Inklings april 2014

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Crown Point High School 1500 S. Main St.

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April 25, 2014 Vol. 78 Issue 8

Crown Point, IN 46307

inklings@cps.k12.in.us

Champions Together plays first soccer game Read about the partnership’s other events on page 2

IN? Staying

Photo BY DIONNA CASILLAS

Alumnus Nicole Wernes shares her personal experiences with the consequences of drinking and driving with the senior class last Wednesday.

Safety reminder sent to students pre-prom SHANNON ROSTIN

managing editor

Students have heard the message over and over- risk taking behaviors such as being under the influence, have negative, potentially life threatening consequences. After hearing this so many times, it may become easy for some to disregard this information. However, these measures are taken for good reason- to cause students to think before putting themselves into harmful situations.

With prom approaching this weekend, in addition to the end of the school year and graduation, problems such as underage drinking become even more of a concern. There is much reason for celebration and many see drug use and underage drinking as part of their rights of passage.

“It’s a danger and a concern year round, but it particularly comes into play during this time frame because the weathers starting to break, it’s the end of the school year, summers coming and because of prom and graduation parties and all those types of things,” assistant principal Robert McDermott said.

Being aware of the risks associated with being under the influence is essential for making an informed decision.

“When you’re informed on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, it’s for your own benefit. You’re going to make poor decisions, that’s part of being a human, but there’s making poor choices and then there’s making life altering choices,” Resource Officer Ryan Olson said.

One safety measure the state has implemented is the Indiana Life Line, a law passed to protect the caller from charges such as underage drinking. It allows immunity from charges associate with minors partaking in drinking, if they make the call to 911 to report someone in need of medical attention as a result of a situation involving alcohol. This came as a result of See Safety on page 3

DYLAN TAYLOR

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editor-in-chief

asual lunch table discussions about future plans can often lead to announcements of ambitions to move to places such as California, Colorado, New York or a European country after college. While this may often sound like wishful thinking, studies have shown that fewer and fewer people are planning to stay in the Lake County area.

In 2013, Lake County experienced the steepest population decline in the state, losing 1,662 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics as analyzed by the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. The population drop, which consisted of a net outflow of 2,840 residents, was partially offset by 1,375 births in the county. Since 2010, Lake County has lost an average of about 1,500 residents a year. As state demographer Matt Kinghorn told

58%

Dance, Dance, Dance Student Council hosts third annual Dance Marathon

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the Times of Northwest Indiana, Lake County’s influx of residents is no longer offsetting the natural population losses of residents going to college, taking jobs elsewhere or leaving for warmer climates.

In addition to the statistical losses, many students have voiced their resistance to living in the region as adults.

Junior Leah Griffith cites her desire to leave the area to her dissatisfaction with the northwest Indiana climate.

“I wouldn’t want to live here as an adult. It’s just boring here. I’d much rather live by water, maybe down south in a warmer climate,” Griffith said.

Senior Steve Bazin attributes his desire to move out of Lake County to the lack of career-specific opportunities in the area and a desire to explore other parts of the country.

“I want to really go out, experience the world, see things outside of where I was born,” Stratton said. “I’d move wherever I’m hired, but really I want to See Indiana on page 2

Reasons students want to leave

of students like currently living in northwest Indiana

Career Family

75%

Political Climate Other

of students do not intend to live in IN in their adult life

Reasons students want to stay

15%

70%

38% 38% 9%

9%

5%

7.5%

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*178 students polled

Feature

News

As population rates in NWI decline, youth consider future living plans

A&E

License & Registration Speeding not only road offense to be wary of pages

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Across the Board Games to keep players far from bored

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news april 25, 2014

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intheknow

PHOTO BY SUSAN REED

Junior Grant Rachford is inducted into National Honor Society.

New members welcomed into National Honor Society 121 students were inducted into the National Honor Society, an organization that recognizes excellence in scholarship, character, service and leadership, on Thursday, April 17. To be considered as a member, students must maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.5 and actively participate in the betterment of both the school and community. Applicants are evaluated on their earned grades, past leadership positions, volunteer services and membership in extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports. Ten new members will be chosen as student directors to assist sponsor Amanda Campos in documenting the required 20 service hours and three volunteer events of each member throughout the 2014-2015 school year.

Brigham named Indiana Academic All-Star Senior Renee Brigham was recognized during the ISAP Indiana Academic All-Star Awards Ceremony April 16 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. A selection committee chose students based on a mathematical formula which combines SAT/ACT composite scores as well as GPAs for seven semesters. This committee also looks at the students’ extracurricular activities related to academics, student leadership, and community service involvement.

“It was a real honor to be inducted and to be recognized with other students throughout the state.” Brigham said.

Indiana continued from page 1 explore and try to make my way outside of where I grew up.”

Junior Dane Radoja, however, sees Lake County, specifically Crown Point, as a perfect place to live after college due to its convenient location.

“I really like the environment and location (of Crown Point). It’s not too congested, as if you were living in downtown Chicago, but it’s very close to (the city) as well. It’s a nice mix,” Radoja said.

Still, like Bazin and many other teens,

PHOTO BY SUSAN REED Organized by sophomore Jenna McCarroll, members of the girls soccer teams came together to host a soccer game for students with special needs at The Dome. “It felt fulfilling to see the smiles on their faces and hear their laughs when they kicked the soccer ball,” McCarroll said.

Student athletes organize inclusive event

BY DYLAN TAYLOR

On April 12 at the The Dome in Crown Point, athletics and community service were united. A soccer day designed for special needs students was held, entirely operated and organized by Crown Point student athletes.

The soccer day was the second in a series of events organized by students in the Athletic Council for the Champions Together initiative, the first being a basketball tournament for students with special needs the month prior. The Athletic Council’s goal with this initiative is to devote a composite total of 80 hours of community service from its members to volunteerism related to special needs programs.

“Champions Together is an initiative started by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), and it’s a partnership between this IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana. In that partnership, the IHSAA is trying to provide opportunities for students with special needs in an athletic context,” Athletic Director Bill Dorulla said.

Junior Jenna McCarroll, a member of the Athletic Council, envisioned and organized the soccer event to contribute her share to the Champions Together initiative.

“Athletic Council was challenged to include the special needs students in our own sport. I was really inspired, so I thought that a day of soccer would be a great thing to do with them,” McCarroll said. “It was definitely a lot of work. There was a lot to organize, but it was definitely worth it, and I believe that the kids had a great time.”

McCarroll did most of the leg work for the event, from promoting it to enlisting the help of her teammates.

“I made all the flyers and made all of the permission slips as well. We distributed the flyers to the high school, middle and grade schools,” McCarroll said. “The high school soccer players were happy to help on the (soccer day).”

The entire event was funded by donation, from The Dome rental to the flyer printing, which was paid for by the school.

The school also donated soccer supplies for the event. The soccer players that helped

throughout the day provided a full soccer clinic for the students, involving skill training and a competition. “(The soccer team helpers) took the kids through basic soccer drills, had them practice on shooting at the goal and a smallsided scrimmage game,” McCarroll said.

Upon the day of the event, any of McCarroll’s nervousness subsided. She plans to reorganize it next year.

“We hope to do this annually,” McCarroll said. “The special needs parents were ecstatic and really enjoyed this athletic outlet for their children.”

Altogether, McCarroll was deeply satisfied by the outcome of the soccer day and the Champions Together initiative as a whole.

“It felt fulfilling to see the smiles on their faces and hear their laughs when they kicked the soccer ball,” McCarroll said. “It not only made them smile, but it made all of us (soccer players) smile. Champions Together is an amazing program to be a part of and I hope that other sports can include these special needs students.”

Radoja wants to explore other areas after college and is unsure if he will ultimately end up in Lake County. “(Whether I) actually end up here after college depends, honestly. It depends on where I meet my wife, it depends what she’s doing, and I might want to try to move to Chicago someday. I do really like it here though,” Radoja said.

Bazin believes that the population decline and the problem of college graduates born in the county leaving the area may be curved by improving the infrastructure and government of the county.

“If the political climate, economy and housing market improved, maybe more people would want to live here rather than move to Chicago or somewhere else,” Bazin said.

Despite any issues, many residents, like math teacher Stephen Gill, are enthusiastic about living in Lake County and optimistic about the future of the Crown Point area.

“There are lots of opportunities here; (Crown Point) is really a growing place, everything about it. We live in the Crown Point district, which is a growing educational district the way we’re headed, and I

like that too,” Gill said. “I taught in Ohio for my first two years as a teacher, and when I lost my job out there we were looking at where we wanted to move back in, and our house was specifically bought in Crown Point so our kids could have access to Crown Point schools.”

Gill’s primary reasoning for staying in the area, however, is his family.

“Most of my family is here. I’m the youngest of 12, and 10 of us are still in the Region, so family is a primary reason of concern, but also, I just happen to like what we have going here,” Gill said.

editor-in-chief

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Roots and Wings Banquet - 1p.m.

