heritage, language, aesthetics, norms, and customs.”

SUMEDHA KOTA PHOTO

The phenomenon of cultural detachment is often referred to as racial imposter syndrome. According to the BBC, racial imposter syndrome is defined as when one’s internal sense of self doesn’t match with others’ perception of their racial identity, which gives rise to a feeling of self-doubt. The Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC) clarifies that racial imposter syndrome is deeply intertwined with assimilation and racism. This cultural disconnect most commonly occurs in first-generation Americans and multiracial people. “I’ve seen a lot of people kind of assimilate or whitewash themselves and I get it,” Barry said. “People made them feel less than they were or people made them feel ashamed of who they were, so they felt like they needed to change themselves to be better or to be liked. I think I like who I am even when it’s not as digestible because of my culture.” Arana Cervoni said, “I don’t do (whitewashing) that much anymore,

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but I still act differently around my Puerto Rican friends versus my other friends. I think sometimes it’s just easier to act differently. I was still me, just kind of (a) different version.” Arana Cervoni said she has been criticized for “acting Puerto Rican” in public at times. “There have been times where I have gone out and been too loud or too ‘Hispanic’ and have gotten bad looks from others,” she said. “I’ve been judged for being too Puerto Rican or (for) doing certain cultural norms. It has affected me a little bit because sometimes it makes me feel very out of place.” Barry said, often, culture is not stigmatized but fetishized. She said she has seen teachers talk about racism as a thing of the past, while ignoring modern microaggressions. “Sometimes they see other people as exotic,” she said. “It’s almost trendy, and if it’s being overly fetishized it’s almost like you don’t want to be a part of that (culture) anymore.”

“i’m __ but...” Take a look at important possible aspects of cultural detachment “I’m _____, but I’m bad at _____.” “I’m _____, but I’m mixed.”

“I was born in _____, but I was adopted.”

GRACE GUO!!GRAPHIC NPR!SOURCE

“I’m _____, but people say I’m white-washed.”

“I’m_____, but I’m whitepassing.”

“I’m from an immigrant family, but I’m third generation.”

“I’m_____, but can’t speak_____.”

Barry said she also hopes to see more discussion about cultural identity and race. “I think the majority of people feel uncomfortable talking about (racial identity) because it does bring up a lot of other topics that people just don’t want to talk about,” she said. “But it’s something we do need to talk about because these problems are affecting us in a really negative way, and we need to get past them so we can create a better community in our school.” Roberts-Leonard said CCS hasn’t addressed racial identity as much as she would like to, but progress is underway. “I can speak for Carmel Clay Schools in saying that CCS recognizes the need to do more work in this area, hence the creation of my position as well as committees at various levels throughout the district,” Roberts-Leonard said. “I work with individuals and groups on looking at ways they can make their school buildings more inclusive and welcoming to all,” she said. “For example, examining current policies, practices, and traditions to ensure they are inclusive and equitable. It is a big job and we are building a plan to be strategic in our approach. We have a strong focus right now on learning about the importance of inclusive environments and educating ourselves on the various cultures that we have throughout the district.” Both Barry and Arana Cervoni said they agree their culture and identity have not always been accepted by others. However, they said they refuse to let that stigma affect their behavior. Arana Cervoni said, “(People have) sometimes made me feel ashamed for being Puerto Rican, but it has truly shown me that people are going to stare no matter what. You are going to be judged by people for everything you do, so you may as well do whatever you want and be whoever you want to be. It has shown me that I should never be ashamed for being the ‘loud Latina.’” h

heritage: Freshman Paulina Arana Cervoni holds a Puerto Rican flag. Arana Cervoni said, in the past, she has been made to feel ashamed of her heritage, but she said she now feels proud to be Puerto Rican and to have the identity she does.

fasting from music: Sophomore Zara Niazi listens to music while working in the Carmel Cafe. Niazi said that during Ramadan, to practice her faith, she stops listening to music and fasts during daylight hours.

