Inklings feb 2014

In it to win it Boys basketball team head into postseason, prepare for sectional game this Tuesday Read about boys basketball on page 12

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Feb. 28, 2014 Vol. 78 Issue 6

Crown Point, IN 46307

inklings@cps.k12.in.us

Making up is hard to do

PHOTO BY Tina Winfrey

Chemistry teacher Chloe Hoffman teaches an AP chemistry class. Due to the snow days, the pace of the class has accelerated to maximize material learned before the AP test.

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BY OLIVIA ELSTON & VERDA MIRZA

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associate editor / managing editor

ith six days to make up at the end of the school year, Crown Point High School has been faced with the impact of the days missed. Students, teachers and

coaches are trying to recover from all the lost days due to the ex-

*Days in red indicate school days missed due to weather conditions. Feb.5 was also missed.

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*Day in blue indicates expected graduation date and final student school day.

Students, teachers and coaches accommodate to schedule changes

treme weather this winter season.

Snow days have caused problems for most of the winter sports teams. Both boys and girls basketball had to reschedule games due to bad weather conditions.

“The girls (could not play) the game against Lowell because we just could not fit it in,” Athletic Director Bill Dorulla said. “The game was supposed to be there (Lowell). We were going (to go), but they cancelled it because of the weather.”

Along with rescheduling games, the basketball teams also had to cancel practices. Sophomore guard Katie Pawlowski found it to be a nuisance during the season.

“Two to three of our practices got cancelled, and they were before games,” Pawlowski said. “It did kind of affect us that way, but I think the way we came out (from practices) it didn’t matter because we were focused on what we had to do.”

Sports

Feature Detox and De-stress Hot yoga trend benefits student health

page 8

Runners-up Girls swimming takes second place at state pages

The girls swim team had to work around their schedules as well.

“The days we don’t have school are difficult because in the winter time, especially towards the end of the swim season, we have to swim. It’s not like the girls can’t swim,” girls swim coach Bryan Trippeer said. “They have to swim somewhere.”

The girl swimmers had multiple options to consider due to the snow days. The girls could either go to the YMCA or reschedule their practice times.

“The kids are all used to swimming at certain times of the day, and having to change their schedule makes it hard for the swimmers because they might have made plans in the afternoon and now we have to ask them to come in and swim,” Trippeer said.

See Making Up on page 2

A&E

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Culver’s Craze Concrete mixers welcomed to local culinary scene page 14

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news february 28, 2014

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intheknow Crown Point Community Foundation hosts volunteer fair The Crown Point Community Foundation will be hosting a volunteer fair on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome. Over 70 nonprofit organizations will be at the fair for an opportunity for families, teens, clubs and groups to get involved with the community. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to donate blood from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PHOTO BY JACK SNEDDEN

Excalibur holds formal dress silent auction Excalibur will be hosting their first inaugural formal dress and accessory silent auction on Sat. March 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. held in the CPHS cafeteria. Students can buy and sell formal dresses from others. There is a $10 listing fee per dress which includes a photo advertisement of the dress on Excalibur’s social media sites.

Bring your dress to the journalism lab (E107) or Lisa Keene’s classroom (E112) before of after school to enter. For more information, contact the yearbook adviser Lisa Keene or senior Julia Abbott at (219) 663-4885 ext. 11350 or abbottjul@gmail. com. There will be free admission. Anyone is allowed to come and buy or sell their dresses and accessories.

Making Up continued from page 1 While cancelling practices and rescheduling games may have seemed negative at first, both teams found ways to make it positive.

“When we were in season, it was not too bad because coach Equihua wanted to stay focused and not let the snow days affect us,” Pawlowski said. “We did practice on the partial days, so I didn’t think it affected us too much. We still came out strong.”

Trippeer shared similar thoughts with Pawlowski in regards to the girls swim team’s mindset for upcoming events.

“Most of the kids understood what was at stake. We had the chance at getting second place at state,” Trippeer said. “They were pretty dedicated to making changes to their schedules, so we could have time to swim.”

The athletic department was not the only part of the school affected by the weather. Classes suffered from the loss of school days.

Seniors Samantha Alilovich (back) and Sydney Harris (front) perform their routine at Winter Guard International regional contest.

Winter guard competes in regionals

BY KATIE SHERMAN

editor-at-large

Last Saturday, the CP winter guard competed in Winter Guard International (WGI) regionals in Indianapolis. WGI includes all of the best guards from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

“We competed basically all for fun and the experience. In our circuit we are an AA guard and separated by classes, so this weekend we were competing against A class guards which is a class above us,” senior Jessica Berwick said.

So far this season, the winter guard has competed every weekend usually stickAcademically, many students found that the snow days made for a more stressful workload than they hoped. AP chemistry teacher Chloe Hoffman had to change lesson plans to accommodate the tight schedule, as AP test dates cannot be changed.

“For AP chemistry it has been really difficult because the day of the AP does not change, so we have to cover that same amount of material before May 5 regardless of how many snow days we have,” Hoffman said. “It kind of puts more pressure on the students because it makes them more responsible for the work they are going to have to make sure they know (for the AP test).”

Junior Justin Waran is currently in three AP classes this year and has felt the pressure from his classes.

“Since I’m taking mostly AP classes, it’s given me a time crunch for the AP exams,” Waran said. “Our teachers are encouraging to work harder at a faster rate than we would have, so the snow days have been really detrimental.”

AP classes are not the only classes teach-

march

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Dog Tail Affair The fundraiser will take place at St. Elijah Hall in Merrillville from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

ing to the Midwest color guard circuit.

This is specifically Indiana and Illinois schools competing. Berwick believes the WGI competition served as a challenge for the guard.

“Due to us competing against other guards who were a class above us, we didn’t place. But that was expected and not the reason why we went this weekend,” Berwick said. “We went for the experience.

We also got to see some great competing guards and all the possibilities.”

Senior Caity Rogers believes there are also other benefits to participating in a higher level competition.

“We don’t usually get to see ‘the ma-

jor leagues’ of color guard, so it was kind of surreal to watch them and then watch the new guards’ reactions to them,” Rogers said. “It is crazy how much you improve from your first year.”

Since they have been competing , Rodgers and Berwick feel comfortable working together in preperation for the competition.

“We make sure the routine is all put together before competitions,” Rogers said. “It kind of allows you to take a bigger picture than yourself, because when most people watch a show they don’t just focus one person, they focus on the big picture.

It makes you part of a team.”

ers needed to change their lesson plans for.

Hoffman also needed to adjust her non-AP chemistry lessons, too.

“For regular chemistry, I had to slow it down and we won’t be able to cover probably as much before the midterm,” Hoffman said. “We will have to take some things out of the midterm unless midterms get pushed back which we still haven’t learned anything about yet.”

Having fewer days to learn the material puts added stress on both the teachers and the students. For Hoffman, it’s stressful because she wants her students to perform well on the AP test, but the snow days have taken away extra review time her classes would have had during class.

Waran agrees with Hoffman that the extra snow days doesn’t necessarily add more stress, but lowers his motivation.

“The stress feels the same way as before,” Waran said. “The motivation actually became worse though because now I’m becoming lazier to do much more work (that was added).”

CPTV adviser Chris Gloff believes that the experience was challenging for his stu-

dents because it is not a class that can do work outside of the classroom.

“This isn’t a class where you can take home the work because they don’t have the equipment at home,” Gloff said. “Everything we do is dependent on being in this building and if we’re not in this building, it shows.”

Since the CPTV students cannot do any work at home, they are faced with cancelling shows if they miss school days. CPTV had to cancel one show, but were still able to put the taped episode online.

Gloff believes that even though the snow days made his students cram in more work in a shorter amount of time, they could take away life lessons from the experience.

“We got a more realistic idea of what this job requires on a daily basis and it can help a student decide right now their career path and go ‘I don’t want that stress every day in my life’,” Gloff said. “I think that certain things were learned from the experience, but regarding actual class and instructional time, there was a loss.”

14 15 16 21 22 23 Bye-Bye Birdie Musical Shows will begin at 7 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on March 16. All shows will be held in the CPHS auditorium. Tickets will be on sale in the box office starting March 5.

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St.Patrick’s Day

Formal Dress Silent Auction

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3 BPA prepares for state news february 28, 2014

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School looks to implement new safety system

BY SHANNON ROSTIN managing editor

BY TINA WINFREY associate editor

With the amount of school shootings on the rise in the past couple years, many schools have decided to step up their safety protocols.

Just last month, Indiana’s own Purdue University had a school shooting resulting in the death of student Andrew Boldt.

“It’s something that I hear all the time now it seems like,” senior Seth Heidler said.

“I was obviously shocked that it happened so close to home. It was tragic.”

The fact that this incident was so close to home opened many students’ eyes to the reality of events like this.

“It kind of made me feel like if it happened there that it could happen here,” junior Jordan Embry said.

With the Sandy Hook, Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech shootings all within the last ten years, schools have had no choice but to raise the bar in their school safety standards.

“We have our emergency crisis plans that we have protocol on if (an intruder situation) like that happens,” Director of Security Milan Damjanovic said. “We have procedures so that we can lock the school building down and contact 911. We also have our alert system where we can notify parents of the situation that occurred, where to pick their kids up, any kind of delays or anything else.”

