Inklings may 2014

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Crown Point High School 1500 S. Main St.

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Stock & Roll Senior Sydney Ellingsen and other student groups perform at the Halls of Justice last Friday

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May 30, 2014 Vol. 78 Issue 7

Crown Point, IN 46307

inklings@cps.k12.in.us

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Photo Illustration by Maggie Gelon

Avoiding profanity crucial for professional environment

BY TINA WINFREY & MAISA NOUR

fewer than 40% of students believe cursing is an issue at CPHS

4 in 5

students are not bothered by the use of profanity during the school day

46%

of students curse at school on a daily basis

fewer than 13% of students never use profane language in the school environment

*Of 141 students polled

associate editor / reporter

From day to day, one may find himself overhearing a slew of profane words said about in conversation or sometimes even yelled down the hallway.

While the use of this type of language may be evident in people’s lives, there also comes certain places where this language may not be found appropriate.

“There’s a time and a place for everything. Part of the school’s mission is to prepare students for a workplace environment where it’s just not appropriate (to use profane language),” principal Chip Pettit said.

Sophomore Alison Mendez believes that by being in an environment where many people use foul language, one may be more susceptible to using that type of language.

“Other people cussing around you tends to make you cuss yourself,” Mendez said.

Along with trying to keep the school a healthy environment comes a certain level of respect that

students are expected to give each other.

“It’s imperative that we protect our learning environment. It’s hard to justify 3,000 people in the school acting that way (using profane language),” Pettit said. “We (the faculty and staff) want students to be respectful of themselves and the people around them. We’re all in this together, so we all need to protect the environment we want.”

Some rules have been set in place for the school to handle the student use of profane language.

As the Crown Point High School Student Handbook states, “Profanity and/or obscene language or gestures by any student will not be tolerated and will result in a minimum consequence of a detention. “ The book also states that “Profanity or obscenities of any kind directed at a staff member will result in a minimum of suspension and may result in a request for expulsion.”

“We generally hold true to that,” Pettit said. “I See Lanuage on page 3

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We’re a school, and whether we are trying to model a workplace environment or we’re just a society into ourselves trying to exist and get along together, there are certain norms that we must adhere to, to do that well.

Principal Chip Pettit

CPHS earns multiple accolades for high academic performance

BY OLIVIA ELSTON

associate editor

CPHS added to its accolades this past month by being ranked a top school in America by U.S. News & World Report and also designated as one of America’s most challenging high schools by the Washington Post.

The Most Challenging High Schools are determined

by AP, IB or Advanced International Certificate of Education exam participation in the graduating class and also determined by reduced lunch ratios.

The ranking for being a top school in America by the U.S. News & World Report is calculated by the American

Institutes for Research (AIR) in a three-step process to determine the rankings of the top schools.

According to AIR, the ranking methodology is based on the key principles that a good high school must go by to serve all of its students well. First, they look to see if the students perform better than statistically expected. If they get past the first step, then AIR looks at the least-advantaged students and sees if they perform statistically well.

The final step is judging schools on their college readiness.

CPHS focuses to prepare its students for the life after they leave high school and get ready for what is to come.

“I think that these awards recognize how we’ve adapted

Feature

News Hey, Hey, Hey Goodbye CPHS says goodbye to longtime employees

page 2

A&E

NicoTEENS Alternative substances appear in hallways pages

and changed our programming to make sure that students are prepared for what will face them after they leave our schools, and so that means offering more AP classes so that there is that advanced level of rigor for our students. I think that that shows our dedication to college and career readiness,” Dean of Students Sabrina Ramirez said.

This is not the first time CPHS has received awards similar to Most Challenging or Top School in the nation.

In the past, CPHS has earned multiple accolades for their success.

“We just recently went through our accreditation See Accolades on page 2

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Sizzlin’ Summer Jams Summer concert guide for all musical genres

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news may, 30 2014

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Symphony Orchestra concert to be held June 5 The Crown Point High School Advanced Symphony Orchestra will be performing its final Spring Pops concert under the direction of James Deal on June 5 at 7:00, along with performances by the Intermediate Orchestra, the Middle School Orchestra and the Crown Point High School Chamber Orchestra. This will be director James Deal’s final concert with the Orchestra after over 0 years of teaching. Seniors Steve Bazin, Bonnie Lin, Susan Reed and Orchestra concertmaster Dylan Taylor will be performing solos for the concert.

Students spread love with peanut butter drive PHOTO BY AMY SCHUCH (From left to right) Dotty Johnson, Peg Shaffer, Jan Rattazzi and James Deal are retiring at the end of the school year. They have been at CPHS for years.

Staffers retire, leave behind legacies

BY KATIE SHERMAN editor-at-large

{

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I have a passion about what I teach. I know kids need to know what is going on in the world.

science department chair Dotty Johnson I have been lucky enough to have that.

Watching them grow mentally and just interacting with them is something I will miss. My good days are far and above my bad days.”

Like Johnson, Rattazzi has also taught at Taft Middle School and has continued her teaching career to CPHS. Rattazzi has taught for over thirty years.

“I knew from seventh grade on I wanted to be a teacher; it is one of those where the teacher inspires you,” Rattazzi said.

“My teacher who inspired me (to become a teacher) gave me the ‘Outstanding Home Education Award’ and it fired me up to pursue my career.”

Despite her decision to retire, Rattazzi

will miss all that she will be leaving behind.

“I will miss the students the most. I am a sponsor of the FCCLA club and Prostart, and I will definitely miss the students involved with those clubs. I will miss being able to help them get a jump start on their careers, getting them scholarships and getting them experience for their career,” Rattazzi said. “I am proud of them for what they do.”

Though Rattazzi will miss the interaction with her students, she is excited for the possibilities she has after retirement.

“I do not know what yet what I will do (after retirement). I am going to London and Paris with my son and will probably help out at the Challenger Learning Center.

I am excited to see what is in the future for me,” Rattazzi said. “One phase of my life is about over, and I am ready to start a new one. It is bittersweet.”

Shaffer began her teaching career in Terre Haute and then began at Taft as a band director.

“I made the move to the high school where I was the band director, and I have been in guidance now for eight or nine years,” Shaffer said. “I had no intention of being a teacher at first. I had a band director in high school, and he encouraged me.”

While ready for retirement, Shaffer will miss various aspects of her career.

“I will definitely miss the teachers and staff here; they are all good people. I will miss the contact with the students because no two days are alike,” Shaffer said. “In education you get so many perks like when they (students) have success or those feel good moments. All of those little successes be the little note from a parent or student are what I am most proud of.”

Accolades continued from page 1 process which is every five years that occurs and so we have received accreditation for that as five years to go,” Ramirez said. “Likewise, as being rated an A school within our district or having schools rated A schools in our district that’s happened before as well so some of these are of course awards or recognition we have received before.”

Students also believe that CPHS is highly deserving of these awards because of the student-lead classes and numerous opportunities offered.

“Crown Point High School stands out because it challenges students in many ways not just academically but mentally and emotionally and physically,” senior Dominic Peretin said.

Not only do the awards reflect its success now, but they show the progression CPHS has made throughout the years and not only help the school but other factors too.

“I think our implementation of the six C’s really shows how dedicated we are to helping students become well-rounded and become people who will greatly contribute to whatever community they live in hopefully a community here in Northwest Indiana, but that we’re not just dedicated to seeing them be able to pass a test but rather to be able to make wise informed decisions and to again contribute to society as a whole,” Ramirez said.

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Senior Final Exams

Underclassmen Final Exams

Class of 2014 Graduation Ceremony

Summer School Begins

Radisson Star Plaza - 7 p.m.

Session 1 will be from 7 a.m. to 9:35 a.m. Session 2 will be from 9:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Classes will end July 25.

Wednesday, June 4

Friday, June 6

2nd & 7th hour final

3rd & 6th hour final

Thursday, June 5

Monday, June 9

4th & 5th hour final

2nd & 7th hour final

Friday, June 6

Tuesday, June 10

1st, 3rd & 6th hour final

1st, 4th & 5th hour final

{

june

As we say goodbye to the school year, CPHS says goodbye to four faculty members as well, including orchestra director James Deal, science department chair Dotty Johnson, FACS teacher Jan Rattazzi and guidance counselor Peg Shaffer.

Since he is getting ready to leave his teaching career behind, Deal reflects on what inspired him to pursue his career in education.

“Someone always told me to find your passion, and then figure out what to do with that passion and how to make money with it. This (teaching music) has been my passion, and I figured out a way to make money out of it,” Deal said.