Running on Empty Muslim students, teacher speak out on impact of fasting during Ramadan DARIUSH KHURRAM STORY

very

year,

sophomore

Zara Niazi spends a month without eating or drinking every day from sunrise to sunset. She is one of many Muslim students at this school and around the world who participate in Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam. During Ramadan, which is in April this year, Muslims fast daily. Instead of eating, Muslims devote daylight hours to spiritual discipline. They spend time contemplating their relationship with Allah, which involves extra prayers, increased generosity and deep study of the Quran. But Ramadan significantly impacts the lives of Muslim students,

ROYCE BROWN PHOTOS

who juggle their religious practices with school and other activities. “School becomes harder,” Niazi said. “Because of the fact that I’m fasting and that I have to wake up before the sun rises, I am much more tired and usually weaker. The feeling of hunger definitely affects my focus and productivity, so it becomes difficult to continue to work well. Sometimes, it can take away from your motivation to study since you have so much less energy.” According to Monica Porter, a registered dietician for the CCS Wellness Center, this decline is due to a lack of nutrition. “If a teenager isn’t getting good nutrition, it can really affect how

by the numbers

20.7% of Muslims consider themselves more charitable during Ramadan

1.6 BILLION Muslims celebrate Ramadan STATISTA SOURCE

their body functions and their ability to concentrate on their studies,” she said. “If you’re not getting enough carbohydrates or you’re skipping meals, you run the risk of having things like low blood sugar, which can make you feel lightheaded and different things along those lines. They call it ‘brain fog,’ meaning you’re not thinking as clearly as you would if you were getting enough nutrition.” To deal with these effects, Porter said she recommended all students eat balanced meals and advised that half of one’s plate should be fruits and vegetables, a quarter should be grains and starches and a quarter should be proteins.

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For fasting students in particular, she also said they may want to eat larger portions before sunrise and after sunset to ensure the obtainment of enough calories because teenagers who are still growing need a lot more calories than a typical adult. Niazi said that the negative effects of fasting, however, diminish as the month progresses. “You have to adapt and get used to it. As the month goes on, you get better at managing the effects fasting has on your productivity,” she said. Math teacher Sara Atlihan, who is also a Muslim, shared this sentiment. Atlihan even said one’s productivity and focus can increase when fasting. “Even if it seems like your attention will drop,” she said, “it does not really drop as the month develops. With the end goal of personal improvement in mind, you can focus better…With the belief that you can overcome something, you will overcome it.” Senior Daniyal Sher, who also fasts during Ramadan, also said fasting can work to improve one’s behavior in school. “Fasting can definitely improve my attention,” he said. “Obviously, I’m hungry, but I’m able to focus on improving myself, and part of that, for me at least, is giving it my best, so when I’m in school, I’m always trying my hardest, trying to give my fullest attention and trying to do the right thing.” Along with perseverance, Atlihan, her and Niazi stressed the benefit of finding communal support. Niazi said, “My Muslim friends and I share how we’re doing with each other. That relatability definitely makes it easier to get through the month.” Beyond support within just the Muslim community, Atlihan also discussed the interaction of others. “I think others interact because they’re curious about Ramadan,” she said. “We are happy to share the month with them.” In regards to this relation, Sher said his non-Muslim friends are incredibly mindful and encouraging for him during the month.

“A lot of my friends are really considerate,” he said. “They’ll show their support and give me nice messages telling me how cool they think it is and motivating me. They’re overall really compassionate. For example, if they’re eating, they’ll try to put their food away when they’re in front of me and try to find activities that we can do that

28 Read a story about Islamophobia and the experiences of Muslim students

rama-dawn to dusk Check out the daily schedule of Ramadan, which starts on April 2 and ends on May 1 sting takes place aily fa from d e Th ise to sunset r n u s

Average sunrise: 7:04 AM

Average sunset: 8:25 PM

Dhuhur (noon prayer)

Asr (afternoon prayer)

Fajr (dawn prayer) Suhur: meal eaten before fasting

Maghrib (sunset prayer) Isha (nighttime prayer)

Iftar: meal that ends the daily fast

YICHEN LIU GRAPHIC TIMEANDDATE, BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY SOURCES save the date: Imaan Hassan (left) and Nawal Waseem (right), seniors and leaders of the Muslim Student Alliance, discuss future plans. Sophomore Zara Niazi, a Muslim student, said that during Ramadan, the Muslim community at CHS provides support.