In addition to these basic procedures, the school is looking towards a new security system expected this upcoming spring.

“One of the things we’re doing, not only here at the high school but at the elementary school level and on up, is we are going to have these alert tags,” Damjanovic said. “If something happens (a staff member) can yank on this lanyard, and it activates the call button. Then the call button will send a message to the front office.”

Through use of the school’s wifi, this alert will be able to alert the administrators, so they can communicate with law enforcement where the danger is and get help quickly on the way.

“For some of our distant schools, like Winfield and Jerry Ross, response time is a little longer because there isn’t a law enforcement agency like Crown Point real close. (With the use of this system) law enforcement can get there quicker,” Damja-

views on news

A house in Gary was recently purchased

by Zak Bagans, the host of the show “Ghost Adventures.” According to the Indianapolis Star, over 800 pages of police reports detail strange occurrences that have happened at the home. A family who lived in the home claims the house is possessed by demons.

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Jasmin Singh sophomore

novic said.

The corporation is able to obtain these security tools by the use of a $50,000 grant that was awarded to them. This money will be used to start off the system at three elementary schools, Winfield, MacArthur and Jerry Ross, as well as the high school.

These elementary schools were selected

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It kind of made me feel like if it happened there that it could happen here.

Jordan Embry junior due to their distance from law enforcement.

In case of an emergency it could take 10 to 15 minutes to reach these schools opposed to the 3 minute time span to reach schools located in town. From here, Damjanovic hopes to get the system spread throughout the entire corporation.

“I think this new system will be good because other (forms of alerting authorities) are so obvious,” Embry said. “A lanyard would be more nonchalant.”

In addition to a school crisis alert, the lanyard also contains two other buttons.

“If we have a fight that goes on in the building the teacher can press the blue button where it will alert all the other administrators that have (a lanyard) ,” Damjanovic

said. “If a kid breaks their leg or hurts themselves on the playground, we would press the red button.”

Along with the lanyards comes another security device. A 3-millimeter film covering each of the outside entryway doors.

“If someone tries to break the window or shoot it out it will delay their entryway,” Damjanovic said. “Like at Sandy Hook when the bad guy shot his way into that building. He was able to step his way through that glass and get into the school where this (protective film) will keep it in tact and hopefully it might slow down their quick action into the building to give us enough time to act.”

Both Damjanovic and Resource Officer Ryan Olson have been trained in active shooting courses to be able to handle this type of situation, if it should arise.

Heidler feels safe with the schools current safety protocols and believes the new additions will benefit the school.

“I think our school has a pretty good emergency preparedness strategy, but there’s always room for improvement,” Heidler said.

Damjanovic commends the entire staff on their awareness in terms of the school’s safety protocol.

“We got that through working together, teaching our staff about different kinds of safety aspects in what to do during lockdowns, hostage situations and those kinds of things,” Damjanovic said. “Our kids are our number one priority.”

Student reaction to events in our world

Area Television show host purchases house in Gary

They should close it down, because if stuff continues to happen people could probably get hurt.

PHOTO BY AMY SCHUCH

Director of Security, Milan Damjanovic talks with a student during lunch. The school recently received a safety award and a $50,000 grant for their crisis preparedness.

The Business Professionals of America, BPA, club has qualified to continue to the State Leadership Conference.

“There are two types of events at the BPA competitions. Some are where the students take a test and others are presentation events,” sponsor Mary Bachnak said.

In order to qualify, students competed at the District Leadership Conference held Saturday, Jan. 18.

“My team qualified for first in global marketing. We had a company, and we had to expand them into another country basically,” senior Mike Hillyard said.

State competition lasts three days. Students will compete for two days in addition to attending seminars and an awards ceremony.

“There are 74 events that are centered around business classes and events. Those events range from financial, presentation, management, human resource and computer events,” Bachnack said.

This event set for March 15 through March 18 in Indianapolis, will consist of competing BPA students from each district in Indiana.

“There are 13 districts of BPA in the state of Indiana; 23 states overall in the nation participate in BPA,” Bachnak said.

Competing in a state competition, as with any given activity, takes much preparation. This includes both team and independent work. “(We prepare by) practicing our presentation a lot, so we look more professional,” Hillyard said.

Bachnak assists throughout the preparation process, holding mandatory weekly meetings as well as meeting with students after school in order to rehearse anything they may need to in order to prepare.

Junior Kelsea Costello qualified for state for her first time in interview skills and administrative support team.

“I’m hoping to place because that would be awesome, and just have a fun time, do well in my events,” Costello said.

Bachnak also has goals for BPA as a whole.

“Our goals are hopefully for the students to place as high as they possibly can.

If each team or each student can make first in state and qualify for nationals and the whole team could go, that would be my goal. But really, I think the realistic goal is to work with the students to help them to prepare to do the best that they possibly can,” Bachnak said.

State Officials attempt to keep seized money

Nation Jimmy Fallon becomes host of “Tonight Show”

World Controversy surrounds skating events in Sochi

Prosecutors are attempting to keep the more than $3.4 million dollars confiscated during raids of various Mexican eateries that occured last fall. Prosecutors have accused the businesses of obtaining the money illegally, but as of yet no one has been convicted.

Merrillville’s La Caretta was one of the businesses searched.

On February 17 Jimmy Fallon took over “The Tonight Show” for comedic legend Jay Leno. Fallon is a popular talk show comedian who was well known from “Saturday Night Live.” He had his own talk show, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

Over a million people have signed a petition for an investigation of the ice skating events in Sochi. Some question if Russian skater Adelina Sotnikova should have won the gold medal. Judges from former republics of the Soviet Union were on the panel for the long program, as opposed to one representing the entire country.

I’m really disappointed that La Caretta is being investigated for illegal actions.

I think it’s good someone is taking over the show instead of it being taken off air or Brandon Creasbaum something.

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Paige Nesemeier senior

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freshman

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Erik Eksten junior

Since it was in Russia, I think there could have been a little bias, but I still think (Adelina Sotnikova) should have won.

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opinion february 28, 2014

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speakup

Be thankful for American peace

What Olympic event would you participate in?

BY DYLAN TAYLOR

editor-in-chief

Americans love to hate their government. Whether taxes are too high, policies are too weak or politicians are too corrupt, there always seems to be something to feel discontented about as an American citizen.

This discontent, however, is essential to our democracy, and lies at the heart of very democratic process that our nation was constitutionally established upon.

While it may be off-putting to see commentators and politicians butt heads on television or sit through Grandpa Joe’s annual Christmas dinner crucifixion of President Obama, recent examples of terrifying political upheaval thousands of miles away may call for a bit of thanksgiving for the relative peace and justice of the American political system.

For those without a wider knowledge of Eastern European politics, Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, has erupted. Antigovernment protesters, in some cases armed with explosives and weapons, have taken to the streets in opposition to the plutocratic, Vladimir Putin-influenced government of Ukrainian president Victor Yanukovych. Since then, the city and nation have devolved into near-anarchy, with whole sections of Kiev being burned, clashes escalating between authorities and rebels and the civilian death toll rising to 77.

Beyond the sheer carnage, this conflict is not some Romanticized battle for democratic liberation. The groups of rebels, hodgepodge mixtures of angered civilians and political activists, are reportedly being supported (and from some accounts, possibly led) by Svoboda, a far-right Ukrainian nationalist party with decidedly anti-Semitic tendencies. The party, allied with other nationalist and fascist groups across Europe, has even been accused of neo-Nazism by political opponents, and its leaders have a history of criticizing the “Jewish menace” of the current Ukrainian government and citing Nazi leaders. Yikes.

In the wake of all this carnage, the average American should be thankful that US politics, as dysfunctional as they may be, are peaceful, and that the threat of a Russian puppet state on one hand and a fascist dictatorship on the other are not in the cards as they stand.

Next time the urge to complain about the ignorance of your grandfather or the belligerence of television commentators surfaces, think about how well we truly have it.

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Cartoon By Collin Raiser

Holly Michaels sophomore

iew:

“Snowboarding. I feel like it would be a fun sport and you just balance. It doesn’t seem that hard to do.”

Security is important, but a “bubble” is unnecessary

It is thoroughly apparent that safety is taken seriously by the school. The doors are locked, the campus is closed, trained police officers patrol the halls and lockdown drills are held frequently.

In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a Purdue shooting and other school violence, however, the safety of all American schools, and the students within them, has been called into question. Even in the post-Columbine, post-9/11 era of heightened security, calls for metal detectors, more elaborate security procedures and more armed officers have been being satisfied with comprehensive safety programs around the country.

While it is important for Crown Point High School to keep up with security technology, it is also important not to overdo security as a whole. Schools, ultimately, are public institutions, and public spaces will always be at some risk. Yes, security can always be improved. What is most valuable for keeping a school safe, however, is a familiar, well-tested security arrangement, well-trained teachers and administrators and individuals that are aware enough of their surroundings to recognize potential threats.

