Inklings jan 2015

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Crown Point High School @InklingsCPHS Jan. 30 2015 Vol. 79 Issue 5

Crown Point’s Got Talent Talent show comes back with multiple acts including hoopers, musicians and dancers.

S See what acts took home awards at this year’s show on page 3

CHEAPER BY THE GALLON

$3.09

Various factors contribute to decrease in gas prices

$2.59

$2.05

BY SAM BARLOGA

$2.15

reporter

$2.23

$2.69 $2.19 $1.77 $1.79

Gas prices around the NWI and Chicagoland area as of Jan. 28.

Prices found on gasbuddy.com

$2.09

$1.87 $1.91

$2.19 $1.83

$2.09

$2.99

$1.83 $1.99 $1.93

$1.82

$1.74 $1.78

$1.89 $1.89

$1.78 $1.60

$1.82 $1.82

$2.19

$1.89

$1.97

$1.89 $1.89

$1.94 $1.94

$2.09

786 cars for every

1,000 people in the USA

average U.S. household expenditures on gasoline $2, 912

$134.51 billion

gallons of gasoline used per year

facts provided by http://www.eia.gov, http://fuelgaugereport.aaa. com and http://www.nasdaq.com

Feature

News Lining up New lunch lines offer many choices to students page 2

With gas prices falling and consumers putting more back in their pockets, many drivers are asking: How low will these gas prices go?

According to the American Automobile Association, since June of last year, gas and oil prices have been plummeting in price, going from a high of over $100 a barrel to its current state at under $44 a barrel. The national gas price average was once over $3.50 a barrel. Today, it is at a six-year low, and if recent trends continue, it is set to fall under $2.

With gas prices dropping lower than seen in previous years, both students and adults are saving money at the pump. Junior Nate Knerler has seen these savings first hand.

“I have an ‘06 Trailblazer, and it was only $20 for me to fill up my tank, which means I’m driving a lot more. There’s usually not enough money to go around when it takes $60 or $70 to fill up my tank,” Knerler said.

The drop in price can be contributed to a variety of factors, including how much oil the Untied States and Canada have been pumping out. The United States has returned to being a top three oil producer, even though the country is ranked 11th in worldwide oil reserves, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

According to economics teacher Jim Ingelhart, because oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia have not cut oil production amounts, a massive surplus of oil is now on the market.

“The reason that oil is so cheap is because the Saudis are producing at a high rate and they’re not going to lower it. The main reason they’re not going to lower it is because North America, especially the USA and Canada, is becoming the number one producer of oil and natural gas,” Ingelhart said. “The Saudis are trying to make sure that the oil shale that’s out near Colorado and that all the oil sand that is coming from Canada and the Dakotas can no longer be profitable. If (the Saudi Arabians) sell oil this cheap, it costs oil sand and oil shale companies too much to produce their oil.”

Ingelhart also believes that China, the world’s second-largest economy by total GDP, will have a lot to do with the reason prices may continue to decrease.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the end of oil’s freefall down. I don’t know if it’s going to fall into the 20’s, but I can see, in the short run, the price dropping off because it’s looking like China is going to come across an economic problem, which means less people are using oil in China, creating an excess on the market,” Ingelhart said.

See gas prices on page 3

A&E

Paging Dr. You Technology advancements lead to self diagnosis page 8

Turn the pages Judge books by more than just their covers page 14

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news january 30, 2015

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loving

LUNCH Daily Hot Lunch Spaghetti/Pasta and breadstick Cheese Burger Deluxe Bosco Sticks and marinara sauce

Chicken Favs PHOTO BY MICAYLA WATROBA

Students line up in one of the cafeteria’s newly implemented lunch lines, “Chicken Favs,” which offers a variety of chicken-based meals.

Cafeteria features new lunch lines

BY MAISA NOUR

assistant editor

Senior Terese Sinal was greeted with confusion on the Monday morning after break. After two weeks off from school, Sinal was prepared for the struggle of getting back into the routine of waking up early and going to class.

She didn’t expect to be welcomed with an entirely new system at lunch.

In an attempt to introduce a healthier variety of food for students, the cafeteria staff has changed the lunch line set-up based on feedback received by staff and students.

“We’ll always look for ways to improve how we can better serve students. In this instance, our cafeteria manager solicited feedback from the students, staff and other local schools before making a decision to change things up,” principal Chip Pettit said.

According to high school cafeteria manager Michele Kral, the cafeteria staff communicated with administration and other cafeteria staffs from around neighboring high schools and colleges to come up with the new arrangement.

When coming up with the new menus, the cafeteria staff had its limits and requirements that needed to be met by the USDA guidelines.

“We have to offer students accordingly with the changes in the USDA guidelines as well as what the government standards have

become with serving healthier options to students,” Kral said. “We have guidelines in our menu that give us certain products that we are allowed to order that have low-sodium, low-fat and reduced fat in order to make it healthier for students.”

Ever since the change of set-up, Kral has noticed that students have been able to get food a lot faster than before.

“The set-up of the lines really helps with the congestion that used to be in the cafeteria because students can just go in and out with their food without having to wait,” Kral said.

Students like Sinal believe that the changes made have been beneficial to the organization of lunch and have added more variety of choices and have helped with traffic.

“I think the lines are helping because people are getting more variety of choices and the lines have helped with the traffic that was there at the beginning of lunch,” Sinal said. “People also won’t get sick of having the same food every day like before.”

The cafeteria staff has also received positive feedback from students regarding the set-up and the overall idea.

“The cafeteria staff believes the changes have been positively received from students. I have asked a few students if they liked the changes. A couple of them looked at me like I was crazy for even asking but then quickly replied that all they really want is to get in and out of the line quickly so they can eat and spend time with friends,” Pettit said.

Chicken nuggets and oriental sauce Chicken tenders and baked beans Bosco Sticks and marinara sauce

South of the Border Enchiladas and brown rice Quesadillas and brown rice

Bulldog Express (Pizza and Hot)

Bulldog Express (Cold Sandwiches)

Credit requirement, class qualifications changed for 2015-2016 scheduling

BY BECCA BURKE

assistant editor

february

With 2015-2016 scheduling right around the corner, high school requirements are evolving from previous years. In the past, bare minimum requirements included three years of math. However, with new years come new standards.

According to assistant principal Robert McDermott, math will be required for all four years of high school starting with the class of 2016.

“Students must now take math all four years of high school, and that does not include anything that was taken before high

school,” McDermott said. “So if students took algebra in eighth grade, it doesn’t count as credit for that year.”

Junior Miller Elwood doesn’t believe the new requirement will be a problem.

“I think it’s a good idea to take math all four years because you’re going to have to take it in college anyway,” Elwood said.

With new requirements also come new options, especially for students struggling to fit fine arts courses into their schedules.

“The state has just recently changed a ruling that now allows advanced journalism, newspaper or yearbook to count as a fine arts credit,” McDermott said.

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14

Freshman Transition Meeting

16

lady have already taken advantage of this thought and have been incorporating it into their schedules.

“I’m in AP biology right now and I took both medical terminology and child development because I want to be a neonatal nurse,” Mellady said.

As scheduling begins next week, McDermott advises students to use the provided resources wisely.

“I would look very closely at all the information that’s posted on our website,” McDermott said. “It’s developed to make sure that students are moving toward all of their course requirements.”

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Presidents Day

Parents of 8th grade students are

Due to an earlier snow day,

invited to attend an informational

school WILL be in session on

meeting for details on scheduling and updated CP 2.0 initiatives.

In addition, electronic music and AP art history will also be added as fine arts courses.

Currently, counselors and school administration are pushing to incorporate classes that will help students in their preferred field of interest as well.

“We’re adding organic chemistry and biochemistry next year, which is focused on people who want to work in the medical field,” McDermott said. “We want to get students exposed to the things they want to do so that they’ll go to college and their coursework won’t be as difficult.”

Students such as senior Katie Mel-

Valentine’s Day

Presidents Day.

NHS Mardi Gras NHS will hold their third annual Mardi Gras festival for elementary students from 6-8 p.m.

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news january 30, 2015

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After last year’s cancellation, talent show makes a comeback

BY TIFFANY CURTIS

reporter

PHOTOS BY JACK SNEDDEN

(Top) Senior Julia Thorn was the audience’s favorite with a “Napoleon Dynamite” dance.

(Bottom) Seniors Kyle Thompson and Nick Sansone emcee the talent show.

Gas story continued from p.1 Benefits from the decrease in gas prices are not limited to just drivers. Because the drop adds to consumers’ savings, people are given more freedom to use the extra money as they choose, creating diversity in the market and bringing down the cost of other products.

“Everyone else is going to benefit from (low gas prices). People will have more money in their pockets, meaning they’re going to buy more McDonalds, shop at the mall, go to the movies, buy more clothes, and by doing so, we might see an economic boom period for the next 4-10 years,” Ingelhart said.