don’t revolve around food to make it easier for me to fast.” However, Niazi said these interactions with non-Muslims can often be disheartening. “Sometimes other students can be ignorant,” she said. “They can ask really trivial questions, and I’d advise people to just do some basic research before asking any dumb questions.” Niazi and Atlihan said they request other students and staff members to be more mindful of fasting students. “Students might have sleepless nights; they might be tired and have a hard time focusing. Others should be mindful of it and help make sure they are not feeling extra stressed,” Atlihan said. Moreover, Niazi said she hopes to see future actions taken by the school to accommodate its Muslim student population. She said she believed policies such as offering a separate area where students who are participating in Ramadan can go during lunch can be helpful. “At the end of Ramadan,” she said, “we have a holiday, Eid, and we don’t get school off that day. I think it’s a little unfair that some other holidays get a day off, but for Eid, we still have to go to school, which can make it difficult for Muslims.” Overall, Atlihan said Ramadan is a month where she sees improvements in herself despite physical distress. “At the end of the month, there is a feeling that you’ve accomplished your goal,” she said. “With that end h goal in mind, it is worth it.”

MARCH 25, 2022

Sports Briefs DARSHINI SHANKAR BRIEFS

women’s lacrosse JV Gold vs. Zionsville march

7:30 PM Zionsville HS Zionsville, IN

slam dunk: Sam Orme, varsity basketball player and junior, jumps for a slam dunk during a home game against Noblesville. Read about how March Madness, a large-scale basketball tournament, influences Orme’s decisions about commitment to college basketball on page 49. LUKE MILLER PHOTO

baseball JV Blue vs. Westfield march

5:30 PM Grand Park Westfield, IN

Varsity vs. Zionsville march 6:00 PM Hartman Field Carmel, IN

final stretch: Senior Gillian Thompson hands the baton to junior Lenox LeSure as she starts running in the 4 by 100 meter relay of a track meet against Zionsville on March 15. DARSHINI SHANKAR PHOTO

Varsity vs. Hamilton Southeastern march

7:00 PM Murray Stadium Carmel, IN

women’s track & field Hamilton Southeastern march

5:30 PM Hamilton Southeastern Fishers, IN

Ben Davis & Pike april 5:30 PM Carmel HS Stadium Carmel, IN

men’s track & field North Central april 5:30 PM North Central HS Indianapolis, IN

Scan this to see the CHS athletics website with all sports scores and upcoming events

athlete spotlight

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Julia Dong Pole vaulter, junior steps into varsity, looks forward to track season SAUMYA SOMASI Q&A

What benefits are there to participating in pole vault?

ready, set, jump: Julia Dong, pole vaulter and junior, prepares to jump off the pole at practice. Dong said her goal for this track season is to qualify for state and that she wants to continue pole vault in college. CHENYAO LIU PHOTO

Pole vault is very fun. (It’s) good for strength training and exercise. Pole vault also, unlike other sports or running events that I have done like hurdles, doesn’t hurt my shins or knees as much which is probably why I enjoy it more than other events.

How does training for pole vault compare to running and gymnastics, other sports you have also participated in? Pole vault is really more like gymnastics than running track or cross country. For training, we focus a lot on strength and technique, which includes running, carrying, planting, and vaulting technique. Having a background in gymnastics definitely helped me a lot with getting into pole vault because I already had most of the core strength and movement awareness that you need to be successful in pole vault.

Why do you train at both UIndy and the CHS Stadium? Especially during preseason of track in January and February, sometimes early March, the weather can be pretty bad for vaulting. UIndy has a really nice indoor track that has two pole vault runways and pits which allows us to train even if the weather isn’t ideal.

Do you have plans to continue pole vault in college? Yes, but it depends on offers which depend on my stats for this track season. But I don’t think I will be dependent on pole vault for college entrance. I am currently leaning more towards getting into a school first and then seeing if I can pole vault there because I prioritize my education a lot especially since pole vault will likely be something that I will eventually have to stop doing either after high school or undergraduate college.

What is it like joining the varsity pole vaulting team this year as a junior in your second season? It is definitely a lot of pressure having to fill the shoes of three incredibly talented pole vaulters who graduated last year, but honestly I don’t think it has changed much of my training or my attitude in practice or at meets. For me, sometimes pole vault can be very mental(ly taxing) so it’s important that I keep a good head space while vaulting and don’t overthink or stress out about other things.