Sandy Hook could have happened even with far-superior security systems. If someone is threatening and disturbed enough to cause that much harm, their determination would likely trump even the most expensive and suffocating security mechanisms. What schools need is the access to training for recognizing threats, and wellrehearsed procedures to minimize harm if they ever occur—not a bubble of scanners and guns.

Ethan Beemsterboer senior “Bobsledding. It’s very actionpacked and it seems like it would be a lot easier than other events.”

Julia Feguson junior “The slopestyle event, because I have a background in gymnastics.”

Nikolas Karakocis freshman “Luge, because it’s exciting and you get to go really fast.”

editorial

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Crown Point High School, IN

Vol. 78 Issue 5 Jan. 31, 2014 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.

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 Kara Biernat

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 Kate Franklin Nadia Giedemann Maisa Nour Collin Raiser Eli Udchitz Jackie VanDerWay Dylan Wallace Micayla Watroba adviser Julie Elston

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opinion february 28, 2014

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Is adding minutes the best way to make up days?

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Respecting teachers vital for success in education

BY KATIE SHERMAN

editor-at-large

Cartoon By Collin Raiser

Pro:

Con:

Adding minutes to the day is the most beneficial way to make up snow days

Adding minutes would be more trouble than it is worth; we need extra days

BY SHANNON ROSTIN

BY BECCA BURKE

managing editor

reporter

It’s not surprising, considering the weather, that we’ve missed an abundance of days. As a possible plan of action to make up the lost days of instruction, there was some discussion of adding a total of ten minutes to the school day—five minutes earlier and later—as opposed to adding days to the end of the year.

Adding days to the end of the second semester does not make up for the loss of instruction days in the first semester. A majority of the days were missed just before our first semester finals—roughly four days of review for finals. There is no way to make up the lost days of review.

An opposing argument that could be made is that five minutes makes a notable difference for students’ morning or afternoon routines. In all sincerity, adding time would not horribly throw daily schedules off balance. It would take some time to adjust, but once we are, we would hardly notice the difference and appreciate the added class time—something more beneficial than five minutes of hitting the snooze button in the morning.

Another issue presented with additional days at the end is that after AP testing, there is virtually nothing left to do in these classes. So not only are we bitter about being in school in the summer heat, it is not our most efficient use of time. Similarly, the dates of the AP tests cannot be moved. Adding more minutes to the days leading up to the tests give students increased study time that would likely help them significantly more than adding days after the fact.

By adding minutes to each class there is more time for review, studying and lecturing. Especially considering the way delays have shortened classes in a few instances, an extra five minutes would be helpful.

Ultimately, students wouldn’t directly feel the effects of setting their alarms five minutes earlier or leaving the building five minutes later than usual. The significance comes into the study time. While it seems a small amount, it would greatly help students to catch up, specifically in AP courses and test preparation.

Making up classes can be tough, and making up entire school days can be even tougher. However, adding minutes to the beginning and ending of each school day to make up for lost teaching time versus simply making up the days at the end of the year would be a hassle to manage without creating the impact that having full extra classes would on learning.

For some students, part time jobs and other commitments mean leaving school and going directly to work, practice or other places.

Personally, I am one of these students. Although the final bell rings at 2:27, my bus schedule has me arriving at home at 3:20 when some days have me needing to be at work by 3:30.

Time crunches that come from adding minutes onto each school day would cause scheduling issues for me and other students who have work or other obligations. While the school day may be adjusted by five to 10 minutes, work, practice and other commitments might not be.

Adding ten minutes to each school day easily gives the impression that classes would be lengthened enough to make up for the teaching time lost over snowdays. However, those minutes are spread out thinner than they would seem and would only give each class two minutes at most, which doesn’t give students nearly the same effect as a full 70 or 50 minute class would.

For years, the Crown Point Community School Corporation has been tacking on days to the school year to prevent vacations from cutting into days that were added as a result of snow days over the winter months. This creates time for full classes and eliminates the issue of the personal schedules of parents, students and staff colliding with that of the school.

In the end, while swapping full days at the end of the year with adding minutes to the remaining days may seem like an easy fix in our minds, in reality, the only thing that really occurs as a result of this trade-off is the creation of an awkward schedule that lacks the academic impact that a full school day would otherwise have.

24 Inklings staffers agree

5 Inklings staffers agree

Jennifer Clarke

Matt Grydzuk

junior

“(I like) having five minutes before school because that way we can get out earlier.

That way we wont have to waste our summer in school.”

Michael David

junior

“Tacking 5 extra minutes onto the beginning and the end of the day isn’t really practical. You’re going to have more tired and overworked students who are dealing with a longer day.”

math teacher

“At the end of the year, we really can’t accomplish any instruction because everyone’s thinking about leaving. As we prep for the ACT, that extra (10 minutes) would probably (benefit us) getting ready for the (test).”

Annie Lorek

English teacher

“I think a lot of students already have vacation plans and instruction has already been adjusted.”

The fact that I have less than four more months of high school has caused a lot of mixed emotions. Those emotions have caused me to look back at the people who influenced me most—my high school teachers.

A lot of students do not respect their teacher mentors as much as they should. If they took the time to realize that a teacher is not there to just teach a few algebra problems, they would learn so much more from them then just simple algebra. Teachers are the key to education and greatly impact one’s future, even if a student does not realize it.

Teachers spend countless hours doing work outside of the work environment. They spend countless hours grading essays, tests and quizzes. Don’t forget the numerous letters of recommendation that they are asked upon to write at last minute. For someone to throw a temper tantrum about failing an essay they did not complete is absolutely ridiculous. It is not the teacher’s fault if the student has no motivation or determination to complete an assignment.

I’m not advocating being the teacher’s pet and bringing an apple to the teacher every day or complimenting them in creepy ways. Showing respect for them displays character. Respect is more likely to be gained by showing it to others.

Put the phone down and stop texting in class. Take notes instead of mingling with friends. Each class is only 50 to 72 minutes each day. Resisting the urge to favorite the tweet that was absolutely hilarious, is something that needs to be learned while in class. I am fairly positive that one would not say absurd language or text all the time in front of one’s parents and even grandparents.

Respect is a skill that will be needed throughout life, whether it be with a job or with social life. High school is a time to show maturity as a student prepares for young adulthood and what most consider the “real” world.

Thinking a teacher is “out to get you” because of a bad grade on your last science project, just remember they are only trying to help with your success in the future.

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feature february 28, 2014

i on life experiencing a different perspective

college

A price worth paying?

PHOTO BY SUSAN REED

Pencil in hand, senior Aleks Kajmakoski fills out a scholarship application in the guidance office. Scholarship applications are available on Naviance and in the guidance office.

BY KATIE SHERMAN

editor-at-large

In a matter of months, many high school seniors transition from asking their parents for $10 to go to the movies, to $30,000 for higher education. A quick escalation to say the least.

The average cost of attending four-year public universities rose 2.9 percent last year, continuing a trend of annual increases in college tuition.

Economist Sandy Baum reported the increase in the cost of college in her report Trends in Higher Education released in Oct. The study also found that the published rates at private four-year universities rose 3.8 percent last year.

The increase has left some CPHS students questioning whether or not they can afford to attend a four-year public or private university.

“Eventually, it’ll be nearly impossible for some people to go to college because it is getting so expensive,” senior Emily Ziants said.

Ziants is one of numerous students looking for ways to combat the rising cost

the#

BY

Facts collected from collegedata.com

of college tuition. As, an aspiring nursing student, she intends on attending Indiana University Northwest her freshman year.

Ziants said staying home will allow her to save money while taking pre-requisite classes.

“For me, going to Indiana University Northwest would be good because I just want to take the basic freshman classes,” Ziants said. “I’ll be saving money my first year, and then I will decide if I want to stay or transfer (sophomore year).”

Northwest Indiana is home to roughly 11 colleges for students like Ziants who want to save money.

Andi Jones, the associate director of financial aid at Valparaiso University, said attending college close to home can save students money in living expenses because students will not be billed with room and board or meal expenses on a campus.

“Living at home may also be a good option for a student who does not feel comfortable leaving home yet or who may need parents’ help establishing a disciplined study schedule,” Jones said.

The cost of attending main-campus

average cost of tuition and fees for private colleges

locations kept English teacher Bronwyn Butler from staying at Purdue West Lafayette. To Butler, the price of going to Purdue West Lafayette outweighed the benefits.

“I went to Purdue Calumet for the last four years of college. I actually didn’t know what I wanted to do until after my first year of college. When I figured out that I wanted to be a teacher, it wasn’t financially smart to continue at Purdue (West Lafayette),” Butler said. “I don’t think people realize that when you go to a school like Purdue Cal, you are still getting a degree from the main campus. My degree doesn’t say Purdue Cal, it says Purdue University because it is essentially the same school, and you are paying at a way cheaper price.”

Despite the increased costs of tuition across the nation, some students would still prefer attending the main-campus locations of four-year universities.

Senior Griffin Rushton plans on attending a public, state university. He believes the new experiences outweigh the increasing costs.

“I am either going to Indiana University, Ball State University or Purdue Uni-

average cost of out-ofstate residents attending public universities

versity. Personally, I like having new experiences, and I feel like going off to college is supposed to be a fresh start,” Rushton said.