Junior Mercedes Andrade has been taking full advantage of the low prices away from the pump. She and her family have been leaving the house at an increased rate since the prices have started to bottom out.

“I feel like people are going out more and spending more because of the low prices. My father has to go to the gas station around three times a day to get our family around to things like soccer practice, and it usually costs a

VIEWS on

NEWS

A woman made three bomb threats to Crown Point High School on Jan.22. Police report that the calls began at around 11:15 and that she called twice more. She claimed that bombs were already inside the building, leading to an increased police presence around the school.

Bailey Ficek sophomore

lot more money, so we were all really happy with the drop,” Andrade said. “We’ve all been going out a lot more, and if the prices keep going down we’ll probably spend more on shopping and getting out of the house.”

Despite the economic effects of low gas prices, environmental science teacher Tammy Keilman makes it clear that low gas and energy could put the U.S. behind in where it needs to be on its path towards a switch to sustainable energy.

“As long as prices are low, people will tend to treat any resource with a greater lack of care,” Keilman said. “We need to be focusing on educating people on the safety of renewables.”

Oil companies are preparing for the worst as well. Last week, BP CEO Bob Dudley told BBC News that oil prices could remain low for three years. However, other companies are predicting something totally different. Italian energy giant Eni has stated in the past month that it expects oil’s low prices to end soon, setting up oil prices at near $200 a barrel in the near future. Others have rallied upon Eni’s calls as well, with a former oil executive saying gas will rise back up to over $5 a gallon.

“(When oil will rebound) is one of the toughest questions to answer,” Inglehart said. “When they talk about it rebounding back, if it’s going to be five months or five years from now with oil going back over $100 a barrel, that’d be significant. If it ends up being $100 a barrel 50 years from now, that would just be a product of inflation.”

Taking their lower wages into consideration, students would also struggle to put together the funds to pay that much an increased rate at the pump, as Knerler points out.

“If the price goes up, I’m not going to be able to go out at all. I’ll be cooped in my house not able to do anything,” Knerler said.

One thing is for sure: lower energy prices will end up benefiting all of us later in life.

“Because energy prices look to be somewhat stabilizing over the next decade or so with the advantage going to us, the consumers, what students should be taking from all of this is that they will probably be wealthier in the future because they’re going to have lower costs not just driving their cars, but heating our houses,” Engelhart said. “At the same time, that should allow businesses to be more profitable, hopefully meaning they’ll pay more in wages.”

Student reaction to events in our world

Area Bomb threats cause worry at CPHS

‘‘

With shaking hands and hopeful hearts, 13 students performed at the CPHS Talent Show. Talents ranged from garagestyle rock bands to hula-hooping and singing to contemporary dances. After cancelling the show last year because of a lack of entries, Student Union sponsor Amy Sansone and theatre director Kit Degenhart were excited to put on a show with what they felt were the most talented students at the high school.

Seniors Nick Sansone and Kyle Thompson served as emcees and came ready with quirky yet kind quips and jabs at the judges, including English teachers Vincent Bauters and Jacob Adams and receptionist Michelle Atherton.

The first act provided the audience with a jolt of a garage-style rock from the band Oven Mitts, founded by sophomores Kyle Gilson, Donny Colvin and Mike O’Brien, who have been friends for 16 years. The band has only been official since May of last year, so it was a shock to the members when they heard their name called for the award of Most Talented.

“We were in complete shock and disbelief,” Colvin said. “We’ve heard the songs we played on the radio for years, so we just figured we could play them.”

Sophomore Taylor Zick sang “This is Gospel” by Panic! At the Disco while freshman Kristen Szaller sang and played the ukulele to “Despair In the Departure Lounge” by The Arctic Monkeys with a voice Bauters described as “dynamite.”

“I was absolutely ecstatic because I was so nervous before going on that my hands were shaking,” Szaller said.

Senior Julia Thorn and junior Michael Truschka performed a contemporary routine to “Not About Angels” by Birdy.

“That performance just carried me someplace, and I lost track of time. I felt very deep in that performance,” said Adams.

Senior Becca Olesek performed an original song entitled “Overrated” that Bauters deemed a “hang-gliding ride that was just a collage of awesome.” Olesek ended up winning the Most Original award.

“It’s really invigorating to know I won, and it really enforces my love for my songwriting,” Olesek said.

The crowd favorites, however, were seniors Julia Thorn and Gianna Kujawski.

Kujawski filled the role of “Napoleon Dynamite’s” Pedro, promising the crowd that, if they voted for her, all of their wildest dreams would come true, mimicking the movie. Thorn then walked on stage in full “Napoleon Dynamite” mode and performed the dance Napoleon does in the movie, including finger jabs, hip thrusts and turns.

“That’s what a talent show is supposed to be about,” Bauters said. “(Thorn and Kujawski) flipping killed it.”

Thorn and Kujawski won the Audience Affect award after they received a standing ovation from the crowd. “(The performance) was just something my dad brought up to me, and I just thought about it and ended up loving the idea,” Thorn said.

Senior Erica McDermott gave an emotionally-charged performance while the band Carnett performed electric and intense original songs to close a night of talent.

I think someone did it just to scare people and that’s not something people should be doing.

State Constitutional hunting rights are discussed State senator Brent Steele wants Hoosiers to have the constitutional right to hunt and fish. Steele and his allies argue that hunting and fishing needs protection because environmental groups are getting too powerful.

‘‘

Hannah Grady freshmen

Yes, it should be in the constitution. For many people, it is their main hobby, and it should be fully protected.

Nation Patriots accused of cheating versus Colts

World Scotland bans fracking for oil and natural gas

The New England Patriots are being investigated by the NFL after their participation in the AFC Championship game versus the Indianapolis Colts. New England has been accused of slightly deflating some of the game balls in a scandal coined by many as “Deflate Gate.”

Scotland’s ruling party, the Scottish National Party, or SNP, has decided to ban fracking measures in all of Scotland. With support from some Labour members in Scotland’s Parliament, the bill for the ban has passed.

‘‘

Tucker Smith junior

I think the accusations aganist the New England Patriots are ridiculous. Something of that nature would never happen in the NFL.

‘‘

Darden Schurg senior

I’ve heard a lot of negative things about fracking, so I think it’s good they’ve taken this step.

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opinion january 30, 2015

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speakup

Responses to Paris attacks are not black and white

What foods do you wish were offered for lunch?

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

editor-in-chief

I am not Charlie Hebdo.

I have never insulted anyone’s religion, prophet or holy book, nor do I approve of others doing so. I don’t believe free speech should be used as a means to insult the most beloved human being to me, nor should it be a cover to insult any prophet or religious figure. I do not approve of the publishing of any vile racist cartoons drawn

by Charlie Hebdo or any other magazine.

But I’m also not a terrorist.

I believe in principle. There is no justification for the coldblooded murder of 12 people in Paris, regardless of their actions.

I value life. I believe in responding to the evil insults against my prophet with education and mercy.

And I don’t blame the faith of Islam for the horrendous attack, either. The vigilantes guilty of the attacks in Paris know nothing of my religion. If they had, they, too, would have believed in peaceful response. They wouldn’t have thought they could “avenge” the prophet by spilling innocent blood.

The issue is not black and white. I don’t have to approve of the Charlie Hebdo cartoons to be an advocate of free speech. Having the right to do something does not make doing it right.

There are lines that, for the sake of maintaining order and having decency, cannot and should not be crossed. Freedom of speech isn’t a pass to depict blacks as monkeys and Arabs as bulbousnosed characters, both of which the magazine publication did.

And I don’t have to be blaming my religion to condemn the violence. Too often am I associated with the actions of such extremists. I could---and should--refuse to defend myself for actions neither I nor the religion of Islam are responsible for.

Instead, I choose to preach the very teachings of my religion by denouncing the criminal acts committed in my name. My prophet was abused and harassed during his time as well, but not once did he retaliate with hate and violence. It was peace and love he preached, and it’s the same peace and love I attempt to share with you today.

Because I am not Charlie, nor am I a terrorist. I’m a Muslim American that believes in human rights and justice.

I’m a follower of the man who was sent as a mercy to the worlds.

CARTOON BY COLLIN RAISER

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“I want real (Hispanic) food. They should serve things like burritos and Spanish rice. It’s good to try new foods.”

iew: Let 2015 be the year of true change

We can’t start over. Despite the common belief, a new year doesn’t mean a new beginning, a fresh page. Things happened in 2014 that cannot be undone.

But that doesn’t mean that things can’t change. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of transformation and building his ideal society, a society where justice and equality were given to all, where the nation united for the common good.

Five decades later, it’s clear that we still have a ways to go.

It’s true; gas prices began to plummet at the end of last year. For the first time in six years, a gallon of gas is nearly $2.

But, besides cutting spending from our own pockets, what else have we accomplished when it comes to energy? Emphasis must now be placed on limiting resource depletion, and a push for advancements in clean energy in 2015 must be made for there to be real progress.

