Inklings October 2022

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Pathways to Your Success

THINK

Editor’s note

KIN[ ]L I N G S

1500 S. Main St. Crown Point, IN 46307 219-663-4885 ex. 11349 fax 219-662-5663 inklings@cps.k12.in.us online: www2.cps.k12.in.us/ inklings

Crown Point High School, IN

87 Issue 1- October 2022

Inklings is a student publication created by the news paper and advanced journalism students and electroni cally distributed to students, faculty and staff of Crown Point High School. Opinions do not necessarily reflect those of CPHS faculty, staff or administration.

Letters-to-the-editor are welcomed provided they are signed and submitted one week prior to publication and do not contain personal attacks. Inklings reserves the right to edit for space, clarity and legal and ethical concerns.

Advertising is subject to applicable rates available by contacting Inklings.

Inklings has been recognized as an Indiana High School Press Association Hoosier Star, National Scho lastic Press Association Pacemaker, Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown, and Quill and Scroll George H. Gallup publication.

advisor Jennifer Bianchi artist Hayden Coles

editors-in-chief Joshua Hedges Livy Helmuth

lead writers Ariel Moore Katie Mahle

sports writer Marley Huizenga

staff writers Deidre Allen Victoria Blachut Grace Cappas Molly Helsel Lauryn Hometorwu

support staff Emmy Wake Rylin Sherron

Oct. 31 Nov. 1 Nov. 9 Nov. 11 Nov. 24

Halloween Early Admissions E-Learning Day Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving

Halloween concludes the month of October. This year, the holiday’s date has landed on a Monday with a full week of school ahead.

Schools such as Purdue University, Indiana University and Butler University have their early action deadline on the first day of November.

Students will not have to attend school in person on this date. Instead, work for all classes will be completed from home online.

Also known as Armistice day, Veteran’s day honors the patronage of all United States veterans. This year, the holiday will be on a Friday.

A time to share and be grateful for what and who we have, this year’s Thanksgiving break will begin on Wednesday,

PATHWAY to UATIONGRAD

Students given diverse options to receive diplomas

BY VICTORIA BLACHUT [reporter]

LIVY HELMUTH [editor-in-chief]

MOLLY HELSEL [designer]

DEIDRE ALLEN [reporter]

The pathway to the perfect future a person truly desires is a long, winding road full of complicated twists and turns before the clearing full of opportunity finally appears. Many students, not just in Crown Point High School, struggle to make choices that will affect their future, afraid of the consequences that may befall them.

Preparing for college is heavily emphasized the minute a student enters high school, specifically what classes a student should take to progress toward their future plans. This is something that many students in any grade worry over, as they are unsure of how to approach this preparation when they are completely unaware of what they would like to do career wise.

Similar to the idea of a fish out of water, when faced with an unfamiliar environment, freshmen are susceptible to having a difficult time transitioning from the simpler life of middle school to the comparatively much more complex life of high school. This is where the idea of the graduation pathways comes into play at CPHS.

Graduation Pathways, a requirement made by the Indiana State Board of Education, are a way to expand options based on a student’s educational and career interests, allowing them to select multiple avenues toward graduation dependent upon their strengths.

“Before the class of 2023, you would take the ISTEP test to get a diploma,” Assistant Principal Lynn Alkire said. “And when you passed that ISTEP, you would get a diploma

and graduate. Now, they’ve pulled away the ISTEP as the requirement. Graduation pathways allow students to have a choice in proving that they’re ready beyond high school.”

Beginning with the class of 2023, students are required to earn a high school diploma, learn and demonstrate employability skills, and/or demonstrate postsecondary-readiness competencies.

Senior Amanda Lenting has been well-informed of this plan for a graduation pathway since she started high school.

”I heard about it freshman year from my guidance counselor,” Lenting said.

Unfortunately, many students are completely in the dark when it comes to Graduation Pathways. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors alike may be misinformed or uneducated as to what this entails.

“I heard about it at the end of my junior year,” senior Sam Nelson explained. “I heard one of my teachers talking about it.”

While many students in the upper class have not received as much information on these pathways, starting with the class of 2026, every student is now required to take a class in middle school introducing them to furthering their career path and aiding them with ways to propel themselves in their education.

“All eighth graders take Preparing for College and Careers,” Alkire said. “We go over to the middle schools and every department head explains what we have to offer and talks them through it.”

Students are presented with a new way of taking the proper steps to

graduation, being able to dictate what classes they will take and when they will take them to further themselves along their desired path. It also allows the students to gain insight on the working environment each field creates, and decide whether or not they would be able to handle the workload.

However, many students express concern as they are at a loss of what path they want to take after graduation, unsure of how to approach the rest of their high school careers.

“That’s where those big conversations with counselors happen,” Alkire said. “We were able to add to our counseling staff to make their caseloads smaller. Therefore, the fewer kids that they are responsible for, the better the conversations are between counselor, student and family.”

With how large Crown Point High School truly is in regards to not only the building itself but also the staff and variety of courses, a window of opportunity is opened for all students who want to go on very different paths.

“You know, we’re lucky here because we’re big,” Alkire said. “We have a huge teaching staff. So, we can offer a whole lot of things. We’re always looking to see what we can add.”

From multiple construction-based classes for those who plan to go into the trades to the diversity in the number of science classes for those who strive for medical-based fields, the high school makes it easier for students to find what direction they want to go in and fully prepare students for the future in their chosen direction.

“There is an opportunity within all of the courses that you can take in your

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time here to pick and choose a little bit,” Alkire said. “You can figure out what your strengths are when you’re a freshman or a sophomore and then focus and run with it.”

Before learning extends beyond the confines of high school, students must choose between a plethora of courses in order to determine their pathway. In recent years, more subjects have been implemented into CPHS’s course selection, as well as some alterations to pre-existing courses.

Choir teacher William Woods shares that a new graduation pathway centered around fine arts classes is in the works for upcoming years.

“One thing that we are starting to prepare is a fine arts and performing arts pathway,” Woods said. “Students who might want to go into music as a profession would then have a pathway they can use in high school, where they have to have so many credits of music and regular classes.”

On top of this new pathway, advanced fine arts classes may receive a weight similar to that of an honors or AP class, and an AP music theory course may become available to students as well. The potential for these changes to impact students’ decision to enroll in fine arts courses is evident according to Woods.

“Obviously, we are going to have a few students that choose to go into music performance, education or composition,” Woods said. “But, even for people who just want to make sure they are getting their arts credits, it opens pathways and opportunities and is hopefully something that they want to do and enjoy, even if it’s just for a year or two.”

Teacher Vince Lewis started

teaching sociology this school year, a subject he was passionate about in college.

“I fell in love with it,” Lewis said. “It was something that I identified with, something that I could come up with good examples for, and something I was able to wrap my head around. I found it super engaging and interesting.”

Sociology is a new class this school year, but this is not the first time the course has been available. Lewis shares that teacher Michael Bazin formerly taught sociology, and that he also aspired to teach the subject early on. “Bazin taught it before and only had one section of it as I do now,” Lewis said. “He knew that I wanted to teach it, so we would laugh about

“There’s so many parts to it that no matter who the student, they can find something to re late to. It opens their mind to a different idea of a career path if they already had an idea of what they wanted to do.”

- marine science teacher Ashley Cosme

it. I was kind of jealous of all of the projects and everything that they got to do there.”

Sociology is still growing compared to Lewis’s other subjects, such as AP Human Geography and AP Microeconomics, yet he believes that sociology still has just as much prevalence in student’s everyday lives.

“The theories and concepts that we study in the class are evolving and are demonstrated on a daily basis,” Lewis said. “Sociology helps you become a

better people person, and it helps you navigate through the social challenges you face everyday.”