Deal has been teaching at the high school for 41 years. Along with teaching, Deal serves as Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra director, as well as a former band director.

Deal plans to travel and continue to both play the French horn and teach French horn lessons to students while enjoying his time away from the rigorous high school schedule.

Johnson, who has been with the Crown Point school corporation for her teaching career of thirty-eight years, will also be leaving. She taught eighth grade science at Taft Middle School for three years and continued the rest of her career at CPHS. “I started as an Earth Space science teacher (at CPHS). When they got rid of the class, I started teaching AP Environmental Science. I love it,” Johnson said. “I have a passion about what I teach. I know kids need to know what is going on in the world. These kids that I am teaching are

smart, and they are the ones that are going to change the world. ” After retirement, Johnson plans to travel and be with her grandchildren. Though she will enjoy these opportunities, she will miss the opportunity to positively influence students.

“When you look at a student that didn’t understand something and realize they get it is something I am most proud of,” Johnson said. “So many teachers do not get validation from their students, and

CPHS students won the “Spread the Love Peanut Butter Food Drive” challenge sponsored by the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Students donated 1,557 jars of peanut butter, and 24 area schools participated and raised a total of 21,792 jars. National Art Honor Society created a sculpture of a hand using the peanut butter jars. They were inspired by the name Brandon Lorek’s students created, “Helping Hands.”

Underclassmen last day of school

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PHOTO BY ALYSSA SETLAK Junior Becca Olesek and seniors Josh Andrews and Seth Heidler perform at the sixth annual Foodstock. The event took place in support of the Foodbank of Northwest Indiana.

Foodstock performances raise money for local food shelter

BY SHANNON ROSTIN managing editor

The Hall of Justice was alive with the sound of music on Friday, May 16 as local student artists performed in the sixth annual Foodstock.

The event raised money as well as canned goods for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Students could pay an entrance fee of $7 or $5 with two canned donations.

“It was a great turnout from our perspective. We had the back half floor of a truck filled with food items; when the Food bank came to pick it up, the guy was so overjoyed and excited that we had all of this food,”English teacher Chris Gloff said.

In addition to raising money for the cause, it created an opportunity for students to perform for their peers as well as serve as an evaluation of what they have learned.

“The core essence of Foodstock is still that it’s a philanthropy for the food bank and that is our end game. But, for me it’s the representation of what was learned and the assessment of what was learned in the management class,” English teacher Chris Gloff said. “If everything goes right this is when I get to see what students have learned about it regarding presenting a product to an audience with the intent of merchandising that product.”

In addition to raising money for the cause, Foodstock gave students hands-on experience.

Language continued from page 1 think if a student accidentally slips up, we try to give them a reminder that the language isn’t appropriate. If we have a student that keeps getting the same reminder, we’ll start to look at other ways to get our point across.”

Mendez agrees that students should not be punished for little slip ups, but when words are used to hurt another there should be a consequence.

“I think some cuss words that are negative to race or (another person) you should be able to get in trouble for, but if you’re just mad or frustrated and it slips out, I don’t think you should be able to get in trouble,” Mendez said.

views on news

Jackie Robson was found guilty of committing class C child molestation and sentenced to a maximum sentence of 8 years in prison for fondling a fifth grade girl on multiple occasions. Attempts on shortening the sentence were futile as he is required to the maximum sentence for his crime.

Jackie Akey senior

“People genuinely go take the time to grab something out of their pantry and bring food in a way to contribute to this,” Gloff said. “I get the sense that a lot of people want to participate in something that’s benefiting someone else.”

Many may believe that the school does not have the right to punish a student for using vulgar language if it is not meant to hurt others.

“It depends on the context. If you are saying it towards someone it’s different from if you stub your toe and you let a word slip,” senior Marissa Kozlowski said.

According to firstamendmentcenter.org, “public schools have vast secretion in controlling what type of language can and cannot be spoken on school grounds.”

Junior Nathan Doctor believes that regardless of your opinions, school rules are school rules. “(Using profane language in school) is not a big deal in my opinion, but if it’s in the rules you have to follow it,” Doctor said.

Since Pettit’s days as a student at Crown Point High School, he has noticed changes in the rules the school enforces and the language people use as the years have gone on.

“Students are generally better behaved now than they were 20 years ago,” Pettit said. “I think parent expectations are a little different now. Parents tend to be more involved in their student’s lives.”

Pettit believes that this parent involvement is what has caused students of recent generations to behave better. He, along with Mendez, believes this behavior is crucial providing a healthy learning environment.

“You’re influenced by everything around you and the environment you are surrounded in,” Mendez said.

Over $1,000 raised

Foodstock 2014 Roughly 200 students attended

Student reaction to events in our world

Area Court upholds sentence for child molester

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“The idea is for me to give them as realistic as possible an experience of what it would be like to work in this industry,” Gloff said. “Those that worked really hard I think got a taste of what it was like to see something be created out of nothing.”

Performers included Sydney Ellingsen, Dylan Taylor, Kim Kovacik, The Oven Mitts, Five Alarm Tuesday, Various Artists, Becca Olesek, Erica McDermott and Guffaw, a band of students from Lake Central.

“The best part for me is always interacting with the crowd, when they sing with you and get all excited because they know the song and dance around,” senior Sydney Ellingsen said.

Ellingsen was not the only performer to sense the energy of the crowd.

“It was a lot of fun honestly; the crowd was really responsive. I had a good time playing,” senior Josh Andrews said.

Student involvement added to the overall expereince and concert atmosphere.

“The students were really respectful, and as a teacher and an advisor when you do something and you know that students enjoy it and respect it, it makes you want to do it again,” Gloff said.

Due to the donations raised for the Food Bank, the event benefitted more than just its participants.

The fact that people were trying to shorten the sentence is ridiculous because it’s such a serious crime that it should not be reduced at all.

State Indiana considering decriminalizing marijuana

Nation Santa Barbara Shooting World 118 Dead in an alleged Spree Kills Six Boko Haram Bombing

A new bill has a chance of being passed so that having half of a gram in procession is a criminal offense but carrying less than two ounces of cannabis is a civil offense, similar to a parking violation. The main outcome expected is for authorities to start focusing on things like robberies, rapes and murders.

A Friday night drive-by shooting rampage in Santa Barbara killed six people.

Police identified Elliot Rodger, 22, as the man suspected of the killings. He is also said to have stabbed his three roommates prior to the spree. S.B. County Sheriff Bill Brown describes the scene at the apartment as “a horrific crime scene.”

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Noah Scibbe sophomore

It wouldn’t be smart because marijuana can lead people to do really stupid things that can be harmful to other people.

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Marissa Shoedel

senior

It kind of makes me scared. Going off to college in the fall and knowing that he killed his roomates freaks me out.

It is definite whether Boko Haram, an Islamic Extremist Group, was the cause of 118 lives lost in a series of bombings. In just seconds, around 50 lives were taken. An hour later, another car bombing was set off that was meant to target first responders.

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Kourney Bruder sophomore

Not only did they want to take the lives of the people there, but they also wanted to send another bomb for the first responders. It’s completely cruel.

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opinion may 30, 2014

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The key to good living is simple mindfulness

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speakup Did you find SAP to be helpful this year?

BY DYLAN TAYLOR

editor-in-chief

If I have learned anything about life, looking back on my four years of high school, it is the importance of mindfulness.

In school, it is undoubtable that focus, work ethic and devotion to goals are academically indispensable. These, however, barely scratch the surface of what it means to be a successful, truly remarkable person. For that, one has to consider one’s motivations, one’s outlooks and one’s perception of oneself and the world around them.

A good analogy for this is that of the solar system. Imagine that everyone that exists is a planet. Now, every planet rotates on its own axis, just as we humans rotate on our own ego.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own ego, our world, our own rotations, our own systems and necessities and so forth, that we neglect that we’re ultimately part of a larger interconnected network of things rotating around something bigger than ourselves, just as each planet is just an element in the system that rotates around the Sun. It’s easy to make this oversight, and we all do. But a real, living, actualized, free person is capable of transcending this oversight, and becoming awakened to the “bigger picture” and their impact on it as well as of themselves.

This is simple, everyday awareness of the fabric of every moment, real understanding of consequence and impact, that carries huge implications. A person who is aware knows that the words they use to address another person legitimately mean something to the person they are addressing, and that every action they have, every word or commitment, has a positive or negative consequence on the universe, and not just their universe. This, as I see it, is what leads to leadership, understanding and happiness for a person.