Yes, a plan has been put into place to make community colleges free, a step towards providing all with an equal opportunity at education. But free education doesn’t promise higher graduation rates. This year should be used to continue the push to give citizens the resources they need for a better education and a promising future.

And yes, we’ve been urging the state for a boost in school funding for ages, and Indiana House GOP leaders pledged to do just that in 2014. But if the Munster school board is still forced to cut 50 staff positions due to an $8 million deficit, it’s clear that efforts to improve the system must be taken beyond simple urges.

It’s up to our generation to truly make 2015 a year of change, to learn from our past to build for the future King himself dreamt of. Because that’s what New Year’s resolutions are about: identifying the problem and finding the solution. We’ve taken note of our problems, and another chapter of our lives is over.

It’s time to write a better ending.

editorial

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Crown Point High School, IN

Vol. 79 Issue 4 Dec. 19, 2014 1500 S. Main St. Crown Point, IN 46307 219-663-4885 ex. 11349 fax 219-662-5663 inklings@cps.k12.in.us online: 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 Alaa Abdeldaiem Tina Winfrey editors-at-large Olivia Elston Verda Mirza associate editor Nadia Giedemann assistant editors Natalie Brigham Becca Burke Maisa Nour graphics editor Collin Raiser

Jayme Gunter freshman

Samuel Swope sophomore “We should have bacon burgers for lunch. We already have normal burgers, so we should add variety and try different types of burgers.”

Angie Swanson junior “BLTs should be at lunch. I’m a picky eater, and the school doesn’t have that many options for picky eaters like me. ”

Jacob Balko senior “Chicken Alfredo should be offered for lunch because it’s an Italian delicacy and it really fills you up.”

online editor Sam Barloga sports editors Jackie Van Der Wey Dylan Wallace advertising editors Hannah Bauner chief photographer Jack Snedden photographers Jill Kidder Alexandra Stack Micayla Watroba

staff Casey Akers Tiffany Curtis Tommy Frame Maria Leontaras Lauren Massow Hannah Morgan Katie Pawlowski Arriana Rainwater Chris Rekitzke Dominic Tomich Eli Udchitz adviser Julie Elston

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opinion january 30, 2015

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Should make-up days be during the year or at the end?

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Strike balance between virtual, verbal contact

BY VERDA MIRZA

editor-at-large

CARTOON BY ARRIANA RAINWATER

Pro:

Con:

New protocol is better, allows for smoother summer transition

Snow days should be made up at end, not worth pre-scheduled extended weekends

BY OLIVIA ELSTON

BY HANNAH BAUNER

The rule goes that school days we miss for weather-related or non-related purposes must be made up to ensure that the 180 school days are accounted for. Old rules used allow for missed school days to be added to the end of the school year, extending the date for the last day of school. This year, however, a new option was put forth.

Instead, the cancelled days can be made up on holidays that were previously scheduled as days off.

Students would not want to add more days to the end of the year because it runs into their summer. Since the school year starts in late August, it ends early June, which is already later than most other schools in the area and almost a month after college students get out.

If there is an abundance in cancellations, make-up days can also run into graduation for seniors. No senior will be motivated to do any productive work after they graduate. Not only will seniors not be able to concentrate, but all students will be unmotivated and restless; their minds will already be in summer mood.

Summer school students need a small vacation, too. Summer school has a set date that it starts and does not get pushed back if missed school days have to be added at the end of the school year.

Last year, students and teachers only had one day of vacation before starting back up with summer school. Teachers and students involved in summer school deserve at least more than a weekend vacation before going back to school.

Adding missed school days into the year helps more for finals and midterms. Major tests do not get pushed back, so having school made up on days we were supposed to have off helps students prepare better by having more days to review or learn more material.

Teachers would not have to feel rushed to cram in material to ensure that their students are prepared.

Adding snow days in on days schools were previously supposed to have off is the better alternative because students and teachers do not have to feel rushed and won’t have to worry about not concentrating during school. Students and teachers should get the time earned in the nice summer weather.

With the recent change of make-up snow days, we’ve gotten a chance to see how things really work under this new protocol. One day has already been made up (Jan. 19), and we have at least one more to go. Both of these days are made up over three or four-day weekends that become shortened.

Besides keeping summer in its place, not much else is good about the new protocol. Some students have previously scheduled plans for long weekends that are affected by making up the days during originally scheduled extended vacations. These plans might have to be cancelled or shortened so students don’t miss school. Cancelling plans is disappointing, especially when you don’t have to cancel them until last minute. If our snow days were made up at the end of the year, students wouldn’t have to cancel plans.

Not all vacations can be put on hold, resulting in students missing school. Catching up on schoolwork can be difficult and stressful. Not only do these students have work to make up, but they also missed the lectures in class and the opportunity to ask questions to better understand the material. When students aren’t in a classroom setting, they do not get to hear questions other students may have asked over the topics being taught. Asking and hearing answers to questions provide a more in-depth understanding of schoolwork and new material. Missing this wasn’t a problem with the previous makeup day protocol. Students could still enjoy long weekends without stressing about schoolwork that was missed. Now, students who had plans start the week already behind schedule. In the case of our first make-up day, students that had planned vacations and trips came back on Jan. 20 or later, already at least one day behind in the second semester.

Making up snow days at the end of the year is a better option than making them up during long weekends. Missing out on previously scheduled plans or having to make up homework that you miss can be upsetting and stressful. Our previous snow day protocol should be brought back and put back into place.

11 Inklings staffers agree

17 Inklings staffers agree

editor-at-large

Brooke Yeager

reporter

history teacher

Kourtney Bruder

“I’d rather have them added in the middle of the year because kids who take summer school wouldn’t receive a break if they added them at the end.”

Matt Muller

junior

“I would rather make the days up at the end of the year. Days off are crucial.

Plus, it makes the summer break that much better because of the anticipation.”

junior

“I’d rather make them up in the middle of the school year because we will have more time to ourselves over the summer.”

Connor Clark

sophomore

“They should be made up at the end of the year because on those days we make up during the year, we should remember the great men those days are honoring.”

Laughter rings throughout the restaurant. Stories float around the rooms in a frenzy to be told once more. Smiles brighten the light that glows with human’s simple contact amongst themselves. Then all shatters with the first ding of text.

Subtly, the use of technology like the internet, cell phones and social media, is demolishing the significance of interactive communication with one another in today’s generations, separating the youth from simple human life around them.

Even though a simple text can get the job done fast, we are losing that humble face-to-face interaction that defines humanity.

We are losing that irreplaceable crack of laughter or smile that can neither be heard nor seen through a text or tweet.

With all this fancy technology, why is it that we have such hard times communicating with each other? You would think that technology would remedy that problem. However, it seems to have caused more rift between us as individuals. Sure, technology has made life less burdensome, but it has also robbed us of the human aspect of communication.

Nowadays, to break up with, what do they call it? Yes, “bae,” is less awkward by just sending a heartless and crude text saying, “Hey bae. I think it is over.”

Well, I’m sure it got the job done, but it also just made that person into a jerk.

There is a special quality to being able to have face-toface interactions with people that text, email, tweet, wall post, other forms of social media can’t capture. It is about grasping the emotions that swim in an individual’s eyes with each passing word spoken. The way their eyes will light up with merriment with a funny joke or swell with tears hearing about distressing news is something that an emoji cannot even express because, let’s be honest, do we truly LOL or laugh out loud?

Society is losing the basic communication skills that are essential for developing a character, especially with the youth who don’t know how to hold themselves or the gestures they should carry when confronted with speaking to someone face-to-face.

The bottom line is that, while technology is a necessity to survive and flourish in this age of advancement, it should also be used in limitations.

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i on life

feature january 30, 2015

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experiencing a different perspective

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If you don’t snooz e, you lose Irritability

Impaired

judgment

Hallucinations

weakened

immune

system

Memory lapses or loss

feelings of

INCREASED SENSE OF PAIN

depression Increased hear t rate

puffy eyes

Students struggle due to lack of sleep

BY NATALIE BRIGHAM

associate editor

Many witty comments such as “The bags under my eyes are designer” or “The 50 shades of grey underneath my eyes” are not uncommon in CPHS. Jokes such as these are made to try to cover up a serious issue: sleep deprivation.

According to a recent study by PBS, 87 percent of high school students are not getting the recommended eight to nine hours of sleep per night. This lack of sleep possesses many serious health concerns for students such as increased risks of developing high blood pressure, heart failure, strokes, obesity, depression and mental impairment.

Junior Dallin Iler has felt the stress that comes with losing sleep.

“I usually go to bed around 1:30 a.m. or 2 a.m. and get four hours of sleep. It has become the new normal for me.

Some of my friends go to bed at 9 or 10 p.m., but I’m still wide awake at 11,” Iler said.

A large contributing factor to sleep deprivation among high school students are the heavy academic schedules with other personal obligations students have.