When you stay at home, you don’t really get that fresh start feeling. Cost isn’t really a big concern for me because I am more interested in the education I will be receiving and the experience I will have (being away).”

Social studies teacher Nick Ciochina, a Butler University alumnus, believes attending college away from home is worth the cost. He said students who leave to attend school have opportunities to grow and have more experiences.

“There is definitely more out there to see and experience than just Crown Point,” Ciochina said. “I had some great experiences. I think it was worth it in most ways.”

Whether students chose to stay home or move away for college, Ciochina believes a postgraduate degree is worth the price.

“College is worth the money. Even though I have student loans, it is ‘cheap money’ because the interest rate is so low,” Ciochina said. “Going to college is the reason why I am where I am.”

average cost of state residents attending public schools

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PHOTO BY TINA WINFREY

Junior Jacquelyn Rettig practices yoga positions at home in preparation for her next hot yoga class. She does the gomukhasana, or cowface, pose to help her relax and stretch.

Heating Up

Sudden hot yoga trend helps students escape cold weather

(camel)

Modified ustrasana

Modified eka pada rajakapotasana

(one legged king pigeon)

The latest hot yoga craze has students trading in the subzero weather for a 95 degree room.

Vinyasa is a type of yoga directly linked to poses, such as Ukatasan, Uttanasana and Virabhadrasana I, and breaths.

“Vinyasa is linking breath to movement and poses to movement, so we only hold the poses anywhere from a breath to five breaths,” instructor of “YOUnique Yoga” Robinson Jeffrey said. ”It’s almost like dancing.”

Hot yoga is classic Vinyasa yoga with a twist. The yoga studio in which the class is taught is kept anywhere from 95 to 99 degrees.

“The theory (behind the heat) is that you’re detoxing your body and opening up your skeletal muscles,” Jeffrey said. “You’re warming up (your) body at a much faster rate to prevent injury.”

In addition to this theory, there is another that relates to the climate of the birthplace of yoga.

“When you practice yoga in India it’s very hot,” Jeffrey said. “A lot of people are either practicing outside or they’re practicing in rooms with maybe just a ceiling fan going, so it’s kind of mimicking the climate and environment of India.”

Sophomore Jordan Vinovich took a hot yoga class at “YOUnique yoga” this past December. ”I loved it. It’s difficult and it challenges your body, but it’s really relaxing at the same time,” Vinovich said.

Vinovich heard to hot yoga from one of her fellow dance team members. A group of them decided to go and take the class together.

“It sounded like a really fun thing and you’re supposed to lose a lot of weight and burn a lot of calories when you do it,” Vinovich said.

With the higher temperature of the room, Jeffrey believes hot yoga is a unique tool in aiding weight loss. While rumors of losing five pounds

at one visit are completely false, she acknowledges that a large amount of water weight can be lost through sweating due to the nearly 100 degree temperature.

Junior Jacquelyn Rettig can attest to the amount of water weight lost in one hot yoga visit. Upon constructing her own turnabout dress, Rettig realized the dress was a little snug. When art teacher Lindsay Cox told her to try hot yoga, Rettig did not hesitate.

“It was my first time ever doing yoga, and they explain how to do it so I didn’t have to worry about feeling lost,” Rettig said. ““It was definitely a work out, but it wasn’t too rigorous.”

Along with a healthier lifestyle, hot Vinyasa yoga also has a variety of other benefits.

“It increases muscle tone. It can help with centering your body and mind body awareness,” Jeffrey said. “It also helps with stress. The benefits are endless.”

While there are many benefits to hot yoga there are also a few risks for people with certain medical conditions.

“People with high blood pressure need to be careful of the poses they are doing,” Jeffrey said. “Inversions is anytime your heart is above your head (instructors) have to be careful with it and making sure that (people that suffer from high blood pressure) are regulated.”

In addition to people with high blood pressure, pregnant woman and children under the age of 14 are also not recommended to participate in hot yoga. Jeffrey suggests Vinyasa hot yoga, minus the hot.

Rettig continues to take hot yoga classes when time permits. She enjoys the calm, candle lit atmosphere of the studio. When she is unable to make it to class she enjoys practicing yoga at home.

“I like yoga because when you’re stressed out and you just need to relax and forget about your stress you can do it,” Rettig said. “It’s just really nice.

You just feel really Zen afterwards.”

(upward bow)

associate editor

Urdhva Dhanurasana

BY TINA WINFREY

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Foreign exchange students expand on differences between home countries, U.S.

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BY KATE FRANKLIN MAISA NOUR

reporters

Imagine having a nine month sleepover with strangers 7,087 miles away from home. For foreign exchange students, the experience can be scary, new and exciting.

Senior foreign exchange student Wen Qing has experienced many differences between Shanghai, China and Crown Point, Indiana in her time here, including the name she goes by.

“I have so many names. I have a lot of different versions of my name. Different people call me different things.

Usually the first time people don’t know how to pronounce my name, so I’ll just give them the easiest version,” Wen said.

In China, last names come before first names. Wen, her last name, is the name she most likes to be called. However, in America, she often introduces herself as Vivian, the English name her teachers gave her when she was young.

“I started (learning English) in kindergarten when I was four years old. Most Chinese people have to learn three main subjects each year, and they all have to learn the same subjects. They always learn Chinese, math and English each year,” Wen said.

Signe Soerensen, a junior foreign exchange student from Denmark, has also been learning English in school since she was young.

“We learn English and American History in Denmark, so I wanted to come learn the language better. I also watched a lot of movies about American life and wanted to come see if that’s how it actually is here,” Soerensen said.

While she does not believe there are many huge differences between the cultures, she acknowledges distinctions.

“It’s mostly the youth that’s different. You guys start driving at 16, but we drive at 18. We also have a less limited lifestyle over there. (Teens) go and come as we please with buses, but here there are curfews and rules. It’s definitely something different,” Soerensen said.

For Wen, the cultural changes are the opposite, as she believes America has a more relaxed culture than China.

“Parents don’t expect you to have a boyfriend or girlfriend in China. It just depends on how parents think, but here parents take it more easily. My parents are pretty outgoing, and don’t care too much, but they don’t want me to spend all of my time socializing. That’s because in our society you have to study,” Wen said.

In addition to daily differences, holidays highlight

Photo by TINA WINFREY

Foreign exchange student Wen Qing skypes her family in China to stay in touch. She traveled from Shanghai, China to come to school at Crown Point as part of the exchange program.

contrasts and similarities in culture and tradition. Sophomore Megan Neusatz from Germany experienced her first Thanksgiving this year with her host family.

“The holiday season is different; we don’t have Thanksgiving in Germany. We have a holiday called Erntedankfest,” Neusatz said.

And while difficult to be away from family, especially

‘‘

The holiday season is different; we don’t have Thanksgiving in Germany. We have a holiday called Erntedankfest.

Megan Neusatz sophomore around special occasions, Neusatz does her best to keep in touch.

“I cope with being away from my family and friends by Skyping and texting with my friends and calling my family.

It’s very hard to talk to them with the time differences,” Neusatz said.

Wen and Soerensen have missed their parents as well, but are thankful to have host families they enjoy and feel comfortable with.

“When I first moved in with my family here, it was weird because I was living with strangers. I felt uncomfortable and wasn’t able to walk around casually. Now that I’ve been living with them for six months, things have become more comfortable. We now argue from time to time and Photo Provided by wen qing mess around,” Soerensen said.

Wen Qing enjoys sledding with her host family, the This nine month sleepover is soon coming to an end, Stahley’s, and their Mexican exchange student Karla. She but there are enough memories to take back home to re- is happy to be able to experience the American culture. member this new experience.

Call to get a head start on your cosmetology career today!

CrownCosmetologyCollegeInc. Call us at: 219-663-94444 Visit us at: 192 W. Joliet St. Crown Point IN 46307

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Students participate in NBC’s “The Voice” tryouts in Chicago

BY JACK SNEDDEN

reporter

Whether it was in private or with their choir, four students decided to use their singing experiences for a chance to live their dream—singing on national television.

Juniors Carrie Russell and Roman Ruiz and seniors Abby Shanahan and Laurentia Bivol auditioned for NBC’s “The Voice” on Jan. 16 at the Rosemont Theatre.

Russell has been singing for the majority of her life, but she was skeptical of her audition from the beginning.

“I didn’t plan on trying out, but I always wanted to do something with my voice,” Russell said.

“After a couple of months of debating, I thought, ‘I’ll try this.’”

Russell performed a version of “Royals” by Lorde, incorporating her own style for the sake of individuality.

While Russell was not chosen to advance, she remained optimistic about the time she spent at the audition.

“It was a great experience. I learned that you’re going to get some opportunities, but those op-

portunities might never quite go your way. The best thing to do is keep trying,” Russell said.

Similar to Russell, Shanahan has sang most of her whole life as a hobby until last year.

“I used to sing by myself and no one heard my voice, but then once I (sang for) my friend, and she liked it,” Shanahan said. “My friend told me I should (try out for) ‘The Voice,’ then she got me the audition, so I said I’d do it.”