Similar to Lewis, teacher Ashley Cosme recently began teaching a newer science course, Marine Sciences. Cosme enjoys teaching a class similar to her other courses.

“In both Marine Sciences and Biomedical Sciences, students are learning how to use professional equipment,” Cosme said. “It’s very similar to Biomedical Science, as we also use medical equipment that is hospital grade in the classroom.”

Not only does Cosme like teaching the subject itself, but she also likes teaching students about the real life applications of Marine Sciences.

“What I love about marine science is that it’s so real world based,” Cosme said. “Things that we do in Crown Point can have a global effect, and most people don’t realize that. That’s something that I constantly stress in my classroom, that little things we put into our waterways here can eventually end up in the Gulf of Mexico if they enter the Mississippi River.”

Marine Sciences has a growing enrollment rate, as more students are taking interest in the subject’s global impact.

“There’s a draw to it because there’s no other course like it besides Environmental Sciences,” Cosme said. “When kids come in here on their first day of school, they have the impression that they want to do something like being a dolphin trainer. Then, they learn about so many aspects of marine sciences and discover that it’s not just about animals in the ocean. There’s water chemistry and physical aspects of the ocean, such as waves,

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currents and topography.”

“There are so many parts to it that no matter who the student is, they can find something to relate to. It opens their mind to a different idea of a career path if they already had an idea of what they wanted to do.”

Business Pathway

“The skills that I learn in class would be more practical in some fields rather than others. In terms of the field that I’m considering, which is in IT, I think that knowing a computer language is definitely important.”

- senior Hayden Metzcus

Culinary Art Pathway

“When I grow up, I was thinking that I’d like to become a pastry chef and I feel like these classes that I’m taking will help me somewhat with that.”

- sophomore Adeliz Bean

Construction Pathway

“It’s educating me for future jobs.”

Bio-Medical Pathway

“I’m not going to be taking normal classes. I’m going to do the “Project Lead the Way” classes so it’ll help me more in the future. That’s why I’m taking more advanced classes and sciences.”

Mass Media Pathway

“It’s given me a lot of useful skills to use throughout life, especially in terms of communicating. You should hone it in, so you can get better and then eventually start asking for things you want instead of just asking for it to be given to you.”

- senior Elisha Lane

Teaching Education Pathway

“I have always loved to work with kids and teach others new things. Also, I really want to go to school to become a Latin or English teacher when I graduate.”

- senior Anna Suppes

- freshman Simrah Khan

- junior Wyatt Eaton

PEOPLE on the PATHWAY

Yearbook Digital Media Pathway

“It definitely affects me in the future because I am planning on going into journalism in college, and I am planning on hopefully owning a media publishing company. Doing yearbook has helped me realize that I want to pursue this career.”

Engineering Pathway

“It’s very beneficial to get into a very good engineering career since I can make a lot of money and then you can live your own life instead of living a kind of poor life and just passing by.”

- junior Elijah Serratos

Precision Machining Pathway

“I hope that I can take this as my main career for life. Maybe to help open a business on the side if I end up getting enough money through working at a machine shop to buy my own machines.”

Digital Design Pathway

Automotive Pathway

“It’ll help me be able to fix my car and change my oil, which I think is the biggest tool I’ll need in my future. It would also help because I am going to join the military and would help me get in while also getting a better job.”

- junior Rylin Sherron

- sophomore Tyler Falaschetti

- freshman Kate Karamacoski

“I think that it’ll help me get job opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to get without it and help me to travel more.”

- sophomore Richard Garcia

BY LIVY HELMUTH [editor-in-chief]

When most people visualize horror, whether it be in the form of horror movies, films, books or any other medium, they see it as something too terrifying to even think about or as something too ridiculous to be taken seriously. In all fairness, there are thousands of horror related media that are unnecessarily terrifying or overly ridiculous, but that shouldn’t discourage people from ever enjoying horror as a genre. Just like any other genre, horror has its good films and also has its, unfortunately, not-so-good films.

For the longest time, I abstained from watching or reading anything horror related because I let my own fear get the best of me. It wasn’t until one of my friends convinced me to watch the movie “Us” directed by Jordan Peele that I finally understood why she liked the genre. I hated the initial feeling of dread before each jumpscare, but I quickly realized that the moment of release, the moment that everything I feared became true, was one of the most exhilarating feelings I’ve ever experienced.

When I tell people that horror is my favorite genre, their response is typically something along the lines of, “you don’t strike me as THAT kind of person,” and I’m left wondering what kind of person they think THAT must be. Horror is often misconceived as something created for dillusional people, but in reality, horror is something created for regular, run of the mill people looking for a healthy adrenaline rush. A story without any shocking, nerve-inducing moments is unexciting and boring, as there is no suspense or rising action driving the plot forward. Of course, there are other genres that also create suspense, but none can reach the same magnitude as horror.

Going into the story, you as a reader have no idea if the ending is going to be a happy resolution where the day is saved, an emotional conclusion where most of the cast dies or a jaw dropping twist that challenges everything you thought you knew. It’s a thrilling feeling unique to the genre, and it depresses me that most people choose not to give it a chance out of fear or unreasonable hatred.

Should the Crown Point Square be more accessible by foot?

BY JOSHUA HEDGES [assistant editor]

As the center of Crown Point, the square is often a traffic heavy area that fails to even be a destination on its own. With cars coming to and from I-65, Main St. and 109th Ave., it is hard to even cross the street. It becomes even more trivial when it leads to situations where pedestrians are signaled to cross but are still flanked by on-coming traffic.

This is problematic for cars, too. Patrons parking by a store or restaurant can find difficulties pulling back into traffic, and their fumbling in doing so further congests it. The route leading to the square accentuates this problem as cars funnel on to these broader, faster roads which builds up traffic that spills onto neighboring roads.

I fear we may lose the unique scenery of events that have been held in the square. Just like with Time Square, we can reaffirm the square as a plaza for the people and not the car.

BY GRACE CAPPAS [reporter]

Imagine you’re going to the Square, but you have to park outside of it because it is fully a walking space. The same Square that has been part of our town’s community for over one hundred years and has not changed since. It’s not just a space, it’s a staple where members of a community can feel whole and together.

Making the Square fully walkable can be extremely dysfunctional to people with disabilities and could potentially slowor even back up traffic. Most of the time, there’s not enough space to park, so what good would it do to get rid of what little we have?

Having that much space might also bring up alternative problems like riots, rowdy protests or even fights.

In the end, making the Square’s streets a walkable space is a bad idea because it’s incredibly inconvenient and could have multiple problematic outcomes.

IN THEIR VIEW

“I’ve been around the Square since I was young and it’s kind of dangerous. It would be a very cool spot just to go and hang out and not have to worry about getting hit by a car or anything like that.

“I don’t think it’s prac tical. I drive through the square to get pretty much anywhere from where I live, so it would be difficult for me to find new routes for everything.”

Walkable Square is inconsiderate of disabilities, leads to community issues

Walkable Square is more convenient, preserves unique scenery

Pro: Con:

Column

Horror as a genre is wildly misrepresented in the media, is consequently misunderstood

CARTOON BY JOSHUA HEDGES

Editorial

Re-adapting to an entirely normal year comes with a social learning curve for everybody involved

For the first time in nearly three years, we begin a school year without mandatory precautions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, many are still dealing with the virus’ longterm impacts, but our greater knowledge and understanding of how to treat and prevent the spread of COVID-19 has brought our schools, businesses and healthcare facilities closer to the way they were before.