Held in the CPHS cafeteria Spring Sing - All choir classes

Senior Scholarship Awards Night- 6:30 p.m.

Spring Sports Awards Program - 2 p.m.

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news april 25, 2014

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Dancing days are here again

BY BEN JASEK reporter

The competition between students and teachers was heated, but the games ended with a final tie of 5-5. The annual Student--Teacher Olympics were held in the school gym to raise money for the Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids (NICK) Foundation on Wednesday, April 16. Participants competed in events such as volleyball, basketball, extreme badminton, hoola hooping and pie eating. The event was organized by Interact Club sponsor Brooke Yeager and LEAD Council sponsor Russ Marcinek. Over $600 was successfully raised for the NICK Foundation.

At Dance Marathon, “dancing all night long” takes on a slightly more literal bent.

Student Council will be hosting the second annual Dance Marathon on May 2 at the Fieldhouse. Proceeds from the event will support Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

“Every year, it has gotten bigger and bigger, even after putting it on ourselves without another school. Each year, we have added new activities, and I have had more fun every time,” Student Council President Madi McGuckin said.

Participants will be dancing for six hours but are provided with shirts, food, beverages and non-dance entertainment throughout the event.

“In addition to dancing, we are having a photo booth, dodge-ball, basketball and a Wii set up for everyone to play,” junior Emily Dawley said.

Last year, over $3,000 was raised. Student Council’s goal is to match that, if not exceed, that value this year.

McGuckin stresses that participation is key to success.

“Everyone should come. If you already are, make sure to wear clothes you can move in, and to handle the six hours on your feet, you are going to want to wear tennis shoes,” McGuckin said. “It is the greatest event I have ever participated in. It is so worth it to stand the six hours for the kids at Riley’s Children’s Hospital. That is really why people should participate, because they get to dance and play games and eat all for the greatest cause. The kids at Riley’s are awesome, and they really need our help and support. Dance Marathon is a great way to give back.”

“My goal is to try and tell people not to drink and drive and to not let what happened to my friend happen to anyone else,” Wernes said.

By not drinking and driving, students put themselves and others out of harm’s way.

“If you drink too much, do not drive. Call for a ride.

Your parents would much rather pick you up drunk thanhaving you take the chance driving home,” Olson said.

There was also a presentation for the sophomore and junior classes from a father, who lost his daughter due to a heroin overdose. According to CNN, with more than 30,000 deaths annually, accidental overdose has overtaken car accidents as our country’s leading cause of accidental death for people 25 to 64, as reported by the CDC. “We’ve heard stories like that before in health classes, but that one was particularly surprising. I think it showed the reality of what drugs can do,” junior Marissa Darnell said.

The goals of these presentations are to give students something to think about before making decisions that are potentially harmful to their futures.

“You’re never going to reach every student, but if you’re able to reach some students to make better decisions, that’s exactly what we want to have happen,” McDermott said.

In addition to this, the school gives a prom-specific reminder as the Friday announcement, in an effort to keep it in student’s attention.

“We talk about that with students all the way back in elementary school, but I think it just brings it to the forefront. I think students just need to be reminded and to think about the decisions they’re going to make before they’re in the moment,” Pettit said.

These decisions are not limited to those that are substance related.

“I think the advice would be to try to avoid at risk behaviors. That doesn’t just involve drugs and alcohol, it could involve a group of students having a bunch of fun and you hear stories all the time about jumping off of ledges or pools, lakes or ponds. It could be reckless behavior while driving, even sober. Try to think about how you’re going to remove yourself from an at risk situation before it happens,” Pettit said.

As students know, prom weekend goes beyond the hours of the dance.

“It’s more than just getting students from the grand march to the dance safely, it’s what happens after the dance and Saturday, what transfers into Sunday and Monday. We want everyone to have fun, but we want them to have fun using good judgment. I would say using good judgment means to stay away from drugs and alcohol during the weekend, because you have plenty of stuff to do to make it a good weekend, so why put that into the mix and put yourself or your friends or your loved ones in danger,” McDermott said.

PHOTO BY SUSAN REED

Above, senior Jake Ryan guards history teacher Chris Mikrut as he attempts to score a basket for his team at the Student-Teacher Olympics. Below, senior Julia Abbot concentrates on balancing three golf balls as a task against her teachers.

Teams tie at Student-Teacher Olympics

BY SUSAN REED reporter

Safety continued from page 1 the growing problem of those underage not calling for help in fatal situations due to fearing legal trouble.

“I’m glad there are programs like that because students, unfortunately, are bound to make a bad decision now and then, and you want some kind of process in place that can keep them as safe as possible,” McDermott said.

The law puts lives of young adults above the fear of getting in trouble for charges such as underage drinking.

“Let’s say you’re at a party, everybody’s drinking and someone has too much to drink, and they pass out. It’s important to take the right steps, to call 911, to get an ambulance over there to save someone’s life. Don’t be scared of getting in trouble. Your main concern right then is helping that person out. You can’t worry about getting in trouble when that happens because if that person does die, and you’re there, that’s going to be on your conscious for the rest of your life,” Olson said.

This law was discussed in a presentation the senior class attended to promote students to think about such actions. Nicole Wernes spoke to the seniors about her experience with drinking and driving and the fatal car accident she was involved in. Wernes’s friend who was driving the car lost her life, and the accident resulted in Wernes having health and brain complications that have changed her life ever since.

views on news

Student reaction to events in our world

Area Fatal shooting at Griffith grade school parking lot

State Woman kidnaps daughter and runs from police

Nation College party ends in violent riot

World Korean Ferry sinks, 300 victims missing or dead

A Chicago woman was killed by her husband in a grade school parking lot at 4:30 p.m. while picking her children up from school. After the shooting occured, the husband fled the scene. Police followed him to his house where he was later reported to have shot himself in the head.

A woman with a history of drug abuse abducted her daughter. The woman was in a high speed pusuit until her back left tire was taken out by police. The woman faces several felonies including abduction, and the child is now in custody of her father.

At Colorado State University, a block party resulted in an aggressive riot.

The arrival of authorities led the college students to revolt, throwing beer bottles and screaming vulgarities. Authorities in Michigan had to end the party with tear gas, and the students attempted to flip an ice cream truck.

A South Korean Ferry sunk, trapping over 300 people with 100 reported dead.

South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, is claimed that the Captain responsible committed “Unforgivable Murderous acts.”

It is reported that, once the ferry started sinking, the Captain and crew were the first ones off the ferry.

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Alex Rettker freshman

This brings up the point of gun control. If that gun ban would’ve passed, this could’ve been prevented.

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Mallorie Krucina junior

It’s a bad story that ends well, but I don’t think the child should have even been in that environment.

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Jake Brzezinski sophomore

It’s okay for the police to use force when breaking up those college party riots; most of those people are drunk and crazy.

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Tara Lugo sophomore

It’s horrible that the Captain was (saved) first when there were 300 innocent people left behind.

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opinion april 25, 2014

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speakup Should guns be allowed in school parking lots?

BY MAGGIE GELON

editor-in-chief

In these past four years as a humble high school sports spectator, I have seen my fair share of good fun turned sour.

I have seen student sections scream mortifying personal information at free throw shooters and protective parents consequently get their feathers in all kinds of ruffles watching their child be embarrassed.

I have seen a court that was fully stormed as a parent attacked the opposing team’s coach.

I have seen a crazed, grown man have to be tazed to sedation by authorities after a tense buzzer beater.

Where do all of these high stake, emotionally rampant situations all inevitably trickle into?

The school parking lot.

Where did Indiana legislators just make it legal to have guns?

The school parking lot.

Previously, it was a felony to possess a gun in a school parking lot. The governor’s press secretary explained this change as “a common sense reform of the law that accomplishes the goal of keeping parents and law-abiding citizens from being charged with a felony when they pick their kids up at school or go cheer on the local basketball team.”

The last time I checked my recipe book firearms and school parking lots were not key ingredients to common sense.

Safety is not worth sacrificing for convenience.

It’s like speeding. It’s a nuisance to drive 20 miles an hour on an open road, with few curves or homes around. But the day that a soccer ball goes bouncing across the street, the 999 times driven hellishly slow will be worth the single time a life was not put in jeopardy.

Of all the tragic accidents in this world out of our control, why wouldn’t we choose to minimize all the harm we can?

Some might argue that the best way to minimize that harm is in fact by carrying a gun for protection. And just as lawmakers in favor of this bill have argued, a shooter does not care where the law says he/she can or cannot legally carry a gun. True.

But by the same logic, no shooter will play fair and give a two-minute grace period so legal gun carriers can go rifle through their trunks for their own guns.

It is the deeply unfortunate truth that we live in an era where school shootings are not unheard of. But we cannot afford to add fire to fire—not when what seems like a precautionary action would inadvertently put us at an increased risk of harm.