Shanahan performed “I Did Hurt” by Christina Aguilera.

While Shanahan’s friends were the main reason she auditioned, Ruiz’s parents were the source of encouragement for him to try out.

“My parents are the ones who really pushed me into ‘going for gold,’” Ruiz said.

Shanahan was one of the luckier ones when considering how much time she waited.

“I was there for only three hours while others were there for the whole day,” Shanahan said.

At first, Shanahan was anxious for her audition, but the understanding of the others with the same goals around her brought her mind to ease.

“When I got there, I was really nervous, but I kept calm and just kept thinking about the song,” Shanahan said. “Once you get there and start talking to everyone, you become more relaxed.”

Shanahan did not make it to the next round, but she still enjoyed auditioning to be on the show.

Bivol has been a self-inspired singer since the age of three.

“My inspiration was me, myself and I. I just loved music, so I decided to (try out),” Bivol said.

On the day of the auditions, she arrived earlier than most, ready and excited to perform “Try” by Pink for the judges.

Despite her best efforts, Bivol did not make it to the second round.

“There were a lot of good people, so I don’t feel bad about it. (Everyone who auditioned) supported each other when we didn’t win, so it was all okay,” Bivol said.

Bivol was not disappointed with her experience. She did it for the joy in participating.

“I just wanted to have fun and follow the dream of trying,” Bivol said. “It doesn’t matter—win or lose, just have fun.”

PHOTO BY Amy Schuch

To read the extended story, visit www.crownpoint.highschoolmedia.org

Senior Laurentia Bivol sings her “ The Voice” audition song “Try” by Pink. She enjoyed the experience of trying out for the show.

Trying out for “The Voice” Cosmetology

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# 71 4hrs BY

CAPSTONE

the

versus

students in various Internships

Internships

Interns give

Finding the best 1/2 day fit for every situation

each week

75

students enrolled in Capstone

programs

students enrolled in Capstone work

10

HOURS A WEEK

facts obtained by Inklings staff

PHOTO BY BEN JASEK

Senior Adalyn Markle answers the phone, takes down orders and prepares the food during her job at Aurelio’s. Her involvement in Capstone has allowed her to continue working while attending half-days of school.

BY MADDIE ADDUCCI BEN JASEK

copy editor reporter

Picking between hundreds of courses and working towards a goal after high school can lead to difficult decisions for students.

The Capstone and Internship program has opened the door to new opportunities for future seniors as they schedule for the 2014/2015 year.

“Capstone is a course geared towards students who want to refine their work skills,” assistant principal Robert McDermott said. “These students typically already have a job at somewhere like McDonald’s or a job at a store in the mall.”

This program allows seniors to be at school between four to six periods and then work for the other portion of the day at

their job. If a student enrolls and does not currently work, the school will assist him or her in finding employment.

“Personally, I would like to be a nurse midwife. Starting as a CNA at the hospital would be a good gateway to this career,” junior Elizabeth MacPherson said.

Another program for seniors that will allow them to attend half days while gaining real life experience is the Internship program. Capstone is directed towards those who wish to work at their existing job while also finishing up their last required classes. The Internship program, however, is for students who want to explore different career options.

“Our thought process behind the program is simple,” McDermott said. “It is that if a student can go out and work in an area where they have an interest now, then

they will at least know what it is like in the real world as much as possible.”

Some students might not have a specific place for interning in mind, but the administration has taken steps to helping as much as possible.

“This year , we have had the opportunity to hire Mr. Miller through a grant. He has been going out and finding places that are willing to work with us. He finds places specific for students if we do not already have one set up,” McDermott said.

High school students planning to attend college receive an exclusive glimpse into the field of their choice through the Internship program.

“I think it would be a good opportunity to get into the field before I spend the money on college and so that I can experience my potential career,” MacPherson said.

Not only can the Internship program provide students with experience, it can also save money in the long run. As an added bonus, a handful of student internships are paid. However, the Capstone program guarantees a paycheck.

“I loved the Capstone work program because not only did I get more hours at my workplace, my paycheck also increased,” senior Adam Mihal said.

Among the many benefits of this program, colleges appreciate seeing Capstone or an Internship on a student’s transcript.

“I believe that having a job while balancing school looks good and appeals to colleges,” Mihal said. “It lets them know that you have priorities in life and that you can balance it while moving yourself ahead in the world.”

CARRIAGE COURT PIZZA Stop in after the friday night game for half-priced pizza after 9 p.m.

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#you’vegotthathungryfeelin Phone: (219)663-6551 Location: 211 South East Street Crown Point, IN 46307

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If we stick together as a team and stick to what we do well, we’ll be good for sectionals.

- Junior Josh Berquist

PHOTO BY DOUG MCSCHOOLER

Junior Aly Tetzloff celebrates her first place finish in the 100 fly. Tetzloff’s time of 52.70 is an IHSAA state record.

Tetzloff claims 100 fly state title

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

sports editor

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE PROVIDED BY INDYSTAR PHOTOGRAPHER DOUG MCSCHOOLER

Eying the finish, junior Aly Tetzloff competes at the IHSAA state meet two weeks ago. Tetzloff finished as the a state champion in the 100 fly and a runner-up in the 200 individual medley.

runners-up

Lady Bulldogs finish second at state

BY JACKIE VANDERWAY

reporter

It was only a matter of time.

After placing sixth at last year’s state meet, head coach Bryon Angerman knew that, with the swimmers he had returning, his team was in contention for a secondplace finish this year. The team remained undefeated, won their first sectional since 2007 and broke several of the team and state records. The only thing left to do was to earn the state runner-up title.

Strong performances from junior Aly Tetzloff and freshman Hannah Kukurgya did just that.

The girls edged out Fishers High School by six points en route to a secondplace finish at this year’s IHSAA state meet. Tetzloff and Kukurugya took home state championships.

The team lost only to Carmel, who pitted 19 swimmers against Crown Point’s six.

“Being state runner-ups is like winning the state meet when you are going against 19 girls from Carmel and only six of your own girls compete,” Angerman said. “We have had this goal for the past year, and it was special to accomplish something that has never been done before by Crown Point girls swimming or any other girls swimming team in the area.”

Swimming to

SUCCESS

1} st

place

Because sectionals were only a week prior, Angerman said preparing for the state meet was different than any previous preparation.

‘‘

Winning the 500 free was definitely a motivation heading into the offseason. I feel unstoppable.

Hannah Kukurugya freshman “The preparation was different since the main goal was the state meet, and some of the girls had to swim fast at sectionals knowing that they were not totally rested until the following week,” Angerman said. “We had to ask a lot more from our freshmen as well as the upper classmen to achieve our goal.”

The team had to deal with several unexpected disturbances leading up to their competition.

Due to a snow storm slowing down traffic, the team was forced to walk two blocks to the IU natatorium, arriving only

Aly Tetzloff Hannah Kukurugya

2 } nd

place

30 minutes prior to the beginning of the meet. Later that night, a fire alarm went off at the team’s hotel, and the girls had to evacuate until the fire was extinguished.

Despite the distractions, assistant coach Bryan Trippeer is happy with how the girls were able to maintain their focus.

“I’m very proud of how the girls swam and handled themselves down there,” Trippeer said. “They were focused the whole weekend wheras years in the past they haven’t, and it really paid off.”

For many of the competitors such as Kukurgya, who placed second in the 200 freestyle and finished first in the 500 freestyle, performances at the state meet are building blocks heading into the next season.

“It was really cool to go to state as a freshman,” Kukurgya said. “It couldn’t have been a better experience, and winning the 500 free was definitely a motivation heading into the offseason. I feel unstoppable.”

Even with the team’s success this year, Angerman believes the team can build on their accomplishments.

“We will set individual and team goals very similar to this season for next year,” Angerman said. “All records are meant to be broken. If we can set our goals and work as a team, we can achieve them.”

200 medley relay Bryon Angerman 200 freestyle 200 individual medley State coach of the year See story on page 13 400 free relay

Aly Tetzloff didn’t want to swim the 100 fly this year.

After placing 8th and 3rd in the event the previous two years at state, the junior swimmer thought it was getting old.

Then she remembered Brittany Robinson, a swimmer from Wawasee High School and how she broke the state record when Tetzloff was just a freshman.

“I remember going down to the state meet as a freshman and watching Brittany Robinson break the state record for the 100 fly,” Tetzloff said. “I wanted to be just like her.”

Today, she is.

Tetzloff finished the 100 fly with a time of 52.70 at this year’s IHSAA state meet, breaking the state-record. Her time was the fourth-fastest in U.S. high school history. She was named 1st-team AllAmerican by the national interscholastic swimming coaches association and a state champion.

Because of a new mentality, assistant coach Bryan Trippeer knew Tetzloff wasn’t going to settle for another thirdplace finish.

“She seemed more confident and mature going into her swims than she has in the past,” Trippeer said. “I think she finally said to herself, ‘This is my year.’”

With the times she’s been posting in past meets, Tetzloff knew she would likely reach her long-awaited goal of breaking the state record. She didn’t know she’d do it in historic fashion.

Even after her record-breaking performance, Tetzloff still didn’t believe it.