However, since many have become comfortable with staying inside and staying away from others, this transition may be jarring and unsettling. It is reasonable to believe that this discomfort not only stems from uncertainty of safety, but also from our forgetfulness of how to socialize and behave in public.

Often, you see people struggling with this transition at food or customer service places. Our fixedness to technology has allowed us to treat these employees as inhuman, becoming furious at the slightest inconveniences and taking that anger out on those least deserving of it. Those who haven’t been in a public theater since 2019 have forgotten the rudeness of disrupting a show or film because, for the last three years, they’ve only had to focus on themselves. Volunteer based organizations are suffering from a lack of people willing to work for a greater cause.

People are struggling now more than ever to make connections with strangers, since everyone

has been isolated for so long. Without having to interact with new people, we’ve begun to prioritize our own personal wants over the needs of others. The toxic “us vs them” mentality has become more prevalent in these times.

It is painfully ironic how, in an age where we can instantly communicate with each other through technology, we have become more separated than ever before. It is almost as if people have become uncomfortable with the idea of having a community to talk and listen to and would rather have any medium they can find to make their own individual voice heard. If our society continues to progress this way, we will only grow more divisive and alone than we ever were during quarantine.

With that being said, there is still hope to bring our social etiquette back to how it was. As time goes by, fewer people will berate store managers about insignificant issues, fewer people will talk over movies in public theaters and fewer people will be apathetic towards volunteer work.

It is naive to think that we can fully bring our world back to the way it was before immediately. That is why this process is the learning curve that it is. To accomplish this, we must begin to step out of our comfort zones one foot at a time. We must be more patient and understanding with those who are also struggling with this change. And we must begin to preach togetherness and unity again, now that it is safer to do so.

Column

BY JOSHUA HEDGES [editor-in-chief]

Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a decline for many department stores and entertainment centers.

Movie theaters in particular are yet to have much of a resurgence as not just customers but also blockbuster films are skipping the big screen in favor of the many streaming services springing up causing many theaters to shut down or not provide the newest movies. This leaves many with the suboptimal experience of cropped and/or stretched movies that may not provide the intended experience or even leave out information crucial to the show. Virtual reality (VR) solves all of these problems at a small cost that can even outdo the local movie theater.

Unless you spend thousands to create an at-home theater, the television can not replicate the atmosphere of an actual theater room, but in the virtual world, space is infinite and immersion is definite. With goggles that blow the screen up around one’s entire vision, VR is able to visually put you in the theaters with a screen that fits any ratio. This is especially enabling if you are looking to view an IMAX movie since not all theaters can display them. Plus, this is your theater, so no phones, no people and no light ruining your viewing.

What’s the cost? If you have a phone, not much. Phone VR headsets only cost around $30 for a decent headset. Popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube also have a wide selection of VR movies to choose from making VR movies readily available to those who already subscribe to these services.

The capabilities of VR prove it to be an equal, if not better, solution to the disappearance of local theaters. It solves the problem of the different aspect ratios and outside disturbances found in both theaters and at home. With many options being portable, you can take your theater anywhere, sitting up or laying down, and with most having a phone and streaming service already, it is a small price to pay for the best viewing experience.

VR has potential to be future of home movie theaters

CARTOON BY LIVY HELMUTH

“what time is it?”

“thisistakingforever” *baby cries* “didyougetthe popcorn?”

“i’d like to speak with the owner of this establishment”

*flash photo*

SPEAK UP - sophomore Hope Castro

What color best suits you and why?

freshman Addison O’Conner - junior Nessa O’Lena

“Purple because it’s a nice color to me”

“Red or black because it draws my attention and I’ve always liked those colors.”

“Red because it symbolizes passion and I overall love the vibrance of the color itself and the many things it can symbolize.”

- senior Sam Swaminathan

“Blue because it represents loyalty. The color has a soothing and relaxing effect and also isn’t too in your face.”

A New Perspective

Teachers new and old share their experiences at Crown Point

BY GRACE CAPPAS [reporter]

KATIE MAHLE [reporter]

Ever since Crown Point High School was founded, it’s been a community full of people from every angle of life. Kids come to school to learn from their teachers, but some of those teachers have their own stories too. Whether it’s a lifelong passion for teaching or taking a chance, our teachers all have their own reasons for being here.

Some featured teachers have been here since they left high school, and some are just entering secondary education for the first time.

“I taught here when I was in college, and I had a really good experience. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this school, so I wanted to be part of that,” English and Debate teacher Micheal Buck, who has been teaching for seven years overall, said.

As for other teachers, the school and the community has become more than just that– it’s become a home.

“My wife and I wanted our kids to have the similar experience that my wife did of going to the

same school their whole life. We both went to high school in Crown Point, and I thought it would be a great job to work at Crown Point,” Math teacher Keith Iddings, who has been working here for 31 years, said.

There are many things that set our new and old teachers apart, but many that bring them together, too. Each teacher that has worked at CPHS for 20 plus years said that Crown Point has become like a second home to them.

“My family is here. My husband is here and so is my family, so this is home,” English teacher Dana Zurbriggen, who has been working at CPHS for 29 years, said.

New teachers from around the county who are just entering are excited to join our Crown Point family. Our new 2D and AP Art History teacher Jamie Ortiz originally came from Laporte Middle School, where she taught for seven years. So although she is not new to teaching, she’s new to the area and has some first year jitters.

“I’m not so much nervous about it, more like

excited about it because I’ve heard such good things about the school district and kids,” Ortiz said.

Karen Cox, on the other hand, has been working in the art department at Crown Point for 45 continuous years. Cox mentioned that she believed this job was fate. When she was taking a year off after majoring in art and getting her degree, Crown Point High School called with a job offer. She decided to take the interview and she’s worked here ever since.

There are so many classes to take at Crown Point, which means a lot of teachers to teach them. Our school alone has 132, and 15 of those teachers are brand new this year.

Teachers who have been here for over 20 years have their own purpose and reasons to stay, and we hope those new teachers find their purpose and reason too.

“I do think it’s an excellent school. We do a pretty good job here, and I enjoy all the students and all the people I’ve worked with,” Algebra and Geometry teacher Bruce Sharp said.

Bruce Sharp Math Karen Cox Art

Michael David Math Dana Zurbriggen English

Keith Iddings Math

Ryan Cramer

Learners

Don Baron Social Studies

Felicia Dieguez English

Jamie Ortiz Art

Brianey Valsi Exceptional Learners

Aaron Zemelko Fine Art

Doug Sowash

Technology

Jillian Ryan English

Michael Buck English

Laura Renicker Exceptional Learners

Nicholas Lewandowski Math

Courtney Kresteski Math

Anna Kaniewski Math

Dominic Peretin

Studies

Sara Endris

Siblings

in

School

Students share experiences attending CPHS with relatives

BY LIVY HELMUTH [co-editor-in-chief] KATIE MAHLE [reporter]

School provides students with the opportunity to create friendships with new people and to strengthen bonds. When siblings attend the same school, their individualities and similarities become more defined.

With a large number of siblings in one household, freshman Sage Dorsey and seniors Sean Dorsey and Shane Dorsey often get recognized by their teachers.

“There are ten kids in our family. Sean was born fifth, I was born sixth and Sage was born seventh,” Shane said.

“It’s always a good reaction when teachers find out we are related. They’ll say that they’ve had our older sister or brother and that they were pretty good,” Shane said.

For sophomore Lauren Matthews and her twin sister sophomore Sophia Matthews, their parents used different colors in order to differentiate who was who when they were little.

“Sophia’s color has always been pink, but mine changed all the time,” Lauren said. “I loved red because it made me feel cool. Then, I changed to blue for a while. And then, I finally landed on purple, which was my original color.”