And it is this, this intuitive understanding that the universe doesn’t revolve around us, and that we have the power to do good and succeed and bring joy and enlightenment to others everywhere, that’s what freedom and happiness is. That’s what it has to be.

So do your work. Have a good time. Make friends. Get involved. Fall in love. Find yourself. But perhaps most importantly, be aware of the fabric of every moment, help others whenever possible and respect yourself, your fellow humans and your surroundings. That is, as far as I can tell at this point in life, the best thing a person can do.

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Cartoon By Collin Raiser

Dominic Tomich freshman

iew:

Students with professional aspirations really should watch their language

“It’s helpful because it gives me time to do work, rest and watch CPTV.”

It is a fact of most high school students’ lives that during the school day there are a few instances in which a few vulgar words are bound to slip out in conversations with friends and classmates.

While they may be completely unintentional, or even used in a joking matter, the use of these words in student’s everyday lives is often an afterthought.

Very few people in fact, if anyone, are completely innocent of using “colorful language” from in certain venues. Still, it must be kept in consideration that a football game or a cookout with friends is a much different scene than a math class or even a high school hallway.

Success in life with peers often comes down to a game of adapting to surroundings and making the most out of them to influence your potential outcomes. Using a variety of expletives in professional situations is unlikely to result in any outcomes being positively influenced in any way. And while it is important for one to express themselves through their use of language, even if it should be by using vulgar words, there is a time and place for this language and this time and place is not during the school day.

Beyond students, there are other peoples’ ears to consider in the school, ones who may not approve of the use of such language at all, such as teachers and administrators.

Some may argue that this enforcement school language rules is a violation of freedom of speech, but when this language distracts other students from their school work this is a different story. An environment like a school simply must be kept an environment like a school.

Professional environments like schools and their implications are obviously different than that of, say, a football cheering section.

This should be treated as such in terms of all behavior, language included.

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Crown Point High School, IN

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

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

Letters-to-the-editor are welcomed provided they are signed and submitted one week prior to publication and do not contain personal attacks.

Inklings reserves the right to edit for space, clarity and legal and ethical concerns.

Advertising is subject to applicable rates available by contacting Inklings.

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

“Yes, because then I have time to see my teachers and get the help I need.”

Racheal Barraza junior “It’s perfect time to work on projects and it works perfectly with block scheduling.”

Caity Rogers senior “I like the idea of it but I don’t like that you can’t check out books. I think it needs some changes.”

editorial Vol. 78 Issue 9 May 30, 2014

Nick Knerler sophomore

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 editor Alaa Abdeldaiem

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

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

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opinion may 30, 2014

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Should large companies set up shop on the square? Get involved

in high school activities

BY KATIE SHERMAN

editor-at-large

Cartoon By Collin Raiser

Pro:

Con:

Big corporations can lead to a safer, more economically beneficial area

Too often, big corporations ruin the integrity of small towns

BY NADIA GIEDEMANN

BY BRITTANY PEDERSEN

reporter

reporter

Everywhere you look, places are changing. Corporate businesses are expanding and spreading all over and are becoming more popular every day. Owners of these businesses want to make money, so the more shops available allow them to make a better profit. Why not have some of these businesses move into the square?

Not as many people venture to the square as much as they used to due to some of the more costly restaurants. Since most teens in the area only make minimum wage, it could be difficult for them to come to town to eat. By having more affordable businesses on the square, more people are likely to come to town.

Having these businesses on the square could benefit people who live in town as well. With the rise in gas prices, it is becoming an inconvenience to have to drive far for a quick meal. If these companies were closer and on the square, some people wouldn’t have to drive as far. Some people could even walk, which could lead to less traffic on the square as a whole.

People may argue that big corporations will take away some of the business that some of the family owned shops may have. There are many shops on the square that the citizens of Crown Point enjoy, and they would still go to them even with Starbucks or Panda Express next door. The square could use more of a variety of businesses rather than another simple, repetitious shop.

Some may argue that having chain restaurants on the square would take away the historical integrity of the square as a whole. The historical aspect has been taken away already with the number of bars accumulating. The square used to be a place where families could take a walk at night, teens could be with friends after school, or picnics could be held during summer holidays. Now people have to worry that their outings may be disrupted by a drunk who wandered out of the bar.

Big corporate businesses could be beneficial to the town, and they could also make the square a safer place to be by eliminating some of the local bars.

Recently, there is a trend among many growing towns to encourage chain businesses, businesses operated by a single large company with many locations, to come to their square in an attempt to bring more business to their downtown areas. However, the square should continue to have independently owned businesses, small businesses that have a single store or restaurant owned by one person or a small number of people.

There is a certain nostalgic appeal to having only individuallyowned businesses on the square. Being familiar with the owners of the businesses one frequently shops or eats at makes one think in a positive way of times when everyone knew everyone.

Also, chains on the square would take the character factor away from it. The old courthouse is a symbol of Crown Point, and the square is the heart of it. The businesses should be unique to Crown Point, or have a few locations. When the square only has places like Starbucks or Wendy’s, then nothing differentiates Crown Point from Anytown, U.S.A. Some might believe that chain businesses will bring more money to the local economy. However, the profits that these businesses bring in are going to executives that are not even in our area and have no connection to our city, while the profits from Mom and Pop’s are going to everyday people who are living in our area, trying to run their own small business and support a family. If chain businesses come to the square, they will quickly drive all the Mom and Pop’s away. When chain businesses with big money come in, the rent will increase and soon no one can afford to stay. Now there is nowhere to go if someone is looking for a small shop or restaurant that offers something distinct or unique.

If you are on the square and you just really, really want a Whopper then all you have to do is drive a mile down Main St. There is no need for chains to come in and occupy the openings on the square when there are plenty of chains elsewhere in Crown Point. The square should continue to have great, small businesses.

12 Inklings staffers agree

14 Inklings staffers agree

Kasey Kolberg

Allison Adank

freshman

“I am against big businesses on the square because we are such a tight knit community and they would take away from the Mom and Pop style businesses.”

“Things that are mass produced are usually cheaper, so people who don’t have as much money will probably be more able to afford things.”

Chloe Hoffman

english teacher

chem teacher

“I think they would be a good thing because it’s bringing in more money for the town, which is good because sometimes small businesses leave because they don’t have a lot of customers.”

Seth Cook

sophomore

“I think big businesses would ruin things because small town places are so much better. ‘What’s the Scoop’ just went out of business, and it just made me really sad.”

How am I supposed to summarize the last four years of my high school career in one column?

This task has seemed impossible; even though high school could be super dramatic, it really has been the best four years of my life thus far.

One of the most important lessons I learned in high school is to be involved in extra-curricular activities. Though it may seem like a broken record said by numerous teachers and administrators, it is one of the most important, valuable actions one can take. It builds character and helps develop leadership skills which are very valuable in the ‘real world’.

Being involved in school activities has helped me more than I will ever know. Being involved has taught me what is most important in life: the bonds you make with the people who surround you.

For example, being involved in high school journalism/newspaper has been the most beneficial class I could have ever taken.

It taught me how to communicate with my peers, how to compose myself during an interview and it taught me to be myself. I have gained life lessons that I would never have learned until later in life. Some of my best friends I met through journalism, and that is something I am most grateful for.

Volunteering through Key Club gave me many volunteer opportunities from working a Halloween party for elementary school students to raising money for Rebuilding Together to fix up a house in the community. This taught me the importance of giving on to others and providing for the greater good.

Volunteering through CASS, the anti-bullying mentor program through the middle schools, and junior achievement, where I teach kindergarteners, first graders and sixth graders has influenced my career choice. I love working with students and seeing them grow academically, and I cannot wait to pursue my intended major of speech and hearing sciences. Each student is different and unique, and it is so neat seeing them work together to achieve an end product.

My point is simple: get involved. Whether you are an incoming sophomore or even entering your senior year next school year, being active in extracurricular activities is not just something you should put on your college application or resume; it should be something that influences you.

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feature may 30, 2014

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i on life experiencing a different perspective

PHOTO BY MAGGIE GELON

Seniors Corey Kuhlman (left) and Travis Kovacic (right) play the collectable card game “Magic” after school as a hobby. “Magic” is a strategy-based card game played either competitively or for fun.

Students who believe in “Magic”

BY VERDA MIRZA

managing editor

Playing your cards right

Fighting the creatures that consume the land, one conquerer requires all the strength and strategies needed to beat them. Magic will prevail.

“Magic: The Gathering” is a card game has captured the attention of some students as they compete with each other as “planeswalkers;” powerful wizards that fight each other for knowledge, glory and conquest.