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Cartoon By Collin Raiser

Lexy Oppenhuis freshman

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Strengthening positives will keep young people back home again in Indiana

As statistics have shown, the population of Lake County is dropping every year. Having lost 1,662 residents to other areas in 2013 (according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics), various Lake County political leaders have voiced increasing concern about the welfare of the area. In particular, young people have been leaving the Region, with many pursuing employment outside of the Lake County area after they graduate from college.

This is not necessarily a negative symptom. Poet and critic William Butler Yeats once remarked that good education is “the lighting of a fire, not the filling of a pail;” good education widens the horizons of students and entices them to explore every corner of the earth, figuratively and literally.

If young people, then, have a desire to leave Crown Point after college, it could be considered a consequence of having one of the best school systems in the country, and of students wanting to experience more than the area in which they are brought up. It is hard to fault students for looking for work and experiences in other places.

Still, to promote immigration to the Lake County area and, in the process, encourage these students to someday return, county and state officials need to work together to improve the aesthetic, political and economic situation of the area. More job opportunities, a more stable housing market and less air pollution would all incentivize adults of all stripes to aspire to come back to the Lake County area.

Kids will always want to move away, and educated, knowledgethirsty students will probably always want to live beyond the boundaries of their upbringing. By improving the conditions of the county, though, they may want to come back some day, too.

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Crown Point High School, IN

1500 S. Main St. Crown Point, IN 46307 219-663-4885 ex. 11349 fax 219-662-5663 inklings@cps.k12.in.us www.crownpoint.highschoolmedia.org

Inklings is a student publication created by the newspaper and advanced journalism students and distributed monthly 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 Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker, Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown, and Quill and Scroll George H. Gallup publication.

Mike Wathier sophomore “It could help students protect themselves if there was an emergency.”

Anjelica Mojica junior “It’s still dangerous. Any mentally unstable person could decide to use the weapon.”

Jeremy Swart senior “It would be bad because a student could become enraged in class and could shoot someone.”

editorial Vol. 78 Issue 8 April 25, 2014

“I don’t think students should have guns, but I think parents should.”

editors-in-chief Maggie Gelon Dylan Taylor editor-at-large Katie Sherman associate editors Olivia Elston Tina Winfrey managing editors Verda Mirza Shannon Rostin copy editor Maddie Adducci sports editors Alaa Abdeldaiem

a&e editor Emily Best advertising editor Becca Burke online editor Paige Buelow photo editor Amy Schuch chief photographer Brittany Pedersen photographers Ben Jasek Evi Lovin Susan Reed Jack Snedden

staff Sam Barloga Lexi Berdine Kara Biernat Kate Franklin Nadia Giedemann Maisa Nour Collin Raiser Eli Udchitz Jackie VanDerWay Dylan Wallace Micayla Watroba adviser Julie Elston

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opinion april 25, 2014

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Should one period be added to the school day?

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Education key in preventing sexual assault

BY KATIE SHERMAN

editor-at-large

Cartoon By Collin Raiser

Pro:

Con:

School days should add extra class period for extended learning

School days should remain seven periods long

BY OLIVIA ELSTON

BY BRITTANY PEDERSEN

associate editor

photo editor

A normal school day at CPHS has always consisted of seven classes, a lunch period and six passing periods. But what if there were eight periods instead of the usual seven? While seven has worked in the past for some, overall most students would benefit from having an extra period built into the schedule.

While seven classes may seem like enough, eight classes add that extra room for another one that maybe students did not know they wanted to take because they had no room. Many seniors already have trouble fitting all their classes into seven periods. Seniors forget about classes they need to take to graduate and put it off until their last year, so now instead of taking a class for interest they need to take a required course. With an extra hour, they can fit the required courses plus ones that interest them. Also, students may have an extra hour now to take a class out of pure enjoyment. With the addition of new classes, students can have available space for them. Most just have enough room for the required, but what if they wanted to take astronomy? Now they can in that eighth hour.

With eight classes, it would also lead to easier block scheduling.

Seven classes is hard to split up evenly and students find it harder to remember the confusing schedules, but eight classes would form a much nicer schedule. Four classes can fit in each day and avoid confusion in skipping around from first hour going straight to third hour.

With eight classes, students would always go in chronological order; no confusion. Students would no longer accidentally go to the wrong hour on a block day.

Overall, students would receive many more opportunities with eight classes in place of the usual seven that Crown Point High School is already using. Students would be allowed to take more classes that they could not fit in their schedules before, giving them more elective space. Students can choose classes out of enjoyment rather than requirement. Also, it creates a more uniform block schedule that is less confusing for students as well as teachers. Eight periods would be much more beneficial for students.

One of the many changes that came with this school year was a new block schedule. Administrators said the goal was to decrease the fast learning pace, which would allow for a more in-depth style of learning. Switching to an eight period day would be antagonistic to these desired outcomes.

If there were eight classes instead of seven then class time would have to be shortened to compensate for another passing period and class. However small the cut might be, it can have a big impact on the way the teacher is able to cover the lesson and fit everything that needs to be done on that day in the allotted time. Activities may be cut. Also, another class means another class to prepare for and more to grade.

The heart of the issue is that adding another class would be disadvantageous to students. Students are already busy with jobs, sports, music and other extracurricular activities, not to mention a social life and family responsibilities. Right now, students may have four plus hours of homework every night. Adding another class would mean more homework and more studying for already swamped students.

Some people may say the attraction of an eight period day is that students will have the opportunity to take more classes. However, while some students might have to sacrifice taking Drawing in order to take AP Biology, many students struggle to just fill their schedule as it is. An extra class might just mean a second study hall or a class that the student is not really interested in taking and will not benefit them in any way. If students are having trouble fitting a class into their schedule, our school offers many classes that they could take online, either during the school year or over the summer, that would free a slot up.

Many students are already graduating with a seven period schedule with way more credits than are needed for graduation. Seven classes a year should be sufficient to fulfill graduation requirements and have some room to retake courses and take all the electives one wishes to take.

13 Inklings staffers agree

15 Inklings staffers agree

Angie Wells

Donny Colvin

junior

“All the classes would be way too short.

For me, traditional days are already too short with seven periods.”

“Students would have more opportunities to find out what they’re interested in and get to take more electives to help them get ready for college.”

Noah Leonard

freshman

sophomore

“I think classes are too long now, and other kids get stressed out a lot during them.

I think eight classes would be better, and you’d learn more.”

Karen Cox

art teacher

“I think it would be more difficult for students to stay focused. Once the students are focused, it seems like we can keep their attention longer, and more can be taught.”

Statistics show that one out of four young women, particularly high school and college women, will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. That means in a class of 30 people, about 8 will be sexually assaulted.

That is eight too many.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, or SAAM. It is meant to raise awareness and motivate individuals, especially young women, towards recognizing and ending sexual assault.

Early education is the key for prevention. Though Indiana requires public schools to provide comprehensive sex education to middle school and high school students, public schools need to incorporate sex violence prevention courses for their students.

These prevention courses are not absent in every state. Some counties in the state of Washington have Safeplace advocates present in high school health classes to empower young women to avoid abuse and threatening situations and to help young men and women recognize what the difference between a healthy and nonhealthy relationship is.

These sexual assault prevention presentations need to be existent in health classes today.

Students need to realize a key part to building healthy relationships is based on communication. Relationships need to be based on respecting one another. Furthermore, these courses need to pertain and aim towards providing males, as well as females, with sexual violence prevention education; consent and violence- reduction work may help teach not to rape instead of just how to avoid sexual assault.

With these sexual assault prevention classes, students could feel more comfortable and more prepared when setting foot on their high school or college’s campus.

These courses will not make sexual assault necessarily disappear, but they can help students better prepare themselves when they encounter situations such as parties where sexual assault is more likely to happen.

Ending sexual assault is not just a ‘women’s issue’ in this day and age, and until we change our way of thinking and ways for prevention to include everyone in this effort, we won’t begin to see a significant deterioration in this form of violence.

Enabling prevention courses will be the best way to eliminate sexual assault in the near future.

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feature april 25, 2014

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i on life experiencing a different perspective

PHOTO BY TINA WINFREY

Junior Brianna Peterson teaches math to one of her students at Timothy Ball Elementary. Peterson goes to teach every Monday and Friday through the early childhood education class. “I love working with kids, one day I hope I can work with kids. Someday I hope to be a social worker or study child psychology.”

Taught to teach

Students teach at elementary schools, get taste for career

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BY KATIE SHERMAN

editor-at-large

It is one thing to play teacher and dream up lesson plans that enrich the minds of young children. It is another to corral an actual grasp of rowdy second graders long enough to even explain the directions.

Students are given the opportunity to work with children in the community through the early childhood education class. The class prepares students for employment in early childhood education and provides the foundations for study in higher education and other child related careers.