MARCH 25, 2022

MARCH Madness

speak-up!

Basketball players address impact of large-scale tournament on How does March Madness performance affect what colleges you training, college decisions look at when making college decisions?

LUKE MILLER SPEAK-UPS, PHOTOS

For me, it’s always been a dream to play in March Madness just because of all the great competition you see in the tournament. In March, everyone will be at their best and make games more competitive, causing major upsets. The better (the) teams do, the more interested I am in them, but it’s a matter of what teams are recruiting me too. Basketball player and junior Sam Orme

did you know? The Final Four tournaments of March Madness will take place on April 2 and 4 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans Louisiana, making this the sixth time this event has been hosted at the Superdome. CAESARS SUPERDOME SOURCE

in the zone: Charlie Williams, varsity baketball player and senior, has his eye on the net as he prepares to shoot for a basket. Williams said he looks at college athletes to adjust his training

risen in the ranks Take a look at top net rankings, conferences of D1 men’s college basketball teams participating in March Madness updates as of March 13 #1: Gonzaga Record: 26-3 West Coast Conference #1 Seed from West

#3: Houston Record: 29-5 American Athletic Conference #5 Seed from South DARSHINI SHANKAR GRAPHIC NCAA SOURCE

#4: Baylor Record: 26-6 Big 12 #1 Seed from East

#2: Arizona Record: 31-3 Pacific-12 #1 Seed from South

#5: Kentucky Record: 26-7 Southeast Conference #2 Seed from East

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speak-up! Do you ever look at collegiate athletes and college-level games to adjust your training? I would definitely say I look at college games and other athletes in college to improve my skills. For example, the shot clock is a huge factor from high school to college and the speed and size of the players, the ways I have to adjust is improving the quickness of my Basketball player release on my shot and overall and senior Peter Suder becoming faster and stronger. another one in the basket (above): Charlie Williams, varsity basketball player and junior, jumps to shoot a basket in a conference game against North Central. The varsity basketball team competed in conference games this year as a member of the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC).

jump shot (below): Peter Suder, varsity basketball player and senior, jumps to make a shot in a game against Westfield Suder said that the basketball team practices and plays like every game is the biggest one, so they are prepared when participating in larger tournaments.

starter up: The varsity men’s basketball team cheers for Peter Suder (center) as he is about to start for the Sectional Championship against Westfield on March 5.

How is training and the mentality going into tournaments and big games different from normal games?

The mentality is pretty much the same. For Carmel, we practice and play like every game is the biggest game. So when the tournament comes, it doesn’t really change that mentality.

Basketball player and senior Charlie Williams

Scan this to find current information about this year’s March Madness tournament, including who will be playing and where the games will take place .

MARCH 25, 2022

In Transition Students discuss role of gender identity in sports, coed teams ADDISON JOYCE, MAGGIE MEYER STORY

MONTH, INDIANA’S legislation passed House Bill 1041 and sent it to Governor Eric Holcomb’s desk for him to sign into law. (As of the March 21 press deadline, the bill has not been signed into law). The bill states that athletes must compete in sports that match their gender at birth, banning transgendered athletes from competing in sports that match their current gender identity. The bill has stirred much controversy. Athletics Director Jim Inskeep said the bill will impact the school‘s athletic teams and has sparked a lot of conversation. “As an IHSAA member school, we would follow the policy in place for student-athletes,” Inskeep said via email. “There is always the potential of legal filings from a number of parties that could impact the current policy or an amended policy based on HB 1041 passing.” At this school, Lisa Venckus, women’s track and field member, rugby player, and senior, said she believes transgender athletes should be AST

allowed to participate in sports that match their gender identity. “In my opinion (the bill) is discrimination against a group that is already vulnerable and has to face a lot of backlash from society for just being who they are. It places a detriment on their mental and physical health,” Venckus said. However, junior Allison “Allie” Wolf said she disagreed with this perspective and said there is no definite solution to this issue. “[Allowing transgendered athletes to participate in the sport they identify as] kind of puts other biological females at a disadvantage,” Wolf said. “They are competing against people who maybe have the biological advantage of being born male where they have higher muscle mass and different hormones.” Regarding that concern, Venckus said rules have already been put into place to ensure fairness. “As far as high school sports go, there is a lot of concern over competitive advantages, but IHSAA already has policies to make sure

olympian effort Take a look at guidelines transgender athletes like Laurel Hubbard, women’s weightlifter, had to follow to compete at Olympics The IOC has 10 principles that must be followed for trans athletes to compete - Inclusion - Prevention of harm - Non-discrimination - Evidence-based approach - Stakeholder-centered approach - Nopresumption of advantage - Fairness -Primacy of health and bodily autonomy - Right to privacy - Periodic Reviews