One “planeswalker” is sophomore Paul Dawley who sees the “Magic: The Gathering” card game as a way to unwind with friends after a bit of running at cross country practice.

“It’s just something my friends and I like to do when we hang out and play after practice,” Dawley said.

Friends are not the only ones that can enjoy a game full of creatures and spells.

“I like to play with my sister on Saturday game nights, but I play with my friends in a tournament at least once a week,” sophomore Matt Muller said.

Playing “Magic” can be an enjoyable time during school.

“Whenever I get the chance, I play. Usually midday during class when I have more people to play with and if we have free time in other classes,” senior Corey Kuhlman.

While “Magic” is a great pass time with friends and

family, some games played can get competitive.

“Some of the games get really long and competitive and I certainly don’t want to lose to my friends,” Dawley said.

Unfortunately for Muller, when playing with his friend Dawley in a competitive game, he does not usually receive the winner’s prize.

“We get really competitive. I have never won once.

Paul usually wins. I would be good if I had better cards, but I need money. The winner will sometimes get a pack of 15 cards,” Muller said.

“Magic” was built on strategy. While it is a collectable card game, a lot of planning is required.

“Each game is unique. A lot of strategy is put into it to defeat your opponent,” Dawley said.

The purpose of the game varies from each player. Dawley sees the goal as to use the cards in one’s deck to lower the life of the opponent to zero while Kuhlman perceives it differently.

“I think the purpose of ‘Magic’ is to have fun. There really is no other point to it unless you are someone who plays competitively, which I don’t,” Kulman said. “I just go have fun with friends and make different decks that most people don’t typically use just because I think it is better to try something new.”

These players took interest in card games in different ways. Some began because card games have always in-

terested them since childhood, while others discovered it through other people.

“I started two months ago. Paul was the one who dug into his closet and he talked to one of the cross guys. From there they started playing,” Muller said. “Then I heard about it and wanted to play and now half the cross team plays.”

“Magic” has gained popularity and influenced many of its participants. Kuhlman has been playing card games for a very long time.

“I have been playing since I was little. My family is a big card playing family, so basically I have been playing card games since I can hold cards like ‘Yu-Gi-Oh’ when I was younger and ‘Magic’ most recently,” Kuhlman said.

“Magic,” or any card game in general, has unique qualities to them that attract many individuals.

“The thing that makes “Magic” fun is probably more than anything the strategy of it. I have a strategic mind in being able to set things up to where you know what you will do in the next turn,” Kuhlman said. “It’s kind of like chess, but I am not good at chess, so I play cards.”

While the strategy of it captures Kuhlman’s attention, Muller views card games as going back to times when technology was not the center of social gatherings.

“I like how it takes away from electronics and social media. I’m not a big fan of them so doing something that is not on a computer screen or iPhone is nice,” Muller said.

Planeswalker-Jace

Basic Land

Artifact - Equipment

This is a special Planeswalker card that has four abilites while the others only have three.

This card is used for mana (energy) which is essential to play other cards.

Artifact-Equipment cards give a beneficial effect to the creature a player “equips” it to.

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Every dog has his day

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Students lend a hand at local shelters by taking care of animals

BY NADIA GIEDEMANN

reporter

Some may wonder what happens to animals if taken from abusive owners or if found on the street. The Lake County Animal Shelter houses over 60 of these animals hoping to find them homes.

“Working at the shelter is very fast paced,” Animal Shelter Director Deborah Nowland said. “We are dedicated and committed to placing these animals in loving homes.”

With such a large amount of animals, the shelter is always looking for the help of citizens wishing to volunteer. Professional behaviors are expected of volunteers.

“Volunteers are expected to be professional, kind, and patient,” Nowland said.

“They should show the animals respect.”

Junior Kelly Williams volunteers at the animal shelter on Saturdays, and she tries to do whatever needs to be done.

“When I get there, there are a ton of dishes that need to be done from the night before and the morning feedings from the kennel and cat rooms,” Williams said. “I help walk dogs and socialize the different animals.”

Volunteering at the shelter not only benefits the people, but it helps the animals as well.

“It gives the volunteers something in their heart to know they are doing something good and kind, and it allows the animals to be socialized rather than being in their cages,” Nowland said.

Williams agrees that being a volunteer can be beneficial.

“Just knowing that you are doing something good is really rewarding,” Williams said.

Volunteering at the animal shelter has helped Williams with the career path she has chosen.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and now I decided on vet school,” Williams said. “Volunteering helps me get some experience working with animals.”

Even if someone is unable to volunteer, there are different ways one can help.

Adopting an animal rather than going to a generic pet store is a great way to help.

“The animal shelters run off of donations and the little money the city sets aside for them, so the animals are not as pampered as those in pet stores,” senior Rachel Reitan said.

Reitan has adopted all of her pets from local shelters, and has had a great experience with each one.

“Shelter animals have a much bigger appeal to me personally because my family and I have had such good luck with the animals we have adopted from the shelters,” Reitan said.

Adopting a pet is a big responsibility, and involves a lot of time and effort caring for the animal.

“Make sure you have enough time in your day to give them attention and the proper food and exercise they need,” Reitan says.

Along with volunteering, adopting an animal is very rewarding.

“I strongly encourage animal adoption, and I think it is a wonderful cause to be helping,” Reitan said. “If I had the choice, I’d be adopting every dog or cat that was in the shelter.”

Local animal shelters are doing their best to provide care to animals without homes. Help of any kind is strongly encouraged and is welcomed everyday.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KELLY WILLIAMS

Junior Kelly Williams holds a newborn kitten before it gets fed. She enjoys volunteering at various animal shelters by walking the dogs and socializing with the other animals.

How to help 1.

Donate pet food and toys

2.

Fundraise money for the local animal shelter

3.

Bring old blankets to give to the shelter

4.

Volunteer your time to play with the animals

5.

Adopt a pet from the shelter

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Mr. Flewelling is best known for his teaching in the subject of physics, but in his down time he is a treasure hunter under the informal name of a “geocacher.”

“Geocaching is where they take the latitude/longitude lines, and they hide something in the specific area and you have to find it in that area,” Flewelling said. “We (my family) started geocaching about a year and a half ago, on my wife’s birthday, we were looking for something fun to do.”

Flewelling still recognizes the challenge of “geocaching.”

“Don’t give up, some of them are really hard to find and if you don’t find them you can always go back,” Flewelling said.

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Lynn Kholoki Planes, trains and automobiles are no stranger to seasoned traveler, senior Lynn Kholoki. She and her family are off to Beruit, Lebanon to visit family this summer.

“My mom’s parents are from Syria, but because of what’s going on in Syria my dad doesn’t want us to go to the country, so it’s just safer for us to go (to Lebanon), and they are neighboring countries,” Kholoki said.

Kholoki enjoys the perspectives and experiences she gathers from traveling and enjoys doing so with her family.

“I have my own culture, but we live here so we also see the American culture.

It’s nice knowing about other countries’ cultures, like the way they have different transportation and different environments,” Kholoki said.

AJ Huls Junior AJ Huls has a summer hobby that blows others out of the water. Since he was born, he has been out on the family boat.

“Being out on the water is a stress reliever. It’s fun, and it’s also great exercise when you’re doing watersports,” Huls said.

Huls began skiing at age five, and wakeboarding at age ten.

“Out of everything, I like slalom skiing the best. It’s free, liberating and there is nothing else like it,” Huls said. “It is like an escape from the outside world.”

Huls loves the excitement of the watersport so much that he wants to incorporate it in his life later on.

“Being on the lake is like a playground to me and I plan to someday live on the water,” Huls said.

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up in SMOKE Vaporizers and e-cigs marketed to help smokers quit carry risks PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EVI LOVIN

BY DYLAN TAYLOR

editor-in-chief

Many have seen it—kids sneaking puffs from cylindrical metal contraptions and exhaling clouds of white smoke. This “smoke” is not smoke, per say. It is nicotinecontaining water vapor, and the electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and “hookah pens” that produce it are becoming increasingly popular among high school students.

Respiratory therapist Ralph Eggen explains what these devices are.

“Electronic cigarettes and ‘vapes’ are (devices designed to) vaporize liquid, usually containing nicotine, so that users can smoke without smoking cigarettes,” Eggen said.

“The liquid usually comes in varying concentrations (of nicotine) and sometimes is sold without nicotine. But most of the time, people smoke these (devices) to get nicotine.”

The perceived safety of these devices is often what draws new users to them, according to Eggen. They often are used, however, as a smoking cessation aid for longtime cigarette smokers.