Early Childhood Education is a full-year, dual-credit class. Students who pass get nine transferable credit hours for Ivy-Tech Community College. The class’s students go to local elementary schools every Monday and Friday to work with classes in third grade or lower. It is project-based and also based on the three syllabuses from Ivy-Tech.

“It prepares students to be teachers or even prepare them if they

the#

BY

Facts collected from www.washingtonpost.com, www.bls.gov

median salary of elementary teacher

Taking this class and being in the classroom is a really great experience. Every child is different, and it is neat to see what makes them unique. I learn from them.

Alyssa Caferella choose to own their own daycare or pre-school,” FACS teacher Ginny Zega said. “It also prepares them to do other occupations such as nurses or social workers where they are still working with children.”

Senior Alyssa Caferella is enrolled in early childhood education and teaches a kindergarten class at Lake Street Elementary. She finds the class beneficial toward her future plans of becoming a teacher.

“I plan on becoming a teacher and hope to get a dual-degree in college in elementary education and special education,” Caferella said. “I usually help the teacher with her busy

$53,090

53

average number of hours a teacher works each week

senior

work, so I help with putting papers in folders, reading stories, etc. I go around and help them with classwork. Taking this class and being in the classroom is a really great experience. Every child is different, and it is neat to see what makes them unique. I learn from them too. I just like going and helping them.”

Like Caferella, junior Sara Reno hopes to go into elementary education. The class allows Reno to experience some of the situations she would be going through as a teacher. “(When I am in the classroom), I grade papers and make lessons for the kids,” Reno said. “I have really

number of elementary school teachers available

1,519,700

realized you have to be patient with everything.”

Junior Brianna Peterson teaches second grade students at Timothy Ball Elementary and said the experiences have helped her discover her hopes to become a social worker.

“I love working with kids. One day I hope I can work with kids. I do not want to be a teacher. Someday I hope to be a social worker or study child psychology,” Peterson said. “I love the kids and the teachers that are in there. There is not one thing I don’t like about it.”

Zega sees the class as a good way for students to get the opportunity to teach and to make connections with teachers. She believes getting experience is the most beneficial part of the classroom.

“They get to try it (teaching) and see if this is right for them. It brings out your creativity because working with little kids is all about being creative,” Zega said. “They learn more about themselves, especially on what career path they want to go on.”

average number of students in a classroom

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Pushing

Limits

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TINA WINFREY

Drivers experience first tickets, court dates

BY TINA WINFREY

associate editor

Panic arrives for many the second one sees the red and blue flashing lights speeding up behind them. Many students are not aware that one can be pulled over and possibly issued a ticket for much more than just speeding, and they are unsure of the process involved in paying their ticket.

“I got pulled over for having a headlight out. (The police officer) asked if I knew that it was out, and I was like ‘oh no, I had no idea,’” senior Mike Hillyard said.

“He was like ‘oh, well just get it fixed.’”

While Hillyard was not issued a ticket, tickets may be issued for these types of infractions.

“The range (of ticket prices) varies.

They can range from a $100 to close to $200,” resource officer Ryan Olson said.

“The judge sets the prices for the fines.”

For speeding tickets, the price is mainly dependent on the zone in which the incident occurred and the seriousness of the situation.

“If you’re going five to ten (mph) over, I want to say it’s about $165. The faster you go, up until 25 over, the fine keeps going higher,” Olson said. “You can also have a higher fine if you’re in a construc-

tion zone.”

Junior Jade Mickey was recently pulled over for speeding. While she was not given a ticket, she still took the warning very seriously.

“Getting pulled over made me very paranoid that a police car could be nearby, so I don’t speed as much anymore,” Mickey said. “It was definitely a mistake that I have learned from.”

Olson believes that by having a clean driving record and being polite to the officer, one is more likely to get off with a warning.

“If the police officer pulls you over for something, be polite,” Olson said. “If he tells you why he pulled you over and you don’t agree with it, just leave it at that.

You’ll have your chance in court to give your story to the judge.”

Regardless of the reason for earning a ticket, a court date is always issued. According to Olson, a court date given to anyone under the age of 18 is mandatory.

“You can pay the ticket before the court date, and then it’s over. You don’t have to go to court anymore,” Olson said.

“You can choose to go to court, enter your plea if you’re guilty or not guilty, if you want to fight the ticket or not or if you feel

you’re in the right from the infraction that the officer wrote you the ticket for.”

Senior Sydney Ellingsen decided to challenge the ticket she was given and show up for her court case.

“I rear ended the car in front of me, and when the cop came to file a report, he gave me a ticket for not having my insurance card with me because I didn’t have any proof that I had insurance at that moment,” Ellingsen said.

Upon arriving home and talking with her father, they believed they may be able to plead their case because he had provided the necessary insurance information to her while still at the scene of the accident.

“I went to court to fight (the ticket) because (the cop) told me what he needed from my insurance card, and it was just the number of my insurance agent, which I was able to text my dad and get right away,” Ellingsen said.

Ellingsen attended her issued court date with a document that proved that she had insurance on the day of the accident.

“It was really terrifying,” Ellingsen said. “People were going up there for reckless driving, and other more serious things than I was. I felt like a criminal.”

Despite the nervousness of Ellingsen,

she went in front of the court, told her side of the story and showed her proof. From this, her ticket was waived. While officers are not able to look up one’s insurance card, they do have the ability to look up one’s license.

“Officers can still look your name up and run your driving history based off of the information that you give. If you’re stopped, it’s illegal to give false information or not any information at all,” Olson said. “I think some kids think that if they don’t tell the officer the correct name, or no name at all, they can just be sent on their way. That’s not true.”

For certain situations, like a first time ticket, a deferral program may be possible for the driver receiving the ticket.

“There’s a deferral program that, if you qualify, you can pay a fine and basically that ticket goes away. It won’t show up on your record as long as you don’t have another ticket within six months,” Olson said.

This deferral program is offered when one attends their court case. Senior Ryan Pagell believes an easy way to avoid this hassle is to simply watch how you drive.

“You can pretty much get pulled over for anything. You just have to be careful,” Pagell said.

fact or myth?

1 One cannot get pulled over for going five over.

2 A ticket can be issued for going too slow.

3

A red car is more likely to get pulled over.

4 One is more likely to get pulled over near a police station.

Police departments do not have ticket quotas to meet.

facts collected from www.jalopnik.com

1. Myth, 2. Fact, 3. Myth, 4. Myth, 5. Fact

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m thers celebrating

... on a budget

BY VERDA MIRZA

managing editor

She cleans, feeds and loves her children. She is there when no one else is. She is mom.

Mother’s Day is a special day created for most mothers to be appreciated for their hard work and unconditional love they bestow on their children. So the question is what is the best sentimental gift to give?

Some people such as sophomore Chloe Mikus create a special morning gift for their mothers to begin that relaxing day to come.

“We get up super early and make her coffee with breakfast and bring it to her in bed with cute little homemade cards,” Mikus said.

For German teacher Heidi Polizotto, a breakfast in bed is not all she gets.

“My girls decorate my bedroom with flowers and make me breakfast.

They also get me my favorite chocolate,” Polizotto said.

Aside from a morning breakfast that seems a common way to wake mothers up, there are other small sentiments that some moth-

ers receive. For example, Mikus and her siblings also prepare their own meals.

“We would make our own lunches that day so she would not have to get up early,” Mikus said.

Making one’s own lunch is not the only way to a mother’s heart. Junior Eva Kirby helps to cultivate her mother’s garden.

“I usually give her seeds for her garden; and she likes antique stuff,

much she means to me. I have also made a picture collage for her. My mom is easy to please,” junior Katie Johnson said.

Other mothers, like LRE teacher Amy Sansone, also appreciate affectionate gifts.

“The best gifts I like from my son are when he writes me a note about how much he loves me or what he appreciates about me,” Sansone said. “I mean, gifts are nice, but a really thoughtful note is what I appreciate the most.”

The tables are turned during Mother’s Day. Instead of the mothThe best gifts I like from my son ers taking care of the kids, the kids are when he writes me a note take care of the mothers. It is a day about how much he loves me or where she is treated like a queen. what he appreciates about me.

“I don’t do much on Mother’s Day. I’m treated like a queen from both my husband and son,” SanLRE teacher sone said.

Amy Sansone While Sansone feels like a queen, so we get her those, too,” Kirby said. Polizotto had a different perspecIt is the little things like small tive.

“Mother’s Day for me is not seeds that can mean a lot to some mothers. Even something handwrit- being a mother but a kid again beten and from the heart can mean a cause I don’t have to cook or clean and can go to park and relax,” Polot.

“I write her letters about how lizotto said.

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most memorable mother’s Day

gifts “My husband and girls bought two cherry trees that we planted together.

As the trees grow we will pick the cherries and bake them together.”