“I knew I was ahead, but I didn’t know how ahead I was, so I just went faster,” Tetzloff said. “Breaking the record was my original goal, but I never thought I’d be that fast. At first, I didn’t believe it. I kept staring at the score board in disbelief.”

It wasn’t until Tetzloff was congratulated by Robinson herself that she realized how real it all was.

“That day, after I broke the state record, she came up and congratulated me and gave me a hug,” Tetzloff said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is actually happening.’”

“That’s when it hit me: I’m a state champion.”

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Younger Lady Dogs head to conference championship

BY DYLAN WALLACE SAM BARLOGA

reporters

In the eyes of 13-year head coach Ami Pysh, competing in such a strong DAC could be frightening when having a young team, but when led by strong competitors, she believes they can compete well no matter what the circumstances.

“I was worried because we have a very small, young team, but when led by such strong allarounders, we can compete well in our area, especially considering the DAC has the strongest gymnasts in the state,” Pysh said.

The Lady Dogs have an overall record of 4-3 this year. The girls have been led by sophomore Hannah Best and senior Natalie Groff.

In Best’s eyes it means a lot to be a leader as only a sophomore.

“It means a lot to have the girls look up to me as a leader,” Best said. “Being a leader is also teaching me how to be responsible and take actions into my own hands in order to help the team.”

More than half the team this year consists of freshmen, and inexperience was a factor early on.

The Lady Dogs struggled to close off meets against Portage and Michigan City, losing by two points in each.

Despite the challenges, Pysh believes that inexperience can be put aside as long as she can get the girls focused for any challenge that’s thrown at them.

“I believe the girls have performed remarkably well all season,” Pysh said. “We can compete with anyone in our area as long as we stay focused on what is now rather than what the future holds.”

Best still believes that it is very important to have a young team when looking into the future despite this year’s outcomes.

“This year is more of a rebuilding year,” Best said. “All of the freshman this year are just learning how gymnastics goes and are experiencing all of it. That way next year and the years after, things will be a lot easier, so I think it’s very important to have a young team.”

This year, IHSAA regulations allow for three teams to travel to state instead of two.

Looking to the postseason, the Lady Dogs believe they have a better chance to advance to state with the new format.

“All we can do in postseason is hope that our kids hit every event and that the other teams do not,” Pysh said. “We of course hope get to state, but it’ll be tough because all the other teams in our area are just as good.”

The girls will start their postseason path March 1 at the DAC conference meet at home for the first time in five years.

As the only senior starting on senior night, Bret Barclay goes up for the dunk against the Lake Central Indians during last Friday’s game.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AMY SCHUCH PHOTO BY MAGGIE GELON

Boys win thriller against Lowell

Bulldogs avert fifth-straight loss with victory impact

PLAYER

Bret Barclay

6/8 shooting 16 points 5 rebounds

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

sports editor

No one had to tell Josh Berquist what this game meant to his team.

Tied at 44 all with just seconds to play, the junior guard knew the Bulldogs couldn’t afford to lose another close game. The ball was his, and it was up to him to ensure the team a victory.

With a last-second layup from Berquist, they got it.

The Bulldogs (11-8, 3-4) averted falling for their fifth-straight with a 46-44 over No. 8 Lowell (14-4, 4-2) on Saturday. The team came off of a 77-43 defeat against Lake Central the night before.

As one of the last regular season games of the year, head coach Clint Swan said this game was important to get back on the winning track.

“I didn’t even have to tell them how important this game was,” Swan said. “We got humbled (against Lake Central). We got punched in the nose, and I think our pride was at stake. They showed great resolve and great leadership, and for us to come

out and get that win, it was big for us.”

The Bulldogs started the game shooting at just 38.9 percent from the field in the first quarter, coming up empty on five early possessions to give Lowell an 8-0 lead.

“We didn’t have patience at the start of that game,” Swan said.

“Whenever you’re on the road, you have to wait for that perfect shot. We had to get into that mentality that we didn’t want to give them any bad shots before we got rolling.”

With junior forward Nick Jeffirs in foul trouble, senior guard Bret Barclay scored 14 points in the first half to help narrow the deposit to four at the break. Barclay finished the night with 16 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Jeffirs returned in the second half to score 12 points and help set up Berquist’s game-winning layup with less than a second remaining.

“Jeffirs did a good job of clearing out his man, so I only had one defender to face at the basket,” Berquist said. “I saw the

baseline drive opportunity, so I took it. It was an unbelievable feeling, but I’m happier that we broke our four-game losing streak and beat a good team.”

As the team prepares for sectionals against Michigan City (118, 6-2), much time will be spent focusing on guarding senior small forward Keenan Simmons.

Simmons burned the Bulldogs for 26 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 7-of-9 and connected from behind the arc four times in the Bulldog’s 58-48 loss to the Wolverines in January.

“We can’t let Simmons go off,” Barclay said. “He’s one heck of a division-one player to try and stop. It’ll be a whole team effort trying to stop him.”

If the Bulldogs do enough to contain Simmons while staying their course, Swan believes his team is capable of reversing the outcome next Tuesday.

“Their quickness is going to be a challenge,” Swan said. “We need to do a better job against their intense ball pressure, rebound and protect the ball. If we do that, we’ll be alright.”

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Trio takes on state

COLUMN

BY KARA BIERNAT

sports editor

Athlete’s sexuality causes unnecessary uproar Tune your televisions to Sports Center, the world-wide leader of sports news, to catch highlights and recent scores of all your local sports teams—or an outburst of criticism and opinions on one’s sexuality.

After watching three days straight of gay rights controversy on every sports channel, the publicity that an athlete’s sexuality has caused is not only unnecessary but down right wrong.

Future NFL prospect Michael Sam came out by telling ESPN that he was openly gay.

After graduating from Missouri, the All-American defensive lineman decided that coming out to the public would be beneficial to him as an athlete and person.

Did he expect the uproar and buzz it has caused worldwide? No. Did he expect his father to reference “Deacon Jones rolling over in his grave?” No. However, he did expect to bring attention to a serious issue that has recently swept over professional sports.

With sexuality being the hot topic issue that it has become today, many problems have arisen with a potential professional athlete being openly gay.

However, calling this a problem is the problem.

A gay professional athlete is not going to affect the players, teams or the NFL. It is merely going to prove that one’s sexuality is irrelevant to their athletic performance and should certainly not be issued a problem.

Hearing that Sam’s chances of getting drafted have decreased should make any NFL fan cringe.

Belittling an athlete because of their sexuality is going to affect everything besides their athletic performance. Why are we acting like one’s athleticism is dependent on their sexuality?

After witnessing this debate through the entire month of February, people need to keep in mind that athletes are here to perform to the best of their ability while competing in their sport—not to be criticized on their sexuality.

extra

Schurg takes second place at state tournament

BY KARA BIERNAT sports editor

The spotlight hung from the ceiling of Banker’s Life Fieldhouse as Darden Schurg stood with Evansville Central’s Brendon Kelley. Somewhere between the nervous silence and the loud crowd were two wrestlers preparing to battle each other for the state title.

Ranked fourth in his 152 lb. weight class, Schurg traveled down to Indianapolis to compete at the IHSAA wrestling state tournament.

After winning his first round match and taking his second round match in sudden death, Schurg was ready to fight for the win.

“I was relaxed, but

amazed at the same time.

I had never been here before. It was a cool expirience,” Schurg said. “I was wrestling under a spotlight in front of a huge crowd. It was like a gladiator pit. Everyone was yelling and going crazy.”

Despite being pinned

by Kelley in the second period, Schurg was still satisfied with his secondplace finish.

“I was happy with how I finished. I was the only junior in my bracket, so the competition will be different next year,” Schurg said.

Going into the state tournament ranked fourth minimized the pressure of competing. He went into the competition with no expectations which made

for a less nervous performance.

“Not many people expected me to do that good. It felt really good to take second and prove everyone wrong,” Schurg said.

‘‘

I was relaxed but amazed at the same time. I had never been here before. It was a cool experience.

Darden Schurg junior However, Schurg didn’t undergo this journey alone. Senior Steven Potosky and junior Morgan Kral competed at the

state meet after also qualifying at regionals.

Kral competed at 195 lbs. and qualified by taking second place at regionals. He went on to compete at the state meet, where he lost 4-3 in the first round.

“I didn’t accomplish what I wanted to do down at state, but the loss I had is only going to push me hard to win state next year,” Kral said.

Although the results may have not turned out how they wanted, head coach Scott Vlink is proud of his wrestlers and their accompishments.

“Everyone performed really well down there,” Vlink said. “They all made the most out of their seasons and should be very

proud of what they accomplished.”

The returning wrestlers are going to take this year’s state experience into account when next year rolls around.

“I’m going to work hard to improve on the stuff I didn’t capitalize this year in hopes of bringing home a title next year,” Schurg said.

The team is already looking forward to next year as they will start practicing in the spring.

“We’re going to work on getting better underneath and take a more systematic approach, so they can take what they learn in the wrestling room and successfully use it down on the mats when competing,” Vlink said.