“Electronic cigarettes don’t contain the tar that regular cigarettes do, and won’t cause the same kind of damage to your lungs that regular inhaled cigarettes would,” Eggen said. “They often can help people quit smoking. You can buy tobacco liquid for them in varying

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concentrations of nicotine, so people may be able to wean themselves off of nicotine that way. For a lot of people, it’s easier than using a nicotine patch,” Eggen said.

Many of the individuals using them, however, are not necessarily trying to quit smoking. According to a Center for Disease Control (CDC) report, e-cigarette usage among middle- and high-schoolers has more than doubled from 2011 to 2012 alone. According to the same study, 76.3 percent of the students who had smoked e-cigarettes within the last 30 days reported to also using conventional cigarettes during that time. Another CDC study even confirmed that the number of calls to poison centers involving toxic nicotine-containing e-cigarette liquids rose from one per month in September 2010 to 215 per month in February 2014.

“Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Many teens who start with e-cigarettes may be condemned to struggling with a lifelong addiction to nicotine and conventional cigarettes,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement regarding the report.

Eggen believes that the method of smoking the device itself can often be enough to incite smoking habits in newer users.

“Even if a kid isn’t using nicotine liquid, the act of smoking it, you know, putting it up to your mouth and inhaling the vapor, can promote smoking habits too, and people can still crave that sensation of having something

to smoke in your mouth,” Eggen said.

Some students are disturbed by the prevalence of ecigarette and vaporizer usage among teens.

“I think that it’s ridiculous that kids want to smoke “vape,” especially in school. Kids smoke them that aren’t even trying to quit, and they don’t realize that it’s addictive and idiotic to do,” senior Melanie Komasinski said.

Currently, all possession of tobacco and related products is banned in the Crown Point High School rulebook.

Despite acknowledging the addictiveness of nicotine, senior Montana Haywood believes that the vaporizers are a good smoking cessation aid that should be decriminalized in school settings.

“I think that the school should allow students to have e-cigarettes on their person as long as they’re not smoking them in school,” Haywood said. “They’d break in a hot car, so where else would someone (addicted to nicotine) put them? They also don’t create secondhand smoke like cigarettes do. They’re very helpful for people trying to quit smoking.”

Regardless of their benefits or risks, electronic cigarettes remain unregulated on the market. The FDA proposed a set of rules in April to regulate electronic cigarettes as tobacco products, which include analyzing the products, requiring their registration with the FDA, banning all sales to minors and placing health warnings on the labels of all e-cigarette products.

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‘‘

We proved to ourselves that we are capable of anything.

Hopefully we can go on a streak deep into the tournament.

- senior Jeremy Swart

On their way to

SEMI-STATE Lady Dogs win first regional title since 2005

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

sports editor

Q

ing Wen didn’t falter.

After losing the second set to Munster’s (163) Nikki Heiniger in Wednesday night’s regional finals, Wen maintained her composure. The frustration the Lady Dogs (16-2) felt after nine consecutive postseason losses to the Mustangs was the same frustration the junior grasped in just one season with the team. She knew she had to win now more than ever, her team tied 2-2 in a contest for their first regional title since 2005.

A switch from defense to offense and a little bit of confidence helped her do just that, and for the first time in nine years, the Lady Bulldogs are regional champions. “(Heiniger) had to stretch out against the fence every single point while I felt more confidence in my game,” Wen said. “I didn’t have any distractions in my mind and I finally won after three sets. I was so proud of myself and so proud of my teammates. It was amazing that we can compete as a team and I really enjoyed playing the match with so many people supporting me. We deserved the regional title.”

Wen’s 6-1 win in the third set at No. 1 singles was the last match on the court that night. The No. 1 doubles team of senior Madie Cleland and junior Olivia Elston had swept Munster 6-2, 6-1, and junior Jordan Embry and senior April Przyborski had just defeated the Mustangs 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles.

With losses from senior Abby Kvachkoff and sophomore Savannah Schuljak at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, it was all up to Wen, whose calm demeanor that night was especially impressive to head coach Brian Elston.

“Her demeanor on the court is amazing,” Elston said.

“She was in control of the match. Whether she’s playing well or badly she controls her emotions and continues to be a leader. If she knew that it was down to her match, she didn’t show it. ” Such composure took a long time for Wen to hone.

Ever since she was 7 years old, Wen has dedicated much focus to her time on the court. Practice was never something she took lightly.

When Wen was 12, she played under one of Shanghai’s more renown coaches. It was then she realized the physicalPHOTO BY AMY SCHUCH

Senior Qing Wen finishes a backhand during last week’s sectional finals against Kankakee Valley.

David Taylor 8080 East 109th Avenue Crown Point, IN 46307 (219)663-3090

ity of the game wasn’t as important as the mental side of it.

“Tennis is a mind game,” Wen said. “There are not many absolute advantages that an individual could have over an opponent. My coach taught me that I always have to think how and why I scored a point or how I lost one.

That’s when I started building my game mood on the courts and improving my composure.”

Wen’s experience has shown. Since joining the team in the offseason as a foreign exchange student, Wen has

‘‘

Winning regionals is unbelievable. It’s one of those things you dream about for so long, not knowing if you’ll ever beat Munster. It’s amazing.

Brian Elston

head coach

recorded a 17-1 record to help the team claim their first DAC title since 2005 earlier in the season.

“You can see she’s played a lot,” Elston said. “She’s an incredible tennis player who has been coached by very good coaches. She’s played different games. She has so many different styles of play—fast pace, slow pace, lob, spin, angles. She’s got all the different aspects of tennis.”

Wen wasn’t the only source of experience on this year’s team. After losing to Kankakee Valley 3-2 earlier this month, the Lady Dogs blanked the Kougars 5-0 for their 20th consecutive sectional championship last week.

Schuljak reversed her previous loss at No. 3 singles, and a switch in the lineup moved Kvachkoff from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 singles, giving the team the extra points.

“We were much more experienced this time around,” Elston said. “It’s not like the other team was making errors.

We were getting winning shots, and it showed how much we had improved throughout the season.”

As the Lady Dogs prepare for tomorrow’s semi-state match against Culver, which will be held here at noon, Elston stresses the importance of maintaining forcus despite their recent regional crown.

“Winning regionals is unbelievable. It’s one of those things you dream about for so long, not knowing if you’ll ever beat Munster. It’s amazing,” Elston said. “We can’t lose focus though. Culver is another Munster, and it’s going to be a matter of who shows up that day. We’re not done. Hopefully, we’ll have another week till we are.”

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UNDEFEATED Facing sectional finals Dogs ranked #1 in state

BY DYLAN WALLACE

reporter

Rankings are only as good as the team behind it. Holding the number one rank in the state, the girls softball team is ready to keep their title throughout the postseason.

“27-0 is just a statistic. It’s a good one, but it doesn’t mean anything if we lose in this postseason,” junior Rachael Honaker said. “We played like the top team all season, we have been ranked as the top team all season, and now we have to prove why we’re the top team this season.”

The Lady Dogs have kept their undefeated streak alive in these first

‘‘

27-0 is just a statistic.

It’s a good one, but It doesn’t mean anything if we lose this postseason.

Rachel Honaker

PHOTO BY BEN JASEK

Freshman Stephanie Renner winds up on the mound while pitching in a game against the Portage Indians. The girls went on to defeat the Indians 4-1, which added another win to their undefeated season.

junior

two rounds of sectionals by defeating Merrillville 10-0 in round one, then defeating Chesterton 10-1 in round two.

“We are two thirds of the way there,” head coach Ginger Britton said. “I think the girls have looked strong in both these wins averaging ten points in each game and allowing few runs. That’s how we have to play to be able to accomplish what we want to.”

Leading up to their first and second round sectional wins the Lady Dogs won the DAC championship by defeating portage 4-1

behind sophomore Miranda Elish’s ten strikeouts.

“Winning the conference championship was definitely one of our goals heading into the season and Miranda was great like she has been all season,” head coach Ginger Britton said.

Elish has a 0.21 ERA and an undefeated pitching record of 19-0 which has helped the dogs obtain their perfect season record of 24-0.

“I’ve just been locked in all season but that won’t mean anything if I can’t stay locked in when it matters, and it matters in sectionals, regionals, and state,” Elish said.

To go along with Elish’s undefeated record and the team’s defense, which has allowed only a total of eight runs through the whole season, the Dogs have a state-high total of 215 runs through 27 games.

These statistics have the Dogs ranked 31 in the nation and first in the state.