“In psychology class, there is an image that I show the kids; it depicts a student that is sleep deprived. It draws the analogy that for every one hour of sleep deprivation, it is like adding one brick to the student’s backpack,” AP psychology teacher Rebecca Magee said.

A lack of proper time management often leads students to poor sleeping habits. Students such as Iler have a hard time organizing their schedules between sports, school and other activities which negatively affect their sleep.

“My schedule has a lot of impact on my sleep. I have three AP classes with some honors classes, and I am also in orchestra and a band. I also have a job outside of school,” Iler said. “It’s just hard to divide my time between classes and work. After getting home from school, I’ll take a quick

BY

the

#

nap because I’m tired from the previous day. When I wake up, I have to go to work and once I get home from my job at 11 p.m., I start my homework. It has become a cycle now.”

Another common practice of high school students in Crown Point is cramming, or the act of staying up late studying the night before a test.

Junior Abi Bushman knows the struggle of trying to maintain good grades and get enough sleep.

“I cram for four or five hours before a test and get about four hours of sleep. I basically die the next day in school because I am tired and can’t focus,” Bushman said.

However, Bushman admits she would probably be better off sleeping instead of sacrificing sleep to study the few extra hours.

“When a student crams for a test, it might help them for a small chunk of information,” Magee said. “Sometimes, though, sleep deprivation can cause memory blanking. For example, I hear stories of dance marathons at colleges that last for two days and during those two days the participants cannot sleep. This results in greatly affected driving, memory and attitude.”

Some students try to mask their fatigue by drinking energy drinks, which make promises to erase the effects of lack of sleep.

“I actually bought a 1.1 pound bag of caffeine powder because I don’t like coffee or energy drinks. One teaspoon of the powder is about equivalent to three cups of coffee,” Iler said. “One time I put in three teaspoons and came to school. At first I didn’t feel the effects, but they gradually become more apparent. By third hour, I was dizzy and had trouble breathing. I even had heart palpitations. My advice is to use caffeine economically and in healthy doses.”

Whether it be because of Starbucks dates or a morning ritual before school, caffeine has become woven into the

77% 6.5 of students nationwide report not getting enough sleep.

average number of hours teenagers are sleeping.

Fifteen Hundred

deaths occur due to drowsy driving each year in the U.S.

fibers of most people’s daily lives. Despite being so vital, many do not understand the science behind their morning savior.

“Caffeine extremely affects a student. In the long run, it is a hazard to their health and causes immediate effects,” Magee said. “When caffeine enters the body, blood vessels in the brain expand, resulting in an increase of blood flow to the brain. When a person stops taking in caffeine, the blood vessels in the brain are reduced back to their original size which stops the increased blood flow. The brain then thinks that it is not getting enough blood, and this creates an addiction to caffeine.”

It is not always the amount of sleep that is necessarily the most important but the quality of the sleep. Quality has a major impact on productivity. A quality night’s sleep is sleeping full 90-minute sleep cycles. A student should get about six full sleep cycles a night in order to minimize the chance of sleep deprivation.

Maintaining a nightly routine can also help ensure that students get the proper amount of rest.

“I would recommend students start a regular sleeping schedule, go to bed around the same time every night and wake up around the same time,” Magee said. “It isn’t a good idea to exercise after the time you usually eat dinner, and cutting down on your caffeine intake should increase the quality of sleep.”

One way to help ensure an organized sleep schedule is through the use of sleep tracking apps available for smart phones. Iler has been using such resources in hopes of fixing his sleeping habits.

“I have a sleep tracking app on my tablet and I love it.

It is able to track your sleep patterns, figure out sleep cycles and, over time, it can graph your sleep debt, or the sleep hours that you can’t get back,” Iler said. “The app can’t replace your sleep, but it helps.”

1 2

45%

hours of missed sleep results in reduced daytime alertness by 32%.

increase in symptoms of depression when sleep deprived.

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7

Protecting the

Skin you’re in

Doctor provides advice on how to protect skin from harsh weather

PHOTO BYJILL KIDDER

The cold weather has students fighting frostbite. Through bundling up, students are able to avoid frigid temperatures.

BY MARIA LEONTARAS

reporter

Ears are red, lips are chapped and noses run. Winter weather isn’t easy on the body’s appearance and function.

These outcomes only worsen with the presence of harsher and colder conditions. Healthy habits can limit the dangerous effects of winter without giving into the frost, however.

According to Dr. Milton Gasparis, getting more sleep during winter months is one of the first and easiest steps to battling the season’s harmful effects.

“I suggest that people sleep more during the winter.

Sleep should be about eight to ten hours, and it’s important to go to sleep before midnight each night,” Gasparis said.

With more sleep, one becomes more focused and de-

velops a stronger immune system.

Dry skin is one of the most common consequences of frigid winds in the frosty weather. Gasparis stresses the importance of using hydration to prevent rough scaly skin.

“People must also stay hydrated in the winter. Skin tends to be more dry and water will assist with the dry skin,” Gasparis said.

Lotion is also beneficial to keeping skin hydrated in the cold weather. Students such as sophomore Abby Stratton regularly apply lotion to keep their skin from cracking.

“I put lotion on all the time to keep my skin soft in the cold weather,” Stratton said. “It’s fast, easy and smells good, too.”

Even with snow on the ground, Gasparis encourages students to go on short walks to maintain good circulation

in the winter.

“Go outside and walk at least ten minutes every other hour to maintain good blood flow,” advises Gasparis. “If you decide to go on a run outside, warm up inside and stretch when you return indoors, too.”

It is also necessary to consider clothing when enduring the cold weather.

“To prevent frostbite, dress in several layers of loose, warm clothing. Air gets trapped between layers and acts as insulation,” said Gasparis. “I would advise wearing windproof and waterproof outer garments to protect hands, feet, noses and ears.”

Staying healthy in the winter may sound like a daunting task, but it is easier than one would originally think.

Three easy steps and tips to keep your body fresh when cold weather comes your way

1

2

3

Put on lotion

Go on a run

HYDRA + T + ION ion water + =

HEAT

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Paging Dr. Google With technology advancement, self-diagnosis more common

BY VERDA MIRZA

editor-at-large

Cough. Sore throat. One becomes curious and searches online what these symptoms mean. Well, of course, it can only mean they have malaria or some other horrendous disease.

New technology comes with changes in societal beliefs and behavior and one of the things that emerged from the age of the internet is society’s easier accesses to medical information, giving numerous individuals the resources to self-diagnose themselves.

According to nurse practitioner Michele D. Massow, self-diagnosis is when a person attempts to figure out the source of their illness or ailment without the assistant of a professional.

Self-diagnosis has always existed since the humans have existed. However, it is the modernization of self-diagnosis that has changed. It is how society obtains its information and data that has changed. It is the technological advancement that has changed the accessibility of medical information.

“Self-diagnosis is not a new problem.

Deciding what is wrong with you based upon your experiences, your family and friends and whatever sources of information you had available has been going on forever,” cardiologist Dr. Gary Brigham, MD said. “What has changed is how it is done. What used to happen was that you asked friends or family members and if some had similar symptoms or you saw something in the newspaper or on television then you would assume you had a similar problem. If it continued you might go to the library or pull a few books on the subject. Now most people type it into a Google search or head to WebMD.” With any new innovations, ideas or advancements, there are always advantages

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Self-diagnosis Facts • More than one-third of U.S. adults use Internet to diagnose medical condition • 82 percent search using search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo.

and disadvantages.

• 46 percent found online led Self-diagnosis can harbor some advanthem to believe they needed help tages for both the patient and the physician. from a medical professional.

“There are times when a patient seeks medical care for a symptom and a diagnosis can’t be made. An advantage to a patient researching symptoms is that it may help the practitioner/ (doctor) with the diagnosis.” Massow said.

Although it is nice and advantageous for that patient to have some knowledge of For the full story, visit what ails them, there are www.crownpoint.highschoolmedia.org also disadvantages that can her stomach result from self-diagnosis. pains leads “A disadvantage to her to believe she self-diagnosis is that pamight have a hernia tients may be missing a key (a rupture of an organ). part of treatment or treat Self-diagnosis is not a new “I was shopping with the symptoms incorrectly. problem. What has changed is how my best friend and my stomIt can also hinder care if a it is done. ach was having these sharp patient comes to a practitiopains.

It felt like a balloon, it ner with a diagnosis because Gary Brigham would blow up and have this really then they tend to be less willing cardiologist sharp pain then it would deflate every to accept that it is not what they 5 seconds.

I don’t know what it was, and thought it was,” Massow said. it just got really bad.

It kept going on for Other than not willing to accept a few more days.”

Szafarczyk said.

“I then they might have diagnosed themselves looked up what it could be online, and it incorrectly, they might not go to a protold me it might be a hernia. I was freaking fessional at all thinking their diagnosis is out. But then it went away after a month harmless while, in fact, there can be dire Werkowski have misdiagnosed. consequences to this type of mentality.