- English teacher Lisa Keene

“The best Mother’s Day present I got was when my daughter (Haley) was born the day after Mother’s Day.” - choir teacher Joann Borodine

“I can’t say that a gift was most memorable on Mother’s Day, but I can say there was moment that was very memorable. At a party at my uncle’s lake house my son (Sam) caught his very first fish. It was a great time since I was with family and my only child at the time.”

- English teacher Jennifer Bianchi

“(The most memorable Mother’s Day gift I’ve gotten is) a pearl bracelet from my husband and my daughter. It was completely unexpected.”

- math teacher Michelle McDonough

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Spring Cleaning From closets to kitchens, students clean up for the new season

BY MAGGIE GELON

editor-in-chief

With the snow melted away and the temperatures rising, change is all around.

Whether it means getting rid of unwanted things, bringing in new stuff or just rearranging old stuff, “spring cleaning” can mean many different things to different people.

“We clean the whole house, everything my mom says needs to be cleaned. It takes a couple weeks,” freshman Caleb Scibbe said.

Sophomore Robert Hughes’s family cleans his entire house this time of year as well. While the undertaking is a family effort, Hughes has many of his own responsibilities.

“My favorite thing to clean is the kitchen counters, just because they are so easy. My least favorite thing to clean is the fridge. There’s just a lot of messes in there—sticky, smelly, all that kind of stuff,” Hughes said. “My parents also count on my brother and me to clean out the car.

We usually clean out the inside, but every once in a while we take one of them to the wash.”

Hughes is accustomed to the cleaning routine his family has in place.

“Each week I do the kitchen every

Wednesday and Saturday. I clean up before everyone starts cooking because when everyone’s done, it takes me less time. It takes me about three hours to clean the kitchen.

I’m a neat freak to be honest. I like everything spick-and-span,” Hughes said.

For sophomore Maddy Canfield, spring cleaning is more condensed to her closet. “(When I spring clean) I usually don’t throw away any clothes. I’m something like a hoarder,” Canfield said.

Canfield has found some positives to keeping all her winter clothes around, however.

“I keep (my winter clothes) in suitcases and in my storage just in case the weather decides to change. Kind of like how it is right now,” Canfield said.

Others, such as junior Dakota Mable, use their spring cleaning regimens to donate clothes or dig up hand-me-down clothing for family members.

“I plan to donate my clothes, but most of the stuff I can’t wear I’ll hand down to my family,” Mable said.

Regardless of what it is that one plans to tidy up this spring Scibbe recommends doing it in a time efficient manner.

“Get it done as fast as you can, but don’t do it the wrong way because then you’ll just have to do it again,” Scibbe said.

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learning

to

REGROUP PHOTO BY BRITTANY PEDERSEN

Freshmen Savanna Wright, Gabrielle Risteski and Arriana Rainwater work on group debate projects in their honors English class.

Students find ways to tackle project based learning assignments

BY BRITTANY PEDERSEN

reporter

Whoever coined the phrase “the more the merrier” did not have much experience with high school group projects.

Frequently, members of a group do not have the same idea of each member’s contribution.

“I have had problems when partners don’t do their work for the project,” freshman Natalie Witvliet said. “I make them do work. I put a laptop on their desk and say, ‘find this answer’ and then they’ll find it.”

If students do not succeed in getting a response from an uncooperative partner, some teachers are willing to get involved.

“Students don’t (come to me) very often,” English teacher John Lambersie said.

“They don’t come to me and say, ‘Billy is not working,’ or anything like that. I wish they would be more vocal about it, that way I could help address the problem.”

Other teachers, like English teacher Christopher Gloff, like students to try and work it out first before he or she steps in.

“I really like them to butt heads for

‘‘

into the group project a while to try and resays ‘look, I need an solve (the problem) A in this class and if themselves,” Gloff I don’t get an A I’m said. “I would say 94 There are very few things in going to be mad.”’ or 95 percent of the Although stutime they resolve it this world that you will do dents may blame a themselves. Sometimes without a team. poor project grade on it gets to a point where the group members I recognize that they they are with, Gloff don’t have the skills Christopher Gloff yet to resolve the conarranges students into English teacher flict.” groups to help them To completely with the project. avoid the situation, Gl“My job as a off advises students to start communicating teacher is to serve students. I could serve them in a number of different ways. I could with the group members early on.

“I think early on in the group process, serve them by pleasing them. If I wanted to the group must come to an understanding make them happy I could say, ‘go ahead of what the commitment is of all the part- and pick your groups,”’ Gloff said. “I could ners together as a collective whole,” Gloff serve them in a way that maximizes learnsaid. “Have you ever sat down on a group ing from a particular project. I could serve project and said, ‘what is our goal of this them in a way that if they’re weak in one project?’ Has anybody ever said ‘to learn area they can be strengthened by who I put as much as possible?’ Probably not. Has in that group. I can fit them in a way that anybody ever said ‘to get an A, collective- their strengths will rise to the top and their ly, as a group?’ No. Somebody, two days weaknesses will fall to the bottom, because

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I put them with somebody else who has a strength that rises.”

Senior Hannah Maxwell, a student in Gloff’s speech class, has noticed that variety makes a difference.

“Obviously, a group that works together makes for a good group project, but they usually have a range of different talents,” Maxwell said. “One person is good at writing, another person is good with technology, like a powerpoint, but they can communicate what parts they need to do and keep each other in check.”

Different skills and talents bring people together in groups that are not in a school setting, as well.

“There are very few things in this world that you will do without a team,” Gloff said. “The fastest way to get something done or to come to a decision is a dictatorship because someone comes up with an answer and throws it down, but it’s not the best way. Our happiness as human beings and our success as human beings is directly related to the dynamics and skills we have for working in groups.”

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sports april 25, 2014

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We made history (against Munster). We’ll still stay humble and play every team with the same intensity.

- junior Qing Wen

Pitch

erfect

PHOTOS BY AMY SCHUCH

Sophomore Miranda Elish winds up her pitch during the Lady Dog’s 4-0 victory against the Lake Central Indians. Elish allowed three hits, one walk and struck out 12 to improve to 8-0.

Sophomore pitcher sets high season expectations

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

sports editor

She thought she was going to throw a no-hitter.

After all, perfection was all Miranda Elish expected from herself, and being up 15-0 against Munster that Friday afternoon was not going to change that. So when she threw the ball slightly over the plate to give the Mustangs their first and only run, Elish shook her head in response, bitter and disappointed.

“I had the next batter down and struck the next batter out, and I threw the ball over the plate too much and the next batter hit it. I just thought, ‘Dammit,’” the sophomore pitcher said. “I was livid.”

That is the way it has always been.

Whether she is maxing in personal fitness or participating in gym sports, Elish never wants to slip up.

“She’s very competitive and very hard on herself,” head coach Ginger Britton said. “She’s successful because of it, though.

She may win a game, but she always pushes to be better, which helps us get better as a team.”

Successful may be an understatement.

Elish finished 17-1 individually her freshman year and is 9-0 on the mound so far this season.

Despite her current records, Elish has higher goals in mind.

“My goal for the rest of high school is to not lose another game,” Elish said. “I know that’s a really high goal, but I think that’s realistic with the team we have.”

Elish acknowledges, however, that it won’t be possible unless she has control over her nerves--the same nerves that led to her only defeat last season.

“I’ll do everything I can to prepare, but when it comes to a game, I have to make sure I don’t freak myself out,” Elish said.

“That’s what happened in the sectional game against Portage last year. I got nervous and freaked myself out and didn’t focus as well as I should have. When I’m relaxed, that’s when I throw my best.”

Focus is exactly what Elish and her Lady Dogs (11-0, 6-0) had when the team faced off against defending state champion Portage (10-3, 5-1) Wednesday night.

Despite Elish’s below-average four strikeouts in four innings, the team was able to overcome a slow 1-0 start with four

scores off of Portage’s Kiley Jones at the bottom of the third inning, lifiting the team to a 5-0 victory.

Britton believes that, execution and focus will continue to be the key to continue their recent success against DAC opponent Valparaiso tonight. “(The girls) know there is still a long road ahead, but they are optimistic about finishing the first round of the DAC conference with a first place standing,” Britton said. “To keep coming out ahead, each athlete needs to keep concentrating on being strong at bats and getting runners in scoring position. We just need to keep working on executing on every play and keeping opposing teams out of scoring position to keep winning games.”

Winning is all that Elish is willing to accept, and with redemption on the pitcher’s mind, Elish will do anything it takes to ensure that winning is all the team will do.

“We’re going to win state,” Elish said.

“I really truly believe that. Yes, we need to take it one game at a time, but we need to do it knowing that we’re going to win to get to the next game, and I’ll do whatever it takes to do that.”

Perfect

PITCH

9-0 85

2014 season record

season strikeouts

26-1 overall record

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Baseball starts off with conference win

BY ALEXIS BERDINE

reporter

With the weather finally cooperating, Bulldog baseball is in full swing as they approach mid-season.