“It’s pretty nice. I know I have at least two people I can rely on both to lean on and have my back.”

- sophomore Aidan Gubbins

With twins, envy may occur more often than with other siblings. Lauren

and Sophia are a part of the CPHS golf team, and Lauren feels the pressure of competing alongside her sister.

“I’ve been jealous sometimes, only because I’m very competitive,” Sophia said. “When I see that she’s doing better than me, it makes me jealous and makes me want to do better.”

Despite their competitive nature, Lauren and Sophia don’t mind sharing special moments with each other.

“Sometimes I thought that having my own birthday would be cool, then I realized that being a twin was cooler, so I shut that idea down,” Lauren said.

Siblings may have rivalries from time to time, but sophomore Aidan Gubbins enjoys getting to attend high school with his twin brother sophomore Liam Gubbins and his older sister senior Nori Gubbins.

“It’s pretty nice. I know I have at least two people I can rely on both to lean on and have my back,” Aidan said. “Although we don’t interact necessarily that much within the school day, knowing that they are there causes great comfort.”

Similar to the Matthews twins, the Gubbins participate in the same extracurricular activities.

“All three of us are in choir, and we used to do track. But my brothers have a lot more similar interests than I do,” Nori said. “It’s pretty normal to not have a sibling in high school, until you have a class with them. Then, it’s weird.”

The Gubbins twins often look to Nori when deciding what activities they will take an interest in moving forward.

“Whatever Nori does, I just start preparing for because I’m most likely going to do it next year,” Liam said.

The Dorsey family is united through Student Council, succeeding in the club on their own terms.

kind of just there for support,” Sage said.

Transitioning from middle to high school can be stressful for incoming freshmen. Sage has gratitude for her older brothers’ assistance.

“It’s nice because when I first got here, I didn’t know where anything was, but they did,” Sage said. “It would be more awkward to ask other people where to go, and I might not have gotten to my classes as quickly.”

Fraternal, or not identical, twins are not always immediately recognizable to teachers and peers, Liam and Aidan explained.

“I share a few teachers with Liam, yet they have not made the connection that we are brothers. I find it oddly funny to see how long it takes for them to figure it out,” Aidan said.

“It’s always a good reaction when teachers find out we are related. They’ll say that they’ve had our older sister or brother and that they were pretty good.”

- senior Shane Dorsey

Some siblings are surprised by the fact that they have classes together, like Lauren and Sophia.

“We do golf together, and we have English together this year, which is kind of crazy because we haven’t been in a class together since fifth grade,” Lauren said.

With siblings, things can be rocky, but in the long run, siblings can be a great way to gain support.

MARIANNE GERONA

“Sean and Shane are very involved in the Student Council, but for me, I’m

“After school, we do swim practice together and that’s where the majority of our ‘sibling bonding’ takes place,” Aidan said. “It’s really our chance to tell each other about our days. Overall, having siblings going to high school with me is a great pleasure, and it has made my high school experience so much better.”

Seniors Shane Dorsey and Sean Dorsey visit Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago. The Dorsey siblings all participate in Student Council, whose fundraisers support Lurie’s Children’s Hospital.

PHOTO

Sophomore Aidan Gubbins, senior Nori Gubbins and sophomore Liam Gubbins attend their choir concert. The Gubbins siblings are all involved in both choir and swim.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NORI GUBBINS

BRINGING

MAGIC

CENTER STAGE

BY LAUREN HOMETORWU [reporter] ARIEL MOORE [reporter]

Theatre can be a magical experience for both those who enjoy watching the performances and those who put in a great deal of effort to create something for audiences alike to enjoy. It can seem intimidating for some to get into the theatre, however.

The first time senior McKinley Cowser was able to be a part of a true theatre production was in her 7th grade year, when she played the substitute Fairy Godmother. Cowser is preparing for her role as Xavia Jones, where she acts as the mother of Megan Jones.

“We’ve just been kind of playing back and forth, like a mom and daughter thing. We’re also reviewing lines and thinking about different deliveries. I’m just getting to know my cast members better, and I am developing better relationships so that we can be authentic,” Cowser said.

Connecting with the cast and crew is essential in creating the necessary mood to display the essence of the show according to junior Ethan Ogrentz.

“We’re working on getting together socially,” Ogrentz said. “We have a big group chat we use, and it’s really good to have a very close, tight-knit group. I’ve just wanted to prepare a good atmosphere for the entire thing.”

Through the years, theatre has been an experience memorable for both cast and crew. However, a lot goes into productions, and transforming into a character can be challenging in certain cases.

“As I started gaining my confidence, it started to become easier to perform things,” McKinley said. “At times, it was hard to act how I was supposed to be acting, but I got used to it and got accustomed to performing and being characters.”

Finding the grit and motivation to continue working through a rough spot can be taxing, but Ogrentz maintains an optimistic outlook.

“Yes, it happens a lot, and it’s a tough feeling to get over when you’re in that slump of wondering if you are doing this well enough,” Ogrentz said.

you are doing is good for you and that you are good at it. I think that’s a good mentality to have, even if you are in that slump.”

There’s a great deal of insight that goes into casting characters. Director Jerome Flewelling details the audition process leading up to the final decision.

“We look at how well the student acted during the cold read, which is where they come in and they have not seen the script at all. If they do well and we feel like they could fit into a specific character, then they get a call back. We start looking at this script to see who fits well in what role and to see actor dynamics,” Flewelling said.

Outside of those performing on stage are those behind the scenes. There is an extensive crew that helps to create sets, costumes and lighting that further the experience. The construction crew actively works to create sets in order to create immersive experiences all viewers can enjoy.

“Mr. McBride creates a blueprint and we start from the foundation and build up. He tells us what to do and how to build everything and then we put it together,” junior Austin Shofner said.

The construction crew spends the upcoming Saturdays before the play’s premiere creating sets and props. Shofner is excited to witness the pay off of the crew’s work.

“We’re going to create a lot of cool props and a lot of cool lighting and sound,” Shofner said.

PHOTO BY LAUREN HOMETORWU

“There will be times when you just know that what

“My favorite part is when the paint crew comes in

Sophomore Rylee Sites casts a spell at a cast member. “Puffs” is a play about a magical school in England.

and paints it what we’ve built. It’s just cool to see everything put together.”

The paint crew works with the construction crew to create the final look for sets. The paint crew adds the final touch to bring out the essence of the props, all while following a rubric.

“There is a set palette most of the time. When you buy a licensed theatrical production, there are usually outlines for what things are supposed to look like,” junior Hannah Knight said. “You can’t stray from the original production that much. Most sets look very similar from production to production, and the way you do it has to have the same feeling.”

Everyone pours their heart and their soul into everything that we do. With that emotion and hard work, we become like family. Theater for me has always felt like home, and the arts specifically have always felt like that to me, too.

- junior Hannah Knight

Producing a play requires a well functioning team to actively work together to create and bring life to the sets in the performances. Part of working together as a team is helping each other when in need.

“It can be difficult for the less experienced people in the paint crew, but there are always people that would be willing to help you with a certain style, or work with you to make sure you get it. And if you can’t do a certain thing there’s more than likely people that can and know how to do it better if you need that,” Knight said.

The varying crews work together to make sure the magic and wonder of the play are successfully portrayed through the different visuals. The light and sound crew focuses on utilizing their equipment to create the appropriate atmosphere for scenes.

“The most simple light is an ellipsoid and that’s just a technical term, you have to put a gel so that it changes color. Then there are LEDs which you

can change via programming. They can become any color that you want, and those just have to be aimed correctly so that they’re taking up the entire stage. There are ILs which are probably the coolest light ILs are super heavy, around 75 pounds, and they move while we are performing. I can program them so that they have different shutters and colors,” senior Erin Doyle said.