ALI PERSINGER GRAPHIC AP NEWS, IOC SOURCE

trying: Lisa Venckus (LEFT), women’s track and field member, rugby player and senior, runs from defenders during a match. Venckus said IHSAA has already instituted rules around hormone treatments for transgender athletes to ensure fairness in sports. LISA VENCKUS SUBMITTED PHOTO

Scan this to read about the NCAA’s new rules for transgender athletes, taking effect during winter championships

there is fair competition. As far as younger kids, girls should be allowed to play on a girls team. It is as simple as that,” Venckus said. The IHSAA policies Venckus mentioned exist across 16 states that allow participation within gender identification. They vary slightly by state, but most of the policies regard hormone therapy and transition, where athletes must be taking medically prescribed hormone treatment for a certain length of time and/or show evidence of no physiological advantages to other females. In Indiana, for transgender youth to compete on a high school team, IHSAA rules require they prove they have been living as the gender they identify with for at least a year. Additionally, according to the IHSAA, females must show evidence of surgical gender change in

pool politics Take a look at key events in current controversy surrounding transgender female swimmer Lia Thomas

MAY 2019 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SOURCE

NOV. 2021

Thomas begins taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to transition to female

Thomas begins swimming with the Pennsylvania women’s swim team, sparking controversy

MARCH 2022

Thomas wins the Division I national championship in the 500 meter freestyle

AUSTIN GUO GRAPHIC

Coed sports are better because they are not excluding anyone. Everyone has an opportunity to run and make friends. ERIC LI, UNIFIED TRACK MEMBER AND JUNIOR addition to hormone therapy, and cannot detransition and go back to participate in their birth-gender sports teams. Examples of this idea are shown outside of K-12 as well. Wolf mentioned University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who transitioned from male to female. “She’s just totally dominating other athletes and it’s really frustrating for those athletes because they’ve worked their whole life and they have no chance against this other girl,” Wolf said. Currently, the NCAA’s policy on gender identity in sports aligns with that of the Olympics, where athletes are allowed to compete so long as they show no evidence of physiological advantage. However, on a less competitive high school level, fewer regulations are needed. Unified sports, for example, are often coed and centered around inclusion and do not have as much emphasis on competing. Eric Li, Unified track member and junior, said coed sports offer opportunities for men and women that gender based sports do not. “Coed sports are better because they are not excluding anyone,” Li said. “Everyone has an opportunity

to run and make friends. In regular track the boys team is all boys and the girls team is all girls and they are excluding the other gender. In Unified track it is more comfortable because we are not excluding anyone and that is the best way to make friends and talk to others.” While this topic is controversial, both Wolf and Venckus said this issue is complex. I don’t know that I necessarily have a solution,” Wolf said. “You don’t want to ostracize those people and make them feel like they can’t compete or be athletes anymore, but having them compete and have that advantage is really unfair to other athletes.” Venckus said being a part of the CHS Democrat Club has allowed her to voice her opinions and concerns and take part in rallies. “We have definitely talked about it and there was a rally at the statehouse,’’ Venckus said. “We were able to go and support the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and fight against this bill. Me and one other member of Dems were able to go to the rally and hear people talk about the bill h and how it is affecting them.” on track: Lisa Venckus (LEFT), women’s track and field member and senior, runs during her race. Venckus said transgender athletes should be able to participate in the sport that matches their gender identity. DARSHINI SHANKAR PHOTO