This past weekend the boys traveled to Northview to compete in a tournament. The Dogs won the tournament by defeating Hobart 5-1, Terre Houte South 10-4 and Northview 11-1.

“We really started to step up as a whole and played extremely well.

Our pitching staff is starting to gain confidence and become more dominate,” junior Andrew Atchison said.

“At the plate all of our hitters saw the ball well. Everyone hit the ball hard and did a good job not leaving many runners in scoring positions.”

The Dogs kept the momentum going as they took victories over Michigan City and Portage earlier this week.

Beating Michigan City 5-1, senior pitcher Jeremy Swart started the game pitching a no hitter.

“We jumped on them early with a run in the first inning and just

tacked on more runs throughout the game. They couldn’t get a good read on me at the plate and I kept them off balance the whole game,” Swart said.

With junior pitcher and Louisville commit Noah Bukrholder injured, the team has learned to adjust without letting injuries get to them.

“We need to stay mentally focused and work really hard, we can’t let injuries get to us,” sophomore Alex Ruiz said.

The Dogs have done just that, and are hopeful as their upcoming games are against Lake Central and Valparaiso.

“Noah may be back from his injury by the end of next week at the very earliest,” head pitching coach Matt McCaleb said.

The team has a positive outlook as they play Lake Central again after getting rained out on Tuesday.

“We jumped on them in the first inning scoring four runs. Hopefully we can come out and do that again when we reschedule the game,” Atchinson said.

PHOTO BY EVI LOVIN

Senior Logan Grapenthien swings at a pitch during last week’s game against Michigan City. The Dogs defeated the Wolves 5-1, and went on to beat Portage 10-4 the following day.

Undefeated tennis defeats Munster for first time since 2005

Golf team fights weather as mid-season approaches

op as a player. Even though it’s

BY DYLAN WALLACE hard to lose seniors, you just have reporter to look past it and focus on the future,” Kvachkoff said.

They finally did it.

Kvachkoff finished with an For the first time in nine individual record of 15-4 her years, the girls’ tennis team defeatsophomore year and 17-1 her jued their regional rivals Munster, nior year. Now who is ranked sevbeing a senior, enth in the state, her goals are with a strong 5-0 even greater victory.

The goal is to not only than having a “We worked perfect record. very hard in the win our 20th consecu“It’d be offseason to im- tive sectional title, but great to finprove our play also win the regional ish the reguand right now season it’s paying off,” title. If we all keep it up lar u n d e f e ated, head coach Brithen good things will but that’s not an Elston said. happen this season. the focus this “It feels good to year,” Kvachtake down one of the top teams Abby Kvachkoff senior koff said. “The goal is to not in the state; even only win our though it’s good 20th consecutive sectional title, to get a win like that, we still have but also win the regional title. If a long way to go.” we all keep it up then good things In addition to their win will happen this season.” against Munster, the Dogs have The Lady Dogs haven’t won a also defeated Wheeler and Highregional title since 2005. For them land each with the score of 5-0, to do that junior Jordan Embry starting out their season with an believes they will have to work undefeated 3-0 record. twice as hard and be prepared not After losing seniors Amber just physically but mentally.

Haworth and Sarah Debs, senior “Right now we are just taking Abby Kvachkoff understands the things one step at a time,” Embry importance of stepping up to acsaid.

“When the time comes to complish their team goals. start preparing for the postseason, “Playing alongside Haworth and Debs really helped me devel- we will have to work twice as hard

reporter

BY ELI UDCHITZ

‘‘

PHOTO BY BRITTANY PEDERSON

Playing at third singles, sophomore Savannah Schuljak plays in a match against Munster at home. Schuljak, along with the rest of varsity, took victories over Munster, Wheeler, and Highland.

and just simply believe that we can win a regional title.”

Joining Kvachkoff and Embry with prior varsity experience are seniors Madie Cleland and April Pryzborski; junior Olivia Elston, and newcomer sophomore Savannah Schuljak and junior foreign exchange student Qing Wen. At press time, all are undefeated.

Taking their victory against Munster as motivation to do well in their upcoming conference

matches, the girls started their DAC season by facing Michigan City yesterday. Results were not available at press time.

“The DAC once again should be very strong with Valpo being the pre-season favorites,” Elston said. “Hopefully with the addition of (Qing Wen) and the experience of our other girls we can make a good run at conference and sectionals.”

This years’ April showers have put this golf season on hold, resulting in the Bulldogs only having one official varsity match up this season.

Due to the lack of matches played, the Dogs are doing everything they can to keep a positive mindset going into the heart of their season.

Junior Mike Lee is one of the two returning players from last season and with two years of varsity experience under his belt; he looks to boost the team’s morale to an all-time high this year.

“I’m trying to give the team confidence. Most of our team is lacking confidence which is hurting their performance,” Lee said. “I want them to play well so that I can set a good example for the young guys on the team so that they can be at their best.”

To kick off their season, the Dogs played in the Hall of Fame invite two weeks ago at the Rock Hollow Golf Course in Peru, Indiana and competed amongst the top 20 teams in the state. The Dogs finished tenth, but they were only three strokes off of third place.

“We could be pretty good this year, but we are very inexperienced,” head coach Jon Haas said. “We competed at a high level at Rock Hollow and we have several young guys who have the potential to crack a score of 80 and even in the 70’s.”

The main concern this season is that there are only two varsity athletes returning. The newcomers have automatically been placed with an extra weight on their shoulders due to the young lineup.

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ALAA’s ANGLE

Bulldogs remain undefeated

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

sports editor

College athletes have priviliges and don’t need to be paid

PHOTO BY JACK SNEDDEN

(From left to right) Sophomores Eugene Ferrari, Matthew Muller and Paul Dawley compete in the 3200 meter run against Lake Central and Portage last Tuesday night. The team defeated Lake Central 67-66 and Portage 72-60.

Win over Valpo, LaPorte lifts team to 4-0

BY JACKIE VAN DER WEY

reporter

Nothing was going to stop the Bulldogs against Valparaiso and LaPorte on Tuesday night, not even injuries to four of the team’s seniors.

The Bulldogs beat Valparaiso for only the second time in school history 69-63 and LaPorte 80-62 with a first place finishes from senior Tristan Peterson in long jump, 4x1 and 300 hurdles.

Juniors Troy Grady and Wes Honaker also took home first places in their respective events.

Head coach Keith Iddings is proud of his team’s performance despite the less-than favorable weather conditions.

“It was a huge team effort with a lot of individuals stepping up,” Iddings said. “Even with the wind and low temperatures, all of the runners came through really well.”

Despite not expecting a victory, senior Nick Morin finished first in the 800 meter dash, giving the Bulldogs the 10-point edge they needed to pull off the win.

“I was really surprised that I

BY SAM BARLOGA reporter

It wasn’t the outcome head coach Adam Piaskowy had hoped for, but it was still good enough.

The Lady Dogs split their meet against Valparaiso and LaPorte with six total winning performances. The team beat LaPorte 70.66-61.33 but fell to the Valparaiso Vikings 79-53.

The girls got key field event wins by Carrie Russell in discus, Kara Bruckman shot put and Mandy Komasinski in pole vault, victories that Piaskowy said would

put the team in a good position to succeed.

“We had to take advantage of field events, hurdle events and sprints to put ourselves in a good position,” Piaskowy said. “We did come close in some distance and field events and with some work we should be in a better place come conference time.”

The girl’s victory against LaPorte came after the team traveled to Hobart to compete in the “Little Five” and facing off against Portage and Lake Central earlier in the month.

Although they fell 157.50-147

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63%

27%

to Kankakee Valley in the “Little Five,” the girls had eight individual race winners to lift them to second place. The team defeated the Portage Indians 75-59 but were outperformed by the DAC favorite Lake Central Indians 91-41.

“The girls gave a great performance on that first night (against Portage and Lake Central). Last year, Portage beat us, so to be able to come out and beat them in our first match was just fantastic to see,” Piaskowy said.

Senior sprinter Jorie Horn says the team has set itself to high expectations based off their early

Jadeveon Clowney Blake Bortles Johnny Manziel

season results.

“We all have high expectations of what we can do the rest of the way. We have all been working hard, and it is starting to pay off early in the outdoor season,” Horn said.

Horn was also quick to compliment her fellow teammates on the performance they put in as a team against Portage.

“We realize that our hard work is getting us somewhere,” Horn said. “I am proud of the team and can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the remaining part of the season.”

Games to watch Cubs Girls Tennis

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Tuesday. “(Chesterton) has three strong 4x8 runners returning this year,” Iddings said. “They’ll definitely give us a run for our money.”

Regardless of the meet’s outcome, Peterson plans on using the team’s early season victories as momentum to the team’s advantage.

“I plan on taking all of the momentum from these meets all the way into the postseason,” Peterson said. “We’ve performed really well as a team so far, and I see no reason for us to stop now.”