“My dad was feeling sick, and he was or two and I figured out it was my differ“Every physician I know has several convinced that it wasn’t the flu so he want- ent diet I was doing because I’m gluten free people that delayed seeing a physician be- ed me to go online. I went online and I now. I wasn’t used to not eating carbs but cause ‘they already know the problem’ only searched it. Of course, all the worst situ- after a while it went away as my body adto end up delaying a diagnosis that resulted ations pop up: you’re dying, or you have justed to the change in my diet.”

Simple issues like these can either lead in a worse outcome,” Brigham said. “Infor- whatever strange disease that is found in individuals to underestimate their health ismation is only one part of what is needed third world countries. It ended being just sues or over exaggerate them. There needs to diagnosis and treat someone, and I think the flu.” Werkowski said. to a balance between self-diagnosing and that is all too often lost in the information It seems like one can’t believe whatever going to be a professional to seek more relion the internet.” is on the internet. Senior Clarissa Szafarcable information.

Even students like sophomore Emma zyk explains how her search online about

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feature january 30, 2015

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Crushing clichés

ts r o

sp

Unique ideas for Valentine’s Day avoid overused options

ain m er t ent

music

sports

entertainment Joffrey Ballet show

laser tagging

a trip to the movie theater

take a trip to Skyzone

White Castle date

Wii sports competition

Blue Man Group

Bulls vs. Cavaliers game

ar t

Catch the clichés

guess which item from the list is the cliché

gifts

DIY “coupon” books

music

attend a concert

flowers

a handpainted portrait

perform a self-written song

sports paraphernalia

trip to the art museum

watch a sing-a-long

concert tickets

bake and decorate a cake

“We Sing” game for Wii

a fish in a small tank

art

s

257 million roses.

According to aboutflowers.com, this is the amount of red roses produced each year for Valentine’s Day. With this many roses in the world and around 23 percent of adults purchasing them on Valentine’s Day, red roses are a common Vday staple.

“I would say the fancy dinner and flowers is sort of cliché because it’s really common,” sophomore Alexis Grimes said.

Grimes believes that anything other than dinner and movie dates would be considered unique for Valentine’s Day celebrations.

“I love when couples go to Chicago or do something that relates to their interests,” Grimes said.

Sophomore Donny Colvin does not mind the cliché elements of Valentine’s Day. “I don’t think Valentine’s Day is about being unique,” Colvin said. “I’m totally fine with cliché gifts so long as your partner isn’t expecting anything more.”

While senior Sydney Morrow and her boyfriend are not White Castle enthusiasts, they

ent

found an interest in the once-a-year transformation of White Castle restaurants into Valentine’s Day dinner stops. Although the restaurant does class it up for the holiday, the concept of mini burgers and curly fries for Valentine’s Day dinner can be considered unique.

“Zachary and I got the idea when we saw that the Schererville White Castle’s sign said ‘Valentine’s Day reservations’ and a number to call. We got so excited and thought it was the funniest thing that they wait on you and everything,” Morrow said. “We really just want to experience it.”

Morrow and her boyfriend made their reservations and look forward to spending their Valentine’s Day at the restaurant.

“Instead of spending a lot of money on Valentine’s Day, Zach and I are saving that money for other things like our one-year or college funds,” Morrow said.

While Colvin may be adding some cliché touches to his Valentine’s Day celebration, he believes overall the holiday should be celebrated with those important to one.

“I think (Valentine’s Day) is more or less an excuse to be all ‘goo-goo-ga-ga’ with your significant other,” Colvin said.

g i ft

BY TINA WINFREY editor-in-chief

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PHOTO BY JACK SNEDDEN

Senior Alyssa Vajda stresses out over schoolwork and college preparation. Vajda is not alone. Math teacher Michael David has seen several others increasingly worried about grades.

Stressed for Success In pursuit of high GPA and top rank, students take school competition to the max

BY LAUREN MASSOW

portant, students should not be making themselves sick over being the best. David has found that exhaustion and fatigue have become common side effects to achieving the perfect GPA. “I do think that some students feel sick or tired often because of the pressure,” David said. “I hear students all the time say how tired they are and how many hours they put into things.”

Trying to be the best of the best is not always determined by personal goals. Junior Mandy Komasinski feels as if school has become more like a game meant to be played against other students rather than just a place to better your knowledge.

“The high school environment is really competitive. You’re always trying to be better than everyone else all the time,” Komasinski said. “That competition crosses the line when you start coming to school just

reporter

She would cry. If senior Alyssa Vajda ever earned a B on her transcript, she said tears would most likely be the result. Her reaction wouldn’t be unique. With high expectations and pressure to be the best, students have found themselves more and more stressed for success.

Math teacher Michael David says that he believes students are under more pressure than ever before.

“I don’t think that I felt the kind of pressure when I was in school that students today feel. In my opinion, it appears that now we’re more interested in trying to push students to do college work while they’re in high school rather than do high school work, and then wait to do college work when they are in college,” David said.

While getting good grades is very im-

at this

to beat other people rather than bettering your own opportunities.”

Vajda, too, finds the competition within her class a bit overwhelming and stressful at times.

“I was extremely stressed my freshman, sophomore and junior years,” Vajda said.

“It got to the point where, even if I got like a 97 percent on a test and another student got a higher grade than me, it really tore me apart and I would become disappointed in myself. I realized it would start to get unhealthy when people hold grudges against other people because they did better than them.”

GPA and class rank aren’t the only factors colleges take note of, however. According to school psychologist Kathryn Huls, effort plays a big role in determining acceptance choices as well.

“Colleges look at effort in addition to

your GPA and standardized test scores,” Huls said. “So if you started off struggling, but you really pulled yourself together and were stronger in your later years of school, that’s going to look better on your transcript then uneven all the way through.”

Huls believes getting stressed out and losing sleep is not the way to obtain good grades. A lack of straight A’s are not enough to label one as a bad student and, in the end, will not directly determine a student’s future.

“I think if you are starting to make yourself sick about your grades and if you’re losing sleep and you’ve studied effectively and you’re still not getting the grades you want, it’s probably just time to accept that you’re not a straight-A student,” Huls said. “And guess what? You’re still going to get into college. Not being perfect is not going to keep you out.”

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sports january 30, 2015

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‘‘ ‘‘ Like father, like son

in the

huddle

11

I am proud of all of the team’s hard work and dedication to the sport; I can’t wait to move on to postseason.

- Senior Brandon Sparenborg

Stefanovic builds love for game with father’s guidance

BY DYLAN WALLACE

sports editor

PHOTO BY ALEX STACK

Sasha Stefanovic (right) learned to love the game of basketball with his father, Lou Stefanovic (left), and his guidance.

following in his

FOOTSTEPS

Sasha Stefanovic career pts.

78.4%

free throw percentage

178 113 58 rbs.

For the Stefanovic family, basketball runs deep in their blood. From father to son, sophomore Sasha Stefanovic and his dad Lou Stefanovic have one major activity in common: basketball.

“I've been coaching Sasha since he was in third grade, so for about seven to eight years I have been helping him with his game,” Lou said.

Lou has always been pushing Sasha forward throughout these years of training.

“He has pushed me to be better and to always work hard,” Sasha said. “All the little things he has taught me I make sure to remember because of how much he knows about the game.”

“We have worked on all the fundamental things,” Lou said. “Plain and simple, I have just taught him the game, how to deal with situational things on the floor, how to be a team player, what's required to be a team player and how to win.”

Lou has had a very impressive resume when it comes to basketball.

He played his college ball for the Illinois State Redbirds, where he was inducted into their class of 2012 Hall of Fame ballot; from there he entered the NBA draft and was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in the fifth round in 1985. He spent his whole summer in Seattle that year he was drafted, but his run in the NBA didn’t last too long because he then took his talents overseas into the Euro League where he received his first pro contract with Spain. He played for five countries when he was in the Euro League: Spain, France, Serbia, Switzerland and Italy.

Despite all the success Lou has had in his basketball career, Sasha doesn’t feel the pressure or the need for that matter to live up to his dad’s accomplishments.

“I don’t really feel pressure,” Sasha said. “I just want to achieve my own goals and make him proud.”

A statement like that would make a father proud of his son.

“I don’t compare Sasha to anything that I have ever accomplished or have him do what I did when I played,” Lou said. “I’ll be proud of him regardless, but as long as he does what he wants to do and is proud of what he accomplishes, then that is what's best for him.”

As for a career in basketball, Sasha hasn’t really thought about it; he is only a sophomore to be fair. He is just living in the moment, and when things like that come up, then that’s when he will focus on them.

“I would love to play in college and professionally, but I am just going to let whatever happens, happen,” Sasha said. “Right now, my only focus is this season and how to get better as a team and as an individual.”