“Miranda has been great. Our infield and outfield play has been great, and especially our hitting has been great,” Honaker said. “It’s a good feeling when you can not only put a lot of runs on the board but also are able to turn your defense into offense by shutting out most of our opponents.”

At press time the girls will be competing in the sectional finals against the Portage Indians (19-6), who they have beaten twice this season. If they defeat Portage again tonight, they will move on to the regional finals on June 3.

“We have to focus on the sectional championship and take things one thing at a time. Now is not the time to lose focus when everything is going the way you want it to go,” Britton said.

Dogs defeat Michigan City in first round of sectionals

BY LEXI BERDINE

reporter

After finishing up with an 11-2 record in the conference, the baseball team is ready to carry their success into the postseason. With sectionals underway, the boys are taking their first round sectional win as motivation to maintain their winning streak throughout the rest of the postseason.

To start off sectional play, the Dogs traveled to Chesterton and faced the Michigan City Wolves (15-4) on Wednesday night. Shutting out the Wolves by scoring 20 runs, the Bulldogs started sectionals off just as they had hoped.

Head coach Steve Strayer was satisfied with the win and hopes to take their momentum further into the postseason.

“The boys came in with a really good mind set and were really focused. We played a really good ball game,” Strayer said.

Having started off the season with a losing record of 1-5, winning the first round of sectionals was the confident boost that they needed.

“Confidence is a huge part of having a successful baseball team. With having a team of new starters, we were lacking confidence in our first few games. After some tough

PHOTO BY EVI LOVIN

Junior Andrew Atchison celebrates while rounding the bases after the Bulldogs defeated Michigan City 6-4.

losses, we learned that we have the talent to be great. After the 1-5 start to our season, we went on a winning streak and started off our postseason off with a win. Now, all we have

to do is remain confident in our upcoming games,” senior pitcher Jeremy Swart said.

With the recent confidence boost that came along with their sectional win, the Dogs are hoping to carry their positive mindset into the second round of sectionals when they face the Portage Indians.

“Concerning tonight’s game, we just need to keep up the high energy in the dugout and we can’t expect to win like we did last night,” Swart said. “We have to come out ready to play and prepare for a close-game battle.”

Having two wins over Portage this season, facing them in the second round of sectionals will be nothing new for the Dogs. They are hoping to make the adjustments they need in order to defeat the Indians again.

“Portage is playing extremely well right now. They scouted us out during our game against Michigan City, so they are going to try to counter us. We are going to have to adjust to that if we want to get another win tonight,” Strayer said.

The Bulldogs will play the Portage Indians (14-7) at Chesterton tonight in the second round of sectionals.

“Coming off such a big win against Michigan City, we need to focus on not being relaxed. The main thing we need to do as a team is stay focused and worry about the current game and not our previous one,” junior Andrew Atchison said.

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ALAA’s ANGLE

BY ALAA ABDELDAIEM

sports editor

It’s our fault Donald Sterling wasn’t gone years ago It’s a shame Donald Sterling almost got away with it.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ owner is finally being forced to sell his team after an audio tape revealed him scolding his girlfriend for associating with African Americans. His appearance with CNN’s Anderson Cooper earlier this month was supposed to be a public apology for the racially-charged comments. It came out as anything but.

Sterling, rather than express sincere regrets, added fuel to the flames. He said NBA owners still support him despite his apparent racism. His players, sponsors and fans all love him and know he’s not racist. The media just makes it look otherwise. It’s a shame Sterling is a delusional fool.

And it’s a shame we as a society just came to that conclusion.

We were blind to the fact that, when the U.S. Department of Justice sued Sterling for housing discrimination in 2006, early warning signs of Sterling’s racism should have banned him from the NBA eight years ago.

We neglected that, through writers such as ESPN’s Bomani Jones and Sports Illustrated’s Franz Lidz, Sterling’s racism— including a lawsuit that quotes Sterling saying “black tenants smell and attract vermin”—has been well documented for several years.

We’re a society living in denial. Like Sterling, we believed he couldn’t be racist because people like commentator Bill O’Reilly told us discrimination is “all in the past.”

We’re a society obsessed with sizzle. Had we valued a court testimony’s claims as much as the sexiness in an audio tape between a wealthy jerk and his mistress, Sterling’s racism would have been eliminated at its earliest signs.

The NBA wouldn’t have waited so long to take action, and the majority of us may have been more willing to expose similar cases rather than go back to sleep after Sterling has been removed.

Donald Sterling should’ve been gone years ago.

It’s our fault we didn’t realize it sooner.

points

Track teams take momentum to state meet

BY JACKIE VAN DER WAY ELI UDCHITZ

ing first and second in the 1600 meter run with only a .2 second separation.

However, the runners were not the only contributors to the win. Juniors Mitch Kessler and Spencer Swope rallied points in field events. Kessler put down Lake Central’s last year state runner-up Gelen Robinson in shot put to take the victory, and Swope took first in high jump jumping 6’3.

Looking back at their successful season and start to the postseason, the recent triumphs have left head coach Keith Iddings hopeful for regionals.

“We have a lot of talent on the team, and I believe that if the guys compete how I know they are able to we can win the regional meet,” Iddings said.

At press time, the boys were preparing for their regional meet.

However, the girls track team has surpassed regionals and is directing their focus on the state

reporters

With the season coming to a close, the boys track team came out ready to finish what they started as they ended their regular season undefeated. The Bulldogs hosted the sectional meet last week and did nothing short of expected.

Winning the meet by over 50 points and having 17 athletes advance to regionals was an added bonus to the success they’ve had all season.

Taking first place in 300 meter hurdles and 1600 meter relay, senior Tristan Peterson was proud of himself and his teammates.

“It felt amazing to have won my events, but winning the sectional by 50 points as a team felt even better,” Peterson said.

Along with Peterson’s success, senior Tyler Gray and sophomore Ryan Kepshire racked up points in long distance by finish-

meet.

“We knew that the hard work would pay off if we kept it up throughout the season and evidently, it did,” girls head coach Adam Piaskowy said.

Piaskowy is more than pleased with the girls track team’s postseason performance so far.

“Everybody counted us out,” Piaskowy said. “It didn’t matter what everybody else thought.

What mattered was the girls didn’t count themselves out and that’s why they were able to accomplish what they did.”

Leaving sectionals on a positive note, the Lady Dogs traveled to Chesterton on Tuesday and competed at the regional competition. Having placed third at sectionals behind Merrillville and Lake Central, the girls were pleasantly surprised when they placed second at regionals.

“It felt amazing qualifying for state at regionals. I was blessed to be part of a team that really

believes in my ability. I finally realized that all the hard training paid off and I’ve never been happier about anything,” senior Kayla McGurk said.

McGurk qualified in the 400 meter run and the 1600 meter relay. Although the team fell short to rival Lake Central, having 21 girls competing at the regional meet made up for it.

“We knew that Lake Central was going to be tough, but I thought the girls did a great job going out there and competing hard,” Piaskowy said. “Our goal heading in wasn’t exactly to win, it was to get as many girls as we can to regionals and we did just that.”

The girls hope to keep the momentum going as they prepare and focus on the state meet.

The boys’ and girls’ track and field state tournament finals will be June 6 and 7 in Bloomington, Indiana at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex.

Golf team hopes to carry regular season wins into postseason tions.

The Bulldogs finished fourth overall in the meet. Junior Mike Lee believes his poor peformance impacted the outcome.

“Everyone played well overall, but I just let the team down,” Lee said. “I couldn’t get anything going for me yesterday.”

Despite the poor performance, Lee believes the team’s 164-164-201 win against Merrillville is reassuring as the team heads into sectional play.

BY SAM BARLOGA

reporter

After strong early season victories against Merrillville and Michigan City, the Bulldogs had high expectations heading into last night’s DAC championship, hoping to come out with at least sole possession of a 2nd-place finish.

Sophomore Grant Miller’s and freshman Ken Decker’s 78 overall on the course wasn’t enough to reach those expecta-

Pacers center Roy Hibbert is having a poor performance, but his -0.2 playoff efficiency rating still isn’t among the ten worst in playoff history. Who’s overall PER is the NBA’s worst ever?

out of 106 students questioned

25%

21%

Correct Answer: B

21%

Lee led the Bulldogs with a 72 during last week’s CP Invite, finishing third overall in the 10team field.

The team put in a near recordbreaking performance against Michigan City in a 147-166 victory, also adding to the team’s momentum.