Lady Dogs gain confidence with early wins

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won, to be honest,” Morin said.

“It’s very exciting, and I’m happy I was able to help the team win.”

The team’s strong performance came after a 96-point victory at the “Little Five.”

The 4x8 relay took first place, senior Tristan Peterson finished first in the hurdles and Wes Honaker took first in the 100 and 200 meter dash and was awarded the meet MVP for his sprint times.

Although the team has gotten off to a strong start, Iddings believe their biggest competition yet will be against Chesterton on

Sectionals May 22

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Let’s pretend I’m a college athlete.

Let’s pretend that, unlike most average students my age, I’ve been granted a full-ride scholarship to some prestigious college. While others are preparing for four potentially rigorous years of academic development, I’m getting ready for a four—or three or two—year NBA basketball tryout.

Attention is guaranteed.

With a spot on the roster, I’m assured the national spotlight that comes from playing in televised games.

I don’t need to compile a resume. My performance takes care of that.

I’ll be flying on chartered jets and staying in first-class hotels while the rest of my class is up studying for that biology final which, for me, won’t be an issue.

I’ve got tutors who are paid to keep me prepared and make sure I get to class. I’ve got professors who understand my circumstances, and my coach will make sure everything in his power is done to keep me eligible.

So if I were a college athlete, why would I need to be paid?

Yes, the school is making money off of my performance, but I signed on for that when I agreed to accept the scholarship and attend the school.

If my school is set to make millions off of merchandise connected with my success while, in return, I’m improving my chances of being drafted, what’s the problem?

I’m getting an education for free, not paying a fee that some full-time jobs won’t cover. I’m leaving free of debt, not graduating with a five-figure burden over my head. I’m pretty much guaranteed a job once I leave, not risking time and money only to come out empty.

I’m privileged, not enslaved.

But I am not—and never will be—a college athlete, and while basketball players from Kentucky continue to demand a direct deposit, the rest of us will be at school or at work trying to raise the $40,000 it will take to walk through that college’s front door.

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arts & entertainment april 25, 2014

inreview “Last Man Standing”

By William Champlin

Break out the scrapbooks and pull the flip-flops back out of storage.

Combining summery vocals with a groovy melody, “Rewind” leaves listeners feeling nostalgic and longing for the upcoming summer nights to come.

“This Is How We Roll”

By Florida Georgia Line This supposedly “country” song sounds like a mix between pop and rap. It is too techno for the style of music Brian Kelly and Tyler Hubbard typically produce, making it an odd addition to their album “Here’s To the Good Times.”

This is not a song one should roll around listening to.

“Enlisted” A new comedy about three brothers living out life in the army is light-hearted and appropriate for everyone in the family. Each brother possesses a very unique personality, but they play humorously off of one another. It may not be the most eventful television show, but it is definitely worth watching.

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Best Board Games

BY EMILY BEST

a&e editor

Candyland was a hoot in second grade. Then, in middle school, it was easier for most to log into a game system with a friend than meeting up and getting the board games out of the closet. Now in high school, technology has primed our generation for fast paced, interactive games.

But visit to the forgotten game closet may provide just that.

The Fault in our Stars By John Green

“Rewind”

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Uplifting, inspiring and passionate, Will Champlin’s “Last Man Standing” accurately encompasses the finalist’s journey during Season 5 of “The Voice.” Champlin showcases his strong vocals through an incredible range and falsetto, the single’s impeccable instrumental only adding to the emotion portrayed in Champlin’s voice. Champlin’s incredible songwriting and arranging abilities help create a single that is certain to leave listeners excited for what’s to come.

Making it hard to put the novel down, John Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars” is his most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet. It brilliantly explores the funny, thrilling and tragic events that come with battling cancer and being in love. Also rewarded as the #1 New York Times best seller, reading this novel is a must.

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Taboo

Apples to Apples

While it may not be the in-depth game of Clue, players better have plenty ready to fire at their partner. This rapid speed game is a classic marriage of description, communication and thinking on one’s feet. Designed for a group of four or more, this game is a race to the finish of which group can successfully guess the words being described.

Anyone who has ever been described as a “history buff” would have no problem enjoying a few rounds of Smart Ass. A classic trivia game with a dice/ board game twist, categories of questions are chosen by various players as extra rules (such as being unable to guess if stuck on certain places) give the gameplay a unique and memorable spice.

Ever wanted to know what it was like to describe a school bus without using the words “yellow” or “vehicle?” In Taboo, this sort of challenge becomes the object of the game. In the game, players can advance their pieces by getting other players to guess a given word in the time allotted, but with a catch: without using specific key words.

This humorous comparison game intended for four or more players gives players a number of “red cards” with a word or phrase (usually nouns) and he/she must put down the card they think best completes the phrase or situation. The player judging must decide, based on either the most logistic or most ridiculous card, which is the winning card.

New installment of “Captain America” impresses

BY OLIVIA ELSTON

managing editor

With “Thor: The Dark World” just being released last November, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” had a lot to live up to as the next Marvel movie. And it definitely did. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo truly know how to create a superb sequel. Word to the wise though: do not see the movie if you have not seen the movies leading up to it like “The Avengers” or “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Audience members will be extremely confused and not understand most of the plot.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” follows Steve Rogers alter ego Captain America as he is adjusting to the modern world. And of course, the hero has to have to fight a villain which in this case is the Winter Soldier bringing back story lines and characters from the original movie. Not only do the directors add in some throwback characters from

life

social

A section devoted to social media

the first movie, but they also bring in characters from The Avengers. Samuel L. Jackson returns as Nick Fury a head agent of the secret group S.H.I.E.L.D. and Scarlett Johansson returns as Natasha Romanoff, an assassin for S.H.I.E.L.D. With all the familiar faces, it is very easy for the audience to connect with since the fans will already know them.

Not only do the characters help audiences enjoy the sequel more, but so do the intense plot twists and story lines. The Russos create serious plot twists leaving the audience wanting answers and sets up the second Avengers movie perfectly. While during the movie viewers may not see how everything connects, but by the end all the elements fit together nicely and minds are blown.

For Marvel fans, this is the perfect movie full of action and intense plot lines. For uninformed viewers of the series; take a pass because it will leave you confused and bored. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” doesn’t fail to impress.

best apps

best tweets Taking the AP test? You need to register at apscore. org in order to get your scores the first week of July.

AP Psych Magee

@APMagee

I gotta wake up SUPER early tomorrow to look HOT for the first day back (: Senior Nic Bartlett

@nic_bartlett

It’s not a family day without atleast 18 different arguments Junior Emmy Bratton

@emmyeverafterr

Can’t wait for graduation! Get me outa here Senior Julie Jakubowicz

@JulieannnRose

Aviary

For the budding photographer within, Aviary is a fabulous free starter app. Complete with editing tools from lighting adjustments to focus. Twelve unique filters are included and optional additional features are available for purchase.

Ever want to add text to a picture without the end product looking childish or corny? Font Candy allows Font Candy editors to choose from a wide variety of fonts, sizes and transparencies to create an image far from cringe worthy.

best follows @antijokeapple This account features tweets that are very appealing to those with a dry sense of humor. The account is great for high school students looking for a laugh.

@TheWalkingNews This account is great for all The Walking Dead fans who are currently going through withdrawals since the show is on a break.

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arts & entertainment april 25, 2014

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“Noah” washes away audience’s expectations In defense

BY MADDIE ADDUCCI

copy editor

The Bible-based movie “Noah” has provoked controversy all over the globe. Director Darren Aranofsky took creative liberties in order to create an incredibly dark film that made the PG-13 rating far-fetched.

“Noah” is the outcome of a Hollywood goal to make the biblical story of Noah and the ark marketable. This has caused controversy among theologians and conservative Christians on the subject of embellishing the Bible. It does not matter which side of the argument one falls on, though. With all moral issues aside, “Noah” is an unsettling film that is not accurately advertised as the troubling film it is.

The age the film is set in was dark, but the unnecessary scene of a young lady being trampled is chilling to the bone.

The audience sees and hears the character’s death as a massive

crowd of people crush her.

This scene, however, is nothing compared to the morbid trading of women for food which took place a few minutes prior. The screaming women were dragged as groups of men forced them into a fenced area where horrific

acts were implied. The audience is overwhelmed with shock as the disturbing scene unfolds.

In the movie, Noah receives visions from the Creator which he needs to interpret. He questions himself several times on whether or not he should carry

out an astonishing action (it would be a spoiler to explain in detail). He experiences an internal struggle with whether or not God actually instructed him in that way. The fact that Aranofsky adds to the biblical story is not nearly as notable as the fact that he takes away from it.

Genesis describes Noah and God’s interactions differently.

When Noah receives a vision, there is no hesitation. God conveys His messages clearly.

He told Noah to take his wife, three sons and their wives onto the ark, but in the movie, Noah does not obey that command.