MARCH 25, 2022

Women’s March While men’s March Madness is more widely recognized, women’s tournament is growing ALIVIA ROMANIUK COLUMN

ever, this trend has seen dramatic prominent and widely recdeclines in certain sports. The 2001 ognized tournaments in U.S. Open women’s final was a maAmerican sports, the men’s March jor turning point for women’s tennis. Madness tournament is happening The match was between Venus and now, with millions of fans tuning in Serena Williams — the first time the to see their favorite teams in action. pair ever played each other in a In 2021, CBS Sports reportmajor final. It was rescheded that the championship uled for prime time–an game between Baylor and anomaly at the time for Gonzaga averaged 16.9 women’s tennis, and million viewers. Addiwas watched by 23 tionally, 16.2 million million TV viewers, brackets were subaccording to the mitted to the ESPN Women’s Tennis 2021 Men’s TournaAssociation. ment Challenge. In addition, the Women’s March members of the Madness seldom U.S. women’s soctime to shine receives the same cer team recently level of attention. settled their equal The 2021 championship game pay lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer between Stanford and Arizona atFederation (USSF) for $24 million. tracted an average of 4 million The USSF also agreed to pay equal viewers on ESPN, less than a quarsalaries moving forward for the ter of the men’s audience. During men’s and women’s national teams, the 2021 tournament, a member according to ESPN. The lawsuit of the Oregon women’s basketball lasted several years and placed the team posted a TikTok that revealed spotlight on star players from the the differences between the men’s women’s team, including Megan and women’s weight rooms. The Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. video went viral and brought naThe Williams sisters and the tionwide awareness to the inequaliwomen’s national soccer team made ties between the two tournaments. groundbreaking advancements in Male athletes often enjoy the best women’s sports. The widespread of what sports have to offer, while recognition that these athletes refemale athletes compete in front of ceived allowed them to inspire fusmaller audiences and are featured ture generations of female athletes. less prominently in the press. HowWhile there is room to grow in Women’s March Madness, the tournament has already made leaps and bounds. The 2021 championship game was the most watched final Take a look at a photo essay since 2014, peaking at 5.9 million about the 2022 men’s March Madness Tournament’s effect viewers. In addition, ESPN reported on Carmel’s basketball team that the women’s tournament saw rguably one of the most

by the numbers

16.9 MILLION TV viewers of the 2021 men’s March Madness final

MILLION viewers of the 2021 women’s March Madness final STATISTA SOURCE

the most-viewed Final Four weekend since 2012, and the most-viewed Sweet Sixteen since 2013. Female athletes are used to being underrepresented in sports coverage. However, recent events have brought light to exceptional female athletes, fostering interest in their respective sports. As Women’s March Madness continues to grow, society should embrace and celebrate the star players that make up it’s core, giving them the recognih tion and credit they deserve. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Alivia Romaniuk at aromaniuk@hilite.org

the gap Take a look at viewership, revenue differences between genders in sports APC - Average Player Compensation VPG - Viewers Per Game

$8,321,937 APC 120,000 VPG $75,181 APC 22,000 VPG

$1,235,495 APC 869,000 VPG $48,993 APC 513,000 VPG

$335,946 APC 681,000 VPG

$283,635 APC 892,000 VPG ROHAN MAHESH GRAPHIC ADELPHI UNIVERSITY, ESPN SOURCE

HILITE.ORG

MIC Drop Q&A with Athletics Director Jim Inskeep about CHS leaving Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC), becoming independent school DARSHINI SHANKAR Q&A

AUSTIN GUO PHOTO

What does it mean for most sports now that CHS is an independent school? There’ll be a couple things that will change that our students and our parents and fans will notice kind of right away. Obviously, we will not be participating in a one day conference championship format. So that would be (for) cross-country, wrestling, swimming, tennis, track—those are some of the sports that would not have those one day events that they participated in the past. We’ll replace those with other high quality, elite opponent type invitationals that will seek out to find and in some of those cases, we may host our own on those dates.

When will CHS no longer be a part of MIC?

What opportunities and consequences arise from CHS being an independent school? Those are the big things and there’ll be some recognition that we will no longer have anymore, mostly being the all-conference selections in various sports too. So that will be that will be one of the negatives of it. But we’re trying to view this as an opportunity for us to continue to compete against other schools and sometimes just play some opponents that we haven’t been able to play because of our commitments in various sports to play each team in the MIC conference. mic out: The logo of the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) is displayed on the basketball court in the varsity gym. Carmel became an independent school after the Hoosier Crossroads Conference declined to allow it and Center Grove to join.