The creation of costume designs and makeup also goes into the production of plays. Designs that connect with viewers help relate the sometimes magical and outlandish stories to the real experiences of viewers.

“The Puffs characters are not in the movies, so those are completely new characters, and it takes place in the ‘90s. So all the clothing design is ‘90s-inspired teen fashion from the early ‘90s. So I use films like ‘Clueless’ and ‘Fresh Prince of BelAir’ for inspiration. I’ve also used Steve Urkel from ‘Family Matters’ as inspiration and a TV show called ‘Clarissa Explains It All,’” costume director Leslie Bonner said.

This year will be Bonner’s first year ever as a costume director, and she is prepared to take on the position.

“When I took my courses at Purdue, I didn’t have any courses related to costume design. But I had previous knowledge on how to sew and how to put together clothing in a design sort of way. So, I felt prepared,” Bonner said.

The costumes are being created using a variety of methods. Currently, costumes are being created using commercial patterns and fabric that have been donated to the theatre department.

“With the costume design, I draw up an idea based on some images to give me inspiration, and then I determine if I need to make them from scratch, if I can reuse a costume or if I can purchase an item premade,” Bonner said.

This is a learning experience for Bonner and her crew. However, they work to make sure everything will be fit for the show.

“At first, I was nervous,” Bonner said. “I wasn’t so certain about doing this. I’m getting my master’s right now, and I teach four different classes. I also run two different clubs. Now that I’m into it and I know more about what it is, I’m excited. I had no idea what fun this was going to be until I actually started doing this.”

Theatre can be a magical experience for all, however for the people involved with the creation of such plays it can be more than what’s shown on the surface.

“I spend so much time with these people that some of them have become like family,” Knight said. “Theatre has always been about the family aspect for me. The bonding comes from everyone being a part of this production and from theatre being something that we all love so much. Everyone pours their heart and their soul into everything that we do. With that emotion and hard work, we become like family. Theatre for me has always felt like home, and the arts specifically have always felt like that to me, too. It’s where I found my place at CPHS.”

Senior Livy Helmuth and junior Ethan Ogrentz review blocking for a scene. Helmuth plays the character Megan Jones and Ogrentz plays the character Oliver Rivers. PHOTO BY ARIEL MOORE

Freshman Cesar Querimit adjusts lights on the catwalk. Querimit is a member of the light and sound crew.

PHOTO BY ARIEL MOORE

Freshman Cesar Querimit adjusts lights on the catwalk. Querimit is a member of the light and sound crew.

Freshman Cesar Querimit adjusts lights on the catwalk. Querimit is a member of the light and sound crew.

Construction Commotion

Renovations and additions made to building

BY ARIEL MOORE [reporter]

Since winter 2021, construction has been non-stop. Stairwells closed, hallways shut down and parking lots so full it’s sometimes hard to find a spot to park at the school. Many people have been affected in numerous ways these past few years.

There have been many concerns with the new additions and how the school year will be impacted. With so much going on, it can seem intimidating.

“The nice thing is that everything that is being built has been a new addition. There’s been no real renovations to the current infrastructure. Everything that is being added is something new, so nothing is compromised as far as our current structure. However, we do take precautions when they’re working,” Principal Russ Marcinek said.

The school takes many precautions to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable. There is no need for concern about the safety of the school.

“When they were lifting steel up over the building and into the courtyard, they could only do that after school hours, just in case a piece of steel fell off the crane and onto the roof,” Marcinek said.

With safety being taken into consideration there are still minor inconveniences that students have to deal with in their day-to-day lives.

“The noise is annoying and distracting. Sometimes you can feel the construction. It’s so loud,” sophomore Kane Sarna said.

There have been many opinions, questions and

annoyances that the school community has had since the start of the construction, and there are a few different perspectives on the situation.

Not much inside of the school has been directly impacted by the construction. However, there have been some adjustments.

“The area so far that has been most affected is by far our industrial tech area because there’s no direct hallway to get to our auto, machine shop, or our robotics room. Students have to change their route in order to get to those classes, but that’s about it. So far the impact on instruction or classes has been very minimal,” Marcinek said.

There’s been efforts to make sure that everyone involved is getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.

“We’re all experiencing the same thing with the construction, so I feel like it’s going to be interesting to see when it’s all said and done, despite the minor disturbances,” Marcinek said.

Russ Marcinek

“I feel like it gives our students an opportunity to see what construction workers do and give them the opportunity to see how our school is going to evolve into something bigger and more modern.”

National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to our 2023 CPHS National Merit Semifinalists

On September 14, officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of over 16,000 Semifinalists in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Adam Fucela Andrew Goldthorpe Brynne Noordermeer Lucas Johnson

Currently involved in Business Professionals of America and tutoring after school. After high school, Adam would like to pursue a career in chemistry.

Currently involved in Speech & Debate, Academic Super Bowl and Windfall. After high school, Andrew plans to pursue studies in physics and political science.

Currently involved in Marching Band and Latin Club. After high school, Brynne would like to pursue a career in nursing, specifically NICU nursing.

Sending Sunshine Club

Seniors Cami Badali and Lydia Bir found The Sending Sunshine Club last fall through social media, and they thought it would be fun to shine a positive light on local community service activities.

They applied to start a charter at CPHS, asked social studies teacher Mary Lux to sponsor them, and got approval from Assistant Principal Vince Bauters. One of their primary activities is making cards for senior citizens in local care facilities.

Members meet in Mrs. Lux’s room one Thursday every month, but students can also work on their own. Each card is worth 30 minutes of community service.

“Sending Sunshine means a lot to us because we feel it is a great way to reach out to people in our community and brighten their day, especially because we know some people in those facilities may not have many people coming to visit them,” Badali said.

Currently involved in Science Olympiad, Orchestra and Latin Club. After high school, Lucas would like to pursue a career in chemistry or molecular biology.

Seniors Cami Badali and Lydia Bir started a CPHS Chapter of Sending Sunshine Club with sponsor Mary Lux. Kiley Cholewa and Kendall Finley help create cards.

Sisters Madison, Hannah and Kailey March create cards to send to local care facilities. The Sending Sunshine organization originated in Canada.

Underdogs

to Undefeated

The Bulldogs Dominate the DAC

BY MARLEY HUIZENGA

The Crown Point Bulldogs have had an astounding start to the 2022 season. Behind seasoned coach Craig Buzea, the Bulldogs have jumped out to a dominant 7-0 start giving them the best record in the DAC. This is Buzea’s second year at CPHS.

This is in stark contrast to what the Bulldogs mustered up last year, finishing with a .500 record and winning only five games last year. To start this season off right, the Bulldogs hosted the Lowell Red Devils and blew them off the field behind two touchdowns and 111 yards from Eli Tiawhan and a stout defensive performance to retain the “Old Leather Helmet.”

The Bulldogs carried their momentum into the second week squaring off against Andrean and the Fighting 59ers, when CP won 28-12, keeping the undefeated streak rolling.

“When you haven’t lost any games, you have to be happy. Yet, we still have things we can improve on, and we’re going to continue to work on those things,” Coach Buzea said.

Heading into week three, the Bulldogs were looking to pull out a statement win against the Merrillville Pirates, who have been dominant in recent years against Crown Point. Going into the Merrillville home stadium on their senior night, the Bulldogs outlasted the Pirates 48-40 in an offensive clinic with both teams scoring nearly at will all game. But the CP defense held tough and won the game.

“I sensed doubt in our guys’ minds after last season, but we put in the work, and I’m starting to see a confidence build in our team that wasn’t there

PHOTO BY EMMY WAKE

prior,” Coach Buzea said.