Thus, another blurred connection between the Genesis story and the Hollywood film that washes away any redeeming qualities.

“Noah” is a violent movie that has taken more than a few unnecessary creative liberties.

Before watching the film, it is essential one recognizes that this is a loose interpretation of the details in Genesis.

Planet Fitness a ‘fit’ for motivated members

BY TINA WINFREY

associate editor

Along with the motivation it takes to get up and go to the gym, one must also be motivated for a close to 30 minute drive out to Schererville. For some, the use of Planet Fitness’s large gym, as well as tanning and unlimited massaging may be worth this drive, but unfortunately there is a curveball in the way the gym functions. With all these lovely amenities comes a minimum age limit, 18. If one is not of legal age they can say ‘bye bye’ to all the parts that make this gym unique. Why travel the 30 minutes to work out at a gym with the same equipment that you can find at any Crown Point gym?

While you must be 18 for the “black card”, the price of this card is even with the price of various other local gyms.

The base price for these types of packages starts at around $20, but only the Planet Fitness gym chain includes tanning and massage chairs. Another unique part of the gym is the monthly pizza

day. Some may say this discourages the idea of fitness, but the day just shows that one can work out and eat their pizza too.

The gym is equipped with multiple rooms, each labeled with “30 minute workout,” “15 minute workout” and so on. A preplanned workout is available for members in search of a training program. In addition to these rooms, there is a large room with basic gym equipment and two long rows of treadmills.

While smaller gyms might fill up fast and leave one waiting for a turn on the treadmill, Planet Fitness has plenty.

The motto of the gym being “no judgment zone” is a great way to attract people of all types.

Upon entering the gym, one can see a variety of people including parents and their children, bodybuilders and teenagers. The variety of people can make one feel at home no matter his or her age or weight. Planet Fitness is a diverse environment for one to do a daily workout.

PHOTO BY AMY SCHUCH

Planet Fitness offers a new gym experience for its members. The gym’s “Judgement Free Zone” enviornment attracts many people.

. . . ..

Favorite Features open 24 hours Monday-Friday hydromassage tanning beds pizza once a month “Black Card Spa”

favorite things

Archer Farms Trail Mix Archer Farms offers several flavors of trail mix that make for a healthy and convenient snack.

The flavors vary from yogurt-covered peanuts to dried fruits and are useful for anyone on-the-go.

Ice Cream Inspired Coffee Dunkin Donuts has a line of coffee flavors inspired by flavors of Baskin Robins ice cream, such as cookie dough and jamocha almond fudge. The taste of smooth Dunkin coffee meets delicious ice cream flavors. These sweet coffees are, for a limited time, 99 cents from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

CamelBak Water Bottle Make sure to stay hydrated in a busy day by filling a colorful CamelBak water bottle. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and are leak free. Water stays cool until the bottle needs to be refilled.

we’re so over

indoor temperature changes Sweating in one class. Freezing in another. Students need a parka for one class and a t-shirt for the next. A class can be an upwards of 80 degrees and students will come prepared for this climate the next day only to be greeted with a shiver enducing temperature. Yes, students find a variety of things to complain about, but the school’s inconsistent temperature is unpredicatble for all.

of reading poetry

BY DYLAN TAYLOR

editor-in-chief

As high school students eagerly digest the likes of John Green or Augusten Burroughs for their own dose of life, love, death and hope, volumes of John Donne or Allen Ginsberg often gather dust. Why, in a day and age in which we have less time to read than ever, do we so often neglect poetry?

The reason is simple. Whether it calls to mind sterile classroom deconstructions of verse form or “roses are red” mediocrity, poetry often carries an unpleasant stigma. It is either too mushy or too heady. This is a misconception.

Not all poems are as difficult as Ezra Pound’s “Cantos” or Shakespearean verse, and certainly not all poems are as nauseating as whatever your middle school boyfriend wrote to celebrate your week of dating. Of all of the celebrated poets and poems of history, there is something out there for every taste, every mood, every season. Want the pulse and urge of adolescence? Read Walt Whitman. Want something abstract and childlike? Try E. E. Cummings. Want totalizing, prophetic mysticism? William Blake would be perfect.

Reading good poetry is like exploring nature—you may find things that disturb, enlighten, challenge or anger, but ultimately the experience will be sublime.

Good poems transcend their own devices and move their readers, often in unexpected ways. The first time that poet James Merrill mentions Tolkien characters fighting zombies in his epic “The Changing Light at Sandover” may seem trite at first glance, but as he subtly ties the reference into a description of his own supernatural quest, it becomes beautiful and undeniable. In this sense, good poetry penetrates in a way novels often don’t—not always obviously, but unconsciously inexorably, even archetypally. An open-minded reader may, for example, be able to derive the same profound enjoyment from reading a poem by Keats as one could from the whole of “Great Expectations,” albeit with a much smaller word count.

So next time you find yourself looking to buy the newest installment in the next fad series, consider picking up a volume of Stevens or Yeats or Hughes instead. The experience may alter the way you look at the world— something that Stephanie Meyers can’t always boast.

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Sam Bocanegra

Rebuilding

What’s Cooking?

I watch a lot of Chopped.

It gives me ideas for things to cook. I love cooking. My favorite thing to cook is lemon meringue pie.

Anna and Emma Werkowski cope with house fire and after effects

Junior Anna Werkowski and freshman Emma Werkowski smile in a window frame of their house that is currently in the reconstruction phase.

BY AMY SCHUCH

reporter

The Werkowski family danced and sang to the Christmas music during an annual charity event.

They were hard at work making cotton candy for children, when a restricted phone call interrupted their happiness. On the other line, the fire department bared breathtaking news.

In December, junior Anna Werkowski and freshman Emma Werkowski’s home was destroyed by a fire in their basement. The fire martial deemed the cause unknown.

“It was terrifying. We had no idea what was going on. We got home in time to watch it burn with our whole neighborhood,“ Anna said. “It was like a weird tourist attraction, everyone came.”

Because of the lack of fire hydrants, several different districts, including Lowell and Lake Dale, helped put out the fire. The family stayed with an aunt that lived near by. The garage of the home was turned into a living space, where the Werkowskis stayed.

“Anna’s bed was a couch that

What is your favorite warm weather activity?

Pictured above is a room in the Werkowski house post fire.

we would all watch TV on, so when Anna would want to go to bed at night, she would have to ask us to move,” Emma said.

Now living in a rental home located in St. John, the family occasionally has gone back to search through the rubble for salvageable goods. Because of carcinogens in the air, they had to wear suits to walk through their once called home.

“It’s so deadly, it’s like you’re not supposed to be there. The first couple of times, we cried,” Anna said. “There came a point though, when we detached ourselves from

it because it wasn’t our house anymore. It was just this big pit—a place where we need to dig through to find stuff.”

Because the core of the home was burnt, everything fell to the basement. When collected, the goods had to be first inspected by the cleaning crew to deem them useable or unsalvageable due to the toxins of the fire. “(When searching) you were so sad, and you would find something that just means so much to you,” Emma said.

Also saved during the fire were both cats that the family

“Chilling outside “Longboarding and taking strolls and playing four through the square” neighborhood”

Shoeless Sam

Photos PROVIDED By The Werkowskis

owns. Both sisters view their absence during the destruction to be a blessing. The fire department informed the family that if they were still in the home, they would not have survived.

“Part of it is being so glad that we’re okay. It taught us that, if we can survive this, we can survive anything, because this was really hard. You always say, ‘It won’t happen to me’, but it really sucks when it does actually happen to you. You never expect it, and it comes out of nowhere. It’s like a punch to the stomach, you lose your breathe for a second,” Anna said. “But, it’s also humbling because we now know how many people love us.”

Throughout the course of the past few months, many students and community members have donated clothes, blankets and house items that have helped the family. Everyone has shown the family love and support which has helped and encouraged the sisters to stay strong.

“I definitely think that things only happen to people who can handle it,“ Emma said.

“Getting my brothers together to go out and play football”

“Swimming because it’s fun, and you can cool off”

Alexis Rivera

Elena Hutchison

Tyler Fuller

Brandon Strong

senior

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freshman

My favorite type of shoes to wear are flip-flops. I don’t like wearing shoes in the summer, so I can just slide them off and go barefoot.

They’re easy to wear, and they match anything as long as I have the right color.

Lucky Charms My pandora bracelet is my good luck charm. My dad bought it for me, and my brother got me my Buddha charm, so it is special to me.

Beach Girl (I’m looking forward to) going to Panama City Beach in the summer because that is where my dad is going to move for his new job.

City Dweller My favorite place to go is Chicago because I love the city. I hate the country, and I hate grassy places and corn fields.

“Laying out on a beach in Florida, just anticipating summer”

Nick Sansone junior

“Playing basketball because I like to have the ball and be running”

Rebecca Mayes

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