Like father like son, Sasha and Lou are both grateful for what they were and are able to accomplish on the court, but basketball isn’t everything. For this family, basketball is more than just a game.

It’s an activity that they’re able to share and celebrate with each other.

ast.

41.7% 3-pt percentage

Lou Stefanovic Illinois State Redbirds

Hall of Fame Inductee

played for

FIVE

Euro League teams

Comparisons are in the eye of the beholder

my view

BY JACKIE VAN DER WEY

sports editor

As humans, we have a tendency to analyze and compare. It’s a simple scenario where a younger sibling constantly compares themself to their older sibling. It happens every minute of every day. Will I get as good of grades as my older brother, be as attractive as my older sister or perform as well in sports as

either of them?

These are questions we have all asked ourselves silently at one point or another, whether it be a sibling, a friend or parent that we compare ourselves to. This habit is one that can make or break you, but if one allows it to work in their favor, it can push them to be their best in all

aspects.

Joakim Noah, a Chicago Bulls center, is constantly compared to his dad, Yannick Noah, a former professional tennis player from France who won the French open in 1983. This comparison, however, is not just in Joakim’s head but rather available to the entire

world for analysis. Luckily for the both of them, they specialize in different sports. Sophomore basketball player Sasha Stefanovic doesn’t have that same luxury. His dad was a professional basketball player for the Seattle Supersonics.

This sets a high standard for Stefanovic to live up to.

He, however, says that he

doesn’t feel pressure to live up to his dad’s accomplishments, but rather wants to impress him.

“I want to have my own destiny and accomplish my own goals,” Stefanovic said.

I suppose that the pressure and comparisons truely are what you make of them.

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PHOTO BY JACK SNEDDEN

Freshman Mya Scheidt dribbles into trojan teritory to contribute to last Saturday’s victory (49-36).

Girls prepare for upcoming sectional round

BY ELI UDCHITZ

reporter

PHOTO BY TINA WINFREY

Freshman Oszkar Kasch attempts to pin Valparaiso wrestler during the Crown Point Valparaiso match this past Wed.

Wrestlers maintain high expectations as post season begins tomorrow

BY TOMMY FRAME

reporter

12 time repeating champs.

Tomorrow morning the wrestling team will host sectionals in hopes of bringing their thirteenth sectional in a row to Crown Point. For senior captains Riley Akers and Morgan Kral, they are confident that they will top off their successful seasons with the sectional win. Akers will head into this weekend with an overall record of 28-2, looking to take the title at the 138-pound weight class.

“These next 4 weeks mean everything,” Akers said. “We are all focused on winning sectionals this weekend at home.”

As far as the heavyweights go, Morgan Kral dominated the 195-pound weight class this season. After losing his first match of the year, he, to this point, has continued to win 27 straight matches.

“My confidence level is higher than its ever been,” Kral said. “My success will be determined after this weekend, I have to do my best because this is my last year of wrestling.”

The Dogs are very familiar with the sectional pedestal, as they have reigned as victorious of the last 12 sectional championships.

“Wrestling in your own gym provides an advantage. You do not have to get up and travel somewhere, you can hangout and feel comfortable being in your own locker room. Being

at home eliminates a lot of distractions,” head coach Scott Vlink said.

The team has wrestled every team in their sectional this year with the exception of Andrean High School. They finished the regular season with a 17-2 record, losing to Portage repeatedly to account for their two losses.

“We have had a long season, but a successful one at that.

It is a different mindset going into Sat. knowing it is win or you are done, but the team is ready,” Akers said.

Going into the weekend as the one seed, Akers looks to finish his high school career achieving his personal goals.

“I am looking to win sectionals for my second time and advance further into the postseason,” Akers said.

After having an extremely successful football season, Kral is continuing on to play football in college. In essence, Sat. could be his last turn on the mat.

“I believe in myself that I can win a sectional championship and go on to contend for the state championship,” Kral said.

Vlink also demonstrates confidence in the team and believes they will again reign as sectional champions..

“This is a really good group of hard-working kids, and they are willing to do anything and everything we ask them to do,” Vlink said. “If our kids wrestle the way they are capable of then we will be the sectional favorite.”

Girls swimming enters sectionals with confidence and determination

BY DOMINIC TOMICH

reporter

The girls swim team’s regular season has wrapped up, but they are not treading water until the sectionals begin at Munster High School Feb. 5. The girls are committed to training every day until the meet without any days off.

A recent wave of victories against Lake Central and Lowell will help carry the girls into the sectionals. The ladies are confident that all of the laps put in throughout the regular season have prepared the team for a strong performance next week.

“I feel our recent wins are really going to boost our performance in sectionals. We need everyone swimming their best and focused if we plan on meeting our preseason goals: winning sectionals,” sophomore Kelsi Artim said.

Improvement has been key throughout the season. Losing very

talented seniors last year to college programs called for younger girls to dive into the challenge. The hard work put in by the team has led to an impressive 11-1 record, despite a near perfect regular season the girls are completely focused on the upcoming sectionals.

“We have improved a lot, time drops are starting to come around and attitudes have been getting better along with work ethics,” said head coach Bryan Angerman.

Throughout the regular season, the girls have been flirting with their personal best times.

With the week off and sectionals coming up the ladies hope to set their personal bests on the big stage.

“In past meets many of the girls on our team have been swimming very close to their best times, but for us to really succeed at sectionals, we will need to swim faster than our personal best,” Artim said.

After a full year of conference play, the girls are down to their last two games of the regular season. Although these games against Lowell and Hobart are both non-conference matchups, the team must keep their edge if they want to roll into sectional play with momentum.

“The last two games are really big for us,” sophomore Sydney Taylor said. “I think we play with a lot more energy after coming off of a win, and we definitely need that energy heading into sectionals.”

The energy came from their most recent win against Chesterton this past Fri., winning by a score of 49-36. Head coach Anne Equihua implied the importance of getting off to a strong start that helped the girls fly past the Trojans early on.

“We pressured them early on defensively and it resulted in transition points that were easy to come by,” Equihua said.

The team will be heading into sectionals with a 3-4 record in the DAC. The girls will need to put those losses in the past and move forward; only the postseason counts now.

“I think playing to our full potential, we can compete with the top teams in the DAC,” junior Hannah Albrecht said.

The sectional draw will occur this Sun. and the team hopes to capitalize on having another shot at some of the teams that they fell to during the regular season.

“I know we will be ready to face several of the teams we lost to earlier. Not having the double round robin anymore is a good thing; it allows us to play a much more competitive schedule, which we did this year,” Equihua said. “Getting a second shot at some of these teams we lost to will hopefully motivate our team.”

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TEAM WORK

4th & 6th

WITH CHRIS

Boys basketball defeats Michigan City; teamwork credited for the result

BY KATIE PAWLOWSKI

reporter

BY CHRIS REKITZKE

reporter

Coaches not problem, entirely What are you after a disappointing season with a negative record and a fan base full of belligerent people?

You’re fired.

This was the case for several head coaches around the NFL. Marc Trestman of the Chicago Bears? Poof. Rex Ryan of the New York Jets? gone like the Malaysian Airlines flight 370. Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons?

Up, up and far, far away.

It is the sad truth of professional sports. Coaches are scapegoated, blamed for things they have no control over like interceptions, turnovers, dropped passes, blown coverages and missed field goals-- the list goes on and on.

Whoever said “players win games and coaches lose them” is an idiot. Teams win and lose games, first of all. Secondly, I imagine it’s pretty hard to throw an interception from the sideline with nothing but a headset and a clipboard. You cannot pin a loss all on one guy, especially the man who is not even in the game. There are so many more factors in place.

For revered “quarterback whisperer” Trestman, it was a multitude of problems, but most of all, his quarterback Jay Cutler, who is currently the highest paid player in the league, and, unfortunately, has 3 interceptions for every zero on his check.

For the defensive minded Ryan, it was inconsistent quarterback play, no-name draft picks and a completely nonexistent secondary that killed him.

For Smith, it was postseason losses.

All of these problems have way more to do with the team personnel rather than just their “poor coaching ability” or “lack of emotion.” What about awful draft picks by the general managers or the underperforming players? They have a key in the ignition just as much as the coaches do.

Either way, in the end all this does is create more problems than there were before.

It’ll get worse before it gets better.

extra

points

After losing the first round of sectionals to Michigan City last year, the Bulldogs could not wait for their chance to avenge last year’s loss.

The Dogs did just that Tues. night when they beat the Wolves 75-69.

The Dogs (9-6, 1-2) have had minor issues with shooting, however, they have identified the defensive end of their game as their weak point. Sophomore Sasha Stefanovic scored 16 points during this past Tueasday’s game and was proud of the way the team defended the Wolves.

“I thought we played very hard. We played together and let the game come to us. Our issue that’s been holding us back this year has been our defense, and we stepped it up last night,” Stefanovic said.