Angerman named IHSAA High School Coach of the Year

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM sports editor

PHOTO PROVIDED BY INDYSTAR PHOTOGRAPHER DOUG MCSCHOOLER

The girls swimming team accepts their state runner-up trophy at the IHSAA state meet on Feb. 15 in Indianapolis.

Which team will hold the No. 1 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament bracket? out of 104 students polled

14% 38%

19%

After leading his team to a second-place finish at the IHSAA state meet earlier this month, girls swimming head coach Bryon Angerman was named Indiana’s High School Coach of the Year.

Angerman has coached girls swimming for 22 years, 10 of them with the Lady Bulldogs.

The team finished with an undefeated record, went undefeated in dual meets, and broke several school and state records on their way to a state runner-up title.

Angerman believes the award portrays the accomplishments his

Michigan State

29%

Games to watch March

Arizona Syracuse Florida

team achieved during the season.

“Being voted coach of the year was a direct reflection to what the girls did as a team,” Angerman said. “It was tough. They were asked many times throughout the season to prepare mentally for big meets and they did.”

With the success his team has had this year, Angerman looks forward to the year ahead.

“Next year, we will still have a team goal to finish in the top five at the state meet,” Angerman said.

“We will just keep working harder and harder to get there.”

vs.

}

points

PHOTO BY MAGGIE GELON

Junior Darden Schurg competes at last Saturday’s regionals. He took first place in the 152 lb. weight class to qualify for the state meet.

Boys basketball sectionals March 4, 7:30 at Valpo

Madness

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arts & entertainment february 28, 2014

inreview

“Adore You”

by Miley Cyrus Compared to what one would expect of the newsbreaking pop star, “Adore You” was slightly slow and even boring at times.

However, her voice was every bit the Miley that we’ve come to know and hit the “deep and soulful” tune very well.

“Captain Phillips” “Captain Phillips,” based on a true story, is a movie where two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks keeps viewers on the edge of their seats by taking us inside of the 2009 hijacking by Somalian pirates. This thriller shows both sides of the story.

Adding to the suspense of the captain being held hostage is the never ending intensity by the many action scenes.

iTunes “Redeem” Scanner Typing the code on the back of an iTunes gift card to redeem money is tedious work. iPhones and iPods have recently added a feature to scan the code by holding the camera over the card until the code is identified, making the process quick and easy.

“Happy”

By Pharrell Williams The song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams can only be described as ironic. While not making people happy with its annoying lyrics and catchy music, “Happy” has become the radio’s favorite replay. Warning: road rage may occur when listening to this song on the radio. For listeners’ safety and the safety of others, just switch the channel.

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The 2014 Winter Olympic Games

“Bates Motel” The television series “Bates Motel” is about a boy who is slightly too attached to his mother and who is morphing into the serial killer that most know from the movie “Psycho.” What is different about this series versus others about Norman Bates’ life is the viewer sees how his mother was an influence to him while trying to protect him. The second season comes out March 3rd. The first season can be viewed on Netflix.

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USA MEDALS

American athletes’ training and hard work pays off with overall good scores

BY EMILY BEST

a&e editor

The Winter Olympics for the 2014 season in Sochi, Russia have just come to a close. Even with bitterly cold temperatures, thousands of people attended daily to catch a glimpse of the famous Olympics.

The lead scoring countries in medals were Russia, Norway and the USA while Switzerland and Sweden came in at the bottom.

The games included a number of events ranging from ice skating to skiing. Most events took place outdoors; thanks to Sochi’s mountainous region made events such as skiing and snowboarding possible.

In addition to the already numerous events, 12 new events made their debut at this year’s Olympics. These new events included snowboard slopestyle, women’s ski jumping, the biathlon mixed relay and many more.

This year was a great year for the USA. With a total of nine gold medals, seven silver medals and 12 bronze medals, the USA came in

America’s Top Champions

Sage Kotsenburg Received a gold medal in snowboarding

Gold

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9

Silver

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7

Bronze -

12

third place amongst all countries in medal count. America did exceptionally well in events such as snowboarding and freestyle skiing.

American, Sage Kotsenburg, received a gold medal in snowboarding for his original style. Sticking almost impossible landings while including original moves, he scored very well with the judges. Canadian Mark McMorris was a close second place. While his landings were just as accurate as Kotsenburgs, he lacked the originality that Kotsenburg portrayed.

Curling was also a popular event. It is a very long event, consisting of ten rounds. Even though the sport itself looks simple, it is actually very tedious. It takes skill, balance and aim. America did not do so great in this event, but it was still interesting to watch. Canada, Great Britain and Sweden placed in the top three for curling.

As Americans wait another few years for the next Olympics, they should celebrate the achievements that were made in this year’s Olympics. With a total of 28 medals and placing third amongst all countries, Americans should be proud of their country.

Ted Ligity Received a gold medal in skiing

Meryl Davis & Charlie White Received a gold medal in ice dance

New Culver’s lives up to expectations

BY SHANNON ROSTON

managing editor

After months of construction, a new Culver’s location has opened on Summit Street in Crown Point.

Famous for their ButterBurgers, residents previously traveled to their Merrillville location for the great tasting fast food.

This area has become business populated within the past few years, making it the perfect location for Culver’s. It should be a successful addition to the business developing area, considering how the surrounding food chains specialize in different areas like Buffalo Wild Wings for wings, Beggar’s for pizza and now a classic burger and fries can be found at Culver’s.

The friendly staff combined with the PHOTO BY TINA WINFREY welcoming interior of the restaurant creates a step-above-typical fast food atmosphere.

Sophomore Tiffany Curtis purchases a meal during the grand opening of Culver’s on SumThere is a family setting about the restaumit Street.

life

social

A section devoted to social media

best apps

best tweets To kill two birds with one stone, The Kool-Aid Man probably just puts the powder in himself before getting in the shower. patrick

@tastefactory

You know your late to school a lot when the front table knows your name without you telling them Junior Madi Vasile

Splashy Fish

@vasile_madi

I’m getting annoyed of having to blow my nose every 5 minutes. I hate being sick.

Junior Jordan Jones

@Oh_HeyitsJordan

If I could stop time, things would be so much easier Senior Zack Bucci

rant. However, it could easily accommodate any age group looking for a casual dining experience and great food.

Another strength is their quick service; even on its opening day, meals came out surprisingly fast. Their menu has a wide variety to meet nearly any taste preference. ButterBurgers, cheeseburgers, chicken strips, soup, fries, salads and other items can be ordered at moderate prices. As to be expected with any fast food chain, these options are not very healthy, and aside from soup or salad, most of the menu is not; however, when the classic food is so delicious, one cannot complain.

A favorite candy can be added to a frozen custard or a Concrete Mixer to compliment any meal on the large menu. Concrete mixers are a tasty spin on the treat.

Culver’s combines moderate prices, classic tastes and a pleasant family atmosphere for a fast food expereince that will make one go back for more.

@zbooch28

Vintique

Splashy Fish is a spin off of the very popular game Flappy Bird. The idea of the game is basically the same, but instead of a bird in the sky it’s a fish in the sea. The game is still as difficult and still as frustrating as the original version.

This app allows users to create original pictures with fun filters to make any photo visually appealing. It is great for anybody who posts photos on social media sites such as Instagram.

best follows @WalkingDead_AMC Keep up with the current season of The Walking Dead with this twitter page. It is the offical TWD twitter page and is always tweeting new and exciting info.

@TheEllenShow The offical twitter page of Ellen DeGeneres. She is always tweeting funny things that will make anyone laugh.

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a perfect

PREDICTION

Social media: modern day rabbit hole

Our armchair Academy picks the winning performances From blockbusters like “American Hustle” to indies like “Nebraska,” this has been a great year for film. Here is a guide to the performances that might nab a trophy.

The 86th annual Academy Awards Sunday, March 2 ABC 6 p.m.

BY MAGGIE GELON

BY DYLAN TAYOR

editor-in-chief

editor-in-chief

Best Director

Best Picture

Best Actor

Best Actress

nominations

Who should win:

Who should win:

Who should win:

Who should win:

Best Picture

Alfonso Cuaron in “Gravity”

“Her”

Bruce Dern in “Nebraska”

Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine”

“Gravity’s” dizzying cinematography, beautiful construction and thorough, quality narrative writing, perhaps even taking cues from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” is no doubt the doing of brilliant maverick director Alfonso Cuaron.

No other film in the Oscar lineup was as quirky in vision as “Her.” The film’s exploration of a man’s (Joaquin Phoenix) love affair with a computer is the quintessential millennial tragedy of the year, and one of the more poignant and striking love stories in years.

After a decade lost to a debilitating chronic prescription drug addition, Bruce Dern is back on top; his performance as the cranky, perpetually disheveled Woody Grant makes “Nebraska” as comical and nihilistic as a film can be.

Cate Blanchett’s gripping performance as the riches-to-rags Jasmine Francis in Woody Allen’s bleak, resonant “Blue Jasmine” is arguably the finest of her her career. Her role’s frankness is deeply emotionally-involving to experience.

Who will win:

Who will win:

Who will win:

Who will win:

Alfonso Cuaron in “Gravity”

“12 Years A Slave”

Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club”

Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine”

With cinematic achievements like the ones that Cuaron boasts in his interstellar masterpiece, it is clear that “Gravity” will nab him the Oscar.