Back home for the fourth week, the Bulldogs were set to host the Lake Central Indians on senior night, and they did not disappoint. Crown Point jumped to an early lead and never looked back taking the win 35-10 and creating a near unkillable momentum going into their week five match versus the Portage Indians. The Indians never stood a chance from the start of the game with the CP offense and defense firing on all cylinders leading to a 42-7 trouncing.

Commenting on the culture of this year’s team, Coach Buzea said, “I sense a lot more confidence in our guys now that we’re winning. They aren’t afraid to take the field and feel they can be successful regardless of the opponent.”

The featured running back, #5 Eli Tiawhan, was slashing through defenses going into week 3 vs Merrillville when he sustained a lower body injury on a late hit. He has yet to be back through week 5.

Tommy Guadagno picked up the slack when Tiawhan went down. Guadagno invites the contact and runs through the defender when he gets the ball. The Crown Point rushing attack strategy is still going strong and is a testamony to the depth Crown Point has on the field.

Senior Cody Fischl, CP’s five star kicker, commented on how the coaching staff has been able to help him further his football career. “The coaches send me all of the game film and allow me to create my own highlight reels and show the coaches what I feel they should be shown. They also take the time to send my reel to colleges. Our coaches help me get my name out there and improve my standing in the eyes of these universities.”

“We have a saying in our program to be where your feet are. Wherever our feet are is what we focus on. There’s no time to take a breath right now and the moment we do that is the moment we slip up,” Coach Buzea said.

The Bulldogs take the field before the homecoming football game. They were victorious over the Portage Indians with a final score of 42-7.

Sophomore Larry Ellison carries the ball during their first game of the season against Lowell. The Bulldogs were triumphant and beat the Red Devils 42-0.

PHOTO BY EMMY WAKE

Senior JJ Johnson looks to pass to a teammate during their game against Lowell. Johnson is the quarterback for the Bulldogs.

PHOTO BY EMMY WAKE

Sophomore Tommy Guadagno begins a play during the game against Lake Central. The Bulldogs beat the Indians 35-10.

PHOTO BY EMMY WAKE

PHOTO BY IZZY VALENZUELA

Game. Set. Match.

BY MARLEY HUIZENGA

The boys tennis team has moved up the ranks in 2022. They won triple the games they lost at 12-4 and are ranked 2nd in the DAC. They also won their sectionals match before their season ended with a 5-0 loss to Munster in Semi-Finals of Regionals.

“We feel that we had an amazing season and that we got a great draw in the tournament with a first round bye. Our guys have had an excellent season and have improved to even better places from last year,” Coach Dominic Peretin said.

Not only were they dominant record wise, but also on the scoreboard, winning 11 out of 12 games with a score of 5-0, meaning they swept the board and won every match. The Dogs were a little short staffed, having five of their seven varsity starters graduating after last season, but younger players stepped up and filled the role. Current senior Holden

Striking like Lightning

BY MARLEY HUIZENGA

Adversity is no match for the Bulldog volleyball team. With many of their starters last year being seniors, there was a huge roster turnover, which opened opportunities for younger players to showcase their skills.

Head coach Alison Duncan said their culture hasn’t faded as they continue to reach high standards.

“Our culture has always been about getting better regardless of the experience level. A lot of our younger athletes have stepped up and filled the holes we had after seven seniors graduated,” Duncan said.

There are plenty of athletes on the team having stellar seasons. Elle Schara has been killing the game this season leading the bulldogs in 5 out of the 10 categories. While this alone is unusual, that’s not to mention the fact that she’s only a freshman this season.

“I was shocked when I learned I had the opportunity [to be on varsity], so I made the most of it,” Schara said.

This has been a pivotal season for Schara while Seniors Gabi Lilovich and Vanessa Del Real have been putting together impressive seasons as well.

Lilovich is always consistent, leading the team in hit percentage as well as assists, having nearly double second place’s number. Del Real has been a wall on the defensive end, leading the team in digs by a large margin as well as being top three in receptions. She is also second in aces on the squad.

Foremost, Coach Duncan spoke of the leadership of her seniors Mary Marcinek and Vanessa Del Real, who are frequently commended for their ability to lead the younger athletes.

Paskis received high praise for not only a great season, but his abilities as the team captain to lead the squad to the season they had.

“It was really hard at first to bring everyone together. We had a lot of people leaving varsity that graduated last year, so it was hard getting everyone used to being on varsity and getting everyone experience, but I think I did a decent job [as captain],” Paskis said.

Paskis was accompanied by senior Chris Gloff and senior Dylan Skura, who lead the team as the three seniors on the playoff rosters.

Freshman Elle Schara serves the ball during their first home tournament.

Senior Chris Gloff and Senior Dylan Skura celebrate their win over Hanover 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

PHOTO BY EMMY WAKE

Senior Holden Paskis returns a ball during a sectionals match against Hanover. CP won sectionals and went on to play Munster in regionals.

PHOTO BY EMMY WAKE

Junior Gabi Lilovich serves in a game against Valpo. They won 3-2.

PHOTO BY VIVIAN KEENE

“I’ve looked up to the seniors ever since middle school. Being able to setp up and be the person they can look up to now is special,” Marcinek said.

Fall Sports Gallery

Morgan Babbitt (9) livens up the crowd during a football game.

by: Danica Bryant

MaryClare McConnell (11) passes the ball to her teammate.

by: Emilee Lucht

Cody Fischel (12) kicks off to restart a football game.

by: Emilee Lucht

Emma Kulak (11) tees off at the start of her golf tournament.

by: Makenna Carmichael

Holden Paskis (12) hits the ball during a match.Photo

Wake

Will Mouser (11) races to the finish line of his home cross country meet.

by: Emmy Wake

Senior Dimitri Josifoski shoots a goal in a recent soccer game.

by: Emmy Wake

Sophomore Briana DeJesus sets the ball. Photo by: Vivian Keene

Senior Helena Grafton and Junior Reilly Lustina compete in a cross country meet.

by: Hayden Kay

Freshman Kendall Fedak jumps on the sidelines at a football game. Photo by: Emilee Lucht

Sophomore Ryann Adzia (10) and Ava Haluska (10) protect the ball against their opponent.

by: Isabella Robles

Cody Turner (12) and Jake Baumann (9) race against Lake Central in a cross country meet. Photo by: Hayden Kay

BY GRACE CAPPAS [reporter]

Recently publicized in the media, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is a story based off of a book and made into a movie, taking place in the late ‘50s through ‘60s. It follows Kya Clark (Daisy Edgar Jones), better known as “Marsh Girl,” as she navigates her way through a childhood of abandonment, living alone in the marshes. Eventually, two men become entranced with her–Tate (Taylor John Smith), and Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). The love story takes a dark twist as it becomes a murder mystery when Chase winds up dead– and all eyes turn to Kya.

Having read the book and watched the movie, I feel that the story itself is somewhat of a love poem to nature as a whole. The author, Delia Owens, uses many forms of writing and even uses nature as a tie to Kya’s feelings and mental processes, and Kya’s story seems to be a tribute to the fact that at the end of the day, you can persist. The

story has many twists and turns and runs a chill down your spine towards the end, but overall, I recommend it due to the fact that not only does it entertain, but it touches the hearts of the reader/watcher on a deeper level.

That being said, I will admit I prefer the book to the movie, because

you get a more thorough look into all of the characters’ souls, and are able to analyze them a little more. I feel that the movie stayed on a somewhat shallow level when it comes to character development. There were also critical details in the book that improved the story which were left out in the movie.