“Against Michigan City, we shot what was close to a school record,” head coach Jonathan Haas said. “Miller led the way with a two under round. Any time your

A. Matt Barnes B. Kendrick Perkins C. J.R. Smith

33%

D. Metta World Peace

best score is under par you have a great shot at winning.”

As the team prepares for the postseason, Haas believes his team’s best golf is still ahead.

“We are as good as anyone there,” Haas said. “Lake Central is leading the DAC and has a full roster of experienced seniors, making them the team everyone is chasing. I think our best golf is yet to come. It should be a good day of golf.”

Games to watch Boys Golf

}

extra

Freshmen Grace Molls and Alexis Grimes exchange the baton during the 1600 meter relay on Crown Point’s track. The girls competed at sectionals and regionals and are preparing their qualifying runners to end their season by competing at the state tournament finals on June 6.

Sectionals June 6

Brazil 2014

FIFA World Cup

}

June 12-July 13

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arts & entertainment may 30, 2014

“Love Runs Out”

by OneRepublic

“Problem”

By Ariana Grande Ariana Grande’s new single “Problem”, featuring Iggy Izalea, hit the top of the charts the night it came out.

Ariana and Izzy’s voice beautifully blend together throughout the entirety of the song.

Though the two have different styles of singing, the song remains catchy and upbeat, sure to become a hit for the upcoming summer.

“Halfway to Heaven”

By Brantley Gilbert Slightly veering off of his usual rough-and-rugged hymns, Gilbert delivers an emotional sonnet that makes listeners stop and take a moment to think. It’s very meaningful but not the upbeat and rocking song that listeners look forward to during the summer.

“Neighbors” While some parts of “Neighbors” were funny, the majority of the movie was extremely innapropriate. The best part was easily shirtless Zac Efron, if one is into that kind of thing. Other than that the use of nudity and profane language was unecessary. The movie is definitely not one to take one’s parents to.

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BY TINA WINFREY associate editor

Summer is quickly approaching, and with the warm weather comes a wide variety of concerts. With artists such as Tim McGraw, Knife Party, Mumford & Sons, Lorde and Kendrick Lamar, get ready to save up some extra cash, pack the sunscreen and pin some fun outfits because summer music festival season is here.

Roll the windows down and cruise.. a couple times

Traveling festival

US 99.5’s Summer Concert Series

This tour, making 43 stops and including 30 bands, is set for a one of a kind experience.

Three cans of food, a $5 donation or an old cell phone can earn one a “skip the line” bracelet that can help them avoid a long general admission line. For the pesky parent, there is also a complementary “bring one parent in for free” ticket available for anyone buying a ticket for the tour. When it comes for a backstage pass, they are out for blood, literally. For the first 100 to sign up to donate blood, a backstage pass will be awarded.

Grab some cowboy boots and a hat for US 99.5’s Summer Concert Series. With six separate shows, this series is a must-see for country music fans and a great way to have a music filled summer.

Along with each of these separate concerts comes some opening acts like newcomers Justin Moore and Florida Georgia Line. The mix of pro performers and newcomers is promising for a great night of country music.

A country mega ticket is available for admission to all six concerts, or tickets for each concert can be purchased separately.

When: various dates from May 31 to Aug. 15 Where: various locations throughout Chicago, IL Headliners: Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts

Best of all worlds

Vans Warped Tour

When: July 3 or July 19 Where: Noblesville, IN or Tinley Park, IL Performers: (Tinley Park) Falling in Reverse, Breathe Carolina, Mayday Parade, Of Mice and Men, We The Kings

1

Lollapalooza Perhaps the largest festival held in the Chi, Lollapalooza offers an extensive variety of music for the near to 100,000 people attracted to this three-day festival. With Lorde, Eminem, Skrillex and Arctic Monkeys being just a few of the headliners, it is no wonder that one-day passes sold out within the first hour.

Unfortunately, only a minimum of five park reentry’s is allowed per day leaving one to carry all their necessary items with them or be forced to pay the sometimes outrageous festival prices leaving one’s wallet to combat the intense August heat.

What to bring reuseable water bottle

2 a small bag or fanny pack

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When: August 1-3 Where: Grant Park (Chicago, IL) Headliners: Lorde, Eminem, Skrillex, Arctic Monkeys, Zedd

snacks

What everyone is RAVEing about

New kids in town

Spring Awakening

Pitchfork

With its June 13-15 dates, this mainly Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival is a true “awakening” into the summer season. While most concerts of this genre are strictly 21 and over, Spring Awakening is a festival for all ages with only the VIP tickets being 21+.

Even though the festival is highly referred to as a rave, or giant party, typical rave items, such as glow sticks and LED gloves, are not permitted in the stadium. Even with these rules, Spring Awakening looks to be a unique atmosphere for all ages.

If one is looking for a cheap solution to their summer festival needs, they must look no further than the Pitchfork music festival.

Featuring new and upcoming artists the $60 per day festival prides itself on being “one of the most welcoming, comfortable, reasonably priced and rewarding weekends of music around”.

The fest also prides itself on supporting local businesses and vendors. With one third of these vendors offering gluten free and vegan foods, the festival accommodates to most everyone.

When: June 13-15 Where: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL) Headliners: Tiesto, Knife Party, Flux Pavilion, Kaskade

When: July 18-20 Where: Union Park (Chicago, IL) Performers: Neutral Milk Hotel, Kendrick Lamar, Death Grips

“Godzilla” “Godzilla” has hit the big screens once again, and was not as impressive as expected.

The majority of the movie was giant monsters screaming and attacking each other. For a two-hour- long movie, it could have been better.

I

All Summer Long

inreview OneRepublic fails to disappoint yet again with the release of their newest single, “Love Runs Out.” With a strong beat and catchy lyrics, it is hard not to fall in love with the song.

OneRepublic knows how to keep their fans interested.

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A section devoted to social media

best apps

best tweets Grandma coming in clutch with the chocolate craving ice cream Freshman Emily Barnum

@emily_barnum

Why does a chicken coop have two doors?

Because if it had four doors it would be a sedan #stupidjokeswithjulie Junior Julie Stuckert

Don’t Tap the White Tile

@julie_kayleene

Venting to my mom is one of my favorite things Junior Sydney Morrow

@sydworrom_

Reminiscing high school and it’s bittersweet Senior Collin Smith

@collin_smith14

Glide

The name explains the game.

It is very fast-paced and there are five different modes to try— classic, arcade, zen, rush and relay. With a single tap, the game is over.

It is frustrating, yet highly addictive.

Glide is a video messaging app that allows users to send video messages and photos with text to friends. It is similar to Snapchat, but Glide allows users to chat in large groups and watch messages being filmed live.

best follows @KimKanyeNorth Keep up to date with the newly married couple by following this account for the latest “Kimye” news. Adorable pictures of North West are also included.

@APEnglish_Probs Whether one is in AP English or not, this follow is full of funny remarks about school and common student problems.

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“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” impresses

BY EMILY BEST

a&e editor

A sequel to “The Amazing Spiderman,” the second installment of the series lives up to the first movies expectations.

“The Amazing Spiderman 2” was not only popular with fans of the series, but with the boxoffice as well, raking in around $150,000,000.

The cast of the movie, Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spiderman) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy), sweethearts on and off the screen, have endless amounts of chemistry, which makes watching them act together a worthwhile thing to do.

The plot line is well thought out and never boring. The movie is emotional and a little sad at times, but action filled at other times. There is also a little bit of romance, making the movie great for anyone to see.

Garfield had to meet the expectations set by Tobey McGuire, the original Spiderman.

Not only did he meet them, he

Movies to watch out for this summer

22 Jump Street June 13th

Transformers 4 June 27th

surpassed them. He is actually liked more than McGuire by some fans.

The ending of the movie does stay true to the original comic book series. For fans who haven’t read the comic books, the ending can come as a surprise. Some were upset with the ending, but the director stayed true to the comic book series, and fans have got to give him props for that.

The movie left viewers on the edge of their seats with a cliffhanger ending. Many fans wonder what will happen next and if the next movie will continue to follow the plot line of the comic books. Regardless, the movie did it’s job and captured the attention of the audience with it’s cliffhanger ending.

Overall, the movie was great.

The acting was superb on both Stone’s and Garfield’s parts and the plot line didn’t fail to impress. “The Amazing Spiderman 2” definitely lived up to the first movie’s expectations and is worth the $10 to see.

The Purge: Anarchy July 18th

If I Stay August 22nd

The Black Keys “Turn Blue” album rocks

BY EVI LOVIN

reporter

The Black Keys’ new album “Turn Blue” is likely to be their most enticing released album to date. The 45-minute-long rock n’ soul album consists of 11 moody tunes.