For Cuaron, already an accomplished filmmaker, it has been a long time coming.

“12 Years A Slave” is one of the most epic explorations of human cruelty and racism ever put on film, moving audiences with disturbing and, ultimately, morally affecting cinematic pathos. The Academy thrives on films like this.

Assumed by many to be the Academy favorite since “Dallas Buyers Club” was released, McConaughey’s newfound seriousness and quirky Texan bravado will likely win many hearts at this year’s Oscars.

The superiority of Blanchett’s performance as “Blue Jasmine’s” tragic hero is simply too brilliant for the Academy to pass up, even in the wake of the controversy surrounding molestation allegations against Allen.

American Hustle Captain Phillips Dallas Buyers Club Gravity Her Nebraska Philomena 12 Years a Slave The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Director David O. Russell Alfonso Cuaron Alexander Payne Steve McQueen Martin Scorcese

Best Actor Christian Bale Bruce Dern Leonardo DiCaprio Chiwetel Ejiofor Matthew McConaughey

Best Actress Amy Adams Cate Blanchett Sandra Bullock Judi Dench Meryl Streep

“Endless Love” captures viewers’ hearts

BY NADIA GIEDEMANN

reporter

Film director Shana Feste has helped create yet another great romance movie.

Based off of Scott Spencer’s novel and Franco Zeffirelli’s take on the story, “Endless Love” is an intense love story about two teenagers. In the movie, Jade Butterfield (Gabriella Wilde) and her family cope with the loss of her oldest brother Chris Butterfield (Patrick

Johnson). Since her brother’s death, Jade was not the most social person, and she did not reach out to her peers.

Everything changed once she graduated.

She met the love of her life, David Elliot (Alex Pettyfer), who changed her view on life forever. Jade’s father Hugh Butterfield (Bruce Greenwood) is what some people call an over-protective parent. However, he takes the title “over-

protective” to a whole new level in the film.

Feste did a remarkable job of showing the different aspects of love, whether they are good or bad. The movie captivated audiences with its suspenseful moments and diverse relationships.

“Endless Love” is a well-made movie that is recommended to anyone who may enjoy a suspenseful, romantic love story.

favorite things Groupon The sale-friendly app gives users notifications for discounted items. The items range from low cost vacations to deals for gym memberships and tanning salons. Stores can use the app to promote current sales they are having to attract buyers.

Loopy Phone Case Loop it, slide it, snap it. The Loop phone case is a convenient way to hold, as well as protect, your iPhone or Galaxy.

The “loop” provides the user with a stand to prop up the phone and also adds an extra sense of security for those who like a firm grip on their phone.

Chocolate Covered Gummi Bears Two things everyone loves combined into one creates a chocolate covered gummy bear. Manufactured by Albanese Confectionery in Merrillville, these bears are a scrumptious, locally made treat.

we’re so over potholes

Potholes. The one thing everyone from Northwest Indiana fears besides another polar apocalypse.

Appearing on every road in the greater Northwest Indiana region, these potholes not only are a nuisance, but also pose a threat to drivers. They can ruin rims, tires and can also cause collisions. Most will not be repaired until spring comes, so stay safe, and drive carefully.

My eyes are burning. My hand is cramped. My phone is dead. It’s dark, it’s quiet and it’s two in the morning. Again.

Most students have probably had a night or two or 12 like this. It starts off innocently. The homework is out and my phone gets turned on just to check the time.

But when the phone boots up so do a few Twitter notifications, and it’d be silly not to check those while my phone is on. Reading the feed is routine like brushing teeth; I was going to do it soon anyway.

While scrolling, a clever retweet catches the eye. In a tap, attention is sidetracked to the account this knee-slapping beauty came from, but before hastily following the account, it’s precautionary to read all previous tweets from the account and make sure there’s more comic genius where that came from. To follow is to commit, and I’m no quitter.

Once the twitter feed has been tended to, guilt sets in. Instagram hasn’t been checked yet either, and it’s probably feeling mighty neglected right about now.

And if Instagram is feeling bad about itself, then Snapchat is probably beside itself as seven pictures of people eating their respective breakfasts idle dormant.

Eventually the only reason the phone gets put down is because it’s at two percent battery.

Before it can be rushed to an emergency charger, it’s dead.

And I still don’t know what time it is.

It’s so easy to fall down the rabbit hole of social media – night after night, day after day, class after class. And while social media can be an incredible communication tool, platform of expression and portal to news and knowledge, there is a line we should be wary of – I like to call it 2 a.m.

While certainly a tool and an outlet, a social media account is no acceptable substitute for a life. Besides, if our eyes are always staring at the scroll, we are bound to miss out on all the material we could be inspired by right in front of us.

As fabulous as the world of cyberspace is, we don’t live in it, and therefore we should be wary of it running our lives in the world we are present in.

Who knows, if we check the time before we hit the feed, we may even get to bed before dawn.

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TAKE

Mazur composes original electronic pieces

BY EVI LOVIN

reporter

A tune or rhythm getting stuck in one’s head is one thing, but making the sounds that could stick in someone’s head is another. Junior Josh Mazur composes, arranges and sequences ambient music, ambient techno and downtempo electronic music, and what started as a simple pastime has quickly grown into a passion for sound.

Mazur, a bassist in the school’s orchestra, was first exposed to electronic music through computer gaming.

“I used to play the video game LittleBigPlanet 2, which has a music sequencer in it. The game also had a feature where you could make levels, so I would make music to accompany the levels,” Mazur said. “The music sequencer was very accessible, which probably drew me more to making music since it was not a major hobby at the time. The game also had good electronic music, such as Plaid and Squarepusher, which both served as inspira-

tions. I do not think I would be interested in electronic music if it was not for that game.”

Mazur’s first album of original music, “Electropogenic,” was heavily influenced by video game music and MIDI sounds. “(Because) I was originally focused on video game music, (the) first tracks of ‘Electropogenic’ were very MIDI sounding,” Mazur said. “It was very melodic, just like typical game music. That was helpful (to make), since it helped my melodic construction.”

Since “Electropogenic,” Mazur’s music—and tastes—have developed. Influenced by ambient, electronic and experimental artists like Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada and The Orb, his music has become more minimalistic, atmospheric and harmonically complex.

“My music isn’t as melodic as it used to be now,” Mazur said. “I started getting into ambient techno and downtempo (a

slower, more atmospheric form of dance music) last summer, which I found to really enjoy. Consequently, my music has become more minimal, and I started focusing on creating atmospheres and focusing on the details of each second of my music.”

Mazur believes that his music has improved since taking AP Music Theory. As he continues to compose, he also remains dedicated to practicing, studying music theory and focusing on the details and composition of his songs. “(Studying music theory) makes music composition a lot easier, since I know what I am doing, how each note functions and how I want my (musical) phrases to end,” Mazur said.

Mazur devotes an average of fifteen hours into a song before releasing it online. Mazur releases his music on SoundCloud, a website that allows its users to upload, promote and share the music they create, and Facebook profiles under the artist name “Aernest A. Rutherford.” He uses the program Cubase for sequencing and composition and the program Audacity for recording and sample manipulation.

“(When composing or sequencing) I like finding ways to piece sections together, finding interesting samples, composing for each instrument and so on,” Mazur said.

Along with electronic instruments, Mazur has incorporated the ocarina (a wind instrument, similar to a flute, with a mouthpiece and finger holes) into one of his pieces, and is experimenting with string sections, electric bass and electric guitars for upcoming works. Even so, his passion for electronic music usually overrides the inclusion of real-time instrumentation.

“Will I experiment (composing) with more non-electronic sounds? Possibly, but I have really come to like electronic sounds,” Mazur said.

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Junior

Alyson Kinzie Express Yourself I take pride in my differences from other people. I think life wouldn’t be interesting if there weren’t people who questioned “the norm” and challenged themselves to be themselves.

Snowpocalypse I typically enjoy winter but this snow apocalypse going on is a buzz kill. The large snow drifts are great for tunnels, but when they’re everywhere you go, they are less fun to be around.

A Class Act I think the new classes are terrific. They give people like me who want to major in science another option that will help towards my degree, like biomedical classes.

Moving On I am looking forward to the end of high school and making more great memories.

Love for the Band

PHOTO BY Tina winfrey

Manipulating notes via a MIDI keyboard, Mazur works on a composition in the music theory lab. Mazur’s original music is primarily electronic.

What was your worst winter wipeout?

“Walking into the “I was walking in school, and I just the driveway, and slid right into the I slipped getting door.” into my car.”

Matt Weed junior

“I had to walk through a pile of snow (to get to the sidewalk) and slipped.”

“My driveway’s really steep, and I slipped.”

I love the fact that I get to share my love for music and band with those who play the same instrument as me.

“I was walking with my boyfriend, and I was holding his hand, and I slipped.”

S

“I was doing the iron lotus and fell and sliced my finger.”

Alek Dedic

Kylee Stevens

Emily Tassi

Bobbie Sue McDaniel

Jacob Gulka

freshman

sophomore

senior

junior

senior