Moreover, Jones’s acting was beautiful, and she was able to bring Kya off of the pages and give the character an accurate visual and emotional representation for watchers (though I’m not sure if I can say the same for some other actors).

I believe that with this story, Owens has made more than just a book– she has made a gateway into another world, and she has created a character that is not so much a character as much as a mirror, because pieces of Kya can be found in all of us. Overall, the story is beautiful, the book was better, and I give it four out of five stars.

“Room of Swords” masterfully blends science fiction, romance and drama

BY ARIEL MOORE [reporter]

“Room of Swords” is a webcomic that is centered around the main character Gyrus who wakes up in an unknown area, and he has to collect 12 swords in order to escape. This may seem like a generic plot line that doesn’t have much depth to it, however this is an absolute masterpiece that is filled with a great amount of foreshadowing and build up. This leads to immaculate twists and turns that completely flows with the course of the story.

The mystery element of Room of Swords is also a great aspect of the comic. As a reader, you have no idea what is going on and why Gyrus is trapped in this unknown location. Throughout the story, we learn the secrets of the world, meet other characters who are in similar yet different situations and face off against unexpected foes. This can be a rather suspenseful story that has continuous situations that leave you on the edge of your seat, however there are plenty of sweeter moments to enjoy as well.

We find out the backstories of the cast and each background is so uniquely specific to each character. In the comic, the characters come from different backgrounds, countries, and even different periods in history which is reflected their personalities and abilities. There’s a character from the ‘60s and she is a hippie that can create illusions using smoke and a

character from Ancient Egypt that can foresee the future which involves the mythical beliefs of the time.

Despite being a Sci-fi comic, it has a generous amount of cute, romantic, fluffy moments that aren’t too overbearing, nor lackluster. Romance isn’t normally my cup of tea, however this comic does a great job of balancing out the action, mystery, drama, along with the romantic developments of the main character and his love interest. There is also a beautiful balance between all of the relationships, platonic and otherwise. Each relationship gets attention and development without fail. Everything blends together so nicely, and although it can get slightly repetitive, it is still a great read.

Best of the B TE S

BY JOSHUA HEDGES [editor-in-chief]

Best App

Spaceteam is a team based game that requires players to communicate various commands that can only be done by another player in a given time. Up to four players can join a game.

Best Follow

Wavetro is a youtuber who makes original comedy skits using the 3D animation software Blender. The videos often put characters in ridiculous yet relatable situations.

Best School Lunch

Coming alongside the classic beans and rice, chicken enchilada dish is the peak of school lunches. It always has just enough sauce and a nice layer of cheddar cheese on top of it. I only wished they served it more often.

“Where the Crawdads Sing” film retells timeless story, does not reach same depth as novel

IN Review

BY ARIEL MOORE [reporter]

“The Shining” is viewed as one of the greatest horror movies despite not having traditional horror aspects to it. Many horror films use jumpscares and creepy clowns, but “The Shining” doesn’t use those common tropes. It utilizes subtle disturbances in the background, and the verbage to drive discomfort into the soul. The way the colors pop against the stark white background in certain scenes put utter discomfort into my very being and completely unsettled me.

“It’s the Great Pumkin, Charlie Brown” shares the childish magic of Halloween

BY JOSHUA HEDGES [editor-in-chief]

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a joyful tale about Linus’s persistent belief in the Great Pumpkin, who gives toys to all the good boys and girls. If you have seen other Peanuts films, you can probably guess how it ends, but that does not take away from the tropes these characters bring to spooky night. As a whole, the show is a classic Peanuts film that shares the youthful reminiscence of Halloween.

PLAYING FAVORITES

BY LAURYN HOMETORWU [reporter]

“Stranger Things” is a new age spin on the ‘80s, shining light on the highlights and trends. Set in Hawkins, Indiana, it’s a show based upon a group of friends finding a mysterious young girl wandering in the forest. After a series of dangerous and trivial challenges, the group manages to pull through and make it through three more seasons. The group of friends include Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and finally Will (Noah Schnapp).

Throughout the whole show we see accurate depictions for the time period. In the newest season we especially see more pop culture references of the ‘80s – ‘90s including “Running up That Hill” by Kate Bush, “Pass The Dutchie” by Musical Youth, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by Clash, Dungeons and Dragons, Slang and terminology. Technology was also very accurate by including things like walkie-talkies, walkmans and motor vehicles that are time-period specific.

With great shows, comes the controversial topic of age restrictions. “Stranger Things” is rated TV-14 as of now, but opinions differ on what’s appropriate. Some might say that it’s not low

enough, but I disagree. “Stranger Things” is highly inappropriate for most younger viewers. They touch on very heavy topics such as drug usage, murder, and inhumane scientific testing.

While the show has great writing, acting, and plot, I feel it might be a little over hyped. With some fans taking their love for the show to the extreme, “Stranger Things” is a very good show that has many episodes you can binge. But what makes it better than every other science fiction horror? Most of what people talk about are the characters and don’t really watch it for the plot.

Since season 4 came out May 27, 2022, everything you hear is about Eddie Munson. His character is heavily trending on social media as a bad boy with a soft side who plays the guitar with long, curly brown hair. He was introduced midway through the pilot episode “Chapter One: The Hellfire Club.” Many people only watched it just for him.

Fans are now more anxious about the return of season 5, with season 4 ending on a very exciting cliffhanger. Many questions flow through my mind wondering what will happen next and who will be the next foe. Will they be able to defeat the enemy and save the world? Will their luck finally run out?

Only the writers will know till then. We’ll just have to wait.

All Things Fall Books

From the pumpkin flavored things, to the spices, the apple orchards, sweaters, and colors, I love it all so much. Just being in fall makes me happier. The weather is perfect, and it adds a certain bliss to everything you do.

Books are one of my favorite things ever right now. I love reading, and I feel like it’s such a good way to destress and get immersed in your own little world. I love the concept of being able to fully be involved in a life that is not your own.

WE’RE SO OVER Cancel Culture

While I understand that it’s sometimes deserved, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I think they should just keep them to themselves. I feel like it’s wrong and sometimes hurtful to ruin people’s reputations over one thing they’ve done – right or wrong.

Mullets

I’m so over the mullets. They are so unattractive in every aspect. I don’t really understand how or why men continue to get them. They just remind me of a horse. Please, for the sake of us all, do not get one.

“Stranger Things” season 4 accurately depicts ‘80s and ‘90s style

“The Shining” presents a new spin on horror, unsettling without jumpscares

cornerbaking

Apple Cider Cupcakes

recipe by Tasty Team

BY LIVY HELMUTH [editor-in-chief]

When baking fall treats, I often fall (pun intended) into a rut of only creating pumpkin flavored goods.

Sure, pumpkin is an exceptional flavor, but I was looking for something classic, yet not overdone. That’s how I came across this wonderful recipe for apple cider cupcakes. Just the name itself is enough to make me salivate out of pure want.

Not only were the cupcakes easy to create, but they filled my entire house with the pleasant fragrance of cinnamon, sugar and apple.

Too often I find myself questioning why these warm, homey flavors are overlooked throughout most of the year. The inviting tastes of fall are a staple part of what makes the season so magical.

Delightful flavors of apple and cinnamon give autumnal feeling Ingredients (cupcakes)

A dozen of apple cider cupcakes, topped with cinnamon look ready to eat. The frosting was applied using a tipped piping bag to create a swirl.