The first song of the album is smooth sounding and seven minutes long. The length of this track may cause some to yawn, however, it does allow for a slow-paced consumption of the listener’s attention. The introductory song’s rhythmic beats are a metaphoric gradient that draws the listeners in towards the core of the album.

As the album continues, the consistent, effortless harmonies make themselves more apparent. This unique flow proves that the musicians have finally found their natural collective sound. The band seems to be playing what they are feeling rather than only playing to please their fans or meet the ex-

pectations of others. “Turn Blue” showcases this quality in each of the albums.

The band has maintained its garage rock band feel for the entirety of its career. Because of this, fans remain loyal. The band’s persistency has carved their identity, and proves that although they have gained much recent popularity it is possible for them to keep true to themselves and their sound.

In contrast to previous albums such as “El Camino” or “Brothers”, “Turn Blue” radiates the band’s maturity. This album is well organized and strategically composed.

This allows the musicians to expose their application of the knowledge they have obtained being what allows them to produce such appealing music.

“Fever,” the album’s most popular single according to iTunes, is upbeat and likely to be heard on the radio or television. However, the single that gave the album its name,

“Turn Blue” does not appear as a song that will rise to popularity due to its relaxed tone.

Upon the first play of “Turn Blue” listeners will likely grow a greater appreciation for The Black Keys.

favorite things Unique Sunglasses

writing essays

Show off some serious indivdual style this summer. Sunglasses give the opportunity to let a person’s personality shine. While square sunglasses are considered to be the norm, circle sunglasses are cute and very unique.

Skinny Pop Popcorn Try staying healthy this summer with this yummy snack. Skinny Pop Popcorn has few calories per bag and is very tasty; for some people it is even better than normal popcorn. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips, grab a bag of Skinny Pop Popcorn.

we’re so over

Roller Blades Bringing back the popular 90’s trend. Going roller blading with friends on a beautiful, sunny day is an essential to summer. Even though going to the mall may be fun as it is, roller skating is a free activity that everyone can enjoy.

School is ending very shortly, and many students are enjoying this beautiful thing by writing multiple essays. Writing one essay is bad enough, but writing two or three, or even four, is just brutal. Maybe students want to enjoy the nice weather and hanging out with friends during the May month, but instead they are inside writing a book’s worth of material. The school work load should lighten up in May, just like the weather.

High school, movie magic gold mine

BY MAGGIE GELON

editor-in-chief

How does the movie industry love high school? Let me count the ways. Actually, I retract that because the number is massive, and as a senior that graduates in five days, “ain’t nobody got time for that.”

But the infatuation that pop culture has with high school is undeniable. Every other major blockbuster, every other best-selling book, seems to be rooted in the angst, drama and characterization of high school.

So what’s the magnet? John Green, the author of the recent best-selling book turned movie “The Fault in Our Stars” accredited the success of the Young Adult genre to the idea that “what I find so compelling about the best YA fiction is its unironic emotional honesty.”

That phrase “unironic emotional honesty” sounds so profound, but in simpler terms it means crying in the bathroom stall over a boy you thought you were kind of “talking to” for the past couple weeks, but he interpreted you asking for pencils repeatedly simply as a sign of severe unpreparedness.

It means being the only girl in gym class that wore the one piece during the swim unit.

It means eating lunch in a closet because that one friend at the back table switched from chemistry to cooking class midsemester, and now you don’t have a lunch buddy and she gets to eat cookies for the rest of the year.

It means tearing up in the back of a classroom because high school was promised to be intellectually stimulating and yet taking notes on how to take notes and being graded on said ability to take notes on notes is beyond frustrating.

It means tearing up in the back of a classroom when the academic challenges once promised all rain down at once, six tests are scheduled for Friday, anxiety overwhelms the mind, and when all seems lost and life aspirations seem far away, at least your note taking skills are immaculate. That should come in clutch in a job interview right?

This heinousness can’t be scripted, only lived. That’s why the entertainment industry gobbles it up.

And while the irony of it all can be argued, the emotional honesty is as authentic as it gets.

So soak it up. Accept the smiles with the tears because who knows, maybe they’ll make a movie about them one day.

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Freshman competes in triathlons across country

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BY MADDIE ADDUCCI

copy editor

The shot fires and over forty young women splash into the water, struggling to get ahead. For over the hundredth time, Freshman Hope Zimmerman finds herself at the beginning of another triathlon.

Since she was 10 years old, Zimmerman has taken part in three- part races- swimming, biking and running.

“I saw one in Michigan City and was like ‘Oh, I really want to try that,’” Zimmerman said. “I hadn’t run too much before that, but I started training in middle school.”

The courses Zimmerman competes in have varied lengths.

The swimming distance ranges from 375 meters to one mile, biking is between six to 13 miles and running is typically one to three miles. The multiple components of these races require year round training.

“My season starts during the winter and goes to the beginning of May,” Zimmerman said.

“I have a triathlon almost every other weekend.”

The frequency of her races keep Zimmerman busy, however, it is not always easy to stay motivated, especially after a full day of school.

“It can be hard to balance school with all my training,” Zimmerman said. “I have track, and then I come home and do a separate work out by myself.”

Zimmerman keeps in shape by herself, but her inspiration to continue racing comes from her team, MMTT. She is a member of the Elite part of the organization which helps triathletes between 12 and 19 become thriving athletes.

“I joined my team last year and really love it. It is hard to motivate myself to train, but I know

What inspired your hair color?

freshman

Sabrina Siew Dreaming big In my dreams, I would not have a house or job; I would travel and write and climb trees. Being a professional tree climber would be the best.

Chasing her

English Expert

DREAM PHOTO BY AMY SCHUCH

Freshman Hope Zimmerman runs after school to train for her next triathlon. Her running, biking and swimming training can vary from one to two hours every day, and that is on top of her school work.

that my whole team is training in Illinois,” Zimmerman said. “I have to keep up.”

Although her team is located in Illinois, Zimmerman’s coach’s expectations are not muddled by the distance.

“My work out can vary; it could be swimming and biking, running and swimming or all three. It depends on what my coach tells me to do,” Zimmerman said. “I do whatever he tells me to do because it pushes me.”

Zimmerman’s dedication to her training, despite the difficulties it has presented, has been worth it to her. She has been given opportunities that she would not have been exposed to outside of MMTT. “I’ve gone to Seattle Washington, Florida, Colorado... pretty

much all over. It’s a lot of fun to travel,” Zimmerman said. “Seattle was my favorite, though. It was really cool to look at the mountains as I was running. Nationals was also a lot of fun because it was my first year as an Elite, and I made it that far.”

Zimmerman’s achievements have grown over the years because of her hard work, but she recognizes her parents’ support from the beginning.

“My parents thought that it sounded great when I told them I wanted to try a triathlon,” Zimmerman said. “They saw how much the equipment cost and was like ‘oh wow, this is really expensive,’ but they were still willing to support me.”

While financial support is important for young triathletes, it is

“I like change.

I don’t want to look like anyone else.”

“I like doing different things with my hair and doing things differently.”

Tiffani Hess

Kendall Beckman

Anna Avcoine

sophomore

freshman

sophomore

“I found the color on Tumblr, and I thought it was really interesting.”

not the most valuable to Zimmerman. Her family makes an effort to attend her races, even if only one member can come with at a time.

“My family really enjoys coming with me to my races. My dad just recently came to one in Seattle, and that was fun,” Zimmerman said. “It is really nice when all of my family can come with.”

As a student athlete there are many distractions from training and competitions, but Zimmerman knows that in order to continue reaching her goals, she must persevere through the difficult parts of her triathlon career.

“Sometimes I ask myself why I am doing (the races) when it is hard, but I don’t stop,” Zimmerman said. “I love being an athlete.”

I like English because it’s amazing how everyone uses the same 26 letters but you get things like “The Great Gatsby” and Jane Austen.

Some people don’t know how to use it, though.

Burning Passion I have an infatuation with flames. It’s so beautiful, and it’s so interesting. I really enjoy them.

Popping music I like listening to crappy pop music because it makes me happy. I also like stuff like Arctic Monkeys because it makes me feel like a rebel.

Food Fanatic I like to eat. I will eat literally everything you put in front of me, unless it’s really fattening.

“I just really love the color red.”

“I had red before this but it faded and now it is a really cool pink.”

Andrea Tanchevski

Mekaela McQueen

junior

sophomore

“My friend gave me the hair color before she went to Europe so I used it for her.”

Savanah Wright freshman

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