The Dogs were in a slump; losing to both Bowman Academy (2-10) and Chesterton (12-4, 2-1) in one weekend. The Dogs hope that this win will help get back some of the confidence that was lost.

“I think our team is regrouping after a couple hard road losses, and we need to gain some confidence back in ourselves. In the Michigan City game, we did just that. That was a solid win for us, against a tough Michigan City team,” junior Blake PHOTO BY ALEX STACK Bonin said.

The Bulldogs had four players in double digits, Analyzing the Michigan City but the difference maker in the game was senior Nick wolves defnse, Senior Noah Morales helps to lead the Dogs Jeffirs. Jeffirs helped surge the team to victory with 18 to a 75-69 victory. points and nine rebounds.

“I’ve been able to rebound and help relieve some pressure from the guards, but I think everyone has been playing great, especially Blake. He’s been huge

for us,” Jeffirs said.

Bonin contributed 15 points to the win and loves the way the team is playing together. He knows guys will step up when needed.

“Everyone is contributing and helping one another out. Everyone is playing harder, getting 50/50 balls and being more uplifting to one another,” Bonin said.

The Dogs currently lead the confence in assists, to assistant coach Hanaway this is proof of the teams effective chemistry and selflessness.

‘‘

We want to improve every day and keep working towards our goal. We have to stay focuse and work harder then any other team.

Blake Bonin “We have a really unselfish group. As far as sharing the basketball goes, we lead the conference in assists,” Hanaway said.

Not dwelling on this moral boosting win, Jeffirs still looks to push his team to the best they can be. Jeffirs hopes with the bugs in the defense fixed, the Dogs can reach their true potential.

“I just hope that we can continue to get better each day, especially defensively. We want to be the hardest working team on the floor. If we can do those things, then we’ll be a dangerous team in the post season,” Jeffirs said.

Boys swimming turns focus to postseason

BY SAM BARLOGA

reporter

Despite a loss to Michigan City, the Dogs are hopeful for a good performance at DAC. Crown Point was out done 99-84 by Michigan City on Tues., with junior Cameron Watson longing for more out of his teammates.

“I think that at Michigan City we didn’t perform to our fullest potential. We were getting beat up from the last few practices,” Watson said. “This last week was the last one before we begin to taper off their length.”

Head coach Adam Waldier talked about Michigan City’s depth and speed before the duel, and it showed early on, as Crown Point fell into an early hole.

“The duel’s turning point was right off the bat,” Waldier said. “They touched us out in the medley relay, which is something we do really well in. Then, they finished 1-2-3 in the 200m free, which meant that after the first two events we were down 15 or 16 points.”

The Dogs picked up victories over Lowell and Portage, with coach Waldier highly complimenting his team’s overwhelming margin of victory in the 118-67 win over the Red Devils.

“The lopsided score really shows how our kids are training hard, and they can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Waldier said.

“They’re starting to put things together and

Who is going to win Super Bowl XLIX?

starting to get their act in gear, as far as fighting harder in practice.”

On the season as whole, junior Joey Karczewski, says even though the team went through a lot of adversity, they’re preparing hard for the postseason.

“I think this year has been a rebuilding year for us, as we lost a lot of our good seniors,” Karczewski said. “But we’re working really hard at practice so our dual meets don’t accurately where we are in the season.”

On Sat., the Dogs will compete for the DAC title at the conference meet. Watson was quick to point out that he needs to see more from everyone if Crown Point is to have a chance.

“At DAC I’m expecting the best times from all of our teammates. We will have our full team there, and we plan to outscore some of the teams that we lost duels to from earlier in the season,” Watson said.

Waldier seconded Watson’s take on the conference meet, saying the team has a goal set for Sat. “Chesterton will for sure be the top team there, so we’re aiming down our sights at third place, which would be a huge win for us considering the fact that we’ve lost six sectional finalists from last year,” Waldier said.

64 Say Seahawks 63 Say Patriots out of 127 students polled

Post season meets Bulldogs @ Home The boys will compete in the DAC meet at home this Saturday, 1/31 begining at 9 a.m.

Bulldogs @ Lake Central The boys will head to Lake Central to compete in sectional prelims 2/19 beginning at 5 p.m.

Bulldogs @ Lake Central The boys will head to Lake Central to compete in the regional meet (2/21)

Bulldogs @ Natatorium The boys will head to Indianapolis to compete in State Meet Pre-lims (2/27) and State finals (2/28).

My moment of the month.... “... was smashing the 200 free relay team record with Hannah Kukurugya, Mackenzie Artim and Kelsi Artim.”

-Aly Tetzloff

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inreview “Eye Candy” Season 1 MTV’s newest series, “Eye Candy,” follows Lindy Sampson (Victoria Justice) as she tries to catch a serial killer that is stalking her.

He finds his victims through “Flirtual,” an online dating website. With intense twists and turns, this thriller will always keep you guessing on what is going to happen next.

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BY HANNAH MORGAN

reporter

School has been officially cancelled. Again. It’s cold, you’re bored and you’ve already binge watched Netflix. There’s no better time to pick up a good book, and with these picks, you’re sure to stay intrigued.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Nick Dunne comes home to find Amy, his doting wife and muse for popular children’s book “Amazing Amy,” missing and the house a wreck. As secrets regarding her disappearence unfold, the book won’t leave one’s hands until the very last word.

This book proves the saying “A dog is a man’s best friend” to be correct. Following the life of racecar driver Denny Smith through his dog Enzo’s eyes, this book will warm the heart.

Mercy Train by Rae Meadows

The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers

When new mother Samantha recieves a box from her dead mother, she finds clues that suggest her grandmather had a much more colorful past than she was raised to believe. This tale of family and loyalty is one of the best yet.

“Only One”

By Kanye West

“Glory Field” begins with a pair of iron shackles.

Muhammad is captured from Africa and brought to work on a plantation in North Carolina, where his family continues to work and live for generations to come. This book perfectly captures America’s past, present and future.

Stop, Kanye. Quit being a compassionate father and rap about drugs, sex and being a college dropout again. “Only One” is pitiful. There is so much not to like about this single from West featuring Paul McCartney: the autotune, dull piano riffs from a deteriorating Beatle.

“The Opposite of Lonliness”

By Marina Keegan After Yale graduate Marina Keegan tragically died in a car crash, friends and family composed her viral essay “The Opposite of Lonliness” and her other fictional and non-fictional works into a memorial.

Tackling issues we all face as we decide who we want to be, Marina’s works inspires one until the last word.

“Shut Up and Dance”

By Walk the Moon This song definitely makes listeners want to just shut up and dance. Walk the Moon created an upbeat song with very easy lyrics to memorize quickly so that you can later belt out and sing. It is hard to resist “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.

“Time of Our Lives”

By Pitbull and Ne-Yo Pitbull has released his latest single, “Time of Our Lives,” from his eighth studio album, “Globalization.” The new single has a very energizing tempo and fun lyrics to sing along to. The collaboration with Ne-Yo is not their first, making a great duo and an even better hit.

Fall Out Boy meets expectations with newest album

BY HANNAH BAUNER

reporter

Chicagoland natives Fall Out Boy released their newest album “American Beauty / American Psycho” on Jan. 20. Only their second album released after the band rejoined, “American Beauty / American Psycho” is full of both new and old sounds.

The first single released off the album, “Centuries,” was a hit.

With radio plays and features in commercials, the song became very well known. The upbeat sound and catchy tune make for a song great for dancing and singing along. “Centuries” gave

life social

A section devoted to social media

us all a taste of what was to come on the album.

“Uma Thurman,” named after the actress and with lyrics referring to her role in “Pulp Fiction,” makes you want to stop what you’re doing and dance around. The song samples part of “The Munsters” theme song and does a very good job of incorporating it into a modern day song fit for the radio.

Track six on “American Beauty / American Psycho” is unlike anything Fall Out Boy has done before. “Jet Pack Blues” is a slower paced song about feelings after a breakup. Even though the sound is new to Fall Out Boy, it

sounds great and is a nice fit on the album.

“Novacaine,” quite possibly the best song on the album, combines great music with well-written lyrics to give off an energy like no other. An introduction with banging drums accompanies a catchy “duh duh duh” melody to create a song that should definitely be listened to by all.

Fall Out Boy’s “American Beauty / American Psycho” is an overall hit. A range of different song styles give Fall Out Boy a little bit of an extra boost of appeal to fans of all different genres of music.

best tweets

best apps

Snow is useless if school isn’t cancelled.

Senior Phil Bravo

@philbravo

“Screenshot your best friends list and send it to me!” -Modern Day Obsessive Lover.

Sophomore Rachyl Adams

@RachylAdams

Duolingo

Canceling two days in a row must have been harder for CPHS than forcing an atheist to believe in a god.

Senior Nathan Doctor

@nathandr9

I hope all of you know you’re never actually going to get a heart-shaped box full of chocolate labs for Valentine’s Day Sophomore Grace Moles

@gmoles10

Moment

Using this app ten minutes a day can help one learn a new language. Duolingo features lessons in Spanish, French, Italian and many others. A built-in coach helps one stay on track and meet their goals.