Scan this to read a story by the Indianapolis Star about Carmel becoming an independent school

Our end date with the MIC will be in March of this year. So at the end of the winter sports season, when (men’s) basketball ends, our affiliation with the MIC (ends) at that point. So that will begin with our spring sports. They will not be participating in any conference events with the MIC starting the spring of 2022.

Do you foresee CHS joining another conference or staying independent? We’re gonna ride being independent for the foreseeable future and see how that’s working for us. And at this point, we feel like we’re still going to be able to provide great opportunities for kids and experiences without being in a conference at this time. So there’s not going to be a jump to “Oh my gosh, we’ve got to be in a conference!” We got to figure that out. That’s not our focus at all right now.

15 minutes of fame

MARCH 25, 2022

Paw(some) Patrol Q&A with sophomore Abigail “Abby” Ingersoll on training, working with service dogs MICHELLE WAN Q&A

When did you start training service dogs? I believe in February of 2019, we started getting into it but, the summer before we started working with the puppies and not just the dogs.

Were there any obstacles along the way? I think there’s always obstacles as we get new dogs but once you get a hang of it, it is pretty smooth. I also think there’s always obstacles with public access animals because some people want to pet your dog which is not supposed to happen or just in general having to educate people what service dogs are doing and what you shouldn’t do around a service dog. And obviously, some dogs are better behaved than others.

ABBY INGERSOLL SUBMITTED PHOTOS

How exactly does the training process work? We do it through ICAN (Indiana Canine Assistant Network). We would get the dogs three weeks at a time because they’re trained in the prisons and we would just bring them out and socialize with them.

What inspired you to start training? I’ve also loved dogs and animals and so it’s always been a big interest. I am pretty involved in Best Buddies so seeing the effect of service dogs really inspires me to help (train) more dogs that help people.

Did you need to do any training before? salute to service: Sophomore Abby Ingersoll directs her attention to the service dog she trains. According to Ingersoll, “It is so fun to see what the service dogs go on to do after working with them.”

We went to an eight-week long class where we learned all of their cues and the right way to work with them. Every few weeks there’s an online meeting where we review and learn new things about how to work with the dogs.

HILITE.ORG

What would a normal day of training look like? It just depends on whatever you’re doing on that day. Sometimes we go out of the way to train them. With my last dog we went to the airport with him and we laid down and just let him watch all of the sounds and the people and it’s really good exposure. It’s not necessary to sit and shake whatever. It’s exposing them to things in public that your dog would live at home and wouldn’t see. We would go out of the way to go to places like the mall where there’s a lot of people or the parks with little kids and just have them sit there and watch and teach them how to control themselves in exciting situations.

puppy paradise: Sophomore Abby Ingersoll holds a puppy service dog in her lap. According to Ingersoll, “It’s important to expose them to situations outside that your dog wouldn’t be able to experience at home.”

ready for service Take a look at the process of training service dogs, certain requirements service dogs must meet, and unique purposes of service dogs

Years Service dogs do not have to be professionally trained, and any individual with a disability has the right to train the service dog themselves

Service dogs typically need to be trained for 1-2 years. Some of the best breeds of service dogs include: -Labradors -Golden Retrievers -German Shepherds -Poodles

Service dogs must be under the control of the handler, being harnessed, leashed or tethered. The handler must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal

Autism Service Dogs: Provide sense of predictability and comfort for people Diabetic Alert Dogs: Alert persons of deadly blood sugar highs and lows Guide Dogs: Help blind and low vision individuals navigate surroundings Hearing Dogs: Alert owner of particular pitches and direct them

NATHAN HUANG GRAPHIC ADA, AMERICAN KENNEL SOCIETY, UDS FOUNDATION SOURCES

charity champion Greg Gottlieb, CHS Champions Together member and senior, thanks his family during the 6th annual Mr. Carmel competition on March 11. The competition involved fifteen senior boys performing individual talents and a group dance. Gottlieb was named the 2022 Mr. Carmel by a panel of teachers from different CHS academic departments. The organization raised over $20,000 for Special Olympics Indiana. OLIVIA MCKEE PHOTO