PHOTO BY LIVY HELMUTH

Recipe Step-By-Step

Line cupcake tin with paper liners, fill each cup 2/3 full with batter

for 20 minutes, let cool

Cream butter and cream cheese for 5 minutes

Add powdered sugar in 3 to 4 additions

Add cinnamon, cider and vanilla, mix

Pipe frosting onto cupcakes, top with sprinkle of cinnamon

LimitedEdition Items

Nutty Pumpkin Iced Coffee

The Nutty Pumpkin Iced Coffee from Dunkin was very underwhelming. The flavor was just not present. There was not enough taste from the pumkin or sugar. It was very watered down.

Before trying the coffee I was extremly excited to try it, but all you could taste was cream, water and coffee. Overall, I give this coffee a 4/10. Hopefully next year they will have a flavorfull pumkin drink that coffee lovers all around will love.

Blood Orange Refresher

First taste of this drink I was immediately shocked. The refresher has so much flavor. It’s citrus, and you can taste exactly what it is meant to be. It is just like eating the real thing, so obviously if you are not a fan of citrus it may not be for you. I love all things citrusy and fruity, so it was the ideal drink for me as a fruit lover. I really liked this drink for the most part, but it did have some off-putting after taste. Overall, I give this drink a 7/10, and I hope next fall Dunkin will bring back a similar drink. Only they will know, so we will just have to wait.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is just right for coffee lovers. It’s sweet and creamy, and the new brown sugar cold foam taste amazing. This delight has so many fall flavors all in one drink, and every taste shines. I rate this drink an 8/10. I really enjoyed almost everything about it. I hope Dunkin realizes the high demand and satisfaction for this product and makes this drink available year round.

Goods on the Go

Seasonal items offered by different corporations

Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Pumpkin Donut Pumpkin Muffin

Queen

Dunkin Donuts

BY KATIE MAHLE [reporter]

Everyone has the thing they can’t live without. For seniors Mason Alm and Mason Grossman, they find importance and meaning through skatebording. Alm and Grossman crossed paths for the first time at Solon Robinson Elementary School.

Masons take flight in skater community

As their friendship grew, so did they, finding new interests along the way. When they were 12, the boys would find their friends going to the Crown Point skatepark, and naturally they wanted to join in.

“My favorite trick to do is actually the trick I broke my leg on. It’s called a frontside ollie. I love it so much because it is a constant battle to get the perfect one.”

“I asked my dad if he would get me a

- senior Mason Alm

scooter, and he just looked at me like I was crazy, and he said, ‘No, I’ll get you a skateboard though,’ Single greatest

parenting move ever,” Alm said.

That was when the two got their first real boards, and it all started from there. Skating around six hours a day, maybe even more, Alm and Grossman finally realized how skating was going to be a big part of their lives.

“I knew how much I loved it, so I knew I could take it far. I could’ve never expected how it was going to change my life though,” Grossman said.

Jeff Zielinski was one of the first real skaters the Masons saw in person. Seeing him was the real start of their skate journey, gaining a mentor and a great friend.

“Skating was rarely forced for the Masons and for this reason skating remained an ever evolving experiment they would feed with every moment of time they could dedicate,” Zielinski said.

It wasn’t until 2016 that the Masons started to

really get involved. They would go to watch other skaters compete, watching their runs in awe and taking mental notes on the next trick they were determined to learn.

These two boys went from skating in local competitions to skating in competitions like Florida’s “Grind for Life” or Woodwards Hot Wheels Jr. Series. Creating lifelong memories, doing their best, and sometimes even winning.

“If you ever go to a skate contest, guys will be skating against each other for thousands of dollars, and yet each and every one of them are cheering for each other and wants to see each other land their run,” Alm said.

“It’s like a second family, you know that no matter what they have your back, and I could not ask for a more amazing group of people,” Grossman said.

Their first competition was at the Schererville skatepark. Originally they went to watch the other skaters compete but decided to enter the rookie circuit. In the competition, Alm got second and Grossman got third.

As they started to get more serious about skating they would save up for a camp out in Centre County

was injury. Both Alm and Grossman endured an injury involving their legs. Grossman tore his ACL on his left leg, leading to him needing surgery.

“When I got the news my ACL was torn, I was heartbroken,” Grossman said.

Alm broke both his tibia and fibula in his right ankle. Alm has since recovered and is slowly getting back into the groove of skateboarding, training himself to do his favorite tricks again.

“Mentally being injured was tremendously more painful than physically,” Alm said. “I would try and imagine myself doing the trick I broke my leg on, and I couldn't. It would always end with me breaking my leg again,” continued Alm.

Luckily, he broke through his pain two weeks ago by performing the same trick he injured himself on and has since found a new favorite trick to land.

These boys have found not just a hobby but a second family in one of the most misjudged communities.

“People think it’s just a bunch of burnouts who smoke all day, and want nothing but bad news. In reality it is actually an incredibly loving and accepting community with little to no negativity,” Grossman said.

- senior Mason Grossman

Pennsylvania called Woodward. It is a camp where skaters around the United States come together for a few days out of the year to skate, learn new things, and create new friendships.

“One of my favorite memories is going to Camp Woodward with Mason (Alm) for the first time,” Grossman said.

As they came from the bottom-up with skating they have taken those skills they’ve learned and applied them to real-life situations. Currently both Mason Grossman and Mason Alm are in flight school, preparing to be pilots in their near future.

“Skating has enabled me to break down my fears and improve as a person. I just started flying airplanes,” Alm said. “And I just soloed for the first time the other day. As you can imagine, that is a very scary thing, but I was able to use those same skills to break that fear,” Alm said.

The one thing skating couldn’t prepare them for

Grossman and Alm have been dedicated since the beginning, and throughout the six years they’ve been skating they have gained knowledge, friendships, and life lessons that will always stick with them. And just like Zielinski they’re teaching kids of all ages around the county including Griffith, Crown Point, and Valparaiso. Grossman and Alm are slowly changing the outlook on skating two Masons at a time.

“When we build big houses, we use small bricks. This means, building something large and bigger than yourself. You can only do so by working within your current limitations. Bricks fit in your hand. You can move them, and you can place them, and over time your work will take shape and become recognizable with thoughtful persistence,” Zielinski said.

“My favorite trick of all time is a backside air.”

STUDENT

SPOTLIGHT

Lexie Peterson Senior

Q: What is a song that describes you as a person?

A: I would choose ‘Part of Me’ by Katy Perry. As a kid I grew up listening to her and the way she shows who she is, is really inspiring, especially as a kid growing up.

Q: What job would you do if money didn’t matter?

A: I would be an artist. I think being creative is a strong suit for me and a good way to express myself and represent others who feel the same way.

Q: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

A: I would live somewhere warm, maybe an island. Warmer weather makes me so much more motivated to do work and be creative.

Q: If you could live in any time period, when would you live?

A: I would like to grow up in the 80’s. This is because I love alternative fashion and music that came through that time period. I also love the themes of peace and new aging media.

Q: Who is your role model and why?

A: My role model is various different Renaissance artists. This is because the art work is so intricate and has so much meaning behind all of the work. This was one of the only ways to express in this time, so emotions shown through art is so important.

What Do You

THINK ?

“Probably the 2000s because there wasn’t too much technology. So you can still watch tv and do stuff, but it wasn’t as advanced as it is now.”

senior Sam Goin

“Probably the 2000s because it’s like just enough technology and not technology that does everything for us.”

sophomore Anthony Rinehart

“I’d live in the ‘90s because they had better music, clothes, and stuff like that. Also, there were no phones.”

sophomore Michael Diesem

“The ‘80s because there was less technology and more being outdoors.”

sophomore Owen Serrano

“I think it would be really cool to live in the ‘80s because I feel like a lot of technology was starting to improve then. You’re going from a more simple to a complex life, and I think that’s really cool.”

senior Pacey Nack

If you could live in any decade, what would it be?