Ever wonder how much time you spend on your phone?

Moment tracks the amount of time spent on the phone and the amount of times it has been picked up. Results may be shocking and unexpected.

Top Track “Uma Thurman” Track #5

best follows @billboard Keep updated on the top songs in the country or any music by following billboard’s twitter account.

@ABC Stay involved in the news by following world events through ABC news.

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“American Sniper” shoots to top

BY NADIA GIEDEMANN

associate editor

Lately, films about war heroes have been a top choice for movie fanatics. “American Sniper” is the true story of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) and his heroics during the war in Iraq.

Kyle is a native to Texas. His one dream was to become a cowboy, but when his dreams fell short, he chose to enlist into the armed forces.

After completing the rigorous training to become a Navy SEAL, Kyle meets the love of his life, Taya (Sienna Miller), at a bar where she explains she could never be with a SEAL. After marrying Taya, Kyle is called overseas for his first tour in Iraq to stop Al-Qaeda.

During his first tour, Kyle and his energetic comrades Lieutenant Martin (Sam Jaeger), Marc Lee (Luke Grimes) and Biggles (Jake McDorman) are put to the test when certain situations become serious and possibly fatal. The actors’ reactions and responses to trying times are incredibly realistic, and the effects of the production put viewers in the soldiers’ very shoes.

Action is certainly one of the film’s many strong points. Even during moments of training and hiding, the production is packed with suspense. War is rarely predictable, and the missions involved throughout the film have brilliantly followed that pattern. Despite the frequent gunfire, the movie is never over-the-top gruesome, perfect for those fascinated by Kyle’s story but not into gory images.

Although the movie’s title glorifies Kyle’s kills and refers to Kyle frequently as “The Legend,” Cooper’s flawless display of emotion clarifies the true feelings behind being in war. The nervousness and hesitation Kyle expresses throughout the film give viewers a closer look at the other side of battle.

“American Sniper” shows the toll war has on soldiers better than any war film before. Rather than focus solely on violence, “American Sniper” captivates viewers with the emotional rollercoaster families and friends suffer when one is serving. Cooper and Miller effortlessly display a convincing balance of love, heartbreak, smiles and tears to leave viewers dealing with similar emotions.

Cooper fit the character of Chris Kyle marvelously, and viewers truly got a sense of how Kyle was while he was alive and how he risked his life to save others.

Overall, “American Sniper” is a well-made film directed by Clint Eastwood that portrayed the bravery of an American hero. The determination of one man to serve his country and save the lives of multiple others will be known by the families of soldiers for the rest of their lives. One would hope that Kyle’s story serves as an example of the multiple challenges soldiers face before, after and while they are serving. It’s hard to walk away from such a film without a sense of appreciation.

Starring: Bradley cooper, Sienna Miller Run time: 134 min Genres: Adventure, War

Skyzone jumps to one of area’s best attractions

BY JILL KIDDER

reporter

A new attraction has made its way to the area. Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park, has been increasingly visited in recent times. The park accommodates birthday parties, group events and freestyle jumping. Sky Zone operates two basketball dunking

fleece robes

stations, three dodgeball areas separated by age, one foam pit and a large open trampoline space.

Sky Zone is a great place to have fun and exercise. Arenas separating customers by age is a great way to insure little children don’t play a game against older teenages and adults. Sky Zone’s safety precautions are conve-

niently addressed, and the fun is modestly priced.

However, despite its mostly enjoyable experience, many minute details can result in an unpleasant time. Sky Zone is perfect for a good workout, but jumping on a trampoline for half an hour, let alone an hour, is exhausting. Sky Zone places multiple clocks around the facil-

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various retailers $4-$25

GoPro Stay warm and comfortable in a fleece robe. various retailers $12 - $40

GoPro is the new way to film or take pictures with friends. Easy to make videos and take self-faced pictures, GoPro is very convenient. various retailers $95-$500

ity to insure customers know when their time slot ends. With the tiring time spent jumping, however, the clocks can also be a countdown to the minutes left till suffering a heart attack.

Despite the exhaustion, Sky Zone is worth the visit. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon with friends and family by exercising for a change.

#goals Seeing a picture of a couple or an awesome car or a cool house can cause many envious stares, but the recent trend of “#goals” or “#relationship goals” is getting over used and tiresome while scrolling through ones social media feed. How someone can base their “goals” around a picture of a couple they don’t even know is completely their prerogative, but please keep it to yourself. These “goals” or “relationship goals” is also putting a lot of pressure on the significant others of your life.

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Designs can never truly go “out of style”

BY TINA WINFREY

editor-in-chief

Acid wash jeans. Overalls.

Maxi dresses. Neon. Plaid Flannels. Oversized tops and pants.

All of these were trends in previous years and have now found their way back onto bodies of fashionistas everywhere.

Each season, designers like Alexander McQueen and Chanel turn heads with their brilliant designs and consequently raise the bar in the fashion world.

Upon a closer look, it can be seen that many of these designs are based off previous trends. Of course they have a modern flair, but the shapes and prints echo those of these overalls, neon prints and oversized tops.

Fashion designers are always “going back to the basics.”

Chanel’s Spring 2015 line debuted classic plaids and bright florals, as well as large flower hair clips. After seeing these clips, I soon came to think of flower hair clips I put in my own hair as a child.

Like every other fashion item, the clips went out of style, and 8-year-old me wouldn’t have dared to clip one in my hair, but I continued to place bows and ribbons in my hair.

Same concept, right?

Here I am, 10 years later obsessing over the same hair clips I once loved and then hated. Fashion trends make a full circle. It’s a never ending evolution. No item can truly go out of style because bits and pieces of it will forever be gracing the runways.

Designers like McQueen and Chanel might advance the style of these trends and take them to new levels, but they are still the same basic ideas.

Overall concepts are now coming back as dresses and skirts. The baggy t-shirt worn as a dress is now in the majority of spring clothing lines.

Someday we will look back on the clothes we wore today and think to ourselves “what was I wearing?” just to see our kids wearing that same trend with some minor changes a few years down the road.

The clothes of today will always be in style, so before you think about throwing out the skater skirts and crop tops.

It may work out in the end to pack them in a box and pull them out the next time they hit the runway.

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Katlyn Wos Food Oddity The weirdest thing I have ever eaten was mac n’ cheese mixed with chocolate cake.

Stuckert finds escape in music

Dream Celeb

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

editor-in-chief

The realization didn’t come immediately.

Growing up with a family of musicians, senior Julie Stuckert acquired what she believes were natural musical instincts. But it wasn’t until an All-State orchestra performance last January that Stuckert realized eight years wasn’t enough, inspiring her to pursue music education after high school.

“It was an incredible feeling, just getting to play with incredible musicians, the best of the best from throughout the state,” Stuckert said. “It was that moment after the performance that I knew I had to do music after high school, and that moment led me to work hard to perfect my playing right afterwards.”

One year later, she still is.

Stuckert is preparing for her 7th solo and ensemble performance at tomorrow’s Indiana State School Music Association’s district competition.

Joining orchestra has given ways for Stuckert to expand on her experiences with music. Since first playing the viola in the school’s symphony orchestra, Stuckert has also learned to play percussion for the school’s marching band.

“I remember being seven or eight years old and watching the drumline go down Main St. for the 4th of July parade and thinking, ‘I want to do that,’” Stuckert said. “Now I was a part of it.”

Playing the viola has given Stuckert more than just a fine arts credit or a way to relieve her stress. It’s Senior Julie Stuckert has played the viola given her life direction.

“I never imagined it would take me where I am today,” Stuckert said. for eight years and recently joined march“Playing the viola is the best decision I’ve ever made.” ing band as a percussionist.

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For the full story, visit www.crownpoint.highschoolmedia.org

What is your nickname and how did you get it?

“Mine is Ali squared because my best friend’s sister’s name is also Ali.”

“My friend just kept calling me Casey until it finally stuck.”

“It’s Big-Boy J. I was just born with that nickname.”

Cassidy Stanage

Jared Chesney

Freshman

Ali Boss

Sophomore

Junior

“Batman, and I got it from football because I would always paint my face for playoffs. ”

Kyle Hatton

Freshman

If I could meet any celebrity, I would choose Johnny Depp because he is an amazing actor and role model.

Lost for Words I do not like the word ‘whatnot’ at all. It is not even a real word.

Staycation If I could live anywhere, I would live in Greece because it is beautiful, and I love the architecture.

Sky High The bravest thing I have ever done was when I jumped off of a three-story building onto a giant air bag.

“My grandpa gave me the nickname Bubba.

It’s like a family thing.”

Ronald Kelley Junior

“My nickname is Em, and I think I got it because it’s quicker to say than Emily.”

Emily Dawley Senior